Music – Page 3143 – 105.7 WDNY

Keith Urban recalls “surreal” first time meeting Olivia Newton-John

August 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Keith Urban has nothing but fond memories of the late Olivia Newton-John.

The country singer met the Grease star at a songwriters’ retreat in the late ’90s and reveals he was a bit of a “fanboy.”

“It was surreal to get to meet her. She couldn’t have been more down to earth, kind, friendly, warm, funny, everything I thought she would be,” Keith describes. “She was exactly that.”

The two kept in touch and continued to write together over the years, including a song called “Sunburned Country” that Keith is a featured vocalist on. But music isn’t the only way they connected. In fact, the actress was present the night Keith met his wife, Nicole Kidman, at an event called Good Day LA in 2005 where he, Nicole and Mel Gibson were being honored as Australians who’d found success in America. When asked which fellow famous Australian he’d like to introduce him, Olivia’s name was the first that came to mind.

“I had just written with Olivia, so I asked Olivia if she would do it for me. She was the person who introduced me that fateful night when I met my wife, so she also plays that very special role in our past, as well,” he recalls. “Olivia is one of those people that for so many Australians particularly has always been part of the fabric of life. She was there in the ’70s and has been there for all of my life. It feels like she’s been there.”

Olivia passed away on August 8 at the age of 73 from cancer.

Olivia Newton-John’s official state funeral to be “more of a concert”

August 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Olivia Newton-John‘s state memorial service in her home country of Australia will be “more of a concert than a funeral,” said a government official.

Born in England, Olivia grew up in Melbourne, the capital of the Australian state of Victoria. Victoria Premier Dan Andrews tweeted, “I’m so pleased that Olivia [Newton]-John’s family have accepted our offer of a State Memorial Service. We’re working with Olivia’s family on the details, but it will be more of a concert than a funeral – fitting for a Victorian who lived such a rich and generous life.”

Previously, Olivia’s niece Totti Goldsmith told an Australian TV show that the family had accepted the offer. And certainly, there’s no shortage of singers who’d love to pay tribute to the beloved Grease star.

Meanwhile, Olivia’s husband, John Easterling, has posted a tribute to her on Instagram in which he writes, “At Olivia’s deepest essence she was a healer using her mediums of song, of words, of touch. She was the most courageous woman I’ve ever known. Her bandwidth for genuinely caring for people, for nature and all creatures almost eclipses what is humanely [sic] possible.”

He adds, “It is only the grace of God that has allowed me to share the depth and passion of her being for so long. In her most difficult times she always had the spirit, the humor, and the will power to move things into the light. Even now as her soul soars, the pain and holes in my heart are healed with the joy of her love and the light that shines forward.”

He concludes, “Our family deeply appreciates the vast ocean of love and support that has come our way.”

Metallica among many stars performing at Global Citizen Festival in NYC this September

August 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The 10th anniversary Global Citizen Festival will take place on September 24 in both New York City and in Accra, Ghana. And, as usual, the lineup is very star-studded.

The New York edition of the fest will be held in Central Park, and its bill will include Metallica, as well as Mariah Carey and Jonas Brothers. The event, which will be hosted by Global Citizen ambassador Priyanka Chopra Jonas. also will feature performances by Italian rockers Måneskin, pop singer Charlie Puth, Latin star Rosalía and country star Mickey Guyton, with more artists to be announced later.

Meanwhile, the concert in Accra, Ghana, will commemorate the 65th anniversary of African nation’s independence, and the show will feature such stars as Usher, SZA and H.E.R.

The concerts will be broadcast and streamed on ABC, ABC News Live, FX, Hulu, Twitter, YouTube and more. A primetime special, Global Citizen Festival: Take Action Now, will air September 25 at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.

As always, tickets to the concerts are free, and can be earned by downloading the Global Citizen app or visiting GlobalCitizen.org and taking action on the charity’s issues.

Global Citizen is calling for world leaders to work to fight extreme poverty and specifically is asking the leaders attending the United National General Assembly to invest $600 million in the future of women and girls worldwide, to close the annual $10 billion climate financing shortfall and to provide $500 million to help African farmers respond to the global food crisis.

According to Global Citizen, as many as 1.2 billion people now live in countries experiencing food, energy and financial crises and as many as 200 million more may experience extreme poverty by November if action isn’t taken now.

Måneskin, Metallica performing at NYC Global Citizen Festival in September

August 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Måneskin and Metallica are performing at New York City’s 2022 Global Citizen Festival, taking place September 24 in Central Park.

The lineup for the annual event, which supports the Global Citizen organization’s ongoing goal to end extreme poverty, also features Charlie Puth, Jonas Brothers, Mariah Carey, Mickey Guyton and Rosalía.

Tickets to the concerts are free, and can be earned by downloading the Global Citizen app or visiting GlobalCitizen.org and taking action on the charity’s issues.

The same day of the NYC concert, Global Citizen will also be holding a show in Ghana to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the African country’s independence. Artists including Usher, SZA and H.E.R. will be on the lineup.

Both concerts will be broadcast and streamed on ABC, ABC News Live, FX, Hulu, Twitter, YouTube and more. A primetime special, Global Citizen Festival: Take Action Now, will air September 25 at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.

Mariah Carey among many stars performing at Global Citizen Festival in NYC this September

August 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The 10th anniversary Global Citizen Festival will take place on September 24 in both New York City and in Accra, Ghana. And, as usual, the lineup is very star-studded.

The New York edition of the fest will be held in Central Park, and its bill will include Mariah Carey, as well as Jonas Brothers and Metallica. The event, which will be hosted by Global Citizen ambassador Priyanka Chopra Jonas. also will feature performances by pop singer Charlie Puth, Italian rockers Måneskin, Latin star Rosalía and country star Mickey Guyton, with more artists to be announced later.

Meanwhile, the concert in Accra, Ghana, will commemorate the 65th anniversary of African nation’s independence, and the show will feature Usher, and R&B superstars SZA and H.E.R., among others.

As always, tickets to the concerts are free, and can be earned by downloading the Global Citizen app or visiting GlobalCitizen.org and taking action on the charity’s issues.

Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo says upcoming Broadway residency is canceled

August 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Weezer‘s scheduled Broadway residency has been canceled, according to frontman Rivers Cuomo.

In a post on his Discord server, which was viewed by ABC Audio, Cuomo writes, “I just learned that our Broadway shows have been cancelled (due to low ticket sales and unbelievably high expenses).”

“I’m very sorry to be telling you this now after we’ve already invested so much time, thought, and emotion,” Cuomo adds. “Extra apologies to those of you who cleared schedules and made travel plans to be with us…I loved where we were going and I hope we can find a way to resurrect our vision.”

However, Weezer’s social media platforms and website are still promoting the residency, and links to buy tickets still appear to be active.

The residency was set to take place over five performances at New York City’s Broadway Theatre in September. The first four shows would be themed around one of Weezer’s four seasonally themed SZNZ EPs, while the fifth would feature songs from all of the EPs and “Weezer fan favorites.”

ABC Audio has reached out to Weezer’s rep for confirmation.

Jonas Brothers, Mariah Carey, Charlie Puth to perform at NYC’s Global Citizen Festival in September

August 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The 10th anniversary Global Citizen Festival will take place this September in both New York City and Accra, Ghana. And, as usual, the lineup is very star-studded.

Mariah Carey, Jonas Brothers, Charlie Puth, MÅNESKIN, Metallica, Rosalía and country star Mickey Guyton will perform in New York’s Central Park at the September 24 event, which will be hosted by Global Citizen ambassador Priyanka Chopra Jonas. More artists will be announced later.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the 65th anniversary of Ghana’s independence will be celebrated with a concert in Accra featuring Usher, SZA, H.E.R. and TEMS.

As always, tickets to the concerts are free, and can be earned by downloading the Global Citizen app or visiting globalcitizen.org and taking action on the charity’s issues. Because, of course, it isn’t just about music.

Mariah Carey, Jonas Brothers, Charlie Puth & more to perform at NYC’s Global Citizen Fest in September

August 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The 10th anniversary Global Citizen Festival will take place this September in both New York City and in Accra, Ghana. And, as usual, the lineup is very star-studded.

Mariah Carey, Jonas Brothers and Charlie Puth will perform in New York’s Central Park at the September 24 event, which will be hosted by Global Citizen ambassador Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Metal legends Metallica, Italian rockers MÅNESKIN, Latin star Rosalía, and country star Mickey Guyton are also on the bill, with more artists to be announced later.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the 65th anniversary of Ghana’s independence will be celebrated with a concert in Accra featuring Usher, and R&B superstars SZA and H.E.R., among others.

Madonna joins Jimmy Fallon and The Roots for a performance of “Music” using classroom instruments

August 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

On Wednesday’s The Tonight Show, Madonna joined host Jimmy Fallon and his house band The Roots in the Tonight Show Music Room for a version of “Music,” from her new compilation album, Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones — performed with classroom instruments.

In the recurring segment, Fallon and The Roots back music artists for a version of one of their popular songs, using instruments you would find in a classroom.

In this case, it was Madonna rocking the triangle, with Fallon pounding a wood block while Roots members played a toy xylophone, a melodica, a toy guitar, tambourines and shakers.

Past music room guests have included Justin Bieber, Jonas Brothers, Camila Cabello, Ed Sheeran and Adele.

Madonna also shared the stories behind a couple of her number-one hits, including “Everybody,” which she said she convinced the DJ at a New York City club called Danceteria to play, marking the first time she saw people dancing to one of her songs.

She also shared a story about her notorious 1984 MTV Video Music Awards performance of “Like a Virgin.”

“I walked down these very steep stairs of a wedding cake and I got to the bottom and I started dancing and my white stiletto pump fell off,” she recalled. “I was trying to do this like smooth move, like dive for the shoe and make it look like it was choreography, and my dress flipped up and my butt was showing!”

Dolly Parton’s Duncan Hines baking collection will restock this month

August 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Good news is on the way for Dolly Parton fans with a sweet tooth: her Duncan Hines baking collection is getting a restock later this month.

The collection comes with two different cake mixes: Dolly’s limited-edition Southern Style Coconut Flavored Cake Mix and Southern Style Banana Flavored Cake Mix. To go along with the cakes, fans will get one can of Creamy Buttercream Frosting and one can of Chocolate Buttercream Frosting, plus a tea towel, potholder and three keepsake recipe cards.

“I hope you get a chance to grab one & bake up something special,” Dolly said on Twitter when she announced the restock.

Dolly’s Duncan Hines isn’t just delicious — it’s also award-winning. The Coconut Flavored Cake Mix won Best Cake Mix in the People Food Awards 2022.

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