Måneskin will be premiering their contribution to the soundtrack for the Elvis Presley biopic Elvis this week.
The Italian rockers put their spin on the 1968 song “If I Can Dream,” which is set to drop this Friday, June 17.
“Feeling so grateful to have had the chance to cover the King for [director Baz Luhrmann‘s] movie and recorded it in Graceland,” Måneskin says. “We can’t wait to share all of these emotions with you.”
You can listen to a clip of the recording, which is accompanied by a video of Måneskin entering the famed Memphis mansion and visiting Elvis’ grave, now via the “Beggin'” band’s Twitter.
Elvis, which stars Austin Butler in the title role and Tom Hanks as his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, premieres in theaters June 24. Its soundtrack also includes contributions from Jack White, Tame Impala, Gary Clark Jr. and Stevie Nicks.
Country-rock pioneer Richie Furay, a founding member of both Buffalo Springfield and Poco, has released his new cover of Marc Cohn‘s 1991 hit “Walking in Memphis” as an advance track from his upcoming covers album, In the Country.
The song is available now via digital formats, and Furay has also debuted a music video for the tune on his official YouTube channel.
As previously reported, In the Country is due out on July 8 and is made up mainly of Furay’s interpretations of various well-known country songs.
Among the tunes featured on the 12-track collection are renditions of such country chart-toppers as Keith Urban‘s “Somebody Like You,” Garth Brooks‘ “The River,” Alabama‘s “I’m in a Hurry and I Don’t Know Why” and Lee Ann Womack‘s “I Hope You Dance,” as well as notable crossover hits like “Walking in Memphis” and John Denver‘s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
The album includes guest contributions from Vince Gill, John Berry, ex-Chicago singer/bassist Jason Scheff, and longtime Eagles bassist and former Poco member Timothy B. Schmit.
The digital version of In the Country features two bonus tracks — new renditions of the 1969 Furay-penned Poco tune “Pickin’ Up the Pieces” and George Strait‘s 1992 chart-topper “I Cross My Heart.” You can preorder the album now.
Furay is in Nashville this week, and his schedule includes a concert Thursday at the City Winery; his first performance at the historic Grand Ole Opry on Friday; and a special in-store appearance Saturday at East Nashville’s Vinyl Tap record shop, where he will be signing vinyl copies of In the Country in conjunction with Record Store Day.
Visit RichieFuray.com to check out his full concert schedule.
Amy Lee is performing during an upcoming streaming concert paying tribute to pioneering rock ‘n’ roll duo The Everly Brothers.
The Evanescence frontwoman will join Dave Stewart of Eurythmics for a rendition of the song “Love Hurts,” which The Everly Brothers first recorded in 1960.
“A bunch of legendary artists have come together and made tribute covers in honor of the incredible, timeless Everly Brothers,” Lee says. “I’m excited to announce I’ve teamed up with the one and only Dave Stewart for a special version of ‘Love Hurts.'”
The streaming event will feature a mixture of new and archival performances, and include artists Paul Simon, The Grateful Dead‘s Bob Weir with The Black Crowes‘ Chris Robinson, The Bangles‘ Susanna Hoffs with Semisonic‘s Dan Wilson, Chris Isaak and The Wallflowers‘ Jakob Dylan.
The Nipsey Hussle murder trial began Wednesday, with the jury hearing opening statements.
Hussle, a Grammy-winning rapper who was born Ermias Asghedom, was gunned down in April 2019 outside of his clothing store in South Los Angeles.
Eric Holder has been charged with Hussle’s death. He was indicted on one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Holder faces up to life in prison, if convicted as charged. He has pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution began by describing Hussle as a father and a son, comparing him in sharp contrast to Holder.
“The defendant in this case was also an aspiring rapper – not nearly as successful, not nearly as respected and the two didn’t really have a lot in common,” Deputy District Attorney John McKinney told the jury. “They were two men whose arcs in life were bending in two different directions. The one thing they did have in common was their roots.”
McKinney described the gang activity that Hussle was once involved in as a young man and that Holder allegedly remains in. He said that understanding gang culture is vital to understanding the final encounter between the two men.
Witnesses, including the woman who drove Holder from the scene, are expected to describe a conversation between Holder and Hussle that apparently had to do with rumors about “snitching,” before Holder allegedly fatally shot Hussle 10 times.
L.A. County deputy public defender Aaron Jansen said in his opening statement Wednesday that his client was Hussle’s killer.
However, he told the jury that it was Holder’s passionate response to the “snitching” accusations against Hussle and was not premeditated.
“This is a case about the heat of passion,” said Jansen. “The provocative act in this case was that Nipsey Hussle made an accusation against Mr. Holder that he was a snitch.”
Jansen said that the first-degree charge for premeditated murder should instead be “voluntary manslaughter.”
Adam Lambert recalled feeling like an outsider when he was younger and shared the advice his father once gave him: “Don’t worry, when you’re a grown-up you’re gonna be the one they all think is cool. Just keep being yourself, and they’ll catch up.” Adam says he’s living proof of why you should always stay true to yourself.
Lady Gaga‘s “Poker Face” is officially her third music video to amass over 1 billion views on YouTube. “Shallow” and “Bad Romance” have each amassed over 1 billion views each.
Dua Lipa‘s car got clamped in London! Daily Mail reports the singer’s luxury convertible was fitted with a big yellow boot, but it is not known why. Common reasons include lack of insurance, illegal parking and not paying past fines or taxes. Dua just wrapped her Future Nostalgia Tour.
Kelly Clarkson threw it back to 2008 to cover Britney Spears’ “Womanizer.” The American Idol champ infused a bit of rock into her new cover and also let her vocals loose. “Celebrating Queen Britney,” the Kelly Clarkson Show described the latest offering.
Lady Gaga‘s “Poker Face” is officially her third music video to amass over 1 billion views on YouTube. “Shallow” and “Bad Romance” have each amassed over 1 billion views each.
Is Beyoncé planning a secret series of pop-up shows? The Sunbelieves the “Halo” singer will be hosting a series of secret concerts in the United Kingdom to promote a new album. Apparently, she is about to drop her seventh studio album and has tasked her team with scouting out possible venues to host her special gigs. A source told the outlet that Bey’s new era “will be like no other.”
The Kid LAROI had a nasty fall when playing basketball with his buddies. TMZ obtained video of the singer tripping over one of his friends and going airborne before painfully slamming down on his back. LAROI appears to be OK because he went ahead with his concert in Melbourne, Australia, that night.
Billie Eilish must have been hungry after her concert in Glasgow because she ordered over $1,200 worth of takeout. The restaurant, Bucks Bar, said on Facebook that Billie “broke the Buck’s record for largest takeaway order last night.” What’d she get? Bucks revealed, “The strict vegan treated her team to 500 wings, buttermilk fried chicken burgers, veggie burgers, vegan burgers and sides of fries and mac ‘n’ cheese.”
Dua Lipa‘s car got clamped in London! Daily Mailreports the singer’s luxury convertible was fitted with a big yellow boot, but it’s not known why. Common reasons include lack of insurance, illegal parking and not paying past fines or taxes. Dua just wrapped her Future Nostalgia Tour.
Kelly Clarkson threw it back to 2008 to cover Britney Spears‘ “Womanizer.” The American Idol champ infused a bit of rock into her new cover, adding she’s “celebrating Queen Britney.”
Tiffany Haddish reflected on her experience in the foster care system and how it has inspired her to use her platform to give back to other foster kids.
“When I was in foster care, I mean, I thought I was going to die there,” the Girls Trip actress told Variety. “I didn’t think I would make it to 18.”
“And when I made it to 18, I was like, ‘OK, I got to really think bigger.’ And I did think bigger, and I’m definitely where I thought I would be. Well, it’s bigger than what I thought.”
Haddish said she now feels the way she had always hoped to feel, which is “secure in my ability to provide for me.”
While the Emmy-winning comedian said her goal is to look on the positive side of her experience, saying it made her strong, there were dark times.
“When I was a kid and I was moving around, all my stuff had to be in trash bags, and moving like that is not good for the self-esteem because it makes you feel like garbage that can easily be transported to here or there,” she said. “You start thinking of yourself as such, as garbage.”
Haddish said this was “the worst feeling in the world personally” and she made a vow to herself in that moment.
“I told myself, ‘If I ever get any power, I’m going to try to make sure kids don’t feel like that,'” she said.
To accomplish this, the “Layla, the Last Black Unicorn” co-author founded the She Ready Foundation, a nonprofit that gives suitcases to foster children and connects them with internship programs.
“She Ready Foundation serves as the voice of foster children suffering in silence,” the group’s website reads.
Even though the company that controls BTS‘s label, HYBE, countered claims the group is going on hiatus, consider its investors rattled.
The South Korean entertainment company’s stocks took a nosedive on Wednesday after BTS announced their break to work on solo projects. Stocks plunged about 25%, but the market shakeup was widely expected after BTS’ announcement. Apparently, BTS is responsible for making up about 20% of HYBE’s overall stock because of their massive global influence.
Big Hit Music, a subsidiary company of HYBE that is responsible for BTS’ group activities, attempted to extinguish concerns expressed by fans and investors that BTS members are permanently turning the page on their collaborative efforts and beginning a new journey to pursue solo projects.
“The group will remain active as a team while taking individual journeys to further achieve personal growth,” the entertainment company told ABC News.
HYBE also issued a statement Wednesday, saying, “BTS are not taking a hiatus. Members will be focusing more on solo projects at this time.”
Meanwhile, military enrollment is looming for the septet as South Korea mandates all able-bodied men serve in the military for about two years. K-pop stars can defer military service until they turn 30. The oldest member of BTS, Jin, is due to enlist in December, which also could affect HYBE’s stocks.
As previously reported, the singers told fans on Tuesday they’re going on haitus. The Grammy nominees cited exhaustion and a loss of direction as reasons for the break.
J-Hope assured fans the hiatus would be good for the group, saying it will allow them to “become stronger” and “start our second chapter.”
Big Hit has since announced J-Hope is working on a solo album while other members are working on “collaborations with other artists.”
Luke Combs is a country music superstar, but he’s not above changing a dirty diaper.
The hitmaker is days away from welcoming his first child, a boy, with his wife Nicole, and he’s fully prepared to be on diaper duty as a way to return the favor to his wife for staying strong through the pregnancy.
“I’m assuming that I will probably end up doing a lot of that,” he affirms to the Tennesseanabout diaper changing. “She had to grow him for nine months, so I figure I can at least do something at this point. You don’t really do anything for nine months and you didn’t do anything after that, it’s kind of like a deadbeat at that point. So I figure I’ll be changing my fair share of diapers after tonight for sure.”
The reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year confirms that CMA Fest was his last show as a “not dad” and that the baby should be arriving any day, potentially as soon as Father’s Day this Sunday. “That’d be cool,” he says if the baby were to arrive on Father’s Day.
Luke and Nicole announced in January that they’re expecting a baby boy. Their friends and family threw them a baby shower in Nashville earlier this month.
Taylor Swift kept her new song “Carolina” period correct for the upcoming film Where the Crawdads Sing.
Director Olivia Newman joined Reese Witherspoon for a roundtable discussing the upcoming film andrevealed Taylor made the song authentic to the early ’50s, which is when the first half of Where the Crawdads Sing is set.
Witherspoon, who produced the film, revealed she “freaked out” when she found out the Grammy winner tailor made “Carolina” especially for the movie — without telling anyone.
“She read this book and loved it so much, and then she heard we were making a movie [while] she was making her folklore album and then she wrote a song with that whole folklore team, which was so haunting, and magical and beautiful,” Witherspoon continued to gush. “I was blown away.”
Added Newman, “She had gone and written this song out of just pure inspiration and sort of said, ‘I don’t know if you’ll like it, but here it is!'” The director added Taylor “wrote this gorgeous letter to us explaining how they chose instruments that were only available before 1953 and she recorded it in one take the way they recorded songs at the time.”
Newman also admitted, “The first time I listened to it, I just started bawling and I said, ‘I don’t know what’s happening to me right now.’ I mean, I love singing along to Taylor Swift songs but I never cry like this.”
Newman, who is also a fan of the book and its earthshaking ending, said Taylor perfectly captured the “very specific feeling” readers experience upon finishing the last chapter. “We wanted to leave audiences with that same sort of emotional feeling and her song just leans right into that,” she said.
Where the Crawdads Sing arrives in theaters July 15.
