Sting, Merry Clayton among stars performing at 2022 concerts celebrating A&M co-founder Jerry Moss

Sting, Merry Clayton among stars performing at 2022 concerts celebrating A&M co-founder Jerry Moss
Sting, Merry Clayton among stars performing at 2022 concerts celebrating A&M co-founder Jerry Moss
Tomoko Itoki; Mathieu Bitton

Sting and acclaimed soul/gospel singer Merry Clayton are among the artists who perform at a pair of concerts celebrating legendary music executive Jerry Moss on February 11 and 12 at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles.

The shows, dubbed Live at The Music Center: Concerts Celebrating Jerry Moss, Co-Founder of A&M Records, will feature performances by various music artists from the label’s roster.

Besides Sting and Clayton — the latter of whom famously sang backing vocals on The Rolling Stones‘ “Gimme Shelter” and Lynyrd Skynyrd‘s “Sweet Home Alabama” — the events will include musical tributes from Moss’ A&M co-founder Herb Alpert, as well as from Burt Bacharach, Sérgio Mendes and others. In addition, actor Tim Curry and other celebs will be on hand to pay homage to Moss.

The concerts will showcase some of the most famous songs produced by A&M Records artists, and also will feature stories and video presentations celebrating “the spirit and legacy of” the label under Moss’ and Alpert’s guidance.

Tickets for the concerts can be purchased now at MusicCenter.org/Moss. Money raised by the events will go toward The Music Center’s initiatives to provide free and affordable arts experiences to people in the Los Angeles area.

“I met Mr. M in 1978 on my first trip to Los Angeles and was proud to induct him and Mr. A[lpert] into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. He is one of the finest gentlemen I have ever met,” says Sting. “He was sensitive to our needs, respected the creative process and understood the freedom artists must have to let the art speak for itself.”

Adds Alpert, “My success as a recording artist is greatly due to my dear friend and A&M partner Jerry Moss.”

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Lil Uzi Vert shuts down amusement park for birthday party for JT of City Girls

Lil Uzi Vert shuts down amusement park for birthday party for JT of City Girls
Lil Uzi Vert shuts down amusement park for birthday party for JT of City Girls
Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET

Lil Uzi Vert made the 29th birthday of JT of City Girls unforgettable by shutting down the Nickelodeon Studios Park at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey over the weekend. 

“The Way Life Goes “rapper joined his girlfriend and 20 friends on numerous rides for her 29th birthday celebration, including the massive roller coaster, according to TMZ. Lil Uzi dropped $50K to rent the park, and added a spectacular surprise, a brand new black McLaren.

JT posted a photo with Vert at the park and commented, “I love you, I appreciate you.” Following the party, she flew to Los Angeles to join her musical partner, Yung Miami, as City Girls received the Future Is Female Award at the Variety Hitmakers Brunch.

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Elton John teases Ed Sheeran about Ed almost killing him with a Christmas bell: “Better luck next time”

Elton John teases Ed Sheeran about Ed almost killing him with a Christmas bell: “Better luck next time”
Elton John teases Ed Sheeran about Ed almost killing him with a Christmas bell: “Better luck next time”
Credit: Zakary Walters

So, how close did Elton John come to being accidentally killed by Ed Sheeran when filming their “Merry Christmas” music video? According to the behind-the-scenes footage, pretty darn close.

Sir Elton took to Instagram on Monday to share the harrowing moment when Sheeran kicks at a bunch of presents and sends a Christmas bell sailing through the air. Thankfully, Elton is looking down at the time because he’s too busy playing the piano — so the shiny gold bell narrowly misses his head.

The moment is even slowed down to show just how close it came, with the bell whizzing past the singer’s left ear and temple.

As Elton looks up after that heavy prop clatters across his grand piano, Ed steps into frame while sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck.

Better luck next time, @teddysphotos,” Elton captioned the video and threw in the crying laughing emoji.

Sheeran previously revealed that he nearly took out the 74-year-old pop-rock legend when speaking to Apple Music’s Zane Lowe about the “Merry Christmas” music video.

“I kick a present, but the present had a big metal bell on top of it…the bell flew past his head and would’ve cracked him in the head,” Ed admitted, saying that it almost “killed him.”

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Watch new surfing-themed video for remix of Paul McCartney song “Slidin'” by Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien

Watch new surfing-themed video for remix of Paul McCartney song “Slidin'” by Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien
Watch new surfing-themed video for remix of Paul McCartney song “Slidin'” by Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien
Credit: Mary McCartney

A new surfing-themed music video for the recent remix of Paul McCartney‘s 2020 song “Slidin'” by Radiohead‘s Ed O’Brien has debuted at McCartney’s official YouTube channel.

The clip was directed by filmmaker Jack McCoy and is dedicated to the ocean charity Surfrider Foundation Australia and the organization’s work spreading awareness about the importance of protecting the coastlines from pollution and other environmental disruptions.

The video features thrilling slow-motion footage of acclaimed free surfer Craig Anderson and other surfers riding giant waves.

McCartney, who previously has collaborated with McCoy on other videos with ocean-conservation themes, contacted Jack about making a clip for “Slidin’,” a song from his 2020 solo album McCartney III that he felt lent itself to be accompanied by surfing and ocean scenes.

“As soon as I heard the song I said to myself ‘Craig Anderson’,” McCoy explained. “I called on some of Craig’s friends to provide me with some amazing footage and made what became the official video for the track.”

He added, “With Paul’s blessing, Craig and I chose to dedicate the video to Surfrider Foundation to help beat the drum with their ongoing fight for our coastline, in particular the current fight to STOP PEP11, a proposal to drill for oil and gas off [Australia’s New South Wales] coastline.”

McCoy ended up making another “Slidin'” video using O’Brien’s remix for the song, which Ed created for the recent McCartney III Imagined compilation.

O’Brien noted that creating the McCartney remix “was a lot of fun,” recalling, “The winter was dark and a second lockdown was imminent, but working on this track with [producer] Paul Epworth was a moment of light.”

McCoy also is working on a new video project with McCartney in support of Surfrider Foundation Australia that features nine world-class free surfers.

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Pentatonix to include instruments for the first time in upcoming global livestream concert

Pentatonix to include instruments for the first time in upcoming global livestream concert
Pentatonix to include instruments for the first time in upcoming global livestream concert
RCA Records

Pentatonix is giving fans one last chance to celebrate the holidays with them.  The a capella sensations unveiled plans for an all-new global livestream event, set for December 19 and 20.

The event also will offer a first in Pentatonix history. The group has never included instruments for a live concert before, but the livestream show will incorporate a piano, cello and the drums in their set.

You can watch Pentatonix: The Evergreen Experience via the Moment House, an exclusive streaming service that broadcasts events worldwide.  The show will be filmed at the group’s December 11 performance in Kentucky, which will feature songs from their new holiday album Evergreen as well as some of their holiday favorites.

The group’s Scott Hoying said in a statement, “This is such a special show for us, and such a great experience to perform on our first tour in two years, so we wanted all our fans around the world to get a chance to see it.”

Tickets for the livestream event can be purchased on the Moment House website now.

If you want to see Pentatonix in person you can still catch them on tour, with tickets available on their website.

 

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Drake withdraws his Grammy nominations

Drake withdraws his Grammy nominations
Drake withdraws his Grammy nominations
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Drake announced Monday he is withdrawing his two Grammy Awards nominations, as reported by Variety.

Drizzy was nominated for Best Rap Album for Certified Lover Boy and Best Rap Performance for his song “Way 2 Sexy” featuring Future and Young Thug. The Toronto, MC, who previously won four Grammys, has been a frequent critic of the Grammy Awards in the past

Last year, after his close friend, the Weeknd, was shut out at the nominations, Drake called for the Grammys to be replaced with “something new that we can build up over time and pass on to the generations to come.”

In 2019, when “God’s Plan” won Best Rap Song, Drake said in his acceptance speech that the award had no value.

“We play an opinion-based sport, not a factual-based sport,” he said. “You already won if you have people singing your songs word for word, if they’re singing in your hometown. You’re already winning, you don’t need this right here.”

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Jimmy Fallon to release pandemic-inspired Christmas song with Ariana Grande and Megan Thee Stallion

Jimmy Fallon to release pandemic-inspired Christmas song with Ariana Grande and Megan Thee Stallion
Jimmy Fallon to release pandemic-inspired Christmas song with Ariana Grande and Megan Thee Stallion
Leylaynr

Jimmy Fallon is wasting no time telling his fans to exercise caution during the holidays because of COVID-19.  The late night talk show host has a pandemic-inspired holiday single coming out on Tuesday, called “It was a… (Masked Christmas)” and it features Megan Thee Stallion and Ariana Grande.

“Guys. I can’t believe I’m typing this but – I’m dropping a new single and video tonight,” Jimmy teased on Instagram, which included an animated cartoon of him holding hands with Ari and Meg as they sway side to side.

Jimmy also teased a snippet of the single, which features the “Body” rapper introducing the song over a festive beat while telling fans, “Y’all know what time it is.”

Ari is stoked to share the upcoming single and commented, “love you pal !!! so excited for this one” while her label, Republic Records, commented with a Christmas tree and heart eyes emojis.

The single and accompanying music video drops Tuesday at midnight EST.  

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Jimmy Fallon (@jimmyfallon)

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Halsey’s Christmas “weirdo tree” includes ornaments of Harry Styles and Britney Spears

Halsey’s Christmas “weirdo tree” includes ornaments of Harry Styles and Britney Spears
Halsey’s Christmas “weirdo tree” includes ornaments of Harry Styles and Britney Spears
dmf87

Halsey is getting ready to celebrate their first holiday as a mom and showed off all the decorations they already put up — including a rather unique Christmas tree.

Taking to their Instagram story on Sunday, the “Eastside” singer first lamented that they messed up their gingerbread house after they “put the stairs under the windows instead of the doors.”

Halsey then said that their home will include two Christmas trees this year, a “big tree” that has yet to be decorated and a smaller, “other weirdo tree.”

The latter is decorated with an array of unique ornaments and the most eye catching ones are of Harry Styles and Britney Spears

Those ornaments appear homemade, with one being a cut-out still from Britney’s “Toxic” video and the other of Harry’s cover of Rolling Stone, where he posed shirtless by the ocean.  Halsey also has a glass ornament that immortalizes the infamous swan dress Björk wore to the 2001 Academy Awards.

Other trinkets Halsey hung on their tree include a button that reads “Full of Anxiety,” a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine bottle, a Pop Tart, a rainbow-colored book that says “Agenda” on the front, a jar of marshmallow fluff, a glass jar with a “little mushroom” inside and others.  There also appears to be a small garland made out of Life Savers strung along the top.

“We love her.  an ugly weirdo,” the Grammy nominee remarked. Halsey also revealed a good portion of those ornaments were made by “really awesome small businesses and artists” on Etsy and encouraged their followers to support the creatives.

 

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Jimmie Allen books first headlining tour in 2022

Jimmie Allen books first headlining tour in 2022
Jimmie Allen books first headlining tour in 2022
ABC

Jimmie Allen is crossing yet another career threshold with his first headlining tour. 

The “Best Shot” hitmaker is set to embark on the 2022 Down Home Tour that runs from February through May. The 19-city trek kicks off on February 3 at the famed Troubadour in Los Angeles, and continues on to Las Vegas, Tulsa, The Blue Note in Columbia, Missouri, San Antonio, where he’ll perform at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and more. 

Jimmie says he was waiting for the right time to book his debut headlining tour and was intentional about not wanting to “rush it.”  

“I wanted to make sure I was ready, my band was ready, so we could give the audience what they deserve every night – which is greatness. And I finally feel like my band and I are at a point where greatness is something we can achieve,” he explains. “To everyone that’s supported us so far on our journey, thank you. We look forward to seeing you and a bunch of our new friends on the Down Home Tour.”

Opening for the hit singer is duo Neon Union, the first act signed to Jimmie’s newly announced management and production company, JAB Entertainment. 

News of Jimmie’s headlining tour comes weeks after he scored a nomination for Best New Artist at the 2022 Grammy Awards. 

Tickets for the Down Home Tour go on sale to the public on Friday at 10 a.m. local time. Visit Jimmie’s website for a full list of dates. 

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Michael Bublé announces upcoming Las Vegas residency

Michael Bublé announces upcoming Las Vegas residency
Michael Bublé announces upcoming Las Vegas residency
Courtesy of Resort World Las Vegas

Michael Bublé will take over Las Vegas next year.  The “Haven’t Met You Yet” singer will headline an all-new residency at Sin City’s newest resort.

Michael will offer six shows at the Resort World Las Vegas starting April 27, 2022, where he’ll perform before a full orchestra.  Additional concerts are set for April 29 and 30 as well as May 4, 6 and 7, 2022.

“As everyone knows, I always love playing Vegas, but I know performing at the new Resorts World Theatre will bring my shows to a whole new level. I can’t wait,” Michael said Monday in a press release.

Tickets for the limited residency go on sale starting Friday, December 10 at 10 a.m. PST at Resort World Las Vegas’ official website.  American Express cardholders will be able to cut the line and access the sale on Tuesday.

 

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