Alicia Keys announces double album

Alicia Keys announces double album
Alicia Keys announces double album
RCA Records

Alicia Keys has a double treat for her fans.

The 15-time Grammy winner announced Tuesday she is dropping a two-album set which she says is “coming soon.” 

“My new album, Keys, will have two types of songs,” she commented with an Instagram video. The first album named, Originals, which Alicia produced, features “laid back piano vibes.’ The second disc, named Unlocked, which she produced with Mike WiLL Made-it, is described as “upbeat, drums, level up vibes.”

In September, the former Voice coach released “LALA” featuring Swae Lee from Rae Sremmurd, which is the first single from Unlocked. They performed the song for the first time last month at the MTV VMAs.

Alicia recently posted a video from their recording session and wrote, “The writing process….It’s always so different. Sometimes it’s instant. Sometimes it takes days, weeks, even months. This was such an easy vibe tho. It just flowed @swaelee @mikewillmadeit.”

“My favorite line is ‘love out of this world, out of this nebula,'” she continued. “I’ve never used nebula in a song before. But I have used Medulla oblongata. I’m that fresh!!”

Last week, the 40-year-old singer performed at the Robin Hood Foundation’s annual charity gala in New York City which raises funds for poverty-fighting programs in the New York area.

Her Noted: Alicia Keys The Untold Stories docu-series, which premiered September 30, is currently available on her YouTube Channel. Keys has also written a young adult graphic novel named after her 2012, five-times platinum hit, Girl on Fire, which will be published March 1, 2022.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Dierks Bentley shares dates for the next leg of his Beers on Me Tour as the song’s music video drops

Dierks Bentley shares dates for the next leg of his Beers on Me Tour as the song’s music video drops
Dierks Bentley shares dates for the next leg of his Beers on Me Tour as the song’s music video drops
Connie Chronuk/ABC

Dierks Bentley’s been out on the road for his 2021 Beers on Me Tour for the past few months, and he’s having too much fun to quit now. The singer just announced a winter leg of the tour, set to kick off in January.

The fun will start with a string of dates in Canada, before Dierks and the gang head south for a batch of shows in the U.S. Among them is a marquee show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in late February. The tour is now set to wrap in early March in Toledo, Ohio.

This time around, Dierks’ opening acts will be Jordan Davis, Tenille Arts and Lainey Wilson.

Dierks’ new tour plans arrive on the same day he’s dropping his new music video for “Beers on Me,” the song that lends its name to the tour. The clip — featuring collaborators Hardy and Breland, the latter of whom joined Dierks for the last leg of the Beers on Me tour — follows the singer and his pals as they pass out free beer to random passersby in Nashville.

Tickets for the next stretch of Dierks’ tour go on sale on Friday, Nov. 5 at 10AM local time.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Miranda Lambert joins the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame

Miranda Lambert joins the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame
Miranda Lambert joins the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame
Alexa King

Miranda Lambert has a new accolade under her belt: She was recently inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Houston, Texas.

The country star was among a class of 2021 inductees that also includes Lavonna “Shorty” Koger, a former rodeo contestant and leading industry cowboy hat-maker, Olympic equestrian Kathryn Kusner and more.

The National Cowgirl Hall of Fame recognizes women who exemplify the Western spirit of resilience and independence. Though it focuses on women pursuing cowboy-centric careers, the Hall recognizes a wide variety of women who bring the cowgirl spirit to whatever it is they do.

It’s a timely honor for Miranda, as she just released her newest single, “If I Was a Cowboy.”

You can also catch her performing at the upcoming 2021 CMA Awards show, which airs on ABC on Wednesday, November 10.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Longtime Journey manager Herbie Herbert dead at age 73

Longtime Journey manager Herbie Herbert dead at age 73
Longtime Journey manager Herbie Herbert dead at age 73
Herbie Herbert in 2008; Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

Herbie Herbert, the veteran music-industry figure who managed Journey from the band’s 1973 inception until 1993, died of natural causes Monday, October 25, at his home in Orinda, California, Variety reports. He was 73.

Early in his career, Herbert worked for famed concert promoter Bill Graham as a roadie for Santana, which is how he met co-founding Journey members Neal Schon and Gregg Rolie.

During the late 1960s, Herbert managed Frumious Bandsnatch, a psychedelic group that featured future Journey members Ross Valory and George Tickner.

Herbert helped put together Journey in 1973 and guided the band for the next two decades. According to Variety, he was involved in all aspects of their career, including overseeing recordings, the design of their logo and album covers, concerts and more.

In a 2017 interview with ABC Audio, ex-Journey frontman Steve Perry credited Herbert for bringing him into the band.

“Herbie…really is a legend,” Perry said, “and I’m actually in the band because he heard my demo tape and believed in me and told the band, ‘You gotta listen to this tape, I think this is the guy that should be the singer.'”

Interestingly, a reported personality conflict with Perry led to Herbert exiting Journey. He also managed the Steve Miller Band and co-managed acts like Roxette, Europe, Mr. Big and Enuff Z’Nuff.

In a lengthy tribute to Herbert, Schon wrote on his Facebook page, “I’ll cherish all the incredible times and trials and tribulations we experienced together. Herbie was an incredible hands on Manager and fought like a mother f***** for all of us every step of the way.”

Variety reports that a documentary about Herbert’s life is in production, and plans for a memorial celebration will be announced soon.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Du hast space: ISS astronaut is first to hear new Rammstein song

Du hast space: ISS astronaut is first to hear new Rammstein song
Du hast space: ISS astronaut is first to hear new Rammstein song
Credit: Jens Koch

One very specific person has now heard a new Rammstein song.

Drummer Chris Schneider premiered the track for Thomas Pesquet, an astronaut and current commander of the International Space Station. In an Instagram post, Schneider shares that speaking with Pesquet felt like a “child’s dream coming true.”

“Talking to a person living in the sky, sharing a glimpse of his view, realizing again how small we all are compared to the depth of the universe…” Schneider writes.

“[Pesquet] was the first to listen to one of our new songs from the upcoming album,” the drummer adds. “It premiered in the sky, which is an honor for us.”

Rammstein recorded a new album while in lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s the follow-up to 2019’s untitled effort.

There’s no word yet on when all of us Earth-bound people will get to hear new Rammstein music. Hopefully it will arrive in time for the German metal titans’ first-ever North American stadium tour, which finally kicks off in August 2022 after several COVID-related delays.

Pesquet, meanwhile, seems to be the go-to person for music premieres lately — he also debuted Coldplay‘s “Higher Power” single aboard the ISS.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Adele, Justin Bieber, BTS among top nominees for 2021 People’s Choice Awards

Adele, Justin Bieber, BTS among top nominees for 2021 People’s Choice Awards
Adele, Justin Bieber, BTS among top nominees for 2021 People’s Choice Awards
NBCUniversal

So far this year, Adele’s put out exactly one single, but that hasn’t stopped her from getting a bunch of nominations for the 2021 People’s Choice Awards.

The “Easy On Me” singer is up for Female Artist of 2021, Song of 2021 and Video of 2021 at the annual ceremony,  which will air simultaneously on NBC and E! on December 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

BTS and Justin Bieber are also up for multiple awards: BTS is up for Group, as well as Song and Video for “Butter” and “My Universe.”  Justin is up for Male Artist, plus Song, Collaboration and Video for “Stay” and “Peaches” and Album for Justice.  Lil Nas X is nominated in those same categories.

Olivia Rodrigo is up for Female Artist, Song and Video for “good 4 u,” New Artist and album for SOUR. Other artists with multiple nominations include Billie Eilish, Doja Cat and The Kid LAROI.

A new category this year is Pop Special of 2021, where nominees include Pink‘s documentary All I Know So Far, Billie’s The World’s A Little Blurry, Justin’s Our World and Demi Lovato‘s Dancing with the Devil.

You can vote now online at VotePCA.com or on Twitter with the category hashtag and nominee hashtag.

THE MALE ARTIST OF 2021
Bad Bunny
Drake
Ed Sheeran
Justin Bieber
Lil Nas X
Luke Combs
Shawn Mendes
The Weeknd

THE FEMALE ARTIST OF 2021
Adele
Billie Eilish
Cardi B
Doja Cat
Halsey
Megan Thee Stallion
Olivia Rodrigo
Saweetie

THE GROUP OF 2021
BTS
Coldplay
Dan + Shay
Imagine Dragons
Jonas Brothers
Maroon 5
Migos
twenty one pilots

THE SONG OF 2021
“Butter,”  BTS
“Bad Habits,” Ed Sheeran
“Easy On Me,” Adele
“good 4 u,” Olivia Rodrigo
“MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name),” Lil Nas X
“Peaches,” Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar & Giveon
“STAY,” The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber
“Up,” Cardi B

THE ALBUM OF 2021
Certified Lover Boy, Drake
Culture III, Migos
Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish
Justice, Justin Bieber
MONTERO, Lil Nas X
Planet Her, Doja Cat
Sour, Olivia Rodrigo
star-crossed, Kacey Musgraves

THE NEW ARTIST OF 2021
24kGoldn
Bella Poarch
Giveon
Olivia Rodrigo
Rauw Alejandro
Tate McRae
The Kid LAROI
TOMORROW X TOGETHER

THE MUSIC VIDEO OF 2021
“Butter”, BTS
“Easy On Me,” Adele
“good 4 u,” Olivia Rodrigo
“LOCATION,” KAROL G, Anuel AA, J Balvin
“MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name),” Lil Nas X
“My Universe,” Coldplay X BTS
“Peaches,” Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar & Giveon
“STAY,” The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber

THE COLLABORATION SONG OF 2021
“Best Friend,” Saweetie feat. Doja Cat
“INDUSTRY BABY,”  Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow
“Kiss Me More,” Doja Cat feat. SZA
“Leave The Door Open,” Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
“Peaches,” Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar & Giveon
“STAY,” The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber
“Way 2 Sexy,” Drake feat. Future & Young Thug
“You Right,” Doja Cat, The Weeknd

THE POP SPECIAL OF 2021
Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry
Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil
Friends: The Reunion
Justin Bieber: Our World
Olympic Highlights with Kevin Hart and Snoop Dogg
Oprah with Meghan and Harry
P!nk: All I Know So Far
Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3
 

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Billy Joel “doesn’t get the hate” for *this* number-one hit of his

Billy Joel “doesn’t get the hate” for *this* number-one hit of his
Billy Joel “doesn’t get the hate” for *this* number-one hit of his
Columbia Records

Anyone can start a podcast that talks about an artist, but what about an entire podcast series about a single song?  We Didn’t Start the Fire: The History Podcast is solely devoted to Billy Joel‘s 1989 number-one hit, and a few days ago, the Piano Man himself appeared on it to discuss the song, its legacy and, surprisingly, how much people dislike it.

“The only thing I’ve heard about that song from people is, ‘I hate that song!'” Billy told podcast hosts Katie Puckrik and Tom Fordyce. “Some people hate that song. It’s one of the most hated things I ever wrote! And I don’t get the hate.”

“I mean, I hate the music, because it’s not good,” Billy admitted. “But I think the lyrics are fairly clever, I think I did a pretty good job with the words, but some people just hate that thing.”

As for why the music isn’t good, Billy explained, “I wrote the words first, which is why the music is so horrible in that song. I usually write the music first and then I write the lyrics, but in that song, the melody…it’s like a mosquito buzzing around your head! It’s more annoying than musical.”

Each episode of the podcast is a deep dive into one of the historical figures or event named in the song, from Eisenhower and The King and I, to Liberace and Joseph Stalin.  Billy discusses what inspired the song, why he chose to mention certain people, and answers trivia questions about those people.

By the way, despite its “horrible” music, “We Didn’t Start the Fire” is one of only three Billboard Hot 100 number-one hits Billy has had in his career, next to “It’s Still Rock ‘n Roll to Me” and “Tell Her About It.”

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Adam Levine speaks out about fan rushing the stage mid-concert: “I was really startled”

Adam Levine speaks out about fan rushing the stage mid-concert: “I was really startled”
Adam Levine speaks out about fan rushing the stage mid-concert: “I was really startled”
Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Audacy

Adam Levine is addressing the now-viral incident where a fan grabbed him on stage during a concert at the Hollywood Bowl over the weekend.

In a clip of the moment, posted to TikTok, a woman is seen rushing the stage and touching Adam before security takes her away. Adam reacts by shaking off the encounter and is seen mouthing an expletive before continuing with his performance.

While some criticized his reaction, the Maroon 5 frontman took to his Instagram Story to clarify that he “loves, respects and worships” his fans but he was “startled” by the encounter.

“To think that anyone would believe that I thought that our fans were beneath us or less than us makes my stomach turn,” he says. “That’s just not who I am. That’s not who I’ve ever been.”

“I just need you guys to know I was really startled,” he continues. “And sometimes when you’re startled… you have to shake it off and move on cause I’m doing my job up there. It’s what I pride myself on.”

Adam concludes his message, “I need to let you guys know what my heart is, and my heart is that connection that exists between the band performing onstage and the fans.”

@luispenaloza9525 Adam Levine was a whole mood yesterday💀 #Fyp #ForYou #Maroon5 #AdamLevine #Hollywood #HollywoodBowl ♬ Sunday Morning – Maroon 5

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs + more join 2021 CMA Awards lineup

Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs + more join 2021 CMA Awards lineup
Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs + more join 2021 CMA Awards lineup
CMA

More of the lineup for the 2021 CMA Awards was unveiled this week, and it’s packed with stars. Jason Aldean will hit the stage with Carrie Underwood to perform their duet “If I Didn’t Love You,” which just reached the top of the country charts.

Kane Brown and Chris Young will contribute another megawatt duet: They’re going to perform their latest #1 hit, “Famous Friends,” which is the title track on Chris’ latest album.

Also just added to the bill are Miranda Lambert and Luke Combs. Old Dominion will take the stage, too, performing their new single “I Was on a Boat That Day.” Meanwhile, Chris Stapleton will perform “Cold,” which comes off his latest album, Starting Over.

The newest round of performers joins an already stacked bill: Previously-announced acts who’ll hit the stage include Eric Church, Dan + Shay, Blake Shelton and Carly Pearce with Ashley McBryde.

The 2021 CMA Awards airs on Wednesday, November 10 on ABC at 8 p.m. ET. The ceremony will take place in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Måneskin performing on MTV EMAs, make late-night TV debut

Måneskin performing on MTV EMAs, make late-night TV debut
Måneskin performing on MTV EMAs, make late-night TV debut
Sean Gallagher/NBC

Italian band Måneskin have been announced as performers on the 2021 MTV Europe Music Awards on November 14.

The “Beggin'” rockers, whose name means “Moonlight” in Danish, will be making their debut on the awards show, where they’re nominated for Best Rock and Best Group. Latin superstar Maluma and German singer Kim Petras will also perform on the show, which will air live from Hungary at 3 p.m. ET across MTV’s various channels.  Justin Bieber is the leading nominee, with eight nods.

In other Måneskin news, the Eurovision winners made their U.S. late-night TV debut Tuesday night on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing both “Beggin‘” and their new single, “Mammamia.”  You can watch those performances now online.

 

 

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.