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Nicki Minaj defends Jesy Nelson following Blackfishing accusations

October 12, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Nicki Minaj is featured on Jesy Nelson‘s new “Boyz” single, and as the former Little Mix member is being accused of Blackfishing, Pink Barbie is coming to her defense.

Following the release of the song, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, the only current Black member of Little Mix, slammed Jesy for attempting to look Black in leaked messages.

“Sweetheart, take them text messages and shove it up your f***ing a**,” Minaj said during an Instagram Live session. “Don’t try to come out and ruin anyone. Let her enjoy this time. If you was in this woman’s group and you ain’t taking about this sh** for 10 years, and as soon as you see she got a video come out with Nicki Minaj and Puffy, now you sending the stations text messages and all this sh**.”

Nelson said to Minaj during the IG Live session, “My intention was never ever to offend people of color with this video and my song…’90s R&B were the best years in music. I just wanted to celebrate that. I just want to celebrate that era of music is what I love.”

“It’s just hard for me because I was in a group with two women of color for nine years and it was never brought up to me up until the last music video,” Jesy added, referring to Little Mix’s 2020 music video “Sweet Melody.” She said that was the first time Pinnock made Blackfishing accusations about her.

Following their Instagram Live discussion, Minaj tweeted, “Don’t call things out when they benefit your personal vendetta to ppl. Call them out immediately once you see it chile. Don’t wait a decade after you’ve made millions with the person.”

Thomas Rhett pens sweet wedding anniversary post: “I can’t wait to see what the next 50 years has to hold”

October 12, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Warning: Thomas Rhett‘s post honoring he and wife Lauren Akins‘ wedding anniversary may make you teary-eyed.

On Tuesday, Thomas celebrated the couple’s ninth wedding anniversary with a 10-year-old throwback photo that shows a young Thomas, before he had a beard and several #1 hits, and his beautiful future bride posing for a selfie in a field in their native Tennessee.

“I knew from this one night that we were gonna get married and grow old together. Here we are 9 years into marriage,” Thomas pens alongside the photo. “I’m thankful to God everyday that You said yes to marrying me! What a wild ride of just being us two for 5 years, to now having 3 beautiful baby girls, to almost welcoming our 4th baby! What is life?!?! I love you so much @laur_akins and I can’t wait to see what the next 50 years has to hold for us.”

The couple wed on October 12, 2012 in Tennessee. Since then, they’ve welcomed daughters Willa Gray, who they adopted from Uganda in 2017, plus Ada James and Lennon Love. They’re expecting their fourth girl in November.

Machine Gun Kelly, James Hetfield, Slash & more contribute signed items to MusiCares benefit auction

October 12, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Machine Gun Kelly, Metallica‘s James Hetfield, and Guns N’ Roses‘ Slash are all contributing signed items to an upcoming auction benefiting MusiCares, which provides medical, financial and personal assistance to in-need members of the music community.

Both MGK and Hetfield are offering signed guitars: a salmon pink Schecter Diamond Series, and a black ESP Vulture, respectively. Kelly’s guitar, which is expected to fetch between $2,000 and $4,000, features the inscription “I’m Selling Tickets to My Downfall MGK,” a reference to the title of his latest album. The Hetfield guitar has an estimated worth of $4,000 to $6,000.

If you’re interested in the MGK guitar, you probably won’t have to compete with anyone who caught his Aftershock festival set this past weekend, which saw attendees throw bottles at the “Bloody Valentine’ singer. The incident is the latest entry in Kelly’s feud with the metal community after he insulted Slipknot.

Meanwhile, Slash is parting ways with one of his famous top hats, signed and featuring a hand-drawn skull-and-bones sketch. That’ll be sold alongside a sterling silver ring for an estimated total of $5,000 to $7,000. Slash is also contributing a signed Epiphone Slash Les Paul Deluxe, valued between $1,000 to $2,000.

The auction will also include items from Depeche Mode, Mötley Crüe‘s Tommy Lee, Jeff Beck and the late Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland.

Julien’s Auctions will handle the sale, which takes place January 30, ahead of the 2022 Grammys on January 31. For more info, visit JuliensAuctions.com.

Smash Mouth’s Steve Harwell announces retirement: “It’s been an honor”

October 12, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Hey now, Steve Harwell is retiring from Smash Mouth.

In a statement to TMZ, Harwell, 54, says, “Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a rockstar performing in front of sold-out arenas and have been so fortunate to live out that dream.”

“To my bandmates, it’s been an honor performing with you all these years,” he adds. “I can’t think of anyone else I would have rather gone on this wild journey with.”

Harwell’s announcement comes after his bizarre performance at a recent Smash Mouth concert in upstate New York, during which he repeatedly yelled and swore at the audience while slurring his speech. That show followed a string of dates in which Smash Mouth played with another singer instead of Harwell, who’d taken a break from the band due to his ongoing cardiomyopathy heart condition.

At the time, a rep for Smash Mouth said the replacement singer was only a temporary measure, but TMZ now reports that the New York show convinced Harwell to make the change permanent.

“To our loyal and amazing fans, thank you, all of this was possible because of you,” Harwell says. “I’ve tried so hard to power through my physical and mental health issues, and to play in front of you one last time, but I just wasn’t able to.”

“I cannot wait to see what Smash Mouth accomplishes next,” he adds, implying that the group will continue without him. “[I] am looking forward to counting myself as one of the band’s newest fans.”

Harwell co-founded Smash Mouth in 1994. The band has released seven albums, including the RIAA triple-Platinum Astro Lounge, and has scored hits with singles including “All Star,” “Walkin’ on the Sun” and a cover of The Monkees‘ “I’m a Believer.”

Items from Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Lady Gaga, Harry Styles going on the charity auction block

October 12, 2021 by WDNY Radio

A head-to-toe silver ensemble worn by Katy Perry and a stage-worn black jacket from fellow American Idol judge Lionel Richie are just two of the items that are going on the auction block early next year for a good cause.

Katy wore the silver outfit, including a snowflake crystal headpiece, to perform “California Gurls” on the 2010 TV special The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! — Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night. It’s just one of the items up for grabs in the 2022 MusiCares charity auction organized by Julien’s Auctions. As the charitable arm of the Recording Academy, MusiCares provides medical, financial and personal assistance to in-need members of the music community.

Katy’s outfit is expected to fetch between three and five grand. A black jacket Lionel wore to perform at the U.K.’s Glastonbury festival in 2015 has an sales estimate of six to eight thousand dollars.

A Chromatica CD signed by Lady Gaga and a 7-inch pink vinyl single of “Watermelon Sugar” signed by Harry Styles are also up for grabs in the auction, which will take place January 30, the day before the 64th annual Grammy Awards on January 31.

For more info on how to register and bid, visit JuliensAuctions.com.

BTS’ Grammy outfits & jewelry, plus items from Katy Perry & Harry Styles going on the charity auction block

October 12, 2021 by WDNY Radio

It just might be the ultimate BTS collectible: The outfits and jewelry the group wore to perform “Dynamite” at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards earlier this year are going on the auction block.

The seven Louis Vuitton ensembles worn by the group for their first-ever solo Grammy performance, plus three rings worn by J-Hope, are just one of the many items up for grabs in the MusiCares charity auction organized by Julien’s Auctions. As the charitable arm of the Recording Academy, MusiCares provides medical, financial and personal assistance to in-need members of the music community.

BTS’ outfits are estimated to fetch $30,000 to $50,000, while the rings might bring two to four grand. If you’re not a fan of BTS, Katy Perry is selling a silver ensemble she wore to perform “California Gurls” on the 2010 TV special The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! — Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night.

A salmon pink guitar signed and inscribed by Machine Gun Kelly, a 7-inch pink vinyl “Watermelon Sugar” single signed by Harry Styles, a Chromatica CD signed by Lady Gaga and two pairs of boots worn by Demi Lovato are also up for grabs in the auction, which will take place January 30, the day before the 64th annual Grammy Awards on January 31.

For more info on how to register and bid, visit JuliensAuctions.com.

Police guitarist Andy Summers’ latest solo album, ‘Harmonics of the Night,’ being released this Friday

October 12, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Earlier this year, Police guitarist Andy Summers revealed to ABC Audio that he planned to release a new solo instrumental album in the fall titled Harmonics of the Night. Now full details about the project have been unveiled.

The album, which features 12 tracks, will be released this Friday, October 15, on CD, as a digital download and via streaming services.

Summers considers Harmonics of the Night the third in a trilogy of instrumental solo records, following 2015’s Metal Dog and 2017’s Triboluminescence. He recorded the album at his Hill of Beans studio in Venice, California, and co-produced it with longtime collaborator Dennis Martin Smith.

The 78-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer also shot the photos featured on the album’s cover and in its packaging.

Andy says lead track “A Certain Strangeness” was written as a sound installation to accompany his 2019 photo exhibit of the same name that opened in Montpellier, France.

“Bringing the two mediums together was a natural move and from that first piece came this whole new recording,” Summers explains. “In a word, it set the mood for the rest of this album.”

Andy has released a track called “Chronosthesia” as Harmonics of the Night‘s first single, which is available now digitally. You can check out a music video for the tune at Andy’s official YouTube channel, featuring photos Summers shot in downtown Los Angelesm along with superimposed footage of Andy playing guitar.

Harmonics of the Night also will be released as a two-LP vinyl set boasting three tracks not included on the CD or digital versions.

In August, Summers published his first fiction book, Fretted and Moaning: Short Stories, which is available at AndySummersBook.com.

Here’s the Harmonics of the Night CD and digital track list:

“A Certain Strangeness”
“City of Crocodiles”
“Aeromancer”
“Chronosthesia”
“Harmonics of the Night”
“Mirror in the Dirt”
“Prairie”
“Fantoccini”
“Aphelion”
“Spell”
“Inamorata”
“Strange Return”

And here’s the vinyl track list:

Disc 1

Side A
“A Certain Strangeness”

Side B
“City of Crocodiles”
“Aeromancer”
“Chronosthesia”
“Harmonics of the Night”

Disc 2

Side A
“Mirror in the Dirt”
“Prairie”
“Fantoccini”
“Aphelion”

Side B
“Spell”
“Inamorata”
“Micrografia”*
“Ecstasy Blooms”*
“A Joint in West Kensington”*

* = appears on LP version only.

Chris Stapleton teams with Carlos Santana on uplifting “Joy”

October 12, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Chris Stapleton and Carlos Santana are bringing the “Joy.”

The Grammy winners have teamed up on an uplifting new song where Carlos’ signature guitar playing takes center stage alongside Chris’ vocals. Written and produced by the country singer, the song was inspired by the fear stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Joy rolling like the thunder rumbles/Time to let the teardrops tumble/Listen to the hatred crumble,” Chris sings with a choir of voices in the background.

“I was very intrigued to work with Chris. We talked on the phone about the Covid situation and how there’s so much fear in the world,” Santana says of “Joy” in a statement. “I said, ‘We need to create music as a healing force. We must bring hope and courage and disinfect twisted minds infected with darkness. That gave him the ammunition to write such incredible words.”

“Joy” is featured on Carlos’ new album, Blessings and Miracles, out on Friday.

Band of Horses announces new album, ‘Things Are Great’; listen to single “Crutch” now

October 12, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Band of Horses has announced a new album called Things Are Great.

The latest effort from the “Great Salt Lake” outfit is set to arrive January 21, 2022. You can listen to the lead single, “Crutch,” now via digital outlets.

Things Are Great is the sixth Band of Horses studio album. It’s the follow-up to 2016’s Why Are You OK, which includes the single “Casual Party.”

Band of Horses will play a three-show residency at New York City’s new Brooklyn Made venue next week. They’ll then launch a U.S. tour November 4 in Denver.

Here’s the Things Are Great track list:

“Warning Signs”
“Crutch”
“Tragedy of the Commons”
“In the Hard Times”
“In Need of Repair”
“Aftermath”
“Lights”
“Ice Night We’re Having”
“You Are Nice to Me”
“Coalinga”

Rejoice!: U2’s sophomore album, October, celebrates its 40th anniversary

October 12, 2021 by WDNY Radio

U2‘s second album, October, was released 40 years ago today, October 12, 1981.

The album helped the young Irish rockers continue their ascendance as a popular new wave band following their memorable 1980 debut, Boy, and that record’s standout track “I Will Follow.”

Many fans in the U.S. got their introduction to U2 thanks to the music video for October‘s second single, “Gloria,” which was the first video by the group to be put in heavy rotation on MTV during the network’s early days. The clip famously features the band performing on a barge at the Canal Basin in their hometown of Dublin.

October was not a commercial success in the U.S., reaching only #104 on the Billboard 200. Things were different in the U.K., where the album reached #11.

The first single from October, “Fire,” was released in July of 1981, and it became U2’s first top-40 hit in the U.K., peaking at #35.

October was a challenging project for U2, largely because of an infamous incident that occurred while the band was on tour in the U.S. early in 1981 while promoting Boy. At a show in March of that year in Portland, Oregon, a briefcase with Bono’s lyrics and song ideas for the album went missing backstage. This led to the singer having to quickly pen new lyrics or improvise words when it came time for U2 to record the album.

In comparison with Boy, October‘s songs featured more religious and spiritual themes, exemplified by tunes such as “Gloria,” “With a Shout (Jerusalem),” “Rejoice” and “Tomorrow.”

The album also featured guitarist The Edge contributing his piano talents to a number of songs.

October has gone on to sell more than a million copies in the U.S.

Here’s the October track list:

“Gloria”
“I Fall Down”
“I Threw a Brick Through a Window”
“Rejoice”
“Fire”
“Tomorrow”
“October”
“With a Shout (Jerusalem)”
“Stranger in a Strange Land”
“Scarlet”
“Is That All?”

+ More