Music – Page 471 – 105.7 WDNY

Kenny Chesney books a return to Sphere Las Vegas in 2026

October 21, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Kenny Chesney will return to Sphere Las Vegas in 2026, booking five shows that start June 19 and run through June 27.

Even if you were there as he became the first country artist to headline the innovative venue earlier this year, the new concerts won’t be exactly the same.

“You can’t truly understand until you start playing music with all the people there, feeling that energy and the way the visuals and the songs just consume people,” Kenny says. “The more I watched the fans having this experience I’m sure they couldn’t imagine, the more ideas I had – both to reconfigure some of last year’s songs, and a few songs that seemed like they should get this immersive treatment – and wanted to do.”

Tickets for the new dates go on sale Oct. 31.

“I think there are so many ways for people to play this venue, but I feel pretty sure nobody has had more fun there, brought more joy – or that freewheeling Sandbar experience – than No Shoes Nation,” Kenny continues. “And wherever they sat, we could hear ‘em, too. So, if you didn’t get to see it, c’mon! And if you did, well, come live those songs again – because this isn’t something you get to do every single year!”

Kenny’s book, Heart Life Music, comes out Nov. 4. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday, Oct. 19.

Mariah Carey is the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year

October 21, 2025 by WDNY Radio

In September, Mariah Carey won the MTV Video Vanguard Award. Now she’s set to receive another prestigious honor in January.

Two nights before the Grammy Awards, Mariah will be honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year at a gala benefit and tribute concert at the LA Convention Center Jan. 30. The award is given out every year by MusiCares, the charitable arm of the Recording Academy, to honor artists for their career achievements and their philanthropy.

“I’m so honored to be named the 2026 @musicares Person of the Year,” Mariah wrote on Instagram. “Grateful to be celebrated through this special #GRAMMY Week event, raising vital funds to support the music community year-round.”

Not only has Mariah had a record-breaking music career, but as MusiCares Executive Director Theresa Wolters notes, she has “used her platform consistently to provide tangible support to communities, whether through disaster relief, youth empowerment, or programs that help those facing barriers to opportunity.”

Specifically, Mariah has partnered with the Fresh Air Fund to launch Camp Mariah, which supports underserved youth. She’s also “championed initiatives advancing health, education and social welfare,” including providing relief for communities impacted by Hurricane Katrina and COVID-19.

“[Mariah’s] artistry and her voice have helped shape the sound of our times,” says Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. “We look forward to celebrating her remarkable career on this very special night.”

Past recipients include Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, U2‘s Bono, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Fleetwood Mac and Paul McCartney.

The event usually features performances by stars across multiple genres of music, all performing the songs of the honoree. The lineup will be announced at a later date. Tables and tickets are available for purchase now.

Your first look at Lainey Wilson in ‘Reminders of Him’

October 21, 2025 by WDNY Radio

You can catch a glimpse at Lainey Wilson‘s first big-screen role in the new trailer for Reminders of Him.

Lainey appears about a minute into the clip, meeting the film’s main character, Kenna, played by Maika Monroe.

“What’s your trauma?” Lainey’s character, Amy, asks. The two go on to become friends and co-workers, as Kenna struggles to rebuild her life after a tragic car accident that sent her to prison.

The movie’s based on Colleen Hoover‘s 2022 bestseller of the same name, and follows the successful adaptation of her book It Ends with Us in 2024.

Reminders of Him also stars Gilmore Girls‘ Lauren Graham and The West Wing‘s Bradley Whitford. It’s set to open in theaters March 13, 2026.

Lainey made her acting debut in season 5 of Yellowstone, in a role creator Taylor Sheridan wrote specifically for her. Reminders of Him is her first time in a major motion picture.

Tessa Thompson to receive Spotlight Award at Gotham Film Awards for ‘Hedda’ performance

October 21, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Tessa Thompson will be honored at the 2025 Gotham Awards for her titular performance in the upcoming Amazon MGM Studios drama Hedda. She is set to receive the Spotlight Award at the Gotham Film & Media Institute’s 35th annual awards ceremony, taking place Dec. 1 in New York City.

An adaptation of Henrik Ibsen‘s play Hedda Gabler, Hedda follows a young newlywed who yearns for a past love while hiding her discontent with her life and husband. Over the course of one party and night, she “orchestrates a ruthless game of manipulation, where lust, jealousy and betrayal collide,” according to Deadline.

“Tessa’s performance is both fearless and revelatory – an interpretation that deepens one of dramatic literature’s most complex characters and brings her into new focus for the audience that we represent here at The Gothams,” said Jeffrey Sharp Gotham, executive producer at Gotham Film & Media Institute, to Deadline. “We are thrilled to honor Tessa with the Spotlight Tribute and celebrate her extraordinary work in bringing Hedda to life with such depth and nuance.”

Tessa’s performance as Hedda has also earned her the Actress Award at this year’s Critics Choice Association‘s eighth annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television awards, taking place Dec. 9 in Los Angeles.

Hedda, directed and written by Nia DoCosta, premieres Oct. 22 in limited theaters; it releases Oct. 29 on Prime Video. Tessa also serves as producer on the film.

Warren Haynes announces details for 33rd annual Christmas Jam

October 21, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Warren Haynes has announced details for his 33rd annual Christmas Jam, taking place Dec. 13 at ExploreAsheville.com Arena in the Gov’t Mule frontman’s hometown of Asheville, North Carolina.

The show will be headlined by Warren Haynes & Friends, with the lineup also including Stone Temple Pilots, MJ Lenderman & The Wind and Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country. The show will feature a special Christmas Jam tribute to Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, featuring Haynes, Lesh’s son Grahame Lesh, Widespread Panic’s Jimmy Herring, John Molo and Jason Crosby, along with special guests.

There was no Christmas Jam in 2024 due to the devastating damage and destruction Asheville suffered from Hurricane Helene. Instead, Haynes and Dave Matthews Band put on the Soulshine benefit at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

“Every Christmas Jam is special, but this coming one, the first since Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville and the surrounding areas, has an added significance and importance,” Haynes says. “We will not only continue to raise money for Asheville Area Habitat For Humanity and Beloved Asheville, but with the help of all the attendees, we’ll also be supporting the local tourism and hospitality industry and small businesses who still need help.”

He adds, “We’re working on a few surprises to make this year’s Jam one to remember. I’m really looking forward to getting back home to Asheville!”

Tickets for Christmas Jam will first go on sale at the arena box office on Thursday at 10 a.m. to better serve the local community. A nationwide presale will then begin on Friday at 10 a.m. ET, with tickets going on sale to the general public on Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. ET.

Proceeds from the concert will benefit Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity and BeLoved Asheville.

Taylor Swift reacts to AJ McLean grooving to mash-up of her song, Backstreet Boy hit

October 21, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Since Taylor Swift released The Life of a Showgirl, people have commented on how some of the songs on the album sound like other songs. Apparently Taylor doesn’t mind a comparison, as long as it’s being pointed out by a fellow pop star.

Backstreet Boys‘ AJ McLean posted an Instagram Reel showing himself jamming out to a fan-created mash-up of Backstreet’s classic “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” and Taylor’s new song “Elizabeth Taylor”; Taylor’s sped-up vocals are set to the music of the Backstreet track. Both songs were co-written and co-produced by Max Martin.

AJ wrote in the caption, “Come on now you know one of us had to! @taylorswift !”

Taylor replied in the comments, “OH HI AJ OH MY GOD.”

One fan replied, “please get together make this an official Spotify mashup that we can all stream.”

Coincidentally, or perhaps not, AJ’s post came a day after he appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show and described how he’d gotten cool points with one of his daughters by introducing her to Taylor “two or three times now.”

Two more arrests made in Ian Watkins murder investigation

October 21, 2025 by WDNY Radio

The West Yorkshire Police in England have announced the arrest of two more people in its investigation into the prison murder of former Lostprophets frontman and convicted child sex criminal Ian Watkins.

As previously reported, Watkins was attacked and killed on Oct. 11 at the HMP Wakefield prison, where he’d been serving a 29-year sentence for charges including attempted rape and sexual assault of a child under 13.

On Oct. 13, police announced they’d charged Rashid Gedel, 25, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, with Watkins’ murder. They’ve since arrested two additional unnamed men, aged 23 and 29, on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.

“Extensive enquiries remain ongoing in relation to the murder of Ian Watkins and these arrests form part of that,” says Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team. “Ian Watkins’ family are being updated as the investigation progresses. However, we do not anticipate any immediate developments at this stage.”

Watkins was first charged in 2012, and Lostprophets officially disbanded in 2013.

System of a Down, Korn, Deftones headlining 2026 Sick New World festivals

October 21, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Sick New World is back and even sicker than ever.

After canceling its 2025 event, the nu metal nostalgia festival has announced its return for 2026 in two locations: Las Vegas on April 25 and Fort Worth, Texas, on Oct. 26.

Sick New World Las Vegas will be headlined by System of a Down and Korn, while System and Deftones lead the bill for Forth Worth. The Las Vegas lineup also includes Bring Me the Horizon, while Fort Worth will feature a 40th anniversary Reign in Blood performance by Slayer.

Both bills will feature artists including AFI, Evanescence, Marylin Manson, Mastodon and Underoath.

Presales for Las Vegas begin Thursday at 10 a.m. PT, and for Fort Worth Friday at 10 a.m. CT. For the full lineups and all ticket info, visit SickNewWorldFest.com.

Hear Dan + Shay’s rush-released Taylor Swift cover

October 21, 2025 by WDNY Radio

As if there weren’t enough Taylor Swift songs around right now, Dan + Shay have rush-released a cover of one of her tunes due to fan demand.

The duo posted a clip of themselves singing an impromptu version of Taylor’s “Back to December” from her 2010 album, Speak Now. So many fans asked for the full version that they headed right into the studio to record it and released it just days later. It’s available now on streaming services.

“What started as an impromptu soundcheck cover of one of our favorite @taylorswiftsongs turned into the quickest recording-to-release turnaround in our almost 13 year career,” the duo wrote on Instagram. “Huge thanks to our fans who encouraged us to get in the studio and make a full version, and to everyone on our team who worked like crazy to help us make it happen. We’re proud of the way it turned out, and hope you love it as much as we do.”

The group then wrote on Instagram Monday, “Back To December + fall weather go together like 2026 + @danandshay world tour,” teasing an upcoming return to the road.

Dan + Shay recently announced that they’d be putting out a new Christmas song this holiday season. They’d previously scored with the original holiday tracks “Pick Out a Christmas Tree,” “Officially Christmas” and “Holiday Party.” Last year they released It’s Officially Christmas: The Double Album.

And after all this time, you can watch Lewis Capaldi cover Paramore’s ‘Still into You’

October 21, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Paramore‘s song “Still into You” was first released in 2013 as a single off the band’s self-titled album, and after all this time, people are very much still into it, including Lewis Capaldi.

The “Someone You Loved” singer put his spin on “Still into You” during a performance on the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge. For his version, Capaldi strummed an acoustic guitar in place of the original’s upbeat riff. He was accompanied by a keyboard, horns, strings and backup vocalists.

All that added up to a more mournful version of “Still into You” — as one listener quips in the comments, “Great, now I can listen to Paramore when I am sad.”

You can watch Capaldi’s “Still into You” cover on YouTube.

Paramore is currently on break after completing their tour in support of their latest album, 2023’s This Is Why. Meanwhile, frontwoman Hayley Williams put out a new solo album, Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party, in August.

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