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Daughtry again reaches top of ‘Billboard’ Mainstream Rock Airplay with ‘THE BOTTOM’

February 23, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Daughtry has returned to the top of the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart with the band’s current single, “THE BOTTOM.”

Frontman Chris Daughtry tells ABC Audio that the song that became “THE BOTTOM” was a result of combining different elements of past unused ideas.

“It was very synonymous with the theme of the song, kinda resurrecting yourself from the dead and finding your own identity again,” Chris says. “This song went through all these different twists and turns until it found its identity in what it is now.”

“THE BOTTOM” marks the third Daughtry track to hit #1 on Mainstream Rock Airplay after notching their first two in 2024 with “PIECES” and “ARTIFICIAL.” Getting that first #1, Chris says, was very meaningful to him.

“Out of all the #1s or whatever chart positions I’ve ever had, this felt the most important to me, because it was on my terms,” Chris says. “It was me following my gut and my instinct to get back to me and listen to my voice and not placate to everyone else.”

It’s probably no coincidence that Daughtry began lighting up the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart after shifting to a more heavier rock direction around the time of their 2021 album, Dearly Beloved. On past records, they went into more pop and adult contemporary sounds. That said, Chris doesn’t regret any of the albums he’s put out in his career.

“I feel like all of those were moments in time and lessons that I had to learn to get to where I am now,” Chris says. “I feel like I don’t know if I would be exactly where we are right now and be so sure of it if I didn’t go through the things that made me question everything in the first place.”

Royal & the Serpent announces debut album, ‘Emptiness is Godly’

February 23, 2026 by WDNY Radio

After several EPs and one-off singles, Royal & the Serpent has finally announced her debut album.

The “Overwhelmed” artist’s first official full-length record is called Emptiness is Godly and is due out May 8. The record will follow a character named “R,” which you can hear in two newly released songs called “Favorite Person” and “Fiona.”

“‘Favorite Person’ is a big reveal as we enter into the world of Emptiness is Godly,'” Royal says. “This song is the underlying theme to our story. Main character ‘R’ finds herself entangled between two romances. Subject ‘R’ exhibits as follows (but not limited to): confusion, guilt, self-awareness, remorse.”

She continues, “‘Fiona’ is ‘R”s experience of nostalgia. Subject ‘R’ exhibits as follows (but not limited to): yearning, benevolence, grief, hope.”

Boyz II Men will show evolution, add to fans’ memories on New Edition Way tour

February 23, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Boyz II Men has been in the game for decades, but they’ve evolved in ways their fans will see on the New Edition Way tour featuring New Edition and Toni Braxton.

“Although we’ve been active, we were still somewhat incubated from the public to some degree,” Shawn Stockman says in an interview with ABC Audio. “So for years, we’ve been evolving and we’ve been changing our show up, and doing all types of different things and trying stuff out and failing and then trying it again and stuff like that. So this is the perfect time to show, not just our fans, but New Edition fans and Toni fans how much we’ve changed.”

“People are gonna be surprised that it’s not just gonna be a show full of slow songs and ballads,” he continues. “We do all types of stuff. … People are going to see how Boyz II Men has grown as performers.”

That evolution is also reflected in their look, mixing classic Boyz II Men with a modern edge.

“It would be weird if we came out onstage with the same clothes we had on back in 1991,” Shawn adds. “So it’s like even though the songs are that old, the presentation is modernized.”

Ultimately, the goal for this tour is to give people a much-needed escape.

“It’s hard times right now, so we want people to come and enjoy themselves and get their money’s worth and go home and talk about a great show and just add it to … another book in their life of memories,” Nathan Morris says.

“It is gonna be a memorable [tour] for all of us,” he continues. “So we’re just excited to put it all together.”

Cher to deliver keynote address at virtual National Conference for Women

February 23, 2026 by WDNY Radio

You’d probably have to pay hundreds of dollars for a concert ticket to hear Cher sing — but you can hear her talk for just $150.

On March 4, Cher will be one of the keynote speakers at the National Conference for Women, a virtual all-day event. Her keynote will come in the form of a conversation with journalist and author Lisa Ling.

The topic of the conversation isn’t listed, but it’s likely to focus on her life, which she detailed in her bestseller Cher: The Memoir – Part One. According to Cher’s bio on the event site, part two is expected to arrive this year.

In addition to Cher, the conference will feature additional virtual addresses from stars like gymnast Jordan Chiles, actresses Cynthia Erivo and Nicole Kidman and former Today host Hoda Kotb.

You can now register for the conference and buy tickets online.

Gracie Abrams makes official red carpet debut with Paul Mescal at BAFTA ceremony

February 23, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Gracie Abrams and her boyfriend Paul Mescal made their red carpet debut as a couple Sunday at the BAFTAs, the U.K. equivalent of the Oscars.

The two, who’ve been linked since 2024, have kept their relationship private in the past, but they were hand-in-hand at the London event, where Paul and his film Hamnet were nominated. Gracie even kissed Paul on the cheek as they posed for photos.

While Hamnet, which is about William Shakespeare and his family, won the award for outstanding British film, Paul lost the best supporting actor trophy to One Battle After Another star Sean Penn. Paul’s Hamnet co-star Jessie Buckley did win leading actress, though.

According to Vogue, Gracie’s gown, featuring beaded floral embroidery, was from Matthieu Blazy’s pre-fall 2026 collection from Chanel. Paul, meanwhile, wore a black tux with a white collarless shirt.

The BAFTA red carpet moment came a few days after the two made their first public appearance together, at a London screening of Paul McCartney’s new documentary, Man on the Run. Paul is playing McCartney in an upcoming biopic.

In other BAFTA news, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami and EJAE, the voices of KPop Demon Hunters‘ HUNTR/X, gave the first performance of “Golden” outside the U.S. at the ceremony. The movie itself was ruled ineligible for nomination, however, due to it not receiving a theatrical release before debuting on Netflix.

Ex-Who drummer Zak Starkey takes fans through his career at off-the-cuff one-man NYC show

February 21, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Drummer Zak Starkey took the stage at New York’s Gramercy Theatre Friday for a one-man show which led fans through an off-the-cuff, chaotic journey through his career of nearly three decades as The Who’s drummer, plus stints with his dad Ringo Starr, Oasis, Johnny Marr and more.

After screening a film that combined scenes of Starkey’s childhood with footage from his decades as a musician, the drummer got behind an onstage kit and played along with the last part of the film. He then asked the audience what they wanted him to do next, and began answering random questions.

Starkey clarified that despite having Ringo Starr as a dad and Keith Moon as a close family friend, his actual drum teacher was ex-Who drummer Kenney Jones. Moon, he said, only taught him about “girls, surfing, The Beach Boys, beer and being a mod.”

When the question about his departure from The Who in 2025 was raised, Starkey didn’t give details, only sharing that the band was “nuts,” “insane” and had an “addiction to friction.”

Later, in a sit down Q&A with The Ramones’ Marky Ramone, Starkey revealed that Abbey Road is his favorite Beatles LP, especially the song “I Want You (She’s So Heavy).”

The remainder of the show featured Starkey playing drums live as video of past performances were screened behind him, including to John Entwistle’s isolated bass line from The Kids Are Alright version of The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”

The evening ended with The Rolling Stones’ Steve Jordan playing bass while Starkey drummed to The Who’s “Join Together.” Starkey complained that he hadn’t gotten to play any Oasis or Beatles songs, but said the venue insisted he end the show — “You’ll just have to come to another one,” he said.

KATSEYE member Manon Bannerman taking hiatus for ‘health and wellbeing’

February 21, 2026 by WDNY Radio

KATSEYE’s meteoric wise has apparently inspired one member to slow down.

A message on the Grammy-nominated group’s Weverse fan community site on Friday night announced that Manon Bannerman will be “taking a temporary hiatus from group activities to focus on her health and wellbeing.”

The decision came after “open and thoughtful conversations together,” read the message. It continued, “We fully support this decision. KATSEYE remains committed to showing up for one another and for the fans who mean everything to us.”

“The group will continue scheduled activities during this time, and we look forward to being together again when the time is right,” the message concluded.

“Thank you to our EYEKONS for your continued love, patience, and understanding.” The message was signed HxG, referring to the group’s record labels, HYBE and Geffen.

Manon, born in Switzerland, is one of KATSEYE’s six members.

Barry Manilow postpones arena dates as he continues to recover from cancer surgery

February 20, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Barry Manilow has been forced to postpone more shows as he continues to recover from surgery he had in December to remove a cancerous spot on his left lung.

The singer shared in a post on social media that his doctor advised him he wouldn’t be healthy enough to headline his upcoming arena shows.

“Just got home from visiting the surgeon. Very depressing visit,” Barry wrote in the post, sharing that he told the doctor that despite using the treadmill three times a day he hasn’t had the stamina to sing more than three songs without stopping.

Barry explained that the doctor told him that despite being in great shape considering what he’s been through, his lungs weren’t ready to get him through a 90 minute show.

“Well, I had a feeling he’d say that,” Manilow wrote. “Deep down, I wanted to go back – but my body knew what my heart didn’t want to admit. I wasn’t ready.”

Because of this, Manilow is rescheduling his arena shows that were due to begin February 27 in Tampa, Florida, and run until March 17 in Estero, Florida. He added that his doctor believes he’ll be able to return for his Las Vegas shows at the end of March, and the second leg of his arena tour that begins in April.

“I’m SO, SO, sorry I have to reschedule some of these first Arena shows. Again!,” he said. “But when I do come back, I will COME BACK!!!”

“The doctor said that my body had been through hell and that it needed time to heal. So I’m going back to healing,” he concluded the post.

In early February, Manilow postponed a run of residency shows at the Westgate Las Vegas. A complete list of Manilow dates can be found at BarryManilow.com.

Brandon Boyd recording vocals for new Incubus music

February 20, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Work continues on new Incubus music, according to frontman Brandon Boyd.

The “Drive” singer has posted a photo on Instagram of him in a recording studio alongside his dog.

“Recording vocals for new @incubusofficial music with doggos in the booth is the only way to roll,” the caption reads.

Boyd previously said in 2025 that Incubus would be putting out a new record later that year, but it never came out. In an update posted in January, Boyd said that the band “went back into the studio to write and record more after thinking we were done.”

Incubus’ most recent album is 2017’s 8. Since then, they put out an EP, Trust Fall (Side B), in 2020 and a rerecorded version of their 2001 album, Morning View, in 2024.

‘MacArthur Park’ songwriter ‘proud’ to play role in figure skater Alysa Liu’s gold medal win

February 20, 2026 by WDNY Radio

American figure skater Alysa Liu won the gold medal Thursday skating her long program to Donna Summer’s classic tune “MacArthur Park,” and the song’s writer, Jimmy Webb, couldn’t be happier.

“Alysa Liu’s energy and youth breathes yet another life into my song ‘MacArthur Park.’ I am unbelievably proud to play some small role in her inspiration,” he wrote on Instagram next to video of her performance. “I am so impressed with her demeanor, she makes America proud again. Congratulations on your gold medal, Alysa!”

The late Donna Summer’s official Instagram account also acknowledged Liu’s performance, sharing a clip of her skating on its Instagram Story.

Released in 1978, Summer’s version of Webb’s song spent three weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified double Platinum by the RIAA. It appeared on her album Live and More, with the disco hit running over eight minutes long. It earned Summer a Grammy nomination for best female pop vocal performance.

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