Music – Page 6 – 105.7 WDNY

Jennifer Hudson to return to ‘American Idol’ as guest judge and mentor

April 14, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Jennifer Hudson is set to return to the show that introduced her to the world. She will appear on American Idol’s Disney Night episode, serving as guest judge and mentor for the nine finalists who will take the stage to perform iconic Disney songs.

Her appearance marks her first time back on the show in a decade. She was a finalist on season 3 in 2004 and last appeared in 2015, when she performed “Trouble” with Iggy Azalea.

JHud has come a long way since her Idol days, achieving EGOT status and now hosting The Jennifer Hudson Show. Her most recent album, The Gift of Love, was released in October, and she recently voiced a character in the animated film Goat.

Jennifer has also recently joined the production team for the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, after previously starring in and winning an Academy Award for her role in the 2006 film adaptation. She is set to go on tour with Josh Groban in June.

Disney Night on season 24 of American Idol will air April 20 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and stream on Disney+, with episodes available the following day on Disney+ and Hulu.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News and Hulu.

Coheed and Cambria announces Neverender Festival and Neverender Rocks concert

April 14, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Coheed and Cambria has announced their own festival.

The inaugural Neverender Festival will take place Oct. 3-4 in Santa Ana, California. Coheed will headline alongside Circa Survive, and the lineup will also feature Sunny Day Real Estate, Turnover, Pup, Thursday and La Dispute, among others.

Additionally, Coheed has announced a one-off concert dubbed Neverender Rocks, taking place Sept. 29 at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado.

Tickets for both the Neverender Festival and Neverender Rocks go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. local time.

For more info, visit CoheedandCambria.com.

Coheed will also be touring the U.S. beginning in May while opening for Shinedown.

Luke Combs wakes up to 20th #1 with ‘Sleepless in a Hotel Room’

April 14, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Luke Combs claims the 20th #1 of his career as “Sleepless in a Hotel Room” rises to #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay tally.

His most recent chart-topper, “Back in the Saddle,” spent two weeks at the top in November. Both tunes come from The Way I Am, which debuted at #1 on the Top Country Albums chart earlier in April.

Luke is now tied for the 10th most number ones since the beginning of the Country Airplay chart in 1990, putting him on the level with Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley and Morgan Wallen.

The North Carolina native claimed his first #1 with his debut single, “Hurricane,” in 2017.

Kenny Chesney has the most number ones on the chart, with 33.

Luke’s already on track to up his numbers, with “Days Like These” at #6 and “Be by You” just beginning its climb at #48.

Late Blondie drummer Clem Burke’s memoir to be released in September

April 14, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Blondie drummer Clem Burke passed away in 2025, but his life story is about to be told in a posthumous memoir, The Other Side of the Dream (My Life In and Out of Blondie).

According to the description, Burke began writing his memoir over 20 years ago, but had often put it aside due to his commitments to Blondie. “When cancer treatment and illness forced his retirement, completing the book became a priority, which he did shortly before he died,” the description reads.

The book, with a foreword by comedian Fred Armisen, follows Burke from the streets of New York to stardom in Blondie. The book explores “the explosive punk scene that gave rise to Blondie, the creative partnerships that defined their music and the challenges of navigating fame in a constantly evolving industry.

The description notes, “This is Clem’s story, in his own words.”

The Other Side of the Dream (My Life In and Out of Blondie) will be released in the U.S. on Sept. 8. It available for preorder now.

Burke joined Blondie in 1975, shortly after they formed in New York City. He appeared on all of their records, the last one being 2017’s Pollinator. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Blondie in 2006.

Burke passed away April 6, 2025, at the age of 70.

Parker McCollum’s ‘Pretty Heart’ turns Platinum 4 times over

April 14, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Parker McCollum’s debut single, “Pretty Heart,” has just been certified quadruple Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

The Texas native co-wrote the song from 2021’s Gold Chain Cowboy that went on to become his first #1.

“Man…all I have to say is thank you! The amount of support you all have shown me over these years means more to me than you’ll know,” Parker says in a statement. “All I’ve wanted to do is make music that connects with people and that I can be proud of. I’m just grateful that y’all are playing my songs.”

Parker’s self-titled current project includes his latest hit, “Killin’ Me,” and is nominated for album of the year at May’s 61st ACM Awards.

Earth, Wind & Fire documentary to open 25th anniversary Tribeca Festival

April 14, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s documentary about R&B legends Earth, Wind & Fire is set to open the 25th anniversary Tribeca Festival in New York City.

Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS That’s the Weight of the World) will have its world premiere on June 3 at the Beacon Theatre, followed by a live performance by Earth, Wind & Fire and The Roots.

“It is an absolute honor to bring this project to the Tribeca Festival,” says Questlove. “The past two years of deep research and creative magic surrounding Earth, Wind & Fire have been nothing short of transformative. They remain one of the most culturally significant bands in history, and this project finally illustrates exactly why their legacy is so vital.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Questlove to the Festival to premiere a film that represents everything Tribeca stands for: creative pioneers at the top of their game in front of and behind the camera, showcasing the joy and community that great art manifests,” Cara Cusumano, Tribeca Festival director and SVP of programming, adds. “Paired with a rare live performance from Earth, Wind & Fire and The Roots, Opening Night will be a once-in-a-lifetime New York event that reflects the energy, creativity, and communal experience that has defined Tribeca for 25 years.”

Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS That’s the Weight of the World) is expected to debut on HBO and HBO Max in 2026.

The Tribeca Festival runs from June 3 to June 14. More info can be found at TribecaFilm.com.

Megan Moroney and Uncle Kracker pop up at Kenny Chesney’s 2026 debut

April 14, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Kenny Chesney surprised fans with special appearances by Megan Moroney and Uncle Kracker during his first concert of 2026.

In a set that included “We Do,” “Living in Fast Forward,” “Young,” “Beer in Mexico” and “Keg in the Closet,” the superstar closed the 13th Tortuga Music Festival on Sunday. It was his sixth time headlining the oceanside party on Fort Lauderdale Beach.

A dozen songs into his performance, Uncle Kracker appeared in time to sing the second verse of “When the Sun Goes Down,” going on to do “Follow Me” and “Drift Away.”

“With Kracker playing the festival, we had to do it,” Kenny says. “Nobody makes me laugh harder, brings more soul to that stage or understands this crowd better — and it’s hard to believe anyone can love music as much as we do, but he does.”

From there, Kenny’s set continued with “Get Along” and “All the Pretty Girls,” which was a perfect intro for Megan.

“Megan at our first show in 2026 sets a pretty high bar,” he says. “But between our duet (‘You Had To Be There’) and ‘Am I Okay?,’ her music fits so well with ours, it’s always so much fun when we can sing together. Talk about hitting the beach!”

Kenny kicks off his remaining shows of 2026 June 19 at Sphere Las Vegas.

Phil Collins ‘pleased and honored’ to be inducted into the Rock Hall as a solo artist

April 14, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Phil Collins says he’s honored to be chosen as part of the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class.

“Obviously I’m pleased and honored to be inducted,” Collins wrote on Instagram. “It wraps up what has been a wonderful life in music.”

This was Collins’ first time being nominated to the Hall of Fame as a solo artist, but it will be his second time as a member of the Rock Hall. He was previously inducted in 2010 as a member of Genesis.

Collins released his debut solo album, Face Value, in 1981, and all eight of his solo albums reached the top 40 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. Two of those albums — 1985’s No Jacket Required and 1989’s …But Seriously — hit #1. In total Collins has sold over 150 million solo records worldwide.

The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place Nov. 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, and will be taped for broadcast in December on ABC and Disney+.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Avenged Sevenfold returning to Australia and New Zealand for first time in 12 years

April 14, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Avenged Sevenfold has announced their first shows in Australia and New Zealand in 12 years.

The tour consists of four shows in October. The bill will also include Coheed and Cambria and the Australian band Thornhill.

Members of A7X’s Deathbats Club can submit requests for tickets now. Presales begin at 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday, and tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday at 11 a.m. local time.

For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit AvengedSevenfold.com.

Avenged Sevenfold will launch a U.S. tour with Good Charlotte in July.

Watch Hayley Williams perform with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy on ’Colbert’

April 14, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Hayley Williams performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Monday alongside Jeff Tweedy of Wilco.

The Paramore frontwoman sang lead vocals and played theremin on a cover of the song “Ffunny Ffrends,” originally by the band Unknown Mortal Orchestra, while Tweedy played guitar and provided backup vocals.

“Paramore’s Hayley Williams joins Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy for a special collaboration, putting their own spin on Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s “Ffunny Ffrends” in honor of all of the funny friends who work at The Late Show,” the video description reads.

Williams is currently on a solo tour in support of her 2025 album, Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party. Her show Sunday in New York City featured a surprise appearance by Jason Isbell for a joint performance of his song “Cover Me Up.”

Williams’ tour continues Tuesday in Baltimore.

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