Music – Page 689 – 105.7 WDNY

The Beatles celebrate ‘Anthology’ series with new documentary, music and print releases

August 21, 2025 by WDNY Radio

The Beatles have finally shared the big news they’ve been teasing on social media. The legendary group is revisiting their multimedia Anthology project with reissues of the Anthology documentary series, music and book.

The original eight-part Anthology documentary aired on ABC in 1995 and featured John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr telling their own stories. The documentary has now been expanded to nine installments; the original episodes have been restored and remastered by Apple Corps with the help of Peter Jackson’s WingNut Films and Park Road Post teams, while Giles Martin is responsible for new audio mixes of most of the music. It will debut Nov. 26 on Disney+.

The music of Anthology is also being revisited with the Nov. 21 release of The Beatles Anthology music collection. The original Anthology albums consisted of three double albums, all of which have now been remastered by Martin. In addition, the new collection will include a fourth installment, Anthology 4, featuring 13 previously unreleased demos and session recordings, and other rare recordings.

The collection also includes “Free as a Bird,” which was part of Anthology 1, and “Real Love,” which was part of Anthology 2. Both tracks, which at the time were the first new songs from The Beatles in 25 years, have been remixed by original producer Jeff Lynne. The new set also includes the band’s 2023 release, “Now and Then.”

The remixed version of “Free as a Bird” is out now, along with a fully restored version of its music video.

The Beatles Anthology music collection will be released digitally and as a 12-LP and eight-CD collection, and is available for preorder now.

Finally, a 25th anniversary edition of The Beatles Anthology book will be released Oct. 14. The book has the band sharing memories of their musical journey and features more than 1,300 photos, documents, artwork and memorabilia. It is available for preorder now.

From ‘Larger Than Life’ to Little People: Backstreet Boys toy set coming this fall

August 21, 2025 by WDNY Radio

When they’re appearing on the 366-foot tall screens inside Sphere Las Vegas during their Into the Millennium residency, Backstreet Boys are very much “Larger Than Life.” But now, they’ve been shrunk down into a collectible toy set from Fisher-Price and Little People.

The Little People Collector set features AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson and Nick Carter as plastic figures, all modeled after the group’s looks in their iconic video for “I Want It That Way.” All five members are packaged together in a decorative window box that reads Millennium — that’s the title of the album that contained the group’s signature song.

You can pre-order the set now at Target; they’ll officially be released on Oct. 5.

As previously reported, Backstreet Boys just extended their Vegas residency into February. Tickets for the new dates, as well as the previously announced shows in December and January, go on sale Aug. 22.

‘You Had to Be There’ is Megan Moroney’s proof country music dreams come true

August 21, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Megan Moroney‘s latest hit chronicles the seemingly impossible trip from the cheap seats at a Kenny Chesney concert to standing right beside the superstar onstage several years later.

For Megan, the journey she describes in “You Had to Be There” started when she was going to the University of Georgia.

“The first verse is a flashback to 2018,” she explains. “I bought Kenny Chesney tickets to go see him in Atlanta, Georgia, in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. I had nosebleed seats. We were all in college just having a good time. And seven years later, I’m onstage with him. I’m opening for him, and that’s kind of what the second verse is.”

Megan takes it a step further with the song, recording her first collab with Chesney.

“Then Kenny comes in,” she continues, “and yeah, I just wrote this song about being on tour with him and how grateful I am for the experience and how there was magic in the air, like, you literally had to be there.”

You can witness the friendship that continues between the two in the video they shot for the song. Meanwhile, Megan’s also making a solo trip up the chart with her single “6 Months Later.”

Joe Walsh launches VetsAid sweepstakes, including ‘coffee hang’ with the rocker

August 21, 2025 by WDNY Radio

If you’ve ever wanted to have a cup of Joe with Joe Walsh, now’s your chance.

The Eagles guitarist has launched a new Fandiem sweepstakes, and the grand prize is two VIP tickets to his upcoming VetsAid concert. The concert will be held Nov. 15 at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas, Walsh’s hometown.

The prize package comes with round-trip tickets for two to Wichita, plus a three-night hotel stay and a “coffee hang” with Joe.

The winner and a guest will also get to sit in the friends and family section of the venue, and will have access to a preshow VIP friends and family lounge with food and drinks. Plus, the prize includes a guitar signed by all the artists on the VetsAid bill and a merch package.

To enter, fans need to make a donation to VetsAid, which raises money for charities helping veterans.

The ninth annual VetsAid concert will feature performances by country star and Eagles touring member Vince Gill; Ryan Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen; and a “super-set” from Walsh, joined by Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Nathaniel Rateliff and more.

The proceeds from the concert will go to veterans services charities based in Kansas or with operations on the ground in Kansas.

The first VetsAid took place in 2017 in Fairfax, Virginia. Over the years, VetsAid has distributed more than $4 million in grants.

Gunna tops ‘Billboard”s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart with ‘The Last Wun’

August 20, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Gunna is #1 on Billboard‘s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart thanks to his latest effort, The Last Wun. The album topped the list dated Aug. 23 after earning 80,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. between Aug. 8 and Aug. 14, Luminate reports.

The Last Wun is now Gunna’s sixth consecutive #1 on the chart, following previous chart-toppers Drip or Drown 2, Wunna, DS4Ever, A Gift & a Curse and One of Wun.

Sixteen of the songs from his latest album have additionally made the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, including “Just Say Dat,” “Forever Be Mine” featuring Wizkid, “Sakpase” and “At My Purest” featuring Offset.

The Last Wun also debuts at #3 on the Billboard 200 and at #1 on the Top Rap Albums chart, marking his sixth #1 on the list.

Primus announces New Year’s Eve concerts

August 20, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Primus will celebrate the end of 2025 with a pair of New Year’s Eve concerts.

The shows take place Dec. 30 and Dec. 31 at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California, and will feature two completely unique Primus sets each night.

Presales begin Thursday at 10 a.m. PT, and tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday at 10 a.m. PT. For all ticket info, visit Primusville.com.

The NYE performances will cap an eventful year for Primus, which included the introduction of new drummer John Hoffman following the 2024 departure of Tim “Herb” Alexander. Hoffman joined the band following an extensive audition process, which was documented in the Interstellar Drum Derby YouTube series.

Primus’ 2025 has also included joining A Perfect Circle and Puscifer on the Sessanta tour.

Music notes: Dua Lipa, Carly Rae Jepsen and more

August 20, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Dua Lipa‘s video for “Levitating” has hit 1 billion views on YouTube. While the song never hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, it spent 41 weeks in the top 10 and became Billboard‘s #1 song of 2021. It is now the biggest song by a solo female artist of the 21st century. It’s Dua’s third video to hit the milestone, after “New Rules” and “No Lie.”

Carly Rae Jepsen will celebrate the 10th anniversary of her acclaimed album E•MO•TION with a special anniversary edition, out Oct. 17. It includes six bonus tracks: two remixes of “Run Away with Me” and the unreleased songs “More,” “Guardian Angel,” “Back of My Heart” and “Lost in Devotion.” You can hear “More” now and also preorder the album. Carly celebrated the album with a concert at LA’s Troubadour Tuesday, which is where she first performed songs from the album in 2015.

Joe Jonas seems to have a knack for sharing embarrassing TMI stories during interviews. His latest revelation comes in the TikTok series Are You Okay? He was asked, “What is one embarrassing memory that keeps you up at night?” “I joined the Mile High Club a couple years ago,” he shared. “I was wearing contacts. Left the bathroom, I thought I was high-fiving my drummer. After the high five, I realized it was the flight attendant.” Fortunately, the whole thing took place on a private plane. And yes, Joe says, it was worth it.

Kansas adds guitarist as original member Richard Williams scales back touring

August 20, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Kansas has added a new member to the band.

The “Carry On My Wayward Son” rockers revealed on Facebook that guitarist Scott Bernard has officially joined the band. Bernard has been playing with Kansas over the past year as a fill-in for guitarist and original member Richard Williams when needed.

The band notes that while Williams is still “an active member of Kansas,” he will be “scaling back touring.”

“Scott Bernard is a fantastic guitar player, a great guy, and is my hand-picked choice to help carry on the legacy of the band Kansas,” says Williams. “I am not stepping down nor retiring. But I am slowing down.”

He says traveling has become difficult due to macular degeneration, an age-related eye condition, but assures fans, “I will still be at, and perform at, as many concerts as I can.”

Bernard is a session guitarist and vocalist who has worked with Kenny Loggins for 17 years. He’s also worked with artists like Michael McDonald, Richard Marx, Al Stewart and more.

“To say that I am excited to join the Kansas family is quite the understatement,” Bernard says. “As a lifelong Kansas fan, their music has been an integral part of my musical upbringing.” He adds, “I am deeply humbled to be chosen to help perpetuate their legacy, which is both a privilege and a surreal experience.”

Kansas is currently on tour and will play Wheeling, West Virginia, on Friday. A complete list of dates can be found at KansasBand.com.

Nashville notes: Charles Kelley plays with John Mayer + Cody Johnson’s RodeoHouston return

August 20, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Toby Keith: American Icon will air again on NBC Aug. 27. After its premiere in 2024, the two-hour concert became the network’s most-watched non-holiday special of the year.

Lady A‘s Charles Kelley will play Y Live at Wean Park in Youngstown, Ohio, on Sept. 26 alongside John Mayer and The Clarks.

Tickets for Cody Johnson‘s March 22, 2026, concert-only performance at RodeoHouston go on sale Thursday at 10 a.m. ET, with the online waiting room opening half an hour earlier.

Hilary Duff can’t believe Ariana Grande sang her song: ‘This really happened’

August 20, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Ariana Grande used to be a Nickelodeon star, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t a fan of Disney Channel. In fact, one Disney star is over the moon that Ariana sang one of her songs.

On the Instagram page for her r.e.m. beauty line, Ari is shown applying one of her liquid eyeshadows. As she adds more and more, she says, “More. Why not?” Then she begins singing Hilary Duff‘s 2003 song “Why Not,” with her signature vibrato and vocal embellishments: “Why not take a crazy chance?/ Why not do a crazy dance?/ If you lose the moment, you might lose a lot/ So, why not?”

“Why Not” is from the soundtrack of Hilary’s film The Lizzie McGuire Movie; it also appeared on her 2003 album, Metamorphosis, in a slightly different form.

Hilary reposted Ari’s video to her Instagram Story and captioned it, “Well I get gotten by AI a lot – but this really happened,” adding the happy tears emoji.

Late last year and early this year, Ariana spent a lot of time with another former Disney star: Selena Gomez. Both were on the awards show circuit for their respective award-winning films Wicked and Emilia Pérez.

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