Music – Page 713 – 105.7 WDNY

He dropped out of ‘American Idol,’ then scored a hit. Not Benson Boone — Max McNown

August 11, 2025 by WDNY Radio

A singer/songwriter tries out for American Idol, makes it to Hollywood and then drops out. His decision to do so turns out to be correct, because he then goes on to score a big hit. No, we’re not talking about Benson Boone and “Beautiful Things” — we’re talking about Max McNown and “A Lot More Free.”

Just like Benson, Max is an American Idol alum. “I actually was a contestant on American Idol for a brief moment in time,” he told ABC Audio. “I went to Casamigos, California, and I auditioned in front of Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, and I got the Golden Ticket, and I was like super-excited. I was on top of the world.”

But then, Max said, a song he’d posted on social media called “A Lot More Free,” which he wrote about a breakup, went viral.

“‘A Lot More Free’ started to have that life of its own,” he said. “I had to make the really difficult decision to kind of move on from American Idol instead of following it to the end just because I felt like I had started to build this career.”

While it was “such a difficult decision” for him, Max says he then felt he got a sign from the universe that he’d made the right call: Earlier this year, Kelly Clarkson performed “A Lot More Free” on her talk show as part of her popular Kellyoke segment.

“When Kelly Clarkson ended up covering my song, in the same way ‘A Lot More Free’ was my claim to freedom from that past heartbreak, seeing Kelly Clarkson cover that song was the full-circle moment of that whole experience on American Idol,” said Max. “And I was like, ‘Okay, I think I made the right decision.'”

Derek & the Dominos’ Bobby Whitlock dies at 77

August 10, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Bobby Whitlock, the pianist, guitarist and songwriter who played on three of rock’s most legendary albums — Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, All Things Must Pass and Exile on Main Street — has died. He was 77.

A statement provided to ABC Audio by his manager Carole Kaye reads, “With profound sadness, the family of Bobby Whitlock announces his passing at 1:20am on Aug. 10 after a brief illness. He passed in his home in Texas, surrounded by family.”

Born and raised in Memphis, Whitlock played on recordings by Sam & Dave and Booker T. & the M.G.’s as a teen and was the first white artist signed to Stax Records. In 1969, he played on the album Accept No Substitute by Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett and joined their touring band, Delaney & Bonnie and Friends.

Eric Clapton and George Harrison subsequently joined the band as guest “Friends,” which led to Whitlock and Clapton backing Harrison on the former Beatle‘s landmark 1970 album All Things Must Pass.

While working on Harrison’s album, Whitlock and Clapton formed Derek and the Dominos with fellow Friends Carl Radle and Jim Gordon. Whitlock wrote or co-wrote seven of the 14 songs on their now-iconic album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, including “Tell the Truth” and “Bell Bottom Blues.”

After Derek and the Dominos split in 1971, Whitlock released two solo albums and played uncredited on The Rolling Stones’ 1972 album Exile on Main Street. He also played on albums by Dr. John and Manassas.

Whitlock, who was inducted into Memphis’ Beale Street Walk of Fame in 2024, continued to record and release albums throughout his career, later accompanied by his wife and musical partner CoCo Carmel Whitlock. He is survived by Carmel Whitlock, sister Debbie Wade and children Ashley Brown, Beau Whitlock and Tim Whitlock Kelly.

Turnstile tops chart with ‘Never Enough’

August 8, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Turnstile has earned a major career milestone: They have a #1 song on a Billboard chart for the first time.

While the band’s albums have reached the top of a number of the publication’s charts, this is the first time a song of theirs has done the same. In this case, “Never Enough,” the title track of their current album, crowns the Alternative Airplay chart. The song’s parent album hit #1 on Billboard‘s Top Hard Rock Album chart back in June.

Previously, the highest the band had ranked on that chart was #8, with their 2022 song “Mystery.”

Billboard also notes that the Maryland punk rockers are the ninth act this year to score a debut #1 on the Alternative Airplay tally. That’s the most in one year since 2010.

Hear Kings of Leon on Zach Bryan’s new track ‘Bowery’

August 8, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Kings of Leon are featured on the latest single from Zach Bryan.

The track, “Bowery,” is out now, with Zach calling the collaboration the “honor of my life” in a post on Instagram.

Bryan has also released a video for the track, which gives fans a glimpse into the studio as Bryan and Kings of Leon record the tune.

Kings of Leon recently opened for Bryan at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. The July 20 show featured a guest appearance by New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen, with The Boss, Bryan and Kings of Leon’s Caleb Followill teaming for a performance of Springsteen’s “Atlantic City.”

Cardi B microphone from mic-throwing incident in Vegas is reportedly up for sale on eBay

August 8, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Someone is trying to cash in on the microphone Cardi B used during her mic-throwing incident in 2023. EBay user Mswus74 claims they have the real item and has created a listing on eBay for $1 million or “best offer.”

“First & for most, my thoughts and prayers go out to the victims that were hit with this infamous microphone thrown by Cardi B. back on July 29th, 2023, at Drai’s outdoor nite club,” the description reads. “Wishing them a speedy recovery…Overall, the microphone looks good, but there are some scratches on it. I’m not sure if those scratches came from it being thrown at fans, but please look at all the pictures closely. Any other questions, just ask.”

This marks the second time Cardi’s alleged mic has been sold on eBay; TMZ reports Scott Fisher of The Wave production company sold the item for $2,550 after initially receiving a $99,900 bid.

For the uninitiated, the mic-throwing incident occurred in 2023 during Cardi’s performance at the Las Vegas nightclub Drai’s. Footage from the show captured Cardi as she requested fans throw water at her to cool her down from the heat, prompting an audience member to throw water in her face. Cardi then threw the mic in the fan’s direction. “I said splash my p**** not my face, b****,” she told the crowd.

Cardi B is now being accused of assault, battery, negligence and more as part of a civil lawsuit related to the incident.

Billy Joel releases archival performance from a ‘Long, Long Time’ ago

August 8, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Billy Joel has debuted another archival performance, and this one is a real throwback.

The “Piano Man” shared a video of him performing the track “Long, Long Time” on the PBS station WSIU on Feb. 10, 1972.

The clip is from such an early point in his career that during the intro the host notes that Joel and his backing band have been together “less than a year,” but adds that the “maturity of sound is there.”

“Long, Long Time” is actually a song that didn’t appear on any of Billy’s original studio albums. A performance of it does appear on the 2011 Legacy Edition of his sophomore album Piano Man.

Joel began releasing archival rarities to his YouTube account following the release of his HBO documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, with many of the clips found during the making of the film.

Billy Joel: And So It Goes is now streaming on HBO Max

Nashville notes: Loveless’ ‘Sleepless’ on vinyl + Drake White’s ‘Smile’

August 8, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Patty Loveless‘ Grammy-nominated Sleepless Nights covers album is now available on vinyl for the first time since its 2008 release. A Record Store Day Denim Blue version of the 16-track collection will follow on Aug. 15.

Currently on the Damn Country Music Tour with Riley Green, Drake White has just released the new track “Nuthin’ But a Smile.” It’s his first original music this year, following July’s Scattered, Smothered, Covers EP.

“Tequila Time” is the latest release from Annie Bosko, as the California native prepares to put out her debut album this fall.

Latto releases ‘Chicken Grease’ video as ‘Sugar Honey Iced Tea’ turns 1

August 8, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Latto released her third studio album, Sugar Honey Iced Tea, one year ago, so she’s celebrating with the release of her new video for “Chicken Grease.”

The video captures Latto as she enjoys her life, riding ATVs, getting pedicures and hanging by the pool, among other things. Pictured are her shorts from the Apple Bottom brand, which she teamed with for an exclusive collection honoring the one-year anniversary of Sugar Honey Iced Tea.

The line pulls from the Y2K era and features custom pieces that blend the Southern heat with street chic, representing her style.

“Apple Bottoms was a staple in the culture. Every ‘it girl’ had a pair. Now it’s my turn to bring that feeling back — but louder,” says Latto in a statement. “This collection is for the women who want to be seen, who move with confidence, and who don’t apologize for having curves or opinions.”

Latto has also dropped a limited-edition vinyl commemorating Sugar Honey Iced Tea, now available on her website.

Cole Swindell’s daughter born Thursday

August 8, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Cole Swindell‘s baby girl has arrived.

“Rainey Gail Swindell 8.7.25 our greatest blessing,” he posted on Instagram, adding a heart emoji along with a photo of the baby wearing a white onesie and a white hat.

Rainey is Cole’s middle name, and also the maiden name of his late mother.

Cole and his wife Courtney Little Swindell revealed they were expecting a baby back in March, after tying the knot in June 2024.

Mick Fleetwood marks two years since the devastating Maui wildfires

August 8, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Mick Fleetwood is marking two years since the devastating wildfires that destroyed parts of Maui, Hawaii.

The Fleetwood Mac drummer and founder shared a picture on Instagram of the fire scorched sign from his restaurant, Fleetwood’s on Front Street, which was lost in the fires writing, “Two years ago today, the heart of Lahaina was devastated by fires…..Taking with it not just our beloved Fleetwood’s on Front Street, but so much of what made this town!!”

“We lost friends and neighbors, including two beloved members of Fleetwood’s on Front Street, Joel and Felimon, along with their families,” he adds. “We continue to mourn their lives, and all the lives lost. Their memory will live on.”

“What stands strong still is the spirit of Lahaina! And the resilience of this island,” he continues. “My thoughts and love continue to be with the people of Lahaina, as we honor the past and look forward.”

Fleetwood had been living on the island of Maui for almost 30 years when the 2023 fires destroyed his community and his restaurant. That September he took part in a star-studded #MauiStrong livestream that raised funds for Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund as well as the Recording Academy charity MusicCares.

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