Lil Nas X teases new music, says he’s ‘doing much better’

Lil Nas X teases new music, says he’s ‘doing much better’
Lil Nas X teases new music, says he’s ‘doing much better’
Lil Nas X attends the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at The Beverly Hilton on March 27, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for GLAAD)

Lil Nas X says he is “doing much better” after receiving care for bipolar disorder at a mental health treatment facility following his arrest in Los Angeles last year.

The rapper, born Montero Lamar Hill, was arrested in August and taken to a hospital after he was seen roaming nearly naked down a street in Los Angeles. The 27-year-old was subsequently charged with three felony counts of battery with injury on a police officer and one felony count of resisting an executive officer, to which he pleaded not guilty.

In April, a Los Angeles judge granted the rapper mental health diversion, saying at the time that the charges against him could be dismissed if he completed a mental treatment program and didn’t break the law for the next two years.

On Wednesday, Lil Nas X took to Instagram to share an update on his health.

“I’ve been in rehab for a few months, and since then, I’ve been back at home trying to ground myself back to earth and get out my head,” the Grammy-winning artist said in a video.

He added that he had since received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and began seeing a therapist and a psychiatrist, who he said had been “really helpful.”

“When I got my bipolar disorder diagnosis, I feel like I had known for the past few years, but I didn’t want to admit to it, because I didn’t want to have to take medication, and, I don’t know, have people think different of me,” he said. “I’m already Black and gay … I’m, like, living life on ‘extreme hard’ mode.”

Lil Nas X said he has been “doing much better” since receiving the diagnosis and undergoing treatment for it.

“I’m doing better. I’m feeling better. I’m creating freely, and there’s less fear in my heart, and I’m just, like, smelling the roses. I’m smelling the roses, man,” he said.

He added, “I want to let you guys know that there is new music on the way, and I’m not getting completely into that just yet, but I’m excited to do that, and I’m excited to go on this journey with you guys, this next chapter.” 

Lil Nas X ended his video with a message to his fans and supporters, whom he called his “Montourage.”

“We’ve been through so much together. Thank you guys for holding me down,” he said. “I love you, and all I wanna do is continue to try to make you proud and make myself proud. So, let’s go, dreamboy, let’s go.”

The rapper’s debut studio album, Montero, was released in September 2021. His second studio album, Dreamboy, has not yet been released; however, he has released several singles and promotional singles teasing the project.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Shania Twain’s full-circle moment with Tanya Tucker honors her mom

Shania Twain’s full-circle moment with Tanya Tucker honors her mom
Shania Twain’s full-circle moment with Tanya Tucker honors her mom
Shania Twain’s ‘Little Miss Twain’ (Republic Records)

“According to my mother, I’m the next Tanya Tucker, I’m gonna be a star,” Shania Twain sings in a sneak peek at the title track of her new album, Little Miss Twain

The pop/country icon shared the preview alongside a short video that shows her attaching an Ontario license plate to the front of the truck that appears on the album’s cover. 

She also revealed the song will drop June 26. It includes a guest spot by the “Delta Dawn” superstar, who, like Shania, started singing when she was just a kid. 

“This one is really special,” Shania writes. “I’m honored to say that @thetanyatucker features. This song is an homage to my mother, who believed with every ounce of her being that her daughter was destined to be the next Tanya Tucker.”

Shania’s seventh album, Little Miss Twain, arrives July 24. She’s currently in the middle of an extended run of shows at London’s Wembley Stadium. 

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Chicago pays tribute to late founding member Walter Parazaider: ‘We are forever grateful for his contributions’

Chicago pays tribute to late founding member Walter Parazaider: ‘We are forever grateful for his contributions’
Chicago pays tribute to late founding member Walter Parazaider: ‘We are forever grateful for his contributions’
Peter Cetera, James Pankow, Lee Loughnane, Terry Kath, Walter Parazaider, Danny Seraphine and Robert Lamm, of the American rock band Chicago, pose for a group portrait in London, England, August 26, 1970. (Photo by TPLP/Getty Images)

Chicago has paid tribute to founding member Walter Parazaider, who passed away Wednesday after living with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 81.

“Chicago is heartbroken to share the sad news of Walter Parazaider’s passing this morning,” the band writes on Instagram. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and countless Chicago fans who are all grieving his loss today.”

“A Rock & Roll band with horns was Walt’s idea. He put the band together and they rehearsed in the basement of his mother’s home,” the post continues. “He is also the one who did the hard work to book shows for the young, unknown band, performing top 40 covers at local bars in and around Chicago.”

“We are forever grateful for his contributions,” the post concludes. “Perhaps his greatest gift was bringing people together. This amazing music may have never been heard had it not been for Walt’s vision.”

Parazaider was part of the original lineup of Chicago, along with Peter Cetera, Terry Kath, Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow and Danny Seraphine. The band formed in its namesake city in 1967.

Parazaider, Loughnane and Pankow made up the band’s brass/woodwind section, with Parazaider playing a variety of instruments, including saxophone, flute and clarinet.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Chicago pays tribute to late founding member Walter Parazaider: ‘We are forever grateful for his contributions’

Chicago pays tribute to late founding member Walter Parazaider: ‘We are forever grateful for his contributions’
Chicago pays tribute to late founding member Walter Parazaider: ‘We are forever grateful for his contributions’
Peter Cetera, James Pankow, Lee Loughnane, Terry Kath, Walter Parazaider, Danny Seraphine and Robert Lamm, of the American rock band Chicago, pose for a group portrait in London, England, August 26, 1970. (Photo by TPLP/Getty Images)

Chicago has paid tribute to founding member Walter Parazaider, who passed away Wednesday after living with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 81.

“Chicago is heartbroken to share the sad news of Walter Parazaider’s passing this morning,” the band writes on Instagram. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and countless Chicago fans who are all grieving his loss today.”

“A Rock & Roll band with horns was Walt’s idea. He put the band together and they rehearsed in the basement of his mother’s home,” the post continues. “He is also the one who did the hard work to book shows for the young, unknown band, performing top 40 covers at local bars in and around Chicago.”

“We are forever grateful for his contributions,” the post concludes. “Perhaps his greatest gift was bringing people together. This amazing music may have never been heard had it not been for Walt’s vision.”

Parazaider was part of the original lineup of Chicago, along with Peter Cetera, Terry Kath, Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow and Danny Seraphine. The band formed in its namesake city in 1967.

Parazaider, Loughnane and Pankow made up the band’s brass/woodwind section, with Parazaider playing a variety of instruments, including saxophone, flute and clarinet.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Chicago pays tribute to late founding member Walter Parazaider: ‘We are forever grateful for his contributions’

Chicago pays tribute to late founding member Walter Parazaider: ‘We are forever grateful for his contributions’
Chicago pays tribute to late founding member Walter Parazaider: ‘We are forever grateful for his contributions’
Peter Cetera, James Pankow, Lee Loughnane, Terry Kath, Walter Parazaider, Danny Seraphine and Robert Lamm, of the American rock band Chicago, pose for a group portrait in London, England, August 26, 1970. (Photo by TPLP/Getty Images)

Chicago has paid tribute to founding member Walter Parazaider, who passed away Wednesday after living with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 81.

“Chicago is heartbroken to share the sad news of Walter Parazaider’s passing this morning,” the band writes on Instagram. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and countless Chicago fans who are all grieving his loss today.”

“A Rock & Roll band with horns was Walt’s idea. He put the band together and they rehearsed in the basement of his mother’s home,” the post continues. “He is also the one who did the hard work to book shows for the young, unknown band, performing top 40 covers at local bars in and around Chicago.”

“We are forever grateful for his contributions,” the post concludes. “Perhaps his greatest gift was bringing people together. This amazing music may have never been heard had it not been for Walt’s vision.”

Parazaider was part of the original lineup of Chicago, along with Peter Cetera, Terry Kath, Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow and Danny Seraphine. The band formed in its namesake city in 1967.

Parazaider, Loughnane and Pankow made up the band’s brass/woodwind section, with Parazaider playing a variety of instruments, including saxophone, flute and clarinet.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Report: Cher in talks to provide voice for animated film about bugs

Report: Cher in talks to provide voice for animated film about bugs
Report: Cher in talks to provide voice for animated film about bugs
Cher attends the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony in Cleveland (Courtesy of Disney+ & Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)

Cher is in talks for her first film role since 2018’s Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

Deadline reports that the Oscar-winning entertainer may provide the voice for an animated Australian film called Fly Squad — First Strike! The movie is about three insects who team up to find an antidote to a chemical that threatens their survival.

Cher is reportedly interested in voicing the mother of the main character. Deadline notes the project appealed to her because it’s “a fun way to highlight species preservation.”

Cher isn’t the only famous musician involved in the film. Deadline reports that Irish artist Bob Geldof — best known as the driving force behind the 1985 charity concert Live Aid and the charity Band Aid single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” — is in talks to voice a “legendary insect rock star” who organizes “Insect Aid.”

Cher, who recently turned 80, has been fairly quiet musically, aside from a performance on Saturday Night Live in December.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Report: Cher in talks to provide voice for animated film about bugs

Report: Cher in talks to provide voice for animated film about bugs
Report: Cher in talks to provide voice for animated film about bugs
Cher attends the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony in Cleveland (Courtesy of Disney+ & Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)

Cher is in talks for her first film role since 2018’s Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

Deadline reports that the Oscar-winning entertainer may provide the voice for an animated Australian film called Fly Squad — First Strike! The movie is about three insects who team up to find an antidote to a chemical that threatens their survival.

Cher is reportedly interested in voicing the mother of the main character. Deadline notes the project appealed to her because it’s “a fun way to highlight species preservation.”

Cher isn’t the only famous musician involved in the film. Deadline reports that Irish artist Bob Geldof — best known as the driving force behind the 1985 charity concert Live Aid and the charity Band Aid single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” — is in talks to voice a “legendary insect rock star” who organizes “Insect Aid.”

Cher, who recently turned 80, has been fairly quiet musically, aside from a performance on Saturday Night Live in December.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Riley Green to be honored alongside Vince Gill at Nashville Songwriter Awards

Riley Green to be honored alongside Vince Gill at Nashville Songwriter Awards
Riley Green to be honored alongside Vince Gill at Nashville Songwriter Awards
Nashville Songwriter Awards (Courtesy NSAI)

Nashville Songwriters Association International will give Riley Green its Songwriter-Artist of the Year honor Sept. 22 during the ninth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards at the historic Ryman Auditorium.

The news comes on the heels of “Change My Mind” becoming Riley’s seventh #1 earlier in June. 

Blake Pendergrass will pick up the Songwriter of the Year award. He notched his first chart-topper in July 2025 with Morgan Wallen’s “Just in Case” and went on to grab three more. 

As previously announced, Vince Gill will get the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, with Paul Williams picking up the NSAI President’s Keystone Award.

Tickets go on sale July 17 for the night, which will also unveil Song of the Year winner(s), the much-anticipated Songs I Wish I’d Written and the 2026 Legendary Song honor.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

8 victims killed in B-52 crash identified by Edwards Air Force Base

8 victims killed in B-52 crash identified by Edwards Air Force Base
8 victims killed in B-52 crash identified by Edwards Air Force Base
An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California, June 15, 2026. (KABC)

(LOS ANGELES) — The eight people killed in an Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crash in California have been identified.

The B-52 was on a “routine test mission” Monday morning when it crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base and burst into flames, officials said.

Everyone on board was killed: four crew members, one civilian and three contractors, officials said.

The victims were identified by the base as: Col. Gregory Watson, 53, weapon systems officer, Boeing; Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40, weapon systems officer, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center; retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50, pilot, Boeing; Maj. Alexander Davis, 34, weapon systems officer, 419th Flight Test Squadron; Maj. Robert Dee, 40, pilot, 419th Flight Test Squadron; Maj. Brad Hovey, 35, pilot, 419th Flight Test Squadron; Jeromy Smith, 32, flight test engineer, 419th Flight Test Squadron; and Christopher Rischar, 41, flight test engineer, JT4 contractor.

“They were dedicated professionals, beloved family members and irreplaceable teammates,” Col. Thomas Tauer, 412th Test Wing Commander, said in a statement on Wednesday. “Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies are with their families, loved ones and fellow Airmen, Air Force civilians and mission partners affected by this tragedy.”

Two Boeing employees were among the victims. Boeing said in a statement, “The loss of Miles and Greg is deeply felt across our teams, and our hearts remain with their families, loved ones and those who worked with them.”

The cause of the crash is under investigation, a process that will likely take several months, Col. James Hayes, deputy commander for the 412th Test Wing at the base, said Monday.

Test missions take place multiple times a day at Edwards Air Force Base, Hayes said.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Aimee Mann almost turned down chance to perform with Rush on Fifty Something tour

Aimee Mann almost turned down chance to perform with Rush on Fifty Something tour
Aimee Mann almost turned down chance to perform with Rush on Fifty Something tour
L-R) Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee of Rush perform during the opening night of their first American tour in 11 years at The Kia Forum on June 07, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)

Rush was joined by special guest Aimee Mann during the four-night opening stint of their Fifty Something tour in Los Angeles, but it turns out Mann almost said no to the gig.

The singer joined the band to reprise her part on “Time Stand Still” from 1987’s Hold Your Fire. But she reveals in an Instagram post that she initially wasn’t keen on doing it.

Mann posted a hand-drawn comic with the caption “What I did last week,” where she explained how her guest appearance came about.

“Way back in March, I got an email from Geddy Lee, from the band Rush. But I was quite frankly in a s***** place and couldn’t imagine doing it,” she explains on top of the drawings. “I was in such a hole I couldn’t even answer one way or the other. I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t try.”

Apparently she finally agreed, and goes on to say the band “were so kind and welcoming.” She writes, “I felt protected by their bubble of music and Canadian warmth, and buoyed aloft by their fans.”

Within the drawings, she reveals what was going on in her head after being asked, including her worry about the size of the KIA Forum, where Rush was playing, and her original plan, which was to “just apologize profusely and explain that I’m a crazy person.”

There are also drawings depicting Lee welcoming her, as well as one of the pair onstage together.

The Rush 50 Something tour heads to Mexico City for two nights, Thursday and Saturda. A complete list of dates can be found at Rush.com.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.