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How Keith Urban’s stage persona eased into a ‘Flow State’

May 26, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Even though Keith Urban’s a country star, in concert, he often seems like a rock star, typically grabbing his guitar and going all around arenas to get closer to his fans.

While it might be easy to assume the Aussie superstar’s dynamic charisma was present from birth, he insists that’s not the case.

“I had a bit of an epiphany,” he explains. “I was playing in a band, and the lead singer was an American guy from Florida. This is in Australia. And he was a great entertainer. He was excellent. And I learned so much from him. I was playing guitar and a bit of keyboards in this band and trying to learn a lot from him as a front man.”

“One night he said to me, ‘When you play a solo, how come you don’t like, go to the front of the stage, you know, and like lean into the audience and really play?’ And I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, I couldn’t do that.’ And he goes, ‘Why not?’ I go, ‘’Cause they’ll think I’m like stuck up, like I’m full of myself.’ And he goes, ‘Well, are you?’ And I said, ‘No.’ He goes, ‘Then they won’t.’”

That quick, pointed conversation forever made a difference in Keith’s stage persona.

“It was just like, boom! This whole light bulb went off,” he recalls. “If you are genuinely a down to earth, grounded, good tongue-in-cheek type person, you can do anything and the audience will love it because they know you’re not an arrogant, cocky person at all. You’re just puttin’ on a show.”

“And I did it the next night, and it worked amazing. So, it changed everything.”

Next up, Keith stretches a bit outside his home genre with Flow State, his yacht rock covers record.

Twenty One Pilots perform and win at 2026 American Music Awards

May 26, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Twenty One Pilots performed on the 2026 American Music Awards, which took place Monday in Las Vegas.

Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun took the stage for the TV debut of “Drag Path,” which hit #1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart.

“Drag Path” was originally exclusive to the Digital Remains deluxe edition of Twenty One Pilots’ latest album, 2025’s Breach, but the response to the track was so big that it was officially released as a single in February.

Twenty One Pilots also went home with the prize for best rock/alternative artist.

Meanwhile, sombr won best rock/alternative song for “back to friends” and best rock/alternative album for I Barely Know Her, and performed his song “Homewrecker” during the show after being introduced by Linda Perry of 4 Non Blondes.

Kehlani announces world tour with Durand Bernarr, Isaia Huron, The Artist and Waseel

May 26, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Kehlani has a great announcement for her fans: she’s headed to a city near them on tour.

She shared the news in a video shared to her Instagram Friday, in which she’s seen in a messy office trying to brainstorm ideas for her upcoming tour. She crumbles papers, throws them on the ground, writes sticky notes and uses a board as she questions what to do on the road.

“I gotta think big. The theme: circus, no, lighting, a spotlight. That’s too much, maybe it’s not enough. Can I get a harp?” she asks.

“Set list, do I open with ‘Folded,’ do I close with ‘Folded,’ do I do ‘Folded’ five times? ‘Folded’ warriors to the back and the day ones to the front,” she continues.

“I need dancers, I need a DJ,” Kehlani says, before Waseel starts playing her song, and she quickly asks him to stop.

“I need to think. What am I missing? Oh! Who are my openers?” She’s then seen reaching out to them and getting their confirmation.

Those openers are Isaia Huron, The Artist, Waseel and Durand Bernarr.

The tour is a world tour, seemingly in support of her recently released self-titled debut album. Dates have not yet been announced.

“one hooting and hollering a**, fun a** rnb a** night, you will have,” Kehlani teased on her Instagram Story. She followed it with, “you have till August to learn every word to the Kehlani album,” before sharing a link for fans to get updates and presale access to the tour.

Scoreboard roundup — 5/25/26

May 26, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Monday’s sports events:

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Knicks 130, Cavaliers 93 (East Finals – Game 4, NY wins series 4-0)

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Hurricanes 3, Canadiens 2

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Rockies 3, Dodgers 5
Mariners 9, Athletics 2
Cubs 1, Pirates 2
Rays 7, Orioles 9
Twins 1, White Sox 3
Cardinals 1, Brewers 5
Yankees 4, Royals 3
Reds 7, Mets 2
Diamondbacks 6, Giants 2
Nationals 10, Guardians 2
Phillies 2, Padres 0
Astros 9, Rangers 0
Marlins 8, Blue Jays 2

‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ blasts to #1 at the box office

May 26, 2026 by WDNY Radio

This is the way to the top of the box office.

The Force was strong with Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian and Grogu as the Star Wars film opened at #1 with a total of $100 million over the three-day Memorial Day weekend, according to Box Office Mojo

The Mandalorian and Grogu marks the first theatrical Star Wars movie in seven years and the big screen debut of the two title characters, who are originally from the Disney+ series The Mandalorian. Pedro Pascal plays Mandalorian Din Djarin, a helmeted bounty hunter akin to the original trilogy’s Boba Fett, who’s accompanied by the Force-sensitive Grogu, who you may also know as Baby Yoda.

Coming in at #2 at the box office is the horror film Obsession, which scared up $30.4 million over the holiday weekend, an increase from the $17.2 million it earned over its debut weekend.

The Michael Jackson biopic Michael followed at #3 with another $26.9 million, bringing its total domestic gross to more than $320 million.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 took fourth place with $16.5 million, while The Sheep Detectives rounded out the top five with $12.8 million.

Here are the top 10 films at the box office:

1. The Mandalorian and Grogu — $100 million
2. Obsession — $30.4 million
3. Michael — $26.9 million
4. The Devil Wears Prada 2 — $16.5 million
5. The Sheep Detectives — $12.8 million
6. Passenger — $10.5 million
7. Mortal Kombat II — $7.7 million
8. I Love Boosters — $4.6 million
9. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — $4.1 million
10. Project Hail Mary — $3.5 million

Disney is the parent company of ABC News and Lucasfilm.

American Music Awards 2026: The winners

May 26, 2026 by WDNY Radio

The 2026 American Music Awards took place Monday in Las Vegas. Here are the winners:

Artist of the year
BTS

New artist of the year
KATSEYE

Album of the year
Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend

Song of the year
HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden”

Collaboration of the year
PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson – “Stateside”

Social song of the year
Tyla – “CHANEL”

Best music video
KATSEYE – “Gnarly”

Best soundtrack
KPop Demon Hunters

Tour of the year
Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour

Breakout tour
Benson Boone – American Heart World Tour

Breakthrough album of the year
Zara Larsson – Midnight Sun

Best throwback song
Black Eyed Peas – “Rock That Body”

Best vocal performance
The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden”

Song of the summer
BTS – “SWIM”

Best male pop artist
Justin Bieber

Best female pop artist
Sabrina Carpenter

Breakthrough pop artist
KATSEYE

Best pop song
The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden”

Best pop album
Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend

Best male country artist
Morgan Wallen

Best female country artist
Ella Langley

Best country duo or group
Zac Brown Band

Breakthrough country artist
Sam Barber

Best country song
Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”

Best country album
Megan Moroney – Cloud 9

Best male hip-hop artist
Kendrick Lamar

Best female hip-hop artist
Cardi B

Breakthrough hip-hop artist
Monaleo

Best hip-hop song
Cardi B – “ErrTime”

Best hip-hop album
Cardi B – AM I THE DRAMA?

Best male R&B artist
Bruno Mars

Best female R&B artist
SZA

Breakthrough R&B artist
Leon Thomas

Best R&B song
Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”

Best R&B album
Bruno Mars – The Romantic

Best male Latin artist
Bad Bunny

Best female Latin artist
Shakira

Best Latin duo or group
Fuerza Regida

Breakthrough Latin artist
Kapo

Best Latin song
Bad Bunny – “NUEVAYoL”

Best Latin album
KAROL G – Tropicoqueta

Best rock/alternative artist
Twenty One Pilots

Breakthrough rock/alternative artist
sombr

Best rock/alternative song
sombr – “back to friends”

Best rock/alternative album
sombr – I Barely Know Her

Best dance/electronic artist
David Guetta

Best male K-pop artist
BTS

Best female K-pop artist
TWICE

Best Afrobeats artist
Tyla

Best Americana/folk artist
Noah Kahan

American Music Awards 2026: ‘Golden’ is song of the year, Fergie reunites with Black Eyed Peas

May 26, 2026 by WDNY Radio

After winning a Golden Globe, a Grammy and an Oscar, “Golden” proved it still hasn’t lost its shine.

The KPop Demon Hunters hit was named song of the year at the American Music Awards, which aired live from Las Vegas Monday night. Accepting the award were two of the three voices of HUNTR/X, EJAE and Rei Ami, the latter of whom was celebrating her birthday. “I’m gonna make this quick ’cause I have to pee so bad,” she told the crowd before her speech. “Golden” also won best pop song and best vocal performance.

Meanwhile, sombr’s “back to friends” was named best rock/alternative song, while his debut album I Barely Know Her was named best rock/alternative album. The singer also performed his single “Homewrecker,” which ended with him completely drenched in water raining down on him from the ceiling.

BTS, who opened the show with a pre-recorded live performance, was named artist of the year, and their song “SWIM” was named song of the summer. Teddy Swims performed his latest single “Mr. Know It All,” while New Kids on the Block, who currently have a Las Vegas residency, sang their classic “You Got It (The Right Stuff).” And 30 years after winning best new artist, Hootie & The Blowfish returned to perform “Hold My Hand” and “Only Wanna Be With You.”

The show also featured an unexpected reunion. In the category of best throwback song, the nominees were three songs that had recently experienced a resurgence on TikTok and other social media platforms: “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls, “Rock That Body” by Black Eyed Peas and “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes.

When “Rock That Body” was named the winner, Black Eyed Peas members will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo took the stage with none other than Fergie, who’d left the group in 2018. It was the first time in years that all four had appeared together publicly.

Fergie thanked the fans for reviving the song via TikTok, “so that my son would put our song on his playlist,” and then yelled, “Hi Axl! ‘Rock That Body!’ We did it!” Fergie shares son Axl Jack Duhamel with her former husband, Josh Duhamel.

The show closed with newly minted Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Billy Idol receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award and performing his classics “Eyes Without a Face” and “Dancing With Myself.”

American Music Awards 2026: BTS, KATSEYE, ‘Golden’ and sombr among the big winners

May 25, 2026 by WDNY Radio

BTS made a triumphant return to the American Music Awards Monday night, with their first awards show appearance in four years.

The group, whose first U.S. TV performance came at the AMAs in 2017, scooped the artist of the year award for a second time; the last time was in 2021, before they went on hiatus to complete their mandatory military service. “It’s an honor to have this precious award once again,” said group member RM. They thanked their fans, known as ARMY, for standing by them “for the past 13 years.”

BTS also picked up the song of the summer trophy for “SWIM” at the fan-voted award show, and presented the best female R&B artist trophy to SZA, who seemed thrilled to meet them.

All that was after the K-pop superstars opened the show with a performance of “Hooligan,” which was seemingly recorded at one of the two shows they performed at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on May 23 and May 24.

But BTS weren’t the only K-pop-related winners: “Golden,” from KPop Demon Hunters, was named song of the year. Accepting the trophy along with fellow HUNTR/X singer EJAE, Rei Ami, who was also celebrating her birthday, said, “I’m gonna make this quick ’cause I have to pee so bad.” “Golden” also won best pop song and best vocal performance.

And K-pop adjacent group KATSEYE was named new artist of the year, and also performed a colorful version of their new song “Pinky Up,” which featured them emerging from a giant teddy bear.

Meanwhile, sombr won best rock/alternative song for “back to friends,” as well as best rock/alternative album for I Barely Know Her. He also performed his single “Homewrecker,” which ended with him being drenched in water raining down on him from overhead.

There were two notable reunions during the show. The Pussycat Dolls performed a medley of their hits, including “Don’t Cha,” “Buttons” and “When I Grow Up.” But most surprisingly, the Black Eyed Peas reunited with Fergie onstage for the first time in years, to accept the best throwback song award for “Rock That Body.” Fergie thanked the fans for reviving the song via TikTok, “so that my son would put our song on his playlist.”

Billy Idol receives AMA Lifetime Achievement Award: ‘Find out who you are and be it!’

May 25, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Billy Idol had the honor of closing Sunday night’s American Music Awards, as he accepted the AMA Lifetime Achievement Award and then took the stage to perform two of his classic hits.

Idol was presented the award by Grammy-winning R&B star Leon Thomas, who said he became a fan of the newly minted Rock & Roll Hall of Famer via his late stepdad, musician Jon Kevin Jones. Accepting his award, Idol, rocking a purple shirt and black leather blazer, thanked the fans, saying, “I’ve been able to live my dream. It’s really because of all of you.”

Idol, who started his career 50 years ago as part of the U.K.’s burgeoning punk rock scene, said, “We believed in what we were doing. And we thought that if we just dreamed into this life and gave it everything we had, it would give it back to us in spades. And that’s exactly what happened.”

He concluded by offering a message to “any kid out there” who is interested in music and is “inspired to create that feeling of freedom and pursue a life of art.”

“All I can say is, pick up an instrument, find out who you are, and be it!” he advised. He then took the stage with his longtime musical partner, guitarist Steve Stevens, to perform “Eyes Without a Face” and “Dancing with Myself.”

Idol and Stevens will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame together November 14 in LA; the ceremony will air in December on ABC and Disney+.

Woman killed by patio umbrella while dining at South Carolina restaurant: Coroner

May 25, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(LAKE MARION, S.C.) — A woman died after being struck by a patio umbrella during strong winds at a lakeside South Carolina restaurant over Memorial Day weekend, officials said.

The incident occurred Saturday evening at a restaurant along Lake Marion in Summerton, authorities said.

The woman and her husband were dining on the restaurant’s patio “when a sudden strong wind blew an umbrella from a table,” striking the woman in the head and neck area, the Clarendon County Coroner’s Office said in a statement.

First responders found the woman unresponsive with lacerations to her head and neck area, and she was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the coroner’s office.

The victim is a woman from Huger, South Carolina, the coroner’s office said. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

The restaurant, Driftwood Grill Home of the Lazy Gator, confirmed the incident occurred at its restaurant during a “sudden severe weather event at Lake Marion.”

“This has deeply affected many people in our community, including guests, staff, first responders, and everyone involved,” the restaurant said in a statement Sunday on social media. “Out of respect for the family and those impacted, we ask for continued prayers, compassion, and privacy during this incredibly difficult time.”

The restaurant said it held a support session on Monday with authorities, chaplains and others for those impacted by the “tragic” incident.

“This has impacted many people — including staff members, guests, first responders, families, and community members — and we are grateful for the continued support, prayers, understanding, and encouragement being shown throughout the area,” the statement said.

ABC News’ Jason Volack contributed to this report.

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