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Stephen Colbert to write next ‘Lord of the Rings’ film after ‘The Hunt for Gollum’

March 25, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Stephen Colbert’s next gig after late night will take him to The Shire.

The comedian will write the screenplay for a brand-new The Lord of the Rings movie for Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema. This new film has the working title of The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past. It will be penned by Colbert, Philippa Boyens and Peter McGee.

The official Lord of the Rings Instagram shared the news in a post on Tuesday. The video starts with filmmaker Peter Jackson updating fans on the upcoming movie The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. He then teases a surprise, before Colbert joins the call.

“In honor of Tolkien Reading Day and the destruction of the One Ring, we bring you a special announcement,” the post is captioned.

Colbert then tells all about the film he is writing.

“You know what the books mean to me, and what your films mean to me, but the thing that I found myself reading over and over again were the six chapters early on in The Fellowship that y’all never developed into the first movie back in the day,” Colbert said. “Then I thought — oh wait! Maybe that could be its own story that could fit into the larger story. Could we make something that was completely faithful to the books while also being completely faithful to the movies that you guys had already made?”

Colbert will end his run as host of CBS’ The Late Show on May 21, giving him time to focus solely on this new screenplay, he said.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum arrives in theaters on Dec. 17, 2027. It is directed by Andy Serkis, who has played Gollum for decades and will reprise the role again.

Hear new Claypool Lennon Delirium song, ‘Meat Machines’

March 25, 2026 by WDNY Radio

The Claypool Lennon Delirium, featuring Primus frontman Les Claypool and Sean Ono Lennon, has released a new song called “Meat Machines.”

The track deals with the ideas of “free will, technological control, and what remains essentially human in a world increasingly shaped by automation,” a press release says.

“Some people think humans are just biological machines,” says Lennon. “They think free will is a hallucination and we’re destined to be replaced by robots. Not only are they happy about this, but they’re actively trying to make it happen as fast as possible.”

“Some of us think we still have a choice,” he continues. “We think there’s something special about living, breathing and feeling. We believe we can shape our own destiny, because we know we are more than just ‘Meat Machines.'”

“Meat Machines” will appear on The Claypool Lennon Delirium’s upcoming album, The Great Parrot-Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy, due out May 1.

The Claypool Lennon Delirium will launch a U.S. tour in May alongside Primus and yet another Claypool band, Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade.

How to see Russell Dickerson, Tucker Wetmore, Melissa Etheridge & more at CMA Fest for free

March 25, 2026 by WDNY Radio

If you’re looking for free daytime entertainment during CMA Fest, we now know who will play the multiple outdoor stages in downtown Nashville from June 4 to 7.

Ashley Cooke, Carter Faith, Chase Matthew, Chayce Beckham, Dasha, Drew Baldridge, ERNEST, Ian Munsick, Josh Ross, Lauren Alaina, Maddox Watson, Max McNown, Midland, Nate Smith, Priscilla Block, RaeLynn, Russell Dickerson, Tigirlily Gold, Tucker Wetmore and Vincent Mason are just some of the artists set for the Chevy Riverfront Stage.

In Ascend Park, Billy Dean, Blanco Brown, Canaan Smith, Craig Campbell, Greylan James, John Morgan, Melissa Etheridge, Pam Tills, Travis Denning, Ty Herndon, Tyler Farr, Uncle Kracker, and The War and Treaty will all step onto the Dr Pepper Amp Stage.

Meanwhile on the Chevy Vibes Stage at Walk of Fame Park, Caylee Hammack, Colt Ford, Drake White, Frankie Ballard, Mark Wills, Neal McCoy, Shane Profitt and Walker Montgomery are set to play.

Atlus, Jacob Hackworth, MaRynn Taylor and Preston Cooper will all be on the Good Molecules Reverb Stage at Bridgestone Plaza, while the new Wrangler Remix Stage will make its debut inside Fan Alley.

You can explore the complete lineups and passes that include upgrades at CMAFest.com. You can check out the previously announced nightly roster at Nissan Stadium as well.

Todd Rundgren announces summer tour

March 25, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Todd Rundgren is hitting the road this summer.

The rocker has announced dates for the Damned If I Do Tour, which kicks off June 11 in St. Charles, Illinois. The trek will have Rundgren playing 23 cities, including Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale and Washington, D.C., before wrapping July 19 in Beverly, Massachusetts.

Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday at 10 a.m. local time.

The new dates are Rundgren’s first U.S. shows since his 2025 Still Me (Still We) tour, which wrapped in November.

Rundgren is currently on tour in Japan. He played Tokyo on Monday and will play Osaka on Wednesday.

A complete list of dates can be found at Tood-Rundgren.com.

On This Day, March 25, 2001: Bob Dylan wins an Academy Award

March 25, 2026 by WDNY Radio

On This Day, March 25, 2001 …

Bob Dylan won an Academy Award for best original song for “Things Have Changed,” from the Michael Douglas/Tobey Maguire movie Wonder Boys.

The category also featured songs from Sting, Björk, Randy Newman and others.

Dylan was not at the ceremony to accept the award in person as he was in Australia on tour. A recording of him and his band performing the song in Sydney was included in the Oscars telecast via satellite. He also gave his acceptance speech from the Aussie city.

“Things Have Changed,” which also won the Golden Globe for best original song, would wind up appearing on several Dylan compilation albums, including 2000’s The Essential Bob Dylan, 2005’s The Best of Bob Dylan and 2007’s Dylan.

Matt Maeson announces A Solo Experience US tour

March 25, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Matt Maeson has announces a U.S. tour.

The headlining trek, dubbed Watch My Step: A Solo Experience, begins May 15 in Boise, Idaho, and concludes July 25 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. local time.

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

Maeson will be touring in support of his 2025 album, A Quiet and Harmless Living. The record spawned the single “Downstairs,” which hit #1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart.

Skid Row’s Rachel Bolan announces debut solo album, ‘Gargoyle of the Garden State’

March 25, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Skid Row bassist Rachel Bolan has announced his debut solo album, Gargoyle of the Garden State.

The record is due out June 12. The first single, “At War with Myself” featuring Danko Jones, is out now.

“Gargoyle of the Garden State is not a project, it is every bit of my soul,” Bolan says in a statement. “Like me, it knows when to be serious and also knows where the party is.”

Other guests on the record include Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt and Skid Row’s Scotti Hill, Dave “Snake” Sabo and Rob Hammersmith.

Skid Row, meanwhile, announced in February that they were launching a worldwide audition process to find the band’s next singer. Their most recent vocalist, Erik Grönwall, left Skid Row in 2024, after which Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale fronted the band for a run of live shows.

As for Skid Row’s classic lineup singer, Sebastian Bach, he will be performing with Twisted Sister in place of Dee Snider, who’s sitting out their upcoming shows for health reasons.

Zach Top, Brothers Osborne and more to celebrate Telecaster’s 75th birthday

March 25, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Zach Top, Brothers Osborne, Brad Paisley, Ricky Skaggs and Steve Warner will all step onto the legendary Ryman stage as Fender throws a 75th birthday party for the Telecaster on May 4.

Defined by Fender as the “world’s first mass-produced, solid-body electric guitar,” the Telecaster will be center stage for the show titled Tele Town.

Two-time ACM guitar player of the year Derek Wells is its musical director.

“Putting this show together has been about more than just great players, it’s about capturing the spirit of an instrument that’s shaped so much of the music we all love,” he says. “This lineup is full of people who’ve lived with this guitar onstage and in the studio, and I’m certain that when we all are together, you’ll see people playing with love and reverence for what this instrument has meant to us all.”

Legendary guitarists like James Burton and Brent Mason will be part of the night as well, with more names still to be announced.

Tickets go on sale Friday. Proceeds will go to Nashville charities.

Wolf Alice, Florence + the Machine & more nominated for 2026 Ivor Novello Awards

March 25, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Wolf Alice and Florence + the Machine are among the nominees for the 2026 Ivor Novello Awards.

The prestigious ceremony honors the best in songwriting and composing by British and Irish artists.

Wolf Alice’s 2025 album The Clearing is up for best album, while its song “The Sofa” will compete in the best song musically and lyrically category.

Florence + the Machine’s “Everybody Scream,” the title track off their 2025 album, is also nominated for best song musically and lyrically.

Other nominees include Gorillaz’s “Damascus” for best contemporary song, and Lola Young and Myles Smith’s respective breakout singles, “Messy” and “Stargazing,” for most performed work. Coldplay’s enduring hit “Viva La Vida” is nominated for most performed work, as well.

The 2026 Ivor Novello Awards will be held May 21 in London.

In other U.K. awards news, Sam Fender will receive the prize for best live act at the 2026 O2 Silver Clef Awards, taking place July 9 in London.

The annual ceremony is presented by the charity Nordoff and Robbins, which provides music therapy services to vulnerable and isolated people in the U.K.

“It’s an honour to receive the Best Live Act Award at this year’s O2 Silver Clef Awards,” Fender says. “I’m so lucky to do this as a job. This award is especially meaningful because of the incredible work in music that Nordoff and Robbins do.”

Lady Gaga in ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’? Anne Hathaway plays coy

March 25, 2026 by WDNY Radio

While it was reported last year that Lady Gaga would appear in The Devil Wears Prada 2, the movie’s star is keeping her mouth shut on that topic.

In a video for Harper’s Bazaar, Anne Hathaway is asked, “Can you confirm or deny a Lady Gaga cameo?”

“Who?” she responds, laughing. She then adds, “Oh, I know her, she was so good in A Star Is Born. Oh my gosh. Can you believe that somebody can be so talented? It just blows one’s mind.”

It would appear Anne is just playing coy, since Gaga was photographed reportedly leaving the movie’s set in Milan last year.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is set to hit theaters May 1. In addition to Anne, the returning cast includes Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci.

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