Brooks & Dunn will keep their Reboot Tour rolling into 2023, with Scotty McCreery opening all the dates.
“Last year, you all reminded us just how much fun it is to walk out on that stage and share the night with ya!” Kix Brooks says. “We love what we do, but we’re just surfing your wave … can’t wait!!”
“The Brooks and Dunn posse rides again,” Ronnie Dunn adds. “More excited to hit the big stage as we ever have been! Unbelievable band of friends … annnnnd YOU! Together, let’s rock the house!!”
Scotty calls the gig “a dream come true.”
The trek kicks off May 4 in Kansas City, Missouri, and wraps June 17 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Tickets go on sale this Friday.
The 2023 BRIT Awards, which are essentially the United Kingdom’s version of the Grammys, landed in hot water after the Artist of the Year nominations were announced — and didn’t include a single female singer.
Sam Smith spoke to the Sunday Timesabout the controversy, as well as the ceremony’s recent decision to combine the best male and female categories in favor of gender neutrality. Sam had supported the move then, but hopes more progress is made soon.
Only 42 percent of the nominees are women this year.
“It is a shame … Things are moving forward, but it’s obvious it’s not there yet,” Sam expressed. “From seeing that [best artist] list, there is still a long way to go.” The singer also noted, “There’s so much incredible female talent in the UK.”
Sam said it “should be easy … To celebrate everyone,” adding “it’s incredibly frustrating” to think the BRIT Awards seemingly favor male artists. For example, Little Mix was the first group of female singers to win Best Group — and that was in 2021.
“This is not just about artists getting awards. Awards are for kids watching on TV, thinking, ‘I can make music like this.’ When I was young, if I’d seen more queer people at these awards it would have lit my heart,” Sam said. “Awards are there to inspire.”
Sam also touched upon LGBTQ representation in the music industry and explained why they think it’s getting better.
“The more that people see that type of love with their friends or family members, the more they will enjoy films and music by queer people. But it is also about education. We need to educate everyone on what it is to be queer,” they said.
Sam’s new album, Gloria, arrives Friday, January 27.
James Taylor, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo are among the stars headlining the seventh annual Love Rocks NYC benefit concert, scheduled for March 9 at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.
Other artists on the bill include Sheryl Crow, the John Mayer Trio, R&B legend Mavis Staples, alt-rocker St. Vincent, blues/rock singer/guitarist Gary Clark Jr., singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright, My Morning Jacket’s Jim James and Stephen Marley.
Stephen Colbert, Bravo’s Andy Cohen, Saturday Night Live legend Chevy Chase and comedian/actress Phoebe Robinson will also appear at the event.
The show is a benefit for God’s Love We Deliver, which delivers meals to New Yorkers who are unable to shop or cook for themselves. This year, the charity expects to deliver more than 3 million meals, which are provided free of charge.
(NEW YORK) — Eggs prices are on the rise due to an ongoing avian flu outbreak limiting supply, and while they are still safe to eat, many people are seeking alternatives to keep costs down, as experts say it may take months for prices to fully normalize.
Customers aren’t just looking for swaps for their morning omelets, they’re also seeking out alternatives to include in cake batters and other baked goods, as well as egg substitutes like ground flax seeds and water, tofu, or plant-based liquid egg replacers.
But while they can simulate the texture and feel of an egg, these substitutes are not a one-for-one nutritional swap, nutritionists say.
“For years there have been staple foods that we dietitians and health care professionals recommended to people, like eggs,” Maya Feller, a Brooklyn-based registered dietitian nutritionist, told ABC News. “All of a sudden we’re talking about a luxury food.”
While Feller says she believes that egg substitutes are a great option for people who don’t want to or can’t eat eggs, because eggs are such a nutrient “powerhouse,” their replacements may not be a nutritional match.
Eggs offer a complete protein with all the essential amino acids, the building blocks for our body’s proteins that we cannot produce on our own and must get from food, Feller said. Eggs are also rich with key micronutrients like vitamin A and various vitamin B’s, including riboflavin, she said.
Eggs also contain choline, which is important for various vital bodily functions, like liver function and metabolism. Other antioxidants in eggs are linked to decreased inflammation and lower risk of health conditions, including some eye diseases.
Many of the nutrients in eggs are concentrated in the yolk. The yolk also has cholesterol, but the idea that cholesterol in eggs is harmful is somewhat outdated — though it’s important to think about this in the context of your larger diet and lifestyle, Feller explained. The American Heart Association recommends one egg a day.
Nevertheless, some egg alternatives can provide nutritional benefits.
Some substitutes are more useful swaps for baking. Alternatives suggested by cooks include flax seeds and water, chickpea flour, mashed bananas and tofu. Each of these comes from different food groups and offers distinct nutritional benefits.
Flax seeds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are a rich source of omega-3 fat, an unsaturated “good fat” that has protective effects against heart disease and stroke, among other health conditions. It is also a good source of fiber. The amount of protein per recommended serving a day of one to two tablespoons of flax seeds is smaller in comparison to one egg.
Tofu, on the other hand, which is made from soybeans, is a great source of complete protein. Similar to eggs, the protein that makes up tofu contains all the essential amino acids the body can’t make on its own. It is also a great source of calcium, vitamin B, and iron, according to the USDA.
Some companies, like Just Egg, also make plant-based egg replacers that can look and feel like omelets or scrambles. These plant-based alternatives are typically made from protein isolates of various legumes and have about the same amount of protein per serving as that of a standard sized egg.
But many of the nutrients found in eggs, like vitamin A, calcium, and iron, are not in these products.
“It’s not one to one,” Feller said, adding that they can be a good substitute “so long as you get those minerals from another source.”
For plant-based eaters who are swapping out eggs as part of a vegetarian or vegan diet, getting those micronutrients can sometimes be hard. Feller said a multivitamin supplement is a good solution.
Despite high prices, eating eggs is also still an option. The risk of getting avian flu from purchased poultry or eggs is very low, given the measures in place to cull birds when the virus is suspected and the national regulatory processes in place to make sure the products arriving at your grocery stores are safe.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and USDA recommend proper handling and processing of uncooked poultry and eggs when cooking to protect against not only avian flu but also against all possible viruses and bacteria. That includes washing hands before and after handling raw ingredients, sanitizing countertops and cutlery and cooking raw food fully (which means reaching 165 F for poultry).
To better incorporate eggs into your diet amid rising prices, think of creative ways to get the most out of them, Feller recommended.
Try to stretch your egg by incorporating it into a dish, or add other healthy ingredients like veggies, potatoes, or a sprinkle of low-fat cheese. The fat in eggs can help your body absorb some vitamins found in vegetables, which makes them a great pairing, Feller said.
These additions are ways to get more “bang for your nutritious buck,” she added.
(MONTEREY PARK, Calif.) — At least 10 people were killed and 10 others were injured on Saturday night when a gunman opened fire at a crowded dance studio in Monterey Park, California, authorities said.
The suspect — identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran — fled the scene and traveled to nearby Alhambra, where he allegedly entered a second dance hall before being disarmed that same night. Tran was found dead on Sunday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a van in Torrance, about 30 miles southwest of Monterey Park, according to police.
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:
Jan 23, 11:30 AM EST
Rep. Chu’s message to community: Go to Lunar New Year celebrations
Rep. Judy Chu, a Democratic congresswoman who represents Monterey Park, told ABC News’ GMA3 that she wants to know the gunman’s motive for Saturday night’s massacre that claimed 10 lives.
“For him to do this right after we had our opening celebration of Lunar New Year was just horrific. There were thousands of people that were only one block away celebrating this very, very important holiday,” she said. “It was a joyous time that immediately turned to tragedy.”
Chu said the community is “beginning the healing process.”
“It’s been a horrific 24 hours. People were so fearful and anxious about an active shooter being out there in the community,” she said.
The suspect was found dead on Sunday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a van in Torrance, about 30 miles southwest of Monterey Park, according to police.
“My message to the community is: you are safe,” Chu said. “And it’s so important for people to heal and to go to the Lunar New Year celebrations that they have been looking forward to all year long.”
Chu added, “The feelings of Asian Americans are very raw right now because we’ve just come from three years of anti-Asian hate due to COVID.”
“In fact, the reason that everybody was so enthusiastic about this Lunar New Year is that it was on hiatus for three years due to COVID. This was the first time it was being done in three years where everybody was together and in person,” she said. “So it should have been a wonderful time for our community.”
Jan 23, 10:53 AM EST
Ten slain victims all in their 50s, 60s or 70s
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office has released the names of two women killed in the mass shooting: 65-year-old My Nhan and 63-year-old Lilan Li.
The names of the other eight people killed have not yet been released. The coroner’s office has only identified them as a woman in her 50s; two women in their 60s; two men in their 60s; and three men in their 70s.
Jan 23, 9:51 AM EST
Governor visits Monterey Park
California Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted photos of his Sunday visit to Monterey Park.
He said he met with “leaders and those impacted by this terrible tragedy” and called their strength “incredible.”
“No other country in the world is terrorized by this constant stream of gun violence,” the Democratic governor tweeted. “We need real gun reform at a national level.”
Jan 23, 8:42 AM EST
Suspect had no documented criminal history
Authorities have found no criminal history for the suspect in the Monterey Park mass shooting, ABC News has learned.
Investigators are still looking into a possible motive, including domestic violence.
-ABC News’ Josh Margolin and Alex Stone
Jan 23, 7:36 AM EST
‘Something came over me,’ says man who disarmed shooter
The man who disarmed the Monterey Park mass shooter recalled how “something came over me” during an interview Monday on ABC News’ “Good Morning America.”
“I realized I needed to get the weapon away from him,” Brandon Tsay said. “I needed to take this weapon, disarm him or else everybody would have died.”
Jan 23, 7:01 AM EST
Dance studio releases statement
The dance studio in Monterey Park where Saturday’s mass shooting took place has released a statement.
“What should have been a festive night to welcome the first day of the Lunar New Year turned into a tragedy. Our heart goes out to all the victims, survivors, and their families,” Star Dance Studio said in a Facebook post late Sunday. “In this time of healing, we hope that all those who were affected have the space to grieve and process what transpired within the last 24 hours. In the meantime, all classes will be canceled and studio will be closed until further notice.”
Jan 23, 5:31 AM EST
Survivor says longtime dance partner was among those killed
Shally was dancing the jive with her longtime dance partner on Saturday night when a gunman entered the studio and opened fire.
“We go to hide under the table,” Shally, who only provided her first name, recalled during an interview with Los Angeles ABC station KABC. “I think [my partner] had got shot already but not realized yet.”
Shally said she saw the gunman leave to get more bullets. When he returned, he reloaded the gun and opened fire again, she said.
“I said, ‘Lie down.’ We all lied down,” Sally told KABC.
Shally said the shooter then fled the scene and she turned to her partner, who she realized was unconscious. She tried to wake him but then saw her hands were covered in blood, she said.
“I thought I got shot too,” she told KABC.
Shally said she then realized that her partner had been shot in the back and the blood on her hands was his, from when they were holding each other in fear while hiding under the table.
“‘Wake up, wake up,'” she recalled telling her partner. “He was dead.”
Shally, who did not want to share the name of her dance partner, said he was a good friend and that they had danced together every week for about 10 years. She described him as a 62-year-old Asian man who didn’t have any family and said he was also friends with her husband, whom she married a couple years ago.
“He’s a nice guy,” she told KABC of her dance partner. “We love to dance.”
Lewis Capaldi assured fans he’s “absolutely fine” after a video of him twitching onstage went viral on TikTok.
The singer took to TikTok to speak about living with Tourette syndrome after followers expressed concern for his health. “I see a lot of people in the comments concerned because I’m twitching quite a lot,” he said in reference to his shoulder and head repeatedly moving to the side.
He added the movements “sort of look a bit uncomfortable,” but told his fans that he was exhibiting symptoms of Tourette syndrome, which he said aren’t “an issue in the slightest.”
“I’m absolutely fine … This happens when I get, like, tired, nervous, excited, whatever. It just gets more intense,” Lewis explained, noting his tics manifested because he was “at the end of an hour-and-a-half gig … singing in front of 15,000 people.” He added he was both tired and excited “cause this whole arena was singing my songs back to me.”
He signed off by joking with fans that they should buy tickets to his show so they can “come see me twitch live and in person.”
Lewis opened up about his diagnosis in September and told The Sun, “My shoulder twitches when I am excited, happy, nervous or stressed. It is something I am living with … It is not as bad as it looks.”
Drake may possibly drop a new album in 2023. He teased fans while ending one of two shows at New York City’s Apollo Theater this weekend.
“I’ve thought about a bunch of things in life, but at this moment in time, none of those things are stopping making music for you, so I’ll be here for you for a little bit at least,” Drake said. “I hope I can strike up some more emotions for you — maybe this year, I might get bored and make another one, who knows?”
Drake’s two-night performance at the Harlem venue finally took place this weekend following delays related to Takeoff‘s passing and some production issues. According to XXL, he performed over 40 songs and brought out Lil Uzi Vert, Harlem’s own Dipset and 21 Savage, whose appearance was briefly interrupted when Drake paused the show to ensure that a fan in the crowd was alright.
“Alright, we gotta make sure somebody’s OK,” he said. Social media videos later confirmed someone had fallen from the second-floor balcony.
Also during Drake and 21’s set, the former appeared to tease their upcoming joint tour. “I was telling them earlier but … if you guys enjoy that experience, feel free to come see and my brother this summer,” Drake said.
A$AP Ferg, Kevin Durant, Ice Spice, Odell Beckham Jr. and more showed up to watch Drake’s New York City shows.
Friday marked one year since rocker Meat Loaf passed away at age 74. His daughters, Amanda and Pearl Aday, are remembering their dad with the 35-minute film Meat Loaf: A Celebration of Life, which they made with filmmaker Jack Bennett.
“This is a celebration of Dad’s life and legacy, an acknowledgment of the man he was on and off the stage. Not just the performer but the boss, the mentor, the friend, the husband, the godfather, the grandpa ‘Papa Meat,’ and the father,” they write. “The dad who gave us love and generosity, who taught us and teased us. The dad who laughed and cried with us, who taught us how to catch a ball and ride a bicycle, who celebrated our victories and picked us up when we fell down.”
They added that the rocker “was a big kid himself,” noting he “taught us tenacity and the value of respect,” sharing, “Our Dad. The man we miss every day.”
“We are so grateful to share this retrospective with career highlights and private moments from our personal archives that haven’t been shared before,” they conclude. “We thank you for celebrating Dad, and we thank you for loving him with us.”
(NEW YORK) — A former top FBI official in New York has been arrested over his ties to a Russian oligarch, law enforcement sources told ABC News Monday.
Charles McGonigal, who was the special agent in charge of counterintelligence in the FBI’s New York Field Office, is under arrest over his ties to Oleg Deripaska, a Russian billionaire who has been sanctioned by the United States and criminally charged last year with violating those sanctions.
McGonigal retired from the FBI in 2018. He was arrested Saturday afternoon after he arrived at JFK Airport following travel in Sri Lanka, the sources said.
He was charged along with a court interpreter, Sergey Shestakov, who also worked with Deripaska.
McGonigal, 54, is charged with violating U.S. sanctions by trying to get Deripaska off the sanctions list. McGonigal is one of the highest ranking former FBI officials ever charged with a crime.
McGonigal and Shestakov, who worked for the FBI investigating oligarchs, allegedly agreed in 2021 to investigate a rival Russian oligarch in return for payments from Deripaska, according to the Justice Department. McGonigal and Shestakov are accused of receiving payments through shell companies and forging signatures in order to keep it a secret that Deripaska was paying them.
Both face money laundering charges in addition to charges for violating sanctions. Each of four counts carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
“The FBI is committed to the enforcement of economic sanctions designed to protect the United States and our allies, especially against hostile activities of a foreign government and its actors,” FBI Assistant Director in Charge Michael Driscoll said in a statement. “Russian oligarchs like Oleg Deripaska perform global malign influence on behalf of the Kremlin and are associated with acts of bribery, extortion, and violence.”
Driscoll continued, “As alleged, Mr. McGonigal and Mr. Shestakov, both U.S. citizens, acted on behalf of Deripaska and fraudulently used a U.S. entity to obscure their activity in violation of U.S. sanctions. After sanctions are imposed, they must be enforced equally against all U.S. citizens in order to be successful. There are no exceptions for anyone, including a former FBI official like Mr. McGonigal.”
After leaving the FBI, McGonigal subsequently worked for Deripaska through a law firm representing the Russian oil tycoon.
He made at least $25,000 working as an “investigator” for the law firm on the Deripaska matter, according to the indictment.
McGonigal then worked directly for Deripaska, getting an initial payment of $51,000 and then payments of $41,790 each month for three months from August 2021 to November 2021.
He told friends he was working for “a rich Russian guy,” according to the indictment, and stressed his work was legal. In conversations about Deripaska, he would often be referred to by McGonigal and Shestakov as “the big guy” and “you know whom.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C., unsealed a separate case Monday against McGonigal on charges he received $225,000 in cash from an individual with business interests in Europe who McGonigal knew was an employee of a foreign intelligence service.
The nine-count indictment alleges between August 2017 and September 2018, leading up to his retirement from the FBI New York Field Office, McGonigal concealed from the bureau his relationship with this unidentified former foreign intelligence officer all while traveling abroad with the person and meeting foreign nationals. The person is described as an Albanian national who was employed by a Chinese energy conglomerate.
The person later “served as an FBI source in a criminal investigation involving foreign political lobbying” over which McGonigal had a supervisory role.
Shestakov, 69, who was living in Morris, Connecticut, also allegedly lied to FBI investigators in November 2021 about his relationship with Deripaska. In addition to the other charges, he has been charged with one count of making false statements.
Deripaska, an aluminum magnate, was among two dozen Russians sanctioned in 2018 by the Treasury Department as punishment for “the Russian government’s ongoing and increasingly malign activities in the world,” according to Treasury officials.
The FBI searched his homes in New York and Washington in 2021.
The 55-year-old Deripaska is worth $1.7 billion, according to Forbes’ Billionaires List, though he was worth nearly $7 billion in 2018 — the same year sanctions kicked in by the U.S.
So far, Stevie Nicks has announced nine co-headlining stadium shows with Billy Joel for 2023, but now she’s added a bunch of solo dates to her touring calendar, as well.
The two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer will do an additional 14 solo shows across the U.S., starting March 15 in Seattle. Right now, the dates are set to wrap up June 27 in Louisville, Kentucky.
That solo kickoff date will follow her first show with Billy March 10 in Inglewood, California. After Stevie’s solo dates are done, she has an additional five stadium shows with the Piano Man, scheduled through November. Of course, it’s always possible that she’ll extend the solo tour.
Tickets go on sale Friday, January 27, at 10 a.m. on livenation.com.
This will be Stevie’s first solo tour since her 24 Karat Gold trek, which wrapped up in 2017. From 2018 to 2019, she was touring with Fleetwood Mac. It was the band’s last tour prior to the 2022 death of Mac keyboardist, singer and songwriter Christine McVie.
