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Johnny Depp’s legal team files appeal against Amber Heard’s “erroneous” award in defamation case

November 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Although Johnny Depp scored a major win in his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard back in June, his legal team isn’t resting on its laurels.

According to a legal filing obtained by Deadline, Depp’s attorneys have filed an appeal with Virginia’s Court of Appeals to contest the $2 million awarded to Heard in her $100 million defamation countersuit. Her team claimed she was defamed by statements made in the press by Depp’s friend and former lawyer Adam Waldman.

The filing opened, “This Court should reverse the judgment on Ms. Heard’s Counterclaim as to the April 27 Waldman Statement, but should otherwise affirm the judgment in Mr. Depp’s favor.”

It continued, “Even if the Court were to conclude that Mr. Depp could be held liable for Mr. Waldman’s allegedly tortious conduct, the trial court nonetheless erred…because Ms. Heard failed to present evidence…that Mr. Waldman acted with actual malice.”

As reported in June, a jury had decided Heard “maliciously” defamed the Pirates of the Caribbean star in a Washington Post op-ed in which she claimed to have been a victim of domestic and sexual violence.

While she did not name her ex-husband, Depp, in the article, the jury decided that the implication was clear and awarded him $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. The latter amount was capped to $350,000 by Virginia law.

Though Heard was awarded $2 million in her countersuit, she was not awarded any punitive damages.

Heard is expected to appeal the verdict.

Jimmy Jam: “It’s an honor” to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Terry Lewis this weekend

November 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

This weekend in Los Angeles, legendary producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — not as performers, but as recipients of the award for “Musical Excellence.” It’s given to “artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.” Jimmy Jam says he feels he’s sharing the award with everyone he’s ever collaborated with.

“I love it, because it means that we’ve done something musically excellent,” he told ABC Audio of the designation. “The nice thing about it, though, as writers and producers, it’s really a shared award with all the wonderful artists we’ve had a chance to work with, who I always say make us look really good! So it’s an honor.”

Jam and Lewis, former members of The Time, are probably best known for their game-changing work with Janet Jackson on her Control, Rhythm Nation 1814 and janet. albums. But they’ve also worked with everyone from Michael Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan and Mariah Carey to Mary J. Blige, Usher, Boyz II Men and many, many more.

In addition to Jam and Lewis, Eminem and Lionel Richie are also being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Saturday night, as are Duran Duran, Eurythmics, Pat Benatar, Carly Simon and Dolly Parton. Metal legends Judas Priest will also receive the award for Musical Excellence, while Harry Belafonte will be inducted as an Early Influence.

The induction ceremony will air on Saturday, November 19 at 8 p.m. ET on HBO and will stream on HBO Max.

Luke Bryan is “Prayin’ in a Deer Stand” in his sentimental new song

November 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Luke Bryan finds God in an unconventional place in “Prayin’ in a Deer Stand,” a new song about how slowing down and getting outside in nature can sometimes feel more spiritual than going to church.

“This is such a personal song to me,” the singer says. “The world can be a busy place and I, like a lot of people, have a ton of different things going on, but getting to be outside, it grounds and reenergizes me. There is just something about it that never gets old.”

The new song is a moment of reflection before a very busy couple of weeks for Luke. On Monday, he’s hosting ABC’s On the Road to the CMA Awards special, a collection of in-depth interviews exploring the highs and lows of touring life for country artists.

Next up, he’ll head home to Nashville for the 2022 CMA Awards, which he’s co-hosting with Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.

The 2022 CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 9 on ABC.

Paramore announces North American arena tour with Foals, Bloc Party & more

November 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

As previously teased, Paramore has announced a North American arena tour for 2023.

The headlining outing launches May 23 in Charlotte and will conclude August 2 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Artists including Foals, Bloc Party, The Linda Lindas and Genesis Owusu will also be on the bill for select dates.

You can register for a chance at pre-sale tickets via Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan platform now through Monday, November 7 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The pre-sale begins Thursday, November 10 at 8 a.m. local time, followed by the general on-sale Friday, November 11 at 10 a.m. local time.

For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit Paramore.net.

Paramore will be touring in support of their upcoming album, This Is Why, due out February 10. They just performed the record’s title track Thursday on NBC’s The Tonight Show.

In addition to the arena run, Paramore’s 2023 plans include headlining New Jersey’s Adjacent Festival and opening for a date on Taylor Swift‘s stadium tour, as well as a tour of the U.K. and South America.

In the meantime, Paramore will wrap up their current U.S. tour of more intimate theaters November 25 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Listen to new AWOLNATION song, “We Are All Insane”

November 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

AWOLNATION has premiered a new song called “We Are All Insane.”

The track finds frontman Aaron Bruno listing all the days of the week like a less-than-happy version of the Happy Days theme before declaring, “We are all insane.”

You can listen to “We Are All Insane” now via digital outlets and watch its accompanying video streaming now on YouTube.

“We Are All Insane” is the second new, original AWOLNATION song of 2022 following September’s “Freaking Me Out.” Earlier this year, the “Sail” outfit released a covers compilation titled My Echo, My Shadow, My Covers and Me. The most recent original AWOLNATiON album is 2020’s Angel Miners & the Lightning Riders.

AWOLNATION is currently on a U.S. tour, which will conclude November 18 in Seattle. Badflower is also on the bill.

As Eurythmics prepare for Rock Hall induction, Dave Stewart says he hopes they tour again

November 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Eurythmics are among the artists who will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this Saturday, November 5, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

The duo of Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart are reuniting to perform at the ceremony and recently revealed they will be playing three songs at the big event.

While Eurythmics have only performed sporadically since their last tour ended in 2000, Stewart tells ABC Audio he’d love to hit the road with Lennox again, although he doesn’t think Annie is open to the idea.

“I think Annie always casts her mind back to touring … in the ’80s or even at the end of the ’90s,” Dave notes. “And [she thinks], ‘Oh, it’s flying every day and … masses of press all day.’ And I personally know that we don’t need to do that anymore.”

He continues, “[Annie also] worries that, ‘Oh, I used to run around the stage for two hours,’ but you don’t need to do that either … Her voice is so distinct and chilling and beautiful, and she could sit down all the time if she wanted to.”

For his part, Stewart says, “I love playing live … After all that work, it’s the one thing where you get some kind of freedom in expression … and being able to play this stuff that you’ve been hanging around your neck for 40 years or, you know, 35 years. And it’s very therapeutic to me.”

As for whether he thinks Eurythmics will play more concerts, Dave says, “One can only wait and see, but I hope we do,” while noting, “I know that the fans … would really appreciate it.”

Ed Sheeran announces he’s taking a break until 2023

November 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Ed Sheeran is taking a break.

The singer wiped his Instagram clean on Friday, save for one new image of him standing on a stone slab looking out to the ocean. “Signing off now until 2023,” he wrote. “See you in the new year. Much love, Ed x.”

It’s no wonder Ed is looking to slow down. He’s had a busy couple of years, with the 2021 release of his album = (Equals), the birth of his second child, and the launch of his Mathematics world tour. The tour is due to pick up again in February 2023 with dates in New Zealand and Australia, before heading to the U.S. in May and running through September.

Rest up, Ed.

Wendy Williams teases return with post-rehab pic and podcast plug

November 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Wendy Williams is back in the purple chair. In an Instagram post, the former host of her eponymously named talk show could be seen smiling on her former show’s throne in a plug for her forthcoming podcast.

“Stay tuned,” Wendy hashtagged the pic, which has the 58-year-old star sitting with her legs crossed and wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with the words “The Wendy Experience.” She also hashtagged her famous catchphrase “How you doin,” and gave a shout-out to her new publicist, Shawn Zanotti.

Last month, Zanotti told Page Six that Williams had returned from an August stint at a wellness facility for alcohol rehab. He relayed to her fans that the host is focused on “healing,” and shared a comment from Williams that she is now “back and better than ever.”

It was announced in June that The Wendy Williams Show would be ending after 13 seasons. Rumors circulated about why, including Williams’ health decline. The host has battled addiction and is suffering from Grave’s Disease.

Shortly after the show’s final episode in June, which was hosted by fill-in host Sherri Shepherd, Williams posted an image of herself to her podcast’s Instagram with the caption, “When one door closes a LARGER one Opens!”

Williams subsequently went public about an ongoing battle over control over her finances.

Taylor Swift announces additional dates on the Eras tour

November 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Taylor Swift knew that the initial round of dates she announced for her upcoming Eras tour wouldn’t be enough to satisfy fans. That’s why she’s just added a round of new dates to her itinerary.

“UM. Looks like I’ll get to see more of your beautiful faces than previously expected…we’re adding 8 shows to the tour,” Taylor wrote on Twitter.

The new shows include April 14 in Tampa, FL; May 5 in Nashville, TN; May 14 in Philadelphia; May 21 in Foxborough, MA; May 28 in East Rutherford, NJ; July 23 in Seattle, WA; July 28 in Santa Clara, CA; and August 3 in Los Angeles, CA. Some of the opening acts are slightly different than the ones she’s already announced for those cities.

Verified fan presales start November 15.

When she first announced the tour, Taylor wrote that it would be “a journey through the musical eras of my career (past and present!).”

US hiring exceeds expectations, as economy adds 261,000 jobs

November 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — The U.S. added 261,000 jobs in October, exceeding economist expectations and sending a positive signal for the economy days before the midterm elections.

The unemployment rate increased to 3.7%. However, the unemployment has stood between a narrow range of 3.5% and 3.7% since March, the government data said.

The strongest job gains came in health care, manufacturing and professional and technical services.

The report arrives two days after Fed Chair Jerome Powell announced another jumbo-sized interest rate hike, intensifying the central bank’s fight against inflation and stoking fears of a downturn.

The aggressive move is the latest in a string of borrowing cost increases imposed by the Fed in recent months as it tries to slash price increases by cooling the economy and choking off demand. The approach, however, risks tipping the U.S. into a recession and putting millions out of work.

While hiring has slowed from a breakneck pace earlier in the year, the labor market continues to defy recession concerns.

The number of job openings increased in September, a sign that the need for workers remains robust, government data released Tuesday showed. However, hiring and people quitting fell slightly in September, suggesting that the demand for labor from employers has begun to ebb.

While strong, the hiring in October falls well below the typical jobs added over a given month in 2022. Monthly job growth has averaged 407,000 thus far in 2022 versus 562,000 per month in 2021, the jobs data on Friday showed.

While some data points to an economic slowdown, a government report released last month showed significant economic growth over three months ending in September.

U.S. gross domestic product grew 2.6% over that period; by contrast, economic activity shrank a combined 2.2% over the first six months of the year.

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