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Kobe Bryant’s wife gives emotional testimony about helicopter crash photos

August 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(LOS ANGELES) — An emotional Vanessa Bryant took the stand Friday in her invasion of privacy trial over photos taken at the scene of the helicopter crash that killed her husband, basketball star Kobe Bryant, and their 13-year-old daughter.

Bryant filed a lawsuit several months after the 2020 crash against Los Angeles County, alleging that first responders took graphic photos of human remains at the scene as “souvenirs” and shared them with others. She is claiming she suffered emotional distress and is suing for an undisclosed amount of damages for negligence and invasion of privacy.

Bryant, the final plaintiffs’ witness, was overcome with emotion in the Los Angeles federal courtroom on Friday as she shared her fear and anxiety over the photos.

“I never had a panic attack before this,” she told the jury.

Bryant said she learned from a Los Angeles Times report that deputies had taken photos of the crash site. She said she lives in fear every day that they could be leaked and wants “justice for my husband and my daughter.”

Kobe Bryant and their daughter, Gianna, were headed to a basketball game at his Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks along with others connected to the basketball program on Jan. 26, 2020, when the helicopter they were traveling in crashed in Calabasas. All nine people on board, including the pilot, were killed.

Orange County financial adviser Chris Chester is also suing the county over photos taken of his wife and daughter, who were killed in the same crash. In July, U.S. District Judge John Walter decided to consolidate Bryant’s and Chester’s cases into one trial.

Chester took the witness stand on Thursday, telling the jury he was in “disbelief” after hearing reports that deputies and firefighters took and shared photos of his wife, Sarah, and their 13-year-old daughter, Payton.

“It was grief on top of grief,” he said, calling for “justice and accountability.”

LA County maintains that first responders did not share any photos publicly from the scene of the crash. It also attests that an investigation by the Internal Affairs Bureau of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that all of the photos were destroyed.

During the trial, which began Aug. 10, the defense has also maintained that the photos have not surfaced online since the tragedy. Multiple county fire and sheriff’s personnel have also testified that they deleted whatever crash-site pictures they had on their cellphones.

Both Bryant’s and Chester’s lawsuits argue that the photos were shared before being deleted by first responders.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, who ordered deputies to delete the photos, is also expected to testify on Friday as the first witness for the defense.

ABC News’ Kyla Guilfoil contributed to this report.

Music notes: Silk Sonic, Adele, Ed Sheeran, Sia, BTS and Jessie J

August 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Silk Sonic‘s debut album, An Evening With Silk Sonic, is officially RIAA-certified Platinum. The duo released the album last November, which swept the 64th annual Grammy Awards. The album is led by their twice Platinum single, “Leave The Door Open.”

Adele is celebrating her latest milestone — the music video for “Hello” has surpassed 3 billion views! “Hello from the other side, you must’ve watched THREE BILLION times,” her team celebrated on Instagram, sharing several behind-the-scenes snaps of the video.

Ed Sheeran often speaks of his Irish roots and now he’ll embrace them as the official headliner of the Spirit of Ireland Gala in New York City. The gala, now celebrating its 50th anniversary, is put on by NYC’s Irish Arts Center. The event will be held October 20 at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers.

The Lullaby Renditions of Sia album comes out September 2, which features the powerhouse Australian singer singing lullaby versions of her songs. Among the 12 tracks are “Cheap Thrills,” “Chandelier,” “Elastic Heart” and “Titanium.” She released the music video for “Cheap Thrills” so you can get a taste of the upcoming lullaby album as part of the global brand Rockabye Baby.

BTS’ RM is coming out with a photography book, titled Me, Myself, and RM: Entirety. BTS announced the new project on Twitter and teased samples of some of the pages. A release date is forthcoming.

It’s been nine months since Jessie J suffered a miscarriage, and the singer is letting fans know how she’s coping. The “Bang Bang” singer revealed she’s wanted to be a mom since she was 16 and said, “Wanting my life in that way to look completely different to what it looks like right now just overwhelms me.” She adds it’s both “healthy and normal” to grieve and encouraged fans to be kinder to themselves.

Music notes: Silk Sonic, Adele, Ed Sheeran, Christina Aguilera, Michael Bublé and Jewel

August 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Christina Aguilera hopped on the “teenage dirtbag” trend on TikTok and declared herself the “OG teenage dirtbag” with her throwback photos, which show her scantily clad and being frisky.

Michael Bublé not only welcomed his new daughter, Cielo, on Friday — he’s also teasing a new cover band. Kind of. He shared a photo of him with Kevin Jonas and show host Dan Patrick and captioned it, “What should we call our new cover band? Wrong answers only!” Fans have since suggested The Bonus Brothers and Old Kids on the Block.

What is Jewel‘s secret cooking ingredient? Bear lard. She revealed on TikTok, “Bear lard is hands down the yummiest.” She also uses it for skin care, noting it “works incredibly well for dry cracked hands.” For those who might find it weird, the “Intuition” singer reminded fans, “In Alaska, my family lives mostly off the land.” She added bear is her favorite wild game.

Rush’s Alex Lifeson donating earnings from signature Epiphone guitar to Nashville-area charities

August 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Earlier this week, Rush‘s Alex Lifeson visited the Gibson Garage, the Gibson guitar company’s flagship store in Nashville, for a special event, during which he announced that he was making a significant donation to two local charities.

Teaming up with Gibson Gives, the guitar maker’s charitable arm, Lifeson revealed that he was donating current and future earnings from sales of his recently released signature Epiphone Les Paul Axcess guitar to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and the Room in the Inn organization.

Monroe Carell hospital employs music therapists who work with in-need children and their families, using music to aid young people with chronic pain, physical rehabilitation, psychiatric symptoms, terminal illnesses and other issues.

Room in the Inn offers a variety of services for people experiencing homelessness, including meal programs, recovery from addiction and mental health issues, showers, telephone and computer access, transportation, laundry, legal help, health care and work skills training.

“I feel very fortunate that I am able to partner with Gibson Gives to support the important and never-ending work that both the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital and Room in the Inn supply for the needs of those who are less fortunate,” says Lifeson.

He adds, “It is heartbreaking to witness the struggles of a brave child battling an illness that shows no mercy or the destitute soul struggling with both homelessness and hopelessness. If we can lend a helping hand through our support to provide a reprieve for even a moment, then we have done our duty to the community.”

Also at the event, Gibson announced that it was donating guitars to both the hospital and the Room in the Inn.

The Game removes NBA Youngboy collaboration from Drillmatic due to pricey feature fee

August 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(Note Language) The Game and NBA Youngboy‘s “O.P.P.” collab has been removed from the former’s album, Drillmatic: Heart vs. Mind, and it’s no longer available on streaming services. According to Game’s manager, Wack 100, the song was nixed due to financial reasons, specifically NBA’s expensive feature fee.

“YoungBoy charge n***** $300,000 a verse. That’s what he charge. That’s what it is,” Wack said in a recent Clubhouse conversation, per XXL. He admitted the 22-year-old offered “a helluva deal,” and dropped the price down to $150,000 for both the song and video. But, the feature would have still cut into Game’s marketing budget.

The album, he explained, had gone from 20 to 31 tracks, hindering him “from being able to do other things.” “O.P.P” was taken off the album as a result and will be replaced with a solo version.

“I had to make an executive decision whether I wanted to pay the tab he sent me, which was a respectable, great tab,” Wack explained. “It was love. I can’t front. But, that tab would have cut into that, that and that.”

He concluded, “It was just a business decision that I had to make.”

The Game’s Drillmatic dropped last Friday after delays related to sample clearance issues. The project boasts features from Roddy Ricch, Fivio Foreign, Ty Dolla $ign, Big Sean, YG, Kanye West, Moneybagg Yo and more.

Kevin Durant wants to hear new Jay Electronica music; rapper says it’s “coming soon”

August 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(Note Language) It’s been two years since Jay Electronica put out his last album, Act II: The Patents of Nobility (The Turn), and Kevin Durant is ready for something new. While chatting with the rapper on Instagram Live, he expressed his desire to hear new Electronica music.

“We need some new music, yo,” KD said. “Nah, for real, though, dog, I’m sick of this sh**. I’m not trying to wait 10 years.”

Without dropping a release date, Jay assured him that some new tracks will be released soon.

“I’m coming, Inshallah. We plan, and Allah plan, but Allah the best of planners,” he said. “I always have plans, I always make music, but I’m not in control of my life. I’m only in control of small aspects of my life. Allah, the true and living God, controls the soul. Inshallah, new music coming soon.”

Jay also reminded KD that he’s been “blessed” to have heard some unreleased tracks, which he’s grateful the NBA star has never leaked.

“You got songs on your phone from me that nobody’s never heard,” he said. “And I appreciate that you never let nobody hear these songs.”

KD and other Electronica fans are aware that the rapper’s not afraid to spend time on a project. After exciting fans with his mixtape Act I: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge) in 2007, it took 13 years for him to release his debut album, A Written Testimony. Act II followed, dropping seven months later.

MTV adds new social categories ahead of VMAs, announces Dove Cameron as preshow performer

August 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The 2022 MTV Video Music Awards are fast approaching, with Harry Styles, Doja Cat and Jack Harlow locked in a tie for the most nominations. Ahead of the ceremony, MTV has unveiled three new social categories.

The new categories encompass Group of the Year, Song of the Summer and Album of the Year. Fans are encouraged to cheer on their favorite artist via bracket-style voting starting later this month — and it all goes down on MTV’s Instagram Stories.

Group of the Year pits artists like BLACKPINK, BTS, Imagine Dragons, Måneskin, Silk Sonic against each other, with voting set to open August 22 at 11 a.m. ET.

As for Song of the Summer, starting August 25 at 11 a.m. ET people can determine which song is deserving of the title by voting on Instagram. Among the nominees are Doja Cat’s “Vegas,” Harry’s “Late Night Talking” and Lizzo‘s “About Damn Time.”

Finally, Album of the Year voting starts August 27 at 11 a.m. ET — with records like Adele‘s 30 and Billie Eilish‘s Happier Than Ever going head to head on MTV’s Instagram.

In addition, MTV unveiled the performers for their annual preshow. Dove Cameron will be warming the crowd before the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards begin, as will rapper Saucy Santana and Yung Gravy. Tate McRae will be a special correspondent.

The VMAs preshow airs on Sunday, August 28, at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT. It will be followed by the main event, which will be anchored by LL Cool J, Nicki Minaj and Harlow.

Nashville notes: Eric Church brings ‘&’ to the public, Ingrid Andress makes a ‘Kimmel’ stop + more

August 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Eric Church’s & album is now available to the general public. The middle section of his Heart & Soul triple album from 2021, & was first released as a vinyl exclusive available only to his Church Choir fan club.

Ingrid Andress will make a stop on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! next Thursday, August 25, to perform her new song, “Feel Like This.” The next day, August 26, she’s putting out her highly anticipated new album, Good Person.

Maddie & Tae just dropped “Spring Cleaning,” the latest preview of their forthcoming Through the Madness Vol. 2. The eight-song collection will be out in full September 23.

Rascal Flatts frontman turned solo artist Gary LeVox has a new song out Friday called “Get Down Like That.” Thomas Rhett and Hardy are co-writers on the track, along with Jesse Frasure and Ashley Gorley.

LeAnn Rimes has a new song out, called “Awakening.” The track comes off her upcoming album, God’s Work, which is due out September 16.

Luke Wilson says “it’ll be really fun” to make ‘Legally Blonde 3’

August 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Luke Wilson is ready to bend and snap his way back to the Legally Blonde franchise.

The actor, who appeared alongside Reese Witherspoon as the love interest of her character, Elle Woods, in the first two Legally Blonde films, told Good Morning America that he would be up to return for a third movie.

Though he admits that he knows “as much as you all” about any potential sequel plans, Wilson says he did meet with the cast over Zoom last summer, where they “all got together and talked” about the beloved movies.

“It was really great to see everybody,” Wilson said.

So, what will it take to get a third Legally Blonde film?

“Reese is such a sharp individual, I think she’s probably just waiting for the script to be right and the time to be right,” Wilson said. “It’ll be really fun to make another movie.”

The sentiment echoes what Witherspoon told USA Today earlier this year.

“I’m still hoping Legally Blonde 3 is gonna come together in the right way,” she told the outlet. “I feel like those characters are my friends, so I safeguard them. I would never make a subpar, mediocre version of their story.”

CCR debuts unreleased 1970 Royal Albert Hall performance of “Fortunate Son”

August 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Creedence Clearwater Revival has made available the band’s performance of its classic 1969 hit “Fortunate Son” at the Royal Albert Hall as an advanced track from the upcoming archival live album featuring an April 14, 1970, show by the group at the famous London venue.

As previously reported, the album, titled Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall, will be released on September 16 and features the band’s full 12-song set from the concert, including such classics as “Travelin’ Band,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Proud Mary” and the aforementioned “Fortunate Son.”

In addition, a video of CCR playing “Fortunate Son” at the April 1970 show has debuted on the band’s official YouTube channel.

The footage will appear in the recently announced upcoming documentary and concert movie Travelin’ Band: Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall, which includes unseen film of CCR’s entire performance.

Travelin’ Band, which is narrated by Jeff Bridges, also features rare behind-the-scenes clips of the band and archival interviews. The film will premiere internationally on September 16.

The album, which can be preordered now, will be available on CD, cassette, 180-gram vinyl and via various digital formats. Select retailers, including Walmart and Target, are offering limited-edition colored-vinyl variants of the record.

Meanwhile, a super deluxe box set will be released on November 14 that features a Blu-ray of the Travelin’ Band film, two-LP 45-rpm versions of the live album and a bonus CD containing music that’s featured in the movie.

Here’s the Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall album’s full track list:

“Born on the Bayou”
“Green River”
“Tombstone Shadow”
“Travelin’ Band”
“Fortunate Son”
“Commotion”
“Midnight Special”
“Bad Moon Rising”
“Proud Mary”
“The Night Time Is the Right Time”
“Good Golly Miss Molly”
“Keep On Chooglin'”

+ More