“There’s no fiction” in Hulu’s ‘Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers,’ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says

“There’s no fiction” in Hulu’s ‘Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers,’ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says
“There’s no fiction” in Hulu’s ‘Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers,’ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says
Courtesy of Hulu

Want to know the real story of how the Lakers became the Showtime Lakers? Then the new docuseries Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers is for you.

The Hulu series, debuting Monday, details how Dr. Jerry Buss bought the team in the late ’70s and created one of the greatest dynasties in sports. NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is featured in the show, and he tells ABC Audio the secret to their success was that they “kept trying to build a family situation.”

“We never got to a point where it was develop an individual,” he explains. “It was always about all of us. And we tried to help each other.”

Abdul-Jabbar adds that this docuseries is kind of an antidote to the recent HBO series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, which has been criticized by many former players for alleged inaccuracies.

“It’s a chance for us to tell our stories…There’s no fiction in this,” Abdul-Jabbar says.

Legacy also gets into the power struggle among Buss’s children that came after he died, which his daughter, and current Lakers president, Jeanie Buss, says was “very healing” for their family. 

Additionally, the series shows how the Lakers family, fans included, bonded after several tragedies like “Magic [Johnson] having to retire because of HIV” and “the tragedy of losing Kobe and Gigi [Bryant].”

“What’s happened is Laker Nation comes together and leans on each other,” Buss shares. “And we know there’s going to be another day…where we play basketball again. And that’s how we start to heal because we grieve together.”

Overall, though, director Antoine Fuqua hopes people are left inspired.

“It’s the American dream. I think what Dr. Buss did is incredible…coming from very humble means and making his way out here…and what he brought to not only Los Angeles, to sports entertainment. Just it’s inspiring.” 

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Porno for Pyros is “writing and recording new music”

Porno for Pyros is “writing and recording new music”
Porno for Pyros is “writing and recording new music”
Gary Miller/FilmMagic

In addition to reuniting on the stage, Porno for Pyros looks to be reuniting in the studio.

In a Facebook post, guitarist Peter DiStefano reveals that the Perry Farrell-led outfit is “writing and recording new music.” The post is accompanied by a photo of DiStefano and Farrell together.

The update follows a post DiStefano made in 2021, in which he wrote that he and Pyros drummer Stephen Perkins, who also plays in Jane’s Addiction with Farrell, were “Working on new Porno For Pyros songs.”

Porno for Pyros released their most recent album, Good God’s Urge, in 1996, two years before breaking up in 1998. The group got back together for their first full, public concert in 26 years during May’s Welcome to Rockville festival, and have played several one-off headlining and festival sets since, including at Farrell’s Lollapalooza.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Lizzo, Jack Harlow, Måneskin and BLACKPINK to perform at MTV VMAs

Lizzo, Jack Harlow, Måneskin and BLACKPINK to perform at MTV VMAs
Lizzo, Jack Harlow, Måneskin and BLACKPINK to perform at MTV VMAs
Courtesy MTV

Lizzo, Jack Harlow, Måneskin and BLACKPINK have been added to the star-studded lineup of the MTV VMAs, taking place August 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

They join previously announced performers Anitta, J Balvin, Marshmello, Khalid, Panic! At The Disco and country star Kane Brown.

BLACKPINK will be making their U.S. award show debut, performing their new single, “Pink Venom.” In 2020, they were the first K-pop girl group to win a VMA, which was in the category of Song of the Summer. They’re up for Best Metaverse Performance this year. 

Jack Harlow has seven nods, including Video of the Year and Artist of the Year. Lizzo has four nods, including Artist of the Year and Song of the year, while Måneskin is up for two awards: Best New Artist and Best Alternative.

In addition to Jack, Lil Nas X and Kendrick Lamar both have seven nods; Doja Cat and Harry Styles each have six. Billie Eilish, Drake, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and The Weeknd have five apiece.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Five Finger Death Punch announces co-headlining US tour with country star Brantley Gilbert

Five Finger Death Punch announces co-headlining US tour with country star Brantley Gilbert
Five Finger Death Punch announces co-headlining US tour with country star Brantley Gilbert
Mike Lewis Photography/Redferns

Five Finger Death Punch is teaming up with country star Brantley Gilbert for a U.S. co-headlining tour this fall.

The joint outing launches November 9 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and will wrap up in FFDP’s hometown of Las Vegas on December 17. “Outlaws & Outsiders” artist Cory Marks will also be on the bill.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, August 19, at 10 a.m. local time. Those who’ve signed up for the Five Finger Death Punch Legions app will have access to a presale beginning Tuesday, August 16, at 10 a.m. local time. For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit FiveFingerDeathPunch.com.

While perhaps a strange pairing on its face, FFDP and Gilbert have worked together before, collaborating on a cover of the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band song “Blue on Black.” The cover, which also featured Shepherd and Queen guitarist Brian May, hit #1 on Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in 2019.

If you prefer your Five Finger Death Punch shows to be all metal all the time, you can also catch their summer tour with Megadeth, The Hu and Fire from the Gods, which launches August 19 in Ridgefield, Washington. That same day, FFDP will release their new album, AfterLife.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Blake Shelton takes fans along for the tractor ride as he works on his farm

Blake Shelton takes fans along for the tractor ride as he works on his farm
Blake Shelton takes fans along for the tractor ride as he works on his farm
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Blake Shelton is giving fans a peek into life on the farm. 

When he’s not entertaining millions of viewers as a coach on The Voice, Blake can often be found on his 1,300-acre property just outside Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Now, fans get to see what it takes to maintain the massive farm.

For starters, Blake uses a Kubota tractor, or as he calls it, the “giant orange monster,” to keep up with the land.

“Guess what time it is, America? Way too early to be planting food plots, but I’m getting them ready!” he says excitedly while riding inside the tractor, letting out a triumphant cheer. 

Blake then takes viewers out into the wide open pasture that he’s going to till to turn the “disgusting, nasty looking field look like a beautiful piece of dirt.”.

True to his word, the next clips shows the field completely overturned, with the dirt layered over the grass. “I told y’all,” he says as “Out in the Middle,” his collaboration with Zac Brown Band, plays in the background. 

Blake is a native of Oklahoma and shares the property with his wife, Gwen Stefani

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Machine Gun Kelly Day declared in Cleveland to celebrate homecoming concert

Machine Gun Kelly Day declared in Cleveland to celebrate homecoming concert
Machine Gun Kelly Day declared in Cleveland to celebrate homecoming concert
ABC

Cleveland celebrated Machine Gun Kelly over the weekend in honor of the “Bloody Valentine” rocker’s return to the Ohio city for a homecoming concert.

In a video posted to Kelly’s Instagram, you can see Mayor Justin Bibb declare that Saturday, August 13, is Machine Gun Kelly Day in Cleveland.

Addressing the gathered crowd while standing next to Kelly, Bibb said, “Four years ago, I met MGK and I didn’t know someone loved the city of Cleveland as much as I did, but he does.”

In the post’s caption, Kelly writes, “It’s officially a holiday in the city of Cleveland! These are happy tears.”

Meanwhile, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame also celebrated MGK’s return to Cleveland by adding some of his personal items to the Right Here, Right Now exhibit, including a stage-worn outfit and his Schecter PT Model electric guitar.

Machine Gun Kelly closed out the night with a headlining set at FirstEnergy Stadium, the home of the Cleveland Browns football team. The show also marked the final date on MGK’s U.S. headlining tour supporting his new album, Mainstream Sellout.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

“She Likes It”: Russell Dickerson to embark on another headlining tour this year

“She Likes It”: Russell Dickerson to embark on another headlining tour this year
“She Likes It”: Russell Dickerson to embark on another headlining tour this year
ABC/Connie Chornuk

Russell Dickerson is jetting off on his second headlining tour of the year with the She Likes It Tour

Named after his current hit single, the trek visits 10 cities across the U.S. in November and December. The tour kicks off on November 17 in Indianapolis and concludes on December 10 in Denver, with stops in San Diego, Portland and Salt Lake City in between. Drew Green joins as the opening act.  

“Couldn’t end the year without hitting the road one more time! Catch us out on the #SheLikesItTour with my boy @drewgreen!” Russell writes on Instagram

It follows his previous headlining All Yours All Night Tour, which traversed the country at the top of the year and included his sold-out debut at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Since February, he’s served as the opening act on Tim McGraw‘s The McGraw Tour.

She Likes It” featuring pop artist Jake Scott is currently in the top 30 on country radio.  

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

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Melissa Etheridge announces off-Broadway solo show ‘My Window — A Journey Through Life ‘

Melissa Etheridge announces off-Broadway solo show ‘My Window — A Journey Through Life ‘
Melissa Etheridge announces off-Broadway solo show ‘My Window — A Journey Through Life ‘
Courtesy The Producers of Melissa Etheridge Off Broadway

A few months ago, Melissa Etheridge told ABC Audio that she’d been inspired by her idol, Bruce Springsteen, to develop her own life story for the Broadway stage. Now, she’s officially taking the first step toward that goal.

On October 13, Melissa Etheridge Off Broadway: My Window — A Journey Through Life will premiere at New York’s New World Stages. She’ll do 12 performances of the production to an intimate audience of 500 people per night.

“I am incredibly excited and humbled to debut this deeply personal show in New York this fall,” Melissa says in a statement. “While I’ve been telling my life stories through my lyrics and concert tours for many years, this is going to be something new for me. I cannot wait to feel the exchange of energy and deep connection that’s provided by an intimate theater experience. That’s going to rock.”

Melissa wrote the show with help from her wife, Linda Wallem-Etheridge, the former showrunner of Showtime’s Nurse Jackie. It’s directed by Amy Tinkham, who directed Aerosmith‘s Las Vegas Residency show.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on August 17 at 10 a.m. ET via Telecharge.com or by calling 212-239-6200. Melissa’s fan club members get access to a presale now.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Tom Holland announces break from social media

Tom Holland announces break from social media
Tom Holland announces break from social media
Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage

Tom Holland is taking a break from social media. 

Over the weekend, the Spider-Man star shared an over two-minute long Instagram video to announce that he’s stepping away from social media. 

“I get caught up and I spiral when I read things about me online. And ultimately, it’s very detrimental to my mental state so I decided to take a step back and delete the app,” Holland says in the video, which was posted over the weekend.

He also used the post to shed some light on the mental health charity Stem4, writing in the caption, “Hello and goodbye… I have been taking a break from social media for my mental health, but felt compelled to come on here to talk about @stem4org.”

“Stem4 is one of the many charities @thebrotherstrust is extremely proud to support – and I’d like to take a moment to shine a light on their fantastic work,” the caption continues. “Please take the time to watch my video, and should you feel inclined to share it with anyone who it may resonate with – it would be greatly appreciated.”

The 26-year-old actor signs off with, “Love to you all, and let’s get talking about mental health.”

Holland’s most recent Instagram post prior to the weekend was over a month ago, on July 1, when he announced the launch of t-shirts for his charity, The Brothers Trust. 

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Jonas Brothers heading back to Las Vegas this fall

Jonas Brothers heading back to Las Vegas this fall
Jonas Brothers heading back to Las Vegas this fall
Live Nation

Jonas Brothers are going back to Vegas, baby.

Following their previous residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM in June, the group has announced an encore in November.  They’ll perform November 10, 11 and 12 with a “unique set list” each night, according to the announcement.

Tickets for the shows go on sale to the general public August 19 at 10 a.m. PT via JonasBrothers.com. JoBros fan club members and Citi cardmembers can access a presale starting Tuesday, August 16, at 10 a.m. PT via citientertainment.com. Members of the MGM Rewards loyalty program, and Live Nation and Ticketmaster customers can access a presale beginning Wednesday, August 17, at 10 a.m. PT.

JoBros reportedly have a new album coming, but it’s not clear when it’ll be released.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.