Jon Pardi and Midland’s “Longneck Way to Go” music video features a bowling game between two teams, each one led by the country acts. As it turns out, that premise is based on real-life events that happened when they were touring together.
“Actually, this happened once on tour,” Midland’s Cameron Duddy says in a new behind-the-scenes video of the video shoot. “And Jon offered $500 to the winner. And Midland beat Jon’s team in real life.”
The Midland guys may be better bowlers than Jon, but there’s no bad blood. The two acts have been friends since their early days in country music. Still, that doesn’t stop Cameron from giving Jon a little grief about his bowling chops — or lack thereof.
“He’s not very good. He’s too big to play bowling,” Cameron continues. Jon, for the record, stands at 6’7″ when he’s in cowboy boots and a cowboy hat — and he’s wearing those two things most of the time.
“Actually, they say, it’s like jockeys. You have to be smaller than 5’10 to really dominate,” Cameron jokes. “Which sucks for me because I’m 6 foot.”
See all the behind-the-scenes antics in the new video, which is available now.
Harry Styles has done what no other artist who released an album so far this year could — he officially sold over a million copies of his new studio album, Harry’s House.
The Grammy winner is the first artist to have an album released in 2022 reach Platinum status. The RIAA delivered the certification this week. The organization also honored another song of his — “Cherry” — which surpassed over 1 million sales as well, thus earning its own Platinum certification.
Harry’s House arrived on May 20 and was previously led by the record’s lead single, “As It Was.” To date, this song has been leading the Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks. In addition, the RIAA has certified the hit twice Platinum.
Louisiana rapper NBA YoungBoy won his gun possession legal battle on Friday when a Los Angeles federal jury found him not guilty.
According to Billboard,the verdict follows a three-day trial in which YoungBoy, born Kentrell Williams, was charged with a single count of illegal firearms possession over a loaded handgun found in his car last year. The victory means the 22-year-old artist will not serve the time in prison, upward of 55 months, he could have if convicted.
In March 2021, YoungBoy was pulled over in his Mercedes Maybach in Tarzana, California. While officers executed a search warrant, he allegedly fled on foot. When authorities searched the car, they found a loaded semiautomatic handgun on the floor behind the front passenger seat, according to Billboard. The possession of the handgun was illegal since the rapper had been previously convicted of aggravated assault with a firearm in 2017 — a case that is still ongoing.
“We are grateful that this jury was so thoughtful and saw the truth,” YoungBoy’s attorney, James P.Manasseh,said of the outcome. “We said from the beginning Kentrell was innocent and we just needed our opportunity to get in front of a fair jury.”
Earlier this week, YoungBoy was seen with boxing champion Floyd Mayweather, who is said to have supported the rapper during trial.
Video surfaced Friday of a group of fans celebrating outside the courtroom after they learned of the not guilty verdict.
Happy Mondays bassist Paul Ryder has died at age 58.
The English band, perhaps best known in the U.S. for the singles “Kinky Afro” and “Step On,” announced the news in a tweet Friday: “The Ryder family and Happy Mondays band members are deeply saddened and shocked to say that Paul Ryder passed away this morning.”
“A true pioneer and legend. He will be forever missed,” the post continues. “We thank you for respecting the privacy of all concerned at this time. Long live his funk.”
Happy Mondays formed in 1980 and were staples of the so-called Madchester scene, which combined elements of indie rock and dance music. Following a breakup in 1993, the group reunited in 1999 and then again in 2004. Not unlike another English group of the era, Happy Mondays was plagued by familial issues between Paul and his brother, vocalist Shaun Ryder, which led to Paul not taking part in the 2004 reunion.
Eventually, Paul rejoined Happy Mondays in 2012, and the band has continued to tour over the last 10 years. They were scheduled to perform Friday at England’s Kubix Festival, but their set was canceled due to Paul’s passing.
Kid Cudi‘s 2008 debut mixtape, A Kid Named Cudi, is now available on major streaming platforms, arriving just two days before the project’s 14th anniversary.
The release follows The Boy Who Flew to the Moon, a collection of Cudi’s greatest hits thus far. The 16-track collection includes the Grammy-nominated breakout “Day ‘N’ Nite,” “Pillow Talk” and “Save My Soul.”
The never-before-streamed tape comes with updated cover art of the rapper. “This photo was taken by Mel D. Cole, on 9.22.08. Right before my life changed forever,” he says of the image.
Before dropping his recent single “Do What I Want,” Cudi previewed the new song by sharing a teaser of his upcoming animated music TV series, Entergalactic — a project he says is his “greatest achievement.” The Netflix project and accompanying album are due out this fall.
The 14-track collection is the band’s 38th official album and was mostly recorded remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, although the horns were laid down live at founding trumpet player Lee Loughnane‘s studio in Arizona.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees are enjoying some chart success with the album’s lead single, “If This Is Goodbye,” which currently sits at #19 on Billboard‘s Adult Contemporary tally.
You can check out an official music video for the upbeat pop tune on Chicago’s YouTube channel.
Born for This Moment features three songs that founding singer/keyboardist Robert Lamm co-wrote with Ides of March frontman and ex-Survivor member Jim Peterik — the title track, “Crazy Idea,” and “Our New York Time.”
Chicago fans will likely pick up on the fact that the intro to “Our New York Time” recreates the start of the band’s classic 1969 song “Beginnings.”
“That was [producer] Joe Thomas‘s idea to do that there,” Lamm notes. “Initially, I had a little trepidation about it because I always want to hear something new, but the guys felt really positive about it, so I was cool with it.”
Born for This Moment is Chicago’s first album of original material to feature singer Neil Donnell, who joined the group in 2018.
Founding Chicago trombonist James Pankow says of Donell’s contributions, “Not only is Neil a technically gifted performer, he is an amazing, multirange singer … Without a doubt, he is a big asset to the band.”
Chicago currently is on the road with founding Beach Boys member Brian Wilson‘s solo band. The trek continues Friday night in Wantagh, New York, and runs through a July 26 show in Clarkston, Michigan.
Here’s the full Born for This Moment track list:
“Born for This Moment”
“If This Is Goodbye”
“Firecracker”
“Someone Needed Me the Most”
“Our New York Time”
“Safer Harbours”
“Crazy Idea”
“Make a Man Outta Me”
“She’s Right”
“The Mermaid” (“Sereia Do Mar”)
“You’ve Got to Believe”
“For the Love”
“If This Isn’t Love”
“House on the Hill”
Over the years, Richard Marx has written songs that have become hits on the pop, rock, R&B and country charts. That’s why his new album is an attempt to show off the full range of his songwriting talent.
Called Songwriter, the album, due out September 30, features a slew of songs that Richard either wrote or co-wrote, divided by genre: pop, rock, country and ballads. He wrote many of them with his famous friends and collaborators, including Burt Bacharach, Chris Daughtry, Lifehouse‘s Jason Wade, Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon and Mr. Mister‘s Richard Page.
“I’ve had such an amazing opportunity in my songwriting career to write all kinds of songs with, and for, all kinds of artists,” says Richard. “It finally occurred to me that there was no reason not to record an album of my own that touches on multiple genres I love.”
Richard also kept the album all in the family: A handful of the songs were co-written with his sons Lucas Marx and Jesse Marx. The first single, “Same Heartbreak, Different Day,” is a co-write with Lucas.
Richard has four U.S. concerts later this month — three in California and one in Nevada — before he heads to Europe, but he’ll return to the U.S. for another round of dates starting October 20 in St. Charles, IL. Visit richardmarx.com/tour/ for the full list of dates.
Here’s the track listing for Songwriter:
POP
“Same Heartbreak Different Day” (Richard Marx/Lucas Marx, Michael Jade)
“Believe In Me” (Richard Marx/Lucas Marx)
“Anything” (Richard Marx/Bruce Weigner)
“Moscow Calling” (Richard Marx)
“Only A Memory” (Richard Marx/Adam Messinger)
ROCK
“Shame On You” (Richard Marx/Jesse Marx)
“Just Go” (Richard Marx)
“My Love, My Enemy” (Richard Marx/Matt Scannell)
“One More Yesterday” (Richard Marx/Chris Daughtry/Jason Wade)
“We Are Not Alone” (Richard Marx/Jesse Marx)
COUNTRY
“Everything I’ve Got” (Richard Marx)
“One Day Longer” (Richard Marx/Keith Urban)
“Breaking My Heart” (Richard Marx/Darius Rucker/David Hodges)
“Misery Loves Company” (Richard Marx/Lucas Marx/Bruce Weigner)
“We Had It All” (Richard Marx/Randy Hauser/Brice Long)
BALLADS
“Always” (Richard Marx/Burt Bacharach)
“Still In My Heart” (Richard Marx/Richard Page)
“As If We’ll Never Love Again” (Richard Marx/Gary Burr)
“Never After” (Richard Marx/Topher Brown)
“Maybe” (Richard Marx)
(NEW YORK) — Car manufacturer Ford is recalling over 100,000 SUVs and trucks because of fire risks in the engine, nearly a month after recalling millions of its vehicles.
The company is recalling some of its 2020-2022 Ford Escapes, 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsairs and 2022 Mavericks equipped with 2.5-liter hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
If engine failure occurs, engine oil and fuel vapor could be released into the chamber where the engine is stored and collected around ignition sources such as the engine and exhaust components.
People who own any of the vehicles affected should park and turn off the engines “as quickly as possible” when they hear “unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke,” NHTSA said.
There have been no reported injuries, Ford said.
In May, Ford recalled over 39,000 Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators because they ran the risk of catching fire under the hood even when parked or turned off. The company expanded that recall to include 66,000 more vehicles after it received reports of five more fires, according to the Associated Press.
Last month, the company recalled 2.9 million vehicles with transmission issues that increased the risk of rolling away even when parked.
LEGO has immortalized Scranton, Pennsylvania’s, Dunder Mifflin paper company in plastic.
The building toy company has officially released presales of its tribute to the American version of The Office, a miniature version of the main setting of the beloved NBC sitcom.
Following in the footsteps of branded sets immortalizing Friends and Seinfeld, the 1,164-piece The Office LEGO set officially debuts in October.
It lets builders recreate the TV show’s set in exacting detail. Michael Scott’s office — which slides out for its own individual display — comes with every amenity, right down to a figure of Michael Scott and his “World’s Greatest Boss” mug.
Meanwhile, the set also includes the “bullpen,” the set of cubicles and desks the show made famous, and of course minifigures of the company’s most dedicated employee Dwight Schrute, along with his not-so-dedicated co-workers Jim Halpert, Pam Beesly, Oscar Martinez, Kevin Malone, Ryan Howard, Angela Martin, Stanley Hudson, Kelly Kapoor, Phyllis Lapin Vance, Meredith Palmer, Creed Bratton, Toby Flenderson and Darryl Philbin.
Other props include the fateful Golden Ticket that was the basis of an episode’s ill-fated giveaway, Dwight’s stapler imprisoned in JELL-O by Jim, Angela’s cat Garbage, Kevin’s doomed chili pot and, of course, a coveted Dundee trophy.
For fans with $120 to spend, it’s hard to resist. That’s what she said.
(AKRON, Ohio) — Tensions between protesters and law enforcement have persisted amid weekslong demonstrations following the fatal police shooting of 25-year-old Jayland Walker.
As protesters seek accountability from police in Walker’s death, local and national advocacy groups have released lists of demands for the mayor and local law enforcement.
“Without a new approach to policing and public safety broadly, policymakers keep taking us through the same cycle of violence; more militarization and surveillance, more prisons, and more Black people murdered by police,” said Sakira Cook, of the social justice organization Color Of Change. “Yet, we are not deterred. Together, alongside our members and partners, we’ll continue to work to end our violent policing system, redefine public safety, and invest in Black communities.”
Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan has offered to sit down and have meetings with the various advocacy groups, according to a statement from the mayor’s office.
Walker was unarmed when he was fatally shot in Akron, Ohio, by police on June 27 after a traffic stop turned into a pursuit. He was running away when eight officers opened fire on him, body-camera footage released by the city showed.
Officials said they attempted to pull over Walker for a traffic violation and an equipment violation with his car. He allegedly refused to stop, which set off a chase that ended in his death.
Officials said a flash of light seen in body camera footage appeared to be the muzzle flash of a gun coming from the driver’s side of Walker’s car.
In a second body camera video, officers are heard radioing that they heard a shot being fired from Walker’s car. The footage shows the officer following Walker’s Buick off Route 8 and continuing the pursuit on side streets.
At one point, Walker slowed down and jumped out of the passenger side door before it came to a full stop. As Walker ran away from police, several officers simultaneously fired several bullets, fatally shooting him.
A gun was later recovered inside the car, but Walker was unarmed when he was shot.
The officers involved in the shooting are on paid administrative leave and have not been named.
The incident is under investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
“When an officer makes the most critical decision in his or her life as a police officer, it doesn’t matter where in the country this happens, when they make that most critical decision to point their firearm at another human being and pull the trigger, they’ve got to be ready to explain why they did what they did,” Police Chief Steve Mylett said in a July 3 press conference, as the department released body camera footage.
A list of demands from Color Of Change and social advocacy group The Freedom BLOC for Akron officials has already received more than 3,000 signatures.
It calls for the abolition of the use of tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets, the release of all protesters from jail with charges dropped and records expunged, as well as an order for police to stop arresting protesters.
The demands also include funding an unarmed traffic enforcement unit for routine traffic stops, as well as a unit to respond to mental health calls and anti-violence community programs.
Demonstrators also demand the city create a citizen-led commission to reallocate money from the police department to other community programs that invest in housing, public transportation, health care and more.
The Department of Justice Community Relations Service has offered to be mediators in these conversations between officials and the organizations, and “we believe this is the best path forward for our community,” a spokesperson from the mayor’s office told ABC News.
Akron officials have implemented a curfew to quell protests, saying that the nationwide outrage about Walker’s death has put the city on edge.
Two relatives of police shooting victims – Jacob Blake Sr., the father of Jacob Blake, and Bianca Austin, an aunt of Breonna Taylor – were arrested on rioting charges while protesting the police shooting in the city.
According to local reports from WKYC, demonstrators claimed to have been tear-gassed while protesting.
The Akron Police Department did not respond to ABC News’ request for comment on the allegations.
Ohio officials called for protesters to pause demonstrations on July 8, after two people were killed in unrelated gun violence in other parts of Akron.
“This has been a very difficult week for Akron, almost two weeks for Akron. The heat is very very high, tensions are running high in this city,” Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett said at a press briefing that night. “We’re asking for people to stand down for at least 48 hours, let the temperature come down.”
Both the family and police have called for peaceful demonstrations after officials said some protests turned violent. Some officers also claim to have received threats due to their involvement in the department.
“So long as the participants are non-violent, we are going to give them space,” said Lt. Michael Miller in a July 11 press conference.
Following that press conference, the legal team representing Walker’s family held a press conference in response.
“We don’t stand for any violence towards anyone, whether it be a police officer or a citizen but here’s the fact of the matter: the police are in control here, aren’t they?,” attorney Bobby DiCello said. “When the community is hurting, they need to let that hurt out and not take it personally.”
The city officially declared July 13 a day of mourning in Walker’s name in a new resolution to quell the tension.
In it, officials call for peaceful protesting and healing throughout the community. “The City urges that the friends and family of Jayland Walker, and the entire Akron community, be surrounded with love and peace, and that the City would begin to heal,” the city said.
