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.
(LAFAYETTE, Ind.) — An Indiana police department is praising a “heroic” 25-year-old Good Samaritan who rescued five children from a massive house fire.
Nicholas Bostic saved an 18-year-old who was home with her siblings, ages 2, 6 and 13, Lafayette Police Lt. Randy Sherer said. Bostic also rescued a friend of the 13-year-old who was there spending the night, Sherer said. The siblings’ parents weren’t home, Sherer said.
The blaze broke out around 12:30 a.m. Monday, Sherer said. Bostic was driving by when he spotted the house fully engulfed in flames and pulled over, he told ABC News, beating first responders to the scene.
Bostic didn’t have his phone to call 911, so he ran to the back of the house to see if he could spot anyone, he said.
Bostic went inside and raced upstairs, where he found the 18-year-old, 2-year-old and two 13-year-olds, and he led them down the stairs and outside, Bostic said.
“I asked them if anybody was left in there — and that’s when they told me that the 6-year-old was,” Bostic said.
Bostic said he ran back inside to look for the 6-year-old girl, but the thick smoke made it hard to see and the overwhelming heat scared him.
That’s when he heard the little girl whimper, which he said gave him the courage to keep going. All the while, he was terrified the house would explode.
“The last thing I could do was waste a second panicking,” he said.
Once Bostic found the 6-year-old, he punched through a window so they could escape, he said.
Bostic was hospitalized for severe smoke inhalation and a serious cut to his arm, police said. He has since been released.
All of the children are doing well, Sherer said.
Sherer called Bostic’s actions “heroic. The city in a statement said Bostic has “impressed many with his courage, tenacity, and steadfast calmness.”
Bostic said he’s spoken with the children’s parents.
“The dad said he’d love to take me out for a dinner,” he said. “They have wide-open arms welcoming me as a part of their family.”
“I’m glad I was there at the right time, the right place,” Bostic added.
And Bostic, still recovering, said he wouldn’t hesitate to race into another house fire.
“If opportunity came again and I had to do it, I would do it,” he said. “I knew what I was risking. I knew the next second it could be my life. But every second counted.”
By now, it’s well documented that Carrie Underwood is a big rock ‘n’ roll fan: She recently appeared as a guest performer for two nights on Guns N’ Roses U.K. tour after previously bringing Axl Rose on stage at Stagecoach.
Turns out, Carrie’s fandom doesn’t stop there. She’s also a huge fan of Black Sabbath and its frontman, Ozzy Osbourne, to who she pays tribute with her cover of “Mama, I’m Coming Home.”
The cover is part of a new EP that Carrie released exclusively with Apple Music and features versions of her current single, “Ghost Story,” fan-favorite “Blown Away” and the Ozzy cover, which Carrie says is especially close to her heart.
“I have always been an Ozzy Osbourne fan and ‘Mama, I’m Coming Home’ is one of my all-time favorite songs,” she explains. “I’ve always thought it felt a lot like a country song, and I’ve wanted to cover it for a long time. This was a really fun opportunity for me to finally be able to make that happen. I hope we’ve done Ozzy proud and I hope he likes it.”
Singer-songwriter Tenille Townes also released an exclusive EP as part of the Apple Music Sessions program. Her project includes recordings of her songs “Somebody’s Daughter” and “Same Road Home” plus a cover of Etta James’ “At Last.”
Pink has proven to her haters that she is anything but “Irrelevant.” Her fiery women’s rights anthem is already a best-seller.
The “What About Us” singer shared an update about her song’s performance on the iTunes chart, which said it is already number one in the U.S., Canada and Australia. “We’ll that’s ironic,” Pink cheekily wrote, “and really, thanks everyone.”
This is a major win for Pink because, ahead of the song’s release, she announced that all proceeds from the song’s sales will benefit When We All Vote — the voting rights organization founded by former first lady Michelle Obama. The initiative aims to encourage all eligible voters to head to the polls and break down all barriers that may stand in their way.
Pink penned the passionate song in response to the backlash surrounding her criticism of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which had made abortion a constitutionally protected right in 1973. She demanded that all supporters of the decision “never f***ing listen to my music again,” which landed her in the crosshairs of angry abortion rights opponents.
Critics slammed the Grammy winner and demanded she stay out of politics because her job as a singer is to basically “shut up and sing.” Pink maliciously complied with their demands by releasing “Irrelevant.”
“As a woman with an opinion and the fearlessness to voice that opinion, it gets very tiring when the only retort is to tell me how irrelevant I am. I am relevant because I exist, and because I am a human being. No one is irrelevant. And no one can take away my voice,” she said in a statement.
From heartfelt love songs to hardcore rap tracks, check out this week’s New Music Friday for the culture’s latest & greatest in music.
—Ne-Yo, Self Explanatory — Flexing his vocals over sensual tunes, the R&B singer dropped his first full original album since 2018, with features from Jeremih, Trippie Redd and Bleu.
—DJ Premier, DJ Premier: Hip Hop 50 Volume 1 — In celebration of hip-hop’s 50th birthday, the legendary DJ unveiled the first installment of 10 EPs featuring newly released music. Guest appearances include RemyMa, Nas, RunTheJewels, LilWayne and more.
—DaniLeigh, “Heartbreaker” — The 27-year-old singer pens another heartfelt relationship track, seemingly in response to her public breakup with rapper DaBaby.
—Mario & Tory Lanez, “Main One” — After much social media backlash for the new collaboration, Mario dropped off his latest single with rapper Tory Lanez.
—Omeretta The Great, “Baba” — The rising rap star continues to make a name for herself with hard-hitting bars and witty lyricism.
—Joey Bada$$, “Zipcodes” — The Brooklyn, NY native unveiled his latest single from his forthcoming album, 2000, a smooth, mid-tempo rap track with an accompanying music video.
(OAKHURST, Calif.) — The Washburn Fire in central California has now scorched 4,700 acres across Yosemite National Park to Sierra National Forest as of Friday morning, officials said, growing over 300 acres overnight.
According to park officials, the fire is 27% contained, with more than 1,500 firefighters assigned to it.
The persisting fire began near the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and now is claiming parts of Sierra National Forest, park officials said.
Since its first few days, when the fire measured 1,591 acres with 0% containment and 360 firefighters assigned to the fire, the threat to the area’s famous sequoia trees remains a major concern.
As climate change effects worsen, such fires become an increasing threat to the durable, celebrated sequoia trees, and measures continue to be taken to protect the area.
Some of the tree trunks were wrapped in fire-resistant foil, a technique used in September to protect trees in Sequoia National Park’s Giant Forest from fire.
A sprinkler system has also been set up within the grove to keep the sequoias’ trunks moist, officials said.
The continued spread has led to further road closures, including Forest Routes 5S43, 5S06 (Mt. Raymond Rd.), 5S22 and 5S37.
The closures are intended to assist firefighters in getting resources to and from the fire and to keep the public out of harm’s way, officials said.
The cause of the fire is still said to be under investigation. However, at a public meeting on Monday night, Yosemite’s park superintendent said it appears to have been started by people.
The fire is expected to take weeks for the fire to be fully extinguished, as it is happening in “difficult terrain” due to heavy fuel lingering nearby after a significant tree mortality event from 2013 to 2015, according to Yosemite Fire and Aviation Management.
The fuel, consisting of both standing trees and those that have fallen to the ground, is presenting safety hazards to firefighters, officials said.
Further closures due to the fire include the Highway 41 entrance to Yosemite National Park, meaning that visitors will need to use Highway 120 or 140 to access the Yosemite Valley.
However, the remainder of the park remains open, despite heavy smoke on Sunday that affected air quality in the area and obstructed the park’s views.
The Tenaya Lodge, just south of Yosemite, remains open.
The community of Wawona and the Wawona Campground continue to be under a mandatory evacuation order, according to officials.
An evacuation shelter is available at the Mariposa New Life Church, located at 5089 Cole Road.
Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
(WASHINGTON) — The House of Representatives on Friday passed two measures to restore abortion rights after the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The action comes as Democrats ramp up their political messaging on abortion ahead of the November midterm elections, hoping the issue will drive voters to the ballot box to preserve the party’s majorities in Congress.
“It’s outrageous that 50 years later, women must again fight for our most basic rights against an extremist court and Republican Party,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Friday in a press conference on the U.S. Capitol steps ahead of the vote.
“Democrats are honoring the basic truth: women’s most intimate health decisions are her own,” Pelosi added.
The first bill, titled the Women’s Health Protection Act, would establish a statutory right for health care providers to provide, and patients to receive, abortion services. It would also prohibit states from imposing restrictions on abortion care.
The measure passed in a 219-to-210 vote. No Republicans voted in favor of the bill.
The Women’s Health Protection Act now goes to the Senate, where it previously failed to move forward after the House first passed it in September 2021.
Any abortion-related legislation will likely meet a similar fate in the upper chamber, where Democrats need 10 Republican votes to overcome the 60-vote filibuster.
“We must ensure that the American people remember in November, because with two more Democratic senators, we will be able to eliminate the filibuster when it comes to a woman’s right to choose and to make reproductive freedom the law of the land,” Pelosi said Friday.
The second bill to pass the House, known as the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act, addresses recent efforts by state legislatures to punish Americans traveling for reproductive health care. The bill would would ensure no person acting under state law could prevent, restrict, or otherwise retaliate against a person traveling across state lines for lawful abortion services.
Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked a bill that would have both legally shielded the people who travel across states lines to receive an abortion and the providers who care for those patients.
At least 13 states have ceased nearly all abortion services after the high court’s June 24 decision ending Roe, and several Republican-controlled states are already considering legislation to bar women from seeking services out-of-state.
“Are we going to allow these lawmakers to hold American citizens hostage in their own states, forcing them to give birth?” Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said in a floor speech on Thursday. “Does that sound like the America that we know? No it doesn’t, and we need to draw the line here and now.”
Just last week, hundreds of abortion rights activists protested outside the White House calling on President Joe Biden to do more to ensure abortion rights. Biden signed an executive order on July 8 aimed at protecting access, but said it’s ultimately up to Congress to codify Roe.
Biden’s message to the demonstrators was to “keep protesting.”
“Keep making your point. It’s critically important,” he said.
