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Airfare will jump 20% this Labor Day, experts say

August 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — Air travel fares may be starting to drop from their summer highs, but customers could pay the price to see family and take long-awaited vacations in the post-pandemic world, travel experts say.

Hopper predicts this upcoming winter holiday season will be the most expensive in the last five years.

Hopper anticipates 12.6 million people will fly over Labor Day weekend. Average ticket prices for the long weekend are up 20% from 2021 and 2019.

Domestic flights will cost $278 on average for a round-trip, according to Hopper data. For international flights, customers should expect to pay an average $850 for round-trip fares. International prices are up 34% from 2021 fares.

Nonetheless, Hopper said international travel is expected to make up 40% of the weekend’s air traffic, up 7% from 2021.

The most popular destinations for domestic and international bookings are Las Vegas, Denver, Atlanta, Puerto Rico and Mexico, according to Hopper.

Hotel and gas prices are expected to add further expenses compared to 2021 travel, the agency said.

This Thanksgiving, domestic flights are currently up 31% from 2019 prices and 44% from those in 2021. The average round-trip flight is sitting at $380, a Hopper spokesperson told ABC News.

For those going international, prices aren’t jumping quite as high. Hopper reported a 23% and 25% rise in prices from 2019 and 2021, respectively. The average round-trip price is listed at $788, according to Hopper.

Looking ahead to Christmas travel, Hopper said prices are up 25% and 42% from 2019 and 2021 for domestic bookings, and up 9% and 39% from those same years for international trips.

A Hopper spokesperson told ABC News that the best time to start booking your domestic holiday travel is by mid-September into mid-October. For international trips, start as soon as possible, Hopper said, to book by the first week of October.

Some of the most searched destinations for the holidays are facing these price raises, including New York City, Orlando, Atlanta and Los Angeles, according to Hopper.

London and Paris are the top searched international destinations for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, Hopper said.

The high-priced holiday season comes after a summer of airline disasters, as patrons experienced delays and cancellations at high rates throughout the season as severe weather and staff shortages have defined airports across the country.

Three men killed in hit-and-run outside Chicago gay bar, suspect at large

August 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(CHICAGO) — A suspect remains at large after three men were killed in a hit-and-run outside a Chicago gay bar, police said.

A fourth victim was struck and injured in the “horrific act” outside Jeffery Pub, which took place at about 5 a.m. Sunday, Chicago police said.

The attack “appears to be intentional” but is not being investigated as a hate crime, Chicago police said at a news conference Monday.

The incident began as an argument inside the bar, which then spilled into the street, police said. An “altercation” ensued, after which the suspect got in the car and drove into the pedestrians, police said.

The car involved was found abandoned four blocks from the scene, police said, but no one is in custody.

Police are looking to the public for help and asking anyone with information on the driver to come forward.

Learn how to make Miranda Lambert’s meatloaf

August 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

When it comes to comfort foods, one of Miranda Lambert‘s go-to dishes is her mother’s meatloaf.

Growing up in Longview, TX, her mother Bev‘s homemade meatloaf was a favorite around the Lambert household, so much so that the singer would always request it on her birthday. She’s also partial to her father’s chicken-fried venison and her mom’s homemade barbecue sauce, with the “surprise ingredient” being a 1/4 cup of beer.

“It was handed down from my grandpa’s days in the military,” Miranda describes of the special sauce.

To make her mother’s meatloaf, the recipe calls for two pounds of ground beef, a pound of breakfast sausage, along with saltines or Ritz crackers. For an extra kick, she also incorporates bell pepper alongside chopped onion.

Rounding out the concoction is a blend of mustard, brown sugar, ketchup and a dash or Worcestershire sauce.

Get the full recipe and list of instructions here.

Kenny Chesney adds limited edition Mocha Cream to Blue Chair Bay Rum

August 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Kenny Chesney has a special rum that’s about to hit shelves.

In honor of National Rum Day, the No Shoes Nation founder is releasing a new flavor of his Blue Chair Bay Rum: Mocha Rum Cream. The flavor drops on September 1 and is available for a limited time.

Described as a “decadent, smooth blend of robust coffee paired with a rich, luxurious chocolate that carries coconut and spices in a light, elegant way,” Mocha Cream joins other flavors on the Blue Chair Bay roster Banana Rum Cream, Pineapple Rum Cream and Mango Rum Cream.

The product is available in all but 12 of the 50 states. Check the map here to see if Mocha Rum Cream is available in your state.

Blue Chair Bay Rum is made in the Caribbean, and all of the blends are gluten free. The front of each bottle displays some of the lyrics to Kenny’s 2004 song “Old Blue Chair,” where the brand gets its name.

The Wombats announce ‘Is This What It Feels Like to Feel Like This?’ EP; listen to title track now

August 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The Wombats have announced a new EP titled Is This What It Feels Like to Feel Like This?

The six-song collection will be released November 18. You can listen to the title track now via digital outlets.

Is This What It Feels Like follows The Wombats’ album Fix Yourself, Not the World, which dropped in January. The record includes the single “If You Ever Leave, I’m Coming with You.”

Here’s the Is This What It Feels Like to Feel Like This? track list:

“I Think My Mind Has Made Its Mind Up”
“Dressed to Kill”
“Demon”
“Is This What It Feels Like to Feel Like This?”
“Same Old Damage”
“Good Idea at the Time”

Hootie & The Blowfish unveil return of Hootiefest: The Big Splash: “We had to make this a new annual tradition!”

August 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Hootie & The Blowfish loved their destination concert vacation so much that they’re going for round two!

The Darius Rucker-fronted band unveiled plans for its second annual Hootiefest: The Big Splash, which is set to take place in Mexico. The festival kicks off January 25 and runs through January 28 at Moon Palace Cancún.

The four-day event will include three headlining performances from Hootie on the beach. So far this year they’re inviting Gin Blossoms, Collective Soul, Everclear and Edwin McCain to be part of the fun. Additional headliners, pool party performances and support artists will be unveiled at a later time.

“Enjoying music together on the beach in Mexico was a great way to kick off 2022,” Darius said in a statement. “I’m not sure who had more fun — us or the fans! We love that this event brought together some of our best friends in concert, too, so we knew we had to make this a new annual tradition.”

Fans will be able to enjoy pool parties every day and night, spa treatments and oceanfront concerts.

In addition to music, fans will also be able to go on exclusive excursions to “explore Mexico’s natural beauty and rich ancient culture.” Opportunities include diving in underground cenotes, visiting Chichen Itza and the nearby Isla Mujeres and sailing on luxury catamarans.

Tickets for the destination concert event go on sale on Tuesday, August 23, at 1 p.m. ET, with a special presale event set to go live a day earlier on the official Hootiefest website.

Tom DeLonge-produced ’Breaking Bear’ series to premiere on Tubi

August 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Tom DeLonge will be an executive producer on Breaking Bear, an upcoming adult animated series set to air on the streaming service Tubi.

According to a press release, the show is aiming for a The Sopranos-meets-The Yogi Bear Show vibe. It follows a family of bears that becomes drug dealers “in order to raise money and save their home after gas companies start fracking next to their cave.” Or, as DeLonge puts it, “Just a ridiculous show about animals doing drugs.”

Stay tuned for the Breaking Bear premiere date.

Meanwhile, DeLonge will make his directorial film debut with the movie Monsters of California, which also features original music written and performed by the former Blink-182 member. DeLonge’s most recent music release is the 2021 Angels & Airwaves album Lifeforms.

Elvis Presley died 45 years ago today

August 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Today, August 16, marks the 45th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley, known the world over as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Presley was just 42 years old when he passed away at his Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, from heart failure. It’s widely believed that prescription drug abuse was a factor in the singer’s death.

Presley, of course, was the first rock ‘n’ roll superstar, whose charisma, energetic music, and good looks helped make him one of the most influential and recognizable cultural icons of the 20th century. His passion for and promotion of artists like Little Richard and Fats Domino helped open the door to the commercial acceptance of black rock ‘n’ roll artists by white audiences. Elvis’ musical talents extended beyond rock to pop balladry, gospel and country.

Elvis remains among the most successful individual music artists ever, with more than 230 million certified units sold worldwide. He scored 10 chart-topping albums on the Billboard 200 and 18 #1 singles on the Hot 100. Various successful posthumous Presley albums, including compilations and rarities collections, continue to be released.

After Presley’s death, Graceland became a huge tourist attraction. Several years ago, the property was expanded to include an entertainment complex with museums, eateries, a hotel and a music venue.

In observance of the anniversary of Presley’s passing, Graceland annually hosts the multiple-day Elvis Week celebration, which this year kicked off Tuesday, August 9, and runs through Wednesday, August 17. Today’s scheduled events include the “Elvis Presley in Concert” show, taking place at the Graceland Soundstage venue. The show will feature film footage of Elvis performing his classic songs with live accompaniment from a group that includes members of his TCB Band, plus a guest appearance by Presley’s ex-wife, Priscilla.

Depeche Mode posts studio photo following Andy Fletcher’s death

August 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Depeche Mode appears to be turning back to music as the now-duo continues to grieve the death of member Andy Fletcher.

The “Enjoy the Silence” outfit has posted a photo on Instagram of surviving members Dave Gahan and Martin Gore together in a recording studio.

“Finding stability in what we know and love, and focusing on what gives life meaning and purpose,” the caption reads.

Fletcher, a founding member of Depeche Mode, played on all of the band’s albums, from 1981’s Speak & Spell to 2017’s Spirit. He died in May of an aortic dissection at 60 years old.

Darlene Love adds her voice to criticism of Mariah Carey’s “Queen of Christmas” trademark attempt

August 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

As previously reported, singer/songwriter Elizabeth Chan, who exclusively records Christmas music and has been called “The Queen of Christmas” since 2014, has filed an opposition to Mariah Carey‘s attempts to trademark that phrase. Now, another artist who’s been called “The Queen of Christmas” over the years has announced her displeasure with Mariah’s actions.

Singer Darlene Love, a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer known for her timeless holiday hit “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” wrote on Facebook Monday, “Is it true that Mariah Carey trade marked ‘Queen of Christmas?’ What does that mean that I can’t use that title?”

She continued, “David Letterman officially declared me the Queen of Christmas 29 years ago, a year before [Mariah] released ‘All I want For Christmas Is You’ and at 81 years of age I’m NOT changing anything. I’ve been in the business for 52 years, have earned it and can still hit those notes! If Mariah has a problem call David or my lawyer!!”

Letterman famously had Love on his talk shows every year to sing “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” from 1986 to 2014.

As Chan told ABC Audio, she’s not looking to own the trademark for herself — she just doesn’t want it to be owned by any one person. “Having been called the Queen of Christmas is an honor. It’s not a possession,” she notes. “And Christmas is meant to be shared. It’s not meant to be outrightly owned or monopolized by a single person.”

In fact, last December Mariah said in an interview that she “doesn’t consider herself” to be The Queen of Christmas, adding, “To me, Mary [Mother of Jesus] is the Queen of Christmas.”

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