Dierks Bentley remembers his dad 10 years after his death: “Think about him every day”

Dierks Bentley remembers his dad 10 years after his death: “Think about him every day”
Dierks Bentley remembers his dad 10 years after his death: “Think about him every day”
ABC

Dierks Bentley is remembering his late father, Leon Bentley, this week on the 10-year anniversary of his death. 

The singer paid tribute to his dad on social media with a special childhood memory, sharing some photos of Leon giving a young Dierks a sip of his beer. The second and third photos show Dierks’ reaction to the beer, with a big smile on his face.

“Funny how a good cold beer has always had the same effect on me!” Dierks joked in the caption, before offering some more serious reflections on his father. “Think about him every day. Find myself wanting a little more advice now than I wanted back then!”

In fact, it was Dierks’ dad who first introduced him to country music. “I remember him saying he liked that even if you didn’t know the song, if it was written right, you could still sing along and guess some of the words,” he said.

“Miss him, wish the kids could have had a little bit more time with Granddude,” Dierks said in the conclusion of his post. “Thanks for being a good dad…Dad!”

Leon died on June 1, 2012, at the age of 88 after a long illness. CMT reported that Dierks — who had already released several albums and achieved considerable country music success — shared the news with his fans in a tweet.

Dierks’ 2014 album Riser included some nods to his dad’s death, including the song “I Hold On,” which mentions the truck he used to drive to Nashville with his dad at the beginning of his career.

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Harry Styles donates Apple AirPods commercial proceeds to humanitarian aid

Harry Styles donates Apple AirPods commercial proceeds to humanitarian aid
Harry Styles donates Apple AirPods commercial proceeds to humanitarian aid
Jo Hale/Redferns

In order for Apple to use Harry Styles‘ music and likeness for their new AirPods commercial, they had to agree to one big condition.

Billboard reports the new commercial features Harry’s song “Music for a Sushi Restaurant.” The Grammy winner told the company that if they wanted to use the song, they would have to donate his artist fee to humanitarian relief efforts.

The funds were directed to the International Rescue Committee, a global humanitarian aid effort that works to help people survive crises, then rebuild their lives. IRC announced the donation in a tweet, writing, “From all of us at the IRC: Thank you to @Harry_Styles and @Apple for your generous donation to the IRC.”

The organization continued, “Working in more than 40 countries, your support will help us reach even more refugees and people in need in the world’s toughest places. Honored to have your support!”

The new AirPods commercial is set to air on YouTube, as well as television, and premiered Thursday.

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Megan Thee Stallions drops hot new video for “Plan B”

Megan Thee Stallions drops hot new video for “Plan B”
Megan Thee Stallions drops hot new video for “Plan B”
Rich Polk/NBC

Megan Thee Stallion blazed the 2022 Billboard Music Awards stage two weeks ago with a performance of her new song “Plan B.” On Thursday the Houston hottie dropped the track’s official music video.

The Grammy winner teased the new visual on Instagram Wednesday, alerting fans of its release.

“Hotties Thee wait is OVER the ‘Plan B’ video is coming on 6.2.22 @ 3PM ET/12PM PT. TUNE IN WITH ME!” she said, sharing a video snippet. In her caption, she also tagged French fashion luxury brand Mugler, which Megan sports in the video and in her everyday looks, including her Billboard performance.  

The modern and sleek video, directed by Mugler’s Casey Cadwallader and John Miserendino, accompanies the punchy, hardcore lyrics of the song. On the track, which samples Jodeci‘s 1995 hit “Freek ‘N You (Mr. Dalvin Remix) featuring Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, Megan tells a tale of female empowerment.

The first lines of the chorus goes, “Ladies, love yourself cause this s**t could get ugly / That’s why it’s f**k n****s get money.”

To listen to the full song and to watch Megan rock her assortment of Mugler looks, check out the video for “Plan B” on her official YouTube channel. 

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Mariah Carey reflects on 30th anniversary of ‘MTV Unplugged’ EP

Mariah Carey reflects on 30th anniversary of ‘MTV Unplugged’ EP
Mariah Carey reflects on 30th anniversary of ‘MTV Unplugged’ EP
Ke.Mazur/WireImage

It’s officially been 30 years since Mariah Carey dazzled on the MTV Unplugged stage and released her standout EP, and the hitmaker reflected Thursday on how important the pivotal moment was for her career. 

Sharing an Instagram video highlighting moments of her Unplugged set, where she belted out hits from her album Emotions, Mariah reflected on how much she’s changed since 1992.

“Happy anniversary to that girl on stage who was so nervous and scared to even sing in front of a crowd. Also she had no idea this last minute ‘unplugged’ show would become a ‘thing!'” she remarked.

Mariah also revealed how that performance changed the course of her career.

“During that performance, I remember having a breakthrough moment…the realization that all I needed to do was SING and actually CONNECT with the people in the audience and be in the moment with THEM!!! And then we were in it together,” she recalled.

The Grammy winner continued, “When I watch this now, it’s revelatory how many insanely talented musicians and singers I had the privilege of sharing that small stage with and I truly feel blessed. I am thankful to that majestic group of people who made that stage come to life and to the audience in the room for sharing what became a life changing experience for me and as always.”

“Thank you my fans for sharing this journey with me. You save my life each day,” she closed out the sentimental post.

Mariah’s MTV Unplugged EP sold over 4 million copies and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 200. It also spun off her hit duet with Trey Lorenz, “I’ll Be There,” which was a last-minute addition to her Unplugged set list.  Her cover of the Jackson 5 song earned her two Grammy nods.

 

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Dua Lipa celebrates her debut album’s fifth anniversary

Dua Lipa celebrates her debut album’s fifth anniversary
Dua Lipa celebrates her debut album’s fifth anniversary
Dimitri Hakke/Getty Images

Hard to believe it’s been five years since Dua Lipa released her eponymous debut studio album, which propelled her into superstardom with hits “New Rules”, “IDGAF” and more.

The Grammy winner marked the milestone occasion on Instagram Thursday and shared throwback photos of herself taken five years ago. Photos included her on tour, signing copies of her album and Polaroid snaps.

“5 years ago today I dropped my debut album,” she said. “i’m so proud of every baby step and stepping stone, every room, club and venue, every artist, songwriter and producer that i’ve been lucky to write and collaborate with and that has led me to where I am today.”

Dua continued, “i thank my lucky stars everyday and I thank you all for being on this insane journey with me.”

Dua Lipa, the album, debuted on June 2, 2017, and garnered positive reviews from music critics. It was nominated for numerous awards and earned her the golden gramophone for Best New Artist at the 61st annual Grammy Awards.

The “Cold Heart” singer rereleased the album as a two-disc “complete edition,” which included the standout tracks “Electricity,” “No Lie” and “One Kiss.”

After a nearly three-year wait, she released her sophomore album, Future Nostalgia, on March 27, 2020. Fans are anxiously waiting for her third album and hope she has something to tease very soon.

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Bonnie Tyler, Stella McCartney chosen for prestigious honors by Queen Elizabeth II

Bonnie Tyler, Stella McCartney chosen for prestigious honors by Queen Elizabeth II
Bonnie Tyler, Stella McCartney chosen for prestigious honors by Queen Elizabeth II
Aldara Zarraoa/Redferns

Bonnie Tyler and Stella McCartney are among the people who have been acknowledged in the 2022 edition of Queen Elizabeth II‘s annual Birthday Honours list, which recognizes “outstanding achievements” and service of people across the U.K.

Tyler, who is from Wales and whose birth name is Gaynor Hopkins, is also is known by her married name, Gaynor Sullivan. She was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire honor, or an MBE, for her services to music.

“I am truly honoured to be awarded an MBE and especially so in Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year, which makes this even more special,” Bonnie wrote in a message posted on her official website. “This honour just goes to show that anyone from any background can become a success, and be recognised by our wonderful country, if they put their minds and efforts into what they do.”

She added, “I hope that my honour may in some small way motivate others to give their best … I’m just a girl from a small town in Wales who just loves to sing, so to be recognised for that in this way is very significant to me and my family and friends.”

The “Total Eclipse of the Heart” singer will help celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, marking her 70-year reign, at a special concert this Saturday at Cardiff Castle in Cardiff, Wales.

Paul McCartney‘s daughter Stella, a successful fashion designer who also is known for promoting vegetarianism, was honored with a Commander of the Order of the British Empire award, or CBE. The CBE is a higher honor than an MBE, ranked just below a knighthood. Stella’s famous dad was knighted in 1997.

Check out the queen’s full 2022 Birthday Honours list online.

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Kim Kardashian says Pete Davidson is handy in the bedroom — with skin care

Kim Kardashian says Pete Davidson is handy in the bedroom — with skin care
Kim Kardashian says Pete Davidson is handy in the bedroom — with skin care
MEGA/GC Images

Apparently, Pete Davidson has been hiding some hidden talents in the bedroom: amateur dermatology.

Sure, Kim hinted she’s having the “best sex” of her life in the most recent installment of Hulu’s The Kardashians, but apparently she’s also celebrating the literally skin-deep gestures, too.

“I had this big pimple on my nose and I kept on complaining about [it],” the SKIMS mogul told her sisters Kourtney and Khloé, adding that one thing she has in common with Davidson is “we’re obsessed with skin care and dermatologists and beauty products.”

“I fell asleep at 8:30, I was so tired, and I woke up with dried pimple medicine on my nose. He put it on for me in my sleep.”

As for what he’s doing in that room when Kim’s awake, they’re all good in that department, too.

“When I turned 40, everyone said it’s the best sex of your life,” the 41-year-old also said, adding with a wink, “And so far …”

The reality show queen and her 28-year-old King of Staten Island also vibe outside the bedroom. “I never knew you could just be so happy watching [a] TV series or [going] to the gym, from someone that I never thought would go to the gym or had been to the gym before,” Kim said.

A new episode of The Kardashians dropped Thursday on Hulu.

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This Day in Black History: ’The Wire’ debuted 20 years ago

This Day in Black History: ’The Wire’ debuted 20 years ago
This Day in Black History: ’The Wire’ debuted 20 years ago
Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic

On June 2, 2002, the groundbreaking series The Wire debuted on HBO. Due to its in-depth focus on Baltimore’s narcotics scene and its raw portrayal of the city’s drug trade, education, government and bureaucracy, the show was highly scrutinized by some. But to many others it is considered one of the most beloved and celebrated TV shows of the 21st century. 

The Wire spanned 60 episodes across five seasons on prime time television. The series’ creators, former police reporter David Simon and former cop Ed Burns, drew upon real-life experiences to craft complex, accurate storytelling that, to this day, influences and inspires similar projects. 

Some of today’s most celebrated stars trace their beginnings to The Wire — Golden Globe-winning actor Idris Elba is widely known for his role as antagonist Stringer Bell, while Creed star Michael B. Jordan got his start as a young Wallace in the series. The late Michael K. Williams received great praise for his portrayal of stickup man Omar Little, and Wood Harris is well known for his character, Avon Barksdale, a big-time Baltimore drug dealer. 

Twenty years later the show still garners critical acclaim, including the boastful but indisputable — as many critics refer to them — comments made by the creators themselves, who say they’re more than aware of The Wire’s cultural impact. 

“I told you so,” is a phrase Simon uses frequently in a New York Times’ article about the show’s legacy. Because, as Burns tells it, “this show will live forever.”

In honor of The Wire’s 20th anniversary, check out HBO’s official podcast episode, featuring Simon and Burns, narrated by Clifford “Method Man” Smith Jr

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QotSA’s Josh Homme producing new album by country artist Nikki Lane

QotSA’s Josh Homme producing new album by country artist Nikki Lane
QotSA’s Josh Homme producing new album by country artist Nikki Lane
New West Records

The closest thing to a new Queens of the Stone Age album in the last five years may be a new record from country artist Nikki Lane.

Lane has teamed up with QotSA frontman Josh Homme to produce and mix her just-announced new album Denim & Diamonds, due out September 23. Additionally, Homme brought along his bandmates Dean Fertita and Michael Shuman to play organ and bass, respectively, on the record, as well as frequent Queens collaborator Alain Johannes on guitar.

Denim & Diamonds also features Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders, who previously played with Homme on Iggy Pop‘s 2016 Post Pop Depression record, and former Jack White live member Carla Azar.

“I was blessed with the opportunity to deep dive into these songs with Josh Homme and the wonderful band he put together…smack in the middle of lockdown,” Lane shares.

You can listen to the first Denim & Diamonds single, “First High,” now via digital outlets.

The most recent Queens of the Stone Age album is 2017’s Villains.

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

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Sara Bareilles had to memorize entirety of ‘Into The Woods’ within “10 days”

Sara Bareilles had to memorize entirety of ‘Into The Woods’ within “10 days”
Sara Bareilles had to memorize entirety of ‘Into The Woods’ within “10 days”
ABC/Eric McCandless

Sara Bareilles played the Baker’s Wife in the New York City Center Encores! production of Into The Woods this spring — and the “Brave” singer revealed she was given just days to memorize everything.

“It was wild. It’s a fast process through Encores! at City Center,” she told The View. “You get 10 days to learn the show. It is insane.”

The show, which ran for a few weeks before wrapping May 15, also starred Neil Patrick Harris. Sara revealed everyone on the cast was overwhelmed by the grueling schedule. 

“We all had meltdowns, we were all, like, crying in the bathroom during our breaks and stuff. But we just felt like we stumbled on lightning in a bottle,” the Grammy winner said.

Sara said the hard work was well worth it, adding the show “won a Pulitzer Prize for a reason! It’s really, really special.”

The singer also shouted out the “really special cast,” adding everyone was “so excited” to be part of Into The Woods.

The New York City Center production was so successful, it is now heading to Broadway. It will return to the Great White Way for an eight-week engagement at Broadway’s St. James Theatre starting June 28.

Tickets are on sale now via SeatGeek.com/into-the-woods.

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