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Dwyane Wade receives honorary degree, Gunna reportedly denied bail in RICO case and more

May 23, 2022 by WDNY Radio

–Former pro baller Dwyane Wade celebrated an educational accomplishment this weekend when he received his honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Marquette University.

Returning to his alma mater to accept the honor, Wade also served as the commencement speaker for the undergraduate class of 2022.

In his speech, he told a personal anecdote about his failure to pass the ACT exam and fear of not attending Marquette to play basketball, only for the coach to believe in him beyond his physical abilities and continue with the offer to the school. Wade says he remembers being “terrified” but called the moment “exhilarating.” He encouraged the students to find solitude in scary moments in life.

–Unfortunately for Gunna, it doesn’t look like the rapper will be released from jail anytime soon.

According to ABC affiliate WSB, an Atlanta judge denied bond for Gunna, born Sergio Kitchens, after prosecutor Don Geary argued that the rapper is one of the main members of the alleged Young Slime Life gang involved in the RICO case.

Expressing concern over the safety of witnesses, the judge decided not to side with Gunna’s defense attorney, Steve Sadow, who proposed a list of conditions for the rapper’s bond, including a $750,000 secured bond and house arrest with electronic monitoring, among other things.

Gunna’s trial is set for January 9, 2023.

—Oprah Winfrey recently visited the set of the upcoming movie musical The Color Purple. The legendary TV host and executive producer of the film says she “burst into happy tears” at the sight of Danielle Brooks, who’ll reprise Winfrey’s 1985 role as Sophia. “It felt like the baton was truly being passed on in one of the most special moments in my life,” she said.

Person of interest identified in unprovoked NYC subway shooting: Sources

May 23, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Police have identified a person in connection with the unprovoked fatal shooting of 48-year-old Daniel Enriquez on a Q train in New York City on Sunday, according to police sources.
The person, who is still at large, is a 25-year-old man from Brooklyn with about 20 prior arrests, including an outstanding gun charge from last year. He also has prior arrests for assault, robbery, menacing and grand larceny, sources said. His name has not been released.

Detectives have also recovered the gun used in the shooting.

It is believed the suspect handed the gun to a homeless man as he fled the Canal Street station. The homeless man then apparently sold the gun for $10 to a third person, who reported it to police, the sources said.

The New York Police Department released surveillance photos Monday of the suspect believed to have shot Enriquez taken shortly after he exited the subway.

The motive for the shooting is still unknown.

Witnesses say the suspect was pacing back and forth in the last car of a Manhattan-bound train around 11:45 a.m. when he pulled out a gun and fired it at Enriquez unprovoked, according to NYPD Chief of Department Kenneth Corey.

The shooting comes a little over a month after a Brooklyn subway rider opened fire on a train car, wounding 10 people. The suspect in that shooting, Frank James, was arrested one day later in lower Manhattan.

Transit crime is up 62.5% in the city year-to-date from 2021, according to NYPD statistics.

Johnny Depp’s lawyers pounce on expert’s claims Amber Heard would have been as big as Zendaya, Jason Momoa

May 23, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The final week of testimony continued in the Johnny Depp defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard. Unlike much of last week’s testimony, most of the witnesses on Monday were live in the Fairfax, Virginia, courtroom.

Depp’s attorneys had a chance to cross-examine a series of expert witnesses brought to the court by Heard’s team. Among them was Dr. Richard Moore, a hand surgeon from Wilmington, North Carolina, who claimed the actor’s fingertip could not have been severed by a vodka bottle thrown by Heard, as he claimed.

On cross-examination, however, Moore admitted he never treated Depp and, in the end, he couldn’t “definitively” say what happened to the actor’s finger, except that it appeared “crushed.”

Another witness who was brought to testify by Heard’s attorneys was Kathryn Arnold, who was billed as an expert in the movie industry.

She testified that Heard could have been as big a star as Jason Momoa, Chris Pine, Wonder Woman herself Gal Gadot and Emmy winner Zendaya, but for negative social media attention Heard got as a result of her controversial Washington Post op-ed that Depp claims defamed him.

She missed her “Star is Born moment,” Arnold insisted.

On cross-examination, one of Depp’s attorneys, Wayne Dennison, managed to flummox Arnold, insisting these names were not “comparable actors” to Heard.

“She’s never been the title character in a movie, she’s never been on, what, eight TV shows [like Momoa],” Depp’s attorney said. “You are giving her the same career as Mr. Momoa,” he insisted, incredulous.

“Zendaya is so famous she goes by one name,” the attorney pressed, sarcastically.

On Wednesday, Depp‘s ex Kate Moss is expected to testify live via video. The model, who dated Depp from 1994 to 1997, previously defended Depp against abuse allegations.

Depp’s lawyers were previously seen celebrating quietly when Heard mentioned a tabloid story that claimed Depp threw the model down a flight of stairs. The moment on the stand opened up the opportunity to have Moss defend their client during this trial — and gives Depp’s lawyers the chance to question Heard’s exes, if they choose to do so.

Judge Penney Azcarate has set closing arguments for May 27.

Let Harry Styles lull you to sleep with a house-themed bedtime story

May 23, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Harry Styles is the latest celebrity to record a bedtime story for the British kids’ TV channel CBeebies. For his story, he really leaned into his Harry’s House theme by reading a book by Jess Hitchman called In Every House, On Every Street.

In the sweet video, Harry, wearing brown and blue polka-dot pajamas and a beaded necklace, opens by saying, “Hi, I’m Harry. Welcome to my house. I love it here. I like to listen to music and read and hang out with my friends. Tonight’s story is about a house full of love and laughter.”

Harry goes on to read the story, which features a kid who takes readers through each room in his house, pointing out all the special things that he and his family do there, and wondering if other people’s homes are just as special.

After declaring that he loves the story, Harry notes, “It doesn’t matter if you live in a house, a flat or a boat — it’s love that turns wherever YOU live into a home.”

You can watch it now on YouTube.

Nashville notes: Parker McCollum, Jimmie Allen & more

May 23, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Parker McCollum‘s “Pretty Heart” has been certified two times Platinum by the RIAA and “To Be Loved By You” is certified Gold. Parker was surprised with plaques commemorating the achievements at his sold-out show at Ascend Amiptheatre in Nashville on Saturday.

Jimmie Allen and Walker Hayes are appearing at the K-LOVE Fan Awards this week. Jimmie will present at the ceremony, while Walker performs with Christian singer Riley Clemmons. The show will film in Nashville on Friday and air on TBN on June 3.

The War and Treaty have signed a record deal with UMG Nashville. The husband-and-wife duo of Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter performed with Dierks Bentley at the 2021 ACM Awards.

Ye, XXXTentacion’s “True Love” out this Friday

May 23, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Part of New Music Friday this week will be a new song by Ye and late Florida rapper XXXTentacion called “True Love.”

The song reportedly appeared on Ye’s Donda 2, which was released in February this year. Since the album was only made available via Ye’s Stem Player, many fans haven’t heard the track.

The song’s official release comes by way of Columbia Records and will appear on XXXTentacion’s upcoming project, Look at Me: The Album and Ye’s Donda 2, which will have a rerelease soon. According to a press release, the song’s cover art, designed by Ye, features a few of X’s handwritten notes, scanned from a journal that his mother found recently.

“True Love” plays over the end credits of Look at Me: XXXTENTACION, a documentary that will begin to air on Hulu this Thursday, May 26.

The Lumineers, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Alanis Morissette headlining inaugural Oceans Calling Festival

May 23, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The Lumineers, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds and Alanis Morissette will headline the inaugural Oceans Calling Festival, taking place September 30 to October 2 in Ocean City, Maryland.

Other artists on the bill include Cage The Elephant, Young the Giant, Dirty Heads, Jimmy Eat World, Sublime with Rome, Grouplove, Toad the Wet Sprocket and Wilderado. Festival co-founder O.A.R. will also perform multiple sets.

“We are thrilled to host Oceans Calling Festival in Ocean City, Maryland, and celebrate all our incredible city has to offer,” says Mayor Rick Meehan. “Thank you to C3 Presents and Maryland’s own O.A.R. for bringing an event of this magnitude to the Ocean City Boardwalk. We look forward to seeing everyone!”

Tickets go on sale this Wednesday, May 25, at noon ET. For the full lineup and all ticket info, visit OceansCallingFestival.com.

Miranda Lambert one of ‘Time’s “100 Most Influential People of 2022”

May 23, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Miranda Lambert‘s influence is expanding beyond country music’s borders.

Miranda has been named one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People of 2022” and is the only country star to appear on the elite list of world figures, politicians, artists and more.

“I’m so honored to join this year’s class of #TIME100. I only ever wanted to sing and write songs and thanks to y’all I’ve gotten to do that and so much more,” the “Tin Man” singer says of the distinguished honor. “Thank y’all for being on this journey with me.”

A tribute written by Miranda’s “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” duet partner, Elle King, refers to the superstar as an “acclaimed performer and songwriter” who’s intentional about “making everybody feel welcome.” Elle also praised Miranda for including her as part of the all-female lineup for her 2019 Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars Tour.

“That’s her vibe: she’s all about making everybody feel welcome. And there is not one inauthentic hair on her head,” the singer says, citing Miranda as a “true country queen.” “Her shows are incredible; from start to finish, she gives it her absolute all … But the reason that I like Miranda so much is because she is one of the absolute funniest people I’ve ever met. When she and I get together, we don’t lose our voices because we’re singing or because we’re drinking. It’s because we laugh the whole time.”

Miranda and Elle recently topped the country charts with “Drunk,” which became the first #1 female country duet in nearly 30 years.

Billie Eilish opens up about having Tourette’s syndrome: “I’ve made friends with it”

May 23, 2022 by WDNY Radio

If you’re a fan of Billie Eilish, you probably know that she has Tourette’s syndrome, which causes people to make sudden, involuntary movements or sounds. If you’re wondering what that must be like, check out Billie’s new interview on David Letterman‘s Netflix series My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, in which she opens up about living with Tourette’s since she was diagnosed at the age of 11.

During the interview, Billie starts “ticcing,” as it’s called. When Letterman asks about it, she says, “It’s really weird, I haven’t talked about it at all.”

She adds, “I’m very happy to talk about it. I actually really like answering questions about it because it’s really interesting, and I am incredibly confused by it. I don’t get it.”

The “Happier Than Ever” singer details her various tics, which include wiggling her ear, raising her eyebrow, clicking her jaw, moving her head, opening her mouth and flexing various muscles in her arms.

“These are things you would never notice if you’re having a conversation with me, but for me, they’re very exhausting,” she says.

Billie had been unhappy with her tics, but now, she tells Letterman, they’re a “part” of her. “I have made friends with it, so now I’m pretty confident in it,” she says.

“So many people have it and you’d never know. A couple [other] artists have come forward and said, ‘I’ve always had Tourette’s,'” Billie reveals. “And I’m not going to out them because they don’t want to talk about it. But that was really interesting to me because I was like, ‘You do? What?'”

Perhaps most interestingly, though, Billie says she never tics while she’s performing, nor when she’s “moving, thinking, focusing,” singing or riding her horse.

Dolly Parton finally got her hands on a Taco Bell Mexican Pizza: “I have been longing for this moment”

May 23, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza made its triumphant return to the menu last week after a two-year hiatus — and of course, Dolly Parton had to go out and grab one.

“I have been longing for this moment for so long!” the country legend said on social media, before unboxing her first Mexican Pizza since the menu item was discontinued in 2020. “Oh, look at that. Is that not beautiful?! It looks almost too good to eat … but I’m gonna.”

Dolly then dug in, assuring fans that it was every bit as tasty as she’d thought it would be. “You gotta get you one of these. Oh, mercy,” she said in between bites. “It was worth the wait.”

But Dolly did more than just wait for the return of the Mexican Pizza. She also signed on to participate in the Taco Bell TikTok musical Mexican Pizza, which was propelled by the discontinued menu item’s fervent cult following.

One Mexican Pizza fanatic is rapper Doja Cat, who wrote a rap asking Taco Bell to bring the pizza back and will also participate in the Mexican Pizza musical alongside Dolly.

The musical will air on Taco Bell’s TikTok channel on May 26 at 8 p.m. ET.

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