Kane Brown’s fans have been clamoring for his third album for months now, but the project’s not out just yet — and that’s because the singer’s working hard to make sure it’s a well thought-out, truly representative body of work.
“I’ve definitely taken my time and made sure of the songs I want on there,” Kane tells American Songwriter in the magazine’s latest cover story. “Some I kicked off and put back on again and kicked off again and now they’re back on.”
The singer describes his upcoming project as “very country-rooted.” That’s evident in the new songs he’s put out thus far, including the fiddle-packed chart-topper “One Mississippi” and the slow jam “Leave You Alone.”
Now, Kane’s teasing another new tune, called “Like I Love Country Music,” so country it samples Brooks & Dunn.
But he’s been around long enough to know how it important it is to be intentional with the music he releases.
“At the beginning, I never realized that whatever song I released, [if it’s a hit, then] more than likely I’m going to be singing it through my career,” Kane points out. “So, that’s come into my mind a lot of times on my latest releases.”
He adds, “I think it’s a huge maturing game — definitely.”
Bring Me the Horizon and The All-American Rejects are set to headline the Emo Nite New Orleans Vacation festival, taking place September 29-October 2.
The bill also includes 100 gecs, 3OH!3, State Champs, Fefe Dobson and Pinkshift, among others. For the full lineup and all ticket info, visit EmoNite.com.
Originally started in 2014 as a Los Angels club event celebrating emo and pop-punk music, Emo Nite has since expanded across the country with different tours and festivals. It has often attracted surprise guests, including Horizon frontman Oli Sykes and Machine Gun Kelly, who premiered their collaborative song “Maybe” at an Emo Night LA event this past March.
Last month, Emo Nite came to Coachella and brought Papa Roach‘s Jacoby Shaddix for a performance of “Last Resort.”
Pat Benatar is among the artists who will be welcomed into the Roll & Roll Hall of Fame at the institution’s 2022 Induction Ceremony, which takes place November 5 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
The powerhouse singer, who will be inducted with her husband and longtime musical collaborator, Neil Giraldo, issued the following statement with her husband: “We are thrilled and humbled to become part of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame family. Thank you to everyone who voted especially the fans and congratulations to all the other inductees.”
Benatar and Giraldo also shared their feelings about their impending induction in a Zoom interview with Rock Hall President and CEO Greg Harris that’s been posted on YouTube.
In the clip, Pat explains, “You know, I’ve been lobbying for probably 25 years to get the real story about how everything began. It wasn’t about [just] me…it was about us together. And so I’m really I’m very excited and pleased that we get to go in together because that is the real story.”
She adds, “It feels good and it doesn’t change everything…not in the way that you would think. It’s just really nice for your children, for the legacy, for the fans…But for you, you’re grateful and you’re like, ‘That’s great.'”
Giraldo, meanwhile, acknowledges that the Rock Hall induction is a great honor, while noting that he and Benatar have never been preoccupied with awards and accolades.
“[T]he greatest thing always…[is] when you see and talk to the fans or the people that loved the music [and hear] how it changed their lives,” Neil maintains. “And that’s the most powerful thing you can ask for. And if this helps to exploit that even more, we’ll keep going and we’re not stopping.”
Benedict Cumberbatch can’t reveal much about Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but he did tease it as the “scariest” installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe yet.
Directed by Sam Raimi, the filmmaker behind the Evil Dead franchise and the Tobey Maguire-led Spider-Man trilogy, the sequel to 2016’s Doctor Strange sees the titular hero exploring the multiverse — in some cases unwillingly.
“It’s kind of got a little bit of everything for everybody,” Cumberbatch said Wednesday on Good Morning America, calling it “a bit of a genre-buster” and sharing his hope that it becomes “one of the jewels in the crown of the MCU.”
The two-time Oscar nominee said the sequel is a “really fun ride” that has all of Raimi’s “trademarks,” which he listed as “darker tones,” “jump scares” and “schlock horror,” paired with his experience in the superhero genre.
“I think it’s definitely the scariest of the Marvel films so far, so that was a fun element to bring,” Cumberbatch said.
In addition to bringing back characters like Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, and introducing fans to new characters like Xochitl [SOH-chee] Gomez as America Chavez, there are also numerous rumored cameos — none of which Cumberbatch said he can discuss, save teasing the cast is “phenomenal.”
He added, “I then get to play a couple variants of the character himself to turbocharge his development, which was great fun.”
Cumberbatch says of his magical alter-ego, “I think he’s becoming one of the well-established characters in the pantheon and this sort of phase four that Marvel’s going into with the multiverse he’s the guy cracking it open, so I’m having great fun playing him.”
Marvel Studios is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.
Though she’s been M.I.A from TV screens since her departure from her long-running daytime talk series, The Wendy Williams Show, last September, Wendy Williams says she’ll make a comeback this fall.
While reportedly out and about at a Met Gala after party in New York City on Monday night, TMZ reporters asked Wendy about the prospect of her returning to TV.
“So will you be back on in September? Yes, no, maybe so?” she was asked, to which Wendy responded, “Yes! Yes!” As she walked away hand in hand with Hollywood Unlocked‘s Jason Lee, she raised her arm in the air as if she was excited to make the declaration.
Beyond Wendy’s declaration, there are no further details about her return.
A months-long hiatus away from her trademark purple chair last year prompted The Wendy Williams Show to be canceled after 13 seasons and the announcement of The Sherri Shepherd Show to take its place. And while it’s unclear if she’ll return to her famous New York set to once again ask the audience member co-hosts, “How you doin’?,” Williams tells TMZ, “The Wendy Williams Show lives forever!.”
(WASHINGTON) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday said that the federal government will pay down the national debt this quarter for the first time in six years.
His remarks on economic growth came ahead of the Federal Reserve announcing a hike in interest rates Wednesday afternoon in an attempt to manage soaring inflation.
“Bringing down the deficit is one way to ease inflationary pressures in an economy, where a consequence of a war and gas prices and oil, food, and it all — it’s just a different world right this moment because of Ukraine and Russia,” Biden said.
Inflation is a big political problem for him and fellow Democrats ahead of the midterm elections as Republicans try to capitalize on soaring energy prices.
“For all the talk the Republicans make about deficits, it didn’t happen a single quarter under my predecessor, not once,” Biden said. “The bottom line is the deficit went up every year under my predecessor, before the pandemic and during the pandemic, snd it’s gone down both years since I have been here. Period. There are the facts.”
Biden’s remarks from the White House come after the Treasury Department updated estimates this week to project that the U.S. deficit will fall by over $1.5 trillion this year, a revision from the $1.3 trillion projected in Biden’s budget.
He credited the American Rescue Plan for growing the economy, though that relief bill has also been criticized for contributing to current inflation problems.
“Looking ahead, I plan to reduce the deficit even more which will help reduce inflationary measures and lower the cost for everyone’s families,” Biden said, as he tries to revive a stalled legislative agenda in Congress.
A White House official said, “This deficit reduction is occurring because the robust economic recovery means earnings and incomes are higher, which is increasing revenue, and because the Administration is winding down emergency spending.”
“There is no reason why a billionaire should be paid a lower tax rate than a teacher or firefighter,” Biden said Wednesday. “That is a sharp contrast to what’s today’s Republican Party is offering.”
Raising a plan released by Florida GOP Sen. Rick Scott, Biden blasted what he called “this ultra-MAGA agenda,” which he said would raise costs for Americans families.
The budget deficit fell by more than $350 billion in Biden’s first year, according to the White House, but with inflation at a 40-year high, Republicans are hitting Biden on the economy as the 2022 midterm election cycle kicks off and Americans are still paying more at the pump.
In an effort to manage inflation, the Federal Reserve is expected to raise the short-term interest rate by a half-percentage point Wednesday — double the usual amount and the sharpest rate hike since 2000, meaning it will soon cost Americans more to buy big-ticket items like cars and homes.
The annual deficit has expanded to around $3 trillion due to the pandemic’s blow on the economy, with the gross national debt surpassing $30 trillion for the first time earlier this year. Former President Donald Trump’s massive tax cut in 2017 has added more than $1 trillion to the debt by some estimates — a point Biden hit head on.
ABC News’ Justin Gomez contributed to this report.
Sum 41 guitarist Dave “Brownsound” Baksh is now “cancer free” after having surgery to remove what turned out to be a malignant tumor.
“Around March I found a lump and had it checked out,” Baksh writes in an Instagram post. “Within two weeks I went through surgery in order to get rid of a tumor that ended up being #cancer.”
Baksh adds that his “brush with this serious disease was very short lived,” while thanking his doctors, as well as his family and friends.
“Something incredible that this disease taught me was how many amazing and supportive people I have in my life,” Baksh writes. “I’m beyond thankful for you and I’m forever in your debt.”
He continues, “As of now I’m cancer free and ready to enjoy tour life again with a fresh perspective on everything.”
Said tour life includes Sum 41’s Blame Canada tour alongside Simple Plan, which just kicked off last week.
Meanwhile, Sum 41 has also been prepping a new, double album titled Heaven and Hell.
Britney Spears offered some insight about the emotional damage she endured during her 13-year conservatorship. The singer aired her frustrations in an Instagram post while sharing a photo of her 13-year-old self.
“13 was the age I actually felt kinda pretty … I think my rebellious days were due to the fact that I always had to be perfect and pretty,” Britney began. “Then I went to the extremes and went wild and naughty … but in those rebellious days I honestly still felt hot as f*** !!!”
Britney continued, “One thing the conservatorship did to me … and one of the things that hurt me the most … is that I was always being told I was fat and never good enough !!! My dad always made me feel like I had to try … try … try !!! BIG TIME !!!”
She said the effect of those comments, allegedly made by her father, Jamie Spears, “ruined the deep seed of my existence … the seed that made me feel beautiful like when I was 13 … my confidence … my swag … my inner dialogue … and yes even my sex life … all completely ruined !!! He made me feel ugly … therefore I was.”
Britney assured she’s working on loving herself again and said she “felt so good about myself” when the conservatorship was terminated: “I stopped trying so damn hard and yes I entered a whole new world !!! I felt beautiful … therefore I was !!!”
The “Everytime” singer noted she’s still grappling with the “psychological damage” from her father and the conservatorship, but stressed her focus is now on how she views and feels about herself.
Britney also hinted in a subsequent post she’s writing her tell-all memoir, adding, “Most will say she’s playing the victim but I honestly just say it like it is.”
Keith Urban led a crowd in a powerful rendition of “Love Can Build a Bridge” during a show in Manchester, England this week.
The unforgettable moment happened at Manchester’s 02 Apollo during the European leg of Keith’s The Speed of Now Tour. Of course, Keith’s performance was in tribute to country legend Naomi Judd of The Judds, who died over the weekend.
Keith led the crowd in a sing-a-long of the Judds’ celebrated ballad, while strumming along on his acoustic guitar. He shared footage of the moment on his social channels, along with a remembrance of the late legend.
“Naomi Judd sowed so many important seeds in her precious time here. Here’s one of many,” Keith reflected. “On the other side of the world in Manchester tonight they were all singing ‘Love Can Build a Bridge.’ Thank you Naomi. We love you.”
Keith’s one of many country artists to pay tribute to Naomi’s legacy in the days since her death, which took place just one day before the Judds were officially inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Naomi passed away on April 30 at the age of 76. A joint statement from her daughters, Wynonna and Ashley, stated that the cause of death was related to mental illness.
Entertainment Tonight reports Meg Ryan is making a return to rom-coms for the first time since 2008.
The When Harry Met Sally star is set to direct and star opposite David Duchovny in the upcoming film, What Happens Later, based on Steven Dietz‘s play, Shooting Star.
The movie adaptation, which she co-wrote with Dietz and playwright/novelist Kirk Lynn, follows Ryan and Duchovny as Willa and Bill, an ex-couple “who are reunited when they find themselves snowed in at an airport overnight.” Through the course of the evening, Willa, a free spirit, and Bill, who’s coping with a recent separation, “look back on their shared past and revisit any feelings that still linger between them.”
The producers, in a statement obtained by the outlet, say the rom-com takes “a look at life and love that audiences the world over will relate to and hunger for in these uncertain times when connection and reconciliation feel more important than ever.”
