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Modest Mouse, My Morning Jacket announce US tour dates

February 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

If you read SPIN magazine in the mid-2000s, then we’ve got some tour announcements for you.

Modest Mouse has announced a U.S. run with support from The Cribs, kicking off May 19 in Eugene, Oregon, and running all the way into August. The new dates follow the “Float On” outfit’s previously announced April tour.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, February 18. For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit ModestMouse.com.

Meanwhile, My Morning Jacket will hit the road on a headlining tour beginning April 19 in Memphis, Tennessee. That trek will run all the way into September.

You can also grab tickets for MMJ this Friday. Visit MyMorningJacket.com for the full list of dates and all ticket info.

Both Modest Mouse and My Morning Jacket will be touring in support of their 2021 albums, The Golden Casket and My Morning Jacket, respectively.

Bebe Rexha to serve as a guest mentor for ‘American Idol”s 20th season

February 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

A couple of years ago, Bebe Rexha was one of the celebrities who contestants got to duet during one round of American Idol. Now, she’s returning to the show as a guest mentor.

The top 24 contestants are taping the show’s semi-final round at the Disney Aulani Resort in Hawaii, and the “Meant to Be” singer is there with them, along with another guest mentor: country star Jimmie Allen, who actually auditioned for American Idol himself, earning golden tickets during seasons 10 and 11. He returned to help mentor two of the top 24 last season.

Ahead of season 20, American Idol producers said that former contestants would return to mentor this year’s hopefuls, but so far, none of them have been announced. At the time, host Ryan Seacrest said he’d like to see all the alums return, from Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard to Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson.

The 20th season of American Idol kicks off Sunday, February 27 on ABC with judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.

Jimmie Allen to serve as guest mentor on new season of ’American Idol’

February 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Jimmie Allen is returning to American Idol.

On Tuesday, the hit country singer revealed that he will be a guest mentor on season 20 of the ABC show. Jimmie made the announcement from one of his favorite places, Disney, broadcasting live from the Aulani Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii with Minnie Mouse posing in the background.

“I cannot wait for you guys to see the talent they have in store for you,” he shares.

Jimmie is no stranger to the American Idol stage. He auditioned in 2011 for season 10 of the hit show and made it to the Hollywood round, where he was eliminated. He also performed on American Idol last year with contestants Alanis Sophia and Cecil Ray.

Jimmie will share mentoring duties with Bebe Rexha, known for her hit “Meant to Be” featuring Florida Georgia Line, who’s also been tapped as a guest mentor this season.

Jimmie’s fellow country superstar Luke Bryan returns as a judge when American Idol season 20 premieres on February 27 on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Lizzo announced as keynote speaker at South by Southwest Festival

February 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Lizzo has been tapped to deliver one of the Keynote addresses at this year’s South By Southwest Conference and Festivals, which will run from March 11 to March 20 in Austin, Texas and online.

In the announcement, Lizzo is described as a “global superstar, three-time Grammy Award-winning artist and executive producer of Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrls, a new unscripted series premiering this spring on Prime Video.”

In August of 2020, Lizzo announced a deal with Amazon Prime Video that would see her creating TV series for the streaming service. Last year, she put out a casting call for a then-untitled reality show, saying she was looking for full-figured dancers and models to join her “dream team of beautifully talented big grrls.” Seems like we’ve now got a title for that show, as well as an idea of when we can expect it.

Other keynotes announced Tuesday include one from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee Beck, and one from noted author Neal Stephenson. There will be one keynote speaker each day of the conference. For the full, star-studded lineup of the entire event — the closing night of which will feature the premiere of Atlanta season three — visit SXSW.com.

Billie Eilish to return to the Hollywood Bowl for Peggy Lee tribute

February 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

In 2021, Billie Eilish starred in the Disney+ special Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles, which was filmed at the iconic Hollywood Bowl. Now she’ll be returning to the famed venue later this year to pay tribute to one of her biggest musical influences: Peggy Lee.

Billie will be one of the special guests at the Bowl’s Tribute to Peggy Lee & Frank Sinatra, where she’ll be performing alongside the likes of Blondie‘s Debbie Harry, actor and singer Brian Stokes Mitchell, jazz artist Dianne Reeves and more. The event takes place on July 27, and you can buy tickets now.

Last year, it was reported that Billie was in talks to executive-produce a biopic of Lee, who was one of the most popular jazz singers of the big band era. Best known for her song “Fever,” she was the first female artist to be nominated for an award Billie’s won twice: Grammy’s Record of the Year.

The Hollywood Bowl is celebrating its 100th Summer Season this year. Starting June 11, it’ll host concerts by Diana Ross, Duran Duran, Sheryl Crow, Boyz II Men and more, as well as a production of the Broadway musical Kinky Boots and a singalong presentation of The Sound of Music with yet-to-be-announced special guests.

Listen to Death Cab for Cutie’s cover of Yoko Ono’s “Waiting for the Sunrise”

February 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Death Cab for Cutie has released a cover of the Yoko Ono song “Waiting for the Sunrise.”

The cover was recorded for the upcoming Ono tribute album Ocean Child, which was curated by Death Cab frontman Ben Gibbard.

You can listen to the DCFC version of “Waiting for the Sunrise” now via digital outlets. Ocean Child, which also features contributions by artists including David Byrne, The Flaming Lips, Sharon Van Etten and Japanese Breakfast, will be released February 18.

Death Cab’s most recent album is 2018’s Thank You for Today.

Five for Fighting hitting the road with rock band lineup this summer

February 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Five for Fighting‘s most recent tour dates have seen John Ondrasik performing solo with a string quartet backing him up. But he’s just announced a string of tour dates this summer that will feature him performing with a full rock band.

The tour kicks off July 22 in Burnsville, Minnesota, and is scheduled to wrap up August 12 in Bay City, Michigan. Opening the dates will be The Verve Pipe, best known for the 1997 hit “The Freshmen.” Tickets are available at FiveforFighting.com.

“After years of string quartet, symphony, and solo concerts, I’m thrilled to put the Five for Fighting rock band back on the road!” John says in a statement. “It is fitting that we are joined by my good friend Brian Vander Ark‘s [band] The Verve Pipe, as his song, ‘The Freshmen,’ was a brother-in-arms to [my hits] ‘Superman’ and ‘100 Years’ for so many when they were released.”

He adds, “There has never been a time when audiences and musicians need each other more. And I am energized and excited to get back on the bus, and go ‘Back to the Future!'”

If you’d prefer to see Five for Fighting with a string quartet, John is playing a string of dates with that set-up from May 6 through May 21.

Mickey Guyton meets Prince Harry: “He was just lovely”

February 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Mickey Guyton had a stacked Super Bowl weekend that included crossing paths with royalty.

After her game-opening performance of the national anthem at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, where the Cincinnati Bengals faced off against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Mickey ran into none other than Prince Harry during the weekend’s festivities.

“I met Prince Harry. He was just lovely. I even curtsied in my track suit,” Mickey writes in an Instagram post that also features a photo of the two posing in the backstage area. In the pic, the country singer is donning red sweatpants and a sweatshirt while the masked-up Duke of Sussex is wrapping his arm around her.

2 Broke Girls star Beth Behrs and former Nashville actor Sam Palladio were among those who shared their praise in the comments, with Mickey’s country peers like Lindsay Ell, Grand Ole Opry host Natalie Stovall and Reyna Roberts also commenting on the royal meeting.

Mickey’s rendition of the national anthem also drew praise, with the likes of Reese Witherspoon, Halle Berry and Brothers Osborne commending her performance.

Elvis Costello announces North American summer featuring Nick Lowe opening most dates

February 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Elvis Costello and his longtime backing band The Imposters have unveiled plans for a 20-date North American summer tour in support of their recently released studio album, The Boy Named If.

So far, 15 shows have been confirmed for the trek, which has been dubbed “The Boy Named If & Other Favourites,” spanning from an August 6 concert in Huber Heights, Ohio, through a September 3 performance in Las Vegas.

Opening most of the shows will be Elvis’ old pal and collaborator Nick Lowe, who will be performing with the wrestling-mask-wearing surf-rock band Los Straightjackets. This will mark the first time since 1989 that Costello and Lowe have toured together. Singer/songwriter Nicole Atkins, who lends guest vocals to The Boy Named If track “My Most Beautiful Mistake,” will be the support act at the Huber Heights concert and an August 9 show in Buffalo, New York.

Lowe’s association with Costello dates back to the 1970s, and Nick produced Elvis’ first four studios albums and co-produced two others. Elvis also famously covered “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding,” which Nick wrote in 1974 for his early band, Brinsley Schwarz.

Playing with The Imposters on the upcoming trek will be guitarist Charley Sexton, a longtime member of Bob Dylan‘s touring band. Sexton also joined Costello and The Imposters on their 22-date “Hello Again” tour in 2021.

Tickets for the upcoming concerts is year’s outing go on sale to the general public starting this Friday, February 18. Pre-sale tickets for many of the shows also will be available. Visit ElvisCostello.com for more information. More dates will be announced soon.

Lionel Richie said he nearly had a “nervous breakdown” when he thought he was losing his voice

February 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Lionel Richie has opened up about a scary moment in his life when he thought he had lost his singing voice.

Speaking to People, the “Hello” hitmaker recalled when he was struck by a mysterious throat illness during the height of his career and how he had to undergo multiple surgeries to treat it. “You don’t want anybody fooling around down there. This is your identity,” he said of having doctors operate on his throat four separate times. “I never really thought that it would end.”

Lionel battled his throat condition amid his divorce from ex-wife Brenda Harvey and while grappling with the loss of his father, Lionel Brockman Richie Sr., who passed in 1990. Lionel said during that time, he came “About as close as you ever would’ve come to a nervous breakdown.”

The 72-year-old Grammy winner recalled a chance meeting with a fan that put it all in perspective, saying an elderly Black man walked up to him while he was in Jamaica and told him, “You must survive because you are our beacon of hope…If you make it, we know we can make it. If you accomplish, we know we can accomplish.” Lionel said he “was crying” as the man told him that.

Richie has since discovered it was diet-induced acid reflux that was causing his issues, and has made a full recovery.

Lionel shared the lesson his father taught him about maintaining a positive outlook on life, which is, “Aptitude plus attitude determines altitude.”

“If you happen to have both, sky’s the limit, but if you’re only blessed with one, have the right attitude because people will love to have you around,” Lionel shared.

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