‘My Chains Are Gone’: Reba McEntire releasing CD and DVD of gospel hymns

‘My Chains Are Gone’: Reba McEntire releasing CD and DVD of gospel hymns
‘My Chains Are Gone’: Reba McEntire releasing CD and DVD of gospel hymns
MCA Nashville

Reba McEntire is breaking the chain in an upcoming DVD and CD collection.

Next month, Reba will release a CD and DVD combo titled My Chains Are Gone, in which she presents gospel classics. The DVD features a live recording of Reba’s debut solo headlining show at the Ryman Auditorium in 2017, where she performed a series of hymns including “How Great Thou Art,” “I’ll Fly Away” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” along with original songs “Back to God” and “God and My Girlfriends.”

Fans will also get to see the country legend perform with her peers, teaming up with Trisha Yearwood and Kelly Clarkson on “Softly and Tenderly,” while gospel group The Isaacs sing “In the Garden/Wonderful Peace” and “It Is Well with My Soul.”

The My Chains Are Gone CD adds a duet with Lauren Daigle on an acoustic rendition of “Back to God.”

Both the DVD and CD will be released on March 25, with a special broadcast of performances from the DVD airing on UPtv the same night at 8 p.m. ET.

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Kendrick Lamar’s ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ spotlighted in five-episode podcast

Kendrick Lamar’s ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ spotlighted in five-episode podcast
Kendrick Lamar’s ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ spotlighted in five-episode podcast
TDE/Aftermath/Interscope

Fresh from his appearance at the Super Bowl halftime show, Kendrick Lamar is taking a deep dive into his 2015 album on a new podcast.

Starting Wednesday, season two of the Big Hit Show podcast, produced by the Obamas‘ Higher Ground Productions, will spotlight K-Dot’s acclaimed album To Pimp a Butterfly, the follow-up to his 2012 debut Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. The description reads, “The best rapper alive tries to figure out what to do next, channeling the pressures of fame and the pain of a generation into a career-defining masterwork.”

In the trailer, we hear the “Alright” rapper saying of the album, “Y’know, in hip hop, we have this thing, ‘the sophomore jinx.’ I took it upon myself to do something that inspires me.”

He explains, “It was me explaining my experiences and what emotions it brought up from that experience, and tell them like, ‘Yo, it’s something bigger than Compton, and where we from’”

To Pimp a Butterfly ended up on numerous year-end best-of 2015 lists, and received seven Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year.

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The Dropkick Murphys singer Al Barr drops off upcoming tour due to mother’s health

The Dropkick Murphys singer Al Barr drops off upcoming tour due to mother’s health
The Dropkick Murphys singer Al Barr drops off upcoming tour due to mother’s health
Paul Bergen/Redferns

The Dropkick Murphys singer Al Barr won’t be joining the band for their upcoming tour due to his mother Ingrid‘s health.

In a statement released Tuesday, the Celtic punks shared that Ingrid has recently suffered a series of strokes, and has been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia.

“Dropkick Murphys have always been about FAMILY,” the statement reads. “And in the spirit of FAMILY FIRST, Al has had to make the very difficult decision to stay home for the rest of the year to care for his Mom.”

The affected dates include the Murphys’ upcoming U.S. tour, which kicks off February 21 in Reading, Pennsylvania, and concludes with a multi-night hometown run in Boston to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Barr will also miss the group’s summer European tour, which launches in June.

“We appreciate your compassion for Al’s family,” the band says. “We know as part of our family you will understand and support us in dealing with these difficult times.”

For the shows, Dropkick co-singer Ken Casey will be handling lead vocal duties, with assists from special guests.

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Megan Thee Stallion launches new charity foundation to mark 27th birthday

Megan Thee Stallion launches new charity foundation to mark 27th birthday
Megan Thee Stallion launches new charity foundation to mark 27th birthday
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for dcp

Megan Thee Stallion has marked her 27th birthday by officially launching her new charity foundation.

According to People, the Grammy winner unveiled the Pete and Thomas Foundation — named in honor of her her parents, Pete Jr. and Holly Thomas. The foundation is focused on four key initiatives that are near and dear to the rapper’s heart — education, health and wellness, as well as housing.  

“Launching the Pete and Thomas Foundation is easily one of the most significant endeavors that I’ll ever be part of in my career,” Megan said. “My family raised me to help others and give back, so I’m incredibly proud to be in a position to accomplish that goal. I have a responsibility to use my platform to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those who may not have access to resources and support services.”

The foundation will assist struggling schools by providing scholarships to students and donating necessary supplies and resources.  The nonprofit will also advocate for housing needs for the nation’s most vulnerable, such as senior citizens and single mothers, and also focus on supporting cancer care, food insecurity and mental health initiatives.

According to a press release, Megan also surprised three deserving people with financial assistance on her birthday — a cancer survivor, a student and a senior citizen.

This is the latest development in Megan’s philanthropic work.  In December, she committed to opening an assisted living facility in Houston that will hire recent college graduates so they may gain the experience needed to succeed in the competitive job market.

“I’m still going to open up these assisted living facilities and I definitely want to hire new college graduates… I want to create a place where you can get experience,” she told Rolling Stone then.

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Stevie Nicks among headliners for inaugural Sound on Sound festival in Connecticut this September

Stevie Nicks among headliners for inaugural Sound on Sound festival in Connecticut this September
Stevie Nicks among headliners for inaugural Sound on Sound festival in Connecticut this September
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Stevie Nicks is among the artists who will headline the inaugural Sound on Sound festival, taking place September 24-25 at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

The other headliners for the event are Dave Matthews and The Lumineers. Matthews will be performing as a duo with his frequent collaborator, Tim Reynolds.

The bill, which features more than 20 acts in all, also includes Ziggy Marley, Spin Doctors, Gary Clark Jr., Brandi Carlile, Jenny Lewis and The National.

Sound on Sound is being put on by Founders Entertainment, the same company behind New York City’s annual Governors Ball Music Festival. For the full lineup and ticket info, visit SoundonSoundCT.com.

Nicks also is confirmed to perform at three other U.S. festivals this year — on May 7 at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival; on June 19 at Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee; and in early September at the JAS Aspen Snowmass event in Snowmass, Colorado.

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The Hu announces US headlining tour dates

The Hu announces US headlining tour dates
The Hu announces US headlining tour dates
Martha Fitzpatrick/Redferns

The Hu has announced a headlining U.S. tour.

The spring outing, dubbed the Black Thunder tour, will kick off April 16 in San Diego, a day after the Mongolian rockers play Coachella. Tickets go on sale this Friday, February 18, at 10 a.m. local time.

During the Black Thunder tour, The Hu plans to play a few songs off the group’s forthcoming sophomore album, due out later this year. The currently untitled record will follow The Hu’s 2019 debut, The Gereg.

For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit TheHuOfficial.com.

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“Freedom Was a Highway”: Jimmie Allen and Brad Paisley drive to #1

“Freedom Was a Highway”: Jimmie Allen and Brad Paisley drive to #1
“Freedom Was a Highway”: Jimmie Allen and Brad Paisley drive to #1
BBR Music Group

Third time’s a charm for Jimmie Allen, as he tops the chart with his latest single, “Freedom Was a Highway.” 

Jimmie and his duet partner, Brad Paisley, have claimed the #1 spot on country radio this week, making for Jimmie’s third consecutive #1 single and Brad’s 25th overall. In Jimmie’s catalogue, it follows his debut single, “Best Shot” and its follow up, “Make Me Want To,” off his debut album, Mercury Lane. 

“Yo @bradpaisley this song was a fun one. I appreciate you doing this song with me and giving it that BP Swag. Thank you to country radio for supporting this song,” Jimmie writes on Instagram, thanking members of his team, band and crew. “To all the people that have requested this song, bought and streamed it thank you!!!!” 

“Honored to ride shotgun with you @jimmieallen. I’ll be the Sally Fields to your Burt Reynolds anytime,” shares Brad alongside a photo of he and Jimmie posing with a bottle of Brad’s American Highway bourbon brand. 

“Freedom Was a Highway” first appeared on Jimmie’s 2020 EP, Bettie James, and later on Bettie James Gold Edition.

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Zoë Kravitz working on new album with Jack Antonoff

Zoë Kravitz working on new album with Jack Antonoff
Zoë Kravitz working on new album with Jack Antonoff
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images; Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images

Jack Antonoff has found yet another collaborator: Zoë Kravitz.

The actor and musician tells ELLE that she’s been working on her debut solo album with the Bleachers frontman, who’s also produced records with Taylor Swift, Lorde, St. Vincent and Lana Del Rey.

“It feels vulnerable, and it’s a little scary,” Kravitz says of the album. “But making music makes me happy.”

Those who watched the Kravitz-starring series High Fidelity may recall that Antonoff made a cameo appearance as himself during an episode.

Kravitz previously released two albums with her band Lolawolf. In addition to working on new tunes, she’ll be starring as Catwoman in the upcoming movie The Batman alongside Robert Pattinson, who’ll be playing a Kurt Cobain-inspired version of the Caped Crusader. The film premieres in theaters March 4.

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BTS’ V is the latest member to test positive for COVID-19

BTS’ V is the latest member to test positive for COVID-19
BTS’ V is the latest member to test positive for COVID-19
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

V from BTS is the latest member of the band to battle COVID-19.  The group’s label, Big Hit Music, announced V’s diagnosis on Tuesday.

According to Billboard, the pop singer took a PCR test after complaining of a mildly sore throat and the results came back positive.

Big Hit said in a statement on the messaging app WeVerse, “V completed two rounds of COVID-19 vaccinations and is not presenting any extraordinary symptoms other than a mild fever and sore throat. He is currently undergoing treatment at home while waiting for further guidelines from the health care authorities.”

“There was contact with the other members on Saturday the 12th, but everyone was wearing a mask, and there was no close contact. None of the BTS members other than V are presenting any symptoms, and everyone received negative results from the preemptive self-test,” the statement continued.

Big Hits stressed, “The company places the artists’ health as our top priority and we will do everything we can to aid V in his speedy recovery. We will also diligently cooperate with the requests and guidelines of the health care authorities.”

V, whose birth name is Kim Taehyung, is the fifth member of BTS to come down with COVID-19.  Previously, RM, Jin, Jimin and Suga battled the virus and have all made complete recoveries.  Jimin had the biggest health scare of the group, as his diagnosis was confirmed when he was about to undergo surgery for acute appendicitis after complaining of abdominal pain.  He reached out to fans on February 2 and let them know he is “recovering well.”

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Puscifer announces summer US tour dates

Puscifer announces summer US tour dates
Puscifer announces summer US tour dates
Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

Puscifer has announced a U.S. tour for this summer.

The headlining run, which marks the Maynard James Keenan-led band’s first trek through the States since 2016, launches June 9 in Las Vegas, and will wrap up July 10 in Seattle.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, February 18, at 10 a.m. local time. For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit Puscifer.com.

Puscifer will be touring behind their new album, Existential Reckoning, which was released in 2020. The band celebrated the record’s release with a streaming concert, which will be released on vinyl and, of all things, VHS on February 25.

In between the headlining dates, Puscifer will also play this year’s Bonnaroo in June. Keenan will pull double duty at the Tennessee festival, at which he’ll be playing with Tool, as well.

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