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Dolly Parton donates $1 million to pediatric infectious disease research: “No child should have to suffer”

June 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Dolly Parton donates million to pediatric infectious disease research: “No child should have to suffer”

Dolly Parton’s famous for her generous spirit, especially when it comes to protecting children, and she made another huge contribution this week in support of kids facing illness.

The country superstar has donated $1 million to pediatric infectious disease research at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). Her donation will support the fight against diseases such as COVID-19 as well as prevent and understand antibiotic resistance and diagnose and treat infections in children who are fighting cancer.

“I love children,” Dolly says in a statement. “No child should ever have to suffer, and I’m willing to do my part to try and keep as many of them as I can as healthy and safe as possible.”

In 2020, Dolly donated $1 million to VUMC to help develop the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. She has also made major contributions to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt’s Pediatric Cancer Program.

Dolly’s donations in support of children’s causes also extend to education: She established her Imagination Library as a way to promote literacy, gifting a free book each month to children under five years old.

‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ director reveals Taylor Swift only used instruments made before 1953 for “Carolina”

June 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Taylor Swift kept her new song “Carolina” period correct for the upcoming film Where the Crawdads Sing.

Director Olivia Newman joined Reese Witherspoon for a roundtable discussing the upcoming film and revealed Taylor made the song authentic to the early ’50s, which is when the first half of Where the Crawdads Sing is set.

Witherspoon, who produced the film, revealed she “freaked out” when she found out the Grammy winner tailor made “Carolina” especially for the movie — without telling anyone.

“She read this book and loved it so much, and then she heard we were making a movie [while] she was making her folklore album and then she wrote a song with that whole folklore team, which was so haunting, and magical and beautiful,” Witherspoon continued to gush. “I was blown away.”

Added Newman, “She had gone and written this song out of just pure inspiration and sort of said, ‘I don’t know if you’ll like it, but here it is!'” The director added Taylor “wrote this gorgeous letter to us explaining how they chose instruments that were only available before 1953 and she recorded it in one take the way they recorded songs at the time.”

Newman also admitted, “The first time I listened to it, I just started bawling and I said, ‘I don’t know what’s happening to me right now.’ I mean, I love singing along to Taylor Swift songs but I never cry like this.”

Newman, who is also a fan of the book and its earthshaking ending, said Taylor perfectly captured the “very specific feeling” readers experience upon finishing the last chapter. “We wanted to leave audiences with that same sort of emotional feeling and her song just leans right into that,” she said.

Where the Crawdads Sing arrives in theaters July 15.

Mo’Nique settles salary suit with Netflix

June 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Comedian and Oscar-nominated actress Mo’Nique has “amicably” settled a 2017 lawsuit against Netflix, in which she claimed she was given a “low-ball” offer for a comedy special and then retaliated against when she cried foul.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, both parties agreed to drop any legal action in exchange for an undisclosed settlement.

At the time, Mo’Nique leveled claims of race and sex discrimination against the streaming service, claiming the $500,000 she was offered by the streamer paled in comparison to the multimillion deals Netflix gave Dave Chappelle, Amy Schumer and others.

For her part, Mo’Nique said at the time she couldn’t accept the deal, knowing that her name would be used as a way to tamp down the requested price tag for other Black female comics, like Tiffany Haddish and others.

“When Mo’Nique, one of the most well-known black female comedians in America, faced that anachronistic attitude, she knew it was time to challenge the status quo,” said her attorney, Michael W. Parks, in a statement at the time.

Netflix had denied the Precious Oscar nominee’s discrimination accusations.

However, The Hollywood Reporter notes a federal judge overseeing the case agreed with Mo’Nique’s assertions, calling it “plausible” that her name and her salary — had she agreed to it — could be used “in dealing with talent in the entertainment industry.”

Star-studded streaming event celebrating new Everly Brothers compilation taking place Sunday

June 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The new Everly Brothers compilation Hey Doll Baby gets its release this Friday, June 17. To celebrate that album’s arrival, a star-studded streaming concert event will premiere this Sunday, Father’s Day, at 4 p.m. ET on the famed duo’s official YouTube channel.

The event, dubbed “Hey Doll Baby Festival: Celebrating the Lives & Music of The Everly Brothers,” will feature new and archival performances by Paul Simon with wife Edie Brickell, Graham Nash with Stephen Stills‘ son Chris, The Grateful Dead‘s Bob Weir with The Black Crowes‘ Chris Robinson, Carly Simon with son Ben Taylor, Eurythmics‘ Dave Stewart with Evanescence‘s Amy Lee, founding Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers members Mike Campbell and Stan Lynch, The Bangles‘ Susanna Hoffs with Semisonic‘s Dan Wilson, Chris Isaak, Jakob Dylan and more.

Also making appearances during the livestream will be the late Phil Everly‘s son Jason and the late Tom Petty‘s daughter Adria Petty, who curated the Hey Doll Baby album.

The album is a 17-track collection that features newly remastered versions of classic songs mixed with some lesser-known tunes by the sibling duo of Phil and Don Everly. The compilation was assembled by Adria Petty, who worked closely with the families of both late Everly brothers. Jason Everly contributed track-by-track commentary to the liner notes, while Don also took part in the project prior to his death in August 2021.

You can preorder Hey Doll Baby now.

Meanwhile, Gibson has just released a new limited-edition signature Everly Brothers acoustic guitar based on the matching SJ-200 models that Phil and Don recorded most of their memorable hits with, including “Bye Bye Love,” “Wake Up Little Susie” and “All I Have to Do Is Dream.”

Priced at $7,999, the guitar is available now at Gibson.com and EverlyBrothers.com.

Patti LaBelle, Ciara and more to appear on ABC News’ ‘Sound of Freedom – A Juneteenth Celebration’

June 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

ABC News will be commemorating Juneteenth and Black Music Month with a special featuring some of music’s biggest stars.

Set to air on Friday, June 17, Sound of Freedom – A Juneteenth Celebration, presented by the network’s Soul of a Nation series, will be hosted by country music star Jimmie Allen and will include performances from Patti LaBelle, Marvin Sapp and Jon Batiste. Also expected are conversations with Ciara, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who will discuss the importance of ownership in music with ABC News’ Janai Norman, as well as a segment that will see ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott put a spotlight on some of the “all-Black production teams behind major artists and groups.”

The primetime special is set to air Friday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and will be available to stream on Hulu the following day. It’s the third year in a row that the network has produced the special, but according to co-executive producer Catherine McKenzie, it is one of the most important specials to date.

“From gospel and country to jazz, rock and today’s pop hits, every genre of American music is influenced by the Black Diaspora and our stories of survival, joy, pain and resilience,” McKenzie says in a press release. “We’re looking forward to taking viewers on this musical journey in one of our most significant specials yet.”

Co-executive producer Quiana Burns adds that it’s “a must-watch for all viewers.”

What a doll: Warner Bros. teases Ryan Gosling as Ken in ‘Barbie’ movie

June 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Most fans already think Ryan Gosling is a doll, but he literally is one come to life as Ken in the upcoming Warner Bros. Barbie movie.

The studio has teased a first image of the actor in the role — complete with bleach blond hair; hiked down denims revealing ‘Ken’ on his undies; an open, sleeveless denim vest showing off his eight pack; and a skin tone matching his plastic alter ego.

Margot Robbie stars as the titular blonde bombshell in the film, which was co-written and directed by Oscar nominated Little Women writer/director Greta Gerwig.

The romantic comedy also stars SNL vet Kate McKinnon, tick, tick…BOOM!‘s Alexandra Shipp, Superstore‘s America Ferrera, Shang-Chi‘s Simu Liu, Will Ferrell and And Just Like That… actor Hari Nef.

Barbie is set to roll into theaters in her Dream Car on July 21, 2023.

Dr. Anthony Fauci tests positive for COVID

June 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — Dr. Anthony Fauci, a senior adviser to the president on the pandemic, has tested positive for COVID-19.

Fauci, 81, hasn’t had recent close contact with President Joe Biden or other senior officials, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Fauci, who has mild symptoms, tested positive via a rapid antigen test, according to the NIAID.

He’s fully vaccinated and received two boosters, the NIAID said in a statement.

“Dr. Fauci will isolate and continue to work from his home,” the statement said. “Dr. Fauci will follow the COVID-19 guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and medical advice from his physician and return to the NIH when he tests negative.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Arcade Fire’s ‘WE’ makes long list for Canada’s 2022 Polaris Music Prize

June 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Arcade Fire‘s new album WE has made the long list for the 2022 Polaris Music Prize.

The prestigious honor is given to the best Canadian album of the year and awards the winning artist $50,000.

WE is one of 40 albums that are included on the long list, which was whittled down from a total of 223 records that were considered. Its competition includes pop star The Weeknd‘s Dawn FM and masked country musician Orville Peck‘s Bronco.

The short list of the final 10 albums will be revealed July 14, ahead of the Polaris Gala on September 19.

Arcade Fire, which hails from Montreal, previously won the 2011 Polaris Music Prize for The Suburbs. They also made the short list with 2007’s Neon Bible and 2013’s Reflektor.

WE, Arcade Fire’s sixth studio album, was released in May. The band will launch a U.S. tour in support of the record in October.

Report: Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom move to Australia for upcoming project

June 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Shortly after revealing she moved to Kentucky, Katy Perry has packed her bags and is now living Down Under with fiancé Orlando Bloom.

Marie Claire Australia reports the “Roar” singer was spotted at Sydney Airport with 13 bags of luggage. Katy reportedly donned a disguise for her big move and had daughter Daisy Dove with her. Witnesses say the family boarded a private plane to Cairns, and word on the street is they’ll be living there for the next three months.

Bloom has been cast in the movie Wizards! alongside Pete Davidson and Naomi Scott. Deadline reports the movie follows two potheads who find themselves in hot water after getting their hands on some stolen property. It is unknown what role Bloom has in the film.

Last month, Katy revealed on the Dear Chelsea podcast that she had been living in Kentucky. As with this new move to Australia, she had been in the Southern state to support her fiancé as he filmed Red Right Hand.

For those wondering how this will affect her PLAY residency in Las Vegas, the concert series picks up on July 29 — giving Katy plenty of time to enjoy the great Down Under with her family.

Disturbed teases video for new single premiering “in the very near future”

June 15, 2022 by WDNY Radio

We’re inching closer to new Disturbed music.

In an Instagram post Tuesday, guitarist Dan Donegan shared that the band was filming a video for the first single off their upcoming album.

“First single off the new album coming in the very near future,” he wrote in the caption.

Earlier this year, frontman David Draiman shared that the record, the follow-up to 2018’s Evolution, was “completed.” In a tweet earlier this month, Draiman wrote that he was “very proud” of the “amazing” album, adding that it includes a “surprise track…that’s going to blow your minds.”

Disturbed will be playing a number of U.S. festivals this summer, including Summerfest and Inkcarceration.

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