Page 7362 – 105.7 WDNY

The Doobie Brothers add new dates to 50th Anniversary Tour

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The Doobie Brothers will be takin’ it to even more streets on their current 50th Anniversary Tour — they’ve just added 11 new dates to the trek’s second leg.

Tickets for the new dates, which start September 2 in Bridgeport, CT and run through October 12 in Nashville, TN, go on sale April 8 at 10 a.m. local time via Live Nation. The new dates also include shows in Chicago, LA, Phoenix, Dallas and Sacramento. The Nashville date is the trek’s final stop.

The 50th Anniversary Tour features Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons and John McFee performing together for the first time in more than 25 years. Johnston says in a statement, “We are excited to play more shows in 2022 and will be coming back around to Nashville to wrap things up which is fitting as that’s where we first announced our 50th Anniversary Tour back in 2019.”

As previously reported, the Doobies will do an eight-show Las Vegas limited engagement at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino from May 13 through May 28. Tickets to those shows are available via Ticketmaster.com/DoobieBrothersVegas.

Biden calls Russia’s killings of Ukrainian civilians a war crime but not genocide

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — The killings of Ukrainian civilians committed by Russian forces in Ukraine is a war crime, President Joe Biden said Monday — repeating his accusation that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a “war criminal” who needs to be held “accountable.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of “genocide” on Sunday after hundreds of Ukrainian civilians were found killed in Bucha, a suburb of the capital Kyiv that was retaken by Ukrainian forces. Some of the civilians were buried in mass graves, while others were found dead in the street with their hands tied behind their backs.

The U.S. has stopped short of using the term “genocide” because of its strict legal definition and the heavy implications it carries.

“This guy is brutal and what’s happening with Bucha is outrageous. And everyone’s seeing it,” Biden said.

“We have to continue to provide Ukraine with the weapons they need to continue the fight, and we have to gather all the detail so this can be an actual — have a war crimes trial,” Biden told reporters Monday, but when asked if it were genocide, he said, “No, I think it is a war crime.”

Still, Biden’s call for for a possible war crimes trial raises the pressure on the international community’s response to Russia’s war, which has killed thousands and displaced more than 10 million people.

Biden said he would seek more sanctions against Putin and his government over the atrocities in Bucha, although it’s unclear if more economic pressure will do anything to bring an end to Putin’s campaign, which has shifted away from the Kyiv area to the south and east.

Senate Judiciary Committee to vote on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court nomination

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Joe Biden’s first nominee to the Supreme Court, is expected to pass a major milestone Monday on her way to expected Senate confirmation later this week.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote Monday on whether to send Jackson’s nomination to the full Senate, setting up a final confirmation vote possibly on Friday.

While confirmation is nearly certain for Jackson, it’s unclear how many Republicans will cross the aisle to vote for her.

So far, only one, Maine’s Sen. Susan Collins, has said she would vote for Jackson — and Collins does not sit on the Judiciary Committee.

Ranking Member Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, announced after the committee kicked off its business Monday morning that he will vote no on Jackson’s nomination, paving the way for the 22-member, evenly-split committee to end in a tie vote.

An 11-11 tie will force Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to file a discharge motion to bring the nomination before the full Senate in order to get it out of committee. That motion comes with four hours of floor debate, where some Republicans are expected to try to slow down the process.

If Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska or Mitt Romney of Utah were to vote to advance Jackson’s nomination out of committee on the full floor vote, it may signal how they will vote later in the week when the Senate formally considers Jackson’s nomination to the high court.

But even without Republican support, Democrats have the power to push her nomination forward. The final vote, while bipartisan, will likely be narrower than what the White House had hoped for.

“What I know is she will get enough votes to get confirmed,” White House chief of staff Ron Klain told ABC News’ This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. “In the end, I suppose, that’s the only thing that matters. But I wish more Republicans would look at the case here, look at the record and vote to confirm Judge Jackson.”

With a two-week Easter in sight for senators, Democrats are hoping for a final vote before the weekend.

If confirmed, Jackson would be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.

Carrie Underwood, Old Dominion & more added to CMT Awards lineup

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Carrie Underwood and Old Dominion have been added to the star-studded lineup of performers at the CMT Awards, along with Mickey Guyton, who will team up with acclaimed soul band Black Pumas.

Carrie, who is the most decorated artist in CMT Awards history, will deliver a special performance from her Las Vegas residency, Reflection, at Resorts World Theatre, while Mickey and Black Pumas collaborate on a world premiere performance.

Additionally, after weeks of fans casting their votes, the Video of the Year nominees have been narrowed down to six: Jason Aldean and Carrie’s blockbuster hit, “If I Didn’t Love You”; “Forever After All,” by Luke Combs; “One Mississippi,” from the most nominated act of the night, Kane Brown; Kelsea Ballerini and Kenny Chesney‘s chart-topping duet, “Half of My Hometown”; Cody Johnson‘s first #1 single, “Til You Can’t”; and Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson‘s fiery collaboration, “Never Say Never.”

It was announced last week that The Judds will reunite on the CMT Awards for their first nationally televised performance in more than two decades to perform “Love Can Build a Bridge,” with Kacey Musgraves set to introduce them.

Kelsea will co-host the CMT Awards with actor Anthony Mackie, live from Nashville on April 11, airing at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

“We just have to adapt”: Selma Blair gets real on living with MS

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Actress Selma Blair opens up in the April/May issue of AARP The Magazine, and talks about living — and really living — with multiple sclerosis.

The former Cruel Intentions and Hellboy star first went public that she had MS in 2018, and has since become a role model for others living with the degenerative condition. Her trials and tribulations were chronicled in the documentary Introducing Selma Blair, and in her book, Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up.

Her MS not only informed the book’s content, but how it came together, Selma tells the magazine. “When I sat down to write Mean Baby after the prefrontal brain damage, it came out as if from the 8-year-old I was when I first wanted to write a book!” she laughs, calling that “beautiful.”

Selma also adds, “My mother was a harsh critic, and I always wanted her to edit my book. [When] she died of cancer…I felt such a profound sense of grief and loss. But when I started down the path of embracing life and writing about it, the documentary about me became very rooted in my mother, a love letter to her, as I try to let go.”

The magazine feature and the film spotlight Blair’s optimism, despite her illness. “I’ve always been a talker and prone to drama, so even if my voice falters or goes into a spasm, I talk through it — I’m learning not to give it a rest!” she declares.

Blair also adds, “I realized that if I’m lucky, I could reach 85, MS or not. Our abilities are always fleeting, but when they fail, it’s always treated as a tragedy. How do we enter a chaotic shift in our life without feeling it’s an end to something? We just have to adapt.”

Black Veil Brides “taking time away” from Trinity of Terror tour after Andy Biersack tests positive for COVID-19

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Black Veil Brides are “taking time away” from their Trinity of Terror triple-headlining tour with Motionless in White and Ice Nine Kills after frontman Andy Biersack tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement posted to Twitter Sunday afternoon, Biersack shared he “started to feel an awful sicknesses come on out of the blue” following BVB’s performance in Chicago the previous night.

“[I] developed a high fever and chills,” Biersack wrote. “Unfortunately after multiple tests it is clear that both me and several other members of the BVB touring crew have tested positive for COVID.”

He added, “For obvious reasons and out of an abundance of caution we will be taking time away from the tour until we are cleared to play again.”

The tour will continue as scheduled with Motionless in White, Ice Nine Kills and opener Lilith Czar still playing, though fans who had their hearts set on seeing Black Veil can request a refund at point of purchase.

“We are truly sorry for this awful situation and promise to make it up to any of you looking forward to seeing us as part of the TOT tour as soon as possible,” Biersack wrote. “Thank you for your understanding and we can’t wait to get back out onstage to sing with you all soon.”

BVB drummer Christian “CC” Coma previously tested positive for COVID-19. In his absence, the band played several acoustic shows.

High school sweethearts: These country star couples met way back before fame

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Sure, lots of country star couples first met their better half at work: Blake Shelton first got to know Gwen Stefani on the set of The Voice, for example, and Carrie Underwood met her husband Mike Fisher backstage at one of her concerts.

But there are plenty of long-lasting loves that got their start before their careers started taking off. Luke Bryan and Caroline Boyer, one of the genre’s most beloved couples, first crossed paths as college kids at a bar called Dingus McGee’s. Not only isn’t the bar’s name romantic, Caroline wasn’t immediately charmed by Luke’s big, boisterous personality.

“It took me a couple of days to realize this wasn’t just some drunk college guy — this is how he acts,” Caroline recounts in a spot for Jockey, a company for which both members of the couple serve as brand ambassadors.

George Strait and Alan Jackson have both got the Bryans beat, chronology-wise: Each superstar met his better half in high school. Brantley Gilbert and his wife Amber also met as teens, and Dylan Scott met his now-wife in middle school. Dierks Bentley met his wife Cassidy in middle school, too, and had a crush on her in 8th grade.

But Thomas Rhett just might have everyone else beat: He and his wife Lauren have known each other since their kindergarten days, and tried dating in high school but broke up for a while before ultimately getting married when Thomas was 22.

Now, their love story frequently serves as inspiration for his songs. As he sings in his 2017 hit “Life Changes,” “I’ve been waiting on her since the second grade.”

Ides of March/ex-Survivor member Jim Peterik reveals recent neck surgery; discusses Chicago collaboration

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The Ides of March frontman and ex-Survivor member Jim Peterik revealed in a recent video update posted on his Facebook page that he’s recovering from a neck operation that has sidelined him during the past several weeks.

In the clip, Peterik, 71, is seen wearing a neck brace while sitting at the console of what appears to be his home studio. He explains that he’d recently been experiencing severe headaches and went to a doctor who told him that arthritis in his neck was impinging on a nerve and that if he didn’t have an operation to address the issue he could be paralyzed in a couple of months.

Peterik says he had the surgery about a month ago and reports that it went very smoothly, while admitting his recovery has been a bit difficult and that he’s experiencing a lot of pain. He points out that former Grand Funk Railroad frontman Mark Farner had a similar operation about four years ago and that Farner told him it took him about a year to recover, adding, “Hopefully it’ll be quicker than that [for me].”

Jim says he’s taking it easy, but has begun rehearsing with The Ides of March for some upcoming shows, the first of which is scheduled for April 27 at the City Winery in Chicago. He also reveals that the group will be playing an as-yet-unannounced special show in June backed by a full orchestra.

Meanwhile, Peterik shared some details about a few music projects he’s been working on, including a collaboration with Chicago‘s Robert Lamm, with whom he’s written songs for that band’s next studio album. Jim says that album will be released at the end of June, and its title is the name of one of the tunes he co-wrote.

Machine Gun Kelly notches second-straight number-one album with ’Mainstream Sellout’

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

True to his word, Machine Gun Kelly did not “lose to the Encanto soundtrack.”

The “Bloody Valentine” rocker’s new album, Mainstream Sellout, has debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, following in the footsteps of his first chart-topper, 2020’s Tickets to My Downfall.

“Against all odds…we went #1 again,” Kelly tweeted in celebration of the news. “You have my heart forever. Thank you.”

Mainstream Sellout moved a total of 93,000 equivalent album units in its first week, 42,000 of which were traditional album sales. It’s the first rock record to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 since AC/DC‘s Power Up accomplished the feat in November 2020.

Leading up to Mainstream Sellout‘s release, Kelly had been vocal about wanting another number-one record after notching his first with Tickets. In an interview with Billboard, he said, “One thing about Machine Gun Kelly: He doesn’t lose to the Encanto soundtrack.”

For what its worth, the Encanto soundtrack sits at number three on this week’s Billboard 200. The album previously led the chart for nine non-consecutive weeks, the most by far for any record in 2022.

MGK will launch a U.S. tour in support of Mainstream Sellout in June. The arena outing will also feature artists including Avril Lavigne, Travis Barker and WILLOW on the bill for select dates.

“We will never forget this day”: Brothers Osborne, Carrie Underwood react to Grammy wins

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Brothers Osborne and Carrie Underwood are reflecting on the weight of their Grammy Award wins.

Brothers Osborne, the duo of John and TJ Osborne, took home their first Grammy Sunday night for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, for “Younger Me.” The brothers got emotional onstage while accepting the award during the pre-show, as the song was inspired by TJ’s coming out journey after sharing publicly that he is gay in February 2021.

After accepting the award, the twosome turned to Instagram to share more about their win.

“We have so many people to thank but if there are two people that deserve notoriety it’s our younger selves. Little TJ and John stuck it out as awkward teenagers and proved what they were certain would happened and what their older selves probably doubted,” the duo wrote, adding that “it took years of grinding and hard work” to get here. “We will never forget this day for as long as we live. Thank you all for sticking it out with us through everything.”

Carrie also walked away a winner, as her album, My Savior, picked up the Grammy for Best Roots Gospel Album. “I love this album ( #MySavior ) so much and I truly believe it is the most important album I have ever made! Thanks to all who supported! I am eternally grateful!” she wrote alongside a photo of herself backstage, proudly holding the trophy.

The superstar also performed her new single, “Ghost Story,” live for the first time, while Brothers Osborne tore up the Grammys stage with “Dead Man’s Curve.”

Chris Stapleton walked away as the most winning country act of the night for Best Country Album, Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance.

+ More