Last year, Carrie Underwood released her first holiday album, My Gift, and this year, she re-released it with several bonus tracks, including her current hit, “Favorite Time of Year.” Carrie says it details the many things that make the holiday season everyone’s favorite time of year.
“[It’s] a song about all of the things that make you smile during Christmas,” she explains. “There’s so much about Christmas that is absolutely wonderful. Obviously, the birth of Jesus, that’s what we’re celebrating, but there’s so many other things too – like the presents, the family, the weather, the decorations – just all those things, all wrapped up.”
“I love the song because it’s just, it’s hard to sing it without smiling. It’s hard to listen to it without smiling,” Carrie adds. “I think it’s a perfect addition to the rest of my Christmas song collection.”
There’s another reason why this season is Carrie’s favorite time of year: She just kicked off her Las Vegas residency, called REFLECTION, at Resorts World Las Vegas, and will perform it again tonight, tomorrow night, December 8, 10 and 11. She’ll return in March and April for more shows, and she just added six additional shows for May.
In addition to “Favorite Time of Year,” the deluxe version of My Gift includes another new song called “All Is Well,” and a medley of “Let There Be Peace/Something in the Water,” recorded live during her 2020 HBO Max special MY GIFT: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood.
Harry Styles found himself to be the focus of a very odd rumor after a teenage TikTok user joked he stole a microwave from a concert venue.
The viral video, shared by Dianna Rainone on Friday, shows text messages between the 18-year-old and her father, who reportedly works for the UBS Arena in Long Island, New York, which hosted Harry’s final Love On Tour show. Her father claims in the text, “Harry [S]tyles stole our crew microwave” and doubles down when his daughter reacts in disbelief.
Dianna also recalled Harry telling the venue, “I will be leaving my mark on the UBS Arena” before ending his concert. She added in the video’s caption she couldn’t stop thinking about Harry “running full force [with] a microwave.”
The teen had no idea her joke would spark such a massive rumor and told the New York Poston Monday, “I went to bed that night not even checking the app and I woke up to over like 20,000 views and 12,000 likes which was insane.”
As for why she shared the joke to begin with, she said her father “hit me out of nowhere saying the crew microwave was missing and he had joked around saying Harry Styles stole it. I could not stop laughing, so I figured why not make a TikTok about it.”
Dianna, who confirmed the venue’s microwave is still MIA, assures fans Harry is not considered a suspect.
“It would be hilarious if Harry took the microwave, but my dad said someone probably moved it to clean or something,” she explained. “I really hope Harry does not see this– I’ll die of embarrassment.”
The “Adore You” singer has yet to react to the rumor.
Ringo Starr has been confirmed as a guest performer on the recently announced fifth annual edition of his brother-in-law Joe Walsh‘s VetsAid charity concert, which will be held virtually on December 18.
This year’s fundraiser, dubbed VetsAid 2021: The Basement Show, will be streamed live from Walsh’s basement studio starting at 8 p.m. ET via the Veeps.com platform. Tickets for the event, and special VIP merch bundles, are available now at VetsAid.Veeps.com. All proceeds will benefit veterans services charities.
As previously reported, the event will feature Walsh performing live with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench and three legendary session musicians — guitarist Waddy Wachtel, bassist Lee Sklar and drummer Russ Kunkel — as well as surprise guests. Joe is expected to premiere some brand-new music during the performance.
In addition, unaired footage from the four previous VetsAid events will be shown as part of this year’s presentation, as will recently shot footage of a visit that Walsh paid to the US VETS facility in Long Beach, California. During his excursion to the facility, Joe treated veterans in attendance to a performance of his solo hit “Life’s Been Good” and a storytelling session.
The VetsAid show also will feature a tour of the Eagles guitarist’s studio and some of his personal guitar collection, as well as a Q&A session moderated by Joe’s wife, Marjorie, and stepson Christian Quilici, during which Walsh will answer fan-submitted questions.
“[W]hile we couldn’t be together in Columbus [Ohio] as originally planned, I thought I’d do something special and invite everybody over to my house instead!” Joe says about the virtual benefit. “So c’mon and join us for some great music and a glimpse of how I live, work, play and make music with my friends!”
For Carrie Underwood, Christmas is a time for family, making new memories and music.
Growing up in Checotah, Oklahoma, Carrie recalls the beloved family tradition of traveling to a local nursing home with her parents and two older sisters to spread Christmas cheer through song.
“Christmas was always about family. One thing that we always did growing up that was one of my favorite memories, on Christmas Eve we would go to my grandparents’ house. Us kids were always responsible for putting oranges and apples and bananas in little paper bags and we would go down to the nursing home and sing Christmas carols,” the singer explains.
And while Carrie and family would sing holiday classics, the superstar has since written some of her own original holiday songs, including “Favorite Time of Year.” Featured as an Amazon Music bonus track off her 2020 debut Christmas album, My Gift, the festive track can now be heard in an ad for Ring Video Doorbell.
Carrie says the song is intended to wrap the listener in Christmas joy and reflect the true meaning of the holiday.
“’Favorite Time of Year’ is a song about all of the things that make you smile during Christmas. There’s so much about Christmas that is absolutely wonderful,” she describes, referencing such staples of the holiday as family, presents and decorations. “All those things all wrapped up to make the favorite-ist time of year, the favorite of year. I love the song because it’s hard to sing it without smiling, it’s hard to listen to it without smiling. I think it’s a perfect addition to the rest of my Christmas song collection.”
Carrie has been getting into the holiday spirit with recent performances on CMA Country Christmas and Christmas in Rockefeller Center.
For the 50th anniversary of “What’s Going On,” H.E.R. will perform the Marvin Gaye classic Tuesday on the People’s Choice Awards. The iconic title track of the Motown legend’s 1971 album has sold over two million copies, and remains famous five decades later as the anthem for the social unrest of the 70s.
Presenters during the show will include Cardi B, Tracee Ellis Ross, Leslie Jones, Lil Rel Howery, Mike Epps, Paris Jackson, and Wanda Sykes. As previously announced, Halle Berry will receive “The People’s Icon” Award.
Kenan Thompson will host the 2021 People’s Choice Awards which will air simultaneously on both NBC and E! on Tuesday, December 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, CA
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Monday’s sports events:
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Indiana 116, Washington 110
Oklahoma City 114, Detroit 103
Philadelphia 127, Charlotte 124 (OT)
Memphis 105, Miami 90
Atlanta 121, Minnesota 110
Chicago 109, Denver 97
Milwaukee 112, Cleveland 104
Phoenix 108, San Antonio 104
Golden State 126, Orlando 95
LA Clippers 102, Portland 90
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Colorado 7, Philadelphia 5
Ottawa 3, New Jersey 2 (SO)
Washington 4, Anaheim 3 (SO)
Dallas 4, Arizona 1
Vancouver 4, Los Angeles 0
Pittsburgh 6, Seattle 1
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
New England 14, Buffalo 10
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Houston 77, Alcorn St. 45
Texas Southern 69, Florida 54
(NEW YORK) — As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.2 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 789,000 Americans, according to real-time data compiled by Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering.
Just 60% of the population in the United States is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Latest headlines:
-France shuts down night clubs as cases rise
-2nd omicron case detected in Los Angeles
-Northeast sees highest number of child cases since beginning of pandemic
-NYC mandating vaccines for all private sector employees
-Man who became one of the 1st omicron cases in US speaks out
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Dec 06, 8:12 pm
Omicron detected in Harris County, Texas
Harris County, Texas, Judge Linda Hidalgo tweeted Monday night that the area recorded its first case of the omicron COVID-19 variant.
The judge shared few details about the case but said the patient was “a woman in her 40s from [north west] Harris County with no recent travel history.”
ABC News’ Scottye Kennedy
Dec 06, 6:05 pm
France shuts down night clubs as cases rise
French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced that the country’s night clubs will be closed for four weeks starting Friday, amid rising cases in the country.
“We are doing this because the virus is spreading amongst young people, even those who are vaccinated, because it is extremely difficult to keep a mask on at these venues,” Castex said at a news conference Monday.
The decision came after the French Health Defense Council held a meeting to decide on what new health measures have to be taken to stop the spread of the virus in France.
Castex also announced that primary school students would have to wear face masks at recess and between classes — not only inside the classroom — starting Thursday.
France will not follow other European Union countries, like Germany and Italy, that are imposing restrictions on unvaccinated residents, the prime minister said.
ABC News’ Christine Theodorou
Dec 06, 5:57 pm
2nd omicron case detected in Los Angeles
Los Angeles health officials announced Monday a second case of the omicron variant was detected in the county.
The patient is a student at the University of Southern California, who was returning from a trip from the East Coast, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
The student likely acquired the infection outside of LA county, health officials said in a statement.
“The individual is fully vaccinated, had mild symptoms, and is self-isolating,” the health department said in a statement.
Officials at USC said the student “did not attend classes or organized activities on campus during their infectious period.”
ABC News’ Bonnie McClean and Jen Watts
Dec 06, 3:17 pm
Northeast sees highest number of child cases since beginning of pandemic
Another 133,000 children tested positive for COVID-19 last week, according to a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association. Hospital admissions among children have also increased by 20% over the last week, according to federal data.
The Northeast is currently seeing its highest number of child cases since the beginning of pandemic, though the Midwest continues to see the highest number of pediatric cases.
Twenty million children ages 5 to 17 have received at least one vaccine dose, accounting for about 38.3% of that population.
Severe illness due to COVID-19 remains “uncommon” among children, the two organizations wrote in the report. However, AAP and CHA continue to warn that there is an urgent need to collect more data on the long-term consequences of the pandemic on children, “including ways the virus may harm the long-term physical health of infected children, as well as its emotional and mental health effects.”
(NEW YORK) — As the criminal trial of British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime companion of serial sex offense Jeffrey Epstein, entered its second week, a woman identified by the pseudonym “Kate” testified that Maxwell recruited and groomed her for sexual activity with Epstein when she was a young woman, under the pretense that they were “friends.”
“Kate” said she was approximately 17 years old and living in London when she met Maxwell during a trip to Paris. “Kate” gave Maxwell her phone number, she said, and Maxwell called her a few weeks later to invite her over for tea. “Kate” was excited, she said, to have made such a “sophisticated and elegant” connection.
“She seemed to be everything I wanted to be,” she said. “She seemed as excited as I was to have a new friend.”
Within a few weeks, “Kate” said,” she was engaging in sexually explicit massages with Epstein at Maxwell’s London townhouse, which was in the same neighborhood where “Kate” then lived with her mother.
Prior to her testimony, Judge Alison Nathan read to the jury a “limiting instruction” informing them that “Kate” was over the legal age of consent at all relevant times and locations, and therefore the jury cannot convict Maxwell of any charges in the indictment based on her testimony. The government is thus only permitted to describe her as a “witness” but not a “victim.”
Prosecutors argued that “Kate’s” testimony was relevant to show Maxwell’s modus operandi and that Maxwell knew that massages with Epstein would be sexualized.
During her first trip to Maxwell’s home in London, “Kate” said she noticed lots of photographs of Maxwell with an older man with peppered hair. The man in the pictures, she learned later, was Epstein, and Maxwell introduced “Kate” to him as “the girl I told you about” on her next visit.
Maxwell, “Kate” said, encouraged her to massage Epstein’s feet and shoulders. Epstein was “very approving,” she said, but then he took a phone call, “Kate” said, and Maxwell ushered her out. A few weeks later, “Kate” said, Maxwell called again, claiming a massage therapist had cancelled at the last minute, and she asked if “Kate” could “do her a favor” by coming over to massage Epstein again.
This time, “Kate” said Maxwell led her upstairs to a small, dimly-lit room with a massage table. Epstein was wearing a robe, but he took it off after Kate entered. Maxwell, she said, closed the door. Asked by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Pomerantz if Epstein initiated sexual conduct with her during the massage, Kate answered, “Yes.”
On her way out, “Kate” said Maxwell asked, “How did it go? Did you have fun? Was it good? She seemed very excited and happy and thanked me again.”
Two days later, “Kate” said, she returned to give Epstein another massage, and Maxwell lead her to the same room where further sexual contact with Epstein occurred. Afterwards, “Kate” said, Maxwell told her, “You’re such a good girl. … He really likes you.”
“Kate” traveled with Epstein and Maxwell occasionally over the next several years, she said, visiting them in Florida, New York and the Virgin Islands. Kate said she understood Maxwell’s role to be “to take care of Jeffrey’s needs” and noted that she seemed very involved in managing the properties and staff.
Maxwell’s attorney have sought through the case to distance her from Epstein, suggesting in their opening statements that Epstein hid his prurient activities from others, including Maxwell.
“Jeffrey Epstein manipulated the world around him and the people around him,” Maxwell attorney Bobbi Sternheim said last week. “He compartmentalized his life, showing only what he wanted to show to the people around him, including Ghislaine.”
During one visit to Epstein’s Palm Beach estate, “Kate” said she arrived at her guest room to find a “schoolgirl outfit” laid out on her bed. When she asked Maxwell why it was there, “Kate” said Maxwell told her she “thought it would be fun for you to take Jeffrey his tea in this outfit.”
Asked why she continued to spend time Epstein and Maxwell despite what she alleges was happening, “Kate” said she “wanted to maintain a relationship with Ghislaine.”
“I thought,” “Kate said, “she was going to be my friend.”
During cross examination by Sternheim, “Kate” acknowledged she was in contact with Epstein through 2012 — including emails before, during and after he was incarcerated in Palm Beach. And in one email correspondence in 2011, “Kate” was the one who initiated contact with Epstein to say she wanted to visit him in New York.
“Kate” said was not in contact with Maxwell during that same period.
During her testimony, “Kate” acknowledged that she had abused alcohol, cocaine and sleeping pills in her teens and young adulthood but she denied that substance abuse could have impacted her memories of Epstein and Maxwell.
“The memories I have of significant events in my life have never changed,” she said.
Foo Fighters have announced a new show in Minneapolis after the initially scheduled date was canceled due to the original venue’s “refusal to agree to the band’s COVID safety measures.”
Dave Grohl and company will now hit the Twin Cities on August 3 at U.S. Bank Stadium, the home of the Minnesota Vikings NFL team.
Upon canceling the originally announced show, which was set for Huntington Bank Stadium on August 3, the Foos said, “We apologize for any inconvenience and are working on finding a suitable replacement — one that will prioritize the health and safety of everyone working and attending the show.”
Previous Foo Fighters concerts have required attendees to show proof of vaccination or a negative test.
Along with the new Minneapolis show, the Foos have also announced a second performance at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, for May 18 after the first date, May 16, sold out.
Tickets go on sale this Friday, December 10, at 10 a.m. local time. For all ticket info, visit FooFighters.com.
The Blessings and Miracles Tour gets underway on March 25 in Kennewick, Washington, and currently is mapped out through an April 16 concert in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
The shows will feature Santana performing hits and other memorable tunes from throughout the group’s 50-plus-year career, as well as selections from Blessings and Miracles.
Tickets for some shows go on sale to the general public this Friday, December 10, at 10 a.m. local time, while pre-sale tickets to select concerts will be available starting on Tuesday, December 7, at 10 a.m. local time. Visit Santana.com for more information.
News of the new 2022 tour dates comes just a few days after Carlos canceled his planned December concerts in Las Vegas because he had to undergo what was described as an “unscheduled heart procedure.” “I’m gonna be taking time out for a little bit to make sure that I replenish and I rest….so that when I play for you, I will play the way I’m used to and give you 150%,” Carlos said in a video statement. “I wouldn’t show up unless I can do that.”
As previously reported, Blessings and Miracles features collaborations with Steve Winwood, Matchbox Twenty‘s Rob Thomas, Diane Warren, G-Eazy, Living Colour‘s Corey Glover, Metallica‘s Kirk Hammett and late jazz great Chick Corea.
Besides the Blessings and Miracles tour, Santana’s 2022 schedule also includes Las Vegas residency performances in January, February and May, and a North American co-headlining tour with Earth, Wind & Fire running from June to August.
