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‘Billboard’ crowns Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” the greatest holiday song of all time

November 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

It’s only a matter of days until Christmas songs are back on the radio — but which one is the greatest of all time? According to Billboard, that honor goes to Mariah Carey‘s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

On Friday, the service unveiled its Greatest of All Time Holiday 100 Songs chart, and spoke to the Grammy winner, who reminisced about creating the 1994 smash-hit.

“When I wrote [it], I had absolutely no idea the impact the song would eventually have worldwide,” she said. “How could I? It was so early on in my career and most young artists, at that time, weren’t really making Christmas music at the onset of their careers.”

That gamble paid off. The Economist said that, as of 2017, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” had amassed over $60 million in royalties and was now considered the best-selling holiday single by a female artist.

When looking back at what makes the song so special, Mariah hints that her mood at the time may have something to do with it.

“When writing [it], I was tapping into a bittersweet mixture of longing and festiveness,” she recalled. “I had grown up wishing I could have a functional family Christmas like the ones I saw on TV or in the movies, but truth is…that never happened! So, I wrote the song for the little girl in me filled with holiday spirit.”

The singer shared the big announcement to Instagram, and called the honor “truly humbling.”

Rounding out the top five of Billboard‘s newest list of all-time greatest holiday songs chart are Brenda Lee‘s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” Bobby Helms‘ “Jingle Bell Rock,” Nat King Cole‘s “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)” and Burl Ives‘ “A Holly Jolly Christmas.”

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2000 version of 1966 David Bowie song from his unreleased ‘TOY’ album issued as digital single

November 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

A previously unheard 2000 version of the 1966 David Bowie song “Can’t Help Thinking About Me” that Bowie recorded for his unreleased album TOY, was made available today as a digital single along with an unreleased live version of the same tune.

The studio version of “Can’t Help Thinking About Me” also will appear on the recently announced Bowie box sets Brilliant Adventure (1992–2001) and TOY (TOY:BOX), which will be released on November 26, 2021, and January 7, 2022, respectively.

The live rendition of “Can’t Help Thinking About Me,” which is exclusive to the digital single, was recorded at London’s Maida Vale Studios on October 25, 1999, for a BBC Radio show hosted by presenter Mark Radcliffe.

The original recording of “Can’t Help Thinking About Me” was the first song David released under the name David Bowie.

In conjunction with the single’s release, a video of Bowie performing “Can’t Help Thinking About Me” at the Elysée Montmartre in Paris in October 1999 has been posted on David’s official YouTube channel.

As previously reported, TOY was a planned album that Bowie recorded in 2000 that featured updated versions of songs that date from 1964 through 1971.

The full TOY album will get its first official release as part of Brilliant Adventure (1992–2001), an expansive collection that also includes remastered editions of five 1990s Bowie studio albums, a previously unreleased live album and a compilation of rarities.

The TOY (TOY:BOX) set also will include the originally planned TOY album, as well as alternative mixes of the TOY tracks and tunes intended as B-sides, and stripped-down, mostly acoustic mixes of the songs.

You can pre-order Brilliant Adventure (1992–2001) and TOY (TOY:BOX) now. Visit DavidBowie.com for more information.

Ryan Reynolds on “bait” headline about him wanting to be James Bond: “I was not even remotely serious”

November 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Well, it was fun while it lasted.

Ryan Reynolds has thrown cold water on a headline in U.K. newspaper The Times of London that he wanted to play James Bond.

“I hear they’re looking for a new Bond. Could you accept a Canadian sipping gin and tonic instead of a martini? If so, I’m interested,” said the film star and Aviation American Gin owner in the article.

The Times ran with the headline that Deadpool wanted to slip into Daniel Craig‘s tux, but hours later, Reynolds took to social media to say not so fast. Or, as he responded on Twitter to a fan who endorsed the idea, “No no no.”

“I promise you I was not even remotely serious here,” Reynolds replied to The Times‘ tweet, adding the Mad Max: Fury Road GIF of Tom Hardy saying, “That’s bait.”

Well, at least that Reynolds fan can take comfort in watching Ryan in a James Bondian adventure, his latest film, Red Notice, on Netflix.

Prosecution rests in Elizabeth Holmes trial after nearly 11 weeks

November 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(SAN JOSE, Calif.) — Federal prosecutors have rested their nearly 11-week case against Elizabeth Holmes, the former Theranos CEO accused of misleading investors to bankroll her one-time multibillion-dollar Silicon Valley start-up despite no evidence its blood-testing technology could perform as promised.

“The United States rests,” Prosecutor Jeff Schenk told the court Friday morning.

Holmes’ defense team is expected to call witnesses before the case goes to the jury. She was charged with 10 counts of wire fraud — one of which was dropped — and two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

The 37-year-old faces decades in prison if convicted. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges related to Theranos, which received hundreds of millions of dollars from investors by claiming its breakthrough technology could quickly diagnose a variety of diseases from a few drops of human blood.

The government called 29 witnesses to the stand, starting in early September, including former U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis, a former Theranos board member who said he was in the dark about the technology’s shortcomings.

Prosecutors also questioned investors, including white-shoe lawyer Dan Mosley, whose long-time client Henry Kissinger was on the Theranos board and introduced him to Holmes. Mosley personally invested $6 million and put Holmes in touch with many of his wealthy clients, such as the Waltons, the family behind Walmart; the Coxes, the billionaires behind Cox Enterprises; and the DeVoses, the Amway heirs and family of former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

Jurors also heard from former Theranos employees who gave insight into the company’s labs and other dealings, and patients who described receiving purportedly inaccurate Theranos test results after getting blood drawn at various Walgreens locations.

Prosecutors concluded their case with testimony from journalist Roger Parloff, who wrote a 2014 cover story on the ascending Silicon Valley CEO for Fortune Magazine.

ABC News spoke to Parloff for “The Dropout” podcast in 2019.

“I got caught up in this woman’s story,” Parloff told ABC News at the time. “I began to drink the Kool-Aid. … I think I asked the right questions. I just got the wrong answers.”

The reporter recorded around 10 hours of interviews with Holmes, excerpts of which the government played in court on Thursday.

Santa Clara Law Professor Ellen Kreitzberg, who has sat through much of the trial, said the government likely ended with Parloff because his article was seen by many of the investors, and the jury got to hear the statements Holmes made to him in her own voice.

“That can be very powerful,” Kreitzberg said.

It’s unclear whether Holmes will testify. Kreitzberg said the defense likely will think “long and hard” before offering her up as a witness.

“From a lawyer’s perspective, I just can’t imagine that they want to put her on the stand,” she told ABC News. “There are too many questions and documents that are not easily explained.”

ABC News’ Victoria Thompson and Taylor Dunn contributed to this report.

Russell Dickerson revisits “Home Sweet,” with an assist from Lady A

November 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Early in 2021, Russell Dickerson shared “Home Sweet” as the second single off his Southern Symphony album. Now, he’s treating fans to a special new version of the song, co-starring country star trio Lady A.

The band has had a special connection to “Home Sweet” from the start, as Lady A’s Charles Kelley is a co-writer on the song. It’s an especially personal one to Russell, too, as its lyrics reflect aspects of his love story with his wife, Kailey.

“When we wrote this back in 2018, we had no idea it would go on to become Russell’s life in words,” Charles says. “Shortly after we wrote this, he did become a dad and move into his first home with his wife. I’m grateful to be a small part of such a personal song and message from Russell.”

The feeling is mutual, as the singer says it was a no-brainer including Lady A on this new version of the track.

“I wrote this song with Charles from Lady A so bringing them in on this song felt so natural,” Russell adds. “Hillary, Charles and Dave’s legendary voices take this song to an incredible new level!”

The duet version of “Home Sweet” comes on the heels of Russell’s latest tour announcement. Tickets for his upcoming headlining “All Yours, All Night” Tour goes on sale today.

Masked Wolfe teams with Bebe Rexha for a new version of her song “Sabotage”

November 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Bebe Rexha’s song “Sabotage,” from her most recent album, Better Mistakes, has gotten a new vibe, thanks to Australian rapper Masked Wolf.

The “Astronaut in the Ocean” artist has created a reimagined version of the song, now re-titled “It’s Not Me It’s You (Sabotage).” In addition to Bebe singing the hook, the track features Wolf rapping about what it’s like being in a relationship with someone who self-sabotages.

“[It’s] about standing up for yourself in a relationship,” he explains in a statement. “Rather than waiting to hear the old cliché ‘it’s me, not you,’ this song is about confronting the situation and addressing it head-on by saying, ‘I know it’s you and I don’t want to be around this anymore.’ As soon as I heard Bebe’s original, the verses just started to pour out and I knew I had to be on it.”

Bebe Rexha adds, “Sabotage” is a song that really means a lot to me personally. I love the twist Masked Wolf put on it and the way he was able to transform the ballad into a completely new sound.”

Wolf is nominated for New Artist of the Year at this Sunday night’s American Music Awards on ABC. He’s also up for five ARIA Awards, the Australian equivalent of the Grammys.

As for Bebe, she performed Thursday at the unveiling of the iconic holiday windows at Bloomingdale’s flagship New York City store. She tells Billboard, “I was born and raised in New York so New York will forever have a special place in my heart and to be asked to perform at such a special event is so exciting…[i]t’s an honor.”

New $2 billion Astroworld Festival lawsuit filed against Travis Scott, Drake and Live Nation

November 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

New billion Astroworld Festival lawsuit filed against Travis Scott, Drake and Live Nation

Following a $750 million Astroworld Festival lawsuit filed Tuesday, a new $2 billion lawsuit was filed Thursday.

Attorney Thomas J. Henry filed the suit for damages and injuries on behalf of 282 clients, as reported by ABC Houston affiliate KTRK-TV. An additional 120 victims have also asked his firm to represent them. The list of defendants includes Travis Scott, Drake, promoter Live Nation and NRG Stadium, where the event was held. Drake performed as a surprise guest during Scott’s set.

“The defendants stood to make an exorbitant amount of money off of this event, and they still chose to cut corners, cut costs and put attendees at risk,” Henry says. “My clients want to ensure the defendants are held responsible for their actions, and they want to send the message to all performers, event organizers, and promoters that what happened at Astroworld cannot happen again.”

The festival on Friday, November 5, organized and headlined by Scott, left 10 people dead and hundreds of others injured during a crowd surge. Some 50,000 people attended the one-day fest, which was originally scheduled as a two-day event. Saturday’s performances were cancelled following the tragic first night.

As previously reported, lawyer Tony Buzbee filed a $750 million lawsuit on Tuesday on behalf of 125 victims, including Axel Acosta, 21, who was one of 10 people who died from injuries.

Billie Eilish pokes fun at her younger self: “Nothing will ever top that 2019 ego”

November 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

With 2021 coming to a close, Billie Eilish is about to sit down and reflect on another year gone by with her fifth annual “Same Interview” with Vanity Fair.

The outlet has been asking Billie the same questions since 2017 and comparing her new answers to what she said previously, allowing both us and the singer to see how much she’s changed.

Vanity Fair teased the upcoming interview on Friday, which shows Billie joking about the seemingly endless confidence she oozed back in 2019. Billie grinned when looking back at what her 17-year-old self, who was basking in the success of her debut studio album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, had to say about confidence.

The then black-and-green-haired singer remarked, “I am, for sure, a billion times more confident than both of those years [2017 and 2018.] I feel like I’m probably the most confident I’ve ever been in my life!”

The now-platinum blonde. 19-year-old Billie took a moment to digest her younger self’s answer before deadpanning, “It’s true… Nothing will ever top that 2019 ego.” The Grammy-winner continued with a laugh, “I was feeling myself, that is for sure.”

She went onto explain why that was, saying, “It’s because I had been miserable for so long, that I finally wasn’t and I just never shut up about it.”

As for how she feels presently, Eilish says she’s “been good” because “I’m starting to have an adulthood, which is new for me.”

Catch the full interview when it premieres on Vanity Fair‘s YouTube channel on November 30.

With 2021 coming to a close, Billie Eilish is about to sit down and reflect on another year gone by with her fifth annual “Same Interview” with Vanity Fair. The outlet has been asking Billie the same questions since 2017 and comparing her new answers to what she said previously, allowing both us and the singer to see how much she’s changed. Vanity Fair teased the upcoming interview on Friday, which shows Billie joking about the seemingly endless confidence she oozed back in 2019. Billie grinned when looking back at what her 17-year-old self, who was basking in the success of her debut studio album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, had to say about confidence. The then black-and-green-haired singer remarked, “I am, for sure, a billion times more confident than both of those years [2017 and 2018.] I feel like I’m probably the most confident I’ve ever been in my life!” The now-platinum blonde. 19-year-old Billie took a moment to digest her younger self’s answer before deadpanning, “It’s true… Nothing will ever top that 2019 ego.” The Grammy-winner continued with a laugh, “I was feeling myself, that is for sure.” She went onto explain why that was, saying, “It’s because I had been miserable for so long, that I finally wasn’t and I just never shut up about it.” As for how she feels presently, Eilish says she’s “been good” because “I’m starting to have an adulthood, which is new for me.” Catch the full interview when it premieres on Vanity Fair’s YouTube channel on November 30.

Kyle Rittenhouse acquitted on all charges

November 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(KENOSHA, Wisc.) — A Wisconsin jury has acquitted Kyle Rittenhouse on all charges in his homicide trial.

The 18-year-old fell to the ground after hearing the verdict.

Rittenhouse pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, first-degree reckless homicide and first-degree intentional homicide and attempted first-degree intentional homicide, claiming he shot three men, two fatally, in self-defense during a 2020 protest.

A charge of violating a curfew that was imposed during the protests in Kenosha was dropped during the trial.

The charges stemmed from the fatal shootings of Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, and a shooting that left 27-year-old Gaige Grosskreutz wounded.

During his testimony, Rittenhouse said he shot all three men with an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle in self-defense.

“I didn’t intend to kill them. I intended to stop the people who were attacking me,” Rittenhouse repeatedly said, at one point breaking down and sobbing on the witness stand.

The chaos in Kenosha unfolded on Aug. 25, 2020, after protests erupted over a police officer shooting of Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man. Riots, vandalism and looting broke out, prompting an online call for armed “patriots” to come to the city to protect lives and property.

Rittenhouse, who was then 17, answered the call to help, his attorney, Mark Richards, said. Rittenhouse, who said he was a nursing student at Arizona State University and a former firefighter EMT cadet, claimed during his testimony that his primary purpose for going to downtown Kenosha on the night of the shootings was to provide first aid to people in need.

The prosecutors’ case hinged heavily on multiple videos showing Rittenhouse shooting the unarmed Rosenbaum as well as Huber, who allegedly struck him with a skateboard twice.

Video also captured Rittenhouse shooting Grosskreutz, a trained paramedic, in the right bicep after Grosskreutz approached him with a loaded pistol.

Discovery+ launching documentary series ‘Johnny vs. Amber’

November 19, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Discovery has announced its creating a documentary series about one of Hollywood’s messiest divorces.

Johnny vs. Amber is a two-part series about the mega-hyped relationship, and eventual acrimonious split, of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.

Each episode of the two-show series will see the situation from both sides. “Depp’s film will portray that he found himself married to a Machiavellian liar who would stop at nothing to protect her image,” Discovery says, “While Heard’s film explores how she married the man of her dreams only to see him turn into a violent drug-fuelled monster.”

The series will feature footage from the lawyers involved in the divorce, from people close to the pair, and from Depp and Heard’s own text exchanges. Viewers will also “examine extensive footage and audio recordings filmed by the couple themselves.”

Depp and Heard met on the set of 2011’s The Rum Diary, and married in Los Angeles in February 2015. They split a year later, and their divorce saw each star leveling abuse charges against each other.

Johnny vs. Amber will be available to watch on Discovery+ later this year.

Clare Laycock, head of entertainment at Discovery, said in a statement, “The series provides an in-depth insight into the epic battle that powered #JusticeforJohnnyDepp and #IStandWithYouAmberHeard fan campaigns and the very public High Court case that gripped us all.”

Laycock called it a, “multi-layered story into something both engrossing and horrifying.”

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