Scotty McCreery sets his sights on a European tour, including his first-ever trip to the Netherlands

Scotty McCreery sets his sights on a European tour, including his first-ever trip to the Netherlands
Scotty McCreery sets his sights on a European tour, including his first-ever trip to the Netherlands
Jeff Ray

As he continues to ride the momentum of his latest album, Same Truck, Scotty McCreery has announced plans to head across the pond. In March of 2022, he’ll play a four-stop European run, including three dates in Germany and one show in Amsterdam.

The shows will take place after Scotty’s previously announced three main-stage appearances at C2C Festival, which will take place in Ireland and the U.K. on March 11, 12 and 13.

Scotty’s Amsterdam show will mark the first time he’s visited the Netherlands, and he says he’s excited to add some new stamps to his passport and see some audiences he’s never gotten a chance to play for before.

“Growing up in North Carolina, it was always a dream of mine to be able to perform my music around the globe,” the singer reflects. “I am looking forward to playing C2C in March in the UK and Ireland, but was also hoping we could return to Germany after we had such a great time there a couple of years ago.”

He continues, “I’m also very excited about visiting the Netherlands for the first time as I’ve heard such great things about Amsterdam. Can’t wait to see everyone!”

Tickets for all four newly announced dates are on sale now.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Oscar winner Melissa Leo gets “respect” as a crime boss in ‘Ida Red’

Oscar winner Melissa Leo gets “respect” as a crime boss in ‘Ida Red’
Oscar winner Melissa Leo gets “respect” as a crime boss in ‘Ida Red’
Paramount Pictures

The Fighter Oscar winner Melissa Leo stars in the new crime thriller Ida Red, in which she plays the incarcerated, terminally ill head of a family of criminals.

The actress explained to ABC Audio why she jumped at the chance to play the role for Body Brokers director John Swab [schwab], with whom she says she hopes to work with more in the future.

“It was a delight to play the titular role,” Leo says, explaining Ida is “a mysterious and uncommon kind of character.”

When the film begins, we learn that Ida’s been locked up for more than a decade, but her sons — Wyatt, played by Josh Hartnett, and Frank Grillo‘s Dallas — remain up to no good, at her direction.

“It was she that was in charge of this and the criminal family,” Melissa continues. “It’s really fun to play that.
There’s stores all over the place about men in prison still pulling strings. Real stories, and made-up stories. And a story about a woman in prison still pulling those strings, that’s not a common occurrence.”

Leo adds, “I think the thing that I really love the most…is that she’s a woman who is respected, and I so often play these women of a certain age these days who are not respected in the least. And the respect and the love of Ida was a big grounding piece of the story for me.”  

Ida Red is now playing in select theaters and is streaming on demand.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Jennifer Garner says Ariana Grande looked “beautiful” in her ’13 Going on 30′ dress

Jennifer Garner says Ariana Grande looked “beautiful” in her ’13 Going on 30′ dress
Jennifer Garner says Ariana Grande looked “beautiful” in her ’13 Going on 30′ dress
Trae Patton/NBC

Jennifer Garner approves of Ariana Grande’s take on one of her most famous 13 Going on 30 looks.

On The Voice earlier this week, the singer paid homage to the 2004 rom-com by wearing the Versace dress Garner’s character, Jenna Rink, wears in the movie’s “Thriller” dance scene. In a new interview with People, Garner says she messaged Ari after seeing the tribute.

“I was actually DM’ing with Ms. Grande,” Jennifer says. “What a dear sweet person, she is. A beauty. She looks so beautiful in the dress.”

Ariana also paid tribute to the film in the video for her 2018 track, “thank u, next.” Garner says seeing how fans continue to show love for 13 Going on 30 all these years later has been a joy.

“It’s impossible to even tell you how warm and fuzzy it makes me to see that Jenna Rink still has a life,” she says.

Also this week in a full-circle moment, actress Christa B. Allen, who played the 13-year-old version of Jenna Rink in the film, officially turned 30 herself.

“Look who’s 30! The OG Jenna Rink!” Garner wrote on Instagram. “Happy birthday, @christaallen!”

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Get out the Kleenex and watch the lyric video for Taylor Swift’s “Ronan (Taylor’s Version)”

Get out the Kleenex and watch the lyric video for Taylor Swift’s “Ronan (Taylor’s Version)”
Get out the Kleenex and watch the lyric video for Taylor Swift’s “Ronan (Taylor’s Version)”
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

One of the songs on Taylor Swift‘s new album Red (Taylor’s Version) is her re-recording of “Ronan,” a song she originally released as a charity single on iTunes in 2012.  Now, she’s released a lyric video for the song featuring footage and photos of its real-life subject.

“Ronan” was written about a little boy by that name who died of cancer in 2011, just a few days before his fourth birthday.  Taylor’s inspiration came from the blog his mother, Maya Thompson, wrote about Ronan and his battle with the disease, and Thompson is credited as a writer on the song.  Taylor asked Thompson for permission to include “Ronan” on the re-recording of Red, and of course, she said yes.

The new lyric video for the song features a video of Ronan telling his mom “I love you,” and then features a series of photos of him and his family throughout his tragically brief life.  It concludes with a link to the Ronan Thompson Foundation, which raises money for pediatric cancer.

Posting the video on Instagram, Thompson writes, “It is so painstakingly perfect. Thank you, @taylorswift, for your courageous heart, loyalty, and love. You truly are one of the most incredible human beings I’ve ever known, and there is no one I would rather have Ronan safe with than you.”

“You have given a voice to the voiceless by continuing to advocate for kids with cancer, bereaved parents, and anyone who is suffering,” she continued. “Thank you for taking my pain and turning it into poetry. You are magic, and I love you so much.”

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Garbage opening for Tears for Fears on 2022 tour

Garbage opening for Tears for Fears on 2022 tour
Garbage opening for Tears for Fears on 2022 tour
Jeff Hahne/Getty Images

If you’re “Head over Heels” for your “#1 Crush,” then do we have the tour for you.

Garbage is set to open for Tears for Fears on the English duo’s upcoming live U.S. run, set to kick off next year starting May 20 in Cincinnati. The tour is named after the upcoming Tears for Fears album, The Tipping Point, which marks their first new record in 18 years.

Tickets go on sale next Friday, November 19, at 10 a.m. local time. For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit TearsforFears.com.

Garbage, meanwhile, released a new album called No Gods No Masters this past June. They just got off the road last month after opening for Alanis Morissette‘s Jagged Little Pill anniversary tour.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Kanye West admits he has mental health issues: “Okay, I’m crazy, but what y’all gonna do about it?”

Kanye West admits he has mental health issues: “Okay, I’m crazy, but what y’all gonna do about it?”
Kanye West admits he has mental health issues: “Okay, I’m crazy, but what y’all gonna do about it?”
Scott Dudelson/FilmMagic

Kanye West is known for his enormous ego. However, in part two of his Drink Champs podcast appearance on Thursday, he humbled himself.

Ye’s mental health issues have been documented in the past, and he discussed both his bipolar diagnosis, and what he says is the excuse it gives some people to dismiss him or label his behavior.

“There’s a lot of people who will say, ‘I don’t believe that you are actually bipolar,’ Kanye said. “And anytime somebody wants to say that I’m wrong about something, hide the truth [or] lie, they say, ‘Ye’s crazy.’ It’s just the ultimate final cut-off to not have to listen.”

Kanye admitted, “Okay, I’m crazy, but what y’all gonna do about it?”

West also touched upon one of his wildest antics, his infamous stage rush of Taylor Swift at the MTV VMAs in 2009.

“All of America hate me,” he said, and remembered the comments. “You was wrong! You wrong for this one! You won’t win this! Everybody telling me, ‘you shouldn’t have ran on stage. You were rude, God forbid!'”

The “Stronger” rapper also discussed dreams of “buying America,” noting that he is selling his two ranches in Wyoming because friend Elon Musk has encouraged him to buy land in Austin, Texas. He added that Young Thug suggested he relocate to Houston to create communities that grow fresh, organic food.

Also on Thursday, Kanye remembered his late mother, one day after the 14th anniversary of her death. He posted an Instagram photo of him as a baby in his mother’s arms. Donda West died in 2007 following complications from a cosmetic surgery. She was 58.

West named his 10th studio album, Donda, after his mother.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Drink Champs (@drinkchamps)

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Avril Lavigne is a woman scorned in new video for “Bite Me”

Avril Lavigne is a woman scorned in new video for “Bite Me”
Avril Lavigne is a woman scorned in new video for “Bite Me”
Ryan McFadden

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and Avril Lavigne‘s new video for “Bite Me” proves it.

Directed by Hannah Lux Davis, the clip finds a ticked-off Avril meeting up with Travis Barker — whose label she’s now signed to — and heading off to confront the man who did her wrong. With them is a pack of musclebound, scary-looking guys who are all wearing, um, ballet tutus.

Avril, Travis and the tutu-wearing guys break into the loft apartment where Avril’s ex is living, and the guys start trashing the place with axes and chainsaws while Avril and Travis rock out, playing “Bite Me” in the living room. 

The terrified ex tries apologizing — even proposing — but it’s too late.

“Bite Me” is the first single from Avril’s forthcoming album, for which there’s so far no title or release date. She recently told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, “It was just time to rock again, and I have a feisty side to me. And with this single ‘Bite Me’, like, I’m in a happy place in my life, [but]…I’m reflecting on past stuff I’ve been through in relationships with love.”

“Lets face it — love’s not easy, right?” noted the twice-divorced Canadian star. “And, I mean I’ve been through the wringer, so, yeah I’m writing about it again.”

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

 

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Russell Dickerson will be “All Yours, All Night” with a headlining tour in 2022

Russell Dickerson will be “All Yours, All Night” with a headlining tour in 2022
Russell Dickerson will be “All Yours, All Night” with a headlining tour in 2022
David Goldhahn/Remedy Creative

Russell Dickerson is hitting the road in early 2022. On Friday, the “Home Sweet” star revealed a run of headlining dates that kicks off January 25 in New York City.

Up-and-comer Breland, who recently joined Dierks Bentley for a series of shows and has collaborated with acts like Keith Urban, will join Russell as direct support on the newly announced dates.

“It’s time!” Russell shares. “This headlining tour has been a huge dream for so long and now it’s time! The All Yours, All Night Tour is here and we’re bringing Breland with us to take this thing to a whole new level!”

The tour will take Russell through cities like Boston, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh, ultimately wrapping up with a hometown show at the Ryman in Nashville. Pre-sale for the shows begin today, and tickets will be available to the general public starting next Friday, November 19, at 10 a.m. local time.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

NHC, featuring Taylor Hawkins, Dave Navarro & Chris Chaney, releases two new songs

NHC, featuring Taylor Hawkins, Dave Navarro & Chris Chaney, releases two new songs
NHC, featuring Taylor Hawkins, Dave Navarro & Chris Chaney, releases two new songs
Credit: Ross Halfin

NHC, the band featuring Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins and Jane’s Addiction members Dave Navarro and Chris Chaney, has released two new songs.

The tracks, titled “Devil That You Know” and “Lazy Eyes,” are available now for digital download.

NHC previously made their debut in September with the songs “Feed the Cruel” and “Better Move On.” The band is a reunion of sorts for Hawkins and Chaney, who both played in Alanis Morissette‘s touring band in the ’90s.

The first official NHC headlining show will take place November 23 at the Troubadour in Los Angeles.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Eric Clapton’s The ‘Lady in the Balcony: Lockdown Sessions’ album and video out now; watch “Layla” performance

Eric Clapton’s The ‘Lady in the Balcony: Lockdown Sessions’ album and video out now; watch “Layla” performance
Eric Clapton’s The ‘Lady in the Balcony: Lockdown Sessions’ album and video out now; watch “Layla” performance
Mercury Studios

Eric Clapton‘s new live album and video The Lady in the Balcony: Lockdown Sessions, which features the guitar legend playing an intimate, mostly acoustic set with select members of his touring band, got its release today.

As previously reported, the performance was shot and recorded in February of this year at the Cowdray House country estate in West Sussex, U.K., with no audience except Eric’s wife, Melia, who watched from a balcony in the mansion — hence the release’s title.

Coinciding with The Lady in the Balcony‘s release, a video of Clapton’s performing a laid-back, unplugged version of his classic song “Layla” has premiered at his official YouTube channel. Slowhand is joined by Chris Stainton on keyboards, Nathan East on acoustic bass and Steve Gadd on drums.

Clapton organized the Cowdray House performance was organized after his May 2021 concerts at London’s famed Royal Albert Hall were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lady in the Balcony is available as a DVD/CD or Blu-ray/CD set, a 4K UHD/Blu-ray package, a two-LP colored-vinyl set, as digital video and audio versions, and as a Deluxe Edition featuring the DVD, Blu-ray and CD housed in a 40-page hardback photo book. In addition, a standalone CD version is being sold exclusively at Target.

Here’s the full Lady in the Balcony track list:

“Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out”
“Golden Ring”
“Black Magic Woman”
“Man of the World”
“Kerry”
“After Midnight”
“Bell Bottom Blues”
“Key to the Highway”
“River of Tears”
“Rock Me Baby”
“Believe in Life”
“Going Down Slow”
“Layla”
“Tears in Heaven”
“Long Distance Call”
“Bad Boy”
“Got My Mojo Working”

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