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Music notes: KATSEYE, The Kid LAROI and more

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

After previewing it on their recently concluded North American tour, KATSEYE has officially released the fan-favorite track “Internet Girl,” along with a visualizer. The song, a satire of online fame, features the repeated phrase “Eat zucchini,” but the song’s co-writer Justin Tranter won’t reveal its meaning. Justin explained on TikTok, “It’s campy, it’s fierce, it’s c****, it can mean whatever you want.”

The Kid LAROI has released a new single called “Back When You Were Mine,” from his new album, Before I Forget, due on Jan. 9. The single is a breakup song that is seemingly about LAROI’s ex Tate McRae. He sings, “Did everything I was supposed to do/ I defended every lie about you/ I probably would’ve taken lives for you/ Better yet, girl, I probably would’ve died for you/ Back when you were mine.”

BTS‘ long-awaited comeback is getting closer. Big Hit Music, the K-pop superstars’ label, announced “March 20 comeback confirmed” and linked to an article that reported the group revealed that date in a handwritten letter to longtime fans. If March 20 is actually the release date of a new BTS album, it’ll be their first collection of original material since 2020.

Hey, Carly Rae Jepsen, Heated Rivalry wants you. While appearing on the What Chaos! podcast, Jacob Tierney, creator of the steamy Canadian hockey romance based on the book of the same name, was asked if he’s interested in having a song by fellow Canadian Carly featured in the show. Jacob said the show’s budget didn’t allow for it at first, but now that it’s the hottest thing on streaming, “I will next time. … I was even gonna ask her to write a new song.”

Bryan Adams to release new album in 2026 — sort of

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Bryan Adams released a new album called Roll With the Punches in 2025, and in 2026 he’s going to keep on rolling out new music. Well, sort of.

In a New Year’s Day video on Instagram, Bryan said, “In April, we have a new album coming out called Tough Town.”

But Tough Town isn’t exactly new: It’s a 10-track bonus disc that was included with the deluxe box set version of Roll With the Punches. So the April release Bryan is referring to is likely a stand-alone version of that disc, for those who didn’t buy the box set.

In his message, Bryan also flagged that acoustic versions of many of the songs from Roll With the Punches are now available on all streaming platforms.

Bryan will spend most of 2026 touring the world, starting in Japan at the end of January. His only U.S. shows are three dates in June at the Encore Theatre at Wynn Las Vegas.

Jan. 6 pipe bomb suspect ordered to remain detained until trial

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — A federal magistrate judge ordered Friday that the Virginia man charged with placing pipe bombs outside of the headquarters of the RNC and DNC the night before the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol remain detained pending trial.

Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh said in the court filing Friday that the government’s evidence amassed thus far against Brian Cole established that there were no conditions he could place on him that would ensure the safety of the general public.

Cole was arrested by federal authorities earlier last month following a massive probe that had stymied investigators for almost five years.

“Although home incarceration and a GPS monitor would provide some check against Mr. Cole’s ability to carry out any menacing or dangerous conduct in the community, the Court is simply not satisfied these conditions rise to the necessary level for the reasons explained,” Sharbaugh said.

“This is particularly true based on the severity of the potential danger Mr. Cole is alleged to pose, given his alleged persistent acquisition and retention of so-called ‘bombmaking parts’ and given his reported penchant and capacity to create explosive devices and deploy them in public settings,” the judge added.

Cole, who has not entered a plea, allegedly told investigators in a lengthy confession that he wasn’t targeting the joint session of Congress that was convening to certify former President Joe Biden’s election win, according to a previous court filing from the Department of Justice.

Sharbaugh’s ruling followed a detention hearing earlier this week, where he appeared to waver over whether he could put in place heavy restrictions on Cole and release him on bail under the supervision of his family.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Jones urged Sharbaugh to reject arguments made by Cole that he would pose no danger if released and remained under house arrest — noting such a setting was similar to where he had carried out his alleged planning to plant the pipe bombs in the first place.

Jones said that on the morning of his arrest, Cole allegedly wiped the memory from his phone for the 943rd time since December 2020, just days before he allegedly planted the devices.

After Cole saw himself on the news in videos released by the FBI seeking tips on his identity, he said in the interview that he discarded all of his bomb-making materials at a nearby dump and said he never told anyone about his actions in the nearly five years since Jan. 6, according to a court filing.

Cole’s attorneys are expected to again seek his release when the case is ultimately assigned to a federal district judge, after prosecutors revealed in court that they secured a two-count indictment of Cole in D.C.’s Superior Court on Monday.

Nashville notes: Terri Clark’s Canadian accolade + Craig Morgan’s game gig

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Craig Morgan is set to sing “God Bless America” on Saturday as the Seattle Seahawks take on the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. You can watch the game live on ABC/ESPN starting at 5 p.m. PT.

Terri Clark has been honored with the Order of Canada, her native country’s highest accolade for a civilian. Anne Murray, k.d. lang and Joni Mitchell have also received the recognition, which is the “cornerstone of the Canadian Honors System.”

Tucker Wetmore performed a mash-up of his #1 “Wind Up Missin’ You” and his new single, “Brunette,” on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest on ABC. If you missed it, the show’s available to stream now on Hulu.

RAYE and Olivia Dean are 2026’s first chart-toppers in the UK

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

It’s 2026, so where the hell are RAYE and Olivia Dean? On top of the charts, that’s where.

In the U.K., home to both artists, RAYE has scored the first #1 hit of the new year with “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” Olivia’s The Art of Loving has returned to the top of the album charts for a third time since its release, to claim the title of #1 album of 2026.

This is the second time RAYE has landed the first #1 of a new year in the U.K. She originally did it in 2023 with her breakthrough hit, “Escapism.” Reacting to the success of “HUSBAND,” RAYE told OfficialCharts.com, “I am so happy and grateful.”

“This is the first piece from my second album, and I couldn’t have even asked for a better start to this next chapter,” RAYE continued. “Tears in my eyes grateful. Thank you so much, and most of all to those of you who see me and believe in me…THANK YOU. Sending you the hugest hug of gratitude.”

RAYE has yet to announce an album title or release date, but she’ll kick off a world tour Jan. 22 in Poland; the tour will hit North America in March. Meanwhile, Olivia’s North American tour starts in July.

Olivia is also competing for the best new artist Grammy in February; RAYE was nominated for the honor last year. This year, she’s nominated for best music film for her Live At The Royal Albert Hall concert movie.

Michael Bublé: One album, 10 different years at #1

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Before Michael Bublé goes back into deep freeze for another year, give him his flowers for his latest chart accomplishment.

Billboard reports that Michael’s holiday album, Christmas, is #1 on the Canadian Albums chart dated Jan. 3, 2026. The album, which first came out in 2011, has therefore hit #1 in 10 different years, more than any other album in that chart’s history.

Christmas hit #1 in 2011 when it was released and has returned to the top in 2012, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and now 2026. By comparison, it’s only been #1 on the Billboard 200 chart in two different years.

Michael’s record label says that Christmas is the bestselling holiday album of the 21st century, earning billions of streams and more than 16 million physical copies sold worldwide.

On New Year’s Eve, Michael wrote on Instagram that he was “stepping into the new year with gratitude and excitement for what’s ahead. Cheers to 2026!”

Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi says new solo album is ‘definitely’ coming out in 2026

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi has given fans an update on his next solo project.

In a New Year’s message, Iommi discussed the highlights of his 2025, including his reunion with his Black Sabbath bandmates Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler for the Back to the Beginning show in July. He also referenced the band getting the Freedom of the City honor from their hometown of Birmingham, England, where the concert took place.

Of course 2025 wasn’t all happy, with Tony noting the “unfortunate” and “sad” passing of Ozzy a couple of weeks after the concert.

Tony detailed what fans can expect in the coming year, offering, “Of course in 2026 I shall have definitely, definitely my solo album out and I’m really looking forward to that.” He added, “I’m enjoying doing it and it’s been great fun and I really hope you enjoy it.”

In other Sabbath-related news, Geezer recently revealed how artificial intelligence is helping him with his music.

Video posted from a Q&A at the 2025 Steel City Con in December shows Geezer responding to an inquiry about whether he has any more albums “in the tank.” He says he’s got “tons of stuff,” noting AI has been helping him update music he wrote in the ’80s and beyond.

“And what held me back before, I didn’t have a singer when I’m at home, but AI came along. So all my songs now, I’ve updated them all and I’m using an AI singer to bring all the lyrics out,” Geezer said. “So now I can take it to singers that I’m gonna be working with and go, ‘This is what I want on the album,’ so they’ve got a better idea. It’s really helped me. A lot of people think it’s cheating.”

Duffer brothers on landing Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ songs for ‘Stranger Things’ finale

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(SPOILER ALERT) Music has always played a huge role in the Netflix series Stranger Things, and the series finale was no exception.

In season 5, episode 8, which debuted on New Year’s Eve, two songs from Prince’s Purple Rain — “When Doves Cry” and the title track — played a pivotal role in the culmination of the series’ final battle, in which a bomb destroys the Upside Down. Show creators Ross Duffer and Matt Duffer have shared their thought process behind using the tracks.

“Once we came up with the idea that the record was going to be the trigger for the bomb, we knew we needed an epic needle drop, and so many ideas were thrown around,” Ross tells Tudum. “I think there’s nothing really more epic than Prince.”

Ross says the two songs from the album “lined up perfectly for us,” noting the choice was right “because I think it summed up the emotion of the moment.”

But there was some fear they might not get the clearance to use the songs.

“What is also very exciting about it is it just has not been used,” Ross says. “[Prince’s] estate does not generally allow that song to be licensed outside the Purple Rain movie.”

Matt credits the renewed popularity of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill (Deal With God),” which returned to the charts after it was used on the show, with helping them acquire the rights.

“We were told that it was a real long shot, so we just crossed our fingers,” Matt says. “Thank God they agreed.”

Meanwhile, Variety reports that Spotify streams of the two Prince songs have skyrocketed since they were used in the show. “Purple Rain” has seen a 243% increase in global streams, and “When Doves Cry” has seen a 200% increase. Prince’s catalog has shot up 128% since the episode debuted.

Look for Ashley McBryde’s ‘Hand Me Downs’ ahead in 2026

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Ashley McBryde‘s fifth studio album seems destined to arrive in 2026, and so far, she’s simply overwhelmed by what she’s been able to do.

The “One Night Standards” hitmaker shared her thoughts on Instagram, after listening to the rough mixes of the record for the first time.

“This is literally a video I sent to my team after hearing this #newmusic. Stay Tuned!” she wrote.

In the short clip, Ashley’s driving in her car, reacting through a mixture of laughter and tears.

“I’ve been here for every note, every syllable, every breath of this record,” she explains, “and I’m listening to the mixes and it’s like I’ve never heard this record. It’s like I’ve never heard this artist.”

She specifically mentions it was a song she co-wrote titled “Hand Me Downs” that evoked much of the emotion. Ashley also seems to say the name of the album, but it’s obscured in the video.

The forthcoming new record is the follow-up to 2023’s The Devil I Know.

Megan Thee Stallion launches her first Popeyes restaurant as franchise owner

January 2, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Megan Thee Stallion has officially begun her run as a Popeye’s franchise owner, opening her first restaurant in South Beach, Miami.

She shared a video on Instagram documenting her visit to the location, including her reaction to the space. The clip shows Megan touring the restaurant, meeting each member of the staff and addressing the team in a brief speech.

“This is gonna be the best experience for me, and I hope it’s gonna be a good experience for y’all cuz I’ma be coming up in here and I’ma be acting fool,” she said. “I hope this is a fun job. I hope everyone is having a blast. This is the first Megan Thee Stallion Popeyes. I just want to lead with love. I want everybody to lead with kindness. That’s my main thing. I don’t like that mean s***.”

Elsewhere in the video, the chef cooks in the kitchen, the cashier takes orders and Meg attempts to pack a customer’s meal. When someone asks to speak to the manager, Megan pops out from the back and replies, “How can I help you?”

Meg first teased the location in April as the Miami building was under construction. The opening marks the latest chapter in her partnership with Popeyes, following the launch of her Hottie Sauce and the Animegan collection.

“Prepping Thee Hot Staff before THEE OFFICIAL FIRST EVER MEGAN THEE STALLION POPEYES OPENED. I’m so excited, so proud, and I just feel so much gratitude! Hottiessss I’m officially a franchise owner,” she writes. “Come to South Beach Miami and dine with us.”

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