The Grammy RSVPs are in and it looks like the boobylicious Super Bowl tandem of Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake are still on the guest list, but Luther Vandross will be MIA. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the group behind the Grammys, told E! Tuesday that “as of right now, Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake are still on the Grammys. “If we took everyone who is controversial off the show, no one would perform.” The remark came in the wake of CBS affiliates asking the network to broadcast Sunday’s Grammy Awards on a slight delay in case… Read more »
Nashville’s rock titans, The Pink Spiders, are generating immense excitement ahead of their highly-anticipated fifth studio album, Freakazoid, set to release on July 7. However, their impact extends far beyond their music, as they proudly demonstrate their support during Pride Month. Last month, the band made a resounding statement by releasing their second single titled “Devotion”. A powerful tribute to drag culture and an unwavering display of support for the LGBTQIA+ community in Nashville. With Freakazoid on the horizon, The Pink Spiders are not only delivering their trademark sound but also using their platform to promote inclusivity and celebrate diversity.… Read more »
Basslines and Protest Signs is Brett Callwood’s column looking at the intersection of music and politics. This week talks about Richard Marx.
Following are previews of albums due out within the next few months from debut acts or under-the-radar artists due for a breakthrough. PAOLO NUTINI Scottish singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini, who turns 20 January 9, was one of the most noteworthy breakout artists of 2006 for Atlantic Records in the United Kingdom. After an appearance at South by Southwest in Austin last March, his debut single, “Last Request,” reached No. 5 in July on the British charts and also became a substantial airplay hit. His debut album, “These Streets,” subsequently opened at No. 3 with out-of-the-box sales of 35,000, according to his… Read more »
Hot on the heels of his song of the year Grammy win earlier this month, singer/songwriter Richard Marx has signed with EMI/Manhattan Records. Marx picked up the Grammy for “Dance With My Father,” which he co-wrote with the tune’s singer, Luther Vandross. Marx, famed for late ’80s hits such as “Hold on to the Nights” and “Right Here Waiting,” is putting the finishing touches on an album slated for a summer release. Over the past few years, he has been writing songs and producing records for such top acts as ‘N Sync, Josh Groban and Vandross. This marks a reunion… Read more »
With his seventh album, When the Sun Goes Down, country singer Kenny Chesney will mosey on toward the late-afternoon, orange-hued horizon with a #1 under his belt. The LP sold more than 550,000 copies last week, according to SoundScan. The top-notch placement on the Billboard albums chart makes it two in a row for Chesney, whose last #1 album, No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems, a 3-million seller at #81 next week, counted more than 235,000 in first-week sales. A Crow Left of the Murder, Incubus’ fifth album, will take second place with more than 331,000 copies sold, the California… Read more »
Beyonce Knowles may be “Crazy in Love,” but she kept her cool Sunday at one of the more sober Grammy Awards shows in memory. She was the night’s big winner, taking home a record-tying five trophies to join recent Grammy queens Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys and Norah Jones with the most wins in a single year by a female performer. OutKast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below won Album of the Year, giving the eccentric Atlanta funk/rap group three wins, including Best Urban Alternative Performance and Best Rap Album. British band Coldplay took home the prize for Record of the Year for “Clocks,”… Read more »
Among the latest performances announced for the 46th Annual GRAMMY(R) Awards telecast are Prince, The Black Eyed Peas with Justin Timberlake, and Beyonce; a special segment celebrating the 40th Anniversary of The Beatles’ first U.S. appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” featuring Sting, Dave Matthews, Vince Gill, and Pharrell Williams; and a tribute to late singer/songwriter Warren Zevon with Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, Timothy B. Schmit, Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam and Jorge Calderon, it was announced today by the Recording Academy(R). In addition, Britney Spears, Keith Urban, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, and Joshua Bell will make appearances as presenters. The… Read more »
Kid Rock, Justin Timberlake, Shania Twain, Luther Vandross, Celine Dion, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Missy Elliott and Sean Paul are among the artists receiving multiple nominations for the American Music Awards (AMAs). “American Idol” second-season runner-up Clay Aiken also received his first awards show nod, with a nomination for favorite pop/rock male artist. The AMAs, which present 20 awards in eight musical genres, will be held Nov. 16 at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and televised live on ABC. Jimmy Kimmel will host the three-hour show. Winners are selected by a poll of 20,000 music fans. There are actually two… Read more »
Justin Timberlake, 50 Cent, Missy Elliott and Beyoncé are among the artists up for multiple awards at this year’s 31st annual American Music Awards, which will be broadcast live on November 16 from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Other artists with a pair of nominations include R. Kelly, Kid Rock, Luther Vandross, Norah Jones, Eminem, Shania Twain, Tim McGraw and Toby Keith. The event will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. The main awards are divided into four music genres, Pop/Rock, Soul/Rhythm & Blues, Country and Rap, with categories in each for Favorite Male Artist; Favorite Female Artist; Favorite Band,… Read more »
