NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country star Blake Shelton interrupted the lovefest on the CMT Artists of the Year show with a slightly profane mini-roast of his good friend Luke Bryan. Both Shelton and Bryan picked up honors at the awards show aired live on CMT on Wednesday night in Nashville, Tennessee. But when it was … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Cynthia Robinson, a trumpeter and vocalist whose bold and brassy style made her a key member of Sly and the Family Stone, has died at age 71. Jerry Martini, her longtime friend and fellow horn player in the band, said Wednesday that he was among those with her when she died of … Continue reading
LAS VEGAS (AP) — 100 is turning out to be a very good year for Frank Sinatra. What would have been the musical icon’s centennial birthday on Dec. 12 has been celebrated with an HBO documentary about his life, a Grammy museum exhibit, even dinner specials at an old Las Vegas steakhouse. A star-studded, Grammy-produced … Continue reading
BOSTON (AP) — In an elegant church in one of Boston’s most chic shopping districts, homeless people from across the city gather once a week to express themselves in ways not possible when living on the streets. As winter approaches, attendance at Common Art increases, and as many as 100 homeless and low-income people paint, … Continue reading
LONDON (AP) — Adele has announced her first tour since 2011, with a string of European dates in support of her record-breaking new album, “25.” The British singer announced Thursday that she will play venues in Britain and Europe starting Feb. 29 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Adele has previously said she finds touring lonely. But … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — On tour this winter is a Broadway musical about the one that got away, in more ways than one. “The Bridges of Madison County,” with a superb score by Jason Robert Brown, starts an eight-month U.S. tour on Saturday that features both a story about a lost soul mate and a … Continue reading
The Wainwright Sisters, “Songs in the Dark” (PIAS) There can be something magical about the voices of siblings singing together, as a listen to the Beach Boys or the Everly Brothers shows. More proof comes in this subtly haunting album by Martha Wainwright and Lucy Wainwright Roche, for whom music has always been a … Continue reading
Chris Young, “I’m Comin’ Over” (RCA Nashville) Chris Young ends his fifth album with “What If I Stay,” a sparse, tenderly swaying ballad that shows off the Tennessee-born country singer’s rich baritone, wide range and seductive phrasing. For most of “I’m Comin’ Over,” 30-year-old Young hitches his truck to rhythm-driven contemporary country music. He clips … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — Coldplay and Gwen Stefani have been added to the list of performers for the 2015 American Music Awards. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis will also hit the stage at the Nov. 22 show at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The rap duo will debut a new song. Coldplay will sing the … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — Mick Jagger and Robbie Robertson are paying tribute to the late Allen Toussaint, the New Orleans musician who wrote “Southern Nights,” ”Lady Marmalade” and many other hits. “He was such an influential songwriter and performer,” Jagger tweeted Wednesday. Early in their career, the Rolling Stones covered Toussaint’s “Pain in My Heart” … Continue reading
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The songs of New Orleans musical legend Allen Toussaint have been described as beautiful stories set to music or a handcrafted suit tailored for a specific person. He often wrote them with a particular person and personality in mind, such as singer Lee Dorsey and his smile. “He had a joy … Continue reading
VIENNA (AP) — Austrian painter Ernst Fuchs, whose works combined a love of color and texture with clear lines, mysticism and religious themes, died Monday at 85. Primarily known for his vivid paintings, Fuchs was also an internationally recognized sculptor, stage designer and print maker, composer and poet. Tillmann Fuchs, the artist’s son, confirmed his … Continue reading
CHICAGO (AP) — The force — of Chicago’s City Council, at least — is with George Lucas, as aldermen voted Wednesday to allow the “Star Wars’ filmmaker to build his $400 million museum along the shores of Lake Michigan. With no discussion, the council cast the widely expected vote in favor of allowing Lucas to … Continue reading
Trey Anastasio, “Paper Wheels” (Rubber Jungle/ATO Records) When Phish frontman Trey Anastasio settles into a groove, his latest solo record “Paper Wheels” shines. Anastasio, on his first solo record in three years and 10th of his career, produces a tune, aptly titled “The Song,” that is not only the best track on “Paper Wheels” but … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — There’s even more excitement in store for Game 3 of the World Series. A spokesman for Billy Joel tells Newsday (http://nwsdy.li/1k9ibRX ) the “Piano Man” will lead Citi Field in the national anthem prior to the game Friday night between the Mets and the Kansas City Royals. The Mets have a … Continue reading
LONDON (AP) — Sting and his wife Trudie Styler are putting some of their extensive modern art collection — and a piano — up for sale. The auction at Christie’s in London will include drawings and prints by Gustav Klimt and Rene Magritte, Pablo Picasso’s lithograph “Le Corsage a Carreaux (“The Checkered Blouse”) and Henri … Continue reading
MILAN (AP) — Ed Sheeran is host, nominee and performer as the music and fashion industries continue their affair in Italy’s fashion capital for the MTV Europe Music Awards. Pharrell Williams is the opening performer at Sunday night’s award ceremony, followed by Ellie Goulding and James Bay, among others. Williams and Sheeran will be vying … Continue reading
ATLANTA (AP) — T.I. has always found a way to have success, even when it wasn’t about his own music. He’s done a reality show with his wife and kids, appeared on blockbuster pop collaborations and endless rap features, and of course had huge success with controversial protege Iggy Azalea — all of which has … Continue reading
“MJ: The Genius of Michael Jackson” (Scribner), by Steve Knopper Steve Knopper begins his superb biography of Michael Jackson with an anecdote about a protest against school integration in Jackson’s hometown of Gary, Indiana, in 1927, more than three decades before the singer was born. Then he fast-forwards to 1995, when the self-proclaimed King of … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time in more than 50 years, a musical band based in Cuba is set to perform at the White House. The Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club is on the lineup for a White House reception Thursday in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and the 25th anniversary of the White … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Malcolm-Jamal Warner poured his real-life experiences — both in and out of love — into his latest album, “Selfless.” “You start to look at life a little differently when you get to your mid-40s,” Warner, 45, said in a recent interview. “I’m at a place where I’ve kind of taken a … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — For generations, teenage boys got their first look at a naked woman from Playboy, often from a copy swiped from Dad’s sock drawer or filched from a newsstand. These days, however, you can see far more explicit stuff on your phone than anything Hugh Hefner probably imagined when he launched his … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A copyright infringement trial over Jay Z’s hit song “Big Pimpin’ ” opened Tuesday with an attorney for heirs of an Egyptian composer accusing the rapper of misusing music from a popular 1950s love ballad. Jay Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, listened as a lawyer for the heirs of … Continue reading
BANGKOK (AP) — Madonna has added a second show in Bangkok for her “Rebel Heart” world tour after the first concert sold out in under an hour, organizers said Wednesday. Thai media had hyped Madonna’s first-ever show in the Thai capital as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” that would “make history” in Thailand. Tickets for the Feb. … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jennifer Lopez is taking on hosting duties at next month’s American Music Awards. Producers say Lopez will host and perform at the Nov. 22 show, to air live on ABC from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. This will be her first time hosting an awards show. Dick clark productions said … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 