Music

25 Oct 2022

Peyton Manning Won’t Be the First Football Player to Co-Host a Music Awards Show: These 4 Beat Him to It

When football great Peyton Manning takes the stage at the 56th CMA Awards on Nov. 9 to co-host with Luke Bryan, he’ll join a small but impressive group of professional athletes who have co-hosted music awards shows.

Four other pro athletes – also football stars – have co-hosted music awards shows. Four of the five served as co-hosts of country music awards shows, which suggests a strong overlap between country fans and football fans.

This connection is also seen in the number of country stars who have been tapped to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. The roster includes Charley Pride (1974), Garth Brooks (1993), Faith Hill (2000), The Chicks (2003, when they were still known as Dixie Chicks), Carrie Underwood (2010), Bryan (2017), Eric Church (2021, with Jazmine Sullivan) and Mickey Guyton (2022). Pride and Hill also sang “America the Beautiful” at the Super Bowl in 1974 and 2009, respectively. Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert sang that patriotic standard in 2012.

Country stars have also been tapped to sing the theme songs on weekly TV football programs. From 1989 to 2011, Hank Williams Jr. performed a version of his 1984 hit “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight” (reworked as “All My Rowdy Friends Are Here on Monday Night”) as the opening theme to ABC’s Monday Night Football. The song was dropped in 2011, but reinstated in 2017, with a new version by Williams Jr., Florida Georgia Line and Jason Derulo.

Hill sang “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night,” the theme from NBC Sunday Night Football, from 2007-12, before passing the ball to Underwood in 2013.

Other country artists also have a strong connection to football. Kenny Chesney had a No. 1 hit on Hot Country Songs in 2010 with “The Boys of Fall,” with lyrics about playing high school football. Tim McGraw has acted in two films in which football is a central theme: Friday Night Lights and The Blind Side.

Here are the five professional athletes who have co-hosted music awards shows. They are listed in reverse chronological order by the date of the show.

25 Oct 2022

Kelly Clarkson Grooves to a Soft Rock Classic by Peter Frampton for ‘Kellyoke’

Kelly Clarkson channeled Peter Frampton for her latest “Kellyoke” on Monday (Oct. 24) by performing his soft rock hit “Baby, I Love Your Way.”

“Shadows move so long before my eyes/ And they’re moving across the page/ And don’t, oh no, no, hesitate/ ‘Cause your love just won’t wait/ Ooo baby, I love your way, every day/ I wanna tell you I love your way, every day/ Wanna be with you night and day,” she sang, giving the floor to a sumptuous saxophone solo by a member of her house band Y’all.

First released as an album cut from Frampton’s eponymous 1975 album Frampton, “Baby I Love Your Way” later gained more traction after a live version of the song was featured on the singer’s 1976 studio set Frampton Comes Alive! Thanks to that recording, the track eventually reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was later recorded by Will to Power in a medley with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” and also covered by reggae-pop band Big Mountain for the soundtrack to 1994’s Reality Bites.

Following her “Kellyoke” performance, Clarkson chatted with Lena Dunham about the biased narratives around female stars like Britney Spears, Whitney Houston and Lindsay Lohan, and with Fortune Feimster about her Netflix comedy special and upcoming action series with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

She may be taking a break from the current season of The Voice, but Clarkson will next hit the stage at the 2022 CMA Awards next month to perform “You’re Drunk, Go Home” with collaborators Kelsea Ballerini and Carly Pearce.

Watch Clarkson cover Frampton’s ’70s hit below.

25 Oct 2022

Jane’s Addiction Cancels 5 Shows After Perry Farrell Injury

Jane’s Addiction has canceled five shows of their tour opening for Smashing Pumpkins after vocalist Perry Farrell suffered an injury after their New York City performance.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The band took to Instagram on Monday (Oct. 24) to share a statement from Farrell, which read, “Friends and lovers, the tour so far has been an absolute blast. Filled with so much joy, and rock vibes. I’ve loved seeing all your faces, hearing you sing with us and feeling the love and energy from each and every one of you.”

He went on to give an “update” after reading some comments, writing, “After Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, I suffered an injury that resulted in my inability to perform. I have since been in pain and discomfort and have been receiving rigorous physio therapy that has done wonders.”

Farrell shared that “due to doctors orders,” the band is canceling the shows in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City.

Instead, Our Lady Peace will be taking the band’s place, before they hopefully return to the stage in Cleveland on Saturday (Oct. 29). “I am filled with sadness and frustration to have to announce this, but I have to mend in order to continue the tour and get back on stage,” the statement concluded.

Smashing Pumpkins and Jane’s Addiction announced their 32-date “Spirits on Fire” tour back in May. The tour stretches throughout the month before winding down with a show at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Nov. 19.

See Farrell’s statement below.

24 Oct 2022

Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Lupita Nyong’o & More Dazzle at Wearable Art Gala

Wearable Art Gala took over Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif., on Saturday night (Oct. 22), celebrating the fifth anniversary of WACO Theater Center, founded by co-artistic directors Tina Knowles-Lawson and Richard Lawson.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The benefit, which is inspired by the aesthetics and Black excellence of the Harlem Renaissance era, aims to support the company’s artistic and youth mentorship programs through a fine art auction. The Keke Palmer-hosted event’s A-list guests arrived in vintage automobiles and stood against backdrops designed to look like a set in Harlem featuring locations like the Savoy Ballroom, Apollo Theater and the Cotton Club.

Among the list of stars at the event were all three members of Destiny’s Child. Beyoncé in particular supported of her mother at the benefit with her husband Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy. The “Break My Soul” singer shared her sleek black, white and pink gown in a series of photos posted to Instagram.

Lupita Nyong’o was also at the event, and took to Instagram to celebrate her role presenting the Film & TV Icon Award to Angela Bassett.

See below for some of the sweetest social media posts from the Wearable Art Gala, featuring Kelly Rowland, Chloe x Halle, Lori Harvey and many more.

24 Oct 2022

Charges Dropped Against Lil Durk Over 2019 Atlanta Shooting

Rapper Lil Durk is no longer facing criminal charges in Georgia over a 2019 shooting in downtown Atlanta, after prosecutors said they were choosing not to pursue the case.

In a court filing reviewed by Billboard, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office told a state judge that it would exercise “prosecutorial discretion” to drop the charges against the Chicago rapper, whose real name is Durk Derrick Banks.

“The facts of this case have been reviewed and, although it appears that probable cause existed for the defendant’s arrest, the decision of the District Attorney at this time is not to prosecute,” the DA’s office wrote in the filing, made Oct. 17 in Fulton County Superior Court.

The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately return a request for comment from Billboard.

Durk, 30, surrendered to Fulton County authorities in May 2019 on charges that included attempted murder. Prosecutors said Durk and the late rapper King Von were involved in a shooting that February near the popular Atlanta restaurant The Varsity, which left a victim with a non-fatal gunshot wound to the thigh.

At the time, the Chicago rapper declared his innocence. “Once I heard, I immediately came back,” he told local outlet WSB-TV. “I have nothing to hide. I have nothing to run from.” Durk also released a track in an attempt to clear his name:  “Look up at the judge, can’t look, stay makin’ up lies for sure/ I’m a innocent man for sure, it is what it is for sure/ Nobody gon’ ride, had a warrant so I can’t hide.”

Von (real name Dayvon Daquan Bennett) was later killed in a shooting at an Atlanta nightclub. He was 26 at the time.

Durk’s attorney, Manny Arora, did not return a request for comment from Billboard on Monday (Oct. 24), but in a statement told WSB-TV, “While it took three years for the State to make the right decision, in the end the right decision was made and Mr. Banks can finally put this event behind him.”

24 Oct 2022

Kim Petras Is ‘So Grateful’ for ‘Unholy’ Reaching No. 1 on the Hot 100

Lucky, lucky girl! Kim Petras took to social media on Monday (Oct. 24) to celebrate her hit single “Unholy” with Sam Smith reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

“NUMBER ONEEEE HOT 100! I’m so grateful,” the singer wrote before giving her collaborator a shout-out. “Sam I can’t thank you enough for riding with me for years at this point. I’m so honored to be a part of your first number one in the US which you should have 500 of at this point. I love you forever angel Sam.”

With the TikTok-fueled song’s gradual ascent through the chart’s top three spots over the course of just as many weeks, Petras and Smith become, respectively, the first openly trans and nonbinary artist in the history of the Hot 100 to have a No. 1 hit. “Unholy” also continues its four-week reign atop both of Billboard‘s Global tallies on the charts dated Oct. 29.

In an exclusive chat with Billboard when the song hit No. 2, Petras reflected on her status as a trans trailblazer in the music industry, saying, “I think I grew up in a more difficult time than now — 10 years ago, I could not have imagined how accepted my presence would be. … As long as the music is good and you’re really freaking good at what you do, you can make it. I’ve built this fanbase over the last five years, which is all kids that are like me; it’s my job to stand up for my community and my fans who have been there since the beginning.”

While “Unholy” marks the singer’s first entry on the Hot 100 after half a decade of releasing fan-favorite tracks like “I Don’t Want It at All,” “Can’t Do Better” and “Coconuts,” she’s currently gearing up for the release of her next solo single “If Jesus Was a Rockstar.”

Read Petras’ sweet post about achieving her first No. 1 below.

24 Oct 2022

Leslie Jordan Remembered by Jimmie Allen, TJ Osborne, Tanya Tucker & More Country Stars: ‘The World Lost an Enormous Light’

Several in the country music community are paying tribute to late actor/comedian Leslie Jordan, who died Monday (Oct. 24) at age 67. Jordan died following a car accident in Los Angeles.

He was known for his work in the television series Will & Grace, as well as Call Me Kat and American Horror Story. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jordan regularly posted hilarious and heartwarming videos, drawing in millions of social media followers

Last year, Jordan added to his creative endeavors when he released Company’s Comin’, a collection of gospel hymns such as “Farther Along” and “Workin’ on a Building.” The project featured Brandi Carlile, Dolly Parton, Katie Pruitt, Brothers Osborne’s TJ Osborne, Morgane & Chris Stapleton, Tanya Tucker, Eddie Vedder and more. The album peaked at No. 13 on Billboard‘s Top Christian Albums chart in April 2021. Clad in a blue-and-white fringed suit jacket, Jordan also made his Grand Ole Opry debut, where he performed the gospel classic “Workin’ on a Building” with Vince Gill and recent ACM Awards acoustic guitar player of the year winner Charlie Worsham.

In a statement obtained by Billboard, Parton said, “Well I am as hurt and shocked as if I have lost a family member. Leslie and I had a special bond, I think the world felt they had a special bond with him. I know people always say ‘Oh, they will be missed,’ but in this case that could not be more true. He will be missed by everyone who knew him personally and by everyone who was entertained by him. Rest in peace lil’ brother.”

Below, see tributes and remembrances from country music artists including Jimmie Allen, Osborne, Randy Houser, Charlie Worsham, Chapel Hart, Lady A’s Hillary Scott, Tucker, songwriter Danny Myrick and more:

24 Oct 2022

Madonna Posts Video Dancing to Cardi B Song After Duo Make Amends

Madonna is showing her love for Cardi B after the superstar duo patched up their feud over comments the Queen of Pop made while reflecting on the 30-year anniversary of her Sex coffee table book.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Madge took to her Instagram Stories on Monday (Oct. 24) to share a video of herself dancing and lip syncing along to Cardi’s GloRilla collab, “Tomorrow 2.” She captioned the clip with a sweet “[heart] u @iamcardib.” Madonna followed up by giving love to Miley Cyrus and Kim Kardashian, whom she also mentioned while reflecting on her book.

Watch her Stories before they disappear here.

On Sunday morning (Oct. 23), Cardi B fired off a series of since-deleted tweets sharing that she felt disrespected by comments Madonna made on her Instagram Story the previous evening about how she helped pave the way for other female artists expressing their sexuality.

“30 years ago I published a book called S.E.X. In addition to photos of me naked there were photos of Men kissing Men, Woman kissing Woman and Me kissing everyone,” Madonna wrote on Saturday, noting that she faced a great deal of criticism at the time. “Now Cardi B can sing about her WAP. Kim Kardashian can grace the cover of any magazine with her naked ass and Miley Cyrus can come in like a wrecking ball.”

The final line of Madonna’s post read, “You’re welcome b—-es,” followed by a clown emoji.

“I literally [paid] this woman homage so many times cause I grew up listening to her …she can make her point without putting clown emojis and getting slick out the mouth,” the rapper wrote in a now-deleted tweet alongside a screenshot of a 2018 Billboard article in which she praises Madonna. “These icons really become disappointments once u make it in the industry that’s why I keep to myself.”

Later Sunday morning, Hollywood Unlocked founder Jason Lee tweeted that he was “on the phone with Madonna and Cardi” and listening to the stars “share their perspective on the communication going on has broadened their love for each other.”

Both Cardi and Madonna then took to Twitter to reveal that they have reconciled. “I talked to Madonna …It was beautiful …Have a great day and drive safely yallll,” the rapper wrote. Madonna added, “I love you @iamcardib!! Always have and always will.”

24 Oct 2022

Here Are the World Cup Songs & Anthems Through the Years

The World Cup was inaugurated in 1930, but it wasn’t until 1990 that the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, or FIFA, began to adopt songs that would become the official soundtrack of the global soccer tournament, which happens every four years.

Some more popular than others, these official anthems have not only soundtracked World Cups, they’ve gone on to change the careers of the artists who’ve performed them. Such was the case for Ricky Martin, who in 1998 recorded the euphoric official song “Cup of Life (La Copa de la Vida)” for the tournament that took place that year in France.

At the peak of the “Latin explosion,” with artists such as Martin crossing over to the English market, the Puerto Rican star teamed up with Desmond Child and Draco Rosa to write and produce the song, which originally peaked at No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1998 and re-entered the chart at No. 45 in August 1999. The international smash hit also won a Grammy for best Latin pop performance.

Another official song that took on a life of its own is Shakira‘s joyful “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” featuring Afro-fusion band Freshlyground, for the 2010 soccer event held in South Africa. With more than 3 billion views on YouTube to date, the track peaked at No. 38 on the Hot 100 chart dated July 3, 2010.

This year, FIFA has released a handful of official songs for the 2022 World Cup, set to kick off Nov. 20 in host country Qatar. The first song released was the uplifting track “Hayya Hayya (Better Together),” featuring Trinidad Cardona, Davido and Aisha, which fuses R&B and reggae influences. For the first time ever, the tournament’s soundtrack will feature a multi-song collection, with international artists “showcasing diverse musical genres that span the world, setting the tone for a truly global celebration,” according to FIFA.

It’s worth noting that World Cup-inspired songs have been released since 1962, but not all have been adopted by FIFA. The ones below, for each year since 1990, are recognized as FIFA official theme songs and anthems.

24 Oct 2022

Janet Thurlow, Jazz Singer & Widow of Trombonist Jimmy Cleveland, Dies at 96

Janet Thurlow, the jazz singer and widow of famed trombonist Jimmy Cleveland who performed with Lionel Hampton’s orchestra and helped give Quincy Jones an early career boost, has died. She was 96.

Thurlow died Oct. 4 congestive heart failure at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, California, her family announced.

Thurlow first met Cleveland in 1951 when she joined Hampton’s band and he was playing with the vibes legend. They married two years later and performed together often until his death in 2008 at age 82.

The first of five children, Janet Lorraine Thurlow was born in Seattle on May 21, 1926. She received violin, piano and voice lessons as a youngster and played violin on a radio talent show hosted by Major Edward Bowes.

She began as a song stylist with Robert “Bumps” Blackwell’s Seattle-based band in 1949 before she was recruited by Hampton. She then pushed the bandleader to hire Jones, a trumpeter and friend from Seattle.

In August 1951, Thurlow and Jones were prominently featured as “Two Seattleites” on the bill of a Hampton show at the city’s popular Trianon Ballroom.

She later recorded “I Can’t Believe You’re in Love With Me” with Hampton for the Decca label, making her perhaps the first white singer to front an all-Black big band.

The skilled Cleveland fronted several albums of his own and recorded with the likes of Jones, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Sarah Vaughan, James Brown, Miles Davis, Teddy Edwards and Diana Washington.

He and his wife moved from New York to Lynwood in 1967 when he began playing in the band on The Merv Griffin Show.

Survivors include her sister, Carolyn, nieces Carol and Julie and nephew Martin. A memorial service will be held at noon Saturday at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in South Gate, California.

This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.