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16 Jan 2024

6 Must-Hear New Country Songs: Zach Top, Chris Young, Peytan Porter & More

This week’s roundup of new music features plenty of twangy country fare from Zach Top and Catie Offerman, soulful wistfulness from Chris Young and Peytan Porter, and a sterling new work from Lizzie No and Conner Smith.

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Zach Top, “Sounds Like the Radio”

The fiddles sizzle, the guitars twang as much as Top’s voice, and this barroom shuffle feels ripped from ’90s country radio in the best way. A highly promising track that sounds like a harbinger of more “country gold” to come from this newcomer.

Peytan Porter, “Lemonade”

Porter teams up with co-writers Ian Christian and Matt Willis on this darkly stomping country track, driven by thriving percussion and sinewy guitar. Porter possesses a nimble voice that adeptly shifts between bluesy tones and an ethereal airy upper register and pairs it with an eye for lyrical detail, on this song that non-judgmentally showcases a range of vices (“cheatin’, drinkin’, cheatin’, prayin’”) used as escape mechanisms to help numb the pain of soul-killing situations.

Chris Young, “Right Now”

Eleven-time Country Airplay chart-topper Young turns in another distinguished vocal delivery on this sultry, soulful track, which finds him torn between pride and pining, embellished by moody guitar and driving rhythm. Ultimately, he dares to be the the first to put his ego and hurt aside for the chance to rekindle a romance whose embers are still glowing. Young wrote this standout with Chris DeStefano and Josh Hoge, with production by Young and DeStefano.

Lizzie No, “The Heartbreak Store”

This singer, songwriter and podcaster released the 2017 debut project Hard Won, and returns Jan. 19 with their latest album Halfsies, out on Thirty Tigers/Miss Freedomland. The 11-song project, in solid singer-songwriter tradition, proliferates with keen observations, excavating both internal and external struggles. The project includes this lilting story of a post-heartbreak shift aimed at putting the past behind and moving toward liberation. No’s warm, welcoming voice, emotional clarity and eloquent songwriting skills gleam.

Catie Offerman, “Sound of Missing You”

Offerman is steadily building her calling card as a promising country neo-traditionalist, with her latest –an uptempo track about barrooms that serve as bandaids for broken hearts — being one more ace. Her voice is a potent simmer of twangy and silky, bolstered by fiddles that would sound right at home on a George Strait song (fitting, as Offerman also namechecks King George here).

Conner Smith, “Meanwhile in Carolina”

Smith previously hit the top 15 on the Country Airplay chart with his swampy, country come-on “Creek Will Rise,” and is part of Country Radio Seminar’s New Faces of Country Music Class of 2024. His latest, which Smith wrote with Blake Pendergrass, is a tender ballad that traces the lives two lovers lead long before meeting each other, laying the groundwork to love. This charmer of a song marks some of Smith’s best work to date, feeling reminiscent of some of Brad Paisley’s tender earlier works, and nicely showcasing the unhurried warmth and earnestness in his voice.

16 Jan 2024

Elton John ‘On Cloud Nine’ After 2024 Emmys Win Secures His EGOT: ‘So Deeply Grateful’

Elton John celebrated his newly minted EGOT status in a sentimental post on Monday night (Jan. 15) after an Emmys win for his Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodgers Stadium put the pop legend into rarified air.

“We won an Emmy and I am on cloud nine!! Receiving this recognition is a testament to the passion and dedication of everyone involved, and I am so deeply grateful,” John wrote in an Instagram post featuring the special’s poster and an image from his wild, piano-jumping 1970s heyday as an explanation for why he could not be there in person.

“Whilst I am gutted that I couldn’t be there to accept this award in person– I recently underwent a knee operation, a gentle reminder, perhaps, of a lifetime spent jumping off pianos (see pic 2!) – my heartfelt thanks go out to the @televisionacad and all those who took the time to vote. This award reflects the collective effort and creativity of an amazing team,” John added. One of the special’s executive producers, Gabe Turner, accepted the award on John’s behalf at the ceremony, noting that the 76-year-old singer had recently undergone a knee operation.

The Dodger Stadium special won the Primetime Emmy for outstanding variety special (live), making John the 19th performer to do a clean-sweep of the top entertainment awards (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). Sir Elton is 76 years and nine months old, making him the second-oldest performer to complete the EGOT; English actor Sir John Gielgud was 87 years and four months when he completed the sweep in 1991. 

John’s statement went on to thank streamer Disney+, as well as his partner and one of the special’s executive producers, David Furnish and others involved in the event. “A special acknowledgment goes to the exceptional band and the entire crew of the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. Your commitment and talent have always been the driving force that keeps our incredible fans entertained night after night,” John wrote, also thanking the show’s special guests: Dua Lipa, Brandi Carlile and Kiki Dee, as well as his publicity-shy longtime lyricist, Bernie Taupin, who joined him on stage that night.

“Thank you to all the fans, friends, and collaborators who have supported me throughout the years,” he concluded. “Honoured to have joined the hallowed ranks of EGOT winners, here’s to the joy of music and the magic it brings to our lives!” John’s post included a shower of congratulations from friends and fellow musicians, including well-wishes from fashion icon Donatella Versace, Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav, Maren Morris and Carlile.

See John’s post below.

16 Jan 2024

Blueface In Jail For Probation Violation & Won’t Be Released Until The Summer

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Blueface

Source: Bernard Smalls / @PhotosByBeanz

For the past year and change embattled rapper, Blueface has been dealing with all kinds of struggles (many self-inflicted) and now he’s getting even more bad news as we’re learning that the man won’t see the light of day for months.

According to TMZ, the “Thotiana” rapper who’s currently in jail for violating his probation multiple times has been told that he won’t have a shot at getting his freedom back until this coming summer. This past Friday (January 12), Blueface was seen heading to court to handle some “mandatory issues” before getting cuffed up and locked down until further notice.

Though there are many incidents which could’ve led to Blueface getting taken to jail, no one knows for sure which situation led to the rapper being called out for violating his probation.

TMZ reports:

As it turns out … he was. TMZ can confirm Blueface is in custody at the county jail right now — and according to online records … he ain’t scheduled to be released until the summer.More specifically, Blueface is not scheduled to be cut loose until July 2, 2024 … although, with overcrowding in the jail — it’s certainly possible he’ll be released sooner than this. No word on which wing of the jail he’s being housed in just yet … it looks like they’re still sorting that.Still … Blue will likely be out of the public eye for the foreseeable future — something his mother was decrying on Friday, and also blaming on his baby mamas …
She claimed these ladies had brought him nothing but trouble — a sentiment echoed by Blue’s manager, Wack 100, as well. As you well know, he’s been very active over the past 12 months on a number of fronts … and it looks like somewhere along the way, law enforcement saw something they felt violated his probation terms — and then rang him up for it.
Well, at least he’ll be a free man in time to enjoy the summer months… maybe.
Guess we’ll have to wait and see which one of the many incidents he was involved in this past year and change led to Blueface getting taken away.
What do y’all think Blueface did to get himself in hot water with the courts? Let us know in the comments section below.

16 Jan 2024

Green Day to Headline EA Sports’ Super Bowl Party

Welcome to paradise! Green Day is set to headline EA Sports’ Super Bowl party The Madden Bowl, Billboard can exclusively report. The event will take place Feb. 9 at the House of Blues in Las Vegas. Also set to perform are rapper Big Boi with special guest Killer Mike, and Breland.

“Prepare your ears because we’re gonna bring the loudest show of Super Bowl weekend!” Green Day said in a statement. “Stoked to reunite with Madden NFL and remind the world that rock and football go together like EA SPORTS and It’s In The Game!!”

Big Boi also promised a show to remember. “Las Vegas isn’t ready for the show we’re about to bring!” the rapper said in a statement. “Madden Bowl will be the party of Friday night, and as a longtime fan of Madden, I can’t wait to put on a show with my boy Killer Mike to celebrate another Super Bowl with EA SPORTS.”

In addition to the live performances, The Madden Bowl will also feature interactive experience, and is hosting the finale of the Madden NFL 24 championship series, where two of the best players in the world will battle it out in front of a live audience to play to claim not only the title of Ultimate Madden Bowl Champion, but also a share of the $1 million prize pool. The match will stream live on Twitch and YouTube beginning at 6:30 p.m. PT.

The Super Bowl takes place Feb. 11 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The two teams that will be facing off have not yet been determined, but Usher is set to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show. A teaser for the R&B icon’s upcoming set shared Jan. 12 reflects on Usher’s decades-long career, and also features cameos from Jung Kook of BTS, J Balvin and LeBron James.

As for what fans can expect from the highly anticipated set? “You’re going to get hit records,” Usher previously teased. “I do want to play the songs that people obviously recognize and the ones that I celebrate. … I found really great ways to help us communicate better through my music and that celebration is inside this curation.”

16 Jan 2024

Post Malone, The Killers, SZA to Headline 2024 Governors Ball Festival

The 2024 Governors Ball music festival announced this summer’s lineup on Tuesday morning (Jan. 16), revealing that Post Malone, SZA and the Killers will headline the event slated to take place at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens from June 7-9.

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In addition to the headliners, Gov Ball will welcome dozens of other pop, rock, Latin and hip-hop stars, including: Peso Pluma, Rauw Alejandro and Farruko, 21 Savage, Dominic Fike, Carly Rae Jepsen, Mean Girls star Reneé Rapp, Labrinth, Sabrina Carpenter and Don Toliver, as well as debut GB performances from Victoria Monét, Sexyy Red, TV Girl, Goth Babe, Alex G, Jessie Murph, Teezo Touchdown, Tyla and Kevin Abstract.

“I’m thrilled to welcome everyone back to Flushing Meadows Corona Park for this year’s Governors Ball, featuring headliners SZA, Post Malone and The Killers,” Queens Borough president Donovan Richards Jr. said in a statement announcing the lineup for the 14th edition of the event. “We’re deeply grateful for the economic activity the festival will generate for Queens, and we’re even more grateful that the festival is partnering with some of our local nonprofits, including Chhaya, Elmhurst/Corona Recovery Collective and the Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park, to work with our local food vendors and other community groups doing important empowerment work.”

Other acts slated to perform: Yung Gravy, Blondshell, Doechii, Hippo Campus, d4vd, BAkar, Skizzy Mars, Cannons, Chappell Roan, Stephen Sanchez, Beach Fossils, Saint Levant, Geese, G Flip and Husbands

This summer’s Ball will feature more than 60 bands on three stages setting up at Corona Park for the second year. You can sign up now for the SMS presale, which will happen on Thursday (Jan. 18) from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET, which organizers says is the only way to get tickets at the lowest price; ticket prices will go up on Thursday at 1 p.m. ET when the public onsale begins.

This year’s Ball will include two new ticket tiers, 2-day bundles and Ultimate tickets, with the former allowing fans to customize their festival experience by picking any two days of their choosing at any ticket time and the latter ultra-premium pass including access to a shared Ultimate guest cabana with all-day snacks, dinner buffet, all-inclusive bar, dedicated restroom and prime views of the main stage and front-of-stage viewing at all the stages, festival concierge, complimentary beer and seltzer and golf cart transportation between stages. Click here for more ticketing information.

Check out the full festival poster below.

gov ball 2024

Courtesy Photo

16 Jan 2024

Jelly Roll, Brothers Osborne, Ashley McBryde to Perform During 2024 iHeartCountry Festival

The iHeartCountry Festival Presented by Capital One is returning to Austin, Texas on May 4, featuring performances from Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Old Dominion, Lady A, Riley Green, Ashley McBryde, Brothers Osborne and Walker Hayes.

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The festival, hosted by iHeartMedia nationally syndicated on-air personality Bobby Bones, will once again be held at Austin’s Moody Center. Meanwhile, iHeartMedia’s country music stations will broadcast the event live in their local markets and on iheartradio.com on May 4 starting at 8 p.m. ET.

Reigning CMA new artist of the year Jelly Roll notched three Country Airplay No. 1 hits in 2023, and is currently nominated for two Grammys ahead of this year’s ceremony. Old Dominion just announced the upcoming opening of their bar Odie’s in Nashville, while Jason Aldean earned his first Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper in 2023 with the controversial “Try That in a Small Town.” Brothers Osborne, McBryde and Green each released new projects in 2023, while McBryde also earned the Groundbreaker award at Billboard’s Country Live conference. Hayes recently gave his 2021 smash hit “Fancy Like” a holiday remake with “Fancy Like Christmas.”

“We are so excited to bring the iHeartCountry Festival to country music fans again this year at Moody Center in Austin,” Rod Phillips, executive vp of programming for iHeartCountry said in a statement. “It’s always exciting to watch fans experience performances by so many of the top artists in our format, all on one big iHeart stage.”

“We are thrilled to offer our cardholders unique access to experience country music’s top talent at this year’s iHeartCountry Festival,” added Byron Daub, vp of sponsorships and experiential marketing at Capital One. “Country music is a big passion for our cardholders, so we are excited to offer an exclusive presale and special pre-event performance by Old Dominion.”

Tickets for the event go on sale to the general public on Jan. 26 starting at 1 p.m. ET here. Eligible Capital One Cardholders get exclusive access to presale tickets before the general public beginning Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. ET through Jan. 25 at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT (10 a.m. CT). Additionally, Capital One Cardholders can add a Capital One Access Pass to their purchase to enjoy an intimate cardholder pre-event at iHeartCountry Festival featuring a special performance by Old Dominion, complimentary light fare and beverage, and more. Supplies are limited. Eligible cardholders can also redeem rewards for exclusive ticket packages on Capital One Entertainment. 

16 Jan 2024

Drake Posts Pic of His Dad’s First Visit to Toronto in 15 Years: ‘They Let the OG Back Into Canada’

Drake got his folks in the frame in his hometown for the first time in more than a decade over the weekend. In a rare Graham fam snap, Drake posted an image to his Instagram Story featuring his meme-tastic mustachioed dad, Dennis Graham, standing next to the rapper’s beloved mother, Sandi.

The exes were both, of course, rocking some of their son’s OVO gear, with Drake writing, “First time in over 15 years they let the OG back into Canada,” he wrote in the Story according to Complex. “Thank you to everyone that helped us out.” It was not clear at press time why Graham had not been able to cross the border for a decade and a half, but judging by the picture it was an all-smiles reunion.

Drake was born in Toronto to Canadian school teacher Sandi Sher and Memphis-bred musician Dennis Graham on Oct. 24, 1986, with the MC growing up mostly with his mother after the couple split when Drake was five-years-old. After Graham moved back to the U.S. following the divorce, Drake’s dad would drive the rapper from Toronto to Memphis with him every summer, according to People.

The exes seem to get along well, with Graham making an appearance at Sandi’s 75th birthday party last January, posting a picture of the pair posing with Drake and the rapper’s son, Adonis, with the caption, “Happy Birthday Pinky, we love you.”

Drake is about to launch his It’s All a Blur Tour: Big As The What? tour with J. Cole, which will open with the first of two dates at the Ball Arena in Denver, CO on Thursday (Jan. 18).

16 Jan 2024

Kelly Clarkson Honors MLK Day With Powerful U2 Kellyoke Cover of ‘Pride (In the Name of Love)’

Kelly Clarkson honored Monday’s (Jan. 15) nation MLK Day holiday with the perfect Kellyoke tribute. The singer took the stage to perform an amped-up version of U2‘s 1984 anthem “Pride (In the Name of Love),” the iconic anthem by the Irish rockers that features lines paying tribute to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

Clapping along to the song’s iconic rolling drum and chiming guitar chord intro, Clarkson somberly sang the tune’s indelible opening lines: “One man come in the name of love/ One man come and go/ One man come he to justify/ One man to overthrow,” before climbing into her high, powerful register for the song’s shout-along chorus, “In the name of love/ What more in the name of love.”

As her house band chugged along behind, Clarkson then jumped to the third verse, which most specifically references King, detailing his assassination and lasting legacy; the singer performed the lyrics not as originally written — with an erroneous “early morning” reference to the time of day of King’s 1968 killing that U2 singer Bono has since copped to fudging — but with the updated nod to the early evening attack at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis that felled the civil rights figurehead.

“Early evening, April four/ Shots ring out in the Memphis sky/ Free at last, they took your life/ They could not take your pride,” Clarkson sang urgently before ending the performance with one of her patented sky-high power notes on a day when many Americans reflect and turn to acts of service to honor King.

It was not the first time Clarkson has taken on a U2 song on her wildly popular Kellyoke segment, previously performing the soaring “Beautiful Day” in 2021 and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” during the the Black Lives Matter protests following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020.

Watch Clarkson pay tribute to King below.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=tfHzr-hNz6U&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

16 Jan 2024

D-Block Europe Set to Crush U.K. Albums Chart With ‘Rolling Stone’

D-Block Europe is heading for a first U.K. No. 1 with Rolling Stone (via D-Block Europe), the British hip-hop collective’s third studio album.

Rolling Stone leads an all-new top three on the midweek chart, and will extend the act’s tally of U.K. top 10 albums, which currently stands at seven – the most of any British rap act in Official Charts history.

The result isn’t a foregone conclusion. The Vaccines are close behind with Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations (Super Easy), on track for a No. 2 debut. Pick-Up should give the English indie-pop outfit a sixth consecutive U.K. top 10 album, and highest chart appearance since 2015’s English Graffiti, which also peaked at No. 2.

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The Vaccines bagged a U.K. No. 1 with 2012’s Come of Age.

Meanwhile, 21 Savage is on target for his first solo top 10 appearance in the country of his birth. The British-American rap star is predicted to debut at No. 3 with American Dream (Epic/Slaughter Gang), his third LP. Also, three cuts from it are expected to impact the top 40 of the U.K. singles chart.

Savage, who was born in London, now based in Atlanta, has two top 10 appearances with collaborative projects. His 2022 recording with Drake, Her Loss, reached No. 1, and 2020’s Savage Mode II with Metro Boomin peaked at No. 10.

Further down the chart blast, British singer and songwriter Bill Ryder-Jones should snag his first solo top 40 album with Iechyd Da (Domino Recordings), his fifth LP. It’s new at No. 7 on the Official Chart Update. As a member of The Coral, Ryder-Jones landed a U.K. No. 1 in 2003 with Magic and Medicine.

Finally, Teddy Swims’ continues to paddle up the chart with his debut album I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1) (via Atlantic). It’s forecast to lift 24-11 on the survey, as the hit single from it, “Lose Control,” rises to No. 5 on the singles chart blast.

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Charts are published Friday, Jan. 19.

16 Jan 2024

Tony Orlando Calls Time on Touring, Talks ‘New Journey’ In Production

Tony Orlando’s forthcoming tour will be his last, though the veteran entertainer’s journey in music will carry on through a raft of creative ventures.

Speaking with Billboard via email, Orlando says the end of the road would enable the artist to “satisfy my creative juices” by creating new products from films, to Broadway shows, to streaming new product.

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It’s “time for a new journey,” he continues. Part of that trip involves the launch of Tony Orlando Productions and Explosive Film and Entertainment companies. “I also plan to pay more attention to writing a Broadway show,” he adds, and “pitching my ideas for films and writing my next book. And maybe even managing the careers of some new and young talent.”

Father time, as we all know, remains undefeated.

Travel today is “grueling,” he notes. “And then when you add the overhead the cost to travel with eight band members on the road and then you add five and six hours of delays or cancellations at airports. And not many non-stops, and then your connections end up being canceled.”

All of that, approaching the age of 80, “well this is not a smart or good match. So, it’s time.”

As previously reported, Orlando’s Farewell Concerts kick off with dates across three consecutive nights at South Point Casino in Las Vegas, Jan. 19-21; followed by shows at Niagara Falls, ON; Des Plaines and St. Charles, IL; Atlantic City, NJ; and Uncasville, CT. His final performance in Vegas should be an emotional one, wrapping 51 years as a headliner on the Strip.

Performing live shows for 63 years has been a “glorious dream-come-true run,” he recounts. “And man oh man I will miss the audiences, friends, and fans who have stuck by me for these last sixty-three incredible years OMG I will miss them for sure! But now it’s time to grow and turn a new page in my life. How exciting.”

Orlando has won a stack of honors across his career. His group, Tony Orlando & Dawn, landed three No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 from 1971-75 — “Knock Three Times,” “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” and “He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You).” Also, the act received a Grammy nod for best pop vocal performance by a duo, group or chorus for “Tie a Yellow Ribbon,” which was also nominated for song of the year.

Orlando will continue his broadcasting career with New York City’s 77 WABC, but he’s done with the rigors of the road.

“I can still hit the ball,” he quips. “I just can’t run the bases.”