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In the first trailer for the upcoming Apple TV+ series My Kind of Country, executive producers Kacey Musgraves and Reese Witherspoon break down the reason they decided to hop into the reality singing competition lane.
“When we got together a long time ago we were talking about how country music should stop limiting people and start opening doors… it’s music brought over from all over the world,” Witherspoon says in the two-minute sneak peek that dropped on Friday morning (March 10). “The bluegrass, the folk, the gospel. There’s so many threads woven through country music,” Musgaves adds.
The series that will pit 12 contestants against each other in a bid to become the next country star will feature a diverse group of singers from around the world trying to impress ground-breaking country stars Jimmie Allen, Mickey Guyton and Orville Peck. Each scout has picked a diverse roster of up-and-coming acts who they think have that special something and invited them to Nashville to showcase their unique sound.
In keeping with that theme, each artist’s team is packed with acts that span the globe, with Allen’s featuring singers from Mexico, India, North Carolina and South Africa, while Guyton’s squad has two Nashville and South African performers and Peck’s players from India, South Africa and California.
The winner of the competition will receive what is described as a “life-changing” experience from Apple, which will include global exposure across the Apple TV+ and Apple Music platforms.
My Kind of Country will debut on March 24.
Check out the trailer below.
Kelly Clarkson was reunited with her 2019 The Voice team member, Jej Vinson, when the singer returned for season 23 — this time in a group.
The trio, called Sheer Element, took the stage for the blind auditions on Tuesday (March 7), where they delivered a sleek rendition of Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open,” complete with flawless three-part harmonies.
Their impressive performances got chair turns from Chance the Rapper, Niall Horan and Kelly Clarkson, whose jaw dropped when she saw her former team member Vinson. “What the hell!” she screamed upon seeing him.
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“He was Team Kelly on another season. He is incredible, that is insane,” Clarkson explained to her fellow coaches, before later telling the Sheer Element, “You’re incredible and I already love Jej’s voice. You’re so incredibly tight and you know your vibe. You’re not picking a coach to teach you anything about that. You’re picking a coach for song selection, and that’s really key.”
Horan also chimed in, noting that he turned his chair because the group’s performance “made me feel,” before adding that he has some experience in a group as a former member as One Direction. “I’ve been in a group. My favorite acts of all time are The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Boyz II Men. I feel that we could work very well together,” Horan shared.
Chance the Rapper also gave his pitch for the trio, sharing, “I can tell that you guys have done this together for a while because it sounds so tight. As an overall presentation, it was just insane.”
He continued, “I also produce music for a few different groups, and I think I could see exactly where you guys could go with your style, aesthetic and with the three of you guys as a group. So, if you want to win, come get down with Team Chance.”
Watch the full performance below, and be sure to tune into The Voice tonight (March 7) at 8 p.m. ET on NBC to see who Sheer Element chose as their coach.
Florence Welch is ready to join team Yellowjackets by diving into a portal back to 1995. The + the Machine singer teased her contribution to the upcoming second season of the Showtime drama about a girls’ soccer team stranded in the wilderness — and the inescapable echo of the horrifying things that happened there that haunts their adult lives — with a short Instagram teaser on Monday (March 6).
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In the clip, Welch is backstage flipping through a wardrobe featuring the expected array of pastel-colored, gauzy dresses as a spooky piano theme plays in the background before she gets to a Team Yellowjackets varsity jacket. “So happy I got picked for the team this year,” reads the caption to the post.
Most crucially, as Welch gets ready to join the squad, her band’s frantic cover of No Doubt’s iconic breakthrough ’95 hit, “Just a Girl,” bubbles up. Whereas the original Gwen Stefani-led track was a bouncy, ska-tinged pop smash about female empowerment, in Welch’s hands the tune takes on a sinister, roiling edge in keeping with the show’s midnight black undercurrent.
The teen footballers are happy to have her, though, with the Yellowjackets account responding, “We make one hell of a team.” The choice of the No Doubt ditty from the group’s breakthrough third album, Tragic Kingdom, is fitting given the song choices in the first season, which leaned into an angsty mid-1990s alt rock playlist as the soundtrack to the increasingly desperate vibe among the teens starving in the woods.
Among the songs sprinkled throughout the first season were tracks by Alanis Morissette (“Uninvited”), Smashing Pumpkins (“Today”), Hole (“Miss World”), Ultravox (“Vienna”), Montell Jordan (“This Is How We Do It”), Prodigy (“Firestarter”) and Mazzy Star (“Fade Into You”). The show’s packed cast for round two includes the adult versions of the players, Christina Ricci, Lynskey, Tawny Cypress and Juliette Lewis, as well as detective Elijah Wood, Lauren Ambrose, Simone Kessell, Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Sophie Thatcher, Samantha Hanratty, Courtney Eaton, Liv Hewson and more.
Season two premieres on Showtime on March 24 on streaming and on demand for subscribers and on linear outlets on March 26 at 9 p.m. ET.
Listen to the preview of Welch’s “Just a Girl” below.
Weezer has toured the globe, sold millions of albums and written some of the greatest pop-rock anthems of the modern rock era. But the one thing the Rivers Cuomo-led band has never done is get a thumbs-up from Simon Cowell. But on Tuesday night (Feb. 28) the band popped in for a guest slot on America’s Got Talent, where they ripped through two songs and got high praise from the notoriously cranky reality TV judge.
The mini-set kicked off with a run through the SZN: Autumn track “What Happens After You?,” with the group performing the charging track in front of a giant wall of TV monitors as the judges politely clapped along. Then, in a surprise shift, the iconic drumroll kick-off to the band’s 2005 hit “Beverly Hills” swelled up and the Detroit Youth Choir charged to the stage, clapping their hands and chanting, “gimme gimme, cuz we the next big thing!/ Can you feel me, I know you hear me/ DYC the next big thing.”
While Cuomo strummed and sang the song’s first verse the choir busted out some high-energy choreo and made the chorus swell with their gospel-y backing vocals as judge Howie Mandel said, “I love this song.” After the stage exploded in confetti streamers, Mandel, Cowell and Heidi Klum gave the combined group a standing ovation.
Cuomo told host Terry Crews that performing withe choir was “super fun,” calling their background vocals “beautiful.” Cowell could not have agreed more, dubbing the performance “absolutely brilliant,” while thanking the band for the “magic” they brought to the stage.
Watch Weezer on AGT below.
It’s hard to imagine now, but a one point Jimmy Fallon was an unknown, struggling stand-up comedian looking for a break. On Monday night’s (Feb. 27) Tonight Show, Fallon finally got the chance to thank a musician who took a chance on him way back when by giving the now-veteran late night host an opening gig for the band.
“I was a stand-up comedian and it was probably 1996 or ’97… it was before I was on Saturday Night Live,” Fallon told Monkees singer/drummer Micky Dolenz about the time he opened for the “Pleasant Valley Sunday” band nearly 30 years ago. “I got a gig to open for you at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angles.”
Fallon recalled saying hello to Dolenz and late Monkees singer Davy Jones and that Dolenz asked what his name was. “‘I think you got something there, kid,’” Fallon said Dolenz told him. Jimmy then recalled “freaking out” about meeting the rocker and remembered that Dolenz told him he was filming a TV pilot and suggested Fallon ask his manager if he could audition for the show.
Fallon did end up trying out for the show — which didn’t get picked up — but he said the kind gesture from Dolenz meant a lot to him. “I wanted to tell you, it built my confidence as a comedian and someone who couldn’t get a gig or get a callback or anything,” Fallon said. “That little boost, that little someone believing in you really meant a lot to me and I’ll never forget it and I really thank you so much,” he added as a humbled Dolenz smiled at the retelling of the story.
Jimmy then pivoted to the story of the other famous James who got a leg up thanks to the Monkees: Jimi Hendrix. The group that was formed for the eponymous 1966-1968 musical sitcom famously booked the late guitar hero to open for them after Dolenz went to see the then-unknown shredder play at a tiny New York club.
Sure enough, Hendrix took the gig and every night when he ripped into “Purple Haze,” Dolenz said the screaming audience would shout, “We want Davy! We want the Monkees!” Dolenz also talked about his new photo book from his salad days, I’m Told I Had a Good Time and stuck around to play one of the band’s most beloved hits, “Last Train to Clarksville.”
Check out Dolenz on The Tonight Show below.
Editor’s note: This story features descriptions of gun violence.
The early American Idol audition rounds are where America has met some of their favorite singers over the past two decades. Sometimes they’re not the best vocalists, but they have a certain spark, a twinkle in their eye or a story so intriguing that the judges have to lean in and learn more.
That was definitely the case on Sunday night (Feb. 26) when 21-year-old mattress salesman Trey Louis of Santa Fe, Texas charmed the judges with his calm, playful demeanor and an impressive, twangy run through Whiskey Myers’ 2018 hit “Stone.” Sure, his stories about the NSFW questions mattress shoppers ask him were funny and his vocals had gritty soul, but Louis had much more to say following his impressive performance.
After getting a standing ovation from judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan — with the latter calling Louis’ “perfect” — Bryan asked the singer why he was there. The first reason, Louis said, was because some of his favorite singers have stood on the very same star before the nation learned who they were.
The second, however, was more emotional and it brought Perry to angry tears. Louis noted again that he’s from Santa Fe, Texas, where in May 2018 he survived a mass shooting at Santa Fe High School during which a gunman killed eight students and two teachers. “[I] lost a lot of friends,” Louis said, noting he was in an art classroom when the shooter opened fire next door before making his way into the room Louis was in.
Getting choked up as the judges flashed looks of concern, Louis looked at the ground and said, “It’s just really been negative and Santa Fe’s had a bad rap since 2018.” Bryan’s voice cracked as he praised Louis’ vocals and big heart while Perry slumped forward, sobbing into her hands as Louis asked her what was going on.
“Our country has f–king failed us,” Perry shouted while poking her finger into the judge’s desk as Louis softly added “facts.”
“This is not okay,” Katy continued through tears. “You should be singing here because you love music, not because you had to go through that f–king bulls–t. You don’t have to lose eight friends. I hope that you remind people that we have to change. Cuz, you know, I’m scared too.”
As Bryan and Richie sympathetically reached out to rub Perry on the shoulders, Louis consoled her as well, saying, “it’s terrible, Katy, it’s horrible.”
Richie weighed in as well on the daily toll of mass shootings in the country, saying, “We have tolerated this for so long, for too long. It’s become the norm”; according to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been more than 80 mass shootings so far this year. Perry told Louis that she hoped he could be a leader to combat gun violence in the nation. It was, of course, a yes for Louis, who advanced to the next round after getting loving hugs from all three judges.
Watch Louis’ audition below.
Kelly Clarkson hopped into the wayback machine on Friday’s (Feb. 24) Kelly Clarkson Show and ended the week with one of the classic late 1970s between-the-sheets R&B ballads of all time.
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With the stage bathed in a warm orange glow, Clarkson eased into duo Peaches & Herb’s 1979 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Reunited,” a cross-over smash from the pair’s 1978 album, Hot. “Reunited and it feels so good/ Reunited ’cause we understood/ There’s one perfect fit/ And, sugar, this one is it/ We both are so excited ’cause we’re reunited, hey, hey,” Clarkson with a subtle twang over the band’s smooth as a melting pat of butter arrangement.
At the time of its release “Reunited” topped the Billboard singles chart for four weeks during a nearly six-month run on the charts, during which it also went to No. 1 on the R&B singles chart.
The run through “Reunited” came during a week of introspective covers from Clarkson, who also emoted her way through Mazzy Star’s signature hit, “Fade Into You” as well as her thoughtful take on Dermot Kennedy’s “Better Days,” GEMS’ “Peacefully,” Lenny Kravitz’s “Fly Away” and a four-pack of collaborations with legendary singer/songwriter/producer Babyface.
The singer also invited her fellow The Voice coach Niall Horan on on Wednesday and while they bonded over their mutual reality singing show resumes, with Clarkson admitting that she was sure One Direction had won the X Factor the year the group was formed on the show in 2009; they actually came in third.
Check out Clarkson’s cover of “Reunited” below.
Sam Smith seems to be getting hot on the set of And Just Like That…, and they took to Instagram on Wednesday (Feb. 22) to tease some “unholy” business with fans.
“Up to something unholy on set,” the singer captioned a photo hanging out near their trailer on the And Just Like That… set, leaving fans excited to know if Smith will appear in season two of the popular Sex and the City revival series — and who they’ll play.
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Smith’s cryptic post comes nearly a year after HBO Max announced that AJLT has been renewed for a second season. “I am delighted and excited to tell more stories about these vibrant, bold characters — played by these powerful, amazing actors,” showrunner Michael Patrick King said in a statement to Us Weekly. “The fact is, we’re all thrilled. And Just Like That … our Sex life is back.”
The show premiered in December 2021, picking up 11-plus years after the last time Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Co. were on screens in the second SATC feature film. And Just Like That follows Carrie, Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) as they navigate the journey from the complicated reality of life and friendship in their 30s to the even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their 50s.
Watch And Just Like That by signing up for HBO Max here.
The Voice announced that country icon Reba McEntire will serve as the Mega Mentor for the upcoming 23rd season of the show when it returns on NBC on March 6. McEntire will be on hand to join new coaches Chance the Rapper and Niall Horan as well as returning chair turners Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton, who is making his final spin on the series as the only original cast member after a 12-year run.
McEntire and the coaches will mentor the acts who make it through the Battle Rounds as the teams prepare for the Knockouts that begin on April 17. McEntire was a Battle Advisor to Shelton’s team during season one, which makes her return for Blake’s final curtain even more poignant.
A release announcing McEntire’s return also noted that the show will add some important changes to the format that will make the competition even more fierce this time around. Starting on March 27, the new “Playoff Pass” will let both artists in a battle advance, with one “Pass” winner snagging a big advantage when they skip the Knockout Rounds and automatically advance to the Playoffs.
Each coach will have one Playoff Pass and one steal during this round, with seven artists from each team advancing — six to compete in the Knockout rounds and one Pass artist. During the Knockouts, artists will be paired against each other and pick their own songs to perform individually while their competitors wait and watch from the sidelines. The coaches will then choose the winner, with the artist not selected available to return via a steal; each coach has only one steal during this round as five artists per team advance.
Finally, during the return of the playoff rounds beginning on May 1, the 20 remaining acts will face off as each coach has to pick two to advance to the live semifinals. This season’s live shows will kick off on May 15. The season 23 premiere of The Voice airs on NBC on March 6 at 8 p.m. ET.
Some songs are so perfect as they are when performed by the original artist that it’s a fool’s errand to try and cover them. That, of course, hasn’t stopped anyone with a piano and a passable voice giving the Beatles’ “Hey Jude” a go.
The same could also be said about Mazzy Star‘s signature 1994 single “Fade Into You,” a gauzy smoke trail of a ballad that is so perfectly exhaled by singer Hope Sandoval that it’s hard to think of a way to best the track that gave the group its only entry on the Billboard Hot 100 when it peaked at No. 44 that year.
Clearly nobody warned Kelly Clarkson, because on Wednesday’s (Feb. 22) episode of the singer’s daily syndicated talk show she took on “Fade” as part of her beloved Kellyoke segment and, as if we have to even say it, Clarkson killed it. With her My Band Y’all ladling out the song’s molasses-thick musical bed behind her, Clarkson stood perfectly still and did what she does best: poured her honeyed vocals all over the track and captured its intense longing and yearning for a deeper connection in a way only she can.
Clarkson didn’t try to amp up the already-present drama with a flashy vocal run, but instead trusted the song’s inherent drama while putting her patented country-meets-R&B stank on it. Wednesday’s cover was a in keeping with the emotional theme so far this week, which so far has also featured her take on Dermot Kennedy’s upbeat ballad “Better Days.”
Check out Clarkson’s cover of “Fade Into You” below.