New solo version of Aretha song about race, faith released on JuneteenthVideo
A never-before-heard solo version of the late Aretha Franklin’s riveting and powerful collaboration with Mary J. Blige about faith and race, 2006’s “Never Gonna Break My Faith,” has arrived on Juneteenth. Sony’s RCA Records, RCA Inspiration and Legacy Recordings released the song Friday, aligning with the holiday celebrating the day...
New date set for Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett tour
If you were disappointed that you weren’t going to hear “Home Sweet Home,” “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” live this summer, good news: a new date for the Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, Poison and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts show in Pittsburgh has been...
World War II forces sweetheart singer Vera Lynn dies at 103
LONDON — Dame Vera Lynn, the endearingly popular “Forces’ Sweetheart” who serenaded British troops abroad during World War II, has died at 103. During the war and long after, Lynn got crowds singing, smiling and crying with sentimental favorites such as “We’ll Meet Again,” and “The White Cliffs of Dover.”...
105.9 The X planning 4th of July alternative rock countdownVideo
Pearl Jam. Nirvana. Green Day. Red Hot Chili Peppers. Which one of these 1990s alternative rock giants will sit atop 105.9 The X’s Fourth of July countdown? For the 4th of July weekend, We will count down, or up. We’re not sure.... The TOP 420 Rock and Alternative songs of...
‘Lemmy’ biopic to focus on Motorhead frontman’s early years
The iconic frontman from Motorhead is getting a biopic, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The film will follow Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister’s early life in England and his early experiences as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix, among other topics. “Lemmy” is set to be directed by Greg Olliver, who spent years...
My Chemical Romance postpones reunion tour
My Chemical Romance has pushed back the band’s highly anticipated reunion tour of North America. The tour will now take place next year. The trek will kick off in Philadelphia on Sept. 8, 2021. pic.twitter.com/JFYhuqK9N2— My Chemical Romance (@MCRofficial) June 16, 2020 “As a band, we are deeply aware...
Online children’s story sessions feature Westmoreland Symphony musicians
Children are invited to learn about composer Ludwig van Beethoven during online story times presented by the Westmoreland Library Network, featuring musicians from the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra. “Beethoven Lives Upstairs,” by Barbara Nichol, will be read during sessions at 11 a.m. Wednesday and Friday, and on July 13 and Aug....
Pittsburgh jazz festival marks 10th anniversary with livestream event
The first-ever Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival Live Online will feature noted jazz musicians from around the world, including Sean Jones, Dianne Reeves, The Bad Plus, Laurin Talese, Jeff Watts, Brett Williams, Lakecia Benjamin and others. The one-time-only virtual event, curated by the August Wilson African American Cultural Center in collaboration...
Kenny Chesney sets 2021 Pittsburgh concert date
Kenny Chesney will be back in the ‘Burgh on June 12, 2021. Earlier this year, the country superstar canceled his entire Chillaxification tour, which included a May 30 date at Heinz Field. The revived tour has 18 dates and will include same lineup of special guests, including Florida Georgia Line,...
Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard lead Americana AwardsVideo
Singer songwriter Brandi Carlile has had a productive year and that’s led her to be the leading nominee at the Americana Honors and Awards for her roles as a solo artist, a member of the group The Highwomen, as a producer and as a songwriter. In the nominations announced Monday...
Drake tops BET Awards nods; show to air on CBS for 1st time
Drake is the leading nominee at the 2020 BET Awards, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary later this month. BET announced Monday that Drake is nominated for six honors, including video of the year and best male hip-hop artist. For both best collaboration and the viewer’s choice award, Drake is...
Concerts to benefit Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank rescheduled to Butler drive-in
A benefit concert for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has been rescheduled. Rockers Gene the Werewolf, the Hawkeyes and the Clarks will now perform June 27 at the Starlight Drive-In along North Main Street Extension in Butler. It was originally booked as a two-night performance with Gene the Werewolf...
12-year-old Pittsburgh-area singer gets her shot on ‘America’s Got Talent’Video
Another young Pittsburgh-area singer is getting ready to show the country what she’s got. Ashley Marina, 12, of Kennedy Township will perform on “America’s Got Talent,” airing 8 p.m. Tuesday on NBC. She is a two-time finalist in the Williams SING-OFF Competition, through which area students are chosen to perform...
North Huntingdon singer hits No. 1 on country radio chart
When Ashley Puckett of North Huntingdon released her debut album, “Never Say Never,” this past Valentine’s Day, she didn’t expect recognition to come so quickly. The 28-year-old’s single, “Bulletproof,” secured the No. 1 spot on the country radio chart in the June 12 issue of New Music Weekly magazine. The...
Kelly Clarkson seeks divorce from husband of nearly 7 years
Kelly Clarkson has filed for divorce from her husband of nearly seven years, Brandon Blackstock. The singer, talk show host and judge on “The Voice” filed court papers to end the marriage under her married name Kelly Blackstock on June 4 in Los Angeles. The 38-year-old Clarkson and the 43-year-old...
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to reopen with new precautions
CLEVELAND — The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is reopening, but fans better practice social distancing by staying at least “two Stratocasters apart” and bring their credit cards, officials announced Thursday. Rock’s shrine will reopen on June 15 after closing on March 14 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Visitors...
Lady Antebellum changes name to Lady A
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Grammy-winning country group Lady Antebellum is changing its name to Lady A, with members saying they are regretful and embarrassed for not taking into consideration the word’s associations with slavery. The band, made up of Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, made the announcement Thursday on...
Harry Styles postpones Pittsburgh show, tour; new dates announced
Harry Styles won’t be playing Pittsburgh this year. He announced Wednesday afternoon that his PPG Paints Arena show and “Love On” tour will now happen next year. This summer we were excited to be bringing Love On Tour to North America. However, due to the ongoing threat from Covid-19 we...
Mon Valley-based music academy hosts online Sunday concerts
The Allies band will take the virtual stage at 2 p.m. Sunday for a concert sponsored by the Mon Valley Academy for the Arts and its Power of Music affiliate. The music can be heard on MVAA’s Facebook page. An MVAA board member also will host a Facebook watch party,...
Grammys make awards changes, address conflicts of interest
The Recording Academy is making changes to several Grammy Awards categories, including the often-debated best new artist title, and having nomination review committee members sign disclosure forms to prevent conflicts of interest. The new rules announced Wednesday will affect the 63rd annual Grammy Awards, which will air live on Jan....
‘Bubba Show’ gives canceled high school musicals a showcase
Hundreds of students were disappointed when spring high school musicals were canceled due to the covid-19 pandemic, but a few of them have been able to share their songs over the airwaves, thanks to the “Bubba Show” on 100.7 Star. Since May 20, one young performer has been featured each...
Corey Hart remakes classic ’80s hit ‘Never Surrender’ for pandemic eraVideo
A classic song never gets old. But they sometimes get remade. Canadian singer-songwriter Corey Hart is responsible for one of the more classic hits from the 1980s: “Never Surrender,” a Top 10 hit from 1985. Inspired by the world’s response to the covid-19 pandemic, Hart has revisited the famous track...
Tarentum launching summer concert series this week
The concerts will go on in Tarentum. With covid-19 restrictions easing, the borough’s recreation board and council made the “very hard decision” to go forward with Tarentum’s popular summer concert series, starting this Thursday, Councilwoman Carrie Fox said. “We want to keep as much normalcy as we possibly can,” she...
Westmoreland Symphony creating online Hat Luncheon gallery
With its annual Hat Luncheon on hold due to the covid-19 pandemic, the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra is inviting supporters to share their favorite fancy headgear via Hats at Home. “Since we cannot be together in person this year, we invite you to join in the #wsohats fun online,” the symphony...
Bonnie Pointer, early member of Pointer Sisters, dies at 69Video
LOS ANGELES — Bonnie Pointer, who in 1969 convinced three of her church-singing siblings to form the Pointer Sisters, which would become one of the biggest acts of the next two decades, died Monday. The Grammy winner died of cardiac arrest in Los Angeles, publicist Roger Neal said. She was...
