Minor Moon’s Sam Cantor discusses new album ‘The Light Up Waltz’ ahead of Pittsburgh show
The new album from Minor Moon, a Chicago-based alt country/rock band, comes amid a period of personal stability for the band’s mastermind, Sam Cantor. “The Light Up Waltz,” released April 12 by Ruination Record Co., balances the positives in his life while also examining what’s happening in the outside world....
Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80Video
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, “Ramblin’ Man,” has died. He was 80. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer died at his home in Osprey, Florida, David Spero, Betts’ manager of 20 years, confirmed. Betts had been battling cancer for...
Fans anticipate Taylor Swift’s new album as rumors of online leaks persist
The countdown is almost over — there’s mere hours until the release of Taylor Swift’s 11th studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” But Swifites are in an uproar, as there’s been an alleged online album leak. Songs and lyrics that social media users are claiming are from the new album...
Country star Cole Swindell to headline Pittsburgh Brewing Co.’s summer concert series
“You Should Be Here” is what the Pittsburgh Brewing Co. might be saying to country music fans as it announces its third concert for the summer. Country music star Cole Swindell will take the stage Sept. 1 at the brewery’s amphitheater in the Creighton neighborhood of East Deer. Brewery spokeswoman...
Pittsburgh has a vibrant Black female DJ scene
Mary Dee Dudley was a pioneer of Pittsburgh and America’s music scene, breaking barriers in 1948 as the country’s first Black woman to become a DJ. The Homestead native established Studio Dee in the Hill District and debuted “Movin’ Around with Mary Dee” on WAOB Radio. Her impact echoes through...
ABBA, Blondie, Notorious B.I.G. enter National Recording Registry
LOS ANGELES — ABBA, Biggie, Blondie and Rudolph are entering America’s audio canon. New inductees into the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress include ABBA’s 1976 album “Visitors,” The Notorious B.I.G.’s 1994 album “Ready to Die,” Blondie’s 1978 breakthrough “Parallel Lines” and Gene Autry’s 1949 version of “Rudolph...
Sudden Little Thrills Music Festival lineup includes SZA, The Killers, Wiz KhalifaVideo
A new music festival from the organizers of internationally known events like Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo will be rocking Pittsburgh later this year, and they just announced their lineup. Sudden Little Thrills Music Festival will be held on Sept. 7 and 8 at Hazelwood Green. The event will be headlined Saturday...
Family celebrates Henry Mancini’s legacy on what would have been his 100th birthday
Update: The video for “Pink Panther,” the second single from “The Henry Mancini 100th Sessions — Henry Has Company,” featuring Lizzo and Sir James Galway both on flute, dropped on May 31. When famed composer Henry Mancini discussed his childhood with his family, he made sure to stress exactly where...
TV Talk: CBS starts a fire of controversy cutting off Billy Joel, reschedules show
After promoting “Billy Joel: The 100th at Madison Square Garden – The Greatest Arena Run of All Time” for weeks, CBS blundered nationally by cutting off the program mid-“Piano Man” to go to late local newscasts. CBS released a statement saying, “A network programming timing error ended last night’s Billy...
‘Rock ‘N Remember Live!’ struck a sweet, nostalgic chord at the Benedum Center
Saturday was a perfect day to enjoy some golden oldies at the Benedum Center, and “Rock ‘N Remember Live!” delivered with a jukebox’s worth of classic artists. “Rock ‘N Remember Live!” presented by Spotlight Productions featured six bands and singers from the ’50s and ’60s in two and a half...
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra fascinates with celebration of George Gershwin
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, as part of their 2023-2024 PNC Pops season, brought a heavy dose of “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” to Heinz Hall on Friday night with their Gershwin celebration. This selection comes in what would be the 125th year of George Gershwin’s life. Gershwin, in some ways the quintessential 20th...
The Garment District’s Jennifer Baron on physical media, vintage instruments, new releasesVideo
For Jennifer Baron, the multi-instrumentalist behind Pittsburgh band The Garment District, physical media is important. The thousands of albums — from vinyl (45s, 12-inchers and 78s) and eight tracks to cassettes and CDs — spread throughout her home are proof enough, alongside turntables on two different floors. “I would say...
Westmoreland Cultural Trust taps Penn Township native as new CEO
Twenty-one years ago, Penn-
Trafford High School student Benjamin Luczak stood on the stage of The Palace Theatre in Greensburg, performing for an audience in the musical “Brigadoon.” In a few weeks, Luczak, 37, will have the responsibility of overseeing operations of The Palace, now that the Westmoreland Cultural Trust has...
Judge dismisses lawsuits filed against rapper Drake over deadly Astroworld concert
HOUSTON — Hip-hop artist Drake has been dismissed from a lawsuit over the deadly 2021 Astroworld festival in Houston in which 10 people were killed, a judge has ruled. Drake was a special guest of rap superstar Travis Scott, who had headlined the festival. He performed with Scott at the...
Western Pennsylvania businesses plan events around Taylor Swift album release
On April 19, superstar singer-songwriter Taylor Swift will add another “era” to her discography with her new album “The Tortured Poets Department.” Anticipation is building among her fans — who refer to themselves as “Swifties” — and several local businesses and groups have hopped on the Taylor Train, hosting events...
Aerosmith restarting farewell tour with 1st night in Pittsburgh
Aerosmith will be saying “Another Last Goodbye” to Pittsburgh. The legendary rock band announced Wednesday that they would be resuming their Peace Out tour, starting Sept. 20 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. The band’s farewell tour had been postponed last year because of a vocal injury to lead singer...
Morning Roundup: Sudden Little Thrills music festival coming; Irish Festival lineup announced; Steel City Duck Derby details
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, April 10: Sudden Little Thrills music festival being held in Pittsburgh The Sudden Little Thrills music festival announced that they were coming to Pittsburgh this fall. The new festival, from producers of big-name music events like Lollapalooza and...
California bill takes aim at Ticketmaster, but musicians warn they could be collateral damage
CALIFORNIA — A California lawmaker has introduced a bill to take on ticketing giant Ticketmaster, but some recording artists are warning that the bill will empower ticket scalpers instead. If signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Assembly Bill 2808, by Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, would be the first law of its...
Honky-Tonk Jukebox host pays homage to ‘Bloomfield Sound’ on new record
Once a month, a historic German singing club in Bloomfield is transformed by cowboy hats, rhinestone jackets and plenty of boots, courtesy of the Honky Tonk Jukebox. The Jukebox is hosted by Pittsburgh singer-songwriter Jon Bindley and his band, Bindley Hardware Co. They play their own songs, cover classic honky-tonk...
Real Estate singer Martin Courtney on new album ‘Daniel,’ recording process, fun gimmicksVideo
The recording process for Real Estate’s latest album, “Daniel,” turned out to be a vastly, and purposefully, different experience than their last record, 2020’s “The Main Thing.” Real Estate, an indie rock band that formed in 2008 in New Jersey, is on the road in support of the new album,...
Morgan Wallen has been arrested after police say he threw a chair off of the roof of a 6-story barVideo
NASHVILLE — Country music singer Morgan Wallen has been arrested after police say he threw a chair off the rooftop of a newly opened six-story bar in downtown Nashville. Wallen, 30, was booked into jail early Monday on three felony counts of reckless endangerment and one misdemeanor count of disorderly...
CMT Awards return Sunday night with host Kelsea Ballerini and a tribute to the late Toby Keith
The CMT Music Awards, celebrating the best in country music videos, are set to return on Sunday night live from Austin, Texas. Hosted by Kelsea Ballerini, the fan-voted show begins at 8 p.m. Eastern and will be broadcast from the Moody Center on CBS and Paramount+. This year, the awards...
Chappell Roan brings spunk, pink sparkles to Pittsburgh with ‘Midwest Princess’ tour
Amid a sea of pink cowboy hats, boots and sparkles at Stage AE Friday night was Chappell Roan. The 26-year-old singer from Missouri, brought her spunky “Midwest Princess” tour to Pittsburgh, starting strong with “Femininomenon” as the opener. She then played through “Naked In Manhattan,” “After Midnight” and “Picture You”...
British metal pioneers Girlschool deliver rocking chaos in Pittsburgh showVideo
In 46 years of playing music with Girlschool, singer/rhythm guitarist Kim McAuliffe has probably seen it all. So a guitar breaking mid-song Thursday night didn’t faze her, as she handed off the guitar, leaned on the shoulder of bassist Tracey Lamb and wondered what to do with her suddenly idle...
Grunge legend of Kurt Cobain lives on 30 years after his death
Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain, whose band ushered in the Seattle grunge phenomenon of the 1990s, died 30 years ago today. Cobain died on April 5, 1994. His body was found on April 8, 1994, at his home and it was determined that he died days earlier. Cobain died of...
