Category Archives: Adult Contemporary

Grammys 2021: The complete winners list

March 15, 2021 – 4:37 am

The Recording AcademyThe 63rd Annual Grammy Awards aired Sunday night on CBS, hosted by Trevor Noah.

Here is the complete list of winners in the major categories:

Record of the Year
"Everything I Wanted" by Billie Eilish

Album of the Year
Folklore by Taylor Swift

Song of the Year
"I Can't Breathe" by Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. & Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.)

Best New Artist
Megan Thee Stallion

POP

Best Pop Solo Performance
"Watermelon Sugar" by Harry Styles

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
"Rain On Me" by Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
American Standard by James Taylor

Best Pop Vocal Album
Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa

ROCK/ALTERNATIVE

Best Rock Performance
"Shameika" by Fiona Apple

Best Metal Performance
"Bum-Rush" by Body Count

Best Rock Song
"Stay High" by Brittany Howard

Best Rock Performance
"Shameika" by Fiona Apple

Best Rock Song
"Stay High" by Brittany Howard

Best Rock Album
The New Abnormal by The Strokes Alternative

Best Alternative Music Album
Fetch the Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple

R&B/RAP

BEST R&B PERFORMANCE
"Black Parade" by Beyoncé

Best Traditional R&B Performance
"Anything For You" by Ledisi

Best R&B Song
"Better Than I Imagined" by Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello & Gabriella Wilson, songwriters (Robert Glasper feat. H.E.R. & Meshell Ndegeocello)

Best Progressive R&B Album
It Is What It Is by Thundercat

Best R&B Album
Bigger Love by John Legend

Best Rap Performance
"Savage" by Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé

Best Melodic Rap Performance
"Lockdown" by Anderson .Paak

Best Rap Song
"Savage" by Beyoncé, Shawn Carter, Brittany Hazzard, Derrick Milano, Terius Nash, Megan Pete, Bobby Session Jr., Jordan Kyle Lanier Thorpe & Anthony White, songwriters (Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé)

Best Rap Album
King's Disease by Nas

COUNTRY

Best Country Solo Performance
"When My Amy Prays" by Vince Gill

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
"10,000 Hours" by Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber

Best Country Song
"Crowded Table" by Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby & Lori McKenna, songwriters (The Highwomen)

Best Country Album
Wildcard by Miranda Lambert

DANCE/ELECTRONIC MUSIC

Best Dance Recording
"10%" by Kaytranada feat. Kali Uchis

Best Dance/Electronic Album
BUBBA by Kaytranada

GOSPEL/CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
"There Was Jesus" by Zach Williams & Dolly Parton; Casey Beathard, Jonathan Smith & Zach Williams, songwriters

Best Gospel Album
Gospel According to PJ by PJ Morton

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
Jesus Is King by Kanye West

Best Roots Gospel Album
Celebrating Fisk! (The 150th Anniversary Album) by Fisk Jubilee Singers

LATIN

Best Latin Pop or Urban Album
YHLQMDLG by Bad Bunny

Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album
La Conquista del Espacio by Fito Paez

Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)
Un Canto Por Mexico, Vol. 1 by Natalia Lafourcade

Best Tropical Latin Album
40 by Grupo Niche

COMEDY

Best Comedy Album
Black Mitzvah by Tiffany Haddish

MUSICAL THEATER

Best Musical Theater Album
Jagged Little Pill (Glen Ballard, composer; Alanis Morissette, composer & lyricist) (Original Broadway Cast)

MUSIC FOR VISUAL MEDIA

Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media
Jojo Rabbit (Various Artists) Taika Waititi, compilation producer

Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media
Joker by Hildur Guðnadóttir, composer

Best Song Written For Visual Media
"No Time to Die" by Billie Eilish O'Connell & Finneas Baird O'Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish) Track from: No Time to Die

MUSIC VIDEO/FILM

Best Music Video
"Brown Skin Girl" Beyoncé, Blue Ivy & WizKid
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter & Jenn Nkiru, video directors; Astrid Edwards, Aya Kaida, Jean Mougin, Nathan Scherrer & Erinn Williams, video producers

Best Music Film
Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice
Linda Ronstadt Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman, video directors; Michele Farinola & James Keach, video producers

By George Costantino
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Grammy Awards to be held outdoors, with no audience

February 2, 2021 – 10:11 pm

Recording AcademyThe Grammy Awards were moved from January 31 to March 14 due to the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in Los Angeles, and now more details are emerging about how the show will be staged.

Sources tell Variety that everything is subject to change, but right now, the plan is to hold the ceremony in the outdoor part of the Los Angeles Convention Center, using the Staples Center -- which is where the show is usually held -- as a backdrop. There won't be an audience, though there will be some kind of red carpet broadcast with performers and presenters.

Many of the performances are likely to be pre-recorded, Variety adds, but there will be a few live performances. In December, the show's executive producer, Ben Winston, said that he wanted to stage performances in independent venues around the city, but so far there are no details on that.

As previously reported, Beyoncé is this year's leading nominee with nine nods, while Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and rapper Roddy Ricch each have six.

By Andrea Dresdale
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Congress certifies Biden/Harris election win; Trump promises “orderly transition on January 20th”

January 7, 2021 – 1:00 pm

J. Scott Applewhite - Pool/Getty ImagesHours after a pro-Trump mob broke into the U.S. Capitol to protest the results of the 2020 election, Congress ratified the electoral votes cast in the general election and certified the victory of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

The announcement was made by Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar at 3:39 a.m. Thursday. Vice President Mike Pence then repeated the totals at 3:40 a.m., first for president, then for vice president.

Biden will take Trump's place in the White House on Jan. 20.

Rep. Louie Gohmert and other House Republicans attempted to object to Wisconsin's electoral votes but did not have a senator join the objection. Gohmert said a senator had withdrawn his objection.

Biden and Harris finished with 306 electoral votes, while Trump and Pence finished with 232. A minimum 270 electoral votes are needed to win the White House.

In a statement tweeted by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino following the news, President Trump said: "Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th. I have always said we would continue our fight to ensure that only legal votes were counted. While this represents the end of the greatest first term in presidential history, it's only the beginning of our fight to Make America Great Again!"

The statement marks the first time Trump has publicly acknowledged Biden's victory and agreed to a peaceful transfer of power.

Following Wednesday's protest and storming of the Capitol, four people are dead, according to Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert Contee. One woman and two men suffered “medical emergencies” at the protests, and have subsequently died, Contee said during a press conference Wednesday night.

Another woman was shot and killed during a standoff inside the U.S. Capitol between law enforcement and pro-Trump rioters. The unidentified woman was shot by a Capitol police officer after "multiple individuals forced entry into the Capitol building, and attempted to gain access to the house and attempted to gain access to the house, room, which was still in session," Contee said Wednesday. She was transported to a local hospital where after all lifesaving efforts failed, and she was pronounced dead.

By Libby Cathey, Catherine Thorbecke, Morgan Winsor, and Rosa Sanchez
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Trump tries to justify chaos at Capitol while Biden, President Bush condemn violence

January 7, 2021 – 11:00 am

John Moore/Getty ImagesAs the chaotic scene continued in the nation's capital with the world watching, President Donald Trump continued to tweet his repeated his false claim that the presidential election was stolen from him and tried to justify the storming of the U.S. Capitol that he encouraged earlier in the day.

"These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long," he said.

After hours of chaos and as the Virginia State Police arrived at the U.S. Capitol Building, the president called on his supporters to "go home" in a one-minute video message posted to Twitter -- which has since been removed across social media. In the message, President Trump, without evidence, called the election "stolen" and fraudulent," but told the protesters to go home "in peace."

"It's a very tough period of time. There's never been a time like this where such a thing happened where they could take it away from all of us from me from you from our country. This was a fraudulent election. But we can't play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace."

"So go home. We love you. You're very special. You've seen what happens. You see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel -- but go home and go home in peace," he said.

Former President George W. Bush released a statement on what he called an "insurrection" at the U.S. Capitol, calling it "a sickening and heartbreaking sight."

"This is how election results are disputed in a banana republic – not our democratic republic. I am appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election and by the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions, and our law enforcement," Bush said.

President-elect Joe Biden, who was scheduled to deliver afternoon remarks on the economy, addressed the unrest at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday afternoon from Wilmington, Delaware, and called on President Trump to "step up" and condemn the chaos being committed in his name.

"I call on President Trump to go on national television now, to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution and demand an end to this siege," Biden said. "To storm the Capitol, to smash windows, to occupy offices, the floor of the United States Senate, rummaging through desks -- on the Capitol, on the House of Representatives -- threatening the safety of duly elected officials, it's not a protest. It's insurrection."

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Grammy Awards postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic; new date TBA soon

January 5, 2021 – 9:55 pm

The Recording AcademyMonday was the final day of voting for the 2021 Grammy Awards, but we're not going to find out who the winners are at the end of the month after all.

A rep for the telecast confirms to ABC News that the awards show has been postponed from its January 31 date, with a new date to be announced soon. The show was initially scheduled to take place in downtown LA at the Staples Center, though a final decision of whether or not a live, albeit limited, audience would be present was not confirmed.

“After thoughtful conversations with health experts, our host, and artists scheduled to appear, we are rescheduling the 63rd GRAMMY Awards," Recording Academy Chair & Interim President/CEO Harvey Mason Jr., the production team and representatives from CBS say in a statement.

They add, "The deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles, with hospital services being overwhelmed, ICUs having reached capacity, and new guidance from state and local governments have all led us to conclude that postponing our show was the right thing to do."

The statement concludes, "Nothing is more important than the health and safety of those in our music community and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly on producing the show. We want to thank all of the talented artists, the staff, our vendors, and especially this year's nominees for their understanding, patience, and willingness to work with us as we navigate these unprecedented times.”

The top nominee for the Grammys this year is Beyoncé, with nine, followed by Dua Lipa, rapper Roddy Ricch and Taylor Swift, with six apiece. Other nominees include Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber and Harry Styles.

Los Angeles County currently has more reported COVID-19 infections than any other county in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins University.

By Andrea Dresdale
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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In Christmas post, Michelle Branch reveals she suffered a miscarriage

December 28, 2020 – 4:07 pm

C Flanigan/Getty ImagesMichelle Branch managed to have a festive Christmas despite the fact that, sadly, she recently lost a baby.

Michelle is married to Patrick Carney of the Black Keys, with whom she shares a two-year-old son, Rhys James. But in an Instagram post on Sunday, Michelle writes, "Just when we were rounding third and heading home...2020 was like, 'nah, I ain’t done yet.' December decided to really finish us off with a bang! No, literally. A bomb went off in downtown Nashville yesterday. And to further twist a dagger in my heart, I experienced my first miscarriage (ugh! Motherf***er!)"

Despite the terrible news, the singer, who also has a 15-year-old daughter, Owen, from a previous marriage, says she managed to carry on.

"But alas, between the crying and binge eating of Christmas cookies, I decided to put on lipstick and a dress. We drank champagne alllll day. Made an incredible meal and sang Christmas songs snuggled up by a roaring fire," she continues.

"5 more days until 2021," Michelle continued. "I’m limping to the finish line. These people, my precious family, my husband, sister and kids have been the MVP’s. I couldn’t imagine spending a year isolated with anyone else. Happy Christmas, everyone xx."

Michelle's most recent album, Hopeless Romantic -- a collaboration with Carney -- came out in 2017.

By Andrea Dresdale
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Joe Biden apparent winner in PA, now president-elect

November 7, 2020 – 5:01 pm

Scott Olson/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- ABC News can characterize Joe Biden as the apparent winner in Pennsylvania, giving him 273 total electoral votes -- a win that makes him president elect. Based on these numbers and those in other states, Joe Biden will be the next president of the United States.

ABC News was able to characterize Biden as the apparent winner of Pennsylvania after the state, as of 11:35 a.m., put Biden ahead with 49.6% of ballots cast (3,345,724) over President Trump's 49.1% (3,311,310 votes).

Biden said in a statement Saturday, "I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Harris. In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America. With the campaign over, it’s time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation. It’s time for America to unite. And to heal. We are the United States of America. And there’s nothing we can’t do, if we do it together."

Saturday marks 48 years to the day that Biden, then 29 years old, was elected in his first Senate race on November 7, 1972.

For first time in history, the first and second in line to the presidency will be women: Sen. Kamala Harris as vice president, followed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, tweeted, "So proud of you" with a photo of him embracing his wife, the vice president elect. Sen. Harris' win makes her husband the first 'second husband' in U.S. history.

For his part, President Trump released a defiant statement through his campaign, claiming, "this election is far from over” and blasting Biden for "rushing to falsely pose as the winner."

Trump also promised a coming legal fight. "Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated," he said. "The American People are entitled to an honest election: that means counting all legal ballots, and not counting any illegal ballots."

The president again pushed unfounded claims that "Only a party engaged in wrongdoing would unlawfully keep observers out of the count room -- and then fight in court to block their access."

Check ABCNews.com for continuing election coverage and updates.

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Too soon to call presidential race, young voters turned out less than expected

November 4, 2020 – 11:00 am

iStock/simon2579

Election Day has turned to night as polls across the country closed with some municipalities announcing they will resume tabulating Wednesday morning.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, former Vice President Joe Biden briefly addressed the nation from Wilmington, Delaware, projecting confidence in the race and called for patience as the nation tabulates a record number of mail-in and absentee ballots.

President Donald Trump teased he would make a statement from the White House, which took place an hour later.

For President Trump's speech, which he made around 2:30 a.m. ET, he opened with a joke saying, "this is, without question, the latest news conference I ever had." The president made a fiery 10 minute speech, saying that "a group of very sad people" are trying to steal the election, which he called "a fraud" and vowed he would go to the Supreme Court to "have all voting to stop."

As for the states that are already accounted for, President Trump is projected to win Iowa, Florida, Ohio, Idaho, Utah, Kansas, Missouri, Louisiana, South Carolina, the Dakotas, Alabama, Arkansas, West Virginia, Tennessee, Indiana, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Texas and Nebraska.

Meanwhile, Biden is projected to win Virginia, New Mexico, California, Illinois, New Hampshire, Colorado, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, Minnesota and the District of Columbia.

As of 1:45 A.M. ET, Biden leads with 220 electoral votes while President Trump has 213 -- the winner requires 270 votes to win.

Pennsylvania, a major battleground state, is projected to wrap up the count by Friday before the election, but did not provide an exact timeline. Philadelphia will continue counting absentee ballots, with the next updates coming at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

In Michigan, only 16 percent of the early vote is in with 49 percent of the expected vote in as of early Wednesday, with Tracy Wimmer, a spokesperson for Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson telling ABC News, "We're still looking at some time tomorrow, but we really don't have a guess of when."

One of the most decentralized election systems in the country, Wisconsin state officials have repeatedly told ABC News that they expect full statewide results could come in the early hours of Wednesday morning

In the weeks leading up to Tuesday, at least 100 million early votes were cast. Nationally, voters have cast 73.4 percent of the total votes counted in the 2016 general election.

Hawaii and Texas have already surpassed their 2016 total and five other states -- Montana, North Carolina, Georgia, New Mexico and Nevada -- are close to doing the same.

Most surprisingly in the election however is, young voters did not increase their showing at polls, despite expert predictions.

The 18-29 year-olds and 30-44 year-olds make up the same percentage of the electorate as they did in 2016.

Those youngest voters are breaking toward Biden by much more than they did to Hillary Clinton in 2016, but among 30-44 year olds, Biden is only winning by about the same as Clinton. There are no major third-party candidates this year, while 10 percent of young people voted for a third-party candidate or gave no answer in exit polls.

Older voters, over 65, make up a similar percentage of the vote as they did in 2016, making up about 21 percent in preliminary exit polls compared to 20 percent in 2016.

There was concern that voting remotely for college kids who were not on campuses this year could be a factor, but after the protests this summer it is a surprising outcome.

By Megan Stone
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Taraji P. Henson to host 2020 American Music Awards

November 2, 2020 – 3:41 pm

ABC/Sami DrasinAcclaimed actress Taraji P. Henson has been announced as the host of the 2020 American Music Awards, which will air Sunday, Nov. 22 from 8 to 11 p.m. ET on ABC.

"The AMAs brings together the music community to celebrate what really drives all artists -- the fans. I'm proud to take the stage as this year's host -– and also a fan -- for what promises to be an electrifying night of music," the Emmy-winning Empire star and Oscar-nominated actress said in a statement.

This year, Dua Lipa scored an American Music Awards nomination for favorite female artist in the pop/rock category, alongside Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift. The 25-year-old is also competing in the favorite pop/rock song category with Lewis Capaldi, Post Malone, Roddy Ricch and The Weeknd.

Malone, Ricch and The Weeknd are also up for up for artist of the year, along with Swift and Justin Bieber. Capaldi and Ricch will also face off in the new artist of the year category, alongside Doja Cat, DaBaby, Lil Baby and Megan Thee Stallion.

The Weeknd and Ricch lead the group of nominees this year, garnering eight each. Megan Thee Stallion follows closely behind, with five nods.

This year's American Music Awards ceremony will be broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

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U2 hosting online concert film watch party today celebrating ‘All That You Can’t Leave Behind’ reissue’s release

October 30, 2020 – 4:00 pm

Island Records/UMCThe expanded 20th anniversary reissue of U2's 2000 album All That You Can't Leave Behind got its release today in multiple configurations, and to celebrate the collection's arrival, the band is treating fans to an online watch party of the 2001 concert film, Elevation Tour: Live in Boston, at 2 p.m. ET.

The streaming event, which will be viewable at U2.com, also will feature a live Q&A with U2 guitarist The Edge and bassist Adam Clayton. The movie captures the band performing during three concerts at Boston's Fleet Center in June of 2001 while on tour in support of All That You Can't Leave Behind.

The film will continue to be available for viewing on demand for 48 hours after the initial screening.

Audio performances from the Boston shows are among the bonus tracks featured on the deluxe versions of the All That You Can't Leave Behind reissue.

As previously reported, the Super Deluxe five-CD and 11-LP editions of the reissue feature various B-sides, outtakes, live tracks, alternate versions and remixes, plus a poster and a 32-page hardcover book of previously unseen photos.

Released October 30, 2000, All That You Can't Leave Behind marked U2's return to more straightforward rock after a decade of experimenting with dance and electronic music throughout the '90s with Achtung Baby, Zooropa and Pop. The album peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200, produced hit singles in "Beautiful Day," "Elevation," "Walk On" and "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of," won numerous Grammys, and has been certified four-times platinum.

In advance of the reissue this week, U2 released a new video for "Stuck in a Moment," which you can check out at the band's official YouTube channel.

By Matt Friedlander
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