Category Archives: Adult Contemporary

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Coachella could be stalled due to coronavirus

2020 Coachella lineup; Goldenvoice Coronavirus is turning out to be quite the party-pooper with Coachella as the latest festival on its radar.

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts festival is an annual festival held in Indio, California that takes place over the course of two weekends in April. The event, whose highly anticipated 2020 headliners are Rage Against the MachineTravis Scott, and Frank Ocean, brings fans to the desert for some good old fashioned and Instagram-worthy fun. 

As of right now, Coachella seems to be in the clear and will carry-on as normal.

"Residents and travelers to our region should know that the situation is safe," Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez said at a press briefing Thursday morning.

Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County's public health officer added that there are currently no known cases in the county, but admitted that things could change between now and the festival's April 10 commencement. 

"I could be up here tomorrow telling you something completely different," he said. 

If Coachella were to end up getting cancelled, it wouldn’t be the first music festival to meet that fate.

Tomorrowland Winter, Ultra Abu Dhabi and Ultra Miami have all been cancelled as of this week.

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Deborah Dugan hits back at Recording Academy with new allegations

Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesFollowing her ouster on Monday, former Recording Academy CEO Deborah Dugan filed a supplemental charge against the organization, claiming it provides "significant additional information and evidence" of alleged attempts to influence the nominations process by the Academy and longtime Grammy Awards executive producer Ken Ehrlich.

The supplemental charge, filed by Dugan's lawyers on Tuesday, cites an email from Ehrlich that allegedly implies a superstar artist would be more likely to perform on the Grammy Awards telecast if that artist received a nomination.

The email, sent to Dugan and the Recording Academy's interim CEO and president Harvey Mason, reads in part, "looking at the [American Music Awards] nominations this morning, it’s more about who’s NOT there than who is…..and [superstar] is definitely not gonna be happy. minor representation at best."

"I think there’s a case to be made to [superstar] that a performance of [song] from [album] on our show, should it be nominated,’” the email continues, “‘and that a blowout performance of that song, which IS a Grammy song, might."

Erlich, in the email goes on to write there "should there be some discussion in a certain room at your meetings next week for Record, Album and Song, and if it involves making a choice between [one album] vs. [a second album], my thought from knowing [superstar] since [superstar] was a child, is that [superstar] might see the wisdom of a [sic] performance [of a song from the second album]...I’m jus [sic] sayin."

"Gotcha. Thanks Ken,” Mason replies.

Dugan also claims to have new evidence of the Academy’s efforts to retaliate against her, particularly after her legal complaint of January 21, in which she she "exposed alleged misogyny, sexual harassment, discrimination and corruption, including voting irregularities, at the Academy."

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Recording Academy fires suspended CEO Deborah Dugan

John Lamparski/WireImageDeborah Dugan, who was placed on administrative leave from her post as president/CEO of the Recording Academy in January following allegations of misconduct by a senior female Academy member, has been terminated, the organization announced in a letter to its members on Tuesday.

“After weighing all of the evidence from two independent investigations, the Board of Trustees of the Recording Academy voted to terminate Ms. Dugan from her role as President/CEO, wrote Harvey Mason Jr., Chair and Interim CEO of The Recording Academy.  "We will initiate a search for a new leader who will leverage the Academy’s diverse membership and rich history and help us transform it to better serve our members today and into the future.

Mason further pledged to "realize a future in which our organization is known for its diversity, transparency, creativity, mutual respect, and overall excellence.”

“The investigation overwhelmingly confirmed the serious complaints that had been lodged against her by a multitude of Academy staff members," said Tammy Hurt, Vice Chair, National Board of Trustees at The Recording Academy in a separate statement.  "The damage she has caused this organization is truly heartbreaking.”

Explaining that it was “not one thing that led to this action, but rather the large number of incidents that demonstrated poor judgment,” Christine Albert, Chair Emeritus, National Board of Trustees at The Recording Academy noted, “There was just no way she could continue to serve this organization.”

Dugan has claimed she was pushed out after exposing alleged sexual harassment, nomination rigging, and what she described as a toxic "boy's club" that sidelined women and minority groups.  

In response, the Recording Academy alleged it was Dugan who created a "toxic and intolerable" work environment and is investigating both Ms. Dugan's alleged potential misconduct and her subsequent allegations.

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The Voice 18 recap: Nick Jonas parachutes in and fights John Legend over contestant everyone wants

Trae Patton/NBC

It may be a new season of The Voice, but there's a brand new face sitting in one of the judge's chair this year -- Nick Jonas of The Jonas Brothers. The young singer proved to be a formidable opponent when battling it out with the other judges over competitors, too.

Jonas knew how to keep his fellow judges guessing from the second he arrived on the set -- via parachute.  That wasn't all, though.  He also proceeded to do a series of costume changes before Kelly ClarksonBlake Shelton, and John Legend right after he landed.

"Is this a Magic Mike moment?"  Kelly yelled in disbelief as Jonas ripped off his wingsuit to reveal a black tuxedo underneath.  He then tore off that outfit to reveal underneath a much more casual gray suit.

Memorable introductions aside, Jonas didn't make it easy for the other judges to woo over competitors that he wanted on his team.

First up was Todd Tilghman, 41, of Mississippi.  The father of eight created the season's first four-way chair turn during his soulful rendition of Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band's "We've Got Tonight." 

While Kelly tried winning Tilghman over by approaching him as a fellow parent as Jonas turned on the charm and spoke to him husband to husband -- it was Blake who snagged the first competitor of the night by connecting with Tilghman on a personal level.

Next to take the stage was 27-year-old Nelson Cade III, a full time musician who once performed with the legendary Stevie Wonder. It doesn't take long for his raspy, bluegrass voice to win over John, Kelly, and Nick with his cover of Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Pride And Joy."

Unfortunately for Nick, he realizes that he was blocked by Legend, meaning no matter what pitch he had up his sleeve to win Cade over, it was fruitless.  To turn insult to injury, the "All Of Me" singer then bragged about it by mocking he the words "star" and "wow" that Nick jotted down during the audition.  Playing dirty paid off for John, who ended with a three-punch combo by casually sharing that Wonder also performed at his wedding to Chrissy Teigen.

Now with the judges warmed up, it's game on when Tate Brusa, 16, takes the stage. Brusa's chances of making it on a team looked grim, that is until he hits an edgy note towards the end of his audition convincing Nick to spin around. But he's not alone, Shelton follows shortly after, if for nothing than to give the Jo' Bro a hard time.

Nick hops on stage with Brusa and gives him an impromptu singing lesson to prove just how good of a coach he can be which triggers Shelton to play dirty by bringing out some reinforcement -- an adorable white-furred puppy. 

"If you don't choose me as your coach, this puppy's gonna go straight back to the animal shelter," he threatened.

Despite the taunt, the threat fails to sway Brusa and the teenage crooner picks Nick, making him the first contestant on his team.

Seven more hopefuls take the stage including rocker Todd Michael Hall who makes it onto Blake's team but it's "old soul" Joanna Serenko who closes out the show with a four-chair-turn.

The 18-year-old from St. Louis wooed with her jazzy, slowed-down version of "All My Loving" by The Beatles and just as she's deciding who's team to go to, Nick decides to lay it all on the line.

Bearing it all he pleads, "I'm gonna fight for you today. I know I'm not the logical choice but I have something to prove," which works.

The other singers of the night were Darious Lyles who went over to Team Legend, Todd Michael Hall to Team Blake --and two for Team Kelly, Megan Danielle and Tayler Green.

The Voice returns to NBC Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.

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The Grammys: The Performances

Francis Specker/CBSAs usual, the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards crammed a whole lot of extravagant, emotional and occasionally mind-blowing performances -- and very few actual awards -- into a three-and-a-half hour telecast.  There was a lot of profanity onstage -- both in the acceptance speeches and in the lyrics of the songs -- causing the telecast to be perhaps the most highly-bleeped Grammys ever. Here's a rundown of who performed what:

Lizzo kicked off the show with a medley of her song "Cuz I Love You" -- which she sang while wearing a huge, black sparkly gown while conducting an orchestral string section -- and "Truth Hurts," for which she stripped down to a futuristic bodysuit.  The performance featured plenty of dancers as well as one of Lizzo's signature flute solos.

Following a brief a cappella performance of "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" with Boyz II Men in honor of the late Kobe Bryant, host Alicia Keys sang a version of Lewis Capaldi's Grammy-nominated "Someone You Loved" with the lyrics changed to be about this year's nominees -- the chorus was, "I'mma get you kinda used to hearing music you love."

The Jonas Brothers were up next: First, they performed a stripped-down performance of an unreleased song that may have been called "Five Minutes," and they took the stage for a massive performance of their current hit "What a Man Gotta Do," complete with dancers, horns and fireworks. Nick Jonas appeared to have something stuck in his teeth throughout, which he later acknowledged by tweeting, "At least you all know I eat my greens."

Tyler, The Creator gave the most bonkers performance of the night. It started out somewhat chill, as he performed "Earfquake" with Charlie Wilson and Boyz II Men. Then, he was joined onstage by dozens of Tyler lookalikes, all wearing the same blonde pageboy wig and white-and-red suit as he sang "New Magic Wand" on a set that looked like an empty suburban street. The song climaxed with Tyler jumping up and down and screaming and the entire street burning down; he then fell backwards off the part of the stage he was standing on and disappeared.

Usher performed a Prince tribute as a way of promoting the upcoming CBS-TV special Let's Go Crazy: A GRAMMY Salute to Prince.  Singing and dancing his way through "Little Red Corvette," "When Doves Cry" and "Kiss," Usher was backed up by Prince's close friend Sheila E. Oddly, even though FKA Twigs was introduced as being part of the performance, all she did was dance on a stripper pole and then slink around, rubbing up against Usher and looking sexy.

Camila Cabello gave one of the most emotional performances of the night, singing "First Man," a tribute to her father Alejandro Cabello, while home movies of him with a baby Camila were shown.  At the end of the song, she came off the stage and stood in front of her dad, singing directly to him, as he wept openly. They embraced at the end of the song.

Country icon Tanya Tucker, who won her very first Grammys on Sunday, performed a stripped-down version of her winning song "Bring My Flowers Now" with her co-writer and musical collaborator Brandi Carlile.

Ariana Grande gave an elaborate performance of three songs.  She started out dressed in a ballgown, singing "My Favorite Things" with a string section.  Then, she stripped off her gown, donned some sexy sleepwear, and moved onto a bedroom set to sing her nominated song "7 Rings," which interpolates "My Favorite Things."  She finished off with part of her smash hit "thank u, next."

The night's big winner, Billie Eilish, performed a hushed version of her song "when the party's over" with her brother and musical collaborator Finneas on piano, plus a backing choir.

Lifetime Achievement honorees Aerosmith performed "Livin' on the Edge" -- during which lead singer Steven Tyler stopped in the audience in front of Lizzo and yelled, "I f***ing love you!" -- and then teamed up with Run-DMC for their smash hit "Walk This Way."  There was no last-minute reprieve for drummer Joey Kramer, who the band had barred from performing with them because they claimed his playing wasn't up to par. He sued...and lost.

Lil Nas X performed his 19-week number-one hit "Old Town Road" on a stage set that revolved to show different rooms, and in each room, there was a different act who joined him to perform the song, including K-pop superstars BTS, Diplo, Mason Ramsey and, of course, Billy Ray Cyrus. At the very end, none other than Nas -- the rap legend who inspired Lil Nas X's stage name -- joined the younger artist onstage to sing "Rodeo."

Another emotional of a moment came from Demi Lovato, who performed a raw ballad called "Anyone," which she wrote just four days before she overdosed in 2018.  She was so choked up that she had to stop the song and start it again, and then sang it with tears running down her face. She got a standing ovation at the end.

A tribute to slain rapper Nipsey Hussle featured Meek Mill, DJ Khaled, John Legend, Kirk Franklin, Roddy Ricch and YG, who was arrested on robbery charges two days before the Grammys.  Meek kicked off the performance by performing a rap addressed to Hussle; Roddy Ricch then did "Letter to Nipsey." Khaled, Franklin, YG and Legend performed "Higher," which then went on to win the Grammy for Best Rap/Sung performance.  Hussle's other song "Racks in the Middle" also won a Grammy during the pre-telecast awards.

Spanish star Rosalía and a troupe of dancers performed her flamenco-inspired songs "Malamente" and "Juro Qué."

At the podium to present Song of the Year, Little Big Town and Smokey Robinson harmonized on his composition "My Girl."

Alicia Keys and Alabama Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard performed a stripped-down version of Alicia's current single "Underdog," co-written by Ed Sheeran. By the end of the song, Alicia, joined by a troupe of dancers, had moved to a satellite stage with a piano, which rose in the air for a dramatic finale.

Singer, songwriter and guitarist H.E.R. performed her song "Sometimes" at the piano, backed by a line of musicians in single file behind her, and then she stood up and ripped off a searing guitar solo.

Bonnie Raitt performed a brief rendition of John Prine's song "Angel from Montgomery" in tribute to Prine; that was followed by guitarist Gary Clark Jr. performing his Grammy-winning song "This Land," which is about racism and immigration.

The final performance of the evening was a version of "I Sing the Body Electric" from the 1980 movie Fame, featuring Camila Cabello, Cyndi Lauper, Ben Platt, pianist Lang Lang, violinist Joshua Bell, Gary Clark Jr., ballerina Misty Copeland and a chorus of student musicians. It was a tribute to music education, and to Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich, who after 40 years is stepping aside.

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First-time nominees The Cranberries will “Linger” at the Grammys: “Dolores would have been really excited”

BMGFollowing the unexpected 2018 death of frontwoman Dolores O'Riordan, The Cranberries released their final album, In the End, last year.  Featuring vocals Dolores recorded before her death, the well-received album unexpectedly earned the Irish band their very first Grammy nod: It's up for Best Rock Album at Sunday's ceremony.  Cranberries drummer Fergal Lawler tells ABC Audio that the nod is simultaneously exciting and bittersweet.

"Obviously, when we heard the news, it was very exciting cause it's our first Grammy nomination," says Lawler.  "But then you obviously think, 'Oh, wouldn't it be great if Dolores was here to come up and be at this event with us?' Y'know, she loved getting dressed up and picking out a costume or whatever. So she'd have been really excited about that."

As for why it's their final album that got the Grammy love, and not, say, their 17-million-sellling smash No Need to Argue, guitarist Noel Hogan says, "I think there's the strength of the songs firstly, and...there's a lot of nostalgia as well that it brings back. And we felt from the very beginning it was one of...the strongest albums that we've done in a long time."

Lawler says he's sure Dolores would've been "very honored" because, he says, "Everyone knows in this industry that the Grammys is the biggest nomination you can get." 

Dolores' brother and his wife will join The Cranberries Sunday at the Grammys, but the band still hasn't decided how they'll celebrate if they win.

"Haven't really thought about it, to be honest," says Lawlor. 

"We're trying to stay calm either way," adds Hogan.

As for the future of The Cranberries, a documentary is in the works, as is a 25th anniversary reissue of No Need to Argue.

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Ousted Recording Academy CEO says she has “evidence” of Grammy nomination rigging

ABC NewsTuesday on ABC's Good Morning America, ousted Recording Academy CEO Deborah Dugan told her side of the story in a contentious debate that's roiled the music industry just days before the Grammy Awards.

Dugan claims she was pushed out after exposing alleged sexual harassment, nomination rigging, and what she described as a toxic "boy's club" that sidelined women and minority groups. In response, the Recording Academy alleges it was Dugan who created a "toxic and intolerable" work environment and is investigating both Ms. Dugan's alleged potential misconduct and her subsequent allegations.

Regarding the nomination rigging, Dugan told ABC's George Stephanopoulos on Good Morning America Thursday, "There are incidents of conflict of interest that taints the results."

Stephanopoulos then read out loud what's written in her complaint: "One artist who initially ranked 18 out of 20 in the 2019 Song of the Year category ended up with a nomination. This artist was actually permitted to sit on the Song of the Year nomination committee. Incredibly, this artist is also represented by a member of the Board."

"Who is this person?" Stephanopoulos then asked.

Dugan and her lawyer wouldn't reveal the artist's identity, but Dugan went on to say that that alleged incident wasn't an isolated one.

"It's not even just that one room. I have evidence that in another room....there were complaints made in the jazz category," she began, before Stephanopoulos interrupted her, saying, "That was gonna be my next question, so you do have evidence?

"I do," she responded.

As a reminder, last year's Song of the Year winner was Childish Gambino's "This Is America."  The other nominees were Lady Gaga's "Shallow," "All the Stars" by Kendrick Lamar and SZA, "Boo'd Up" by Ella Mai, "God's Plan" by Drake, "In My Blood" by Shawn Mendes, "The Middle" by Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey, and "The Joke," by Brandi Carlile.

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Former Recording Academy president files discrimination complaint

Bryan Bedder/Getty ImagesFormer Recording Academy CEO and President Deborah Dugan and her lawyers spent Tuesday trading accusations with the Academy in the wake of Dugan's complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) accusing the organization behind the Grammy Awards of gender discrimination and sexual harassment.

Dugan's complaint alleges, among other things, that the Recording Academy engaged in "egregious conflicts of interest, improper self-dealing by Board members, voting irregularities with respect to nominations for Grammy Awards and other misconduct."

The complaint further alleges that the Academy, "unlawfully retaliated against Ms. Dugan by placing her on administrative leave (only after she indicated her intent to commence legal action and refused to settle her claims on terms dictated by the Academy), threatening Ms. Dugan with termination and publishing false and defamatory statements about Ms. Dugan to the media."

Dugan's lawyers, one of whom is Douglas H. Wigdor, who represents 20 women accusing Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct, compared the Recording Academy's response to the embattled film mogul by attempting to "impugn the character of Deborah Dugan [in] a transparent effort to shift the focus away from its own unlawful activity."

In response the the EEOC complaint, the Recording Academy hit back by claiming Dugan "never raised these grave allegations until a week after legal claims were made against her personally by a female employee who alleged Ms. Dugan had created a ‘toxic and intolerable’ work environment and engaged in ‘abusive and bullying conduct.’"

Dugan's attorneys responded with a followup statement calling the Academy's claim that she didn't raise concerns prior to the accusations against her "completely false."

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Coachella 2020 lineup announced: Rage Against the Machine, Travis Scott, and Frank Ocean to headline

2020 Coachella lineup; GoldenvoiceThe wait for the official Coachella 2020 lineup is finally over.  The famed music festival, which takes place on the weekends of April 12-12 and 17-19 in Indio, California, released its list of confirmed acts late Thursday night. 

It was also revealed that Weekend 1 has already been sold out.

This year's esteemed headliners will be Rage Against the MachineTravis Scott, and Frank Ocean.  While all three acts were either confirmed or rumored to be a part of Coachella, the festival will mark the first time since 2011 of RATM playing together.

The political rap-rock band is scheduled to perform both weekends of the festival, as are Scott and Ocean.

Also taking the Coachella stages this year will be Calvin HarrisLana Del ReyThom YorkeMegan Thee StallionFKA twigsLewis CapaldiCharli XCXLil Nas X and many others.  You can check out the complete roster of performers at the Coachella website.

Coachella trolled fans in the hours leading up to the lineup announcement by retweeting years' old comments begging for certain performers, such as one fan's 2015 request to bring back FKA twigs.  "Sorry just seeing this," The festival casually remarked just an hour before officially revealing the 2020 lineup.

The account teased other acts, such as Fatboy SlimCaribouDenzel Curry, and Charlie Chu, by retweeting three to 12-year-old Coachella-related threads.

Last year, the massive music festival welcomed headliners Ariana GrandeChildish Gambino, and alt-rockers Tame Impala.

It's still unknown if Coachella will be live streamed for free this year, as it was the first weekend last year.

Presale tickets for Weekend 2 go on sale this Monday, January 6 at 12 p.m. PT via Coachella.com.  As usual, there'll be the usual variety of ticket options and price levels.

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2019 American Music Awards winner’s list

dick clark productionsIt was a record-breaking night for Taylor Swift at the American Music Awards, held live Sunday night from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Taylor went on to win six awards, bringing her lifetime total to 29  -- toppling Michael Jackson's record of 24 AMA titles -- and is now the most decorated winner in American Music Award history.

Here's a full list of the 2019 winners at the American Music Awards:

Artist of the Year
Taylor Swift

New Artist of the Year
Billie Eilish
 
Collaboration of the Year
"Senorita" -- Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello

Favorite Male Artist Pop/Rock
Khalid
 
Favorite Female Artist Pop/Rock
Taylor Swift
 
Favorite Duo or Group Pop/Rock
BTS
 
Favorite Album Pop/Rock
Lover -- Taylor Swift
 
Favorite Song Pop/Rock
"Without Me" -- Halsey

Favorite Male Artist Country
Kane Brown
 
Favorite Female Artist Country
Carrie Underwood

Favorite Duo or Group Country
Dan + Shay

Favorite Album - Country
Cry Pretty -- Carrie Underwood

Favorite Song - Country
"Speechless" -- Dan + Shay

Favorite Artist - Rap/Hip-Hop
Cardi B
 
Favorite Album - Rap/Hip-Hop
Hollywood's Bleeding -- Post Malone

Favorite Song Rap/Hip-Hop
"Old Town Road" -- Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus

Favorite Male Artist - Soul/R&B
Bruno Mars
 
Favorite Female Artist - Soul/R&B
Beyonce
 
Favorite Album - Soul/R&B
Free Spirit -- Khalid

Favorite Song - Soul/R&B
"Talk" -- Khalid
 
Tour of the Year
BTS
 
Favorite Music Video
"You Need to Calm Down" -- Taylor Swift
 
Favorite Artist - Alternative Rock
Billie Eilish

Favorite Artist - Adult Contemporary
Taylor Swift

Favorite Artist - Latin
J Balvin
 
Favorite Artist - Contemporary Inspirational
Lauren Daigle
 
Favorite Artist - Electronic Dance Music
Marshmello
 
Favorite Soundtrack
Bohemian Rhapsody -- Queen
 
Favorite Social Artist
BTS