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2017 CMA Awards: Garth Brooks, Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton among the winners

November 8, 2017

by Carla Hay

Garth Brooks, Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton were among the winners at the 51st Annual CMA Awards, which took place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on November 8, 2017. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood hosted the show for the 10th year. ABC had the U.S. telecast of the show, which is a production of the Country Music Association.

Brooks took the prize for Entertainer of the Year, making it the sixth time he has won this prize at the CMA Awards. He is the most-awarded artist in this CMA Awards category. Lambert was named Female Vocalist of the Year. Stapleton won two awards: Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year (for “From a Room: Volume 1”). All three artists performed on the show.

Other 2017 CMA Awards performers included Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Lambert, Little Big Town, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Chris Stapleton, Thomas Rhett, Underwood and Alan Jackson.

Winners of the 51st Annual CMA Awards were determined in a final round of voting by eligible CMA members. Ballots were tabulated by the professional services organization Deloitte & Touche LLP. Robert Deaton was the executive producer and Gary Halvorson was the director of the awards telecast.

Here is the complete list of winners and nominees for the 51st Annual CMA Awards:

** = winner

Entertainer of the Year

Garth Brooks**
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

Male Vocalist of the Year

Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton**
Keith Urban

Female Vocalist of the Year

Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert**
Reba McEntire
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood

Vocal Group of the Year

Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town**
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo of the Year

Brothers Osborne**
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
LoCash
Maddie & Tae

New Artist of the Year

Lauren Alaina
Luke Combs
Old Dominion
Jon Pardi**
Brett Young

Musician of the Year

Jerry Douglas (dobro)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar)
Dann Huff (guitar)
Mac McAnally (guitar)**
Derek Wells (guitar)

Album of the Year

Little Big Town – “The Breaker”
Lady Antebellum – “Heart Break”
Jason Isbell – “The Nashville Sound”
Miranda Lambert – “The Weight of These Wings”
Chris Stapleton – “From A Room: Volume 1″**   

Single of the Year  

Little Big Town – “Better Man ”
Sam Hunt – “Body Like a Back Road”
Jon Pardi – “Dirt on My Boots”
Miranda Lambert – “Tin Man”
Keith Urban – “Blue Ain’t Your Color”**     

Song of the Year

Taylor Swift – “Better Man”**
Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey, Steven Lee Olsen – “Blue Ain’t Your Color”
Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne – “Body Like a Back Road”
Rhett Akins, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley – “Dirt on My Boots”
Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall – “Tin Man”

Vocal Event of the Year

Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris – “Craving You”
Willie Nelson and Glen Campbell – “Funny How Time Slips Away”**
Eric Church and Rhiannon Giddens – “Kill a Word”
Kenny Chesney and P!nk – “Setting the World on Fire”
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill – “Speak to a Girl”

Video of the Year

Brothers Osborne – “It Ain’t My Fault”**  
Little Big Town – “Better Man”
Keith Urban – “Blue Ain’t Your Color”
Thomas Rhett featuring Maren Morris – “Craving You”
Miranda Lambert – “Vice”

2017 Soul Train Awards: Erykah Badu returns as host; Toni Braxton, SWV, Kirk Franklin among performers

October 23, 2017

Soul Train Awards

The following is a press release from BET:

BET has announced Erykah Badu, godmother of soul, will return to Las Vegas for the third time, to host, write and produce BET Presents: 2017 Soul Train Awards. Badu, a four-time Grammy-award winning soul singer and songwriter, will once again bring her transcendent style, music and spirit to the Vegas stage. BET also announced a star-studded lineup of performances by Toni Braxton, SWV, Tamar Braxton, 112, Tank and Kirk Franklin. The annual celebration will recognize the best in Soul, R&B and Hip-Hop from legends to the next generation. Filmed on November 5 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, BET Presents: 2017 Soul Train Awards will air on BET and BET HER on November 26, 2017 at 8PM ET.

Multi-platinum and seven-time Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, artist, actress and producer Toni Braxton will receive the coveted Don Cornelius Legend Award and Grammy Award-Nominated, multi-platinum, female R&B trio SWV will be honored with the third annual Lady of Soul Award.

The all-star nominees for the 2017 Soul Train Awards span across 12 different categories. Solange leads the roster with seven total nominations including Best R&B/Soul Female Artist, and the highly coveted Video of the Year and Song of the Year for hit single “Cranes in the Sky.” Bruno Mars follows with six total nominations including two nominations for Song of the Year for his hit single “That’s What I Like,” and Album/Mixtape of the Year for “24K Magic.” DJ Khaled, Rihanna and Bryson Tiller also received multiple nominations this year including Video of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Collaboration. The next generation of soul is also being recognized, including Khalid and SZA, who are multi-nominees across categories including Best New Artist, Best R&B/Soul Male Artist, Best R&B/Soul Female Artist, Best Collaboration and the Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award.

BET Presents: 2017 Soul Train Awards will feature an exciting lineup of unforgettable performances and viewers can expect special appearances by some of the brightest stars in entertainment. The event annually showcases Soul Train’s impact on the history of music and dance from the 70s to today.

BET Presents: 2017 Soul Train Awards is produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment. Executive Producers of the network telecast are as follows: Debra Lee and Connie Orlando from BET, and Jesse Collins from Jesse Collins Entertainment.

The complete list of nominees for BET Presents: 2017 Soul Train Awards can be found here.

2018 Super Bowl: Justin Timberlake set to headline Super Bowl LII halftime show

October 22, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1H325aapv0

The following is a press release from the National Football League:

Global superstar Justin Timberlake will headline the Pepsi Super Bowl LII Halftime Show on NBC at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, it was confirmed tonight.

A multi-talented actor and musician, Timberlake has won ten Grammys and numerous other awards. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, he rapidly became a highly respected musician, winning two Grammys for his debut solo album, “Justified.” He’s been recognized for a range of performances, including Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Dance Recording and Best Music Video. Timberlake was most recently nominated for an Academy Award® for the song “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” from the film “Trolls” for which he won his 10th Grammy.

A gifted actor, Timberlake has appeared in diverse films including: Alpha Dog, Black Snake Moan, Shrek The Third and The Social Network. He has also won four Emmys for his appearances on “Saturday Night Live.’ Timberlake is a co-star of the upcoming film Wonder Wheel, which opens later this year.

This will be Timberlake’s third time performing on the Super Bowl Halftime stage, giving him the distinction of having the most appearances by an individual entertainer. He previously performed at Super Bowls XXXV (with &NSYNC, Britney Spears and Aerosmith) and XXXVIII (with Janet Jackson).

his announcement is just the beginning. Leading up to Super Bowl LII, fans may visit Pepsi.com for behind-the-scenes looks into Timberlake’s journey to the Pepsi Super Bowl LII Halftime Show, as well as other surprises along the way.

Timberlake joins an esteemed list of recent halftime acts including Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Madonna, The Who, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Prince, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, U2 and more.

The Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show is the most-watched musical event of the year. Last year’s show was the most-watched musical event of all-time across all platforms and the most-watched Super Bowl Halftime performance in history through broadcast and digital channels, reaching more than 150 million unique people, garnering more than 80 million views and totaling 260 million minutes watched. Super Bowl LII and Halftime Show will be broadcast by NBC from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota.

Super Bowl LII marks Pepsi’s sixth year as title sponsor of the Super Bowl Halftime Show and 16th year as an NFL partner. Pepsi and the NFL have teamed again to provide fans with a halftime experience worthy of pop-culture’s biggest stage.

The Pepsi Super Bowl LII Halftime Show is an NFL Network Production and will be executive produced by Ricky Kirshner and directed by Hamish Hamilton.

Visit Pepsi.com leading up to Super Bowl LII to see what this historic Halftime Show has in store for fans. For more information about Super Bowl LII, visit SuperBowl.com.

2017 CMA Awards: Performers include Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert

October 18, 2017

The following is a press release from the Country Music Association (CMA) and ABC:

Excitement continues to build as the first round of performers are announced for “The 51st Annual CMA Awards,” hosted for the 10th year by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, and airing live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, November 8, 2017 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EST).

Fans will enjoy special performances by CMA Awards nominees Garth Brooks, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Chris Stapleton, Thomas Rhett and Underwood. Alan Jackson, 2017 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee and 16-time CMA Award winner, will also take center stage during Country Music’s Biggest Night.

Reigning Entertainer of the Year Brooks returns this year with his 12th career nomination for CMA Entertainer of the Year, a title he has won five times (1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2016). He is the most awarded artist in this category.

Current CMA Vocal Duo Brothers Osborne received their first Music Video nod for “It Ain’t My Fault” and will once again vie for Vocal Duo, their third nomination in the category.

Bryan is a two-time consecutive Entertainer of the Year (2014, 2015), returning to compete for his fifth nomination in the category. He has garnered 15 CMA Award nominations since 2010.

Up for three nominations this year, Church is a three-time CMA Award winner with 25 total career nods. He returns this year with recognition in the Entertainer of the Year category, in addition to Musical Event and his sixth consecutive nomination for Male Vocalist.

With five nominations under her belt this year, Lambert tops the list of finalists with nods in the Single and Song of the Year categories for “Tin Man,” Album with “The Weight of These Wings,” Music Video of the Year for “Vice,” and her 11th nomination for Female Vocalist, a category she has won six times consecutively (2010-2015). She has a career total of 44 CMA Award nominations and is the most awarded female in CMA Awards history, nabbing 12 trophies since 2010.

Little Big Town claims four nominations this year including Vocal Group, Album for The Breaker, and Single and Music Video for “Better Man.” They are seven-time CMA Award winners with a career total of 26 CMA Award nominations.

Old Dominion receives their second nominations in both Vocal Group and New Artist of the Year, securing four career CMA Award nods.

First-time nominee Pardi vies for two categories with nominations for New Artist of the Year and Single for “Dirt On My Boots,” which he co-produced. He receives one nomination for Single of the Year, but can receive an additional trophy as producer.

Stapleton is a five-time CMA Award winner nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist, and Album for “From A Room: Volume 1.” He receives one nomination for Album but can receive an additional trophy as producer. This is his third consecutive nomination for Male Vocalist, which he has won the past two years. He was also nominated for Entertainer of the Year last year and won Album for “Traveller” in 2015. He is an 11-time CMA Award nominee.

Thomas Rhett receives first-time nominations in three categories – Musical Event and Music Video for “Craving You,” featuring Maren Morris, and Male Vocalist. He took home his first CMA Award last year, securing Single of the Year with “Die A Happy Man.”

With six CMA Awards to her name, co-host Underwood returns to vie for Female Vocalist, a category she has won four times (2006-2008, 2016) and nominated for consecutively since 2006.

With 81 career nominations, Jackson is the second most nominated artist in CMA Awards history. This year marks Jackson’s 24th CMA Awards performance since debuting in 1990 with “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow.” He will receive Country Music’s highest honor, induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, on Sunday, Oct. 22, during the official Medallion Ceremony at the CMA Theater.

Winners of “The 51st Annual CMA Awards” will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible CMA members. The third and final ballot closes Wednesday, Oct. 25 (6:00 p.m. CST). Ballots will be tabulated by the professional services organization Deloitte & Touche LLP.

“The 51st Annual CMA Awards” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the executive producer and Gary Halvorson is the director.

2017 Soul Train Awards: Solange is the top nominee

October 17, 2017

Soul Train Awards

The following is a press release from BET:

BET has announced the nominees for the BET Presents: 2017 Soul Train Awards across 12 different categories. The annual celebration will recognize the best in Soul, R&B and Hip-Hop from legends to the next generation. Filmed on November 5th at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, BET Presents: 2017 Soul Train Awards will air on BET and BET HER on November 26, 2017 at 8PM ET.

Solange leads the bunch with seven total nominations including Best R&B/Soul Female Artist, and the highly coveted Video of the Year and Song of the Year for hit single “Cranes in the Sky.” Bruno Mars follows with six total nominations including two nominations for Song of the Year for his hit single “That’s What I Like,” and Album/Mixtape of the Year for “24K Magic.” DJ Khaled, Rihanna and Bryson Tiller also received multiple nominations this year including Video of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Collaboration. The next generation of soul is also being recognized, including Khalid and SZA, who are multi-nominees across categories including Best New Artist, Best R&B/Soul Male Artist, Best R&B/Soul Female Artist, Best Collaboration and the Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award.

Multi-platinum and seven-time Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, artist, actress and producer Toni Braxton is set to receive the coveted Don Cornelius Legend Award. Braxton became an immediate R&B superstar after the release of her self-titled debut album in 1993. Her debut album received multiple awards, including three Grammy Awards (for Best New Artist and two consecutive awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1994 and 1995). Her second album, “Secrets” was certified 8x platinum and included her greatest hit titled, “Un-Break My Heart,” the Diane Warren-penned ballad which spent 11-weeks at number one. Over the span of her career, Braxton has sold over 67 million records, including 41 million albums, worldwide. Toni’s current single, “Deadwood,” was released by Def Jam Recordings in September and her new album, “Sex & Cigarettes,” her first in seven years, will be out in early 2018. 

The third annual Lady of Soul Award will be presented to Grammy Award-Nominated, multi-platinum, female R&B trio SWV. SWV became one of the most successful R&B groups of the 1990s. They had a series of hits, including “Weak,” “Right Here/Human Nature,” “I’m So into You,” and “You’re the One.” They have sold more than 25 million records, making them one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. Last year’s Lady of Soul Award went to R&B icon Brandy. Both Toni and SWV are being recognized for their longstanding presence in the music industry and influence on the world of soul and R&B music past and present.

BET Presents: 2017 Soul Train Awards will feature an exciting lineup of unforgettable performances and viewers can expect special appearances by some of the brightest stars in entertainment. The event annually showcases Soul Train’s impact on the history of music and dance from the 70s to today.

BET Presents: 2017 Soul Train Awards is produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment. Executive Producers of the network telecast are as follows: Debra Lee and Connie Orlando from BET, and Jesse Collins from Jesse Collins Entertainment.

For show information, please visit BET.com/SoulTrain, the official site for BET Presents: 2017 Soul Train Awards.

The complete list of nominees for BET Presents: 2017 Soul Train Awards are:

Best New Artist
6LACK
H.E.R.
KEVIN ROSS
KHALID
SZA


Best R&B/Soul Male Artist
BRUNO MARS
BRYSON TILLER
CHRIS BROWN
KHALID
THE WEEKND


Best R&B/Soul Female Artist
KEHLANI
LALAH HATHAWAY
LEDISI
MARY J. BLIGE
SOLANGE
SZA


Soul Train Certified Award
BELL BIV DEVOE
JOHNNY GILL
LALAH HATHAWAY
LEDISI
MACK WILDS


Video of the Year
BEYONCÉ – ALL NIGHT
BRUNO MARS – 24K MAGIC
CHRIS BROWN FT. USHER & GUCCI MANE – PARTY
DJ KHALED FT. RIHANNA & BRYSON TILLER – WILD THOUGHTS
SOLANGE – CRANES IN THE SKY


Best Gospel/ Inspirational Award
CHANCE THE RAPPER
CHARLIE WILSON
KIRK FRANKLIN
LECRAE
TAMELA MANN


Album/ Mixtape of the Year
BRUNO MARS – 24K MAGIC
MARY J. BLIGE – STRENGTH OF A WOMAN
SOLANGE – A SEAT AT THE TABLE
SZA – CTRL
THE WEEKND – STARBOY


Rhythm & Bars Award (Formerly Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year)
CARDI B – BODAK YELLOW
DJ KHALED FT. RIHANNA & BRYSON TILLER – WILD THOUGHTS
FRENCH MONTANA FT. SWAE LEE – UNFORGETTABLE
KENDRICK LAMAR – HUMBLE.
YO GOTTI FT. NICKI MINAJ – RAKE IT UP


Song of the Year
BRUNO MARS – THAT’S WHAT I LIKE
CHILDISH GAMBINO – REDBONE
DJ KHALED FT. RIHANNA & BRYSON TILLER – WILD THOUGHTS
KHALID – LOCATION
SOLANGE – CRANES IN THE SKY


The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award
CRANES IN THE SKY – WRITTEN BY: TROY L. JOHN, SOLANGE KNOWLES, RAPHAEL SAADIQ (SOLANGE)
LOCATION – WRITTEN BY: ALFREDO EMMANUEL GONZALEZ, OLATUNJI OLUTOMIWA, SAMUEL DAVID JIMENEZ, KHALID ROBINSON, JOSHUA SCRUGGS (KHALID)
LOVE ME NOW – WRITTEN BY: BLAKE MATTHEW SIMON MILLS, JOHN HENRY RYAN, JOHN ROGER STEPHENS (JOHN LEGEND)
REDBONE – WRITTEN BY: GEORGE CLINTON, WILLIAM EARL COLLINS, GARY LEE COOER, DONALD MCKINLEY GLOVER II, LUDWIG EMIL TOMAS GORANSSON (CHILDISH GAMBINO)
VERSACE ON THE FLOOR – WRITTEN BY: CHRISTOPHER STEVEN BROWN, JAMES EDWARD FAUNTLEROY, BRUNO MARS, PHILIP MARTIN LAWRENCE (BRUNO MARS)


Best Dance Performance
BRUNO MARS – 24K MAGIC
CHRIS BROWN FT. USHER & GUCCI MANE – PARTY
DJ KHALED FT. RIHANNA & BRYSON TILLER – WILD THOUGHTS
SOLANGE FT. SAMPHA – DON’T TOUCH MY HAIR
WIZKID FT. DRAKE – COME CLOSER


Best Collaboration
DJ KHALED FT. RIHANNA & BRYSON TILLER – WILD THOUGHTS
JAZMINE SULLIVAN & BRYSON TILLER – INSECURE
MARY J. BLIGE FT. KANYE WEST – LOVE YOURSELF
SOLANGE FT. SAMPHA – DON’T TOUCH MY HAIR
SZA FT. TRAVIS SCOTT – LOVE GALORE

 

 

2017 American Music Awards: Bruno Mars is the top nominee

October 12, 2017

The following is a press release from Dick Clark Productions:

The 2017 American Music Awards will mark the 45th anniversary of the legendary music awards show that has brought fans the biggest musical superstars and most compelling live performances over the last four decades.  As the kick-off to this year’s highly anticipated show, international music sensation Ciara today announced six categories from the 2017 American Music Awards nominees live on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” followed by a full reveal of all nominees via Facebook Live on the American Music Awards and Billboard pages.

The 2017 American Music Awards will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at 8:00pm ET on ABC. The American Music Awards, the world’s largest fan-voted awards show, is where music enthusiasts watch their favorite artists and pop culture icons come together to honor idols, newcomers and record-breakers in the contemporary music scene.  From Pop and Rock, to Country, Hip Hop and beyond, this year’s show will celebrate 45 years of the best moments in music with appearances by today’s brightest stars and live performances from the biggest names in music.

Bruno Mars leads with eight nominations, including Artist of the Year, Video of the Year, and Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock. The Chainsmokers, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran and The Weeknd tied with five nominations each. Justin Bieber, Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi received four nominations each. Additionally, Keith Urban earned three nominations.

The Artist of the Year nominees are Bruno Mars, The Chainsmokers, Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Ed Sheeran. Voting for Artist of the Year opened today and will close on Thursday, November 16 at 8:59:59pm PT. Voting for all other editorial categories closes on Monday, November 13 at 8:59:59am PT.

American Music Awards nominees are based on key fan interactions as reflected in Billboard Magazine and on Billboard.com, including album and digital song sales, radio airplay, streaming, social activity and touring. These measurements are tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound.

The American Music Awards winners are voted entirely by fans. Voting opened today in all categories except New Artist of the Year presented by T-Mobile and Collaboration of the Year presented by Xfinity, which will both open on Wednesday, November 1.
For New Artist of the Year presented by T-Mobile and Collaboration of the Year presented by Xfinity, fans can vote for each award 100 times per day, per voting platform in one or both of the ways below. Fans can vote for all other awards once per day, per voting platform.

2017 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS TOP NOMINATED ARTISTS CHART FACTS:
  • Celebrated musician Bruno Mars’ third full-length studio album, 24K Magic, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, granting the performer his third top 10 effort. The album spun off a trio of top 40-charting hits on the Billboard Hot 100, so far: “24K Magic,” “That’s What I Like” and “Versace On the Floor.” In 2017, “That’s What I Like” became Mars’ seventh No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, following his previous leaders “Uptown Funk!” (Mark Ronson featuring Mars), “When I Was Your Man,” “Locked Out of Heaven,” “Grenade,” “Just the Way You Are” and “Nothin’ On You” (B.o.B featuring Mars).
  • Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in December of 2016, The Weeknd’s Starboy album marked his second straight No. 1, following 2015’s Beauty Behind the Madness. Starboy yielded a No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit with its title track, as well as a No. 4 smash with “I Feel It Coming.” Both tracks feature Daft Punk. All 18 songs from Starboy charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
  • R&B singer Drake’s More Life was his seventh straight album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. More Life became the first album to earn over 375 million on-demand U.S. audio streams of its tracks in a single week, according to Nielsen Music. The album set the record in the week ending March 24. Drake wrapped a record 431 consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in August, which dates back to his first appearance in 2009. The streak is the longest among all artists in Hot 100 history. Drake placed a record 24 titles on the Hot 100 at once, on the chart dated April 8, 2017. Drake linked 51 straight weeks in the Hot 100’s top 10, the longest streak by a male act. His run began on Oct. 3, 2015 with “Hotline Bling” and ended on Sept. 24, 2016, when “One Dance” fell from the tier. Drake has placed a record 157 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 in his career.
  • Rapper and song-writer Kendrick Lamar earned his first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit as a lead act with “Humble.” in 2017. He scored his second No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with DAMN., which had the best first-sales week of his career (353,000 copies sold in its first week, according to Nielsen Music). Lamar was the first artist of 2017 to post two concurrent titles in the Hot 100’s top five with “Humble.” and “DNA.” on May 6.
  • Ed Sheeran scored his first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 in 2017 with “Shape of You,” which debuted at No. 1 and reigned for 12 weeks. “Shape of You” broke the record for the most time spent in the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10: 33 weeks. Sheeran became the first artist to debut two titles in the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10 simultaneously, with “Shape of You” and “Castle on the Hill.” Sheeran earned his second Billboard 200 No. 1 album with ÷ (Divide). Upon its No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200, ÷ (Divide) generated 13 simultaneous entries on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart.
  • Music duo of Drew Taggart and Andrew Pall, The Chainsmokers, charted three songs in the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10 in the past year, including the chart-topping “Closer,” featuring Halsey. “Closer” became just the 17th song in the Hot 100’s history to spend at least 12 weeks at No. 1. “Closer” spent 27 weeks at No. 1 on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, breaking the 26-week record previously held by Avicii’s “Wake Me Up!” The Chainsmokers earned three No. 1 hits on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart over the past year: “Closer,” “Paris” and “Something Just Like This,” with Coldplay. Their debut full-length set Memories…Do Not Open opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. It was the first No. 1 for a dance/electronic album in three-and-a-half years.
  • Pop superstar Justin Bieber joined Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee on the No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit “Despacito.” It tied the record for the longest run at No. 1 — 16 weeks. With “Despacito,” Bieber jumped to his first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart. Bieber banked his first No. 1 on both the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts as featured on DJ Khaled’s all-star “I’m the One.” Bieber became the first artist ever to tally new No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100 in back-to-back weeks, with “I’m the One” and “Despacito” (on charts May 20 and 27). Bieber has spent more than three years cumulatively at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Social 50 chart, easily the most among all acts since the list’s inception at the start of the decade.
  • Daddy Yankee claimed his first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Despacito” (Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber), which tied the record for most weeks spent at No. 1: 16 weeks. “Despacito” spent 16 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 – tying the record for the longest run at No. 1 in the chart’s history. He has tallied more than 50 hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart, including top 40-charting singles in the past year like “Hula Hoop” and “La Rompe Corazones,” with Ozuna.
  • Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito,” with Daddy Yankee and featuring Justin Bieber, spent 16 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 – tying the record for the longest run at No. 1 in the chart’s history. “Despacito” marked Fonsi’s third hit on the Hot 100, but he’s been charting hits on the Hot Latin Songs chart since 1998, where he’s notched 30 hits. Overall, on Hot Latin Songs, Fonsi has collected 11 top 10 hits, seven of which reached No. 1 (including “Despacito”).
  • Premier country musician Keith Urban’s “The Fighter,” featuring Carrie Underwood, marked the former’s 38th straight top 10 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Urban’s hit “Blue Ain’t Your Color” topped Hot Country Songs for 12 weeks from Nov. 19, 2016 – Feb. 4, 2017. His latest album, 2016’s Ripcord, became his fifth Top Country Albums No. 1 and sixth top 10 on the Billboard 200. “The Fighter” reached No. 40 on Billboard’s Adult Pop Songs airplay chart, his first hit on the chart since 2009’s “Kiss a Girl.” Further, the crossover track climbed to No. 15 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart.
  • Pop superstar Rihanna notched her 60th hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Wild Thoughts” (DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller). “Wild Thoughts” became the diva’s 31st top 10 hit on the Hot 100 and seventh No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. She added three new No. 1s on the Rhythmic Songs airplay chart in the past year: “Too Good” (Drake featuring Rihanna), “Loyalty.” (Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna) and “Wild Thoughts.”

Sponsors for the 2017 American Music Awards include Comcast’s Xfinity and T-Mobile. Media partners include Cumulus Media/ Westwood One and Music Choice.

The “2017 American Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro and Mike Mahan are Executive Producers. Larry Klein, Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco are Producers.

Below please find the full list of nominations for the 2017 American Music Awards®:

2017 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS® NOMINEES

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

  • Bruno Mars
  • The Chainsmokers
  • Drake
  • Kendrick Lamar
  • Ed Sheeran
  • James Arthur
  • Niall Horan
  • Julia Michaels
  • Post Malone
  • Rae Sremmurd
  • The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey “Closer”
  • DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne “I’m the One”
  • Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber “Despacito”
  • Maroon 5 featuring Kendrick Lamar “Don’t Wanna Know”
  • The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk “Starboy”
  • Garth Brooks
  • Coldplay
  • U2
  • Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like”
  • Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee “Despacito”
  • Ed Sheeran “Shape of You”
  • Bruno Mars
  • Drake
  • Ed Sheeran
  • Alessia Cara
  • Lady Gaga
  • Rihanna
  • The Chainsmokers
  • Coldplay
  • Imagine Dragons
  • Bruno Mars “24K Magic”
  • Drake “More Life”
  • The Weeknd “Starboy”
  • The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey “Closer”
  • Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber “Despacito”
  • Ed Sheeran “Shape of You”
  • Sam Hunt
  • Thomas Rhett
  • Keith Urban
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Maren Morris
  • Carrie Underwood
  • Florida Georgia Line
  • Little Big Town
  • Old Dominion
  • Jason Aldean “They Don’t Know”
  • Chris Stapleton “From A Room: Volume 1”
  • Keith Urban “Ripcord”
  • Sam Hunt “Body Like A Back Road”
  • Jon Pardi “Dirt On My Boots”
  • Keith Urban “Blue Ain’t Your Color”
  • Drake
  • Kendrick Lamar
  • Migos
  • Drake “More Life”
  • Kendrick Lamar “DAMN.”
  • Migos “Culture”
  • DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne “I’m the One”
  • Kendrick Lamar “HUMBLE.”
  • Rae Sremmurd featuring Gucci Mane “Black Beatles”
  • Bruno Mars
  • Childish Gambino
  • The Weeknd
  • Beyoncé
  • Kehlani
  • Rihanna
  • Bruno Mars “24K Magic”
  • Childish Gambino “Awaken, My Love!”
  • The Weeknd “Starboy”
  • Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like”
  • Khalid “Location”
  • The Weeknd “Starboy”
  • Imagine Dragons
  • Linkin Park
  • twenty one pilots
  • Bruno Mars
  • Shawn Mendes
  • Ed Sheeran
  • Daddy Yankee
  • Luis Fonsi
  • Shakira
  • Lauren Daigle
  • MercyMe
  • Chris Tomlin
  • The Chainsmokers
  • DJ Snake
  • Calvin Harris
  • Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2
  • Moana
  • Trolls

Tom Petty dead at 66; iconic rocker was a Grammy winner and a member of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

October 3, 2017

by Carla Hay

Tom Petty
Tom Petty at the Mountain Jam Festival in Hunter Mountain, New York, on June 17, 2017 (Photo by Patrick Tewey/Mountain Jam)

After his death was prematurely reported by CBS News, rock singer/songwriter Tom Petty died on the night of October 2, 2017, at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. His death came a day after he suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Malibu, California, according to what his spokesperson Carla Sacks told the Associated Press. CBS News reported and later retracted Petty’s obituary several hours before he actually died.

Petty began his music career in his hometown of Gainesville, Florida, before relocating to Los Angeles with his band Mudcrutch.  He was best known for his work with his band the Heartbreakers, who had a long string of popular songs dating back to the band’s debut in 1976, including “Refugee,” “American Girl,” “Don’t Do Me Like That,” “The Waiting” and “Learning to Fly.” Petty and the Heartbreakers were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2017, Petty and the Heartbreakers were on their 40th anniversary tour, which Petty told the media would probably be the band’s last tour.

Petty was also a member of the short-lived rock supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, whose other members were Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne.  Petty also had a successful solo career, which began with his 1989 multiplatinum album “Full Moon Fever,” whose hits included “Free Fallin’,” “I Won’t Back Down” and “Runnin’ Down a Dream.”

Petty won three Grammys in his career:  First, with the Traveling Wilburys (for the 1988 album “Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1”); then as a solo artist (for the 1994 song “You Don’t Know How It Feels”); and finally with the Heartbreakers (for the 2007 documentary “Runnin’ Down a Dream”).  In 2017, Petty was named MusiCares Person of the Year.

Petty was married twice: to Jane Benyo (from 1974 to 1996) and to his widow, Dana York, whom he married in 2001. He had two daughters (Adria and AnnaKim Violette) from his marriage to Benyo, as well as a stepson named Dylan from his marriage to York.

January 18, 2018 UPDATE: According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Petty did not die of cardiac arrest, as had originally reported. His cause of death was an accidental overdose of multiple drugs.

Jason Aldean, Jake Owen and other celebrities react to mass murder at Route 91 Harvest festival

October 2, 2017

by John Larson

Jason Aldean
Jason Aldean (Photo by Natasha Moustache/CMA)

As details are still emerging about the mass murder shooting at the Route 91 Harvest outdoor music festival in Las Vegas, festival performer Jason Aldean and other celebrities have been making statements about the tragedy, in which at least 59 people were killed and more than 500 people injured on October 1, 2017. It is the worst mass-murder shooting in U.S. history. Stephen Craig Paddock, the 64-year-old suspected shooter, fired automatic weapons from his hotel suite at nearby Mandalay Bay, and reportedly committed suicide before he could be apprehended by police. Paddock is believed to be the only shooter in this crime.

Aldean was performing at the concert when the shooting happened. He issued this statement on his official Twitter account: “Tonight has been beyond horrific. I still don’t know what to say but wanted to let everyone know that me and my crew are safe. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved tonight. It hurts my heart that this would happen to anyone who was just coming out to enjoy what should have been a fun night.”

Aldean was the last performer at the three-day festival, whose other headliners were Eric Church (on September 29) and Sam Hunt (on September 30). The sold-out event was attended by about 22,000 people on the Las Vegas Strip when the gun attack began at 10:05 p.m. Pacific Time.

Jake Owen, who performed on stage before Aldean at the festival,  tweeted these comments on October 1: “Praying for everyone here in Vegas. I witnessed the most unimaginable event tonight. We are okay. Others aren’t. Please pray.”

Owen later tweeted, “Gun shots were ringing off of the stage rigging and road cases. No one knew where to go..thank you LVPD and responders for keeping us safe.”

John Rich of Big & Rich, who also performed at the festival on  October 1 , tweeted after the tragedy: “We are ok. But our fans and friends are not. This is the worst of humanity at work. Praying for the victims in Vegas tonight.”

Route 91 festival performer Maren Morris tweeted on October 2: “Played Route 91 in Vegas the night before last. We were all singing. I’m in shock over this. Heartbroken for all those lives taken too soon.”

Live Nation, the promotion company behind Route 91 Harvest, issued this statement on October 2: “We are heartbroken over the tragedy that took place at the Route 91 Harvest festival. To think that anyone would want to inflict harm on a gathering of music lovers is beyond our comprehension. And while we are stunned and grieving over this incomprehensible act of violence, we know that this is a moment when we must come together to prevent more tragedies like this from occurring.

“Live Nation will do everything in our power to support the victims and their families through the aftermath of this horrendous event and extends our deepest gratitude to the heroic first responders who helped save as many lives as possible. To our Live Nation on-site employees, we cannot thank you enough for your bravery and perseverance over the past 24 hours and will ensure you have the resources and support necessary to heal from this.”

According to the Associated Press, dead gunman Paddock was a retired multimillionaire who did not have a known history of committing violence or having mental illness. However, his estranged father, Benjamin Hoskins Paddock (who went by several aliases and died in 1998), had a long criminal history, including arrests for bank robbery in 1960, escaping from prison in 1968 (which put him on the FBI’s Most Wanted list) and racketeering in 1987.

October 3, 2017 UPDATE:

Aldean has cancelled his California concerts that were scheduled to take place on October 6 in Los Angeles, October 7 in San Diego and October 8 in Anaheim. In a statement posted on his official website, Aldean said: “I feel like out of respect for the victims, their families and our fans, it is the right thing to do. It has been an emotional time for everyone involved this week, so we plan to take some time to mourn the ones we have lost and be close with our family and friends.”

In addition, Aldean posted this message on his Instagram account:  “Over the last 24 hrs I have gone through lots of emotions. Fear, Anger, Heartache, Compassion and many others. I truely dont [sic] understand why a person would want to take the life of another. Something has changed in this country and in this world lately that is scary to see. This world is becoming the kind of place i am afraid to raise my children in. At the end of the day we arent [sic] Democrats or Republicans, Whites or Blacks, Men or Women. We are all humans and we are all Americans and its time to start acting like it and stand together as ONE! That is the only way we will ever get this Country to be better than it has ever been, but we have a long way to go and we have to start now. My heart aches for the Victims and their families of this Senseless act. I am so sorry for the hurt and pain everyone is feeling right now and there are no words i can say to to take that pain away. Just know u all are in my heart and my prayers as we all go through this together. Time to come together and stop the hate!
#stopthehate #prayforlasvegas”

Meanwhile, Route 91 Harvest issued this statement:

“On behalf of the entire Route 91 Harvest Family, we are completely devastated by the event that occurred Sunday night.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to the injured and the deceased and their loved ones, senseless violence has claimed the souls of our fans and we have little in the way of answers.

“Our eternal gratitude goes out to the LVPD, Emergency services, security guards, and fans for their selfless acts of bravery while trying to help those in need.

“While we will try and move forward, we will never forget this day.

“We will NOT let hate win over LOVE.

“We will NOT be defeated by senseless violence.

“We WILL persevere, and honor the souls that were lost.
Because it matters.”

2017 Revolt Music Conference: keynote speaker, panelists announced

September 20, 2017

Revolt Music Conference

The following is a press release from Revolt Music Conference:

REVOLT, the multi-platform network from Sean Combs, will once again return to Miami Beach for the fourth annual REVOLT Music Conference (RMC) on October 12-15, 2017 at the Eden Roc Miami Beach Resort. The first round of featured keynote speakers, Q&A participants, and panelists has been revealed for the four-day, action-packed experience.

 Veteran record executive, CEO and Co-Founder of 300 Entertainment Kevin Liles will take the stage as the keynote speaker for the conference. Industry leader Bozoma Saint John, Chief Brand Officer at Uber, and Shakim Compere, Co-Founder of Flavor Unit Entertainment, will participate in can’t-miss interactive Q&As.  Allen Hughes, film producer and director of the “Defiant Ones”, will participate in a special Q&A on filmmaking in Hollywood, and showcase a screening during the REVOLT Film Festival on October 15. Panel topics for the conference include: artist development and management, public relations, branding, content creation, going indie and more. A full list of panelists for the 2017 REVOLT Music Conference can be found HERE. Additional participants will be announced in the coming weeks.

21 Savage joins previously announced performers who will take the stage during RMC including Ms. Lauryn Hill, 2 Chainz, French Montana, Daniel Caesar, King Combs, and Top Dawg Entertainment recording artist SZA.

For the second year, REVOLT is partnering with Pepsi to offer an exclusive opportunity for up-and-coming talent to perform during the REVOLT Music Conference.  Taking place on the first day of the conference, Thursday, October 12th, “Be Heard,” presented by Pepsi, will allow attendees the chance to increase their visibility and exposure by showcasing their talents to music industry icons, producers, and artists. The winner of “Be Heard,” presented by Pepsi, will perform on REVOLT TV.

Established as the must-attend event of the year, RMC provides attendees with an innovative, industry-wide networking experience for all who thrive in the music and media content space. Registration packages are now on sale at REVOLTMusicConference.com. Join the #REVOLTMUSICCONFERENCE conversation on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @REVOLTtv.

 

Grammy Museum Experience opens first East Coast location at Prudential Center in New Jersey

September 12, 2017

Grammy Museum Experience
(Rendering courtesy of Grammy Museum Experience)

The GRAMMY Museum Experience Prudential Center, the interactive experience devoted to exploring music history and education, will open the doors to its 8,200-square-foot location/expansion housed in Newark, New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Friday, Oct. 20 at 11 a.m. ET.  Dedicated to celebrating the legacies of all forms of music and cultivating a greater awareness of the history of music with today’s youth, the Experience will feature interactive exhibits, as well as famed historical musical artifacts, such as fashion pieces worn by Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Amy Winehouse, and many more.  In honor of the rich musical heritage of New Jersey, the GRAMMY Museum Experience Prudential Center will feature a significant section that pays tribute to New Jersey’s homegrown entertainers, including Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston.

The Experience will be open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with tickets ranging from $9 to $12. Individual ticket and group ticket pricing and can be found at GRAMMYMuseumExp.org, tickets may be purchased via Ticketmaster.com.

“The Experience highlights the power music has to inspire, educate and celebrate,” said GRAMMY Museum Founding Executive Director Bob Santelli. “There is something for everyone – from exhibits designed to educate, to those that underline the history of music and its special place in our culture. We are proud to work alongside partners like Josh Harris and David Blitzer, and support the incredible work they have done to make the Prudential Center a major destination for music and entertainment on the East Coast. We are honored and thrilled to be able to share the Experience with the local community of Newark, and with visitors worldwide.”

“The GRAMMY Museum Experience will bring together two innovative brands in entertainment – the Prudential Center, a top-5 most played venue in the United States, and the GRAMMY Museum, the most revered and respected property in music industry history. As stewards of these iconic brands, active residents of the city of Newark, and under the leadership of Josh Harris and David Blitzer, we believe it is our responsibility and privilege to ignite the special passion sports and music has in our world, and on the youth of today,” said Scott O’Neil, CEO of the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center. “We look forward to honoring both the musical legacy of many of the acts, who have graced our stage at The Rock; as well as the performing legends who have inspired movements that have shaped our industry.”

“The GRAMMY Museum celebrates the transcendent power of music to cross generations and cultures,” said Colin McConnell, Chief Brand Officer, Prudential.  “In partnership with Prudential Center, we’re proud to celebrate the rich musical history of the GRAMMY Awards® here in our hometown of Newark, a city which has contributed so much to American music.”

Developed in large part for educational purposes, the GRAMMY Museum Experience Prudential Center will also provide support for supplemental music development in the area and serve as a turnkey arts and education center for schools throughout the Tri-State area. It aims to raise funds to support existing arts and culture programs, while also providing new educational opportunities and resources to youth programs throughout the area.

The GRAMMY Museum Experience will include a New Jersey Legends exhibit featuring a spotlight on iconic artists from New Jersey. In addition, the Experience will educate visitors on the heritage and history of the musically-rich state of New Jersey, while inspiring the area’s next generation of music makers.

The GRAMMY Museum Experience will also include the following interactive exhibits:

Roland® LIVE, an area that provides visitors with a real-life simulation experience of performing onstage
Focused exhibits that unveil the mysteries behind the recording process
A how-to tutorial that teaches visitors how to rap while providing insight into the mixing/remixing song experience
A section dedicated to the annual GRAMMY Awards, as told through a timeline highlighting unforgettable moments in GRAMMY history

Over the past three years, the Prudential Center, a Top 5 arena, has made an immense impact on the Newark community. In 2016, the Prudential Center recorded its highest-grossing weekend and busiest month in building history, with roughly 146,000 people entering the building monthly. Through alignment with local leaders, investments in talent development and commitment to venue upkeep, the Prudential Center has nearly doubled its entertainment programming, making it New Jersey’s home sports and entertainment venue.

For more information on the GRAMMY Museum Experience, please visit GRAMMYMUSEUMEXP.ORG.

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