billboard.com Main News

Indie Promoters Band Together to Lobby Washington for Federal Aid - billboard.com - Los Angeles - Washington - city Washington - city Philadelphia - city Nashville - parish Red River - city Austin

Independent concert promoters and venue operators from across the U.S. are teaming to lobby Congress and the White House for federal aid to help club and theaters hurt by the coronavirus pandemic.

Los Angeles Washington city Washington city Philadelphia city Nashville parish Red River city Austin covid-19 pandemic crisis Coronavirus

Louis Armstrong Foundation Starts COVID-19 Fund for Jazz Musicians

The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation has launched a $1 million emergency fund to support freelance New York City-area jazz musicians during the coronavirus pandemic.The organization’s board of directors on Thursday announced The Louis Armstrong Emergency Fund for Jazz Musicians. It is aimed at providing financial support to jazz vocalists and instrumentalists who have lost income because of the coronavirus, which has forced performers to cancel concerts, tours and performances.

city New York covid-19 president Coronavirus

Knox Phillips, Memphis Music Ambassador, Dies at 74

Knox Phillips, the son of renowned music producer Sam Phillips and an enthusiastic ambassador of Memphis music who worked on records by Jerry Lee Lewis, Willie Nelson and John Prine during more than 50 years in the industry, has died. He was 74.Phillips’ brother, Jerry Phillips, told The Associated Press that his older sibling died Monday at home, with his wife.

Willie Nelson John Prine county Knox county Phillips

Watch 5 Seconds of Summer's Psychedelic New 'Wildflower' Video

5 Seconds of Summer unveiled their dreamy new video for "Wildflower" on Thursday (April 16), and it's a colorful fantasy land that matches perfectly with the song's happy, falling in love theme.The colorful Andy DeLuca and Sarah Eiseman-directedvisual came to life after the band’s original shoot was cancelled amid the coronavirus crisis. Instead, the boys shot “Wildflower” individually on a green screen at each band member’s doorway.The result is a kaleidoscopic fantasy world that sees the band giddily singing among animated flowers and tie-dyed backgrounds.

crisis Coronavirus

'Tiger King' Star Joe Exotic Won't Record His Radio Show From Prison (For Now)

Do not expect to hear a Joe Exotic radio program in the foreseeable future. Earlier in the week, the husband of Joseph Maldonado-Passage, aka Joe Ex

Netflix Hollywood stars

John Prine Hits No. 1 on Rock Songwriters Chart After His Death Due to Coronavirus

John Prine debuts at No. 1 on Billboard's Rock Songwriters chart (dated April 18), leading for the first time thanks to six entries, which he solely wrote, on the latest Hot Rock Songs chart.The iconic singer-songwriter died April 7 at age 73 from complications of COVID-19.Prine's 1999 duet with Iris DeMent, "In Spite of Ourselves," leads his Hot Rock Songs haul at No.

John Prine Bonnie Raitt city Montgomery death bill Coronavirus

New Orleans Jazz Fest Canceled Due to COVID-19

The 2020 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival was officially canceled Thursday, the latest economic and entertainment industry casualty in Louisiana’s fight to halt the spread of the new coronavirus.Festival organizers had already postponed the festival, which usually spans two spring weekends, until the fall. But they announced on the festival website that they would not attempt this year to hold the event.

state Louisiana city New Orleans hospital covid-19 death patient

Joe Exotic - Tiger King - Carole Baskin - Lana Del Rey - Alex Winston Will Tame Your Heart With Her Cover of 'Tiger King' Classic 'Here Kitty, Kitty' - billboard.com

Alex Winston Will Tame Your Heart With Her Cover of 'Tiger King' Classic 'Here Kitty, Kitty'

We're long beyond peak Tiger King. The Netflix docuseries that has transfixed a nation during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown has spawned countless memes, conspiracy theories, angry tweets and even murmurs of a possible pardon for the King himself, Joe Exotic.

Joe Exotic Tiger King Carole Baskin Lana Del Rey covid-19 pandemic Netflix quarantine Heart

Songs We Love During Quarantine: Shakira, Selena, Vicente Fernandez & More Latin Picks

Being forced to stay indoors and “socially distanced” very naturally leads us to reassess our personal playlists. Couple that with Easter and Passover, and we’re definitely in the midst of a reflective, thankful and collaborative state of mind.

Vicente Fernández state Texas Nicaragua covid-19 pandemic information quarantine

Lee Brice Talks DIY Album Recording Process Amid a Pandemic During Billboard Live At-Home Concert

Lee Brice performed a Billboard Live At-Home concert Thursday (April 16) to raise money for Meals on Wheels America, which delivers food to senior citizens in need.Brice got more acquainted with his latest single "One of Them Girls," which he released just last week, taking it for a spin on his acoustic guitar ("I wrote this right before we recorded our last session," he said), but the rhythmic track about a woman who plays hard to get relates to the difficult recording process for the country singer-songwriter's next LP in the wake of a pandemic."I'm trying to finish the rest of the record, but I'm having to do it from the house alone," he said about working in his small studio upstairs in his Nashville home.

Lee Brice city Nashville 2020 pandemic stars donates

Angels & Airwaves Song Says In a World Turned Upside Down, 'All That's Left Is Love'

The second verse of Angels & Airwaves' new single "All That's Left is Love" pretty well sums up what a lot of us are feeling these days: "We have never been here before/ To not love less, to love more/ And now after all that we've seen/ Yeah I'm sure, it's for me," Tom DeLonge sings on the moody rocker released Thursday (April 16). Proceeds from the song will benefit Feeding America's COVID-19 Re

covid-19

Watch Demi Lovato Sing 'A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes' Ahead of 'The Disney Family Singalong'

We're just hours away from The Disney Family Singalong premiering on ABC, and the special has unveiled a preview of Demi Lovato's performance in anticipation for the big event.

pandemic stars Coronavirus Heart

What to Know About David Guetta's Massive Upcoming Livestream Performance

With an arsenal of era-defining hits to his name, the David Guetta ethos can aptly be summed up as "go big or go home." But this Saturday, April 18, Guetta will go big as we stay home with a massive charity livestream taking place in his adopted base city of Miami. Although details about the location are vague, organizers note that "the DJ Booth will be loc

David Guetta county Miami city Downtown, county Miami 2020 pandemic

Sam Smith Shares More Details of Their '2020 Abba' Collab With Demi Lovato

As the coronavirus continues to keep fans and artists alike locked inside, extra measures are being taken by performers to make sure that their fans get the right content at the right time. Now, pop superstar Sam Smith is giving their fans a peek inside the process behind those measures.

Sam Smith Zane Lowe 2020 quarantine Coronavirus

Tom Hanks - Johnathon Schaech - Ethan Embry - Steve Zahn - The Wonders Reminisce About the Life-Changing 'That Thing You Do!' Before COVID-19 Relief Fund Reunion - billboard.com - Los Angeles - Reunion - county Scott - city Everett, county Scott

The Wonders Reminisce About the Life-Changing 'That Thing You Do!' Before COVID-19 Relief Fund Reunion

The Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles was demolished in 2005, but Ethan Embry, Johnathon Schaech, Tom Everett Scott and Steve Zahn are still laughing about the hijinx that went down while they were filming That Thing You Do!

Tom Hanks Johnathon Schaech Ethan Embry Steve Zahn Los Angeles Reunion county Scott city Everett, county Scott covid-19 pandemic Hollywood donates

Enter the Metrics: Data for May and June to Shed Light on How COVID-19 Will Impact the Music Biz

With the country caught in an unprecedented pandemic, music industry trend-watchers can look to a few metrics to cut through the noise of constant coronavirus coverage, improve their forecasts and make tactical decisions.

pandemic economy Coronavirus

Here Are Britney Spears' Best Quarantine Moments

Oops! She did it again. If anyone is winning at life during lockdown, it's Britney Spears.

Justin Timberlake Britney Spears 2020 quarantine Coronavirus

Soul Asylum, Brandy Clark & More Confirmed For Grammy Museum's New Digital Public Program Series

The COVID-19 pandemic has closed the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles indefinitely, but the museum announced Thursday (April 16) that it will create new public programs using Zoom, and put them on its website.The new digital Public Program series kicks off with Soul Asylum on Saturday (April 18), followed by Caitlyn Smith on April 20.Other confirmed participants include Ingrid Andress, Brandy Clark, Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon, Echosmith, Jim Lauderdale, Kip Moore, Shinedown and Webb Wilder.Since the Grammy Museum opened in the L.A. Live complex in 2008, it has hosted more than 930 public programs in its cozy, 200-seat Clive Davis Theater.

Kip Moore Los Angeles covid-19 president pandemic

A Day To Remember Meet Their Mental Match in Animated 'Mindreader' Video

Florida hardcore pop-punkers A Day to Remember have had the animated video for their single "Mindreader" done for a while. But with the world on seemingly endless lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, now seemed as good a time as any to drop it.“This song was one of my personal favorites off the new album from the day it was written," said singer Jeremy McKinnon in a statement about the twisty noir cartoon, which was created for the track by Awesome, Inc.

state Florida covid-19 pandemic

Live Event Production Companies Pivot Towards Healthcare

In mid-March, as cities and states began to ban large gatherings throughout the country due to the spreading coronavirus pandemic, event production professionals saw the most prolific months of their business disappear in a matter of days. Some optimistic organizers have postponed festival and other event dates to later in the year, but many industry professionals have needed to find ways to supplement their incomes until large gatherings begin occurring again.

gatherings pandemic

Revisit Andrea Bocelli’s Stunning Easter Performance of ‘Amazing Grace’

Andrea Bocelli has released the official video for his rendition of “Amazing Grace” on Thursday (April 16).

Andrea Bocelli Italy state New York city Rome county York city Madrid city Buenos Aires covid-19 information Coronavirus

John Baumann's 'Next Ride Around the Sun' Shines Light on Living Your Best Life: Premiere

Singer/songwriter John Baumann's thoughtful “Next Ride Around the Sun,” premiering below, advises the listener to live life with kindness and gratitude since “there’s nothing that you can take with you when your time is done.”

covid-19 gatherings pandemic RIDE

Picture This Revel in Love That’s So Bad It’s Good on Flirty New Single ‘Troublemaker’: Premiere

Sometimes love isn’t good for you. And sometimes, that makes you want it even more.

county Love

Drake, Justin Bieber, Meek Mill & More Step Up Big With Donations For New All-In Challenge

Drake, Justin Bieber, Kevin Hart, and more are stepping up to the plate in a big way in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, celebrities are giving away their most prized possessions along with one-in-lifetime experiences as part Philadelphia 76ers' co-owner Michael Rubin's ALL-IN Challenge.Created by Rubin, his ALL-IN Challenge is uniting stars from different realms to provide a helping hand to those in need of food during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Michael Rubin Kevin Hart Justin Bieber covid-19 2020 stars donates

Adam Lambert - Wilson Cruz - Lilly Singh - Melissa Etheridge - Dan Levy - Billy Eichner - Matt Bomer - Adam Lambert, Kesha and More Set For GLAAD Event Highlighting LGBTQ Response to COVID-19 Crisis - billboard.com

Adam Lambert, Kesha and More Set For GLAAD Event Highlighting LGBTQ Response to COVID-19 Crisis

Livestream events have become the norm during the coronavirus pandemic and GLAAD has put its name behind the latest offering — "Together in Pride: You Are Not Alone."Scheduled for April 26 (5 p.m. PST/8 p.m.

Adam Lambert Wilson Cruz Lilly Singh Melissa Etheridge Dan Levy Billy Eichner Matt Bomer covid-19 pandemic HIV Coronavirus

Slipknot's No. 9 Iowa Whiskey Reserve is Back

Good news if you love masked hard rock bands, whiskey and Iowa: Slipknot's award-winning No. 9 Iowa Reserve is on sale for the first time this year. Named Best Celebrity-Related Whiskey last year by Forbes magazine ("Percussionist Shawn Crahan, a.k.a “Clown,” actually blended No. 9’s two expressions—No. 9 and No. 9 Reserve. If Clown decides to give up his musical career, he may have shot as whiskey blender, because the blends are good"), it was first offered last August. It is now availabl

state Iowa covid-19 2020 pandemic mask

German Summer Music Circuit Canceled Amid Virus Crisis Restrictions

Germany's 2020 summer of rock is no more.

Angela Merkel Germany virus covid-19 crisis Coronavirus

Tones And I Talks Basketball, Her ‘Idol’ Macklemore & More In YouTube's Artist on the Rise Video: Watch

Tones And I’s 2019 wasn’t so much a breakthrough year. Or a "meteoric rise." Because, well, meteors do tend to burn up on entry.Truth be told, it was a dream run.

stars

Spanish Rights Society SGAE President Pilar Jurado Ousted

Spanish Rights Society SGAE experienced a sudden changing of the guard on Wednesday (April 15) with the ouster of President Pilar Jurado during a board meeting which was held via video conference, due to the current coronavirus confinement in Spain.

Spain covid-19 president crisis Coronavirus rights

Tom Waits Pens Moving Tribute to Hal Willner

Tom Waits has remembered the late and legendary Saturday Night Live music producer Hal Willner with a touching essay.

Hal Willner symptoms Coronavirus

Lee Konitz, Jazz Saxophone Great and Miles Davis Collaborator, Dies From COVID-19 Complications

Lee Konitz, the celebrated jazz saxophonist and last surviving performer in Miles Davis’ “Birth of the Cool” sessions, died Wednesday (April 15) due to complications with COVID-19. He was 92.

Miles Davis city Chicago covid-19 death innovations

Jon Bon Jovi Asks Kindergartners to ‘Do What You Can’

A Florida kindergarten teacher took his virtual classroom to new levels on Monday when rock icon Jon Bon Jovi popped in on a writing lesson about life in the coronavirus quarantine.Last month, the Grammy award-winning '80s rocker released an incomplete version of “Do What You Can,” which is a ballad about the nation’s battle to contain the virus, and asked fans to submit verses to help complete it, the Palm Beach Post reported.Michael Bonick, a teacher at Marsh Pointe Elementary School in Palm Beach Gardens and life-long Bon Jovi fan, saw the singer’s invitation and found contact information online for a member of Bon Jovi’s staff.

state Florida county Palm Beach virus information quarantine Coronavirus

Keith Urban - Thomas Rhett - Chris Tomlin - Reba Macentire - Hillary Scott - Here Are the Lyrics to Thomas Rhett's 'Be a Light,' Feat. Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin & Keith Urban - billboard.com

Here Are the Lyrics to Thomas Rhett's 'Be a Light,' Feat. Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin & Keith Urban

Thomas Rhett recruited country powerhouse performers Reba McEntire, Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin and Keith Urban to "Be a Light" for their timely Billboard Hot 100 hit, which landed at No. 71 (dated April 18).

Keith Urban Thomas Rhett Chris Tomlin Reba Macentire Hillary Scott Coronavirus

New BMI Radio Royalties Revealed Following RMLC Settlement

Details of BMI and the Radio Music Licensing Committee (RMLC)'s rate court settlement first announced in January are now available and show that rates for the 2017-2021 period have increased to 1.78% of revenue, after standard deductions. That’s up from the 1.7% rate the organization was getting in the previous licensing period.

2020 pandemic Coronavirus

Everything You Need to Know About the Making of Bad Bunny's 'Yo Perreo Sola' Video

Bad Bunny’s “Yo Perreo Sola,” released March 27, is currently the most-watched Latin music video worldwide. Featuring Bad Bunny in drag, it’s as visually eye-opening as it is conscientious, talking about respect for women and highlighting the LGBT community, a departure for Latin urban music. “The video is 100% Benito,” Stillz, Bad Bunny’s creative director for all his videos and social con

city Las Vegas Colombia covid-19 outbreak sanitizer

After Layoffs, Eventbrite Founders Discuss Company’s Future: 'We Are Not Planning to Exit Music'

Two years after buying Ticketfly, Eventbrite is considering a return to the DIY model, saying the financial damage created by the coronavirus pandemic is forcing the entire independent music space to rethink the way it does business. “Can you imagine our country without independent live music venues?” asks Eventbrite co-founder and CEO Julia Hartz wh

covid-19 pandemic crisis Coronavirus

New York and LA Mayors Say Live Events 'Difficult to Imagine' Until 2021

Live events may not be resuming in either Los Angeles or New York City until 2021, according to the mayors of both cities.

Eric Garcetti Wolf Blitzer New York Los Angeles city Los Angeles county York gatherings vaccine bill

Coronavirus Listener Data: Audio Streams Rebound for Second Week as Video Continues Steady Increase

In the fourth week of the coronavirus-driven economic shutdown of the U.S., the country's overall consumption units were up again. The 0.74% increase for the week ending April 9 marks the second consecutive week of growth for those units -- which include video views -- after the industry enjoyed a 1.12% gain the week prior.But both of those weeks are increasing from the year-to-date weekly low count of 13.4 million album consumption units for the week ending March 19.

covid-19 2020 Coronavirus

Runaway June's Jennifer Wayne Reveals She Had Coronavirus & Recovered

Runaway June's singer Jennifer Wayne revealed that she recently tested positive for the coronavirus, but has thankfully recovered.

virus doctor symptoms Coronavirus

Gloria Estefan - Luis Fonsi - Emilio Estefan - Eva Longoria - Steve Aoki - Rosanna Arquette - Diane Guerrero - Nicky Jam - Gloria Estefan, Luis Fonsi & More Latin Acts Join Cinco de Mayo Altísimo Live Festival Fundraiser - billboard.com

Gloria Estefan, Luis Fonsi & More Latin Acts Join Cinco de Mayo Altísimo Live Festival Fundraiser

Latin music stars Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Luis Fonsi, J Balvin, Diane Guerrero and Ana Brenda Contreras have teamed for Eva Longoria's virtual Cinco de Mayo celebration, hosted by iHeartLatino, RetroPop Media, CIEN+, The Latinx House, WFHN-TV, Hispanics in Philanthropy, Hispanic Heritage Foundation and farmworker-serving organizations led by Justice for Migrant Women, among others.

Gloria Estefan Luis Fonsi Emilio Estefan Eva Longoria Steve Aoki Rosanna Arquette Diane Guerrero Nicky Jam covid-19 pandemic stars

Fyre Festival Mastermind Billy McFarland Asks for Prison Release Amid Coronavirus

Billy McFarland, the notorious mastermind behind the Fyre Festival debacle in 2017, on Tuesday asked to be released from prison early amid the coronavirus pandemic.In court documents obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, McFarland through is lawyers, asked U.S.

Billy Macfarland state Ohio Hollywood Coronavirus

Rihanna, Jay-Z & Twitter CEO Team Up to Co-Fund More Than $6 Million in COVID-19 Grants

Rihanna's Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF), Jay-Z’s Shawn Carter Foundation (SCF) and Twitter/Square CEO Jack Dorsey announced on Wednesday (April 15) additional joint grants dedicated to supporting global COVID-19 rapid response efforts.The latest funds total over $6.2 million, and will go towards protecting and serving marginalized populations in the United States, with a focus on New York, New Orleans and Puerto Rico as well as international communities.Domestically, the grants will benefit foundations such as Give Directly, Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, Covenant House New Orleans, World Central Kitchen, Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans & Acadiana, Total Community Action and The Hispanic Federation.Internationally,

Jack Dorsey New York Usa Puerto Rico parish Orleans city New Orleans covid-19 doctor Coronavirus

You Have to See Ella Henderson's Dua Lipa/Tinie Tempah Mashup for Billboard Live At-Home Concert

Ella Henderson hosted a Billboard Live At-Home performance from her parents' English countryside home on Wednesday (April 15) to raise money for Direct Relief, which provides healthcare workers with personal protective equipment.With her brand-new keyboard, Henderson reminisced on her songwriting process at her family home earlier in her career before discussing how her do-it-yourself EP release during quarantine has given her a full-circle moment. "It's been a weird one actually, because, obviously I'm at home, and I was midway through sorting all the assets and all my artwork out for my new EP, so having to do that from home with my mum and dad has been quite interesting," she disclosed.

Britain quarantine stars donates

Al Dente & Vinyl or I’ll Break Your Legs: Chef Frank Prisinzano's Perfect Quarantine Cooking Soundtrack

Frank Prisinzano's three restaurants -- Frank, Lil Frankie’s and Supper -- all reside within a bustling ten-block radius in the East Village of New York City. They served over 1,000 people a day before the global coronavirus pandemic put a pause on serving their hearty Italian dishes to the public.And yet, many of Prisinzano's 100,000 (and counting) Instagram followers have never seen the inside of his intimate eateries.

Italy city New York 2020 pandemic quarantine Coronavirus

Which '90s Latin Pop Artist Should Perform a Virtual Concert? Vote!

Virtual concerts have become the new norm, due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Many artists are using technology to stay connected with their fans, now more than ever.

Alejandro Sanz Carlos Vives Enrique Iglesias pandemic innovations quarantine Coronavirus

Watch Dax Go In on COVID-19 in Hard-Hitting 'Coronavirus' Rap

Canadian rapper Dax has some harsh words for the COVID-19 virus. A lot of them, actually. The "Killshot Freestyle" MC released the hard-hi

virus covid-19 quarantine

Tomorrowland 2020 Canceled Due to Coronavirus

Tomorrowland 2020 has been canceled due to coronavirus.In a statement released earlier Wednesday (April 15), organizers of the Belgian dance mega-festival wrote that "Unfortunately, due to the worldwide coronavirus outbreak, these are exceptional times for all of us. In recent weeks, we have had a lot of consultation with the local and national government in Belgium and with a panel of international experts about the two festival weekends we are all so passionate about.

Belgium outbreak 2020 Government Coronavirus

'RuPaul's Drag Race' Star Brita Delivers a Playlist to 'Amp Up' Your Quarantine: Listen

On last week's episode of RuPaul's Drag Race, the queens of season 12 got the chance to strike a pose on the main stage in a Madonna-themed musical (or, as the show says, "Rusical") challenge. Singing, dancing and lip-syncing through every Madonna era, the queens brought the Material Girl to life, with Gigi Goode snatching her third challenge win of the season.However, NYC superstar Brita and North Carolina personality Heidi N.

Heidi N.Closet Gigi Goode state North Carolina covid-19 pandemic quarantine stars listen race

United States	Cases: 46 252 513 Deaths: 750 423 Recovered: 0
India	Cases: 34 321 025 Deaths: 459 652 Recovered: 0
Brazil	Cases: 21 835 785 Deaths: 608 235 Recovered: 0
United Kingdom	Cases: 9 215 683 Deaths: 141 607 Recovered: 0
Russia	Cases: 8 494 589 Deaths: 237 619 Recovered: 0

billboard.com Main News

Related News