Aug 14 How the talented Oscar Levant broke taboos by talking about mental health By Dr. Howard Markel In today’s socially mediated 24/7 news cycle, it is difficult to imagine just how taboo the topic of prescription opiate addiction was back then, let alone how much courage it took for Levant to bring it to such national prominence. Continue reading
Aug 11 Stevie Nicks cancels all 2021 performances over coronavirus concerns By Associated Press Stevie Nicks has canceled five forthcoming performances at music festivals, citing coronavirus concerns, she said in a statement Tuesday. Continue reading
Aug 06 Yola embraces wide musical range on empowering new record By Kristin M. Hall, Associated Press British-born singer Yola fully embraces a multi-genre style on “Stand For Myself." Her new album addresses that journey through inequalities and tokenism as she spreads her musical branches wide with classic pop and ‘70s era R&B and soul. Continue reading
Jul 25 Watch 7:32 Jackson Browne: ‘We could have a society in which justice is real’ By Tom Casciato It’s been 50 years since Jackson Browne recorded “Doctor My Eyes,” his first hit in which the world’s troubles have caused the singer’s tear ducts to run dry. Fifteen albums and eight Grammy nominations later, he's now out with his… Continue watching
Jul 18 Watch 5:11 Lucy Dacus on how her childhood journals inspire her music By Christopher Booker In her latest album, “Home Video,” Indie Rock singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus draws on her own adolescence, with some of her most personal artistic expression so far. Released last month, the album is being called a coming-of-age memoir of sorts. NewsHour… Continue watching
Jul 17 Biz Markie, known for classic rap song ‘Just a Friend,’ dies By Associated Press Biz Markie, a hip-hop staple known for his beatboxing prowess, turntable mastery and the 1989 classic “Just a Friend,” has died. He was 57. Continue reading
Jun 21 Why the cry to #FreeBritney keeps getting louder By Andrew Dalton, Associated Press What to know about conservatorships ahead of Britney Spears’ court testimony on Wednesday. Continue reading
May 23 Watch 6:15 Inside Malaco Records, ‘The Last Soul Company’ By Christopher Booker Referred to as “The Last Soul Company," Malaco Records, based in Jackson, Mississippi, has managed to outlast major record label competitors over the past 50 years. The small, mostly unheard-of independent record label has been home to multiple recording artists… Continue watching
May 20 Watch 6:04 Midori reflects on her quintessential prodigy story and what it means to be a performer By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport This week, the annual Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievement are being awarded, remotely. One of the honorees is the world-renowned violinist Midori. Starting as a child, the now 49-year-old has wowed audiences for decades, and has been a… Continue watching
May 12 Pervis Staples, member of famed Staple Singers, dead at 85 By Herbert G. McCann, Associated Press Pervis Staples, whose tenor voice complimented his father’s and sisters’ in the legendary gospel group The Staple Singers, has died, a spokesman announced Wednesday. He was 85. Continue reading