Category: Entertainment

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Charity Single For World AIDS Day: Bright Light Bright Light “Everything I Ever Wanted”

For World AIDS Day, out singer Rod Thomas (currently touring with Elton John) has released this charity single “Everything I Ever Wanted.” From Bright Light Bright Light:

“I really wanted to do something to help raise money for World AIDS Day. I know many people who have been affected by the disease and making pop music, I don’t get to do an awful lot that feels like it helps a wider community. And while I love working in a pop world, it’s so important for me to still be connected to the real world and real people. “I hope we can raise money, and in some small way I can help to fight AIDS and to give something back to Elton to thank him for all his support of my work, by raising money for his AIDS Foundation and the excellent work he and his team do.”

A portion of all proceeds go to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Available now on Amazon.

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Channing Tatum Promises “Joe Manganiello Naked As Much As Possible” In Magic Mike XXL

Shirtless Joe Manganiello at the beach (via Instagram)
Joe Manganiello
In an interview with TIME Magazine, Channing Tatum promises movie goers more naked Joe Manganiello in the upcoming Magic Mike XXL:

Tatum: One of our first stops is at a drag club on our odyssey. We call it a stripper odyssey because it’s a traveling band of strippers. This movie is a lot more fun. In the first movie, we were obligated to show the underbelly — the pitfalls and dangers of being in that world. In this one, we kicked off a lot of the darkness. We’re going to have a lot of fun on the road together. Hopefully you’re going to care about these guys, and then get to see a lot of ridiculous nakedness and stupidity.

TIME: That’s what America wants.

Tatum: We got Joe Manganiello naked as much as possible. Everyone in the world: you’re welcome.

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Music: Elton John & Bright Light Bright Light “I Wish We Were Leaving”

“I Wish We Were Leaving” is the title track of Bright Light Bright Light’s (aka Rod Thomas) new EP out on April 7 (as well as a track from his forthcoming sophomore record Life Is Easy, due out in July) — and Thomas shares vocal duties with Sir Elton John. The duet happened after Elton John reached out to Rod Thomas to praise BLBL’s debut album, Make Me Believe In Hope. “From then I kept hearing his voice on the track,” Thomas tells The Guardian. “In time I played him ‘I Wish We Were Leaving’ and he added his vocals. Although it wasn’t written as a duet, I love that his voice taking lead in the second verse is a reminder that every relationship has two sides and two voices.”

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Christmas song of the day: “Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth” David Bowie & Bing Crosby

David Bowie and Bing Crosby make Christmas music magic with "Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy"
L-R David Bowie, Bing Crosby (screen capture)

This clip from a 1977 Bing Crosby Christmas special always makes me smile for the cross-generational aspect AND the surprising ease that Bowie and Crosby seemed to have in the performance. As the story goes, Bowie didn’t think “Little Drummer Boy” was a good fit for him. From the Washington Post:

The original plan had been for Bowie and Crosby to sing just “Little Drummer Boy.” But “David came in and said: ‘I hate this song. Is there something else I could sing?’ ” Fraser said. “We didn’t know quite what to do.”

(Writers) Fraser, Kohan and Grossman left the set and found a piano in the studios’ basement. In about 75 minutes, they wrote “Peace on Earth,” an original tune, and worked out an arrangement that weaved together the two songs. Bowie and Crosby nailed the performance with less than an hour of rehearsal.

The recording was released for sale in 1982 and remains in heavy rotation on radio during the holidays. https://youtu.be/lCpXMy5GalI

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A great voice gone – Eydie Gormé “What Did I Have”

Seriously, kids. It does. Not. Get. Better. Than. This.

Despite any cliche of “Steve and Eydie” – Eydie Gormé could SANG.

Sadly, Gormé died on August 10, 2013, at age 84 in Las Vegas after a brief illness. Famous for her solo pop hits and her long career with her husband Steve Lawrence, she passed away just six days before her 85th birthday.

Rest well, Eydie. We are all better because you were here.

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Betty Buckley talks about DEAR WORLD in London

Tony Award winner Betty Buckley
How fantastic to see longtime entertainment TV reporter Bobby Wygant of Fort Worth, Texas (my hometown!) interview the brilliant Betty Buckley about her beautiful new production of DEAR WORLD in London. I saw the production last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. Gillian Lynne (Cats, Phantom of the Opera) on directing duties, Betty Buckley bringing her luminous artistry to the lead role, and a score by Jerry Herman. What’s not to like? Great bits of numbers in the video here. Go, Betty!

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Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta answer your questions on LiveStream

Fun Q&A with Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in December 2012 while promoting their holiday CD “This Christmas.” I was at the studio during the event, and afterwards both Olivia and John remarked that it had been one of their favorite promotional appearances. Said Travolta, “We actually got to take all the time we wanted to answer questions fully, and laugh and enjoy it.” I’d never heard of LiveStream before, but I think it’s a great way for people to interact with fans. The “live” aspect made being there exciting, and the fact that it’s available to be watched again later is a big improvement over Google Hangouts. (For the life of me I can’t figure out how to watch a Hangout once it’s over…) You can order their holiday CD “This Christmas” on Amazon by clicking here. p.s. and, of course, you know this isn’t Olivia’s first trip to the Christmas music rodeo…