LGBTQ news and entertainment
Ok, I’m officially “in crush” with Jeb Haven’s talent.
I love that he does these “Closet Sessions” so he can record. Lots more great stuff on his YouTube channel.
If you like (and why wouldn’t you?) find him on iTunes here and go download something.
I’m always a big fan of supporting independent artists. And here’s a great one. I’m very drawn to the edge on his voice and the authentic emotion in everything he does.
Take a listen.
Rumer Willis, daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, stars in a “SPF” PSA/music video parody (written and directed by Jake Wilson) of Ariana Grande and Iggy Azalea‘s hit song “Problem.”
In the video, the 25-year-old actress rubs sunscreen all over a group of her hot shirtless friends, including singer Constantine Rousouli.
It’s all about sunscreen protection, kids…
The youngest (and arguably hunkiest) JoBro is going solo, and he dropped the first single to his upcoming full-length album this week – “Chains.”
I’m not a huge aficionado of the Jonas Brothers (I know a couple of their tunes) but this is clearly a departure. Nick is clearly trying to move his music needle to a more Adult/R&B aesthetic.
This represents his first new music release since his collaboration in 2010 with his backing band The Administration. That endeavor didn’t go so great – sold just 179K units to date.
By the way, there’s a perfectly good, logical reason to post the pic above of Nick and his famous biceps (even though it has nothing to do with his new music). There are CHAINS in the picture above! See? Makes perfect sense. Right?
Take a listen below:
Pomplamoose does not disappoint with this reimagining of Cher’s “Believe (In Life After Love).”
The band drops it’s new CD – Season Two – on July 29th! And they hit the road to tour on September 11th.
Check the official website for tour dates and more.
Billy Joel, the 6th top-selling artist of all time and the 3rd top-selling solo artist of all time, has been announced to receive the prestigious Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
The news was announced by Librarian of Congress James H. Billington:
“Billy Joel is a storyteller of the highest order,” Billington said. “There is an intimacy to his songwriting that bridges the gap between the listener and the worlds he shares through music. When you listen to a Billy Joel song, you know about the people and the place and what happened there. And while there may be pain, despair and loss, there is ultimately a resilience to it that makes you want to go to these places again and again.
“Importantly, as with any good storyteller, the recognition experienced in a Billy Joel song is not simply because these are songs we have heard so many times, but because we see something of ourselves in them.”
Added Joel: “The great composer George Gershwin has been a personal inspiration to me throughout my career. And the Library’s decision to include me among those songwriters who have been past recipients is a milestone for me.”
Just a brief review of his Grammy wins demonstrates the depth and range of his talents: Song of the Year and Record of the Year (“Just the Way You Are,” 1978), Album of the Year (52nd Street, 1979); and Best Rock Vocal Performance Male twice in back-to-back years: 52nd Street (1979) and Glass Houses (1980).
Joel has been a big idol of mine for decades. Not only for his melodies, but as mentioned earlier – his storytelling. As an actor, I was aware at a very early age of the character development and story arc his songs would portray. The very singular, blue collar “voice” of his songs delivered environment, character and desire.
Bravo for a very well-deserved award, Billy.
There’s much brouhaha being made about Deborah Cox recording vocals for the upcoming Whitney Houston biopic on Lifetime.
TMZ has managed to get their hands on the Canadian singer-songwriter’s version of Houston’s Grammy Award-winning hit, “I Will Always Love You.”
I think she sounds fantastic. Thoughts?
Uber-talented singer/songwriter Eli Lieb just dropped his newest single “Zeppelin,” and I’ve decided it’s my new Summer song. AND the video is terrific.
Singing in the car with you to zeppelin
on this perfect endless night
Trying to build our own stairway to heaven
yeah I’ve never felt so high
You turn it up we scream along
Take all my love
a summer night with you and zeppelin
Over 40,000 views in two days.
Regular readers will remember I posted his “Young Love” video last summer.
Love this guy’s music. Easy on the eyes, too 🙂
Find him on iTunes here. #GoBuyIt
Well, this is a pleasant surprise.
There are many reasons I’ve posted about hottie Arrow/Teen Wolf TV star Colton Haynes, and those two shows being just the beginning.
There’s the often shirtless modeling career for Abercrombie & Fitch, and his highly unpredictable Instagram account (which you should be following).
Recently, the hunky Haynes shared this full cover version of the Josh Groban hit “You Raise Me Up” and he acquits himself quite nicely.
This isn’t the first time Colton has shared his vocal chops with the interwebs. Back in November of 2013, I posted a video of Colton covering “19 You+Me” by Dan + Shay.
Broadway icon, Tony Award-winner and 2-time Grammy Award nominee Betty Buckley is set to release her new album “Ghostlight” on September 16, 2014. The recording re-unites her with longtime friend and legendary music producer T Bone Burnett.
The album’s title – “Ghostlight” – references the age-old stage tradition in which a single light bulb is kept onstage, after performers and audiences have gone home, to keep ghosts company.
When Buckley and Burnett were both 19 years old, living in Fort Worth, TX, they began making music together. Buckley, who has been called “The Voice of Broadway,” is one of theater’s most respected and legendary leading ladies.
Burnett’s highly sought after involvement in music, film, TV and stage projects is marked by his uncanny ability to successfully combine his unique artistic sensibilities with massive commercial appeal. One of the goals of the project, says Burnett, “was for a ghostly haunting sound, which I called ‘crime jazz,’ giving the project a timeless feel.”
“I love this record. It’s a dreamscape, and is true, I feel, to the essence of who I am as an artist, singer and storyteller,” says Buckley.
“There is an undeniable atmosphere to this recording. The music is not easily categorized. This music is haunting, timeless, and while the choice of songs is very eclectic in their origin, they coalesce to create an atmosphere that is both romantic and provocative, I think.”
I’ve heard several tracks from the upcoming release and I can tell you – this is Art, kids. Many of these tracks are destined to being regarded as the quintessential recordings of the songs.
“Ghostlight” tracklist:
1. Come To Me Bend To Me
2. If You Go Away
3. Blue Skies
4. Throw It Away
5. Lazy Afternoon
6. Bewitched
7. This Nearly Was Mine
8. Body And Soul
9. Comin Back To Me
10. Dreamsville
11. Take It With Me When I Go
12. Where Time Stands Still
The CD will be released on September 16th. To pre-order click here.
In addition to the regular CD package, “Ghostlight” will be available for sale as a commemorative limited art box which includes 2 separate vinyl records of the complete recording, a 24 page booklet of photos and notes, as well as a CD copy of the “Ghostlight” recording, plus “Bootleg: Boardmixes from the Road”, the promo CD for “Ghostlight”.
For more info, head over to the newly redesigned, very snazzilious official website for Miss Betty at www.bettybuckley.com.
