Michelle Branch and The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney welcome baby girl

Posted on February 4, 2022 by Andrea Dresdale

Michelle Branch is a mom again. She and her husband, Patrick Carney of The Black Keys, welcomed a baby girl on Wednesday, E! News reports.

The baby’s name is Willie Jacquet Carney: Willie after Carney’s grandmother, and Jacquet after Michelle’s mother’s maiden name.

Michelle retweeted E!’s story and added, “So completely smitten!”

Willie joins her siblings Rhys James Carney, who arrived in 2018, and Owen Isabelle Landau, Michelle’s 16-year-old daughter from her previous marriage.

On Christmas Day of 2020, Michelle announced that she’d suffered a miscarriage, and revealed in August of 2021 that she was expecting again. Carney and the “Everywhere” singer began dating in 2015 and married in 2019.

Carney will have some time to enjoy the new addition, since The Black Keys’ Dropout Boogie Tour isn’t kicking off until July 9. Tickets go on sale today.

U2’s Bono feels “embarrassed” hearing his voice on the radio

Posted on January 18, 2022 by Josh Johnson

When it comes to a way to like his own voice, Bono still hasn’t found what he’s looking for.

On a new episode of The Hollywood Reporter‘s Awards Chatter podcast, the U2 frontman says he feels “embarrassed” when he hears his singing, particularly on the group’s earlier recordings, explaining that, while he thinks the his band mates sound “incredible,” he finds his voice to be “very strained.”

“I’ve been in a car when one of our songs has come on the radio and I’ve been the color of, as we say in Dublin, scarlet,” Bono says. “I’m just so embarrassed.”

During the interview, Bono shares a story about a fellow rock star who had a similar disdain for the U2 frontman’s voice, the late Robert Palmer. He says Palmer once approached U2 bassist Adam Clayton and griped, “God, would you ever tell your singer to just take down the keys a little bit? He’d do himself a favor, his voice a favor, and he’d do us all a favor who have to listen to him.”

Bono adds that he feels he “only became a singer, like, recently.”

“Maybe that hasn’t happened yet for some people’s ears,” he laughs. “And I understand that.”

Another thing Bono isn’t all that jazzed about: the name U2.

“I still don’t really like the name,” he says. Guitarist The Edge adds that they only picked U2 in the first place because, of the potential candidates, it was the one they “hated the least.”

While Bono may have his own issues with his voice, that doesn’t seem to be bothering the voters for the Oscars, who placed U2’s new single “Your Song Saved My Life” — from the animated film Sing 2 — on the shortlist to be nominated for Best Original Song.

The Grammys reschedule for April 3, move to Las Vegas

Posted on January 18, 2022 by Andrea Dresdale

What happens in Vegas…will be the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.

After canceling plans to hold the awards ceremony on January 31 due to the Omicron variant, the Recording Academy has announced that “Music’s Biggest Night” will now take place Sunday, April 3 live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on CBS. The show will also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

Trevor Noah will return as the host for the ceremony. Details about Grammy Week events like the MusiCares Person of the Year Gala and Clive Davis‘ annual pre-Grammy party will be announced soon.

Hits Daily Double reports that options being considered include holding these events in Las Vegas, holding them in Los Angeles that same week, or holding them the week after the Grammys.

The leading nominee for the Grammy Awards this year is Jon Batiste, who has 11 nods, followed by Justin Bieber, Doja Cat and H.E.R., all of whom have eight nominations.

Sara Bareilles opens up about taking medication for anxiety and depression: “I can feel myself again”

Posted on January 18, 2022 by Megan Stone

Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Capital Concerts

Sara Bareilles spoke more about her mental health struggles and, in a candid post on Tuesday, the “Brave” singer revealed why taking medication was a game changer.

Sharing a photo of a white tablet, Sara wrote, “This is my medicine.”

“I wanted to write a little bit about the fact that after 20 years of feeling very strongly that it was not the path I needed to take…I have tried medication for the first time,” she continued. “For the first time in months I can feel myself again – my joy, my optimism and my laughter are among some of the precious parts of myself I have rediscovered.”

Sara continued, “they sit at my soul’s table, along with my sweet sadness and my tender anxiety…who, by the way, aren’t the only ones talking anymore. It is a profound, holy relief.”

The Waitress star hopes that, by sharing her experience, others will gain new understanding of the seriousness of anxiety and depression, which she says she has.

“For the past year, I felt desperate and overwhelmed almost all the time. The amount of energy it took to ‘manage’ my emotions (I use that term loosely because that makes me seem like I had a handle on anything) would exhaust me so much that my whole sense of myself got distorted. I didn’t feel like me anymore,” Sara revealed. “I needed extra help.”

Aside from raising awareness about anxiety and depression, she also encouraged those in her shoes to “keep going” because they are not alone.

Sara is further empowering others as one of the headlining performers for the 2^nd Annual International Women’s Day Benefit Concert on March 8. The event raises funds for the nonprofit Girls with Impact, which trains under-resourced young women in business and leadership

Tyler Perry, Whoopi Goldberg, Viola Davis and more mourn the late Sidney Poitier

Posted on January 7, 2022 by Ken Simmons

Hollywood is mourning the passing of the legendary Sidney Poitier, who died Friday. He was 94.

Poitier became the first Black man to win an Academy Award for best actor, in 1964 for his role in Lilies of the Field. He is also remembered for starring in A Raisin in the Sun, To Sir, with Love, In the Heat of the Night, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, and many more classic films.

Tyler Perry, Whoopi Goldberg, Viola Davis and Debbie Allen are among the stars paying tribute to a true icon.

Tyler Perry: “The grace and class that this man has shown throughout his entire life, the example he set for me, not only as a Black man but as a human being will never be forgotten. There is no man in this business who has been more of a North Star for me than Sidney Poitier.”

“I’ll never forget inviting him and Cicely [Tyson] to fly to South Africa with me. Selfishly, I wanted to hold them both captive for the hours-long trip as I literally sat at their feet and listened to their wisdom and experiences. It was life changing…Thank you for being willing to share YOU to make us all better.”

Whoopi Goldberg: “To Sir… with Love Sir Sidney Poitier R.I.P. He showed us how to reach for the stars.”

Viola Davis: “This is a big one. No words can describe how your work radically shifted my life. The dignity, normalcy, strength, excellence and sheer electricity you brought to your roles showed us that we, as Black folks, mattered!!!”

Debbie Allen: “Your last sunset with us is the dawn of many generations rising in the path of light you blazed. We will always hold you in our hearts and forever speak your name.”

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2022 Grammy Awards are officially postponed because of COVID-19

Posted on January 5, 2022 by Megan Stone

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For a second year in a row, the Grammy Awards will not take place on January 31 as originally planned because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABC News confirms the Recording Academy has delayed this year’s ceremony, which was to be hosted again by Trevor Noah.

“After careful consideration and analysis with city and state officials, health and safety experts, the artist community and our many partners, the Recording Academy and CBS have postponed the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards Show,” the organization announced in a statement on Wednesday.

The Recording Academy continued, “The health and safety of those in our music community, the live audience, and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly to produce our show remains our top priority. Given the uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant, holding the show on January 31 simply contains too many risks.”

At this time, the organization has not announced when the Grammys will be rescheduled, but promised the new date “will be announced soon.”

Currently, federal data reports that more than 100,000 people are hospitalized in the U.S. for COVID-19. Data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from the weekend shows that the U.S. is now averaging nearly half a million new cases a day — averaging out to nearly six Americans testing positive every second.

Report: COVID-19 to delay Grammy Awards

Posted on January 3, 2022 by Megan Stone

The 64th annual Grammy Awards may be moving to a new date following a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant. The ceremony, which will be hosted by Trevor Noah, is scheduled to take place on January 31 at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena.

Billboard reports that the Recording Academy is seriously considering postponing the show, with a source with direct knowledge telling the outlet it is “looking likely” it will happen.

Should the Academy move the date, this will mark the second year in a row the Grammy Awards had to change its schedule. Last year, the ceremony was moved from January 31 to March 14 because of 2021’s winter surge in coronavirus cases.

It’s unknown when or if this year’s ceremony will also move to the spring; as of Monday afternoon, the Academy has not returned an ABC News request for comment. Should the Grammy Awards be postponed this year, the Academy’s MusiCares gala and the Pre-Grammy Gala, which are respectively set for January 29 and 30th, will likely also be rescheduled.

Currently, federal data reports more than 100,000 people are hospitalized in the U.S. for COVID-19. Johns Hopkins University reports that new, daily infections in the U.S. also reached an all-time high on Friday after 386,000 people tested positive for the virus.

Trevor Noah to return as host of the 2022 Grammy Awards

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Megan Stone

A familiar face will host next year’s 64th Annual Grammy Awards. The Daily Show‘s Trevor Noah will return in the role and induct a new class of Grammy winners on January 31.

Next year’s award show will be held at the newly renamed Crypto.com Arena — formerly the Staples Center — in Los Angeles, California.

Trevor last held down the fort for the pandemic-delayed 63rd Grammy Awards on March 14. This continues a streak LL Cool J started in 2012, where every host has returned for at least two consecutive stints. James Corden hosted both the 2017 and 2018 ceremonies, followed by Alicia Keys‘ back-to-back appearances in 2019 and 2020.

Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement, “We’re so excited to welcome Trevor back to the GRAMMYs stage and feel fortunate to once again have him hosting what we believe will be an unforgettable evening.” He also called Trevor an “amazing” host and said he garnered “praise from the music community, music fans and critics” during 2021’s socially-distanced ceremony.

Although the host will remain the same, things will run a little differently for next year’s nominees. Last week, the Recording Academy announced some changes in the so-called Big Four categories. For first time in Grammy history, there are 10 nominees up for Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist.

Artist Jon Batiste heads into the ceremony with a leading 11 nominations. Justin Bieber, Doja Cat and H.E.R. are also top nominees, with eight nods each.

The 64th Annual Grammy Awards will air January 31 starting at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

All Daughtry shows postponed to 2022 following family tragedy

Posted on November 17, 2021 by Andrea Dresdale

Following the death of Chris Daughtry‘s daughter, Hannah, Daughtry has now postponed all the remaining dates on their current tour to next year.

A statement on the band’s Instagram says that the band’s Dearly Beloved tour will be “rescheduling the remainder of this year’s shows into early 2022.” It adds that fans should hold onto their tickets because the new dates will be announced “in the coming days.”

“Chris and his family appreciate all the love and support our fans have shown during this difficult time,” the statement concludes. “We thank you for your understanding and look forward to seeing you again on the road.”

As previously reported, Hannah, 25, was found dead in her Tennessee home. While TMZ claimed the death was being investigated as a homicide, the district attorney handling the case said, “This is a death investigation and any attempt to classify it as a homicide investigation at this time is premature and irresponsible.”

Hannah and her brother, Griffin, are the children of Chris Daughtry’s wife, Deanna, from a previous relationship, though he eventually adopted them. The couple, who married in 2000, also share 10-year-old twins Adalyn and Noah.

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Report: Death of Chris Daughtry’s daughter Hannah was a homicide

Posted on November 14, 2021 by Andrea Dresdale

Chris Daughtry and Hannah in 2010; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Chris Daughtry postponed his scheduled concerts this weekend due the death of his daughter Hannah, which now is reportedly being investigated as a homicide.

Hannah, 25, was found dead inside her Tennessee home on Friday, People reported. Chris’ wife Deanna, Hannah’s mother, wrote on Instagram, “We are awaiting the autopsy results to determine how Hannah sustained the injuries that caused her death. Our hearts are broken.“

TMZ has now subsequently reported that the death was a homicide and is being investigated as such. It was also reported that Hannah’s boyfriend has been arrested, but it’s not clear what he was arrested for.

Hannah and her brother Griffin, 23, are Deanna’s children from a previous relationship. Together, Chris and Deanna — who married in 2000 — have 10-year-old twins Adalynn and Noah. According to USA Today, Chris later adopted Hannah and Griffin.

“I am still processing the last 24 hours. I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken,” Chris wrote on Instagram. “I just recently lost my mother to cancer but I was blessed with the chance to say goodbye and I was processing it privately. We never got to say goodbye to our precious Hannah and it’s another huge hit to our family.”

“Thank you all for your kind words and condolences,” he added. “They are truly felt and appreciated. I am now taking time be present with my family as we attempt to heal from this devastating loss. Hannah, I love you. I miss you. I wish I could hold you. This hurts so deep.“

The New York Post reports that Hannah’s life has been filled with tragedy in the last few years. Her and Griffin’s father, Randall Scott Price, died by suicide in 2018. Eight months later, Hannah had a run-in with gang members and was shot in the face; leaving her with a prosthetic eye. This past April, she and a man were arrested in a hit-and-run incident in Tennessee.

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