Month: January 2025

Categories
Rock Daypop

Eminem, Janet Jackson, Alanis Morissette nominated for 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame

Eminem in Concert at The Michigan Central Station. Detroit^ Michigan June 6 2024

Eminem, Janet Jackson, Alanis Morissette, N.W.A., Sheryl Crow, George Clinton, Bryan Adams, Mike Love, Boy George, Steve Winwood, Doobie Brothers, David Gates and Tommy James are among the performers nominated for the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The nominees for the prestigious honor will be voted upon for induction at the organization’s Induction & Awards Gala in New York City, with non-performing songwriters earning nominations including Walter Afanasieff, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Narada Michael Walden, Steve Barri and P.F. Sloan, Mike Chapman, Tony Macaulay, Sonny Curtis, Tom Douglas, Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham, Roger Nichols, Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter, Franne Golde and Ashley Gorley. The complete list of is available online at songhall.org.

Eligible voting members select their choices of up to three nominees in each of the songwriter and performing songwriter categories.  A songwriter with a catalog of notable songs qualifies for induction 20 years after their first significant commercial release of a song.

2024 inductees included: R.E.M., Steely Dan, SZA, producer Timbaland and songwriters Hillary Lindsey, Diane Warren and the late Cindy Walker.

Editorial credit: Jgphotographydetroit / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Death toll rises to 10 in Los Angeles wildfires, the largest in California history

Los Angeles Fire Near the City

The death toll has risen to 10 in the greater Los Angeles area after a series of destructive wildfires ravages the region, forcing approximately 180,000 from their homes and destroying entire streets and thousands of structures. The Palisades Fire has burned through almost 20,000 acres, and has destroyed an estimated 5,000 structures. It was 6% contained as of Thursday night.

The Los Angeles medical examiner’s office said in a statement that as of 9 p.m. PST Thursday night, 10 people have died as a result of the blazes, with identification of the victims pending. The examiner said it could take weeks as they are unable to reach the locations of the deaths due to the fires.

The five blazes continued to burn early Friday in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The Eaton Fire in the Pasadena area has burned across 13,690 acres and destroyed at least 4,000 structures; as of Thursday night, it was 0% contained. The Kenneth, Hurst and Lidia fires were all smaller than 1,000 acres; Kenneth and Hurst fires are at zero percent containment, with Lidia at 75% contained. Powerful winds fed at least five blazes, causing unprecedented damage, and strong winds are expected to last through Friday, further complicating firefighting and relief efforts.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department implemented a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. curfew starting Thursday night for areas around the Palisades and Eaton fires to prevent looters, with at least 20 looters having already been arrested, and authorities requesting the state’s National Guard to aid local law enforcement.

Editorial credit: PTZ Pictures / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

All five living presidents attend the funeral service for former President Jimmy Carter

President Jimmy Carters last photo with all living former presidents at George W. Bush Funeral

Nearly two weeks after former President Jimmy Carter passed away at the age of 100, all five living presidents gathered to honor him during his funeral service at the National Cathedral in Washington on Thursday morning. Carter, the 39th president of the United States and the country’s longest-living president, died on Dec. 29, with the Carter Center announcing in a statement that he passed away peacefully at his home Plains, Georgia.

President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden and President-Elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump were present at the services, who were joined by former President Barack Obama (without Michelle Obama); Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, and their wives Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush.   It was the first time since 2018 that all five living presidents were together under one roof; the last time being at George H. W. Bush’s funeral in Dec. 2018.

Carter had lied in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda while the public paid their respects at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta beforehand.  Thursday’s funeral service at the National Cathedral in Washington is the last public tribute to Carter; a joint services military honor guard carried Carter’s casket out of the National Cathedral following the state procession. Other attendees at Carter’s service included King Charles III’s brother, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, who arrived from overseas to attend the ceremony and was seated by Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Following the state procession, Carter was taken to the Joint Base in Andrews, Maryland. From there, the former President will be flown to Lawson Army Airfield in Fort Moore, Ga., where his body will be returned to his hometown of Plains, Ga. for a private family ceremony at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, and the Carter residence for his interment. The U.S. Navy will conduct a missing man formation flyover in honor of Carter’s Naval service.  He will be laid to rest alongside his late wife, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who died in Nov. 2023 at the age of 96.

Editorial credit: Tom Donohue / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

NFL announces contingency plan for Vikings-Rams wild-card game at SoFi Stadium amid LA wildfires

Sofi Stadium is home to the NFL Los Angles Rams and Chargers. The state-of-the-art building is a past and future site for the Super Bowl and Olympics. Inglewood^ CA^ USA - November 14^ 2024

The NFL announced that a contingency plan has been put in place ahead of the Los Angeles Rams-Minnesota Vikings wild-card matchup Monday at SoFi Stadium, while it continues to monitor the ongoing wildfires in California. The No. 4-seeded Rams are scheduled to host the No. 5 Vikings on Monday; however as the fires continue to rage on, there is a strong chance the venue will not be viable for use. SoFi Stadium is located in southwest Los Angeles, about 10 miles from the Palisades Fire that has devastated parts of Santa Monica.

The league issued a statement noting it was monitoring the situation, and stating if SoFi Stadium can’t be used, the game will be moved to a different venue.  If necessary, State Farm Stadium — home of the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, AZ — will be the backup location for the wild-card game.

The statement read: “The NFL’s priority is the safety of the Los Angeles community. We are grateful for the tireless efforts of the first responders. Our hearts are with Los Angeles and everyone affected by the fires. We will continue to closely monitor developments in the area and will remain in contact with public officials, both clubs and the NFLPA .. We continue to prepare to play the Vikings-Rams game as scheduled Monday night at SoFi Stadium. As with all games, there are contingency plans in the event a change in location is needed. In this instance, the game would be played on Monday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ, if necessary.”

The Los Angeles Chargers, who share SoFi Stadium with the Rams, limited players’ time outside during practice due to poor air quality. As of Wednesday afternoon, the air quality index in Inglewood hit 281 (air is considered unhealthy at 150 or higher).

The Rams made an announcement that no players or staff members have been affected by the fires, but the team is closely monitoring the situation: “Our hearts are with those affected by the Eaton Fire in the Altadena/Pasadena area and the first responders protecting our community. Be safe.”

Editorial credit: Joseph Hendrickson / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

Baltimore Ravens WR Zay Flowers ruled out of wild-card game vs. Steelers due to knee injury

Baltimore Ravens editorial vector logo is printed on white paper.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers will not play in this weekend’s wild-card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after sustaining a knee injury in Saturday’s Week 18 regular-season finale.

Flowers, the Ravens’ leading receiver, did not practice all week. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said after Thursday’s practice “we’ll see how it looks next week,” adding that it will be a group effort from the team to make up for the loss of Flowers: “he’ll get started again next week and we’ll move forward with the guys we have. We’re excited about the guys we have, which is everybody else.” (per ESPN.)

Flowers exited Saturday’s game against the Cleveland Browns after going down hard on a catch-and-run. The 24-year-old receiver immediately grabbed at his right knee and was in visible pain; and was brought to the medical tent. The Ravens initially announced Flowers as questionable to return with a knee injury, but later downgraded his status to out.

Now in his second NFL season, Flowers finished with 1,047 receiving yards and four touchdowns for the AFC North division champions, earning him his first career Pro Bowl selection (and becoming the first Ravens player to reach the Pro Bowl as a wide receiver). He leads the Ravens with 74 receptions and 1,059 receiving yards and also has four touchdown catches.

Editorial credit: Ridex Official / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Dylan Scott shares his new track ‘Country Till I Die’

Dylan Scott at the iHeart Radio Music Awards - Arrivals at the Microsoft Theater on March 14^ 2019 in Los Angeles^ CA

Dylan Scott has dropped the new track “Country Till I Die,” written by Taylor Phillips, Charlie Handsome, John Byron and Ben Johnson.

The song shares the same name as Scott’s upcoming spring headlining Country Till I Die Tour, with the release accompanied by the official music video, directed by Cameron Packee. Scott shares of the track: “’Country Till I Die’ is such a fun, uptempo song that reflects how I grew up and who I am. My kids are the biggest fans of this song, and it’s been a perfect addition to my live show. Looking forward to seeing who else is ‘Country Till They Die’ out on the road this spring.”

The Country Till I Die Tour will hit 17 cities coast to coast, joined by special guests George Birge, Dasha, and Graham Barham for select dates.

See the video for ‘Country Till I Die’ – HERE.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Keith Urban to embark on ‘High and Alive’ global tour

Keith Urban performs at the 2015 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. New Orleans^ LA - April 24^ 2015

Nearly three years since his last full tour, Keith Urban is hitting the road again on his 2025 High and Alive World Tour, kicking-off in May. Chase Matthew, Alana Springsteen and Karley Scott Collins are joining Urban as support acts on this tour.

The tour will serve as support of Urban’s 2024 High, his 11th studio album, which debuted at No. 10 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart following its September release. However, Urban said the the tour will also feature “Lots of hits, new songs, things we won’t even think about until we’re onstage — and loads of guitar. Playing live is what I live to do,” he adds. “Looking out from a stage and seeing people singing, forgetting about all the stress in their lives, cutting loose and feeling ALIVE — that’s what it’s about for me.”

Urban’s High and Alive World Tour will commence in late May in Orange Beach, Ala., and continue through mid-October, wrapping up with a hometown stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.  Prior to the tour, Urban will  return to Las Vegas on February 14-15, 19, 21-22 for Keith Urban’s High in Vegas at the Fontainebleau.

For ticket information, head to Urban’s website.

Editorial credit: Adam McCullough / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

See Millie Bobby Brown in the new trailer for ‘The Electric State’

Millie Bobby Brown arrives for the 'Godzilla: King of the Monstersl' Hollywood Premiere on May 18^ 2019 in Hollywood^ CA

Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt star in new trailer for Netflix‘s The Electric State, the sci-fi feature film from directors Anthony Russo and Joe Russo which debuts on the streaming service March 14, 2025.

The Electric State is “centered around a dystopic society where machines created to help humanity have gone rogue. The robots have been sent to the titular Electric State, but though the machines have been isolated to keep humans safe, a young girl will go on a dangerous journey to rescue her brother.”

The cast of The Electric State also includes: Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander, Woody Norman, Giancarlo Esposito and Stanley Tucci, with voice work from Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Brian Cox, Jenny Slate, Hank Azaria, Colman Domingo and Alan Tudyk.

The Russos are known for directing such films as Disney’s Avengers: Endgame and Netflix’s The Gray Man. They are set to helm the next two features for Marvel’s Avengers franchise, starting with 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday.

The Electric State premieres on Netflix on March 14; see the trailer: HERE.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Peacock previews the documentary ‘Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy’ in new trailer

Sean “Diddy” Combs exiting the Crosby Street Hotel and heading to a waiting line of black SUV's surrounded by paparazzi and flanked by security. Lower Manhattan NYC^ New York / USA - July 24^ 2019

Peacock is previewing their 90-minute documentary about Sean “Diddy” Combs with a new trailer.

Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy features interviews with a bodyguard, makeup artist, and an intern of Diddy’s, as well as Lisa Bloom (Dawn Richard’s attorney), and singer Al B. Sure!   The special also includes exclusive, never-before-seen footage of Diddy partying at home and in the studio.

A press release from Peacock states: “The 90-minute documentary tells the story of Sean Combs’ early years and offers crucial insight into the forces that shaped the man and may have made him a monster.”

Diddy was sued multiple times throughout 2024, with accusations of sexual assault, gang-rape, molestation, and grooming among the charges against him. He remains in prison and will stand trial on federal charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution in May.

Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy will be available to stream on January 14; see the trailer: HERE.

Editorial credit: Aspects and Angles / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Peacock previews the documentary ‘Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy’ in new trailer

Sean “Diddy” Combs exiting the Crosby Street Hotel and heading to a waiting line of black SUV's surrounded by paparazzi and flanked by security. Lower Manhattan NYC^ New York / USA - July 24^ 2019

Peacock is previewing their 90-minute documentary about Sean “Diddy” Combs with a new trailer.

Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy features interviews with a bodyguard, makeup artist, and an intern of Diddy’s, as well as Lisa Bloom (Dawn Richard’s attorney), and singer Al B. Sure!   The special also includes exclusive, never-before-seen footage of Diddy partying at home and in the studio.

A press release from Peacock states: “The 90-minute documentary tells the story of Sean Combs’ early years and offers crucial insight into the forces that shaped the man and may have made him a monster.”

Diddy was sued multiple times throughout 2024, with accusations of sexual assault, gang-rape, molestation, and grooming among the charges against him. He remains in prison and will stand trial on federal charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution in May.

Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy will be available to stream on January 14; see the trailer: HERE.

Editorial credit: Aspects and Angles / Shutterstock.com