Dolly Parton turned down Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump twice – Music News

Posted on 02/02/202102/02/2021 by The Guitar Rocks

Dolly Parton turned down the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former U.S. president Donald Trump twice during his time in office.

However, the legendary singer told the Today Show that her rejection of the prize wasn’t due to her feelings about the controversial leader, but in fact due to matters closer to home.

“I couldn’t accept it because my husband (Carl Dean) was ill, and then they asked me again about it, and I wouldn’t travel because of the Covid,” she said.

And while Parton has already been offered the medal again by new president Joe Biden’s White House administration, she’s still unsure whether or not she will accept.

“Now I feel like if I take it, I’ll be doing politics, so I’m not sure,” she sighed. “I don’t work for those awards. It’d be nice, but I’m not sure that I even deserve it. But it’s a nice compliment for people to think that I might deserve it.”

In December, Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United Stated, admitted he was shocked Dolly wasn’t yet the owner of one of the medals.

“That’s a mistake – I’m shocked. That was a screw up. I’m surprised. I think I assumed that she had already got one, and that was incorrect,” he said on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

“She deserves one. I’ll call Biden!”

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Cody Simpson ‘broke out in hives’ before first professional swim meet – Music News

Posted on 02/02/202102/02/2021 by The Guitar Rocks

Cody Simpson was so nervous before his first professional swim meet that he broke out in hives.

The Australian singer is currently in training for the 2024 Olympics, after deciding to concentrate fully on his swimming career rather than music. But he suffers similar levels of nerves when it comes to swimming and singing, as he reminisced about his first meet – in which he swam the 200m freestyle – in October.

“I broke out in hives I was so stressed,” he sighed to The New York Times, before likening the feeling to when he made his Broadway debut in 2018.

“And I just remember how by closing night, after having done the show 130-something times, I was absolutely soaring, no nerves whatsoever. That’s what I figure it’s going to take in swimming – 130, 140 races before I can get up without fear and just do it.”

And being put through his paces by two-time Australian Olympian Brett Hawke also has its physical downsides, as Cody laughed: “I’ve thrown up at multiple pools so far.”

As for why he’s decided to focus on his swimming career for now, the Pretty Brown Eyes singer added: “I love the music industry very much, and I’ll continue to be a musician long into my life, but it’s not as pure of a pursuit as sport, which just comes straight down to the clock.”

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Promotion Legend, Live In The Vineyard Co-Founder Claire Parr Has Passed

Posted on 02/02/202102/02/2021 by The Guitar Rocks

RIP Claire Parr (Facebook photo)

After a lengthy illness, ALL ACCESS is sad to note the passing of industry stalwart CLAIRE WEST PARR on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1st in DALLAS.

PARR started her music industry career at GEFFEN RECORDS in 1987, eventually rising to VP/Adult Promotion. Her next move was to CURB RECORDS, where as a VP she did A&R before settling in running the promotion department.

In 2000, she stuck out her own shingle on the side of building in CONNECTICUT and opened her business, THE NAVIGATOR COMPANY. NAVIGATOR was an independent promotion firm that also specialized in marketing, label consulting and management.

She will perhaps be best known as the co-founder of LIVE IN THE VINEYARD in NAPA, CA (and, subsequently, YOUNTVILLE LIVE). LITV, the biannual event that brings together live music performances, radio programmers, specialty products, music supervisors from both film and television and, of course, amazing wines and equally amazing food debuted in 2008. Countless careers were augmented and/or given a jump start at LITV.

PARR learned the business from her father, DALLAS radio legend JIM WEST, who started at PAMS, and would go on to become a broadcasting company owner.

In 2017, she moved to NASHIVILLE, and again, reinvented herself by opening CLAIRE WEST DESIGN, which was a high-end custom hat-making operation. Her hats became renowned so quickly that they were featured in ITALIAN VOGUE and she was featured in FORBES.

She also reveled in being a singer/songwriter, and loved an open-mic night opportunity when it came along, especially in NASHVILLE.

ALL ACCESS President/Publisher JOEL DENVER noted, “We have lost a true promotion icon with CLAIRE’s passing. A true professional, she always went the extra mile for radio, the artists and their music. An innovator and beloved by all, she will be deeply missed and her loss felt by everyone that she came in contact with over the years.”

PARR is survived by her son, ELIJAH PARR, and ex-husband BOB PARR. Information regarding memorial services is pending.

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Dua Lipa teases new music is imminent – Music News

Posted on 02/02/202102/02/2021 by The Guitar Rocks

The ‘Don’t Start Now’ hitmaker took to Instagram on Monday (01.02.21) to celebrate her single ‘Levitating’ being in the Top 5 of Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart in US, and confirmed new tunes are on the way very soon.

She captioned a photograph from the set of her music video for the track from her chart-topping second album, ‘Future Nostalgia’: “Levitating is TOP 5 in the US new music coming soooooooooooon

Fans are already anticipating the release of a collection of B-sides to ‘Future Nostalgia’, which is a year old on March 27, soon.

The ‘Hotter Than Hell’ singer took to her social media pages in January to tease their release.

Dua captioned a snap of herself crouching on the floor: “B-sides are on the way….”

Since the release of ‘Future Nostalgia’, Dua has given fans the remix record, ‘Club Future Nostalgia’, plus she put on the Studio 2054 live event, while she recently teamed up with Kylie Minogue on a remixed version of the disco icon’s track, ‘Real Groove’.

The Grammy-winner also duetted with Miley Cyrus on ‘Prisoner’ and has teased a yet-to-be-released collaboration with FKA twigs, which they previewed a snippet of during the Studio2054 live-stream.

Meanwhile, Dua recently revealed she wants to “branch out” in her career.

The 26-year-old singer – who released her self-titled debut album in 2017 – has already achieved record-breaking success with her two records and she’d now love to launch her own fashion brand.

She said: “I’d love to do something fun in terms of fashion. At the moment, my focus is music, but I want to be able to branch out and do something else. I would love to start a brand at some point, even if I start off really small. I have to take it in baby steps.”

Dua believes it is harder for women to find success in the music industry and wants to to be able to path the way for more women to become successful before she moves on to other projects.

She added: “For women, it’s a lot harder to solidify yourself as an individual in music. In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have to prove ourselves so much to the point that maybe we run ourselves into the ground of being like, ‘I must be heard.’ But that is the world we’re in right now. I like to prove that I can do it. I’m stubborn.”

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Greg Marella Is Elevated To President/Promotion & EVP/Capitol Music Group

Posted on 02/02/202102/02/2021 by The Guitar Rocks

Greg Marella (photo: Dennis Kwan)

CAPITOL RECORDS has promoted GREG MARELLA to President/Promotion & EVP/Capitol Music Group by Chairman & CEO JEFF VAUGHN.

MARELLA will continue to oversee the planning and execution of promotion strategies for the company’s portfolio of labels. In his broader CMG EVP role, he will help strategize and navigate CMG’s future course as a key member of VAUGHN’s executive management team. MARELLA is based in HOLLYWOOD in the iconic CAPITOL TOWER.

Under MARELLA, his promotion team has generated more than 40 #1 singles across all genres in the last two years, alone. Recent #1s include hits by HALSEY, LEWIS CAPALDI, LIL BABY, KATY PERRY, SAM SMITH, NIALL HORAN, MIGOS, MARSHMELLO, QUEEN NAIJA and MAGGIE ROGERS, to name only a few, as well as the latest #1 smash, “Lemonade,” from INTERNET MONEY.

VAUGHN said, “GREG’s elevation to President of Promotion reflects the impressive track record of breaking hit records he and his team have built over the past several years. GREG has a keen understanding of how promotion strategy fits into the larger picture of artist development, and he will play a key role in shaping our company’s future as a member of our executive management team. I know everyone at the TOWER joins me in congratulating GREG on this well-deserved promotion.”

MARELLA commented, “I’m incredibly proud to be leading a promotion team that is so passionate and committed to advocating for our artists and music that are the heart and soul of CMG. The company is in great hands with JEFF and MICHELLE [JUBELIRER, CMG President & COO] at the helm, and I’m excited and committed to helping our company reach new heights as a member of the executive management team.”

Formerly EVP/Promotion for three years at KEMOSABE RECORDS, MARELLA came to CMG in 2016. Prior to that he was in Senior Promotion posts at INTERSCOPE-GEFFEN-A&M and MCA RECORDS for 16 years, launching his career at PRIORITY RECORDS in 1995 as West Coast Regional Dir./Promotion. MARELLA has been involved with the successful careers of such notables as IMAGINE DRAGONS, MAROON 5, LADY GAGA, JUICY J, MARY J. BLIGE, K-CI & JOJO and BLINK 182 during his 25-year career prior to joining CMG.

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Blake Shelton snags former tour openers Dan + Shay for The Voice – Music News

Posted on 02/02/202102/02/2021 by The Guitar Rocks

Country duo Dan + Shay will be adding their expertise to the new season of The Voice U.S.

The duo has signed on to serve as advisors to Shelton for his 20th season on the show.

“The way they (Dan + Shay) come together and vocalise together and make music, I thought that would be a great mentor to have, these two, because so many times I’m sitting here in a situation with these battle rehearsals and one of the artists will ask me a question about harmony, and I don’t know c**p about harmony,” Shelton told Access on Monday. “I’ll be like, ‘Oh, you know, I’m gonna check on that for you’, and then I never do, because I don’t know anything about harmony.

“Finally, this season, I’ve got Dan + Shay here, who, you know, they kill it. And they’re a natural at it, and honestly, it’s already come into play a couple of times. It’s helpful to have them here.”

The duo was happy to join Team Blake after Shelton became the very first major country artist to take them on the road.

“He took us out on literally our first tour, the Ten Times Crazier Tour, and I don’t even think we had a hit on the radio at that point,” Dan Smyers recalled. “He took a chance on us and we became super close out there. Blake, as successful as he is, is the most humble, down-to-earth dude out there and just an incredible person, and incredible role model. We learned so much from him.”

Season 20 of The Voice kicks off on 1 March, with Shelton up against Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Nick Jonas.

Luis Fonsi will advise Clarkson, while Glee star Darren Criss and Brandy will serve as advisors to Jonas and Legend, respectively.

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WEQX/Albany, NY Launches ‘Clean Jams’ Specialty Show On Thursday Nights

Posted on 02/02/202102/02/2021 by The Guitar Rocks

Debuts Thursday Night At 11p

NORTHSHIRE COMMUNICATIONS Alternative WEQX/MANCHESTER, VT-ALBANY, NY has teamed with OLD MILL ROAD MEDIA to launch “CLEAN JAMS,” a new one-hour specialty show on THURSDAY evenings at 11p, hosted by BENJAMIN LERNER. The weekly program will spotlight Rap, Hip-Hop, and Recovery. LERNER is a VERMONT-based Composer, Writer, Classical Pianist, and Recovery Advocate. The show debuts JANUARY 28th.

In addition to Sober Rap & Hip-Hop music, each episode includes a guest interview with a health professional, musician, politician, lawyer or other recovery partner, discussing addiction and sobriety. VERMONT’s Health Commissioner, DR. MARK LEVINE is the first guest.

“I am very excited for CLEAN JAMS,” explains LERNER. “WEQX is a powerful platform and amazing opportunity for community outreach and continued efforts to make a difference in the opioid epidemic. I am grateful and humbled.”

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Mariah Carey sued by sister over book claims – Music News

Posted on 02/02/202102/02/2021 by The Guitar Rocks

Mariah Carey’s estranged sister is suing the star for comments the singer has made about her.

Alison Carey claims she has suffered emotional distress from allegations Mariah made about her in her 2020 book, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, and she wants at least $1.25 million (£910,000) in compensation.

According to her suit, obtained by TMZ, Mariah’s memoir alleges Alison “gave her Valium, tried to pimp her out and threw a cup of boiling hot tea on her causing third-degree burns” when Mariah was 12.

Alison disputes the claims and insists her sister hasn’t provided any evidence to support them.

She also points the finger at the 50-year-old superstar for making the allegations despite knowing she suffers from trauma from the alleged abuse she suffered as a child, at the hands of their mother.

Alison says her mum subjected her to satanic rituals and sexual activity at a young age – claims she previously made when she sued the sisters’ mother for sexual abuse last year.

Speaking on Oprah Winfrey’s Apple TV+ series The Oprah Conversation in September, Mariah said of her relationship with her older sibling: “We don’t even really know each other… we didn’t grow up together, but we did. Like, they were on their journeys, by the time I got into the world, they had already been damaged, in my opinion. But again, I wasn’t there.

“I was dropped into this world and I literally felt like an outsider amongst my own family. They just grew up with the experience of living with a Black father and a white mother together as a family and I was for the most part living with my mother, which they saw as easier, but in reality it was not. They have always thought that my life was easy.”

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Entercom/Las Vegas OM And KLUC PD JB King & Wife, Lauren Welcome Baby Lucas

Posted on 02/02/202102/02/2021 by The Guitar Rocks

Baby Lucas

Congratulations to ENTERCOM/LAS VEGAS OM and KLUC PD JB KING and his wife, LAUREN on the birth of their son, LUCAS ALEXANDER. LUCAS was born FRIDAY, 1/29 and weighed in at 6 lbs 11 oz.

Proud pops, KING tells ALL ACCESS that LAUREN, and LUCAS are doing great and his big brothers, THOMAS and CHRISTIAN are extremely excited about their baby brother.

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The 2021 Ivor Novello Awards will take place in September – Music News

Posted on 02/02/202102/02/2021 by The Guitar Rocks

The prestigious songwriting and composition ceremony – which is being dubbed The Ivors with Apple Music – usually takes place in May, but due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Ivors Academy has set a date of September 21 at its usual venue of Grosvenor House in London.

Graham Davies, CEO of The Ivors Academy, said in a statement: “Hold the date for The Ivors with Apple Music 2021.

“I can’t wait to see the talent and artistry we will recognise from the past year – something that’s more important than ever. While we are in uncertain times, we remain optimistic about being able to celebrate in person.”

This year’s nominations for the new Rising Star Award with Apple Music will be unveiled on July 27, with the rest of the nominees announced on August 10.

Songwriter and artist Mysie won the first Rising Star Award last year.

The 2020 ceremony was also moved to September, but didn’t go ahead due to the government’s ban on mass gatherings and social distancing measures in place amid the global health crisis.

However, the likes of Little Simz, Dave, Calvin Harris and Rag‘n’Bone Man, Jamie Cullum and Joan Armatrading were awarded prizes.

The latter was bestowed with the highest honour, an Academy Fellowship, which has only been handed out to a select few, including the likes of Annie Lennox, Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John.

Annie, the 2015 recipient, said of the ’Show Some Emotion’ singer: “Joan Armatrading was born to create beautiful music, as she has done so consistently over the decades of her life, as an outstanding singer songwriter, recording artist and performer. With her definitive voice and unique guitar playing style, her songs are masterful classics. She is a legendary British artist who thoroughly deserves to be recognised and honoured with an Ivors Academy Fellowship. I’m thrilled to know that she will soon be part of this incredible association.”

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