A Modern Day Bed-in:
During the seventies John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono used the “Bed-in” as a form of protest.
This year stars including Lennon’s former band mate Ringo Starr, are staging a new form of “bed-in”, not as a protest but as a form of support.
Called Bedstock, Ed Sheeran, Nick Jonas, Iron and Wine, and Ringo Starr are among the musicians who are showing support for children in the hospital by performing music from their beds.
Organized by the Children’s Cancer Association, the program is designed to bring positive feelings and cheer to those children who must spend the holidays in the hospital.
MTV European Music Awards:
On November 12 MTV presented their annual European Music Awards in London.
Shawn Mendes was the big winner of the night but Taylor Swift, who led the awards with the most nominations – six -, failed to take home any of the awards.
Eminem performed his new song “Walk on Water” with Skylar Grey and U2 gave a performance via a video recording.
The winners of the 2017 MTV EMA’s:
Global Icon: U2
Best Song: “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” by Shawn Mendes
Best Artist: Shawn Mendes
Best Look: Zayn
Best New Artist: Duo Lipa
Best Pop Artist: Camila Cabello
Best Video: “Humble” by Kendrick Lamar
Best Live Performer: Ed Sheeran
Best Electronic Artist: David Guetta
Best Rock Artist: Coldplay
Best Hip-Hop Artist: Eminem
ASCAP Country Music Awards:
As the world of Country music prepares for their biggest night the Association of Songwriters, Composers, and Publishers presented their annual awards on November 6.
The Song of the Year award went to Dierks Bentley for “Somewhere on a Beach”.
Matthew Ramsey of Old Dominion was named “Country music Songwriter / artist of the Year.
Kelsea Ballerini was given the Vanguard Award. Ballerini said that songwriting was her favourite part of what she did.
Rodney Crowell received the Founder’s Award.
Ashley Gorley won the Songwriter of the Year Award. This was the fourth year in a row that Gorley has won the award. She has won the award a total of five times.
Country music will celebrate the Country Music Association awards on November 8.
Rod Stewart:
theASCAPLegendary rocker Sir Rod Stewart has set another group of dates at the Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. This will be the eighth time that Stewart has planned a residency in Las Vegas resort.
The six shows for “Rod Stewart: The Hits at The Coloseeum at Caesars Palace” runs between June 12 and 23 of next year.
Broadway Tours on the Road:
Realizing that not every theater lover can travel to New York City, a number of Broadway productions are hitting the road for national tours throughout the coming year…
Aladdin
Amazing Grace
An American in Paris
Beautiful: he Carole King Musical
Bright Star
The Bodyguard
The Book of Mormon
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
Cabaret
A Chorus Line
A Christmas Story The Musical
Cinderella
The Color Purple
Dirty Dancing
Elf
Escape to Margaritaville
Finding Neverland
Fun Home
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Hamilton
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The Humans
The Illustionists: Live from Broadway
Jersey Boys
The King and I
Kinky Boots
Les Miserables
The Lion King
Love Never Dies – the Andrew Lloyd Weber sequel to the Phantom of the Opera
Motown
On Your Feet
The Phantom of the Opera
Rent
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
School of Rock
Something Rotten
The Sound of Music
Waitress
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: The Musical
Wicked
The Wizard of Oz
Rodney Crowell:
On November 6 award winning Country artist Rodney Crowell will add to his collection of trophies when the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers – ASCAP – will present Crowell with the Founder’s Award at their annual Country Music Awards presentation.
ASCAP presents the award to those songwriters and composers who have inspired other composers with their musical contributions.
Crowell joins other Founder’s Award winners George Strait, Alan Jackson, Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, Garth Brooks, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Neil Young.
Crowell released his newest album “Close Ties” on March 31.
His songwriting credits include 15 number one hits and has had his music recorded by music legends Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, George Strait, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Etta James, Van Morrison, and Bob Seger. His list of awards include sic American Music Awards and two Grammy Awards.
Metallica:
The heavy metal rockers are in the midst of a world tour promoting their newest album “Hardwired…to Self Destruct”. That tour included a two night engagement at the O2 Arena in London where the rockers packed the house.
While packing in the fans is nothing new for Metallica; this time around it was a record setting event.
The Muse set the record last year with 21,000 fans. Metallica shattered that record with an attendance of 22,211 fans…and they did it not just once but both nights of the engagement! The tour format is to put the band in the round which allows for more seating and enabled the band to break the previous seating record.
Kid Rock:
A few months ago Michigan rocker Kid Rock announced that he would be running for the United States
Senate as the representative from his home state. He even created a website and campaign merchandise for his run for the Senate.
Now the rocker reveals that he was only joking and a publicity stunt; saying, “F— no, I’m not running for Senate. Are you kidding me? Who couldn’t figure that out? I’m releasing a new album. I’m going on tour too. Are you f—— s——- me?” Kid Rock added, “it’s the worst advice I ever gave myself, but it’s been the most creative thing I’ve ever done. And I’ve gotten to see everyone’s true colors. I’m like f— no we’re not doing it, but let’s roll with it for a little while, this is awesome.”
Kid Rock; however, is releasing a new album – “Sweet Southern Sugar” – which is scheduled for a November 3 release and a tour in January.