Jimmy johns 6

The Recording Academy is trying. Almost a year after the institution welcomed its first Chief Diversity Officer — following many years of backlash regarding racial inequality — Grammy organizers have announced a new satellite event focused on amplifying black voices. On Wednesday, the Recording Academy revealed that H.E.R., Yolanda Adams, PJ Morton, and Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist — first-time Grammy nominees for their collaborative album, Alfredo — were scheduled to perform at its Black Music Collective’s (BMC’s) inaugural Grammy-week event. The BMC-hosted gathering, which will take place virtually on Grammy.com, is set for Wednesday, March 10th, four days before this year’s unprecedented Grammys telecast . According to a press release, John Legend , Janelle Monáe, Issa Rae, and activist Tamika Mallory are expected to lead “fireside chats regarding the Black experience in the wake of social justice,” along with the Recording Academy’s Chair and Interim … [Read more...] about John Legend, Janelle Monae to Lead Recording Academy’s First ‘Black Music Collective’ Event

Deadline has confirmed that Aladdin screenwriter John August is writing a prequel to Paramount ’s 1978 musical Grease . The pic will take its jumping off point from the song “Summer Nights” and focus on the fling that John Travolta and Olivia Newton John’s high school characters Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson had before reconnecting in the movie that everyone knows. Zuko’s memory of the fling is more raunchy, while Olsson remembers an encounter that was more innocent. Grease had made close to $400M at the global box office for the Melrose lot after several remakes, and annual sing-along re-releases. Back in 2016, Fox aired a live version of Grease starring Julianne Hough and Vanessa Hudgens which won five Emmys. The original 1978 Grease soundtrack has sold over 38M copies worldwide. There was a sequel to the film in 1982 starring Michelle Pfeiffer and it tanked at the time making just over $15M at the domestic box office. … [Read more...] about ‘Grease’ Prequel ‘Summer Loving’ In Development At Paramount

When the pandemic hit, Robert Pollard of Guided by Voices decided to go spelunking into his archives of unfinished songs and discarded demos from the last five to 10 years. “I was blown away that I had discarded them,” he tells Rolling Stone . “Anyway, I combined some of them and created new arrangements. Others I just left the way they were.” The result is Earth Man Blues , which Pollard calls “a collage of rejected songs” set for release on April 30th. Despite Pollard’s humble tone, however, it’s one of GBV’s most eclectic, adventurous records to date, careening between heavy-rockers reminiscent of Black Sabbath, guitar lines cribbed from early 2000s pop-punk, near-rock operas worthy of the Who, and sweet little swingers that sound like the Monkees melting in the sun. There’s even a sample from an old stenographer instruction album. “I tied the songs together loosely with characters and stage productions notes to make it seem almost autobiographical,” Pollard says. “After … [Read more...] about Guided By Voices Announce ‘Collage of Rejected Songs’ ‘Earth Man Blues’

South by Southwest (aka SXSW ) has revealed its final round for its already robust lineup of keynotes and featured sessions. The online iteration of the SXSW conference and festival is set to take place March 16-20. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg , host New York Times podcast Together Apart Priya Parker, and Interior Chinatown author Charles Yu join the Keynote lineup that includes previously-announced sessions from political leader and game-changer Stacey Abrams as well as music icon Willie Nelson. “The three Keynote Speakers we’re announcing today are a perfect complement to our Conference lineup for SXSW Online 2021,” said Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer. “Charles Yu’s amazing novel Interior Chinatown brings a completely unique perspective to the immigrant experience in the United States. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg will emphasize SXSW’s continued focus on how technological innovations are transforming mobility. And no one … [Read more...] about SXSW Adds Pete Buttigieg As Keynote; Ava DuVernay, George W. Bush And More Set For Featured Sessions

Emraan Hashmi who is currently gearing up for the release of Chehre , recently opened up about his equation with the glitz and glamour that come with being a Bollywood actor. Hashmi who has been working in the industry for nearly two decades has managed to stay away from controversies and also succeeded in keeping his personal life private. When talking to radio host Siddharth Kannan, Emraan said he has followed 'work ethic' since he debuted as an actor and it has helped him keep away from the fake industry, 'where people hype others to their faces but also tear them down behind their backs.' Part of this work ethic also includes distancing himself from the film industry after spending so much time on set. He added that the distance helps him maintain his sanity. A Hindustan Times report quoted Emraan as saying, "Aisa toh hai (This is a fact). There are no two ways about it. That is the truth of our industry. But it is not just because of that. I think a … [Read more...] about Emraan Hashmi Explains His Distance From B-town, Says Person’s Life Should Be More Than Profession