Aretha Franklin News

CMT today revealed an all-star tribute to country legend and 2018 “Artist of a Lifetime” Award recipient, Loretta Lynn, featuring Sheryl Crow, Dierks Bentley and Martina McBride. The trio will perform LIVE from Nashville at the 9th annual “2018 CMT Artists of the Year” special on Wednesday, October 17 at 8:00pm ET/PT. Some of music's biggest stars are set to present at the event, including Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Smokey Robinson, singer-songwriter Elle King, Hillary Scott, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, along with a special introduction by platinum-selling artist, Trisha Yearwood. They all join previously announced presenter Sissy Spacek.

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Ravinia's Steans Music Institute (RSMI) last summer, Ravinia launched a competition for composers who could fuse the worlds of jazz and classical music. Due to its success, Ravinia, with the support of DownBeat magazine, is now calling for submissions to the second annual "Bridges" international jazz and classical fusion composition competition, overseen by legendary pianist Billy Childs and double-bassist Rufus Reid, who co-direct the RSMI Jazz Program. Up to three winners will receive the David Baker Prize, named in recognition of the first RSMI Jazz director. The prize includes $2,500 in cash plus the world-premiere performance of the winning piece during Ravinia's 2019 season.

This year, a living legend of musical theatre turns 90: Lyricist-bookwriter Tom Jones (who also, under a stage name) appeared in the original company of his most famous and wildly successful record-breaking musical, The Fantasticks. His collaborator, composer Harvey Schmidt, just recently passed away. The production's record-breaking run closed, on January 13, 2002, after 17,162 performances. Their shows also include 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do!, Philemon, Celebration and many more. And celebration is what it's about when Broadway veterans Carole Demas, who originated the role of Sandy in Grease, and Sarah Rice, who originated the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, return to celebrate Jones & Schmidt. Demas and Rice have based the show on their 50 years of work and personal relationships with Tom and Harvey. With very special guest Broadway's Hal Robinson who is also a Fantasticks alumni.

The Discogs Top 50 Best Selling Records Of August 2018 chart is profoundly impacted by the loss of The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Eight of her albums landed in the Top 50, mainly from the classic period between 1967 and 1972, Aretha's I Never Loved A Man That Way That I Love You, Lady Soul, and Amazing Grace, all land in the Top 10 even with her passing mid-month. Also of note in this month's chart, Queen's A Night At The Opera and Greatest Hits come in at #23 and #47 respectfully, hinting at the impact of the forthcoming Bryan Singer-directed film Bohemian Rhapsody arriving in theaters November 2. Check out the entire chart of Discogs Best Selling Records Of August 2018 HERE.

Ms. Sarah Dash will premiere her new show, A Tribute To Aretha Franklin: The Queen Of Soul, in three cities this November. This special concert celebration will feature Sarah Dash singing All The Great Aretha Franklin Classics (including Respect, Chain Of Fools, Freeway Of Love, Ain't No Way, Jump To It), and telling inside stories of her friendship with The Queen. Bernard Purdy, who played in Ms. Franklin's band through the years, will be the musical director for Ms. Dash for these performances.

Following last week's huge surprise announcement with two Grand Opening shows featuring Foo Fighters, The Fillmore New Orleans just released its spectacular first concert line-up as part of the venue's on-going opening celebrations. Tickets go on sale Friday October 19 at 10AM CST.  

Ms. Sarah Dash will premiere her new show, A Tribute To Aretha Franklin: The Queen Of Soul, in three cities this November. This special concert celebration will feature Sarah Dash singing All The Great Aretha Franklin Classics (including Respect, Chain Of Fools, Freeway Of Love, Ain't No Way, Jump To It), and telling inside stories of her friendship with The Queen. Bernard Purdy, who played in Ms. Franklin's band through the years, will be the musical director for Ms. Dash for these performances.

Berkshire Theatre Group welcomes Respect: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul at The Colonial Theatre on Thursday, November 1 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $25.

The two-time Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir will appear at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Downtown Concord, NH on Sunday, November 25 at 5PM. This performance is part of the free 2018-'19 William H. Gile Concert Series.

Singer/songwriter and five-time Grammy Award winner Michael McDonald's new holiday compilation, Season of Peace: The Christmas Collection, is out now via BMG. The album features McDonald's most beloved Christmas recordings including “White Christmas/Winter Wonderland” (feat. Jonny Lang), “Oh Holy Night,” “Christmas on the Bayou” and “Children Go Where I Send Thee” (feat. Twinkie Clark), as well as a new version of “Winter Wonderland” featuring special guest Jake Shimabukuro. The album art hails from an original painting by McDonald himself; see below for a complete track list.

On Stage At Kingsborough, a leading performing arts presenter, is pleased to present its 2018-2019 season featuring world class artists from around the globe.On Stage At Kingsborough brings top notch performing arts to Southern Brooklyn, with an eclectic roster of artists spanning multiple genres including cabaret, dance, music, and family programming. The full season runs through May 17, 2019.

To celebrate the upcoming holiday season, three-time GRAMMY® nominee Joey Alexander will release A Joey Alexander Christmas, a four-track digital-only EP, set for November 2 release on Motéma Music. The EP follows the release of the 15-year-old's critically acclaimed spring album Eclipse as well as his recent September collaboration on the socially conscious Legion of Peace project.

Don't wait until you hear it through the grapevine, tickets for the Possum Point Players' fundraiser, "A Night of Motown Hits - Classic Soul," are what's going on, and they are going fast. Fewer than 40 tickets remain for the Saturday, Oct. 27 performance and attention is turning to the Sunday, Oct. 28 matinee.

Former Tonight Show Singer returns to NYC as your Broadway Bebe one night only for a show at The Green Room 42 Nov 16th @ 7pm!

Acclaimed jazz singer Nicole Henry brings new life to classic holiday repertoire with her soul-inspired Christmas show on Friday, November 30 at 8 p.m. at Pepperdine University's Smothers Theatre in Malibu. 

The Stanley Hotel and Comedy Works Entertainment are proud to announce two hilarious stand-up comedy evenings in December at The Stanley Hotel's MacGregor Ballroom in Estes Park. Discounted room packages are also available with the purchase of a comedy ticket.  Tickets go on sale October 10th at 10am at www.stanleylive.com.

On Friday, November 9, 2018 at 8 p.m., Neil Berg tells the exciting and incredible story of the fifty-year history of rock-the music that changed the world forever-LIVE at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Don't miss this night of iconic music featuring a cast of stars from Broadway's greatest rock musicals, as well as incredible rock & roll singers!

On Friday, October 19, 2018 at 7:30 p.m., Neil Berg will be returning to the Majestic Theater in Gettysburg, PA to present his outstanding show, "50 Years of Rock and Roll"! From the birth of rock 'n roll in in the 1940s, through the glory years of the '50s, '60s, and '70s, up until MTV in the early '80s, Neil Berg's 50 Years of Rock & Roll uses fascinating stories and groundbreaking music, with tributes to such important and iconic rock stars/groups/genres as Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan, Frankie Valli, The Beatles, Beach Boys, Motown, Aretha Franklin, The Who, Janis Joplin, Woodstock, Simon & Garfunkel, Carole King, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Aerosmith, Linda Ronstadt, Bruce Springsteen, Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Disco, New Wave, Journey, and others!

The "2018 American Music Awards," the world's largest fan-voted awards show, was hosted by ABC's "black-ish" star, Tracee Ellis Ross, for the second year in a row! Ross wowed fans with her comedic timing, wit and numerous costume changes throughout the night, where music fans watched their favorite artists and pop culture icons come together to celebrate icons, musicians breaking barriers and those new to the contemporary music scene, live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 8:00pm on ABC.

The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance kicks off its fall season with the BlakTinX Performance Series from October 19 to November 20, 2018.  This annual multidisciplinary festival inaugurated in 2002 celebrates art and performance by Black, Latinx and artists of color. The festival's opening weekend features a dance tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. BAAD! is located in a neo gothic style building at 2474 Westchester Avenue. For tickets and information call 718-918-2110 or visit www.BAADBronx.org.