Aretha Franklin News

The Commitments has been bringing the people's music to the people of London, playing to packed houses since the show opened at the Palace Theatre in September 2013. Due to overwhelming popular demand, the show is to extend its current booking period for the second time to 13th September 2015.

Powerhouse singer Mahalia Barnes, one of the most impressive female vocalists to come out of Australia, and her band The Soul Mates have teamed up with American blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa to release an album of Betty Davis covers called Ooh Yea! The Betty Davis Songbook.

Café Carlyle will welcome back iconic R&B songstress Bettye LaVette for a two-week engagement, January 27–February 7, where she will showcase her inimitable style, gut wrenching vocals and songs from throughout her five decade career, as well as the world premiere of selections from her new album, Worthy.The album, which Cherry Red releases on January 27, features Bettye's reflective, visceral interpretations of classic tracks by Bob Dylan, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones amongst others.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: 'WOMEN ON THE VERGE', with Tamsin Greig and more, begins tonight in the West End, the Von Trapp kids come together at 54 Below, and Michael Buble brings Christmas to New York!

Billboard's Woman of the Year, Taylor Swift, recently appeared at Billboard's Women in Music event, which also featured Aretha Franklin and Ariana Grande. Since the event was on Swift's 25th birthday, the Queen of Soul delivered a special surprise. Check it out below!

“She's a rebel in stilettos and an ever-present smile.” (The Associated Press) That is the iconic singer Darlene Love. An opportunity to see a rock 'n' roll legend and celebrate the holidays doesn't come around very often, but today, December 13, at 8 p.m., wishes come true when Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Darlene brings her Holiday show to The Ridgefield Playhouse!

Like last year, 2014 has been good for music books, particularly as musicians of a certain age decide it's time for a memoir (or a biographer decides for them). Illustrious guitarist/vocalist George Benson has, with Alan Goldsher, written George Benson: The Autobiography (Da Capo, $25.99), an account that will have you humming 'Masquerade' while you read. David Ritz has written more than 50 books, many of them as ghostwriter for musicians. After collaborating with Aretha Franklin for From These Roots, he has come out with an unauthorized biography--Respect (Little, Brown, $30), a dramatic and definitive study of the Queen. Listening to Aretha, from 'Chain of Fools' to 'Nessun Dorma,' is a must go-with.

Joe's Pub has announced its performances running December 10 - December 21, 2014. Details below!

Nominations have been revealed for the 46th annual NAACP Image Awards. The event will take place on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, and be broadcast live on TV One.

Pat Ciamacco, artistic director at Blank Canvas, has a 'thing' for off-beat musicals. Sure, he produced 'Hair' and 'Godspell,' but it's more likely that what you'll see mounted on his stage are 'Beach Blanket Party,' 'Debbie Does Dallas,' and 'Texas Chainsaw Musical.' I'm surprised he's missed out on 'Bullshot Crummond,' 'Dance of the Vampires,' 'Expresso Bongo,' 'Hands on a Hard Body, and, of course, 'The Rocky Horror Show.'

Joe's Pub has announced its performances running December 10 - December 21, 2014. Details below!

Film and Broadway Star and now 57TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARD NOMINEE ANTONIQUE SMITH is celebrating her first GRAMMY NOMINATION in the Best Traditional R&B Performance category, in addition to the ascent of her debut single “Hold Up Wait A Minute (Woo Woo)”. This is ANTONIQUE SMITH's first nomination.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me... A ROCKING HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA FEATURING 12 INCREDIBLE FEMALE VOCALISTS AND A STELLAR LIVE BAND!

ExtraFood Executive Director, Marv Zauderer is thrilled to announce that Bay Area singer-songwriter Michelle Schmitt will bring her 6th annual holiday concert to 142 Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley tonight, December 4, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.

Black Ensemble Theater's Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor announces the 2015 "Stir Up The Pot" Season. The season opens with a World Premiere non-singing drama with music, The Trial of Moses Fleetwood Walker, by Ervin Gardner. The season continues with a new musical that highlights girl groups, past and present, Sounds So Sweet, followed by A Tribute to the Incomparable Bill Withers. The Black White Play is a tribute to Roger Ebert and the music will speak to his philosophy of life. The 2015 season will close with a Black Ensemble Theater classic in true Black Ensemble Theater-style, Dynamite Divas: Gladys, Aretha, Roberta, Nina and Nancy.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the Black Ensemble Theater will present a musical inspired by renowned Chicago film critic Roger Ebert as part of its 2015 season.

The Fresh Beat Band, Nickelodeon's preschool music group and stars of the Emmy Award-winning TV series of the same name, comes to The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Fresh Beat Band Greatest Hits Live today, December 3, 2014 at 6:30PM.

Joe's Pub at The Public has announced its upcoming lineup for today, Dec. 3, through the 14th.

Feinstein's at the Nikko kicks off 2015 with a bang with an exciting lineup of artists, including Tony Award winner Billy Porter; actress, feminist and activist Kathy Najimy; world-renowned artist Vonda Shepard; Broadway star Constantine Maroulis; and the dynamic cabaret duo Amy and Freddy. Additional artists will be added at a later date. Tickets for all performances are on-sale now and available by calling ?866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.

Veteran music and television producer Ken Ehrlich will executive produce and write the 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards, it was announced today by The Recording Academy.