Sam Cooke News

Below, Usher reveals his song choices for this year's 4TH OF JULY SPECTACULAR and chats about what this historic event means to him.

Blues Singer Bobby Bland has died, CNN is reporting. Bobby Bland is widely credited as helping to create the modern soul-blues sound.

Blues Singer Bobby Bland has died, CNN is reporting. Bobby Bland is widely credited as helping to create the modern soul-blues sound.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted another batch of legends last night, as it welcomed Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Mick Jones and Lou Gramm of Foreigner, Holly Knight, JD Souther and Tony Hatch.

This 4th of July, the nation's largest patriotic pyrotechnic display will illuminate the night sky over New York City as the 37th annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks rumble to life.

Barb Jungr made a very welcome return to the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, her last visit having been in 2006, when she presented her unique interpretations of the songs of Bob Dillon. Together with her musical director, accompanist, and co-writer, Simon Wallace, her performance consisted of a combination of interpretations of songs by several other famous singers, and a number of her own songs.

Lincoln Center Festival, which runs from July 6 through 28, 2013 will unfold in six venues on and off the Lincoln Center campus. Music figures prominently in the 2013 Festival with international productions by an eclectic range of renowned composers, singers, musicians and directors. In addition to performances, a panel discussion on Lera Auerbach's opera, The Blind, is scheduled. A chronological listing follows.

The official music video for Har Mar Superstar's new single, 'Lady, You Shot Me,' recently premiered at Stereogum. The song is also available as a free download at the site. 'Lady, You Shot Me' is the first single from the acclaimed singer, songwriter and performer's new album, Bye Bye 17, which is out now on Cult Records. Check out the music video for Lady, You Shot Me below!

In this week's edition, we caught up with Bryan Terrell Clark, who is starring as 'Marvin Gaye' in Motown- currently playing at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

The RadioChick, in association with Sony Television Pictures, presents THE GONG SHOW LIVE, the greatest show in human history brought to life onstage for the first time on earth. The pre-off-Broadway-tryout-six-month-event will run tonight, May 2 - October 3 at The Cutting Room in New York City.

Texas born and bred singer William Blake--who came to New York six years ago at age 24--has lately taken the town by storm with his terrific tribute show to the legendary Etta James. In the process, Blake has also managed to transform some of the town's most prestigious nightclub/cabaret venues into his own personal concert halls. First it was at Birdland, where in the summer of 2012 and with the support of 'Cast Party' impresario Jim Caruso, Blake launched his Echoes of Etta raucous, standing-room only crowds. Then last February, Blake, his five piece band and three girl backup singers, overpowered Joe's Pub. But the last two nights might have been Blake's most impressive performances to date, as he totally captured the crowd at the elegant and sedate Cafe Carlyle (for the room's new 10:45 'Second Act' sets). It was almost as if you were experiencing an R & B concert at Carnegie Hall.

The RadioChick, in association with Sony Television Pictures, presents THE GONG SHOW LIVE, the greatest show in human history brought to life onstage for the first time on earth. The pre-off-Broadway-tryout-six-month-event will run May 2 - October 3 at The Cutting Room in New York City.

Chicago International Movies & Music Festival (CIMMfest No. 5), Chicago's annual festival of film screenings, music concerts and more, presents CIMMpathy for The Stones, a major retrospective celebrating The Rolling Stones' 50 years of music on film. The retrospective includes screenings of ten concert films and documentaries - two never before seen in Chicago - plus music videos and filmmaker Q&As today-Sunday, April 19-21, at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport.

Kat Edmonson has signed a worldwide deal with Sony Masterworks. The label will launch her album Way Down Low on the OKeh/Masterworks imprint, coinciding with dates this spring and summer in Europe.

World-known performer, hit songwriter, influencer of Bruce Springsteen, and now published author, Gary U.S. Bonds will be celebrating his 74th birthday and first world book launch for his memoir, BY U.S. BONDS, That's My Story, written by Bonds with Stephen Cooper. The event June 5, 2013 at B.B. King's, NY, includes Gary's live performance of his newest music single "That's My Story," with after-concert book signing and party festivities. West coast launch is slated for June 17 at the iconic Book Soup, West Hollywood, Calif. Other cities for book signings to be announced as well as concert tours worldwide (John Regna/Regna Artist Management, Orlando FL).

Legendary R&B group The Manhattans will bring their doo-wop and soulful sounds to the Suncoast Showroom May 25 and 26.

Multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter CHRIS BROWN has released “Fine China,” the lead single and video from his highly anticipated new album, X, due out later this year on RCA Records

It's April 1st. Do you know when your Spring is coming? During another longggggg New York winter, the good news is that there were a ton of warming cabaret shows. The bad news is that there were so many, even during this seemingly endless winter our intrepid reviewer Stephen Hanks didn't have enough time to review them all right after the performances. So in what is becoming a seasonal ritual, here he offers yet another compilation of 13 'catch-up' cabaret show reviews.

Chicago International Movies & Music Festival (CIMMfest No. 5), Chicago's annual festival of film screenings, music concerts and more, presents CIMMpathy for The Stones, a major retrospective celebrating The Rolling Stones' 50 years of music on film. The retrospective includes screenings of ten concert films and documentaries - two never before seen in Chicago - plus music videos and filmmaker Q&As Friday-Sunday, April 19-21, at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport.

The Cult Records Tour, featuring The Virgins, Har Mar Superstar and C O L O R, will make a stop at Lincoln Hall tonight, March 30.