Throwback Thursday: Tanya Tucker On Tour

Tanya Tucker Is Awesome! Yeah, You Heard Me.

TANYA TUCKER LAUNCHES INITIAL TOUR DATES FOR 2015

Country Star Sets Performances for First Time in 3 Years;
Kicks off Tour with two SOLD-OUT shows
 

Legend and amazing vocalist, Tanya Tucker is back on tour! Love this woman, and she's Sold Out, shows that is! Happy Throwback Thursday!  Tanya Tucker – the sultry voiced female vocalist behind such hits as “Strong Enough To Bend” and “I’ll Come Back As Another Woman” – is back. After a lengthy hiatus from the road, the legendary songstress returned to the road this past weekend with two sold-out shows in Illinois and Indiana. And, she’s only beginning. Tucker has a slate of shows lined up for the spring and summer months with dates continuing to be added to the schedule. Having recently signed with APA, Tucker returns to performing armed with a virtual arsenal of some of the biggest classics in Country music, such as “The Jamestown Ferry,” “Soon,” and “Texas (When I Die).” Of course, no Tucker performance would be complete without “Delta Dawn,” the Alex Harvey-written classic that launched her career into the stratosphere in 1972 – when she was only thirteen. In between the hits, Tucker will share many stories and anecdotes of her iconic career. Though she has been away from the stage for a while to spend time with her children, she says she’s excited to be back in the spotlight.  “I am so excited about the upcoming tour,” says Tanya Tucker.  “Being in front of a live crowd is something that I feed off of. From the reception I felt from the first two dates, I think it’s definitely going to be a lot of fun returning to performing. I’ve missed the fans a lot.” Steve Lassiter, SVP/Partner and Head of Concerts at APA Nashville, says Tanya Tucker and live performing are two things that simply go together. “There is something electric about a Tanya Tucker performance. She’s one of the most legendary recording artists of all time. She’s not just singing the music. She’s lived these songs. Some sad. Some happy. But all throughout the show, she sings and performs as only Tanya Tucker can. Returning to the road is something we all are very excited about.” Tanya Tucker Concert Dates: Apr 24 – Wendover, NV -  Peppermill Concert Hall Jun 20 – Laughlin, NV -  Avi Resort & Casino Jun 27 – Petaluma, CA - Sonoma Jun 28 – Pleasanton, CA - Alameda County Fair Jul 01 – Del Mar, CA - Del Mar Fairgrounds - Paddock Jul 17 – The Villages, FL - Sharon L. Morse Jul 24 – Lake Charles, LA - Golden Nugget - Grand Jul 25 – Biloxi, MS - Golden Nugget Grand Aug 05 – East Sturgis, SD - Full Throttle Saloon Aug 14 – Havelock, ON - 26th Annual Havelock Aug 16 – Erie, PA - Celebrate Aug 29 – Baraboo, WI - Ho-Chunk Gaming Sep 11 – Warroad, MN - Seven Clans Casino Sep 13 – Macomb, IL - Texas Tranzplants Oct 10 – Russellville, AR - Center for the Arts Oct 11 – Branson, MO - Andy Williams Moon River Oct 24 – Renfro Valley, KY - New Barn Oct 31 – Carmel, IN - The Palladium Twitter: @tanya_tucker Facebook: /TanyaTuckerOfficial Instagram: /TheTanyatucker

WTF?! Nicole Kidman In A Lifetime Movie?!

Nicole Kidman as Grace Kelly

OK, I had heard Grace of Monaco, starring one of my favorite actresses, Nicole Kidman was not all that good.This latest news on the indefinitely delayed film which was supposed to premiere in theaters in November of 2013. Well to put it mildly it is by passing the silver screen all together now and premiering on Lifetime May 25th, WTF!?

Nothing says bad like a Lifetime movie, and this must be some sort of awful since it costs $30 Million to make, the highest budgeted TV movie of the week ever.

Kidman, however, has defended the film, saying that it is not meant to be a biopic or documentary, but is just a "small part of  Grace Kelly's life when she reveals her great humanity as her fears and weaknesses."

Well at the very least, unlike a lot of acting in Lifetime movies, I am sure Kidman will deliver a great performance. 

Check out the trailer below -

Love yourself some Nicole at:
https://www.facebook.com/NicoleKidmanOfficial

Billie Holiday Honored

The Great Billie Holiday!

PHILADELPHIA MUSIC ALLIANCE

TO CELEBRATE BILLIE HOLIDAY CENTENNIAL

AS 1^st 2015 INDUCTEE ON PHILADELPHIA MUSIC WALK OF FAME

Read the tribute from CBS Sunday Morning

Watch Wynton Marsalis recall Billie Holiday for Time Magazine

Today one of my favorite artists, Billie Holiday would have been 100 years old as a special Birthday gift she is set to be the first 2015 inductee on the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame. God Bless The Child...

As a special birthday gift to the woman widely considered to be one of the greatest vocalists of the 20^th century, The Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame is proud to welcome BILLIE HOLIDAY as its newest inductee today on the 100^thanniversary of her birth in the City of Brotherly Love.

Billie Holiday, aka “Lady Day,” is only the first of this year’s inductees to be announced. The Philadelphia Music Alliance (PMA) will hold a press reception in late May to announce the rest of the Walk of Fame’s Class of 2015. Holiday and the rest of the new honorees will be formally inducted together in October during ceremonies along the Avenue of the Arts.

"The Philadelphia Music Alliance wanted to present what we think is a 'perfect' birthday gift to an extraordinary vocalist, Billie Holiday, and announce her induction on her 100th birthday," said Alan Rubens, Chairman of the Philadelphia Music Alliance.  "It will be an absolute pleasure to be able to walk down Broad Street and see her name where it rightfully belongs, on the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame, with other homegrown jazz giants like John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, and Grover Washington Jr.”  

Billie Holiday was born Elinore Harris on April 7, 1915 in Philadelphia General Hospital on Curie Boulevard in West Philadelphia. As the official marker on Lombard Street west of Broad Street from the Pennsylvania Historical Museum and Commission says, “[S]he was called the greatest jazz vocalist of her time. Starting in 1933, she recorded with Benny Goodman, Teddy Wilson, and others. Notable songs include ‘Lover Man,’ ‘Strange Fruit.’”

Holiday's voice was limited in size and range, but the emotional breadth of her singing — her ability to transmit desire and despair with utter clarity, and without sentimentality — was astonishing. Her soulful, unique singing voice and her ability to boldly turn any material that she confronted into her own music made Holiday a superstar of her time. Today, she’s remembered for her masterpieces, creativity and vivacity, as many of her songs are as well known today as they were decades ago. Holiday’s poignant voice is still considered to be one of the greatest jazz voices of all time. Though she had numerous outside influences, notably Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith, Holiday built her reputation through her inner passion and a vocal style that was at once emotive and rugged. A vast array of singers have taken inspiration from Holiday's music and style including Diana Ross – who played her in the 1972 film "Lady Sings the Blues" – to Annie Lennox and the late Amy Winehouse.

As Philly’s own Jill Scott tells Vanity Fair: “Billie Holiday is guts. She is guts, and pain, and challenges. She is the sweetest pain…. Her voice gave me permission to have pain on a record. To convey the heart’s heart. To be able to sing songs about what is happening in society, as well. She did all this with a lot of freedom. There wasn’t a bunch of production. It was just Billie Holiday, being herself. All the miseries and all the wounds, and then reporting it, basically, to society. That is an artist. There is a difference between being an entertainer and an artist, and Billie Holiday is a true artist.”

The Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame is a living tribute to Philadelphia’s rich music history and a vital force unifying the city’s diverse cultural communities along the Avenue of the Arts. Holiday’s induction furthers the renewed commitment by the Philadelphia Music Alliance to shed new light on the City's cultural legacy and incredible contribution to the world of music past, present and future as a major tourist attraction. This agenda to recognize more local music greats in all genres is part of the community based, non-profit organization's overall mission to encourage the creation, celebration and historical preservation of Philadelphia music, and the foundation of a renewed commitment to schedule multiple induction ceremonies each year.

www.pmawalk.com

Cheyenne Elliott Brings It!

Cheyenne Elliott

Dauman Music/Tarpan Records’ powerhouse new vocalist Cheyenne Elliott debuts on the
Billboard Dance chart at #42 with a bullet this week with “With You”. The hands-in-the-air
club anthem celebrates that special someone who helps us feel alive. While most beats
releasing to dance floors today lean toward Electronic fare, Elliott’s track presents a more
classic, disco vibe. Written by Cheyenne and Lisa Gressett along with Whitney Houston’s
longtime collaborator Narada Michael Walden, “With You” is a fun, upbeat, warm and
inviting song. Narada, named by Billboard as one of the "Top Ten Producers With the
Most Number One Hits", also produced the track. Club remixes are by DJ Jamie Sanchez,
Denny Tsettos with Lenny M. and Giuseppe D., Tunnelmental Experimental Assembly, and
The Booda. “With You – The Remixes” is available on iTunes and all major online music
retailers now from Dauman Music/Tarpan Records.

Cheyenne Elliott hails from a family of musical royalty. Her grandmother is five-time
Grammy Award winner Dionne Warwick. Her cousin is Whitney Houston and uncle is hit
music producer Damon Elliott. Her aunts are Dee Dee Warwick and Cissy Houston. Her
father, David Elliott, is an accomplished musical artist and songwriter. He penned Luther
Vandross’ Grammy Award winning hit, “Here and Now.”

Wow! That's some pedigree! Well let's not keep you waiting here she is Ms. Cheyenne Elliott!

MS: Congratulations on the success of "With You." What I love about the song is normally in dance music the vocals are overshadowed by the music, your vocals on "With You" are not .

CE: No, we made sure that they were very prominent and not too over edited either. A lot of time you have very auto-tuned voices over dance music, we wanted to make it feel very natural but with that dance behind it, which I love!

MS: This is my kind of dance music, I can't handle the other kind.

CE: Right there's too much going on. This is just really raw, my vocals and the dance track. I thought it was a great combination.

MS; Given your background did you come out of the womb singing?

CE: (laughs) Basically, yes. It's a literal thing I have been singing since before I can remember. It's never not been a thing in my life.

MS: How could it not be?

CE: How could it not?

MS: You co-wrote "With You."

CE: Yes, with my Mom ( Lisa Gressett) and Narada Michael Walden. All three of us had a lot of creative input in the song which was awesome!

MS: I've heard your favorite Whitney Houston song is "I Wanna Dance With Somebody."

CE: That song makes me feel great, and I love feel good songs. Everything about that song was just her, it's amazing!

MS: You do see how "With You" relates to that song I assume.

CE: Definitely! There's little hints and sprinkles of  "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" within "With You" which we really tried to incorporate in it.

MS: Rumor has it you are a big Fiona Apple fan.

CE: Oh, I love Fiona Apple, oh my God! "Shadowboxer: is one of my all time favorite songs! If you ever ask me to go see Fiona Apple I will be first in line. She is everything to me!

MS: I know you are all about the positive, and Fiona isn't really negative, but...

CE: Yeah, when people meet me and ask me who my favorite artist is and I say Fiona Apple, they're like: "Huh? Didn't see that one coming" it's like a plot twist. (laughs)

MS: How were you the bartender on "Watch What Happens Live" when you are under age? (laughs)

CE: I was the bartender and I couldn't legally drink yet. It was a lot of fun! Andy Cohen was so warm and welcoming. Really the whole staff at the Bravo Clubhouse were so nice and relaxed. I felt no pressure it was a lot o fun!

MS: Is there a cover of song you would like to do?

CE: Oh, I actually do have a cover of "Lego House" by Ed Sheeran on my fan page that we released recently. I love that song, that is music that I personally love, Ed Sheeran, John Legend, Sam Smith, if you look through my iPod those are the top twenty five recently played.

Cheyenne & Her Grandmother, Dionne Warwick

MS: Give a fond musical memory you have of being with your family.

CE: One fond memory that was fun that we all got to do, Whitney, Myself, My Grandmother, Whitney's Mom, My Cousins, My Dad...the entire family, got together and recorded a song for Tyler Perry's "Daddy's Little Girl." Having a group of people that is your family all in the studio at once is an amazing experience! You're recording a song, and everybody sings and they're amazing, you are overwhelmed by all of these voices coming together. I was really young at the time and I remember closing the song with a little lick, I was just coming into my own vocally and finding out who I was as singer. I remember Whitney being so encouraging, she couldn't believe the progress I had made in 10 years. She heard me and was really inspiring and motivating, I remember her clearly being uplifting and making me feel great about my little solo. That was one of the greatest moments of my life!

Have Cheyenne "With You" at:

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialCheyenneElliott
https://instagram.com/ce927/
https://twitter.com/thecheyelliott
http://daumanmusic.com

Cheers To Kelly Clarkson!

Kelly Clarkson: Where's The Wine?
Photo: Michael Rozman/Warner Brothers 

Kelly Clarkson has always been the subject of ridicule about her weight. Even when she was on American Idol. 

Weight is such a boring subject and if it does not bother Ms. Clarkson why the Hell should it bother you? 

The Kelly bomb appeared on Ellen and got a resounding cheer from DeGeneres and the crowd, and didn't apologize about her gorgeous, curvaceous figure for one second. "I yo-yo," she said, "Sometimes I'm more fit and I get into kickboxing hardcore, and then sometimes I don't and go, 'Nope, I'd rather have wine!'"

Hooray Kelly, when in doubt wine should always win!

T.G.I.F! Have a toast with Kelly at:

https://www.facebook.com/kellyclarkson

https://twitter.com/kelly_clarkson

Sia Is Da Bomb!

Sia, Sia, Sia: Maddie, Maddie, Maddie

Did you know I love Sia? WTF?! Life is a mystery - no Sia should stand alone -

Sia, Sia, Sia - yes, she is amazing so F#@k Off! Oh, BTW, Big Girls Cry, is quite brilliant I might add.

Source US Weekly: That's exactly why Sia decided to team up with Dance Moms' Maddie Ziegler for her dramatic "Big Girls Cry" music video.

The child star donned the same nude leotard and blond bob wig as her previous performances for "Chandelier" and "Elastic Heart," except this time, the focus was more on her face than her full-body dance moves.

The simple-yet-bizarre clip films Ziegler up close, against a black backdrop, dancing to Ryan Heffington's choreography all throughout the slowed-down track.

The music video is once again directed by Sia and Daniel Askill, marking the third time the duo has teamed up for the Grammy winner's videos.

Sia Rulz at: http://siamusic.net/

April Foolishness With Margaret Cho

It's April Foolish With Margaret Cho
Photo: Pixievision 

Since I can not really play an April Fools gag on here, how about some April Foolishness with the one and only Margaret Cho!

Yes, let's get down with our inner fool today, OK? Are you ready? Margaret along with her sidekick, Princess Superstar have taken it upon themselves to send up bubble butts with the song parody of Booty by Iggy Azalea & Jennifer Lopez bearing the title: My Booty is Efficient. 

Poking fun at the big booty craze hitting everyone from Kim Kardashian to Nicki Minaj.

Since I am in possession of a bubble ass, I happen to like them, the bigger the better the tighter the sweatpants, oh yeah!

Enjoy the first day of April and let's get foolish!

                                                    My Booty is Efficient 

Get your April Fools on with Margaret at:
http://margaretcho.com/
https://twitter.com/margaretcho