New this week: 'Sex and the City,' Juice Wrld and Will Smith
This weekโs new entertainment releases include a double album from Alicia Keys and a posthumous one from Juice Wrld, Sandra Bullock playing an ex-con in the Netflix film โThe Unforgivableโ and Will Smith testing himself in a wildlife documentary series.
Mickey Guyton, Keith Urban to host ACM Awards
Guyton and Urban will host the Academy of Country Music Awards in April. (AP Photo)NASHVILLE, Tenn. โ Country stars Mickey Guyton and Keith Urban are taking over as hosts for the Academy of Country Music Awards in April. With the announcement on Thursday by the ACM, dick clark productions and CBS, Guyton will make history as the first Black woman to host the country awards show. The show will air on CBS on April 18 from three Nashville music venues. โIโm beyond thrilled to be co-hosting with my friend Mickey,โ Urban said in a statement.
With loved ones and pets, Globes winners embrace cozier show
Instead, most of Sunday nightโs winners accepted from their own homes or hotel rooms in laidback settings unheard of for Hollywood's biggest awards shows. Friends watching on television downstairs raised a delayed shout when she was announced as the winner for supporting actress in a motion picture drama. โIt was really fun,โ said Aaron Sorkin, winner for motion picture screenplay. Their daughters, Sunday and Faith, both wore white dresses while making a rare appearance. Known for her singing career, Day became the second Black woman to win for actress in a motion picture drama in her acting debut.
Pop Culture in (ugh) 2020, from the bizarre to the sublime
on Aug. 31, 2020, actor Chadwick Boseman in character as T'Challa in "Black Panther" and 10-year old twins Lenny, left, and Bobby Homes paying tribute to Boseman at their home in in Mesa, Ariz. on Aug. 31, 2020. (Takiyah Dupas, Marvel Studios, Annalie Homes via AP)And now, for our annual look at the year in pop cultureโฆ. Truth is, people turned to culture of all kinds in 2020 โ highbrow and lowbrow โ to satisfy varied and sometimes conflicting needs: Distraction, inspiration, consolation, escapism, hope. A Broadway star serenaded health workers from his apartment window, and ballet dancers performed โSwan Lakeโ from their bathtubs. The world mourns an actor of immense talent who, like many of his characters, radiated a regal sense of dignity.
New this week: 'I Am Greta,' Chris Stapleton & CMA Awards
This image released by Hulu shows activist Greta Thunberg, center, in a scene from the documentary "I Am Greta" the story of Thunberg, the teenage Swedish schoolgirl who is leading the global school strike for action on climate change. The film premieres Friday on Hulu. (Hulu via AP)
New this week: 'I Am Greta,' Chris Stapleton & CMA Awards
This image released by Hulu shows activist Greta Thunberg, center, in a scene from the documentary "I Am Greta" the story of Thunberg, the teenage Swedish schoolgirl who is leading the global school strike for action on climate change. (Hulu via AP)Hereโs a collection curated by The Associated Pressโ entertainment journalists of whatโs arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. MOVIESโ When Greta Thunberg began protesting outside Swedish Parliament two years ago, it only took days for director Nathan Grossman to start trailing her in her mission to prod government leaders on the climate crisis. โI Am Greta,โ which premieres Friday on Hulu, documents the enormous movement fueled by Thunbergโs one-person school strike, and a few very surreal years for the Swedish teenager. โ After releasing two chart-topping albums in 2017, superstar country singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton is back with a new collection of songs coming out Friday.
Carrie Underwood named top artist at CMT Music Awards
In this video image provided by CMT, Carrie Underwood accepts the female of the year award for Drinking Alone during the Country Music Television awards airing on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. (CMT via AP)NASHVILLE, Tenn. โ Carrie Underwood already had the most CMT Music Awards of any artist, but she'll need to make more room on her shelf. The superstar picked up two more trophies for video of the year and female video of the year in a remotely shot awards show. "I am so proud to be a part of this legacy of women in country music with you. Singer Granger Smith won for his on-the-nose music video called โDon't Cough On Me!"
Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs top CMT noms
NASHVILLE, Tenn. โ Ashley McBryde, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Sam Hunt and Thomas Rhett top the 2020 CMT Music Awards nominations with three each. In nominations announced Wednesday for the pandemic-delayed show, 14 videos are vying for the top prize of video of the year. The fan-voted show will air on CMT and other networks on Oct. 21 with outdoor performances. The Highwomen, a group made up of Maren Morris, Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby and Amanda Shires, also got their first nomination for group video. Electronic producer and DJ Marshmello also earned a nomination in collaborative video for the crossover hit โOne Thing Right" with Kane Brown.
Keith Urban finds musical connections across genre lines
โBreland was a man after my own heart musically and I was just dying to get in the studio with him to see what happened,โ Urban said. AP: In that vein, one song called โTumbleweedโ includes a sample of a didgeridoo, an instrument that originated in Australia. Urban: After the guitar solo, there was about four seconds of a breakdown, and I was like, "I need something here. Urban: If anyone wants to know what my beliefs are, my views are, listen to my music or look at my life. Urban: Iโm learning.
Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett tie for top prize at ACMs
Underwood and Rhett seemed equally taken aback after host Keith Urban announced the tie at the awards show held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday. โKeith, what is happening right now?โ Rhett asked, astounded, before thanking his family. There was a lot of anticipation for the show, which featured Taylor Swift making her first appearance at the ACMs in seven years. In awards announced before the show aired, Rhett also won music video of the year, while Townes won new female artist of the year. Underwood sang a tribute to iconic female Opry members, including Patsy Cline, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Barbara Mandrell, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton.
ACM Awards brings live performances back to TV amid pandemic
This combination photo shows country singers, from left, Luke Bryan, Kane Brown and Mickey Guyton who will perform at this year's ACM Awards in Nashville. (AP Photo)NASHVILLE, Tenn. โ At the Academy of Country Music Awards on Wednesday, there wonโt be fake fans, canned applause or pre-taped acceptance speeches. After a five-month delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, the awards show wants to bring the live television experience back again. The 55th annual ACM Awards, normally held in April in Las Vegas, were delayed this year and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, for the first time. โI donโt know if itโs gonna look like an NFL Draft night when we hand out the awards,โ Urban said laughing.
New this week: Alicia Keys, 'Filthy Rich' and the Emmys
This cover image released by RCA Records shows "Alicia" the latest release by Alicia Keys. The album, out Friday, features several guest stars, including Jill Scott, Miguel, Khalid, Snoh Aalegra, Sampha, Diamond Platnumz and Ed Sheeran, who co-wrote the single Underdog. (RCA Records via AP)
New this week: Alicia Keys, 'Filthy Rich' and the Emmys
This cover image released by RCA Records shows "Alicia" the latest release by Alicia Keys. The album, out Friday, features several guest stars, including Jill Scott, Miguel, Khalid, Snoh Aalegra, Sampha, Diamond Platnumz and Ed Sheeran, who co-wrote the single Underdog. (RCA Records via AP)Hereโs a collection curated by The Associated Pressโ entertainment journalists of whatโs arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. It lands on HBO and HBO Max on Saturday at 8 p.m.โ AP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSICโ Piano-playing pop star Alicia Keys is putting out her seventh album on Friday. โ Kim Cattrall is at the center of Foxโs โFilthy Rich,โ a prime-time soap opera loaded with money and betrayal that debuts 9 p.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 21.
Kane Brown, Mickey Guyton, Luke Bryan to sing at ACM Awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. โ The Academy of Country Music Awards will feature performances by Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Mickey Guyton and Morgan Wallen, all from the Grand Ole Opry House. Riley Green won new male artist of the year and Tenille Townes won new female artist of the year. The Bluebird Cafe will host performances by Jimmie Allen, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert featuring songwriters Natalie Hemby and Luke Dick, and Tim McGraw. And Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Maren Morris, Old Dominion, and Thomas Rhett featuring Jon Pardi will put on their shows from the Ryman. Keith Urban will host the show from the Grand Ole Opry House.
Miranda Lambert leads CMA noms, Luke Combsโ streak continues
The CMAs announced Tuesday that Lambert earned seven nominations. She's followed by Luke Combs, who continues his streak of success as one of country musicโs biggest streaming artists with six nominations, including his first for entertainer of the year. Combs earned his first all-genre No. Carrie Underwood joins Combs and Lambert in the entertainer of the year category, along with Keith Urban and Eric Church. Other top nominees include Maren Morris, who scored five nominations including song and single of the year for her love song, โThe Bones."
Country music reckons with racial stereotypes and its future
This combination of photos shows country singer Rissi Palmer, from left, Chuck Harmony, left, and Claude Kelly of Louis York and country rapper Breland. Black artists say the country music industry still needs to do the hard work of addressing the systematic racial barriers that have been entrenched in country music for decades. The genre has historically been marketed to white audiences and reinforced white male artist stereotypes. (Chris Charles via AP, left, Jeremy Ryan via AP, center and Paul R. Giunta/Invision/AP)
Country music reckons with racial stereotypes and its future
Black artists say the country music industry still needs to do the hard work of addressing the systematic racial barriers that have been entrenched in country music for decades. I was called colored, like, โI didnโt know colored people like country music,โโ said Palmer, who had three singles reach the Hot Country Songs Chart. Both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association started diversity task forces more than a year ago when country music was being criticized for a lack of female voices and women were being left out of major categories like entertainer of the year. But just as country artists outwardly reflect a predominantly white image, there are few Black country music executives working behind the scenes. โThereโs a dismantling of culture that needs to happen.โPalmer, who is recording a podcast that focuses on the experiences of women of color in country music, said she feels optimistic that the current discussions about race and country music can lead to progress, if real changes are implemented.
At home with kids, pets and spouses, country stars play on
NASHVILLE, Tenn. โ Country musicโs biggest stars should have been on the carpet of the Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday in Las Vegas, but like most of America, they were homebound because of the coronavirus. Still, the musicians played on, surrounded by spouses, kids and โ in one case โ a horse. โACM Presents: Our Country,โ a TV special aired on CBS in lieu of the delayed awards show, featured acoustic performances, special duets, clips from previous ACM Awards telecasts and a tribute to the late country icon Kenny Rogers. Brad Paisleyโs wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, played the role of camera operator as Paisley and Darius Rucker played together via video conference. โLean into your guitars and your pianos and your voices and let that heal you.โ___Online:ACM Awards: https://www.acmcountry.com/___Follow Kristin M. Hall at http://twitter.com/kmhall
Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood to perform requests during live televised special
LOS ANGELES โ Garth Brooks and wife Trisha Yearwood will be taking viewer requests during a live prime-time show this week filmed at their home. CBS will air the special, โGarth and Trisha: Live!โ on Wednesday at 9 p.m. Eastern. With millions of Americans staying at home to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus, performers are turning to live streamed concerts to reach fans and lift spirits. John Legend, Keith Urban and John Mayer are among the stars who have performed virtual concerts. CBS says the special will be filmed with a minimal crew that will take social distancing precautions.
Musicians like John Legend, Neil Young performing virtual concerts for fans
Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay, organized a live concert on the bandโs Instagram page Monday, which inspired John Legend to do the same thing Tuesday. The best part is that Legendโs wife, Chrissy Teigen, filmed the live concert for fans to watch all across the globe. Rock legend Neil Young announced he would be doing a virtual concert after having to cancel many upcoming tour dates because of the coronavirus. Young is calling it the โFireside Sessions,โ and the concert will be streaming live from his website, Neil Young Archives. Will we see more famous musicians turn their living rooms into intimate concert venues for their fans to watch on the internet in the comfort of their quarantined homes?
Dan + Shay, Old Dominion, Maren Morris nab top ACM noms
NASHVILLE, Tenn. โ Grammy-winning duo Dan + Shay lead the 2020 Academy of Country Music Awards with six nominations for Dan Smyers and five for Shay Mooney and helped pop star Justin Bieber earn his first-ever ACM noms. Each member is nominated twice for single of the year as artists and producers of โOne Man Band.โOthers earning five nominations include Thomas Rhett, producer Dan Huff and Grammy winner Maren Morris. 1 country song of 2019, Morgan Wallen's โWhiskey Glasses," eligible. Wallen did earn a nomination for new male artist, but his hit song isnโt competing for any prizes. __A previous version of this story had the incorrect number of nominations for the group Old Dominion and its individual band members.