Gloria Estefan to Host This Year’s Kennedy Center Honors

Gloria Estefan is returning with Honors

The 63-year-old Cuban Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and actress will host the 43rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors in June.

Gloria Estefan

It’ll be her second time hosting the event, following her previous stint as emcee in 2018.

The event will be broadcast on CBS on Sunday, June 6, 8:00 pm ET/PT, and will available to stream live and on demand on the CBS app and Paramount+.

Estefan received a Kennedy Center Honors in 2017.

This year’s previously announced recipients are Dick Van Dyke, Debbie Allen, Joan Baez, Garth Brooks and violinist Midori.

CBS has broadcast the event every year since it’s debut 43 years ago.

Traditionally held in early December, last year’s Kennedy Center Honors special was postponed until May 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nathan Apodaca Skateboards Through Joe Biden & Kamala Harris’ “Parade Across America”

Nathan Apodaca’s Dream(s) moment continues…

The 38-year-old Mexican-Native American TikTok star (aka DoggFace) displayed the moves that made him go viral on the social media platform, this time as part of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala HarrisParade Across America special — hosted by former Scandal star Tony Goldwyn — part of the Inauguration Day festivities, on January 20.

Nathan Apodaca

Apodaca’s new video started with him once again smoothly skateboarding to Fleetwood Mac‘s 1977 hit “Dreams.” Only this time, instead of cruising with a big bottle of Ocean Spray cran-raspberry juice, he had a small U.S. flag in his left hand and a face mask on as he skateboarded around snowy roads in his native Idaho.

Apodaca — whose viral video has received Fleetwood Mac‘s stamp of approval and more than 12.5 million likes since being posted in September — wasn’t the only one rolling around in the clip.

True to the name of the inauguration special, the video also featured Americans from across the country — including Michigan, California, D.C., Massachusetts, Colorado, New York, and more — smoothly skating to “Dreams” in their own states. Like Apodaca, some skateboarders were holding little flags, while others opted to stay true to the original and went with his beverage of choice.

The Parade Across America special also featured appearances by Jon Stewart, a reunion by the New Radicals, DJ Cassidy‘s Pass the Mic, and others. It was just one part of the star-studded Inauguration Day events, which included performances by Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and Garth Brooks earlier in the day.

https://twitter.com/BidenInaugural/status/1352003173712420864

Joan Baez Among This Year’s Recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors

Joan Baez is set to receive a special honor in Our Nation’s Capital.

The 80-year-old half-Mexican American contemporary folk singer has been selected to receive the 43rd Kennedy Center Honors alongside Garth Brooks, violinist Midori, choreographer Debbie Allen and the ageless Dick Van Dyke.

Joan Baez

“It has been my life’s joy to make art,” said Baez in a statement. It’s also been my life’s joy to make, as the late Congressman John Lewis called it, ‘good trouble.’ What luck to have been born with the ability to do both; each one giving strength and credibility to the other.”

Traditionally held in December, the 2020 edition of the Kennedy Center Honors was postponed to May 2021 due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Live events and filming are planned for the week of May 17-22. The Honors Gala will be recorded for broadcast on CBS as a two-hour primetime special that will air on June 6 at 9:00 pm ET/PT.

But the pandemic will have an impact on how the event is staged, with live-filmed tributes and virtual moments to take the place of the traditional event in a packed Kennedy Center Opera House.

“The center’s entire campus will come alive with small, in-person events and re-envisioned virtual tributes. Featuring multiple events for physically-distant audiences in locations across the Kennedy Center’s campus…Programs for each event will encompass both performances and speaking tributes for the honorees,” according to a statement. “Virtual events will also be held throughout the week beginning May 17, and the viability of additional in-person events will be considered as COVID-19 safety protocols evolve over the upcoming months…An honoree medallion ceremony for the honorees and a limited audience will be hosted by the Kennedy Center during [the week of] May 17–22.”

Joan Baez

President-elect Joe Biden is expected to attend the Honors Gala, as presidents traditionally have done (barring a national crisis). Donald Trump was the first president to decline the invitation every year of his term.

This is the first time in five years that a majority of the honorees have been women. Carole King, Rita Moreno and Cicely Tyson were three of the five honorees in 2015.

“The Kennedy Center Honors serves as a moment to celebrate the remarkable artists who have spent their lives elevating the cultural history of our nation and world,” said David M. Rubenstein, Kennedy Center Chairman.

Here’s a look at each of this year’s honorees:

Joan Baez: The folk legend had three top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 in the 1960s, including Farewell, Angelina. Her classic version of Robbie Robertson’s “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971. Baez was just 21 when she made the cover of Time in November 1962. Baez has one of the longest spans of Grammy nominations in history, from 1962 to 2018. She has yet to win a Grammy in competition (despite nine nods), but she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy in 2007.

Garth Brooks: The country star, 58, is one of the best-selling recording artists in history. The RIAA lists him second only to The Beatles, with 157 million albums sold in the U.S. (compared to 183 million for the Fab Four). He has had nine No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, including Ropin’ the Wind, which topped the chart for 18 weeks, still the record for a country album. Brooks has amassed 14 CMA Awards, including a record seven awards for entertainer of the year. He was artist of the decade for the 1990s at the ACM Awards. He has won two Grammys. He received the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song last year. He made the cover of Time in 1992 in a story headlined “Country’s Big Boom.”

Midori: The Japanese-born American violinist, 49, was just 19 when she received her first (and to date only) Grammy nomination for best classical performance, instrumental soloist (without orchestra) for the album Paganini: 24 Caprices For Solo Violin Op. 1. She made her debut with the New York Philharmonic at age 11 as a surprise guest soloist at the New Year’s Eve Gala in 1982. 

Dick Van Dyke: The actor, 95, won three Emmys for The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-66), which is widely regarded as the granddaddy of smart, sophisticated sitcoms. He also won an Emmy in 1977 for Van Dyke & Company, which took outstanding variety or music series. He was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1995. He won a Tony in 1961 for Bye, Bye Birdie (in which he introduced the jaunty “Put on a Happy Face”) and a Grammy for 1964’s Mary Poppins (in which he took the lead in singing the Oscar-winning “Chim Chim Cher-ee”).

Debbie Allen: The actress, dancer, choreographer, singer-songwriter, director and producer, 70, has won three Emmys for choreography: two for Fame and one for Motown 30: What’s Goin’ On. She also received two Tony nods for acting in revivals of West Side Story (1980) and Sweet Charity (1986). She is a former member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities.

Bad Bunny to Make Debut Performance at This Year’s Billboard Music Awards

Bad Bunny is heading to the BBMAs

The 26-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton star is set to perform at this year’s Billboard Music Awards, which will take place on October 14.

Bad-Bunny

Bad Bunny joins Alicia Keys, Luke Combs and Post Malone.

It’ll be Bad Bunny’s first performance at the BBMAs.

Garth Brooks will also be taking the stage as this year’s ICON Award recipient, following in the footsteps of previous awardees Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Cher, Celine Dion and more.

More performers will be announced as the awards show’s big day draws closer.

The 2020 Billboard Music Awards will air on October 14 at 8:00 pm ET, live from Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre on NBC, with Kelly Clarkson returning for her third year as the evening’s host.

The 2020 Billboard Music Awards are produced by dick clark productions, which is owned by MRC Entertainment, the parent company of Billboard.

Cardi B Breaks RodeoHouston Attendance Record

Yeehaw! Cardi B is the RodeoHouston Queen…

The 26-year-old half-Dominican American rap sensation recently broke the attendance record at the Houston Rodeo, and she’s crediting the late Selena Quintanilla for giving her courage to make it happen.

Cardi B

Wearing a pink and blue sequence cowgirl outfit, the “Please Me” rapper performed at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeoat NRG Stadiumon Friday (March 1), breaking an attendance record once held by Garth Brooks

Cardi B’s performance drew a record 75,580 fans — only three more concert-goers than Brooks’ previous record.

On Saturday, Cardi B posted a video on Instagram from backstage at the rodeo, where she credited the success of her performance to the late Reina de la Musica Tejana

“I was so nervous to perform in front of 70,000-plus people, but when I saw this picture, like, out of all the outfits that she wore, for me to see this picture with this outfit — this was the inspiration for ‘Please Me’ — I knew I was going to be alright,” the rapper said, pointing to a photo of Selenahanging on the wall.

Cardi B concluded the IGclip by shouting out her love for Selena before singing and dancing along to the singer’s hit song “Como La Flor.”

Cardi B’s record-setting Houston Rodeo performance coincided with the release of her “Please Me” music video with Bruno Mars, where she and the crooner meet up at an after-hours taco spot in Los Angeles.

In the “Please Me” video, Cardi B is wearing a revealing black and purple outfit resembling the one Quintanilla donned during her iconic performance at the Memorial Coliseumin Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1993.

Cardi B & Bruno Mars Set Record at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena During Super Bowl Weekend

It’s a Super Bowlweekend to remember for Cardi B

The 26-year-old half-Dominican American rap sensation and Bruno Mars teamed up for a sold-out performance on Saturday, February 2 at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena.

Cardi B & Bruno Mars

Cardi B and Bruno Mars sold out the arena at 14,152 tickets and $6.5 million, reaching No. 2 on Billboard’s Boxscore chart.

Not only did Mars and Cardi B beat out the competition during Super Bowl weekend, they also set a record for the 20-year-old arena. 

Their $6.473 million gross is now the highest single-night gross in the history of State Farm Arena (previously Philips Arena). The only engagement at the same venue to outperform the pair is Garth Brooks’ string of seven shows from September 19-27, 2014, pulling in $6.634 million. 

See below for the top 10 engagements of all time at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, including two of February’s events.

Artist – Gross (Number of Shows; Dates)

Garth Brooks – $6.634 million (seven shows; Sept. 19-27, 2014)
Bruno Mars and Cardi B – $6.473 million (one; Feb. 2, 2019)
Drake – $5.755 million (three; Nov. 16-18, 2018)
Eagles – $3.859 million (two; Oct. 20-21, 2017)
Barbara Streisand – $3.856 million (one; Nov. 2, 2006)
Aerosmith and Post Malone – $3.624 million (one; Feb. 1, 2019)
Madonna – $3.553 million (two; Aug. 19-20, 2001)
U2 – $3.501 million (two; Nov. 18-19, 2005)
Paul McCartney – $3.477 million (two; May 12-13, 2002)
Madonna – $3.451 million (two; July 24-25, 2004)

Mars and Cardi B duetted on 2018’s “Finesse (Remix)” before releasing the 2019 follow-up single “Please Me.” 

Cardi B was scheduled to support Mars’ 24K Magic Tour last year but had to cancel due to her pregnancy.

Bisbal to be Honored at the ASCAP Latin Music Awards

David Bisbal has is the voice

The 35-year-old Latin pop star will receive special honors during ASCAP‘s 23rd annual Latin Music Awards.

David Bisbal

Bisbal is receiving ASCAP’s Voice of Music Award, given to artists whose music represents the spirit of a generation. Past honorees include Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks and Luis Fonsi.

Mexican singer/songwriter Mario Domm, the lead singer for Camila and also the author of many hits for other acts, will receive the Golden Note Award, given to songwriters, composers and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. Past recipients include Jose Feliciano, Victor Manuelle and Pharrell Williams.

Regional Mexican group La Original Banda El Limon de Salvador Lizarraga will receive the ASCAP Latin Heritage Award, presented to music creators in recognition for their unique and enduring contributions to Latin music. Past recipients include Ricardo Arjona, Celia Cruz and Alejandro Sanz.

The awards will also honor top Latin publishers and songwriters of 2014, with awards given to the Songwriter of the year, Publisher of the year, Independent publisher of the year and Latin song of the year, as well as awards in pop, tropical, regional Mexican, urban and television categories.

The dinner ceremony will take place March 11 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

Lopez & Iggy Azalea to Perform “Booty” at the American Music Awards

It’ll be a bootylicious weekend for Jennifer Lopez

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican singer/actress and American Idol judge will bring her high-octane single “Booty” to the American Music Awards stage on Sunday alongside Iggy Azalea.

Jennifer Lopez & Iggy Azalea

But Lopez and Azalea promise their performance will be completely network television-appropriate. This is the first time the duo will perform the sexy track together on television.

After TMZ reported Thursday they “have created excruciating stress” on the network censors and executives due to the risqué nature of the song and its music video, the awards top-nominated artist Azalea responded promising neither nipples nor vaginas will be exposed.

She added on Twitter, “with that being said, we aren’t performing in turtleneck sweaters either…. hahahahaha ;)”

Lopez and Azalea join a list of performers that includes 5 Seconds of Summer, Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks, Charli XCX, Fergie, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Imagine Dragons, Jessie J, Lil Wayne, Lorde, Magic!, Nicki Minaj, One Direction and Sam Smith.

Pitbull will serves as the night’s host.

The 2014 AMAs will broadcast at 8:00 pm ET on November 23 on ABC, courtesy of Dick Clark Productions.

Blacc to Serve as a Presenter at This Year’s American Music Awards

Aloe Blacc is set to make a statement at this year’s American Music Awards.

The 35-year-old Panamanian American singer has been added to the list of presenters set to take the stage at the upcoming AMAs.

Aloe Blacc

Blacc joins Orange Is the New Black stars Taylor Schilling and Uzo Aduba, along with reality siblings Kendall and Kylie Jenner, as the latest additions.

Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Foxx, Julianne Hough, Jessie J, Heidi Klum, Olivia Munn and Emmy Rossum also are set to present at the fan-voted awards show, which will air live on ABC starting at 8:00 pm ET on Sunday, November 23, from the Nokia Theater L.A. Live. 

As previously announced, the show will feature performances by 5 Seconds of Summer, Iggy Azalea, Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks, Charli XCX, Fergie, Selena Gomez, Imagine Dragons, Lorde, One Direction, Sam Smith, Taylor Swift and Pitbull.

Pitbull will also serve as the event’s host. Voting is currently ongoing.

 

Carey Continues Her Billboard Chart Dominance with “#Beautiful”

It’s a #Beautiful day for Mariah Carey

The 43-year-old half-Venezuelan American singer and American Idol judge’s latest single, “#Beautiful,” has helped her continue her Billboard chart dominance.

mariah_carey_14

Carey’s duet with Miguel, the lead single from her 13th studio album, marks her 45th Billboard Hot 100 hit, making her one of the chart’s most accomplished visitors dating to its Aug. 4, 1958, launch.

Here’s an updated look at the women with the most appearances on the chart:

73, Aretha Franklin
58, Taylor Swift
56, Madonna
56, Dionne Warwick
53, Connie Francis
48, Brenda Lee
46, Nicki Minaj
45, Mariah Carey
41, Rihanna
41, Barbra Streisand
40, Mary J. Blige
40, Diana Ross
39, Whitney Houston
39, Janet Jackson

Notably, Carey has sported lead billing on 43 of her entries, while fellow Idol judge Minaj, as rappers regularly chart in featured roles, has served as lead on 17 of hers).

With “#Beautiful” debut, Carey also claims her 35th top 40 Hot 100 hit, tying Island Def Jam labelmate Rihanna‘s total.

Here’s a look at the solo females to make the most visits to the chart’s top 40:

49, Madonna
43, Aretha Franklin
41, Taylor Swift
35, Mariah Carey
35, Rihanna
33, Connie Francis
32, Janet Jackson
31, Dionne Warwick
29, Whitney Houston
29, Brenda Lee

Carey continues to boast one of the most vaunted of all Hot 100 records: her 18 No. 1s are the most among solo acts (and second overall only to the Beatles‘ 20). With 54 million albums sold, Carey is also the best-selling female album artist since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking U.S. sales in 1991. She trails only overall leader Garth Brooks (68.6 million) and runners-up the Beatles (64.4 million).

Miguel, meanwhile, easily makes his best Hot 100 start with “#Beautiful.” Of his prior seven charted titles, he’d debuted as high as No. 82 with his eventual No. 17-peaking “Adorn,” still his highest-charted hit.