British rock band Queen to bring 2020 Rhapsody Tour to Japan – British rock band Queen will perform in Japan next January as part of their 2020 Rhapsody Tour, which comes in the wake of the biopic film “Bohemian Rhapsody” winning an Academy Award, organizer Creativeman Productions Ltd. said Wednesday. The band includes original members Brian May and Roger Taylor, as well as American vocalist Adam Lambert. Queen is scheduled to appear at Saitama Super Arena near Tokyo on Jan. 25 and 26, Kyocera Dome Osaka on Jan. 28, and Nagoya Dome on Jan. 30. The new tour of Japan was announced on April 17, the same day Queen arrived at Tokyo’s Haneda airport for their first tour of the country in 1975. Lead singer Lambert added, “It feels like too long since we were last in Japan, but I have such fond memories of our time there.” – Read more at JapanTimes.co.jp
American Idol winner Nick Fradiani to release album benefiting brain cancer research – American Idol winner Nick Fradiani joins Steve to talk about the release of a new album benefiting brain cancer research. “Write by the Sea,” a collaboration between non-profit organizations Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure (ABC2) alongside other skilled producers and songwriters to fight Brain Cancer and promote new research. For more information visit: http://www.rockbythesea.org. Nick has a new single titled “Empire” coming out on May 3. His favorite Idol this year is Alejandro Aranda. – Listen to the Interview at WGN Radio
AMERICAN IDOL’s Luke Bryan and Bobby Bones to Join ABC’s Coverage of the NFL Draft – “American Idol” judge Luke Bryan and mentor Bobby Bones will join ABC’s first-time prime-time coverage of the NFL Draft, live coast to coast from Nashville, Tennessee, on “2019 NFL DRAFT on ABC,” THURSDAY, APRIL 25 (8:00-11:30 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network and via streaming. Bones will also be seen on the second night of ABC’s NFL DRAFT coverage, FRIDAY, APRIL 26 (7:00-11:30 p.m. EDT). Their appearances were announced tonight on ABC’s live “American Idol” telecast from Los Angeles. – Read more at Broadwayworld.com
Sanjaya Malakar to open for pianist Scott Cossu at Orcas Center – Our friend, dancing partner, Orcas Idol and local performer Sanjaya Malakar (recently Sky in “Mamma Mia!” and Jacob in “La Cage Aux Folles”) will sing a solo set as the confirmed opener for Windham Hill’s Scott Cossu and cellist Holly Reeves this Friday, April 19, at Orcas Center. Malakar will be accompanied by local musician and artist Stephen Fairweather. Come bid adieu to the “I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!” star — this will be Malakar’s Orcas Island swan song as he moves onward to new beginnings. – Read more at IslandSounder
Next woman of country? Cassadee Pope embraces emeritus role as tour comes to Lexington -“When you work really hard and certain thing things start happening, it gets very exciting,” she said. “There’s a little disbelief and you’re pinching yourself. But also, for me, I’ve never looked at things like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m lucky.’ There is a time and place for things, sure. But I have worked really hard, professionally, for the last 12 years. When the (Grammy) nomination came in, I let it soak in. I definitely didn’t shy away from it.” – Read more at Kentucky.com
How being criticized on ‘American Idol’ has helped Haley Reinhart’s career – “(‘American Idol’) preps you for this roller coaster of a business,” she told the Deseret News. “We used to call it ‘star boot camp,’ all of us kids on the show. The lessons I’ve learned and taken with me will last a lifetime. … (And) the encouragement from somebody like Steven Tyler, … what I gained from him, and what I believe in more than anything, is be your truest self, your most authentic version of you.” – Read more at Deseret News
Jennifer Hudson Remembers What It Was Like to Be an Up-and-Coming Artist – Jennifer Hudson’s performance with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra this weekend for the SOLUNA Festival will be a sampling of her 15-year career. “One of my favorite things is performing with an orchestra, and I like audience participation as well,” Hudson says. “If people want to get involved and throw up their shoes and have a good time, then it’s a good time for people to come out and enjoy themselves. It’s going to be a good time. I’m excited about it.” – Read more at Dallas Observer
Harry Abdul, father of Paula Abdul, dies – Radar Online reported that Harry Abdul, who had been battling Alzheimer’s Disease for a while, died at his Los Angeles home at age 85. His death reportedly comes year after the former “American Idol” judge lost her mother, Lorraine Abdul, in January 2018 at age 85. Abdul, 56, confirmed the death of her father, tweeting a video of the two from a previous holiday and writing, “Everyone loved my father. He had a heart of gold and carried his heart on his sleeve wherever he went, and shared it with everyone he came in contact with. Isn’t it a beautiful gift that I still feel his spirit with me?” – Read more at AJC
