Chicago’s ‘Hamilton’ and other cast members announced – Other principals in the cast include the former “American Idol” contestant Ari Afsar (Eliza Hamilton), Chris Lee (Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson), Joseph Morales (the Alexander Hamilton alternate), Jose Ramos (John Laurens/Phillip Hamilton), Wallace Smith (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison) and Samantha Marie Ware (Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds). Arina was Top 36 on Season 8 and competed in the 2011 Miss America pageant as Miss Califonia – Read more at the Chicago Tribune
Musician Chris Daughtry and 7-year-old Internet Dance Sensation “Big Bang Balang” Join 500 Students from around the World to Launch Operation Smile’s Global Campaign UNTIL WE HEAL to Advocate for Billions Who Lack Access to Safe Surgery – The weeklong conference will culminate in a concert featuring Grammy-nominated musician, Chris Daughtry and internet dance sensation John Philip “Big Bang Balang” Bughaw, whose dance videos have received millions of views resulting in several appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. At the concert on July 22nd, Big Bang Balang will debut a new song, Big Bang Bounce, as well as new dance. – PRNewsWire
82-year-old America’s Got Talent viral sensation to perform with Drowning Pool – After giving a shocking and raucous performance on America’s Got Talent, and becoming a viral sensation with more than 8 million online views, 82-year-old Navy veteran John Hetlinger is really about to be a rock star. Performing on the NBC reality competition his favorite karaoke track, “Bodies,” by metal band Drowning Pool, Hetlinger announced the band is making good on its invitation for the father of six and grandfather of 12 to join them on stage. “I am really amped up to see y’all when Drowning Pool and I join you in Chicago this Friday afternoon for the Chicago Open Air festival,” Hetlinger said in a statement. “We are going to have a blast together — let the bodies hit the floor!” – Read more at Entertainment Weekly
American Idol winner Trent Harmon talks new single, Dolly Parton – A Mississippi native, Harmon listed country queen Dolly Parton as his dream female duet choice, and he complimented country songstress Patty Loveless. “A duet with Dolly would be really neat,” he said. For aspiring musicians, who feel the need to give up, he urged them to persevere. “Whenever you get to that point, don’t quit, go on for one more year. Do music for 12 more months, and see if something happens, since that is what I did. I wanted to quit, but I gave it one more year,” he said. In his spare time, he enjoys riding his bicycle and running. “I don’t get to do either of them as often as I used to, but I still try,” he said. – Read more at Digital Journal
Harmon releases new music video for ‘There’s a Girl’ single – “My Snapchat is full of people literally driving down Highway 45 and listening to the song,” Harmon said. “It’s a great feeling knowing that the local stations are playing the song and people are enjoying it.” “In country music, the relationship between the artist and the songs that you’re trying to get these people to play is unique to any other genre of music,” he said. “We go there and try to shake some hands, create some kind of bond for a couple of hours and hope you walk away with them adding your song to their playlist.” – Read more at DJournal.com
Lauren Alaina Wants to Encourage People With ‘Road Less Traveled’ – Appearing on the five-song extended play is her current single “Road Less Traveled,” a song she wrote with Meghan Trainor and Jesse Frasure.
“It was just one of those days where I went in to write with two of my good friends, and I was super comfortable, and the message of the song is so important to me and what we say in the song is so important to me,” explains Alaina. “And I know that Meghan has done a really great job with her artistry by encouraging people, and that’s what this song is all about.” – Read more at SoundsLikeNashville
Emmys: Donald Trump Is a Longtime — and Bitter — Voting Member of the TV Academy – Over the ensuing years, The Apprentice failed to secure any further Emmy nominations, while The Amazing Race continued to dominate the category in which Apprentice had hoped to compete (winning from 2003 through 2009, 2011 through 2012 and again in 2014) — and Trump, egged on by his social media followers, became a ruthless critic of the telecast. “It’s a shame that Amazing Race keeps winning, because it doesn’t deserve to win,” Trump told THR in 2010. “It wins every year because they know how to politic the Emmys.” He continued, “Instead of shows that deserve to win, they pick Amazing Race. It’s a very sad commentary… It’s a joke. If the Emmys want their ratings back, they have to pick shows that deserve it.'” Trump further expanded on his feelings one week before the 2011 Emmys, in a Sept. 16 video on his YouTube vlog. “Fewer and fewer people watch the Emmys each year, and for good reason,” he asserted. “They’re just not doing a good job. As an example, they choose the wrong shows… It’s really not a good operation. They don’t have it.” – The Hollywood Reporter
