TLC to Debut Jackie Evancho Special Examining Transgender Issues, Family Values (EXCLUSIVE) – In “Growing Up Evancho,” TLC will go behind the scenes with Jackie and the Evancho family — including transgender sister Juliet — in a one-hour special set to air Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 10 p.m. ET. The Evancho family includes parents Lisa and Mike, and their four kids — Rachel, 13, Zach, 15, Jackie, 17, and Juliet, 19. Older sister Juliet is pursuing her dreams of becoming a model, and continuing as an LGBTQ activist. Together, the girls learn to navigate the challenges of career and family, while also utilizing their platform to speak out against Trump’s rollback of transgender rights. – Read more at Variety
Kane Brown scores gold certified country record with ‘What Ifs’ – Rising country artist Kane Brown has a major reason to celebrate. His infectious song “What Ifs” has been certified gold. His latest single “What Ifs,” featuring country songstress Lauren Alaina, sits at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Airplay charts, after charting for 22 weeks. It moves up four spots from No. 24 on the previous week. The icing on the cake was the presentation of the gold plaque from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). – Read more at Digital Journal
Standup Comedy with Wise Crackers and AMERICAN IDOL Finalist Aaron Kelly Coming to Millbrook Playhouse – The next night, American Idol finalist, Aaron Kelly, takes to the Ryan Main Stage. The Season 9 Finalist and Sonestown, PA Native comes to the Millbrook stage with regionally renown band “FLIPSIDE” to entertain you with an evening of Aaron’s “country pop” combined with Flipside’s “classic rock” which resounds a balanced blend of well integrated harmony and vocals, and will leave you dancing in the aisles! – Read more at Broadway World
Concert Preview: Lee DeWyze at Shawshank – The singer-songwriter makes a rapid return to Central Ohio for a special engagement at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield on August 27th. Attendees will see DeWyze perform an acoustic set without any amplification other than the natural acoustics provided by the walls of the historic OSR chapel. They’ll also receive a signed poster designed by DeWyze himself, an autographed steel inmate-style souvenir mug, and an exclusive five-track CD of that evening’s show to be delivered at a later date. Light hors d’oeuvres and beverages are also included in the ticket price. VIP tickets (which appear to currently be sold out) additionally feature an abbreviated tour of the OSR facility and a private two-song performance by DeWyze prior to the main event. More details and purchase options can be found via TicketWeb. – Read more at Columbus Underground
Pia Toscano and Stefano Langone to Collaborate with Postmodern Jukebox
Scotty McCreery returns to Biloxi with new single ‘Five More Minutes’ – “I’ve never had a song like this,” he said. “So many people are talking to me about it or sending me Tweets about how they can relate to it — one fan even got a tattoo of the lyrics.” – Read more at Sun Herald
‘American Idol’ finalist will play in Batesville – To start to feel like himself again, he wrote three tunes. James then booked a series of writing appointments with Brice Long and Terry McBride, co-writers of his first single, “Let’s Don’t call it a Night.” At the end of their session, they recommended he do some writing with another friend who had a strong affinity for the blues, somebody named “Tom.” James was astounded to discover that “Tom” was Tom Hambridge, a songwriter and producer whose work he’d long admired. Hambridge had a hand in albums by Buddy Guy, Keb’ Mo’ and Susan Tedeschi, and his grounding in the blues and roots music was spot on for where the entertainer was headed. – Read more at Batesville Herald Tribune
Jennifer Hudson Sings to a Horse
Jake Zyrus reveals details of his transgender journey, changing his name from Charice – “When I thought about finally coming out as a transgender man, I didn’t think a lot of people would actually agree to it and accept me, but I was surprised with the love and support,” he said. “So I’ve been doing great, I’ve been feeling good about everything. I’ve been happy.” His family members, who found out at the same time fans did, were not as positive in their reactions. Describing them as not “open with LGBT people” from a country “still having a hard time trying to ask for equality and freedom,” Zyrus said his relationship with family has been “kind of on-and-off.” – Read more at USA Today
