Morgan Wallen Announces First Post-Scandal Tour, Hitting Arenas for Nearly Eight Months – Morgan Wallen might still have been persona non grata at the CMA Awards last week, and has been banned from attending the American Music Awards this coming weekend, but as far as the embattled star is concerned, his time-out is over. Wallen has just announced a nearly eight-month headlining tour that will take him to arenas and amphitheaters around the U.S. for nearly eight months in 2022. The tour starts Feb. 3 in Evansville, Indiana and wraps up Sept. 24 at L.A.’s Staples Center. Stops in-between include gigs at New York’s Madison Square Garden Feb. 9 and Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena March 17. Wallen’s trek will reach 46 cities in all. The arena shows go on sale Friday, with the summer amphitheater dates going up at a later date, Dec. 3. – Read more at Variety
Cami Clune inspired Joshua Vacanti to renew his dream on ‘The Voice’ – oshua Vacanti had almost given up his dream to sing for a living. The graduate of Lockport High School and SUNY Buffalo State previously failed in attempts to get on “America’s Got Talent” and “American Idol.” Vacanti, 28, was content singing at worship services at the Chapel at Crosspoint and the Chapel at Lockport, often with his wife, Samantha Olewnik, and in a small worship band that also included his mother and stepfather. Then Cami Clune made it to last year’s semifinals of the NBC singing reality series “The Voice.” “She is kind of a big inspiration for me auditioning for the show,” he said in a telephone interview. “I’d never seen someone I had worked with so closely on a platform like that and that kind of just sparked something in me.” Vacanti and Clune worked together in a band, “Direct Worship,” for a couple of years and were involved in a local TV show carried on a Christian channel. – Read more at Buffalo News
Jennifer Hudson Says Commitment To Honor Aretha Franklin’s Authenticity Made ‘Respect’ Her “Most Personal Project” – Contenders L.A. – Jennifer Hudson felt that the best way to honor the late soul singing legend Aretha Franklin in the biopic Respect was to deliver as much authenticity in her performance as the Queen of Soul invested in her music. “How do you even begin to capture or approach someone so massive as Aretha Franklin, that’s so dear to all of us in some way?” a still-marveling Hudson, who was Franklin’s personal choice to portray her in her life story, told Deadline’s Contenders Film: Los Angeles, where she shared a panel with the film’s director Liesl Tommy, costume designer Clint Ramos, hair department head Lawrence Davis and makeup department head Stevie Martin. – Read more at Deadline.com
Catching up with ‘The Voice’ season 17’s winner, Jake Hoot – Jake Hoot won season 17 of ‘The Voice’ thanks to his talent and coach Kelly Clarkson. He will be here in Toronto for a upcoming Holiday TV Special with some special guest.
Harry Styles talks Pleasing: a brand built on small joys – “It’s funny because I don’t think of myself that way [as a style icon]… but bringing people together is the thing I’m most proud of. [At the shows] I get kind of a front-row seat to see a bunch of people getting in a room together and just being themselves. Not coming to the front of the stage, because they’re hanging out at the back, dancing like nobody’s watching. Having the most basic version of a good time. Humans interacting and accepting each other,” says Styles, expressing wonder at the zeal of his committed fandom, the Stylers. “A room full of people just loving each other is so powerful.” – Read more at DazedDigital.com
Kris Allen looks back on ‘Idol’ win, looks ahead to new music and Jammin Java gig – WASHINGTON (ABC7) — It was 12 years ago that Kris Allen stormed the ‘American Idol’ stage — taking home top honors to become the eight season winner. He’s been touring and releasing new music ever since, in addition to having three kids along the way! – Read more at ABC7
Megan Hilty Steps In As Replacement For Covid-Struck Jane Krakowski In ‘Annie Live!’ – Jane Krakowski has stepped down from the role of Lily St. Regis in NBC’s upcoming Annie Live! after being diagnosed with a breakthrough case of Covid, the network said Friday. Smash star Megan Hilty will step into the role. “I am beyond thrilled to join this all-star cast, crew and creative team,” said Hilty in a statement. “My family and I have been super fans of Annie for as long as I can remember, and we always look forward to the epic televised musicals produced by Bob Greenblatt & Neil Meron, so to be a part of this particular production is an honor and a dream come true. I wish Jane the speediest of recoveries and hope to do her proud.” – Read more at Deadline.com
