‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2022? Performance Line Up – In New York: LL Cool J performs a medley of hits, Chloe performs “Have Mercy,” Journey performs a medley of hits and Karol G sings her hits. In New Orleans co-host Billy Porter will perform his new single. Daddy Yankee performs in Puerto Rico hosted by Roselyn Sanchez. In Los Angeles co-hosted by Ciara and D-Nice: AJR and duo Daisy The Great (“BANG!” “Record Player”); Avril Lavigne and Travis Barker (“Sk8ter Boi,” “Bite Me”); Big Boi with singer Sleepy Brown (“The Way You Move,” “Animalz”); Don Omar (“Danza Kuduro”) with Nio Garcia (“Se Menea”); French Montana (“FWMGAB,” “Unforgettable”); Macklemore and Ryan Lewis (“Can’t Hold Us”) with singer Windser (“Next Year”); Måneskin (“Beggin’,” “Mamma Mia”); Mae Muller with Polo G (“Better Days”); Polo G (“Rapstar,” “Smooth Criminal”); Masked Wolf (“Astronauts in the Ocean,” “Pandemonium”); OneRepublic (”Counting Stars,” “Run”); Walker Hayes (“Fancy Like,” “AA”) – DGEPress
SKATES Starring Diana DeGarmo & Ace Young to be Presented in Chicago Spring 2022 – Described as Grease meets Hairspray with a dash of Xanadu, the new musical Skates announces plans for its triumphant premiere to Chicago this spring! American Idol favorites Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young return to lead a stellar cast in this completely original, family-friendly musical, co-created by Christine Rea (book/lyrics) and Rick Briskin (music/lyrics), with direction by Brenda Didier, choreography by Christopher Chase Carter and music direction by Daniel A. Weiss. Skates enjoyed three preview performances in March 2020 before the worldwide shutdown. Defying the odds, this unstoppable show is ready to thrill audiences as the first major production in the newly-renovated Studebaker Theater inside the historic Fine Arts Building (410 S Michigan Ave, Chicago). Performances begin May 25, 2022. (Glad this she will make a comeback!) – Broadway.com
American Idol Winner Ruben Studdard To Lead Masterclass At UTC Next Semester – The UTC Department of Performing Arts: Music Division is thrilled to announce that Ruben Studdard, winner of American Idol, Grammy nominee, and platinum artist, will be leading a series of masterclasses on campus next semester. As part of his new assignment, Ruben will be working with the UTC Singing Mocs. The group specializes in contemporary singing styles, including pop a cappella and vocal jazz. Studdard is an American R&B, pop and gospel singer whoe rose to fame as winner of the second season of American Idol and received a Grammy Award nomination in December 2003 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Superstar”. – Read more at Chattanooga Pulse
Kelly Clarkson, Michael Bublé & More Sing For Hospital Patients, Families – Tons of the biggest names in the music industry are banding together to spread some cheer during the holiday season. Musicians On Call (MOC) is a nonprofit organization that brings artist together to deliver an exclusive performances for patients and caregivers. This marks the second annual endeavor for Musicians On Call, which will share the holiday concert with hospitals nationwide. It will be available on-demand throughout the month of December, the nonprofit announced in a press release on Friday (December 17). This year, the star-studded list includes host Cassadee Pope and performers: Lauren Alaina, Michael Bublé, Kelly Clarkson, Gavin DeGraw, Brett Eldredge, Grace Gaustad, Norah Jones, Cyndi Lauper, Maddie & Tae, Reba McEntire, Leslie Odom Jr., Jon Pardi, Teddy Swims, Switchfoot and more. Other celebs are joining in with video messages for patients and caregivers, including: Sofia Carson, Lester Holt, King Calaway, Katy Perry, Billy Porter, Olivia Rodrigo, Amanda Shires, Caitlyn Smith, Bryce Vine and X Ambassadors. – Read more at 102KISSFm
Ohio’s Mennonite communities sing the praises of Girl Named Tom – With their recent stunning victory on NBC’s “The Voice,” the sibling trio — Caleb, Joshua and Bekah Liechty — who make up the group Girl Named Tom, have developed quite a following among Mennonites in Holmes and Wayne counties and across the country. The Liechtys were raised Mennonite in a small Ohio town, and before they found fame as performers — Girl Named Tom has become the first-ever group to win “The Voice” in the 21-season history of the show — they were singing in their church in the village of Archbold. – Read more at Yahoo News
Maddie Poppe returns to Cedar Rapids with acoustic Christmas show – For Maddie Poppe, life on the road means planes, trains and automobiles. Along with all the other discoveries for the Clarksville native since winning “American Idol” in 2018, she now prefers trains over planes on tours. “In Iowa, obviously, we drive,” Poppe, 24, said by phone from Los Angeles, where she was spending a quick tour break on songwriting sessions and a project she can’t yet divulge, but the excitement in her voice rang through. On the longer jaunts, trains get the nod. “It’s much easier to get up and walk around,” she noted, “and it’s literally like a quarter of the price.” – Read more at The Gazette
Nick Fradiani continues tradition with father and sings holiday classics in Hartford
Jimmie Allen on His Award-Heavy Year and Hopes of Getting ‘Will Smith to Rap Again’ – Although he has become one of the most exciting rising artists in the genre, music was just one of an array of creative ventures by him this year: He launched his Bettie James imprint through Sony Music Publishing, along with his own management and production company, JAB Entertainment; he executive-produced music for the Netflix series Titletown High; published a children’s book; and found time to compete on Dancing With the Stars. “When I was a kid, my dream was never to just be a musician,” says Allen. “It was to be an entertainer — and an entertainer covers all aspects.” – Read more at Billboard
Here’s a Deep Look at How The Masked Singer Creates Those Coveted Clues – While hundreds of people work on each season of The Masked Singer, there are only approximately four people who know who each of the masked singers are. It’s a privilege reserved only for the people who absolutely must know out of necessity. That includes a small team of writers, tasked with handing out the clues to the singers’ identities and striking that delicate balance between fooling people, but not making them feel totally foolish. The clues shouldn’t be impossible to figure out, but they also shouldn’t be too easy. Add that conundrum to the pile of NDAs the team has to sign, and you’ve got yourself a surprisingly stressful gig. – TVGuide
