Music News

In Soul, a middle-school band teacher makes one small misstep and ends up in The Great Before, a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks and interests before they go to Earth.

In 'Soul,' Jon Batiste's Music Helps Bring Pixar's First Black Lead To Life

7:58am December 25, 2020

by Mandalit del Barco

Batiste is one of several real-life musicians who consulted on the new Pixar film, about a middle-school band teacher who ends up in a fantastical realm called The Great Before.

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Playboi Carti released Whole Lotta Red, the long-anticipated follow up to 2018's Die Lit.

Music & Culture

Playboi Carti Finally Drops Second Album, 'Whole Lotta Red'

12:27am December 25, 2020

by LaTesha Harris

Playboi Carti has released his long-anticipated second album, Whole Lotta Red. The album comes two years after his 2018 studio debut, Die Lit and features Future, Kid Cudi and Kanye West.

August Wilson at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colo., in 2004.

'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' Shines A Light On August Wilson's Vision

1:39pm December 18, 2020

by Tom Vitale

The late August Wilson's first Broadway hit, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, has been adapted for the screen, starring Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman in his final film role.

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Music & Culture

Beethoven's Life, Liberty And Pursuit Of Enlightenment

7:31am December 17, 2020

by Tom Huizenga

Growing up in a progressive city, Ludwig van Beethoven embraced the ideals of the Enlightenment, the philosophical movement that shook Europe and helped shape the composer's music.

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Students rehearse outdoors at The Roots of Music. The education nonprofit has kept its marching band going throughout the pandemic and resumed in-person rehearsal over the summer.

Music & Culture

In New Orleans, Music Education Programs Cautiously Fall Back In Step

7:49pm December 16, 2020

by Aubri Juhasz

After months of silence, music programs are attempting to resume limited in-person rehearsals at NOLA public schools, where the stakes go far beyond what kids do with their after-school time.

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A toy reindeer is shown on a white background. Radio stations, looking to boost ratings and provide comfort in a pandemic-marred year, started playing songs as early as July. And listeners loved it.

In Pandemic, The Most Wonderful Time For Christmas Songs Turned Out To Be ... In July

7:26am December 16, 2020

by Jim Zarroli

Stations have been playing Christmas music earlier than ever this year, as a way of luring in listeners during the pandemic. One Indiana station was doing it in July.

Maren Morris, Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby and Amanda Shires of The Highwomen.

Music & Culture

The Highwomen Win Big At 2020 Americana Awards

11:40am December 15, 2020

by Ann Powers

The late John Prine was awarded artist of the year, and Black Pumas and fiddler Brittany Haas took home hardware during the abbreviated show.

Music & Culture

Jingle Johns Do Double Duty As Singing Choir

6:14am December 15, 2020

A sanitation company in Indiana took 32 porta-johns, and arranged then in rows, like a choir. And animated face on each one lip-syncs as Christmas classics play.

José Feliciano's bilingual Christmas song, "Feliz Navidad," celebrates 50 years.

Music & Culture

50 Years Later, 'Feliz Navidad' Still Delivers On Its Bilingual Message

8:10am December 14, 2020

by Mandalit del Barco

Puerto Rican singer José Feliciano first came up with the Spanish/English Christmas song because he missed his family. Now, 50 years later, he's recorded a new version with 30 friends.

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Music & Culture

Dolly Parton Saves 9-Year-Old Actor From Being Hit By A Car

5:54am December 14, 2020

Inside Edition reports that while on the set of her latest movie, Parton saved costar Talia Hill from an oncoming car. In that movie, Parton plays an angel. Is it possible she's just playing herself?