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Gibson Unveils 1959 Humbucker Collector’s Edition Series 3

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Gibson introduces the Pickup Shop 1959 Humbucker Collector’s Edition Series 3, the brand’s most faithful recreation of its vintage “Patent Applied For” pickups to date. Limited to just 1,000 sets, this release features Murphy Lab aging, Double Vintage White butyrate bobbins, Alnico 3 roughcast long magnets, historically accurate nickel covers, and aged Cream M69 mounting rings, offering unmatched tone and authenticity.

Crafted in Nashville, Tennessee, each pickup set reflects nearly 90 years of Gibson innovation and craftsmanship. “With the 1959 Humbucker Collector’s Edition Series 3, we’ve pushed the boundaries of historical accuracy and tonal integrity even further,” says Jared Brandon, Gibson Pickup Product Manager. The set arrives in a premium Lifton case, with every metal part aged to perfection and serialized in true 1959 style. Available now at authorized Gibson dealers, Gibson Garage Nashville and London, and Gibson.com.

25 Facts About Cleto Escobedo III: The Saxophone Soul of Late Night

Cleto Escobedo III, the beloved saxophonist and bandleader for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, has passed away at 59. For over two decades, he brought groove, warmth, and friendship to late-night TV. A Las Vegas native, Cleto’s story was one of music, family, and laughter — lived with the same heart that filled his horn. Here are 25 amazing facts about the legendary musician.

  1. Cleto Valentine Escobedo III was born August 23, 1966, in Las Vegas.
  2. His father, Cleto Escobedo Jr., was also a saxophonist who played in the 1960s Vegas band Los Blues.
  3. His mother, Sylvia, encouraged him to pick up the saxophone at age 11.
  4. Cleto was an only child.
  5. He met Jimmy Kimmel when they were nine years old after Kimmel’s family moved across the street in Las Vegas.
  6. The two grew up watching Late Night with David Letterman, dreaming of doing something creative together.
  7. Before late night TV, Cleto toured with Paula Abdul on her Forever Your Girl world tour.
  8. He also performed with Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire.
  9. In the early 1990s, Cleto signed a solo record deal with Virgin Records.
  10. He later toured with Latin pop superstar Marc Anthony.
  11. When Kimmel landed his ABC show in 2003, he immediately called Cleto to lead the band.
  12. Cleto and his father both joined Jimmy Kimmel Live! from the very first episode.
  13. Their band, Cleto and the Cletones, co-wrote the show’s theme song with Kimmel’s brother, Jonathan.
  14. The band’s lineup included Toshi Yanagi, Jimmy Earl, Jeff Babko, Jonathan Dresel, and Cleto Jr.
  15. Kimmel once called Cleto “the best friend anyone could ever have.”
  16. Cleto’s father said playing on TV with his son felt like “seventh heaven.”
  17. Cleto called his bandmates “family,” saying they could communicate with just a look.
  18. He fought for fair pay for TV musicians when clips were streamed online.
  19. He appeared in commercials and TV soundtracks beyond the late-night stage.
  20. Cleto lived in Studio City, California, with his wife, Lori, and their children, Cruz and Jesse.
  21. He loved R&B, funk, and soul artists like Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, and Grover Washington Jr.
  22. He credited his mentor Jerry Lopez from the Vegas band Santa Fe for teaching him how to lead.
  23. Cleto described his gig on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as “the best job a musician could ever have.”
  24. When he turned 50, Kimmel roasted and celebrated him on-air — “like an older brother, without getting arrested.”
  25. Cleto’s music and friendship will forever live in the heart of late-night television.

SEVENTEEN Celebrate 10 Years with Global Cinema Event ‘WORLD TOUR [NEW_] IN JAPAN: LIVE VIEWING’

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K-pop icons SEVENTEEN mark their milestone 10th anniversary with SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR [NEW_] IN JAPAN: LIVE VIEWING, a special global cinema broadcast from the Vantelin Dome in Nagoya. The event, streaming live to theatres worldwide on November 29, will capture the group’s electrifying performances, reimagined choreography, and solo moments that have defined their acclaimed NEW_ world tour. Fans can look forward to hits like “HOT,” “Darl+ing,” and “Rock with you,” as well as new favorites such as “Bad Influence” (produced by Pharrell Williams) and “THUNDER.” Tickets are available now at svtnewtour.com.

Produced by HYBE and PLEDIS Entertainment and distributed by Trafalgar Releasing, the cinema event showcases all 13 members—S.COUPS, JEONGHAN, JOSHUA, JUN, HOSHI, WONWOO, WOOZI, THE 8, MINGYU, DK, SEUNGKWAN, VERNON, and DINO—at the height of their artistry. The concert supports their fifth studio album HAPPY BURSTDAY, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, and follows a year of remarkable achievements including Glastonbury and Lollapalooza Berlin performances, UNESCO ambassadorship, and record-breaking sales. With encore screenings scheduled in select territories on November 30, this cinematic celebration invites CARATs everywhere to join the moment and relive SEVENTEEN’s decade of unity, creativity, and global impact.

Roddy Bottum Chronicles a Wild Era with Poetic Power in Memoir ‘The Royal We’

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THE ROYAL WE is a poetic survey of a time set in a magical city that once was and is no more. It is a memoir written by Roddy Bottum, a musician and artist, that documents his coming of age and out of the closet in 1980s San Francisco, a charged era of bicycle messengers, punk rock, street witches, wheatgrass, and rebellion. The book follows his travels from Los Angeles, growing up gay with no role models, to San Francisco, where he formed Faith No More and went on to tour the world relentlessly, surviving heroin addiction and the plight of AIDS, to become a queer icon.

The book is an elevated wallop of tongue and insight, much more than a tell-all. There are personal encounters with public figures like Kurt and Courtney and Guns N’ Roses, and recaps of gold records and arena rock—but it’s the testimonies of tragedy and addiction and preposterous life-spins that make this work so unique and intriguing. Bottum writes about his dark and harrowing past in a clear-eyed voice that is utterly devoid of self-pity, and his emboldened and confident pronouncements of achievement and unorthodox heroism flow in an unstoppable train that’s both captivating and inspirational.

Use Grok Imagine v0.9 Free Online to Boost Content Creation at GrokImagineAI.com

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By Mitch Rice

Creating high-quality video content has become a critical part of modern digital communication, whether it’s for marketing, education, or social media. However, producing professional videos often requires specialized skills, expensive equipment, and significant time investment. This can be a barrier for many creators and businesses who want to produce engaging content quickly and affordably.

This is where Grok Imagine AI comes in. Powered by the innovative xAI Grok Imagine model, Grok Imagine is a powerful AI video generator that allows users to transform text and images into dynamic, high-quality videos. With a range of creative features, including Grok Imagine Spicy (Mode), users can enhance their video content with vibrant visuals, bold transitions, and customizable effects. Visit GrokImagineAI.com can try to Grok Imagine free online explore how this platform simplifies the video creation process, making it accessible to everyone—from content creators to marketers and beyond.

Key Features of Grok Imagine v0.9

Fast Video Generation

One of the standout features of Grok Imagine AI is its quick video generation capabilities. Whether you’re creating a simple clip or a more complex video, Grok Imagine v0.9 can process and produce content in a matter of minutes. This speed is essential for content creators who need to respond quickly to trends or meet tight deadlines. With its optimized processing power, Grok Imagine AI helps you generate high-quality videos rapidly without sacrificing detail or quality.

Hyper-Realistic Rendering: Fluid Motion and 360° Shots

Grok Imagine AI takes video production to the next level with its hyper-realistic rendering. The platform excels in producing fluid motion, which makes your videos look more lifelike and immersive. Whether you need a 360° tracking shot or a dynamic emotional close-up, Grok Imagine AI supports a wide range of advanced rendering techniques that add cinematic quality to your content. This feature ensures that every video you create is visually stunning and engaging for your audience.

Seamless Audio Synchronization

No video is complete without synchronized audio, and Grok Imagine AI ensures that your visuals and sound are perfectly in sync. The platform integrates high-quality sound effects and music to complement the visuals, creating a polished, professional result. Whether you’re adding background music to an advertisement or syncing sound effects to animations, Grok Imagine AI handles the audio-visual synchronization seamlessly, enhancing the overall impact of your video.

Customizable Video Modes: Normal, Fun, and Spicy

Grok Imagine AI offers flexibility in how your video is styled with three distinct modes: Normal, Fun, and Spicy. The Normal mode provides a clean and professional look, perfect for corporate videos or product demos. The Fun mode adds a playful tone to your video, ideal for social media content or lighthearted promotional material. For those looking to make a bold statement, Grok Imagine Spicy Mode introduces dynamic effects, vibrant colors, and energetic motion, making it perfect for attention-grabbing content. These customizable modes ensure that you can tailor each video to suit the mood and style you want.

How to Use Grok Imagine AI to Create Stunning Videos

Creating dynamic and high-quality videos with Grok Imagine AI is simple and straightforward. Follow these three steps to start generating engaging content:

Step 1: Input Your Text Prompt or Upload an Image

Begin by entering a Grok Imagine prompt—a brief text description of the video you want to create—or upload an image that you’d like to animate. The flexibility of Grok Imagine AI allows you to generate videos directly from text (text to video) or bring your images to life (image to video). The more detailed your input, the more dynamic and precise the resulting video will be.

Step 2: Choose a Mode and Customize Your Settings

Once you’ve provided your input, select the mode that best suits your video style: Normal, Fun, or Grok Imagine Spicy (Mode). Grok Imagine Spicy (Mode) adds vibrant, bold effects and dynamic transitions, while the other modes provide cleaner or more playful styles. Customize additional settings, such as animation speed, color tones, and visual effects, to fine-tune your video to your liking.

Step 3: Generate and Download Your Video

After adjusting your settings, click to generate the video. Grok Imagine AI will quickly process your input, applying all your custom settings and producing a high-quality video. Once it’s ready, you can download your video directly from GrokImagineAI.com and start using it for your social media, marketing campaigns, or any other content creation needs.

Use Cases: How Grok Imagine AI Enhances Content Creation Across Industries

Grok Imagine AI is a versatile tool that meets the needs of various industries and content creators. Whether you’re a marketer, educator, or social media influencer, Grok Imagine AI provides powerful features that make video creation faster, easier, and more engaging. Here are some practical use cases that demonstrate how Grok Imagine AI can transform your content production process.

Marketing Campaigns and Brand Promotion

Grok Imagine AI is an invaluable AI video generator for marketers looking to create eye-catching promotional videos. By transforming text to video or image to video, marketers can quickly generate high-quality ads, product demos, and social media videos. Using Grok Imagine Spicy Mode, marketers can create bold and dynamic videos with vibrant effects, helping their campaigns stand out in a crowded digital space. With the fast video generation speed of Grok Imagine, marketers can quickly adapt to changing trends and respond with fresh content.

Social Media Content Creation

For content creators on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, Grok Imagine AI is an excellent way to produce engaging videos in a fraction of the time. Whether you’re turning your latest idea into a text to video creation or animating an image to tell a story, Grok Imagine provides the flexibility to generate content that resonates with your audience. Grok Imagine Spicy can add creative flair to your videos, making them more shareable and likely to go viral, while the Normal and Fun modes offer more polished, professional content for business profiles.

Educational Videos and Online Learning

Educators and instructional designers can use Grok Imagine AI to create visually appealing educational content without requiring professional video editing skills. Whether you need to animate diagrams, explain complex concepts, or produce short lessons, Grok Imagine helps make learning materials more engaging and accessible. The image to video feature is especially useful for converting static charts or images into dynamic, easily digestible lessons, while Grok Imagine Spicy Mode can be used to create engaging visuals for e-learning platforms.

Product Demos and Virtual Tours

For businesses showcasing products or offering virtual tours, Grok Imagine AI simplifies the process of creating detailed, interactive videos. Whether you’re displaying a product’s features or providing a virtual walkthrough, Grok Imagine helps you craft videos that are both informative and visually engaging. The ability to animate images to video allows for high-quality demonstrations of products, and the advanced rendering features like 360° shots and emotional close-ups elevate the experience, making it more immersive for potential customers.

Enhance Your Content Creation with Grok Imagine AI

Grok Imagine AI can create high-quality videos from text to video or images to video. With Grok Imagine Spicy Mode, users can enhance their videos with more vibrant colors and dynamic visual effects, adding extra flair to the final product. Whether for marketing, education, or personal projects, Grok Imagine AI simplifies the video creation process, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

Turnpike Troubadours Extend ‘Wild America’ Tour with New 2026 Dates

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Turnpike Troubadours are set to keep the momentum going well into next summer, announcing new dates for their Wild America Tour. The upcoming run includes stops at New York’s The Rooftop at Pier 17, Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Philadelphia’s The Met, and two nights at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth. Produced by Shooter Jennings, the band’s latest album, The Price of Admission, continues to make waves following its debut at No. 1 on multiple Billboard and iTunes charts. Fans can catch presales starting Wednesday, November 12, with general sales beginning Friday, November 14 at 10 a.m. local time.

In addition to their headlining shows, the band will reunite with Cross Canadian Ragweed for two special The Boys From Oklahoma co-headlining concerts at Stillwater’s Boone Pickens Stadium on April 11 and Lincoln’s Memorial Stadium on August 22. With collaborations from Ketch Secor, Dave Simonett, and John Fullbright, The Price of Admission reinforces Turnpike Troubadours’ reputation as one of America’s most vital bands. Fresh off their induction into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and recent appearances in Yellowstone and Landman, the group shows no signs of slowing down.

Tour Dates:
Jan 30 – Fort Worth, TX @ Billy Bob’s Texas
Jan 31 – Fort Worth, TX @ Billy Bob’s Texas
Feb 5 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia
Feb 6 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
Feb 7 – Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Feb 19 – Minneapolis, MN @ State Theatre
Feb 20 – Des Moines, IA @ Horizon Events Center
Feb 21 – Park City, KS @ Park City Arena
Mar 27 – West Valley City, UT @ Maverik Center
Mar 28 – Boise, ID @ Extra Mile Arena
Apr 11 – Stillwater, OK @ Boone Pickens Stadium
Jun 5 – New York, NY @ The Rooftop at Pier 17
Jun 6 – Asbury Park, NJ @ The Stone Pony Summer Stage
Jun 25–27 – Pendleton, OR @ Jackalope Jamboree
Aug 22 – Lincoln, NE @ Memorial Stadium

Paul Minnich Honors Sacrifice and Strength with New Single ‘American Valor’

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Paul Minnich returns with his powerful new single ‘American Valor,’ a heartfelt tribute to the men and women who serve and sacrifice for their country. The song explores both the visible and invisible toll of military life, honoring those who carry the emotional and physical weight of freedom. Opening with quiet reflection, Minnich sings directly to those who’ve endured the hardest goodbyes: “How many times have you said goodbye / closed your eyes and turned to cry / how many times have you had to say / I’m sorry to leave but I’ll be back someday.”

Inspired by his older brother’s years of service and the lasting impact it had on those around him, Minnich channels deep empathy through his songwriting. “Since I was 9 years old, I have watched my older brother leave his everyday life to serve in the military. Despite knowing he might not come home from deployment during war, he always carried himself with peace and grace,” he shares. “They all came home, but never quite the same. I have not walked into the darkness with these men and women, but the stories on their faces and the pain they bear inspired me to write ‘American Valor.’ It is my way of saying: I see you, I feel you, and we thank you.”

Through its steady melody and raw sincerity, ‘American Valor’ stands as both tribute and testimony. The chorus raises a quiet toast to those who have endured the unimaginable: “I didn’t walk a mile in your shoes / I don’t have to, to see through those dress blues / let me thank you and raise one tonight / we’ll fly our colors, the Red, Blue, and White.” The song’s closing bridge leaves listeners with a lasting message about the real cost of freedom and the heroes who bear it. ‘American Valor’ is available now on all streaming platforms.

Spencer Hatcher Brings Back True Country Spirit with Debut EP ‘Honky Tonk Hideaway’

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QHMG and Stone Country Records artist Spencer Hatcher steps into the spotlight with the release of his debut EP, ‘Honky Tonk Hideaway,’ a six-track collection that cements him as one of country music’s rising traditionalists. Praised by Billboard for his sound that “fits the ’90s-country revival that’s still turning heads,” the record serves as both a tribute to his heroes and a showcase of his own timeless storytelling. The EP captures the heart of honky-tonk life with rich pedal steel, soulful fiddle, and melodies made for both reflection and the dance floor.

The project kicks off with the fiery title track “Honky Tonk Hideaway,” written by Jeffrey Steele and Brice Long, an irresistible anthem about leaving your worries behind. Hatcher’s debut single “When She Calls Me Cowboy” continues to climb with its sultry groove and chart success, debuting as a Top 10 Most Added Song at U.S. Country Radio and staying strong on Taste of Country’s “Top 10 Video Countdown.” The EP rounds out with songs like “The Way She Lies,” praised by Saving Country Music as one of 2025’s best singles, and “Cold Beer and Common Sense,” a feel-good call for unity that blends classic country warmth with fresh perspective.

Produced by Jason Sellers, Ilya Toshinskiy, and Mickey Jack Cones, ‘Honky Tonk Hideaway’ delivers the perfect balance of nostalgia and new energy. Following a year of touring alongside Diamond Rio and Josh Turner, Hatcher keeps the momentum going with upcoming shows supporting Aaron Tippin in Winchester, plus headline dates in Savannah and Augusta. Fans can stream the full EP now and get ready to two-step their way into Spencer Hatcher’s world of modern country tradition.

Track Listing:

  1. Honky Tonk Hideaway (Jeffrey Steele, Brice Long)
  2. When She Calls Me Cowboy (Marv Green, Bart Butler, Tim Nichols)
  3. On the Inside (Dan Isbell, Jim Beavers, Bart Butler)
  4. Has Anybody Ever (Trea Landon, Michael Carter, Matt McKinney, Jordan Walker)
  5. The Way She Lies (Tim Owens, Derek George)
  6. Cold Beer and Common Sense (Michael Wilkes, Styles Haury, Jay Clementi, Lance Miller)

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Launches ‘Music Makes Us’ Podcast Hosted by Kathleen Hanna

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Today, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame unveiled the official audio trailer and hotly anticipated details of its brand new Music Makes Us podcast hosted by legendary artist Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill, Le Tigre). Season one features Hanna in conversation with revolutionary musicians about the things artists *really* want to talk about – perfect lyrics, unforgettable shows, treasured artifacts, and more. Bridging the stories of today with legends who came before, this funny, unfiltered podcast is a reminder of how music connects us all. The show is produced in partnership with Radiotopia from PRX and Talkhouse, two leading indie networks.

Listen to cultural icon Kathleen Hanna bringing her personal experience in the music industry, genuine curiosity, thoughtful dialogue and disarming sense of humor to unforgettable conversations with artists across generations and genres including Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Chaka Khan (2023) and Nancy Wilson of Heart (2013) + Laufey, Amy Taylor of Amyl and the Sniffers, Towa Bird and Paramore’s Hayley Williams.

Kathleen Hanna shares, “I wanted to sit down with the most exciting musicians on the planet to talk about their influences, weird behind-the-scenes moments and the music that made them. Everyone says their podcast is for you the listener and that’s true, but it’s also for me. By talking to other artists I’m being reminded of all the ways music can comfort us, fuel us and create community.”

New episodes of Music Makes Us will drop weekly on Tuesday starting November 18, available free across all major podcast platforms. Subscribe now!

Greg Harris, President & CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame said, “We’re excited to take a meaningful step into the space with this innovative partnership with both Radiotopia and Talkhouse. Through this podcast collaboration, we’re expanding the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s reach and reinforcing our commitment to innovating in how we celebrate and share music culture with the world.”

The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony took place on Saturday, Nov 8th at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, streamed live on Disney+, and is now streaming on Disney+ with a TV special set to air on New Year’s Day 2026, and stream on Hulu starting January 2, 2026. This year’s inductee class includes The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees includes Bad Company, Thom Bell, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Nicky Hopkins, Carol Kaye, Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Salt-N-Pepa, Soundgarden, Lenny Waronker, The White Stripes, and Warren Zevon.

Rod Stewart Keeps the Magic Alive with Extended ‘One Last Time’ 2026 Tour

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Sir Rod Stewart is proving that goodbyes can wait just a little longer. After spending 2024 and 2025 thrilling audiences around the globe with his farewell run, the British rock legend is keeping the celebration going with a fresh round of 2026 dates for his ‘One Last Time’ tour. Produced by Live Nation, the new leg kicks off March 13 in Uncasville, Connecticut, and continues through August, bringing Stewart’s iconic voice, charm, and endless catalog of hits to fans across North America.

Each night promises an unforgettable show filled with energy, nostalgia, and surprise moments. Select dates will feature special guests Howard Jones and Richard Marx, adding even more star power to the lineup. With stops at legendary venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Hollywood Bowl, and Jones Beach Theater, this extension gives fans one more chance to dance, sing, and celebrate the timeless legacy of Rod Stewart.

Tour Dates:
Thu Mar 13, 2026 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
Wed Apr 15, 2026 – Knoxville, TN – Food City Center %
Fri Apr 17, 2026 – Huntsville, AL – Orion Amphitheater %
Sun Apr 19, 2026 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion %
Wed Apr 22, 2026 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP %
Mon Jun 08, 2026 – Phoenix, AZ – Mortgage Matchup Center ^
Wed Jun 10, 2026 – Hollywood, CA – Hollywood Bowl ^
Fri Jun 12, 2026 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre ^
Mon Jun 15, 2026 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre ^
Fri Jun 19, 2026 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre ^
Fri Jul 31, 2026 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater ^
Sat Aug 01, 2026 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater ^
Sun Aug 09, 2026 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center ^
Tue Aug 11, 2026 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Arena ^
Sat Aug 15, 2026 – Kansas City, MO – Morton Amphitheater ^
% with Howard Jones
^ with Richard Marx