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Todd Rundgren Goes Solo On ‘Solo In Clearwater’ Live Release

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 21, 2026

Todd Rundgren Goes Solo On ‘Solo In Clearwater’ Live Release

Todd Rundgren strips it all back on ‘Solo In Clearwater,’ a live document of his bold 2003 solo tour, now making its physical debut on double colored vinyl and 2 CD. Originally released digitally in 2019 via Cleopatra Records, the set captures Rundgren alone on stage with guitars, samplers, piano, and backing tapes. No band. No safety net. Just songs and instinct.

Launching at the New Orleans House of Blues, the tour ran strictly solo across three dozen dates. Rundgren leaned into spontaneity, reshuffling his catalog in real time. “Some people feel I’m playing with pre-recorded music… or some nonsense,” he quipped. “I have the whole band standing by and ready to broadcast through this tiny little device.”

The performance moves from playful to poignant. “Hello, It’s Me” swerves with chaotic charm. “Song Of The Viking” lands like a vaudeville tongue twister. A ukulele-driven “Bang The Drum All Day” morphs into an “ancient Hawaiian war chant,” prompting a shout from the crowd. There is a bossa nova detour and a Marvin Gaye cover that flips expectations. “Hawking” delivers one of the most affecting moments of the night. The freedom is palpable.

Track Listing:

CD 1:

Love Of The Common Man
Cliche
Lysistra
I Don’t Want To Tie You Down
Hammer In My Heart
Compassion
Song Of The Viking
It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference
Free, Male and 21
Hello, It’s Me
Bang The Drum All Day
You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away

CD 2:

Tiny Demons
I Saw The Light
Influenza
Can We Still Be Friends?
I Want You
One World
The Wheel
Hawking

Seal Marks 30 Years Of ‘Seal I’ And ‘Seal II’ With ‘Purpose’ Concert Film

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 21, 2026

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Seal Marks 30 Years Of ‘Seal I’ And ‘Seal II’ With ‘Purpose’ Concert Film

Mercury Studios releases ‘Purpose: Celebrating 30 Years of the Classic Albums Seal I and Seal II,’ a concert film capturing Seal live at The Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas. The performance honors three decades since the arrival of his landmark albums ‘Seal’ and ‘Seal II.’ Presented in 4K UHD, Blu-ray, CD, and digital formats, the release frames a pivotal catalog with cinematic scale.

The ten-song setlist revisits era-defining tracks including “Crazy,” “Future Love Paradise,” “Killer,” and “Kiss From A Rose,” alongside deeper cuts and fan favorites. Trevor Horn joins the six-piece band as bassist and music director, reinforcing a partnership that shaped Seal’s sound. The performance moves with authority and focus. These songs still command the room.

“He is this mentor that I’ve spent the last 34 years looking up to. He knows me as an artist better than anyone else,” Seal shares. “Having him on tour caused me to bring a level of professionalism and discipline that I hadn’t had before.” That collaboration anchors the film’s emotional core.

Directed by Keirda Bahruth, the hour-plus documentary weaves concert footage with intimate interviews. Seal reflects on his first appearance on Top of the Pops and the lessons that sharpened his artistry.

Track Listing:

Crazy
The Beginning
Deep Water
Future Love Paradise
Bring It On
Prayer For The Dying
Killer
Kiss From A Rose
Get It Together
Love’s Divine

Pantera Captured In Ross Haflin Authorized Coffee Table Book

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 21, 2026

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Pantera Captured In Ross Haflin Authorized Coffee Table Book

Rufus Publications unveils a fully authorized coffee table book from legendary rock photographer Ross Haflin, documenting Pantera in uncompromising detail. With unrestricted access to the band on tour, backstage, and on days off, Haflin delivers a rare visual chronicle of metal at full throttle. This is a definitive portrait of one of the genre’s most influential forces.

The book pairs the current touring lineup with Haflin’s deep archive of the original four, including Dimebag Darrell Abbott and Vinnie Paul Abbott. The result is a powerful visual bridge between eras, capturing the intensity, brotherhood, and scale that define Pantera. The images hit with force. This is Pantera in the raw.

Presented as a massive A3 portrait format spanning more than 300 pages, the edition allows every frame room to breathe. It arrives in a diamond plate style embossed slipcase, built with the same weight as the band’s legacy. Only 666 numbered copies are available, each hand-signed by Philip Anselmo, Rex Brown, Charlie Benante, and Zakk Wylde.

Pantera remains one of heavy metal’s most successful bands, with more than 25 million albums sold worldwide. Their 1994 album ‘Far Beyond Driven’ debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, cementing their place in history. This new volume stands as a collector’s centerpiece, celebrating a band that continues to dominate stages across the globe.

Cheyenne Frontier Days Unveils 2026 Frontier Nights Lineup

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 21, 2026

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Cheyenne Frontier Days Unveils 2026 Frontier Nights Lineup

Cheyenne Frontier Days, the World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo and Western Celebration, rolls out its complete 2026 Frontier Nights lineup. The 130th PRCA Rodeo runs July 17-26 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, anchoring ten days of music, rodeo, and full-throttle Western culture. Frontier Nights stands as one of the most recognized stages in country music.

The series launches July 17 with Treaty Oak Revival and Jessie Murph, followed by Alex Warren on July 18. The Red Clay Strays and Wyatt Flores take July 19, with PRCA Xtreme Bulls charging in July 20-21. Riley Green and Trace Adkins headline July 22, Blake Shelton owns July 23, Hardy and Cameron Whitcomb land July 24, and Zach Top with Jo Dee Messina close July 25.

“The 2026 Frontier Nights is stacked with superstar power and fresh talent,” says Mike Wilkinson, Contract Acts Chairman. “We’re proud to bring together iconic headliners and rising stars for nights that will stay with our fans long after the lights go down. It’s one of our most dynamic lineups yet.” The scale speaks for itself.

Ticket options span night shows, rooftop access, Tunes on the Terrace, and Frontier Nights Fast Pass upgrades. Xtreme Bulls tickets are also available, alongside rodeo seats for the PRCA competition. The carnival midway returns with Carnival Americana and Fun Biz Concessions, plus the VIP Chuckwagon Experience. Cheyenne Frontier Days continues to set the standard for Western celebration at full volume.

Patty Griffin Expands 2026 Tour With Taj Mahal And Rickie Lee Jones

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 21, 2026

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Patty Griffin Expands 2026 Tour With Taj Mahal And Rickie Lee Jones

Patty Griffin brings her 2026 live run into focus with headline dates and special double bills alongside Taj Mahal and Rickie Lee Jones. The shows stretch across the Southwest, West Coast, and Pacific Northwest, carrying one of Americana’s most revered voices into some of the country’s most storied rooms. This is a songwriter’s tour built on depth, history, and songs that hold a room still.

The run continues a strong season of appearances, including Cayamo: A Journey Through Song and summer performances with Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit. Griffin’s presence on stage is steady and commanding. The response remains strong, a testament to a catalog that has shaped contemporary folk and Americana for more than three decades.

The tour celebrates her 11th studio album ‘Crown Of Roses,’ out now on PGM Recordings via Thirty Tigers. Produced by Craig Ross and featuring David Pulkingham and Michael Longoria, the eight-song collection moves between spare folk, gauzy Americana, and gospel blues textures. Standout tracks include “Born In A Cage,” “Long Time,” featuring backing vocals from Robert Plant, and “Way Up To The Sky.” The album lands with weight and resonance.

Patty Griffin 2026 Tour Dates:
Feb 22 – Menlo Park, CA @ The Guild Theatre
Feb 24 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
Feb 25 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
Feb 26 – Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre
Mar 13-20 – Miami, FL @ Cayamo: A Journey Through Song (Sold Out)
July 28 – Lenox, MA @ Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood
July 29 – Vienna, VA @ Filene Center at Wolf Trap

Ella Mai Returns With ‘Do You Still Love Me?’ Executive Produced By Mustard

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 21, 2026

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Ella Mai Returns With ‘Do You Still Love Me?’ Executive Produced By Mustard

Ella Mai’s third studio album ‘Do You Still Love Me?’ is out now. Executive produced by Mustard, the project locks into the chemistry that has defined some of modern R and B’s biggest moments. The artwork set the tone. The music delivers on it. This is a fully realized statement from a Grammy-winning artist operating at scale.

Mustard’s production anchors the record with precision and weight. Ella Mai moves through each track with control and depth, expanding her catalog with songs that feel immediate and lasting. The reaction has been loud and undeniable. ‘Do You Still Love Me?’ lands as a defining entry in her discography.

The album arrives alongside her “Did You Miss Me?” anniversary run, which brought her back to intimate rooms in London, the Netherlands, France, Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles. The connection felt direct and personal, a full-circle moment that sharpened the spotlight on this new era.

Ella Mai also celebrates the ninth anniversary of her 2016 EP ‘Change’ with an anniversary vinyl release, bridging the foundation of her early work with where she stands now. With visuals for “Little Things” and “Tell Her” extending the narrative, this chapter feels expansive, grounded, and fully in motion.

Country Thunder Wisconsin Returns With Keith Urban And Riley Green Leading The Charge

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 21, 2026

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Country Thunder Wisconsin Returns With Keith Urban And Riley Green Leading The Charge

Country Thunder, the largest country music festival brand in North America, unveils a powerhouse lineup for Country Thunder Wisconsin at Shadow Hill Ranch in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. The four-day takeover lands with headliners Gavin Adcock, The Red Clay Strays, Riley Green, and Keith Urban closing each night. This is the Midwest’s premier country gathering, built for scale and built to move.

The bill stretches across eras and styles. Gretchen Wilson, Ian Munsick, Nate Smith, and Shaboozey stack the weekend with chart power and fresh heat. Daytime sets spotlight George Birge, Mark Chesnutt, Dasha, Corey Kent, Cole Goodwin, and Gabriella Rose. The energy runs sunrise to encore. The lineup reads like a snapshot of country music right now.

Shadow Hill Ranch transforms into a full-scale country city. Camping culture stands shoulder to shoulder with the main stage, from Tent Camping to Crown Camping and Glamping options. Private campsite porta-potties elevate the experience, and weekend wristbands unlock the grounds. It is immersive, communal, and loud in all the right ways.

Tickets and premium packages are available now, with flexible payment plans starting at twenty dollars down. Momentum carries across the Country Thunder network, including Country Thunder Arizona, Country Thunder Saskatchewan, and Country Thunder Alberta. The brand’s international footprint keeps expanding. Country Thunder Wisconsin stands tall at the center of it all.

20 Songs That Light Up a Road Trip

Eric Alper

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Feb 21, 2026

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Windows down. Volume up. Snacks within reach. The highway stretches out like a promise and someone yells, “Play something good.” A great road trip playlist turns miles into memories and traffic into a dance floor. These 20 songs bring the energy, the singalongs, and the kind of choruses that feel bigger than the open road.

“Shut Up and Drive” – Rihanna
Punchy guitars and a pedal-to-the-floor hook. This one hits like merging onto the highway with perfect timing. Instant acceleration.

“Life Is a Highway” – Tom Cochrane
Built for long stretches of asphalt and skyline horizons. That chorus feels like it was engineered for shouting into the wind.

“Mr. Brightside” – The Killers
Windows down, everyone singing, nobody hitting the right notes. Pure road trip electricity.

“Go Your Own Way” – Fleetwood Mac
Sharp guitars and forward motion. It sounds like independence in motion.

“Levitating” – Dua Lipa
Disco-pop propulsion that makes even a gas station stop feel glamorous. Cruise control never sounded this good.

“Don’t Stop Believin'” – Journey
Small town energy, big sky payoff. That final chorus turns any car into a stadium.

“American Girl” – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Jangly freedom and endless horizon vibes. A song that feels like summer in motion.

“Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
The groove snaps instantly. Perfect for turning a straight highway into a rolling dance floor.

“Send Me On My Way” – Rusted Root
Whistle-ready and sun-soaked. It practically demands scenic detours.

“Born to Be Wild” – Steppenwolf
Motorcycle attitude without leaving your seat. The ultimate open-road anthem.

“Shake It Off” – Taylor Swift
Zero stress, maximum bounce. It turns traffic jams into choreography breaks.

“Take It Easy” – Eagles
Easygoing rhythm with desert highway spirit. The soundtrack to golden-hour driving.

“Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd
Neon pulse and late-night momentum. Ideal for city lights rushing past the windshield.

“On the Road Again” – Willie Nelson
Simple, direct, timeless. A reminder that the journey itself is the headline.

“September” – Earth, Wind and Fire
Bright horns and unstoppable joy. It turns the backseat into a party.

“Ride” – Twenty One Pilots
Atmospheric and steady. A soundtrack for long stretches of thought between exits.

“I Gotta Feeling” – The Black Eyed Peas
Built for group vocals and spontaneous memories. The night begins before you even arrive.

“Fast Car” – Tracy Chapman
Reflective and cinematic. Some road trip moments call for quiet miles and big feelings.

“Don’t Stop Me Now” – Queen
High-speed piano and pure momentum. It feels like the road is cheering you on.

“Good as Hell” – Lizzo
Confident, bold, unstoppable. The kind of anthem that makes every arrival feel triumphant.

Katseye Announce Manon Hiatus After Grammy Breakthrough

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 21, 2026

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Katseye Announce Manon Hiatus After Grammy Breakthrough

Global girl group Katseye have announced that Manon Bannerman will take a temporary hiatus to focus on her health and wellbeing. The 23-year-old Swiss singer shared a message with fans, confirming she is healthy and taking time to care for herself. The decision follows open and thoughtful conversations within the group and their team.

The announcement arrives just weeks after Katseye stepped onto the Grammy Awards stage in Los Angeles. The six-member act earned nominations for best new artist and best pop duo or group performance for “Gabriela.” Their rapid rise from reality competition origins to global awards recognition has moved at striking speed.

In a statement shared through their fan community, the group affirmed full support for Bannerman’s decision. Scheduled performances will continue during her absence. The message to their EYEKONS was direct and unified. Katseye remain committed to one another and to the audience that has fueled their ascent.

Formed in 2023 through The Debut: Dream Academy, Katseye have built momentum with the EPs ‘SIS (Soft Is Strong)’ and ‘Beautiful Chaos.’ Singles including “Gnarly” and “Gabriela” marked major chart milestones. The support for Manon has been immediate and global, a powerful reflection of the bond between artist and audience.

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 21, 2026

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Eric Dane, the actor known for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, has died at 53, nearly one year after publicly sharing his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His family confirmed he passed away surrounded by loved ones, including his daughters, Billie Beatrice and Georgia Geraldine.

In the days following his death, friends launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses and support the future needs of his two daughters. The fundraiser notes that Dane remained committed to raising awareness about ALS even as his health declined.

Shortly before his passing, Netflix released Dane’s episode of the documentary series Famous Last Words. The program features interviews recorded with the understanding they will only air after the subject’s death. In his conversation, Dane reflected on his life, career, struggles with addiction and his ALS diagnosis. He also recorded a direct message to his daughters, encouraging them to live fully, pursue their passions, value friendship and face hardship with dignity.

Dane’s ALS advocacy continued after his diagnosis, including efforts to support research and expand access to care. Organizations dedicated to ALS awareness have shared footage and statements highlighting his commitment to advancing treatment and funding initiatives.

He is survived by his daughters and his former spouse, Rebecca Gayheart.