Home Blog Page 292

Ever Wonder What’s In The Grammy Gift Bag? Here You Go.

0

Distinctive Assets, the Los Angeles based entertainment marketing company that turned celebrity gifting into a pop culture staple, returns as the Recording Academy’s exclusive talent gifting partner for an astounding 26th year. The company will once again produce the Grammy Gift Lounge along with the legendary Presenter and Performer Gift Bags, honoring the artists who power Music’s Biggest Night®. The tradition remains one of the most talked about rituals surrounding the awards.

“It is always a privilege to be even a small part of celebrating Music’s Biggest Night®,” said Lash Fary, founder of Distinctive Assets. “After all these years, it’s gratifying to see that what we do is still enjoyed so immensely by so many. The appeal is real, and our mission remains quite simple: to deliver fabulous gifts while embracing inclusivity and philanthropy.” The excitement surrounding the lounge reflects how deeply this experience resonates within the music community.

Hosted once again at Tom’s Watch Bar @ L.A. Live, the Grammy Gift Lounge will be open to presenters and performers during rehearsals. This year’s lounge features an expansive mix of pop culture, wellness, beauty, food, art, and philanthropy. The atmosphere celebrates creativity in every form, and the lineup of offerings underscores how thoughtfully curated this experience has become.

Talent will also receive a preassembled Grammy Gift Bag filled with items from a wide variety of best-in-class brands including AllTrack Performing Rights, AMISTAD  ̶  an imprint of HarperCollins, Amy Lane, Beekeeper’s Naturals, Beverly Hills Dental Arts, CB Grey, CHC ̶ Luxury Natural Candles, DESUAR Spa, Dr. Anna Frants,  Flaus, Good Girl Chocolate, Hasbro Games, Karma Nuts, K’lani, Manuka Health, Marleylilly, Music Connection, New Chapter, NOOD New York, Oner Active, PackIt, Sattaché, SkinnyDipped, Stanley 1913, TruFru, Universal Audio, Unplugs, Unreal Snacks, Victoria White, Vital Proteins and more.

The Grammy Awards take place Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The ceremony will broadcast live on CBS Television Network and stream live and on demand via Paramount+, marking another unforgettable night where music, culture, and celebration meet.

IBM And The Recording Academy Turn Music History Into Play With GRAMMY IQ

0

IBM, the Official Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Partner of the Grammy Awards for nearly a decade, has launched GRAMMY IQ built with IBM watsonx. The new experience transforms the Recording Academy’s deep archive of music industry data into interactive quizzes that invite fans to test their knowledge across genres and generations. It is designed to live across Grammys digital channels and encourage daily engagement through play.

“Our partnership with IBM continues to push the boundaries of how technology can celebrate and deepen the world’s connection to music,” said Adam Roth, Executive Vice President of Global Partnerships at the Recording Academy. “With GRAMMY IQ built with watsonx, we’re inviting fans and members everywhere to engage with music in more meaningful, interactive and inspiring ways.”

GRAMMY IQ features an AI assistant that generates questions, hints, and answer explanations using historical Grammys data. Built on watsonx technologies including IBM’s Granite 3.0 large language model, the platform supports leaderboards, sweepstakes, and social sharing. Top scores will appear on a dedicated GRAMMY IQ leaderboard, adding friendly competition to the experience.

“The Recording Academy and IBM are bringing fans closer to the music they love by leveraging AI with the Academy’s vast reserves of music industry data,” said Jonathan Adashek, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at IBM. The result is a smart, engaging way to explore music history that feels both informative and genuinely fun.

Beyond fan engagement, IBM will also collaborate with the GRAMMY Museum for the 2026 GRAMMY Awards to reimagine Musical Crossroads. The updated fourth floor experience uses watsonx to connect nearly 200 genres through artists, songs, photos, and interpretive text, creating a vibrant space where musical discovery feels intuitive and alive.

Martin Unveils Four New Flagship Instruments Ahead Of The 2026 NAMM Show

0

C. F. Martin & Co. today announced four new instruments debuting ahead of The 2026 NAMM Show: the Super D-18Super HD-28Martin O’ahu K-42 Hibiscus, and Custom Shop M Paisley Ember Burst. Following the recent launch of the refreshed Road Series, these additions mark another significant step forward for Martin in 2026, with one more major announcement planned during NAMM.

Super D-18 & Super HD-28

Super D 18
Super D 18
Super HD 28
Super HD 28
Martin O'ahu K 24 Hibiscus F
Martin O’ahu K 24 Hibiscus F
Custom M Paisley Ember Burst
Custom M Paisley Ember Burst

The Super D-18 and Super HD-28 build on the success of the Custom Shop Super D, Martin’s largest and most powerful body shape. With approximately 20% more internal air volume than a standard Dreadnought, the Super D delivers deeper bass, greater projection, and an extended dynamic range—while keeping the iconic silhouette intact. Acoustic testing showed gains of up to 12dB, offering more volume with less effort.

For 2026, Martin brings this groundbreaking body shape into the Standard Series for the first time, offering players Super D performance paired with classic 18- and 28-style appointments, with the Super D-18 (above) featuring solid spruce and genuine mahogany and the Super HD-28 (below) pairing solid spruce with East Indian rosewood—both powered by forward-shifted Golden Era scalloped X-bracing for exceptional responsiveness and tone.

Martin O’ahu K-42 Hibiscus

The K-42 Hibiscus expands the Martin O’ahu line with a design that reimagines the historic Kealakai-inspired body. A 12-fret body paired with a 14-fret neck—an unprecedented combination for Martin—shifts the bridge for added focus and projection. Broad-flamed koa back and sides, a reclaimed spruce top with a dark toasted burst, Style 42 appointments, Madagascar rosewood binding, and hibiscus fingerboard inlays make it visually striking and sonically rich. Limited to 100 instruments, it offers a blend of heritage, rarity, and modern craftsmanship.

Custom Shop M Paisley Ember Burst

Designed by Martin President and CEO Thomas Ripsam, the Custom Shop M Paisley Ember Burst features a custom Engelmann spruce top with a “Martin paisley” pattern incorporating historic snowflake and diamond motifs. Quilted maple back and sides and an Ember Burst finish create a unified, premium aesthetic. Forward-shifted Golden Era scalloped bracing produces clear, articulate tone, while flamed maple binding, abalone inlays, Waverly gold tuners, L.R. Baggs Anthem electronics, and a hand-signed label elevate this one-year limited model for players and collectors.

A Strong Start to 2026

Following the recent launch of the refreshed Road Series, the debut of these four new instruments continues Martin’s strong start to 2026 and sets the stage for a standout showing at this year’s NAMM Show.

For more information, visit martinguitar.com.

My Legacy Podcast Returns With New Season Debuting On MLK Day

0

 iHeartMedia, the Martin Luther King III Foundation and Legacy+ today announced the return of the award-winning My Legacy podcast with a powerful new season debuting on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Hosted by Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, Marc Kielburger and Craig Kielburger, the iHeartPodcast series continues its mission of exploring what it means to live a life of purpose, responsibility, and impact in an increasingly divided world. Fans can listen to a special episode leading up to the new season now HERE.

The new season opens with a special MLK Day episode, featuring conversations on Dr. King with notable figures including John Legend, Larry Wilmore, Laura Coates, Jemele Hill and Martin Sheen, reflecting on stewardship, moral courage, and the evolving meaning of legacy today. Each guest will be joined by a loved one or trusted confidante who knows them best—family members, friends and mentors—offering new perspectives on the trials, triumphs and truths behind their incredible journeys.

At a time of deep social tension and cultural reckoning, My Legacy invites listeners to slow down, reflect, and consider how the values we inherit are carried forward through everyday choices and actions. New episodes will be available on Tuesdays.

“Legacy is not static,” said Martin Luther King III. “It demands participation. It requires us to show up with courage, humility, and a willingness to serve something larger than ourselves.”

Arndrea Waters King added, “Legacy is not something we preserve. It’s something we practice. This season is about the everyday choices that shape who we become and how we show up for one another—especially when the work is uncomfortable or unseen.”

As co-hosts, Marc Kielburger and Craig Kielburger see My Legacy as a space for both reflection and action.

“In a world that rewards speed and outrage, My Legacy makes room for something rarer: reflection, asking better questions about who we are becoming and the responsibility that comes with influence, leadership, and love,” said Marc Kielburger.

Craig Kielburger added, “Legacy is built through the quiet, daily choices no one is watching.”

In the past season, My Legacy has featured intimate conversations with an extraordinary range of cultural, civic, and spiritual leaders, including Gloria Steinem, Tiffany Haddish, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Brittney Griner, Sophia Bush, Rev. Michael Beckwith, Simon Sinek, Deepak Chopra,  Mel Robbins, Dave Asprey, Billy Porter, Jay Shetty, and more. These conversations go beyond public personas to explore resilience, faith, justice, leadership, and the personal cost of living with integrity.

The upcoming season builds on that foundation with new episodes designed to create space for depth rather than soundbites. Rather than chasing headlines, the series prioritizes thoughtful dialogue about the inner and outer work required to lead meaningful lives.

Upcoming episodes will feature conversations with Bryan Stevenson, Natalie Portman, Jurnee Smollett, Dr. Gabor Maté, and Zarna Garg and others, with additional guests to be announced throughout the season.

The co-produced “My Legacy” podcast joins the ‘Realize the Dream’ initiative to foster unity and empower communities across America – a movement inspired by the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision to create a society rooted in peace, justice, equality and love for all.  As part of the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy, iHeart awarded a $5 million Spotlight Media Grant in 2025 to ‘Realize the Dream’ to help inspire communities across the U.S. to perform 100 million hours of service before the 100th anniversary of Dr. King’s birth on January 15, 2029. iHeart will continue to support Realize the Dream in 2026, with expanded messaging designed to engage even more listeners nationwide and inspire community participation.

My Legacy is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is available on the iHeartRadio app and all major podcast platforms.

About The Hosts:
Martin Luther King III is a global human rights advocate and the eldest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. A champion for nonviolence and social justice, he has inspired millions, advised heads of state, and led civil rights initiatives on nearly every continent. Martin served two terms on the Fulton County Board of Commissioners before leading the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which was founded by his father. He continues his father’s legacy through his work with the Drum Major Institute, focusing on poverty, racism and militarism.

Arndrea Waters King is president of the Drum Major Institute and a passionate advocate for social justice and equality. She organized the first National Conference on Hate Crimes and Hate Violence, partnering with over one hundred national organizations. Arndrea’s work with the Center for Democratic Renewal (formerly known as the National Anti-Klan Network) and civil rights icon Dr. C.T. Vivian, a lieutenant of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., has been instrumental in advancing civil rights. She coauthored When Hate Comes to Town: Faith-Based Edition and has written numerous articles and publications. She has spoken before mass crowds as a champion of democracy, justice and human dignity.

Marc Kielburger is a New York Times bestselling author, Harvard graduate, Rhodes Scholar and Oxford-trained lawyer. With thirty years as a movement builder and social entrepreneur, he’s collaborated with leaders like Oprah Winfrey and brands like Virgin Group, headlining over 130 live events to inspire millions. A member of the Order of Canada and recipient of ten honorary doctorates, Marc has been named Canada’s Most Admired CEO in the public sector.

Craig Kielburger is a New York Times bestselling author, humanitarian and social entrepreneur. An expert at driving movements for scalable social change and building mission-driven brands, he co-founded Legacy+ with his brother. Craig has received the Nelson Mandela Human Rights Award, the World Children’s Prize and is a member of the Order of Canada. He holds fifteen honorary doctorates and remains a leading voice in global social change.

Lucy Kitchen Announces New Album ‘In The Low Light’ And UK Tour

0

UK singer-songwriter Lucy Kitchen has announced her forthcoming third album ‘In The Low Light’, set for release on 27 February 2026 via Bohemia Rose Records and Make My Day Records. Alongside the announcement, she has shared the album’s latest single “The Boatman,” out now, and confirmed a run of UK tour dates leading into the release. The new record follows a period of reflection and creative renewal, marking a deeply personal chapter in her songwriting.

“The Boatman” signals a return to Kitchen’s traditional folk roots after recent explorations into alt-folk and alt-country. Built with careful restraint, the song grows from hushed verses into a sweeping full-band climax, enriched by birdsong recordings and the warm, vintage tones of a Hammond organ. “I wanted to write what felt like an old folk song,” Kitchen says. “I like how it’s a grief song but also feels slightly defiant in the face of death.” The track expands on an earlier acoustic version released on her ‘The Stabal Sessions’ EP, reimagined here with greater scale and intensity.

Written following the death of her husband in October 2022, ‘In The Low Light’ explores themes of loss, memory, and transformation, while leaving space for gratitude and renewal. Drawing on hypnotic folk, subtle Americana, and the influence of 1970s singer-songwriters, the album reflects how creativity became a means of survival and reconnection. “Making this album re-built me more than anything else,” Kitchen shares, describing the recording process as a return to herself and the joy of collaboration.

With two previous albums already released on her own label and a growing reputation for emotive songwriting and evocative vocals, Lucy Kitchen continues to build a body of work grounded in honesty and quiet resilience. ‘In The Low Light’ stands as a testament to making something meaningful from loss, and the upcoming tour offers audiences an early opportunity to experience these songs in an intimate live setting.

Lucy Kitchen UK Tour Dates:
26 February – Medina Books, Cowes
1 March – Heartbreakers, Southampton (full band album launch show)
12 March – Cafe #9, Sheffield
14 March – Music Room, London (full band show)
3 April – Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds

Baby Condor Reflect On Change And Memory With New Single “Seventeen”

0

Dutch brother duo Baby Condor return with their new single “Seventeen,” a reflective and richly textured track exploring memory, growth, and the uneasy passage of time. Blending pop, country, folk, and indie influences with orchestral warmth and vintage production touches, the song continues the duo’s commitment to crafting timeless, soul-led music rooted in storytelling and emotional clarity.

Written, arranged, produced, and recorded entirely by brothers Nolle Groen and Beinte Groen in their self-built Mermaid Studio, “Seventeen” is defined by its handmade approach, from analogue effects to custom-built gear. “‘Seventeen’ is about how the world is changing faster than anyone can keep up with,” Nolle Groen explains, reflecting on growing up and holding onto humanity amid constant motion. Featuring live strings, horns, layered harmonies, and organic instrumentation, the track draws inspiration from classic songcraft while remaining grounded firmly in the present.

Maddox Batson Announces 46-Date Live Worldwide Tour For 2026

0

Billboard’s youngest male artist to appear on 21 Under 21, Maddox Batson, announces his 46-show world tour. The Maddox Batson Live Worldwide Tour 2026 kicks off in the United States before heading to Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway and Sweden. 

“A lot of people might not remember I got my start on TikTok Live, so this tour name is a nod to those early days,” Batson shares. “We love bringing our live shows to fans – it’s crazy to me that it now means we’re playing around the world. What a blessing to share this journey and new music with y’all!”

Batson’s 2026 tour will donate $1.00 from every North American ticket sold to Music Will, the largest music education nonprofit program for schools in the United States. Through its innovative modern band curriculum, Music Will expands student participation in school music programs and helps drive long-term academic, social and emotional growth.

Citi is the official card of the Live Worldwide Tour in the United States. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, November 11 at 12 p.m. local time until Thursday, November 13 at 10 p.m. local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.

Baylee Lynn, Jenna Davis, Just Jayne and Timmy McKeever will support Batson’s 2026 tour on various dates.

Batson recently wrapped his 29-city I Need A Truck Tour along with supporting Lainey Wilson’s Whirlwind Tour on select dates.

Hailed as  “A young star, new on the country charts already striking a chord and hitting all the right notes” by NBC Nightly News, Batson recently released the upbeat, sentimental track “Coincidence” in September via Prosper Entertainment / Warner Records. 

The 15-year-old also released “No More,” a powerful track that taps into heartbreak and healing with a combination of grit, vulnerability and raw emotional delivery. Fueled by a hook-heavy chorus and defiant lyrics, “No More” highlights Batson’s continued evolution as both a songwriter and performer.

Forbes praises Batson’s stage presence, stating “It’s not only his lyrics and relatable subject matter that’s captured the hearts of young fans, it’s his engaging, high-energy personality that shines through every live performance, music video, and interaction with everyone he meets.” 

Following a breakout year that included his Grand Ole Opry debut and a high-profile appearance at Stagecoach, Maddox Batson continues to raise the bar for his young professional career.

Maddox Batson Live Worldwide Tour 2026 Routing:
Feb. 17  |  Ft. Lauderdale, FL  |  Revolution Live
Feb. 18  |  St. Petersburg, FL  |  Jannus Live
Feb. 20  |  Atlanta, GA  |  Coca-Cola Roxy
Feb. 21  |  Augusta, GA  |  Bell Auditorium
Feb. 22  |  Macon, GA  |  Macon City Auditorium
Feb. 28  |  Allentown, PA  |  Archer Music Hall
March 1  |  Montclair, NJ  |  The Wellmont Theater
March 4  |  Stamford, CT  |  The Palace Theatre
March 6  |  Syracuse, NY  |  Landmark Theater
March 7  |  Schenectady, NY  |  Proctors Theatre
March 8  | Providence, RI  |  The Strand Ballroom & Theatre
March 11  |  Montreal, QC  |  Beanfield Theatre
March 12  |  Toronto, ON  |  The Danforth Music Hall
March 14  |  Buffalo, NY  |  Buffalo Riverworks
March 15  |  Cleveland, OH  |  The Agora
March 18  |  Detroit, MI  |  Royal Oak Music Theatre
March 20  |  Chicago, IL  |  The Salt Shed
March 21  |  Madison, WI  |  The Sylvee
March 22  |  Minneapolis, MN  |  The Fillmore Minneapolis
March 26  | Calgary, AB  |  Grey Eagle Event Centre
March 28  |  Vancouver, BC  |  Vogue Theatre
March 31  |  Portland, OR  |  Crystal Ballroom
April 1  |  Seattle, WA  |  The Showbox
April 3  |  Sacramento, CA  |  Channel 24
April 4  |  San Francisco, CA  |  The Fillmore
April 8  |  Los Angeles, CA  |  The Wiltern
April 11  | San Diego, CA  |  The Observatory North Park
April 16  |  Salt Lake City, UT  |  The Complex
April 18  |  Phoenix, AZ  |  The Van Buren
April 19  |  Albuquerque, NM  |  Revel Entertainment Center 
April 22  |  Austin, TX  |  ACL Live at The Moody Theater 
April 24  |  Houston, TX  |  Bayou Music Center
April 26  |  Tulsa, OK  |  Cain’s Ballroom 
April 29  |  St. Louis, MO  |  The Factory at The District 
May 3  |  Nashville, TN  |  The Pinnacle 
May 12  |  Dublin, IE  |  3Olympia Theatre
May 13  |  Glasgow, UK  |  SWG3 Galvanizers
May 15  |  Manchester, UK  |  Manchester Academy 2
May 16  |  London, UK  |  O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
May 19  |  Cologne, DE  |  Die Kantine
May 20  |  Amsterdam, NL  |  Paradiso Amsterdam
May 21  |  Hamburg, DE  |  Gruenspan
May 23  |  Oslo, NO  |  Vulkan Arena
May 24  |  Stockholm, SE  |  Fryshuset Klubben

Barry Manilow Shares New “Once Before I Go” Video As Farewell Dates Near

0

Multi-award-winning icon Barry Manilow has released a new music video for his latest single “Once Before I Go,” filmed at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, home to his long-running residency. Directed by Jamie Thraves, the cinematic clip sees Manilow portraying a performer who sacrifices the comforts of a traditional family life to pursue a lifelong calling on stage, mirroring the emotional weight of the song as it continues to climb the charts.

“Once Before I Go” was produced by Kenneth Edmonds, also known as Babyface, alongside Demonte Posey, and written by Peter Allen and Dean Pitchford. The video’s release coincides with Manilow’s upcoming farewell performances across nine US cities, marking his final concerts in each market and offering audiences a last chance to experience his legendary live show.

These performances arrive amid a career still defined by creative range and cultural impact. Alongside record-breaking runs in Las Vegas and historic appearances at Radio City Music Hall, Manilow’s Broadway musical Harmony earned recognition as a New York Times Critic’s Pick, while his Manilow Music Project continues to support music education nationwide. In April 2026, he will also receive the American Advertising Federation’s President’s Award, honoring his lasting influence through some of the most recognizable commercial jingles in advertising history.

Niko Moon Expands Good Time Charleston Into Two-Day Good Times Fest

0

Multi-platinum country artist Niko Moon has announced the return of his Good Time Charleston event, expanding it into the newly launched Good Times Fest, set for May 23–24 at The Refinery in Charleston, South Carolina. The two-day event transforms the longtime celebration into a full festival experience, featuring special guests Uncle Kracker, The Wailers, The 502s, Artikal Sound System, and more, with Moon headlining both nights.

Taking place during Mental Health Awareness Month, Good Times Fest is designed around themes of connection, positivity, and well-being. Alongside live performances, the weekend will include family-friendly activities, food trucks, and community-focused experiences, creating a welcoming environment for fans of all ages.

The announcement follows the recent expansion of Moon’s 2026 American Palm Tour, celebrating the release of ‘American Palm Deluxe’, which includes new tracks “Breathe” and “Bare Feet In The Sand.” The 17-date headline run launches January 29, 2026, in Oklahoma City and continues through major North American markets, extending the laid-back, feel-good world Moon has built around the American Palm era.

Dream Theater Share “Night Terror” Live Video Ahead Of Paris Concert Film

0

Fresh off their fourth career Grammy nomination, progressive metal veterans Dream Theater have released a live performance video for “Night Terror,” nominated for Best Metal Performance. The track is taken from their 2025 album ‘Parasomnia’ and serves as a preview of the upcoming concert film and live album ‘Quarantième: Live à Paris’, recorded during the band’s sold-out 40th Anniversary Tour stop at Adidas Arena in Paris.

The release follows a landmark year for the band’s reunited lineup of James LaBrie, John Petrucci, John Myung, Jordan Rudess, and Mike Portnoy, which included a new studio album, a global headline tour, and renewed momentum across generations of fans. “We are truly humbled and grateful to receive our fourth Grammy nomination,” the band shared, reflecting on the personal significance of “Night Terror” and the continued recognition from the Recording Academy after four decades together.