Evergreen High School’s Instrumental Department just delivered one of the more genuinely thrilling cover performances you’ll find on YouTube right now, tearing through Dennis Coffey’s 1971 funk classic “Scorpio” with raw, uninhibited energy that goes well beyond what anyone has a right to expect from a high school ensemble, complete with a wild drum solo that earns every second of its spotlight.
Playboy’s 1979 Roller Disco & Pajama Party TV Special Is a Full-On Disco Era Time Capsule
Playboy’s ‘Roller Disco & Pajama Party,’ the complete 1979 TV special, is exactly what it sounds like and then some: a gloriously over-the-top snapshot of the disco era at full fever pitch, with Hugh Hefner hosting a night of roller skating, sequins, and late-70s excess that could only have existed in that one specific moment in American cultural history.
David Allan Coe, the Outlaw’s Outlaw, Who Gave Country Music “Take This Job and Shove It,” Dead at 86
David Allan Coe died on April 29, 2026, at the age of 86, in an intensive care unit. His widow Kimberly confirmed the news to Rolling Stone. “One of the best singers, songwriters, and performers of our time and never to be forgotten,” she wrote. “My husband, my friend, my confidant and my life for many years.” No cause of death was immediately provided.
Coe was one of country music’s most contradictory and compelling figures, a man who lived most of the outlaw life that others only sang about. Born September 6, 1939, in Akron, Ohio, he spent much of his youth in reform schools and correctional facilities before arriving in Nashville in 1967, parking a hearse in front of the Ryman Auditorium and busking on the street. He caught the ear of producer Shelby Singleton and signed to Plantation Records, launching a career built entirely on his own impossible-to-categorize terms.
His songwriting legacy arrived before his performing career caught up. Tanya Tucker took his “Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone)” to number one in 1973, making him one of Nashville’s most in-demand writers overnight. His own recording of “You Never Even Called Me by My Name,” co-written by Steve Goodman and an uncredited John Prine, became a jukebox perennial in 1975, a track that managed simultaneously to honor and gently mock the entire country tradition. Then came “Take This Job and Shove It,” which Johnny Paycheck took to number one in 1977 and which lodged a phrase permanently into the American vocabulary. That song was entirely Coe’s creation, and the fact that Paycheck got most of the credit fed a bitterness Coe carried for years.
His own performing peaks came in the early 1980s. “The Ride,” a ballad about a hitchhiker’s encounter with the ghost of Hank Williams, cracked the top five in 1983. “Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile” reached number two in 1984, his highest chart position as a performer. Through it all, his image, the rhinestone suits, the Lone Ranger mask, the long hair and braided beard, the Harley Davidson on stage, the hearse in the parking lot, kept him at arm’s length from the country mainstream even as his songs were everywhere. He shared stages with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Johnny Cash and was described by Jennings in his autobiography as “the most sincere of the bunch,” while simultaneously being told to knock off the grandstanding.
His legacy carries real complications. Two independently released albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s contained material widely condemned for its use of racial slurs and misogynistic content. Coe consistently maintained the songs were intended as parody, citing his friendship with Shel Silverstein as the inspiration. The debate never fully resolved, and it shadowed his reputation for the rest of his career.
In later years, Coe recorded ‘Rebel Meets Rebel’ with Pantera’s Dimebag Darrell, Vinnie Paul, and Rex Brown, appeared in Johnny Cash’s “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” video, collaborated with Kid Rock, and kept playing over 300 shows a year well into his eighties. His son Tyler Mahan Coe created the celebrated country music podcast Cocaine & Rhinestones. Coe is survived by his wife Kimberly and his children. He was 86, and he was, as Stephen Thomas Erlewine once wrote, “none more outlaw.”
The Testaments: A Powerful New Chapter in a Dystopian World
By Mitch Rice
The upcoming television series The Testaments is one of the most highly anticipated releases in modern television. Serving as a sequel to the critically acclaimed The Handmaid’s Tale, this new adaptation is based on the novel by Margaret Atwood. With a fresh perspective, new characters, and a deeper exploration of the dystopian world of Gilead, The Testaments promises to captivate audiences once again while expanding on an already powerful narrative.
Expanding the World of Gilead
The Testaments is not merely a continuation of the original story—it is a carefully crafted expansion of the universe that fans have come to know. While The Handmaid’s Tale focused largely on the experiences of adult women trapped within Gilead’s oppressive system, the new series shifts its attention to a younger generation. You can watch this series on Hulu in Canada.
Set several years after the events of its predecessor, the story explores how children raised within Gilead grow up under strict rules, constant surveillance, and deeply ingrained ideology. This shift in focus allows the show to examine how authoritarian systems sustain themselves over time by shaping the beliefs and identities of the next generation.
By presenting the perspective of those who have never known life outside Gilead, The Testaments adds a new layer of psychological and emotional depth to the narrative.
A Story of Identity and Awakening
At the heart of the series are two central characters: Agnes and Daisy. Agnes has been raised within Gilead, taught to accept its rigid structure and values as normal. Daisy, on the other hand, comes from outside Gilead and represents a completely different worldview.
Their contrasting backgrounds create a compelling dynamic that drives the story forward. When their lives intersect, both characters are forced to confront uncomfortable truths about the world they live in.
Agnes begins to question the beliefs she has been taught since childhood, while Daisy struggles to understand the complexity and danger of Gilead’s society. Their journey is not only about survival but also about self-discovery and resistance.
The narrative explores how individuals begin to challenge authority, even when they have been conditioned to accept it. This theme of awakening is central to the series and resonates strongly in today’s world.
The Role of Aunt Lydia
A significant highlight of The Testaments is the return of Aunt Lydia, portrayed once again by Ann Dowd. Aunt Lydia is one of the most complex and controversial figures in the franchise, known for her strict enforcement of Gilead’s rules.
In this new series, her character is expected to evolve further. While she continues to hold a position of power, The Testaments delves deeper into her motivations and internal conflicts. This exploration adds nuance to her character, making her more than just an antagonist.
Her presence also connects the new story to the original series, providing continuity while allowing for fresh developments.
Themes That Resonate
Like its predecessor, The Testaments tackles heavy and thought-provoking themes. However, it does so through a slightly different lens. The focus on younger characters allows the series to explore how ideology is taught, absorbed, and eventually challenged.
One of the central themes is indoctrination. The show examines how systems of power maintain control by shaping the beliefs of individuals from an early age. It raises important questions about free will, morality, and the influence of environment on personal identity.
Another key theme is resistance. Even in a society designed to suppress individuality, the human spirit finds ways to push back. The friendship between Agnes and Daisy becomes a symbol of hope, demonstrating that connection and solidarity can spark change.
The series also explores the idea of truth—how it is hidden, manipulated, and ultimately revealed. As the characters uncover secrets about Gilead, they begin to see the cracks in the seemingly unbreakable system.
A New Generation of Characters
One of the most exciting aspects of The Testaments is its introduction of a new cast of characters. While familiar faces provide continuity, the story largely belongs to a younger generation navigating a complex and dangerous world.
These characters represent different perspectives within Gilead. Some fully embrace the system, believing in its ideals, while others quietly question its legitimacy. This diversity of viewpoints adds richness to the narrative and allows the show to explore multiple facets of life in Gilead.
The interactions between these characters create tension, drama, and emotional depth, making the story engaging on both a personal and societal level.
Visual Storytelling and Atmosphere
One of the defining features of The Handmaid’s Tale was its striking visual style, and The Testaments is expected to continue that tradition. The series uses carefully crafted imagery, color palettes, and cinematography to convey the mood and themes of the story.
The world of Gilead is portrayed as both beautiful and terrifying—a place where order and control mask underlying cruelty. This contrast enhances the emotional impact of the narrative, drawing viewers deeper into the story.
The attention to detail in costume design, set construction, and overall aesthetic helps bring the world to life, making it feel both immersive and unsettling.
Why The Testaments Stands Out
In an era where many television shows rely on familiar formulas, The Testaments stands out because of its depth and relevance. It is not just a sequel—it is a meaningful continuation that builds on the themes of its predecessor while introducing new ideas.
The series reflects real-world concerns about power, control, and freedom, making it more than just entertainment. It encourages viewers to think critically about the systems that shape society and the role individuals play within them.
By focusing on a younger generation, the show also highlights the importance of awareness and education. It suggests that change begins with questioning and understanding, even in the most restrictive environments.
There are many upcoming tv shows which you can watch on YouTube TV in Canada.
Final Thoughts
The Testaments is shaping up to be a powerful and thought-provoking addition to the world of television. With its compelling characters, rich storytelling, and exploration of complex themes, it promises to leave a lasting impact on audiences.
Whether you are a fan of The Handmaid’s Tale or new to this dystopian universe, The Testaments offers a gripping narrative that is both emotionally engaging and intellectually stimulating.
As anticipation continues to build, one thing is clear: The Testaments is not just continuing a story—it is expanding a legacy.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.
Are We Witnessing a Shift Towards Greater Theatricality in Music?
By Mitch Rice
Theatricality has always played a huge role in music, with the likes of Kiss, David Bowie, and Slipknot all using it in different ways. Now, in the modern entertainment market, there’s the potential to expand on what’s come before and for bands to create their own immersive experience for listeners.
By crossing over with other forms of entertainment and leveraging different forms of tech, theatricality can be a powerful tool for bands to bring fans into a new world.
Modern Acts Have the Opportunity for Entertainment Crossovers
Music may exist as a completely separate medium from films and games, but that doesn’t stop listeners from wanting a story that they can get into. Ever since the emergence of music videos in the 1980s, musicians have been connecting their songs with a narrative.
Now, there’s even more potential for entertainment crossovers beyond the classic music video. Online casino games show how this can be done, with the Huff N Even More Puff Grand slot acting as an interesting example. The game takes an iconic fairytale and modernises it with new ideas, then combines that with the fast-paced gameplay of online slots. In the past, slot machines didn’t have a narrative, but games like this show it’s possible to take players into the world of stories.
The same thing can be done with music now. Today’s bands have the chance to create immersive digital worlds that fans can get lost in. There’s the potential for entertainment crossovers with gaming, where musicians can appear as avatars.
Some bands have shown how they can develop complex lore now, with Ghost famous for having an entire mythology based around their frontman personas. Bring Me the Horizon has also used a lot of visual storytelling and multimedia elements to turn their content into a multi-layered experience, putting this all together into a concert film.
Potential to Create Immersive Worlds for Listeners
Virtual reality is another tool that could soon transform the way people experience music, and bands that have already embraced multimedia and theatricality may be preparing for this. Sleep Token already has a complex mythology that they’ve been developing for years, with each release adding another layer to the story. Indeed, each piece of music they release acts as an offering to an ancient deity called Sleep.
Once VR becomes more commonplace and adopted by musicians, bands like Sleep Token can use it to expand on what they’ve already created. Listeners could be transported into the world of the songs, where they get to take part in giving the offerings to Sleep themselves. Other bands that rely on theatricality could leverage VR as well, offering it as a means of discovery, with fans diving in and potentially looking around for new content.
Aside from being able to blend with other forms of entertainment with crossovers, the rise of theatricality in recent years could be due to mystery. To stand out in a saturated market, some musicians are turning to anonymity and creative costume designs to spark interest and get people talking.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.
Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox Hosts Star-Studded Birdi Celebrity Golf Invitational Benefiting Folds of Honor
Gary LeVox is bringing music, patriotism, and purpose to the fairway. The Rascal Flatts lead vocalist and co-founder of premium performance eyewear brand Birdi will host the Birdi Celebrity Golf Invitational on August 11 at Old Hickory Country Club in Old Hickory, Tennessee, presented by Hard Rock and benefiting Folds of Honor, the organization that provides educational scholarships to the families of fallen and disabled military service members and first responders.
The event goes well beyond a golf tournament. Guests get 18 holes alongside celebrity players, premium hospitality, exclusive gifting, and a post-round guitar pull-style live music performance and awards dinner, with silent and live auctions expected to drive significant scholarship funding. “I have deep respect for our armed forces and am extremely grateful for all the hard work and dedication,” says LeVox. “I am excited to be partnering with Hard Rock as our presenting sponsor as we collectively join forces to acknowledge the great men and women who fight for our country.” The event arrives as the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary on July 4, making the occasion carry even more cultural weight.
Ryan Hamilton Returns With “Dreaming Screaming” and Announces New Album ‘Haunted By American Dreams’
Ryan Hamilton is back with his first new music in over three years, and he’s not easing into it. “Dreaming Screaming,” out now across all digital platforms, is a roots-leaning, guitar-driven track that channels the road-worn energy of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers while staying firmly in Hamilton’s own songwriting voice. The single also launches pre-orders for his forthcoming full-length ‘Haunted By American Dreams,’ arriving July 3 on Wicked Cool Records.
“It explores the cost of chasing a dream past its breaking point,” Hamilton says of the track, “when ambition erodes mental health and pulls you from family.” Driving instrumentation, introspective lyricism, and sharp hooks make “Dreaming Screaming” a strong opening statement for an album that promises hard truths delivered with warmth and melodic clarity.
Carly Simon’s ‘Anticipation’ Gets Its First-Ever 45RPM Audiophile Reissue From Mobile Fidelity
Carly Simon’s 1971 sophomore album ‘Anticipation’ arrives in definitive form this May. Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab has announced a strictly limited 180g 45RPM 2LP reissue of the gold-certified classic, sourced from the original master tapes and pressed to just 3,000 numbered copies. It marks the first time ‘Anticipation’ has been presented in audiophile-grade 45RPM sound, and it’s available to order May 1.
The reissue was sourced from the original quarter-inch/15 IPS Dolby A analog master to DSD 256 to analog console to lathe, pressed at Fidelity Record Pressing in California, and housed in a Stoughton gatefold jacket. The wider grooves of the 45RPM format bring out the full richness of the album’s spare soft guitars, mellow orchestration, and dreamy melodies, with Andy Newmark’s drumming sounding dynamic and balanced throughout, and Simon’s vocal investment in every lyric rendered with genuine intimacy.
Released before the singer-songwriter movement reached full bloom, ‘Anticipation’ stands as a courageous, deeply personal statement. Simon drew from her own experiences, including her relationship with Cat Stevens in the lead-up to recording, crafting songs of honesty, romantic yearning, and hard-won identity. The Grammy-nominated title track, written in just 15 minutes while Simon waited for Stevens to pick her up for a date, captures the record’s core in one extraordinary song. From the soulful “Legend in Your Own Time” to her cover of Kris Kristofferson’s “I’ve Got to Have You,” the album’s emotional directness remains remarkable more than 50 years on.
Simon would reach international fame with ‘No Secrets,’ but as this reissue makes clear, the rest of the world was simply catching up. Limited to 3,000 copies, order opens May 1.
‘Anticipation’ Track Listing:
Side One:
Anticipation
Legend in Your Own Time
Side Two:
Our First Day Together
The Girl You Think You See
Summer’s Coming Around Again
Side Three:
Share the End
The Garden
Side Four:
Three Days
Julie Through the Glass
I’ve Got to Have You

