Finnish bluegrass band Steve ‘n’ Seagulls flip Iron Maiden’s “The Number of the Beast” into an up-tempo bluegrass celebration that somehow makes heavy metal hellfire feel downright cheerful. The Seagulls transform one of metal’s biggest classics into something entirely different in the backyard of their nest, proving that bluegrass energy can tackle any genre with infectious joy and technical skill that makes the reimagining work beautifully.
Jazz Keyboardist Larry Goldings Masters Deep Purple’s “Highway Star” In Two Hours After First Listen
Musician Kevin Castro of Pianote challenged legendary jazz keyboardist Larry Goldings to learn a song completely outside his wheelhouse as quickly as possible, selecting Deep Purple’s “Highway Star” for the experiment. Goldings tackled the rock classic note for note, absorbing its driving energy and breaking down each section before mastering the entire track in just over two hours after his first exposure to it. The jazz legend translated the song through his soulful touch and harmonic vocabulary, demonstrating how deep musical understanding transcends genre boundaries when a skilled player commits to learning something new.
104-Year-Old World War II Veteran Dominic Critelli Performs “The Star Spangled Banner” On Saxophone At Rangers Islanders Game
World War II Army veteran Dominic Critelli brought his saxophone to center ice before the New York Rangers versus New York Islanders game on December 27, 2025, delivering a performance of the national anthem at 104-years-old. His performance connected everyone in the arena through respect for both his wartime sacrifice and the skill he brought to such a significant moment, proving that dedication to craft and country knows no age limit.
Grace De Gier Releases Alternative Rock Single ‘Done’ Co-Created With Edgar Grimaldos In Paris
Grace de Gier delivers ‘Done’, a new single blending emotional storytelling with alternative rock intensity created alongside multi-instrumentalist Edgar Grimaldos in Paris. The Colombian born, Netherlands based artist captures the complexity of breaking free from toxic relationships through soaring guitar lines and haunting vocal tones, building a cinematic arrangement that carries themes of strength and empowerment. Seven-time Grammy winning mastering engineer Adam Ayan not only mastered the track but recorded a video commending its emotional depth and production quality, adding weight to a release Grace describes as an anthem for anyone trapped who finally decides to say no more. The single explores liberation, healing and taking control through layered sonic and emotional experiences that showcase her growing command of alternative rock dynamics.
Grace’s previous single “Your Name” topped the Amsterdam Independent Artists Chart on ReverbNation while earning recognition from Rolling Stone Spanish edition, MTV Rock Edition, Colombia’s El Tiempo and El Espectador, expanding her presence across the global music scene. The Grammy Academy member has collected the Music Monster Award in Mexico and Golden Mara International Latin American Award, building bridges between continents through a unique sound that connects with worldwide listeners through authentic expression rooted in personal experience and refined musical craft.
Country Soul Artist Brei Carter Fuses Louisiana Roots With Military Service As 2025 CMA Ambassador
Brei Carter brings country, soul and Southern pop together through her Louisiana upbringing, gospel foundation and U.S. Army veteran background as a 2025 CMA Ambassador. The Monroe native built buzz through viral tracks including “Boots Get to Talking,” empowering anthem “Cake and Eat It Too” and Alpha Kappa Alpha tribute “Walk Yo Walk,” earning features across over 200 nationally syndicated outlets including Billboard, Guitar Girl Magazine, WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour and WSMV-TV. Her 2024 included headlining the Ford Midwest Invitational Rodeo and receiving the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for service, leadership and commitment to uplifting others, while her 2025 appointment as Nashville Insider TV Reporter extends her reach into media alongside music. Carter holds a Doctorate in Theology, Master’s in International Relations and Bachelor’s in Business, bringing the same dedication to her artistry that defined her time serving as both enlisted soldier and officer in the U.S. Army.
The singer songwriter has opened for Tyler Farr, RVSHVD and 803Fresh while building a reputation for bold, genre bending performances that challenge what country music sounds like and represents. Carter describes her mission as creating music that heals, empowers and reminds people they can shine regardless of what they’ve experienced, a philosophy reflected in her powerhouse sound that refuses to fit neatly into traditional categories. With a new album and tour approaching, she stands as an artist redefining country music through authenticity, resilience and rhythm rooted in lived experience and academic achievement.
Black Eyed Sons Cover Mink DeVille’s “Savoir Faire” With Alan Clayton In Cinematic Bowery Tribute Video
Black Eyed Sons unleash their cover of Mink DeVille’s classic “Savoir Faire” with a new video featuring Alan Clayton of The Dirty Strangers. The visual pairs the band’s raw energy with cinematic nods to the Bowery, Times Square neon and downtown rock clubs, serving as a love letter to the mid seventies New York scene that shaped their sound. Guy Griffin explains the band wanted a live performance video with a rough storyline rooted in that era when bands like Mink DeVille were making their mark, noting both he and Clayton share deep appreciation for that scene. The involvement of Steve Conte, who actually played in Willy DeVille’s band, adds authentic lineage to the project, connecting past and present through people who lived it.
The track closes out ‘Cowboys in Pinstriped Suits,’ the band’s UK number one album, arriving as Black Eyed Sons hit the road for their first run of UK shows this December. The Cowboys in Pinstriped Suits Tour Part 1 continues across the country with Revenant, The Dirty Strangers, Liberty Slaves and Alan Clayton joining on select dates. Griffin promises fresh material plus tracks not heard live before, suggesting audiences should prepare for surprises when the band takes the stage.
Yungblud Teams With The Smashing Pumpkins On Reimagined “Zombie” Marking Band’s First Guest Appearance In Their Career
Yungblud and The Smashing Pumpkins join forces on a reimagined version of “Zombie,” marking the first time in their storied career that the iconic rock band has featured on another artist’s recording. Produced by Matt Schwartz and Billy Corgan, the collaboration transforms Yungblud’s Grammy nominated Best Rock Song into something heavier and more urgent, infused with Corgan’s signature guitar sound. The original track already stands as Yungblud’s fastest streaming solo single with over 100 million plays and continues climbing at alternative radio, currently sitting at number nine for his third career Top 10 at the format and highest charting single there in three years with more than 15,000 spins across all formats. An official music video directed by Charlie Sarsfield starring both Yungblud and The Smashing Pumpkins accompanies the release, kicking off the new year ahead of his sold out North American tour starting May 1st.
The partnership between Yungblud and Corgan traces back to their first meeting in Birmingham last July during Black Sabbath’s farewell concert Back To The Beginning, though Corgan discovered Yungblud years earlier through a live performance video. Corgan spoke about Yungblud’s trajectory in a 2023 interview with Allison Hagendorf, predicting people would be talking about him for the next 50 years, and later compared his evolution to Elton John on his podcast The Magnificent Ones. That belief resonated deeply with Yungblud and helped inspire the rock album he had long envisioned, bringing the collaboration full circle when he invited Corgan to reimagine “Zombie,” a song the Smashing Pumpkins frontman had indirectly influenced years earlier. Yungblud describes ‘Siamese Dream’ as an album that supported him through formative years, making the chance to create music with the band behind it nearly incomprehensible while noting Corgan’s recent role as mentor and his outlook on truth in art.
The reimagined “Zombie” arrives during massive momentum for Yungblud following a landmark 2025 that included his Grammy nominated Best Rock Album ‘Idols,’ a sold out world tour, and an emotional tribute to Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath that earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance. His collaborative EP with Aerosmith ‘One More Time’ scored his first Top 10 debut on the Billboard 200, hit number one on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart and topped the UK Albums Chart. The British rockstar completed a sold out North American headline tour and announced a 24 date 2026 North American run that sold out within minutes featuring the largest venues of his career alongside a sold out UK arena tour, plus delivered a widely praised MTV Video Music Awards tribute to Ozzy Osbourne performing alongside Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and Nuno Bettencourt. Corgan notes that Yungblud’s star shines bright and expresses pride in lending The Smashing Pumpkins’ voice to “Zombie,” making the rendition as personal as possible to honor him in return.
Veil Of The Serpent Releases Epic Ballad “We Are The Stars” From Upcoming Album ‘Born To Burn’
Veil Of The Serpent closes out the year with “We Are The Stars,” a massive ballad that explores mortality through acceptance rather than fear. Taken from the upcoming album ‘Born To Burn’ arriving March 20th on CD and digital formats, the track reveals the band’s melodic and introspective range while maintaining their signature heaviness through atmospheric tension, soaring melodies and commanding guitar work. Within the album’s space saga framework that spans rebellion, transformation and survival across a collapsing universe, “We Are The Stars” functions as a reflective turning point that introduces guidance and redemption amid conflict and destruction. The cinematic metal ballad balances emotional depth with the sonic power Veil Of The Serpent built their reputation on, delivering one of the most epic moments in their catalog while dealing with what remains when everything else disappears.
Crosley Radio Unveils Exclusive Rolling Stones RSD3 Mini Turntable and 3” Records for Record Store Day 2026
Crosley Radio is celebrating its 18th year as a founding sponsor of Record Store Day with the launch of the The Rolling Stones RSD3 Mini Turntable, a collectible turntable that channels the legendary energy of The Rolling Stones. Available at participating record stores on Record Store Day, April 18th, 2026, this limited-edition release is a must-have for collectors and music fans alike.
Small, bold, and unapologetically rock ’n’ roll, The Rolling Stones RSD3 Mini Turntable comes with a matching storage crate that holds up to sixteen 3-inch records and showcases exclusive Rolling Stones artwork. The package includes six 3-inch singles, each featuring reproduced picture sleeves originally released in the U.S. including “Get Off of My Cloud,” “Play With Fire,” “Heart of Stone,” “Mother’s Little Helper,” “Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?” and “Honky Tonk Women.”
Despite its compact size, the RSD3 Mini Turntable delivers, with a pre-mounted Audio-Technica cartridge, adjustable pitch control, supported platter, and a built-in speaker. For bigger sound, users can connect via Bluetooth to external speakers. Portable power options include micro-USB or four AA batteries, making it perfect for on-the-go listening. Full-size features such as a dust cover, headphone jack, and post adapters for large-hole records ensure the mini player performs as impressively as it looks
“We’re thrilled to add this Rolling Stones product to our exclusive Record Store Day releases,” said Crosley Radio President Keith Starr. “Combining Crosley’s passion for records with the band’s legendary legacy creates a collectible we know fans will be excited to spin.”
Available at participating independent record stores on Record Store Day, April 18th, 2026. Quantities are limited. For a list of participating Record Store Day locations, visit https://recordstoreday.com/stores
James Brown’s “Cold Sweat” With Mötley Crüe’s “She Goes Down” For A Seamless Soul Metal Hybrid
Mashup architect Bill McClintock bridges 1967 Paris soul and hair metal sleaze by pairing James Brown’s legendary live performance of “Cold Sweat” with Mötley Crüe’s “She Goes Down”. The combination works far better than logic suggests – which means anyone other than the genius Bill – with Brown’s rhythm section locking into the Crüe’s glam crunch like they were always meant to share stage space.