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5 Surprising Facts About Supertramp’s ‘Breakfast in America’

Music

Eric Alper

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Mar 30, 2025

5 Surprising Facts About Supertramp’s ‘Breakfast in America’

Imagine it’s 1979. You’re in Los Angeles. The air smells like coffee, cassette tape, and distant saxophone solos. Somewhere inside The Village Recorder studio, Supertramp is crafting an album that will go quadruple platinum, top the charts around the world, and leave millions of us humming “Take the Long Way Home” on the way to therapy. Welcome to Breakfast in America—a record that’s fun, philosophical, and full of things you probably didn’t know. Until now.

1. It Was Almost Called Hello Stranger
Forget bacon and eggs—this album was nearly named after an existential ping-pong match between Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson. Hello Stranger was going to be a back-and-forth concept record reflecting their conflicting worldviews. Picture “The Logical Song,” but with a reply track called “The Rational Response.” Eventually, they ditched the heavy themes and opted for fun. Good call. “Breakfast in America” just sounds tastier.

2. “Gone Hollywood” Was Too Dark at First
The album opens with a tale of fame-seeking disillusionment—but it was originally much darker. Rick Davies had written it as a bleak critique of the dream factory before the band said, “Mate, let’s not bum everyone out before track two.” He rewrote the ending so the narrator actually makes it. Still cynical, but now with a Hollywood ending. Literally.

3. The Cover Art Deserves Its Own Grammy—Oh Wait, It Got One
Designed by Mike Doud and Mick Haggerty, the iconic cover shows Manhattan made of breakfast items and waitress Kate Murtagh as the Statue of Liberty holding OJ instead of a torch. Look closely: those are pancake syrup bottles for skyscrapers and a cornflake box for a building. It won the Grammy for Best Album Package and probably made you crave diner food. Art you can almost eat.

4. “The Logical Song” Features a Toy Football Game
Among the keyboards and castanets, there’s a futuristic sound tucked into “The Logical Song” that isn’t a synth—it’s the bleep-bloop from Mattel’s handheld football game. Yes, Supertramp sampled your childhood before sampling was cool. Who knew existential dread could sound like fourth and long?

5. Hodgson and Davies Barely Spoke During Recording
You’d never guess it from how tight the music sounds, but Supertramp’s two frontmen were living in different emotional galaxies. According to engineer Peter Henderson, things were “fantastically friendly.” According to Roger Hodgson, not so much. According to Melody Maker, they barely spoke. So how did they record such a cohesive album? Easy. Passive-aggressive brilliance and a really good mixing board.

Breakfast in America was Supertramp’s biggest album—and it was a melodic Trojan horse smuggling in themes of identity, disillusionment, and the American dream. It had hits, heart, and more Wurlitzer than most bands use in a lifetime. All these years later, it still sounds as sharp as ever. And now you’ve got five new facts to drop next time “The Logical Song” comes on at brunch.

Lay Down Sally, Pick Up These Classics: 20 of the Best Eric Clapton Collaborations

5 Surprising Facts About Your Favourite Albums

Eric Alper

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Mar 30, 2025

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Lay Down Sally, Pick Up These Classics: 20 of the Best Eric Clapton Collaborations

Eric Clapton has spent over half a century collaborating with some of the biggest names in music, because of course he has. When you’re one of the greatest guitarists of all time, people tend to want you in the room. And when you are Eric Clapton, you say yes—then casually lay down a solo that becomes the most memorable part of the song. These 20 collaborations are historical documents of what happens when musical legends collide.

Here are 20 of the best Eric Clapton collaborations that prove one thing: when Clapton shows up, the song levels up.

1. “I Had a Dream” – B.B. King and Eric Clapton
Two blues giants in one studio sounds like a fantasy, but this track from Riding with the King makes it real. Clapton holds back just enough to let B.B. King shine, then sneaks in with solos that feel like conversations. It’s blues with royalty written all over it.

2. “Runaway Train” – Elton John featuring Eric Clapton
Elton John brought the melodies, Eric Clapton brought the firepower. This early-’90s anthem proves that pop and blues can go full speed ahead on the same track. The result? A radio-ready ride with serious chops under the hood.

3. “It’s Probably Me” – Sting featuring Eric Clapton
On this sultry soundtrack standout, Sting’s smoky delivery dances perfectly around Clapton’s silky guitar lines. It’s cool, understated, and endlessly replayable. The kind of collaboration where no one’s showing off—and it still sounds flawless.

4. “Good to Me as I Am to You” – Aretha Franklin featuring Eric Clapton
If the Queen of Soul invites you in, you don’t just play—you serve. Clapton drops into Aretha’s world of gospel-blues brilliance with total grace, adding subtle licks that lift the song without ever stepping on the vocals. Soul music with six-string class.

5. “Give Me Strength” – Eric Clapton and Yvonne Elliman
Yvonne Elliman’s harmonies add warmth and light to this slow-burning Clapton tune. The two voices blend like whiskey and honey, and the result is both heartbreaking and healing. A gem from his 461 Ocean Boulevard era that still cuts deep.

6. “Before You Accuse Me” – Eric Clapton and Robert Cray
Eric Clapton teams up with fellow blues master Robert Cray for a studio version that drips with style. It’s old-school in all the right ways—tight, tasteful, and irresistibly groovy. When bluesmen talk, we listen.

7. “My Father’s Eyes” – Eric Clapton and Babyface
Yes, Babyface. And yes, it works. The smoothest R&B producer in the game helped shape one of Clapton’s most emotional songs into a crossover classic. When soul meets blues, everybody wins.

8. “All Our Past Times” – Eric Clapton and Rick Danko
The Band’s Rick Danko brought the heart, and Clapton brought the heartbreak. Together, they created a tender, underrated duet that feels like a campfire confession. Quietly devastating and absolutely gorgeous.

9. “Badge” – Cream (co-written with George Harrison)
What do you get when a Beatle writes lyrics and Clapton writes riffs? A psych-rock classic with a bridge that still knocks you sideways. “Badge” is a song where even the silence sounds musical.

10. “Born Under a Bad Sign” – Eric Clapton and Albert King
Clapton knew better than to try to outplay Albert King—so he matched him in vibe and groove instead. Their version of this blues staple is electric in the way only two masters trading licks can be. A masterclass in restraint and respect.

11. “Holy Mother” – Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood
These two reunited old friends for a track that’s as spiritual as it is sonically rich. Winwood’s keys and Clapton’s guitar create something between prayer and power ballad. It’s the sound of healing, through and through.

12. “Tearing Us Apart” – Eric Clapton and Tina Turner
Tina brings the fire, Clapton brings the grit, and the combination is explosive. This ’80s stormer is a breakup song turned battlefield anthem. Nobody gets out clean—and that’s the point.

13. “Old Love” – Eric Clapton and Robert Cray
When heartbreak meets maturity, you get “Old Love.” Cray’s smooth guitar tone pairs beautifully with Clapton’s smoky sadness. It’s not just a song—it’s a sigh.

14. “Riding with the King” – B.B. King and Eric Clapton
Back to the blues with this album title track, where the duo sounds like they’ve been trading stories for centuries. Clapton lets B.B. take the wheel—and still manages to steer the whole thing straight into greatness.

15. “I’ve Got a Rock ‘n’ Roll Heart” – Eric Clapton and Ry Cooder
Ry Cooder’s slide guitar slips in alongside Clapton’s easy swagger, giving this tune extra soul. It’s laid-back rock ‘n’ roll that doesn’t need to shout to prove its point. Just cool vibes and cool hands.

16. “Little Wing” – Derek and the Dominos (tribute to Jimi Hendrix)
Clapton doesn’t just cover Hendrix—he paints in his spirit. This studio version with Duane Allman feels like both a salute and a reinvention. One of the best guitar homages ever put to tape.

17. “Beautiful Thing” – Eric Clapton and Simon Climie
Pop meets blues in this mid-’90s standout, with Clapton crafting silky solos under Climie’s clean vocals. It’s soft, sweet, and sneakily emotional. Proof that less can still be more.

18. “Bad Love” – Eric Clapton and Phil Collins
When Eric Clapton needed a drummer who could also deliver big, bold production, he turned to Phil Collins. The result? A Grammy-winning rocker with a riff that hits like a freight train and a chorus built to echo through arenas. Clapton shreds, Collins pounds, and “Bad Love” delivers exactly what it promises.

19. “Circus” – Eric Clapton and Simon Climie
Another Climie co-write, this deeply personal ballad finds Clapton at his most vulnerable. The delicate production gives the song room to breathe. It’s sad, stunning, and unforgettable.

20. “Let It Grow” – Eric Clapton and Yvonne Elliman
This soft-rock spiritual feels like the sunrise after a long night. Elliman’s harmonies give it lightness, while Clapton’s guitar grows quietly beneath. A reminder that even rock gods need to reflect.

Bonus Entry – “Layla” – Derek and the Dominos
When heartbreak hits hard, you form a band with Duane Allman and pour your soul into a six-minute masterpiece. “Layla” is Clapton at his most raw—obsessed, unfiltered, and unforgettable. That piano coda? Still breaking hearts, decades later.

Why Roger Moore Was A Class Act

Music

Eric Alper

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Mar 30, 2025

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Roger-Moore-class-act

Via Imgur

Welcome to the Jungle: Martin Popoff’s “Guns N’ Roses At 40” Book Blows the Roof Off Rock History

Music

Eric Alper

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Mar 30, 2025

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Welcome to the Jungle: Martin Popoff’s “Guns N’ Roses At 40” Book Blows the Roof Off Rock History

Four decades ago, a little band out of Los Angeles lit a match under the glam-metal scene and burned their way into rock ‘n’ roll immortality. Guns N’ Roses at 40, the new retrospective by rock historian Martin Popoff, dives deep into the chaos, creativity, and cultural impact of GN’R. From the sweaty Sunset Strip clubs of 1985 to the world’s biggest stadiums, Popoff curates 40 pivotal moments in the band’s history – and, in true GN’R fashion, there’s no shortage of triumph, tragedy, or tabloid-worthy tales.

This stunning hardcover book doesn’t just list dates and discography – it tells a wild, loud, and unapologetic story. Readers will find biographies of original members Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagan, Izzy Stradlin, and Steven Adler, details of studio sessions and infamous incidents, plus insights into lineup changes and long-awaited reunions. With first-person interviews from Duff McKagan and Tommy Stinson, plus a gatefold timeline and stunning photography, this is the ultimate coffee-table tribute to the most dangerous band in the world.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan who lived through the Appetite for Destruction era or a newcomer discovering “November Rain” on vinyl, Guns N’ Roses at 40 is a must-have. As Martin Popoff has proven time and time again with his rock lit resume, no one charts the course of a legendary band quite like he does. This book is loud, proud, and absolutely essential.

Conan O’Brien Gets the Last Laugh — And the Mark Twain Prize

Music

Eric Alper

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Mar 30, 2025

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Conan O’Brien Gets the Last Laugh — And the Mark Twain Prize

Conan O’Brien, the towering, flame-haired king of late night absurdity, has officially joined comedy royalty. The 26th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor now belongs to the man who gave us Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, the “Walker, Texas Ranger Lever,” and the most delightfully awkward remotes in TV history. On March 25, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was filled with the sound of applause, laughter, and probably a few well-placed string dance moves.

And if you missed it? Don’t worry — the celebration streams exclusively on Netflix starting Sunday, May 4, 2025. So grab your legally distinct bear costumes, your Harvard diploma, and a healthy disdain for corporate synergy, and prepare to laugh, cry, and wonder how someone this funny also managed to be one of the kindest people in the business. Mark Twain would be proud. Probably confused, but proud

60th ACM Awards Nominations Announced: Ella Langley Leads The Way With 8 Nods

Music

Eric Alper

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Mar 30, 2025

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60th ACM Awards Nominations Announced: Ella Langley Leads The Way With 8 Nods

The Academy of Country Music (ACM) and Dick Clark Productions (DCP) today announced nominations for the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards on TODAY, with Ella Langley, Cody Johnson, Morgan Wallen, and Lainey Wilson receiving the most nominations. Hosted by 16-time ACM Award-winning entertainment icon Reba McEntire, the 60th ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video on Thursday, May 8 at 8 p.m. EDT/7 p.m. CDT/5 p.m. PDT from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. The monumental anniversary show will celebrate six decades of Country Music and feature unforgettable performances by the genre’s most legendary and multi-award-winning stars, including Blake Shelton, Eric Church, and Lainey Wilson.

A limited number of tickets to the 60th ACM Awards are available now at SeatGeek, offering fans exclusive entry into a night packed with their favorite Country stars performing the biggest hits.

Fans can also stream the Official ACM Awards playlist available now on Amazon Music in celebration of this year’s nominees. Fans can listen to country music’s biggest stars, such as Kane Brown, Lainey Wilson, and Jelly Roll, directly on the Amazon Music app HERE.

Nominee Highlights for the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards

First time ACM Award nominee, Ella Langley, leads with eight nominations including Female Artist of the Year, New Female Artist of the Year, and six nominations for her song with Riley Green, “you look like you love me,” which include Single of the Year, Song of the Year as an artist and songwriter, Music Event of the Year, and Visual Media of the Year as an artist and director.
Cody Johnson ties for the most nominations for a male artist with seven nominations, including his second nomination for Entertainer of the Year, and his third year in a row being nominated for Song of the Year, with “Dirt Cheap” being nominated in the category, as well as Single of the Year and Visual Media of the Year. Johnson is competing with himself in Visual Media of the Year, as his collaboration with Carrie Underwood, “I’m Gonna Love You,” is also up for the award. Johnson’s seven nominations this year mark the most ACM Award nominations he has ever received in one year and make him the most-nominated Texas-born artist this year.
Morgan Wallen ties for the most nominations for a male artist with seven nominations, including his third consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year. Wallen received four nominations for his collaboration with Post Malone on “I Had Some Help,” which includes three artist nominations and one songwriter nomination for Wallen.
Lainey Wilson ties for the most nominations in different categories, earning nods in six separate categories, including her first nomination for Artist-Songwriter of the Year. Wilson’s nominations for Song of the Year mark her fourth consecutive year being nominated and her seventh total nomination (including artist and songwriter credits) in the category.
Luke Combs is a nominee for Entertainer of the Year. A win for Combs in this category will also clinch the coveted Triple Crown Award, which consists of an Entertainer of the Year win, plus wins in an act’s respective New Artist (Male, Female, Duo or Group) and Artist (Male, Female, Duo or Group) categories. Past ACM Triple Crown Award recipients include Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, and others. This is the sixth year in a row that Luke Combs has been nominated for both Male Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.
Chris Stapleton receives six nominations, including his tenth consecutive nomination for Male Artist of the Year, an award he’s won four times in the past, including at the 59th ACM Awards.
Old Dominion receives a nomination for Group of the Year, making this the tenth consecutive year they have been nominated in the category. The group has taken home the title every year for the last seven years.
Brothers Osborne’s nomination for Duo of the Year marks their 18th ACM nomination and their eleventh year in a row being nominated for ACM Duo of the Year, an award the pair has brought home four times.
Kacey Musgraves’ three nominations this year brings her total nominations count to 30, including nine nominations for Female Artist of the Year. She won the award in 2018, the same year she won Album of the Year for Golden Hour.
Kelsea Ballerini receives her first ever Entertainer of the Year nomination in addition to nominations for Female Artist of the Year and Music Event of the Year as an artist and producer. This is her eighth time being nominated for Female Artist of the Year.
Little Big Town earns their 19th nomination for Group of the Year, which is one nomination shy of tying the record for the most nominations in the category, a record held by Alabama. Little Big Town has been nominated in the category every year since 2005, with the exception of 2011.
Rascal Flatts receives their first nomination for Group of the Year since 2017, having most recently won the award in 2009 for the seventh time.
Shaboozey receives his first ACM Award nominations, including a nomination for Best New Male Artist and Single of the Year for his record-breaking hit song “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”
First-time artist nominees include Gavin Adcock, Dasha, Noah Kahan, Ella Langley, Jessie Murph, Muscadine Bloodline, Shaboozey, Zach Top, The Red Clay Strays, Treaty Oak Revival, and Tucker Wetmore.

The following is the full list of nominees for the ACM Main Awards, Studio Recording Awards, and Industry Awards categories:

MAIN AWARDS:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Kelsea Ballerini
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Jelly Roll
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Kelsea Ballerini
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Kacey Musgraves
Lainey Wilson

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Jelly Roll
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen

DUO OF THE YEAR

Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Muscadine Bloodline
The War And Treaty

GROUP OF THE YEAR

Flatland Cavalry
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays

NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Kassi Ashton
Ashley Cooke
Dasha
Ella Langley
Jessie Murph

NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Gavin Adcock
Shaboozey
Zach Top
Tucker Wetmore
Bailey Zimmerman

NEW DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

Restless Road
The Red Clay Strays
Treaty Oak Revival

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

Am I Okay? (I’ll Be Fine) – Megan Moroney

Producer: Kristian Bush

Record Company-Label: Columbia Records / Sony Music Nashville

Beautifully Broken – Jelly Roll

Producers: BazeXX, Brock Berryhill, Zach Crowell, Devin Dawson, Charlie Handsome, Ben Johnson, mgk, The Monsters & Strangerz, Austin Nivarel, SlimXX, Ryan Tedder, Isaiah Tejada, Alysa Vanderheym

Record Company-Label: BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville / Republic Records

Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top

Producer: Carson Chamberlain

Record Company-Label: Leo33

F-1 Trillion – Post Malone

Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins

Record Company-Label: Mercury Records / Republic Records

Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson

Producer: Jay Joyce

Record Company-Label: BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville

SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

A Bar Song (Tipsy) – Shaboozey

Producers: Sean Cook, Nevin Sastry

Record Company-Label: American Dogwood / EMPIRE

Dirt Cheap – Cody Johnson

Producer: Trent Willmon

Record Company-Label: CoJo Music LLC / Warner Music Nashville

I Had Some Help – Post Malone, Morgan Wallen

Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins

Record Company-Label: Mercury Records / Republic Records

White Horse – Chris Stapleton

Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton

Record Company-Label: Mercury Nashville

you look like you love me – Ella Langley, Riley Green

Producer: Will Bundy

Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records

SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

4x4xU – Lainey Wilson

Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson

Publishers: Louisiana Lady; One Tooth Productions; Reservoir 416; Songs of One Riot Music; Sony/ATV Accent

The Architect – Kacey Musgraves

Songwriters: Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne

Publishers: Songs for Indy and Owl; Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing

Dirt Cheap – Cody Johnson

Songwriter: Josh Phillips

Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane Publishing; Write or Die Music; Write the Lightning Publishing

I Had Some Help – Post Malone, Morgan Wallen

Songwriters: Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Hoskins, Austin Post, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen, Chandler Paul Walters, Ryan Vojtesak

Publishers: Bell Ear Publishing; Master of my Domain Music; Poppy’s Picks; Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing; Universal Music Corporation

you look like you love me – Ella Langley, Riley Green

Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere

Publishers: Back 40 Publishing International; Langley Publishing; One Tooth Productions; Sony/ATV Tree; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp

MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

Cowboys Cry Too – Kelsea Ballerini, Noah Kahan

Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Noah Kahan, Alysa Vanderheym

Record Company-Label: Black River Entertainment

I Had Some Help – Post Malone, Morgan Wallen

Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins

Record Company-Label: Mercury Records / Republic Records

I’m Gonna Love You – Cody Johnson, Carrie Underwood

Producer: Trent Willmon

Record Company-Label: CoJo Music LLC / Warner Music Nashville

we don’t fight anymore – Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton

Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Carly Pearce

Record Company-Label: Big Machine Records

you look like you love me – Ella Langley, Riley Green

Producer: Will Bundy

Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records

VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]

4x4xU – Lainey Wilson

Producer: Jennifer Ansell

Director: Dano Cerny

Dirt Cheap – Cody Johnson

Producer: Dustin Haney

Director: Dustin Haney

I’m Gonna Love You – Cody Johnson, Carrie Underwood

Producers: Christen Pinkston, Wesley Stebbins-Perry

Director: Dustin Haney

Think I’m In Love With You – Chris Stapleton

Producers: Wes Edwards, Angie Lorenz, Jamie Stratakis

Director: Running Bear (Stephen Kinigopoulos, Alexa Stone)

you look like you love me – Ella Langley, Riley Green

Producer: Whale Tale Music

Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney

ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

Luke Combs

ERNEST
HARDY

Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

Jessi Alexander
Jessie Jo Dillon
Ashley Gorley
Chase McGill
Josh Osborne

STUDIO RECORDING AWARDS:

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

T. Cure
Mark Hill
Rachel Loy
Tony Lucido
Craig Young

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR

Fred Eltringham
Tommy Harden
Evan Hutchings
Aaron Sterling
Nir Z

ACOUSTIC GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Tim Galloway
Todd Lombardo
Mac McAnally
Bryan Sutton
Ilya Toshinskiy

PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Dave Cohen
Ian Fitchuk
Billy Justineau
Gordon Mote
Alex Wright

SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Dan Dugmore
Jenee Fleenor
Josh Matheny
Justin Schipper
Kristin Wilkinson

ELECTRIC GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Kris Donegan
Jedd Hughes
Brent Mason
Sol Philcox-Littlefield
Derek Wells

AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR

Brandon Bell
Drew Bollman
Josh Ditty
Buckley Miller
Reid Shippen

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Dave Cobb
Ian Fitchuk
Charlie Handsome
Jon Randall
Alysa Vanderheym

INDUSTRY AWARDS:

CASINO OF THE YEAR – THEATER

Deadwood Mountain Grand – Deadwood, SD
Foxwoods Resort Casino – Mashantucket, CT
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort – Cherokee, NC
The Theater at Virgin Hotels – Las Vegas, NV
Yaamava’ Theater – Highland, CA

CASINO OF THE YEAR – ARENA

Golden Nugget Lake Charles – Lake Charles, LA
Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena – Atlantic City, NJ
Harveys Lake Tahoe – Stateline, NV
Mystic Lake Casino Showroom – Prior Lake, MN
Turning Stone Resort Casino – Verona, NY

FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR

C2C Country to Country – London, England
CMC Rocks – Ipswich, Queensland
Stagecoach Festival – Indio, CA
Two Step Inn – Georgetown, TX
Windy City Smokeout – Chicago, IL

FAIR/RODEO OF THE YEAR

Calgary Stampede – Calgary, AB
California Mid-State Fair – Paso Robles, CA
Cheyenne Frontier Days – Cheyenne, WY
Minnesota State Fair – Falcon Heights, MN
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – Houston, TX

CLUB OF THE YEAR

Billy Bob’s Texas – Fort Worth, TX
Brooklyn Bowl – Nashville, TN
Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa, OK
Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA
Joe’s on Weed St. – Chicago, IL

THEATER OF THE YEAR

The Caverns – Pelham, TN
MGM Music Hall at Fenway – Boston, MA
The Met Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA
The Rave/Eagles Club – Milwaukee, WI
Tennessee Theatre – Knoxville, TN

OUTDOOR VENUE OF THE YEAR

BankNH Pavilion – Gilford, NH
CMAC – Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center – Canandaigua, NY
Saint Augustine Amphitheatre – St. Augustine, FL
The Wharf Amphitheater – Orange Beach, AL
Whitewater Amphitheater – New Braunfels, TX

ARENA OF THE YEAR

Dickies Arena – Fort Worth, TX
Moody Center – Austin, TX
TD Garden – Boston, MA
Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center – Knoxville, TN
Van Andel Arena – Grand Rapids, MI

DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR

Deana Baker
Bobby Clay
Gil Cunningham
Weston Hebert
Stacy Vee
Taylor Williamson

PROMOTER OF THE YEAR

Brent Fedrizzi
Alex Maxwell
Patrick McDill
Anna-Sophie Mertens
Rich Schaefer
Aaron Spalding

Korn Announces 2025 Canadian Tour Dates With Special Guests Gojira And Loathe

Music

Eric Alper

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Mar 30, 2025

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Korn Announces 2025 Canadian Tour Dates With Special Guests Gojira And Loathe

On the heels of their hugely successful 2024 tour run, two-time GRAMMY-award winning band Korn will bring their show to fans across Canada this fall with Korn: Kanada Tour 2025. Produced by Live Nation Canada, the 8-city tour kicks off on Wednesday, September 17 at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, making stops in Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary and more before wrapping up in Vancouver at Rogers Arena on Wednesday, October 1. GRAMMY-nominated group Gojira and UK’s Loathe will join the band as special guests.

Korn celebrated their 30 year milestone with a massive 2024 North American tour to coincide with their self-titled, debut studio album turning 30 on October 11, 1994. Playing 25 dates in arenas and amphitheaters across North America alongside Gojira and Spiritbox, the rock cultural icons captivated audiences in cities including Detroit, Los Angeles, Toronto, Houston, and more, marking one of their largest tours yet.

More recently, the band is set to deliver electrifying performances at a handful of major festivals this summer, headlining Welcome To Rockville in Daytona Beach, Download Festival in the UK, Lollapalooza in Chicago, and more. This year will be Korn’s first time hitting the iconic Lollapalooza stage since 1997. In addition, the iconic rock band will perform two stadium shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey with System Of The Down on August 27 and 28th, 2025.

TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with artist pre-sales beginning Tuesday, March 25 at 10am local time. Additional pre-sales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning Friday, March 28 at 10am local time at KornOfficial.com

KORN: KANADA TOUR 2025 DATES:
Wed Sep 17 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre
Fri Sep 19 – Quebec City, QC – Videotron Centre
Sat Sep 20 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
Mon Sep 22 – London, ON – Canada Life Place
Thu Sep 25 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre
Sun Sep 28 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
Mon Sep 29 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
Wed Oct 1 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena

The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival Announces Exciting Line-Up Additions To Round-Out Vancouver Weekend

Music

Eric Alper

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Mar 30, 2025

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The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival Announces Exciting Line-Up Additions To Round-Out Vancouver Weekend

The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival (GOCF) is bringing even more excitement to the Vancouver weekend with today’s thrilling new additions to the lineup. As the homegrown GOCF continues to celebrate its Canadian roots, cultural icons Trailer Park Boys will bring their signature chaos to the stage on Sunday, September 14 (afternoon), with Bubbles & The Shitrockers performing live tunes from their new album, and a stand-up set from special guest Jeremy Piven. To cap off an unforgettable weekend, Tony Hinchcliffe and the infamous Killers of Kill Tony will take the stage Sunday evening, delivering high-energy stand-up comedy that captures the outrageous spirit of the legendary Kill Tony podcast.

GOCF Vancouver kicks off on Friday, September 12 with the outrageous Bert Kreischer, alongside Whitney Cummings and Derrick Stroup. On Saturday, September 13, catch comedy superstar John Mulaney, along with Mike Birbiglia, Nick Kroll, and Fred Armisen.

This year, GOCF celebrates its fifth consecutive year, with previously announced Canadian markets Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax, Calgary, and Vancouver set to welcome one-of-a-kind outdoor experiences, alongside the return to Spokane for its sophomore weekend, newly announced today. This year, GOCF is introducing new festival enhancements, including VIP Table service, the exclusive VIP Club, and the Skip+ experience, offering fans more ways to enjoy the festival in style. Additionally, limited 3-day passes for all ticket tiers are available, giving fans the opportunity to secure their spot for the entire weekend.

Since 2021, the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival, produced by Trixstar LIVE, has donated over $550,000 to local charities across its markets, fostering a diverse, inclusive, and safe environment that highlights all forms of performance comedy. Through the Great Outdoors Community Fund, the festival continues its commitment to supporting local causes, creating job opportunities, and evolving its green event practices, ensuring accessibility for all attendees.

Great Outdoors Comedy Festival Vancouver:

Friday, September 12 – Bert Kreischer, Whitney Cummings, Derrick Stroup

Saturday, September 13 – John Mulaney, Mike Birbiglia, Nick Kroll, Fred Armisen

Sunday, September 14 (Afternoon) – Trailer Park Boys ft. Bubbles and the Shitrockers, with special guest Jeremy Piven

Sunday, September 14 (Evening) – Tony Hinchcliffe & The Killers of Kill Tony

5 Surprising Facts About Madonna’s ‘Ray Of Light’

Eric Alper

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Mar 30, 2025

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5 Surprising Facts About Madonna’s ‘Ray Of Light’

When Ray of Light dropped in 1998, Madonna remixed the whole idea of what pop could be. Think synths, Sanskrit, and soul-searching wrapped up in a glittery, transcendental sonic journey. It wasn’t just an album; it was a spiritual rave for your headphones. Here are 5 unknown facts about Ray of Light that might just blow your speaker cones.

1. “Swim” Was Recorded the Day Gianni Versace Was Killed
When Madonna stepped into the vocal booth to track “Swim,” the world had just lost fashion icon Gianni Versace. The emotion? Palpable. William Orbit remembers the vibe in the studio as electric but somber—so it’s no wonder that “Swim” carries an almost meditative depth. As synths wash in like tidewater and her vocals stretch out over haunting beats, you can feel the weight of grief turned into art. That’s dance floor therapy, if you ask me.

2. The Sanskrit Track Sparked a Language Lesson
“Shanti/Ashtangi” wasn’t just a bold fusion of techno and ancient scripture—it was also a pronunciation challenge. After some early missteps, Madonna reportedly got a crash course in Sanskrit over the phone with Indian scholar Vagish Shastri. Imagine dialing into enlightenment while sipping yerba mate in LA. The result? A thumping, sacred chant that goes harder than most 3 a.m. club closers.

3. “Candy Perfume Girl” Almost Got Left Off the Album
Buried in the tracklist like a glitchy treasure, “Candy Perfume Girl” almost didn’t make it. The song, which blends grunge guitars with electronic weirdness, was considered too out-there—even for Ray of Light. But Madonna fought for it, seeing it as a bridge between the analog and the experimental. It’s one of the most daring cuts on the album and proof that even pop queens can get weird (and win).

4. The Album Cover Happened After Madonna Said “No”
Photographer Mario Testino remembers Madonna shutting down the shoot after saying she was “done.” But he pushed back, kept shooting, and boom—the iconic Ray of Light cover was born. That image of her in a flowing blue raincoat, hair windswept like an EDM festival goddess ascending into the astral plane? Total accident. Total magic. Total Madonna.

5. The Album Was Nearly Called Veronica Electronica
No, really. Before settling on Ray of Light, Madonna considered the name Veronica Electronica, which sounds like a DJ alias who opens for Aphex Twin at Burning Man. Another contender? Mantra. Cool, but not quite cosmic enough. Ultimately, Ray of Light captured the vibe—a spiritual awakening set to synths, bass drops, and neon starlight.

Ray of Light is a metaphysical trip through BPMs and belief systems. Twenty-six years later, it still slaps, glows, and elevates. Whether you’re meditating or moving, just remember: this album didn’t just change Madonna—it changed the game.

Let there be light. Let there be bass.

HBO Original Documentary BILLY JOEL: AND SO IT GOES To Debut This Summer

Music

Eric Alper

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Mar 30, 2025

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HBO Original Documentary BILLY JOEL: AND SO IT GOES To Debut This Summer

The HBO Original two-part documentary BILLY JOEL: AND SO IT GOES, directed by Emmy winners Susan Lacy (HBO’s “Jane Fonda in Five Acts” and “Spielberg”) and Jessica Levin (HBO’s “The Janes” and “Jane Fonda in Five Acts”), will debut on HBO and will be available to stream on Max this summer.

BILLY JOEL: AND SO IT GOES is an expansive portrait of the life and music of Billy Joel, exploring the love, loss, and personal struggles that fuel his songwriting. With unprecedented access to never-before-seen performances, home movies, and personal photographs, along with extensive, in-depth one-on-one interviews, the documentary intimately explores the life and work of Joel, whose music has endured across generations.

Susan Lacy, director and producer, says, “For those who think they know Joel’s story, as well as those who are not as familiar, I believe this two-part film is both a revelation and a surprise. I was drawn to his story as someone who knew little at the outset, and was astounded at how autobiographical his songs are and how complex his story is. We are gratified that Bill trusted us with his story, which we have told as honestly as possible, diving into territory which has not been explored before.”

HBO Documentary Films presents a Pentimento Production in association with Hazy Mills Productions and Playtone Productions. Directed and produced by Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin; executive producers, Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, Todd Milliner, Sean Hayes, Steve Cohen; producer, Emma Pildes; edited by Kris Liem, James Pilott, Steven Ross. For HBO: executive producers, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, Sara Rodriguez.