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Loretta Lynn’s Life and Music Brought to Broadway in Coal Miner’s Daughter Musical

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2025

Loretta Lynn’s Life and Music Brought to Broadway in Coal Miner’s Daughter Musical

The music and life story of beloved country music icon and legend Loretta Lynn will be celebrated and depicted in a new stage musical Coal Miner’s Daughter starring Tony Award-winner Sutton Foster.

The production is in development under the direction of Tony Award-winner Sam Gold. Music Production is by Tony Award-winner Jeanine Tesori. Gold and Tesori last worked together on the Tony Award-winning musical Fun Home.

Loretta Lynn’s manager, producer, and daughter, Patsy Lynn, and longtime adviser, Nancy Russell, will act as consulting producers. Inspired by the award-nominated 1980 film and autobiography by Loretta Lynn and George Vecsey, Coal Miner’s Daughter chronicles Loretta’s rise from humble beginnings in rural Kentucky to country music legend. The stage adaptation will include songs from Loretta’s career and share stories from Loretta’s life beyond the film’s ending.

Loretta Lynn, one of country music’s most iconic figures, left an indelible mark on the genre with a career spanning over six decades. Known for her powerful storytelling and unapologetically honest lyrics, she sold over 45 million records worldwide and earned numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards, Country Music Association (CMA) awards, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her legacy includes timeless hits such as “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” and “The Pill.” Lynn’s career, which began in the early 1960s, was marked by its longevity and influence. She passed away on October 4, 2022, at the age of 90, leaving behind a profound impact on music and culture.

“We are so grateful to see that our mother’s life story and music will continue to touch the hearts of audiences and remain an important statement of the American dream,” said the family of Loretta Lynn. “As one of the last creative projects our mom was so passionate about, we are thankful that she had the opportunity to experience the initial stages of Sutton’s sincere portrayal of Loretta. Mom absolutely fell in love with her and thought she was just the right person to play her onstage. The family is moved by this incredible team’s commitment to her legacy.”

The producing team committed to bringing the iconic story of Loretta Lynn’s life to the stage include Broadway veterans Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Bee Carrozzini, and ATG Entertainment.

Released on March 7, 1980, Coal Miner’s Daughter received seven Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and Best Writing and Sissy Spacek won the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Coal Miner’s Daughter was also awarded Best Motion Picture by the Golden Globes, National Board of Review, National Film Preservation Board and the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Sleigh Bells Announce New Album ‘Bunky Becky Birthday Boy’ Out April 4

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2025

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Sleigh Bells Announce New Album ‘Bunky Becky Birthday Boy’ Out April 4

Sleigh Bells – comprised of producer/guitarist Derek Miller and singer Alexis Krauss – announce their seventh album Bunky Becky Birthday Boy out April 4th via Mom+Pop Music. A celebration of the pair’s unbelievable friendship, the new record also greets a brand-new (and every bit as explosive) chapter of Sleigh Bells.

Today, the band is sharing the album opener “Bunky Pop,” following last month’s first tease of the new album, “Wanna Start A Band?.” The record immediately bounds to life on the effervescent opener, crashing in with gnawing guitar riffs and Krauss’ pulsing chants. “We wanted the track to sound like a dog having the best moment of her life without any of the burden of self consciousness,” Miller says. “‘Bunky Pop’ informed the entire record, and Bunky Becky kind of became a character woven into every song. We wanted to give her a friend, Roxette Ric, so we could play with a little bit of autobiography and fiction as well.”

Sleigh Bells are so many things: era-defining, a sonic boom of energy, your favorite hyperpop musician’s favorite reference. But what are Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller to each other? Take away everything else – the critical acclaim, the inexplicable clash of sweet and aggressive, birthed in the late 2000s on Treats and expanded across the next decade on five more albums – Alexis and Derek are simply best friends forever.

You can’t just have soulmate status; it has to be earned. Over the course of nearly two decades, ever since July 2008 when Derek asked Alexis if she’d consider starting a band with him, Sleigh Bells has been a bedrock and a creative guiding force for both artists. Whatever else may change – cities, jobs, partners, parenthood – Alexis and Derek have seen each other through everything. Now, the duo prepare to launch their seventh album this year, Bunky Becky Birthday Boy.

Following 2021’s Texis, Bunky Becky Birthday Boy blasts into the room with razor-sharp guitars, ultra-sticky pop choruses, floor-shaking rhythms, and indelible chants, which kick off on the album’s instant-classic opening track. The pair are in constant communication with each other; even when they’re not actively recording music, they’re sending tracks back and forth. And that’s how Bunky Becky Birthday Boy came to be.

The playfully alliterative title is a symbolic quilt, weaving together endings and beginnings while loosely looping in the band’s own history. “‘Bunky Becky’ was a nickname for Alexis’ dog Riz, who passed away in December 2023. When she passed away, Alexis and I had been talking about writing an anthem for her,” Derek says. “And then Alexis’ son Wilder was born, and he’s the birthday boy. Even though the title sounds a little ridiculous – and it’s totally okay to laugh at it – with a little bit of context, it’s actually life and death. We lost somebody that we love, and we gained somebody that we love.”

The story of Bunky Becky and Roxette Ric evolves in the swaggering “Wanna Start A Band?,” an irresistible collision of glam metal, stabbing synths, vocal whoops, and in-your-face beats. Just as Derek asked Alexis to start a band 17 years ago, “Wanna Start A Band?” finds the duo’s alter egos – Becky and Roxette – forming their creative partnership. On the rager-ready “Badly,” Sleigh Bells roll out a quintessential barn burner anthem in the vein of Beastie Boys’ “Fight For Your Right” and like minded ’80s jams. Sleigh Bells seal off the record with “Pulse Drips Quiet,” which experiments with rhythm and tone and reflects the duo’s unshakable bond.

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Launch Wildfire Relief Effort Ahead of Historic Arena Tour

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2025

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Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Launch Wildfire Relief Effort Ahead of Historic Arena Tour

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats have announced an initiative to help raise wildfire recovery funds for the Los Angeles area in advance of their first-ever show at the Kia Forum on Friday, February 21. The show, part of the band’s milestone first arena run, will feature support sets from Waxahatchee and Iron And Wine. All proceeds from the fundraising efforts will go to the Musicares Fire Relief Fund.

Three winners will receive two VIP seats, passes to the Forum Club and will each be invited backstage with a friend to meet Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Waxahatchee and Iron And Wine. All three winners will also receive a signed Gibson guitar from the bands. Enter to win here and donate to the Musicares Fire Relief Fund here. No purchase is necessary to win.

In addition, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, in partnership with Greater Good Music and Dream Center LA, have purchased a mobile food pantry for those who lost their homes to the Los Angeles fires—truckloads of food, water and pet supplies will be available on the streets of the city, with those living in hotels and shelters able to drive or walk up to receive meals.

Greater Good Music partners with music artists to give mobile food pantries to people in disaster zones—recent partnerships include Ringo Star and Def Leppard for those affected by the Los Angeles fires and Green Day, who donated emergency food to those affected by the Maui fires. Greater Good is currently feeding 1,200 people in Los Angeles weekly.

The second leg of the band’s first arena tour will see stops at San Francisco’s Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, a slew of performances in Canada, including at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, and a landmark show at Madison Square Garden. The first leg of the arena tour saw electric performances at Red Rocks, Chicago’s United Center, and St. Paul’s Excel Center. Pioneer Press praised Rateliff’s “twangy voice exploding out of guitars and keyboards and horns into roaring, soaring choruses”.

The tour caps off another highlight year for the band, which saw two #1s: “Heartless” and “Call Me (Whatever You Like)” from their critically acclaimed fourth full-length studio album, South of Here, both topped the Adult Alternative Chart, marking their 7th and 8th #1s to date. The album is out now via Stax—listen here. See the band perform “Heartless” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert here and an excerpt from their special on the Howard Stern Show here.

Additionally, Rateliff has been appointed as Newport Folk Steward, the first artist to hold such a role at the legendary festival since Pete Seeger. The position holds a three-year term, which will see Rateliff serving as Steward actively for two years and advising the next recipient during a third transition year. Rateliff has chosen to devote his term to artist advocacy, fellowship and mentorship both at the Fort and beyond.

SOUTH OF HERE TOUR—NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS
February 13—Vancouver, BC—Rogers Arena*
February 15—Seattle, WA—Climate Pledge Arena*
February 16—Portland, OR—Moda Center*
February 18—Reno, NV—Grand Sierra Resort ±
February 21—Los Angeles, CA—Kia Forum ± #
February 22—San Francisco, CA—Bill Graham Civic Auditorium ±
March 11—Edmonton, AB—Rogers Place~
March 13—Calgary, AB—Scotiabank Saddledome~
March 15—Winnipeg, MB—Canada Life Centre~
March 18—Fishers, IN—Fishers Event Center~
March 19—Pittsburgh, PA—Petersen Events Center~
March 21—Toronto, ON—Scotiabank Arena~
March 22—Ottawa, ON—Canadian Tire Centre~
March 23—Uncasville, CT—Mohegan Sun~
March 27—New York, NY—Madison Square Garden+
March 28—Boston, MA—MGM Music Hall at Fenway
March 29—Boston, MA—MGM Music Hall at Fenway
+with support from Gregory Alan Isakov
*with support from Charley Crockett
±with support from Iron & Wine
#with support from Waxahatchee
~with support from The Teskey Brothers

Joe Walsh Shares His Secret to Sobriety in a Rock and Roll World

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2025

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Joe Walsh Shares His Secret to Sobriety in a Rock and Roll World

In a candid conversation with Sammy Hagar, legendary guitarist Joe Walsh opened up about his struggles with addiction and the importance of asking for help. Despite decades in an industry full of temptations, Walsh credits his sobriety to the simple act of picking up the phone. “The hardest thing to do—the phone can weigh 30 pounds. Pick up the phone and ask for help because there’s life after addiction and it’s good.”

Whiskey Jam Heads North: Nashville’s Legendary Live Music Series Debuts in Toronto

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2025

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Whiskey Jam Heads North: Nashville’s Legendary Live Music Series Debuts in Toronto

For the first time ever, in partnership with Universal Music Canada, Nashville’s iconic live music event series brings its traditional Whiskey Jam format to Canada. Whiskey Jam Toronto presented by Bud Light debuts on February 26 at Horseshoe Tavern, hosted by Whiskey Jam’s founder Ward Guenther, featuring a stacked line-up of seven country music artists on track for a breakout year including: Brandon Wisham, Christian Hayes, Dalton Davis, James Barker Band, Kalsey Kulyk, Kashus Culpepper, and Ryan Hurd. Just like the original Whiskey Jam events held at Whiskey Row on Broadway Street in Nashville, tickets to Whiskey Jam Toronto are free and will be available in person at the venue on a first come, first served basis.

“Whiskey Jam has welcomed Canadian guests, both on stage and in the crowd, for years,” says Guenther. “Canadians have always been some of the most passionate and enthusiastic fans, so we figured it was time to take the show north. We’ve toured Canada with Luke Combs and Old Dominion, but we’ve never brought Whiskey Jam to a bar setting like we do in Nashville. Hosting it at the legendary Horseshoe Tavern, alongside Universal Music Canada and some of our favorite artists, feels like the perfect way to kick things off. This has all the makings of something special—and a whole lot of fun.”

Originating in 2011 as a small gathering for songwriters and musicians to showcase their talent in an intimate setting, Whiskey Jam has now become a staple of Nashville’s music scene, hosting both emerging artists and major names. The event takes place at Whiskey Row on Broadway and is free to attend, making it a favourite spot for industry insiders, songwriters, and music fans alike. Big names like Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves, and Morgan Wallen have all played the event early in their careers.

Whiskey Jam is a live music series based in Nashville, TN with a simple mission: connecting great new music with great audiences and having a great time doing it. Since 2011, they have put on over 1000 shows, hosting thousands of amazing artists – names like Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, Old Dominion, Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll, Kacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, Bailey Zimmerman, Megan Moroney and many, many more. Located in a lively downtown bar, the uninhibited energy and up-close nature of the show create an unparalleled environment to enjoy original music in Music City.

Over the previous 14 years, Whiskey Jam alumni have been responsible for writing or recording over 459 number one songs. They have received 129 ACM awards, 92 CMA awards & 39 Grammys. Nine members of the Whiskey Jam Fam have gone on to be inducted in the Grand Ole Opry.

The Forgotten Jazz-Funk Masterpiece That Brought ‘Dune’ to Music Before Hollywood Did

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2025

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The Forgotten Jazz-Funk Masterpiece That Brought ‘Dune’ to Music Before Hollywood Did

Long before David Lynch, before Denis Villeneuve, before the blockbuster adaptations and billion-dollar franchises, Frank Herbert’s Dune found a home in jazz-funk. In 1977, keyboardist and bandleader David Matthews released Dune on CTI Records, a fusion-driven suite inspired by the novel’s vast desert landscapes, political intrigue, and spiritual mysticism. Side A is a 20-minute odyssey, featuring Arrakis, Sandworms, Song of the Bene Gesserit, and Muad’dib, weaving deep grooves and cosmic textures. Side B takes a left turn, merging sci-fi cinema with jazz, including covers of Star Wars, Silent Running, and Space Oddity, later sampled by MF DOOM. It’s part jazz poetry, part sci-fi homage, and entirely ahead of its time.

How Artists Can Promote Themselves by Making a Spotify Playlist – And Why It Works

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2025

0

Want to promote your music without spending a fortune on ads? Want to connect with fans beyond just dropping a song and hoping for the best? One of the most underrated ways for artists to build their brand, expand their reach, and keep listeners engaged is by creating a killer Spotify playlist.

It’s free. It’s powerful. And it works.

Here’s how and why you should start curating your own playlist today.

1. Curation = Branding = Fan Connection

A well-crafted playlist isn’t just a collection of songs—it’s a statement. It’s a glimpse into your influences, your vibe, your creative DNA. Think about it: if a fan loves your music, chances are they’d love to hear what inspires you.

Put together a playlist featuring your own songs and tracks from artists who share your sound, influences, or energy. If you’re a folk artist, mix your single in with tracks from The Lumineers, Fleet Foxes, and Brandi Carlile. A rock band? Drop your latest banger alongside Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, and Wolf Alice.

Now, instead of just saying, “Listen to my song,” you’re saying, “Here’s an entire mood, and I’m a part of it.”

2. Add Your Own Songs—And Do It Strategically

One of the biggest mistakes artists make is forgetting to add their own music or adding too much of it at once. Your song should feel like a natural part of the playlist, not something forced in.

Here’s how to do it right:

Place your song early in the playlist, but not the first track. The second or third slot feels more organic.
Include more than one song from your catalog, spaced throughout the playlist. If listeners enjoy your first track, they’re more likely to stay for another.
If you have multiple versions of a song (acoustic, remix, live), mix them in naturally.

This approach increases the chances of repeat plays while blending your music with tracks listeners already love.

3. Feature Friends & Emerging Artists for Cross-Promotion

Want to network in the industry without awkward DMs? Playlist-building is a win-win way to do it. If you know other independent or rising artists, add their songs to your playlist and tag them when you share it on social media. Chances are, they’ll return the favor.

This simple act creates organic exposure—their fans discover you, your fans discover them, and everyone wins.

4. Update It Regularly & Make It an Event

A playlist shouldn’t be static. Treat it like an evolving, living thing.

Update it every Friday with fresh tracks
Announce the updates on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok
Ask fans for suggestions and engage with their comments

This keeps people checking back, listening to your music again and again, and keeps your name in their heads.

5. Give It a Killer Name & Cover Art

Think about how many playlists are on Spotify. Why should someone click yours? A great name helps it stand out.

Instead of “My Favorite Songs,” try:

Sunday Morning Coffeehouse Vibes
Indie Rock Gems You Need to Hear
The Ultimate Road Trip Playlist
Sad Bangers for Rainy Days

The more searchable and relatable, the better. And don’t forget custom cover art—whether it’s a stylized version of your album art, a cool aesthetic, or even your face, it makes people click.

6. Embed It Everywhere

Once you’ve got your playlist, get it out there.

Share the link everywhere—your Instagram bio, Twitter, Facebook, and website
Embed it on your Bandcamp or official site
Drop it in your email newsletter
Pin it to your Spotify artist page

The easier you make it for fans to press play, the more listens you’ll rack up.

7. The Big Picture: You Become a Tastemaker

Think about some of your favorite artists. If they made a playlist of the music they love, you’d listen, right? Fans are the same way.

When you curate a vibe, you’re not just promoting yourself—you’re building an identity that keeps people coming back. And that’s the real secret to growing an audience in today’s streaming world.

So, what are you waiting for?
Go make that playlist. Share it. Promote it. Grow your fanbase.

And when you do, tag me—I want to hear what you’ve got.

The Halluci Nation Named Spotify’s Indigenous Playlist Ambassador for February

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2025

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The Halluci Nation Named Spotify’s Indigenous Playlist Ambassador for February

Ottawa-based electronic duo The Halluci Nation has been announced as Spotify’s newest ambassadors of the Indigenous playlist for the month of February.

Blending the eclectic sounds of hip hop, reggae, moombahton and dubstep dance music, Tim “2oolman” Hill and Ehren “Bear Witness” Thomas have carved out a unique niche that combines elements of traditional Indigenous music with modern electronic. With hits like “Electric Pow Wow Drum,” “R.E.D.” and “Stadium Pow Wow,” the duo have become the first independent Indigenous Artists from Turtle Island to reach 100+ million streams on Spotify.

Photo Gallery: Foster The People with Good Neighbours at Toronto’s History

Music

Eric Alper

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Feb 19, 2025

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Photo Gallery: Foster The People with Good Neighbours at Toronto’s History

All photos by Mini’s Memories, you can contact her through Instagram or Facebook.

5 Surprising Facts About Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born In The U.S.A’

Eric Alper

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Feb 18, 2025

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5 Surprising Facts About Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born In The U.S.A’

Released on June 4, 1984, Bruce Springsteen’s seventh studio album Born in the U.S.A. was a cultural moment, a political statement, and a global rock anthem all in one. From the pounding drums of the title track to the nostalgic storytelling of Glory Days, this album transformed Springsteen from a rock icon into an international superstar.

The Birth of an American Rock Classic

In the wake of Nebraska (1982), a stripped-down folk album that showcased Springsteen’s raw storytelling, Born in the U.S.A. was conceived as its electrified counterpart. Originally, Springsteen had a vast catalog of material—anywhere between 70 and 90 songs—crafted over two years of writing and recording. Some of these songs originated from the same demo sessions as Nebraska, but the production style couldn’t have been more different. Instead of the hushed, ghostly acoustics of Nebraska, Born in the U.S.A. roared with pounding drums, searing guitars, and fist-pumping choruses.

A Title Track That Was Misunderstood

Few songs in rock history have been as widely misinterpreted as Born in the U.S.A. With its booming drum intro and arena-filling chorus, many—including politicians like Ronald Reagan—mistook it for a patriotic anthem. In reality, Springsteen penned it as a protest song about the mistreatment of Vietnam War veterans, using its bombastic sound as a Trojan horse for a sobering message. Its misunderstood nature only fueled its power, turning it into one of Springsteen’s signature songs.

Seven Singles That Dominated the Charts

In an era dominated by MTV and the rise of music videos, Springsteen embraced the medium with full force. Seven singles from Born in the U.S.A.—Dancing in the Dark, Cover Me, Born in the U.S.A., I’m on Fire, Glory Days, I’m Goin’ Down, and My Hometown—cracked the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, a feat that placed the album alongside Thriller and Rhythm Nation 1814 in the pantheon of multi-hit records. The Dancing in the Dark video, directed by Brian De Palma, introduced audiences to a young Courteney Cox, further cementing the album’s place in pop culture.

An Album That Sold Millions and Defined a Decade

With over 30 million copies sold worldwide, Born in the U.S.A. became Springsteen’s best-selling album and one of the top-selling records of all time. It topped the charts in multiple countries and spent an astonishing 84 consecutive weeks in the Billboard Top 10. More than just a commercial triumph, the album’s impact stretched far beyond the music industry—it helped shape the sound of ‘80s rock, inspiring countless artists who sought to replicate its grandeur and storytelling depth.

A Cover That Became an Icon

Designed by Annie Leibovitz, the album’s cover—featuring Springsteen’s back against an American flag—became just as iconic as the music itself. Some believed it was a defiant gesture, a critique of America’s failures, while others saw it as a symbol of unwavering patriotism. Regardless of interpretation, it remains one of the most recognizable album covers of all time.

Springsteen’s relationship with Born in the U.S.A. has been complex. While it catapulted him to worldwide fame, he has expressed reservations about the level of stardom it brought him. Nonetheless, the album’s legacy remains intact. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2012, capturing the heart of America at a time of transition, offering both hope and a critical lens on its promises. Nearly 40 years after its release, it still pulses with the energy of a stadium anthem and the depth of a poet’s reflection. Whether you blast Born in the U.S.A. at full volume or sit back and dissect its lyrics, one thing is clear: this album isn’t just part of rock history—it is rock history.