Greensburg family band prepares for album-release show at Mr. Smalls in Millvale
If you listen to the early recordings of Greensburg indie-rock band Essential Machine, and then listen to songs from its new record, “Wildfires,” you might not think it’s the same band. Karen and R.J. Dietrich’s sound has evolved quite a bit over the past decade. But not only is it...
Pittsburgh-area drummer to play in Prince tribute, ‘Celebration 2019’ at Paisley Park
Brian Edwards of Bellevue has been playing drums since he was 3 years old. He’s played sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium with the British royal family in attendance, and he’s recorded and toured with Jesse Johnson, the original guitarist for funk-rock group The Time. In late April, he’ll travel to...
Billboard pulls Lil Nas X’s viral ‘Old Town Road’ from the country chart, igniting a controversyVideo
The definition of “real” country music often sparks fierce debate. This week, it also ignited a controversy. It all started in December when 19-year-old Atlanta rapper Lil Nas X released “Old Town Road,” which his producer described as “country trap” and his label called a “country-inspired rap track.” Incorporating banjo,...
Is Hannah Montana making a comeback?Video
With this Facebook post, singer Miley Cyrus sent the long-ago fans of her TV alter-ego Hannah Montana into a tizzy. The short video clip has already garnered more than 289,000 views, 3,100 shares and 2,200 comments. Cyrus starred in the Disney program, which premiered 13 years ago, with her dad...
Thorgy Thor to make U.S. premiere with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Bringing together classic music lovers and drag lovers into one room, Thorgy and the Thorchestra will make its U.S. premiere with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra June 27. The Heinz Hall show will bring Thorgy Thor, famed worldwide from the hit shows “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “Drag Me Down the Aisle,”...
Country musician Luke Combs announces Pittsburgh tour date
Country musician Luke Combs announced Thursday that he will bring “Beer Never Broke My Heart Tour” to Pittsburgh this fall. Combs will visit PPG Paints Arena on Nov. 23 with with Morgan Wallen and Jameson Rodgers. Presale tickets will be available Tuesday at 10 a.m. Ticket details are available at...
India.Arie, Marty Stuart top list of Three Rivers Art Festival acts
A diverse music lineup is promised for the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, coming June 7-16 to Point State Park, Gateway Plaza and the Cultural District in downtown Pittsburgh. “Embarking on our 60th year, the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Art Festival continues to attract a broad range of entertainment...
KISS returns to Pittsburgh 1 more timeVideo
The year was 1975 when renowned Pittsburgh concert promoter and “Behind the Stage Door” author Rich Engler says music history flashed before his eyes. He was surprised at how a relatively unknown band he booked to play the 3,700-seat Stanley Theater for its first Pittsburgh show carried itself like a...
Yough students stage ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’Video
Yough Senior High School students will present the musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” March 29-31. “It’s my favorite show,” says director Tracy Light. She’s performed in and directed the show, and felt confident staging it at Yough (for the second time), even with a cast of only 20...
‘La Boheme’ is the opera for everyone
Some operas are great introductions to the art form. Others appeal more to connoisseurs. But Giacomo Puccini’s “La Boheme” is both, an experience to be eagerly anticipated for just about anyone. The powerful story is about young artists living together because they are poor, one of whom find true love...
Nirvana manager waited 25 years to write his Kurt Cobain book
“Danny, he’s dead.” It was March 4, 1994, and David Geffen, the record mogul who had signed Nirvana just three years earlier, was calling band manager Danny Goldberg to share the terrible news: Kurt Cobain had overdosed on a powerful sedative while in Rome. Strangely enough, it was a false...
Friday Evening Music Club to present recital at Pitt-Greensburg
The Friday Evening Music Club will present a recital at 7:30 p.m. March 29 in the Campana Chapel and Lecture Hall at the University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg in Hempfield. The recital will open with a piece by French baroque composer J. B. Boismortier, performed by Linda Urbani, Chuck Kauric and Michele...
‘Disney in Concert’ promises the soaring sounds of old favorites
Animation has come a long way since Walt Disney set up his first Hollywood studio in the silent film era. And as his studio added sound, and went to feature length films and diversified to live casts, acquired television channels and opened entertainment parks, it has grown to be a...
Ariana Grande honors Mac Miller on anniversary of collaboration on ‘The Way’
On Monday, singer Ariana Grande marked the anniversary of the song “The Way,” a collaboration with the late Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller, according to people.com. It's been six years since The Way was released, and Ariana Grande is thinking of Mac Miller. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/uIkJMiRRYS— E! News (@enews) March 25,...
Daya’s ‘Insomnia’ video shows rave culture, Mt. Lebanon singer’s heartache
Mt. Lebanon native pop star Daya (Grace Tandon), 20, is premiering the music video for her most recent hit song, “Insomnia.” The Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum singer/songwriter’s video is being shown upon release in Manhattan’s Times Square. Daya’s new release shows her outside a dance club, unable to join in the...
Todd Rundgren’s 50-year career retrospective tour coming to The PalaceVideo
Singer/songwriter/producer Todd Rundgren brings his “The Individualist Tour,” highlighting music from his 50-year career to Greensburg’s Palace Theatre on June 15. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the 7:30 show. Tickets at $39-$49 go on sale at 10 a.m. March 29 at 724-836-8000 or thepalacetheatre.org. Tickets will increase by $6...
Saint Vincent College Concert Series features Greek guitarist Dimitris Kotronakis
Classical Greek guitarist Dimitris Kotronakis will perform at 7 p.m. March 30 as the 47th season of the Saint Vincent College Concert Series continues in the Saint Vincent Basilica Crypt. A native of Crete, Kotronakis began playing at age 7. He has performed in numerous recitals worldwide and has released...
West Mifflin’s Nate Walker pushes through vocal struggles on ‘American Idol’
The show must go on, and go on it did for “American Idol” contestant Nate Walker. Following his performance during Sunday night’s episode, the West Mifflin native said he lost his voice and ended up with a pounding headache and stomach pain. He was rushed to the hospital, but he...
West Mifflin’s Nate Walker goes to hospital on ‘American Idol’ episode
There’s always drama on “American Idol,” and Sunday night’s Hollywood Week episode was no different. Unfortunately, the drama came from the sudden illness of Nate Walker, with the West Mifflin singer heading off to the hospital. Walker started feeling sick after a soulful rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Believe in...
King Cool and Cruisers headline Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall show
Pittsburgh musical statesman Donnie Iris & the Cruisers will perform in an 8 p.m. concert June 22 at the Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall, 510 E. 10th Ave., Munhall. Limited Gold Circle seating will be available for $69. Remaining tickets will be sold for $25 and $45. A limited number...
Recording studio is a hidden gem in Armbrust schoolhouseVideo
Abbey Road, Muscle Shoals, Sunset Sound. Someday, maybe The Schoolhouse will join that list of famous recording studios. Right now, it’s a hidden gem in the tiny hamlet of Armbrust in Hempfield, a dream brought to life by audio engineer Daniel Blake, and a kind of refuge for the musicians...
Gabby Barrett is engaged to fellow ‘American Idol’ alum
Munhall’s favorite daughter, “American Idol” second runner-up Gabby Barrett is engaged. People reports the country singer and her boyfriend — now fiance — Cade Foehner, another former “American Idol” contestant, are tying the knot. Foehner has a nice RING to it... ?? pic.twitter.com/1sojkPzGUX— Gabby Barrett (@GabbyBarrett_) March 22, 2019 Surprise!...
Compose like Bach with Google’s first AI-powered Doodle
Bend it like Beckham, move like Jagger, now compose like Bach. To remember the birthday of German Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach, Google came up with its first AI-powered Doodle that allows users to compose a short melody that is then harmonized into Bach’s style. Lucky users who find a...
R Kelly defense emerges, including saying accusers are lying
CHICAGO — R. Kelly yelled through tears in a recent TV interview before an audience numbering in the millions, saying he’s in a fight for his life to disprove sexual abuse charges. That fight will ultimately be waged in court, with an audience numbering just 12 jurors. While the day...
Review: Mötley Crüe biopic ‘The Dirt’ as sexist as the band in its heyday
“Girls, girls, girls.” Mötley Crüe sings about them, sleeps with them, vomits on them, punches them in the face and can expect oral sex from anyone in a skirt in Netflix’s astoundingly tone deaf biopic “The Dirt.” The film, which premieres Friday, is based on the group’s 2001 book, “The...
