Steve Cropper, guitarist and member of Stax Records’ Booker T and the M.G.’s, dies at 84Video
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Steve Cropper, the lean, soulful guitarist and songwriter who helped anchor the celebrated Memphis backing band Booker T. and the M.G.’s at Stax Records and co-wrote the classics “Green Onions,” “(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay” and “In the Midnight Hour,” has died. He was...
Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Jeff Plate on ‘The Ghosts of Christmas Eve’ show coming to PittsburghVideo
After more than 25 years of touring, it’s just not feasible for Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s stage production to get any larger. ”We’ve reached the point of we can’t get much bigger, considering the schedule that we run when we do these tours,” drummer Jeff Plate said. “Eight shows in five days...
Spotify Wrapped 2025: Bad Bunny dethrones Taylor Swift as most-streamed artist
NEW YORK — The holiday season is here, and with it, a present for fans of end of year data and marketing: Spotify Wrapped is here! And Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny has been named its most-played artist for a fourth time, dethroning Taylor Swift. On Wednesday, the streaming giant...
Rick Schuler plays holiday favorites and John Denver classics at the Rocky Mountain High Experience
For those of us born in the latter decades of the 20th century, John Denver’s dulcet tones and sweet songs playing on the radio were a common occurrence, especially around Christmastime. The platinum-selling folk artist hit a peak in the 1970s, but many of his songs reverberated like a twanging...
Sabrina Carpenter and Franklin the Turtle publisher condemn Trump administration’s use of their workVideo
WASHINGTON — Pop singer Sabrina Carpenter and the publisher of the beloved children’s character Franklin the Turtle are disavowing the Trump administration’s use of their music and imagery to support its agenda. Responding to the use of her song “Juno” in a video montage depicting ICE raids, Carpenter tweeted Tuesday:...
Trisha Yearwood talks new Christmas album and show with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
When country music star Trisha Yearwood first envisioned 2025, she thought it would be a “quiet year.” It didn’t quite work out that way. With her husband Garth Brooks not touring, Yearwood figured to work on a Christmas album with an accompanying winter tour. But then she unexpectedly wound up...
‘Archiving history’: Aural-style jam sessions of NA Fiddlers offer unique experience for student musicians
Sporting their signature look of a simple red polo shirt and a fiddle in hand, the North Allegheny Fiddlers took to the Maywood Recording studio in McCandless recently to lay down some new, and old, tracks. This is the third time that Dennis Morton, who started the NA Fiddlers in...
Pittsburgh local music spotlight: The Low KingsVideo
Proceeds from the “A Celtic Rock Christmas” show will assist a pair of local organizations, and Pittsburgh’s The Low Kings were happy to join the bill. “It’s gonna be a great event,” vocalist/guitarist Shawn Melvin said of the Dec. 11 event. “It’ll benefit the Pittsburgh Irish Festival, which does an...
Holiday-themed concerts and events set
Here is a list of holiday-themed concerts and events taking place in December: Thursday, Dec. 4: Holiday Bell Choir. The event will be at 6 p.m. at the Penn Hills Library, 1037 Stotler Road. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required by calling 412-775-4700 or emailing phlibrarypgh@pennhillslibrary.org....
Top December concerts for Pittsburgh: Trisha Yearwood, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and more
It’s the season of light, and that will be nowhere more evident than with a pair of shows this month at PPG Paints Arena with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, while country music star Trisha Yearwood will be celebrating the holidays with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Here’s a look at those and...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 28-30
The leftovers are packed in the fridge and the family is still hanging around for a couple more days. What to do? You can show them how fun and bright Pittsburgh is with these events. Enjoy! Beers of the Burgh’s Winter Warmer Get ready for some fancy holiday cheer and...
Q&A: Johnnyswim husband-and-wife duo on Christmas show in Pittsburgh, deluxe album and moreVideo
In the 20 years since Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano formed the pop/soul/R&B duo Johnnyswim, the now-married couple has played plenty of holiday concerts. “We’ve cut our teeth touring a lot with Christmas shows,” Ramirez said. But an early New York City show still stands out. The duo recorded the...
5th Ukraine benefit concert to be held Dec. 17
While organizers of the Benefit Concert for Ukraine chamber music series are thrilled with its success, they are dismayed that the concerts are still necessary. The Dec. 17 concert at Sewickley Methodist Church will be the fifth concert in the series, which began in December 2022 after the war in...
Your guide to Western Pa. holiday performances this season
It’s Christmastime in the city! The holidays are upon us, and the streets are bright with colorful lights and alive with festive music. While family visits, gift shopping and weekend afternoons of baking are filling up the calendar for the next few weeks, the holidays wouldn’t be quite as special...
Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Jade EyeVideo
“INITIALS,” the first EP from Pittsburgh’s Jade Eye, is “about beginning something,” according to guitarist/vocalist Justin Ingala. “It may not always be perfect at the get go, but making steps in the direction you’re heading for is what it’s all about,” he said. “We have tons more finished songs and...
Jimmy Cliff, reggae giant and star of landmark film ‘The Harder They Come,’ dead at 81
NEW YORK — Jimmy Cliff, the charismatic reggae pioneer and actor who preached joy, defiance and resilience in such classics as “Many Rivers to Cross,” “You Can Get it If You Really Want” and “Vietnam” and starred in the landmark movie “The Harder They Come,” has died at 81. His...
Pittsburgh musicians rock Mr. Smalls with ‘The Smalls Waltz’
Nearly 50 years ago, the legendary group The Band — along with many of their famous friends — played their last concert. Held in San Francisco on Nov. 25, 1976, it was called “The Last Waltz” and was also filmed as a concert movie and documentary by another legend, Martin...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 21-23
If Light Up Night isn’t your jam, that doesn’t mean having to hide in the house all weekend! Here are some other events to attend, sans twinkly trees and super-cold temps. Record Convention Fall Show Music collectors of Pittsburgh, here’s your chance to shop and meet like-minded people. The Record...
The Weeknd’s ‘After Hours ‘Til Dawn’ Tour grosses over $1 billion, Live Nation says
NEW YORK — The Weeknd’s After Hours ‘Til Dawn Tour has officially crossed the $1 billion mark, according to Live Nation. The lengthy tour, which launched in Philadelphia in July 2022 and runs through September 2026, has officially grossed $1.004 billion with approximately 7.55 million tickets sold across 153 tour...
Lainey Wilson wins entertainer of the year at 2025 CMA Awards
NEW YORK — The top prize of entertainer of the year at the 2025 Country Music Association Awards went to none other than Lainey Wilson, who hosted, performed and barely left the stage Wednesday night. “It takes a village,” she said in her acceptance speech. “We about to party.” She...
Light Up Night in Pittsburgh: What to know
The official start to the Pittsburgh holiday season is Saturday with the 64th annual Light Up Night. The festive series of events throughout Downtown Pittsburgh will be full of brightness, sparkle, fun and holiday cheer — but the schedule and logistics can also seem daunting. Never fear; we’ve got all...
Mötley Crüe announces summer 2026 Pittsburgh area show
As they celebrate their 45th anniversary, metal band Mötley Crüe announced a massive Return of the Carnival of Sins Tour, which will traverse North America in 2026, including a stop at the Pavilion at Star Lake on July 17. The tour also marks the 20th anniversary of their landmark Carnival...
Pittsburgh local music spotlight: King Blue HeronVideo
Pittsburgh’s King Blue Heron released their “Salvation Sound” EP earlier this year, made with producer Billy Mannino. “We were so in love with the results,” vocalist/guitarist Emily Hardenberger said. “We actually just got back from recording some more songs with him. He made those tracks really sparkle.” The band recently...
Q&A: Queensryche guitarist Michael Wilton on latest album, riffs and more ahead of Greensburg showVideo
Other than some festival appearances and three shows back in the 1980s in California, progressive metal band Queensryche had never toured with the German metal band Accept. Until now, that is. With close to 100 years between the two bands, the veteran bands are out on the Volume and the...
Toby Keith’s daughter to perform national anthem and at halftime of Steelers gameVideo
Singer-songwriter Krystal Keith will sing the national anthem ahead of Sunday’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium. Keith, the daughter of the late country singer Toby Keith, will also sing two of her father’s songs at halftime, honoring the U.S. military as part of the...