Post Malone delivered an unexpected cover during a visit to Howard Stern’s SiriusXM show Oct. 17.
Backed by a vocal septet ― and with himself on guitar ― the rapper delivered a spine-tingling version of “Them Bones,” an Alice In Chains track from its 1992 grunge classic, Dirt.
Malone’s genre-hopping recent album, Austin, features him playing guitar on every track. His tour in support of the album resumes next month in Australia.
Meanwhile, Malone received a shout-out recently for a different kind of offering: a generous tip at an undisclosed venue. The server who posted a copy of the check to Reddit noted that Malone’s $3K tip — nearly doubling the $3.4K tab — was “by far the best tip I have ever received.”
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Beyoncé shared a rare picture with both of her parents, mom Tina and dad Mathew Knowles, on social media as she teased a sneak peek into her birthday celebrations.
The 32-time Grammy winner — the most decorated artist in the awards show’s history — celebrated her 42nd birthday in September, and marked the occasion with an intimate family-filled gathering.
The Houston native shared a series of snapshots from her big day, which she celebrated with her parents and husband Jay-Z.
In the black and white photo, the mom of three beams from ear to ear as her dad, 71, who also worked as her manager in the past, plants a kiss on her left cheek, while her mother, 69, kisses her right.
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Meanwhile, Beyoncé’s career is going so well, USA Today is hiring a dedicated Beyoncé reporter. The paper also has a Taylor Swift reporter.
Gannett, the publisher of the newspaper, which has a daily readership of 2.5 million, posted a job listing for a writer who will “chronicle the music, fashion, cultural and economic influence of Beyoncé.”
According to the listing, “this reporter will identify why the star’s influence continues to expand and the effect it’s having on the music and business worlds. The successful candidate also will tap into stories about the Beyhive, her protective fanbase that propels the image and relevance of the artist.”
It adds, “She’s been a force in everything from how the country views race to how women think about their partners. We’re looking for an energetic and enterprising writer, capable of a text and video-forward approach, who can capture Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s effect not only on the many industries in which she operates, but also on society.”
The writer will work principally for USA Today, but their work will reach the whole network of Gannett publications.
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Billy Bob’s Texas is remembering Charlie Robison with a page in his honor on its website after the singer-songwriter passed away Sept. 15.
Robison, whose gritty songwriting and independent spirit helped pave the way for modern Texas music, took the stage frequently at the Fort Worth venue, with a total of 38 shows appearances. In 2012, Billy Bob’s released a CD of his performance as part of its Live at Billy Bob’s series.
“Our hearts are broken to learn of the passing of our dear friend and Texas country music legend,” Billy Bob’s said in a release following Robison’s death. “We’ve been blessed to have so many wonderful memories with Charlie over the years and will miss him greatly.”
A cult figure in mainstream country, Robison’s influence throughout Texas and on the Red Dirt scene was undeniable. His 1998 album Life of the Party is a touchstone for Texas artists and was a ubiquitous soundtrack across the Lone Star State in the late ’90s, earning him a reputation as a successor to Robert Earl Keen.
Robison commemorated his Live at Billy Bob’s recording with a tattoo of his album cover. Billy Bob’s also has Robison’s handprint (above) on its handprint wall of fame, and posted a video in his memory on Facebook.
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Carrie Underwood is like the rest of us when it comes to the King of Country. She’s unable to pick a favorite George Strait song — they’re all her favorites.
“I don’t think I can pick out a favorite,” she says. “He’s one of those artists I’ve been listening to for my entire life who’s just always been around. But a few favorites – ‘Baby Blue,’ ‘The Chair,’ ‘Amarillo By Morning,’ ‘Ocean Front Property,’ ‘All My Exes Live in Texas.’ Yeah, I mean, the list goes on and on.”
Underwood joined headliner Strait at the fourth annual ATLive in Atlanta Oct. 21, in a lineup that also featured Willie Nelson and Little Big Town. “I’m sandwiched between George Strait and Willie Nelson,” Underwood said, “so that’s not a bad place to be.”
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After making a decisive move to New York City, Kelly Clarkson, the Texas State Musician for 2024, says there’s no viable reason for her to return to Los Angeles in the future. The Fort Worth native, 40, recently made headlines by relocating her daytime talk show studio from the West Coast to the Big Apple, where she now hosts her program.
Clarkson’s shift to the East Coast has fueled speculation about her continued participation as a coach on The Voice. The popular singing competition show films out of Los Angeles.
Despite being a beloved coach and cast member of the NBC show, Clarkson appears to have quelled all doubts about her Voice future. “I’ve learned a lot about what I’m capable of handling, and also what you shouldn’t handle” she says. “This is me saying ‘Bye’ to The Voice. I love that family, but I was like, ‘I’m struggling. I can’t smile anymore. I don’t feel like smiling.’”
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Austin-based musician Darden Smith has been named the first recipient of the new songwriter in residence program at the University of Texas at Austin. The program, housed in the College of Fine Arts, is part of the university’s efforts to expand live music experiences while integrating the campus community into Austin’s vibrant live music scene.
“The location of our University is significant,” wrote UT president Jay Hartzell. “Being in the heart of Austin creates collisions and synergy with industry, intellectual pursuits and the arts, including live music. UT has been a big part of making Austin the Live Music Capital of the World, including the talent gathered on the Forty Acres or launched from it. I’m excited that one of those talented artists, alumnus Darden Smith, will interact with our students as our resident songwriter, passing on his life lessons as a student and successful musical artist.”
During the residency, the artists will create and release new music as a song, album or video and debut their new music on campus at Texas Performing Arts or KUT, creating a minimum of two performance showcases per semester.
“It’s an honor to be the inaugural songwriter in residence at UT-Austin,” Smith says. “My years at UT expanded my horizons, made me a better writer and, most importantly, taught me how to think. The time to pursue what might have seemed to others as rather random lines of inquiry stays with me to this day.”
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Megan Thee Stallion has reached a settlement to end a long-running legal battle with her former record label. The rapper first filed a lawsuit against 1501 Certified Entertainment in 2020, claiming they were stopping her from releasing music. But the pair will now “amicably part ways,” as reported by Billboard.
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No specific details of the agreement have been provided.
In 2020, 28-year-old Megan said on Instagram Live that she “didn’t really know what was in [her] contract” when she first signed it. “I was young. I think I was like 20,” she said, “and I didn’t know everything.”
After the settlement with 1501, Megan hinted she was an independent artist, saying she didn’t “want to sign to a new label right now, because I just want to do it myself,” adding, “We’re doing everything funded straight out of Megan Thee Stallion’s pocket, so the budget is coming from me. I’m so excited to be doing something for the first time independent since it was just me and my momma.”
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Far Out magazine has unearthed an interesting story about Roy Orbison and Elvis.
In 1956, Orbison, a native of Wink, Texas, was signed by Sun Records — the formative label of Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis — and swiftly began to make a name for himself. Unlike Presley, Orbison wrote his own lyrics, and one of his early ambitions was to have the King sing one of his songs. In 1960, when Presley returned from his U.S. Army duties, Orbison made his move.
Understandably, Orbison saw Presley as the perfect man to voice his new lyrical creation, “Only the Lonely.” After getting in contact with the star, however, he was disheartened to receive a polite rejection. Sadly, Orbison received a similar response after pitching the track to the popular Everly Brothers. In the end, Orbison sang and released the track himself as a single in May 1960.
On Oct. 20, 1960, Orbison’s iconic croon saw “Only the Lonely” reach the top of the UK singles chart after peaking at No. 2 in the U.S. Needless to say, Presley felt a few pangs of regret as he reviewed the stats but was ultimately delighted for his fellow Sun Records alumnus.
The pair’s friendship blossomed through the 1960s, and during one of Presley’s famous Las Vegas concerts, he described Orbison as having the “perfect voice,” calling him the “greatest singer in the world.”
In return for such humbling praise, Orbison reflected upon seeing Presley perform in Odessa for the first time in February 1955. “His energy was incredible; his instinct was just amazing,” he recalled in a 1980 interview. “I just didn’t know what to make of it. There was just no reference point in the culture to compare it.”
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Kacey Musgraves’ latest vacation wasn’t entirely what she imagined.
On Oct. 20, the singer, 35, published a video on both TikTok and Instagram, poking fun at how her recent vacation to Iceland was less-than-ideal.
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The video begins with a photo of the popular destination spot, the Blue Lagoon, accompanied by an image of the Icelandic geothermal spa — known for its vibrant mineral baths. The photo shows vacationers relaxing, with the caption reading, “What you’re hoping for.”
If only. Musgraves’ video continues with short clips of her and her friends battling the high winds and rough waters at the lagoon, doing their best to protect their drinking cups. As the video continues, Musgraves pokes fun at her reaction to the intense and imperfect weather.
“Are we having fun?” she asked in her TikTok caption.
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Ongoing legal woes aren’t keeping Lizzo down.
The “Truth Hurts” singer fulfilled a childhood dream Oct. 6 when she was brought on stage to play flute and sing with rock band Incubus at the Hollywood Bowl.
“Those who know me… KNOW. This is BEYOND a dream and FULL CIRCLE,” Lizzo, 35, captioned a video of her performance shared to Instagram. “I saw @incubusofficial perform 20 years ago at @woodlandspavilion [in Texas], and now to be at @hollywoodbowl performing ‘Aqueous Transmission’ with @sashabefluting — I WAS A PUDDLE ON THE FLOOR — thank you INCUBUS for everything but also for inviting me on stage and making my childhood dreams come true.”
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Subsequent posts showed the singer having fun with friends during the show and posing with the band backstage. The rock band also shared a photo commemorating the occasion on its official Instagram page, writing, “Thank you @lizzobeeating for joining us at the Bowl. Was an honor to share the stage with you.”
The surprise appearance is the latest in one of only a few public appearances by the singer since her legal problems surfaced in August, when she was sued by former backup dancers, who accused her of sexual harassment and creating a “hostile work environment.” Lizzo issued a formal denial in court and addressed the allegations on Instagram, writing in part, “My work ethic, morals, and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized. Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations, but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.”
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The Tejano Music Awards officially rescinded the Lifetime Achievement Award set to be granted Oct. 21 to convicted sex offender and former Grupo Mazz singer Jose “Joe” Lopez — the “most well-known sex offender in the state of Texas,” according to Lopez’ lawyer. The 43rd annual awards show was held at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio.
The Texas Talent Musicians Association announced Sept. 27 that Lopez (below) would be receiving the prestigious distinction along with legendary Tejano singer-songwriter Humberto “Beto” Ramon. But on Oct. 18, the association’s vice president, Frank Salazar, said the organization would no longer be honoring Lopez, crediting public outcry for the decision.
Lopez’s scheduled performance for the awards show was also canceled, though he was nominated for, but didn’t win, two awards at the ceremony — male vocalist of the year and Tejano album of the year for the 2022 release Love from the Heart. The 73-year-old wasn’t in attendance at the show.
Lopez was convicted of indecency with a child — his then 13-year-old niece — in 2006. He received a 20-year sentence, but the state paroled him in 2018.
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Maren Morris returned to social media with an inspirational quote amid news she’s filed for divorce from husband Ryan Hurd.
On Oct. 20, the Arlington native, 33, posted an Instagram Story that alludes to the acceptance of an uncertain future.
The quote features the partially crossed-out text “It will be fine” before the words “It will just be, and when it is, you will face what’s necessary.”
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She then posted a selfie wearing a baseball cap with the lyrics “There were nights when the wind was so cold” from Celine Dion’s hit “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now,” later adding it to an Instagram carousel along with the caption, “Welcome to The End, where you can come and lose some friends.”
Cover photo courtesy SiriusXM and the Howard Stern show
