Jennifer Hudson, Carole King Co-Write Original Song for Aretha Franklin Biopic ‘Respect’: Exclusive – Collaborating together for the first time, Grammy Award winners Jennifer Hudson and Carole King have co-penned “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)” — the sole original song featured in the forthcoming Aretha Franklin biopic Respect. The song, which also appears on the film’s original motion picture soundtrack, is being released Friday (June 18). Rounding out the creative team behind “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)” are fellow co-writer Jamie Hartman (Lewis Capaldi, Christina Aguilera) and Grammy Award-winning Black Eyed Peas co-founder and producer will.i.am, who produced the track. When MGM’s Respect opens nationwide in theaters on August 13, the Epic Records soundtrack will become available on the same day. – Read more at Billboard
iHeartMedia Announces 2021 Lineup For Its Legendary ‘iHeartRadio Music Festival’ – The Two-Day Main Stage Event Will Feature Performances by Billie Eilish, Cheap Trick, Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Florida Georgia Line, Journey, Khalid, Lil Baby, Maroon 5, Nelly, Sam Hunt, Weezer and More, Hosted by Ryan Seacrest on September 17 and 18 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The Daytime Stage at the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Festival Will Feature Performances From DaBaby, Olivia Rodrigo, The Kid LAROI, Saweetie, All Time Low, 24kGoldn, Russell Dickerson, Yungblud, Gabby Barrett, Tate McRae, Conan Gray, Addison Rae and More on September 18 at AREA15 in Las Vegas. The CW Network Will Broadcast the Two-Day Televised Special on October 2 and 3, and Exclusively Livestream the Mega-Concert via The CW App and CWTV.com. – Read more at BusinessWire.com
Morgan Wallen Gives Surprise Performance at Georgia Charity Event – Morgan Wallen performed at a charity event’s afterparty on Monday for his second performance since he was caught yelling the N-word on video in late January. He sang at the afterparty of the inaugural Brett Boyer Foundation Invitational, where earlier in the day at Marshwood Club in Georgia, Wallen participated in a charity golf tournament with fellow country singer Luke Bryan. In addition to his Hot Country Songs chart-topper “Whiskey Glasses” and other hits, the embattled country star also performed the unreleased track “Thought You Should Know,” which he teased on Instagram last month. In the song — which Miranda Lambert revealed in the comments section of his IGTV clip that she and Nicolle Galyon co-wrote — Wallen updates his mom on his life and questions the “bad decisions” he’s made. – Read more at Billboard.com
Kat & Alex Sign With WME [Exclusive] – WME has signed Sony Music Nashville country-Latin duo Kat & Alex. The American Idol alumni exploded onto the scene with their debut single “How Many Times” and its accompanying Spanish Version which has quickly earned 10 million streams and broken onto Spotify’s Hot Country and New Boots playlists, as well as popular Latin playlists. Kat & Alex recently released their latest single, the Jordan Reynolds and Robyn Collins-penned “Heartbreak Tour,” as well as a a version of the song that features a Spanish chorus, in homage to their Latin heritage. Having amassed nearly 20 million streams independently and receiving acclaim from Billboard, CMT, and more, the duo signed to The AMG in 2020 for management and inked a publishing deal with Warner Chappell between sessions with producer Brad Hill. – Read more at Music Row
