NBCUNIVERSAL LAUNCHES THE MORE YOU KNOW COVID-19 PSA CAMPAIGN – This morning on NBC’s TODAY, NBCUniversal unveiled its new The More You Know PSA campaign starring Kelly Clarkson, Andy Cohen, Ted Danson & Mary Steenburgen, Savannah Guthrie and many more to help educate people around the country about how they can reduce their risk and prevent the spread of COVID-19. The first spots of more than a dozen in total that will be rolling out over the next few weeks are available at www.themoreyouknow.com. – Read more at NBCUmv
STAR-STUDDED LINEUP ANNOUNCED FOR “ACM® PRESENTS: OUR COUNTRY,” A NEW TWO-HOUR SPECIAL AIRING SUNDAY, APRIL 5 AT 8:00 PM ET/7:00 PM CT ON CBS – The Academy of Country Music® and dick clark productions announced today the all-star lineup of performers for ACM® PRESENTS: OUR COUNTRY, a two-hour special featuring intimate conversations and at-home acoustic performances with Country Music’s biggest stars, along with clips from the Academy of Country Music Awards’™ 55-year history. Confirmed performers include Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Kane Brown & John Legend, Luke Bryan, Brandi Carlile, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Old Dominion, Brad Paisley & Darius Rucker, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban. The special will be broadcast Sunday, April 5 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT and 7:00 PM CT) on the CBS Television Network and on CBS All Access.ACM® PRESENTS: OUR COUNTRY will also honor 10-time ACM Award® winner Kenny Rogers with performances by Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker. – Via press release
Kelly Clarkson & Tamron Hall To Return to Television With Segments Shot At Home – Update – After late-night talk shows one by one returned to TV with episodes taped at home, the lights are also starting to turn on for daytime talkers that had gone dark over the coronavirus crisis. Starting next week, the two breakout freshman syndicated talk shows, The Kelly Clarkson Show and Tamron Hall, will both feature new content filmed by their hosts while under quarantine at home. Clarkson, who had been posting online updates from Montana where she is with her family, will now do those to air on the daily broadcast. The Kelly Clarkson Show has been airing original episodes that had been filmed before the production shutdowns. (Many had been previously preempted). The week of April 6, the show will air some new original episodes plus newly filmed content from Montana. – Read more at Deadline
Aretha Franklin Biopic ‘Respect’ Pushed Back 2 Months for Christmas Release – The limited release of Jennifer Hudson’s Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” is being moved from Oct. 9 to Dec. 25, an individual with knowledge told TheWrap. Then, MGM’s film will expand on Jan. 8, with a wide release following on Jan. 15. Liesl Tommy is directing the film that stars Hudson as the famous singer. Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Mary J. Blige and Tituss Burgess also star. The film follows Aretha’s rise as a singer, first in her father’s church choir, to how she eventually attains international superstardom. – Read more at The Wrap
After ‘American Idol’ run, Alabama’s Douglas Kiker dreams of bigger things – “My life has changed drastically. I didn’t ever imagine that anything like this was possible,” he said. “I feel like I’ve lived more this year than I have my whole life.” Kiker said that while he “can’t really talk much about ‘American Idol’ other than what you saw on TV,” his main takeaway is positive: It broadened his horizons. “I’ve met so many different people,” he said. “So many good people.” “I’m pursuing this for the simple reason that it could change lives, starting with my family,” he said. “I would like to sing for a living, if that’s possible.” – Read more at AL.com
Gabby Barrett on Finding Success After ‘American Idol’ & Advice for Contestants – Gabby Barrett: It was super exciting because I used to do Facebook Live posts with my sister all the time. Literally, for like a year we would do it every Sunday. I hadn’t done it in a while, so I felt during this time of quietness for everybody I’d come on and bring some joy to those watching. It is great to partner with MusiCares and help those who might be struggling financially right now within the music industry. It’s just a big wonderful thing I’m proud to be a part of and bring joy to people. You never know when we’re going to pop again and say hi. – Read more at TVInsider
Interview: David Archuleta Talks “OK, All Right” & Confessional New Album – “It’s fine, I’m fine, OK, all right,” David relentlessly chants. Written over a year ago, the hitmaker explained the song took on new meaning in the lead up to its release. “While I wrote it originally to help people get through their bad days and moods in a bit of a humorous way, I think it’s something we can all use as a reminder in the world, especially these days,” he said. “That even when things get tough, things will turn out OK, All Right.” He further illustrates the point in an accompanying music video. Co-directed by Justin Thorne and Kevin McHale, it’s a cheeky and upbeat must-see. – Read more at Idolator
David Archuleta On Mental Health, New Song “OK, All Right” – There have been numerous days, too many to count, when David Archuleta woke up a prisoner of his own thoughts. Getting out of bed, leaving his house, and even making music became too daunting. “If I didn’t have my family encouraging me and telling me I really could do something with music, I would have given up so many times,” he tells American Songwriter over a phone call earlier this month. “I don’t know why it’s in my nature to give up so quickly, but it just is,” he reveals. During his tenure on American Idol’s seventh season, finishing second to David Cook, he struggled to barely stay above water. “I wanted to quit every week. I didn’t want to be there. I felt I wasn’t good enough. I legit don’t think I’m good at what I do. I’m so glad people gave me the validation. I needed it.” – Read more American Songwriter
Adam Lambert reveals the truth behind life-changing audition – Lambert’s newly-released fourth album, Velvet, is undoubtedly his strongest release to date – a swaggering, 70s-inspired mix of glam, funk and rock, with more than a passing nod to the iconic band he’s been fronting for the past few years. “I don’t know if it was a conscious decision, but as I got into it I thought, ‘Oh, this is a shorter bridge between my solo work and the Queen work.’ It’s more closely related than anything I’ve ever done, and I like that – it makes sense. “I’ve been around the band and their audience for so long, of course it informs the work. It made me feel more confident in my decision to do something that was a bit of a throwback.” – Read more at NZHerald
From Slapout through ‘American Idol,’ Jessica Meuse is an Alabama Music Maker on a journey – “Alabama is definitely the prettiest place I have ever lived,” said Meuse. “I’m grateful to call such a beautiful state my home.” Meuse was born in Round Rock, Texas. She moved several times as a child, since her mother worked for the government. When Meuse was in the seventh grade, she moved to Slapout where she joined the Montgomery Youth Orchestra, eventually becoming principal second violin. She taught herself how to play the violin, guitar and piano. “I was not the most accepted kid in school,” said Meuse. “I was the nerdy kid. Music was the thing that I had when I went home.” At age 18, Meuse began writing music. Her first song was called “What’s So Hard About Bein’ a Man?” She went on to self-release a CD by the same name in 2011 and has written about 60 original songs. – Read more at Alabama News Center
