John Mellencamp

John Mellencamp

Photo: Leigh Vogel/Getty Images

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John Mellencamp, Jermaine Dupri Among 2018 Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductees

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Alan Jackson, Kool & The Gang also selected for this year's class of songwriting legends
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Feb 6, 2018 - 4:29 pm

It all starts with a song. On Feb. 6, the Songwriters Hall Of Fame announced their class of 2018, led by a five-pack of GRAMMY-winners: John Mellencamp, Jermaine Dupri, Alan Jackson, Kool And The Gang, and Allee Willis. GRAMMY nominees Bill Anderson and Steve Dorff round out this year's class.

Anthony Hamilton, Jermaine Dupri talk songwriting

"The 2018 roster of Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees is a prodigious representation of creators of cross-genre hits, certain to resonate with everyone," said SHOF co-chairs Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff and President/CEO Linda Moran in a joint statement. "Each year, the slate of songwriters we induct is more diverse and illustrative of the history and contributions that we strive to acknowledge and honor."

Mellencamp penned such iconic hit roots rock songs as "Jack And Diane," "Small Town," and "Hurts So Good," which earned him the GRAMMY for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male for 1982 at the 25th Annual GRAMMY Awards. 

As the man behind super-hits such as the GRAMMY-winning "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey and "Burn" by Usher, Dupri's songs have been recorded by everyone from Aretha Franklin to Janet Jackson to Notorious B.I.G. His songwriting style and output have left a permanent imprint on pop, R&B, and hip-hop, and he shows no signs of slowing down.

The songwriting quartet of Robert “Kool” Bell, Ronald Bell, George Brown & James “JT” Taylor, better known as Kool And The Gang, enjoyed wild success in the '70s, and earned a GRAMMY for their involvement in Saturday Night Fever – Soundtrack, which won for Album Of The Year at the 21st GRAMMY Awards.

Willis is best known for co-writing the Broadway musical "The Color Purple" as well as "I'll Be There For You," the theme song from the television show "Friends."

Jackson has written and recorded more than 20 No. 1 hits, placing him in an elite club with Paul McCartney and John Lennon, and establishing himself as one of the top country songwriters of all-time.

From his first major label cut in 1958, Bill Anderson has had the magic touch, writing hits for artists from Ray Price to Brad Paisley across several decades.

With placements including Whitney Houston, Garth Brooks, and Celine Dion, Steve Dorff enters the Hall not only on the strength of his 12 No. 1 hits and countless awards, but also for his many songs written for hit TV shows, including "As Long As We Got Each Other," the theme from the sitcom "Growing Pains."

The Songwriters Hall Of Fame's 49th Annual induction ceremony, set for June 14, will honor this accomplished group of songwriters at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. Tickets are available via the organization's website.

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Maxwell

Maxwell

Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images

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Maxwell Announces 50 Intimate Nights Live North American Tour

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The GRAMMY winner will debut new material and perform his biggest hits during his 50-date trek this fall
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jul 23, 2018 - 8:22 am

With a new single out and a sprawling North American tour on the horizon, 2018 is shaping up to be a big year from Maxwell. The GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter has announced the 50 Intimate Night Live Tour will bring his powerful and sultry brand of neo-soul to audiences across the country through the end of the year.

The 50-date trek will kick off in Richmond, Va., on Sept. 27 and roll its way around the U.S. and Canada before wrapping in New York City at the Beacon Theatre on Dec. 9. The tour will make stops along the way in major cities including Atlanta, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Nashville, Chicago, and Boston.

The tour announcement follows last month's debut of "We Never Saw It Coming," Maxwell's first piece of new music since 2016. The song arrived complete with an ambitious short film as its music video titled "The Glass House" starring Maxwell alongside activist/actress/model Yomi Abiola.

Tickets for the 50 Intimate Nights Live tour go on-sale starting Friday, July 27, with a limited number of VIP packages becoming available July 25 via Maxwell's website.

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Yoshiki

Yoshiki

Photo: Courtesy of Yoshiki

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Yoshiki Donates 10 Million Yen To Disaster Relief In Japan

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In the wake of devastating flooding, the X Japan founder provided generous and much needed support
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jul 16, 2018 - 4:47 pm

International music superstar Yoshiki has sprung to the aid of his native country in the aftermath of heavy downpours and flooding that has caused extensive damage in western Japan. The celebrated musician has donated 10 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross Society through his own charitable foundation, Yoshiki Foundation America. 

"I just saw the news in the U.S. and I pray for those who passed away," Yoshiki said in a statement. "I truly hope the damage caused by heavy rain will not spread anymore."

The damage in western Japan is staggering, with a death toll surpassing 210 victims and warnings circulating of even more landslides to come. The devastation has been intensified by a heat wave that hit southern Japan, meaning Yoshiki's generous support is coming at a critical time for those battling to survive the disaster.

This is far from the first time Yoshiki has opened his heart and his wallet to help in the wake of a natural disaster. Last year he donated $25,000 to aid Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas, and he lent another $100,000 to the Recording Academy's MusiCares for disaster relief for hurricane survivors in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. In 2016 he donated 10 million yen to earthquake disaster relief in Kumamoto.

Those seeking to support the flood relief efforts in Japan can donate to the Japanese Red Cross Society. For more information on Yoshiki Foundation America, please visit the organization's website.

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Yolanda Adams

Yolanda Adams

Photo: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images

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Yolanda Adams, Gustavo Dudamel & More Added To "GRAMMY Salute" Lineup

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Members of The Meters, Anne Akiko Meyers also join lineup for the upcoming television special as part of PBS "Great Performances"
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jul 10, 2018 - 6:44 am

Here are four more reasons grab your tickets for "GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends" on July 14 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Calif.: Yolanda Adams, Gustavo Dudamel, Members of the Meters, and Anne Akiko Meyers have been added to the lineup.

The awards ceremony and live tribute concert will celebrate the Recording Academy 2018 Special Merit Awards recipients. A four-time GRAMMY winner, Adams will perform and honor Tony Agnello and Richard Factor. Dudamel, who is also a GRAMMY winner, will present to John Williams while violinist Meyers will perform in tribute to Williams.

Members of The Meters, including Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste, Cyril Neville, Leo Nocentelli, and George Porter Jr., have also been added to the lineup. The Meters are among this year's Lifetime Achievement Award honorees, which also includes Hal Blaine, Neil Diamond, Emmylou Harris, Louis Jordan, Queen, and Tina Turner.

Additional Special Merit Awards honorees to be celebrated include Bill Graham, Seymour Stein, and Williams, who are this year's Trustees Award honorees, and Agnello and Factor, who are the Technical GRAMMY Award recipients. Melissa Salguero is also being honored as this year's recipient of the Music Educator Award.

Previously announced performers scheduled to appear are eight-time GRAMMY winner Herb Alpert, who will honor Blaine; past GRAMMY nominee Micky Dolenz, who will be honoring Diamond; GRAMMY winner Sammy Hagar, who will pay tribute to Graham; 13-time GRAMMY winner and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Harris; past GRAMMY nominee Ledisi, who will salute Jordan; and three-time GRAMMY winner Trisha Yearwood, who will pay tribute to Harris.

The event will be filmed and broadcast as part of PBS' "Great Performances." Tickets for the event are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

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Beyoncé and Jay-Z

Beyoncé and Jay-Z

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The Louvre Offers Up Art Tour Based On The Carters' "Apes**t" Video

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The world-famous Paris museum launches a visitor's trail showcasing 17 of the works of art from Beyoncé and Jay-Z's latest music video
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jul 6, 2018 - 5:58 pm

The Louvre museum in Paris was the quite conspicuous setting of The Carters' new music video for "Apres**t" from their surprise album, Everything is Love. Now, the project that posed GRAMMY winners Beyoncé and Jay-Z in front of some of the world's most recognizable art pieces has inspired a museum tour highlighting the works featured in the video.

The 90-minute self-guided tour will take visitors to 17 of the works of art featured in the "Apes**t" video, including the Greek marble piece “Nike of Samothrace,” Marie Benoist’s “Portrait Of A Negress,” and David’s “The Coronation Of Napoleon I And The Crowning Of The Empress Josephine,” according to AFP.

Classified by the museum as a "visitor's trail," fans can peruse the tour online without traveling to the City of Lights, though as is the case with many great works of art, it's a very different experience in person.

The superstar couple's surprise single, video and album confirmed long-running rumors of a collaboration project. Everything Is Love and the "Apes**t" video arrived June 16 in the midst of the pair's On The Run II tour. Beyoncé introduced the clip for the first time during a show in London, sending the crowd into a frenzy and igniting excitement from fans of both artists worldwide.

For tickets to catch the On The Run II tour, visit Ticketmaster. For more information on visiting the Lourve, visit the museum's website.

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