Report: Concert promoter Live Nation to pause all concert tours worldwide through end of March

Posted on March 12, 2020 by Andrea Dresdale

iStock/Cesare FerrariFor several weeks, artists have been announcing concert tour cancellations. But now, all the tours are being canceled for all the artists. Well — almost all artists.

Live Nation, one of the world’s biggest concert promoters, plans to press pause on all of the tours it’s currently promoting, both foreign and domestic, through the end of March, Billboard has learned.

According to Billboard, Live Nation told employees that while a few shows will continue on Thursday or Friday, any shows starting this weekend will be postponed. Billboard reports company executives told employees that March is generally a slow month anyway. Live Nation plans to re-evaluate in April, with an eye towards getting artists back out on the road in May or June.

The tours affected span all musical genres: Just some of them, Billboard notes, include Billie Eilish, Jason Aldean, Zac Brown Band, Cher, Kiss, Post Malone, Tool, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Shania Twain‘s Las Vegas residency, Chris Stapleton and more.

South by Southwest officially canceled

Posted on March 6, 2020 by Music News Group

Tim Mosenfelder/Getty ImagesAfter a number of high-profile drop-outs due to concerns over the COVID-19 coronavirus, the annual South by Southwest music, film and culture festival in Austin, Texas, has been officially canceled.

“The City of Austin has cancelled the March dates for SXSW and SXSW EDU,” reads a statement from the festival. “SXSW will faithfully follow the City’s directions.”

“We are devastated to share this news with you,” the statement continues. “‘The show must go on’ is in our DNA, and this is the first time in 34 years that the March event will not take place. We are now working through the ramifications of this unprecedented situation.”

Over the past week, a number of big-name companies pulled out of SXSW, including Apple, Netflix and WarnerMedia, resulting in the cancellation of talks by Nine Inch Nails‘ Trent Reznor, Ozzy Osbourne and Beastie Boys.

SXSW 2020 was set to take place March 13-22. Festival organizers say they are “exploring options” to reschedule, or provide a “virtual SXSW online experience.”

“We will continue to work hard to bring you the unique events you love,” the statement reads. “Though it’s true that our March 2020 event will no longer take place in the way that we intended, we continue to strive toward our purpose — helping creative people achieve their goals.”

Deborah Dugan hits back at Recording Academy with new allegations

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Music News Group

Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesFollowing her ouster on Monday, former Recording Academy CEO Deborah Dugan filed a supplemental charge against the organization, claiming it provides “significant additional information and evidence” of alleged attempts to influence the nominations process by the Academy and longtime Grammy Awards executive producer Ken Ehrlich.

The supplemental charge, filed by Dugan’s lawyers on Tuesday, cites an email from Ehrlich that allegedly implies a superstar artist would be more likely to perform on the Grammy Awards telecast if that artist received a nomination.

The email, sent to Dugan and the Recording Academy’s interim CEO and president Harvey Mason, reads in part, “looking at the [American Music Awards] nominations this morning, it’s more about who’s NOT there than who is…..and [superstar] is definitely not gonna be happy. minor representation at best.”

“I think there’s a case to be made to [superstar] that a performance of [song] from [album] on our show, should it be nominated,’” the email continues, “‘and that a blowout performance of that song, which IS a Grammy song, might.”

Erlich, in the email goes on to write there “should there be some discussion in a certain room at your meetings next week for Record, Album and Song, and if it involves making a choice between [one album] vs. [a second album], my thought from knowing [superstar] since [superstar] was a child, is that [superstar] might see the wisdom of a [sic] performance [of a song from the second album]…I’m jus [sic] sayin.”

“Gotcha. Thanks Ken,” Mason replies.

Dugan also claims to have new evidence of the Academy’s efforts to retaliate against her, particularly after her legal complaint of January 21, in which she she “exposed alleged misogyny, sexual harassment, discrimination and corruption, including voting irregularities, at the Academy.”

Recording Academy fires suspended CEO Deborah Dugan

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Music News Group

John Lamparski/WireImageDeborah Dugan, who was placed on administrative leave from her post as president/CEO of the Recording Academy in January following allegations of misconduct by a senior female Academy member, has been terminated, the organization announced in a letter to its members on Tuesday.

“After weighing all of the evidence from two independent investigations, the Board of Trustees of the Recording Academy voted to terminate Ms. Dugan from her role as President/CEO, wrote Harvey Mason Jr., Chair and Interim CEO of The Recording Academy. “We will initiate a search for a new leader who will leverage the Academy’s diverse membership and rich history and help us transform it to better serve our members today and into the future.

Mason further pledged to “realize a future in which our organization is known for its diversity, transparency, creativity, mutual respect, and overall excellence.”

“The investigation overwhelmingly confirmed the serious complaints that had been lodged against her by a multitude of Academy staff members,” said Tammy Hurt, Vice Chair, National Board of Trustees at The Recording Academy in a separate statement. “The damage she has caused this organization is truly heartbreaking.”

Explaining that it was “not one thing that led to this action, but rather the large number of incidents that demonstrated poor judgment,” Christine Albert, Chair Emeritus, National Board of Trustees at The Recording Academy noted, “There was just no way she could continue to serve this organization.”

Dugan has claimed she was pushed out after exposing alleged sexual harassment, nomination rigging, and what she described as a toxic “boy’s club” that sidelined women and minority groups.

In response, the Recording Academy alleged it was Dugan who created a “toxic and intolerable” work environment and is investigating both Ms. Dugan’s alleged potential misconduct and her subsequent allegations.

Ousted Recording Academy CEO says she has “evidence” of Grammy nomination rigging

Posted on January 23, 2020 by Andrea Dresdale

ABC NewsTuesday on ABC’s Good Morning America, ousted Recording Academy CEO Deborah Dugan told her side of the story in a contentious debate that’s roiled the music industry just days before the Grammy Awards.

Dugan claims she was pushed out after exposing alleged sexual harassment, nomination rigging, and what she described as a toxic “boy’s club” that sidelined women and minority groups. In response, the Recording Academy alleges it was Dugan who created a “toxic and intolerable” work environment and is investigating both Ms. Dugan’s alleged potential misconduct and her subsequent allegations.

Regarding the nomination rigging, Dugan told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on Good Morning America Thursday, “There are incidents of conflict of interest that taints the results.”

Stephanopoulos then read out loud what’s written in her complaint: “One artist who initially ranked 18 out of 20 in the 2019 Song of the Year category ended up with a nomination. This artist was actually permitted to sit on the Song of the Year nomination committee. Incredibly, this artist is also represented by a member of the Board.”

“Who is this person?” Stephanopoulos then asked.

Dugan and her lawyer wouldn’t reveal the artist’s identity, but Dugan went on to say that that alleged incident wasn’t an isolated one.

“It’s not even just that one room. I have evidence that in another room….there were complaints made in the jazz category,” she began, before Stephanopoulos interrupted her, saying, “That was gonna be my next question, so you do have evidence?

“I do,” she responded.

As a reminder, last year’s Song of the Year winner was Childish Gambino‘s “This Is America.” The other nominees were Lady Gaga’s “Shallow,” “All the Stars” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA, “Boo’d Up” by Ella Mai, “God’s Plan” by Drake, “In My Blood” by Shawn Mendes, “The Middle” by Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey, and “The Joke,” by Brandi Carlile.

Former Recording Academy president files discrimination complaint

Posted on January 22, 2020 by Music News Group

Bryan Bedder/Getty ImagesFormer Recording Academy CEO and President Deborah Dugan and her lawyers spent Tuesday trading accusations with the Academy in the wake of Dugan’s complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) accusing the organization behind the Grammy Awards of gender discrimination and sexual harassment.

Dugan’s complaint alleges, among other things, that the Recording Academy engaged in “egregious conflicts of interest, improper self-dealing by Board members, voting irregularities with respect to nominations for Grammy Awards and other misconduct.”

The complaint further alleges that the Academy, “unlawfully retaliated against Ms. Dugan by placing her on administrative leave (only after she indicated her intent to commence legal action and refused to settle her claims on terms dictated by the Academy), threatening Ms. Dugan with termination and publishing false and defamatory statements about Ms. Dugan to the media.”

Dugan’s lawyers, one of whom is Douglas H. Wigdor, who represents 20 women accusing Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct, compared the Recording Academy’s response to the embattled film mogul by attempting to “impugn the character of Deborah Dugan [in] a transparent effort to shift the focus away from its own unlawful activity.”

In response the the EEOC complaint, the Recording Academy hit back by claiming Dugan “never raised these grave allegations until a week after legal claims were made against her personally by a female employee who alleged Ms. Dugan had created a ‘toxic and intolerable’ work environment and engaged in ‘abusive and bullying conduct.’”

Dugan’s attorneys responded with a followup statement calling the Academy’s claim that she didn’t raise concerns prior to the accusations against her “completely false.”

2019 American Music Awards winner’s list

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Music News Group

dick clark productionsIt was a record-breaking night for Taylor Swift at the American Music Awards, held live Sunday night from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Taylor went on to win six awards, bringing her lifetime total to 29 — toppling Michael Jackson‘s record of 24 AMA titles — and is now the most decorated winner in American Music Award history.

Here’s a full list of the 2019 winners at the American Music Awards:

Artist of the Year
Taylor Swift

New Artist of the Year
Billie Eilish

Collaboration of the Year
“Senorita” — Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello

Favorite Male Artist Pop/Rock
Khalid

Favorite Female Artist Pop/Rock
Taylor Swift

Favorite Duo or Group Pop/Rock
BTS

Favorite Album Pop/Rock
Lover — Taylor Swift

Favorite Song Pop/Rock
“Without Me” — Halsey

Favorite Male Artist Country
Kane Brown

Favorite Female Artist Country
Carrie Underwood

Favorite Duo or Group Country
Dan + Shay

Favorite Album – Country
Cry Pretty — Carrie Underwood

Favorite Song – Country
“Speechless” — Dan + Shay

Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop
Cardi B

Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop
Hollywood’s Bleeding — Post Malone

Favorite Song Rap/Hip-Hop
“Old Town Road” — Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus

Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B
Bruno Mars

Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B
Beyonce

Favorite Album – Soul/R&B
Free Spirit — Khalid

Favorite Song – Soul/R&B
“Talk” — Khalid

Tour of the Year
BTS

Favorite Music Video
“You Need to Calm Down” — Taylor Swift

Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock
Billie Eilish

Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary
Taylor Swift

Favorite Artist – Latin
J Balvin

Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational
Lauren Daigle

Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music
Marshmello

Favorite Soundtrack
Bohemian Rhapsody — Queen

Favorite Social Artist
BTS

First-time nominees Lizzo, Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X lead this year’s Grammy nominations

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Music News Group

The Recording AcademyNew artists are dominating the Grammys this year. First-time nominees Lizzo, Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X lead the list of nominations, which were announced Wednesday morning.

Lizzo is the top nominee, with eight, including the trifecta of Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year. Billie Eilish — also nominated in the big three categories — and Lil Nas X have six nominations each. All three are up for Best New Artist.

Other nominees in major categories include Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, H.E.R., Bon Iver and more.

Grammy winners will be revealed on Sunday, January 26, live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on CBS. For the full list of nominees, go to Grammys.com.

Here are the nominees in some of the top categories:

Record of the Year
“Hey, Ma” — Bon Iver
“Bad Guy” — Billie Eilish
“7 Rings” — Ariana Grande
“Hard Place” — H.E.R.
“Talk” — Khalid
“Old Town Road” — Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
“Truth Hurts” — Lizzo
“Sunflower” — Post Malone & Swae Lee

Album of the Year
i,i — Bon Iver
Norman F***ing Rockwell! — Lana Del Rey
When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? — Billie Eilish
thank u, next — Ariana Grande
I Used To Know Her — H.E.R.
7 — Lil Nas X
Cuz I Love You (Deluxe) — Lizzo
Father Of The Bride — Vampire Weekend

Song of the Year
“Always Remember Us This Way” — Lady Gaga
“Bad Guy” — Billie Eilish
“Bring My Flowers Now” — Tanya Tucker
“Hard Place” — (H.E.R.
“Lover” — Taylor Swift
“Norman F***ing Rockwell” — Lana Del Rey
“Someone You Loved” — Lewis Capaldi
“Truth Hurts” — Lizzo

Best New Artist
Black Pumas
Billie Eilish
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Maggie Rogers
Rosalía
Tank And The Bangas
Yola

Best Pop Solo Performance
“Spirit” — Beyoncé
“Bad Guy” — Billie Eilish
“7 Rings” — Ariana Grande
“Truth Hurts” — Lizzo
“You Need To Calm Down” — Taylor Swift

Best Pop Vocal Album
The Lion King: The Gift — Beyoncé
When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? — Billie Eilish
thank u, next — Ariana Grande
No. 6 Collaborations Project — Ed Sheeran
Lover — Taylor Swift

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Boyfriend” — Ariana Grande & Social House
“Sucker” — Jonas Brothers
“Old Town Road” — Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus
“Sunflower” — Post Malone & Swae Lee
“Senorita” — Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello

Best Rock Album
Amo — Bring Me The Horizon
Social Cues — Cage The Elephant
In The End — The Cranberries
Trauma — I Prevail
Feral Roots — Rival Sons

Best R&B Performance
“Love Again” — Daniel Caesar & Brandy
“Could’ve Been” — H.E.R. Featuring Bryson Tiller
“Exactly How I Feel” — Lizzo Featuring Gucci Mane
“Roll Some Mo” — Lucky Daye
“Come Home” — Anderson .Paak Featuring André 3000

Best Rap Album
Revenge Of The Dreamers III — Dreamville
Championships — Meek Mill
I Am > I Was — 21 Savage
Igor — Tyler, The Creator
The Lost Boy — YBN Cordae

Best Country Song
“Bring My Flowers Now” — Tanya Tucker
“Girl Goin’ Nowhere” —Ashley McBryde
“It All Comes Out In The Wash” — Miranda Lambert
“Some Of It” — Eric Church
“Speechless” —Dan + Shay

Ciara named as host of 2019 American Music Awards; Kesha and Big Freedia to perform

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Stephen Iervolino

ABC/dick clark productionsdick clark productions and ABC announced Thursday morning that multi-platinum singer/songwriter Ciara will host the 2019 American Music Awards.

ABC also announced Kesha will be joined by Big Freedia for a performance during the show; it will mark Kesha’s first return to the American Music Awards stage as a performer since 2013.

The pair join previously announced performers Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, Selena Gomez, Dua Lipa, Lizzo, Thomas Rhett and Shania Twain. Taylor Swift will also perform in addition to taking to the podium to receive the 2019 AMA Artist of the Decade award.

The 2019 American Music Awards will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 24 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on ABC.