Bulletin YOUR DAILY ENTERTAINMENT NEWS UPDATE MARCH 23, 2020 Page 1 of 27

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• ’s Second Week at No. 1 on ‘The Box’ Leads Hot 100 for 11th Week, Chart Harry Styles’ ‘Adore You’ Hits Top 10 BY KEITH CAULFIELD • What More Can (Or Should) Congress Do Lil Uzi Vert’s Eternal Atake secures a second week No. 1 for its first two frames on the charts dated Dec. to Support the at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, as the set 28, 2019 and Jan. 4, 2020. Community Amid earned 247,000 equivalent units in the .S. in Eternal Atake would have most likely held at No. Coronavirus? the week ending March 19, according to Nielsen Mu- 1 for a second week without the help of its deluxe • Paradigm sic/MRC Data. That’s down just 14% compared to its reissue. Even if the album had declined by 70% in its Implements debut atop the list a week ago with 288,000 units. second week, it still would have ranked ahead of the Layoffs, Paycuts The small second-week decline is owed to the chart’s No. 2 album, ’s former No. 1 My Turn Amid Coronavirus album’s surprise reissue on March 13, when a new (77,000 units). The latter set climbs two rungs, despite Shutdown deluxe edition arrived with 14 additional songs, a 27% decline in units for the week.Bad Bunny’s • Cost of expanding upon the original 18-song set. (All versions YHLQMDLG is a non-mover at No. 3 with 69,000 Coronavirus: UK of the album are combined together for tracking and equivalent album units earned (down 38%). Have charting purposes.) Niall Horan’s sophomore effortHeartbreak Weath- Lost £14M in Live Earnings Already The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular er debuts at No. 4, securing the pop singer- albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric his second solo top five-charting album. It arrives • Germany’s GEMA consumption as measured in equivalent album units. with 59,000 equivalent album units earned, with Launches €40 Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums 42,000 of that sum in album sales (making it the top- Million Aid Program (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). The selling album of the week). The set got an assist from to Help Blunt Economic Impact of new March 28-dated chart, where Eternal Atake holds a ticket/album sale redemption offer with his Coronavirus at No. 1, will be posted in full on Billboard’s website on upcoming tour, as well as an assortment of merchan- March 24. dise/album bundles sold via his webstore. Eternal Atake is the first album to spend its first two Heartbreak Weather also starts at No. 1 on the Top weeks at No. 1 since Harry Styles’ Fine Line held at (continued)

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Album Sales chart, marking Horan’s second soundtrack to II, which climbs 18-10 ing from No. 16 to No. 7, marking his second leader on the list, following his debut album, with 31,000 equivalent album units earned solo top 10 hit. Flicker. (up 12%). The former No. 1 album rebounds Let’s run down of the top 10 of the newest Flicker bowed at No. 1 on the Nov. 11, thanks to the early release of its parent film Hot 100, which blends all-genre U.S. stream- 2017-dated Billboard 200 chart with 152,000 to digital retail and rental services, as well as ing, radio airplay and sales data. All charts units. Of that sum, 128,000 were in album the Disney+ streaming platform (on March (dated March 28) will update on Billboard. sales (again, aided by a ticket/album sale 14). In a statement, Disney announced the com tomorrow (March 24). redemption offer). film’s accelerated digital release — three “The Box,” released on Bird Vision/Atlan- Jhené Aiko’s Chilombo falls from No. 2 months earlier than scheduled — “for tic Records, is the 26th title to top the Hot to No. 5 in its second week (56,000 units; families during these challenging times.” 100 for at least 11 weeks. down 63%) and Roddy Ricch’s former leader The film’s digital arrival was likely warmly The track tallies a 12th week at No. 1 on Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial is embraced by families and kids in self-quar- the chart, down 8% to steady at No. 6 (49,000 units; down 14%). antine owed to the coronavirus pandemic. 41.4 million U.S. streams in the week ending ’s debut studio album Heaven March 19. It rebounds 9-7 on Digital Song or Hell arrives at No. 7 with 44,000 equiva- Sales, although down 18% to 8,000 sold in lent album units earned (with 3,000 of that Roddy Ricch’s the week ending March 19, and dips 10-11 on sum in album sales, aided by merchandise/ Radio Songs, decreasing by 1% to 65 million album bundle offerings). It’s the first chart- ‘The Box’ Leads all-format airplay audience impressions in ing album for the rapper and singer, who re- the week ending March 22. leased the Donny Womack in 2018. Hot 100 for 11th “The Box” concurrently leads the Hot Heaven or Hell, released through Cactus &/Hip-Hop Songs and Jack/, also marks the fourth Week, Harry charts, which employ the same multi-metric top 10 album for Cactus Jack. It follows the methodology as the Hot 100, for a 12th week self-titled Jackboys project (No. 1 earlier in Styles’ ‘Adore You’ each. 2020), label chief ’s Astroworld ’s “” pushes (No. 1, 2018) and Huncho Jack’s Huncho Hits Top 10 4-2 on the Hot 100, hitting a new high. It Jack, Jack Huncho (No. 3, 2018). becomes his fifth Digital Song Sales No. 1 ’s former No. 1 Hollywood’s BY GARY TRUST (2-1; 16,000, down 28%) and his 10th Radio Bleeding slips from No. 7 to No. 8 (42,000 Songs top 10 (11-5; 72.7 million, up 13%). It equivalent album units; down 19%) while oddy Ricch’s “The Box” rules the rebounds 12-5 on Streaming Songs, after ’s fellow former leader Changes chart for an reaching No. 4 (20.8 million, down 3%). is a non-mover at No. 9 (36,000 units; down 11th week. The song, which rules Hot R&B Songs 24%). Plus, Harry Styles’ “Adore for a fourth week, is from The Weeknd’s Closing out the new top 10 is the RYou” ascends to the Hot 100’s top 10, - album After Hours, which was released Fri-

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day, March 20, and is due for a strong start Me Badd’s “I Adore Mi Amor,” in 1991. Plus, line industries afloat, music business leaders on next week’s Billboard 200. (Lead single Miley Cyrus took her own “Adore You,” a have a message for policymakers: Don’ “Heartless” topped the Hot 100, Hot R&B/ different composition than Styles’, to No. 21 forget about us. And given the unique nature Hip-Hop Songs and Hot R&B Songs charts in 2014.) of the industry, where work is sporadic and dated Dec. 14, 2019.) Rounding out the Hot 100’s top 10, Justin many workers don’t have a single employer, Dua Lipa’s “Don’t Start Now” drops to No. Bieber’s “Intentions,” featuring , a one-size-fits-all approach won’t cut it. 3 from its No. 2 Hot 100 high, as it spends a reaches a new high, climbing 10-8; Lewis “When members [of Congress] think of second week at No. 1 on Radio Songs (99.9 Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved” jumps 15-9, the entertainment industry, they shouldn’t million, up 2%). after posting three weeks at No. 1; and Billie just think of the big stars, [but also] the ’s “Life Is Good,” featuring , Eilish’s “Everything I Wanted” elevates 14- electricians and truck drivers and cater- slips 3-4 on the Hot 100, after peaking at No. 10, after peaking at No. 8. ers,” says longtime music industry advocate 2 for eight weeks; Post Malone’s “Circles” Find out more Hot 100 news on Billboard. Rep. Adam Schiff of . “We have is steady at No. 5, after logging three weeks com this week, and, for all chart news, you a predicament because their work is not at No. 1; and Arizona Zervas’ “Roxanne” can listen (and subscribe) to Billboard’s Pop traditional employment, they don’t have the rebounds 7-6, after reaching No. 4. Shop Podcast and This Week in Billboard same employer the whole year, and their Harry Styles’ “Adore You” vaults into the News podcast and follow @billboard and @ contracts aren’t regular. They are at risk of Hot 100’s top 10, rising from No. 16 to No. 7. billboardcharts on both and Insta- falling through the cracks.” The song becomes Styles’ first top five gram. And again, be sure to visit Billboard. Direct financial assistance is the most Radio Songs hit, lifting 6-4 (76 million, up com tomorrow (March 24), when all charts, urgent priority, industry leaders agree, as 8%), while rising 19-17 on Digital Song Sales including the Hot 100 in its entirety, will dozens of artists and gig workers who were (6,000, down 15%) and re-entering Stream- refresh. depending on the summer touring circuit ing Songs at No. 40 (10.7 million, down 6%). or recording sessions, for instance, are now Boosting the profile of “Adore You,” Styles’ out of a job indefinitely. The examples are NPR Tiny Desk Concert premiered March What More piling up: Austin’s South by Southwest was 16, with the track closing the four-song set. forced to lay off a third of its staff after the (The gig followed another high-profile ap- Can (Or Should) conference and festival was canceled due pearance by the pop singer-songwriter, who to coronavirus precautions; Zac Brown of visited SiriusXM for an interview with Congress Do to Zac Brown Band tearfully announced this Howard Stern on March 2.) week that he has let go about 90% of his Styles adds his second solo Hot 100 top Support the Music ; and indie venues are bracing 10, after “Sign of the Times,” which debuted themselves for inevitable debt, if they can and peaked No. 4 in April 2017. He also Community Amid stay open at all. made six trips to the top 10, in 2012-15, as a “We’re focusing on the actual musicians member of , rising as high as Coronavirus? who don’t get any money because they can’t No. 2 with “Best Song Ever” in August 2013. show up to the gig, or there’s a production With the ascent of “Adore You,” Styles BY TATIANA CIRISANO shutdown and there’s no set to go to,” says ties former 1D bandmate Zayn for the most RIAA chairman/CEO Mitch Glazier. “They solo Hot 100 top 10s by members of the Wednesday, The White House need direct relief from the government.” group. Zayn’s “Pillowtalk” topped the chart signed into law a coronavirus Most music industry leaders agree that for a week in 2016 and “I Don’t Wanna package expanding unem- Congress should start by expanding the paid Forever (Fifty Shades Darker),” with Taylor ployment benefits and ensur- sick leave and paid family leave provisions Swift, hit No. 2 in 2017. The act’s Liam Payne Oing paid emergency leave for workers. The of the Families First Coronavirus Response has notched one top 10 to-date, “Strip That legislation protects the more than 2 million Act so nontraditional workers are covered. Down,” featuring Quavo (No. 10, 2017). Americans predicted to file for unemploy- That’s the main suggestion in a “Adore You” is from Styles’ second solo ment claims this week, according to Gold- that more than 40 industry organizations LP, Fine Line, which debuted as his second man Sachs — but not the countless inde- including , RIAA No. 1 on the Billboard 200 dated Dec. 28; pendent contractors and freelancers who and Music Artists Coalition sent to Congress One Direction boasts four No. 1s on the make up much of the music business, which Friday (March 20). survey. has been ravaged by virus-related concert “The relief that Congress has passed so (“Adore”-able fun fact: “Adore You” is cancellations and business closures. far is not really applicable in our world,” the third Hot 100 top 10 with “adore” in its Now, as Congress readies a $1 trillion eco- says Susan Genco, Music Artists Coalition title, following two No. 1s: ’s nomic stimulus package aimed at keeping board member and Azoff MSG Entertain- “My Eyes Adored You,” in 1975, and Color U.S. businesses like the hospitality and air- ment co-president. “To extend the Family

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and Medical Leave Act so that [I] have to get money to last six months,” Friedman adds. plus employees, The Hollywood Reporter paid sick leave for two weeks doesn’t help if “That’s bad, but I have my membership also has learned that payroll will be reduced you’re a guy between tours.” calling me and saying, ‘we only have enough for those who remain at the company. The current legislation provides full-time money to last six days.’” CEO Sam Gores broke the news in an American workers who are sick or quar- Music Artists Coalition board member agency-wide call this morning, and a antined due to coronavirus 100% of their and entertainment attorney Jordan Brom- second call with department heads was to normal salary, up to $511 per day (or roughly ley echoes that point: “We don’t know when follow. Although certain divisions, such as $130,000 per year). But calculating benefits live performances are going to resume and Paradigm’s industry-leading music depart- for gig workers presents another set of chal- how they’ be received, initially,” he says. ment, have been clearly impacted as live lenges, since their salaries are less clear-cut. “People are trying to stay optimistic and events such as music festivals were among To help solve the problem, Schiff and keep their heads above the chaos, but it’s the first to go as the virus spread, the cuts other Congress members representing hard when we don’t have clear answers. are not expected to be confined to any spe- entertainment hot-spots recommended Music is a binding force and we’re going to cific business unit. Thursday that instead of looking at what a make it through, but we do need help from A source tells THR that Gores’ message music industry worker has been making as our government.” was “painful but necessary,” and that the the baseline for their paid leave payment, For now, industry leaders agree that agency head added that he would made Congress should consider what the worker’s there’s strength in numbers. In addition to every effort to provide impacted individuals anticipated payment was for gigs that have the joint letter that music organizations sent with needs including healthcare. been canceled or postponed. “There are Friday, the Recording Academy, Music Art- The hope is that the crisis will subside means of calculating benefits that would be ists Coalition and other organizations have after a few months and as business picks up fair and equitable to people in nontradition- sent letters of their own, and Friedman says again, Paradigm will be able to rehire the al employment situations,” he says. that more than 17,000 academy members employees it has let go – and that it won’t Some general provisions that are be- have contacted their individual members of suffer attendant client departures in the ing floated in Congress would help music Congress to rally support (you can do the meantime, a fear somewhat miti- workers, too, such as handing every adult same here). And songwriter organizations gated by the fact that the pandemic has put American a $1,000 check as an economic including ASCAP, BMI and NMPA joined all companies in the same boat. Although stimulus. forces to send their own letter to Congress, Paradigm is the first agency confirmed to There are other ways for Congress to sup- outlining the need for provisions that would undergo cuts, other firms are widely ex- port the music industry in the current crisis. support independent creators. pected to follow suit. For example, Recording Academy chief “We just need to have our industry pop up This article was originally published by industry, government and member relations through the clutter,” Glazier says. Thankful- The Hollywood Reporter. officerDaryl Friedman is also pushing for ly, he adds, “This is what record companies emergency funding for the National Endow- do. They break through the clutter and find ment for the Arts, which could be used to an audience.” Cost of give grants to individual arts organizations. In turn, those organizations could employ Coronavirus: UK musicians who are out of work. Paradigm And temporary changes to the Internal Musicians Have Revenue Code could also lift some of the fi- Implements nancial burden. Friedman says the academy Lost £14M in Live has employed experts to comb through the Layoffs, Paycuts tax code for things that affect musicians, Earnings Already looking for additional deductions or policies Amid Coronavirus to submit for changes. BY RICHARD SMIRKE The main obstacle, Friedman points out, Shutdown is getting Congress to pay attention in the ONDON — Tour cancellations first place: “There are so many industries BY REBECCA SUN and the suspension of live perfor- right now that are vying for support,” he mances as a result of coronavirus says. And of course, these are all short-term aradigm is cutting back as the in- have already cost U.. musicians remedies, since it’s difficult for anyone in dustry has ground nearly to a halt Lan estimated £14 million ($16.1 million) in the music industry right now to plan for the amid the coronavirus pandemic. lost earnings, according to early research future. “I saw a quote from an airline CEO In addition to anticipated lay- by the Musicians’ Union. saying that the airlines only have enough Poffs of about a hundred or more of its 600- The U.K. organization surveyed its 35,000 PROMOTION

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members about the impact of the pandemic. dry” by the government’s rescue package. ficulties due to event cancellations. 2. The More than 4,000 have so far responded In response, the Creative Industries Fed- “Corona Relief Fund” will provide financial with 90% saying that their work has been eration sent the British chancellor an open transitional aid for individual cases of hard- affected. Job opportunities are down 69% on letter, signed by AIM, Musicians’ Union, UK ship within the framework of social and last year. Music and Featured Artists Coalition, call- cultural support. “Musicians, whether they work in theatre, ing for him to address the “worrying ineq- The organization said it will publish teaching, orchestras [or] gig-playing, will uity” between employed and self-employed detailed information on the emergency aid feel the full financial force of this global di- workers. program on its website this week. saster. Already, we have seen job opportuni- In the meantime, more than 7,000 people Added Heker, “The drastic restrictions ties drop by more than two thirds, and sadly have signed AIM’s petition to create a Tem- to protect against the pandemic have a this will only accelerate,” warned Musicians’ porary Income Protection Fund for free- devastating effect on the music and culture Union general secretary Horace Trubridge. lancers and self-employed workers. industry. As far as possible within the scope To support its members the - The Music Managers Forum has also of its fiduciary mandate, GEMA will support based organization has today (Mar. 23) launched a questionnaire examining the its clients in the licensing of music events launched a £1 million ($1.1 million) ‘Corona- impact COVID-19 on artists and their repre- in a pragmatic and flexible manner. This is virus Hardship Fund’ which will offer £200 sentatives. intended to help cushion the effects of the ($230) grants to musicians facing financial corona crisis, which in many cases threaten hardship in the wake of COVID-19. the existence of many companies.” Trubridge also called on the U.K. gov- Germany’s The exec also applauded the “Herculean” ernment to provide wider clarity on how efforts of federal and state governments to it can support British musicians, many of GEMA Launches commit relief assistance to the creative com- whom are self-employed. Trubridge said the munity as well. record industry needed “to play its part too” €40 Million Aid GEMA said it acted early in order to in supporting the live music sector, which ensure upcoming distributions to members has been left devastated by the coronavirus Program to Help (April 1 and June 1) will happen as planned. shutdown. “From the very beginning, our associa- On Friday (Mar. 20), British Chancellor Blunt Economic tion was driven by the of solidarity and Rishi Sunak announced a huge economic mutual protection and assistance,” said Dr. rescue package that will see the government Impact of Ralf Weigand, Chairman of the Supervisory pay 80% of people’s salaries, up to £2,500 Board. “And when, if not now in this unprec- ($2,875) a month, if they cannot work due to Coronavirus edented crisis, will these great principles be the outbreak. in demand and demand immediate action! Those measures only apply to employed BY WOLFGANG SPAHR For us on [the board], it was clear from the staff, however, not freelance or self-em- start that we need to provide financial sup- ployed workers who make up around 72% ERLIN — German collection port for our colleagues who are threatened of the British music industry, according to society GEMA is rolling out a due to the protective measures taken in the umbrella trade organization UK Music. €40 million euro emergency wake of the corona pandemic.” So far, the only concessions to support aid program in an effort to help self-employed and freelancers during the Bsupport its members during the coronavirus crisis are tax deferrals and access to Univer- pandemic. , sal Credit at a rate equivalent to Statutory “It is already foreseeable that the eco- Sick Pay, currently set at £94.25 ($107.59) nomic consequences of the pandemic will Country and Pop per week. be devastating for the entire creative indus- “While we welcome the much-needed try,” said Dr. Harald Heker, GEMA CEO. Legend, Dies at 81 help for those who are traditionally em- “GEMA will use all its available resources ployed, the government’s proposals fall far to provide the best possible support for its BY BILLBOARD STAFF short of the lifeline needed by the self- members whose existence is threatened and employed in the music industry and creative to cushion the economically catastrophic he entertainment world is in sector,” said UK Music acting CEO Tom consequences for our customers.” mourning today with the passing Kiehl. GEMA is planning a two-tiered pro- of Kenny Rogers. Paul Pacifico, CEO of AIM (The Asso- gram: 1. The “Protective Shield” stage will The Houston, Texas native — ciation of Independent Music) said self- be aimed at helping creators who are also Twho carved out a successful pop/rock career employed musicians had been left “high and performers and who get into financial dif- with backing band the First Edition in the Page 10 of 27

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late , before segueing into a leading topped out at No. 4 on Adult Contemporary 1983. As big as that hit was, it was another role as a massively popular country solo songs. However, the group continued to collaboration that made headlines that fall star — passed away from natural causes on perform until the mid-1970s. With several -– as he kicked off a new recording deal with Friday night (Mar. 20) at the age of 81, a of the group’s recordings having a Country RCA by teaming up with on the statement from his PR confirms. slant, Rogers decided that he would attempt -written “Islands In The Stream,” The fourth of eight children to Edward a move to Nashville, where he signed with which hit No. 1 on both Country Songs as Floyd and Lucille Lois Rogers (born August and United Artists Records in well as the Hot 100. The two also teamed up 21, 1938), the future superstar grew up in 1975. for a Yuletide record, Once Upon A Christ- the projects of Houston. One of his favor- His first release for his new label, “Love mas, in the fall of 1984. ite ways to escape reality was music. Eddy Lifted Me,” would hit No. 19 on Country His RCA years included such smashes Arnold was one of his early favorites, but Songs in 1975. He would take a cover of as “Crazy,” “,” and “Twenty just before he became a teenager, he caught Leon Ashley’s “Laura (What’s He Got)” Years Ago,” though by the end of the 80s, a a live performance of . The R&B to the same position the next year. By the shift to a more traditional Country sound legend cast a spell on young Rogers, and the winter of 1977, he was ready to hit paydirt in slowed down his success on the airwaves. die was cast on what direction he wanted to a big way. His recording of breakup ballad He still sold records, however. Releases go with his life. “Lucille” would top the Country charts — such as 1989’s Something Inside So Strong Music dominated Rogers’ attention in and hit No. 5 on the Hot 100, pleasing ev- and 1990’s were both high school, as he began to play in a local eryone in the country — except his mother. certified gold by the RIAA. He also released group called The Scholars. In 1957 — not yet Granted, Lucille Rogers was pleased for her several books of his photography, including twenty — a recording of his entitled “That son’s Country breakthrough, but several Kenny Rogers’ America. Crazy Feeling” achieved some local airplay. thought the song was about her! The 1990s saw him in the headlines However, there was no follow-up success, “She called me up on the phone one day, as much for his and Rogers began to look for direction in and said ‘Kenneth Ray, what are you doing?’ chicken restaurant chain as for his music, his career. He came to the attention of The I knew when she said that I was in trouble. although by the end of the decade, he made Bobby Doyle Trio, a jazz ensemble. Rogers She thought I was putting her business out an improbable comeback in 1999 with “The earned a long stay with Doyle playing bass, on the street. She said ‘How dare me tell Greatest,” which hit Country Songs’ top 30 staying there until 1966. people she had four hungry children.’ I told — his best showing in eight years. The next His next move was to join the folk group her ‘First of all, you have eight kids. Second- release (on Dreamcatcher, his own label), The New Christy Minstrels. However, ly, I didn’t write it, and thirdly, it’s not about “,” would do even better — the creative direction that the group was you. Then she tamed down a little bit,” he climbing all the way to No. 1 to the chart. It veering toward felt stifling — and Rogers, recalled to Billboard with a laugh in 2013. would be his first trip to the summit since along with Mike Settle, Terry Williams, and Once “Lucille” hit, the floodgates swung “Make No Mistake, She’s Mine,” a duet with Thelma Camacho, left the group to form wide open. For much of the next seven , in 1987. The First Edition. They inked a deal with years, much of Rogers’ recorded output hit The 2000s would see Rogers continue to Reprise, and soon released their first single, the top positions on the Country and Pop record and tour. Highlights in the later years “I Found A Reason,” which failed to chart. charts. Among his biggest hits of that period of his career included 2007’s Water & Bridg- However, their next record, “Just Dropped included “Love Or Something Like It,” “The , 2011’s gospel disc The Love of God, and In (To See What Condition My Condition Gambler” (which also served as the basis 2013’s You Can’t Make Old Friends –- which Was In),” climbed all the way to No. 5 on the for a successful movie series for Rogers — reunited him one last time with Parton on Billboard Hot 100. Subsequent hits to make and a very popular Geico commercial in the title track. The latter album was released the chart’s top 40 included “But You Know 2014), “,” and “Lady,” in the same year that he was inducted as a I Love You,” “Something’s Burning,” “Tell It written and produced by , member of the Hall of Fame. All ,” and Mel Tillis’s “Ruby, Don’t which became his first Hot 100 No. 1 hit. He In 2015, Rogers announced plans for a final Take Your Love To Town,” which became also established an award-winning string of tour, which was titled The Gambler’s Last their other top ten hit on the Hot 100, land- duets with from 1978-84. Deal. The shows were a celebration of his ing at No. 6. The song also hit No. 39 on the The 1980s saw no slowdown for Rogers — past, complete with film highlights of his Country Songs chart -– a sign of things to either as a recording artist or a live perform- long career, which he said made him pause come. er. His sold out throughout the and reflect. By the early 1970s, the First Edition (now States, and he added such hits to his resume “It’s much more than I ever expected recording as Kenny Rogers & The First as “Through The Years,” “Love Will Turn to – and much more than I deserve. It’s re- Edition) saw their success began to wane a You Around,” and “We’ Got Tonight,” a ally been something to behold for me,” he bit. Their final significant chart action came Bob Seger cover duet with admitted in 2016. “It’s very hard to put it in with 1971’s “Someone Who Cares,” which that topped Country Songs in the spring of perspective and say ‘That was my career,’ Page 11 of 27

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because it wasn’t what I set out to do. I was on Broadway and beyond to ensure they the individual shows in the process. Our just trying to survive in the business.” He have access to unemployment insurance members would like to have jobs to go back continued to play shows through Decem- and health care during this industry-wide to.” ber 2017, and still had a few on the books in shutdown.” The League echoed that point. 2018, when health issues forced him from Theaters went dark on March 12. The “We worked really hard with our col- the road. Broadway deal, according to a union repre- leagues in all 14 unions to come up with a Rogers is survived by wife Wanda and sentative speaking on background, includes fair and generous contract that we hope their two children, as well as three children payment for the remainder of the inter- will tide everyone over until other forms of from his previous marriages. The family is rupted week at normal salary but capped at support can be developed,” said St. Martin planning on commemorating Rogers’ life 150 percent of the contractual minimums — in the NYT piece. “Our goal was also to get with a small private service, due to concerns which means a pay cut for some — followed as many shows to come back as possible, and related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and by two weeks of salary at minimum scale, with the slim margins for 90 percent of the hopes to celebrate in a larger service at a implying a pay cut for even more workers. shows on Broadway, we had to into later date to be determined. They’ll receive health, pension and 401(k) consideration.” This obituary was originally written by benefits during those 2-1/2 weeks, and then A hoped-for reopening on April 13 seems longtime Billboard contributor Chuck Dau- health benefits only through April 12, with unduly optimistic in light of current fore- phin prior to his own passing in 2019. a commitment to discuss the possibility of casts and the surging caseload in New York additional health contributions the week of — nearly 12,000 as of this writing. Mean- April 6. while, some theaters in California, New Broadway “The leaders of our industry have been York and elsewhere are streaming record- working tirelessly with our partners at the ings of their productions under a special Producers and unions to forge an agreement that will ad- agreement with Actors Equity. dress many of the needs of our employees COBUG-affiliated unions represent -ac Unions Reach during this crisis,” said Charlotte St. Martin, tors, artists, dancers, singers, musicians, President of the Broadway League, which playwrights, directors and choreographers, Emergency Relief represents over 700 producers and theaters. makeup artists, set, costume, lighting, sound “We are a community that cares about each and projection designers, stagehands, stage Agreement other, and we are pleased that we can offer managers, ushers and ticket-takers, box of- some relief. Once we are past this challeng- fice personnel, wardrobe workers, hairstyl- BY JONATHAN HANDEL ing moment, we look forward to welcoming ists, porters, press agents, company manag- everyone back to our theatres to experience ers and house managers. n the wake of a complete shutdown of the best of live entertainment together once Among them, it was not clear how the New York theaters, a coalition of stage again.” relief deals work for playwrights, whose or- unions reached a deal Friday after- The deal for shows scheduled to tour ganization — the Dramatists Guild — is part noon with the organization represent- through Sept. 20 is the same as the Broad- of COBUG but is not actually a union and Iing Broadway producers for cash payments way agreement, while for shorter shows the does not set minimums. (Disclosure: this re- and additional health contributions to aid salary payments last only one to one and porter is an associate member.) Playwrights stage workers in distress. a half weeks. But while the for-profit New are sole proprietors who license their work The emergency relief agreement provides York flagships and their touring equiva- to producers for negotiated prices that short-term pay and health benefits, and lents are receiving some relief, no deals are can include sharing in a profit pool. A DG applies to for-profit Broadway theaters and, in place with non-profits, off-Broadway spokeswoman did not immediately respond in a pact announced Saturday morning, to houses, off-off-Broadway venues and the- to a request for comment. Broadway shows on tour as well. aters large and small throughout the rest This article originally appeared on The “We are grateful to be able to tell our of the country, such as so-called League of Hollywood Reporter. members that the industry came together to Resident Theaters (LORT) houses. None of provide some compensation during this ter- those are members of the Broadway League. rible time,” said the Coalition of Broadway “It’s the best deal we could get under try- Unions and Guilds (COBUG), representing ing circumstances,” said Actors Equity presi- 14 labor organizations with about 75,000 dent Kate Shindle, as quoted in The New members. “Broadway needs to come back York Times. “We’ve been trying to find and working together is the best way to the sweet spot between getting the greatest make that happen. Now Congress must do number of benefits for our members, while its part for arts and entertainment workers still trying to make sure we don’t bankrupt Page 12 of 27

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Rihanna’s Clara Bandcamp’s Friday Cirque du Soleil Lionel Foundation Haul: Fans Spent Lays Off 95 Donates $5 $4.3 Million on Percent of Staff Million to 800,000 Items After Closing

Coronavirus BY TATIANA CIRISANO Shows

Response Efforts usic fans came out in full force BY ETAN VLESSING to support acts on Bandcamp BY HILARY HUGHES last week, when the online irque du Soleil, creator of many music marketplace pledged to of the most popular shows in Las ihanna’s nonprofit organization, Mwaive its revenue share for all sales made on Vegas, has temporarily laid off the Clara Lionel Foundation, Friday, March 20. 4,679 employees, or 95 percent has donated $5 million towards On a typical Friday, Bandcamp says that Cof its global workforce, after suspending 44 Coronavirus response efforts on a fans buy roughly 47,000 items on the site, shows worldwide because of the coronavi- Rglobal scale. from album downloads to merchandise. But rus outbreak. The pop star and mogul’s initiative — on March 20, fans bought nearly 15 times “We’re deeply saddened by the dramatic which she launched in 2012, and named that — 800,000 items, spending a total $4.3 measures taken today, as the temporary for her grandparents — will be supporting million. That’s 11 items per second at the layoff includes many hardworking, dedi- Direct Relief, Partners In Health, Feeding peak of purchasing, Bandcamp says. cated people. Unfortunately, this decision is America, the International Rescue Commit- Bandcamp took zero cut, meaning that our only option as we are forced to position tee, World Health Organization’s COVID-19 100% of that money went directly to the ourselves to weather this storm and prepare Solidarity Response Fund and other organi- artists and labels fans purchased from. In for eventual re-openings,” Daniel Lamarre, zations as they continue to battle the pan- addition, many labels with accounts on the president and CEO of the Cirque du Soleil demic in the U.S., the Caribbean and Africa. platform voluntarily gave 100% of revenue Entertainment Group, said in a statement. “Never has it been more important or on March 20 to their artists, including The Montreal-based company said the urgent to protect and prepare marginalized ANTI- Records, Father/Daughter, Sub Pop coronavirus pandemic had forced the and underserved communities — those who and Third Man Records. closure of its shows in cities and countries will be hit hardest by this pandemic,” said “We don’t yet know the long-term impact worldwide where local health officials took Justine Lucas, Executive Director of the of Covid-19, but we know that we all need measures for social distancing. The canceled Clara Lionel Foundation, in a statement. music — to uplift and inspire us, to heal us, shows in include at the Bellagio, The funds provided by the Clara Lionel and to give us hope,” Bandcamp co-founder KA at MGM Grand, LOVE at the Foundation will go towards local food banks and CEO Ethan Diamond wrote in a new Mirage, Mystere at Treasure Island, Zuman- serving the elderly and other at-risk com- company blog post. “We’ll continue work- ity at New York-New York and Michael munities in the U.S.; protective equipment ing to make Bandcamp the best place for Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay. for healthcare and lab workers; establishing fans and artists to come together and sustain Cirque du Soleil shows in Austin; Chi- (and maintaining) ICUs; distributing respi- each other in the challenging times ahead.” cago; Houston; ; Salt Lake City; ratory supplies, testing, care and support for The one-day purchasing event was creat- Montreal; ; Tel Aviv; Meloneras, native communities and countries such as ed by Bandcamp to support artists who have Spain; Munich; Costa Mesa, California; Den- Haiti and Malawi, and more. suffered financial losses due to coronavirus, ver; and the Australian cities of , The Clara Lionel Foundation has focused as virtually all U.S. tours have come to a halt Adelaide and were also canceled. on health and disaster preparedness since to prevent contagion. “Consequently, the company was left with the founding of the organization, especially Artist accounts on Bandcamp are free, but no other option but to call for an unprec- in the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa, normally, Bandcamp takes a 15% revenue edented halt in activity until the pandemic and these COVID-19 efforts further their share for digital sales and 10% for merch. is controlled and its performers, employees mission in the of this global threat. As always, Bandcamp says that funds from and audience members are no longer at Friday’s event reached the artists and labels risk,” the company said in a statement. within 24–48 hours. Cirque added a “core support team” will remain with the company to maintain tour Page 13 of 27

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planning and ticket sales for shows set to move to September. June 11. The album’s sales are also aided by run later this year and in 2021, and to “pre- Further details on the 2020 ceremony, more than 50 merchandise/album bundles pare for rehiring as soon as productions are including the venue and performers, will be currently available in The Weeknd’s official allowed to resume.” announced in due course. webstore. This article originally appeared on The dick clark productions and Billboard share After Hours was released via XO/Republic Hollywood Reporter. a parent company, Valence Media. Records and is the singer-songwriter’s first release since his six-song My Dear Melan- choly EP debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated Academy of The Weeknd’s April 14, 2018 with 169,000 units earned in its first week. Country Music ‘After Hours’ After Hours is The Weeknd’s first full- length project since Starboy, which entered Awards 2020 Sets Album Off to Fast at No. 1 with 348,000 units in its first week (chart dated Dec. 17, 2016). New Date Start After Hours is one of a number of albums that will debut on next week’s chart. Other BY LARS BRANDLE BY KEITH CAULFIELD efforts on course for noteworthy arrivals include Kelsea Ballerini’s Kelsea, Balvin’s he 2020 Academy of Country Mu- he Weeknd’s new album After Colores and Conan Gray’s Kid Krow. And sic Awards has a new date. Hours is off to a hot start, accord- then there’s Childish Gambino’s surprise- Hosted by Keith Urban, the ing to industry forecasters. Those release 3.15.20, which dropped on March 22. 55th ACM Awards will take place in the know suggest it could earn It’s his first album sinceAwaken, My Love! TSept. 16 on the CBS Television Network, Tover 400,000 equivalent album units in the bowed at No. 5 on the Dec. 24, 2016-dated organizers announced Monday (March 23). U.S. in the week ending March 26. That chart with 101,000 units earned in its first CBS All Access will stream the resched- forecast could grow higher, as it is based week, according to Nielsen Music. uled event live and on-demand, though it off just two full days of activity. The set was remains unclear where the annual gala will released on March 20. take place. The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most Netflix Pledges The new date replaces the awards cer- popular albums of the week based on emony at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las multi-metric consumption, which includes $100 Million In Vegas, which was originally-slated for April traditional album sales, track equivalent 5. That show date was moved as a result of albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent al- Relief to Out-of- the COVID-19 pandemic. As previously an- bums (SEA). The top 10 of the April 4-dated nounced, a new special ACM Presents: Our Billboard 200 chart (where After Hours will Work Production Country will fill the now-vacant spot, for a make its splashy debut) is scheduled to be night “filled with entertainment, hope and revealed on Billboard’s website on Sunday, Community reflection,” reads a statement, “bringing the March 29. healing power of music to Americans at a After Hours has its eyes set on 2020’s cur- BY MICHAEL O’CONNELL time when they need it most.” rent largest week for an album, registered On March 11, the ACM Awards, which is by BTS’ Map of the Soul: 7, which launched ith a continued lack of clar- produced by dick clark productions, stated with 422,000 units on the March 7-dated ity about how the govern- that it was “closely monitoring the situa- list, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. ment plans to aid those tion along with the MGM team, who are The Weeknd could snare a personal best workers hit hardest by in continuous contact with the Centers for week, as his largest frame was registered coronavirus-relatedW work stoppages, several Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the with Beauty Behind the Madness, which institutions are pledging money to help Southern Nevada Health District, and other blasted in atop the list with 412,000 units those most affected in Hollywood. Netflix on agencies and experts for guidance.” (Sept. 19, 2015-dated chart). Friday announced that it has set up a $100 The same day, they announced its first After Hours will undoubtedly be a stream- million relief fund for out-of-work produc- round of performers, including first-time ing giant by week’s end, and will have a tion professionals, including the hundreds host Urban, Miranda Lambert, robust sales figure. The latter is getting of thousands of crew and cast without jobs. and Ashley McBryde. a boost from a concert ticket/album sale In a letter from one of the Hollywood’s Later that week, the Academy of Country redemption offer for The Weeknd’s upcom- most visible creative executives, Netflix Music announced its flagship show would ing tour, which is scheduled to kick off on chief content officer Ted Sarandos noted the Page 14 of 27

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unprecedented effects that the pandemic created a $100 million fund to help with hard- has had on the community — particularly ship in the creative community. Asks Judge electricians, carpenters and drivers, many of Most of the fund will go towards support them paid hourly and project to project. for the hardest hit workers on our own pro- to 100% Dismiss “Most of the fund will go towards support ductions around the world. We’re in the pro- for the hardest hit workers on our own pro- cess of working out exactly what this means, Producers’ ‘Truth ductions around the world,” wrote Sarandos. production by production. This is in addition “We’re in the process of working out exactly to the two weeks pay we’ve already commit- Hurts’ Ownership what this means, production by produc- ted to the crew and cast on productions we tion. This is in addition to the two weeks were forced to suspend last week. Claims pay we’ve already committed to the crew Beyond helping workers on our own pro- and cast on productions we were forced to ductions, we also support the broader BY ASHLEY CULLINS suspend last week.” film and television industry. So $15 million of There have been widespread calls for the the fund will go to third parties and non-prof- izzo is asking a California federal government to offer economic support to its providing emergency relief to out-of-work judge to dismiss “opportunistic various businesses, most notably the restau- crew and cast in the countries where we have and legally bankrupt” copyright rant and service industries that have been a large production base. counterclaims in a dispute over decimated nationwide, sending unemploy- In the and Canada non- Lher hit “Truth Hurts.” The Grammy winner ment skyrocketing, but the entertainment profits already exist to do this work. We will fired first in October asking the court for industry standstill has been particularly be donating $1 million each to the SAG- a declaration that Justin Raisen, Jeremiah hard on below-the-line workers, including AFTRA Covid-19 Disaster Fund, the Motion Raisen and Justin “Yves” Rothman have no Hollywood’s Teamsters. Picture and Television Fund and the Actors ownership rights in the song, or the now- Netflix’s relief pledge is not limited to its Fund Emergency Assistance in the US, and $1 famous line “I just took a DNA test, turns own productions. “Beyond helping work- million between the AFC and Fondation des out I’ 100 percent that bitch.” ers on our own productions, we also want Artistes. In other regions, including Europe, The trio filed its own suit alleging to support the broader film and television Latin America and Asia where we have a big Lizzo’s hit was the result of a 2017 song- industry,” Sarandos continued. “So $15 mil- production presence, we are working with ex- writing session for an unreleased demo lion of the fund will go to third parties and isting industry organizations to create similar called “Healthy” that never fully panned non-profits providing emergency relief to creative community emergency relief efforts. out, but key elements of which were used in out-of-work crew and cast in the countries We will announce the details of donations to her chart-topper. Now, Lizzo is asking the where we have a large production base.” groups in other countries next week. court to dismiss their request for a declara- Pledges to current non-profits aiding What’s happening is unprecedented. We are tion that they jointly authored and jointly workers include $1 million to the SAG- only as strong as the people we work with and own the song and a series of related claims. AFTRA Covid-19 Disaster Fund, the Motion Netflix is fortunate to be able to help those “Defendants are wrong that they can co- Picture and Television Fund and the Actors hardest hit in our industry through this chal- own ‘Truth Hurts’ because (1) Defendants Fund Emergency Assistance in the U.S and lenging time. allegedly co-own the unreleased demo and $1 million between the AFC and Fondation Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer (2) ‘Truth Hurts’ contains the same DNA des Artistes. This article originally appeared in THR. test line and as contained in that Read Sarandos’ full memo, posted to the com. unreleased work,” writes attorney Cynthia company blog, below. Arato. The Covid-19 crisis is devastating for many “As both the Ninth and Second Circuits industries, including the creative community. have recognized, it would ‘eviscerate’ Almost all television and film production fundamental copyright law if new works has now ceased globally – leaving hundreds based upon jointly authored works could be of thousands of crew and cast without jobs. transformed into joint works, regardless of These include electricians, carpenters and whether there had been any joint labor on drivers, many of whom are paid hourly wages the subsequent version. “Arato notes that and work on a project-to-project basis. while Lizzo and the producers disagree on This community has supported Netflix whether the Raisens and Rothman actually through the good times, and we want to help co-own the unreleased demo, whether the them through these hard times, especially similarities between the two works are lim- while governments are still figuring out what ited to the meme-generated DNA test line economic support they will provide. So we’ve and whether defendants waived their claims Page 15 of 27

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in writing those arguments can and will be the measures should “lower our overall addressed later in litigation. Amazon, Apple, bandwidth utilization by at least 25 percent” Read the full filing below. in all European territories where Disney+ This article originally appeared on The Facebook, is launching March 24, including the U.K., Hollywood Reporter. Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and Instagram Throttle Switzerland. Disney has pushed back the launch of Disney+ in France to April 7 at the Goldstar Launches Internet Streams request of the French government. Apple, which bowed its Apple TV+ online Donations Project in Europe service last November, has also voluntarily throttled its video bitrate in Europe to avoid for Struggling Live BY SCOTT ROXBOROUGH straining the continent’s network. The moves come after the European Industry mazon, Facebook, its Instagram Union’s Internal Market and Services Com- and Apple have joined Netflix, missioner Thierry Breton called on online BY ASSOCIATED PRESS YouTube and Disney+ in comply- video companies to do their part in reducing ing with government requests in bandwidth demand. Breton expressed con- icketing outlet Goldstar focuses on EuropeA to temporarily reduce online video cerns that as millions of Europeans remain live entertainment events. Now, bitrates as streaming demand surges during indoors amid stay-at- orders, increased with that industry crippled, the the coronavirus crisis. demand could tax online networks. company is encouraging users to Across the board, media and technol- Netflix on Thursday said it was reduc- Tkeep live events alive. ogy giants are temporarily throttling their ing bitrates across Europe, initially for 30 Subscribers are being asked to donate to online streaming services in Europe to avoid days, a move expected to reduce bandwidth live entertainment and arts organizations congestion or breakdown in service as more demand for Netflix traffic by around 25 nationwide, giving the option of $10, $20 or people are forced to stay at home. percent. $50 amounts. “To help alleviate any potential network On Friday, Europe’s government and The push is open to all genres, for profit congestion, we will temporarily reduce bit regulatory bodies have authorized the Euro- and not, from the Center Stage Children’s rates for videos on Facebook and Instagram pean Union’s telecom operators and internet Theater in San Diego to The Theatre School in Europe,” Facebook, which has more than service providers to apply exceptional at DePaul University in Chicago. 300 million daily users, said in a statement. measures, including the throttling of online “We’re tapping into our audience of 10 “We are committed to working with our speeds, to prevent network congestion. million subscribers to encourage them to partners to manage any bandwidth con- With most of Europe’s citizens under donate at this critical time to support the straints during this period of heavy demand, stay-at-home orders, demand for online artists, the people behind the scenes and all while also ensuring people are able to services, from teleworking tools and online who bring so much to our lives,” said Gold- remain connected using Facebook apps and classes to video and gaming streaming sites, star CEO Jim McCarthy. services during the COVID-19 pandemic.” has shot up. So far, however, there have been Amazon, whose originals include The no reports of major network disruption. Grand Tour, has also reduced bitrate speeds Other countries appear to be copying in Europe for its Amazon Prime video Europe’s preemptive throttling approach. In service. Following a similar move by Netflix, India, the association of cellular operators, Amazon has removed the option to stream COAI, has written to streaming platforms series and films in the bandwidth-heavy and the government’s department of tele- high-definition (HD) format. communications to take measures, including Google-owned YouTube, Europe’s largest temporarily moving to standard definition video streaming site, set the default option streaming, to ease the pressure on the na- for all of its videos to standard definition tion’s online infrastructure across Europe, but users still have the option Meanwhile, in Israel, the communications to toggle viewing quality to HD. ministry on Monday said Netflix will com- Over the weekend, Disney announced ply with a government request to reduce it would put in place measures to lower streaming quality in the country to help ease the overall bandwidth utilization of its data congestion. Israeli Internet service Disney+ service when it launches across providers have reported an average increase much of Europe on Tuesday. Disney said of as much as 30 percent since the coronavi- Page 16 of 27

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rus outbreak. with a fever on March 9 and documented community,” the statement continues. “We This article was originally published by the early stages of his sickness on social would like to take this opportunity to ex- The Hollywood Reporter. media, writing his last post — “pneumonia press our deepest sympathies and solidar- not the flu” — on March 11. ity with all those that have been affected... The late DJ is not to be confused with IMS was launched in 2007 during a crisis New Orleans New Orleans producer Adam “BlaqNmilD” moment for ; we are as Pigott, who has worked with artists includ- committed now as we were then to driving Bounce DJ Black ing Drake and . our industry forward.” N Mild Dies at 44 IMS Ibiza 2020 ’s After Coronavirus Postponed Due to Coronavirus Rant Diagnosis Coronavirus Heading for BY KATIE BAIN BY KATIE BAIN Billboard Chart ongstanding New Orleans bounce DJ and radio personality Black N he annual industry Debut Mild has died after testing posi- conference IMS Ibiza has been tive for coronavirus. The Orleans postponed due to the coronavirus. BY KEITH CAULFIELD LParish coroner’s office confirmed Friday Originally set to take place May (March 20) that the DJ, born Oliver Stokes T20-22 in Ibiza, conference organizers have ardi B’s buzzy Instagram rant Jr., died Thursday after contracting the announced a virtual version of the event will about coronavirus is now headed virus. He was 44. take place instead in 2020. Dates are yet to for the Billboard charts. Stokes is known for bringing New Orleans be announced. A remix of her rant, produced bounce music to the radio. “I was the first “Once the current situation has stabi- Cby DJ iMarkkeyz, is aiming for a debut on a DJ in Nola history to have a radio mix show lized,” reads an email from organizers sent number of charts next week, including the dedicated to Nola Bounce from 03-05 (up earlier today (March 23), “we pledge to all-genre Digital Song Sales tally and R&B/ to Katrina),” he wrote in a Feb. 3 Facebook work with our friends and colleagues in Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales. According to post. After Hurricane Katrina, Stokes the industry to find solutions to support all initial sales reports to Nielsen Music/MRC relocated to Houston, where he hosted a those in the electronic music ecosystem that Data, the song has already sold more than mix show on local radio. His Rhythm and will be directly impacted by ongoing cancel- 3,000 downloads in the U.S. Bounce show was featured on Saturday lations, illness, financial uncertainty and The song’s final sales tally for the week nights on New Orleans AM station WBOK self-isolation.” ending March 19 — along with its stream- from 2013 to 2017, an era Stokes also spent The conference also announced that ing total for the week — will be available by DJing at clubs, bars and parties throughout much of the income from ticket sales has Monday, March 23. The above-mentioned the region. already been spent to produce the event. As charts, dated March 28, will be updated to “One of the biggest and best compliments such, the conference will offer badge and Billboard’s website on Tuesday, March 24. I ever got from somebody in the industry,” hotel refunds to attendees who request it, On March 19, Cardi B — who has helped Stokes said in a 2012 interview with Tulane “but we ask our community where possible promote the DJ iMarkkeyz remix through University, “is when I was playing an indus- to transfer their tickets to the 2021 event to her social channels — said that she wants try event I was doing in ‘04. ... I was DJing ensure the long term survival of the summit. to donate proceeds from the sales and the event and there were a lot of industry Delegates will be contacted soon to confirm streams of the remix to charity. DJ iMark- people there and Doug . Fresh was host- their preference, we thank you in advance keyz agreed, tweeting to Cardi that was his ing. ... Doug E. Fresh pulled me to the side for your patience whilst we navigate this “goal.” and was like, ‘Man, I’ve heard a lot of DJs in unprecedented situation.” my time; you were one of the smoothest DJs The conference was scheduled to feature I’ve ever heard.’” a keynote address from , who The father of four also worked at the Ar- himself was going to attend virtually in an thur Ashe Charter School in New Orleans’ effort to reduce carbon emissions. Gentilly neighborhood. According to The “The COVID-19 pandemic will have a Times-Picayune, Stokes Jr. left the school deep and long lasting impact on the global Page 17 of 27

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tions if he contracts the coronavirus, please the few genres this native Texan didn’t play 6ix9ine Seeks issue an order modifying his sentence to during his formative years. Raised on the allow him to begin home confinement im- poor side of Houston, Rogers started playing Early Prison mediately.” music the way so many children do, partici- Billboard reached out to 6ix9ine’s reps pating in church choir and singing in school. Release Amid and Lazarro for comment. At the age of 12, he tagged along with his big sister to see Ray Charles play a concert and Coronavirus his world opened up. Soon, he was playing Kenny Rogers some rock & roll and singing doo-wop with Outbreak his high school combo the Scholars, who Was the Stream released a handful of singles in Houston BY CARL LAMARRE starting with 1956’s “Poor Little Doggie.” Between the He quickly went solo as Kenneth Rogers, hough 6ix9ine is mere months scoring a modest regional hit in 1958 with away from being a free man, the Islands of Pop and “,” but wound up aban- rapper is looking to even doning rock & roll for jazz, taking a regular sooner. In a letter obtained by Bill- Country gig as the bassist for the Bobby Doyle Three. Tboard, 6ix9ine’s lawyer Lance Lazzaro states The trio played regularly and cut a record to Judge Engelmayer that his client is at BY STEPHEN THOMAS ERLEWINE called In A Most Unusual Way for Columbia high-risk for not only catching the coronavi- in 1962 (a youthful, clean-shaven Rogers is rus but also dying from it. enny Rogers always acknowl- beaming brightly on the LP›s cover) but a On Sunday (March 22), Lazzaro argued in edged he wasn›t a hard country few years later the group went their sepa- a legal filing that 6ix9ine should be moved singer. rate ways, with Rogers landing in a latter- to home containment because he’s suffering “I’ve always been too pop for day incarnation of the folk institution the from “shortness of breath.” He apparently Kcountry and too country for pop,” Rogers New Christy Minstrels. also has a history of asthma, bronchitis, and told Rob Tannenbaum at back All these quick changes in direction hap- sinusitis. “It seems like just a matter of time in 2001, when he was still basking in the pened over the course of ten years, a decade before all prisons in the area are hit with afterglow of the success of “Buy Me a Rose,” that failed to secure Rogers anything close this virus, both inmates and guards,” says the last single of his to top the Billboard to a national hit — a situation that changed Lazzaro. Country charts. A decade later, Rogers told quickly once he formed the First Edition Lazzaro also revealed that the facility’s Dan Rather he was a “country singer with with some fellow New Christy Minstrel warden refused his client’s pleas of need- a lot of other musical influences,” a framing refugees in 1967. The First Edition was ing to go to the hospital. “Mr. Hernandez that acknowledged how the icon had strayed designed to reflect their moment: namely, has been complaining to prison officials this from the genre›s ideals — while reinforc- the paisley-spangled Summer Of Love. With week of shortness of breath, but apparently, ing the idea that Kenny Rogers is still, at his Mike Post, an emerging hotshot record pro- the warden of his facility will not allow Mr. core, a country singer. ducer who’ later earn fame as a television Hernandez to go to the hospital,” says Laz- It’d be silly to claim Rogers wasn’t coun- composer, behind the board, they cut “Just zaro. try. He was one of the biggest stars the genre Dropped In (To See What Condition My Last December, 6ix9ine was sentenced ever produced, racking up 21 No. 1 hits on Condition Was In),” a trippy tune written by to two years for his participation in a New the Billboard Country Songs chart, all but fellow Houstonite . York street gang but was granted an early one arriving between 1977 and 1987. But Filled with splashy studio trickery, it was release date of July 31. Rogers came to country music late in life, a Hollywood version of an acid trip — no “While I recognize that his release date adopting the style after his chart-topping wonder it wound up famously scoring the is only about four months away, given pop-rock group the First Edition imploded Dude’s fever dream in The Big Lebowski the health crisis that is currently tearing in the mid-1970s. By that point, he had been — but its kitchen-sink razzle-dazzle was through this region and Mr. Hernandez’s playing music in some professional capac- anchored by the honeyed of Rogers; compromised medical condition, please ity for the better part of two decades, so he didn›t so much lend it gravity as made strongly consider modifying Mr. Hernan- he recognized he had limited options as a all the weirdness seem safe, even attractive. dez’s sentence so as to immediately make singer pushing 40. Country was one of the Rogers wasn›t the only lead singer in the him eligible for home confinement,” Laz- few genres of American popular music that First Edition, but by the time they earned zaro tells the judge. allowed plenty of space for music and senti- their second Top Ten hit, “Ruby, Don›t He adds: “Given that Mr. Hernandez is at ments of adults in their middle age. Take Your Love To Town,” in 1969, his very high risk of death or serious complica- As , country was also one of name was above the band›s — the first star- Page 18 of 27

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move in a career filled with them. for Kenny Rogers, pushing him out of the stardom but it hardly diminished it, either. It also turned out to be a little premature. confines of the country charts, giving him a Kenny Rogers had long ago achieved the Rogers and the First Edition had one more lasting career as a crooner and even opening kind of fame where his persona was a rock big success (“Something’s Burning,” a No. up a side career as an actor, as the song was that could neither be sculpted or eroded: he 11 hit that built from a simmer to a quick adapted into a TV movie in 1980. Despite was a fixture in American culture, providing boil) in 1970, before struggling through the this massive success, Rogers only tried to reassurance and warmth with his presence, first part of the decade. Records kept com- replicate its story song formula once more, whether it was on stage or on record. Rogers ing, but the hits dried up — and eventually, with “,” a cautionary bid farewell to the road in 2017 and died the group did too, leaving Rogers grinding tale that did even better than “The Gam- three years later, but his hit singles still have out a living singing to 600 people at Steve bler” on the Hot 100 (and was also turned the ability to offer comfort and console now Wynn›s Golden Nugget. He was lucky into a TV movie). that he’s gone. enough to have developed a strong relation- Instead, Rogers turned his attention to ship with Larry Butler, a ballads, amiable trifles,and duets with who was appointed the head of United Art- female hitmakers like , Sheena ‘Frozen 2’ ists› Nashville branch in 1973. Butler signed Easton, and Dolly Parton — music that Rogers in 1975, and quickly laid the ground- walked the thin line separating country-pop Early Digital work for Kenny›s country makeover. and adult contemporary. Underneath the The mid-’70s were rife with smooth slick surfaces, Rogers was more adventurous Release Brought country operators, and Butler steered Rog- than he›d seem upon first glance: He invited ers down a path forged by Don Williams and Carnes and her husband Dave Ellingson Soundtrack . The slow, steady country to write the 1980 concept album Gideon, waltz of “Lucille” — a weary story song that drafted Lionel Richie to write the country- Back to Top 10 gave Rogers first smash country hit in 1977 soul ballad “Lady,” incorporated elements — crawled at the same deliberate tempo of and quiet storm when both R&B on Billboard 200 and delivered with the same as sounds were fashionable, and even recorded Williams, but Kenny’s vibe veered toward a song called “You›re My Love” in Chart Twitty. Like the latter, he was mature, mas- 1986. He also teamed up with the Bee Gees culine and seductive, singing about adult for Eyes That See In The Dark, a 1983 yacht- BY KEITH CAULFIELD romances, whether they were unrequited, country masterwork that underscored how shattered or fulfilled. What set Rogers apart Kenny Rogers was at his best when he was he soundtrack to Frozen 2 returns was a sly sense of showmanship, rooted navigating the shady gap separating country to the top 10 on the Billboard equally in Hollywood and Vegas. He knew and pop. 200 chart for the first time in two how to spin warmth and drama into his Eyes That See In The Dark contained his months thanks to the film’s early love songs, but those skills blossomed in the last big smash in “Islands In The Stream,” Tarrival to digital retail and rental services, as story songs he made his signature. a duet with Dolly Parton that became a well as the Disney+ streaming platform (on Chief among those story songs was “The standard on the level of “The Gambler.” March 14). Gambler,” a Don Schlitz tune debuted by Rogers racked up country hits for a couple The former No. 1 album rebounds with on his 1978 album Bare. In more years — his last number one arrived an 18-10 jump on the list, earning 31,000 Bare’s hands, “The Gambler” was lean, in 1987 with the Ronnie Milsap duet “Make equivalent album units in the U.S. in the lanky and just slightly mischievous, tall No Mistake, She›s Mine” — but he didn›t week ending March 19, according to Nielsen tales told by two professional drinkers at attempt to expand his reach after 1984, Music/MRC Data. The set was last in the the end of the long night. Rogers realized when he threaded modern soul into What top 10 on the Jan. 25-dated list, when it that he was merely recounting the wisdom About Me? He had found his audience, and ranked at No. 8. he learned from the old rounder; he was he spent the next three decades maintain- The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most witnessing the revelry and life experience, ing his connection with his fans, touring popular albums of the week in the U.S. based not participating. That slight sense of dis- constantly and recording the kind of albums on multi-metric consumption as measured tance is the reason why Kenny’s version of that are sold in gift shops, Cracker Barrels in equivalent album units. Units comprise “The Gambler” not only became a cross- and fan clubs: collections of holiday songs, album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) over smash over the course of 1979, but the gospel, and re-interpretations of his old and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). The defining song of Rogers’ career: He coaxed tunes — punctuated by the occasional high- new March 28-dated chart, where Frozen 2 out the universal truths and the pop hooks profile project, like 2013›s originals setYou jumps 1810 (and Lil Uzi Vert’s Eternal Atake within this hard country song. Can›t Make Old Friends. holds at No. 1), will be posted in full on “The Gambler” changed everything None of this activity enhanced his Billboard’s website on March 24. Page 19 of 27

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In a statement, Disney announced the Make Old Friends (No. 9, 2013). 12, “Every Time Two Fools Collide,” Rog- film’s accelerated digital release — three On the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 songs ers & Dottie West, No. 1 (2 weeks), 1978 months earlier than scheduled — “for chart, Rogers banked 42 titles between 1968 13, “We’ve Got Tonight,” Rogers & Sheena families during these challenging times.” and 2006. He reached the Hot 100 before Easton, No. 1 (1 week), 1983 The film’s digital arrival was likely warmly , with two titles credited 14, “,” No. 2, 1987 embraced by families and kids in self-quar- to The First Edition: “Just Dropped In (To 15, “All I Ever Need Is You,” Rogers & - antine owed to the coronavirus pandemic. See What Condition My Condition Was tie West, No. 1 (1 week), 1979 In),” a No. 5 hit in 1968, and “But You Know 16, “Lady,” No. 1 (1 week), 1980 I Love You” (No. 19, 1969). Rogers notched 17, “Lucille,” No. 1 (2 weeks), 1977 ‘Islands in the 11 Hot 100 top 10s, including two No. 1s: 18, “,” No. 2, 1987 “Lady,” for six weeks in 1980, and “Islands in 19, “Don’t Fall in Love With a Dreamer,” Stream,’ ‘The the Stream,” with Parton (two weeks, 1983). No. 3, 1980 Rogers’ pop crossover appeal extended 20, “A Love Song,” No. 3, 1982 Gambler’ & More: to his version of Bob Seger’s “We’ve Got 21, “Anyone Who Isn’t Me Tonight,” Rog- Tonight,” which he covered with Sheena ers & Dottie West, No. 2, 1978 Kenny Rogers’ Easton (No. 6 on the Hot 100, 1983), and he 22, “Make No Mistake, She’s Mine,” Rog- took a turn as one of the soloists on USA for ers & Ronnie Milsap, No. 1 (1 week), 1987 Biggest Billboard Africa’s all-star “,” which 23, “Crazy,” No. 1 (1 week), 1985 ruled the Hot 100 for four weeks in 1985. 24, “,” No. 1 (2 Hits On the all-genre Billboard 200 albums weeks), 1979 chart, Rogers posted 44 titles, including four 25, “,” No. 1 (1 week), 1977 BY GARY TRUST top 10s, one of which reigned: Kenny Rogers’ 26, “Through the Years,” No. 5, 1982 Greatest Hits, for two weeks in 1980. 27, “Buy Me a Rose,” with & enny Rogers, who died March Rogers additionally achieved 28 top , No. 1 (1 week), 2000 20 at age 81, forged an ex- 10s on the Adult Contemporary airplay 28, “,” No. 4, 1980 traordinary career on multiple chart, including eight No. 1s. He graced the 29, “The Factory,” No. 6, 1988 Billboard charts, most notably on chart as recently as 2016, when “Here It Is 30, “ With Me,” No. 5, Kthe Hot Country Songs survey. Christmas”/”Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” fea- 1981 The legend tallied 21 Hot Country Songs turing Jennifer Nettles, hit No. 18. 31, “Scarlet Fever,” No. 5, 1983 No. 1s, among 36 top 10s, from “Lucille,” in In honor of the musical titan, here is a re- 32, “Till I Can Make It on My Own,” Rog- 1977, through “Buy Me a Rose,” with Alison cap of Rogers’ 40 biggest hits on Billboard’s ers & Dottie West, No. 3, 1979 Krauss and Billy Dean, in 2000. Hot Country Songs chart. 33, “Buried Treasure,” No. 3, 1984 Rogers first reached the ranking dated Kenny Rogers’ Biggest Billboard Hits 34, “The Vows Go Unbroken (Always July 19, 1969, with “Ruby, Don’t Take Your 1, “Islands in the Stream,” with Dolly True to You),” No. 8, 1989 Love to Town,” credited to Kenny Rogers Parton, No. 1 peak (2 weeks), 1983 35, “Blaze of Glory,” No. 9, 1982 and The First Edition (before he went solo 2, “Coward of the County,” No. 1 (3 36, “,” No. 9, 1977 in 1973). He most recently appeared on the weeks), 1980 37, “,” No. 11, chart dated May 5, 2007, with “Calling Me,” 3, “She Believes in Me,” No. 1 (2 weeks), 1992 featuring . 1979 38, “All My Life,” No. 13, 1983 Rogers scaled the chart with duets with 4, “Morning Desire,” No. 1 (1 week), 1986 39, “Evening Star,” No. 11, 1984 fellow country icons Dottie West, Dolly Par- 5, “Real Love,” Dolly Parton with Rogers, 40, “I Can’t Unlove You,” No. 17, 2006 ton and Ronnie Milsap, among others, while, No. 1 (1 week), 1985 Kenny Rogers’ Biggest Billboard Hits are reflecting his sonic versatility, he recorded 6, “The Gambler,” No. 1 (3 weeks), 1978 based on actual performance on the weekly songs written by Lionel Richie (“Lady”), Bee 7, “Love Will Turn You Around,” No. 1 (1 Hot Country Songs chart, through the March Gees (“Islands in the Stream”) and a nascent week), 1982 21, 2020, ranking. Songs are ranked based on . “Crazy,” which the pair co- 8, “I Don’t Need You,” No. 1 (2 weeks), an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 penned, topped Hot Country Songs in 1985, 1981 earning the greatest value and weeks at lower two years before Marx’s own breakthrough 9, “Tomb of the Unknown Love,” No. 1 (1 ranks earning lesser values. Due to changes as an artist. week), 1986 in chart methodology over the years, certain On , Rogers earned 10, “Love or Something Like It,” No. 1 (1 eras are weighted to account for different 12 No. 1s, among 26 top 10s, first leading week), 1978 chart turnover rates over various periods. with his self-titled set in 1977. He most 11, “What Are We Doin’ in Love,” Dottie recently reached the top 10 with You Can’t West with Rogers, No. 1 (1 week), 1981 Page 20 of 27

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How has love been represented over the “Lady Love,” Lou Rawls, No. 24, 1978 A ‘Stupid’ Ask years on the Hot 100? Let us count the ways. “Letting Go (Dutty Love),” Sean Kings- Here’s a look at notable “love” stories that ton feat. , No. 36, 2010 Billboard Mailbag, have hit the chart’s top 40. As musical artists “A Little Love,” Corey Hart, No. 37, 1990 are poets, we’ve seen, and heard, no short- “Lost Love,” .B. Barnum, No. 35, 1961 From age of viewpoints. “Lotta Love,” Nicolette Larson, No. 8, “Afire Love,” , No. 37, 2014 1979 to BTS, Elvis “Baby Love,” The Supremes, No. 1 (four “A Love Bizarre,” Sheila E., No. 11, 1986 weeks), 1964 “A Love So Fine,” The Chiffons, No. 40, Presley & More “Baby Love,” Regina, No. 10, 1986 1963 “A Better Love,” , No. 18, “,” , No. 30, 1996 BY GARY TRUST 1991 “Mighty Love – Pt. 1,” The Spinners, No. “Big Love,” , No. 5, 1987 20, 1974 ubmit questions about Billboard “Burning Love,” , No. 2, 1972 “Modern Love,” David Bowie, No. 14, charts, as well as general music “Butta Love,” Next, No. 16, 1997 1983 musings, to askbb@billboard. “Cold Love,” , No. 33, 1981 “More Love,” Smokey Robinson & The com. “Cool Love,” , No. 13, 1981 Miracles, No. 23, 1967 SPlease include your first and last name, as “Crazy Love,” Poco, No. 17, 1979 “More Love,” Kim Carnes, No. 10, 1980 well as your city, state and country, if outside “Crazy Love,” The Allman “,” Captain & Tennille, No. the U.S. Band, No. 29, 1979 4, 1976 Or, tweet @gthot20. “Endless Love,” & Lionel “My Love,” Petula Clark, No. 1, 1966 Let’s open the latest mailbag. Richie, No. 1 (nine weeks), 1981”Endless “My Love,” Paul McCartney & Wings, No. Hi Gary, Love,” & , 1 (four weeks), 1973 Lady Gaga gave us one of her best tunes No. 2, 1994 “My Love,” Lionel Richie, No. 5, 1983 with “.” Now, we have an “An ,” , No. “My Love,” feat. T.I., update of sorts, musically and title-wise, 5, 1978 No. 1 (three weeks), 2006 thanks to “Stupid Love.” “Everlasting Love,” Carl Carlton, No. 6, “My Own True Love,” Jimmy Clanton, It’s also the latest Billboard Hot 100 hit 1974 No. 33, 1959 with a simple adjective descriptor in front of “Everlasting Love,” Rex Smith & Rachel “My Own True Love,” The Duprees, No. the word “Love.” Sweet, No. 32, 1981 13, 1962 I think it would be a fun idea to run down “Everlasting Love,” Howard Jones, No. “My Summer Love,” Ruby and The Ro- all those types of songs, and certainly not a 12, 1989 mantics, No. 16, 1963 “stupid” one (or a “stoopid” one, to para- “Everlasting Love,” , No. “My True Love,” Jack Scott, No. 3, 1958 phrase ’s “Hey Stoopid,” a No. 27, 1995”Fake Love,” BTS, No. 10, 2018 “Old-Fashion Love,” Commodores, No. 78 Hot 100 hit in 1991). “Fastlove,” , No. 8, 1996 20, 1980 So many silly “love” songs to celebrate, “First Time Love,” Livingston Taylor, “Our Love,” , No. 10, 1978 especially in a time when we could all use No. 38, 1980 “Our Winter Love,” Bill Pursell, No. 9, the best of humanity’s love. “Forever Love,” , No. 15, 1963 Pablo Nelson 1992 “,” , Oakland, California “Ghetto Love,” Da Brat feat. T-Boz, No. No. 19, 1963 Hi Pablo, 16, 1997”Greatest Love of All,” Whitney “Part Time Love,” and Thanks as always. Hope you’re staying Houston, No. 1 (three weeks), 1986 The Pips, No. 22, 1975 safe. “A Groovy Kind of Love,” The Mind- “Part-Time Love,” , No. 22, (And if you’re like the Billboard staff, benders, No. 2, 1966 1978 perhaps you’re actually seeing more of your “Groovy Kind of Love,” (two “Precious Love,” Bob Welch, No. 19, 1979 co-workers these days, even at home, via weeks), No. 1, 1988 “Puppy Love,” , No. 2, 1960 video chats. The downside? Finding a view “Higher Love,” , No. 1 “Puppy Love,” Barbara Lewis, No. 38, that shows the least clutter. [Tip: aim your (one week), 1986 1964 computer’s camera toward a window …] The “Honey Love,” R. Kelly & Public An- “Puppy Love,” Donny Osmond, No. 3, upside? Pets!) nouncement, No. 39, 1992 1972 Let’s all take our minds off the more seri- “Jungle Love,” The Steve Miller Band, “Radar Love,” Golden Earring, No. 13, ous issues facing us these days with a chart- No. 23, 1977 1974 geeky topic like this. “Jungle Love,” The Time, No. 20, 1985 “Real Love,” , No. Page 21 of 27

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5, 1980 Tammi Terrell, No. 5, 1967 “Real Love,” Jody Watley, No. 2, 1989 “Your Unchanging Love,” , Cali Roots “Real Love,” Mary J. Blige, No. 7, 1992 No. 33, 1967 “Runaway Love,” Ludacris feat. Mary J. Postponed, Blige, No. 2, 2007 “Same Love,” & Lucia Bosé, Italian Organizers feat. Mary Lambert, No. 11, 2013 “,” with Alexan- Actress and Announce Plans der O›Neal, No. 26, 1986 “Second Hand Love,” Connie Francis, Mother of Pop to Release No. 7, 1962 “Secret Love,” Billy Stewart, No. 29, 1966 Star Miguel Bosé, Unheard Music “Secret Love,” Freddy Fender, No. 20, 1975 Dies at 89 by Participating “Sexy Love,” Ne-Yo, No. 7, 2006 “Stone Love,” Kool & The Gang, No. 10, BY JUDY CANTOR-NAVAS Artists 1987 “Stoned Love,” The Supremes, No. 7, ucia Bosé, the Italian actress and BY TAYLOR MIMS 1970 mother of Spanish Pop star Miguel “Stupid Love,” Lady Gaga, No. 5, 2020 Bosé, has died at age 89. he California Roots Music & Arts “Sweet Love,” Commodores, No. 5, 1976 Miguel Bosé confirmed his Festival has moved its annual “Sweet Love,” Anita Baker, No. 8, Lmother’s death via social media on Monday event from May 22-24 to Oct. 9-11 1986”Tainted Love,” Soft Cell, No. 8, 1982 (March 23). “Dear friends...my mother Lucía at the Monterey County Fair and “Tender Love,” Force M.D.›s, No. 10, 1986 Bosé has just passed away. She is in the best TEvent Center. According to the festival, 99% “The Greatest Love of All,” George Ben- of places,” he wrote. of its original lineup plans to return on the son, No. 24, 1977 According to Spanish news reports that rescheduled dates with headlining appear- “The Real Love,” Bob Seger & The Silver cited information provided by family mem- ances from Damian Marley, Rebelution, Bullet Band, No. 24, 1991 bers, Lucia Bosé died of pneumonia in her Stick Figure, Sean Paul, Ice Cube, Atmo- “The Right Kind of Love,” Jeremy Jor- Brieva, the small town in Spain where she sphere, Chronixx, Sublime with Rome dan , No. 14, 1993 lived. Some outlets reported that her death and many more. “This Love,” , No. 5, 2004 came after being infected with the corona- The California festival has partnered with “True Blue Love,” Lou Gramm, No. 40, virus, though Billboard has not yet been able Ineffable Records to release 21 never-before- 1990”True Love,” Glenn Frey, No. 13, 1988 to confirm. heard tracks from artists from the Cali Roots “Warm and Tender Love,” , Bosé was known for her roles in movies scene called Cali Roots Riddim 2020. Start- No. 17, 1966 including Fellini’s Satyricon and Death of a ing Friday with Collie Buddz’ “Hold Firm,” “,” Matt McAndrew, No. 14 Cyclist, directed by Jaun Anotnio Bardem a new song from the project will drop on all , 2015 (Javier Bardem’s father). A great beauty digital music platforms with the full project “Wild Wild Love,” feat. .R.., who was crowned Miss Italy when she was coming out on May 22, the original kick off No. 30, 2014 a teenager, she married the famous Spanish date for Cali Roots 2020. “Yester Love,” Smokey Robinson & The bullfighter Miguel Dominguín. “As we continue to deal with these Miracles, No. 31, 1968 The dashing couple, who were married unprecedented circumstances, we want to “Young Love,” , No. 38, 1982 from 1955-1967, had three children, Miguel, thank our community for being so patient. “Your Love,” Graham Central Station, Lucia and Paula. After leaving her career to We hope that the release of ‘Cali Roots No. 38, 1975 raise her family, Bosé occasionally returned Riddim 2020’ will keep fans quenched with “Your Love,” Marilyn McCoo & Billy to the screen in small film roles. new music as we all wait a bit longer to en- Davis, Jr., No. 15, 1977”Your Love,” The See Miguel Bosé’s tweet below. joy our annual weekend together,” said Cali Outfield, No. 6, 1986 Roots co-producer and Ineffable partner “Your Love,” Nicki Minaj, No. 14, 2010 Dan Sheehan in a release. “The project is “Your One and Only Love,” Jackie Wil- exciting, as we are the first festival to launch son, No. 40, 1961 its own ‘riddim.’” “Your Other Love,” Connie Francis, No. A riddim is an instrumental that is sent to 28, 1963 a number of artists, each recording vocals “Your Precious Love,” Marvin Gaye & and creating a unique song over the same Page 22 of 27

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exact instrumental. Riddim compilations have been a part of Jamaican and reggae ’s The Weeknd music culture for decades and in this case will feature top reggae acts from the US, as Beats 1 Hosts Enters Week Nine well as incorporating Jamaican acts and acts from around the world. Shift to Remote Atop ’s Cali Roots Riddim 2020 is produced by Bermudian reggae star Collie Buddz and Broadcasting Singles Chart will include American reggae artists like SOJA, Pepper, Common Kings, and The BY TATIANA CIRISANO With ‘Blinding Movement who have joined Jamaican stars like Jesse Royal and Anthony B. Other pple Music’s Beats 1 global Lights’ international acts like France’s Dub Inc and radio station will return to the Germany’s Gentleman will add their own airwaves today (March 23) with BY LARS BRANDLE unique song over the same beat. one notable change: In light of Beginning Friday, a single from the proj- theA coronavirus outbreak, all hosts will now he companion album to the his- ect will be released each Friday leading up broadcast remotely from their homes. toric Fire Fight Australia concert to the full 21 track compilation’s release. The “To prioritize the health and safety of last month in has lit up version with Collie Buddz’s vocals, “Hold its staff and guests, beginning today, Apple the Australian chart, while The Firm” will drop on March 27, The Move- Music hosts will record their shows with TWeeknd’s “Blinding Lights” (Republic/ ment’s track “Alien” will drop on April 3, field equipment from their homes, working Universal) enters a ninth week atop the and Anthony B’s track “Chill Out” will drop virtually via FaceTime on iPhone,” reads a national singles chart. April 10. press release from the company. “Tune in Artists Unite For Fire Fight: Concert For “We’re living in a time that has decimated for an array of fresh and genre-spanning National Bushfire Relief, the new No. 1 on the music industry amongst many other shows through out the week as Beats 1 re- the ARIA Albums Chart, features live cuts industries. A lot of our business revolves mains committed to continuing to deliver its from the Fire Fight concert at Sydney’s ANZ around the live side, so right now we need eclectic programming to passionate music Stadium on Feb. 16. to be creative. While we started this project fans across the globe.” Released on March 13, the double-album before the crisis hit, we believe projects The new programming kicks off at 9:00 features recordings from all 23 artists who like these are what the industry needs to a.m. PST today, when lead anchor Zane performed on the day, including k.d lang, focus on for the time being,” said Ineffable Lowe will host FaceTime discussions with & Olivia Newton-John, Music’s head of label services and Cali Roots the likes of Elton John, Miley Cyrus and Queen + , 5 Seconds of Riddim executive producer Adam Gross in Lil . Then, at 12:00 p.m. PST, host Summer and more. a release. “21 acts all around the world band- Ebro Darden will hop online to speak with To increase the profit for donations, Sony ing together to promote each other’s music Jhene Aiko. Music Australia has only made the album is really a beautiful thing, and we need to do Apple Music hosts Rebecca Judd, available in CD and download formats, but all we can to unify and lift all boats and help Brooke Reese, Nadeska Alexis, Julie not on streaming platforms. each other out right now. This virus can Adenuga, Travis Mills, Hanuman Welch, The Fire Fight spectacular was a sell-out take away a lot of things, but it cannot take Kelleigh Bannen, Sandra Peña, and El with more than 75,000 attending the show away our ability to stream music to support Guru will also all be on the air in their regu- in Olympic Park, generating upwards of $9.5 independent artists.” lar time slots. million for good causes. California Roots Festival and Ineffable Later this week, Lowe will catch up with All proceeds from Fire Fight album sales Records are both part of the Ineffable Music Charli XCX, Harry Styles and Hayley go to Sony Foundation Australia to support Group umbrella. Williams; while Darden will check in with young Australians in bushfire affected com- Lil Baby, and Don munities. Toliver. The week’s schedule also includes With the all-star album bagging top spot radio shows from Elton John, The Weeknd, this week, Niall Horan opens at No. 2 with Queens of The Stone Age’s Josh Homme, Heartbreak Weather (Capitol/EMI), his sec- Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig, DJ ond solo album. Heartbreak Weather starts Khaled, Jax Jones, Action Bronson, Briggs, at No. 1 in the U.K. and more recorded on their iPhones. It’s the followup to 2017’s Flicker, which also hit No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart and is now certified gold. The formerOne Page 23 of 27

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Direction singer is booked for a three-date “Bad Child,” released as a double A-side quited crush, but head-over-heels romance arena tour of Australia this September and along with “Can’t Be Happy All the Time,” that endures. October, produced by TEG Live. starts at No. 18. That’s evident in the verses (“All this love The Irishman’s fellow former 1D star The former busker (real name Toni Wat- we feel needs no conversation/ We ride it Harry Styles occupies the No. 3 posi- son) ruled the national chart for a record- together”), and even more obvious in the tion with Fine Line (up 4-3 via Columbia/ setting 24 weeks #1 with “Dance Monkey” chorus. The two lovebirds are inseparable Sony) while ’s When We All and scooped four trophies at the 2019 ARIA “islands in the stream” who beckon each Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (down 3-4, Awards, including best female artist. other to “sail away with me to another Interscope/Universal) and Lil Uzi Vert’s world” where they “rely on each other.” Eternal Atake (down 1-5 via Atlantic/War- Parton and Rogers frequently sing the ner) complete the top 5. Forever No. 1: song’s verses together, which underscores Australian country star Adam Brand bags the unity of the romantic union being his sixth top 10 with Speed Of Life (ABC/ Kenny Rogers described. However, they never overwhelm Universal), his first studio album in more each other’s parts, and are generous and than three years. It’s new at No. 6. & Dolly Parton’s respectful of vocal space — something that Just days after announcing one of its seems natural, since their voices blend members had contracted the novel coro- ‘Islands in the together perfectly. And when they do occa- navirus, Ocean Grove receive some good sionally take solo turns to emphasize lyrical news. The Melbourne metalcore band’s Stream’ gravity, the emotional resonance is striking. sophomore album Flip Phone Fantasy For example, Parton sounds vulnerable and (UNFD/Sony) opens at No. 8 on the national BY ANNIE ZALESKI forlorn as she envisions what might happen albums chart, and rules the ARIA Vinyl if she and her beau were parted: “I can’t live Albums Chart. orever No. 1 is a Billboard series without you if the love was gone/ Every- Award winning country singer-songwriter that pays special tribute to the thing is nothing if you got no one.” Rogers, Fanny Lumsden makes her first appearance recently deceased artists who meanwhile, draws on his time in the ‘60s in the top 10 with Fallow (Cooking Vinyl/ achieved the highest honor our rock group the First Edition to belt out his Sony). Lumsden’s third album bows at No. Fcharts have to offer — a Billboard Hot 100 parts with grit and confidence — he’s gruff 10, eclipsing the No. 23 peak of her 2017 No. 1 single — by taking an extended look but sensitive, the perfect tone for this tune. set Real Class Act, which was nominated back at the chart-topping songs that made On the chart dated October 29, 1983, for an ARIA Award and won best indepen- them part of this exclusive club. Here, we “Islands in the Stream” ascended to No. 1 on dent country album award at the 2018 AIR honor the late Kenny Rogers by diving into the Hot 100 in its tenth week on the charts, Awards. the second of his two Hot 100 toppers, the replacing ’s “Total Eclipse of Over on the ARIA Singles Chart, The timeless Dolly Parton duet “Islands in the the Heart” on top. The song also reached the Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” continues its Stream.” top of the country charts that same week, winning streak with the Canadian R&B Released in summer 1983, the Kenny and was spending its third week at No. 1 singer’s fourth and latest album After Hours Rogers and Dolly Parton duet “Islands in on the Adult Contemporary chart as well. expected to bow debut high this weekend. the Stream” is the kind of easy, breezy pop This multi-chart dominance is even more After vaulting 18 places last week, SAINt song that›s the platonic ideal of adult con- impressive when you consider that the song JHN’s “Roses” (Sony) leaps 12-7, for its first temporary. Anchored by a laid-back tempo, didn’t have a video on MTV, a rarity for the in the top 10. open-hearted vocals, and lush orchestration pop charts at this juncture. Of that week’s After taking out triple j’s Hottest 100 of — a mellow latticework comprising spar- top 20 songs on the Hot 100, 11 had videos in the Decade on March 14, Tame Impala’s kling keyboards, rakish horns, and string medium or heavy rotation on the channel; a modern classic “The Less I Know The swells — the song became Rogers’ second twelfth song, Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long Better” (Modular/Universal) bursts back No. 1 hit. (All Night)” had a clip added to the channel onto the chart. The track hits No. 17 on the “Islands”— written by Maurice, Barry and that week. ARIA Singles Chart, easily beating its previ- , a.k.a. the Bee Gees — is also the “Islands in the Stream” was the second ous peak of No. 66 back in February 2016. perfect soundtrack to a warm-weather fling. Hot 100 No. 1 for both Parton and Rogers: Tame Impala’s newest album The Slow Rush The describe the lightning-bolt feel- The former’s “9 to 5” reached the peak for opened at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart ing of intoxicating love at first sight: “Baby, two weeks in 1981, and the latter›s “Lady” last month, and is at No. 15 this week. when I met you there was peace unknown/ reigned for six weeks in 1980. At the time And finally, Tones And I returns to Aus- I set out to get you with a fine-tooth comb.” the song hit, Parton and Rogers were run- tralian singles chart with “Bad Child” (Bad However, the song’s protagonists are in sync ning somewhat parallel careers: Not only Batch/Sony), her first new release in 2020. with each other’s desires. This isn’t an unre- were they enjoying crossover success, but Page 24 of 27

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each had branched out into acting. Rog- Rogers to enlist to co-produce as Rogers continued to enjoy major country ers starred in the 1982 movie Six Pack and his 1983 album Eyes That See in the Dark, success for the rest of the ‘80s, but “Islands the beloved made-for-TV movies based on where “Islands” eventually found its LP in the Stream” would mark the end of his his hit “The Gambler.” Parton, meanwhile, home. At the time the country star came upper-echelon pop success. He only reached was on a cinematic hot streak thanks to star calling, Gibb and brothers Robin and Mau- the Hot 100’s top 40 three times after this, turns in 1980›s 9 to 5 and 1982›s The Best rice had retreated from their own music and with the high point being “What About Little Whorehouse in Texas. were focused on writing for other artists. Me?” with Kim Carnes and James Ingram, Incredibly enough, however, Parton and The move was wildly successful: After which hit No. 15 in 1984. Rogers had never collaborated musically dominating during the late-’70s However, “Islands in the Stream” ce- before “Islands in the Stream” — save for disco era with the Bee Gees, the trio contin- mented a decades-long association with Rogers’ appearance on a 1976 episode of ued to have a prominent chart presence in Dolly Parton, which kept Rogers in the the variety show Dolly! That fact wasn›t the early ‘80s — only this time as songwrit- mainstream eye. The pair had another No. lost on , as he recalled in The ers, producers and guest stars. 1 country hit in 1985 with “Real Love,” and Ultimate Biography Of The Bee Gees: Tales In 1980, Barry co-produced Barbra Strei- teamed up for the title track of Rogers› 2013 Of The Brothers Gibb. “We imagined Dolly sand’s studio album Guilty and co-wrote album You Can’t Make Old Friends. Parton singing the other part on [“Islands in the (along with Robin) “,” which and Rogers also released a best-selling holi- Stream”], because she was the queen of spent three weeks atop the Hot 100 (before day album, 1984’s Once Upon a Christmas, country, he was the king, [but] they never giving way to Rogers› “Lady”). The follow- and followed that up several popular TV sang together [before]. So it’s a perfect sort ing year, Streisand added two more top 10 specials. of marriage.” However, Rogers at first tried smashes from Guilty, both duets with Barry: And “Islands in the Stream” has taken to sing the song solo; after four days of try- the title track (No. 3) — which was writ- on a life of its own over the years. It’s been ing to nail his vocal part, he was frustrated. ten by all three brothers—and “What Kind covered multiple times by country and pop “I finally said, ‘Barry [Gibb], I don’t even of Fool” (No. 10), another Barry co-write. acts: Barry Gibb did the song live with Ol- like this song anymore’ and he said, ‘You Conway Twitty took a cover of the Bee Gees’ ivia Newton-John, and Reba know what we need? We need Dolly Par- 1978 b-side “” to No. McEntire cut a version in 2008, and Miley ton,’” Rogers told People in 2017. Incredibly 1 on the country charts in 1981. And in 1982, Cyrus and Shawn Mendes dueted on it just enough, Parton happened to be downstairs topped the adult contem- last year. Indie musicians have also em- from Rogers in the same studio complex, he porary chart and peaked at No. 10 on the braced the song, in particular a live version recalled. “My manager Ken Kragen said, ‘I Hot 100 with “Heartbreaker,” another song by My Morning Jacket and Neko Case, just saw her!’ and I said, ‘Well, go get her!’ by all three Gibb. and a luxurious studio version by Feist and He went downstairs and she came march- “Islands in the Stream” also had roots in Constantines. ing into the room, and once she came in R&B. Although widely cited as being written The song would also spawn many in- and started singing the song was never the for Marvin Gaye, the Bee Gees actually had spired interpretations — most notably in same. It took on a personality of its own.” another legend in mind as it came 1998, when Fugees MC Pras used elements That spark was evident from the pair’s first together. “We were writing a song for Diana of the song for the chorus to “Ghetto Su- live performance of the song, which came Ross, but she never got [a]round to hearing pastar (That Is What You Are),” a top 20 on the CMA Awards telecast on October 10, it, and Kenny wanted a song and we came hit alongside Mya (who sang the “Islands”- 1983. up with this one,” Barry Gibb said in The derived ) and Ol› Dirty Bastard. A Yet making “Islands in the Stream” a duet Ultimate Biography Of The Bee Gees: Tales 2009 by actors from the BBC was a go-to move for Rogers during this Of The Brothers Gibb. “It was written as an sitcom Gavin & Stacey would also hit No. 1 era. In 1978, he teamed up with country leg- R&B song, so it just shows you the relation- in the U.K., while the U.S. version of The Of- end Dottie West for the duets album Every ship between the two types of songs that it fice even used the song in a beloved episode, Time Two Fools Collide, whose title track could, in fact, turn into a country song very where Michael and Jim sing it at karaoke. topped the country charts. Rogers further easily.” To nobody’s surprise, it’s also a real-life expanded his sonic range (and earned pop Rogers prided himself on this malleable karaoke staple. crossover success) with the Kim Carnes vocal nature, as he said in the liner notes of Rogers also performed “Islands in the collaboration “Don’t Fall In Love With A Kenny Rogers Through the Years: A Ret- Stream” with other collaborators over the Dreamer,” a No. 4 Hot 100 hit in 1980. And rospective, although he never lost sight of years, including ’s Jennifer in early 1983, Rogers and Sheena Easton his strengths. “I am a country singer with a Nettles. However, nothing compared to teamed up for a cover of Bob Seger’s “We’ve tremendous amount of other influences. No when he and Parton performed the song Got Tonight” that peaked at No. 6 on the matter what I do, it’s always going to have a together, which they did multiple times Hot 100. country influence to it. That’s just where my throughout the years. The final time, at A desire for new collaboration also led heart is.” That assessment proved prescient, 2017’s “All In for the Gambler: Kenny Rog- Page 25 of 27

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ers’ Farewell Concert Celebration,” was five on the pop, AC, and country charts. He halfway. He had, essentially, shifted his both emotional and reassuring: Parton and nearly made it through disco scot-free. band’s own No. 1 hit “Still” to a minor key. Rogers had the easygoing demeanor of old Things were looking real good for Kenny. (Both songs start with the word “Lady”.) friends, and while the swagger of previous But Rogers was leery of being pigeon- A worrying ostinato taps the table; live duets wasn’t quite there, the magical holed. His mailbox was bursting with demos an electric guitar sighs out the window. A musical spark that always powered the song of stagecoach-and-sagebrush sagas, most string section is assembled largely to voice still burned bright. of them terrible. Still, from all angles, he chords. The sense of romantic isolation is was at an apex. A greatest-hits collection overwhelming; when the rhythm section was scheduled for the fall, and it required finally steps into the room, it’s like Rogers Forever No. 1: padding. He’d been keeping tabs on a Mo- tore down the curtains. town act that had, over the previous A lesser singer would have sunk into the Kenny Rogers’ couple years, shown a startling aptitude for maudlin furnishings. Rogers, though, was a soft pop. Not the quiet storm of weekend supreme interpreter. He neither hectors ‘Lady’ R&B radio: pure, uncut adult contempo- his lost love nor luxuriates in the pain. On rary. Through EMI America president Jim each line, he reveals a small devastation, BY BRAD SHOUP Mazza, Rogers reached out to the architect showing just a hint of grain in his vocal. of the Commodores’ new sound: Lionel The back half finds Rogers finally singing orever No. 1 is a Billboard series that Richie. Intrigued by the possibility — and by from his heels a bit, but he never threatens pays special tribute to the recently the potential payday of a Kenny Rogers best- to tip. He navigates a text that’s a thicket of deceased artists who achieved the of record — Richie boarded a plane to Las conversational asides, switches from melan- highest honor our charts have to Vegas to sit at a battered backstage piano choly to wistfulness and back again, and lets Foffer — a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single — by and sing the first (and, to that point, only) Richie’s forlorn have the last taking an extended look back at the chart- verse of “Lady”. word. He’s out in under four minutes. topping songs that made them part of this Looking back on the result in his 2012 “Lady” was the sound of two men taking exclusive club. Here, we honor he late Kenny memoir Luck or Something Like It, Rogers a flyer on each other, and themselves. Up Rogers by diving into his first No. 1 hit, the savored the fact that “[a] black guy from to this point, Rogers’s solo career had been Lionel Richie-penned ballad “Lady.” R&B and a white guy from country had tracked by one producer, Larry Butler. In It was 1980. Punk had detonated, disco created a color-blind hit.” But that wasn’t February of 1980, largely due to his work was dying, new wave was on the ascent, quite true: Rogers was less a country singer with Rogers, Butler had won the Grammy and Kenny Rogers was playing with house than an entertainer: a born performer for producer of the year, still the only Nash- money. Five years prior, he had shaken off with the personality necessary to mold the ville producer to do so. Though clearly a the dissolution of his folk-rock concern to material at hand. His 1957 debut single was young hitmaker, Richie had never produced reach the top of the country charts, again rock ‘n’ roll and doo-wop filtered through a session before Kenny asked him to helm and again. Turns out people enjoyed Kenny his Houstonian twang; after that, he spent “Lady.” (In interviews decades later, the Rogers & The First Edition just fine; but a number of years as a jazz bassist before two would cackle at the memory of Richie Kenny Rogers, they loved. joining the folk group New Christy Min- stopping the recording to write a second Like most country A-listers of the time, strels. Richie was similarly malleable. He verse in the bathroom.) Released to radio in he had a regular duet partner in Dottie West grew up in Alabama, singing in the Tuskegee the fall, the song topped the AC and Country and a place on television to stretch his legs. Institute’s choir, observing his grandmother, charts, and on the chart dated Nov. 15th, But instead of a variety show — the format a classical pianist, and listening to soul and 1980, it replaced ’s “Woman had succumbed to saturation — he starred country on the airwaves. When the Commo- in Love” atop the Hot 100 — where it would in the 1980 CBS movie The Gambler, drawn dores auditioned for Motown, Richie sang reign for six straight weeks. Rogers’ next al- vaguely from his 1978 Don Schlitz-written “Wichita Lineman.” bum, 1981’s Share Your Love, was produced Country Songs No. 1 of the same name. “Lady” is wired much the same way as by Lionel Richie. Rogers had a knack for the story song, that “Lineman”: melancholy and plaintiveness The song’s success hastened the Commo- peculiar genre that inspires execs try to intertwining. Richie was starting to operate dore’s decision to launch his own blockbust- turn four-minute tales into 90-minute films. in the softer, less heralded (but lucrative) er solo career. On Billboard’s 1981 year-end “The Gambler” was followed by “Coward registers of pop: the tones of adult contem- Hot 100, the top three entries belonged to of the County,” which was followed by porary, soap opera themes, string-soaked Carnes (“”), Richie (“End- Gideon, a cowboy concept album co-written showcases. He knew that a Kenny Rogers less Love” with Diana Ross) and Kenny by Kim Carnes. It featured “Don’t Fall hit, fairly or not, would have more reach Rogers’s “Lady”. Whether or not he fully in Love With a Dreamer,” a Carnes duet than a Commodores hit. But Rogers would realized it, Rogers had charted a course out that was Rogers’s third single to hit the top have to meet his composition more than of . Barnburners like the Charlie Page 26 of 27

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Daniels Band and smooth operators like and president David Charpentier said in Pure Prairie League weren’t long for cross- a statement. “We could never have antici- Production Team over success. Down-home dilettantes — at pated how overwhelming response would one point, Tom Jones wore a hat on three be around the world, from both artists and TMS on the straight album covers — would soon be fans alike. We’re excited to work with so shoving their boots back under the bed. many talented artists on this lineup, and so Unlikely Success But in the age between arena rock and pleased that GLAAD and Amazon will be MTV, Kenny Rogers was part of the pop part of this experience with us.” of ‘Someone You firmament. Suburban turned into ur- The organization also announced that ban cowboy honky-tonks, while back home GLAAD has joined on as a partner, and that Loved’ a thousand basements hummed with DIY 50 percent of the proceeds from the event’s energy. But they were all just counter-pro- merch, thanks to partner Merch By Ama- BY ROB LEDONNE gramming to the agreeable omnipresence of zon, would be donated to the organization. Rogers and his peers. In addition, multiple performers from the hen you’re looking for a event have also pledged a portion of their voice, you never know ticket sales to the organization. where it’s going to come , Blair “The LGBTQ community often feels from.” more isolated than others and during this WPete “Merf” Kelleher, one-third of the St. Clair & Over pandemic calling for social distancing,” English production trio TMS, is mus- GLAAD’s head of talent Anthony Ramos ing about the runaway success of Lewis 40 New Artists said in a statement. “GLAAD is actively Capaldi’s sparse and aching “Someone You working to ensure our voices are heard, Loved,” which marks the biggest track in Added to PEG’s and to find innovative ways to bring people their already stacked discography. together, and we are thrilled to be partner- “Traditionally, we’ve definitely been keen ‘’ ing with Producer Entertainment Group to overproduce records and just throw loads on Digital Drag Fest which is set to connect of -t in there,” Kelleher explains to Bill- BY STEPHEN DAW people with some of today’s most dynamic board from the trio’s home base in London. LGBTQ performers and personalities.” “It’s really interesting that it’s one of our hen Producer Entertain- As for the drag stars joining in for the biggest song ever and there’s such minimal ment Group announced new festival, they said they were simply productions. There have been songs that their first-ever online excited to lift their fans’ . “My favorite took us months, meanwhile here we are performance series, Digital thing about performing in bars and clubs is with our most successful and it’s so chill.” DragW Fest 2020, would take place on Stageit to be able to spread joy through the art of Kelleher, alongside cohorts Tom “Froe” over the next two weeks, they were imme- drag,” said season 12 contestant Barnes and Ben Kohn, have carved out a diately overwhelmed by fans’ response — . “Since we can’t do that in person unique niche on the charts. The childhood within 48 hours, many of the lineup’s shows right now, I’m pulling out my best mixes, friends initially started out with hip-hop re- had been sold out. So, as a response, PEG is live sung numbers and all my banter to put a cords, but a stint working on the U.K. itera- making their new online festival even bigger smile on people’s faces from home! Drag has tion of The X Factor led them to a collabora- than before. always been on the front lines of responding tion with Little Mix, which then enabled On Monday (March 23), PEG announced to national events, and this one shouldn’t be them to dive headfirst into the world of pop. that they had added over 40 more artists, any different!” Before long, they were focusing on craft- drag queens and otherwise, to their growing Tickets to each of the limited 30-minute ing bubblegum singles for a range of British lineup of talent for Digital Drag Fest. Among shows, along with a full lineup of perfor- acts, whether the aforementioned girl group that group are current and former Drag Race mances, is available here. (“Wings” and “DNA”), boy band The Vamps & Drag Rrace UK contestants like Blair St. Check out the official trailer for Digital (“Last Night”) or singer-songwriter James Clair, Valentina, BenDeLaCreme, Jan Sport, Drag Fest 2020 below: Arthur (“You’re Nobody ‘til Somebody Baga Chipz, Raja Gemini and many more. Loves You”). G-Eazy and ’s “Me, Artists like John Cameron Mitchell, Rayvon Myself and I” also served as an early glim- Owen and Justin Vivian Bond will also be mer of global success, peaking on the Hot joining the massive lineup. 100 at No. 7 in 2016. “We launched this festival hoping to But it’s with another singer-songwriter, unite a few fans with the drag artists they the Scottish-born Capaldi, that the group love during a hard time,” PEG’s founder has enjoyed their most impressive smash. Page 27 of 27

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“We’ve released a lot of stuff, but ‘Someone and almost every sound you hear in that it’s now pretty wildly changed, she made it You Loved’ felt like a perfect storm,” says record was made in those two hours,” says her own. We’re pretty proud of it and can’t Kohn of the sleeper hit’s critical and com- Barnes of the rapid fruition, which was wait to hear it in the context of the album.” mercial success which resulted in three also a result of a budget as minimal as its With the “Someone You Loved” cycle weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 eventual production. (The song is inspired coming to a close and a new era dawning, and seven weeks atop the chart in the U.K. by Capaldi’s grandmother, with the singer the trio likens their success to a video game. While it was subsequently nominated for a creating the song’s melody 10 minutes prior “It’s like reaching another level,” says Kohn. Grammy, it wound up taking home song of to his session with TMS.) “Production-wise “You’re not worried about the boss you just the year honors at the recent , there’s not much in there, but what is, is im- beat, you’re trying to beat the next boss. I the latter experience being a mixed bag. portant,” explains Barnes, who also helped think when you’re experiencing everything “Not to totally sh-t on them, but you finally Capaldi co-write its tender lyrics with Kohn in the moment you’re going, ‘Wow, that’s win and (as a producer or songwriter) and Kelleher. “The only thing that was add- crazy,’ but I don’t know how much you’re you’re lucky if you even get a seat, and if you ed and taken away was strings. I also think feeling it. It’s really about what’s next.” get an award you have to pay for it,” says there might have been a hint of a halftime Kohn, who noted that sharing the success snare for five minutes in my headphones, with Capaldi made the honor a bit sweeter. but it was quickly taken away.” “We’ve all been best friends since we were Did the guys think the song would be- kids, and to get to that point where you have come a milestone in their career? “We write this mad ride and it culminates in actually 250 or 300 songs a year,” notes Kelleher. winning an award is absolutely mental,” says “It was another great cut with Lewis, but Kelleher of the celebratory night. “Lewis whenever somebody says ‘This is a hit!’ and his team organized a boat trip on the what they mean is, ‘This is one of the better river afterwards with his friends, family and ones.’ Like, so much sh-t has to happen for it all of us. We were trying to thank him for to be a hit. It almost didn’t make the album.” everything he had done for us and he wasn’t The trio, who first started concocting having it. He was too busy thanking us. We tracks a full two decades ago, has no doubt couldn’t get him to accept it.” entered a new career phase after the explo- The slow-burn success of “Someone You sive success of “Someone You Loved.” With Loved,” which was released in November the commercial peak of the Capaldi track 2018 and didn’t top the Hot 100 until a few behind them, they’re now looking forward days shy of a full year later (a strategy to the release of a pop record with another the trio credits to Capaldi’s manager Ryan yet another English artist: Dua Lipa. TMS is Walter), mirrored the gradual collaborative credited with producing Lipa’s “Cool” from process that birthed the future hit. “Our her upcoming , and much first session with Lewis was in the summer like the incongruous journey that birthed of 2017,” remembers Kohn of the creative “Someone You Loved,” “Cool” has faced rendezvous that was set up between Capaldi similar twists and turns. and their manager Paul Centellas. “The “We actually started it at a writing camp songs we wound up making that day were for at (London’s) RAK Studios,” all above average. Lewis’ voice was amazing says Kelleher of the massive opportunity, and there was really good energy, so with all with TMS working alongside British singer- that we knew there was something there.” Kamille and Shakka. “You turn Those initial tracks have yet to see the light up with all of your gear and it was promised of day, and the trio and Capaldi didn’t meet Rihanna would be there, so we brought our again until a year later. A-game.” During a third session in August 2018, While the pop superstar never actually however, TMS and Capaldi bore tangible appeared, the enticing possibility of an fruit. “We wrote another song and then impending visit pushed the group to concoct there was a little lull, so we said, ‘Let’s work four songs within a 12-hour period. “Out of on something else for a couple of hours.’ those four, three have been cut,” says Kelle- Then we made and pretty much finished her. “One was a Kamille record, one was cut ‘Someone You Loved.’” by Gorgon City and then ‘Cool’ is coming “Lewis only did three takes of the chorus out with Dua. It underwent a rewrite and