Reba McEntire added to presenters, reunited Beach Boys to perform on Grammy Awards
The Beach Boys — Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks, who have not performed together live in more than two decades — will reunite on the Grammy stage and join with current Grammy Award nominees Foster The People and Maroon 5 for a special performance, CBS announced today.
Current nominees The Civil Wars, two-time Grammy winner Diana Krall, funk artist Maceo Parker and six-time Grammy winner Joe Walsh also have been added to the stellar lineup of performers for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards.
Two-time Grammy winner and Chockie native Reba McEntire, two-time Grammy winner Common, Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson (“Person of Interest”) and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Diana Ross will appear as presenters.
Hosted by two-time Grammy winner and “NCIS: Los Angeles” star LL Cool J, the Grammy Awards take place live from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The show will air live on the CBS Television Network.
Three-time Grammy Award winners Maroon 5 are nominated in Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Moves Like Jagger” (with Christina Aguilera).
The Civil Wars and Foster The People each have two nominations. The Civil Wars are up for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Barton Hollow” and Best Folk Album for “Barton Hollow.” Foster The People have nods in Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Pumped Up Kicks” and Best Alternative Music Album for “Torches.”
Previously announced performers for Sunday’s Grammy Awards include Adele (in her first live performance since undergoing vocal cord surgery last fall), Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, Tony Bennett and Checotah native Carrie Underwood, Chris Brown, Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton, Coldplay and Rihanna, deadmau5, Foo Fighters, David Guetta, Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt, Lil Wayne, Bruno Mars, Paul McCartney, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band, and Taylor Swift.
Aldean, The Band Perry, Civil Wars, deadmau5, Foster The People, Guetta, Minaj, Parker and Shelton will perform on the Grammy broadcast for the first time.
Previously announced presenters are Marc Anthony, Dierks Bentley, Jack Black, Drake, Fergie, Lady Antebellum, Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ryan Seacrest, Ringo Starr and Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson.
Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon.
Please make plans to follow my live blog of the Grammy Awards Sunday night here on BAM’s Blog.
-BAM
Reba McEntire’s sitcom pilot “Malibu Country” picked up by ABC
It’s official: Oklahoma-born and bred actress/singer Reba McEntire is back in the television business.
ABC last week ordered two comedy pilots Wednesday, one of them McEntire’s half-hour, multi-camera, according to TheWrap.com.
“Malibu Country” reunites McEntire with “Reba” executive producer Kevin Abbott, who is writing the project. McEntire’s popular eponymous sitcom aired from 2001-07 on The WB, which became The CW during the show’s run. “Reba” has remained very popular in reruns on Lifetime.
The “Malibu Country” pilot will star McEntire as a woman who divorces her rock-star husband after he cheats on her and burns through most of her cash. Moving from Nashville to Malibu with her mother and three children, she attempts to revive her own singing career while keeping her kids from becoming spoiled by their new environment.
According to TheWrap.com, McEntire also will be an executive producer on the ABC Studios pilot, along with Mindy Schultheis, Michael Hanel, Pam Williams, Dave Stewart (of INXS fame) and Narvel Blackstock (Reba’s husband and manager).
An an interview last fall, McEntire, who hails from Chockie, told me she hopes to begin shooting the sitcom in August, and she is ecstatic about the chance to return to series television, mostly because she was never ready to leave in the first place.
“I was not ready to leave, absolutely not. We had lots more stories to tell on the ‘Reba’ show; we were devastated. We were the No. 1 sitcom on that network (The WB, which became The CW during the show’s run). And then we went into syndication with Lifetime, and I think more people have seen us on Lifetime than they did before when we were shooting. So it has had second and third life,” she said.
“I mean, when I sing ‘I’m a Survivor’ on our (live) show, the crowd goes nuts because they do love the ‘Reba’ TV show. And I thank them for that. … It was just a great experience for all of us.”
She is excited about the prospect of leading a new TV ensemble.
“That’s the most fun thing in the world. It’s just like playtime. You learn your lines and you get together and you do funny things. It’s great entertainment for us: We get to be funny, we get to bring joy into people’s lives, we get to put smiles on their faces. Again, take ‘em away from maybe the problems of their everyday life. (They) get to sit down for 30 minutes and laugh a little bit. That’s what I love about it.”
According to TheWrap.com, ABC also picked up the pilot to “Prairie Dogs,” a single-camera, half-hour comedy pilot about Neil, an uncool cubicle worker toiling at one of the coolest companies in the world. After being victimized by identity theft and discovering that the thief has created a much better life for himself than Neil has, he engaged the thief to help him turn his life around.
-BAM
Video: St. Vincent releases music video for “Cheerleader,” models police uniforms on “Portlandia”
Tulsa-born singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist St. Vincent is huge in the new music video for “Cheerleader,” one of the tracks from her 2011 album “Strange Mercy.”
As previously reported, St. Vincent (who was born Annie Clark) made a guest appearance on Friday’s episode of the IFC sketch series “Portlandia,” and you can check out that rather funny clip of her modeling a totally impractical police uniform here as well. Her appearance on the show reunited her with “Portlandia” masterminds Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, who starred in St. Vincent’s 2010 video for “Laughing with a Mouth of Blood.”
By the way, I’m no mayor or Kyle MacLachlan, but if someone wanted to make me a super-journalist cape, I would proudly wear it at least once.
BTW again, St. Vincent is playing a show in the city of her birth May 15 at Cain’s Ballroom, and if you want more information, you can go to www.cainsballroom.com.
-BAM
Video: The Flaming Lips featuring Erykah Badu and Siri “Now I Understand”
Is it April yet?
On this drowsy Tuesday, I’m posting some of the music that’s keeping me awake, including this clip of The Flaming Lips’ recent collaboration with Erykah Badu, also featuring the voice of the iPhone 4S.
The Lips have been working on a number collaborations with other artists for an album due on Record Store Day, which is April 21. Along with Badu, others with whom the Lips have been working include Yoko Ono, Bon Iver, Nick Cave, Ke$ha and Lykke Li.
-BAM
Video: Kelly Clarkson, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton perform during Super Bowl pregame
Oklahoma country music stars Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert gave a wonderful performance of the patriotic anthem “America the Beautiful” as part of the pregame festivities Sunday at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.
The couple, who married last May and live in Tishomingo, held hands throughout their duet. It was just all-around sweet. To see a photo gallery of the performance, click here.
“American Idol” Kelly Clarkson, a pal of Lambert and Shelton, belted a great rendition of the National Anthem before the game.
The Super Bowl XLVI narrowly edged out last year’s to become the most-watched television show in U.S. history, scoring 111.3 million viewers. Last year’s NLF championship was watched by 111 millon, breaking the 2010 record, according to TheWrap.com.
Viewership climbed throughout the game, averaging 117.7 million in the final half hour, thanks to the close game between the New York Giants and New England Patriots. The Giants won 21-17, but the game came down to the final second and play.
The good news continued for the second-season premiere of NBC’s “The Voice,” which features Shelton on its panel of celebrity coaches. Airing immediately after the Vince Lombardi Trophy was presented to the Giants, “The Voice” scored the highest ratings of any entertainment telecast since 2006.
The Voice” scored a 16.3 rating in the key demo and 37.6 million total viewers overall, according to TheWrap.com. It was the best rating since a 16.5 for “Grey’s Anatomy” after the Super Bowl on ABC in 2006, and provided a welcome boost for fourh-place network NBC.
Lambert and Clarkson are set to serve as celebrity advisers for the 12 singers on Shelton’s team later in “The Voice’s” second season.
The reality TV show moves to its new Monday time slot starting at 7 tonight. The show also will be the lead-in for NBC’s much-hyped musical drama “Smash,” which will air at 9 p.m. Mondays on NBC.
-BAM
Video: Sneak peek of “The Avengers” Super Bowl trailer
Yet another reason to watch the Super Bowl: Finding out more about one of the year’s most anticipated films, “The Avengers.”
Marvel released this stingy but effective seconds-long trailer teaser last week.
Even if the unexpected matchup of the New York Giants and New England Patriots doesn’t especially appeal to you – personally, I’m kind of looking forward to it – there’s always the chance to watch Oklahoma native and the most likable man in football, Wes Welker, work his onfield magic.
Plus, Oklahoma country music stars Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert will sing “America the Beautiful” during the televised pregame festivities Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. “American Idol” Kelly Clarkson will perform the National Anthem before kickoff, which is set for 5:30 p.m. Sunday on NBC. For my part, I’m more excited about this collection of Okie and Texas talent performing than I am about Madonna playing the halftime hoopla, but I’m also hoping the “Material Girl” will put on a good show.
Then, the special Season 2 premiere of the hit reality TV show “The Voice,” which stars Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine as celebrity coaches, is set for approximately 9 to 10 p.m. Sunday, depending on how long it takes the Giants and Patriots to settle their score.
Finally, some of the commercials look really promising. Many advertisers have joined Marvel in previewing or unveiling early their Super Bowl commercials this week as they work at building buzz.
Advertisers are forking over a record $3.5 million for 30 seconds of air time during the country’s most watched television show, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, and I would say that in if it gets us another look at Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, the Hulk and the gang in action, it’s money well-spent.
-BAM
Video: Honda’s “Ferris Bueller”-theme Super Bowl trailer, starring Matthew Broderick
It just seems like there are more and more reasons to tune into this year’s Super Bowl.
Even if the unexpected matchup of the New York Giants and New England Patriots doesn’t especially appeal to you – personally, I’m kind of looking forward to it – there’s always the chance to watch Oklahoma native and the most likable man in football, Wes Welker, work his onfield magic.
Plus, Oklahoma country music stars Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert will sing “America the Beautiful” during the televised pregame festivities Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. “American Idol” Kelly Clarkson will perform the National Anthem before kickoff, which is set for 5:30 p.m. Sunday on NBC. For my part, I’m more excited about this collection of Okie and Texas talent performing than I am about Madonna playing the halftime hoopla, but I’m also hoping the “Material Girl” will put on a good show.
Then, the special Season 2 premiere of the hit reality TV show “The Voice,” which stars Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine as celebrity coaches, is set for approximately 9 to 10 p.m. Sunday, depending on how long it takes the Giants and Patriots to settle their score.
Finally, some of the commercials look really promising. Many advertisers have been previewing or unveiling early their Super Bowl commercials this week as they work at building buzz.
One of the best and buzziest so far is Honda’s “Ferris Bueller” CR-V ad featuring Matthew Broderick.
Advertisers are forking over a record $3.5 million for 30 seconds of air time during the country’s most watched television show, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, and I would that in Honda’s case, that is money well spent.
-BAM
Norman Music Festival expecting big bang out of 2012 headliners Portugal. The Man and Hayes Carll
Portugal. The Man
Hayes Carll
A version of this story appears in Saturday’s The Oklahoman.
Portugal. The Man and Hayes Carll to headline the 2012 Norman Music Festival
The fifth annual festival, which is free and open to the public, is set for April 26-28 in Norman’s historic Downtown Arts District.
Portugal. The Man and Hayes Carll will be the headliners for the 2012 Norman Music Festival, organizers announced Friday.
“Because it is a free festival, we’ve only got so of a much budget, but for the budget we’ve got, we try to get the biggest bang we can get. And I think we did it with these two,” said Steven White, chairman of the fifth annual festival.
“Especially for the Main Stage, we need something that’s electric onstage because it’s an urban music festival. So it’s gotta be something that people get excited about. The more I listened to Portugal. The Man … the more I just thought, ‘Man, this is gonna be a great show when the lights go down and the streets are filled with people.’”
NMF5 is scheduled for April 26-28, in the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Norman’s historic Downtown Arts District. The music on Thursday, April 26 and Friday, April 27 will be played mostly at indoor venues and during evening hours. On Saturday, April 28, the festival will become an indoor/outdoor affair, with live music from noon to midnight.
As the Main Stage headliners, Portugal. The Man will be the final performer of the 2012 festival. Carll will give the event’s penultimate performance as the headliner on the Jack Daniels Stage, previously the Jagermeister Stage.
“The Main Stage has always typically been more indie and rock,” White said. “The Jack Daniels Stage, that stage has always been kind of red dirt, country, rockabilly and folk.”
Both headliners released critically acclaimed albums and played the prestigious Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee last year.
The prolific neo-psychedelic pop-rock group Portugal. The Man is based in Portland, Ore., but originated in Wasilla, Alaska. The band released six albums between 2006 and 2011, with their latest, “In the Mountain in the Cloud,” marking their major-label debut on Atlantic Records. Along with Bonnaroo, the band has played the Lollapalooza and South by Southwest festivals.
“I don’t think they’ve ever played in Norman, and I think this is the perfect time to get them,” White said. “I think there’s gonna be a lot of love out on the street for them and they’re gonna feel it and appreciate it.”
A celebrated Texas singer-songwriter, Carll earned his first charting position on the Billboard 200 last year with his fourth album, “KMAG YOYO (& Other American Stories),” his second release on Lost Highway Records. Carll, 36, received the new/emerging artist of the year honor at the Americana Music Awards in 2010, and the same outfit in 2008 awarded him the song of the year prize for his uproarious yarn “She Left Me for Jesus.”
“Man, Hayes is the real deal. If you listen to the songs that he writes and the way that he plays the guitar and the great band that he’s always got — of course, with Norman’s own Travis Linville playing with him — he really is the whole package. He’s a great show, and I feel really lucky to get him to play the Norman Music Festival,” White said.
Previous Norman Music Festival headliners include The Walkmen, Dirty Projectors, Of Montreal, Leon Russell, Electric Six, The Sword, The Polyphonic Spree and Chainsaw Kittens.
“This festival’s had some great names with the Kittens and Todd Snider and Leon Russell and Keller Williams and Black Joe Lewis. I can go on and on … so as long as we keep on trying to find what’s gonna work best with this crowd, I think we’re on the right track,” White said.
“The mission of this festival is showcase local artists, so there are always more Norman and more Oklahoma bands. But we try to get as many good bands as we possibly can.”
Organizers plan to release the full NMF 5 lineup later in February. About 260 acts, including bands and street performers, are expected to entertain at the festival, White said.
The festival is free and open to the public. VIP packages, which include meet-and-greet access, closer viewing to the stages and refreshments, are $60 for the three-day event and are expected to go on sale next week.
For more information, go to www.normanmusicfestival.com.
-BAM
Video: New “Hunger Games” trailer
The latest trailer for the anticipated film “The Hunger Games” has made its online debut.
The adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel, the first of a trilogy that has sold 16 million copies in the U.S. alone, “The Hunger Games” is one of the most eagerly awaited movies of the coming spring.
The trailer includes a clip of Elizabeth Banks as fan favorite Effie Trinket. To read my recent interview with Banks in which she talks about her current film “Man on a Ledge” as well as “The Hunger Games,” click here.
Earlier today, I posted a full roundup of the films opening in Oklahoma City theaters this winter and spring. See what’s coming besides “The Hunger Games” by clicking here.
-BAM
Video: “The Voice” Season 2 premiering Sunday after the Super Bowl
The special Season 2 premiere of “The Voice” is set for approximately 9 to 10 p.m. Sunday, depending on how long it takes the New York Giants and New England Patriots to settle their score in Super Bowl XLVI, and hit-starved NBC has the promotional blitz running full throttle.
Oklahoma country music star Blake Shelton, one of the show’s four musician-coaches, and his wife Miranda Lambert, who will be one of his team’s celebrity advisers on this season of “The Voice,” will sing “America the Beautiful” during the televised pregame festivities Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. “American Idol” Kelly Clarkson, who will be the other adviser for Team Blake, will perform the National Anthem before kickoff, which is set for 5:30 p.m. Sunday on NBC.
Shelton and fellow musician-coaches Christina Aguilera and Adam Levine will be guests today on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” which airs at 4 p.m. weekdays on KOCO-5 in Oklahoma City. Also, Levine appeared Thursday night on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” while Shelton chatted and sang on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” where the Tishomingo resident also showed a clip of “The Voice’s” action-packed Super Bowl commerical.
The musician-coaches – Shelton, Aguilera, Levine and Cee Lo Green – are expected to kick off Sunday night’s special premiere episode of “The Voice” by performing a medley of hits by Prince.
The hit reality TV show will settle into its regular time slot of 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays the following night, and it looks like we will see a talented singer taking on a Leon Russell classic in one of the early episodes:
-BAM
