Guitarist Tinsley Ellis brings the blues to BlawnoxVideo
Alligator Records recording artist Tinsley Ellis is bringing his substantial guitar chops to Moondog’s in Blawnox in early June. Ellis is touring in support of his latest record, “Winning Hand,” which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s blues chart. “Guitar, guitar, guitar is what this album is all about,” says...
Gabby Barrett to open for Toby Keith in PittsburghVideo
Gabby Barrett’s star continues to rise. The Munhall native, along with Clay Walker, will be the special guests for country crooner Toby Keith’s Sept. 27 concert at Pittsburgh’s Highmark Stadium. Barrett, 19, shot to fame on “American Idol,” finishing in the top three two seasons ago. She has opened for...
The Who not resting on legacy during Moving On! tourVideo
Last year, The Who singer Roger Daltrey joined up with a number of pops and local orchestras to put a new musical spin on the Who’s legendary rock opera “Tommy.” This year, The Who itself is seemingly taking a page from that playbook with a tour in which the current...
Rob Thomas brings new music, tour to Benedum CenterVideo
Matchbox Twenty frontman and solo vocalist Rob Thomas is taking his Chip Tooth Tour across North America, including a Aug. 27 stop at Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center. The Grammy award winning singer/songwriter is touring in support of his fourth solo album, Chip Tooth Smile. “Chip Tooth Smile is vintage Thomas —...
WDVE Memorial Day 500 ends in major upset
The WDVE Memorial Day 500 returned to the airwaves after more than two decades this holiday weekend, but not without some controversy. Perennial 1980s winner, “Stairway to Heaven,” was unseated as the No. 1 song by Pink Floyd. It wasn’t the defeat of Zeppelin that led to tweets of rage...
Benefit headliner Sheila E. says Pittsburghers are ‘so cordial’
When drummer Sheila E. was 15 years old, her father’s band needed a percussionist. One of the members was ill and not able to perform at the show in San Francisco, Calif. Sheila E. told her dad she could step in. “He wasn’t for that, but when my mom told...
WDVE revives the Memorial Day 500 music countdown
Are you counting down the tunes with WDVE this holiday weekend? The radio station resurrected the beloved Memorial Day 500, a countdown of the top 500 rock tunes of all time. It’s been more than two decades since WDVE-FM 102.5 hosted the music bonanza. Middle age yinzers no doubt remember...
Finale for Renaissance City Choir artistic director Jeffry Blake Johnson
Jeffry Blake Johnson will soon take a final bow. His last performances as artistic director for the Renaissance City Choir are
4 p.m. June 1-2 at East Liberty Presbyterian Church’s Courtyard. He’s been with the group for seven seasons. A search for his replacement has begun. “It’s time,” he says....
Adam Levine leaving ‘The Voice’ after 16 seasons
Adam Levine is leaving NBC’s “The Voice” after 16 seasons. Carson Daly made the announcement Friday morning on the “Today” show. Daly said Gwen Stefani will return for season 17 in Levine’s chair. The Maroon 5 frontman wrote a length Instagram post Friday, saying the Emmy-winning show “went on to...
Sean McDowell discusses retiring from WDVE, last song he’ll play
Sean McDowell has been on Steelers flagship radio station WDVE since 1993. He’s been on air in Pittsburgh since 1981. I spoke with him about his pending retirement which will happen on July 31. LISTEN: Sean McDowell discusses retirement from WDVE When McDowell made the announcement a few weeks ago,...
Pittsburgh area sports strong summer concert lineupVideo
Mark you calendars and get your tickets (although quite a few shows are free) — the sounds of summer are heading this way. Sure as the days get longer and warmer, concert season is upon us. Whether you want to rock, stomp, sing along to the oldies or hum along...
Grown-up Jackie Evancho coming home for Byham Theater concertVideo
Jackie Evancho has been pushing the limits of her career ever since she was 10 years old. The classical-crossover song stylist from Pine in Pittsburgh’s North Hills has come a long way since she first made her singing debut on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” Recently turning 19, her latest project...
Jackie Evancho plays along and takes the ‘Personality Test’Video
Jackie Evancho isn’t playing on “Burn,” the first single from her new album, “The Debut.” From the Broadway hit “Hamilton,” the aching story of betrayal is sung by Alexander Hamilton’s wife when she learns he’s been unfaithful. Like Icarus, “he’s flown too close to the sun,” and it ends with...
Get your tickets for Westmoreland Symphony Hat Luncheon
Tickets are available for the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s 18th Hat Luncheon, set for June 8 at the Greensburg Country Club in Hempfield. The event will begin at 11 a.m. with a champagne reception, with luncheon served at noon. “This is a special year for the symphony, celebrating our 50th (anniversary)...
WWII Big Band dance to add ‘aviation nostalgia’ to Westmoreland air showVideo
The Jeannette-based Glass City Swing Band will perform for the World War II-themed Big Band Dance Benefit at DeNunzio’s Italian Chophouse at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport on May 25. The dance coincides with the Shop ‘n Save Westmoreland County Airshow – and although it’s a separate ticket, it’s the perfect...
A rejuvenated Hozier back on the road with stop at Benedum CenterVideo
Even if Hozier’s newly released second album, “Wasteland! Baby,” fails to come close to having the success of his debut effort, the Irish singer/songwriter will always have at least one memory that will make the new album stand out over time. That experience came in recording the lead track and...
Finnish orchestral rock band Apocalyptica brings its Metallica inspired show to Carnegie music hall
Fans of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Metallica have an opportunity to experience their music in a unique way this Memorial Day. Finnish orchestral rock band Apocalyptica brings its show, Plays Metallica By Four Cellos, Monday night to the Carnegie Library of Homestead’s Music Hall. Doors open 6:30 p.m....
Arlo Guthrie to have Pittsburgh show for 50th anniversary of ‘Alice’s Restaurant’
Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday for a performance from Arlo Guthrie, who is celebrating 50 years of the movie “Alice’s Restaurant.” Guthrie will perform Nov. 16 at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall with special guest Sarah Lee Guthrie, his daughter, according to an announcement. The folk...
Tuesdays are Blues Days at Wolfie’s Pub in PittsburghVideo
It’s OK to sing the blues — especially on Tuesdays. There’s live music for eight performances called Tuesday Blues Day at Wolfie’s Pub in Downtown Pittsburgh. They happen every Tuesday of a Pittsburgh Pirates home game. The collection of sounds is in conjunction with the goal to revive music in...
Writers to collaborate with musicians at Hampton’s Steamworks Creative
Six writers and musicians will take the stage Friday at Steamworks Creative in Hampton to perform works based on each other’s work. “Words and Music – An evening of writers collaborating with musicians,” will be held from 8 to 10:30 p.m. at Steamworks, 4967 Route 8, Suite 6. Tickets are...
Ready to see Whitney Houston perform ‘live’? Her hologram is coming
The Whitney Houston revival is well underway. The pop titan’s estate is planning a resurgence for the late stinger that includes a new album of unreleased tracks, a touring hologram, a potential Broadway musical and other branding deals. The Grammy-winning megastar, who died in 2012 from a combination of heart...
George Thorogood set to rock The Palace Theater
George Thorogood and the Destroyers will bring their “Good to Be Bad Tour: 45 Years of Rock” show to The Palace Theater in Greensburg on Oct. 10. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday. The band has been performing since the 1970s with notable bluesy rock hits...
‘American Idol’ finale ends in an upsetVideo
Throughout the “American Idol” Season 17 finale Sunday night, the winner seemed almost too obvious; especially when Alejandro Aranda, the 24-year-old singer-songwriter from Pomona, California, performed an original track called “Out Loud.” At the end, the studio audience screamed and cheered so loudly that it nearly drowned out the judges....
Garth Brooks thanks Pittsburgh and Steeler NationVideo
Garth Brooks thanked Pittsburgh and Steeler Nation Sunday morning shortly after his record-breaking show at Heinz Field. On social media the country superstar posted a video from the show fully embracing the city and its sports teams: He’s sporting a Pirates jersey with No. 7 Roethlisberger and waving a terrible...
Blame it on Bieber: Iceland canyon too popular with visitorsVideo
FJADRÁRGLJÚFUR, Iceland— A large sign warns motorists that Iceland’s Fjadrárgljúfur canyon is closed to visitors but drivers keep on coming down the narrow gravel road. A ranger at a roadblock has to explain why no one can pass: The vulnerable landscape cannot sustain more visitors. Blame Justin Bieber, the Canadian...
