Review: A new voice from Texas rips it but tests the censors

Kolby Cooper, “Vol. 2" (Combustion Music) Kolby Cooper could add a fresh voice to country radio — if he could only get past the censors. The 21-year-old fire breather from the piney woods of East Texas offers relief from the parade of inauthentic junk laden with John Deere tractor references that's...

Zach Williams, for King & Country, Kanye West get Dove nods

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Christian artists Zach Williams and for King & Country are the leading artist nominees at this year’s Dove Awards, while rapper Kanye West and singer Gloria Gaynor earned their first ever nominations. The Gospel Music Association announced on Thursday the nominations...

Mickey Guyton is speaking her truth after years of doubt

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Mickey Guyton is turning a mirror on country music by speaking her truth and reclaiming both her career and identity. Delivering a one-two punch of important songs this year leading up to her first new EP in five years, Guyton is not holding back her powerful voice any longer....

Dolly Parton, Justin Bieber among virtual TV festival stars

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dolly Parton, Cate Blanchett and Justin Bieber are part of the virtual edition of the Paley Center’s annual festival celebrating TV programs and their makers. PaleyFest LA, responding to pandemic restrictions, taped socially distanced discussions with stars and producers that...

Review: Rumer sets new standards with Hugh Prestwood catalog

Rumer, “Nashville Tears” (Cooking Vinyl) The combination of Rumer’s crystalline voice and Hugh Prestwood’s songs results in some breathtaking, deeply moving music on “Nashville Tears,” the Pakistan-born, British singer’s interpretation of the Texas-born, New...

Music Review: Kathleen Edwards is back with 'Total Freedom'

Kathleen Edwards, “Total Freedom” (Dualtone) Kathleen Edwards’ first studio album since 2012, “Total Freedom,” is the sound of an artist with a second wind. Burned out after releasing four albums in a decade, the Canadian singer-songwriter set aside her music career in 2014 and...

Review: Rare spotlight role for superb pianist Matt Rollings

Matt Rollings, "Matt Rollings Mosaic” (Dualtone Records) A sideman is the frontman on “Matt Rollings Mosaic.” Rollings earned the shot at center stage with his stellar career as a session pianist. He has performed on hundreds of recordings with artists ranging from Mary Chapin Carpenter to...

Prosecutors charge 3 with threatening women in R. Kelly case

NEW YORK (AP) — Federal prosecutors announced charges Wednesday against three men accused of threatening and intimidating women who have accused R&B singer R. Kelly of abuse, including one man suspected of setting fire to a vehicle in Florida. A longtime friend of the indicted singer offered to pay a...

Three men charged with trying to bribe, intimidate women who accused singer R. Kelly of abuse

Broadway musical 'Diana' to bypass closed stage for Netflix

NEW YORK (AP) — The Broadway musical “Diana” isn't waiting for theaters to reopen in New York to offer its show to a live audience — it's going to Netflix. In an unconventional step, the cast and crew will reunite in an empty theater to perform the musical for cameras and put the...