Latest news with #Shaboozey
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Brian Avnet, Longtime Artist Manager and Music Executive, Dies at 82
Brian Avnet, the respected personal manager and music executive who discovered Josh Groban, collaborated with David Foster and helped The Manhattan Transfer to great success, has died. He was 82. Avnet died May 14 at his home in Los Angeles after a years-long battle with Parkinson's disease, a publicist announced. More from The Hollywood Reporter Ed Gale, 'Chucky' and 'Howard the Duck' Actor, Dies at 61 Shaboozey Defends Megan Moroney Amid AMAs Backlash: "Let's Not Twist the Message" Judge Quickly Rejects Mistrial Request at Sean "Diddy" Combs Trial The Baltimore native also worked closely with the likes of Johnny Mandel, Herb Alpert and Lani Hall, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Cyndi Lauper, Take 6, Jean-Luc Ponty, Eric Benét and Joshua Ledet. Avnet began working with The Manhattan Transfer in 1979, and two years later the vocal group became the first to win Grammys in the pop and jazz categories in the same year, earning trophies for 'The Boy From New York City' and 'Until I Met You (Corner Pocket).' 'Brian was an excellent manager and like a brother to me,' Manhattan Transfer founding member Alan Paul said in a statement. 'He was savvy, honest, funny and gifted with a heart of gold. I never met anyone personally or in business who didn't like him.' Added fellow founding member Janis Siegel: 'Brian got into the rough and tumble with us as we all negotiated the ups and downs of the music business. He was fiercely loyal, passionate about his opinions, smart and kind.' With composer and producer Foster, Avnet teamed on recording projects for Whitney Houston, Céline Dion, Toni Braxton, Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, Faith Hill, Brandy, En Vogue, Olivia Newton-John, the Bee Gees, Michael Bolton, All-4-One, Julio Iglesias and Smokey Robinson. Avnet discovered Groban through vocal coach Seth Riggs, who helped develop his career and became his manager. And in 1995, when Foster launched 143 Records at Warner Bros., he appointed Avnet to lead the label. The roster included Groban, Michael Bublé, The Corrs and Beth Hart. Avnet was born in Baltimore on July 16, 1942. His father, Duke, practiced law in the area for 54 years and was blacklisted during the McCarthy era for his defense of actor-singer Paul Robeson. His mother, Beatrice, was a social worker. At 15, Avnet landed a job at the newly opened Painters Mill Music Fair in Owings Mills, Maryland, and he would become the venue's youngest-ever manager. He also assisted Lee Guber at the Westbury Music Fair on Long Island. A graduate of Gettysburg College, Avnet completed an internship with Princeton's theatrical department. He worked in summer stock, shared a New York apartment with Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight and went on to produce A Streetcar Named Desire, starring Voight, at the Studio Arena Theatre in Buffalo, New York. Avnet also collaborated with Bette Midler, starting when she was playing bathhouses in New York before becoming a Broadway sensation in the 1970s. He served as G.M. for her 19-show run at the Palace Theatre in New York in December 1973, for which she won a special Tony Award 'for adding lustre to the Broadway season.' In 1974, Avnet moved to Los Angeles to work with Lou Adler on the production of The Rocky Horror Show at The Roxy, and the success of that nine-month run led to the 1975 film adaptation. He also produced an L.A. stage production of Tommy and managed Jesus Christ Superstar at the Universal Amphitheatre, where he oversaw its first season. Avnet, who in 2017 was named Manager of the Year by Pollstar and inducted into the Personal Managers Hall of Fame, never signed a contract with any of his artists. 'It was a long career, and he was beloved. His word was his bond. And that's rare in the entertainment industry,' said his wife of 26 years, Marcia. Survivors also include his brother, Richard, and his nephew, Evan. A private memorial service will be held in L.A. in September. Donations in his memory can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Let's not twist the message': Country music star clears up viral AMAs moment
Shaboozey is setting the record straight about his viral moment at the American Music Awards Monday night. The 'A Bar Song (Tipsy)' singer appeared to provide context behind the moment in an X post Tuesday, writing "When you uncover the true history of country music, you find a story so powerful that it cannot be erased." He then followed up with another post that read, 'The real history of country music is about people coming together despite their differences, and embracing and celebrating the things that make us alike.' Shaboozey's posts were in response to the viral moment where he appeared to side-eye Megan Moroney while the duo was presenting the award for favorite country duo or group. Continuous rain would not stop Megan Moroney fans from enjoying her performance on Friday, May 23, 2025 during Boston Calling at the Harvard Athletic Complex. Continuous rain would not stop Megan Moroney fans from enjoying her performance on Friday, May 23, 2025 during Boston Calling at the Harvard Athletic Complex. Continuous rain would not stop Megan Moroney fans from enjoying her performance on Friday, May 23, 2025 during Boston Calling at the Harvard Athletic Complex. Continuous rain would not stop Megan Moroney fans from enjoying her performance on Friday, May 23, 2025 during Boston Calling at the Harvard Athletic Complex. Continuous rain would not stop Megan Moroney fans from enjoying her performance on Friday, May 23, 2025 during Boston Calling at the Harvard Athletic Complex. Continuous rain would not stop Megan Moroney fans from enjoying her performance on Friday, May 23, 2025 during Boston Calling at the Harvard Athletic Complex. Continuous rain would not stop Megan Moroney fans from enjoying her performance on Friday, May 23, 2025 during Boston Calling at the Harvard Athletic Complex. Continuous rain would not stop Megan Moroney fans from enjoying her performance on Friday, May 23, 2025 during Boston Calling at the Harvard Athletic Complex. 'Country music has been an important part of AMA history,' Shaboozey said a video clip of the award show. 'The very first year of this show, the award for Favorite Male Country Artist went to the great Charley Pride.' Pride, who died in 2020, is regarded as country music's first Black superstar. 'That same year, Favorite Female Artist went to Lynn Anderson,' Moroney said. 'And this award went to the Carter family, who basically invented country music.' Shaboozey was then seen side-eyeing and scrunching his face in apparent confusion. He then chuckles and proceeds to introduce the nominees. The reaction from the 'Good News' singer had people on social media convinced that Shaboozey was mocking Moroney for spreading false information. People even started bombarding the 'Tennesee Orange' singer's posts with rude comments such as, 'Thinking the Carter's 'basically' invented country music is hilarious,' and 'Let's do our research on where country music came from.' Shaboozey later came to Moroney's defense by clarifying his actions on one of her Instagram posts. 'Just want to clear something up: my reaction at the AMAs had nothing to do with Megan Moroney! She's an incredibly talented, hard-working artist who's doing amazing things for country music and I've got nothing but respect for her,' Shaboozey wrote. 'I've seen some hateful comments directed at her today, and that's not what this moment was about. Let's not twist the message — she is amazing and someone who represents the country community in the highest light!" The Carters — consisting of A. P. Carter, Sara Dougherty Carter, and Maybelle Addington Carter — are considered 'the First Family of Country Music,' according to the Country Music Hall of Fame. The family is credited with inventing the kind of harmony and singing that is commonly used in country music today. Black musician Lesley Riddle also had an impact on The Cater's style. Riddle helped A.P. compose songs and taught Maybelle her famous 'Carter lick' guitar style. Country music power couple calls it quits after two years of marriage Country music superstars perform chart-topping duet at Boston Calling Country singer posts bond after Tennessee arrest Country music star gives emotional speech on stage after incurable disease diagnosis Country music pioneer 'whose artistry touched millions' dies at 73 Read the original article on MassLive.
Black America Web
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Shaboozey Giving Megan Moroney The Mean Side Eye For Crediting The Carter Family For Creating Country Music Sparks Plenty of Reactions
Source: Ethan Miller / Getty / Shaboozey / Megan Moroney Shaboozey couldn't keep a straight face when Megan Moroney made an egregious claim about who created country music, and thankfully, it was caught in 4K. The 'A Bar Song (Tipsy)' singer went viral for not being able to keep a poker face, and understandably so after fellow country artist Megan Moroney had the audacity and caucasity to credit The Carter Family as the inventors of country music. It was one of the head-scratching moments during the 2025 American Music Awards that garnered plenty of reactions on social media. While presenting the award for the Favorite Country Duo or Group category, Shaboozey began the segment by reading the teleprompter, telling the audience and viewers, 'Country music has been an important part of AMA history. The very first year of this show, the award for Favorite Male Country Artist went to the great Charlie Pride.' Moroney got the ultimate side eye from Shaboozey when she followed him by saying, 'That same year, Favorite Female Artist went to Lynn Anderson, and this award [Favorite Country Duo or Group] went to the Carter family, who basically invented country music.' The reactions to the moment were instant, with many users on X, formerly Twitter, basically praising the artist for keeping it real following Moroney's comments. Shaboozey did respond on his personal X account after the moment went viral, writing in a post that tries to help him save face, writing, 'The real history of country music is about people coming together despite their differences, and embracing and celebrating the things that make us alike.' It's all good Shaboozey, no need to explain, we all made the same face listening to Moroney make that comment. You can see more reactions in the gallery below. Shaboozey Giving Megan Moroney The Mean Side Eye For Crediting The Carter Family For Creating Country Music Sparks Plenty of Reactions was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smokey Robinson Files $500M Countersuit After Being Accused of Sexual Assault
Smokey Robinson and his wife, Frances Robinson, have filed a $500 million countersuit against the four women who sued him earlier this month accusing the music icon of sexual assault. In the cross-complaint, filed on Wednesday by the Robinsons' attorney, Christopher Frost, and obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Robinson accuses the Jane Does of of defamation, slander, intentional infliction of emotional distress, financial elder abuse and invasion of privacy, among other claims. More from The Hollywood Reporter Brian Avnet, Longtime Artist Manager and Music Executive, Dies at 82 Shaboozey Defends Megan Moroney Amid AMAs Backlash: "Let's Not Twist the Message" Judge Quickly Rejects Mistrial Request at Sean "Diddy" Combs Trial 'The Robinsons did not abuse, harm, or take advantage of Plaintiffs; they treated Plaintiffs with the utmost kindness and generosity,' the suit said. 'Unfortunately, the depths of Plaintiffs' avarice and greed knows no bounds.' The cross-complaint claims that the 'plaintiffs asked for and accepted help from the Robinsons, including several thousands of dollars, monetary support for members of at least one Plaintiff's family, clothes, dental surgery and even a car' over the years. But at the time when 'the Robinsons were being extraordinarily generous,' the suit said, 'plaintiffs were concocting an extortionate plan to take everything from the Robinsons and wrongfully destroy the Robinsons' well-built reputations.' Robinson's suit come about three weeks after the four anonymous women, who worked for him as housekeepers, sued the famed Motown singer and record producer for sexual assault and rape allegations. In the complaint, the anonymous women accuse Robinson of raping them at several of his residences, most primarily at his home in Chatsworth, California. The listed causes of action include negligence, sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment and a hostile work environment, among other claims. Frances was also named as a defendant in the suit, with the women claiming that she 'failed to take the appropriate corrective action to prevent Defendant Robinson's deviant misconduct.' Robinson denied the allegations, calling them 'vile' and 'false,' with Frost previously saying, 'the evidence will show that this is simply an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon — $50 million dollars, to be exact.' Robinson's cross-complaint calls the women's claims 'fabricated,' adding that the women 'paraded themselves in front of the media' at their May 6 press conference with help from their attorneys. 'When pre-litigation demands for $100 million or more did not work, Plaintiffs created a media circus and made a public spectacle of themselves,' the suit said. Robinson's countersuit also accuses the women of hiding, concealing and destroying evidence 'exposing their illegal scheme.' In one example, the suit claims 'one Plaintiff took Ms. Robinson's cell phone and deleted all their text exchanges, photos and identifying information.' In another instance, the suit claims Frances discovered several of her financial records (including bank statements) were missing and that 'at least one Plaintiff had access to and knew exactly where these records were kept.' The cross-complaint also states that another Plaintiff knew 'where the Robinsons' valuables were kept, including a hidden safe and gold Krugerrands,' and that it was later stolen. The Robinsons reported the theft to the police, according to the suit. In a separate motion filed Wednesday, the Robinsons' attorney sought to dismiss the initial suit brought by the women. THR has reached out to attorney John W. Harris, who represents the four women, for comment. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department later announced that it had opened a criminal investigation into the sexual assault allegations against Robinson. Authorities said the investigation was in 'the early stages' at the time. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More
Buzz Feed
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Shaboozey Defends Megan Moroney After AMAs Backlash
You know country singer Shaboozey. On May 26, he presented the Favorite Country Duo or Group category at the AMAs in Las Vegas alongside fellow country artist Megan Moroney. Reading from the teleprompter, they shared who won awards at the very first American Music Awards. "Country music has been an important part of AMA history. The very first year of this show, the award for favorite male country artist went to the great Charley Pride," Shaboozey said. Megan added, "That same year, favorite female artist went to Lynn Anderson, and this award [favorite country duo or group] went to the Carter family, who basically invented country music." The Carter Family is an American folk music group that profoundly influenced country, rock, and the 1960s American folk revival with songs like "Wildwood Flower" and "Wasbash Cannonball." One person wrote, "The gag is she was being shady or whoever wrote that was. Because why mention this now out of all years? Just saying this crap because of Cowboy Carter's controversy and Beyoncé informing y'all about the influence blacks have had on country music." When Megan started receiving hateful comments for that statement about The Carters, Shaboozey posted a comment in her defense on her May 27 Instagram post. On Megan's post about attending the AMAs, the "A Bar Song (Tispy)" singer wrote, "Just want to clear something up: my reaction at the AMAs had nothing to do with Megan Moroney!" "She's an incredibly talented, hard-working artist who's doing amazing things for country music and I've got nothing but respect for her," he continued. "I've seen some hateful comments directed at her today, and that's not what this moment was about." "Let's not twist the message - she is amazing and someone who represents the country community in the highest light," Shaboozey finished. Shaboozey also posted to his X account to discuss the history of country music, apparently as a response to the discourse surrounding The Carter Family and the viral AMAs moment. "When you uncover the true history of country music, you find a story so powerful that it cannot be erased...," he wrote. In a second post, Shaboozey wrote, "The real history of country music is about people coming together despite their differences, and embracing and celebrating the things that make us alike." Listen, regardless of Shaboozey's facial expressions and online debate, there's enough information out there to clear up any confusion on the history and origins of country music. I recommend checking out Ken Burns's 16-hour docuseries Country Music. If that's not your speed, I suggest reading Andrew Chow's 2019 Time article, "Black Artist Helped Build Country Music — And Then It Left Them Behind." In Andrew's article, he referenced how the Black influence on country music began with the banjo, an instrument that is a descendant of West African lutes that were brought to America by slaves. When the instrument was popularized and appropriated through minstrel and blackface shows it "deeply informed the rise of hillbilly music, a term that would later be rebranded as 'country music.'" The Black influence on country music is undeniable, and it doesn't matter if you listen to June Carter or Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. Now, go add Shaboozey, Megan, Beyoncé, and The Carters to your country music playlist and have yourself a hootenanny!
