Blame the pandemic, the dying planet, or our rapid transition into United States: Fury Road, but there’s a lot of soul searching going on these days. Some artists, especially in the Americana genre, are even looking to the heavens. Brent Cobb is releasing a gospel album in January, Hiss Golden Messenger sing hymns religious and secular on a new LP, and Katie Pruitt is dissecting her complicated religious upbringing in the must-listen podcast The Recovering Catholic.
Brian Fallon, meanwhile, is turning to the spirituals he heard in the pews as a kid.
Brian Fallon, meanwhile, is turning to the spirituals he heard in the pews as a kid.
- 12/8/2021
- by Joseph Hudak
- Rollingstone.com
It’s a very musical episode! Director and Tfh Guru, Allan Arkush, returns to talk about his favorite rock and roll movies with hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
No Nukes (1980)
Amazing Grace (2018) – Dennis Cozzalio’s Oscar nominee reactions
The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) – Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review
Get Crazy (1983) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Rock ‘n’ Roll High School (1979) – Eli Roth’s trailer commentary
Blackboard Jungle (1955) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Rock, Rock, Rock! (1956) – Jesus Treviño’s trailer commentary
Mister Rock And Roll (1957)
Go, Johnny, Go! (1959) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Hail Hail Rock And Roll! (1987) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
The Girl Can’t Help It (1956) – Dan Ireland’s trailer commentary
Hellzapoppin’ (1941)
Innerspace (1987) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Almost Famous (2000) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Wayne’s World (1992)
The Graduate (1967) – Neil Labute’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review
Scorpio Rising...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
No Nukes (1980)
Amazing Grace (2018) – Dennis Cozzalio’s Oscar nominee reactions
The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) – Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review
Get Crazy (1983) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Rock ‘n’ Roll High School (1979) – Eli Roth’s trailer commentary
Blackboard Jungle (1955) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Rock, Rock, Rock! (1956) – Jesus Treviño’s trailer commentary
Mister Rock And Roll (1957)
Go, Johnny, Go! (1959) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Hail Hail Rock And Roll! (1987) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
The Girl Can’t Help It (1956) – Dan Ireland’s trailer commentary
Hellzapoppin’ (1941)
Innerspace (1987) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review
Almost Famous (2000) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Wayne’s World (1992)
The Graduate (1967) – Neil Labute’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review
Scorpio Rising...
- 12/7/2021
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Sean Keenan and Ben O’Toole will play best friends turned bitter rivals in ABC surfing drama Barons, which has wrapped filming in Nsw.
Produced by Fremantle, Micanical Media, and 2Jons, the eight-part ’70s-set series follows a surf-crazed group of hippy friends whose desire for ultimate freedom and the perfect wave takes them from the beach to the boardroom as they build billion-dollar surf empires.
Keenan, fresh from roles in festival darlings Nitram and The Power of the Dog, plays Trotter opposite O’Toole, known for Halifax: Retribution and Amazing Grace, as Snapper. Jillian Nguyen takes on the role of Trotter’s wife and business partner, Tracy.
The supporting cast includes Hunter Page-Lochard, George Pullar, Lincoln Younes, Sophia Forrest, Vivienne Awosoga, Nicholas Burton, Karina Banno, newcomer Megan MacKenzie, Kick Gurry, Catherine Van-Davies, Alexander England, and British-American actress Ione Skye.
Directing the drama are Shawn Seet, Fadia Abboud, and Emmy award-winning surf director Taylor Steele,...
Produced by Fremantle, Micanical Media, and 2Jons, the eight-part ’70s-set series follows a surf-crazed group of hippy friends whose desire for ultimate freedom and the perfect wave takes them from the beach to the boardroom as they build billion-dollar surf empires.
Keenan, fresh from roles in festival darlings Nitram and The Power of the Dog, plays Trotter opposite O’Toole, known for Halifax: Retribution and Amazing Grace, as Snapper. Jillian Nguyen takes on the role of Trotter’s wife and business partner, Tracy.
The supporting cast includes Hunter Page-Lochard, George Pullar, Lincoln Younes, Sophia Forrest, Vivienne Awosoga, Nicholas Burton, Karina Banno, newcomer Megan MacKenzie, Kick Gurry, Catherine Van-Davies, Alexander England, and British-American actress Ione Skye.
Directing the drama are Shawn Seet, Fadia Abboud, and Emmy award-winning surf director Taylor Steele,...
- 9/29/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Biopics ain’t Wikipedia entries. Lives never conform to a tidy narrative arc — even one as dramatic as Aretha Franklin’s. With Respect, screenwriter Tracey Scott Wilson and director Liesl Tommy did an admirable job condensing 20 years of the Queen of Soul’s tumultuous life into a mere two-and-a-half hours. Thanks to some impressive research and Jennifer Hudson’s captivating performance as the late icon, the film treats viewers to a host of her most transformative moments. You’re in the studio as Franklin finds the groove for her breakthrough hit,...
- 8/18/2021
- by Jordan Runtagh
- Rollingstone.com
I can’t say I envy the task of trying to bring Aretha Franklin — one of the most enduring artists of the 20th century (and beyond), with a voice so singular that most other singers have been wise enough to spare her the flattery of genuine imitation — to the big screen. And for the Queen of Soul herself to have picked Jennifer Hudson to play the part must, for Hudson, have been a daunting honor, second only to being asked to sing a tribute to Franklin at the icon’s 2018 funeral.
- 8/13/2021
- by K. Austin Collins
- Rollingstone.com
To re-create iconic looks for Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect,” which opens in theaters Aug. 13, Tony award-winning costume designer Clint Ramos immersed himself in books about the Queen of Soul. There were very few photos of Franklin in her early years, but he read how singing in church shaped her life.
Unlike Diane Ross or Gladys Knight, who were “always polished,” with Franklin, “something was a little off, and that allowed her personality to peek through,” says Ramos. He worked with star Jennifer Hudson and concept artists to help with his designs — including her outfit for a dress rehearsal of “Amazing Grace” at a Los Angeles church for a 1972 performance — always keeping in mind, “How did she use clothing as armor or as a distraction from her trauma?”
Below, Ramos breaks down the ideas behind some of his re-creations.
“Amazing Grace” Dress
“Through all of my research, I couldn’t find who had built this dress,...
Unlike Diane Ross or Gladys Knight, who were “always polished,” with Franklin, “something was a little off, and that allowed her personality to peek through,” says Ramos. He worked with star Jennifer Hudson and concept artists to help with his designs — including her outfit for a dress rehearsal of “Amazing Grace” at a Los Angeles church for a 1972 performance — always keeping in mind, “How did she use clothing as armor or as a distraction from her trauma?”
Below, Ramos breaks down the ideas behind some of his re-creations.
“Amazing Grace” Dress
“Through all of my research, I couldn’t find who had built this dress,...
- 8/11/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
From age 10 till 30, Aretha Franklin sure could sing, but she hadn’t yet found her voice. At least, that’s the take served up in “Respect,” a solid if somewhat conventional feature directing debut for Broadway helmer Liesl Tommy which flatters Franklin in practically every way, beginning with the casting of Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson as the First Lady of Soul’s younger self. That’s not to say that “Respect” is pure hagiography, even if the title makes clear that Tommy intends for audiences to emerge with a deeper appreciation of the personal struggles — as well as the triumphs — that shaped Franklin’s signature sound.
Pandemic delays pushed “Respect” from the 2020 release calendar to Aug. 13, giving National Geographic’s Cynthia Erivo-starring, Aretha-focused season of “Genius” a chance to reach (small) screens first, despite objections from the Franklin family to some of the series’ tawdrier bits. Still, both projects...
Pandemic delays pushed “Respect” from the 2020 release calendar to Aug. 13, giving National Geographic’s Cynthia Erivo-starring, Aretha-focused season of “Genius” a chance to reach (small) screens first, despite objections from the Franklin family to some of the series’ tawdrier bits. Still, both projects...
- 8/9/2021
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Actors will love Liesl Tommy’s Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect.” Thirteen years after the Queen of Soul first approached Jennifer Hudson, who had just won her “Dreamgirls” Oscar, with the idea of playing her in a movie, “Respect” wrapped filming in February 2020, one month before lockdown. MGM decided to push back the movie from December 2020 to August 13, 2021, to give it a chance to play in theaters.
Judging from the way “Respect” played Saturday night at the Bruin Theatre in Westwood to (masked and vaccinated) members of the Screen Actors Guild nominating committee, the studio made the right choice to favor an exclusive theatrical release. Broadway director Tommy has mounted a solid crowdpleaser, written by Tracey Scott Wilson, that will satisfy generations of Franklin fans. And ageless 39-year-old singer-actress Hudson, who plays Franklin from her teens through her acclaimed 1972 gospel concert “Amazing Grace,” is on her way to a second Oscar nomination.
Judging from the way “Respect” played Saturday night at the Bruin Theatre in Westwood to (masked and vaccinated) members of the Screen Actors Guild nominating committee, the studio made the right choice to favor an exclusive theatrical release. Broadway director Tommy has mounted a solid crowdpleaser, written by Tracey Scott Wilson, that will satisfy generations of Franklin fans. And ageless 39-year-old singer-actress Hudson, who plays Franklin from her teens through her acclaimed 1972 gospel concert “Amazing Grace,” is on her way to a second Oscar nomination.
- 8/8/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
For Jennifer Hudson, it’s a happy anniversary. “It was about 15 years ago when Aretha (Franklin) and I had our first discussion about my playing her,” says the star of “Respect.” It’s not a coincidence that this is also the 15th anniversary of something else momentous — Hudson delivering her Oscar-winning performance in “Dreamgirls” — since it was seeing Hudson in that role that provided her a eureka moment about who could pass the bar to portray her on screen.
“Back then people were like, ‘Is there gonna be a “Dreamgirls 2”? What could you do after this?’” recalls Hudson. “And I said the only thing I could think of that would feel like that to me would be to be able to play Aretha Franklin.” It wasn’t the first time the thought had occurred to her. “When I was on ‘American Idol’” — — my audition song was an Aretha Franklin song,...
“Back then people were like, ‘Is there gonna be a “Dreamgirls 2”? What could you do after this?’” recalls Hudson. “And I said the only thing I could think of that would feel like that to me would be to be able to play Aretha Franklin.” It wasn’t the first time the thought had occurred to her. “When I was on ‘American Idol’” — — my audition song was an Aretha Franklin song,...
- 8/4/2021
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
The Tony Awards Administration Committee announced today that the 2020 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre – to be presented in September – will go to Fred Gallo, President of Prg Scenic Technologies; Broadway press agent Irene Gandy; stage manager Beverly Jenkins and New Federal Theatre founder Woodie King, Jr.
“We are thrilled to recognize these deserving individuals and organizations with Tony Honors this year,” said Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing and Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League. “New Federal Theatre, Fred Gallo, Irene Gandy, and Beverly Jenkins have made immeasurable contributions to the theatre community, and their impact will be felt for years to come.”
The Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre were established in 1990 and are awarded annually to institutions, individuals and/or organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in theater, but are not eligible in any of the established Tony Award categories.
Gallo,...
“We are thrilled to recognize these deserving individuals and organizations with Tony Honors this year,” said Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing and Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League. “New Federal Theatre, Fred Gallo, Irene Gandy, and Beverly Jenkins have made immeasurable contributions to the theatre community, and their impact will be felt for years to come.”
The Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre were established in 1990 and are awarded annually to institutions, individuals and/or organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in theater, but are not eligible in any of the established Tony Award categories.
Gallo,...
- 8/4/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Emmy-nominated Jeremy Swift, who portrays Higgins on Apple’s hit series Ted Lasso, has signed with APA for representation.
Swift recently received a 2021 Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his starring role as Higgins opposite Jason Sudeikis and Juno Temple on Ted Lasso. The series, which received 20 Emmy nominations overall, is currently airing its second season and has already been renewed for a third.
Swift is also well known for his role as the Dowager Countess’ butler, Septimus Spratt, on ITV/PBS’ Downton Abbey.
Other memorable television roles include starring in the BBC comedy series The Smoking Room, as well as recurring roles on ITV’s critically acclaimed hit mystery series Foyle’s War, the BBC drama series Crimson Field, and the BBC romantic drama series adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s Vanity Fair.
Feature credits include the Rob Marshall-directed Disney film Mary Poppins Returns,...
Swift recently received a 2021 Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his starring role as Higgins opposite Jason Sudeikis and Juno Temple on Ted Lasso. The series, which received 20 Emmy nominations overall, is currently airing its second season and has already been renewed for a third.
Swift is also well known for his role as the Dowager Countess’ butler, Septimus Spratt, on ITV/PBS’ Downton Abbey.
Other memorable television roles include starring in the BBC comedy series The Smoking Room, as well as recurring roles on ITV’s critically acclaimed hit mystery series Foyle’s War, the BBC drama series Crimson Field, and the BBC romantic drama series adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s Vanity Fair.
Feature credits include the Rob Marshall-directed Disney film Mary Poppins Returns,...
- 8/2/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Jonathan Taplin with Anne-Katrin Titze on Wim Wenders and Edward Hopper: “Obviously Wim is a student of Hopper in every possible way.”
During my conversation with film producer (and so much more) Jonathan Taplin on his terrific memoir, The Magic Years: Scenes From A Rock-And-Roll Life (Heyday), we discussed his working with Martin Scorsese and Wim Wenders (Until The End Of The World); Shelley Duvall’s Faerie Tale Theatre; Aretha Franklin in Amazing Grace; Eric Clapton and faith; Quentin Tarantino, Charles Manson and Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood; Robert Frank and The Rolling Stones; Leni Riefenstahl, Jodie Foster, and John Hinckley, and Scott Hicks, Shine, and Harvey Weinstein.
Julie Christie in John Schlesinger’s Billy Liar, Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity, Edward Hopper and Wim Wenders, Katharine Hepburn and his mother, the joyous rebellion of Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and Jerry Lee Lewis turning into Bob Dylan and The.
During my conversation with film producer (and so much more) Jonathan Taplin on his terrific memoir, The Magic Years: Scenes From A Rock-And-Roll Life (Heyday), we discussed his working with Martin Scorsese and Wim Wenders (Until The End Of The World); Shelley Duvall’s Faerie Tale Theatre; Aretha Franklin in Amazing Grace; Eric Clapton and faith; Quentin Tarantino, Charles Manson and Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood; Robert Frank and The Rolling Stones; Leni Riefenstahl, Jodie Foster, and John Hinckley, and Scott Hicks, Shine, and Harvey Weinstein.
Julie Christie in John Schlesinger’s Billy Liar, Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity, Edward Hopper and Wim Wenders, Katharine Hepburn and his mother, the joyous rebellion of Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and Jerry Lee Lewis turning into Bob Dylan and The.
- 7/21/2021
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The Sound of Us, a new music documentary from Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated director and producer Chris Gero, received its first official trailer on Thursday.
The film, which features interviews with Patti Smith, Ben Folds, Jason Mraz, Sarah McLachlan, and more, is set to receive the Movie That Matters Award at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival later this week.
Shot over the course of two months across five countries during the Covid-19 pandemic last year, The Sound of Us celebrates the power of songwriting and musical performance in times of crisis.
“Like many of us,...
The film, which features interviews with Patti Smith, Ben Folds, Jason Mraz, Sarah McLachlan, and more, is set to receive the Movie That Matters Award at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival later this week.
Shot over the course of two months across five countries during the Covid-19 pandemic last year, The Sound of Us celebrates the power of songwriting and musical performance in times of crisis.
“Like many of us,...
- 7/8/2021
- by Claire Shaffer
- Rollingstone.com
When Garth Brooks takes the stage at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on July 10th, it’ll mark the first stadium concert in the U.S. since the onset of the pandemic. Like all of Brooks’ scheduled concerts for this summer, it’s sold-out.
On Wednesday, Brooks extended his stadium run by announcing a new date in Nashville. The country music star will headline Nissan Stadium on July 31st. Tickets for the show go on sale June 25th at 10 a.m. Ct. and are available on VividSeats.com as well.
On Wednesday, Brooks extended his stadium run by announcing a new date in Nashville. The country music star will headline Nissan Stadium on July 31st. Tickets for the show go on sale June 25th at 10 a.m. Ct. and are available on VividSeats.com as well.
- 6/16/2021
- by Joseph Hudak
- Rollingstone.com
Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, and Jon Randall performed the drinking song “Tequila Does” off their stripped-down album The Marfa Tapes during the 2021 CMT Music Awards. Seated around a campfire, the trio strummed guitars and harmonized, playing up the natural vibes of the LP, which was recorded mostly outdoors in west Texas.
Lambert takes lead on this one, relishing lyrics about choosing Casamigos and Jose Cuervo over a guy. “They don’t love me like tequila does/nobody can,” she sang. The Texas-born country singer was tied with Maren Morris for...
Lambert takes lead on this one, relishing lyrics about choosing Casamigos and Jose Cuervo over a guy. “They don’t love me like tequila does/nobody can,” she sang. The Texas-born country singer was tied with Maren Morris for...
- 6/10/2021
- by Joseph Hudak
- Rollingstone.com
What becomes a legend most? Cynthia Erivo and Jennifer Hudson both tackled the Goddess of Soul in rival projects delayed by the pandemic. British-born Oscar-nominated Erivo (“Harriet”) explores the singer in an expansive eight-part series produced without the advance blessing of the Franklin estate in NatGeo’s third season of the “Genius” anthology, “Genius: Aretha,” while Oscar-winner Hudson (“Dreamgirls”) was hand-picked by Franklin before she died in 2018 to star in a two-hour MGM/UA movie which finally hits theaters August 13.
All it will take for Erivo to attain Egot status is an Oscar win, while Hudson needs a Tony and an Emmy. Both women boast extraordinary voices with range comparable to Franklin, and sang most of their songs live, but had to brush up their on-camera piano playing (backed up by pros on the soundtrack) to take on the famed gospel singer-turned-global music star. With support from the estate, Hudson...
All it will take for Erivo to attain Egot status is an Oscar win, while Hudson needs a Tony and an Emmy. Both women boast extraordinary voices with range comparable to Franklin, and sang most of their songs live, but had to brush up their on-camera piano playing (backed up by pros on the soundtrack) to take on the famed gospel singer-turned-global music star. With support from the estate, Hudson...
- 5/24/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
What becomes a legend most? Cynthia Erivo and Jennifer Hudson both tackled the Goddess of Soul in rival projects delayed by the pandemic. British-born Oscar-nominated Erivo (“Harriet”) explores the singer in NatGeo’s third season of the “Genius” anthology, the expansive eight-part series “Genius: Aretha,” while Oscar-winner Hudson (“Dreamgirls”) was hand-picked by Franklin before she died in 2018 to star in an estate-blessed two-hour MGM/UA movie which finally hits theaters August 13.
All it will take for Erivo to attain Egot status is an Oscar win, while Hudson needs a Tony and an Emmy. Both women boast extraordinary voices with range comparable to Franklin, and sang most of their songs live, but had to brush up their on-camera piano playing (backed up by pros on the soundtrack) to take on the famed gospel singer-turned-global music star. With support from the estate, Hudson got to sing the title song, “Respect” and other...
All it will take for Erivo to attain Egot status is an Oscar win, while Hudson needs a Tony and an Emmy. Both women boast extraordinary voices with range comparable to Franklin, and sang most of their songs live, but had to brush up their on-camera piano playing (backed up by pros on the soundtrack) to take on the famed gospel singer-turned-global music star. With support from the estate, Hudson got to sing the title song, “Respect” and other...
- 5/24/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Endeavor Content has hired Sharon Liggins to the newly-created position of SVP, Communications. Her appointment is effective immediately and she’ll be based in LA.
The publicity vet will oversee the strategic direction of communications activities across the Endeavor Content’s divisions, including film and television production, sales, and distribution. She joins the senior leadership team led by Co-Presidents Graham Taylor and Chris Rice.
Previously, Liggins served as VP, Publicity at Ava DuVernay’s narrative change collective Array. There, Liggins oversaw communications across the collective’s public programming and social impact initiatives, independent film distribution platform, as well as personal publicity and appearances for Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker DuVernay. Liggins also managed all publicity for series and films under the Array Filmworks banner, collaborating extensively with studio and networks including Warner Bros. TV, Netflix, NBC, HBO Max, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and The CW.
Said Taylor and Rice, “Sharon...
The publicity vet will oversee the strategic direction of communications activities across the Endeavor Content’s divisions, including film and television production, sales, and distribution. She joins the senior leadership team led by Co-Presidents Graham Taylor and Chris Rice.
Previously, Liggins served as VP, Publicity at Ava DuVernay’s narrative change collective Array. There, Liggins oversaw communications across the collective’s public programming and social impact initiatives, independent film distribution platform, as well as personal publicity and appearances for Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker DuVernay. Liggins also managed all publicity for series and films under the Array Filmworks banner, collaborating extensively with studio and networks including Warner Bros. TV, Netflix, NBC, HBO Max, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and The CW.
Said Taylor and Rice, “Sharon...
- 5/17/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Veteran PR executive Sharon Liggins has joined Endeavor Content as senior vice president of communications.
Liggins most recently served as vice president of publicity for Ava Duvernay’s narrative change collective Array. In her new role with Endeavor Content, Liggins will oversee the strategic direction of communications activities across the studio’s many divisions, including film and television production, sales, and distribution, and joins the senior leadership team led by co-presidents Graham Taylor and Chris Rice.
“Sharon has an impeccable track record of sustained excellence across many platforms and genres of content,” Taylor and Rice said announcing Liggins’ appointment. “Her record as a creative campaign strategist and strategic advisor uniquely suit her to the next chapter in our continued growth, and we are excited by the exceptional knowledge and passion that she brings to the team at Endeavor Content.”
Liggins will be based in Los Angeles and the appointment is effective immediately.
Liggins most recently served as vice president of publicity for Ava Duvernay’s narrative change collective Array. In her new role with Endeavor Content, Liggins will oversee the strategic direction of communications activities across the studio’s many divisions, including film and television production, sales, and distribution, and joins the senior leadership team led by co-presidents Graham Taylor and Chris Rice.
“Sharon has an impeccable track record of sustained excellence across many platforms and genres of content,” Taylor and Rice said announcing Liggins’ appointment. “Her record as a creative campaign strategist and strategic advisor uniquely suit her to the next chapter in our continued growth, and we are excited by the exceptional knowledge and passion that she brings to the team at Endeavor Content.”
Liggins will be based in Los Angeles and the appointment is effective immediately.
- 5/17/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Endeavor Content on Monday named Sharon Liggins as its senior vice president of communications, a newly created role with the studio. She joins from Ava DuVernay’s collective Array, where she served as VP of publicity.
In her new role, Liggins will oversee communications across film and television production, sales and distribution. She joins a senior leadership team led by co-presidents Graham Taylor and Chris Rice. She’ll be based out of Los Angeles and begin effective immediately.
“Sharon has an impeccable track record of sustained excellence across many platforms and genres of content. Her record as a creative campaign strategist and strategic advisor uniquely suit her to the next chapter in our continued growth, and we are excited by the exceptional knowledge and passion that she brings to the team at Endeavor Content,” Taylor and Rice said in a statement.
While at Array, Liggins oversaw communications for the organization...
In her new role, Liggins will oversee communications across film and television production, sales and distribution. She joins a senior leadership team led by co-presidents Graham Taylor and Chris Rice. She’ll be based out of Los Angeles and begin effective immediately.
“Sharon has an impeccable track record of sustained excellence across many platforms and genres of content. Her record as a creative campaign strategist and strategic advisor uniquely suit her to the next chapter in our continued growth, and we are excited by the exceptional knowledge and passion that she brings to the team at Endeavor Content,” Taylor and Rice said in a statement.
While at Array, Liggins oversaw communications for the organization...
- 5/17/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Emmy, Tony and Grammy winner Cynthia Erivo steps into the shoes of the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin in the Nat Geo anthology series Genius: Aretha. “It was an honor and I had this overwhelming sense of responsibility to try and tell the story through her as truthfully as I possibly could with this much grace as I possibly could,” said Erivo, joined by her co-star Courtney B. Vance at Deadline’s Contenders Television awards-season event.
Reflecting on the legacy of Franklin and the indelible mark she left, Erivo remarked, “I guess her legacy could teach us that we shouldn’t really be afraid of the unknown. Aretha didn’t know whether or not the answer would be yes when she asked to be a producer on her Amazing Grace album. She didn’t know what would happen when she changed record labels and trusted Jerry Wexler. She didn’t know all those things.
Reflecting on the legacy of Franklin and the indelible mark she left, Erivo remarked, “I guess her legacy could teach us that we shouldn’t really be afraid of the unknown. Aretha didn’t know whether or not the answer would be yes when she asked to be a producer on her Amazing Grace album. She didn’t know what would happen when she changed record labels and trusted Jerry Wexler. She didn’t know all those things.
- 5/15/2021
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
In the latest edition of Rolling Stone’s Spoken Dialogue series, the writer and poet Hanif Abdurraqib sits down with critic and scholar Daphne A. Brooks for a personal, genre-spanning conversation.
The two writers spoke about the interrelated themes of their new books: Brooks’ Liner Notes for the Revolution, a canon-redefining history of black feminist sound, and Abdurraqib’s A Little Devil in America, a book of essays on black performance. Touching on rock criticism and black feminist critique, the two writers discussed everything from Josephine Baker to Toni Morrison...
The two writers spoke about the interrelated themes of their new books: Brooks’ Liner Notes for the Revolution, a canon-redefining history of black feminist sound, and Abdurraqib’s A Little Devil in America, a book of essays on black performance. Touching on rock criticism and black feminist critique, the two writers discussed everything from Josephine Baker to Toni Morrison...
- 4/29/2021
- by Rolling Stone
- Rollingstone.com
For the second time in just seven months, the Academy of Country Music handed out its annual awards. After the 2020 ACM Awards were delayed from April to September because of the pandemic, the organization moved the show from Las Vegas to Nashville for the first time in its history. And if those ACMs made a point of being transparent in their approach to Covid safety, this year’s show did the same in the way it addressed country music’s inclusivity problem.
That much was evident from the early minutes of the show,...
That much was evident from the early minutes of the show,...
- 4/19/2021
- by Jon Freeman
- Rollingstone.com
Image Source: Getty / Kevin Mazur
Carrie Underwood is no stranger to lighting up the ACM Awards, and on Sunday, she did it once again when she took the stage for a special performance. Clad in a sparkly gown, the singer performed a gorgeous medley of songs from her My Savior gospel album, including "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art." She was also joined by CeCe Winans for a duet of their hit "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," and the way their voices melded together was almost, dare we say, heavenly? Last year, Underwood was named entertainer of the year at the ceremony, and this year, she's nominated for video of the year for "Hallelujah" with John Legend.
Underwood's big night at the ACM Awards comes just days after she attended the Latin American Music Awards, where she performed "Tears of Gold" with David Bisbal. Check out her ethereal performance with Winans ahead.
Carrie Underwood is no stranger to lighting up the ACM Awards, and on Sunday, she did it once again when she took the stage for a special performance. Clad in a sparkly gown, the singer performed a gorgeous medley of songs from her My Savior gospel album, including "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art." She was also joined by CeCe Winans for a duet of their hit "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," and the way their voices melded together was almost, dare we say, heavenly? Last year, Underwood was named entertainer of the year at the ceremony, and this year, she's nominated for video of the year for "Hallelujah" with John Legend.
Underwood's big night at the ACM Awards comes just days after she attended the Latin American Music Awards, where she performed "Tears of Gold" with David Bisbal. Check out her ethereal performance with Winans ahead.
- 4/19/2021
- by Monica Sisavat
- Popsugar.com
Kanye West is getting his own documentary series about his life and career, and Netflix has acquired the multipart project that’s expected to debut later this year, an individual with knowledge of the project and the sale told TheWrap.
Clarence “Coodie” Simmons and Chike Ozah, better known as music video duo Coodie & Chike, are directing the still untitled project that’s been put together from never-before-seen home movie footage spread out over 20 years about the rapper. And Billboard is additionally reporting via a source that the deal for the docuseries is for upwards of $30 million. However, an individual with knowledge of the deal described that number as inaccurate.
Coodie & Chike’s production company Creative Control is producing alongside Time Studios. The two music video directors have worked with West on several music videos, including the third iteration of “Jesus Walks.”
Time had no comment on the price reported by Billboard.
Clarence “Coodie” Simmons and Chike Ozah, better known as music video duo Coodie & Chike, are directing the still untitled project that’s been put together from never-before-seen home movie footage spread out over 20 years about the rapper. And Billboard is additionally reporting via a source that the deal for the docuseries is for upwards of $30 million. However, an individual with knowledge of the deal described that number as inaccurate.
Coodie & Chike’s production company Creative Control is producing alongside Time Studios. The two music video directors have worked with West on several music videos, including the third iteration of “Jesus Walks.”
Time had no comment on the price reported by Billboard.
- 4/6/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
“Mahalia,” the Lifetime biopic produced by Robin Roberts and starring “Orange is the New Black’s” Danielle Brooks, tells the story of gospel and jazz singer Mahalia Jackson — but it doesn’t quite cover everything.
Throughout her life, Jackson went from a “fish and bread singer” — e.g., traveling the South singing gospel music for little pay to make ends meet — to performing in front of sold-out, racially integrated audiences at Carnegie Hall and at former President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural ball. Jackson’s first hit, “Move On Up a Little Higher,” her own rendition of a traditional spiritual, launched her to international stardom and became one of the best-selling gospel songs of all time, with over 2 million copies sold.
While Lifetime’s scripted film certainly covers a lot of ground — including Jackson’s health struggles, multiple romantic partners and passion for civil rights work — there are quite a...
Throughout her life, Jackson went from a “fish and bread singer” — e.g., traveling the South singing gospel music for little pay to make ends meet — to performing in front of sold-out, racially integrated audiences at Carnegie Hall and at former President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural ball. Jackson’s first hit, “Move On Up a Little Higher,” her own rendition of a traditional spiritual, launched her to international stardom and became one of the best-selling gospel songs of all time, with over 2 million copies sold.
While Lifetime’s scripted film certainly covers a lot of ground — including Jackson’s health struggles, multiple romantic partners and passion for civil rights work — there are quite a...
- 4/2/2021
- by Samson Amore
- The Wrap
There is even more genius to go around in the story that “Genius: Aretha Franklin” tells than just Aretha’s own. Her classic records wouldn’t have stood the test of more than four and five decades without the chemistry she and her voice formed with the musicians that gave the music its masterful groove. In portraying Franklin, Cynthia Erivo had the most herculean task in making the six-episode Nat Geo series, which is now up for on-demand streaming on Hulu. But the show’s executive music producer, Raphael Saadiq, had a considerable one, too, in coming up with tracks that really sounded like the famous players of Muscle Shoals and not musical shills.
Says Anthony Hemingway, the executive producer and one of the directors of “Genius”: “Not only is Raphael an incredibly accomplished musician, but he has such a diverse background – from creating hit albums, collaborating with trailblazing...
Says Anthony Hemingway, the executive producer and one of the directors of “Genius”: “Not only is Raphael an incredibly accomplished musician, but he has such a diverse background – from creating hit albums, collaborating with trailblazing...
- 3/26/2021
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
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Aretha Franklin was the kind of shooting star that sprints through the atmosphere only once in a lifetime. Born on March 25, 1942, the talented singer-songwriter honed her craft in church, and became an icon whose music will continue to inspire legions of recording artists for generations to come.
In a career of more than 60 years, the Queen of Soul sold over 75 million records, won 18 Grammys, became the first female Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and amassed a collection of legendary hits soundtracking our lives with timeless anthems such as “Respect,” “Do Right Woman,” and “Rock Steady.”
Franklin’s death from pancreatic cancer in 2018 was a devastating loss to the music world, but...
Aretha Franklin was the kind of shooting star that sprints through the atmosphere only once in a lifetime. Born on March 25, 1942, the talented singer-songwriter honed her craft in church, and became an icon whose music will continue to inspire legions of recording artists for generations to come.
In a career of more than 60 years, the Queen of Soul sold over 75 million records, won 18 Grammys, became the first female Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and amassed a collection of legendary hits soundtracking our lives with timeless anthems such as “Respect,” “Do Right Woman,” and “Rock Steady.”
Franklin’s death from pancreatic cancer in 2018 was a devastating loss to the music world, but...
- 3/25/2021
- by Latifah Muhammad
- Indiewire
B.J. Thomas has Stage 4 lung cancer, the Grammy-winning singer said today though his reps. The man who topped the Hot 100 with “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” from the Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and had four other top 10 singles is receiving treatment in a Texas health care facility and is hopeful for a complete recovery.
Saying he plans to continue to interact with industry colleagues and fans and remains optimistic about his availability to make public appearances, Thomas released this statement via his publicists at 2911 Media:
“I just wanted to take this unique opportunity to share my gratitude to Gloria, my wonderful wife and my rock for over 53 years, my family, friends, and fans. I’m so blessed to have had the opportunity to record and perform beautiful songs in pop, country, and gospel music, and to share those wonderful songs and memories around the world with millions of you.
Saying he plans to continue to interact with industry colleagues and fans and remains optimistic about his availability to make public appearances, Thomas released this statement via his publicists at 2911 Media:
“I just wanted to take this unique opportunity to share my gratitude to Gloria, my wonderful wife and my rock for over 53 years, my family, friends, and fans. I’m so blessed to have had the opportunity to record and perform beautiful songs in pop, country, and gospel music, and to share those wonderful songs and memories around the world with millions of you.
- 3/24/2021
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Carrie Underwood will perform classic hymns from her new album My Savior in a livestreamed concert on Easter Sunday. My Savior: Live From the Ryman airs from Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium at 11:00 am Et on April 4th, streaming for free on Underwood’s Facebook.
My Savior will be released Friday, March 26th, and includes Underwood’s renditions of Christian hymns including “Just As I Am,” “Victory in Jesus,” and “Amazing Grace.” Gospel great Cece Winans, who sings with Underwood on the album, will appear during the Easter livestream to perform “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.
My Savior will be released Friday, March 26th, and includes Underwood’s renditions of Christian hymns including “Just As I Am,” “Victory in Jesus,” and “Amazing Grace.” Gospel great Cece Winans, who sings with Underwood on the album, will appear during the Easter livestream to perform “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.
- 3/22/2021
- by Jon Freeman
- Rollingstone.com
When Cynthia Erivo was cast as Harriet Tubman in the 2019 biopic Harriet, the internet lit up with criticism. Erivo is English, the outcry went, how could she possibly do justice to a uniquely American hero? Her answer was a muscular, wrenching performance that earned her an Oscar nomination. Backlash surrounding her casting as another all-American icon, Aretha Franklin, in the National Geographic series Genius: Aretha (premiering March 21st), was barely a whisper. Perhaps people are finally learning not to underestimate Erivo. Or perhaps it’s just that anyone who’s...
- 3/16/2021
- by Maria Fontoura
- Rollingstone.com
Among the the music biopic’s many tropes is the inevitable recording-session scene, where we watch a recreation of the artist at work — or, if the subject is a band, see them quarrel and throw drum sticks at each other. Rare, though, are the sequences where you feel as if you’re truly witnessing art emerge — which is precisely what happens about three-quarters of the way through Genius: Aretha, the eight-part mini-series that debuts on the National Geographic channel on March 21st, and will be streaming online next day on Hulu.
- 3/15/2021
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
Cynthia Erivo belts “Amazing Grace” as Aretha Franklin in a new teaser for Nat Geo’s Genius: Aretha, which premieres on March 21st.
The 30-second spot (which will also air during the Grammys this Sunday, March 14th) centers around footage of Erivo as Franklin singing an a cappella rendition of the famous hymn. It’s paired with a montage of clips that show Franklin working as both an artist and activist, her rise as the Queen of Soul juxtaposed with the tumult of the Civil Rights era.
Genius: Aretha...
The 30-second spot (which will also air during the Grammys this Sunday, March 14th) centers around footage of Erivo as Franklin singing an a cappella rendition of the famous hymn. It’s paired with a montage of clips that show Franklin working as both an artist and activist, her rise as the Queen of Soul juxtaposed with the tumult of the Civil Rights era.
Genius: Aretha...
- 3/12/2021
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Everyone wants concerts to come back. Everyone who attended the premiere event for Nat Geo’s “Genius: Aretha” at the makeshift drive-in in the Rose Bowl parking lot Thursday had a more specific wish: that Cynthia Erivo concerts would come back. Never mind that that really hasn’t much of a thing up till now, with Erivo being too busy with acting gigs to tour. The premiere screening was followed by a taped performance by Erivo, filmed last weekend nearby in an empty Greek Theatre, that made it clear the road and audiences along it will be ready whenever she is.
The end of Erivo’s 20-minute performance met with considerable honking from a car-bound crowd that couldn’t help but momentarily forego the Rose Bowl setting’s rules about laying off the horn. The mini-concert, first revealed in a “Just for Variety” preview, had Erivo arriving on the Greek...
The end of Erivo’s 20-minute performance met with considerable honking from a car-bound crowd that couldn’t help but momentarily forego the Rose Bowl setting’s rules about laying off the horn. The mini-concert, first revealed in a “Just for Variety” preview, had Erivo arriving on the Greek...
- 3/12/2021
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Miranda Lambert announced her unexpected latest project, The Marfa Tapes, on Thursday. The stripped-down album is a collection of raw country tunes written and performed alongside Texas singer-songwriters Jack Ingram and Jon Randall. On Friday, Lambert, Ingram, and Randall debuted a song off the record: The sparse ballad “In His Arms” offers a preview for the album’s sonic, thematic, and atmospheric direction.
“Is he playing in some house band in Dallas?” Lambert, who sings lead throughout the song, ponders. “Is he breaking horses in San Antone?” An accompanying video...
“Is he playing in some house band in Dallas?” Lambert, who sings lead throughout the song, ponders. “Is he breaking horses in San Antone?” An accompanying video...
- 3/5/2021
- by Jonathan Bernstein
- Rollingstone.com
Bruce Springsteen recalls the odd jobs he worked to pay for his first guitar and other musical memories in a new snippet from the next episode of his Spotify podcast series with Barack Obama, Renegades: Born in the USA.
In the snippet, Springsteen tells Obama he knew he wanted to be a musician at age 15, but to purchase his first guitar, he first needed to save up $18. To do so, he painted houses, tarred roofs, mowed lawns, and eventually had the money to purchase the instrument at the Western Auto Store in Freehold,...
In the snippet, Springsteen tells Obama he knew he wanted to be a musician at age 15, but to purchase his first guitar, he first needed to save up $18. To do so, he painted houses, tarred roofs, mowed lawns, and eventually had the money to purchase the instrument at the Western Auto Store in Freehold,...
- 2/26/2021
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Joe Biden marked the loss of 500,000 Americans due to Covid-19 in a very personal White House speech that delved into the process of getting through loss, sorrow and grief.
“Today, we mark a truly grim, heartbreaking milestone,” Biden said. “500,071 dead. That’s more Americans who’ve died in one year in this pandemic than in World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War combined. That’s more lives lost to this virus than any other nation on Earth.”
Drawing on his own personal experience of losing loved ones, Biden said, “I know what it’s like to not be there when it happens. I know what it is like when you are there, holding their hands, look in your eye and they slip away, that black hole in your chest, you feel like you are being sucked into it, the survivor’s remorse, the anger, the questions of faith in your soul.
“Today, we mark a truly grim, heartbreaking milestone,” Biden said. “500,071 dead. That’s more Americans who’ve died in one year in this pandemic than in World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War combined. That’s more lives lost to this virus than any other nation on Earth.”
Drawing on his own personal experience of losing loved ones, Biden said, “I know what it’s like to not be there when it happens. I know what it is like when you are there, holding their hands, look in your eye and they slip away, that black hole in your chest, you feel like you are being sucked into it, the survivor’s remorse, the anger, the questions of faith in your soul.
- 2/22/2021
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
I first met Tom Quinn, the film distributor Neon’s co-founder, at a party at the Telluride Film Festival in August 2019. With his film talent in attendance, including “Parasite” director Bong Joon Ho and “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” star Adèle Haenel, a 10-minute side conversation with the CEO has remained prevalent in my mind. At the time, I conveyed to him my thoughts that Bong’s film from South Korea had a real chance to win best picture at the Oscars later in the year. I probably wasn’t the first person to make such a declaration, as the film had premiered at Cannes months earlier, and the buzz was palpable, even though it probably wasn’t believed by the masses as of yet. Without skipping a beat, Quinn almost ignored the comment, quickly stating, “That’s great, but do you know what I really want? I want...
- 2/22/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
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