January 31, 2021 by Amy Gold
The 2021 #BBMAs officially have a date! https://t.co/rYhUzadQVI
— billboard (@billboard) January 25, 2021
During the week of January 24, 2021, it was announced that this year's Billboard Music Awards will air live May 23 on NBC. The host, featured performers, and nominees are expected to be finalized sometime early this spring.
Also that week, it was announced that Dion DiMucci and Elvin Bishop are among the nominees for this year's Blues Music Awards to be held virtually on June 6. This event will be livestreamed on the Blues Foundation's official Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Chicago confirmed a three-date limited engagement at the Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas for September 15-18, 2021, making this the fourth consecutive year that the band will be performing at this venue. They have also lined up around 50 other concerts across the U.S. for this year beginning May 13 in Enid, OK and ending December 17 in Robinsonville, MS, with the itinerary subject to change depending on the pandemic.
Also that week, it was announced that Graham Nash will be featured in "M.C. Escher: Journey To Infinity," a new documentary about the famed Dutch graphic artist which will make its theatrical premiere February 5, 2021 and will also be screened virtually. In this movie, Nash discusses the rediscovery of Escher's art during the 1970s and recounts a phone conversation he once had with the artist. For scheduled screenings and other information, visit ZeitgeistFilms.com.
Finally, country star Kris Kristofferson confirmed his retirement from touring after over 50 years in the music business. He gave his final performance in January 2020 on the Outlaw Country Cruise in the Caribbean. The celebrated singer, songwriter, and actor rose to fame during the 1970s with such classics as "Why Me" (1973) and co-starred with Barbra Streisand in "A Star Is Born" (1976).
In Memoriam:
Hilton Valentine (May 21, 1943 - January 29, 2021): Founding guitarist of The Animals
New & Upcoming Releases:
(Band/Artist - Title - Format - Release Date)
Lee Rocker of The Stray Cats - Gather Round - CD, digital download, streaming - January 25, 2021
Cheap Trick - Light Up The Fire (single from "In Another World") - digital download, streaming - January 28, 2021
Tommy James & The Shondells - Celebration: The Complete Roulette Recordings 1966-1973 - CD - January 29, 2021
Don McLean with Home Free - American Pie (single, remake of 1971 hit) - digital download, streaming - January 29, 2021
Ten Years After - A Sting In The Tale (deluxe version of 2017 album) - CD - February 5, 2021
David Bowie - Look At The Moon! (Live Phoenix Festival '97) (archival live album) - CD, vinyl - February 12, 2021
Lee Rocker of The Stray Cats - Gather Round - vinyl - March 1, 2021
Gerry Beckley of America - Keeping The Light On - CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming - March 26, 2021
Cheap Trick - In Another World - CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming - April 9, 2021
Steve Cropper of Booker T. & The MG's and The Blues Brothers - Fire It Up - CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming - April 23, 2021
Peter Frampton - Frampton Forgets The Words - CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming - April 23, 2021
(For more information about the above news items, please see below for a list of sources with links.)
Go listen to 'Gather Round' - the newest solo album from @TheLeeRocker and to go along with today's album release, Lee Rocker has posted a video for "Graceland Auctions" here: https://t.co/LrIutO0VXj
— Schneider/Rondan Organization (@sroprla) January 22, 2021
Read more on the album and video here: https://t.co/vyCDHRdhzv
The 2021 #BBMAs officially have a date! https://t.co/rYhUzadQVI
— billboard (@billboard) January 25, 2021
"A Sting In The Tale" reflects the same sentiment Ric & Chick wished to convey in the 2015 live album "The Name Remains The Same". Through the new lineup, the music continues to evolve and grow 50 years on." @#TenYearsAfter https://t.co/7vOicKkyOu
— Deko Entertainment (@DekoEntertain) January 26, 2021
Graham Nash featured in new documentary about late Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher - https://t.co/p5COmf2NSp pic.twitter.com/rrRbmBH3Nu
— AM 880 KIXI (@AM880KIXI) January 26, 2021
Legendary Band Chicago To Return To The Venetian Las Vegas September 15, 17 and 18, 2021 https://t.co/j15bbgazgz
— Vegas Tweets (@VegasTweetsInfo) January 27, 2021
NEW - Back in time a bit with Tommy James & The Shondells. Out on 29th Jan via the Cherry Red/Grapefruit label. Howard goes down memory lane and takes a listen:https://t.co/iZNBqBlGYE#albumreview #TommyJames #Theshondells @CherryRedGroup
— At The Barrier (@atthebarrier) January 27, 2021
Steve Cropper will release Fire It Up, which he's calling his first proper solo album since 1969. Watch the lyric video for "Far Away." https://t.co/xKBAoWAINP pic.twitter.com/TsiLsqYBG0
— American Blues Scene (@AmeriBluesScene) January 28, 2021
Life Lessons: @AmericaBand 's Gerry Beckley Looks Back on New Solo Career Retrospective "Keeping the Light On" from @BlueElanRecords #GerryBeckley https://t.co/0QcElpCR0o
— The Second Disc (@TheSecondDisc) January 28, 2021
Thank you for writing about Light Up The Fire @RollingStone, we can't wait for you all to hear the rest of the album. https://t.co/pLgQSNruOO
— Cheap Trick (@cheaptrick) January 28, 2021
Kris Kristofferson quietly announced his retirement from touring, recording, and acting this week. Watch his final concert https://t.co/ufNQAOFn6B
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) January 28, 2021
Dion, Kim Wilson, Elvin Bishop among nominees for 2021 Blues Music Awards - https://t.co/wpEI7LAJ4I pic.twitter.com/KmV2dT9dV7
— AM 880 KIXI (@AM880KIXI) January 28, 2021
.@peterframpton covers David Bowie, Lenny Kravitz, Radiohead and more on his new instrumental album, Frampton Forgets the Words https://t.co/5dZSyvrrDZ
— Guitar World (@GuitarWorld) January 29, 2021
David Bowie's 'Brilliant Live Adventures' six-part series continues February 12th with 'Look at the Moon! (Live Phoenix Festival 97).' https://t.co/kSBT4kwFPj
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) January 29, 2021
Making of American Pie with @HomeFreeGuys is out NOW! Check it out now! https://t.co/WlwQkVMLZY
— Don McLean (@donmclean) January 29, 2021
Hilton Valentine, guitarist with the Animals, dies aged 77 https://t.co/EED6rQ1WBs
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) January 31, 2021
