Allison Russell Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Tennessee’s aggressive legislative moves against drag performances have prompted a host of pro-LGBTQ artists from different genres to come together for a March 20 benefit concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, dubbed “Love Rising,” that will raise funds for the Tennessee Equality Project and several other local pride organizations. Among those taking part in the Bridgestone show are Maren Morris and Brothers Osborne, two artists that have spoken up about LGBTQ issues in the often quiet mainstream country world. Others on the bill from the rock, pop, Americana and alternative realms include Paramore’s Haylee Williams, Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, Allison Russell, Yola, Brittany Howard and Hozier. Julien Baker, Joy Oladokun, Jake Wesley Rogers, Mya Byrne and the Rainbow Coalition Band round out the packed lineup. Other special guests are expected to be added.

Drake is racking up accolades for his lyrical talent.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic The Americana Honors & Awards have always, perhaps more than any other music awards show, rewarded work that is fairly unassailable … which doesn’t always mean that the ceremony has always seized the moment. In 2018, Brandi Carlile’s breakout album and song, “By the Way, I Forgive You” and “The Joke,” both lost in their respective categories to Jason Isbell. Although he was being rewarded for top-flight work and there was nothing remotely shameful about this wins, it had the feeling of an opportunity lost, rubber-stamping the time-tested when a rising star who offered a chance for increased representation was right there in the nominees’ midst. So this year, if the award had gone to Carlile’s excellent “In These Silent Days,” it would have been a perfectly reasonable case of playing catch-up.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Allison Russell, Brandi Carlile and Billy Strings were among the winners Wednesday night at the Americana Honors & Awards ceremony in Nashville, where the love was spread around among the genre’s current leading lights. Six different performers prevailed in the six voted categories, with newcomer Sierra Ferrell, instrumentalist Larissa Maestro and the husband-wife duo the War and Treaty also coming up winners. The competition can be more inter-familial at the Americana Awards than at other shows, and the three leading nominees — Carlile, Russell and Yola, who had three nominations each — have been particularly tight-knit in supporting and guesting with one another. Carlile was even instrumental in helping get Russell her record deal with Fantasy Records.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic The lineup of performers for the 2023 Americana Honors and Awards has been revealed, with Brandi Carlile, Lucinda Williams, Allison Russell, the Indigo Girls, Chris Isaak and Lukas Nelson among those set to take the stage Sept. 14 at Nashville’s storied Ryman Auditorium. The roster includes mostly artists who are either up for the annual awards or achieving lifetime achievement honors. Other set to perform include Adia Victoria, the McCrary Sisters, James McMurtry, Sierra Farrell, the War and Treaty, Morgan Wade, Neal Francis and Phosphorescent. The longtime band leader for the annual awards show, Buddy Miller, will be back with a crew of musicians that includes the aforementioned McCrary Sisters, Don Was, Larry Campbell, Brady Blade, Jen Gunderman, Jim Hoke, Rob Burger and Lorenzo Molina.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music CriticBilly Joe Shaver, one of the figureheads of the “outlaw country” movement that came out of Texas and flourished in the 1970s, is the subject of a forthcoming tribute album that sees some of the top names in country and Americana saluting the late legend, including Willie Nelson, Miranda Lambert, George Strait, Nathaniel Rateliff, Rodney Crowell and Margo Price. The project, “Live Forever: A Tribute to Billy Joe Shaver,” comes out on New West Nov.

Thania Garcia The PBS live performance series “Austin City Limits” has announced the lineup for its 48th new season. The first of seven installments will begin airing on Oct. 1 at 8 p.m.

Folk singer Joni Mitchell graced the stage at Newport Folk Festival Sunday, performing her first full set in over twenty years at age 78.  Mitchell joined festival headliner Brandi Carlisle as she recreated the "Joni Jam" music gatherings, previously organized at Mitchell's Los Angeles home. Other fellow music artists, including Wynonna Judd, Allison Russell and Marcus Mumford, also took part in the "Joni Jam" gathering recreation.  "But how are we gonna have a Joni Jam without our queen?" Carlisle asked the crowd.

Joni Mitchell made a comeback to the stage for her first full-length concert in two decades on Sunday. The legendary folk musician, 78, wowed audiences at the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island, The Boston Globe reported. The Big Yellow Taxi hitmaker sat in an ornate wingback chair as she performed, wearing a dusky blue beret and sunglasses.

Joni Mitchell made a triumphant return to the stage this weekend.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music CriticSinger-songwriter Allison Russell, who is on a streak of awards-show nominations and wins with her “Outside Child” album, won two top awards, artist of the year and song of the year, at Wednesday night’s International Folk Music Awards.The program was held as the kickoff to the Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City, MO.Song of the year went to Crys Matthews for “Changemakers.” Matthews performed at the two-hour show, as did the group Isaac Cates & Ordained and nominees Diana Jones and John Smith.Russell has kept up a busy awards calendar. Over the weekend, she had been in her native Canada to pick up a Juno Award for best contemporary roots album. Monday, she was announced as being tied for a leading number of nominations — three — for the Americana Honors, where Russell will be up for artist, album and song of the year at a ceremony to be held in Nashville in September.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Brandi Carlile, Allison Russell and Yola are the leading nominees for the 2022 Americana Honors and Awards, with each one up for album of the year, artist of the year and song of the year.The nominees were announced Monday in Nashville, Tennessee, at the National Museum of African American Music.Carlile is a six-time Grammy winning artist and producer and an Americana music favorite, having won artist of the year at the awards show twice before.

Naomi Judd was remembered with love and admiration in CMT and Sandbox Live’s “Naomi Judd: A River of Time Celebration,” a public memorial at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sunday, with her daughters Ashley and Wynonna, along with “Good Morning America’s” Robin Roberts hosting the tear-filled event.“Thank you for being in community and fellowship with us,” Ashley said taking the stage and receiving a standing ovation. “Because we can pretend to care, but we cannot pretend to show up.

died by suicide in late April.“Naomi Judd: A River of Time” aired commercial-free on CMT with performances by Ashley McBryde, Brad Paisley, Brandi Carlile, Carly Pearce, Emmylou Harris and Allison Russell, Gaither Vocal Band, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town and Wynonna.Wynonna also announced that she will continue the 11-date national tour she previously had scheduled with her mom before her untimely death.“After a lot of thought, I’m going to have to honor her and do this tour. I’m just going to have to,” she said.

The country music community gathered today at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville to remember one of their own. As it might be expected, the best way to honor and memorialize one of the genre’s greatest hitmakers was found in song.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music CriticOne of pop culture’s most famous mother figures got a sendoff from her community at the Mother Church of country music Sunday, as Wynonna and Ashley Judd welcomed country stars and other celebrities to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium for “Naomi Judd: A River of Time Celebration,” a tribute that was broadcast live on CMT.A frequently heaven-looking Wynonna, who with her late mother was half of the country duo the Judds, sang “River of Time” early in the ceremony, then closed it joined by her local Christ Church choir for what was the pair’s final hit, “Love Will Build a Bridge.” She also participated in a recreation of the mother/daughter harmonies by pairing up with Brandi Carlile for a duet of “The Rose,” preceded by a video testimonial by Bette Midler. Pure magic on stage tonight ✨ @Wynonna @brandicarlile pic.twitter.com/5XmUe8EdGA— CMT (@CMT) May 16, 2022“It’s so strange to be here, but natural at the same time,” said Wynonna.

Naomi Judd, CMT has set a live, televised event, , to honor the late singer. The tribute to Judd’s career and legacy will feature never-before-seen performances and musical collaborations, with special guests, appearances and messages from some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Judd's two daughters — Wynonna Judd and Ashley Judd.Performers include Ashley McBryde, Brandi Carlile, Emmylou Harris & Allison Russell, Little Big Town and The Gaithers. Robin Roberts, co-anchor of ABC’s as well as a close family friend of Judd’s, will host the special. Naomi’s closest friends, including Bono, Morgan Freeman, Oprah WinfreySalma Hayek, Martina McBrideand others will all make special appearances.Naomi Judd is remembered as one half of the famed mom-and-daughter duo, The Judds, alongside her daughter, Wynonna. She died by suicide at the end of April, just a day before The Judds were set to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. At the time of her death, Judd’s daughters, Wynonna and Ashley, released a statement, saying, «Today we sisters experienced a tragedy.

Editor's note: This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Naomi Judd will be honored with a memorial presented by CMT on May 15 at 5 p.m.

Chris Willman Music WriterNominations have been announced for the Folk Alliance International’s Best of 2021 Awards, with such recent Grammy nominees (and winners) as Allison Russell, Rhiannon Giddens, Arooj Aftab, Valerie June, Kalani Pe’a and Sarah Jarosz among the contenders in the association’s three categories.Also set for non-competitive lifetime honors at the May awards ceremony are accordionist Flaco Jiménez, Jason Mraz, Denver-based folk music center Swallow Hill Music and the late singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith.Awards will be handed out May 18 in Kansas City on the opening night of the annual FAI conference, in a ceremony that will be webcast online.Russell is the only artist with a nomination in two of the three categories, being up for album of the year for her Grammy-nommed “Outside Child” as well as for artist of the year. Nominations are based on domestic and international year-end lists and folk DJ airplay.

The stars and sun aligned on the Grammy red carpet this warm Sunday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prominent artists and entertainers arrived in iridescent one-pieces, print dresses and colorful suits in anticipation of a spectacular evening.

Joni Mitchell will be making a rare appearance at this year’s Grammys, where she is due to present an award.The singer-songwriter, who has largely kept out of the public eye since suffering a brain aneurysm in 2015, is also nominated for Best Historical Album for ‘Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 1: The Early Years (1963-1967)’.On Friday (April 1), Mitchell was named Person of the Year at the 2022 MusiCares gala.

It all starts with a song, as the music business axiom reminds us. But if the song remains the same, the ways to watch the 64th annual Grammy Awards this Sunday are multiplying.

Musical stars lined up to pay homage to Joni Mitchell in Las Vegas on Friday evening, with the tireless artist and activist being named Person of the Year at the 2022 MusiCares gala.

Chris Willman Music WriterWhen the Nashville chapter of the Recording Academy held its annual pre-Grammys celebration for Tennessee-based nominees in early March, one of those contenders, Yola, filed a report from the party on Instagram. “The vibes were strong,” she wrote, “and so was the melanin!”Looking at the nominations in the country, folk and American roots categories, it was clear what the people of color in the chapter had to celebrate — and the Black women most of all.

Chris Willman Music WriterLeVar Burton will host the Grammys’ “premiere ceremony,” the pre-telecast afternoon event during which the vast majority of winners will be announced April 3.The Grammys-before-the-Grammys will get underway at the the MGM Grand Conference Marquee Ballroom in Las Vegas at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 ET.

Willie Nelson has announced the return of his Outlaw Music Festival Tour, with special guests to appear at each date – see the full line-up below and buy tickets here.The annual festival begins in June in St. Louis, finishing up in Philadelphia in September.

Beck has announced his plans to re-record his classic tracks ‘Loser’ and ‘Where It’s At’ for an unspecified new project.Speaking during a keynote Q&A with New Yorker writer Amanda Petrusich (per Rolling Stone). “I think it’s a bit arbitrary that you make a record and that’s the only version that exists,” he said.“You look back at your work and you see things you want to fix. That’s what drives the next album.

Beck and St. Vincent are among the artists set to perform at a MusiCares event honouring Joni Mitchell.The iconic singer-songwriter, who was recognised last year during the 44th Kennedy Center Honours, is set to be honoured at MusiCares’ 2022 Person of the Year tribute concert; it takes place at MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 1.In addition to Beck and St.

LAS VEGAS -- Chaka Khan, Stephen Stills, Sara Bareilles, Cyndi Lauper, Billy Porter and Beck will be among those performing in tribute to Joni Mitchell when she’s honored as the 2022 MusiCares Person of the Year by the Recording Academy.The academy announced the latest additions to the lineup Thursday for the tribute concert and gala to be held in Las Vegas on April 1, two days before the Grammy Awards.Other performers announced Thursday include Lauren Daigle, Angélique Kidjo, Allison Russell and St.

Chris Willman Music WriterA cast of 18 Grammy-winning or -nominated performers has been announced for MusiCares’ person of the year salute to Joni Mitchell taking place on April 1 in Las Vegas, with Brandi Carlile and Jon Batiste leading the way as the night’s artistic directors as well as being among the featured musicians.Also appearing on the list of performers covering Mitchell’s material at the gala dinner: Sara Bareilles, Beck, Black Pumas, Leon Bridges, Lauren Daigle, Mickey Guyton, Herbie Hancock, Chaka Khan, Angélique Kidjo, Cyndi Lauper, Pentatonix, Billy Porter, Allison Russell, Stephen Stills and St. Vincent.

Chris Willman Music WriterThe state of the art for emerging Black performers in country music will be the subject of a feature-length documentary that has been produced by Amazon Music, titled “For Love & Country,” which was announced Tuesday morning as having a premiere date set for the music streaming service and Prime Video on April 7.The arrival of the film will be preceded by Amazon Original recordings by some of the documentary’s featured artists, starting with a new acoustic rendering by Amythyst Kiah of her signature song, “Black Myself,” that’s out today.Although the announcement of the doc does not include “Americana,” the lineup of artists featured in interviews and performances in the film includes about equal measures of singer-songwriters who are up-and-coming in mainstream country and those are are generally considered part of the alternative-roots or Americana realm. Mickey Guyton, who recently performed the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, is featured, as is Jimmie Allen, who has become one of the leading men of country with three of his singles becoming No.

Jonathan Cohen Willie Nelson and Family, Japanese Breakfast, Allison Russell, Weyes Blood, Adia Victoria, Delta Spirit, Charlie Crockett and Chuck Prophet & Mission Express lead the lineup for the 10th anniversary edition of Luck Reunion, to be held March 17 on Nelson’s 500-acre ranch about 30 miles north of Austin. With a capacity of 3,500, the Southwest Airlines-sponsored event is already sold out, but a handful of tickets are traditionally made available closer to the date.Luck Reunion takes place in and around structures first built on the property in 1985 as sets for the Nelson-starring movie “Red Headed Stranger,” making it one of the most unique festival experiences in the United States amid a concert industry dominated by large corporations.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorKeith Richards & the X-Pensive Winos, Mavis Staples, Hozier, Warren Haynes, Melissa Etheridge, Allison Russell and more will headline the sixth annual Love Rocks NYC benefit concert at New York’s Beacon Theatre on March 10.Larkin Poe, Tyler Bryant, David Shaw, Anders Osborne, Celisse, Ivan Neville, Jimmy Vivino, Maggie Rose and Connor Kennedy will also appear on the bill, with Will Lee serving as musical director.The concert is presented by the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation and will benefit God’s Love We Deliver. It is executive produced by fashion designer John Varvatos, NYC real estate broker and prominent concert producer Greg Williamson and concert/events producer Nicole Rechter.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Morgan Wallen stepped on country music’s most historic and storied stage over the weekend, a sign that many interpreted as the Grand Ole Opry giving the troubled star its blessing and a path to reconciliation after using a racial slur on camera.While the country star’s return to the public eye seemed inevitable, a tweet from the Opry about Wallen surprising fans at its regular Saturday broadcast show led to heavy criticism of the mostly white institution and its history as a gatekeeper.Performers ranging from Yola, Allison Russell, Rissi Palmer, Noelle Scaggs of Fitz and the Tantrums, Joy Oladokun, Chely Wright, as well as Grammy winners Brandi Carlile and Jason Isbell, weighed in on how the Opry’s decision could have troubling consequences for artists of color in country music.“Morgan Wallen’s thoughtless redemption tour is the nail in the coffin of me realizing these systems and this town is not really for us,” wrote Oladokun on Sunday.Wallen was caught on camera last year using a racial slur and while some organizations banned him temporarily, he has returned to the airwaves and remained the most popular artist of 2021 across all genres.

Margo Price has released a music video for her recently released cover of The Beatles‘ ‘Help!’.The cover is lifted from Price’s live album, ‘Live From The Other Side’, which arrived last Friday (July 16). Just like in her recent performance for Colbert, Price is joined by vocalists Adia Victoria, Allison Russell, Kam Franklin and Kyshona Armstrong for the piano-led cover.Watch the video below:The country singer announced ‘Live From The Other Side’ earlier this month.

Chris Willman Music WriterIt might be premature to proclaim Allison Russell’s solo debut the album of the year — some of her collaborators and boosters have their records that may merit being in the running, of thousands forthcoming — but “Outside Child” sure has the inside track.