Good Times Magazine #1359 by Good Times Magazine

HOT TIPS

BOB DYLAN CENTER SONGWRITER FELLOWSHIP

The Bob Dylan Center (BDC) and Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), announced that the application period for the 2026–2027 Bob Dylan Center Songwriter Fellowship is open at https://bit.ly/47cW5s1. Submissions will be accepted through April 27.

Created to mentor and develop aspiring songwriters in association with the unparalleled educational resources of the Bob Dylan Center, the Fellowship is awarded annually to two recipients who demonstrate exceptional promise and artistic vision. Building on the success of its inaugural year, the program gives emerging talent direct access to the Bob Dylan Archive® and a unique creative residency in Tulsa, where Fellows can refine their songwriting craft while forging meaningful connections with music industry creative executives. The 2026–2027 Fellows will be selected by a distinguished panel of artists: Lucy Dacus, also known for her work with boygenius; Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend; James Mercer of The Shins; and Dan Wilson.

RARE JERRY GARCIA & DEAD ARTIFACTS

Julien’s Auctions, the world’s leading celebrity memorabilia auction house will present Treasures From The Golden Road Featuring The Property From “Big Steve,”“Ram Rod” & Trixie Garcia, an extraordinary offering of more than 300 pieces from the inner circle of the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia. This once‑in‑a‑lifetime collection of Deadhead gems and road‑worn treasures will be offered live in person at The Box SF in San Francisco and online at juliensauctions.comon April 22. Get miracled and register to bid now.

Sourced from the personal archives of legendary Grateful Dead crew chief and Jerry Garcia Band manager “Big” Steve Parish, longtime family associate “Ram Rod,” and Garcia’s daughter Trixie Garcia, the sale brings to light intimate artifacts that trace the band’s improvisational journey from the stage to the backstage, tour bus, and beyond. From historic guitars and personal keepsakes to rarely seen mementos, “Treasures From the Golden Road” offers fans and collectors a direct line to the heart of the Dead’s sprawling universe. For inquiries, please email info@juliensauctions.com or call 310 836 1818.

KERRY KEARNEY 30TH ANNIVERSARY GALA

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) will host the Kerry Kearney Band’s 30th Anniversary Gala on May 1st and 2nd at 7:30 PM at LIMEHOF in Stony Brook (97 Main Street). Special show tickets available at https:// longislandmusicandentertainmenthalloffame1. thundertix.com/events/259850

The original event was so popular it sold out quickly, prompting the band to set up a second show. Musician Kerry Kearney is a LIMEHOF Long Island Sound Award (L.I.S.A) winner. He promises an anniversary gala filled with lots of old friends and some new ones sharing music and stories throughout the years. The show will start at 8:30 PM and be preceded by a cocktail hour with free refreshments.

Photo by Arnie Goodman

Photo credit: Barry Feinstein

HOT TIPS

DUCKS FAN FEST 2026

The Long Island Ducks announced the team’s annual Fan Fest will take place at Fairfield Properties Ballpark on Saturday, April 18, at 10:30 AM. Admission will be free of charge for all fans.

Fan Fest offers fans the opportunity to see Long Island’s hometown team as they prepare for the 2026 season. The Ducks will play a spring training game beginning at 1:00 PM. against the California Dogecoin. Fans will also have the exclusive chance to watch the Ducks take batting practice beginning at 10:30.

Following batting practice, Ducks players and coaches will head to the main concourse along the first base line for a team autograph session with all fans. This exclusive opportunity will take place from 11:30 to 11:45. Fans are limited to one autograph per player or coach to ensure all fans are able to meet as many Ducks as possible. Ducks team introductions will then take place on the field along the first base line at approximately 12:30.

Annual Kids Club member gifts and ID cards can be obtained by visiting the Ticket Kiosk, located on the main concourse next to Customer Service. To sign your child up for the Kids Club, please call (631) 940-3825 ext. 118.

BONHAMS CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF PUNK

This April Bonhams celebrates 50 Years of Punk with a dedicated auction celebrating the bands, style, artefacts and energy of one of music’s most impactful genres. From the Sex Pistols and The Clash to the Ramones and Blondie, from Vivienne Westwood to Jamie Reid, the sale will bring together the very best from the world of punk music, fashion, art and pop culture, running from 20-30 April online on bonhams.com.

Highlights of the sale include The Gibson SG Standard Electric Guitar owned by Brian James, co-founder of The Damned which was used extensively on the albums

PAC TRACK

PEDRO GONZALEZ AT WHBPAC

The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center (WHBPAC), in partnership with OLA of Eastern Long Island, will co-present an evening of comedy featuring acclaimed Latin comedian Pedro Gonzalez on May 30. The event will include two performances: an English-language show at 5:00 PM and a Spanish-language show at 8:00 PM. Pedro Gonzalez is a Colombian comedian based out of NYC. Besides touring the country and selling out venues as a stand up comic, Pedro is a staff writer on Freevee’s hit show Primo, based on the life of NY Times best seller Shea Serrano. He was a finalist on Stand Up NBC and New York’s Funniest, and also has the honor of being the first Latin American immigrant comedian to appear on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Tickets can be purchased at whbpac.org, by calling the Box Office at 631-288-1500, or at the Box Office located at 76 Main Street, Westhampton Beach during business hours.

Damned Damned Damned and Music For Pleasure, which has an estimate of £12,000 - £15,000. Brian James wrote almost all the material on the first two albums Damned Damned Damned and Music for Pleasure, before leaving the band at the end of 1977. The Original and Unique Handwritten Lyrics for New Rose, 1976, also featured in the sale with an estimate of £8,000 – 12,000.

FROM PUSHCARTS TO PO’ BOYS

THURSDAY, APRIL 30 AT 7 PM

What makes a food “American”? The answer might be sizzling on a street corner. Join food historian and Nourishing Networks author Ashley Rose Young for a story-filled evening exploring how everyday foods—from New York hot dog carts to New Orleans gumbo—take root, evolve, and become part of the American table. In conversation with Jennifer Berg (NYU), Young will share vivid stories from her research, revealing how migration, labor, and community shape the flavors we know and love.

Come thirsty: the evening includes a tasting of a classic New Orleans drink. Museum of Food and Drink, 55 Water St Flr 2 Brooklyn, NY 11201

ALL NEW CIRCUS VAZQUEZ

Circus Vazquez, which has presented quality family entertainment for more than 50 years, is bringing its all-new 2026 tour to South Shore Mall (1701 Sunrise Highway) in Bay Shore from April 10 – 20 and Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove from April 24 – May 11.

Visit Circus Vazquez and step into a world where unforgettable moments happen right before your eyes.

Tickets start at just $22.88 and are available now at www.CircusVazquez.com.

Show times are 7:00 PM Mondays through Fridays; 1 PM, 4 PM, 7 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.

DIO RULES AT SUFFOLK THEATRE

Dio Rules is a powerful live concert experience celebrating the music and legacy of Ronnie James Dio, one of the most influential voices in the history of hard rock and heavy metal. Between 1975 and 1985, Dio fronted three of rock’s most legendary bands — Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Dio — creating an extraordinary decade of music that defined the genre and continues to inspire generations of fans. From Man on the Silver Mountain and Heaven and Hell to Holy Diver and Rainbow in the Dark, these songs remain staples of rock radio, film and pop culture.

Performed by an all-star lineup of world class musicians, DIO RULES delivers this iconic catalog with the power and authenticity it demands.The band features Andrew Freeman, the powerhouse vocalist personally selected by the original members of DIO to front Last in Line, alongside acclaimed guitarist Angus Clark (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Joe Lynn Turner), and drummer Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big, Kix).

For more information on upcoming shows, visit TheSuffolk.org or call the Box Office at 631-7274343

APRIL IS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH OPEN MIC NIGHT @ THE GALLERY FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 6-9PM

Come poets, musicians, comedians, and singers! We are hosting our own Open Mic Night at the Gallery to showcase local talent and enjoy each other’s company.

Sign ups begin at 6:30 PM / Show starts at 7PM. Suggested Donation: $5 Performer sign ups – Free Islip Arts Council | South Shore Mall 1701 Sunrise Hwy, Suite N1 | Bay Shore

Photo by Ian Dickson

PAC TRACK

VIVA EL CINCO DE MAYO

Get ready to shout “¡Viva México!” and join the annual Cinco de Mayo family celebration at KCA! Experience the vibrant traditions of Mexican music and dance with lively rhythms, colorful costumes, and the rich cultural heritage of Mexico. May 3rd 3 PM.

This year’s celebration features Grammywinning Mariachi Real De Mexico de Ramon Ponce celebrating their 35th anniversary and the release of “The Lost Charro” with Bruce Springsteen, along with Tlen Huicani, one of the most faithful interpreters of traditional folk music from Veracruz and across Latin America. Also featured are Latin Grammy-winning musician and founding member of Flor de Toloache Mireya Ramos, 11-year-old

mariachi prodigy Alexander Ponce, and Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Nueva York.

Tickets Just $22 Kupferberg Center for the Arts info@kupferbergcenter.org 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing

FIRST LOOK 2026 AT MOMI

The 15th First Look Festival opens April 23 with the U.S. premiere of James N. Kienitz Wilkins’s The Misconceived and closes with the North American premiere of Isabel Sandoval’s Moonglow, framing a lineup of 21 features and experimental shorts programs. Special showcase screenings include New York premieres of Rachel Lambert’s Carousel, starring Chris Pine and Jenny Slate; Ildikó Enyedi’s Silent Friend, starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai; and Ramzi Bashour’s Hot Water. Filmmakers appearing in person include Wilkins, Sandoval, Lambert, Enyedi, Bashour, Kunsang Kyirong (100 Sunset), Erin Espelie (Ideas of Order), Ashley Connor and Joe Stankus (It Goes That Quick), Robb Moss (The Bend in the River), Itab Azzam and Jack Macinnes (One in a Million), Charlie Birns (The Whole World Is a Lie), Rachael J. Morrison (Joybubbles), Anthony Svatek (Humboldt USA), and Hansel Porras Garcia (Tropical Park). Museum of the Moving Image 36-01 35 Avenue Astoria

CHAPIN FAMILY CONCERT AT LANDMARK ON MAIN

In the long rich history of Family Groups in American Roots Music, THE CHAPIN FAMILY has a special place. When these singers, songwriters and extraordinary live performers come together, magic happens.Tom Chapin, Steve Chapin, Jen Chapin, and The Chapin Sisters (Abigail Chapin and Lily Chapin) are all powerful musical artists who have active careers and multiple recordings, who just happen to be related, and who love making music together. Harry Chapin (1942 – 1981) was one of our most passionate, political, prolific and inspiring songwriters. Two generations of the musical Chapin Family will gather to bring the songs of Harry Chapin to life. Backed by The Harry Chapin Band (including Big John Wallace and Howard Fields), the Family will perform Harry’s classic songs, including Cat’s In The Cradle, Taxi, Mr. Tanner, Mail Order Annie, W•O•L•D, and Circle.

SUPPORT LOCAL RECORD STORES

Newbury Comics Garden City

Mr. Cheapo Mineola

Needle and Groove Records Lynbrook

VP Records Retail Jamaica

Infinity Records Massapequa Park

Record Reserve Huntington

High Fidelity Records & CDs Amityville

Octopus Records Brooklyn

Vinyl Fantasy Brooklyn

Superior Elevation Records Brooklyn

Symphony Music Brooklyn

Looney Tunes West Babylon

Pancakes Records Astoria

Deep Cuts Record Store Ridgewood

Cinderblock People NYC

Academy Record Annex Brooklyn

Earwax Records Brooklyn

Rough Trade Shop NYC NYC

Legacy Brooklyn

Sterling Record Store Brooklyn

Stranded NYC NYC

Ergot Records NYC

Captured Tracks Shop Brooklyn

Record Grouch Brooklyn

For The Record Brooklyn

Academy Records & CDs NYC

Downtown Music Gallery NYC

Mr. Cheapo Commack

Vinyl Veritas Brooklyn

Jazz Record Center NYC

The Compact Disc Shoppe Brooklyn

Academy LPs NYC

Rock and Soul Records NYC

Manhattan 45 NYC

• Space Items

• Wacky Packages

• Garbage Pail Kids

• Disney Items

• Video Game Cartridges

Character Items

• Comics

• Matchbox Cars

• Pez Dispensers

• Lionel Model Trains

• Autographs

• Lego Kits Don’t let your old toys gather dust, turn them into CASH NOW!

If someone told you that a local musician had put out 25 original albums in the last 50 years, would you believe it?

That’s exactly what Dr. Richard Michelson has done with the release of his latest, and most ambitious album, Idiot At The Wheel. Dr. Michelson, better known as MOTU, has crafted a beautiful blend of jazz fusion, Americana and blues.

Cut number one is Just Another Day in America, where he dissects the hypocrisy of what’s he’s seeing in his own country. With a pounding drum in the background, he spits out the refrain, “Here Comes The News, Telling Lies and Breaking Rules.” and “Congress, they take your vote, then they take your rights.” Can’t get much more political.

On Deuces there are some tasty guitar licks and a wailing pedal steel guitar. Idiot At The Wheel touches on his cynicism, with Michelson’s gravely voice and a rocking opening, Dee Michelson on vocals is a great counterpoint.

Pushing Darkness to the West is a message of hope, “See the colors in the clouds, pushing darkness to the West.” Great harmonies on this number.

The best cut on the album in my mind is “Original Sin,” a raucous number. Susan Karejwa on bass and Phil Reinstein on accordion add a lot to this number.

The closing cut, “Last Man Standing is a wailing instrumental with drawn-out chords, a bluesy number with strong guitar work.

This MOTU album is a real keeper, and makes you want more. Can’t wait for number 26.

Record Store Day 2026 Is Here

Record Store Day was conceived in 2007 at a gathering of independent record store owners and employees as a way to celebrate and spread the word about the unique culture surrounding nearly 1400 independently-owned record stores in the US and thousands of similar stores internationally. The first Record Store Day took place on April 19, 2008. Today, Record Store Day is celebrated at independently-owned brick-and-mortar record stores around the world.

This is a day for the people who make up the world of the record store— the staff, the customers, and the artists—to come together and celebrate the unique culture of a record store and the special role they play in their communities. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day. Festivities include performances, cook-outs, body painting, meet & greets with artists, parades, DJs spinning records, and on and on. In 2008 a small list of titles was released on Record Store Day and that list has grown to include artists and labels both large and small, in every genre and price point. For several years, 60% or more of the Record Store Day Official Release List came from independent labels and distributors. The list continues to include a wide range of artists, covering the diverse taste of record stores and their customers.

In 2017, Record Store Day was a founding partner in the Making Vinyl conference, which brings together the companies and individuals responsible for the ongoing vinyl resurgence.

In 2021, Record Store Day partnered with Think Indie Distribution and Cured Vinyl for a series of releases called RSD Essentials, bringing classic, “essential” catalog releases of all genres and decades to record store bins yearround. A partnership in 2022 with Atlantic Records created the RSD New Artist Series, introducing younger artists and fans to the beauty of physical formats and the glory of the record store with a tour of in-store appearances, signings and performances across the country.

Record Store Day 2026 will be held on April 18, 2026.

SPORTS BEAT

When a lot of us were growing up, we were told how the New York area was the Mecca of basketball. Sadly, that expression has not been true for years. There are few NBA players from our area, and the local college hoops programs have been mediocre, to say the least.

Things are finally changing. Both Long Island University and Hofstra qualified for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament last month. The big story, however, was in Queens, where the St. John’s University Red Storm won their second straight Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden after winning that conference’s regular season title again. Full credit must go to SJU head coach Rick Pitino whose largerthan-life personality has helped in recruiting, and getting plenty of attention in the New York media. That’s not an easy thing for any college coach to accomplish in a market saturated by pro sports teams and big-time entertainment options.

SJU would not have achieved the success it has the past two seasons without the stellar play of big man, Zuby Ejiofor, who was the Big East Player of the Year in 2026, as well as the tournament’s MVP. It surprises me how NBA draft gurus only see him as a late first round, or early second round, pick. The Mets will be offering some good mass transit options for Long Islanders

who want to use mass transit to get to Citi Field. There will be buses leaving from both Roosevelt Field and the Walt Whitman Mall. In addition, the Long Island Railroad will take $5 off a ride to Citi Field with the purchase of a Mets ticket on their website.

Citi Field has acquired a reputation for having the best food concessions in the majors. Mets Hall of Famer Mookie Wilson will be hosting Legacy Catering by Mookie Wilson and his family. The menu items will include southern cuisine favorites like pulled chicken, collard greens, and cornbread. Pat LeFrieda, the renowned meat purveyor, will be offering its tasty tomahawk steak for those with big appetites, and sliced steak for those who want a lighter carnivorous touch at its Chop House. Long Island will be represented by Huntington’s Wok & Roll, and Williston Park’s legendary ice cream parlor Hildebrandt’s, which is about to celebrate its centennial.

BOUNTIFUL GOURMET - GREAT NECK DINER: QUALITY FOOD & SERVICE

by Rich Branciforte

Do you remember what it was like when you went with your family as a youngster to a relative’s house to eat? The anticipation was half the fun. That’s what’s it’s like when you visit The Great Neck Diner in Great Neck.

Michael Wach and his daughter Rorie have built a family style eatery that is the best of your memories. It is a pretty spot, filled with customers enjoying a vast selection of skillfully prepared items.

No one has to tell you that diners are challenged. They’re rarely open late night, and younger customers often pass them by.

Not so with The Great Neck. The room is filled with diners of all ages and lifestyles… groups of women having breakfast, school kids, parents with their kids, businessmen grabbing a bite at their favorite local spot.

I’ve known Mike and Rorie for years. And I can’t remember a time that I visited the diner that it hasn’t been humming. Mark that down to their micromanaging every aspect of the operation.

The location has been there since the late 50’s when it was Frederick’s. Then more than a dozen years ago Mike purchased the diner,. It was an odd purchase, Mike was big time executive with the Yes Network, and before that he was President & GM of Fox Sports.

Rorie came aboard in 2012 to help her dad, and now runs the day to day as owner. Every corner is filled with happy customers. Mike attributes this to the

fact that the diner is “Something to everyone. It’s quality food, it’s courtesy, it’s a place where the employees know your name and what’s your regular order.”

In a business where employee turnover is a problem, Rorie is proud that many employees have been there ten years or more. The owners are here every day. And the customers keep returning, bringing new generations of family with them.

What’s a few of the customer favorites? For breakfast, it’s challah French toast, fluffy and delicious, accompanied by crisp bacon. Or maybe it’s the popular homemade Corned beef hash and eggs.

Lunchtime it could be one of their delicious burgers, or perhaps a Greek salad, or a specialty salad. The menu is overflowing with great selections. Portions are big, so make sure you bring an appetite. All soups, sauces and meats are made in house. Their matzoh ball recipe is their grandma’s 100 year old recipe.

Want some old school taste? Try the skyscraper Corned Beef or Pastrami, or maybe both. Really hungry? Go for the Merchant Marine, aka The Lumberjack that includes 2 pancakes, 2 eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, home fries and toast. Anchors away!

Still have some room for more? Close it out with a milkshake or malted milk. Or perhaps share the awesome Skillet cookie with the whole family. This baby is a 10 ounce chocolate chip cookie served with ice cream.

The Great Neck Diner is the heartbeat of Great Neck. That’s why people travel from Queens and Glen Cove, just to have a great food experience. Stop in and say hello to Rorie, Mike and the whole crew. They won’t forget you and you’ll be back soon.

The Great Neck Diner is located at 14 Grace Avenue, Great Neck. Phone 516-466-0678 and tell them Rich sent you. Prepare to be amazed.

Rick Pitino

Carson Benge

It is hard to think of a young Mets outfielder since Darryl Strawberry was over 40 years ago who has been hyped as much as Carson Benge has. He certainly did his part in spring training as he tattooed the baseball. Benge, who is from Oklahoma City and bears a passing resemblance to Justin Timberlake, was the Mets’ firstround pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.

If you are a fan of baseball factoids and under the radar trivia, you will love Scott S. Parker’s “Baseball’s Unlikely: A Constant Game 2” (Rocking Chair Media). Parker is a fan’s fan who relishes statistical oddities. A good example is how Reggie Jackson led off a game with a home run and then hit a ninth inning walk-off homer for a 2-1 Oakland A’s win. Those two round-trippers were the only two hits the A’s got that night. If you ever want to win a baseball trivia contest, this book is a must purchase.

Team USA came up short in the World Baseball Classic, losing in the ninth inning of the final game, 3-2 to Venezuela. Fox Sports executives were not crying as more than 10 million people tuned into that game, and ratings were high for all the games which our country played.

Netflix has been dipping its toes into sports slowly but surely with gimmicky boxing matches, plus NFL Football on Christmas Day. The world’s largest streamer has contracted with Major League Baseball to show the first game of the 2026 season which saw the Yankees taking on the Giants in San Francisco. Netflix had MLB Network and NBC Sunday Night Baseball announcer Matt Vasgersian doing the play-by-play. For added star power they brought in former Yankees ace CC Sabathia, who grew up in the Bay Area, and

By Lloyd Carroll

controversial all-time home run record holder Barry Bonds to provide analysis.

Eli Manning has become an in-demand motivational speaker. He was the keynote speaker at last month’s technology conference for the law profession, Legalweek. Eli spoke about how proud he was that his “Chad Powers” character, which he created as a skit for his “Eli’s Places” on Disney Plus, has become a hit show for Hulu starring Glen Powell. In the original skit, Eli donned a latex mask with fake facial hair and spoke with accent which sounds like it came out of the 1972 Burt Reynolds film, “Deliverance.”

The quarterback who Eli tormented twice in Super Bowls, Tom Brady, has not rested on his NFL laurels either. He recently opened Card Vault at the American Dream mall located across from MetLife Stadium. Card Vault buys and sells rare and premium sports trading cards and memorabilia.

Brady will also be appearing at the third annual Fanatics Fest which will be taking place at Javits Center from July 16-19. Fanatics is also an investor in Card Vault.

Rory McIlroy, has won every golf major, except that big one taking place this week in Augusta, GA, is the subject of a Prime Video documentary, aptly titled, “Rory McIlroy: The Masters Wait.”

Similarly, Hulu and ESPN have teamed up for a doc on the greatest women’s basketball head coach of all-time with “Breaking Glass: The Pat Summitt Story.”

Photo credit: Hulu

CASINOS

TLC & SALT-N-PEPA UNITE

GRAMMY® Award-winning supergroups TLC & SALT-N-PEPA announced they will unite for a landmark North American co-headlining tour with special guest En Vogue, bringing the highly anticipated IT’S ICONIC Tour to Mohegan Sun Arena on Friday, August 28th, 2026 beginning at 7:30 PM. Marking the first time these three trailblazing groups have toured together, the IT’S ICONIC Tour celebrates decades of era-defining hits, culture-shifting influence, and timeless R&B and hip-hop anthems.

Fans can secure their seats to hear live performances of iconic hits including “No Scrubs,” “Waterfalls,” “Push It,” “Shoop,” “Free Your Mind,” and “Don’t Let Go (Love)” via Ticketmaster, with tickets available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office.

For more information on concerts and other events, visit the Mohegan Sun website. Call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711. Complimentary self-parking is available in three convenient garages.

CORAL REEFER BAND TO TAKE THE STAGE

Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band is heading back to Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on Friday, July 10 at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com and Ticketmaster. com. All shows are subject to change.

For over five decades, Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band created the soundtrack to endless summers, salty breezes, and carefree good times. What began in 1973, evolved into one of the most beloved live acts in American music history. Though the legendary Jimmy Buffett passed away in 2023, he left a clear message to “keep the party going.” And that’s exactly what the Coral Reefer Band continues to do – with their heart and soul.

Comprised of world-class musicians and longtime friends, the Coral Reefer Band is led by 10-time CMA Musician of the Year and Grammy-nominated Mac McAnally, a key contributor to Buffett’s legacy both onstage and in the studio. Many of the current members have played together for over 30 years, touring the world across 40+ tours and contributing to more than 30 albums.

KESHA MOHEGAN SUN SHOW

Pop icon Kesha has announced her highly anticipated 25-date The Freedom Tour across North America, which includes an 8:00 PM stop at Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday, August 22nd, with special guest Erika Jayne.

Known for turning her live shows into ecstatic communal rituals, Kesha promises a spectacle that blends massive pop production with intimate moments of truth. Expect anthems, surreal visuals, cathartic singalongs, and the kind of emotional release that transforms arenas into spiritual safe places. Tickets for what promises to be Kesha’s most

experience yet are on sale.

Good Times Music Calendar

APRIL

Good Times Music Calendar

25 Joel Ross’ Good Vibes Quartet Smoke Jazz Club NYC

25 DJ Big Mac Spotlight at the Paramount

Good Times Music Calendar

Your Guide To Local Events

Good Times Music Calendar

Good Times Music Calendar Your Guide To Local Events

WHEELS & DEALS

Photo by Bob Greco

ISTA LEAPS INTO THE UNKNOWN

Rising Brooklyn rock collective ISTA return with their psych-disco new single, “Up To Chance,” available everywhere alongside an official music video directed by performance artist/filmmaker Alexandra Reisberg, streaming now on YouTube. The groove-driven track heralds the band’s eagerly awaited new album, In Sound To All, arriving on Friday, April 17. Pre-orders are available now. The band will play an album-release show on April 15 at NYC’s Night Club 101.

Recorded with longtime producer Sam Cohen(Kevin Morby, Rhett Miller, Curtis Harding), “Up To Chance” draws inspiration from classic funk and disco, showcasing the band’s spontaneous collaborative spirit with immersive rhythms, layered vocals, and dynamic horn arrangements. The song’s infectious energy is expertly conveyed through a whimsical accompanying visual that captures magical encounters with Chance, a playful puppet whose presence invites openness and joyous connection with various individuals on the streets of New York City.

CIRCUS MIND RETURNS WITH “VIKING PRINCESS”

Circus Mind charges back into the spotlight with their latest single, “Viking Princess,” a bluesy, psychedelic romp that feels like Cab Calloway, Tom Waits, and Jim Morrison forming a snarling, groove-heavy rock band inside a midnight fever dream. Gritty, theatrical, and wildly fun, the track delivers a humorous and all-too-relatable tale of the worst house guest imaginable. This is the kind of unforgettable character who barrels into your life, takes over the living room, and refuses to leave.

Musically, the track is quintessential Circus Mind. It blends swampy blues, psychedelic edge, and undeniable rhythmic drive. The chaos is elevated by special guest Scott Metzger (Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, LAMP), whose fiery guitar work adds muscle and menace to the track’s rolling groove. Noel Lustgarden’s soulful harmonica further anchors the song in its rowdy, barroom-blues roots.

AZTEC TWO STEP 2.0 PLAYS BOULTON CENTER

Aztec Two-Step 2.0 brings its spirited folk-rock sound to The Boulton Center (37 West Main Street, Bay Shore, NY, 631-969-1101, boultoncenter.org) on Saturday, April 25. Tickets for the 8 p.m. concert, priced at $45, may be purchased at the box office or online via www.boultoncenter.org/aztec-twostep-2-0.

The story of Aztec Two-Step (aztectwostep.com) is intertwined with the history of folk-rock music in America. The duo recorded four albums on Elektra and RCA Records and helped usher in the music of the 1960s into the 1970s and beyond – performing worldwide, appearing on numerous national radio and TV shows, and drawing critical acclaim in major U.S. newspapers. Its career was built on progressive FM and college radio and non-stop touring over five decades. Aztec Two-Step was inducted into the New England Music Hall of Fame and was honored to receive The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame’s Distinguished Musician Award.

THEATER: FAN FAVORITES’ DEBUTS AND RETURNS

Tony-winner and TV star Jessie Tyler Ferguson (“Modern Family”) returns to the New York stage in the first Off-Broadway revival of Jay Presson Allen’s 1989 play, “Tru” in which he plays author Truman Capote. Set in Capote’s living room at Christmastime 1975 – shortly after he had become a pariah to the society women he famously dubbed his “swans” – the monologue draws from Capote’s own words as he drinks and complains. Directed by Rob Ashford, the immersive production unfolds in the intimate 99-seat library of an Upper East Side mansion. In a fresh twist to this solo play, actress-dancer Charlotte d’Amboise now appears onstage embodying the “swans.” (House of the Redeemer) truplaynyc.com

Tony, Golden Globe and Olivier Award-winner (for this tour-de-force performance) John Lithgow also portrays a literary lion: famed 6’ 6” children’s author Roald Dahl in the fact-based play “Giant.” In Mark Rosenblatt’s Olivierwinning, timely and thought-provoking drama, Dahl’s reputation is tarnished after he pens a book review deemed antisemitic. Set on a summer afternoon in 1983 at his country house, the play presents a cantankerous, ornery Dahl verbally jousting with his publisher (Elliot Levey), the sales rep from his American publisher (Aya Cash) and his fiancée (Rachel Stirling), all urging damage control via a public apology. (Music Box Theatre) gianttheplay.com.

Two-time Oscar winner Adrien Brody (“The Brutalist”) and Tessa Thompson (“Hedda,” “His & Hers”) make their Broadway debuts in “The Fear of 13,” Lindsey Ferrentino’s Olivier-nominated play, based on David Sington’s 2015 documentary. Like Fergerson and Lithgow, Brody also portrays a real person: Nick Yarris, the first Pennsylvania death row inmate exonerated by DNA evidence. Thompson plays a prison volunteer whose visits with Yarris compel both to confront justice, and belief. Brody has called the play “a story steeped

by Jane Klain

in truth, that exposes systematic injustice and apathy through hope and humanity.” Tony-winner David Cromer directs the cast that includes Ephraim Sykes, Michael Cavinder, Eddie Cooper, Victor Cruz, among others. (James Earl Jones Theatre) thefearof13broadway.com

Emmy-winner Ayo Edebiri (“The Bear”) and Don Cheadle make their Broadway debuts in the first New York revival of David Auburn’s Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Proof.” The moving family drama centers on a once-brilliant mathematical genius who burned brightly and altered the face of math in his early twenties, and then never solved another proof again, and his high-strung, neurotic daughter who sacrificed her own education to take care of him and may – or not – share his mathematical genius and his madness. Under the direction of Tony-winner Thomas Kail (“Hamilton”), Kara Young plays her all-to-perfect sister, and Jin Ha appears as a student from the professor’s last lucid year. (Booth Theatre) proofbroadway.com

This year’s Oscar nominee Rose Byrne and Tony-winner Kelli O’Hara star as two socialites in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of Noel Coward’s 1925 fizzy farce “Fallen Angels” which has been dubbed “slapstick in lipstick.” While their husbands are away for a day of golf, the women toast their premarital sexual dalliances – with the same man (who may be enroute from France) – as past scandals and competitive jealously bubble up. Directed by Scott Ellis, the comedy co-stars Tracee Chimo, Mark Consuelos, Christopher Fitzgerald and Aasif Mandvi. (Todd Haimes Theatre) roundabouttheatre.org/

John Lithgow as Roald Dahl in GIANT

Photo by Joan Marcus

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

TWO METALLICA MOHEGAN SUN SHOWS

In celebration of Mohegan Sun Arena’s 25th Anniversary, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers and Nine‑time GRAMMY® Award–winners, Metallica, will perform two special concerts inside Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday, November 19th, and Saturday, November 21st.

These shows will bring the band’s No Repeat Weekend tradition to Mohe gan Sun Arena, with each night featuring entirely different set lists and sup port acts. The Thursday, November 19th performance, beginning at 8:00pm will feature special guest Suicidal Tendencies, while the 8:00pm Saturday, November 21st show will include special guest Spiritbox. These special an niversary concerts are Metallica’s first‑ever performances at Mohegan Sun Arena and their first in Connecticut since 1998.

Tickets for both performances are available now and tickets for November 21st.. A two day package option will also be offered. Tickets will also be avail able beginning Saturday, April 11th, at the Mohegan Sun Box Office, subject to availability.

LUCINDA

WILLIAMS TO PERFORM AT BEACON Influential, multi Grammy Award winning artist Lucinda Williams and her band are bringing her soulful and captivating live show to Red Bank at Count Basie Theatre on Wednesday, May 27 and to New York on Friday, May 29 at Beacon Theatre. Fol lowing a packed European tour, and a US run with Heart, Williams is out in support of her critically acclaimed new album World’s Gone Wrong.

On World’s Gone Wrong, Williams gives a hard hitting wake up call in response to the socio political chaos surrounding us. The album is a raw and unapologetic set of songs that were written and record ed with a sense of urgency. Throughout nine original tracks, Williams offers songs that do not just chronicle our times but challenge us to rise above them.

For news and updates, visit LucindaWilliams.com

SHAKIRA

ANNOUNCES INTIMATE RUN

Global superstar Shakira announced a special limited run of U.S. dates on her record breaking Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, giving fans a rare chance to see her electrifying production up close in more intimate arena settings this summer. This news follows the release of Shakira’s new single “ALGO TÚ” which features rising Co lombian singer, Beele.

The newly added dates kick off in June, including a stop at UBS Arena in Belmont Park on July 23. Notably, the run will take place during the FIFA World Cup, overlap ping with several host cities across the U.S.

ROBERT EARL KEEN EXTENDED DATES

Fifteen years ago, beloved Texas songwriter and recording artist Robert Earl Keen belted out his friend Todd Snider’s lyrics, “I’m a runaway locomotive out of my one track mind… play a train song,”on his then new album Ready for Confetti. Ten years before that, Gravitational Forces was released with one of the most sung along with lines of Keen’s entire catalog—“I got high, and I got in jail”—opening up the tune “Walkin’ Cane.” What do these two albums have in common other than belonging to one of the finest ever to do it? They’re both being celebrated on REK’s Then and Now Tour. And due to overwhelming demand from Keen’s rabid fanbase, they will continue to be for the rest of the summer with this week’s an nouncement of additional tour dates.

Tickets are available now for all dates at robertearlkeen. com/tour.

THE WALLFLOWERS US & EUROPEAN TOUR

The Wallflowers announced a spe cial 2026 US & European tour that will see the band perform their acclaimed 1996 album Bringing Down the Horse in its entirety, alongside Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ Long After Dark, also played front to bac k. The run marks the first time the band has performed Bring ing Down the Horse in full in honor of the LP’s 30th anniversary and promises a unique live experience for audiences across the US and Europe. Speaking about the tour, Jakob Dylan said, “Coming back after such a long time, we wanted to do something spe cial for the 30th anniversary of Bringing Down the Horse. We decided to play what seems to be our fans’ favorite Wall flowers album, and for us, we wanted to play one of our favorite Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers records, Long After Dark.”

They’re appearing May 16th at The Paramount.

Photo by Tasmin Than

COUNTRY

BAYLEE LYNN’S DEBUT SINGLE

A powerful opening statement from one of country’s most captivating young talents, Heart On My Sleeve kicks off with Baylee’s debut single “Cautiously Optimistic”— a carefree yet boldly confessional anthem that topped Billboard’s new music poll with 64 percent of the vote (winning out over superstars like Sabrina Carpenter) and landed in Billboard’s “Friday Music Guide” (which noted that the track “harkens back to the turn-of-the-century country-pop stylings of Faith Hill and the Chicks”).

Over the course of the EP, the Tennesseebred singer/songwriter brings her naturally sophisticated musicality and unguarded sincerity to standouts like the fiercely self-assured “Heard That” and the beautifully moving “That’s What I’ll Be” (a bittersweet ballad featured on the starstudded Nobody Wants This Season 2: The Soundtrack). Produced by AJ Pruis (a GRAMMY-nominated producer/songwriter/musician known for his work with Megan Moroney, Maddie & Tae, and more), Heart On My Sleeve remains rooted in Baylee’s radiant brand of country-pop, endlessly spotlighting her sweetly soulful vocal work.

VINCE GILL RELEASES LONELY’S WHAT I DO

Sad is the flavor of Vince Gill on Lonely’s What I Do, the fifth volume in his 50 Years From Home EP series. And he’s happy about that. The EP is out on MCA.

The first loss Gill bemoans on the EP is not of a person but a culture. “Nothing Like They Used to Be,” a Texas swing co-written with Sharon Vaughn and Hadlie Jo Pritchard that mourns the classic honky-tonks, where “those swinging doors ain’t swinging” and “they ain’t singing ‘bout cheating” anymore. “It just reminds me of the early days of going into a real beer joint and hanging out and hearing some twangy music,” he says.

The hankies then come out for “A Million Tears Ago,” a co-write with Mae Estes, who also sings the harmony vocals. “I’m really crazy about Mae,” Gill says. “She’s somebody who really loves the kind of old school spirit of our music. We got together and made up a song, and this is what turned up.”

Like its 50 Years From Home predecessors, Lonely’s What I Do was produced by Gill at his home studio in Nashville, with engineers Matt Rausch and Justin Niebank and a corps of his regular players including Paul Franklin, guitarists Tom Bukovac and Jedd Hughes, bassist Jimmie Lee Sloas, keyboardists Gordon Mote, John Jarvis and Jim “Moose” Brown, and drummer Fred Eltringham.

WILLIE NELSON’S NEW STUDIO ALBUM

After headlining his annual Luck Reunion, Willie Nelson is set to hit the road again with Spring dates just announced. With the Austin American Statesman noting that his festival performance “delivered a defiant, crowd pleasing set” while the Austin Chronicle called it “one of his best sets in years,” Nelson’s upcoming tour stops are primed to be incredible experiences. For tickets and more information, go to WillieNelson.com

On May 29, Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release Dream Chaser, the new studio album from Willie Nelson. The album will be available on CD, vinyl, and digitally, including Dolby Atmos.

All versions are available for pre-order willienelson.lnk.to/DreamChaser The album’s first single, the title track “Dream Chaser,” is now available on all digital service providers. Written by Buddy Cannon, Bobby Tomberlin, and Willie Nelson, the song offers an early glimpse into the spirit of the forthcoming release.

NEED FUNKY GUITARIST

Hey there, Jeff from Murphy's Music here, I'm searching for a creative, funky Guitarist/Vocalist for my new Jam Band project.

If you're ready to unleash your musical creativity and get down with a dynamic crew, give us a try!

We create original songs but sprinkle in some unexpected bits of cover tunes in our compositions to keep our jams exciting and the audience on their toes! Styles range from 70s disco funk to modern era bands (Influences range from Chic to Moe, Claypool, Disco Biscuits, Vulfpeck and so much more) Our instrumentation includes drums, bass, keys, electric violin, percussionist(Vibraphone and mixed perc.)

We rehearse at my shop typically on Wednesdays. Please be reliable and willing to actually show up. Message me if you or someone you know might be interested

(TFN)

HELP WANTED

MUSIC TEACHERS WANTED - Murphy's Music is seeking String teachers (Violin/viola) we have an immediate position opening in April. Also accepting guitar, piano, vocal teachers. Email resume to Murphysmusicny@gmail.com or call 631-549-4510.(TFN)

BURGEROLOGY LOCATIONS are looking for help. We are looking for manager positions, servers, busboys, and bartenders. Please email Burgerology.rvc@gmail.com (TFN)

MUSICIANS AVAILABLE

GUITARIST, looking for Blues Rock Jams. 67 years old. (631) 462-5987 (1325)

CHICAGO BLUES, harmonica vocalist wants to play. (516) 398-8155 Western Suffolk/Eastern Nassau Preferred. (1343)

MUSICIANS WANTED

LOOKING FOR GEORGE FOR BEATLE TRIBUTE Call Jim (631) 334-3784 (1343)

DRUMMER WANTED for Classic Rock and Blues. Over 50, Studio Play Only. (631) 462-5987 (1346)

BASSIST WANTED Classic Rock and Blues. +50 Studio Play only (631) 462-5987 (1338-1341)

FEMALE RAPPER WANTED for upcoming CD to be released soon for established band, The Midnight Soul Rockers. Call for more info Larry (631) 532-7832 or Kenny Max (631) 578-7877. (1331)

MALE ROCK SINGER WANTED Rehearsal Studio in Wading River, NY (516) 769-5054 (1339-1340)

BASSIST WANTED Classic Rock and Blues, +50 Studio Play Only (631) 462-5987 (1339-1341)

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CLASSIC ROCK

JUDAS PRIEST SAD WINGS OF DESTINY

March 26, 2026, marks the 50th anniversary of Sad Wings of Destiny in the US (March 23rd in the UK)— the landmark 1976 album that helped define the sound and ambition of heavy metal. Widely regarded as one of the most influential records in the genre’s history, it continues to inspire generations of musicians and fans five decades after its release.

Originally issued in March 1976, Sad Wings of Destiny captured Judas Priest at a pivotal moment, showcasing a dramatic leap in songwriting, musicianship, and sonic identity.

Featuring iconic tracks including “Victim of Changes,”“The Ripper,”“Tyrant,” and “Dreamer Deceiver,” the album set a new standard for blending progressive structure with pure metal intensity. With its twin-guitar attack, soaring vocals, and ambitious compositions, Sad Wings of Destiny became a blueprint for heavy metal’s evolution and remains one of its most important recordings.

To commemorate the golden anniversary, Exciter Records will release special editions of Sad Wings of Destiny currently in production to celebrate its enduring legacy.

CARMINE APPICE AND CACTUS ALL-STAR ALBUM OUT

It’s been two years since drum legend Carmine Appice and his reformed Cactus— singer Ed Terry, guitarist Artie Dillon, bassist James Caputo–first unbarred the doors to the Temple Of Blues–a 15-track slab of head-banging, hipswinging heavy blues rock whose subtitle, Influences And Friends, roped in a host of special guests, all of whom held the band very close to their hearts.

Now the Temple opens again with its sequel, Temple Of Blues II, out April 3 via Cleopatra Records. This time there’s an all-star aggregation that recalls Ted Nugent, Billy Sheehan, Bumblefoot, Dee Snider, and Pat Travers from volume one, alongside an all-new wave of heavy hitters including Steve Morse (Deep Purple), Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple), Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot), Alex Skolnick (Testament), and a whole lot more!

KOOL AND THE GANG’S LIVE AT P.J.’S

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MoFi), announced the first-ever audiophile vinyl release of Kool and the Gang’s exhilarating 1971 album, Live at P.J.’s.

It arrived March 20, the album is available for order at mofi.com as a numbered-edition 180g 33RPM LP limited to 2,000 copies. Sourced from the original analog master tapes (1/4” / 15 IPS analog master to DSD 256 to analog console to lathe), the record is pressed at Fidelity Record Pressing and housed in a premium Stoughton gatefold jacket. Make it funky. Kool and the Gang do that and much more on Live at P.J.’s, a freewheeling concert album that preceded the resurgent soul-jazz movement by decades. Recorded at the Hollywood, CA, club on a late-May Saturday night in 1971, the wordless set demonstrates the boundless diversity and virtuosity of the septet—Robert “Kool” Bell, Ronald Bell, George Brown, Claydes Smith, Robert Mickens, Dennis Thomas, and Ricky West.

METAL

“NUKEM “INTO THE KILL ZONE” California has always been fertile ground for thrash metal, leading the charge with some of the genre’s most legendary acts. San Diego’s NUKEM follows in the footsteps of thrash metal’s founding fathers, producing the kind of time-tested, neck-breaking thrash that invokes deep nostalgia while still sounding fresh and modern.

The thrashers are now launching the latest aural assault from the offering, “Into the Kill Zone,” which features a guest solo by DEATH ANGEL shredder Rob Cavestany.

The track is taken from the band’s forthcoming sophomore full-length, ‘The Grave Remains,’ out on April 10, 2026 via Redefining Darkness.

SWEDISH MELODIC METALLERS REXORIA

Swedish melodic heavy metal force REXORIA announced their new studio album, ’Fallen Dimension,’set for release on May 8th via Sound Pollution/ Black Lodge Records.

With their upcoming fourth studio album, REXORIA returns with their signature Royal Metal sound, delivering towering choruses, vivid storytelling, emotional depth, and raw, commanding vocals. The follow-up to the acclaimed ‘Imperial Dawn,’ also released via Black Lodge Records, the band takes a bold and focused step forward.

A standout element of the record is its two exclusive duets, featuring guest performances from Mike Andersson (Tungsten) and Johnny Gioeli (Axel Rudi Pell/Hardline), adding further depth and dynamic range.

Mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren (Sabaton, Bloodbound, Raubtier, Dynazty), ‘Fallen Dimension’ features 11 powerful tracks that capture the band’s evolved identity and sharpened musical vision.

DEVIL’S CUT DEBUT ALBUM ‘ROADKILL’

DEVIL’S CUT harness anthemic metalcore and authentic country imagery with melody to massive effect throughout their debut album, ROADKILL, due out April 24 on MNRK Heavy.

As evidenced by the release of the title track, “Roadkill,” which infectiously fuses a little bit of country with a little bit of hard rock & roll. They describe the track as “a TikTok-targeted relationship song that leans into resurgent ‘dad rock’ with a youthful vengeance.”

It’s available now on all digital outlets.The song is the follow-up to the album’s first single and album opener, the fist-pumpin’ “Drink With The Devil,” which was released February 10 on all digital outlets. A video for the song can be seen on the band’s official YouTube page.

Produced by Evan McKeever (Miranda Lambert, Starset), ROADKILL delivers rowdy party anthems and heart worn laments completed by singer Trey Landrum’s lived-in timbre, distinguished by his innate country cadence and everyman lyrics. Listen carefully and there’s lap steel, mandolin, and banjo in there, but as tastefully morphed, almost subliminal samples that help set DEVIL’S CUT apart.

Photo by Jonas-Livh

BITS & PIECES

DIPLO’S RUN CLUB RETURNS

Grammy-winning artist, producer and DJ Diplo unveiled dates for the highly anticipated 2026-2027 season of Diplo’s Run Club. “The last two years of Diplo’s Run Club have been so amazing and I’m stoked to bring it back for season three,” says Diplo. “Music and fitness are such large parts of my life— it’s very special for me to be able to share both of those things with my fans together in one event. We had a hundred thousand people run and party with me last year; I can’t wait to do it with even more people this time around.”

Diplo’s Run Club takes runners on a 5K through urban centers, followed by a mini music festival featuring performances from Diplo and friends. From iconic stadiums and waterfront parks to historic venues and city landmarks, each stop delivers a one-of-a-kind event. Prioritizing health and wellness for runners, Diplo’s Run Club also provides unique health activations at each run. Each event features partner-led giveaways and experiences—from foot massages to strength testing games and more—presented by brands in various wellness categories such as footwear, athletic wear, supplements, energy drinks and cross-training.

It takes place locally on October 24th in Queens. Info: https://diplosrunclub.com/

THE DANDY WARHOLS SHARE PIN UPS

The Dandy Warhols return with PIN UPS, a sprawling, shape-shifting collection of covers that pays homage to the songs and artists that helped define their sound - and their story.The album stitches together rare cuts, tribute contributions, B-sides, and long-shelved recordings into a cohesive, freewheeling journey - one that feels as much like a mixtape of obsessions as it does a proper studio album. Inspired by David Bowie’s 1973 album of the same name, PIN UPS reimagines songs by The Cure, Gang of Four, The Clash, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Runaways, The Byrds, The Damned, and more. It’s both a tribute and a transformation: a lovingly assembled set of reinterpretations spanning decades, genres, and influences, filtered through the band’s unmistakable psychedelic cool.

The Dandy Warhols are Courtney Taylor-Taylor (vocals, guitar), Peter G. Holmström (guitar, keyboards), Zia McCabe (keyboard, bass, percussion), and Brent DeBoer (drums, backing vocals). PIN UPS is available on vinyl, CD, and digital formats via Beat The World Records / Little Cloud Records.

FIFA WORLD CUP 2026™ ALBUM

The official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Album rollout begins with the global release of “Lighter” by Jelly Roll and Carín León, produced by Cirkut, via Def Jam Recordings.“Lighter” marks the first chapter of a groundbreaking album created for the most inclusive FIFA World Cup™ in history. A collaboration between three defining artists from the tournament’s host nations – Jelly Roll (United States), Carín León (Mexico), and Cirkut (Canada), the 2026 GRAMMY® Award Winner for Producer of the Year – “Lighter” brings together the three host countries through one collaborative sound. Blending Jelly Roll’s country roots with Carín León’s regional Mexican influence, the track bridges genres, reflecting the shared cultural energy of North America and the global passion of the game.

“The FIFA World Cup is one of the rare moments when the entire world moves to the same rhythm,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “The Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album is not simply a musical accompaniment to the tournament; it’s a statement about where the global game is going. By bringing together artists whose voices resonate across continents, we are creating something that mirrors the scale, ambition and cultural impact of this historic competition.

FOO FIGHTERS “CAUGHT IN THE ECHO”

“Caught In The Echo,” the third song to be released in advance of Foo Fighters’ forthcoming 12th full-length studio album, Your Favorite Toy, is now available across digital platforms.

Following in the turbulent wake of the album’s postpone-tinged banger of a title track — described by THE NEW YORK TIMES as “back-to-basics garage-rock delivered in a welter of noisy guitars” and moving VICE to rave “Unhinged Dave Grohl is my favorite version of Dave Grohl” — “Caught In The Echo” is the instantly combustible opener that sets the tone for the harnessing of the FF live fury that pervades the album. From its opening exhortation of “Do I? Do I? Do I? Do I?” to its closing plea of “Who can save us now?”,“Caught In The Echo” foreshadows the new album’s rough hewn energy with arguably the band’s most explosive opener since Wasting Light’s “Bridge Burning.”

Your Favorite Toy will be released April 24th via Roswell Records/RCA Records. Recorded at home, the album was co-produced by Foo Fighters and Oliver Roman, engineered by Oliver Roman and mixed by Mark “Spike” Stent: For info on the rock ’n’ roll stadium tour of the summer https://foofighters.lnk. to/ShowsPR

STITCHED UP HEART RELEASE “CANNIBAL”

Los Angeles rock band Stitched Up Heart have unleashed their new single “Cannibal,” featuring Heidi Shepherd of Butcher Babies, out now via Judge & Jury Records. The track is a powerful collaboration between two incredible women in modern heavy music. Alecia ‘Mixi’ Demner and Heidi Shepherd deliver a fierce vocal performance that celebrates strength, attitude, and the unapologetic presence of women in the rock and metal scene.The single arrives alongside a brand new music video, capturing the electrifying chemistry between Mixi and Heidi as the two powerhouse vocalists.

“‘CANNIBAL’ is a song for the man-eaters; to all of the baddies stealing hearts and eating them for breakfast,” says Mixi.

In 2025, the band inked a deal with Judge and Jury Records and their fourth full-length album Medusa will be available on June 12. The band is currently on tour with Sebastian Bach and will be out supporting Infected Rain this summer.