WBRZ - Baton Rouge

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• Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert at country fest

  May 24, 2013 2:40 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The sounds of country music take over the City of Baton Rouge as the Bayou Country Superfest brings some of the genre's biggest names to LSU's Tiger Stadium for a Memorial Day holiday jamfest. Headlining Saturday are Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker and Aaron Lewis, the... more »

• Jazz Fest includes Native American music

  May 2, 2013 12:03 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Mixed in among the jazz, Cajun, blues and zydeco flowing from the stages here are the singing, chanting and drumming of Native American acts featuring dancers donned in colorful feathers and fringe. Louisiana Native Americans have long been represented at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival,... more »

• Rapper known as "Mac Daddy" dead at 34

  May 1, 2013 10:01 PM

  ATLANTA- Chris Kelly, known as "Mac Daddy," and a member of the 90s rap duo Kriss Cross, died Wednesday night. An investigator with the Fulton County Medical Examiner's office said the 34-year-old was pronounced dead at a hospital in Atlanta. Authorities said they are unsure of Kelly's cause of... more »

• Young musicians cling to Cajun, zydeco traditions

  April 26, 2013 12:27 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Members of the Cajun band T'Monde are young, but they like their music old. The band of 20-somethings opened the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on Friday with century-old, fiddle-heavy Cajun tunes. As music fans wielding folding chairs and umbrellas filed through the gates of the... more »

• George Jones, country superstar, has died at 81

  April 26, 2013 10:35 AM

  NASHVILLE, Tenn. - George Jones, the peerless, hard-living country singer who recorded dozens of hits about good times and regrets and peaked with the heartbreaking classic "He Stopped Loving Her Today," has died. He was 81. Publicist Kirt Webster says Jones died Friday at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville... more »

• Essence releases headliners for 2013 fest

  April 5, 2013 9:47 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - More details about the 2013 Essence Festival have been released, giving fans another look at the talent in store for the music and cultural celebration. Organizers say the festival opens Friday, July 5, with R&B powerhouses Jill Scott and Maxwell as well as rapper LL Cool J... more »

• Buku music fest back with bigger lineup

  March 7, 2013 8:58 AM

  NEW ORLEANS- Hip-hop singer Big Freedia and an entourage of booty-shaking "bounce" dancers are using a Mardi Gras float for a stage when the Buku music festival returns to New Orleans this weekend. The two-day Buku Music + Art Project, a hip-hop and electronic dance music festival launched last year,... more »

• Private funeral for Mindy McCready

  February 22, 2013 11:15 AM

  NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Country star Mindy McCready's funeral has been scheduled for Tuesday in her hometown of Fort Myers, Fla. The funeral will be private. A memorial organized by friends and the music community is tentatively scheduled for March 6 at Cathedral of the Incarnation. McCready committed suicide Sunday at... more »

• OneRepublic & Matchbox Twenty perform at SB

  January 28, 2013 10:54 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Multi-platinum rock bands OneRepublic and Matchbox Twenty will be performing as part of the Super Bowl XLVII pregame show in New Orleans Sunday. The two groups will perform at the NFL Tailgate Party. Beyonce will perform in the halftime show and Alicia Keys will sing the national... more »

• Billy Joel, Fleetwood Mac to headline Jazz Fest

  January 17, 2013 10:39 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Billy Joel, Maroon 5, Willie Nelson, Fleetwood Mac and Daryl Hall and John Oates are among the acts headlining this year's New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The outdoor spring music festival spans seven days over two weekends and features hundreds of Louisiana artists in such genres... more »

• Music City, Sun, Liberty and Chick-fil-A today

  December 31, 2012 10:39 AM

  Four bowl games are whetting college football fans' appetite for the New Year's Day bowl extravaganza. First up is the Music City Bowl in Nashville where Vanderbilt is rated about a touchdown favorite over N.C. State. Vandy is trying for its first nine-victory season since 1915. The 8-4 Commodores... more »

• Miss. student challenges suspension over rap song

  December 4, 2012 8:46 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - A Mississippi student was exercising his free speech rights when he posted a rap song online that criticized two coaches whom he accused of misconduct toward female students, his attorneys have told a federal appeals court. However, school officials in Itawamba County, Miss., say Taylor Bell... more »

• Beach Boys to headline free pre-bowl concert

  November 30, 2012 10:44 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Beach Boys and English rock band Bad Company are headlining a free concert the night before next month's New Orleans Bowl game. It'll be The Beach Boys' second show in New Orleans this year. The "Good Vibrations" Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band performed at... more »

• Lineup announced for 2013 Bayou Country Superfest

  November 27, 2012 10:47 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Organizers of the fourth Bayou Country Superfest released the lineup of musicians scheduled to cross Baton Rouge stages next year. The list includes Lady Antebellum, the Zac Brown Band, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker, The Band Perry, and other big-name groups. The two-day country... more »

• Trumpet auction to benefit 'Satchmo' music fest

  November 14, 2012 10:13 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Trumpet-maker Jason Harrelson says he's donating one of the best trumpets he's ever made to benefit a festival honoring the artist who sparked his passion for the instrument - Louis Armstrong. Harrelson's specially made brass "Satchmo" trumpet has a fleur-de-lis mouthpiece and transcription of the musical score... more »

• Voodoo festival opens in New Orleans

  October 26, 2012 9:33 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Neil Young and Crazy Horse, the Avett Brothers and funk bassist Bootsy Collins are opening the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience in New Orleans. The three-day festival begins Friday at City Park, and for the first time overnight tent camping will be available by reservation to... more »

• Going gaga over a doll

  July 25, 2012 8:04 PM

  Singer Lady Gaga was sued by a toy company over a deal to make a doll in her likeness that plays snippets of her music. MGA Entertainment contends it paid a $1 million advance to Gaga's merchandising company and spent lots more to meet deadlines to ship the dolls this... more »

• BRAVE effort also aiming to reach kids in BR through rap

  June 22, 2012 10:29 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Rappers in Baton Rouge are being targeted to sing a new tune. It's the latest attempt to stop violence in Baton Rouge. Police say they know the area's youth need guidance and a lot of them are interested in music. So they want to get kids'... more »

• Chris Brown, Drake brawl in NYC nightclub

  June 14, 2012 10:56 AM

  NEW YORK- New York City police are investigating an early morning Manhattan bar brawl involving hip hop stars Drake and Chris Brown. Police say five people were injured in the fight at club W.I.P. early Thursday morning, where people from both entourages were tossing bottles. Police say the injuries were... more »

• Bayou Country Superfest kicking off, click to view lineup

  May 25, 2012 11:15 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Organizers with the Bayou Country Superfest gathered today to kick off the Memorial Day weekend event. The two-day country music festival runs Saturday and Sunday at LSU's Tiger Stadium. This year's headliners include Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts. Events start Saturday with the... more »

• Donna Summer, Queen of Disco, dies at 63

  May 17, 2012 11:04 AM

  NEW YORK (AP) - Disco queen Donna Summer, whose pulsing anthems such as "Last Dance," ''Love to Love You Baby" and "Bad Girls" became the soundtrack for a glittery age of sex, drugs, dance and flashy clothes, has died. She was 63. Her family released a statement Thursday saying Summer... more »

• In a musical city, a plea to turn down the volume

  March 23, 2012 9:51 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Like the architecture that gives the French Quarter an ambiance of a by-gone era, music is a treasured part of its culture. A thriving club scene is an essential part of the city's tourism-based economy. But there is more to the French Quarter than Bourbon Street. The... more »

• LSU School of Music names director

  March 14, 2012 4:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Stephen David Beck, current Haymon Professor of Composition and Computer Music at LSU, has been named as the school's new director effective July 1st. Beck received his Ph.D. in music composition and theory from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1988. His current research includes sound... more »

• New Orleans tackles noise issue

  February 29, 2012 3:46 PM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - An acoustics expert hired by some New Orleans residents says sound from music clubs in some neighborhoods - particularly the French Quarter - regularly exceeds legal noise limits. The report from Houston-based CSTI Acoustics shows excessive noise even in a mostly residential area of the quarter,... more »

• TMZ: Monkees singer Davy Jones dead

  February 29, 2012 12:02 PM

  According to TMZ, the lead singer of The Monkees, Davy Jones, has died. TMZ reports Jones suffered a heart attack. Jones is survived by his wife Jessica and 4 daughters from previous marriages. He was 66-years-old. Jones' last performance was on Feb. 19 in Oklahoma, the night... more »

• Google opens music store to US, challenge to Apple

  November 16, 2011 4:49 PM

  LOS ANGELES - Google is unveiling its much-anticipated digital music store as it opens a new front in its battle with Apple to provide services over mobile devices. For the first time, Google will sell songs on the Android Market, its online store for apps, movies and books. ... more »

• Essence Fest draws more than 422,000 attendees

  July 5, 2011 5:05 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - More than 422,000 people took part in the 2011 Essence Music Festival held over the Fourth of July weekend in New Orleans. For three days, thousands gathered for nightly concerts inside the Louisiana Superdome and free daily empowerment and community-based events at the city's convention center... more »

• LSU picks director of conducting, wind ensembles

  June 25, 2011 10:29 AM

  BATON ROUGE- The LSU School of Music has named Donald McKinney director of wind ensembles and conducting. Laurence Kaptain, dean of the LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts, said McKinney's selection came after a two-year search by a committee made up of LSU alumni, faculty and an undergraduate... more »

• Country fans disappointed at crowd size

  May 29, 2011 5:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE- As the city's largest music festival winds down country music fans are already disappointed in the turnout compared to last year. "Not as many people, it's not as successful as last year, it's gonna be fun, I can't wait to see Kenny Chesney, but I don't think... more »

• Lack of local money puts Superfest's future in question

  May 27, 2011 3:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A lack of local money could make this the last year the Bayou Country Superfest is in Baton Rouge. The Parish Metro Council voted not to include $300,000 in matching funds for the festival in this year's budget. Today, festival director Quint Davis told News... more »

• Southern "Funk Factory" returns from Africa

  March 3, 2011 5:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Southern University drum line recounted their ten day trip to Northern Africa earlier this year at a presentation on campus today. The group, affectionately known as the 'Funk Factory,' traveled through Algeria and Morocco playing music. "It showed me how to look at life differently and... more »

• Annual powwow begins at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center

  November 27, 2010 2:01 PM

  GONZALES – Members of Native American tribes across the state gathered to kick off their annual celebration of traditional arts and culture today in Gonzales. The Louisiana Indian Heritage Association is putting on its 44th Fall Powwow at the center this weekend. The event includes traditional dancing, crafts and demonstrations,... more »

• Apple says iTunes will sell music from Beatles

  November 16, 2010 9:07 AM

  CUPERTINO - The Beatles are finally coming to iTunes. The Beatles have so far been the most prominent holdout from iTunes and other online music services. Apple Corps Ltd., which manages the band's affairs, had resisted. The situation was exacerbated by a long-running trademark dispute between Apple Inc. and Apple... more »

• Essence Fest producer resigns after arrest

  November 13, 2010 2:23 PM

  NEW ORLEANS, La. - Essence Communications says that Stephen Rehage has stepped down as producer of the 2011 Essence Music Festival to focus on allegations against him. Rehage is free on $10,000 bond after being booked Nov. 5 on one count of simple rape. The Times-Picayune reports that the statement... more »

• Music festival producer arrested on rape charges

  November 5, 2010 1:19 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A man who produces two of New Orleans' largest music festivals has been arrested on a rape charge. Stephen Rehage, founder and producer of Voodoo Fest and producer of the Essence Music Festival, surrendered to police on Friday. A magistrate set his bond at $10,000. The Times-Picayune... more »

• Baton Rouge officials want Superfest encore

  August 27, 2010 6:33 AM

  The Baton Rouge Convention and Visitors Bureau executive committee has approved a resolution aimed at repeating Bayou Country Superfest next year. The panel's resolution gives bureau president Paul Arrigo and board chairman Claude Reynaud authority to conduct negotiations for the 2011 Superfest with Festival Productions Inc., the promoters of the... more »

• David St. Romain concert

  July 29, 2010 6:15 AM

  David St. Romain has a new album out. He sat down with Whitney Vann to discuss his new music. David St. Romain Show Cadillac Rock 'n' Country Saloon - LaPlace Friday, July 30th 10:00 p.m. more »

• Bayou Country Superfest 2011

  July 16, 2010 11:27 AM

  Baton Rouge officials want to make sure Bayou Country Superfest comes back next year. The Area Convention & Visitors Commission's committee wants to put up $300,000 to sponsor it. This year's even drew more than 85,000 people to LSU's Tiger Stadium over the Memorial Day weekend and brought... more »

• Visitors panel urges support for Country Superfest

  July 16, 2010 6:47 AM

  The Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visitors Commission's executive committee has recommended that the agency put up $300,000 to sponsor Bayou Country Superfest again next year. Paul Arrigo, the president and chief executive officer of the visitors bureau, says producers need commitments for local participation so they can move forward... more »

• LSU reveals proposal to cut jobs, research, scholarships

  July 13, 2010 10:30 PM

  LSU laid out its worst case scenario in anticipation of more budget cuts. The plan calls for canning more than 250 jobs on the Baton Rouge campus, and that doesn't include faculty positions yet. The proposal is for the 2011 school year. The LSU system expects to lose more... more »

• Legendary record shop shutting down

  July 6, 2010 10:26 PM

  A legend in the Scotlandville area is the latest victim of the struggling economy. Bowie's record shop will close Saturday after 37 years of business. It's been a favorite for Southern University students and others in the community, who are saddened but supportive of the owner's decision. Owner... more »

• 2010 Voodoo Festival lineup

  June 17, 2010 7:38 AM

  Ozzy Osbourne tops the list of performers announced for the 2010 Voodoo Experience in New Orleans October 29-31. He'll join Muse, MGMT, Weezer, Drake, Metric, Paul Oakenfold, the Eagles of Death Metal, Cage the Elephant, Minus the Bear, Janelle Monae, Street Sweeper Social Club and dozens of New Orleans musicians... more »

• Imagination Movers' free concert to air on Disney

  May 12, 2010 5:18 AM

  Hometown fans of the Imagination Movers will get the chance to see them at a free concert next month that will be broadcast on the Disney Channel for the group's first-ever television special. Officials say tickets for the June 6 event at Lakefront Arena were distributed last Saturday in under... more »

• Baton Rouge Blues Festival brings unique sounds to city

  April 24, 2010 3:29 PM

  The 2010 Baton Rouge Blues Festival kicked off today at noon despite the threat of dismal weather. The free festival welcomed a Grammy nominee and some other famous names to the stage. Playing this years line up include: 2009 Grammy nominee Ruthie Foster; Chris Thomas King; Tony Joe White; Sonny... more »

• 2010 Jazz Fest starts today

  April 23, 2010 5:36 AM

  Lionel Richie, The Black Crowes, Dr. John and the Lower 911, Baaba Maal from Senagal and Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas are among the performers Friday at the first day of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The festival is made up of more than 80 percent Louisiana artists... more »

• Lafayette gets ready for annual festival

  April 19, 2010 7:59 AM

  Lafayette is getting ready for the annual Festival International de Louisiana which returns to downtown Thursday through Sunday. There will be an increased focus on children's activities Saturday and Sunday. New technology will also help you keep up with this year's musical lineup with a free Festival International iPhone application. more »

• Xavier hosts an early jazz fest

  April 8, 2010 6:34 AM

  The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is weeks away, but Xavier University in New Orleans will get an early start with a Jazz Festival of its own starting April 22. The university said in a news release Wednesday that the three-day event will feature performances by well known New... more »

• Janet Jackson to perform at Essence Festival

  March 30, 2010 7:05 AM

  Janet Jackson will perform at this summer's Essence Music Festival. The festival lineup already includes Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys. The appearance will be Jackson's first full performance since her 2008 concert at Madison Square Garden in New York. The festival will be held in New Orleans July 2,... more »

• Loyola professor to take instruments to Haiti

  March 3, 2010 5:35 AM

  Hatiti native and professor Jean Montes along with students and volunteers will soon deliver musical instruments to the earthquake-devastated Holy Trinity School of Music. The group, with the support of the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra, is organizing a massive effort to collect musical instruments from individuals who no longer... more »

• Renowned clarinetist to perform with LPO

  February 23, 2010 5:12 AM

  Nine-time Grammy-winning clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera is heading to New Orleans next month to perform with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. The Cuban-born clarinetist will join the LPO for Fiesta Sinfonica on March 6 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. The concert will be the third of five annual Fiesta Sinfonica concerts underwritten... more »

• Simon and Garfunkel to perform at Jazz Fest

  January 13, 2010 6:04 AM

  Simon and Garfunkel have been added to the lineup for this year's New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The singing-songwriting duo of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel will join the previously announced Jazz Fest lineup that includes Pearl Jam, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, The Neville Brothers, Lionel Richie, the Allman... more »

• Mary J. Blige to headline 2010 Essence Fest

  January 12, 2010 11:30 AM

  R&B singer Mary J. Blige will headline this year's Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, which is slated for July 2-4. The full lineup has not been released, but as has been the case in the past, musical acts will perform at the Louisiana Superdome. Besides Blige and... more »

• 2 Your Health for Dec. 30

  December 30, 2009 5:48 PM

  The link between childhood obesity and periodontal disease and how music therapy helps people with a hearing disorder are discussed in this 2 Your Health report. more »

• Tickets on sale today for Bayou Country Superfest

  November 5, 2009 9:13 AM

  Tickets for the Bayou Country Superfest in Baton Rouge go on sale Thursday, November 5 at 10:00 a.m. The music lineup for the inaugural event to be held Memorial Day Weekend 2010 at LSU's Tiger Stadium include superstars, such as Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, and Brooks &... more »

• Chris Thomas King sings the blues

  October 6, 2009 9:07 AM

  This morning Chris Thomas King sang the blues on 2une In. He joined John Pastorek with his guitar talking about his upcoming show at the Manship Theatre. more »