OK GO’S DAMIAN KULASH SAYS HE’S RECOVERING FROM COVID-19
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Singer Damian Kulash (KOO’-lahsh) of OK Go says he had the coronavirus early, when only six people in California were known to have it. Kulash says in an open letter to fans his symptoms lasted “forever” and it was “genuinely scary for a day and a half.” He says his wife, Kristin, had a tougher time, with breathing problems for a long stretch. She has made a full recovery. Kulash says the nightly cheer in Los Angeles for frontline workers inspired OK Go to record a new song called “All Together Now.” All donations from the song through the OK Go website will go to the nonprofit group Partners in Health. The download of the song is bundled with coloring pages of scenes from the video. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.
DR. LUKE HAS ANOTHER HIT WITH “SAY SO”
NEW YORK (AP) - Despite all of producer Dr. Luke’s legal troubles, he’s back at the top of the pop charts. He produced and co-wrote the song “Say So” by Doja Cat, which Nicki Minaj remixed. He did it under a different name, though -- Trevor Trax. Dr. Luke had produced a string of hits, including Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” and Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” but he ran into legal troubles when Kesha (KESH’-ah) accused him six years ago of sexually assaulting her in 2005. He has denied the allegations. Their lawsuits against each other are still making their way through the courts.
COMMON CALLS FOR PRISONER RELEASE DURING PANDEMIC
NEW YORK (AP) - Common’s criminal justice reform group Imagine Justice has joined with other advocacy groups in a campaign to draw attention to the threat of the coronavirus outbreak on prison populations. The (hashtag)WeMatterToo campaign urges authorities to release prisoners who have served most of their sentences, especially if they have health conditions that put them at greater risk of complications or death from the virus. Common says everyone has unanswered questions about the pandemic but being in prison “adds new levels to that questioning, because of the way that people have been treated in prison.”
MELISSA ETHERIDGE’S SON DIES
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Melissa Etheridge says her son Beckett Cypher has died. The singer released a statement saying opioid addiction was behind Cypher's death. It read in part, “Today I joined the hundreds of thousands of families who have lost loved ones to opioid addiction.” No further details on the death were revealed. Cypher is one of two children Etheridge had with her former partner Julie Cypher. He was conceived with sperm from Rock & Roll Hall of Famer David Crosby.
___
Sound:
123330-w-391:92-(Oscar Wells Gabriel, AP entertainment correspondent)-"I'm Oscar Wells Gabriel"-Melissa Etheridge's son dead of opioid addition (14 May 2020)
¤¤CUT ´123330 (05/14/20)££ 391:92 "I'm Oscar Wells Gabriel"
123315-r-284:40-(Sound of Melissa Etheridge performing 'Come to My Window')-"(music fades)"-Beckett Cypher, 21-year-old son of Melissa Etheridge, dies (14 May 2020)
¤¤CUT ´123315 (05/14/20)££ 284:40 "(music fades)"
123314-r-311:52-(Sound of Melissa Etheridge, performing 'I Need To Wake Up')-"(music fades)"-Beckett Cypher, 21-year-old son of Melissa Etheridge, dies (14 May 2020)
¤¤CUT ´123314 (05/14/20)££ 311:52 "(music fades)"
CASEY VAN BEEK OF THE TRACTORS RECALLS HIS EARLY DAYS
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Before bassist Casey Van Beek was in The Tractors, he played backup for acts like The Coasters and Roger Miller. Van Beek says he was in the house band for a club in Long Beach, California, in the 1960s that played for acts who did not tour with their own bands. He says after about a half an hour of cramming, he knew their sets. There was only one time he could not do it, though, and that was when Ike and Tina Turner came to town and their bassist didn’t show up. Van Beek says he could do most of their music except the song “River Deep - Mountain High,” because it was new and he had never heard it before. Van Beek has just released his first solo record, called “Heaven Forever.”
___
Sound:
123256-a-155:28-(Casey Van Beek, bassist formerly with The Tractors)-"wasn't too difficult"-The Tractors' Casey Van Beek recalls his beginnings (14 May 2020)
¤¤CUT ´123256 (05/14/20)££ 155:28 "wasn't too difficult"
123257-a-162:00-(Casey Van Beek, bassist formerly with The Tractors)-"that for sure"-The Tractors' Casey Van Beek recalls his beginnings (14 May 2020)
¤¤CUT ´123257 (05/14/20)££ 162:00 "that for sure"
123258-a-200:16-(Casey Van Beek, bassist formerly with The Tractors)-"even attempt that"-The Tractors' Casey Van Beek recalls his beginnings (14 May 2020)
¤¤CUT ´123258 (05/14/20)££ 200:16 "even attempt that"
MICHAEL JACKSON MUSICAL DELAYED
NEW YORK (AP) - The musical about Michael Jackson will not debut on Broadway until next year because of the coronavirus outbreak. Performances of “MJ” will begin in March 2021. Preview performances had been scheduled to start July 6. Broadway producers have not announced when theaters will reopen, but refunds are being given for shows through Sept. 6.
KEVIN JONAS APPEARS ON “REGULAR HEROES”
NEW YORK (AP) - Kevin Jonas will make a guest appearance on the Amazon docuseries “Regular Heroes.” The series follows everyday people who are making a difference during the coronavirus pandemic. Comedian Kevin Hart also will make an appearance. Jonas and Hart will offer words of encouragement and ask for charitable donations. New episodes of “Regular Heroes” debut on Fridays through June 26.
by Margie Szaroleta