MUSIC NEWS: FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

MUSIC NEWS: FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

HEDLEY - RETURN TO STAGE

Embattled Canadian pop rockers Hedley returned to the stage in Brampton, Ontario, last night for the first in a final string of concerts before going on an ``indefinite hiatus.'' The two-time Juno winners and former MuchMusic darlings released a joint statement late Wednesday in the wake of unrelenting pressure stemming from sexual misconduct allegations involving young fans. The last show on the band's current tour is scheduled for March 23rd in Kelowna, B-C.

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THOMAS RHETT - LIFE AFTER ACM NOMINATIONS

Thomas Rhett says he told his wife when he got six nominations for the Academy of Country Music Awards. He says her response was, ``Congrats, babe,'' then they went to change a diaper.

Chris Stapleton leads the A-C-M nominations with eight. He's up for entertainer of the year, along with Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan and Keith Urban. If Miranda Lambert wins even one award, she will break the tie with Brooks and Dunn as the artists with the most A-C-M Awards, currently at 29. She's nominated four times this year, including female vocalist of the year, an award she's won eight times in a row. The A-C-Ms are April 15th in Las Vegas and will air live on C-B-S.

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REBA McENTIRE - ACM AWARDS - HOST

Reba McEntire is back as host of the Academy of Country Music Awards. She has hosted or co-hosted the show more than anyone else. McEntire is also up for female vocalist of the year.

The A-C-Ms are April 15th in Las Vegas and will air live on C-B-S.

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OSCARS - COMPETITORS

Common says people look at him with songwriter Diane Warren and think of them as the ``odd couple.'' He tweets that's because people view them only at the surface, when what unites them is their love for music. Common and Diane Warren are expected to attend the Oscars on Sunday as their collaboration, ``Stand Up For Something'' from the movie ``Marshall,'' competes for best original song. Mary J. Blige says she's ``proud, honoured and ecstatic'' to perform the song she co-wrote with Raphael Saadiq and Taura Stinson, ``Mighty River'' from ``Mudbound,'' at the Oscars.

She's also up for best supporting actress for her role in the film.

The other nominated songs are ``Mystery of Love'' by Sufjan Stevens from ``Call Me By Your Name,'' ''Remember Me`` from ''Coco`` and ''This Is Me`` from ''The Greatest Showman.``

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RAPHAEL SAADIQ - ``MIGHTY RIVER'' - INSPIRATION

Raphael Saadiq had not seen ``Mudbound'' before he helped write the song ``Mighty River'' for it, but director John Singleton prepared him for things like that. Saadiq says Singleton would give him notes to films like ``Boyz n the Hood'' and ``Higher Learning'' but wouldn't let him see the films before writing music for them. Saadiq says all he knew about ``Mudbound'' was what co-writer Mary J. Blige told him. He says he wanted to write a song about a river because he loves gospel songs that mention them, as well as songs like ``Take Me To The River'' by Al Green or ``Down By The River'' by Neil Young. Saadiq, Blige and co-writer Taura Stinson are nominated for the best original song Oscar for ``Mighty River.''

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DURAN DURAN'S NICK RHODES - PREDICTS OSCARS WINNERS

Don't know who to pick to win the Oscars? You could always see who Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran is picking. Rhodes says he's been making Oscar predictions for years with band employee Katy

Krassner. She suggested about 10 years ago that they put their picks on the band's website and it's been a hit with fans.

Rhodes predicts ``Three Billboards Outside Hibbing, Missouri'' will win best picture. He's going with Guillermo Del Toro for best director. He thinks Frances McDormand, who he calls ``a treasure,''

will win best actress, and he says it will take ``some kind of bizarre international intervention'' for Gary Oldman not to win best actor. The Oscars are Sunday in Los Angeles.

NEW FOUND GLORY - BENEFIT CONCERT

New Found Glory says it's important to them to help the students and staff at the school in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were shot and killed two weeks ago, because it's their school, too. New Found Glory has issued a statement saying half the band went to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. New Found Glory will headline a benefit concert May 16th in Pompano Beach, with Chris Carraba of Dashboard Confessional and Ryan Key of Yellowcard also on the bill. Proceeds will benefit the Broward Education Foundation Victims' Fund. New Found Glory also will donate the proceeds from the sale of a T-shirt the band created that's inspired by the school.

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TWENTY ONE PILOTS' - ``BLURRYFACE'' - GOLD MILESTONE

The Twenty One Pilots album ``Blurryface'' has achieved a new digital-era milestone. The Recording Industry Association of America says it's the first album since the advent of digital sales and streams in which every track has been certified at least gold. The song ``Hometown'' was the last one to cross over into gold territory. The songs on the album that have gone platinum or multi-platinum are ``Fairly Local,'' ''Tear In My Heart,`` ''Ride`` and ''Stressed Out.``

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(The Associated Press)

Ronnie Prophet Passes Away

Dec. 26, 1937- Mar. 2, 2018

"Ronnie Prophet is the best one man show I've ever seen" - Chet Atkins

Ronald Lawrence Victor Prophet - country singer, musician and comedian, who charted 23 singles from 30 albums in a career that spanned 60 years, died with loving family and friends at his side on Friday, March 2 at age 80 following cardiac and kidney failure. Survived by his wife of 32 years, Glory Anne Carriere Prophet, sons Tony (Kitty) Prophet, Vancouver, BC, Jimmy (Emily) Prophet, Nashville, TN, step children Rhonda (Bill) Paisley, Nanaimo, BC, Warren (Lesa) Carriere, Regina, SK, Tamara Greer, Estevan, SK and 12 grandchildren - Justin, Joey, Jake and Patrick Prophet, Josh and Victoria Paisley, Meagan and Stephanie Carriere, and Brooklyn, Ryan and James Greer.

His longtime friend and Agent of 38 years Paul Mascioli commented "Ronnie was an international star who transcended all boundaries with his big heart and superb showmanship. He was a working man's entertainer and loved by people of all ages. We'll truly miss him but never forget him".

Steve Graham from Canada Country Aircheck writes: Back in the days when I would book entertainment for clients Ronnie was a name that always came up. Audiences loved him and he would pack every venue. Ronnie and I became friends and I remember flying with him to Nashville a few times, eating at Shoney's or just hangin out at his office on 16th Avenue and then we would meet out at the Fair Buyers Convention in Vegas. In life you get busy and we lost touch when Ronnie and Glory Anne opened their theatre in Branson. I miss those days working with Ronnie and he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Glory Anne and his family and friends. RIP Ronnie our thoughts are with you. He was an Entertainers Entertainer! Watch the video below.

The versatile Ronnie Prophet was not only a country music singer, but also a gifted impressionist, an entertaining storyteller, and an emcee. He was born in Calumet, Quebec, the youngest of three children. As a musician, he began playing square dances throughout the province. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1966, wintering in the Bahamas and performing at the Jack Tar Hotel. The Ronnie Prophet Waiting Room at St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis came about as a result of his performances and charity work with Danny Thomas, Perry Como and Frankie Valli. Soon he began playing at Boots Randolph's Carousel Club, in Nashville, which later became Ronnie Prophet's Carousel Club. In the early 1970s, he made his television debut on the long-running CBC series The Tommy Hunter Show. Eventually he had his own show, which ran until 1981. He next hosted Grand Old Country on the CTV network and the British series Ronnie Prophet Entertains. In 1975, Prophet made his recording debut when his first hit single "Sanctuary" made the Top 30 and was quickly followed by three more charted hits. Over the next 40 years he continued to appear on television and toured internationally throughout the United States, Canada, the UK, and New Zealand as well as with the USO in Europe. In 1997, he and his singing partner/wife Glory Anne moved to Branson, MO, and performed there in various theaters until their retirement in 2015, after which they settled down in sunny Tavares, FL.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Ronnie Prophet Memorial Fund.

Ronnie will be laid to rest at Avoca Cemetery near his farm home in Quebec.

Ronnie Prophet Awards and recognition