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🔴 Tickling The Ivories with Lefty Hathaway

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SEASON 11 • SINGER/SONGWRIER • FULL EPISODE

We welcome back singer/songwriter Lefty Hathaway for an intimate night of music, stories, and soul. Lefty returns with brand-new music to share, an upcoming show to promote, and more of the incredible journey that has shaped him as an artist.

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LATEST STORIES & CLIPS

Rapper Mystikal has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to third-degree rape in a 2022 Louisiana case.

Rapper Mystikal has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to third-degree rape in connection with a 2022 case in Louisiana.

Mystikal, whose legal name is Michael Lawrence Tyler, was originally charged with first-degree rape and several related offenses. The first-degree charge carried an automatic life sentence, but a plea agreement reduced the charge to third-degree rape and capped his sentence at 20 years.

Days before sentencing, his attorney attempted to withdraw the guilty plea, arguing that Mystikal had not been given enough time to consider its consequences. The judge rejected that request.

Mystikal previously pleaded guilty to sexual battery in 2003 and served six years in prison. He will be required to continue complying with sex-offender registration requirements following his release.

💬 Should an artist’s criminal conviction permanently change how their music is treated?

He had seen The Cure 30 times. Meeting Robert Smith still brought Olivia Rodrigo’s dad to tears. ❤️

Olivia Rodrigo has revealed the touching reaction her father had when she introduced him to The Cure frontman Robert Smith.

Rodrigo says her dad is a lifelong Cure superfan who has seen the legendary band perform 30 times. Although she described him as the normally tough and protective type, he reportedly became emotional when he finally met Smith—and now keeps a photograph of their meeting as his phone screensaver.

The moment came full circle after Rodrigo, who discovered The Cure through her parents, formed a friendship with Smith and recorded the duet “What’s Wrong With Me” with him for her album You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love.

💬 Which musician would make you emotional if you finally got to meet them?

Jelly Roll has filed for divorce from Bunnie Xo after nearly ten years—just months after emotionally thanking her from the Grammy stage. 💔

Jelly Roll has filed for divorce from his wife, Bunnie Xo, after nearly ten years of marriage.

Court records show that the country star, whose legal name is Jason DeFord, filed the divorce petition in Williamson County, Tennessee, on May 18, 2026.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo met in Las Vegas in 2015 and married in August 2016. They later renewed their vows in 2023.

The divorce news comes only months after the couple attended the 2026 Grammy Awards together. During his emotional acceptance speech, Jelly Roll thanked Bunnie and credited her with helping him transform his life.

Neither Jelly Roll nor Bunnie Xo has publicly explained the reason for the divorce.

💬 Did this split genuinely surprise you?

Rod Stewart canceled a concert because of laryngitis—then appeared at the World Cup the following day. Fair explanation, or bad optics? ⚽🎤

Rod Stewart is facing criticism after attending Scotland’s World Cup match shortly after canceling a concert in Chula Vista, California.

The singer’s team said doctors diagnosed him with an acute upper respiratory infection that resulted in laryngitis, leaving him unable to perform. Stewart later said that treatment had helped him feel better, but his voice had not recovered.

The following day, Stewart shared a video of himself flying to Boston with his sons before being photographed celebrating Scotland’s World Cup victory. Some disappointed fans questioned why he could travel to the match after canceling his concert at the last minute.

Laryngitis can severely affect a singer’s voice even when the person otherwise feels well enough to travel—but many fans still criticized the timing and appearance of the trip.

💬 Can someone be too sick to perform but still well enough to attend a sporting event?

Bonnie Tyler has awakened from a medically induced coma—but her team says the legendary singer remains seriously ill. ❤️

Bonnie Tyler has awakened from a medically induced coma following a serious medical emergency in Portugal.

The 75-year-old singer was reportedly hospitalized after suffering intense abdominal pain and underwent emergency surgery for a tear in her bowel. Complications from the surgery later led doctors to place her in a medically induced coma.

Tyler’s management says her condition is improving, although she remains seriously ill and her recovery is expected to be slow. Her scheduled concerts through the end of August have been canceled.

Bonnie Tyler is best known for classic hits including “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” “It’s a Heartache,” and “Holding Out for a Hero.”

Oliver Tree, the unmistakable artist behind “Life Goes On,” “Miss You,” and “Alien Boy,” has died at just 32 after a mid-air helicopter collision in Brazil. 💔

American musician and internet personality Oliver Tree has died at the age of 32 following a mid-air helicopter collision in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Authorities say two helicopters collided on June 14, 2026, killing all six people aboard. Tree had been in Brazil while touring. An investigation into the cause of the collision is underway.

Oliver Tree became known around the world through viral songs including “Life Goes On,” “Miss You,” “Alien Boy,” “Hurt,” and “Let Me Down.” His distinctive bowl haircut, colorful outfits, surreal comedy, and genre-blending music made him one of the most recognizable artists to emerge during the internet era.

Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and fans of everyone who lost their lives in the crash.

💬 Which Oliver Tree song or video will you remember most?

Tim McGraw’s label thought this song could destroy his career. The audience told him something very different. 😳

Before Tim McGraw became one of country music’s biggest stars, his record label rejected the song that would eventually become his breakthrough hit.

McGraw wanted to include “Indian Outlaw” on his 1993 debut album, but executives reportedly considered the song too controversial and not country enough. After watching audiences respond enthusiastically when he performed it in clubs, McGraw continued fighting for the chance to record it.

The song was eventually released on his second album, Not a Moment Too Soon. It became McGraw’s first Top 10 country hit, went platinum, and helped create the momentum that launched his career.

The song has also faced criticism over its use of Native American stereotypes, concerns McGraw has acknowledged during his career.

💬 Have you ever succeeded at something everyone else told you would fail?

Fans searched for a hidden meaning in this bizarre lyric for decades. Tommy James says there wasn’t one. 😂

Tommy James has explained the unusual lyric “My dog Sam eats purple flowers” from his 1971 solo hit “Draggin’ the Line.”

Some listeners speculated that the strange line contained a hidden drug reference or deeper symbolic meaning. According to James, however, the explanation was much simpler: he merely wanted the words to rhyme.

“Draggin’ the Line” became James’s biggest solo hit, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later inspiring several cover versions, including one recorded by R.E.M.

💬 What song lyric have you spent years trying to understand?

Taylor Swift fans didn’t just shake the stadium—they registered on seismometers six kilometers away. 😳🌍

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concerts in Edinburgh created more than unforgettable memories—they produced measurable seismic activity.

During Swift’s three performances at Murrayfield Stadium from June 7–9, 2024, British Geological Survey monitoring stations detected ground movement as far as six kilometers from the venue. The strongest activity occurred during “…Ready for It?”, “Cruel Summer,” and the crowd reaction surrounding “champagne problems.”

The movement was far smaller than an actual earthquake, but it offered scientific proof that thousands of fans dancing together could quite literally shake the ground.

💬 What’s the loudest, wildest concert crowd you’ve ever experienced?

A trip to the bathroom accidentally created one of the greatest soul songs of all time 😂🚽🎶

"Hold On, I'm Comin'" by Sam & Dave became one of the most iconic soul songs of the 1960s—but its title came from an unexpectedly funny moment.

Songwriters Isaac Hayes and David Porter were working together when Porter stepped away for a bathroom break. An impatient Hayes called for him to return, and Porter shouted back, "Hold on, I'm comin'!" The phrase instantly sparked the idea for the now-classic song.

Released in 1966, the track became a defining hit for Sam & Dave and remains one of the greatest examples of Stax soul music.

💬 What is the funniest origin story behind a song you've ever heard?

Zac Brown says it's about patriotism, not politics. Do you agree? 🎸

Zac Brown is responding to criticism surrounding his upcoming appearance at UFC Freedom 250, an event being held on the White House lawn as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The country singer says his decision to perform the national anthem is about honoring troops and celebrating the country—not politics.

The appearance has sparked debate among fans and critics about whether musicians can participate in politically connected events while remaining apolitical.

💬 Can music and politics ever truly be separated?

He left town as a terrible guitarist… and returned so good that people thought the Devil taught him.

The story of Robert Johnson selling his soul to the devil at a crossroads is one of the most famous myths in music history. After disappearing from the Mississippi Delta blues scene for more than a year, Johnson returned with guitar skills so advanced that fellow musicians were stunned. While many believed dark forces were involved, historians point to intense study with guitarist Ike Zimmerman as the likely source of his incredible transformation. Johnson’s music would go on to influence generations of artists, including Eric Clapton and countless rock and blues legends.

💬 Do you believe some legends are too strange to be completely explained?

The first words his grandson ever spoke to him changed everything. ❤️

Billy Ray Cyrus has opened up about a near-fatal battle with sepsis that left him suffering from vocal paralysis and fearing he would never sing again. Doctors warned the country star to prepare for the worst, but a touching moment with his grandson Bear gave him the strength to keep going. Now, with support from his children Miley and Noah Cyrus, Billy Ray is preparing to release his new album The Hill.

What’s a moment or piece of advice that changed your life when you needed it most?

The Rolling Stones almost made the biggest mistake of their career. 😳

When The Rolling Stones recorded “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” in 1965, Keith Richards didn’t think it should even be released as a single. The song’s legendary fuzz guitar riff was originally intended as a placeholder for horns, but Mick Jagger and the band believed they had something special. “Satisfaction” went on to become the Stones’ first global No. 1 hit, though the band later lost the publishing rights to the song through their former manager Allan Klein’s ABKCO deal.

💬 What is the greatest rock song ever written?

For more than 30 years, country fans woke up to the same familiar voice. 💔

Bill Cody, the longtime voice of WSM Radio and a beloved announcer of the Grand Ole Opry, has passed away at the age of 67 after a battle with kidney and heart failure. For more than three decades, Cody welcomed country fans through his iconic Coffee, Country & Cody program and became a trusted voice in Nashville radio.

From interviewing legends like Charlie Daniels to supporting generations of country artists, Cody's warmth, humility, and passion for music left a lasting impact on listeners around the world.

"I know the endgame." Peter Frampton's response is inspiring. 💔🎸

Peter Frampton has spent more than six decades making music, but the legendary guitarist is now facing a rare degenerative muscle disease that affects his ability to play. Despite the diagnosis, Frampton remains optimistic, sharing a powerful message about kindness, resilience, and living in the moment. His response has inspired fans around the world.

What's the best life lesson you've learned from a difficult challenge?

The criticism stayed with her. The music outlived it.

One of the most debated stories in rock history involves Janis Joplin and an alleged remark attributed to Mick Jagger during her 1969 visit to England. While the exact quote remains disputed, accounts suggest the comment hurt Joplin deeply. What makes the story fascinating is that Janis never hid the Black blues artists who inspired her music. She frequently credited legends like Bessie Smith, Big Mama Thornton, and Etta James, and even helped fund a headstone for Bessie Smith’s unmarked grave. Whether the quote is fact or folklore, the story highlights the complicated conversations around influence, authenticity, and respect in rock music.

💬 What's the best way to respond when someone doubts you?

After five marriages, she finally found the love she'd been searching for. ❤️

Country music star Lorrie Morgan experienced her share of heartbreak before finding lasting happiness with Randy White. The couple married in 2010 and built a loving partnership that lasted until Randy’s passing from mouth cancer in 2025. After five previous marriages, Morgan often described White as her rock and the love she had been searching for. Their story remains one of country music’s most touching real-life romances.

💬 Do you believe it's never too late to find the love of your life?

You've probably heard his music... even if you've never heard his name. 💔

Steelpan pioneer Robert Greenidge has passed away at age 76. Born in Laventille, Trinidad, Greenidge began playing pan at age eight and went on to become one of the most influential steelpan musicians ever. After representing Trinidad and Tobago internationally as a teenager, he built a remarkable career performing and recording with artists including Jimmy Buffett, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Ringo Starr, Carly Simon, Robert Palmer, Steve Perry, Earth, Wind & Fire, Grover Washington Jr., and Taj Mahal. He was also a celebrated composer and arranger, leading Desperadoes Steel Orchestra to Panorama victories in 1991 and 1994 with his own compositions. His lifelong dedication to the steelpan helped elevate the instrument onto the world stage and inspired generations of musicians around the globe.

💬 What is your favorite Robert Greenidge performance or collaboration?

If you think you know Mariah Carey, this story might surprise you.

In 1995, while Mariah Carey was dominating pop radio, she secretly helped create an alternative rock project called Chick. The band released one album, Someone’s Ugly Daughter, with Mariah contributing as a writer and background vocalist under the name “D. Sue.” Inspired by the grunge and alternative rock scene of the era, the project was kept quiet due to concerns from her record label. Today, it remains one of the most surprising hidden chapters in Mariah Carey’s career.

💬 Did you know Mariah Carey had a secret grunge project?

70,000 people showed up. By the end, many wanted their money back.

Kanye West’s return to the stage in Shanghai sparked controversy after fans reported delays, technical problems, and lengthy periods where the rapper was absent from the stage. Videos circulating online showed audience members chanting for refunds during the show. The concert, attended by approximately 70,000 fans, marked one of Kanye’s first major live performances since 2024. Reactions online have been sharply divided, with some defending the artist while others criticized the overall experience.

💬 Would you ask for a refund after a concert like this? Let us know in the comments.

Imagine paying for concert tickets... and not being allowed to touch your phone all night. 📵

Phoebe Bridgers is taking a bold approach to live music in 2026. Her upcoming Lost Tour will be completely phone-free, with concertgoers required to lock away phones, smartwatches, and other devices in Yondr pouches throughout the performance. The tour marks Bridgers' first full-band outing since 2023 and follows a series of surprise acoustic shows across the United States. Support acts include Alex G in North America and Isaac Wood in the UK and Europe. The move has sparked debate among fans about whether concerts are better with or without phones.

💬 Would you attend a phone-free concert? Let us know in the comments!

One DJ ignored the record label... and accidentally made music history.

One of the greatest classic rock songs almost went unnoticed. Patrick Simmons wrote “Black Water” for The Doobie Brothers’ 1974 album What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits, but the song was originally released as the B-side to another single. When a radio DJ in Virginia decided to play it instead, listeners flooded the station with requests. The momentum spread across the country, and by March 1975, “Black Water” became The Doobie Brothers’ first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It's a reminder that sometimes the biggest songs are the ones nobody expects.

💬 What's your favorite Doobie Brothers song?

The voice behind "Dreams" never forgot the man who helped protect it. ❤️

Fleetwood Mac legend Stevie Nicks has completed a $3 million fundraising goal for an endowed chair at the USC Keck School of Medicine. The donation honors her longtime ear, nose, and throat specialist, Dr. Joseph Sugerman, who helped care for her voice throughout her remarkable career. The endowed chair will support research and innovation in vocal medicine, helping future patients preserve and protect their voices. Nicks said she always knew she could count on Dr. Sugerman during years of touring, recording, and performing.

💬 If you could hear Stevie Nicks perform one song live one more time, which would it be?

This isn't just a concert. It's the end of an era.

Alan Jackson’s farewell concert may soon reach millions of fans beyond Nashville. Reports indicate that his final full-length performance at Nissan Stadium on June 27 is being recorded for a television special expected to air on NBC and stream on Peacock. Tentatively titled Alan Jackson: The Last Show, the event will reportedly include appearances from nearly 20 country artists paying tribute to the Country Music Hall of Famer. Although Jackson has not announced retirement from music entirely, his ongoing struggle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease has made live performances more challenging, making this farewell concert one of the most anticipated events in country music.

💬 What’s your favorite Alan Jackson song of all time?

Two days after being shot, Bob Marley walked onstage and performed anyway.

One of music history’s greatest mysteries surrounds the 1976 assassination attempt on Bob Marley. Just before the Smile Jamaica Concert, armed gunmen attacked Marley’s home, injuring him, his wife Rita Marley, and his manager. Despite the attack, Marley performed at the concert and later relocated to England. While many theories point to Jamaica’s intense political tensions of the era, no one has ever been definitively convicted for orchestrating the shooting. The case remains one of the most debated events in reggae history.

💬 Do you think the truth about who targeted Bob Marley will ever be fully known?

Remember when every summer had THAT song? ☀️🎶 What happened?

A surprising trend is emerging in pop music this summer. While previous years gave us upbeat hits like “Espresso,” “Hot To Go!,” and other feel-good anthems, many of today’s biggest stars are releasing darker, more introspective music. Charli XCX, Olivia Rodrigo, and Ariana Grande are leaning into themes of heartbreak, uncertainty, and existential anxiety. At the same time, Madonna is championing the power of the dance floor and preparing to release Confessions II, a follow-up to one of her most beloved dance albums. Is the era of the carefree summer anthem over—or just taking a break?

Bread’s 1972 hit “Everything I Own” is often mistaken for a romantic ballad, but songwriter David Gates revealed that the song was actually written as a tribute to his late father. After losing the man who introduced him to music and encouraged his career, Gates channeled his emotions into one of the most heartfelt songs of the soft-rock era. The track became a Top 5 hit and remains one of Bread’s most beloved classics. Its message of love, gratitude, and loss continues to resonate with listeners decades later.

💬 Did you know “Everything I Own” was written about David Gates’ father?

On May 29, 1965, The Beach Boys reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Help Me, Rhonda.” The hit became the band's second chart-topper and marked the first Beach Boys single to feature Al Jardine as the lead vocalist. Originally recorded for The Beach Boys Today!, the song was reworked and rerecorded for Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!). Despite behind-the-scenes drama and family tensions in the studio, the track became one of the group's signature hits and a milestone in Beach Boys history.

💬 Is “Help Me, Rhonda” your favorite Beach Boys song, or do you have another classic pick?

Barry Manilow has shared an emotional update on his recovery following lung cancer surgery. The iconic singer revealed that his voice has been affected since undergoing a lobectomy and that he’s uncertain whether it will fully return. Despite the challenges, Manilow says he is physically strong, eager to perform again, and preparing for upcoming shows. The music legend’s honesty has touched fans around the world as he continues his recovery journey.

💬 What’s your favorite Barry Manilow song?

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