Saturday, February 9, 2019

Presenters for the 61st Annual Grammy Awards Have Been Announced

Recording Academy™ Announces Presenters for the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards®

Music's Biggest Night®, Hosted by Alicia Keys, Airs Live on CBS, Feb. 10

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An eclectic all-star lineup of artists, musicians, actors, and comedians will take the stage as presenters at the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards®. This year's presenters include current GRAMMY® nominees Kelsea Ballerini, Leon Bridges, Luke Combs, and Charlie Wilson; GRAMMY winners Alessia Cara, Eve, John Mayer, Bob Newhart, Smokey Robinson, Swizz Beatz, and Meghan Trainor; recording artist Kane Brown, South Korean pop sensation BTS, past GRAMMY nominee Cedric The Entertainer, actress Nina Dobrev, professional football player Julian Edelman, actress Anna Kendrick, actress Jada Pinket Smith, and actor Wilmer Valderrama.

Previously announced GRAMMY performers include Yolanda Adams, J Balvin, Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Brandi Carlile, Chloe X Halle, Miley Cyrus, Andra Day, Dan + Shay, H.E.R., Fantasia, Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, Little Big Town, Post Malone, Ricky Martin, Maren Morris, Shawn Mendes, Janelle Monáe, Kacey Musgraves, Dolly Parton, Katy Perry, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mark Ronson, Diana Ross, Arturo Sandoval, Travis Scott, St. Vincent, and Young Thug.

Live from STAPLES Center, and hosted by Alicia Keys, the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

The 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for the Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Ben Winston is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, Chantel Sausedo is the producer, and David Wild and Ehrlich are the writers.


ABOUT THE RECORDING ACADEMY
The Recording Academy™ represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum®, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares®, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards—music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators.

For more information about the Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @RecordingAcad on Twitter, "like" Recording Academy on Facebook, and join the Recording Academy's social communities on Instagram, Tumblr, and YouTube.

----------------------------

Friday, February 8, 2019

Dolly Parton to Perform at 61st Annual Grammy Awards

2019 MusiCares® Person Of The Year Dolly Parton To Perform On The 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards; Will Be Joined In A Tribute By Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, And Katy Perry

J Balvin, Ricky Martin, Arturo Sandoval, and Young Thug Join Camila Cabello for an Unforgettable GRAMMY Performance

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Recording Academy™ has expanded its lineup for the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards® with a special tribute to eight-time GRAMMY® winner and 2019 MusiCares® Person of the Year, Dolly Parton. Making her return to the GRAMMY stage for the first time since 2001, Parton will perform new music from her hit album Dumplin' (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).  Dolly's special tribute segment will also feature her classic hits sung by Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, and Katy Perry.

Additionally, current GRAMMY nominees J Balvin and Young Thug, and GRAMMY winners Ricky Martin and Arturo Sandoval, will join Camila Cabello for an explosive show opener. They join previously announced performers Cardi B, Brandi Carlile, Dan + Shay, H.E.R., Post Malone, Shawn Mendes, Janelle Monáe, Musgraves, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Diana Ross. Live from STAPLES Center, and hosted by Alicia Keys, the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

Three-time GRAMMY winners Little Big Town are nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance ("When Someone Stops Loving You").

Morris is nominated for Record Of The Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance ("The Middle"), Best Country Solo Performance ("Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters"), and Best Country Duo/Group Performance and Best Country Song ("Dear Hate").

Parton is being recognized as the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year for her considerable creative accomplishments and her longtime support of a number of causes through her Dollywood Foundation, including the Imagination Library, which, since 1996, has provided more than 100 million books to children from birth to 5 years of age in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the U.K.

Three-time Latin GRAMMY® winner J Balvin is up for Record Of The Year ("I Like It" by Cardi B, J Balvin, and Bad Bunny).

Young Thug is nominated for Song Of The Year ("This Is America" with Donald Glover and Ludwig Göransson).

The 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for the Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Ben Winston is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, Chantel Sausedo is the producer, and David Wild and Ehrlich are the writers.


ABOUT THE RECORDING ACADEMY
The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum®, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards—music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators.

For more information about the Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @RecordingAcad on Twitter, "like" Recording Academy on Facebook, and join the Recording Academy's social communities on Instagram, Tumblr, and YouTube.

--------------------

Thursday, February 7, 2019

Lady Gaga, Fantasia Among Artists Added to "61st Annual Grammy Awards"

Additional Artists Added to the Stellar Lineup for the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards®

Chloe x Halle, Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, St. Vincent, and Travis Scott Set to Take the Stage at Music's Biggest Night®

Yolanda Adams, Andra Day, and Fantasia Will Take the Stage to Honor the Incomparable Aretha Franklin

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Recording Academy™ has announced additional performers for the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards®. Current nominees Chloe x Halle, GRAMMY® winner Lady Gaga, GRAMMY winner Mark Ronson, and GRAMMY nominee Travis Scott are set to perform on Music's Biggest Night®. Additionally, current nominee Dua Lipa will perform with GRAMMY winner St. Vincent. In what is sure to be a GRAMMY Moment to remember, GRAMMY winners Yolanda Adams, Fantasia, and past GRAMMY nominee Andra Day will honor the legendary Aretha Franklin.

They join previously announced performers J Balvin, Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Brandi Carlile, Dan + Shay, H.E.R., Little Big Town, Post Malone, Ricky Martin, Shawn Mendes, Janelle Monáe, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Dolly Parton, Katy Perry, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Diana Ross, Arturo Sandoval, and Young Thug. Live from STAPLES Center, and hosted by Alicia Keys, the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

Lady Gaga, winner of six GRAMMYs, is currently nominated for Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, and Best Song Written For Visual Media ("Shallow") and Best Pop Solo Performance ("Joanne [Where Do You Think You're Goin'?"]).

Best New Artist nominees Chloe x Halle are also nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album (The Kids Are Alright).

Dua Lipa is nominated for Best New Artist and Best Dance Recording ("Electricity" [Silk City & Dua Lipa feat. Diplo & Mark Ronson]).

Five-time GRAMMY winner Ronson is nominated three times this year: Song Of The Year ("Shallow"), Best Song Written For Visual Media ("Shallow"), and Best Dance Recording ("Electricity" [Silk City & Dua Lipa feat. Diplo & Mark Ronson]).

Three-time GRAMMY nominee, Scott is up for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song ("Sicko Mode") and Best Rap Album (Astroworld).

GRAMMY winner St. Vincent is nominated for Best Rock Song ("Masseduction") and Best Alternative Music Album (Masseduction).

The 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for the Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Ben Winston is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, Chantel Sausedo is the producer, and David Wild and Ehrlich are the writers.


ABOUT THE RECORDING ACADEMY
The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum®, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares®, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards—music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators.

For more information about the Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @RecordingAcad on Twitter, "like" Recording Academy on Facebook, and join the Recording Academy's social communities on Instagram, Tumblr, and YouTube.

-----------------------

2019 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Has Kelly Rowland as Host

Kelly Rowland Set to Host 2019 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards

#BlackWomeninHollywood Celebrating Art + Activism

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Singer / actress, Kelly Rowland, has been confirmed to host the 12th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards in Beverly Hills, CA. ESSENCE, the number one media, technology and commerce company serving Black women, will celebrate the artistry and activism of actress Amandla Stenberg (“The Hate U Give”), actress/singer and author Jenifer Lewis (“Black-ish”), actress KiKi Layne (“If Beale Street Could Talk”) and actress Regina Hall (“Support The Girls”) at its annual Oscar-week luncheon on Thursday, February 21, 2019.

Grammy® Award-winning Kelly Rowland is making a splash in Hollywood with her role as Gladys Knight in the new BET series, “AMERICAN SOUL,” the untold story of Don Cornelius and the struggle to make the dream of Soul Train come true.

“I’m so honored to host this year’s ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards and shine a light on four exceptional women for their art and social activism,” said Kelly Rowland. “With this phenomenal Oscar-week celebration, ESSENCE creates a special place that elevates the beauty, power and magic of Black women.”

Stay tuned to Essence.com for highlights and behind-the-scenes access to the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @essence #BlackWomeninHollywood. Join in the discussion on Facebook.

The ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards is presented by The Ford Motor Company and sponsored by AT&T, Inc., L’Oréal, Walmart, Geico and Warner Bros.


About ESSENCE Communications Inc.
ESSENCE Communications is the number one media, technology and commerce company dedicated to Black women and inspires a global audience of more than 17 million through diverse storytelling and immersive original content. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, experiential and online, ESSENCE encompasses its signature magazine; digital, video and social platforms; television specials; books; as well as live events, including Black Women in Music, Black Women in Hollywood, Street Style and the ESSENCE Festival. Essence Communications is owned by Essence Ventures, an independent Black-owned, technology-driven company focused on merging content, community and commerce to meet the evolving cultural and lifestyle needs of people of color.

------------------------------------


Wednesday, February 6, 2019

VIZ Media to Publish "The World of RWBY: The Official Companion"

VIZ MEDIA ACQUIRES PUBLISHING RIGHTS FOR THE WORLD OF RWBY: THE OFFICIAL COMPANION

Stunning Hardcover RWBY Book Features Behind-The-Scenes Insights, Visuals, And More

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, announces the acquisition of THE WORLD OF RWBY: THE OFFICIAL COMPANION.

An official behind-the-scenes guide to the acclaimed animated series, THE WORLD OF RWBY will be published this fall and features artwork, interviews, and insights from the hit series’ writers, animators, and voice actors.

The definitive companion to the hit animated series, THE WORLD OF RWBY is the ultimate celebration of a pop-culture phenomenon. Go behind the scenes with exclusive commentary from Rooster Teeth and explore the show's creation through in-depth interviews with the writers, animators and voice artists. With comprehensive analysis of key characters and iconic episodes, and showcasing stunning visuals from the series, this is the must-have book for RWBY fans around the world.

VIZ Media is the official English publisher for the RWBY manga and RWBY OFFICIAL MANGA ANTHOLOGY series. Both titles are inspired by the popular online anime-style series originally created by Monty Oum and produced by Austin, TX-based Rooster Teeth. RWBY was the first western-produced anime series to be distributed in Japan and has been viewed over 250 million times. Volume 6 of the series premiered in October 2018.

THE WORLD OF RWBY: THE OFFICIAL COMPANION is written by Daniel Wallace, a comic book expert, sci-fi sage, and lifelong geek. Author or co-author of more than 50 books including The Jedi Path, Ghostbusters: The Ultimate Visual History, The World According to Spider-Man, Warcraft: Behind the Dark portal, and the New York Times bestselling Star Wars: The New Essential Guide to Characters, his specialty is exploring the underpinning of popular fictional universes.

For more information on RWBY and other manga titles published by VIZ Media, please visit viz.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at viz.com.

ABOUT ROOSTER TEETH
Rooster Teeth is a pioneering media and entertainment company responsible for some of the biggest online series in history, such as the award-winning and longest-running web series, Red vs. Blue. They also produce the globally acclaimed animated series RWBY, the first western anime series to be distributed in Japan; the award-winning Rooster Teeth Podcast; and Immersion, a reality format that brings video game theory to the real world. Rooster Teeth has a massive global footprint of more than 45 million subscribers to its YouTube Network, 5 million unique monthly visitors to its RoosterTeeth.com hub and 3 million registered community members. The company was founded in 2003, and is a subsidiary of Otter Media, a WarnerMedia company. Discover more at RoosterTeeth.com.

------------------------

Monday, February 4, 2019

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for February 6, 2019

BOOM! STUDIOS

OCT181269    BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA OLD MAN JACK TP VOL 03    $16.99
DEC181361    EMPTY MAN #4 MAIN    $3.99
DEC181362    EMPTY MAN #4 PREORDER HERVAS VAR    $3.99
OCT181277    FEATHERS ORIGINAL GN    $14.99
OCT181240    FIREFLY LEGACY EDITION TP VOL 02    $29.99
OCT181299    GARFIELD HOMECOMING TP    $9.99
DEC181379    GIANT DAYS #47    $3.99
DEC181348    WWE #25    $4.99
NOV188756    WWE #25 FOC GARZA INCV    $4.99
DEC181349    WWE #25 PREORDER XERMANICO    $4.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 6, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

DEC180358    BPRD DEVIL YOU KNOW #13    $3.99
OCT180284    BPRD DEVIL YOU KNOW TP VOL 02 PANDEMONIUM    $19.99
OCT180313    ETHER II TP VOL 02 COPPER GOLEMS    $19.99
DEC180403    GIRL IN THE BAY #1 (MR)    $3.99
DEC180387    HALO LONE WOLF #2 (OF 4)    $3.99
DEC180404    LAGUARDIA #3 (MR)    $4.99
OCT180306    MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 #4 CVR A NAUCK    $3.99
OCT180307    MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 #4 CVR B VANCE    $3.99
DEC180400    SWORD DAUGHTER #6 CVR A OLIVER    $4.99
DEC180401    SWORD DAUGHTER #6 CVR B CHATER    $4.99
DEC180364    UMBRELLA ACADEMY HOTEL OBLIVION #5 CVR A BA    $3.99
DEC180365    UMBRELLA ACADEMY HOTEL OBLIVION #5 CVR B BA    $3.99
APR180092    WITCHER 3 WILD HUNT BUST CIRI GWENT    $129.99