Names and faces
■ In her first public appearance since discovering her masters were in the hands of someone she’s not a fan of, Taylor Swift didn’t directly address the issue, but she did play music from that rich catalog, including songs from her groundbreaking sophomore album to her first full-blown pop project to her latest title. There was one moment, though, where Swift may have called out Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta on Wednesday night when she headlined Amazon Music’s Prime Day Concert in New York City. When singing her final song, the upbeat hit “Shake It Off,” she was extra loud as she uttered the words: “Liars and the dirty, dirty cheats of the world.” Some viewers on social media felt like Swift was throwing shade, or ridiculing, but the pop star seemed to shake off the drama with a fun, entertaining performance that came two weeks after she wrote that she was sad and grossed out that her music catalog now belongs to Braun, who she accuses of subjecting her to years of incessant and manipulative bullying. Swift reminded the audience she was a former country singer before performing “Love Story” from Fearless, which also won a Grammy prize. And she whipped her head back and forth as she belted “I Knew You Were Trouble” from her Red album. Emmy-winning actress Jane Lynch hosted the event, which featured clips of Amazon Prime programming between performances, from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel to Jack Ryan.
■ Country singer Chris Young’s alma mater is honoring him by naming a new live music venue after him on campus. Middle Tennessee State University plans to open the Chris Young Cafe sometime in the fall semester. University President Sidney McPhee said at an event this week at the Country Music Association headquarters that Young has donated $50,000 for the 3,200-square-foot facility’s renovations. The stand-alone building will host teaching and practice for student performers and technicians in the day, and at night will become a performance venue for musicians, radio broadcasters, comedians and other entertainers. Young has funded an annual scholarship for recording industry students at the university since 2016 and has donated the school a selection of his touring audio equipment. Young will be appearing July 19 at the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion in Rogers.