Bacharach enjoys new collaboration
Burt Bacharach, the acclaimed composer, is enjoying a burst of creativity at age 92, thanks to his new collaboration with Nashville singer-songwriter Daniel Tashian.
On Friday, they’ll release a five-song EP titled “Blue Umbrella.” And despite being separated by two time zones and a couple of generations, they’re continuing to write music together.
The EP is the first album in 15 years from Bacharach — the composer of “This Guy’s in Love With You,” “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” and “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” among many other hits — and he’s glad to keep busy during the coronavirus pandemic.
“In these times, it’s like a lifesaver, while being terrified at what’s happening outside,” Bacharach says from his California home. “It’s a form of therapy.”
Tashian, 45, won two Grammys last year for his role as a songwriter and producer on Kacey Musgraves’ critically acclaimed release “Golden Hour,” and that album brought him to the attention of Bacharach.
They first met at Bacharach’s house the day after last year’s Grammys and immediately hit it off.
The two finished recording the EP before the pandemic began. When it ends, they hope to perform the songs in concert, and also hope to write and record a full album together.
Brooks pulls out of CMA award race: Country superstar Garth Brooks says he is pulling himself out of nominations for the Country Music Association’s entertainer of the year award, saying it’s time for someone else to win the top prize.
Brooks, who won the award in November, said during an online press conference Wednesday that he doesn’t want to be nominated in that category in any upcoming years as well.
“We feel very lucky with seven,” he said.
Brooks said that following his win last year, he read criticism online that said he should step down from the category.
“It made winning entertainer of the year not that fun to tell you the truth,” he said, although he repeatedly said he was thankful of the awards he received.
Brooks’ name still may end up on a ballot anyway.
“The long-standing CMA Awards rules do not allow individuals to remove themselves from the balloting process at any point,” the association said in a statement.
No prosecution in alleged assault on comedian: A man arrested last year in an alleged assault on comedian Andy Dick won’t be prosecuted, a spokesman for New Orleans’ district attorney said Tuesday. In a statement, the spokesman said Dick has not kept in touch with prosecutors and hasn’t been cooperative. Video recorded outside a French Quarter nightclub in August showed Dick being knocked unconscious.
July 30 birthdays: Guitarist Buddy Guy is 84. Singer Paul Anka is 79. Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is 73. Actor Laurence Fishburne is 59. Actor Lisa Kudrow is 57. Actor Vivica A. Fox is 56. Actor Terry Crews is 52. Director Christopher Nolan is 50. Actor Hilary Swank is 46. Actor Gina Rodriguez is 36. Actor Joey King is 21.