Green Day members Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool appear in the newly-released trailer for Nimrods: A Green Day Comedy, a road-trip film opening August 14th. The movie follows teenagers who win an opportunity to open for Green Day on New Year’s Eve based on their demo tape. Director Lee Kirk based the story on Green Day’s early touring days before Dookie made them famous. Armstrong explained the film captures their DIY spirit when they played anywhere and shows often got shut down by police. The cast includes Mason Thames, Kylr Coffman, Ryan Foust, Mckenna Grace, plus appearances by Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey, and Fred Armisen. Armstrong said he always wanted to make a Green Day film, citing influences like the Ramones’ Rock ‘n’ Roll High School and Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night. Story URL
Taylor Swift delivered an unexpected performance at the Toy Story 5 premiere in Los Angeles on Tuesday at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre. Swift performed her original soundtrack song “I Knew It, I Knew You” in a piano version, marking the track’s live debut. She then joined Disney legend Randy Newman for a duet of the classic “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” Swift praised the film as “my favorite of all the Toy Stories” and called it a “beautiful masterpiece.” Swift also carried a personal VHS copy of the original Toy Story around the red carpet at the premiere, collecting autographs from cast members including Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. Hanks joked to USA Today about the encounter, saying “I told her she should have brought in the VHS machine so that we could have signed it, as that could go into the Smithsonian Institute as well.” Toy Story 5 opens in theaters June 19th. Story URL
Queen drummer Roger Taylor revealed his seventh solo album Violence Insane In A Beautiful World, arriving September 18th. The record follows 2021’s Top 3 album Outsider and features collaborations with South Africa’s Ndlovu Youth Choir on three tracks. Taylor released lead single “Come On Summer (It’s Party Time)” featuring the choir, who gained fame for their Zulu translation of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The album explores themes of global violence and environmental destruction while maintaining hope through kindness. Taylor wrote, produced, and performed most songs himself with collaborator Joshua J. Macrae. A UK tour begins September 21st. The ten-track LP includes a cover of John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy” and politically charged songs like “Chump.” Story URL
Jack White has unveiled his seventh solo album Frozen Charlotte, set for release July 10th. The 13-track record was announced during his Third Man Release Lab series through a cryptic video featuring a masked dancer and porcelain skull statue. White shared the galloping blues single “Dollar Bill” via a new YouTube account called “The Frozen Charlatan.” The album, recorded at Third Man Studio in Nashville with his touring band including Patrick Keeler, Dominic Davis, and Bobby Emmett, follows 2024’s No Name release. It features previously released tracks “G.O.D. and the Broken Ribs” and “Derecho Demonico” from his SNL performances. White begins a summer tour July 10th. Story URL
Billy Ray Cyrus has disclosed that he battled life-threatening sepsis in 2024, resulting in temporary vocal paralysis during what he called “a very broken moment of my life.” The country singer credited his recovery as a “miracle” while speaking with People magazine. His 5-year-old grandson Bear, son of Braison Cyrus, provided crucial inspiration during the health crisis. “My little grandson Bear looked at me and said, ‘Try again,'” Cyrus recalled. “And up until that moment, he had never spoken to me at all. I wasn’t even sure if he knew my name. In that moment I thought, ‘He’s telling you something.'” The health scare occurred amid personal upheaval, including his 2022 divorce from Tish Cyrus after 28 years and subsequent split from singer Firerose in 2024. Cyrus now dates English actress Elizabeth Hurley. His album The Hill releases June 16th. Story URL
Bill Cody, longtime Grand Ole Opry announcer and WSM Radio host, has died following kidney and heart failure complications. The radio veteran spent over three decades at WSM-AM Nashville, hosting “Coffee, Country & Cody” since joining in 1994 with Charlie Daniels as his first studio guest. WSM Radio confirmed his passing, stating Cody “welcomed listeners each morning” with “conversational ease” and made “both artists and audiences feel at home.” His voice became “synonymous” with the Grand Ole Opry broadcast. Cody earned recognition through Country Radio Hall of Fame induction, a Music City Walk of Fame star, and upcoming posthumous Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame honors. Country stars including Garth Brooks and Dierks Bentley paid tribute. “Nobody loved country music more than Bill Cody,” Brooks wrote. Story URL