#WhatsHappening for August 15, 2017

Good Tuesday morning, friends. 

I really try to keep this space as apolitical as possible, but this past weekend's terrorism in Charlottesville has shaken us here at the karaoke compound. And the fact that such ugliness occurred in this day and age should sicken everyone.

Taylor Swift has won her countersuit against the man who "grabbed her ass" during a meet and greet after one of her concerts in Colorado after a jury returned a verdict in the pop star's favor yesterday.

Swift said in a statement she thanked the judge and "jury for their careful consideration, my attorneys... for fighting for me and anyone who feels silenced by a sexual assault, and especially anyone who offered their support throughout this four-year ordeal and two-year long trial process.

I acknowledge the privilege that I benefit from in life, in society and in my ability to shoulder the enormous cost of defending myself in a trial like this. My hope is to help those whose voices should also be heard. Therefore, I will be making donations in the near future to multiple organizations that help sexual assault victims defend themselves."

Swift was awarded $1, an amount she calls "symbolic."

The families of the 22 people killed by the terrorist attackk on the Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena in May will each receive $324,000 from the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund.

"The payments will ensure the families benefit from the phenomenal outpouring of public support following the attack," said a press release. 

The fund has raised more than $23 million from members of the public and with the help of Grande, who raised funds through the One Love Manchester benefit concert she hosted in June. All proceeds from the event, which featured performances by Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry and others, went towards We Love Manchester.

Original lead singer Lou Gramm, Ian McDonald, and Al Greenwood played a three-song encore with the current Foreigner lineup last month in in Wantagh, NY and group founder Mick Jones says that might not be the last time fans see the "classic" lineup together again. 
"Oh, it's definitely crossed my mind," Jones says. "I think it's something the fans would love. It'd be interesting, the contrast of the two styles of the two bands. I think it would be appealing. It's not carved in whatever things are carved in, but the thoughts are flowing around. But I'm still not quite sure how to forecast it."
"One thing for sure is all the musicians are getting on very well together and it's just refreshing and we're really enjoying it," adds Jones. "Lou is good, and he's kept his voice. Al and Ian are playing the same as they did 40 years ago, basically, and it's a hoot. It's great adrenaline and very enjoyable. I think there's no bad apple anywhere in the whole thing, so I can't see any big problems."

Birthdays today include: Joe Jonas of Jonas Brothers (28); Michael Graham of Boyzone (45); Bobby Caldwell (65); drummer Tommy Aldridge (67); Doobie Brothers co-founder Tom Johnston (69); Jimmy Webb (71); Pete York of the Spencer Davis Group (74); and Stix Hooper of the Crusaders (79). #MusicalBirthdays