#WhatsHappening for July 18, 2018

No. With an "i", not an "o."

Hey, kids- happy Wednesday. Am I the only one who feels like this week is just draggin'?

A recent survey from NPR and Edison found that nearly 48 million Americans (18%) over the age of 18 have "smart" speakers- a nearly 2% increased over an earlier version of the poll.

The Spring 2018 Smart Audio Report shows that 26% of those respondents had owned their speakers for over a year, with a whopping 74% buying them since last year. The majority of users from both groups were women and- somewhat surprisingly, considering how us "oldsters" are considered technologically challenged- above the age of 45. I am not, currently, among the 18%.

AEG Presents announced today that it had acquired the remaining ownership shares of the Firefly Music Festival- which it had co-owned with Red Frog Events and Goldenvoice.

A spokesperson for AEG Presents said the company  had "always believed that Firefly is one of North America’s most special festivals. Combined with the full commitment of AEG Presents’ resources, including an unrivaled production team committed exclusively to festivals, there is no doubt that the best is yet to come for the Firefly Music Festival."

AEG will take over the promotion and production of the festival, held at the Woodlands in Dover, Delaware.

Bruce Springsteen is taking his one man show Springsteen on Broadway to Netflix later this year, as it was announced on Wednesday (July 18). The program will launch globally on Dec. 15, the final night of Springsteen's sold out 236-show run on Broadway. 

If you're like me and a) can't make it to Broadway nor 2) afford the tickets, fear not- Bruce Springsteen's Broadway show, Springsteen on Broadway, at The Walter Kerr Theatre is coming to Netflix on December 15th- the final night of his run. 

Netflix Chief Content Content Office, Ted Sarandos, said in a statement that the service was "thrilled to bring Bruce Springsteen- a master storyteller, humanitarian and voice of the everyman- to Netflix in this historic one man show. This groundbreaking experience defies the boundaries of theater, concerts and film and will give our global audience an intimate look at one of the biggest cultural icons of our time."

Jurassic Park opened 25 years ago this summer. This is how the UK streaming service NOW TV commemorated the film's anniversary.

Yes, that's a ginormous Jeff Goldblum statue.

Birthdays today include: Ryan Cabrera (36); Tony Fagenson of Eve 6 (40); Daron Malakian of System Of A Down (43); Jack Irons of Pearl Jam (56); Nigel Twist of The Alarm (60); Keith Levene of Public Image Ltd (61); Terry Chambers of XTC (63); Ricky Skaggs (64); Cesar Zuiderwijk of Golden Earring (68); and Martha Reeves (77). #MusicalBirthdays 

#WhatsHappening for July 16, 2018

Hey, hi, howdy- and happy Monday (yeah, right). Yeah, I know, the weekend was too damned short (also, the Weeknd is only 5'8").

Thanks to everyone who joined us for Saturday Night Karaoke last weekend- Mark is ready to rock the mic this week. Hope you are, too!

Speaking of SNK- I've been considering doing some sort of theme night. Anyone have any suggestions?

Mandy Moore says she's "getting back to it" and working on new music. In an Instagram post last Friday, Moor said "It’s time. I miss it. I’m not scared anymore. No more excuses. No more allowing someone’s else insecurities to dictate my relationship to music and singing. Boom."

Getting back to it. It’s time. I miss it. I’m not scared anymore. No more excuses. No more allowing someone’s else insecurities to dictate my relationship to music and singing. Boom. Also- this is just a little demo of something @themikeviola and I worked on yesterday... but still, it’s a start! 🎶

A post shared by Mandy Moore (@mandymooremm) on Jul 13, 2018 at 11:03am PDT

Moore's last album was released in 2009- she's been concentrating on her acting since then.

Kelly Clarkson has been tabbed as the headliner for the opening ceremony of this year's U.S. Open. The August 27 show will kick off the 50th anniversary of the two-week event, held at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. 

USTA Chair Katrina Adams said the group was "honored to have such a talented performer join us in this very special year. Kelly Clarkson’s musical versatility, her unparalleled presence and of course her voice, will make this a night to remember."

I told you, any excuse to post this is okay by me.

Forbes has named Ed Sheeran the world’s highest-earning solo artist, with a haul of $110 million.

The 27  year old,  who's said in interviews that he "slept rough" before his music career took off, has also made headlines recently after winning permission from city planners to install "anti-homeless" railings outside his London home, which undoubtedly makes him immediately more popular in some political circles- and a raging douche-canoe in others.

Bruno Mars was #2 in the solo artists' category, while Katy Perry was #3.

U2, Coldplay, and Guns n' Roses were the top three group earners.

You know, I really like ABBA, but I want to see the Mama Mia sequel about as much as I want to appear in an episode of Ow, My Balls.

Birthdays today include: Ryan McCombs of Drowning Pool (44); Ed Kowalczyk of Live (47); Stewart Copeland of The Police (66); Rubén Blades (70); William Bell (78); and Buddy Merrill (82). #MusicalBirthdays