Music Notes with Jess

Maren Morris just released her 3rd country album Humble Quest, reflecting when she gave birth the start of COVID's lockdown. "Circles Around This Town" is the opening track and promo single, storytelling how she made it in the music industry. I discuss Maren Morris' latest achievements, "Circles Around This Town"'s songwriting, and making Humble Quest. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessic...

Over 25 years, Dropkick Murphys are a Celtic Irish punk band from Massachusetts. Their 2005 hit "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" is popular on St. Patrick's Day and around Boston. In this episode, I discuss the band's bio, story behind this classic, and pop culture impact. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Dropkick Murphys website: https://dropkickmurphys.com/ "I'm Shipping Up t...

Taylor "Gayle" Rutherford is a 17 with a debut hit song: "abcdefu"; a breakup rock anthem the world can't get enough! In this episode, I share GAYLE’s music background,“abcdefu”'s backstory, different versions of the single, and media success. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena "abcdefu" (Music Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaFd8ucHLuo GAYLE's website: https://www....

The 57th ACM Awards is the first award show on Amazon Prime Video: March 7th at 8pm. On March 4th, Miranda Lambert virtually awarded New Male Artist of the Year to Parker McCollum, and New Female Artist of the Year to Lainey Wilson. Before the ceremony, I "announce" my predictions for its remaining 10 music categories. My ballot picks will be posted on my social media a half hour before the show,...

Rihanna is one of the most famous singers of the 21st century. She just turned 34, has her Fenty lingerie line, skin care, and is pregnant with A$AP Rocky's baby. I made a top 20 of songs I recommend from her solo work, and collaborations as a featured artist. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Rihanna Top 20 Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1F3n2mnSZa27hN3PK8mktu...

Coming up on its 39th year, Z100 has a new documentary about its historic debut: "Worst to First: The True Story of Z100 New York". Exploring the different eras of this innovative radio station, I discuss the early days, outrageous DJ- Scott Shannon, current programming of Elvis Duran and Ryan Seacrest. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Z100: https://z100.iheart.com/?pname=...

Inspired by Jennifer Lopez's "Marry Me" movie title, my brother's engagement, and Valentine's Day, I made an Engagement Songs countdown. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Songs Mentioned: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/32FV4xkaKBFMscyCOUcLDh?si=d9a3eca4cccc437f&pt=43c28dade8c03976fb7915bf56861f21 14. “Marry Me” - Jason Derülo (2013) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR...

Janet Jackson aired her own documentary 1/28-1/29/22 on A&E & Lifetime. I discuss exclusive new info she disclosed regarding her family, relationships, Super Bowl 2004 halftime scandal, and a clue for new music. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Janet Jackson music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4qwGe91Bz9K2T8jXTZ815W?si=6aWM88AoSFOa5KNtx4XKPQ Documentary links: Lifetime:...

Jimmy Fallon produced and is hosting a new game show: That's My Jam! Celebrities compete for fun with their music knowledge. Learn about Jimmy Fallon's bio, music experience, and how celebs play That's My Jam. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Song Used: "Jammin'", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Media Links: Jimmy Fallon - SNL page https://tinyurl.com/2rs4yrcz SNL skits: “M...

Disney's recent animated film Encanto, is embraced globally for its family message, and music. All 8 songs sung in the movie are charting! I storytell it with these songs, and report each of its historic Billboard charting. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Encanto soundtrack: https://disneymusic.co/encanto Encanto Disney+ link: https://www.disneyplus.com/movies/encanto/33q...

It's fascinating how retro songs can make a comeback from pop culture, especially social media. The latest one thanks to TikTok user @exhibitionbuffalo, is 1970 one hit wonder "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" by Edison Lighthouse. I discuss the history of this band, how the instrumentation works well with its lyrics, overall success of then and now. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jess...

The time has come to complete my Top 40 Songs of 2021! Here are the 20 remaining picks! Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Top 40 Songs of 2021 Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5nTVKmC4iBlnm2lqsfhY8P?si=b688b5c474c943d0&pt=89746b0e8bd1cdda5e241acc1a8ae8c5 Songs Mentioned: 20. "Streets" - Doja Cat (2019, 2021) 19. "Last Train Home" - John Mayer feat. Maren Morris 1...

Happy New Year! For 2 years, I started a tradition of curating a top 40 of my favorite songs from the year. This episode, I countdown 40-21, and 20-1 continues next episode. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5nTVKmC4iBlnm2lqsfhY8P?si=NjRmEYbMQ2a1RS68TpDt3A Songs Mentioned: 40. “Beautiful Mistakes” - Maroon 5 feat. Megan Th...

Merry Christmas! Did you know that some of our favorite Christmas songs aren't considered hits? Billboard has been studying how classic songs became popular through TV specials, vinyl, radio, and streaming. I countdown 12 Christmas songs that achieved Hot 100 success over time. Let's "have a Merry little Christmas" and take music notes. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Son...

The Monkees' guitarist Mike Nesmith, died 12/10/21 from heart disease. Combining his 2 favorite genres: psychedelic rock and country, he innovated songwriting for The Monkees as well as multiple artists. I created a playlist of favorite songs I recommend from his music career. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Mike Nesmith Tribute Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist...

Musicals are making a comeback! 'Annie Live!’ just aired on NBC (12/2/21), 'MJ the Musical' is a new Broadway show tributing Michael Jackson, and West Side Story's 2021 film reboot is now in theaters. I discuss the background origins of all 3 musicals, and their current adaptations. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Musicals Info: Annie: Annie Live! : https://www.nbc.com/an...

"It's Britney bitch." That's right, Britney Spears just turned 40! Her pop music and personal life has been in the public eye half her life. To flashback her pop culture impact, I countdown 20 of her songs that I recommend. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Songs Mentioned: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2fhWMrmfHnLTOYKPNs1rHN?si=22938efbfa174339 20. “Criminal” (2011) 19...

The Recording Academy announced the Grammy nominations for 2022's ceremony. I analyze snubs, reveal celebs who received nods in special themed categories, read the main genre categories, and changes to the Grammys "Big Four" categories. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Songs Used: "Walking in the Night", "Ambient Piece", "Dance Track #2", "Jammin'", "Hip-Hop Track", compos...

Before the 49th American Music Awards air, I predict winners for 28 of its popular categories. Follow our social media to view my ballot an hour before the show, and winners the day after for my final score. The AMAs will air 11/21 8pm on ABC, available to stream day after on ABC's platforms and Hulu. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Music Notes with Jess' Social Media: ht...

Before the 55th CMA Awards, I "announce" my predictions whom may win. I'll post my predictions ballot an hour before the show, and winning results the day after on my podcast's social media. The 55th CMA Awards will air 11/10 8pm/e on ABC, available to stream day after on ABC's streaming platforms and Hulu. CMA Awards Nominees: https://cmaawards.com/nominees-winners/ Music Notes with Jess - Social...

On 10/22/21, NYC's only country radio station 'New York's Country 94-7' (formerly Nash FM) went off the air, but still can be heard in different media. Through a radio station flip, its replacement is '94.7 The Block': a throwback hip-hop station. My friend/radio professional Tom Zarecki co-hosts to provide his input and discuss this innovative broadcast change. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed...

Happy Halloweekend! In addition to hearing classic Halloween music, I chose 13 songs to get you in the mood. Listen if you dare, and take music notes. Sound effects taken from Soundscape's Pottery Barn Halloween CD (2001). 13 Halloweenish Songs Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3lv09vw2vXkzczY9cCgJJ6?si=4535fdb59e2940b1 13. “Superstition” - Steve Wonder (1972) 12. “Bring Me to Life” - Ev...

Exactly a year after ADELE hosted Saturday Night Live, she released a new song dedicated to someone very special in her life. "Easy On Me" is a promo single for her 4th album '30' coming out 11/19. I discuss ADELE's bio, "Easy On Me"'s lyrics, and record breaking success it achieved in under a week. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena "Easy On Me"'s Music Video: https://www.y...

One of Lady GaGa's songs just hit 600M Spotify streams, and she earned her 10th top 10 album on Billboard 200: Love for Sale, with jazz crooner Tony Bennett. I've pasted a link of Tony Bennett's catalog for you to check out, and countdown 10 Lady GaGa hits with the playlist posted below. Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena Tony Bennett's music catalog: https://open.spotify.co...

James Bond's 25th film No Time to Die is finally in theaters! Its theatrical release was postponed 3 times due to the pandemic, but the movie theme song has been out since 2/2020. Now, fans can connect the lyrics to the movie. In this episode, I recap previous James Bond theme songs, discuss the coordination of "No Time to Die"'s music arrangements, pre-film song success, and times it’s played in...