Soaking up the sun on the gorgeous island won’t be too difficult as Barbados boasts over 80 pristine white beaches each bringing their own unqiue touch and providing different experiences.
Mullins beach found on the west side of the island is perfect for swimmers, famillies and those who like slower-paced activites.
However, those who enjoy a bit of a thrill don’t have to miss out as the beach also features jet skis and inflatable rides hovering across the water, waiting for visitors to have a go.
While the incredible beaches might be enough to convince some people to get Barbados down on their bucket lists. The island has so much more to offer.
Fortunately tourists can enjoy a bus tour around the island, viewing all of it’s picturesque landscapes and learning all about the island’s rich history.
As part of the journey passengers get to hear local stories and even explore historic Bridgetown, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with centuries-old buildings, including St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Barbados Parliament Buildings.
The narrated tour by Sweet Life Tours lasts between six and seven hours and they cater their services to passengers making sure that whether you are travelling in a group or individually, your experience is an enjoyable one.
Barbados is home to extraordinary wildlife, that you can get up close to at the island’s Wild Life Reserve. From Barbados’s popular green monkeys to colourful parrots, visitors get to see the animals up close in their natural environment as they eat, play and interact with other animals.
If you love nature but animals aren’t really you’re thing another way to explore the island’s natural wonders is embarking on a hike through across the island.
Barbados National Trust runs weekly expeditions and the island has plenty of walking trails meaning so regardless of experience there are trails suited for everyone.
So whether you’re looking for a adventure packed holiday or a tranquil getaway, Barbados is the place to be.
This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.
This Sock It to Me Cake is a moist, buttery Southern bundt cake with a delicious cinnamon–sugar pecan layer swirled through the middle. It became popular because of Duncan Hines in the 1960s and 1970s, and you’ll understand why once you try it!
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy to Make: This cake recipe is quite simple to put together. It does take some time to bake. Make sure you follow my tips so your cake comes out of the pan easily!
FantasticFlavor: The soft buttery cake with the ooey, gooey, crunchy, cinnamon, and sugar pecan layer is to die for.
Just Like My Grandma Made It
As a kid, I never understood why adults loved nuts in their desserts. Now that I have a more adult taste, I get it! Pecans mixed with butter, sugar, and cinnamon are one of my favorites! Take that and swirl it through a buttery cake, ‘sock it to me’! If you love recipes with this flavor profile as much as I do, you could try my 1 hour caramel sticky buns, cinnamon french toast bake, or my pecan pie cobbler.
How to Make Sock It To Me Cake
This cake comes together quickly but takes a while to bake. Just make sure you take the time to prep your bundt pan so your cake comes out clean!
Prep: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a bundt pan by coating the inside with melted shortening and a light dusting of flour. Tap out any excess. Or you can use a baking spray that has flour in it. Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside. In a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
Beat: Add the eggs one at a time. Beat well after each addition. Add the sour cream and vanilla. Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl.
Combine: At low speed, gradually add the flour mixture and combine it fully.
Sock is to me Cake Streusel Filling: Combine the pecans, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
Spread: Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the pecan mixture evenly over the batter.
Bake: Top with the remaining cake batter and smooth it over the top. Bake for about 80 minutes or until a toothpick comes out nearly completely clean from the center of the cake. It Should only have a few crumbs clinging to it. Let the cake cool in the pan for only 5 minutes before inverting it onto a cooling rack and removing the pan to let it cool completely.
Glaze: Once the cake has cooled, make the glaze. Whisk the powdered sugar and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle over the top of the cake.
Cake Release Tips:
Make sure to coat the pan! To release a bundt cake easily, coat the pan with a flour-based baking spray like Baker’s Joy. Or a regular spray with a dusting of flour and tapping out excess. Blot pooled spray with a paper towel before flouring, or use melted shortening instead. Avoid butter, as it can cause sticking. Some bakers dust with sugar, but I prefer flour.
Only let the cake cool in the pan for only 5 minutes before flipping it over. If bundt cakes cool too long in the pan, they can stick and fall apart.
Loosen it Up! If you find your cake is still sticking to the pan, try sliding a dull knife or spatula down around the edges. I like using small metal frosting spatulas to loosen it from the pan.
Sock It To Me Cake Tips and Variations
Is your Glaze Tinted Brown? You can add 1-3 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the glaze. Regular vanilla will tint the glaze brown. You can use clear vanilla if you want to keep it white! Be sure to reduce the milk by one tablespoon if you do.
Save time and ingredients. Use acake mix! You can replace the cake portion of this cake with a boxed cake mix! Prepare the batter according to the directions on the box and use it in place of the cake batter in the recipe card.
Don’t have a bundt pan? I’ve got you covered! You can bake this cake in a 9 × 13 x 2-inch pan or two 8-inch round cake pans. Adjust the baking time to 45 minutes before checking the center for doneness with a toothpick. Continue to bake as needed. I would flip the round cakes onto a cooling rack when finished baking, but I would keep the sheet cake in the pan.
How to Store Leftover Sock it To Me Cake
Room Temperature: This cake can be stored in a large airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
Fridge: You can keep it a few days longer in the fridge, but bring it to room temperature before serving. Be aware that the glaze will weep and become very sticky if you choose to chill the cake in the fridge.
Freeze: You can also freeze Sock It To Me Cake for up to 3 months. Tightly wrap it in a couple of layers of plastic wrap. Then, cover it in heavy-duty aluminum foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag. I suggest keeping the glaze off until after you decide to thaw and serve. The glaze will weep and melt into the cake as it thaws.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a bundt pan by using a paper towel to coat the inside with melted shortening and a light dusting of flour (or granulated sugar) over that, tapping out the excess. You may alternatively use a baking spray that has flour in it.
Sift together 3 cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
In a stand mixer, beat 3 cups granulated sugar and 1 cup unsalted butter until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
Add 6 large eggs one at a time and beat well after each addition, followed by 1 cup sour cream and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl.
On low speed, gradually add in the flour mixture until fully combined.
Combine 1 cup chopped pecans, ½ cup packed brown sugar, and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
Pour half of the batter into the prepared bundt pan and spread it out evenly.
Sprinkle the pecan mixture evenly over the batter before topping with the remaining batter and smooth it over the top.
Bake for about 80 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out nearly completely clean from the center of the cake, with only a few crumbs clinging to it. Let the cake cool in the pan for only 5 minutes before inverting it onto a cooling rack and removing the pan to let it cool completely.
Once the cake has cooled, make the glaze by whisking 1 cup powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons milk together in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle over the top of the cake.
Andy Muschietti, the director of the horror adaptation It (both chapters) and the terribly underrated Mama, is the showrunner of the upcoming Stephen King miniseries It: Welcome to Derry. Even though it’s edgy to say that it’s a Stephen King show (it’s not exactly based on one of his books), per Muschietti’s comments, we could be on the right track.
Muschietti, who’s also working as a producer and director of four of the series’ nine episodes, spoke to Radio TU about Welcome to Derry and expanded on which stories will be told in the series. The series takes place in 1962, 27 years before the events of Muschietti’s movie It (a variation from part one of the original story in the book, which takes place between 1957 and 1958), and it follows several residents of the town of Derry being terrorized by the evil entity that comes out every 27 years to feed itself.
While It: Welcome to Derry is clearly inspired by the source material and will even feature the return of Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise, it is not entirely based on King’s book. Well, at least the storylines, because, per Muschietti: “the series also focuses on the interludes that are being investigated by Mike Hanlon in the book.” He says that the show takes place in the middle of the Cold War and the nuclear panic:
“There’s fear of a nuclear crisis and problems associated with genetic and radioactive malformations. All the kids fear the atomic bomb, and It’s manifestations also have to do with that.”
How Involved Is Stephen King in ‘It: Welcome to Derry’?
The showrunner also commented on how involved Stephen King was during the production of the show. The writer usually works as an advisor on his adaptations, and he simply likes some better than others. He was heavily involved in It, even having a cameo in It: Chapter Two. Muschietti confirmed he was also a part of the creative process for It: Welcome to Derry:
“Stephen King has to approve everything. But it was really informal this time. I’ve had a close relationship with Stephen King since I made the movies. He writes to me, and I write him back. It’s an honor for me, and I consider him a friend.
One day, I wrote to him and said, ‘We have this idea, which is to develop the interludes in a miniseries that will take place before the events of the movie,’ and he loved it. He said, ‘Let’s do it!’
Obviously, as we progressed, we kept showing him the work, and he approved the first draft of the script. Then we showed him where we would take the future seasons of the show. He trusts us because of what we did with the movies, which he loved as much as audiences did.”
With Hurricane Milton following Helene, Storm of the Century and its anxiety and dread are more relevant than ever.
Muschietti also teased the idea of King having a cameo, and while he said the writer won’t show up, his character from It: Chapter Two will. It will just be a younger version of the salesman at the second-hand store. Meanwhile, the director also said HBO is “pretty happy with Season 1 of the show, and they want Season 2 to start shooting right away.”
Al Pacino is one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation. Though he is now 84 years old, Pacino got his start in acting in his late 20s, when he played a role in the 1968 television series N.Y.P.D. Only four years after that debut, Pacino became best known for playing the role of Michael in The Godfather. This earned Pacino an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and later Best Actor for the sequel The Godfather Part II. It would not be until 1993, however, that Pacino first won an Oscar, for Scent of a Woman.
Pacino has also won two Tony awards and two Emmy Awards, giving him three of the coveted EGOT letters (he is missing a Grammy). This is a huge achievement that few actors have been able to accomplish. Impressively, Pacino’s career continues today, and he even got a Best Supporting Actor nomination in 2020 for The Irishman. Despite all his accolades, however, there was one key film that Pacino did not get any Oscar recognition for, and it is coming to a new streaming home soon.
Scarface Is Being Added To Prime Video This Month
It Was Previously Only Available On Amazon MGM+
Scarfaceis soon being added to Prime Video. The 1983 movie was directed by Brian de Palma, and stars Pacino as Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who transforms himself into the best drug smuggler in Miami, while also grappling with his own addiction. The movie is a remake of the Howard Hawks film from 1932. Despite the acclaim that Pacino got for his role, he was not nominated for an Oscar for playing Tony. In fact, the Academy neglected to give Scarface any nomination attention that year.
Al Pacino and Robert De Niro are two of the greatest actors of all time, and here are their movie collaborations ranked from worst to best.
As per Collider, Scarface can now be seen by a wider audience again as a streaming home change is announced. Scarface will be available to watch on Prime Video at the end of this month, beginning on January 31. Previously, the movie was only available for Amazon MGM+ subscribers, and now will be available for general Prime Video subscribers.
Why You Should Watch Scarface On Prime Video
Scarface Has Become A Classic
Though Scarface did not get awards’ attention at the time, it is now considered a classic over four decades after its release. Though it came out years after The Godfather, Scarface was pivotal in turning Pacino into the seasoned star that he is known as today. For those looking to catch up on some of the most important crime movies in film history, Scarface is one to watch. In a time of the year when there is a derth of movies to watch in the theaters, it will be interesting to see if Scarface does well on streaming.
The things that the Lakers and LeBron James are going to like best about Dorian Finney-Smith are the things that have kept Finney-Smith from appreciating his battles against the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
“This is probably the most I ever said something to him. I’ve been guarding him for nine years, but I’m just not too friendly on the court,” Finney-Smith said Monday in Los Angeles.
Just because Finney-Smith is known for his toughness, his willingness to take on brutal defensive assignments, that doesn’t mean his first chat with James would be about the battles the Lakers would fight now that they’re teammates.
Instead, Finney-Smith saw an opportunity.
“I just have to pull that shade down and ask him ‘give me some of those shoes.’ I can finally ask for some of that gear,” Finney-Smith said. “We never know when he’s going to hang it up. It was fun to be able to ask him for something, knowing I ain’t got to compete against him tomorrow.
“… He said he got me. The hard part out the way. I asked. I broke the glass.”
He’s got the gear, now he’s ready to play big-time games.
“I’m excited,” he said. “I’m back to playing some meaningful basketball. It’s been a while, but I’m excited.”
The Lakers broke the glass on their trade market Sunday, sending D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three future second-round picks to Brooklyn for Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton.
Finney-Smith, 31, has played in 20 games this season and is averaging 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds while attempting 5.4 threes per game and making 43.5% of them. Milton, 28, is averaging 7.4 points in 27 games for the Nets this season while making 38.9% of his three-point shots.
The two players attended — but didn’t participate in — the team’s practice Monday with the hopes of playing Tuesday against Cleveland, provided that all physicals are completed. The Lakers are also expected to get center Jaxson Hayes back from an extended absence because of an ankle injury. Lakers guard Gabe Vincent didn’t practice Monday and is questionable to play against the Cavaliers.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said he plans on using Finney-Smith as a backup for the time being, electing to keep Rui Hachimura in the starting five.
“I already talked to him about it. You know, we’re in a good spot with our starting group right now. So [Finney-Smith will] play and he’ll come off the bench,” Redick said. “And like I’ve told you guys several times, I want consistency with that group. But I’m not gonna be stubborn and locked into something if it’s not working. But it’s working right now, and Doe is a guy that can fit in very easily with any lineup and any sort of roster. He’s easy.
“He has a desire to win and compete and it doesn’t matter to him if he’s starting or coming off the bench.”
Typically, in-season trades are a shock to any player’s system, but for Finney-Smith, he’s been in trade rumors for most of the last two years after Dallas included him in their deal to acquire Kyrie Irving from Brooklyn.
“You hear the noise. But I’m one of them guys, last year I got fed up. I was tired of hearing the noise. You start paying attention to it a little too much and you lose sight of where you’re at,” Finney-Smith said.
“And that’s what happened last year. I thought I was gonna get moved and I ended up staying in Brooklyn. So this year, I just wanted to be where my feet was at. And that was in Brooklyn. So I was just trying to — even though I’m human — you gonna think about it. But I just tried to stay where I was at and that’s in Brooklyn. So I knew the chance of me getting traded was high.
“So it didn’t matter where it was going to be at, I was gonna be ready to go because, again, I was already mentally prepared to get moved. But I’m happy I’m here. I’m not — I don’t wanna say that cause — but if you played for Brooklyn, you know what I mean. You don’t wanna be the little brother in the city. So I’m finally with the big bros.”
Finney-Smith and Milton, strangely enough, were both teammates of Redick’s during his time as a player.
“It gives you a lot of confidence because he knows what you can do so you ain’t got to go out there and try to do nothing you can’t,” Finney-Smith said. “So I just go out there and be me. Sometimes what I do, like you say, won’t show up in the stat sheet. But as long as we win, I’m happy. So that’s all I want to do here is win, bring good vibes, bring that winning mentality, and have fun doing it.”
Khris Middleton came off the bench to score eight points in 21 minutes and the Milwaukee Bucks won their second consecutive game after losing four of five, beating the San Antonio Spurs 121-105 on Wednesday night.
Coach Doc Rivers said before the game that Middleton’s bench role against the Spurs had more to do with his health and a minutes restriction after he had bilateral ankle surgeries over the summer than his production on the court.
“It’s just not improving to the place he wants it or we want it, so we just got to monitor,” Rivers said about Middleton’s health. “We’re cutting his minutes back a little bit and just trying to make sure he gets through this.”
Middleton, 33, was 2-of-7 from the field with one 3-pointer and added 5 rebounds and 3 assists in helping the Bucks to the comfortable win. He missed the first 21 games of the season after offseason surgery on both ankles. He has played in 13 games, making his season debut in early December, but had been in the starting lineup in his previous seven games before missing Monday’s game in Toronto due to ankle tendinitis.
“I think it just makes us an even stronger team. Khris coming off of surgery and missing some time, we had to get settled a certain way,” point guard Damian Lillard said.
“He’s going to be in a position to do more in that second group and it also makes us that much better. … It just gives you an opportunity where you don’t have to have me and Giannis [Antetokounmpo] on the court one or the other hard time. You got another great player out there, and it’s hell for the other team’s bench to have to deal with. So I think it just makes us better and it just creates a lot of balance for us.”
Taurean Prince took Middleton’s place in the starting lineup. Antetokounmpo, Lillard and Andre Jackson Jr. were also in action after being listed on the injury report heading into the game.
Middleton is averaging 12.7 points, 5.0 assists and 4.4 rebounds in 23.8 minutes this season, but the Bucks have not found a consistent rhythm with him on the floor. Milwaukee is just 3-4 this season in games where Middleton has started.
However, Rivers said he has had too small of a sample to judge Middleton yet, especially while he’s juggling limited playing time.
“The bottom line is just not moving every night the way you like to,” Rivers said. “One night you see, moving great. One night, he’s not. Minutes go up and down.
LIV Golf League captain Joaquín Niemann is headed back to the Masters in April, along with rising PGA Tour star Nicolai Højgaard, after the golfers received invitations to play in the first major championship of the season.
Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley announced the golfers had accepted special invitations on Wednesday, bringing the current field to 87 players.
The Masters will be played April 10-13.
“In support of Augusta National’s efforts to develop interest in golf globally, deserving international players not otherwise qualified have been invited throughout the tournament’s history,” Ridley said. “The tradition continues as we welcome Nicolai and Joaquin back to the Masters, as both players have showcased their talent while competing around the world. We look forward to their arrival this April.”
Niemann, 26, will be making his sixth consecutive Masters start; he made the cut in each of the past four. Last year, Niemann was the only LIV Golf player to receive a special invitation to the Masters after he won the Australian Open on the DP World Tour in December 2023.
Neimann tied for 22nd at the 2024 Masters at 4 over, 15 strokes behind winner Scottie Scheffler.
Niemann, from Chile, was a two-time winner on the LIV Golf circuit last season. He also tied for ninth in the Paris Olympics. In the final two months of 2024, Niemann tied for seventh in the DP World Tour Championship and for fifth in the Australian Open, before winning the Asian Tour’s PIF Saudi International on Dec. 7.
Højgaard, from Denmark, was in the top six on the Masters leaderboard after each of the first three rounds in his debut in 2024. He carded a 5-under 67 in the first round and briefly held the lead in the third. He tied for 16th at 2 over.
Ranked No. 60 in the world, Højgaard closed 2024 with five consecutive top-25 finishes on the DP World Tour. He was runner-up at the Farmers Insurance Open in January 2024 and had two top-25s in 18 starts on the PGA Tour.
Højgaard’s twin brother, Rasmus, will make his Augusta National debut in April. It will be the first time twins compete in the same Masters tournament.
At least one amateur, the winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship on Jan. 16-19, will be added to the field. Winners of upcoming full-point PGA Tour events who aren’t otherwise eligible will also be invited, along with any golfers in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking that is published the week before the Masters.
“I’m gay so I can’t do the guitar solo,” quips Sam Buck.
A grin plays across his face as the unmistakable jangle of Tim McGraw’s “I Like It, I Love It” wafts through the room. Members of the audience chuckle knowingly — the tall, bearded musician could absolutely shred it if he wanted to, but on this night, fun trumps virtuosity.
Buck stands under the soft glow of Tiffany-style fixtures, his guitar slung casually over his shoulders and his brown cowboy hat casting a shadow over his black denim jacket. Behind him, silver tinsel sparkles, a Nashville-glam backdrop to the intimate stage at Permanent Records Roadhouse, a cozy bar-cum-record store in Glassell Park. He’s kicking off the KFM Karaoke Country Revue, a monthly celebration where honky-tonk culture meets the queer community to toast, twang and tumble through songs like old friends in a Garth Brooks ballad.
“What I love about this show is that it’s like Goldilocks — it’s never just right,” Buck says before announcing the night’s singers.
Rosie Ruell sings “El Toro Relajo” at Karaoke Country Revue.
This isn’t just a showcase; it’s a haven. A place where country music, with all its contradictions and complexities, embraces its messiest, queerest, most joyful self. Trans, nonbinary, queer, gay, cis and straight performers all take the stage with the same goal: to make space to celebrate country music for those who aren’t usually embraced by its stubbornly conservative circles.
Over its two-year run, KFM, named after Buck’s podcast KFM Country Radio, has drawn talent like Julianna Barwick, Dougie Poole and Jae Matthews of electronic duo Boy Harsher. One of the night’s guests, Amber Coffman, the former co-frontperson of the Brooklyn-based indie band Dirty Projectors, stirs the crowd with her rendition of “Hard Candy Christmas,” a Dolly Parton classic from 1978, which she officially covered in 2020.
Attendees cheer performers at Karaoke Country Revue at Permanent Records Roadhouse.
L.A.-based singer Sedona, wearing a vintage T-shirt that says “Rodeo Girls,” performs a rocking version of Bonnie Raitt’s “Angel From Montgomery.” And Loren Kramar, an up-and-coming orchestral singer-songwriter, smolders through Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush.”
The microphone isn’t only for seasoned performers; however, Buck ensures that the show runs smoothly by curating the lineup and requiring everyone to rehearse beforehand. The setup feels like karaoke, with Buck cueing backing tracks, but there is no lyrics screen to lean on. “Bad karaoke can be so rough if someone’s wasted or they don’t know the song,” Buck says. “[KFM performers] have to learn the song, and there is some care that needs to go into it.”
For example, comedian John Early belts out the Chicks’ “Wide Open Spaces,” prancing about dramatically to choreographed moves, while Nicholas Braun from HBO’s “Succession” watches from the audience.
Comedian John Early, who starred on the HBO Max show “Search Party,” belts out the Chicks’ “Wide Open Spaces.”
Other shows have featured comedians like Kate Berlant and Casey Jane Ellison. Longtime KFM regulars like Chloe Coover and Maddie Phinney, hosts of the popular perfume podcast “Nose Candy,” bring their own fabulous flair — Phinney leaves a trail of Céline’s sophisticated Black Tie perfume, and Coover is dressed in a full-length ball gown while she sings NewSong’s fascinatingly sentimental Christian country ballad “The Christmas Shoes.” Artist Erin Bagley takes on Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 country-rock “Silver Springs.” And Buck’s partner, JT Friedman, leads a raucous rendition of Alan Jackson’s “Honky Tonk Christmas” while passing out candy canes from a stocking.
Rosie Ruel, a hopeful pop star who sunlights as an energy worker and a real estate agent, belts out the bombastic bullfighting song “El Toro Relajo” (The Toublesome Bull), that both floors the audience and underscores a tenet of KFM: that the genre’s lines are meant to be toed. Mariachi is really just Mexican country music, Ruel later tells me.
Sam Buck gives Maddie Phinney a birthday present after Phinney sang Squeeze’s “Tempted” at the Karaoke Country Revue.
Mary Rachel Kostrova, owner of the vintage eye-wear boutique Eyefi, delivers a sultry performance of Melissa Etheridge’s “I’m the Only One,” her voice dripping with raw emotion. Growing up in Georgia, Kostrova witnessed country music’s polarizing presence — ubiquitous, yet embraced only by those unafraid to claim it openly. Among her peers, she recalls the familiar chestnut about listening to all genres but rap and country. A wry smile forms on her face. “And now a lot of people are like, ‘I only listen to rap and country,’” she says.
“Country is in such an interesting place,” muses Buck, who is playing a show with Mercedes Kilmer (the singer-songwriter daughter of Val) at Zebulon on Feb. 9. Pop stars like Beyoncé and Post Malone are experimenting with the genre, while country’s own Kacey Musgraves and Taylor Swift drift closer to pop. Meanwhile, the industry is cautiously diversifying, but the support is uneven. “There’s not any mainstream gay musician,” says Buck. “I am not sure there ever will be.”
Buck’s journey into the genre is its own kind of outlaw story. Born and raised in coastal Massachusetts — a place far removed from the South’s storied hollers — he grew up feeling like an outsider for being a Miranda Lambert fan. “I’m a Yankee through and through,” he says. “But anyone from a rural place knows that country doesn’t have to come from the Deep South. In terms of stolen country valor, I’ve probably stolen more than most.”
JT Friedman, right, talks with Chloe Coover after Coover’s performance.
KFM began as a pandemic-era podcast. Buck spins country records, tells meandering stories and indulges in sharp gossip about county elite. “I have to be careful,” he jokes. “If I talk about [so-and-so’s] ex-cop husband and his disgusting bow-tie pasta, I don’t want that getting back to her, just in case I end up playing a show with her.” He doesn’t shy away from skewering controversial figures like right-wing influencer Brittany Aldean (“She only believes in evil things,” he says), but the podcast’s charm lies in its mix of irreverence and authentic reverence for country music.
For Buck, who also works as an artist (and recently showcased paintings of architecturally significant L.A. homes at the historic Echo Park restaurant Taix), the appeal of the KFM Karaoke Country Revue — the next one takes place Jan. 23 — lies in its intimacy and chaos. “It’s messy, it’s beautiful, it’s small,” he says. “People feel like they connect with each other here. And in a time when everything’s about getting bigger and louder, I think small things are good.”
And as the night rolls on — voices rising, drinks flowing and silver tinsel shimmering under the lights — Buck reflects on the strange universality of country music. “The more time goes on, the more I realize that everywhere is country. Especially Los Angeles.”
As multiple devastating wildfires continue to spread through the greater Los Angeles region, music and music-related events — including several tied to the current film awards season in the city — are being canceled or postponed out of both safety concerns and respect for the unfolding situation.
As postponement and cancellation announcements continue to come through, we’re keeping track with the updating list below. (These are listed in descending order of announcement, so you can find the latest cancellations at the top.)
(For health alerts, evacuation updates and shelter information, check out L.A. County’s emergency website here.)
Jeff Arcuri at The Wiltern
Arcuri’s shows scheduled for Wednesday (Jan. 8) and Thursday (Jan. 9) at The Wiltern were rescheduled to Tuesday (Jan. 14) and Wednesday (Jan. 15), the venue announced on Wednesday: “All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new date. For any further ticket inquiries please reach out to point of purchase.”
Quinn Sullivan and Hamish Anderson at The Troubadour
Sullivan and Hamish’s Troubador show scheduled for Thursday (Jan. 9) was postponed, with a new date to be announced, Anderson announced via Instagram Stories. “I’ll have new information to share very soon,” he wrote.
Annika Rose at The Troubadour
The storied West Hollywood venue postponed Rose’s show from Wednesday (Jan. 8) to Jan. 23, the singer-songwriter announced via Instagram Stories. “Let’s prioritize the health and safety of the community and we will get back to live music as soon as it’s safe to do so,” Rose wrote.
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
The ABC late-night series canceled its taping Wednesday night (Jan. 8), according to Variety. Scheduled guests included Wicked star Cynthia Erivo and musical guest Victoria Canal.
Bad Bad Hats at The Echo
The indie pop band announced on its Instagram Stories that its show scheduled for Thursday (Jan. 9) at The Echo in Los Angeles’ Echo Park neighborhood has been postponed. “We and the venue have decided to postpone tomorrow’s scheduled show @theechola,” the band wrote on Wednesday (Jan. 8). “The venue will be in touch with you directly with more information. We hope everyone is staying safe. We’ll come back to see you soon.”
Rod Wave at Intuit Dome
The rapper’s concert at Intuit Dome in Inglewood scheduled for Wednesday (Jan. 8) was canceled due to the wildfires, the venue announced on X. “The health and safety of our fans and employees will remain the top priority,” the venue said in a statement. “Tickets will be refunded at the original point of purchase.”
Igor Levit at The Walt Disney Concert Hall
The classical pianist’s concert scheduled for Wednesday (Jan. 8) at the downtown L.A. venue was postponed, with the LAPhil stating on its website, “A new date and additional information will be communicated to ticketholders via email as soon as it is arranged. Tickets for the January 8 concert will be valid for the new date yet to be announced and no action is needed on your part. For other ticket options, including exchange, account credit, donation or refund, please contact Audience Services at information@laphil.org or 323 850 2000.”
Oscar Nominations Announcement
On Wednesday (Jan. 8), Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences CEO Bill Kramer announced that the nominations voting window for the 97th annual Oscars would be extended two days to Tuesday (Jan. 14) due to the wildfires and that the Oscars Nominations Announcement would also move from Jan. 17 to Jan. 19. “We want to offer our deepest condolences to those who have been impacted by the devastating fires across Southern California,” said Kramer in a statement. “So many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are thinking of you.”
Wicked sing-along screening
A special screening of the musical blockbuster hosted by the film’s composer John Powell and including an audience of background vocalists and behind-the-camera talent from the movie was canceled. It had been set to take place at the Universal Studios backlot.
Better Man premiere
Paramount Pictures canceled the L.A. premiere of its forthcoming Robbie Williams biopic Better Man on Wednesday (Jan. 8), with a studio spokesperson stating, “Due to the dangerous conditions affecting Los Angeles we are canceling tomorrow’s premiere of ‘Better Man.’ Our thoughts are with those impacted by the devastating fires resulting from these conditions, and we encourage everyone to stay safe and follow guidance and orders from local officials and government agencies.”
Critics Choice Awards
The annual film and TV awards ceremony — which boasted nominees including Miley Cyrs, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, Selena Gomez and Maren Morris in the Best Song category — was postponed from Sunday (Jan. 12) to Jan. 26 at the Santa Monica Airport’s Barker Hangar. “This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community. All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected,” said Critics Choice Association CEO Joey Berlin in a statement.
Unstoppable premiere
A red-carpet screening of the wrestling drama starring Jennifer Lopez set for the DGA in West Hollywood on Tuesday night (Jan. 7) was also canceled due to the fires. “In light of today’s safety concerns around heightened wind activity and fire outbreaks in Los Angeles, we regret to inform you that we are canceling tonight’s premiere of ‘Unstoppable,’” said the studio in a statement. “As much as we were looking forward to celebrating this wonderful and inspiring film with you, safety is our first priority. We encourage everyone to watch ‘Unstoppable’ on Prime Video, which will be available globally on January 16. Thank you for your understanding and please stay safe.”
Emilia Perez music event
An event in Hollywood to celebrate the music of the Netflix film starring Selena Gomez that was set to be attended by songwriters/composers Camille & Clément and star Karla Sofía Gascón was canceled by the streamer.
A Complete Unknown screening and dinner
A screening and dinner for the Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothee Chalamet set to take place at the San Vicente Bungalows in West Hollywood on Thursday (Jan. 9) was postponed.
American Cinematheque Tribute to the Crafts
The ceremony, which celebrates individuals in 14 filmmaking categories from the past year, including music, was postponed from Thursday (Jan. 9) at Hollywood’s Egyptian Theatre, with a new date to be announced later. “We have made the decision to postpone tomorrow’s (January 9th) Tribute to the Crafts at the Egyptian due to the dangerous ongoing fires and wind conditions. We will update you on a new date as soon as we know,” said a statement released by the organization.
Selena Gomez’s Rare Pop Up
A pop-up event slated from Friday to Sunday (Jan. 10-12) at Complex LA to celebrate five years of Gomez’s Rare album was postponed.
ALTer Ego Show
Alt 98.7 and iHeartRadio announced on Thursday (Jan. 9) that the concert — which was set to feature Cage the Elephant, St. Vincent, Incubus and many more on Jan. 11 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood — had been canceled due to the wildfires. “The devastation from the fires is beyond comprehension,” the statement, which was shared on Instagram, read in part. “We love our city and are putting health and safety first.”
We all know pups are good to cuddle and can perk you up when you’re feeling low – but it turns out the man’s best friend can also identify when you’re ill.
In a wave of new research, scientists are discovering that dogs can detect everything from minor health worries to potentially life-threatening diseases in humans. And the findings are opening up new therapies and treatments. Here we reveals all about the amazing medical power of pooches.
Stress: Canines seem to know if their owner is stressed. It’s down to the fact that their sense of smell is up to 10,000 times better than ours.
It’s hoped the findings will lead to the training of therapy dogs to help ease anxiety. Petting a dog has been shown to lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, too.
Migraines: These severe headaches often come with additional symptoms which can be debilitating, such as nausea and vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Taking painkillers early in an attack can help ease their severity and length, so it could be particularly handy to have a pup around as it seems they can provide early warnings.
Covid: Remember those endless Covid tests we all had to do? If there’s another pandemic we might end up using dogs to detect the lurgy. In a study published in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, it was found that our four-legged companions could sniff out Covid-19 – and even do so more accurately and faster than a PCR test.
The scientists found that some dogs were even able to detect the virus in pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. This could pave the way for non-invasive tests for viruses in the future.
Diabetes: It’s thought that there are about 4.4million people living with diabetes in the UK, where the body can’t make the hormone insulin to regulate its blood sugar levels and can sometimes lead to seizures and cause people to become unconscious.
Scientists at the University of Bristol also found that trained alert dogs could identify 83% of episodes, helping those living with the condition to take preventative action. It’s even been shown that some of the furry geniuses can even beat the machines, sometimes outperforming blood sugar monitors.
Parkinson’s: The progressive brain condition, which affects one in 500 Brits, causes tremors and weakness, has no cure and is hard to diagnose. But with their 300m smell receptors, dogs may be coming to the rescue. In tests, dogs were able top pick out the scent of Parkinson’s in 90% of cases and it’s believed that they may be able to spot it years before symptoms even set in, offering better treatment options.
Epilepsy: Seizures in epilepsy, which affects over 600,000 people in the UK, are associated with a specific odour that dogs can pick up on. A 2021 study, reported in the journal MDPI Animals, suggested that pups can predict epileptic seizures, which could potentially save their owners’ lives.
Some dogs have now been trained up as seizure-alert dogs, to sense and notify their human companions of an oncoming seizure up to 45 minutes or more before one starts.
Pups have also been able to detect cervical cancer from human urine, while in 2013 it was reported that an Alsatian dog suddenly began licking their owner’s mole, which prompted them to go and see a doctor. On medical examination, it was found that the mole had developed malignant melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. About 30% of melanomas begin in existing moles.
