Justin Jones: Last News

Paramore has announced that they “will not accept any acknowledgement or honor from the TN House” for its Grammy wins after a lawmaker objected to similar honors for singer/songwriter Allison Russell.

Paramore have refused to accept their Tennessee State Honour in solidarity with Allison Russell.Yesterday, it was reported that the House Republican Caucus Chair of Tennessee Jeremy Faison blocked the state’s resolution to honour Allison Russell – but not Paramore. Both won Grammys earlier this month; Paramore won Best Rock Album and Best Alternative Music Performance, whilst Russell was crowned with the Best American Roots Performance with her song ‘Eve Was Black’.

Grammy Award-winning musicians, the state of Tennessee has shared that it is fine praising Paramore, but not Allison Russell.Both artists took home awards at the 2024 ceremony for the Grammys earlier this month – with Paramore winning in Best Rock Album and Best Alternative Music Performance categories, and Russell taking home the Best American Roots Performance with her song ‘Eve Was Black’.However, despite both Russell and Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams openly speaking out against anti-LGBTQIA+ legislatures in Tennessee in the past, a Republican leader has blocked a resolution to honour the former.The decision to celebrate the artists following their wins was put forward by Democrat Justin Jones, however, but it was House Republican Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison who objected to the second and had the decision killed.According to The Tennessean, Faison took no issue with Paramore being honoured, but made a “procedural move that kicked Jones’ resolution off the night’s consent calendar and back to committee, where objected consent items often die.” The reasons behind the block have yet to be explained.Discussing the decision during an announcements portion of the House floor session on Monday evening (February 12), Jones said: “There are people in our midst who are making Black history, and I want to honour them during this Black History Month.”He continued: “I would like to announce that it’s concerning that this body chooses to denigrate, or to—” House Speaker Cameron Sexton then cut off his mic (via Stereogum).He also took to social media to write: “Tonight my Republican colleagues blocked a resolution honouring Black American Roots artist Allison Russell for her first Grammy win… (Russell) has worked tirelessly to

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic When it comes to Tennessee’s recently Grammy-winning musical heroes, the state’s House Republicans are making it clear — they’re good with Paramore, but not so much Allison Russell, for reasons yet to be explained. Tennessee Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) brought resolutions before the body to honor the Grammy achievements of Paramore, who won for best rock album and best alternative music performance, and Russell, who picked up her first Grammy for best American roots performance for the song “Eve Was Black.” Although both Russell and Paramore singer Hayley Williams have made their displeasure with the GOP-controlled legislature known in the past, only one of these two proclamations was blocked.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Bonnie Raitt, Billy Strings, Tyler Childers, the duo the War and Treaty and S.S. Goodman were among the winners as trophies were handed out at the 22nd annual Americana Honors & Awards show Wednesday night at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Raitt won the award for song of the year for her (literally) heart-rending number “Just Like That” — just like she did at the most recent Grammys, in a very rare example of overlap between the two shows.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefRoku has picked up a second season of “Cypher,” an FBI-themed crime drama series, for which it was the exclusive North American carrier of the first seven-episode season.In territories outside the U.S. and Canada, the show is represented by Screen Media Ventures, which is launching it at the MipTV market this week.“Cypher” tells the story of an FBI code-breaking specialist who discovers a secret organization’s hit list and must navigate the murky waters of loyalty and betrayal among an underground ring of hackers, assassins, and government agents spanning a global conspiracy.Created by Mohamed Sayed Bisheer and directed by Majdi Smiri, the first season was shot in Los Angeles and produced jointly by Cairo-based Aroma Studios and United Brothers along with Los Angeles-based production companies AZ Films, Thriller Films and Taiwan’s Organic Media Group.