(This is DGR’s review of the debut album from Epigram, the SoCal-based project of musician Luis Echevarria, who is accompanied on the album by drummer and additional vocalist Mikey Wilson.) Believe it or not, the album you see before you here is not the first time we have reached across the expanse of the internet […]
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Following the release of his debut single “Break My Chains” earlier this spring, rising blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Alex Kilroy returns today with a new take on the classic “Let The Good Times Roll,” featuring Vince Gill, offering a fresh glimpse into his upcoming debut album Break My Chains, arriving next Friday, May 15th.
Reimagined through Kilroy’s blues-rooted, guitar-driven lens, the track pairs his expressive playing and raw vocal delivery with Vince Gill’s unmistakable presence, bridging tradition and modern interpretation in a way that reflects the spirit of the full album.
The release arrives just one week ahead of Break My Chains, a record that marks the culmination of a journey that began far from the stages Kilroy now calls home.
As a child growing up in Transylvania, Kilroy hung an American flag above his bed and told his mother he was only visiting Romania. Years later, that unlikely belief has led him to the heart of the blues tradition he first connected with as a teenager, discovering Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Live at Montreux and realizing, as he recalls, “That’s me. That’s what I want to do.”
That moment set everything in motion. From early performances across Europe to a scholarship opportunity at Berklee College of Music, Kilroy’s path has been defined by persistence, instinct, and a deep connection to American blues. Even after relocating to the U.S., his journey remained anything but straightforward, marked by visa complications, financial uncertainty, and the kind of setbacks that force an artist to decide whether to keep going.
He did.
Eventually landing in Nashville, Kilroy rebuilt his life piece by piece, playing wherever he could and finding his footing in a city built on songs and survival. After relocating to Florida, he connected with industry veteran Clyde Harris, who introduced him to his partner Pat Armstrong, forming a team that helped bring his long-held vision into focus.
“We’ve got to start with the product,” Kilroy recalls telling them. “We’ve got to make a great album.”
Working alongside producer Tres Sasser, Kilroy developed Break My Chains as a cohesive statement rooted in blues tradition while opening into something broader – melodic, modern, and deeply personal. The title track introduced that philosophy earlier this year, centered on breaking out of inherited patterns and expectations, both creatively and internally.
“Break My Chains is about breaking the chains of trying to be somebody else,” Kilroy explains. “Breaking the patterns in your own mind.”
Now, with “Let The Good Times Roll,” Kilroy turns toward the music that shaped him, honoring the lineage he grew up studying while making it his own.
Across Break My Chains, you can hear the full range of those influences – from classical discipline to gospel energy to Southern rock textures – alongside moments drawn directly from his own life. There is also a deeper emotional current running through the record, shaped in part by the recent loss of his father, Iulian, whose influence continues to guide Kilroy’s path forward.
Through it all, the through-line remains freedom – freedom to leave home, to claim another, and to honor the past without being confined by it.
With Break My Chains arriving next week, Alex Kilroy steps fully into that vision.
The post VINCE GILL Joins Rising Blues-Rock Guitarist ALEX KILROY on New Take of “Let The Good Times Roll” appeared first on The Rockpit.
Posted on May 12th 2026, 2:40p.m.
Award-winning Brave Rival have officially launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the recording and release of their highly anticipated third studio album. The campaign arrives following the success of the band’s critically acclaimed EP 5 to 4 and gives fans the opportunity to directly support the creation of the new record while becoming part of the band’s next chapter. Backers can access a range of exclusive rewards, including a special Kickstarter edition pre-order of the upcoming live album Hell of a Ride (Live in 25), available two months ahead of release, alongside exclusive live album merchandise.
Fans also have the rare chance to step inside the creative process itself, with opportunities to join the band in the studio during the recording of Album 3, appear on the album, or spend a day watching the recording sessions unfold firsthand. Supporters can additionally gain access to an exclusive listening party, offering the chance to hear the new album before anyone else.
The band describe the forthcoming release as their most ambitious and emotionally powerful work to date. Early response to the campaign has already been overwhelming, with more than 90% of the funding target reached within just three days of launch.
Funds raised through the campaign will help cover costs for Album 3, while continuing the band’s proudly independent and fan-supported approach to music. Supporters are helping fuel Brave Rival’s continuing rise across the UK and European rock scene following a landmark year for the band.
Their latest EP 5 to 4 reached Number 4 in the Official UK Rock and Metal Charts and also secured the Number 1 position in the Official UK Album Breakers Chart, the band’s first ever chart-topping release. In 2025, the band were also named Band of the Year at the UK Blues Awards 2025.
Speaking about the new album, guitarist and vocalist Ed Clarke says: “This album feels like the natural evolution of everything we’ve built so far, We’ve grown massively as songwriters and performers over the last few years, and we genuinely believe these songs are the strongest we’ve ever written. The support from our fans has already blown us away.”
Lindsey Bonnick adds “The connection we’ve built with people at our live shows has been incredible. This Kickstarter is about bringing everyone into the process with us. We want the fans to feel like they’re part of Album 3 from day one.”
Bassist Billy Dedman says “We’re not interested in making the same record twice. There’s going to be bigger energy, bigger hooks, and some really emotional moments on this album too. We can’t wait for people to hear where we’re going next.”
And Drummer Donna Peters comments “Independent music survives because of passionate fans. Every pledge, every share, every message of support genuinely helps make this record possible. We’re incredibly grateful for this community.”
Fans can support the campaign through the official Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brave-rival-album/brave-rival-album-3-0
UK Tour Dates:
May 17th – Fleet Harlington
June 4th – Newbury Arlington Arts
June 7th – Staines Thameside Brewery
June 18th – Isle Of Wight Festival
June 26th – ABR Festival
June 30th – Coulsdon Tuesday Night Music Club
July 18th – Upton Blues Festival
July 19th – Maid of Stone Festival
Aug 1st – Cambridge Rock Festival
Aug 21st – A New Day Festival
Sept 18th – Camberley Login Lounge
Sept 26th – Wolverhampton NWOCR Festival
Dec 17th – Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
Website: braverival.com
Spotify • Facebook • YouTube • Instagram
The post BRAVE RIVAL Launch Kickstarter Campaign for Third Studio Album appeared first on The Rockpit.
In a high-voltage crossover that has ignited Music News feeds, Mötley Crüe and country-pop icon Carrie Underwood stunned viewers during the massive three-hour season finale of American Idol on Monday, May 11. Shattering genre boundaries, Underwood joined the legendary “Saints of Los Angeles” to deliver a powerhouse two-song set featuring the definitive rock anthem “Kickstart My Heart” and the bittersweet classic “Home Sweet Home.”
The performance marks a full-circle moment for Underwood—who now serves as an Idol judge alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan—nearly two decades after her own cover of the Crüe ballad became the show’s official “elimination anthem.” As the episode heads to Disney+ and Hulu for streaming today, fans are calling the collaboration the most electric “Idol” finale moment in years. Watch the full unfiltered performance video below.
While the pairing might seem unexpected to casual viewers, the history between Carrie Underwood and Mötley Crüe runs deep. Back in 2009, American Idol selected Underwood’s studio rendition of “Home Sweet Home” as the emotional soundtrack for departing contestants, playing it over video montages every Wednesday night.
Underwood’s affinity for the track even extended to her philanthropy; in 2009, she donated a portion of the song’s iTunes proceeds to the Humane Society of the United States. “I’ve always loved this song… to me, the title is also very fitting with animal rescue and finding animals their own homes,” Underwood stated at the time.
The live chemistry on the Idol stage also had a precedent. Nearly 20 years ago, in August 2007, Underwood famously surprised fans at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon by joining Vince Neil for an unscripted rendition of “Kickstart My Heart,” proving even then that she had the rock pipes to match the Crüe’s grit.
The 2026 finale, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, wasn’t just about the heavy hitters of hair metal. The three-hour broadcast featured a massive roster of guest performers, including Shinedown, Nelly, En Vogue, and Blues Traveler, alongside Idol alum Clay Aiken. However, it was the image of Underwood standing front-and-center with Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee that seemed to really grab the headlines.
And rightly so.
Which Mötley Crüe songs did Carrie Underwood sing on American Idol? Carrie Underwood joined the band for performances of “Home Sweet Home” and “Kickstart My Heart” during the 2026 season finale.
Has Carrie Underwood covered Mötley Crüe before? Yes. Underwood released a studio cover of “Home Sweet Home” in 2009, which was used as the elimination song for American Idol Season 8.
Where can I watch the Mötley Crüe and Carrie Underwood performance? The finale aired Monday, May 11, on ABC and is available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu starting today, May 12.
Is Carrie Underwood a judge on American Idol now? Yes, the Season 4 winner has returned to the panel as an esteemed judge alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.
STAY LOUD: Catch the full breakdown of today’s stories on the Loaded Radio Daily Podcast, or crank the hard rock and metal 24/7 on our live digital stream at LoadedRadio.com.
Mötley Crüe and judge Carrie Underwood teamed up for a “surprise” two-song performance on the American Idol season finale, revisiting their long history with the hits “Home Sweet Home” and “Kickstart My Heart.”
The post MOTLEY CRUE & CARRIE UNDERWOOD COLLIDE: “American Idol” Finale Explodes with Surprise “Kickstart My Heart” Duet appeared first on Loaded Radio.