Phil Spector, the eccentric and revolutionary music producer who transformed rock music with his “Wall of Sound” method and who later was convicted of murder, has died. He was 81. California state prison officials said he died Saturday of natural causes at a hospital. Spector was convicted of killing actress Lana Clarkson in 2003 at his castle-like mansion on the edge of Los Angeles. After a trial in 2009, he was sentenced to 19 years to life. 

Country stars Tyler Hubbard and Tim McGraw are asking people to walk a mile in someone else's shoes in a call for unity on their new duet “Undivided." Hubbard, one-half of the duo Florida Georgia Line, wrote the song while isolating on his tour bus after testing positive for COVID-19 last year. Hubbard said the division in America in 2020 weighed heavily on his heart as he wrote the track. McGraw said the song isn't political, but makes a case for empathy instead of disagreement. Hubbard said the timing and the message of the song is even more important after a violent mob rioted at the U.S. Capitol last week. “Undivided" was released Wednesday.

A statue of country music icon Dolly Parton could be added to the Capitol grounds in Nashville if one state lawmaker gets his way. Rep. John Mark Windle's bill would honor Parton for all she's contributed to Tennessee. The state capitol commission would develop a plan for a statue to be paid for with private donations, and Windle said it should face toward the Ryman Auditorium, where she sometimes performs. He says Dolly “loves everyone, and everyone loves her.” Parton has used her fame and money recently to advocate for racial justice, help fund a coronavirus vaccine and improve child literacy.  

Acclaimed British director Michael Apted has died. He was 79. A representative for the Directors Guild of America said his family informed the organization that he died Thursday night. No cause was given. Apted’s most important works are the nine “Up” documentary films, which followed the lives of 14 economically diverse British children from age 7 to 63. An incredibly prolific director, his other works include films as diverse as the Loretta Lynn biopic “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and the James Bond flick “The World is Not Enough."

Tis the season to be jolly: A record 39 holiday songs have dominated this week’s Billboard Hot 100 chart, including nine holiday tunes in the Top 10. Mariah Carey’s ubiquitous hit, “All I Want for Christmas,” leads the pack at No. 1 — marking the tune’s fifth time at the top spot. Each holiday season Carey’s song and other holiday tunes begin to climb the Billboard charts as their popularity resurfaces through streaming, radio play and even digital sales.  The only non-holiday song in this week’s Top 10 is 24kGoldn and Iann Dior’s “Mood."