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The Chart Show: J.S. Ondara Becomes First Kenyan-Born Hall of Famer

J.S. Ondara performs in The Current studio.
J.S. Ondara performs in The Current studio.Nate Ryan | MPR

by Mark Wheat

April 18, 2019

Returning to the top for the second week overall, J.S. Ondara is also inducted into our
Chart Hall of Fame for the first time, and he gets profiled by our friends at PBS.

At #2 and #3 we have two of the biggest names from the first weekend of Coachella. Several reviews claimed that Lizzo 'won' the whole weekend, despite sound difficulties, and she guested with Janelle Monae for the best photo op of the day. And despite appearing 30 minutes late Billie Eilish caused Pitchfork to declare she's, "an obvious superstar in the making."

Still moving up two places this week to nine, Amanda Palmer was in town last weekend and stopped by to talk to Mac Wilson in our studios. She played some stunning versions of her songs on our grand piano.

The highest new entry at #10 is a single only released last Saturday for Record Store Day. Courtney Barnett will be at Rock The Garden again this year and also Summerfest in Milwaukee July 4th! The video for the single just came out depicting the band playing inside of Courtney's mind?!

Channelling Prince to great affect Gary Clark Jr. is new too at eleven. He did an NPR Tiny Desk concert this week.

Turning 80 this summer, Mavis Staples has apparently taken up skate-boarding at the behest of Ben Harper! He produced her new album "We Get By' which will be out on May 10th and she's back on the chart at #12.

Inducted to the Hall of Fame for the sixth time, putting her at #23 on the All-Time Hall of Fame list is Florence + The Machine.
This is a single released after her last album, 'High As Hope' and their USA tour for that album will resume next month.

Years To Burn is the tile of the new collaboration between Calexico and Iron and Wine which comes out on June 14th. The first single from the set is brand new at fifteen and they'll be doing a world tour throughout the upcoming year.

Submit your Chart Show ballot this week for a chance to win The Current's Laker Suite ticket giveaway to The 1975 at the Armory in Minneapolis, MN on May 7, 2019.