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Tributes have poured in following the death of John Reid, the acclaimed Glasgow-born DJ and vocalist behind Nightcrawlers. John has died at the age of 61.

Beyond his dance floor success, Reid built a notable songwriting career, penning Tina Turner’s 1999 hit “When the Heartache Is Over”, contributing tracks for Rod Stewart, and co-writing Westlife’s UK No.1 “Unbreakable”. The former Crookston Castle student also helped craft “A Moment Like This”, performed by both Kelly Clarkson and Leona Lewis.

John also collaborated with Simon Cowell and Ian Levine on tracks like “Whenever You Need Someone” (Bad Boys Inc), and also wrote for Eternal, Gemini, and Claire Richards’ festive song “My Heart Is Heading Home (This Christmas).”

His defining 90s anthem with Nightcrawlers, Push The Feeling On, found new life through remixes by underground artists JCA and Rosabot, climbing back to No.1 on the U.S. Dance Chart. With fresh versions featuring artists such as Big Narstie, the track cemented John’s legacy as a key figure in 90s dance music.

Mary Kiani, the former TTF vocalist and John’s nine-year fiancée, shared the news of his sudden death as she wrote: “Just heard this morning that my first love John Reid died suddenly. We met in Glasgow but fell in love in London.

“He was recording his album with Roy Hay (Culture Club) for his new band ‘This way up’. Myself and Danusia DanooshaZaremba were on tour, and every night we met at the Columbian hotel. We bought our first flat in Dennistoun age 21 & 22. We were both doing great with our music.

“The birth of The Nightcrawlers happened (Push the feeling on). We toured, we recorded, we did our vocal sessions together. We parted 9 years later. Last year, I got in touch with him. I said I’d love to say hello again before one of us dies. I saw him just last year in Glasgow.”

Elsewhere, Chris Judge, who is Susan Boyle’s vocal coach and Red Hot Chilli Pipers singer, also paid tribute: “RIP John Reid, an incredible Scottish singer with so much soul most famous for his vocals in the Nightcrawlers hit push the feeling on.. it’s been sampled so many times Pitbull, the Friday song by Riton Mufasa & Hypeman etc.

“He was also an extremely talented topline writer, who wrote ‘A moment like this’ hit after hit for Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Leona Lewis, Westlife. Sending love to my besty Mary Kiani you guys were the OG Session singers of the 90s I’ve loved hearing your story’s Sjo Big hugs xxx”

Chris added: “I remember him from doing road shows all over the country.. back when I was in the boy band days he was always such a nice guy very encouraging and supportive to all the new bands.

“He had so much success as a writer but it was his voice I loved he was an incredible singer and well respected like Mary in the session scene doing all the backing vocals working for people like Ian Levine.”

The cause of John’s death has not yet been confirmed by his loved ones.

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The Recording Academy has announced the introduction of two new categories for the 2026 Grammys, and fans are speculating that Beyoncé’s 2025 win may have something to do with it

The 2026 Grammys will see the introduction of two brand-new award categories, as well as the renaming of one of the biggest awards of the night. The Recording Academy announced the Grammy Awards will now include two new categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover. The existing best country album category will be renamed Best Contemporary Country Album.

They say the updates are part of an effort to “recognise as many deserving creators as possible” but some fans are speculating that Beyonce’s historic 2025 win may have something to do with it.

In 2025, Beyoncé became the first Black female artist to win the Best Country Album award at the Grammys in her first year being nominated in the category. The moment was particularly poignant for fans as the Houston-native’s song Daddy Lessons about her childhood in Texas was controversially rejected by the country music committee in 2016.

READ MORE: I went to see Beyoncé perform in London – there was on unexpected thing I saw

The Academy’s distinction between ‘traditional’ and ‘contemporary’ has fans speculating that Beyoncé’s historic entrance and dominance in country music motivated the decision. Fans shared their speculation in the comments section of the Grammy’s X post announcing the update.

“A black woman won best country album, NOW we need two categories? Interesting”, wrote one user on X. “OH! BEYONCE GOT THEM SHOOK,” wrote another user.

One commenter pointed out that this isn’t the case for categories where black-artists traditionally dominate. “Do they have Best Traditional Rap and a Best Contemporary Rap album categories?”

According to Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, the new country categories would actually put the genre in alignment with others which separate contemporary and traditional albums or performances, like R&B, pop and blues.

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Speaking to Billboard, Mason said: “It makes country parallel with what’s happening in other genres. But it is also creating space for where this genre is going.”

The new traditional country category will focus on: “country recordings that adhere to the more traditional sound structures of the country genre, including rhythm and singing style, lyrical content, as well as traditional country instrumentation such as acoustic guitar, steel guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, piano, electric guitar, and live drums.”

Mason also told Billboard that the proposal for the new category had been submitted a number of times previously, before passing this year.

Two other key changes to the 2026 Grammys include the expanded eligibility for Best New Artist to include artists who have been previously nominated in Album Of The Year, but whose contributions fell below the current 20 percent playing time threshold.

This update allows acts who were credited as featured artists on projects that were Grammy nominated for Album Of The Year in a previous awards cycle to be eligible for Best New Artist consideration.

Additionally, the existing Best Recording Package and Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package Categories have been combined into one single category: Best Recording Package. A new Category, Best Album Cover, has also been added.