Win 1 of 3 Phase 180 'Fingers' CDs

Advertisement

closing date: 8 Feb 2012

Email this competition Printable version

PHASE 180 ' FINGERS

5 MARCH 2012
Universal Music Operations

Fresh from the South Coast of England, here comes this year's musical sensation: Phase 180 with their stunning debut single "Fingers".
Produced with the legendary K-Warren (Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Gabrielle, Lil Wayne, Eternal) ', Fingers" conjures up all the elements of a timeless worldwide smash. With its club-friendly cocktail of rock-hard beats, euphoric synths & irresistibly cheeky vocals, big-name DJs across the globe are already rushing to drop "Fingers" in their sets !

Phase 180 comprises experienced Hastings-based DJs Jon Buckley & Adam P in collaboration with special guest producers, vocalists and artists. UK garage pioneer K-Warren sets the ball rolling in style, his production work helping the first single "Fingers" to become an instant classic.

This hot single comes packed with three alternative mixes of "Fingers" (the original pop version, the Club Mix and K-Warren's exclusive UK Garage Mix) have each blazed a trail across their respective scenes, rapidly earning Phase 180 love and support from radio stations such as 1Xtra, Kiss FM, Impact FM, as well as plays on Internet music channels all around the world.

Remember where you heard it first: "Fingers" by Phase 180. This single will be hitting Radio, Press and Clubs in January 2012 with an official release on all major download stores from 5 March 2012.

To enter the competition all you need to is send an email with 180! in the subject line to comp@music-news.com including your name, address and telephone number. Winners will be notified by phone/email.

To be in with a chance of winning 1000 CDs including rare, signed and promotional copies simply 'like' our Award Winning facebook page here! And double your chances by following us on Twitter Follow @MusicNewsWeb

For all DVD, Blu-Ray and other film related prizes visit our sister site film-news.co.uk competitions page here. Good luck!

> For more Music-News competitions click here

View the original article here

Elton John Writing Book About AIDS Crisis

by Associated Press  |   January 09, 2012 11:15 EST

Elton John is writing his first book, a personal account of the AIDS crisis.

The musician says "Love is the Cure: Ending the Global Aids Epidemic" will include memories of friends who died of AIDS-related illnesses, including Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.

Elton John Thanks NY Governor for 'Taking Stand' on Gay Marriage

British publisher Hodder & Stoughton says the book will be published in July along with an audio book read by the British pop star. The U.S. publisher is Little, Brown.

Proceeds will go to the Elton John's AIDS Foundation.

John said Monday the book would ask why more is not being done to cure the disease.

He said AIDS "is a disease that must be cured not by a miraculous vaccine, but by changing hearts and minds, and through a collective effort to break down social barriers."

© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Log in to create your profile, speak your mind and connect with listeners like you.

Already a member? Sign in now, or log in with your Facebook account.

For the full Billboard experience, you need to be a member. Sign up. It's free.

Your password has been sent to the email address you provided. Please sign in below :

Log in through Facebook instead.

View the original article here

Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott Ties The Knot

by Jason Lipshutz, N.Y.  |   January 09, 2012 10:20 EST

Lady Antebellum singer Hillary Scott tied the knot with country musician Chris Tyrrell on Saturday (Jan. 7) in an intimate ceremony in upstate New York.

The couple posted a video on Lady A's web site on Sunday confirming the news. "We love you. We're so excited to be starting our life together, and we just had to let you in on the excitement," Scott tells her fans.

According to a post on the band's web site, Scott wore "a custom Vera Wang strapless mermaid dress with abstract all-over lace underlay," while the groom sported "a gray Ermenegildo Zegna suit."

Scott met Tyrrell while opening for Tim McGraw in 2010. Tyrrell popped the question over the Fourth of July weekend in Tennessee last year.

Lady Antebellum scored their second No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with the September release of their third album, "Own The Night." In December, Lady A guitarist Dave Haywood also got engaged to girlfriend Kelli Cashiola. 

Log in to create your profile, speak your mind and connect with listeners like you.

Already a member? Sign in now, or log in with your Facebook account.

For the full Billboard experience, you need to be a member. Sign up. It's free.

Your password has been sent to the email address you provided. Please sign in below :

Log in through Facebook instead.

View the original article here

Lady Antebellum Singer Gets Married

Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum arrives at the American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles.Jeff Kravitz/AMA2011/FilmMagic

Lady Antebellum singer Hillary Scott wed Love and Theft drummer Chris Tyrell in a ceremony in upstate New York on Saturday. Scott, 25, announced the marriage to her fans with a video on the Lady Antebellum website. "We got married! We just wanted you to hear it from us first," Scott gushed to fans after showing off her wedding ring.

Scott and Tyrell met when their bands were touring together as opening acts on Tim McGraw's Southern Voice tour in 2010. Tyrell proposed over Fourth of July weekend last year while the two were on vacation in Tennessee.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

View the original article here

'Dark Knight Rises': The Man Behind The Music

In the years since "Batman Begins" changed the superhero-movie game and "The Dark Knight" took it one step further, the masses have heralded Christopher Nolan as the singular source of genius behind the two films. No one — myself included — will ever deny Nolan's brilliance, but it is essential to recognize the wealth of creative masters working on the films.

Academy Award winner Wally Pfister used a mastery of cinematography to paint Gotham landscapes that are distinct in each entry in the series, yet never betray any sense of consistency with the setting. Editor Lee Smith worked with Nolan to cut the action in a way that thrills but always provides a sense of space.

But perhaps the most unsung hero of Nolan's Batman movies is composer Hans Zimmer. His work with James Newton Howard on the first two films can get lost within the chaos on the screen, but it is always there, accenting each and every memorable scene. His work on the first two films is worth revisiting, for now with the two trailers and the prologue, we've gotten a small sense of what to expect from the composer for the trilogy's conclusion.

Zimmer's last two scores for Nolan films, "The Dark Knight" and "Inception," have been, at least in part, concept-driven. A new video featured on /Film points out the uncanny similarities between the "Why So Serious?" track from the "Dark Knight" soundtrack and a song from the musical "Édith et Marcel." In another connection to the singer Édith Piaf, Zimmer famously incorporated an ultra-slow take on "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien" into his score for "Inception." While both may have built off of previous pieces, Zimmer's interpretation of them made them his own and all the more memorable.

Barring any chance Édith Piaf connections, it appears Zimmer is going in an entirely different direction with his score for "The Dark Knight Rises." Though still concept-driven, the cult-like chanting signals an ambitious turn for the composer.

The second I heard the "dey-shay bah-sah-rah" chant as part of the viral campaign, it immediately caught my attention, as I'm sure it did for many others. There was something so unsettling about it then, and now that we have a better concept of what it may be in its final form, it's even scarier. When Zimmer put the request out to fans to add their voices to the chanting, we learned what kind of scale the composer and Nolan are going for. They want a worldwide chant, featuring thousands of angry voices.

The implications for Batman in "The Dark Knight Rises" could be ruinous. The talk surrounding Bane poses him as the most threatening baddie Batman has faced up until this point. We know from the trailer that at some point Bane will recruit legions to follow him and he'll be successful. The trailer tells us that the chant means "Rise," bringing the last word of the film's title into play. With so many rising against Batman and teases of the end of the legend, the question must once again be asked, "Will Batman make it out of this?"

However the story plays out, Zimmer, in his collaboration with Nolan, has created something that transcends the usual functions of a film score. He has planted an idea and created a tone that have already sparked interest even before the film hits theaters. That's an achievement worth praising, and there can be little doubt that when we do get our hands on a complete score, it will excite and thrill and prove again just how good Zimmer can be.

Check out everything we've got on "The Dark Knight Rises."

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

View the original article here

The Used to release 'I Come Alive' single

Advertisements

added: 9 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

Email this story Printable version

The wait for new music from The Used is over! Head over to ww.KROQ.com now to hear the first single 'I Come Alive' taken from the upcoming album "Vulnerable" out March 27th via their own label Anger Music Group partnered with Hopeless Records. The debut single will be available for purchase January 17th on iTunes.

With over 3 Million albums sold worldwide, The Used continue to create music that they stand behind 100%. "'I Come Alive' was the first song completed once we began writing this record. It sets up the album really well and I like how diverse and theatrical it is', says front man Bert McCracken.

The band chose to go back in the studio with Jon Feldman who had accompanied them on 2007's Lies for the Liars, 2004's In Love And Death, 2003's Maybe Memories and their debut self-titled album from 2002. Bassist Jeph Howard said working with Feldman on this album 'was very positive. We really went out and expanded on this album. I'm excited for it to be more then a typical Used record.'

Full track listing and cover art will be released later this month.

The band will be performing at Soundwave Festival in Australia next month. For dates and more information on The Used, check out: www.TheUsed.net

Win our 'Wired For Sound' package worth over L500! Click here now.

> For more Music-News stories click here

Be the first to comment on this review:

View the original article here

Drake Had 'Greatest Freedom' Making <i>Take Care</i>

One look at the production credits on Drake's 2010 debut, Thank Me Later, serves as a reminder to just how hot the Toronto MC was out of the gate. Guests like Jay-Z, T.I. and Alicia Keys lent their voices, while multiplatinum producers like Kanye West, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland offered their sonic expertise.

The music world was truly Drake's oyster, but on his sophomore set, Take Care, Drizzy scaled things back in order to make a bigger impact. Instead of pooling together his resources and using his hitmaking influence, Drake went back to basics, choosing to record the entire album in Toronto with friend and engineer/producer Noah "40" Shebib, the studio wiz who helped Drake cook up his 2009 breakout tape, So Far Gone.

"I can't sit there and tell you that anybody made any conscious decisions to the extent of, 'Oh, we're gonna make this feel of an album,' " 40 told MTV News in December from Take Care studios in Toronto. "We really just make records and cut music until someone says, 'That's it: You can't make any more music; you gotta stop.' "

The result was a cohesive and emotional 18-track ride, with two bonus tracks for iTunes. The MC revealed to MTV News that the narrative that drives his latest LP was inspired by "Houstatlantavegas," a So Far Gone track produced by 40. "I really didn't start working with Drake production-wise until So Far Gone," Shebib said. "As far as Drake and music and the people around him, he really controls that, and he picks all those records, and my goal is to facilitate that."

And facilitate he did. 40 either produced or co-produced 15 of the 20 total Take Care tracks. One song in particular, the Lil Wayne- and Andre 3000-assisted "The Real Her," started with a reverse piano loop that the beatsmith had given to Drake a year before they began working on the album. It might have seemed insignificant at the time, but Drake eventually came back with a song idea off of that one sample.

"What ends up happening a lot of times with our records is that, because I can do a lot of things in the studio, whether it be play instruments or produce or edit or run Pro Tools or edit vocals, whatever the case may be, I help him get out his ideas," 40 said. "I think that's the goal of any good producer, is to make sure the artist is delivering what they want."

With Cash Money/ Young Money's track record of success, Drake's label trusted in the rapper and producer's abilities, allowing them to create without looking over their shoulder. Safe to say, it all paid off when Take Care debuted at #1 on the Billboard albums chart, pushing over 631,000 copies in its first week after it was released November 15. The album is now well-past platinum, on its way to 2 million records sold in just under three months.

"We get to do what we want: We don't have to clear it with the A&Rs or anybody. We are our own A&Rs," Shebib explained. "And that's the greatest freedom you can possibly have in this business."

View the original article here

Jay-Z Celebrates Birth of Daughter with New Song

Jay-Z attends a New Jersey Nets game against the Atlanta Hawks at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Proud father Jay-Z has released a new song celebrating the birth of his daughter Blue Ivy Carter on his lifestyle website Life + Times. The song, called "Glory," was produced by Pharrell and features audio of Blue Ivy – credited as B.I.C. – recorded shortly after her birth on Saturday.

As can be expected, Jay-Z sounds overwhelmed with joy on the track, rapping "The most amazing feeling I feel, words can’t describe what I’m feeling for real / Baby, I paint the sky blue, my greatest creation was you," and later  rhapsodizing "You're the child of destiny / you're the child of my destiny / you're my child with the child from Destiny's Child."

The song is also rather revealing, with the rapper spilling that he and Beyoncé conceived their child in Paris, and alluding to a previous miscarriage. "Last time the miscarriage was tragic / We was afraid you'd disappear but nah baby you're magic."

You can listen to Jay-Z's new song "Glory" below.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

View the original article here

Free Download: The Darcys' 'Josie'

Click to listen to The Darcys' 'Josie'

Toronto-based art rock group The Darcys released their self-titled debut on October 25th and have recently recorded a cover of Steely Dan's "Josie" for their upcoming AJA tribute album, set for a January 24th release. Giving a nod to one of their favorite bands, The Darcys decided to craft their version of "Josie" in a decidedly different tone.

Random Notes

"With 'Josie,' we wanted to create an ominous mood to close the record. The Steely Dan version plays like a breezy pop song about a beautiful girl, but the lyrics hint at violence and reckless abandon," The Darcys' Wes Marskell says. "Who is Josie to incite all of this? And where has she been? We loved the incongruity between Steely Dan's feel and lyrical content, but our goal was to subvert the original by undermining that polarity."

You can download The Darcys' dark version of "Josie" for free here.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

View the original article here

Win 1 of 3 copies of Anthony Hopkins �Composer� album

Advertisement

closing date: 9 Feb 2012

Email this competition Printable version

Sir Anthony Hopkins, one of the world's greatest living screen actors, is releasing an album of his original classical music compositions through Classic FM. 'Anthony Hopkins ' Composer' will be available from 16th January 2012 through Amazon, HMV, Play.com and iTunes.

In July 2011, Sir Anthony joined the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra on stage at Birmingham Symphony Hall to introduce a performance of his original compositions and scores from some of his best-known films. 'Anthony Hopkins ' Composer' is the recording of nine of Sir Anthony's original works from that evening including pieces composed for two films that he not only scored but also directed and starred in ('Slipstream' and 'August').

For more information, visit www.classicfm.com/anthonyhopkins.

For a chance to win one of five copies of 'Anthony Hopkins - Composer', simply answer the following question:

In what city was 'Anthony Hopkins - Composer' performed?

a. Birmingham
b. Bournemouth
c. Blackpool

Just send an email with HOP! in the subject line to comp@music-news.com including your name, address and telephone number. Winners will be notified by phone/email.

To be in with a chance of winning 1000 CDs including rare, signed and promotional copies simply 'like' our Award Winning facebook page here! And double your chances by following us on Twitter Follow @MusicNewsWeb

For all DVD, Blu-Ray and other film related prizes visit our sister site film-news.co.uk competitions page here. Good luck!

> For more Music-News competitions click here

View the original article here

Dear Reader - Idealistic Animals - City Slang

Advertisement

added: 8 Jan 2012 // release date: 9 Jan 2012 // label: City Slang
reviewer: Paul Chapinal

Email this album review Printable version You can rely on an artist to use a trauma in their life to inspire them. Break-ups are a good source and generally give the author the opportunity to get behind a piano, or go acoustic, and lament the collapse of a relationship to anyone who will listen. Usually these are about people breaking-up but in Cheri MacNeil?s case it is the loss of her faith and a belief system that appears to have almost totally ruled the early years of her life. This, and an amicable split with her musical partner, has to some extent fuelled the writing of Idealistic Animals.

The themes behind the album are complex and at times highly personal; so it can sound alienating. The opening track FOX (Take Your Chances) (All the songs are named after animals.) is a case in hand. It?s a moving but disconcerting listen; the sparse instrumentation and arrangements rarely come to the fore, leaving MacNeil?s voice to carry the song. A complete contrast to MONKEY (You Can Go Home) which is a bit of a roller. EARTHWORM (All Hail Our Ailing Mother) is a lovely, moving song, gliding on percussion and bass.

Up to this point the despite the break-up theme, the album does have an oddly playful ambiance ? in particular the lyrics ? about it, and one can?t help wondering if the band are actually having a laugh at our expense.

That air of fun is blown midway through by the title track, MAN (Idealistic Animals). A sombre piece built on a drum and piano intro with chants and strings seguing in, the song continuously builds but doesn?t quite reach the crashing finale one would expect, it rather just reduces and peters out and is all the more effective for that.

After that the album basically gets back into its former groove. BEAR (Young?s Done In) bumps along on little more than the drums, though as with most of the other songs there?s lot going on in the background. A feature of the album is that at times it sounds as if they have chucked in whatever seems to have been lying around in the studio. Sometimes it works, othertimes its just irritating as on WHALE (BooHoo).

The crystalline production brings out all the performances and especially the beauty and delicacy of Cheri MacNeil?s voice. The band does sound as if they are playing to satisfy themselves which under the circumstances is understandable, but that doesn?t make it impenetrable. Having said that it could be that people will grow to admire this album rather than form a real attachment to it.

Download it here now!

Win our 'Wired For Sound' package worth over L500! Click here now.

> For more Music-News album reviews click here

Be the first to comment on this review:

View the original article here

Ron Paul Inspires Poetry In New Hampshire

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — "They call it the Department of Education ... Let's put an end to the Department of Indoctrination!" That kind of sentiment was flowing like extra-hoppy craft beer on Sunday night at Manchester's only brewpub, Milly's Tavern. It was the site of the "Slam Free or Die" political poetry open mic that drew a number of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul's supporters. And while the sentiment onstage was often dripping with elegantly worded sarcasm, the boots on the ground had plenty of sobering thoughts on the suddenly surging candidate who refuses to play by his party's staid rules.

Nearly a week after the Iowa caucus, Congressman Paul's rivals continue to take digs at one another in an attempt to win over traditional GOP voting blocs and prove their family values bona fides. Libertarian Paul's pull with younger voters, meanwhile, was inspiring the kind of enthusiasm that motivated his followers to drive in from as far as Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., to attend the slam and volunteer in the Granite State in the lead-up to Tuesday's primary.

A common theme among the Paul faithful who spoke to MTV News for the channel's ongoing Power of 12 series was a disappointment with the Obama administration and a feeling that the promises of change touted four years ago have not come to fruition as they expected.

"I think there were a lot of disillusioned voters in '08 who thought Obama would be a good solution to the problems presented by Bush," said Pericles Niarchos, 26, who, like the several tables of Paul-ites in the bar, was firmly focused on the poetry rather than the nail-biting Steelers-Broncos NFL playoff game being shown on the bar's flat-screen TVs.

"And after the last four years, we've seen the wars extended, we've seen [the terror detention center at] Guantanamo Bay remain open ... the war on drugs continues on, we see bailout of the corporate elite that started under Bush. So, a lot of those supporters ... [feel] Dr. Paul has a consistent record on these issues."

Niarchos, who recently completed a history degree with a political science minor from Drexel University, is among those who drove in from Philly to volunteer for the campaign, and he had a lot of issues on his mind. But one of the foremost was the various overseas military entanglements that are taking young lives and, he said, bankrupting the country.

As to what it is about Paul — at 76, the oldest candidate in the running — that is speaking to teens and twentysomethings, Ryan Kuch, 24, said it is concerns about the economy and the libertarian call for a society that is "bottom-up ... organic ... people doing things, rather than top-down ... people in Washington deciding what we should do to stimulate the economy." Plus, he said, alluding to Paul's non-interventionist theory of foreign policy, it's his generation that will continue to pay for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, long after they are over. And not just with higher government debt but with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder and physical wounds that won't heal.

"Dr. Paul's message seems to be more about sincerity and that you should be free to determine your own future," said Niarchos. "A lot of young people today feel like they're growing up in a world where they're no longer free to determine their own future. They're living in a set amount of circumstances that are being defined by older generations who don't really understand what we're going through. What our perspective is on the world is, what we want and what our values are ... in my whole lifetime I don't think the U.S. has been at peace for more than four years, and it's really refreshing to see someone who advocates that so thoroughly."

"We need a cranky old president who keeps his money in a mattress," said one poetry-slam reader. Another read a piece entitled "Upholding Miserable Everywhere," in which he selectively quoted the candidates in their own words. "I'm reciprocal," he said, reiterating former Utah governor Jon Huntsman's line. Another lamented that he missed the recent televised GOP debate because he was being arrested backstage after trying to "occupy" the event, and yet another referred to the various politicians as "New Hampshire's deadbeat uncle," who only comes around every four years when he needs something.

What's fascinating about Paul's followers is that this poetry slam is not an isolated, election-year event. They say that this is what Paul's people do: They get together and lament the economic inequities of Pell grants, the tyranny of government's tentacle-like reach into their pockets, the worthlessness of the Fed continually printing more money, the stifling of entrepreneurship by overzealous regulation and benefits of a free-market system in the same way their peers discuss fantasy football stats.

Emily O'Neill, 23, a member of the National Guard and self-described "misfit and contrarian" and "1920s feminist" who works in human resources in Washington, D.C., said the first time two Paul supporters meet each other, the opening topic is how they discovered their political icon. Dressed in cherry-red high heels, a gray skirt, ruffled white shirt and blue blazer, the New Boston, New Hampshire, native said she planned to wave signs and make calls on behalf of her candidate on Monday (January 9). "Let's not kid ourselves, it's not about left versus right," she said. "We all agree on freedom and more government is not working. We're less prosperous now than when we started off even a decade ago ... people now want their freedom. Especially young people. This is the Internet generation. We can go online and find the answers and find out who the politicians are who are complete hypocrites. We know the truth so there's no kidding us anymore."

Along with her friend Josh Luedtke, 26, a Roanoke, Virginia, reservist who just returned from his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, O'Neill said she might typically have been a Mitt Romney supporter. But not this time. "I came to the conclusion that what other people do, as long as it doesn't hurt me, doesn't affect me," said Luedtke, who sported a red, white and blue Paul campaign T-shirt emblazoned with the word "liberty," as well as a baseball hat that reads "Dysfunctional veteran ... Leave me alone."

Inspired by the Occupy movement and the grassroots nature of Paul's latest campaign, O'Neill said young voters are feeling motivated to get involved and be part of a new solution.

"I hope that the difference between [the election of] 2008 and 2012 is that in 2008 young people came out and said, 'We want the government to give us things.' And in 2012, young people are going to come out and say, 'We want the government to leave us alone.' " As for his peers who might be considering sitting this election out because they don't like the options, Luedtke said they have two choices. "Freedom and tyranny. You can either vote for Ron Paul and take hold of your future with a government that is going to leave you alone ... or you can choose tyranny and vote for anyone else."

Romney has a decisive lead in New Hampshire, where he's polling at more than 41 percent, followed by Paul at 17 percent, which is not surprising given that 40 percent of the state's voters describe themselves as independents.

MTV is on the scene in New Hampshire! Check back here around the clock for up-to-the-minute coverage on the primary caucuses, and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the presidential election season.

View the original article here

Kelly Rowland To Be Honored at 2012 Black Women In Music Event

by Gail Mitchell, L.A.  |   January 09, 2012 9:40 EST

Grammy Award nominee Kelly Rowland and music industry veteran Sylvia Rhone will be feted during Grammy week at the third annual Essence Black Women in Music event. Featuring an exclusive performance by Rowland and special guest Eve, the Feb. 8 invitation-only event in Los Angeles will also include guest DJ MC Lyte - the first female solo rapper nominated for a Grammy.

Rowland, who first rose to fame as a founding member of history-making girl group Destiny's Child, is a current Grammy nominee in the best rap/sung collaboration category for "Motivation" featuring Lil Wayne. She was also a judge on the eighth season of the British reality TV talent show "The X Factor." Rowland's "talent, drive and remarkable creative force show what it truly means to be a young powerhouse in an ever-changing industry," says Essence editor-in-chief Constance C.R. White in a statement.

Kelly Rowland Live Q&A: Watch It Again

Rhone most recently served as president of Universal Motown, where she oversaw a roster that included Drake, Nicki Minaj, Erykah Badu and Stevie Wonder. She is currently a member of the board of directors of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. "Sylvia Rhone is an iconic driving force in the music industry who has become a trailblazer for African-American women everywhere," says Essence president Michelle Ebanks.

"To be acknowledged by [Essence] is truly a privilege," says Rhone in an email to Billboard. "To be honored with Kelly Rowland, for whom I have the utmost respect, will make this a very special evening."

Previous Essence Black Women in Music events have saluted Janelle Monae and Mary J. Blige. This year's event is being sponsored by Lincoln and My Black Is Beautiful. Additional details, including venue, will be announced shortly.

Log in to create your profile, speak your mind and connect with listeners like you.

Already a member? Sign in now, or log in with your Facebook account.

For the full Billboard experience, you need to be a member. Sign up. It's free.

Your password has been sent to the email address you provided. Please sign in below :

Log in through Facebook instead.

View the original article here

New Hampshire Primary A Scramble For Second Place

If you stayed up late awaiting the results of the Iowa caucus last week, there's a good chance you'll get to bed earlier this Tuesday when New Hampshire voters head to the polls for their presidential primary.

While former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney slid out of the Hawkeye State with a razor-thin eight-vote victory over suddenly surging contender former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, polls indicate that the leading GOP candidate will face much-weaker competition in his own backyard.

Romney is polling at 40 percent in the state, which means that the real scramble this time will be for second place. Though Romney managed to emerge from Iowa with a win (barely), despite not spending much time there in the run-up to Tuesday's first-in-the-nation contest, it was the roster of those below him that helped shake up the contest.

Left for dead months ago after failing to climb out of the single digits, traditional family-values conservative Santorum nearly managed a huge upset but is unlikely to pull another January surprise in New Hampshire, where the large population of independent voters — who make up 40 percent of the electorate — can cast ballots in Republican primaries. His anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage fire-and-brimstone message may not resonate with Granite State voters the way Libertarian Ron Paul's small-government outlook could. In fact, according to CNN, not only is New Hampshire the least-religious state in the nation, but a 2008 poll found that 55 percent of Republican primary voters believed that abortion should be always or mostly legal. Also, New Hampshire is one of the few states in the country where gay marriage is legal.

Paul, whose pull with young voters helped propel him to a strong third-place finish in Iowa, could cement his status as a serious contender with a second-place finish. At press time, he was polling around 17 percent, edging out Santorum at 11 percent.

With a win clearly off the table, even a runner-up finish was looking less likely, though, for former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman. The most-liberal conservative in the remaining field made a calculated risk by avoiding Iowa and betting the farm on New Hampshire, where he's spent much of the past six months. But after crowing that he was certain he'd win the state in recent weeks, Huntsman began lowering expectations in the days leading up to the vote, when his poll numbers failed to rise above 7 percent.

Like Santorum and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Huntsman already began setting his sights on the next contest in South Carolina (January 21), while Romney is hoping to solidify his hold on the leader spot and fend off the rest of the pack as the primaries head to Southern states, where Evangelical voters could play a bigger role in boosting Santorum.

While the GOP contenders continue to rip each other apart in the scramble to come out on top after primary season, they also have been hitting President Obama very hard on his policies in their stump speeches. Though Obama does not face a primary battle on Tuesday night, he is running a robust campaign in New Hampshire, where his team is trying to get as many supporters out to the polls to vote as possible in order to shore up the commander in chief's sagging support in the state.

No matter what happens, MTV's Power of 12 will be there to chronicle what's on the minds of young voters and bring you their reactions to Tuesday night's vote.

MTV is on the scene in New Hampshire! Check back here around the clock for up-to-the-minute coverage on the primary caucuses, and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the presidential election season.

View the original article here

Metallica confirm 3D film

Advertisements

added: 9 Jan 2012 // by: VVN Music 

Email this story Printable version

Metallica, who has a history of bucking new trends in music and technology, are going where few have so far and putting out a 3D film.

Some media sources have mentioned the movie over the last couple of months and, now, the group have gone onto their website to confirm the project:

As you know, we generally make it a policy not to comment on gossip or rumors, but we also pride ourselves on being first with 'TALLICA news. So, with that said, the more astute of you may have noticed a couple of mentions in trade publications, and most recently in the new issue of Rolling Stone, that a METALLICA 3D movie is in the works. We're here to tell you that, yes, there is indeed a 3D project in the very early stages of production! We wish we could tell you more right now, but we don't have all the finer points nailed down just yet. What we can tell you is that we are planning on being in a theatre near you sometime in 2013 and as you hear us say ever so often, this will be the space for all the details as we finalize them.

At this time, nobody is saying whether this is a documentary, a concert film or some other type of project.

Win our 'Wired For Sound' package worth over L500! Click here now.

> For more Music-News stories click here

Be the first to comment on this review:

View the original article here

Adele's '21' Returns to Top of U.K. Chart

by Paul Sexton, London  |   January 09, 2012 8:10 EST

There's a familiar look to the top of the new U.K. album chart, published by the Official Charts Company on Sunday (Jan. 8), on which Adele's "21" (XL Recordings) sold another 38,000 units to move back 6-1 and become the album with the longest span at No. 1 for some 41 years. Flo Rida's "Good Feeling" (Atlantic/Warner Music) climbed from No. 3 to top the singles chart in its eighth week, with 50,000 new sales.

Adele's '21' Claims 14th Week Atop Billboard 200

The Adele album is in its 19th aggregate week at No. 1, a run that started on the first of its 50 chart weeks in January last year. That becomes the longest calendar sequence since Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" between February 1970 and January 1971, during which time it had had 33 non-consecutive weeks at the summit. "21" is also the longest-running No. 1 by a female artist in U.K. chart history, and the sixth longest for any artist album, not including soundtracks. Adele's previous album "19" climbed 40-18 on the new chart and she has three singles from "21" in the current top 40, with "Someone Like You" falling 27-28, "Set Fire To The Rain" 32-35, and "Rolling In The Deep" climbing 45-39, its first top 40 appearance since September.

Bruno Mars' "Doo-Wops & Hooligans" (Elektra/Warner Music) held at No. 2 with 30,000 sales, as last week's chart-topper, Ed Sheeran's "+" (Asylum/Warner Music), fell to No. 3 (24,000 units). The other gainers in the top ten were Beyoncé's "4" (Columbia/Sony Music Entertainment), up 12-6 as the single "Love On Top" improved 22-20, and Jessie J's "Who You Are" (Lava/Universal Island), 10-8. Her "Domino" track climbed 34-8 while James Morrison's "Up" (Universal Island), on which she features, moved 35-30. "Now! That's What I Call Music 80" (EMI TV/Universal Music TV) is in its seventh week atop the compilation chart.

The Flo Rida single debuted at No. 2 in late November, and has not fallen lower than No. 7 since. He previously topped the U.K. singles chart with "Right Round" in 2009 and "Club Can't Handle Me," featuring David Guetta, last year. "Good Feeling" includes samples of both Etta James' "Something's Gotta Hold On Me" and Avicci's "Levels," which Universal Island single itself climbed 12-4 on the new listing.

Last week's No. 1 single, Coldplay's "Paradise" (Parlophone/EMI), fell to No. 2 on sales of 36,000, just 280 units of British soulman Taio Cruz, who returned to the chart at No. 3 with "Troublemaker" (4th & Broadway/Universal Island). His label-mates, hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks, climbed 10-5 with "Mama Do The Hump." "Dedication To My Ex (Miss That)" (Interscope/Universal) by Lloyd featuring Andre 3000 and Lil Wayne jumped 13-10.

Log in to create your profile, speak your mind and connect with listeners like you.

Already a member? Sign in now, or log in with your Facebook account.

For the full Billboard experience, you need to be a member. Sign up. It's free.

Your password has been sent to the email address you provided. Please sign in below :

Log in through Facebook instead.

View the original article here

Snoop Dogg Arrested for Weed

Snoop Dogg performs at the Wiltern in Los Angeles.

Snoop Dogg has a medical prescription for cannabis in California, his home state, but that doesn't fly in Texas. The rapper was arrested over the weekend after a drug-sniffing police dog found less than half an ounce of marijuana in a waste basket, according to reports. 

The bus was stopped at a border-control checkpoint in Sierra Blanca – the same town where Willie Nelson was busted for weed in 2010. Snoop was cited on a misdemeanor drug possession and released. If convicted, he could face up to 180 days in jail.   

The rapper has been arrested on other occasions for possession of marijuana and, in some cases, weapons possession, including firearms and a police baton. 

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

View the original article here

It's Chico time... again

Advertisements

added: 8 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

Email this story Printable version

Back in 2005, a young goat herder auditioned on the X Factor. This audition introduced us all to the singing and dancing phenomenon that is 'Chico'. With the backing of Sharon Osbourne, Chico delighted us each week with his unique style. 7 years on and once again the public will be asked, 'What time is it?' as Chico is returning to our screens this Sunday on the new series of Dancing On Ice.

The public know Chico for 'that' song and for his 'cheesy' persona but I know the real man, the hard worker, the family man, the people person and the all round nice guy.

Chico was the original Jedward & Wagner. He was the first ever X Factor pantomine villain that kept getting voted through to the following week and at the time the media weren't very favourable. Some of the press attention he received was nasty and hurtful. One even said "Is this man the biggest waste of space on TV?" Well this certainly isn't the case. I can reel off over a 100 that would take this top position nowadays!

Chico kept positive and went on to reach 5th place. He then released his single, 'It's Chico Time' which climbed right to the top, knocking Madonna off of the number one slot. A huge achievement.

I have worked closely with Chico on a few projects. I have also watched him sign every autograph for his waiting fans in the pouring rain because as he says, "He is nothing without them."

I have also worked on a video shoot with him and from the minute he arrived bright and early at 6am, until the minute he finished 14 hours later, he was always friendly, polite and extremely positive and happy to everyone.

We all remember Chico, even 7 years on. How many of the current crop of X Factor stars will be able to say that?

So this Sunday forget what you know about him and give him a chance to show you what he can do.

What Time is it?....It's Chico Time!

Win our 'Wired For Sound' package worth over L500! Click here now.

> For more Music-News stories click here

Be the first to comment on this review:

View the original article here

David Bowie hits the big 65 today

Advertisements

added: 8 Jan 2012 // by: Noise11 

Email this story Printable version

David Bowie turns 65 today (January 8, 2012). Happy birthday David Bowie, you may officially retire (but please don't).

Bowie was born David Robert Jones in the London suburb of Brixton on this day in 1947. He changed his name to Bowie because there was already a famous Davy Jones before him in The Monkees.

Few would argue David Bowie is the greatest solo male performer of the rock era with personas like Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke and classics from 1969's 'Space Oddity' through to his most recent albums 'Heathen' (2002) and 'Reality' (2003).

David Bowie has remained low-key since collapsing on stage in Norway on June 18, 2004 from a blocked artery. He has been rarely seen in public since his heart surgery but has occasionally worked on projects like 'Shrek 2', vocals for a track for the 2005 movie 'Stealth' and backing vocals on a TV On The Radio song titled 'Province'.

Bowie has not released an album since 'Reality'. Hopefully reaching retirement age will inspire him to get out of retirement.

Happy birthday David Bowie.

Win our 'Wired For Sound' package worth over L500! Click here now.

> For more Music-News stories click here

Be the first to comment on this review:

View the original article here

Nine Below Zero - Live! - Retroworld

Advertisement

added: 8 Jan 2012 // release date: 31 Oct 2011 // label: Retroworld
reviewer: Andy Snipper

Email this album review Printable version It isn?t many albums that start as the band bid adieu to their audience but Nine Below Zero were never a completely ?normal? band. They have been playing their version of Blues and boogie for many years and even when the fashion saw them as anachronisms and hopelessly out of style they stuck to their guns and gave their audience a great nights music.
.
This album captures them in 1992 and the set is pretty well classic Nine Below Zero opening with ?Riding On The L&N? and touching on John Lee Hooker, Canned Heat, Sonny Boy Williamson, BB King & Willie Mitchell and their own material as well.

Alan Glen?s harmonica well to the fore and pounding bass and drums from Gerry MacAvoy & Brendan O?Neill (Rory Gallagher?s rhythm section) plus the lead guitar and vocals of Dennis Greaves this really captures the band at their most powerful and frankly is a better set than the ?Live At The Marquee? that was out in the late seventies.
?On The Road Again, is the band at their best along with the hard edged boogie of ?Can?t Quit You Baby? while their punkier side comes over on ?Can?t Say Yes and Can?t Say No?.

This is nearly an hour of NBZ at their best and it zips by in what seems like seconds.
Great band live and this is them at their peak.

Download it here now!

Win our 'Wired For Sound' package worth over L500! Click here now.

> For more Music-News album reviews click here

Be the first to comment on this review:

View the original article here

Kelly Clarkson Rocks 'SNL' With Girl Power, Keytar

by Jillian Mapes, N.Y.  |   January 09, 2012 10:24 EST

This weekend, Kelly Clarkson returned to "Saturday Night Live" for a third time, bringing with her a flurry of girl power, sequins... and keytars? You bet.

Alongside her band, the original "American Idol" flawlessly belted out "(Stronger) What Doesn't Kill You" and "Mr. Know It All," two singles off her most recent record, "Stronger." Watch below.

And to think "SNL" didn't even make one little joke about Kelly's recent Ron Paul endorsement.

Log in to create your profile, speak your mind and connect with listeners like you.

Already a member? Sign in now, or log in with your Facebook account.

For the full Billboard experience, you need to be a member. Sign up. It's free.

Your password has been sent to the email address you provided. Please sign in below :

Log in through Facebook instead.

View the original article here

Bjork brings Biophilia resisency and education series to NYC

Advertisements

added: 8 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

Email this story Printable version

In partnership with The Creators Project and the New York Hall of Science, Björk is set to bring her live Biophilia show to New York City for a special 10-night residency.

Six performances will take place at the New York Hall of Science, New York City's only hands-on science and technology museum.There will also be four performances at Roseland Ballroom (239 West 52nd Street). The New York Hall of Science shows have been set to Björk's original Biophilia specifications, as audio-visual shows in an intimate setting with no audience member more than a few yards from the stage. All shows are performed in the round.

Biophilia premiered this past summer at the Manchester International Festival (MIF) followed by a sold out residency in Björk's hometown of Reykjavik, Iceland. Initially commissioned by MIF, the intimate performance finds Björk accompanied by a set of unique musical instruments created by a team including an Icelandic organ builder and a graduate of the MIT Media Lab. Among these creations are four 10-foot pendulum-harps, a MIDI-controlled pipe organ celeste re-fitted with bronze gamelan bars, and twin musical Tesla coils. The performance also features an award-winning 24-piece Icelandic female choir and visuals from the Biophilia Apps with app developer Max Weisel performing on stage alongside Björk and musicians Manu Delagu and Zeena Parkins. Tickets go on sale January 13 at 10am through ticketmaster.com.

In addition to the live performance, Björk will collaborate with the New York Hall of Science on a three-week-long Biophilia education series. Featuring interactive science and music workshops for middle-school children, the series leads students on an intensive study of the scientific concepts at the core of Biophilia's songs, including crystalline structures, lunar phases, viruses, and more. Students will also learn to use the Biophilia Apps as tools for music composition and delve into the study of how musicology relates to nature. The city of Reykjavík just announced that the Biophilia educational project will be included in Reykjavik's school curriculum for the next three years. The series debuted at the Manchester International Festival, and a version of the program will also tour to major European festivals including Roskilde, Oyez, and the iTunes Festival in London.
Björk has collaborated with app developers, scientists, writers, inventors, musicians, and instrument makers to create a unique multimedia exploration of the universe and its physical forces-particularly those where music, nature, and technology meet.

The project is inspired by and explores these relationships between musical structures and natural phenomena, from the atomic to the cosmic. 'Biophilia's songs are astounding,' NPR said. 'These songs have room to breathe, employing space and silence as much as melody and harmony. The sparse instrumentation and arrangements become gorgeously intricate meditations on which to build...vocal melodies unfurl more like transcendent devotionals than typical verses, and become even more stirring when accompanied by a chorus of voices that could fill a cathedral.'

Each performance will feature songs from Biophilia, Björk's most interdisciplinary project to date. Stereogum said that 'Biophilia is one of 2011's best releases.[T]he songwriting is sharp, the feel immediate and enveloping.' The 10-track album, out now on One Little Indian, is available digitally, in CD format and on vinyl. Additionally, each of the 10 songs is available as a special feature of the Biophilia App for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. Biophilia was named one of 2011's Best Apps by Apple and landed on year-end best-of lists from NME, Mojo, The Observer, and Uncut, among others. The newly updated 1.4 version is available through In-App Purchase, exclusively at iTunes and the App Store . Biophilia 1.4 is a new, simple way to buy the entire App album upon launch; a special offer for the dedicated fans who bought apps before the full album was released, and features iOS 5.0 enhancements and bug-fixes.

The Creators Project will be presenting Biophilia, and supporting the development of the education program for the US. An ongoing global arts and technology initiative, the Creators Project was founded by Intel and Vice in order to support visionary artists, musicians, and filmmakers who are using technology to push the bounds of creative expression. Content around the Biophilia project will be available at thecreatorsproject.com.

BJÖRK BIOPHILIA NEW YORK RESIDENCY
February 3 New York Hall of Science Queens, NY
February 6 New York Hall of Science Queens, NY
February 9 New York Hall of Science Queens, NY
February 12 New York Hall of Science Queens, NY
February 15 New York Hall of Science Queens, NY
February 18 New York Hall of Science Queens, NY
February 22 Roseland Ballroom New York, NY
February 25 Roseland Ballroom New York, NY
February 28 Roseland Ballroom New York, NY
March 2 Roseland Ballroom New York, NY

Win our 'Wired For Sound' package worth over L500! Click here now.

> For more Music-News stories click here

Be the first to comment on this review:

View the original article here

NRBQ Drummer Tom Ardolino Dies at 56

Tom Ardolino of NRBQ backstage at the King King in Los Angeles.

Tom Ardolino, a longtime drummer of NRBQ, died on January 6 at the age of 56.

The band announced Ardolino’s death on their Facebook page on Friday: "Friends, We regret to inform you that Tom Ardolino passed away today. Tom will be missed but his spirit lives on through those who were touched by him."

Ardolino had joined NRBQ in 1974 after years as a fan and stayed with them for three decades, playing in thousands of the cult favorites’ legendary live shows and on 15 studio albums. In 2004, during NRBQ’s hiatus, he released a solo album, Unknown Brain.

Ardolino was living in Springfield, Massachusetts, at the time of his death.

"He was a great drummer and a great guy," former NRBQ guitarist and singer Al Anderson told the Hartford Courant. "He had a totally unique style of drumming that nobody can ever duplicate. That was one of the baddest rhythm sections in the world."

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

View the original article here

Download through Richard Branson's Virgin Unite and help charity

Advertisements

added: 9 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

Email this story Printable version

Virgin Unite, the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group, has joined other leading charities to partner with Fairsharemusic.com, the music download store where the music you buy really does make a difference. With over 16 million tracks, the hottest new releases and prices starting at 79p per track, Fairsharemusic is not dissimilar from other popular music sites ' except that for every download you purchase, it donates half the profit to your chosen charity. The more you download, the more money goes to charity of your choice.

Lee Cannon, Co-founder of Fairsharemusic.com said 'We're delighted to partner with Virgin Unite. At Fairsharemusic.com we've make it simple for people to give directly to a cause through something they're passionate about - you download, we donate. Music is the soundtrack to our lives, so why not use it to improve the lives of others.'

Jean Oelwang, CEO Virgin Unite said 'We love the idea of fairsharemusic, an organization that does good and also gives people the chance to enjoy the gift of music. Virgin Unite is committed to ensuring that funds donated give marginalised young people the opportunity for a brighter future.'

Downloads with a difference! Switching to Fairsharemusic for your downloads will make a big difference to Virgin Unite. To find out more about this brilliant new fundraising tool, just visit our very own dedicated shop http://virginunite.fairsharemusic.com - the home of Feelgood Downloads.

Win our 'Wired For Sound' package worth over L500! Click here now.

> For more Music-News stories click here

Be the first to comment on this review:

View the original article here

Jennifer Lopez: Beyoncé will love being a mom

Advertisements

added: 9 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

Email this story Printable version

Jennifer Lopez says that she knows Beyoncé Knowles will be a 'great mom.'

The 42-year-old performer added to the inundation of celebrity well wishers giving their congratulations to the Single Ladies singer and husband Jay-Z who welcomed their daughter Blue Ivy Carter to the world over the weekend.

Jennifer, who gave birth to twins Max and Emme nearly three years ago, told Entertainment Tonight that Beyoncé has a lot of wonderful things to look forward to.

'The best part of [Beyoncé's] life is about to begin,' Jennifer said with a smile. 'I wish her the best. I know she's going to love it and be a great mom.'

The American Idol judge also put paid to rumours that host of the talent show Ryan Seacrest was leaving the hit show.

'Is he going somewhere?' Jennifer asked which was followed up with a resolute answer from her fellow judge Randy Jackson.

'[Seacrest] ain't going nowhere,' Randy said adding that the show returns, with Seacrest as host, on January 18.

© Cover Media

Win our 'Wired For Sound' package worth over L500! Click here now.

> For more Music-News stories click here

Be the first to comment on this review:

View the original article here

Beyonce Gives Birth To a Baby Girl

by Billboard Staff  |   January 08, 2012 1:55 EST

Beyonce Knowles and Shawn " Jay-Z" Carter, two of America's biggest musical artists, have welcomed their first child together.

The 30-year-old pop singer gave birth to a baby girl late last night (Jan. 7) in NYC, according to The Houston Chronicle. According to reports, the baby girl's name is Ivy Blue Carter; E! Online News writes that the name is Blue Ivy Carter, although #ivyblue became a worldwide trending topic on Twitter immediately after the news broke. E! also reports that, although "the couple's reps have not immediately responded to calls seeking comment," the proud dad is telling his friends the name of their baby girl.

Beyonce's Baby Bump & 13 More Pregnant Pop Stars

Rumors that Beyonce and Jay-Z were ready to welcome their first child swarmed the Internet on Wednesday, Dec. 28, after reports ran that a celebrity patient was about to check in at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York.

According to MediaTakeOut, a "celebrity VIP" had reserved half of the labor and delivery floor at the hospital on Wednesday. Beyonce's pal Alicia Keys reportedly gave birth to her first son, Egypt, at the same hospital last year.

Beyonce's 30 Biggest Billboard Hits

Beyonce announced her pregnancy on Aug. 28 on the red carpet at the MTV Video Music Awards, hours before performing her joyful single, "Love on Top." The announcement came exactly two months after the release of "4," Beyonce's fourth solo album, which has sold 1.04 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Earlier that month, Jay-Z released "Watch The Throne," a collaborative album with Kanye West.

Following the pregnancy announcement, Beyonce released a series of music videos supporting "4," including clips for "Countdown," "Party" and "Love on Top," as well as a DVD showcasing her four performances at New York's Roseland Ballroom in August. Jay-Z and Beyonce were originally believed to be expecting their first child in February 2012, but a behind-the-scenes clip from the "Countdown" video shoot in September suggests that Beyonce was six months pregnant at the time of filming, and that the couple was expecting a December arrival.

The best-selling rapper and former Destiny's Child leader began dating in 2002, and have collaborated on hit singles like "Crazy in Love," "'03 Bonnie and Clyde" and "Deja Vu." The couple married in April 2008.

Log in to create your profile, speak your mind and connect with listeners like you.

Already a member? Sign in now, or log in with your Facebook account.

For the full Billboard experience, you need to be a member. Sign up. It's free.

Your password has been sent to the email address you provided. Please sign in below :

Log in through Facebook instead.

View the original article here

Lady Gaga �wants two homes with lover�

Advertisements

added: 9 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

Email this story Printable version

Lady Gaga and her boyfriend are planning to buy two homes together.

The star has been dating Taylor Kinney since July of last year, but only recently stepped out in public with him.

Although they have only just entered the limelight as a couple they are rumoured to be ready to buy property together.

There has been speculation Gaga was purchasing a L1.1 million property in Pennsylvania for them to live in, but their plans are apparently bigger than that.

'They've been looking for two places ' one near his parents in Pennsylvania and one in the Big Apple,' a source told British newspaper The Sun.

It's unknown how big they want their New York accommodation to be. Gaga hails from the city and has regularly spoken of her love for it. She still spends a lot of time at her mother and father's home there.

Gaga and Taylor have worked hard to keep their relationship low key after meeting on the set of the promo for her track Yoü and I. Rather than staying in lavish hotels, the 24-year-old singer has often opted to stay in the beach shack Taylor shares with three friends.

© Cover Media

Win our 'Wired For Sound' package worth over L500! Click here now.

> For more Music-News stories click here

Be the first to comment on this review:

View the original article here

Grinderman to release remix album

Advertisements

added: 8 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

Email this story Printable version

Titled Grinderman 2 RMX the record is a collection of remixes, reinterpretations & collaborations of the second album, including a remix by Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs that you can hear below.

The band recently split and this their swansong work includes:

Super Heathen Child - which teams the band up with legendary guitarist Robert Fripp (King Crimson, David Bowie, Eno)

A remix of Mickey Mouse & the Goodbye Man by Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age.

When My Baby Comes by Cat's Eyes (The Horrors' frontman Faris Badwan's side-project with Rachel Zeffira)
Evil reinterpreted by Silver Alert (Grinderman's Jim Sclavunos) and The National's front man Matt Berninger.

Grinderman 2 RMX is released on March 12 in the UK.

Win our 'Wired For Sound' package worth over L500! Click here now.

> For more Music-News stories click here

Be the first to comment on this review:

View the original article here

Hot Tours: Jay-Z and Kanye West, Dolly Parton, Britney Spears

by Bob Allen  |   Janeiro 09, 2012 11:45 EST

Jay-Z and Kanye West top the first Hot Tours ranking of 2012 with box office grosses reported from their Watch the Throne Tour that played North American markets from October through December.  This week's tally includes ticket revenue from venues in New York City, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh totaling $10.3 million from six sold out concerts.  New York's Madison Square Garden moved 27,649 tickets for a two-night run on Nov. 7-8, while Pittsburgh's CONSOL Energy Center reported a crowd of 11,957 for a single performance on Nov. 27.  In December, the tour played a three-show stint at Staples Center in Los Angeles with gross sales just over $5.1 million.  Combined attendance for all three shows (Dec. 11-13) was 42,332.

Dolly Parton takes second place this week with $4.8 million in reported ticket sales from three venues on the Australian leg of her Better Day World Tour that wrapped at the beginning of December.  The country star performed in Western Australia on Nov. 8 at Burswood Dome in Perth with 12,494 in attendance, and then played for 5,957 fans in the South Australian city of Adelaide on Nov. 12.  Also included in this week's Hot Tours recap is a $1.9 million gross from two shows at the Hope Estate Winery's outdoor amphitheater in Hunter Valley, north of Sydney.  Parton performed a total of 12 concerts in Australia during the final leg of her 2011 tour, grossing over $15.4 million Down Under with 95,858 tickets sold in six markets.

Landing at No. 3 this week is Britney Spears with two concerts reported from the final weeks of her 2011 Femme Fatale Tour that ended in December.  Her tally includes her sold out concert in Caracas, Venezuela on Nov. 28 as well as a Dec. 10 performance in Puerto Rico.  The Caracas show was held at the football stadium on the campus of the Universidad Simón Bolívar, and the concert in Puerto Rico occurred at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in the San Juan suburb of Hato Rey.

Artist/Event
Total Gross
Show Dates
Show Venue/City (Shows/Sellouts)
Total Attendance (Capacity)JAY-Z & KANYE WEST Madison Square Garden, New York (2/2)CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh (1/1)Staples Center, Los Angeles (3/3)DOLLY PARTON
Burswood Dome, Perth, Australia (1/0)Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, Australia (1/0)Hope Estate Winery, Hunter Valley, Australia (2/0)BRITNEY SPEARS
Estadio Fútbol Universidad Simón Bolivar, Caracas (1/1)Coliseo de Puerto Rico, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico (1/0)TIËSTO
Cabanga Iate Clube, Recife, Brazil (1/0)Cel da OAB, Goiânia, Brazil (1/1)Ruby Skye, San Francisco (2/2)Foro Coors, Monterrey, Mexico (1/0)Estadio Banorte, Culiacán, Mexico (1/0)Ecocentro Expositor, Querétaro, Mexico (1/1)The City Disco, Cancun, Mexico (1/0)Ericsson Globe, Stockholm (1/1)FURTHUR
Madison Square Garden, New York (1/1)Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco (3/3)GUNS N' ROSES Sprint Center, Kansas City (1/0)Target Center, Minneapolis (1/0)Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Ill. (1/0)COLDPLAY Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium (1/1)COLD CHISEL Vector Arena, Auckland, New Zealand (1/0)Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia (1/0)

Log in to create your profile, speak your mind and connect with listeners like you.

Already a member? Sign in now, or log in with your Facebook account.

For the full Billboard experience, you need to be a member. Sign up. It's free.

Your password has been sent to the email address you provided. Please sign in below :

Log in through Facebook instead.

View the original article here

'The Devil Inside' Defies Expectations At Box Office

Box-office prognosticators, beware: "The Devil Inside" defied all industry expectations with its $34.5 million debut this weekend.

That's more than double where most estimates put the film just a few days ago. And despite mixed reviews, the supernatural horror thriller earned more than 34 times its estimated production budget of less than $1 million.

Perhaps the devil is in the details: "Devil" made 49 percent of its weekend total on Friday and was the only new wide release in theaters, with the exception of the acclaimed drama "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy." The Cold War era espionage tale, which expanded to 809 locations, had the weekend's second-best per-screen average, just behind "Devil" at 2,285 locations.

Nevertheless, the Paramount-distributed "Devil" had the third-biggest January opening ever, just behind 2008's "Cloverfield" and the 1997 re-release of the first "Star Wars." "Devil" was acquired by the Paramount imprint Insurge, which was created after the success of the first "Paranormal Activity" in 2009.

Paramount was the studio behind the weekend's second biggest movie of the weekend as well. "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" is the best-reviewed film of the Tom Cruise franchise and dropped a respectable 30 percent after a nice run at the top of the heap. "Ghost Protocol" earned $20.5 million for a total of $170.2 million, which should put it past the first "M:I" movie in a few days.

"Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" made $14.1 million in its fourth week of release to come in at #3. The sequel was #1 at the box office in other parts of the world and has made a total of $157.4 million domestically. "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" had the best hold of any of the previously wide-released movies over the weekend, dropping just 24 percent. "Dragon Tattoo" was #4 with $11.3 million for a $76.8 million three-week total. The animated "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" rounded out the top five with $9.5 million for a four-week total of $111.6 million.

What did you think of "The Devil Inside"? Sound off in the comments!

Check out everything we've got on "The Devil Inside."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

View the original article here

Beyonce And Jay-Z: From 'Crazy In Love' To Mom And Dad

Hip-hop and R&B's very own Bonnie and Clyde welcomed a baby girl into the world in the early hours of Sunday morning (January 8). Jay-Z and Beyoncé's daughter, Blue Ivy, is the couple's first child after being together for a decade.

Chatter about their romantic relationship began back in 2002 when they hooked up on his The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse track " '03 Bonnie & Clyde." The following year, they joined forces once again on Beyoncé's breakthrough solo track, "Crazy in Love," from Dangerously in Love.

From there, while they chose to not talk about one another in public, they happily appeared side by side at sporting events, awards shows and red carpets. And they continued to collaborate on a number of songs and videos. Over the course of their decade-long love affair, the pair has appeared together on "Upgrade U," "Déja Vu," "That's How I Like It," "Hollywood," "Pray" and, most recently, "Lift Off" from Watch the Throne.

The couple finally wed in April 2008 in a rooftop New York ceremony. Never really sharing too much about what went down that day, the singer did show off her wedding dress in 2011 in a concert DVD. In the time since they said "I do," the couple dodged pregnancy rumors for years. Beyoncé even laughed them off to MTV News in November 2010. "I was pregnant with this DVD, yes!" she laughed about her concert-special DVD "I Am ... World Tour."

Not only does love tie these two together, but so does Beyoncé's own superstition about the number four. In 2011, when she dropped her album 4, she explained just how deep her love of that number runs.

"We all have special numbers in our lives, and four is that for me," Bey said. "It's the day I was born. My mother's birthday and a lot of my friends' birthdays are on the fourth; April 4 is my wedding date." (Jay-Z's birthday is December 4.)

The typically private couple very publicly announced their baby news on the VMA stage in August. When the singer took the stage to sing her song, "Love on Top," she told the room (and the world) about "the love growing" inside of her and also proudly displayed her baby bump. Jay celebrated the announcement from the audience with pal Kanye West by his side.

In the months since the news broke, fans have wondered when the baby would be born. And, on Sunday, that question was answered. The two have remained characteristically low-key since the news broke. Months prior, in an interview with Piers Morgan in mid-2011, Beyoncé explained their philosophy behind staying quiet about their personal lives.

"Jay and I have kind of made a decision that we want to be known for our music and not our relationships or scandals. But he is amazing," she said. "I definitely had a very natural friendship and connection with him. We've been together for a very long time and I'm very happy. Love is the foundation of everything, everything I do. My music is inspired by love — from my family, my husband, my sister."

Share your congratulations for Beyoncé and Jay-Z on our Facebook page!

View the original article here

Clement Marfo & The Frontline join MOBO tour

Advertisements

added: 8 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

Email this story Printable version

MOBO, Urban Development and PRS for Music Foundation are bringing in the New Year early with the announcement of The MOBO Tour 2012.

This free tour is set to travel to eight cities across the UK, offering audiences the opportunity to see some of 2012's freshest, new, emerging talent on stage and attend industry workshops and seminars (via Industry Takeover @ MOBO Academy). It's also a chance for undiscovered talent right across the country to get involved in the MOBO Unsung competition. Thanks to funding from Arts Council England and PRS for Music Foundation all of this will be provided for FREE.

Kicking off on February 22 in Birmingham, the tour will travel across the country and bring together the best of the UK's new Urban talent. The first names to be announced are breakthrough MC Lady Leshurr (tipped to do big things in 2012 by RWD Magazine and Itunes) and MTV Brand New pick for 2012, seven piece hip-hop-rock collective Clement Marfo & The Frontline. A further five names will be confirmed in the New Year.

In addition to bringing the pick of 2012's most hotly tipped talent to a city near you, The MOBO Tour is also creating the opportunity for brand new, undiscovered talent to win the chance to perform on stage through MOBO Unsung. This nationwide competition is open to enter NOW and all would-be performers need to do to get started is upload a video of themselves performing to YouTube and email the link, embed code and details of which region they live in, to mobounsung@mobo.com.

Entries will be hosted on www.mobo.com/mobotour for the public to view and a judging panel of industry experts will then select a winner from each UK region, who will take the stage as part of the tour in their local area.

A team of radio DJs will select the MOBO Unsung winner from the 8 regional finalists. This winner will then join an on-line 'Battle Of The Bands' competition where they will compete against other newcomers put forward by established artists (but more on this to follow!) with a public vote to select the ultimate 'battle' winner.

To further support talent in all areas of the music industry, The MOBO Tour 2012 (with thanks to Urban Development's 'Industry Takeover') will provide workshops and seminars in cities on the day of the show. Industry experts from well respected organisations including SB.TV, RWD Magazine, PRS for Music Foundation, SJM Concerts, artists on the MOBO Tour and more will all be sharing their insider industry knowledge, answering questions and offering advice to audiences across the country. And all for FREE.

The MOBO Tour, seminars, workshops and Unsung competition highlights all partners' efforts to support, guide and nurture new and developing talent across the UK.

CATCH THE TOUR, SEMINARS, AND WORKSHOPS ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:

Feb 22 Library HMV Institute MAC Birmingham
Feb 23 Manchester Academy 3 N/A Manchester
Feb 24 Academy 2 Venue TBC Liverpool
Feb 25 The Garage The Mitchell Library Glasgow
Feb 27 Academy 2 The Sage Newcastle
Feb 28 Academy 2 Watershed Bristol
Feb 29 Academy 2 Red Bull Studios Islington
March 1 Waterfront N/A Norwich

www.mobo.com/mobotour

Win our 'Wired For Sound' package worth over L500! Click here now.

> For more Music-News stories click here

Be the first to comment on this review:

View the original article here

Van Halen 'A Different Kind Of Truth' tracklisting and preview

Advertisements

added: 9 Jan 2012 // by: Noise11 

Email this story Printable version

Here it is Van Halen fans, the full tracklisting for the new album 'A Different Kind Of Truth' and a sample of the new single 'Tattoo'.

'A Different Kind Of Truth', due February 7. It will be the 12th studio album from Van Halen, their 7th with David Lee Roth, their first since 1998 and first with David Lee Roth since 1984.

Melodicrock.com scooped up all with the tracklisting.

Track listing:
1. Tattoo
2. She's The Woman
3. You and Your Blues
4. China Town
5. Blood and Fire
6. Bullethead
7. As Is
8. Honeybabysweetiedoll
9. The Trouble With Never
10. Outta Space
11. Stay Frosty
12. Big River
13. Beats Workin'

For the tour Van Halen have been rehearsing 'Eruption,' 'Running with the Devil,' 'Jamie's Cryin',' 'You Really Got Me,' 'Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love,' 'Everybody Wants Some,' 'Unchained,' 'And The Cradle Will Rock,' 'Beautiful Girls,' 'Mean Street,' 'Somebody Get Me A Doctor,' 'Jump,' 'Panama,' 'Hot For Teacher,' 'I'll Wait,' and more from their classic albums Van Halen, Van Halen II, Women and Children First, Fair Warning, Diver Down and 1984.

The North American tour will kick off in Louisville, Kentucky on February 18. (Click here for the full list of Van Halen tour dates).

Win our 'Wired For Sound' package worth over L500! Click here now.

> For more Music-News stories click here

Be the first to comment on this review:

View the original article here

Miranda Lambert Set to Guest on 'Law and Order: SVU'

Miranda Lambert arrives at the American Country Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.Christopher Polk/ACA2011/Getty Images for ACA

Country star Miranda Lambert is set to make her primetime acting debut. The "Baggage Claim" singer will appear on the next season of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit as an actress who is sexually assaulted by a reality television producer.

This is Lambert's first acting role and also, apparently, a personal dream of the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter. As she tweeted on Saturday, "Yall I'm so freaking excited to be on my favorite show ever!!!" Her episode will feature several other music stars: the sleazy producer will be portrayed by Michael McKean, who rocked out as singer David St. Hubbins in This Is Spinal Tap, and Broadway mainstay Harry Connick, Jr., will also appear as part of a four-episode arc.

Lambert's husband, fellow country musician Blake Shelton, is advancing his own small-screen career as well: he returns as a judge on the NBC singing competition The Voice on February 5th, following the Super Bowl.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

View the original article here

Dave Grohl �like Gandhi�

Advertisements

added: 8 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

Email this story Printable version

Dave Grohl is the 'Gandhi of rock'n'roll', according to The Muppets.

The Foo Fighters frontman appeared alongside the puppet group in their eponymous 2011 movie. Kermit the Frog, Dr. Teeth and the rest of the characters thoroughly enjoyed working with the rock god.

'You may find this hard to believe but it is most certifiably true. My man Dave, aka the Grohl-man, is one very peaceful dude. Absotively non-violent. The Gandhi of rock'n'roll. And to my knowledge he never actually fought a Foo,' said Dr. Teeth.

The Muppets have worked with many famous faces over the years. Sir Michael Caine featured in their 1992 film release The Muppet Christmas Carol and has a special place in Kermit's heart.

'Sir Michael is an incredible actor and one of the kindest and most generous people we have ever worked with,' he told Q magazine. 'I'm still not sure what got into him to agree to do our movie, but we are forever in his debt ' and Sir Michael, I promise that the cheque is in the mail, end of the week at the latest. Sincerely, he got along with everyone, even Miss Piggy. and after she made repeated attempts to permanently borrow his Oscar.'

© Cover Media

Win our 'Wired For Sound' package worth over L500! Click here now.

> For more Music-News stories click here

Be the first to comment on this review:

View the original article here

Paul McCartney Confirms Covers Album Title Is 'Kisses on the Bottom'

Paul McCartney performs at O2 Arena in London.

Paul McCartney's new upcoming covers album Kisses On The Bottom is going to elicit some chuckles over it's title, but Macca swears that he has an innocent explanation: It's a line from the 1935 Fats Waller song "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter."

 The song begins with these lines: "I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter and make believe it came from you /  I'm gonna write words oh so sweet / They're gonna knock me off of my feet / A lot of kisses on the bottom, I'll be glad I got 'em."

For the first time in his career, McCartney plays no instrument on the LP. He's backed by Diana Krall's band, and Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder both make guest appearances. McCartney selected songs for the proejct that he first heard as a child. He remembers how important they were to him when he started to write his own material as a teeanager. "I realized how well-structured these songs were," he said in a statement.  "I think I took a lot of my lessons from them. I always thought artists like Fred Astaire were very cool. Writers like Harold Arlen, Cole Porter, all of those guys – I just thought the songs were magical."

The album also features two original songs, and will hit shelves on February 7th. Here is a complete tracklisting:

1. "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter"            
2. "Home (When Shadows Fall)"     
3.  "It's Only A Paper Moon"    
4. "More I Cannot Wish You"   
5. "The Glory Of Love" 
6. "We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me)"      
7. "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive"         
8. "My Valentine" 
9. "Always"
10. "My Very Good Friend The Milkman"         
11. "Bye Bye Blackbird"     
12. "Get Yourself Another Fool"           
13. "The Inch Worm"  
14. "Only Our Hearts"                 

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

View the original article here

Ted Nugent to run for US president

Advertisements

added: 9 Jan 2012 // by: Noise11 

Email this story Printable version

Look out President Obama, Ted Nugent is out to get your job.

Well, at least he is on this week's episode of The Simpsons. Ted will seek Homer Simpson's endorsement as a Republican candidate to run for President in the show to air Sunday night in the USA (and probably around 2015 in Australia).

This is the second time the Motor City Madman has been named checked on the show. He first appeared a few years ago in Season 19 briefly in a phone-in in Season 19's episode 'I Don't Wanna Know Why Caged Birds Sing'.

Ted also has his own show 'Ted Nugent Spirit of the Wild' seen Tuesdays and Sundays on the Outdoor Channel in the USA.

Check out the Noise11 interview with Doc McGhee who has worked the careers of Ted Nugent, Kiss, Motley Crue and his new band Vintage Trouble here:

DocMcGhee by noise11dotcom

Win our 'Wired For Sound' package worth over L500! Click here now.

> For more Music-News stories click here

Be the first to comment on this review:

View the original article here

Pink Floyd �Immersion� and �Experience� editions of �The Wall� to get release

Advertisements

added: 8 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

Email this story Printable version

PINK FLOYD 'Immersion' and 'Experience' editions of 'The Wall' including original demos and work-in-progress versions Released: 24 February 2012.

On 24 February 2012, EMI will release 'Immersion' and 'Experience' editions of Roger Waters' opus, Pink Floyd 'The Wall', as the final instalment of the recent 'Why Pink Floyd?' re- issues and extended releases. 'The Wall' remains Pink Floyd's biggest-selling release after 1973's legendary 'The Dark Side Of The Moon'.

Released in November '79, 'The Wall' topped the album charts in the US, France, Germany, Sweden and Australia. 'Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2' ' Pink Floyd's first UK single since 1968 ' became a Number 1 hit, selling over a million copies within weeks of its release.

Between 1980 and 1981, Pink Floyd staged 31 performances of The Wall in the US, UK and Germany. It was a spectacular show that included a 40-ft wall, constructed, brick by brick, across the front of the stage during the performance. In 2010 and 2011 Roger Waters toured a new production of The Wall to huge International acclaim. He was joined on stage in May 2011 at London's 02 Arena by guitarist, David Gilmour and drummer, Nick Mason.

Roger Waters brings The Wall Live tour to Australia later this month, playing multiple shows in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

Perth, Burswood Dome - January 27 & 28
Brisbane, Brisbane Entertainment Centre - February 1, 2 & 4
Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena - February 7, 8, 10 & 11
Sydney, Allphones Arena - February 14 & 15

Win our 'Wired For Sound' package worth over L500! Click here now.

> For more Music-News stories click here

Be the first to comment on this review:

View the original article here

Whitehorse - Whitehorse - Six Shooter

Advertisement

added: 8 Jan 2012 // release date: 30 Jan 2012 // label: Six Shooter
reviewer: Andy Snipper

Email this album review Printable version In the past I have enjoyed both Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland and I was intrigued as to what they would sound like as a couple (they are married) ? would this be a case of 1+1=3 or will it equal one and one? In the end the result is a bit of both. You can definitely hear their individual sounds here but Doucet has added punch and raunch to McClelland?s sound and she has created a counterbalance toi his more hokey side. All in all this is a well fashioned set and a worthy half an hour of anyone?s ears.

?Eulogy For Whiskers pt1? is a dark and haunting way to start the album and it shows a surprisingly able and subtle side of Doucet but it leads into ?Killing Time Is Murder? which hits you like hammer and has great harmonies along with Doucet?s deranged guitar solo.
?Emerald Isle? has a bit more of McLelland about the sound ? a bit more folk and a little less rock ? and the version of ?I?m On Fire? is simply superb as a duet between the two of them but ?Night Owls? really shows them as a musical couple and it has everything to do with them finding a sound that has both of them in it ? it is a great ?married couples song? to boot.

Considering the number of awards these two have won between them this is a low key affair but I have a sneaking suspicion that, come the end of the year, it will be up there as EP of the year: and it is only January!

Download it here now!

Win our 'Wired For Sound' package worth over L500! Click here now.

> For more Music-News album reviews click here

Be the first to comment on this review:

View the original article here

Justin Bieber Says He Talks To God

Just days after debuting his new Jesus tattoo, Justin Bieber is opening up about his views on God and religion in the new issue of V magazine.

"A lot of people who are religious, I think they get lost. They go to church just to go to church. I'm not trying to disrespect them, but for me, I focus more on praying and talking to him," the cover boy explains in the issue, according to the Winnipeg Free Press. "I don't have to go to church."

The singer's strong religious beliefs have always been a part of his public persona. At the 2011 VMAs, when Bieber accepted the Moonman for Best Male Video for "U Smile," he thanked God. "I just want to say thank you so much, not only to God but to Jesus," Bieber said. "Because I wouldn't be here without Him. He's really blessed me. He's put me in this position. So I want to say thank you so much."

The issue hits newsstands on Thursday. Bieber's look was styled by Lady Gaga's stylist and Mugler creative director Nicola Formichetti. The photos were shot by other Gaga associates, fashion photographers Inez and Vinoodh.

In the issue, the singer also talked about his rise to fame, noting that now that he's reached superstardom, haters and critics have been focused on bringing him down. "Now that I'm on top, everyone wants to bring me down. Everyone's trying to tug at me and take my spot," he said. "Like Floyd Mayweather, he's the best boxer in the world. Now he is a champion. Every time he goes to a fight now, people are like, 'He's going to lose this time.' "

As 2012 presses on, Bieber is poised to have another big year, regardless of what the non-Beliebers say. He's currently recording his next album, Believe, set for release later this year.

View the original article here

Black Sabbath guitarist Iommi diagnosed with cancer

LONDON (Reuters) - Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, according to a statement on his website on Monday.

The British heavy metal group's original lineup is writing and recording its first album in 33 years, and the band members will move from Los Angeles to London in order to work with Iommi while he undergoes treatment.

"His bandmates would like everyone to send positive vibes to the guitarist at this time," the statement read, adding that the new album was still scheduled for release in the autumn.

"Iommi is currently working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan -- the 'Iron Man' of Rock & Roll remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery."

Iommi, 63, is a founding member of Black Sabbath, one of the most successful hard rock acts in history who have sold an estimated 70 million records worldwide.

The veterans announced in November that they were reuniting in their original four man line-up, including Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, for their first new album in more than three decades and a 2012 world tour.

The quartet released their last studio album of all original material in 1978 with "Never Say Die."

Osbourne was fired from the band in 1979, leading to changing lineups for several years. The original foursome reunited for a 1998 release and played sporadically together in the early 2000s.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)

View the original article here

Dailey & Vincent Stray From the Norm in 'Gospel Side'

Chart-topping bluegrass duo Dailey and Vincent know they've got a good thing going with their marketing agreement with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. Their music is sold there, and if you look at their touring bus, you don't have to look close to see the restaurant chain's logo represented as a sponsor of the perennial IBMA winners' tours.

In their usual humorous manner, Darrin Vincent said they even take things further than that. "We also have blankets with Cracker Barrel on it, and sheets and towels with their logo on it that go in our restrooms," he says with a good-natured chuckle. "We're all Cracker Barrel, all the time!"

Jamie Dailey says that Cracker Barrel is everything you would want a business partner to be. "In all seriousness, they are a great partner," he confirms. "They're a great consistent company, and have over 600 stores nationwide. We're just thrilled to be able to talk about their brand every night on stage and on TV's. This is our second release with them. It's a blessing to be with them, and they're just a great company."

Fresh off their successful 2010 Statler Brothers tribute album that was sold at the chain, topping the Bluegrass Albums chart in the process, the duo and Cracker Barrel are teaming up again. The Gospel Side of Dailey and Vincent has just been released, and according to Dailey, it's something the fans have been asking for since the duo formed some five years ago.

"From day one, people have been almost been hitting us over the head, wanting a Gospel record," he told Billboard. "We felt it was a good time, and Cracker Barrel agreed. So, we put it together."

The album is a mixture of old and new. One song that will be familiar to many is "Daddy Sang Bass," the 1969 Johnny Cash classic that features a guest cameo from former Statler Brother Jimmy Fortune. The track is somewhat of a departure from the normal Dailey & Vincent sound, allows Darrin.

"We wanted to do an authentic version of that - something that would be different for us, with a brass section along with the fiddles, violins, and cellos. That was something we wanted to try. We knew if we wanted to try to get by with it on any record, we could get by on it with this. Those instruments, along with our acoustic sound that we do, all go hand in hand together. I think with the blend we have on this CD from folk to southern gospel and traditional bluegrass, it all fits together."

Another classic on the disc is "Eternal Vacation," a 1966 Buck Owens cut from his disc Dust On Mother's Bible. Dailey said one of their high-profile fans encouraged them to record the song. "I was lying on the couch one night at home, and was watching the news. The phone rings, and it's Eddie Stubbs (evening personality on Nashville's WSM-AM). He says 'Jamie, Am I bothering you?' I said 'No, not at all, what's going on?' He said, 'I want you to get up and get to your nearest radio, and turn on 650 AM. I'm going to play you a song that you and Darrin need to cut. So, I got up, ran into the garage, and got into the car, cranked up the car, and he played 'Eternal Vacation.' I told Darrin 'we've got to record this. I thought it would make a great song for the timber of his voice. This song fits him better than any song I've heard him sing."

Darrin says the duo really tried to give the song a mountain kind of feel. "The really cool thing about that song is that when we recorded it was that I could hear that Wilma Lee Cooper-type dobro. So, we hired Johnny Bellars, who played many years with her. I think it fits that song really well."

There are some newer songs on the disc, says Dailey - who many critics agree could be the greatest pure tenor singer since Ira Louvin. "There are seven brand new songs on the album that are all original songs. I wrote "Living in the Kingdom of God." Darrin co-wrote "Till At Last I'm Home." Another one on there that is new is "Come Back To Me," which was written by Jimmy Fortune, and had never been recorded. It seems to be a fan favorite already."

The duo will be hitting the road for a tour to promote the disc that will include several Cracker Barrel locations. For more information, check out www.DaileyandVincent.com.

View the original article here