Sunday, May 11, 2008

Carrie Underwood Inducted Into the Grand Ole Opry

On Saturday May 10, 2008, Carrie Underwood was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

Garth Brooks inducted Underwood into the Grand Ole Opry, and she performed a duet with Vince Gill.

The Grand Ole Opry has been running since 1925, and is the longest continuous running radio show in the United States.

Singers are invited to join the show based on their contribution to country music as well as their commitment to the show, which is determined based on the number of guest appearances they make on the Opry.

The Grand Ole Opry airs every Friday and Saturday night on WSM-AM.

Monday, March 24, 2008

George Michael Tours U.S. This Summer

George Michael announced today that he will be touring the United States and Canada over the summer.

His tour starts in San Diego, CA on June 17 and ends in Sunrise, FL on August 3, with stops in Dallas, Montreal, Toronto, Seattle, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Boston along the way.

Before beginning his successful solo career as a music artist, George Michael performed with the band, Wham! in the 1980s.

Michael's Greatest Hits CD is being released in the United States on April 1, and is entitled "Twenty Five."

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Underwood Invited to Join Opry

Carrie Underwood has been given an official invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry. She received the invitation from Randy Travis on Saturday.

The Grand Ole Opry is the longest, continuous running radio show in the country, established in 1925.

Underwood has been a country success ever since she won season four of American Idol.

MSN Music News reports Underwood remarking that the invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry was a complete surprise to her.

Her official induction into the Opry will be held on May 10.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

ACM Award Nominees

The nominees for this year's Academy of Country Music Awards were recently announced, and include the following:

Entertainer of the Year Nominees:
Brad Paisley
Kenny Chesney
Rascal Flatts
Keith Urban
George Strait

Top Male Vocalist Nominees:
Rodney Atkins
Brad Paisley
Keith Urban
Kenny Chesney
George Strait

Top Female Vocalist Nominees:
Martina McBride
Miranda Lambert
Carrie Underwood
Taylor Swift
LeAnn Rimes

Top Vocal Group Nominees:
Eagles
Diamond Rio
Rascal Flatts
Little Big Town
Emerson Drive

Top Vocal Duo Nominees:
Big & Rich
Sugerland
Brooks & Dunn
Halfway to Hazzard
Montgomery Centry

Album of the Year Nominees:
5th Gear - Brad Paisley
If You're Going Through Hell - Rodney Atkins
Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift
Just Who I Am - Poets & Pirates
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend - Miranda Lambert

For the complete list of nominations for this year's Academy of Country Music Awards, please visit: http://www.acmcountry.com/content/index.php.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Woman Finds Bone Marrow Donor, Thanks to Rhianna

Some time ago, I posted about how Rhianna was helping a New York woman with leukemia find a bone marrow donor to save her life.

People magazine is now reporting that a bone marrow donor has been found for the leukemia patient, Lisa Geroshwitz-Flynn. She is reporting as writing, "The English language does not have words that are adequate to thank someone for working to save your life," in an e-mail she wrote to her supporters.

I think it is so wonderful when people take the time to help someone in need, celebrity or not. I'm thrilled that this woman and mother of two will have the opportunity to continue to live.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Jackson Writes Book About Weight Loss

Janet Jackson is co-authoring a book about weight-loss with her nutritionist, David Allen.

The book not only details what worked for Jackson in terms of dealing with her emotional eating and weight-loss, but her personal journey through dieting.

The book is set to release sometime later this year.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Avril Lavigne's New Fashion Line!

Avril Lavigne's new fashion line will be making its debut in the Kohl's junior department stores soon!

Lavigne named her fashion line after her childhood nickname, Abbey Dawn, Yahoo Music News reports.

Lavigne began her world tour earlier this month in Canada.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Whitney Houston Releases New Music

I don't know about the rest of y'all, but I haven't seen anything about Whitney Houston in ages, so I was surprised to see this bit of news.

Whitney Houston is currently working on another album, which is set for release later this year. Yahoo Music News reports her record company, BMG as asserting the album will be a holiday release. The album does not yet have a title.

Monday, March 3, 2008

CMA Announces Some Performers for Their Annual Music Festival

The Country Music Association is lining up performers for its annual festival, which is set to take place from June 5-8 this year.

Among the performers this year, Carrie Underwood, Jewel, Taylor Swift, Alan Jackson, Faith Hill, Rodney Atkins, Sugarland, and Kellie Picker will perform at the Music Festival.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Simpson Joins Performers Giving Concert in Kuwait to U.S. Troops

Next month, several performers are going to travel to Kuwait to give a concert to U.S. troops.

Jessica Simpson has just joined the performers who are scheduled to perform in the concert. Other performers include Disturbed, DJZ-Trip, Filter, and the comedian Carlos Mencia.

The concert is scheduled to take place on March 10 and will be broadcast live on MySpace.com. A shortened version of the concert will also air on the cable channel FX on April 12th.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus to Host CMT Music Awards

Billy Ray Cyrus and his daughter, Miley Cyrus, will be hosting this year's CMT Music Awards on April 14.

Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus will also be performing on the Awards show. Additionally, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, and Alan Jackson will also perform during the Awards ceremony.

Miley Cyrus is known for her role in Hannah Montana, where she plays Miley Stewart and Hannah Montana, a girl who lives a double life. Billy Ray Cyrus also holds the role of Miley's/Hannah's father on the Disney show.

The CMT Music Awards will air on CMT.

For more information about the Awards show, please visit: www.cmt.com.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Rhianna Looks for Bone Marrow Donor for Patient

I saw this report on Yahoo Music News and I just had to share it! I think it's wonderful when music artists do good things for others.

Rhianna is currently helping a 41-year old cancer patient find a bone marrow donor.

Rhianna, who recently won a Grammy and was named as an honorary cultural ambassador, is working with DKMS, a donor database, located in Germany, find a bone marrow donor for Lisa Gershowitz Flynn. Flynn is extremely ill with acute mylogenous leukemia. She is also a mother.

Rhianna is reported as telling People magazine, "When I heard about Lisa's plight, my heart broke." Rhianna hopes to find a bone marrow donor in time to help Lisa.

For more information about this story or how you can help, please visit:
DKMS: www.dkmsamericas.org.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Billy Joel in Denver!

I just wanted to remind everyone that Billy Joel will be giving a performance in Denver, Colorado on February 28th at 8pm.

I don't know if tickets are still available, but you can check at the Pepsi Center.

Lopez Gives Birth

Jennifer Lopez had her twins early Friday morning People magazine reports.

The magazine reports the babies were born at 12:45am on Friday February 22, 2008.

Lopez and her husband Marc Anthony bore a boy and a girl.

Yahoo Music News reports Lopez' representative Simon Fields as telling the press that: "Jennifer and Marc are delighted, thrilled, and over the moon."

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Music Helps Recovering Stroke Patients

A new study shows that listening to music while recovering from a stroke can help patients recover their cognitive abilities and maintain better mood.

The study participants were 60 individuals who had recently suffered from a middle cerebral artery stroke in either the right or left side of the brain. Thirty patients listened to audio books or to their favorite music every day during recovery while the remaining 30 patients did not listen to music or audio books. All stroke patients also took part in a standard rehabilitation program.

The researchers discovered after three months 18% of stroke patients who listened to audio books showed a better verbal memory, 29% of patients who listened to neither audio books nor music showed improved verbal memory, and 60% of patients who listened to music showed improved verbal memory.

The researchers also discovered stroke patients who listened to their favorite music every day showed an increased ability to focus and maintained better moods than those who did not listen to music.

The researchers are not sure why music improved verbal memory and attention. Further studies should be focused on discovering the effect music has on the brain in recovering stroke patients.

This study was published in the journal Brain.

U2 Works on New Album

U2 in conjunction with Brian Emo and Daniel Lanois made their way to the studio in Dublin to work on material for their upcoming album.

Yahoo Music News reports Lanois as telling Billboard.com there is so much material the sessions spent in the studios may in fact yield two new albums.

So far there is no set release date for U2's upcoming album.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Jordin Sparks to Open for Alicia Keys on As I Am tour

Jordin Sparks will be opening for Alicia Keys on her upcoming North American tour. Sparks is the latest winner of American Idol. Sparks and Keys will tour together, starting on April 19, 2008 in Hampton, Virginia. The As I Am tour will finish on June 18th at New York Madison Square.

Keys' As I Am tour is in support of her latest album As I Am, and will be making its way to 25 major United States cities as well as to Montreal and Toronto, Canada.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Celine Dion Television Special to Kick off World Tour

Celine Dion is kicking off her world tour with a television special set to air on Friday on CBS. The hour-long special will be broadcast at 9pm ET/PT, 8pm Mountain time.

Celine Dion performs some of her greatest hits on the special as well as performing hip-hop with Will.i.am. from Black Eyed Peas. Additionally, Dion will perform with Josh Groben.

For more information about "Celine Dion: That's Just the Woman in Me" please visit this article on CBS' website.

Monday, February 11, 2008

2008 Grammy Award Winners

Congratulations to this year's Grammy Award Winners!

Amy Winehouse: Record of the Year for Rehab
Song of the Year for "Rehab"
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Rehab"
Best Pop Vocal Album for Back to Black
Best New Artist

Justin Timberlake - Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for, "What Goes Around...Comes Around"

Vince Gill - Best Country Album for These Days

Carrie Underwood - Best Country Song for, "Before He Cheats"
Best Female Country Vocal Performance for, "Before He Cheats"

Eagle - Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group for, "How Long"

Keith Urban - Best Male Country Vocal Performance for, "Stupid Boy"

Kanye West - Best Rap Album for Graduation
Best Rap Song for, "Good Life" (featuring T-Pain)
Best Rap Solo Performance for, "Stronger"

Common - Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for, "Southside" (featuring Kanye West)

Ne-Yo - Best Contemporary R&B Album for Because of You

Chaka Khan - Best R&B Album for Funk This
Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group for, "Disrespectful" (featuring Mary J. Blige)

Prine - Best Male R&B Solo Performance for, "Future Baby Mama"

Alicia Keys - Best R&B Song for, "No One"
Best Female R&B Solor Performance for, "No One"

Foo Fighters - Best Rock Album for Echos, Silence, Patience & Grace

Bruce Springsteen - Best Rock Song for, "Radio Nowhere"
Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance for, "Radio Nowhere"

Michael Buble - Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for Call Me Irresponsible

Johnny Cash - Best Short Form Music Video for "God's Gonna Cut You Down"

Best Song Written for Motion Picture - "Love You I Do" from Dreamgirls

Stephen Marley - Best Reggae Album for Mind Control

JJ Cale and Eric Clapton - Best Contemporary Blues Album for The Road to Escondido

Fred Hammond - Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album for Free to Worship

The Clark Sisters - Best Traditional Gospel Album for Live - One Last Time

Israel and New Breed - Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for A Deeper Level

Patti Austin - Best Jazz Vocal Album for Avand Gershwin

Paul Winter Consort - Best New Age Album for Crestone

For a complete list of 2008 Grammy Award winners, please visit the official Grammy Awards Winners list.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Spice Girls Cancel Concerts

The Spice Girls cut their tour short and apologized to their fans on Tuesday. They put a short video on their site explaining why they had to cut the tour short, saying they have personal and family obligations to tend to.

The Spice Girls had to cancel concerts in Argentina, South Africa, China, and Australia. Their reunion tour will now end on February 26 in Toronto, Canada.

To view their apology video, please visit their website at: www.thespicegirls.com.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Name Missy Elliott's New Album!

Missy Eliott is currently holding a contest for her fans to name her new album, which is due out in Spring later this year. Not only will the winner of the contest receive credit for their title on Missy Eliott's new album, he or she will also receive a $500 "Respect Me" gift card for Adidas.

Missy Eliott has already released two songs off of her upcoming album: "Shake Your Pom Pom," and, "Ching-A-Ling." Both of these songs also appear on the Step Up 2 The Streets soundtrack, which was released today (February 5th).

The contest will remain open until February 20, 2008.

In order to enter the contest, please visit: www.missy-elliott.com.

Diddy Encourages Young People to Vote

Sean Combs, otherwise known as, "Diddy" wants young people to vote in this year's election, and he is once again encouraging them to do just that.

In 2004 Diddy created Citizen Change, a nonpartisan organization to encourage young individual to vote in our country. Statistics have shown that the number of votes in youth increased in 2004 and 2006, and Diddy would like to believe his organization helped make that happen.

Yahoo Music News reports him as saying, "If we want to stop the war, if we want to get the economy better, I think that young people need to understand they have to take matters into their own hands."

In the same article, Diddy is quoted as saying this election is very exciting and that it will make history, with one African-American and one woman in the presidential race.

To read the full article on Yahoo Music News, please go here.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Spears Detained in Hospital

Britney Spears was taken to the hospital - again - after police were called to her home due to a custody dispute, according to CNN. CNN reports that after three hours, Spears returned the children to Federline and was wheeled out of her home on a gourney and taken to the hospital for psychological evaluation.

Spears was committed to the psychiatric hospital for a 72-hour hold for being a danger to herself or others.

On Sunday it was decided that Spears would be retained in the psychiatric hospital for further treatment, according to Yahoo Music News.

The same report from Yahoo asserted that Court Commisioner Reva Goetz ruled on Friday that Spears' father, James Spears, should take over her financial and personal affairs because Spears does not currently hold the ability to attend to these aspects of her life.

Katherine McPhee Marries

Though Season 5 American Idol contestant Katherine McPhee lost the title of American Idol to Taylor Hicks, she finds happiness in her new marriage to producer Nick Cokas.

According to a report by Yahoo Music News, McPhee and Cokas met in 2005 and their relationship grew closer as McPhee auditioned for American Idol. She and Cokas were engaged in 2007.

The couple was wed on Saturday February 2, 2008.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Qtrax - The Free, Legal Music Download Service

Qtrax is an upcoming service that will offer free, legal music downloads. Qtrax will be ad supported, and has deals with the four major music labels: Universal Music Group, EMI Group, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group.

The music service will use technology to count how many times each artist's song is downloaded and compensate the artist and those who hold the song's rights.

According to Yahoo Music News and Wikipedia, Qtrax will launch its free download service with 25 million songs.

The date in which Qtrax is up and running is not currently know. I will keep you posted about the music service.

Grant finds success

Natalie Grant's, "In Better Hands," has hit number 6 on the Christian Billboard chart.

She will be releasing her new album, Relentless, in February, and she will headline a tour beginning in March.

Things haven't always been easy for Grant, however; before she signed a deal with Curb Records, she struggled immensely in the music business. In fact, according to Yahoo Music News, Grant had two other record deals that failed.

Yahoo Music News reports Grant as asserting her faith helped her get through her struggles.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Jewel Makes Good Impression on Country Music with "Stronger Woman"

According to Yahoo Music News, Jewel is making a good first impression in the country music world with her single, "Stronger Woman."

"Stronger Woman" is a song about believing in yourself, and was co-written by Jewel and Mary Green. This song made it onto the Hot Country Songs chart this week at number 50.

This song will be available on iTunes exclusively starting on February 5, 2008.

Jewel's country album, Perfectly Clear, is set for release on June 3, 2008.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Garth Brooks televised concert tonight

Tonight, Garth Brooks will be giving a concert to raise money for the victims of the California fires.

An hour of the concert will be broadcast on CBS at 9pm Eastern and Pacific time, 8pm Central and Mountain time.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Winehouse Checks into Rehab

Amy Winehouse has checked into a drug rehabilitation facility in order to work toward complete recovery from drug abuse. Universal Music Group released a statement earlier today regarding Winehouse's entrance into the rehabilitation program.

According to Yahoo Music News, the statement asserts that Winehouse talked with her family, doctors, the record company, and management before she made a final decision to go into treatment.

She still plans on performing at the Grammy Awards, which are set to take place on Feb. 10, 2008. Her album "Back to Back" received six nominations for this year's Grammy's.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Mary J. Blige to Perform on Soap Opera

Mary J. Blige will be a guest star on "One Life to Live," an ABC soap opera. She will be a guest star on shows airing on February 15 and 18, where she is a surprise performer at a sweet sixteen party.

According to Yahoo Music News, she will perform two songs, "Just Fine," and, "Hurt Again."
Tim McGraw will make an appearance in the movie, "Four Christmases," a story about a couple that have been avoiding visiting their relatives over the holidays for years, but are finally forced to visit each of their divorced parents over Christmas.

Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon will hold lead roles in this movie. Tim McGraw will play a brother of Vaughn's character in the movie.

Other roles in "Four Christmases" are played by Kristen Chenoweth, Sissy Spacek, Robert Duvall, Mary Steenburgen, , and Jon Favreau.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Majority of Americans think Spears should have visitation rights

A new survey of 1,941 American adults showed that 51% think that Britney Spears should be able to have visitation rights with her children at least a few times a week with supervision.

Less than 1% believe Spears should have full custody of her children.

You may read more about the survey results here.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Britney Spears' Visitation Rights Remain Suspended

I'm sorry for the delay on this story.

If you haven't heard already, the judge ruled that Britney Spears' visitation rights with her sons will remain suspended, until another court hearing, which is set to take place on February 19th.

According to reports, Spears made a brief appearance outside the courtroom, but once bombarded with photographers, she got back into her car and drove off.

Spears was not required to be at the hearing, and Kevin Federline's lawyer is reported as saying Spears' not showing up to court did not have any bearing on the judge's decision on Monday.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Spears' Last Chance for Visitation Rights

Tomorrow, a hearing is scheduled to take place that will decide if Britney Spears can have visitation rights with her kids, after a stand-off between Spears and police officers on Jan 3, where she refused to hand her kids over to ex-husband, Kevin Federline.

Officials in the case say the court hearing, scheduled for tomorrow will be Spears' final opportunity to obtain visitations with her children before a final hearing regarding custody of her kids, scheduled for April.

Given the stand-off on Jan 3, any visitation awarded to Spears will be more closely monitored than it had been prior to this event.

Officials report that the court hearing on Monday will most likely be closed to the press.

I will update this story as information becomes available.

Friday, January 11, 2008

New Look for Amy Winehouse

Apparently, Amy Winehouse has a new hair style!

You can go here to see her new blonde hairdo.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Spears' Family Accuses Dr. Phil of Crossing the Line

The Spears' family asserts that Dr. Phil betrayed them by making public statements about Britney Spears' mental health, after he visited her over the weekend in the hospital.

Apparently, as this report claims, the family asked Dr. Phil to come to the hospital, but they made him aware that they did not want the public to know about his visit or her condition.

However, earlier this week, I saw a preview for a Dr. Phil show on his visit to the hospital with Britney Spears. This article claims that he had, in fact, planned to do this show, but that he dropped it as he thought it may cause the Speares' family too much stress.

Dr. Phil has been quoted as saying Britney Spears needs a lot of help, and he does not regret trying to get her into a quality treatment program.

You may read more about this story: here.