MUSIC NEWS: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015
ROLLING STONES
Keith Richards says The Rolling Stones have ``definite plans'' to record next year after a tour of South America.
The Stones guitarist talked about the Stones' plans to record their first studio album since 2005's ``A Bigger Bang'' during an iHeartRadio ICONS broadcast from New York on Tuesday. Richards, who is releasing a new solo album, ``Crosseyed Heart,''on Friday, said in a live question-and-answer session that he was in London last week and got together with Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood.
The band, which finished a North America tour this summer, will tour South America in early 2016.
---
EARLY AMERICANA AWARDS
Country singer Sturgill Simpson and Austin, Texas-artist Shakey Graves took home early awards at the Americana Honors and Awards show on Wednesday night.
The Kentucky-born Simpson won song of the year for his psychedelic-honky-tonk jam, ``Turtles All The Way Down,'' during the roots music awards show held at the Ryman Auditorium.
Graves, whose given name is Alejandro Rose-Garcia, took home the emerging artist award.
The Eagles drummer and songwriter Don Henley and Saskatchewan born '60s folk singer Buffy Sainte-Marie were special honorees for lifetime achievement awards. Performers included Keb' Mo', Lee Ann Womack and Ricky Skaggs.
---
ELTON JOHN-PRANK
A spokesman for Russia's president says a couple of pranksters owe Elton John an apology. The singer thought he was speaking to Vladimir Putin about gay rights on Tuesday -- but now it appears it was a hoax. The comedians say John was easily fooled into thinking he was on the line with Putin -- and even threw up an Instagram post about what turned out to be a bogus call. After the post, the Russian government denied Putin spoke with Elton John and the pranksters' admission seems to solve the mystery why the two sides disagreed on what happened. Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says Elton John is a person who deserves respect and that the prank was ``not very nice.''
---
ROLLING STONES-NEW MUSIC
The Rolling Stones haven't done a studio album since 2005. But Keith Richards says that's about to change. He says the band has ``definite plans'' to record next year after a tour of South America -- and that the new project was discussed with lead singer Mick Jagger as well as drummer Charlie Watts and fellow guitarist Ronnie Wood. Richards made the comments during a broadcast from New York on iHeartRadio ICONS. The South America tour is set for early next year.
---
LIONEL RICHIE-VEGAS
Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Prince, Celine Dion -- and now Lionel Richie is ready to take a star turn in Las Vegas. The singer says he will begin a residency at the AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The first show is April 27 and he will play 20 shows in April, May, September and October.
Tickets go on sale starting tomorrow. In a statement, says he plans to put on ``a high energy show'' that will be ``a perfect match for such a vibrant city.''
---
ARETHA FRANKLIN-DOCUMENTARY BEEF
The legal mess over an Aretha Franklin documentary seems to be on the way to straightening itself out. The producer of ``Amazing Grace'' has agreed not to show the film for the next month. In the meantime, the movie makers and the singer will try to hammer out a deal that will let the movie be seen. The filmmakers say they have the right to use the footage in the movie, but Franklin says she still owns the copyright to the performance featured in the movie.
---
USHER-GLOBAL CITIZEN
Usher has been added to the list of stars for the Global Citizen Festival. He, Laverne Cox and Katie Holmes are among the new names added to the bill for the event, which will be headlined by Beyonce and Pearl Jam. Previously announced hosts include Stephen Colbert, Kerry Washington, Salma Hayek and Hugh Jackman. The event will be held on the Great Lawn in New York's Central Park later this month and will air on M-S-N-B-C.
---
MARIA CAREY-CHRISTMAS-MOVIE
At least this time when the mistletoes and decorated trees start popping up next month in Cincinnati, it might not be because of merchants trying to get an earlier-than-usual jump on taking advantage of the upcoming holiday season. A Cincinnati film commission says Mariah Carey is filming a movie in the city.
It's called ``Melody & Mistletoe'' and it will air on the Hallmark Channel Dec. 19.
---
(The Associated Press)