MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015
SOUL TRAIN AWARDS ANNOUNCE ERYKAH BADU AS HOST
Erykah Badu has been named host of the Soul Train Awards. Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson and The Weeknd lead the way with five nominations each. The Soul Train Awards will tape on November 6th in Las Vegas and air on B-E-T on November 29th.
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SCARFACE RESPONDS TO ARREST
Scarface is finally speaking about getting arrested just hours after getting a lifetime achievement award at the B-E-T Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta two weeks ago. Scarface had been arrested on charges of unpaid child support. He says the charges have been resolved and reports of how much he owed were inaccurate.
He says he had no idea there was an order for his arrest in Atlanta and he had just been there in September. Scarface says because there's a minor child involved, he will not make any further comment.
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RUSSELL SIMMONS' RUSHCARD HAS TECHNICAL GLITCH
Def Jam Records co-founder Russell Simmons tweets he is personally calling holders of his RushCards debit cards after thousands of them were unable to access their money. The pre-paid cards have had problems for more than a week after a software upgrade. Many RushCard accounts show a zero balance, or customers cannot use their funds. Some customers say they have missed car payments or can't buy food for their families. The company says the glitch is mostly resolved, and the money is safely stored at Metabank. Simmons has said he started the card 12 years ago to help low-income people access basic financial services.
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``BIG PIMPIN''' TRIAL WINDS DOWN
Closing arguments could begin as soon as today in a copyright infringement case against Jay Z over his song ``Big Pimpin'.'' At issue are flute notes from a 1957 love ballad written by composer Baligh Hamdi sampled for ``Big Pimpin'.''
Producer Timbaland paid 100-thousand dollars in 2001 to settle a claim about its use. Lawyers for Hamdi's nephew say Jay Z and Timbaland do not have a valid right to use the song. Testimony wrapped up yesterday in Los Angeles.
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OMI FINDS FAME DISTRACTING
OMI is the same guy he ever was. OMI says he hasn't had to change much about himself since he became famous because he's always tried to stay focused. He says he takes fame in stride because ``any other way is self-destructive.'' OMI says some people might think that's boring or too safe, but he feels it's important for his long-term career. His album, ``Me 4 U,'' is out now.
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CALIFORNIA HAS AN IMPACT ON BORNS' ALBUM
One of the biggest influences on the sound of Borns' album ``Dopamine'' -- windows. Borns says he recorded it in a studio in California where he could see outside. He says the sunshine and palm trees inspired him to do more swooping harmonies.
Up to that point, he lived in Michigan and he says his music was more acoustic and not so grandiose. ``Dopamine'' is out now.
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SURVIVOR'S NEW SINGER IS 21 YEARS OLD
Survivor's new lead singer was born 12 years after ``Eye of the Tiger'' was a hit. Twenty-one-year-old Nashville singer Cameron Barton will join the band to handle vocals after the death of Jimi Jamison last year. Guitarist Frankie Sullivan says he gave Barton the job after Barton was able to learn 20 songs in eight days. Survivor plans to do a tour and release an album in 2016.
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``THE VOICE''-BATTLE ROUNDS COMPLETE
Pharrell Williams says he's trying something new for his team on ``The Voice'' -- a country singer. Williams picked up Morgan Frazier on last night's show, after she was dropped by Team Blake. Williams notes he has never mentored a country artist in the competition. Next week, the knockout rounds begin, with Rihanna as the guest coach. She'll be working with all the singers.
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(The Associated Press)
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RESTLESS HEART'S DAVE INNIS MOURNS THE LOSS OF HIS FATHER |
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Restless Heart's Dave Innis is mourning the loss of his beloved father, Eugene Innis. "My dad was more than a father to me, he was my role model," says Innis. "Generous and thoughtful, he lived his life honorably and ran his race with integrity from start to finish. I will miss him. He was my best friend." Following a brief illness, Elbert Eugene Innis passed away on October 19, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. Eugene was born January 19, 1927 in Meade, Kansas. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty, to whom he was married 61 years. He is survived by his two sons and daughters-in-law: Steve and Nancy Innis of Greeley, Colorado, and Dave and Adrienne Innis of Franklin, Tennessee, as well as his grandchildren Isom, Isabella, and Isaiah. Everyone who knew him was charmed by his smile and dry wit, his dapper dress and sharp mind. He loved his family, his friends, and his church community. He thoroughly enjoyed the symphony, the arts, theatre, and travel.
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