MUSIC NEWS: THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015
RICK SPRINGFIELD CRIES DURING TESTIMONY
Rick Springfield is on trial again for allegedly falling onto a woman and causing serious injuries. The Post-Standard of Syracuse reports Springfield broke into tears during testimony Tuesday in New York Supreme Court. Vicki Calcagno is suing Springfield for his performance at the 2004 New York State Fair. She says he came into the crowd and put one foot on the back of a metal bench and the other on a white fence. She says he fell backward and his rear end hit her forehead and knocked her unconscious, leaving her with lasting injuries. Springfield's manager testified he watches Springfield intently at every show and never saw Springfield fall. A 2007 trial ended in mistrial when another woman came forward, saying she also was injured when Springfield fell on her.
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VANESSA CARLTON GIVES BIRTH
Vanessa Carlton is a mom. Her husband, Deer Tick singer John McCauley, posted a photo of their daughter Sid, born on Tuesday. Carlton tweeted her thanks for ``all the sweet wishes on our daughter'' and notes, ``She's the quiet observer. We are in for it.'' The birth is a triumph for Carlton after a time of pain. She had told fans in 2013 she had an ectopic pregnancy that resulted in having her right fallopian tube removed.
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BOB MARLEY DVD WILL USE FAN FOOTAGE, ANIMATION
When the creators of a new Bob Marley concert video found they didn't have the video to match the audio, they threw in a cartoon. ``Bob Marley and the Wailers -- Easy Skanking In Boston '78'' was created from footage that a fan shot right in front of the stage, with Marley's permission. Audio of the concert was recorded as well, but there are gaps in the film because the fan had to change reels. The gaps have been augmented with animation created especially for the project. The concert will be released on D-V-D, Blu-Ray and C-D on February 17. It's the first of several releases and events to mark the 70th anniversary of Marley's birth this year.
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LINEUP ANNOUNCED FOR STEVIE WONDER TRIBUTE
Willie Nelson, Usher and Chris Martin of Coldplay will perform for an upcoming Stevie Wonder T-V special.
Janelle Monae and Ed Sheeran are also on deck for ``Steve Wonder:
Songs in the Key of Life -- An All-Star Grammy Salute.'' It tapes in Los Angeles on February 10 and will run on C-B-S on February 16.
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AMERICAN IDOL
Who doesn't know ``The Beverly Hillbillies'' theme? J-Lo for one. Jennifer Lopez was amazed that Keith Urban and Harry Connick Junior knew the theme song from the iconic 1960s sitcom. Urban and Connick broke into the tune with a pretty banjo playing blonde on last night's ``American Idol.'' Ellen Peterson, from Branson, Missouri, got her golden ticket to Hollywood before doing the Hillbillies' theme with two of the three judges. A blue-haired, accordion playing waitress also moves on, as does a Florida accountant who goes by the handle Big Sexy. Tonight, the Idol auditions move to J-Lo's hometown, New York City.