MUSIC NEWS: FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015
'AMERICAN IDOL'
She's Jenny from the Block -- but not everyone on the block knows Jenny. The ``American Idol'' auditions moved to New York City last night. The show opened with Jennifer Lopez visiting her old neighbourhood and stopping at the building in the Bronx where she used to live. A man there asked who she is and when J-Lo told him, he seemingly had never heard of her. Former Idol contestant Adam Lambert sat in as a guest judge for absent Keith Urban. One of the highlights was Hollywood Anderson's audition. He's a subway singer and got his guitar at a shelter for homeless youth.
Both he and J-Lo were in tears as he got his ticket to Hollywood.
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SCOTT WEILAND PLOTS NEW BAND
Scott Weiland says the best way to describe his new band is ``furry.'' He also uses the terms ``heavy, slinky and sexy'' and ``a lot of fuzz.'' Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts have launched a Pledge Music page for their album ``Blaster'' and will give fans a free download of the song ``Modzilla'' for each pledge. Weiland is also offering an instant download of the track ``White Lightening'' for fans who pre-order the album on iTunes.
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LEE BRICE AND CHRIS YOUNG ANNOUNCE TOUR
Chris Young says he had so much fun last year with Lee Brice on the Brad Paisley tour, they thought it would be great to do a co-headlining tour together. They have announced the first slate of dates for their tour, beginning next Thursday in Syracuse, New York.
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BRIT AWARD NOMINEES INCLUDE SAM SMITH, ED SHEERAN
Sam Smith leads the nominations for the Brit Awards, Britain's answer to the Grammys. He has five nominations, including best album. Ed Sheeran and George Ezra have four each.
Other nominees include Taylor Swift, Beyonce', Beck, Alt-J, One Direction, Coldplay, Hozier, Pharrell Williams and The Black Keys. The winners will be announced in London on February 25.
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COMMON, GLEN CAMPBELL UP FOR BEST ORIGINAL SONG OSCAR
Common says getting nominated for the best original song Oscar has inspired him so much, he's ready to do more work now. Common and John Legend were nominated for the song ``Glory'' from the film ``Selma.'' Glen Campbell's last song, ``I'm Not Gonna Miss You'' from the documentary ``Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me,'' is also nominated for best original song. Director James Keach says Campbell wanted to make a difference in the lives of others and hoped his story would shine a light on Alzheimer's disease. Gregg Alexander of New Radicals and former ``Archie Bunker's Place'' actress Danielle Brisbois are nominated for writing ``Lost Stars'' from the movie ``Begin Again.'' Diane Warren is nominated for writing ``Grateful'' from the film ``Beyond The Lights.'' Shawn Patterson is the final nominee, for writing ``Everything is Awesome'' from ``The Lego Movie.'' The Oscars are February 22 in Los Angeles and will be shown on ABC.
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T.G. SHEPPARD RESTING AFTER SURGERY
T-G Sheppard is out of the hospital after he had heart surgery in Nashville. His representative tells Billboard magazine Sheppard had an ablation, designed to keep his heart in rhythm. Sheppard says on his Facebook page he's thankful for the calls and prayers, and he will be back doing shows on January 24.
He's scheduled to appear in Crossville, Tennessee, that day, then he'll be on the Country's Family Reunion cruise out of Miami on January 31.
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MARIAH CAREY ANNOUNCES VEGAS RESIDENCY
Mariah Carey and Caesars Palace are hoping to revive their livelihoods together. Carey will do a residency at The Colosseum in Las Vegas beginning May 16. The show is called ``Mariah Carey Number Ones'' and will feature her 18 number-one hits. The Caesars subsidiary that owns and manages The Colosseum filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy yesterday. The company's C-E-O says its lineup of entertainers will continue to perform as scheduled.
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BLACK CROWES CALLS IT QUITS
The Black Crowes are fading to black. Founding member Rich Robinson announced yesterday the group is breaking up after 24 years. In a statement, he alluded to internal issues between his brother and the band. Chris Robinson is the lead singer, while Rich Robinson is the band's guitarist and songwriter. An email seeking comment from Chris Robinson wasn't immediately returned. He also fronts the Chris Robinson Brotherhood.
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KELLY CLARKSON HAD ``HORRIBLE PREGNANCY''
Kelly Clarkson admits her pregnancy was so bad, she was hospitalized at one point. Clarkson tells the B-B-C's Radio 1 Breakfast Show she had a ``horrible pregnancy'' and took more time off than she thought she would. It all turned out well. Her seven-month-old daughter, River Rose, is healthy and happy. Clarkson says her daughter is ``pretty awesome'' and her husband is running from Clarkson because she wants another baby.
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MORE SUPER BOWL PERFORMERS
``Frozen'' star Idina Menzel will sing the national anthem before the Super Bowl kicks off next month.
The NFL announced Friday that John Legend will perform ``America the Beautiful'' before the Super Bowl on Feb. 1 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. It will air on NBC.
Menzel has had a top-notch year, thanks to the success of ``Frozen'' and her worldwide hit, ``Let It Go.'' Her Broadway show ``If/Then'' closes on March 22.
Legend, too, has had a career-highlighting year. His song ``All of Me'' was one of 2014's biggest hits, and he recently won a Golden Globe for his song with rapper Common, ``Glory,'' from the film ``Selma.''
Pop star Katy Perry will perform during the halftime show.
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THE GRATEFUL DEAD RISE
The Grateful Dead is coming back to life for final concerts in July.
The band announced Friday that surviving members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir will perform three shows from July 3-5 at Soldier Field in Chicago.
The band is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and the shows will mark its final performances, the band said. They last performed in 1995 at the Chicago venue.
Tickets for ``Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead'' will be available through mail order system on Jan. 20. They go on sale online on Feb. 14.
The Grateful Dead will be joined by Phish's Trey Anastasio, keyboardist Jeff Chimenti and pianist Bruce Hornsby at the concerts.
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The following is HMV Canada's top 10 CDs based on national sales for the week ending Jan. 17.
CDs
1 1989 _ Taylor Swift
2 X _ Ed Sheeran
3 The Pinkprint _ Nicki Minaj
4 Motion _ Calvin Harris
5 Four _ One Direction
6 Title _ Meghan Trainor
7 Hozier _ Hozier
8 The Endless River _ Pink Floyd
9 Rock or Bust _ AC/DC
10 2014 Forest Hills Drive _ J. Cole
COUNTRY
1 1989 _ Taylor Swift
2 Country Hits 2015 _ Various Artists
3 Man Against Machine _ Garth Brooks
4 Greatest Hits: Decade No. 1 _ Carrie Underwood
5 Crash My Party _ Luke Bryan
6 Anything Goes _ Florida Georgia Line
7 The Outsiders _ Eric Church
8 Lifted _ Dallas Smith
9 Greatest Hits So Far... _ Zac Brown Band
10 Red _ Taylor Swift