Archive

MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015

SLY STONE 

Funk legend Sly Stone was awarded five-million dollars Tuesday in a breach-of-contract suit that claimed his business partners and his own company cheated him out of royalties.

A Los Angeles jury ruled for the 71-year-old performer in his action against his ex-manager Gerald Goldstein, attorney Glenn Stone and Even St. Productions. Stone, whose real name is Sylvester Stewart, led the group Sly and the Family Stone to a string of hits in the 1960s and early '70s including ``Everyday People,'' ''Dance To The Music`` and ''Family Affair.``  But heavy drug use began to take a toll. His lawyers say Stone was destitute when Goldstein and Glenn Stone convinced him to become an employee of and co-owner of Even St. Productions with them in 1989. 

--- 

NICK JONAS JOINS ``SCREAM QUEENS'' 

Nick Jonas has been cast in a recurring role in the upcoming Fox series ``Scream Queens.'' It's a comedy-horror anthology about murders on a college campus that will premiere in the fall. Ariana Grande is also part of the cast, as is Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Roberts and Lea Michele. 

--- 

COMMON AND JOHN LEGEND WILL PLAY THE OSCARS 

NEW YORK (AP) _ Common and John Legend will perform their Oscar-nominated song at the Oscars as well as at the Grammys.

``Glory'' from the film ``Selma'' is nominated for best original song. Adam Levine has already said he will perform another Oscar-nominated song, ``Lost Stars'' from the film ``Begin Again,''

for the Academy Awards. The songwriting team that brought us last year's Oscar-winning song, ``Let It Go'' from ``Frozen,'' are planning something for the Oscars as well. Songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez will write an original number for host Neil Patrick Harris. The Oscars are February 22.

MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016

STEELY DAN-DONALD FAGEN

Donald Fagen of Steely Dan is accused of assaulting his wife. Two law enforcement officials say Fagen was arrested and charged with shoving his wife of 22 years, Libby Titus, into a marble window frame. She suffered bruising and swelling as a result, according to the criminal complaint. The officials were not authorized to disclose the victim's name and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Fagen's publicist declined comment.

Fagen made a brief appearance in court yesterday and was released without bail. He has been ordered to stay away from Titus. 

---

GUNS N' ROSES ARE BACK

Guns N' Roses will headline Coachella this year, and signs are pointing toward the lineup fans have been asking for. Slash and Duff McKagan have each posted a photo of the classic GNR logo over the word ``Coachella'' on their social media accounts.

Axl Rose was supposed to appear on ``Jimmy Kimmel Live'' last night but bailed. He tweeted his confirmation that Guns N' Roses would play Coachella. Slash has not performed with Rose since he quit GNR in 1996. The band's publicist also confirms the gig. The Coachella lineup will also include LCD Soundsystem, Calvin Harris, Ice Cube, Sia, Halsey, Rancid and Ellie Goulding. Coachella is set for April 15-17 and April 22-24 in Indio, California. 

---

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM REACT TO FAN OUTCRY OVER REUNION

James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem is apologizing for their reunion. The band will reunite for Coachella in April, and they are making a new record and have plans to tour. Murphy writes on Facebook he's pleased that so many fans are happy for their return, but he did not count on the fact that some fans feel betrayed. LCD Soundsystem's farewell performance in New York in 2011 was captured in a documentary. Murphy says he had not considered that fans who went to that show or tried to go now feel it was cheapened because of the reunion. Murphy offers his apologies and says the only way to make things right is for LCD Soundsystem to make the best record they can. 

---

TWENTY ONE PILOTS BATTLE STAGE FRIGHT

Twenty One Pilots still get nervous before going on stage. Singer Tyler Joseph says it would be strange for people to try to do their jobs when others are watching, because they would be preoccupied with tripping. Joseph says they've tripped so many times it doesn't matter anymore. Drummer Josh Dun says he doesn't know how musicians do drugs and go on stage, because just being on stage is enough of a rush for him. He says he craves it when they're not touring. 

---

TORI KELLY RECALLS HER FAILED ``AMERICAN IDOL'' CAREER

Tori Kelly is living proof that you can get cut from ``American Idol'' and still be a star. Kelly tells Seventeen magazine she tried out for season nine of ``Idol'' when she was 16.

Not only was she eliminated, but Simon Cowell called her voice ``almost annoying.'' Kelly says deep down, she knew she was good, but she needed to get knocked down to build a thick skin. She says, ``You have to go through things in order to inspire others with your story.'' ''American Idol`` premieres tonight on Fox. 

---

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE TAKES ON CREATIVE ROLES FOR ``TROLLS''

Justin Timberlake will help to bring fuzzy-haired creatures to the big screen. Timberlake will write original music and act as the executive music producer for the upcoming animated film ``Trolls,'' based on the Troll dolls.

Timberlake also will voice the character of Branch, who is described as ``a hilariously hardcore survivalist who hides his surprising true colours.'' Anna Kendrick will voice the character of Princess Poppy. The film is scheduled to come out November 4. 

---

TIMBALAND CREATES NEW VERSION OF ``DAILY SHOW'' THEME

``The Daily Show'' theme song has a fresh sound, thanks to Timbaland. The Hollywood Reporter reports Timbaland and King Logan produced a new version of the theme song ``Dog on Fire''

for host Trevor Noah. Bob Mould (MOLD) of Husker Du wrote and performed the song for original host Craig Kilborn, and They Might Be Giants re-recorded it for Jon Stewart. 

---

ROBERT STIGWOOD - OBIT

He will be remembered as the man who managed the Bee Gees. But Robert Stigwood also had his hand in a couple of big Hollywood hits. He produced ``Saturday Night Fever'' and ``Grease'' _ and brought the Broadway hit ``Hair'' to the stage in London.

Stigwood was 81. No cause was given for his death on Monday. 

---

(The Associated Press)

MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015

TOBY KEITH'S HOUSTON BAR IN TROUBLE 

Toby Keith's restaurant in Houston has shut its doors because management is not paying its bills. KHOU-TV reports a note was posted on the I Love This Bar And Grill saying it was closed because it was behind on its rent. Contractors also say they're due 150-thouand dollars for work done at the bar. Keith's main page for his restaurants no longer lists the Houston location.

It does, however, list a press release pointing out that Keith was the highest-paid country artist last year for a second year in a row, with 65-million in earnings in one year. 

--- 

JEWEL PLANS AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

Jewel is poised to reveal some facts about herself that may not be widely known. Jewel has a deal with Blue Rider Press for a memoir to come out in the fall. Blue Rider says Jewel will reveal ``a far more complicated life'' than previously known. She will write about her childhood and career, as well as give writing advice and insight on being a mom. The book currently does not have a title. 

--- 

NEIL DIAMOND KEEPS HIS MUSIC PRIVATE WHILE STILL WORKING 

Neil Diamond won't share his works in progress with anyone until he gets them recorded. Diamond says once he gets them down on tape, he'll share with a few people and let them draw conclusions. He wrote some songs for his wife, Katie, and she was one of the few people he would let hear them, but only after they were recorded. They became his ``Melody Road'' record. Diamond says his wife was delighted with the songs and he's glad that she was.

However, he says he didn't want any other voice involved in the creation of the album other than his own. 

--- 

COACHELLA ANNOUNCES LINEUP 

AC/DC, Jack White and Drake will headline this year's Coachella festival. Other acts include Tame Impala, Interpol, Hozier, Alt-J, David Guetta (GET'-ah), Florence and the Machine, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, Milky Chance and Steely Dan. Coachella will be the weekends of April 10th and 17th in Indio, California. 

---

 JIMMY CARTER WILL GIVE MUSICARES AWARD TO BOB DYLAN

Bob Dylan will get his MusiCares Person of the Year honour from former President Jimmy Carter. The Recording Academy has also announced more performers for the gala honouring Dylan. They are Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal, Aaron Neville, Susan Tedeschi (teh-DES'-kee) and Derek Trucks. That's in addition to Willie Nelson, Jack White, Alanis Morissette, Norah Jones, Beck, The Black Keys, Los Lobos, Bonnie Raitt, Eddie Vedder, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Crosby, Stills and Nash. The event will be February 6 in Los Angeles, two days before the Grammys.

---

SIA, BLAKE SHELTON WILL APPEAR ON ``SNL'' 

Will Sia show herself on national television or decide to hide again? She is the musical guest for ``Saturday Night Live'' on January 17th. Kevin Hart will host. Blake Shelton will be both host and musical guest on the January 24th show.

MEGHAN TRAINOR IS STILL DOGGED BY VOCAL ISSUES

Meghan Trainor is calling off more shows because of a hemorrhage on her vocal cord. Her appearances in Detroit and in Chicago this weekend will be rescheduled, and she's canceled her performance at the Common Ground Music Festival in Lansing, Michigan. She says the good news is she's feeling much better. 

---

CHRIS CORNELL CORRECTS SPELLING ON DEBUT SOLO RECORD

Chris Cornell is reissuing his solo debut album with the title he wanted originally. It's the kind of thing that you don't notice if you say it out loud but you notice in print. The album came out in 1999 as ``Euphoria Morning,'' with ``morning'' spelled like the time of day before noon. Cornell had wanted it to be ``Euphoria Mourning,'' with ``mourning'' spelled with a ``u,'' like ``mourning a death.'' Cornell says he had made the change in 1999 because of ``bad advice.'' The reissue comes out August 14 on C-D, as a digital download and for the first time on vinyl. 

---

JAMES TAYLOR FOLLOWS THE SONGWRITING WHEREVER IT GOES

James Taylor is not a 9-to-5 kind of worker when writing lyrics. He's more of a ten-day-at-a-time guy. Taylor says in writing his ``Before This World'' album, he wrote lyrics by locking himself away for about a week and a half at a time. After a day and a half the lyrics would start coming, but not always in the way he expected. Taylor says he might start out writing a song about his brother Alex in Florida and it turns into a song about a woman named Alice in Santa Fe. 

---

GEOFF TATE PREPARES NEW ALBUM

 Former Queensryche singer Geoff Tate will debut his first album since leaving the band. His new band, Operation: Mindcrime, will put out its first album, ``The Key,'' on September 18. It's part one of a trilogy that explores what people might do if they find the key to changing the way they look at the world, time and travel, whether for good or bad.

 ---

FASHION-LADY GAGA'S STYLIST

Now you too can wear shimmery, nude leotards and meat dresses like Lady Gaga. Well not quite, but close to it.

Brandon Maxwell, the singer's longtime stylist and a designer in his own right, plans to show his first full ready-to-wear collection at New York Fashion Week in September. Maxwell has created numerous looks for Gaga over the years, including a silver gown with a plunging neckline and high slit for this year's Grammys and a majority of the outfits she's worn for her Cheek to Cheek tour with Tony Bennett. Known for a bold but glamorous looks, Maxwell is listed in The Hollywood Reporter's Top 25 most powerful stylists in Hollywood. 

---

NINE INCH NAILS

The frontman for the industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails is putting the hammer to a trio of Alberta politicians.  

Trent Reznor's representatives have sent a letter requesting the politicos refrain from any use of the band's logo. 

That logo _ an ``N,'' an ``I'' and an inverted ``N'' _ was featured prominently in a tweet featuring Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, and referencing Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson. 

In the photo, the pair held up black T-shirts with the logo and the subtitle ``Notley Iveson Nenshi'' and the tagline ``Building Alberta Together.'' 

Nenshi's office confirms that Reznor's people contacted them with ``a very polite letter'' this week expressing concern over the T-shirts, which are being sold by a third party not connected to the mayor or his office. 

Nenshi says he understands why Reznor would be upset.

MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

Aspiring Canadian country singer dies in Australia

A Winnipeg native and aspiring country singer has reportedly died of carbon monoxide poisoning in Australia.  

The Daily Telegraph in Sydney says Derek Kehler died on Monday along with his companion, Helena Curic of Australia, while they were camping in a makeshift cabin in the Blue Mountains northwest of Sydney. The newspaper says it is believed they died in their sleep after taking a pot of hot coals from a bonfire into a converted steel container they were staying in. Curic's sister Natalie, who owns the property and was staying in an adjoining container with her family, reportedly made the discovery early Monday morning.  

The newspaper says Kehler, 32, and Curic, 31, began dating after they met while working at an IT firm in Vancouver a couple of years ago and later transferred to the company's Sydney office. 

Kehler was an aspiring country singer pursuing a career under the name of Steel Audrey. His website says he released a debut self-titled album in July 2012 and a second album in October 2014 called ``From Which I Came.''

---

DISTRICT ATTORNEY GETS TOUGHER ON BONNAROO CITATIONS

Misbehaving music fans at Bonnaroo won't be able to just pay a fine and make it go away this year. Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott tells the Nashville Tennessean festival goers will not be able to pay a fine to avoid appearing in court on minor citations. He says it isn't fair that a person arrested the day before Bonnaroo on minor drug possession could get five days in jail and a year of probation, while someone arrested on the same charge at Bonnaroo simply pays 15-hundred. Northcott says he will stagger court dates to alleviate any extra load on the jail.

Bonnaroo starts tomorrow in Manchester, Tennessee. 

---

TEEN CHOICE AWARDS PIT ONE DIRECTION AGAINST ZAYN MALIK

The Teen Choice Awards are forcing fans of One Direction to make a very hard decision. One Direction has been nominated for ``Choice Male Hottie,'' and their competition includes former member Zayn Malik (MAL'-ihk). Others nominated in that category include Canadain mega-pop supertar Justin Bieber, Austin Mahone, Ryan Guzman and 5 Seconds of Summer. The female nominees are Cara Delevigne, Fifth Harmony, Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift. Nominees in music categories include Ed Sheeran, Pitbull, Iggy Azalea, Demi Lovato, Fall Out Boy, Imagine Dragons, Hunter Hayes and Blake Shelton. The Teen Choice Awards will be August 16th. 

---

LES PAUL AWARD GIVEN TO BELMONT UNIVERSITY

Gibson Guitars is donating 100-thousand dollars to Belmont University in Nashville to honour Les Paul. The Les Paul Music Innovation Award will be used to fund research to innovate music. The 100th anniversary of Paul's birth was yesterday. Besides being a musician, Paul created the electric solid body guitar, multitrack recording and many other music innovations. 

---

DEMI LOVATO WILL APPEAR IN ``FROM DUSK TIL DAWN: THE SERIES''

Demi Lovato has joined the cast of ``From Dusk Til Dawn: The Series.'' Details of her role were not given. The second season will premiere August 25 on El Rey Network. 

---

JACK ANTONOFF CREATES SHADOW OF THE CITY FESTIVAL

Jack Antonoff of Bleachers and of fun. is starting his own festival. Antonoff will stage the Shadow of the City music festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey, on September 19th.

Bleachers will headline, with Charli X-C-X and Vic Mensa among the other acts. Antonoff says he wants to do this festival for the rest of his life. 

---

SNOOP DOGG SUES PABST OVER COLT 45

Pabst Brewing Company says it would be happy to talk to Snoop Dogg or his representatives to get to the bottom of his complaint that prompted a lawsuit. Snoop is suing Pabst because he says he is owed a chunk of the sale when Pabst sold its Colt 45 malt beer line last year. Snoop signed a contract in 2011 to endorse Blast by Colt 45, a fruit-flavoured version of the beer. He says the contract stipulates if Pabst sold Colt 45 before January 2016, he was entitled to a portion of the sale price. Pabst says neither Snoop nor his representatives contacted the company about the matter, but Snoop says Pabst told him he was not owed anything from the sale. 

---

IGGY AZALEA DROPS OUT OF PITTSBURGH PRIDE

Iggy Azalea is calling off her appearance at this weekend's Pittsburgh Pride event. Azalea tweets her appearance would be a distraction from the purpose of the event. Azalea came under fire for making alleged homophobic comments. She says she supports the gay community and as a young person she made comments she has come to deeply regret. 

---

FANS BLAST BEYONCE'S ``BIG ANNOUNCEMENT''

Beyonce's ``big announcement'' is falling flat with fans. Beyonce' appeared on ``Good Morning America'' this week promising to announce something ``amazing.'' She went on the show to talk about her vegan diet. Fans complained on social media they were hoping Beyonce' would announce an album, a tour or something of that nature. Some fans complained they got up early to hear what the announcement was. Others complained she released an album without telling anyone yet made a lot of hype to talk about what she eats.

Beyonce' has not commented on the complaints. 

---

KATY PERRY'S MANAGEMENT SAYS ``1984'' IS NOT ABOUT TAYLOR SWIFT

In spite of what you might think, Katy Perry's song ``1984'' has nothing to do with Taylor Swift. Perry registered a new song called ``1984'' with performing rights group B-M-I, and fans assumed it was about Swift because of the similarity in title to Swift's ``1989'' album. The two are rumoured to be feuding.

Perry's management tells Billboard magazine the story is ``completely false.'' They say Perry was not involved in writing, singing, recording or registering the song. 

---

SLASH PUTS HOUSE ON THE MARKET

Slash and his estranged wife are unloading their very rock-and-roll mansion in Los Angeles. The Hollywood Reporter reports the six-bedroom, eight-bathroom home is listed for nearly 11-million dollars. The house comes with a recording studio, wine cellar, movie screening room and a nightclub with a D-J booth, pole-dancing pole and a photo booth. One room has alligator-print wallpaper, while another is covered in skulls and crossbones. The couple announced their divorce in December. 

---

 iTunes in Canada top 10 for the week ending June 7.

ALBUMS

1. How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful _ Florence + The Machine

2. X _ Ed Sheeran

3. Peace is the Mission _ Major Lazer

4. At.Long.Last.A$AP _ A$AP Rocky

5. Wilder Mind _ Mumford & Sons

6. ``Pitch Perfect 2'' (Soundtrack) _ Various Artists

7. In Colour _ Jamie XX

8. Smoke + Mirrors _ Imagine Dragons

9. 1989 _ Taylor Swift

10. Everything is 4 _ Jason Derulo 

SINGLES

1. Cheerleader _ Omi

2. See You Again _ Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth

3. Bad Blood _ Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar

4. Honey, I'm Good. _ Andy Grammer

5. Shut Up and Dance _ WALK THE MOON

6. Lean On _ Major Lazer featuring MO & DJ Snake

7. Want to Want Me _ Jason Derulo

8. Hey Mama _ David Guetta featuring Nicki Minaj & Afrojack

9. This Summer's Gonna Hurt Like a MotherF****r _ Maroon 5

10. Kick the Dust Up _ Luke Bryan 

(The Canadian Press)

MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2015

RUSH - ROLLING STONE

Rush are on the cover of the current issue of Rolling Stone, which is a big deal because Rolling Stone never put them on the cover before. Even Rolling Stone acknowledges it's a big deal. The magazine announced the cover by saying, ``Attention all planets of the Solar Federation: Rush have finally made the cover of Rolling Stone and it's happening well before the actual year 2112.''  Meanwhile, Rush will perform in Toronto tonight and on Friday and the shows will be filmed for later release. 

---

NEIL YOUNG BENEFIT CONCERT POSTPONED

Rock legend and environmental activist Neil Young has put off a benefit concert in Edmonton. A representative for the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, says the delay is due to internal management issues. No new date for the concert has been set. The show was to have been one of several concerts to benefit the northern Alberta band which lives in the oilsands region. The First Nation has mounted court challenges to development approvals. 

---

POLARIS

Former Polaris winners Patrick Watson and Caribou are once again in the running for the 50-thousand-dollar prize.

Records from perennial nominees Drake, Joel Plaskett and the New Pornographers are also among the 40-album long list unveiled yesterday in Halifax. The Polaris is awarded to the best Canadian album of the previous year as chosen by a jury of nearly 200 journalists, broadcasters and bloggers. Newcomers to Polaris contention this year include Toronto's Alvvays, Vancouver pianist Tobias Jesso Jr. and veteran songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie. 

---

WIZ KHALIFA

Wiz Khalifa has paid a five-hundred dollar fine after pleading guilty to drug possession. The El Paso Times reports Khalifa was not present in court and his lawyer entered the plea. Khalifa was arrested at El Paso's airport in May 2014 for allegedly having half a gram of marijuana in his backpack. He had just performed at the Neon Desert Music Festival. Khalifa caused a sensation on the Internet when he posted selfies from jail. 

---

KILLER MIKE

Killer Mike jumped into the Georgia legislative race only to find out he's ineligible to do that. Killer Mike had asked fans on his social media sites to vote for him for Tuesday's special election for state District 45 by writing in his real name, Michael Render. His slogan: ``If I win, we win.'' Killer Mike posted another message saying he found out he's ineligible because write-in candidates in Georgia must register. Killer Mike thanked his supporters and promised he will run for office one day. 

---

FOO FIGHTERS

Dave Grohl's broken leg is forcing the cancellation of the Foo Fighters' European tour. The band's publicist says Grohl had surgery on Monday to repair injuries when he sustained a fall on Friday during a show in Sweden. Doctors have ordered Foo Fighters to call off their tour to allow Grohl to recover. It's not certain how long Grohl will need. Grohl writes on the band's website he dislocated his ankle and broke his fibula. The next scheduled Foo Fighters date is their July 4th concert in Washington. 

---

JASON DERULO

Jason Derulo jokes he invented dance video games, then he gets spanked while playing the very game he's been helping to develop. The game ``Just Dance 2016'' was unveiled this week at the E3 Video Game Expo in Los Angeles. Derulo played against an Ubisoft developer and she beat him soundly. In his defence, Derulo says it was his first time playing and she had played 100 times. He says if you ever play ``Just Dance'' with him, cut him some slack. 

---

GROUPLOVE'S HANNAH HOOPER

Hannah Hooper of Grouplove is sharing her sense of style. Hooper has teamed with surf, snow and streetwear clothing maker Volcom for a collection of women's clothes. The line will be called Lady Grouplove for Volcom and it includes denim jackets, leggings and crop tops. The line is available now in retail stores or at Volcom-dot-com . 

---

BERRY GORDY JR.

The Detroit mansion where Motown founder Berry Gordy Junior used to live is for sale. The Detroit Free Press reports the Italian Renaissance house on 2.2 acres is on the market for 1.295-million dollars. It has a main residence that's more than 10-thousand square feet and a 44-hundred-square-foot pool house. It has 10 bedrooms, nine bathrooms, four fireplaces, a bowling alley and a stage in the basement ballroom that Gordy set up for his Motown friends. Gordy owned the house for 35 years but didn't visit much after he moved Motown Records to Los Angeles. It's currently owned by a lawyer. 

---

ARIANE GRANDE

Ariana Grande will headline Major League Baseball's All-Star concert. She will perform July 11th in Cincinnati. Rixton will open. The All-Star game will be July 14th. 

---

MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2015

KENNY CHESNEY - JASON ALDEAN

Police say 250 to 300 people were kicked out of a concert featuring Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean in Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Saturday. By comparison, about 25 ejections are typical for a Green Bay Packers game. Green Bay Police Captain Paul Ebel tells Press-Gazette Media he doesn't remember ever handling an event so busy for police at the stadium. Most of those concertgoers were ejected because of fighting, harassment or extreme intoxication. Police arrested 25 people. Chesney's 2011 concert at Lambeau Field resulted in 15 arrests and 60 ejections. 

---

DEADMAU5 BATTLES DISNEY

The dispute between Canadian born Deadmau5 and Disney over his mouse head has been resolved. The Hollywood Reporter reports Deadmau5 and Disney have reached a settlement over Deadmau5's attempt to trademark his mouse head.

Disney opposed it on the grounds that it could be confused with Mickey Mouse. Terms of the settlement were not given. 

---

DEF LEPPARD

Last week Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell was crushed because his cancer had returned and he would have to miss out playing concerts. This week he's elated because his doctors found a way around it. Campbell writes on Facebook rather than use radiation to treat his Hodgkins lymphoma, his doctors have steered him to an alternative treatment. He doesn't get specific about it.

Campbell will join the Def Leppard tour Saturday in Birmingham, Alabama. He says his future treatments will work around his touring schedule, so he should not have to miss any more shows. 

---

FLAVOR FLAV

Flavor Flav's arrest in Nevada last month is having repercussions on his New York case on similar charges. Flav has pleaded not guilty to speeding and driving without a license stemming from his arrest while driving to his mother's funeral on Long Island in January 2014. One of his attorneys indicated Flav was considering a guilty plea to settle the New York case. However, prosecutors say they were inclined to go to trial after Flav's arrest in Las Vegas on charges of speeding and marijuana possession last month. Flav says he's a little disappointed because he thought it would all go away yesterday, but it just means he's got to come back. 

---

PASSION PIT

Passion Pit frontman Michael Angelakos has a piece of advice for fans at summer festivals: Pedialyte. He says it's salty and disgusting and you need it to keep from getting dehydrated. Angelakos says he considers it ``liquid gold'' for when he performs summer shows. He says he doesn't understand why normal kids will forget to drink water for five days while attending a music festival. Pedialyte is actually his second bit of advice for surviving a music festival. His first piece of advice: ``Don't go.'' 

---

JERRY GARCIA

Jerry Garcia's thoughts on his childhood, drugs, songwriting and politics will be made available this fall. The book ``Jerry on Jerry'' by Dennis McNally will feature previously unreleased interviews with Garcia to mark the 20th anniversary of his death and the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead. His daughter, Trixie, says the book captures the ``fun-loving weirdness and creepy corners'' of her father's mind. The book will be out in November. 

---

NICKELBACK

Nickelback singer Chad Kroeger needs vocal cord surgery, prompting the band to cancel the rest of its North American tour. In a statement, the band said the 40-year-old has an operable cyst on his voice box and will undergo surgery in three weeks. The Hanna, Alberta rockers had initially cancelled their weekend gigs in the hopes of a quick recovery. The band expects Kroeger to be ready for a European run beginning in Finland on September 30th.

Nickelback is also expected to tour North America again next year. 

---

BIEBER BODYGUARD

Canadian pop-supertar Justin Bieber's security guard will spend 45 days in jail for taking a photographer's camera.

Court records say Hugo Hesny pleaded no contest last week to two misdemeanour counts of disorderly conduct. Photographer Jason Winslow told police he was trying to take pictures of Bieber outside an arcade near Atlanta in February 2014. Wilson says Hesny chased him, opened the door to his vehicle and took his camera. Hesny initially told police he didn't take the camera, but when police found it in an S-U-V used by Bieber's entourage, Hesny said he only wanted to delete the photos taken outside the arcade. 

---

SEAN ``DIDDY'' COMBS

Sean ``Diddy'' Combs says he was defending himself and his son at U-C-L-A in an incident that led to Combs' arrest. A statement from Combs' representative says he's confident once the facts are revealed, the case will be dismissed. Combs was arrested Monday for an alleged assault involving a weight-room kettleball at the school's athletic facilities. Combs' son Justin plays football there. Officials did not say who was assaulted or what led to it. No one was seriously injured. 

---

JESSIE J

Jessie J is hoping to give out just enough personal information so you don't bother her for personal information. Jessie J posted a photo on Instagram that shows her recovering in a hospital bed. She says she had an operation earlier this week and she doesn't want to give details, only that it was not for her voice or her heart. Jessie J asks fans not to bug her or people close to her for information because it's personal. She says the reason she's saying anything is because she may disappear for a while to recover. 

---

LIL WAYNE

A Minneapolis nightclub says Lil Wayne's entourage refused to go through standard safety procedures, so he refused to take the stage. The Venue on First Avenue says on its website several people travelling with Lil Wayne refused to submit to patdowns and go through metal detectors, and they would not provide identification before entering the club Sunday. Lil Wayne was allowed in but he decided not to perform. His representative did not return calls for comment. 

---

OBIT: JAMES HORNER

James Horner's agent says the Oscar-winning ``Titanic'' composer was the pilot who was killed in a Southern California plane crash. Michael Gorfaine says Horner was flying the single-engine plane that crashed and burned Monday morning. It's expected to take several days for the Ventura County coroner to confirm Horner's death, but Hollywood is already mourning him. James Cameron, Ron Howard, Celine Dion and many others are remembering the 61-year-old as a talented man and a good friend.

Horner won two Oscars for ``Titanic,'' including one for the song ``My Heart Will Go On,'' which was a big hit for Dion. 

---

(The Associated Press/The Canadian Press)

MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

BOZ SCAGGS WILL SIT IN WITH ``TONIGHT SHOW'' BAND

Boz Scaggs will sit in with The Roots on ``The
Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'' on April 3rd. Scaggs will
release a new album, ``A Fool To Care,'' on March 31. He will begin
a tour April 8th in Gainesville, Florida.

---

TIM McGRAW VOICES FILM FOR SEC NETWORK

Tim McGraw will be the narrator for a T-V documentary about basketball star Shaquille O'Neal and L-S-U coach Dale Brown. ``Shaq and Dale'' will air on the S-E-C Network in the
U-S on April 13th.

---

OBIT: ANDY FRASER

The co-writer of the rock anthem ``All Right Now'' has died. Andy Fraser wrote the song when he was the teenage bassist for the British band Free. The Riverside County,
California, coroner says Fraser died Monday of causes that aren't yet known. He was 62.

---

DROPKICK MURPHYS PLAY IMPROMPTU SHOW IN BOSTON'S AIRPORT

Travelers in Boston's Logan International Airport
were treated to St. Patrick's Day early, thanks to Dropkick Murphys.
A Boston T-V station reports the band was on its way to Ireland for
a tour when they set up their equipment, including microphones and
drums, and started playing in Terminal E. They changed their hit,
``I'm Shipping Up To Boston'' to ``I'm Shipping Up To Dublin.'' Fans
danced in the terminal. The band has posted a photo on their Twitter
page.

---

FUN.'S NATE RUESS IS A GUEST MENTOR ON ``THE VOICE''

Adam Levine will bring his golf buddy on to help on ``The Voice.'' It's Nate Ruess (ROOS) of fun. Ruess says in a video posted on ``The Voice'' website Levine tells him when
they're golfing about how much he loves being part of the show, so Ruess was eager to give it a try. Ruess says, ``It's as good as golf.'' The episodes featuring Ruess as a guest mentor begin Monday.

---

MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016

ROLLING STONES-CUBA

The Rolling Stones are playing Cuba and they're doing it for free. They will play in Havana on March 25, three days after President Barack Obama visits and in the same week the Tampa Bay Rays play an exhibition game there. The Cuban government used to go after people for listening to rock music, but in recent years it has eased restrictions on foreign music and large gatherings not organized by the state. The biggest musical performance in Cuba up to this point was in 2009, when Colombian singer Juanes played for more than a million people. 

---

GINGER BAKER

In the words of former Cream drummer Ginger Baker, ``No more gigs for this old drummer.'' Baker writes on his website he's calling off all shows at the advice of his doctor. He says, ``Of all things I never thought it would be my heart.'' Baker is 76.

The American leg of his tour was supposed to begin in May. 

---

RORY FEEK

Rory Feek of Joey and Rory says his wife, Rory, has just days to live. Rory Feek writes on his ``This Life I Live'' blog his wife exerted sheer will power to stay alive through the second birthday of their daughter, Indiana, last month. Joey Feek has terminal cancer and has been in hospice care since November.

Rory Feek says Joey told him she is ready to stop fighting. He says Joey said goodbye to her parents and sisters, then she told Indiana to ``be a big girl for your papa'' and ``mama will be watching over you.'' Rory Feek posted a photo of the last kiss between mother and daughter. He says Joey has been asleep for days and her body is shutting down quickly. Joey and Rory's last album, ``Hymns,'' was a number-one country album last month and hit number four on the Billboard 200 album chart. 

---

L7 POSTPONE TOUR

L7's reunion tour has hit a snag. The band say they are calling off their American and Australian tour dates because of ``a family health emergency of a private, non-trivial nature.'' They say they realize they just announced some of those tour dates, but ``life happens and when it does you have to step up and take care of business for the ones you love.'' L7 say it's just a postponement and they still plan to play shows in a few months.  

---

AMY WINEHOUSE

Amy Winehouse's father has mixed feelings about the film about her life winning an Oscar. Mitch Winehouse says the movie ``Amy'' winning the best documentary Oscar shows that people still love his daughter and what she represented. However, he says the film is full of fabrications. He says his comment in the movie that his daughter didn't need to go to rehab was edited to omit a then-versus-now element. Mitch Winehouse says director Asif Kapadia keeps winning awards for the film but no one has exploited Amy more than Kapadia. Mitch Winehouse is working on his own film about his daughter, called ``Letter to Amy.'' 

---

PANTONE SAYS ``JAY Z BLUE'' IS A REAL THING

Jay Z is such a big deal, he has his own secret colour. Vice president Laurie Pressman of The Pantone Color Institute says Jay Z created his own ``Jay Z'' pearly blue in 2007.

Pressman says it's a ``mesmerizing blue'' that's a combination of sky and cobalt, with a ``pearlescent quality.'' Pantone gives a code to every colour, but Jay Z's blue is confidential and doesn't appear on the Pantone colour wheel. Why bother creating your own colour?

It's so that a signature shade will be the same across different platforms. Coming up with a custom colour can cost tens of thousands of dollars, but Jay Z really likes blue. He named three albums ``The Blueprint,'' he's fond of blue jewels and blue jackets, and he named his daughter Blue Ivy. 

---

DON WILLIAMS

Don Williams says it's time to hang up his hat and spend some quiet time at home. Williams, who is 76, has announced his retirement after six decades in the music business.

Williams had unexpected surgery for a hip replacement last month.

His hits include ``If Hollywood Don't Need You,'' ''That's The Thing About Love,`` ''Heartbeat in the Darkness`` and ''I'm Just A Country Boy.`` 

---

QUESTLOVE PUBLISHES FOOD BOOK

Questlove's interest in food and creativity has spawned a book. In ``Something to Food About: Exploring Creativity with Innovative Chefs,'' Questlove talks to ten chefs to find out about their creative process. The cover is pretty creative, too.

It's a portrait of Questlove made up of food, with a fork stuck in his broccoli hair. ``Something to Food About'' comes out April 12. 

---

BRIAN ``HEAD'' WELCH PLANS ANOTHER BOOK

Korn guitarist Brian ``Head'' Welch is releasing another book, this time to tell the story of his life where the last book left off. Welch will put out ``With My Eyes Wide Open: Miracles and Mistakes on My Way Back To Korn'' on May 17. It covers the eight years since he left Korn, which included being a single parent to a troubled teen and getting into financial trouble.

It also covers his struggles when he rejoined the band in 2013.

Welch's first book, ``Save Me From Myself,'' dealt with his decision to quit Korn to follow a spiritual path and kick drugs. 

---

DERULO, BRYAN AMONG THOSE SET FOR ``CMT CROSSROADS''

Jason Derulo and Luke Bryan will team up to get inside each other's music for an edition of ``CMT Crossroads.''

Their episode will air this summer. Cheap Trick will collaborate with Jennifer Nettles for the March 24 edition of the show. Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 and Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum will play together for an episode later this spring. Nick Jonas and Thomas Rhett will pair up for an episode that runs sometime this summer. 

---

``THE VOICE''

Christina Aguilera kissed a girl -- and she liked it. During last night's blind auditions on ``The Voice,'' country singer Kata Hay said Aguilera was her first ``girl crush.''

Aguilera added they should just ``make out'' and get it over with.

They kissed and Aguilera joked there would be more to come if Hay joined Team Xtina. Adam Levine and Pharrell Williams also wanted her but Hay goes with Team Xtina. Hay says their kiss might get her into trouble with her girlfriend. The blind auditions will continue next week on The Voice. 

---

(The Associated Press)

MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

LUKE BRYAN TAKES BATTING PRACTICE WITH WHITE SOX

Luke Bryan sometimes gets star-struck, but he nearly fell apart when he took batting practice with the Chicago White Sox and Bo Jackson was in the locker room. Bryan took some swings with the White Sox at their spring training camp in Glendale, Arizona, on Monday. He tells MLB-dot-com he can't wait to give baseballs autographed by Jackson to his sons and tell them they were signed by ``probably the best athlete that has ever walked the face of the earth.'' Good thing they get along. Bryan says Jackson told him that everything about Bryan's swing is awful, but Bryan plans to give Jackson a guitar to see what he can do. 

---

`THE VOICE'

Blake Shelton says Hannah Kirby is back where she belongs. Hannah was picked up by Team Blake last night on ``The Voice'' after she was dropped by Team Pharrell. It's a return for Hannah. She had started with Shelton, before he let her go on an earlier episode. Next week, the knockout rounds on The Voice wrap up.

---

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ADDS TO NATIONAL RECORDING REGISTRY

The music of Lauryn Hill, Radiohead and Sly and the Family Stone will be preserved for all time. The Library of Congress has added the albums ``The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,''

''OK Computer`` and ''Stand!`` to its National Recording Registry.

It preserves recordings of cultural or historical significance.

''You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'`` by The Righteous Brothers has been added. So has ''Stand By Me`` by Ben E. King. The self-titled albums of Joan Baez and of The Doors were added as well. The earliest recordings come from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Perhaps the silliest recording on the list: Steve Martin's ''A Wild And Crazy Guy`` album. 

---

JOAN BAEZ WINS AWARD FROM AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL 

Joan Baez is one of the winners of Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award. Baez will be recognized for her civil rights activism since the 1960s. Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei (EYE' WAY'-way) will also be honoured. An award ceremony will be held May 21st in Berlin. 

---

ELVIS COSTELLO PLANS AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Elvis Costello is writing his life story. Penguin Books says Costello will write a memoir entitled ``Unfaithful Music and Disappearing Ink.'' Costello is expected to write about growing up in Liverpool, playing with famous musicians and what Penguin is calling ``more than a few instances of bad behaviour.'' The book will come out October 13th.

 ---

''DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION`` COMING OUT ON DVD

A trilogy of cult documentaries about the music business is about to come out on D-V-D and Blu-Ray for the first time. The three ``Decline of Western Civilization'' movies will be released on June 30. The first one came out in 1980 and contains footage of X, The Germs, and Black Flag. The second one features Alice Cooper, Kiss, Aerosmith, Poison and Ozzy Osbourne. It also features the famous interview of Chris Holmes of W.A.S.P. swilling vodka in a swimming pool while his mother watched. The third one focuses on the 1990s L-A punk scene. Dave Grohl provides commentary for the home video release. 

---

DAVID BYRNE CRASHES HIS TRIBUTE

New York's Carnegie Hall holds a music education benefit concert every year, but usually the artist whose music is featured does not show up. David Byrne not only crashed his tribute, he brought a marching band with him. Byrne showed up to the end of the concert Monday with the Brooklyn United Marching Band to perform ``God's Army'' and ``Uptown Funk.'' Sharon Jones performed ``Psycho Killer,'' while Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top did ``Houses in Motion.''  CeeLo Green performed ``Take Me To The River.'' Other performers included Glen Hansard, Steve Earle and The Roots. 

---

CELINE-DION

Celine Dion, who will return to Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas this summer, says she has to feed ailing husband Rene Angelil because he cannot use his mouth. Angelil, who has also been Dion's manager, had surgery in December of 2013 to remove a cancerous tumour. In an interview that will air today on A-B-C's ``Good Morning America,'' Dion says Angelil has a feeding tube and she helps him eat three times a day. Earlier this week, the Canadian diva announced she would resume her residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas this August. She had suspended her career activities while caring for the 73-year-old Angelil. 

---

iTunes in Canada top 10 for the week ending March 22.

ALBUMS

1.  To Pimp a Butterfly _ Kendrick Lamar

2.  ``Fifty Shades of Grey'' Soundtrack _ Various Artists

3.  If You're Reading This It's Too Late _ Drake

4.  Strangers to Ourselves _ Modest Mouse

5.  Hozier _ Hozier

6.  X _ Ed Sheeran

7.  1989 _ Taylor Swift

8.  Smoke + Mirrors _ Imagine Dragons

9.  Little Mourning _ Milk & Bone

10.  Chaos and the Calm _ James Bay 

SINGLES

1.  Uptown Funk _ Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars

2.  FourFiveSeconds _ Rihanna, Kanye West and Paul McCartney

3.  I'm an Albatraoz _ AronChupa

4.  Sugar _ Maroon 5

5.  Love Me Like You Do _ Ellie Goulding

6.  Thinking Out Loud _ Ed Sheeran

7.  Earned It _ The Weeknd

8.  Style _ Taylor Swift

9.  Take Me to Church _ Hozier

10.  Time of Our Lives _ Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo

MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015

CARRIE UNDERWOOD WILL MAKE FIRST POST-BABY TV PERFORMANCE

Carrie Underwood will return from maternity leave with an appearance at the CMT Music Awards. Underwood will be one of the performers, along with Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan and Kenny Chesney.

Underwood has the most nominations, with five. The awards are set for June 10 in Nashville. 

---

LYNYRD SKYNYRD TRIBUTE CONCERT WILL BE RELEASED ON DVD JULY 24

Last November's all-star concert that paid tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd will be released on home video. ``Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More For The Fans'' was taped in Atlanta at the Fox Theatre, the same place the band recorded their 1976 live album, ``One More From The Road.'' Besides Lynyrd Skynyrd, the November concert featured Trace Adkins, Alabama, Gregg Allman, Blackberry Smoke, Cheap Trick, Charlie Daniels, Peter Frampton, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Aaron Lewis and O.A.R. The two-CD and DVD set will come out July 24th. 

---

SAM SMITH HAS VOCAL CORD PROCEDURE

Sam Smith's surgery for his vocal cords is a success. Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston says in a statement Smith is expected to make a full recovery from surgery to stop recurrent vocal cord bleeding. Smith had unstable blood vessels in the vocal cord that could have ruptured and destroyed his voice.

The surgeon who performed the procedure has also done it for Steven Tyler, Lionel Richie and Adele. Smith is hoping to be well enough to resume his tour July 18 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

---

YES BASSIST CHRIS SQUIRE HAS LEUKEMIA

For the first time, Yes will perform live without bassist Chris Squire. He is taking off the next few months to seek treatment in Phoenix for a rare form of leukemia. Yes will continue their tour with Toto and have enlisted Billy Sherwood to sit in for Squire. Squire says he and the rest of the band agree Sherwood will do an excellent job of covering his parts and deliver the same Yes experience fans expect. 

---

LEON REDBONE RETIRES

Leon Redbone's health is forcing him to give up show business. His publicist says Redbone will retire from performing and recording, but the nature of his health issues was not disclosed. Redbone was a cult musician who was a frequent guest on ``The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson'' and on the early years of ``Saturday Night Live.'' He did the theme to the TV show ``Mr.

Belvedere.'' Jack White's Third Man Records will release a retrospective on Redbone's career in the coming months.

---

COLDPLAY AMONG ACTS PARTICIPATING IN RED NOSE DAY

Imagine Coldplay doing a musical version of ``Game of Thrones.'' You can see it for yourself tomorrow on the Red Nose Day telethon that will run on NBC. Coldplay will perform original songs written by Chris Martin featuring the cast of ``Game of Thrones.'' Other musicians who will appear on the telethon include Sean ``P. Diddy'' Combs, John Legend, Keith Urban, John Mellencamp, One Direction, Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Pharrell Williams and Adam Levine. Red Nose Day is an annual comedy event in the U.K. that raises money for children's charities. This is the first time it will be run in the U.S. 

---

TOVE LO EXPLAINS ``HABITS'' AND ``TALKING BODY''

Tove Lo is looking rough in some parts of the video for ``Habits,'' and that was her choice. She says she and the cast ran around Stockholm drunk and looking like idiots, and the first time she saw the footage she realized it showed all her worst sides. She went with it because it shows what she wanted the song to be. Contrast that with her song ``Talking Body,'' which she admits is a song about sex. She says she was ``obviously in a little bit more of a happy place'' than when she wrote ``Habits.'' 

---

IAN ANDERSON PRESENTS OPERA ABOUT THE OTHER JETHRO TULL

The singer for Jethro Tull will hit the road to tell the story of Jethro Tull. Ian Anderson will tour with ``Jethro Tull, The Rock Opera,'' about the life of English agricultural inventor Jethro Tull. Anderson will present the story using new music and some Jethro Tull songs, some of which will have lyric changes to tell the story better. The tour kicks off November 1 in Chicago. 

---

VERUCA SALT PLAN ALBUM RELEASE

Veruca Salt will release their first album featuring both Louise Post and Nina Gordon since their ``Eight Arms To Hold You'' album. ``Ghost Notes'' will come out July 10. The album features not just new music, but songs Post and Gordon had worked on in 1996 and abandoned when Gordon left the band, then resurrected when they reconciled. Veruca Salt will tour to support the album beginning July 8 in San Diego. 

---

MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015

B.B. KING - DAUGHTERS

Yesterday was one of the few days recently that there hasn't been some public bickering over B.B. King's estate -- and those who run it. But Monday was an explosive day -- in which two of King's daughters publicly declared they believe their dad was murdered and that two of the people King trusted with his affairs are to blame for his death. The allegation is being challenged by the attorney for the estate. Brent Bryson suggests that those making the claims may have to answer to a court themselves if they can't prove the allegations that he insists are false. 

---

TRACE ADKINS CONCERT MARRED

They came for the music. But some of those who attended a concert by Trace Adkins over the weekend in Tennessee will have some bad memories of the event. Authorities say a food vendor at the event in Huntsville started a fight, then struck several people with his S-U-V. One of the four people hit by the vehicle has died. Bill Jason Carson is charged with homicide and felony reckless endangerment. 

---

BOB DYLAN - NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL

It doesn't look like Bob Dylan will play this year's Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island -- even though he has a standing invitation to do so. But his presence will be felt. It was at the event 50 years ago that Dylan made rock history -- by ditching his acoustic guitar and going electric. The three-song set is seen as one of the key events in rock 'n' roll history -- because it got other acts to plug in and make new audiences. How big of an event? The Fender Stratocaster Dylan played at Newport was sold at auction for nearly one million dollars. It remains the highest price paid for a guitar at auction. The festival runs July 24th-26th. 

---

MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015

PANAMANIA

Psych-rock outfit the Flaming Lips and long-running alt-hip-hop band the Roots will perform free public shows during the Pan Am Games in Toronto this summer. 

Adventurous R&B singer Janelle Monae is another of almost 1,300 artists on the bill for the 35-day cultural festival accompanying the Pan Am Games and the Parapan American Games, running July 10 to Aug. 15. 

The musical program also includes Jann Arden, A Tribe Called Red, Death From Above 1979, Lights, Tanya Tagaq and Brigitte Boisjoli.

The multi-disciplinary festival will also feature presentations by Quebec theatre artist Robert Lepage, Toronto photographer Edward Burtynsky and dancer Veronica Tennant. 

Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square will host nightly concerts, fireworks and victory celebrations for medal-winning athletes. 

The Flaming Lips will perform there July 19, the Roots on Aug. 8 and Arden on Aug. 11. 

--- 

RUSH 40TH ANNIVERSARY COVER SONG CONTEST  

ole, the world’s fastest growing independent rights management company, is teaming with Indaba Music to launch a special cover-song contest in celebration of iconic rock band Rush’s 40th Anniversary Tour, which kicks off May 8 in Tulsa, OK. 

Indaba members will be able to choose one of 10 classic Rush tracks from the ole library and create their own unique version, which will be voted on by the general public and by Indaba’s community of more than 1,100,000 musicians worldwide. The winner will then be picked from all submissions by a jury of music industry tastemakers that includes Rush’s A&R with SRO Anthem, Andy Curran. The grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize, two tickets to see Rush perform at the tour’s final stop on August 1 in Los Angeles, two meet-and-greet passes for the show, a meeting with an ole creative representative, a limited edition Fender Squire Rush bass, and a lyric video for their cover that will be promoted on the ole YouTube channel. The second place winner will receive a $3,000 cash prize and a Rush swag pack, and the third place winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize and a Rush swag pack. 

“Rush fans span every generation, and we’re excited to see the expression that the Indaba community can give to these great songs,” said Robert Ott, Chairman and CEO of ole. 

“Rush has had a profound impact on music and those who love it over the past 40 years, and we’re excited to celebrate that legacy with this contest,” said JJ Rosen, CEO of Indaba Music. “There’s no better way to honor your influences than by putting your own spin on the songs you love, and we’re thrilled to give our community the chance to do just that with some of Rush’s best tracks.” 

“Rush fans are loyal diehards and very passionate about the band’s music. Many of them are extremely creative in how they reinterpret the band’s songs,” said Rush A&R Rep Andy Curran. “The Rush catalog, which spans over 40 years, is such a great body of work, and to see their music taking on new life through the hands of other musicians is a very cool concept.” 

To enter the contest, go here  https://www.indabamusic.com/opportunities/rush-40th-anniversary-cover-competition/details

---

ONE DIRECTION

James Corden just scored a coup in the late-night wars. He's getting his pals One Direction to appear on ``The Late Late Show.'' One Direction's Liam Payne calls Corden ``one of our best mates.'' They will appear on the May 14 show. 

---

MARIAH CAREY

Mariah Carey will perform on the Billboard Music Awards. She has been added to the lineup which also includes Kelly Clarkson, Van Halen, Nick Jonas, Sam Smith, Little Big Town and Faith Hill. The Billboard Music Awards are May 17. 

---

PAUL SHAFFER

Thunder Bay, Ontario, native Paul Shaffer says it's sad to think on May 20th, his 33 years as David Letterman's bandleader will be over when Letterman tapes his final ``Late Night'' show. But while Letterman may be going off the air, Shaffer says he doesn't plan on disappearing. He says he hopes to do a bit of acting, some comedy and play a bit of jazz, now that he'll have more free time. Shaffer's first big break came as the music director for the legendary Toronto production of ``Godspell'' in the early 70s. The at-the-time unknown cast included Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Victor Garber and Gilda Radner. 

---

''THE VOICE``

Christina Aguilera says she wishes she could have kept them both. But, of course, she couldn't. Two members of Team Christina were in the bottom two on ``The Voice'' last night, India Carney and Kimberly Nichole. They both sang for the instant Twitter save, with India coming out on top. She moves into the Top 5 and will sing again next week. Each coach is represented by at least one singer. Team Pharrell has two, Koryn Hawthorne and Sawyer Fredericks. 

---

CANADIAN INDIE-ROCK VIDEO GAME

Toronto-based video game developer is seeking Kickstarter funding for Loud on Planet X, a video game that would have players using music to defend themselves from alien attacks. The game will be soundtracked by a who’s-who of Canadian indie rock artists including Metric, Tegan and Sara,  Austra, and Metz. 

---

BRITISH RESEARCHERS TRACE POP MUSIC REVOLUTIONS

MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2015

DURAN DURAN

Duran Duran are supporting Eagles of Death Metal with their wallets. British fans are trying to make Eagles of Death Metal's version of ``Save A Prayer'' number one on iTunes as a show of support after the attacks at their show in Paris on Friday. Duran Duran singer Simon LeBon tweets his band will donate all their proceeds from the sale of the song. He says they are ``considering options that are useful, peaceful and uniting.'' 

---

MS MR - PARIS - FRIDAY

MS MR are rattled by the attacks in Paris, because they were in Paris when it happened. They write on their Facebook page they were playing Friday at another club about

10 minutes away from the Bataclan, where Eagles of Death Metal were performing when three attackers opened fire. MS MR say their promoter left their show early to attend the Eagles of Death Metal show and was shot in the chest. He is expected to survive. MS MR say there is ``a deep sadness and unsettledness'' with the rest of their European tour, but ``by not letting fear get to us, we win.'' 

---

OBIT-  P.F. SLOAN

The man who wrote the number-one hit ``Eve of Destruction'' for Barry McGuire has died. Songwriter P-F Sloan died Monday of pancreatic cancer at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 70, according to his spokesman. Sloan also co-wrote ``You Baby'' for The Turtles, ``A Must To Avoid'' for Herman's Hermits, ``Secret Agent Man'' for Johnny Rivers and ``Where Were You When I Needed You'' for The Grass Roots. Sloan never had a hit of his own. He had said his label destroyed his career after ``Eve of Destruction'' came out and forced him to sign away all past, present and future royalties. 

---

KENNY ROGERS - ``ARTIST OF A LIFETIME''

Kenny Rogers says when you start out as a country singer, you think about survival, not awards. He says if you stick around, you get an award for survival. C-M-T will honour Rogers as its Artist of a Lifetime during its ``C-M-T Artists of the Year'' special on December 2nd. Rogers has said he will do one more world tour before retiring from the road. C-M-T will also give out a new trophy, the Breakout Award, to Chris Stapleton. The Artist of the Year honorees are Blake Shelton, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt and Florida Georgia Line. 

---

RICK ROSS - POSITION

With mixtapes, guest appearances and now a new album, it seemed like Rick Ross was everywhere for a while. Ross says that was just his way of ``reminding the streets exactly the boss' position.'' Ross says he spent a lot of hours alone over the past year creating his new ``Black Market'' album. He calls it ``the purest representation of me and my most comfortable form.'' Ross also had a bout of inspiration to remix Adele's new song ``Hello.''

He says he's always been fascinated with her voice and he hopes they will collaborate someday. ``Black Market'' comes out December 4th. 

---

TIM McGRAW - DAUGHTER

You wouldn't think Tim McGraw would be nervous about anything, let alone asking a lady to sing with him. McGraw was shaking in his boots because he wanted his 18-year-old daughter, Gracie, to sing on his song ``Here Tonight.'' McGraw says in her eyes, he is not cool and neither is his music. He emailed her the song rather than play it for her so she wouldn't say no to his face.

She said yes. McGraw says Gracie was great in the studio and he only had to work on one aspect of her performance: the laugh at the end.

McGraw says she didn't want to do it, so he did everything he could to make her giggle. The song is on his new album, ``Damn Country Music,'' out now. 

--- 

CARLY SIMON

Carly Simon says the second verse of her infamous song ``You're So Vain'' is about Warren Beatty. 

The 70-year-old singer tells People magazine that she's ``confirmed that the second verse is Warren.'' She adds that Beatty ``thinks the whole thing is about him!'' 

Simon will release the memoir, ``Boys in the Trees,'' on Nov. 24.

The subjects behind ``You're So Vain,'' released in 1972, have been a matter of speculation for years. 

The singer said the No. 1 hit is about three men, including Beatty, though she isn't naming the others. 

Simon was married to James Taylor, and People says she has been linked to Mick Jagger, Kris Kristofferson, Jack Nicholson and Cat Stevens. 

---

VOLBEAT - BASSIST - EXITS

Volbeat have parted ways with bassist Anders Kjolholm. The band write on their website Kjolhom has been a loyal friend and bandmate and they wish him the best.

Kjolholm says he's had a great experience with Volbeat and he wishes them the best as well. No reason was given for the departure.

Volbeat will play all their scheduled shows as planned. 

---

EMINEM - GAME

Catch falling words and beats, shoot drones and be Eminem while his music plays. That's the object of the new mobile game ``Shady Wars,'' sponsored by Eminem and Shady Records. It's a free game for iOS and Android, with in-game ads and in-app purchases. 

---

COLEMAN HELL - ``TWO HEADS''

Coleman Hell has never performed at a wedding and probably never will after the video for his song ``Two Heads'' came out. It shows Hell playing a wedding reception at a bar and he runs off with the bride. Hell says he went home over the summer and attended a friend's wedding, and they played ``Two Heads'' so he could dance with the bride as a joke. The funny thing is, Hell says fans tell him all the time they're using the song for their first dance at their weddings. Hell says the song is about imperfect love, but he guesses that other people interpret it another way. 

---

(The Associated Press)

---

 iTunes in Canada top 10 for Nov. 6-12.

ALBUMS

1. Mr. Misunderstood _ Eric Church

2. Purpose (Deluxe Edition) _ Justin Bieber (pre-order)

3. 25 _ Adele (pre-order)

4. Made in the A.M. _ One Direction (pre-order)

5. Traveller _ Chris Stapleton

6. Hello (Deluxe Edition) _ Hedley

7. A Head Full of Dreams _ Coldplay (pre-order)

8. Beauty Behind the Madness _ The Weeknd

9. Delirium (Deluxe Edition) _ Ellie Goulding

10. Art Angels _ Grimes 

SINGLES

1. Hello _ Adele

2. Sorry _ Justin Bieber

3. Hotline Bling _ Drake

4. Tennessee Whiskey _ Chris Stapleton

5. What Do You Mean? _ Justin Bieber

6. Hello _ Hedley

7. Downtown _ Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz

8. Wildest Dreams _ Taylor Swift

9. 2 Heads _ Coleman Hell

10. Ex's & Oh's _ Elle King 

(The Canadian Press)

MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2015

ADELE BREAKS - SALES RECORD

The record held by 'N Sync has just gone down. 'N Sync's ``No Strings Attached'' album held the all-time record for most sales in a week with 2.416-million in March 2000. Adele's ``25'' has sold 2.433-million in four days, according to Nielsen Music. Final sales numbers for the week will be revealed on Sunday.

'N Sync singer JC Chasez tells Billboard magazine it was flattering to hold the record but the success of ``25'' ''proves that emotion and art are alive and well in music today.`` Bandmate Joey Fatone says, ''I even bought the damn album.`` 

---

RINGO STARR - THE WHITE ALBUM

The original copies of The Beatles' White Album have numbers on the covers indicating in what order in the printing process those copies were made. It's commonly known that The Beatles kept numbers 1 through 4, but many people don't know that Ringo Starr has copy number 1 -- and now he's selling it.

Julien's Auctions says Starr kept it in a London bank vault for 35 years. In spite of that, it's not quite in mint condition because a corner has a slight fold. It's expected to sell for between 40-thousand and 60-thousand dollars by the time the auction ends December 3rd. 

---

JOURNEY - DRUMMER

Steve Smith will return to drum duties for Journey's upcoming tour with The Doobie Brothers and Dave Mason.

Smith played with Journey from 1978 to 1985, then off and on with the band until 1998. He was replaced by Deen Castronovo, who was fired earlier this year after entering a plea deal in a domestic violence case involving his former fiancee'. The tour begins May 12th in Irvine, California. 

---

GWEN STEFANI  - AMAS

Gwen Stefani says she thought her feet were going to shake off while performing ``Used To Love You'' at the American Music Awards on Sunday. She says it was not nerves as much as she felt exposed. Stefani promises she won't have an album full of downer songs as she splits from Gavin Rossdale. She says she wrote the album when she was mad, but then she cycled through other emotions as well. Stefani says she is not finished writing and she's in ``a happy spot'' now. 

---

ERYKAH BADU - MIXTAPE 

Erykah Badu agreed to host the Soul Train Awards earlier this month so that people would get to know her creativity.

Badu says she's known for singing but no one knows she writes and directs her own videos, creates her own artwork or chooses her own clothes. Badu says she wrote material for the show that showcased her sense of humour, which she describes as ``pretty unique and self-serving.'' She says now is a good time to start exposing her art to the air. Badu will put out a mixtape on Friday called ``BUT YOU CAINT USE MY PHONE.'' 

---

GIANTS - METALLICA NIGHT

Metallica are already looking forward to baseball season. The San Francisco Giants will hold Metallica Night for the fourth year on May 6th. The band will perform the national anthem and throw out the first pitch, then stick around to entertain fans between innings. The Giants play the Rockies that night. 

--- 

TANYA TUCKER - ``VOICE'' SONG

Tanya Tucker gives her stamp of approval on ``The Voice'' contestant Barrett Baber's version of her song, ``Delta Dawn.'' Tucker calls Baber's rendition ``very impressive'' and says he ``sang the fire out of those lyrics.'' She says that song holds a special place in her heart because it was her first hit, and she's grateful Baber performed it for a new audience. 

---

``SESAME STREET'' - GUESTS

Gwen Stefani will sing about being a good friend and Nick Jonas will sing about shapes on the upcoming season of ``Sesame Street.'' Pharrell Williams, Fifth Harmony, Ne-Yo, Sarah Bareilles (bah-REL'-ihs) and Aloe Blacc will also appear on upcoming episodes. Under a new agreement, the new season of ``Sesame Street'' will premiere on H-B-O on January 16th, then run on P-B-S next fall. 

---

``THE VOICE''

Korin Bukowski is now two-for-two on ``The Voice.'' For two weeks straight the Team Gwen member has been in the bottom two and had to sing for her reality show life. Last night, she got the instant Twitter save again and moves into the Top 10.

This week's top vote-getter was Amy Vachal from Team Adam. Adam Levine has three team members left. So do Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani. But Team Pharrell is down to a single singer and faces possible elimination next week. 

---

(The Associated Press)

MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2015

TAYLOR SWIFT-AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

Taylor Swift has a shot at surpassing Whitney Houston -- and is getting within striking distance of Michael Jackson as the most decorated artist in the history of the American Music Awards. The nominations were announced yesterday -- and Swift leads all artists with six nods. If she pulls off a sweep, she will have earned 22 A-M-As -- one more than the 21 Whitney Houston racked up in her career. And it would put her within two of Michael Jackson's 24 A-M-As -- most of any artist. The A-M-As are on Nov. 22 in Los Angeles. 

---

AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS-FIRST TIMERS

While some are wondering if Taylor Swift will be earning another batch of American Music Awards, there are those artists who will be vying for their very first. Among them: Ed Sheeran and the Weeknd. They each have five nods going into this year's show. Other multiple nominees include Sam Hunt, Nicki Minaj, Sam Smith, Meghan Trainor and Walk the Moon had three nominations each. 

---

MUSIC-MADONNA-TICKETS-SNAFU

Two Calgary men say a Madonna concert in Edmonton turned into a humiliating experience. Travis Robertson and Guy DeBlasio were in their seats at Rexall Place Sunday night, when security asked to see their tickets -- for a third time. The electronic tickets were on one of the men's phone, but it had died during the concert. It was taking too long to log in on another phone, so the two were escorted out and met by police. They were finally able to prove they had the tickets and returned to their seats, but by that point the show was nearly over. The venue operator says it will provide the two men with tickets for another concert at the venue -- but not another Madonna show the next night.

The two men would like to see the company implement better policies for dealing with electronic tickets. 

---

SUGE KNIGHT-ROBBERY-TRIAL

Must be tough being on Suge (SHUG) Knight's legal team these days. Even as the former head of Death Row Records is fighting against a murder charge that could put him in prison for life, Knight is also trying to defend himself against a robbery charge. A judge in Los Angeles has ruled Knight and comedian Katt Williams should stand trial on charges of swiping a photographer's camera. Knight's attorney says the ex-rap kingpin didn't take part in the robbery -- but was upset that the photographer snapped images of his son, something the photographer denies. 

---

FLAVOR FLAV-PLEA BARGAIN-TRIAL

Yesterday, he reached a plea bargain in New York. And today, Flavor Flav defends himself at a trial in Las Vegas. The case sees the rapper and reality T-V star facing criminal charges stemming from an arrest in May. He faces charges of charges of misdemeanor speeding, driving under the influence of cocaine and having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle. He has pleaded not guilty. Yesterday, Flav pleaded out of a traffic stop that could have landed him in jail for up to six years. Instead, he gets sentenced to the brief time he has already served in the case -- and has to cough up more than $3,600 in fines. 

---

HARRY CONNICK JR.-TV HOST

Harry Connick Jr. is going to be on ``American Idol'' when its final season rolls around in a few months. And he has a little something lined that he might be able to fall back on once the show goes off the air. Connick is getting his own daytime variety show. N-B-C Universal says ``Harry'' will feature comedy, live musical performances and stunts. The show will make its debut next fall -- and so far, has been sold to Fox-own T-V stations in 17 U-S markets.

 ---

SIA-``SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE''

Sia will be the musical guest on ``Saturday Night Live'' on Nov. 7. And even she must realize she won't be the reason so many people will tune in. The host that week: Donald Trump, the GOP presidential front-runner who has been a proven ratings winner whenever he shows up on the ol' flat-screen. It's Trump's second time on the show; he did SNL back in 2004, before his presidential aspirations manifested themselves. 

---

``THE VOICE''

The teams are almost complete on N-B-C's ``The Voice.'' Last night, the battle rounds continued and will wrap up next week. Each coach has a steal apiece going into next Monday.

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton both tried using their steals last night for 17-year-old Ivonne Acero, after she was dropped by Team Pharrell. Stefani figured Ivonne would be the perfect fit. But Shelton played the rural card. Ivonne is an Arizona farm girl and Shelton noted he plants five acres of cantaloupes in Oklahoma every year. That was enough to convince Ivonne, who now joins Team Blake. 

---

(The Associated Press)

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. 

---

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. 

---

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. 

---

``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. 

---

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. 

---

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. 

---

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. 

---

``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. 

---

(The Associated Press)

MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2015

REBA, BROOKS & DUNN ARE COMING BACK TO THE CMAS 

Country superstar Reba and duo Brooks and Dunn, fresh
off a Las Vegas residency, are headed back to the Country Music
Association Awards stage for the first time in seven years.

The three longtime friends and collaborators last performed on
the show in 2008, singing ``Cowgirls Don't Cry,'' and Kix Brooks and
Ronnie Dunn retired as a duo the following year. But they have
reunited for a series of shows with Reba at The Colosseum at Caesars
Palace.

Previously announced collaborations on the awards show, which
include Keith Urban and rocker John Mellencamp, Fall Out Boy
and Thomas Rhett, Dierks Bentley and violinist Lindsey Stirling.
Eric Church and Hank Williams Jr. will open the show.

The show will air at 8 p.m. EDT Nov. 4 on ABC.

---

LUKE BRYAN - NFL - HALFTIME

Luke Bryan won't just be watching the
Cowboys-Panthers game on the American Thanksgiving Day. He'll be a
part of it. Bryan will perform during halftime to kick off The
Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign. Bryan says he's a football fan
and he's especially excited to be performing on Thanksgiving Day. He
says he's honoured to raise awareness for the great work The
Salvation Army and the Cowboys do.

---

KENNY CHESNEY - PITTSBURGH

Pittsburgh is welcoming back Kenny Chesney,
since he can prove he can throw a party without it getting out of
control. Chesney has announced tour dates that include a Pittsburgh
stop on July 2nd. Chesney performed there in 2013 and 73 people were
arrested. He performed there in May but this time the parking lot
was opened later. The May concert resulted in 10 people arrested and
far less trash than the 2013 show. Chesney's ``Spread the Love''
tour begins April 23rd in Auburn, Alabama.

---

KID ROCK - CORN MAZE

You could conceivably get lost in Kid
Rock's head. The Saginaw News reports Grandma's Pumpkin Patch
outside Midland, Michigan, has cut its corn maze to look like Rock.
The maze is a picture of Rock singing into a microphone and pointing
to a crowd. The maze is open through Sunday.

---

CORY WELLS - MEMORIAL

The family of Three Dog Night singer Cory Wells
plans to hold a private memorial for him. Wells died last week but
the cause of death was not revealed. The family has designated two
cancer charities and a humane society for those who want to
contribute in Wells' memory. Details are on Three Dog Night's
Facebook page. Three Dog Night have not said how they will handle
their tour dates beginning in November.

---

JOEY AND RORY - CONCERT DATE

Joey and Rory have called off all their concerts
after their announcement that Joey Feek has terminal cancer, but one
concert still remains on the schedule. Rory Feek will perform
tomorrow and Friday with his daughter Heidi at the Heber Valley
Poetry Gathering outside Salt Lake City. Joey and Rory's manager
says the couple committed to their friends at the festival nearly a
year ago and it's one of their favourite places to play. Rory Feek
is expected to discuss some of the couple's struggles as well as
their blessings.

---

CARRIE UNDERWOOD - TOUR

Carrie Underwood plans to be surrounded by fans
for her next concert tour. Underwood will do her first tour of
concerts in-the-round when she kicks off her Storyteller tour
January 30th in Jacksonville. The stage will be in the middle of the
arena floor. Underwood says she is blessed to have this career, but
there's nothing like stepping on a stage to sing and have all the
fans sing along with her.

---

``THE VOICE'' - KNOCKOUTS

The coaches are making their final choices
before ``The Voice'' heads into the live shows. There's just one
more week of the Knockout Rounds left. Blake Shelton was feeling
pretty good last night, picking up a singer he had dropped in an
earlier episode. Morgan Frazier had gone over to Team Pharrell after
she was cut by Team Blake. But Blake got her back with a steal on
last night's episode. He welcomed the country singer from Nashville
back to Team Blake. Shelton noted that he won Season 7 with Craig
Wayne Boyd after dropping him, then picking him up again.

---

``PITCH PERFECT 3'' - DIRECTOR

Take it from the top. Elizabeth Banks is
returning for another go-round as director of the ``Pitch Perfect''
movie series. Universal Pictures says she will be there to handle
the third of the movies; she also did the sequel. That movie made
286-million dollars internationally _ a 10-fold increase of its
29-million budget.

---

ENRIQUE IGLESIAS - CHARITY

Enrique Iglesias' bloody shirt has inspired a
movement to help kids. In May, Iglesias cut his fingers after
grabbing a drone during his concert in Tijuana, Mexico, and he used
his shirt to try to stop the bleeding. Iglesias has partnered with
the charity Save The Children to sell a white t-shirt with a red
heart, based on Iglesias' bloody shirt. The t-shirt sells for $27.50
on Iglesias' website and 12-dollars from each sale will benefit Save
The Children's emergency fund.

---

LIONEL RICHIE - TRIBUTE

Stevie Wonder, Usher, Lenny Kravitz and Demi
Lovato are brushing up on their Lionel Richie lyrics. They will be
part of the tribute concert when Richie is honoured by the Recording
Academy as its MusiCares Person of the Year. John Legend, The Roots
and Zac Brown Band will also play, along with Pharrell Williams,
Luke Bryan and Lady Antebellum. The event will be in Los Angeles on
February 13th, two days before the Grammys.

---

BLACK SABBATH - FAREWELL TOUR

Black Sabbath are prolonging ``The End.'' They
will extend ``The End'' farewell tour with another go-around of
North America. The tour will kick off January 20th in Omaha,
Nebraska, and run through February 27th in New York before they head
overseas. Black Sabbath will return to the U-S August 17th for a
show outside New York and hit North American cities again in August
and September.

---

AWOLNATION - THE ``I AM'' CHALLENGE

Maybe Aaron Bruno of AWOLNation would have changed
how he did the song ``I Am'' in the studio if he had considered how
it would go over in concert. Bruno says ``I Am'' is his most
difficult song to pull off live because the chorus is full on. He
says it's in that range between a falsetto and a scream. Bruno says
the real trick is having enough breath to not faint. He had no
trouble singing it for the record but he acknowledges he delayed
putting it on his set list until it started climbing the charts.

---

THE BEACH BOYS - RECORD

What would the ``Beach Boys Party!'' album
sound like without the party? Capitol Records is re-issuing the
album with the party overdubs removed. The Beach Boys recorded the
album in 1965 by just jamming unplugged on their favourite songs,
including the breakout hit, ``Barbara Ann.'' They returned to the
studio with families and friends to record party noises and chatter
to mix over the songs. The 50th anniversary reissue will remove the
party overdubs and adds 69 dialogue tracks and more songs, including
``Satisfaction,'' ''You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'`` and ''Ticket
To Ride.`` ''Beach Boys Party! Uncovered and Unplugged,`` comes out
November 20th.

---

(The Associated Press)

MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2015

TRUCK-CRASH-BLUES

If country star Jason Aldean comes out with a new hit single about a truck and a cowboy singing the blues, it might be because he lived through it. Aldean's 2015 Burn It Down tour played in Kamloops, B-C, on Monday night and was headed to a Tuesday performance in Prince George, when the country music cliches played out. R-C-M-P Corporal Cheryl Bush says a semi-trailer loaded with Aldean's equipment crashed on Highway-1 west of Kamloops. She says the driver was slightly hurt when the semi went off the right shoulder of the highway, hit a rock and flipped. Police are investigating the crash. (CFJC) 

---

RAP GROUP-VIDEO-ARRESTS

Los Angeles police say at least two people have been arrested after a 1990s rap group posted a video that shows someone flashing a gun while filming a police officer. Police say the video posted on Instagram was investigated as a threat but the department has determined it was just entertainment. Police call it a publicity stunt by ``an early '90s rap group no longer in fashion'' trying to spark a comeback but they have not named the group. The video is shot from inside a car behind a police cruiser.

It shows the gun on the lap of someone in the vehicle, then shows an officer getting out of the cruiser and walking away. Police say they have identified three suspects in the car, one of whom had a prior weapons conviction. 

---

YOKO ONO-PEACE SIGN-RECORD-ATTEMPT

Not enough people came out to give peace a chance on Saturday. More than 2,000 people joined Yoko Ono in New York's Central Park in an attempt to set a world record for the largest group of people forming a peace sign in honor of John Lennon's birthday. A Guinness World Records representative says the group had to be at least 5,000 to create an official record.

Lennon's birthday is on Friday and he would have been 75. 

---

CHRISTINA AGUILERA-``THE VOICE''-ABSENCES

The reason Christina Aguilera takes time away from ``The Voice'' is because she knows she can't juggle two teams at once. The current season shows the coaches building their teams and getting ready to work with them, but the blind auditions for the spring season are already under way. Aguilera says it's easier for Blake Shelton and Adam Levine to run two teams at the same time for a simple reason: they aren't parents. Aguilera says she's a better coach and a better mom if she does only one season of ``The Voice'' per year. She has also been working on a new record that she hopes to put out next year.

 ---

KENNY ROGERS-``ONCE AGAIN IT'S CHRISTMAS''

Kenny Rogers snapped a photo of a snow-covered tree with orange leaves while on tour one year in the Dakotas because the tree reminded him of Christmas. That photo is now the cover to his new holiday record, ``Once Again It's Christmas.''

Rogers features classics like ``Little Drummer Boy,'' ``Winter Wonderland'' and ``I'll Be Home For Christmas,'' as well as a few new songs. Rogers says there's a faction of people who really love Christmas music and his record label taught him that when those people buy Christmas music, they want to see songs they know. ``Once Again It's Christmas'' is out now. 

---

STEVIE WONDER-DIVORCE

Stevie Wonder is officially single again. A judge in Los Angeles has finalized Wonder's divorce from fashion designer Kai Millard Morris. The action comes more than three years after the Grammy-winner filed to end his second marriage. Wonder and Morris were married in September 2001 and separated in '09. They have two sons together, ages 14 and 10. 

---

PATTI SMITH-FOUR BOOKS

Even as Patti Smith releases her new memoir this week, she's looking forward to the next book, and the next one, and the next one, and the next one. Rolling Stone reports Smith is working on four more books. One is another autobiography about her music and her husband, the late Fred ``Sonic'' Smith of The MC5. The other books are a collection of poems, a detective story and a young adult novel. Smith's book, ``M Train,'' is new this week. Her first memoir, ``Just Kids,'' came out in 2010. 

---

RADIO-RATINGS-SCANDAL

A Tampa-based radio host has admitted he tried to tamper with ratings. Bubba The Love Sponge Clem says he's ``humbled and embarrassed'' after 'fessing up to trying to influence the listening habits of a person taking part in a Nielsen survey.

Clem has been off the air since Sept. 25 -- but returned to the air yesterday morning. 

---

MUSIC NEWS: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2015

JOHN MELLENCAMP

John Mellencamp is on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert tonight.

John, along with Willie Nelson, will be guests on CBS' The Late Show with Stephen Colbert tonight. The show, which is in its second week, airs at 10:35 PM. John and Willie will be performing as well doing an interview to promote Farm Aid's 30th Annivesary concert, which takes place  this Saturday, September 19th in Chicago at the FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island. 

---

THIS SATURDAY: FARM AID 30TH ANNIVERSARY IN CHICAGO, IL! 

This Saturday, September 19th, Farm Aid's annual benefit concert will head to Chicago, IL, taking place at the at FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago, IL. 

Farm Aid 30 will feature Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews (performing with Tim Reynolds), along with Imagine Dragons, Jack Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Mavis Staples, Jamey Johnson, Old Crow Medicine Show, Holly Williams, Lukas Nelson & the Promise of the Real, Insects vs Robots, Ian Mellencamp and Blackwood Quartet!

---

DRAKE - BET HIP-HOP AWARDS

Canadian rapper Drake is killing it on the charts.

And there's a good chance he'll be killing it when the B-E-T Hip-Hop Awards roll around next month. He already has 12 nominations for the 10th annual awards show, to be held in Atlanta on Oct. 9th. Big Sean picked up 10 nominations, while Nicki Minaj scored 9. Gathering up eight nods each are Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole. Snoop Dogg will host _ and the event will be taped for airing on Oct. 13th on B-E-T. 

---

TAYLOR SWIFT - TOUR STAR POWER

Her name is on the marquee and on the tickets.

But these days when Taylor Swift does a show, you're likely to see other stars during the concert. As her 1989 World Tour continues, so does the list of celebrities she has invited on stage. Among the musicians she has shared the stage with are Nick Jonas, Mary J.Blige, Jason Derulo and John Legend, as well as Selena Gomez and Lorde. She has also brought in veterans like Joan Baez and newcomers like Canadian singer The Weeknd, and Fetty Wap. You don't have to carry a tune for Swift to carry you on stage. Non-musicians who have been on shows with Swift during the tour include Lisa Kudrow, Chris Rock, Julia Roberts _ as well as pro athletes like Kobe Bryant and Serena Williams. Swift says all those who have appeared already were attending the show _ and agreed to do the cameos. 

---

TIMBALAND - MUSIC AND TV

He made his name as a big-hit producer. And now, Timbaland is using his star power to promote his latest music through T-V. Timbaland is executive music producer of the hit T-V series ``Empire.'' And he says he will use the show as a platform to get new music heard. He didn't elaborate on how he plans to do that.

But so far, his music and the show have meshed. The original soundtrack from Empire's first season made its debut at the top of the Billboard album charts. Timbaland hasn't announced a release date for his new album. 

---

ELTON JOHN - VLADIMIR PUTIN

A case of musical diplomacy? Or musical delusion?

Depends on who you ask when it comes to Elton John and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The singer says he had a phone chat with the Russian leader to chew the fat over that country's attitude toward gays. In his Instagram post, John thanked Putin for the call and said he looked forward to meeting him in person to discuss Russia's treatment of gays. So far, so good, right? Only trouble: Russia says it didn't happen. A rep for Putin says there was no call _ though the government spokesman says the Russian president is open to chatting with Elton John _ even if it's to discuss gay rights issues. 

---

KATY PERRY - CONVENT

Here's the latest on Katy Perry's effort to buy a hilltop convent in Los Angeles: a judge has signed off on a businesswoman's plan to keep paying 25-thousand dollars a month plus maintenance for the property. The woman making the payments wants to use the convent for a hotel and restaurant project. The Los Angeles Catholic archbishop wants to sell the property to Perry. And it will take additional court hearings to determine who ends up getting the right to sell the property. 

---

DURAN DURAN - ON NERVOUSNESS

You might not think big-time pop stars get nervous before a performance. But Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran says he does.

He says he used to lie to himself about fighting off the butterflies _ at least until he figured out how to get those butterflies to fly in formation, so to speak. He says he once heard an actor say on the radio that when he gets nervous, he says to himself: ``it's not fear, it's adrenaline.'' Le Bon says he takes that to mean that when he gets nervous, it's because his body is getting ready to do something special. Duran Duran has a new album called ``Paper Gods,'' is available now. 

---

JANIS JOPLIN'S OLD CAR UP FOR SALE

A car once owned by Janice Joplin us up for sale. It's a 1965 Porsche 356C Cabriolet. It was pearly white when Joplin bought it in September, 1968 _ but she gave it one of those crazy psychedelic paint jobs that were all the rage back then. The car will be auctioned this winter by Sotheby's in New York _ and is expected to fetch more than 400-thousand dollars. Joplin drove the car regularly until she died of a drug overdose in 1970. The car has been featured at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland the past two decades. 

---

'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT' FINALS

Tonight, we'll know who wins the one-million dollar prize on ``America's Got Talent.'' The 10 finalists performed live at Radio City Music Hall in New York last night. They include a guy who calls himself the Professional Regurgitator, a ventriloquist and stuttering comic Drew Lynch. He developed his severe stammer after getting hit in the throat with a softball. Judge Howard Stern says he's so proud that Lynch was part of the competition. Tonight's live finale on N-B-C includes scheduled performances by Yolanda Adams and Rachel Platten. 

---

LIONEL RICHIE

Lionel Richie is ready to go all night long in Las Vegas. 

The singer announced Wednesday that he will launch a residency called ``Lionel Richie _ All the Hits'' on April 27 at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.Richie will play 20 shows in April, May, September and October. Tickets, which go on sale Friday, range from $59 to $199, not including service charges.The shows will include hits such as ``All Night Long (All Night),'' ''Hello,`` ''Stuck on You,`` ''Say You, Say Me`` and ''Dancing on the Ceiling.``Richie said in a statement: ``It's a high energy show that is a perfect match for such a vibrant city!''

(The Associated Press)