U2’s New Songs Gets Posted Online

August 19th, 2008

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Rock stars may have to rein in their taste for loud music after a fan overheard U2 frontman Bono listening to tracks from the group’s forthcoming album and recorded them before posting the songs on the Internet.

The fan heard the music blaring out of the Irish rocker’s holiday home in the south of France, recorded it on his mobile phone and posted four tracks on video-sharing website YouTube, newspapers and music websites reported on Tuesday.

The previously unheard songs had now been removed from the website for copyright reasons but continued to circulate via email, the Irish Independent newspaper said.

Nobody at U2’s record label could immediately be reached for comment on the reports.

The quality of the recording was said to be poor, with the noise of waves and seagulls audible in the background.

(Reporting by Paul Hoskins)

AC/DC Makes Album Annoucement

August 19th, 2008

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Rock band AC/DC’s first studio album in eight years, “Black Ice,” will be sold exclusively in the U.S. via Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and the band’s Web site, beginning October 20. First single “Rock ‘n’ Roll Train” will hit U.S. radio on August 28.

In an unusual move, the exclusive release comes with the full cooperation of AC/DC’s label home, Columbia, which says it is planning “multiple activities for fans” leading up to release date.

The 15-track “Black Ice” is the follow-up to 2000’s “Stiff Upper Lip.” An extensive world tour in support of the set will begin in late October.

In addition, on September 9 Columbia will release “No Bull: The Director’s Cut,” a newly edited DVD of AC/DC’s July 1996 show at Madrid’s Plaza De Toros De Las Ventas.

Reuters/Billboard

DMX Arrested Again

August 15th, 2008

The arrest-addled rapper was busted again Thursday, this time in Miami on an outstanding warrant for skipping another court date in Arizona related to his pending animal-cruelty and drug-possession case. Pictures taken by TMZ show that police nabbed him outside a Wal-Mart this afternoon.

Although DMX’s attorney did appear on his client’s behalf Tuesday afternoon to provide documentation that his client couldn’t make it because he was hospitalized in Miami (he wouldn’t say why, though), the judge opted to issue a bench warrant anyway and raised his bond to $25,000.

“We provided intake documentation, and the judge said it was insufficient,” Maricopa County public defender Charles Kozelka told MTV News Wednesday. “The judge said he should have informed the court sooner, and because it was the second time he’d missed court in this case, she issued the warrant.”

The lawyer wouldn’t comment on reports that DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, is in rehab, although he did say that the Cradle 2 the Grave star’s camp is “working towards getting him some help, and we hope that will be taken seriously by all parties in this case.”

Also asked why a man of DMX’s presumed financial stature needs a public defender (the whole “if you can’t afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you” part of the Miranda Rights), Kozelka would only say: “He qualified for us, and he feels comfortable with me.”

At the time, Kozelka was still hoping that his client could avoid yet another smear on his rap sheet.

“We are in court again next week on other matters, and my hope is we can get the warrant resolved by then and get back on track,” he said. “We have some things in the works to get the warrant taken care of. My hope is that we can resolve it without an arrest, but he’s been arrested at the airport before, so they obviously have an eye out for him, so I’m not sure.”

In addition to an Aug. 19 court date related to his aforementioned pit bulls and pot case, DMX is due in court Aug. 26 to answer to identify-theft charges for allegedly trying to get out of paying a Scottsdale, Ariz., hospital bill by posing as someone else.

He was also arrested twice in one week during a June trip to Miami, once for driving with an invalid license and a few days later for allegedly trying to buy a small amount of marijuana and cocaine from an undercover cop.

Natalie Finn

Jackson Browne sues McCain, RNC over song in ad

August 15th, 2008

The singer-songwriter sued McCain and the Ohio and national Republican committees in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Thursday, accusing them of using his song “Running on Empty” without his permission.The lawsuit claims the song’s use was an infringement of his copyright and will lead people to conclude he endorses McCain. The suit says Browne is a lifelong liberal who is as well-known for his music as for being “an advocate for social and environmental justice.”

The advertisement mocks Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s contention that if U.S. drivers got regular tuneups and drove on properly inflated tires, they could save the same amount of oil that would be gained by offshore drilling. According to the suit, “Running on Empty” plays in the background of the ad criticizing the remarks.

Robert Bennett, chairman of the Ohio party, said the ad was pulled when Browne objected. He called the lawsuit a “big to-do about nothing.”

McCain spokesman Brian Rogers disavowed the ad, saying it wasn’t a product of the Republican presidential candidate’s campaign.

Browne’s lawsuit contends the Ohio Republican party released the ad on behalf of McCain and the RNC. The RNC did not return a phone call seeking comment.

The suit notes that other musicians, including ABBA and John Cougar Mellencamp, have asked McCain to stop using their work.

Browne’s attorney, Lawrence Iser, called the ad’s use of the song “reprehensible.”

The 59-year-old singer claims his reputation has already been damaged and is seeking more than $75,000 in damages.

Browne released “Running on Empty” — the song and an album by the same name — in 1977. According to the lawsuit, the album has sold more than 7 million copies.

Browne’s financial success has aided Democratic candidates over the years. Campaign finance records show he contributed $2,300 to Obama’s presidential campaign last year and $2,000 to the Illinois senator’s campaign coffers in 2004.

By ANTHONY McCARTNEY, AP Entertainment Writer

Britney Spears Announces New Album

August 13th, 2008

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Britney Spears says her sixth album will be out within nine months as the U.S. pop star seeks to rebound from troubling behavior and hospital stints for psychiatric evaluations.

In an interview with OK! magazine released on Wednesday, the 26-year-old says she has written more for the new album than her previous five studio albums, and describes it as having an “urban” feel.

“I’m writing every day, right here at the piano,” said Spears, one of the world’s most successful pop stars of the early 2000s. Her last album, “Blackout,” debuted at No. 2 on Billboard 200 last November, but quickly slid down the chart.

Spears has given few interviews in recent years as her life spiraled out of control and she lost custody of her two sons.

Over the past 18 months she has been involved in an ugly divorce from Kevin Federline, entered rehab treatment several times, and exhibited erratic behavior like shaving her head and attacking a photographer’s car with an umbrella.

But in the past six months, her father Jamie Spears has taken over management of her affairs and she was also mentioned as a possible Emmy award nominee for guest appearances on U.S. TV series “How I Met Your Mother.”

When asked by OK! if she would like to do more acting, Spears said: “I’d love to, if I can find the right movie.”

“Actually, I have a part that just came up. We’re just trying to work it out with my schedule, with the children,” she said.

A court recently extended Jamie Spears control over his daughter’s affairs, which he shares with Los Angeles attorney Andrew Wallet, until the end of 2008.

Spears and her former backup dancer Kevin Federline, 30, were divorced last summer after two years of marriage. The couple have two children together, Sean Preston, 2-1/2, and James Jayden, 22 months.

She told OK! she would rather her sons did not pursue a career in entertainment.

“But I’d love them unconditionally if they wanted to. I’d just as soon they have a more normal childhood,” she said.

Spears also spoke of being shocked at her sister Jamie Lynn’s pregnancy. She was at the hospital when the 17-year-old star of Nickelodeon’s “Zoey 101” TV show gave birth to a girl, Maddie Briann in June.

“That was special, but it was also strange because she’s always been the baby, and now the baby was having a baby. It was mind-boggling. I was shocked a little bit,” Spears said.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols)

“Mamma Mia!” Sound Track Blasts to No. 1

August 13th, 2008

NEW YORK (Billboard) - It took five weeks, but the ABBA-driven soundtrack to “Mamma Mia!” rose two places to No. 1 on the U.S. albums chart Wednesday.

The Decca Records release sold 130,000 copies in the week ended August 10, becoming the second soundtrack this year to reach the summit, following the “Juno” soundtrack in January.

The film soundtrack to “Mamma Mia!” features actors like Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried and Pierce Brosnan belting out ABBA favorites. The film has earned $104 million at the North American box office.

The last year two or more soundtracks earned the top spot on the Billboard 200 was in 1998, when “Titanic,” “City of Angels” and “Armageddon” all had their turn at No. 1.

ABBA has never had a top 10 album on the Billboard 200; the Swedish pop act’s highest charting set is 1978’s “The Album,” which peaked at No. 14.

Miley Cyrus’ “Breakout” was No. 2 for a second week with 102,000 copies. Last week’s chart-topper, Sugarland’s “Love on the Inside,” fell to No. 3 with 91,000. Kid Rock’s “Rock N Roll Jesus” was No. 4 for a third week, selling 90,000 copies.

Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter III” was steady at No. 5, also for a third week, after selling 67,000 copies. Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends” rose one to No. 6 with 55,000 copies.

R&B star Lloyd’s third album, “Lessons in Love,” was hottest debut, bowing at No. 7 with 51,000 copies. His last set, 2007’s “Street Love,” began at No. 2 with 144,000.

The Jonas Brothers-led soundtrack to Disney’s “Camp Rock” rose one to No. 8 with 47,000. Rihanna’s newly reissued “Good Girl Gone Bad” jumped three to No. 9 with 44,000 copies.

Former Trick Pony vocalist Heidi Newfield’s solo debut “What Am I Waiting For” landed at No. 10 with 34,000.

Other new entries included country singer Keith Anderson’s “C’mon!” at No. 12, and Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst’s self-titled solo debut at No. 15.

At 7.16 million units, sales this week were down 2.7 percent from last week’s sum and down 10.9 percent from the same week last year.

Reuters/Billboard

Sheryl Crow Tour Update

July 9th, 2008

Here is Sheryl’s current tour schedule:

Thu Jul 24, 2008      Sheryl Crow       Sommet Center     Nashville    TN
Sat Jul 26, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino - Sun Arena     Uncasville    CT
Mon Jul 28, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Nikon at Jones Beach Theater     Wantagh    NY
Tue Jul 29, 2008    Sheryl Crow     PNC Bank Arts Center     Holmdel    NJ
Wed Jul 30, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Comcast Center     Mansfield    MA
Thu Jul 31, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Saratoga Performing Arts Center / SPAC     Saratoga Springs    NY
Fri Aug 01, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Today Show / Toyota Concert Series on Today    New York    NY
Sat Aug 02, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Mann Center for Performing Arts     Philadelphia    PA
Sun Aug 03, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center     Canandaigua    NY
Tue Aug 05, 2008    Sheryl Crow     DTE Energy Music Theatre     Clarkston    MI
Wed Aug 06, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Resch Center     Green Bay    WI
Fri Aug 08, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Bradley Center     Milwaukee    WI
Sat Aug 09, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Northrop Auditorium     Minneapolis    MN
Sun Aug 10, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Ravinia Festival     Highland Park    IL
Wed Aug 13, 2008    Sheryl Crow     CenturyTel Center     Bossier City    LA
Thu Aug 14, 2008    Sheryl Crow     The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion     The Woodlands    TX
Fri Aug 15, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Superpages.com Center     Dallas    TX
Sat Aug 16, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Oklahoma City Zoo - Amphitheatre     Oklahoma City    OK
Mon Aug 18, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Sandia Casino Amphitheater     Albuquerque    NM
Tue Aug 19, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Casino Del Sol - Anselmo Valencia Tori Amphitheatre     Tucson    AZ
Thu Aug 21, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Valley View Casino     Valley Center    CA
Fri Aug 22, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Planet Hollywood Showroom     Las Vegas    NV
Sat Aug 23, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Harvey’s Lake Tahoe     Lake Tahoe    NV
Mon Aug 25, 2008    Sheryl Crow     ANA Amphitheater     Salt Lake City    UT
Wed Aug 27, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Sleep Train Pavilion     Concord    CA
Fri Aug 29, 2008    Sheryl Crow     McMenamins Edgefield     Troutdale    OR
Sat Aug 30, 2008    Sheryl Crow     The Concerts at Marymoor     Redmond    WA
Tue Sep 23, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Kingston Memorial Arena     Kingston    Ontario    Canada
Wed Sep 24, 2008    Sheryl Crow     John Labatt Centre     London    Ontario    Canada
Thu Sep 25, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Steelback Centre - SBC     Sault Ste. Marie    Ontario    Canada
Sat Nov 15, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Evening on the Green    Sandalford    Unavailable    AU
Wed Nov 19, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Adelaide Entertainment Centre    Hindmarsh    South Australia    AU
Fri Nov 21, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Rod Laver Arena    Melbourne    Unavailable    AU
Sat Nov 22, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Rochford Wines    Yarra Valley    Unavailable    AU
Tue Nov 25, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Brisbane Entertainment Centre    Brisbane    Unavailable    AU
Fri Nov 28, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Acer Arena (formerly SuperDome)    Sydney    Unavailable    AU
Sat Nov 29, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Bimbadgen Estate    Hunter Valley    Unavailable    AU
Wed Dec 03, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Vector Arena    Auckland    Unavailable    NZ
Sat Dec 06, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Alana Estate Winery    Wellington    Unavailable    NZ
Sun Dec 07, 2008    Sheryl Crow     Mudhouse Winery    Christchurch    Unavailable    NZ

Click here, for more tour information.

Aimee Mann Annouces New Tourdates

July 9th, 2008

Hey Aimee Mann fans, Aimee has announced new tour dates to support her new album “Smilers”:
AIMEE MANN TOUR DATES

June 11 Belly Up San Diego

June 12 House Of Blues Anaheim, CA

June 14 The Belcourt Theatre Nashville,TN

June 15 The Orange Peel Asheville, NC

June 16 Variety Playhouse Atlanta

June 18 Carolina Theatre Durham, NC

June 19 9:30 Club Washington, DC

June 22 St. Ann’s Warehouse Brooklyn, NY

June 23 St. Ann’s Warehouse Brooklyn, NY

June 24 St. Ann’s Warehouse Brooklyn, NY

June 26 Calvin Theater Northampton, MA

June 29 Avalon Boston

August 20 Mountain Winery Saratoga, CA

Click here, for the complete schedule,

Madonna Getting Divorced?

June 29th, 2008

Could the rumors be true? Is Madonna done with Guy Ritchie? According to UK’s Holy Moly, Madge has reportedly hired Britain’s toughest divorce lawyer, Nicholas Mostyn QC.

Madonna and Guy have been dodging breakup rumors for a while now so this isn’t exactly shocking news but the odd twist it that the report claims Madge and Guy didn’t have a pre-nup. Say what you will about Madonna, but she’s one smart businesswoman. There is no way in hell she would get married without a pre-nup.

 Read More…

Gas Prices, Economy Shake Sales for Summer Tours

June 29th, 2008

Four-dollar-a-gallon gas prices are eating away at the summer-concert business, with top festivals and tours taking unexpected box-office hits over the past few months. Bonnaroo and Coachella fell short of sellouts for the first time in years, tours such as Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson, Maroon 5 and George Michael are struggling, and even perennial sure things like Bruce Springsteen and Nine Inch Nails are soft in some cities. “It has an effect when people are filling up their cars for $80,” says Alex Hodges, chief operating officer for Nederlander Concerts in Los Angeles. “How many concerts are they going to go to with all the other costs?”

Read More…