Music News
1. Country singer Jimmy Wayne makes most of 2nd chance with No. 1 hit 'Do You Believe Me Now'
By JOHN GEROME - September 4, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ Jimmy Wayne was down and out a few years ago. His record label had been bought out, and it looked like his shot at being a country star was over.But Wayne got another chance with The Valory Music Co., and this week he notched his first No. 1 hit with "Do You Believe Me Now,"...
2. Yours, for more than a song: Hendrix guitar, Beatles contract, Elvis fingerprints up for sale
By JILL LAWLESS - September 4, 2008
LONDON (AP) _ A guitar set alight onstage by Jimi Hendrix during a concert in London was sold at auction on Thursday for $497,557 to a collector from the United States.The scorched Fender Stratocaster was the star lot at an auction of music memorabilia that also included The Beatles' first contract...
3. Levine on track to return to Met podium this month after cancer surgery
By Associated Press - September 3, 2008
BOSTON (AP) _ Conductor James Levine is on track to return to the podium this month at New York's Metropolitan Opera after cancer surgery.Levine is music director of the Met and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The BSO's managing director, Mark Volpe, said Wednesday that Levine has "great energy" and...
4. Stevie Wonder to be honored with Gershwin Prize by Library of Congress
By Associated Press - September 2, 2008
WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Library of Congress will honor Stevie Wonder with its second Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.Librarian of Congress James Billington, who announced the prize Tuesday, noted that the prize honors an artist whose work transcends musical styles to bring diverse listeners together...
5. Bruce Springsteen ends world tour in Milwaukee, politically toned down but revved up
By CARRIE ANTLFINGER - August 31, 2008
MILWAUKEE (AP) _ Bruce Springsteen ended his world tour over the weekend, toned down but revved up.Springsteen played more than 30 songs over 3½ hours Saturday night on Milwaukee's lakefront for Harley-Davidson's 105th anniversary celebration. He made few comments between songs.Only for a few...
6. Yearwood shaken but philosophical after recent emergency landing due to cracked windshield
By JOHN GEROME - August 28, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ Trisha Yearwood had a harrowing experience on a recent flight to Oklahoma when her plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Baltimore because of a cracked windshield.The singer was shaken but undeterred; she caught another flight home a few hours later."I'm pretty...
7. Every little bit Phelps: On top of everything else, Olympic swimmer to present at VMAs
By Associated Press - August 28, 2008
LOS ANGELES (AP) _ He does comedy, writes books, and mixes it up with the hottest stars in music and Hollywood. With all this, who needs swimming?Certainly not Michael Phelps — not anymore, at least. But as a presenter at the 2008 Video Music Awards, all that fresh Olympic bling will...
8. Hilary Duff's dad ordered to spend 10 days in jail after Texas judge finds him in contempt
By Associated Press - August 28, 2008
HOUSTON (AP) _ A judge in Texas has ordered the father of actress and singer Hilary Duff to spend 10 days in jail for contempt of court.Bob Duff was led away in handcuffs Wednesday during a court hearing after Judge Thomas Stansbury in Houston determined he violated an injunction against selling...
9. Jailed Cuban punk rocker faces up to 4 years in prison for 'dangerousness'
By WILL WEISSERT - August 27, 2008
HAVANA (AP) _ A Cuban punk rocker known for his raunchy lyrics criticizing Fidel Castro was convicted of public disorder Friday, but freed after a court dismissed a more serious "social dangerousness" charge that could have sent him to prison for four years.Following a two-hour trial, the court...
10. Marion 'Suge' Knight arrested in Las Vegas, accused of drug possession, assault on girlfriend
By Associated Press - August 27, 2008
LAS VEGAS (AP) _ Marion "Suge" Knight has been released from a Las Vegas jail.The founder of bankrupt Death Row Records posted $19,000 bail Wednesday and promised to appear in Las Vegas Justice Court on Sept. 26 on felony assault and drug charges.Police arrested the hip hop mogul on Wednesday...
11. Marion 'Suge' Knight arrested in Las Vegas, accused of drug possession, assault on girlfriend
By Associated Press - August 27, 2008
LAS VEGAS (AP) _ Police say rap music mogul Marion "Suge" Knight is in a Las Vegas jail on drug and assault charges after he was accused of beating his girlfriend while brandishing a knife.The 43-year-old Knight was arrested about 6:40 a.m. Wednesday on charges of assault with a deadly weapon,...
12. FBI arrests blogger suspected of posting Guns N' Roses songs from long-awaited album
By ANTHONY McCARTNEY - August 27, 2008
LOS ANGELES (AP) _ A blogger suspected of streaming songs from the unreleased Guns N' Roses album "Chinese Democracy" on his Web site was arrested Wednesday and appeared in court, where his bail was set at $10,000.FBI agents arrested 27-year-old Kevin Cogill on Wednesday morning on suspicion of...
13. Arena officials offer refunds after raspy-voiced Neil Diamond disappoints Ohio concertgoers
By Associated Press - August 27, 2008
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) _ Disappointed Neil Diamond fans will get a refund after attending a concert at Ohio State University in which the 67-year-old singer's voice sounded raspy.Some fans left the Monday concert early and others said Diamond completed the concert without mentioning anything to the...
14. Australia assessing rapper Snoop Dogg's criminal history before granting visa for concert tour
By TANALEE SMITH - August 27, 2008
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) _ The immigration department said Wednesday it was conducting a character assessment of Snoop Dogg, including his criminal history, as Australia considers whether to grant the rapper a visa for a concert tour later this year.A department spokesman said reports the visa had...
15. After 2 years, the engagement is off for Nicollette Sheridan and Michael Bolton
By Associated Press - August 26, 2008
LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Nicollette Sheridan and Michael Bolton have ended their engagement.The split was amicable, said Nicole Perna, a publicist for the pair.The 44-year-old actress and 55-year-old singer have been engaged since March 2006. They first started dating in 1992 and spent five years...
16. Music Review: The Verve reunites with new, uneven album
By SOLVEJ SCHOU - August 26, 2008
The Verve, "Forth" (On Your Own)It's been 11 years since British band the Verve released its last studio album, 1997's emotional "Urban Hymns," and unleashed its hit anthem "Bitter Sweet Symphony" onto the world.Then, in 1999, the band broke up."Forth," the rock group's first album since reuniting...
17. John Legend performs at the Democratic convention; Spike Lee, Danny Glover also in Denver
By RYAN PEARSON - August 26, 2008
DENVER (AP) _ First word on Barack Obama's historic nomination acceptance speech from a bevy of celebrities in attendance was decidedly partisan: "It was excellent," Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie said. "It was amazing.""Incredible," said Jessica Alba simply, before joining Fergie, Rosario Dawson,...
18. Bayreuth Festival board names Katharina Wagner and Eva Wagner-Pasquier as codirectors
By PATRICK McGROARTY - August 25, 2008
BERLIN (AP) _ The Bayreuth Festival board on Monday named half-sisters Katharina Wagner and Eva Wagner-Pasquier to replace their father at the helm of the German festival dedicated to the music of composer Richard Wagner.The women — the composer's great-great granddaughters — will...
19. Reports: Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney to perform in Tel Aviv 40 years after ban on band
By Associated Press - August 24, 2008
JERUSALEM (AP) _ Sir Paul McCartney is set to perform in Israel, 40 years after his legendary band, the Beatles, were banned from playing in the Holy Land.Israeli media were abuzz with excitement on Sunday with news of McCartney's visit. The rock star was scheduled to play earlier in the year, but...
20. Madonna and her 250-strong entourage prepare to launch 'Sticky and Sweet' tour in Wales
By JOEL RYAN - August 23, 2008
CARDIFF, Wales (AP) _ Even at 50, the queen of pop just can't stop courting controversy.As Madonna kicked off her international "Sticky and Sweet" tour Saturday night, she took a none-too subtle swipe at the presumptive Republican nominee for U.S. president.Amid a four-act show at Cardiff's packed...
21. Legal dispute among surviving members of The Doors nears end with high court inaction
By PAUL ELIAS - August 22, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ The end is near for a bitter legal dispute between the three surviving members of The Doors now that the California Supreme Court has refused to take up their case.Keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger are on the hook for more than $5 million after they were...
22. AP Exclusive: Sheryl Crow offers free music in a bid to boost voter registration
By RAQUEL MARIA DILLON - August 21, 2008
LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Sheryl Crow wants your vote — and figures she can get it for a song.The Grammy Award-winning singer is offering a free download of her politically charged tune "Gasoline" to anyone who logs onto the Rock the Vote Web site or anyone on the group's mailing list.And the first...
23. Jonas Brothers' new CD is third-biggest debut of 2008; also notch 2nd top 10 CD
By Associated Press - August 20, 2008
NEW YORK (AP) _ Not only have the Jonas Brothers notched the year's third-biggest debut album, they've managed the rare feat of having two albums in the top 10 at the same time."A Little Bit Longer," the third album from the trio of siblings, sold more than 525,000 copies to debut at No. 1 on the...
24. Ricky Martin now a father to twin boys, says publicist; babies a result of surrogate pregancy
By Associated Press - August 20, 2008
NEW YORK (AP) _ There won't be much "livin' la vida loca" for Ricky Martin these days — he's now the father of twin boys. The Latin superstar had the children via a surrogate mother, and the babies were born a few weeks ago, according to a statement from his representatives."The children,...
25. Memphis airport unlikely to be named after the late Isaac Hayes
By Associated Press - August 20, 2008
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) _ Officials of Memphis International Airport say they probably won't change the airport's name to honor the late singer Isaac Hayes.During a memorial service for Hayes on Monday, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen publicly suggested changing the name of the airport.Airport board chairman...
26. Torn apart by divorce, alt-country favorites Blue Mountain return with new album
By CHRIS TALBOTT - August 19, 2008
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) _ For seminal alt-country band Blue Mountain — torn apart by divorce — breaking up was hard to do. Getting back together, it turned out, was pretty easy.The Mississippi trio will release its sixth studio album, "Midnight in Mississippi," along with a re-recorded...
27. Mariah Carey, Beyonce and Miley Cyrus join voices to fund a cure for cancer; song out Sept. 2
By Associated Press - August 19, 2008
LOS ANGELES (AP) _ What would it sound like if 15 of the hottest female singers joined voices? The answer will be revealed Sept. 2.That's when "Just Stand Up" hits airwaves and iTunes. The song features Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Miley Cyrus, Melissa...
28. Malaysia's Islamists want Lavigne concert canceled; say singer's moves 'too sexy'
By JULIA ZAPPEI - August 18, 2008
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) _ Malaysia on Tuesday canceled a concert by Canadian rock singer Avril Lavigne, saying it may taint the Muslim-majority country's independence day celebrations after the Islamic opposition slammed her show as being "too sexy."The Arts, Culture and Heritage Ministry said...
29. Dorival Caymmi, beloved Brazilian singer and composer, dies at 94
By Associated Press - August 16, 2008
SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) _ Brazilian composer and singer Dorival Caymmi, who catapulted to fame when Carmen Miranda performed one of his songs in 1938, died Saturday. He was 94.He died of kidney cancer and multiple organ failure in his Rio de Janeiro home, his granddaughter Stela Caymmi told the...
30. Virgin Records sues Jared Leto's band 30 Seconds to Mars for $30M over undelivered albums
By Associated Press - August 15, 2008
LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Hardcore fans of 30 Seconds to Mars aren't the only ones who want more of the band's music. Virgin Records has sued the group for $30 million, saying it has failed to deliver.Virgin Records sued the band and front man Jared Leto in Los Angeles on Friday, claiming they refused to...
31. Mexican pop group RBD announces breakup, says its time to 'transform itself'
By Associated Press - August 15, 2008
MEXICO CITY (AP) _ The Mexican pop group RBD will split up after four years together, but has not said when its last concert will be.A statement on the group's Web site says its concerts later this month in Spain will "mark the beginning of this final stage."The announcement says that "every great...
32. Elvis Presley fans line up at Graceland for annual graveside vigil
By WOODY BAIRD - August 15, 2008
%meta(topic:01005000;ap_topic:general entertainment;subtopic:movies;%)%meta(topic:01011000;ap_topic:general entertainment;subtopic:music;%)MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Mary Lou Martell put it off as long as she could. But she finally had to head to Memphis for an anniversary vigil at Elvis Presley's...
33. At her half-century mark, Madonna proves inspiring to other women of a certain age
By JOCELYN NOVECK - August 15, 2008
%meta(topic:01005000;ap_topic:general entertainment;subtopic:movies;%)%meta(topic:01011000;ap_topic:general entertainment;subtopic:music;%)NEW YORK (AP) — Sure, Madonna may have scandalized the Vatican and shocked nearly every parent in America at some point during her long and provocative...
34. Jerry Wexler, famed producer who worked with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, others, dies at 91
By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY - August 15, 2008
NEW YORK (AP) _ Jerry Wexler not only coined the phrase rhythm and blues, the legendary music producer was one of the key architects of the genre. He revolutionized popular music with seminal, superstar-making recordings of acts such as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and others.But the genius of...
35. Vincent lead nominees for bluegrass awards with 10, including entertainer of year
By JOHN GEROME - August 14, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ Dailey & Vincent lead all nominees for this year's International Bluegrass Music awards with 10, including for entertainer of the year.Although the group formed just last year, leaders Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent are both veterans. Dailey was a member of Doyle Lawson's...
36. No illegal downloads here: Lyric Culture pays songwriters to use their words on clothing
By SANDY COHEN - August 14, 2008
LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Online music thieves can't interfere with the hundreds of songwriters Hanna Rochelle Schmieder has on her payroll.Her company, Lyric Culture, prints famous song lyrics on high-end jeans and T-shirts — and pays artists for the privilege."My goal is to save the music...
37. The material girl in mid-life: Change is the constant in Madonna's always-evolving look
By SAMANTHA CRITCHELL - August 14, 2008
NEW YORK (AP) _ No matter what your taste, there's probably a Madonna for you.The pop star, who is turning 50 Saturday, is one of fashion's great chameleons. She's been a punk princess and lady of the manor. She has channeled Marilyn Monroe, Eva Peron and a geisha.The whole underwear-as-outerwear...
38. New Barbies immortalize Elvis wedding; set signed by Priscilla auctioned for $6,800
By WOODY BAIRD - August 12, 2008
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) _ The marriage didn't last all that long, but for the Elvis Presley faithful, the wedding day is special still. And now, Elvis fans have the official, Graceland-approved Elvis and Priscilla wedding dolls to remind them of that magical time."This is just another way he's making...
39. Doctor tells investigators Isaac Hayes apparently died of stroke, had hypertension treatment
By WOODY BAIRD - August 12, 2008
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) _ Isaac Hayes apparently died of a stroke, officials with the sheriff's department said Tuesday.The deep-voiced soul singer died Sunday after he was found unconscious at his Memphis residence. No autopsy was performed, but paperwork filed by Hayes' family physician, Dr. David...
40. With jealous colleagues and Wisconsin on his case, this 8-year-old guitar wizard has the blues
By CARRIE ANTLFINGER - August 12, 2008
ELKHORN, Wis. (AP) _ When Tallan "T-Man" Latz was 5, he saw Joe Satriani playing guitar on TV. "I turned around to my dad and said, 'That's exactly what I want to do.'"Three years and countless hours of practicing later, 8-year-old Tallan is a blues guitar prodigy. He's played in bars and clubs,...
41. Former Blink-182 bassist Mark Hoppus sues over soured investment in McDonald's venture
By Associated Press - August 11, 2008
SAN DIEGO -- Former Blink-182 bassist Mark Hoppus sued a father-and-son business Monday, alleging they pocketed his investment in a venture to install automated checkout machines at McDonald's restaurants. The lawsuit in San Diego Superior Court says Ed and Jeff...
42. Great costumes, good voices _ but director of Mozart opera 'Magic Flute' disappoints
By GEORGE JAHN - August 11, 2008
VIENNA, Austria (AP) _ Good voices, masterful music from the orchestra pit, fanciful costumes and comic touches that had the audience laughing out loud were the highlights of Sunday's new production of Mozart's "The Magic Flute."But what happened to the message?Every opera has one and since this...
43. 'American Idol' star Clay Aiken now a father; record producer gives birth to his baby boy
By Associated Press - August 8, 2008
NEW YORK (AP) _ Proud poppa Clay Aiken can't get enough of Broadway.The "American Idol" alum, who recently became a father, will return in September to the New York company of "Monty Python's Spamalot," where he again will play the role of Sir Robin.Aiken will be in the musical, based on the film "...
