Spotlight On Music Is Now Spotlight On Entertainment

As of July 1, 2009, this site will merge with its sister site and become Spotlight on Entertainment.

Thanks for reading us and I hope you'll visit us again.
All future entries will be at the new site:


Spotlight On Entertainment

Michael Jackson Remembered

The Hollywood Reporter Remembers Michael Jackson

Bluewater To Release Michael Jackson Tribute

Press Release


To millions he was the King of Pop; one of the world’s most cherished entertainers and a celebrated international icon. With his untimely passing, Michael Jackson left an extraordinary and tragic legacy. Bluewater Productions is paying tribute in October to his memory and legacy with a special collectors edition biography comic.

The newest addition to the publisher's critically acclaimed biography library will trace Jackson's rise as a musical prodigy with the “Jackson 5” through last Thursdays sad end. The book will feature highlights from his storied career and cover his enigmatic private life.

“Michael Jackson's music served as the soundtrack to countless lives...including mine,” said Bluewater president Darren G. Davis, “His influence on our culture has been profound.”

“TRIBUTE: Michael Jackson, King of Pop,” features a wraparound cover and foreword by "The Official Michael Jackson Fan Club’s" Giuseppe Mazzola. Mazzola was also Jackson's personal friend. The issue is being written by Wey-Yuih Loh, (Political Power: Colin Powell” and “Political Power: Joe Biden) and illustrated by Giovanni Timpano (Vincent Price Presents). Noted cover artist Vinnie Tartamella will also provide an alternate wraparound cover.

“This is a celebration of his life and what he meant to a legion of fans,” Davis said. “Although the book won’t shy away from some of his personal troubles, we try to tell a balanced story that shows Jackson as a musical genius, an unparalleled superstar and as a complex person.”



Davis noted that he initially waffled at producing a tribute comic, but after receiving dozens of emails and phone calls he knew it was the proper way to show respect and give fans a lasting remembrance.

In recent months, Bluewater has become one of the leading producers of biography comics. Launched earlier this year, Bluewater’s “Female Force” has featured influential women such as Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Princess Diana, Sarah Palin and Oprah Winfrey. A follow-up series, "Political Power" launching in July is set to turn the spotlight on politicians like Colin Powell, Barack Obama, and Al Gore.

Bluewater’s biography titles have drawn considerable media attention, including features on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and “Live with Regis and Kelly.” It has also been featured in such periodicals as People Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today and thousands of blogs and other media outlets.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - Day 26: Smokey Robinson

Smokey Robinson was one of the founding members and artists of Motown along with Barry Gordy. His songs with The Miracles and as a solo artists were really influential in helping to define the modern pop and R & B love song. He had many hits and has composed some of the greatest songs ever written. Bob Dylan once referred to him as "America's greatest living poet". He was responsible for the Motown sound having composed and or produced some of the label's biggest hits from The Temptation's "My Girl" and "Get Ready" to Mary Well's "My Guy" just to name a few. Today Robinson will be honored by ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) with the Rhythm and Blues Award for his work as a songwriter. That makes him the best choice for artist of the day. Here he is with The Miracles singing the incredible, "OOO, Baby Baby"!

MICHAEL JACKSON'S PASSED AWAY

http://www.mjjpictures.com/main.html

There is sad news in the world of music today. Michael Jackson known around the world as the King Of Pop had died. Performing since the age of 5, Michael garnered fame as a child performer with his brothers as Motown artists the Jackson 5, became a teen idol as he and his brothers evolved in the 80s as The Jacksons and them grew to world wide superstar status as a solo artist. His album Thriller remains the best selling album to this day with his Dangerous album being the best selling album.

In his later years Jackson became a constant tabloid newspaper headline for his ever changing physical appearance and for his legal troubles.
Jackson was set to make a comeback to music with a series of concerts in London. He was 50 years old.

Michael Jackson, one of a kind.

Michael Jackson was modern music's most famous world entertainer and in later years was perhaps the most notorious. His albums Thriller and Dangerous remain the best selling albums to this day.

Michael is survived by his three children, his parents and a host of family and friends.

ABC is air a special on the life and career of Michael Jackson tonight at 9pm eastern.

Black Music Month: Artist of The Day: Michael Jackson

MICHAEL JACKSON--ANOTHER PART OF ME!

Of course any list of great black music artists would be incomplete without Michael Jackson's name on it. Performing for most of his life, he's a master story teller and one of the most exciting performers. There's no one who has done more for the evolution of modern music today as Michael Jackson. As one of the pioneer artists who helped launch MTV to what it is today, Michael's video performances speak for themselves.

Musically, he experimented with all forms of the genre including pop and rock, but it a testiment to his roots of being mentored by Motown and the great Berry Gordy, that his best music by far continues to be his soul and R&B recordings.
Here is one of those songs--"Another Part Of Me".

Black Music Month Artist of The Day: Luther Vandross

Gone too soon but certainly not forgotten, Luther Vandross's voice defined the soul sound in the 80s and 90s. Whenever people think of soul music and songs that identify soul only one name comes up, Luther. Here is his first hit, "Never Too Much".

Jonas Brothers: Secret Show

The Hollywood Reporter recently caught up with The Jonas Brothers at their surprise show. Check out the videos of Nick, Joe and Kevin.

Part 1:




Part 2:

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - Day 22: The Ojays

THE OJAYS--LOVE TRAIN

This was a universal song that inspired a lot of dancing. Although their hit, "For Love Of Money" has gained popularity recently as the theme for Donald Trump's reality show The Apprentice, "Love Train" is one of the band's most recognizable and requested song. Here is a fantastic performance of the classic song.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - Day 21: George Clinton & Parliment

Artist of the Day: George Clinton, Parliament Funkadelic, The P-Funk All Stars---Atomic Dog

This song was all about dancing,wishing you were older than you really were to go to a club or a house party to dance. George Clinton was all about funk, blending all music genres into one. They certainly believed in making the show as lively and colorful as possible. They became more known for their outrageous shows than for the music. Atomic Dog hit main stream success and is often used in movies and in commercial advertising.

Check out one of their most memorable performances of the hit.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - Day 20: Isaac Hayes

ISAAC HAYES---SHAFT!!!!

The instrumentation on this song is incredible. There really aren't words to describe it. The fact that it was an Oscar winner for Best Original Song says a lot.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - Day 19: The Gap Band

The Gap Band- OUTSTANDING

One of the most popular R& B band of the 80s. The Wilson Brothers, Charlie, Ronnie and Robert kept many people on the dance floor in clubs around the world. They've influenced many of today's artists with Charlie collaborating with such artists as Snoop Dog and Justin Timberlake. "Party Train" and "You Dropped A Bomb On Me" were two of their biggest dance hits. Their ballads were just as memorable. "Outstanding" is one of their best.

GREEN DAY TO PREMIERE NEW VIDEO EXCLUSIVELY ON MYSPACE

Teen Choice Awards nominees, Green Day will premiere the video for their new single, "21 Guns," exclusively on MySpace Music on June 21st at midnight. The video was shot by director Marc Webb, who has previously worked with such artists as My Chemical Romance, Weezer, and All-American Rejects, and has directed his first feature film, (500) Days of Summer, which is set to be released in July.

KINGS OF LEON SIGN THE FEATURES TO NEW RECORD LABEL

Kings of Leon, in partnership with Bug Music have launched a new record label. Details of the first release on the imprint, The Features “Some Kind of Salvation,” will be announced next week. The first artist signed is fellow Tennessee brethren The Features, a band with a decade of songs and touring experience. Longtime supporters of The Features, Kings Of Leon previously toured the UK and US with the band in 2007.

The Features recently performed at the Bonnaroo Music Festival and are slated to hit the road throughout the U.S. this summer and fall in support of their album release, “Some Kind of Salvation”.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - Day 18: Al Green

Al Green's "Let's Stay together" was the first song I remember everyone in my neighborhood loving. My parents, my aunt who lived next door and even my mom's friends loved it. A typical Saturday afternoon in Indiana was the same, moms would be talking, kids would be playing kick the can, dads would be mowing lawns, teenage girls would be braiding each others hair for the summer, all just going about their day. Then this song would be playing on the radio of a car passing by and suddenly every radio within a 5 mile radius would catch on and start playing it. Soon Al Green would be playing in surround sound on Deodar Street.

Those were the days. There aren't too many songs or artists today that could have everyone stop, listen, sing or dance to all at once, no matter the age. Al Green's
"Let's Stay Together" is one of those songs. The fact that he could unite a neighborhood in a common theme for even 4 minutes at a time, makes him the Black Music Month Artist of The Day.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - Day 17: Gladys Knight & The Pips

There's no one like Gladys Knight. Her soulful voice is one of the most distinct in the music that dominated radio and television for over three decades since the 1960s.
Performing with her brother, Merald "Bubba" Knight and cousins William Guest and Edward Patten as Gladys Knight & The Pips, they helped defined family groups.

Although, Gladys was the star, the group was really an ensemble. The back vocals on their well-known hit "Midnight Train To Georgia remain of the best written and performed to this day. Check out a true black music legend, Gladys Knight & The Pips.

Black Music Month Artist Of The Day: Day 16

The spotlight artist of the day, is Rufus, featuring Chaka Khan. Highly popular in the 70's and 80's, Rufus was synonymous with helping to define the R&B/Soul sound. Chaka Khan, a diva in her own right, began her career with the band. Blending dance songs with soulful ballads makes Rufus the artist of the day. Here's one of my favorite songs: Sweet Thing.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - McFadden and Whitehead

June is Black Music Month
Day 15
McFadden and Whitehead

I am sure you heard the song but most don't know that they were songwriters for Philadelphia International Label. They wrote hits you know today such as and Backstabbers by The O'Jays and Wake Up Everybody by Harold Melvin & The Blue notes just to name a few.
This song is still a classic after all these years.
We lost both of them recently R.I.P. Their music will live forever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuHxZWeQOC4

Black Music Month Artist of the Day- Teena Marie

June is Black Music Month
Day 14
Teena Marie

One of the best female singers in the business. One of my all time favorites. Not only can she sing, but she also writes, produces and plays most instruments on her recordings.Teena started in the music business when she was 16 years old, hired as a songwriter for Motown. Rick James wanted to produce and write for her. The rest is history. Listen to this track and you will see why she is on the list and a long time favorite.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - Ready For The World

June is Black Music Month
Day 13

Ready For The World

One of my favorite groups from the 80s. Ready for the world are six men from Flint, Michigan who wrote & performed all their songs. They are best known for their number one song" Oh Sheila", but this band also knew how to produce a great ballad. Here is a look at their ballad Love You Down. RFTW are touring this year so get ready for them to do it all again.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day- Prince

June is Black Music Month
Day 12

Prince
need I say more...... A musical genius

Black Music Month Artist of the Day- Anita Baker

June is Black Music Month
Day 11

Anita Baker
talent at it's finest with a voice that gives you chills. Enjoy this clip of one of her best songs live...

Black Music Month Artist of the Day- GUY

June is Black Music Month
Day 10

Guy
One of the best R&B groups from the New Jack Swing days. Guy started in the late 80s and recently reunited. The Hall Brothers(Damian and Aaron) make up this group with musician , songwriter and producer Teddy Riley.
Check out this live clip of songs from a concert they performed last year and see why this group makes the list.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day- Rick James

June is Black Music Month
Day 9

Rick James

Rick started as a writer and musician for Motown and ended up with a big legacy of his own. Never a dull moment with Rick. Enjoy this clip of one of his first hit singles.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day- Minnie Riperton

A beautiful soul who we lost way too soon. A vocal range that not many perfomers can begin to touch.
The Maya she references at the end is this song is for her daughter Maya.Today she is Maya Rudolf the actress and comedian best known for being former cast member on the tv show Saturday Night Live. Maya will next be seen in the upcoming Sam Mendes movie.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day - Earth Wind And Fire

Black Music Month
Day 7

Earth Wind and Fire

One of the top 10 greatest songs of all time in my opinion. Enjoy this live clip. One of the best band on record and live.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day- Brothers Johnson

Brothers Johnson...a classic duo who started off as session musicians.

Enjoy this clip of one of the best songs ever written.

Black Music Month Artist of the Day- Stevie Wonder

Black Music Month
Day 5

Stevie Wonder is a musical genius. He is amazing on record and live. He has been in the music business since the age of 14. Enjoy this live clip on Stevie signing "Sir Duke".

Black Music Month Artist of the Day- Debarge

June is Black Music Month
Day 4
Debarge

One of the best groups to come out of Motown in the 80s. A talent family of singers. Just listen to El's falsetto plus they also wrote their hits themselves.

Ashley Tisdale To Release New Album, GUILTY PLEASURE, In July

Photo: WBR

Singer and actress Ashley Tisdale will release a new album, entitled Guilty Pleasure, on Warner Bros. Records on July 28th, 2009.

The album's first single, "It's Alright, It's OK", has been put into rotation on MTV and has been featured on such hit shows as So You Think You Can Dance and The Hills. Tisdale will perform on Walmart's Soundcheck and AOL Sessions this summer.

Tisdale recently won the 2009 MTV Movie Award in the "Breakthrough Performance, Female" category for her role in High School Musical 3: Senior Year.

Tisdale will perform her new single on Good Morning America on June 16th, on The Today Show on July 28th, The View on July 29th, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on July 30th.

For more information on Ashley, visit: ashleytisdale.com

KANYE WEST TO PERFORM AT BENEFIT FOR KWF

The Kanye West Foundation (KWF), through the collaboration of community and corporate partnerships, presents the second “Stay in School” benefit concert, at the historic Chicago Theatre on Thurs., June 11th. Founded in 2007 by the late Dr. Donda West, KWF was established to help combat America’s severe dropout problem. This is the first major event for KWF since the 2007 passing of its founder and Kanye’s mother. The concert will be taped by Fuse to air later this summer. Benefit concert tickets are on sale now. Tickets for the VIP reception can be purchased for $500 at www.ticketmaster.com.
For info, visit www.kanyewestfoundation.org

Black Music Month- Day 3 - The Commodores

Black Music Month

Day 3
A look at The Commodores..

One of the best R&B groups of all time

The song Zoom is 30 years old. You do not get real songs like this any more. This is the live version from The Commodores Live LP. Lionel, Walter, Ronald, William, Thomas and Milan the original band.

Black Music Month Artist Of The Day- Sam Cooke

Day two takes a look at Sam Cooke.

One of the greatest singers who has ever lived. Listen to this tribute and you will see why.

29 top 40 hit records within a 7-year tenure. Not many new artist can do this. Voted by "Rolling Stone" at the 4th spot for "Greatest Singer Of All Time". As stated on the conclusion segment of "Sam Cooke: Portrait Of A Legend"... "Sam Cooke's yours, he'll never grow old".

Mitchel Musso Announces CD Debut With Three Events

Mitchel Musso, from the Disney Channel hit series “Hannah Montana” and “Phineas and Ferb,” will release his Walt Disney Records self-titled solo album on June 2. Named MTV’s “Male Pop Rookie of 2009,” Mitchel proves himself every bit the showman behind the microphone that he is in front of the camera. The single “Hey” is in rotation on Radio Disney and the music video can be seen on Disney Channel.

THE GROVE June 5th

WHAT: Mitchel Musso live performance.
WHEN: Friday, June 5th, 2009 @ 7:15 PM
WHERE: The Grove, Los Angeles
189 The Grove Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90036

WAL-MART June 6th and 7th

WHAT: Mitchel Musso CD signings.
WHEN & WHERE: Saturday, June 6th 2009 @ 12PM
Wal Mart #3477
7250 Carson Blvd, Long Beach

Sunday, June 7th 2009 @ 12PM
Wal Mart #3524
605 Fletcher Parkway, El Cajon

Disney Records

Switchfoot Set To Tour This Summer

On June 27, 2009 Switchfoot will present the Fifth Annual Bro-Am, a surf contest and concert, in Encinitas, CA. The event will benefit StandUp For Kids, a national nonprofit volunteer outreach organization that began in San Diego and is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of at-risk, homeless, and street kids. Committed to dealing with vital issues on both local and global levels, Switchfoot has partnered with Habitat for Humanity, the ONE Campaign, To Write Love on Her Arms and numerous other charities. Switchfoot is Jon Foreman (guitar, vocals), Tim Foreman (bass), Chad Butler (drums), Jerome Fontamillas (keys, guitar) and Drew Shirley (guitar).

The band will tour this summer with Blue October supporting:

Upcoming Summer Tour Dates:

7/26 – Stir Cove @ Harrah’s Casino – Council Bluffs, IW
7/27 – Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, CO
7/28 – The Great Salt Air – Magna UT
7/30 – Moore Theatre – Seattle, WA
7/31 – Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR

8/1 – San Jose Civic Auditorium – San Jose, CA

8/5 – The Wiltern Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
8/6 – House of Blues – Las Vegas, NV

8/8 – Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ

8/9 – Abraham Chavez Theatre - El Paso, TX

8/13 – L’Auberge Du Lac Casino - Lake Charles, LA

8/14 – Verizon Wireless Theatre - Houston, TX

8/15 – House of Blues - Dallas, TX

8/16 – House of Blues - Dallas, TX

8/20 – 4th Street Live - Louisville, KY

8/21 – The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA

8/22 – House of Blues - North Myrtle Beach, SC
8/23 – Rams Head Live! - Baltimore, MD
8/27 – House of Blues- Atlantic City, NJ

8/28 – Terminal 5 - New York, NY
8/29 – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom – Hampton Beach

For ticket information visit the band's official site at: www.switchfootconcertticket.com

Black Music Month Artist Of The Day- Marvin Gaye

June is Black Music Month there fore each day we will spotlight one of our favorite black music artists.

Catching Up With Chaka Khan

Belinda Thomas, one of the reps from Spotlight on Music recently attended the I Create Music ASCAP Expo in Hollywood, California. The ASCAP EXPO is the place to connect you face to face with the world's leading songwriters, composers and industry expert, who are all part of ASCAP's network of committed music creators, and here to help you guide you to greater success.The festival is for three days each year in Hollywood, California.


The legendary Chaka Khan spoke on a panel titled Generations. She was interviewed by LeToya Luckett. Luckett is an R&B singer- songwriter, actress and entrepreneur who is best known as a founding member of the group Destiny's Child.

Here is a recap from the panel.

Chaka Khan was introduced and recognized for first for winning ten Grammys, with the last two being for her 2006 CD "Funk This".

LL: How do your balance your family and your music?

CK: Her family is just like every other family. They have happy times and drama . Her priorities were her children and now her grandchildren are the prize. She also stated that her own parents have always been really supported of her, so she is very supported of her children.

LL: What inspires you to write songs?

CK: Chaka stated that life aspires her. She has to be inspired to write. She doesn't write songs in minutes like a lot of songwriters. She usually writes one song every three months.
She also stated that she did not write "Sweet Thing" for anyone in particular that she just said she did at the time it came out.
She also stated that she has an I Phone to use for text messaging stuff that inspires her when she does to write. She says that lyrics are the most important because it is the communication.

LL: What artist inspires you past or present?

CK: Marvin Gaye who she almost did a duet with.
Miles Davis who she said that she was the first person to ever sing with him.
Led Zepplin, Kid Rock, Billie Holiday, Miriam Macaba, Letoya Luckett (etc).

LL: Is there any one who you would like to work with?

CK: Stevie Wonder, even though he did write "Tell Me Something Good for Rufus, that they had never sung together.She also mentioned an Indian artist who she called the Michael Jackson on India. Chaka then ask the audience to suggest any one that they would like to see her work with. She told the audience to send her suggestions through her web site.

LL: What do you think of music today?

CK: Chaka stated that she doesn't listen to the radio at all. The lyrics for a lot of the songs need not be for kids and it should be censor. Censorship needs to be in music especially where kid are involved. She also said that she is sober and how she no longer has shows drunk or fighting or anything of negative drama and she has done in the past. However, she did say that she felt that finally music today is coming back.

LL: How does she prepare on a show day?

CK:Chaka stated that she relaxes in the morning and the afternoon. Has her assistant Tony handle things .She does her warm ups, screams and prays. She said that she has a fear of being accepted. She said on stage there is a fear of being accepted during the first three songs before she can relax once getting the audiences reaction. Chaka then asked Letoya what she does on show days.
Letoya stated that she also warms up her vocals, listen to vowels, praying and also zoning out.

LL:What advice do you have for new artists?

CK: Being in the music business means:
not fun and games
it is a lot of hard work
you forfeit your life
you satisfy your life for a microphone
you do not know if someone loves you or if they love Chaka Khan
you give up a lot
you need to think a lot
take courses in law basically to know how to read your contracts
read the fine print

She also said that she liked how with new artists today now has their music belongs to them and not the record company so their is no more record company prostitution in her own words.
She also feel that big labels are on their way out and that artists are taking their music straight to the people now. However she does think that artists should get paid for their music whether it be $4.99 to $12.99. A lot of it is being lost because of downloading.

LL: How do you feel about record companies no longer having artist development departments:

CK: She likes it because it is different. Now a days you have to already be a "package deal for the labels. This is a better way to do it to her because it is your own. Before they would plan your image, songs and even how you sing. She would be in the studio and they would tell her.."can you sing it more like so and so"? Her attitude would be "then why don't you get so it so to sing it then" with a laugh.

She also mentioned how Kwane West asked her to sample his song and how much it meant to him. She said OK but when the final version came out she did not liked it at all. If she did it again , she would like to hear the song first before it is out there. The song is "Through the Fire " which Kwane West sampled on his song, "Through The Wire".

LL: How does she handle writer's block.

CK:Chaka said that she just stops because you can't force it and that the best songs are written in two minutes.


LL: How do you feel about women in the industry and how it has changed?

CK:Chaka states that gender should not have anything to do with it. Looks play into a package , but you have to stand on your rock. All artists are all asked to changed into a package to sell but you have been strong.

LL: How do you stay focus?

CK: Chaka stated that she does not read the gossip columns, she doesn't read reviews since most reviews are frustrated artists. She is here to be a singer not to be judged.

LL: What do you think about being called a "diva"?

CK: Chaka said that it used to bother her, but now she doesn't care. She rather spend the energy on something more important.

LL:What is your next release and when is it coming out?

CK: Chaka says that she does not have a current CD out at the moment. However, she does have a foundation for artistic children. She is planning a gala and have artistic children run every thing. She wants to record a record with them and have them play on the record, engineering it and orchestrated it.

She also mentioned that singles singles are different are harder to get in the store now a day one you release them.

LL:How do you do your hair?
CK: Chaka says that she does her own styling which is good and at times has been bad for her. She likes to be comfortable. She hates to dress up.

LL: How do you relax?
CK: Chaka says that she likes to get a massage, do pilates (three times a week), cooking, playing with her grand kids, washing clothes.

At this time the forum was open to take questions from members of the audience: Here are the questions and answers from Chaka Khan...

Audience question # 1 How did you like working with Arif Martin?

CK: Chaka stated that Arif was the 80s-90s # 1 producer. There is no one like him and that the closest thing to him is Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. She discussed the song" Afraid of you" by Rufus. The audience member mentioned that he was working with David Gamson of Scritti Politti. Chaka asked where David was and if any one has the first Scritti Politti record because she needs a copy and can not find one any where.

Question # 2 What is the difference in radio now?

CK: Chaka likes that musicians are being used now for songs instead of samples. She also likes that hip hop artists are now having live bands.


Question # 3 What is your advice to an Indian singer?

CK: Chaka says with Slumdog Millionaire so hot she should have and be able to find some leads. She told her to wait for her after wards and she will give her some leads.

Question # 4 What kind of music do you like to listen to?

CK: Chaka said that lately she has been listening to a lot of country because their songs tells a story. She also likes to listen to jazz as well.She also stated that some of the early early Rufus songs were country style.

Question # 4 Do you like or sing gospel music?

CK: Chaka stated that she is not a gospel singer at all and can not sing it. She was not familiar with it growing up like a lot of people. She does like Fred Hammond.

As the Q&A was running low on time, Chaka had many request from people who wanted to sing for her, work with her and more so she told any one who wanted to , to go off to the side after the panel and she would meet with people individually.

Over all this was such a good panel. You really got to learn a lot about Chaka .It was good to see someone of her status, not being just professional but very down to earth and personal as well.

ANVIL LIVE PERFORMANCE AT NUART THEATER

Anvil will perform live at the Nuart Theatre, 11272 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles on Wednesday May 13 in Los Angeles AT 10:30 PM. The band is the subject of a popular rock documentary featured at The Sundance and Los Angeles Film Festivals.


ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL, Sacha Gervasi's exhilarating rock n’ roll documentary following metal band Anvil, continues its local engagement highlighted by a very special event!

See the film, immediately followed by a LIVE ANVIL PERFORMANCE with band members Steve "Lips" Kudlow, Robb Reiner and G5.
Buy advance tickets!

Please note this one-time event is at the Nuart, while the ongoing regular engagement of ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL continues with daily shows at The Landmark, 10850 West Pico at Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles.

Official Film Website: Anvil! The Story Of ANVIL
To Purchase Tickets: TICKETS

Green Day Annouces Tour

Reprise Records' Green Day, which is singer-guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool have announced tour routing and on-sale dates for tickets to their first proper tour of the United States and Canada in more than three years. The tour begins July 3rd in Seattle's Key Arena and will cross North America through the summer, including a July 27th stop at New York City's Madison Square Garden, before finishing up with a show at the Forum in Los Angeles on August 25th. Ticket prices for the shows range in price from $25 to $49.50.

For a full list of dates, visit: www.greenday.com

Lukas Rossi To Perform at Legendary Viper Room in LA

For more on Lukas: LUKAS
For tickets: VIPER ROOM

Coldplay Giving Away Live Album To Concert Goers

Billboard Magazine is reporting that musical sensation, Coldplay will give away a live CD, "LeftRightLeftRightLeft," to all fans attending its "Viva La Vida" summer tour.

The giveaway will begin on May 15 at the opening date of the North American tour at the Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Florida, and it continues at every remaining live show in 2009, except festival appearances.

FULL ARTICLE

source:billboard

2009 Summer Tour Schedule

source:variety

LeAnn Rimes to Sing National Anthem at Kentucky Derby 135

Churchill Downs today announced that multiple-award winner and country music superstar LeAnn Rimes will help the historic racetrack launch a modern-day Kentucky Derby tradition when she performs the national anthem live as part of the ceremonies leading up to the 135th running of the Grade I Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 2, 2009. Rimes’ performance will be the first live vocal performance of the “Star Spangled Banner” by a national recording artist on Derby Day and will be televised by NBC Sports as part of its pre-race coverage, which begins at 4 p.m. EDT.

“Churchill Downs is honored to have such an accomplished, respected and gifted singer as LeAnn Rimes perform the national anthem before the tens of thousands of Derby fans watching in person from the racetrack on the first Saturday in May, as well as the millions of television viewers who will share in the experience from Derby parties around the country while watching NBC’s coverage on May 2,” said Kevin Flanery, senior vice president of Churchill Downs Incorporated. “We know how special Derby Day and its many traditions are to fans around the world, and we are careful to only add new elements to the Derby collage when we are confident they will make for a more entertaining and memorable event. We believe LeAnn Rimes is the perfect performer to help us begin a 21st century Derby tradition – one that has been a long-standing and well-accepted part of other major sporting events.”

Rimes’ singing of the national anthem will take place shortly after 5 p.m. EDT and will be one of two performances of the “Star Spangled Banner” at Churchill Downs on May 2. The Fort Knox Army Band, which has performed an instrumental version of the national anthem near the start of the race card for many years, will continue to do so with this year’s instrumental performance slated for shortly after noon EDT.

The Flaming Lips to Headline Earth Day on the National Mall This Sunday, April 19, 2009

Multi-Grammy Award winners, THE FLAMING LIPS along with their friends moe, Los Lobos and others, will perform during Earth Day On The National Mall by Earth Day Network in partnership with Green Apple Festival Day in Washington DC this Sunday, April 19.

The free event on the National Mall will be emceed by actor Chevy Chase and will also feature performances by DJ Spooky, the Howard University Drummers and the Joy of Motion Dance Center's teen hip hop company, Urban Impact. Additionally, Kathleen Rogers, President of Earth Day Network, actor Matthew Modine, Philippe Pierre Jacques-Yves Arnault Cousteau Jr., Rep. Edward Markey, U.S. House of Representatives among others will speak throughout the day. The theme of the day is the Green Generation - a campaign including renewable energy, green jobs and a new green economy. More on Earth Day is available at www.earthday.net.

Earth Day on the National Mall is the flagship event in a coordinated country-wide undertaking over Earth Day Weekend 2009 of Environmental Volunteer Actions and music in DC, New York City, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Austin, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle to allow civic and environmentally-minded Americans to give back to their communities while restoring and renewing the Earth. Volunteer events are listed at www.greenapplefestival.com - from there link to www.PlanetGreen.com to sign up.

"Elvis In Concert" To Tour In Europe

“Elvis Presley in Concert,” the production that reunites Elvis’ former bandmates live on stage with a video-projected Elvis, will tour Europe in February and March of 2010, it was announced today. After multiple, sold-out concert tours and a hiatus of nearly two years, worldwide public demand is at an all-time high for this Elvis concert experience.

This latest tour will include engagements in England, Ireland, Scotland, Holland and other European countries to be announced soon. Ticket sales for the engagements in England will begin April 21 at 3 p.m. GMT for Elvis Insiders, members of the official online fan community at Elvis.com/Insiders, and on April 24 at 3 p.m. GMT for the general public.
source: business wire

Aeorosmith 2009 Tour VIP Presale On Now

* VIP experience presales for the AEROSMITH 2009 Tour presented by Guitar Hero®: Aerosmith® with special guest ZZ Top are available now via www.AeroForceOne.com
* Experience package options include: meet & greets with Steven TylerJoe Perry, photo opps on-stage, pre-concert parties with special appearances by Joey Kramer, and Guitar Hero®: Aerosmith® jam sessions
* The 43-date North American tour starts June 10 at the Verizon Amphitheatre in St. Louis and hits most major cities prior to its scheduled conclusion September 18 in Philadelphia.
* VIP packages are offered thru the official Aerosmith fan club managed by PAID, Inc. (OTCBB: PAYD)

Aero Force One brings you the only thing better than Aerosmith’s 2009 Tour…meeting band members, back stage tours, exclusive preshow parties AND primo seats on the tour! An Aerosmith fan’s dream come true! Your chance for presale orders of the Wheels Up experience package including a meet & greet with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry as well as other incredible VIP fan experience packages for the first events on the mega 43-date AEROSMITH 2009 Tour starts now through Aerosmith’s official fan club, Aero Force One (www.AeroForceOne.com). Check back frequently for onsale information listing VIP experiences for additional concert dates.

Joey Kramer, Aerosmith drummer, said, “Our VIP fan experiences on the 2009 Tour offer incredible opportunities for fans to experience Aerosmith up close and personal. Being part of Aerosmith for many years has been an incredible ride from the wildest parties you can imagine and playing in front of millions of people around the world, to the hard, soul-searching work of climbing back from the edge of darkness that ultimately led to us earning the music industry’s most prestigious honors. It continues to be an amazing ride, which after all is said and done, wouldn’t be possible without the best fans in the world. I’m excited to be meeting fans at the back stage parties to share some of the intense behind-the-scenes and personal stories from life and the road that will blow them away.”

Available exclusively through Aero Force One, packages include perks such as appearances by Aerosmith members --STEVEN TYLER (vocals), JOE PERRY (guitar), and JOEY KRAMER (drums) -- at meet & greets and pre-concert parties. Packages may also include Guitar Hero®: Aerosmith® jam sessions, concert photo books, back stage tours to chat with Aerosmith’s crew and instrument techs, autographed merchandise, bags of swag, giveaways and more! Fans who purchase tickets elsewhere may add the pre-concert party.

“It’s always an amazing experience to meet your favorite artists -- and all the more incredible to see them in concert after you’ve met them,” said Greg Rotman, CEO of PAID, Inc. celebrity services, which manages Aero Force One. “We’re especially thrilled to join with Aerosmith in offering the broadest selection of fan experience packages in Aero Force One’s history including multiple options for fans seeking the experience of a lifetime at an Aerosmith concert. No matter which packages fans choose, they can be assured they’ll receive the VIP treatment from start to finish with ’fan-focused value’ only offered through Aero Force One.”

For fast access to VIP sales, visit www.AeroForceOne.com in advance to join AF1 or make sure your membership is current. Fans without Internet access, can call +1 508-791-3853 in the USA, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. EDT.
source:business wire

The Jonas Brothers surprised screaming fans last night at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California, when they showed up in person at a midnight screening of their new film, “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience.” It was their first stop on their SURPRISE THEATER INVASION tour in which they will personally visit movie theaters in cities across the nation during the opening weekend of their new film.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this,” Kevin Jonas said. “It’s going to be a whirlwind trip, and I can’t think of a better way to launch our new film.”

Joe Jonas said: “I hope the fans we surprise at the movie theaters we visit have as much fun as I know we are going to have.”

“We love giving back to the fans, because they give so much to us, and I think this is a great way to show how much we appreciate them,” said Nick Jonas.

The boys have teamed up with NetJets Inc. and Marquis Jet for this nationwide event, enabling them to reach their fans in all these cities in just a few days.

Fans can stay connected with Kevin, Joe and Nick at each stop of their Surprise Theater Invasion this weekend with exclusive videos available only on V CAST Video from Verizon Wireless. Fans with V CAST-enabled phones will be able to see the boys as they travel the country, greet their fans and launch “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience”! For more information go to: JONAS BROS CONCERTS

source: business wire

Bono & The Edge Swings Spider Man To Broadway

The first official announcement of the “Spider-Man” musical has confirmed the show’s February 2010 opening at Broadway’s Hilton Theater -- although at this point, one of the only bits of news revealed about the much-discussed project is the fact that the tuner has a subtitle.

SOURCE:VARIETY

Kid Rock Beer?!

Kid Rock joins the long list of musicians who are venturing into the beverage making business. Following such others as 50 Cent, Willie Nelson, Diddy, Dr. Dre and Sammy Hager; Kid Rock (aka Robert Richie) has teamed up with Drinks Americas have established "The American Bad Ass Beer Company". Final crafted products will be presented to Kid Rock for tasting and selection in the coming week. Drinks Americas plans to introduce the product in the spring.

For further information concerning Drinks Americas and the products that they represent, please visit their website at drinkamericas.com

ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO 2009

ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO



April 23-25, 2009 Los Angeles, CA



For more information: Click HERE

U2, Kid Rock, Rhianna To Appear at Grammys

U2, Kid Rock, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, and Rihanna are the latest performers announced for the 51st Annual GRAMMY® Awards. They join previously announced performers Kenny Chesney, Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson, Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, Paul McCartney (with special guest drummer Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters), Katy Perry, Radiohead, T.I. and Justin Timberlake, Carrie Underwood, and Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, T.I. and Kanye West in a special performance of their hit single "Swagga Like Us." Actor Simon Baker (CBS' "The Mentalist"), actor/musician Jack Black, current three-time GRAMMY nominee Duffy, current nominee Josh Groban, three-time GRAMMY-winning jazz musician and current nominee Charlie Haden, actor Samuel L. Jackson and Academy Award®-winning actress and current GRAMMY nominee Gwyneth Paltrow will appear as presenters. The music industry's premier event will take place live on Sunday, Feb. 8, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 Surround Sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio via Westwood One worldwide, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, on Twitter at "theGRAMMYs," on Facebook at "The Recording Academy," on YouTube at "51stGRAMMYs," and on Last.fm at "the51stgrammys." Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon.

souce: business wire

Coldplay and The Killers Team Up For Charity

Coldplay's Chris Martin

Coldplay and the Killers will play a joint gig February 18 in London for an elite group of 2,000 fans. Becoming one of them requires entering a lottery; winners will be allowed to buy a ticket for £50 (about $71).

All proceeds go to international charity network War Child, which aids children in war-torn countries. And it's a promotion for the February 16 release of the album "War Child: Heroes," a collection of 15 covers that include Beck doing Bob Dylan's "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat," TV On The Radio doing David Bowie's "Heroes" and Franz Ferdinand's cover of the Blondie hit "Call Me."

The lottery registration, in London, opens at 9 am January 30 GMT (that's 1 am PST) and runs through February 3, with winners notified by February 6. The performances follow the 2009 BRIT Awards, with each band playing 45-minute sets at London venue Shepherd's Bush Empire.

To sign up for a War Child newsletter that will alert you with all the information about the show and the tickets, click here: Newsletter or this upcoming link for registration and ticket info: Registration
source:Variety

Fleetwood Mac To Tour After Five Years

It's been five years since their last tour, but Stevie Nicks says chemistry is still strong among the members of Fleetwood Mac. Nicks says they're gelling as they prepare for their "Unleashed" tour.

She says the magic is still there, and they're all excited to get back out on the road.

The group — which these days consists of Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham and John McVie — announced last month they were going on tour for the first time since 2003. Now they've announced new dates that include Philadelphia, Atlanta, Dallas and Los Angeles.

The tour kicks off March 1 in Pittsburgh
source:AP
Fleetwood Mac

Greatful Dead Plan 19-City Tour

The remaining members of the legendary rock band Greatful Dead are planning a 19 city tour this year beginning in April in Greensboro, N.C.

The group, which now just calls itself The Dead, announced its plans Thursday.

Original band members Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann have toured sporadically since the 1995 death of guitarist Jerry Garcia, but struggled to get along personally and artistically. They told Rolling Stone in November that they've worked out their differences, aided by a successful October benefit concert in Pennsylvania for then-presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Pearl Jam Announces Re-Issue of TEN

PEARL JAM ANNOUNCES THE REISSUE OF BAND’S DEBUT ALBUM, TEN
Ten, the debut album that sold 12 million copies and introduced the world to Pearl Jam in 1991, will be reissued in four (4) new and expanded editions. Pre-orders of the Super Deluxe Edition are available, through the Ten Club at PearlJam.com. All four editions will be available for purchase on March 24, 2009. The reissue of Ten serves as the launch of a planned two-year catalogue re-release campaign leading up to the band’s 20th anniversary in 2011.

For more Info:PEARL JAM

Billboard's Top 25 Songs of 2008

After scoring the first million-plus sales debut in three years, Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III easily cruised to the top of the 2008 album chart, selling nearly 2.9 million copies, per Nielsen SoundScan.

With a mean grille, wobbly lyrics and smash hits like "Lollipop" and "A Milli," the mixtape king certainly helped the music biz from tanking even worse, but Tha Carter III is still the first year-end best-seller in the SoundScan era to move fewer than 3 million copies. SoundScan began tracking albums in '91.

"Lollipop," the rapper's first-ever Hot 100 chart-topper, also ruled the most cell phones last year with nearly 2.4 million ringtones sold.
Taylor Swift, Coldplay, TI and Beyonce also topped the list.
A clever DJ found a way to showcase all of the songs in a clever five minute video:




For the full story click here:
Billboard 2008

source:Billboard.com,Eonline;photo:Lil Wayne MySpace Page