Katy Perry added to Grammy line-up

Current GRAMMY nominee Katy Perry has been added to the stellar lineup for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Country artist Dierks Bentley, rapper/actor and current four-time GRAMMY nominee Drake, GRAMMY winner Miranda Lambert, and Emmy and Academy Award winner Gwyneth Paltrow will appear as presenters. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon.

Bob Dylan tribute album Chimes of Freedom reveals insane tracklist

Last month we told you of an upcoming Bob Dylan tribute album being put together in celebration of Amnesty International’s 50th anniversary. At the time, My Morning Jacket, Adele, David Matthews Band, and Ke$ha were among the confirmed participants. Now, the set’s entire tracklist has been revealed, and Ke$ha’s cover of ”Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” is just the beginning of the insanity.

Spanning four discs and 72 tracks (!!!), Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International packages together new or previously unreleased Dylan covers from artist of all different genres and generations. Obvious highlights include covers of “You’re A Big Girl Now” by MMJ, “Outlaw Blues” by Queens of the Stone Age, ”Not Dark Yet” by Silversun Pickups, “Drifter’s Escape” by Patti Smith, and “Lay Down Your Weary Tune” by Billy Bragg.

Other notable contributors include The Who’s Pete Townshend (“Corrina, Corrina”), Sting (“Girl from the North Country”), Bryan Ferry (“Bob Dylan’s Dream”), The Gaslight Anthem (“Changing of the Guards”), Elvis Costello (“License to Kill”), Mark Knopfler (“Restless Farewell”), Sinéad O’Connor (“Property of Jesus”), Joan Baez (“Seven Curses (Live)”), Fistful Of Mercy (“Buckets Of Rain”), Bad Religion (“It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue”), Cage the Elephant (“The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll”), and Pete Seeger (“Forever Young”). Dylan himself contributes the album’s namesake.

And just because, Ms. “On Melancholy Hill” (aka Miley Cyrus) takes on “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go” and Maroon 5 tackles “ I Shall Be Released”. Also, Seal and Jeff Beck randomly team up for a reworking of “Like A Rolling Stone” and actress Evan Rachel Wood contributes her cover of “I’d Have You Anytime”.

The collection is scheduled for physical and digital release in North America on January 24th, 2012 via Fontana Distribution. It will then be distributed internationally through Fontana International on January 30th. All profits will go to benefit Amnesty International.

Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International Tracklist:

Glee's Charice release album cover and tracklist

"Glee 3D" Trailer

GLEE's Chord Overstreet to Begin Work on Solo Album

The cast of GLEE is currently on their sophomore summer tour, which has taken them to multiple continents and a myriad of cities. After the tour is over, at least one GLEE Cast member has plans to go solo with an album release.

GLEE's Chord Overstreet tweeted: "getting close to the end of the tour, cant wait to start working on my album when i get home!!! im gonna go full on!"

Overstreet joins the company of GLEE Cast members Matthew Morrison, Naya Rivera, and Mark Salling, all of whom have released (in the case of Morrison, whose album dropped this May) or are working on their own solo albums.

GLEE is the highest-rated scripted series of the season and boasts critical acclaim, a loyal fan base of "GLEEks," two certified Gold albums, more than 20 million song downloads and an incredible 19 Emmy nominations - earning it the distinction of being the most-nominated series of last year. To top it off, the genre-defying, award-winning series has been picked up through its third season. GLEE airs on FOX Tuesdays.

The GLEE Tour begins the final stop of its European leg when they play in Dublin tomorrow.

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'Glee' star Naya Rivera talks to EW about her upcoming solo album

Glee standout Naya Rivera, who plays the feisty and sexually confused Santana on Fox’s musical hit, signed a record deal in early June, and it seems that the busy-busy star is wasting no time before taking a crack at working on it.

As soon as she gets done with the Glee tour, her focus will be solely on her solo album for the month of July. “I won’t have anything I’m working on until after the tour is over,” Rivera told EW when we caught up with her, “so July 4th, when I get back home in L.A., is when I’ll hunker down and spend that whole month hammering out the details and the creative process of that. I’m really excited about that.”

Lady Gaga poised to sail past 1 million on Billboard 200 next week

She worked hard for every single copy sold, but it looks like Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” will join the rarified club of artists whose album sells more than 1 million copies in its opening week.

Original predictions were that “Born This Way” would move around 800,000 copies, but that was before Amazon sold it for 99 cents for two days. The promotion, as troubled as it was by some downloading problems, will help send the album over the 1.15 million mark, predicts Billboard. The last artist to surpass the mark was Taylor Swift with "Speak Now" last fall.

Brad Paisley’s “This Is Country Music” comes in at second place on the Billboard 200 with sales of around 155,000, meaning Adele’s “21” slips to third place, but still tops the 100,000 mark.

In addition to Lady Gaga and Paisley’s sets, five other titles bow in the top 10: “Glee Cast: Vol. 6” flies in at No. 4 with sales of around 80,000; Maybach Music Group Presents: Self Made, Vol. 1,” a collection of artists on Mayback, debuts at No. 6. The co-joined New Kids on the Block and Back Street Boys combo comes in at No. 7, as NKOTBSB's self-titled setis poised to sell around 40,000.

Journey and Walmart prove the strength of both brands as “Eclipse” starts at No. 8, despite being available only at the mass marketer. Up-and-coming Los Angeles band Foster the People benefits from a long, well-developed set-up by Columbia Records as “Torches” begins its chart life at No. 9 with sales of 30,000. Mumford & Sons’ “Sigh No More” hangs in there at No. 10, moving around 30,000 copies.

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Record Deal For Gwyneth Is Off

Don't quit your day job Gwynnie!

Paltrow's talks for a record deal with Atlantic Records has recently gone kaput, according to reports. Did the execs accidentally see Country Strong?

The Oscar winner was close to a deal in March with Atlantic Records, after her Glee cover of Cee Lo Green's F*** You! was a huge hit on iTunes.

A source revealed to Page Six: "Atlantic bosses were very interested, and [Atlantic owner] Warner chief Lyor Cohen was very supportive. But then the talks halted and the deal fizzled out. There was a rumor that Paltrow wanted $1 million to sign, but that is a ridiculous figure. Atlantic is still interested in signing her."

Paltrow's rep said in a statement: "Atlantic was not the only company pursuing her, and she still has not decided if she wants to record an album. It is still something she is considering."

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JC Chasez: I feel like my singing days are behind me

J.C. Chasez has worn a lot of hats throughout his 15 year career -- pop superstar, actor, reality show judge, producer ... and that doesn't even begin to cover the terrible toppers J.C. literally donned during his N'Sync days. Now he's slipping the songwriter hat back on to help out with Matthew Morrison's debut CD.

Turns out the gig wasn't that hard to come by since J.C. and Matthew are good friends -- but what started out as casually advice evolved into J.C. taking on a much more official role as he co-wrote two of the disc's ten tracks.

In addition to that, J.C. also has the season finale of "America's Best Dance Crew" approaching -- an episode that promises to be the most competitive yet. Or at least that's the impression I got while chatting with the multi-hyphenate ... who plans to remove one of those professional hats from his career closet for good.

New Music: Charice - "Louder"

Glee's Matthew Morrison to Join Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block Summer Tour

Glee star Matthew Morrison was set to headline his own summer tour in support of his first self-titled album, but looks like the actor will get back to his boy band roots (he was a member of LMNT) and join the Backstreet Boys/ New Kids on the Block tour instead. Morrison revealed the big news on Good Morning America on May 17. Take a look below as Morrison announces his touring plans on GMA and chats about his new album. For those interested in how Morrison will fare with the all-grown-up boy bands, take a look at an old LMNT performance.

New Music: Matthew Morrison and Gwyneth Paltrow - "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Glee to cover Rebecca Black's "Friday"

'Glee' Star Matthew Morrison Announces Summer Tour

Matthew Morrison, who plays the glee club teacher Mr. Schuester on Fox’s Glee, announced a nationwide summer concert tour Friday.

He’ll perform songs from his upcoming solo album, including the recently debuted single “Summer Rain,” as well as favorites from the show.

Or maybe the five-week, 22-city tour is just an elaborate cover-up to find a replacement for his New Directions singers.

Regional glee clubs can compete to open for Morrison when he comes to their town, an opportunity co-sponsored by the VH1 Save the Music Foundation. Clubs can submit their entries here.

Then again, this could be a chance for Morrison to expand his career options yet again. He teamed with the comedy website Funny or Die to create a series of original videos; some will premiere on the site, and some will be worked into his concerts.

Morrison will hit the Beacon Theatre in New York on July 1 and wrap the tour July 23 at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on July 23. The full tour schedule follows:

June 18 Minneapolis Orpheum Theatre
June 19 St. Louis, Mo. Fabulous Fox Theatre
June 21 Rosemont, Ill. Rosemont Theatre
June 22 Columbus, Ohio Palace Theatre
June 23 Detroit Detroit Opera House
June 27 Philadelphia Mann Center for the Performing Arts
June 28 Newark, N.J. New Jersey Performing Arts Center
June 29 Boston Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre
July 1 New York Beacon Theatre
July 2 Atlantic City, N.J. Caesar's - Circus Maximus
July 6 Washington D.C. DAR Constitution Hall
July 7 Greensboro, N.C. War Memorial Auditorium
July 8 Duluth, Ga. The Arena at Gwinnett Center
July 10 Tampa, Fla. David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts
July 11 Orlando Bob Carr Performing Arts Center
July 13 Boca Raton, Fla. Mizner Park Amphitheatre
July 14 Jacksonville, Fla. Moran Theater
July 16 Grand Prairie, Texas Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
July 17 Austin Bass Concert Hall
July 19 Phoenix Comerica Theatre
July 20 San Diego Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay
July 23 Los Angeles Nokia Theatre L.A. Live

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Sources Say Britney Spears Has Scheduled Bay Area Coheadlining Concert

Britney Spears has been causing near heart attacks for weeks as fans in the Bay Area tried to figure out exact details about her Good Morning America performance in the Castro. Between yesterday’s sudden venue change and this morning’s ticket frenzy, the highly anticipated show has proved frustrating for many fans. If you weren’t able to get your hands on tickets for this Sunday’s GMA show, we’ve got some good news. Sources are telling us that Spears has scheduled another performance in the Bay Area!


Sources say that Britney has already scheduled another concert date in the Bay Area as part of an all out tour in support of her album Femme Fatale. The exact date has not been released, however, they assure us that you don’t want to miss this next tour date. She’ll be hitting the road with a very high-profile co-headliner. All the info is expected to be announced very soon. We’ll have the information for you first, as soon as it is released.


Hogg & Pease speculate on the potential coheadliner below.

Travie McCoy Talks New Album, Working with Bruno Mars and Their Song on Glee

The Seven - MTV Shows

'Glee': All-Warblers album gets a release date. See the full (spoiler-y) track list

They might be out of the running for Nationals, but the Warblers still have plenty to celebrate now that their previously announced album finally has a release date! (To be fair, it’s only been two weeks, but we’re impatient.)

Sony announced today that Glee: The Music presents The Warblers will hit shelves April 19 and feature three songs fans have yet to hear: Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know,” a live version of “What Kind of Fool” (performed at this year’s MusiCares Person of the Year gala in Los Angeles), and Rod Stewart’s “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” (…yes). The latter two are pegged as album exclusives.

Matthew Morrison and Gwyneth Paltrow to duet on his upcoming album

Matthew Morrison and Gwyneth Paltrow have already proven they have great onscreen chemistry as lovestruck teachers Will Schuester and Holly Holliday on Glee. (The actress pops up again on the April 19 episode.)

Now the pair are hoping that energy translates to the recording studio. EW has learned exclusively that Morrison and the Country Strong star will duet on his self-titled adult-contemporary album, scheduled to drop this May 10. Morrison asked Paltrow to sing on the album during her work on Glee, but admits the conversation was slightly awkward.

“The hardest part of doing this album was asking these people favors, like Elton [John] and her,” says the actor. “I’m so not that guy.” Luckily, choosing the song for their collaboration was much easier. The pair will be covering a tune very familiar to Morrison and his Glee fans: the classic “Over the Rainbow.” The actor auditioned for Glee with the song and performed it on the series’ season 1 finale. “People kind of know me for that song now,” says Morrison. “I wanted to do a duet with a female. I thought that was a good song to do, and we really did a different arrangement of it. It’s a lot of strings, and it’s beautiful.”

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Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow signs with Atlantic Records

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who played a country singer in the film "Country Strong," has signed a deal with Atlantic Records, The Wrap reported Tuesday.

The financial terms of the deal were not released, but it is believed that Paltrow's deal is worth $900,000. The label said her debut album is due later this year.

Paltrow, 38, is married to Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay, who are signed to EMI.

She recently showed off her singing skills on "Glee," at the Country Music Awards, at the Grammys -- where she writhed in a tight black bodysuit on a baby grand piano to perform "Forget You" with Cee Lo Green -- and at the Oscars, where she performed the nominated song "Coming Home."

A source told the New York Post that people who have heard Paltrow's music described it as "country pop."

Atlantic's roster includes Sean Paul, B.o.B, T.I., James Blunt, Janelle Monae, Zero 7, Phil Collins and Kid Rock.

Paltrow returns to "Glee" on Tuesday night to reprise her role of substitute teacher Holly Holiday. Songs planned for the episode include Prince's "Kiss," Joan Jett's "Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)" and Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide."

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'Glee' Cast Tops Elvis Presley for Most Hot 100 Hits

Despite having first graced the Billboard Hot 100 song chart as recently as June 2009, the cast of the smash Fox TV series "Glee" rewrites the record for most charted songs by an act in the list's 52-year archives.

The act passes music royalty on its way to chart history.

With six debuts on the Hot 100 to be released tomorrow (Feb. 17) on Billboard.com, the "Glee" cast has placed 113 songs on the chart, besting Elvis Presley's 108 chart entries logged between the survey's inception in 1958 and 2003.

(The King of Rock and Roll's career predates the Hot 100's launch; Presley scaled numerous Hot 100 predecessor song charts beginning in 1956).

The "Glee" cast's record-shattering week contributes to an historic Hot 100. As previously reported, Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" blasts in at No. 1 to become the survey's 1,000th leading title.

Following the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning series' premiere May 19, 2009, the "Glee" ensemble arrived on the Hot 100 with its highest-charted title to-date (No. 4), a cover of Journey's 1981 rock classic "Don't Stop Believin'," the week of June 6, 2009.

The act has been able to fast-track its way to Hot 100 history thanks to 20th Century Fox and Columbia Records having released multiple songs digitally following each new "Glee" episode.

A remake of Katy Perry's recent Hot 100 No. 1 "Firework" represents the "Glee" cast's highest debuting title this week (No. 34). The song premiered on the Feb. 8 episode, "Silly Love Songs."

With nine titles currently on the list, the "Glee" cast charts its most songs in a single week, besting the eight cuts it placed on the Dec. 18, 2010, chart.

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