Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Grammy Awards Make Drastic Cuts—Which Categories Are Gone?
The Grammy Awards is about to get an extreme makeover.
In an effort to remain relevant, the folks at the Recording Academy today announced plans to cut more than 30 categories from the bloated show.
And we say it's about time.
Over the course of the Grammys' 53-year existence, the number of awards handed out has climbed to 109. Next year there were only (only!) be 78.
"After careful and extensive review and analysis of all categories and fields, it was objectively determined that our Grammy categories be restructured to the continued competition and prestige of the highest and only peer-recognized award in music," Recording Academy boss Neil Portnow said.
In an effort to remain relevant, the folks at the Recording Academy today announced plans to cut more than 30 categories from the bloated show.
And we say it's about time.
Over the course of the Grammys' 53-year existence, the number of awards handed out has climbed to 109. Next year there were only (only!) be 78.
"After careful and extensive review and analysis of all categories and fields, it was objectively determined that our Grammy categories be restructured to the continued competition and prestige of the highest and only peer-recognized award in music," Recording Academy boss Neil Portnow said.
Ke$ha Adds Summer Leg to 'Get Sleazy' Tour
Ke$ha is adding a summer leg to her Get Sleazy world tour!
The 24-year-old pop sensation will stop in over 30 cities in North America for the second half of her tour.
“My spring tour sold out so fast, which is amazing, but I want to get to party with errryone. If you are part of my family, my cult of rowdy misfits - come join us!!!!” K$ said in a statement. “So I’m pulling out an a—ton more glitter with blue lipstick to spare and I’m ready to party with all y’all all summer long. S—’s gonna be hot as a mofo. Get ready to take it off, go animal and get $leazy! Pimping across America with SPANK ROCK and LMFAO. Miss this and you be missing the biggest dance party of the year!!!!”
The 24-year-old pop sensation will stop in over 30 cities in North America for the second half of her tour.
“My spring tour sold out so fast, which is amazing, but I want to get to party with errryone. If you are part of my family, my cult of rowdy misfits - come join us!!!!” K$ said in a statement. “So I’m pulling out an a—ton more glitter with blue lipstick to spare and I’m ready to party with all y’all all summer long. S—’s gonna be hot as a mofo. Get ready to take it off, go animal and get $leazy! Pimping across America with SPANK ROCK and LMFAO. Miss this and you be missing the biggest dance party of the year!!!!”
Christina Aguilera tops 'empowering' song poll
Christina Aguilera's 'Beautiful' has been named the most empowering pop song of the last decade for lesbian, gay and bisexual people in a new poll.
Equality charity Stonewall polled more than 1,000 online supporters to find out which song they thought had the most empowering message. Aguilera's 2003 hit achieved 33% of the vote, ahead of the 25% achieved by Boyzone's 'Better' in second place.
The Irish group became the first boyband to feature a gay couple in a music video, when the late Stephen Gateley was shown with a male partner.
Lady GaGa's 'Born This Way' placed third with 17%, followed by Gossip's 'Standing In The Way Of Control' and Katy Perry's 'Firework' in fourth and fifth position respectively.
Responding to the news, Christina Aguilera said: "I'm delighted to have been voted the most inspirational pop act by Stonewall's supporters - my gay fan base is so important to me and this continues my special relationship with them."
'Professor of Pop' Paul Gambaccini added: "Recently many of the United States' leading female vocalists have recorded anthems of self-empowerment as a response to bullying, homophobia and misogyny in schools and society. Several of these have become major hits.
"The one that has registered most with Stonewall's online supporters has been the out lesbian Linda Perry's song 'Beautiful' popularised by Christina Aguilera. This recording lives up to its title. As a song and as a performance, it is a major achievement that has inspired millions of young people around the world."
Source
Equality charity Stonewall polled more than 1,000 online supporters to find out which song they thought had the most empowering message. Aguilera's 2003 hit achieved 33% of the vote, ahead of the 25% achieved by Boyzone's 'Better' in second place.
The Irish group became the first boyband to feature a gay couple in a music video, when the late Stephen Gateley was shown with a male partner.
Lady GaGa's 'Born This Way' placed third with 17%, followed by Gossip's 'Standing In The Way Of Control' and Katy Perry's 'Firework' in fourth and fifth position respectively.
Responding to the news, Christina Aguilera said: "I'm delighted to have been voted the most inspirational pop act by Stonewall's supporters - my gay fan base is so important to me and this continues my special relationship with them."
'Professor of Pop' Paul Gambaccini added: "Recently many of the United States' leading female vocalists have recorded anthems of self-empowerment as a response to bullying, homophobia and misogyny in schools and society. Several of these have become major hits.
"The one that has registered most with Stonewall's online supporters has been the out lesbian Linda Perry's song 'Beautiful' popularised by Christina Aguilera. This recording lives up to its title. As a song and as a performance, it is a major achievement that has inspired millions of young people around the world."
Source
Lady Gaga Scores Seventh Dance Number One
Lady Gaga graces the top of another Billboard chart this week as her latest single “Born This Way” climbs one place on Hot Dance Club Songs. The track becomes Gaga’s seventh number one on the dance chart in a row – her only song not to reach the top was, ironically, “Just Dance.”
Download Born This Way (The Country Road Version)
On the Hot 100, “Born” slides to no. 5 and spends its eight consecutive week inside the top five. The song remains the best-selling release of 2011 with more than 2,107,000 digital and 40,000 physical copies sold to date.
Source
Download Born This Way (The Country Road Version)
On the Hot 100, “Born” slides to no. 5 and spends its eight consecutive week inside the top five. The song remains the best-selling release of 2011 with more than 2,107,000 digital and 40,000 physical copies sold to date.
Source
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
eBay and EMI team up for unprecedented wide-scale auction for Japan
Artists and songwriters from across the EMI family are raising funds to help the Red Cross support people affected by last month’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan through an auction of personal items and memorabilia.
The charity auction, which will be managed by eBay, features items from some of the world’s biggest stars, including Coldplay, Norah Jones, Katy Perry, Gorillaz, Iron Maiden, Jane Birkin, the Beach Boys, David Guetta, Michael Franti, Lady Antebellum, The Chemical Brothers, Depeche Mode, Celtic Woman, 30 Seconds To Mars, Rosanne Cash, Daft Punk, Herbert Grönemeyer, Angela Gheorghiu, Keith Urban, Good Charlotte, and The Beatles.
All funds raised will be used towards the Japanese Red Cross disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami.
The first phase of the charity auction starts today (April 5) and will run until April 15, with more than 200 exclusive items. A second phase of the auction will take place between April 11 – 21. All the items can be viewed at www.ebay.com/EMIfamily4Japan.
Items included in the first phase of the auction include Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin’s jacket from the 2010 Viva La Vida world tour, Jane Birkin’s own Birkin handbag designed by Hermes, a pair of vintage speakers from Abbey Road’s famous Studio 3, five nights at Michael Franti’s yoga retreat in Bali, the Beastie Boys’ Japanese MTV award, and a signed limited edition lithographic Depeche Mode print.
The second phase of the charity auction will include a 1987 Ferrari 412 as featured in Daft Punk’s film ‘Electroma’, Katy Perry’s cupcake trampoline from her current California Dreams world tour, a limited edition Beatles’ ‘Yellow Submarine Schwinn bicycle, a signed guitar from Norah Jones, the MacBook used by David Guetta to create the demos for ‘One Love’, framed hand written lyrics from Brian Wilson, Tinie Tempah’s pink blazer from the ‘Frisky’ video, and a limited edition Gorillaz lithograph signed by Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn.
The charity auction, which will be managed by eBay, features items from some of the world’s biggest stars, including Coldplay, Norah Jones, Katy Perry, Gorillaz, Iron Maiden, Jane Birkin, the Beach Boys, David Guetta, Michael Franti, Lady Antebellum, The Chemical Brothers, Depeche Mode, Celtic Woman, 30 Seconds To Mars, Rosanne Cash, Daft Punk, Herbert Grönemeyer, Angela Gheorghiu, Keith Urban, Good Charlotte, and The Beatles.
All funds raised will be used towards the Japanese Red Cross disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami.
The first phase of the charity auction starts today (April 5) and will run until April 15, with more than 200 exclusive items. A second phase of the auction will take place between April 11 – 21. All the items can be viewed at www.ebay.com/EMIfamily4Japan.
Items included in the first phase of the auction include Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin’s jacket from the 2010 Viva La Vida world tour, Jane Birkin’s own Birkin handbag designed by Hermes, a pair of vintage speakers from Abbey Road’s famous Studio 3, five nights at Michael Franti’s yoga retreat in Bali, the Beastie Boys’ Japanese MTV award, and a signed limited edition lithographic Depeche Mode print.
The second phase of the charity auction will include a 1987 Ferrari 412 as featured in Daft Punk’s film ‘Electroma’, Katy Perry’s cupcake trampoline from her current California Dreams world tour, a limited edition Beatles’ ‘Yellow Submarine Schwinn bicycle, a signed guitar from Norah Jones, the MacBook used by David Guetta to create the demos for ‘One Love’, framed hand written lyrics from Brian Wilson, Tinie Tempah’s pink blazer from the ‘Frisky’ video, and a limited edition Gorillaz lithograph signed by Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn.
Aubrey O'Day to Drop 'Automatic' Debut Single April 12
Two and a half years after her departure from Danity Kane, Aubrey O'Day is putting out new music again.
The singer will release "Automatic," an electro-charged club track, exclusively via iTunes on April 12. The song was produced by Danity Kane collaborator Adonis, who's also scored hits with Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Usher, and O'Day tells Billboard.com that even though she "wanted to come with a ballad first just to throw people for a loop," she's happy with "Automatic" as her solo career's calling card.
" 'Automatic' is the right fit for where music is headed now," O'Day explains. "It's a pop-dance track, but I wanted to go in the club and write a song about not having to put on all the glamour and the glitz. So many dance songs are about putting on Louis Vuitton, getting dressed up and everything, and I wanted to do a song about walking in the room and getting automatically noticed and stealing everyone's attention without trying to."
"Automatic" is one of "at least 50" songs that O'Day has been working on for her solo debut album for SRC/Universal Motown, a process that's been chronicled on her Oxygen network reality series "All About Aubrey." Future episodes will feature O'Day recording a duet with fellow Danity Kane alumnus Aundrea Fimbres, while the April 11 season finale will find O'Day "reaching out to Diddy," who guided the group through its formation on MTV's "Making the Band 3."
"There's love for all those girls," says O'Day, who after leaving Danity Kane starred as Amber Von Tussle in the Broadway musical "Hairspray" in 2008 and headlined Planet Hollywood Vegas' Peepshow in 2009. "I would not have been able to go through that situation and not have love for them. Most of the time we were all we had...And still in the back of my mind I hope and pray we can kind of reunite one day and make Danity Kane happen again. But while everyone's on different pages, I'm just gonna roll with what I want to do."
Although she's worked with a number of genres for her album, O'Day says she's settled into an "urban pop" direction that includes some of the very first songs she came up with for the project. "I don't want to go all the way pop," she explains. "I have a very pop voice, but there's so much of me I associate mostly with urban music, so I try to blend the two. There's so many sides and capabilities my voice has, I want to play with all aspects, but this is what I think I do best." No release date has been set for the album, although it's expected out this year.
O'Day is hoping to do some live performing to promote "Automatic" and hopes to get the green light for a video "sooner rather than later. Hopefully we can get all my lovely fans to really back the single and make it sell like crazy on iTunes." She's also waiting for details about a second season of "All About Aubrey."
Source
The singer will release "Automatic," an electro-charged club track, exclusively via iTunes on April 12. The song was produced by Danity Kane collaborator Adonis, who's also scored hits with Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Usher, and O'Day tells Billboard.com that even though she "wanted to come with a ballad first just to throw people for a loop," she's happy with "Automatic" as her solo career's calling card.
" 'Automatic' is the right fit for where music is headed now," O'Day explains. "It's a pop-dance track, but I wanted to go in the club and write a song about not having to put on all the glamour and the glitz. So many dance songs are about putting on Louis Vuitton, getting dressed up and everything, and I wanted to do a song about walking in the room and getting automatically noticed and stealing everyone's attention without trying to."
"Automatic" is one of "at least 50" songs that O'Day has been working on for her solo debut album for SRC/Universal Motown, a process that's been chronicled on her Oxygen network reality series "All About Aubrey." Future episodes will feature O'Day recording a duet with fellow Danity Kane alumnus Aundrea Fimbres, while the April 11 season finale will find O'Day "reaching out to Diddy," who guided the group through its formation on MTV's "Making the Band 3."
"There's love for all those girls," says O'Day, who after leaving Danity Kane starred as Amber Von Tussle in the Broadway musical "Hairspray" in 2008 and headlined Planet Hollywood Vegas' Peepshow in 2009. "I would not have been able to go through that situation and not have love for them. Most of the time we were all we had...And still in the back of my mind I hope and pray we can kind of reunite one day and make Danity Kane happen again. But while everyone's on different pages, I'm just gonna roll with what I want to do."
Although she's worked with a number of genres for her album, O'Day says she's settled into an "urban pop" direction that includes some of the very first songs she came up with for the project. "I don't want to go all the way pop," she explains. "I have a very pop voice, but there's so much of me I associate mostly with urban music, so I try to blend the two. There's so many sides and capabilities my voice has, I want to play with all aspects, but this is what I think I do best." No release date has been set for the album, although it's expected out this year.
O'Day is hoping to do some live performing to promote "Automatic" and hopes to get the green light for a video "sooner rather than later. Hopefully we can get all my lovely fans to really back the single and make it sell like crazy on iTunes." She's also waiting for details about a second season of "All About Aubrey."
Source
Mumford & Sons Add Spring Shows to North American Tour
Mumford & Sons have expanded their U.S. tour plans to include nearly a dozen additional headline dates.
The new shows kick off June 3 with a gig at The City Market in Kansas City, Mo. Dates are booked through a two-night run at Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, Colo., June 15-16.
Monday, April 4, 2011
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