California court upholds Jackson's custody of kids (Reuters)
February 15, 2006
Reuters - An appeals court on Wednesday
reinstated an order granting Michael Jackson sole custody of
his two children with ex-wife Debbie Rowe, despite her concerns
over the singer's child molestation trial.
'Idol' Trounces Olympics in Ratings War (AP)
February 15, 2006
AP - The winter Olympics proved no match for television's gold-medal winner, "American Idol." Fox's phenomenally successful contest crushed the Olympics in head-to-head competition on Tuesday night, 27 million viewers to 16.1 million, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Court Voids Rowe's Loss of Parental Rights (AP)
February 15, 2006AP - Michael Jackson's ex-wife, Deborah Rowe, won a round Wednesday in her battle over their two children, with an appeals court ruling that her parental rights were not properly relinquished under the law.
Nickelback tops Junos with six noms (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Reuters - Nickelback leads the pack with six nominations for the Junos, Canada's music awards, which were announced Wednesday by the CTV network and the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Nickelback Leads Canada's Music Awards (AP)
February 15, 2006AP - Nickelback, the first Canadian band to debut No. 1 on the Billboard chart in over 30 years, received a leading six nominations Wednesday for Canada's annual top music award.
AC/DC singer Bon Scott's grave named heritage site (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Reuters - In an unusual ruling, the grave site of AC/DC singer Bon Scott in Fremantle Cemetery in Western Australia was classified with a heritage listing Wednesday (February 15).
R&B vet Moore stirring up new soul "Sensation" (Reuters)
February 15, 2006
Reuters - Sam & Dave principal Sam Moore's
first release under a new deal with Rhino will be his
in-progress album, "Overnight Sensational."
Film, TV actors take the mic on "Unexpected Dreams" (Reuters)
February 15, 2006
Reuters - Actress Scarlett Johansson, "Moulin
Rouge" star Ewan McGregor and "Desperate Housewives" principal
Teri Hatcher are among the actors who will put their own spin
on famous tunes on "Unexpected Dreams: Songs from the Stars."
Jay-Z seeks N.Y. Nets theme song (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Reuters - Def Jam president Jay-Z, who is also part owner of the NBA's New Jersey Nets, has launched a contest for amateur performers to write and record a Nets theme song. The contest is a partnership with Sprite and New York radio station WQHT (Hot 97).
The Walkmen travel "Miles" on new album (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Reuters - New York rock act the Walkmen will release their third full-length album, "A Hundred Miles Off," on May 23 via Record Collection.
Kaiser Chiefs, Blunt Win at Brit Awards (AP)
February 15, 2006
AP - Spiky quartet the Kaiser Chiefs and crooning former soldier James Blunt were the big winners Wednesday as the British music industry handed out its most prestigious awards, the Brits.
Album Charts
February 15, 2006
Last week's top-selling albums, per Nielsen SoundScan:
1. "Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George," Jack Johnson & Friends
2. "The Breakthrough," Mary J. Blige
3. "Greatest Hits of the Fifties," Barry Manilow
4. "Amore," Andrea Bocelli
5. "On Top of Our Game," Dem Franchize Boyz
Willie's Gay Cowboy Song
February 15, 2006
Willie Nelson's heroes have always been cowboys, regardless of their sexual orientation.
It seems only logical, therefore, that the country legend has released "Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly (Fond of Each Other)," a gay cowboy song that was written long before "Brokeback Mountain" rode onto the scene with its tale of taboo rancher romance.
Busta Rhymes Scolded for Silence in Slay (AP)
February 15, 2006
AP - The police commissioner berated rapper Busta Rhymes on Wednesday, accusing him of withholding information about the slaying of his bodyguard at a hip-hop video shoot.
Willie Nelson's New Heroes: Gay Cowboys (E! Online)
February 15, 2006
E! Online - Willie Nelson's heroes have always been cowboys, regardless of
their sexual orientation.
Curious George Goes to the Album Charts (E! Online)
February 15, 2006
E! Online - There's some serious monkey business going down on the album
charts.
New Orleans Jazz Fest vows to come roaring back (Reuters)
February 15, 2006
Reuters - Let the Good Times Roll!
"Curious George" companion set tops album charts (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Reuters - Jack Johnson and Friends' companion album to the cartoon film "Curious George" opened at the top of the Billboard 200 chart on Wednesday, posting first-week U.S. sales of 163,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Musical Using Dylan Songs Heads to Broadway (AP)
February 15, 2006AP - Can Twyla Tharp do for Bob Dylan what she did for Billy Joel on Broadway?
Kaiser Chiefs lead new talent wave to Brit glory (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Reuters - Kaiser Chiefs led a parade of new stars to glory at the Brit Awards on Wednesday when the indie rockers landed three top prizes at the UK music industry's big night of the year.
Fats Domino, Dylan to Headline Jazz Fest (AP)
February 15, 2006
AP - Fats Domino, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon will join Keith Urban and Yolanda Adams at this year's New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival as it celebrates this city's music and culture in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
U2 back in Mexico after bodyguard beating (Reuters)
February 15, 2006
Reuters - Irish rockers U2 perform at one of
the world's most famous soccer stadiums on Wednesday on their
first tour of Mexico since a rumpus eight years ago over the
beating of one of their bodyguards.
Sprint Nextel Music Downloads Hit 1M Mark (AP)
February 15, 2006AP - Sprint Nextel Corp. said Wednesday that customers of its Sprint Music Store have downloaded 1 million songs since it opened Oct. 24.
Rio police to occupy slums for Rolling Stones show (Reuters)
February 15, 2006
Reuters - Police will occupy slums
next to Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach for this weekend's
Rolling Stones concert to safeguard the trouble-prone area of
the city, officials said on Wednesday.
Mexican Agents Seize Counterfeit U2 Items (AP)
February 15, 2006AP - U2 played a sold-out concert in this northern Mexican city over the weekend — and counterfeiters were waiting.
Country icon Willie Nelson sings gay cowboy song (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Reuters - It turns out the makers of "Brokeback Mountain" are not the only ones who think "Cowboys are frequently secretly fond of each other" -- country music icon Willie Nelson has recorded a song with that title.
China shuts 76 Web sites in crackdown on piracy (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Reuters - China, often criticized by the West for doing little to tackle widespread music and film piracy from the Internet, on Wednesday touted a four-month campaign it said resulted in 76 Web sites being closed.
Abell, piano seller to the stars, dies at 75 (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Reuters - David L. Abell, whose Beverly Boulevard piano store served for 40 years as a resource for motion picture, pop, rock and jazz performers, died February 11 of lung disease at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 75.
Crowes' Robinson brothers plan acoustic tour (Reuters)
February 15, 2006Reuters - Chris and Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes will hit the road together this spring on an all-acoustic tour. With performance dates in New York, Austin, Texas, San Francisco and Los Angeles, it marks the first such outing for the sometimes sparring siblings.