Country artists pay tribute to Kristofferson (Reuters)

February 17, 2006

Reuters - To mark Kris Kristofferson's upcoming 70th birthday, Nashville-based American Roots Publishing will release "The Pilgrim: A Celebration of Kris Kristofferson" June 27.

Q&A: Alabama's Randy Owen (Reuters)

February 17, 2006

Reuters - A quarter century of music from seminal country group Alabama is celebrated in the new RCA/Legacy boxed set "Alabama -- Livin' Lovin' Rockin' Rollin': The 25th Anniversary Collection."

Santaolalla in awards spotlight for "Brokeback" score (Reuters)

February 17, 2006

Reuters - When composer Gustavo Santaolalla read the script for "Brokeback Mountain," he interpreted it as a "great love story of universal dimensions" and wrote the haunting, plaintive score accordingly.

Stars line up to croon with Bennett (Reuters)

February 17, 2006

Reuters - Bennett, who won for best traditional pop vocal album at the February 8 event, was tucked inside Capitol's legendary Studio A, running through the standard "Rags to Riches" with his duet partner du jour, Elton John.

Michael Jackson's Katrina Song Said Ready (AP)

February 17, 2006

Michael Jackson,right, poses with Sheik Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, in August 2005, in Dubai. The Bahranian prince who has been Michael Jackson's host and musical collaborator says the pop star's long-planned charity song for victims of Hurricane Katrina will be released by the end of February, nearly six months after the Aug. 29 disaster.(AP Photo)AP - Eight days after Hurricane Katrina hit, Michael Jackson announced he would release an all-star charity single within two weeks.


Ray Charles' Tour Bus Donated to College (AP)

February 17, 2006

John Zachary, with Morehouse College unlocks tour bus that once belonged to singer Ray Charles Friday, Feb. 17, 2006, in Atlanta. The personal motor coach that ushered Charles from city to city during his many touring days, now belongs to Morehouse College. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)AP - The midnight blue tour bus that carried music legend Ray Charles around the country has begun a new career at Morehouse College.


MIS Captures Essences of Mexico City (AP)

February 17, 2006

AP - Mexican Institute of Sound, "Mejico Maxico" (Nacional)

Suge Knight Files Racketeering Suit (AP)

February 17, 2006

AP - Rap-music mogul Marion "Suge" Knight has filed a $106-million federal fraud, conspiracy and racketeering lawsuit against a drug dealer he claims tried to extort money from him to curry favor with authorities.

Yoakam schedules Oscar-weekend Hayride (Reuters)

February 17, 2006

Reuters - In the midst of his ongoing North American tour, country singer/songwriter/actor Dwight Yoakam is planning to host the Lil' Ole' Oscar Hayride March 3 at Los Angeles' Wiltern Theater.

G-Unit, Fugees session men return as Dub Trio (Reuters)

February 17, 2006

Reuters - When respected session musicians for some of pop and hip-hop's biggest names get together to jam, an amalgamation of heavy metal, noisecore and dub are usually not the genres you'd expect to result.

Co. Hopes to Market Kid Rock, Stapp Tape (AP)

February 17, 2006

AP - The company that distributed the infamous Paris Hilton sex tape hopes to distribute an equally risque video of Kid Rock, former Creed lead singer Scott Stapp and four strippers.

Legacy plans ambitious Orbison reissue series (Reuters)

February 17, 2006

Reuters - Sony BMG's Legacy Recordings label is embarking on a two-year campaign to release virtually everything Roy Orbison ever recorded. At the same time, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum will curate a special exhibit with the help of the rock 'n' roll icon's family.

Spears Fears Princess Di Fate (E! Online)

February 17, 2006

Britney Spears has a simple explanation for driving around with 
 her baby on her lap: She doesn't want to become the next Princess 
 Diana.E! Online - Britney Spears has a simple explanation for driving around with her baby on her lap: She doesn't want to become the next Princess Diana.


Scott Stapp, Kid Rock's Too Candid Camera (E! Online)

February 17, 2006

Just what Scott Stapp needs these days--some, um, good publicity.E! Online - Just what Scott Stapp needs these days--some, um, good publicity.


Rock, Stapp Sex Tape

February 17, 2006

Joining an ever-growing list of celebs with too-candid camera moments, Kid Rock and former Creed frontman Scott Stapp are the inadvertent stars of a new sex tape that's about to hit the Internet, courtesy of the folks that brought the world Paris Hilton's infamous "One Night in Paris" video. A 45-second preview of the Stapp-Kid Rock hijinks is now available online and the entire video is expected to be released at some point later this year.

Evans, Paisley Visit With Miners' Families (AP)

February 17, 2006

AP - Sara Evans dedicated her song "Coal Mine" to the families of West Virginia's fallen miners.

Spears Fears Photogs

February 17, 2006

Britney Spears has a simple explanation for driving around with her baby on her lap: She doesn't want to become the next Princess Diana.

"I don't really go out with him," Spears, 24, says in People magazine, on newsstands Friday. "And it's kind of sad because I can't walk down the street with a stroller. I'm not expecting people to pity me. I'm just telling the truth."

She continues: "I've pulled over and asked the cops, 'Could you please help me? They've been driving recklessly back there.' And they say, 'Sorry ma'am, I can't help you. This is how it is.'

Latin jazz great Ray Barretto dies in New Jersey (Reuters)

February 17, 2006

Reuters - Ray Barretto, the Latin conga drummer best known for his 1960s hit "El Watusi," died on Friday at a New Jersey hospital, a family spokesman said. He was 76.

Toni Braxton to Tour After 10-Year Absence (AP)

February 17, 2006

AP - Except for Broadway musicals and a few select appearances, Toni Braxton hasn't done many live performances in the past decade. But that's about to change.

Jagger's lips pout from Rio sands (Reuters)

February 17, 2006

Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones arrives at the Copacabana Palace hotel in Rio de Janeiro, February 17, 2006. REUTERS/Joao Paulo EngelbrechhReuters - A stone's throw from a stage on Copacabana beach where Mick Jagger will sing and strut in front of more than 1 million people this weekend, a spitting image of the British rock star sticks his tongue out of the sand at passersby.


Fans Crowd Brazil Beach for Rolling Stones (AP)

February 17, 2006

View of the stage erected for the Rolling Stones 'A Bigger Bang' free concert on Copacabana Beach, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Friday, feb 17, 2006. Rock fans crowded  Copacabana beach hoping for a glimpse of the Rolling Stones on Friday, a day before the band was to play a free concert expected to attract millions.The band arrived early Friday morning at Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport and was escorted to the Copacabana Palace hotel by a motorcade of 15 cars, 30 motorcycles, police said. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)AP - Screams and cheers greeted the Rolling Stones as they pulled up to their beach-front hotel Friday in a huge police motorcade, and die-hard fans were already staking out spots before an enormous stage on Copacabana Beach, where up to 2 million people were expected to attend the band's free concert Saturday night.


Austria Celebrates Mozart With Chocolate (AP)

February 17, 2006

Second placed Barbara Novak from Vienna presents her creation called 'Rock me Amadeus', on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006, during a confectioner's Grand Prix at Vienna's Hofburg palace. The confectioner's chocolate creations of Mozart musical motifs, part of the 250th birthday celebrations for Austria's famed composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, are on display for the public, on Friday, Feb. 17, 2006. (AP Photo/Hans Punz)AP - It's a symphony of sweets, a cantata of chocolates, a fugue of fantastic desserts on display at Vienna's ornate Hofburg Palace.


Crowe, Cruise and Holmes Honor Packer (AP)

February 17, 2006

Australia's Prime Minister John Howard, bottom left,  at a state memorial service at Sydney Opera House, pays tribute to the late Australian media mogul Kerry Packer, in Sydney, Australia, Feb.17, 2006. The country's richest man, known worldwide for his love of sports and gambling, died at his Sydney home on Dec. 26, at the age of 68, after a long battle with cancer and kidney failure. Amount the guests at the memorial were Hollywood couple Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes actor Russell Crowe and golfer Greg Norman.(AP Photo/Rob Griffith)AP - Tom Cruise and his pregnant fiancee, Katie Holmes, were among the celebrities who bid farewell Friday to Australian media mogul Kerry Packer at a state memorial service at Sydney Opera House.


Nile's Latest Deserves to Be Heard (AP)

February 17, 2006

AP - Willie Nile, "Streets of New York," (00:02:59)

Arctic Monkeys Hit U.S. on a Wave of Hype (AP)

February 17, 2006

British band Arctic Monkeys, lead singer Alex Turner, performs during their concert at Guildhall in Portsmouth, England, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006. Arctic Monkeys won the best British breakthrough act at the Brit Awards. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)AP - Arctic Monkeys, "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not," (Domino)


Montgomery Driven to Woe (E! Online)

February 17, 2006

John Michael Montgomery is a little bit country, and a lot of 
 trouble.E! Online - John Michael Montgomery is a little bit country, and a lot of trouble.


Gretchen Wilson, Larry The Cable Guy To Appear On 'Nashville Star' (Yahoo! Music)

February 17, 2006

Yahoo! Music - Gretchen Wilson and comedian Larry The Cable Guy will make special appearances on the upcoming season of Nashville Star.

US firm pays SAfrican heirs of Lion song composer (Reuters)

February 17, 2006

Reuters - A U.S. company has settled a long-running legal dispute with a South African family over the copyright to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," one of Africa's most famous tunes, lawyers said on Friday.

Rock and Soul King Solomon Burke Comes Back (AP)

February 17, 2006

Solomon Burke, the king of rock and soul - a title that Burke has embraced ever since a Baltimore disc jockey is said to have hung it on him in 1964 - poses in his red velvet throne in his Los Angeles home Thursday, April 21, 2005.  Burke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and two years later won a Grammy for best contemporary blues album for his comeback recording, 'Don't Give Up on Me.' (AP Photo/Ric Francis)AP - It's only fitting that Solomon Burke greets visitors from a red velvet throne in the living room of his large, well-appointed home. He is, after all, the king of rock and soul.


Latin Jazz Drummer Ray Barretto Dies (AP)

February 17, 2006

Grammy-winning Latin jazz percussionist  Ray Barretto plays the congas at the Tito Puente Auditorium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in this Aug. 3, 2002 file photo.  Barretto, who had heart bypass surgery last month and had pneumonia, died Friday, Feb. 17, 2006,at Hackensack, N.J., University Medical Center with his wife and two sons by his bedside, said spokesman George Rivera. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton, file)AP - Ray Barretto, a Grammy-winning Latin jazz percussionist known for integrating the conga drum into jazz, died Friday, officials said. He was 76.


Madonna treated for hernia -spokeswoman (Reuters)

February 17, 2006

Madonna performs with dancers during the opening number at the 48th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles in this February 8, 2006 file photo. Madonna has been treated for a hernia but is now 'absolutely fine,' her spokeswoman said on February 16. REUTERS/Lucy NicholsonReuters - In February 17 story "Madonna treated for hernia: spokeswoman" please read in second paragraph ... awards in Los Angeles ... instead of ... awards in New York .


Billboard Latin awards dig Daddy Yankee (Reuters)

February 17, 2006

Reuters - Reggaeton star Daddy Yankee leads nominees for the 2006 Billboard Latin Music Awards with 10 nominations.

Short's Piano Fetches $132,000 at Auction (AP)

February 17, 2006

AP - The grand piano of late cabaret singer Bobby Short sold for $132,000 in an auction of his personal effects Thursday, Christie's said.

John Michael Montgomery Arrested on DUI (AP)

February 17, 2006

Brent Caldwell, left, and Jon Woodall, both attorneys for John Michael Montgomery, speak to reporters about the charges against their client outside the courtroom in Lexington, Ky., Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006. Montgomery was arrested early Thursday in Lexington and charged with driving under the influence and possession of a controlled drug, police said. He was also was charged with having a prescription drug not in its proper container, two counts of carrying a concealed deadly weapon, disregarding a traffic control device and improper turning, Lexington Police spokesman Maj. Barry Cecil said. (AP Photo/James Crisp)AP - John Michael Montgomery was arrested and charged Thursday with driving under the influence and concealing two loaded firearms.


Coldplay Not Going Cold Turkey (E! Online)

February 17, 2006

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin put frowns upon the faces of 
 numerous fans this week, when he appeared to hint that his band was 
 headed for an indefinite hiatus.E! Online - Coldplay frontman Chris Martin put frowns upon the faces of numerous fans this week, when he appeared to hint that his band was headed for an indefinite hiatus.