'American Idol' Gets Own Live Pre-Show (AP)

March 13, 2006

In this undated publicity photo released by the TV Guide Channel, Kimberly Caldwell, left, and Rosanna Tavarez pose for a photo. Caldwell and Tavarez will host an hour long, live pre-show before each of the remaining 'American Idol' telecasts called 'Idol Tonight,' begining Tuesday, March 14, 2006. (AP Photo/TV Guide Channel)AP - Just like the Academy Awards, "American Idol" now merits its own pre-show. Beginning Tuesday, the TV Guide Channel will present an hourlong, live pre-show before each of this season's remaining "American Idol" telecasts.


Master P Pleads No Contest on Gun Charge (AP)

March 13, 2006

AP - In a deal with prosecutors, rapper Master P pleaded no contest Monday to a misdemeanor gun charge and was placed on probation for three years.

Master P sentenced to community service (Reuters)

March 13, 2006

Reuters - Rapper and "Dancing with the Stars" contestant Master P was sentenced to 40 hours of community service on Monday as part of a plea deal with prosecutors to resolve gun charges.

Musicians Descend on Austin for SXSW (AP)

March 13, 2006

AP - The 20th annual South by Southwest music festival, which begins Wednesday in Austin, Texas, features a few veterans who exemplify the fest's independent streak.

Isaac Hayes Quits 'South Park,' (AP)

March 13, 2006

Isaac Hayes arrives for the 2005 Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards, June 9, 2005, in New York. Hayes has quit 'South Park,' where he voices Chef, saying he can no longer stomach its take on religion. Hayes, who has played the ladies' man/school cook in the animated Comedy Central cable television satire since 1997, said in a statement Monday, March 13,2006, that he feels a line has been crossed. (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)AP - Isaac Hayes has quit "South Park," where he voices Chef, saying he can no longer stomach its take on religion.


Rock Hall of Fame Readies for New Arrivals (AP)

March 13, 2006

Singer JoJo Billingsley, left, and drummer Artimus Pyle of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd perform at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York, Sunday, March 12, 2006. Lynyrd Skynyrd is among this year's crop of inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/John Marshall Mantel)AP - Ozzy Osbourne may be better known now as an addled reality TV star, but his musical legacy with Black Sabbath gets its due with an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday. Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blondie, Miles Davis and the Sex Pistols are also joining.


Young Jeezy Busted

March 13, 2006

How's this for thug motivation for Young Jeezy: Try not to get into trouble.

The "Don't Get Caught" rapper was busted Friday in South Beach, Florida, following an alleged early morning shootout involving his posse and another group. He was charged with two counts of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.

Jeezy, who broke through last August with his platinum-selling debut album, "Get It: Thug Motivation 101," plans on fighting the charges, his lawyer said.

Johnny Rotten to Rock Hall of Fame: "Kiss this!" (Reuters)

March 13, 2006

Reuters - Former Sex Pistols lead singer Johnny Rotten has nothing but disdain for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which is why he won't be attending Monday's induction ceremony.

Young Jeezy Busted on Gun Rap (E! Online)

March 13, 2006

How's this for thug motivation for Young Jeezy: Try not to get 
 into trouble.E! Online - How's this for thug motivation for Young Jeezy: Try not to get into trouble.


Ronstadt Stalker Stopped

March 13, 2006

A Colorado man accused of stalking folk-rock singer Linda Ronstadt for nearly 10 years has been ordered at long last to keep his distance.

Bernie Salazar Ortiz, aka Bernard Adelmo Ortiz, was issued a preliminary injunction by Arizona's Pima County Superior Court last Tuesday, at the bequest of Ronstadt's attorneys, barring him from approaching or contacting the singer.

Ronstadt Stalker Restrained (E! Online)

March 13, 2006

The verdict is in: He's no good, he's no good, he's no good.E! Online - The verdict is in: He's no good, he's no good, he's no good.


Nadler to Replace Levine in 'Fidelio' (AP)

March 13, 2006

AP - Paul Nadler has been picked to replace ailing James Levine as the conductor of the Metropolitan Opera's revival of Beethoven's "Fidelio."

Cash musical pales next to film: critics (Reuters)

March 13, 2006

Members of the cast of the new broadway musical 'Ring of Fire' perform during a rehearsal in New York in this January 11, 2006 file photo. Created with Johnny Cash's blessing before his death in 2003, the musical 'Ring of Fire' is one of the major productions to open on Broadway this year, and the weak reviews can bode ill for its commercial prospects. Preview showings were a little more than half sold. REUTERS/Mike Segar/FilesReuters - The Johnny Cash movie "Walk the Line" may have returned "the man in black" to the limelight, but a new Broadway musical based on his songs received a sharp knockdown by critics on Monday.


Rollins Finds Ways to Channel His Anger (AP)

March 13, 2006

Musician Henry Rollins discusses music and politics during the SXSW Film Festival and Conference in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 12, 2006. (AP Photo/Jack Plunkett)AP - Veteran rocker Henry Rollins says he still harbors the anger of his punk roots but has found new ways to channel it off stage.


Rapper Young Jeezy Arrested in So. Florida (AP)

March 13, 2006

Young Jeezy performs at the Vibe Awards at Sony Studios in Culver City, Calif., Nov. 12, 2005. Young Jeezy was arrested after an alleged shootout in Miami Beach, Fla., involving some of his friends, police said Sunday, March 12, 2006.  The 28-year-old rapper, born Jay Jenkins, was charged early Saturday with two counts of carrying a concealed firearm without a permit, police said. (AP Photo/Branimir Kvartuc, File)AP - Young Jeezy was arrested after an alleged shootout in South Beach involving some of his friends, police said.


LL Cool J still in 'Control' after 20 years (Reuters)

March 13, 2006

LL Cool J poses in Los Angeles, January 12, 2006. After more than 20 years, he remains at the top of his game, having churned out hit after hit and increasing his visibility as an actor and sex symbol. REUTERS/Mario AnzuoniReuters - It is hard to imagine rap music without LL Cool J.