VOLCANO STRANDS MILEY, SELENA AND MORE
Flight restrictions have been extended in the U-K and Europe because of the volcanic ash cloud, leaving many tour plans and promotional campaigns suspended. Several U-K acts missed the Coachella festival over the weekend and now, according to Billboard, Miley Curus will not be heading to the U-K and the London premiere of her film The Last Song has been canceled. Meanwhile, Selena Gomez, whose single, “Naturally,” debuted at number seven on the new U-K singles chart, was stranded in Europe. Usher, whose “OMG” is the number one song in the U-K, and Adam Lambert, were unable to carry out promotional duties in Europe, according to the BBC. The volcanic activity has decreased over the past two days as Europe tries to get air travel back in business.
RIHANNA STILL NUMBER ONE
Rihanna’s “Rude Boy” is number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the fifth straight week. B.o.B’s debut hit “Nothin’ On You” featuring Bruno Mars holds on at number two, while Train’s “Hey Soul Sister” stays at number three. Taio Cruz’s “Break Your Heart” featuring Ludacris climbs two spots to number four and Jason Derulo’s “In My Head” leaps four notches to number five.
BUTCH WALKER TO TOUR, OPEN FOR P!NK
Butch Walker is heading out on tour. The singer-songwriter just announced via press release that his headlining trek will kick off May 4th in Omaha, Nebraska and wrap up on May 26th in his former home city of Atlanta, Georgia. After the tour, Butch will head to Europe to open up for P!nk. Learn more about both excursions now at ButchWalker.com.
DRAKE WINS JUNO AWARDS, PERFORMS WITH BIEBER
Over the weekend, Drake was all smiles at the Juno Awards after winning top honors of the night. The “Best I Ever Had” rapper took home Rap Recording Of The Year and Best New Artist Of The Year during Canada’s version of the GRAMMYs! The rap star also performed his new single, “Over,” which is from his upcoming debut album, Thank Me Later, and he also remixed Justin Bieber’s smash hit song “Baby.” It marks the first time the two entertainers have worked and performed together.
Fans can grab Thank Me Later on June 15th!
DAVID COOK IS STILL WRITING
David Cook is hard at work on his second album. The former American Idol wrote on his Twitter yesterday that he’s busy “writing in Nashville.” No word yet on when we will officially be able to hear some tunes off the follow-up to Cook’s hit self-titled debut.
DAUGHTRY DRUMMER LEAVES BAND
It’s a sad day for Daughtry fans. A post on the band’s official Web site reports that drummer Joey Barnes has left the group after three years “on the road and in the studio.” Frontman Chris Daughtry wrote on his Twitter account that it was a “friendly mutual decision” and that there are “no hard feelings.” He also wrote that they already have someone to replace the drummer for the rest of their tour. Learn more at DaughtryOfficial.com.
MICHAEL BUBLE CLEANS UP AT JUNO AWARDS
It was Michael Buble’s night at the Juno Awards. The ceremony took place on Sunday in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and the singer-songwriter took home four trophies, including Album of the Year for his album Crazy Love, and Single of the Year for his song “Haven’t Met You Yet.” He also won the Fan Choice Award, and while accepting that on stage, he told the audience that he loves them.
VINTAGE VIDEO OF MADONNA
Some vintage footage of Madonna has just been released. PerezHilton.com got their hands on a commercial that the Queen of Pop filmed for Pepsi while on the set of the video for her hit song “Vogue.” Thing is, she took too long to sign a contract to give permission to use it, so the beverage company decided to go with Paula Abdul in an ad instead. See the video of a topless Madonna advocating for Pepsi on the gossip site now.
CHRIS BROWN READIES VIRGINIA BENEFIT CONCERT
Chris Brown is expected to headline a benefit concert called Virginia Stand Up! A Call to Action in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia. The R&B star said in a statement that he “wanted to find a way to contribute personally to the ongoing Haitian relief effort and also support an organization that helps people in need in my home state.” The charitable event takes place on May 15th with all proceeds going directly go towards The American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Chapter and The Central Virginia Food Bank to help Haiti relief efforts. Visit PlanetChrisBrown.com to find out who else will perform and how to get tickets!
Confirmed acts include Keri Hilson, Trey Songz, T-Pain, Ryan Leslie, Mario and Juelz Santana with additional artists to be announced.
Concertgoers should bring non-perishable food items.
TREY SONGZ DOES MTV UNPLUGGED
Next week, fans everywhere can log on from the comfort of their own homes to get an intimate look at Trey Songz during MTV’s Unplugged concert session. The singer will give acoustic renditions of hit his songs including “Neighbors Know My Name” and “Say Aah,” as well as a special rendition of Marvin Gaye’s classic tune, “Let’s Get It On.” Be sure to check it out on Monday at 6:00 PM Eastern only on MTV.com.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD TALKS WEDDING
Carrie Underwood had a great weekend, winning Entertainer of the Year at the CMA’s for the second time in a row. But it wasn’t all music for the former American Idol in Las Vegas, as she also spoke a little about her forthcoming wedding to hockey player Mike Fisher. She told People that she and her fiancé are not the type to stress about the planning and that they are both “really laid back.” Fisher was playing for the Ottawa Senators on the night of the CMA’s, so he wasn’t able to make the ceremony.
AMY AND BLAKE SEEN HOLDING HANDS?
Are Amy Winehouse and Blake Fielder-Civil officially back together? It would certainly appear so, because according to British paper The Sun, the troubled couple was seen in London walking around town and holding hands.
ECLIPSE SOUNDTRACK OUT ON JUNE 8TH
MTV News confirms that The Twilight Saga: Eclipse soundtrack is coming out on June 8th. The track list for the highly anticipated soundtrack has not been revealed but Twi-hards are expecting Muse to end up on there, as they’ve been on the previous two albums.
GREEN DAY MUSICAL COMPETITION
Fans who are super excited about the Green Day American Idiot musical can now enter to win tickets to the show. Rolling Stone is hosting an Ultimate Green Day Prize Package, where the winner gets two nights in New York City, tickets to the play, and a meet and greet with the cast. Details of the musical are up at AmericanIdiotOnBroadway.com now.
BONO WRITES ANOTHER COLUMN FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES
Bono regularly contributes a column to the New York Times, and recently wrote a piece on his life’s mission: fighting poverty in Africa. The U2 singer shared what he experienced in Africa throughout the month of March. The singer said his time in the continent with activists, entrepreneurs and policy makers gave him inspiration for new music. He added that he used his friendship with Jay-Z and Beyonce as a way to get people to like him more. He also gushed about African artist Youssou N’Dour. You can read more at NYTimes.com.
BRET MICHAELS WAS CLOSE TO DEATH
Bret Michaels recently underwent an emergency appendectomy and now, the rocker is talking about how sick he was before the operation. Bret told OK Magazine that he was throwing up all day but figured he just had the flu. He still planned to perform that night but ten minutes before show time, his doctors felt it wasn’t the flu and they made him go to the hospital. There, he learned it was appendicitis and he was later told that had he gone on with the concert like he wanted to, it’s likely his appendix would’ve ruptured and he could’ve died. Bret said with his diabetes, he could take up to six weeks to recover but is doing well now. Read more at OKMagazine.com.
USHER, THICKE COVER QUINCY’S “SECRET GARDEN”
Usher and Robin Thicke have joined forces to cover the Quincy Jones-produced record, “Secret Garden.” The original song featured by Barry White, Al B. Sure, James Ingram and El DeBarge. The revamped version is included on the hitmaker’s new album, Q: Soul Bossa Nostra — which includes renditions of Quincy’s timeless songs. The disc drops later this year.
SONG LINK: http://www.zshare.net/audio/75088883578983e4/
NOTORIOUS B.I.G WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT DROPPED
We’ve just learned that a federal judge has reportedly dismissed the wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles over the death of rapper Notorious B.I.G. After the beloved emcee was gunned down in March of 1997, members of his family believed Suge Knight conspired on Big’s assassination and used the assistance of LAPD officers to do so. According to BallerStatus.com, Biggie’s mother, Voletta Wallace, has fought hard to find out who killed her 24-year-old son, but it looks like her efforts were in vein. The rapper’s family battled in court for “nearly eight years” and is now walking away with nothing.
