Megan Fox Gets Naked

If Megan Fox is going to be taken seriously as an actress rather than a piece of tabloid fodder who looks like a vinyl Angelina Jolie sex doll, then it's time for her to start branching out. Luckily, that's exactly what her new movie Jennifer's Body allows her to do. - watch it here

Michael Jackson's Big Send Off

MusicRadar reports: Had he lived, Michael Jackson would have taken the stage at London's O2 Arena in six days to kick off his 50-date This Is It 'comeback' concert series. In death, his memorial service, held Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, was perhaps bigger than anything the late entertainer could have envisioned.

Despite concerns that the event would become something of a circus, the ceremony was a stirring and respectful send-off to an artist who, in varying ways, managed to touch the lives of generations across the planet.

Numerous speeches and remembrances were offered by notables ranging from Motown founder Berry Gordy to present and former Lakers Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson. But it was the musical performances that brought the impact of Michael Jackson home time and again.
- more on this story

Harry Potter Star Busted For Pot Farm

BBC reports: A teenage actor who appears in the Harry Potter movies has been charged with growing cannabis plants.

Jamie Waylett, 19, who plays bully Vincent Crabbe in the film series, allegedly grew 10 cannabis plants at his home in Kilburn, north London.

He will appear at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on 16 July. He has been in all the Harry Potter films as the right-hand man to character Draco Malfoy.
- more on this story

David Guetta And Kelly Rowland Think They Can Perform

EMI reports: International Artist/DJ/Producer David Guetta and pop-R&B superstar Kelly Rowland are set to perform their global hit "When Love Takes Over" for the first time on U.S. television this Thursday, July 9th on Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance."

The hit single from Guetta's upcoming album One Love has become one of the songs of summer 2009 around the globe. Already hitting #1 in the UK, France and Ireland and #1 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Charts, "When Love Takes Over" is now climbing the Top 40 Radio Airplay chart where it is currently #32. "When Love Takes Over" isn't Guetta's only hit on the charts, he produced the Black Eyed Peas most recent single "I Gotta Feeling" which is the #1 selling single in the U.S. and is top ten at Top 40 radio. The sexy video for "When Love Takes Over" shot in Venice Beach, CA by famed director Jonas Akerlund is seeing airplay on Music Choice, BETJ, MTV Hits and Logo and has been streamed over 1.8 million times in just 3 weeks on Guetta's official youtube channel.

Guetta's upcoming fourth studio album, One Love, scheduled for August 25th release on Astralwerks, is an ambitious, ingeniously crafted album that sets forth nothing less than a bold and beautiful manifesto for the global pop and dance audience. - more on this story

Kara DioGuardi Gets Hitched

Hecklerspray reports: Kara DioGuardi has, let's face it, had a hell of a year. Nobody even knew who she was at the start of the year, but American Idol has changed all that - now the whole world knows that Kara DioGuardi is the woman who isn't as entertaining as Simon Cowell or as gregarious as Randy Jackson or as flat-out berserk as Paula Abdul and doesn't really do a lot except upset the perfectly good three-judge dynamic for no good reason whatsoever.

In short, Kara DioGuardi has hit the bigtime. And it's because of this that Kara DioGuardi's contractor boyfriend Mike McCuddy realised that he'd be legally entitled to half of her American Idol earnings if he married her. No, that's not right. We meant that he realised how much he loved her. No, that's not right either. The first one. The first one's right. Oh, look, Kara DioGuardi married her boyfriend on Sunday, that's the point. AP reports:

Kara DioGuardi had a busy Fourth of July weekend: The "American Idol" judge married her beau, contractor Mike McCuddy. DioGuardi's publicist, Danica Smith, says the couple tied the knot on Sunday in Prospect Harbor, Maine. Smith says 30 guests witnessed the ceremony at the Prospect Harbor United Methodist Church. [hopefully he'll inspire her to write better songs] - more on this story

Chrisette Michele Added To Maxwell Tour

Universal reports: Grammy Award-winning Def Jam recording artist Chrisette Michele, who continues to tour the U.S. aggressively this summer in support of her brand new second album EPIPHANY – has been chosen as the opening act for one of the highest profile tours of 2009, as she joins fellow neo-soul artist Maxwell on the road in support of his 8-year comeback album, BLACKsummers'night.

Soulful, jazz-influenced vocalist Chrisette's 20-day, 14-city tour with Maxwell (most dates already sold-out) opens July 12th at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and concludes at Miami's Waterfront Theater on July 31st. (Please see dates below.) The tour immediately follows Chrisette's most recent 17-city May-June itinerary with fellow Grammy winner Anthony Hamilton and neo-soulman Musiq Soulchild. 2009 marks the third consecutive summer that Chrisette has won prime billing spots on tour – after playing out with Raheem DeVaughan from May-July 2008, and with Musiq in July-August 2007.

EPIPHANY debuted at #1 Soundscan following its arrival in the physical and digital marketplace on May 5th. The album built on the success of its Top 10 Adult R&B title tune hit "Epiphany (I'm Leaving)," co-written by fellow Def Jam artist Ne-Yo and producer Chuck Harmony. The second single was "What You Do" (featuring Ne-Yo), whose video co-starred Pooch Hall of the CW sitcom The Game. - more on this story

George Strait Twang Coming

PR reports: The King of Country returns with Twang, the follow-up to his #1, platinum-certified Troubadour, which was named "Best Country Album" at the 2009 Grammy Awards.

George has sold over 67 million albums throughout his record-breaking career and currently sits in third place on the all-time platinum/multi-platinum album certification list, behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.

TWANG, George's 38th album, is set for release on August 11 and features the hit single "Living For The Night" (co-written by George, his son Bubba and Dean Dillon), which has hit the Top 15 in just 3 weeks. "Living For The Night" marks the first time George has penned a song since "I Can't See Texas From Here" from his 1982 debut – Strait Country. Strait co-wrote two additional songs on TWANG - "He's Got That Something Special" and "Out Of Sight Out Of Mind." - more on this story

Smithereens' Dennis Diken Sets New Album Release

conqueroo reports: "I guess I've been writing songs since I was a kid," says Dennis Diken. "There are melodies and lyric ideas that I just can't get out of my head and some of them have been lodged there since I was five or six years old! But I grew up thinking I was just a self-taught drummer and that was my gig."

Diken, best known for providing the backbeat with New Jersey's Smithereens since 1980, has emerged from behind the drum kit to present the forthcoming album Late Music under the nom du disque Dennis Diken with Bell Sound. The recording, due out on September 29, 2009, will be issued by Cryptovision, distributed by Select-O-Hits.

Diken hastens to add, "Please don't call it a 'solo' album. This music was hatched by two musically like-minded guys." Fellow Jerseyan Pete DiBella collaborated with Dennis to bring 13 songs to fruition, reflecting their mutual love of classic pop and rock genres. "DiBella is an inspired musical talent, with a special knack for vocal arranging. I did my first home recordings with him in the '70s and we reconnected in the '90s. His ability to maximize a minimal recording setup is stunning. "Standing in That Line" was cut on a four-track cassette!" - more on this story

Rosanna Cash Announces New Album

Blue Note reports: Rosanne Cash will release her 12th studio album, entitled The List, on Manhattan Records on October 6th, 2009. This stunning work features Cash's contemporary interpretations of 12 classic songs culled from a list of essential country tunes that her legendary father Johnny gave her in 1973, and filtered through her own unique, sophisticated perspective.

Known primarily for her stellar songwriting, Cash showcases her incredible voice on The List — her first-ever covers record. As a result, the album is Rosanne Cash like you've never heard her before as she embraces her heritage and sings for the pure love and beauty of these songs which have shaped who she is as an artist.

The idea for The List came about while Cash was on tour promoting her 2006 studio album, the critically heralded, Grammy-nominated Black Cadillac — a reflective song cycle about the loss of her father, mother Vivian Liberto, and stepmother June Carter Cash. During the well-received multi-media event Black Cadillac: In Concert, Cash told audiences how, when she was 18, her father became alarmed that his daughter appeared to lack a deep understanding of country music (having been obsessed with The Beatles and steeped in Southern California rock and pop music). Johnny gave her a list of the "100 Essential Country Songs" and told her that it was her education and she should learn them all. - more on this story

Wolf & Cub Set Album Release

PR reports: Pigeon Versus Statue is pleased to announce the U.S. digital release of Wolf & Cub's album, Science And Sorcery on August 4th (through Dot Dash).

It's more than two years since Wolf & Cub broke cover with their debut album, Vessels. Those two years seem to have taken on a momentum all their own. The album was released around the globe and the band found themselves playing in Japan, Europe, the UK and the USA and touring Australia with TV On The Radio, The Killers, Queens of the Stone Age, Wolfmother and Primal Scream.

Produced by Chris Colonna (Bumblebeez) Science and Sorcery was recorded in Colonna's studio in his hometown of Braidwood in the Southern tablelands of New South Wales. Though initially an unlikely fit with Colonna's Hip Hop cut & paste production style, the resulting tracks speak for themselves; a surge of deep, menacing, groove-driven, fuzzed-out, electro gems. - more on this story

Lissy Trullie Go Downtown After Swine Flu Treatment

PR reports: Lissy Trullie has had an eventful year so far, and the last few months and those to come are no exception. The New York group have recently signed to Downtown Records in North America, and Wichita Recordings for the UK and other territories, and are currently in the studio writing songs and preparing to record their debut full-length which they plan to release in early 2010. The band is excited to build upon the success of their debut EP Self-Taught Learner.

All has not been without hiccups however. Having completed a tour of the US with The Virgins and Anya Marina this May, Lissy Trullie kept on and crossed the Atlantic for what was looking to be a very fun and successful jaunt through Europe and the UK. Yet after a couple of shows prospects headed south in Hamburg as Ian Fenger (Bass) was diagnosed with the dreaded H1N1 virus (aka Swine Flu) on June 7th and was committed to hospital.

Seriously ill and hooked up to an IV, Ian and the band as well as their friends and family discovered that the infamous Flu was in fact no joke. They also found out the German government was not going to treat it as such either. Despite not showing signs of illness, precautionary measures were enforced, and the rest of the band and tour manager were quarantined in their hotel and prevented from leaving. There they were administered medicine and monitored for symptoms. - more on this story

Gary Set to Go In September

PR reports: Bespectacled, London-born Gary Go, who is fast becoming a major new vocalist and rising star, is the toast of England right now and bringing his self-titled debut album to America for release on September 15th on Decca. Teaming a striking voice with a sharp sense of storytelling, Gary's guitar and piano-led, hook-driven sounds balance a unique edginess with universal appeal.

Go, the son of a producer for Jim Henson's Muppets, is a gifted narrator who is equally influenced by writers Paul Auster and Arthur Miller as by David Bowie and Trent Reznor. Highlights from Go's album include the endearingly reflective, "So-So" and "Open Arms," an ode to self-acceptance that blends beautiful production and a soaring chorus. Musicians joining Go include Living Colour's Will Calhoun and Doug Wimbush (who was also in the legendary Sugar Hill Gang), and eclectic songstress Carina Round.

This self-taught multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter has generated an explosion of press acclaim in the UK. Q Magazine declares the album is a "gigantic pop debut" while Red Magazine raves that Go's self-titled debut is a "Must-Hear Album… If you like Coldplay, you'll like this!" The Sun describes Go as "the musical love child of Chris Martin and David Gary, with an added dash of bespectacled charm." - more on this story

Tuesday

En Vogue Reunite

NME reports: En Vogue returned to the live arena Sunday night (July 5) with a slot at the Essence Festival in New Orleans.

The original lineup of the vocal girl group - Cindy Herron-Bragg, Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson and Maxine Jones - were reunited at the Superdome.

They performing a string of hits including 'Free Your Mind', 'My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)' and 'Don't Let Go (Love)' .
- more on this story

Stars Lineup For Michael Jackson Memorial

MTV reports: The public memorial service for Michael Jackson at Los Angeles' Staples Center on Tuesday will feature some of the late singer's closest collaborators, friends and fans paying tribute to the King of Pop.

Among the stars expected to appear (and possibly perform) at the public event — which will take place after a private memorial earlier in the morning — are Jennifer Hudson, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Usher, John Mayer, Lionel Richie and Motown founder Berry Gordy, according to a statement from a spokesperson for the Jackson family.

The list does not specify which of the attendees will perform, but Carey is reportedly slated to reprise her famous cover of the Jackson song "I'll Be There" at the public ceremony
- See who else is expected to be there

Sexy Miley Cyrus Photo Hits Web

antiMusic reports: There is a new sexy Miley Cyrus photo circulating on the web. But this one wasn't leaked off her cell phone, it's part of a new magazine feature article.

Examiner.com reports: A photo that is circulating the internet shows Cyrus in thigh-high boots and a black dress sprawled out on a table. Yep, she's definitely trying to let the world know that despite being sisteen-year-old, she is not a kid anymore.

The only excerpts for the interview thus far are about her fashion line with Max Azria for Wal-Mart and her friendships with other teen celebrities. - Read more and see the photo

MxPx Turn 17 and Are Celebrating With Webcast

PR reports: Today marks the 17 year anniversary to the day that the rock juggernaut that is MxPx performed their very first show in the backyard of Mike Herrera's childhood home in Bremerton, WA. In that very suburban spot, they created a recording studio out of the free-standing garage, and The Clubhouse was born. It has become a memorable and historic location for the band, which is why they have chosen, on this anniversary, to bring it back home, literally, and perform a "best of" set list live for their fans!

MxPx has teamed up with Stickam.com to bring their fans to one online location on Wednesday, July 8, for a full band performance. The performance will be a true fan experience with the band performing and doing an open Q&A throughout their set for all fans to take part in. Fans can log onto www.stickam.com/mxpx, starting Wednesday, July 8 at 5:30 pm PST/8:30 pm EST, with the live set kicking off at 6 pm PST/9 pm EST. Always wanting to have fans involved, in conjunction with the live performance, the band has teamed up with pickRset.com starting Monday, July 6, fans can log onto www.pickrset.com/bands/mxpx as well as MxPx's official website and social networking sites (listed below) to vote, actually hand-picking the bands "best of" set list for the Wednesday show. Fans will have up until the morning of the performance to choose their favorite MxPx songs for the performance.

With bands sprouting up left and right, longevity is an attribute found in few and far between within today's society. With that in mind, on thoughts of whether the band believed they would be together this long, front man Mike Herrera says, "I never thought about it too much, although, sometimes it feels like an endurance test... how long will we last?" According to the faithful, MxPx has more than passed the test. And what news fans probably don't realize, drummer Yuri Ruley responds simply as "I've spent over half my life in MxPx. Let that blow your mind a little!" - more on this story

Jason Mraz Adds New Tour Leg

Atlantic Records reports: Jason Mraz has announced the second leg of his "Gratitude Café Tour." The first leg of the tour, which kicks off July 25th in Columbia, MD, runs through August 30.

The second leg kicks off September 14 in Dallas, TX, after a special appearance at Seattle's Bumbershoot Festival on September 6, and runs through October 10, where Mraz will close the tour with a performance at the Hollywood Bowl. Tickets will go on sale July 11th, for purchasing details visit www.jasonmraz.com.

The San Diego-based songsmith has partnered with The VH1 Save The Music Foundation to donate a portion of every ticket sold to the organization, which is dedicated to the restoration of instrumental music programs and raising awareness about the importance of music in a child's education. - more on this story

Oasis' Mainman Wants To Join Another Band

MusicRadar reports: Oasis linchpin Noel Gallagher wants to join another band, "play the guitar and not have to worry about singing or writing songs."

In an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Gallagher also denied Oasis would not make a record for five years, but poured cold water on the notion of a solo album.

Gallagher said: "[Five] was just a number. I could have said 10, but Oasis won't break up. It's just that at the moment I can't see what more we can do. Bigger tours? More money? "I need something different to maintain my interest... My ideal would be to join another band."
- more on this story

Neil Diamond Taking Over CBS For A Hot August Night

Sony reports: Hot August Night: NTC, a new concert special featuring highlights from one of Neil Diamond's most memorable recent concerts, will be broadcast Friday, Aug. 14 (8:00–9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

The special features electrifying performances from Diamond's latest sold-out concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York. Diamond sings several of his classic and beloved Top Ten hits including "America," "Cracklin' Rosie," "I Am…I Said," "Cherry, Cherry" and the world's greatest sing-along song, "Sweet Caroline." In addition, Diamond reflects on a recent visit to his hometown, as he takes the audience on his journey from Brooklyn to Madison Square Garden, in an intimate look at the man behind the music.

The Neil Diamond – Hot August Night: Nyc broadcast celebrates the simultaneous DVD release from Sony Music of the complete show recorded during Neil Diamond's historic four-night run at Madison Square Garden. Featuring over two hours of live music and 25 career-spanning hits, the DVD captures the dynamic energy that has epitomized Neil Diamond's live performances for over four decades and includes "Song Sung Blue," "Holly Holy," and the very first live release of "Pretty Amazing Grace" from his most recent #1 album, Home Before Dark. Also included is additional footage of the exclusive bonus feature "Welcome Home Neil," a behind-the-scenes look at Diamond's pilgrimage to his childhood home in Brooklyn. The DVD with bonus CD is available exclusively at all Wal-Mart locations and online at Walmart.com (www.walmart.com) beginning Friday, Aug. 14. - more on this story

Noisettes American Tour

PR reports: In the midst of a busy summer schedule of European festival dates, effervescent UK pop trio Noisettes will travel to America for three weeks of club dates in advance of their album, WILD YOUNG HEARTS. Kicking off July 22nd in Los Angeles, Noisettes will visit nearly a dozen cities.

Noisettes' single "Never Forget You" will go up for sale at all digital partners, tomorrow July 7th! WILD YOUNG HEARTS debuted at #1 on the iTunes UK chart after spawning the massive #2 smash single "Don't Upset the Rhythm."

The follow-up UK single, the '60s-tinged soul gem "Never Forget You," was released on both sides of the Atlantic in June. WILD YOUNG HEARTS is set for September 22nd release in the U.S. on Mercury Records. - more on this story

Carmen Reece Hyped as Diva 2.0

PR reports: U.K. sensation Carmen Reece is U.S. bound with a hot new sound that is set to wow listeners and critics worldwide. In fact, as she puts the finishing touches on her debut album, Love in Stereo, ground-floor fans are hailing HER as a "Diva 2.0" and drawing comparisons to Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys and Beyoncé. That designation is bolstered by Carmen having been "discovered" by multi-platinum producer-songwriter Mark J. Feist, known for his work with the likes of Beyoncé, Céline Dion, Natalie Cole, and countless other artists who have left their mark upon the music industry forever. Carmen Reece hopes to do the same.

Born and raised in London, Reece, 22, exhibited talent from an early age earning a place as a flautist in the National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain at 11. "I wrote my first song when I was 12. I think I just learned how to do it by listening to pop music. It happened very naturally" she says. While attending the Brit Performing Arts & Technology School (which has also nurtured Adele, Leona Lewis, Amy Winehouse and Imogen Heap), Carmen and a Brit School pal opened for Kelly Rowland at the Hammersmith Apollo for an audience of 5,000. Carmen also earned U.K. radio support for the track "How Freaky Can You Get," even performing it live on the BBC's Radio 1 for a national listening audience. She subsequently made waves with the song "You Got Me," the video for which enjoyed widespread circulation.

The up tempo first single "Right Here" from her upcoming album debut Love in Stereo, was written by Reece, Feist and Wayne Hector (Pussycat Dolls, Britney Spears). It's an inspirational tale, stepping into the shoes of a girl who's who's found the strength to move on after being dismissed by her man. - more on this story

Landon Pigg Goes Soph

RCA reports: Singer-Songwriter Landon Pigg will release his sophomore album The Boy Who Never on September 15th on RCA Records. Produced by Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Modest Mouse, Tom Waits) the record includes a new arrangement of Pigg's fantastic single "Falling In Love At A Coffee Shop."

Best known for being part of the 2007 "A Diamond Is Forever" holiday season commercial, the track is currently spotlighted in AT&T's latest ad campaign and has sold more than 400,000 digital tracks.

26-year-old Pigg is also making his feature film debut later this year co-starring opposite Ellen Page in the Drew Barrymoore directed film Whip It which will be released on October 9th through Mandate Pictures and Fox Searchlight. Pigg plays the role of Oliver, a musician who falls for Bliss Cavendar (Ellen Page), a teen girl with a passion for roller derby. - more on this story

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