Jonas Brothers Wardrobe Malfunction- Lil Wayne Going To Prison- Rihanna AMA?- The Name Game- Soupy Sales RIP- The Public Funds The Enemy and more

Justin Moore is riding high on his first No. 1 song, "Small Town USA." Early next year, he's planning to celebrate another first: a baby daughter.more -

Leona Lewis Announces New Album Details

RCA reports: Multi-platinum singer and songwriter Leona Lewis, who took the music world by storm with her 2008 debut album Spirit, will release its follow-up, entitled ECHO, on November 17th on J Records/Syco Music.

After proving her commercial potency on the three-time Grammy-nominated Spirit, which entered both the U.K. and U.S. album charts at No. 1, spawned the best-selling single of 2008 ("Bleeding Love"), and sold more than six million copies worldwide, ECHO gave Lewis the opportunity to take a few chances. "I knew that I had evolved as a singer, songwriter, and performer," she says, "so it was important to me to take the songs on ECHO to the next level and show what else I could do."

To that end, Lewis co-wrote nine songs on the album, collaborating with a host of A-list songwriters and producers, including re-teaming with One Republic frontman and "Bleeding Love" co-writer/producer Ryan Tedder on three tracks, including the first single "Happy." She also worked with Swedish studio vet Max Martin and songwriter/producer Novel, as well as new collaborators Justin Timberlake, multi-platinum Bon Jovi/Kelly Clarkson producer John Shanks, and in-demand hitmakers Evan Bogart and Kevin Rudolf. Each helped Lewis deliver raw emotion through the melodies and lyrics and make full use of her "titanium-caliber voice" (as the New York Times has described it). Once again, Clive Davis and Simon Cowell joined forces to co-produce ECHO. - more on this story

Michael Jackson: Before He Was King

PR reports: "Michael Jackson: Before He Was King" a unique and exciting new book that those Jackson fans will love. It reaches bookstores next week and contains 100 photographs taken by Todd Gray, who worked with Michael Jackson for several years before Michael requested that he become his personal photographer, a relationship that would encompass the Michael's performances with the Jacksons through the release of his smash solo albums Off the Wall and Thriller.

This collection of unseen, intimate, and joyful pictures of Michael taken over a span of 10 years reveal him at home, with his family and fans, in career-making live performances, and on the "Beat It" video shoot. A young black man not much older than Jackson at the time they met, Gray brings unique insights to his time with the singer, contributing stories and context to the images, presenting a rare, intimate portrait of Michael at a creative peak as he grew from a brilliantly talented young man into a pop icon.

Todd Gray photographed Michael Jackson over a period of 10 years, often as Jackson's chosen photographer. He has shot numerous album covers and directed music videos, and his photo-based artwork is in the permanent collections of museums in the U.S. and abroad. He is currently a professor of art and photography at Cal State University, Long Beach, and lives in Los Angeles. - Check out a Q&A with Gray here

Juliana Hatfield Announces New Album Release

PR reports: Peace And Love, Juliana Hatfield's latest album, will be released on February 16, 2010 on Ye Olde Records. Hatfield, of course, has a long history of DIY endeavors - from her trailblazing days with Boston indie band the Blake Babies to her recent releases on Ye Olde Records, the label she founded in 2005 - but with Peace And Love she reaches a new level of independence. She produced and engineered the album herself and played all the instruments, including acoustic and electric guitars, piano, harmonica and drum machine.

"I've produced records before but I was always in a studio with professional engineers. So it was definitely a learning process for me," says Hatfield, who was ready to strip things down after her critically acclaimed 2008 album, How To Walk Away, which was a full studio production. "I always like to try things I've never done before and I'd been yearning to record myself."

Hatfield had just purchased her brother's eight-track digital recorder and moved into a Cambridge apartment with a back room that had excellent natural acoustics, so the time was right. "I was able to follow every instinct without worrying that anyone was going to think it was a kooky idea," she recalls. "I just wanted to do something simple." - more on this story

Smokey Robinson To Keynote SXSW

SXSW reports: South By Southwest (SXSW) is thrilled to announce that the legendary Smokey Robinson will deliver the keynote address at their 2010 Music Conference. The address will kick off SXSW activities at the Austin Convention Center on Thursday, March 18, 2010.

Smokey Robinson is one of the architects of the "Motown sound" and his voice and songs established the label's profound impact on culture across the globe. Robinson's artistry has been celebrated worldwide, having received Kennedy Center Honors, a membership in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the "UK Special Achievement Award" at the Ivor Novello. Bob Dylan called Robinson "America's greatest living poet," and his work as an executive at Motown was central in establishing a unique chapter in popular music history.

Robinson continues to forge new trails, mentoring "American Idol" contestants in 2009 and writing and recording new music. Robinson's current CD "Time Flies When You're Having Fun," was released on August 25, 2009 on his own Robso Records and the songs sound as fresh and timeless as his pioneering work from the 60's. - more on this story

Funk Filharmonik's 24th Anniversary Funksgiving

PR reports: What do Billy Joel, John Mayer, Bruce Springsteen, Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Gloria Estefan, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Jessica Simpson and The Blues Brothers have in common? The answer: members of Long Island's own Funk Filharmonik have supported them all at some point over the past 25 years, either in the studio for top 10 hits or on stage at events ranging from outdoor festivals to world class concert halls - even to the White House Lawn!

On Friday November 27th at 8pm, join this venerable who's who of internationally renowned funk players as they present their Funksgiving celebration for the 24th straight year, this time taking place at what is being billed as Club Funk; located at the Elks Club at 195 Main Street (RT 25A), Huntington Village NY 11743 1-888-902-3336. This show also marks a first for the band; the release of their debut CD "Everybody Get Down" which is available at cdbaby and itunes now.

"We have been blessed to enjoy the careers we have had as individuals, but I feel that with the release of our first album - which we produced and created ourselves - that this collection of players is primed to be recognized among the very best in the world at what we do as a band, too" remarked Ozzie Melendez, Musical Director, Trombone Player and Co-Leader. - more on this story

Alan Jackson Collection Coming to Cracker Barrel

PR reports: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store will take an important step forward with its music merchandising program with the introduction of The Alan Jackson Collection, a 40+ piece assortment of lifestyle items created in conjunction with megastar Alan Jackson and available only at Cracker Barrel beginning November 2. The popular restaurant and retail concept has been growing its business as a non-traditional music retailer since 2003, and is setting a new standard by developing this extensive assortment of high quality merchandise to appeal to Cracker Barrel guests, many of whom are already Alan Jackson fans.

The Alan Jackson Collection features menswear and womenswear, food items, collectibles, an Alan Jackson Signature Rocker and other exclusive items (see full list below) including a CD. SONGS OF LOVE AND HEARTACHE includes two previously unreleased songs, "That's What I'd Be Like Without You," and "Nothing Sure Looked Good On You," as well as 10 other songs, including such hits as "Here in the Real World," "Livin On Love," and "Remember When."

The Alan Jackson Collection isthe first time Cracker Barrel has developed a complete line of merchandise around a star. Jackson was completely involved in the creation of the collection. He personally reviewed and approved all 40+ items and advised Cracker Barrel on what he thought might appeal to his fans. The collection is truly a reflection of his personal lifestyle centered on country heritage and family connections. The country music singer and songwriter is well-known for his songs that tell of universal truths by recounting honest, individual stories that resonate for many people as if they were their own tales. That same attention to detail is apparent in every item in this collection. - more on this story

Yo Gabba Gabba Announce Extra Tickets

PR reports: With Yo Gabba Gabba!'s highly anticipated tour about to kick off, tour promoters are excited to announce a limited number of new seats have been released from production for the Los Angeles shows on Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15. These tickets are now available for public sale. [No reason given why they were held back]

YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE: THERE'S A PARTY IN MY CITY, will open in Los Angeles on November 14 and head from LA to New York and then to Chicago. Tickets are available via ticketmaster.com. Children under one year of age will be admitted free to sit on a parent's lap.

YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE: THERE'S A PARTY IN MY CITY is the first live U.S. touring show for the hit children's program, which was created by Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz and is produced by The Magic Store and W!LDBRAIN. Jon Berrett and Michael Polis are executive producers for the television show. - more on this story

Devendra Banhart Hitting The Road

PR reports: Devendra Banhart and band will be playing U.S. tour dates this November in celebration of the release of What Will We Be, his sixth full length release, and his label debut for Warner Bros. Records.

The new album was recorded in a sleepy Northern California town throughout the Spring of 2009 co-produced by Devendra and Paul Butler (from UK outfit Band Of Bees).

Rounding out the touring line-up will be Devendra on vocals and guitar; Noah Georgeson (producer of Banhart's last two albums, Little Joy, Bert Jansch and Joanna Newsome) on guitar and backing vocals, Greg Rogove (Priestbird) on drums and backing vocals; Luckey Remington (The Pleased) on bass and vocals and Rodrigo Amarante (Los Hermanos, Little Joy) on guitar and backing vocals. This is the same line up that recorded What Will We Be. All the musicians involved played a part in arranging the songs recorded. - more on this story

Bomshel Fight Like A Girl

PR reports: October 20th Curb Records lit the fuse to ignite Bomshel's debut album release Fight Like A Girl, a well-crafted collection of female-empowering themes and edgy undertones; not left without a tender touch.

Bomshel, comprised of Kristy O and Kelley Shepard, spent a lifetime and the last year and a half preparing for the release of Fight Like A Girl. This record is a product of countless hours around a kitchen table, fueled by gallons of coffee and taken from an immeasurable variety of lessons in life learned.

With a studio upstairs in their Nashville-based home, the two had a hand in virtually every aspect of this album start to finish; mixing, recording, co-writing on ten out of the eleven tracks. The exception being a rockin' countrified version of No Doubt's 'Just A Girl,' featuring a tantalizing yet familiar fiddle intro by Kristy O! - more on this story

theendisthebeginning Debut Set

PR reports: atmospheric newcomers, theendisthebeginning, will be releasing their impressive debut, master machine, on november 10th, 2009. the five-song offering is the first from the southern california-based quintent; comprised of clint kaminska, daniel pedrosa, matt kjorvestad, robert armondo flores, and ryan hone.

the album was arranged and recorded in hone's modest home studio, and at lo-fi studios in loma linda, ca, with martin arreteche serving as producer and engineer, and hone co-producing. the band will be releasing master machine via their own imprint, the brown noise, in partnership with los angeles-based chupee records.

master machine is a delicately layered and carefully crafted record built upon soulful vocals, open-tuned guitars, skyward-reaching synths, subtle string flourishes, and a tightly wound rhythm section. the intimacy of the recordings may appeal to introspective types, however the album is not all a navel-gazing affair. master machine is filled with anthemic progressions and charging melodies that would feel at home in both a bedroom or stadium setting. - more on this story

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