Michael Jackson Producer Slams Quincy Jones- Nicole Richie Marries Good Charlotte's Joel Madden- Ja Rule Facing Trial- Narnia Rules- Paramore Plan Next Album- more

(ASB) Rapper Plies is at the center of a copyright infringement lawsuit over allegations he illegally sampled a track written by a songwriter in North Carolina. more

Crystal Bowersox Debut Album Hits Tomorrow But You Can Listen Today

American Idol runner-up Crystal Bowersox will release her debut album, Farmer's Daughter on December 14th. Her debut includes the single and video Farmer's Daughter produced by David Bendeth (Paramore, Breaking Benjamin, Papa Roach).

Bowersox will kick off release week with a slew of high profile television appearances starting with Friday's performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Live with Regis & Kelly December 13th, The Ellen DeGeneres Show December 16th and Chelsea Lately on December 22. While in New York, Bowersox will be a part of CitySights NY holiday initiative, donating much needed gifts to children in need. Bowersox will take part in the joy of handing out toys and singing songs from her new album including a holiday classic or two.

Farmer's Daughter is heartfelt and honest. Bowersox tells poignant, powerful and personal stories on original songs like "Holy Toledo" and the touching title track, "Farmer's Daughter" which delves into her overcoming abuse as a child. Bowersox's voice reverberates with passion as she segues from a lilting croon into country harmonies that are impossible to forget. The twelve tracks, ten of them written or co-written by Bowersox, showcase her strong songwriting skills and her desire to infuse her lyrics with that raw emotion of someone who has lived. Two additional songs round out the record including "Hold On" written by Kara DioGuardi and Nickelback's Chad Kroeger and a cover of Buffalo Springfield's 1967 classic "For What It's Worth."

Currently, fans can listen to the exclusive online album premiere of Farmer's Daughter here

Prince Announces Welcome 2 America Support Acts

Prince has announced his guests for the first four dates of his "Welcome 2 America" performances. Joining him for his first performance on December 15th at the Izod Center will be jazz bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding and R&B artist Lalah Hathaway.

Also at Izod, Prince will be joined by Grammy winning jazz performer Cassandra Wilson and funk saxophonist Maceo Parker on December 17th. For the first performance at Madison Square Garden on December 18th, comedian Sinbad and famed bassist Larry Graham and his band Graham Central Station. That night only, Sheila E will join Prince on stage. On December 29th at MSG, fans will be treated to Twin City legends Mint Condition and recent double-Grammy nominee Janelle Monae.

Due to overwhelming demand, Prince recently announced an additional date at Madison Square Garden on January 18th, the guests for this show have yet to be announced. The two previously announced Madison Square Garden shows taking place on December 18th and December 29th sold out in less than 30 minutes. more on this story

Eisley Returning With The Valley

(PR) Eisley will release their first album in four years, "The Valley," on March 1 through Equal Vision Records.

The 11-track set was recorded at Rosewood Studios in their hometown of Tyler, Texas, with producer/engineers Gary Leach and Austin Deptula (LeAnn Rimes), and mixed by Andy Freeman at Bay Area Tone in San Francisco.

The album's title refers to the emotional turmoil that the DuPree sisters, who front Eisley, experienced as they crafted their third album: Sherri enduring a failed marriage; Chauntelle, a broken engagement; and Stacy, a painful breakup. The only relationship that ended on their terms was the split with Warner Bros. Records, the label that released their first two albums and several EPs. more on this story

Jamie Foxx Jam of the Week

Jamie Foxx's brand new video "Fall For Your Type," featuring Drake, will be featured as "Jam of the Week" on MTV JAMS starting today December 13th.

Directed by Chris Robinson, the video captures the range of emotions and drama Jamie experiences after falling in love with a volatile woman. The striking video features Grammy nominated rapper Drake and model Jessica Burciaga as Jamie's love interest.

Jamie and Drake will bring the video to life with a national television debut performance of the chart-climbing single on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on December 13th. "Fall For Your Type," written by Noah "40" Shebib, Noel Campbell and Drake, and produced by Shebib, is the first single from Jamie's forthcoming album Best Night Of My Life, set for release on December 21st on J Records.

The Lonely Forest Set Album Release

The Lonely Forest will release their Trans Records label debut Arrows, on March 22.

The album release follows a year filled with recording, touring and the release of the band's eponymous digital-only EP.

Trans Records is the new label headed by Chris Walla, guitarist and producer for Grammy-nominated rock band Death Cab for Cutie, who found The Lonely Forest's music so compelling he made the band his label's very first signing. Walla produced and engineered Arrows at Sound City studio in Los Angeles, Tiny Telephone in San Francisco and his own, Portland-based studio, Alberta Court. He also mixed three tracks—"Be Everything," "Turn Off This Song And Go Outside" and "I Don't Want To Live There." The balance of the album was mixed by John Goodmanson (Girls, Nada Surf, Weezer). more on this story

Lance Lopez Release Party

Lance Lopez is celebrating the release of his new album "Salvation From Sundown" with a special CD release party and performance.

The party and show will take place on Friday December 17th in Dallas, TX at the famed venue La Grange.

Lance commented about the show and CD release party: "I am very excited about the release of what I feel is my best work to date. Salvation from Sundown is a very special CD, and I am very happy that I am able to celebrate the release of it in my hometown of Dallas, Texas in one of Dallas' newest Texas Music-Based Venues, La Grange. Voted Best Bar in Dallas in 2010 by the Dallas Observer and located in Deep Ellum on Elm Street, La Grange will host the Salvation from Sundown cd release party and the event will be Emcee'd by local Dallas Radio personality Randy James from Lonestar 92.5's Bo and Jim Morning Show. There is a stellar band put together for the event featuring Eric "Scorch" Scortia (Omar and the Howlers, Delbert McClinton) on Keyboards, Alex Hahn (Don Henley) on Drums, and Rob G. on Bass. We will be playing all the tracks from Salvation. I will also be giving descriptions of each song in detail and the stories behind them. Please come celebrate this unique and once in a lifetime event with us at La Grange in Deep Ellum on December 17 2010." more on this story

Moe Green, yU, Roc Marciano, X.O. on Iconocastic

(Audible Treats) Iconocastic has returned to bring you an early holiday gift. Starting things off on the right foot is Moe Green with "Lights, Camera, Action," a high-energy track complete with electronic elements and a pulsating rhythm.

The first of three contributions from the Mello Music Group crew is up next and yU of Diamond District fame kills it over a sample-heavy SlimKat78-produced beat. Roc Marciano, X.O. and Tranqill follow with the titular track from a recently released Mello compilation album and collaborate with producer Apollo Brown for "Helpless Dreamer." While some may be familiar with the next track, Boog Brown's "Understanding," the soulful tune is presented here in a whole new light thanks to Audible Doctor's remix, layering sparse vocal samples to achieve a different ambience entirely.

Finally, IMAKEMADBEATS rounds out this installment, and both he and his guest, MidaZ The Beast, contribute angry rhymes with palpable emotion. A special holiday gift to you, hopefully this podcast will tide you over until number 85. Grab it at iTunes

Vast Aire Releasing New Single Tomorrow

(Submitted) The new single from legendary hip hop artist Vast Aire "I Don't Care" featuring the 10th-member of the Wu Tang Clan, Cappadonna, will be released on iTunes tomorrow.

The track is a part of a maxi-single that Vast Aire is releasing with independent record label Man Bites Dog Records; where Vast recently announced he had inked a new two-LP deal with.

"I Don't Care" is taken from Vast's forthcoming LP "OX 2010 Street Odyssey" which will be released in February 2011. more on this story

Black Angels Confirm Austin Psych Fest Lineup

(Big Hassle) The Black Angels and Reverberation Appreciation Society are happy to announce the dates, location and initial lineup for Austin Psych Fest 4.

The 4th annual festival will be held at The East Side Drive In, an outside venue in the heart of downtown from April 29 - May 1, 2011.

Spanning the full range of the psych sounds, the festival honors the past while also magnifying the modern vanguard of mind-expanding music. The festival grounds will feature a multi-stage setup and wide-open spaces for you to stretch out and enjoy live performances from these bands and many more to be announced more on this story

Dawes Song Used in Chevrolet Silverado Ad

(Big Hassle) Dawes single "When My Time Comes," from their debut album North Hills, has been selected to be the theme song of the new Chevrolet Silverado television ad campaign.

The campaign, by arrangement with aboveandbiond produced by Detroit-based advertising agency Campbell-Ewald, began airing December 1.

Dawes are currently in the studio working on the highly anticipated follow-up to North Hills and lead singer, guitarist Goldsmith is about to release a record with his other band, Middle Brother, featuring John McCauley from Deer Tick and Matt Vasquez from Delta Spirit.

Ariel Aparicio Heads To Rock Ridge For Aerials Release

(PR) Ariel Aparicio has signed to Rock Ridge Music with plans to release his next album, "Aerials," via digital distribution in March 2011.

Says Aparicio of the forthcoming album and his label partnership: "Aerials is my most complete work to date. Every song is there for a reason, every word and every sound. It manages to bring together all my musical influences - dance, alternative, punk, new wave, Latin and classic rock into one very cohesive-sounding record. I am thrilled that Rock Ridge decided to put it out. They are an amazing group of people who totally believe in this record and have gotten behind it, 100%." more on this story