This Week's Top Pop Stories

Here are the top stories from this week's Day in Pop and the top Day in Pop digest stories

Naughty Miley Cyrus Pictures Leak- DMX Moved To Mental Health Unit- Eminem, Jay-Z, Dr. Dre Track- Justin Beiber and Selena Shack Up?- Lady Gaga Best of 2010- more

The Day in Pop Digest for 12/29/10: Miley Cyrus is facing fresh controversy after a set of photographs leaked. She is pictured lying on a sofa in a revealing black mini-dress, as a girl, believed to be her assistant, pulls at the fabric and pretends to lick the star's breast. more. The pics are posted here

Eminem has released perhaps the most star-powered jam of the year (that doesn't include Kanye). Eminem, Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Stat Quo, and Cashis all appear, and while the chorus is questionable and the track runs about two guests too long, but listen here

(Billboard) DMX has been moved to a mental health unit at the Arizona State Prison Complex facility, Alhambra, where he is serving his latest prison term. more

(Billboard) In the latest disappointment for the ambitious Broadway production of "Spider-Man," one of the lead actresses who suffered a concussion during its first preview performance is quitting the show. more

(Jam!) A photo which appears to show rumoured couple Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez kissing has been dismissed as a fake by the Baby hitmaker's representative. more

(Jam!) In related news Justin Bieber's romance with Selena Gomez is heating up if a new U.S. report suggesting the young couple spent the night together at Miami, Florida's swanky Gansevoort hotel are to be believed. more

(Billboard) In the midst of all the holiday engagements and births comes one bit of sad news -- Rihanna and her boyfriend of nearly a year, Matt Kemp, have gone their separate ways, according to multiple reports more

(Jam!) Lady Gaga has another chart-topping feat to celebrate ahead of the New Year - she recorded the bestselling album of 2010. Gaga's The Fame Monster - an extended version of her 2008 debut The Fame - has scored nearly six million sales worldwide over the last year. more

(Jam!) Country music icon Merle Haggard has been given the all-clear after a two-year battle with cancer more

(NME) A stuntman has been involved in a serious accident on the set of forthcoming comedy sequel The Hangover 2 more

(NME) Hero director Zhang Yimou has announced that Christian Bale will star in Nanjing Heroes, the story of the Nanjing Massacre more

(BBC) Star Wars sequel The Empire Strikes Back is to be preserved by the US Library of Congress in its National Film Registry more

(Yahoo) Reese Witherspoon is engaged to Hollywood agent Jim Toth. A representative for the actress confirmed that the couple will wed and says they're "extremely happy." more

(L.A. Times) Disneyland Resort temporarily halted ticket sales at both of its Anaheim theme parks Tuesday because of massive crowds, and visitors complained of slow traffic and especially long lines. more
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Teena Marie RIP- Justin Bieber Mall Frenzy- Spider-Man Musical Relaunched With No Injuries- Hugh Hefner Engaged- Selena Gomez, Mariah Carey, Lee DeWyze Special- more

The Day in Pop Digest for 12/27/10: (Billboard) Teena Marie, the "Ivory Queen of Soul" who developed a lasting legacy with her silky soul pipes and hits like "Lovergirl," "Square Biz," and "Fire and Desire" with mentor Rick James, has died. She was 54. more

(Jam!) Teen pop "singer" Justin Bieber caused a stir at a mall in Kitchener, Ont., located 100 km west of Toronto, as he went shopping for items such as jeans and sunglasses on Sunday. more

(NME) U2 scored Spider-Man musical finally returns without a hitch New safety measures help most expensive musical production in history more

In related news: A stunt actor who fell 30 feet while playing Spider-Man on Broadway is walking again, and his father said Saturday that he can't wait to return to the role despite injuries that have him confined to the intensive care unit. more

(Hollywood Reporter) New North American box office champ "Little Fockers" narrowly led the international field during the weekend as Mother Nature hit sales across Europe, which accounts for about half the foreign box office. more

(Yahoo) Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner says he's gotten engaged again. Hefner said in a Twitter message early Sunday that he'd given a ring to girlfriend and Playmate Crystal Harris more

(ASB) The Disney's star-studded Christmas Day Parade which was taped in early December has finally been aired over the weekend. The musical guests of the holiday event included Selena Gomez, Mariah Carey, Jackie Evancho and Lee DeWyze. Watch video here

(ASB) Justin Bieber thrilled fans at his final gig of the year in the U.S. on Thursday, December 23, bringing Sean Kingston, Soulja Boy, Bow Wow, Akon and Ludacris onstage with him. The "Baby" hitmaker ended his trek at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia and he stunned the crowd with a star-studded show. more

(Jam@) Singer Jason Mraz is set to wed singer/songwriter Tristan Prettyman after proposing on Thursday night. more -

Abba Reunion?

(Gibson) Will they or won't they take a chance? ABBA fans have been begging for a reunion for years. Now, Agnetha Fältskog (one-fourth of the '70s Swedish supergroup) says she is open to reuniting with her old band mates for the first time in nearly three decades.

"A reunion, at a one-time occasion, perhaps for some benefit is something I think we all could consider," the flaxen-haired siren told Magasin M. "We will hardly reunite for a tour like The Rolling Stones and other old bands do. But I can consider us doing something in the future."

The jump-suited group last performed together on British TV in December 1982. The four members — Fältskog, Anni-Frid "Frida" Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson — have repeatedly stated that they would never perform together again, having only appeared in public together on a handful of occasions (including the Swedish premiere of the film Mamma Mia!). When the group was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year, only Lyngstad and Andersson attended the ceremony. - more on this story

Shunda K Targets Westboro Baptist Church In New Video

(Fantastic) Yo! Majesty's Shunda K's debut solo album The Most Wanted drops worldwide on January 11th, 2011.

Shooting on the video for the album's second single "I'm Da Best" commenced in Florida this week under the direction of Steven Andrew Garcia of The Masses who has recently shot clips for Mika Miko and Male Bonding among others.

The clip is a direct assault on the Westboro Baptist Church and concerns a young boy who is harassed, called "faggot" by his peers, faces even more tension at home and how with the help of his faith and the support of his role models Shunda K and Shon B, he overcomes these obstacles to stand tall. - Check out video stills here

Big In Japan Team Up With Celebration's Katrina Ford

(Submitted) Big In Japan have recorded several new songs, including two tracks ("What's On My Grave", "Mockingbird") graced by the vocal talents of Katrina Ford (Celebration).

Produced by Dave Fridmann (MGMT, The Flaming Lips), these two new songs were born of Big In Japan's collaboration with Ford during a summer residency series of shows last year. Citypaper music critic Al Shipley had opined that those live performances with Ford "sounded so great that one can only hope she and Big In Japan have plans to record some collaborations in the future."

Not only have these songs been captured in recorded format, but audiences will get to see Big In Japan play live with Ford again, this time at the Ottobar on Friday 1/7/2011. The band is targeting a release date for the new tracks sometime in 2011.
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Michael Perry The New Tent Show Radio Host

(Big Top) Humorist and author Michael Perry has been named the new Tent Show Radio host. Perry will make his hosting debut with the January 1st airing of the 18th season premiere of the Big Top Chautauqua produced radio program.

Tent Show Radio, which debut in 1994, is a weekly variety series showcasing live performances from Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua. Tent Show Radio is heard every week on listener-supported radio stations, such as Wisconsin Public Radio, across the country, and the world on the Internet. Each week features a different live performance from Big Top Chautauqua's summer season of concerts and musical productions.

"I've long enjoyed attending shows at the Big Top Chautauqua. In fact, in Truck I wrote several pages about a Greg Brown show my wife and I saw at the Big Top," said Perry. "Between the live music of the Blue Canvas Orchestra and guests ranging from Joan Baez to Willie Nelson, I'll share my thoughts on things like cheap cereal, Cheesehead Spanglish, and the smell of tromped grass. I'll also provide strikingly original comments along the lines of: 'Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome [insert music star name here].'" - more on this story

Rhythm & Blues Foundation Mourn the Loss of Ivory Queen of Soul Teena Marie

(PR) The Rhythm & Blues Foundation announced today that "we are saddened by loss of our friend and R&B Legend Teena Marie."

A recipient of the R&B Foundation's 2008 Pioneer Award, Teena considered the acknowledgment to be one of the greatest honors of her illustrious career. Upon accepting her award in 2008, a tearful Marie said, "Everything I ever asked God to give me, he gave me, and I have to give him the glory. I asked my heavenly father to take my poetry and let me set it to music, and he did." Watch the speech here

A statement from Damon Williams, Chairman of the R&B Foundation reads: "Teena was a true Pioneer of R&B music and a Musical Bridge Builder. She brought people from all walks of life together under the banner of soulful, heartfelt music. - more on this story

50 Cent Shovels Snow For Money- Demi Lovato Leaves Rehab For Christmas- Papa Elton John- LeAnn Rimes and Lily Allen Get Engaged- The Game Robbed- more

The Day in Pop Digest for 12/28/10: (Billboard) The ever-enterprising 50 Cent made the most of the blizzard that left the East Coast blanketed with snow on Monday (Dec. 27), offering neighbors $100 to shovel their walks and posting photos of himself doing the grunt work on Twitter. more

(Billboard) Demi Lovato got her wish this Christmas: to spend the holiday with her family, outside of rehab. She returned later in the evening after spending time with her family. more

(ASB) Despite currently staying in rehab for "emotional and physical issues," Demi Lovato apparently has a lot on her plate for next year. Beside reportedly up for a role in "The Avengers" which will start shooting in April, the teen songstress is also preparing a new album and going to follow it up with a solo tour. more

(Jam!) Elton John and his partner have become the proud parents of a son born to a surrogate in California Christmas Day, US Weekly reported Monday. more

(Jam!) Lily Allen is ending 2010 on a happy note after boyfriend Sam Cooper proposed on Christmas Day, according to a U.K. report. more

(Yahoo) Natalie Portman is pregnant with her first child and is engaged to Benjamin Millepied, the choreographer of "Black Swan." more

(Jam!) Cher regretted wearing her infamous black body-stocking at MTV Video Music Awards in September, because she felt uncomfortable when she was asked to pose for a picture with "baby" Justin Bieber more

(Billboard) After finalizing her divorce from Dean Sheremet last year, LeAnn Rimes has announced her engagement to 37-year-old actor Eddie Cibrian. more

(Jam!) Alanis Morissette gave birth to a baby boy on Christmas, her publicist told People magazine. The child is named Ever Imre Morissette-Treadway. more

(Yahoo) Prosecutors on Monday said that defense attorneys for the doctor charged in Michael Jackson's death can have half the residue left in syringes and other medical items found in the star's bedroom for testing by a private laboratory. more

(Billboard) Michelle Branch will return to her pop roots on her next solo album. "This record is more in the vein of my first record, which I would say was a pop record," she said. more

(Jam!) A Christmas Eve shopping trip ended in disaster for The Game - the rapper's car was broken into while he was out collecting last-minute presents. more

(Jam!) A note purportedly handwritten by the late Michael Jackson has sold at auction for more than $3,000 US. more

(ASB) More big stars are added to the line-up of "NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly". Joining previously-revealed guests Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne to ring in 2011 will be Greyson Chance and Jimmy Fallon. more -

Tim McGraw To Star in Film With Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington

Country singer Tim McGraw's acting career will get a boost when he plays alongside Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington in the Daniel Espinosa-directed Safe House.

The movie is set in Washington, D.C., and features Reynolds as a CIA agent. According to The Boot McGraw plays a spy and the film will begin shooting soon in South Africa.

McGraw told Cinema Blend, "I get to play actually something action-packed. Shoot people and all that stuff. I'm looking forward to all that." - more on this story

Teena Marie Died In Her Sleep

(Gibson) Teena Marie, best known for hits "Lovergirl" and "I'm a Sucker for Your Love," has been found dead at her home in Pasadena, California.

BBC News reports that her manager Mike Gardner said she died in her sleep.

Teena Marie was born Mary Christine Brockert and made her name as a white artist on the predominantly black Motown label in the '70s. - more on this story

Duran Duran Were Part Of The Demise Of The Record Industry Says Simon LeBon

The Hollywood Reporter caught up with Duran Duran frontman Simon LeBon to discuss the group's new album which debuted on iTunes last week. During the exchange they touched on how the music biz has changed since Duran Duran's beginning and Simon offers an interesting response:

THR: Looking back at the years you spent releasing albums on major labels, how would you describe Duran's experience?

LeBon: "We were part of the demise of the old-fashioned record industry. We witnessed it first-hand, and it was very interesting, but it wasn't a great experience. To go from the days when people used to get grand pianos delivered to their doorstep to a time when label executives are being laid off left, right, and center is quite extreme." - Read the full interview here

RIP Bernie Wilson of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes

(International Records) Bernie Wilson, baritone vocalist in the classic lineup of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, died early Sunday from undisclosed medical complications at Kresson View Center in Voorhees, NJ, Philadelphia

Wilson joined Melvin, Teddy Pendergrass, Lawrence Brown and Lloyd Parks in the world-renowned lineup that was signed to Philadelphia International Records in 1972, the beginning of a four-year string of hits for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes that were integral in defining the Sound of Philadelphia. They became one of the most popular groups in R&B during that era, with recordings that ranged from sweeping, extended proto-disco dance tracks to silky, smoldering ballads, all wrapped up in the lushly orchestrated production that had become the legendary signature of Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff. The group made their chart debut with "I Miss You," then continued with a Grammy nomination for their first #1 R&B hit, "If You Don't Know Me By Now." More #1 hits followed, with "The Love I Lost," and "Wake Up Everybody." Other Blues Notes classics during that time include "Bad Luck" (#4 R&B; #1 Dance) and "Don't Leave Me This Way."

The passing of Wilson leaves Lloyd Parks as the sole surviving member of the classic lineup of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. - more on this story

Gamble & Huff Comment on the Passing of Teena Marie

Legendary R&B Pioneers, architects of the Sound of Philadelphia, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff issued a statement about the passing of Teena Marie.

"We're shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Teena Marie. She was one of the most memorable, soulful and unique R&B vocalists to come out of Motown.

"We send or condolences to Teena's family, the entire Motown family and of course, our dear friend Berry Gordy." -