Simon Really Leaving Idol- Ke$ha Upsets Susan Boyle- One Dixie Chick Short- Tobey No Longer Spider-Man- Miley Cyrus Tease Video and more

Both Ne-Yo and Keri Hilson will be making a live performance at ESPN Super Bowl bash. more - more on this story

Everyone Loves to Dance

Aaron Nigel Smith assembles an all-star team to create his super cool children's CD. Everyone Loves to Dance will have its digital launch on January 15, 2010. Parents and kids alike will love these hip original tunes as well as funky new arrangements of popular classics. Ziggy Marley, Kevin Richardson from The Backstreet Boys, DJ DREZ, and local LA artists Rhythm Child rock with Aaron on select songs. Grammy Award-winning mixer Myke Aaron closes out the CD with three pumping dance mixes that will keep the whole family jammin'.

Aaron actively promotes the positive effects of music and movement as an integral part of early education through his recordings as well as his enrichment program, FUNdamentals of Music and Movement. Launched in 2002 in Los Angeles, FUNdamentals is now the program of choice for over 100 schools nationwide! The uptempo, hook-filled tunes created for his curriculum get kids literally jumping off the floor while exploring key developmental concepts. His songs have been described as "some of the best targeted music for kids today," and PBS agrees. Aaron was recently invited to join the cast of the Emmy Award-winning PBS Kids show "Between the Lions."

His entertaining stage show has been featured around the country as part of the Ziggy Marley Family Time Tour, Between the Lions Live, NEA Read Across America Tour, NBC/Universal, Sony, Warner Brothers, Paramount, Fox Studios Family Concerts, and the Sierra Nevada World Music and Abbott Kinney Festivals. He received the NAPPA and iParenting awards for his first release, Let's Pretend, in 2005. Most recently, Aaron collaborated with Ziggy Marley and the Palisades Children's Choir on the new hit Tuff Gong release of Bob Marley songs for kids, B is for Bob. - Learn More here

Frank Sinatra Strangers in the Night: Deluxe Edition Coming This Month

"Strangers in the Night" was Frank Sinatra's best-selling single and — between the single and its namesake album — the recipient of four Grammy Awards including Record of the Year in 1966. But it almost didn't get to market in time, with Bobby Darin and Jack Jones cutting the song at the same time. Sinatra's version was the hit, displacing the Beatles' "Paperback Writer" to the #2 position in 1966 and proving the biggest hit of his career. The album shot to the top of the charts as well. Even in the rock 'n' roll era, nine-time Grammy recipient Frank Sinatra was still the Chairman and one of the most important musical figures of the 20th Century, selling more than 27 million CDs in the SoundScan era alone.

On January 26, 2010, Concord Records, on license from Frank Sinatra Enterprises (FSE), will release Strangers in the Night: Deluxe Edition, a digitally remastered reissue of Sinatra's classic album featuring three bonus tracks and liner notes by Ken Barnes. The deluxe edition contains all ten of the original Reprise Records album's songs as well as three previously unreleased additions: "Strangers in the Night" and "All or Nothing at All," both recorded live at Budokan Hall in Tokyo in the '80s, and an alternate take of "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" from the original 1966 album sessions.

The Strangers in the Night album was arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle (with the title track arranged by Ernie Freeman). Sonny Burke was the album's producer, with the exception of the title track, which was produced by Jimmy Bowen, theretofore known primarily for his work in rock 'n' roll and country. German composer/arranger Burt Kaempfert, known for his production of the Beatles' first commercial recordings in the very early '60s, had supplied theme music for the James Garner film A Man Could Get Killed called "Strangers in the Night." Within days, Bobby Darin and Jack Jones were both recording it. But Bowen heard it as a hit for Sinatra and instantly set up a session to record just that song (most sessions would produce four songs at a time). Sinatra was not initially crazy about the song, but trusted Bowen's judgment. It wasn't long before the trust was justified. - more on this story

Serena Ryder Hitting The Road With Howie Day

Atlantic recording artist Serena Ryder will be joining Howie Day on tour this month following a stunning chart entrance with her full-length label debut, "is it o.k.".

Released on November 3rd 2009, the acclaimed album premiered at #1 on Billboard's "Heatseekers Albums" chart, marking the week's top-selling album by a new or developing artist.

"is it o.k.," has already received gold certification from the CRIA (Canadian Recording Industry Association) in Ryder's native Canada, where it has earned reams of critical acclaim as well as the 2009 Juno Award for "Adult Alternative Album of the Year." In the U.S., "Little Bit of Red" proved a Top 10 sensation at Triple A radio earlier this year. - more on this story

Eli Paperboy Reed Live From Daryl's House

Daryl Hall and Brooklyn-based soul singer/songwriter Eli "Paperboy" Reed, who will release his Capitol Records debut this Spring, immediately discovered they had something in common before joining together for the 27th and latest installment of the groundbreaking web series, Live From Daryl's House, available starting Jan. 15 at www.lfdh.com. As a special added attraction, Average White Band's Alan Gorrie sat in on bass, helping Daryl and Eli cover one of the group's biggest hits, "Pick Up the Pieces."

The latest edition comes on the heels of Daryl Hall and John Oates receiving their first Grammy nomination since 1983 with a nod in the Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals for "Sara Smile," from their Live at the Troubadour album on Shout! Factory.

Both Daryl and Eli are stone soul music freaks, with Reed's odyssey taking him from a preternaturally mature teenage R&B shouter from a Boston high school to a Mississippi Delta juke joint, from Sunday morning gigs behind the organ at a tiny South Side Chicago church to headlining the coolest clubs in Brooklyn with his red-hot band, The True Loves. - more on this story

D.Black A Freshman

Seattle emcee D.Black has been nominated in this week's contest for MTV'u's The Freshman 5 for his first video "Yesterday" off his sophomore album Ali'Yah. Every week, five new and upcoming artists are presented an opportunity to gain regular rotation on the MTVu channel, which is exclusively broadcasted to college campuses and gives artists an excellent shot at obtaining exposure.

Set underneath a freeway overpass (perhaps the road that separates heaven and hell?), the video depicts an epic chess game for D.Black's soul. Light and dark versions of the emcee face off against each other, with supporters shrouding and encouraging each player. The video's lesson is to allow yourself to leave things, especially negative things, in your past. He combines this message with smooth, flowing rhymes and a classic soul feel, set over warm production by B. Brown and D. Black himself.

Fans are encouraged to vote as many times as they like starting at 11am until the cutoff – 2pm EST on Friday. Music fans can vote for D.Black on the MTVu website
- here

Gin Wigmore Sets March Release

New Zealand sensation Gin Wigmore is set to make her Stateside debut on March 16, 2010 with her first album Holy Smoke.

The records is set to be released on Universal Motown Records , this legendary label being the perfect home for this soulful lady.

Recorded in Los Angeles at the legendary Capitol Studios, Holy Smoke in it's entirety features Ryan Adams' former band the Cardinals. - more on this story

James Apollo To Preview New Song With Two NYC Shows

James Apollo confirms two NYC live shows in January 2010 to preview new songs from his upcoming EP and new album.

The five song EP, How Hard A Heart Of Gold Can Be will be available on February 2nd, 2010 and features songs from Apollo's fourth full length album, The Days, released in May 2010.

A constant theme of Apollo's songwriting is the ill-fated hero with a heart of gold. This EP showcases Apollo's growth as a songwriter, highlighted by "No East, No West" among four originals, as well as a stunning cover of "Dark End of the Street." - more on this story

Little Boots Announce North American Release and Tour

British dance-pop sensation Little Boots will release her full-length album debut, "Hands" in the U.S. and Canada March 2nd, 2010 on Elektra Records.

"HANDS" which was released in June '09 in the UK, features the hit songs "Stuck on Repeat", "New In Town" and current single, "Remedy" which the NY Post recently praised as a "synth-pop gem" and named one of their "Top 209 songs of 2009."

Little Boots- known to her family and friends as Victoria Hesketh- is without question the most talked-about new UK pop star of 2009. She was named one of NME's Best New Artists of the year, won a BRITs Critic's Choice Award and BBC's distinguished "Sound of 2009" poll and is the first artist to have appeared on the Jools Holland show TWICE before an album release. - more on this story

LASIK Idol

[Submitted] World-renowned eye surgeon Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler has launched an eye-catching opportunity for young musicians and performers throughout California. LASIK Idol is an original song and video competition that will give one lucky contestant the chance to test their musical prowess and perform their way to improved eyesight. Contestants may enter by submitting an original musical performance explaining why they deserve to win a free LASIK procedure valued at $6,700.

"I wanted to do something fun and different to give people the chance to receive a free LASIK procedure," says Dr. Brian. "This procedure can change your life as it has changed my life, and everyone deserves a shot at it. With a bit of creativity and fun, anyone can make a convincing video, and I can't wait to see what people come up with!"

The contest is open to California residents 21 years or older who foresee a free LASIK procedure in their future. Performers can enter by visiting http://www.lasikidol.com and follow the three easy steps. Background music is provided on the site for download in several different genres to appeal to just about any musical taste. Completely original music and lyrics can be uploaded as well. This is the chance for musicians to catch the eyes of the world while getting a chance fixing their own! - more on this story

Wait there is more!

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

tell a friend about this article

know of a news item we should cover?

antiMUSIC News featured on RockNews.info .