Lady Gaga Getting Mixed Up For U.S.

Following the announcement of the North American extension of The Monster Ball Tour, international pop superstar LADY GAGA now also has the largest selling digital album ever, scanning 783,056 units of "The Fame Monster" (combined). The Fame Monster and The Fame have sold over 13 million albums worldwide to date. The video for LADY GAGA's latest single, "Alejandro", has been viewed online over 39 million times since its June 8th release. - more on this story

Usher To Release The Final Chapter of Raymond V. Raymond

Usher is following up his 'Raymond V. Raymond' album with eight new songs with the release of 'Versus,' on August 24th.

On that day Usher fans will also have the opportunity to purchase Raymond V. Raymond (The Deluxe Edition) which will contain all songs from Raymond V. Raymond as well as Versus. The new set will include his current R&B hit "There Goes My Baby" and collaborations with Bun B, producer Polow Da Don and others.

Versus is a conceptual sequel and final chapter of Raymond V. Raymond -- an album in which Usher uses music to explore the dichotomies of his life as a newly single man/father. - more on this story

Taylor Swift Greeting

Country-pop singer Taylor Swift is expanding her merchandizing empire with a move into the greeting cards business. Here is the announcement:

The highly anticipated, expanded collection written and inspired by Taylor Swift for American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) is now available in a greeting card aisle near you. The collection of whimsical cards features 14 all new designs and classic summer imagery enhanced by thoughtful, real-life sentiments that continue to exemplify the qualities that have made the greetings such a hit: the honest, open and sincere words through the voice of Taylor Swift.

The latest selection offers birthday cards for your best friend, a little bit of romance for that special someone, and cards to share with anyone who puts a smile on your face--just to let them know you're thinking about them. The fun, iconic summer images maintain the "traditional with a twist" look that fans love, and the numbered butterfly icons help card enthusiasts and fans alike collect all of the latest greetings. To date, there are 43 Taylor Swift greeting cards. - more on this story

A First Look at El DeBarge's Second Chance

El DeBarge's new album 'Second Chance' will be released on Geffen Records on September 28, 2010

'Second Chance' features collaborations with some of music's most notable hitmakers, including Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Babyface, Ron Fair, Mike City, Michael Angelo, Mischke and the Avila Brothers.

That seems a long way off but you can get a small taste of what is to come with the short film on the making of 'Second Chance' - here

Rihanna Urges Fans to Help Save 11-year-old Broadway Star's Life

We recently told you about 11-year-old Broadway star Shannon Tavarez's cancer fight and her search for a bone marrow donor. Now Rihanna is urging her fans to help. Here is the announcement:

At just eleven-years-old Shannon Tavarez already had a promising Broadway career performing four shows a week as Young Nala in DISNEY'S The Lion King. Shannon juggled a full day of school before rushing to the Minskoff Theatre - - she was living her dream. Now, just over two months later, Shannon's dream is simply to grow up and return to her normal life. In April, Shannon was diagnosed with Acute Leukemia. The talented young star was performing on stage when the symptoms first hit. Her lower back and legs suddenly started hurting making it difficult for her to perform or even walk. "When I found out, it hit me really hard, like someone was throwing a ball at me. It was shocking and I thought, why me?" said Shannon. Now, Shannon lives at Schneider Children's Hospital in Long Island where she receives daily chemotherapy treatments. A bone marrow transplant from a stranger may be her only chance at survival.

When Rihanna heard about Shannon's plight, she had to do something. "Being a performer myself I know what it's like to be given the opportunity of a lifetime at a young age and I would have been destroyed if that was taken away from me," said Rihanna. "Shannon deserves to live and share her beautiful voice with the world."

The superstar, an avid advocate for children, has a long history of working with DKMS, whose mission is to save lives by recruiting bone marrow donors for leukemia patients. "When I listened to Shannon's voice, I got really sad. Her voice is so beautiful. She should be performing on Broadway, but she is confined to her bed, fighting for her life. Shannon needs to find a bone marrow donor to survive. I urge all my fans to register with DKMS," said Rihanna. - more on this story

3OH!3 Hit of Gold

3OH!3's new album Streets of Gold hasn't gone gold yet but it has gone top 10. According to their label, the album entered the Billboard 200 at No 7, after its first week of release.

The album – which follows the Boulder, Colorado-based duo's breakthrough Photo Finish debut, "WANT" – is highlighted by the single, "My First Kiss (Feat. Ke$ha)." Currently ascending the top 15 on Billboard's "Hot 100," the track is shaping up as a summertime smash having spent the greater part of the past two months at #1 on iTunes' "Top Alternative Songs" chart. What's more, a number of additional "STREETS OF GOLD" tracks are also scoring, with three further songs nestled comfortably in the top 10 on iTunes' "Top Alternative Songs" chart.

The deluxe version of "STREETS OF GOLD" is currently #1 on iTunes' "Top Alternative Albums" chart, while also standing tall among the overall top 10. The album was heralded with a special iTunes Countdown, with three exclusive track releases over the course of six weeks, including "Touchin' On My," "Déjà Vu," and "Double Vision." - more on this story

Eric Hutchinson Working On New Album

Eric Hutchinson has begun recording his new album and next month will join Macy Gray for the four-city benefit tour.

Hutchinson is recording the new album with producers Mike Elizondo (Fiona Apple, Eminem, Regina Spektor) and Martin Terefe (James Morrison, Jason Mraz).

"I've been recording with Mike Elizondo in California and Martin Terefe in London," said Hutchinson. "Both are amazing producers and they got the vision of what I wanted to do instantly - something organic but also current. Each city has its own vibe and I think that's worked its way into the recordings. I'm excited to take the new songs to the fans!" - more on this story

Former NBA Superstar Rony Seikaly Launches Music Career

Former NBA Superstar Rony Seikaly has a new career in mind as an up-and-coming DJ/Producer and with that goal in mind has signed with Subliminal Records.

Ready with a string of completed, floor-friendly tunes, the first of these, "Come With Me"-with lyrics by Seikaly-is released this summer on Subliminal Records. Bumping, classic house numbers with bite, Subliminal has a Seikaly track scheduled for a release every four-to-five weeks. The next single comes September 2010.

"[Seikaly] is a raw talent with a great musical ear," says Subliminal's Erick Morillo. "That is why I am excited to put out his first single on Subliminal and unleash him on the world." - more on this story

Are The New Boyz The Best Group For Teens?

The New Boyz have been nominated for "Best Group" at this year's Teen Choice Awards. The award comes on the heels of their nomination for the same category at 2010's BET Awards.

Voted on by the public, the awards will take place on Sunday, August 8th at Los Angeles' Gibson Amphitheatre to be aired the following night, August 9th, at 8pm ET/PT. Fans are encouraged to vote for the group at www.teenchoiceawards.com.

The boys have much to celebrate of their newfound success and notoriety as both of their songs, the dance-inducing "You're A Jerk" and call-to-bachelordom "Tie Me Down" featuring Ray J, have both each been certified as double-platinum singles. The videos combined have received over 60 million views on YouTube and have set viewing records for debuts on Music Choice's video-on-demand network. - more on this story

Cookbook and Uno Mas Rock & Roll

L.A. Symphony's Cookbook and Uno Mas return with "When You Rock & Roll" armed with a slickly produced video clip directed by Carey Williams.

The video casually shifts gears from solemn to humorous as fellow rapper, Styliztik Jones plays the part of aspiring pop-rapper dolling himself up, and later shimmying around for his character's imaginary video shoot. Jones' performance kept the mood light on set with the duo stating "our favorite part was watching Jones filming his dance parts." The song, a cautionary tale for artist's seeking the quick route to success is bolstered by a guest verse from Evidence of the legendary Dilated Peoples. The emcees take turns giving heartfelt renditions of their own struggles with life as an artist: the ups-and-downs, successes and failures that come with being a musician staying true to their art. There was a time in hip-hop when the very idea of "selling out" could end your career. Cookbook and Uno Mas successfully remind the hip-hop nation of this golden rule without coming off as frustrated or preachy. "We were inspired by the large amounts of artists who lose their souls for this music thing. We all do to a degree, and we wanted to address it," Cookbook explains.

Seriousness of subject matter aside, the track, is another triumph for the duo who have been making music together since their childhood. A lush and dreamy loop hovers over thick drum hits and a haunting vocal sample used for the chorus. It's easy to imagine the duo hunched over in their fabled garage studio surrounded by thousands of records and the machines that make their special brand of magic happen. If the lead single is any indication, the crew's album C&U Music Factory will spread that magic a little bit farther. - Watch it here

Saw Casting Role In Next Film Via Vh1 Show

Vh1 have announced the premiere of Scream Queens 2. The program debuts Monday, August 2nd at 10PM. Here is the background:

"Scream Queens 2" thrusts 10 aspiring actresses into a horror boot camp that will test their stomachs, stamina and acting chops. One young actress will earn a role in "Saw 3D," the next film in the Lionsgate "Saw" franchise.

The girls will learn from Hollywood's toughest acting coach, John Homa, noted horror director Tim Sullivan ("2001 Maniacs," "Driftwood"), and actress Jaime King ("My Bloody Valentine," "Sin City," "The Tripper"). Together they determine who has the talent, the look and the lungs to be the next "Scream Queen," and who will get the axe. - watch the Supertrailer here

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony Album and Performances

WaterTower Music will release the new live concert recording of Bugs Bunny at the Symphony next week (on July 13th.)

This is the sequel to Bugs Bunny on Broadway, the record-setting orchestra-and-film concert that reinvented a new genre of symphony orchestra concert when it debuted in 1990.

Also in keeping with the project's 20-year history of traversing the globe, Bugs Bunny at the Symphony is currently being unveiled in a series of major performances that are spanning the planet, including the one month Australian tour just completed. The Bowl performances, which will include a spectacular fireworks display, will also mark Warner Bros.' official celebration of the concert's 20th anniversary. The U.S. East Coast premiere will take place in Washington D.C. with the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap Filene Center on Friday and Saturday, August 6 and 7, followed by an American/Canadian tour in 2010-11. The production debuts in Asia in April, 2011. - more on this story

Andre Rieu Crosses Over To The Pop Chart

Andre Rieu new album Forever Vienna had debuted on the Billboard 200, marking the first time the renowned violinist appears on the American pop chart.

Forever Vienna also tops the Traditional Classical chart, the fifth No. 1 for Rieu on that chart. Rieu also kicked off his CD release and "Celebration of Music" North American tour with a special performance on the TODAY show in NYC's Rockefeller Plaza complete with his 55-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra. This was the largest band to perform in TODAY show history.

Forever Vienna, a special CD+DVD edition, which features some of the greatest performances from the Dutch violinist, conductor and composer, was released in the U.S. on June 29th through Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). The Forever Vienna CD contains beloved titles such as the "Strauss & Co," "Carnival Of Venice," "Wine, Women And Song" and many more - all arranged by Rieu - and the DVD features stunning highlights from two of Rieu's recent worldwide concerts: "Live In Australia" and "Live in Maastricht III," including a stirring tribute to Michael Jackson with a performance of "Ben," and a breathtaking version of "Amazing Grace," accompanied by the 100-member Australian Pipe Band. A ten-track CD edition is also available. - more on this story

Craig Morgan Charity Ride

The Craig Morgan Charity Ride will take place on August 7th and 8th, in Morgan's hometown of Dickson, Tenn. (30 miles west of Nashville).

Proceeds from the two-day event, which includes a ride and concert will benefit the Craig Morgan Charity Fund, which has the mission to build and maintain a home called Billy's Place for temporarily displaced children in Dickson County Tennessee and to provide lasting funding to the home and various other children's organizations whose primary goal is to ensure the well-being of children, integrating outdoor activities in their daily lives with the long term goal of starting such homes around the country.

On Saturday, August 7th, the event will kick-off in Van Leer, TN (near Dickson), where you can join professional motocross riders Kevin Windham, Cowboy Kenny Bartrum, Fred Andrews, Barry Hawk and others for a motocross exhibition and a group trail ride – fun for the entire family. Gates will open at 8:00 am, exhibition and ride begin at 10:00 am and lunch will follow at 11:00 am. - more on this story

Guy Sebastian Jordin Sparks Live Duets

Guy Sebastian is playing a handful of west coast dates this week, including special guest appearances to duet with Jordin Sparks, before returning to his homeland to gear up for his participation as a celebrity judge alongside Natalie Imbruglia and Ronan Keating on the new season of The X Factor.

The dates are in support of his debut U.S. album Like It Like That, of which he says, "I wrote the music on this album based on how I feel when I listen to the Otis Reddings and the Wilson Picketts of the world. I'll put that music on and it always just lifts me and makes me feel great. Music is so powerful. It's powerful enough on a personal level, without me trying to change the world," says Guy. "I just want to change someone's ten minutes on the way to work."

Australian soul-singer Guy Sebastian's debut U.S. album Like It Like That has been released through an exclusive arrangement with Barnes & Noble stores which is carrying the CD. Additionally, the album was made available for sale on June 8th at iTunes, Amazon and other digital services. - more on this story