Star Wars Director Dies- Simon Cowell Hearts Justin Bieber- Franco and Hathaway Oscars- T.I. and Christina Aguilera- Lady Gaga Boasts- Pink Whisky Baby- Faith Evans Pleas- more

(ASB) Rapper Nelly has launched a scathing attack on his record label following disappointing sales of his new album - insisting poor marketing and distribution are to blame for the lowly chart position. more -

John Stamos Give Glee Cast A Special Education Tonight

John Stamos guest stars on tonight's episode of Glee called "Special Education." The synopsis and song list are below:

New Directions heads to the big Sectionals competition to go head-to-head against the Warblers and the Hipsters. While trouble brews between some of the young couples, Emma and Carl (guest star Stamos) grow closer in the all-new "Special Education" episode of GLEE airing tonight Tuesday, Nov. 30 (8:00-9:01 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Special Education Track list: 1) "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" (from Evita) – Rachel 2) "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" (from Evita) – Kurt 3) "The Living Years" (Mike and the Mechanics) – The Warren Township Continuing Education Program Hipsters 4) "Hey, Soul Sister" (Train) – The Dalton Academy Warblers 5) "(I've Had The) Time of My Life" (Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes) - New Directions 6) "Valerie" (Amy Winehouse) - New Directions 7) "Dog Days Are Over" (Florence and the Machine) - New Directions - more on this story

The Apples in stereo Go Sci-Fi

The Apples in stereo have released a short sci-fi video today for the song "Strange Solar System" filmed during their recent trip to Brazil.

"We shot the video at a space-themed playground in Sao Paulo, Brazil, last month while we were playing there," relates The Apples in stereo's frontman Robert Schneider, "and projected it as an intro to some of our shows on the West Coast."

The Apples in stereo have released a string of films and videos this year, following their "Dance Floor" video featuring Elijah Wood and "Told You Once." See "Strange Solar System" - here

Lissie Announces North American Tour

Lissie has announced a North American headlining tour that kicks off in late 2010 and will run into early 2011.

Following a three-date stretch in the Pacific Northwest that begins December 29th at the Biltmore Cabaret in Vancouver, BC, the tour will continue on January 15th at the Music Box in Los Angeles, CA, and run through February 10th at Antone's Nightclub in Austin, TX.

These dates include shows in Denver, Davenport (IA), Minneapolis, Chicago, Toronto, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington, DC that were postponed in October. - more on this story

Amos Lee To Perform On CMT Artists Of The Year Special

(EMI) Amos Lee is set to perform during the CMT Artists Of The Year special, which is hosted by Kevin Costner and will honor this year's top country artists.

Premiering Friday, December 3 at 8:00pm ET/PT on CMT and CMT.com, the special will celebrate Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Zac Brown Band by bringing them together with their peers, for a glamorous evening of star-studded performances from the country world and beyond.

Lee will be performing with the Zac Brown Band on a rendition of "Colder Weather," a new song from their #1 sophomore album 'You Get What You Give.' - more on this story

Darius Rucker TV

Darius Rucker is hitting your TV screen this week in support of his new album, Charleston, SC 1966, his self-penned soon-to-be holiday standard, "Candy Cane Christmas," and to lend his support to honor the CMT's Artists of the Year.

Catch him on: "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" Wednesday, December 1, 2010 (NBC, 11:35 PM/ET)

"Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Outdoor Concert Performance Thursday, December 2, 2010 (ABC, 12:05 AM/ET)

"CMT Artists Of The Year" Friday, December 3, 2010 (CMT, 8-9:30 PM/ET) -

Singled Out: Samantha Marq's I Like To Party

Today Samantha Marq tells us about her hit single "I Like To Party" from innovative album project "The Evolution of Love in Dysfunction" (check out her site for details on why it's innovative... plus free!) Here is the story:

This was one of the last songs that my producer, KO, and I wrote for the album. At the time, I was in my last month of college, and my friends and I had this countdown till graduation going, so literally every night was a party. So when we sat down to write in the studio, I wanted to write a song that was about what was going on in my life at that moment. My friends and I had about a month left of school, so I wanted this song to be something like our life soundtrack for the rest of our time together. That was the intention at least. We didn't end up finishing recording the song until after graduation, but I'm glad that the song was inspired by such an important time in my life. I have never had more fun than those last 50 nights of college, and now I always have something to remind me of it!!

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the album - right here!

Josh Kelley Releases New EP

Today Josh Kelley released new a three-song EP that includes his current single, "Georgia Clay," as well as "A Real Good Try" and "Ain't Letting Go."

Josh's album, Georgia Clay, is set for a spring 2011 release, so MCA is releasing the EP now to meet the demands from the industry and his fans to hear the new music that he's spent the last two years creating. A tremendous buzz about this project has been building as Josh continues to tour with Miranda Lambert. He made his Grand Ole Opry debut earlier this month.

"I am super excited about these songs," Josh says. "These are the perfect three songs for a three-song EP to give people a little taste of what's to come. - more on this story

Andrea Bocelli Added To Christmas In Washington

Andrea Bocelli has been added to the lineup for TNT's annual presentation of Christmas In Washington.

Bocelli is the latest addition to a show that will also feature Mariah Carey, Miranda Cosgrove, Annie Lennox, Maxwell and Matthew Morrison.

Ellen DeGeneres will host Christmas In Washington, which premieres on TNT Friday, Dec. 17, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). Bocelli will be performing selections from his double platinum CD, My Christmas. - more on this story

Christina Aguilera and Cher Top iTunes Chart with Burlesque

The soundtrack to Burlesque, starring Christina Aguilera and Cher, hit the no. 1 position at iTunes over the holiday weekend.

Released on November 22nd on RCA Records, Burlesque features new recordings performed and co-written by five time Grammy winner Christina Aguilera, with production by Tricky Stewart, Linda Perry and Ron Fair and songwriting by Claude Kelly, Tricky Stewart and Sia.

The soundtrack also features two brand new tracks performed by the legendary Cher, including "You Haven't Seen The Last Of Me", a powerful Diane Warren penned ballad which was produced by Matt Serletic. This marks Cher's first new original song in seven years as well as her first movie musical. The soundtrack also includes remakes / covers of classic songs such as Etta James' "Something's Got A Hold On Me" and "Tough Lover" and Mae West's "A Guy What Takes His Time" all performed by Christina Aguilera. - more on this story

Bruce Lee Tribute Song Released For His 70th Birthday

(PR) What happens when two fans of Bruce Lee from different parts of the world first "meet" online? They decide to write a musical tribute to their idol. And which is what happened when Hong Kong-based music marketing executive Hans Ebert, Chairman of We-Enhance Inc and Yorkshire-born singer-songwriter Jon Harrison, based in the UK, have done with a song that started life as "Little Dragon."

With lyrics from Ebert, former Executive Director for Universal Music and EMI Music, whose credits include working with David Bowie, Gorillaz, Robbie Williams and others and turning Chinese songs into English hits for acts like Danish band, Michael Learns To Rock and UK-based artist Stewart Mac, Harrison turned these into music.

The result is a song recorded and produced to commemorate what would have been the late martial arts icon's 70th birthday on November 27th of this year. - more on this story

Riders In The Sky Ride Off With Western Music Association Awards

(Webster) Riders In The Sky were the big winners at the 2010 Western Music Association Awards show held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, last week.

Riders walked away with three trophies including the "big two" of "Outstanding Entertainer-Group of the Year" and "Album of the Year," in addition to "Collaborative/Composite Album of the Year." The album awards were for the monumental project Riders recorded with the Nashville Symphony entitled "Lassoed Live at the Schermerhorn".

"We are stunned and deeply honored to be so recognized by our peers" said "Idol of American Youth" Ranger Doug, vocalist and guitarist for the quartet. Bunkhouse bass-player and funnyman Too Slim added "When we heard we'd won three WMA awards we threw our huge hats in the air, yodeled in perfect outdoor harmony, enjoyed a celebratory plate of biscuits and beans, and hit the trail for another show. The WMA folks are with us in the trenches of presenting, promoting, and preserving cowboy music, and we're so pleased they recognize what we do." - more on this story

Anna Calvi Sets Album Release

(Press Here) Domino Records will release the self-titled debut album from young Londoner Anna Calvi, on March 1st 2011.

Co-produced by Rob Ellis and recorded in London and France, Anna Calvi's debut is an astonishingly confident record; the unique strengths of her songwriting, singing and guitar playing all jumping out of the speaker together.

The ghosts of Nina Simone and Maria Callas lurk in the corners of Calvi's muse, as does the classical romanticism of Ravel and Debussy, a set of disparate influences informing Calvi's thoroughly modern music. The album is transportive; from the opening shimmers of a menacing charro-esque guitar to the buoyant final minutes, the record twists and turns with tales of lust, love and devils. Cinematic, haunting and entirely distinctive Anna Calvi is a striking debut from a formidable new talent. - more on this story

Deborah Allen, Daisy Mallory and Bill and Jeanine Walker Christmas Releases

(AristoMedia) GMV Nashville, has added a trio of Christmas titles from Deborah Allen, Daisy Mallory and Bill and Jeanine Walker to its digital catalog.

Deborah Allen's "Redneck Christmas" is a tongue-in-cheek look at the redneck holiday tradition. The humorous single features an appearance from Country comedian Cledus T. Judd and is currently receiving airplay at Country radio. The artist behind such hits as "Baby I Lied" and "Rock Me," Allen self-produced "Redneck Christmas" and recorded it at Nashville Sound Project House with her guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, Mike Loudermilk. The versatile Pop and Country artist is preparing her eleventh studio album for release in early 2011.

Newcomer Country artist Daisy Mallory completed a three-track holiday EP in November titled Merry Christmas. It includes a pair of Christmas classics, "Santa Baby" and "Mary, Did You Know?" as well as one original composition from Mallory, "I Believe In Him Too." The teen singer-songwriter is set to release her next single to Country radio with "Don't Grow Up Too Fast (If I Had a Little Sister)." Due out in early 2011, it is the second single from her most recent effort, Girl Time. - more on this story

Glee and Black Eyed Peas Dirty Dancing Today

Today marks the historic day that the sudden pop culture resurgence of (I've Had) The Time Of My Life and all things Dirty Dancing reaches a level of impact not seen since the low budget movie beat all odds to make pop culture history 23 years ago.

In an unusual – and perhaps unprecedented – industry coincidence, two new versions of the classic Oscar-winning theme to the 1987 box office smash romance will be released today on two of the holiday season's most hotly anticipated new albums.

"The Time (The Dirty Bit)," the new Black Eyed Peas hit single built around the unforgettable chorus of "(I've Had) The Time of My Life," will appear on the new Peas album, The Beginning. And the cast of Glee will debut its new rendition of "(I've Had) The Time of My Life," on Glee: The Music, Volume 4. Dianna Agron (Quinn) and Chord Overstreet (Sam) are scheduled to performing a duet of "Time of My Life" on t night's episode (8 p.m. EST, FOX). - more on this story

Danny Elfman Becomes Eclectic Today

(Warner Bros) Danny Elfman will appear as a guest on 89.9 KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic program today, November 30th, at 11: 30 a.m.

Host Jason Bentley will interview Elfman about his 25 years of creative collaboration with legendary film director Tim Burton — a partnership that Warner Bros. Records has commemorated with the release of The Danny Elfman & Tim Burton 25th Anniversary Music Box.

The collection is a very special limited-edition, numbered box set of 1000 that collects expansions of the 13 original scores that Elfman has composed for Burton's iconic films: a newly produced library of 16 CDs each packaged with artwork by Burton, adding up to more than 19 hours of music. - more on this story