James Cameron Accused of Ripping Off Avatar Idea

Attempts to reach Cameron's people were unsuccessful. more on this story

Tim McGraw Giving Away Christmas Song

Tim McGraw is giving fans an early Christmas present with a free download of "Christmas All Over The World." The song, which he recently co-produced with Byron Gallimore at Nashville's Blackbird Studio, is a joyful celebration of the season penned by Daniel Tashian and Troy Verges. It will be released through McGraw's own label, StyleSonic Records.

"I'm very appreciative of the support my fans have given me over the years, and I wanted to say 'thank you' to them with this new holiday song," said Tim McGraw. "I'm really excited to be recording again and I'll have new music to share early next year."

AOL Music premiered "Christmas All Over The World" yesterday at 11:00 AM ET on The Boot. AOL is offering the free download for 24 hours here.

Ice Cube Resurrecting 'Friday' Franchise

(TMZ) The speculation is over ... Ice Cube has finally confirmed he's resurrecting the 'Friday' franchise ... telling TMZ the goal is to bring back the entire ORIGINAL cast ... including Chris Tucker.

A rep for Cube Vision Productions tells us ... "Absolutely yes the studio is in the process of getting the entire original cast to do another 'Friday.'"

The statement continues, "[Ice Cube] is very excited about this and has every intention to make it happen."

Just last month, TMZ spoke with the musclebound behemoth who played DeBo ... who told us both he and Chris Tucker are down to reunite for the 4th installment of the 'Friday' franchise ... but they still have to work out their contracts.

Of course, nothing is ever official until the ink is dry -- and you know this ... MAN! more on this story

Adele Earns Album of the Year Honor

(popmusiclife) More honors for Adele. Earlier this week, Rolling Stone ranked "21" as the Best Album of 2011, and the single, "Rolling In The Deep," as the Best Song of the year.

Now, the singer's "21" has been named Album Of The Year by TIME magazine.

TIME describes the album as "the moment the perpetually brokenhearted singer reached the top of Britain's soul-revival scene. Full of gospel-tinged pain, remorse and longing, 21 is a nuanced breakup album that is steeped in sadness but never veers into cornball territory (a balance struck with particular grace on the album's biggest tearjerker, "Someone like You"). These are songs of solace for the lovelorn, whether you're the dumper or the dumpee." more on this story

Lady Gaga's Ellen DeGeneres Show Appearance Preview

(popmusiclife) Lady Gaga will be appearing on the Ellen DeGeneres show during today's episode (Friday December 9, 2011).

The pop icon will join Ellen for an interview, as well as perform her latest single, "Marry The Night," on the show.

In a preview clip offered up by Ellen, we see Gaga's answer to a question about whether or not she would ever be interested in doing some acting. Preview here.

Florence + The Machine Score Song of the Year

(popmusiclife) Florence + The Machine have earned rave reviews for their album, "Ceremonials," and now that the year-end lists are starting to show up, you can be sure their name will appear on many of them.

TIME magazine has named Florence's "No Light, No Light" as the 2011 Song Of The Year.

TIME says the song "could be the sound of a religious revival. Florence Welch's rich voice has never sounded better than on this track; her fervent, even rapturous, lamentations about her partner's lost love resonate like requests for salvation made by a faltering believer with arms raised to the sky. 'Heaven help me, I need to make it right' she wails, but gets no reply. Replete with harps and a tribal drum beat, 'No Light, No Light' operates as a plea for salvation that will soon have you running to your deity of choice." more on this story

Katy Perry Raises $175,000 For Nonprofits

EMI sent over this good news: Katy Perry announced that more than $175,000 was raised to benefit over 50 nonprofit organizations, including more than $40,000 each to The Humane Society of the United States, Children's Health Fund and Generosity Water through ticket sales for her California Dreams tour.

Katy made special tickets available for sale for her US tour through Tickets-for-Charity.com, where fans were able to access some of the best seats in the house while also supporting these outstanding organizations and other charities of their choice.

Katy personally selected the three charities to benefit from her Tickets-for-Charity® program, saying, "I'm thrilled to be able to help support the work these organizations are doing to fight and prevent animal cruelty, provide health care to homeless children and bring clean drinking water to communities around the world." more on this story

Coldplay Appear On Jimmy Fallon

(popmusiclife) Coldplay continue to work promoting their latest studio album release, "Mylo Xyloto."

The band were on Jimmy Fallon's show Wednesday night, where they performed the song "Charlie Brown" from the new album.

Coldplay just announced dates for a 2012 North American tour; the group will play 21 cities across the continent starting in April.

Check out video of the appearance here.

Kati Wolf To Record What About My Dreams With Marc Mysterio

(Sub) The writers behind 'What About My Dreams' have approved the Marc Mysterio penned and produced version of the track and granted him copyright permission and shares so that the project may continue.

Marc Mysterio will reportedly record Kati Wolf French vocals by distance via skype! Yes, via a hi-tech set up, Marc Mysterio will receive all the audio just as its recorded in Canada from Kati Wolf studio in Hungary and be able to give feedback and correctional advice.

"I want to thank Csaba Kiss and Jozsef Szarka of Sony Music for pressuring the song writers to approve this version - now its going to be recorded and I'm doing this because I love Kati Wolf and want her to get exposure outside of Hungary to make her the star that every Hungarian knows she can and should be", notes Marc Mysterio.

Currently, Marc Mysterio has a new song featuring Dhany, singer of Benny Bennasi big hits MAKE ME FEEL, EVERY SINGLE DAY, HIT MY HEART, and Karl Wolf called 'Everything Is All Wrong' by Marc Mysterio ft Dhany &Karl Wolf

Full release is set for 2012 -- and this club mix is already supported by David Guetta, Avicii, and Deadmaur -- but you may preview youtube video here.

Kris Humphries Scammed By Investment Con

(TMZ) Kris Humphries helped federal prosecutors get a grand jury indictment against a wedding guest who ripped him off to the tune of $617,000.

Andrey C. Hicks allegedly bilked more than $2.5 million from a total of 10 investors by telling them he was pumping their cash into a billion dollar hedge fund ... that didn't exist.

According to the indictment, Hicks instead blew wads of cash on a 2011 black Range Rover, 12 luxury watches, one diamond engagement ring, two pairs of earrings, another gold ring with diamonds, one pair of silver cuff links ... and one silver men's ring.

The docs show Humphries anted up his $617 grand to the alleged scammer on April 5. Four months later Hicks was sitting right behind Kris and Kim Kardashian at the rehearsal dinner for their massive wedding. more on this story

WWE Stars Surprise Troops in Afghanistan

(TMZ) WWE honcho Vince McMahon strapped on some body armor ... grabbed some of his WWE Superstars ... and dropped in on the troops in Afghanistan last week ... and TMZ has the pics.

Vince -- along with the Bella Twins and tag team champ Kofi Kingston -- were escorted to a secret location to hang out with a bunch of brave men and women in uniform.

We're told the wrestlers hung out for a few days -- and everyone had a great time. Vince wasn't scared about the outing -- since he's been visiting U.S. troops on various overseas military bases for the past 9 years.

Fun fact -- the photos are purposely framed so as not to reveal anything that might tip off where the American bases are located.

Who knew the WWE was entrusted with war secrets? See photos here.

Rick Ross Not Taking His Chances While Traveling

(TMZ) Rick Ross will not be caught off guard in case he suffers another medical emergency -- the rapper now travels with his own special medical kit, just in case the seizures strike again ... TMZ has learned.

As TMZ first reported, Ross suffered not one ... but two seizures on the same day in October while traveling to an event.

According to multiple sources, Ross wants to make sure he's prepared in case it happens again ... and put together a kit that includes 3 different prescription medications, vitamins, water and an inhaler.

We're told Ross is serious about having the kit near him at all times ... and often requires a member of his entourage to carry it around wherever he goes.

There are worse things an entourage member can be asked to carry around.
more on this story

Backlash Over Alec Baldwin 9/11 Rantings

(TMZ) Alec Baldwin invoking 9/11 during a rant against the air industry was totally "inappropriate" ... and the widow of an American Airlines co-pilot killed in the tragedy thinks Baldwin should simply admit he was wrong.

TMZ spoke with Cheryl McGuinness Hutchins -- whose husband Tom was in the cockpit of the first plane to hit the World Trade Center.

Cheryl was reacting to Baldwin's blog -- in which he wrote, "I believe carriers and airports have used [9/11] as an excuse to make the air travel experience as inelegant as possible."

CMH tells us, "I absolutely think [Baldwin's statement] was an inappropriate comment to make" ... adding, "I believe airlines used what happened on 9/11 to increase security and protect passengers as much as possible -- not to make traveling inelegant."

She continues, "If [Alec] did something inappropriate ... he shouldn't have to point the finger at a world tragedy. He should just take responsibility for his actions and admit he should have gotten off the phone."

A source close to Baldwin tells us, "Alec had absolutely no intention of offending families, victims or anyone else associated with the horrible tragedy of 9/11. He only referenced that date in relation to discussion of the resulting impact on the airline industry." more on this story

Meet Me At Mardi Gras Compilation Coming

(conqueroo) Rounder Records have set a January 10, 2012 release date for the "Meet Me At Mardi Gras" Compilation featuring Al "Carnival Time" Johnson, Professor Longhair, the Wild Magnolias, Larry Williams, Joe Liggins, Marcia Ball, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys and more

There's a chill in the air, and the sounds of the season are everywhere. Christmas, you ask? No, you're in New Orleans, and it's Carnival time — Meet Me at Mardi Gras. From every radio, bandstand, bar and coffee shop, the songs associated with Mardi Gras (especially perennial favorites such as Al Johnson's "Carnival Time" and the ReBirth Brass Band anthem "Do Whatcha Wanna") announce the month of parades and balls that will culminate with the nation's biggest citywide party.

The 12-song set Meet Me at Mardi Gras, to be released on January 10, 2012, presents many of the best Mardi Gras songs on Rounder Records (a division of Concord Music Group), which, for decades, has been the pre-eminent label recording the music of New Orleans. more on this story