Whitney Houston's Family Sell Funeral Video Footage

A rep for the family confirms the family has now "agreed to license footage to several media outlets." The rep says the family is charging "customary fees" to ... "help maximize the estate for the benefit of Bobbi Kristina." more on this story

Elton John Poisoned

(TMZ) Elton John came down with a nasty case of food poisoning this weekend... TMZ has learned.

E.J. was supposed to perform at Caesar's Palace in Vegas this past Friday and Saturday night ... but the singer had to back out when something he ate ... backfired.

Elton's rep tells us John is doing "much better now" ... and will be ready to go in time for his next concert later this week .... in Guadalajara, Mexico. more on this story

Michael Jackson's Former Manager Vs Estate

(TMZ) Michael Jackson's former manager has filed a lawsuit against the MJ Estate, claiming he saved Michael Jackson after the molestation trial and in return he's been stiffed to the tune of millions of dollars.

Tohme Tohme says he was Michael's Manager from 2008 until shortly before his death. Tohme claims he rehabilitated MJ both financially and personally after the trial, by coordinating media releases and shooting down false and malicious news stories about Michael.

Tohme says he saved Neverland by arranging refinancing, for which he was entitled to $2.3 million.

But the big thing -- Tohme takes credit for suggesting that MJ's final tour would be called, "This Is It." According to the suit, during a discussion with Michael and AEG, Tohme chimed in that Michael selling the name, "This Is It" in a "high-spirited tone" would be a smash.

In addition to the $2.3 mil, Tohme wants 15% of the money Michael made from July, 2008 until the present.

The Estate has already rejected Tohme's claim and even filed legal docs today, claiming Tohme took advantage of Michael and did nothing for him. more on this story

Neal McCoy Releasing First Album in Five Years

Neal McCoy will return after a five year-hiatus with his new album, XII, on March 6, 2012.

Produced by CMA's reigning Male and Female Vocalist of the Year, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, and renowned guitar-slinger, Brent Rowan, this Blaster Records' debut is McCoy's 12th studio album.

McCoy's upcoming television appearances include a satellite media tour in New York, and segments on "Hannity," "Huckabee," "411 Live," and "Better TV," to name a few. Plus, McCoy returns to host GAC's highly-rated, Top 50 Videos of the 2000s, debuting February 20, 2012. more on this story

Madonna Shooting New Video This Week

(popmusiclife) Madonna's recent Super Bowl performance made headlines around the world, and now the pop superstar is back at work on her new album, "MDNA."

The singer will be busy "shooting 'Girls Gone Wild' video this week," according to a tweet by Madonna's manager Guy Oseary.

Oseary also revealed that the video would be directed by Mert and Marcus, the same team who did the cover for the new album. more on this story

Hank Williams, Jr. Retrospective Coming

Curb Records have set a March 27 release for a retrospective collection of signature hits from Hank Williams Jr.

The package will feature 22 of Hank Jr.'s best songs that span decades of his high octane music making career, that includes high points such as Family Tradition, A Country Boy Can Survive, All My Rowdy Friends Are Comin' Over Tonight, and Whiskey Bent And Hell Bound.

In the history of recorded music, perhaps no 'second generation' heir to a musical dynasty has surpassed superstar status to become a true American icon as boldly as Hank Williams, Jr. With stacks of gold and platinum lining his walls amid Grammys and Emmys and the reflection of the nearby crowns of Entertainer of the Year resting comfortably on his mantle, Jr. has carved a giant niche in the annals of the record industry. Stepping from the shadows of the greatness of Hank Sr. the current incarnation of family greatness is unique in Hank Jr's relevance and the amazing influence of his music and image as part of America's pop culture. He is by any definition a 21st century pop culture force to be reckoned with. more on this story

More Behind The Scenes With Rihanna

(popmusiclife) Rihanna has released part 2 of a new video series giving fans a behind the scenes look into the making of her latest album, "Talk That Talk."

In part 2 of "The Road To 'Talk That Talk,'" Rihanna takes viewers to Barbados where she visits with her family; we also get a look at the photo shoot for the album's artwork, and celebrating the record's #1 status with fans in Manchester.

Up next for the pop superstar is an appearance and performance at the Brit Awards at London's 02 Arena on February 21. Watch the video here.

Charlie Sheen Apologizes To Ashton Kutcher

(TMZ) Charlie Sheen tells TMZ he feels REALLLLY bad for saying Ashton Kutcher "sucks" as the new lead on "Two and a Half Men" ... and now he's issuing an official apology to the actor.

It all started on "TMZ Live" last week ... when Sheen called in and told us, "I'm tired of lying ... I'm tired of pretending the show doesn't suck ... I'm tired of pretending Ashton doesn't suck."

But Sheen has since had a change of heart and drafted a letter to Kutcher ...which reads: "Dear Ashton,

My bad.

I was disrespectful to a man doing his best.

I got excited and I threw you into the crossfire, but the rest of my statement I stand behind. You however, deserve better.

Safety in your travels good sir.

CS" more on this story

Mother Gets Restraining Order Against Deadliest Catch Star

(TMZ) "Deadliest Catch" star Elliott Neese is an unstable ticking time bomb waiting to explode ... so says his baby mama who just got a restraining order against the reality star.

According to court docs filed in Alaska obtained by TMZ, Neese -- the captain of the F/V Ramblin' Rose -- has been on bad terms with his baby mama Valerie Gunderson for a while ... and now she believes there are signs he could "snap" on her at any moment.

One of the BIGGEST signs, Valerie alleges ... is that Elliott has been drinking, possibly using drugs and harassing her through the phone.

In fact, Valerie claims on Feb 13 ... Elliott called her 38 TIMES and sent 15 texts her way in less than an hour ... when she refused to talk to him. One month before that, Valerie claims he called her 54 TIMES in one night.

Valerie claims Elliott also called her mother and told her, "If I can't have [Valerie] nobody can."

Valerie claims Elliott has a history of domestic violence -- smashing her belongings in 2010 and attacking her in 2006 -- and she doesn't want to be a victim again.

The judge felt Valerie's fears are legit -- and has issued a temporary restraining order against Neese ... banning him from calling Valerie or contacting her in any way.

We attempted to contact Elliott for comment ... but we're told he's currently out fishing and could not be reached. more on this story

Contractors Go After Akon

(TMZ) Akon is up to his neck in $51,000 of construction bills on his Georgia mansion ... and he still hasn't paid up -- this according to a new lawsuit filed by a local contracting company.

Southern Electric filed the lawsuit against Akon in Georgia Superior Court, claiming it completed over $344,000 of work on Akon's place -- electric work, framing, molding -- but he refused to pay $51,941 on their final invoice.

According to the suit, Southern Electric contacted Akon's mommy last November ... not just to tattle, but because his mother was acting as his agent in the deal ... but still, S.E. has not received a dime.

They're now suing for breach of contract for the amount allegedly owed, plus interest.

FYI -- Akon's Georgia palace is a two-story four-bedroom, eight-bath model that he forked over 1.65-MILLION clams for. Calls to his rep have not been returned. more on this story

Jon Cleary Takes On Allen Toussaint Songbook For New Album

(conqueroo) The seeds for Jon Cleary's sixth solo CD were sown when the acclaimed songwriter, pianist and singer was asked the hypothetical question, "Would you ever do a record of somebody else's tunes?" The English-born Cleary, who has made New Orleans his home for more than three decades, provides his emphatic answer with the utterly captivating Occapella (released April 17 on the artist's own FHQ Records).

An exploration deep into the bountiful songbook of Cleary's musical touchstone, Allen Toussaint, the new album is as inspired as it is sure-footed. On this labor of love, Cleary inventively reimagines the classics "Southern Nights" and "What Do You Want the Girl To Do," while he presents less familiar pieces like "Poor Boy Got To Move," "I'm Gone" and "When the Party's Over" as newly unearthed treasures.

"I wouldn't say it's a tribute," Cleary says of Occapella. "The term 'tribute' sounds rather corny, really. On the back of the album, I just put, 'Having fun with the songs of Allen Toussaint,' which sums up the vibe a bit better. Toussaint's music was the soundtrack of my adolescence, I've played a lot of his songs with the guys who had the original hits with them, and we've crossed paths on numerous occasions. So this record was a logical thing for me to do. more on this story

Amazing Race's The Solution Vs Jersey Shore's The Situation

(TMZ) He's OBSESSED with his abs ... he's from the East Coast ... and he's got a nickname for himself ... but "Amazing Race" star Danny Horal insists he's not just another "Jersey Shore" wannabe.

Danny -- who now calls himself "The Solution" -- was out in L.A. Sunday night, hanging with his teammate Joey "Fitness" Lasalla ... and "Race" rivals Brendon and Rachel ... and dude couldn't stop talking about his stomach.

"No Situation here ... I'm The Solution ... there's a lot MORE going on over here than Situation." See Danny Horals abs vs. The Situations abs here

Atlanta Falcons Roddy White Reaches Agreement in Paternity Case

(TMZ) Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White is definitely NOT dropping the ball in his paternity case -- in fact, the Pro Bowler says he's willing to pay whatever it takes to support his baby boy.

TMZ broke the story ... White's baby mama Stacey Hott told the judge she was expecting a "generous" amount of child support because Roddy makes a FORTUNE as one of the top receivers in the NFL.

And according to court docs filed in Georgia and obtained by TMZ ... her wish came true -- because Roddy agreed to fork over $3,200 per month in child support.

Plus, Roddy promised to take out a MASSIVE life insurance policy on himself, with his son as the beneficiary ... just in case. And to top it off, Roddy also agreed to cover the bill for Hott's lawyers.

A judge signed off on the agreement this week ... thus ending what seems to be the most amicable child support dispute involving an NFL player ... maybe ever. more on this story

Liars Cheaters R Us Case Tossed Out

(TMZ) Two women who were sued because they blasted their ex on liarscheatersrus.com -- calling him "scum" -- have been vindicated by a judge.

The court threw out the case filed by Matthew Couloute, a New York lawyer, who claimed Amanda Ryncarz and Stacey Blitsch -- a former roller derby star -- ruined his career by calling him various names on the website, including a "liar" and a "cheater."

But a federal district judge ruled the statements were just opinion -- and no one would mistake them as fact. The judge also said Matthew couldn't point to a single business relationship of his that was harmed by the 2 chicks. more on this story

Bobby Brown Won't Turn Bobbi Kristina Dispute Into Legal Battle

(TMZ) Bobby Brown has been battling with Whitney Houston's family over seeing his daughter ever since Whitney passed away last week ... but Bobby won't turn this into a legal battle ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the New Edition singer tell TMZ ... Bobby really wants to be there for Bobbi Kristina, but does not want to make the situation more stressful for her than it already is.

We're told Bobby was very upset with how he was treated at Whitney's funeral yesterday and feels her family should be as considerate to him as his family was to Whitney when Bobby's mother passed away last year.

According to our sources, Bobby won't bring lawyers into the situation and, as on source said, he feels "this sort of thing you let the higher power handle." more on this story

Gabriel Aubry Won't Be Charged For Alleged Nanny Assault

(TMZ) Halle Berry's baby daddy Gabriel Aubry will not be charged after allegedly shoving his daughter Nahla's nanny ... while the woman held Nahla in her arms -- TMZ has learned.

TMZ broke the story ... Gabriel flew off the handle last month when the nanny questioned him about not taking Nahla to school one day. According to the battery report, the nanny picked Nahla up during the confrontation, and Gabriel allegedly shoved her out the door with Nahla still in her arms.

But L.A. City Attorney spokesman Frank Mateljan tells TMZ ... Gabriel will NOT be charged because of "insufficient evidence."

Gabriel isn't completely off the hook -- as TMZ previously reported, a Dependency Court judge placed an order stating Aubry can only watch Nahla while under the supervision of a monitor ... per a recommendation by the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services. more on this story

Survivor Producer Facing Murder Charge Wants To Sell His Story

(TMZ) Bruce Beresford-Redman -- the former "Survivor" producer accused of murdering his wife -- is finally ready to tell his side of the story ... but only if the price is right.

BBR's spokesperson has been calling various media outlets, including TMZ, in an effort to score the very first interview with the murder suspect, who's currently behind bars in Mexico.

It's unclear how much BBR is hoping to score from a tell-all. We're not biting.

BBR's rep, Steve Jaffe, tells us Bruce needs the dough to pay for his legal defense.

Earlier this week, BBR was ordered to stand trial for allegedly killing his wife during a vacation in Cancun back in 2010. BBR insists he is innocent. more on this story

Final Curtain for Teen Mom?

(TMZ) Amber Portwood's "Teen Mom" career is teetering on the edge of extinction ... because an Indiana judge has imposed a sentence that makes it next to impossible for Amber to appear on the MTV show anytime soon.

Portwood was in court yesterday to deal with the fallout of a recent drug arrest -- and hammered out details in a plea deal that will keep her out of the slammer ... as long as she doesn't screw up.

According to law enforcement sources ... Amber has been ordered to live in a halfway house for up to 3 years and get a court approved 9-to-5 job that she must attend at least 5 days a week.

We're told "Teen Mom" will NOT count as a job. PLUS, the judge has banned Portwood from taping any MTV project while staying at the halfway house, working her job or appearing in court. Doesn't leave Amber much room for reality TV.

Also, Amber is not allowed to tape anything while hanging out with any other girls who also live at the halfway house.

We're told the judge reached out to MTV ... and the network assured the court it would not sue Amber for breaking her contract with the show because of the sentencing ... a sure sign they are planning on moving on from her story. more on this story