John Travolta Sued For Alleged Sexual Assault

Update: Travolta's lawyer Marty Singer just released a statement, claiming, "This is another ludicrous lawsuit with inane claims. It is obvious that Mr. Zanzi and his lawyers are looking for their 15 minutes of fame." Read the rest of his statement here.

Secret Video of Michael Jackson Death Doctor Conrad Murray Surfaces

(TMZ) It's the Conrad Murray video you were never meant to see -- a secret, emotional recording made days after Michael Jackson died ... in which Murray lies through his teeth about his relationship with the singer, blasts the public for blaming him for MJ's death, and even says he's a victim of MJ's deceptions.

The video -- which was never released -- was shot the very same day Murray recorded the infamous "Do not worry" clip he released in August 2009 ... his first address to the public after investigators named him as a suspect.

In this clip, Murray appears much more emotional -- with tears in his eyes, ranging from sadness to anger -- saying, "I can find no words satisfactory to summarize my affection for Michael."

He then proceeds to tell a bald-faced lie -- saying, "Despite our relationships and conversations, I am now made aware through recent media reporting that he failed to share with me any problems involving his alleged addictions with medications."

It later came out during his manslaughter trial ... Murray was intimately familiar with MJ's drug addictions -- and claimed to use drugs as a means to ween Michael off Propofol.

Later in the video, Murray gets aggressive -- saying, "No man, no woman, with the exception of innocent child, is absolutely free of hidden skeletons."

He continues, "Therefore, next time you look in the mirror, before passing judgment or condemning someone, take a good look at yourself, and if you're not 100% sure that when scrutinized no faults can be found, then you may have earned that right to criticize."

Sources close to Murray tell TMZ, Conny's lawyers eventually decided to bury the video because they felt it could only hurt him. Watch it here.

Celebrity Apprentice's Aubrey O'Day Has Mental Health Issues?

(TMZ) Aubrey O'Day is a certified headcase ... so says one of her doctors, who issued the reality star an official medical document which allows her to bring her dogs on to an airplane.

A rep for Virgin America airlines tells TMZ ... the "Celebrity Apprentice" star was cleared to bring her 2 pets into the 1st class section of a flight this week ... because they are registered as "Emotional Support Animals."

So how does one get emotional support animal clearance? Ya gotta have a doctor write a letter ... stating you have mental issues.

According to the Virgin America website, the airline requires the passenger to produce a letter from a licensed mental health professional which substantiates the guest's disability-related need for the animal to accompany them in the aircraft cabin.

V.A. claims the letter must state that the passenger "has a mental health-related disability" ... and that having the animal accompany the passenger is necessary for his or her mental health.

The nature of O'Day's mental health issue is unclear. We called the starlet for comment.

O'Day tweeted pics of the dogs enjoying themselves on the flight to San Francisco ... and the V.A. rep tells us she was "incredibly sweet and polite" ... and nothing short of a "great guest." more on this story

One Direction Set New Song Release Date

(popmusiclife) One Direction are currently in a Los Angeles studio working on their sophomore album.

While the new album is expected to be issued later this year or early in 2013, One Direction have revealed details of the project's first single.

"Heartbreaker" will be released November 20 (UK), November 27 (US) and November 28 (worldwide), and is expected to hit the radio on November 26. more on this story

Mark Hoppus and Carly Rae Jepsen Guest on New Owl City Album

Owl City's Adam Young is changing things up on his new studio album, The Midsummer Station, which will be released on August 21st. For the effort, Young is looking to co-writers and outside producers as well as special guests Mark Hoppus and Carly Rae Jepsen. We were sent these details:

For the track "Shooting Star" Young enlisted his friend Matt Thiessen (Relient K), Stargate (Rihanna, Wiz Khalifa) and Robopop, and on "Gold" – another focus track on the album – he enlisted the team of Josh Crosby, Nate Campany, and Emily Wright (Dr. Luke's engineer).

In addition, Young is joined by two guests on the new album. On "Dementia," Young is joined by one of his heroes, blink-182's Mark Hoppus. The song documents some of the more psychotic thoughts and feelings Young dealt with in the wake of his platinum debut album Ocean Eyes and one of the more rock-inspired cuts on the new album. more on this story

Jennifer Lopez Compilation Coming

(popmusiclife) Jennifer Lopez will release a greatest hits package on July 24th. Entitled, "Dance Again…the Hits," that package features a dozen career-spanning tracks and two new songs: "Goin' In" (featuring Flo Rida) and "Dance Again".

The deluxe edition of "Dance Again…the Hits" includes the bonus tracks "All I Have," "Que Hiciste" (from Lopez's first full-length Spanish-language album, 2007's Como ama una Mujer) and "Let's Get Loud," plus a DVD with all the smash videos from the album.

Both versions of "…The Hits" feature her May 1999 chart debut, "If You Had My Love;" Lopez's trademark "Jenny From The Block," as well as hit collaborations and remixes with Fabolous, Ja Rule, Fat Joe and others. more on this story

New York Knicks Making Full Court Press For Jeremy Lin

(TMZ) The New York Knicks put on a full court press this weekend [for] their no. 1 free agent -- Jeremy Lin -- with Coach Mike Woodson wining and dining the point guard at a fancy Beverly Hills steakhouse ... and TMZ has the footage.

Woodson -- who just took over the team at the end of regular season -- seemed pretty chummy with Jeremy as the two exited Mastro's Steakhouse in Beverly Hills ... one of the best (and most expensive) restaurants in town.

But Woodson didn't come alone -- Knicks stars Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler joined the two for dinner.

Lin -- who broke out as a superstar last year -- becomes a free agent in just a couple of weeks ... and Woodson has already announced that he wants Jeremy to be his starting point guard next season.

So what does it mean for Lin? Money ... lots and lots of money ... and steak. more on this story

Jenna Jameson Charged With DUI

(TMZ) Jenna Jameson has officially been charged with DUI -- drugs and alcohol -- after smashing her car into a light pole last month in Orange County.

TMZ broke the story ... Jameson was arrested after the single-car accident early in the morning on May 25th. We're told she showed signs of intoxication, took a field sobriety test, and was subsequently busted on suspicion of DUI.

According to law enforcement, Jenna blew a .13 and had two prescription drugs in her system at the time of her arrest -- zolpidem (Ambien) and buprenorphine (Suboxone).

Jenna has been charged with two counts of DUI and one count of driving without a valid license.

If convicted on all counts, Jenna faces up to a year in jail. more on this story

Pomegranates Map Out Summer Tour

Pomegranates will be hitting the road next month for a North American summer tour.

The trek kicks off with a hometown show in Cincinnati at Bunbury Music Festival on July 15th where they will be playing alongside a number of notable artists including Death Cab for Cutie, Neon Trees and City and Colour.

The band will be touring in support of their new full-length studio album Heaven, which was co-produced by the band and Miguel Urbitztondo, who has worked with Cracker, Sparklehorse, Daniel Johnston, and many others. more on this story

Matt and Kim Release New Song

Matt and Kim have released their new song, "Let's Go", which is the first track off their upcoming album, Lightning, which will be released this fall.

Recorded and self-produced in Brooklyn, "Let's Go" is the band's first original music to be issued in 2012.

Following the track's release, the band will play select summer events across the US, including the Catalpa Festival on July 29th at Randall's Island in NY.

Sarah Miles Summer Tour

Sarah Miles will be hitting the road next month for 10 North American tour dates supporting Teddy Geiger.

Says Miles of the tour: "I am thrilled to be opening up for Teddy Geiger in July! Teddy is such a talented musician and songwriter; I feel so lucky to have the chance to be a part of this tour. It's going to be so much fun, and I can't wait to hit the road and start playing some shows."

In addition to the dates with Geiger, Miles will be hitting the road in August in support of Jerad Finck and Ken Yates, and she also has several dates planned with Pat McGee. more on this story

Justin Bieber Visits Letterman

(popmusiclife) Justin Bieber continues to make the rounds doing interviews and performances to promote his newly-released album, "Believe." The project features guest appearances by Ludacris, Big Sean, Drake and Nicki Minaj.

On Thursday, Justin stopped by The Late Show with David Letterman to chat and to perform the album's first single, "Boyfriend."

During the interview, Justin revealed his new tattoo, and was asked about what he did when he turned 18 a few months ago. Watch it here.

Steve Forbert Returning With New Album

Steve Forbert has set a September 11th, 2012 release date for Over With You, his first studio album in three years.

Over With You was produced by Grammy Award-winner Chris Goldsmith (who has worked with Ben Harper, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Ruthie Foster and Charlie Musselwhite)

"This album is very personal," Forbert says. "The songs are about what people feel in deep relationships — mainly love and friction." more on this story

Allen Stone Expands North American Tour Plans

Allen Stone has added nine additional dates to his upcoming North American headline tour this fall.

The outing, which will feature special guests Tingsek, Sister Sparrow, Yuna, and Selah Sue on select dates, kicks off on September 24 at Philadelphia's World Cafe Live. The newly added shows begin with an evening at the Alabama Music Box in Mobile, AL on October 10 and include the run's closing night - November 16 at Port City Music Hall in Portland, ME.

Stone will launch a European tour on November 21 with a show at Cargo in London. Tingsek will appear on all dates. more on this story

Randy Travis' Ex-Wife Responds To Lawsuit Accusations

(TMZ) Randy Travis' ex-wife insists she didn't torpedo the country legend's career, despite Randy's accusations in a recent lawsuit. She claims he did that all on his own.

As TMZ first reported, Travis filed a countersuit last month against Elizabeth Travis -- his ex-wife and manager of 30 years -- claiming she was badmouthing him following their personal and professional split. Elizabeth had originally sued him for breach of contract.

Now in court papers filed this week in Tennessee, Elizabeth denies both saying anything bad about Randy and trying to torpedo his career. She also claims it was his "intentional interfering" with her work that led to "undermining the effectiveness of his career in the entertainment industry."

Elizabeth wants his suit tossed out and a judge to award her damages based on lost earnings. more on this story

Tom Arnold Won't Roast Roseanne Barr

(TMZ) Roseanne Barr's ex-husband Tom Arnold wants nothing whatsoever to do with her upcoming Comedy Central roast.

A rep for Tom tells TMZ, the actor will NOT be reaching out to Comedy Central to participate and will say no if the network reaches out to him.

The rep adds, "He has absolutely no interest in being apart of it." The rep explained the couple simply doesn't talk anymore, and that's not gonna change any time soon.

Tom and Roseanne were married from 1990-1994 -- and their split was notoriously nasty, culminating in a screaming match outside the "Roseanne" set in 1994.

Years later, in a 2010 interview, Tom said Roseanne saved his life. So who knows. more on this story

Octomom Vs Virgin America

(TMZ) Virgin America insists Octomom's complaints of harassment aboard their aircraft are completely unfounded, and tells TMZ ... Octo was no model passenger.

A rep from Virgin says the airline stands by the crew's handling of Octo and her manager during a flight from LAX to NYC last week -- despite Octo's accusations to the contrary.

The rep adds, Octomom and her manager were difficult to deal with during the flight and, "Both guests had to be asked repeatedly to observe safety regulations."

As for kicking Octo's manager out of the bathroom ... Virgin claims she entered the restroom when the plane was landing -- which isn't allowed. They asked her to get out because per FAA rules -- they would have to delay landing if she didn't.

The rep tells us the airline's investigation is now closed -- so, this should be the last time the words virgin and Octomom are used in the same sentence. more on this story

Dwyane Wade's Father Sued Over College Loan

(TMZ) Dwyane Wade's father wasn't always banking on his son becoming a gazillionaire ... because he took out a loan to attend trade school back in the day ... a loan he allegedly never re-paid.

TMZ has learned ... D-Wade Sr. is being sued by the U.S. Govt. for defaulting on a $4,630.46 loan intended for higher education.

According to the docs, Wade Sr. borrowed the cash to attend the Environmental Technical Institute -- which specializes in the heating, air conditioning and refrigeration industry.

The loan was approved in 2001 -- the same year Dwyane Wade Jr. entered his freshman year at Marquette University.

The U.S. Govt. is going after Wade Sr. for the full amount of the loan -- plus interest -- totaling $6,221.44 ... which DW Sr. could probably find in his son's couch cushions. more on this story

Sites & Sounds: World Choir Games

antiMusic travel editor Kevin Wierzbicki tells us about the upcoming World Choir Games which is taking place in Cincinnati from July 4th thru 14th: Approximately 400 choirs from nearly 70 different countries will be competing in the 2012 World Choir Games, held this year in the United States for the first time ever.

And if you think choir singing isn't for you, think again. Singers will be competing in 23 categories including jazz, show choir, gospel and folklore and special guests this year include the Tony Award-winning Idina Menzel and GRAMMY winner Kirk Franklin.

Opening ceremonies will include a performance by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the May Festival Chorus and a special Global Harmony Celebration concert featuring singers from South Africa, Hong Kong and Columbus, Ohio.

Dozens of area hotels are offering specials during the event and if you book a room through www.CincinnatiUSA.com then you'll be eligible to see a Cincinnati Reds baseball game for half price while you're in town. www.2012WorldChoirGames.com
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