Macy Gray Covers Metallica, Arcade Fire, Radiohead on New Album

The album her take on songs from Arcade Fire, Radiohead, Metallica, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Eurhythmics, Colbie Caillat and more. more on this story

Beyonce Staging Live Comeback

Beyonce will take the stage in May to perform for the first time since she gave birth to her daughter Blue Ivy in January.

Beyonce will make her live return over the Memorial Day weekend with concerts on three consecutive nights at the new Revel casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The beach front resort is set to open on April 2nd and Beyonce will perform the grand opening show at the resorts' Ovation Hall on May 25, with concerts on the following two nights as well. more on this story

Oprah Winfrey's OWN Troubles

(TMZ) First Rosie ... now TMZ has learned at least 10 people got the chop at the Oprah Winfrey Network yesterday ... including 2 high level execs.

Sources connected to OWN tell us ... people from at least 3 departments were let go ... including the creative services dept., integrated marketing and promo scheduling.

We're told one of the casualties was the head of the creative services department.

One source tells us the group included people with years of experience in the industry as well as newcomers.

The timing is interesting ... considering O just cancelled Rosie O'Donnell's show. OWN has been struggling with low ratings since its launch. more on this story

Madonna To Walk Tightrope On Upcoming Tour

(popmusiclife) Madonna's new album, "MDNA," is out next week, but the singer has her eyes on another date: May 29. That's when she opens her 2012 tour in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The pop icon has been working through rehearsals for the upcoming tour, recently displaying pictures of some bruises she earned in the process.

Now, Madonna is sharing some more photos from her behind the scenes workout: this time, she is seen practicing her tightrope walking skills. Check em out here.

Rebecca Ferguson Releases New Music Video

British X Factor star and soul singer Rebecca Ferguson has released a new music video for her single "Nothing's Real But Love."

"Nothing's Real But Love" comes from Ferguson's debut album "Heaven," which is set to be released on May 29th in North America.

"Nothing's Real But Love" has taken over U.K. radio and Heaven was BBC's Album of the Week and recently debuted in the Top 3 on the U.K. album chart

Ferguson is said to combine the soul of Aretha Franklin and the sultriness of Sade. Rebecca made a huge splash with her one-of-a-kind voice when she rose to the top of Britain's hit show The X Factor this past season, winning over millions of viewers and even gaining Adele as an outspoken fan. Check out the video here.

AthFest Headlines Announced

Reptar with Atlas Sound, The Glands & Yacht Rock Revue are set to headline this year's AthFest.

AthFest will take place in downtown Athens, GA, June 20th through 24th, 2012 and will feature approximately 150 bands and artists will perform on the 3 outdoor stages and in a dozen venues.

All performances on the outdoor stages are open to all ages and are free of charge to the public. more on this story

Former Apples In Stereo Member Goes Solo

Former Apples In Stereo member Chris McDuffie will release his debut solo album, Hollows and Rounds, under the name of Whitejacket on April 3rd. We were sent this background:

Despite a propitious beginning, the rigors and temptations of touring took their toll on McDuffie who was abruptly and publically dismissed from the band after blowing a tambourine cue onstage in Albuquerque.

Cast out of the Elephant 6 garden, McDuffie packed up his tambourine and retreated to Chicago where he eventually began work on Hollows and Rounds, his debut album as Whitejacket due April 3rd. While the album's latest single "Medinah" shows the influence of Their Satanic Majesties Request and Magical Mystery Tour, McDuffie admits, "I fear the chorus may owe a little debt to The Cardigans." more on this story

Original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Star Slams Michael Bay

(TMZ) The guy who voiced Michaelangelo in the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movies is FURIOUS with Michael Bay ... claiming the director is "sodomizing" the franchise by changing "turtle" history in an upcoming flick.

The outrage stems from a comment Bay made about his upcoming live-action flick at a recent media event .... in which he said, "These turtles are from an alien race, and they are going to be tough, edgy, funny and completely loveable."

Of course, TMNT fans are FLIPPING OUT ... since everyone knows the turtles mutated during a brush with radioactive ooze after falling through a sewer ... duh.

One of those angry fans is voice-actor Robbie Rist ... who recently posted a letter to Bay stating, "You probably don't know me but I did some voice work on the first set of movies that you are starting to talk about sodomizing."

Rist added, "I know believing in mutated talking turtles is kinda silly to begin with but am I supposed to be led to believe there are ninjas from another planet? The rape of our childhood memories continues ... "

Still, Rist tells TMZ ... "Everything I have said here could be off base and wrong ... He has made WAY more money at this than I have." more on this story

Kim Kardashian No Longer Used by Mexican Plastic Surgeon

(TMZ) TMZ has learned the Mexican doctor who bootlegged Kim Kardashian's image for a plastic surgery ad has finally agreed to take down his billboard ... after admitting he never got her permission in the first place.

We broke the story ... Dr. Victor Ramirez unlawfully used Kim K's image to up-sell his plastic slice-and-dice biz in the boarder town of Mexicali ... even though he's never met the reality star and didn't pay her a dime.

When Kim's lawyers found out about the ad ... they threatened Senor Ramirez ... and apparently, threats aren't taken lightly in Mexico ... because the sign came down over the weekend. more on this story

Michael Jackson Death Doctor Reportedly Sick in Jail

(TMZ) Dr. Conrad Murray has dumped 30 pounds from a claimed illness since entering jail, and he blames the water at L.A. County Jail.

We're told Murray has been extremely sick since becoming an inmate last November. He claims the water smells and tastes bad, and believes it has given him a horrible case of dysentery. Murray says the bad water, along with a bad diet, is ruining his health.

Murray says he can't eat jail food, and is forced to eat what he calls "cat food" which he buys at the commissary .

Murray buys canned tuna for $4.25 a pop, salmon flakes for $3.50 and canned mackerel for $2.50. Murray is telling friends that aside from cats, he's the only human being forced to eat canned mackerel.

We're told Murray is filing multiple appeals to get out of jail, primarily because his health is compromised.

L.A. County Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore tells TMZ, "All inmates receive the proper nutrition and medical care that is required by law, but the Sheriff's Dept. goes above and beyond what is required." more on this story

John Cena in Multi-Car Crash

(TMZ) John Cena was involved in a 3-way chain reaction crash in Philadelphia yesterday morning ... and TMZ has the first photos from the smash site.

WWE.com broke the story ... Cena was leaving a media appearance ... when his SUV was rocked from behind by another car.

Now, we've learned ... Cena's ride was hit by a small Honda Civic ... which was ALSO hit from behind by a massive big rig.

As we previously reported, Cena didn't appear to be seriously injured ... but plans to visit with doctors as soon as he arrives to the arena for Monday Night Raw. Check out the photos here.

Randy Travis To Co-Host The Today Show Tomorrow

Randy Travis will co-host The Today Show with Hoda Kotb tomorrow, March 21, 2012, during the fourth hour of the broadcast.

Travis will be filling the chair for Kathie Lee Gifford who is taking the week off as he celebrates his silver anniversary in the music biz.

Travis calls this week's national television appearance an anniversary highlight. Travis says, "Having appeared and performed on the 'Today' show many times, I am honored to co-host. I look forward to teaming with Hoda Kotb and the NBC crew during my visit to New York". more on this story

Russell Brand To Fight Possible Felony Charge

(TMZ) Russell Brand claims he was provoked by the paparazzi last Monday when he grabbed a photog's cell phone and threw it through a window -- and he's going to use provocation to fight any charge that might be filed against him ... sources close to Brand tell TMZ.

Brand was arrested Thursday for a felony, since the value of the window and the iPhone exceeded the $500 minimum for the crime.

Brand has hired a high-powered New Orleans lawyer -- Robert Glass. We're told if Brand is officially charged with the felony, Glass will argue that the damages were less than $500 -- Russell paid $240 to fix the window, and we're told Russell will claim damage to the iPhone was minor.

Brand is free on $5,000 bond. more on this story

Brooke Mueller's Alleged Victim Reacts To No Jail Plea Deal

(TMZ) The woman who claims a cocaine-possessing Brooke Mueller attacked her in Aspen last year tells TMZ she's not surprised Brooke wasn't sentenced to jail yesterday... saying, "Rich people get what they want and poor people don't."

TMZ broke the story ... Mueller struck a plea deal with prosecutors regarding the Dec. 2 incident ... in which she agreed to plead guilty to cocaine possession and in exchange the judge dismissed the misdemeanor assault charge and another coke charge. Brooke was only sentenced to 1 year probation.

Now, Brooke's alleged victim Llena Little tells us, "I knew this was going to happen ... I already prepared myself for Brooke not getting jail time."

Llena says she has no plans to sue over the alleged attack ... explaining, "It is what it is." more on this story

Avalanche City Delivers Love Love Love EP

Roadrunner Records are today (3/20/12) releasing New Zealand star Avalanche City's four-track Love Love Love EP in North America. They sent over these details:

The first single "Love Love Love" will go to radio in May 2012 with a full length album to be released later this year. "Love Love Love'" debuted at #1 on the New Zealand singles charts and is now double platinum there.

Avalanche City, Roadrunner Records' newest signing, is the brainchild of Dave Baxter, a singer songwriter who wrote, produced, recorded and played every instrument on his debut album Our New Life Above The Ground, which was released July 8, 2011 in New Zealand. Baxter recorded the almost platinum album in just one week. Avalanche City is the fastest selling debut artist in New Zealand history. more on this story

Tyler Hilton Set For New Album and Tour

Tyler Hilton is going indie for the April 3rd release of his third studio album, Forget The Storm, which will be released on his own label, Hooptie Tune Records.

The album was recorded in Los Angeles with producers such as David Hodges (Christina Perry, Kelly Clarkson).

The first single, "Prince of Nothing Charming," is available now on iTunes. Hilton rejoined the cast of CW's One Tree Hill in its 9th and final season; the Forget The Storm track "Loaded Gun" appeared in the season premiere; the series finale will air on April 4th. Hilton also announced that he will kick-off a twenty-city U.S. tour this week in Michigan. more on this story

Brandi Carlile Releasing New Album This Spring

(BH) Columbia Records have set a June 5th release date for Brandi Carlile's fourth studio album, Bear Creek.

Named for the studio where most of the album was recorded - Bear Creek Studios, which is housed in a converted early 20th century barn near Carlile's hometown of Seattle - it features her longtime band mates: Tim and Phil Hanseroth ("The Twins," who co-wrote many of the songs with Carlile and play guitar and bass respectively), drummer/percussionist Allison Miller and cellist Josh Neumann plus Dave Palmer on keyboards and Jeb Bows on violin and mandolin. Drummer Matt Chamberlain guests on several tracks.

Brandi will kick off a series of six dates with Dave Matthews Band on June 26 at Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ and headline the 9,450-seat Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO on July 14. more on this story

American Idol Finalist's Hometown Helping Family Go Hollywood

(TMZ) "American Idol" finalist Phillip Phillips' family can't afford to watch him perform live in Hollywood -- so his hometown in Georgia is banding together ... to raise money to send 'em there ... TMZ has learned.

According to sources, it costs about $3,000 to fly out Phillip's family from Leesburg, GA to Los Angeles -- and the Phillipses simply can't afford to make the trip ... despite their son making it to the finals.

But the good citizens of Leesburg, GA have trying their best to help out ... throwing fundraisers every Wednesday -- where at least 15 merchants donate a percentage of their profits from that day ... to help the family make the trip to tinseltown.

The events are so popular -- Mayor Jim Quinn named 'em 'Phillip Phillips' Wednesdays' ... and even gave Phillips' family a key to the town.

Sources tell TMZ -- people from all over are eager to donate ... townsfolk ... tourists off the street ... and even fans as far as Florida are mailing in checks. more on this story

Bobbi Kristina Friends Reportedly Shocked That She's Dating Her 'Brother'

(TMZ) Looks like no one is immune from thinking it is weird that Bobbi Kristina Brown is dating the guy she used to consider her "brother" -- because even their closest friends were shocked by the news ... TMZ has learned.

As TMZ first reported, Bobbi feels she's doing nothing wrong by dating Nick Gordon, the guy her mother Whitney Houston unofficially adopted 10 years ago.

According to our sources, Bobbi broke the news to her friends at a BBQ this week ... and no one believed it until the two kissed in front of everyone. We're told one friend felt the "relationship" was the result of each of them taking the death of Whitney too hard ... but they both brushed off that notion.

Our sources say the rest of the BBQ was quite awkward after that and everyone just tried to change the subject. more on this story

Halle Berry School Shopping in Paris

(TMZ) Halle Berry is banking on her custody judge giving her the green light to move to Paris with 4-year-old Nahla -- because we got pics of her checking out preschools in Paris.

TMZ broke the story ... Halle wants to move to France with her fiance Olivier Martinez and Nahla to escape the paparazzi that dogs her in the states. She also feels unsafe in the U.S. because of ongoing stalker issues and fears for Nahla's safety.

Baby daddy Gabriel Aubry is fighting the move, claiming it's bad for Nahla to severe meaningful contact with him.

The judge has yet to rule on the move. more on this story