Country Legend George Jones Hospitalized

In addition, Clay Walker, Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye, Larry Gatlin, Crystal Gayle, The Kentucky HeadHunters, Jett Williams, Jeanne Pruett, Lisa Matassa, The Whites, Ricky Skaggs, Mandy Barnett, Mark Collie, Ronnie McDowell, Baillie & the Boys, and Daryle Singletary will join previously announced Brenda Lee, John Conlee, Lee Greenwood, Eddy Raven, The Roys, Janie Fricke, T.G. Sheppard, Dailey & Vincent, Gary Morris, Jessi Colter, Bobby Bare, Jim Ed Brown, Little Jimmy Dickens, Stonewall Jackson and more will all take the stage during the finale performance.

Selena Gomez Angers Hindus

(Radio.com) When Selena Gomez took the stage Sunday night at the MTV Movie Awards to perform her new single "Come & Get It," the last thing she expected was backlash. Dressed in red and barefoot, Gomez also donned a bindi on her forehead. Not a Hindu herself, it was the bindi that caused controversy.

The bindi is a religious symbol to Hindus, and the fact that Gomez sported one during her seductive performance had many unhappy.

"The bindi on the forehead is an ancient tradition in Hinduism and has religious significance. It is also sometimes referred to as the third eye and the flame, and it is an auspicious religious and spiritual symbol," Hindu statesman Rajan Zed said. "It is not meant to be thrown around loosely for seductive effects or as a fashion accessory aiming at mercantile greed."

Gomez has yet to speak out on wearing the bindi, but when she took the stage last night to perform the track on Dancing With the Stars, she changed her bindi to a simpler design. more on this story

Oprah Makes Surprise Appearance At Rock Hall Induction

(Radio.com) Oprah Winfrey was the biggest surprise of the night at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. She noted that she's rarely at a loss for words, but "he defines and defies the word 'legend'" when honoring Quincy Jones.

She said that him casting her in The Color Purple changed the trajectory of her career. She'd never acted, and he said "Baby, your future's so bright it burns my eyes." She laughed, "I didn't know what you were talking about!"

"You just have the most generous soul of anybody I know," Oprah said. She described his ability to nuture talent, from new artists to established ones saying, "He has the incredible ability to pull people together from music and movie and TV in a way that nobody did before."

Discussing his session for "We Are the World," she said, "He was the one who wrote the sign 'Leave Your Ego At The Door,'" letting every one there know that he could write that because he was able to do the same. She explained that Jones has 79 grammy nominations – more than anyone–and has won 27 times.

"He's been underestimated, but never counted out," she said. "He lives life completely on his terms and he has so much fun doing it.

Adding, "I want to be like you, I really do." more on this story

Adele's Grammy Stage-Crasher Facing Possible Jail Time

(Radio.com) When Adele took the stage to accept her Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance earlier this year, she was almost upstaged by an overzealous fan. Now that stage-crasher is facing possible jail time.

The crasher, Vitalii Sediuk who is best known for earning a slap from Will Smith after kissing him on the red carpet at the Moscow premiere of Men In Black 3, has been charged with one count apiece of "willfully leaving a spectator area to go into a performance area and interfering and delaying program participants."

"The safety and protection of both participants and attendees of major events held in this city is a priority of my office," L.A. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich said in a statement obtained by E! News.

"In this age of heightened security, any person who intentionally crosses that line and acts in an irresponsible manner will be held accountable for his or her actions." more on this story

Justin Bieber Posts Suggestive Illustration

(Radio.com) Just days after Justin Bieber made headlines for his visit to the Anne Frank House, and writing in the guest book that "hopefully she would have been a Belieber," the Biebs is at it again.

Bieber posted an illustration of himself on Instagram shirtless while a girl labeled "Belieber," also topless, lies on him. While Beliebers couldn't happier about the photo, others are questioning his latest antics.

"When it seemed that Bieber the petulant pop star may just have matured into Bieber the wizened and mature artist, he posts the pompous and vain Instagram photo, proving once again that is he, and not always the media, who is the childish one," The Daily Beast reporter Kevin Fallon wrote.

This incident is just the latest the ongoing saga of Bieber headlines in recent months. From his monkey seized by German officials, being investigated on battery charges, and a heated altercation with a photographer, the singer seems to be headed for disaster. See the illustration here.

Britney Spears Announces New Song

(Radio.com) The wait for new music from Britney Spears is over. The pop star just revealed that she'll be releasing a new track titled "Ooh La La," which will be featured in The Smurfs 2 movie.

The song and the film hold special significance to Spears, as she explained in a press release. "I have always loved the Smurfs as a kid and now my boys are the biggest Smurfs fans ever," Spears said. "I wanted to surprise them with a song in the movie. I know they'll think it's Smurftastic!"

The song, written by Dr. Luke, Ammo, Cirkut, Bonnie McKee, J Kash, Lola Blanc and Fransisca Hall, will be played at the film's end credits. more on this story

Daft Punk Release The Real 'Get Lucky'

(Radio.com) It's quite possibly the single most buzzed-about song in the world right now, one many thought they'd heard early in the week, but really hadn't.

Where previously-released bits and pieces of Daft Punk's new single, "Get Lucky," had been stitched together into extended versions many mistook for the real thing, the band and their label, Columbia Records, have released the genuine article into the world.

In keeping with the more traditional promotional campaign for Random Access Memories, Daft Punk's fourth studio album that's set for release on May 21, "Get Lucky" was released on radio hours before it was launched online, an extremely rare occurrence in this increasingly digital age.

Featuring Pharrell Williams on lead vocals and the legendary Nile Rodgers of Chic on guitar, the song is a throwback to dance records of the '70s and '80s, when bands and ace session musicians ruled concert stages and recording studios. Check out the video and read more here.

Brad Paisley Tops The Chart and Releases New Video

(Radio.com) Perhaps the old saying is true, that "all publicity is good publicity." Because after a week of living under the spotlight for his song "Accidental Racist," Brad Paisley's album Wheelhouse (which contains the song) has topped Billboard's Country Albums chart this week.

According to Nielsen SoundScan, Wheelhouse sold 100,000 copies last week. That was also enough to put it in the No. 2 spot on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart as well. Wheelhouse was hot on the heels of Paramore's new self-titled album, which topped the Billboard 200 this week with 106,000 copies sold.

Justin Timberlake took the third-best placement on the album chart this week, while the next three slots belong again to country artists: Blake Shelton with Based on a True Story… (61,000), Eric Church with his new live album Caught in the Act (61,000), and The Band Perry with Pioneer (56,000). Last week saw Timberlake at the top of the chart, with The Band Perry right behind him.

"Accidental Racist," though, isn't the only song giving Wheelhouse its attention this week. Brad's single "Beat This Summer" is continuing its climb up the country charts, with a new video for the song dropping this week as well. Watch it here.

Macklemore And Ryan Lewis Go Epic For Thrift Store Follow Up

(Radio.com) Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have followed up the budget-minded clip for their breakout song "Thrift Shop" by making a full 180-degree turn with an epic music video for their new single, "Can't Hold Us" featuring guest vocalist Ray Dalton.

Opening with Macklemore tromping through a snowy landscape carrying a flag bearing his most recent album title, The Heist, the grandiose clip includes scenes aboard a giant pirate ship, traveling across a desert by camel, through a field (atop a living room set being towed by a classic pickup truck) and on a beach.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis make sure get in on the fun, with one shot of Lewis leaping from a second story window into the waiting arms of fans below, and other featuring Macklemore rapping while standing on the hands of a large swarm of people.

The clip culminates with Macklemore himself parachuting onto his hometown Seattle's legendary Space Needle, where he plants the massive flag bearing The Heist album title.

"It seems like when a music video comes out, the title that receives all of the credit and travels with a film is that of the director," Ryan Lewis says in a "note" that's attached to the new video , going on to say that at least seven people are responsible for the "Can't Hold Us" clip. Read more and watch the video here.

Phoenix Go Warhol On New Album

(Radio.com) Phoenix would like to remind you not to forget the exclamation point at the end of Bankrupt!, their new album out April 23. The French foursome told Radio.com that the title's punctuation was deliberately used to add a little mystique, a bit of danger. And without it, the title would mean something totally different.

"The exclamation point changes it," frontman Thomas Mars said. "It makes it a headline… It makes it artistic." Guitarist Laurent Brancowitz added, "It's a Warhol exclamation point."

The album cover's illustration is also a nod to the Pop Art style of Andy Warhol, specifically his unique talent for taking mundane objects and turning them into art, just like his famous 1962 screenprint, Campbell's Soup Can (Tomato). That was Phoenix's goal with their latest cover, which features a perfectly pixelated drawing of a peach.

Brancowitz explained that they were looking for "another form of beauty," something that would make people wonder why they found an ordinary piece of fruit so beautiful. It was the same thing people thought when they first looked at Warhol's soup can.

"Now we know it as this mystique of Fifties design [but] back in the day it was just a can of soup," he explained. "I think it's the same idea…You just pick it and put it in another context and then hopefully it becomes art." more on this story

Kelly Rowland and Jennifer Hudson Celebrate Donna Summer At Rock Hall

(Radio.com) Kelly Rowland believes her, along with many of her peers, were probably conceived to the sweet sounds of "Love To Love You Baby" by Donna Summer.

At the disco legend's induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Rowland talked about how Summer wrote "She Works Hard For The Money" after meeting someone who worked in a restaurant. "We sang along with her – on the radio – with everything we had, because she sang with everything she had."

Though Donna is gone, Rowland said that "she continues to inspire so many women around the world." Ending her speech by saying, "Donna, we love you so much."

With that, she introduced members of Summers' family including Bruce Sedano, her husband of almost 32 years and their three daughters. It was an emotional moment, as Sedano noted, "It's bittersweet for obvious reasons. If Donna was here, she'd be very grateful." He noted that she wasn't big on awards, and said she didin't display her awards in the house. "She didn't think it was good to live under the shadow of 'look what I've done,'" he said.

Sedano said he suggested that she should do a standards album, something she always opted not to do it because she always had new songs that she wanted to record. He gave thanks to her fans, saying it was a love affair, noting that after her shows, she would sign autographs after her shows, rather than leaving for the hotel. Sedano also thanked DJs – both radio DJs and club DJs–who played her records, over and over for years.

Jennifer Hudson then took the stage, sporting a '70s era disco jumpsuit and a perm similar to Summers' from that era. more!

Eric Church Releasing Vinyl Record Made With Whiskey

(Radio.com) Colored vinyl releases are often a special enough treat for music junkies. But Eric Church is taking the collectible record concept to a whole new level.

For this year's Record Store Day (Saturday, April 20), the ACM Album of the Year winner is releasing a double-vinyl version of his new live album Caught in the Act that also includes a seven-inch single made with whiskey.

Yes, that's right. Jack Daniels was mixed into the vinyl before the singles were pressed. Sure, it's a novelty. But aren't you now just a little bit curious?

And novelty, in fact, is one of the forces that has driven Record Store Day to be such a popular annual event for hardcore music geeks (at least those still attached to physical media). For those not aware of RSD, it's a once-a-year event with a fun and noble purpose: to bring attention to the time-honored ritual of shopping (browsing the bins and mingling with fellow music geeks) in an actual, brick-and-mortar, independently owned record store. Since its founding in 2007, though, RSD has also become a can't-miss day for collectors, as artists both indie and mega–and across all genres–release limited-edition, one-of-a-kind singles and albums, many of which sell out within hours.

Most RSD releases lean toward rock, but lately a handful of country artists have gotten into the act, too. Church's vinyl version of Caught in the Act is the most unique, but this year you can also look out for these releases!

Big & Rich's Big Kenny Goes Electro Country

(Radio.com) Big Kenny, half of country duo Big & Rich, is stepping out of the honky tonks and into the dance clubs with his new project Electro Shine.

Along with Kenny, Electro Shine also features producer CheBacca and instrumental strings duo ChessBoxer. The group has just released its first single, "Dance Upon the Solid Ground," on Glotown Records.

The music aims to strip borders from traditional genres and find common ground. Calling their sound " "Muzika Without Prejudice," Electro Shine blends elements of country and bluegrass with big beats and a rave-y, electronic sound that is heavy on the positive vibes and primed for dancing. "Hold on to ya honey," Kenny sings, "it's electro country."

Kenny and crew also created a series of behind-the-scenes videos on the making of Electro Shine's music, which are fun to watch and give you some idea of the spirit and energy behind the music. Check it out.

Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Jason Aldean Rock All For The Hall Benefit

(Radio.com) Talk about wishing we were there — take a look at the artists on the roster at Tuesday night's We're All For The Hall benefit concert in Nashville, and see if you don't agree it was nothing short of impressive.

Along with host Keith Urban and Hall of Fame member (and Museum Board President) Vince Gill, the roster included Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Tim McGraw, Brantley Gilbert, Billy Joe Shaver, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Trace Adkins, Rosanne Cash, Kid Rock, Hank Williams Jr., Jessi Colter and Sheryl Crow. (Loretta Lynn was scheduled to perform but withdrew at the last minute due to the illness of a close associate.)

The artists came from across multiple generations but were united under the night's theme "Rebels and Renegades, the Outlaws are IN." Urban described that theme in a statement on his website: "The purity in making music on your own terms – to create art in your own way – for me, is at the heart of the outlaw spirit," he wrote.

"It's those outlaws that we celebrate this year, who not only made it possible for a guy like me to do what I love, but who play a pivotal role in the strength of country music's diversity." Urban co-founded the benefit concert with Vince Gill in 2009, and this was the fourth annual event. Proceeds support the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and the three previous concerts have so far raised $1.5 million. More including video.

Jonas Brothers Joined By Real Cheerleaders For Pom Poms Appearance

(Radio.com) When the Jonas Brothers visited the 92.3 NOW studio in New York to promote their latest single "Pom Poms," they were greeted by the Edison High School Eagles Cheer Squad from New Jersey – an idea that the radio station had the minute they booked the Jo Bros for an interview.

"'Pom Poms' is a great song and their fans reacted instantly to their big return to the music world," Nadine Santos, 92.3 NOW's Music Director, told Radio.com. "We are all about artist experiences so we figured why not bring the pom poms to them!"

Santos immediately knew she needed to get the cheerleaders of Edison High School, who had recently visited the station to host the nightly countdown show. "Their energy was incredible," she said. "We knew that they would do a great job."

After a call to the team's coach, the squad was on board and excited to perform for Nick, Joe and Kevin. The girls even came up with their own custom Jonas Brothers cheer, which helped welcome the band to the studio. Watch here.

Missy Elliott Surprise For Little Mix Fans

(Radio.com) U.K. pop group Little Mix surprised fans this week when they decided to bump up the release date of their new single "How Ya Doin'?" featuring Missy Elliott.

Little Mix's Jade Thirlwall and Jesy Nelson took to Soundcloud to let fans know that their new single would officially drop a few weeks before its original May 5 date. "We're very excited. Make sure you buy the Missy Elliott version. It's a fantastic single and it makes you want to dance," the girls said.

Perie, Jesy, Leigh-Anne and Jade met when they auditioned for the X Factor as solo performers. Very much like Simon Cowell's decision to put together the boys of One Direction, their mentor Tulisa Contostavlos suggested they join forces to become a girl group. And with good reason. Their debut single "Cannonball" went to No. 1 in the U.K. and now the girls are picking up steam in the U.S. with the re-release of their song "How Ya Doin'?" featuring Missy Elliott. The track will be featured on their debut album DNA, which drops stateside this May.

Missy Elliott hasn't released a new album since 2005′s The Cookbook, but she's kept her name on the charts with collaborations ranging from J.Cole's "Nobody's Perfect" to Ciara's "Work." Last September, she released two new singles, "9th Inning" and "Triple Threat," while this past January, Timbaland released "The Party Anthem" featuring Missy alongside T-Pain and Lil Wayne — all possible hints at what's to come from her forthcoming album Block Party, also due out later this year. Check out the new song here.

Sara Bareilles Gets Brave With Help From fun. Star

(Radio.com) Sara Bareilles' latest single, "Brave," is dedicated to all the shy ladies out there who need that little extra push.

Bareilles co-wrote the single, featured on her upcoming third album The Blessed Unrest (out July 16), with fun. guitarist Jack Antonoff; it has a bit of that same three-cheers-for-the-underdog message that his band does so well.

The beat-heavy track plays like an anthem for all the young girls out there who need a little encouragement. "Say what you want to say/And let the words fall out," she sings. "Honestly, I want to see you be brave."

She even gives a little advice to her young listener, "Let your words be anything but empty/Why don't you tell them truth?"

The new lyric video features a few girls eating candy, playing a little music, taking a few Polaroids and, naturally, choreographing a few dance routines, all while singing along to the sweet sounds of Sara B. Check out the lyric video for Brave

Diplo Sheds Some Light On Movie Role

(Radio.com) During an interview with KROQ Morning Show hosts Kevin & Bean this week (April 17), DJ/producer Diplo of Major Lazer shed some light on his role in a recently revealed 20th Century Fox movie based around the burgeoning world of electronic music.

"What's going on with dance music is crazy," Diplo said when asked about the still-untitled movie that's being characterized as "8 Mile meets Project X in tone."

"Dance music and the culture of going to a festival and shows is part of every young kid's life, but it's not really been represented on anything," Diplo continued. "People are still doing the same movie ideas about high school problems and this and that, but kids they love to go to these festivals and dance and have a party, so we kind of came up with an idea of something to do where it takes place at a festival.

"It's got to do with me because I'm one of the main DJs who are there at the festival, and these kids are trying to meet me and give me one of their demos," he added in regards to his role in the film. "It's just going to be a funny story, you know? We're still working on the script, but the storyboard is amazing." more on this story

Style Files With Demi Lovato

(Radio.com) Demi Lovato recently visited New York radio station 92.3 NOW and opened up about her daily makeup routine and the inspiration behind her new music video "Heart Attack," off her self-titled album that drops May 14.

Earlier this month Lovato sent a positive message to her fans via Twitter, asking her fans to go all natural. She tweeted, " Ladies, be brave today.. take off your make-up and stop using those filters!! WE are beautiful!!!"

She wants her fans to love themselves the way they are without covering up their flaws with makeup or photo filters. "When you look at pictures on Twitter or Instagram nowadays, it's like five filters on a picture if you do take a picture with no makeup on," she said.

The singer admits that she prefers not to be done up all the time. "I don't like taking off mascara at the end of the day," she said. "Guys don't even like when girls have makeup on. On a general basis, I'm normally no makeup or at least that's how it's been lately. I do wear makeup, it's just concealer and a little blush." A lot more.

Jason Derulo Teaming Up With Jordin Sparks

(Radio.com) Jason Derulo may be singing about his real-life girlfriend Jordin Sparks in his new single "The Other Side," but that doesn't mean things are always fireworks for the couple. In fact, it's quite the opposite when they're in the studio together.

"We kind of butt heads in the studio, a little bit," Derulo told MTV News. "We kind of work differently and we're very used to being in the studio, but being in the studio our way. So you know, it could get kind of ugly in there sometimes but we made it happen. It's a beautiful thing. We did a few songs together; one will be on her album, one will be on mine."

While Sparks isn't featured on the track, the couple are working on a song on his forthcoming album. "The Other Side" was released Tuesday (April 16) and is the first single off Derulo's upcoming album, due out later this year. The club-heavy song paints the picture of falling for someone.

"In the beginning I never thought it would be you/When we were chillin' smiling in the photo booth/But we got closer 'til you were eating off my spoon/And coming over and we would talk all afternoon," he sings. Read more and check out The Other Side here.

Why Amanda Bynes Is Pushing Away Family

(Hollyscoop) Amanda Bynes' behavior lately can be summed up non-elegantly as "crazy." Yes, her tweets are bizarre. Yes, that video was unsettling. Yes, her wig and fashion statements are weird, but what we find most unnerving is the fact that it seems like her parents have completely abandoned her.

Amanda tweeted that she is not in contact with her parents, so we have no idea what they've tried to do to help her, so we spoke to a psychologist (who has not treated Amanda) as to WHY Amanda would possibly distance herself from her 'rents, when she so clearly needs help.

"Isolation and becoming seclusion are major signs or something wrong psychiatrically," Harvard Psychiatrist Helen M. Farrell tells Hollyscoop, "Often when people are depressed or having some sort of mood disorder or derailment from reality or using more drugs, they start to shun their family and start to isolate themselves."

When Britney Spears had her infamous "meltdown," her parents stepped in and forced her into a 5150 hold, which is basically committing someone to a psych ward against their will.

Here's the thing with Amanda, she seriously believes she's "doing nothing wrong." She continually writes that phrase over-and-over on Twitter. So how do you get Amanda the help she needs when she doesn't think she has a problem?

"There are very strict criteria to involuntarily hospitalize someone to a psychiatric unit. What needs to be proven is that there is a substantial disorder of mood, thought or perception that is impairing judgement and connection to reality. On top of that what needs to be shown is that there is an immediate danger to that person or those around them." more on this story

Singled Out: Alexander Fairchild's Tonight

Today Alexander Fairchild tells us about his new single "Tonight" which comes from the first of three EPs he is releasing that will lead up to the release of his debut full-length, Alexander Fairchild Vol.1, in June. Here is the story:

I wrote "Tonight" while driving my car to the studio on a hot summer night two years ago. I was feeling crushed by the unexpected weight of reality that seems to hit us in our mid to late twenties--that maybe we aren't going to be a millionaire, or find true love, or work our dream job, or live on a beach. And the most hopeful response I could think of as consolation was what we make of our lives everyday, or every night, with our friends and family and loved ones. Because after all, whether we counted or millions on a beach or not, it's the amazing nights surrounded by the loved ones we have that make our lives incredibly rich and worth living.

So the song is a rebellion against the lies we consumed that promised us happiness, and an appropriating of our affection towards truly immeasurable wealth and joy.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and check out the video here and learn more about the Alexander and his EP releases and forthcoming album right here!

Wait there is more!