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 Alicia Keys Ready To Make Her Film Debut  May
17, 2004 - It's not uncommon for musicians to takes film roles that
are close to home on their first try. Alicia
Keys is no exception. She'll play a woman very similar to herself,
Philippa Schuyler, a piano prodigy of mixed-race. Schuyler who was
born in 1939 played around the world but ran into quite a bit of racism
and had problems fitting into the music culture at the time.
Read more.Sting Cancels Shows In England  May
12, 2004 - It's the one problem that no singer wants to have - laryngitis.
Sting has a severe case and
has had to cancel three shows on his U.K. tour. On his official web
site the singer says he's been "Gutted" by the throat problems.
The singer had to cancel a show in Newcastle last Friday but has promised
to make it up as well as other shows cancelled. Some Scandinavian
shows were also cancelled for the same reason. Read
more.Former Eagles Member Bernie Leadon Quit To Survive  May
12, 2004 - Bernie Leadon who was an integral part of the first country
oriented version of the Eagles say's he walked out on the band to
survive. The guitarist who was replaced by Joe Walsh said he felt
burnt out from the bands constant touring. His last album with the
Eagles was 'One Of These Nights' in 1975. Leadon was twenty-nine when
he left the band and he says he simply spent all his time at the beach.
Read more.Saskatoon Could Name Cultural Complex After Joni Mitchell  May
8, 2004 - The city of Saskatoon who hosts the annual Joni
Mitchell International Music Festival is thinking in going a little
further in honoring their hometown hero. The city's development plan
has added The Joni Mitchell Centre to the drawing board. The centre
would house the annual music festival and feature a large room dedicated
to Mitchell's career. The sixty year old singer who now lives in Los
Angeles and her Saskatoon parents have expressed interest in the project.
Read
more.Luther Vandross Promises To Return To Performing  May
8, 2004 - Luther Vandross
told Oprah Winfrey on Thursday (May 7) that he has no memory of the
massive stroke that hit him in April of 2003. The singer whose speech
sometimes appeared slurred during the interview promised to return
to performing live someday. Vandross gave Winfrey the first interview
since his stroke and says he misses getting dressed up and performing.
His latest album 'Dance With My Father' was released on June 10, 2003
and has been a huge success on A.C., R&B and Smooth Jazz charts.
Read
more.
Carly Simon Slowly Revealing Who's So Vain  May
7, 2004 - When NBC sports chairman Dick Ebersol paid Carly
Simon fifty thousand dollars last year he was helping a charity
but he also won the right to know who the song 'You're So Vain' was
about. The NBC Olympics executive had to promise he'd keep it a secret
though something that Simon can't seem to do. The singer is slowly
unraveling the mystery one letter at a time. On her visit to 'Live
With Regis and Kelly' she volunteered another letter 'e' to her previous
clues of ``a'' and ``r.'' Read more.New Stevie Wonder Album Due in June  May
6, 2004 - Stevie Wonder released
fourteen albums in the sixties, ten albums in the seventies, only
four in the eighties and three in the nineties so his pace as of late
has slowed considerable. Wonder has not released a CD of all new music
since 1995's 'Conversation Peace.' Needless to say Wonder fans are
hungry. His new album 'A Time 2 Love,' will be released on June 8
on the label that made him famous, Motown. Read
more.Former Double Member Felix Haug Dead at 52  May
6, 2004 - Felix Haug who made up one half of the Swedish band Double
has died. Haug co-wrote and played piano on their biggest hit that's
still a Smooth Jazz mainstay 'The Captain Of Her Heart.' Haug died
Saturday (May 1) from a heart attack. He was 52. He and singer / guitarist
Kurt Maloo were in the band Ping Pong before forming Double in 1983.
Though known mostly as 'one hit wonders' in North America Double was
a big band in their homeland. Read more.
Luther Vandross To Talk To Oprah  May
4, 2004 - They have been friends for years so its no surprise that
Oprah Winfrey has snagged the first interview with Luther
Vandross since his stroke. Vandross will be part of a Mother's
Day special this Thursday on Oprah. The R&B singer is expected
to talk about how his family and support from fans made a huge difference
in his improving health. Read
more.Alfie Zappacosta To Return With New Album April 27  April
10, 2004 - The wait is almost over. Alfie
Zappacosta will return with a new album April 27, 2004. "Start
Again," a collection of mostly new songs has the singer teaming
up with some well know writers like Marc
Jordan, John Capeck and Bob Ezrin. Zappacosta has also reworked
some classics like Start Again, Passion, We Should Be Lovers, and
I'll Be the One. The album's first single "Tears of Hercules"
will be released to radio stations across the country on April 13th.
Read
More.Sam Roberts, Nickelback, Sarah McLachlan Big Juno Winners  April
4, 2004 - Sam Roberts had a night he will not soon forget. The Montreal
singer picked up three Juno awards tonight in Edmonton, winning in
every category he was nominated in. Roberts who as usual looked unkept
in that "I just woke up" kind of way won for Top Artist,
Rock Album and Album. Alberta's Nickelback won two Junos for Fan Choice
and Group and Sarah McLachlan
picked up two trophies as top Songwriter and Pop Album for "Afterglow.
Read more.Phil Collins First Final Farewell Tour Moves to North America  April
2, 2004 - As promised Phil Collins
plans to move his First Final Farewell tour to North America. The
world tour kicks of in Milan Italy on June 1st and arrives on this
continent on August 26th in Anaheim, California. The tour title, a
take off of the Eagles Farewell One
tour insinuating of course that sequels may be on the way. Guitarist
Daryl Stuermer who as a solo
act produces Jazz fusion albums will be on the tour line-up. Read
more.Norah Jones Thanks Boyfriend For Her Sanity  March
31, 2004 - Norah Jones say's
she'll never be a Rock n' Roll tragedy as long as her bassist boyfriend
Lee Alexander is around. The singer credits Alexander for keeping
her sane when all the fame broke loose. She says, "If I didn't
have Lee, I would have been nuts. Every decision I make I mull over
with him. He's half of this whole thing." The twenty-four year
old singer says she has been dating Alexander for the past four years.
Read more.Sting Likes To Swing  March
26, 2004 - Maybe a lot of rock'n rollers are swingers when it comes
to their sex life but most don't admit it - Sting's wife is a different
story. During a visit on the Howard Stern radio show wife Trudie Styler
admitted that they are into swinging "big time.'' Styler admitted
that Sting initiates the fun by inviting women back to their homes
for threesomes. And who says the fun has gone out of the music business?
Read more.Norah Jones No Britney Spears Fan  March
24, 2004 - The list of reasons why we love Norah
Jones just got bigger, she doesn't care for the Britney Spears'
of the world. Jones thinks the record buying public is bored with
pop acts that sell sex first and music lower on the priority scale.
On Britney Spears Jones says, "She's got nice breasts. But I
don't think she's a great singer." Jones has easily demonstrated
she herself can sing on record and more importantly live. Read
more.Hall & Oates / Michael McDonald "Rock & Soul Tour"  March
23, 2004 - First there was news on Sting
and Annie Lennox coupling for
a tour and now two other Smooth Jazz vocal acts are joining forces
- Hall and Oates with Michael
McDonald. The tour dubbed the "Rock 'n Soul 2004 Revue"
will also feature another act commonly played on Smooth Jazz radio,
The Average White Band. Read
more on the tour.Peter Friestedt Debuts With Help From Toto & Chicago Alumni  March
22, 2004 - You may not know the name Peter
Friestedt (pictured middle) now but the Swedish guitarist is hoping
that could change thanks to the help of a few popular music names.
Friestedt has enlisted Chicago keyboardist/vocalist
Bill Champlin (pictured right)and
former Toto vocalist Joseph
Williams (left) to add some vocals on his debut album which pays
homage to the L.A./west coast sound. Read
more.Santana Lines Up Summer Tour and New Album  March
18, 2004 - Carlos Santana says his
next album should be out by year's end at the latest in early 2005.
The official Santana website says, Santana and Keyboardist Chester
Thompson have "drawn up a blueprint for the next Santana album"
and the two have "started to write new songs together and work
out arrangement ideas for songs the band has already played."
As for the new tour only Europeans will witness Carlos and company
with dates starting in Amneville, France on July 2 and ending in Schwaebisch,
Germany on July 25th. Read more.Norah Jones Likes To Rock  March
15, 2004 - Picture Norah Jones
as an eleven year old. Smart, pretty and what was she listening to?
"I really liked Poison and Motley Crue," says the music
sensation. So much for cookie cutter generalizations. Jones who's
second album "Feels Like Home" is sitting on top the Billboard
charts say's she was a real rocker growing up and would consider doing
a tribute to eighties heavy metal at some point. Read
more.Anita Baker Plans Her Comeback  March
11, 2004 - Well it's about time! Back in 1984 Anita
Baker came in with a bang with the sophomore album "Rapture"
that produced big hits like "Sweet Love" and "Caught
Up In The Rapture." Three more albums followed and then Baker
was gone - she left the music business. After a ten year absence the
Grammy winner is back and talking about her exodus. Click
here to read more.Norah Jones Enjoyed Her Visit to Sesame Street  March
11, 2004 - Norah Jones say's
performing on Sesame Street was "truly a lot of fun."Jones
joins an impressive list of superstars who have guest starred on the
popular children's show including Stevie
Wonder, James Taylor, Billy
Joel, B.B. King, Johnny Cash
and Tony Bennett. Jones whose second album is number one on the Billboard
Album charts for a fourth straight week will appear on the show in
April. She will perform her hit "Don't Know Why" or in this
case "Don't Know Y." Read
more on Norah Jones.Sting, Annie Lennox Joining Forces For Tour  March
9, 2004 - Two major vocals acts from Smooth Jazz radio
are pairing for a tour this summer. Sting, Annie Lennox and another act yet to be named will tour amphitheatres from June to October. So far only five Canadians dates have been announced; Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary. Sting is currently on a North American tour with Trumpeter Chris Botti that wraps up on March 23 in Ottawa. Read more on the tour. Diabetes Contributed To Vandross' Stroke  March
9, 2004 - According to Luther
Vandross' mother Mary diabetes has affected her family deeply.
The elder Vandross says the disease even contributed to her son's
stroke last April and possibly killed Luther's father, sister, brother
and nephew. She says Vandross was able to control his diabetes when
he lost weight but claims the singer was overweight before he suffered
his stroke. To help out Mary Vandross has done several public service
announcements as a warning for the public. More.Celine Dion To Be Phased Out Of Chrysler Ads  March
5, 2004 - Celine Dion's days
as a car salesman seem to be done. DaimlerChrysler says they plan
to phase out the singers presence on their car ads in favor of campaigns
focusing more on the cars themselves. Marketing analysts say Dion
didn't connect with the automaker or its brands. Dion has a three-year,
14 million-dollar (US) deal with Chrysler. The auto company is planning
on using the singer in another capacity in public service ads aimed
at promoting child safety. The new TV ads will debut later this month.
Read more on Celine Dion.Lionel Richie Juggles Divorce Demands  March
5, 2004 - A divorce at the best of times is at least a little messy.
Celebrity divorces though usually kick it up a notch - or three. According
to the Smoking Gun Web site Lionel
Richie's divorce will cost him plenty. Diane Richie who filed
for divorce five months ago has asked for 300-thousand dollars U-S
per month in support. She says the couple's 40 million dollar Beverly
Hills mansion requires nine full time staff members. Read
more.Sting Encourages Charity Donations  February
20, 2004 - When it comes to Sting
and Charitable donations, it's good for all involved. Sting
who was honored as this years Grammy
MusiCares Person of the Year seems to have a knack for raising funds.
The February 6th banquet for the singer grossed 3.2 million (U.S.)
for MusiCares' Financial Assistance Program, which helps musicians
in need. Last year's honoree Bono raised 3 million. Read
more.Chris Isaak Welcomes Michael Buble' and Says Goodbye to Series
Norah Jones Avoids Sophomore Jinx  February
19, 2004 - "Feels like Home" by Norah
Jones seems to have done what many second albums couldn't and
that's to continue the uphill climb of a young musician who exploded
into the music scene. Though it's doubtful the new album will sell
the eighteen million that "Come
Away With Me" accomplished, it did sell one million in its
first week in the U.S. alone. Jones new EMI's Blue Note Recording
is already a Global Phenomenon with number one positions in sixteen
countries this week. More.Norah Jones Forced To Move  February
17, 2004 - There's a misconception in the music business that all
young music stars go on a spending spree as soon as the money comes
in. That's certainly not the case for Norah
Jones who along with bassist boyfriend Lee Alexander have been
living in relatively humble dwellings in New York. The multi Grammy
winner says they are "moving on up" to a new pad but the
reason is privacy not her new found fortune. Turns out a New York
newspaper printed a photograph of her old home and then the fans came
- hanging around outside. Read more.Fleetwood Mac Head Back on The Road  February
16, 2004 - Fleetwood Mac have
plans to continue thier reunion momentum this year. Last April the
band released "Say You Will" their first album of all new
material in over a decade and the tour continued in Australia last
night. The group will be back in the United States in May beginning
with a May 8 show in Madison, WI. Read
more on the Fleetwood Mac Tour.Elton John Debuts The Red Piano In Vegas  February
13, 2004 - Elton John has a new
three year engagement in Vegas and he's promising to be well dressed
for the occasion. The legendary singer debuted "The Red Piano"
tonight and says he had fun shopping for a whole new wardrobe for
the gigs. Elton told fans to expect a huge production and promises
a return to his roots. The singer says he hasn't done a production
show since the seventies. Read more
on the show. Christina Aguilera's Busy Schedule  February
13, 2004 - Christina Aquilera
has three major projects on her to-do list. Without giving any specifics
the singer says she's working on another Spanish speaking album, an
English album and a possible movie role. Aguilera says she's at a
point in her career where she wants to bring out the different aspects
of her personality. Something she tried to do on her latest album
"Stripped" but unfortunately the media concentrated on just
the negative stuff according to the singer. Read
more.Steve Winwood Getting back-to-back honors  February
13, 2004 - Even though Steve Winwood
sometimes disappears from the mainstream music scene it doesn't mean
he's been forgotten. The music legend that spent time with Blind Faith,
The Spencer Davis Group and Traffic will get back to back honors in
March. On the 15th Traffic will be inducted into the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame. The following day also in New York he'll get another
pat on he back as the Jammys, which honors jam bands gives the singer
a Lifetime Achievement Award. Read
more.Sarah McLachlan, Nelly Furtado Top Juno Nominations  February
11, 2004 - Two of Canada's top female vocalists lead the pack as the
Juno Nominations were released today. Both Sarah
McLachlan (left) and Nelly Furtado were mentioned in five categories
each. McLachlan who's recent hit single "Fallen" has charted
on both Pop and Smooth Jazz charts was nominated for the Juno Fan
choice, Album, Artist, songwriter and Pop artist of the year. Read
more.Click for more Pop music news. |
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