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Tina Turner 2008 Tour - Kansas City 'Simply The Best'

BARENAKED LADIES HOLD 1st CANADIAN SHOWS SINCE FRONTMAN'S ARREST
[CBC, 12/7/08]
The Barenaked Ladies performed their first Canadian shows Saturday, December 6 since the band's frontman was charged with drug possession in New York last July. The Juno-winning pop rock troupe were scheduled to stage two shows in Toronto, one in support of their kids' album Snack Time and a holiday-themed concert. In a statement posted on the band's official blog, lead singer Steven Page said he was "doing great" and keen to perform again. Page, his girlfriend Christine Benedicto, 27, and her roommate, Stephanie Ford, 25, were charged in July after police allegedly found the trio with cocaine and marijuana in a Fayetteville, N.Y., apartment. In October, a U.S. judge gave all three the same "adjournment in contemplation of dismissal" ruling, which meant the charges against them would be dismissed in six months time if they aren't arrested again, receive therapy and pass drug screening. The band's drummer, Tyler Stewart, said the band was looking forward to putting the last few months behind them after a "tough year." "We never had a chance to really play many concerts on the kids' record, you know, we were busy this summer doing other things," Stewart said in an apparent reference to Page's tribulations. The band released Snack Time in May. Page also lamented the events of the past year, but added that expressed optimism for the future. "There have also been many things to be happy and grateful for," he reflected on his blog. "Falling in love, a renewed sense of peace, the best health of my adult life, some amazing creative and artistic opportunities, and the chance for a renewed and fruitful relationship with my band, friends and loved ones." Barenaked Ladies are scheduled to play another set of matinee and evening shows in Toronto on Sunday, December 7, then in Ottawa next weekend. They also recently finished recording a version of the old Hockey Night in Canada theme song for TSN.

T.I. WILL JOIN KATY PERRY ON "NBC's NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH CARSON DALY"
[Aceshowbiz, 12/7/08]
T.I. has been confirmed to make a live appearance alongside Katy Perry on holiday TV show "NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly". Another big name who is also set to perform live at the event is Ludacris. "The addition of T.I. is huge," Daly said regarding the performance lineup. "Since the end of June, either T.I. or Katy Perry has predominantly held the number one spot on Billboard's Hot 100. More importantly, with T.I. we get the artist of the year to perform in primetime." "NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly" is NBC's annual show which will be, for the first time, broadcast in primetime this year on New Year's Eve starting from 10 P.M. (ET). Promised to be "a huge show", the event will also offer live reports from Times Square which will be presented by "The Today Show" co-anchor Amy Robach and NBC's News correspondent Luke Russert.

NEW $1 MILLION U.S. CLASSICAL MUSIC PRIZE ANNOUNCED IN SWEDEN
[CBC, 12/6/08]
A lucrative, international classical music prize has been established, thanks to late Swedish opera star Birgit Nilsson, who died in 2005. The Birgit Nilsson Foundation announced Friday, December 5 the launch of a $1 million US prize to honour outstanding achievements in international opera and concert performance. According to organizers, Nilsson herself had planned for the creation of the prize years before her passing and had even selected the first winner — who will be named in early 2009. They added that the singer had placed the inaugural winner's name in a sealed envelope and requested that the prize not be announced until three years after her death. Singers, directors or opera companies are all eligible for the new award, which some are likening to a Nobel Prize for music. It is also billed as the largest prize in the world of classical music. Subsequent winners will be selected by a jury of prominent figures in the international classical music scene. The prize is slated to be awarded every two or three years. Nilsson, famed as the greatest Wagnerian soprano of her era, had a nearly 40-year career that brought her to the world's top opera stages. She established her namesake charitable foundation in the late 1980s. The Swedish music icon died in December 2005 at the age of 87.

BEST REGGAE ALBUM GRAMMY NOMINATIONS
[Klassic Magazine, 12/6/08]
At the Grammy Nominations Concert – The Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night held on Wednesday, December 3 the nominations in the category for Best Reggae Album went to Burning Spear for "Jah Is Real,” Elephant Man for “Let’s Get Physical, Heavy D for “Vibes,” Lee Scratch” Perry for Repentance, Shaggy for “Intoxication” and Sly & Robbie’s “Amazing.” The 51st Annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 8, 2009.

WHAT'S AGE GOT TO DO WITH IT? TINA TURNER STILL TERRIFIC
[Reuters/Billboard, 12/6/08]
There's always been something larger than life about Tina Turner, but sometimes these realizations don't actually hit home until one sees the R&B dynamo suspended 30 feet above a crowd of 15,000 people. On a hydraulic lift. While wearing five-inch heels. And by the way, Turner is now 69 years old. And she reportedly was suffering from a terrible cold just before her December 1 show at New York's Madison Square Garden, but never considered canceling. The point: this woman defies so much conventional wisdom that being in her presence for two-plus hours is a bit of a head trip. It was also about as much entertainment value as could reasonably be expected from an arena concert: multiple costume changes, several homoerotic-type interludes, trap doors in the stage, scantily clad dancers, celebrities dancing right in front of you (hi there, Anne Hathaway) and then appearing on the Jumbotron (happy anniversary, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes). The show had just the right mix of mega-hits and lesser-known gems, including the ultra-funky "I Can't Stand the Rain," a raved-up "The Acid Queen" and her sultry theme for the James Bond movie "Goldeneye." "We Don't Need Another Hero" came complete with a "Thunderdome" stage set and, amazingly, an enormous extra in a metallic Speedo, armor, pith helmet and fur to watch over it all knowingly. The classics sounded incredible, with Turner in terrific voice on "River Deep, Mountain High," the rapidly key-changing "What's Love Got To Do With It?" and "Private Dancer." A sequence of covers after intermission allowed her to show off her interpretive flair, best heard on a stripped-down version of the Beatles' "Help." "Proud Mary" was a hand-clapping, butt-shaking delight, followed by a frantic "Nutbush City Limits," with Turner on the aforementioned hydraulic lift. By then it was beyond clear that she'll probably outlast us all, still glittering like the sequins sewn into her dresses.

JAMAICA JAZZ AND BLUES HAS TOP CLASS LINEUP AS USUAL
[YardFlex, 12/6/08]
Described as a potpourri of musical genres, the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival is set to soar on January 22-24, 2009. The joint Jamaica Tourist Board and Turn Key production takes place in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, and it remains a traditional musical jaunt for many across the world. The mighty O’Jays will be celebrating 50 years there and headliner, Lionel Ritchie says, “…Its gonna be one out of control, unforgettable party.” Also appearing are top artists like: Maxi Priest, the satin sounding “Lost Without You” Robin Thicke, Chicago, UK’s Estelle, Atlantic Starr and Randy Crawford & Joe Sample.

ADELE 'NOT READY' TO WIN GRAMMY AWARD
[BBC, 12/6/08]
Grammy-nominated singer Adele has said she would rather win the U.S award for her fourth album rather than her debut. "I imagine it's like winning an Oscar and I don't think on this record I should get one," the performer told BBC 6 Music. "I think it should be with my second or third record that I should get the Oscar, like from your third or fourth film when you're amazing," she added. Adele is up for four Grammys, including record of the year. Speaking before performing a special session with Paul Weller at the Maida Vale studios, the Londoner admitted she feels it is too soon to be awarded a prestigious Grammy. "If I won one, it would be really important to me but I can't even think about that. Sorry, it's making my heart race really fast." "It would be lovely to get one but I don't feel like I need awards and stuff to feel good about my music," adding that she would not be disheartened if she did not win any gongs. "I can't see how this album life span could get any better and I don't feel like it needs to be. I'm already over the moon and blown away with people's response to it."

JAZMINE SULLIVAN WANTS TO DUET WITH CHRIS MARTIN
[Aceshowbiz, 12/6/08]
Soul music singer/songwriter Jazmine Sullivan of "Bust Your Windows" stated that she wants to record a song with Coldplay's frontman Chris Martin. "I actually want to do a song with Chris Martin," Jazmine confessed to People during an interview. "So maybe somebody will introduce me to him, or I can slip him an album and he can listen!" Apart from her desire to collaborate with Chris Martin, Jazmine Sullivan also shared her excitement concerning her being nominated for four nods at 51st Annual Grammy Awards, which is to be held on February 8, 2009, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. "It was surreal," she claimed. "I've been working for this my whole life and to see it finally pay off is just wonderful." Jazmine received five counts; Best New Artist, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Contemporary Album, Best R&B Song, and Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance; for the upcoming Grammy Awards. In Best New Artist category, she will compete with other contenders, Jonas Brothers, Adele, Duffy and Lady Antebellum.

CHER PLOTS TO COVER '60s HIT SINGLES IN NEW LP
[Aceshowbiz, 12/6/08]
Cher plans to enter recording booth to cover 1960s classic songs for her forthcoming studio album. Spilling the beans on the matter, she reveals that she wants to re-cycle hit singles from such musicians as The Beatles, Bob Dylan and Otis Redding. "I'm planning an album of all these great songs from the '60s that I've never covered before," Cher said in an inteview. "It was such a magical time for music - groups like The Beatles, The Hollies, The Zombies, The Kinks, the Stones [The Rolling Stones] and singers like [Bob] Dylan and Otis Redding." When asked how she comes up with such idea, Cher shared that she wants to pay tribute to the nostalgic times when she used to listen to a transistor radio. "I want to pay tribute to a time when I used to listen to music on my little transistor radio or on my AM radio in my Ford Mustang," she explained.

NINE INCH NAILS FLUSHES 3-D MOVIE IDEA
[Aversion, 12/6/08]
The next Nine Inch Nails tour video you see will present the band in simple two-dimensional glory. The band toyed with the notion of filming its latest tour for a proposed 3-D film, which would screen in theatres and go to home video, though had to nix the idea after having trouble coming up with funding in time to make it work: The tour winds down in eight days. If nothing else, it gave Trent Reznor a chance to return to his longtime favorite pastime of pointing recriminating fingers at Interscope Records. "I made two critical mistakes," he wrote on the band's website. "One was to approach a certain record company that owns some of the song rights about producing / funding. The second was to allow said company to fuck around as usual for months before saying um ... no." It almost makes you nostalgic for the good old days when Reznor was whining about TVT Records, doesn't it?

ETHIOPIAN STAR "TEDDY AFRO" JAILED OVER DEATH
[BBC, 12/6/08]
Ethiopian pop star Teddy Afro has been sentenced to six years in jail for the manslaughter of a homeless man. The singer was found guilty of running the man down in his car and driving away without reporting the incident in Addis Ababa in 2006. Ethiopia's best-known pop star was also convicted of driving without a licence. His music became an anthem for opposition protests in 2005 and many fans believe the charges were politically motivated. But the Ethiopian authorities have denied this. As he passed sentence, the judge said the prosecution was not in any way a vendetta. There had been some confusion about which night the homeless man had died. On the first date the singer - whose real name is Tewodros Kassahun - had an alibi: He was out of the country. On the second possible date, Teddy said he had been out with friends. But the judge was not convinced and found him guilty on all charges. As he was led away from the courtroom by police, Teddy said: "I feel free."

LEONA LEWIS' "RUN" BREAKS DIGITAL RECORD
[BBC, 12/5/08]
The latest single from singer Leona Lewis has become the fastest-selling digital-only track in the U.K. Snow Patrol cover Run, which was never originally intended to be released as a single, was downloaded almost 70,000 times in its first two days. It beats Estelle's American Boy, which sold 51,857 downloads in a week to become the biggest digital-only single. Lewis, who is likely to score her third number one, is nominated for record of the year at the Grammy Awards. Her chart-topper Bleeding Love is shortlisted alongside fellow U.K acts Coldplay, M.I.A., Adele and Robert Plant. Lewis first performed "Run" on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, which was originally a number five hit in the UK for Snow Patrol. It was a subsequent performance on The X Factor which prompted record bosses to go ahead with the digital single release. The song also features on an enhanced version of her album Spirit, which became the first re-release to go straight in at number one, beating Dido's third collection. Lewis's album has sold some four million copies around the world since it was first released a year ago. Apple has said, meanwhile, that the singer's song Bleeding Love is its most popular downloaded track of 2008 on iTunes. Coldplay's Viva La Vida is the most popular album on the music download site during the past year.

"INKHEART" MOVIE SOUNDTRACK
[Aceshowbiz, 12/5/08]
The "Inkheart" soundtrack, performed by Eliza Bennett who plays Meggie Folchart in the film has been premiered. Based on Cornelia Funke's novel of the same name, "Inkheart" revolves around an adventurous story of Meggie, a young girl whose father has a secret ability to bring characters from books to life when he reads them aloud. Starring Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Jim Broadbent, Helen Mirren and Andy Serkis in the fantasy movie is scheduled to hit the U.S. theaters on January 23, 2009.

LIL WAYNE LEADS GRAMMY NOMS WITH 8, COLDPLAY 7
[Aceshowbiz, 12/4/08]
Lil Wayne — the most prolific, ubiquitous and successful performer on today's music scene — was the most rewarded by the Recording Academy on Wednesday, December 3, receiving eight Grammy nominations including album of the year for "Tha Carter III." Following close behind was Coldplay, with seven. Their "Viva La Vida," one of the year's best-selling CDs, is in album of the year contention along with Radiohead's groundbreaking "In Rainbows"; singer-songwriter Ne-Yo's "Year of the Gentleman"; and Robert Plant's collaboration with Alison Krauss, "Raising Sand." Nominations were announced in a brand-new format this year, with an hourlong live prime-time CBS concert special that featured a brisk procession of performers and LL Cool J and Taylor Swift as hosts. Coldplay and Plant & Krauss were also nominated in the coveted record of the year category for the respective songs "Viva La Vida" and "Please Read the Letter." Other record of the year nominees were British songstress Leona Lewis for "Bleeding Love"; another British newcomer, Adele, for chasing pavement; and M.I.A. for her breakthrough hit, "Paper Planes." While Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III" was not regarded by critics as his greatest CD, it was the album that made the highly regarded veteran a pop superstar, thanks to massive hits like "Lollipop" and "A Milli." The CD was the only record this year to sell 1 million copies in its first week. Coldplay's "Viva La Vida," its first album in three years, was also a huge hit. Held at the Nokia Theatre, the show also celebrated the Saturday opening of the new Grammy Museum next door. The Grammy Awards are scheduled for live broadcast on CBS on Feb 8. Last year's show drew 17.2 million viewers, making it one of the least-watched Grammys and continuing the trend of shrinking awards-show audiences.

KANYE BRINGS HEARTBREAK TO GUNS N' ROSES, LUDACRIS AND KILLERS
[E! Online, 12/4/08]
This week, Kanye West's got more than love on the lockdown. In a typically stuffed Thanksgiving week of releases, West's 808s & Heartbreak lorded over Ludacris, the Killers and the seemingly forever-awaited new Guns N' Roses. The rap superstar's 808s & Heartbreak sold 450,000 for the week ended Sunday, nearly 200,000 more copies than the next best debut, Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy. Critics often joked that China would have democracy before this album came out, but after a decade-and-a-half, Axl Rose's Best Buy exclusive sold 261,000 copies at No. 3. Clearly that's $14 million well spent, eh, Axl? Guns' last studio debuts, Use Your Illusion I and II, opened in the top spots 17 years ago, selling 685,000 and 770,000, respectively. Among the week's other major newcomers, Ludacris' Theater of the Mind sold 213,000 at No. 5, breaking the rapper's string of three straight chart-toppers. (This is Luda's lowest chart debut since his independently released 2000 debut, Incognegro.) The Killers' Day & Age followed at No. 6, selling 193,000 copies. In other Top 10 action, 2008 leading ladies Taylor Swift and Beyoncé finished nearly equal in their second week of head-to-head retail action, with the country teen getting the slight edge. Swift's Fearless (267,000) finished at No. 2, while Beyoncé's I Am...Sasha Fierce (257,000) fell to No. 4.

THE-DREAM'S SOPHOMORE LP PUSHED BACK
[Aceshowbiz, 12/4/08]
The-Dream's second major studio effort "Love vs. Money" has been pushed back to early 2009. Originally expected to come out in the U.S. on December 16, the Christopher "Tricky" Stewart-produced album will reportedly be released sometime in February 2009 via Def Jam and Radio Killa imprints. "Love vs. Money" is a follow up to The-Dream's debut record "Love Hate", which has hit the market since December 2007. This forthcoming album includes guest appearances from Mariah Carey who lends her vocals on single "My Love" and Lil Jon who is featured on a song called "Let Me See the Booty". "This album's gonna be the same thing - a little more beefed up, I'm just gonna give you more," The-Dream commented on his latest work during an interview. "Every album I'm just gonna try to give you more of me, and what I think about certain things ... This album is just gonna be the first album on crack, basically." "In the beginning I was just having fun. I didn't want people thinking too hard, I just wanted them to gravitate toward my lyrics," The-Dream told Billboard on a separate occasion. "But this time my vocals are different. I've definitely grown in my singing."

GRAMMY NOMINATIONS HIT PRIME-TIME WITH TV SPECIAL
[AP, 12/4/08]
In an era where awards shows are as commonplace as reality shows, even the top-tier events are finding it hard to stand out. So the Recording Academy is trying something different when it announces its nominees for its upcoming Grammys. Instead of its traditional morning roll call of nominee names at a staid press conference, top nominees will be revealed during a prime-time concert special to air live Wednesday on CBS. Among the performers are Mariah Carey, John Mayer and Taylor Swift — a potential nominee. "This gives us an opportunity to have more music on television and ... really bring the ultimate amount of attention to the beginning of Grammy season," Neil Portnow, president and chief executive of the Recording Academy, said in an interview. "It's a more grand way to initiate Grammy season for us." Swift and LL Cool J are set to host the Grammy show, which will announce nominees in just a handful of the Grammy Awards' 110 categories. The nominations special — also set to include performances by Foo Fighters, Celine Dion and B.B. King — "has great potential" to become an annual event, Portnow said, adding that artists will perform classic recordings recently inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Portnow also hinted that several newly nominated artists would be on hand Wednesday to talk about their nominations. Swift is likely to be among them. The 18-year-old was nominated last year for a best new artist Grammy and was named favorite female country artist at last month's American Music Awards. Her debut album, released in 2006, has sold more than 3 million copies and her new CD, "Fearless," topped the charts when it was releases last month. Carey is another Grammy darling — she scooped up three awards in 2005 — who could be nominated for her latest CD, "EMC=2." Other potential nominees include Coldplay, Radiohead, Lil Wayne and Rihanna, who won a Grammy last year for best rap/sung collaboration with Jay Z on the smash "Umbrella." Her hit-filled 2007 album, "Good Girl Gone Bad," was re-released over the summer with additional hits, giving her another shot at Grammy love. Welsh singer Duffy, who shot to No. 1 with her catchy single, "Mercy," is likely to be among best new artist nominees, along with fellow Brit Estelle, who raked in accolades for her track, "American Boy," with Kanye West. "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! — Countdown to Music's Biggest Night," held at the Nokia Theatre, will also celebrate the opening of the new Grammy Museum next door. The Grammy Awards are scheduled for live broadcast on CBS on Feb 8, 2009. Last year's show drew 17.2 million viewers, making it one of the least-watched Grammys and continuing the trend of shrinking awards-show audiences.

FERGIE TO BE FEATURED ON SLASH'S SOLO ALBUM
[Aceshowbiz, 12/3/08]
Black Eyed Peas' member Stacy Ferguson a.k.a Fergie will be collaborating with Slash for his solo debut album. Breaking the news to the media is his wife Perla Hudson during an interview with The Rockerrazzi. Beside Fergie, another artist mentioned to be the former Guns N' Roses' collaborator is Ozzy Osbourne. "It's going to be Slash and friends, with everyone from Ozzy (Osbourne) to Fergie," Perla said in a statement. When asked about Slash's feeling over Guns N' Roses' latest LP "Chinese Democracy", Perla stated that he "feels great about it." She explained, "He feels great about it ('Chinese Democracy'). It's long-awaited. Our kids like it but they also like Elmo, so that goes without saying." In related news, Fergie will take a hosting job with Ryan Seacrest at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. Aired on ABC on December 31, the event will feature performances from Ne-Yo, The Pussycat Dolls, Solange Knowles, Robin Thicke, Natasha Bedingfield, Fall Out Boy, and Jesse McCartney.

RECORD LABEL BLAME AXL ROSE OVER "CHINESE DEMOCRACY" FAILURE TO TOP CHART
[Aceshowbiz, 12/3/08]
Guns N' Roses' recording company Geffen Records have reportedly put the blame on Axl Rose regarding the market's not-quite-positive response over their latest LP "Chinese Democracy". A source told The Sun, "The label is really glad to have him back. But it is frustrating because the album would have had a much better chance of going to No. 1 if he had only been prepared to show his face." Since it was released on November 23 in the U.S., "Chinese Democracy" has pulled an estimated 300,000 - 500,000 copies sold but only managed to climb to number two on U.K. Albums chart, beaten down by The Killers' "Day & Age" which landed at the top spot on the chart. In further statement, the source said that the disappointing result happened because the band missed out the album's promotion project. "People have been trying to contact him for two months and he's been completely AWOL. You would have thought after spending 15 years on an album you might do a few weeks promotion," the source explained.

BEYONCE TO PERFORM AT ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL
[AP, 12/3/08]
Beyonce is the first artist lined up for next year's Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. Organizers of the festival announced Tuesday, December 2 the singer has confirmed her participation. The July event will mark the 15th anniversary of the celebration of black music and culture. The festival will include more than 12 musical acts a day. The festival had one of its biggest turnouts this year with more than 270,000 attendees. Performers at the last event included Mary J. Blige and LL Cool J.

LILY ALLEN'S U.K. AND IRELAND TOUR DATES
[Aceshowbiz, 12/3/08]
Lily Allen embarks on a roadshow to support her sophomore major studio album "It's Not Me, It's You", which will be dropped in the U.K. on February 9, 2009. Ten confirmed dates have been announced to follow one-off gig taking place at London's Koko on January 28, 2009. After Koko's performance, Lily will be playing at Glasgow Academy on March 14, 2009. The next day, she will then head up to Manchester for another live show. Completing the U.K. and Ireland leg, Lily will make stops in Dublin, Bristol, Norwich, Leeds, and many more. She will wrap up the gig on March 26 at London Shepherd's Bush Empire. Lily Allen's U.K. and Ireland tour dates are available from your ticket agent.

ANGELA BASSETT AND ERIC McCORMACK SET TO ANNOUNCE SAG AWARDS NOMINEES
[Aceshowbiz, 12/3/08]
Two presenters have been chosen to unveil the nominees for the 15th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. On Monday, December 1, executive producer Jeff Margolis has announced that Academy Award-nominated actress Angela Bassett and Emmy Award-winning actor Eric McCormack will join SAG president to announce the nominations of the latest SAG Awards. The two will uncover which movies and TV series are receiving the nods on a live telecast on Thursday, December 18 at 6 A.M. PT/9 A.M. ET. The nominations announcement for five film and eight television categories itself will be held in the SilverScreen Theater at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, and aired on TNT. Angela Bassett currently join the cast ensemble of NBC's television series "ER" as new ER head Dr. Cate Banfield. She is known for her works in Tyler Perry's romantic comedy "Meet the Browns", Doug Atchison's drama "Akeelah and the Bee" and Brian Gibson's biopic "What's Love Got to Do With It". Meanwhile, Eric McCormack's credits include his title role as Will Truman in NBC's long-running "Will & Grace". The 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, January 25, 2009. It will be having a simulcast live on TNT and TBS at 8 P.M. ET/PT from the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles. It will be produced by Jeff Margolis Productions in association with Screen Actors Guild Awards.

TRAVIS BARKER AND DJ AM UP FOR FIRST JOINT CONCERT
[Aceshowbiz, 12/3/08]
Travis Barker will reunite with DJ AM for their first live performance since September's deadly jet accident. The two musicians will be headlining a New Year's Nation's Los Angeles New Year's Eve Party taking place at the Lot in West Hollywood, California. "I'm ready to get back on stage with AM and continue to rock the house," Travis shared his excitement concerning the upcoming show. "I'm very excited to bring in the New Year in my hometown of L.A. I'm glad our first show back is here in L.A. on New Year's Eve. I've never been 10 places at once before." Their gig will be entitled "TRSVJDAM" and will be streamed live on the web via newyearsnation.com. Also, it is scheduled to be broadcast in 10 big cities across U.S., including Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, New York, and Seattle.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE'S "SPECIAL LOVE" FOR SAMUEL L. JACKSON
[E! Online, 12/3/08]
Justin Timberlake admits he has some special kind of feelings for his Black Snake Moan costar Samuel L. Jackson. "I am here because onscreen and off, I feel nothing but love for the great Samuel L. Jackson," Timberlake said at last night's American Cinematheque gala honoring Jackson in Beverly Hills. "At least for tonight that mysterious 'L' stands for 'Love,' man love—and there's nothing wrong with it." While high on praise, the Cinematheque's annual awards ceremony is more of a roast than anything else. Timberlake got in some of the best cracks. He said past honorees like Julia Roberts, Al Pacino and George Clooney have nothing on the Pulp Fiction star...Other presenters included Denzel Washington, Kerry Washington, Andy Garcia, Vin Diesel, George Lucas and Jackson's Star Wars costars R2D2 and C3PO. You'll be able to catch the tribute yourself when it airs on AMC on Dec. 9, 2008.

"THE SPECIALS" TO REUNITE AND TOUR IN 2009
[Aceshowbiz, 12/3/08]
Influential ska-pop band The Specials have announced a full U.K tour. The Coventry outfit revealed in April 2008 that they would reform and return to live action for the first time since their split in 1981. Heralded by the likes of Blur, Lily Allen and The Enemy as a primary influence - the line-up will play eight U.K dates next spring. The jaunt begins in Newcastle on 22 April and concludes at London's Brixton Academy on 7 May, 2009. The gigs will see the line up of Terry Hall, Lynval Golding, Neville Staple, Roddy Byers, Horace Panter and John Bradbury reconvene. The band are largely credited with the popularity of ska punk in the late 1970s and the emergence of the 2-Tone sound. Rumours of an announcement had grown after the majority of the band made a special appearance together at this year's Bestival festival in September. Details of a special hometown show in Coventry are yet to be announced. Meanwhile tickets go on sale on Thursday 11 December 2008.

"TAKE THAT" RECORD HUGE OPENING DAY SALES
[BBC, 12/3/08]
Take That have scored the biggest first day sale of the year with their new album, The Circus. The album sold 133,000 copies on its launch day on Monday, December 1, according to Official Charts Company sales data. The figure puts the album easily on course to be number one in Sunday's album chart. The year's previous fastest-selling album was Coldplay's Viva La Vida Or death And All His Friends, which sold 125,000 copies on its first day. Despite netting the biggest first day sale title, sales of the album had actually been hit due to the collapse of major CD distributor Entertainment U.K last week. Several key retailers including Woolworths, Zavvi and WH Smith were left without the album on shelves and online on Monday. Stocks of all albums are expected to be in all key stores by the end of this week, however. "Today's sales figures are even more exciting considering the album wasn't available in all stores yesterday," said Universal Music UK chairman David Joseph. The Circus has comfortably beaten the first day sales of Take That's last album, Beautiful World, which went on to be the second biggest-selling record of 2006 after just four weeks on sale. The group launched their latest album at London's St Pancras station and continued on the Eurostar to Paris.

THE DEMISE OF "THE NEWMUSIC" SHOW
[CBC, 12/2/08]
CTVglobemedia's cuts announced last week included the demise of The NewMusic, a show that was a legend for its part in launching new bands and the careers of a score of TV hosts and presenters. Alumni of The NewMusic, begun in 1979 on CityTV, include Jeanne Beker, now the host of Fashion Television, John (J.D.) Roberts, who is now an anchor at CNN, Denise Donlon, executive director of CBC Radio and George Stroumboulopoulos, host of CBC talk show The Hour. The show strode across the teen years of countless Canadians, with its mix of Rolling Stone style rock journalism and Britain's more trendy New Musical Express. "You don't really think with something so long-running about the day it will be cancelled," said Hannah Sung, host of "The NewMusic" from 2002 to 2006 and now a writer and broadcaster. "When it was and when I heard about it, I was surprised. I was really sad, I was sad for my friends — the producers at "NewMusic" are brilliant," she told CBC's Q cultural affairs show. She said the demise of the show, hidden in an announcement of 105 jobs cut from CTV last week, was premature. "What else out there is like "The NewMusic" right now? I just don't see anything like it," Sung said. Q's regular media observer, John Turner, said the demise of the show was a result of media concentration and economic realities. "If you look at the show like The NewMusic and CHUM Media Group where it originated, that is a project of Moses Znaimer who in many ways is an intellectual and somebody who was actually inspired by not only the future of television but music and art," Turner told Q. CTVglobemedia took over CHUM in July 2007, gaining control of MuchMusic, CityTV, Space, A-Channel and dozens of other properties. Its cuts also hurt MuchMusic and MTV Canada. "Now you have a new owner, corporate owner, whose bottom line is much different. When you approach it from that side certain other realities come into play." "As you take away a lot of this Canadian-made programming, what do you fill it with? We know that a big part of the business plan of CTV and Global, for example, is to acquire American television, that's their big thing and the biggest cost for them is creating Canadian television, including local news," Turner said.

MADONNA 'TO SET SOLO TOUR RECORD' WITH "STICKY AND SWEET TOUR"
[BBC, 12/2/08]
Madonna's current Sticky and Sweet tour is set to become the biggest selling tour by a solo artist. The 50-year-old will have raked in an estimated $282 million (£185.7m) when the tour finishes in Sao Paulo, Brazil, later this month. Tour producer Live Nation said the star's 28-date U.S leg sold 550,000 tickets and grossed $91.5 million (£60.2m). Madonna had held the previous record with her Confessions tour in 2006, having taken $193.7 million (£127.5m). Including her European run, the singer has already made an estimated $207.5 million (£136.6m) in ticket sales. Madonna finished the North American leg of her Sticky and Sweet tour last week in front of 50,000 people at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, before heading south to Mexico City. The tour, supporting her album Hard Candy, will conclude with three nights from 18-21 December in Sao Paulo. The singer divorced director Guy Ritchie last month after eight years of marriage.

BRITNEY SPEARS' AMERICAN TOUR DATES REVEALED
[Aceshowbiz, 12/2/08]
Seventeen tour dates which are reportedly coming from Britney Spears' American roadshow have been revealed. According to the list on TicketMaster's calendar event, she will be performing on March 3, 2009 at New Orleans Arena in Los Angeles and then will continue to head up to Atlanta, Georgia for another live concert taking place at Philips Arena on March 5, 2009. Despite previous report saying that Allstate Arena's show would be held on March 30, 2009, it is revealed that the gig will take place on April 28, 2009. Complete tour dates of Britney's American leg from TicketMaster can be found online. Furthermore, Britney's European tour dates have also surfaced. On June 19, 2009, the "Womanizer" singer is also expected to perform for a live show at Bercy-Paris Sports Palace. Before taking the Bercy's stage, she has to make a stop in London first for live performances at the O2 Arena on June 3 and 4, 2009. Apart from the news of Britney Spears' tour dates, a video claimed to feature never-seen-before footage of "Circus" music video is available online. It shows the 27-year-old singer lingering in the dressing room, splashing perfume and getting her make up done.

LAWRENCE GOWAN TO HOST CANADIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY AWARDS
[CBC, 12/2/08]
Styx keyboardist Lawrence Gowan will host, and singer Burton Cummings will perform at the Canadian Music Industry Awards in Toronto in March. Gowan, a pianist, guitarist and songwriter, launched a successful solo career under the name Gowan in the 1980s. His hit songs in the '80s and 1990s include: A Criminal Mind; Strange Animal; Cosmetics; Moonlight Desires; All The Lovers In the World and When There's Time For Love. Winner of two Juno awards and several Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) awards, he has been with Styx for 10 years. Born in Scotland, Gowan grew up in Toronto and joined his first band, Rhinegold, in the 1970s. Winnipeg's Cummings, best known for his association with The Guess Who, has had a long career as a soloist and last month released Above the Ground, his first solo album of new material in 18 years. He'll be participating in a tribute to Chuck McCoy, the radio industry figure who will be inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame on March 12, 2009. McCoy, who worked on air at stations such as CHUM, CHFI and CKWX, is currently executive vice-president of programming and marketing for all Rogers radio stations. He will be presented with a lifetime achievement award. The industry awards are one of four awards galas held during Canadian Music Week, a four-day music festival in Toronto.

THE KILLERS" OUTSELL "GUNS N' ROSES" ON U.K CHART
[BBC, 12/1/08]
Las Vegas rock group The Killers have scored their third number one album in the U.K with Day & Age, beating Guns N' Roses heavily-anticipated new album. Axl Rose's Chinese Democracy, rumoured to be the most expensive album ever recorded, landed at number two. Other entries came from X Factor star Rhydian at three, Leona Lewis' Spirit at four and Priests - three actual Irish priests - at five. Take That entered the singles chart at number one with Greatest Day, knocking Beyonce's If I Were A Boy to two after a week at the top. The band have now scored 11 UK number ones, and their new album The Circus is expected to enter the album chart at the same position next week. Their closest rival is Britney Spears, whose album is also called Circus. Her current single, Womanizer, rose two places to number seven this week, following her appearance on X Factor. Same Difference, who are alumni of last year's X Factor, provided the second-highest new entry in this week's single chart, as We R One goes in at number 13. McFly also scored a new entry at 18 with double A-side Do Ya / Stay With Me, which is raising money for Children In Need. Britain's Got Talent winner George Sampson fared less well, however, with his debut single Get Up On The Dance Floor only making number 30. Proceeds from the sale of his record go to the Great Ormond Street Hospital. Inside the top 10, rapper T.I. rose one place to three with his europop-sampling single Live Your Life. He thereby switched place with The Killers, whose Human dropped to four. The top five was rounded off by Katy Perry's Hot 'n' Cold, a non-mover. In the album chart, several BBC reality show stars scored new entries outside the top 10 - led by Only Men Aloud, the winners of Last Choir Standing, whose eponymous debut album landed at number 16. 2007 Strictly Come Dancing winner Alesha Dixon entered at 26 with The Alesha Show, while I'd Do Anything judge John Barrowman was at 35 with Music, Music, Music. Other new entries came from Kanye West, whose decision to abandon rap may have resulted in his album, 808s and Heartbreaks, landing at number 11. His last record, Graduation, went straight into the UK album chart at number one in 2007. The Salvation Army also scored a new entry at 20 with Together - a collection of secular and religious classics performed by their International Staff Band.

CHEECH AND CHONG LIGHT UP SKITS OLD AND NEW
[Reuters/Hollywood Reporter, 12/1/08]
After 25 years apart, Cheech and Chong didn't have to worry that the humour they perfected, if not pioneered, would be stale. Green leafy gags are hip again. And the duo that personified the genre in the 1970s is back after bogarting their successful multimedia career with an acrimonious split. Richard "Cheech" Marin and his partner in da kine, Tommy Chong, are in the midst of the six-month Light Up America tour, their first together since 1983. And despite lots more gray or missing hair, it's like the party never stopped. The impeccable comic timing remains, and despite the ugly breakup, their chemistry was evident. There wasn't the forced camaraderie that's so obvious in many reunited acts. And the material is as effective as ever. The show was often racy, occasionally profane and genuinely funny. There were visits to Cheech and Chong's hit albums and bong-busying movies, but several bits were from neither and/or included new gags. Among the material familiar to stoners galaxywide was the scene from "Up in Smoke" where Pedro and the Man first meet. There was a cringe-inducing yet knee-slapping new KY reference in the part about the quarter-pounder joint, and when Pedro asks Man if has he any speed, the newly added reply is, "I used it all last night cramming for my urine test." The same was true for the classic "Let's Make a Dope Deal." The host (Cheech) tells contestant Bob Bitchin' (Chong) that there are prizes behind each of the three doors onstage. Bob replies with a line that would have worked great in the original bit: "Oh yeah, Morrison died." No, this isn't thinking-man's humor, and subtle it ain't. Like when Cheech sits too close to an old man on a park bench. "Excuse me, sir," Chong says, "Do you speak English?" "Yes," the guy replies. "Good -- **** ***!" But there also were some red-eyed winks to the partakers in the crowd that others might miss ("It's 4:20, time to play 'Let's Make a Dope Deal'"). Interspersed among the pair's skits together and solo was some well-honed, sometimes riotous material from Chong, who remained in the standup game while Cheech made his name as an actor. But the most memorable moments, naturally, came when the pair was onstage together. Sure, it would have been great to hear such familiar punch lines as "Dave's not here!" or "Claa-aa-aaas -- SHUUUUT UUUUP!" but there was only 75 minutes. Among the sorely missed bits was Tyrone Shoelaces belting out "Basketball Jones." It might have inspired a memorable sing-along judging from the fragrance wafting through the ornate home of the San Diego Symphony. It's hard to come away from this show with anything less than a satisfied smile. Well, and maybe a contact buzz.

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