Great News: 2010

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Beyonce Bares Her Bikini Bod on Italian Vacation

As the summer winds down, count on Beyonce to do her best to heat things up.

Photographers caught the toned singer sunning herself on a yacht in a colorful bikini, while vacationing in Italy with her husband, rap mogul Jay-Z.

The couple have been traveling in the region with their family and have been photographed enjoying their time off.

Jay-Z, Rick Ross Under Fire in New Track from Christian MC

Bizzle, a self-identified Christian rapper, was not too satisfied with Rick Ross and Jay-Z's recent 'Free Mason' song -- a track off Ross' 'Teflon Don' that strove to address the many accusations that both are involved in Illuminati and free mason secret societies. In a new diss track, Bizzle hops on Nas' 'Ether' beat. He mimics Jay-Z's flow and lyrics on 'Free Mason' and goes on the offensive.

"They talk about the 'Free Mason' record and they sayin' Jay denied it," Bizzle raps. "But what did he deny because to me it sounded like this/ Rumors of Lucifer/ A devil I'm, not though/ But if you listen I said he wasn't the devil on my song/ He didn't say he ain't no mason/ He said he never said it/ Put the devil on you/ Ain't nobody make you wear that sweater."

We aren't sure where Bizzle learned that wearing sweaters makes you part of a secret society. Either way, it seems that Bizzle's biggest bone of contention is not just the debunked conspiracy that all three rappers are Illuminati but that they often wear chains with crosses or make songs like 'Jesus Walks.'

Bizzle also goes hard at Ross, accusing him of identity theft. It's certainly vicious and comprehensive. Check out the track below (via HipHopWired.)

Shontelle, 'Perfect Nightmare' -- New Song

'Perfect Nightmare' is Shontelle's second single off her upcoming studio album, 'No Gravity,' in stores Sept. 21.

Opening with a haunting piano melody, by 1:08 'Perfect Nightmare' turns into to poppy, club-driven anthem, as Shontelle struggles to break free from a damaging relationship: "Keep tellin' myself that it's not worth it / I already know I don't deserve it / But if it's from you I don't mind hurting / This is my perfect nightmare."

The Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins-produced track follows her Rihanna-sounding hit single 'Impossible.' To hear 'Perfect Nightmare,' head over to AOL Radio's New Pop First station.

Martina McBride Takes 'Stand' to Fight Cancer

Martina McBride is joining dozens of celebrities in a widely televised event designed to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. The country songbird has signed on to be part of the upcoming 'Stand Up to Cancer' event. The one-hour special, dubbed 'SU2C,' will feature stories from celebrity cancer survivors, including Sheryl Crow, Fran Drescher, Christina Applegate, Elizabeth Edwards and Lance Armstrong.

Other stars slated to appear include Stevie Wonder, Queen Latifah, Natasha Bedingfield, Aaron Neville and Dave Stewart. The show will be hosted by network news anchors Diane Sawyer, Katie Couric and Brian Williams.

Earlier this year, Martina joined several friends, including Sarah Buxton, Big Kenny, Phil Vassar and Blake Shelton in raising more than $400,000 for the TJ Martell Foundation at the annual Eco-Energy Best Cellars Dinner, with all the proceeds going to cancer research at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville.

'Stand up to Cancer' will air commercial-free on September 10 at 8:00 PM (CST) simultaneously on ABC, CBS, NBC, VH1, FOX, E!, HBO, HBO Latino, Discovery Health, G4, MLB Network, Smithsonian Channel, Style Network, Showtime and TV One. Click here for more information.

Blogger Creates Swizz Beatz Greatest (and Worst) Hits CDs

Swizz Beatz has been a monster super producer for years now and his recent turn on Kanye West's 'Power' remix just served to cement his reputation as one of the best hype men in hip-hop. Need a little refresher? On his personal blog, music journalist Sean Fennessey prepared a three-disc trip through Swizzy's history behind the boards.

The collection starts with his early hits such as DMX's 'Ruff Ryders' Anthem' -- a first hit that Swizz scored when he was a mere 20-year old trying to break into the game. Other early favorites include the classic NYC posse cut 'Banned on TV' -- also impressively flipped by Lil Wayne on his recent 'No Ceilings' mixtape -- and Jay-Z's early smash 'Jigga My N----.' Of course, recent efforts that incorporate more sampling and party-oriented ad-libs are also present in tracks like Hov's 'On to the Next One.'

Perhaps the most interesting part of the mix is the third disc, which encompasses what Fennessey considers Swizzy's greatest misses and head-scratching moments. Just check out that solo track that features Metallica and Ja Rule called 'We Did It Again' or his infamous Limp Bizkit remix. It's good for some giggles.

Check out the full list and get some temporary downloads for research purposes here. 'Haute Living,' Swizz Beatz's third solo effort, is on the way later this year.

Zac Brown Band Fired Up for More Eat-and-Greets

The Zac Brown Band are gearing up to release their new album, 'You Get What You Give,' but while their fan base may expand, one tradition they started a while ago isn't going to change.

The backstage "eat-and-greets," which are food-filled parties where fans mingle with the band, are a staple before most every Zac Brown Band show. When the guys were still playing weekend gigs outside of Zac's Place in Dahlonega, Ga., they developed the concept of combining music, food and chats with fans into their own mini-festivals. True, a lot has changed since they were the house band for Zac's Place but the mini-festivals are still a major part of the band's concert experience.

"We are planning on doing that forever," ZBB fiddler Jimmy DiMartini tells The Boot. "It's really important to us to always reach out to fans."

For that reason, the band has a new cooking trailer for the tour. That means the chef who travels with the band will be able to rustle up food for about 150 eat-and-greet participants. On the menu are southern-cuisine specialties created by Zac himself, using his famous spice rub, Georgia Clay Rub, and his Southern Ground Grub Brown Sauce.

"Our days on the road are pretty full," Jimmy says. "The first thing we do after sound check is eat-and-greet, and then after the show we do a signing for all the fans. It's always cool to meet with our fans."

'You Get What You Give' is scheduled for release on September 21.

Woodhands Go Go-Karting

Toronto dance-rock duo Woodhands have been around the track a few times since singer/keytarist Dan Werb and drummer Paul Banwatt first joined forces in 2006. After wowing critics and indie-dance fans with their 2008 Paper Bag debut 'Heart Attack,' the pair followed up with this year's electro-poppier 'Remorscapade.'

The latter is getting a digital "deluxe edition" re-release this week, which includes the studio album and the 'Remixcapade' EP with mixes by like-minded Canadians like Diamond Rings and Mathemagic plus a piano version of the single 'Dissembler.' So we're taking Woodhands around the track one more time -- quite literally -- while the boys pontificate on dance music, keytars and what songwriting and go-karting have in common.

James Otto, 'Soldiers & Jesus' -- New Song

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Soldiers & Jesus' is James Otto's second single off his upcoming third studio album, 'Shake What God Gave Ya,' in stores Sept. 14.

Driven by a catchy, touching melody, the mid-tempo ballad begins with simplistic guitar strumming -- only to complement and nicely highlight James Otto's soothing, emphatic vocals, as he pays tribute to soldiers and Jesus, "the only two people who ever died for me."

'Soldiers & Jesus' follows 'Groovy Little Summer Song,' the lead-off single from his album, co-produced by Otto and Paul Worley (Big & Rich, Lady Antebellum, Dixie Chicks).

"This is a declaration of who I am," James tells The Boot of the country-soul 'Shake What God Gave Ya,' which follows his 2008 critically-acclaimed 'Sunset Man' album.

To hear 'Soldiers & Jesus,' head over to AOL Radio's Patriotic Songs station, which plays nothing but tunes to conjure the American spirit.

Lil' Boosie's 'Incarcerated' Album Out in September

Lil' Boosie is set to drop his fifth album next month, despite his confinement behind bars.

The New Orleans rapper was indicted on charges of first degree murder and conspiracy back in June, but his label Asylum Records will release the appropriately titled album 'Incarcerated' on September 28. 'Incarcerated' is a follow up to Boosie's 2009 album 'Superbad: The Return of Boosie Bad Azz,' and it features production from B.J. and Mouse on Tha Track. Guest features include Lil Trill, Foxx and Webbie.

Lil' Boosie -- born Torrence Hatch -- was charged with the shooting death of Terry Boyd in October 2009. He is currently under investigation for his role in five additional murders and he was also charged with three counts of narcotics possession after an attempt to traffic codeine, ecstasy and marijuana into his correctional facility. Prior to his recent conviction, Boosie was already facing four years behind bars for violating the terms of his probation.

Swizz Beatz Renames Third Album 'Haute Living'

After announcing via Twitter that his third album would be titled 'The Perception of Greatness,' Swizz Beatz turned to the social networking site to share his change of plans. While in a studio session with Mary J. Blige last night in New York City, Swizzy unveiled his new album title 'Haute Living,' stating that it's the perfect phrase to represent what he's all about.

"My new album is (Haute Living) because thats my art, fashion, music, life style Haute means the highest level!" he tweeted. "Swizz Beatz present @hauteliving the album for music art fashion for our people ......... Get with the HAUTE LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!"

The name change coincides with Swizz's recent label swap. The 31-year-old hitmaker recently parted ways with Universal Motown Records for Everest Entertainment and Atlantic/Warner Records to release his second solo record.

'Haute Living,' due in stores later this year, is said to feature guest appearances from Blige, Drake, Coldplay, John Legend, T.I. and Jay-Z. It's the rapper's first solo release since 2007's 'One Man Band Man,' which spawned the singles 'Money in the Bank' and 'It's Me Bitches.'

George Strait, 'The Breath You Take' - Story Behind the Lyrics

The Boot sat down with legendary songwriter Dean Dillon and his daughter, Jessie Jo Dillon, to talk about George Strait's latest hit, 'The Breath You Take,' which the father-daughter team co-wrote with Casey Beathard last November.

Dean: It was my daughter's idea. She brought it to the table. I thought it was great. I called Casey, who's a good buddy of mine. We met at my office the next day and did what songwriters do.

Jessie Jo: I had that title for a while. I brought it into the session when writing with Dad and Casey. I threw out the idea and they really jumped on it. We went from there. Casey is really into sports and stuff, so we got off on that in the first verse. It was a really fast write. We finished it in about an hour. It was really neat because we wrote it, and we were really excited about it.

Dean: I thought it would be a great song for George to cut.

Jessie Jo: George liked it so much, which was a huge honor to me. That was amazing! He put it on hold just from the work tape which artists hardly do anymore. Dad went down with George to the studio when he was recording it. I still remember the day they called and said he cut it ... I cried! It was one of the last songs he did for the album.

Dean: 'Twang' is a special album as a whole because of the fact that [George's son] Bubba's on it and Jessie Jo's on it. We felt good about that. George felt good about cutting things that Bubba had been part of and that Jessie Jo had been part of. Both of them have turned into great little songwriters. Jessie Jo reminds me so much of me when I was 23 years old. She's got the gift. She's got a great head for songwriting. Even in high school, her teachers would comment to me how she was a great writer. She never really pushed [songwriting] in front of me until two or three years ago. She never came to me to write a song until she felt she had something to really offer. She brought more than just the title to the table with 'The Breath You Take.' She plugged away line-by-line with us. It's great to see the next generation come along like this.

Carrie Underwood, Craig Morgan Are Inspirational Nominees

The Inspirational Country Music Awards have announced their nominees, and several of country's biggest names have made the list.

Carrie Underwood and Craig Morgan lead the pack with nominations in three major categories each: Inspirational Song of the Year, Video of the Year and Mainstream Country Artist. Carrie's No.1 single, 'Temporary Home,' earned her a nomination for both Inspirational Song of the Year and Video of the Year, while Craig's hit, 'This Ain't Nothing,' is also nominated in both categories. Craig and Carrie are also each nominated in the Mainstream Country Artist category.

Chris Young and Miranda Lambert are both double nominees for Inspirational Country Song and Video of the Year. Chris's nominations are thanks to his recent hit, 'The Man I Want to Be,' while Miranda's No.1 hit, 'The House That Built Me,' earned her the dual spots. Other nominees in the Inspirational Country Song category include Lee Brice's 'Love Like Crazy' and Jo Dee Messina's single, 'That's God.'

Trace Adkins hit, 'All I Ask for Anymore, is the final nominee in the Video of the Year category. In addition to Carrie and Craig, other artists nominated in the Mainstream Country Artist category include Jeff Bates, Ricky Skaggs and Josh Turner.

The ceremony, which will be held on October 14 in Hendersonville, Tenn., will also include performances by Love & Theft, Joey + Rory, Ralph Stanley and more. For more information, or to purchase tickets, click here.

D.M.C. Offers Encouraging Words to Camp Felix Kids

Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, better known as one of the founding members of Run-D.M.C., is all about giving back. The 46-year-old recently co-founded Camp Felix -- a summer camp intended to provide a getaway for foster kids in upstate New York. With 171 campers from New York City currently attending, the camp has become a beacon for kids looking to establish a sense of family outside of their foster homes.

"These kids say, 'I am just a foster kid. I have nothing going for me other than just being miserable," McDaniels told New York Daily News. "I tell them, 'You are wrong. Your situation doesn't define who you are."

McDaniels helped launch the camp after he learned during his mid-30s that he was adopted as a 5-year-old. "I was hurt, confused ... it felt totally unreal," he said. At the time it meant that they are not my mom and pop." The ex-rapper tamed up with 'Sopranos' casting director Sheila Jaffee, who also learned that she was adopted at the age of 11, to form the Felix Organization. The nonprofit spends $500 per child to attend the camp, which has seen more than 350 kids attending the three-week getaway since its inception.

With kids ranging from 8 to 14 years old, the camp has elicited support from celebrities including Mark Wahlberg, who donated $100,000 to the organization, as well as actress Lorraine Bracco who serves as an honorary chairwoman of the camp.

Hottest Bachelors in Country Music

Who is country music's hottest bachelor? The Boot polled our Twitter and Facebook followers to find out your top ten picks for the sexiest, most irresistible, unattached guys on your radio dial. But after a three-way tie, we ended up with a lucky 13 hottest bachelors ... lucky for you, ladies! And after we tallied the votes, we got out our little black book to contact each heartthrob on the countdown to get his thoughts on dating. Let the drooling begin.

10. Jerrod Niemann

Sizzle Factor: Movie star good looks, hilariously dry wit ... and oh yeah, talent, too! Jerrod's vocal range is wide enough that he recorded all nine background vocal parts on his No.1 hit, 'Lover Lover.'

Dating Mantra: "My favorite thing is a sense of humor, because sometimes personalities can clash ... I want to be able to speak freely. Chivalry is still alive. But I just like people who are kind and have a good sense of humor. At the end of the day, that's what lasts."

9. (tie) Gloriana's Mike & Tom Gossin

Sizzle Factor: Despite their chiseled good looks and AMA Breakthrough Artist trophies, these Gloriana brothers stay humble -- and still listen to their mom.

Mike's Dating Dilemma: "One time a girl threw flowers at me in the middle of a song, and they hit me where the sun don't shine! Totally embarrassing, but I loved it!"

Tom's Dating Mantra: "My type is a woman who is smart. Brains are most beautiful to me!"

9. (tie) Jason Jones

Sizzle Factor: That dimple on the blue-eyed boy next door's right cheek gets even bigger when he smiles, which apparently is quite often given Jason's sly sense of humor. And with songs like 'Unlikely Angel' and 'Slow Dance,' the tender tenor can make any girl swoon.

Dating Mantra: "My type is a woman who values tradition and is not afraid to speak her mind, while also being kindhearted, open-minded and having a great sense of humor. I love a wacky sense of humor."

Jason Jones Songs

9. (tie) Lee Brice

Sizzle Factor: Date Lee, and chances are you'll end up the subject of a song ... a huge song! He penned Garth Brooks' 'More Than a Memory' about an ex and keeps several old flames burning on his own critically-acclaimed album, the appropriately titled 'Love Like Crazy.'

Dating Mantra: "I can't believe I'm in the hottest bachelor countdown! Wonder if it could lead to an invite to the Playboy Mansion? Hmmm ..."

8. Josh Thompson

Sizzle Factor: Josh followed his testosterone-fueled debut, 'Beer on the Table,' with something a bit more female friendly, 'Way Out Here,' which shows this hot bachelor's small town charm.

Dating Mantra: "I definitely don't think of myself as a sex symbol, but I appreciate the compliment! Dating is a challenge because I have no time, so any woman would have to understand that, plus be the completely down-to-earth, go-getter, like-to-get-dirty, outdoorsy type!"

7. Keith Anderson

Sizzle Factor: Keith melted hearts everywhere when he put his own heart on the line with the Top 5 single, 'I Still Miss You,' mourning the loss of a loved one. That, and his former life as baseball-player-turned-body-builder makes Keith H-O-T!

Dating Mantra: "My idea of the perfect date is great conversation and a lot of laughs. But it's hard for me to date because I am never in the same city more than a week at a time! Even Nashville."

6. Lady Antebellum's Dave Haywood

Sizzle Factor: This Grammy-winning, chart-topping, multi-instrumentalist hasn't let fame go to his head. Dave is still the same Georgia boy who opens doors for ladies and even admits to watching chick flicks every now and then.

Dating Mantra: "I would love to find a girl who loves to travel as much as we do. Someone who likes the ups and downs of a music career. I'm still looking for the right one!"

5. Chris Young

Sizzle Factor: A true family man, the Tennessee-native included his parents, aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces in his video for the hit single, 'Voices.' And our readers aren't alone in voting him on a hot list -- Chris was Country Weekly magazine's hottest bachelor in both 2006 and 2009!

Dating Mantra: "My type is a woman who is up for anything. Sometimes I'm a movie-on-the-couch guy, and other times I'm a hop-in-the-truck-and-hit-the-lake guy, so a spontaneous streak never hurts."

4. Jake Owen

Sizzle Factor: A professional golfer before he began his successful country music career, Jake also has aspirations of being a movie star someday. We can see why.

Sweet Spot: "Sometimes my female fans will give me the sweetest gifts. I could mention that I like a certain candy, and the next day in the meet-and-greet, they will present me with that exact sugar sweet. I can't begin to tell you how that makes a person feel."

3. Jimmy Wayne

Sizzle Factor: A velvet-voiced vocalist with a heart of gold, Jimmy just completed a 1700-mile walk across America to raise money and awareness for homeless teenagers. Talk about a sweetheart ... who's obviously insanely in shape!

Dating Dilemma: "Sometimes my female fans will [send] me a sexual proposition on Twitter. I don't respond because it could be ['To Catch a Predator' host ] Chris Hansen and the next thing ya know, he's offering me a cookie. Hell with that!"

2. Jaron and the Long Road to Love's Jaron Lowenstein

Sizzle Factor: This charismatic and hilariously funny Georgia native is still looking for Ms. Right. He may be "Jaron and the Long Road to Love," but the musician jokes that he hopes his next album will be branded "Jaron and He Found Her!" Get in line -- a long line -- ladies.

Dating Mantra: "My type is a woman who is comfortable in her own skin. A woman is most beautiful when she believes she is."

1. Chuck Wicks

Sizzle Factor: Three words: 'Hold That Thought.' If you haven't seen Chuck's steamy new video, just watch it below, and you'll see why the 31-year-old crooner was your choice for the hottest bachelor in country music. He may have lost the girl (ex Julianne Hough) but his head and sex appeal are still held high.

Dating Mantra: "My idea of the perfect date is one that leaves you anxious to have the second one."

Watch Fantasia sing - "Bittersweet at (Sessions)"

Jay-Z Joining U2 on the Road

Jay-Z is hitting the road again. This time it won't be as a headliner, but to join U2 on their worldwide 360 tour later this year. According to reports Jay will link with U2 to promote the launch of Live Nation Australia with performances in Australia and New Zealand.

Beginning this November in New Zealand, U2 and Jay will hit Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium, before making their way to Australia's Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. The 360 tour will finish off December 18 at Perth's Subiaco Oval, commemorating the first time the Irish group has performed in the city since 1998. Tickets go on sale September 3 and range in prices from $39.90 AUD to $100. U2.com subscribers will have the chance to purchase tickets before the general public.

Jay has had a close relationship with band leader Bono, who is known for his philanthropic work around the world. The two most recently worked together on the 'Hope for Haiti Now' telethon that raised over $57 million for Haitian citizens in the wake of the catastrophic earthquake that hit the country in January. Hov and Bono recorded the song 'Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)' with all proceeds going to charity.

West and Swift to reunite on VMA stage?

Kanye West and Taylor Swift at the 2009 Video Music Awards.

If host Chelsea Handler has her way, Kanye West will reunite with Taylor Swift at this year's MTV Video Music Awards, 12 months after he disgraced himself by storming the stage and ruining her acceptance speech.
The rapper shocked the star-studded audience at last year's ceremony after he jumped on the stage to protest Swift's win for Best Female Video, saying the prize should have gone to Beyonce for her hit "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)."
West has kept a comparatively low profile since the incident, but he is reportedly planning to make his return with a performance at the 2010 awards show on Sept. 12.

Funnywoman Handler will take charge of the prizes, and she said on Ryan Seacrest's Los Angeles radio show on Thursday that she'd like to see the pair make up on stage.
Handler said, "I want to go and film some ridiculous stuff and see if we can do something with Kanye, because I always talk about Kanye. I'd like to get them (West and Swift) together. We've never really seen them together since then. ... We'll try to think of something clever to do with them, because that would be really fun."

Dylan takes a stand against ticket touts

Bob Dylan is refusing to sell advanced tickets to an upcoming concert in a bid to tackle internet resellers and give fans an equal chance to catch him live.
Tickets for the folk singer's concert at The Warfield in San Francisco on Wednesday will be sold at the door. Fans will be permitted to line up at midday but will only be allowed to buy one ticket each, in cash.
The plan was established to prevent touts from purchasing large batches of tickets and selling them for an inflated cost online. It will also eliminate handling and processing fees.
David Lefkowitz, the vice president of booking for promoters Goldenvoice, says, "Given the state of touring and how fees have escalated, it was a real breath of fresh air to do something very consumer oriented by eliminating all ticketing charges; it's almost a throwback to another time.
"It's been almost 20 years since Bob Dylan played The Warfield and in my opinion, he is an artist that needs no big promotions or hoopla. He comes, he plays, and it's an incredible experience."

Monday, August 23, 2010

Saturdays singer Mollie King has always wanted to get married

The Saturdays singer - who has been in a relationship with Andy Brown for a year-and-a-half - is a "hopeless romantic" and always does what she can to please her man.

She said: "I always try to be thoughtful and romantic. I'm a hopeless romantic at heart. I've been dreaming about my wedding since I was five."

The 'Ego' hitmaker also revealed she and Andy love having date nights, where they make a special effort for one another.

She added: "It's important to make an effort for each other. I'm quite bad at slouching around in a tracksuit, so when we go on a date together, I make an effort to do my make-up and hair. He's a legs man and loves mine, so I'll wear a nice little dress."

Elvis Presley reportedly had a life-long belief in extraterrestrials

The 'Suspicious Minds' singer is said to have made several sightings of UFOs during his life, with his interest sparked by an unusual sighting made by his father, Vernon, on the day he was born, January 8, 1935.

The singer's hairstylist and friend, Larry Geller, explained: 'His father told us he'd gone out to have a cigarette at 2am during the delivery and when he looked up into the skies above their little shack, he saw the strangest blue light. He knew right then and there that something special was happening.'

Author Michael C. Luckman - who wrote a book, 'Alien Rock: The Rock 'N' Roll Extraterrestrial Connection', about musicians who have had contact with otherworldly beings ' believes Elvis was later visited by aliens when he was a child.

He claims the singer was 'contacted telepathically by two alien beings when he was eight years old,' who gave him a glimpse into his famous future, although he "had no idea what it all meant at the time".

Larry ' who eventually became Elvis' 'spiritual mentor' - confirmed he had extraterrestrial experiences while he was with the singer, who was dubbed the King of Rock N Roll.

Recounting a time they had been driving through the desert and saw unusual lights, he told AOL News: 'They were moving far too quickly to be airplanes, so we just chalked it up to UFOs.

"Another time, we were walking through his Graceland home and noticed odd lights in a field moving back and forth.

'Elvis was a deeply spiritual person and was very interested in the metaphysical. He had an eclectic outlook on things. Although he never had any major alien experiences, he was certainly a believer

'He had his feet on the ground, but his head in the heavens."

Elvis died 33 years ago today (16.08.1977).

Tom Gray, Gomez

Before, I imagine if you were invited to party in Bathgate you’d turn it down? All is changing however as new venue ‘The Attic’ brings the best new bands and big names in music into the limelight. Playing this sunny Sunday evening is Gomez’s Tom Gray as he embarks on a solo acoustic tour: support comes from The Stagger Rats, The Hardcore Wednesdays and Kerrie Lynch.

First up is the very apt and fellow acoustic performer Kerrie Lynch. Kerrie begins her set with no stage lights on, but makes brightness through the power of her songs. Kerrie’s voice is very beautiful: laced with meaning, strength and grace Kerrie’s vocals showcase all that is good about a solo performance. Kerrie’s style of song writing is clearly very personal, a passionate round up of her own life: with great songs and great talent, Kerrie’s set in The Attic this evening is extremely well-played.

Unlike Tom Gray and Kerrie Lynch, The Stagger Rats don’t do acoustic, The Stagger Rats do loud! The Stagger Rats are a band I currently can’t get enough of: funky, cool and brilliantly unique, these boys are officially one of Scotland’s best unsigned bands. The Stagger Rats combine a modern pop-rock style with a glamorous antique feel of T Rex and Alex Harvey, with vocals so intriguing each song feels like a brand new chapter in the set.

Because there is no green room or back stage in our cosy hosting venue, Tom Gray appears on stage straight from behind the sound desk. Everyone by this point is very rowdy, and despite many humorous attempts, Tom fails to quieten the audience for his acoustic set. Tom Gray plays Gomez tracks without the rest of his band, but lacking nothing for it: full-bodied and intense, the set captures every gorgeous moment from Gomez’s decades of success.

Tom Gray is just one of many big and brilliant acts The Attic in Bathgate have lined up. With many more to be announced, Bathgate will soon be a town for Scottish music lovers to embrace. For full listings and details, visit www.facebook.com/atticbathgate.

Lindsay Lohan could be released from rehab in the next 10 days

The actress' attorney Shawn Chapman Holley is to attend a probation modification hearing on Wednesday (25.08.10) in front of Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elden Fox to assess whether the star needs to continue receiving treatment at the UCLA Medical Center.

Lindsay was ordered to spend 90 days in rehab and was sentenced to 90 days in jail for violating the terms of her probation from a 2007 driving under the influence (DUI) conviction.

The hearing is being held to discuss whether the 24-year-old star's imposed rehab stint should be modified to reflect the opinions of her doctors who do not think she needs to be treated for the full 90 days.

A source close to Lindsay told RadarOnline.com: "She is ready to get out. Lindsay has had a lot of down time, and she is anxious to return to her life. Lindsay misses her family and friends tremendously. Lindsay simply wants her life back."

This week's hearing is crucial because only Judge Fox can decide whether or not Lindsay is released from rehab early.

To secure her release Holley could ask for the terms of her probation to be changed with one possible condition being that she undergoes random drug testing for 12 months.

Kylie Minogue stunned drinkers when she played a gig in an English pub

The pop superstar turned up at the Ring O' Bells in Somerset, South West England, to perform a string of chart-topping hits as a favour to her record company Parlophone.

The 42-year-old Australian singer walked into the public house at 10.30pm and in a tiny alcove she belted out five songs.

She sang an acoustic version of her current hit 'All the Lovers' as well as '80s classics 'I Should Be So Lucky' and 'Locomotion'.

Kylie had turned up at the Ring O'Bells on her tour bus last Thursday (19.08.10) for a sound check before the doors opened.

Landlady Lauren Goddard, 32, told the Daily Express newspaper: 't was all quite surreal, to be honest. It's not the sort of thing you expect to see in a quiet local pub like this. We were sworn to secrecy and didn't even tell the staff until 30 minutes before the doors opened.

'Kylie was very friendly and down-to-earth. She didn't make any demands and she was very polite.'

The surprise acoustic concert was laid on by record bosses as the highlight of an away-day trip in Compton Martin for 120 of its staff.

Pub managers Lauren and Rueben Goddard agreed to stage the concert after being approached by Parlophone boss Miles Leonard, who lives in the village.

The fun-packed evening also included sets by Parlophone artists Tinie Tempah, Eliza Doolittle and Morning Parade - before Kylie appeared as the headline act.

Earlier in the evening, Tinie played his hit 'Pass Out' and new track 'Written In The Stars'.

Reuben, 25, told The Sun newspaper: 'The locals were shocked but we all had an evening we'll never forget. It's a bit out of the ordinary for round here."

Man jumps to his death at 'Once' stars' concert

SARATOGA, Calif. (AP) — A man jumped at least 20 feet to his death onto the stage of a Northern California concert in front of hundreds of horrified music fans, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office said Friday.

The Swell Season was playing an outdoor show at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga in front of a crowd of about 1,900 when the jump happened Thursday night.

Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Rick Sung says authorities are treating the death as a suicide. Sung said the man's identity will not be released.

Sung says the man left a friend in the audience around 10 p.m. and soon appeared on a roof that covers the stage. Witnesses say he jumped off the roof and landed on stage near the band's lead singer, Glen Hansard.

Witnesses said Hansard removed his guitar and walked over to the man's body.

The jumper was pronounced dead by a doctor in attendance who spent an hour trying to revive him.

The band extended its sympathies in a MySpace post Friday.

"Our hearts go out to the victim who decided to take his own life at last night's gig ... and to his friends and family," the statement said.

Hansard and singer-songwriter Marketa Irglova are known in part for the alt-rock band's role in the 2006 movie Once. The group wrote and performed the movie's theme song, Falling Slowly, which won the Academy Award for best original song.

Promoter Live Nation said it would not change its concert schedule.

"We have ample security in place and trained safety staff at every concert and we are committed to ensuring the safety of all who come to Mountain Winery," the group said in a statement. "At the same time, we are working with the local authorities in investigating this tragic incident."

No joke: Margaret Cho tunes up for music tour

Comedian Margaret Cho, who has an album out titled Cho Dependent, performs at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn., in June.

She's more diversified than a mutual fund. Opinionated stand-up provocateur Margaret Cho— who has written books, released comedy albums and co-stars on Lifetime TV's Drop Dead Diva— has her first disc of original music, Cho Dependent, out Tuesday. It features the comedian, 41, collaborating with Fiona Apple, Ani DiFranco, Ben Lee and Grant Lee Phillips. Her tour in support of the release kicks off Thursday

in Portland, Ore., and wraps up in December in Atlanta. "I always wanted to do comedy, but I also felt the same pull as a musician. I'm a singer," Cho says from her home in L.A., which she shares with her husband, artist Al Ridenour, and their two pooches. "I thought there has to be a way to make songs that are comedy but also have enduring value."

Q: You don't sound happy. Interviews aren't that fun, right?

A: Oh no, this is my voice. People always say, 'What's wrong?' And that's just how my voice is and my face is. This project, for me, has been really fun to talk about.

Q: So how did you hook up with Fiona Apple for the song Hey Big Dog?

A: I had a dog and, unfortunately, he died. I wrote the song because he was dying. He was really afraid of the wind, and Fiona's dog also has the exact same problem. She'd seen me perform that song at my favorite club in the world, Largo, in Los Angeles, and she'd said she wanted to sing it. She has one of the greatest voices of all time, and she's an animal lover. It was a great collaboration.

Q: I'm so sorry about your dog!

A: He was really, really old. He was a very large German shepherd mix, and he was 14. He naturally just died. That was a relief, because I don't think I could have made the choice (to euthanize him). I'm really happy to have the song; I would sit in his dog bed and play it to him. I have two other dogs, Gudrun and Bronwyn.

Q: And you also have a tour starting up. What's the most ridiculous thing on your tour rider?

A: I have Zone bars and sparkling water. You know the artist has to pay for that, and I'm actually super-cheap. I don't want to shell out for any kind of fancy, all-white roses. I have to buy it, and that's the thing people don't understand. I'm very practical about all that stuff. I tour a lot and love it. I haven't been touring for the last year because I've been working on Drop Dead Diva. I live in Atlanta six months out of the year for that, and it changes the way I work.

Q: And as for Drop Dead Diva, what's ahead on the show?

A: My character is a private eye. There's a lot of romance and intrigue. The show is so wonderful and fun.

Q: And now you're back home in L.A. What do you do on your days off?

A: I hang out with my dogs, which is really fun. I have two mutts. They don't miss the big dog at all. The two girls didn't bond with him. I play music, I go see music, I listen to music. I'm obsessed with my Kindle. Today the book I'm going crazy over is The Advanced Genius Theory.

Hearing for Michael Jackson's doctor set for Jan. 4

LOS ANGELES — A preliminary hearing where prosecutors will lay out some of the evidence against a doctor charged in Michael Jackson's death will begin Jan. 4 in Los Angeles, a judge said Monday.

The hearing had been expected to begin later this year but was pushed back due to issues involving witness availability and the ongoing investigation, Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor said.

After the hearing, which is expected to last at least two weeks, Pastor will determine if there is enough evidence to order cardiologist Conrad Murray to stand trial.

Several members of Jackson's family, including his mother Katherine and father Joseph, attended Monday's hearing. They waved to fans who were allowed into the courtroom wearing T-shirts seeking justice for the pop singer.

Murray, 57, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Jackson in June 2009 at the age of 50. Authorities have accused Murray of administering a lethal dose of the anesthetic propofol to Jackson in the bedroom of the singer's rented mansion.

Murray's attorneys have said the doctor did not give Jackson anything that should have killed him.

Murray's defense team wants permission to retest three chemical samples currently held by the coroner's office. Attorney J. Michael Flanagan said the samples were obtained from two syringes and an IV, but he did not elaborate.

Prosecutor David Walgren sought more information about the tests and whether the samples might be destroyed.

Pastor urged both sides to work out a deal on the request.

Murray is due back in court on Oct. 26 for another status hearing.

Listen Up: Usher is back in the game with 'Versus'

Usher is the latest star to try to extend the life of a hit album with an abbreviated batch of fresh songs that can stand alone or as part of a deluxe original. (Hey, he probably figures that what's good for the Gaga is good for the gander.)

Versus (* * * out of four), a nine-track follow-up to his platinum Raymond V. Raymond— a chronicle of the bliss/blues of his short-lived marriage to Tameka Foster — finds a Casanova fully loosed from any matrimonial chains. Since his palpable joy over the union fueled his Here I Stand just two years ago, Usher has clearly pushed an emotional reset button to get back to his prenuptial attitudes.

On the opening track, he tells the ladies to line up because he fully intends to Love 'Em All.Versus is crammed with seductive club-ready jams in which he takes pleasure in the chase and, well, the pleasure. With the help of Jay-Z, Bun B., Pitbull and good buddy Justin Bieber, he's having it his way and spreading his love around. — Steve Jones

Fat Joe Explains Selling His Florida Mansion

Rapper Fat Joe recently talked about why he decided to sell his $4 million dollar Florida mansion. The Terror Squad leader says that the wild life and distance from parties forced his wife and himself back towards Miami.

"Through the permits, it's so hard to get the right permits and all that," Joe said about building his Florida home years ago. "So it's built, it's beautiful and I love it. [I'm selling it] because we want to move closer to the beach and we come from New York. I've lived close to a beach in Miami for like 10 years and then this suburban life, I thought I really wanted to be in the suburbs but you know, it's frogs, it's lizards, it's sh*t I've never seen in my life. Possums look like wolves and sh*t, I got them lights in case the burglar come and every day a f*cking raccoon comes through the back and sh*t lights up and I'm ready to grab for that thing and it's fall. We like to party and it's like 40 minutes away from the party and out there they catch you drinking and driving. But the house is gorgeous man and for the record, there's no mortgage on the house. My house is paid for. I spent close to $4 million on that house out of pocket. So I don't know the rumors about why I'm selling it."

Yelawolf Gets Overwhelmed By Eminem's Advice

New rapper Yelawolf recently sat down with vet, Eminem. Calling the event with his lablemate "overwhelming at first," Yelawolf says Eminem gave him advice for cutting back his drinking.

"It was overwhelming at first," Yela said in an interview. "I thought, 'I'll just be cool,' but when I saw him it was different. This dude is like history. I felt the same when I met Big Boi and [Andre] 3000. These megastars and culturally-influential people, the first couple minutes you're just in awe...We talked about shows and touring and sh*t...I like to drink a lot, but I sobered up. I got some advice from him about getting sh*t under control based on his experiences...I just gave him my story -- where I was from, how my music developed, and I let him listen to some material on the new album...He did me the honor of letting me hear his sh*t before it came out and it was dope."

Rapper Paul Wall thanks troops at Fort Hood

Paul Wall has a lot of history with Killeen and the military, from his roots to the beginning of his rap career.

The military has always been a part of Wall's life, so giving back to the military is something he's happy to do.

Wall spent his day at Fort Hood to say "thank you" and meet with fans.

First, Wall made a stop at Fort Hood's Main Exchange Friday to greet fans and sign copies of his latest release "Heart of a Champion." Then, for his second appearance at the event, Wall performed at Fort Hood's Back 2 School Bash at the Bronco Youth Center.

The grandson of a World War II and Korean War veteran, Wall said a large portion of his fan base that helped establish his career is military. Wall thinks of Killeen as his backyard, and at the beginning of his career as an independent artist, he had his music at Renaissance Records.

"The military (service members) has always supported me," he said, before meeting dozens of anxious fans lined up in the center aisle of the exchange. "Soldiers stationed in Texas or from Texas are part of my fan base."

Wall returned from his fourth USO tour overseas days before his appearance at Fort Hood.

Jaline Fernandez, a sophomore at Ellison High School, described her first encounter with the Texas rapper as "awesome."

"I got a picture with him," she said with a smile. "He's a real nice person."

Fernandez said Wall was one of the first rap artists she supported. Fernandez said she learned about his appearance, while shopping at the exchange Friday.

Spc. Ayden Ruiz, 582nd Medical Logistics Company, 1st Medical Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command, a native Texan, said he likes that Wall represents the state.

"I've seen him before, but I never got to meet him."

Ruiz said Wall's appearance showed the soldiers and families that he cared. "It means people care about what we do no matter how famous they get."

Anytime he has the opportunity to speak or meet with troops and their families, Wall said he is willing to take the time out.

"It's funny. They come up to me and say 'thank you' but we appreciate the opportunity."

What It Iz . Eminem to host rap contest in hometown‎

All summer long, Eminem and his cronies have been criss-crossing the country looking for the best unknown freestyle rappers at a series of audition events.

Now it's time to crown a victor. The finals of the awkwardly titled Red Bull EmSee: The Road to 8 Mile contest will take place in Eminem's hometown of Detroit on Aug. 26, next Thursday. Em himself will judge the finalists' improvised rhymes.

Eminem first got the music industry's attention by placing well at an organized freestyle competition in 1997. Before that, of course, he cut his teeth at local battles like the ones dramatized in 8 Mile. It's cool that he's bringing that tradition full circle and giving some new rappers a chance to shine. That's especially true these days, when the word "freestyle" hardly means what it used to -- respected artists regularly "freestyle" during radio appearances by reading pre-written rhymes off of their BlackBerries, a dubious practice that I have to assume won't fly here.

T.I.’s wild ride

Although best known for his work as a hip-hop artist, Tip “T.I.” Harris knows the value of versatility.
Since launching his rap career more than a decade ago, Harris has become a music producer, record executive, fashion entrepreneur and, perhaps most importantly to him, an actor.
That’s what makes Harris so passionate about Takers, a crime thriller that allows the Atlanta native to showcase talents other than those that have generated millions of album sales.
“What I’m trying to do right now is have another fan base,” Harris said during a recent promotional stop in Dallas. “Now I have to broaden my horizons, so I’m not just confined to that one demographic. [Otherwise,] I could never live up to my full potential.”
Harris, 29, hopes the film allows him to gain the type of credibility in the acting world that he has achieved in the music world, where he has earned the nickname “King of the South” and won two Grammy awards in 2006.
In Takers, Harris is part of a gang of upscale bank robbers (which puts him in an ensemble that includes Paul Walker, Idris Elba, Chris Brown and Hayden Christensen) being chased by a hardened detective (Matt Dillon) intent on bringing the elusive high-tech crooks to justice.
The film has plenty of glitz and glamour, with sleek cars and cool clothes on display. Those are nice perks, but Harris said he was attracted to the material more for the layering of the characters in the screenplay.

“It’s not your average kind of shoot-em-up, bang-bang, cops-and-robbers heist flick,” Harris said. “It actually has depth and meaning. Each and every last character has their own energy to add, and I believe that makes for a very intellectually entertaining ride.”
Harris said that behind the shootouts and chase sequences, he was struck by the dynamics between the characters among both gangsters and police officers, whether it’s the protective instincts that criminal brothers share for one another or the uneasy bond between a workaholic cop and his young daughter.
“It’s not just about robbing banks. These are actual people,” Harris said. “When you cut the news on and hear that two men robbed a bank, they aren’t just bank robbers. They’re someone’s son, someone’s uncle or brother or father. Everybody has something they’ve got to deal with.”
Harris cites his own character as a prime example. Ghost is released from prison as the film opens, then proceeds to reunite with his old criminal friends for one last heist that could earn him enough money to start a new life. However, the rest of the gang suspects him of having ulterior motives and questions his loyalty.
“That’s the challenge in taking such a complex character,” Harris said. “You have every reason to not trust and not like him. I needed to find a way to make this character likeable and to have the audience empathize with him.”
Harris, who previously starred in the coming-of-age drama ATL and had a supporting role in American Gangster, was approached by the producers for the lead in Takers. He became enamored with the project and offered some feedback, eventually taking on the role of executive producer.
“It shows range,” said Harris, who filmed the movie before a recent 10-month stint in prison on federal weapons charges. “Even though it’s an urban outlaw, ex-con type of character — which some might look and say that’s not much of a stretch for me — this guy has a lot of charisma and a lot of ambition. He’s very strategic in his approach.
“Even if I do a gangster picture, I’m gonna do an intellectually stimulating gangster picture,” he said. “It’s fly; it’s not grimy. It’s cool and it’s shiny.”
Harris said that although Takers doesn’t glamorize bank robbers, it does showcase a more modern breed of gangster — one that steals to maintain affluence and superficial status rather than doing so just to survive.
“You fall in love with the lifestyle of these characters,” he said. “You never imagine people doing things so wrong and living life so great. We are living vicariously through these characters that the normal person can’t fathom. It takes you on a wild ride.”

City foster kids make lifetime bonds at Run- DMC member, hip-hop pioneer Darryl McDaniels' Camp Felix

Most of the foster kids at an upstate camp weren't even alive when its co-founder rose to fame as a rap pioneer.
They just know the Queens native as the guy who creates a safe place for them during the summer to talk about the difficulties they face in the child welfare system.
"These kids say, 'I am just a foster kid. I have nothing going for me other than just being miserable,'" said Darryl (DMC) McDaniels, who co-founded Camp Felix. "I tell them, 'You are wrong. Your situation doesn't define who you are.'"
Hundreds of kids ages 8 to 14 have made the trek to Peekskill, swapping stories of fear, abandonment and their struggles with identity. They form bonds that organizers hope will last a lifetime.
"We are a family," said McDaniels, sitting among 171 campers from New York City last week.
McDaniels, 46, has a special insight into identity issues, having learned in his mid-30s that he was adopted as a 5-year-old.
"I was hurt, confused ... it felt totally unreal," he recalled of the mind-boggling discovery. "At the time it meant that they are not my mom and pop."
While it first threw him for a loop, learning that he was adopted never held him back.
The Hollis rapper was part of the hip-hop trio Run-DMC that ruled the charts in the '80s. The group was the first in hip hop to earn a Grammy nomination, score a platinum album or appear on "Saturday Night Live."
McDaniels also won an Emmy for his 2004 documentary "DMC: My Adoption Journey," which chronicled his emotional search through court records and other obstacles to finally meet his birth mother.
Two years later, McDaniels met "Sopranos" casting director Sheila Jaffee, who learned when she was 11 that she also was adopted. The two of them formed the Felix Organization, targeting kids in foster care. The nonprofit - named after an imaginary dog that was adopted by a family of cats - shells out $500 per camper each summer. About 350 children have attended the three-week camp in Westchester County.
The buzz around Felix is growing: Actor Mark Wahlberg donated $100,000 to Felix, and former "Sopranos" star Lorraine Bracco is honorary chairwoman of the group.
Davon Davis, 19, a product of foster homes, is now a counselor at Camp Felix.
"I grew up in foster care," Davis said, adding that he can relate to the kids. "They feel no one cares about them, so they don't care about the world.
"They come here and get love and support. They become good people."

Eminem: "I Don't Know How Much Longer" I'm Going to Rap

Eminem's career has been revitalized thanks to his hit album Recovery, featuring the smash singles "Not Afraid" and "Love the Way You Lie." But Eminem feels that his days as one of rap's most revered MCs may be numbered.
Em tells Vibe magazine, "Honestly, I don't know how much longer I have in this game. I'm always going to love hip-hop, but how much longer am I going to still do it?" He went on to say, "If this album isn't better than my last one, then why am I doing it?," and added, "The day that this is not better than the last will probably be the day I stop." Em also pointed out, "You don't know how long people are going to want you around," but admitted, "Realistically, if I don't rap, what the [bleep] am I going to do? It's too late to be unfamous right now at this point."
Em also says that he's not driven by a desire to be "the best rapper in the world," like other MCs might be. He told Vibe, "I don't believe there's any one rapper that can be the best because that means you have to be the best at everything. There are certain things that I may do better than [Lil] Wayne. There are certain things that Wayne may do better than me. There are certain things that Jay [-Z] may do better than both of us....being the best? There is no such thing."

Sarah Godfrey's music picks for Aug. 23-29

Rodrigo y Gabriela

Guitarists Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintera have played metal in Mexico City clubs and wistful guitar in Irish pubs. They’ve played weddings and house shows, busked in below freezing weather, and performed alongside Beyonce at a White House State Dinner. The duo can play anywhere, and they can play anything, as they show on their most recent 11:11, a stunning work influenced by everyone from Carlos Santana to Jorge Reyes and Pink Floyd.

Tears for Fears

The '80s were, unarguably, the decade that was kindest to Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith of Tears for Fears. But the duo has done a fine job of staying afloat in the last decade, too. They survived opening for Spandau Ballet, being covered by Adam Lambert, and in Smith's case, a possible judging stint on that sinking ship of a talent competition, American Idol. Plus, the English pop band is on tour, getting to see some of the same fans that fell in love with them 30 years ago — and now that they have less hair covering their eyes, they should get a pretty good look.

Yo Gabba Gabba! Live!

Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! is bringing the popular Nick Jr. show to life with the “There’s a Party in My City!” tour, bringing with it not only a whole load of exclamation points, but usual suspects Brobee, Foofa, Plex, and musician-magician DJ Lance Rock. But the most exciting news of all, boys and girls, is that the rapper (and sometime DMV resident) Biz Markie, who appears on the show, will be giving beatboxing demonstrations (and making us wonder why no one convinced him to get into children’s entertainment ages ago).

Anita Baker

The last time Anita Baker released an album (apart from greatest hits packages and a Christmas project) was 2004, with My Everything. Before that, many thought 1994’s Rhythm of Love could be her last LP. Still, Baker’s distinctive, ghostly wail — which sounds like someone singing soul music into a whirring fan — is still the subject of obsession, with artists from Drake to MF Doom drawing inspiration from the Ohio-born songstress. Few care that she’s less than prolific or that she botched the national anthem at the NBA Finals this year — most still seem to be caught up in the rapture.
Nelly
As a rapper, Nelly’s greatest accomplishment is introducing the redundant “r” into song titles (i.e. “Hot in Herre”). As an impresario, his finest triumph to date has been bringing together that lovable band of musicians, the St. Luntatics. As a fashion designer, Nelly will go down in history as the man who introduced the most lasciviously named line of blue jeans in the history of the free world (Apple Bottoms). And as a visual artist, the Missouri native’s crowning achievement was swiping a credit card through the cheeks of a model’s ass in a music video. For all of these reasons, Nelly, we...salute you? Nelly celebrates his 10 years in the game with a performance and party.

Rock the Bells

The Guerrilla Union hip-hop festival continues to stick with its same winning formula: draw folks in with major rap nostalgia and, once everyone has been corralled, use the opportunity to expose them to a few underground and/or up-and-coming acts. This year, the big names include Snoop, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan, and Lauryn Hill (a lineup that has fans of '90s hip-hop foaming at the mouth), as well as Rakim, KRS-One, and Slick Rick (which has '80s rap fans twitching in anticipation). And the undercard of strong, underrated MCs, including Wiz Khalifa and Yelawolf, should elicit some mild convulsing as well.

Ladies of Uke

Don Ho, Tiny Tim...gosh, those stars of ukulele and their sausage parties. Luckily, the Strathmore Music Center recognizes that the mighty uke does not discriminate on the basis of gender and can be enjoyed by all. The Ladies of Uke, the North Bethesda venue’s last free Wednesday night concert of the summer, will feature the Sweater Set, Victoria Vox, the Hula Honeys and others, who will cover every possible strain of uke music. And if you arrive a little early and bring your own uke, you may be invited to strum along.

Lil Wayne sues over missing tour proceeds

Incarcerated rapper Lil Wayne has fired off a lawsuit against his former booking agents, accusing them of holding back $375,000 in tour profits.
The Lollipop hitmaker and his company Young Money Touring Inc. allege the owners of Ujaama Talent Agency Inc., Erskine Isaac and David Nelson, owe him money from two of his America's Most Wanted Music Festivals in 2009.
The complaint claims Isaac and Nelson "elected to divert to Ujaama's own bank account an amount not less than $375,000, the sum that Isaac and Nelson maintain is owed to Ujaama for the tours in question."
Lil Wayne has employed the firm's services since the start of his career and participated in four different tours with Ujaama from 2008 to 2010, according to the suit filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York.
AllHipHop.com reports that the rapper's lawyer asked the pair for the money before filing the suit but they refused to hand it over.
Lil Wayne is currently serving time at New York's Rikers Island jail on weapons possession charges and is due for release later this year.

Artists to Watch in 2010

YelaWolf

Ever since Bubba Sparxxx faded from the scene and abandoned rap's redneck throne, there's been a void that hasn't been filled -- until now. Alabama rapper YelaWolf is next to bring Podunk back, having recently gone viral on the Internet with his gritty mixtape 'Trunk Muzik,' a studio-quality collection of tracks that sees the emcee reflecting on pick-up trucks, shooting shotguns and collaborating with the likes of Bun B and Raekwon. Though he isn't signed to a major, word on the street is that he's fielding a few offers from labels, so prepare your iTunes to tussle with some of this up-and-comer's tunes in 2010.

Kooley High

This North Carolina-based sextet, first introduced by Napoleon Wright II's documentary 'One Day,' consists of three emcees (Charlie Smarts, Tab-One and Rapsody), two producers (Foolery and The Sinopsis) and a DJ (Ill Digitz). But while they roll deeper than a rickety clown car, the group has a cool blue sound that hasn't been this relaxed since the days of Digable Planets. The collective first released their debut EP 'The Summer Sessions' in 2008 and soon followed with solo albums from each emcee (Rapsody, the token female of the gang, is putting hers out this year). 2010 will see the release of their official debut 'The High Life,' but Google their '09 mixtape 'Kooley Is High' to help vibe out until that day comes.

Mickey Factz

As one of the 10 emcees to be featured on XXL Magazine's infamous 2009 "The 10 Freshmen" cover, Mickey Factz didn't pop off in 2009 quite like people expected. But instead of falling back, Factz pushed up his black-rimmed glasses and kicked off 2010 by releasing a brand new project dubbed 'thedarkphoenix #ALPHA,' which hit the Internet on the first day of the year. The project was a hit among those well versed in the art of right-clickage, and while the eight-track offering was satiating, it's only an appetizer for what's to come from Factz in '10.

Waka Flocka Flame

With Mizay Entertainment repping some of the biggest Southern acts like Gucci Mane and Nicki Minaj to blow in '09, it's a safe bet to place your money on Waka Flocka Flame as the Mizay torchbearer for 2010. Straight out of Atlanta, Juaquin Malphurs (that's his real name) kept steady on the mixtape grind last year, releasing street favorites 'Salute Me or Shoot Me Vol. 1' and 'Twin Towers' as well as performing in his group Brick Squad with Gucci, OJ Da Juiceman, Frenchie and Wooh Da Kid. Waka Flocka got off to a rocky start this year, getting shot in the arm in an attempted robbery, but a mere two days later, he was conducting interviews discussing the incident. Look out for his official debut 'Murda Man Flocka' in 2010 and respect this fighter's spirit!

The Kid Daytona

Bronx-based emcee The Kid Daytona sped his way across the blogosphere in 2009 with a string of free releases, paying homage to A Tribe Called Quest on his Cipha Sounds-approved 'A Tribe Called Fresh' and unleashing his Mick Boogie-presented free EP 'The Daytona 500.' But before he made a name for himself as a solo artist, Daytona had a deal with Atlantic Records in a group dubbed The Aces, quickly joining Busta Rhymes' Flipmode Squad after the deal fell through. Now, after releasing his lyrically dense 'Come Fly With Me' in summer '09, Daytona is gearing up to take over 2010, having already taken it to the blogs with a few new tracks released this January.

Travis Porter

This trio's name might give off the impression that it's actually one guy on the mic, but Atlanta emcees Strap, Quez and Ali spent 2009 making sure that the world knew that Travis Porter is a triumvirate of like-minded lyricists. With three mixtapes ('Who is Travis Porter,' 'I'm a Differenter' and 'I'm a Differenter 2') under its belt, the unsigned group is keeping on the independent hustle in 2010, catering to younger fans with their indelible street slang and getting co-sign from adults by collaborating with trap rappers like Waka Flocka Flame. Though there's no word of an official album on the way, the group already seems to have '10 in the pocket.

Bridget Kelly

When 23-year-old Bridget Kelly graced the stage to belt out the chorus on 'Empire State of Mind,' during Jay-Z's 9/11 televised tribute concert at Madison Square Garden last year, the uninformed mistook her for Alicia Keys. Despite not being the piano-playing songstress everyone hoped for, her pristine vocals won over fans. The mystery girl had a name, and shortly after, the masses learned she was a singer signed to the Roc Nation imprint. In 2009, Hov took Bridget on tour with him to promote 'The Blueprint 3.' With the rapper by her side and a debut album in the works, mistaken identity is no longer a problem.

Pill

Atlanta rhyme slinger Pill has just two mixtapes under his wing -- '4180: The Prescription' and '4075: The Refill' -- but that's enough to cure the ailments of this rap game. Though the bottom-of-the-map talent spits lyrics of street life, he's not one to glamorize the struggle. On tracks like the synth-heavy 'Trap Goin' Ham,' Pill puts the masses on to foodie slang while simultaneously shedding light on the nitty-gritty of ATL's Fourth Ward drug movement. But it's his crisp lyrics on 'Hear Somebody Comin'' that prove Pill's got the verbal remedy: "Caped crusader, you won't ever unmask me/ Supreme with the game, call me Pilton & Bradley/ Monopolize the wordplay, a swordsman with the pen tip/ You better call authorities after my third gin sip."

Nicki Minaj

Not many female rappers can get away with Barbie comparisons, yet Nicki Minaj has managed to flip the doll's image to suit her taste, as she's done with every song she's been featured on as of late. Her vivacious delivery and sexually charged lyrics are a hot commodity when it comes to the likes of Mariah Carey ('Up Out My Face' Remix) and Robin Thicke ('Shakin' It For Daddy'). She even outshines the majority of her Young Money affiliates on the team's standout track, 'Bed Rock.' For those still not convinced the Queens-bred emcee is the greatest thing since Lil Kim donned colored wigs, check out the verbal fire she spits on the remix to Keri Hilson's 'Get Your Money Up' featuring Keyshia Cole: "Three girl play so I'm tripling my value/ Keri steal, Keyshia pass, Nicki with the alley-oop."

Krys Ivory

It's no secret that Ryan Leslie is a musical force to be reckoned with. As a result, his co-signs prove to be well-worth the listen. Such is the case with Krys Ivory. In 2007, the producer signed the West Coast singer to his Next Selection imprint, crafted her piano-laden track, 'Be Next 2 Ya,' and launched her singing career straight towards the blogosphere and social networking sites like MySpace. After enduring a year-long battle with cancer and emerging victorious, the steadfast songstress has no restraints holding her back. Eager listeners can hear both new and old tunes on Krys' mixtape, 'Reflections,' presented by NextSelection and Stupid Dope Moves, a joint effort between DJ Frosty and Charlamagne Tha God.