This Week's Top Pop Stories

Here are the top stories from this week's Day in Pop and the top Day in Pop digest stories

Michael Jackson Murder Trial- Justin Bieber Returning To CSI- Timbaland N Demi Lovato- Jewel Pregnant- New James Bond Film- David Nelson RIP- Britney Spears- more

(Billboard) The coroner who performed the autopsy on Michael Jackson testified Tuesday that the pop star's death would have been classified a homicide even if the singer gave himself the final dose of the anesthetic propofol. more

(FMQB) With yesterday's debut of Britney Spears' new single "Hold It Against Me," the song is already setting new records at radio. Jive Records reports that the track "shatters all previous records for the most number of spins for a first or one-day at both Mediabase and BDS." more

(Billboard) CBS says Justin Bieber is returning as a guest star to "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," where he made his acting debut last fall. more

(Billboard) Timbaland posted a video on Sunday (Jan. 9) offering a preview of a song he wrote specifically for Demi Lovato, while a new clip released today finds the producer singing the praises of Joe Jonas. more

Check out the video for Cosmo Jarvis's single "Gay Pirates" here

(Jam) Jewel has been trying for a baby with her husband, rodeo star Ty Murray, since 2009 and they've announced they are expecting their first child later this year. more

(BBC) A new James Bond film, which will star Daniel Craig as 007 for the third time, has been given the go-ahead and is due to be released in November 2012. more

(Yahoo) Nicole Polizzi of "Jersey Shore" is a little over herself. Well, not herself but her nickname "Snooki." more

(Yahoo) David Nelson, who starred on his parents' popular television show "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," has died, a family spokesman said. He was 74. more -

Taylor Swift Named The Top Artist of 2010

This is the second time in three years that she has earned that distinction as Taylor was also SoundScan's top-selling artist in 2008, and her Fearless album was 2009's biggest-selling CD.

For the second consecutive year, Taylor is Billboard's most-played artist, topping their annual all-genre Artist Airplay chart with more than 1.128 million airplay detections in 2010. - more on this story

Michael Jackson Demanded Deadly Drug- Lady Gaga Glee- Hear New Kanye West & Jay-Z- Janet Jackson Tour- Hold Britney- Soulja Pulls A Kanye- Will Smith Idol?- more

(FMQB) Even though Lady Gaga's new single, "Born This Way," won't debut for a few more weeks, it has already been confirmed to appear in a future episode of Glee. more

The first single has dropped from Kanye West & Jay-Z's forthcoming collaborative album Watch The Throne. Listen to H.A.M. right here

(Yahoo) Janet Jackson is bringing her Number Ones, Up Close and Personal tour to the U.S. and Canada this spring, the star announced Monday. more

(Yahoo) Britney Spears' 'Hold It Against Me' was set to officially premiere on January 11, but the single is now available a day early for fans' listening pleasure, courtesy of Ryan Seacrest. more

(Jam) Lily Allen has fuelled speculation she's set to wed boyfriend Sam Cooper after showing fans a picture of herself wearing a diamond on her ring finger. more

(Yahoo) Soulja Boy is pulling a Kanye about Kanye West. He says he deserved Kanye's 2008 Grammy. "Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)" was up for the best rap song Grammy in 2008, but lost to West's party anthem, the T-Pain-assisted "Good Life." more

(FMQB) From the rumor mill: Will Smith will reportedly be a judge on Simon Cowell's X-Factor talent show, when it debuts in the U.S. later this year. more

(Billboard) According to George Condo, the artist behind Kanye West's proposed "Fantasy" cover that sparked controversy, West had come to the artist and requested an image "that will be banned" for the album artwork. more

(Jam) Pop superstar Shakira and her longtime boyfriend have announced their split. more

(BBC) Michael Douglas, who was diagnosed with throat cancer last year, says his tumour is gone and he is beating the disease. more -

T-Model Ford Releases New Album

Recorded during a 14 show US tour this year, the groove on this new studio album is pure T-Model Ford. Backed by his regular touring band GravelRoad, and with stellar guest appearances by Brian Olive and Matthew Smith, Taledragger is a perfect party album with the feel and honesty of a night at the juke joint.

Despite a mild stroke in April 2010, T-Model still plays with an intensity and consistency that belies his age. Now 90-years old, the self proclaimed "Boss of the Blues" continues to show his strengths. Playing the blues is his life, he knows no other way. The well-documented Bad Man can be noted to, at times, simply have it bad, man. -

Egypt Central Going Soph

White Rabbit was produced by Skidd Mills (Saving Abel, 12 Stones, etc.) in early October 2010 and features twelve songs of heavy riffs, lyrics from the soul and strong melodic hooks. Threaded throughout this collection of songs is a story of consequences that occur when one accepts or declines the invitation from the White Rabbit.

"We knew we had solid songs, but when the opportunity came to work with Skidd, we found the person that could not only make a great sounding record, but also bring the best out of us." states lead singer John Falls. "We had a lot of growing to do as men and the time was right to give our fans what they deserved and what we knew we were capable of�Kick Ass Rock!" "Collectively this is the best group of songs we have ever written" adds bassist Joey Chicago. - more on this story

Kylie Minogue North American Tour

The North American tour kicks off on April 28th in Montreal and will run through May 22nd where Kylie will close the tour at the legendary Colosseum at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, NV.

The world tour starts February 19th in Denmark and will play in arenas throughout Europe & Japan before hitting Canada, U.S. and Mexico. - more on this story

Saigon's Greatest Story Never Told Coming in Feb

Saigon wisely selected producers Just Blaze, Kanye West, Buck Wild and Red Spyda to culminate his debut masterpiece. The album features guest appearances from Jay-Z, Bun B, Q-Tip, Swizz Beats, Faith Evans, Black Thought, Raheem DeVaughn, Marsha Ambrosius, Fat Man Scoop, Devin The Dude and Layzie Bone.

Just Blaze also serves as the project's Executive Producer in addition to Rich Nice (Ludacris, NAS,) and radio and television personality Sway Calloway (The Wake Up Show, MTV). - more on this story

All Things Amos Lee

Mission Bell streets on January 25th. Lee will also appear on NBC's The Tonight Show With Jay Leno on January 26th, CBS's The Early Show on February 18th, and on PBS's Tavis Smiley (airdate TBA).

Mission Bell will premiere on MSN's music site (www.music.msn.com) on January 18th. Visitors will be able to stream the album in its entirety for the week leading up to its January 25th release. - more on this story

Shirock Announce Deluxe Release

The 3-track New Solution single will include the single version, LP version and a dance remix produced by KCORIHS and will be available on all digital outlets on January 25.

Produced by Jay Ruston, who has worked with The Donnas, Everclear, Matisyahu, and Cold War Kids, Everything Burns (Deluxe) may sound grand and expansive, but underneath the soaring arrangements is a singer/songwriter album at heart, creating an interesting tension that allows the songs to feel both personal and universal. - more on this story

Jolly Boys Announce First Album in 20 Years

Relish Plan June Release

Initial plans call for release in the UK, Ireland and the U.S., with the first single, "Something To Believe In," scheduled for digital release on March 11, 2011.

Says Rock Ridge Music CEO Tom Derr of the signing: "Relish encompasses exactly what this business is about to Rock Ridge Music - great songs and great people." - more on this story

Ambrose Akinmusire Sets Album Release

Co-produced by Akinmusire and his label mate and mentor Jason Moran, the 12 song set (10 of which were composed by Akinmusire) features his quintet�tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III, pianist Gerald Clayton, bassist Harish Raghavan, and drummer Justin Brown�a close-knit group of longtime friends and frequent collaborators that breathes a remarkable collective identity.

The New York Times wrote that the quintet "seems destined for much wider recognition," and described their unique sound as "limber, straight-ahead jazz with mystery and pop instincts that gets around most of the old, pervasive mainstream influences, both of trumpet playing and bandleading." - more on this story

2010's Top 10 Country Dance Club Songs

Each year in December, Club Connection surveys a panel of more than 240 club owners, DJs and dance instructors from across the country to compile its Top Ten rankings.

"As Country music continues to incorporate more and more of a Pop element, the dance clubs can be a very important tool in breaking an artist," says Club Connection Venue Marketing Specialist Bobbe Morhiser. "Look no further than Laura Bell Bundy for proof of that. 'Giddy On Up' was huge in the dance clubs, and for a brand new artist to place in Club Connection's top five at the end of the year is very impressive." - more on this story

Christina Perri Added To MTV As She Begins New Album

Christina has officially entered the studio to start recording her debut album with producer Joe Chicarellia (White Stripes, Tori Amos, The Shins, My Morning Jacket, Counting Crows).

The album, which is set for an early April release on Atlantic Records, will be mixed by Michael Brauer (Coldplay, Regina Spektor). - more on this story

Roger Daltrey Hootenanny

The BBC2 special had just over 3 million viewers tuning in to see such acts as Vampire Weekend, Kylie Minogue, Alison Moyet and others.

Daltrey sat in with Jools & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra to play the Muddy Waters' classic, "Mannish Boy." - Check it out here

Escape The Fate Release Remix EP and are Hitting The Road

The band launches "The Dead Masquerade" North American headlining tour January 20th in support of Escape The Fate. - more on this story

Beyonce Scores Biggest DVD of 2010

Filmed during her international concert tour, the deluxe DVD/Soundtrack edition---including the concert DVD, a live soundtrack, an exclusive, intimate documentary and explosive travelogue, and a 40-page collection of never-seen photos---was released on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 and still holds the #1 position on Nielsen SoundScan Music DVD chart. A Blu-ray version of Beyonce's I AM...WORLD TOUR is also available.

In Brazil, where Beyonce played to massive audiences, including 60,000 in Sao Paulo, last winter, the DVD has been certified platinum. It is also certified Platinum in the UK and is certified gold in six countries including France, Australia and Canada. - more on this story

Quentin Tarantino To Be Honored at Critics' Choice Movie Awards

The all new Critics' Choice Music+Film Award was created to honor a single filmmaker who has not only inspired moviegoers with his cinematic storytelling, but has heightened the impact of film through the brilliant use of source and soundtrack music. Maroon 5 will perform a special musical tribute from one of Tarantino's most memorable movie scenes. The ceremony will air live on VH1 on Friday, January 14 at 9:00 PM ET/PT from the Hollywood Palladium.

The inaugural Critics' Choice Music+Film Award will honor director Quentin Tarantino who, throughout his career, has truly harnessed the power of a single song and created unforgettable, heart-breaking, exhilarating, and always dynamic moments that remain in the minds of his audience. His mastery of the artful integration of music and film can be seen in such classic movies as "Pulp Fiction," "Reservoir Dogs," "Kill Bill: Vol 1 & 2," and most recently, "Inglourious Basterds." - more on this story

Lady Antebellum To Play CTIA Unplugged Event

International Ctia Wireless will take place March 22-24, 2011 at the Orange County Convention Center. Partner events begin on March 21.

With more than 3.5M copies of their latest album, "Need you Now," sold, and more than two million ringtones and ringbacks to their credit, Lady Antebellum will entertain attendees at the CTIA networking reception, back for its second year. - more on this story

James Blunt To Get in Some Kind Of Trouble at Free Terminal 5 Gig

The Live from T5 concert will celebrate the release of five-time Grammy nominated, British singer/songwriter Blunt's new album "Some Kind Of Trouble," which lands at U.S. stores and online retailers that same day.

"JetBlue is constantly seeking ways to provide fun, unique experiences for our customers, both on the ground and in the air, and we are happy to give travelers the opportunity to be center stage with Live from T5's private performances," said Lisa Borromeo, manager of brand and partnerships at JetBlue. "Aligning with his upbeat, newfound sense of spontaneity on the new album, we are thrilled to add five-time Grammy-nominated artist James Blunt to the series line-up." - more on this story

Garth Brooks Extends Vegas Run

Garth Brooks has performed to sold-out crowds and rave reviews at the intimate Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas since December 2009.

Tickets for the next series of highly anticipated concerts will go on sale on Saturday, January 15 at 10 a.m. PT. - more on this story

Frank Sinatra: Best of Vegas, Set For Release

The 14-song set, under license from Frank Sinatra Enterprises (FSE), captures Sinatra in concert at the Sands, Caesars Palace and the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas between 1961 and 1987.

The collection is a distillation of highlights from Sinatra: Vegas, the five-disc boxed set (4 CD/1 DVD) of live recordings released by Reprise Records in 2006. - more on this story

Before There Was Rosalyn Lineup Change

Vocalist Carlos Salazar says, "As a band, I don't think we have ever been as excited as we are about the new music we are writing. Having the new faces (though old friends) become a part of the Rosalyn family has seen the band transform into a more unified and efficient incarnation.

"In short, we have never seen more eye to eye on what we want to accomplish and the kind of band we want to be. We are very excited to get back out on the road and introduce the new members, as well as the new musical direction of the band." - more on this story

Kimberly Caldwell Sets Album Release

Produced by Marshall Altman, Tommy Henriksen, John Mark & MachoPsycho, Without Regret features the single "Desperate Girls & Stupid Boys."

The single is currently available at all major digital retail outlets and the accompanying video, directed by Lex Halaby (Hoobastank, Juanes) will premiere on Vevo on Tuesday, January 18th. - more on this story

Big Time Rush DVD

Your favorite four best friends from Minnesota are hitting it big with their first DVD, Big Time Rush: Season One, Volume One. Kendall, James, Carlos and Logan trade in their hockey sticks and parkas for a chance at music superstardom in Los Angeles, but the road to success isn't easy! Can they handle being thrown into the glamorous Hollywood scene and are they dedicated enough to make their dream a reality?

This brand-new two-disc set includes the first eleven episodes of the series plus a bonus episode with special features and guest appearances by Nicole Scherzinger, Chris Masters, Erik Estrada and Lorenzo Lamas. Watch Nickelodeon's latest hit series from the very beginning - more on this story

New Britney Plus Kanye West and Jay-Z' Tomorrow- Justin Collaborations?- Rihanna Makes History- Amy Winehouse Returns- Beckhams Expecting- Ghostbusters 3- more

(FMQB) Tuesday will also bring the first song from Kanye West & Jay-Z's new record, Watch The Throne. more

Drake, Rascal Flatts and Chris Brown are just some of the people that Justin Bieber wants to collaborate with. Plus Kanye West is reportedly interested in producing tracks for Bieber. more

(Yahoo) Prosecutors are poised to focus on the science of what killed Michael Jackson as the second week begins in the preliminary hearing for the doctor charged in the King of Pop's death. more

(Jam!) Rihanna showered her estranged dad with presents at Christmas in a bid to smooth out their strained relationship. She fell out with her father Ronald Fenty in 2009 after he spoke to the media on her behalf in the wake of her infamous fight with her then-boyfriend Chris Brown. more

(NME) Rihanna equals Elvis Presley's chart record with fifth UK Number One Singer dominates Top 10 singles and also stays at albums chart summit more

(BBC) Rihanna becomes the first female solo artist in UK chart history to achieve number one singles in five consecutive years. more

(Jam!) Madonna has been embroiled in a police investigation after a suspected thief plunged 100 feet from an apartment block and landed by the back door of the star's London home on Friday afternoon. more

(Yahoo) Ivan Reitman, who directed and produced the first two "Ghostbusters" movies, says "a very good script" for the third installment in the comic ghost-hunting tale has been sent to star Bill Murray. more

(The1stFive) DJ JMFC has just released their first, long awaited (apparently?) Matt And Kim and Jay-Z mashup album. The album is available for free download more

(FMQB) CNN reports that the death of Notorious B.I.G. (aka Christopher Wallace) is being investigated once again. According to CNN, "a task force made up of local and federal law enforcement agencies is actively pursuing leads" more

(Billboard) David Beckham announced Sunday on his Facebook account that he and wife Victoria Beckham will welcome their fourth child this summer. more

(NME) Amy Winehouse makes live comeback in Brazil Singer kicks off five-date tour of South American country in Florianopolis more

(BBC) Western remake True Grit has shot to the top of the North American box office, taking $15m in its third weekend, studio estimates show. more

(BBC) The Social Network moves a step closer to Oscar success after bagging four awards from the National Society of Film Critics in the US. more

Survivor winner Richard Hatch is returning to federal court in Providence, R.I., to face allegations that he violated terms of his probation. more - more on this story

Johnny Cash Bootleg Details

The musical treasures left behind by Johnny Cash at the House Of Cash estate in Hendersonville, Tennessee, continue to provide insight into his character as an American music icon � perhaps the American music icon. The rich backwoods archive first bore fruit on Columbia/Legacy nearly five years ago, with the release of Personal File aka Bootleg Vol. 1, a fascinating double-CD collection of 49 privately recorded, intimate solo performances dating from 1973 to 1982.

FROM MEMPHIS TO HOLLYWOOD: BOOTLEG VOL. 2 continues the series, as compilation producer Gregg Geller focuses on the dawning of Johnny Cash's recording career at Sun Records in Memphis from late 1954 to late '57 (on CD One), into his first decade at Columbia Records in Nashville, from 1958 to 1969 (on CD Two). BOOTLEG VOL. 2 will be available at all physical and digital retail outlets starting February 22, 2011, through Columbia/Legacy - more on this story

Aretha Franklin Says Health Problems Have Been Resolved

"I am not going to even deal with that," she told the magazine. "I don't have to talk about my health with anybody other than my doctors." Franklin went on to say she's "feeling great and coming along," and added that she has a special message for her many well-wishers.

"I want to thank my fans and friends and supporters who have prayed for me and sent me beautiful cards and flowers," she said. "Please continue to respect my privacy as I continue to recover." -

Tay Dizm Leaks Smoke With T-Pain

The track, "Smoke" features T-Pain and well be part of the "Thank You For Being A Friend" mixtape.

"Smoke" was produced by Mr. Beatz (Young Money/Cash Money Producer). - Check it out here

Richard X Heyman Double Release

Richard X. Heyman's ambitious new release, Tiers/And Other Stories, affirms what his longtime admirers have known for years: the veteran singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and DIY recording pioneer is a world-class artist whose effortless mastery of popular music idioms is matched by his uncanny knack for infusing classic styles with timeless emotional truths.

Those abilities have won Heyman a fiercely loyal grass-roots fan base and reams of critical acclaim over the past two and a half decades. All Music Guide called him "perhaps America's greatest unsung hero of power pop, a songwriter of uncommon talent and intelligence and a one-man rock band without peer," while the Hartford Courant proclaimed him to be "a true heir to [Brian] Wilson's mantle, amid an ocean of pretenders." RollingStone.com praised Heyman's "hooks galore and ebullient melodies, and lyrics revealing the emotional power that pop can pack into its brevity," while the Chicago Tribune observed, "Heyman creates something fresh from his influences rather than parroting them." - more on this story

Keegan DeWitt Releases Free Remix EP

The EP is now available as a free download here and features remixes of "Two Hearts" by Tallest Trees and Myrryrs, as well a remix of "Reluctance" (featuring Isaaca Byrd of The Bridges) by Wild Cub (the moniker under which DeWitt DJs and regularly releases a free mixtape).

The Tallest Trees remix can be downloaded directly here. The Two Hearts/Reluctance 7-inch was released December 14, 2010 via Theory 8 Records. - more on this story