Day in Pop Report for 05/02/2011
(Billboard) Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon celebrated their fourth anniversary with another milestone -- becoming parents to a baby girl and boy. She gave birth Saturday (Apr. 30) at 12:07 p.m. EDT at an undisclosed hospital in Los Angeles. more (Billboard) Actress Abigail Breslin, best known for her role in "Little Miss Sunshine," has made her singing debut with "Fight For Me" a song that will appear on the soundtrack to her upcoming film, "Janie Jones." Listen here. (AP) In an eleventh-hour move, defense attorneys for Michael Jackson's doctor asked a judge Friday to delay his trial so they can prepare for newly disclosed prosecution witnesses. more (Billboard) Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will produce and star in a biopic of black country music star Charley Pride. more (Billboard) Casey Abrams was asked the following after he was voted off American Idol last week: When you gave a shout-out to Haley at the end of the performance, were you saying goodbye to more than just a song partner? and he responded, "No no, I was saying goodbye to my very special musical friend. That's all it was� We are not [dating]." more (ASB) Katy Perry has flown to Down Under to continue her California Dreams world tour. During one of her stops in the country, the "I Kissed a Girl" hitmaker surprised her devotees by singing an acoustic version of Rebecca Black's viral hit "Friday". more (Billboard) Wyclef Jean, Cyndi Lauper, John Mellencamp, Lauryn Hill and Fantasia will make first-time appearances at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival more (Hollywood Reporter) Bryan Cranston is the latest addition to the cast of the rock musical "Rock of Ages." more
Lorre took a not-so-veiled shot at Sheen on his vanity card at the end of "The Big Bang Theory" earlier this week. Lorre made reference to a monkey on the show behaving "increasingly erratic" and being "a heroin addict" -- but we all know who he was really referring to. But Sheen tells TMZ point blank, "I have never done or tried heroin in my life." And there you have it, straight from the monkey's mouth. more on this story
"A lot of people lost a great deal in this disaster and it's particularly close to us because we both consider Oklahoma home," McEntire said. "We wanted to do something and let the people in Oklahoma know that we love them and we're praying for them during this difficult tragedy." McEntire was born just outside of Kiowa, which is approximately 30 miles away from the greatest devastation. Shelton was born in Ada and currently resides in Tishomingo, less than 50 miles from the Atoka County border. more on this story
We're told Lindsay is committed to what she told Jay Leno this week -- that she wants to accept responsibility and move on with her life. So Lindsay and her lawyer, Shawn Holley, will go back to Judge Stephanie Sautner as early as next week to enter the plea. Lindsay has already been sentenced to 120 days in jail for the probation violation, along with 480 hours of community service. Sources tell us Lindsay and her lawyer are banking on Judge Sautner not adding additional time on the theft charge. In other words, when Lindsay serves her 120-day sentence, that would be the end of it. And sources familiar with the case say that would be a routine disposition. more on this story
The tour kicks off in West Valley City, UT at the Maverik Center on Wednesday July 6th and wraps up Saturday September 10th in Rochester, NY at the Blue Cross Arena. The top 11 comprising the tour are Casey Abrams, Haley Reinhart, Jacob Lusk, James Durbin, Lauren Alaina, Naima Adedapo, Paul McDonald, Pia Toscano, Scotty McCreery, Stefano Langone, and Thia Megia. more on this story
This latest news brings Britney's U.S. albums certifications to the 32 million sales mark.
The dates begin October 14th at Dallas' McFarlan Auditorium and then continue through late December. "We can't wait to get back out on the road and visit our fans all across the country," said original group member Randy Stine. "The foundation of Straight No Chaser is our live performance. We pride ourselves on a show that anyone of any age or background can enjoy. This time around we will be performing new songs on a new stage - it's the biggest production we've ever put together and we are so excited to share it with our fans, since they are the ones who got us here. Overall, fans can expect the same ten fun-loving and self-deprecating Straight No Chasers singing songs they know and love." more on this story
Sources close to Jung tell TMZ ... producers from the National Geographic Channel show "Locked Up Abroad" have reached out to the infamous coke kingpin in the hopes of featuring him on a documentary-style special on his "experiences surrounding [Jung's] imprisonment and release." We're told Jung -- who's still serving time in LaTuna Prison in Texas for drug smuggling -- was initially turned off by the idea ... but now, we're told, he's had a change of heart and wants to do it. more on this story
When thinking about what tracks to include in my new album "Naked '80's" (featuring remakes of my favorite songs of the '80's and a couple of originals about the '80's that we wrote), I will admit I at first shied away from Don Henley's monster hit "Boys of Summer". I recall arguing that it was just so recognizable worldwide, it was a Grammy winning song (for Best male Rock Vocal Performance), and it had been on the Charts with both Don Henley's version and The Ataris remake! Not to mention that it was such a cool song - how could I possibly remake that with any air of originality?? Well Peter Asher (my amazing Producer) insisted we sing through it a couple of times until we got it sitting nicely in my voice. So the door wasn't closed on the song - but it wasn't wide open either. Then, over a glass of wine it dawned on me that nothing feels more like summer than the music of the Gipsy Kings! I grew up listening to their music while Barbecues were sizzling, beer was being opened and a friendly game of Summer Cricket was being organized in our garden. So what better fit for "Boys of Summer" than a Gipsy feel, with a wall of acoustic guitars, a lyrical guitar solo and lots'n'lots of Palmas! Adding the operatic vocal was, admittedly, a more difficult sell. I think Peter was just humoring me when he let me sing along to the track "just to see what happens"... But luckily we all agreed the combo worked, and it gave the track the truly original feel we were searching for! I have no idea what Don Henley thinks of it, but I hope he likes it - I had such a crush on him as a kid I'd be heartbroken if he didn't! Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself right here!
Sources connected to the deal tell us ... Pia has agreed to perform at a private birthday party on May 8th ... which happens to be Mother's Day. We're told the deal will only require Pia to perform a small handful of songs. According to sources, Pia was initially offered $50,000 for the gig and she TURNED IT DOWN ... but the people throwing the party wanted Pia so badly, they immediately doubled their offer ... and Pia signed without batting an eye. more on this story
Grammer, who was named a 2011 "Artist to Watch" by both Billboard and the NY Post, just released a self-titled EP, which includes the incredibly catchy single "Keep Your Head Up." The track has already raced up the Hot A/C chart into the Top 15 and has made the rounds online thanks to a technologically groundbreaking video that's been described as "genius" (Mashable), "engaging as hell" (TechCrunch) and "brilliant" (WSJ). Earlier this week, it won the MTV O award for Most Innovative Video. more on this story
The Prince tells TMZ his cousin, Carl Alexander von Hohenzollern, is heading to the Las Vegas this week where he'll marry a bona fide U.S. citizen. Sounds like true love ... Once Cousin Carl gets hitched, he and his new wife will move in with the Prince and Zsa Zsa Gabor where they will have their own floor in Zsa Zsa's mansion. The Prince tells us he hopes to pitch a reality show about the zany new living arrangement. But there is a catch
TMZ obtained Jaden's "KK" contract from June 2009 -- back when he was only 10 -- and according to the docs, his up-front fee was split into two installments ... one for $900,000 and one for $100,000. But Jaden's back end deal was even more lucrative -- since the film topped $150 million in the domestic box office, the young actor locked down another $2 million bonus. more on this story
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