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Day in Pop Report for 08/23/2012


LL Cool J Takes Down Burglar
(TMZ) LL Cool J came face-to-face with a burglar in his home, and took the guy down with his own hands early Wednesday morning ... TMZ has learned.

According to law enforcement sources ... the suspect entered LL's Los Angeles home around 2AM, but unfortunately for him the actor/rapper/badass was home.

We're told LL heard some commotion downstairs, went to check it out ... and found the intruder. Sources say the "NCIS Los Angeles" star went hand-to-hand combat on the dude ... and managed to detain the suspect until LAPD officers arrived a few minutes later, and arrested him.

We're told LL is okay, but the suspect -- who will be booked for burglary -- suffered a few bruises.

Mama said knock you out. more on this story

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Justin Bieber Set To Appear On The Simpsons
(popmusiclife) This week, Justin Bieber recorded his voice work for an upcoming episode of The Simpsons.

"Just did a voice over for 'The Simpsons,' #swaggy," tweeted Justin, a note that has since been deleted from his feed.

Simpsons executive producer Al Jean also confirmed the news. "He tries to get into a talent show that Bart is playing piano in and they won't admit him. Draw your own conclusions," Jean told EW."It's a cameo, but all of his fans should watch every minute of the show, before and after he's on." more on this story

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More Unreleased Lana Del Rey Songs Go Online
(popmusiclife) Unreleased songs by Lana Del Rey continue to surface online. This week, two more tracks appeared: "Delicious" and "Big Bad Wolf."

There's no word on whether these are demos, outtakes, or if they may be included in the upcoming "Paradise Edition" of her "Born To Die" album.

Due his November, the reissue will feature seven bonus tracks. Earlier this month, four tracks from "Paradise" were leaked. more on this story

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Rehab with Dr. Drew Returns Next Month
VH1 will premiere the sixth season of "Rehab with Dr. Drew," on Sunday, September 16 at 8 PM. The network sent out these details:

Dr. Drew faces eight of his most challenging patients to date all with hardcore addictions ranging from heroin to prescription pills to alcohol.

In the sixth installment of the 'Rehab' franchise Dr. Drew once again takes viewers behind the closed doors of the rehabilitation process. From heartbreak to hope, we follow Dr. Drew and his patients on their difficult and deeply emotional journey to sobriety. A raw and unflinching look at the many faces of addiction, Dr. Drew shows us that rehab is not a glamorous spa vacation as often portrayed in the media, but a profound life changing process that offers hope for a better life. more on this story

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Angie Stone Releasing New Album Next Month
(Webster) Angie Stone has set a September 25th release date for her new album, Rich Girl.

The album features the hit single "Do What U Gotta Do" which is already at #17 on the Urban AC charts and rising.

"I wrote this album from a real place," says Stone. "It's not about money, it's about being rich in everything you do, in your spirit, your purpose and your giving to others. And because I was able to really write for, and in, my own voice this time, I could really sing these new songs with authenticity, something I haven't been able to do in a long time." more on this story

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Andrew Bird Releasing Hands of Glory This Fall
Mom + Pop Music have set an October 30th release date for Hands of Glory, a companion piece to Andrew Bird's full-length record Break It Yourself.

The new record is the product of a pair of recording sessions prompted by the overwhelming response to Bird's "old-time" sets on recent tours. Reinterpreting songs from Break It Yourself and featuring covers of classic country tunes, these "old-time" performances find Bird and his full band playing to a single microphone with an entirely acoustic setup. Drawing inspiration from these sets, Hands of Glory features a brand new original track, new interpretations of songs from Break It Yourself and covers of the Carter Family, the Handsome Family, Alpha Consumer and others.

Bird is set to continue his North American tour dates, highlighted by a performance at Austin City Limits, throughout the fall. more on this story

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3OH!3 North American Tour Details
3OH!3 will be hitting the road next month for a North American headline tour that will feature support from Sammy Adams, Outasight, and Silas.

The trek kicks off on Wednesday, September 26th at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina and then continue through late October.

3OH!3 will be touring ahead of the December 4th release of their new album, "Omens." more on this story

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Keith Harkin Releasing Solo Album
Verve have set a September 18th, 2012 release date for self-titled solo debut album from Celtic Thunder's Keith Harkin.

Jochem van der Saag�who has worked with such artists as Josh Groban, Michael Bubl� and Seal, produced the CD.

Keith Harkin is a twelve-track collection split between classic covers and original compositions. The album's first single is the bittersweet traveler's plea, "Don't Forget About Me," which will be accompanied by a video. more on this story

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Meiko Releases New Animated Music Video
Meiko has released a new animated music video of her single "Leave The Lights On."

The video, produced by Stephen Tolfrey, shows a timid girl facing off against her fears with the help of her alter ego (Meiko) in a whimsical, animated dreamscape which delves into the introspective longings of the song.

"Leave The Lights On" is the latest single from Meiko's sophomore album The Bright Side. Watch the video here.

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Blondfire Release Where the Kids Are Video
Blondfire has signed with Warner Bros Records and have released a video for their first single.

Blondfire, Brazilian-American siblings Bruce and Erica Driscoll, have been writing, producing, playing and performing together since they were kids.

The group is currently in the studio working on their debut Warner Bros full-length Young Heart, set for release early 2013. The video for their first single "Where the Kids Are" can be seen here.

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A Charlie Brown Christmas Remastered and Expanded
Vince Guaraldi Trio's A Charlie Brown Christmas [2012 Remastered & Expanded Edition] will be released on October 9th, 2012. Conqueroo sent over these details:

One of the most popular and beloved holiday albums of all time, the multi-platinum-selling original soundtrack recording was a Library of Congress National Recording Registry inductee on May 23, 2012 and a Grammy Hall of Fame inductee in 2007.

The 2012 Remastered & Expanded Edition CD will feature the original 1965 recording newly remastered with 24-bit technology from the original analog stereo master tapes. It also contains three holiday bonus tracks that did not appear on the original LP: "Greensleeves," "Thanksgiving Theme," and "Great Pumpkin Waltz." The digi package includes a 20-page booklet featuring memorable Peanuts character images from the beloved A Charlie Brown Christmas television special and engaging new liner notes by Peanuts and Vince Guaraldi historian Derrick Bang, author of Vince Guaraldi at the Piano (McFarland Press). Concurrently, Fantasy will issue a 2012 LP pressing of the classic album on green vinyl. more on this story

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Nils Frahm Plans 9fingers Tour
Pianist Nils Frahm will be hitting the road next month for his 9fingers Tour of North America.

The trek was named after his recent thumb injury. Despite his fears, Frahm decided to embrace his demons and record a 'Song for 9 fingers', which you can stream/embed for your readers here, as personal motivation and a message of optimism to his American fans:

'This is my new Django Reinhardt way of doing it. Or, in case you break your left thumb, you can still perform this.' more on this story

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Silence May End Up Costing Martin Scorsese Several Million
(TMZ) Legendary director Martin Scorsese has been blowing off a movie he agreed to make 22-years ago, according to a new lawsuit -- and now it could end up costing him several million dollars.

The lawsuit was filed by Cecchi Gori Pictures -- big time producers of movies like "Seven" and "A Bronx Tale" -- and claims Scorsese entered into an agreement to direct a film called "Silence" ... way back in 1990.

However, Cecchi Gori claims the project was eventually put on the back burner so Martin could direct 3 other little films -- "The Departed" ... "Shutter Island" ... and "Hugo" -- but only for a price.

According to the suit, Scorsese paid for the right to do each of those films before "Silence" -- but never forked over the hefty fee for "Hugo."

The suit alleges Scorsese owes Cecchi a flat fee of $1.5 million, plus the value of his producer title on "Hugo" ... PLUS 20% of his back-end on "Hugo" -- which you gotta figure is considerable since it was nominated for 11 Oscars and won 5.

According to the docs, Scorsese previously reached an agreement in 2004 to make "Silence" his next movie. Obviously, that hasn't happened ... and now -- adding insult to injury -- Cecchi Gori says Martin is pushing off their movie again to make "Wolf of Wall Street."

Cecchi Gori is suing for the unpaid fees on "Hugo" and any other movie Scorsese ends up making before "Silence" -- so, basically ... a truck-load of cash. more on this story

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Kobe Bryant Spotted Breaking The Law In His Ferrari?
(TMZ) Kobe Bryant can afford a $300k Ferrari ... but for some reason, the NBA star hasn't sprung for a hands-free device for his cell phone.

Bryant was cruising down the 405 Freeway Tuesday ... steering through traffic while yakking away on his hand-held cell phone ... a major no-no in the state of California.

In fact, Kobe's lucky he wasn't spotted by the CHP -- 'cause a talking-while-driving ticket usually runs around $159 for the first offense ... and $279 for subsequent violations.

We're sure he can afford the ticket ... but you can't put a price on safety. See the photo here.

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John Tesh Roundball Rocks On The Street
(TMZ) John Tesh is a badass ... not just 'cause he WROTE that insanely catchy/iconic/awesome NBA theme song "Roundball Rock" ... but 'cause he performed it in the middle of the street for us on Tuesday.

Tesh was out in Beverly Hills when we struck up a conversation about the greatest TV theme songs of all time ... which don't contain lyrics. Naturally, "RR" is on the list ... along with a classic from the '60s ... and Tesh gives us a musical sample of that one, too.

Bonus: In case you haven't seen the clip of Tesh explaining how he came up with the music for "Roundball Rock" ... check out the clip here.

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Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's Bizzy Bone Cut The Fat
(TMZ) Rapper Bizzy Bone from Bone Thugs-n-Harmony tells TMZ he lost 30 POUNDS over the past 4 months.

So why the dramatic weight loss? The rapper tells us he was determined to reinvent himself following a 4-year stint on probation -- stemming from unpaid child support -- and part of that process started with cutting the fat.

BB says the diet was simple -- he stopped eating junk food and cut down on the boozing. The result ... bye bye beer gut. In the end, Bizzy went from 194 lbs to 165 ... and hopes to keep the weight off for good. more on this story

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Tony Scott Had Prior Photo Shoot Near Suicide Bridge
(TMZ) Tony Scott was no stranger to the area where he committed suicide ... in fact, the "Top Gun" director conducted a photo shoot near the Vincent Thomas Bridge exactly TWO YEARS before his death.

TMZ obtained a photo of Tony -- along with four other men -- checking out some railroad tracks in San Pedro, CA on August 19, 2010 ... with the Vincent Thomas Bridge in the background.

During the shoot, Tony was sporting the same pair of red shorts he was wearing when authorities discovered his body on August 19, 2012.

Sources tell TMZ ... Tony and his crew were conducting a post-production photo shoot for Tony's movie "Unstoppable" ... which starred Denzel Washington.

The photos were taken by Scott Trimble ... who, according to IMDB, worked as an assistant production supervisor on "Unstoppable."

Trimble has since tweeted about the tragedy ... saying, "Tony Scott was a good man who will be missed." more on this story

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Snooki and Jwoww Giving Reality Show Neighbors Goodie Bags
(TMZ) Good news if you're one of Snooki and Jwoww's unlucky new neighbors -- you can now pass the time while the girls shoot their annoying reality show ... by playing BRAIN TEASERS ... courtesy of MTV.

Several people living next to Snooki and Jwoww's new house in Manchester, NJ tell TMZ, reps from 495 productions and MTV made house calls around the neighborhood this week ... dropping off goodie bags as a thank-you for being so patient and understanding during production.

The bags include Starbucks coffee, a mug, candy, a puzzle book (brain teasers), and a card. more on this story

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