May 21st, 2008 by Evan

carrie-underwood-ai.jpg

Fresh off of her second consecutive win as Top Female Vocalist at the Academy of Country Music Awards which was held at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas on Sunday, it has been confirmed that Carrie Underwood will be returning to the American Idol stage to perform on Wednesday night’s season 7 finale. The 25-year old will perform her current smash hit ‘Last Name’. She joins the Jonas Brothers, who will perform their hit song ‘SOS’, as performers on the show which will determine which David – the young Archuleta or the phenomenal Cook – will be crowned this year’s American Idol.

February 22nd, 2008 by Evan

Kylie Minogue gets $70,000 cocktail

A mystery admirer, to celebrate her BRIT Award win, gave Kylie Minogue a $70,000 cocktail.

That’s some drink!

The ‘Wow’ singer, who was named Best International Female at Wednesday night’s prestigious bash, was given the drink, called Flawless, at London’s Movida nightclub. The buyer did not want to be named but a source said: “He is known in the royal circles.”

The expensive drink is made up of Louis XII cognac, half a bottle of Cristal Rose champagne, brown sugar, Angostura bitters and pieces of 24-carat edible gold leaf. However, the main attraction is an 11-carat diamond ring in the bottom of the glass.

Whenever the drink is sold, Movida order two security guards to surround the drinker until they have finished.

February 12th, 2008 by Evan

Vince Starts a Fight With Kanye

Sure, we know Vince Gill was joking, but anyone should know Kanye is always looking for someone to slam. Well, tonight he got slammed.

Vince stepped onstage to accept an award from former Beatle Ringo Starr. Vince was also nominated for Album of the Year, as was Kanye. When he accepted the award, he said, “I just got an award given to me by a Beatle. Have you had that happen yet, Kanye?”

I expected Kanye to leap to the stage and beat him down. Vince said later that he was just having some fun. “He was laughing. I’m a smartass. You know, I can’t help it. He seemed to think that he and Amy Winehouse were the only ones worth of the album of the year tonight.”

Yeah, Vince, you won’t be laughing when you get shanked.

December 15th, 2007 by Evan

Madonna Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame

Madonna is to receive the great honour of being inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame in March next year. Joining big names such as Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin and John Lennon, the 49-year-old singer was selected by a panel of six hundred music industry figures.

Blimey that’s a lot of people! I am the first to acknowledge that Madge is a music legend, having been in the charts ever since I can remember; but she has never really been in the rock and roll genre of my music collection. ]

However who am I to talk. As well as this decision made by hundreds of panellists; Madonna is also named in the Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s Most Successful Musician.

In that case she can be in any hall of fame she wants.

December 11th, 2007 by Evan

Trent Renzor of NIN

When Fall Out Boy scored a total of zero nominations for a Grammy award, Pete Wentz pitched a fit at the kick off party and wrote a bitter yet very insightful blog about just what he felt and why he felt it. And it looks like the Nine Inch Nails feels the same way as him.

Trent Renzor of NIN made a post on the band’s official blog saying “While the music industry is doing everything they possibly can to go out of business, can we all make sure to rid ourselves of the Grammys, too? Out of touch old men jacking each other off. ENOUGH!”

Pete’s post makes a more relevant point. Trent’s just seems bitter.

December 10th, 2007 by Evan

Pete Doherty missed a gig

When Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty missed a gig; apparently because he felt unwell; he was replaced by a fan from the audience. Doherty disappointed thousands of fans by pulling out of the gig just hours before the gig at the NME Awards lunch party in London. Strangely guitarist Mick Whitnall, Pete’s right-hand man, was also absent. They must both have the same hangover…

But bravely the rest of the band still went on. After appealing to the audience for help, 18 year old Jamie Bell from Newcastle saved the day by jumping up on stage and doing a very good stand in job. He knew all the words and how to play the songs on guitar. He received rapturous applause from the crowd when they finished

Well done Jamie. I’m sure for him it was a dream come true and I bet the press are still pushing to find out more about the talented guy. Maybe it’ll be his big break. As for Pete we think it’s shameful what you did – and with an excuse not worthy of the teacher too. Bah!

November 30th, 2007 by Evan

Osbournes to host Brits

Well the Brit awards could be a very colourful affair in 2008, as it has been revealed that iconic family, The Osbournes will be hosting them.The event is to be televised live at London’s Earl’s Court on February 20th for the second year running. Nominations have yet to be unveiled; due to be announced at London’s Roundhouse on January 14th.

For those who don’t normally tune in, I myself will definitely be settling on my sofa for what is sure to be an interesting evening as we watch Ozzy and Sharon present the awards with what are sure to be a few controversial moments thrown in to keep the press happy.

October 4th, 2007 by Evan

andy-samberg.jpg

Andy Samberg may just end up getting another Emmy award. He won an Emmy last month with Justin Timberlake for a spoof that they did on SNL.

This time around, Andy enlisted the help of Maroon 5’s Adam Levine and SNL regular Fred Armisen for the show’s latest digital short ‘Iran So Far’. Andy serenades Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was played hilariously by Fred. Jake Gyllenhaal is referenced in the song and even makes a split second appearance near the end of the short.

If the short they did with Justin is anything to go by, I’m sure this new one with Adam is going to be another hit per se.

September 28th, 2007 by Evan

Accepting the Liberty Medal for his humanitarian work in Africa, Bono exhorted Americans to keep working to solve the world’s problems and spoke of those who are without freedom.

bono-photo.jpg

“When you are trapped by poverty, you are not free. When trade laws prevent you from selling the food you grew, you are not free,” the Irish rocker and activist said Thursday night as he stood steps away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

“When you are a monk in Burma this very week, barred from entering a temple because of your gospel of peace … well, then none of us are truly free,” he said.

Bono and the organization he co-founded, Debt AIDS Trade Africa, received the award from former Liberty Medal recipient President George H.W. Bush at the National Constitution Center.

The award comes with a $100,000 prize, which Bono said will be donated to the organization. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former finance minister of Nigeria who sits on the group’s policy advisory board, accepted the award for the Washington-based group.

Bono, front man for the band U2, co-founded DATA in 2002 to work with religious groups on global disease and hunger issues.

In 2005, U2 was a headliner for the Live 8 concerts held to raise awareness about African poverty and pressure world leaders to cancel debt for the poorest African nations.

Calling America “my country,” Bono said he’s a fan of the United States despite its problems because of its contributions to the world.

“Your America is where Neil Armstrong takes a walk on the moon,” Bono said. “Your America gave Europe the Marshall Plan. Your America gave the world the Peace Corps.

The medal was first awarded in 1989, and six recipients have subsequently won the Nobel Peace Prize.

September 25th, 2007 by Evan

sean-kingston-award.jpg

Teenage singing star Sean Kingston has topped the UK singles chart for the third week. The 17-year-old Miami reggae singer beat off competition from big stars 50 Cent, Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, to hold the spot with Beautiful Girls. That’s what I like about young stars, they are new to the scene yet they are vibrant and full of energy enough to topple the bad old guys of music world to lay claim of the numero uno spot of the charts. Isn’t it amazing to see a young guy come perform and conquer the charts that too for 3 consecutive weeks which means his rise to the top is no fluke and no mean achievement by any standards. He’s blown 50 Cents and Kanye West at the same time to top the charts both of the latter being one of the best in the business and the 17 reggae singer has inched above them at the same time, I hope to see and hear more of this youngster in the future. He looks like a bright prospect.

September 18th, 2007 by Evan

Los Tigres del Norte and Olga Guillot will receive lifetime achievement awards at this year’s Latin Grammy Awards.los-tigres.jpg

Lifetime achievement honors will also be presented to Argentine songwriter Alberto Cortez, Chilean-born bolero king Lucho Gatica, Brazilian rock legends Os Paralamas do Sucesso and gender-bending ranchera master Chavela Vargas.

“Representing many genres from countries across the globe — from the Americas to Europe — these recipients have reached the status of living legends of Latin music,” Gabriel Abaroa, president of the Latin Recording Academy, said in a statement Monday.

“Through their inspiring passion, craft and vision, they have made significant contributions and improvements to the overall condition of Latin culture.”

Like many of the migrant workers who inspire their songs and form their fan base, Los Tigres del Norte were born in Mexico and now live in California. Over their three-decade career, the group has released more than 50 albums and more than 500 songs. They won their first Grammy Award in 1987 and have received three Latin Grammy Awards.

Guillot, a native of Cuba, became the first Latin artist to appear at New York’s Carnegie Hall, in 1964. Her hits include “La Gloria Eres Tu,” “Mienteme” and “Tu Me Acostumbraste.”

The academy said it will present special awards to Brazilian producer Joao Araujo, tango icon Leopoldo Federico and Mexican music executive Fernando Hernandez.

The lifetime achievement and special awards will be presented a day before the eighth annual Latin Grammy Awards, which will air live Nov. 8 from the Mandalay Bay casino-hotel in Las Vegas.

August 28th, 2007 by Evan

kanye-west.jpg

Defying all odds, the phenomenal video for Justice’s breakout single ‘D.A.N.C.E.’ has been nominated for Video Of The Year at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, taking place Sunday, September 9th in Las Vegas. Justice join the company of Beyonce, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Amy Winehouse, and previous arch-nemesis Kanye West, who famously stormed the stage after losing to Justice at the 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards for Best Video. I hope he looses again, maybe that BIG head will shrink. This will definitely teach him a lesson or two about there being an existence of other music artist in the business who can beat him on their own anytime. May be his inflated ego will be broken this time again and he would start respecting other musicians and take their work seriously too. You know, I love it when an underdog who’s not expected to win comes from nowhere and pulls the rug under the feet of a major artist. It’s not that I don’t like big stars, it’s just that like when there’s an upset.

July 25th, 2007 by Evan

timberlake-justin.jpg

Four Grammy awards, Jessica Biel and countless of other things don’t seem to be enough to satisfy Justin Timberlake. And wouldn’t you know it, he just might add another trophy to his case to see if you would be content.

What’s surprising about it is that the next possible award he could get would be an Emmy. The singer’s hilarious Saturday Night Live video ‘Dick in a Box’ has been nominated for an Emmy award in the Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics.

Can you say live performance? First an Emmy, next a Tony then an Oscar and then, it’s world domination!

July 16th, 2007 by Evan

willie.jpg

Willie Nelson can add another award to his long list of accolades.
Broadcast Music Inc. announced Thursday that it will bestow upon Nelson its icon designation during its 55th annual Country Awards Nov. 6 in Nashville.
BMI gives the honor to songwriters and artists who have had a “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.”

With pal Waylon Jennings, he was part of country music’s outlaw movement that eschewed the conventions of Nashville’s Music Row.
He incorporated rock, pop, jazz, folk and blues into his music, used unconventional phrasing as a singer and developed a distinct, Latin-flavored guitar style.
He’s widely credited with helping influence the new traditionalist and alternative country movements of the ’80s and ’90s.

At 74, Nelson remains a prolific performer and recording artist. Earlier this year, he released “Last of the Breed” with Merle Haggard and Price. He put out two albums in 2006: “You Don’t Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker” and the Ryan Adams-produced “Songbird,” which had him covering songs by the Grateful Dead, Leonard Cohen and Fleetwood Mac.

Previous winners of BMI’s icon award include Haggard, Dolly Parton, Whisperin’ Bill Anderson, Charlie Daniels, Loretta Lynn, the Bee Gees, Isaac Hayes, Ray Davies, James Brown and Crosby, Stills & Nash.

June 29th, 2007 by Evan

b.jpg

Beyonce was the undisputed leader heading into Tuesday’s BET Awards. The 25-year-old singer-actress had a leading six nominations - twice as many as any other nominee, including female R&B artist, collaboration, video of the year and the viewers’ choice award. She really sings well and by the grace of God she always remains on top of the charts. Though her first album was better than the second one, yet all the music she creates it truly awesome and fantastic. It would not be a surprise if she comes on top in 3-4 categories at the awards. She better be carrying a bag or something similar to take the awards home.

June 25th, 2007 by Evan

charley-pride.jpg

He may be blessed (or perhaps cursed) with being called “The Pride of Country Music,” but Charley Pride is no arrogant celebrity. He remains humble and modest in an “aw-shucks” sort of way, even after a lifetime of accolades and awards. Fate lay in one’s own hand; it needs a little bit of luck for one to stumble upon god’s gift and if you pursue it with your heart then there is no looking back. Pride is asked all too often about his experience as the lone black face on the country scene in years past. Pride and his wife are deeply involved in their community. They frequently give to charity, most recently providing scholarships to students after hurricane Katrina. This chap is the opposite of we today have come to know about celebrity singers, who just create mayhem with their increasingly arrogant lifestyle demands and wouldn’t turn their back when they the name of community service. Ya, the community service matter take a different face when you are a Naomi Campbell or some like who has been ordered to community service by the courts.

June 2nd, 2007 by Evan

Tracy Morgan’s Drinking Problems

37 year old comedian Tracy Morgan is forced to host the upcoming “Guys Choice” awards while wearing a different type of accessory on his ankle. I am talking about an alcohol monitoring device. It all started because he had different alcohol-related incidents. His court-ordered treatment made him have to wear the gadget for two months after a no contest plead against a DUI charge in Los Angeles. Tracy Morgan said:
“It happened. Unfortunately, it happened. I’m not perfect. I’m like anyone else. Driving under the influence isn’t cool. I have kids and I don’t want anyone to get the wrong message about that. It’s something I’ve resolved in my life. Things got a little bumpy and it was taken care of. And I feel great about it and feel good in my sobriety. I don’t know about tomorrow, but I know that today I don’t want a drink.”
Old habits die hard but it seems that Morgan is really trying to handle the situation. He will hopefully not have any more alcohol-related incidents in the future.

May 31st, 2007 by Evan

blog2-cameron-diaz-and-jessica-biel.jpg
Cameron Diaz and Jessica Biel will both be present at the MTV Movie Awards. Sources are saying that they are trying to keep both parties as far apart as possible because the whole thing is starting to become a mess. To make matters worse, there’s a great chance that Jessica will walk the carpet with JT.

Wow. Remember Cameron went ape crazy on JT when she first saw him flirting with her at a Hollywood party back in January? The fact that some sources are saying that Cameron’s looking unstable lately isn’t a good sign.

Looks like someone’s bitter. I’m still unclear on who left who. But I have a feeling that JT did the leaving, eh Cameron?

May 30th, 2007 by Evan

Newlywed Amy Winehouse: Every Day Is a Honeymoon

Every day is a honey moon day for Amy Winehouse, so says the lyricist. Amy Winehouse may sing that “love is a losing game,” but she’s emerged a winner. The singer, who married Blake Fielder-Civil last week, raved about her new husband Thursday at Britain’s Ivor Novello songwriting awards, where she scored a best contemporary song trophy for her hit “Rehab.” “I had a lovely dress and he looked very handsome,” she told reporters of her Miami wedding. “We’re not planning a honeymoon. Every day is a honeymoon – I’ve married the best man in the world.” She admitted the wedding was sudden – she and Fielder-Civil, who inspired some of the songs on her album Back to Black after they temporarily broke up, had been engaged for less than a month – but she said, “that’s the way I am.” Fielder-Civil, 23, a music-video assistant, and Winehouse, 23, first began dating two years ago and had only recently resumed their courtship. The singer introduced “Rehab” on a recent radio appearance by saying: “Here is a song I wrote when he left me a couple years ago. I wrote the whole album about it, really. We went on our little separate ways, and then realized that we loved each other. Life’s too short.” Yeah life is too short to live it separately.