Barack Obama in Rolling Stone
2008-03-18 18:00:17.475217
href="http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/19106326">Barack Obama's Machinery of Hope by Tim Dickinson [From RS1048 — March 20, 2007]
href="http://www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery/19066990/barack_obama_a_photo_historyn" tar="tar" get="blank">Photo Gallery: Barack Obama, a History in Pictures [From RS1048 — March 20, 2007]
href="http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/19106551/a_new_hope"> An Endorsement: Barack Obama for President by Jann S. Wenner [From RS1048 — March 20, 2007]
href="http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17652931/obamas_moment"> Obama's Moment by Matt Taibbi [From Issue 1042/1043 — December 27, 2007-January 10, 2008]
...Q&A: Steve Van Zandt
2008-03-18 18:00:17.230603
Steve Van Zandt is so busy touring with href="http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/brucespringsteen">Bruce Springsteen, running his own record label and hosting his "Underground Garage" radio show that he postponed his interview with Rolling Stone four separate times. When he finally did get on the phone, he more than made up for it. During the wide-ranging interview, the E Street Band guitarist discussed everything from the odds of a Sopranos movie to why he'll never cut a solo album to why the band never plays his favorite Springsteen song. Bruce has been dragging out some pretty rare songs on this leg of the tour so far. You never know what's gonna pop out, you know? It's kind of fun to have so many songs to choose from.
What motivated him to open up the first show with something as random as "So Young and In Love"? I don't know how many songs he has right now. Two hundred and fifty? Three hundred? He just flips through 'em, and says, "Heeeey,...
The Machinery of Hope
2008-03-18 23:00:16.649229
href="http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/19106551/a_new_hope"> Click here for Rolling Stone's endorsement of Barack Obama and href="http://www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery/19066990/barack_obama_a_photo_history" target="blank">here for a photo timeline of Obama's life.
It's Presidents day, two weeks before the Texas primary, and Adam Ukman has come to the small city of San Marcos to train precinct captains for Barack Obama. A soft-spoken native of Houston, Ukman has served on the campaign's front lines in Iowa and Utah, organizing grass-roots supporters to secure decisive victories in both states. This evening, more than eighty residents of San Marcos have crammed into a yellow clapboard recreation center on a street dotted with shacks that date from the Jim Crow era. "Our job is not to run in here to tell you how it's going to be," Ukman tells them. "This is your campaign. Not our campaign."
Anyone who has spent time around Democratic politics has heard this kind of rhetoric before. Most often, it's pure horseshit. But...
Amon Tobin - Verbal Remixes&Collaborations
2008-03-18 06:00:22.198769
Artist: Amon Tobin EP: Verbal Remixes & Collaborations Label: Ninja Tune Year of Release: 2003 ME Rating: Reviewed by: John Berry Date Reviewed: 2008-02-19 Viewed: 53 times Amon Tobin and friends are back with the 2003 release Verbal Remixes and
Aimee Mann Sets Date For Seventh Album
2008-03-18 15:00:19.051459
Aimee Mann's seventh album, '@#%&! Smilers,' will arrive June 3 via her own SuperEgo Records. in November, the album was produced by Paul Bryan, who also helmed Mann's 2006 holiday album 'One More Drifter in the Snow.' 'The sound is a little bit
Aimee Mann's 7th album scheduled for June release (Reuters)
2008-03-18 18:00:16.4315
16 minutes ago
NEW YORK (Billboard) - Aimee Mann's seventh album, "@#%&! Smilers," will arrive June 3 via her own SuperEgo Records."The sound is a little bit different for me," Mann told Billboard.com. "It's got a lot of Moog (synthesizer) on it (and) sometimes almost sounds like the Cars a little bit. From song to song, everything gets a different treatment."
Mann also noted, "There's no electric guitar at all, which you weirdly don't miss. It's kind of this all-keyboard situation, which is great. It's an interesting amalgamation of sounds."
Mann's upcoming tour will include an appearance at the Bonnaroo festival in June.
...Alan Jackson Reigns over Janet Jackson
2008-03-18 07:00:14.623452
Last week, Country star Alan Jackson's newest album 'Good Time' snatched the number one spot from Janet Jackson's recent release, 'Discipline'. While this is the country singer's fourth number one album, 'Discipline' is Janet Jackson's first album to
Andy Williams getting Ella Award (AP)
2008-03-18 17:00:13.934655
12 minutes ago
LOS ANGELES - The Society of Singers has picked "Moon River" singer Andy Williams to receive its 17th Ella Award for singers whose musical accomplishments are equaled by their humanitarian efforts.The Ella Award, named after its first recipient Ella Fitzgerald, has gone previously to Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, Placido Domingo, Elton John and others.
The 80-year-old Williams, who earned 18 gold and three platinum albums in his career and hosted a popular TV variety series in the 1960s, will be given the award during a May 19 gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
"I'm tremendously honored to have my name placed alongside the previous winners," Williams said.
The Society of Singers was founded in 1984. With help from sponsors, it offers emergency financial help for singers and awards scholarships.
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On The Net:
http://www.singers.org
Email Story IM Story Printable View Yahoo! Buzz...Atlanta orchestra leaders staying on (AP)
2008-03-18 05:00:40.994212
Mon Mar 17, 10:16 PM ET
ATLANTA - The musical director and principal guest conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra are renewing their contracts.Orchestra officials said Monday that musical director Robert Spano's contract will be extended through the 2013-14 season and principal guest conductor Donald Runnicles' contract, at Runnicles' request, through the 2010-11 season. Runnicles will continue with the orchestra after 2010-11 through guest-conducting appearances.
Spano and Runnicles began their creative partnership during the 2001-02 season.
"It's very unusual to have such strong talent in two positions bump up against each other and brainstorm annually about the total program of the orchestra," said Allison Vulgamore, the orchestra's president and CEO.
She called their commitment an assurance of excellence.
From the start, Spano said, he wanted a long-term relationship with the Atlanta orchestra. He said he is especially happy to continue recording with the orchestra, which has won 26 Grammys over the last three decades.
Runnicles said that while "new artistic challenges in Europe preclude a longer, formal extension to my commitment to Atlanta, it is my fervent desire that our relationship will continue for many, many more years to come."
The Atlanta orchestra will open a new amphitheater in May in the northern Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta. Officials hope it will provide new revenue to support the orchestra, which has faced financial struggles.
Email Story IM Story Printable View Yahoo! Buzz...Busta Rhymes gets 3 years' probation (AP)
2008-03-18 14:00:14.02475
By SAMUEL MAULL, Associated Press Writer 24 minutes ago
NEW YORK - A judge sentenced Busta Rhymes to three years' probation Tuesday for assaulting his former driver and a fan, and warned the rapper to stay out of trouble.The 35-year-old Rhymes, whose real name is Trevor Smith, was also ordered to perform 10 days of community service; pay a $1,250 fine, plus court costs; and enroll in a drunken driving program.
After the sentencing, Rhymes said the terms of the plea deal won't be a problem. "I have no trouble being a good dude because that's what I am," he said.
Scott Leemon, Rhymes' lawyer, said a private agency called Rock Corp. will work out the community service program. He said he doesn't know yet what it will be. He also said Rhymes has paid most of the fines and surcharges he owed.
Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Larry Stephen put Rhymes on notice that he must abide by the conditions of his probation.
"If you mess up, you're going to jail," he said. "I've given you a chance."
Rhymes said after the sentencing, "I couldn't feel better, and this couldn't have happened at a better time. I thank the judge for giving me a chance and I thank everybody for being supportive."
The rapper said he wanted to get back to "having fun, making music, running around and showing love."
Rhymes pleaded guilty in January on the day he was set to go to trial on the assault and driving offenses related to four separate incidents.
At that time, Stephen revoked Rhymes' driver's license for six months and signed an order of protection directing him to stay away from his former driver.
Known for eye-catching outfits and an antic performance style, Rhymes was dressed at his court appearance in a conservative gray suit and lavender pocket square, a lavender shirt, and a gray-and-lavender floral patterned tie.
His hits include "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See," "Dangerous" and "Touch It." He also has appeared in movies, including "Shaft" and "Finding Forrester."
...Campaign for more dialogue on soundtrack albums
2008-03-18 09:00:14.575437
'The Wire...all the pieces matter' is terrific because: 1. It's got all the music you remember, including all the different versions of the theme tune 'Down In The Hole', 'Body Of An American', the Pogues tune that accompanies the policeman's wake scene
Cops charged with pulling guns on singer (AP)
2008-03-18 14:00:13.630538
21 minutes ago
DALLAS - Two fired police officers accused of holding country singer Steve Holy at gunpoint during an argument at his home were indicted on charges that could bring them up to 20 years in prison.Randy Anderson and Paul Loughridge were indicted Monday on one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Anderson was also indicted on one count of kidnapping.
Holy, a friend and the two officers were allegedly drinking and playing foosball during an impromptu gathering at Holy's home early on Dec. 27 when an argument broke out, officials said.
Lt. Vernon Hale said one of the officers didn't believe Holy was really the country singer, known for his hits "Brand New Girlfriend" and "Good Morning Beautiful."
Holy told police the officers pointed their guns at him and the friend and ordered them on the ground. Before the officers left, the police report said, Anderson told Holy that he'd kill him if he said anything.
Anderson, 26, and Loughridge, 48, were fired in January. Hale said the department acted swiftly since they were accused of a criminal act. They had both joined the department in 2005.
Although he declined to discuss specifics, Loughridge said he believed he would be exonerated.
"I've had faith all along in the criminal justice system, and that faith continues," Loughridge said. A phone number for Anderson could not be located.
Holy's attorney has said the singer and a friend were at a bar not far from his home when Holy saw an off-duty officer he knew. That officer introduced him to Anderson and Loughridge.
When the bar closed, Holy, his friend and the officers went to play foosball in Holy's garage. The other officer left a short time later, but Loughridge and Anderson stayed.
In a 911 call after the alleged confrontation, an operator talking to Holy sounds frustrated by an inability to get information.
"Here's the problem, ma'am. I'm a recording artist, and — ma'am? Are you listening to me?" he says at one point. When she tries to ask Holy if the two officers left together, Holy answers: "He put a gun to our heads."
"OK, you told me that at least five or six times," she says. "I have that. I understand that."
...Cyrus' child is no Destiny (AP)
2008-03-18 01:00:14.21653
1 hour, 29 minutes ago
LOS ANGELES - Hannah Montana is leaving destiny behind.Miley Cyrus, whose given name is Destiny Hope Cyrus, has filed papers in Los Angeles Superior Court to change her full legal name to Miley Ray Cyrus.
The 15-year-old singer and TV star is the daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, who filed the papers last Friday with wife Leticia. Her father writes in the filing that the request was "to make her commonly used name the same as her legal name."
The name-change request was first reported by the celebrity Web site TMZ.com.
Miley Cyrus has said her father gave her the nickname "Smiley Miley" as a baby because of her sunny disposition. On the Disney Channel tween hit "Hannah Montana," she plays a teen who hides her singing stardom.
Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus are hosting the Country Music Television ceremony together at Nashville's Belmont University on April 14.
___
On the Net:
Billy Ray Cyrus:
http://www.billyraycyrus.com/
Miley Cyrus:
http://www.mileycyrus.com/movies/
Disney Channel:
...Diddy denies LA Times' Tupac story (AP)
2008-03-18 09:00:15.01852
By SANDY COHEN, AP Entertainment Writer 2 hours, 42 minutes ago
LOS ANGELES - Sean "Diddy" Combs has denied a report by the Los Angeles Times that his associates were responsible for the 1994 robbery and shooting of Tupac Shakur at a New York recording studio, and that he knew about the attack in advance."The story is a lie," the hip-hop mogul said in a statement Monday. "It is beyond ridiculous and completely false. Neither (the late rapper Notorious B.I.G.) nor I had any knowledge of any attack before, during or after it happened. ... I am shocked that the Los Angeles Times would be so irresponsible as to publish such a baseless and completely untrue story."
The 1994 shooting triggered the celebrated feud between East and West Coast rappers that led to the killings of Shakur and B.I.G.
The Times said its story was based on FBI records, interviews with people at the scene of the 1994 shooting, and statements to the FBI by an informant. None of the sources was named. The story says associates hoping to curry favor with Combs — who was overseeing B.I.G.'s white-hot career at the time — lured Shakur to the studio because of his disrespect toward them.
The story said that talent manager James Rosemond and promoter James Sabatino arranged the assault. They and Combs declined to be interviewed for the story, which appeared on the Los Angeles Times Web site but not in its paper publication.
Rosemond called the story a "libelous piece of garbage."
"In the past 14 years, I have not even been questioned by law enforcement with regard to the assault of Tupac Shakur, let alone brought up on charges," he said in a statement. "Chuck Philips, the writer ... has reached a new low by employing fourth-hand information from desperate jailhouse informants along with ancient FBI reports to create this fabrication. I simply ask for all rap fans and fans of Tupac to analyze this fiction for what it is."
The story, written by Chuck Philips, was the first investigative report published as a Web exclusive, said Meredith Artley, editor of LATimes.com.
"This piece was perfect for the Web," Artley said. "The Web audience skews younger. We had all these great multimedia elements, and we said we really don't need to wait to fit this in the paper."
A "smaller version" of the story may still run in the paper, she said.
___
On the Net:
...Director Anthony Minghella dies at 54 (AP)
2008-03-18 17:00:14.786909
By JILL LAWLESS, Associated Press Writer 14 minutes ago
LONDON - Anthony Minghella, a screenwriter, opera director and the Oscar-winning filmmaker of "The English Patient," died of a hemorrhage Tuesday at age 54.Minghella's death came five days before the British TV premiere of his final film, "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency."
Spokesman Jonathan Rutter said Minghella died early Tuesday at London's Charing Cross Hospital. Rutter said Minghella underwent surgery last week for a growth in his neck. He said the operation "seemed to have gone well. At 5 a.m. today he had a fatal hemorrhage."
Britain's arts community reacted with shock to the loss of one of its best-known and best-liked figures. Tributes poured in from people as diverse as movie star Jude Law, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the president of Botswana.
Law, who appeared in three of Minghella's films, said he was "deeply shocked and saddened."
"He was a sweet, warm, bright and funny man who was interested in everything from football to opera, films, music, literature, people and most of all his family whom he adored and to whom I send my thoughts and love," said Law, who appeared in Minghella's films "The Talented Mr. Ripley," "Cold Mountain" and "Breaking and Entering." "I shall miss him hugely."
Blair, who became friends with Minghella after the filmmaker directed a Labour Party election commercial in 2005, said Minghella was "a wonderful human being, creative and brilliant, but still humble, gentle and a joy to be with."
"Whatever I did with him, personally or professionally, left me with complete admiration for him, as a character and as an artist of the highest caliber," Blair said.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Minghella was "one of Britain's greatest creative talents, one of our finest screenwriters and directors, a great champion of the British film industry and an expert on literature and opera."
Minghella was in Botswana recently filming an adaptation of Alexander McCall Smith's novel "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency," which the BBC plans to broadcast Sunday. A spokesman for Botswana's President Festus Mogae said Minghella's death was a "shock and an utter loss."
The project was the latest of Minghella's literary adaptations, which also included the Italy-set thriller "The Talented Mr. Ripley," the U.S. Civil War saga "Cold Mountain" and the World War II-era story "The English Patient," which came out in 1996 and earned the Academy Award for best picture, with Minghella winning an Oscar for best director.
But Minghella, who began his career as a writer, confessed he was not sure of his place as a director.
...Disgruntled London Crowd Pop BottlesAt Lil Wayne
2008-03-18 00:00:18.201542
Rapper walks off stage during middle of show Dont mess with the British. Last night (March 16), Lil Wayne had to learn this the hard way. While pacing the stage to the audio of Its Me Bitches remix during a show in London at the Stratford Rex, a topless
Gnarls Barkley Moves Album Up Three Weeks
2008-03-18 13:00:15.794385
Originally due April 8, Gnarls Barkley's sophomore album, 'The Odd Couple,' will now be available March 25 via Downtown/Atlantic. The set has already leaked online, although that was not mentioned as the official reason for the date change. 'They felt
Gnarls Barkley's "Odd" jumps ahead three weeks (Reuters)
2008-03-18 19:00:15.357063
1 hour, 17 minutes ago
NEW YORK (Billboard) - Originally due April 8, Gnarls Barkley's sophomore album, "The Odd Couple," is suddenly for sale as of Tuesday (March 18) via the iTunes Music Store and will be available on CD later this week.The Downtown/Atlantic set had already leaked online, although that was not mentioned as the official reason for the date change. Billboard understands that, rather than waiting for a specific release date, stores are being encouraged to sell the CD as soon as their shipments arrive, which could be as soon as Wednesday (March 19).
"They felt the timing was right to just go for it," reads a post on Gnarls Barkley's Web site. "With the shifting seasons,...
Jill Scott, Chaka Khan, Musiq Soulchild On 'meet The Browns' Soundtrack
2008-03-18 11:00:13.8333
Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Chaka Khan, Kelly Rowland, and Brandy are among the artists featured on the brand-new soundtrack to the Tyler Perry film Meet The Browns, due March 18th from Atlantic. The CD, officially titled Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns
Judge says Mills claim was `exorbitant' (AP)
2008-03-18 11:00:13.050237
By JILL LAWLESS, Associated Press Writer 47 minutes ago
LONDON - Heather Mills was a less than candid court witness whose $250 million divorce claim was exorbitant, a judge said in his ruling on her divorce from Paul McCartney.The judgment by Hugh Bennett was released Tuesday, after a court rejected Mills' attempt to block publication.
On Monday, Bennett awarded Mills a $48.6 million divorce settlement after her four-year marriage to the former Beatle. Mills had sought almost $250 million, while McCartney had offered $31.6 million, including Mills' own assets.
In his ruling, the judge said Mills' claim "is and was unreasonable, indeed exorbitant."
He also said Mills' evidence was "not just inconsistent and inaccurate but also less than candid. Overall she was a less than impressive witness."
McCartney's lawyers didn't object to publication, but Mills claimed details in the ruling could compromise the security of her 4-year-old daughter Beatrice.
"Miss Mills believes her daughter will be put in real danger. It is most disturbing," said lawyer David Rosen, who represented Mills in court. She did not attend the hearing.
McCartney didn't comment after Monday's three-hour private hearing, but Mills, 40, emerged for an impromptu news conference on the courthouse steps — railing against McCartney's lawyer, Fiona Shackleton.
Shackleton, who represented Prince Charles in his divorce from Princess Diana, emerged from court Monday with a wet head, reportedly from a glass of water that Mills had dumped on her. Mills told reporters Shackleton had been "baptized in court." McCartney's representatives declined to comment.
"She has called me many, many names before even meeting me when I was in a wheelchair," said Mills, whose own legal team, in an ironic twist, was led by Princess Diana's divorce lawyer until she fired them in November.
Mills walked away from court with a settlement worth about $34,000 for every day of her marriage to the 65-year-old McCartney. But it was only a fifth of what she had sought and a fraction of McCartney's $800 million fortune.
Mills declared that she was "very, very, very pleased."
...Kurt Cobain: The trainer
2008-03-18 15:00:19.061901
A trainer inspired by Kurt Cobain is to be released later this year, according to reports.The shoe has been commissioned by Converse, who are celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2008.Cobain's widow Courtney Love, who previously reacted angrily to a
Madonna denies marriage is splitting up (AP)
2008-03-18 14:00:14.398135
56 minutes ago
NEW YORK - Madonna is squashing suggestions that her marriage may be ending."I am delighted to confirm that Mr. and Mrs. Guy Ritchie remain happily married," the pop star's spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, said in a statement Monday.
The news media and blogosphere have been speculating on the couple's status; on Monday, the British newspaper The Sun published a gossipy article on its Web site with the headline: "Madge's marriage `hangs by a thread.'"
Ritchie, 39, attended neither Madonna's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last week nor her star-studded United Nations fundraiser in early February.
Rosenberg explained that, until recently, Madonna, 49, and Ritchie were living in separate countries: The Material Girl toured the U.S. to promote her upcoming album "Hard Candy," while the director was stationed in England putting the finishing touches on his new film "RocknRolla," filming a Nike commercial and "working on several scripts."
Today, the Ritchies are "joyfully back together at home in London. All is well and wonderful in the Ritchie household," Rosenberg said.
The couple have a son, Rocco, 7, and Madonna has a daughter, Lourdes, 11. In 2006, they began raising a Malawian boy they want to adopt.
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On the Net:
Madonna:
http://www.madonna.com/
Email Story...McCartney divorce ruling to be released (AP)
2008-03-18 09:00:14.18994
By JILL LAWLESS, Associated Press Writer 9 minutes ago
LONDON - Heather Mills was a less than candid court witness whose $250 million divorce claim was exorbitant, a judge said in his ruling on her divorce from Paul McCartney.The judgment by Hugh Bennett was released Tuesday, after a court rejected Mills' attempt to block publication.
On Monday, Bennett awarded Mills a $48.6 million divorce settlement after her four-year marriage to the former Beatle. Mills had sought almost $250 million, while McCartney had offered $31.6 million, including Mills' own assets.
In his ruling, the judge said Mills' claim "is and was unreasonable, indeed exorbitant."
He also said Mills' evidence was "not just inconsistent and inaccurate but also less than candid. Overall she was a less than impressive witness."
McCartney's lawyers didn't object to publication, but Mills claimed details in the ruling could compromise the security of her 4-year-old daughter Beatrice.
"Miss Mills believes her daughter will be put in real danger. It is most disturbing," said lawyer David Rosen, who represented Mills in court. She did not attend the hearing.
Mills, 40, walked away from court with a settlement worth about $34,000 for every day of her marriage to the 65-year-old McCartney. But it was only a fifth of what she had sought and a fraction of McCartney's $800 million fortune.
Mills declared that she was "very, very, very pleased."
The settlement included a lump sum of $33 million, plus the assets Mills currently holds worth $15.6 million.
Some legal experts were surprised the former model did not get more.
"In the scheme of things, it's quite surprisingly low," said Patricia Hollings, a divorce specialist with London law firm Finers Stephens Innocent. "It is only offering her about 6 percent of his assets. In terms of high-wealth cases it's very low."
...Mills Wins the Beatle Divorce Lottery
2008-03-18 07:00:14.62512
(antiMusic) There are only a few ways to get an instant $50 million dollar payday. You can win the lottery, you can win a lawsuit against a tobacco company, or you can marry a Beatle then divorce him four years later. Heather Mills opted for that last
Portishead Do A Radiohead
2008-03-18 20:01:14.355346
Portishead - whose much anticipated third album, the imaginatively entitled, 'Third', finally sees the light of day April 28 after a decade's absence - have made their special limited edition box set available to exclusively pre-order from today (March
Raconteurs Album Being Rushed To Market Next Week
2008-03-18 05:00:40.177223
The Raconteurs are eschewing the standard months-long wait between finishing an album and releasing it with 'Consolers of the Lonely,' which will hit retail March 25 via Third Man/Warner Bros. The set wasn't even completed until the first week of March,
Raconteurs cut to the chase with new album (Reuters)
2008-03-18 20:01:12.52243
By Jonathan Cohen 54 minutes ago
NEW YORK (Billboard) - Rock group the Raconteurs, whose members include Jack White of the White Stripes, is bypassing the standard months-long wait between finishing an album and releasing it with "Consolers of the Lonely," which will hit stores only weeks after completion.The Third Man/Warner Bros. release, scheduled to hit retail shelves March 25, was completed the first week of March, according to a statement from the band.
"The purpose: to get the album to the fans as soon as possible and as we promised," the band says. "We wanted to get this record to fans, the press, radio, etc., all at the EXACT...
Rihanna Reissues Album
2008-03-18 04:00:21.712864
Rihanna will release a new version of her 2007 smash hit album Good Girl Gone Bad on May 27 2008. The reissued album will feature the Ne-Yo written track Take A Bow. Reports claim that a new video for the song which is about a deceiving partner will be
Rocker redoes anthem for Barack Obama (AP)
2008-03-18 16:00:18.620294
By WAYNE PARRY, Associated Press Writer 20 minutes ago
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Jay Jay French wants to rock. He also wants Barack.So the Twisted Sister guitarist has rerecorded the heavy metal band's anthem, "I Wanna Rock," which has become "I Want Barack."
French, a lifelong liberal Democrat whose mother campaigned for John F. Kennedy, said Barack Obama, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, has energized a new generation of voters who previously felt left out of politics.
"He has excited so many people," said French, who founded Twisted Sister in 1973, in a telephone interview Tuesday. "He has given sincere hope to people who have been out of the arena for years."
French plays guitar on the track, which features Paulie Z., singer for the band Z02, on vocals and lead guitar. They call the band Jay Jay French and Friends and stress this isn't a Twisted Sister project because that band's members are split on the presidential candidates.
The Obama camp had no immediate comment on the song.
It's not the first ode to Obama from the rock world. Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am has recorded and released two music videos, "Yes, We Can," which has garnered more than 5 million hits on YouTube.com, and the more recent "We Are the Ones."
French said an accompanying video will soon be released on YouTube, and hopes the song will someday be played at rallies for Obama, where Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed and Delivered" now reigns.
___
On the Net:
Twisted Sister:
http://www.twistedsister.com/
...Spears' friend objects to commissioner (AP)
2008-03-18 21:00:21.603954
28 minutes ago
LOS ANGELES - Britney Spears' friend Osama "Sam" Lutfi has filed papers objecting to the Superior Court commissioner assigned to the pop star's conservatorship case.Lutfi filed the papers Friday, but was not present for a hearing Monday at which Commissioner Reva Goetz extended a temporary restraining order against him until April 16.
His one-sentence filing said: "Please take notice that Osama "Sam" Lutfi will not stipulate to the above-referenced case being heard by Reva Goetz, commissioner presiding, to whom the above-entitled case has been assigned."
The document was signed and indicated Lutfi was representing himself.
Although the document was filed Friday, it did not reach the courtroom in time for Monday's hearing, Superior Court spokesman Allan Parachini said Tuesday.
Parachini said Lutfi can appear in court on April 16 to ask for the case to be reassigned to a judge.
Commissioners perform many of the same duties as judges, but all parties have to agree to a commissioner hearing a case.
Michael Sands, a spokesman for Lutfi, said during the weekend that Lutfi agreed to abide by the terms of the restraining order for another month.
The order directs Lutfi to stay at least 250 yards away from the pop star and her homes.
The order was requested by Spears' mother, Lynne, when Spears was hospitalized on a psychiatric hold at UCLA Medical Center.
Email Story IM Story...The Futureheads To Headline Glastonbury
2008-03-18 01:00:15.103656
at 16.08The Futureheads, Sunderland's finest purveyors of all things spiky, angular and downright fun, have been confirmed as one of the headliners of the John Peel Tent at this year's Glastonbury Festival. The band currently tearing up the comeback
The Top 5 lists (AP)
2008-03-18 17:00:14.393226
By The Associated Press 13 minutes ago
TELEVISION1. "American Idol" (Tuesday), Fox.
2. "American Idol" (Wednesday), Fox.
3. "Survivor: Micronesia," CBS.
4. "Lost," ABC.
5. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," ABC.
(From Nielsen Media Research)
FILM
1. "Dr Suess' Horton Hears a Who," Fox.
2. "10,000 B.C.," Warner Bros.
3. "Never Back Down," Summit Entertainment.
4. "College Road Trip," Disney.
...The Wedding Present Confirm New Album Details
2008-03-18 22:00:13.395796
The Wedding Present have announced plans to release their first full length in three years, titled El Rey. Available May 20th via Manifesto Records, the album draws from frontman David Gedges time spent living in Los Angeles. El Rey will be produced by
Trumpeter to help New Orleans libraries (AP)
2008-03-18 06:00:21.499274
By STACEY PLAISANCE, Associated Press Writer 19 minutes ago
NEW ORLEANS - Jazz trumpeter Irvin Mayfield has traveled the world playing for audiences in smoky bars and buttoned-up concert halls, and he knows the sounds, tastes and sights of this city are unlike those anywhere else.So, he says, the city's library system should be just as unique.
Mayfield intends to unveil a plan Tuesday for a multimillion-dollar library system that reflects the city's identity. It would start with a jazz-themed branch housing early recordings and reviews.
"We don't just want to have a library system," said Mayfield. "We want it to be us. We want it to be our style, our identity."
Other branches planned for the next five to 10 years, he said, include a culinary branch based on the city's unique cuisine, and an architecture branch that pays homage to the city's woodworkers and ironworkers.
The plan will be spread over more than two decades but will begin in the next two years with the construction of the jazz branch, which will cost about $10 million, $2 million of which will come from the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, Mayfield said.
The rest of the money will come from private donations and fundraisers, as well as storm recovery money from the Louisiana Recovery Authority, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the city and the state, he said.
When Katrina struck in August 2005, nine of the library system's 13 branches were damaged. Although all branches are again in operation, some are in portable trailers or makeshift branches set up in temporary venues.
Mayfield, chairman of the board of the New Orleans Public Library System, said jazz libraries and music aren't all that different.
"A library is democracy inside four walls, the freedom to information," he said. "Jazz is democracy we hear."
Mayfield says music continues to help him deal with the loss of his father, Irvin Mayfield, Sr., who drowned during Katrina, and has kept him positive through an exhaustingly slow recovery for the city.
On April 1, he will release an album that he started recording with jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra before Katrina struck, flooding out the Basin Street Records recording studio. The opening track is titled "Yesterday."
...Van Dyke sings 'Supercali ... ' etc. (AP)
2008-03-18 22:00:12.847825
By MICHAEL CIDONI, Associated Press writer 1 hour, 8 minutes ago
LOS ANGELES - Dick Van Dyke may be 82, but he can still get 14 syllables into a single word.Van Dyke sang "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" on Monday night at the Geffen Playhouse during a tribute to actress Annette Bening and studio chief Robert A. Iger. The ceremony honored their efforts to support the arts — live theater in particular.
Van Dyke even recreated bit of the choreography from "Mary Poppins" with the current Broadway stars of "Poppins" and "Mermaid," Ashley Brown and Sierra Boggess.
"The secret to keeping moving," Van Dyke said, "is keeping moving."
Not coincidentally, Julie Andrews served as co-chair of the tribute with Van Dyke, marking a "Poppins"-movie reunion on the arrivals line.
"It's one of those friendships where we do see each other, occasionally," said Andrews, 72. "Not as much as I like, but it's as if we never said goodbye, and we never did say goodbye."
While the spotlight was on three-time Oscar nominee Benning and Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, the stage loomed larger than both of them — and it's clear that's just as the two preferred.
The star of such movies as "American Beauty" and the upcoming "The Women," Bening, 49, told AP Television, "The non-profit theater is where I started. It's where I saw my first play. I don't know how many people out there were taken to the theater for the first time by their English teacher or their drama teacher, but that's where I went, which is The Old Globe in San Diego. ... So, for me, it's where I started, and I feel so grateful."
The Tony-nominated Bening won wide acclaim for her lead in "Hedda Gabler" at the Geffen in spring 1999. "I'd rather watch her on stage than anyone else," noted Bening's husband, actor Warren Beatty, 70. "And I'd rather watch her at home than on stage."
Bening has been a longtime supporter of the Geffen, as well as a member of the California Arts Council. When Iger, 57, took over for Michael Eisner as Disney chief in 2005, he quickly made it clear that he shared his predecessor's passion for theater. Disney now has five shows on Broadway, including the just-opened "The Little Mermaid" and the West End smash, "Mary Poppins."
Other celeb attendees included Oscar-winner Anjelica Houston, who presented to her "The Grifters" costar Bening; Tony-winning director Julie Taymor ("The Lion King"), who presented to Iger, as well as producer Gil Cates, writer Bruce Vilanch, and actors Sharon Lawrence, Dana Delany, James Cromwell and Jane Lynch.
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