Artists to Watch: Seven Acts Who Are Defining Rock, Soul and Hip-Hop in 2008
2008-03-19 18:00:17.361287
height="72"> href="http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/13883400/rolling_stones_10_artists_to_watch/10"> src="http://i.realone.com/assets/rn/img/9/4/6/8/17358649.gif href="http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/19545041/artists_to_watch_seven_acts_who_are_defining_rock_soul_and_hiphop_in_2008/2"> src="http://i.realone.com/assets/rn/img/7/4/6/8/17358647.gif color="#bb1111">FOALS Buzzy U.K. post-punk act digs funky African grooves, will rock a house party
onclick="popupVideo('rtmp://flashplay.rbn.com/a41/d1/rstone/rstone/download/flash/ATW-1049-foals.flv', 'Artist to Watch', 'Foals'); return false;"> src="http://i.realone.com/assets/rn/img/0/6/0/9/19519060-19519070-lmedium.jpg onclick="popupVideo('rtmp://flashplay.rbn.com/a41/d1/rstone/rstone/download/flash/ATW-1049-foals.flv', 'Artist to Watch', 'Foals'); return false;"> Click above for exclusive footage of the Foals on their way from the U.K. to the U.S. and get a taste of their live performance.
Growing up on the Greek island of Karpathos, Foals frontman Yannis Philippakis watched his father and other local men perform...
Barack Obama in Rolling Stone
2008-03-19 06:00:14.286731
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]
...Chris Rock Isn't Laughing
2008-03-19 20:00:21.698372
Click href="http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/chrisrock/articles/story/19400269/video_gallery_chris_rock" target="blank">here to watch Chris Rock's greatest film and stand-up moments.
There in the time of rock, wherein Christopher Julius Rock III rules again as he has ruled before, but only more so — international sweep! colossal forums! better transportation! — promptness counts for much. "There's no such thing as early," Rock himself will tell you, just as his late heroic father often impressed upon him under threat of belt strap. "There's on time and late. I'm always on time." Unsurprisingly, then, he has made it a point to be on time for his Time, which is a very good thing for a dire populace that suddenly seeks racial clarity with historic fervor (no mortal, of course, sifts matters of class and skin divide with sharper acuity than Rock, who is black but sometimes employs the term "a fine mocha" because he is just that precise.) Moreover, he concedes that seizing this seismic American...
Q&A: Steve Van Zandt
2008-03-19 03:00:14.659073
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
2008-03-19 03:00:15.37463
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...
Video Gallery: Chris Rock
2008-03-19 18:00:17.89205
Click href="http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/19551925" target="blank">here for an excerpt of the Chris Rock cover story.
Though Chris Rock had minor success on Saturday Night Live and with the HBO special Big Ass Jokes, his true breakout came in 1996 with the premiere of Bring the Pain. The stand-up special (and subsequent album Roll With the New) introduced the world to a number of instant-classic Rock bits, including "Niggas vs. Black People." The controversial routine is everything that's great about Rock: it's honest, insightful, vulgar and above all hilarious.
value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kpUSElgJcyI&hl=en type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="325" height="275
'American Idol': 11 More Beatles Songs Mangled
2008-03-19 11:00:14.124706
Judge Paula Abdul tells Seacrest that during last week's Beatles Week, Idolettes with 'gumption' took risks, marking the first time in the history of 'American Idol' anyone has used the word 'gumption.' Correction: It's the first time in the history of
Amtrak offers free ride to Coachella festival campers (Reuters)
2008-03-19 21:00:15.207267
By Mitchell Peters 49 minutes ago
LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - The Coachella Valley Music&Arts Festival has partnered with Amtrak to provide a limited number of festival campers with a free train ride to and from this year's event, which is set for April 25-27 at Empire Polo Field in Indio, Calif."I think it's the first time (Amtrak has) has ever done anything like this for a music festival," Paul Tollett, president of festival producer Goldenvoice, told Billboard.com. "Anything we can do on a big level is what we're pushing for."
The free train ride, dubbed Coachella Express, will transport 500 festival campers from Los Angeles' Union Station...
Atlantic City: The Next 'Next Big Thing'
2008-03-19 09:00:13.579585
more music most popular most commented by Ben Westhoffby Rob Trucksby Mike Powellby CHRISTOPHER R. WEINGARTENby Evan McGarvey Savage Love by Dan Savageby Tom Robbins by Michael MustoRunnin' Scared by Adam Weinsteinby J. Hoberman David Mamet Wayne
Beatles well runs dry for 'American Idol'
2008-03-19 13:00:14.793044
Since last week's Lennon-McCartney Night was so successful -- I'm not being sarcastic there, though I know it's hard to tell sometimes -- it's back to the well once more on Tuesday (March 18) night's American Idol, with a Beatles theme. Would lightning
Busta Rhymes gets 3 years' probation (AP)
2008-03-19 08:00:14.079252
By SAMUEL MAULL, Associated Press Writer 21 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."
...Coldplay reveals album title and release date (Reuters)
2008-03-19 23:00:16.92453
54 minutes ago
NEW YORK (Billboard) - Coldplay's fourth album, "Viva la Vida," will arrive June 17 in North America and a day earlier internationally, according to the band's spokesperson.The Capitol release is the follow-up to 2005's "X&Y," which topped the Billboard 200.
So far, Coldplay's lone confirmed live dates are at the first Pemberton Festival in British Columbia on July 27 and Japan's Summer Sonic Festival on August 9-10.
Reuters/Billboard
Email Story IM Story...Dahl hits back at Cullum height jibes
2008-03-19 19:00:16.732416
Diminutive singer Jamie Cullum has been unfairly subjected to a media smear campaign over his height, according to his 'horrified' girlfriend Sophie Dahl. The couple has been the subject of much press scrutiny since they unveiled their relationship last
Fall Out Boy Will Play In Antarctica To Set World Record -- And MTV News Will Be There
2008-03-19 02:00:12.527857
Never let it be said that Fall Out Boy aren't making the absolute, total and complete most they can out of being a successful rock band. According to FOB's management company, Crush, on March 25, the band will board a private jet in southern Chile for a
Flyleaf's Popularity Soars
2008-03-19 05:00:23.270159
After a playing an n exhilarating show last week at the South by Southwest Music Festival, the members of Flyleaf have finally discovered countrywide success. Not only has the band announced their new tour with Seether in the spring, but also their
Hip Hop, Rock And Soul Singer Boo Boo Cousins Gets Set For New Cd Release, Wet Heat
2008-03-19 20:00:20.78076
New York, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Boo Boo Cousins Official Website) - 2008 promises to be an exciting year for New York City based singer, songwriter, musician and producer, Boo Boo Cousins. His new CD entitled 'Wet Heat' is here to bring true music lovers
Jonas Brothers Ready To 'Burn' Up The Road
2008-03-19 14:00:12.100021
The red-hot Jonas Brothers have revealed plans for their aptly named 'Burning Up' summer tour, which will begin July 4 in Toronto. The trek, the sibling trio's first as part of a recent deal with Live Nation, runs through late August. Tickets begin going
Jonas Brothers burn up the road this summer
2008-03-19 23:00:17.376313
As the Jonas Brothers [ tickets ] get ready to wrap their wildly successful 'Look Me in the Eyes Tour,' the pop-rock trio has already announced dates for another major North American trek.The summer jaunt, dubbed 'The Burning Up Tour,' will see the tween
Judge says Mills twisted the truth (AP)
2008-03-19 08:00:13.588616
By GREGORY KATZ, Associated Press Writer 19 minutes ago
LONDON - A judge's ruling in the bitter Paul McCartney-Heather Mills divorce case shed new light Tuesday on a miserable marriage, saying Mills twisted the truth when convenient and made "exorbitant" financial demands."To some extent she is her own worst enemy," wrote Judge Hugh Bennett. "She has an explosive and volatile character."
Mills, who lost part of her leg when she was hit by a motorcycle, cast McCartney as an abusive, alcoholic husband who cruelly made fun of her disability. But the judge made clear the angry assertions rang hollow.
In a devastating indictment, Bennett called Mills' testimony "not just inconsistent and inaccurate, but also less than candid. Overall she was a less than impressive witness."
By contrast, the judge praised McCartney, 65, for "consistent, accurate and honest" testimony in the ruling, made public after he rejected Mills' attempt to block its release.
Calling Mills' demand of $250 million from McCartney "exorbitant" in light of their four-year marriage, the judge said her claims may have been inflated because of her estranged husband's stature.
"The wife ... must have felt rather swept off her feet by a man as famous as the husband," he wrote. "I think this may well have warped her perception, leading her to indulge in make-believe. The objective facts do not support her case."
He said Mills, 40, had "unreasonably" expected that she would be able to live the deluxe McCartney lifestyle for the rest of her life even after she divorced the pop star.
"Although she strongly denied it, her case boils down to the syndrome of 'me too' or 'if he has it, I want it, too,'" he wrote in awarding Mills $48.6 million.
Mills maintained she needed $6.4 million a year for herself and her daughter, Beatrice, as well as multi-million dollar properties in London and New York, and money for an office in Brighton, on England's south coast.
Instead, the judge said Mills could get by on $1.2 million a year and one property, worth $5 million, in London.
The former model also sought millions of dollars in lost income, asserting McCartney had forced her to turn down numerous lucrative business opportunities. But Bennett rejected the claim, saying the former Beatle used his considerable prestige to actively promote his wife's career, not quash it.
...Led Zeppelin tour details revealed? (Yahoo! Music)
2008-03-19 18:00:17.264434
courtesy of NME.com Wed Mar 19, 10:00 AM ET
Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan has claimed that his band have bagged tour support slots on a supposed future tour with Led Zeppelin.Although McKagan was not forthcoming with any specific dates or plans for such a tour, he said that his band "have it" in terms of the support slot.
Speaking to BBC 6Music, he said: "I understand that we have it, although I imagine there will be plenty of bands prepared to kick and punch us out of the way for the privilege."
For more on Led Zeppelin, check out their NME.com page.
Email Story IM Story Printable View Yahoo! Buzz RECOMMEND THIS STORY...Met Opera's `Tristan' interrupted again (AP)
2008-03-19 10:00:12.797616
1 hour, 20 minutes ago
NEW YORK - The Metropolitan Opera's revival of Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde" can't make it through a performance without turmoil.For the second straight performance, the opera was interrupted in mid-act, this time because of scenery.
The part of the raked set Gary Lehman was stretched out on came loose at the start of the third act Tuesday night, and the tenor slid into the prompter's box, Met spokesman Brent Ness said.
The opera was stopped while Lehman was examined by a doctor, who cleared him to continue. The performance then resumed.
Trouble with the six-performance run began when tenor Ben Heppner came down with a virus, canceling his first four performances. John Mac Master, his cover singer, replaced him in the March 10 opener and received mostly negative reviews, and Lehman made his Met debut last Friday opposite Deborah Voigt, who sang Isolde.
Voigt felt ill with a stomach ailment during the second act of Friday's performance, which was stopped so she could be replaced by Janice Baird, her cover singer, who made her Met debut.
The Met has not announced a Tristan for Saturday's matinee, which will be telecast in high-definition to theaters world-wide. The Web site of Roger Dean Smith said Tuesday that he will sing the performance.
Heppner hopes to return for the final two nights, on March 25 and 28.
___
On the Net:
http://www.metopera.org
Email Story...Met `Tristan' interrupted again (AP)
2008-03-19 06:00:13.037389
Wed Mar 19, 1:15 AM ET
NEW YORK - The Metropolitan Opera's revival of Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde" can't make it through a performance without turmoil.For the second straight performance, the opera was interrupted in mid-act, this time because of scenery.
The part of the raked set Gary Lehman was stretched out on came loose at the start of the third act Tuesday night, and the tenor slid into the prompter's box, Met spokesman Brent Ness said.
The opera was stopped while Lehman was examined by a doctor, who cleared him to continue. The performance then resumed.
Trouble with the six-performance run began when tenor Ben Heppner came down with a virus, canceling his first four performances. John Mac Master, his cover singer, replaced him in the March 10 opener and received mostly negative reviews, and Lehman made his Met debut last Friday opposite Deborah Voigt, who sang Isolde.
Voigt felt ill with a stomach ailment during the second act of Friday's performance, which was stopped so she could be replaced by Janice Baird, her cover singer, who made her Met debut.
The Met has not announced a Tristan for Saturday's matinee, which will be telecast in high-definition to theaters world-wide. The Web site of Roger Dean Smith said Tuesday that he will sing the performance.
Heppner hopes to return for the final two nights, on March 25 and 28.
___
On the Net:
http://www.metopera.org
Email Story...More Beatles, less Idol breakouts
2008-03-19 05:00:23.293115
Tonight -- 'by popular demand' -- more Beatles songs. Who demanded it? Voters last week who called in to an automated counter? Was there a Beatles rally outside the studio? Is Heather Mills feeling forgiving? Methinks Idol producers just got overexcited
New Colorado music festival lures Matthews, Petty (Reuters)
2008-03-19 22:00:14.185148
1 hour, 52 minutes ago
LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - The Dave Matthews Band and Tom Petty&the Heartbreakers will headline the first Mile High Music Festival, to take place July 19-20 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.Other acts scheduled to perform include John Mayer, the Black Crowes, O.A.R., Michael Franti&Spearhead, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Steve Winwood, Spoon, Flogging Molly, Colbie Caillat, OneRepublic, the Roots, moe., Citizen Cope, Andrew Bird, State Radio, Martin Sexton, Ingrid Michaelson and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.
Tickets go on sale March 29 via TicketHorse.com and milehighmusicfestival.com. Two-day passes cost $150 (plus...
Raconteurs cut to the chase with new album (Reuters)
2008-03-19 01:00:15.662286
By Jonathan Cohen Tue Mar 18, 7:26 PM ET
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...
Rapper Rick Ross zooms by "NOW" to top album chart (Reuters)
2008-03-19 18:00:16.877314
By Jonathan Cohen 2 hours, 36 minutes ago
NEW YORK (Billboard) - Miami rapper Rick Ross scores his second straight chart-topper on the Billboard 200 as "Trilla" debuts at No. 1.The album sold 198,000 units in the United States during the week ended March 16, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That marks an improvement over the 187,000 copies shifted by his 2006 No. 1, "Port of Miami."
The "NOW 27" compilation is new at No. 2 with 169,000, the lowest opening week for a regular "NOW" album since the first edition bowed in 1998 with 48,000. Of the 27 installments of the regular "NOW" line, all but four have debuted with more...
Red Stripe Music Award 08
2008-03-19 00:00:12.439603
The hunt has begun for the UK's best live music act -with slots at two major festivals guaranteed for the winner, the Red Stripe Music Award '08 (RSMA) will be tougher than ever. Last year, two bands from Chester, Camel One and City Royals, made it to
Spears' friend objects to commissioner (AP)
2008-03-19 06:00:13.973349
Tue Mar 18, 8:51 PM ET
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...Student record label finding its groove (AP)
2008-03-19 11:00:14.110551
By KATHY MATHESON, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 32 minutes ago
PHILADELPHIA - When the Redwalls recently performed on David Letterman's "Late Show," it wasn't just a boost for the indie rock band trying to make a name for itself. It was also a point of pride for the band's label — student-run MAD Dragon Records at Drexel University."Everyone around the country could see something that we were working on," said junior Amanda Melczer, 20.
At a school more known for engineering and technology, Drexel's music industry program is an emerging gem. It's one of the most selective programs at the Philadelphia university, with close to 600 applications for 54 freshman seats, school officials said.
What makes the program unusual is a deal with Ryko Distribution that MAD Dragon chief executive officer Marcy Rauer Wagman helped secure in 2005. While other college-run labels sell mostly locally or through Web sites, Drexel's artists get their CDs in stores across the country, from mom-and-pop shops to Best Buy.
"When we got the deal with Ryko, that definitely put us on the map nationally," said senior Christianna LaBuz, 22. "People started taking us a little more seriously."
MAD Dragon's latest release, the Swimmers' album "Fighting Trees," came out March 4 and the label expects to put out a CD by rootsy musicians Hoots and Hellmouth in June.
Drexel's program, which gives students real-world experience and a bachelor's degree in "music industry," has about 220 students — almost double the number when MAD Dragon was born in 2003.
MAD Dragon President Terry Tompkins, who previously worked for two major record labels, monitors their work during class, asking for reports on everything from artists' airplay to in-store appearances to displays and posters.
The label's big coup was signing the Redwalls, a group of promising Chicago rockers that had been dropped by Capitol Records. MAD Dragon released the band's self-titled CD in October and filmed a video for the single "Modern Diet."
"We started to gravitate toward what they were doing ... because of the college market aspect," said band tour manager Ronald "Rono" Polito. "Who better to get that message out there than the kids themselves?"
MAD Dragon takes its name from the university's Media, Art and Design college plus the university mascot. The venture was started with $250,000 five years ago, but school officials won't reveal its current budget.
Even at a time when more people are forgoing physical CDs to download songs, MAD Dragon's distribution deal is important, said Randy Derebegian, who works with the label at Ryko Distribution.
...Van Dyke sings 'Supercali ... ' etc. (AP)
2008-03-19 07:00:13.233845
By MICHAEL CIDONI, Associated Press writer Tue Mar 18, 9:10 PM ET
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.
...ZZ Top Gets Busy On First Album Since 2003
2008-03-19 20:00:19.27983
With a live DVD, a new album and some touring on the docket, ZZ Top is revving up for a busy year. While he was hanging out at this year's South By Southwest Music + Media Conference in Austin, Texas -- where he performed at Rachael Ray's Feedback party
`American Idol' axes another contestant (AP)
2008-03-19 23:00:16.439824
By ERIN CARLSON, Associated Press Writer 37 minutes ago
NEW YORK - Amanda Overmyer sang "Back in the U.S.S.R." — and now, she's going back home.The 23-year-old nurse from Mulberry, Ind., was voted off "American Idol" Wednesday, leaving 10 hopefuls to vie for the title and record contract.
Overmyer — a crowd-pleasing performer with streaked hair and a flair for southern rock — seemed to take her departure from the Fox show in stride.
"It's been a run. ... No. 11 out of all them people is more than I could expect," she told host Ryan Seacrest.
Carly Smithson and Kristy Lee Cook were the other lowest vote-getters.
Cook, a 24-year-old from Selma, Ore., has been a bottom-three fixture in the past weeks and the finalist that judge Simon Cowell picks on the most.
Cowell — who has called Cook "forgettable" and compared her voice to "Dolly Parton on helium" — continued his harsh criticism Tuesday after the country singer's take on the Beatles' "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away."
"(You're) like musical wallpaper, insomuch as you notice it, but you can't remember it," he said. "And that's what you're doing week after week: You're making no impact."
Cook talked back to the acid-tongued judge, saying: "I can blow you out of your socks, and you know it."
Wednesday's "Idol" featured a performance by season-five finalist Kellie Pickler.
Seacrest also announced this year's roster of celebrity mentors: Parton, Mariah Carey, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Neil Diamond.
___
...Tomorrows News Yesterdays News 2008-03-17 2008-03-16 2008-03-15 2008-03-14 2008-03-13