Janet Jackson postpones shows in Japan (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Janet Jackson has postponed the Japanese leg of her tour, blaming the slumping economy, the singer's representatives said on Monday.

Jackson, who launched her Rock Witchu Tour in September, was scheduled to play five shows in Japan in February.

"It's unfortunate but the world's economy does not allow Janet to make a trip at this time," the singer's manager, Kenneth Crear, said in a statement.

Jackson's representatives offered no other details about the postponement, including any plans to reschedule.

She had postponed six North American shows after falling ill with migraine-associated vertigo. In November, the singer announced those shows would not be rescheduled.

Jackson, 42, is the younger sister of pop icon Michael Jackson. Her tour, which opened on September 7 in Vancouver, was the first time she had gone on the road in seven years.

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte and John O'Callaghan)

Dakota Fanning Adds ‘Twilight’ To Her Reading List
Spector retrial enters key act as defense begins
(AP)
M.I.A. ‘Honored’ By Oscar Nod, Wants To Book Dave Chappelle For Baby Shower
“Idol” David Cook to hit colleges on U.S. tour
(Reuters)

Spector retrial enters key act as defense begins (AP)

LOS ANGELES – Nearly six years after an actress was shot to death in the foyer of his storied castle, music legend Phil Spector's long, strange voyage through the justice system is nearing what could be its final act — his lawyer's presentation of what happened on that fateful night.

Prosecutors rested their case last week in what is the second murder trial for Spector. The first ended in a mistrial when jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict and deadlocked 10-2 in favor of conviction.

Both sides are hoping for a verdict this time. If convicted, the 68-year-old record producer could be sentenced to 18 years in prison, realistically the rest of his life.

A verdict would also render a decision on just what happened to Lana Clarkson, a statuesque, blonde beauty who became a 1980s cult figure following her starring role in the Roger Corman film "Barbarian Queen."

The new jury must decide the same question that ultimately stumped the first: Did Spector, a man known for threatening people with guns, shoot Clarkson or did the 40-year-old actress, down on her luck and despondent about her future, turn a gun on herself?

After weeks of scientific testimony and accounts of the fateful meeting of Clarkson and Spector, the final prosecution witness Thursday was her mother, Donna Clarkson, whose testimony sought to show that her daughter was not suicidal because she went shopping for shoes the day before her death in February 2003.

Unlike the first trial, which included a cast of multiple defense lawyers, the second one has just one featured player on Spector's side, veteran trial lawyer Doron Weinberg, who planned to open his case Monday afternoon with testimony from a coroner.

Weinberg is likely to question why a "psychological autopsy" was not done, analyzing Clarkson's letters, e-mails and activities in the weeks before she died.

He is pursuing a risky new strategy in the second trial, seeking to show that Spector did not threaten only women with guns — he threatened men as well. The idea is to counter prosecution claims that Spector hated women and had a homicidal instinct toward them.

While acknowledging that Spector sometimes waved guns around, Weinberg said in his opening statement that the genius who revolutionized pop music "never fired a gun at a living being."

Spector, famous for changing the sound of rock 'n' roll with his "Wall of Sound" recording technique in the 1960s, has worked with the Beatles, the Righteous Brothers, Ike and Tina Turner, the Crystals, the Ronettes and numerous others, producing such class pop songs as "River Deep, Mountain High" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'."

Free on $1 million bail, he sits silently at the counsel table, a diminutive, foppish figure wearing long frock coats and silk ties, accompanied to court by his young wife, Rachelle, and a bodyguard.

Weinberg has promised to wrap up his presentation in about three weeks, having already spent many hours cross-examining witnesses presented by prosecutors Alan Jackson and Truc Do in a trial that began last October.

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(AP)

"Idol" David Cook to hit colleges on U.S. tour (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – "American Idol" champ David Cook is going back to school, announcing a U.S. tour on Friday that will take him to colleges around the nation.

Cook's 37-date tour will begin on February 13 at Florida State University in Tallahassee and end on April 25 at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, AOL music Web site www.PopEater.com said.

Most of the concerts will take place at colleges, including the University of Mississippi and the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. But Cook will also play at Seneca Niagara Casino in New York State and Ameristar Casino in Kansas City, Missouri.

Cook worked as a bartender while trying to make it in the business before winning "American Idol" in May 2008. He said he was keen to get back to his roots and promote the tradition of college tours.

"There's something inherently nostalgic about playing college shows. So many amazing acts used to do it, so it's nice to be able to bring that ideal back, in some small way," Cook said.

"Besides, touring on a bus beats what we used to do, which was cram five guys into a 7 passenger van for one show, 13 hours away," he added.

The rock singer's self-titled debut album came out in November and won the No. 3 spot on the Billboard charts. It is holding at No. 10 this week.

Cook said the inspiration behind the tour is superstar Irish rock bandU2, whom he saw perform at the Super Bowl in 2002. "It was just very poignant," Cook said. "Not overdone, but definitely powerful."

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis: Editing by Jill Serjeant)

Slash wins round in lawsuit over house (AP)

LOS ANGELES – A judge says Slash and his wife can pursue a lawsuit against the brokers who sold them what they thought was a party-worthy Hollywood Hills home.

The former Guns N' Roses guitarist claims real estate agent Gregory Holcomb and Sotheby's International Realty misrepresented the house they bought in 2006 and later sold.

They wanted enough size and parking for parties, but say the home was smaller than advertised and on a public street with parking restrictions. They seek more than $1 million and punitive damages.

A judge refused to dismiss the 2007 claims Friday, but will allow Sotheby's to dispute punitive damages. Defendants' attorney Fredric Trester says he's confident they'll win at trial.

Slash did not speak at Friday's hearing.

Sundance honors `Push,' `We Live in Public' (AP)

PARK CITY, Utah – The Sundance Film Festival's prizes for best U.S. drama on Saturday went to "Push," the dark yet hopeful story of a young woman finding her way out of nightmarish circumstances in 1980s Harlem.

Based on the 1996 first novel by the poet Sapphire and directed by Lee Daniels, "Push" won both the grand jury and audience awards. The film version is subtitled "Based on the novel by Sapphire" to distinguish it from the Dakota Fanning-Chris Evans sci-fi thriller due out next month.

The penultimate night of the 11-day festival, the nation's premiere showcase for independent film, was marked by political references and jangled nerves.

Sundance Institute executive director Ken Brecher hoisted an honorary festival pass with the new U.S. president's name on it, and presenter Joseph Gordon-Levitt tugged at his red Barack Obama T-shirt, saying: "These awards are exercises in democracy, and it's a good time for democracy right now."

Gordon-Levitt cheered and gave Daniels a big hug before presenting the audience award to his film, which stars Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey and Paula Patton alongside newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, who plays pregnant 16-year-old Precious Jones.

"This is so important to me because this is speaking for every minority that's in Harlem, that's in Detroit, that's in Watts, that's being abused, that can't read, that's obese and that we turn our back on," Daniels said. "And this is for every gay little boy and girl that's being tortured. If I can do this ... ya'll can do this."

When he picked up the grand jury prize later in the evening, Daniels acknowledged: "I'm drunk. I got like three shots right after we got the last one."

The grand jury prize for U.S. documentary went to "We Live in Public," focusing on little-known Internet pioneer Josh Harris and his failed "lifecasting" art projects in 1999 and 2000. The film was directed by Ondi Timoner, whose "Dig!" won the same award in 2004.

Timoner dedicated the honor to Harris, calling him "the first subject I've ever had that said I don't care how you portray me as long as you make a great film."

Nicholas Jasenovec and Charlyne Yi won the Waldo Salt screenwriting award for "Paper Heart," a hybrid documentary-improv road movie featuring Yi and Michael Cera.

"I feel sick. I'm sweaty. I smell bad," said Yi, a performance artist and comedian best known for a bit part in "Knocked Up" and her relationship with Cera.

She finished by addressing other filmmakers in the audience: "Who knows what'll happen to our films but at least they were seen."

___

On the Net:

http://www.sundance.org

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(AP)

Coldplay top nominee at BRIT music awards (Reuters)

LONDON (Reuters) – Acclaimed British rock band Coldplay and Welsh singer Duffy head the field at the 2009 BRITs, the country's top pop music awards, with four nominations apiece, organizers announced on Tuesday.

They are followed by London-born singer/songwriter Adele, indie pop band Scouting For Girls and alternative rockers Elbow, who all appear in three categories.

Coldplay are up for best British group and best British album, considered the most prestigious prize at the BRITs, for their multi-million selling record "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends". The group is also up for best British single and British live act.

The BRITs' recognition of Duffy, a relative unknown a year ago, caps a year during which her debut album "Rockferry" was Britain's top-selling record in 2008 and boasts worldwide sales of nearly 4.5 million copies.

She has been nominated for best album, best single for "Mercy", British female solo artist and British breakthrough act. The best British single award is chosen by live public vote on the night of the awards ceremony.

In the international categories, the same five artists are competing both for best international group and international album -- AC/DC, Fleet Foxes, the Killers, Kings of Leon and MGMT.

BRITS GO GLOBAL

British pop music enjoyed considerable international success in 2008, underlined by its dominance at the industry's top awards, the Grammys, which will be handed out in Los Angeles on February 8.

Of the 20 nominations in the four "main" Grammy categories, 13 are British artists, BRITs organizers said.

"The list highlights the continued investment in British talent across the UK record industry," said Ged Doherty, chairman of the BRITs Committee.

Adele, another female pop artist to make it big in 2008, has been shortlisted for the best British female, British breakthrough and British single categories.

Elbow are in the running for best British group and album plus top live act, where they are up against Scouting for Girls who are also nominated for British breakthrough act and single for "Heartbeat".

Four other British acts -- Ting Tings, Radiohead, Girls Aloud, and Estelle -- land two nominations apiece in this year's BRITs list.

BRITs organizers also announced on Tuesday that Take That and Coldplay will appear at the awards ceremony on February 18th, joining Pet Shop Boys, U2, Kings of Leon, Duffy and Girls Aloud.

Hosting the event, held before an audience of over 10,000 people at London's Earls Court, will be Australian star Kylie Minogue.

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(AP)

Michelle Obama, Miley Cyrus: favorites at concert (AP)

WASHINGTON – Michelle Obama challenged the audience at a teen- and tween-filled "Kids' Inaugural: We Are the Future" concert to serve their country.

She got a response from the audience on Monday night that surpassed even the appearance of teen star Miley Cyrus.

"You kids are the future of this great nation," Obama said to the crowd largely made up of military families and their charged-up children. "We need every American to serve their community, including our young people."

What can kids do? she wondered aloud: Volunteer in a homeless shelter, visit an elderly person or write letters to U.S. troops.

"For many of you, they're you're moms and dads, right?" Obama said. "Barack, Malia, Sasha and I are so grateful for the service and sacrifice all our military families make to help keep this nation safe."

Cyrus, who performed for the first time her inspirational song, "The Climb," returned the compliment to the Obamas' daughters, well-known fans of Cyrus' Disney TV alter ego, Hannah Montana.

"You girls must be awfully proud of your dad — and so am I," Cyrus said, inviting her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, to join her for a performance on stage.

Cyrus then went into the audience to quiz kids on some history: What was President Ulysses S. Grant driving when he got the first-ever presidential speeding ticket? The crowd correctly picked a horse and buggy over a skateboard or Ferrari.

"You didn't think we can give you a quiz on a day with no school? We say, `Yes, we can!" comedian George Lopez joked with the crowd that also included local families who received tickets from the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington.

The Jonas Brothers got Obama — wearing a sparkly blue dress and mustard-yellow cardigan — on her feet dancing, and Malia and Sasha to come up on stage to jump around like the schoolgirls that they are.

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Man pleads not guilty to Hudson family killings (AP)

CHICAGO – Jennifer Hudson's brother-in-law pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges he shot to death the Oscar-winning actress's mother and brother and the 7-year-old son of his estranged wife.

William Balfour, 27, entered not guilty pleas to first-degree murder and home invasion charges after nodding to members of his family gathered in the last of three Cook County courtrooms he appeared in Tuesday.

Balfour is married to Jennifer Hudson's sister, Julia Hudson. He is charged in the October deaths of the sisters' mother, Darnell Donerson, their brother, Jason Hudson, and Julia Hudson's 7-year-old son, Julian King.

Prosecutors allege Balfour shot the three in a jealous rage because he was upset Julia Hudson had been dating another man.

Prosecutors first asked that the case be reassigned to another judge, though they did not give a reason. Presiding Judge Paul P. Biebel Jr. then reassigned the case and Balfour entered his plea in the final courtroom.

Defense attorney Joshua Kutnick said he plans to ask at Balfour's next court appearance, set for Jan. 27, that Balfour be moved from a state prison in Joliet to Cook County Jail to make it easier to meet with him.

The bodies of Donerson and Jason Hudson were discovered Oct. 24 at the family's South Side home. King's body was found three days later in an SUV on the city's West Side.

Balfour was arrested shortly after the killings and held in Chicago police custody for 48 hours — the longest a person can be held without charges — before his transfer to state custody on what authorities said was a parole violation. He was charged with murder last month.

A publicist for Jennifer Hudson declined to comment Tuesday. She was a finalist in the 2004 season of "American Idol" and won her Oscar in 2007 for her supporting role in "Dreamgirls."

The 27-year-old singer and actress released her self-titled debut album in the fall but hasn't made public appearances since the killings.

Hudson is expected to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl on Feb. 1, and she is nominated for four awards at the Feb. 8 Grammy Awards.

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Duffy, Coldplay dominate Brit Awards nominations (AP)

LONDON – Soul singer Duffy and Coldplay dominate the nominations for Britain's prestigious music awards.

Coldplay's first album in three years, "Viva La Vida" and Duffy's "Rockferry" are both nominated for the title of best British album at the Brit Awards.

Coldplay will also compete with Elbow, Girls Aloud, Radiohead and revived boyband Take That for the title of best British Group.

Kayne West, Beyonce and Kings of Leon are nominated for the international categories.

The Brit Awards are the British equivalent of the Grammys and the nominations were announced Tuesday. The winners will be announced in London on Feb. 18.

Most winners are selected by a vote of over 1,000 industry members and include representatives from record companies, retailers and disc jockeys.

___

On The Web: http://www.brits.co.uk/

Golden Globes Nominations Honor ‘Benjamin Button,’ ‘Doubt,’ ‘Frost/Nixon’ — And ‘Tropic Thunder’!
Coldplay top nominee at BRIT music awards
(Reuters)

Coroner: Abdul fan died from overdose (AP)

LOS ANGELES – A coroner in Los Angeles has found that an "American Idol" hopeful found dead outside Paula Abdul's home committed suicide with prescription drugs.

Assistant Chief of Coroner Ed Winter says Paula Goodspeed died in November after of a prescription drug overdose. The report didn't specify which drugs.

Officials had suspected suicide, but the coroner's office had been waiting on toxicology tests. Winter said Goodspeed did not leave a note.

Goodspeed was panned for her "Proud Mary" performance at a season five audition. She said she was a huge fan of Abdul and created life-size paintings of her. Abdul has recently backed off criticism of "Idol" producers, who she had claimed put Goodspeed on the air despite warnings that she was obsessed.

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Britney Spears Is Abs-olutely Fabulous (E! Online)

Los Angeles (E! Online) – In case there happens to be someone who still needs proof that the old Britney Spears has returned, look no further than the pop star's exposed midriff, seen here in a shot just posted to her Website.

The pic was taken as the "Womanizer" songstress prepares for her upcoming world tour, The Circus Starring Britney Spears, which kicks off March 3 in New Orleans.

Forget milk. Clearly a comeback does a body good!

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All you need is Net, '60s folkie Donovan says (Reuters)

CANNES, France (Hollywood Reporter) – The Internet is the new '60s, folk rocker Donovan told reporters as the MIDEM international music conference got under way here Monday.

"The dream of the '60s, of me and John Lennon and the others, was: How do we speak to everybody on the planet at the same time?" said Donovan, whose career has been revived in TV commercials using his hits. "The first answer was via satellite, but that didn't connect to everyone. Then John would say, 'How about telepathy?'

"Then we forgot about it until now we realize that the Internet fulfills that dream of communicating with everyone. I'm not afraid of the Internet because it's that the dream we had. The Internet is the new '60s as far as I'm concerned."

Donovan, who had received the medal of Officier dans L'Ordre des Arts et des Letttres from the French government Sunday, was on hand for a showcase and to promote a biographical documentary, "Sunshine Superman: The Journey of Donovan."

The Scottish-born singer-songwriter, who was to perform a showcase at MIDEM on Monday night, said he would make what he expected would be his last world tour beginning in 2010.

Rain fell steadily on the French Riviera all day as the conference focused on how artists can relate to their fans via the Internet without the traditional backing of record labels.

At a banquet in the Carlton, legendary French singer Charles Aznavour was to receive the MIDEM Lifetime Achievement Award.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

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Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez wow inaugural gala (AP)

WASHINGTON – Latino entertainers Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony graced "la alfombra roja" — the red carpet — at Union Station Sunday to give a Hispanic flair to the inauguration pre-celebration Sunday.

They posed quickly for cameras with no visible signs of the marital distress that tabloids have been buzzing about recently. The two singers entertained the crowd at the end of the night.

Lopez introduced Anthony after making a pitch for the new president.

"Yes we can," she said to the cheering crowd. "We all stood together and said 'Yes we will.'"

Lopez, wearing an electric blue strapless gown, towered over her husband Anthony, who wore pinstripes. Her piled-high updo added a few more inches.

The couple said little from the carpet, but Anthony traded a hug with Miami-born Wilmer Valderrama, star of "That '70s Show," as he swiftly moved off the carpet.

Valderrama actively promoted registration and voting among young Latinos during the presidential election.

"All of us performers, not until this election did we really understand what we could do," Valderrama said.

Though focus of the night was entertainment, the music quickly mixed with politics.

Tony Plana, who plays Betty's father in the television series "Ugly Betty," said he was ecstatic about President-elect Barack Obama's victory. He said an Obama administration could improve the lives of all minorities.

But he also said Hispanics deserved a better spot on the inaugural festivities list.

"It's a concern this event tonight is not an official event of the administration. It's a little sad for me Latinos had to organize their own event," Plana said. He said he hoped it did not mean Hispanics would be relegated to a back seat. The event was organized by the National Council of La Raza and other Hispanic organizations.

"American Idol" runner up David Archuleta kicked off the night with "The Star-Spangled Banner" and he was quickly followed with music by War.

Members of Congress filtered in and mixed in the VIP room with some of the stars.

Other entertainers at the event included Mexican singer Lila Downs, comedian George Lopez, actress Rosie Perez, telenovela actress Angelica Vale and others.

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Beatles films inspire new Jonas Brothers TV show (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Could the Jonas Brothers become the next Beatles? Or merely the new Monkees?

The chart-topping teen idols, who elicit piercing shrieks from their young fans wherever they go, are starring in a Disney Channel series inspired by the Beatles' movies as well as the zany American made-for-TV group the Monkees.

The Jonas siblings -- Kevin, 21, Joe, 19, and Nick, 16 -- will appear as themselves in the barely fictional comedy series "Jonas," premiering on the cable channel in May.

The squeaky clean brothers, beloved by the young daughters of President-elect Barack Obama, play members of a popular band trying to live normal lives at a regular school, despite being trailed by throngs of ardent fans.

Described as a fusion of situation comedy and music video, the show also features hitherto unknown brother Frankie, 8, (known as the "bonus Jonas") playing their younger brother.

The TV show originally was envisioned as a spy series, but producers said on Friday the concept was changed as the Jonas Brothers became a global teen phenomenon over the past 12 months.

"It's hard not to make parallel comparisons to the Beatles in 1962 and 1963 when you see the kind of response that the Jonas Brothers' fans have to them. It's a force of nature," executive producer Roger Schulman told reporters at a preview.

He said the Fab Four's 1964 big-screen romp, "A Hard Day's Night," was "very much a template," as was their 1965 follow-up, "Help!" Another inspiration was the Monkees, who spawned a short-lived series in the mid-1960s, delirious fans and a succession of hit singles.

"Any time you have a group of talented musicians who got along together, were kind of a family, and had a sort of air of being insubordinate and a little subversive, you can't ignore that," Schulman said.

The Jonas Brothers previously starred in the Disney Channel's "Camp Rock," which debuted last June and became one of the family-friendly network's most successful TV movies with more than 100 million viewers worldwide.

But Nick Jonas said the transition to acting in a 21-episode series was daunting.

"This gives us a great opportunity to have acting and music involved," he said. "Acting is something that's totally different for us, and going into it we were pretty nervous."

Disney said on Friday a "Camp Rock" sequel was already in the works. The "Jonas Brothers -- The 3D Concert Experience" feature film opens in the United States on February 27, three weeks after the Grammy Awards.

The brothers will vie for the coveted best new artist award, a prize that went to the Beatles in 1964.

As for the Obama girls, the Jonas Brothers revealed that Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, had already fulfilled one of their dreams. The girls met the pop band in private last September after mother Michelle appeared on a TV talk show.

"They were very excited. It was very cool to meet them after knowing they were fans," Nick Jonas said. "We played ping pong. They beat me!"

(Editing by Dean Goodman and Peter Cooney)

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More recording acts expected to go their own way (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Billboard) – Rock acts Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails and the Eagles have all thrived since leaving major labels. A fresh crop of well-known musicians may join them in 2009.

Here are a few of the higher-profile acts who appear poised to take the leap.

BECK

Beck's decade-plus contract with Geffen was fulfilled in 2008 with the release of "Modern Guilt," which entered the Billboard 200 at No. 4 in July but turned out to be his lowest-selling major-label album at 262,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It's not hard to picture the iconoclastic artist going off on his own or perhaps returning to his roots and signing a deal with an indie like K Records. Beck told Spin magazine last fall that he might give up touring after his current round of dates and that he may "never make anything again that a major record company would want." An e-mail to his publicist regarding his plans was not returned.

RYAN ADAMS

Few major-label artists in recent memory have released as much material in a concentrated period of time as Ryan Adams did with Lost Highway: nine albums and three EPs since 2001. But the recent "Cardinology" fulfills Adams' deal with the label, and it seems abundantly clear he's seeking an arrangement that would allow him to release music whenever inspiration strikes, as he often does on his blog. "As much as we've tried to accommodate him by putting out a lot of records, a major-label deal is probably a bit restrictive for Ryan," Lost Highway chairman Luke Lewis told Billboard in October. "My sense is he'd be better served by being independent, and by that I mean totally independent."

PEARL JAM

The veteran Seattle band didn't re-up the album-by-album deal with J Records that it signed in 2004; its lone studio release for the label, a 2006 self-titled set, has sold 704,000 copies, nearly 200,000 more than its 2002 Epic swan song, "Riot Act." Sources say Pearl Jam is likely to self-release its next studio album, due in summer 2009, in the United States and team with a major label for distribution elsewhere. The band, which has long sold its own authorized bootlegs online, has in the past inked one-time physical distribution deals for self-released DVDs and live albums. It still has strong ties with Epic, which will reissue the band's seminal 1991 record "Ten" March 24.

METALLICA

Once derided as a dinosaur for its strong public opposition to Napster, Metallica would now be considered a little more forward-thinking in its older years. The band's contract with Warner Bros. ended with the September release of "Death Magnetic," which topped the Billboard 200 for three weeks and has sold 1.6 million copies. In a recent interview, drummer Lars Ulrich hinted that the band might do things itself, adding, "It's just exciting to be able to communicate directly with your fans." Warner Bros. and Metallica offered no comment on the matter.

50 CENT

The superstar rapper's empire goes way beyond music, with an apparel line, video games, a Vitamin Water deal and the branded online social network and content platform ThisIs50.com battling for time with his recording career. His last album, 2007's "Curtis," has sold 1.4 million copies -- a respectable number, but a drop in the bucket compared with the 12 million his two previous efforts sold combined. "Before I Self Destruct," due in February, fulfills his contract with Universal Music-owned Interscope. A source at Universal says 50 remains a global priority for the company. The artist told Billboard that he plans to "free himself up as an agent" after the release of his new album.

Reuters/Billboard

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Whitney Houston & Jennifer Hudson Duet In Works? (E! Online)

Los Angeles (E! Online) – Will Whitney Houston come through and actually perform at Clive Davis' legendary Grammys preparty?

Fingers crossed!

As I first told you in my daily Gossip Guru videoblog on Tuesday, the long-embattled songbird is scheduled to be on the bill when Davis cohosts the annual bash for the first time with NARAS on Feb. 7 at the Beverly Hills Hilton hotel.

Ms. Houston was supposed to perform last year along with fellow superstars like Alicia Keys, Leona Lewis, Wyclef Jean, Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli, but she canceled because of a death in her family. She did, however, attend the soiree as Davis' date.

And Houston won't be the only welcome-back songstress on the Davis stage...

Jennifer Hudson is another scheduled headliner. This will be the Oscar winner's second performance since her mother, brother and nephew were killed in the fall. As I exclusively reported, Hudson's return to the stage takes places Feb. 1 when she sings the national anthem at the Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla.

Will Houston and Hudson perform together? Probably not, a source tells me, because there "will be so many big voices that night it may be weird just to single them out and have them sing together."

The audience also promises to be star-studded. Among last year's guests were Janet Jackson, Carrie Underwood with then-beau Chace Crawford, Rihanna, Fergie, Pete and Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, Lindsay Lohan, Missy Elliott and Rod Stewart.

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Snowboarder Andrew sings new tune as musician (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Billboard) – The list of professional athletes who have crossed over to success music careers is pretty short. Former pro surfer Jack Johnson is the most notable exception; the rest of the crew seems to be composed of basketball stars trying their hands at rap or signing their rapping friends to vanity labels, and the Chicago Bears.

Professional snowboarder Trevor "Trouble" Andrew is making a valiant attempt to be the next exception to the rule. He recently signed with Virgin Records, which will re-release his self-titled debut album February 10, with a follow-up scheduled for early summer.

"I initially found the record poking around on iTunes," said Virgin president Rob Stevenson, who characterized Andrew's sound as a mix of "new wave and punk and hip-hop."

"It was rough," Stevenson said, "but there was an element of passion that I liked. He's big in one arena, but he's still pretty unknown in the music business, so we're going to re-release the first album to give people something to hear.

Andrew hopes to carve a niche for himself as a serious musician, but he and his label are aware that his primary occupation provides a host of branding and marketing opportunities.

"He comes with a built-in audience," Stevenson said. "We're in talks with (sports gear manufacturers) Oakley and Burton and other brands he's affiliated with, because I think there is a very natural synergy there."

Andrew agrees. "I think we have endless opportunities, because I've had very long relationships with most of these brands," he said. "We've been touring the last few years and played a lot of snowboard contests and trade shows. Other people in the community know about the music because it was in the 'Skate' videogame.

"We're thinking of doing stuff now like a special release that's only available in Burton stores, or playing in-stores in snowboard shops rather than record stores," he added.

Reuters/Billboard

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(Reuters)

"Peter" Doherty Avoids Arrests, Completes Album (E! Online)

Los Angeles (E! Online) – We were wondering what was keeping Pete Doherty out of the police blotter and gossip pages of late. Now we have our answer.

Astralwerks Records announced today that the newly christened "Peter" Doherty (our boy's apparently all grown up) has been finishing up his first solo album for release on March 24.

The sobriety-challenged British rocker, who got kicked out of the The Libertines and spent most of his recent tenure in Babyshambles shuttling between court and rehab, recorded the album in the fall with producer Stephen Street (The Smiths, Blur, Cranberries, Kaiser Chiefs).

The album's title: Grace/Wasteland. Sounds like a place Doherty is very familiar with.

THEY SAID WHAT? Get today's most commented stories now at www.eonline.com

Miley Cyrus’ Golden Globe Nomination Caps A Busy Year For ‘Hannah Montana’ Star
Is Kelly Clarkson Poised for Comeback?
(E! Online)
Lil Wayne Documentary, ‘The Carter,’ To Premiere At Sundance Film Fest Next Month
New album from U2 is on the horizon
(AP)

Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon's Baby-Making Plans (E! Online)

Los Angeles (E! Online) – Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon may not be poppin' out babies right now, but it's gonnahappen.

"We're definitely into planning a family and stuff but when everything calms down and we get the time," Cannon told me earlier today after finishing up a workout at Gatorade's G Gym at Village at the Yard at Sundance. "We're just running and gunning now and enjoying being newlyweds."

Also on the couple's agenda? Working together! But not on a musical collaboration. So what gives?

"It'll be something more out of fun than serious," Cannon said. "We're going to do some comedy stuff together. You'll see us this year doing some really funny stuff."

Cannon is not only deejaying tonight's House of Hype party for Carey's new movie, Push, but he also has his own flick at Sundance to promote, the indie psycho-thriller The Killing Room.

He plays a young homeless guy opposite Chlo Sevigny and Timothy Hutton. "It was my first real chance to be a serious method actor," Cannon said. "I lost like 20 pounds for the role. I didn't eat. I slept outside. I didn't comb my hair for a month. I went into seclusion."

(He's not expecting his wife to dig Killing too much because "she likes fun, lighthearted comedies.")

And after the film festival, it's off to Washington, D.C., for the Inaugural and some big dreams. Cannon laughed, "I want to be the official White House deejay."

THEY SAID WHAT? Get today's most commented stories now at www.eonline.com

Jennifer Aniston Weekends With…Brangelina?
(E! Online)
Mexican pop star Luis Miguel’s second son born
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Taylor Swift tops U.S. chart for sixth week (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Billboard) – In another week bereft of any major new releases, country starTaylor Swift led the U.S. pop albums chart for a sixth non-consecutive week on Wednesday.

"Fearless," the 19-year-old's second album, sold 72,000 copies during the week ended January 11, the lowest tally since Alicia Keys' "As I Am" moved 61,000 copies last February.

"Fearless" becomes the first album to spend six weeks at the top since 2005, when 50 Cent's "The Massacre" logged its first six frames at the summit.

Canadian rock bandNickelback's "Dark Horse" jumped three places to No. 2 with 53,000, while Kanye West's "808s and Heartbreak" held tight at No. 3 with 50,000. Beyonce's "I Am ... Sasha Fierce" fell two places to No. 4 with 49,000. The soundtrack to "Twilight" slipped one to No. 5 with 43,000.

The next four titles were unchanged from last week: Britney Spears' "Circus" at No. 6 (40,000), Keyshia Cole's "A Different Me" at No. 7 (37,000), Jamie Foxx's "Intuition" at No. 8 (34,000) and the "Now 29" compilation at No. 9 (30,000). Akon's "Freedom" rebounded one to No. 10 with 27,000.

The top new entry was DJ Skribble's "Total Club Hits 2" at No. 16.

At 6.25 million units, sales slid 26.5% from the previous week, and were off by 13.8% from the year-ago period.

Reuters/Billboard

Beyonce leads singles chart for third week
(Reuters)
‘Twilight’ Stars Ashley Greene, Taylor Lautner Agree: Their Fans Are The Women Of The Year

Aerosmith's Venezuela gig hobbled by bad knee (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Rock veterans Aerosmith have canceled what would have been their first concert in Venezuela after guitarist Joe Perry was forced to undergo emergency knee surgery, a spokeswoman said on Thursday.

The band was scheduled to headline the Solid Fest at Estadio Olimpico in Caracas on February 1.

But Perry, 58, developed "unforeseen complications" with the replacement knee that he received last March, according to the statement. He attended the American Music Awards last November sporting a cane.

"Playing Venezuela was my idea of a perfect way to start the New Year," singer Steven Tyler was quoted as saying in the statement. "But having heard Joe had to revisit the hospital this month, the band are truly disappointed we can't be in Caracas, and we hope to see everyone there soon."

Tyler has also been laid low by health problems. The singer, who has long battled substance abuse, checked into rehab last May saying he wanted "a safe environment" to recover from a series of painful foot surgeries. In 2006, bassist Tom Hamilton underwent a seven-week course of radiation treatment for throat cancer.

Aerosmith, a hard-partying band that rose to fame in the early 1970s as America's answer to the Rolling Stones, have been making plans to record their first album of new material since 2001's "Just Push Play." The spokeswoman declined to say how the plans would be affected by Perry's surgery.

(Reporting by Dean Goodman; Editing by xxxxxx)

Michael Jackson camp denies health problems
(Reuters)
‘Valkyrie’ Star Tom Cruise Talks Killing Hitler, Serenading Katie Holmes
‘Twilight’ Star Kristen Stewart To Play Joan Jett In ‘The Runaways’
Tyler Perry, Mary J. Blige to be honored by BET
(AP)

Jeff Beck, Metallica to enter Rock Hall of Fame (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Guitarist Jeff Beck, heavy metal band Metallica and vocalists Little Anthony & the Imperials are headed to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the music organization announced on Wednesday.

Singer, songwriter and musician Bobby Womack, hip hop's Run-D.M.C. and country music's Wanda Jackson, along with musicians Spooner Oldham, D.J. Fontana and Bill Black, rounded out the list of 2009 inductees.

The names were announced at a news conference in New York.

The induction ceremony is scheduled for April 4 in Cleveland, Ohio, where the Hall of Fame and Museum are located. The show marks the first time since 1997 that it will be staged in Cleveland after several years in New York.

On hand for the announcement in New York were the members of Metallica, considered one of the most influential heavy metal bands.

"We've done this our way. Twenty-seven, 28 years later, we're here," said drummer Lars Ulrich.

Guitar great Beck played with the Yardbirds as well as forming The Jeff Beck Group in the 1960s and playing with such top stars as Buddy Guy and Mick Jagger.

Little Anthony & the Imperials, who began singing in the 1950s, are known for such hits as "Tears on my Pillow" and "Goin' Out of My Head."

Womack has been recording music since the 1960s, as a singer and a backing guitarist for Sam Cooke.

Run-D.M.C. is credited with transforming hip hop from an urban, streetwise sound to music that proved popular with a wider audience.

Jackson, who sang both country music and rockabilly, began recording in the 1950s and was inducted in the Hall of Fame's early influence category.

Inducted in the sidemen category were Oldham, a keyboard player on such hits as "Mustang Sally" by Wilson Pickett; Fontana, a drummer for Elvis Presley on songs such as "Hound Dog;" and Black, a bassist for Presley on such hits as "Jailhouse Rock."

Metallica on fire at L.A. show
(Reuters)
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‘Spirit’ Stars Scarlett Johansson And Samuel L. Jackson Talk About Their Evil Characters

Brett Dennen — giving hope to music fans with CD (AP)

NEW YORK – Remember that one night at band camp? Brett Dennen does.

The 29-year-old singer-songwriter discovered his love for music there and hopes to reach a large fan base with his latest effort, "Hope for the Hopeless."

Dennen, who will embark on a headlining tour this week to promote his third studio CD, is often compared to John Mayer and Jason Mraz — but even those singers have praised Dennen's music.

AP: You discovered your love for music at camp. Tell us about that.

Dennen: We had this really special tradition at this camp I went to and every night some of the counselors would lead us in songs around a camp fire. Just the stars and the skies and the raging fires and all your new friends — (it was) just really nostalgic. And being there as a kid, I idolized my counselors, especially the ones who played guitar, and I thought if there's anything I wanted to be, it's a camp counselor, specifically one who played the guitar. And that's also what sort of developed my love for the folk singers because we played Neil Young songs and Paul Simon songs.

AP: How would you describe your sound?

Dennen: I would start by saying it's in the folk, singer-songwriter genre. Some of the other things you might hear in there are some world music, specifically, and I'm just a really big fan of African music, a big fan of Brazilian music, and so I think I let a little bit of those influences get in. As well as some rock and some other Western music but I think it's rooted in the singer-songwriter, storytelling folk music.

AP: How'd it feel to have the likes of John Mayer and Jason Mraz praise your music?

Dennen: It always feels good when someone appreciates you're music and it feels really good when it's a fellow musician just because musicians are usually really critical. And it feels even better when it's a musician that you like, or a musicians you respect. So having guys like Jason Mraz or John Mayer, not only be into the music, but also vocally supportive of it is great. And I've worked with Mraz on a song and John Mayer has even had me come on tour with him, and I've supported him in a couple different fashions on tour and he's said incredible things about me in the press — having that support is amazing and it's incredible. Like, how could I ask for anything more?

AP: In terms of mainstream music, where would you like to be?

Dennen: As far as being on the radio or having a music video or whatever, to me it's more about reaching lots and lots and lots of people. And if I can do that through radio, I would love it. But I also know that that might not be a possibility, just the way (the) industry (is) and it's an ever-changing industry. And I think if I continue to do what I've done — play shows, connect with people one-on-one and let everything else around do the same — I think I can get to the place I want to get to, which is playing for thousands and thousands of people every night on tour, all over the world.

___

On the Net:

http://www.brettdennen.net

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Stevie Nicks looking forward to Fleetwood Mac tour
(AP)

Lawyer: Winehouse's husband to file for divorce (AP)

LONDON – A lawyer for Amy Winehouse's jailed husband says his client will be seeking a divorce on the grounds of the soul diva's alleged infidelity.

Attorney Henri Brandman said Monday that he had been instructed by Blake Fielder-Civil "to commence divorce proceedings on the grounds of Amy's adultery."

Winehouse and Fielder-Civil married in Miami in May 2007, but he was arrested six months later over an assault. In July he was sentenced to 27 months in jail for beating up a bar manager and then offering him a bribe to keep quiet about it.

Fielder-Civil was released into a drug rehab center in November but sent back to prison weeks later for breaching his bail conditions.

Winehouse shot to stardom with the multi-Grammy-winning album "Back to Black" in 2006 and has a fortune estimated by the Sunday Times at 10 million pounds ($15 million). But her music has been overshadowed by reports of drug use, run-ins with the law and her tempestuous marriage.

During concert appearances last year, Winehouse often exhorted fans to call for the release of "my Blake." But she has been linked by tabloid newspapers to other men and recently has been photographed on holiday in the Caribbean with an alleged new beau, Josh Bowman.

Winehouse's spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

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Stevie Nicks looking forward to Fleetwood Mac tour (AP)

NEW YORK – It's been five years since their last tour, but Stevie Nicks says chemistry is still strong among the members of Fleetwood Mac. Nicks says they're gelling as they prepare for their "Unleashed" tour.

She says the magic is still there, and they're all excited to get back out on the road.

The group — which these days consists of Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham and John McVie — announced last month they were going on tour for the first time since 2003. Now they've announced new dates that include Philadelphia, Atlanta, Dallas and Los Angeles.

The tour kicks off March 1 in Pittsburgh.

___

On the Net:

http://www.fleetwoodmac.com

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(AP)
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(Reuters)

Beyonce, Wonder, Springsteen at inaugural event (AP)

NEW YORK – Judging by the lineup, Sunday's inaugural celebration for Barack Obama at the Lincoln Memorial is a coveted gig for music's top names.

Beyonce, U2, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban and James Taylor are among the musicians scheduled to perform Sunday afternoon. The president-elect and his family are due to attend, with Obama expected to speak.

Other performers include Stevie Wonder, Renee Fleming, Garth Brooks, Mary J. Blige, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend and Jennifer Nettles. Historical passages will be read by Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington, with other celebrities expected to join them.

HBO will televise the show at 7 p.m. EST.

After getting the go-ahead from the Presidential Inaugural Committee two and a half weeks ago to put the show together, executive producer George Stevens Jr. said he quickly learned it would not be like any other special event he's tried to book.

"On that first day, we asked Springsteen, Bono and Garth Brooks within a period of 45 minutes and got three `yeses,'" Stevens said. "We said, `This is going to be fun.'"

Stevens said he tried to reach out to a diversity of artists. The theme for the show, titled "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial," is less about celebration than national unification.

"The list of stars is impressive," he said. "But this is not a show biz, glitzy occasion. It's going to be rooted in history, remembering the great president (Lincoln) who led us through difficult times."

The artists won't be performing their big hits, but will be asked to perform material appropriate to the occasion. One musician will be asked to perform "A Change Is Gonna Come," the song made famous by Sam Cooke.

Springsteen will perform "The Rising," Stevens said.

Stevens is a producer of "The Kennedy Center Honors" and will be working Sunday with Don Mischer, who has produced Olympics ceremonies in the past. Stevens is a longtime Obama supporter. HBO televised a similar inaugural concert in 1993, for President Clinton's first term in office.

HBO will be offering an open feed to its cable and satellite distributors on Sunday, meaning the pay cable network will be given free to anyone who wants to watch it.

After a cold snap later in the week, Washington's long-range forecast calls for partly cloudy weather and temperatures in the mid-30s for the outdoor concert.

"We love it," Stevens said. "We're very Zen about this. We're just going to make it work."

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(AP)

Winehouse Hubby Plots Divorce, Blames Adultery (E! Online)

Los Angeles (E! Online) – Turns out, it wasn't Amy Winehouse that was no good—it was her marriage.

The Grammy winner's hubby, Blake Fielder-Civil, has instructed his attorney to begin divorce proceedings against his wife, citing the singer's alleged infidelity as the reason behind his decision to file.

Fielder-Civil's lawyer, Henri Brandman, made the long-time coming announcement over the weekend, and while neither Winehouse nor her rep has commented on the pending action, the cleaned-up—and by the sounds of it, loved-up—singer did have plenty to say about her marriage.

Or at least what's left of it.

In a surprisingly candid interview with the News of the World Sunday, the 25-year-old, who is currently vacationing in St. Lucia, revealed that she has "finally escaped from hell," is off of drugs for good and—here's where grounds for divorce likely come in—"in love again."

Winehouse has been snapped all week with 21-year-old Josh Bowman, a fellow Brit she apparently met at her resort and who has seemingly inspired her to declare, "I don't think I'm ever going home."

"He couldn't be more different from my husband, which is not a bad thing," she told the paper of her new beau, before going on to dish out a little bit too much information.

"We just had sex…can't you tell?"

As for her once-beloved Blake Incarcerated, Winehouse said she would "deal with Blake when I get back."

"I don't know what's going on with us now and for the time being I've just forgotten I'm even married...But our whole marriage was based on doing drugs. So being with someone like Josh is much better for me."

Whether he proves as good for half of her multimillion-dollar estate remains to be seen.

THEY SAID WHAT? Get today's most commented stories now at www.eonline.com

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(E! Online)
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(AP)
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NY Philharmonic to perform in Hanoi, Abu Dhabi (AP)

NEW YORK – The New York Philharmonic says it will perform for the first time in Hanoi and Abu Dhabi next season and is getting Alec Baldwin to host its national radio broadcasts.

The Philharmonic has performed in 59 countries — including in North Korea — but never in Vietnam or in the Middle Eastern country.

Alan Gilbert, in his debut season as music director of the nation's oldest orchestra, will led the musicians in the tour in October.

The 2009-2010 season officially starts Sept. 16 with a gala concert featuring soprano Renee Fleming and the world premiere of a work by Finnish composer Magnus Lindberg.

The announcement of Baldwin's selection comes a day after he won a Golden Globe for best comedy actor for NBC's "30 Rock."

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(E! Online)

Lawyer: Winehouse husband to file for divorce (AP)

LONDON – A lawyer for Amy Winehouse's jailed husband said Monday his client will be seeking a divorce on the grounds of the soul diva's alleged infidelity.

Attorney Henri Brandman said he had been instructed by Blake Fielder-Civil "to commence divorce proceedings on the grounds of Amy's adultery."

Winehouse and Fielder-Civil married in Miami in May 2007, but he was arrested six months later over an assault. In July he was sentenced to 27 months in jail for beating up a bar manager and then offering him a bribe to keep quiet about it.

Fielder-Civil was released into a drug rehab center in November but sent back to prison weeks later for breaching his bail conditions.

Winehouse shot to stardom with the multi-Grammy-winning album "Back to Black" in 2006 and has a fortune estimated by the Sunday Times at 10 million pounds ($15 million). But her music has been overshadowed by reports of drug use, run-ins with the law and her tempestuous marriage.

During concert appearances last year, Winehouse often exhorted fans to call for the release of "my Blake." But she has been linked by tabloid newspapers to other men and recently has been photographed on holiday in the Caribbean with an alleged new beau, Josh Bowman.

Winehouse's spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Poll: Should Wino Reunite with Blake Incarcerated?
(E! Online)
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(E! Online)

Fergie and Josh Duhamel wed (AP)

LOS ANGELES – The Dutchess is a bride. Her manager says Fergie and Josh Duhamel have been married.

Manager William Derella said by e-mail that the 33-year-old "Fergalicious" singer-actress, whose real name is Stacy Ferguson, and the 36-year-old "Transformers" actor were married Saturday at the Church Estates Vineyards in Malibu.

The pair had been dating since 2004 and were engaged in 2007.

The Black Eyed Peas singer launched her solo career in 2006 with the hit album "The Dutchess" — the title is a misspelled variation of the title formerly held by Sarah "Fergie" Ferguson, the Duchess of York.

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(E! Online)

Billboard singles reviews: Beyonce, Britney Spears (Reuters)

ARTIST: BEYONCE

SINGLE: HALO

NEW YORK (Billboard) – Score one for Sasha Fierce. When last competing with her alter-ego, Beyonce opened up her double album "I Am ... Sasha Fierce" with the two-sided single "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" and "If I Were a Boy," designed to be promoted separately for R&B/rhythmic and pop radio outlets, respectively. Looks like Sasha had different ideas: "Ring" crossed to pop and spent a month at the Billboard Hot 100 summit, while "Boy" rivaled with a No. 3 peak. The competition continues as Beyonce's pop-hued "Halo" now competes with Sasha's "Diva." The former has a mainstream pop sound, with subtle R&B undertones that should carry it to the top of the charts. Comparisons could be made to Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" (also co-written by Ryan Tedder), but this "Halo" hangs high on its own merits. Sounds like Beyonce and Sasha will again be at a draw in this singles battle. But they win either way.

ARTIST: BRITNEY SPEARS

SINGLE: CIRCUS (Jive Records)

Call it a comeback. After a No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200 with "Circus" and the chart-topping peak of the first single, "Womanizer," the title track from Britney Spears' sixth album is her first top five start on the Billboard Hot 100. Besides the image overhaul with a return to the Spears of old, Brit has recorded her most mature, musical album to date, with hook-heavy tunes and, more important, fully engaged pop vocals with little vocoder assistance. "Circus" finds Spears in the more-than-capable hands of producer Dr. Luke (Pink, Katy Perry), who surrounds her with an electronic cyberpop landscape, while Spears spits out lines like, "There's only two types of guys out there/Ones that can hang with me and ones that are scared." Gotta love it. While her life has often resembled a circus -- to which the public has ringside access -- it appears Spears is now the ringleader instead of the main attraction.

ARTIST: TRACE ADKINS

SINGLE: MARRY FOR MONEY (Capitol Nashville)

Trace Adkins continues to impress as one of country's most versatile talents, segueing effortlessly between such poignant ballads as the Grammy Award-nominated "You're Gonna Miss This" to the stirring gospel-flavored "Muddy Water" to this hilarious romp. "Marry for Money," from his excellent "X" collection, proves once again that the singer can do it all and do it well. It's a humorous look at a man who married for love and got his heart broken, so he decides next time to go for big bucks. Cleverly written by Dave Turnbull and Jimmy Melton, "Money" is sheer fun, and Adkins' tongue-in-cheek performance is full of personality and panache. Already a concert favorite, this song promises to be a sure-fire hit.

ARTIST: JASON MRAZ AND COLBIE CAILLAT

SINGLE: LUCKY (Atlantic Records)

Jason Mraz's top 10 "I'm Yours" transitioned the singer-songwriter from plucky troubadour to hitmaker, with a pair of Grammy Award nominations. "Lucky" -- the third release from Mraz's gold album "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things." -- might be the charm to further propel fame, keenly aligning Mraz with co-writer and duet partner Colbie Caillat, of "Bubbly" and "Realize" notoriety. The track is organic, dressed with lush strings, and has playful lyrics about the romantic payoff of a seaside journey. At this stage, both singers possess recognizable voices and an obvious kinship; they blend beautifully.

Reuters/Billboard

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Lady GaGa dances to top of U.S. singles chart
(Reuters)
Beyonce leads singles chart for third week
(Reuters)
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Bono to write Op-Ed column for New York Times (AP)

NEW YORK – Can he type with those shades on? Bono will write an Op-Ed column for The New York Times.

The paper announced that his first column will appear Sunday, for which he will also do a podcast. His column will appear occasionally.

Bono called the gig "an honor," and joked that he's "never been great with the full stops or commas."

The Times said the column will cover a broad range of topics.

The 48-year-old U2 rocker has been an advocate in the fight against AIDS and poverty in Africa.

Times editorial page editor, Andrew Rosenthal, said Bono "is an extraordinary man who thinks deeply about his art and the major issues confronting the world."

___

On the Net:

http://www.nytimes.com

http://www.u2.com

Kate Beckinsale Gives Us ‘Nothing But The Truth’ On Her New Movie, Talks ‘Twilight’
Springsteen explains quick turnaround of new album
(AP)

Phish announce summer tour dates (AP)

NEW YORK – The Phish reunion is in full swing: The band just announced plans for a summer tour.

Phish disbanded five years ago with a grand goodbye concert in their home state of Vermont, but announced last fall that they were getting back together for a trio of concerts starting March 6.

On Thursday, the jamband said they would kick off a summer tour on New York's Long Island on June 4.

Phish — a quartet of Trey Anastasio, Page McConnell, Mike Gordon and Jon Fishman — got its start in 1983. Their improvisational style and mix of different genres made them an enormously successful touring group with a cultlike following. They decided to call it quits in 2004 after fatigue and personal problems took a toll.

___

On the Net:

http://www.phish.com

Is Kelly Clarkson Poised for Comeback?
(E! Online)
Madonna biggest 2008 N. American tour attraction
(Reuters)
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Lady GaGa dances to top of U.S. singles chart (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Billboard) – Dance-pop singer Lady GaGa earned her first No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 singles chart Thursday with her Grammy-nominated tune "Just Dance."

At 22 weeks, the song makes the longest trip to the top since Creed's "With Arms Wide Open" (27 weeks) in November 2000. Yonkers-born Lady GaGa (birth name: Joanne Stefani Germanotta) will compete for the best dance recording award at the Grammys on February 8.

After four weeks at No. 1, Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," dropped to No. 2, swapping places with Lady GaGa. T.I.'s "Live Your Life" featuring Rihanna held at No. 3.

Albums chart champ Taylor Swift's "Love Story" rose one place to No. 4, flip-flopping with Kanye West's "Heartless." Katy Perry's "Hot N Cold" remained at No. 6, and Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" jumped five places to No. 7.

Britney Spears' "Womanizer" fell one to No. 8, Kevin Rudolf's "Let It Rock" featuring Lil Wayne rose three to No. 9, and West's "Love Lockdown," dropped four to No. 10.

For the first time since January 1998, the Hot 100 does not have a debut; the only additions to the list this week are re-entries.

Reuters/Billboard

“Mamma” dethrones “Knight” on DVD sales chart
(Reuters)
Beyonce leads singles chart for third week
(Reuters)
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'Dark Knight' sweeps People's Choice Awards (AP)

LOS ANGELES – Holy, People's Choice Awards, Batman! "The Dark Knight" soared away with every trophy it was nominated for Wednesday at the 35th annual fan-favorite CBS ceremony. The caped crusader flick won five awards, including favorite cast, superhero, action movie and on-screen matchup for Christian Bale's Batman and the late Heath Ledger's Joker.

"On behalf of all of the cast from the movie, thank you very much to the fans," said Bale. "Here's to Heath."

The CBS ceremony was hosted by Queen Latifah and returned to the Shrine Auditorium for its typical star-studded live show format, following last year's writer's strike-friendly, pre-taped program. Stars such as Adam Sandler, Kate Hudson, Robin Williams, Hugh Laurie and Reese Witherspoon showed up to accept their awards at the slightly subdued ceremony.

"It's such a great way to start the new year," Witherspoon, the "Four Christmases" star who won an Oscar in 2005 for portaying June Carter Cash in "Walk the Line," said as she accepted her award for favorite female movie star. "A couple years ago, I won a great award for singing in a movie. This year, I won an award for having a baby throw up on me."

Other recipients selected by Internet voters in categories spanning movies, television and music included "Dancing With the Stars" as favorite reality show, Carrie Underwood as favorite female singer, "House" as favorite TV drama, Brad Pitt as favorite leading man, Angelina Jolie as favorite female action star and Ellen DeGeneres as favorite talk show host.

"I wish I could share this with you," DeGeneres told the audience while clutching her trophy on stage. "I could throw it on the ground and smash it into a million pieces, and give each one of you a little piece of it, but that's violent, and that's probably why you voted for me, because I'm not violent."

Queen Latifah accepted the favorite drama and independent movie awards alongside her "The Secret Life of Bees" co-star Dakota Fanning. The overly enthusiastic host opened the show by wading through the audience and asking celebrities if they could keep entertaining the masses in 2009. All mimicked President-elect Barack Obama and by answering: "Yes we can."

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CBS is a division of CBS Corp.

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On the Net:

http://www.pcavote.com/pca

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