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Survivor Singer Jimi Jamison Dies at 63

Peter Oberth — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 02:28:31 +0000

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Survivor

Jimi Jamison

Survivor frontman Jimi Jamison has died, the band announced Monday. He was 63.

"The entire Survivor family is very shocked and saddened by the passing of our brother Jimi Jamison. Our thoughts, love and prayers go out to his family and friends," read a post on the Survivor Facebook page.

He died in his home in Memphis, Tenn. Sunday, of an apparent heart attack, TMZ reports.

Jamison joined the rock band in 1983 after they had released their hit "Eye of the Tiger," and went on to contribute vocals on songs such as “High On You," “I Can`t Hold Back" and "The Moment of Truth" from The Karate Kid.

As a solo artist, he wrote and performed the theme song to Bay Watch, "I’m Always Here,"

Jamison grew up in rural Mississippi and also performed on the Survivor song "Burning Heart" from Rocky IV.

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Jimi Jamison

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Survivor

VMAs: The Winners List

Peter Oberth — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 12:04:14 +0000

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MTV Music Awards 2014

VMA

MTV VMA

VMA 2014

The Moonmen were handed out Sunday night, with Miley Cyrus taking home video of the year for "Wrecking Ball."

Beyonce led the pack of nominees heading into Sunday night's MTV's Video Music Awards with a total of eight noms. She also received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and performed during the ceremony, which is taking place at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif. It's airing live at 9 p.m. ET (tape-delayed on the West Coast).

Among the other performers will be Maroon 5; Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande and Jessie J; Taylor Swift; Azalea and Rita Ora; 5 Seconds of Summer; Usher; Sam Smith; Charli XCX; and Fifth Harmony. Common also led a moment of silence for Ferguson, Mo.

The full list of winners is below. Meanwhile, check out red-carpet photos here, and read all of THR's VMA coverage here.

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Miley Cyrus - "Wrecking Ball" (WINNER)

Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX - "Fancy"

Beyonce ft. Jay Z - "Drunk in Love"

Pharrell Williams - "Happy"

Sia - "Chandelier"

BEST LYRIC

5 Seconds of Summer - "Don't Stop" (WINNER)

Katy Perry - "Birthday"

Demi Lovato - "Really Don't Care"

Austin Mahone ft. Pitbull - "Mmm Yeah"

Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea - "Problem"

MTV ARTIST TO WATCH

Fifth Harmony - "Miss Movin On" (WINNER)

Sam Smith - "Stay With Me"

5 Seconds of Summer -"She Looks So Perfect"

Charli XCX - "Boom Clap"

Schoolboy Q - "Man of the Year"

BEST ROCK

Lorde - “Royals” (WINNER)

Imagine Dragons - "Demons"

Arctic Monkeys - "Do I Wanna Know"

The Black Keys - "Fever"

Linkin Park - "Until It's Gone"

BEST HIP HOP

Drake ft. Majid Jordan - "Hold On (We're Going Home)" (WINNER)

Eminem - "Bezerk"

Childish Gambino - "3005"

Kanye West - "Black Skinhead"

Wiz Khalifa - "We Dem Boyz"

BEST POP

Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea - "Problem" (WINNER)

Pharrell Williams - "Happy"

Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX - "Fancy"

Jason Derulo ft. 2 Chainz - "Talk Dirty"

Avicii ft. Aloe Blacc - "Wake Me Up"

BEST MALE

Ed Sheeran ft. Pharrell - "Sing" (WINNER)

Pharrell Williams - "Happy"

John Legend - "All of Me"

Sam Smith - "Stay With Me"

Eminem ft. Rihanna - "Monster"

BEST FEMALE

Katy Perry ft. Juicy J - "Dark Horse" (WINNER)

Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX - "Fancy"

Beyonce - "Partition"

Lorde - "Royals"

Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea - "Problem"

BEST COLLABORATION

Beyonce ft. Jay Z - "Drunk in Love" (WINNER)

Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea - "Problem"

Pitbull ft. Kesha - "Timber"

Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne and Tyga - "Loyal"

Eminem ft. Rihanna - "Monster"

Katy Perry ft. Juicy J - "Dark Horse"

MTV CLUBLAND AWARD

Zedd ft. Hayley Williams - "Stay the Night" (WINNER)

DJ Snake & Lil Jon - "Turn Down for What"

Calvin Harris - "Summer"

Martin Garrix - "Animal"

Disclosure - "Grab Her!"

BEST VIDEO WITH A SOCIAL MESSAGE

Beyonce - “Pretty Hurts” (WINNER)

Angel Haze ft. SIA - “Battle Cry“

Avicii - “Hey Brother”

J. Cole ft. TLC - “Crooked Smile”

Kelly Rowland - “Dirty Laundry”

David Guetta ft. Mikky Ekko - “One Voice”

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Beyonce - "Pretty Hurts" (WINNER)

30 Seconds to Mars - "City of Angels"

Arcade Fire - "Afterlife"

Gesaffelstein - "Hate or Glory"

Lana Del Rey - "West Coast"

BEST EDITING

Eminem - "Rap God" (WINNER)

MGMT - "Your Life Is a Lie"

Zedd ft. Hayley Williams - "Stay the Night"

Beyonce - "Pretty Hurts"

Fitz and The Tantrums - "The Walker"

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Sia - "Chandelier" (WINNER)

Beyonce - "Partition"

Usher - “Good Kisser"

Michael Jackson ft. Justin Timberlake - "Love Never Felt So Good"

Jason Derulo ft. 2Chainz - "Talk Dirty"

KIESZA - “Hideaway”

BEST DIRECTION

DJ Snake & Lil Jon - "Turn Down for What" (WINNER)

OK Go - "The Writing's on the Wall"

Miley Cyrus - "Wrecking Ball"

Beyonce - "Pretty Hurts"

Eminem ft. Rihanna - "The Monster"

BEST ART DIRECTION

Arcade Fire - "Reflektor" (WINNER)

DJ Snake & Lil Jon - "Turn Down For What"

Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX - "Fancy"

Eminem - "Rap God"

Tyler, The Creator - "Tamale"

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

OK Go - "The Writing's On the Wall" (WINNER)

DJ Snake & Lil Jon - "Turn Down For What"

Disclosure - "Grab Her!"

Eminem - "Rap God"

Jack White - "Lazaretto"

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Band(s):

Eric Clapton, Shawn Mendes Aim for Top Five Debuts on Billboard 200

Peter Oberth — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 13:23:44 +0000

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Shawn Mendes

Billboard

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Eric Clapton is aiming for his 14th top 10 album on the Billboard 200, as The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale, should debut in the top five of the chart next week.

Industry sources suggest the star-studded tribute set will sell around 50,000 copies by the end of the tracking week on Sunday, Aug. 3. The album was released on July 29 on Clapton's own Bushbranch label, through Surfdog Records. (It is distributed by Warner Music’s independent distribution arm, Alternative Distribution Alliance.)

One of the guests on Clapton’s album, Tom Petty, looks like he’ll block Clapton from the top slot on the Billboard 200. Petty’s own new album with his band the Heartbreakers, Hypnotic Eye, is set to debut at No. 1 next week with around 100,000 sold. It will mark the act's first No. 1 album after nearly 37 years on the chart.

A significant chunk of Petty’s debut sales week will come from a successful album/concert ticket bundle offer. Petty’s last album, 2010's Mojo, was also supported by a similar promotion, which helped it sell 125,000 copies in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Also on tap for top 10 debut next week is Shawn Mendes' self-titled debut EP, which might move around 45,000. Mendes recently debuted and (so far) peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 with the EP's single "Life Of the Party."

Rock band Theory Of a Deadman could also nab its second top 10 album, as Savages could sell around 25,000 in its debut frame. The group tallied its first top 10 set with its last release, 2011’s The Truth Is…, which debuted and peaked at No. 8.

Artist:

Eric Clapton

BET Awards 2014: The Winners

Peter Oberth — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 02:13:41 +0000

12 Years A Slave

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The 2014 BET Awards ceremony took place Sunday, and the night's big winner was Beyonce. The pop superstar nabbed three awards, including the 2014 FANdemonium award, voted on by viewers. Pharrell Williams and August Alsina also had a happy night, taking home two awards apiece.

Nicki Minaj won for best female hip hop star, and in her acceptance speech, she praised herself as a hip-hop star who doesn't have someone writing for her, an apparent dig at Iggy Azalea. Drake beat out Jay Z for best male hip hop star.

12 Years a Slave was chosen as best movie, with the film's stars, Lupita Nyong’o and Chiwetel Ejiofor, taking home acting awards. Lionel Richie was honored as the lifetime achievement award recipient.

One memorable moment of the night was Kevin Hart interrupting presenter Kerry Washington and referring to himself as "Oliver Pope," a reference to Washington's Scandal character, Olivia Pope. At another point, host Chris Rock tried to one-up 2014 Oscar host Ellen DeGeneres by passing out chicken and waffles from L.A. favorite Roscoe's.

The awards began under the shadow of violence, with one man shot to death and another stabbed in two separate pre-show incidents. BET said the preshow parties at which the violence occurred were not officially affiliated with the awards show. During the show, Rock joked that this is the only awards show where people worry about their safety.

Find the nominees below, with winners in bold.

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé (WINNER)

Janelle Monáe

Jhené Aiko

K. Michelle

Rihanna

Tamar Braxton

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

Pharrell Williams (WINNER)

August Alsina

Chris Brown

John Legend

Justin Timberlake

Best Collaboration
Beyoncé f/ JAY Z – "Drunk In Love" (WINNER)
August Alsina f/ Trinidad Jame$ – "I Luv This"
Drake f/ Majid Jordan – "Hold On (We're Going Home)"
JAY Z f/ Justin Timberlake – "Holy Grail"
Robin Thicke f/ T.I. & Pharrell Williams – "Blurred Lines"
YG f/ Jeezy & Rich Homie Quan – "My Hitta"

Best Movie
12 Years a Slave (WINNER)
The Best Man Holiday
Fruitvale Station
Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain
Lee Daniels' The Butler

Best Actress
Lupita Nyong’o (WINNER)
Angela Bassett
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Oprah Winfrey

Best Actor
Chiwetel Ejiofor (WINNER)
Forest Whitaker
Idris Elba
Kevin Hart
Michael B. Jordan

Video of the Year
Pharrell Williams – "Happy" (WINNER)
Beyoncé – "Partition"
Beyoncé f/ JAY Z – "Drunk In Love"
Chris Brown – "Fine China"
Drake – "Worst Behavior"

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Drake (WINNER)
Future
J. Cole
JAY Z
Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj (WINNER)
Angel Haze
Charli Baltimore
Eve
Iggy Azalea

Best Group
Young Money (WINNER)
A$AP Mob
Daft Punk
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
TGT

Subway Sportsman of the Year
Kevin Durant (WINNER)
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Carmelo Anthony
Blake Griffin
LeBron James

Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Serena Williams (WINNER)
Brittney Griner
Lolo Jones
Skylar Diggins
Venus Williams

Best Gospel Artist
Tamela Mann (WINNER)
Donnie McClurkin
Erica Campbell
Hezekiah Walker
Tye Tribbett

Best New Artist
August Alsina (WINNER)
Ariana Grande
Mack Wilds
Rich Homie Quan
ScHoolboy Q

YoungStars Award
KeKe Palmer (WINNER)
Gabrielle Douglas
Jacob Latimore
Jaden Smith
Zendaya

Centric Award
Jhené Aiko – "The Worst" (WINNER)
Aloe Blacc – "The Man"
Jennifer Hudson f/ T.I. – "I Can't Describe (The Way I Feel)"
LiV Warfield – "Why Do You Lie?"
Wale f/ Sam Dew – "LoveHate Thing"

Best International Act: UK
Krept & Konan (WINNER)
Dizzee Rascal
Ghetts
Laura Mvula
Rita Ora
Tinie Tempah

Video Director of the Year
Hype Williams (WINNER)
Benny Boom
Chris Brown
Colin Tilley
Director X

Best International Act: Africa
Davido (Nigeria) (WINNER)
Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
Mafikizolo (South Africa)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
Toofan (Togo)

Artist(s):

Actor(s):

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Billboard Music Awards: Full Winners List

Peter Oberth — Mon, 19 May 2014 11:45:25 +0000

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Billboard Music Awards

Justin Timberlake was the big winner at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards, with seven trophies on the night, including top artist and top male artist.

Other winners include Imagine Dragons with five, and Pharrell, Robin Thicke and T.I. each scoring four apiece.

Also during Sunday's show, Jennifer Lopez was presented with the Icon Award. She also took the stage alongside Pitbull to premiere the official anthem of this year’s FIFA World Cup, "We Are One (Ole Ola)." Lopez gave another debut performance on the night with a rendition of "First Love," a single lifted from her new studio album A.K.A., which is set for release on Capitol Records June 17.

Among the other performers were Miley Cyrus and Flaming Dragons, Katy Perry, OneRepublic, Iggy Azalea and Ariana Grande and Michael Jackson in a special hologram performance.

Ludacris hosted the ceremony, which aired live on ABC from the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

A complete list of winners is below.

Top Artist
Justin Timberlake

Billboard Music Awards Finalists Announced

Peter Oberth — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:00:04 +0000

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Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Miley Cyrus

Pharrell

The finalists for the 2014 Billboard Music Awards were announced today with Imagine Dragons and Lorde leading all artists followed by Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. The awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18, on ABC from 8:00 PM–11:00 PM ET.

Jason Derulo, who will perform at the ceremony, broke the news this morning on ABC's "Good Morning America."

Imagine Dragons and Lorde were each named in 12 of the 40 award categories while Timberlake, Perry and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis followed with 11, 10 and eight categories, respectively.

Imagine Dragons are vying for their first Billboard Music Award this year. The quartet burned up the charts in 2013 with its album "Night Visions" (which is also a finalist for Top Rock Album) and its many hit singles, including "Radioactive," which broke the record for the most weeks ever on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Lorde also broke through in 2013 with her inescapable No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 single "Royals" and debut album "Pure Heroine." The two top finalists will go head-to-head in nine categories, including Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Digital Songs Artist, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top Rock Artist, Top Rock Album, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Digital Song, Top Streaming Song (Audio), and Top Rock Song.

Timberlake could capture his first Billboard Music Award this year as a solo artist. Included in his 11 categories, are Top Artist and Top Billboard 200 Album. With his group 'N Sync, Timberlake earned five Billboard Music Awards, including the 2000 trophy for Album of the Year ("No Strings Attached").

Leading the song race with five title categories each are Lorde and Robin Thicke, T.I. and Pharrell Williams with their respective Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s "Royals" and "Blurred Lines." Imagine Dragons and Perry both come in second with four finalist notches for "Radioactive" and "Roar," respectively.

Tying with two title categories each are Daft Punk and Pharrell's "Get Lucky," Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton’s "Can’t Hold Us" and the duo’s hit with Wanz’s "Thrift Shop," in addition to Miley Cyrus’ "Wrecking Ball" and Avicii’s "Wake Me Up."

First time Billboard Music Award finalists include: Lorde (12 categories), Avicii (4 categories), Capital Cities (3 categories), Zedd (3 categories) and Sidewalk Prophets (1 category).

Rihanna, who is a finalist in five categories this year, has been a finalist at the Billboard Music Awards 49 times.

Timberlake has the most entries as a finalist for albums with three, including two entries for Top R&B Album with "The 20/20 Experience" and "The 20/20 Experience (2 of 2)."

Luke Bryan leads all country acts with seven entries in six categories, including an appearance as a finalist in the overall Top Male Artist grouping.

CLICK FOR COMPLETE LIST OF BBMA FINALISTS

Billboard Music Awards finalists are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital singles sales, radio airplay, touring, streaming and social interactions on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, VEVO, Spotify and other popular online destinations for music. These measurements are tracked year-round by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Entertainment and Next Big Sound. The awards are based on the reporting period of March 11, 2013 through March 9, 2014.

The "2014 Billboard Music Awards" is produced by Dick Clark Productions. Allen Shapiro and Mike Mahan are Executive Producers. Larry Klein and Barry Adelman are Producers.

The 2014 Milestone Award presented by Chevrolet, will be given to an innovative artist who has achieved a notable chart milestone over the past year. The six finalists for this special editorial award were announced earlier last week on Billboard.com – they are: Imagine Dragons, John Legend, Luke Bryan, OneRepublic, Ellie Goulding and Carrie Underwood. Fans can vote for their favorite Milestone artist online at Billboard.com/milestone and can enter a contest for a chance to win an opportunity to present the award live at this year’s event alongside global music superstar and Billboard Music Award winner Kelly Rowland.

The six finalists will be narrowed down to three finalists, who will be announced on the website on April 21. Voting will then continue through the first two hours of the live 2014 Billboard Music Awards broadcast, culminating with the announcement of the award winner during the last hour of the show.

Artist(s):

Band(s):

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Imagine Dragons

ACM Awards 2014 Winners: The Complete List

Peter Oberth — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 01:51:11 +0000

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The 49th annual Academy of Country Music Awards were handed out Sunday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan co-hosted the event, which aired live on CBS and was produced by Dick Clark Productions.

The complete winners list is below.

Entertainer of the Year

George Strait (WINNER)

Luke Bryan

Miranda Lambert

Blake Shelton

Taylor Swift

Album of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

*Same Trailer Different Park – Kacey Musgraves (WINNER)

Producers: Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves

Record Label: Mercury Records

Based On A True Story… – Blake Shelton

Producer: Scott Hendricks

Record Label: Warner Bros. Records

Crash My Party – Luke Bryan

Producer: Jeff Stevens

Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

Here's To The Good Times – Florida Georgia Line

Producer: Joey Moi

Record Label: Republic Nashville

Two Lanes Of Freedom – Tim McGraw

Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw

Record Label: Big Machine Records

Vocal Group of the Year

*The Band Perry (WINNER)

Eli Young Band

Lady Antebellum

Little Big Town

Zac Brown Band

Female Vocalist of the Year

*Miranda Lambert (WINNER)

Sheryl Crow

Kacey Musgraves

Taylor Swift

Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year

*Jason Aldean (WINNER)

Lee Brice

Luke Bryan

Blake Shelton

Keith Urban

Song of the Year [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

I Drive Your Truck – Lee Brice (WINNER)

Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Jimmy Yeary

Publishers: Beattyville Music (BMI), EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), Great Day At This Music (BMI), Happy Tears Music (ASCAP), Vistaville Music (ASCAP), Watch This Girl Publishing (BMI)

Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain) – Gary Allan

Songwriters: Gary Allan, Hillary Lindsey, Matthew Warren

Publishers: Always Alone Songs (ASCAP), Crystal Beach Music (BMI), Raylene Music (ASCAP)

Mama's Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert

Songwriters: Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves

Publishers: 351 Music (BMI), Crazy Water Music (ASCAP), Little Blue Egg (ASCAP), Songs of Parallel (ASCAP), Vista Loma Music (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)

Mine Would Be You – Blake Shelton

Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Deric Ruttan

Publishers: Doc and Maggie Music (ASCAP), EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), Get A Load Of This Music (ASCAP), Great Day At This Music (BMI), Hopeless Rose Music (ASCAP), Vistaville Music (ASCAP), Watch This Girl Publishing (BMI), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)

Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker Featuring Lady Antebellum

Songwriters: Bob Dylan, Ketch Secor

Publishers: Blood Donor Music (BMI), Special Rider Music (SESAC)

Single Record of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

Mama's Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert (WINNER)

Producers: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf

Record Label: RCA Nashville

Cruise – Florida Georgia Line

Producer: Joey Moi

Record Label: Republic Nashville

Highway Don't Care – Tim McGraw Featuring Taylor Swift & Keith Urban

Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw

Record Label: Big Machine Records

I Drive Your Truck – Lee Brice

Producers: Lee Brice, Kyle Jacobs, Matt McClure

Record Label: Curb Records

Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker Featuring Lady Antebellum

Producer: Frank Rogers

Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

New Artist of the Year

*Justin Moore (WINNER)

Brett Eldredge

Kip Moore

Vocal Duo of the Year

Big & Rich

Dan + Shay

*Florida Georgia Line (WINNER)

Love and Theft

Thompson Square

Video of the Year [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]

*Highway Don't Care – Tim McGraw Featuring Taylor Swift & Keith Urban (WINNER)

Producers: Tameron Hedge, Chandra LaPlume

Director: Shane Drake

Better Dig Two – The Band Perry

Producer: Eric Williams

Director: Declan Whitebloom

Blowin' Smoke – Kacey Musgraves

Producer: Josh Goldstein

Director: Honey

I Drive Your Truck – Lee Brice

Producer: Karen Martin

Director: Eric Welch

Mama's Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert

Producer: Reagan Rosson

Director: Trey Fanjoy

Two Black Cadillacs – Carrie Underwood

Producer: Steve Lamar

Director: P.R. Brown

Vocal Event of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]*(Off Camera Award)

*We Were Us – Keith Urban And Miranda Lambert (WINNER)

Producers: Nathan Chapman, Keith Urban

Record Labels: Capitol Records Nashville, Hit Red Records, RCA Nashville

Boys 'Round Here – Blake Shelton Featuring Pistol Annies & Friends

Producer: Scott Hendricks

Record Label: Warner Bros. Records

Cruise (Remix) – Florida Georgia Line Featuring Nelly

Producers: Joey Moi, Jason Nevins

Record Label: Republic Nashville

Highway Don't Care – Tim McGraw Featuring Taylor Swift & Keith Urban

Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw

Record Label: Big Machine Records

Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker Featuring Lady Antebellum

Producer: Frank Rogers

Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

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"New" Michael Jackson album coming May 13

Peter Oberth — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 13:22:35 +0000

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Michael Jackson

On May 13, Epic Records, in conjunction with the Estate of Michael Jackson, will release XSCAPE, an album of new music by the internationally beloved music icon and King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The project features eight new tracks, which the world will be hearing for the very first time on the new album. For the ultimate fan experience, XSCAPE will also be available in a Deluxe Edition, which includes all of the sourced Michael Jackson recordings in their original form. The XSCAPE standard and Deluxe Edition’s are available for pre-order beginning April 1 on iTunes.com/MichaelJackson and elsewhere, and available at all retailers worldwide on May 13.

XSCAPE is executive produced by Epic Records Chairman and CEO L.A. Reid, who, after an initial mining of Jackson’s archives by the Estate, was granted unlimited access to the treasures representing four decades of material on which Jackson had completed his vocals.

Reid curated the final list of recordings to deliver to the producers, who retooled the production to add a fresh, contemporary sound that retains Jackson’s essence and integrity. It’s a process Reid calls “contemporizing.” The album’s lead producer, Timbaland was one of a handful of producers Reid believed had the gravitas, depth and range to creatively engage with Jackson’s work. Additional producers include global hitmakers Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, Jerome “Jroc” Harmon and John McClain.

“Modern music and artistry would look and sound completely different if not for the groundbreaking contributions Michael Jackson gifted to the world,” remarked L.A. Reid. “Michael left behind some musical performances that we take great pride in presenting through the vision of music producers that he either worked directly with or expressed strong desire to work with. We are extremely proud and honored to present this music to the world.”

The title of this album honors Michael’s album naming process. He always chose a song from the album to name his projects and, beginning with THRILLER, used only one word titles, each with an edgy quality to them. This is true of the new project. Written by Michael Jackson and Jerkins, and produced by Jackson and Jerkins, “Xscape” has further significance in that it is the one track on the album that was ‘contemporized’ by the producer who recorded it originally in the studio with Michael.

John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson said, “Michael was always on the cutting edge and was constantly reaching out to new producers, looking for new sounds. He was always relevant and current. These tracks, in many ways, capture that spirit. We thank L.A. Reid for his vision.”

XSCAPE is a long awaited collection of exciting new music that will thrill the legions of fans of one of the world’s most revered and best-selling artists, as well as attract a whole new generation discovering his artistry for the first time. In conjunction with the release of XSCAPE, Epic / Sony Music will launch an unprecedented global campaign with the One Sony sister companies, Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications, and Sony Network Entertainment International drawing from all of Sony’s strengths and consumer reach.

"Michael has long been a treasured member of the larger Sony family," said Kazuo Hirai, President and CEO, Sony Corporation. "Starting with the release of ‘Off The Wall’ in 1979, Sony Music Entertainment has since released all of Michael’s recordings. We are thrilled and privileged to be collaborating as One Sony to celebrate Michael’s latest legacy, and bringing his fans an exclusive experience through our upcoming initiatives with our products and services."

More news about Michael Jackson’s upcoming album will be revealed in the coming weeks. Keep visiting www.michaeljackson.com for new details.

Artist:

Michael Jackson

Stooges Drummer Scott Asheton Dies at 64

Peter Oberth — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 23:55:41 +0000

Music

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The Hollywood Reporter

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Stooges

Scott Asheton

death

Scott Asheton, drummer for legendary punk-rock band the Stooges, died Saturday evening at age 64. No cause of death has yet been announced.

Asheton's death was confirmed by Stooges frontman Iggy Pop on Sunday afternoon via a statement on his Facebook page.

"My dear friend Scott Asheton passed away last night," Pop said. "Scott was a great artist, I have never heard anyone play the drums with more meaning than Scott Asheton. He was like my brother. He and Ron have left a huge legacy to the world. The Asheton's have always been and continue to be a second family to me.

"My thoughts are with his sister Kathy, his wife Liz and his daughter Leanna, who was the light of his life."

Asheton co-founded the Stooges in 1967 along with Pop, bassist Dave Alexander, and his brother, guitarist Ron Asheton, who died in 2009. The band released three raw, genre-defining albums -- 1969's The Stooges, 1970's Fun House and 1973's Raw Power -- before splitting in 1974. The band eventually reformed in 2003.

Asheton remained the Stooges' drummer until 2011, when a stroke caused his temporary retirement from live duty. Asheton, along with the rest of the band, was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 2010.

Artist:

Scott Asheton

Band:

Stooges

Folk Singer and Songwriter Pete Seeger Dies at 94

Peter Oberth — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 04:41:15 +0000

Music

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The Hollywood Reporter

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Pete Seeger

death

Folk singer and songwriter Pete Seeger has died at age 94.

Known as a champion of folk music and an Americana icon, Seeger passed away of natural causes at New York-Presbyterian Hospital on Monday, Jan. 27, the New York Times reported. His death was confirmed to the Times by his grandson, Kitama Cahill Jackson.

Seeger's long and prolific career dates back to the 1940s, when he delivered his songs -- and message -- at labor rallies. Over the next decade, his cause list expanded to include performances as anti-war and civil rights rallies. As folk music gained in popularity through the 1950s, Seeger's name was synonymous with the musical movement having amassed a slew of hit songs. Among them: “If I Had a Hammer,” “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” and "Turn! Turn! Turn!," a future No. 1 for 60s psychedelic rockers The Byrds.

In 1955, Seeger found himself on the opposing side of the House Un-American Activities Committee -- ostensibly blacklisted -- but rather than giving in to the unfounded paranoia of what most deemed a modern-day witch-hunt, Seeger opted not to plead the Fifth, as many of the accused had done, and instead cited his First Amendment rights in refusing to name personal and political associations.

Seeger's influence expanded by leaps and bounds in the 1960s as the Greenwich Village scene exploded simultaneously -- a musical era to which the Coen brothers pay tribute in the movie Inside Llewyn Davis. It was there in New York City that he began to mentor other aspiring folk singers including a young Bob Dylan and further developed a reputation as the Johnny Appleseed of folk.

A musical icon by the 1970s and 1980s, Seeger's songs of protest and Americana would go on to shape the sounds of scores of singers, including Bruce Springsteen, who, in 2006, paid homage to one of his musical heroes with the album, We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions. More recently, Seeger performed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at an inaugural concert for Barack Obama.

With the singer's death, the last link to Woody Guthrie, Seeger's longtime friend and collaborator, is gone as well.

Seeger is survived by son Daniel; his daughters, Mika and Tinya; a half-sister, Peggy; and six grandchildren, including the musician Tao Rodriguez-Seeger, who performed with him at the Obama inaugural.

Artist:

Pete Seeger