Archive: August 2011 (121-130 of 202)

Aug 15 2011 12:02 PM ET

'CMA Music Festival' did actually rock, plus Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina remain adorable

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Categories: Country, Y'all!, Jason Aldean, Kelly Clarkson, Lady Antebellum, Lauren Alaina, Reba McEntire, Scotty McCreery, Sugarland, Taylor Swift
Alaina-McBride

ABC touted its three-hour CMA Music Festival concert as “Country’s Night to Rock,” and because this special had better sound than other televised music award shows do combined, it actually did. Most everyone was there, from Reba McEntire, who sang “Turn On the Radio”; to Taylor Swift, who worked a sparkly gold fringed dress for “Sparks Fly”; to Jason Aldean, who brought Kelly Clarkson onstage for their duet “Don’t You Wanna Stay.” My favorite crowd reaction shot of the night was the guy rapping along with Aldean during “Dirt Road Anthem.” My favorite artist interview was Lady Antebellum, who revealed they sign a lot of “stinky cowboy boots” and that Dave Haywood sleeps in black crew socks. (“This interview is really awful for my rep, by the way,” he joked.)

It was admittedly tough to watch Sugarland’s performance in light of their stage collapse in Indiana over the weekend. ABC made sure viewers knew the performances of “Find the Beat Again” and “Stuck Like Glue” were recorded on June 10, 2011, but being reminded of how much joy that duo and their fans are capable of made your heart ache because you know they’re feeling the complete opposite now. READ FULL STORY »

Aug 15 2011 10:51 AM ET

Rapper Game pulls Twitter prank on Compton sheriff's office -- the police are not amused

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Categories: Hip-Hop/Rap, Legal Troubles, The Game, Twitter
Game

Image Credit: D Dipasupil/Filmmagic.com

Twitter is a handy tool for complaining about Starbucks baristas and writing extremely short album reviews, and now rapper Game (born Jayceon Taylor) has proven it can also be useful for playing possibly felonious pranks.

On Friday night, a message was blasted from the Compton MC’s Twitter account that encouraged his followers to call a phone number to request a presumably Game-related internship. The phone number in question? The line for the Compton sheriff’s department, which saw its switchboard light up all at once.

Bureau Captain Mike Parker figured out what was wrong and sent a message to the rapper to request the number be taken down (the tweet finally vanished around midnight). “It was almost like a symphony of misery,” Parker told The Los Angeles Times. “You’ve got a multitude of phones ringing simultaneously.” He noted that it was the sort of response the station usually gets in the wake of a major earthquake.

According to the Times, Game may now face criminal charges in relation to the tweet (which he blamed on a friend who got control of his account), including counts of obstructing a peace officer in the performance of their duties and disrupting or impeding communication over a public safety radio frequency, with each call possibly resulting in a new count.

The Game didn’t seem too concerned about the possibility of legal trouble, which he expressed (where else?) on Twitter. “I can see it now: ‘What u in 4 homie.. robbery. What about u dog… Murder. Aye… What u in here 4 game… (Pokes Chest Out) A TWEET’ !!!” the rapper wrote. His fourth release, The R.E.D. Album, hits stores next Tuesday, August 23.

Now if you’ll excuse us, we’ll be off reading Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland one update at a time.

Read more on EW.com:
Jay-Z and Kanye West release ‘Watch the Throne’ ‘Otis’ video — Everybody’s all-American! Watch it here
OutKast’s Big Boi busted for drugs in Miami
Justin Bieber and Chris Brown trade rap verses on ‘Ladies Love Me’: Hear it here

Aug 15 2011 09:26 AM ET

Indiana governor calls stage collapse a 'fluke event'

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Categories: Country, Y'all!, Sugarland
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Image Credit: Darron Cummings/AP Images

Indiana governor Mitch Daniels called the stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair that killed five Sugarland fans on Saturday night a “fluke event,” and praised the response of ordinary Hoosiers who responded by rescuing those trapped or injured by the collapse. The National Weather Service had warned of an intense storm, and a warning was made to the crowd just minutes before the stage toppled. The gusts that caused the collapse were estimated to be between 60 and 70 miles per hour.

This morning, the State Fair in Indianapolis will reopen, following a remembrance service attended by Daniels and his wife. Watch a video clip of the rapid response to the disaster below. READ FULL STORY »

Aug 14 2011 04:37 PM ET

Sara Bareilles responds to Indiana stage collapse disaster

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Categories: Sugarland

Singer Sara Bareilles has responded to Saturday’s stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair, which occurred soon after she finished a performance there. “The accident at the Indiana State Fair felt like a bad dream,” Bareilles said in a statement of the collapse, which killed five concertgoers and injured approximately 40 others. “The weather changed in a matter of minutes and the stage collapsed in a matter of seconds. We are shocked and saddened by this horribly tragic circumstance and we are all praying for those affected. The emergency response was incredibly speedy and the people of Indiana as well as the crews from the show were beyond brave and working hard to help each other. My heart aches for the lives lost or injured as well as their families. We will do whatever we possibly can to help heal the hurt from this very sad day.” Bareilles was the opening act for Sugarland, who was set to perform before high winds brought down the stage.

(Reporting by Leah Greenblatt)

Aug 14 2011 09:43 AM ET

Fifth death reported in Sugarland Indianapolis stage collapse

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Categories: Music, Sugarland

The death toll in Saturday’s tragic stage collapse at the Indiana State Fairgrounds has risen to five, according to a State Fair spokesman. The accident occurred before country duo Sugarland was set to take the stage for their headline performance. An announcer had reportedly just warned the crowd of the advancing storm and gave instructions on what to do in event of an evacuation when a fierce wind kicked up causing the enormous rigging above the stage, which included lights, scaffolding, and sound equipment, to come crashing to the ground.

In addition to the five confirmed fatalities, hospitals on Sunday morning were treating the 40 or so people, including three children, who were injured in the accident.

State Fair officials have canceled all events scheduled for Sunday.

Indiana State Police are expected to hold a press conference some time later this morning.

Below is video from the press conference held early Sunday morning: READ FULL STORY »

Aug 14 2011 12:54 AM ET

Stage collapses at Indiana State Fair before Sugarland concert, kills 4

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Categories: Sara Bareilles, Sugarland
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Image Credit: Joey Foley/Getty Images

High winds caused the collapse of a stage at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday just before country duo Sugarland was set to take the stage for their headline performance, killing four and injuring 40.

UPDATE: State Fair spokesman Andy Klotz confirmed a fifth death to the Indianapolis Star on Sunday morning. A press conference is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. CT.

The band tweeted their regrets on their official Twitter account shortly after the news broke. “We are all right. We are praying for our fans, and the people of Indianapolis. We hope you’ll join us. They need your strength,” they wrote. READ FULL STORY »

Aug 12 2011 04:33 PM ET

Where are all the solo female country stars?

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Categories: Carrie Underwood, Country, Y'all!, In Defense Of, Kellie Pickler, Ladies, Lady Antebellum, Let's Argue!, Miranda Lambert, Things That Are Frustrating, Things That Make Us Go Hmm
Kellie-Pickler

Image Credit: Michael Hickey/WireImage.com

Want to hear a staggering statistic?

In the last four weeks, there has been only one song by a female solo artist in the Top 30 of Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart: “Sparks Fly” by Taylor Swift, which currently sits at number 23.

Meanwhile, on the pop charts, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Adele, Britney Spears, Rihanna, and Nicki Minaj continue to dominate.

Country music in 2011 is apparently a man’s world. But it shouldn’t have to be!

Where is the love for Kellie Pickler’s rough-and-tumble new single, “Tough?” Why did Sunny Sweeney’s latest track, the heartfelt “Staying’s Worse Than Leaving,” stall at number 41? Why won’t Sara Evans’ “My Heart Can’t Tell You No” take off at radio? Does Nashville have a problem with female singers right now?

Before you all jump down my throat—Listen, I know that Lady Antebellum includes singer Hillary Scott. I know that Kimberly Perry provides the vocals for The Band Perry. I know Carrie Underwood is a guest on Brad Paisley’s “Remind Me.” I know Thompson Square is one-half female. I know that Kelly Clarkson sings on Jason Aldean’s “Don’t You Wanna Stay” and that Grace Potter is featured on Kenny Chesney’s “You and Tequila” But all these ladies are successful alongside men—where are the solo country females?! READ FULL STORY »

Aug 12 2011 02:06 PM ET

Feist, 'How Come You Never Go There' -- hear her first new single here

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Categories: Current Listening, Downloads and Streams, Indie Rock, YouTube Delights
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Image Credit: George Pimentel/WireImage.com

Our sad-eyed lady of the Canadian lowlands returns with the first single from her upcoming Metals.

And “1234″ it is not—but even if you can’t immediately taste the jaunty Nano rainbow, it’s still subtly lovely—and eminently Feisty: READ FULL STORY »

Aug 12 2011 01:10 PM ET

Britney Spears gives Pauly D a lap dance in Montreal -- VIDEO

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Categories: About Last Night, Britney Spears, Buzzworthy, Divas!, Ladies, Pop, So Bad It's Good, Things That Are Awesome

Here’s a random bit of news to brighten up your Friday afternoon: Pop queen Britney Spears serenaded Jersey Shore star Pauly D with a lap dance live on stage during the Montreal stop on her Femme Fatale tour last night.

You already feel better just thinking about that situation, don’t you?

The playful interaction happened in front of thousands of screaming fans at Montreal’s Bell Center and came complete with handcuffs—and a pink feather boa.

During this summer’s tour, Spears has regularly brought a male member of the audience up to the stage while she vamps around for her sultry song “Lace and Leather,” though this was the first time that she brought a “celebrity” on stage for the number. (Earlier this year, she did something similar with boyfriend Jason Trawick on stage during a stop in New York.)

Pauly D took to Twitter afterwards, tweeting“Wow Got On Stage With @britneySpears And She Gave Me A Lap Dance !!!!!” Then he added a link to this grinning photo of himself with Spears behind him on stage.

The whole thing isn’t completely random, of course: D is DJing for six dates on Spears’ tour this month. Plug your ears (the screams are insane!) and watch the video of it all go down here:

READ FULL STORY »

Aug 12 2011 12:43 PM ET

Butch Walker & the Black Widows' new single 'Synthesizers': Hear it here -- EXCLUSIVE

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Categories: An EW Exclusive!, Butch Walker, New Stuff, Rock
ButchWalker

If you don’t necessarily recognize Butch Walker by name, you certainly recognize his work.

Pink, Katy Perry, Weezer, Avril Lavigne, and Fall Out Boy have all benefited from Walker’s songwriting and production skills, and Walker picked up major viral traffic last year on his own when he put his impromptu cover of Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” up on YouTube (a version that Swift liked so much that she invited Walker to play with her at the Grammys). And if you’re old enough to remember Dawson’s Creek, you’ll recall “Freak of the Week,” his alt-rock radio hit with his band Marvelous 3.

The Spade, his latest with backing band the Black Widows, is scheduled to drop on August 30 (you can pre-order it here). Like the bulk of his work, it’s full of big hooks, smart lyrics, and an overall sense of clever, stomping fun.

Give a listen to first single “Synthesizers”—exclusive to EW.com—after the jump: READ FULL STORY »

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