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As if her upcoming wedding wasn’t already set to be stacked with enough country music royalty, Kelly Clarkson has added Blake Shelton to the roster — as her officiant.
Following her performance at Sunday night’s ACM Awards in Las Vegas, Clarkson revealed to Entertainment Tonight that Shelton will not only perform at her nuptials, he will conduct the ceremony as well. READ FULL STORY »
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The real winners were announced last night at the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. But here are a few more honors from the telecast you should feel free to weigh in on: READ FULL STORY »
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Did Blake and Miranda maintain their reign as the king and queen of country? Did Taylor Swift take home a third Entertainer of the Year trophy? And did newly engaged Best New Artist nominees Jana Kramer and Brantley Gilbert beat out Florida Georgia Line? Check out all the country stars taking home trophies at tonight’s 48th Annual ACM Awards: READ FULL STORY »
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The summer tour schedule is already stuffed with superstar team-ups like Jay-Z & Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé & a dancing can of Pepsi (we assume). Now you can add one more pairing to that list.
This morning, Maroon 5 announced they will be headlining the 2013 Honda Civic Tour, and the bill will also feature Kelly Clarkson. PJ Morton, Rozzi Crane, and Tony Lucca round out the lineup for the mini-festival, which kicks off August 1 in St. Louis.
In a press release, Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine said, “We are very excited to team up with the Honda Civic Tour. Kelly, PJ, Rozzi and Tony are all such unique and amazing artists. I’m really looking forward to hitting the road with them. Each night will be a great night of music.”
Maroon 5 continue to score with singles from last year’s Overexposed — the latest track “Daylight” currently sits at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been dominating radio as well. Meanwhile, Clarkson is touring in support of her compilation Greatest Hits: Chapter One, which spawned the new singles “Catch My Breath” and “People Like Us” (which, sadly, is not a Talking Heads cover).
Tickets for the Honda Civic Tour go on sale this Friday, April 6. Check out the full list of tour dates below. READ FULL STORY »
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The cold war of words between longtime music mogul Clive Davis and pop star (and former Davis charge) Kelly Clarkson got a new chapter yesterday.
To recap: In his new autobiography The Soundtrack of My Life, Davis told a handful of stories about the former American Idol champ, which included her weeping during a meeting and not wanting to release smash hits “Since U Been Gone” and “Behind These Hazel Eyes.”
Clarkson responded yesterday with an open letter to her fans, noting that Davis’ “stories and songs are mixed up.” She also said that the only time she ever cried in front of Davis was when he told her he hated the song “Because of You.” READ FULL STORY »
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Once again, Kelly Clarkson would like to say something to Clive Davis: “Growing up is awesome because you learn you don’t have to cower to anyone — even Clive Davis.”
Some context: in a longish post published this afternoon, Clarkson responds to comments Davis made in his memoir The Soundtrack of My Life, which was released today.
In it, the record executive discusses his tumultuous working relationship with the Idol winner, which began immediately after her victory. He says things like, “Kelly obviously is very talented and has a big, powerful voice,” and that he helped delay the release of From Justin to Kelly in order to help her debut release, Thankful.
But he also claims that Clarkson hated “Since U Been Gone” and “Behind These Hazel Eyes” and “really” wanted both songs off her album.
(The “very tough conversation” was further delayed “when Kelly burst into hysterical sobbing,” Davis writes. “We all just sat there as she cried for several minutes.”) READ FULL STORY »
Don’t worry, kiddos — Papa Sting is here to show you how it’s done.
The Recording Academy has announced that the 61-year-old Sting with be joining Rihanna and Bruno Mars on stage for a performance at the Grammys this Sunday.
With 16 trophies of his own at home, Sting is no stranger to the Grammys — he won his first back in 1980, when he was in the Police and Rihanna and Bruno Mars were not even people yet. (Although, judging by Mars’ recent singles, the age gap hasn’t limited Sting’s influence.)
Kelly Clarkson will be performing separately on Grammy night as well, the Academy announced, while Beyoncé, Prince, Hunter Hayes, Jennifer Lopez, and Pauley Perrette were confirmed as presenters.
If Feb. 5 is too far away (and it is! it’s six days away!) for the Jewel fans out there, have no fear: a cut of your mistress of songs singing with Kelly Clarkson is making its way around the Internet.
The pair teamed up to tackle “Foolish Games,” off Jewel’s soul-saving Pieces of You. The new version — available on her upcoming greatest hits album — is heavier than the original, with less cresting woe. Also: less strings and less of Jewel reaching for the attic end of her upper register. Generally less of everything, except Kelly Clarkson, which has the upside-down effect of making the track even better, and definitely a dash more empowered.
Take a listen below and then chime in: Does this make the wait for Jewel’s Greatest Hits any easier? And who will Kelly duet with next?
President Obama’s public swearing-in will take place on Jan. 21, and the Obama team has just released an Official Inauguration Playlist by Barack Obama. The list features songs by Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson and Katy Perry, all of whom who will be performing at various inauguration events this weekend. Other guests set to perform include fun., Alicia Keys, Usher, John Legend, Brad Paisley and Smokey Robinson.
Surprisingly, the playlist also features “Edge of Glory,” a Lady Gaga tune that thematically is a perfect fit for the event. But instead of the Lady Gaga version, the President went with the Glee cast version. A secret Gleek? Perhaps it’s a nod to his daughters — the Glee cast will be performing at the Kids’ Inaugural Concert on Jan. 19.
Listen to the full playlist below: READ FULL STORY »
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Between the Super Bowl and the upcoming HBO documentary, and probably a new album, Beyoncé was already primed to have a big 2013. And then this happened: The Presidential Inaugural Committee has told People that Bey will perform the National Anthem at President Obama’s inauguration on Jan. 21. The event will take place in D.C., of course, in front of the U.S. Capitol Building.
The R&B star will be joined by Kelly Clarkson, who’ll sing “My Country Tis of Thee” — sung by Aretha Franklin, she of the big ribbon hat, in 2009. And to please the non-millennials, James Taylor will also be showing up to the shindig to perform “America the Beautiful.”
This, of course, won’t be Beyoncé’s first time to the inaugural rodeo. Back in 2009, she sang the Etta James classic “At Last” while the President and First Lady had their first dance at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball. Take a look at her performance in the video below to refresh your memory:
