Alicia Keys leads the nominees for the 2008 American Music Awards with five, including artist of the year, favorite female artist -- pop or rock music, favorite female artist -- soul/rhythm & blues music and favorite album in pop or rock music and soul/R&B music for "As I Am."Coldplay and the Eagles earned four nominations each. Coldplay was nominated for artist of the year, favorite band, duo or group -- pop or rock music, favorite artist -- alternative rock music and favorite album -- pop or rock music for "Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends."The Eagles scored nominations for: artist of the year, favorite band, duo or group -- pop or rock music, favorite artist -- adult contemporary music, and favorite album pop or rock music for "Long Road Out of Eden."The other artists nominated for artist of the year are Lil Wayne, who was also nominated for favorite male artist -- rap/hip-hop music and favorite album rap/hip-hop music for "Tha Carter III"; and Chris Brown, who also received nominations for favorite male artist -- pop or rock music and favorite male artist -- soul/rhythm & blues music.Other artists receiving multiple nominations are Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks, Mariah Carey, Daughtry, Flo Rida, Rihanna, Carrie Underwood, Usher and Kanye West.
Voting for the awards is done online via ABC.com's American Music Awards website. The AMAs will be held Nov. 23 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. They will be aired live on ABC and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Britney Spears To Tour Next Spring
Britney Spears will begin a tour next spring, produced by AEG Live. Sources say the trek will likely hit arenas and be international in scope, as were recent AEG Live-produced outings by Bon Jovi and Justin Timberlake. Spears last toured in 2004, grossing more than $34 million, according to Billboard Boxscore.The artist will be out in support of her new album, "Circus," due Dec. 2 via Jive. First single "Womanizer" is expected to leap into the upper reaches of the Billboard Hot 100 this week after first-week download sales are factored into the chart.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Chilly stars under the stars
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – Always searching for new ways to grow the game, the NBA took the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets outside on Saturday night, a cute experiment that would have been more warmly received had anyone packed a blanket.
Give David Stern credit. He sold out a preseason basketball game aired in front of a national TV audience, and he didn’t have to cross the Atlantic to do it. More than 16,000 people packed the Indian Wells Tennis Center to see the Suns and Nuggets play under the stars, and most of the fans seemed to enjoy the experience, even if they came away colder for it.
“It felt like Edmonton, Alberta, out there,” said Suns point guard and Canadian transplant Steve Nash.
The NBA hadn’t played a game outdoors since 1972, and there’s probably a good reason why league officials waited 36 years to stage another: When it comes to the weather, even Stern has to answer to a higher power. Even in the desert.
Temperatures, which hit 105 degrees here three days earlier, dropped to the low 60s in the second half. The steady wind made it feel at least 10 degrees cooler. Several players used towels as makeshift hoods to stay warm on the bench. A few admitted to being too cold to sweat.
“Growing up we played outside in weather cold like this all the time,” Nash said, “but I would say that’s been about 16 years ago.”
Allen Iverson, perhaps, had the evening’s best seat, watching from the warmth of his home in Denver. Iverson skipped the trip because of what the team described as a sore knee and Carmelo Anthony sat out his second exhibition game with a sore finger. Suns forward Amare Stoudemire, still trying to work his way back into shape after being sidelined by an ankle injury and a torn iris, also didn’t play.
“I’m not going to spend too much time looking at the film tonight,” Suns coach Terry Porter said, pausing to blow on his hands.
The Nuggets won 77-72, but the low-scoring game had more to do with the 10 mph wind gusting through the stadium than the defensive improvements both teams have pledged to make this season. Grant Hill tossed up a 3-pointer from the top of the arc in the first quarter only to watch the breeze gently catch it. He shouldn’t have felt bad. Of the 27 3-pointers the teams combined to take, only three found the bottom of the net. Former Suns coach Mike D’Antoni couldn’t have taken that much mojo with him to New York, could he?
Said Nash: “When you shoot a ball and it starts slicing right … ”
Denver even bricked 20 of its 38 free throws, though not everyone on the court could use the unusual elements as an excuse. Shaquille O’Neal, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich will be happy to know, can miss free throws outside just as well as he does inside; in the game’s opening moments, he clanged a pair hard off the rim. One backboard, perhaps already worrying about its fate, mysteriously splintered on its own Friday afternoon before the Suns had even stepped foot into the stadium for their shootaround. Workers replaced the broken backboard, but NBA officials ordered two more reserves brought in as insurance.
Nuggets coach George Karl was disappointed to see the league had neglected to include one longtime playground staple: chain nets. Karl’s first impression when told Denver would be playing outdoors?
“I have to admit,” he said, “I had some thoughts of, ‘What?’ ”
The NBA shrugged off such skepticism by throwing its marketing muscle behind the event. One of the Suns owners sold the league on using Indian Wells as the ideal location for the game, and the team trucked in a special court emblazoned with “NBA Outdoors!” just in case anyone hadn’t noticed the roof missing overhead. TNT played along, bringing Charles Barkley, Reggie Miller and Marv Albert to broadcast the game, though their largest viewing audience (Phoenix) lost feed of the telecast for much of the first quarter.
As that opening quarter came to a close, Suns public-address announcer Cedric Ceballos shouted, “One quarter of history already intact!” When it comes to watershed moments in NBA history, Saturday night ranked slightly ahead of the introduction of the microfiber ball. None of the players openly complained, but none were clamoring to sign up to do it again, either.
And no one certainly sounded ready to play any game of merit outdoors, even if Barkley was already pitching the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Chase Field as an alternate site for this season’s All-Star Game in Phoenix. Much like the NBA’s annual preseason sojourns to Europe, the outdoor experiment should probably be limited to the exhibition level for the near future. At the least, Karl suggested, the league should consider moving up the start time a couple hours to take advantage of warmer weather.
“I thought the best part was seeing the moon,” Karl said. “You think you should be drinking a beer or drinking a bottle of wine and just relaxing.”
Shaq, too, claimed to welcome the unique experience. But would he be willing to do it again?
He nodded then smiled.
“In June.”
Give David Stern credit. He sold out a preseason basketball game aired in front of a national TV audience, and he didn’t have to cross the Atlantic to do it. More than 16,000 people packed the Indian Wells Tennis Center to see the Suns and Nuggets play under the stars, and most of the fans seemed to enjoy the experience, even if they came away colder for it.
“It felt like Edmonton, Alberta, out there,” said Suns point guard and Canadian transplant Steve Nash.
The NBA hadn’t played a game outdoors since 1972, and there’s probably a good reason why league officials waited 36 years to stage another: When it comes to the weather, even Stern has to answer to a higher power. Even in the desert.
Temperatures, which hit 105 degrees here three days earlier, dropped to the low 60s in the second half. The steady wind made it feel at least 10 degrees cooler. Several players used towels as makeshift hoods to stay warm on the bench. A few admitted to being too cold to sweat.
“Growing up we played outside in weather cold like this all the time,” Nash said, “but I would say that’s been about 16 years ago.”
Allen Iverson, perhaps, had the evening’s best seat, watching from the warmth of his home in Denver. Iverson skipped the trip because of what the team described as a sore knee and Carmelo Anthony sat out his second exhibition game with a sore finger. Suns forward Amare Stoudemire, still trying to work his way back into shape after being sidelined by an ankle injury and a torn iris, also didn’t play.
“I’m not going to spend too much time looking at the film tonight,” Suns coach Terry Porter said, pausing to blow on his hands.
The Nuggets won 77-72, but the low-scoring game had more to do with the 10 mph wind gusting through the stadium than the defensive improvements both teams have pledged to make this season. Grant Hill tossed up a 3-pointer from the top of the arc in the first quarter only to watch the breeze gently catch it. He shouldn’t have felt bad. Of the 27 3-pointers the teams combined to take, only three found the bottom of the net. Former Suns coach Mike D’Antoni couldn’t have taken that much mojo with him to New York, could he?
Said Nash: “When you shoot a ball and it starts slicing right … ”
Denver even bricked 20 of its 38 free throws, though not everyone on the court could use the unusual elements as an excuse. Shaquille O’Neal, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich will be happy to know, can miss free throws outside just as well as he does inside; in the game’s opening moments, he clanged a pair hard off the rim. One backboard, perhaps already worrying about its fate, mysteriously splintered on its own Friday afternoon before the Suns had even stepped foot into the stadium for their shootaround. Workers replaced the broken backboard, but NBA officials ordered two more reserves brought in as insurance.
Nuggets coach George Karl was disappointed to see the league had neglected to include one longtime playground staple: chain nets. Karl’s first impression when told Denver would be playing outdoors?
“I have to admit,” he said, “I had some thoughts of, ‘What?’ ”
The NBA shrugged off such skepticism by throwing its marketing muscle behind the event. One of the Suns owners sold the league on using Indian Wells as the ideal location for the game, and the team trucked in a special court emblazoned with “NBA Outdoors!” just in case anyone hadn’t noticed the roof missing overhead. TNT played along, bringing Charles Barkley, Reggie Miller and Marv Albert to broadcast the game, though their largest viewing audience (Phoenix) lost feed of the telecast for much of the first quarter.
As that opening quarter came to a close, Suns public-address announcer Cedric Ceballos shouted, “One quarter of history already intact!” When it comes to watershed moments in NBA history, Saturday night ranked slightly ahead of the introduction of the microfiber ball. None of the players openly complained, but none were clamoring to sign up to do it again, either.
And no one certainly sounded ready to play any game of merit outdoors, even if Barkley was already pitching the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Chase Field as an alternate site for this season’s All-Star Game in Phoenix. Much like the NBA’s annual preseason sojourns to Europe, the outdoor experiment should probably be limited to the exhibition level for the near future. At the least, Karl suggested, the league should consider moving up the start time a couple hours to take advantage of warmer weather.
“I thought the best part was seeing the moon,” Karl said. “You think you should be drinking a beer or drinking a bottle of wine and just relaxing.”
Shaq, too, claimed to welcome the unique experience. But would he be willing to do it again?
He nodded then smiled.
“In June.”
Talk radio host says Magic faked having AIDS
Not even Don Imus would be this stupid, would he? Magic Johnson certainly hopes not.
Minneapolis talk radio hosts Chris Baker and Langdon Perry of KLTK-FM, recently specualted that the former Lakers great “faked” having HIV/AIDS. Says he faked it for sympathy.
Perry said that he was “convinced that Magic faked AIDS. … I’m not sure why, but I’m pretty sure he faked AIDS … Cause he’s the only cured AIDS guy ever.
Johnson soon learned about the comments and issued a statement;
“I am extremely disappointed in KTLK in Minneapolis. I am outraged that Chris Baker and Langdon Perry would minimize such a serious and deadly issue. Millions are dying from HIV/AIDS and the fact that they would make jokes about my status is unbelievable,” Johnson said. “Chris, Langdon and KTLK should use their power in a more positive light by encouraging people to get tested for this disease instead of making up such ridiculous lies.”
And some people think Vic the Brick is outrageou
Minneapolis talk radio hosts Chris Baker and Langdon Perry of KLTK-FM, recently specualted that the former Lakers great “faked” having HIV/AIDS. Says he faked it for sympathy.
Perry said that he was “convinced that Magic faked AIDS. … I’m not sure why, but I’m pretty sure he faked AIDS … Cause he’s the only cured AIDS guy ever.
Johnson soon learned about the comments and issued a statement;
“I am extremely disappointed in KTLK in Minneapolis. I am outraged that Chris Baker and Langdon Perry would minimize such a serious and deadly issue. Millions are dying from HIV/AIDS and the fact that they would make jokes about my status is unbelievable,” Johnson said. “Chris, Langdon and KTLK should use their power in a more positive light by encouraging people to get tested for this disease instead of making up such ridiculous lies.”
And some people think Vic the Brick is outrageou
Obama flip-flops, becomes a Phillies Phan The Examiner
Standing in Philadelphia, in front of thousands of residents of Philadelphia, he went out on a limb. “I am a White Sox fan,” he said, “but since the White Sox are out of it, I’ll root for the Phillies now.” So there you have it, Obama is now pulling for the Phillies. Write it in stone. Hold him to it. Sure, there is a lot to like in the Phillies. Lefty Jamie Moyer, for instance, pitching into his late 40’s, is defying the limits of age (take notice John McCain). The Phillies have nice uniforms and a nice stadium too. There is a lot to like, but is that really what Obama likes? Could it be that the Phillies are from Philadelphia which is in Pennsylvania, which is a battleground state? And does it help that they are playing the Dodgers from Los Angeles which is in California, which is a safe Democratic state? Who really needs the Dodgers anyway?Will Obama stick to this position when he campaigns in Florida? After all, the Tampa Bay Rays are in the playoffs, and are located smack in the middle of key swing territory in the Sunshine State. Will Obama be brave enough
Put a cap on this insult to England legends The Daily Mail
Since nothing is sacred when it comes to the promotion of Brand Beckham, another act of heresy was committed on Saturday as casually as boozy fans might blaspheme on their train home from Wembley.Old Goldenballs was tossed yet one more cap for a fag-end appearance lasting barely 10 minutes. Thereby, for the second international match running, the legend of a truly great England player was trampled underfoot by today’s stampeding obsession with tawdry celebrity. In Croatia last month, a brief outing as Theo Walcott’s substitute drew David Beckham level with the noble Billy Wright’s 105 caps.
New Bjork Single: To Yorke, Or Not To Yorke?
According to the Bjork camp, the Icelandic vocalist will release a new single, "Nattura," on Oct. 20 via One Little Indian, featuring backing vocals from Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke.The only problem: according to Radiohead's management, Yorke hasn't recorded anything new with Bjork, although the possibility remains that his contribution is a sample or was taped at some point in the past.No additional information about the nature of the collaboration was available at deadline about "Nattura," which shares its name with an organization devoted to protecting Iceland's environment. Bjork played a benefit concert with fellow Iceland natives Sigur Ros on behalf of Nattura this summer.Bjork and Yorke previously sang together on "I've Seen It All," from the 2000 film "Dancer in the Dark," in which Bjork starred.Meanwhile, Radiohead has announced its first live dates of 2009. The group will play March 15-17 at Foro Sol in Mexico City.
Beastie Boys Plot Star-Studded Vote Shows
The Beastie Boys have drafted Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, Jack Johnson and Ben Harper to join them on the Get Out and Vote tour, which will begin Oct. 28 in Richmond, Va. Shows are also set for Nov. 1 in St. Paul, Minn., and Nov. 2 in Milwaukee."This election is too important to stay at home," the rap trio said this morning (Oct. 10), adding that it is endorsing Barack Obama for president. "We hope that you can come out, have a nice night, dance, sing, get your freak on, and then wake up the next morning and get everyone that you possibly can to get out and vote."Crow, Jones, Johnson and Santogold are on the bill for the Richmond show, while Harper and Tenacious D will support in St. Paul. Harper, Tenacious D and David Crosby and Graham Nash will join the Beasties in Milwaukee.For ticket information, visit the Beasties' Web site.
Beyonce Turns The Tables In 'Boy' Video
Beyonce will release videos for her two new singles "If I Were a Boy" and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" via MTV, BET, VH1 and Fuse on Monday (Oct. 13). The two songs were released to radio this week and are the first from her forthcoming, as-yet-untitled album, due Nov. 18 via Music World/Columbia."It's kind of like 'Freaky Friday'," Beyonce tells Billboard of the concept behind the "If I Were a Boy" clip, where she plays a police officer. "In the beginning of the video, my husband makes me breakfast and he's excited about it, and I kind of don't have time to eat. As a police officer, I have a male partner and the video goes through our days. My husband's at work and has attractive girls flirting with him but he declines their advances. I have a guy flirting with me, and I flirt back."Beyonce says the clip will depict common things that men do to hurt their significant others, like not answering their phone."It's about all of the little things that mean so much in a relationship," says Beyonce. "At the end of the clip, you realize that I was acting out his life, and it all starts over again. He was a cop and everything that happened was really him doing the same thing to me."Both videos were directed by Jake Nava, who previously helmed Beyonce's "Baby Boy" featuring Sean Paul.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Simpson guilty of robbery, kidnap charges
LAS VEGAS - O.J. Simpson, who went from American sports idol to celebrity-in-exile after he was acquitted of murder in 1995, was found guilty Friday of robbing two sports-memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a Las Vegas hotel room.
The 61-year-old former football star could spend the rest of his life in prison. Sentencing was set for Dec. 5.
A weary and somber Simpson released a heavy sigh as the charges were read by the clerk in Clark County District Court. He was immediately taken into custody.
The Hall of Fame football star was convicted of kidnapping, armed robbery and 10 other charges for gathering up five men a year ago and storming into a room at a hotel-casino, where the group seized several game balls, plaques and photos. Prosecutors said two of the men with him were armed; one of them said Simpson asked him to bring a gun.
The verdict came 13 years to the day after Simpson was cleared of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in Los Angeles in one of the most sensational trials of the 20th century.
"I don't like to use the word payback," defense attorney Yale Galanter said. "I can tell you from the beginning my biggest concern ... was whether or not the jury would be able to separate their very strong feelings about Mr. Simpson and judge him fairly and honestly."
Co-defendant also convictedSimpson's co-defendant, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, 54, also was found guilty on all charges in the Las Vegas case and taken into custody.
Simpson showed little emotion as officers handcuffed him and walked him out of the courtroom. His sister, Carmelita Durio, sobbed behind him in the arms of Simpson's friend, Tom Scotto, who said "I love you" as Simpson passed by. As spectators left the courtroom, Durio collapsed.
Jurors made no eye contact with the defendants as they entered the courtroom. They declined to answer questions after the verdict was read.
Galanter said his client had expected the outcome, and in a courthouse conversation with an Associated Press reporter on Thursday, Simpson had implied as much.
Simpson said he felt melancholy and that he was "afraid that I won't get to go to my kids' college graduations after I managed to get them through college."
Galanter said it was not a happy day for anybody. "His only hope is the appellate process," he said.
Clark County spokesman Dan Kulin said prosecutors would not comment until the case was "completely resolved."
The 61-year-old former football star could spend the rest of his life in prison. Sentencing was set for Dec. 5.
A weary and somber Simpson released a heavy sigh as the charges were read by the clerk in Clark County District Court. He was immediately taken into custody.
The Hall of Fame football star was convicted of kidnapping, armed robbery and 10 other charges for gathering up five men a year ago and storming into a room at a hotel-casino, where the group seized several game balls, plaques and photos. Prosecutors said two of the men with him were armed; one of them said Simpson asked him to bring a gun.
The verdict came 13 years to the day after Simpson was cleared of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in Los Angeles in one of the most sensational trials of the 20th century.
"I don't like to use the word payback," defense attorney Yale Galanter said. "I can tell you from the beginning my biggest concern ... was whether or not the jury would be able to separate their very strong feelings about Mr. Simpson and judge him fairly and honestly."
Co-defendant also convictedSimpson's co-defendant, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, 54, also was found guilty on all charges in the Las Vegas case and taken into custody.
Simpson showed little emotion as officers handcuffed him and walked him out of the courtroom. His sister, Carmelita Durio, sobbed behind him in the arms of Simpson's friend, Tom Scotto, who said "I love you" as Simpson passed by. As spectators left the courtroom, Durio collapsed.
Jurors made no eye contact with the defendants as they entered the courtroom. They declined to answer questions after the verdict was read.
Galanter said his client had expected the outcome, and in a courthouse conversation with an Associated Press reporter on Thursday, Simpson had implied as much.
Simpson said he felt melancholy and that he was "afraid that I won't get to go to my kids' college graduations after I managed to get them through college."
Galanter said it was not a happy day for anybody. "His only hope is the appellate process," he said.
Clark County spokesman Dan Kulin said prosecutors would not comment until the case was "completely resolved."
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