music news
Brad Paisley sparks controversy with ‘Accidental Racist’
With the release of Brad Paisley’s new album ‘Wheelhouse,’ he’s is facing a rash of criticism over one of the songs on the self-produced album.
“Accidental Racist” is performed by Brad Paisley and special guest LL Cool J. The song is about cultural symbols viewed by whites and blacks.
While Paisley’s publicist has stated that Paisley will not be giving interviews, the 40-year-old country singer has taken to Twitter.
Yesterday Paisley tweeted, “So,as you buy this album,I hope it triggers emotions. I hope you feel joy,heartache,triumph,surprise; you laugh,cry,nudge someone beside you.”
Continuing he wrote, “…I hope the album rocks you,soothes you,raises questions,answers,evokes feelings, all the way through until Officially Alive.”
His explanation of the album, “Cause I wouldn’t change a thing. This is a record meant to be FAR from easy listening. But fun. Like life. Have a ball, ya’ll. love- brad”
Brad Paisley
Photo: Randy Miramontez
Paisley’s sings, “I try to put myself in your shoes and that’s a good place to begin,” Paisley sings, “but it ain’t like I can walk a mile in someone else’s skin/Because I’m a white man livin’ in the southland/Just like you I’m more than what it seems/I’m proud of where I’m from/But not everything we’ve done/It ain’t like you and me can rewrite history/Our generation didn’t start this nation/We’re still paying for mistakes that a bunch of folks made long before we came.”
LL Cool J sings, “Dear, Mr. White Man, I wish you understood what the world was really like living in the hood,” continuing later the 45-year-old raps, “I guess we’re both guilty of judging a the cover not the book/I’d love to buy you a beer, conversate and clear the air/But I see that red flag and I think you wish I wasn’t here.”
Later in the song LL continues, “If you don’t judge my ‘do rag, I won’t judge your red flag. … If you don’t judge my gold chains, I’ll forget the iron chains … Can’t rewrite history, baby … let bygones be bygones … Rest in peace, Robert E. Lee, I got to thank Abraham Lincoln for freeing me …”
Have a listen for yourself and decide – Is it the worst song ever, or simply beautiful?
Huey Lewis and The News – ‘Sports’ turns 30
Photo: Capital Records
It was 30 years ago that Huey Lewis and The News released their iconic album ‘Sports,’ which included mega-hits such as “I Want New Drug,” “The Heart of Rock and Roll” and “Heart and Soul.”
‘Sports’ has sold over 10 million records and in 1984 the album placed 2nd to Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller.’
On May 14, fans will be able to get their hands on the ‘Sports 30th Anniversary Edition.” The anniversary edition will include re-mastered versions and a second disc with unreleased live versions of the songs.
Huey Lewis and The News will be making a special appearance on Dancing with the Stars on April 2 and they will also be paying a visit to Jimmy Kimmel on May 15.
They will be kicking off their U.S. tour in May at the State Theater in New Brunswick, N.J., with dates through late August. This includes a stop at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, Calif.
Huey Lewis and The News performs at Thunder Valley Casino
Photo: Randy Miramontez
Click for photos of Huey Lewis and The News
“We aimed every song on ‘Sports’ to be a hit, so in that sense it’s really a collection of singles,” Lewis told USA Today in an interview, “They were for commercial radio, because that was the only way to success in those days, just before the real boom of MTV. We made no apologies about that mission, and we’re very proud of it in retrospect.”
Original band members on the album were Sean Hopper (keyboards), Bill Gibson (drums), Johnny Colla (sax), Mario Cipollina (bass) and Chris Hayes (guitar). Their tour will include original members Lewis, Colla, Gibson and Hopper, and five newer members.
Lil Wayne on the mend posts video
Lil Wayne
Photo: Randy Miramontez
Lil Wayne is on the mend after spending last week in the hospital and today he posted a video thanking his fans.
The 30-year-old platinum selling rapper landed in the hospital for the second time last week after experiencing seizures. Those seizures are being blamed on Sizzurp – an addictive combination of prescription-strength cough syrup with codeine, sodas like Mountain Dew or Coca-Cola, and hard candies for added flavor.
In a video posted on TMZ the 30-year-old platinum selling rapper, laying back in chair dressed in a red hoodie, starts out by saying, “What’s poppin y’all,” waving a sucker around he continued to thank his fans, “Thank y’all for y’all prayers and y’all concerns and all that. I swear to God I felt that love when I was laid up in that mother f##kin hospital bed, but I want all of you to know that I’m good, nigger more than good.”
Wayne went on to remind fans that his latest album, “I Am Not a Human Being II,” is due out next Tuesday. He also assured fans that his upcoming tour ‘America’s Most Wanted’ remains on-track and is set to begin on July 5.
Concluding the rapper joked, “Kiss my fist! I’m more than good, but thank you for real. Thanks for all your prayers and all that, I’m more than good. I swear.”
Rapper Too Short arrested for DUI
Too bad for Too Short
Photo: L.A. Police Department
According to TMZ rapper Too Short was arrested early this morning after police pulled him over for a traffic violation in Los Angeles.
Apparently after pulling over Short, whose real name is Todd Anthony Shaw, officers suspected he was under the influence and attempted to administer a breathalyzer test, that’s when Shaw ran for the hills. Only problem is, he tripped and fell before reaching them there hills.
Blowing a .09, which is .01 over the legal limit, Shaw was placed into the back of the cruiser and transported to the station. On the way to the station he tried to dump his narcotics in the back seat of the cruiser.
He was booked for a DUI and felony possession, so far stupidity is perfectly legal.
Photo: Zomba Recording
Short is best known for his hit songs “The Ghetto” and “Blow the Whistle,” along with being one of the pioneer rappers of West Coast hip hop.
In 2010 the platinum rapper was arrested for battery after allegedly trying to beat up three bouncers in Boise, Idaho. The altercation started when guards attempted to stop him from bringing several underage females backstage at a concert.
In 2011 it was widely reported that Short had died from a heart attack, after somebody updated his Wiki page. Frustrated he tweeted, “Stop calling my phone. I’m not dead. Been in the lab working on my 19th album.”
Currently Short is quite alive, albeit not happy, as he wakes to find himself hung over and behind bars.
Is Lil Wayne on his death bed
Lil Wayne – Click for more images
Photo: Randy Miramontez
The Associated Press is reporting that Lil Wayne was hospitalized Friday after having a seizure and is reportedly in stable condition.
The 30-year-old platinum selling rapper was in a Los Angeles hospital where his reps are saying he is recovering after an apparent seizure.
Someone Tweeted from Wayne’s Twitter account today, “I’m good everybody. Thx for the prayers and love.” However, there have been numerous reports that have run the gambit from ‘Lil Wayne is dead,’ to he’s fine and “watching the Syracuse game,” referring to the Syracuse University Orange against Georgetown in the Big East men’s basketball tournament.
According to TMZ, Wayne was taken to Cedars-Sinai Hospital in L.A. on Tuesday night due to multiple seizures. After being released the following day he was found unconscious in his room.
When Wayne was rushed to the hospital today he did not stabilize and was transferred to the ICU. According to TMZ he was placed in restraints because he was shaking uncontrollably and then placed in an induced coma and is breathing through tubes.
Sources close to the super-star say his mother is currently on a plane to Los Angeles and any major decisions regarding Wayne will be made when she arrives, including to discontinue life support.
Lil Wayne – Click for more images
Photo: Randy Miramontez
Droves of fellow rappers have descending on the hospital along with friends and family.
In contrast to the dire news, rapper and president of Wayne’s Young Money record label tweeted, “Dont believe the nonsense about comas and tubes to breathe … that’s false!!”
There are also several reports that his seizures may have been caused by a sizzurp binge, which is an addictive combination of prescription-strength cough syrup, sodas like Mountain Dew or Coca-Cola, and hard candies for added flavor. Users typically use Styrofoam cups to drink it.
At this point it’s difficult to determine who or what to believe.
UPDATE (Saturday a.m.): According to sources close to Wayne, he is slowly stabilizing, but is being watch closely by doctors.
Iron Maiden Drummer Clive Burr dead at 56
Clive Burr
Photo: Iron Maiden website
According to Iron Maiden’s website, drummer Clive Burr died last night at his home after suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, he was 56.
The band wrote, “We are deeply saddened to report that Clive Burr passed away last night. He had suffered poor health for many years after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and died peacefully in his sleep at home.”
Founding member Steve Harris said, “This is terribly sad news. Clive was a very old friend of all of us. He was a wonderful person and an amazing drummer who made a valuable contribution to Maiden in the early days when we were starting out. This is a sad day for everyone in the band and those around him and our thoughts and condolences are with his partner Mimi and family at this time.”
Friend and ex-band mate Dee Snider tweeted, “So sad…just found out my old friend Clive Burr from Iron Maiden pass away. So glad I spoke to him a couple of days ago. #alegendlost”
Snider and Burr became friends during their time with the band Desperado.
Burr joined Iron Maiden in 1979, replacing drummer Doug Sampson, who left the band due to health issues. He performed on their first three albums, “Iron Maiden,” “Killers” and “The Number of The Beast.”
Burr left the band in 1982, but the band came to Burr’s aid when in 2001 Iron Maiden played three consecutive shows at Brixton Academy in London raising funds for Burrs fight with Multiple Sclerosis, creating the Clive Burr MS Trust Fund. In the last few years Burr was confined to a wheelchair.
Vince Neil stoned in Sydney
Motley Crue lead singer Vince Neil landed in the hospital Sunday night after suffering sever pain from kidney stones while onstage in Sydney, Australia.
According to bandmates, Neil checked into the hospital after performing four songs and walking off stage due to severe pain.
Guitarist Nikki Stixx with Motley Crue posted on his Facebook page “As many have heard we had to cut our set short by 4 songs last night due to Vince be in severe pain on stage.. He was doubled over on his dressing room floor 5 minutes till show time and was told by the promoter to not even play but Vince said he couldn’t do that to the fans,” continuing Stixx wrote, “I’ve seen Vinnie go onstage with broken bones, his voice completely blown out and torn ligaments but he never ever cancels…Just like an athlete you sometimes have to play through the pain but last night it became to excruciating.”
The 52-year-old rocker went under the knife to remove kidney stones Sunday night. The bands manager, Allen Kovac, said, “Vince is in the recovery room. All went well and we will know more soon.”
Motley Crue is scheduled to appear in Brisbane on Tuesday, and as of this moment the schedule remains unchanged.
Kovac added that, “Vince is a warrior who has played shows through a wide ranging list of injuries. If there is a way to safely perform, he always does.”
According to Kovac, Motely Crue has never canceled a show in close to 20 years.
Guitarist Alvin Lee dead at 68
Photo: Capital Records
Famed guitarist Alvin Lee of the English rock band Ten Years After died this morning from complications resulting from a routine surgery, this according to his website.
“With great sadness we have to announce that Alvin unexpectedly passed away early this morning after unforeseen complications following a routine surgical procedure,” his family posted on his website. “We have lost a wonderful and much loved father and companion, the world has lost a truly great and gifted musician.”
Lee began playing guitar at a young age, forming Ten Years After at the age of 15 in 1960 with friend Leo Lyons.
Photo: Rainman
Their self-titled debut album was consistently play on San Francisco’s underground radio stations, where listeners couldn’t get enough. Concert promoter Bill Graham took note, inviting TYA to tour the US. Lee won the hearts of listeners with his distinctive, lightning quick guitar playing, propelling him and his sticker laden red Gibson, referred to as ‘Big Red,’ to iconic status.
The band played a mix of blues, swing jazz and rock. They toured the US 28 times in 7 years, more than any other U.K. band.
TYA performed at the legendary Woodstock Festival with Lee’s solo performance being one of the highlights of the festival. Lee was featured in the documentary which catapulted him into the public eye filling arenas and stadiums across the country.
After splitting the group in 1973, Lee started recording solo, releasing a number of albums and collaborating with big names such as Mick Fleetwood, George Harrison, Steve Winwood and Ron Wood.
Just last year he released ‘Still On The Road To Freedom.’
Carly Rae Jepsen pulls out of Boy Scout Jamboree
Photo: Interscope Records
Today the pressure was turned up yet again for the Boy Scouts of America to allow gay members to join the Scouts, as Canadian pop-star Carly Rae Jepsen announced that she would not be performing at the annual Boy Scout National Jamboree this summer.
Last week the band Train pulled out of the West Virginia event, saying they would not perform unless they changed their ban on gays.
Train and Jepsen were to headline separate concerts at the Jamboree.
The “Call Me Maybe” singer took to Twitter writing, “I always have and will continue to support the LGBT community on a global level,” in a subsequent tweet she wrote, “and stay informed on the ever changing landscape in the ongoing battle for gay rights in this country and across the globe.”
Read: Gay couple kicked out of mall in Northern California.
Earlier in the year the organization found itself under pressure to remove the longstanding ban against gay membership, when in January the club stated they would remove the national ban, but leave the ultimate decision to its local chapters. A month later they delayed the vote pushing the decision out until mid-year.
Both Jepsen and Train were targeted by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, an advocacy group better known as GLAAD, soon after inking the deal to perform for the Scouts.
Change.org joined the fight gathering over 60,000 signatures pleading for Jepsen to bow out of the concert.
The Boy Scouts plan on moving forward with the Summer Jamboree which takes place every four years, attracting close to 50,000 attendees.
In a statement released by the Boy Scouts spokesman, Deron Smith they stated, “We appreciate everyone’s right to express an opinion and remain focused on delivering a great Jamboree program for our Scouts.”
What do you think, should the Boy Scouts remove the ban?
‘The Voice’ contestant MacKenzie Bourg releases new video
Photo: MacKenzie Bourg
Team Cee-Lo scores with “The Voice” contestant MacKenzie Bourg, as the third season’s contestant releases his new music video for his hit song “Everyone’s Got A Story,”
The 19-year-old has been through quite a bit at such a young age, when a couple of years prior to being on “The Voice” he contracted viral myocarditis, triggering congestive heart failure. Before being placed in a medically induced coma he told his father that he would wake up before the Superbowl. As promised he came out of his coma the day before the Superbowl. That was the year “The Voice” followed the big game, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Winning the hearts of millions of fans on the music competition show with his Justin Bieber looks and great backstory, Bourg never looked back after his elimination, as fans cheered him on through Twitter. After he released his debut single “Everyone’s Got A Story,” the MacPack, as his fans are called, drove the tune to the top 60 on iTunes.
After releasing his first song the MacPack tweeted their praise, including Christina Millan who wrote, “I love the new @BourgMackeznie single! great song! Congrats!”
“Smooth” rocker Rob Thomas joined the MacPack as he tweeted “Hey Guys! Our friend MacKenzie Bourg has a new single out.. check it out!”
At 19 Bourg has a very soulful voice and pulls off a very nice Jason Maraz sound in “Everyone’s Got A Story.” It’s a great tune and nicely done video.
Soon enough you will be reading about other up and coming singers being referred to as having a MacKenzie Bourg kinda sound.
