Booker T. and the MGs join Musicians Hall of Fame
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) ‘ Guitarist Duane Eddy picked his rumbling “Peter Gunn” instrumental and Rolling Stone Keith Richards jammed with The Crickets on “Not Fade Away” as a host of musicians and producers were honored during the Musicians Hall of Fame induction ceremony Tuesday.
Formed in 1967, the Alabama-based Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section played on hundreds of recordings by artists such as Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Paul Simon, The Staple Singers and Bob Seger.
Kid Rock joined them for Seger’s “Old Time Rock and Roll” while former “American Idol” contestant Melinda Doolittle sang Franklin’s “R-E-S-P-E-C-T.”
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Melinda Doolittle sings classic Aretha at Hall tonight
Melinda Doolittle still isn’t sure why she was asked to take the Schermerhorn Symphony Center stage tonight (Tuesday, Oct. 28) as part of the second annual Musicians Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
She’ll sing the Aretha Franklin classics “Respect” and “I Never Loved a Man” with the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, which is being inducted.
Despite her amazing voice, she says she can’t believe she will join Keith Richards, George Jones, Lee Ann Womack and others in honoring some of the nation’s best musicians.
More Artists Join White Spaces Fray
Opponents of the effort to allow unlicensed mobile devices in the white spaces between TV channels have pulled out the big Guns N Roses.
From The Bangles to Michael Bolton, Clay Aiken to Don Henley’ and yes, Guns N Roses’ a group of 100 musicians have put their name to a letter calling on the FCC to put its white spaces report out for public comment.
In their letter to the five commissioners, the recording artists say that the Nov. 4 vote would “dramatically impair” their ability to deliver a quality concert performance, for which wireless microphones are crucial
Among the other well-known names on the list: Peter Frampton, Bonnie Raitt, Michael Feinstein, the Eagles, Neil Diamond, Dixie Chicks, Julianne Hough, David Archuleta, Brooks & Dunne, and a host of others.
Reese Witherspoon Will Be a Presenter at ‘The 42nd Annual CMA Awards’
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct 28, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — “Country Music’s Biggest Night(TM)” continues to grow as Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon is the first presenter announced for “The 42nd Annual CMA Awards.” Nominees Rodney Atkins and Kellie Pickler have been added as performers. “The 42nd Annual CMA Awards” airs live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 12 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.
Carrie Underwood Becomes A Diet Mentor!
Five months ago “American Idol”‘s favorite sushi neophyte Kellie Pickler was a red-blooded meat-lovin’ American gal. But now the “Red High Heel” lovin’ singer tells People magazine that she has joined her veggie-lovin’ country superstar friend Carrie Underwood in becoming a vegetarian!
When Pickler first told Underwood about her switch from steak to sprouts, the “American Idol” winner was a bit disbelieving, “I texted Carrie and was like, ‘You’re never going to believe this!’ And she was like, ‘No way! I’ll give you three days!'”
Carrie Underwood & Travis Stork Couple Up
Country crooner Carrie Underwood and former Bachelor Travis Stork are still going strong!
The couple cozied up at Parc restaurant in Philadelphia on Oct. 20. …They came in around 8 p.m., an insider tells Life & Style. Carrie, a vegetarian, began with the ravioli and the beet salad and then had an omelet for her entrà ©e. …They ordered a bottle of Malbec and two bottles of Evian water, says the insider. …There was definitely some hand-holding and petting. They even toasted with their wine.
“Hit Man: David Foster and Friends” November 11 DVD/CD Release Honors Career of Multi-Grammy Winner
NEW YORK, Oct 28, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Uber songwriter-producer and15-time Grammy winner David Fosterassembled a stunning collection of artists in Las Vegas last spring for a spectacular night, which honored his hugely successful four-decade career. The result is “Hit Man:David Foster and Friends”the DVD/CDwhich is scheduled for release on November 11th on 143/Reprise Records. With stand-out performances by Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Katharine McPhee, Blake Shelton, Kenny G, Peter Cetera, Brian McKnight and Oprah discovery Charice amongst others, Fostershinesin the role of host and ring-master as well as keyboard accompanist to the slew of stars.
The 8th Annual Avon Foundation Awards Celebration
NEW YORK, Oct 28, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Stars Turn Out for The Hope Honors
Patrick Dempsey, Lauren Conrad, Jordin Sparks, Suze Orman and Others Help Celebrate Leaders of Hope, Support and Healing.
Kellie Pickler Gets Help Eating Her Veggies from Carrie Underwood
Not long ago Kellie Pickler was a red-meat-eating country girl. Now, the country star tells PEOPLE, “I can’t do it!”
About five months ago, she joined pal Carrie Underwood, a long-time vegetarian, in giving up eating meat.
“Most country girls do like their meat!” she laughs. “I used to eat steak rare all the time. I’d just throw it on the grill for two seconds, flip it over and it was done and everyone was like, ‘That’s so gross ‘ that thing is still moving!’ ”
So when she made her big decision, she got some moral support quickly. “I texted Carrie and was like, ‘You’re never going to believe this!’ And she was like, ‘No way! I’ll give you three days!’ ”
‘Dancing With the Stars’: Cloris Leachman’s time runs out
Well, this week, Cloris Leachman’s legion of fans couldn’t save her to perform another week on “Dancing With the Stars.” She was gracious, if characteristically Cloris, in defeat, and if you think that either Tom Bergeron or Samantha Harris managed to get a post-elimination interview out of her, then you haven’t been paying attention this season.
Tonight’s show led off with the longest summary segment I can remember. But my memory isnt very good. The stars were all decked out in their hip-hop get-ups, which meant, to my delight, that the group hip-hop routine was the encore dance. Oh, but poor Susan Lucci -‘ nothing improved for her between last night and tonight. She may even have gotten worse. Her performance was reminiscent of what I look like in aerobics classes ‘- Im always the person who moving the wrong direction and is noticeably off-tempo. And the choreographer did Susan no favors by placing her beside Lacey, who was flashy and excellent in true Fly Girl fashion.
