VIDEO: Obama Joins Jagger, B.B. King, to Belt Out Blues

White House transformed into intimate club as stars and president join voices

2012-02-22

Nancy Benac The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The president just couldn't say no: Mick Jagger held out a mic almost by way of command, and soon Barack Obama was belting out the blues with the best of them. Read the complete article

Sugarland Blames Fans for State Fair Injuries

Country duo’s attorneys say fans voluntarily assumed risk by attending show

2012-02-21

Carrie Schedler The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Fans who were killed and injured when stage rigging and sound equipment collapsed onto them as they awaited a Sugarland concert at the Indiana State Fair failed to take steps to ensure their own safety and are at least in part to blame for their injuries, the country duo's attorneys said. Read the complete article

Whitney Houston's Voice Still Soars

Gospel singer Cissy Houston wailed, "My baby! My baby!" as she was held up by two women and led out of the church behind her daughter's body

2012-02-19

Nekesa Mumbi Moody The Associated Press

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- After all the testimonials from relatives and friends, the songs from legends and pop stars, the preaching and even laughter, the raw emotion of Whitney Houston's funeral came down to just one moment: The sound of her own voice. Read the complete article

Beloved South African Musician, 60, Back at School

“Hotstix” Mabuse hopes to inspire battered community to value education

2012-02-16

Donna Bryson The Associated Press

JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- The 60-year-old beloved South African musician shows up five days a week to sit behind a scarred desk in a bare-bones classroom, studying for the high school diploma he missed when he dropped out to pursue a career in rock, funk, soul and jazz. Read the complete article

For Houston Mourners, a Dearth of Places to Grieve

Family has made service invitation-only, but fans also want a way to send singer off

2012-02-15

Ted Shaffrey and Beth DeFalco The Associated Press

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- In Whitney Houston's hometown, her family plans a private church service, with no public memorial set. In Los Angeles, where she died, there's not even a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for fans to pile flowers. So for the legion of music lovers mourning a global superstar, where do broken hearts go? Read the complete article

Triumph, Tragedy Dominate Grammy Awards

Adele picks up “ridiculous” six wins as music world reflects on Whitney Houston’s death

2012-02-13

David Bauder AP Entertainment Writer

The splintered music world truly coalesces only one night of 365 for the Grammy Awards, and this year was united in the triumph of recovered British soul singer Adele's trophy haul and the tragedy of Whitney Houston's death. Read the complete article

Northwest Native James Dore’ Releases 'The EP'

Dore’ said he uses stories from his career to help inspire his students every day and assure them that they can be whatever they want to be

2012-02-10

As a health and wellness teacher who incorporates music appreciation into his curriculum at Arizona Charter Academy, James Dore’ works hard every day to instill the same love of music in his students that he has felt since he was a young boy. Read the complete article

50 Cent Visits Famine Victims in Somalia, Kenya

Rapper has committed to providing 1 billion meals for hungry population

2012-02-09

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- Rapper 50 Cent is teaming up with the World Food Program to see firsthand the effects of hunger in Somalia and Kenya. Read the complete article

Jay-Z Enters New Musical Heights at Carnegie Hall

Rapper the second hip-hop act to perform at famed venue—Wyclef Jean was first in 2001

2012-02-07

Mesfin Fekadu The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) -- As Jay-Z transitioned from hit song to hit song at a Carnegie Hall concert Monday night, so did the lighting, changing from red to white to blue. Read the complete article

Apologies From NFL, NBC After M.I.A. Flips Bird

Network briefly blurred screen after gesture in what was a late attempt to cut out shot

2012-02-06

David Bauder AP Entertainment Writer

British hip-hop artist M.I.A.'s obscene gesture in the Super Bowl halftime show is prompting apologies from NBC and the NFL. But it isn't immediately registering as a moment that viewers latched on to. Read the complete article