Welcome! Sign in or register →
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Country music legend Loretta Lynn is three years older than she has led people to believe, an age change that undermines the story she told of being married at 13 in “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” documents obtained by The Associated Press show. Lynn’s birth certificate on file at the state Office of … Continue reading →
Even more than usual, the latest Glee cast album is all about uplift. It’s senior year and the singing students at McKinley High School are graduating with high notes. The songs mix classic rock and pop with some more recent hits, including Fun’s still in the charts “We Are Young.” Continue reading →
Following the departure of three band members and the uncertainty that followed, the Rocketboys are back. Having recently played a whirlwind of shows at the South By Southwest Music and Media Conference in Austin, Texas, the Rocketboys are on the road and eagerly awaiting the release their new album, Build Anyway. Continue reading →
The Shows to Watch calendar is a listing of events taking place in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas from May 18-May 24, 2012. It covers rock, reggae, jazz, country and everything in between. ROCK MAY 18 --ERIC LINDELL: Cadillac Café --THE ROCKETBOYS/ENGLAND IN 1819: North Gate Tavern --FIASCO: The Station Bar --BEER FOR BREAKFAST: Cadillac Café --GRUNGE FACTORY: Roux House --AS CITIES BURN: Spanish Moon --PANDORA: Big Heads Tavern MAY … Continue reading →
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Lady Gaga will have to cancel her sold-out show in Indonesia following protests by Islamic hard-liners and conservative lawmakers, who said her sexy clothes and dance moves will corrupt young people. National police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar, responding to the pressure, said Tuesday that the permit for her June 3 “Born This Way Ball” concert had been denied. Continue reading →
On his debut album three years ago, Adam Lambert was fresh off a runner-up “American Idol” finish, and eager to show off his amazing vocal range. The result was an all-things-to-everyone album ranging from classic rock crunch to hip-hop heat, with an over-the-top ballad or two thrown in. On “Trespassing,” his second studio album, Lambert narrows the … Continue reading →
NEW YORK (AP) — Bobby Brown says it took him a long time to come out with a new album because he’s spent so much time trying to get his life on track. Now on tour with bandmates New Edition, Brown says he’s ready to return to his solo career with the album “Masterpiece,” due out June … Continue reading →
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Adam Lambert isn’t coming off “American Idol” or a racy American Music Awards performance, nor is he declaring his sexuality in Rolling Stone or posing with a nude model in Details magazine. The 30-year-old glam rocker doesn’t mind the lack of a media thunderstorm ahead of Tuesday’s launch of his sophomore album: … Continue reading →
The Shows to Watch calendar is a listing of events taking place in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas from May 11-May 17, 2012. It covers rock, reggae, jazz, country and everything in between. ROCK MAY 11 --WAR JACKET/FORT ATLANTIC/LUKE ASH: 1284 Artspace Perkins (7 p.m.) --FLASHBACK: Cadillac Café --HEARTLESS BASTARDS: Spanish Moon --KRISTIN DIABLE: Chelsea's Café --MERIWETHER/THE AMERICAN TRAGEDY: Varsity Theatre --FIASCO: Side Porch (Addis) --RED MOPED: Roux House MAY … Continue reading →
The website of Canadian hard-rock band Theory of a Deadman features a funny video of singer Tyler Connolly wandering around New York City’s Times Square, asking random people if they know who he is. Despite the band’s million-plus-selling 2008 album, Scars & Souvenirs, and its rock-radio hits “Bad Girlfriend,” “So Happy” and “Hurricane,” nearly everyone Connolly … Continue reading →
The soundtrack album for the record-breaking superhero hit movie, The Avengers, rocks dependably hard throughout its 13 tracks. Listener-friendly pop-song structure appears to be a prerequisite for inclusion as well as high-energy, heavy riffing and musical drama. Songs from a mix of veteran and younger acts, including Shinedown, … Continue reading →
In a signature song early in his career, Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider vowed “I’ll Never Grow Up.” But bless his twisted heart and frizzed-out hair, that’s exactly what’s happening to the heavy metal legend, best known for hits like “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock.” Dee Snider has become a brand. He’s done … Continue reading →
Losing a co-founding member can be a devastating, even terminal blow for a band. In the case of Chicago hard-rock-alternative trio Chevelle, the lost member was the brother of the group’s remaining two members. “It definitely was a blow,” drummer Sam Loeffler said of his bass-playing brother Joe’s departure from Chevelle in 2005. “For some … Continue reading →
Lafayette slide guitar maestro, singer and songwriter Sonny Landreth joined Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band on stage in New Orleans last month during the NCAA Big Dance Concert Series. Following three days of music featuring KISS, the Black Keys, Dr. John and many more, Buffett’s show was the culminating concert during the … Continue reading →
The Shows to Watch calendar is a listing of events taking place in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas from May 4, 2012-May 10, 2012. It covers rock, reggae, jazz, country and everything in between. ROCK MAY 4 --INGRID MICHAELSON/SCARS ON 45: Varsity Theatre --HUMAN LIKE ME/PAPER AND RADIO/THE YEARS/WHO IS TYLER DURDEN: Spanish Moon --DREAD CLAMPITT WITH DUKE BARDWELL: Chelsea's Café --THE UGLI STICK: Cadillac Café --PAINT … Continue reading →
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Little Anthony and the Imperials got their first hit, “Tears On My Pillow,” in 1958. Featuring emotional tenor vocals from the then 17-year-old Anthony Gourdine, “Pillow” was among the year’s biggest hits, reaching No. 2 on the rhythm-and-blues chart and No. 4 on the pop chart. After the group’s … Continue reading →
Two music books by New Orleans authors will be featured this weekend at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival’s Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage. Keith Spera, music writer at The Times-Picayune, will be joined by musicians Aaron Neville and Jeremy Davenport and interviewer Michael Tisserand at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 5, for a discussion … Continue reading →
Ingrid Michaelson is such a successful singer-songwriter that, rather than subject herself to the rigors of touring, she probably could stay home composing songs. The 32-year-old native New Yorker and Brooklyn resident’s music has been used in Old Navy, Google and Chrysler TV ads, the TV series Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill, Parenthood, Ugly Betty, Scrubs … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — After missing last year’s New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival because she was roughly eight months pregnant, singer-songwriter Theresa Andersson is thrilled to be back this year — and just in time to perform songs from her new album, “Street Parade.” The Swedish-born multi-instrumentalist has two Jazz Fest appearances this weekend: She’ll play … Continue reading →
NEW YORK (AP) — PepsiCo Inc. is going on a reunion tour with The King of Pop. The Purchase, N.Y.-based company on Thursday announced its deal with the estate of Michael Jackson to use the late pop star’s image for its new global marketing push. The nature of the promotion will vary by country, but will include … Continue reading →
NEW YORK (AP) — B.o.B’s 2010 debut launched hits that co-starred Bruno Mars, Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo and Hayley Williams of Paramore. So for his second album, the rapper wanted to feature his many talents without assists from famous faces. Then he bumped into Chris Martin of Coldplay. “I ran into Chris Martin in a studio in … Continue reading →
NEW YORK (AP) — D’Angelo is making his comeback: The reclusive singer will give his first U.S. performance in 10 years at the 2012 Essence Music Festival. D’Angelo will perform during the festival’s opening night. It runs from July 6 to July 8 in New Orleans and also features Trey Songz, Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige and many others. Continue reading →
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Norah Jones has a piano in her kitchen. You need look no further than this wonderfully off-kilter fact for a metaphor to describe the 33-year-old singer’s evolution as she releases arguably the most interesting album of her career, “Little Broken Hearts.” “It’s nice because I have a music room, but you know … Continue reading →
B.o.B is a rapper who has totally gone pop, but that’s completely OK because it suits him. The Atlanta-based artist fused elements of hip-hop, R&B and rock on his 2010 debut album, “The Adventures of Bobby Ray,” which produced the chart-topping “Nothin’ On You,” featuring Bruno Mars, and the top 10 hit “Airplanes” with Hayley Williams. Continue reading →
Norah Jones is rich, beautiful and has one of the most gorgeous voices in popular music. None of that makes her immune to a broken heart. Sad for her, good for us. Jones channeled her hurt into a collaboration with Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton with 12 reflections on love gone wrong. It’s no pick-me-up, obviously. But … Continue reading →
The cover of Carrie Underwood’s fourth album illustrates her evolution since introducing herself as a young Oklahoma woman with a powerful voice. Initially, she came across as the friendly girl next door, with songs about Jesus and of compassion for the less fortunate, while showing her wit with empowering songs about getting back at a cheating guy. Continue reading →
In anticipation of crowds gathering to support local rapper Torrence “Lil Boosie” Hatch, local law enforcement ramped up security surrounding the 19th Judicial District Courthouse on Monday as jury selection began in the rapper’s first-degree murder trial. Several sheriff’s deputies were visible Monday morning patrolling the streets adjacent to the North Boulevard courthouse. St. Louis Street, … Continue reading →
About 150 East Baton Rouge Parish residents will converge Monday on the 19th Judicial District Courthouse for possible jury duty in the highly publicized and much-anticipated first-degree murder trial of nationally acclaimed Baton Rouge rapper Torrence "Lil Boosie'' Hatch. Continue reading →
Dom Flemons and Rhiannon Giddens, founding members of the Grammy-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops, met in April 2005 at the annual Black Banjo Gathering at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. Kindred spirits, they formed a group called Thankful For Strings a few months later. More importantly, by September they were both going to genuine old-time … Continue reading →
The 2012 lineup for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival includes the third show in the reunited Beach Boys’ 50th anniversary tour; veteran rock stars Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and the Eagles; a newly added Jimmy Buffett acoustic set; an eclectic list of popular younger performers including Bon Iver, Feist, the Zac … Continue reading →
Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, a 26-year-old singer, trombonist and trumpeter from New Orleans, seems to be everywhere. Andrews’ recent activities include tour dates in Australia and Singapore, an appearance at the Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Panama City Beach, Fla., and a hometown gig in front of thousands at the French Quarter Festival. His TV … Continue reading →
Just as he’s done since he joined the E Street Band in 1984, singer-guitarist Nils Lofgren will be on stage with the band when Bruce Springsteen headlines Sunday at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Following the March 6 release of their new album, Wrecking Ball, Springsteen and the E Street Band launched their … Continue reading →
11:20 a.m.-12:10 p.m., The New Orleans Suspects 12:35-1:50 p.m., The New Orleans Classic Review featuring Frankie Ford, Al “Carnival Time” Johnson and Robert “Barefootin’” Parker with Blue Eyed Soul Revue 2:15-3:05 p.m., The Dixie Cups 3:40-4:45 p.m., Zebra 5:30-7 p.m., The … Continue reading →
The Shows to Watch calendar is a listing of events taking place in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas from April 27-May 3, 2012. It covers rock, reggae, jazz, country and everything in between. ROCK APRIL 27 --BAG OF DONUTS: North Boulevard Town Square (5 p.m.) --ELVIN KILLERBEE: Chelsea's Café --FIASCO: Park Place (Gonzales) --KUNG FU PINEAPPLE: The Station --BEER FOR BREAKFAST: Cadillac Café --SOUL HAVEN: Roux House --SECRET SMOKER/I'M … Continue reading →
You could call Jon Cleary an Englishman in New Orleans but, now that he’s called the city home for more than 30 years, he’d rather call himself a New Orleanian. Cleary, a singer, pianist, songwriter and band leader, was in his late teens when he arrived in New Orleans in the early … Continue reading →
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Britney’s Spears’ fiance now has the blessing of a judge to help manage the singer’s personal affairs. Jason Trawick received approval Wednesday from Superior Court Judge Reva Goetz to become a co-conservator over the Grammy-winning singer. He joins her father Jamie Spears in that role and will have control over several decision-making … Continue reading →
NEW YORK (AP) — Just before Flo Rida released his third album, almost two million fans purchased the first single “Club Can’t Handle Me,” helping the rapper snag yet another Top 10 hit. But in its first week out, only 11,000 people bought the 8-song EP — “Only One Flo Part 1” — making its debut measly … Continue reading →
Following his guiding membership in the White Stripes, the Raconteurs and the Dead Weather plus production work for albums by country star Loretta Lynn and rockabilly pioneer Wanda Jackson, Jack White finally gets around to making a solo album. White’s songs, arrangements and production for Blunderbuss, to be released Tuesday, … Continue reading →
In the realm of blues and roots music, Peter Karp and Sue Foley occupy a unique spot. Before combining talents for their 2010 album, He Said — She Said, they were acclaimed solo acts fronting their own bands. The singing, songwriting, guitar-playing Karp and Foley team returns to Louisiana next week for a Baton Rouge … Continue reading →
A benefit for Tabby Thomas, the Baton Rouge blues artist and operator of Tabby’s Blues Box and Heritage Hall from 1979 through 2004, starts at 9 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at Phil Brady’s, 4848 Government St. Thomas closed his club and retired from performing following a stroke. Now 83, he’s been ill with cancer while … Continue reading →
Following last weekend’s Baton Rouge Blues Festival, blues music activities continue this weekend, next week and next weekend with the annual Baton Rouge Blues Week and the Baton Rouge Blues Society’s annual benefit all-star jam. Blues Week 2012 runs Monday, April 23, through Sunday, April 29. Blues Week features performances by dozens of singers … Continue reading →
The Shows to Watch calendar is a listing of events taking place in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas from April 20-April 26, 2012. It covers rock, reggae, jazz, country and everything in between. ROCK APRIL 20 --BLUE OCTOBER: Texas Club --ZENBILLY/FLATBED HONEYMOON/THE BEDLAMVILLE TRIFLERS: Red Star --ZOSO: Varsity Theatre --ROYAL TEETH: Spanish Moon --THE HEATERS: Roux House --LETTERS IN RED: Spanky's Daiquiris (Prairieville) APRIL 21 --RECORD STORE DAY FEATURING RONDO … Continue reading →
Beach Boys co-founder Al Jardine released his solo album debut, A Postcard from California, earlier this month, just days before he and his fellow original Beach Boys began rehearsal for their 50th anniversary reunion tour. Opening day at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is the third stop on a 45-city U.S. trek featuring … Continue reading →
Jason Mraz is true to the title of his new album, singing about all kinds of love on “Love is a Four Letter Word.” The 33-year-old singer-songwriter explores romantic notions, familial bonds and big, universal love on his fourth studio release. He also expands his folk-pop sensibilities to include reggae and jazz rhythms layered with horns and vocal harmonies. Continue reading →
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Dick Clark, the ever-youthful television host and tireless entrepreneur who helped bring rock 'n' roll into the mainstream on "American Bandstand," and later produced and hosted a vast range of programming from game shows to the year-end countdown from Times Square on "New Year's Rockin' Eve," has died. He was 82. Spokesman Paul Shefrin said Clark had … Continue reading →