Miley Cyrus at the Grammy Gift Lounge on Friday
Photo: Mark Sullivan/ WireImage.com

LOS ANGELES — Being a celebrity is totally the best. Aside from the pestering paparazzi and the occasional foray into rehab (and, well, whatever you do that makes you a celebrity), your job primarily revolves around getting free stuff.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the world of the "gifting suite," a magical place where the famous (and their posses and significant others) are showered with more watches, jewelry, sneakers, clothing, video games and spa treatments than they'll ever need, or probably even use. All it takes is a quick photo opportunity — "Here, hold this diamond-encrusted iPod case!" — and the schwag is yours. And then it's onto the next suite, where you do it all over again.

And of all the gifting suites in the world, some of the best are here in L.A., sprouting up just as the Grammys kick into high gear. Everyone who's anyone will be there, and they'll all be taking home free gifts — no questions asked, no gratuity necessary.

(See photos of the Grammy Gift Bag's loads of goodies here.)

Take, for example, the gifting going on inside a nondescript studio just off Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, California. It's called Smashbox, and it's so off the beaten path — built near a baseball diamond and a retirement home — that you don't think much is happening inside. But then you get closer and notice the line of Lamborghinis parked out front, and the beefy security guard standing on the other side of a velvet rope. And suddenly, you realize there's an unimaginable amount of free stuff behind that velvety rope — and you have no hope of getting at it, because you're not a celebrity.

But Jordin Sparks, T-Pain, Chris Daughtry and Paula Abdul (and her Chihuahua) are, and they were all logging time in the Smashbox "Style Studio" on Friday afternoon, which means they got past security and were enjoying the perks contained within.

T-Pain and his posse admired a glass case full of TechnoMarine wristwatches, made of ceramic, covered in diamonds and carrying a price tag of anywhere from $500-$10,000. Then they wandered over to the "Rock Band" booth to play a couple of games (T is incredibly good at playing drums to the Ramones' "Rockaway Beach") — and take home a full version of the game too. Meanwhile, across the room, Daughtry and his bandmates were being measured for three-piece Emanuel Ungaro suits and boots (Daughtry wears a size 9), then wandered over to the Stetson table to get themselves new caps.

"Hey, anytime anyone wants to give me free clothes, I'm for it," Daughtry laughed.

And it's not just the clothes that are free: There are designer sunglasses and rows of dresses and even a boutique that will give you fake eyelashes, plus rack after rack of denim, leather and diamonds. And while Sparks breezed through, stopping here or there, Abdul — who is apparently an old pro at these things — positively worked the system, making lengthy (and, from our vantage point, fruitful) stops at seemingly every vendor. By the time we left Smashbox, she had covered roughly half the terrain, and let's just say it's going to be a very good 2008 for anyone who even barely notices her (especially if they're a fan of Rodo jewelry).

But, like we said, we were already out the door, on our way across town to the Grammy gifting suite. Actually, it's less of a suite and more of a Bedouin-style series of tents, full of pillows and pillars and pool tables, sitting just feet outside the Staples Center, where the awards will be handed out Sunday night.

Of course, the primary attraction here is the official Grammy Gift Bag, given out to performers and presenters (and, we're told, some of their close friends). It's filled with all the usual goodies — jewelry and vouchers for stays at spas and resorts, of course — plus a whole bunch of glorious ephemera, like designer baby wear, draught-beer dispensers, underwear and coupons for free dental care. The price tag? A little more than $30,000. Per bag.

And while the bag is the featured attraction, the rest of the suite is a rather impressive sideshow — a bustling maze of goods, from high-end speakers and custom-made headphones to Gibson guitars and those aforementioned iced-out iPod cases. There are on-site makeup consultants and skin-care experts, people attempting to give you $500 watches and free footwear.

Miley Cyrus, Evanescence frontwoman Amy Lee and Album of the Year nominee Herbie Hancock made their way through, sort of dumbfounded and amazed by all that they saw. Country stars like Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley hung out by the guitars, and opera icon Andrea Bocelli lined up a shot on a pool table, drew back the cue and knocked a custom-made 8-ball into the corner pocket. He is, of course, blind, which made the feat all the more amazing, but somewhat fitting here in the epicenter of the gifting-suite universe (at least until the Oscars later this month), a magical place where anything can happen.

Provided, of course, that you're a celebrity.

Geek out on the Grammys with MTV News' complete coverage right here!

• Grammys 60-Second Recap: Celebrating Amy Winehouse And The AARP
• Grammy Red Carpet: Fergie, Foo Fighters, More

• The 2008 Grammy Gift Bag And Gift Lounge
• 2008 Grammy Awards Performers And Presenters
• 2008 Grammy Award Nominees: Akon, Fergie, T.I., More
• Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, More At The In Style And Grammy Salute To Fashion
• Beyonce, Fergie, Miley, More Rock The 2008 Grammy Red Carpet

• Miley Cyrus
• T-Pain
• Paula Abdul
• Daughtry
• Jordin Sparks

Lindsay Lohan
Photo: Mark Mainz/Getty Images

Lindsay Lohan's father, Michael, will spend five days with the troubled starlet at a remote lodge in the Utah mountains as part of her recovery, People reports. The two saw each other for the first time in three and a half years when Michael visited Lindsay at the Cirque Lodge rehab center in early September. "It can only help her recovery," Lindsay's mother, Dina, told People in an e-mail of the visit, which is set to begin Tuesday morning. "It's time to mend. He is visiting Lindsay alone because we are giving her dad a chance to make amends." ...

Britney Spears may not have wowed audiences at the VMAs with her dancing, but fans are still apparently digging her music. Spears' current single, "Gimme More," sits atop the digital-sales charts on iTunes and is at #8 on the iPhone ringtone charts, just before former love Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack." ...

Heidi Montag has admitted to Us Weekly that she did indeed undergo breast augmentation and rhinoplasty earlier this year, as had been previously speculated. The "Hills" star told the magazine, "I've always been very insecure about my body. ... If I was with a guy and there was a girl next to me with big boobs, I would be like, 'Oh my God, he's looking at her!' ... I hated my nose too. I have my dad's nose, which is huge." Startlingly, Montag suggested the medical procedures might have mattered even more than life itself. "Right before I went in, I was like, 'What if I don't wake up? Oh, this is scary.' Then I thought, 'I don't care. If I don't wake up, it's worth it.' I just wanted it so badly." ...

Last week was all about partying for September birthday boys T.I., Young Jeezy and Lil Wayne. The three celebrated their birthdays several days ago at T.I.'s Club Crucial in Atlanta with a joint salute to themselves. On Friday, Wayne hosted his official 25th b-day party in Miami with a Harlem Renaissance-themed yacht party called the "Black and White Baller Bash." Diddy, T.I., Juelz Santana and Rick Ross were some of the 300 people cruising with Weezy F. Baby. And on Sunday, Young Jeezy went so fly with his birthday party that he held it in an Atlanta airplane hangar. T.I., Chingy, Jermaine Dupri, Ne-Yo and Yung Joc came out to that bash. ... Speaking of one of those partygoers, Juelz Santana is reaching out to the kids by joining the Stay in School Concert set to go down October 17 at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom. Jim Jones, DJ Cipha Sounds and Lil Mama are also participating in the event, which is being put on by the Entertainers 4 Education Alliance — a nonprofit helping provide at-risk youth with positive alternatives to negative behavior through education. ...

Lil Wayne and Fabolous' Monday (October 1) concert at the University of Florida, Gainesville, will help spread drinking and driving awareness, the campus' Independent Florida Alligator reports. A portion of the proceeds from the show will go to the Corey Dahlem Benevolent Fund, which was set up after the police officer was killed by a drunk driver following the school's basketball-championship game in the spring. ... Hold your breath: Kanye West has started a blog. He recently launched a blog on Kanye UniverseCity and has put up a clip of his recent performance on "Saturday Night Live," party pics, videos by Lupe Fiasco and Feist and more. ...

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony are doubling their fun with a joint tour, which launched Friday with a two-night stand in Atlantic City, New Jersey, but while the two are hoping their relationship helps their careers, Lopez's former flame Ben Affleck says their romance hurt his acting reputation. "It was probably bad for my career," he told Details of their relationship, which lasted from 2002-'04. "What happens is this sort of bleed-over from the tabloids across your movie work. I ended up in an unfortunate crosshair position where I was in a relationship and [the media] mostly lied and inflated a bunch of salacious stuff for the sake of selling magazines. And I paid a certain price for that." ...

Paula Abdul is getting ready for the seventh season of "American Idol," which starts in January — but she might be expecting something even bigger in the near future. She told USA Today that having children is "the next step in my life," adding that she would like to give birth "definitely within the next two years. I thought by now I'd have three grown children." Adbul, who has been roaming the country as part of the "Idol" auditions, also said: "With modern medicine, people are having kids in their 40s and even up until their late 40s. In their 50s, they're having their second child. If it doesn't happen naturally like that, I would always consider adopting." ... Pamela Anderson's application for a marriage license with former Paris Hilton beau Rick Salomon has been granted by Clark County, Nevada's Marriage License Bureau, according to The Associated Press. The license means the couple can get married any time during the next year. Anderson had previously been married to Kid Rock and Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee. ...

Looks like the Spice Girls haven't lost their "girl power" — the reunited group's London concert, set for December 15 at the O2 arena, sold out in a mere 38 seconds, BBC News reports. Three more dates — for December 16 and 18 and January 2 — have been added to the reunion run and will be sold exclusively to fans via e-mail. ... Ghostface, Rakim and Brother Ali will hit the tarmac together as part of the inaugural Hip Hop Live! tour, which will span an October 29 gig in Los Angeles through a November 21 show in Philadelphia. The innovative show will find the rhyme-slingers backed by a 10-piece instrumental band, the Rhythm Roots Allstars. ... Nikki Sixx, Butch Walker, Felix Da Housecat, Howie B and Kelis have joined the international judging panel for the 2007 Diesel:U:Music Awards, which will take place Wednesday at London's Koko Club. They will vote based on music the participating artists uploaded at Diesel-U-Music.com. ...

Ex-Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo has opened up to Revolver about "Mourn," a "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott tribute track that appears on his band Down's latest album, III - Over the Under. "That's a very hard, hard song for me to really ... honestly, the song speaks for itself," he said. "It's about feeling isolated from my family in Texas, feelings about the obvious ... deep, deep, deep feelings every day. You know, I've been very quiet ever since [Dimebag's death], but it's all good. I decided a while ago that, yes, absolutely there is a proper time to mourn, and that he deserves a celebration of his life, and that's the path that I've chosen. Every action I do, I think of him. Every push-up I do, I think of him. Every time I hit a line, or I'm working in the studio, I can hear him saying, 'You can do better.' So that's what gets me through the hard times, the trying times, is his positivity." ...

Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello's alter ego, the Nightwatchman, has been named the support act for System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian's upcoming North American solo tour. Morello will play his own headlining date October 11 in Nashville and then join Tankian in Chicago (October 12), Toronto (October 14), Boston (October 15), New York (October 17), Philadelphia (October 18) and Atlanta (October 20). ... Deftones frontman Chino Moreno's Team Sleep side project will take to the road in November for a string of gigs. Joining them on the trek will be former From First to Last frontman Sonny Moore, Monster in the Machine and Strata. The tour kicks off November 29 in Orangevale, California, and continues through December 16 in San Francisco. ... The Mars Volta's next album won't drop until next year. Bedlam in Goliath, which had been planned for a fall release, has bumped to January 29 for unknown reasons. ...

Sylvester Stallone and the crew of his "Rambo" sequel, "John Rambo," witnessed firsthand the aftermath of horrific atrocities happening in Myanmar while filming the movie along the country's border, according to AP. "I witnessed the aftermath — survivors with legs cut off and all kinds of land-mine injuries, maggot-infested wounds and ears cut off," Stallone, who returned to the U.S. eight days ago, told the wire service Monday (October 1). "We hear about Vietnam and Cambodia, and this was more horrific." The actor left neighboring country Thailand before the Myanmar government began cracking down on pro-democracy protests last week. ... Nelson Mandela is planning a fifth AIDS awareness concert, for December 1 in Johannesburg, South Africa, AP reports. "I am very delighted that we are engaging the youth in schools, communities and through the media breaking the silence and stigmas around HIV and AIDS and making them realize that the power to beat the pandemic lies in their own hands," Mandela said in a statement. More than 30 to-be-announced international and local acts — and 50,000 concert attendees — are expected for the event, which is being held in conjunction with World AIDS Day. ...

Duran Duran are headed to Broadway. The English new-wave veterans will play a nine-show run at the Barrymore Theatre in New York during the first two weeks of November to promote the upcoming release of their Red Carpet Massacre album, which drops November 13. The group will play the entire LP — which features production from Timbaland and Danjahandz and a cameo from Justin Timberlake — each night, then sprinkle in some classic hits. Tickets will cost $75, $125 and $150. ... Add the Pipettes to the growing list of bands canceling U.S. treks due to visa problems — the British female pop trio has postponed a series of dates on its upcoming North American tour. The outing was originally set to start Tuesday in Chicago but will now launch October 25 in Los Angeles. ...

David Gilmour says he has no desire to reunite with his Pink Floyd bandmates, despite a recent European poll in which fans clamored for the band to do so. He claims he's focused on his solo career. "I can't see why I would want to be going back to that old thing," he explained recently to Rolling Stone. "It's very retrogressive. I want to look forward, and looking back isn't my joy. I don't know how one puts it, but going back into all that just wouldn't bring me joy. It's my time of life to be selfish — please myself." Last week, digital-music firm Music Choice published a poll in which 26 percent of respondents said Floyd top their list of bands they'd like to see reunite. ...

Tuesday could be a pivotal day in the ongoing war between the Recording Industry Association of America and rogue downloaders. According to Wired magazine, the RIAA will face off in a courtroom with a Minnesota mother in the first copyright jury trial that could set a precedent on the amount of proof a jury would have to consider to find a defendant liable for copyright infringement. The mother, Jannie Thomas, has adamantly claimed she did not download the 1,702 audio files she is accused of sharing on Kazaa in 2005. ...

The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art has closed "Thanksgiving," an installation of pictures by American photographer Nan Goldin that are owned by Elton John, at the singer's request amid a police investigation over whether a photo of two girls violates child-pornography laws, AP reports. ... A man who pleaded guilty in a plot to extort more than $1 million from Tom Cruise for the actor's stolen wedding photos was found dead in his home, according to an AP report. Investigators believe David Hans Schmidt, 47, who had been under house arrest and faced up to two years in federal prison, committed suicide. He was found dead in his home Friday afternoon after police noticed a tracker placed on him had not moved, and he had not checked in.

09.28.07

Beyoncé's planned concert in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has been canned amid protests by local Muslim groups, Billboard reports. The groups are reportedly upset that the singer has refused to obey the country's strict dress code for performers, although the November 1 concert's promoter, Pineapple Concert, did not give a reason for the cancellation in a statement issued Friday (September 28). Female performers are not allowed to show skin from the tops of their chests to their knees. In August, Gwen Stefani's concert in the country was also preceded by protests for the same reason — but she reluctantly abided by the guidelines, saying in a press conference before the show that she had made a "major sacrifice." ...

Ludacris, Yung Joc, Angels & Airwaves, Fabolous, Keyshia Cole, the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and Busta Rhymes will hit the stage October 6 at Radio City Music Hall in New York for the Boost Mobile RockCorps volunteer show, to be hosted by Nick Cannon. The concert will act as a reward to 5,000 Big Apple volunteers who have carried out at least four hours of service in their community. Earlier in the day, Luda, along with pro skateboarder Terry Kennedy and snowboarder Keir Dillon, will join 100 NYC volunteers to revitalize Manhattan's DeWitt Clinton Park. ...

R. Kelly's child-pornography trial, which was to have started September 17 in Chicago, doesn't have a new start date in sight. In a status hearing on Friday, the only thing that was determined, according to the state's attorney's office, is the next status hearing date, for November 2. ... Owen Wilson is "doing really well," Ben Stiller told Ellen DeGeneres on her talk show on Friday. "I sort of like to protect his privacy, 'cause I feel like it's his own thing. But he's a really good friend of mine. He's an incredible guy, and I wish him as everybody does, all the best." The two actors were due to begin shooting "Tropic Thunder" this month, but Wilson dropped out of the flick following a suicide attempt in late August. His role has since been filled by Matthew McConaughey. ...

Nicole Richie has enrolled in an alcohol-education program that will last 18 months, according to People. The socialite, who was arrested for driving under the influence in December, reportedly signed up for the SB 38 Alcohol Program on Wednesday. The program involves 52 hours of group counseling; in-person, biweekly interviews; and 12 hours of alcohol education. ... Richie probably won't be too happy to hear about Think Skateboards' fall line of decks. The line's "Jailbaits" series feature her mug shot — and Lindsay's and Paris' — with a thought bubble hovering over each of their heads: Inside the bubble is the phrase, "If only I could Think." ... Joey Fatone, no stranger to Britney Spears, has some words of advice for the troubled singer. "Britney, call me, come over to my house, come to Orlando [Florida], get way from it all ... it's a good thing to get out of L.A.," he recently told "Extra," adding that Spears needs "some time to really heal." Fatone admitted he hasn't seen her in a while, but all the same, he said, "I'm here for you, sweetheart." ...

With Jamie Foxx's "The Kingdom," a flick about a series of terrorist bombings in the Mideast, hitting theaters this weekend, it seems it was only a matter of time before the outspoken actor piped up with his views about U.S. intervention abroad. While promoting the film, he told MSNBC that he doesn't see an end in sight to the Iraq war — and that President Bush's big problem is that he lacks "charisma." "It's not the way America has handled the war, it's the way George Bush has handled it," the actor said. "I think George Bush and the guys that are there just don't have the charisma to pull off the things that they're trying to do. I can understand if you want to go to war, but how do you go to war? They go to war in a high-risk, high-return or high-risk, no-return ... situation. You'll be in Iraq for another 30 years. You can't get out." Foxx added that he's supporting presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama, but that he'll support whoever wins the Democratic nomination. ...

Uncle Kracker (real name: Matthew Shafer) was given a 60-day suspended sentence, 12 months of probation and a $1,500 fine after pleading guilty to an assault charge in a Wake County, North Carolina, court on Friday, local TV station NBC17 reports. He must also complete a substance-abuse assessment as part of the plea deal. Kracker was arrested in August on a second-degree forcible-sex-offense charge after an alleged incident at a downtown Raleigh nightclub called the Ess Lounge. He wound up facing a lesser charge in light of the plea deal. ... Kiefer Sutherland was formally charged with two misdemeanor drunk-driving counts on Friday in Los Angeles. The actor, who is on probation for a drunk-driving charge in 2004, could face up to a year and a half in jail. Sutherland was arrested Tuesday morning in Hollywood after police pulled him over for making an illegal U-turn. ...

U2's Bono accepted the Liberty Medal for his humanitarian work in Africa on Thursday night in Philadelphia, according to The Associated Press. Bono urged Americans to work toward solving the world's problems and spoke of those who are without freedom. "When you are trapped by poverty, you are not free," he said. "When trade laws prevent you from selling the food you grew, you are not free. When you are a monk in Burma this very week, barred from entering a temple because of your gospel of peace ... well, then none of us are truly free." Bono was presented with the award by last year's co-recipient, President George H.W. Bush, at the National Constitution Center. The award carries a $100,000 prize, which the rocker plans to donate to humanitarian organizations. ...

A new Radiohead Web site has popped up hinting that they might be planning a big announcement this weekend. Radioheadlp7.com is displaying a countdown clock, set to expire Saturday morning. Given that the lads have been leaving several coded messages on their Web site regarding their forthcoming seventh set, which they recently finished, some are speculating the new site will spill all of the beans on the outing. Only time will tell. ... Cat Power is blanketing her fans with cover songs again. The indie starlet has lumped together a sequel to her noted 2000 collection, The Covers Record, according to Billboard. The track list has yet to be revealed for Covers II which is due January 22. ...

Ryan Adams reportedly threw another in-concert tantrum, this time at a show Thursday night in Minneapolis, according to AP. The singer/guitarist was reportedly complaining throughout the evening about the sound monitors, at one point moving two of them and other equipment. About an hour and 10 minutes into the show, Adams said he'd be playing his last song and didn't come back for an encore, spurring concertgoers to boo. Four years ago, Adams gave an even more tumultuous performance, during which he also complained about the sound, at the city's First Avenue venue. ...

Evanescence have tapped Australian rockers Sick Puppies as the support act for their upcoming tour, which is scheduled to launch October 23 in Miami and run through December 4 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. ... The reunited Sex Pistols have booked an invite-only gig in Hollywood. The band will take the stage at the Roxy Theatre on October 25 for a show that's being co-sponsored by Indie.103.1, the radio station Steve Jones DJs for, and "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock," which includes a newly re-recorded version of the Pistols' "Anarchy in the U.K." ...

Remember EMF? Well, as "Unbelievable" — or "crumbelievable" (so goes the Kraft commercial knockoff of the band's song) — as it may sound, the band will reunite for a London gig set for December 18. It will be the first time in five years the boys have performed together in a public forum. The band announced on its Web site that Pop Will Eat Itself's Richard March will take over on bass for original member Zac Foley, who died in 2002 from a drug overdose. ...

According to former Offenders drummer Pat Doyle, his former bandmate, bassist Mikey Donaldson, died in his sleep on Saturday in Barcelona, Spain. He was 46. An official cause of death has yet to be determined. "Mikey is universally regarded as one of the most innovative and inimitable masters of the bass guitar," Doyle said. "He played his Rickenbacker like it was an outsized rhythm guitar. Mikey pioneered an aggressive speed-picking style and liberal employment of bass chords that few have been able to emulate in the past 20 years. He will be sorely missed."

• Lindsay Lohan
• Britney Spears
• Lil Wayne
• Fabolous
• Kanye West

Beyonce in "Irreplaceable"
Photo: Columbia

Beyoncé's planned concert in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has been canned amid protests by local Muslim groups, Billboard reports. The groups are reportedly upset that the singer has refused to obey the country's strict dress code for performers, although the November 1 concert's promoter, Pineapple Concert, did not give a reason for the cancellation in a statement issued Friday (September 28). Female performers are not allowed to show skin from the tops of their chests to their knees. In August, Gwen Stefani's concert in the country was also preceded by protests for the same reason — but she reluctantly abided by the guidelines, saying in a press conference before the show that she had made a "major sacrifice." ...

Ludacris, Yung Joc, Angels & Airwaves, Fabolous, Keyshia Cole, the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and Busta Rhymes will hit the stage October 6 at Radio City Music Hall in New York for the Boost Mobile RockCorps volunteer show, to be hosted by Nick Cannon. The concert will act as a reward to 5,000 Big Apple volunteers who have carried out at least four hours of service in their community. Earlier in the day, Luda, along with pro skateboarder Terry Kennedy and snowboarder Keir Dillon, will join 100 NYC volunteers to revitalize Manhattan's DeWitt Clinton Park. ...

R. Kelly's child-pornography trial, which was to have started September 17 in Chicago, doesn't have a new start date in sight. In a status hearing on Friday, the only thing that was determined, according to the state's attorney's office, is the next status hearing date, for November 2. ... Owen Wilson is "doing really well," Ben Stiller told Ellen DeGeneres on her talk show on Friday. "I sort of like to protect his privacy, 'cause I feel like it's his own thing. But he's a really good friend of mine. He's an incredible guy, and I wish him as everybody does, all the best." The two actors were due to begin shooting "Tropic Thunder" this month, but Wilson dropped out of the flick following a suicide attempt in late August. His role has since been filled by Matthew McConaughey. ...

Nicole Richie has enrolled in an alcohol-education program that will last 18 months, according to People. The socialite, who was arrested for driving under the influence in December, reportedly signed up for the SB 38 Alcohol Program on Wednesday. The program involves 52 hours of group counseling; in-person, biweekly interviews; and 12 hours of alcohol education. ... Richie probably won't be too happy to hear about Think Skateboards' fall line of decks. The line's "Jailbaits" series feature her mug shot — and Lindsay's and Paris' — with a thought bubble hovering over each of their heads: Inside the bubble is the phrase, "If only I could Think." ... Joey Fatone, no stranger to Britney Spears, has some words of advice for the troubled singer. "Britney, call me, come over to my house, come to Orlando [Florida], get way from it all ... it's a good thing to get out of L.A.," he recently told "Extra," adding that Spears needs "some time to really heal." Fatone admitted he hasn't seen her in a while, but all the same, he said, "I'm here for you, sweetheart." ...

With Jamie Foxx's "The Kingdom," a flick about a series of terrorist bombings in the Mideast, hitting theaters this weekend, it seems it was only a matter of time before the outspoken actor piped up with his views about U.S. intervention abroad. While promoting the film, he told MSNBC that he doesn't see an end in sight to the Iraq war — and that President Bush's big problem is that he lacks "charisma." "It's not the way America has handled the war, it's the way George Bush has handled it," the actor said. "I think George Bush and the guys that are there just don't have the charisma to pull off the things that they're trying to do. I can understand if you want to go to war, but how do you go to war? They go to war in a high-risk, high-return or high-risk, no-return ... situation. You'll be in Iraq for another 30 years. You can't get out." Foxx added that he's supporting presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama, but that he'll support whoever wins the Democratic nomination. ...

Uncle Kracker (real name: Matthew Shafer) was given a 60-day suspended sentence, 12 months of probation and a $1,500 fine after pleading guilty to an assault charge in a Wake County, North Carolina, court on Friday, local TV station NBC17 reports. He must also complete a substance-abuse assessment as part of the plea deal. Kracker was arrested in August on a second-degree forcible-sex-offense charge after an alleged incident at a downtown Raleigh nightclub called the Ess Lounge. He wound up facing a lesser charge in light of the plea deal. ... Kiefer Sutherland was formally charged with two misdemeanor drunk-driving counts on Friday in Los Angeles. The actor, who is on probation for a drunk-driving charge in 2004, could face up to a year and a half in jail. Sutherland was arrested Tuesday morning in Hollywood after police pulled him over for making an illegal U-turn. ...

U2's Bono accepted the Liberty Medal for his humanitarian work in Africa on Thursday night in Philadelphia, according to The Associated Press. Bono urged Americans to work toward solving the world's problems and spoke of those who are without freedom. "When you are trapped by poverty, you are not free," he said. "When trade laws prevent you from selling the food you grew, you are not free. When you are a monk in Burma this very week, barred from entering a temple because of your gospel of peace ... well, then none of us are truly free." Bono was presented with the award by last year's co-recipient, President George H.W. Bush, at the National Constitution Center. The award carries a $100,000 prize, which the rocker plans to donate to humanitarian organizations. ...

A new Radiohead Web site has popped up hinting that they might be planning a big announcement this weekend. Radioheadlp7.com is displaying a countdown clock, set to expire Saturday morning. Given that the lads have been leaving several coded messages on their Web site regarding their forthcoming seventh set, which they recently finished, some are speculating the new site will spill all of the beans on the outing. Only time will tell. ... Cat Power is blanketing her fans with cover songs again. The indie starlet has lumped together a sequel to her noted 2000 collection, The Covers Record, according to Billboard. The track list has yet to be revealed for Covers II which is due January 22. ...

Ryan Adams reportedly threw another in-concert tantrum, this time at a show Thursday night in Minneapolis, according to AP. The singer/guitarist was reportedly complaining throughout the evening about the sound monitors, at one point moving two of them and other equipment. About an hour and 10 minutes into the show, Adams said he'd be playing his last song and didn't come back for an encore, spurring concertgoers to boo. Four years ago, Adams gave an even more tumultuous performance, during which he also complained about the sound, at the city's First Avenue venue. ...

Evanescence have tapped Australian rockers Sick Puppies as the support act for their upcoming tour, which is scheduled to launch October 23 in Miami and run through December 4 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. ... The reunited Sex Pistols have booked an invite-only gig in Hollywood. The band will take the stage at the Roxy Theatre on October 25 for a show that's being co-sponsored by Indie.103.1, the radio station Steve Jones DJs for, and "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock," which includes a newly re-recorded version of the Pistols' "Anarchy in the U.K." ...

Remember EMF? Well, as "Unbelievable" — or "crumbelievable" (so goes the Kraft commercial knockoff of the band's song) — as it may sound, the band will reunite for a London gig set for December 18. It will be the first time in five years the boys have performed together in a public forum. The band announced on its Web site that Pop Will Eat Itself's Richard March will take over on bass for original member Zac Foley, who died in 2002 from a drug overdose. ...

According to former Offenders drummer Pat Doyle, his former bandmate, bassist Mikey Donaldson, died in his sleep on Saturday in Barcelona, Spain. He was 46. An official cause of death has yet to be determined. "Mikey is universally regarded as one of the most innovative and inimitable masters of the bass guitar," Doyle said. "He played his Rickenbacker like it was an outsized rhythm guitar. Mikey pioneered an aggressive speed-picking style and liberal employment of bass chords that few have been able to emulate in the past 20 years. He will be sorely missed."

09.27.07

Word to Mike Seaver and Boner: Mary J. Blige has some Growing Pains of her own. The singer has settled on that as the title for her new album — and has bumped its release by a week, from November 20 to November 27. The first single is called "Just Fine" and will be released to radio on Thursday (September 27). The track was produced by Jazze Pha and Tricky Stewart (Britney Spears, Mya), and is an uptempo party record with a dance/disco sound. On the track, Mary expresses the joy of having high self-esteem. "No time for moping around/ Are you kidding?" she sings. "And no time for negative vibes, 'cause I'm winning ... Got my head on straight, got my vibe right, ain't gonna let you kill it/ See, I wouldn't change, my life's just fine." ...

Is Kanye West the next MLK, Gandhi or Jesus? His mother, Donda West, didn't shy away from such comparisons in a recent interview with the Baltimore Sun — she was in town to promote her recent book, "Raising Kanye." "Kanye keeps it real," she said. "He touches the people. You never know how words can save a person's life, physically or otherwise. People like Martin Luther King or Mahatma Gandhi or, in my view, Barack Obama, or Jesus Christ — people whose job it is to tell the truth — I see that in Kanye. Now, people like you are gonna go, 'Oh, Kanye's mom said he's like Jesus!' but ... when you have a gift, you didn't get it by yourself. ... Your truth is your truth." ...

Amy Winehouse isn't one to hold back either — the troubled U.K. starlet has named her new DVD "I Told You I Was Trouble," according to Uncut magazine. Packed onto the disc is a documentary, a full concert she played in April at London's Shepherds Bush Empire, her "Rehab" performance from the Brit Awards, an early acoustic version of "There Is No Greater Love" and more. "I Told You I Was Trouble" will drop November 13, her publicist confirmed to MTV News. ...

Paul Wall's next album is going to have more of a rock edge, now that Travis Barker is producing it. "Paul usually stays around the same element," Barker told MTV News in Las Vegas while he was in town for the VMAs. "Most of the Houston stuff is slow and real feel-good. This has faster tempos. Still feel-good, but it'll be different for Paul." ... Before he took his wild imagination to the big screen with "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," French director Michel Gondry was best known for his frequent collaborations with Björk, perhaps most memorably on the video for her song "Human Behaviour." Now the two are at it again. Gondry revealed to MTV News that a month from now, he will be directing the music video for "Declare Independence," from the Icelandic singer's latest album, Volta. ... Dave Grohl is getting axed — Gibson Guitar has come up with a new specialized model, the DG-335, for the Foo Fighters frontman. The instrument — which has a rare Pelham blue finish and looks like Grohl's signature guitar — will be available October 4. The price tag for the blue model is $4,468, while the ebony version is a bit cheaper at $3,880. ...

Evan Rachel Wood apparently isn't too afraid of boyfriend Marilyn Manson's fans. "I do feel [some of] his fans like me," she told People for its new issue, which streets Friday. But the actress revealed that she was a little more nervous about Manson seeing her sing onscreen in the new flick "Across the Universe." "I was shy because I didn't want to scare him off," she said. "I'm a singer too! Listen to me! But he's been really supportive, it's great. He's encouraged me about my singing more than anybody." The shock-rocker wasn't the only one who inspired Wood to sing, however — she also name-dropped David Bowie and let it be known that she has a tattoo of his Aladdin Sane lightning bolt. She also has matching tattoos with Manson. "We both got black hearts," she said. "It represents mad love." ...

The Smashing Pumpkins have issued a statement regarding the death of a man at their concert in Vancouver, British Columbia, Monday night, in what police believe was a crowd-surfing accident. "The Smashing Pumpkins were deeply saddened to learn about the passing of a young man who attended their Vancouver show Monday night," read the statement, which was posted on their Web site. "As they and everyone else await news from the investigation into the nature of his passing, the band wants to express their sincerest condolences to his family and friends." ... Vivica A. Fox pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor counts of drunk driving on Thursday, The Associated Press reports. The actress, who was arrested after being caught speeding in March, could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted. ...

Paris in Rwanda: Hilton is making good on her promise to engage in philanthropic efforts by traveling to the impoverished African country, according to "Access Hollywood." The heiress will travel with a member of Playing for Good, a group that connects celebrities with charity organizations, and she is expected to make a financial contribution as well. According to TMZ.com, Hilton will go to Rwanda in November after she finishes filming her horror rock opera "Repo! The Genetic Opera." ... Will Ferrell's charity auction has been won by a Dallas man, and his 10-year-old son will get the chance to play an extra in Ferrell's upcoming "Step Brothers" flick, People reports. The man, who has chosen to remain anonymous, put in a winning bid of $47,000, which will go to the Cancer for College foundation run by Ferrell's friend Craig Pollard. ...

Looks like it's almost Tool time again: The indefatigable heavy-rock band is putting together yet another stretch of dates in support of 10,000 Days, which came out way back in May 2006. Dates have yet to be confirmed, but according to Tool's site, they're stirring up a stretch across the West Coast that will begin in mid-November and last until Christmas. ... Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell recently told MTV News' Tim Kash that he wants to see the fest travel across the world "before I die," but while those plans haven't come about yet, the dates are in place for next year's annual Chicago installment. Lolla will go down August 1-3, once again at Grant Park. ...

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's Magic isn't happening until Tuesday, but they snuck out a vinyl version of the release on Wednesday that will allow it to be considered for the Grammys, according to the Los Angeles Times. ... The Wu-Tang Clan's Killah Priest has been added to several dates on Bury Your Dead's upcoming headlining run. Look for him to take the stage in Richmond, Virginia (October 17); Wilmington, North Carolina (October 18); Jacksonville, Florida (October 19); and Tampa, Florida (October 20). ... Bad news for fans of hardcore hip-hoppers Twiztid: The band's upcoming Toxic Terror Tour, featuring openers Mower, has been nixed following a recent car accident involving Twiztid's Monoxide. He suffered a torn ACL muscle in his knee, which will require he stays off it for the next month or so. ...

While System of a Down's members go off and do their own things — what with the band on hiatus — drummer John Dolmayan has firmed up plans for his new comic book site, TorpedoComics.com. The Internet retail shop goes live November 1 and will boast some 15 million items, including comics, toys, graphic novels, trade paperbacks, superhero action figures and other related memorabilia. Dolmayan has also teamed with guitarist Daron Malakian for a new project, Scars on Broadway. ... Former Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, former Anthrax frontman Joey Belladonna, ex-Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson and Sevendust singer Lajon Witherspoon are among the celebrities who'll appear at the Morgan Rose Celebrity Golf Classic, scheduled for November 15-16 at the Heritage Golf Club in Tucker, Georgia. Proceeds from the event will help support the Atlanta Children's Shelter. ...

Mudvayne will release their latest LP, By the People, for the People, on November 27. The disc will boast several live recordings, rarities, demos and two new studio tracks, "Dull Boy" and a cover of the Police's "King of Pain." The album will be entirely fan-generated; the band is asking its fans to participate in creating the album's contents. Fans can visit the band's Web site and MySpace pageMySpace page to help pick the track list, submit fan-generated album artwork and participate in creating the video for "Dull Boy," the first single. ...

Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth," which has been shown in some college and high school classrooms, got blowback earlier this year when a Washington school put a moratorium on the global-warming movie. Now a British school governor is taking an even stronger measure by suing the British government for distributing the movie to more than 3,500 secondary schools, according to AP. Paul Downes, a lawyer for Stewart Dimmock, said, "Given the serious inaccuracies in the film and the misrepresentations it contains, the film is irredeemable." The lawyer added that even though the movie has already been shown to some students, the High Court could still rule that the government had acted unlawfully and cease distributing it. ...

There's no stopping the Martin Scorsese rock-doc train. The esteemed director, who has directed films about the Rolling Stones, the Band and Bob Dylan in the past, will focus his lens next on the life of George Harrison, according to Variety. Scorsese will produce the yet-untitled picture with Harrison's widow, Olivia, and the late guitarist's former Beatles bandmates Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr will also participate. The flick will revolve around Harrison's time in the Beatles and his later years, and also touch on his involvement with Eastern spirituality as well. In related news, McCartney and Starr are participating in Liverpool, England's European Capital of Culture celebration. Macca will perform at the Anfield soccer stadium on June 1. Starr will return to the city — where the Beatles hailed from — for a ceremony at St. George's Hall on January 11, and he will also appear at the Echo Arena on January 12.

• R. Kelly's Unstoppable Career

• Beyoncé
• R. Kelly
• Britney Spears
• Evanescence
• Radiohead

Fergie
Photo: <i>In Style</i> magazine

In Style's readers have voted, and Justin Timberlake, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Fergie are among the sexiest stars in the constellation. TV and movie stars dominate the Sexy Portfolio, part of the magazine's 10th annual Sexy Poll, which garnered 50,000 votes on InStyle.com. Fergie is the only musician to get "hot-to-the-touch" status (her 14 fellow hotties include Terrence Howard, Isla Fisher, Ben Stiller and more). "Cleavage is in-your-face, a bare stomach is overt, but a bare leg is always sexy and appropriate," Fergie said, explaining her appeal. "I'm pretty out there in my videos, but in real life, I feel sexier when I'm more subtle. Josh [Duhamel, her boyfriend] agrees. It's better to be alluring than too available." Beyond the Portfolio, "Grey's Anatomy" won Sexiest TV Cast; Jolie earned Sexiest Movie Star Whose Va-Va-Va-Voom You'd Like to Steal; Pitt and George Clooney tied for Sexiest Reasons to Spend $10 on a Movie; Pitt and Jolie nabbed Sexiest Too-Hot Twosome; Timberlake got the Sexiest Troubadour badge. Beyoncé, Shakira and Carrie Underwood tied for Sexiest Girl Found on on iTunes. ...

(See Fergie, Terrence Howard, Ben Stiller and more make In Style's Sexy Poll.)

Britney Spears' lawyer says the singer has been cleared of recent complaints to child-welfare workers, People.com reports. "It does not appear [Los Angeles County] will pursue any action at this time," Laura Wasser said at a hearing in Spears' child-custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline. According to the site, there will be three more court hearings in the dispute this year, during which Federline's request for primary custody of sons Sean Preston and Jayden James will be considered. His attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan is seeking depositions from Spears' assistant, former nanny and others close to her. Meanwhile, Spears bodyguard Cesar Julio Camera has been officially charged with misdemeanor battery after wrestling with a pair of men who were trying to photograph the singer with her children in Las Vegas in July. ...

Owen Wilson has returned to his home in Santa Monica, California, after attempting suicide last week, Fox News reports. Director Wes Anderson — who collaborated with Wilson on September 28's "The Darjeeling Limited," as well as "The Royal Tenenbaums" and more films — talked to reporters at the Venice Film Festival on Monday, saying Wilson is "doing very well." "Owen wishes he could be with us," Anderson said. "We all miss having him. Obviously he has been through a lot this week. I can tell you he has been doing very well, he has been making us laugh. When he is ready he's going to speak for himself much better than any of us could." ...

Game (real name: Jayceon Terrell Taylor) will stand trial on three felony charges stemming from a pickup basketball game in Los Angeles in February, TMZ.com reports. His next court date is September 25. Game is charged with three counts of making a criminal threat, possession of a firearm in a school zone and exhibiting a firearm in the presence of an officer. The rapper, who is free on $50,000 bail, faces more than five years in state prison if convicted. ...

The full itinerary for Kelly Clarkson's rescheduled tour in support of My December will carry the singer through a 26-city outing. The trek begins with a string of three dates at the Beacon Theatre in New York (October 14-16) and also ropes in two home-state gigs, in Dallas and Houston. The seven-week tour — which replaces a scrapped summer tour — will have Clarkson playing more intimate theaters than the arenas she was originally booked into, including the Orpheum in Boston (October 23); Fillmore in Detroit (October 28); Paramount Theater in Denver (November 5); and the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on December 3. ... Take a seat, Amy Winehouse — Klaxons have scooted by the starlet and picked up the U.K.'s prestigious Mercury Prize for their debut, Myths of the Near Future. The band also nudged past the Arctic Monkeys, Jamie T and others. ...

Usher made it official again on Saturday. The 28-year-old singer married pregnant wife Tameka Foster, 37, in a large, glitzy ceremony in Atlanta a few weeks after the pair got officially hitched in a civil ceremony. People.com reports that 200 people attended the wedding at a 16th-century-style French chateau resort outside Atlanta. The lavish wedding came nearly a month after their previously scheduled wedding was called off at the last minute. ... Halle Berry is three months pregnant with her first child. She's due to have the baby, whose father is Berry's boyfriend Gabriel Aubry, on Valentine's Day. ... Tobey Maguire tied the knot with his fiancee, jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer, in Hawaii over the weekend, according to "Entertainment Tonight." Leonardo DiCaprio was among those who reportedly attended the ceremony. ...

Evanescence have sketched out new tour dates for the U.S. and Mexico. Amy Lee will take her troupe through Florida and Texas from October 23-31, then head to Mexico for three shows to be held November 3, 5 and 7. After that, they'll plow through the States from November 10-December 4. ...

Zac Efron denies that money is the deciding factor in whether he takes part in "High School Musical 3" — he says it's all about the script. The actor told People, "There's no feuding with 'High School Musical,' " and added, "If the script is good and if we all agree on a final script, then there's nothing that is going to hold us back from doing [a third installment]." ...

Hulk Hogan has spoken out on last week's car crash involving his son, Nick Bollea, saying he didn't think anyone had survived. "We were going to get something to eat and Nick paged me and said, 'Dad, I want to go early, because we don't have a table at the restaurant,' " he told TV's "The Insider" in an interview set to air Tuesday (September 4). "As I was going down our normal route, I saw this yellow car, and it happened to be twisted ... and there were ambulances there and police were there, and — bam — [I realized that] it was my car." Hogan also commented on his son's condition and that of John Graziano, the passenger who is still in critical condition. "Nick is doing good," Hogan said. "He's got a broken arm, some broken ribs, some neck problems and some stuff wrong with his knees, but he's hanging in there. He's living at the hospital with John. He's going to be OK, and John's going to be OK, and we're going to move forward." ...

The new single from Dave Matthews, the live favorite "Eh Hee," debuted Tuesday on iTunes. The video for the song, co-directed by Matthews, will be available as a free iTunes download for a week. The track, on which Matthews sings all vocals and plays all the instruments, is not tied to any upcoming release. ... PJ Harvey is planning two live performances around the release of her next album, White Chalk, which drops September 25. She'll perform October 10 at the Beacon Theatre in New York and October 15 at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. ...

DragonForce guitarist Herman Li performed with Tool during their August 22 gig at London's Brixton Academy. He performed a guitar solo in the middle of "Lateralus." ... H.I.M. and Bleeding Through will hit the road next month for a trek that is set to run through December. The first gig is booked for October 18 in Sayreville, New Jersey, the jaunt will wind down December 2 in New York. ... Bloodsimple have been forced to drop off the tail end of this year's Family Values Tour, as frontman Tim Williams needed dental surgery. The band's sophomore LP, Red Harvest, is slated for release October 9. ... Alice in Chains plan to immortalize their August 21 acoustic gig at the Rave/ Eagles Club in Milwaukee with a to-be-scheduled live release. During the show, the band performed "Heaven Beside You," "Angry Chair" and "Rooster," as well as a cover of Elton John's "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy." ... Tracks made famous by Stevie Wonder, Louis Armstrong and Aretha Franklin get a new shine on Frankie Valli's Romancing the '60s, due October 2. ...

Pete Doherty's drug case was postponed Tuesday after he failed to show up in court, Reuters reports. The case — which stems from the troubled rocker's recent arrest on suspicion of drug possession in London — was adjourned until October 2 after West London Magistrates Court heard he had checked himself into rehab. ... Bill Murray was dropping off people after a party when he was pulled over for speeding in a golf cart in Stockholm, Sweden, late last month, he said at the Venice Film Festival on Monday, The Associated Press reports. The police "asked me to come over and they assumed that I was drunk, and I explained to them that I was a golfer," he said. Authorities took a blood test after Murray refused to submit to a breathalyzer test, and he could face drunken-driving charges. ...

Bo Diddley was released from a hospital in Gainesville, Florida, on Saturday. The rock icon was hospitalized late last month after suffering a heart attack during a routine medical exam. ... Jeffrey Carter Albrecht, 34, who played keyboard for Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians since 1999, was shot and killed early Monday morning in Dallas while trying to kick in the door of his girlfriend's neighbor's house. The neighbor, who believed a burglar was trying to break in, fired a shot through the door around 4 a.m, according to AP. Albrecht, who had also played with Brickell's husband, Paul Simon, and who was prepping a solo album, died on the scene. No arrests had been made in the incident as of press time.

08.31.07

Does Britney Spears' new single — which was just unveiled on Thursday — already have you screaming, "Gimme More"? Well, then you're about to get even more good news: The singer's yet-untitled new album will drop November 13. Ne-Yo, who wrote many potential tracks for Spears, told Ryan Seacrest on his radio show Wednesday that "[Britney has] gotta remind people why they love her in the first place. She's gotta get their minds off her personal life and back on music." ...

Speaking of Spears' personal life, Kevin Federline shouldn't have to foot the whole bill for the legal expenses in his divorce with her because he has "no net income" after various expenses and his monthly spousal support of $20,000 will end in November, his lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan said in a recent declaration. Spears, who makes $737,868 on average every month, is "clearly the 'monied party' " in the dispute and should pay $50,000 for Federline's litigation expenses, according to the declaration. ...

While Spears is planning a November surprise, Carrie Underwood will break hers out a few weeks earlier: Carnival Ride drops October 23. The "American Idol" champ told Billboard, "My favorite line on the whole album [from 'Wheel the World'] pretty much sums up everything that I've been through ... 'God put us here on this carnival ride/ We close our eyes never knowing where it will take us next.' It's beautiful and so true. We don't know what we're doing or where we're headed. We just kind of trust and hope that whatever ride we're on in life takes us where we need to go." Underwood's sophomore effort gets even heavier on "Just a Dream," which revolves around a woman coping with the death of her soldier fiance, and also features a cover of Randy Travis' "I Told You So." ...

Maroon 5 and Robin Thicke will highlight the MTV Video Music Awards Fandemonium Concert to Benefit Lifebeat, a nonprofit group that raises awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention. If you want to check out the September 8 event — to be held at the House of Blues in Las Vegas — and have some extra change handy, you can bid on a batch of auction packages on eBay. The packages include private box seating, cocktails and a meet and greet with the artists, and $5,000 from each will go to Las Vegas AIDS organizations. ...

Chamillionaire is already envisioning multiplatinum success for his sophomore album, Ultimate Victory — and he wants fans to share in his wealth. The rapper plans to dole out autographed commemorative plaques, worth $300 each, in connection with the LP's sales: One hundred will be given out when Victory drops September 18; 200 will be given out if it goes gold; and 300 will be issued if it goes platinum. If you want to try to get your hands on one, head over to Chamillionaire's MySpace page for more info. ... Usher made a surprise appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" earlier this week, telling the host he hopes his child with Tameka Foster is a boy. "If it's a boy, I'm going to name him Usher," he said. "I've been playing with a few names. I'm the fourth. Usher Raymond IV. I just want to pass the name on. Maybe I'll change the middle name." ...

Panic! at the Disco's Ryan Ross spent his 21st birthday at — surprise! — Angels & Kings, the New York bar co-owned by Pete Wentz and members of Gym Class Heroes, the Academy Is ... and Cobra Starship, RollingStone.com reports. ... Perry Farrell and Cursive's Tim Kasher will help judge the Hot Pursuit, an online competition for up-and-coming rock bands. The winner of the Spin/ Music Nation contest will get a record deal with Epic/ Original Signal (Music Nation's label) and the chance to perform at the magazine's SXSW party in Austin, Texas, next year. Those interested can create their artist profile and upload multimedia content here when the contest launches September 24. The judges, together with the public, will vote through the coming months, leading up to the announcement of the winner in mid-December. ...

Hellyeah, Five Finger Death Punch and Droid will support Korn on their B---h We Have a Problem Tour, which launches September 22 in Reno, Nevada, and runs through October 28 in Portland, Oregon. ... Thursday have named their upcoming rarities set Kill the House Lights. The CD/DVD offering will feature hard-to-find material, along with footage documenting the band's history. No release date has been pinned down yet, but it'll likely be in stores by year's end. ... Coheed and Cambria, Clutch and the Fall of Troy will hit the road this fall for a string of 22 North American dates. The trek kicks off October 29 in Toronto and runs through November 28 in Philadelphia. ...

Here's one for the books: Supergrass bassist Mick Quinn recently broke his back after sleepwalking his way out of the first-floor window of a villa in France, BBC News reports. He was rushed to a specialist spinal unit, where surgeons repaired two broken vertebrae and a smashed heel. Quinn is expected to make a full recovery, but the band has postponed its plans — including a homecoming gig in Oxford, England — in the meantime. ...

Bobby Brown sought legal and physical custody of his 14-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina, in an Orange County, California, court on Friday (August 31). The judge requested Brown and his ex-wife Whitney Houston argue their respective cases in a deposition. "I just miss my daughter," Brown told People after the hearing. "I just want to be there to help her make the right decisions and be her father." ...

Looney Tunes, the legendary Long Island, New York, independent record store that regularly hosted in-store appearances for artists — including Lamb of God, Chiodos and Head Automatica most recently — was destroyed in a devastating blaze Wednesday evening. According to investigators, the cause of the fire was a faulty extension cord. The store's owners hope to rebuild the shop as soon as possible but claim hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of merchandise and memorabilia — including 57 autographed guitars and countless gold and platinum records — was consumed in the conflagration.

• Fergie, Terrence Howard, Ben Stiller Make In Style's Sexy Poll

• Justin Timberlake
• Fergie
• Kelly Clarkson
• Usher
• Evanescence

Seether's Shaun Morgan
Photo: Benny Haber

Most of us would love to have a hit song written about us. Seether's Shaun Morgan isn't one of those people.

But that didn't stop his ex-girlfriend, Evanescence's Amy Lee, from penning "Call Me When You're Sober," a tune she later admitted was specifically written about her relationship with Morgan (see "Evanescence Set For Fall Tour; Amy Lee Reveals Inspiration Behind 'Sober' "). And the timing couldn't have been worse for Lee's damning revelation, coming just weeks after Morgan checked himself into rehab for treatment of "a combination of substances" (see "Seether Frontman Enters Rehab; August Tour Dates Canceled"). His rehab stint, coincidentally, began on the very same day the Evanescence track was delivered to the nation's rock radio stations.

As you might expect, Morgan wasn't thrilled with Lee's public airing of the pair's dirty laundry. For the last year, the song has "followed me around and haunted me," he said, and it chipped away at his reputation.

"People would say to me, 'Yeah, man, I know what you're going through,' and I was like, 'No, I don't think you do,' " Morgan explained. " 'Your ex-girlfriend didn't write a song about you, that millions of people have heard, saying you're a bad guy. As soon as that happens, buddy, come up and tell me you know what I'm going through.' "

Now, clean and sober, Morgan and his band are returning with their third studio outing, Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces, which is set for an October 23 release. But don't expect the LP to contain a response track.

"There isn't necessarily a response as there's a lament," the singer for the South African rockers said. "I was bummed out. I was really upset that she would say and do those things. In any relationship, I don't think it's right to say and do those things when people break up, and she obviously felt the need to go out there and make me sound like a complete a--hole. What can I do? I just refuse to lower myself to that level. But it was a painful thing and it got me down — people coming up to me on the street and referring to that song. But I didn't feel the need to write back and be mean."

Instead, the Howard Benson-produced Finding Beauty — which the band hopes to begin mixing next week — boasts "Breakdown," a song some might interpret as Morgan's answer to "Sober." But that's not the case.

"It isn't an aggressive song, and it isn't even an angry song — I would prefer to refer to it as a lament rather than an angry backlash," he said. "You couldn't tell that the song was about one person. It's probably more universal. I prefer to be a little more vague and respectful. There are some things I could have said and done too — there are always two sides to every story. And if anything, the song says, 'Fine. Go ahead and say those things.' But what's the point of telling my side? That's what the bloodthirsty want, and I don't care what the bloodthirsty want."

If there are any references on the disc about a failed relationship, Morgan said it will be about his most recent ex and not Lee.

"These songs are turning out to be somewhat more introspective, which is weird — you'd assume I'd be more pissed off and have more things to say," he explained. "I don't know how much I want to say and what I want to say. It's tough, because I know what the expectations are for this album and that people will be looking for that Amy Lee reference, and I am trying desperately not to have any. I just ended another truly, truly horrible relationship with somebody, so if there's anything about somebody on the record, it would be about her, not Amy. In retrospect, Amy and I, at our worst moments, were still better than this last girl and I at our best moments."

Sonically, Morgan said the record is more balanced than anything Seether have done before and far more cohesive — thanks, in part, to the fact that the band had much more time to write and came up with more than 50 tracks to choose from. When the album hits stores, expect it to feature at least 10 songs, including "No, Jesus Christ," "Rise Above This" and "FMLYHM," an acronym for "F--- Me Like You Hate Me."

"That element of our band, as people know it, is still there, but there have been several developments," Morgan said. "It's been more experimental with us. We tried to explore the actual process of songwriting and the process of writing songs that have good melodies that are sing-able, that lean more towards the pop side. And when I got pissed off, I got really pissed off, and there are certain moments on the album that I almost didn't recognize as being us because it was kind of brutal. But when I went into writing the songs, the label was sort of looking for 'Remedy' [from 2005's Karma and Effect] and obviously a song like 'Broken' [from 2004's Disclaimer II], and I said, 'Those songs have been written, because it was the right time and the right place to write them. For you to expect me to write something like that, it's just not possible.' "

Seether plan to spend much of the fall on the road touring in support of Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces. An arena tour, alongside Three Days Grace and Breaking Benjamin, has already been booked and will launch September 8 in Hutchinson, Kansas; gigs are scheduled through November 14 in Biloxi, Mississippi.

• Seether
• Evanescence

Evanescence's Amy Lee
Photo: Lisa Maree Williams/ Getty Images

Amy Lee spoke candidly about her recent marriage and the recent departure of two Evanescence members in a post on the band's message board over the weekend. Calling marriage "the most incredible thing to happen in my life so far," Lee explained that she returned from her honeymoon and "discovered the fact that I was unable to defend myself for a week [and] was taken advantage of quite a bit." Lee said guitarist John LeCompt and drummer Rocky Gray, who left the lineup earlier this month and were recently replaced by Dark New Day's Will Hunt and Troy McLawhorn, "both made it clear they were ready to move on." LeCompt and Gray "were very vocal about the fact that they didn't really care about Evanescence at all and just stayed around for the money," the post continued. "They were miserable. They are no longer playing with us because I love this band too much to see it driven into the ground." Lee also said that Gray didn't quit, as he's claimed; she contends he was fired after weeks of threatening to quit. ...

Avril Lavigne has remixed her hit song "Girlfriend" with none other than teen heroine Lil Mama of "Lip Gloss" fame. The remix keeps the same beat and lyrics, with Mama throwing on her raps. ...

Two more shows have been added to the American Idols Live Tour: additional dates at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, on August 25; and Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on August 29. ... As "American Idol" fans wait for one of the two finalists to fall, Paula Abdul took a spill of her own this weekend, according to E! Online. In an attempt to avoid stepping on one of her dogs, the judge fell and broke her nose. A representative told the news outlet that Abdul was not hospitalized and that the injury will not affect her appearance on the program this week. ...

Does Bobby Valentino want to be known as the new "Mac daddy" or what? The soulful crooner will play at seven Apple stores next month, in Atlanta (June 1), New York (June 8), Chicago (June 12), Dallas (June 21), Los Angeles (June 23) and San Francisco (June 27). The seventh performance will be held in Houston on June 16 or 20. ... Jim Jones just launched his online clothing store, Nostic Apparel. The line, which features Jones' rock-meets-rap style, was founded by his mother. ...

When tickets for the Smashing Pumpkins' nine-night residency at Asheville, North Carolina's Orange Peel went on sale Sunday, TicketWeb servers weren't able to handle the load, and the demand for tickets crashed the site, bringing sales to a halt. Tickets will now be sold via Ticketmaster instead, but Orange Peel spokeswoman Liz Whalen told Asheville's Citizen-Times on Monday morning (May 21) that the venue wasn't sure whether tickets would be available Monday or Tuesday — tickets were unavailable via Ticketmaster at press time. The band has also added three more dates to its residency at San Francisco's Fillmore. ...

The Killers have announced new dates for two shows that had to be postponed last week due to frontman Brandon Flowers' bronchitis. The band's Thursday show at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado — which the guys cut short after only two songs — has been rescheduled for September 4. Their Seattle show — scheduled for this past Sunday — will now take place May 27. Tickets for the original shows will be honored at the makeup concerts. ... Franz Ferdinand are planning to play a gig in New York and a few small club shows in their native stomping grounds of Glasgow, Scotland, but dates and venue information has yet to be made available. According to frontman Alex Kapranos, the band continues work on its next LP and plans to debut some new material during the concerts. ...

Phil Spector's chauffeur wrongly implicated the music producer in the death of actress Lana Clarkson, Spector's defense argued in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, The Associated Press reports. Adriano De Souza — who previously testified that Spector said, "I think I killed somebody," after exiting his mansion with a gun in hand the morning of the shooting — originally told officers that Spector said, "I think I shot somebody," according to defense attorney Bradley Brunon. De Souza said he had heard Spector speak clearly but that he was also tired and frightened. ... Former Creed singer Scott Stapp was arrested at his Boca Raton, Florida, home on Sunday and was charged with aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony. A judge reduced the charge to a misdemeanor on Monday, AP reports, after the Palm Beach County sheriff's office determined that the bottle of Orangina that Stapp allegedly threw at his wife, Jaclyn Nesheiwat, was not a deadly weapon. Stapp was scheduled for supervised release Monday, and will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing. ...

Before Paris Hilton was sentenced to jail for violating her probation, she posed with on-again friend Nicole Richie for a Harper's Bazaar June cover story titled "Partners in Crime" that features the pair dressed in stripes — zebra, not prison — and posing as jewel thieves. "I think I get in more trouble just because of who I am," Hilton said in the Bazaar interview. "[Police] just pull me over to hit on me. It's really annoying. ... And the paparazzi, of course, take a picture. All the time. I have so many cops' business cards." Richie — who is in some hot water of her own, facing a DUI charge stemming from a December arrest that could land her in jail for 90 days thanks to a prior conviction — said she can't catch a break. "Every mistake I make, there's consequences," she explained. "I don't take anything lightly." The June issue of Bazaar hits newsstands Tuesday. ...

Bow Wowand Crime Mob performed Saturday at Utopia's Paradise Theater in the Bronx, New York, with 20 percent of the proceeds of the show benefiting the surviving family members of two African immigrant families that combined lost nine children and one adult in a tragic March 7 fire. A spokesperson for the families told local news channel NY1 that they will donate the funds back to the community. ...

A week after the attorneys general of eight states accused MySpace of dragging its feet in handing over information on registered sex offenders using the site, the company announced Monday that it would provide the AGs with the requested materials. According to a press release from MySpace, the popular social-networking site will hand over information on registered sex offenders that it has identified and deleted from the site using the Sentinel SAFE program, which it began using earlier this month. "We have zero tolerance for sexual predators on MySpace and took the initiative to create this first of its kind tool ourselves because nothing previously existed," MySpace Chief Security Officer Hemanshu Nigam said. "We look forward to working collaboratively with the attorneys general on all future efforts to make the Internet a safer place for teens." ... Sylvester Stallone won't be doing hard time Down Under. The "Rocky" actor dodged a bullet on Monday when a judge in New South Wales, Australia, fined the brawny 60-year-old $2,500 plus court costs for illegally bringing 48 vials of human-growth hormone to the country during a promotional trip in February, according to a Reuters report. Stallone explained to customs officials at the time that he was prescribed the drugs to give his body a boost and to look "good" during his current shoot of a "Rambo" sequel in Asia.

05.18.2007

Blake Lewis has been getting a taste of fame over the past few months on "American Idol," but he's had some well-known friends for quite some time. The finalist is buddies with Ryan Dusick, the original drummer for Maroon 5, and he's known the band for six years. "About two years ago, I had lost my cell phone — it was stolen — and I lost touch with them," Lewis said. The "Idol" hopeful then ran into Dusick's girlfriend and got reconnected with the guys about a month ago. On Tuesday's show, the producers wanted Lewis to sing a Maroon 5 song, but the band had never cleared its music for the show. "I called them the night before we had to pick our songs, and they said I could sing anything I wanted to," Lewis said. "It was really a solid from them." ...

The U.S. Navy has given "American Idol" finalist Phil Stacey the official go-ahead for the Idols Live 2007 Tour. A Navy spokesperson confirmed to People that the singer will join the rest of the top 10 on the three-month run, which kicks off July 6 in Sunrise, Florida. Tickets for all shows go on sale Saturday. ...

Simon Cowell said in a reporter conference call Friday (May 18) that this year's "American Idol" contest has come down to a "brilliant entertainer" (Blake Lewis) and a "great singer" (Jordin Sparks), according to Reuters. "I can't call it at this stage," he said in regards to who he thinks will win. "For Blake, he's a brilliant entertainer, but the negative is he's not a fantastic singer. The advantage for Jordin is she is a great singer and the negative is she hasn't done one performance yet which I can remember as a 'wow.' " Cowell also said "the whole Sanjaya thing was hysterical" and encouraged contestants to be as rude to him as he is to them. "They all think they are going to be voted off if they are rude to me," he said. "If I'm rude to them they are more than entitled to be rude to me back." ... And in yet more "Idol" news, Entertainment Weekly is casting a Blake vs. Jordin poll to determine which contestant should appear on the magazine's next cover. EW.com features four potential covers, two for each finalist. ...

Amy Winehouse married boyfriend Blake Fielder-Civil Friday morning in Miami, Spinner.com reports. The couple got engaged last month. ... The rift between Cam'ron and 50 Cent continues. 50 appeared on BET's "106 & Park" Thursday night and said the Dipset leader has been M.I.A. recently because of a rumored punch he took from rapper Tru Life outside a New York nightclub. A clearly annoyed Cam'ron posted a poolside video response on his MySpace page late Thursday night, explaining that he's on vacation, not in hiding. In the clip, Cam looks directly at the camera to show that he hasn't been hit and notes that his "probation is officially over." ...

Jennifer Lopez has been ordered to submit to a deposition to answer questions posed in a suit by a TV writer who says she stole his idea by making "South Beach," according to The Associated Press. Sheldon Farber, a lawyer for writer Jack Bunick, coyly promised, "I will not ask for her autograph." ...

A 2007 Fat Boy Harley Davidson motorcycle signed by Ludacris, Kanye West, Diddy, Shaquille O'Neal and others will be auctioned for charity on eBay starting June 2. The funds from the 10-day auction will go toward the Ludacris Foundation. ... Freshly minted Pussycat Doll Asia Nitollano joined Maxim Radio hosts Steve Covino and Rich Davis on Thursday night at New York's Hawaiian Tropic Zone to judge the lounge's spring pageant. Thirty hopefuls posed in the restaurant's bikini-themed outfits and club wear to compete for the title, and Federico Castelluccio of "The Sopranos" also served as a judge. ...

The Smashing Pumpkins' forthcoming album Zeitgeist is now slated for a July 10 release, meaning fans will have to wait an extra three days for the disc. Frontman Billy Corgan had expressed a desire to release the LP on July 7 (7/7/07), which is a Saturday, but albums are typically released in the U.S. on Tuesdays. ... The Killers cut their concert at Morrison, Colorado's Red Rocks short on Thursday night after frontman Brandon Flowers left the stage following the band's second song. A doctor later stepped onstage to tell the audience that Flowers had a throat injury, and said continuing to sing would damage his voice, according to Denver NBC affiliate KUSA. Drummer Ronnie Vannucci said the band would make up the show to the fans. A rescheduled date has not yet been announced. ...

Evanescence are all staffed up again. The group has replaced its recently departed guitarist and drummer with Dark New Day members Will Hunt (drums) and Troy McLawhorn (guitar). The new lineup will debut on Saturday at the Rock the Range festival in Columbus, Ohio, before leaving for a one-month European tour and returning in July for Korn's Family Values Tour. "I am a big fan of Dark New Day and can't wait for the fans to see what the guys bring to our live show," Evanescence singer Amy Lee said in a statement. ... Ousted drummer Rocky Gray has six Evanescence plaques — including a gold-record certification presented to him for The Open Door, currently up for bid on eBay — each with a starting price of $500. Gray wrote on his MySpace page that he means no disrespect with the sale, but that it's "a chance for us to straighten up the house, make some paper (cheese) and give the fans a chance to have a real piece of ev history." There were no bids at press time. ...

Ciara was toasted by Jay-Z and Young Jeezy Thursday night in New York as the Atlanta singer celebrated being named the new face of the Roc-A-Wear ladies' line. Ciara follows in the footsteps of Naomi Campbell and actress Zoe Saldana. The new campaign will be titled "I Will Not Lose" and feature testimonials by a number of personalities who've overcome various hardships, including Amy Steele, the editor-in-chief of Virginia Tech campus newspaper The Collegiate Times. ...

Ryan Phillippe has filed for joint custody of his two children with Reese Witherspoon, responding to her divorce filing in November, according to "Access Hollywood." Phillippe, who is not seeking any spousal support from Witherspoon, also isn't blocking her from requesting support from him. ... Bo Diddley's condition has improved four days after he suffered a stroke, AP reports. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was up and walking Friday at a hospital in Nebraska, and his manager, Margo Lewis, told the news service that his doctors are confident he'll be able to perform again. "We're going to get a guitar for him and put it in his lap and let him entertain people here," she said. ...

Michael Jackson's lawyers have dropped his effort to block a Las Vegas auction that will include items belonging to him and other Jackson family members. "Mr. Jackson is satisfied with the negotiated settlement and is pleased that some of the proceeds from the auction will be donated to certain charities," his spokesman Raymone K. Bain said in a statement on Friday. The auction will be held May 30-31 at the Hard Rock Hotel. ... Lindsay Lohan won't face charges on a theft allegation, the Los Angeles district attorney announced Thursday. AP reports that a woman claimed the actress took clothing from her apartment, which Lohan allegedly visited at the invitation of a house-sitter. The DA declined to file grand theft charges due to insufficient evidence. ... Former Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch will head out on a promotional tour to spread the gospel about his new book, "Save Me From Myself: How I Found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, and Lived to Tell My Story." The trek starts July 5-6 in New York and ends July 18 in Los Angeles. ...

In a new video posted on her Web site, Senator Hillary Clinton is asking supporters to help her with an answer to "one of the most important questions" of her presidential campaign: picking a theme song. The good news is that among the options are tunes by classy acts such as U2 ("City of Blinding Lights," "Beautiful Day"), KT Tunstall ("Suddenly I See"), the Temptations ("Get Ready"), Dixie Chicks ("Ready to Run") and the Staple Singers ("I'll Take You There.") Unfortunately, the short list also features Smash Mouth's cover of the Monkees' "I'm a Believer," Shania Twain's "Rock This Country" and, no joke, Jesus Jones' "Right Here, Right Now." ... Meanwhile, noted freestyle rapper Jin has recently landed as the top friend on Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama's MySpace page. Before he became Obama's #1 friend, Jin recorded a track supporting the candidate and posted it on his own page.

• Evanescence
• The Smashing Pumpkins
• The Killers
• Creed
• Paris Hilton

The Killers' Brandon Flowers
Photo: Karl Walter/ Getty Images

The news happens all the time, even while you're catching up on beauty sleep. Check out this brief rundown to bring you up to speed this morning — a quick heads up from your friends at MTV News.

Here's what we've got:

Andre 3000 tells us that his guest verses on songs by everyone from UGK to Lloyd just happened. "It wasn't like a divine plan or anything." Now the next Outkast album, that's going to take some planning. "I gotta find out what I'm tryin' to say," he said. "It's almost like a picnic — you call your auntie and say, 'You bringin' some greens? Yeah? OK, I'm not gonna bring any greens.' I gotta find out what I gotta cook up."

Think Avril Lavigne is topless on the cover of Blender? Think again. "I was wearing a tube top, and they just kind of put a banner on top of it," Avril revealed to us Wednesday night. She also told us that she's ready to dig into some major acting roles. "I would want to go for a more serious drama, something darker that would take a lot of emotion." Avril said she will soon be starring in a movie, but wouldn't give up the title. ...

And if you notice a similarity between Chicago instrumental post-metal band Pelican and Weezer, you might want to keep that to yourself. "I couldn't believe it," guitarist Laurence Lebec said, telling us the story of a "You guys look like Weezer" shout during an opening set for Opeth. "These guys were coming to see Opeth, this really progressive band, yet they were still locked in such rudimentary middle-school kind of nonsense attitudes." ...

Quote of the Day: "I've seen the kid, and I love him." — "Original Human Beatbox" Doug E. Fresh on "Idol" beatboxer Blake Lewis.

Here's what everyone else is talking about:

The Killers pulled the plug on their Thursday night show at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado, after just two songs. Brandon Flowers walked off following "When You Were Young," and a doctor later stepped onstage to announce that the singer's throat had been injured and singing would harm his voice, local NBC affiliate KUSA reported. Drummer Ronnie Vannucci promised the crowd that the band would make it up to them. The concert has not yet been rescheduled. ...

Evanescence have rounded out their lineup by grabbing two members of Dark New Day, the band announced Thursday. Drummer Will Hunt and guitarist Troy McLawhorn replace Rocky Gray and John LeCompt in the lineup. "I am a big fan of Dark New Day and can't wait for the fans to see what the guys bring to our live show," Amy Lee said in a statement. The new Evanescence will debut Saturday at the Rock on the Range festival in Columbus, Ohio. Meanwhile, Rocky Gray is unloading the gold and platinum discs he was awarded with band on eBay. There are no bids yet on the six auctions, which open at $500. ...

Lindsay Lohan won't be following Paris Hilton to the slammer. The Los Angeles District Attorney has thrown out a claim that Lohan stole clothing from a woman's home, citing insufficient evidence, The Associated Press reports. ...

Samuel L. Jackson is in negotiations to star in Frank Miller's big-screen adaptation of "The Spirit." The ultimate badass would play ultimate bad guy the Octopus, a lab-rat-turned-tentacled-menace described by The Hollywood Reporter as "a psychotic nightmare that kills anyone unfortunate enough to see his face." Awesome.

Linkin Park are a lock for #1 on the next Billboard albums charts, according to one-day sales reports gathered by Hits Daily Double, which predicts Minutes to Midnight will sell more than 550,000 copies its first week in stores. ...

Elsewhere on the charts, T-Pain scores his first #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 with "Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')." Maroon 5 drop to #2 after two weeks on top with "Makes Me Wonder," while Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend" climbs one spot to #3. ...

The Pentagon defended restricting Army access to MySpace, YouTube and MTV on Thursday, after Representative Ed Markey — chair of the House of Representatives subcommittee on telecommunications and the Internet — asked that the policy be reversed. "We just simply cannot accommodate the growth in the bandwidth demands of this newer technology for both official reasons and recreational sites," Rear Admiral Elizabeth Hight, deputy head of the Defense Information Systems Agency, told Reuters. ...

Those Virgin Festival two-day passes are great, unless you love Smashing Pumpkins but can't stomach the Police — or Stewart Copeland makes your heart sing while Billy Corgan makes your skin crawl. Now you're in luck: organizers have announced that single-day tickets for the event go on sale Saturday. ...

Bo Diddley was up and walking around on Thursday after suffering a stroke Sunday, AP reports. Doctors are encouraged that the 78-year-old guitarist, whose speech has been impaired by the stroke, would be able to perform again. ...

And Westboro Baptist Church, an anti-gay organization best known for picketing soldiers' funerals — and inspiring 34 states to enact laws restricting such demonstrations — is branching out into music ... and possible copyright infringement. They've remade "We Are the World" as "God Hates the World," only they didn't get permission to use the original song. Warner/Chappel Music Inc. has issued a letter to the church alleging copyright infringement, according to an AP report. The church claims the song and video are parodies protected under the First Amendment.

• MTV News RAW: Outkast

• The Killers
• Evanescence
• Dark new Day
• Lindsay Lohan

Mariah Carey
Photo: Stuart Wilson/Getty Images

Mariah Carey will be honored for her dedication to VH1's Save the Music Foundation at the group's 10th anniversary gala, to be held September 20 at New York's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Jon Bon Jovi has also been added to the event — he will perform as part of a tribute to founder John Sykes — which will be co-headlined by John Mayer. ...

Justin Timberlake recently revealed to MTV News that he had written and produced a new song for Reba McEntire, but he didn't let us know that he'll be singing with the country crooner as well on the yet-unnamed track. Kelly Clarkson joins McEntire on "Because of You," the first single from Reba Duets, due September 18. ...

Speaking of Clarkson, we already knew she was going to be hitting the road hard this summer in support of her upcoming third album My December (due July 24), but now she's finally revealed the venues for the outing. After an appearance at the U.S. portion of the July 7 Live Earth event — which will take place at New Jersey's Giants Stadium — the 36-date tour will kick off July 11 at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon, and take her to cities including Denver, St. Louis, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Dallas and Los Angeles in August before wrapping up at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas on September 28. ...

Paris Hilton might not have to serve her full 45-day sentence due to jail overcrowding and a state requirement that grants inmates time off for good behavior, The Associated Press reported Thursday (May 10). "It's possible that it could be 21 days, 23 days," Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore told the news service. "It's a complicated formula that the state sets down. It's possible that she could do less time." He said the amount of time the heiress will spend in jail will be determined when she is booked into the county system. ...

Amy Winehouse stopped by New York's Aer on Thursday night to celebrate the U.S. gold certification of her Back to Black album. The Bombay Sapphire-sponsored bash included appearances by Mos Def, Talib Kweli and L.A. Reid. ... Meanwhile, producer Nate "Danjahandz" Hills was honored Thursday night at a dinner held at Manhattan's Gin Lane. The Timbaland protégé was recognized for his contributions to multiple hit singles and presented with his two Grammy Awards. ...

"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" hasn't even opened yet, but Johnny Depp is already saying he's open to the idea of starring in a fourth installment, according to an Entertainment Weekly interview, Reuters reports. "As long as you're doing it for the right reasons, why not?" he says in the magazine, which hits newsstands Friday. "If we came up with a story where we could explore something absurd or funny or totally insane." ...

According to Little Rock, Arkansas, radio station KHTV, Evanescence frontwoman Amy Lee got married over the weekend to her therapist/fiancee Josh Hartzler — the same weekend news of guitarist John LeCompt's firing and drummer Rocky Gray's resignation went public. A spokesperson for Lee would not confirm the nuptials on Wednesday, but John Lee — Amy's dad — confirmed to EvanescenceFan.net that his daughter tied the knot Sunday during a very private ceremony. ... Korn frontman Jonathan Davis and wife, Deven, welcomed their second son, Zeppelin, two weeks ago, according to various reports. The child joins the couple's other son, Pirate, as the newest member of the Davis kith. ...

As expected, Static-X have been added to the bill for this summer's Ozzfest, alongside headliner Ozzy Osbourne, Lamb of God, Lordi and others. Of course, this year's fest will be free for fans, and the news comes just days before the distribution of ticket codes begins Saturday. Ozzfest launches July 12 in Seattle. ... English rockers New Order are no more, according to bassist Peter Hook. In a post on Hook's MySpace page, he wrote that revealing the band's demise was a relief and that he hated keeping the split a secret. Hook appears on the debut LP from Perry Farrell's Satellite Party, Ultra Payloaded, which hits stores on May 29. He has also formed a new band, Freebass, with former Smiths bassist Andy Rourke and Stone Roses/ Primal Scream member Mani. ...

This year's Austin City Limits (September 14-16) festival is packed with major talent. The Texas fest will feature White Stripes, the Killers, Björk, Amy Winehouse, Queens of the Stone Age, Muse, Bloc Party, Arcade Fire, Wilco, Bob Dylan, My Morning Jacket, Arctic Monkeys, Joss Stone, Spoon, Heartless Bastards, Yo La Tengo, Joseph Arthur, Peter Bjorn & John, the Decemberists, Paolo Nutini, Regina Spektor, M.I.A., Butch Walker, Ben Kweller, Kaiser Chiefs, LCD Soundsystem and about 100 other acts ranging from bluegrass to jam band, techno, country and gospel. ... Hot Hot Heat's forthcoming LP, Happiness, LTD, has been slated for a September 11 release. The album was produced by the band, along with Rob Cavallo (My Chemical Romance, Green Day), Butch Walker (Pink, Avril Lavigne) and Tim Palmer (Ozzy Osbourne, H.I.M.). ...

Tool have added several new dates to their touring schedule. The band will make stops in Cape Girardeau, Missouri (June 16); Evansville, Indiana (June 17); Sioux City, Iowa (June 25); Cincinnati (June 29); Youngstown, Ohio (July 1); Grand Rapids, Michigan (July 5); Huntington, West Virginia (July 7); and Mansfield, Massachusetts (July 12). ... Chevelle have been forced to postpone their current tour until further notice following the theft of the band's equipment trailer. Containing all the band's gear, the trailer was stolen Wednesday from the Clarion Dallas Park Central Hotel in Dallas. Most of the stolen goods were labeled "Chevelle," and the band has asked that anyone who notices the gear being sold on eBay report the matter to police. ...

Tim Roth is bulking up the cast of "The Incredible Hulk." The actor, who will play the green-eyed monster Abomination in the summer 2008 flick, joins Edward Norton as Bruce Banner/ the Hulk and Liv Tyler as Betty Ross. ... "The Terminator" is returning, but Arnold won't be back — and neither will director James Cameron, Variety reports. Halcyon Co. has bought out the franchise for an undisclosed sum from feuding producers Andy Vajna and Mario Kassar and is targeting "Terminator 4" for a summer 2009 release. Castmembers and a director have not been hired yet, but "Terminator: Rise of the Machines" scribes John Brancato and Michael Ferris have already penned a script. "T3" executive producer Moritz Borman will produce the fourth installment as well. ...

No thanks for smoking: The Motion Picture Association of America announced Thursday that smoking will be factored into movie ratings, the Los Angeles Times reports. "There is broad awareness of smoking as a unique public-health concern due to nicotine's highly addictive nature, and no parent wants their child to take up the habit," MPAA Chief Executive Dan Glickman stated. Depictions that glamorize smoking may receive a higher rating, according to the organization. ... During Wednesday night's "American Idol" results show, host Ryan Seacrest announced an upcoming spinoff contest that will seek the best band in the land. Groups of all ages and styles hoping to vie for that title were encouraged to send in their demo tapes for the tentatively titled "The Search for the Next Great American Band," with information on submissions available on the official "Idol" Web site. No airdate for the show has been announced. ...

Sculptor Daniel Edwards, who famously made a life-size nude of Britney Spears giving birth, now has Paris Hilton in his sights. According to Reuters, he has crafted a sculpture of the heiress dead, naked and holding a cell phone in one hand. "It's really kind of a wakeup call for anybody who really pays attention to Paris Hilton close enough that they might end up emulating her," Edwards said of the piece, which is called "The Paris Hilton Autopsy." ... The New York Dolls will play a full set for their fallen comrade at the seventh annual Joey Ramone Birthday Bash, to be held May 19 at the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza. Slinky Vagabond, featuring members of the Sex Pistols, Blondie and David Bowie's touring band, will also perform. ...

Brad Pitt's green building project in New Orleans began construction Thursday, AP reports. An environmentally friendly house, based on the winning design in a competition Pitt staged, is expected to be finished in August and is intended to serve as a model for redevelopment in the area. "I'm crying out for one of our leaders to really make this a priority," Pitt, who is in Prague, said in a statement. ... Jason Wahler has checked into rehab, according to People. The "Laguna Beach" star was sentenced to 60 days in county jail and 36 months' probation after pleading no contest to misdemeanor-battery charges in March. ...

Michael Moore, who has been unabashed in his disdain for the Bush White House, is facing an investigation by the U.S. Treasury Department over his latest film, the health-care exposé, "Sicko." AP reports that the Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker is under scrutiny for taking ailing 9/11 rescue workers to Cuba for treatment earlier this year, allegedly without the proper clearance from the government. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control notified Moore in a May 2 letter that it was conducting a civil investigation for possible violations of the U.S. trade embargo restricting travel to Cuba, AP reports. "Sicko" premieres May 19 at the Cannes Film Festival and hits U.S. theaters on June 29.

05.09.2007

Fergie previewed her solo show Tuesday night with a private concert for contest winners at Franklin High School in Seattle. Her 20-date Verizon VIP Tour — which is skipping paper tickets in favor of cell phone photo-message passes — officially kicks off May 21 with a show in Pittsburgh. Following shows in cities including Cleveland (May 23), Atlanta (June 2), Dallas (June 6) and New York (June 21), the tour will wrap up July 24 in Portland, Oregon. Fergie is also Seventeen's June cover girl, and contributed a "Letter to Me at 17" to the magazine. The 32-year-old calls out her 17-year-old self's "giant bangs" and "bad perm" but congratulates her for not compromising her principles or disrespecting her body. "Sure, you'll be a giant flirt and wear sexy clothes, but you'll never take it to an unhealthy level and act on it," she says in the note. Fergie also warns young Stacy about the rough patches ahead (massive debt, drug addiction) and tells her to stay strong for the big bright spots in her future (Black Eyed Peas, solo success, Josh Duhamel). "Don't worry," she concluded. "You'll always come back to your roots." ...

Paris Hilton is "ready to face the consequences of violating probation," she said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon (May 9) by her attorney, according to The Associated Press. "I do not expect to be treated better than anyone else who violated probation. However, my hope is that I will not be treated worse." The heiress, who has retained a new attorney, DUI specialist Richard Hutton, said she felt the "need to correct what I believe are misperceptions about me." She added that she is not "above the law." ...

Jay-Z swung by New York's City Hall on Wednesday to watch his mother receive a proclamation from the City Council for her "outstanding contributions to the community," AP reports. Gloria Carter oversees the Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund, which offers higher-education aid and mentoring programs for disadvantaged youth, and she helped victims of Hurricane Katrina recover in Houston in 2005. "Very proud of her," Jay-Z said as they left the Council Chambers. ... Diddy, Nelly Furtado and Tom Jones have joined the lineup for the Concert for Diana, a July 1 event that will be held at Wembley Stadium in London to commemorate what would have been the late Princess of Wales' 46th birthday. Kanye West, Pharrell, Elton John, Lily Allen, Joss Stone and Duran Duran are also on the bill. ...

Akon has released a statement in the wake of a video that surfaced online and allegedly featured him dancing suggestively with an underage girl onstage in Trinidad. His statement also comes amid sponsor Verizon pulling out of Gwen Stefani's The Sweet Escape tour, which the rapper has been a part of. "I want to sincerely apologize for the embarrassment and any pain I've caused to the young woman who joined me onstage, her family and the Trinidad community for the events at my concert in Port of Spain on April 12," he said in the statement. "It was never my intention to embarrass or take advantage of my fans in any way, especially those under the age of 18. That is why we tried to make sure that the club did not admit anyone under 18 in the audience. Somehow, that standard was not met. Again, I apologize to those concerned and to all my fans and I pledge to all that we will strive to make sure this type of incident does not happen again." A spokesperson for Verizon confirmed to MTV News that the company has backed out of not just the Stefani tour but a new V Cast cell phone campaign that was set to feature Akon. The spokesperson stated the decision was made for a variety of reasons, not solely the underage-dancing incident. ...

A third woman has now testified that Phil Spector pulled a gun on her in the past, AP reports. Stephanie Jennings said in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday that the record producer previously threatened her with a gun and held her hostage in a hotel room. When she called 911, "[Spector] made the comment that, 'You can call your mom all you want, she can't help you now,' " Jennings said, adding that he didn't realize she was calling the emergency number. Spector was gone by the time police arrived, according to Jennings, and they didn't take her claims seriously. "They were treating me as if I was a call girl," she said. Jennings said she did not press charges and that Spector later invited her to subsequent parties. ...

Katharine McPhee and Kelly Rowland performed a musical tribute to the Bee Gees on Tuesday night as the group was honored at the BMI Pop Awards. The Gibb brothers were saluted as BMI Icons at the event, which was held in Beverly Hills, California. ... Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith is ganging up with an unlikely ally — ex-Black Sabbath frontman Glenn Hughes — for a performance at West Hollywood, California's Whisky a Go Go on June 2. The two worked together on Hughes' solo project from last year, Music for the Divine. This is the singer's first performance in support of the album. ...

Mandy Moore will perform "Extraordinary" on the season finale of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" on May 20. The "Makeover" team will spend the two-hour show rebuilding the home of a single mother with two adopted, HIV-positive sons and lending a hand at Camp Heartland, which helps children with HIV. ... Chrisette Michele, who was featured on singles by both Jay-Z ("Lost One") and Nas ("Can't Forget About You") earlier this year, will open for Musiq Soulchild on tour. The two hit the road beginning July 6 in Baltimore and make stops in cities including Chicago (July 11), Philadelphia (July 20) and Los Angeles (August 4) before wrapping things up August 6 in San Francisco. ...

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah will be in Los Angeles Thursday and Friday shooting scenes for "The Great Buck Howard," a film starring John Malkovich, Tom Hanks and Emily Blunt. CYHSY will play themselves in the film and contribute new songs as well. ... Is Ozzy Osbourne taking a tip from Stephen Colbert and the Decemberists? The Ozzman is asking fans to craft the video for his new single, "I Don't Wanna Stop," using performance footage of him and his band that was shot on green screen from seven angles. The winning entry will be serviced as the official clip for the song. Get your hands on the hi-res footage right here. ... Coheed and Cambria are beginning recording sessions for their next LP with producer Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Stone Sour) in Los Angeles. Bassist Michael Todd, who left the band last August citing unspecified "personal reasons," has returned to the fold, and will contribute to the tentatively titled No World for Tomorrow. The disc should surface this fall, and will be the final chapter in the ongoing saga of Coheed and Cambria Kilgannon, the main characters in a story that wraps all the band's concept albums into one.

• Mariah Carey
• Justin Timberlake
• Kelly Clarkson
• Amy Winehouse
• Evanescence

Britney Spears (file)
Photo: Ethan Miller/ Getty Images

The news happens all the time, even while you're catching up on sleep. Check out this brief rundown to bring you up to speed this morning — a quick heads up from your friends at MTV News.

Here's what we've got:

LaKisha Jones was cut from "American Idol" Wednesday night after a performance of the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive" that left the judges unimpressed and a take on "Run to Me" that ended on a rough note. Relive the week in "Idol" with Jim Cantiello's 60-second recap and check back later today for our exit interview with the ousted "Idol."

You want "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" spoilers but you don't want to completely ruin the movie's surprises? Fair enough. We've got the 'Pirates' details thanks to the film's novelization. Here's a handful of hints: Captain Jack doesn't have all of the best lines, Davy Jones wasn't always a monster and Elizabeth is entrusted with her own pirate ship. ...

And George Lucas told us that the fourth "Indiana Jones" film is not going to avoid the issue of Indy's advancing age. "It's about an old archeologist who still tries to be an action-adventure star," Lucas explained. "It keeps getting harder and harder as he gets older and older, but he still does it very well."

Quote of the Day: "John Mayer working with Alicia Keys, the Fray and Carrot Top? Say it ain't so!" — John Mayer

Here's what everyone else is talking about:

Britney Spears kept her haircut under cover at last week's shows — and this week's paparazzi-crashed shopping trip — but People discovered a review of the buzzcut. "She looks so good she should model," Britney's backup dancer Criscilla Crossland told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. ...

"Georgia Rule" director Garry Marshall says he's responsible for the infamous written reprimand that called Lindsay Lohan irresponsible — and ended up being far from confidential. "Tough love is a part of this business," Marshall told People at the film's New York premiere.

"American Idol" producers are looking for a band to break big. "The Search for the Next Great American Band" — let's hope that's just the working title — was announced on Wednesday night's elimination round, with Ryan Seacrest noting that the show was seeking all types of music being played by people of all ages. This could be good. ...

Maybe tinted windows aren't such a great purchase. Last week they helped bust Busta Rhymes, and this week they had police taking a closer look at Jermaine Dupri. After TMZ.com posted video Wednesday of JD getting pulled over the day before, he explained the nature of the stop to E! News: "I was pulled over because the police said my exhaust pipes were too loud, I had tinted windows and platinum motor plates. Nothing more, nothing less."

Tim Roth is not just any abomination — he's the Abomination. Variety reports that the actor has been cast as Hulk's nemesis in the upcoming "The Incredible Hulk." ... "Terminator" will be back — without Arnold Schwarzenegger and director James Cameron, Variety reports. "Terminator 4" is scheduled for a summer 2009 release. ...

Little Rock, Arkansas, CBS affiliate WTHV reports that last weekend — while fans were buzzing over news that Evanescence dropped two longtime members — Amy Lee was off getting married. ...

Chevelle were robbed Wednesday morning in Dallas, the band announced in a post on its MySpace page titled "Let's Get the Thieves". A trailer full of instruments and equipment was jacked, and without their gear, they've had to scrap their tour until further notice. ...

And Drew Barrymore has been named an ambassador against hunger with the United Nations' World Food program — or has drawn "Angelina duty," as E! News put it. "I can't think of any issue that is more important than working to see that no schoolchild in this world goes hungry," Barrymore said in a statement.

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• 'Idol' In 60 Seconds
• Jordin Sparks' Hometown Lights Up For 'Idol'
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• Britney Spears' Nonstop Night Life
• "American Idol" Season 6 Performances

• Britney Spears
• Lindsay Lohan
• Jermaine Dupri
• Evanescence

Former Evanescence guitarist John LeCompt
Photo: Amy V. Cooper

And then there was one. With the recent departure of drummer Rocky Gray and guitarist John LeCompt, Amy Lee is now the only member of Evanescence left who has been in the band since the release of its smash 2003 breakout album, Fallen.

LeCompt was either fired by the band or decided to move on — depending which account you believe — while Gray left of his own accord recently, making them the latest members of the group to fall by the wayside. Original guitarist/ co-founder Ben Moody left in 2003 (see "Evanescence Singer Says Split With Moody 'For The Best' "), and bassist William Boyd quit last June after three years in the band (see "Evanescence Lose Bassist; Amy Lee Vows To Stay On Schedule").

Though the group's management could not be reached for comment at press time, promising an official statement later in the day on Monday (May 7), Lee posted an undated explanation of the latest lineup changes on the band's official Web site. In the posting, Lee wrote, "Evanescence is alive and well. John and Rocky were in Evanescence for four years and we shared some great times together playing live, but they were ready to move on and so we have parted ways. Evanescence is something I have loved and nurtured since I was 14, and I will continue to protect and fight for it as I always have."

Lee said she and guitarist Terry Balsamo — who replaced Moody in 2003 (see "Evanescence Name New Guitarist") — and bassist Tim McCord — the former Revolution Smile guitarist who replaced Boyd last summer — are "very excited to play live with some amazing new musicians and we will rock harder than ever."

Lee did not say who would replace the pair, but promised that no dates on the group's current tour will be canceled. The band is scheduled to play the Rock on the Range hard rock festival in Columbus, Ohio, on May 19 and co-headline the Family Values tour this summer.

LeCompt's version of the split was not quite as cheerful as Lee's. According to a post on his MySpace blog, LeCompt said he was informed Friday afternoon that he was being fired from the group during a cell phone call with Lee. "This call wasn't from a friend who appreciated me but from an enemy who was prepared to hurt me and my family. Without any warning or negotiations for my future, I was fired for no good reason," he wrote on his site. "We have not always seen eye to eye on everything, but who does? Our common goal was always the same: To make Evanescence the best rock band it could ever be. I have always given blood, sweat and tears to make that happen but apparently that is not enough. I have now become just another of the people fallen by the wayside on the revolving door of her life."

In his own MySpace blog post from Sunday, Gray said he was not able to speak about the split, due to an alleged gag ordered imposed by Evanescence's management. "Amy Lee's management e-mailed me last night to tell me that, in their view, the contract I signed to record, perform and tour with the group says that I'm not allowed to have any free speech in regard to Evanescence," Gray wrote.

"The way they spin it, I'm not even allowed to say I quit the group, I guess. But the news is out there, so, there ya go. I need to have a lawyer read over all that mess to tell me what, when and how I can tell you all — the REAL FANS — what really went down, if I ever can, haha."

Gray said he is preparing to reunite with his old Living Sacrifice band mate Lance Garvin in the group Soul Embraced, with an album due soon. He said he will also continue to play in the group Machina with LeCompt.

• Evanescence

The 2008 Grammy Gift Bag And Gift Lounge

• Evanescence
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AFI, MCR, Killers, Foo Fighters, More At KROQ's Almost Acoustic Christmas 2006

• My Chemical Romance
• AFI
• The Killers
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Justin, Ludacris, Amy Lee And More Announce The 49th Annual Grammy Nominees

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Best of 2006: Live Performances Highlights

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MTV.com Exclusive: Evanescence Photos 10.09.2006

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MTV.com LIVE: Evanescence Photos 08.01.2006

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Nick Lachey, Shakira, 50 Cent, Fall Out Boy, More Arrive At The 2006 VMAs

• Shakira
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MTV.com Exclusive: Evanescence Photos 08.02.2006

• Evanescence

47th Annual Grammy Awards Red Carpet

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Britney Spears, Ashlee Simpson And More On The 2004 Billboard Awards Red Carpet

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