Actress Barbara Rush (”Peyton Place”) is 83. Actress Dyan Cannon is 73. Country singer Kathy Forester of the Forester Sisters is 55. Guitarist Bernard Sumner of New Order (and Joy Division) is 54. Actress Ann Magnuson (”Anything but Love”) is 54. Country singer Patty Loveless is 53. Singer Michael Stipe of R.E.M. is 50. Actor Dave Foley (”NewsRadio,” “Kids in the Hall”) is 47. Actress Julia Ormond is 45. Country singer Deana Carter is 44. Harmonica player Benjamin Darvill of Crash Test Dummies is 43. Actor Jeremy Licht (”Valerie”) is 39. Actress Jill Marie Jones (”Girlfriends”) is 35.

−AP

Continue reading Celebrity birthdays Jan. 4: R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, Julia Ormond, Patty Loveless, Jill Marie Jones »

Morris Day and the Time will be doing “The Bird” and “Jungle Love” for the masses at Underground Atlanta New Year’s Eve.

The group, best known as Prince’s proteges, always give an energetic show and will headline the 21st annual event, which is free. The event often draws more than 100,000 people a year and is considered the largest New Year’s gathering in the Southeast. For many folks, it’s the only time of year they actually go to Underground.

Past headliners have included Atlanta’s own Collective Soul, Sister Hazel, Edwin McCain, Lonestar, Miranda Lambert, Julianne Hough and Little Richard.

Morris Day will hit the stage at 11:15 p.m.

From the press release:

For the safety and enjoyment of Peach Drop, Underground Atlanta asks that the following items NOT be brought onto the property: Pets, bags, backpacks, coolers, picnic baskets, recording devices, roller blades, bikes, skateboards, lawn chairs, weapons and alcoholic beverages (alcoholic beverages can be purchased on the …

Continue reading Morris Day and the Time headlining the Peach Drop »

It’s a bit of a light week for new music for Dec. 15. But there are new CDs by Alicia Keys (”The Element of Freedom”), Robin Thicke (”Sex Therapy”) and country music’s Phil Vassar (”Traveling Circus”).

Get info on the AJC’s Music Scene.

Continue reading CD releases Dec. 15 include Alicia Keys, Robin Thicke, Phil Vassar »

New CDs being released Dec. 8 include:

Chris Brown, Graffiti

The first single, “I Can Transform Ya,” is probably what the R&B singer is hoping for himself (check out his Atlanta show).

“Glee: The Music – Season 1, Volume 2”

The TV show has created a cult-like following in just one season. Listen to some of the reasons why.

Jimmy Buffett, “Buffet Hotel”

Parrotheads have new music to worship. The singer/songwriter’s latest CD includes 12 new singles and a 24-page booklet.

The Clipse, “Til the Casket Drops”

Rap duo drops its much anticipated third CD.

Gucci Mane, “The State vs. Radric Davis”

The Atlanta rapper, who had his CD release party last night at Esso, has had his share of legal woes recently. Could that be marketing tie-ins with the album title?

Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond

The “Dancing with the Stars” king and NutriSystem queen team up for their first CD together in more than 3 decades.

Puddle of Mudd, “Volume 4: Songs in the Key of Love & …

Continue reading CD releases: Dec. 8 includes Jimmy Buffett, Chris Brown, Glee »

We usually get a mix of major releases and box sets or reissues just in time for holiday shopping. Here are some of the new CD releases for Nov. 23 and 24.

Susan Boyle, “I Dreamed a Dream”

This Brit singer took the world, and most notably Simon Cowell, by storm on “Britain’s Got Talent” competition this summer. She was runner-up

Beyonce, “I Am … Yours. An Intimate Performance a the Wynn Las Vegas”

This CD/DVD is related to the “Sasha Fierce” deluxe reissue with bonus tracks. Not sure how much “bonus” there is though.

James Brown, “The Godfather’s Smackdown: Live!”

This CD/DVD pulls from the late performer’s 1980 U.S. tour. But the title alone might be worth the buy.

Bill Cosby, “Bill Cosby Presents the Cosnarati: State of Emergency”

It’s being touted as a socially conscious rap album. Knowing Cosby’s history, we’re sure it will ruffle at least a few feathers.

Bob Dylan, “Christmas in the Heart”

Holiday music with bonus CD

Lady …

Continue reading CD releases: Nov. 23-24 include Rihanna, Adam Lambert, Susan Boyle »

What do “American Idol” alum Adam Lambert, country starlet Taylor Swift and singer/actress J. Lo have in common? They all count as most memorable moments for the 2009 American Music Awards (Red carpet photos • Show photos).

• Let’s start with the final act. The eyeliner wearing, glamtastic Lambert brought the show to a screeching halt. Literally. (Read AJC blogger Rodney Ho’s run-down of “Idol” vets including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Paula Abdul and Ryan Seacrest). His dominatrix-like performance, capped by a dancer’s face getting extra cozy with him – below the belt – lit Twitter up. People were shocked and awed by the audaciously “sexy” moves and some parents were reportedly not thrilled with ABC.

• Swift continues her country music ascension, claiming five awards including Entertainer of the Year. Even though she was in London, she accepted the awards via satellite and just as surprised each and every single time.

• In a bit of comic relief, …

Continue reading Adam Lambert, J Lo, Taylor Swift set off firestorm at AMAs 2009 »

John Mayer says working with Taylor Hicks wasn’t just a gimmick.

With his new CD “Battle Studies” out this week, the former Atlantan said that he needed a “Stevie Nicks” to pair with his “Tom Petty” kind of mood because he had written a song that was melodic and to the point.

Of course now that Taylor has been crowned the Princess of country, complete with her history-making CMA for Entertainer of the Year, everyone in the music biz will want a piece of her.

Continue reading John Mayer, Taylor Swift team up on new CD »

(AP)

AJC Radio/TV blogger Rodney Ho gave us the rundown on last night’s 43rd CMA country music awards show.

Basically, Taylor Swift was crowned Queen B − she nabbed the Entertainer of the Year award, the youngest and the first solo female to do so since Shania Twain in 1999.

He also reported that performers with local connections, including Sugarland and Lady Antebellum, claimed awards.

Do you think Taylor deserved the top prize? What about vocalist of the year?

Continue reading CMA Awards 2009: Happy with winners, losers? »

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Country music’s biggest names will hit Nashville tonight for the 43rd CMA Awards.

Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley (the leading nominee with 7 nods) will co-host, perform and vie for a few trophies.

We can expect to see the likes of Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Zac Brown Brown, George Strait and many others.

Of course, country’s sweetheart, Taylor Swift, will be on hand to open the show. The 19-year-old – second only to Michael Jackson this year in terms of sales – is competing for the top spot.

While Chesney has predictably won Entertainer of the Year for five years, she could give him a run for his money. And she could give a bit of competition to Underwood, who’s won Female Vocalist of the Year three times in a row.

Who do you think will/should win?

The show airs tonight at 8 p.m. on …

Continue reading Can Taylor Swift take top CMA Award? »