May 10

Akon apologises for raunchy dance
[source: NME.com] Akon has apologised for performing a raunchy dance with a 14-year-old girl at a concert last month in Trinidad.
The singer came under fire when video footage of the dance appeared online, showing him simulating sex with the young audience member. Yesterday it was revealed the sponsors of Gwen Stefani's tour have pulled their association because Akon was the opening act.
Akon told Associated Press he was sorry for the incident but was unaware the girl was underage. The singer blamed the club's promoters for allowing the girl on the premises.
"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 the club did not admit anyone under 18," he said. "Somehow, that standard was not met."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Akon.aspx


The Rolling Stones move Belgrade concert
[source: NME.com] The Rolling Stones will move their forthcoming Belgrade concert to avoid traumatising hundreds of horses.
The band were scheduled to play the city's Hippodrome on Saturday July 14 but animal protection society ORCA feared 300 horses housed in nearby stables would suffer trauma from the noise. It is now expected the show will be moved to the city's Usce Park.
This will be the band's first ever performance in Serbia. In 2003, they scrapped a show after the assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, while last year's planned performance was cancelled when Keith Richards hurt his head after falling from a coconut tree.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Rolling-Stones-The.aspx


Christina Aguilera to launch fragrance
[source: NME.com] Christina Aguilera is preparing to launch her own perfume.
US consumer giant Procter & Gamble will stump up the major investment for its first fragrance for the singer, with whom it signed a licensing agreement in January of this year. The perfume, called Simply Christina Aguilera, will be launched globally.
Presented in a curvy glass bottle, intended to mirror the singer's silhouette, the fragrance will be supported by a print ad campaign featuring Aguilera's bare back painted with a black lace design. It features the tagline: "Sometimes it's all you need to wear".

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Christina-Aguilera.aspx


Darren Hanlon heads out on the road
Former Candle Records favourite Darren Hanlon is preparing to embark on a tour that will see the songsmith trek to regional towns across the country.
Regarded as one of Australia's best lyricists, Hanlon is renowned for his unique Aussie imagery and witty, well crafted pop songs.
His third album, Fingertips And Mountaintops, was recorded in an old cinema in his hometown of Gympie, Queensland. Tickets for the Touching Elbows tour are on sale now.

Tour dates:

Wednesday June 6 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
Thursday June 7 – Gallipoli Legions Club, Newcastle
Friday June 8 – Factory Theatre, Enmore
Sunday June 10 – Brisbane Powerhouse
Wednesday June 13 – Ruby's Lounge, Belgrave
Thursday June 14 – East Brunswick Club, East Brunswick
Friday June 15 – Jade Monkey, Adelaide
Saturday June 16 – Mojo's Bar, Fremantle
Sunday June 17 – Mojo's Bar, Fremantle
Friday June 22 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
Saturday June 23 – Tilleys Divine Cafe, Canberra
Sunday June 24 – The Lane, Alice Springs
Tuesday July 26 – Live at Peko Park, Tennant Creek
Thursday June 28 – Happy Yess, Darwin

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Darren-Hanlon.aspx


Tanya Tucker's dog attacks manicurist
US country singer Tanya Tucker – famous for hits such as "Delta Dawn" and "San Antonio Stroll" – is being sued by her manicurist.
Danielle D. Hobbs has launched a AU$362,000 lawsuit against Tucker, claiming she was attacked by the singer's pet dog when she visited Tucker's home on Wednesday May 2.
Tucker owns eight canines, who Hobbs claimed growled at her during two previous visits. Despite telling Tucker's assistant she was afraid of the pets, Hobbs said she was admonished and told they were "just babies" and "they will not hurt you".
"This lawsuit comes as a total surprise and has been filed without merit," Tucker's publicist, Kirt Webster, said.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Tanya-Tucker.aspx


OK Go head to Australia
US outfit OK Go – you might know them as the guys who star in a memorable, choreographed video onboard running machines – are currently in the studio putting the finishing touches to their upcoming album, their second for Capitol Records.
Recorded in Malmö, Sweden, the band teamed with super-producer Tore Johansson for the LP. Johansson has worked with bands such as The Cardigans and Scottish art rockers Franz Ferdinand.
Now, before the release of new LP Oh No, the treadmill dancers are heading to Australia for their first visit. Tickets go on sale this Friday (May 11).

Tour dates:

Thursday August 2 – The Zoo, Brisbane
Friday August 3 – The Forum, Sydney
Saturday August 4 – HI Far Bar & Ballroom
Sunday August 5 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide
Monday August 6 – Capitol, Perth

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Ok-Go.aspx


APRA Awards nominees announced
The nominees for the 2007 Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA) Awards were revealed yesterday during a press conference in Sydney.
Celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, the awards honour Australian composers and songwriters for "outstanding contributions to the industry". Leading the pack is Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning, who's up for five gongs, including Most Performed Australian Work and Most Performed Blues & Roots Work.
First-time nominees Gotye and Augie March are up against Wolfmother, Eskimo Joe and John Butler for Song Of The Year, while Butterfingers, Phrase, DJ Peril, Jade McCrae and TZU will battle it out for Most Performed Urban Work.
Sydney songsmith Josh Pyke is nominated for a couple of awards, including Most Performed Blues & Roots Work. Interestingly, some 25 years after their release, classic hits "Love Is In The Air" and "Highway To Hell" are nominated (yet again) for the Most Performed Australian Work Overseas.
The APRA awards will be held at the Melbourne Town Hall on Tuesday June 5.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Bernard-Fanning.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Butterfingers.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Josh-Pyke.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Gotye2.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Tzu.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Augie-March.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Ac-Dc.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/John-Butler-Trio.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Wolfmother.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Eskimo-Joe.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Phrase.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/John-Paul-Young.aspx


Pink announces extra dates to sold-out tour
US singer Pink has added three new shows to the Australian leg of her I'm Not Dead tour.
The star will now play 35 arena dates, finishing in Brisbane on Friday June 8. Incredibly, that's almost two months since she arrived on our shores.
Melbourne's Sun Herald described the singer's concert as, "a knockout… impossible not to be swept up in the excitement".
The new shows go on sale Friday May 18 at 9am.

Tour dates:

Wednesday May 30 – Adelaide, Entertainment Centre
Thursday June 7 – Sydney Entertainment Centre
Friday June 8 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Pink.aspx