Black Eyed Peas' All-Star NYC Concert Canceled Due to Weather

Kevin Mazur/WireImage(NEW YORK) -- The Black Eyed Peas' benefit concert at New York's Central Park Thursday night, which was also to feature Taylor Swift and Natasha Bedingfield, among others, was a washout.

The show was supposed to start at 7:30 p.m. but was delayed for an hour and then canceled due to severe thunderstorms that swept across the New York/New Jersey area.  It's unclear if the concert will be rescheduled.

The show, which was expected to draw over 60,000 people, was also scheduled to include Debbie Harry, Carole King, LL Cool J, and MC Hammer. Actors Whoopi Goldberg, Zach Braff, and Jimmy Smits were also scheduled to make appearances throughout the night.

The concert was going to benefit the Robin Hood Foundation, which fights poverty in New York City.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Black Eyed Peas, Others Ready to Rock NYC's Central Park

Kevin Mazur/WireImage(NEW YORK) -- Over the years, superstars ranging from Elton John to Diana Ross to Garth Brooks to Bon Jovi have given concerts in New York City's famed Central Park -- and Thursday night, the Black Eyed Peas will become the latest act to rock the park's Great Lawn.

More than 60,000 people are expected to attend the show, the bill for which also includes Taylor Swift, Natasha Bedingfield, Carole King, Debbie Harry of Blondie, and MC Hammer.  Actors Whoopi Goldberg, Zach Braff, and Jimmy Smits will also make appearances throughout the night.

The whole shebang is designed to raise money for, and raise awareness of, the Robin Hood Foundation, which fights poverty in New York City.  The Robin Hood Foundation is also supporting the opening of three music and art schools in New York City for the Peas' own charity, the Peapod Foundation.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Taylor Swift to Join Black Eyed Peas for NYC Central Park Concert

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- The Black Eyed Peas are welcoming a special guest to their massive concert in New York City's Central Park on Thursday. Broadway World reports that Taylor Swift will be joining the lineup, which already includes Carole King, Natasha Bedingfield, Debbie Harry, LL Cool J, and MC Hammer.

The concert is a fundraiser for the Robin Hood Foundation, which fights poverty in New York City, as well as for the Peas' own Peapod charitable foundation.

In a statement, Fergie said, "We are thrilled to have Taylor on board to benefit two very important causes. Not only will she will be an amazing addition to our lineup, she is an incredible inspiration to people of all ages and her music gives a voice to those who feel left behind."

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Fergie Wants to Be a Reality Show Judge

Michael Tran/FilmMagic(NEW YORK) -- Hey, if it's good enough for Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, then it's good enough for Fergie. 

The Blacked Eyed Peas singer tells The New York Post that she'd "love to get involved in judging a talent show like American Idol."  Fergie adds, "I could go for that 100 percent. I'm always judging myself, the band, other artists' music -- so it would be a natural." 

When asked if she could be "mean," like Simon Cowell, Fergie admitted, "I don't think I could be mean, but I could be truthful. I am very frank when it comes to honesty."

The paper then called her on her honesty, asking her to reveal which member of the Black Eyed Peas has the biggest ego.  Her response: "How can you ask that?  Are you trying to get me in trouble with the guys?  We all have pretty big egos."

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Black Eyed Peas Add Multiple Artists to NYC Charity Concert Bill

Kevin Mazur/WireImage(NEW YORK) -- The Black Eyed Peas won't be taking the stage alone for their charity concert in New York City's Central Park on June 9.

The New York Post reports that Natasha Bedingfield, LL Cool J, MC Hammer, Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry, and even legendary singer/songwriter Carole King have joined the bill for the event, at which Whoopi Goldberg, Zach Braff and Jimmy Smits will also make appearances.

The concert, at the Park's famous Great Lawn, will benefit the Robin Hood Foundation, which works to fight poverty in New York City, as well as the Peas' own Peapod Foundation.  Fifty-four thousand tickets have been given away by lottery, reports The Post, and another 6,000 are for sale at RobinHood.org.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Black Eyed Peas Performing on 'Dancing with the Stars' Finale

Kevin Mazur/WireImage(LOS ANGELES) -- The Black Eyed Peas will perform on the season finale of ABC's Dancing with the Stars on Tuesday night, performing their latest single, Don't Stop the Party.

The competition will wrap up its 12th season by crowning either Kirstie Alley, Chelsea Kane or Hines Ward as its new champion. The results show begins at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time on ABC.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Black Eyed Peas Announce Free Concert in NYC's Central Park

Kevin Mazur/WireImage(NEW YORK) -- The Black Eyed Peas have announced a free concert in New York City's Central Park on June 9.  The show will benefit the Robin Hood Foundation, which fights poverty in New York City, and the Peas' recently-launched music academies for at-risk youth in the city.  Despite the fact that the show is free, tickets will be required.

In a statement, Fergie said, "We are thrilled to follow in the footsteps of icons such as Simon & Garfunkel and Diana Ross by performing a free concert for our fans in Central Park. But more importantly, we are performing to benefit Robin Hood's efforts to help those living in poverty in New York City and to help disadvantaged youth in New York with the launch of our Peapod Academy."

The last major free pop/rock concert in Central Park was Bon Jovi in 2008.  Others who have performed include The Dave Matthews Band, Garth Brooks and Elton John.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Black Eyed Peas Launching Music Academy in New York City

Kevin Mazur/WireImage(NEW YORK) -- Though their Peapod Foundation charity, the Black Eyed Peas have established music academies in their home state of California that empower young people.

Now, they're taking that model across the country and opening their first such academy in New York City.

The Peapod Youth Voices Academy will make leading technologies for art, dance, music and video production available to under-served youth, to encourage self-expression, creativity and digital literacy.  The school will open in July, with programs for kids aged 13-19.

In a statement, Will.i.am said, "Our passion for music and media was fueled by many generous people on our road to success.  Expanding the network of...academies enables us to pay it forward, giving more youth the skills and encouragement they need to realize their dreams."

In announcing plans for the academy, Fergie told a group of kids, "We are here to be that support that I had from my mother.  I want to be the support for whatever dreams you have and give you the strength to say, look, you can achieve whatever you want to achieve."

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Performers Announced for 'Billboard' Music Awards

Jamie McCarthy/WireImage(NEW YORK) -- The first performers have been announced for the Billboard Music Awards, which are back after several years on hiatus.

The lineup for the show, which will air live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 22 on ABC, includes Rihanna, The Black Eyed Peas, Jennifer Lopez, Taio Cruz and Lady Antebellum.

Nominations for the awards show will be announced Wednesday.

The event is open to the public and tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster.com.

The Billboard Music Awards will be given out based on Billboard chart rankings, and will cover a variety of music genres including R&B, rap, pop, country, rock, alternative and Latin.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

New Black Eyed Peas Video Dedicated to the People of Japan

WireImage/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) -- The Black Eyed Peas are turning their new video into a tribute to the people of Japan, currently suffering through the aftermath of last week's devastating earthquake and tsunami.  The clip, for the song "Just Can't Get Enough," was shot over three days in that country just days before the earthquake hit.  According to the Peas' record label, the video opens with the message, "This video was filmed in Japan one week before the earthquake. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the people of Japan. We love you."

Fergie says of the clip, "It was the easiest video I ever shot, because it was us living our lives...it's showing a true perspective of how it can sometimes be lonely on the road away from our loved ones."  She adds, "It also demonstrates the love and connection we have with Japan. Our heart goes out to all of the Japanese people who have been affected by this natural disaster." 

Group member Taboo adds, "It was an amazing moment in time because Japan has always been my favorite place on the planet and it was great to do our video there!  God bless the Japanese...our love goes out to them."

The clip closes with a request for fans to donate to the Red Cross.  It's set to premiere Thursday, the same day that the Peas perform the song on the American Idol results show.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio