Robin Thicke Delivers Free Song, Confirms New Album

ABC/RICK ROWELLA handwritten note is cool, but Robin Thicke did fans one better.  He shared a brand-new song "Top of the World" over the weekend, tweeting, "A little thank u to my fans please enjoy this free track for summer."

Less than a year after releasing his fifth studio album Love After War, Robin confirms to ABC News Radio that he's working on another disc.  "[I'm] always working on a new album," Robin says.  "I've been writing my own songs since I was 11 [or] 12 years old, so any time I get some time off, the first thing I wanna do is write songs."

Asked what the new project will sound like, Robin says, "I never conceptualize my albums.  I just write what I'm feeling and what I'm going through.  And then at the end of writing 50, or 60 songs, I go, 'Hey, there's a common thread here, that's what we're going for.'"

Last week, Robin helped kick off season one of ABC's new singing competition Duets. He joins fellow singing coaches John Legend, Kelly Clarkson and country singer Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland on the show.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Adam Lambert Goes Sci-Fi for New "Never Close Our Eyes" Video

RCA RecordsAdam Lambert goes the sci-fi route in his new video for his single "Never Close Our Eyes," in which he leads a revolt against an oppressive, Orwellian, futuristic society.

In the clip, Adam wakes up in a futuristic cell and joins a line of his people, who are all dressed the same, marching in formation as cameras watch their every move.  They all take trays and line up to receive their daily dose of capsules, but Adam doesn't take his.  Instead, he crushes it, and a cloud of blue smoke appears.  Everyone then steps into a booth and gets scanned, and their eyes turn black, except for Adam's.  Somehow, the smoke, or the fact that he didn't take the capsule, has prevented him from being "controlled."

Next, we see Adam and his fellow citizens scrubbing floors rhythmically, but he jumps up and leads the charge, encouraging all the zombified folks to "wake up" and join him in escaping.  As they run towards a chain-link fence, policemen wearing riot gear try to repel them with white smoke, but Adam's magic blue smoke reappears and covers him and his companions.  Suddenly, they're all wearing brightly-colored clothing and dancing like crazy, as a rave breaks out.

Speaking about the clip, Adam told Billboard.com, "There's a little sci-fi energy to it. It's very cinematic. It was inspired by a couple different films."

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Joe Walsh to Rock Out with Country Stars, Billy Gibbons on New CMT "Crossroads" Episode

Photo: Andrew MacphersonEagles guitarist Joe Walsh will star in an upcoming special edition of CMT Crossroads, the performance series that pairs country stars with artists from worlds of rock and pop.  The new show, titled CMT Crossroads: Joe Walsh & Friends, will feature the rocker teaming up with such country luminaries as Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Sara Evans, Luke Bryan and Hunter Hayes, as well as with ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons.  The program will premiere June 23 at 11 p.m. ET.

Walsh and his musical buddies will collaborate on tunes from his solo catalog, as well as a few of his Eagles classics. 

"It's an honor and a privilege to be on board for a CMT Crossroads episode," says Walsh in a statement.  "I've hand-picked some old friends and some new friends and we're going to make sure it's a special evening.  Nothing beats country music with a little rock & roll sprinkled on top."

As previously reported, Walsh is set to release Analog Man, his first new solo album in 20 years, on June 5.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Costumes & Props from Taylor Swift's Speak Now Tour Highlighted in New Nashville Exhibit

13 ManagementTaylor Swift's Speak Now World tour enjoyed a blockbuster run of 111 shows in 19 countries on four continents. Now Taylor's fans can relive those tour memories by visiting a new exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee which is opening June 6.

Taylor Swift: Speak Now Treasures from the World Tour, as the exhibit is called, will feature 10 vignettes created using Taylor's costumes, instruments and other props from the show's high-production numbers. Some highlights include Taylor's Roberto Cavalli gold bugle-beaded dress from her performance of "The Story of Us," and the "Juliet balcony" she used to fly around the concert venue at the end of each show during "Love Story."

Taylor's World Tour exhibit will be open at the Country Music Hall of Fame through November 4, 2012. Taylor recently donated $4 million to the Country Music Hall of Fame to build the Taylor Swift Education Center as part of the museum's current expansion project.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley and More Performing with Joe Walsh on CMT's "Crossroads"

Andrew MacphersonKenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Sara Evans, Luke Bryan and Hunter Hayes will join Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh for the special CMT Crossroads: Joe Walsh & Friends premiering Saturday, June 23 at 11 p.m. Eastern. Billy Gibbons of ZZ Topwill also perform on the show.

The stars will collaborate with Joe on his solo hits, as well as a few of his Eagles classics. Joe says, "Nothing beats country music with a little rock & roll sprinkled on top.  We're going to mix up a batch and see what happens. I got a real good feeling about it."

Joe's new solo album, Analog Man, is coming out June 5.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

The Cult Singer Ian Astbury Ties the Knot

Earl Mcgehee/WireImageIan Astbury is officially off the market. The Cult frontman has married his longtime girlfriend, Black Ryder singer/guitarist Aimee Nash, according to People. The wedding took place “at the Little Old Church of the West” in Las Vegas, just before The Cult’s concert at the M Resort on Saturday.  They likely mean the Vegas landmark Little Church of the West.

The couple reportedly met when Nash’s band supported The Cult during their Australian tour and were engaged for several months before getting hitched over weekend.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

The Shins Add More North American Tour Dates

Aural ApothecaryThe Shins are extending their U.S. tour. The band has just announced they’ve added another string of tour dates in support of their latest release, Port of Morrow. The North American trek kicks off on September 22 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle and will make stops in San Diego, Tucson and Nashville, among other cities. 

Pre-sale tickets for most of the shows will begin on Wednesday at 12 p.m. ET. Visit TheShins.com for more information.

Here are the tour dates:

9/22 -- Seattle, WA, Paramount Theatre
9/25 -- Vancouver, BC, Orpheum Theatre
9/26 -- Portland, OR, Keller Auditorium
9/30 -- San Diego, CA, SDSU Open Air Theatre
10/2 -- Universal City, CA, Gibson Amphitheatre
10/3 -- Tucson, AZ, Rialto Theatre
10/4 -- Albuquerque, NM, Kiva Auditorium
10/7 -- Nashville, TN, Ryman Auditorium
10/8 -- Atlanta, GA, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
10/10 -- Houston, TX, House of Blues
10/11 -- Dallas, TX, House of Blues
10/13 -- Austin, TX, Austin City Limits

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Folk & Bluegrass Music Legend Doc Watson Dies

Photo by Douglas Mason/Getty ImagesWFMY-TV in North Carolina reports folk music legend Doc Watson died Tuesday at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, where he was listed in critical condition last week after a fall in his home. He recently underwent abdominal surgery. He was 89 years old.

Watson rose to prominence with the '60s folk movement with his often-emulated flat-picking technique on the acoustic guitar. His recordings kept vintage country songs alive for new generations of folk and bluegrass fans too.

Watson was born March 2, 1923 in Deep Gap, NC.  Blinded by illness before he turned one year old, he nevertheless began playing guitar, banjo and harmonica as a child.

After leaving the School of the Blind in Raleigh, NC, Watson joined a local dance band. In 1960, he met Smithsonian Institute folklorist Ralph Rinzler while playing guitar with old-time recording artist Clarence "Tom" Ashley. Rinzler booked Ashley's band in New York City and Los Angeles, and Watson took over for an ill Ashley. Watson then booked solo gigs and started occasional collaborations with bluegrass forefather Bill Monroe.

After recording a 1967 album with bluegrass legends Flatt & Scruggs, Watson appeared on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's seminal 1972 album Will the Circle Be Unbroken, along with the likes of Roy Acuff and Maybelle Carter of The Carter Family.  The appearance exposed Watson to a broader audience.

Multiple Grammy wins led to Watson receiving the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. He was inducted into the IBMA Hall of Fame in 2000 and received the National Medal of Arts in 1997.

Watson's son Merle played with him until his death in 1985 in a tractor accident on his North Carolina farm. Watson honored his son by founding the long-running Merlefest music festival in North Carolina.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Bob Dylan Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House

Legacy RecordingsBob Dylan was one of 13 luminaries presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday.  The medal, which is the highest honor a U.S. civilian can receive, recognizes important contributions to world peace, culture, the security of the nation or "other significant public or private endeavors."

During the ceremony, the president noted about Dylan, "By the time he was 23, Bob's voice…was redefining not just what music sounded like but the message it carried and how it made people feel.  Today, everybody from Bruce Springsteen to U2 owes Bob a debt of gratitude. There is not a bigger giant in the history of American music."

Obama also pointed out that he was a big Dylan fan, adding, "I remember in college listening to Bob Dylan and my world opening up because he captured something…about this country that was so vital."

The singer/songwriter was in very good company at the event: Among the other Medal of Honor recipients were Sen. John Glenn, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, author Toni Morrison, ex-Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Aaron “Gene Ween” Freeman Leaves Ween

Facebook.com/WeenWeen founding member and lead singer Aaron Freeman, aka Gene Ween, has announced that he is leaving the band.

"It's time to move on," Freeman tells Rolling Stone. "I'm retiring Gene Ween. It's been a long time, 25 years. It was a good run. So that's all. There's no plans for any records or touring for Ween from my end."

The singer added that he’d been considering leaving the band for about eight years now, and that his decision wasn’t based on any issues he has with his band mates. "For me it's a closed book,” explains Freeman. “In life sometimes, in the universe, you have to close some doors to have others open. There's no, 'Goddamn that such and such!' For me, I'd like to think it's a door I can close finally."

Freeman released his debut solo album, Marvelous Clouds, earlier this month; it features covers of songs by singer/poet Rod McKuen.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Rihanna, Drake Holding Hands; Chris Brown, Meek Mill Squabble?

Photo by FilmMagic.com/FilmMagicWhile rumors swirled that Meek Mill and Chris Brown were tweeting back and forth in a tiff over Rihanna, photos reveal that the woman herself was at Liv night club in Miami over the weekend, holding hands and getting cozy with Drake.

There had been rumors that Meek and Rihanna had a fling earlier this month, and the gossip only grew over the weekend when Meek tweeted, "U took me off ya song cause she let me watch da throne! #dreamsandnightmares."  The message has since been deleted.  Rumor had it that Chris had recorded a song with Meek for his upcoming Fortune album, but when the track listing surfaced on the Web this week, Meek's name wasn't listed. 

Never one to bite his tongue, Chris seemed to fire back at Meek on Monday, writing, "She's a dream chaser! There are alot of dreamers so she'll be running forever!"  Meek, whose upcoming album Dreams & Nightmares is due out later this summer, tweeted Monday afternoon, "Dese chicks belong 2 da game....not u! Never get confused and think that's all u!"

Drake seems to have a similar philosophy.  He tweeted on Monday, "Oh that's your ho? That's our ho too. Lol."

So what does Rihanna have to say about all the alleged squabbling over her?  Aside from sharing a photo of herself flipping the bird, and posting some ambiguous tweets like "Typical," "A rat is a rat" and "The best part is that EYE get to choose!," she hasn't commented.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Daniel Powter Premieres "Cupid" Video; Will Perform for Returning Troops

Facebook.com/DanielPowterMusicDaniel Powter's video for his new single "Cupid" is now available on Vevo.  In the sweet and moving clip, Daniel walks along the ocean singing while a gorgeous young couple frolics, kisses and canoodles in bed and on the beach.  They age, buy a house on that same beach, have a family, grow old together and ultimately renew their vows on the same beach.

Cupid is the first single from Daniel's new album Turn on the Lights, which is due August 14.

In other Daniel Powter news, the singer will perform June 1 at the 63rd Regional Support Command Yellow Ribbon Event in Los Angeles.  The Yellow Ribbon program helps returning troops from Iraq and Afghanistan reintegrate into civilian life.  

Even though he's Canadian, Daniel said in a statement, "I have an enormous amount of respect for the men and women in the US. military.  I absolutely support the troops who put their lives on the line for all of us, day in and day out. That's why it is my honor to play at the Yellow Ribbon Event.”

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Nicole Scherzinger to Guest-Judge UK "X Factor" Auditions; Will She Find Another One Direction?

Interscope RecordsShe may have been let go from the American version of Simon Cowell's X Factor, but it looks like Nicole Scherzinger is still good enough for the U.K. version of the show.  The X Factor's Twitter feed featured the following note on Tuesday: "The gorgeous @NicoleScherzy will be Guest Judge at tomorrow's auditions. (Which start at 11am, punctuality fans)."

The former Pussycat Dolls singer then followed that announcement up by tweeting, "Super excited to be back in London for @TheXFactor! Can’t wait to find more unique and interesting talent!”

It's no wonder the show wants Nicole to be involved.  Her big accomplishment during a previous stint as a guest judge on The X Factor UK in 2010 was suggesting that five young men who didn't make the cut as solo male singers in the competition get together as a boy band and go forward in the Groups category. 

Those guys took her suggestion, called themselves One Direction, came in third and are now conquering stages and charts in the U.S. while driving girls crazy worldwide.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Kenny Chesney Endorses Eric Church's Approach to Building a Country Career

ABC/Ida Mae AstuteEric Church got into some hot water a few weeks ago for making disparaging remarks in Rolling Stone about music competition shows like American Idol and The Voice. Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton, who have both taken part in these kinds of shows, took issue with Eric's stance, but it looks like Kenny Chesney has Eric's back on this one.

When asked who he likes among the current crop of rising country stars, Kenny applauds Eric's approach to building his fan base through constant touring and staying true to himself as an artist.

"There's a difference between having a few songs on the radio and having a career," Kenny tells Entertainment Weekly, "and the one who stands out the most to me is Eric Church. He's a real artist. He didn't come up on some karaoke contest."

Kenny adds that he likes the way Eric is handling his business right now. He says, "It isn't the only way, but it might be the most honest way, and the way that usually works out the best."

Kenny is quick to point to the success of Carrie Underwood as an example of someone who got it right after starting their career on a TV show.

Kenny is in intense prep mode right now for his Brothers of the Sun tour with Tim McGraw, launching Saturday night in Tampa, FL.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Ann Wilson Says Next Heart Album, "Fanatic," Will Arrive in October

Heart-Music.comHeart's first-ever career-spanning box set, Strange Euphoria, will be released on June 5, but the band also has a new studio album in the works.  Speaking recently with Minnesota TV station WCCO, frontwoman Ann Wilson says she's "real excited about" the collection of new tunes, which will be titled Fanatic.

The singer reports that the album is "way more rock-heavy" than Heart's previous record, 2010's Red Velvet Car.

"It's got 10 songs on it and I think two of them are what you'd call ballads," Wilson adds.  She also reveals that Fanatic is "going to be released on October 2."

Among the tunes included on the upcoming record is "Dear Old America," which Ann says is inspired by the United States' recent military conflicts.

"[It's] from the perspective of a soldier in…Afghanistan or Iraq and what it's like to be them and what goes through their mind," she explains, "and coming back to America after they go through that."

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Coldplay Releases Behind-the-Scenes Tour Video

Sarah LeeColdplay wants to give us an idea of what they do before hitting the stage to entertain thousands of fans on their current world tour. They've released a behind-the-scenes video that features members of the band playing soccer, and frontman Chris Martin meeting with crew members as they prepare for their concert at Drago Stadium in Porto, Portugal. In addition, the 82-second clip features a snippet of the band’s live performance of “Hurts Like Heaven” from the concert.

Coldplay are currently on tour overseas, but they'll return to the states to kick off their North American trek on June 22 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Bieber Photog Case Being Referred to L.A. Sheriff's Dept.

Facebook.com/JustinBieberJustin Bieber's alleged run-in with a photographer on Sunday isn't going away anytime soon.  The L.A. County Sheriff's Department confirms to ABC News that they will be forwarding the case to the L.A. County D.A. for possible criminal prosecution.

The photographer, who has not been identified, said Justin struck him in the face as the singer and his girlfriend Selena Gomez exited a shopping center in Calabasas, California. Witnesses told ABC News that the photographer was blocking Justin’s car, leading to the star’s reaction.

Justin and Selena left before the authorities could arrive, KABC reported. But the photographer complained of pain and insisted on an ambulance. He also filed a police report, alleging battery, but sources tell TMZ he only did so after a lawyer passing by suggested that he could get some money out of it.

Sheriff’s officials said the photographer was transported to a nearby hospital where he was treated and released. The photographer has already been interviewed by sheriff's detectives. Justin is wanted for questioning, but he's currently in Norway on a promotional tour for his upcoming album Believe. If Justin is convicted, he could face up to six months in jail.

Justin has not commented on the confrontation, but took to Twitter early Monday morning to say, “gonna focus on the important stuff, the music.”

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Elvis Presley's Crypt to Be Sold at Auction

Legacy RecordingsThe crypt where Elvis Presley was first laid to rest before his body was reburied at Graceland will go under the auctioneer's hammer next month.  The private crypt, located in the mausoleum at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis, will be just one of many rock 'n' roll memorabilia items scheduled to be sold by Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills.

Presley was interred in the private crypt alongside his mother Gladys for about two months after he died in August 1977 while his father waited for permission to perform a burial at the singer's Graceland estate.  The crypt, which has remained empty ever since, is being offered at a starting price of $100,000.

Other items featured in the upcoming sale include a gold medallion worn by Presley, a cigarette pack signed by The Beatles, a fedora Michael Jackson sported during his famous Apollo Theatre perfromance, a faded T-shirt that belonged to The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards and a collection of Chinese ceramic dogs once owned by Meat Loaf. The auction will run June 23 and 24.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Phillip Phillips' Surgery Postponed Due to Fever

Michael Becker/FOXPoor Phillip Phillips.  The American Idol champ was scheduled to have kidney surgery Tuesday, but now he can't -- because he's too sick.

TMZ reports that Phillip was going to go under the knife to correct his congenital kidney condition, which has required eight previous surgeries, but he can't because he's developed a bad sinus infection. That, in turn, has caused his temperature to soar, and surgeons won't operate on him in that condition. The surgery has now been rescheduled for early next week.

Phillip said that he expects to be in fighting form by the time the American Idol tour kicks off July 6.  Hopefully, the delay in surgery will still leave him enough time to recover and rehabilitate.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Pink & Hubby Enjoy Date Night in Las Vegas

Mark Ralston/AFPGetty ImagesAs the parents of a one-year-old, they rarely get time on their own, but Pink and her husband Carey Hart made a point of sharing several special date nights recently in Las Vegas.

People magazine reports that Pink, Carey and four friends dined at a sushi restaurant, and then checked out the spectacular Cirque du Soleil show O at the Bellagio Hotel in Vegas.  An onlooker told People that Pink had a glass of wine during the show -- which is notable since she recently told Cosmopolitan magazine that she gave up drinking because she's nursing daughter Willow.

According to People, the following night, Pink and Carey saw yet another Cirque du Soleil show, Zumanity, at the New York New York Hotel & Casino, and there, Pink drank bottled water.  Then, the singer went right back to their hotel so she could spend time with Willow.  An onlooker told People that Pink said, "This is the latest I've stayed out since [the baby]."

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio