Michael Buble Reveals What Would Make Him Give Up Music

Courtesy Michael Buble via InstagramMusic is pretty much Michael Buble's life, but he says there's one thing that would make him hang up his microphone...and no, it's not the fact that he's about to become a first-time father.

For a feature in US Weekly magazine called "25 Things You Don't Know About Me," Michael reveals, "I would give up singing to be a hockey player."  He's not kidding: Michael's crazy about hockey.  In fact, when he goes on tour, his list of backstage demands always includes a puck from the local hockey team.  He's also a minority owner of the Vancouver Giants junior hockey team.

Among the other things Michael reveals about himself in the article:

--As a teen, he had both ears pierced and listened to Guns N' Roses and AC/DC.
--When he's at dinner with friends, he often orders everything on the menu for the table.
--He's never watched myself on TV after a performance.
--His favorite movie is The Princess Bride.
--He loves taking his wife to Disney World, adding, "We even honeymooned there and slept in Cinderella's castle."
--He met the Queen of England, but says, "I freaked out more when I met Oscar the Grouch!"

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Pitbull, Jessica Sanchez to Perform on "Dancing with the Stars" Finale

ABC/Tim OgierPitbull's song "Feel This Moment" has been the de facto theme song for ABC's Dancing with the Stars this season, so it's no surprise that the rapper will be appearing on the show's big finale on Tuesday night.

Pit will hit the ballroom to perform his latest single, "Hands Up."  Meanwhile, in the absence of Christina Aguilera, Jessica Sanchez, last year's American Idol runner-up, will sing "Feel This Moment" -- we assume Pit will be joining her for that.

This is just the latest high-profile TV appearance for Pitbull, who appeared on the American Idol finale last week and on the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday night.  Jessica, meanwhile, was seen on the season finale of Glee.

Those artists won't be the only ones performing during Dancing's two-hour season finale: PSY will pop up to perform his latest hit, "Gentleman," while country star Wynonna, who was a contestant this season but who was eliminated early on, will sing the Foreigner classic "I Want to Know What Love Is."

The fun starts Tuesday night at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Jared Leto Says 30 Second to Mars Isn’t Just a Band, It’s an “Art Project”

Jared LetoFrontman Jared Leto believes that 30 Seconds to Mars is much more than your average band. The singer says his group is dedicated to being creative both inside and outside the recording studio.

“We’ve always thought about 30 Seconds to Mars not just as a band but an art project,” he tells MTV U.K. “A place where we would make music, we would make books, we would make art in general, short films, documentaries. I mean, really the music is the glue that binds it all together but it’s certainly not just about the music.”

30 Seconds to Mars is set to drop their fourth studio album, Love Lust Faith + Dreams, on Tuesday. Leto says the upcoming release was easier to make than their previous album, This Is War, mostly because they’re no longer in trouble with record label EMI.   “[Love Lust Faith + Dreams] is a very personal record,” Leto explains. “It was a fun album to make because we weren’t being sued for $30 million by our record company...so it was a different atmosphere.” 

EMI slapped 30 Seconds to Mars with the lawsuit when the band tried to leave the label in 2007.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Easton Corbin and Dustin Lynch Playing Country Weekly CMA Music Festival Kickoff Concert

Mercury NashvilleCountry Weekly has announced plans for its annual CMT Music Festival kickoff event, set for June 4.  Easton Corbin, Dustin Lynch, Greg Bates and Chris Janson are on the bill for the show, which will take place at Nashville's Hard Rock Café.

Proceeds from the show will benefit Musicians on Call in the organization's work to bring music to patients' bedsides.  Tickets are now on sale at StayClassy.org.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Ex-Derek and the Dominos Drummer Jim Gordon Denied Parole for at Least Five More Years

Jim McCrary/RedfernsOne-time Derek and the Dominos drummer Jim Gordon, who's been in prison since killing his mother in 1983, was denied parole last month and won't be able to apply for it again until at least 2018.  According to Rolling Stone, a transcript from the hearing reveals that a California parole-board panel considers the 67-year-old musician "a danger to society if released from prison," noting that he's unwilling to take court-ordered medication.

Gordon stabbed his 71-year-old mother to death at her Los Angeles-area home in June 1983.  At the time of his arrest, he claimed that he was driven to the act because he'd been hearing the voice of his mother tormenting him for years.

Rolling Stone reports that Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Alexis de la Garza told the panel that Gordon continues to exhibit symptoms of schizophrenia and that he's "medically and psychologically noncompliant."  He added that the musician "is seriously psychologically incapacitated, and he is a danger when he is not taking his medication."

The transcript of the proceedings also reveals that at a 2005 hearing, Gordon thought that his mother was still alive.  In addition, before the new hearing, the drummer would not meet with his lawyer, who unsuccessfully attempted to get the hearing pushed back until next year.

The panel suggested that Gordon needed to seek help for substance abuse, noting that it would make a final decision in August regarding the next hearing not taking place for another five years.

In addition to playing drums for Derek and the Dominos, Gordon also composed the famous piano coda that's heard at the end of the band's classic song "Layla."  He also drummed on dozens of other popular albums, including The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, John Lennon's Imagine, George Harrison's All Things Must Pass, Steely Dan's Pretzel Logic and Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen.

Before killing his mother, Gordon had experienced years of erratic behavior that included abusive incidents with women, problems with substance abuse and violent confrontations with fellow musicians.  He also had checked himself into hospitals seeking help on many occasions.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys Film Lands U.S. Distributor

ABC/RICK ROWELLThe Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete, an upcoming movie starring Jennifer Hudson, has just been picked up for U.S. distribution by CodeBlack Films, according to Deadline.com.  Alicia Keys is among the project's executive producers, and she also served as the film's composer.

Audiences got an early look at The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete when it debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January.  The movie follows a 13-year-old boy, Mister, and his 9-year-old friend, Pete, as they navigate life in New York City on their own.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Kinks Guitarist Dave Davies' New Album, "I Will Be Me," Streaming Online Now

Cleopatra RecordsFounding Kinks guitarist Dave Davies' new album, I Will Be Me, won't be released until June 4, but the legendary rocker is giving fans the chance to preview the collection online now.  All of the album's 13 tracks currently are streaming at Cleopatra Records' SoundCloud page.

I Will Be Me features guest appearances by an eclectic group of musicians, including veteran U.K. guitarist Chris Spedding, alt-country band The Jayhawks, punk group Anti-Flag, young stoner band Dead Meadow, Australian rock act The Art and British blues man Oli Brown.  Davies will be selling copies of the album during his upcoming U.S. tour, which kicks off with a three-night stand, May 27-29, at the City Winery in New York City.  He'll also be playing a free June 4 show at the same venue as part of the fifth annual Hudson Square Music & Wine Festival.

Here are all of Dave Davies' stateside tour dates:

5/27 -- New York, NY, City Winery
5/28 -- New York, NY, City Winery
5/29 -- New York, NY, City Winery
5/30 -- Shirley, MA, The Bull Run
5/31 -- Norfolk, CT, Infinity Hall
6/1 -- Bethlehem, PA, Musikfest Café
6/2 -- Fall River, MA, Narrows Center for the Arts
6/4 -- New York, NY, City Winery - Hudson Square Music & Wine Festival (free show)
6/6 -- Hermosa Beach, CA, Sainte Rock
6/7 -- San Juan Capistrano, CA, The Coach House
6/9 -- Agoura Hills, CA, The Canyon
6/11 -- Del Mar, CA, San Diego County Fair

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Bruno Mars Says His First #1 Hit Was Rejected Because of His Race

Courtesy Entertainment WeeklyThree years ago, Bruno Mars became a worldwide superstar with a string of smash hits.  But before that, he struggled for years to make it, and reveals that one of the barriers to his becoming a pop star was his race.

Bruno is Puerto Rican, Jewish and Filipino.  In the cover story of the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, he says that when he and his songwriting partners came up with a song called "Nothin' on You," Bruno figured it was his ticket to the big time.  But when he brought it to a music industry decision-maker -- a guy he won't name -- the reaction shocked him.

"He goes, 'Oh man, oh man, what a song,'" recalls Bruno.  But then, he says the guy told him, "You know what kind of white artist we could break with this?  Blond hair, blue eyes, we could make this kid the next thing!"

"It was just kinda sad," Bruno tells EW.  "It was like, 'Man, what about the kid that played you the song and wrote it and produced it...what about that guy?'"

That experience, Bruno said, made him feel like a "mutant," and he says that was his lowest point. "Even with that song in my back pocket to seal the deal, things like that are coming out of people's mouths. It made me feel like I wasn't even in the room."

Thankfully, the story has a happy ending.  "Nothin' on You" went on to become a #1 hit for Bruno and rapper B.o.B.  It was nominated for three Grammys, and it launched Bruno on what's became one of the hottest pop careers of the decade.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Justin Bieber's "Baby" Now Highest-Certified Single in History

Image Courtesy Justin Bieber via TwitterThanks to a rule change by the Recording Industry Association of America, Justin Bieber has set a new record: His hit "Baby" is now the highest-certified single of all time.

The RIAA now takes into account on-demand streaming numbers when determining gold and platinum certifications for digital singles.  Billboard reports that as a result, Justin's "Baby," whose video is the second most-viewed in YouTube history, has now been certified 12-times platinum.  In reality, it's only sold 3.9 million downloads, but the more than 858 million views on Vevo has boosted it way, way up there.

In scoring that certification, Justin has now trumped the previous record-holder, Elton John's Princess Diana tribute "Candle in the Wind," which has been certified 11-times platinum.  That represented actual single sales, though, since the song came out in 1997, before the digital era.

As a result of the rule change, some other hits have now had their platinum totals boosted.  Eminem and Rihanna's "Love the Way You Lie," for example, is now 11-times platinum, and Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" is now 10-times platinum.  Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" is nine-times platinum.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

The Black Crowes to Perform at Inaugural Interlocken Festival in September

Facebook.com/InterlockenFestivalThe Black Crowes have added another festival performance to their calendar.  The band will take the stage at the inaugural Interlocken Music Festival, scheduled for September 5-8 at Oak Ridge Farm in Arrington, Virginia.  Other acts on the initial bill include Neil Young & Crazy Horse, the Grateful Dead spinoff group Furthur, veteran jam band The String Cheese Incident, and country star Zac Brown.

The four-day event is being organized by HORDE festival founder David Frey and Peter Shapiro, the one-time owner famed New York City rock venue Wetlands Preserve.  The music extravaganza will feature fewer artists playing longer sets on two alternating stages, with no breaks in the music throughout the day.  Many of the performers are expected to play sets on multiple days during the festival, with artists encouraged to collaborate with each other on stage. 

The Interlocken Music Festival also will offer locally-sourced food and beverages, while the organizers will place a focus on keeping the festivities environmentally conscious.  Early bird general admission tickets and VIP packages will go on sale Thursday, May 23, at 10 a.m. ET.  Visit InterlockenFestival.com for more details.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Country Star Trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockWho is the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year? ANSWER: Blake Shelton.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Jason Aldean Didn't Think Twice About Performing at Boston Strong Concert

Greenroom PRJason Aldean agreed to perform at the Boston Strong concert coming up May 30 in Beantown without even thinking about it. He just wanted to help out after seeing the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings.

Speaking of his invitation to perform as one of the artists at Boston Strong, Jason tells the Boston Globe, "That’s the good thing about what we do — you’re in a position to help out. I think that’s part of what we’re put here to do.”

Jason joins James Taylor, Carole King, New Kids on the Block and Jimmy Buffett among others at the Boston Strong concert.

Jason will also play two sold out shows at Boston's Fenway Park on July 12 and 13.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Lady Antebellum Not Disappearing Completely Once Hillary Scott Has Her Baby in July

Capitol NashvilleLady Antebellum will take a little time off the road while band member Hillary Scott has her baby this July, but they won't disappear from the public eye completely.  The group's new album, Golden, just came out, and Lady A's Charles Kelley tells Billboard, "We'll kind of keep ourselves out and about enough to stay in front and not let people forget about us too much."

Though the band has been working like crazy for the past few years, all three members are now married -- and "part of the next chapter" is to have children, Charles says.

"You've got to make time for life," he adds.  "That's the only way you're not going to drive yourself crazy."

Lady Antebellum's current tour continues with a show in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Saturday.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Guitar Played by Lennon and Harrison Fetches $408K at Auction

Darren Julien with guitar; Facebook.com/JuliensAuctionsA guitar once played by John Lennon and his Beatles band mate George Harrison sold at auction over the weekend for 408 thousand dollars.

The VOX guitar, featured in a Julien's Auctions sale in New York, was played by Lennon while recording a video for "Hello, Goodbye." Harrison used it to practice "I Am The Walrus" during the making of The Magical Mystery Tour project.

The instrument had been displayed in Ireland, the U.K. and New York prior to Saturday's sale.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Are Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio Joining "The X Factor"?

FOXHas Simon Cowell found two new judges for The X Factor? TMZ.com is reporting that Kelly Rowland is in final negotiations to join the panel of the Fox singing competition, which currently has two vacancies due to the departures of Britney Spears and L.A. Reid.

The one-time Destiny's Child member served as a judge on the British version of The X Factor in 2011.

The website further reports that Mexican singer Paulina Rubio is also close to joining the U.S. X Factor. Both artists reportedly will finalize their deals as early as Monday. The Hollywood Reporter adds that the two should be on board by Tuesday, when auditions will be taped in Charleston, South Carolina.

If Kelly and Paulina are indeed added to the show, they would sit alongside Simon and Demi Lovato, who's returning for her second season. The X Factor will be back on Fox this fall.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Kanye Performs Two New Songs on "SNL"; New Album "Yeezus" Gets Release Date

Dana Edelson/NBCKanye West used his appearance on Saturday Night Live over the weekend as a platform to promote two new, socially-charged songs.

One of the new tracks, "New Slaves," was actually debuted the night before, via a video projected onto the sides of 66 buildings around the world. In a YouTube clip of one such projection in Brooklyn, New York, Kanye's face is superimposed onto a building as he raps the lyrics, which include, "I know that we're the new slaves/I see the blood on the leaves."

"New Slaves" was previously teased earlier this month when a DJ played it at a festival in Poland.

Kanye performed both "New Slaves" and another new, electronic rock-sounding track, "Black Skinhead," on SNL. He later tweeted a photo of the lyrics to "Black Skinhead," written by hand.

At one point in "Black Skinhead" 'Ye quickly raps, "You see a black man with a white woman/At the top floor they gone come to kill King Kong/Middle America packed in/Came to see me in my black skin."

The songs are rumored to be part of Kanye's follow-up to 2010's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, which, according to Kanye's baby mama Kim Kardashian, will be titled Yeezus and will be released June 18. She revealed the news on Instagram.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

The Rolling Stones Joined by Dave Grohl at Anaheim Concert

Facebook.com/FooFightersThe Rolling Stones on Saturday night welcomed another special guest to their 50 and Counting tour: Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl.

Grohl joined the Stones at their concert in Anaheim, California, sharing vocals with Mick Jagger on "Bitch," from the Stones' 1971 album, Sticky Fingers.

The Foo Fighters' official Twitter feed spoiled the surprise earlier in the day, writing, "Hey So Cal...Guess who's making a guest appearance at the @RollingStones show in Anaheim tonight? Hint... it's Dave."

On Sunday, the band's Facebook page posted a link to fan-filmed video on YouTube of Grohl's appearance.

The collaboration came approximately one year after the Foo Fighters played with Jagger on the 2012 season finale of Saturday Night Live.

The Stones previously have invited Katy Perry, Gwen Stefani and Keith Urban onto the stage during their current tour.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

"Undercover Angel" Singer-Songwriter Alan O'Day Dead at 72

Image courtesy Alan O'Day/ Stephen Paley via FacebookAlan O'Day, who wrote songs for artists such as Cher and The Righteous Brothers and recorded the 1977 chart-topping hit "Undercover Angel," has died.

O'Day died of cancer Friday at his Westwood, California, home at the age of 72.

O'Day's most notable songwriting credits include Cher's "Train of Thought," The Righteous Brothers' "Rock and Roll Heaven," and Helen Reddy's "Angie Baby," the latter of which reached number one in 1974.

O'Day also co-wrote nearly 100 songs for the 1980s animated TV series Muppet Babies.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Elton John's Songwriting Partner Arrested on Suspicion of DUI

Bernie Taupin, left; Kevin Mazur/WireImageElton John's songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin, is currently dealing with a DUI case.

The Santa Barbara Independent reports the 63-year-old Taupin was arrested May 5 on suspicion of DUI in Santa Ynez, California.

Authorities say he was arrested after striking a wooden fence while attempting to turn into a private driveway. His blood-alcohol level at the time of the accident has not been disclosed.

No court date has been set for the British-born Taupin, who lives in Santa Ynez Valley.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Beyoncé Addresses Pregnancy Rumors on Instagram

Frank Micelotta/Invision for Parkwood Entertainment/AP ImagesBeyoncé has addressed the pregnancy rumors surrounding her and her husband, Jay-Z.

After E! News on Friday reported that B and Jay are expecting their second child, she posted a note onto Instagram that scoffed at the speculation -- though she didn't quite deny it, either.

In the quickly-pulled note, a screenshot of which appears on the website of Britain's Daily Mail newspaper, Beyoncé wrote, "I can't stop the rumors from starting, and I can't really change peoples [sic] minds who believe them, all I can do is sit back and laugh at these low life people who have nothing better to do than talk about me."

Beyoncé performed in Milan, Italy, over the weekend, after postponing a recent Belgium date due to "dehydration and exhaustion."

Beyoncé and Jay-Z currently have a daughter, Blue Ivy, who was born in January 2012.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio