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21st night day of September, indeed.

Questlove is on board to direct the Earth, Wind & Fire documentary in the works. The feature is set to examine the iconic group’s lasting legacy, cultural impact and enduring body of work.

For the project, the Grammy- and Oscar-winning filmmaker will feature exclusive access to the band’s archives of visual, audio and written material, as well as the support of the estate of Maurice White and the band, according to a press release.

“Having been baptized in the Afrocentric joy river of this powerhouse unit, I’ve learned about them, I’ve learned about us & more importantly, I’ve learned and rediscovered myself in the process,” Questlove said in a statement. “I’m so excited to be part of the process of preserving their positive but Very vulnerable and real story of Soul, Self & Struggle.”

Earth, Wind & Fire band members Philip Bailey,...

Clarence “Mac” McDonald, a keyboardist who played with such legends as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Ella Fitzgerald and produced the Emotions’ No. 1 smash “Best of My Love” and many others, has died. He was 76.

His wife, Susan McDonald, said he died July 21 in Las Vegas.

During a career that spanned more than half a century, McDonald was a frequent producing collaborator with Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White. He played keyboards on records by such stars as the Jackson 5, Barbra Streisand, Hall & Oates, James Taylor, The Temptations, Al Wilson, Tina Turner, Linda Ronstadt and Justin Timberlake, along with Charles, Franklin and Fitzgerald.

He also played keyboards on “Movin’ on Up,” the theme song from TV’s The Jeffersons, and was the only credited musician on Cheech and Chong’s 1972 sophomore LP Big Bambu.

“The thing that always remained consistent was the standard of excellence provided by Clarence McDonald,” said Sonny Burke,...

Exclusive: Two time Grammy winner and Oscar nominee Kenny Loggins is receiving the Career Achievement honor at the next Hollywood Music in Media Awards (Hmma) which will be held on Jan. 27, 2021 in a hybrid awards show. The Footloose singer-songwriter will also perform during the Hmma event.

Loggins joins a distinguished list of past Hmma honorees including Smokey Robinson, Diane Warren, Earth Wind & Fire, Glen Campbell, Dave Mason and film composer John Debney.

Kenny Loggins is a singer/songwriter, guitarist, pianist, and producer. After playing in several bands in the late ’60s and honing his songwriting chops as a staff songwriter at Wingate Music, Loggins rose to prominence with Loggins & Messina, a duo with fellow singer/songwriter Jim Messina. The two were together from 1972 to 1976, and released a string of successful albums. Loggins solo career led to further stardom with million-selling albums including Celebrate Me Home, Nightwatch (which included the...

Jennifer Garner‘s father William “Bill” Garner was born on September 21, making him extra special in his daughter’s eyes.

On Thursday, the 45-year-old Butter actress posted a sweet video montage on Instagram showing photos of the two and their family in celebration of her dad’s birthday — referencing Earth Wind and Fire’s classic 1971 jam September in the process.

“My dad’s birthday = the 21st night of September = #earthwindandfireday,” Jennifer wrote, quoting the lyric of the song, which also played in the background of the clip. “We always knew you were the coolest, Dad! Happy Birthday!”

Of course, fans...

Legendary musician David Foster is getting candid about his four divorces and opening up about his ex-wife, Yolanda Hadid’s, battle with Lyme disease.

“We just always did our best,” he said about living with Hadid’s illness, while talking to Et at the Grammy Museum’s third annual gala at The Novo in Los Angeles, California, on Tuesday. “We had some other issues as well, but everybody’s in a good place now. The main thing is that she’s healthy and in remission. She worked really hard at it and now she’s reaping the rewards of that.”

Exclusive: Yolanda Hadid Opens Up About Health and Finding Love Again -- With Her Kids' Help!

In her new book, Believe Me: My Battle With the Invisible Disability of Lyme Disease, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star claims the debilitating illness, which is spread by ticks, created cracks in her marriage, which ended in...

For the studios, 2016 has mostly been about the year of the animal, highlighted by Disney’s billion-dollar “Zootopia” and Pixar’s “Finding Dory” (the new all-time animation box office leader).

However, the year culminates with another potentially strong Disney Oscar contender, “Moana” (November 23), along with two musicals: Illumination’s “Sing” (December 21), which played to cheering crowds this week at the Toronto Film Festival, and DreamWorks’ “Trolls” (Nov. 4). Warner Bros., meanwhile, offers the buddy comedy, “Storks” (September 23), which has attracted good world of mouth for its humor.

Disney explores new territory with the Polynesian-themed “Moana,” the first foray into CG for directors John Musker and Ron Clements (“The Princess and the Frog,” “Aladdin,” “The Little Mermaid”), who push the legacy in a new direction with contemporary appeal.

The free-spirited, teenage Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) possesses strong navigational skills and is determined to sail out on a dangerous mission to save her island and eradicate its isolation.

“Trolls” represents the far side of “Shrek”— a bright, happy, fuzzy, nostalgic, musical journey that taps the idealism of the ’60s/’70s counterculture for all its worth.

What else would you do with Danish woodcutter Thomas Dam’s iconic, lovable troll dolls?

“There was no story, there was no mythology, so we could create whatever we wanted,” explained Dohrn at a recent presentation at the Glendale campus where he screened more than 20 minutes of footage. Together with director Mike Mitchell and producer Gina Shay, the “Shrek Forever” team forged a new folk tale that countered the notion of trolls being scary.

“But one of the things we knew we had to have was that iconic hair and we made the story about happiness,” Dohrn added. “How do you get it? Where does it come from? What happens when you lose it?”

In “Trolls,” Poppy (Anna Kendrick) epitomizes the perky, quirky hippy ethos: singing,...

American Idol Season 2 finalist Rickey Smith was killed in a multi-car accident Thursday night, according to TMZ.

Smith, who memorably donned a disco-fabulous Afro wig for a performance of Earth Wind and Fire’s “Let’s Groove” and wound up finishing eighth behind Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, was 36.

He was also known for smiling and chanting “Hercules! Hercules!” during his run on the show.

According to TMZ, Smith’s vehicle was hit head-on by another car traveling the wrong way down Oklahoma’s I-240. That driver was booked for DUI.

Several of Smith’s Idol compatriots took to social...

Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars just took home a major honor! The "Uptown Funk" collaborators won the Grammy award for Record of the Year, which was presented by the one and only Beyonce. "I just want to thank these guys for being some of the greatest, musicians and performers around," Ronson said during his acceptance speech. "I see George Clinton over there, a man who has done more for the word funk that we could ever hope to dream of in our entire lives. So I want to thank James Brown, George Clinton...Prince, Earth Wind and Fire of course." "Thank you guys so much," Mars added on stage. "This is dedicated to the fans." Ronson and Mars' hit "Uptown...

Maurice White, the Earth, Wind & Fire founder who died Wednesday night at age 74, received a heartfelt tribute from President Obama via the chief executive’s Facebook page on Friday. Obama remembered White as an inspiration to both his fellow musicians and the general public. “Only Maurice could make such sophisticated songs so catchy. Only he could inspire generations of such diverse artists,” Obama wrote. “And only he could get everyone — old and young, black and white — to let the groove move them on the dance floor.” Also Read: Maurice White, Earth Wind and Fire Singer, Dies at 74 White, who...

Ehsaan Noorani, along with Shankar Mahadevan and Loy Mendonsa, affectionately called Sel, has created some of the greatest songs in the Hindi film musical canon. Think of one of your favorite films soundtracks or a song that is always on your playlist, and we can bet that one of them was done by Sel. Not only does Ehsaan work on Hindi film music, what you may or may not know is that when he is not in the studio composing, he is also an incredible guitar player whose first love is the Blues.

Now Ehsaan is putting on a new hat, that of judge, for a groundbreaking new reality show titled ‘The Stage’. Premiering on Saturday, October 10th at 9pm on Colors Infinity, the show, which also has Vishal Dadlani, Monica Dogra and Devraj Sayal joining Ehsaan on the judging panel, will find the best from among 20 talented artists, and...

Last night, I was given the opportunity to attend a pretty interesting event: The Feminist Majority Foundation honored both TV powerhouses Shonda Rhimes and Jenji Kohan with the Eleanor Roosevelt Global Women's Rights Award. Rhimes and Kohan were celebrated with an acoustic performance by Regina Spektor, Shondaland cast members doing a live lip-sync to Earth Wind and Fire's "Shining Star" and a number of heartfelt speeches, almost all of which began with the declaration "This is what a feminist looks like."  Read More: Oops! I Made a Feminist Manifesto: George Miller and "Mad Max" What does that mean to Kohan and Rhimes? And what does that mean to Viola Davis and Matthew Weiner, who presented the awards to these esteemed women? Below, find the transcripts of their speeches, which cover how their families -- and Hello Kitty -- have defined feminism for them.  Viola Davis (Presenter) Shonda, when recently asked in an.

It’s going to be another great year for the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival as two huge acts just joined the main stage roster.

According to a festival spokesperson, both Billy Joel and Mumford & Sons will headline the 13th annual event, joining previously-announced performers like Kendrick Lamar, Deadmau5, My Morning Jacket and Florence and the Machine.

Furthermore, Hozier, Spoon, Belle and Sebastian, Run the Jewels, Bassnectar, Earth Wind and Fire, and Alabama Shakes will all rock out as well.

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will take place from June 11th through the 14th in Manchester, Tennessee, and 80,000 fans are expected to show up.

We’ve got questions, and you’ve (maybe) got answers! With another week of TV gone by, we’re lobbing queries left and right about shows, including Outlander, The Good Wife, Chicago Fire and Grey’s Anatomy!

1 | Did you need to take a cold shower after Outlander‘s wedding night? (Just us?)

Video Exclusive Outlander Finale Sneak Peek: Claire Holds Angus at Knifepoint!

2 | On The Good Wife, shouldn’t Diane have given her LG partners a courtesy heads-up that she was going to represent Cary, to ward off inevitable suspicions that she was planning to defect? Also, can we get...

As the summer has wound down things got even hotter over at Urban Film Festival, which kicks off Sept 17-21st with this year seeing its strongest presence of Latino content to fill the void the New York International Latino Film Festival behind two years ago. So we decided to show the short filmmakers that feature Latino talent in their films some love in a new edition of ‘LatinoBuzz: Shipwrecked’ to see what they cannot live without! They are given a choice of a Film, Book, Companion from a film and an Album to be stranded with (we’ll deal with logistics another time).

Janine Salinas Schoenberg – "Jenny & Lalo"

Film: ‘Amelie’ - Because it's all I ever want to see when I'm having a bad day.

Book: ‘The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao’ because few books have ever made me both laugh out loud and sob hysterically.

Album: A mix of my husband Adam Schoenberg's music because it both moves and inspires me. Perfect for island solitude!

Companion: Maria Elena from ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ because she would be fun, spontaneous, and crazy enough to help us survive!

Adel L. Morales – "Missing Grandma"

Album: ‘Paid In Full’ by Eric B. & Rakim. I remember running to Moody’s Record Shop on White Plains Road in the Boogie Down the day after I heard Marly Marl drop it on Wbls for the first time. I picked up the 12-inch single of “Eric B. Is President” (the album didn’t drop right away) and was immediately blown away by the art on the label: a giant brown hand coming down from the skies to drop off pyramids on a nearly deserted earth. I knew from the jump that Rakim was bringing a higher level of thought to the hip-hop game. His conversion to the Nations of God’s and Earths gave him a preacher-like authority, as he stood for my positive energy than anyone before him. The man was a pioneer and a lyrical genius. He was using internal rhymes in his songs while cats were still struggling with end rhymes. Eric B’s beats were dope & got insanely better on their follow-up album, “Follow the Leader.” After I ran home and played that track a bunch, I flipped it over to listen to the B-side, which was “My Melody” and I damn near had a heart attack. I couldn’t believe my ears! Did this Mc and DJ, with the hottest track in the streets, put an even hotter track on the B-side? It was like finding a gold nugget in a riverbed. The greatest rap duo ever in my book.

Book: ‘Random Family’ by Adrian Nicole LeBlanc is a fascinating true story of two couples set in the Bronx during the mid-1980’s to late-1990’s. Despite the accurate portrayal of the lives and the cycle of poor choices made by uneducated people, there is a tiny glimmer of hope for the next generation. It makes me hope that someone’s child will eventually figure a way out of the messes created by inner city issues, like the high school drop out rate, teen pregnancy, and drug dealing. It describes in great exactness the time period in which I grew up in the Bronx and allows me to appreciate the courses I travelled to navigate those dangerous waters.

Companion : Sancho Panza from ‘Don Quixote.’ He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty literally or figuratively. He is often the voice of truth when his partner would rather hear anything but. But, it is the ability to keep his master safe from enemies, as well as from himself that seals the deal for me.

Film: ‘Adrift in Tokyo’ by Satoshi Miki is one of my favorite films of all time. I would chose this one to take with me if I was stranded on an island because it encompasses some of the things that I find essential to enjoying life on this planet. Miki is able to do this in both dramatic and comedic ways. It is about making connections with the world around us and with the people in it. Spending time getting to know someone often feels like a lost art in today’s faster-paced world. Characters learn to express emotion and not hide behind “manliness.” They atone for sins they’ve committed and attempt to right the wrongs of their past. This film reminds me that happiness can be found in the tiniest moments of pleasure and this film delivers tons of them as the laughs are frequent and come from the silliest places at the weirdest times.

Jess Dela Merced – "Hypebeasts"

Album: ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ had a lot of influence on me growing up and even more so today. I fall into many daydreams listening to it, imagining scenes to match or pretending some of the songs were soundtracks to my life. All her lyrics are starting to ring true as I grow older and the messages are always getting clearer with each listen. It's one of those albums that you can only fully comprehend once you're old and wrinkly.

Book: ‘Catcher in the Rye’ will always be my favorite book. I identify with Holden so much, not sure if that's a good thing, but if I could make any movie in the world, it would be an adaptation of that book. One day I will find the loophole to get to the rights!

Film: ‘Coming to America’ because I need to stay happy on that island and would probably reenact it word for word to keep myself entertained. Also so I can listen to Sexual Chocolate and Soul Glo repeatedly.

Companion: Any character Robin Williams has played. I guess Genie for obvious reasons.

Daniel Pfeffer – "Milk & Honey"

Album: If I was stranded, I'd bring Coltrane's ‘A Love Supreme’ for it's timeless effect, so whenever I was losing hope of rescue, I'd put that on to calm my nerves, and let me know it all doesn't matter in the end, because the beauty is within and all around you.

Book: My book would have to be ‘Drown’ by Junot Diaz, because it would let me remember where I'm from, the metro area, and what it feels like to have immigrant parents.

Film: I love so many films, but I think one that is just poetry in motion for me would be Spike Lee's ‘He Got Game’. Whenever I was feeling homesick I'd just watch that. Plus the soundtrack is so good on it from the classical to the hip hop, I could be forever entertained!

Companion: No matter where I am in the world, I'd have to ask Shailene Woodley to come along so we could plan a film together, in case we were ever rescued and brought back to civilization.

Cristina Kotz Cornejo – "Hermanas"

Film: I think it would need to be a good comedy, either "Dr. Strangelove," The Pink Panther" or maybe "Brazil" by Terry Gilliam - something absurd to keep me laughing – oh wait, I guess if I have to choose one then it’s The Pink Panther can’t get enough of Peter Sellers!

Book: 1984 by George Orwell to remind me of what the world I left behind is becoming and to make me appreciate the absence of “big brother,” the internet and all the noise of everyday life.

Album: It’s not easy to choose an album but if I had to choose one it would be one of my favorites from childhood, That’s the Way of the World by Earth Wind and Fire. It will keep me busy dancing and singing the nights away in paradise.

Companion: Ellen Ripley from Alien because with her there I would be sure to eventually get off the island although 1984 will make me want to stay put, oh the dichotomy of life!

Javier Melero De Luca – "Silencio Chino"

Ok, the question puts me in survival mode, not in a curatorial one. I am going to need entertainment to cope with solitude on an island!!

Film: ‘The Shawshank Redemption.’ So many IMDb people could not be wrong. It would remind me that a lot of men dream of being on an island anyway. ("The Lives of Others" if the previous was not available).

Companion: Someone hot and resourceful like Lara Croft, I could try and hit on her, maybe even have an offspring.

Book: No doubt, The Lord of the Flies. Deep, insightful, metaphorical and well written. Useful on the island too.

Album: Tough call but I would go for Gently Disturbed by Avishai Cohen. They’re Venezuelan folk music meets Israeli jazz. Just mind-bending. P.S. Can't i just grab mi iPad before crashing on the island???

Geoffrey Guerrero – "J-1"

Album: If I was stranded on a deserted island I would need to have the Buenavista Social club album because their rich Latin rhythms and passionate songs of romance and love would make life more enjoyable and welcoming. And, being stranded in said island, anything with some latin beats and conga drums goes a long way in making life a little easier.

Companion: If I had to choose a companion from the movies it would have to be two companions: Eva Mendez and Gina Rodriguez. After a long day of cutting wood and preparing dinner, there's no other people I would rather have at my side than these 2 gorgeous young ladies. Who knows, maybe I'll get a back massage if I'm lucky.

Book: The one book I must have on this island is Daniel Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe," because if I'm gonna be stuck on an island I need to know there's a chance I'll survive. Some people say life is all about survival of the fittest and this book is a powerful story of a man stranded on an island for many years and by some miracle he survives and escapes the island in one piece. Which I think we'd all agree would be the ideal situation if stranded on such an island.

Film: "Amores Perros" or "Rabia."

Dennis Shinners – "Barrio Boy"

Film: "Stand By Me", "Titanic", "The Empire Strikes Back" (original release) or the "Alien" box set, just keeping the first two films. They are all about friendship and survival.

Album: I'd love to cram a ton of music onto an iPod, but if not allowed, it would be Prince's "Purple Rain". Why? Well, it's Prince's "Purple Rain"! Probably my favorite album of all time, though it's really tough to narrow down a favorite, let alone a fave Prince record. I'd try to sneak The Cure's "Disintegration", U2's "The Joshua Tree", Biggie's "Ready to Die" and a Jobim record (for sunset listening) by customs too.

Book: I've got way more music than books so I might trade this for a Nirvana, Velvet Underground, Peter Gabriel or Smashing Pumpkins album, but at the risk of sounding cliche or obvious, "The Catcher In the Rye". This way I'll always have a piece of New York City with me.

Companion: Samwise Gamgee from "Lord of the Rings". He's beyond loyal and cooks too, which will come in handy.

Albert Espinosa – "Pitahaya"

Album: ‘Great Escape’ by Blur because each song is incredible.

Film: ‘Good Will Hunting’. The Death of Robin Williams deeply affected me profoundly.

Book: ‘Tuesdays with Morrie.’ This book changed my life.

Companion : Leo of the series ‘Red Band Society’. Red band society, Fox's series is like my life as a child. It’s my autobiography. I am very happy for the coincidence between the release of the series and the festival.

Laila Petrone Peynado – "Your Love"

Album: Anita Baker – ‘Giving You the Best that I Got.’ I love her voice and each song on this album has accompanied me through different stages of my life. If I had been a singer, I would have been honored to have had her voice and career.

Book - Paulo Coelho – ‘Eleven Minutes.’ You're right there with the protagonist. The storyline, the way it is written, compels you to imagine it visually.

Film : ‘Mo' Better Blues.’ It's a movie I can watch over and over again, it makes me laugh, it makes me cry, and the soundtrack by the amazing Branford Marsalis Quartet and Terence Blanchard is just wonderful.

Companion : Marcello Mastroianni. Marcello was one-of-a-kind actor and I could spend hours talking to him about his experiences working with some of the most influential directors and movies of our time.

Wu Tsang - "You're Dead to Me"

Album : I'm not into albums much, but I'd have several of my favorite underground DJ's, like DJ Total Freedom, Nguzunguzu and Juliana Huxtable create an original mix for me. My island soundtrack would feature lots of traditional Banda music, which I love. I've shot several of my films in Mexico, and Banda always brings me back, like a snapshot of a moment in time. Maybe I could have my mix delivered to the island by drone.

Book: A written retrospective on Rainer Werner Fassbinder would be ideal. I figure if I can't watch movies at least I can read about them and visualize them in my mind, on a loop. Ali: Fear Eats the Soul is my favorite. It's considered to be Fassbinder's masterpiece, but I'm always drawn to characters who let their hearts rule their heads. It's that blend of realism and romanticism, loneliness and love that would inspire and buoy me with no other constant but the waves lashing the shore.

Companion: My favorite character is always changing. But this week it's Sarah Linden from ‘The Killing.’ I guess I can relate to her troubled lonely existence. She's super flawed but also so powerful and talented, and deep down has a lot of heart and passion buried under that tough facade. I think we'd enjoy coping with our existentialism and creating our own mythology together on that island.

Jonathon Dillon – "Celluloid Dreams"

Album: Without a doubt, Louis Armstrong "The Definite Collection". I can say without a doubt Louis Armstrong is one of my favorite musicians of all time. When I hear that deep raspy voice I can't help but let all my worries fade away and transport to what life must have been like in the '30s.

Film: People laugh when I say this, but the film I define as one of the most perfectly executed pieces of cinema created is "Back to the Future." Head to tails, frame by frame, everything has purpose and continually pushes the story. Although Zemeckis has gone on to do other projects that he has received more acclaim for (i.e. "Forrest Gump"), I feel like I always watch "Back to the Future" and see something else he did that I didn't catch before that makes me stop and marvel at the film as a whole.

Book: Would graphic novels count? I grew up looking at comic books before I could even read, the visual imagery said it all, and the artwork would be just spell binding. I actually wanted to be a comic book artist as a kid, but then realized I couldn't sketch to save my life. I would lean towards Frank Miller's "Wolverine" or even Alan Moore's "Watchmen." If it had to be a book I'd probably want something on "How to Survive on an Island"....

Character: This is tough, and maybe I'm cheating, but the first feature I did the lead female protagonist was Katherine Parker (played by Rebecca Welsh). She was strong, independent, and above all, a survivor. I've always loved films with strong female characters, hence probably why I fell in love with this one from the moment of reading her on the page. And as they say, you are only as strong as the woman next to you. Honorable mention would obviously go to Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen in "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark"), and just about any of James Cameron's heroines.

Check out these filmmakers and many others at www.urbanworld.org

Written by Juan Caceres , LatinoBuzz is a weekly feature on SydneysBuzz that highlights Latino indie talent and upcoming trends in Latino film with the specific objective of presenting a broad range of Latino voices. Follow [At]LatinoBuzz on Twitter and Facebook...

Barack Obama is dealing with the final days of his reelection campaign and the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, which ravaged the East Coast this week, upending the lives of millions in the process. What does the president do when he's not leading the nation during difficult times? According to a new interview with Us Weekly -- likely given well before the events of this week, but published in the latest issue -- Obama likes watching "Homeland" and working out to the dulcet tones of Stevie Wonder.

Per Us Weekly (via Mike Allen's Politico Playbook; the full interview with Obama is not yet online), the president also enjoys Jay-z and the Rolling Stones while exercising.

That Obama would listen to Jay-z while lifting weights and doing cardio shouldn't be too surprising. The president and the rap icon are friendly, with Obama recently saying in a radio interview that he gave Jay parenting advice.

The commander-in-chief's turn as entertainer-in-chief is a David and Goliath plot for the ages, and we're only halfway through

How's the election been for you? On a scale of one to 10? Great? Just Ok? Would you recommend it to a friend? Not to trivialize the historical crossroads at which we find ourselves, still less the opportunity for a frank and rigorous exchange of ideas over the best policy with which to lead this great republic into the 21st century, but: have you had fun? Did it suck? Were you on the edge of your seat? Or was it a complete waste of your TiVo?

That America's political machine is an ever-growing subsidiary of its entertainment industry has long been remarked upon. "All campaigns are movies now, consisting of competing narratives with competing stars," wrote Neal Gabler in his superb 1998 book Life: The Movie, a radical expansion of Norman Mailer's famous comment,...

Los Angeles, September 26: Stevie Wonder has signed up to sing for President Barack Obama at a fundraiser concert in Los Angeles on Oct. 7, it has been revealed.

The artist will join Katy Perry, Jennifer Hudson, Jon Bon Jovi and Earth Wind and Fire in an evening performance at the Nokia Theater, The Hollywood Reporter reported.

The concert-called "30 Days to Victory"-is being produced by Ken Ehrlich and members.

Katy Perry (who was just named BIllboard's Woman of the Year, in case you hadn't heard), Stevie Wonder, Jon Bon Jovi, Jennifer Hudson and Earth Wind and Fire are coming out for Barack Obama. Wonder is the latest to join the already-impressive lineup of artists who will perform for the sitting president during an Oct. 7 fundraiser at L.A.'s Nokia Theater, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Obama - who by the way has a new impersonator on "Saturday Night Live" - is currently running for re-election against Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Called "30 Days to Victory," tickets for the concert start at...

Stevie Wonder has signed on to sing for President Barack Obama at a fundraiser concert in Los Angeles on Oct. 7, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Wonder will join Katy Perry, Jennifer Hudson, Jon Bon Jovi and Earth Wind and Fire in an evening performance at the Nokia Theater next month. The concert -- called "30 Days to Victory" -- is being produced by Ken Ehrlich and members of Obama's Entertainment Advisory Council. Tickets, which are being sold online by the Obama campaign, start at $44 each. A $25,000-per-person dinner, co-hosted by Jefferey Katzenberg, will be held after the

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Jennifer Hudson, Jon Bon Jovi and Earth Wind and Fire have been added to the line up of acts set to perform at a concert fundraiser for President Barack Obama on Oct. 7 in Los Angeles, according to a campaign source. Photos: Young Hollywood's Secret Breakfast with Obama Last week, a finance source told THR that Katy Perry was also set to sing at the Nokia Theater event. Additional performers are expected to be announced in the coming days. The concert is being produced by Ken Ehrlich and members of Obama's Entertainment Advisory Council. Story: Katy Perry Set to Sing

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HollywoodNews.com: ‘American Idol’ wrapped up another week with a somewhat surprising elimination to fans and judges alike.

Colton Dixon, Elise Testone and Hollie Cavanagh all ended up in the bottom three this week, but it was Dixon who went home after never being in the bottom three before, states RadarOnline.com.

However, the elimination wasn’t a complete shock as he didn’t do well the night before with Lady Gaga’s ‘Bad Romance’ and Earth Wind and Fire’s ‘September.’

“I wasn’t myself last night, and I get it. I appreciate what you told me last night. I’ll take that when I’m making a record,” Dixon commented.

Are you surprised he went home?

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Los Angeles (AP) -- "American Idol" viewers apparently weren't caught in a romance with Colton Dixon (third from left). The 20-year-old alt-rocker was revealed Thursday to have received the fewest viewer votes on the Fox talent competition. Dixon was surprisingly eliminated from "Idol" after delivering lukewarm renditions of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" and Earth Wind and Fire's "September" on Wednesday's evening of old and new tunes. It was his first time in the show's bottom three. "I need to apologize," Dixon said. "I wasn't myself last night, and I get it." Dixon was joined in the bottom three by Elise Testone, the rockin' 28-year-old teacher Charleston, S.C., who fizzled with Alicia Keys' "No One" and Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get it On," and soaring 18-year-old singer Hollie Cavanagh from McKinney, Texas, who redeemed herself with Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" and Dusty Springfield's "Son of a Preacher Man.

Fox

After a brief tribute to Dick Clark, who passed away today at age 82, Ryan introduced, for the second week in a row, the final seven on “American Idol.”

And then they got right down to it, billing the show as the most music ever played in one two-hour show. That’s because contestants sang two songs tonight as they fought for votes: one from the year 2000 until now and one soul song from “back in the day.” Jimmy was...

Dick Clark, known as "America's Oldest Teenager," would have approved of American Idol's theme on Wednesday, which had contestants performing two songs: a No. 1 hit from 2000-2012, and a soul song from "back in the day." But the theme was actually intended to honor another television pioneer: Soul Train creator Don Cornelius, who also passed away this year. Ryan Seacrest recognized his hero, saying Idol wouldn't exist with Clark, who died of a massive heart attack Wednesday. But, he acknowledged, the show must go on: "The theme is based around a show similar to American Bandstand," he said, "Soul Train.

Check out the new U.S. trailer for The Intouchables - the true story of two men who should never have met. Philip, a rich aristocrat with a passion for the arts and extreme sports, is left paralysed after a hang-gliding accident. Driss, a young guy from the hoods whose life is a struggle between odd jobs and petty thefts, shows up at Philip.s mansion for a job interview just to get his unemployment form stamped, but gets caught in his own game when Philip decides to actually hire him as his home helper. From their extreme differences and their need to adapt to each-other stems an extraordinary friendship, as unique and moving as it is, at times, hilarious.

From directors Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, the film will be in the U.S theaters on May 25th, however it had it’s European DVD release this past week on March 28th.

If there was a doctor in the house during Tuesday night’s American Idol telecast, he or she really should’ve rushed the stage at the 1:22 marker and called the official time of death for criticism. That was seconds after J.Lo, Randy, and Steven used words like “beautiful,” “mad cool” and “good job” to describe a performance that found “adorable” Eben Franckewitz wreaking havoc on Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” like a baby doing its worst to a diaper.

The message from the judges was loud and clear: Go ahead and do your worst. Sing as...

Greetings, Idoloonie Nation! Now that Season 11′s Top 13 guys have finished their performances, it’s time to begin your annual American Idol speed-dialing shenanigans. Please vote thoughtfully from the Piperlime Accessory Wall, and keep in mind you’ll be 866-ing your way all to the end of May. In other words, this is not a sprint, it’s a marathon.

Before voting commences, however, please consider a quick call to the FCC: We cannot let Randy casually/accidentally/publicly insert himself into Steven Tyler’s bawdy sexual fantasies without making Fox pay the requisite fine, right? (Yes, I speak of...

"American Idol" kicked off its Top 24 with the 12 men (plus a mystery extra guy!). It's really throwing us off having the Top 24 be in the big theater and not the tiny one with the Coca Cola dungeon up top.

We also miss seeing them walk awkwardly towards the camera with finger guns and winks and whatnot, though there was plenty of creepy weirdness as Ryan introduced them down the line. Please don't do that ever again, Heejun Han.

1. Reed Grimm, "Moves Like Jagger," Maroon 5

If you close your eyes, this is great. Not that Reed is hard on the eyes, because he's not. But his sound is nice, he actually sounds a lot like Levine, only jazzy. Just when we were thinking it was a tad boring, he takes to the drums and gets bolder, but the excitement mostly comes from the seizure-inducing lights. And after the drum solo,...

From Earth Wind And Fire to Florence And The Machine, Barack Obama is rolling in with some diverse music this year.

The president revealed his 2012 playlist for crowd events on Thursday, and with any luck he won't end up in Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich's boats: Romney angered rapper K'Naan when he used his song "Wavin' The Flag" during his Florida primary victory speech (he wouldn't have minded if Obama had used it), and Newt Gingrich was sued for using Survivor's "The Eye Of The Tiger" for four years without permission.

As for Obama's list, it's predictably inoffensive. The campaign reached across genres (from Booker T & The Mg's to Ricky Martin), skimming the shallow end of the musical pool for songs that were familiar, vaguely patriotic and/or feel-good jams.

Listen to his playlist here, or stream it on Spotify.

What do you think of Obama's 2012 tunes?...

Roger Daltrey has been announced as a headline performer at this year's Bluesfest in Australia. The former Who frontman has been given bandmate Pete Townshend's blessing to perform the band's seminal rock opera Tommy for the 2012 music festival in Byron Bay without him. According to The Daily Telegraph, other performers recently announced for next year's Bluesfest include Earth Wind and Fire, The Pogues, John Butler Trio, Yes and My Morning Jacket. Guitar virtuosos Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Steve Lukather will also take to the Bluesfest stage, together with Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bettye Lavette, Brian Setzer, Jonny Lang and (more)...

Roger Daltrey has been announced as a headline performer at this year's Bluesfest in Australia. The former Who frontman has been given bandmate Pete Townshend's blessing to perform the band's seminal rock opera Tommy for the 2012 music festival in Byron Bay without him. According to The Daily Telegraph, other performers recently announced for next year's Bluesfest include Earth Wind and Fire, The Pogues, John Butler Trio, Yes and My Morning Jacket. Guitar virtuosos Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Steve Lukather will also take to the Bluesfest stage, together with Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bettye Lavette, Brian Setzer, Jonny Lang and (more)...

Chicago — Jessy Dixon, a singer and songwriter who introduced his energetic style of gospel music to wider audiences by serving as pop singer Paul Simon's opening act, died Monday. He was 73.

Miriam Dixon said her brother died Monday morning at his Chicago home. She said he had been sick but declined to provide additional details.

During a more than 50-year career, Dixon wrote songs for several popular singers, including jazz and rhythm and blues singer Randy Crawford. He later wrote songs performed by Cher, Diana Ross, Natalie Cole and Amy Grant.

But it was for his gospel singing – religious music that combined the rhythmic beat of blues, jazz and soul – that Dixon first gained attention. It was during an appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1972 with his Jessy Dixon Singers that Dixon first came to Simon's attention. For the next eight years, Dixon toured with the pop icon,...

The celebration following the reality star's nuptials with basketball player Kris Humphries in Montecito, California, on Saturday (20.08.11) was set to last until 4am, but a fire marshal ordered the music to be turned off at midnight.

A source told the New York Post newspaper: "Around midnight DJ Cassidy, who had been spinning for an hour, was ordered to shut down because the neighbours were complaining about the volume of the music. The neighbours didn’t come over, but they called the police.

"Kim took the news Ok and seemed relaxed about it, but her sister Khloe was pretty upset."

The party continued without the music for a while longer, but most guests had left by around 1.30 am on Sunday (21.08.11) morning.

Guest Ryan Seacrest tweeted afterwards: "Beautiful ... Kim looked regal, a perfect night. I just danced w the whole family. (sic)"

The evening's festivities – held in a huge marquee erected in...

Tobey Maguire. Photo by David Shankbone/Wikipedia.“A sexy Manhattan poker princess who attracts A-listers like Ben Affleck, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire to the high-stakes West Coast card games she runs found a far less glamorous—in fact, downright dangerous—crowd drawn to her tables in the Big Apple. Stunning brunette Molly Bloom was forced to flee her Upper West Side apartment for the West Coast after two ‘thugs’ roughed her up for fear she was blabbing to the feds, sources told The Post.” — The New York Post, June 30 Reached for comment, Molly Bloom said: “I was in the Leader of the Poker Game and the Poker Game was played in dark basements in bright white Houses in the Hollywood Hills and Manhattan basements and I would deal the Cards ten Jack Queen King to Tobey Maguire and Leonard DiCaprio and O Leonardo is so tan and rough and...

Disney is announcing today that Bob Cavallo, chairman of the Disney Music Group, will retire on Jan. 31, 2012 after more than 13 years with The Walt Disney Studios. Ken Bunt has been promoted to Evp and will run Disney Music Group when Cavallo retires. According to his official bio, Bunt originally joined Hollywood Records and the Disney Music Group in 1998, helping to lead the company’s digital media strategy. In 2005, Bunt was promoted to Svp of marketing, responsible for the campaigns of acts such as Breaking Benjamin, Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez and many others. He began his career at Rick Rubin’s Def American Recordings, where he worked with acts like The Black Crowes and Johnny Cash. During his tenure at the studio, Cavallo oversaw a reorganization of the company’s recorded music, music publishing and concert operations into one centralized business entity, the Disney Music Group, which distributes original...

The Boss is back - and this time he's lending his voice to a new song about the war in Afghanistan. Musician Stewart Francke, who interviewed soldiers to help him write the song, says that having Bruce Springsteen featured on Francke's track, "Summer Soldier (Holler If Ya Hear Me,)" is a dream come true. Listen to the song here "This is a tremendously cool thing for Bruce to do and of course a great honor for me," Francke says. "It was always his voice I heard on the call and response part of this track, but figured it would remain just a wish.

After a wild, emotional Monday night featuring our fearless stars interpreting their lives’ most memorable trials, tribulations and, yes, even occasional triumphs — not to mention one spectacularly titanic tumble — the second results-show telecast of Dancing With The Stars’ twelfth season may have seemed spectacularly…anticlimactic.

Well, it wasn’t all that dull. Barely a minute in, Hines Ward and Kym Johnson were not only told they were safe, but then strutted a gleeful encore performance of their samba to Earth Wind and Fire’s “Fantasy.” Woot! We were also “treated” to a sparkling performance by Justin Bieber’s sweetie, teen sensation Selena Gomez,...

Many a yarn was spun as Dancing With the Stars tackled a storytelling theme Monday night that asked contestants to pick songs to which they had personal connections, then create routines which communicated significant events from their lives. Wendy Williams told us the tale of how she rose to fame as a radio DJ and why she’s destined for a tenth-place finish on Dwts‘ twelfth season. Kirstie Alley and Maksim(mmm) Chmerkovskiy reenacted the biography of Chumbawamba (they got knocked down! but they got up again! you’re never gonna keep ‘em down!). Hines Ward celebrated the perseverance of...

In advance of the second season of Fantasia for Real (premiering Sunday, September 19 at 10/9c), we spoke to Fantasia Barrino about living her life as an open book both on and off VH1. Fantasia has told the story of her recent suicide attempt already and, as we revealed yesterday in our post about her run-in with TMZ, she’s not interested in talking about it anymore. But a single incident is not really what fascinates us about her, anyway. Rather, it is how she handled the situation — instead of running from controversy like so many other celebrities would via requests for privacy, she faced it head-on. That’s part of the bigger picture of Fantasia, the woman who lives life boldly through her music, her show and her interviews. As she tells us below, “The things that I go through come to make me strong, make me a better woman and they are my testimony.

Trey Songz opened the final evening of Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. After several days of seminars, panels and amazing food, Songz warmed up the stage for Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige and Earth Wind and Fire...Here's what you had to say:Leonette commented: "I loved Mjb! So powerful. We all felt her energy. Thank you Essence."Wendy wrote: "I enjoyed Sunday night's show. Jill Scott did a phenomenal job, she is so personable and her voice is absolutely amazing."...

London, June 19 – Phil Collins, former member of Genesis, has bagged the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame gala.

This year’s inducted songwriters include Leonard Cohen, Jackie DeShannon, David Foster, and R and B band Earth Wind and Fire.

“For a songwriter, it’s a huge honour. I was very surprised when I got the news,” the BBC quoted Collins as saying.

The legendary musician said that that when organisers contacted him regarding the award, he thought he would be giving away the award, not receiving it.That’s something that I never thought.

American Idol will be rocking an R&B theme on this week’s show and the lucky contestants are set to mentored by none other than the amazing Usher.

Set to perform on the Wednesday night result show (Thursday in the UK) are P Diddy, Usher and the cuter than cute Justin Bieber. We have included the entire songlist that the remaining ten contestants can choose from and we’d love to hear your suggestions. As always, you can leave your comments below!

Songlist (from iTunes)

A Song For Momma – Boyz II Men

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Diana Ross

Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – The Temptations

Angel of Mine – Monica

At Your Best You Are Love – Aaliya

Baby I Need Your Loving – The Four Tops

Back At One – Brian McKnight

Back in My Arms Again – The...

About Time On Monday it was announced Chris Evans, formerly the Human Torch in Fantastic Four, accepted the role of Steve Rogers aka Captain America after debating a week for who knows why (hello, do the words "hit the lottery" mean anything to you, Chris?). Question is, when it comes to bossing Tony Stark around, will Evans have the chops? When Red-and-Blue Makes Green Planning to see Alice in Wonderland this weekend? Now that studios are shoving every movie they make down our 3D-weary throats, comes word that effective March 26, tickets to 3D movies will go up as much as 26%. I'm guessing none of this will go to improving concession food, or hiring more people to clean the sticky stuff off the floor. Earth Wind and Fire Here's the new trailer for M. Night...

Read More...

What should the "American Idol" Top 10 sing for the R&B/Soul week? Make your picks here.

Even though Usher kinda spilled the "Idol" mentoring beans over the weekend, it was officially announced during the Wednesday, March 24 results show that he would be mentoring the Top 10 for R&B/Soul week.

We love that R&B/Soul reaches way back into Motown because some of the non-Michael Lynche singers need some oldies thrown in there.

The song list is available here, but here is the whole list:

  

    * A Song For Momma - Boyz II Men

    * Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross

    * Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

    * Ain't Too Proud to Beg - The Temptations

    * Angel of Mine - Monica

    * At Your Best You Are Love - Aaliya

    * Baby I Need Your Loving - The Four Tops

    * Back At One - Brian McKnight...

Recent report suggested that Justin Timberlake and Prince have been booked to perform at a tribute show dedicated for Michael Jackson. The upcoming gig reportedly is initiated by Jermaine Jackson and will include Santana on the performers line-up.

"The best way and most suitable way is to assemble the world's largest tribute in history that is only fitting to a man who moved the hearts and souls of an unimaginable amount," Jermaine said as quoted by Undercover. Additionally, the older brother of the King of Pop was said to have signed Janet Jackson to fill the vacant slot in the Jackson Five during the tribute.

The gig is expected to take place at Wembley Arena in London on June 8 and rumored to be broadcast globally. Other rumored performers include Shakira, Earth Wind and Fire, Usher, Nelson Mandela, Jennifer Hudson, Whitney Houston, Jabbawockeez, Seal and Ne-Yo. There is no official confirmation...

Leonard Cohen and producer/composer David Foster will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2010. The 75-year-old "Bird on the Wire" singer has endured a difficult few months after collapsing onstage in Spain in 2009 and postponing a string of European concerts in early February to recover from a sports-related injury, but he will be saluted by the prestigious organization this summer, when he joins Foster and Earth Wind and Fire's members Maurice White, Philip Bailey and Verdine White among the songwriting inductees.

Jackie DeShannon, Johnny Mandel, Larry Dunn and Al McKay will also be honored at the gala. Hall of Fame chairman Hal David says, "Our 2010 inductees are truly representational of the heart and soul of the world's popular music soundtrack. We are looking forward to another memorable evening, where we honor their extraordinary accomplishments."

The class of 2010 will be inducted into...

"American Idol" auditions head to the Windy City, and let's hope the singers do our president and Oprah proud.

The city's musical heritage includes blues, soul, jazz and gospel, and more recently has been the scene for house music, hip-hop, indie and alternative rock.

You may recognize some of these Chi-Town musicians and bands: Earth Wind and Fire, The Smashing Pumpkins, Lou Rawls, Liz Phair, Rise Against, Common, Da Brat, Fall Out Boy, the Plain White T's and oh, an Oscar winner named Jennifer Hudson.

Check out this great video from the Chicago Tribune, previewing the talent that's auditioning in Chicago.

What do you think? Will Chicago be your kind of town?

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Related:

'American Idol' Adam Lambert on 'Oprah': 'Wow, universe came through!'

'American Idol': Can Atlanta outshine Boston?...

The 'Clueless' star reportedly went into cardiac arrest and died Sunday morning in Los Angeles.

By Josh Horowitz

Brittany Murphy

Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images

Brittany Murphy, the 32 year-old actress best known for energetic roles in "Clueless," "8 Mile" and "Sin City," died at 10:04 a.m. Pt on Sunday (December 20) in Los Angeles, a spokesperson for Cedars Sinai Hospital confirmed to MTV News. The spokesperson would not provide further details, but TMZ.com reported that the actress went into full cardiac arrest and could not be revived. The Los Angeles Times reports that the city's police department has opened a preliminary investigation into Murphy's death.

A rep for the actress said in a statement released Sunday: "In this time of sadness, the family thanks you for your love and support. It is their wish that you respect their privacy."

Along with co-star Alicia Silverstone, Murphy first came...

The 'Clueless' star reportedly went into cardiac arrest and died Sunday morning in Los Angeles.

By Josh Horowitz

Brittany Murphy

Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images

Brittany Murphy, the 32 year-old actress best known for energetic roles in "Clueless," "8 Mile" and "Sin City," died at 10:04 a.m. Pt on Sunday (December 20) in Los Angeles, a spokesperson for Cedars Sinai Hospital confirmed to MTV News. The spokesperson would not provide further details, but TMZ.com reported that the actress went into full cardiac arrest and could not be revived. The Los Angeles Times reports that the city's police department has opened a preliminary investigation into Murphy's death.

A rep for the actress said in a statement released Sunday: "In this time of sadness, the family thanks you for your love and support. It is their wish that you respect their privacy."

Along with co-star Alicia Silverstone, Murphy first came...