Today, Barbie premieres her first music and dance video – titled “Do ‘The Barbie’” – to celebrate the launch of her new Barbie Fashionistas dolls. The new dolls feature 12 points of movement and more than 100 plastic-fantastic poses so Barbie can bend her elbows, twist her wrists, move at the waist and roll her head.

To show off these new movements, Barbie has teamed up with one of the music industry’s hottest names to choreograph and produce a music video featuring a new dance – appropriately called “The Barbie” – set to a new, re-recorded version of the 90s hit song “Barbie Girl.” Barbie looked to famed choreographer JaQuel Knight, the talent behind Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” (“Put A Ring On It”) dance craze, to choreograph the “The Barbie,” a series of doll-like moves and dance grooves.

The music video, shot in New York in July, stars three Barbie Fashionistas dolls – “Sassy,” “Cutie” and “Artsy” – and features a cameo from “Hottie” Ken. In the video, the dolls break out of their toy boxes to “come alive” and dance “The Barbie” alongside real, life-size Barbie dancers. “The Barbie” dance is comprised of doll-like moves that can be performed to any song and ends with a signature Point, Twist, Snap.

The Barbie Fashionistas Dolls will be available in October for an average retail price of $11.99 each.

(Source) Press

Never before has an all original female vocal CD hit the Jazz Week Chart, until recently, when Cynthia Scott’s new album, “Dream For One Bright World” achieved this status. Scott says she is “thrilled that the album reached this level of success so quickly and that audiences gravitated to it as she hoped they would.”

Jazz singer songwriter Scott’s new CD features a range of material with Scott as the principal composer. She believes that the album resonated with audiences due to the universal themes on the CD, and her ability to tap into the heart of the world’s concerns.

DREAM FOR ONE BRIGHT WORLD features a range of material written by Scott, who credits co-writers Norman Simmons and Nicholas Morrison for their creative input on some of the songs she performs on the CD, reflecting Scott’s thought that” jazz is just life.”

Accompanied by such great musicians as Lonnie Plaxico on acoustic bass, John di Martino on piano and keyboard, Bill Easley on tenor/alto/soprano saxophones and flute, Yoron Israel on drums, Jeff Haynes on percussion, Wayne Escoffrey on tenor, Andrae Murchison on trombone and Etienne Charles on trumpet, Scott’s extraordinary vocals get the attention they deserve with tasteful colors and distinct nuance.

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Today, ABSOLUT VODKA, the world’s most iconic vodka, announces a creative collaboration with Madison Square Garden that will offer music fans an unparalleled series of high-profile concerts at the iconic venue. Showcasing performances ranging from rock-and-roll heavyweights to country crooners, these two legendary brands will work together to bring music lovers of all kinds the ultimate concert experience as only The Garden can offer. To kick off the series, ABSOLUT and Madison Square Garden will host a once-in-a-lifetime benefit show featuring hip-hop impresario JAY-Z on September 11, 2009, to aid the New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund (www.answerthecall.org). The highly-anticipated performance will air live and commercial-free on Fuse TV at 9pm.

The events of September 11 challenged JAY-Z as an entertainer and a New Yorker. This charity concert serves as not just a reminder of the lives lost but as a look towards the future and the hope that arose on September 12.

“This charity and concert encompass the true spirit of New York City,” commented Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter. “We are asking everyone to ‘answer the call’ and support and honor the families of those that lost their lives in the line of duty. There is a true camaraderie and resiliency this city showed the world in 2001 and we continue that today by taking care of our own.”

For this live event, 100 percent of the proceeds from ticket sales and concert merchandise will go directly to “New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund.” Since its inception, New York Police & Fire Widow’s & Children’s Benefit Fund has distributed over $114 million to the families of New York City police and fire personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Though the Benefit Fund was initially created to assist families of New York City Fire Fighters and Police Officers, the non-profit now includes the families of Emergency Medical Services and Port Authority Officers as well. For more information on the organization, go to http://www.answerthecall.org

The on-sale date and method of purchase for tickets to the concert will be announced shortly. After the announcement, Citi card members will have access to presale tickets through Citi’s Private Pass program.

(Source) Press

VH1 and VH1 Classic are kicking off a programming bonanza centered on one of the biggest-selling bands in pop culture history – The Beatles. The networks extensive and wide-ranging programming is airing in support of the highly anticipated launch of MTV Games’ The Beatles: Rock Band on September 9.

The 3-week-long programming block begins with the airing of “The Beatles Anthology,” the comprehensive documentary series focused on the history of the “Fab Four.” “The Beatles Anthology” simulcasts on VH1 and VH1 Classic on Wednesday, August 26, Wednesday, September 2, and Wednesday, September 9 at 9PM*. Then beginning Tuesday, September 1, VH1 Classic goes into full gear with “9 Days of Beatles” featuring classic Beatles’ documentaries, concerts and films.

Footage from “The Beatles Anthology” documentary was compiled from interviews, studio sessions, films, and home videos, with production taking place over the course of five years. From their childhood in England to the band’s eventual breakup, this in-depth documentary takes a look into the careers of four of the greatest musicians to grace the stage. Directed by Geoff Wonfor and Bob Smeaton, this Emmy-nominated film follows John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr around the world as they share their stories. Fans will have an opportunity to see and hear some of their favorite Beatles performances as well as rarely seen footage.

Via Press

2009 has turned into a landmark year like no other for legendary Island Records group Bon Jovi, and now the band is launching their new single, “We Weren’t Born To Follow” an upbeat positive anthem which premiered on radio Tuesday, August 18th. “We Weren’t Born To Follow” is the first single pick from the band’s new studio album, THE CIRCLE, in stores November 10th.

“We Weren’t Born To Follow” was written (and co-produced) by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, and was produced by John Shanks, who worked with Bon Jovi on their last two albums, Have A Nice Day (2005) which featured the Grammy winning single, “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” and Lost Highway (2007), which debuted at #1 on the Soundscan Charts in the U.S. and around the world. The resulting “Lost Highway World Tour” – which famously started with 10 triumphant nights in New Jersey and came to a close with an historic free concert in New York City’s Central Park and two sold-out nights at Madison Square Garden – was ranked as 2008’s #1 top-selling tour around the world according to Billboard.

Bon Jovi has set the standard for more than two decades as one of the most successful rock bands in the world. Globally, the Grammy Award-winning band has sold more than 120 million albums and performed more than 2,600 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 34 million fans.

Press

THE BLACK EYED PEAS make history with the longest successive stay at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart with 20 consecutive weeks at #1. “I Gotta Feeling” holds at #1 for an eighth week and “Boom Boom Pow” spent 12 weeks at #1. This is the longest consecutive stay for an artist in the Billboard chart’s 51 year history.

“The Black Eyed Peas record-breaking feat is a phenomenal achievement that underscores will.i.am’s ability to craft songs that instantly resonate with music fans,” said Steve Berman, President, Marketing & Sales, Interscope Geffen A&M. “From the moment I met will, I knew his unique artistry would make lasting impressions.”

“With this kind of success your ego wants to take all the credit but your heart reminds your soul that it was your heart that had you slaving and creating in the studio making the music; breaking through comfort zones and tradition. In the fight between heart and ego my heart always wins,” said will.i.am. “Without everyone doing their part, the stars never would have aligned. This was a group effort, thank you to everyone who helped to keep these songs on top,” said Fergie.

“I Gotta Feeling,” the second single from The E.N.D., is currently in its second week at #1 on the Top 40 chart. Since its release eight weeks ago, “I Gotta Feeling” has sold over 2 million digital downloads. Their first single “Boom Boom Pow” spent seven weeks at #1 on the Top 40 chart and has sold over 3.8 million digital downloads. “Boom Boom Pow” is the #1 track on the Nielsen Soundscan’s Year To Date digital tracks chart for 2009.

THE E.N.D., the fifth release from the three-time Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum Interscope recording artist, The Black Eyed Peas, entered the Billboard Top 200 chart at #1 with the group’s highest debut of their career with 304,109 in first-week sales. The E.N.D. is currently # 3 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart.

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Madonna’s concert took place in the historic Tallinn Song Festival Grounds – a large outdoor concert site that was originally (in 1959) built for Estonia’s nationwide song festivals, but now has hosted many world-famous stars including King of Pop, Michael Jackson and the HIStory World Tour in 1997.

The legendary Estonian song festivals are also still taking place at Tallinn, attracting nowadays also huge numbers of tourists in addition to Estonians themselves. This year’s song festival was extremely popular bringing together more than 110,000 people at the beginning of July.

Among the spectators of Madonna’s Tallinn concert was also the President of Latvia, Valdis Zatlers, who applauded both the show and the concert site, and expressed regret that Riga does not have such great festival grounds.

Besides the site, also the organization of the concert was praised by those involved. The tour’s management gave credit to the local organization team and Madonna’s production manager said that Estonia would be a great place for the organizers of several other European countries to learn from.

Margus Reinsalu, who has been to many concert sites in the world due to the international nature of his business, stresses the uniqueness of the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds. “There is no similar place anywhere else in the world. This and the high quality professional organization of the Madonna concert prove that there is no artist in the world that the Estonian public could not see.”

Press

The city of Seattle has heralded in some of the biggest music acts of the last few decades, from the iconic grunge era acts of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden to the more recent indie-rockers Death Cab for Cutie and Modest Mouse.

After teaming up to offer a glimpse into the current music of historic Memphis, Tennessee, Hustle & Flow director Craig Brewer and MTV New Media have taken “$5 Cover” to the Pacific Northwest, where the award-winning director of Humpday and resident Seattleite Lynn Shelton takes the reins for a new series, “$5 Cover: Seattle.”

Shelton brings her intimate, comic style to a community of up-and-coming and undiscovered bands – including Thee Emergency, The Lights, Champagne Champagne, The Maldives, The Moondoggies, Whiskey Tango, Tea Cozies and more.

“$5 Cover: Seattle,” which will be shot through the month of August in the city’s clubs, bars, crash pads, and streets, will let music fans get a taste of the Seattle’s musical diversity. From alt-country to hip-hop, woodsy psychedelia to guitar-infused pop, viewers will be treated to a real-life experience of some of Seattle’s biggest up-and-coming bands. Shelton brings her experience with three feature films, a dozen music videos, documentary, and short film to the series, along with a personal interest in sharing an intimate look at her city’s music scene.

“‘$5 Cover’ was created by Craig Brewer to allow other great filmmakers to bring their own vision to the music scenes of cities around the world. We had a few cities in mind to explore, but after seeing Humpday at Sundance, I knew Lynn Shelton needed to be the next “$5 Cover” director,” said David Gale, Executive Vice President, MTV New Media. “She had made a brilliant film with a unique style and sense of humor, has been passionate about music for her entire career and lived in one of the greatest music cities (past and present) in the country. It was kind of dream come true to have her sign on despite the fact that big time Hollywood was knocking down her door.”

“MTV and [Executive Producer] David Gale have turned over the reins to me as an artist to portray the Seattle music scene as I want, which is to say, as it is, as I see it,” said Lynn Shelton, “$5 Cover: Seattle,” director. “I’ve also chosen bands that are great to hang out with, and, as you’ll see, they’re really funny, so that’ll be in the show as well. Also, we’ve been on set ten days and the music and performances are amazing!”

“I’m psyched that Seattle is the next city on the list – it absolutely breathes music and art and of course is home to my amazing fellow filmmaker Lynn Shelton,” said Craig Brewer, ‘$5 Cover’ series creator. “What I love about the whole $5 Cover project is that we’re able to tap into some of the best local talent around the country and introduce them to the world. On a personal level, it’s been a really rewarding experience to see the $5 Cover project grow and I can’t wait to see what musical gems the next city will hold.”

“$5 Cover: Seattle” will debut online at www.fivedollarcover.com, and will offer viewers individual short-form episodes, music videos, downloads, behind-the-scenes images and video, and more.

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EMI Music joins the rest of the world in mourning the legendary musician, inventor and innovator, Les Paul, who passed away this morning at the age of 94. Today, the flag atop the Capitol Records tower in Hollywood has been lowered to half-staff in remembrance of Paul, one of EMI Music’s most legendary and innovative recording artists, who first signed with Capitol Records in 1948 and was instrumental in the development of both the Capitol label and Capitol Studios.

Born Lester William Polsfuss in Waukesha, Wisconsin on June 9, 1915, Les Paul was one of the foremost influences on 20th Century sound as one of America’s most popular, influential, and accomplished electric guitarists, as well as an early innovator in the development of the solid body guitar. His groundbreaking design would become the template for Gibson’s best-selling electric, the Les Paul model, introduced in 1952. Today, countless musical legends still consider Paul’s iconic guitar unmatched in sound and prowess. Among Paul’s most enduring contributions are those in the technological realm, including ingenious developments in multi-track recording, guitar effects, and the mechanics of sound in general.

Les Paul signed with Capitol Records in 1948. His Capitol recordings garnered him a string of hits, notably 1948’s “Brazil,” with its six multi-tracked guitar parts, “Vaya Con Dios,” and 1951’s million-sellers “Mockin’ Bird Hill” and “How High the Moon.”

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Banjo Virtuoso Tony Trischka opened his powerful and unique online banjo school today: the Tony Trischka School of Banjo. The site integrates Tony’s unparalleled 40+ years of playing and teaching banjo with the most advanced technology in online video exchange lessons. The result is the world’s most powerful online banjo school, and possibly the most effective banjo school in existence. Tony’s site also boasts a complete set of social networking features, giving the new school a second identity as a worldwide community for banjo players–a powerful social network just for banjo enthusiasts.

The TonyTrischkaSchoolofBanjo.com also breaks ground in musician social networking. Built into the site are rich social media features for student members: a Shout-Out board to give quick comments to all students on the home base page, an expandable Forum for announcements and conversations and Chat for real-time instant messaging amongst members. Tony says, “My site’s social networking features make it the perfect environment for worldwide banjo students to share the joy, camaraderie and history of banjo playing and roots traditions. It’s as if banjo playing is getting a new historical dimension.”

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