HSTV

Eurovision Song Contest

Stockholm, Sweden -
Is she a candidate for Hollywood Stars International Song Contest?
Earlier today, Swedish national broadcaster SVT announced that popular singer/songwriter Pauline was awarded the last wildcard for the 2010 Melodifestivalen, the hugely popular Swedish selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. Pauline will now perform Sucker For Love in the 2nd semi-final in Sandviken on the 13th of February.

Pauline Kamusewu is no stranger to the Swedish pop world having released two successful albums already. Her last epic I Never Said I Was An Angel was released in 2009 and showed her talents in the fields of pop and soul. In an interview with national broadcaster SVT Pauline hinted that her song Sucker For Love - with which she will compete in Sweden's biggest music show - has a 1960s feel to it.
Written by Andreas Schacht

comments (0)

"We Are the World" gets update for Haiti

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) – Usher was deposited at the guarded front gate in a black Cadillac SUV. The inside courtyard teemed with people watching a large flat-screen monitor documenting the assembled celebrity chorus; inside the studio a disembodied voice declared, "We're not finished; we still have to do the harmony."
Noted perfectionist Barbra Streisand stood in a separate studio running through numerous takes of the verse that begins, "There's a choice we're making." Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie led a Greek chorus of rappers through its paces.
These are just a few of the sights glimpsed during the 25th-anniversary recording of "We Are the World" February 1 at the Henson Recording Studios in Hollywood -- or what executive producer Jones laughingly describes as "running through hell with gasoline underwear."
A diverse lineup of more than 75 stars -- ranging from Streisand to Lil Wayne -- gathered between 4 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. on behalf of Haitian earthquake relief efforts.
Both the song and 3-D video for "We Are the World -- 25 for Haiti" will world-premiere February 12 during NBC's coverage of the Vancouver Winter Olympics' opening ceremony. Proceeds from the song and its accompanying video -- directed by award-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis -- will go directly to Haitian relief efforts through the We Are the World Foundation, a newly created nonprofit organization comprising board members Jones, Richie, Haggis, Wyclef Jean, AEG Live president/CEO Randy Phillips and Ambassador Louis Moreno of the Inter-American Development Bank. Visa is underwriting the project.
Featuring an updated track by recent Grammy Award-winning producer RedOne and all new singers, the modernized "World" has some big shoes to fill. Recorded in the same studio, the 1985 version written by Richie and Michael Jackson boasted heavyweights like Ray Charles, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and Diana Ross. The song reached No. 1 on the pop and R&B charts and raised more than $30 million for the hunger relief organization USA for Africa.
Some have been quick to note the absence of pop stars like Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Beyonce on the new recording, pointing out that despite the presence of Streisand, Celine Dion, Kanye West, Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers and teen newcomer Justin Bieber, "25 for Haiti" has a lower star quotient than the original. Organizer Phillips says that some artists "were not available or turned down the opportunity because they thought the original was iconic and shouldn't be done again. Even on the first one, there were a lot of stars who declined."
Jean, executive-producing along with Jones and Richie, says, "There's always artists you wish were here. But there's Pink, Will.i.am . . . we're grateful because so many artists showed up. The room is definitely packed with stars."
Richie notes that comparing and contrasting the two versions is beside the point, and that it's about a new generation and not doing the same thing again. "You want to jump in, but you realize you need to pass the torch," he says.
This is evident in the addition of a major hip-hop contingent for whom Richie wrote a part and Will.i.am created the underlying rap. Joining Drake, Snoop Dogg and Kid Cudi on the song, rap newcomer Iyaz says, "With hip-hop speaking to a lot of the younger generation, it's important to contribute our voices."
http://imahollywoodstar.com source yahoo music
(please visit entertainment blog via www.reuters.com or on http://blogs.reuters.com/fanfare/)

comments (0)

Stars remake "We Are The World" for Haiti

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Star-struck singers, rappers and actors, including Barbra Streisand, Kanye West and Miley Cyrus, checked their egos at the door on Monday to record a new version of "We Are The World" for Haiti earthquake victims, 25 years after the song raised awareness of the famine in Africa.

None of the singers of the original song were invited to participate in the update, which was recorded at the same Hollywood studio once again under the oversight of Quincy Jones and the song's co-writer Lionel Richie.

In all, more than 70 stars lent their voices to the song, and they all seemed in awe of each other.

"As celebrities, we're fans of one another, so we're all looky-looing in there, and getting autographs and numbers," said Natalie Cole.

Streisand, Celine Dion and Tony Bennett appeared to inspire the most stares. Fifteen-year-old Canadian heartthrob Justin Bieber, who sang the opening line originally performed by Richie, joked that he would ask his new friend, R&B singer Akon, to get the telephone number of Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls.

Streisand, a noted perfectionist, ran through multiple takes of the line originally sung by Diana Ross, each one seemingly better than the previous one. Jazz singer Patti Austin came into her recording booth to coach her.

Guitar virtuoso Carlos Santana sang along, even though he is not a singer. Two members of the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson and Al Jardine, appeared to ignore each other.

'INSPIRED CHAOS'

Classical crossover tenor Josh Groban described the event as "inspired chaos."

"Everybody left their ego at the door," he said, referring to a sign that Jones hung in the studio during the original session on the old A&M Records lot on January 28, 1985.

"To be smack-dab in the middle of a sandwich between Barbra Streisand and Weezy (rapper Lil Wayne) was personally a creative experience I don't think I'll ever have the pleasure of having again," Groban added.

For his part, Lil Wayne said his mother asked him to get a photo of Gladys Knight.

He was among a heavy quotient of hip-hop stars, including Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Drake, LL Cool J, and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas as well as West.

"Hip-hop is rock 'n' roll to a lot of people around the world, right now," said Jones, explaining the absence of the modern-day equivalents of original performers Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan or Paul Simon.

Lil Wayne, for one, said he was not a singer, and thought organizers were joking when they asked him to perform the line originally sung by Dylan. Asked if he did a better job, Lil Wayne said, "Hell no!"

But the rapper added a note of discontent: "It's amazing what's being done for Haiti, but it's amazing what hasn't been done for New Orleans" (after Hurricane Katrina in 2005).

A few of the original lyrics, which Richie wrote with Michael Jackson, have been updated, and will.i.am contributed some raps. Jackson's sister Janet Jackson, who was not present at the session, was scheduled to sing his lines from a studio in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Country and Latino artists were notably under-represented. Organizers said they were turned down for various reasons by some stars. In fact, most of the big Grammy winners from the night before were absent, including Beyonce and Jay-Z, who returned to New York, and Taylor Swift, who flew to Australia straight after the ceremony.

Randy Phillips, one of the organizers, said his "one regret" was the absence of dance-pop star Lady Gaga.

The song, which was still being worked on into the small hours of Tuesday, will make its world premiere during NBC's coverage of the Vancouver Winter Olympics on February 12.

Both the song and an accompanying video, shot by Oscar-winning "Crash" director Paul Haggis, will go on sale both through traditional and online retailers.

Phillips said all proceeds will go to a newly established foundation that will carefully monitor disbursement.

The January 12 earthquake killed up to 200,000 people in Haiti and devastated the already impoverished nation.

source yahoo music news

comments (0)

Beyonce takes 6 Grammys; Kings of Leon win record

LOS ANGELES – Beyonce breaks record for most wins by a female performer at the Grammys by netting 6 trophies, including song of the year for "Single Ladies," but the Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody" trumped her "Halo" to win record of the year Sunday night.
The southern rock group's inspirational, romantic ode also beat out Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me," Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" and the Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling" for the honor of the year's top record.
The quartet of three brothers and a cousin admitted they were already celebrating when they accepted their trophy, the third of the night.
"I'm not going to lie, we're all a little drunk. But we're happy drunks," said lead singer Caleb Followill.Beyonce, who in 2004 won five Grammys on the strength of her debut album "Dangerously in Love," a mark tied by the likes of Alicia Keys, Norah Jones and Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse and Alison Krauss, reached that milestone again Sunday. She is the first to reach that mark twice.

AP – Beyonce arrives at the Grammy Awards on
Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010, in Los Angeles.
(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
She won the songwriting trophy along with three writers for her omnipresent anthem "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)." The superstar also won best R&B contemporary album for "I Am ... Sasha Fierce" among her other awards, and still had the opportunity to win the evening's remaining top award — album of the year.
Beyonce wasn't on hand to accept her early trophies: She was preparing for her dramatic onstage rendition of "If I Were A Boy," one of several hits from her top-selling third CD.
Lady Gaga delivered the early show-stopper with an eye-popping performance with Elton John.
Lady Gaga, who won two Grammys during the pre-telecast ceremony, kicked off the night with a sequined green leotard with massive shoulders as she sang her Grammy-nominated hit "Poker Face" amid an elaborate stage that included dramatic choreography and pyrotechnics.
Moments later, she scaled things down a bit — as much as Lady Gaga can — and brought out Elton John as they melded her song "Speechless" and his classic "Your Song" together in a performance that featured dueling pianos, and glitter-painted faces.
Taylor Swift, who was second to Beyonce in Grammy nominations with eight nods, won three early awards, including best country album. Though the 20-year-old has won just about every award imaginable over the past year for her best-selling CD "Fearless," she was wide-eyed when she accepted her trophy for country album.
"I just keep thinking back to when you're in second grade and you sing in the talent show for the first time and people joke around and say, 'Maybe we'll see you at the Grammys some day.' But that just seems like an impossible dream," she said. "I just feel like I'm standing here accepting an impossible dream."
Later, she also collaborated with a rock legend: Stevie Nicks joined her on stage as they both sang Nicks' "Rhiannon" and Swift's "You Belong With Me."
The Grammy for best new artist went to the Zac Brown Band, while best rock album went to Green Day for "21st Century Breakdown."
The Black Eyed Peas also had three trophies, as well as Jay-Z, who won for best rap solo performance and two awards for "Run This Town" with Rihanna and Kanye West.
Rihanna — who was forced to bow out of last year's awards as a performer after being assualted by then-boyfriend Chris Brown, accepted the trophy along with Jay-Z with Beyonce's young nephew in tow. West — who has been keeping a relatively low profile since his dustup with Swift a few months back — was a notable no show.
Maxwell, up for six awards, also won his first Grammys — best R&B male vocal for the ballad "Pretty Wings" and best R&B album for "BLACKsummers' night." The album marked the R&B crooner's return after an absence of eight years from the music business.
While Beyonce has won a caseload of Grammys during her career, she hasn't won album of the year, but that had the potential to change Sunday. The superstar was nominated for album of the year for "I Am ... Sasha Fierce," along Swift's "Fearless," the most popular album of any genre last year.
Rounding out the album of the year category were the Black Eyed Peas' "The E.N.D.," Lady Gaga's "The Fame" and the Dave Matthews Band's "Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King." The latter album was the band's first release since the death of founding member and saxophonist LeRoi Moore.
Many participants in the program wore red cross buttons in support of Haiti earthquake relief. Mary J. Blige joined Andrea Bocelli in a rousing rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water," which was not only designed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the song's big Grammy wins, but to raise money for the people in Haiti. The performance will be available via iTunes.com/target, with the funds going to earthquake relief.
The show also included a special 3-D tribute to Michael Jackson featuring a video clip he made of "Earth Song" as Usher, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson and Smokey Robinson sang along.
Jackson's young children, Prince and Paris, accepted a lifetime achievement award for their late father.
"Through all his songs his message was simple, love. We will continue to spread his message and help the world," Prince said.
___
On the Net:
http://www.grammys.com

source yahoo music news

comments (0)

Quincy Jones 'We Are the World' Haiti redo

LOS ANGELES – Quincy Jones is re-recording the charity song "We Are the World" and sending the proceeds to Haiti.
The 76-year-old music legend says musicians are gathering Monday at a Los Angeles recording studio to redo the 25-year-old hit song.
Jones would not say who will perform on the track "because we've got to make sure we've got who we got," but that the revamped song will feature a new roster of all-star musicians.
The original 1985 hit, written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, featured Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel and Tina Turner, among others.
Jones discussed the track and his other charitable endeavors at a private party Wednesday celebrating watchmaker Audemars Piguet's donation of $1 million to the Quincy Jones Foundation.

Sorce: Sandy Cohen, Ap Entertainment Writer

comments (0)

Alexa Breaks Out #1

Alexa Pol – singer - songwriter.
In December 2008 she won international "Breakout festival" out of 250 British bands and represented Britain in Maldives "Breakout festival".
HOW AND WHERE DID IT ALL START?
She was born 3rd of September,1982 in the capital of Lithuania – Vilnius. Now she represents Great Britain with grace and Great Energy. She was introduced to music at an early age (her Grandfather was a brilliant musician) and when the young Alexa showed a particular flair for music, her parents encouraged her to enrol for music school (later she graduated Lithuanian Music Academy in choral conducting). At the age of 15, Alexa met a touring Jazz band which were impressed with Alexa and asked her to join them as their singer. She took the job – her first step in her professional career. With Alexa fronting the band, the group grew in popularity – holding the number 1 Spot in Lithuania for two and a half months! In the year 2000, Alexa was introduced to a popular Russian Chanson band “Kupe”, and joined them for records and tours until mid 2005.Alexa decided to pursue her lifelong dream, and moved to London to record a pop-rock album with established British producers. From 2005until 2007 - she worked as a solo artist around UK and Europe. From 2007 Alexa is supported by G-town band. In 2008 her dream came true: she finished her first pop-rock solo album!!!
Her dream is to achieve recognition as a pop singer and help people who are, or have been victims of cancer.

comments (3)

Hollywood Stars THE Talent Competition!

The 1 Place for Singers, Bands, and Vocal Groups to let the world Hear and See their talent.

An International Talent Competition held On-Line –Internet, and in Live Club Performance Where music lovers of the world get to vote for the Top Three Hollywood Stars in each category.

Winners Receive - For Online and Off-Line Competition

1st Place Recorded Album (10 songs)

2nd Place Double (2 songs)

3rd Place Single (1 song)

- width=

**ATTENTION** All membership postings are free until web site is fully operational – tentatively in October. You may register and designate your membership type at this time, as well as register for our first Competitions. Those registering for Live Club Competition will be informed by e-mail regarding first set of auditions, audition fee, and process.