MUSIC NEWS: THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2016
MERLE HAGGARD DIES
The pneumonia Merle Haggard had been fighting for months finally caught up with him. His manager says Haggard died in Palo Cedro, California, yesterday on his 79th birthday. Haggard had been dealing with pneumonia since last year and had tried to maintain a tour schedule but his doctors kept insisting he rest. As a young man, he served three years in San Quentin Prison for burglary and was inspired to sing after Johnny Cash performed there.
Haggard had dozens of hits, including ``Okie from Muskogee,'' ''Mama Tried,`` ''Sing Me Back Home`` and ''Workin' Man Blues.`` Haggard told the AP in 1990 when he quits doing tours, ''the next big event is the funeral.``
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MERLE HAGGARD REMEMBERED
Dierks Bentley says he literally fell to the floor upon hearing of Merle Haggard's death. Dolly Parton says she loved Haggard like a brother and ``his heart was as tender as his love ballads.'' Willie Nelson refers to Haggard as ``my brother, my friend.'' Tanya Tucker says she has fond memories of performing with Haggard and of eating bologna sandwiches in his backyard.
Hillary Scott calls Haggard ``a cornerstone of country music.''
Jason Aldean says he's sad to hear of the passing of ``one of the greatest of all time.'' Trisha Yearwood calls Haggard ``the definition of legend.'' Luke Bryan thanks Haggard for his ``contribution to not only country music but all music.'' Jake Owen says no wonder it was raining yesterday because even God was crying for Haggard.
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JUDGE NIXES KESHA'S CLAIMS AGAINST DR. LUKE
Music producer Dr. Luke has scored a victory in his legal fight with Kesha. A judge in Manhattan has thrown out Kesha's claims that the alleged abuse she suffered at Dr.
Luke's hands qualified as hate crimes or human rights crimes. The judge also says Kesha's claim that Dr. Luke raped and abused her a decade ago can't go forward because the alleged incidents happened outside New York and beyond the legal time limit. Kesha's claim regarding contract issues can proceed.
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GREGG ALLMAN TOUR BUS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT
Three crew members for Gregg Allman's tour have been injured in a bus accident. Spokesman Ken Weinstein says the crew members were treated for minor injuries at a hospital after the accident on Interstate 77 near Goldtown, West Virginia. He says Allman was not on the bus. Local authorities have no immediate information on the accident. Media outlets report the bus was going southbound and went into the northbound lanes, then went through a guardrail and over an embankment before stopping against a tree next to a creek.
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DAVID GILMOUR DOES WHAT HE LIKES WITH GUITAR SOLOS
David Gilmour has played his solos so many times he doesn't even think about them. Gilmour says he'll tinker with the solos if he's feeling especially brave. Fans who have listened to Pink Floyd records so much that they have the solos memorized sometimes don't like that, but Gilmour doesn't care. He says he's earned the right to do them his way and anyone who doesn't like it can write him and complain. Gilmour is currently on tour to promote his ``Rattle That Lock'' album.
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JANET JACKSON TOUR OFF, ``PLANNING OUR FAMILY'' IS ON
Janet Jackson is calling off her tour on doctor's orders and says she's starting a family, but is she pregnant?
Jackson will turn 50 in May. She posted a video saying she and her husband, Wissam Al Mana, are ``planning our family'' and she's been ordered to rest. She says because of a ``sudden change,'' the second leg of her ``Unbreakable'' tour will not kick off May 14 in Las Vegas after all. The first leg of the tour was hit with delays.
Jackson had vocal problems, then she announce in December the tour would not begin in January as planned because she had an unspecified surgical procedure. She denied rumours that she had cancer.
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PATRICK CARNEY THROWS OUT FIRST PITCH AT INDIANS-RED SOX GAME
Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney had considered throwing an Eephus pitch when he threw out the first pitch for the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday, but he figured the internet would destroy him. Carney says he thought about throwing a slow high arc but he thought no one would get the joke. He says with social media, ``You just do one thing and people want to light you up about it.''
Carney has only recently been able to throw a ball against after a shoulder injury last year. He says he and guitarist Dan Auerbach take their gloves with them on tour.
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AMERICAN IDOL FINALE NEARS
It's the big fade to black tonight for the TV show that gave the world Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson _ not to mention William Hung, that ``pants on the ground guy'' and a lot of other people who couldn't carry a tune if it had a handle attached. ``American Idol'' ends its 15-season run with tonight's finale on Fox. One final ``Idol'' will be crowned.
Whether it will turn out to be a household name _ or a name known only their household _ remains to be seen. Producer Nigel Lythgoe says tonight's finale will try to strike a balance between crowing a final champ _ and paying homage to a show that was once the ultimate in must-see TV before suffering a ratings hemorrhage that led to go off the air.
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``AMERICAN IDOL'' - FINAL CHAMPION
The final ``American Idol'' champion will be either Trent Harmon or La'Porsha Renae. They are the only two left standing after last night's last bit of competition for the season _ and the series. They're both in their 20s and both are from Mississippi. The judges were full of praise for both after they performed last night. But if either has a slight edge, Jennifer Lopez would give to La'Porsha. Before the crowning, tonight's show will feature a series of appearances from previous Idol winners _ as well as those who made names for themselves without winning the title.
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AMERICAN IDOL - SIMON COWELL
For a guy who often looked like he'd rather be anywhere else, Simon Cowell says he sees his time as judge on ``American Idol'' as ``the best time'' of his life. In the early days of the show, Cowell drew audiences to Fox with his often-biting criticism of unworthy contestants. He also drew the ire of many who felt his critiques were mean-spirited and over the top. He says while he looks back with fondness over his Idol years, he isn't sentimental about the show ending its 15-season run. As Cowell put it: ``We had a great time - everyone on it. Now it's time for something new, I guess.''
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(The Associated Press)
