Gavin DeGraw

Perry Farrell, Gavin DeGraw React To Travis Barker/ DJ AM Plane Crash

22 Sep 2008 06:28:00 EDT

Performers played at the same South Carolina show as the duo before crash.
By Gil Kaufman

Perry Farrell
Photo: David Livingston/ Getty Images

For a few hours on Saturday morning, it was unclear who was on the plane that crashed in Columbia, South Carolina. Early word to MTV News was that it might have been "I Don't Want to Be" singer Gavin DeGraw, who performed on the same bill Friday night as Perry Farrell and DJ AM and Travis Barker's project, TRVSDJAM, in the Five Points district of South Carolina at a free T-Mobile-sponsored show.

In a segment scheduled to air Monday night (September 22) on "Extra," DeGraw said many of his friends and family also thought he was on the flight, which crashed just before midnight that evening, taking the lives of four people and seriously injuring Barker and AM.

"I got so many calls from people who were checking to see if I was OK," he told "Extra." "My dad got on the phone and he goes, 'Just say hi,' and I said, 'Huh?' And he said, 'That's enough. I just wanted to hear your voice.' " When MTV News called DeGraw's father Saturday morning, he was clearly upset and desperate to hear news about his son.

DeGraw said he shared the stage with AM and Barker just minutes before they boarded the Learjet whose fiery crash claimed the lives of Barker's close friend and assistant, "Lil" Chris Baker, and security guard Charles "Che" Still, as well as the plane's pilot, Sarah Lemmon, and co-pilot James Bland.

He said he's still trying to make sense of the tragedy. "The people that you travel with when you're doing this for a living, they become your family," DeGraw said. "I was shaking somebody's hand who was about to die. ... That could just as easily been our reality too, and I feel terrible that those guys had to go through that. ... You have no idea what your own fate or their fate is going to be." DeGraw said the crash is one of the most traumatic events he's been associated with. "This is a pretty bad one. Just being this close is already kind of too close."

DeGraw also released a statement about the crash: "My heart goes out to the friends and families of those affected by this tragedy. I wish Travis and Adam the best during their recovery."

Farrell, who also performed on the bill with Barker and AM, sent a personal message to MTV News with his feelings about the crash. "Come back to us soon Travis and AM!," he wrote on behalf of his wife, Etty, and bassist Carl Restivo from Satellite Party. "We want to send our love/ healing vibes out to the two amazing fellows Travis and AM, who are at this moment very, very injured. The thought of what they went through and lived through is almost beyond belief. ... We keep wishing it was just a bad dream. We want them to know that they are in our prayers wishing them a swift and successful recovery."

The former Jane's Addiction leader said the duo gave a "great performance" Friday night, one that made it seem like they were about to "embark on a very fresh style of music performance." Focusing on their musical presence, Farrell dubbed AM a "tasty DJ" who "cuts his music very cleanly, and his choices are spot-on crowd 'wowers.' " As for Barker, Farrell praised him for adding a "mega-ton of energy to the mix" and delivering during shows, elevating the duo's music from "good" to "top-notch music performance."

"We'll all be waiting for your return, boys," Farrell said. "You are great guys and great musicians. Get well soon so we can feel that groove and be moved by you both again!"

If you'd like more information on the memorial funds set up to benefit Chris Baker's and Charles Still's families, visit the Famous Stars and Straps Web site.

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DJ AM And Travis Barker Critically Injured In Private Plane Crash In South Carolina

20 Sep 2008 03:55:00 EDT

Barker's assistant, security guard, two others killed in crash.
By Gil Kaufman and Chris Harris

Travis Barker performs at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ FilmMagic.com

Former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and DJ AM were critically injured in a plane crash Friday night in Columbia, South Carolina. The plane's four other passengers were killed.

Lexington County Deputy Coroner Brian Setree confirmed for MTV News on Saturday morning (September 20) that three men and a woman died in the crash. The victims were: Barker's assistant, Chris "Little Chris" Baker, 29, of Studio City, California (who appeared on MTV's reality show "Meet the Barkers"); Barker's security guard, Charles Still, 25, of Los Angeles; the plane's pilot, Sarah Lemmon, 31, of Anaheim, California; and her co-pilot, James Bland, 52, of Carlsbad, California.

Barker and AM had just performed at a free T-Mobile-sponsored show in the Five Points area, along with Perry Farrell and headliner Gavin DeGraw. Though early reports had suggested that DeGraw may have been on the plane at the time of the crash, DeGraw's father, Wayne, told MTV News that he'd spoken to his son Saturday morning and that he was fine. Farrell's manager, Peter Katsis, confirmed that Farrell was not on the plane.

Beth Frits, a spokesperson for the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia, confirmed that AM (born Adam Goldstein) and Barker were transported to a hospital in Columbia following the crash. They were transferred — AM by helicopter and Barker by ambulance — to the Still Center soon after. She told CNN that both men had "extensive burns."

According to TMZ.com, Barker sustained burns from the waist down, while AM suffered facial burns; UsMagazine.com reported that AM was in a doctor-induced coma and will undergo skin grafts. Both sites cited unnamed sources; MTV News was unable to confirm those reports at press time.

On Saturday afternoon, members of both men's families were reportedly traveling to Georgia to be with them.

The crash took place just before midnight on Friday and involved a twin-engine private Learjet with six passengers onboard, according to Lynne Douglas, public information officer for the Columbia Metro Airport. While taking off, the plane, which never left the ground, overran the runway, struck an antenna array and several lights, and began sending up sparks. It skidded off the end of the runway, through a perimeter fence separating the airfield from a nearby roadway, and then crossed the roadway, coming to a stop on an embankment. The plane caught fire on impact. Douglas said two passengers — who were later confirmed to be AM and Barker — escaped the aircraft while it was on the ground, while the other two passengers and crew members died in the crash.

The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed these details during a press conference, which was held shortly after 11:30 a.m. Saturday. A 10-member team from the NTSB, along with investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is on the scene, trying to determine what caused the crash. Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen described the post-crash fire as "significant."

An eyewitness told NBC news affiliate WIS that he saw a fireball crossing the road near the airport and then realized it was a plane. He saw jet fuel shoot out across the roadway and then saw two men, who were both on fire, patting each other down to extinguish the flames.

Barker, 32, and DJ AM, 35, were the house band for the 2008 VMAs.

[This story was originally published at 10:14 a.m. ET.]

If you'd like more information on the memorial funds set up to benefit Chris Baker's and Charles Still's families, visit the Famous Stars and Straps Web site.

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Usher's Father Passes Away; Plus Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Foxy Brown, Amy Winehouse, Paramore & More, In For The Record

21 Jan 2008 06:40:00 EST

Spears spends two hours in deposition; Lohan gets rough justice; Winehouse shows up at courthouse after husband pleads innocent.
By MTV News staff

Usher
Photo: ABC

Usher's father, Usher Raymond III, passed away at an Atlanta hospital on Friday, a rep for the singer confirmed to MTV News. The cause of death was not immediately known; People.com reported that the funeral will take place this week at the Taylor Funeral Home in Chattanooga, Tennessee. ...

Britney Spears spent more than two hours at the Los Angeles office of Kevin Federline's lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, on Monday (January 21) for an ongoing deposition in the former couple's custody battle, according to People.com. Spears was videotaped driving up to the office, accompanied by friend Sam Lufti, at around 10:40 a.m. PT and left at around 1:20 p.m. The deposition is expected to continue on Tuesday.

1.18.07

Lindsay Lohan has gotten a harsh assignment as part of her community service for misdemeanor drunk driving. The Associated Press reported that the 21-year-old actress will be working two four-hour days at a morgue as part of her court-ordered program meant to show drivers the real-life consequences of drunk driving. Lohan — who must serve 10 days of community service as part of her plea deal — worked at an American Red Cross blood-services facility in a Los Angeles suburb in November. She has also been ordered to spend two days working in a hospital emergency room. ...

A New York judge told Foxy Brown on Thursday that she's going to have to provide medical proof for why she should be let out of jail to repair her defective cochlear implant, a surgically implanted hearing device. AP reports that acting Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Melissa Jackson told the rapper (born Inga Marchand) that she needs more information before deciding if she can let Brown out of jail to fly to California for treatment and a repair of the implant. Brown, who was sentenced to a year in jail in September for probation violation, recently petitioned the court via a handwritten letter to allow her to travel for treatment, saying that her hearing condition is worsening in jail and that she faces serious, potentially permanent hearing loss if the issue isn't resolved. Assistant District Attorney Cindy Chung had objected, saying Brown had not shown any proof that the procedure could not be done in New York and calling the request a "desperate and frivolous petition." Before being led out of court, Brown reportedly told the judge she had done a lot of thinking in jail about how to control her emotions and make better decisions, saying, "I have too much talent to throw it away. ... I know I will make you proud and my family proud." The seemingly nonplussed judge replied, "I'm glad you're learning some very hard lessons that needed to be learned." ...

Britney Spears, who has done little to promote her Blackout album aside from appearing in the tabloids on a daily basis, has landed a paying gig. Spears will host a party for the Scandinavian Style Mansion at a private residence in Beverly Hills, California, on February 16, party organizer Claus Hjelmbak confirmed. "She's going to do the press line and be there for a few hours," Hjelmbak told MTV News. She was a guest for a similar party for the Mansion featuring items from luxury brands on December 1. "Even though she wasn't the host, she was so sweet to everybody and so generous with her time," Hjelmbak said. "She made all these little kids and all my clients feel amazing." ...

Amy Winehouse's husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, was in court Friday (January 18) to enter a plea of innocent to charges of assault and conspiracy. According to The Associated Press, Winehouse was not in the London courtroom to hear Fielder-Civil confirm his name and enter the plea, but she did show up afterward in a silver BMW, surrounded by bodyguards who shielded her from the paparazzi. Despite rumors that the couple could be headed for divorce, Winehouse was seen whispering, "I love you handsome ... gorgeous one," to her husband as he was led away. Fielder-Civil, 25, who is accused of attacking a pub landlord, and then later conspiring along with several other men to convince the man to withdraw as a witness in the trial, has been in jail since November. Fielder-Civil is due back in court on February 29 to enter a plea on the charge of obstructing justice. AP reports that the landlord in the case, James King, denied the conspiracy charge during his appearance on Friday. ...

Dreams come true: Paramore are set to co-headline a tour with their idols Jimmy Eat World. The trek will launch in March, with dates to be announced shortly. "If it all ends tomorrow, we will be happy knowing that we got a tour with the band that gave us a reason to play music," Paramore singer Hayley Williams said in a statement. "We got to know them last December while playing festivals together. They put on a great show and we think it's going to be an awesome bill," added Jimmy Eat World singer Jim Adkins. ... Every Time I Die, Chiodos, Motion City Soundtrack, Meg and Dia, Thrice and the Bled are featured on the audio portion of the Take Action! Volume 7 CD/DVD compilation, which is scheduled for a March 4 release. ...

The National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. — the site of a recent bid by talk-show host Stephen Colbert to have his portrait enshrined alongside some of America's legendary presidents — is about to unveil an exhibition honoring hip-hop. "Recognize! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture" will open February 8 and feature photographer David Scheinbaum's portraits of famous rappers, paintings by Kehinde Wiley of LL Cool J and Ice-T based on famous European and American paintings from the 17th-19th centuries, and a poem by Nikki Giovanni that will be transcribed onto the walls of the exhibition by artist Shinique Smith. There will also be four portrait murals created by a pair of Washington graffiti artists that will be featured in the hallway between the galleries. ...

Velvet Revolver's Slash recently told Illinois' Northwest Herald that the band will begin working on its next LP in April. Slash is also planning to record a solo album sometime in the next year or two, he said. ... Staind frontman Aaron Lewis' three-night solo acoustic run at the Mohegan Sun Arena and Cabaret in Uncasville, Connecticut, next month will be filmed for the rocker's first-ever solo DVD. There's no word yet on when the effort will be ready for mass consumption, but we'll keep you posted. ... Chevelle and Finger Eleven will hit the road together next month for a spate of live gigs. The first is set for February 19 in Flint, Michigan, and so far, shows are booked through March 18 in Providence, Rhode Island. More dates will be revealed in the coming weeks. ...

Hard as it may be to believe, Sonic Youth guitarist Thurston Moore has recorded the score to an adult film, according to Wired. "Extra Action (And Extra Hardcore)," which hits stores March 18 and was directed by Richard Kern, is an hourlong film that features "unpretentious, unadorned and definitely undressed" women, asked to "roll around and do something interesting for a few minutes." ...

Seal has signed on as the headliner of Musicians on Call's fourth annual Benefit Concert & Auction, which will take place January 29 at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York's Times Square. Among the items up for bid from the organization, which brings music to patients in health-care facilities, are two front-row concert tickets and a one-on-one piano lesson from Gavin DeGraw, a Fender bass signed by Sting, an acoustic guitar signed by Bon Jovi, and a meet-and-greet and two tickets for a Daughtry or Carrie Underwood/ Keith Urban show. ... Against stiff odds, Tanya Andersen has beaten the Recording Industry Association of America again. The single mother, who became a folk hero among the thousands of targets of the association's downloading lawsuits when the RIAA dropped its 2005 suit against her for lack of evidence, got word on Tuesday that a judge had ruled in her favor once more. Wired News reports that an Oregon judge ordered the RIAA to pay the 42-year-old Andersen's legal-defense fees from the copyright-infringement case, upholding a September ruling that the organization had appealed.

1.17.08

Mary J. Blige "lives" again: The R&B singer belted out two songs — "Just Fine" and "Hurt Again" — along with her band and taped appearances for upcoming episodes of "One Life to Live." In the eps, slated to air February 15 and 18, Blige acts as a surprise guest at a birthday party for one of the show's characters. "It's absolutely amazing to be integrated into a soap opera I've watched since I was a little girl," she said in a statement. Blige previously performed songs on the soap in summer 2006. ...

Remy Ma's case was adjourned again on Thursday (January 17), because her lawyer is ill. The hearing for the rapper, who is facing charges of charges of gang assault and witness tampering, had originally been scheduled for January 10. ...

Universal Motown has fine-tuned its new-releases schedule, and some of the year's most anticipated albums are right around the corner. Coming down the pipe are Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III (March 18), David Banner's The Greatest Story Ever Told (March 25), Q-Tip's The Renaissance (March 11), Ashanti's The Declaration (March 25), Erykah Badu's New Amerykah (February 26) and, finally, Nelly's Brass Knuckles (June 24). ...

Christmas trees have been tossed out and menorahs packed away for next year, but Amy Winehouse and super-producer Mark Ronson — who teamed for Winehouse's lauded Back to Black album — are sketching out plans for a holiday album, according to Rolling Stone. "We're talking about making a holiday record, with Christmas songs on one side and Hanukkah songs on the other," Ronson told the mag. "She's got songs called 'Kosher Kisses' and 'Alone Under the Mistletoe.' " Winehouse and Ronson both have Jewish roots. "She's writing songs, and we talked about getting a studio," he added. "I have to finish a few other things first, but I imagine we'll go into the studio this year." One of those "things" is apparently Daniel Merriweather's yet-untitled new album, according to a separate Ronson interview with BBC News. ... BBC News. ... The pressure is on. The Directors Guild of America reached an agreement with the major studios on Thursday, turning up the heat on the Writers Guild of America to settle their walkout, which began in November, according to the Los Angeles Times. The three-year directors' contract was an improvement over what the studios had originally offered writers, and now that it is complete, there is pressure for the WGA to use the agreement as the basis for its own new contract. ...

Scarlett Johansson is the latest celeb to pay a visit to troops overseas. The "Nanny Diaries" actress will hang with soldiers in the Persian Gulf for five days, signing autographs and visiting military installations along the way, as part of a United Service Organizations/ Army Morale Welfare Recreation entertainment tour. "I've wanted to go over and visit for some time, and now my moment has arrived," Johansson said in a statement. "It's one thing to reply to a letter or extend your thanks to service members in a speech, but it's another thing to visit them and spend time with those that do so much for us back home." ... Zac Efron, Denzel Washington, Emile Hirsch, Forest Whitaker and father-to-be Matthew McConaughey will present trophies at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on January 27. The show, which has a waiver from the striking Writers Guild of America, will air January 27 on TNT and TBS. ...

John Legend sure is busy. In addition to performing at a MusiCares event on February 8 and at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo in March, the singer/pianist will also play an acoustic set mid-flight onboard Delta Air Lines' new Grammy plane. The Recording Academy, Delta and CBS — the network that is due to air the Grammys on February 10 — have put together a contest that starts Thursday, with winners flying from New York to Los Angeles for the ceremony, and also catching rehearsals beforehand. To enter the sweepstakes, which ends January 29, check out the Web site of your local CBS TV affiliate and see if it is one of the 16-plus participating stations. ... The new season of "American Idol" is under way, of course — but don't forget about last year's winner, Jordin Sparks. The 18-year-old singer is continuing to promote her self-titled debut, which was released in late November, with a chat and performance of "Tattoo" on Fox's "Talkshow With Spike Feresten" on Saturday night. Jordin Sparks has had a poor outing, barely cracking the Billboard albums chart's top 10 in its first week of release. ...

These are the worst of times for EMI. Shortly after news broke that up to 2,000 staffers at the beleaguered major label might be laid off soon, Reuters reported that one of the label's biggest veteran acts, the Rolling Stones, have inked a deal to release a film soundtrack on a different label. The one-off pact with rival Universal Music Group for the soundtrack to Martin Scorsese's upcoming documentary on the band — "Shine a Light," which is due in March — has prompted speculation that the Stones may be the latest act to jump ship from EMI. ... Your time-wasting days may be over. Hasbro, the company behind the game Scrabble, has asked Facebook to remove its popular version of the word game Scrabulous, claiming that it infringes on Hasbro's copyright. ... Clap Your Hands Say Yeah will donate the proceeds from their Tuesday concert at NYC's Bowery Ballroom to Planned Parenthood of New York City, according to Pitchfork. ...

Ginuwine still has beef with King Music Group Inc. The R&B star — who sued the record label in early October, claiming he was tricked into signing a contract with a label that didn't even exist — has filed a breach-of-contract and fraud complaint against the company and its purported founder, Michael Bourné. Ginuwine had previously reached a settlement with King Music Group, according to the complaint, but now he says the terms of that agreement have also been breached, in addition to his original contract. "King Music Group and Bourné's latest breaches have resulted in significant damages and numerous lost professional opportunities for Ginuwine, as well as his inability to record new material," the complaint states. According to Ginuwine, per the terms of his original contract, he was to receive $1.75 million, including a $500,000 advance, to record his first album for King Music. But he claims he didn't receive any payment from the label, and that there was no corporate record for King Music Group Inc. anywhere in New York, California, Florida or Tennessee. ...

While Britney Spears is "happily dating" one paparazzo, Adnan Ghalib, some others aren't so lucky. Four photographers were arrested for reckless driving after chasing the pop singer's car in Southern California on Wednesday night, according to The Associated Press. Los Angeles police offers also pulled over Spears and interviewed her, but let her go after her license checked out OK. Authorities said the four paps were following too closely behind Spears' Mercedes, were driving at unsafe speeds and made multiple dangerous lane changes, according to AP. ... Kiefer Sutherland, who started serving a 48-day jail sentence for DUI and probation violation December 5, will be released Monday, according to "Entertainment Tonight." The "24" actor celebrated his 41st birthday, on December 21, behind bars. ...

Live Nation has been slapped with a lawsuit by a man who alleges he was beat up by a member of Mötley Crüe and security during the band's concert with Aerosmith in Tampa, Florida, on November 22, 2006, according to The Tampa Tribune. Gerald Schneeman of Rockford, Illinois, reportedly claims that while standing in front of the Ford Amphitheatre stage, he was hit in the head with a guitar by a Mötley Crüe bandmember — who was not named in the suit — after which the musician leapt off the stage and took down Schneeman. The suit goes on to say that once Schneeman was on the ground, security assaulted him and dragged him from the venue. Schneeman alleges he suffered bodily injury, scarring and disfigurement, although details of his injuries were not listed in the suit, according to the Tribune.. ...

Michael Derderian, the co-owner of the Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, where 100 people were killed in a 2003 fire during a Great White show, was granted early release from prison by a state parole board on Wednesday, according to an AP report. Derderian, 46, who went to prison in September 2006, is set to be freed in October 2009, after serving more than three years of a four-year sentence. Families of some of the victims had asked the parole board to force Derderian — who has been disciplined several times for breaking rules at his work-release job and in prison — to serve his entire sentence because he ran a dangerous business and allegedly did not show enough remorse for his role in the deadly fire.

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Constantine, Jason Mraz, Sum 41 Bow To Queen For Tribute LP

9 Aug 2005 09:32:00 EDT

Disc also features Flaming Lips, Gavin DeGraw, Joss Stone.
By Jon Wiederhorn

Queen's Freddie Mercury (file)
Photo: Getty Images

When My Chemical Romance and the Used collaborated earlier this year on a version of Queen and David Bowie's 1982 hit "Under Pressure," they had no idea they'd wind up inspiring Queen's label to kick-start a long-discussed Queen tribute album. But when the single debuted at #54 on the Billboard Hot 100, the staff at Hollywood Records started buzzing.

"It proved that a cover version of a Queen song could be a big hit," says Geoffrey Weiss, vice president of A&R at the label. "The combination of that and the fact that Queen were planning a tour made us go, 'OK, now's the time to do this.' "

Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen comes out Tuesday and features 16 artists from a variety of genres, including R&B, pop, rock, punk, alternative and metal. Highlights include Jason Mraz doing "Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy," Shinedown tackling "Tie Your Mother Down," Joss Stone taking on "Under Pressure," Sum 41 nailing "Killer Queen," and "American Idol" contestant Constantine Maroulis and the Flaming Lips performing radically different versions of "Bohemian Rhapsody."

The Maroulis track, performed with the London cast of the Queen musical "We Will Rock You," is faithful to the original and similar to the one Maroulis performed on "American Idol" (see " 'Idol' Covers Paying Off For Gavin DeGraw, Los Lonely Boys"). The track will be the first song on the disc to go to radio. The Flaming Lips' take on the tune, by contrast, is more haunting and textural, filled with layered keyboard effects, wobbly guitars and demented vocals.

"We really attempted it in a full-force Flaming Lips behemoth production style," singer Wayne Coyne said. "We recorded 100 tracks of our beloved pedal steel guitar and 100 guitar overdubs for the music, and for the vocals we stacked all these crazy harmonies. We wanted to add different layers that people might expect from us, but we tried hard not to change the fundamental nature of the song."

About a week after the Flaming Lips submitted their version of "Bohemian Rhapsody" Weiss got a call from Constantine's management saying he was interested in performing the track for the record, and because of his mainstream visibility, Weiss gave him the thumbs up. "I thought having the two versions is kind of poetic as well," Weiss said. "That the same Queen song can appeal to everyone from 'American Idol' to the Flaming Lips speaks a great deal about the range of the band's music."

Weiss started hunting down acts for Killer Queen in November and within weeks had generated a strong roster of musicians. Gavin DeGraw was the first to hand in a song, submitting his soulful version of "We Are the Champions" in January. Others took far longer. Joss Stone and Jon Brion turned in "Under Pressure" and "Play the Game," respectively, in June as the album was being mastered, and Antigone Rising, who did "Fat Bottomed Girls," didn't finish the legal paperwork until the last minute. Then there was Macy Gray, who finished recording but didn't complete the contract forms in time, and had to be left off the album.

"When you're going after artists who have careers and are working hard, it's not anyone's number one priority to contribute to a tribute album, and we didn't have years to do it," Weiss said. "So dealing with timetables and working around people's schedules was the biggest problem."

Fortunately, many felt such a kinship with the project that they found time for it. And, because of their immense respect for the material, most of the artists went above and beyond to live up to the challenge. Jason Mraz, for example, layered delicate piano, bobbing bass, gliding strings and mellifluous vocal harmonies for his take on "Good Old Fashioned Loverboy."

"To me, Queen represented real variety as well as world-class professionalism," he said in a statement. "They were the musicians' musicians, and because of their insight, they were often seeing their finely detailed recordings soar over the heads of their listeners, because in essence what they did was perfect."

Sum 41 worked hard to capture the drama, dynamics and heaviness of "Killer Queen," but perhaps the most impressive aspect of their performance is Deryck Whibley's spot-on sophisticated vocals, which are a major departure for the pop-punk prankster.

"The biggest impact Queen has had in our music is structure of songs," he said in a statement. "They've always had crazy structures, but still the songs have great flow. It proves that [a song] doesn't have to be typical to work."

Other songs on Killer Queen include "Stone Cold Crazy" by Eleven with Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme, "Death on Two Legs" by Rooney, "Who Wants to Live Forever" by Breaking Benjamin and "Bicycle Race" by Be Your Own Pet.

On September 13, about a month after the release of Killer Queen, Queen will release the double live CD Return of the Champions, which was taped during their May 9 performance in Sheffield, England. A DVD of the set will follow on October 24. Both releases feature vocalist Paul Rodgers (ex-Bad Company) and include at least one new song. Between tours of Europe and Japan, Queen will play two shows in the United States: October 16 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and October 22 in Hollywood.

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'Idol' Covers Paying Off For Gavin DeGraw, Los Lonely Boys

13 May 2005 10:03:00 EDT

Artists whose songs are performed on TV are seeing dramatic sales increases.
By Corey Moss

"Idol" finalist Bo Bice (file)
Photo: Ray Mickshaw/FOX

"American Idol" pays artists to let contestants sing their songs on the show, but it seems maybe the artists should be paying "Idol." As recent charts show, artists whose songs are performed on the singing competition see dramatic sales increases following the broadcast.

Two weeks ago, after Bo Bice sang Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Want to Be," DeGraw's Chariot Stripped soared from #146 to #92 on Billboard's albums chart with a 61 percent sales boost (see "Springsteen's Latest Leaves Mariah, Rob Thomas In The Dust"). Meanwhile, online sales of the track itself, through Web sites like iTunes, rose a massive 94 percent.

Bice proved a powerful sales force again last week after singing Los Lonely Boys' "Heaven." The following week, Los Lonely Boys' self-titled debut, which includes the track, surged from #121 to #81 on a 77 percent sales increase.

And it's not just Bo. Rascal Flatts' Feels Like Today climbed from #27 to #22 with a 43 percent sales bump after Carrie Underwood sang "Bless the Broken Road," while Brian McKnight's Gemini jumped from #191 to #147 with a 46 percent sales boost following Scott Savol's rendition of "Everytime You Go Away" (see "Nine Inch Nails' With Teeth Devours Chart Competition").

Also last week, single sales jumped for Backstreet Boys' "Incomplete" and the "American Idol" season four finalists' rendition of Diana Ross' "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" after Anthony Fedorov and Vonzell Solomon sang those songs, respectively. (The Backstreet Boys and "Idol" albums have yet to be released.)

Certainly these figures are no coincidence.

"We've been scratching our heads, and there doesn't seem to be anything else that would cause those particular albums [to rise]," Billboard Director of Charts Geoff Mayfield said Wednesday. "It's not like there were big promotions or pricing changes. Our belief is the 'Idol' performances drew interest."

Though "Idol" is nearing the end of its fourth season, the show's influence on sales of recently released albums is a new phenomenon, as this is the first season the show has featured themes that allow contestants to sing contemporary music. Mayfield, however, has been tracking the show's impact on the catalog charts since "Idol" began four years ago.

"We noticed early on that the Bee Gees and Lionel Richie and other vintage artists who had been featured on the show, either as judges or when their music was performed, saw some pretty significant spikes," Mayfield said. "So it would make sense that would happen for current music."

Sales for so-called vintage artists have also been impacted this season. After Constantine Maroulis sang Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," a highlight of the season (see " 'American Idol' Recap: Constantine Now Rocker Of Choice, Nadia Like 'Wallpaper' "), the song suddenly appeared high on the downloads chart, Mayfield said.

In those cases, it's assumed that younger music fans are being turned on to veteran artists through "Idol." But shouldn't those same viewers already be familiar with DeGraw, Los Lonely Boys and the Backstreet Boys — artists who currently have top 40 radio singles?

"With the nature of radio being what it is, sometimes the consumer doesn't have a chance to put a name with a song until they see it performed on television," Mayfield explained. "Even if it's not the original artist [singing it], if the singer says, 'I'm doing a song by Gavin DeGraw,' the viewer says, 'Oh, I like that song, I'm going to get that album.' It's connecting dots."

Interestingly, Maroulis said it was more challenging to get newer songs cleared than older ones, despite the "Idol" producers' willingness to pay up to $6,000 for the rights.

"They don't necessarily want some kid on TV playing their song and maybe messing it up, so I'm sympathetic to that," said Maroulis, who was eliminated after singing Nickelback's "How You Remind Me," a song he selected after the artist behind his first choice refused to clear it (Maroulis wouldn't name names).

With the recent sales figures, however, clearing new songs should become easier. "Clearing songs, in general, gets easier each year as the show's popularity grows," Co-Executive Producer Ken Warwick said.

Maybe even someday — like with "The Apprentice," where companies pay big bucks to have their products be part of the competition — artists and their record labels will start writing checks instead of cashing them.

Get "Idol"-ized on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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For The Record: Quick News On Lil' Kim, Coldplay, Franz Ferdinand, 'NSYNC, Gavin DeGraw, Bobby Brown & More

5 May 2005 05:34:00 EDT

Kim hits the studio, Napster creates playlist in honor of runaway bride, Danger Mouse teams with MF Doom.
By MTV News staff report

Lil' Kim (file)

Lil' Kim is busy in the studio with producers Scott Storch, Hot Runner, Fred Wreck, Swizz Beatz and DJ Khaled, among others, preparing her upcoming as-yet-untitled album. ...

Coldplay, Wilco, Franz Ferdinand, Death Cab for Cutie and the Arcade Fire are among the artists confirmed for this year's edition of Austin City Limits, taking place September 23-25 in downtown Austin, Texas' Zilker Park. Three-day passes are available for $95 and can be purchased through AustinCityLimits.com. ... Napster has put together a "Cold Feet" playlist in honor of runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks. The list, which goes live Friday morning, includes the songs "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" (Paul Simon), "I'm Like a Bird" (Nelly Furtado), "Runaway" (Bon Jovi), "Go Your Own Way" (Fleetwood Mac), "Separate Ways" (Journey), "She's Gone" (Hall and Oates), "Will Never Marry" (Morrissey), "Runnin' With the Devil" (Van Halen), "Fly by Night" (Rush), "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" (Glen Campbell), and, of course, "Bye, Bye, Bye" ('NSYNC). ...

The Cartoon Network is teaming with Epitaph Records to release the debut album from DangerDoom, a collaboration between Danger Mouse and enigmatic rapper MF Doom. The concept album, [Adult Swim] Presents DangerDoom, is due in September and is slated to feature sound clips and newly recorded bits starring characters from several "Adult Swim" shows. ... Just in time for the big-screen "Dukes of Hazzard," the soundtrack to the original "Hazzard" TV show is being reissued. The album will drop on June 28, featuring the unforgettable theme song from Waylon Jennings ("Good Ol' Boys"), Johnny Cash's ode to the show's real star, "General Lee," and a bonus cut from Jennings and Willie Nelson, "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys." Also included are songs by stars Tom Wopat ("Up on Cripple Creek"), John Schneider ("In the Driver's Seat"), Catherine Bach ("Down Home American Girl") and Sorrell Booke ("Laughing All the Way to the Bank," "Duelin' Dukes"). ...

"Sopranos" star and E Street Band member Steven Van Zandt, director Jonathan Demme, Patti Smith, Tommy Ramone, Cyndi Lauper, Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz and bassist Tina Weymouth, and Fab 5 Freddy have thrown their support behind a campaign that was launched Thursday afternoon (May 5) to preserve the legacy of New York's legendary punk-rock haven CBGB. A consortium of CBs supporters, operating under the moniker Project Save CBGB, is pushing the City of New York to designate the club as a historic landmark. In a statement, Ramone said, "CBGB is a treasure of New York culture. It was the original magnet that drew people from every corner of America to come to New York and participate in its rebirth." The future of CBGB is in doubt, as the venue's lease is nearing its August expiration. Renewal talks between the club and its landlord are at a standstill, and it's believed that securing the historic-landmark designation could help CBs avoid closure. ... Ninth and 10th grade English teacher Julia Buonopane of Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in Acton, Massachusetts, won the Rock & Roll Library's Song Lesson Contest for a lesson she wrote based on Gavin DeGraw's song "I Don't Want to Be" called "Breaking Free From Conformity - A Study in Modern Day Transcendentalism." For her prize, DeGraw will perform in her classroom on May 19. ...

The clock is ticking again for Bobby Brown. A Massachusetts family court judge in Norfolk County gave the R&B bad boy until Friday to prove that he has enough income to establish educational trusts for the two children he had with Kim Ward, according to The Associated Press. The singer was jailed briefly last year after missing child-support payments. "I've been shooting a television show and recording an album, so it's hard," Brown told the AP. "For me, it's easy to not know that a payment is not paid because other people are supposed to pay them." ... Puddle of Mudd, who are currently recording their next album, will tide fans over with a DVD, "Live at the Key Club: Striking That Familiar Chord," due May 31. Along with footage of their November 16, 2004 concert at the venue, the DVD will feature an acoustic set and an interview with the band shot a few days earlier. ...

05.04.2005

Britney Spears and her man, Kevin Federline, have dubbed their upcoming UPN reality series "Britney and Kevin: Chaotic." The six-episode series, which kicks off May 17 at 9 p.m. ET with a one-hour special, will track the pop star's courtship with the ballcap-wearing seed-spreader through their engagement and ending with their surprise September nuptials. If you just can't wait for your Spears fix, hop over to www.upn.com for a sneak peek of the show. ...

Dame Dash had a pretty busy birthday night on Tuesday. He had his b-day bash at his New York club, NA; Jay-Z and Cam'ron — who pulled up in his blue Lamborghini — were among those in attendance. The mouthy mogul also made an appearance at Glo, where Lyor Cohen and Kevin Lyles officially welcomed P. Diddy and Bad Boy Entertainment to the Warner Music Group. Usher, Naomi Campbell, Swizz Beatz, Mashonda, Irv and Chris Gotti, and Zac Posen came out for that event as well. ... Russell Simmons, no stranger to cash, wants to teach you how to manage yours. The entertainment mogul is teaming up with financial guru Suze Orman for a six-city tour that will focus on teaching young people the basics of money management. Fantasia and Eminem have signed on to take part for one of the dates: Detroit on May 14. The other dates are Washington, D.C., on June 7, Miami on July 15, St. Louis on August 20, Los Angeles on September 17 and Chicago on November 5. ...

After 45 days in court and 85 witnesses, prosecutors in the Michael Jackson trial rested their case (subject to items being admitted to evidence) on Wednesday (May 4) after spending the final day bolstering the conspiracy charges that accompany the child-molestation accusations against the singer. District attorney Tom Sneddon called witness Rudy Provencio, a former worker for Jackson associate Marc Schaffel, who testified that Schaffel once told him that the accuser's family "had escaped." Provencio, whose timeline was questioned by defense attorney Thomas Mesereau, also testified he heard Jackson's associates refer to "killers" being after the accuser's family and that he witnessed Schaffel coaching Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe in a rebuttal video, even telling her how to cry. Rowe said last week she was not coached, a major blow to the prosecution's theory that Jackson conspired to cover up his alleged crime. ...

A lawyer for Lil' Kim, who was served on April 28 with a $100,000 lawsuit by songwriters Anthony Jeffries and Vincent Hart, issued a statement in response on Wednesday. "The lawsuit is malicious and frivolous," L. Londell McMillan said in the statement. "Both of these individuals signed written agreements and were paid in full by Atlantic Records. They are now looking to undo the agreement and extract additional sums from Lil' Kim. We will vindicate her legal rights in this matter. In addition, Lil' Kim and her representatives have never made any threats to anyone. These allegations are absurd." ... On May 15, Master P will release his own line of custom wheels, called the P. Miller Signature Series by Asanti Luxury Wheels. In addition to chrome and silver, the No Limit general's line will also feature alligator skins and diamond-encrusted designs. P's 11th solo album, The Ghetto Bill Gates, is slated to drop June 21. "I Need Dubs" will be the first single. ...

Organizers have added a bunch more bands to the Lollapalooza lineup. Among the most recent acts announced for the show taking place on July 23-24 in Chicago's Grant Park: Ben Kweller, Drive-By Truckers, ... And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead, Mark Farina, the (International) Noise Conspiracy and the Ponys. ... 30 Seconds to Mars, actor Jared Leto's rock band, will release their Josh Abraham-produced second album, A Beautiful Lie, on August 16. In the meantime, the band is hitting the road from May 18 in Atlanta to June 20 in Denver to showcase the new tunes. ...

Mos Def was recently in Miami recording tracks for his untitled third solo album, due later this year, with producer Minnesota. He was also working on some tracks with the Neptunes' Pharrell Williams. Meanwhile, when time allows, his publicist said, Mos and Talib Kweli hope to record a second Black Star album. ... Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls is working to save the music via his own Music Is Art program, which includes a film about the importance of self-worth and confidence and live band performances. "Music and the arts are being eliminated from many public school systems," Takac said in a statement. "We hope to promote [students] to explore the prosperous and satisfying fields that are usually offered through conventional scholastic programs. We also try to stress the concepts of personal responsibility and decision-making through the message of music." Takac's MIA program is planning on expanding nationwide in the next school year. ... Gomez will release a two-disc live set titled Out West on June 7. Recorded over three nights at the Fillmore in San Francisco, the album will include covers of Tom Waits' "Goin' Out West" and Nick Drake's "Black Eyed Dog." ...

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Gavin DeGraw Remembers NYC Struggles, Knows His Place

25 Mar 2005 02:55:00 EST

Singer/songwriter recalls his lean years, isn't trying to replace piano idols.
By Carolyn E. Davis, with additional reporting by Matt Sunbulli

Gavin DeGraw (file)
Photo: Andrew Shapter

Being a piano man isn't all it's cracked up to be, especially in a restaurant in New York City. Singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw reminisced about his lean years in the tough town on a recent tour stop, plucking a cough drop out of his mouth to discuss video plans, the power of performance and becoming Superboy.

Since its release in 2003, DeGraw's debut, Chariot, has gone platinum, and with that fame came opportunity for DeGraw to dabble in some television acting spots. A cameo on "One Tree Hill" was followed by a quick turn as a starving artist-type on Showtime's "Dead Like Me."

"I guess it's a bug," DeGraw said. "I've got interest in films and stuff like that. It's not my goal to be a famous actor. It's not my goal to be a famous musician. I love to play music. I've got things I'd like to do film-wise, just films I'd like to make, whether I'm in them or not."

DeGraw will shoot a video for his album's title track in Los Angeles on Tuesday with Zach Braff ("Scrubs," "Garden State") behind the lens (see "Gavin DeGraw Needs A Curvy Woman For His Regular-Guy 'Chariot' "). He would not reveal his female co-star's identity, but did talk about the director. "Zach's been really into what I do musically and wants to help out," DeGraw said. "So he's going to be directing. We're building a set. It's going to be quite a bit different than what people are used to."

After shooting the video, DeGraw will head up to Maine to continue his college tour and make a pit stop to entertain "Live with Regis & Kelly" viewers on April 6. Fans that missed his crisscross of the country can try to catch him when he joins Avril Lavigne for some tour dates in August.

Many women emotionally connect with DeGraw's music, and while his clandestine chick-flick watching may have something to do with that — DeGraw is particularly fond of Diane Keaton in "Something's Got to Give" — it's more likely his live performances that reel fans in. These energetic and emotionally raw renderings of his songs are his touchstone, but getting to that point was not easy.

"I took a lot of time to open myself up to taking chances musically," DeGraw revealed. "When I first started playing music, I was intimidated by the strain of trying different things — harder things — vocally. I think listening to real classic soul material made me learn how to feel music that's sung. The strain of attempting different things is what makes it interesting and makes it vibe-able."

There were tough gigs along the way for the musician, and he counts his stint playing in a restaurant as the worst. "I used to play piano at this Italian restaurant when I first moved to Manhattan," he said. "And I got paid — maybe it was $20 an hour? So, OK. Money, right? But the problem is that Manhattan's like three times more expensive than anywhere else in the world. And you can't play piano for eight hours a day, you know what I mean? You can play piano for a few hours. So, I'd get like $40 or $60. I worked there like two days a week."

One night, DeGraw came in to work, and the management had changed — and his gig was summarily terminated. "I got very depressed right away," he said. "I went out and got very, very drunk. And I found the owner at his other restaurant, and I was like, 'You did this to me!' all broken down. 'I hope you die.' ... It was a terrible day. It was probably the worst day I had." The city that once tormented him was at his feet during his packed show at Roseland Ballroom, but success hasn't spoiled the rural New Yorker, who said that he misses the feeling that small accomplishments used to bring him. "The smallest things seemed like huge achievements," he explained. "Like if I had a bar that was just going to hire me for that month, that was a really big deal. ... If you can get a gig in New York, you can get a gig anywhere. A steady gig. I miss that sensation of a small achievement feeling like a really big deal"

When not working on his own music, DeGraw listens to Switchfoot, Audioslave and Ray LaMontage, but still credits older music legends as his main inspiration — and doesn't expect fans of artists such as Billy Joel to automatically fall in love with him.

"I'm so used to my idols," he explained. "I don't want to see Superman replaced with Superboy. I happen to be a guy who also plays the piano and sings, so people automatically associate me with Billy Joel. But a lot of people already have their hero. They love Billy Joel, they love Elton John and they don't want Superboy. And I don't blame them."

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Gavin DeGraw

Gavin DeGraw, Michelle Branch Play For 'Hill' Fans In L.A.

10 Mar 2005 10:59:00 EST

Packed crowd phones 'One Tree Hill' actor Chad Michael Murray.
By Brandee J. Tecson

Tyler Hilton in San Francisco on the "One Tree Hill" Concert Tour
Photo: Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — Forget about "As seen on TV." Wednesday night the folks behind the WB's "One Tree Hill" showed there's plenty of demand for "As heard on TV."

At the Wiltern LG stop of the "One Tree Hill" Concert Tour, fans of the show (and, assumedly, nonfans as well) turned out to hear Gavin DeGraw, Michelle Branch and others whose music has been featured on the teen drama.

(Click to see photos of the concert at the tour's stop in San Francisco.)

Actress-turned-musician Bethany Joy Lenz, who plays Haley James Scott on the show, kicked things off with the upbeat song "Crazy Girls." Wearing a multicolored pastel dress and a guitar, the actress easily jammed onstage with her fluid folk-rock tunes. Later slipping behind a piano, Lenz delivered her ballad "John and Junior" as well as some advice.

"So often we think we know what we want, but if you wait, really there's something so much better," she told the crowd. "It's inspiring. Just wait. Wait to be the best."

She brought out co-star Tyler Hilton for their duet, "When the Stars Go Blue," a song originally recorded by Ryan Adams. The two recorded a cover specifically for the "One Tree Hill" soundtrack.

"Bethany and I started talking about doing a rock and roll version of it, and bringing in some of our influences," Hilton said recently. "We just went in the studio and had a great time with it."

Hilton later teamed up with co-star Brian Greenberg for a cover of Oasis' "Wonderwall," which garnered a rousing response from the crowd. Before heading out for the night, Hilton closed his set with "When It Comes," the current single off The Tracks of Tyler Hilton.

One non-musical highlight of the evening involved emcee Sophia Bush, a "Hill" alum who's engaged to the show's Chad Michael Murray. "Would you guys be cool with it if we called and left him a message?" Bush asked the eager crowd as she dialed up her honey on a cell phone. "Hi, honey, some people want to say hi to you!" As the actress gave the signal, the Wiltern LG was filled with deafening screams.

"He's going to go crazy when he hears that," Norris laughed. "He really wanted to be here tonight."

Later, the night's other emcee, actor Lee Norris (better known to "Hill" fans as Mouth), recalled his experience meeting the concert's next act. "These young women coming out are beautiful and talented," he said. "They stopped by 'Tree Hill' and they sang for us and they blew everybody away."

"Everybody that wasn't supposed to be working that day came into work just to see them," agreed Bush.

The Wreckers — Michelle Branch and partner Jessica Harp — came out and switched up the momentum by using banjos, mandolins and fiddles. Branch, in a white fitted tee, showed off her five-month-pregnant belly. Harp, meanwhile, preferred to make her way to the front of the stage, nearly mixing in with the crowd, as the two debuted songs off their upcoming album, due in June.

Branch also performed some of her own songs, like "Are You Happy Now?" and "All You Wanted," and teamed up with Harp for a new version of her Grammy-winning "The Game of Love," originally featuring Santana. It was easily a crowd favorite.

"I'm feeling very nostalgic this evening," Branch revealed halfway through their set. "The last time I was performing here at the Wiltern was the night that I got my record deal."

As the evening wound down, Bush and Norris invited some fellow cast members back to the stage as well as "One Tree Hill" creator Mark Schwahn. "I want to thank my partner, executive producer Joe Davola, who came into my office two years ago and said, 'There's this guy named Gavin DeGraw and you gotta hear him,' " recalled Schwan, introducing the evening's headliner.

Finally, DeGraw came out, opening with "Just Friends" and ending the night with his hit "I Don't Want to Be," the show's theme song.

The "One Tree Hill" Concert Tour will wind its way through North America through the end of March before ending March 31 in Minneapolis.

For more sights and stories from concerts around the country, check out MTV News Tour Reports.

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Gavin DeGraw Needs A Curvy Woman For His Regular-Guy 'Chariot'

3 Mar 2005 09:09:00 EST

Singer/songwriter releasing title track from Chariot as his next single.
By Jeff Christian, with additional reporting by Corey Moss

Gavin DeGraw (file)
Photo: Andrew Paynter

For those who find themselves squishing through black city slush and/or chomping on too many chocolate-covered cherries instead of fresh fruit, Gavin DeGraw feels your pain.

Hoping to offer a remedy to the wintertime-in-the-city blues, the singer/songwriter is releasing "Chariot," the title track from his debut album, as his next single. "The song is really about getting away from living in New York City and going back to the country for a little bit of vacation," DeGraw, a native upstate New Yorker, said recently. "Feeling like a regular guy — that's the whole point of the tune," which includes such lyrics as "I said to myself we all lost touch/ Your favorite fruit is chocolate-covered cherries/ And seedless watermelon/ Nothing from the ground is good enough."

DeGraw is still kicking around ideas for the video, which he'll shoot later this month with a yet-to-be-determined director. "I think it's important to get involved with [the making of the video] so you can represent yourself properly," he said. "You can't let anybody else do that for you."

Just as he did with the video for "I Don't Want to Be," DeGraw is hoping to share the screen with a gorgeous co-star. "Got to have curves, and I have none. No curves," he said. "I'm looking forward to checking out the headshots. It'll be awesome."

When he'll have time to make a video is anyone's guess, as DeGraw recently launched a headlining tour with Jem that will keep him on the road until May 8 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

A small detour from his headlining trek has also landed DeGraw on the "One Tree Hill" Tour until March 11. Michelle Branch, Tyler Hilton, Jessica Harp and Bethany Joy Lenz are also on that outing.

After the spring tour wraps up, DeGraw hopes to hit the road again in the summer and is "knocking on Tom Petty's door" for a possible opening slot.

Gavin DeGraw tour dates, according to J Records: