Kellie Pickler
Photo: MTV News

Taylor Swift may consider her tourmate Kellie Pickler one of her BFFs, but Pickler thinks of the 19-year-old superstar, who she'll be hitting the road with starting Thursday (April 23) in Evansville, Indiana, as her "little sister."

"She's like a little sister to me," the "American Idol" alum told MTV News. "She's a lot taller than me, but like a little sister."

The 22-year-old describes the tour as "amazing," but didn't want to reveal too much about what fans can expect from the girls who collaborated on Pickler's "Best Days of Your Life." "I can't give away all the secrets, but it is going to be amazing," she said. "It's going to be unlike any other country tour that anyone's ever done."

With a promise like that, it comes as no surprise that the two country stars were able to do the near-impossible and sell out New York's Madison Square Garden without even breaking a sweat. "We're actually going to be back in New York. We sold out Madison Square Garden in, like, one minute," Pickler said. "It's insane. It's going to be a great year. We're excited. We actually just started tour rehearsals. It's going to be a big show."

The girls, who will be on the road through October, aren't new to touring with one another — but this time, it's all about the girl power. "It's so amazing, 'cause Taylor and I kind of started about the same time and we did our first big country tour two years ago with Brad Paisley," she recalled. "We opened for him and that's really where we got to bond and get to know each other."

• Taylor Swift
• Kellie Pickler

Kellie Pickler
Photo: MTV News

Kellie Pickler returned to the "American Idol" stage Wednesday night, and this time she didn't have to prove to the judges why she deserved to be there. The season-five alumna was there as a country star in her own right.

The 22-year-old sang her new single "Best Days of Your Life," which was co-written by her soon-to-be tourmate, Taylor Swift, whom Kellie describes as her "little sister."

"We actually wrote my new song that's on country radio right now, 'Best Days of Your Life,' " she told MTV News last week, adding that the two girls met a few years back. "We just kind of blossomed into this wonderful friendship, and she's like a little sister to me."

Not only did the girls write the tune together, but Pickler also managed to get Swift to co-star in the song's video. "We actually just shot the video in Nashville, and it was fun for her to come in," she said. "We wrote the song together, and she sang harmony on the record."

The plan to appear together in the video has actually been brewing for years now. "We wrote this song two years ago, and we said back then that if I record this song and ever make it a single, then we want to do the video together," Pickler said. "Why wouldn't we? We had a good time doing it."

In the time since the girls wrote the song, Swift has definitely become a superstar, and her self-proclaimed older sister has been looking on with pride. "It's amazing to look at how much she's grown as an artist and songwriter and performer," Kellie said. "She's an incredible girl. Very smart, good head on her shoulders."

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

• Kellie Pickler
• Taylor Swift

Contestants say goodbye to Scott MacIntire on "American Idol" on Wednesday
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images/ Fox

What's the use of having a "save" card in your pocket if you never pull it out? That was the question some "American Idol" fans might have been asking on Wednesday night, when one of this season's most beloved contestants, Arizona's Scott MacIntyre, 23, faced elimination. But, once more, the judges said this was not the week to use the one-time-only reprieve after the good-natured visually impaired singer failed to impress them with another weak performance.

With only three more weeks left to employ the save, it's becoming clear that the judging panel is holding on tightly to it, just in case they're presented with a Chris Daughtry/ Jennifer Hudson-style surprise.

Before breaking the bad news to Scotty Mac, the show opened with the latest burst of passive-aggressive teasing between judge Simon Cowell and host Ryan Seacrest. Seacrest capped off his jokes about Simon's age by introducing a special guest appearance from legendary 1950s crooner Frankie Avalon, who came out at the top of the night as part of a tribute to the year Simon was born, 1959, singing his signature hit, "Venus."

That was followed by the the weekly group number. The remaining eight contestants performed Kylie Minogue's "Can't Get You Out of My Head," which came out the year the American version of "Idol" was born, 2002.

Adam Lambert was the first to stand up, and for the first time, his fate could have been put in jeopardy when Tuesday's show went nearly eight minutes over, causing many viewers who recorded the show to miss his stunning performance. He was joined by Kris Allen and Anoop Desai. Lambert wasn't standing long, though, thanks to a stunning performance of which drew what is believed to be the first-ever standing ovation from Simon Cowell in the show's history. Also sitting down was Kris Allen, safe despite a harsh rebuke from Simon for his funked-up cover of Don Henley's "All She Wants To Do Is Dance." Desai then made the walk to the bottom three once again, after the audience decided his cover of Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" didn't wash with them.

The next to stand up was Danny Gokey, who made it through another week with a decent response to his cover of country singer Mickey Gilley's version of the Ben E. King classic, "Stand by Me." Also safe was Matt Giraud. But it was another trip to the bottom for MacIntyre, who got his first universally bad marks for a truly shambolic, off-key stumble through Survivor's "The Search Is Over."

It seemed a safe bet that teenager Allison Iraheta would skate through after the judges rained more kudos on her for a mature, powerful version of Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me," and she did. The news was not so good for one-time front-runner Lil Rounds, who got bashed for her karaoke-like take on Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do With It," landing her in the bottom three for the first time.

With the time running out on the judges' save, Cowell looked at the bottom three and said, "I don't think it mattered before, but I think this is the first week where it probably does matter," adding that the judges would definitely consider saving one of the bottom dwellers.

Rounds was sent back to safety, at which point Seacrest noted that 34 million votes came in on Tuesday night and that the bottom two vote-getters were separated by just 30,000 votes. Once Desai was spared again, MacIntyre was left to sing for his "Idol" life. With no electric guitar in hand this time, MacIntyre reprised the turgid power ballad, pouring his heart into the cliché-ridden lyrics, but hitting a truly bum note near the end that appeared to seal his fate in the competition.

Paula and Kara were on their feet cheering him on, and when it came time to render a verdict, Simon admitted that the panel was split. Following more deliberation, Simon shrugged his shoulders and said, unlike last week, when he had no qualms about sending home Megan Joy, this decision was tough.

I really, really like you, Scott," Cowell said. "I'm looking over there, and I think there's a bunch of talented singers, so this decision isn't just based on you. It's whether I think somebody, or we think somebody, is more talented over there."

After another awkward pause and some hemming and hawing from Paula and Kara about how Mac had gotten it right in the past but had made a poor song choice this week, Seacrest pressed Cowell for a definitive answer. "You want me to make a decision?" Cowell asked the rest of the panel. "You want me to make it? Scott, someone's got to make a decision here, and I'm going to say it's the end of the competition. Sorry."

Seacrest and the rest of the cast gathered to give MacIntyre a hug as the show's first visually impaired contestant was sung off, but not before Paula told him, "You've been an inspiration to the entire world through your commitment, through your talent. And we all watch 'American Idol' so that we as an audience get to witness unique and gifted artists as you, Scott. ... You are one classy gentleman. God bless you, we love you."

Season-five sixth-place finisher and country sensation Kellie Pickler returned to the show on Wednesday to sing her current single, "Best Days of Your Life," co-written by good pal Taylor Swift. The spunky blond singer had some fun on her return trip, stopping by the judges' table to do a little playful flirting with Simon and Randy as she worked the crowd.

The show also featured the "Idol" debut of rapper Flo Rida, who performed his #1 hit single, "Right Round." Flanked by a female back up singer, a hype man and four female dancers in spangly booty shorts and tank tops, the rapper sang an unedited version of the tune, which, depending on how you choose to interpret it, is either about watching a stripper slide down a pole or receiving oral sex from a woman, or both. Either way, the song is about as far as the family-friendly show has ever pushed the musical envelope.

Next week promises a return to G-rated territory, when former "Idol" cast-off and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson makes her long-rumored return to the show, which will also feature a performance from Miley Cyrus and guest mentoring from avowed "Idol" fanatic director Quentin Tarantino for the week's " 'Idol' at the Movies" theme.

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

• 'American Idol' In 60 Seconds

• "American Idol" Season 8: Live Performances

• Flo Rida
• Kellie Pickler

Kellie Pickler
Photo: Stephen Shugerman/ Getty Images

Although Kellie Pickler hasn't had much time to catch up on the latest season of "American Idol," there is one thing she's heard about that she wishes would have existed back in season five when she was on the show.

"I know they've changed a lot. I'm not really sure exactly what all the changes have been," she said. "I wish they'd have had [the judges' 'save'] when I was there. Maybe I could have got saved!"

Pickler may not be able to watch as frequently as she wants, but she is hoping that others are watching because she is proud to have been on the show. "I have not been able to watch it religiously, 'cause I'm on the road a lot," she said. "So I don't really get to follow any television show but I do love the show."

The former "Idol" contestant also has a little advice for the current hopefuls: Don't let the competition stress you out. "I think it's all about having a good time, and as long as you're enjoying yourself, success is defined by happiness," she said. "So just have fun and enjoy it, and pick songs that you love and just have a good time."

When asked if, like many former "Idol" contestants before her, she'll be coming back this season to make an appearance, Pickler remained coy. (See which "Idol" alum you hope will return to the show, in our Newsroom poll.) "You'll have to watch, so that's all I'm saying," she teased, hinting to the fact that she might sing her new single "Best Days of Your Life." "That's a possibility — we'll see."

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

• "American Idol" Season 8: Live Performances
• Stars Show Some Leg At The Dressed To Kilt Charity Fashion Show

• Kellie Pickler

Taylor Swift
Photo: Ray Tamarra/ Getty Images

In January, Taylor Swift announced she'll be hitting the road for her first headlining tour thanks to the overwhelming success of her album Fearless. Now, she's announced the official dates for the trek, which kicks off April 23 in Indiana. The tour will be hitting cities throughout the U.S. straight into October.

Swift's best friend, Kellie Pickler, will be featured as one of the opening acts, as will up-and-coming artist Gloriana, according to Swift's MySpace page. In addition, the country-crossover star will play nine shows with Keith Urban on the tour, including a stop in Cincinnati on June 5.

"For the past three years I've been writing down ideas for ... a headlining tour, and I get to do one now," the singer told MTV News. "It is unbelievable to me that that is actually happening. But I'm planning the stage, and the wheels are all turning."

She also gushed about the chance to hit the road with BFF Pickler, which will allow her the opportunity to hang out. "Kellie Pickler is actually going to be my opening act. ... She's, like, my best friend," she said. "It's going to be really fun just spending the summer with your best friend. [It] solves that issue of ever being bored!"

In addition to a tour, Swift has been nominated for three Academy of Country Music awards: Album of the Year for Fearless, Top Female Vocalist and Video of the Year for "Love Story." The awards ceremony will take place on April 5 in Las Vegas.

Taylor Swift's tour dates, according to her label:
» April 23 - Evansville, IN @ Roberts Stadium
» April 24 - Jonesboro, AR @ Arkansas State University
» April 25 - St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center
» April 30 - Charleston, SC @ North Charleston Coliseum
» May 1 - Jacksonville, FL @ Jacksonville Arena
» May 2 - Biloxi, MS @ Mississippi Coast Coliseum
» May 14 - Spokane, WA @ Spokane Arena
» May 15 - Seattle, WA @ Key Arena
» May 16 - Portland, OR @ Rose Garden
» May 17 - Nampa, ID @ Idaho Center
» May 21 - Phoenix, AZ @ Jobing.com Arena
» May 22 - Los Angeles, CA @ Staples Center
» May 23 - Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay
» May 24 - San Diego, CA @ San Diego Sports Arena
» May 26 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Venue to be announced
» June 4 - Enterprise, AL @ BamaJam
» June 5 - Cincinnati, OH @ US Bank Center (w/ Keith Urban)
» June 6 - Auburn Hills, MI @ The Palace at Auburn Hills (w/ Keith Urban)
» June 7 - Ft. Wayne, IN @ Memorial Coliseum (w/ Keith Urban)
» June 11 - Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
» June 12 - Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum Complex
» June 13 - Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arnea (w/ Keith Urban)
» June 24 - Oshkosh, WI @ Country USA Festival
» June 25 - Cadott, WI @ Chippewa Valley Country Fest
» June 27 - Des Moines, IA @ Wells Fargo Arena (w/ Keith Urban)
» June 28 - Moline, IL @ Mark of the Quad Cities (w/ Keith Urban)
» July 8 - Calgary, Alberta @ Pengrowth Saddledome
» July 9 - Edmonton, Alberta @ Venue to be announced
» July 10 - Craven, Saskatchewan @ Craven Country Jamboree
» July 11 - Winnipeg, Manitoba @ MTS Centre
» July 16 - Twin Lakes, WI @ Country Thunder Festival
» July 17 - Columbus, OH @ Venue to be announced
» July 18 - Charleston, WV @ Charleston Civic Center
» July 23 - Cheyenne, WY @ Cheyenne Frontier Days
» July 24 - Rapid City, SD @ Rushmore Civic Center
» July 25 - Minot, ND @ North Dakota State Fair
» July 31 - Boston, MA @ TD Banknorth Garden (w/ Keith Urban)
» August 1 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wachovia Center (w/ Keith Urban)
» August 7 - Detroit Lakes, MN @ We Fest
» August 8 - Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center (w/ Keith Urban)
» August 9 - Omaha, NE @ Venue to be announced
» August 27 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
» August 28 - Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun
» August 29 - University Park, PA @ Venue to be announced
» August 30 - Louisville, KY @ Venue to be announced
» September 4 - Greenville, SC @ Venue to be announced
» September 5 - Charlotte, NC @ TWC Arena
» September 10 - Lafayette, LA @ Cajun Dome
» September 11 - Bossier City, LA @ Venue to be announced
» September 12 - Birmingham, AL @ BJCC
» September 25 - Dallas, TX @ Venue to be announced
» September 26 - Little Rock, AR @ Venue to be announced
» September 27 - Tulsa, OK @ Venue to be announced
» October 1 - Cleveland, OH @ Venue to be announced
» October 2 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Venue to be announced
» October 3 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Venue to be announced
» October 8 - Indianapolis, IN @ Venue to be announced
» October 9 - Chicago, IL @ Venue to be announced
» October 10 - Minneapolis, MN @ Venue to be announced

• Taylor Swift
• Kellie Pickler

Taylor Swift
Photo: MTV News

It's official: Taylor Swift is now famous enough to headline a tour. The country singer, whose album Fearless is once again #1 on the charts (that's eight weeks for those keeping count), is riding high on the success she's had over the last year. And, although she's opened for acts like Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Rascal Flatts in the past, she's excited to finally get the chance to have her own opening act -- who just happens to be one of her best friends.

"My headlining tour starts in April, so I'm really excited about that. For the past three years I've been writing down ideas for ... a headlining tour, and I get to do one now," the singer told MTV News. "It is unbelievable to me that that is actually happening. But I'm planning the stage and the wheels are all turning."

She also shared why she has another reason to be excited for her tour -- she's taking a good friend and "American Idol" alum with her. "Kellie Pickler is actually going to be my opening act ... she's, like, my best friend. It's going to be really fun just spending the summer with your best friend. [It] solves that issue of ever being bored!"

In addition to her spring tour, Swift will be busy with appearances on both the small and big screens. In February, when "Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience" hits theaters, fans will get to see Swift as she makes a cameo in the film. "We always have been friends with Taylor. She's a great girl, and she's an incredible musician," Kevin Jonas recently said. "One of the coolest things is that Taylor, she's in ['Jonas Brothers: The 3-D Concert Experience']. We performed along with her, and it's great. It's a lot of fun."

Also, in March comes her "life-changing" "CSI" cameo. "Basically, when I'm really old and can only remember one story about my life to go back and relive, and tell over and over and over again to the point where my grandchildren roll their eyes and leave the room, that's the story," she blogged about the experience. "Ah, I can see it now. 'You know, when I was a youngster, I got to guest star on "CSI"! It was marvelous! So marvelous, it was!' "

• Taylor Swift Is Hitting The Road

• Taylor Swift
• Kellie Pickler

Photo: Brian Tipton

James Otto and Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood all shared similar excitement Wednesday morning (Sept. 10) after a special live edition of CMT Insider at Nashville's Sommet Center. In addition to announcing part of this year's CMA award nominations, they also shared their first CMA award nominations.

Otto and Lady Antebellum were both nominated in the new artist category alongside Kellie Pickler, Jason Aldean and Rodney Atkins. Lady Antebellum also picked up a nomination for vocal group of the year, a field that includes the Eagles, Emerson Drive, Little Big Town and five-time winners Rascal Flatts.

All three members of Lady Antebellum were clearly excited over their very first CMA nominations.

"When we had looked at the categories, that was one that we were just hoping so much we could get in," Kelley told CMT Insider just moments after the new artist category was announced. "I think of us to have everybody's stamp of approval on us, it just feels so amazing, and there's just great talent in there."

Scott agreed, noting, "There's just so many people, so many new artists, that have come out in the past year to two years that, I mean, it's almost like a new ... kind of freshmen class. So it's exciting to feel like we're a part of that."

"The way they did it," Kelley explained, "they each gave us a card to call out the nominees for different categories, and right before we went on stage, they gave us the last card -- I guess so while we were back there, nobody would peek at it. It happened to be one that ourselves as well as James Otto was in -- so I guess they didn't want us looking."

"And they definitely gave it to Charles on purpose," Scott laughed. "They didn't give it to me for a reason because I'd have been like, 'Ahhhh! Oh, my gosh!'"

"She wouldn't have gotten past our name," Kelley joked. "It was genuine shock. It was. It was very exciting."

The trio didn't expect to be in the vocal group category.

"The Eagles, they were my first concert ever -- when I was 10," said Haywood. "So to actually be in a category with them, that's pretty amazing. Yeah, the three of us were flipping out."

Otto has been in the music business for several years, so he knew better than to take a nomination for granted.

"Man, I'm sweating now actually thinking about just how crazy it is," Otto told CMT Insider. "It's amazing, man. This is a lifetime of work coming together. ... You know, there's a lot of people that have been in that category that have a lot more hits than I do and people that really deserve the award, so it feels amazing, man. And yes, nerve-racking for sure."

"I've been in Nashville for 11 years," he added. "This is not my first record deal, but the thing is, this is the first opportunity I've really gotten that was 100 percent about trying to make this happen for me, and I'm just really honored that people look at me as a new artist. I feel like a new artist. I feel like this is my first real shot at this, and I'm just very excited man, very excited."

"I honestly didn't let myself think about being nominated for this. This was something that I saw -- too many big names in the category -- people that are established and already are large stars. So I didn't really allow myself to think about the fact that we might actually make the short list like this."

Kenny Chesney received seven nominations -- more than anyone this year. With entertainer of the year and male vocalist nominations, he is also up for album, single and video of the year, along with two vocal event nominations for his work with George Strait and Reba McEntire.

"You never know how these things are going to go," Chesney said in a written statement. "We work so hard on this music, the tours, the videos. It's so much the focus of what I do, how I live. It's always a thrill to see that people are not just noticing but recognize what we're all trying to do."

Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush received five nominations, including their first-ever entertainer of the year nod. Nominated for vocal duo of the year, their hit, "Stay," is up for single, song and video of the year, and they are in the musical event category for their recording of "Life in a Northern Town" with Little Big Town and Jake Owen. Additionally, Nettles received a sixth nomination -- for song of the year -- for writing "Stay."

"I almost spilt my tea this morning as I was watching and the nominations kept being added," Nettles said in a written statement. "Being in the entertainer of the year category is such an honor. We've been lucky enough to be out on the road with Kenny Chesney for a couple of tours over the last two years. Looks like rock by osmosis really does work."

Bush added, "I just finished watching the nomination announcements on TV from my sofa at home, and it is simultaneously humbling and encouraging to be in such amazing company as we are in all of the categories. It is one thing to play shows every week of the year and imagine ourselves striving to become entertainers of the year and another thing all together to have the voting members of the CMA believe that it is possible. Simply awesome."

Strait also received five CMA nominations, including entertainer of the year and male vocalist. His latest album, Troubadour, is nominated for album of the year, and "I Saw God Today" is on the list for single of the year. Strait's fifth nomination this year is in the musical event category for his collaboration with Chesney on "Shiftwork."

"I'm sitting down here in South Texas, bracing for Hurricane Ike," Strait said in a press release. "This really brightens my day. I look forward to a great celebration of our great music. Thanks to all involved!"

Trace Adkins picked up two CMA nominations -- his first in 10 years -- for his hit single, "You're Gonna Miss This." Nominated for single and music video of the year, it also resulted in a song of the year nomination for songwriters Lee Thomas Miller and Ashley Gorley.

"'You're Gonna Miss This' has been such a special gift for me this year, so I'm really thrilled that the CMA and the industry recognized the strength of that song," Adkins said. "Not only was it one of the biggest hits of my career, when we performed it on the season finale of The Celebrity Apprentice, it helped raise a lot of money for my charity, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. So yeah, I'm really proud of this song."

Carrie Underwood is the recipient of two nominations, too. Her mention in the female vocalist division is complemented by an album of the year nomination for her second project, Carnival Ride.

"This is awesome!" Underwood said. "As an artist, you always hope the music you record will touch people's lives. There is nothing more rewarding than to be recognized by your peers and to know your fans are enjoying the same ride."

Taylor Swift was ecstatic when Rascal Flatts read her name among the female vocalist nominations during a segment of Good Morning America broadcast from New York's Times Square.

"This was definitely a day worth getting up really early for," she said. "Hearing my name called in the female vocalist category was a dream come true."

CMT Insider's writer/producer Terry Bumgarner contributed to this story.

View photos from the CMA award nominee announcements in New York and Nashville.

• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood
• Trace Adkins
• Jake Owen
• Sugarland

Photo: MTV News

To truly call oneself a rock critic, one must be able to debate things like the geopolitical ramifications of Fergie's "London Bridge," write longwinded diatribes about "the dematerialization of the album into the celestial jukebox and other new media" and still find time to dismiss the new Black Keys single as little more than "Zeppelin-esque-detritus-masquerading-as-sharecropper's-lament" (or something like that).

It never gets tougher for a critic or blogger than it does in December, when great minds turn toward the intricate, politically loaded construction of the annual "top 10" lists. As previously explained here, to the seasoned music-head, compiling a list of your 10 favorite albums of the year is waaaay more complex than it should be: It's the de facto way of establishing your cred among your peers; of displaying your brainy, eclectic and diverse tastes; and of proving — for all to see — just how cool you really are (see "Music Geek: The Politics Of The Top-10 List").

Which is why you'll sometimes stumble across some baffling year-end lists — ones filled with obscure Swedish noise-rock outfits and even more obscure hip-hop acts — posted on blogs that are read by a select few music cognoscenti. It's the reason the longwinded Internet forum I Love Music gets overloaded with sessions debating the artistic worth of harp-sporting folk sprite Joanna Newsom's Ys in relation to hard-hitting hip-hop duo the Clipse's Hell Hath No Fury, and why that means the heartland rock of the Hold Steady's Boys and Girls in America truly deserves to be ranked ahead of both on year-end lists.

Of course, it's all fairly ridiculous — and nowhere is that more apparent than on the pages of Amazon.com, where millions of users cobble together top 10 lists of their own, populated with critically reviled acts like Brooke Hogan, Aly & AJ and (gulp) Paris Hilton. They're lists completely devoid of pretense, context and — in some cases — what might seem to be common sense, often hastily thrown together in a matter of minutes. And as such, they're a uniquely refreshing antidote to all the critic/blog hullabaloo: lists completely, truly rooted in reality, by the people and for the people.

We've collected some of our favorite lists here — largely unedited — and enjoyed e-mail exchanges with the people who made them, in order to understand their list-making techniques, and better comprehend the merits of the Cheetah Girls in relation to Danity Kane. Which, in its own way, is sort of like attempting to contextualize the subtle differences between the Pipettes to the Chalets, only in the realm of pop-music and with the addition of corporate backing/svengali-ish puppet-mastering.

Sorry — a little critic-speak snuck in there ...

User Name: "Tinzsters"
"Top 10 albums of 2006:"

» Taylor Hicks - Taylor Hicks
Tinzsters says: "Great debut album with single 'the Runaround.' Will be out December 12"
» Gwen Stefani - The Sweet Escape
» Fantasia Barrino - Fantasia
» Ciara - The Evolution
» Katharine McPhee - TBA
"Her debut album will be out January 30, 2007!"
» Kellie Pickler - Small Town Girl
» Tim McGraw - Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
» Kenny Chesney - Live: Live Those Songs Again
"Great album featuring some of his latest hit songs. It's like watching him in concert."
» Christina Aguilera - Back to Basics
» Beyoncé - B'Day

Username: "Pop_Fan01"
"I don't really take the reviews of what people say seriously 'cause most of the time people who say an album sucks haven't even listened to it; they just have something against the artist. I think Paris Hilton is a perfect example: People wrote such mean things but the album's hot and they just don't like her. A top-10 list to me [is made up of] the albums I listen to all the way through, daily."

"Check Out These Albums Now!!!!"
» Christina Aguilera - Back to Basics
"I always love Christina and this album was so hot. Vocally she has such power and range and the songs are fun and/or emotional!"
» Paris Hilton - Paris
"This is actually a really fun album. Very catchy and vocally she can out-sing Britney at least!"
» Jessica Simpson - A Public Affair
"This is Jessica's fun album. Not many ballads like we know her for but a lot of '80s sounding dance songs and the ballads that are on the album are beautiful!"
» Pink - I'm Not Dead
"Her last album didn't thrill me but this album is really good there are the fun sarcastic songs and the deep vocally amazing songs. Pink is worth the money!"
» Danity Kane - Danity Kane
"I really like this CD and if you ask a lot of stores underestimated how well it would do and sold out the first day it came out!"
» Rihanna - A Girl Like Me
"I wasn't feeling her first album too much but these songs are all good. 'Final Goodbye' is my fave."
» Trina - Glamorest Life
"Trina can really rap and this CD has her biggest hit 'Here We Go Again' with Kelly Rowland."
» Cassie - Cassie
"It's been a long time since I've like any Bad Boy artist but their girls are hot!"
» Pussycat Dolls - PCD
"Nicole used to be in Eden's Crush and she got another hit with this CD!"
» Madonna - Confessions on a Dance Floor
"This CD is my calorie burning CD!"

User Name: "Crazymoose777"
"Best Albums of 2006 ... So Far:"

» Pink - I'm Not Dead
Crazymoose Says: "Pink's best? Maybe. This album is good as a whole, but the standouts take it further. 'U + Ur Hand' and 'Who Knew' are great"
» Rihanna - A Girl Like Me
"I didn't expect anything good to come from her but I was wrong. 'SOS,' 'Unfaithful,' 'Final Goodbye,' she has great songs."
» Aly & AJ - Into the Rush
"OK, so it's a re-release of a 2005 album, but this shows how good pop music was MIA in this year. Into the Rush is an amazing album, even better w/ these new songs ('Chemicals React,' 'Never Far Behind.')"
» Danity Kane - Danity Kane
"Awe ... Girl groups are amazing. A very good debut album by five talented ladies."
» Paris Hilton - Paris
"I know what your thinking, but once you listen to it, you'll probably agree, it's a solid debut."
» The Cheetah Girls - The Cheetah Girls 2
"Raven Symone is amazing, and this soundtrack, much better than the first, is great, different genre songs. All very feel good songs with plenty o soul."
» Shakira - Oral Fixation, Vol. 2
"Good songs by crazy Shakira."
» Various artists - "High School Musical" soundtrack
"Awesome-ness for Disney fans and theater geeks the world over. Not the best vocals but the best songs."
» Beyoncé - B'Day
» Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds

User Name: GWK1982
"I never pay much attention to what music critics recommend or what gets the most play on radio. I just like what I like, despite how popular or unpopular it is. I absolutely feel that music critics are too disconnected from what people really like. They'll love anything that's new or different even if it's terrible. I like fresh sounding artists too, but just because something is unique, that doesn't make it good."

"Best Rock CDs of 2006:"
» Rob Zombie - Educated Horses
"Rob Zombie's album got a lot of harsh criticism, but I think that's just because he was trying something different. I felt the album was very solid and enjoyable all the way through, so it made my #1 spot."
» Tool - 10,000 Days
"Tool's album was terrific as well, and normally they are number 1 to me ... but I felt that their newest album wasn't quite as good as their last two. It was still an excellent CD with brilliant music, but I think it sounded like more of the same."
» Lacuna Coil - Karmacode
» Godsmack - IV
"Then there were other bands who I love [like Godsmack], who ranked a little lower because their newest albums didn't seem as good as some of their last."
» Stone Sour - Come What(ever) May
"Then there are groups who I normally like, but don't love, who ranked high on my list because their latest albums were a surprising step up from their last, [like] Stone Sour."
» Breaking Benjamin - Phobia
» Audioslave - Revelations
» Evanescence - The Open Door
» Incubus - Light Grenades
» Deftones - Saturday Night Wrist

User Name: "Chingy's #1 Fan!!!!!!! Lil Romeo #1 Fan Too!"
"Bizzest Albumz Of 2006:"
» Chingy - Hoodstar
» Beyoncé - B'Day
» Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
» Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds
» Young Dro - Best Thang Smokin'
» Dem Franchise Boyz - On Top of Our Game
» Christina Aguilera - Back to Basics
» Rick Ross - Port of Miami
» DMX - Year of the Dog
» Jessica Simpson - A Public Affair

User Name: "D_Phillips: Film Fanatic and Librarian"
"I don't really have a formula. Just a gut reaction to music. Every once in a while I'll hear an album that will make me feel like jumping up and shouting 'EUREKA!!' because of some aspect that seems just to leap out into my brain. Albums like that I list. My list is actually a work in progress as the year isn't quite over ... It took me a couple of days of pondering and I'm still working on part of it — but overall I would say it will represent maybe a week of late night sessions with my computer and my notebook."

"Greatest Music Albums Of 2006:"
» John Mayer - Continuum
"So musically audacious, Paul Simon was able to pull off this kind of thing and he didn't do it better. John Mayer finds his voice and becomes the best singer songwriter of his generation."
» John Legend - Once Again
"Wow. Breathtakingly wonderful soul from rising star John Legend. A breath of fresh air especially for male soul singers."
» Keane - Under the Iron Sea
"Gorgeous melodies and soaring vocals make this album stand out. Truly beautiful."
» Corinne Bailey Rae - Corinne Bailey Rae
"Lovely jazz inflected soul vocals and an impressive group of songs Rae either wrote or co-wrote."
» Greg Laswell - Through Toledo
"Greg Laswell's beautiful somber gravel voice is unique in pop music. Another terrific singer songwriter on the rise!"
» Ed Harcourt - Beautiful Lie
"The prolific Ed Harcourt turns out one of his best and most passionate albums yet. Incredibly beautiful and worth many listenings."
» Guster - Ganging Up on the Sun
"This band needs to breakthrough to the big time. This is the band's richest sounding album. Full of brilliant pop rock songwriting."
» KT Tunstall - Eye to the Telescope
"Remarkable and mature debut from Tunstall with this lovely, beguiling showcase of her songwriting and vocal abilities."
» Beck - The Information
"Beck's tightest and most purposeful album yet. It seems more muted than the wonderful Guero but a closer listen shows how beautifully the whole thing is constructed."

Username: "Violet - Music Maven"
"My Favorites Of The Year 2006:"
» Breaking Benjamin - Phobia
"Even from the day it came out I couldn't stop listening, it was amazing, as they are live as well. Standout tracks include 'You,' 'Topless' and 'Had Enough.' "
» Three Days Grace - One X
"The album is not overly different, but it is a great sophomore release for this band."
» Stone Sour - Come What(ever) May
» Cradle of Filth - Thornography
"I am still unsure about how I feel about this album. It is one of the greats of 2006 though."
» Evanescence - The Open Door
"There was so much hype leading up to this album. But it's sad to say that this album was a letdown, it sounds WAY overproduced."
» AFI - Decemberunderground
"Being a HUGE fan of Sing the Sorrow I was really looking forward to this album. But with its more catchy feel and the band's new appearance I am more than turned off. This really is an album to avoid in 2006. After a few listens I grew bored."
» Papa Roach - The Paramour Sessions
"I brought it for 'To Be Loved' and that is the only song I listen off of it. I have tried listening to other songs, but I just can't seem to get into them."
» Crossfade - Falling Away
"AVOID!!! I won this as a radio promo before the CD was released. And I don't like the band anyways, but when they said I won a free CD I was like, 'Ok I'll check it out.' But I have only listened to it once, because it is THAT bad. All the songs sound the same and he is crying about how bad his life is."

• Paris Hilton
• Taylor Hicks
• Gwen Stefani
• Fantasia
• Ciara

Diddy
Photo: Peter Kramer/Getty Images

Diddy and Kim Porter are content now, committed to one another and expecting twin daughters. But it wasn't that long ago that the man formerly known as Puff Daddy was split from Porter, the mother of his son Justin, and in the midst of a high-profile relationship with Jennifer Lopez. "With Jennifer, I was attracted to someone who had the same energy as me," Diddy explained in the December issue of Essence. "But that isn't necessarily the best. Because I'm so aggressive, the best energy for me is someone who slows me down and makes me feel like I can breathe. It's hard for me to breathe. When I'm around Kim I feel like I can do that." ...

In other Diddy news, he's signed on with hip-hop veteran Chris Lighty's Violator management, the company confirmed Thursday (November 9). Lighty, who has helped guide the careers of 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes and Mobb Deep, will oversee Diddy's music and branding ventures, according to a report in the New York Daily News. ... Taylor Hicks will sing the national anthem at the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series: Ford 400 on November 19 at Homestead Miami Speedway. ...

It may be time for Lindsay Lohan to consider getting a driver. The accident-prone actress was involved in her third car crash in two years early Tuesday morning. People magazine reports that the 20-year-old singer/actress was rear-ended by a paparazzo around 2 a.m. while driving in Los Angeles. According to her spokesperson, Lohan was not injured in the incident. In May 2005, a photographer was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after hitting Lohan's car. ...

When it rains, it pours. As his debut tanks on Billboard's albums chart (it will open at #151) and he faces divorce from Britney Spears, Kevin Federline's promotional concert tour has hit another snag. According to the Chicago Tribune, tickets for Federline's Wednesday night show at the House of Blues Chicago were selling so slow that the venue was giving them away just to fill up the joint. Federline's Thursday show in Cleveland has been canceled. ... "American Idol" finalist Kellie Pickler is faring considerably better, entering that same Billboard albums chart at #9 with her debut, Small Town Girl, and even scoring her own sitcom. Variety reports that Pickler will star as a naive Southern girl who learns that a prominent governor is her father — putting his presidential hopes in jeopardy until their charming father-daughter bond wins his constituents over. 20th Century Fox Television and "Idol" producers 19 Entertainment are teaming up to produce the still-untitled series. ...

Add Russia to the list of countries that don't get "Borat." BBC News reports that the neighbor and close ally of the butt of many of the movie's jokes, Kazakhstan, has banned the hit comedy flick, refusing to provide a distribution license because Russian officials said it could potentially humiliate different ethnic groups and religions. ... John Mayer, ?uestlove and Perry Farrell are featured on The Best of the Jammys Volume One, a DVD featuring performances from the jam-band award show, which launched in 2000. Due Tuesday, the DVD will also feature Ryan Adams, Phil Lesh and Moe. ... Dave Matthews, Gov't Mule and the John Popper Project featuring DJ Logic will headline the 18th annual Warren Haynes Presents: The Christmas Jam, scheduled for December 16 in Asheville, North Carolina. Edwin McCain is also scheduled to perform. ... Shinedown are planning their second United Service Organizations tour later this month. The band will meet and perform for troops stationed in the Persian Gulf. ...

Megan Zacher, 22, is living proof that hips do lie. The Delanco, New Jersey, native is suing Calico Jack's Cantina in New York after she was injured during a "Shake-It-Like-Shakira" contest that went awry. According to reports, Zacher slipped and fell off a wet bar and tore ligaments in her left knee that required surgery after participating in the bar-sponsored shake-off. Her lawyer claims that the bar should have known that the promotion was "dangerous and likely to lead to injury." ... Microsoft has agreed to pay a percentage of sales from its new Zune portable media player and its new online music store to the Universal Music Group. The New York Times reports that Universal will receive more than $1 from the sale of each $250 device as part of a royalty for licensing its recordings to the new player, pledging to give half of what it receives to its artists. The deal is a departure from the precedent set by Apple, which pays record companies for songs sold through its iTunes store, but does not give them a cut of the sales of iPods. Microsoft said it would offer similar royalty deals to the rest of the music industry. ...

Apparently, nobody really wants to see show-tune versions of Bob Dylan songs sung by peppy hoofers with fake guitars under a circus big top. Less than a month after it opened on Broadway, the heavily panned Dylan musical, "The Times They Are A-Changin'," will close. Reuters reports that the show will take its final bow on November 19, closing after 28 performances in what Village Voice critic Michael Musto referred to as a "mercy killing." The show, a collaboration with choreographer Twyla Tharp, follows in the footsteps of another Boomer-era musical that flopped last year, "Lennon," which chronicled the life of late Beatles icon John Lennon. ... Daniel Baldwin was arrested Wednesday in Santa Monica, California, on suspicion of stealing an SUV, AP reports. The actor was stopped in a GMC Yukon that had been reported stolen in Orange County. Authorities said the vehicle was owned by an acquaintance of Baldwin's, but the actor did not have permission to take it. He was booked for investigation of grand theft auto, with bail set at $20,000. ... Longtime CBS News correspondent Ed Bradley has passed away, The Associated Press reports. The vaunted journalist, the only one to have landed a TV interview with Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, died of leukemia. He was 65.

11.08.2006

A New York judge dismissed gun-possession charges on Wednesday (November 8) that had been brought against G-Unit members Lloyd Banks and Young Buck. The charges stemmed from their 2005 arrest after an Anger Management performance at Madison Square Garden, according to the pair's lawyer, Scott E. Leemon. The gun rap was the second felony charge in New York that Banks has seen thrown out. ...

Jay-Z will play some of his favorite tracks and take calls from listeners when he hosts the live radio program "Street Certified" on November 18. The Def Jam president's DJ gig begins at 8 p.m. on Sirius Satellite Radio's Hip-Hop Nation channel. ...

Organizers of the World Music Awards announced Wednesday that Michael Jackson will perform "Thriller" at the November 15 event in London, according to The Associated Press. Jackson's rare public appearance will also include the singer receiving a Diamond Award during the ceremony. The honor is bestowed upon artists who have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide. ... The Grammys are bringing out Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige, Ludacris, Evanescence's Amy Lee and Chris Brown — and that's just to announce the nominations. The stars will convene in Los Angeles on December 7 to reveal the contenders for the 49th annual Grammy Awards. The prizes will be handed out February 11. ...

Reese Witherspoon has officially filed for divorce from Ryan Phillippe, according to court documents. Witherspoon is asking the judge to block any attempt on Phillippe's part to get spousal support. ... U2 opened their Australian tour in Brisbane on Tuesday with a plea to return terrorism suspect David Hicks, who is being held by the U.S. military at Guantánamo Bay, to his Australian homeland for trial. AP reports that Bono interrupted the performance of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" to call for the accused Taliban fighter's release to Australian authorities after being held for nearly five years without trial. ... AFI's first DVD release has been titled "I Heard a Voice" and will hit stores December 12. The effort is expected to contain 18 live tracks, as well as behind-the-scenes footage and extensive interviews with the four bandmembers. ...

Sum 41 have entered a recording studio to begin tracking their follow-up to 2004's Chuck. The album will hit stores this spring or summer, according to the band's studio journal. ... The Flaming Lips were robbed on Saturday, just as they were about to take the stage for the first date of their current U.K. tour. Drummer Steven Drozd's laptop, a $4,000 camera belonging to frontman Wayne Coyne's wife Michelle and another camera owned by bassist Michael Ivins were stolen from the band's dressing room. "We know it wasn't a Flaming Lips fan," the band said on its Web site, "because Flaming Lips fans don't do that. The worst they do is get drunk and yell the same song request all night long." ...

"Rock Star: Supernova" finalist Toby Rand and his Australian band Juke Kartel are touring the States this fall, beginning November 18 in San Juan Capistrano, California, and ending December 15 in Atlanta. The band is also recording its debut album in Los Angeles. ... Genesis will head out for their first tour in 15 years in 2007. The band, featuring Phil Collins, will play at stadiums throughout Europe starting June 11 in Finland and ending July 14 in Italy. They've dubbed the jaunt Turn It on Again - The Tour. ... And in yet more tour news, Hoobastank will hit the road for an 18-date tour that runs through December 21 in Tempe, Arizona. The run kicks off Wednesday in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and will make stops in Baltimore, Houston, Denver and elsewhere. ...

Singer/pianist Charlotte Martin will host a Save Darfur benefit concert at the Knitting Factory Hollywood on December 2. She will be joined by a handful of guest performers who have collaborated with her — and have also performed with Beck, Ben Harper and Eels — in the past. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Save Darfur Coalition. ... Rob Thomas has gone all soft on us. The Matchbox Twenty singer has written and recorded a song titled "Little Wonders" for the upcoming Disney movie "Meet the Robinsons," set to hit theaters in the spring. The song is like "Jack Johnson meets Peter Gabriel," Thomas told MTV News at the Music Has Power Awards Monday night. "It's a happy little song about the little things in life," he said. "I wrote it while walking my dog. It inadvertently fit exactly with the film." Thomas added that he's also working on a label, R Tel Records, and hinted that a Matchbox Twenty greatest-hits album might be in the works. ...

Hatebreed will close out 2006 with two nights of unadulterated hardcore at Toad's Place in New Haven, Connecticut. The annual Stillborn Fest has been scheduled for December 30 and 31, with Hatebreed headlining both nights. Overcast, Suffocation, Full Blown Chaos and Subzero are also scheduled to take the stage for the festival. ... Blue October frontman Justin Furstenfeld was admitted to a Michigan hospital Tuesday morning for treatment of a leg injury. Furstenfeld broke his leg in May while running the bases after a minor league baseball game, and it appears he never made a full recovery. Doctors ordered X-rays of the leg, and determined the bone and ligaments had been damaged. As a result, the band was forced to cancel a concert scheduled for Tuesday night in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They've also canceled Thursday's stop in Toronto, a Saturday gig in Quebec City and a show scheduled in Boston on Sunday. The canceled dates will be rescheduled. ...

Babyshambles frontman Pete Doherty was fined the equivalent of $1,400 Wednesday and ordered to pay an additional $475 in compensation and $380 in court costs after pleading guilty to assaulting a journalist, AP reports. Doherty — who told the court he couldn't pay the fine that morning because he only had 50 cents with him — admitted that he kicked BBC reporter Trudi Barber in a scuffle with the press in front of a London court on March 23, where he'd entered a plea on drug charges. Doherty's lawyer said the singer changed his assault plea from innocent to guilty after seeing televised footage of the incident. In the meantime, Babyshambles have pegged December 5 as the release date for their new EP, The Blinding. The CD features "The Blinding," "Love You But You're Green," "I Wish," "Beg, Steal or Borrow" and "Sedative."

• MTV News RAW: Kevin Federline

• Diddy
• Lindsay Lohan
• Kevin Federline
• Kellie Pickler
• Shakira

Kevin Federline's <I>Playing With Fire</I>
Photo: Reincarnate Music

When they write Kevin Federline's biography, this week might go down as one of the worst ever for the rapper/dancer.

First, his wife Britney Spears filed for divorce Tuesday, requesting custody of the couple's two children. Then, less than 24 hours later, Federline learned where his debut album, Playing With Fire, will open on the Billboard albums chart.

Despite months of promotion, Federline's Fire cracks the Billboard top 200 at #151, with first-week sales reported at about 6,000. According to the latest SoundScan numbers, Playing With Fire — one of 19 new releases to enter this latest sales chart — is the 16th-best-performing debut of the week.

But enough about K-Fed — there are 199 other albums to discuss. There's no change at #1, as the soundtrack to the Disney Channel original series "Hannah Montana" clings to the chart's apex for a second week. Barry Manilow's The Greatest Songs of the Sixties is the week's best-selling debut, coming in at #2 with close to 202,000 scans. Like Father, Like Son, a collaborative offering from Birdman and Lil Wayne, opens at #3, with more than 176,000 units flying off store shelves.

Four other new releases manage to make the chart's top 10, including Endless Wire, the first album worth of fresh material from the Who in more than 20 years. That disc pops up at #7 with 81,000-plus scans. Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose follows at #8 with 81,000 copies sold, just in front of Small Town Girl, the debut from season-five "American Idol" contender Kellie Pickler, which opens at #9 with 79,000 sales.

The Deftones' oft-delayed fifth LP Saturday Night Wrist rounds out the top 10 with more than 76,000 in first-week sales; by comparison, the band's self-titled disc debuted at #2 in 2003 with 167,000 scans, while 2000's White Pony opened at #3 with 178,000 copies sold.

John Legend's Once Again closes out the week at #4 with 115,000 copies sold, followed by Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds, in at #5 with more than 86,000 scans. My Chemical Romance also tally 86,000 sales, just 336 short of JT's week-eight total, with The Black Parade slipping four spots to #6 its second week in stores.

Other notable newcomers to the chart include rapper Pitbull, whose latest, El Mariel, debuts at #17 with 48,000 units scanned. Lady Sovereign's Public Warning opens at #48 with more than 18,000 sales reported, while Willie Nelson's Songbird takes the chart's #87 slot with 12,000 copies sold. Copeland's Eat, Sleep, Repeat bows at #90 with sales of 11,000, while My Brother's Blood Machine, the debut from Coheed and Cambria offshoot the Prize Fighter Inferno, fills the #119 spot with more than 8,000 units scanned, bagged and carried out of the nation's record stores. And in at #192 with 5,000 copies sold is Beanie Sigel's Still Public Enemy #1.

• MTV News RAW: Kevin Federline

• Kevin Federline
• Birdman
• Lil Wayne
• Kellie Pickler
• The Who

2009 Country Music Awards Red Carpet

• Taylor Swift
• Kellie Pickler
• Keith Urban

Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, More Hit 2009 Academy Of Country Music Awards

• Martina McBride
• Keith Urban
• Carrie Underwood
• Taylor Swift
• Kellie Pickler

Stars Show Some Leg At The Dressed To Kilt Charity Fashion Show

• Kellie Pickler