Jessica Simpson and John Mayer are no longer an item, obviously, but that's not stopping the smooth guitarist from coming to the actress' defense after her current boyfriend, quarterback Tony Romo, and his Dallas Cowboys suffered a big playoff upset to the New York Giants on Sunday. Over the course of the season, some Cowboys fans had blamed Simpson for Romo's poor performances, suggesting she had been distracting him. In a Tuesday post on his blog, Mayer wrote, "Dear Dallas and surrounding areas, this isn't a sports blog, and it isn't a publicity stunt. (But have at me if it feels right.) This is about doing what I think is right as a person, in this case speaking my mind. I have never known anyone to have more pride in their home state and their upbringing in it than Jessica Simpson has in Texas. I don't really follow sports, but I have played some of my biggest and best concerts in your state, and having witnessed how dynamic the spirit there is, I'm betting emotions are running high right about now. All witty barbs, blogs and fashion-policing aside, that girl loves Texas more than you know. It's one of her most defining traits as a person. So please don't try and take that away from her. (You probably wouldn't be able to, but it's less work for all involved.) I just thought it would mean something coming from the guy who has the absolute least to gain from this. And if I'm out of line in having written it, too bad. I can spare a Wednesday's worth of bad press if it means sticking up for a good soul." ...

In other Mayer news, Cosmopolitan has named him the Fun Fearless Male of the Year for its February issue, in which Mayer is featured on the inside cover. In an accompanying letter addressed "Dear Ladies," he wrote, "I'd like you all to know how much I respect your mind and how much I admire your personal values. I'm so sorry to hear about your past romantic fallouts, and I want you to know that I am nothing like that guy (whose name shall go unmentioned) who treated you like garbage for far too long. Let's get a drink soon." ...

Calling all Beyoncé fans: On Wednesday (January 16), Starwave Mobile launched a new cell phone game devoted to the pop superstar. "Beyoncé Fashion Diva" has an online social-networking component that incorporates items from the Deréon clothing line created by B and her mom, Tina Knowles. "I love fashion and used to spend hours playing 'dress up' when I was a young girl," the singer said in a statement. "As an adult, I still enjoy getting dressed up for my appearances. I believe our customers truly enjoy fashion as well and this mobile game is so much fun to play. It allows everyone to be a Fashion Diva." ...

Prognosticators had anticipated a strong showing for the seventh season of "American Idol," thanks to the dearth of fresh TV content in light of the [article id="1573641"]writers' strike[/article] and some [article id="1579505"]retooling[/article] on the part of the show. But even with additional help from a Borat impersonator and solid Grace Slick impressions, the new season's [article id="1579727"]premiere[/article] fell short of expectations, with its viewership dropping 11 percent from last year (33.2 million watched Tuesday's show, compared with 37.4 million in '07). That news dovetails with a newly released Entertainment Weekly strike survey showing that almost half of Americans have been watching less TV since the strike began. ...

Radiohead's latest webcast is drawing a little too much attention. The band planned to play a short set of In Rainbows songs at a store in London on Wednesday and film the performance for webcast on Radiohead.tv. But due to high demand, the performance was moved to 93 Feet East, a proper live-music venue. "On the advice of the police and the local council, it was decided to change the venue to the larger one in the interests of public safety and due to the size of the crowd that turned up for the event," the band said on the Dead Air Space portion of its Web site. "Rough Trade and the band apologise for any inconvenience caused." ...

Travis Barker thinks you've been seeing a little too much of him lately. The (+44) drummer is suing Rockstar energy drink for unauthorized use of his name and likeness on its Web site, according to TMZ.com. The suit reportedly claims Barker did not give Rockstar permission or authorization to post an image of him on its site, and that he is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. ... Rick Ross will usher boxer Roy Jones Jr. into the ring on Saturday at New York's Madison Square Garden as the former champ gets ready to square off against Felix "Tito" Trinidad. Jones will be joined by a fellow Florida native in Ross, while in previous bouts, Method Man and Redman entered with Jones during fight night. ...

Well, that was quick. Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds, who ceremoniously wedded in French Polynesia just over two weeks ago, have split up. In order to make their marriage legal in the States, the couple still needed to have a ceremony on U.S. soil. "After much consideration and discussion, we have jointly decided that we will forego having a legal ceremony as it is not necessary to define our relationship further," the couple said in a joint statement, according to People. "While the recent symbolic union in Bora Bora was representative of our deep love, friendship and respect that we have for one another on a spiritual level, we have decided to remain friends." ... The 3-year-old daughter of Britney Spears and Roots producer BT was located on Tuesday night, according to TMZ.com. Kaia's mother, Ashley Duffy, is reportedly in jail without bail after being taken into custody. Authorities had been looking for the child since December, and earlier this month, a warrant was issued for Duffy for out-of-state child abduction and detention from the lawful custodian, TMZ says. ...

Scott Storch owes the mother of his son Jalen outstanding child support, Dalene Jennifer Daniel claims in documents recently filed in Miami-Dade County court, according to The Miami Herald. The super-producer is allegedly supposed to pay $7,500 a month for Jalen, but he has been in arrears since December and is "habitually late," Daniel's attorney argued in a motion that seeks to hold Storch in contempt. Storch was also supposed to enroll his son in the Florida Prepaid College Plan, but the payment bounced, according to another motion. It also claims the producer hasn't, per the settlement, provided proof that he got a $1 million life-insurance policy that names Jalen as the beneficiary. ...

You better start saving up some bucks now, because the U.S. summer-festival season apparently just got even more crowded. Less than a month after the minds behind Lollapalooza (C3) and England's Reading Festival (Festival Republic) announced that they would be hosting a camping fest in Vineland, New Jersey, from August 8-10, the companies that put on the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, are reportedly set to announce their own three-day camping event in Jersey, at Liberty State Park. According to The New York Times, the AEG Live and Goldenvoice event is tentatively scheduled for -- you guessed it -- August 8-10 and no bands have been announced yet. A spokesperson for AEG Live would not comment on any plans at press time. ...

[article id="1574283"]"American Gangster,"[/article] the Denzel Washington flick that made a big critical splash last year, is now making headlines of a different variety. Three ex-Drug Enforcement Agency agents have filed a $55 million defamation suit against the owner of Universal Studios, the studio behind the flick, claiming it ruined the reputations of hundreds of agents, according to Reuters. Louis Diaz, Gregory Korniloff and Jack Toal argue NBC Universal misrepresented the events involving Frank Lucas (Washington) and the other "American Gangster" main character, Detective Richard Roberts (Russell Crowe), and falsely claimed the film was based on a true story. More specifically, the suit, which is seeking class-action status, reportedly claims that the movie erroneously says Lucas and Roberts' collaboration "led to the convictions of three-quarters of New York City's Drug Enforcement Agency" agents between 1973-85. "With this utterly false and defamatory statement, the defendant has ruined and impugned the reputations of these honest and courageous public servants in the eyes of millions of people," the suit reportedly claims. Denying the allegations, NBC Universal said in a statement that the movie "does not defame these, or any, federal agents." according to Reuters. "We believe the lawsuit is entirely without merit," the statement continued. ...

First Celine Dion tried to up her hip factor by enlisting ex-Evanescence members Ben Moody and David Hodges for her November LP, Taking Chances. Now your mom's favorite singer has hooked up with none other than Will.I.Am for a duet on her upcoming TV special, "Celine Dion: That's Just the Woman in Me." The show, which will also feature Dion singing with Josh Groban, airs February 15 at 9 p.m. on CBS. ... Paramore and 30 Seconds to Mars will co-headline the 2008 installment of the Give It a Name festival. Set to take place in May in London, the fest covers two days. More acts will be added to the bill in the coming weeks. ...

The songwriters who accused Avril Lavigne of [article id="1564324"]ripping off one of their tunes[/article] are now saying the Canadian punk princess did nothing wrong. Last summer, Tommy Dunbar and James Gangwer alleged Lavigne's song "Girlfriend" sounded suspiciously like the Rubinoos' 1979 single, "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend." On Tuesday, Dunbar and Gangwer said in a statement, "We are satisfied that any similarities between the two songs resulted from Avril and Luke's use of certain common and widely-used lyrics." ... Geffen Records is planning a retrospective set chronicling the career of New Found Glory. Called Hits, the collection arrives in stores March 4. ...

According to Marilyn Manson, before bringing his old bandmate Twiggy Ramirez back, he first had to ditch collaborator Tim Skold, because there was too much tension between Skold and Ramirez. "Those two couldn't be onstage with each other, so out of respect for both of them, I decided to split with Tim for this tour," Manson told Florida's The Orlando Sentinel. "It doesn't mean that it's forever, but Twiggy's back forever. Of course, 'forever' is a very loose term when you talk about Marilyn Manson." ... The Deftones have set Eros as the title of their forthcoming sixth studio LP, the band revealed in a post on its MySpace page. The set, which the group has been working on the last few months, will hit stores later this year and follows 2006's Saturday Night Wrist. ...

Yeah Yeah Yeahs singer Karen O has tossed together some new songs for former flame Spike Jonze's upcoming movie "Where the Wild Things Are." Carter Burwell, who has worked extensively with Jonze in the past, says on his Web site, "Karen O has already written songs and other pieces of music for the film, and I'm helping with the score." ... On April 17, much-praised sister act Tegan and Sara will launch their Out of Hibernation tour, in continued support of last year's The Con. The tour kicks off at the Historic Elsinore Theatre in Salem, Oregon, then heads east, wrapping in New York on May 12. For more information -- and to get your hands on pre-sale tickets -- check out TeganandSara.com. ...

The "Love Shack" is opening up for business once again -- the B-52's have lined up their first album of new studio material since 1992's Good Stuff. The new wave heroes constructed their Funplex with producer Steve Osbourne (KT Tunstall, New Order) and are putting it out February 26 on electronic-music label Astralwerks. ... Martin Scorsese's Rolling Stones documentary, "Shine a Light" -- which has appearances by Christina Aguilera and Jack White -- will open the Berlin Film Festival on February 7, according to BBC News. ... Sevendust will release their seventh studio full-length, Hope and Sorrow, April 1. The disc will feature a dozen tracks, including "Abuse Me." ... Idiot Pilot will join Avenged Sevenfold, Atreyu, Bullet for My Valentine and Bless the Fall on this year's Taste of Chaos tour.

1.15.08

Zac Efron is doing fine after having his appendix removed Tuesday (January 15), according to People.com. The star -- who [article id="1579643"]recently signed on[/article] for "High School Musical 3" -- was rushed to Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering from appendicitis, TMZ.com reports. "Zac had his appendix removed and is recuperating," the actor's representative, who was not named, reportedly said in a statement. ...

A very revealing photo of Heidi Montag graces the new cover of Maxim, and for the accompanying interview, she also revealed to the mag that she wants to be the next Madonna. "But it's not like with most pop artists, where they have a song sent to them that has nothing to do with their emotions or lives," she insisted about her yet-untitled, in-the-works LP. "It's all about me and my life. I'm taking my time to make sure it's a classic. I don't want to be the next pop person who's in or out. I want to be like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Stevie Wonder -- all the greats." Montag also dished on [article id="1579529"]new parents[/article] Nicole Richie and Joel Madden recalling that one time they "came up to [Montag's fiance,] Spencer [Pratt,] and me at the Beverly Hills Hotel [in California] and started yelling something Spencer said about Nicole in an interview, like, two years ago. ... Joel was yelling, 'You've been talking sh-- about my girl!' " ...

Madden has blogged on the Web site for his clothing company, DCMA, about arriving home with his and Richie's daughter, who was born on Friday. "Well I am finally home with my beautiful girlfriend and our brand new little daughter," the Good Charlotte frontman wrote. "Harlow Winter Kate Madden was born on January 11th 2008 at 3:13 p.m. She weighed in at 6 pounds and 7 ounces. She is 19 inches long and growing everyday already! She really is a wonderful addition to the GC/DCMA/DEADEXEC family. We are so blessed to have this beautiful little baby in our lives. I want to thank everyone for all the love and kind words they've sent our way. We apologize we weren't accepting gifts/cards/calls at the hospital, but if you'd like to send something, we'd rather you make a donation to the Richie-Madden Foundation, which we started in Harlow Winter's honor. She looks so much like her mom it's crazy! She eats like a little maniac and she's really sweet. She barely ever cries, even when daddy is changing her diaper, and believe me I suck when it comes to diapers, but I'm learning! I can't wait to show off some pictures, until then, THANKS!! and GOD BLESS... Joel." ...

From an "Umbrella" to a handbag: Rihanna has made a match with Marc Jacobs as she and the fashion designer have partnered to produce a new pair of purses named after the leggy singer. The two models are available as a part of Jacobs' spring line. ... Missy Elliott has stepped up with two new tunes for the February 5 soundtrack to "Step Up 2 the Streets." The MC's "Ching-A-Ling" -- which is already sizzling in the streets -- and "Shake Your Pom Pom" will appear on the soundtrack, and might resurface on her yet-untitled new LP, due in May. The soundtrack also features Cassie, who stars in "Step Up 2 the Streets," as well as T-Pain, Flo Rida, Trey Songz, Plies and Scarface. ...

Twista has inked a deal with Koch to release a project with his longtime group, the Speedknot Mobstaz. The Mobstaz's forthcoming sophomore album, Mobstability II: Nation Bizness, is set to feature Jim Jones and production by Cuzzo and China White Productions. ... The Grammys will not be getting a free pass from the Writers Guild of America. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Grammys have not asked for a special waiver to allow [article id="1573641"]striking Guild employees[/article] to work on the show, but even if they did request one, it would not likely be granted. In addition, a number of top musicians who also have Screen Actors Guild cards, including Justin Timberlake and Queen Latifah, are being lobbied by the WGA not to attend the February 10 show, according to AdAge.com. ...

In a $35 million lawsuit filed on Monday, Victory Records claimed that Virgin/EMI "improperly induced" Hawthorne Heights to disregard their contract with the independent Chicago label. In a news release on the suit, Victory also claimed that Virgin/EMI paid $55,000 to the band, which used the money to fund the initial phase of a [article id="1538058"]2006 lawsuit against Victory,[/article] and helped the bandmembers search for a music-industry lawyer to help them with their legal action. "The facts alleged in this case demonstrate classic interference with contractual and business relations," Victory lawyer Robert Meloni said. "They did more than merely offer a carrot to the band, but also saddled the horse, paid for a rider to take the reins, and led it out of the barn." The suit seeks $10 million in compensation and $25 million in punitive damages for Virgin/EMI's "willful, wanton and deliberate conduct." Victory maintains that HH owe the label two more albums, but the band, which lost guitarist Casey Calvert in November after a [article id="1576570"]fatal drug interaction,[/article] has vowed not to record for Victory again. ...

Rancid fans, time to grow those Mohawks back -- the band started recording new material in a California studio on Monday. The punks' yet-unnamed follow-up to 2003's Indestructible is due later this year, on guitarist Brett Gurewitz's Epitaph/Hellcat label, of course. ... Tiger Army have welcomed an old comrade back into their ranks. Stand-up-bass player Geoff Kresge, who toured with the psychobilly band from 1999-2004 -- and who also has a stint with AFI on his résumé -- replaces Jeff Roffredo, who "left the band on good terms to pursue other interests," according to a press release from the band's publicist. Tiger Army hit the road earlier this week and have a heap of shows planned for throughout the year. ...

Now that Marilyn Manson and Twiggy Ramirez have reconciled, what better way to celebrate than with some concerts? Manson has tacked on a few more to his upcoming trek, which starts Saturday in Orlando, Florida. The newly added gigs will be staged in Phoenix (February 27); Dallas (February 29); Austin, Texas (March 1); and Houston (March 2). Veteran rock act Ours will be the opening act on the tour, according to Pollstar.com. ... Here's a novel idea: Yellowcard are giving fans who buy the rockers' Live From Las Vegas at the Palms release an early chance at getting tix to one of their upcoming shows. The iTunes exclusive will be available starting January 22, and fans who snatch it up before January 29 will get a Ticketmaster code allowing them to nab up to four tickets for the band's trek, which starts March 7 in Salt Lake City and ends April 12 in Los Angeles. From Las Vegas at the Palms immortalizes Yellowcard's show at the Palms Casino Resort's Pearl venue in October. ...

EMI -- home to Coldplay, the Rolling Stones and other acts -- will slash a third of its work force, or 1,500-2,000 jobs, over the course of the next months, multiple outlets reported Tuesday. According to the Web site for England's Telegraph, the reunited Verve could be the next major group to withhold its upcoming album in light of the major-label shake-up. The paper reports that the Verve may join Robbie Williams and Coldplay in threatening to hold onto their next albums unless they receive assurances about the company's financial health and how their albums will be marketed. The company's new boss, Guy Hands, was reportedly to be grilled by the managers of some of the label's top acts on Tuesday as he revealed plans for streamlining the company. ...

"American Idol" judge Randy Jackson is known for name-dropping, but his new album, Music Club Vol. 1, might finally back up some of his boasting. Jackson's upcoming solo album, due March 11, will feature pals ranging from Mariah Carey and Joss Stone to Jason Mraz, former "Idol" contestants Elliott Yamin and Katharine McPhee and country star Travis Tritt. Fellow judge Paula Abdul will be featured on "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow," her first new recording in more than a decade. Last week, TVGuide.com reported that Jackson and Abdul had been rehearsing a video for the single, and that she was in talks to perform it at the Super Bowl on February 3. Also included on the album are Van Hunt, Three 6 Mafia, Angie Stone, Richie Sambora and Keb' Mo'. ...

My Morning Jacket are going big time: The longhaired Kentucky rockers will headline a show at New York's Radio City Music Hall on June 20. The band's yet-untitled album will drop 10 days earlier. ... Noise Pop just got a bit noisier. The Walkmen, the Dodos, MSTRKRFT, Stellastarr and the Helio Sequence have climbed onto the roster for the San Francisco fest, which is happening February 26-March 2. Jamie Kennedy's comedic documentary "Heckler" -- which features George Lucas, Rob Zombie, David Cross and others -- will open the Film Festival portion of the event. ... Carla Bruni has been making headlines lately amid her high-profile romance with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Now the chanteuse can parlay that attention into promotion for the wide release of No Promises, an album that is currently only available Stateside on iTunes and at Barnes & Noble stores. The disc -- which is being issued through Downtown Records, home to Gnarls Barkley and Spank Rock, and pays tribute to English-language literary legends -- will hit retail stores nationwide February 19.