Melody Plant

Spice Girls mania is alive and kicking in the US, a little quiet in the UK and close to dead in South America. The girls have cancelled the only announced concert in South America. They sent an email to fans that had already signed up for tickets to the Buenos Aires show in explanation.

They say that due to their solo projects and family obligations, they are unable to extend the tour and that the Buenos Aires date is one that they are finding hard to fit into their schedules. As some sort of consolation, the girls will be holding contests for South American fans. The prize of which is a trip to London, flight and accommodations taken care of, to watch one of their shows.

Kylie has released her 10th studio album with more confidence than ever. And she has scooted off to Germany to promote it.

The miniature singer, most recently in the news for being humiliated by a saucy statue created by Madame Tussauds, was cleared last year of the horrible disease; Breast Cancer, which knocked her down in 2005.

And now as she promotes her new album X, she says, “I think it’s not so difficult to write a decent song but to write a great song is a difficult thing. I like the challenge of trying to find that and at the very least, writing something that I enjoy singing and all people love. It took me a number of years to find my confidence to do that but now it’s just part of me.”

What a trooper. I remember listening to Kylie when I was a kid and she is still going strong; with the right attitude and music that pleases the new generations as the times move on. You go girl!

There is another military man attempting to reach heights in the world of music, and he is Beautiful. Jay Picton is a physical trainer in the Navy, sporting rugged good looks and a promising music career. His single, Unexplainable Reason, has already topped an independent online chart, and he has hopes it will breakthrough to the regular pop charts in the not too distant future.

He claims to have hit the music business by accident. After a knee injury put him on sick leave he began to learn the guitar and write his own songs. Meeting his girlfriend then gave him the opportunity he needed; introducing him to Clyde Ward of Worldwide Productions. Clyde has worked with many great acts including Lionel Richie; whom our budding star has now recorded 3 songs with.

Yes girls, he does have a girlfriend (sigh); but just look at that picture. Isn’t he gorge? Keep those ears peeled for Jay Picton on your radio; if his voice matches his looks he is definitely on for a winner.

In a sneak peek at their highly anticipated world tour that will kick off on December 2 in Vancouver, the members of the biggest British girl group to ever come out in the 1990s almost stole the show from feathered and jiggly-bodied models on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show held on Thursday.

The Spice Girls reunited and performed for the first time in almost 10 years. They performed one of their classic singles ‘Stop’ decked out in 1950s-style military outfits complete with male backup dancers. After a change of clothes and decades, the girls came out to perform their latest single ‘Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)’ decked out in 1930s evening gowns.

Too bad they lipsynched the whole time.

It just goes to show that you can never be too young to be successful. The Jonas Brothers’ debut disc, ‘Jonas Brothers’ under Hollywood Records has now officially gone gold by selling over 500,000 copies.

15-year old Nick, 18-year old Joe and 20-year old Kevin are definitely headed for the big time as they’re now appearing with big time artists and even performing on big time shows. On Tuesday, the pop rock group of brothers joined Alicia Keys on TRL. And come Sunday, November 18, the rest of the world can see them perform at the 2007 American Music Awards.

Pop wreck Britney Spears has become so unreliable that her video shoot for ‘Piece of Me’ has been canceled. The video production team had already prepared for a no-show by Britney and hired a stand in during rehearsals–and possibly for the actual shoot itself. yeah I don’t believe her camp neither…especially since they gave 100 excuses why she failed the drug test and none of them could be the closest to the truth. We all know that Britney is not working these days all she is involved in is her custody case and that’s on top of her agenda right now. Whether she manages to win the custody or part custody or visiting rights does not matter at all. She has been reported to driving with the kids time and again and breaking rules at will. SO if she cancels a video shoot is not at all a surprise to me. When she will be able to come out this wreck situation is not one that we all can sit and predict. Her album is doing well but she not.

Kanye West issued a statement on Monday night regard the tragic passing of his mother Donda West. Kanye and the rest of his family were thankful for the outpouring of support and kind words that have come from all over the country.

The rapper also asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of his mother to the Kanye West Foundation/Loop Dreams Teacher Training Institute. Both of which were handled by Donda who previously worked in higher education for 31 years.

I’m pretty sure I haven’t said it before, but better late than never. I’d like to extend my condolences to Kanye and the rest of the West family for their loss.

Kelly Clarkson arrived at the 9th annual Motorola anniversary party in Los Angeles on Thursday. The American Idol alum was there not as a simple guest but a performer. She performed a 12-song set which included some of her more loveable hits, namely ‘Breakaway’ and ‘Since U Been Gone’.Her performance also included some of her newer songs, which by the way, cannot be classified as hits. But honestly, I’d rather not talk about it. It honestly pains me.

But for those that still choose to believe in her, look out for her on Monday night when she performs at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle.

We first saw Sheryl Crow do it with adopted son Wyatt, then we saw Liv Tyler do it with her son and her father and now we have Gwen Stefani. For the last concert of The Sweet Escape Tour on Saturday at the Santa Barbara Bowl in Santa Barbara, California, the platinum blonde singer brought out her 17-month old son Kingston on stage with her.

Kingston wore the same kid-friendly noise-canceling headphones that the other babies did when they were brought on stage. A video of his on-stage appearance has made it onto YouTube. There was an ‘aww’ moment when the littly tyke started banging on the keyboard on stage. How cute!

We’ve heard from the two Mels otherwise known as Sporty and Scary Spice, now it’s time to hear from Emma otherwise known as Baby Spice. Emma is the latest Spice Girl to blog on their official website.

In her entry, she talked about finally being in LA, how her son Beau was and the mad rush of paparazzi that greeted her when she arrived. She also talked about her excitement over the rehearsals and the tour itself. She even gushed about the merchandise they were going to put out which even includes some baby bits that she wants to get for Beau.

Everyone predicted that Carrie Underwood’s CD would sell a lot and would go to the top of the charts but it actually did even better than any prediction made. ‘Carnival Ride’ is currently the #1 album in the US and has sold over 527,000 copies during its debut week. This is the American Idol alum’s first #1 album and also bested her previous effort ‘Some Hearts’ which sold 315,000 units in its first week.

Her record sales is also the best sales week for a female country artist since Shania Twain’s ‘Greatest Hits’ release back in November 2004. Carrie’s debut is also double what Kelly Clarkson’s ‘My December’ CD sold in its first week.

Congratulations Carrie!

What a weird coincidence, Duran Duran’s new video “Falling Down,” which was co-directed by Justin Timberlake is about a young star who is forced to go to rehab against her will and loses it. If this is about Britney I think this is quite low from J.T. I mean no one can argue that Britney is at a low point in her life. People can be judgmental of her, but it really is uncalled for from someone who said that he once loved Britney and that he wanted to help her through her tough times. I mean after Cry me a River Britney never said anything and took the high road (if cheating rumors were true she deserved the dissing), but it’s been YEARS, get over it Justin. JT could have been way classier and not jump in with all the haters. If you are such a creative artist stop taking cheap shots. Why is justin so obsessed with Britney. he says how he hates the press being all over his shit than he does shit like this. Leave Britney alone!!!! Why is he taking cheap shots at her? Who the fuck does he think he is?

Chris Brown has ended hip-hop sensation Soulja Boy’s reign at the top of the U.S. pop charts with his new song Kiss Kiss. Brown’s collaboration with rapper T-Pain has toppled Soulja Boy’s Crank That (Soulja Boy), which spent seven weeks at number one. I think Chris Brown is HOT so he should stay him self! And about this toppling thing, well music today is as creepy as these guys themselves. There are just a few good looking males in the music industry and the other just a stinking pigs using a hell lot of perfume to hide that bad odor slipping out from underneath their armpits. Well that’s all that I’d like to these guys, for me the music of the Rolling Stones and other established artist is more fun listening to rather than have some cranked up music make me deaf in the ears.

Jive Records is officially giving up on trying to get Britney Spears to promote her new album. They’re not even planning a tour despite her single “Gimme More” topping the charts. The label realizes that Britney doesn’t care and is apparently becoming fed up with her antics. Her label should understand that she is basically in turmoil right now and she is clearly unfit to be on tour right now. What if she goes on a tour promoting the album and during an interview she starts crying because there is some bad news that coming from her custody trail. Then the media and her record would be at logger heads, her record label would have to defend her because she is in a way representing them when on tour and that paparazzi as usual needless to say would be out there in their full numbers trying to blow up the story by saying she is mentally ill. Best that she doesn’t tour right now.

Roisin Murphy suffered a horrible accident when she was performing at a concert in Moscow on Saturday night. During one of the songs, the singer was rocking really hard and ended up hitting her forehead on a chair that was meant to be a stage prop.

Roisin was rushed to the hospital to get the injury examined. Doctors revealed that she broke her supercilliary bone, which is right above the eye socket.

Get well soon Roisin! Maybe next time you shouldn’t head-bang too hard. I guess we all learned that too much head-banging can literally have you bang your head.

Neil Sedaka is Orange

If you are looking for an Oompa Loompa or maybe someone related to the likes of George Hamilton and Donatella Versace, look no further than Neil Sedaka.

The 68-year old legendary singer and songwriter was honored at an event this past weekend. He also took some time to pose with normal-skin-toned American Idol alum in Katharine McPhee. The picture of the duo just accentuated Neil’s amber color, don’t you think?

What is it with people and spending too much time in the tanning salon? It’s not the least bit attractive. What shade is that anyway? Burnt sienna? Orange never looked so bad.

After just days of getting arrested and charged by police with one count of battery, Kid Rock opens up about the early-morning scuffle at a Waffle House in Georgia last weekend to Ellen DeGeneres on her talk show.

On the Thursday edition of the show, the ‘Rock N Roll Jesus’ crooner said he was simply trying to have a good time. He went on to say that he was provoked into a fight. “One thing led to another and windows were broken.” But the rocker insisted that it’s not like him to be like that. “The last thing I want is that reputation. I believe in just standing up for things I believe in.”

Gwen Stefani was seen leaving her New York City hotel early Friday morning with her 17-month old son Kingston. This was the day after she attended the Black Ball 2007 which was held to honor the work of Bono for the AIDS movement.

Gwen performed at the event and did a duet with Alicia Keys. Rolling Stone reports that their performance was “an elegiac version of ‘Sunday, Bloody Sunday” which was originally done by Bono’s band U2. The magazine also says the Alicia’s vocals lingered in the air and was long, haunting and elegant.

The song was haunting by itself, now I’m curious how Alicia made it even more so.

Country singer Tim McGraw has hit out at the female fan who grabbed his crotch onstage this summer as “disrespectful.” McGraw was performing alongside his wife Faith Hill on their Soul2Soul tour in Lafayette, Louisiana in July, when one excited devotee reached out to grab his manhood. I understand Faith’s reaction. Unfortunately, it appears that in today’s society there is very little conscience, let alone moral fiber. Good for Faith in standing up for the respect that she and Tim deserve, and Good for Tim in standing by his woman. Just because your life is in the public eye does not mean you are owned by the public. I think Tim should have had her arrested for bodily assault. That would certainly have taught her a lesson. (It’s not too late). I’m surprised she could even get a good grip through those tight jeans/pants he always wears…even still it’s still disrespectful. Faith is too nice, because that girl would’ve gone home with one hand if it’d been me.

With the release date of her album looming in the horizon, Celine Dion took some time to glam it up for a photo shoot for her upcoming album ‘Taking Chances’. The French Canadian singer recently released her music video for ‘Taking Chances’, the first single which bears the same name as the album. The album is set for release on November 13.

Let me just say that Celine looks magnificent in her photo shoot. I wonder how they describe the theme of the photo shoot. Mysterious and alluring goddess, perhaps? She looks so fabulous! You’d almost think that there were no retouches done.