Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will co-host the 45th annual Country Music Association Awards on November 9, sharing the duty for the fourth time, they said on Monday.
The two made the announcement via Facebook from the set of their new video, "Remind Me."
The CMA Awards, which annually are among the highest honors for country singers, will be handed out at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, and will be broadcast live by ABC.
"We wanted to take a minute to share some very exciting news," Underwood said in the announcement that was available on YouTube. "The CMA has asked Brad and me back to host the CMA Awards in November."
Paisley had also tweeted earlier that he and Underwood were shooting the video, and photos from both that tweet and the CMA announcement showed them on an undisclosed beach.
"Can you believe that?" asked Paisley, who won the CMA Entertainer of the Year award last year. "I can't wait to do it again."
CMA chief executive Steve Moore said both Underwood and Paisley "have the unique qualities of humor, talent, credibility and natural rapport that makes them a hit with fans and the industry audience."
The awards show honors country music's biggest stars from the previous year, with some of the genre's best-known singers handing out 12 awards including Entertainer of the Year, Male and Female Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year.
Friday, September 28, 2012
NBC renews 'The Voice' for more seasons
NBC said on Tuesday it had ordered two more seasons of its hit TV singing contest "The Voice" for the spring and fall of 2013.
"This pickup will assure the many dedicated ‘Voice' fans that this innovative show will continue to bring some of the most talented new voices to the world's attention through all of next year," NBC entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt said in a statement.
"The Voice", which debuted as a spring show in 2011, moved to a twice a year cycle earlier this month, where it is watched by more than 12 million Americans and has drawn bigger audiences than Fox television's revamped "The X Factor".
NBC, which is majority-owned by Comcast, announced last week that singers Shakira and Usher will take the places of celebrity judges Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera when the show returns in the spring of 2013.
"The Voice" has proved one of the brightest lights in NBC's struggling programming schedule as the network seeks to lift itself out of its bottom place among the four leading U.S. free to air broadcasters.
As the 2012-13 TV season officially kicked off on Monday with new and returning shows on all networks, "The Voice" was the top show of the night among the 18-49 demographic most prized by advertisers, according to Nielsen data.
"This pickup will assure the many dedicated ‘Voice' fans that this innovative show will continue to bring some of the most talented new voices to the world's attention through all of next year," NBC entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt said in a statement.
"The Voice", which debuted as a spring show in 2011, moved to a twice a year cycle earlier this month, where it is watched by more than 12 million Americans and has drawn bigger audiences than Fox television's revamped "The X Factor".
NBC, which is majority-owned by Comcast, announced last week that singers Shakira and Usher will take the places of celebrity judges Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera when the show returns in the spring of 2013.
"The Voice" has proved one of the brightest lights in NBC's struggling programming schedule as the network seeks to lift itself out of its bottom place among the four leading U.S. free to air broadcasters.
As the 2012-13 TV season officially kicked off on Monday with new and returning shows on all networks, "The Voice" was the top show of the night among the 18-49 demographic most prized by advertisers, according to Nielsen data.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Marriage becomes her
Christine Fan has experienced a particularly busy and varied year. She tied the knot with Taiwan TV host Blackie Chen, after he proposed at a 2010 NBA game.
They held their wedding at a Taipei church six months later, the climax of an 11-year-long relationship.
In Beijing recently, she says she is enjoying being at No 1 in the mainland album chart for Love & Fan Fan and is looking forward to a 2011 concert tour with the same title.
Wearing a white-and-black gown and high heels she says: "I feel like I've been finishing a series of big life projects lately. And there's a nice beginning on a new journey ahead."
Her 11th and most recent album is full of her thoughts on becoming a married woman. Just like her debut album in 2000, Fan Fan's World, the 10 songs welcome fans into her inner world.
Decision of My Life, the No 1 hit song off the new album tells of Fan and her husband's love story.
"You are my most important decision and I want to spend my lifetime with you, to finish the unknown journey," she sings.
The song has been adopted by many newlywed couples, who have played it at their own weddings. Songs like Dawn celebrate Fan's 10-year friendships with her friends and their best wishes for her.
They held their wedding at a Taipei church six months later, the climax of an 11-year-long relationship.
In Beijing recently, she says she is enjoying being at No 1 in the mainland album chart for Love & Fan Fan and is looking forward to a 2011 concert tour with the same title.
Wearing a white-and-black gown and high heels she says: "I feel like I've been finishing a series of big life projects lately. And there's a nice beginning on a new journey ahead."
Her 11th and most recent album is full of her thoughts on becoming a married woman. Just like her debut album in 2000, Fan Fan's World, the 10 songs welcome fans into her inner world.
Decision of My Life, the No 1 hit song off the new album tells of Fan and her husband's love story.
"You are my most important decision and I want to spend my lifetime with you, to finish the unknown journey," she sings.
The song has been adopted by many newlywed couples, who have played it at their own weddings. Songs like Dawn celebrate Fan's 10-year friendships with her friends and their best wishes for her.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
'Catch Me If You Can' to disappear next month
The cast of 'Catch Me If You Can' perform onstage during the American Theatre Wing's 65th annual Tony Awards ceremony in New York, June 12, 2011.
There's now only a limited time to catch the Broadway musical "Catch Me If You Can."
Producers said Tuesday that the Tony Award-nominated show will close Sept. 4 at The Neil Simon Theatre after having played 32 previews and 170 regular performances.
The production was nominated for four Tonys and Norbert Leo Butz took home the award for best actor in a musical.
The show also starred Aaron Tveit as a con artist who passed himself off as a doctor, a lawyer, and a jet pilot.
The musical is based on the life of Frank Abagnale Jr. It inspired the hit film directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
The first national tour of the musical will launch in the fall of 2012 in Providence, R.I.
There's now only a limited time to catch the Broadway musical "Catch Me If You Can."
Producers said Tuesday that the Tony Award-nominated show will close Sept. 4 at The Neil Simon Theatre after having played 32 previews and 170 regular performances.
The production was nominated for four Tonys and Norbert Leo Butz took home the award for best actor in a musical.
The show also starred Aaron Tveit as a con artist who passed himself off as a doctor, a lawyer, and a jet pilot.
The musical is based on the life of Frank Abagnale Jr. It inspired the hit film directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
The first national tour of the musical will launch in the fall of 2012 in Providence, R.I.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez win big at Teen Choice
Country sensation Taylor Swift and actress/singer Selena Gomez caught major waves at the Teen Choice awards on Sunday, with Swift scooping up six surfboard trophies including one for Ultimate Teen Choice.
Swift, who soared to popularity in 2006 at age 16 with her self-titled debut album, was named the favorite female artist, country singer and red carpet fashion icon. She also scored with best country single for her song "Mean" and choice breakup song "Back to December."
Accepting her Ultimate Teen Choice surfboard onstage, Swift, 21, thanked her fans and joked that "it's been a long time since I was a teenager, like two years."
She noted how teenagers often are teased by adults because they are "intense" or "romantic," but she encouraged kids in the audience and watching at home on the Fox TV network, saying: "I think all those things are amazing things, and to all the teens watching, I hope you never lose those things."
The Teen Choice Awards are an annual stop on Hollywood's award circuit and give actors, musicians and other artists who are popular with kids the chance to thank their fans.
Gomez, who performed her hit single "I Love You Like a Love Song" with her band The Scene, won choice TV actress in a drama for her role in "Wizards of Waverly Place." She was also named choice "hottie," and The Scene scored the award for top band and for single of the year with their song "Who Says."
The 19-year-old Gomez also saw her boyfriend, Justin Bieber, scoop up surfboards for being the top "hottie" as well as the choice "twit." Bieber, 17, was named top male artist and earned an acting award for his recent work on television.
Swift, who soared to popularity in 2006 at age 16 with her self-titled debut album, was named the favorite female artist, country singer and red carpet fashion icon. She also scored with best country single for her song "Mean" and choice breakup song "Back to December."
Accepting her Ultimate Teen Choice surfboard onstage, Swift, 21, thanked her fans and joked that "it's been a long time since I was a teenager, like two years."
She noted how teenagers often are teased by adults because they are "intense" or "romantic," but she encouraged kids in the audience and watching at home on the Fox TV network, saying: "I think all those things are amazing things, and to all the teens watching, I hope you never lose those things."
The Teen Choice Awards are an annual stop on Hollywood's award circuit and give actors, musicians and other artists who are popular with kids the chance to thank their fans.
Gomez, who performed her hit single "I Love You Like a Love Song" with her band The Scene, won choice TV actress in a drama for her role in "Wizards of Waverly Place." She was also named choice "hottie," and The Scene scored the award for top band and for single of the year with their song "Who Says."
The 19-year-old Gomez also saw her boyfriend, Justin Bieber, scoop up surfboards for being the top "hottie" as well as the choice "twit." Bieber, 17, was named top male artist and earned an acting award for his recent work on television.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Drum roll for classics
The second Mercedes-Benz International Music Festival will shine the spotlight on percussion music this summer. Chen Nan reports.
Three Chinese cities - Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen - are in for a treat of the finest of classical music at the second Mercedes-Benz International Music Festival.
Bringing together nearly 20 musicians from Spain, Demark, Germany and China, the festival will shine the spotlight on percussion music this summer.
Renowned percussionist Li Biao, and his group, will put more than 200 percussion instruments on stage to present classic pieces such as Ogoun Badagris by composer Christopher Rouse and CaDance for Four by Andy Pape, as well as his original compositions such as Drum Together. The performance will cover a range of genres, from classical to jazz and pop.
Li will also collaborate with the symphony orchestra of the National Center for Performing Arts (NCPA) and world-renowned conductor Christoph Eschenbach on Chinese composer Guo Wenjing's enchanting The Rite of the Mountain, which was written in the wake of the Sichuan earthquake in 2008.
Eschenbach, who is also a great pianist, will join violinist Zhu Dan for a concert that is sure to be one of the highlights of the festival. They will perform Mozart and Beethoven sonatas.
As the music festival marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Austrian composer Gustav Mahler, Eschenbach will conduct such works as Mahler's Symphony No 1, "Titan" and Dvorak's Symphony No 9 "From the New World."
Three Chinese cities - Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen - are in for a treat of the finest of classical music at the second Mercedes-Benz International Music Festival.
Bringing together nearly 20 musicians from Spain, Demark, Germany and China, the festival will shine the spotlight on percussion music this summer.
Renowned percussionist Li Biao, and his group, will put more than 200 percussion instruments on stage to present classic pieces such as Ogoun Badagris by composer Christopher Rouse and CaDance for Four by Andy Pape, as well as his original compositions such as Drum Together. The performance will cover a range of genres, from classical to jazz and pop.
Li will also collaborate with the symphony orchestra of the National Center for Performing Arts (NCPA) and world-renowned conductor Christoph Eschenbach on Chinese composer Guo Wenjing's enchanting The Rite of the Mountain, which was written in the wake of the Sichuan earthquake in 2008.
Eschenbach, who is also a great pianist, will join violinist Zhu Dan for a concert that is sure to be one of the highlights of the festival. They will perform Mozart and Beethoven sonatas.
As the music festival marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Austrian composer Gustav Mahler, Eschenbach will conduct such works as Mahler's Symphony No 1, "Titan" and Dvorak's Symphony No 9 "From the New World."
Friday, September 14, 2012
Salburg festival celebrates 91st anniversary
Salzburg, the capital of Austria's western state Salzburg, is also the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The Salzburg Festival is held every summer for five weeks starting in late July, and is therefore also known as the "Salzburg Summer Festival."
Austrian President Heinz Fischer attended the opening ceremony and gave a speech in which he said that all European countries should unite to jointly face the challenges posed by the economic crisis and terrorism.
German Protestant theologian, journalist and politician Joachim Gauck also made a speech in which he condemned the recent terrorist attacks and said that art should play a role in society and politics to encourage people to overcome difficulties.
During the five-week-long festival, a total of 213 musical presentations including operas, concerts and dramas will be performed.
The highlight of this year's Salzburg Festival is the five concerts performed by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Venezuela's Simon Bolivar Orchestra will give musical presentations and concerts.
The Salzburg Festival was officially founded on August 22, 1920 by poet and dramatist Hugo von Hofmannsthal, composer Richard Strauss, scenic designer Alfred Roller, conductor Franz Schalk and the director of the Salzburg City Theater, Max Reinhardt. Since then, it has always been opened with the traditional performance of Hofmannsthal's play "Jedermann" on the steps of Cathedral Square.
Austrian President Heinz Fischer attended the opening ceremony and gave a speech in which he said that all European countries should unite to jointly face the challenges posed by the economic crisis and terrorism.
German Protestant theologian, journalist and politician Joachim Gauck also made a speech in which he condemned the recent terrorist attacks and said that art should play a role in society and politics to encourage people to overcome difficulties.
During the five-week-long festival, a total of 213 musical presentations including operas, concerts and dramas will be performed.
The highlight of this year's Salzburg Festival is the five concerts performed by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Venezuela's Simon Bolivar Orchestra will give musical presentations and concerts.
The Salzburg Festival was officially founded on August 22, 1920 by poet and dramatist Hugo von Hofmannsthal, composer Richard Strauss, scenic designer Alfred Roller, conductor Franz Schalk and the director of the Salzburg City Theater, Max Reinhardt. Since then, it has always been opened with the traditional performance of Hofmannsthal's play "Jedermann" on the steps of Cathedral Square.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Katy Perry says 'good people' help handle fame
Katy Perry believes keeping "good people around" helps her deal with the pressures of being one of the world's biggest pop stars, which currently has her on a global concert tour and taking part in her first movie.
As the music world mourns the death of British singer Amy Winehouse, Perry told Reuters she is not tempted by the hedonistic lifestyle that has helped fuel the demise of talented performers before her.
Perry, whose hits include "Teenage Dream" and "Firework," said she is able to stay away from the wild, party life with the help of honest, supportive people around her, such as her British actor/comedian husband Russell Brand, himself a recovering drug addict who is now clean and sober.
"I like to keep good people around me, people that aren't always 'yes' people, people that sometimes it's difficult to be around because they're not 'yes' people," she told Reuters.
"My husband is definitely one of those, he keeps me accountable and, you know, he's not a fan, even though he is a fan...he supports me and loves me but he doesn't bullshit me, which is really important."
The 26-year-old California native, who is one year younger than Winehouse, tweeted on Saturday when Winehouse was found dead in her London apartment, "RIP Amy Winehouse. May she finally find peace".
Brand said on his website that his old friend Winehouse was a "genius" and recalled sharing with her the "disease of addiction," referring to both their public battles with drinking and drug use.
As the music world mourns the death of British singer Amy Winehouse, Perry told Reuters she is not tempted by the hedonistic lifestyle that has helped fuel the demise of talented performers before her.
Perry, whose hits include "Teenage Dream" and "Firework," said she is able to stay away from the wild, party life with the help of honest, supportive people around her, such as her British actor/comedian husband Russell Brand, himself a recovering drug addict who is now clean and sober.
"I like to keep good people around me, people that aren't always 'yes' people, people that sometimes it's difficult to be around because they're not 'yes' people," she told Reuters.
"My husband is definitely one of those, he keeps me accountable and, you know, he's not a fan, even though he is a fan...he supports me and loves me but he doesn't bullshit me, which is really important."
The 26-year-old California native, who is one year younger than Winehouse, tweeted on Saturday when Winehouse was found dead in her London apartment, "RIP Amy Winehouse. May she finally find peace".
Brand said on his website that his old friend Winehouse was a "genius" and recalled sharing with her the "disease of addiction," referring to both their public battles with drinking and drug use.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Beatles' 1st US concert photos fetch $360K in NYC
On Wednesday, Christie's auction house said it sold 50 silver gelatin prints that the photographer, Mike Mitchell, made from the negatives for $361,938. The images, plus photos from another Beatles concert, had been estimated to fetch a total of $100,000.
The Beatles played their first U.S. concert at the Washington Coliseum on Feb. 11, 1964, two days after their debut on "The Ed Sullivan Show."
Mike Mitchell was there, shooting photos from just feet away and even jumping onto the stage for the group's pre-concert press call.
Among the highlights is a backlit shot of the band that he took while standing directly behind them. It sold on Wednesday for $68,500; its pre-sale estimate was $2,000 to $3,000.
An image of an animated Ringo Starr on the drums sold for $8,125. It was estimated to bring $3,000 to $5,000. Christie's said the shot depicts a rare moment where Starr was both drummer and lead singer on a song written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, but made famous by The Rolling Stones: "I Wanna Be Your Man."
Cathy Elkies, Christie's director of iconic collections, said she expected the bids to exceed the pre-sale estimates.
The Beatles played their first U.S. concert at the Washington Coliseum on Feb. 11, 1964, two days after their debut on "The Ed Sullivan Show."
Mike Mitchell was there, shooting photos from just feet away and even jumping onto the stage for the group's pre-concert press call.
Among the highlights is a backlit shot of the band that he took while standing directly behind them. It sold on Wednesday for $68,500; its pre-sale estimate was $2,000 to $3,000.
An image of an animated Ringo Starr on the drums sold for $8,125. It was estimated to bring $3,000 to $5,000. Christie's said the shot depicts a rare moment where Starr was both drummer and lead singer on a song written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, but made famous by The Rolling Stones: "I Wanna Be Your Man."
Cathy Elkies, Christie's director of iconic collections, said she expected the bids to exceed the pre-sale estimates.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood to host CMA Awards
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will co-host the 45th annual Country Music Association Awards on November 9, sharing the duty for the fourth time, they said on Monday.
The two made the announcement via Facebook from the set of their new video, "Remind Me."
The CMA Awards, which annually are among the highest honors for country singers, will be handed out at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, and will be broadcast live by ABC.
"We wanted to take a minute to share some very exciting news," Underwood said in the announcement that was available on YouTube. "The CMA has asked Brad and me back to host the CMA Awards in November."
Paisley had also tweeted earlier that he and Underwood were shooting the video, and photos from both that tweet and the CMA announcement showed them on an undisclosed beach.
"Can you believe that?" asked Paisley, who won the CMA Entertainer of the Year award last year. "I can't wait to do it again."
CMA chief executive Steve Moore said both Underwood and Paisley "have the unique qualities of humor, talent, credibility and natural rapport that makes them a hit with fans and the industry audience."
The awards show honors country music's biggest stars from the previous year, with some of the genre's best-known singers handing out 12 awards including Entertainer of the Year, Male and Female Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year.
The two made the announcement via Facebook from the set of their new video, "Remind Me."
The CMA Awards, which annually are among the highest honors for country singers, will be handed out at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, and will be broadcast live by ABC.
"We wanted to take a minute to share some very exciting news," Underwood said in the announcement that was available on YouTube. "The CMA has asked Brad and me back to host the CMA Awards in November."
Paisley had also tweeted earlier that he and Underwood were shooting the video, and photos from both that tweet and the CMA announcement showed them on an undisclosed beach.
"Can you believe that?" asked Paisley, who won the CMA Entertainer of the Year award last year. "I can't wait to do it again."
CMA chief executive Steve Moore said both Underwood and Paisley "have the unique qualities of humor, talent, credibility and natural rapport that makes them a hit with fans and the industry audience."
The awards show honors country music's biggest stars from the previous year, with some of the genre's best-known singers handing out 12 awards including Entertainer of the Year, Male and Female Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year.
Spreading the sound of love around the world
Fish Leong has been singing about every dimension of love since she became a vocalist a decade ago - hence her nickname, "the Queen of Love Songs" - and recently announced her 2011 world tour, The Love Library, in Beijing.
"It's a collection of all of my soulful love ballads, from those about sweet connections to those dealing with sorrowful heartbreaks," the 32-year-old Chinese-Malaysian says.
"If every feeling surrounding love represents a book, I could say that I have collected them in my love library."
Leong says her July 9 Beijing concert will not feature special guests. The two-and-a-half hour show will feature more than 30 of her hits created since her 1997 debut album, Grown Up Overnight.
"My concerts often feature touching moments," she says.
"I am a sentimental person. I cry when I sing some songs that reflect my emotions, and the fans cry with me."
She says she has also been moved to see some fans propose to their girlfriends at her shows.
"We have similar emotions in love, and that's why my fans feel connected to my songs. I want to share what I have experienced in love with them."
She says her life has changed over the years, especially since she married Tony Chao in March 2010, in a beachside ceremony on Boracay island in the Philippines.
"It's a collection of all of my soulful love ballads, from those about sweet connections to those dealing with sorrowful heartbreaks," the 32-year-old Chinese-Malaysian says.
"If every feeling surrounding love represents a book, I could say that I have collected them in my love library."
Leong says her July 9 Beijing concert will not feature special guests. The two-and-a-half hour show will feature more than 30 of her hits created since her 1997 debut album, Grown Up Overnight.
"My concerts often feature touching moments," she says.
"I am a sentimental person. I cry when I sing some songs that reflect my emotions, and the fans cry with me."
She says she has also been moved to see some fans propose to their girlfriends at her shows.
"We have similar emotions in love, and that's why my fans feel connected to my songs. I want to share what I have experienced in love with them."
She says her life has changed over the years, especially since she married Tony Chao in March 2010, in a beachside ceremony on Boracay island in the Philippines.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Loud and proud
The return of Cao Fang to the limelight shows that making it on the indie scene as a woman isn't easy, but it is possible. Chen Nan reports in Beijing.
Singer-songwriter Cao Fang blew audiences away with her love ballads and her sweet, clear voice when she was 23.
But after releasing two successful albums, Meet Me and Farther Than the Sky, in 2005 and 2007, Cao struggled and became depressed as the limelight dimmed around her.
When she returned to the scene with a new EP, Light Rainbow, she stunned audiences again - this time, with her rock beats and exotic new look, including flowery see-through long dresses and short haircut.
"I know exactly what kind of songs audiences expect from me. But now I'm approaching 30, I want to be true to myself," she says.
Her first concert for the new EP will be held at Beijing's Starlive on Saturday.
Cao stands out in the indie music scene as she shows that ladies are no shrinking violets when it comes to singing and songwriting. These women utilize and explore their feminism through music as a form of self-expression and are becoming a big draw at live music venues across the country.
"The new songs might not be so easy to sing along to as my early songs," Cao giggles. "I don't know whether they will accept a new Cao Fang or not. I'm looking forward to the reaction."
All five songs on the EP were written in 2011 when Cao returned to her hometown, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan province. Looking at the sky inspired her to write the title song, Light Rainbow. Her encounter with a girl, who traveled across Yunnan after breaking up with her boyfriend, led Cao to write the song, Heartbroken Traveler.
Singer-songwriter Cao Fang blew audiences away with her love ballads and her sweet, clear voice when she was 23.
But after releasing two successful albums, Meet Me and Farther Than the Sky, in 2005 and 2007, Cao struggled and became depressed as the limelight dimmed around her.
When she returned to the scene with a new EP, Light Rainbow, she stunned audiences again - this time, with her rock beats and exotic new look, including flowery see-through long dresses and short haircut.
"I know exactly what kind of songs audiences expect from me. But now I'm approaching 30, I want to be true to myself," she says.
Her first concert for the new EP will be held at Beijing's Starlive on Saturday.
Cao stands out in the indie music scene as she shows that ladies are no shrinking violets when it comes to singing and songwriting. These women utilize and explore their feminism through music as a form of self-expression and are becoming a big draw at live music venues across the country.
"The new songs might not be so easy to sing along to as my early songs," Cao giggles. "I don't know whether they will accept a new Cao Fang or not. I'm looking forward to the reaction."
All five songs on the EP were written in 2011 when Cao returned to her hometown, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan province. Looking at the sky inspired her to write the title song, Light Rainbow. Her encounter with a girl, who traveled across Yunnan after breaking up with her boyfriend, led Cao to write the song, Heartbroken Traveler.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Pop-jazz marvel sharing the spotlight
Before flying to Los Angeles for her Grammy week duties last month, Esperanza Spalding practically batted away a question about the impact of the best new artist award on her life and career.
"More attention," was her unusually succinct reply, though she explained. "Before the Grammy last year I used to say it's like being a worker ant, going back and forth to get the food, and all of a sudden someone's watching you and following you along." She held up an imaginary magnifying glass. "But now I see that the spotlight can actually directly serve the music."
That conviction courses through "Radio Music Society," her fourth album, a collection of groove-based songs, almost all originals, that is Ms. Spalding's version of a crossover pop album. At the same time its credits include dozens of her fellow jazz musicians. Bringing them on board meant a lot to Ms. Spalding, who has clung to her worker-ant affinities even as public perception, and her own fresh-faced ambitions, conspired to anoint her queen of the colony. Her utopian urge to share the spotlight sits a bit uneasily against the very singular nature of her stardom.
"More attention," was her unusually succinct reply, though she explained. "Before the Grammy last year I used to say it's like being a worker ant, going back and forth to get the food, and all of a sudden someone's watching you and following you along." She held up an imaginary magnifying glass. "But now I see that the spotlight can actually directly serve the music."
That conviction courses through "Radio Music Society," her fourth album, a collection of groove-based songs, almost all originals, that is Ms. Spalding's version of a crossover pop album. At the same time its credits include dozens of her fellow jazz musicians. Bringing them on board meant a lot to Ms. Spalding, who has clung to her worker-ant affinities even as public perception, and her own fresh-faced ambitions, conspired to anoint her queen of the colony. Her utopian urge to share the spotlight sits a bit uneasily against the very singular nature of her stardom.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
The elephant in Shang Wenjie's room
Often compared to Lady Gaga because of her visual style, the singer says music, not fashion, comes first. Chen Nan reports.
Some call her avant-garde and innovative, while others say she is simply trying too hard to imitate Lady Gaga. But whatever diehard fans and critics throw at her, Shang Wenjie is unperturbed.
On the cover of her latest album, Ode to the Doom, her visually stunning style gets another upgrade.
The 30-year-old singer dresses in a white gown manufactured by the independent Chinese designer Masha Ma. Her lips are deep red and a white hat almost covers her eyes.
"It's so pathetic. People just look at what I wear and don't listen to the music," she says in the lobby of a Beijing five-star hotel recently.
After hours of shooting for a fashion magazine from 11 am to 6 pm, she looks exhausted. With short hair, smoky eyes, and a black-and-white dress, Shang insists she is not a Chinese Lady Gaga.
"After you listen to my songs, you will understand why I dress like that. It's not an imitation of anyone, rather it's catching up with my music."
She says she often sits in front of the mirror for hours to do her makeup. Her high heels torture her and the flash from cameras hurts her eyes. But she understands image is part of music.
"I understand (singers) have to do this to appeal to a wider audience. It's just part of the media business," she adds. "But for me, it's all about the music. I have songs first, and then the record company comes up with a theme and finally, we get the clothes."
Some call her avant-garde and innovative, while others say she is simply trying too hard to imitate Lady Gaga. But whatever diehard fans and critics throw at her, Shang Wenjie is unperturbed.
On the cover of her latest album, Ode to the Doom, her visually stunning style gets another upgrade.
The 30-year-old singer dresses in a white gown manufactured by the independent Chinese designer Masha Ma. Her lips are deep red and a white hat almost covers her eyes.
"It's so pathetic. People just look at what I wear and don't listen to the music," she says in the lobby of a Beijing five-star hotel recently.
After hours of shooting for a fashion magazine from 11 am to 6 pm, she looks exhausted. With short hair, smoky eyes, and a black-and-white dress, Shang insists she is not a Chinese Lady Gaga.
"After you listen to my songs, you will understand why I dress like that. It's not an imitation of anyone, rather it's catching up with my music."
She says she often sits in front of the mirror for hours to do her makeup. Her high heels torture her and the flash from cameras hurts her eyes. But she understands image is part of music.
"I understand (singers) have to do this to appeal to a wider audience. It's just part of the media business," she adds. "But for me, it's all about the music. I have songs first, and then the record company comes up with a theme and finally, we get the clothes."
Money talks and Wang Feng sings
Global Business magazine doesn't often deal with music, but a recent article about pop rock musician Wang Feng has captivated public attention.
It's unsurprising many insights about Chinese culture and art come from financial media. An economic lens is often the best viewfinder for interpreting cultural phenomena in a country where everyone talks about development all the time.
The article, entitled Deliberate Blooming - a wordplay on Wang's hit song, Blooming Life - compares Wang's resilience in China's barren music market to other rockers' inability to adapt.
Wang, who trained as a viola player at the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music, forsook his classical music career to form a rock band called No 43 Baojia Street in the 1990s. But stardom found him only after he disbanded the group and became a solo artist.
Virtually every Chinese has heard of Wang's Flying Higher, which aired on China Central Television on such important occasions as the launch of the Shenzhou VI manned spacecraft and the Beijing Olympic Games. The song was also used in a China Mobile TV commercial.
"When Wang found he was invited by many enterprises, banks and even large-scale international event organizers because of a certain encouraging and uplifting quality, he and his manager began to 'go around singing karaoke' with a CD of accompaniment music," the article's author, Ji Yi, writes.
Wang's former manager, Jiang Nanyang, was quoted as saying that 90 percent of Wang's income came from "singing karaoke".
It's unsurprising many insights about Chinese culture and art come from financial media. An economic lens is often the best viewfinder for interpreting cultural phenomena in a country where everyone talks about development all the time.
The article, entitled Deliberate Blooming - a wordplay on Wang's hit song, Blooming Life - compares Wang's resilience in China's barren music market to other rockers' inability to adapt.
Wang, who trained as a viola player at the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music, forsook his classical music career to form a rock band called No 43 Baojia Street in the 1990s. But stardom found him only after he disbanded the group and became a solo artist.
Virtually every Chinese has heard of Wang's Flying Higher, which aired on China Central Television on such important occasions as the launch of the Shenzhou VI manned spacecraft and the Beijing Olympic Games. The song was also used in a China Mobile TV commercial.
"When Wang found he was invited by many enterprises, banks and even large-scale international event organizers because of a certain encouraging and uplifting quality, he and his manager began to 'go around singing karaoke' with a CD of accompaniment music," the article's author, Ji Yi, writes.
Wang's former manager, Jiang Nanyang, was quoted as saying that 90 percent of Wang's income came from "singing karaoke".
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Dragon flies to Bird's Nest
Wang Lee-hom says he feels deeply connected to the dragon, one of the Chinese zodiac creatures.
Though he was born and grew up in the United States, Wang realized as a child he was born in the Year of the Dragon and he is proud to be one of the "descendants of the dragon" - aka Chinese.
His connection with the dragon also led him to launch his national tour, Music Man II, in 2012 - the Year of the Dragon - and make the first stop the Beijing National Stadium, or Bird's Nest.
"The dragon represents power and good luck. It is also a sign of cultural identity that connects Chinese people living around the world," the 36-year-old says. "I want to mark the year by performing at the symbolic venue, which has always been my dream."
The pop star performed at the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and was impressed by the architecture and warm feedback from the audience.
Known for his ability to mix instruments, from the traditional Chinese erhu (Chinese two-string fiddle) to a Western orchestra, Wang has sold out concerts across the country during the past 10 years.
He says the Bird's Nest is challenging and tempting.
Though he was born and grew up in the United States, Wang realized as a child he was born in the Year of the Dragon and he is proud to be one of the "descendants of the dragon" - aka Chinese.
His connection with the dragon also led him to launch his national tour, Music Man II, in 2012 - the Year of the Dragon - and make the first stop the Beijing National Stadium, or Bird's Nest.
"The dragon represents power and good luck. It is also a sign of cultural identity that connects Chinese people living around the world," the 36-year-old says. "I want to mark the year by performing at the symbolic venue, which has always been my dream."
The pop star performed at the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and was impressed by the architecture and warm feedback from the audience.
Known for his ability to mix instruments, from the traditional Chinese erhu (Chinese two-string fiddle) to a Western orchestra, Wang has sold out concerts across the country during the past 10 years.
He says the Bird's Nest is challenging and tempting.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Adele adds to awards haul at BRITs
Soul singer Adele added to her awards haul at the 2012 BRITs on Tuesday and set the biggest night in British pop alight with a rousing performance of "Rolling In the Deep".
At the start of the evening, Adele picked up the statuette for British female solo artist and finished off proceedings by scooping the coveted best album honor for "21" at the end of a two-hour televised show.
In between, the 23-year-old captivated a packed O2 Arena in her native London with a vocal display that suggested her husky voice was on its way back after surgery on vocal cords late last year which forced her to cancel part of a tour.
Adele sang the same song earlier this month at the Grammys, where she managed a record-equalling six awards in one night.
The only BRIT award she did not win from three nominations was best British single, which went to TV talent show contestants One Direction for "What Makes You Beautiful".
Receiving her album award, Adele said:
"Nothing makes me prouder than coming home with six Grammys, then coming to the BRITs and winning album of the year. I'm so proud to be British and to be flying the flag and I'm so proud to be in the room with all of you."
She was cut off half way through her speech by presenter and comedian James Corden, presumably to squeeze in band Blur's closing set for broadcast.
At the start of the evening, Adele picked up the statuette for British female solo artist and finished off proceedings by scooping the coveted best album honor for "21" at the end of a two-hour televised show.
In between, the 23-year-old captivated a packed O2 Arena in her native London with a vocal display that suggested her husky voice was on its way back after surgery on vocal cords late last year which forced her to cancel part of a tour.
Adele sang the same song earlier this month at the Grammys, where she managed a record-equalling six awards in one night.
The only BRIT award she did not win from three nominations was best British single, which went to TV talent show contestants One Direction for "What Makes You Beautiful".
Receiving her album award, Adele said:
"Nothing makes me prouder than coming home with six Grammys, then coming to the BRITs and winning album of the year. I'm so proud to be British and to be flying the flag and I'm so proud to be in the room with all of you."
She was cut off half way through her speech by presenter and comedian James Corden, presumably to squeeze in band Blur's closing set for broadcast.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Bobby Brown blames security for exit from Houston funeral
Singer Bobby Brown abruptly left the funeral of his ex-wife Whitney Houston on Saturday, claiming security guards asked him to move several times and prevented him from seeing his and Houston's daughter.
Brown said in a statement that upon arriving to the service he was moved three times by security, who also refused to allow him to his daughter with Houston, Bobbi Kristina Brown, 18.
Brown and Houston divorced in 2007 after a 15-year turbulent marriage as portrayed in a reality TV series, "Being Bobby Brown" that showed an affectionate yet troubled relationship.
"I fail to understand why security treated my family this way and continue to ask us and no one else to move," he said. "In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene. My children are completely distraught over the events."
Brown said Houston, who died a still unexplained death at age 48 one week ago in a Beverly Hills hotel room, would have preferred he attended.
"This was a day to honor Whitney. I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur. I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how," he said.
The 15-year period after Houston married Brown coincided with a decline in the quality and frequency of her albums and her public admission of heavy use of alcohol, cocaine and prescription pills. Houston's fans have long blamed Brown for their favorite singer's downward spiral into substance abuse.
Brown said in a statement that upon arriving to the service he was moved three times by security, who also refused to allow him to his daughter with Houston, Bobbi Kristina Brown, 18.
Brown and Houston divorced in 2007 after a 15-year turbulent marriage as portrayed in a reality TV series, "Being Bobby Brown" that showed an affectionate yet troubled relationship.
"I fail to understand why security treated my family this way and continue to ask us and no one else to move," he said. "In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene. My children are completely distraught over the events."
Brown said Houston, who died a still unexplained death at age 48 one week ago in a Beverly Hills hotel room, would have preferred he attended.
"This was a day to honor Whitney. I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur. I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how," he said.
The 15-year period after Houston married Brown coincided with a decline in the quality and frequency of her albums and her public admission of heavy use of alcohol, cocaine and prescription pills. Houston's fans have long blamed Brown for their favorite singer's downward spiral into substance abuse.
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