ABC Daytime promotes “NINE” by naming the Top Nine General Hospital Moments of 2009

ABC Daytime is joining ABC and Disney in their efforts to support and promote the upcoming movie musical “NINE”. Throughout the month of December, All My Children, One Life To Live and General Hospital will incorporate “NINE” into their show’s story lines.  To kick off the celebration, the shows have  begun counting down the Top Nine moments of 2009 for every soap. Check out part 1 of the Top Nine One Life To Live Moments of 2009 below.  “NINE” stars Daniel-Day Lewis, Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench,  Marion Cotillard and Nicole Kidman and is directed by Rob Marshall. The film will be released on Christmas Day.

Top Nine General Hospital Moments of 2009 Part 1:

To find out more: General Hospital

Beyonce and Lady Gaga team up for “Video Phone” video

Beyonce and Lady Gaga (Photo: MTV.com)

Beyonce’s Video Phone (Extended Remix)” has been one of the most highly anticipated videos. The video will feature Lady Gaga. Hype Williams directed the video. The video premiered tonight MTV.com at midnight EST on Tuesday, November 17.  Check out the full video at MTV.com here: Video

Source

Paul McCartney’s Thanksgiving Special to air on ABC

Paul McCartney (Photo: UPI)

Recording artist Paul McCartney will be featured on an ABC television special on Thanksgiving night, November 26. The special will include rarely seen footage of Mc Cartney, revealing interviews and a musical performance. Here is the ABC press release about the show:

“Paul McCartney: Good Evening New York City,” at 10:00 p.m., ET
Forty-four years ago, four kids from Liverpool performed what was then the largest, highest grossing rock concert ever – the Beatles Live at Shea Stadium. In the summer of 2009, Paul McCartney did it again, performing at Shea’s former site, New York’s Citi Field in Queens, NY. ABC will bring viewers this dazzling concert in which he performs Beatles, Wings and solo classics. Culled from nearly three hours of music and video, the program is an emotional journey through his legendary 50-year musical career and includes footage of the original Beatles concert at Shea. McCartney also talks candidly about those early days and what it was like to return to a place where he performed at the height of Beatlemania.

Source

American Idol’s Kris Allen promoting newly released album

Kris Allen Album on Jive Records

American Idol winner,Kris Allen, releases his self titled debut album today.  Having wrapped up an appearance on  The Tonight With Conan O’Brien, Allen,  is forging a full press tour to promote the album.  In the next few weeks, the singer is expected to visit

Good Morning America and “It’s On With Alexa Chung” on MTV today (November 17) and VH1’s Top 20 Countdown on November 21.
The singer is expected to present at the American Music Awards and will appear on the Ellen DeGeneres Show on November 23.

For more information on the album, visit: Kris Allen

For interviews and more info on Kris Allen, visit: Kris Allen Interview

Source

The Music of ‘Twilight Saga: New Moon’ discussed at Film and TV Music Conference

The Billboard/Hollywood Reporter Film and TV Music Conference was held at the Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Panels were  devoted to the music of the Twilight Series. The upcoming feature “Twilight Saga: New Moon” and it’s soundtrack was discussed. The soundtrack is currently #1 on the Billboard Chart.

In attendance at the first panel were the film’s Music Supervisor Alexandra Patsavas and Livia Tortella from Atlantic Records. They shared their premise behind choosing the music for the film. Every song was specifically written for the movie. The two note that this movie feels more male oriented than the last one which seemed to make it easier for the music team to make song and band selections this time around. Bands from around the world, pitched material to the film’s director, Chris Weitz,  and Summit Entertainment, before the final song selection was chosen.  The result is a collection of songs that Patsavas feels could all easily go together. “You could easily attend a Lollapalooza-like music concert and see all of these artists on the same bill”, Patsavas said.

What also sets this soundtrack apart from others is that every song in the movie is on the soundtrack, which is rare. Many radio stations are already treating the soundtrack as a concept album and are playing it from straight through from beginning to end. The soundtrack features the music of Death Cab For Cutie, Thom Yorke, Anya Marina and more. After having a song on the first soundtrack,  one sought after artist’ s work will not be included this time around, the film’s star, Robert Pattinson, who plays Edward.  Patasavas notes that he didn’t want a second track. He’s a private artist and music is his hobby so he declined a chance to put a song on “New Moon”. Summit definitely wants to feature his music on future soundtracks should he change his mind.  They will ask him again when selecting music for the next film,  “Eclipse” and  hopes that he reconsiders.

The clever marketing  and cross-promotion campaign that was instrumental in the success of the first Twilight

Death Cab For Cutie's "Meet Me On The Equinox" appears on The Twight Saga: New Moon Sountrack (Photo: tickettalk.com)

film, will repeat again. Some of the bands whose music is featured on the soundtrack and cast members from the film will be heading out on tour at Hot Topic locations and various sites across the country. Headlining the tour’s opening date will be  Death Cab for Cutie, who has the first single off of “New Moon”, “Meet Me On The Equinox.”

Tour Schedule:

The New Moon tour will kick off  in Los Angeles at the Hollywood & Highland mall, with  performances by Death Cab For Cutie, Band of Skulls, Sea Wolf and Anya Marina, as well as a Q&A session with some of the cast members.

Official dates and locations of the Twilight Saga: New Moon Talent Tour are as follows:

11/06 Hollywood – Hollywood & Highland Hot Topic (feat. Death Cab For Cutie, Band of Skulls, Sea Wolf, Anya Marina)
11/10 Chicago – Fox Valley Mall (Anya Marina)
11/10 Philadelphia – Cherry Hill Mall (Hurricane Bells)
11/11 Minneapolis – Mall of America (Anya Marina)
11/12 Boston – Natick Collection (Hurricane Bells)
11/12 Seattle – Westfield Southcenter (Anya Marina)
11/14 Salt Lake City – Fashion Place (Anya Marina)

“Twilight: New Moon” opens Friday, November 20. The original movie “Twilight” will be re-released in theaters for one  day only on the 19th, as way for film goers to see both films on the big screen again and to create even more excitement for the new film.

The Dancing and Music of Michael Jackson Celebrated On “Dancing With The Stars”

Season 9 dancers pay tribute to Michael Jackson on "Dancing With The Stars". (Photo:ABC)

Dancing With The Stars was a “Thriller” night on Tuesday as all of the professional dancers performed a special tribute to Michael Jackson. Performing in the tribute were Season 9 dancers Kym Johnson, Karina Smirnoff, Cheryl Burke, Dmitry Chaplin, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Edyta Sliwinska, Anna Trebunskaya, Alec Mazo, Lacey Schwimmer , Jonathan Roberts, Mark Ballas, Tony Dovolani, Anna Demidova, Louis van Amstel, Chelsie Hightower  and Derek Hough. The show has danced to 17 performances over the years to songs of Michael Jackson. Clips and interviews were shown throughout the show with the professional dancers talking about Michael Jackson. ” He is an inspiration to anyone who wants to dance ” stated dancer Mark Ballas. Michael’s siblings, Jermaine Jackson and LaToya Jackson also spoke on the taped tribute talking about Michael’s love of dance and his love for the show Dancing With The Stars.

The dancers performed to “I Want You Back”, Man In The Mirror” and “Thriller”. Latoya Jackson introduced the musical tribute.

Along in the audience with LaToya Jackson were Michael’s mother Katharine Jackson and brother Jermaine Jackson.

Dancing With The Stars airs Monday and Tuesday nights on ABC.

Rihanna Releases ‘Russian Roulette’ from Upcoming ‘Rated R’ Album

Rihanna's "Russian Roulette" single cover. (Photo: AP/Def Jam)

Rihanna released her new single, “Russian Roulette,” from the upcoming album “Rated R”.  The was single, written and produced by rapper Ne-Yo, was placed on Rihanna’s web site, rihannannow.com. “Rated R”, her fourth album, is set to hit stores on November 23. The video for “Russian Roulette” will debut on ABC.

Mary J Blige, ‘Glee’s’ Lea Michelle and Sara Evans to appear at the Hollywood Reporter/Billboard Film and TV Music Conference

Lea Michelle (center on stairs) will appear at the Hollywood Reporter/Billboard Film and TV Music Conference. Glee cast pictured (L-R): Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale (seated), Amber Riley, Lea Michele (center), Jenna Ushkowitz, Cory Monteith.(Photo: FOX/Matthias Clamer)

The 8th annual Hollywood Reporter/Billboard Film and TV Music Conference will be held on October 29-30 in Beverly Hills.  The most highly anticipated panels at the event this year will be for the TV show “Glee”, the movie “Twilight:New Moon”, the Sara Evans and SOAPnet panel and Mary J. Blige’s keynote panel.

The Glee panel will be called BACKBEAT: THE ANATOMY OF A TV SHOW- Fox’s “Glee”
A look behind-the-scenes at how “Glee” uses music — from on screen in synchs to the soundtrack for stores. Adam Anders (Glee music producer) and Grammy winner Lea Michelle who plays Rachel on the show will be just a few who will be on the panel.

The “New Moon” panel will feature a discussion called SOUNDTRACK CASE STUDY:”THE TWILIGHT SAGA:NEW MOON”. The masterminds behind the 2.1 million-selling soundtrack to “Twilight” discuss how they selected the bands and songs to appear on the soundtrack to film’s sequel, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon. Paul Katz, music consultant of Summit Entertainment will be one of the speakers on the panel.

Day 1 Keynote Speaker will be country singer Sara Evans — Multiple-platinum selling and award-winning country artist Sara Evans talks about her deal with ABC Daytime and SOAPnet for promotion, placement and tour sponsorship.

Day 2 Keynote Speaker will be R&B legend, Mary J. Blige.  –R&B legend Mary J. Blige discusses her career and  contributions to film and TV music, including a preview of the song she wrote  for Lionsgate’s “PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH’ BY  SAPPHIRE.” The film, directed by “Monster’s Ball” producer Lee Daniels  and adapted for the screen by Geoffrey Fletcher, stars Mo’Nique, Paula Patton,  Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz and introduces Gabourey Sidibe.  PRECIOUS will be in theaters  beginning on November 6, 2009. Blige’s next album will be released this fall.

For more information and tickets: Hollywood Reporter/Billboard Conference

Sleeping Beauty inspires a new Broadway musical

Regina Spektor

The Associated Press is reporting that a new musical is in the works inspired by the tale “Sleeping Beauty”.

Regina Spektor has set her sights on Broadway – writing the music for a show inspired by “Sleeping Beauty.”

Elephant Eye Theatricals says that  singer-songwriter Regina Spektor will collaborate on the music on musical  called “Beauty” . “Beauty” is described as a contemporary retelling of the Grimm fairy tale.

It’s tentatively planned for the 2011-2012 Broadway season.

“Beauty” will feature book and direction by Tina Landau and lyrics by Michael Korie.

Thursday On TV: VH1 Divas Concert with Paula Abdul and Miley Cyrus

Clockwise: Kelly Clarkson, Jordan Sparks, Leona Lewis, Shania Twain

VH1’s annual Divas Concerts airs tonight with performances by Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson,  Stevie Wonder, Shania Twain, Jordin Sparks, Adele, Leona Lewis and  Miley Cyrus. Paula Abdul hosts.

Also on today

“Bones,” 8 p.m. (Fox): Angela’s psychic, Avalon Harmonia (Cyndi Lauper), alerts Brennan and Booth to the presence of a mass grave beneath a fountain.

“Dances with Wolves” (1990), 8 p.m. (AMC): Kevin Costner’s epic vision of the American frontier as seen through the eyes of a 19th-century U.S. Cavalry officer.

“The Vampire Diaries,” 8 p.m. (CW): Stefan tries to make Vicki forget who attacked her; Jeremy struggles with drug use and his feelings for Vicki; Damon reveals information about Stefan’s past.

“The Office,” 9 p.m. (NBC): Michael feels left out when the rest of the staff gossips about the summer interns, so he hunts for a juicy secret to share.

“Fringe,” 9 p.m. (Fox): Peter, unwittingly in a race against time with an ominous force, investigates Olivia’s visit to a parallel universe.

“Police Women of Broward County,” 9 p.m. (TLC): Andrea goes after a drug dealer operating from an apartment; Julie tracks a sex offender who has violated parole; Ana helps nab a violent gang member.

The New York Times