Transworld Publishers have announced the acquisition of world rights for the first official book by McFly, to be published in autumn this year.
In what promises to be a frank, funny and original insight into the lives of one of the UK’s best-loved bands, readers will get to know the men behind McFly in a way they never thought they would.
From their early days sharing a house in Finchley to becoming the youngest band ever to have a debut album reach the number one spot, this book will give the inside track on their meteoric rise. It will include surprising tales of growing up in the limelight and the euphoric highs and desperate lows along the way. This book will be essential reading for McFly fans everywhere but, more than that, it will shine a light on what it takes to make it to the top and stay there for nine years, all told in their unique and inimitable style.
Think you know McFly? Think again.
Michelle Signore, Editorial Director at Transworld Publishers, says:
‘I am absolutely thrilled that Dougie, Harry, Danny and Tom have chosen to publish their book with Transworld this autumn. After nearly a decade together, the time feels right for McFly to tell their story and it promises to be candid, fun – and surprising!’
VH1 will donate $1 to VH1 Save The Music Foundation in conjunction with Perez Hilton’s Annual Music Event For Every Check In on Foursquare at Any Music Venue Across the Country
The VH1 Save The Music Foundation has been selected as the benefiting charity of Perez Hilton’s “One Night in Austin” event at South By Southwest on March 17, 2012. Returning to Austin for the fifth consecutive year, this legendary series, produced by The BMF Media Group, will feature performances and DJ sets by an array of today’s top artists (to be announced the weeks leading up the show). There are a limited number of tickets available and can be purchased at $25 (General Admission) and/or $50 (VIP) at www.vh1savethemusic.com/perez. 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation and its mission to restore instrumental music education programs in our nation’s public schools.
In conjunction with the event, VH1 will donate $1 to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation throughout the month of March for each check in on Foursquare at any music venue across the country. With each check in, participating individuals will receive the exclusive “VH1 Save The Music” badge. Through these combined efforts, the Foundation can receive up to $50,000 in donations, enough to restore a complete music education program. Users must follow VH1 on Foursquare to unlock the badge and trigger the donation at: https://foursquare.com/vh1.
“We are thrilled to be a part of Perez Hilton’s “One Night in Austin” this year,” said Paul Cothran, Vice President & Executive Director of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. “With Perez’s help, we will be able to generate a great deal of awareness for our cause, and with the additional fundraising boost provided by VH1 network and Foursquare’s generous promotion, we will be able to ensure that a greater number of children will not be deprived of access to a complete education that includes music.”
Since its inception in 1997, The VH1 Save The Music Foundation has provided more than $48 million in new musical instruments to 1,800 public schools in more than 100 cities around the country, impacting the lives of over 1.8 million children. Thanks to the generous support of celebrities like Perez Hilton and the VH1 Save The Music Ambassadors, including Katy Perry, Daughtry, Lupe Fiasco, Jordin Sparks, Matthew Morrison, Vanessa Carlton, AJ McLean and Gavin Rossdale, the Foundation is able to generate awareness about the importance of music in a child’s education.
“Music is the answer! For the first time ever, I am going to be selling tickets to my annual SXSW event! These tickets will GUARANTEE entrance to what is always the hottest party in all of Austin. This year, I have decided to donate all of the money raised through ticket sales to The VH1 Save The Music Foundation. It combines two things I am passionate about – music and inspiring youth. I can’t wait!” said Perez Hilton.
Using Perez Hilton’s “One Night in Austin” as the marquee event, fans are encouraged to use Foursquare to check in at various SXSW events as well as any music venue across the country throughout this month. With the support of VH1 and Foursquare and by simply checking in each time you enjoy live music, you can help The VH1 Save The Music Foundation raise needed funds to continue their work in American public schools.
VH1 will also be bringing several new documentaries through its VH1 Rock Doc franchise to SXSW. VH1 News, Tune (VH1 Music Blog) and the “Top 20 Countdown” hosted by Jim Shearer will be sharing highlights of Perez Hilton’s “One Night In Austin.”
Calling yourself the ‘Rat Pack of Opera‘ is quite a grand statement, and one you only make if you can back it up. Lord Richard Attenborough certainly thinks they can, calling them “fantastic…a unique and wonderfully entertaining act”. Sting simply says: “Bravi!”. Well, hard to argue with that.
The Trio, Scott Ciscon, Jem Sharples and baritone Paul Martin, who formed in 2002, have made their new album Viva La Vita an album of greatly requested numbers from their live show with two original songs thrown in for good measure; Viva La Vita – the title track, and Fall in Love. These songs were written by the band themselves.
This album is a triumph, it take much loved classics and gives them a fresh, operatic twist. It helps that they also have a few of my favourite songs like ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ and ‘Summertime’.
By including non-operatic songs in the album the band could have been called opera-lite, but they manage to by-pass this. Their voices are divine, their take on the songs sublime. It is a beautiful album. The original songs are good and so is their take on the classics. I thoroughly enjoyed this album. I definitely recommend it. It is rousing music. A good mix of the popular and the grand.
‘The ever evolving pop idol threw us a curve ball last year. Will’s latest offering unleashed his potential as an electro-pop artist. Leading with the insanely catchy Jealousy, Will’s new sound won us over’ Attitude January 2012
WILL YOUNG releases his brand new single ‘Losing Myself’ on March 19th 2011 through XIX Entertainment/RCA Label Group.
Another huge slice of sophisticated modern pop, ‘Losing Myself’ is the third single to be taken from Will’s phenomenally successful new album ‘Echoes’ which went straight in the album chart at Number One and has sold an incredible 400,000 copies so far.
2011 was a fantastic year for Will. Besides the success of ‘Echoes’, the first single from the album ‘Jealousy’ was a top five chart and airplay smash, his most successful single in recent years. Grazia called it ‘the best song of the year’. Will has also hosted his own ITV Saturday Night Special which drew over 5 million viewers, and he delivered a fantastic live performance on the Jonathan Ross Show.
‘Losing Myself’ comes with a radio edit of the album version by the Hacienda/Factory Records legend Mike Pickering and a remix by Bimbo Jones.
Firming cementing his reputation as one of the foremost video artists of his generation Will has produced stunning promos for ‘Jealousy’ and ‘Come On’, and the clip for ‘Losing Myself’ promises similar thrills, directed by Henry Scholfield (Professor Green and Example).
Coming on the 10th anniversary of Will’s first audition for Pop Idol in 2001, ‘Echoes’ is his fifth studio album in a career spawning over 8.5 million sales so far. March 2012 sees the 10th anniversary of his debut Number One Single ‘Evergreen’. Produced by Richard X (MIA, Kelis, Goldfrapp,) and with all tracks bar one written by Will, ‘Echoes’ has garnered great reactions from fans and media alike with Sunday Times saying ‘it’s an ace album’, The Guardian calling it ‘classy’ and Attitude pronouncing ‘his vocal delivery never fails to weaken knees’.
Following his hugely successful sell-out tour in 2011, and a very special one off Xmas show at the London Palladium, Will brings his live show back for a tour of nation’s forests in 2012 as part of Forestry Commission Live Music.
Fri-15-June – Sherwood Pines Forest, Nr Edwinstone, Notts
Sat-16-June – Thetford Forest, Nr Brandon, Suffolk
Sat-23-June – Bedgebury Pinetum & Forest, Nr Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Fri-29-June – Dalby Forest, Nr Pickering, N Yorks
Sat-30-June – Cannock Chase Forest, Nr Rugeley, Staffs
Fri-06-July – Delamere Forest, Delamere, Cheshire
Sun-22-July – Westonbirt Arboretum Nr Tetbury, Glos
Tickets £35.00 (subject to booking fee) from the Forestry Commission box office tel 03000 680400 or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music
Whitney Houston has died at the tragically young age of 48. Her death has left the entertainment industry in shock.
Houston was found dead in her room in the Beverly Hilton yesterday. The Los Angeles police said paramedics had tried to resuscitate Houston but they were unable and she was pronounced dead at 3.55pm local time.
Houston, who was one of the biggest selling artists of the 80s and 90s, had battled drug addiction. Police also said that there was no “obvious signs” of any criminal intent.
Houston had been due to make an appearance at the Grammy Awards tonight, and had been at rehearsals, as she was to perform for her mentor Clive Davis.
Aretha Franklin said: “I just can’t talk about it now, It’s so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn’t believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen. My heart goes out to Cissy, her daughter Bobby Kris, her family and Bobby.”
Tributes have been flooding in for the singer. Mariah Cary said she was “heartbroken”
“Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston,” Carey wrote on Twitter.
“My heartfelt condolences to Whitney’s family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world.
“She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth.”
In a statement, Dolly Parton said: “Mine is only one of millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston.
“I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, “Whitney, I will always love you. You will be missed.”
Houston also starred in hit movies including The Bodyguard. She won multiple Grammys and sold millions of records.
As well as her drug addiction her 15-year marriage to Bobby Brown came to an end in 2007.
Brown told a sell-out crowd in Mississippi: “First of all, I want to tell you that I love you all. Second, I would like to say, I love you Whitney. The hardest thing for me to do is to come on this stage.”
Masters of Dirt have been setting the standard for world class FMX and bike stunt entertainment for the past 10 years performing across Europe. Hitting London and Manchester for the first time, The UK now has the chance to see the World’s top Freestyle Motocross, Quad, 50cc mini bike, mountain bike, bmx and even snowmobile riders perform their death defying whips, backflips and other jaw dropping tricks live and up-close at the action packed 2 1/2 hour fully seated indoor arena shows.
UK Champion Chris Birch and Aussie superstar Blake ‘Bilko’ Williams confirmed for Masters of Dirt UK Tour 2012.
We are delighted to confirm British FMX champion Chris Birch for the Masters of Dirt UK Tour hitting London 14th March and Manchester 16th March. Twenty Seven year old Birch competes on a world-class level bringing the most amazing whips and backflips this side of the Globe.
‘I can’t wait to ride MoD in my home country and you can guarantee I will bring some serious new tricks to the ramps in March’
25 year old Aussie Sensation Blake ‘Bilko’ Williams has also been added to the all star cast.
Bilko was the first ever athlete to land a cliffhanger backflip, as well as winning X Games Gold, Silver and Bronze and competing in X-Fighters, makes him one of the most exciting athletes to flip the Masters of Dirt ramps in March.
Sam Reynolds, 20yr old British Mountain Bike champion also adds to one of the most exciting line-ups MoD has seen for years. He said ‘I cannot wait to bring MoD to London and Manchester riding along side some of the best freestyle athletes across the globe’
Confirmed Rider List:
Edgar Torronteras (ESP)
Blake ‘Bilko’ Williams(AUS)
Derek Burlew (USA)
Alastair Sayer (SA)
Rob Adelberg (AUS)
Andreu Lacondeguy (ESP)
Chris Birch (UK)
Jostein Stenberg (NOR) (Snowmobile)
Jon Guetter (USA) (Quad)
Tomas Barta (CZ) (Minibike)
Sam Reynolds (UK) (Mountainbike)
Bienvenido Aguado (ESP) (Mountainbike)
A heartbroken Seal has appeared on TV and hinted that he hopes to work things out with his wife of seven years, Heidi Klum.
The singer has been promoting his new album Soul 2.
Seal was asked if a reconciliation was possible and replied: “You can never say never.
“I don’t know at this point if I would like to get back together. If it were that easy, we would still be together, that is the reality?
“Whether we get back together or not, it may happen, I can’t speak for her.”
The 48-year-old also said that the couple have been having arguments.
“I can’t speak for my wife and I’m not going to sit here and BS you and say we haven’t had problems. Of course we have had problems, otherwise why have we split up?”
“This is not a charade. We have problems, we have issues, but to our credit we have always been able to talk about them, to confront them. To assume that any couple goes without arguing is just nonsense.”
Seal is also still wearing his wedding ring. People magazine has claimed that the couple have been working on their problems for six months but have been putting on a ‘perfect couple’ front.
Kidulthood actress, model and singer Kate Adjike launches UK’s first scheme to help young London gang members out of crime through performing arts.
Gang members from across the Capital are being offered the “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to escape a life of crime…and appear on the Big Screen.
From today, troubled teens will be offered free lessons in singing and performance arts as part of a new charitable initiative.
They will receive 10 hour-long sessions with trained professionals where they can hone their dancing, singing and acting skills.
The most promising students will be promoted to the UK’s TV and film industry, and to theatre producers in the West End.
No qualifications are needed, but students must show a “willingness to learn and a passion for acting”.
The pioneering scheme – the first of its kind in the world – launches at Battersea-based performance arts centre, The Kate Academy, next month.
Its owner Kate Ajike hopes to help youngsters escape a life of “violence, crime and despair” by introducing them to the “beautiful arts”.
Speaking yesterday Ajike, the star of 2006 British film Kidulthood, said: “This scheme is about helping some of the most vulnerable members of our society.
“I am not for a moment condoning their behaviour, but I do understand how incredibly desperate many of these young people are.
“The vast majority do not have a way out of a life of crime, despite a genuine desire to do something with their lives.”
Ajike, a philanthropist who launched Kate Academy in 2007, added: “It is my hope that we can help a small proportion of these people – the diamonds in the rough, so to speak – and catapult them into a good, honest life in the arts.”
The scheme is open to all youngsters in London aged between 16 and 25 – including those responsible for the August riots – but only five places will be available each year.
Ajike said she hopes to help up to 500 gang members in the next few years, adding: “This is a last-chance saloon – the once-in-a-lifetime chance for gang members to escape a life of violence, drugs and street crime.”
To apply to The Kate Academy visit www.kateacademy.org.uk/apply, email hello@kateacademy.org.uk, or call 0203 4896574/ 07983 734668.
