Music News

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - Wedding proposals at concerts are nothing new, but country act Little Big Town took things a step further on its recent tour, setting up a space for lucky fans to tie the knot at one of its shows. Full Story »

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Making an album about such seemingly simple concepts as food or ice cream trucks might seem like a fool's errand, but for Brooklyn indie duo One Ring Zero, those concepts have led to opportunities to perform at events including book award ceremonies and children's festivals. Full Story »

DETROIT (Billboard) - Kings of Leon's Nathan Followill is confident that organizers of the upcoming Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco will keep stray pigeons as far away from the stage as possible. But, the drummer notes, "we're bringing a couple of muzzle loaders, just in case." Full Story »

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Freddie Gibbs has nothing against rap artists who embrace catchy hooks to land on pop radio, but that's not his style. He didn't need a hit single to draw attention to both of his 2009 mixtapes, and he's about to delve deeper into hardcore street rap on his new EP, "Str8 Killa." Full Story »

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Rappers have a propensity for christening themselves with royal titles to promote their standing in hip-hop (e.g., King of the South, Prince of Rap). But for Bun B, the less-regal handle Trill OG was the most fitting. Full Story »

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Most people wouldn't associate the term "modern" with classical chamber music. But if anyone can pull off the pairing, it's bassist/vocalist/composerEsperanza Spalding. Full Story »

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Before Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers once again invade tween TVs with "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam," fans of the Disney franchise can sing along with the "Camp Rock 2" soundtrack, due August 10. Full Story »

The Top 20 Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city and includes the average ticket price for shows in North America. The previous week's ranking is in parentheses. The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers. Full Story »

BERLIN - The mayor of the German city where 21 people were crushed to death at a music festival last weekend is facing growing pressure to resign amid nationwide outrage over the tragedy. Full Story »

NEW YORK - The Black Eyed Peas have more proof of the ubiquity of "I Gotta Feeling." Full Story »

ATLANTA - Despite his success with the Grammy-winning, multiplatinum group OutKast, Big Boi felt artistically stifled when he tried to step out on his own as a solo rapper. Full Story »

NEW YORK - Former "Fly Girl" Jennifer Lopez is poised to return to television — this time as a judge on "American Idol." Full Story »

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - As the lead singer of Twisted Sister, the costumed makeup-wearing heavy metal band, Dee Snider has spent most of his 34 years as a rock star all fired up. Full Story »

NEW YORK (Billboard) - A day after he logged a fifth week atop the U.S. pop album chart, rapper Eminem on Thursday claimed the lead on the Hot 100 singles chart for a second week. Full Story »

BEIRUT - Across four decades, Fairouz's songs of freedom, justice and love transfixed Arab audiences, moved millions to tears and gave hope to the Lebanese during the darkest days of their 15-year civil war. Full Story »

LOS ANGELES - Rapper-turned-underwear model-turned-Oscar-nominated actor Mark Wahlberg has been enshrined in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Full Story »

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Singer-songwriter Marc Cohn has notched his highest career rank on the Billboard 200 album chart, as "Listening Booth: 1970" debuted at No. 28 this week. Full Story »

ALHAMBRA, Calif. - In the often weird world of show business marriages, the love story of Phil and Rachelle Spector is among the strangest. Full Story »