Taylor Swift And Michael Jackson Lead AMA Nominations

Country sweetheart Taylor Swift leads the pack with the most nominations for the upcoming 37th annual American Music Awards.

Swift has been nominated for 6 awards including Artist Of The Year. Her album Fearless was one of the biggest selling albums of the year, so it’s no surprise that she’s on top with the most nominations.

Swift has some stiff competition for Artist Of The Year as the late Michael Jackson is also nominated in the same category.

Jackson is right behind Swift with 5 nominations, followed by Eminem with 4. Beyoncé, the Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Kings Of Leon, and T.I. each have 3 nominations.

The nominees are determined by radio airplay and retail sales, while members of the public determine the winners through online voting.

The awards ceremony will take place at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on November 22 and will be broadcast on ABC.

The first batch of confirmed performers includes Alicia Keys, the Black Eyed Peas, Jennifer Lopez and “American Idol” runner-up Adam Lambert.

Kelly Clarkson Performs Medley of Alanis Morissette and Kings of Leon On Tour

Kelly Clarkson is not only one of the most talented singers in the business, but she’s got a creative vision like no one else. Clarkson, with the help of her musical director, has put together two of my favorite songs for a medley that she is currently performing on tour.

Check out Clarkson’s performance of Alanis Morissette’s ‘That I Would Be Good’ and Kings of Leon ‘Use Somebody’ –

American Ethan Boroian Sent Home On Britain’s X-Factor

We definitely did not see this one coming!

American Ethan Boroian, an instant hit with X-Factor fans worldwide, was sent home by the judges on the British talent show.

Check out Ethan’s final performance –

And here’s the clip of Ethan’s elimination –

What do you guys think? Did the judges make the right decision by putting Lloyd Daniels through?

Lady GaGa and Kings Of Leon Dominate The MTV Europe Music Awards

Lady Gaga and Kings of Leon led the nominations for November’s MTV Europe Music Awards with five apiece, one ahead of compatriot Beyonce.

Underlining the dominance of U.S. pop this year, rapper Eminem and punk rockers Green Day are shortlisted for three awards each.

Confirmed to perform at the show, which takes place in Berlin on November 5, are Green Day, British singer Leona Lewis and German band Tokio Hotel, MTV said on Monday.

Of the 13 categories, 11 are chosen by MTV viewers via the website www.mtvema.com. The music channel said the competition attracted more than 100 million online votes last year and the website had four million visitors during the show.

Lady Gaga was nominated for best song (“Pokerface”), best live act, best new act, best female and best world stage performance. Kings of Leon are up for best song (“Use Somebody”), best live act, best group, best rock and best world stage performance.

American Ethan Boroian Wows Judges On Britain’s X-Factor

19 year old Ethan Boroian from Chicago, IL, is on his way to winning Britain’s X-Factor after wowing the judges with his performance of ‘Use Somebody’ by Kings Of Leon during his audition.

The young American is currently studying at Royal Holloway University in London and “dreams of people all over the world listening to his music.” Looks like his dreams are coming true!

Check out his incredible audition –

The Brits always seem to find incredible talent. How did we lose one of our own to them? Ethan needs to come home and be on American Idol!

For more information, check out Ethan’s Myspace page.

Paramore – Use Somebody (Kings Of Leon Cover)

Check out Paramore performing a cover of King’s Of Leon’s Hit Single, “Use Somebody.”

Not too shabby! Hayley Wiliams is quite the talented girl.

Kings Of Leon’s Caleb Followill Guest Judge on Iron Chef

[Photo courtesy of Food Network]

Who knew this rockstar had such a delicate palate!

Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill recently appeared as a guest judge on Food Network’s Iron Chef.

Kings Of Leon To Work With Justin Timberlake

Kings of Leon have tapped Justin Timberlake, Pharell Williams and Mark Ronson to remix their Only By The Night album. The band is also planning a live DVD from their concert at London’s O2 Arena this past July.

Timberlake is a huge fan of the band and frequently plays their album on his ipod. Can’t wait to hear what JT adds to the mix.

Sugarland No. 1 On Billboard 200; Jackson Still Week’s Top-Seller

Billboard.com

While Michael Jackson is still the week’s top seller, Sugarland’s new Wal-Mart exclusive CD/DVD package “Live on the Inside” enters at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 76,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It’s the country duo’s second No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in just over a year. Sugarland earned its first chart-topper with its 2008 studio album, “Love on the Inside,” which ascended to the top of the tally after debuting at No. 2 the previous week.

But it’s the King of Pop who continues to have the top selling album in the U.S. His “Number Ones” set shifted another 98,000 last week (down 14%), placing it at No. 1 on the Top Comprehensive Albums chart for a sixth non-consecutive week.

The Top Comprehensive Albums chart houses both older and current albums (the latter are generally those that are 18 months old or less). Over on the Billboard 200 chart, only current or new albums are ranked. That’s why Jackson’s “Number Ones” — released in 2003 — is absent from the latter tally.

Jackson’s No. 1 run is the longest for a male artist since 50 Cent’s “The Massacre” also did six weeks in late 2007 and early 2008. It’s also his longest reign with the top album in the country since 1987′s “Bad” album spent six weeks as the U.S.’ best-seller. His 1991 “Dangerous” set earned four weeks at No. 1, while 1995′s “HIStory” was No. 1 for two weeks and 2001′s “Invincible” topped the tally for one week.

Sugarland’s 76,000 entry at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart is the lowest sales week for a No. 1 -debuting album in Nielsen SoundScan’s 18-year history. The previous low was actually set just earlier this year, when Chrisette Michelle’s “Epiphany” entered at No. 1 with 83,000.

Last week’s No. 1 on the Billboard 200, Fabolous’ “Loso’s Way,” slips to No. 10 in its second week on the chart, moving 37,000 (down 63%). This week’s second-highest new entry comes from country quartet Gloriana, which arrives at No. 3 with its self-titled debut effort (44,000). The 16th volume of the popular children’s series “Kidz Bop Kids” series starts at No. 8 with 38,000 while R&B singer K’Jon sees his debut album “I Get Around” enter at No. 12 with 33,000.

As for the rest of the Billboard 200 top 10, the “Now 31″ compilation rises 4-2 with 45,000 (down 16%) while the Black Eyed Peas’ “The E.N.D.” slides up one notch to No. 4 with 44,000 (down 10%). Rising one rung, Kings of Leon’s “Only By the Night” also sold just over 44,000 (down 6%) while Daughtry’s “Leave This Town” (falling from No. 2 to No. 6) was just a handful of units behind Kings of Leon, also selling about 44,000 (down 29%). Maxwell’s “BLACKsummers’night” falls four slots to No. 7 with 43,000 (down 22%) and Taylor Swift’s “Fearless” holds at No. 9 with 37,000 (down 1%).

Overall album sales in this past chart week (ending August 9) totaled 6.03 million units, up 1.2% compared to the sum last week (5.96 million) and down 15.7% compared to the same sales week of 2008 (7.16 million). Year to date album sales stand at 213.8 million, down 14.3% compared to the same total at this point last year (249.4 million).

Lollapalooza kicks of with a Downpour

Today was day one of the annual Lollapalooza festival in Chicago, and it started off with some massive rain. Can anybody say mudslide?!

Some of the big acts today were Ben Folds, The Decemberists, Kings of Leon, Bon Iver (AMAZING), KiD CuDi, Thievery Corporation, and Depeche Mode. That’s a pretty strong first day!

The rest of the weekend is looking pretty strong as well, with sunny weather in the forecast. On Saturday you are looking at some great energetic shows like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Animal Collective, and Bassnectar (one of the best live shows you will ever see). Bassnectar plays Saturday night from 8:30 to 10:00 – that will be a night to remember!

Sunday will be pretty epic with Janes Addiction, Ra Ra Riot, Snoop Dogg, and the Killers.

We can’t wait to hear how the festival goes from all you lollapaloozas out there. If you weren’t able to make it, watch the live Lollapalooza podcast here: http://tinyurl.com/mnljeq.

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