FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Quick Hits: Christina Aguilera, Virgin Mobile FreeFest, Gym Class Heroes, John Legend, Ben Gibbard, Cher Lloyd, R. Kelly, Joss Stone, Scott Stapp, Peter Gabriel

August 14, 2012

Christina Aguilera

At a recent press junket promoting The Voice, Christina Aguilera said that she is working on a new album, and it was inspiring for her to be around Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong, who is mentoring her team of singers on The Voice. Aguilera explained that she is very involved in the making of her albums, much like Armstrong is with Green Day. "I think that sometimes pop music does get stereotyped as 'We don't have as much control or say-so over the creative works behind the producing and what not,'" she said, according to Rolling Stone. "I specifically am an artist that's very involved in my own producing, creative and all of the efforts that go into putting together my album as an artist." Aguilera didn't reveal much about the new album, only that she is excited about it and the lead single is called "Your Body."

This year's Virgin Mobile FreeFest will be held on Saturday, October 6, at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD, and the Main Stage lineup will boast Jack White, Skrillex, M83, NAS, ZZ Top, Santigold, Alabama Shakes, Ben Folds Five, The Dismemberment Plan, Allen Stone, Trampled by Turtles, Portugal. The Man, Das Racist, Future Islands and Justin Jones. There also will be a Dance Forest for electronic artists. Tickets to the 2012 Virgin Mobile FreeFest presented by LG will go "On Free" to the public at noon EST on Friday, August 24, via ticketfly.com. Fans who choose to follow Virgin Mobile Live on Twitter (@virginmlive) will see a link to participate in the private presale, which will be held August 23.

Gym Class Heroes have revealed details of a brief fall tour that will get underway on October 18 in Chicago and run through October 30 in Philadelphia. In other news, GCH frontman Travie McCoy is partnering with Pepsi and the National Football League for the "Pepsi NFL Anthems" program. The program will feature four originally created anthems – by McCoy, Kelly Clarkson, Kid Rock and Ice Cube, as well as a remixed version of Wiz Khalifa's "Black and Yellow" – all inspired by the artists’ passion for their cities and hometown NFL teams.

John Legend will do a North American tour of intimate venues this fall. He promises to play fan favorites as well as new material from his upcoming album, Love In The Future. The trek runs from October 16 in Clearwater, FL to November 21 in Oakland, CA.

With Ben Gibbard's debut solo album, Former Lives, coming out on October 16, the Death Cab For Cutie singer has announced a solo tour. So far dates run from September 26 in Big Sur, CA to November 14 in Los Angeles.

British teen singer Cher Lloyd is putting the finishing touches on her debut, Sticks + Stones, which now has a new confirmed release date of October 2 for the U.S. The American version of Sticks + Stones, released via Epic Records/Syco, will vary slightly from the 2011 U.K. version. The U.S. album includes never-before-heard songs, as well as a few surprise guests.

R. Kelly announced that he is pulling out of his Love Letter Cruise after claiming that organizer Concerts Cruise LLC failed to pay him to appear. The cruise was set to leave Miami on October 1, and it was supposed to feature two performances by Kelly as well as a small roster of supporting acts. "Concerts Cruise LLC has been unable to meet its financial obligations to a scheduled cruise with featured performer R. Kelly and will therefore have to cancel this cruise," a statement from the singer reads. "R. Kelly had been looking forward to the cruise and was ready, willing and able to perform for fans. He is sorry for any disappointment but plans to see his fans very soon on a U.S. tour. Ticket holders should contact Concerts Cruise LLC to handle refunds." Reportedly, Concert Cruises sent an e-mail to those who purchased tickets and informed them that refunds would be issued.

Joss Stone has confirmed a North American tour supporting the release of her new studio album, The Soul Sessions Vol. 2. Dates have been announced from September 27 in Vancouver, BC to October 24 in Los Angeles, with more to be announced soon.

Creed singer Scott Stapp will release a tell-all memoir called Sinner's Creed on October 2. The book, co-authored by David Ritz (who also penned biographies on Janet Jackson and Marvin Gaye), will detail the singer's struggles with fame, substance abuse and depression, as well as his redemption and renewed faith. "The book describes my childhood, my internal battles with drugs and depression and how I lost control of my life," Stapp said in a statement. "My memoir reveals never before released details about my life and the challenges I've faced before coming to grips and finding sobriety."

Peter Gabriel's 1986 album, So, has been digitally remastered for a 25th anniversary edition that will be released on October 23. It will be available in multiple physical and digital configurations, such as an expanded three-CD version and a box set with live DVDs. Gabriel will do a 16-date North American tour in September and October during which he will play So in its entirety.

Music News
	Jay-Z Reveals New Album, Samsung Partnership, During NBA Finals
	Sir Paul, Tom Petty & More Top Bonnaroo 2013
	Quick Hits: Britney Spears, Drake, Much Music Video Awards, Kanye West, Franz Ferdinand, Jack Johnson, Epicenter Festival
	Jack Johnson To Replace Mumford At Bonnaroo
	The Week In Review: 6/10-6/14
	FMQB Retro-Active: Ken Sharp Goes Back To The Sixties With Mark Volman of The Turtles
	Quick Hits: Kanye West, Pixies, Songwriters Hall Of Fame, The Voice, LivingSocial Backyard Festival, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Farm Aid
	Queens Of The Stone Age Are Kings Of The Chart
	Quick Hits: The Replacements, Rock For Oklahoma, Brandon Boyd, Bono, Sasquatch! Festival, Blue October, Polaris Music Prize
	Kings Of Leon Ready To Ride The Bull
	Quick Hits: The Wanted & Justin Bieber, Tom Petty, My Morning Jacket, MTV's "Music Independence Day," The Beatles
	Mumford & Sons Bassist To Undergo Surgery
	Quick Hits: Kanye West, Metallica, John Mayer, Cher, Neko Case, Jimmy Eat World, Breakaway Music Festival, Cody Simpson, Beach Boys
	Metallica Full Of Surprises At Orion Festival
	Quick Hits: Kings Of Leon, Kanye West, Made In America Festival, Kelly Clarkson, Phoenix, Karmin, Queens of the Stone Age, Grouplove, Jack Johnson, Portugal. The Man, Tom Petty, Five For Fighting, Tenacious D

Breaking News
	Beata Czechowski Named APD/MD For 102.7 KIIS-FM/Los Angeles
	Clear Channel Rebrands WLIT/Chicago As Hot AC "93.9 MY FM"
	John Hogan Relocating To NYC
	Arbitron Releases RADAR June 2013 Radio Network Ratings
	CCM+E Names Nathan Daschle EVP For Political Strategy
	Nick Cannon's NCredible Entertainment Inks Partnership With RED Distribution
	In Brief - June 17, 2013
	June 14, 2013
	eQB NOW
	The Week In Review: 6/10-6/14
	WMG Promotes Stu Bergen To President, International, Warner Recorded Music
	Cumulus Reorganizing Music Programming Structure For Three Formats
	Arbitron Confirms Integrity Of Kansas City May Ratings
	In Brief - June 14, 2013
	FMQB FYI... Links You Should Know About
	June 13, 2013
	BMI Takes Legal Action Against Pandora Over Royalty Issues
	Bridge Ratings Looks At Early Interest In iTunes Radio
	Royalty Organizations React To Pandora's FM Move
	Newest "Infinite Dial" Data Looks At News/Talk/Sports P1s
	Apple Inks iTunes Radio Agreement With BMI
	In Brief - June 13, 2013
	June 12, 2013
	Clear Channel Announces Revenue Deal With Fleetwood Mac
	Pandora Buys FM Station In South Dakota
	RADAR 117: Radio Reaches Nearly 242.5 Million People Weekly
	CCM+E Promotes Kelly Kibler To SVP Of Operations For 4 Texas Markets
	Confirmation Hearing For Tom Wheeler Set For Next Tuesday
	New Nielsen Study Looks At Streaming Music Growth
	Clear Channel Unveils New Creative Advisory Council