Aretha Franklin News

Six-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift this week reaches #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 chart with 'I Knew You Were Trouble.', from her 5+ million-selling current album RED. Released on Big Machine Records, RED has been certified 4X Platinum in the U.S. for sales in excess of 4 million albums, and the disc's worldwide sales total is now past 5.4 million. The single 'I Knew You Were Trouble.' has sold over 3 million copies in the U.S. alone, has topped the iTunes all genres chart, and is a worldwide smash, already reaching #1 in Australia and New Zealand, and rapidly ascending Top 10 airplay charts around the globe in the UK, Canada, and territories in Europe, Asia and Africa. The pop success of 'Trouble' follows Taylor's recent Billboard Hot 100 #1 and 3X Platinum single 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,' another worldwide chart-topper and the lead single from RED.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Elizabeth Doran Executive Director), in association with Todd Gershwin and Daniel Chilewich of One Night Productions, LLC, the Estate of Janis Joplin and Jeff Jampol of JAM, Inc. announced today that single tickets for ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN will go on sale tomorrow, January 19, in celebration of Janis Joplin's birthday. Hailed by critics in Cleveland as a "feel-good, fist-pumping, must-see" show, ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN has left audiences clamoring for tickets in Portland, Cleveland and Washington D.C. Now coming to The Pasadena Playhouse in celebration of the Los Angeles area's great rock 'n' roll history, performances will run from March 15 through April 11, with a press opening night on March 17, 2013, at 5:00 p.m.

United States Navy Vice Admiral Michelle Janine Howard will receive the NAACP Chairman's Award during the 44th NAACP Image Awards, broadcast live on Friday, February 1st (8:00-10:00 PM EST) on NBC.

Each week Joe's Pub at The Public presents some of New York City's most eclectic programming ranging from world to classical, pop, singer-songwriter, jazz and more. At the center of Joe's Pub's genre-blind booking is The Public Theater's mission to bring world-class performance to New York City's diverse cultural community.

'I'm delighted to bring the hit comedy play Good God A'Mighty! to Atlanta for a special two-week engagement,' states playwright Lolita Snipes. 'It's my Valentine's gift to the city. Starring Tony Award winning actress and legendary singer Melba Moore, this electrifying comedy will give audiences a behind-the-scenes look inside an African-American church in the midst of change. Featured in the cast of memorable characters are nationally known comedians Just June and Dante Carter. Make plans to bring your family and friends to join us at the intimate 14th Street Playhouse from February 14-24.'

Acclaimed singer-songwriter and multi-talented musician Susan Toney's debut single "The Trail of Light and Dark" from the LOVE IS THE CURE CD on Strange Child Records was released to Secondary Country radio via CDX on Jan. 8. The single was simultaneously released on iTunes in two formats.

Electric Youth (EY), the international touring ensemble of talented singer-dancers trained at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), will take the stage at Showcase Live, Patriot Place, in Foxboro on Sunday, February 10 at 6 p.m.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond, featuring Tony Award and Golden Globe winner Linda Lavin, BACKSTAGE, Tony nominee Sally Mayes and award-winning jazz singer/songwriter Mark Winkler, award-winning singer Amber Martin, Sondheim Unplugged, musical legend Darlene Love, The Broadway Boys, Broadway star Morgan James and Night of Stars!

Music Producer Damon Elliott and Anthony Melikhov announced yesterday that they are negotiating an album deal with Dionne Warwick to celebrate her 50th anniversary and benefit children. Celebration around the world at many of the places that she has performed over the past 5 decades. The project is in negotiations with features such as: Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Gladys knight, Natalie Cole and Elton Jon. 'Anthony Melikhov has decided that portion of the proceeds will go to BFI (Bright Future International) Mr Melikhov's organization which helps children who need shelter, medicine, food, and education', Says Pramo Virk, Mahvrick International Bureau.

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Elizabeth Doran Executive Director), in association with Todd Gershwin and Daniel Chilewich of One Night Productions, LLC, the Estate of Janis Joplin and Jeff Jampol of JAM, Inc. announced today that ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN will fill the fourth production slot in the current 2012 - 2013 season. Hailed by critics in Cleveland as a "feel-good, fist-pumping, must-see" show, ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN has left audiences clamoring for tickets in Portland, Cleveland and Washington D.C. Now coming to The Pasadena Playhouse in celebration of the Los Angeles area's great Rock 'n' Roll history, performances will begin March 15 through April 11, with a press opening night on Sunday, March 17, 2013, at 5:00 p.m. at The Pasadena Playhouse. Tickets are currently available with a 2012 - 2013 season subscription purchase. Single tickets will go on sale later this month.

Broadway star, Shoshana Bean, takes the audience on a journey through the Streisand Songbook. From classic to contemporary, the show features her own interpretations of standards like 'Cry Me A River,' 'On A Clear Day' and "Don't Rain on My Parade." Like her idol Streisand, Shoshana began her career in New York in the off-Broadway revival of Godspell. She then went on to star in the Tony-Award winning original cast of Hairspray and eventually replaced Idina Menzel as Elphaba in Broadway's Wicked. Most recently Shoshana wowed listeners with her modern soulful stylings in her solo CD Superhero.

Alabama Shakes, Jackson Browne, Kenny Chesney, Ben Harper, Emmylou Harris, Faith Hill, Jim James, Elton John, Juanes, John Legend, Natalie Maines, Tim McGraw, Tom Morello, Mumford & Sons, Patti Smith, Mavis Staples, Sting, Eddie Vedder, and Neil Young will perform at the tribute concert in honor of 2013 MusiCares Person of the Year Bruce Springsteen. The sold-out gala will take place Feb. 8, 2013, two days prior to the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Additional performers will be announced shortly.

Check out video of Broadway and recording star vet Darlene Love's annual David Letterman performance of Christmas, Baby Please Come Home.

Talk Show Listings For Today, December 24

Talk Show Listings For Monday, December 24

While many MIZ-heads may have assumed the film adaptation of their beloved musical would never actually come to fruition, here it really is, all too soon available for all to see - lo, more than twenty years after it was first announced byway of an official promo ad in a tour souvenir going as far back as the late-1980s. I was lucky enough to catch an advance screening during the dawning days of December and many small moments, full musical sequences and my first impressions themselves have filled me with a certain kind of inexpressible enrapturing ecstasy heretofore inexperienced, coming as a direct result, no doubt, of the sheer force of power the film exacts in its relentless, barreling, blazingly bravado-bedecked style - a style, I can firmly say, is completely unique in movie history. LES MISERABLES is a lot of things, but, first and foremost, it is that which it is unlike that makes it most remarkable of all; that is: it is unlike any movie musical ever made. And, it is a masterpiece.

B. B. King Blues Club and Grill, NYC has announced its lineup, December 18, 2012 - January 1, 2013.

Clive Davis and The Recording Academy will present the annual Pre-GRAMMY Gala on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., the evening before the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards (www.grammy.com). Sponsored by Harman, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Hyundai, and MasterCard Worldwide, this exclusive, star-studded celebration will feature special musical performances and will be attended by the world's most renowned artists and top industry VIPs in music, film, television and new media. For updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy's social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys, www.facebook.com/thegrammys.

VH1's popular franchise VH1 Divas held their latest event last night, honoring the late Whitney Houston and Donna Summer. The event, hosted by Adam Labert, took place in Los Angeles at the Shrine Auditorium. Check out a glimpse at the stars on the red carpet below!

VH1's beloved, popular franchise 'VH1 Divas' is throwing the hottest dance party of 2012 LIVE tonight, December 16 at 9PM/8c with Grammy Award-nominated host Adam Lambert.