Brooks' Vegas Gigs Sell Out in 5 Hours

He backed pro-legalization Gary Johnson but now likes Kucinich

(NEWSER) - After voicing support for pro-pot Gary Johnson as a presidential candidate , Willie Nelson has apparently changed his tune, notes the Daily Caller . It's "too early for me to endorse anyone,” the singer said in an email to a member of his marijuana-legalization activist group, the Teapot Party. (The exchange is recounted here .) Though he acknowledged backing New Mexico's former GOP governor, who no longer indulges himself but backs legalization, Nelson wrote: “I think I will wait and see where he stands on other things. My bad. Sorry." More»

We all love Norah Jones, but she's still on this list

(NEWSER) - You would never guess, but Jimi Hendrix was technically a one-hit wonder. Yep, the definition of the term is “an artist or band who only has one song make the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart,” regardless of album sales or performance on other charts, writes Sam Greenspan. He goes on to list 10 more very surprising one-hit wonders on 11points.com :

• Grateful Dead, “Touch of Grey”: “Go figure—an eternally loyal army of hippies doesn't translate into huge financial returns.”
• Garth Brooks, “Lost in You”: His “only top 40 single was from that rock album he made under the pseudonym ‘Chris Gaines.’ No song actually attributed to Garth Brooks has ever made the top 40. Ouch.”

Teen queen snags artist of the year in an upset

(NEWSER) - Taylor Swift unexpectedly captured artist of the year honors at tonight's American Music Awards, preventing a sweep by Michael Jackson. The 19-year-old country-pop crossover sensation called being included in the same category as the King of Pop an "unimaginable honor." She won five awards; Jermaine Jackson accepted two of his brother's four trophies wearing a sequined glove on his left hand, the AP reports. More»

Time for torturers to face the music, say celebs

(NEWSER) - A coalition of celebrity musicians is demanding the release of Bush administration documents revealing how music was used to torture Guantanamo Bay inmates. Songs from Metallica, The Real Slim Shady, and the Star Spangled Banner, among many others, were blasted all day for days on end to rattle prisoners, inmates have revealed. "The fact that music I helped create was used in crimes against humanity sickens me," said Tom Morello, formerly of Rage Against the Machine. "We need to end torture and close Guantanamo now." More»

Don't expect a new tour or album anytime soon

(NEWSER) - Garth Brooks is officially out of retirement—whatever that means. The 47-year-old singer announced his return to great fanfare at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry today. “It’s a proud day for me and my family,” Brooks declared. But coming out of retirement doesn’t mean Brooks will be recording a new album, or even touring. Brooks said it would be at least 5 years before either of those things happens. More»