Music News & Notes

Eddie Van Halen Hopeful For New Music, Tour

It's been about nine months since Van Halen wrapped up its first tour since 1984 with original lead singer David Lee Roth. Legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen is hopeful there will be future activity for the rock and rollers.

Van Halen related to Spinner.com that after he and girlfriend Janie Liszewski get married in June and his son Wolfgang graduates from high school, he plans to discuss recording new music, which he says he has "tons of."

"If Dave's up for singing ... then do another tour, and just see where it takes us," Van Halen stated. "Actually, next week or the week after Wolfie, Alex and I are gonna start jamming. Maybe we'll give Dave a call and see what he's up to. He's off, always doing his own thing, and he checks in every now and then to see how we're doing."

Van Halen has not released a new studio album since 1997's "Balance," and hasn't recorded with the original lead singer since tracking two new songs with him for a 1996 "Greatest Hits" album.

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Cyrus, Swift Teaming Up At Grammys

It's reported that teen superstars Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift will be performing together at the 51st Grammy Awards this Sunday (Feb. 8) in Los Angeles.

Also added to the lineup are Estelle and Kanye West, Adele, Chris Brown, Sugarland and a Four Tops tribute featuring surviving member Duke Fakir with Jamie Foxx and Ne-Yo. In addition, Sheryl Crow, Craig Ferguson, Al Green, Jay Mohr, Queen Latifah and T-Pain will present awards.

The Grammys will also boast performances from U2, Kid Rock, Rihanna, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Kenny Chesney, Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson, Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, Paul McCartney (with Dave Grohl on drums), Katy Perry, Radiohead, T.I. and Justin Timberlake, Carrie Underwood, and the quartet of Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, T.I. and Kanye West.

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Pop Diva Streisand Recording New Music

Barbra Streisand is recording a new album with Diana Krall producing. She commented to the Associated Press, "I'm trying to convince her to sing with me, but she's resisting it. She plays the piano for me on several songs, but it's not over yet. I'm still working on her to try to do a duet with me. ... We have to find the right song."

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Initial Lineup Set for Bonnaroo Festival

The 2009 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival has announced the initial list of performers for the annual show in Manchester, Tennessee, set for June 11 to 14. Tickets go on sale this Saturday morning at 12 PM EST.

The two big artists that have been recently announced are Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band and the reunited Phish who will play two shows. Beyond that, it's everything from jam bands to R&B to straight out rock and roll.

Below are the major acts and veteran artists playing the festival (no dates have been announced by act). For a full list, go to the Bonnaroo site. http://www.bonnaroo.com/artists.aspx


Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band
Phish (2 shows)
Beastie Boys
Nine Inch Nails
David Byrne
Wilco
Al Green
Snoop Dog
Elvis Costello (solo)
Erykah Badu
Gov't Mule
Merle Haggard
Bela Fleck & Toumani Diabate
Del McCoury Band
Alan Toussaint
Booker T and the DBTs
David Grisman Quintet
Lucinda Williams
Robert Earl Keen
Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3

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Hold Steady Preps Documentary, Live Album

The Hold Steady is set to release their first live album and documentary DVD, "A Positive Rage," on April 7 via Vagrant.

The double-disc set will chronicle a 2007 Halloween show at Chicago's Metro and also includes a pair of previously unreleased tracks ("Spectres" and "40 Bucks") as well as three additional tracks culled from the limited edition version of the band's last release, 2008's "Stay Positive."

The documentary centers around the international tour in support of 2006's "Boys and Girls in America" and features band interviews and a wealth of behind-the-scenes footage.

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Beastie Boys release remastered 'Paul's Boutique' album

Beastie Boys have made a remastered version of their 1989 album 'Paul's Boutique' available to buy as a download from their website.

You can get the new version now at Beastieboys.com.

As well as the music, fans who buy the album will receive 3D artwork as part of the download.

The remastered album, now 20 years old, will be released on CD and vinyl on February 10. Combination packs including a T-shirt and album artwork poster will also be available. See Beastieboys.com for more.

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Viva La Beatles!

The man that banned Beatles music from the airwaves in Cuba has died. Jorge "Papito" Serguera removed all music by the Fab Four from radio and TV in the 1970's, although it is believed his action had been ordered by the government who viewed most modern music as a threat to the revolution. The Beatles can now be heard in Cuba again and a statue of John Lennon can be seen in Havana.

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Lamb Of God Giveaway

In support of their new release "Wrath," due Feb. 24 from Epic, heavy metal rockers Lamb Of God are saluting hardcore fans with a huge promotional giveaway.

The first 100,000 copies of the album will come with a lottery ticket which fans can use to try and win one of 100 unique prizes.

Fans will compete by entering their lotto number on the band's Web site and correctly answering questions about Lamb Of God. The prizes include the band's personal instruments, a ticket voucher to see the band at any show, a chance to sing with the band onstage, and two tickets to see it perform this summer at a European music festival. Winners will get to pick which prize they want on a first-come-first-served basis.

"The band wanted to give back to its fans with something more interactive," says Epic VP of marketing Scott Greer, who thinks that a chance to have singer Randy Blythe cook barbecue at a fan's house for an afternoon will be the first prize to go. "These prizes are meaningful. We wanted to have an old-school 'event' mentality with this release, and I think what the band has done speaks for itself."