New Season Brings New Controversy and Social Networking for Idol Contestants

The addition of Ellen to the judges panel is not the only change for American Idol this year--for the first time in Idol history contestants are allowed to have profiles on Twitter, Myspace and Facebook. In the previous eight seasons social networking was banned for contestants and any pre-existing profiles were deleted before contestants became part of the show.

Now all of the top 24 Idol contestants have been given profiles on Twitter, Myspace and Facebook. All of their profiles were created by Fox and it is not clear what the exact rules for the profiles will be. If you want to keep up with your favorite contestants online you can find a complete list of all of their online profiles here.

This season may have added online profiles, but it did not loose any of its drama and controversy. Chris Golightly, who called himself an orphan when we were first introduced to him on the show, has been kicked out of the top 24 and replaced by Tim Urban.

“It has been determined that Chris Golightly is ineligible to continue in the competition,” a press release from FOX said. “American Idol contestant Tim Urban has replaced Golightly as part of the Top 24.”

Fox has not given the reason why Golightly was taken out of the competition. Another contestant Michael "Big Mike" Lynch was also reportedly booted from the show in late January because his father broke the show's rules of confidentiality by talking to a Florida newspaper. However last night the top 24 was revealed and Lynch's profile is currently still up on American Idol's website.

And on an unrelated Idol note, last night was the first time in six years that Idol did not have the top ratings for its night, instead NBC's coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics took the top spot.

New video from Rise Against!

Hero Of War

Message from the band:
We've just completed our new video for the song "Hero Of War" off of our record, Appeal To Reason. "Hero Of War" is the story of one soldier, not all soldiers, as he battles not just the war around him, but the war that rages within. Inspired by true events, we were given the choice to either document the tribulations of these times as they unfold around us, or ignore them. To ignore these problems, in our opinion, is letting down the brave men and women who risk everything. "Hero Of War" is our attempt to lift the stigma that surrounds everything from the skyrocketing suicide rate of troops, torture, internal sexual abuse, an under-funded VA, and the growing number of military personnel fighting Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as they return home. We hope this song and this video help the simmering dialogue about these problems evolve into a rolling boil.

-Rise Against

"The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naive and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who loves his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair."- H.L. Mencken

SUPPORT THE TROOPS: END THE WAR

May is definitely music month! Check out the MySpace Music buzz!

MySpace Music, the world's premier music community, is excited to announce six exclusive album debuts within days of each other. MySpace users can find the highly anticipated albums from Eminem, Tori Amos, Lionel Richie, Busta Rhymes, Method Man & Redman, Kate Voegele and Phoenix available only on MySpace Music. Fans are able to stream the albums in their entirety days before they hit store shelves.

Eminem
The highly anticipated new album, Relapse¸ from hip hop artist Eminem makes its official debut on MySpace Music beginning today, Friday, May 15. Additionally, tune into FOX's Family Guy on Sunday, May 17 for more MySpace news pertaining to the hip hop star. Visit the official MySpace Music profile of Eminem to stream his entire album for free: http://www.myspace.com/eminem.

Tori Amos
Multiplatinum and Grammy nominated recording artist Tori Amos will premiere her brand new album titled Abnormally Attracted to Sin exclusively on MySpace Music in the U.S. beginning on Saturday, May 16. Visit the official MySpace Music profile of Tori Amos to stream her entire album for free: http://www.myspace.com/toriamos.

Lionel Richie
The new album from legendary artist Lionel Richie is currently available for free streaming exclusively on MySpace Music. Just Go marks the singer's ninth studio album. Check back to MySpace Music for more exciting news about the singer in the coming weeks. Visit the official MySpace Music profile of Lionel Richie to stream his entire album: http://www.myspace.com/lionelrichie.

Busta Rhymes
Grammy nominated rapper Busta Rhymes is set to debut his eighth studio album Back on My B.S. exclusively on MySpace Music beginning today, Friday, May 15. To celebrate the release of his new album, Busta will also perform for his MySpace fans at a special MySpace Music The Release show on Monday, May 18 in New York City. Visit the official MySpace Music profile of Busta Rhymes to stream his entire album for free: http://www.myspace.com/bustarhymes.

Method Man and Redman
Hip Hop and rap duo Method Man and Redman are set to debut Blackout 2, the highly anticipated follow up to their platinum selling 1999 release Blackout, exclusively on MySpace Music beginning on Saturday, May 16. The duo will perform in a special MySpace Music The Release concert on Thursday, May 28 in Los Angeles. Visit the official MySpace Music profile of Method Man to stream their entire album for free: http://www.myspace.com/methodman.

Kate Voegele
Singer/songwriter Kate Voegele premiered her second full length studio album A Fine Mess exclusively on MySpace Music this week. The singer is currently on tour and providing her MySpace fans with exclusive content. Visit the official MySpace Music profile of Kate Voegele, sponsored by University of Phoenix, to stream her entire album for free and to access exciting videos and blogs especially for her MySpace friends: http://www.myspace.com/katevoegele.

Phoenix
French alternative rock band Phoenix will debut their new album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix exclusively on MySpace Music beginning on Monday, May 18. The band consists of Thomas Mars, Deck D'Arcy, Christian Mazzalai, and Laurent Brancowitz. Visit the official MySpace Music profile of Phoenix to stream their entire album for free: http://www.myspace.com/wearephoenix.

MySpace series "BFF", Launches Featured Playlist By Award Winning Music Supervisor

MySpace, the world’s premier social portal, is excited to debut “The Ultimate BFF Playlist” tied to the online sensation, “BFF.” The smash series, which tests how well best friends know each other, is heavily influenced by music and includes a special round of questions called “Music Matters.” To further incorporate music into the show, Randall Poster, internationally renowned music supervisor and owner of the booming music company, Search Party, has created “The Ultimate BFF Playlist.”

The playlist features some of today’s best music about friendship including hits from musical talents such as Carrie Underwood, Mariah Carey, and Amy Winehouse. The playlist also features “Count on Me” the “BFF” theme song from rising star, Jess Furman.

Producing the show is acclaimed film executive Meryl Poster, former Co-President of Production at Miramax Films, and former fashion executive David Rubin with City Lights Media.

To check out the playlist, please visit the “BFF” profile page at www.myspace.com/bff or check it out today as the featured playlist on MySpace Music.

Kate Voegele Launches New MySpace Page!

PCM really likes this idea!

Interscope/MySpace Records recording artist Kate Voegele launched her new MySpace community as she gears up for her Lift Me UP tour across North America. Throughout the tour, Kate’s fans can visit HER NEW MYSPACE SITE for exclusive behind-the-scenes content of Kate, including new videos, photos and tour information.

For the second year in a row, Kate Voegele has teamed up with MySpace and University of Phoenix as she heads on tour and gets ready to release her sophomore album, A Fine Mess. Voegele’s spring tour will include 35-dates across North America.

In addition to exclusive tour content, Kate will also personally answer questions from fans once a week via her “Ask Kate” forum on her tour community. Her page will provide fans with an intimate look at Kate while she balances her life on the road, being a college student and pursuing her acting career. Voegele is currently earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree at University of Phoenix. Voegele talked to Pop Culture Madness.Com about her upcoming album and touring plans, stay tuned for that new interview on our site soon!

Don’t miss your chance to catch Kate Voegele live. Please visit www.myspace.com/kateontour for complete tour dates and details.

Manchester Orchestra Premieres Full Album Today on MySpace!

MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA PREMIERES FULL ALBUM “MEAN EVERYTHING TO NOTHING” ON MYSPACE TODAY!

Check it out now before the April 21st release date!!

Manchester Orchestra will be hitting the road on release date supporting their April 21st release of “Mean Everything To Nothing”.

This is a tour not to be missed!!

http://www.myspace.com/manchesterorchestra

MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA TOUR
4/21 Nashville, TN Exit/In
4/22 Athens, GA 40 Watt
4/23 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
4/24 Richmond, VA The National
4/25 Baltimore, MD Ottobar
4/26 Philadelphia, PA The Trocadero
4/29 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
4/30 Cambridge, MA Middle East
5/01 Rochester, NY Water St.
5/02 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Small’s
5/03 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop
5/05 Pontiac, MI Eagle Theater
5/06 Columbus, OH Skully’s
5/07 Covington, KY Mad Hatter
5/08 Chicago, IL Subterranean
5/09 Minneapolis, MN Station 4
5/11 Kansas City, MO Record Bar
5/12 Denver, CO Marquis Theater
5/13 Salt Lake City, UT Avalon
5/15 Seattle, WA El Corazon
5/16 Vancouver, BC Biltmore
5/17 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theater
5/19 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill
5/21 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour
5/22 San Diego, CA Voodoo Stage HOB
5/23 Tucson, AZ Congress
5/24 Tempe, AZ Clubhouse
5/26 Austin, TX Emo’s Inside
5/27 Dallas, TX The Loft
5/28 Houston, TX Walter’s
5/29 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon
5/30 Oxford, MS Proud Larry’s
5/31 Birmingham, AL Bottletree
6/02 St. Peterburg, FL State Theater
6/03 Orlando, FL The Social
6/04 Orlando, FL The Social

MySpace Originial Series "BFF", Launches Jess Furman Video!

MySpace, the world’s leading social portal, is excited to announce the debut of “Count on Me,” the theme song for the site’s first online game show, “BFF.” The MySpace original program that tests how well best friend know each other was launched on April 2nd and has immediately attracted a huge following and online buzz. Jess brings her edgy, eclectic mix of pop-acoustic guitar songs and jazzy-soulful piano ballads to the groundbreaking web series.

Jess Furman is a NYC/LA-based musician who has been writing songs on the guitar and piano since kindergarten. In late 2008, she released her newest record, “Standing On Your Last Line.” Along with “Count on Me” for “BFF,” Jess will be releasing two new tracks shortly. Be sure to check out her MySpace profile page at http://www.myspace.com/jessfurman.

“I had such a blast writing this song and working on this project. ‘Count On Me’ enabled me to express how important all my friendships are. I hope it will also remind others of the wonderful people in their lives,” said Furman.

Because music is such an integral part of friendship, “BFF” has also dedicated part of the show to music in a round of questioning called “Music Matters.” Producing the show is acclaimed film executive Meryl Poster, former Co-President of Production at Miramax Films, and former fashion executive David Rubin with City Lights Media.

To check out “Count on Me,” please visit the “BFF” profile page at www.myspace.com/bff.

MySpace Music Announces Secret Show Featuring MSTRKRFT

MySpace Music is pleased to announce an upcoming Secret Show featuring the Canadian duo MSTRKRFT at Co-Prosperity Sphere in Chicago, IL, on April 2. The Secret Show performance will be held exclusively for MySpace users, who were notified via MySpace Music’s Secret Show profile . Doors for the concert will open at 8:00 PM.

Comprised of Death From Above 1979's Jesse Keeler and DFA1979's producer, Al-P, MSTRKRFT (pronounced "master kraft") made their debut in 2004, remixing NYC band Panthers' "Thank Me With Your Hands," which landed on various compilations and quickly became an underground dance hit. Since then, the two Toronto-based producers have been remixing everyone from The Kills to Bloc Party to Wolfmother to Annie. Released on March, 17, 2009, "Fist Of God" (Dim Mak/Downtown) is the highly-anticipated follow-up to their massively successful 2006 debut "The Looks" and features contributions from N.O.R.E., Ghostface Killah, Bay Area hip-hop icon E-40, Freeway, Lil' Mo and John Legend. Most recently, the group performed their single "Bounce" on Jimmy Kimmel Live with N.O.R.E and Isis from Thunderheist. Touring North America throughout April, the duo will also be making an appearance at this year's Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, CA, on Saturday, April 18.

For more information about MSTRKRFT, visit their official MySpace Music profile page at: www.myspace.com/mstrkrft.

Chris Cornell Album Premiere Today!

With one week until record release, Chris Cornell is giving his fans the opportunity to hear the album as it was intended-in full. Cornell will be streaming his anticipated 3rd solo album, Scream, produced by Timbaland, on MySpace for 48 hours starting at 12pm EST today, March 3rd till 12pm EST Thursday, March 5th.

Scream is a seamless work. Timbaland makes inventive use of Cornell’s soaring melodies and incisive lyrics, setting his intense vocal performances against a lush, expressive soundscape and irresistible stutter-step beats. The inventive new work looks to spearhead a brave new world of cross-genre collaboration.

The 13-track album is due out on March 10th via Interscope/Mosley Music. Chris is currently on tour in Europe and will kick off his multi-city US tour on March 28th in Dallas, TX. Scream showcases a new, seductive sound - dark, multi-layered and full of puzzles and surprises. The songs bring a new cinematic scope to Cornell's performances, with potent visual imagery echoing the non-stop musical assault from his internationally acclaimed live band. "Musically, this is the most ambitious thing I've been a part of. It's almost like a movie soundtrack," says Cornell, who while on tour will also be playing other music from throughout his two-decade, 14-album career.

Out of a seemingly unlikely collaboration, comes an instantly familiar sound which defies genre’s and pushes the envelope of sound.

*TUNE IN to the Worldwide Exclusive Listening Session*
Be the 1st to hear SCREAM!!

http://www.myspace.com/chriscornell