Arch MUSIC NEWS for 8/27/12

Katy Perry has allegedly turned down a $20 million dollar offer to judge “American Idol.” The show had been pursuing the singer for weeks, supposedly offering her 20-million-dollars for a one-year contract.  Perry made it clear that she was not interested and it was not a matter of money; she just didn’t think it was the right career choice and also had other scheduled commitments. The show’s only confirmed judge so far, Mariah Carey, has reportedly signed on for $18 million.

John Mayer is starting fresh after his alleged split with Katy Perry. He’s chopped off his almost shoulder-length brown curls, debuting the new look at a party in Los Angeles on Saturday for comedienne Mindy Kaling’s new show “The Mindy Project.” Mayer was linked to Perry for a few months before their casual fling reportedly fizzled out last week.

Lynyrd Skynyrd won’t be performing at the Republican National Convention as originally planned. The group was scheduled to perform at the political gathering in Tampa tonight, just before speeches from Ann Romney, Mike Huckabee, and others. However, Tropical Storm Isaac is forcing a change of plans. The convention is still slated to officially begin on Monday, but the Republican Party plans to simply gavel open the convention then recess for the day. The first full day of events will now take place on Tuesday. While Monday’s speakers are being rescheduled, organizers haven’t said if Skynyrd will also be worked into the revised program. Other performers are scheduled to perform at the convention and at convention-related events throughout the week. Night Ranger‘s Jack Blades and 3 Doors Down are slated to entertain delegates at the convention on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Journey has been tapped to cover two events Thursday night. The group is scheduled to play the Gala Benefit Concert for the Creative Coalition then perform for the official “Wheels Up” party at the end of the convention.

Journey is cautioning fans against reading anything into the group’s upcoming performance at Republican National Convention events. Unnamed sources say that it’s just another show for the band, not a political statement. The group is reportedly getting paid 500-thousand-dollars to turn in a 90-minute set.

Tom Waits will be making an animated trip to Springfield. He’ll be featured in an upcoming episode of “The Simpsons” in which Homer becomes a “prepper” — someone who is obsessed with the idea that a catastrophe is on the horizon, and society will have to function without modern conveniences. The episode doesn’t have an exact air date, but is expected to run in December.