Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10-3-12

Arch Music News is compiled by Jay Philpott -

John Mellencamp wants to make sure people know he has nothing to do with the little ditty called “Jack and Diane” that’s coming to the big screen. Mellencamp earned his first Hot 100 chart-topper with the 1982 hit,  and says he “played no part in suggesting or offering this title,” and his song isn’t included in the film. He adds that he’s not exactly pleased with the situation. Mellencamp claims it’s “most apparent that the lead characters were named with the hope that the familiar title might resonate in some people’s minds.” He says it might be “OK to do” legally, adding that “riding on someone else’s coattails and having a moral compass is left up to each individual.”  The movie “Jack and Diane,” starring Juno Temple and Riley Keough, had its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York earlier this year. The film will hit theaters in limited release in November.

Bryan Adams says he might have a new album on the way.  He says he’s “just cut 30 songs,” and he’s hoping “there’s a record in there somewhere.” Adams explains his process, saying it’s “better to over-cut and see what you’ve got — than you step away for a month or two and come back and listen to it.” The proposed project would be his first studio effort since 2008′s “11.”  Adams has also been busy with his photography. The singer just released the book “Exposed,” which includes many famous figures. Mick Jagger, Lindsay Lohan, Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse, and Mickey Rourke are among Bryan’s subjects. Michael J. Fox, Elton John — who contributes the forward to the book, and Pink — who agreed to let Bryan shoot her topless — are also included. Adams admits it was “a big job” to comb through ten-to-12-years of photographs to compile the book, but now that it’s done it feels like a “tremendous” accomplishment.

Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsen are singing together once again. “Grease” stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John are reuniting for a new holiday album. “This Christmas” features 13 tracks from the duo, including such standards as “Silent Night,” “White Christmas,” and “The Christmas Song.” A number of other stars are also on board for the project. Barbra Streisand is featured on “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” James Taylor chimes in on “Deck The Halls,” Cliff Richard contributes to “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” and Kenny G adds to “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.” Tony Bennett, Chick Corea, and The Count Basie Orchestra are also featured. The set also features the new tune “I Think You Might Like It,” which is being called “the sequel” to “You’re the One That I Want.” Songwriter John Farrar penned both tunes.  ”This Christmas” will be in stores on November 13th.

Some of pop’s leading ladies have taken over the top ten of “Forbes’” list of highest-paid women in entertainment. The top spot was taken by Oprah Winfrey, who brought in $165 million dollars between May 2011 and May 2012. The runner up is “X Factor” judge Britney Spears, who made $58 million, closely followed by country star Taylor Swift with $57 million. Swift has had a huge year, landing her first number one single with “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” last month. In fifth, sixth and seventh places are Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez, respectively. Both Gaga and Lopez made $52 million, while Rihanna pulled in $53 million.

Taylor Swift isn’t letting a mean-spirited prank prevent a group of deaf students from enjoying her music. The “Boston Globe” says an Internet school contest featured a Taylor Swift concert as the grand prize, while the top five schools would each receive a cash prize of ten-thousand dollars. But things turned ugly when thousands of joke votes began pouring in for Horace Mann School for the Deaf. While Horace Mann’s headmaster said he’d be happy for his school to be among the winners regardless to how the votes were obtained, the school was cut from consideration due to the tainted voting. Swift isn’t letting the haters have the last word. She’s personally making a ten-thousand-dollar donation to Horace Mann, and has promised to give each student a ticket to her next Boston-area concert.  Other companies are also supporting the school. Contest sponsors Papa John’s and Chegg as well as Cover Girl and American Greetings are all matching Taylor’s donation. In addition, Horace Mann will receive ten-thousand-dollars worth of musical instruments from VH1′s Save The Music Foundation.

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