Arch MUSIC NEWS for 1-17-13

Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -

Jennifer Lopez has some nice words for one of her exes, Ben Affleck.  She congratulated him on his Golden Globe wins on Wednesday’s edition of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”  The singer, who was also at Sunday’s Golden Globe ceremony as a presenter, said she stood up for Affleck when he had his big moment winning Best Director for “Argo,” which she called “a great movie.”  She told Ellen that she’s used to seeing her exes from time to time since they “run in the same circles.”  The former “American Idol” judge also admitted that though she’s happy with everything she is doing, she does miss being on the show.  She said that more than anything she is going to miss how much fun she had being a part of “Idol” and the “nice little family” she had made with the people there.  When Ellen asked her her thoughts on new judge Nicki Minaj, Lopez said she would rather not comment.

Lady Gaga may be taking her fascination with Michael Jackson to the next level.  She’s reportedly looking into purchasing Neverland Ranch, the three-thousand acre California estate MJ bought in 1988 and gave up shortly before his death.  According to “The Sun,” Gaga has befriended the King of Pop’s sister LaToya Jackson and the two are eager to restore Neverland to its former glory.  Gaga has reportedly offered to help with the financial costs by purchasing a share of the estate.  She was reportedly prompted to do so after hearing that Michael’s three children want to hold on to the memories of their childhood home. 

Elton John is a father again.  The singer and his partner David Furnish announced on their website Wednesday that they had become fathers for the second time after the birth of their son Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John.  Little Elijah was born via a surrogate mother on January 11th in Los Angeles.  John and Furnish, who entered into a civil partnership eight years ago, say Elijah’s addition completes their family in a “precious and perfect way.”  The couple’s first child, Zachary, was also born via a surrogate mother.  He is two years old. 

 
Jack Russell, who now fronts his own version of Great White, continues to raise money for the victims from The Station fire.  He’ll mark the tenth anniversary of the tragedy with a special acoustic concert next month in California.   Russell’s “Benefit for the Station Fire Memorial Foundation” show will take place at Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach, California on February 7th.  Great White guitarist Ty Longley was among the 100 people who were killed in the fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island on February 20th, 2003.  More than 200 others were injured in the blaze, which was sparked by the band’s pyrotechnics.