Arch MUSIC NEWS for 2/7/13

ARCH MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -
Jack Russell, who now fronts his own version of Great White, is taking the stage tonight in Hermosa Beach, California to raise money for charity. But he’s not supporting the cause he originally intended. He had planned to play a benefit for the Station Fire Memorial Foundation, but was forced to change his plans when the foundation’s vice president contacted him saying his donation would be refused, because the survivors and families of the victims “do not wish to have any association with Jack or his Great White.” Russell admits he’s “saddened by the response of the foundation and the motives behind it,” but will respect their wishes. Instead, he’ll give the money from his show to B.E.A.T.S. — Bringing Everyone A Tremendous Smile. Acey Longley, the son of Great White guitarist Ty Longley who died in The Station fire, established the charity in honor of his father. The organization provides toys, musical instruments, and other gifts to hospitalized children. February 20th will mark the tenth anniversary of The Station fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island. In addition to Longley 99 others were killed and more than 200 were injured in the blaze, which was sparked by Great White’s pyrotechnics.

Madonna is using her massively successful “MDNA” tour to do some good. She’s donating a collection of her tour’s props and outfits to an auction to help raise money for Hurricane Sandy relief.  Her publicist confirmed Madge’s plans to give away a number of memorable items from the tour, including her much-photographed majorette costume. The tour, which turned out to be the highest-grossing tour of 2012, stopped in Manhattan just two weeks after Sandy came in and flooded the city. During that show, Madonna made headlines for asking the audience to throw money on stage to help victims as she performed a striptease. After her tour ended in December, she made a special trip to the Rockaways to meet with families and see the devastation firsthand.

Stevie Nicks is opening up about her life to Oprah Winfrey. The singer’s battle with substance abuse is among the highlights featured in a trailer for the upcoming season of OWN’s “Oprah’s Master Class.” The series gives the spotlight to people who are considered masters of their crafts, talking about the highs and lows of their careers. Alicia Keys, Tom Brokaw, and Cindy Crawford are some of the other stars who’ll be featured in season three, which will launch on March 3rd. Nicks’ episode is scheduled to air on March 24th.

Singing legend and World War Two vet Tony Bennett says assault weapons have no place in American households. Bennett appeared on CNN’s “The Situation Room” to talk about gun control on Wednesday. Earlier in the day Bennett joined fellow celebrities and lawmakers on Capitol Hill earlier to support President Obama’s stricter gun policy proposals. The 86-year-old singer said he doesn’t believe the entertainment industry is to blame for gun violence in the U.S., as neighbors like Canada who have the same exposure to music and movies as Americans, don’t have the same problem. He said his goal was to urge Congress to pass an assault weapons ban. Bennett says such weapons should only be used in war, which he called “the lowest form of human behavior.”

Beatles producer George Martin is being praised by one of his peers. Producer George Glennon says in a post on his website that Martin is “not only one of the most talented persons in the history of popular music, but one of the most generous, interested and nicest people one could ever meet.” He calls Martin “arguably the greatest record producer of all time and without question the guiding steward of the greatest band in history.” He adds that honoring him will be “a special night.” Martin is set to receive the Outstanding Contribution to British Music Award from Britain’s Music Producers Guild at the annual MPG Awards, taking place in London Thursday night.
Sports fans are getting another dose of Alicia Keys, following her widely well-received National Anthem at the Super Bowl. She’ll be taking over halftime duties at the upcoming 2013 NBA All-Star Game in Houston. John Legend will be on hand to sing the Star-Spangled Banner. The All-Star Game will air live on February 17th starting at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on TNT.

Mariah Carey is taking a break from “American Idol” to lend her voice to the upcoming Disney film “Oz The Great and Powerful.” The song is called “Almost Home” and will be released by her label Island Def Jam on February 19th. In a statement, Carey said the song is a “feel-good record” that “works beautifully with the film.” She said it goes with the classic film’s original theme in that it gives you “the feeling of reaching your home and being with the people you love.  ”Oz The Great and Powerful,” which stars James Franco, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz, is due out in theaters on March 8th.

Fergie‘s husband actor Josh Duhamel is slamming rumors that the couple is expecting a baby. While on the red carpet of his new movie “Safe Haven,” Duhamel denied point-blank that the Black Eyed Peas singer was pregnant. Fergie attended the premiere but let her husband walk the red carpet solo. When he was approached by E!’s Jason Kennedy who asked him if there was any news on their plans to start a family, he replied with a solid “no.” Kennedy told him that they were asking because he was quoted as saying that it would be his “greatest career achievement.” Duhamel corrected him saying, “greatest life achievement,” while walking away.