Music News

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Members of the 1980s rock band whose pyrotechnics sparked a nightclub fire that killed 100 people have agreed to pay $1 million to survivors and victims' relatives, according to court papers filed Tuesday.

Los Angeles (E! Online) - Think of it as mixtapes made by famous people.

MIAMI (Billboard) - Latin music, until recently virtually absent from videogames, is slowly but surely gaining a foothold in the industry.

NEW YORK - Usher is preparing a tour for ladies only.

Los Angeles (E! Online) - Oh, say can you see Jennifer Hudson in Colorado?

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - For 10 years, Lila Downs has crisscrossed the continent in the traditional Oaxacan garb of her mother's homeland, singing rancheras and cumbias to performing arts center patrons and regular folks alike.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Starting in 2005, life took a hairpin turn for Patty Loveless.

Los Angeles (E! Online) - Jessica Simpson continues to follow in Carrie Underwood's footsteps.

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Jon McLaughlin can't deny that millions more people saw him perform at the Academy Awards than heard his new album.

CLEVELAND - The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will pay tribute to the "father of the electric guitar" this fall.

Los Angeles (E! Online) - Diddy doesn't do routine. Traffic stops included.

NEW YORK (Billboard) - The biggest metalcore band in the land happens to be a Christian sextet that, for a second time, is primed to crash into the upper echelons of the Billboard 200.

LONDON - Mick Jagger's pout is officially fit for a museum.

Los Angeles (E! Online) - The whole stars-getting-their-own-fashion-lines thing is way out of control. (Hello, LiLo, L.C., J.T., Posh, Diddy et al.)

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - With inspiring lyrics and easy-to-sing melodies, Chris Tomlin creates music that has saturated church worship services and Christian radio airwaves.

When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans three years ago, celebrities reacted with a mix of grief, outrage and generosity. All-star telethons raised millions for storm victims, Kanye West and others derided the government's response — even Sean Penn went to the region to personally assist in rescue efforts.

Los Angeles (E! Online) - It's time to get a bigger table.

NEW YORK (Billboard) - A year after the release of his new album, singer/songwriter Matt Nathanson is seeing a fresh round of old-fashioned attention turn toward the project.

Los Angeles (E! Online) - More than 40 years after the Beatles were banned from playing in Israel, Sir Paul McCartney will reportedly take the long and winding road back to Tel Aviv next month.

MELBOURNE (Billboard) - AC/DC fans in Australia are stocking up on the hard rock band's back catalog in preparation for the October 18 release of its first album in eight years.

Los Angeles (E! Online) - This just hasn't been the Barenaked Ladies' year. First, cofounder Steven Page gets busted for drugs. Now this.

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - A decade into his major-label career, Kid Rock is riding his biggest wave yet, powered by his worldwide hit tune "All Summer Long."

Los Angeles (E! Online) - Looks like Avril Lavigne can prove she's "The Best Damn Thing" in Kuala Lumpur after all.

MIAMI (Billboard) - In Mexico and Central and South America, he's known as Nigga. In the United States and Europe, he's known as Flex.

Los Angeles (E! Online) - It seems Chris Robinson likes to be his own opening act. Literally, as it turns out. The Black Crowes frontman revealed himself to be a multitalented multitasker. While rocking the stage at the Jackson Hole Music Festival this week, Kate Hudson's ex-hubby also showed off his bartender flair, according to Page Six.

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Best-known to music fans as Ludacris, Chris Bridges is contemplating a new moniker.

Los Angeles (E! Online) - Yeah, we know it looks like the Jonas Brothers are opening a dry-cleaning business. Especially coming on the heels of last week's suit giveaway at Madame Tussauds.

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australian singer Jason Donovan, who made his name alongside Kylie Minogue in the soap opera "Neighbours," is to release his first album in 15 years after a roller-coaster career.

Los Angeles (E! Online) -   • With the California Supreme Court declining to light their fire (or hear their appeal), the Doors' keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger will have to fork over more than $5 million in damages to drummer John Densmore and the heirs of Jim Morrison for touring as "The Doors of the 21st Century" in 2002 without permission.

BERLIN (Reuters) - Two great-granddaughters of composer Richard Wagner will take control of Germany's Wagner opera festival after winning an epic family power struggle.