1.) Get Out Of Major Market The Top 40 Station Mentality—There was a day when getting played on a big city Top 40 radio station was like winning a gold medal at the Olympics. Bands that were chosen for play were handpicked by the voices of the airwaves whose ears were finely tuned to pick out the next new rising star. Today, things are a little different. Radio has become a huge corporation with three major conglomerates owning most of the stations in the United States. Sadly, Disc jockeys are no longer the innovators their predecessors were. Station management hands down a playlist (made exclusively of artists signed to mostly major labels) and the voices you hear on your radio are just thattalking heads animating a script. Its nearly impossible for an unknown band to break into mainstream large metropolis radio and a waste of your time and money to send packages blindly to a medium that will more than likely reject you again and again.
Original ‘We Are the World’ Kids — All Grown Up
ET reminisces with the grown children involved in the original children’s recording of "We Are the World."
A young Drew Barrymore told ET back in 1985, "I’m a kid and there are many kids in Ethiopia too and they’re dying and kids want to help other kids." Now, child stars Kim Fields ("The Facts of Life"), Danny Pintauro ("Who’s the Boss") and Alfonso Ribeiro ("The Fresh Prince of Bel Air") reflect on their experience recording the children’s version of the song with the Children of the World Project.
Fields said she was glad that we reminded her of her part in the event: "Had ET not called and said, ‘You were in this and we want to talk you about it,’ I wouldn’t have remembered I was in it. So, thank you Entertainment Tonight!"
Lawyer: Arresting Dr. Conrad Murray ‘Would Be a Waste of Money, Time and Resources’
Dr. Conrad Murray’s attorney Ed Chernoff is following up on his earlier statement, in which he said his client planned to turn himself in if charged in the death of Michael Jackson.
Chernoff reveals that he met with Deputy District Attorney David Walgren on Thursday to discuss arrangements for booking and arraigning the embattled physician.
"We both share the goal of the efficient administration of this process," Chernoff said of the meeting. "An arrest of Dr. Murray would be a waste of money, time and resources. We’ve always made it clear: You tell us where; we’ll be there. I’m sure something can be arranged."
Jermaine Jackson: Family Seeks ‘Swift Justice for Our Brother’
Jermaine Jackson speaks out about the charges that Dr. Conrad Murray is reportedly anticipating related to the death of Michael Jackson.
"I’m not happy that it has taken this long for charges to be brought against ‘anybody’ in the death of my brother Michael Jackson, but I’m certainly pleased the time has arrived," Jermaine tells ET. "It is a painful and difficult time for my family, but we are strong and united in making sure we find swift justice for our brother. I thank the fans for all their undying support and for standing with our family through all the difficult times. Hopefully with the promised action that will take place in the next 48 hours, we can begin healing."
Meanwhile, a source close to Michael Jackson’s family tells ET that the King of Pop’s relatives are outraged that the music icon’s former embattled personal physician would dare to see Michael’s grave at Forest Lawn Memorial Parks & Mortuaries in Glendale, CA, a story ET brought you first.
Just In: Conrad Murray Visits Michael Jackson’s Final Resting Place
ET has the latest…
On the heels of the news that he will be turning himself in on Friday, ET breaks news that Dr. Conrad Murray visited the mausoleum where Michael Jackson has been laid to rest.
Looking casual in jeans and a sweater, the former personal physician to Jackson was spotted alone outside the building at Forest Lawn Memorial Parks & Mortuaries in Glendale, CA. He left after only staying for a few moments and after never going in.
Watch Thursday’s ET to see the exclusive footage.
Video: Celebs Unite for ‘We Are the World’ Recording
New behind-the-scenes footage from "We Are the World" shows Celine Dion belting out her lyrics, LL Cool J rapping and Jennifer Hudson offering up her voice to the project.
Proceeds made from the track will go to help those in Haiti. Click HERE for more details on how you can help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti and check out the stories below to get a deeper inside look into this monumental recording session.
Attorney Says They’re Negotiating Surrender of Dr. Conrad Murray
The attorney to Michael Jackson’s former personal physician tells ET that they are planning to have Dr. Conrad Murray turn himself in.
Attorney Ed Chernoff says they are negotiating a surrender with the District Attorney’s office but they have not agreed upon any specifics. "Until then we will not be sharing agreement terms or conducting interviews with the media, he says of the arrangement.
The Associated Press reported on Tuesday, February 4, that prosecutors reportedly plan to charge Dr. Murray with manslaughter rather than going through a grand jury. Dr. Murray has denied any wrongdoing related to Jackson’s death.
Jackson Estate Administrators to Collect Ten Percent of Profits
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has signed off on a deal giving John Branca and John McClain, the administrators of Michael Jackson’s estate, a ten-percent cut of the estate’s profits.
Per the terms of the approved agreement, Branca and McClain will split 10 percent of the profits they net — excluding profits from Jacksons concert film This is It and the late King of Pops music catalog interests, says the Associated Press.
The judge who okayed the deal will oversee the payments and has set a progress report for September.
Patti Austin’s ‘We Are the World’ Diary
Grammy Award-winning singer Patti Austin was instrumental in helping mentor Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie make "We Are the World 25 for Haiti," and she shares insightful moments on the historic re-recording of the classic song!
"Here we are 25 years later; sadly we have this horrible thing happen in Haiti, but fortunately we have this great piece of music to represent and hopefully raise more and more money to help this situation — and yet a newer, even more illustrious set of egos to deal with," she says with a laugh. "I was brought in to help deal with all of that, but also to help restructure the backgrounds, update the choruses for the 21st century — we changed the phrasing a little bit, we changed a note here and there — and adapted it for this new crop of people that we have out there that are most recognizeable."
Stars who participated (of the more than 80) included Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Miley Cyrus, P!nk, Jennifer Hudson, The Jonas Brothers, Josh Groban, Natalie Cole, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Tony Bennett, Jamie Foxx, Nicole Richie, Jeff Bridges and Vince Vaughn.
Jackson Family Lawyer thinks Dr. Conrad Murray Should Face Murder Charges
The attorney for Michael Jackson’s family says he’s hoping the late King of Pop’s former personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, will be charged harshly in the death of the music icon.
Attorney Brian Oxman spoke of Dr. Murray on CBS’ "The Early Show," saying the doctor’s actions "rose to the level of such recklessness you would say this was a second-degree murder charge."
According to the Associated Press, prosecutors are planning to charge Dr. Murray with manslaughter rather than going through a grand jury.
New Video from Inside the Star-Studded ‘We Are The World’ Recording
ET has the latest…
The Who’s Who of the music, movie and TV world, including everyone from Barbra Streisand to Will.i.am to Kanye West to Celine Dion, gathered together in a Los Angeles studio on Monday to re-record the inspirational song, "We Are the World" to raise money for Haiti Earthquake relief and we have the video from inside!
The all-star roster also includes Snoop Dogg, Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Nicole Richie, Justin Bieber, Earth, Wind & Fire, Lil Wayne, Julianne Hough, Gladys Knight, Wyclef Jean, Kanye West, Randy Jackson, Faith Evans, Vince Vaughn, Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls, Mary Mary, Musiq Soulchild, Sugarland, Mya, Josh Groban, Kid Cudi, Jeff Bridges, Usher, Natalie Cole, Jennifer Hudson, Toni Braxton, Busta Rhymes, Akon, Keri Hilson, Robin Thicke, Brandy, Harry Connick Jr., Tyrese, Trey Songz, Jordin Sparks, Rob Thomas, the Wilson sisters from Heart, Fonzworth Bentley, Tony Bennett and Al Jardine and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.
Some of the celebs involved even tweeted about the experience.
Exclusive: Mary Hart Witnesses the ‘We Are the World’ Recording Session
ET’s Mary Hart was ushered inside the studio to get an exclusive first listen to the "We Are the World" re-recording. On her way home, Mary blogged about all the action that took place to share her experience with fans.
As the only broadcast journalist invited inside, Mary had "the most incredible night." She even got to join Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie in the control room as they produced the master track.
She explained that the studio was flooded "with 95 of the biggest superstars from movies and music who wanted to partake in this milestone musical event. Mary got to rub elbows with a plethora of singers such as Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, P!nk, and Jamie Foxx.
Calling Dr. Love: Kiss Invades the Super Bowl
Only ET is behind the scenes with legendary rockers Kiss on their first-ever Dr Pepper Super Bowl commercial — featuring Mini Kiss!
"The basic premise of this is I’m Dr. Love — you’re not," Gene Simmons tells ET. "Dr. Love is here to make you all feel better, girls."
Airing during the second quarter of the big game this Sunday, the ad features the return of Gene as Dr. Love along with lead singer Paul Stanley and the rest of the Kiss line-up rocking onstage with Mini Kiss, extolling the virtues of Dr Pepper Cherry’s uniquely smooth taste.
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