Day in Pop for 09/23: David Hasselhoff Hospitalized for Alcohol Poisoning- Jewell Stalker On a Mission From God- Michael Jackson Death Grand Jury and more top pop music news stories of the day

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Full Report for 09/23/2009

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David Hasselhoff Hospitalized for Alcohol Poisoning

Hecklerspray reports: The Hoff has been drinking himself ridiculous again. This time, it was vodka's turn to flow down his meaty throat, and make acquaintance with his legendary insides. He ended up in hospital with alcohol poisoning.

Of course, it's not the first time that Knight Rider has astounded the world with his total incapability to style things out, and make like he's sober. Not so long ago, a video did the rounds of him toplessly picking up fistfuls of a late-night cheeseburger and chips from the floor of his snazzy house. Wasted. And this time, he reportedly lurched clumsily into a massive vodka binge after wrapping up another excellent season of America's Got Talent auditions. Unfortunately, one thing led to numerous others, making for a rather stumblesome trip to the local infirmary. It sounds like a stone cold case of celebrations-gone-wrong.

According to the good people of Daily News: At the point when paramedics were called to his home in Encino, CA on Sunday, the Hoff had reportedly already been on a bender for more than a day. The actor was at home with his 17-year-old daughter Hayley and a male assistant at the time. - more on this story

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Jewel Stalker On a Mission From God

AP reports: A man accused of stalking singer-songwriter Jewel at her rural Texas ranch said he was on a mission from God, authorities said Tuesday.

Michael Lawrence Kozelka of Townsend, Wis., was arrested last week after he went two consecutive days to the 2,000-acre Stephenville ranch owned by Jewel's husband, rodeo champion Ty Murray, said Erath County Sheriff Tommy Bryant.

After Kozelka was found on the ranch Sept. 14, the landowner warned him not to return, Bryant said. But on Sept. 15 Kozelka was found at the main house with a pocket knife in his clothing and a dog with him - more on this story

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Michael Jackson Death Grand Jury?

AP reports: A woman connected to Michael Jackson's personal physician has been ordered to testify before a grand jury in Los Angeles, her attorney confirmed Tuesday.

Nicole Alvarez received a subpoena to appear before the grand jury on Wednesday morning, said Joseph Low IV, adding that prosecutors declined to give him any more details

He also declined to characterize the relationship between Alvarez and Dr. Conrad Murray. Newspaper reports have called her Murray's girlfriend and said the pair have an infant son together.
- more on this story

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Twilight: New Moon Soundtrack Details

antiMusic reports: For those that missed our report yesterday, here is the official word with some more details: Summit Entertainment, Chop Shop Records and Atlantic Records have announced the release of "The Twilight Saga: New Moon � Original Motion Picture Soundtrack," the musical companion to the highly anticipated second installment in Summit's film franchise. Due in stores and online October 20th, the entire soundtrack features songs that will appear in the movie, highlighted by Death Cab for Cutie's brand new single "Meet Me On the Equinox." The Twilight Saga: New Moon is slated to open in theatres nationwide on November 20th.

In just one week, "Meet Me On the Equinox" has already exploded onto the modern rock charts, landing at #26. The song, which is the soundtrack's first announced track, debuted in full on September 13th at MTV.com in conjunction with MTV's Video Music Awards. The video companion to the song, which was shot in Toronto by director Walter Robot, will premiere soon.

"We wrote 'Meet Me On the Equinox' to reflect the celestial themes and motifs that run throughout the TWILIGHT series, and we wanted to capture that desperate feeling of endings and beginnings that so strongly affect the main characters," said Death Cab for Cutie bassist Nick Harmer. "This song marks the first attempt that Death Cab for Cutie has ever made at contributing new, unreleased material for a film. It just seems a perfect synergy that a band from the Northwest would create a song for a series of novels set in the Northwest. We are not only proud to be a part of the TWILIGHT legacy but also honored to join so many other fantastic artists that have leant their amazing creativity to this soundtrack." - more on this story

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Chas and Dave Split Up

BBC reports: Music veterans Chas and Dave have split after 35 years together, their agent has announced.

The duo recorded classic household name tunes such as Rabbit, The Sideboard Song and Snooker Loopy.

Bassist and singer Dave Peacock is to retire from the music business following the death of his wife Sue from lung cancer in July. - more on this story

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Julie Peel Debuts

PR reports: Julie Peel (a perfect storm of Cat Power and Sharon Van Etten) is releasing her debut full-length album, Near the Sun, today September 22, on American Laundromat Records.

Previously featured on ALR compilations including Just Like Heaven (a tribute to the Cure), Gigantic (a tribute to Kim Deal), Dig for Fire (a tribute to the Pixies), and Cinnamon Girl (a tribute to Neil Young), this will be Julie's first solo full-length release.

She counts Aimee Mann, Beth Orton, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell among her influences, and their impact is not hard to discern on Near the Sun. Julie's lo-fi, guitar-driven pop recalls the likes of Ida, Anna Ternheim, Caithlin de Marrais, and Mirah, but bears her own distinctive indie sensibility and style. - Sample the new release with "Unfold" which Julie and ALR are offering for free download.

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All Boyce Avenue Have Left

PR reports: Florida's Boyce Avenue has announced the release of a new album of original music, entitled All We Have Left. The 13-track collection was self-produced by the band and will be released digitally through InGrooves / Fontana on November 10, 2009 and available in stores in February 2010.

After almost three years of building a worldwide fan base online, Boyce Avenue kicks off its first European headline tour tonight in Hamburg, Germany. The 11-date, 12-show, tour wraps in Dublin on October 4th with a SOLD-OUT concert at the Academy 2. The band's performance in Cologne tomorrow night has also SOLD-OUT in advance.

Comprised of three brothers from Sarasota, FL, Alejandro, Fabian and Daniel Manzano, Boyce Avenue is gaining worldwide recognition, through a vast and growing online fan base, for its pop-sensible blend of acoustic rock. The band has logged more than 125 million views on YouTube and has over 200,000 subscribers to its YouTube channel, making it one of the top ranked bands on the site and the most-viewed unsigned artist in the world. - more on this story

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Avett Brothers TV

PR reports: On Tuesday, September 29th The Avett Brothers will release I and Love and You, their major label debut on American Recordings/Columbia Records. I and Love and You was produced by multi Grammy Award winner Rick Rubin.

The band is set to perform the title track on the Late Show with David Letterman on Monday September 28. The band will also be seen performing another new track, "Laundry Room," on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on Tuesday October 6th.

Beginning today, and running through September 29, NPR Music will host an Exclusive First Listen of I and Love and You on their website, www.npr.org/firstlisten, where fans will be able to get a sneak peak of the new album a week prior to release. NPR Music's distinctive Exclusive First Listen series recently showcased new music from such innovators as Wilco, Moby, Bjork and Neko Case. - more on this story

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Wynonna Doing Conan

PR reports: Country music icon Wynonna Judd performs on NBC'S The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien this Wednesday, September 23. She has chosen to sing "When I Fall In Love", the latest single from Wynonna's current solo studio album, Sing: Chapter 1 (Curb Records / February 2009).

Wynonna will be backed by Max Weinberg and The Tonight Show band along with a special 8 piece studio string section. The song was originally recorded by Doris Day and popularized by Nat King Cole.

2009 marks the 25-year anniversary of Wynonna's incredible career. She continues to tour extensively throughout North America. Following her Tonight Show performance, Wynonna will play a show near San Francisco, hold court for three nights at The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas where she will host a pre-show "YOU ARE LOVED" fan appreciation party on Saturday, September 26 with KWNR's "VEGAS COUNTRY"; and then return home to prepare for her 3rd annual "A Classic Christmas" tour starting at the end of November. Wynonna will deliver timeless holiday favorites from her critically acclaimed album, "A Classic Christmas" released October 2006. -

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Kenny G DVD

PR reports: An Evening Of Rhythm & Romance, a DVD and Blu-ray from Grammy-Award winning saxophonist Kenny G will be simultaneously released on October 6 through Eagle Rock Entertainment. With global album sales in excess of 50 million copies, this is a new milestone for the accomplished artist, as this is his first ever performance released in the Blu-ray format.

An Evening of Rhythm & Romance was filmed in late 2008 at Humphreys By The Bay in San Diego on the tour supporting his most recent studio album Rhythm & Romance. Presented are his classic tracks "Havana" & "G-Bop" plus his signature tune & worldwide hit "Songbird." Cover versions of James Blunt's "You're Beautiful," Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World," and Average White Band's "Pick Up The Pieces" complete the set in his inimitable, relaxed, and intimate style.

Bonus features for this release include a revealing interview with Kenny G and a trio of Christmas tracks: "Deck The Halls / 12 Days Of Christmas," "White Christmas," and "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." Exclusive to the Blu-ray are rehearsal takes of two of these Christmas tracks. - more on this story

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Hey Ocean Tour

PR reports: After recently gaining KISS' Gene Simmons as a fan and making front-page news on his label's web site (www.simmonsrecords.com), Vancouver band Hey Ocean! is excited to announce their upcoming 23-date North American tour, with stops in New York, Philadelphia and Minneapolis.

Often described as one of Canada's best up-and-coming talents, Hey Ocean! was also recently nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award for Pop Recording of the Year.

Having toured Canada and the Western United States twice following the release of It's Easier To Be Somebody Else (September 2008, Pop Machine/Fontana North) and awing crowds of music fans and industry alike at 2009 festivals like SXSW and LA's MusExpo, the energy, charisma, and feel-good vibe of Hey Ocean! made its way to the ears of KISS' Gene Simmons, who has not only expressed great interest in signing the band to his label but flew to Vancouver solely to check out the band's live show last month. - more on this story

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Free Moneypenny

PR reports: After their wildly successful performance at Lollapalooza 2009, Chicago-based DJ/electro duo Moneypenny will take their music to the masses with the release of a free 2-song digital single and string of upcoming high profile buzz gigs in Chicago, LA and San Francisco.

The duo, which began strictly as a DJ project in 2008, quickly blossomed into a full-fledged live act as Jessica Gonyea (A-Cup) and Chess Hubbard (Mother Hubbard)'s shared passion for new wave, pop, indie, electro and house music led them to write and record original material. Kept under lock and key until their debut live performance at Lollapalooza, Moneypenny's original tracks quickly became must have material for industry types on both sides of the pond as word spread about these two incredibly talented young ladies. More than just two pretty faces, Moneypenny come stacked with a slew of great songs � one of which has already been licensed to ABC TV's "Make It Or Break It" � a charismatic live show incorporating custom video projections and DJ skills to keep the after party going all night long.

Moneypenny's trend of playing "all the right gigs" continues into October with live sets at Dim Mak Tuesdays @ Cinespace in Los Angeles and the legendary Popscene! party in San Francisco acting as their debut performances in each market. - more on this story

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Dave Koz Added to Walk of Fame

PR reports: In a career spanning two decades, Dave Koz has established himself as a platinum-selling artist, humanitarian, entrepreneur, radio host, and instrumental music advocate. A six-time Grammy nominee, he was honored today with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Recording artist Barry Manilow and Chris Gardner, who is known for his autobiography, "The Pursuit of Happyness," were guest speakers at the ceremony.

Quite a crowd turned out for the occasion, including actor Jason Alexander, renowned songwriter Lamont Dozier, Foo Fighters' lead vocalist/guitarist Dave Grohl, music icon Johnny Mathis, Jeff Lorber, the keyboardist who gave Dave his start nearly 20 years ago, singers Monica Mancini, Phil Perry and BeBe Winans, actor Bob Saget, the New York Yankees' Bernie Williams (who is also an accomplished guitarist) and songwriter Allee Willis. The event was a veritable Who's Who of the Smooth Jazz world, with Chris Botti, Rick Braun, Eric Darius, Kenny G, Michael Lington and Peter White all in attendance.

Koz is known for such hits as "You Make Me Smile," his signature song, "Castle of Dreams," "Can't Let You Go" featuring the late Luther Vandross, "Together Again," "Honey-Dipped," "All I See Is You," and "Faces of the Heart," which was the theme song for "General Hospital" for more than 10 years. His first-ever retrospective album, Dave Koz - Greatest Hits, bowed at No. 1 on both Billboard's Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and iTunes' Jazz Album chart in September 2008.

The 12th Anniversary Dave Koz & Friends A Smooth Jazz Christmas Tour will launch on November 27th. Koz will be joined by Rick Braun, David Benoit, Peter White and Brenda Russell on the 21-date holiday outing. - dates

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James Yuill Goes Digital

PR reports: Known for his ability to brilliantly walk the line between folky singer/songwriter and electronic DJ, James Yuill releases a new digital version of his debut album Turning Down Water For Air today. Turning Down Water For Air: Earth & Fire Versions is a re-recording of Yuill's entire debut album; he actually turned each track on its head to create new versions in the opposing style to that in which they were originally conceived.

Stand-out tracks like "No Pins Allowed," "No Surprise," and "This Sweet Love," which were originally more electronic-tinged are now stripped down and called "Earth Versions." The folkier original album tracks like "How Can I Lose" and "You Always Do" are now laced with an electronic edge, making these "Fire Versions."

In other news, Yuill has been getting creative with his fans and blog followers with "Sample Me Up Mofo!", where he asked them via James Yuill's Blog Of Joy to send him short audio samples of anything from banging a pot to shouting at a neighbor. As the entries poured in, Yuill started to mix the samples, even posting photos of the process along the way. A week later, Yuill posted the finished product - here.

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