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INTERVIEW: ‘Bama QB Girlfriend Katherine Webb to Move Back to Home for Relationship

January 9, 2013 in AJ McCarron, Alabama, audio, espn, exclusive, interview, Katherine Webb, miss usa with 0 Comments

Usually if a person strikes celebrity oil and becomes famous, they immediately move out to Los Angeles or New York.

The story of how Katherine Webb gained fame and over 200,000 Twitter followers in 24 hours isn’t exactly your usual story.

Webb became an Internet sensation when ESPN’s Brent Musburger mused over her as cameras caught her cheering on boyfriend and Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron during the BCS Title Game on Monday night. The former Miss Indiana USA since commented that she was flattered; Musburger through a network statement apologized for his remarks.

It doesn’t seem other people minded either. Webb’s follower count on Twitter quickly grew to six digits within 12 hours, far surpassing her boyfriend. It seems great for someone who competed for the title of Miss USA just this last June in Las Vegas.

“I’m currently living in Los Angeles and I’m pursuing (modeling),” Webb noted in a phone interview on “The Ralphie Show,” before dropping an interesting piece of news. “Now that me and AJ are dating, I’m pretty sure I’ll probably be moving back home and focusing on our relationship.”

That’s right: the woman that America swooned over Monday night is putting her boyfriend, of only one month mind you, before her seemingly-now-booming modeling career. But Webb is just getting started; she also revealed what she plans to use her new-found platform for.

“My heart and my passion is for being a coach and a leader for the younger generation and for the kids,” she explained – immediately striking a similar tone to the many pageant contestants you’ve heard on TV. Only this time, there was no crown at stake. “I love nothing more than being a good example to kids and just doing good for others.”

Webb also stated that she’ll be even more careful with what she posts for her followers to see. But, she won’t have to worry about LeBron James coming across her tweets in his timeline though. To the curiosity of many, the NBA star followed and then unfollowed the QB’s girlfriend.

“I have no idea, and I have no idea how to answer that question,” Webb said before laughing. “My roommate in California, Miss California USA; I guess Kobe Bryant ended up seeing that LeBron followed me so (Kobe) decided to follow her. I don’t know! I don’t know what’s going on with that.”

The model ended up pulling an all-nighter on Monday, celebrating ‘Bama’s win in the team’s hotel lobby with McCarron’s family and friends before embarking on a rather ambitious round of media interviews. She also received love on Twitter from a few non-sports celebrities, including Donald Trump. The real estate mogul announced that Webb will be a judge for next year’s Miss USA pageant, while perhaps inadvertently confirming that the competition will once again be held in Las Vegas.

INTERVIEW: Train’s Pat Monahan Recovers Lost Voice, Hints at 2013 Newtown Benefit Project

December 20, 2012 in audio, exclusive, interview, Newtown, pat monahan, train with 0 Comments

A band is only going as far as its lead singer can take it. In the case of Train, that explains the seemingly non-stop run that the trio has been on since 2009. Front man Pat Monahan is one of the most durable singers in the business; known for performing two acoustic showcases and a full band live set in a day’s work. But as Monahan found out last week, he is still human.

“I had to get on this steroid,” revealed Monahan of medical treatment he received after he essentially burned out during a stretch of holiday show performances. “I’ve never had to do before. I’ve heard about other singers doing it but, I just was incapable of singing.”

Not wanting to cancel on Train’s fans, the physical ailment didn’t stop Monahan from trying. But once the singer lost his voice mid-show in Tennessee, he knew that it was time to seek help.

“I’m in the league of, the more I use (my voice), the better it gets,” he explained. “It’s more like practice than it is singing incorrectly.”

Monahan has used his voice quite a bit as of recent, and not just for performing in arenas. In addition to a hectic year-end schedule that included a guest spot during the Miss Universe Competition, a music video shoot for “Mermaid” and a collaboration with the “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition,” Train recently stopped by Sandy-ravaged Sea Bright, NJ. The band performed for storm victims at the local fire hall to raise awareness and funds for the recovery efforts. Footage of the show will be broadcasted Christmas Day on VH1.

“Before what happened in Connecticut, (Sandy) was the one, profound heartbreaking event in my life,” Monahan said. “Sea Bright was closed down. You couldn’t even get in. There were places that were on the beach that are now behind buildings. There’s not one business that works currently. Many people don’t have homes. Everything is bad there.”

It seems the benefit show affected Monahan positively, as he hinted at possibly lending a helping hand (or voice) to Newtown, Conn. in 2013.

“My pursuit is not to make more and more money,” Monahan said. “It’s to make a difference in somebody’s life.”

Monahan continued, citing the letters he received from people who were moved by “Hey, Soul Sister.”

“I don’t know how to write about these events and make people feel better, but man I have to do something,” he said. “I certainly would like it to be better for people.”

EXCLUSIVE: Ke$ha Pulls 180 on ‘Die Young’

December 19, 2012 in CT, DIe Young, exclusive, ke$ha, kesha, Newtown with 0 Comments

Following a weekend which saw airplay of her track “Die Young” plummet in the wake of the Newtown, Conn. tragedy, singer Ke$ha took to Twitter and claimed she never wanted to sing the chorus of the hit single.

“I had my very own issue with “die young” for this reason,” she said to her 3.2 million followers on the site. “I did NOT want to sing those lyrics and I was FORCED TO.”

Ke$ha’s comments completely contradict statements she made in studio on “The Ralphie Show” about “Die Young.”

“I definitely make sure that every word rings true to me, because I would never want to misrepresent myself to millions of people around the world,” she told me during a promotional tour last month. “I wrote and re-wrote and re-wrote that song 10 times.”

The singer credited her meticulous detail to lyrics with the delay in releasing her new album, Warrior.

“I really take my time and I’m really precious about it because I realized how many people listen, and how many places you can reach with a song and with your words,” Ke$ha said. “I’ve taken that in to account this record, and making sure I mean everything I say.”

While the first tweet about the song’s lyrics was deleted, a follow-up comment from Ke$ha remains on the page.

“I’m so so so sorry for anyone who has been effected (sic) by this tragedy. and I understand why my song is now inappropriate,” she said. “Words cannot express.”

INTERVIEW: Lifehouse Gains Fans and ‘Haters’ on ‘Almeria’

December 18, 2012 in audio, exclusive, interview, Jesse Wade, lifehouse, rrs video with 0 Comments

Despite selling tens of millions of singles and albums worldwide, the band Lifehouse wasn’t afraid to switch things up for its latest LP.

“I think our biggest thing on this album was we just wanted to come up with some fresh sounds,” noted lead singer Jesse Wade during an in-studio visit to “The Ralphie Show” on 95.5 PLJ. “We were kind of tired of doing the same thing: two guitars, bass, drums, double vocal and the chorus.”

So Lifehouse began experimenting, and ended up with Almeria. The current musical landscape finds all genres of music kind of blurring together. While Wade thinks that helps, he still felt it was difficult for the band to jump out of the sound that it is most known for.

“I think humans are inherently resistant to change,” he said. “You have your super fans that want you to sound exactly like the first two records ‘cause it’s like, that moment in time that kind of reached them.”

With tools like Facebook and Twitter, where bands and fans can interact on constant basis, it has been easier to hear feedback on the new material. Not all of the reviews are positive.

“We have a couple haters for the first time,” Wade admitted, as the rest of the band laughed. “I guess it’s better that people either love it or hate it.”

The album title is taken from a small town in Spain where a lot of old, Western, movies were filmed, including the Clint Eastwood classic, “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.” However, no empty chairs were involved in the recording process.

INTERVIEW: Hot Chelle Rae Hopes to Release New Single This January

December 14, 2012 in audio, exclusive, interview, nash overstreet, rrs video, ryan follese with 0 Comments

Ryan Follese and Nash Overstreet recently paid a visit to New York City, and the trip could yield what Hot Chelle Rae fans have been looking for since the fall.

“We’re having some meetings, and going to the label, and making some rounds and actually really narrowing down what it is that we’re going to be putting out in the early part of next year,” Follese said in studio on “The Ralphie Show.” “(The fans) want it, and we want to give it to them.”

Hot Chelle Rae spent the latter part of the year touring internationally. The band’s last U.S. trek was in support of Demi Lovato. How eager are fans to hear new music? Once HCR released the Verizon-sponsored cover of “Jingle Bell Rock,” some fans took to Twitter to request it on local radio stations. Others actually e-mailed the MP3 to DJs.

“As far as Christmas songs go, we’re super picky, and that’s one of the only songs we felt worked as a band,” Follese noted. “It’s something we could do and Nash could really play guitar on.”

The lead singer said Hot Chelle Rae is shooting to release the new single at the end of January on RCA Records.

INTERVIEW: A.J. McLean on Changing Diapers, BSB’s 20th B-Day, and One Direction

December 11, 2012 in a.j. mclean, audio, backstreet boys, exclusive, interview, One Direction with 0 Comments

My, oh my, the time has flown by. The Backstreet Boys are preparing an album to commemorate its twentieth anniversary next year.

Before hitting the big 2-0 though, the guys thought it’d be a good idea to finally release a Christmas song – the first in its 19 year history.

If the nostalgia hasn’t peaked yet, once-bad boy A.J. McLean is now a father.

“She is an absolute dream,” McLean said of his daughter, born Ava Jaymes McLean on November 27. “She only cries here and there, she sleeps most of the time, and her poop is hardly even there as of now. I’ve probably changed 50 diapers, and I love it.”

The new duties haven’t seemed to weigh McLean down, literally or figuratively, as the Backstreet Boys promote its new single, “It’s Christmas Time Again.”

“We’ve tried to have Christmas albums, but never seemed to find the time,” explained McLean. “We were either on tour, or we were working on a brand new Backstreet record, or we were taking down time for the holidays usually.”

A.J. said the single not only fills the holiday music void for the band, but also gives its fans something to have until the new BSB single drops next year, the first for an album that will commemorate the group’s 1993 formation.

“As soon as I’m off with you guys, I will be heading off to the studio to meet up with the fellas,” said McLean. “We’re actually in the studio for the rest of this week, and then the first couple days of next week.”

After a short break, it’s off to New York, where the Backstreet Boys will perform on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” It’s 19 years later, and the quintet is still doing media as if they’re from One Direction.

“We’ve had a couple of chances to meet both One Direction and The Wanted,” recalled McLean. BSB performed on the same bill with the latter boy band at the Summer MixTape Festival in Hershey, PA earlier this year. “They’re awesome guys. We just tell them the same thing, like, ‘Listen, you guys stay on the path that you’re on. You’re all humble, humble guys. Just don’t ever forget that it’s because of your fans and because of the music that you have the success that you have.”

McLean’s other piece of advice to the guys: enjoy it, because it could be gone tomorrow.

If you’re wondering, that is how a pop act sticks around long enough in this day and age to celebrate a twentieth anniversary.

INTERVIEW: Carly Rae Jepsen Distances Herself from ‘Teen Pop’ Label With New Single, Cosmo Cover

December 4, 2012 in audio, Call Me Maybe, carly rae jepsen, cosmopolitan, exclusive, interview with 0 Comments

It would be easy to mistake Carly Rae Jepsen as another innocent pop starlet, with infectious hits like “Call Me Maybe” and “Good Time.” But before you anoint her a “goodie two-shoes,” think about this: while she may look and sound much younger, she just turned 27 on November 21.

Plus, have you listened to her next single from Kiss, called “This Kiss”? It is a far from guiltless.

“It’s a little naughty, I’m not going to lie,” Jepsen said of the track when we sat down last week. “It’s a temptation, but I think everyone can relate to it in certain moments of their life and it was just sort of fun to write a song that was a little bit playful and a little bit bad.”

The track basically take you through the thought process of a girl that has a boyfriend but doesn’t want to miss out on kissing another guy – despite the fact that he is also taken. What makes the whole scenario even more interesting, in my opinion, is the fact that Jepsen co-wrote the song with RedFoo of LMFAO and her current boyfriend, Matthew Koma.

Scandalous premonitions aside, 2012 has treated Jepsen quite nicely. As the singer’s tour with Justin Bieber winds down, she continues to receive prestigious awards and invitations. The British Columbia-born artist performed at both the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Canadian Football League’s Grey Cup, and was honored with the 2012 Billboard Rising Star Award. Jepsen graces the January 2013 cover of Cosmopolitan.

“I was sitting there looking at all of the clothes and being like, ‘Do I get to wear those pretty things?’” she recalled. “It’s sort of crazy to see yourself on (the cover).”

But again, classifying the Canadian as a teen pop star is patently false and simply awkward when you look at the Cosmo cover. A tussle-haired Jepsen is placed in between bold type promising tips on both “epic sex” and “rebound sex.”

Suddenly, the fact that we just met and you want me to call you maybe became even crazier.

INTERVIEW: Cee Lo Green Reveals New Projects in Exclusive Post-Rockefeller Center Interview

November 29, 2012 in cee lo green, exclusive, interview, Rockefeller Center Tree, rrs video, the voice, usher with 0 Comments

The “hardest working man in showbiz” moniker is tossed around quite a bit these days, but Cee Lo Green is one who may actually be quite deserving of the title. His current mid-week stretch is one to marvel at.

“It was even later than the red-eye, because it was delayed due to whatever weather was going on here,” Green said of the flight he took in to New York Wednesday morning. “The Voice” coach performed live in Los Angeles with Kermit the Frog as a part of the TV show’s Tuesday night episode. Then, Green linked up with The Muppets and sang at the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony in Manhattan. “Yeah man, I’m right out of here in the morning, going back to do ‘The Voice’ tomorrow.”

The “Forget You” singer, who squeezed in an exclusive studio visit to 95.5 PLJ’s “The Ralphie Show” after the tree lighting, doesn’t take his hectic schedule too seriously.

“Don’t give me too much credit man, I just don’t have a choice,” he said before letting out a laugh. “I’m doing what I love man, so it seems a lot less than work. I really enjoy what I’m doing.”

Green just released, Cee Lo’s Magic Moment, a holiday album that features covers of classics and collaborations with A-listers, from his fellow “Voice” coach Christina Aguilera to the aforementioned Muppets.

“Almost everyone grew up with the Muppets, and I’m just a big fan,” he said of the song, “All I Need Is Love.” “I’m really just gracious that they would just honor me with their presence and allow me to collaborate with them.”

Cee Lo also took on Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas.” He received Mariah’s blessing through her husband.

“Me and Nick (Cannon) have been friends for years,” Green said. He saw Carey, who also performed at Rockefeller Center, on Wednesday night.

Usher Raymond is another one of Green’s friends; the two grew up together in Atlanta. Raymond will replace Cee Lo next season on “The Voice.” At first, Green admitted he didn’t know how Usher would fare.

“It takes an awful lot of personality and quick wittiness at times, but he is very accomplished,” he said. “I know him very well and if I was to share the seat with anybody, it would be him.”

Green will be taking season four of the singing competition off to take part in a plethora of projects – from a Las Vegas residency and a solo album to an autobiography and a new Goodie Mob release.

“We’re well in to that,” Green updated on the Goodie Mob project. “Looking forward to releasing that at the top of the year.”

Apparently Green hasn’t forgotten about you Gnarls Barkley fans, either.

“I just talked to Danger Mouse recently, and we’re going to try to squeeze it in,” Cee Lo revealed. “Just knowing him and our chemistry, things kind of flow pretty quickly. So, I don’t really know what new page he’s on production-wise, but I’d be really, really excited to hear what he’s working on new, and I’ll dial right in.”

At this pace, Green would have to take two seasons off of “The Voice” to complete everything… thankfully, he clearly has no issues with running a full schedule.

INTERVIEW: Ke$ha ‘Shocked’ by Vibe Cover; Says’s F— All Ya’ll’ To Critics

November 27, 2012 in audio, dr. luke, exclusive, interview, ke$ha, kesha, Nate Ruess, rrs video, vibe magazine with 0 Comments

Ke$ha literally went from what she describes as “a hobo” to a platinum-selling recording artist with a memoir in stores, all within a couple of years. It might take a lot to surprise her these days, but one publication did the trick.

“I was a little shocked. I was like, ‘Are you sure?’” Ke$ha recalled when she heard Vibe Magazine wanted her to grace its cover. The artist became the first Caucasian woman to appear solo on the front of the magazine. “It is shocking, but also massively flattering.”

The “TiK ToK” singer attributes the honor to the idea that with music these days, “there are no boundaries.”

“On this record especially, I worked with so many people from so many different genres of music,” she explained on “The Ralphie Show.” “From Iggy Pop, to Flaming Lips, and the Strokes, and the Black Keys, and then will.i.am and Nate (Ruess) from fun. There’s so many different genres of music represented.”

That new album, Warrior, comes out December 4. The lead singer of fun. is a co-writer on the first single, “Die Young.” He and Ke$ha haven’t even met.

“He was working with my friend Benny Blanco here in New York, and I was in LA making my record with Dr. Luke,” she recalled. “They just sent over the chorus-y, like idea. And then Luke and I were like, ‘Oh, that’s great.’”

And voila, hit record? Not so much. Ke$ha also revealed that she re-wrote the song 10 times until she felt it was representative of her. The artist’s meticulous detail to lyrics is the main reason why almost two years passed between the releases of her two full-length albums.

“I really wanted to take my time with my second record because I feel like that is the record you really make a name for yourself or it could suck,” she stated. “I just wanted to make sure that my second record was me and it was right and it was honest and it was dope.”

The Nashville-born singer is played on the radio next to artists like Rihanna, who has worked at a pace of releasing seven albums in the last seven years.

“I think I would die,” responded Ke$ha when asked if she could release music at that speed. “I have a lot of respect for her.”

In addition to Warrior, Ke$ha is also selling the Deconstructed EP through her website. The release features acoustic, broken-down versions of songs such as “Die Young,” – allowing the singer to once again prove she doesn’t need auto-tune.

“I was just like, ‘Really? You really still don’t think I can sing? F*** all ya’ll!’” Ke$ha exclaimed, eliciting laughter in the studio. “It’s really irritating when you can do one of three things in your entire life, and everyone’s like, ‘You can’t sing!’”

INTERVIEW: Karmin Continues to Keep Busy Through 2012

November 22, 2012 in american music awards, audio, exclusive, interview, karmin, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, rrs video with 0 Comments

On April 12, 2011 – Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan uploaded a cover of Chris Brown’s “Look At Me Now” to YouTube. A year and a half later, with a record deal and hit singles under their belt, the people that comprise Karmin do not seem to have changed much. Sure, Heidemann is now obtaining those blogged-about hair rolls with the help of a stylist, and Noonan’s choice of instrument is now backed by a touring band when on the road. But as for Amy and Nick themselves, the two seem pretty unfazed.

“We met all kinds of people. The Backstreet Boys, they were like, ‘Hey Karmin!’ We’re like, ‘Hey… Backstreet Boys,’” recalled Noonan of an elevator run-in with the boy band. “We were just chillin’ with (will.i.am) talking about Nebraska football.”

The duo continued to recollect experiences from their trip to the 2012 American Music Awards with the type of enthusiasm you’d expect from a radio contest winner. It’s refreshing.

“When we found out that we were presenting No Doubt, that was kind of the icing on the cake,” Noonan said. “That’s one of our favorite, most influenced-by bands, period.”

Heidemann chimed in that seeing Stevie Wonder live, for the first time, was another big highlight of the evening.

The band flew from Los Angeles to New York on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Amy and Nick filmed a performance for a year-end special on MTV. Then Thursday, the group took part in The 86th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Karmin is rolling off the success of its first major label release, Hello, which spawned the hit single, “Broken Hearted.” The group is recording a full-length album.

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