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American baseball star TOM STURDIVANT has died, aged 78.
The New York Yankees pitcher, who helped lead the team to victory in the 1956 World Series, died on Saturday (28Feb09) at Integris Southwest Medical Center in his native Oklahoma City, according to a hospital spokeswoman. No cause of death was given.
Sturdivant, nicknamed Snake for his infamous curveball, played an instrumental part in the 1956 World Series, helping his team win the championship against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
During his 10-year career, he pitched for teams including the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, and New York Mets, before retiring in 1964.
Information about survivors was unavailable as WENN went to press. (JMA/WNWNT/IG) WENN - FOURTH - INTERNATIONAL MUSIC NEWS - 03 MAR 2009

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Actress ANGELA BASSETT is stepping behind the camera to make her directorial debut with the help of her actor/producer husband COURTNEY B. VANCE.
The ER star will take the helm of independent movie United States, a dramatic comedy based on the book Erasure by Percival Everett.
Bassett will join forces with Vance - her co-star on the TV medical series - to produce the picture via their company Bassett/Vance Productions. United States will be the firm’s first feature, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

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Actress NICOLE SULLIVAN is pregnant with her second child.
The former King of Queens star, 38, is expecting a baby boy with her husband Jason Packham.
And the actress has double the reason to celebrate - her new programme Rita Rocks has just been green-lit for a second season by bosses at U.S. TV’s Lifetime network, who will be incorporating her baby news into the show’s storyline.
She says, "Jason and I are beyond thrilled to share our amazing news with everyone.
"I am so thankful that the wonderful team at Lifetime (network) is embracing this, and will be including my pregnancy into the Rita Rocks storyline." The couple also has a son named Dashel, who was born in 2007.

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KEVIN BACON has pre-warned Broadway bosses not to bother offering him a role in a revival of his hit movie musical FOOTLOOSE - because he’s "not interested".
The actor starred as Ren McCormack in the original 1984 film, about a Chicago, Illinois-bred teenager who moves to a small town that has banned dancing and rock music.
The movie was turned into a musical, which hit the New York stage back in 1998.
There has been talk of a new production - but Bacon won’t be involved.
He tells the New York Daily News, "I’m not interested in doing that. They did one, and that’s enough for me."

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Singer JOHN MAYER is convinced he is the right man for JENNIFER ANISTON - and proved it when he voted in favour of their relationship on a recent Internet poll.
The rocker couldn’t help but cast his vote after spotting a survey conducted on People magazine’s website, which asked: "Is John Mayer a keeper?" He admits in a post on his social networking page on Twitter.com: "I just voted on People’s ‘Is John Mayer a Keeper?’ poll. I clicked ‘Love Him.’ Be honest, you’d vote for yourself if you came across it, as well. Wouldn’t you?" But the star wasn’t impressed by the way the votes were going, adding: "’Lose Him’ is winning at 63 per cent."

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SEAN PENN is urging California lawmakers to officially recognise HARVEY MILK’s birthday - a proposal vetoed by Governor ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER last year (08).
The actor won an Academy Award for his portrayal of the politician and gay rights activist in the critically acclaimed movie Milk last month (Feb09).
And now he has joined a campaign to reintroduce a bill that would designate Milk’s birthday on 22 May a "day of significance", encouraging schools to commemorate his life.
Schwarzenegger overturned the plans last year, arguing that Milk should only be honoured in San Francisco, where he was elected to the board of supervisors.
But State Senator Mark Leno insists Milk is now of greater interest as a public figure and equal rights campaigner.
Leno says, "Given California’s fiscal crisis, the bill was written to have no cost to the state, and state workers and school employees would not get the day off from work."

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Troubled rocker PETE DOHERTY is desperate to reconcile with his estranged father - who has refused to talk to the star until he kicks his drug habit for good.
The Babyshambles singer’s career has been blighted by struggles with illegal substances and legal wranglings, including a spell in prison last year (08).
Doherty admits his father cut ties with him since the full extent of his drug problems were revealed.
But the star hasn’t given up on a reunion in the future - because he is doing his best to conquer his demons in a bid to fix the pair’s relationship.
He says, "I’m mostly clean, I won’t lie to you - it’s still a struggle. My dad and I are estranged. In his mind, if I’m still using in any way then I’m not his son. But my mum still speaks to me secretly.
"I try and wrap myself up so none of it gets to me but really, of course, it gets to me. I love the man. It’s breaking my heart that for him the be-all and end-all of out relationship is whether or not there’s something despicable in my system.
"I’d love to just go to the football with him like we used to, or go for a drink and just be a son and him a father."

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LINDSAY LOHAN’s father MICHAEL isn’t convinced his daughter’s interest in the Jewish faith will last - dismissing her recent involvement with the religion as nothing more than a "phase".
The Mean Girls actress and her DJ girfriend Samantha Ronson jetted into the U.K. to attend a Jewish Bar Mitzvah ceremony for one of Ronson’s relatives in the British capital on Saturday (28Feb09).
The pair was also spotted visiting a London synagogue famous for its liberal views on marriage, fuelling rumours they are planning a same-sex union.
However, Michael Lohan, a born-again Christian minister, is adamant the actress won’t convert faiths for her Jewish lover.
He says, "She’s explored the Church of Scientology, she tried kabbalah, and now this. I think it’s just another phase." But Lohan, who has persistantly spoken out against Ronson, is pleased his famous offspring has religion in her life.
He adds, "Either way, she’s involving God in her life, and I’m happy about that."

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The trio of comedians who starred in spoof rock documentary THIS IS SPINAL TAP failed to pocket a single penny after playing rockers in the cult film.
Actors Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer found fame as the faux British rockers in the 1984 comedy - and even went on to release two records and tour the world on the back of the movie’s success.
But the stars didn’t make any money starring in director Rob Reiner’s film - and have never attempted to recovery any royalties, according to the group’s manager Harriet Sternberg.
However they are hoping their upcoming tour will be more lucrative - despite the fact the group will drop their heavy metal guises to perform.
Shearer, who plays bassist Derek Small, adds: "We’ve never gone out as ourselves. It’s interesting. After playing characters on stage all these years, we’re having meetings now trying to figure out who we are." The band’s Unwigged & Unplugged theatre tour is slated to begin on 17 April (09) in Vancouver, Canada.

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R&B star SOLANGE KNOWLES was left red-faced at a recent concert after she struck an unlucky fan on the head with her microphone stand.
Beyonce’s younger sister was performing on-stage at the House of Blues in Chicago, Illinois on 25 February (09) when she decided to channel her inner rock god by grabbing the stand and swinging it high into the air.
She then attempted to throw it across the stage - but it slipped from her grasp and was sent flying into the crowd.
Horrified Knowles muttered, "Didn’t mean to hit you there," before sprinting off-stage.
But she was later able to make light of the situation, taking to her page on social networking site Twitter.com to explain to fans what had happened.
She jokes: "Yeah, I wasn’t feeling ‘the love’ from my parents so I threw a mix (sic) stand on someones head? Smh (shaking my head)! But Lmao (laughing my a**e off) too. Heheeheh.
"I was trying to throw it off stage but it went into the crowd. Turns out I’m a bad rock star." But the singer made sure her fan survived the accident, adding: "I did however feel really bad about it, I looked and made sure everyone was ok and had someone go and double check."

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Rapper LUDACRIS is teaming up with tennis star SERENA WILLIAMS to launch an online contest to find a theme song for the athlete.
The hip-hop star has invited songwriters, rappers and singers the world over to participate in the competition, called Serena’s Song, in a bid to find the perfect track to motivate the Olympic gold medal winning ace.
The winner will be selected by the fan communities on Ludacris’ and Williams’ official websites.
Ludacris says, "Pop music knows no boundaries. We’re hoping to prove that yet again with the Serena’s Song contest." And the U.S. sports star can’t wait to hear the new tune that will help her dominate the court.
She adds, "Sports and music have such a powerful connection. I always see athletes including myself listening to music, while they’re getting ready for or decompressing after a match, or a race, or a game, whichever the sport."

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Veteran rocker JOHNNY HALLYDAY refuses to leave Switzerland to live in his native France - even if the lucrative Swiss tax laws are scrapped.
The singer settled in Berne, Switzerland in 2007 to take advantage of the country’s low-level taxation rate for the mega-rich.
The 65-year-old claims he now pays around $755,000 (£536,000) to Swiss authorities every year - a huge reduction from the millions he previously handed over to the French government.
He says, "I don’t mind paying taxes, but there is a limit. I was paying more than 70 per cent (of my income in France). With what I’ve paid over my lifetime, I would have been able to support several families for generations." Several of Switzerland’s states are now considering abolishing the lucrative allowances - but Hallyday is adamant he will stay put even if the law changes.
He adds: "If it changes, it changes. I won’t sell my chalet. Aside from all money issues, I like it here. I live in Switzerland… when I’m not working. But I work a lot." The star also keeps a home in Los Angeles, while his wife Laeticia is the registered owner of the couple’s Paris residence.

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OASIS star NOEL GALLAGHER is hoping the current global financial crisis gets worse - because the band produce their best work during times of economic strife.
Gallagher first began writing music in the early 1990s and claims the troubled climate in Britain at the time helped them put together their hit 1994 debut album Definitely Maybe.
And the guitarist claims the current international recession could have a positive effect when the rockers head back to the studio to record their upcoming ninth record.
He says, "I hope the financial crisis gets a bit worse - at least we’ll get a few good albums out of it. When we started in the early nineties it was a pretty grim time when the Conservative (party) was still in power. Times of crisis usually bring out the best in music and fashion and politics and things like that."

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Actress ROSARIO DAWSON was given unusual punishments when she misbehaved as a child - her mother would lick her.
The Sin City star attempted to remain on her best behaviour while growing up in New York City, because she knew her mum Isabel would reprimand her with her tongue if she was naughty.
She tells the New York Times, "My mom licked me - that was her punishment. If I was a little uppity or if I didn�t listen or if she wanted to get my attention, she�d lick the side of my face or under my armpit.
"My momâ��s a six-foot-tall amazon and sheâ��d say, ‘You came out of my vagina and I own every part of you,’ and sheâ��d lick me like I was her wee pup and she was a lioness. It was humiliating and really intense. Very primal. Itâ��s not spanking, but it definitely works."

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Hollywood producer JON PETERS has avoided a jail term over his arrest for drink-driving in 2006.
The Superman Returns moviemaker was threatened with prison over claims he failed to complete 40 hours of community service as part of his sentence.
But a court in Ventura County, California heard he has since carried out the punishment - and will be spared jail if he successful completes his 36-month probation period, which ends in November next year (10).
Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Nguyen tells the New York Post, â��Mr Peters has given us what we believe is sufficient proof of community services… The issue was resolved." Peters, a former lover of Barbra Streisand, pleaded no contest to driving under the influence after he was found asleep near a freeway in February 2006.

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Bosses of hit U.S. series 24 have decided to launch the show as the first "carbon neutral" TV production in a bid to cut pollution.
Executives at America’s Fox network have announced plans to cut down on the amount of fuel used during filming of the drama to make the programme more environmentally friendly.
Bosses have hired consultants to monitor the carbon dioxide output from the production, and are using more economical biodiesel fuel in trucks and generators.
They have also installed motion monitors in bathrooms and kitchens on-set to make the lights more efficient.
However, the show’s producers have refused to compromise on special effects, and instead of cutting back on carbon dioxide-emitting car chases, they will purchase carbon off-sets from wind power plants in India.
Executive producer Howard Gordon insists the plans won’t have a negative impact on the explosive plot lines of the show, which stars Kiefer Sutherland as government agent Jack Bauer.
He says, "If we’ve needed a car chase, we’ve had a car chase. Our obligation is first and foremost to the fans. If we have budget cuts and need to save money then we’ll have fewer car crashes." 20th Century Fox Television chairwoman Dana Walden adds, "No one is kidding themselves that viewers want to see Jack Bauer stop in the middle of an action scene and deliver some line about the environment.
"(But we hope it will be) a more gratifying viewing experience, even if it is at a more subconscious level.�

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British director DANNY BOYLE will not take the helm of the next JAMES BOND movie - despite insisting he’s a huge fan of the 007 franchise.
The acclaimed moviemaker was reportedly approached by Bond bosses to direct the upcoming sequel to last year’s (08) Quantum of Solace after he swept the board at February’s (09) Oscars with Slumdog Millionaire.
A source told Britain’s The Sun newspaper, "He has been offered the chance to direct the 23rd Bond film by (Bond producer) Barbara (Broccoli). Everyone on the Eon team thinks Danny would be the perfect addition to the Bond family." However, despite the modest filmmaker insisting he is "flattered" to be linked with the Bond brand - he has no plans to direct the next movie.
A spokeswoman tells WENN, "While Danny says he always has and always will enjoy the Bond movies he has no plans to direct one. Danny is naturally flattered to be thought of!"

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SAMUEL L. JACKSON will sidestep his blockbuster movie roles for his next film - an independent drama with ABIGAIL BRESLIN and MARIA BELLO.
Jackson, who just last week (begs23Feb09) signed a nine-movie deal with comic book giants Marvel Entertainment, will co-star in the big-screen adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates’ 2003 book, Rape: A Love Story, reports Daily Variety.
In the forthcoming film, the actor will play a sympathetic cop who offers comfort to Breslin’s character and her mother, played by Bello, as her character recovers from a brutal gang rape.
Filming is scheduled to begin on the movie, directed by Harold Becker, in June (09).

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