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Country singer BRAD PAISLEY was granted a special audience with U.S. president BARACK OBAMA on Tuesday (21Jul09) when he was invited to Washington, D.C. to perform at the White House.
The star took to the stage in front of Obama and his wife Michelle to play a string of his hits, and later even joked with the world leader in an attempt to win a second invitation to play a private show, reports People.com.
Before dedicating his song I Thought I Loved You Then to the First Couple, Paisley laughed, "This would sound great on Air Force One. Maybe on a romantic night you could fly around… look at the lights." Paisley’s gig is the second in the White House Music Series, which sees one night a month dedicated to different music genres. The 15 June (09) show was all about jazz, while Tuesday’s event focused on country.

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BRAD PITT poses with porn, shoots pirate movies and uses a urinal in a daring new magazine feature.
The actor and dad-of-six shows off his bad boy side in the new edition of Wired Magazine, inspired by his role in Quentin Tarantino’s new movie Inglourious Basterds.
In one snap he is shown scanning in pictures from Hustler magazine; in another, readers see him pointing a video camera at a cinema screen.
Other images show him playing Guitar Hero with male friends and making phone calls from a bathroom urinal.

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MICHAEL JACKSON’s personal physician DR. CONRAD MURRAY is under investigation for manslaughter as police delve deeper into the mystery surrounding the pop superstar’s tragic death.
Murray was with Jackson when he went into cardiac arrest at his rented home in Los Angeles on 25 June (09) and performed CPR on the star before emergency crews arrived.
Shortly before 11am on Wednesday (22Jul09), Murray’s Houston, Texas offices were raided by a team of detectives from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and officers from the Houston and Los Angeles Police Departments, who had obtained a search warrant to gain access to the building. Murray was not present for the search.
Authorities seized a number of documents relating to Murray’s treatment of Jackson from the Armstrong Medical Clinic, including medical notes, details of any drugs the star was taking, and records of any medication Murray had prescribed to the singer.
Murray’s lawyer Ed Chernoff has admitted that officers were searching for evidence "of the offence of manslaughter", saying in a statement: "We can confirm that a search warrant was executed today on Dr. Murray’s offices in Houston, Texas…
"The search was conducted by members of the DEA, two Robbery/Homicide detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department and Houston Police officers. The search warrant authorised law enforcement to search for and seize items, including documents, they believed constituted evidence of the offence of manslaughter.
"Law enforcement concluded their search around 12.30pm, and left with a forensic image of a business computer hard drive and 21 documents. None of the documents taken had previously been requested by law enforcement or the L.A. Coroner’s office." However, Chernoff’s representative insists the morning swoop came as a surprise because detectives had not named Murray as a suspect.
Spokeswoman Miranda Sevcik tells People.com, "This (raid) was unexpected to us. All this drama is just not necessary, is how we feel. Ed’s not dismayed about it. He’s just trying to figure out what’s going on. But he’s not worried about it." The raid comes after repeated calls by members of the Jackson family in recent weeks to question Murray over the Thriller hitmaker’s death, with father Joe and sister La Toya both raising concerns of "foul play".

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ANTHRAX frontman DAN NELSON has left the group, forcing it to cancel its European tour.
The news comes a week after the group axed three concerts, claiming Nelson was suffering from a mystery illness.
A further seven European dates have also been axed, and the thrash metallers have been forced to skip plans for a U.S. tour with Slipknot this summer (09).
Speaking after his departure, Nelson has lashed out at his former bandmates, insisting they lied about his sickness and accusing them of forcing him out of the group. He tells Blabbermouth.net he was "ready, willing and able" to continue with the band.
Anthrax will be performing one date this summer - former lead singer John Bush, who Nelson replaced in 2007, has agreed to rejoin the band for one gig at England’s Sonisphere Festival on 1 August (09).

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OZZY OSBOURNE is sharing his wild rock life with the world - he’s writing an autobiography.
The former Black Sabbath star-turned-reality TV personality promises the memoir will be packed with astonishing tales of excess.
In a statement Osbourne, 60, says, "It haunts me, all this crazy stuff. I took lethal combinations of booze and drugs for 30 f**king years.
"I survived a direct hit by a plane, suicidal overdoses, STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). I have been accused of attempted murder. Then I almost died while riding over a bump on a quad bike at f**king two miles per hour.
"People ask me how come I’m still alive, and I don’t know what to say." The book will his store shelves in October (09).

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Music legends BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, U2, SIMON & GARFUNKEL, ARETHA FRANKLIN, CROSBY, STILLS & NASH, STEVIE WONDER, METALLICA and ERIC CLAPTON will unite on stage this autumn to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The blockbuster show will take place across two nights at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Producers Tom Hanks and Cameron Crowe promise fans will also be treated to a series of surprise special guest presenters.
The concerts will take place on 29 and 30 October (09).

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THE APPRENTICE winner RANDAL PINKETT is hotly tipped to run as lieutenant governor of the U.S. state of New Jersey.
Pinkett, who won season four of Donald Trump’s reality TV competition, admits he recently met with Governor Jon Corzine to discuss the November (09) election.
Trump backed his protege’s for the position just last week (begs13Jul09): "I think he will do fantastically. He’s a tremendous leader. That’s why I chose him; I know what I’m doing." The 38-year-old star says he has not yet been asked to be Corzine’s official running mate .
Corzine is expected to make his lieutenant governor selection by Monday (27Jul09).

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RACHEL MCADAMS and RYAN GOSLING’s romantic drama THE NOTEBOOK is heading for a theatre makeover - it’s to be reworked as a stage musical.
The 2004 movie is being adapted by One Tree Hill actress Bethany Joy Galeotti and record producer Ron Aniello, who are developing the project in Wilmington, North Carolina.
If the play proves to be a success, they are eyeing an eventual move to Broadway, according to reports.

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ASHLEY OLSEN has denied reports she’s planning to marry boyfriend JUSTIN BARTHA.
The couple had been dating for a little over a year when The Hangover star Bartha proposed during a vacation in Paris, France, in June (09) according to People magazine.
Sources tell the tabloid Olsen, 23, "said yes immediately", but representatives for the pair insist the reports are "not true".

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The makers behind JACK BLACK’s videogame debut are hitting back at a breach of contract lawsuit which threatens to jeopardise the release of the project.
Bosses at gaming firm Activision Entertainment Holdings Inc. sued developers Double Fine Productions Inc. in June (09) in an effort to stop the release of Brutal Legend over a contract issue.
The game, which is scheduled for release in October (09), features actor Black as heavy metal roadie Eddie Riggs, who is transported to a mythical ancient world.
They claim the brains at Double Fine failed to deliver the game on time, and then offered the completed game to rivals at EA - even though Activision had never agreed to relinquish their rights.
But Double Fine executives have filed a countersuit, insisting Activision is only taking legal action to protect the sales of its popular Guitar Hero franchise.
The countersuit, filed in a California court last week (ends17Jul09), claims Activision’s "purpose is not only to cancel Brutal Legend, but to kill it completely so that Guitar Hero would not have to face the competition".
Activision’s lawyers have dismissed the accusations as "meritless", adding that the firm has "every intention of exercising its legal right as Brutal Legend’s publisher to release the game".
The two arguments will be heard in court on 30 July (09) when the case goes before a judge.

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Cancer-stricken actor PATRICK SWAYZE has hit out at false reports he has suffered a heart attack - insisting he is "doing very well".
The actor, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year (08), moved swiftly on Wednesday (22Jul09) to deny claims made by the National Enquirer that he had suffered the heart scare.
His spokesperson says, â��Heâ��s well. Heâ��s continuing his treatment and doing very well, actually. Contrary to reports, he did not suffer a heart attack and has even gained a little weight.â�� It’s not the first false report the 56-year-old actor has been forced to dispute since he was diagnosed with the disease.
Back in May (09) Swayze’s spokesperson denied "reckless reports" stemming from a Florida radio station he had died.
In March (09) he asked publications to "think twice about printing inaccuracies and painting an unpleasant picture when I have so much to be thankful for at this time."

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The offices of MICHAEL JACKSON’s personal physician DR. CONRAD MURRAY were raided by drug cops on Wednesday (22Jul09) as part of their ongoing investigation into the superstar’s death.
A squad of officers armed with a search warrant swooped on the medic’s work premises in Houston, Texas, four weeks after Jackson’s sudden death last month (25Jun09).
A fleet of vehicles carrying more than 20 officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration arrived outside the Armstrong Medical Clinic shortly before 11am local time. Two Los Angeles police officers and several local cops also joined in the raid.
They were reportedly set to seize all documents relating to Murray’s treatment of Jackson, including medical notes, details of any drugs he was taking, and records of prescriptions Murray handed out to the star.
Several members of Jackson’s family have urged officials to quiz Murray in recent weeks, amid growing claims there was "foul play" involved in the Thriller hitmaker’s death.
Murray was with Jackson when he went into cardiac arrest at his rented home in Los Angeles on 25 June (09) and performed CPR on the star before emergency crews arrived.
As WENN went to press, it was unknown whether Murray was present during Wednesday’s raid.

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Hip-hop superstar JAY-Z has shrugged off THE GAME’s latest round of verbal insults after the DREAMS star took offence to one of the rap mogul’s freestyle rhymes.
The 99 Problems hitmaker, real name Shawn Carter, stirred controversy among hip-hop circles earlier this month (Jul09) when he debuted a new rhyme reportedly from his upcoming album, The Blueprint 3, at his gig in Las Vegas - appearing to reference The Game, Jim Jones and his former business associate Damon Dash.
He rapped, "I ain’t talking about gossip/ I ain’t talking about Game/ I ain’t talking about Jimmy/ I ain’t talking about Dame…" The Game responded by blasting the rap icon throughout his European tour, leading his fans to participate in chants of "F**k Jay-Z", branding him an "old a** n**ger".
Jay-Z is adamant his lyrics were tame and not meant to offend - urging Game to move on from the petty feud.
He tells BBC Radio DJ Tim Westwood, "If that’s a diss (insult), then wear that. Tell groupie to get over it." The Game and Jay-Z have shared a tumultuous relationship over the years - the former G-Unit member slammed the superstar after interpreting another of his freestyle raps as a slur against him, while he has also claimed he has a lot of respect for Jay-Z.

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NICKELBACK treated fans to a star-studded performance at a gig in New Jersey - rocking out with PAPA ROACH singer JACOBY SHADDIX and former KISS star ACE FREHLEY.
The Rockstar hitmakers were playing at the PNC Bank Art Center in Holmdel, New Jersey on Tuesday night (21Jul09).
Halfway through the show, lead singer Chad Kroeger told the audience to expect a "very special jam session" and welcomed on stage Hinder frontman Austin Winkler for a cover of AC/DC classic Highway To Hell.
Before the second verse kicked in the band introduced Papa Roach star Shaddix to take over the vocals and the rockers were finally joined by Frehley who concluded the tune with a guitar solo.
An audience member tells Blabbermouth.net, "The crowd went absolutely insane. Ace finished out the song with the all-star lineup and shook hands with everyone on stage and waved to the audience before making his exit."

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JAY-Z is baffled by "silly" reports alleging he banned CHRIS BROWN from appearing at last month’s (Jun09) BET Awards, insisting he had nothing to do with the singer’s absence.
Many fans expected Brown to take to the stage at the Los Angeles event to join tributes to late pop superstar Michael Jackson, who died days earlier (25Jun09), but he was a notable absentee from the line-up.
Rumours quickly spread online suggesting Jay-Z, mentor to R&B star Rihanna, had threatened to cancel his and his wife Beyonce’s performances at the 28 June (09) prizegiving if BET bosses allowed Brown to attend following his conviction for assaulting the Umbrella hitmaker.
Brown’s representative immediately dismissed the claims and now the rap mogul himself has spoken out to address the allegations.
Jay-Z tells BBC Radio DJ Tim Westwood, "That’s the silliest rumour I ever heard. You know me, right? I was sitting back and watching all them suckers (comment). You don’t comment on rumours. I was sitting back watching them, (like), ‘Look at them. That’s so silly.’ "First, let me categorically deny that. I didn’t do it (demand a ban), I wouldn’t do it. That’s not how I deal with my problems, through using BET or record companies. If I have a problem with Chris Brown, I got a problem with Chris Brown. I don’t agree with what he did (hitting Rihanna), and that’s that." Brown was handed a community service order and five years probation after pleading guilty to the February (09) assault. He was also ordered to keep his distance from ex-girlfriend Rihanna and this week (begs20Jul09) released a video apology begging for fans’ forgiveness.
And Jay-Z has accepted his apology: "We’re all flawed human beings. All a person can do is apologise. That’s it, what can we say? You know everyone should be allowed to make mistakes. It happens."

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Single actress ANGIE EVERHART is looking forward to becoming a first time mum next week (begs27Jul09) - insisting she’s "not afraid" to raise a child on her own.
The 39-year-old beauty is reportedly scheduled to welcome a baby boy she’s named Kayden via C-section on 27 July (09).
The Last Action Hero star - who split from former fiance Joe Pesci last year (Apr08) - refuses to reveal the identity of the baby’s father. But Everhart insists she doesn’t need a man to co-parent her new addition, because she’s surrounded by supportive friends and family.
She tells U.S. tabloid Life & Style, "It doesn’t really bother me. I have so many good people around. I’m not afraid."

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Former hip-hop supercouple NAS and KELIS have become parents to a baby boy - but the rapper missed his son’s birth after he was banned from entering the delivery room.
The Milkshake hitmaker went into labour on Tuesday morning (21Jul09) and was admitted to a New York hospital, where she was met by her estranged husband.
But according to MTV.co.uk, which cites the rapper’s lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan, Nas was refused access to Kelis’ bedside to witness the tot being born.
Kaplan had yet to respond to requests for a comment as WENN went to press.
However, Nas is refusing to let his differences with Kelis dampen his celebrations and he announced his happy news in a video posted online on Tuesday.
In the clip, Nas tells fans: "My son is (sic) born today, so shout-out to my son, Knight. That’s what I named the young God, Knight. Y’all heard it first." He also urged his followers not to read too much into the press reports about his impending divorce, adding: "Don’t believe nothing you hear in the media. I love y’all. Don’t listen to that bulls**t. I love y’all, that’s why I’m here." The former couple is in the midst of divorce proceedings and were due to appear in court on Tuesday to negotiate the financial terms of their marriage split. However, they were both excused by court officials in light of the baby’s birth.
The newborn is Nas’ second child - he also has a teenage daughter, named Destiny, from a previous relationship.

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The Italian cafe made famous in FEDERICO FELLINI’s classic film LA DOLCE VITA has been seized by police investigating mafia ties.
Authorities in Rome police have taken control of $284 million (GBP189.3 million) in assets and businesses including upscale eatery Via Veneto, the restaurant immortalised by the director’s 1960 movie, allegedly linked to the ‘ndrangheta crime syndicate.
According to anti-mafia officials, the gang - based in the southern Calabria region - have acquired up real estate in high-rent Rome neighbourhoods.
Twelve other restaurants were impounded, in addition to apartments and luxury cars.

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