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Billboard hits and Platinum records are usually what the top songwriters in music are aiming for when they craft a track, but in the long run, their success can earn them an achievement that is unlike any other: a spot in the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. It’s that time of year again to see who has been given a nomination for induction this upcoming June. Spoiler alert: none of them are a surprise.

Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds is among the nominees for the Songwriters Hall of Fame

There are 24 nominations with 12 each in the categories of Non-Performing and Performing, and they're headlined by some pretty big names. Some of the nominees under the Non-Performing section include the likes of Linda Perry, Randy Edelman, and the duo Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia, while the Performing side has Elvis Costello, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Toby Keith, and Cat Stevens. Given the influence that all of these artists have had on music over the years, it's a bit of a surprise that they're not already in the Hall Of Fame. Even though they deserve it, they can't all make it this year, either. However, which writers are the ones that might have the best shot?

Continue reading: Songwriters Hall Of Fame Nominees Announced - Who Got The Nod?

American rock legend Tom Petty reunites with backing band The Heartbreakers for a new record Hypnotic Eye, the first new material in four years.

Tom Petty is Back!

Early reviews of the record have been pretty positive, with many rock critics noting a return to the raw, earthy swagger of early Heartbreakers records after the blues of Mojo back in 2010. Petty told USA Today  that this was something of a conscious effort to go back to basic principles: "I didn't want to make a lo-fi record, which is too easy for us. I wanted to make a hi-fi record that had an edge and excitement to it".

Continue reading: Legendary Rocker Tom Petty Returns With New Album 'Hypnotic Eyes'

Neil Young was only looking for $800,000 to launch his new Pono Player, but his Kickstarter goal was obliterated in less than 24 hours this week, pulling in $6.2 million. Young's music player - which promises higher-quality sound than any of its competitors - is now the third biggest Kickstarter campaign in history.

Neil Young Is Launching the PonoPlayer

"You have helped to set the stage for a revolution in music listening," Young wrote on the campaign's homepage on Tuesday, "Finally, quality enters the listening space so that we can all hear and feel what the artists created, the way they heard and felt it."

Continue reading: Neil Young's Pono Player Raises $6.2 Million, But Will We Buy It?

Possibly the only major festival where you can enjoy fine gourmet cuisine while rocking out to an eclectic variety of international artists, Outside Lands has now unveiled the 2014 line-up as it prepares to return to San Francisco this August.

We just can't express our excitement enough at the newly revealed line-up for Outside Lands this year. Topping the bill are the likes of Kanye West, The Killers and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers; three very different artists which see the latter become the first act ever to headline twice following their incredible set in 2013. Now in its seventh year, Outside Lands are showing signs of development every single summer, and at much benefit for the city with a percentage of every ticket sale going to San Francisco's Recreation and Park Department.

Continue reading: Outside Lands Brings You The 2014 Line-Up! Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, Duck Sauce, Jagwar Ma And More

The legendary singer/songwriter JJ Cale passed away in a California hospital on Friday (26 July) after suffering a heart attack at his nearby home, leaving behind a legacy that wont soon be forgotten. The Grammy-winning singer, guitarist and songwriter, who was 74-years-old when he passed away, was responsible for a string of hits that were made famous after being covered by some of the biggest names in rock music, including Tom Petty, Santana and most famously of all; Eric Clapton.

Since his passing last week, tribute have been pouring in from those wishing to pay their respects to the great musician, a man who helped invent the laid back and much-copied Tulsa Sound, a combination of country, blues and rock. Documentarian Louis Theroux shared his favourite Cale track in his online tribute, whilst one of Cale's many collaborators Tom Petty shared a backstage picture of the two from 2009, with the Twitter hashtag #RIPJJCale embedded into the Tweet. Actress Daryl Hannah also gave her respects with the simple statement "RIP JJ Cale... peace xo" uploaded to her Twitter feed over the weekend.

Continue reading: Stars Remember Rock Royalty JJ Cale: Social Media Explodes After Songwriter's Death

The legendary artist JJ Cale passed away on Friday 26 July, an announcement made on his official website stated earlier this week. The man behind the Tulsa Sound, which blended blues, rockabilly, and country music to create a much-copied, laid back sound, was responsible for a string of notable rock tracks, many of which were covered by some of rock music's biggest names, including Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Santana and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Born John Weldon Cale in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1938, Cale adopted the moniker JJ Cale to avoid confusion with the Velvet Underground's John Cale, having released music under the name Johnny Cale prior to the New York band's rise to stardom in the late 60's. The statement on his website states that he passed away following a heart attack at his California home, after which he was rushed to Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, California, where he was pronounced dead. No further information relating to his death has been released yet, nor have any details into any memorial services due to be held for the songwriter.

Continue reading: Legendary Singer/Songwriter JJ Cale Dies, Aged 74

The Hangout Musical Festival returns to Gulf Shores, Alabama, this weekend with a pretty varied line-up including Stevie Wonder, Kings Of Leon and Tom Petty as well as a number of notable hip-hop acts. Though the headliners will no doubt draw sizeable crowds, the lies of Kendrick Lamar and the outstanding Public Enemy are the most interesting performances on offer.

Lamar, hip-hop's current golden child, hits the stage on Saturday (May 18, 2013) playing tracks from his critically acclaimed major label debut good kid, m.A.A.d city. Watch out for singles Swimming Pools and Poetic Justice (with Drake) and the superb Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe. 

Legendary group Public Enemy, who were recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will take to the stage rather early on Saturday (1.30pm). The hip-hop outfit are still a live force to be reckoned with and you shouldn't miss these. 

Continue reading: Despite Stevie Wonder, Hip-Hop Will Rule At Hangout Festival, Gulf Shores

The Tom Perry & The Heartbreakers tour is on! The American rock band are set to travel the U.S in the summer, mixing their tour up with a few festivals on their way.

“We are happy to announce that Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers are heading out on the road this summer!” read an official announcement on the band’s Facebook page. The band will start their American odyssey with five nights at New York’s Beacon theatre before they head to Hollywood for six nights at the Henry Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles. They’ll also play the Hangout Music Festival in Alamaba, which starts on May 17, the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and the Firefly Festival in Dover. "This is a good thing to do every now and then," Tom Petty explained to Rolling Stone magazine. "It gets the band members in tune with each other in a way that you don't get on a big tour. There's a different challenge than you're used to. We got together the other night, the band and I, and everybody is up for this. There's no telling what we'll do."

Continue reading: Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers Tour To Hit Intimate Venues

This year’s Bonnaroo Festival takes place in Manchester, Tennessee, on June 13-16 and the lineup is boasting some pretty heavyweight talent, with the likes of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Mumford & Sons and Sir Paul McCartney stealing the headline slots. Beyond the draw of the top billing, though – who should you go and see if you manage to bag a ticket to Bonnaroo 2013? Here’s our Top 5 Bonnaroo Bets.

1. Bjork – We can’t remember the last time there was an opportunity to see Bjork in such a superb festival setting (okay, we probably could, if we cast our minds back a little but it’s far from a frequent occurrence). The eccentric Icelandic songstress always puts on a fabulous show, both visually and sonically, setting fire to all of your senses, whether you are a hardened Bjork fan or simply wandering past the stage, wondering what the hell might be going on.

2. Cat Power – OK. This one comes with a warning. When she’s on form, Cat Power (aka Chan Marshall) will provide you with one of the most emotionally charged, cathartic live music experiences that you’re likely to experience. On a bad day, though, it can be torturous to witness. All part of the Cat Power charm, of course, but a gamble, nonetheless.

Continue reading: Bonnaroo Festival 2013 Lineup Announced: Our Top 5 Picks Beyond The Headlines

The Bonnaroo 2013 lineup has been announced, with former Beatle Paul McCartney and Grammy winners Mumford & Sons topping the bill at the June event in Manchester, Tennessee. Other topline guests include veterans Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Icelandic singe Bjork, Wilco, the Wu-Tang Clan, A$AP Rocky and R. Kelly.

"Top to bottom, this is one of the strongest lineups we have ever had," Bonnaroo spokesman Jeff Cuellar said in an interview. "Looking at the festival landscape out there ... no other American festival has Mumford & Sons, Paul McCartney and Bjork all under one roof." The revellers at Bonnaroo - among the top live gatherings of the year - will no doubt agree, and this year's diverse lineup appears to offer something for everyone, particularly lower down the bill. Up to 100,000 fans will flock to the annual festival to see singers, comedians, arts and movies while enjoying unique performances from the likes of Weird Al Yankovic and ZZ Top. Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne will also be in attendance, performing with St Vincent. 

Though many have praised this year's Bonnaroo lineup, many long-time fans have been left with a palpable sense of déjà vu. Mumford and Sons appeared at the festival in 2011, while Tom Petty closed the main stage in 2006. Wilco, Animal Collective and various other acts have also played prominent slots over the years. 

Continue reading: Bonnaroo 2013 Lineup: Paul McCartney, Wu-Tang Clan, R KELLY!?