Country star MIRANDA LAMBERT has stepped up her bid to help those recovering from Monday's (20May13) deadly tornado in Oklahoma by dispatching mobile pet rescue units to Moore to provide aid to injured animals.   READ MORE...

  Country star MIRANDA LAMBERT has stepped up her bid to help those recovering from Monday's (20May13) deadly tornado in Oklahoma by dispatching mobile pet rescue units to Moore to provide aid to injured animals.
  At least 24 people were killed when the natural disaster swept through the area, destroying homes and levelling buildings, including two elementary schools.
  The House That Built Me singer, who currently lives in Oklahoma with her husband Blake Shelton, a native of the state, has now pitched in to show her support by calling on veterinarians at MuttNation Foundation, which Lambert launched in 2009, to set up camp in the damaged town of Moore to care for the dogs and cats left injured or homeless.
  The temporary shelters arrived on Wednesday (22May13) and the Grammy Award winner is glad she was able to do her part - in a post on Twitter.com, she writes, "I'm so proud that MuttNation Can help even a little."
  Lambert isn't the only one to provide aid to those hardest hit by the tornado - Shelton is in the process of organising a star-studded benefit concert to help residents rebuild their community, while actress/singer Kristin Chenoweth has started selling special T-shirts online to raise money for families and their pets, and Carrie Underwood has donated $1 million (£645,000) to the Red Cross' relief effort. (MC/WNTWT/KL) HIDE STORY

Country star JO DEE MESSINA has become the latest celebrity to turn to 'crowdfunding' to raise cash for a new project.   READ MORE...

  Country star JO DEE MESSINA has become the latest celebrity to turn to 'crowdfunding' to raise cash for a new project.
  Following the recent success of actor/director Zach Braff's campaign to fund his new movie with fan donations on Kickstarter.com, Messina has turned to the website in a bid to raise the $100,000 (GBP65,000) she needs to make start on her new album, titled My Time Our Music.
  A spokesman for the singer/songwriter says, "For the first time in her successful 18-year music career, Jo Dee is free to make the album she wants. While grateful for the support of her previous record label, she is looking ahead to this new chapter in her career and will release a new full-length album with the people's help through Kickstarter.com.
  "Fans worldwide can be a part of the My Time Our Music movement that begins today (24May13)."
  Messina adds, "Now that I have the ability to make any record I want, I'd like to take a different route. I want to give the public a chance to be heard. This time I want to make a record with you, in addition to making one for you.
  "Kickstarter is the perfect platform. It allows me to change the way things have traditionally been done in my career for years. It's totally exciting!"
  Messina's $100,000 goal will fund "studio time, musicians, engineers, engineer assistants, production assistants, background vocalists, lead vocal recording days, overdubs, utility musicians, equipment rental, recording, mixing, mastering and more". She adds, "In order to succeed, the goal must be reached within a 30-day period."
  Fans who donate to the project via Kickstarter.com will be rewarded with exclusive content and one-of-a-kind opportunities. (KL/WN/MC) HIDE STORY

SEX PISTOLS rocker JOHN LYDON and PRIMAL SCREAM's BOBBY GILLESPIE are among the stars who have signed up to host a series of radio shows in Britain over the summer (13).   READ MORE...

  SEX PISTOLS rocker JOHN LYDON and PRIMAL SCREAM's BOBBY GILLESPIE are among the stars who have signed up to host a series of radio shows in Britain over the summer (13).
  The two musicians will be among a number of famous faces who will take over BBC 6 Music's Sunday Service slot from Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker while he takes a summer (13) break.
  Radiohead bassist Colin Greenwood will also be among those sharing their favourite records with listeners on the airwaves throughout June (13) and July (13).
  Gillespie says of his new radio gig, "It's so important to get people back into record stores discovering new music, so I'm looking forward to spending a few hours on 6 Music playing new stuff from the likes of Savages, Deerhunter, Nick Cave, Parquet Courts, My Bloody Valentine, Kurt Vile and Allah Las." (LR/WNWCCBS/ZN) HIDE STORY