The track 'Gave It All Away', written by Mika, was laid down two years ago,

but a music publishing problem delayed the single's release.

Ronan Keating told Sky News: "The four of us have given our heart and soul to this to make the best

possible record we can make for Stephen and his family"

Over 60 artists, 25 gigs, 5 venues: 5 – 14 February

NEXT BIG THING new music festival confirms stellar line-up of new and breakthrough talent for 2010!

General Fiasco, CODES, Ellie Goulding, Marina & the Diamonds, The Soft Pack, Tinie Tempah, Rox and many more…

NEXT BIG THING - the exciting new music festival being staged and promoted by HMV and live music partner MAMA Festivals across five London venues next month, has met with the enthusiastic endorsement of some of the hottest new and breakthrough acts of 2010. Over 60 artists drawn from across the musical spectrum have signed up to perform in the inaugural 2010 festival, including hot new Irish band CODES, Belfast’s General Fiasco, newly-crowned BBC Sounds of 2010 poll winner and BRITs Critics Choice recipient Ellie Goulding, who will be one of the star performers at the Relentless Garage, and the No.2 in the BBC Sounds poll Marina and the Diamonds, who will headline Upstairs at Relentless Garage.

NewMinuteNews Interviews Ashlee Simpson!
Courtesy of TeenMusic.com



Ashlee is about to release her 3rd album 'Bittersweet World', from it she released her single out 'Outta My Head' in America.

Younger sister of Jessica Simpson, Ashlee's career in music took off around Summer 2003.

Her first album 'Autobiography' was released in Summer '04, songs such as 'Pieces Of Me' and 'La La' were released from that album.

In October '05 she released her 2nd album 'I Am Me', from that she released 'Boyfriend' and 'L.O.V.E'


Now Ashlee is about to release her next album
titled 'Bittersweet World'. Her debut single from that album 'Outta My Head' is currently in the US charts (Also on the playlist at the right hand side of the page..scroll down!)



Now, To That Quick Interview!! -

Hi Ashlee!

Newminutenews I am loving your new song!! How long did it take to produce and record it?

Ashlee Simpson says It took me, to record it, a few hours a night. Writing it was just a night as well. But we did it on two different nights. (Ashlee produced that single with none other Timbaland)

Newminutenews What have you and your boyfriend planned for Valentines day??

Ashlee Simpson says Not sure yet. But I've got to think of some good surprises if you have any good ideas... (Ashlee's BF is Pete Wentz of the band Fall Out Boy)

Newminutenews What is your favourite song to dance to at the moment?

Ashlee Simpson says Oooh, any Michael Jackson! Working on the moon walk!

Thanks Ashlee!

NewMinuteNews at The Meteor Ireland Music Awards 2008

Friday 15th of February

One of the most anticipated dates on the music industry calendar was held on Friday night, for the 8th year running, orange carpet and all!
The Meteor Awards were hosted at the RDS. where all of Irelands elite musicians gathered.

Bands and Singers who attended were: The Blizzards, Republic of Loose, The Coronas, Aslan, Future Kings Of Spain, Duke Special, Westlife, Damien Rice, The Saw Doctors, Shayne Ward, Boyzone, to name but a few!
Also in attendance were Glenda Gleeson, Sarah Morrissey, Pippa O?Connor, Keith Barry, Brian Dowling as well as Hollywood Actors Stuart Townsend and Charlize Theron

With performances from Boyzone, Westlife, Shayne Ward, A duet from Sinead O'Connor and Republic Of Loose..




And The Winners Are:

Best National DJ - Ray Foley Today FM
Best Regional DJ - Keith Cunningham Red FM
Best Irish Band - Aslan
Best Irish Male - Duke Special
Best Irish Female - Cathy Davey
Best Irish Pop Act - Westlife
Best Irish Album - Paddy Casey with Addicted to Company
Best Irish Live Performance - The Blizzards
Lifetime Achievement Award - The Saw Doctors
Best Irish Folk Traditional - Damien Dempsey
Best International Live Performance ? Muse
Best International Male - Bruce Springsteen
Best International Female - Amy Winehouse
Best International Album - Arcade Fire with Neon Bible
Best International Band - Radiohead
Humanitarian Award - Mary Donohoe
Most Downloaded Song - Mundy and Sharon Shannon with Galway Girl
Hope for 2008 Meteor Award - Ham Sandwich
Industry Award - Jim Aiken


First to take an award home on the night was Westlife winning Best Irish Pop Act.

A lively Shane Filan said of the win "This is our 8th Meteor award in the 10 years of Westlife" 

When asked will they be recording another album anytime soon

Shane replied "When we finish this tour, coming up we will be taking a break for 6 - 7 months, and then we will be going back into the studio".

When Kian was asked when will his big day be, Shane said that Kian and Jodi Albert will be getting married during Westlife's 6 - 7 month break.
Shane said "They wont be getting married at home or Europe, It will be somewhere tropical!"



You could tell that the guys were very excited to win there 8th consecutive award, later back at the Press Conference the guys decided to play rock, paper,scissors

Nicky was asked by a journalist for the Metro Newspaper

"Would You Buy Bertie a Digger??" and Nicky replied "Of course I would buy my father in law a digger.What kind of f**king question is that?"

Michelle Heaton member of Liberty X and You?re a Star judge, told press that She is currently doing auditions for some soaps, and is also hoping to get into West End Musicals..and yes she did turn down Dancing On Ice for You?re A Star.



In good Spirits and glad to get they're nerve wrecking performance of the night, over with!

Boyzone where asked, What will the new tour be like, Ronan said "This is the biggest production we have ever done ever, We're really looking forward to it"

Aslan were really delighted to win Best Irish Band They left a message on Meteors Bebo website:

Thanks to everyone who voted for us as Best Irish Band at this years Meteor Ireland Music Awards 2008, your support has been amazing. Thanks to everyone at Meteor for organising such a fantastic event. Keep Rocking Aslan

Thanks to the Meteors for letting NewMinuteNews.com report on this wonderful event!

Meteor Ireland Music Awards 2008

Meteor Awards Guarantee Boost in Sales for Top Acts


Now in its eighth year, the Meteor Ireland Music Awards continue to go from strength to strength and now nominated acts can look forward to a boost in album sales due to the recognition that the Meteors bestows.

According to HMV Marketing Manager Jill Thomas, "2007 was another very good year for Irish music, and it's really encouraging that quite a few of the Meteor nominations recognise the wealth of home-grown talent that's out there.

"It's great to see a mix of up and coming Irish musicians competing with more established names in the key categories of Best Irish band and Best Irish Male/Female. So you have the likes of Aslan and Ash up against new-kids-on-the-block Delorentos and The Flaws for Best Irish band Award as well as such talented new female artists as Cathy Davey and Roisin Murphy pitted against icons of the calibre of Sinead O'Connor andDolores O'Riordan in the Best Irish Female category.

"These days pretty much all the nominated artists can look forward to a lift in sales of their albums as they benefit from their association with the Meteor Awards and the increased profile this gives them, while the broadcast on RTE 2 will help the new artists in particular connect with a much wider audience. HMV stores regularly experience a doubling or even trebling of sales featuring Meteors artists, particularly those that perform well on the night or go on to pick up one or more of the awards."

"Music fans still have time to vote, though the Awards ceremony are fast approaching, taking place Friday the 15th of February. With nineteen awards up for grabs and more categories than ever before up to the public vote, The 2008 awards show is certain to be another star studded event recognising the diversity of local and international talent."

Vote Here for your favourite Irish Nominees

 
BMG Sony Artist Videos and Music Files Soon To Be Available on Yahoo

Sony BMG Music and Yahoo released a statement on Tuesday, to say that they have reached a licensing deal that will let users upload music or video files.

Sony BMG artists include Alicia Keys, Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, Jennifer Lopez and the Backstreet Boys.

The Sony BMG-Yahoo deal reflects the popularity of computer user-created videos, which often include copyrighted content.