Results tagged “michael jackson” from J-14 Magazine

Besides their initials, the Jonas Brothers have something serious in common with Justin Bieber -- they both belong to the list of artists lending their vocals to a new version of "We Are the World!" The original track with Michael Jackson raised $63 million to fight hunger in Ethiopia. On "We Are the World - 25 for Haiti," stars like Miley Cyrus, Katharine McPhee, Kanye West, Jennifer Hudson, and Lady Gaga will sing to benefit victims of the earthquake.

Watch the original recording for "We Are the World" below:

Check it out:
Popeater: Stars Align for "We Are the World" Remake

Photo: Robert Milazzo

The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards will take place tonight, Sunday, January 31 at 8 pm on CBS. Word on the street is that when the lights go down, Lady Gaga will be opening the show and performing with Sir Elton John!

Tons of your fave artists will also be performing including: Beyoncé, The Black Eyed Peas, Carrie Underwood (who will be participating in the 3-D Michael Jackson tribute), Eminem, Green Day, and Taylor Swift. Taylor is up for eight awards including Record and Album of the Year!

J-14 will be live-tweeting during the show, so make sure to follow us on Twitter @j14magazine!

Are you going to watch the Grammys?

Photos: Startraks

The boys of Hot Chelle Rae -- bassist Ian Keaggy, drummer Jamie Follese, singer Ryan Keith (R.K.) Follese, guitarist Nash Overstreet -- stopped by the J-14 offices just a few days after they filmed the music video for their single, "I Like To Dance." The pop rockers were psyched to talk to J-14 about where their band name came from, their fave dance tunes, and... flying?

J-14: Did you name the band Hot Chelle Rae after a girl?
Ryan Keith Follese: We actually don't know what her real name is -- that was her handle on MySpace. Before we had anything significant going for us, we saw pictures on the Internet of her hanging out with like Pete Wentz and Snoop Dogg -- just mad musicians! She supposedly worked at Universal and was going to help us. Then we found out that she was fake.
Ian Keaggy: She was jacking model's pictures.
R.K.: When we actually started getting things going for us we were like, 'Yeah, we're going to be going out to L.A.' And she's like, 'Yeah I'm a friend of Butch Walker. We're said, 'We're going to be working with him in a couple of weeks!' She was like, 'He may not remember me.' Needless to say, we named the band after her. My friend still texts, 'I miss her!'

J-14: How did you guys meet?
R.K.: Nash was working at a music store where I was buying gear, and we just got hooked up through a guitar friend of ours. Nash and Ian have been friends since childhood, and Jamie and I obviously have been brothers since childhood. Actually, Nash and I didn't like each other at first.
Nash Overstreet: Once we met and hung out, we got along great. But there was this judgmental first sight thing like, 'I don't like his hair.'
R.K.: We were both in our worst style era - we met when were 18 and 19.
Nash: That awkward high school phase - actually, that's why we became friends. We actually started to like each other.
R.K.: That sounds like we're dating.
Nash: No, no, no. We started to get along, and we found out that in high school we went through the same exact clubbing phase of JNCO jeans and horrible clothes.

J-14: What's your favorite song off your album, Lovesick Electric?
R.K.: My favorite song to play live is "I Like to Dance," but my favorite songson the record are "Never Have I Ever" and "Bushes." "Bushes" is just a really whack song and fun and weird. It started off as a joke!

J-14: What inspired "I Like To Dance"?
Ian: I think the music kind of lent itself first.
R.K.: Sometimes we will premeditate lyrics, and sometimes the very first thing that comes out of your mouth is the best because a lot of times it's how the song feels. That sounds so artsy and not like it makes much sense, but it's true. Whatever the song feels like, that's the first thing that comes out of your mouth. A lot of times we'll be sitting there, and the first thing that comes out we'll go with that.
Nash: A certain A&R guy -- who we didn't end up working with -- was like, "Change it to something more meaningful like I love to dance.' And I'm like, 'Then it's not cool anymore.' Girls can love to dance. That's great. When guys are loving to dance it may be a little [odd].

J-14: How did Stephanie Pratt get involved in the "I Like To Dance" video?
Ian: She was actually into the song before hand -- she was all about being in the video.
She's a sweetheart. She was really cool and down-to-earth. We'd hang out again, no problem. We had a lot of fun.

J-14: What are your favorite dance songs?
Ian: [Michael Jackson's] "Billie Jean."
R.K.: One of my favorite dance beats of all time is INXS's "Need You Tonight." Every time it comes on I'm like, 'Man, I wish I wrote this!'

J-14: If you guys weren't in a band, what would you be doing?
Jamie Follese: Up until the moment I got into this band, I played baseball. I also want to be an FBI agent or an Air Force pilot.
Ian: I've been into photography for a long time -- I would have probably gone down that road.
Nash: I think I would probably do hair. My mom did hair growing up, and I'd always use her salon to mess up my friend's hair. Right before my friend got a job where he couldn't have any [fake] color in his hair, he was like, 'What color is this going to be?' I said 'A dark auburn, brownish,' and he was like, 'I'm going to have to shave my head."
R.K.: I've always wanted to fly helicopters or maybe write.

Hot Chelle Rae's new album, Lovesick Electric, is in stores now, and you can get more info on the boys at their MySpace page.

J-14's resident star reporter Asher Book -- who you know from V Factory and the movie Fame -- is attending the premiere of the late Michael Jackson's movie This Is It tonight in L.A., and he'll be Twittering about the whole experience just for J-14!

So don't forget to follow us on Twitter @j14magazine.

Photo: J-14

Orianthi has performed live on the Grammy stage with Carrie Underwood and was rehearsing with Michael Jackson for what would have been his This Is It tour. Now the Australian electric guitarist is ready to break out on her own with her debut album, Believe -- it drops today, October 27! You can also see her in Michael Jackson's tribute movie, This Is It, which opens tomorrow, October 28. "I think his fans are going to be upset watching it but at the same time excited for what could have been and seeing his vision for it," Orianthi says. "It's a celebration, not a sad movie." Orianthi told us even more about Michael and her own music when she stopped by the J-14 offices.

J-14: What are your favorite songs off Believe?
Orianthi: I have so many -- I'm super proud of the whole record. I love playing "What's It Gonna Be" -- it's a real sort of rock, high energy song. "Bad News," "Suffocating," and "Highly Strung," -- which is the instrumental song on the record -- all those songs are a lot of fun to play. I love high energy tracks, and there's a lot on there. And "Feels Like Home" was written about coming over to L.A. [from Australia]. It's really a personal song. There's a guitar solo on every song, and it's a really empowering record.

J-14: How did you become part of Michael Jackson's This Is It tour?
Orianthi: I actually got an e-mail through MySpace from the musical director, Mike Bearden. I thought it was a joke first! I played the "Beat It" solo for Michael, and he really loved it and came over to me and grabbed my arm. He started walking up and down on stage -- he wanted me to walk around with him while still playing the solo. He was like, 'That's really cool,' and he hired us all that night! I've never been that nervous in my life ever. He not only brought amazing music into the world, but he's donated to so many charities and brought so many people together. I've never seen any other artist that has affected that many people in the world. It would be horrible if I auditioned and didn't get the part. I just prayed that I'd get it!

J-14: What was it like to work for Michael?
Orianthi:: Working with him was incredible. I had an amazing time. He was the nicest person, so supportive and encouraging. He just wanted us to do our best, don't be nervous, and just project your energy out to the crowd. He said anything I tell you, anything I want fixed, I say it with love. He was putting together one of the biggest shows on Earth. It would have been so amazing to see. I'm such a huge fan, so I would light up watching him dance and sing right in front of us. Every time he came in the room, everyone got so excited. We wanted to see all his fans faces light up when he got on the stage. First song of the set, opening night, just watching all his fans freak out -- I would have loved it.

J-14: How does it feel to be supported by music legends like Santana?
Orianthi: Santana is my idol. I actually picked the electric guitar because of him after watching one his shows when I was 11 in Australia. I went with my dad and saw his show. I was just blown away by the way he played -- the amount of soul he put into his playing. It really affected me. I turned to Mom and Dad and begged them to get me an electric guitar. They got me this bad secondhand one but I never put it down -- I just wanted to learn all his solos. To have his support means so much to me and to hang out with him is so surreal. It's humbling. I got to jam with him a couple of times!

J-14: What was it like to be on stage with Carrie Underwood at the Grammys?
Orianthi: She's awesome -- really nice, really sweet. I'm a big country fan! She's got a great voice. It was really cool of her to invite me up to jam with the band. It's a pretty surreal experience playing at the Grammy awards. I turned to her on the stage and was like, 'I'm nervous'. She's like, 'This is what we're born to do. Just do it'. It was really cool to embrace their vibes about it. She's done it so many times -- playing in front of a live audience and dealing with how many people watch it. I try not to think of the enormity but when you look out from stage and you see Paul McCartney and Bono and a bunch of people, it's like yeah! I actually went to a couple of Grammy parties with Carrie afterwards and that was typical. We got to chat and hang out. It was really chill and cool.

J-14: What are your fave radio songs right now?
Orianthi: I love Kings of Leon. I think they're awesome. It's real sort of Earthy music. It's cool - [lead singer Caleb Followill] sings really differently. I think it's very unusual and people just take to it. It's just a little more offbeat. It's just cool -- I dig the record a lot.

Photo: Courtesy of J-14

Couldn't make it to the J-14 InTune Concert featuring performances by Corbin Bleu and Tiffany Giardina and a special appearance by Drew Seeley? No worries... just check out our video blog from our exclusive concert at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City's Times Square!

Stay tuned to j14.com for more videos and interviews from our special show!

Who would you like to see at J-14's next InTune Concert?

Since Michael Jackson's death yesterday, celebrities and fans have come together on their blogs, on television and through Twitter to celebrate the life of the King of Pop with pictures, memories, and the promise to keep his music alive.

Young celebs like Selena, Demi, Debby, and Keke used their goodnight Tweets to send love and prayers to the Jackson family, while others, like Kid Cudi, dedicated their recording session or shows that night to Michael. BowWow, appearing on MuchMusic in Toronto admitted, "I don't even feel like performing" when he heard the news. Pink dedicated last night's Sydney, Australia Funhouse concert to Michael Jackson -- her dancers and band busted out MJ's moves and did the moonwalk on stage!

Musicians of all genres have been sharing the impact Michael Jackson has had on their careers. Aly and AJ commented, "as sisters and artists we have a huge admiration and respect for him. MJ greatly influenced our music." David Archuleta admitted, "ah, I can't get over MJ. I know everyone's talking about it but he deserves the respect. I hope people will appreciate what he's done." Miley Tweeted simply, "Michael Jackson was my inspiration." Britney Spears, who did a duet with Michael in 2001, was ready to go see him on tour. "He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life," Britney said, "I'm devastated he's gone!" Will.I.Am, of the Black Eyed Peas, was working with Michael on his new album. "I am so grateful to have worked with the King," he shared. "He was a gift to the world." Sean Kingston stopped by the J-14 offices today -- watch his video tribute to Michael Jackson below:

Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian told fans about meeting the star. Paris posted a picture of herself with the King of Pop and Tweeted everyone, "Be good and true. Enjoy every moment like it's your last." Kim told her Twitter followers that she was looking at pictures from her 14th birthday party at MJ's Neverland Ranch! Sharing his favorite of the star's music videos, Corbin Bleu spilled, "I'll never forget when I first saw 'Smooth.' It was real cinema."

Throughout the weekend, MTV is hosting a Michael Jackson Tribute with back-to-back music videos and live performances. Today at 6PM ET, they will premiere A Celebration of Michael Jackson on MTV, featuring the performer's greatest moments on the network and messages from other artists, and at 7PM, they'll re-air an episode of America's Best Dance Crew that featured Michael Jackson's music. On Monday June 29, FOX is re-airing the American Idol performance show from this past season where the Top 13 contestants, including favorites Adam Lambert and Kris Allen, sang the King of Pop's hits.

We encourage everyone to share your favorite Michael Jackson songs, memories, or tell us what the King of Pop meant to you -- comment below!
Photo: Photo: Albert Ferreira/Startraks

Hi J-14ers!

When the news broke of Michael Jackson's sudden death yesterday, I'm pretty sure I can speak for all the editors when I saw we were in total shock and disbelief. Everyone was crowded around my computer as we watched the tragic story unfold.

Now I know Michael Jackson isn't someone you would normally see on the pages of J-14, (But think -- in 1970, if J-14 was around, Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5 would have been on the cover front and center!), but there's no denying that he has had a profound effect on many of your fave stars -- and me, too!

Music has always been a huge part of my family -- and it was definitely common to hear a MJ tune coming out our CD player at any given time. I remember being a kid and my dad putting the Thriller record on, (Yes, I said record!), and me dancing in my pink nightgown, trying to learn the now famous dance.

Actually, wanna hear a funny story?! Speaking of "Thriller," for some crazy reason, my dad decided to tape the music video on the same video tape as my copy of Dumbo. (If you've never seen the "Thriller" video, it's kinda scary!) So for years I was petrified of Dumbo because I thought the monsters in "Thriller" were part of the movie! LOL!

More recently, I was hanging out with the guys of Honor Society at Bamboozle and we got on the subject of MJ and talked for a good few minutes about our love for the King of Pop. HS member Michael even told me that he dressed up as Michael Jackson for Halloween a few times!

And regardless of the endless rumors Michael had to deal with on a daily basis, it was and will always be all about the music. Think about how many times you hear "Thriller" or "Beat It" or "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" or "I'll Be There" on the radio, at your school dance, or playing in background of a movie. Even though Michael is no longer with us, his legacy will live on.

RIP King of Pop.

How did you react when you heard Michael Jackson died? Do you listen to his music? What is your favorite song?

Have a great weekend!
xoxo,
Kim
J-14 editor

Photo: Albert Ferreira/Startraksphoto.com