VOTE FOR CARLY RAE JEPSEN

Carly Rae Jepsen was nominated in the Best New Artist category for the MTV Video Music Awards this week and she needs your help. The Canadian singer took to Twitter to ask her fans to vote for her. Head to MTV.com to show your support.  The 2012 MTV VMAs air on Thursday, September 8^th on MTV.

• DIRECT LINK: Here’s a direct link to cast your vote for Carly: http://on.mtv.com/NJnl5n

STEPHEN COLBERT ANNOUNCES A ROCK CONCERT

Stephen Colbert is holding a rock concert. Comedy Central’s favorite fake conservative is calling the gig StePhest Colbchella ‘012: RocktAugustFest. Besides the silly name, the festival has some serious bands lined up for the gig including Fun., Santigold, Flaming Lips and Grandmaster Flash. The extravaganza will take place in New York on the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum on August 10^th. Get tickets over at ColbertNation.com/Tickets.

THE WANTED MAKE CRAZY DEMANDS ON TOUR

The Wanted continue their crazy antics in the latest installment of their online video series, Wanted Wednesday. Band member Jay McGuiness shows off a few quirky items from their tour rider, like a bottle of hairspray with a note wishing bandmate Tom Parker a good hair day, and some ham with a note labeling it “mystery meat.” The gag items don’t quite rival Van Halen’s infamous M-and-M demands, but the Wanted boys still seem to find fun on the road. 

DAUGHTRY FIND HARMONY ON THE ROAD

Daughtry are singing their way along their current tour, posting a video from the tour bus of an impressive four-part harmony among band members. The group sings along to Billy Joel’s “She’s Always a Woman” in the clip, which frontman Chris Daughtry tweeted a link to on Thursday. Daughtry continue their tour through October.

SPICE GIRLS REHEARSING FOR OLYMPIC GIG?

The Spice Girls are reportedly rehearsing for an Olympic closing ceremony performance. London’s Sunday Mirror columnist Dean Piper tweeted that the girls are currently in London gearing up for the gig. Rumors have surrounded the possibility of an appearance by the group in recent months, but event organizers have kept mum on the show’s lineup.

NELLY FURTADO UNVEILS NEW TRACK

Nelly Furtado is giving fans a taste of her upcoming album, The Spirit Indestructible. The singer posted the new track, “Parking Lot,” online on Thursday. The song is rumored to be the third single off the album, after “Big Hoops (The Bigger the Better)” and the record’s title track. The Spirit Indestructible hits shelves on September 11^th.

BEYONCE TO STAR IN, DIRECT DOCUMENTARY

Beyonce is reportedly lined up to direct and star in a documentary about her life. The L-A Times reports that the film will feature concert and behind-the-scenes footage of the songstress to give fans an inside look at her life. Bey is rumored to be in talks with film execs, having posted a message Wednesday that she will be making a big announcement on August 19^th.

CHRISTINA AGUILERA FIGHTS HUNGER

Christina Aguilera is standing up to hunger in a new public service announcement for Yum! Brand’s World Hunger Relief Campaign. The Voice coach has been the global spokesperson for the cause since 2009 and will lead the new campaign to benefit other hunger relief organizations.

KATY PERRY CAUGHT OUT WITH JOHN MAYER

Photos of Katy Perry and John Mayer are surfacing online after an intimate date at an L-A hotspot. Perry’s high-profile divorce from British comedian Russell Brand was recently finalized and it seems the pop star is moving on quickly. Us Weekly reports that the pair was cuddling and holding hands across the table at dinner.
SELENA GOMEZ SAYS SHE IS LUCKY TO HAVE JUSTIN BIEBER

Selena Gomez is admitting that she is a lucky girl to have boyfriend Justin Bieber. The actress and singer put break-up rumors to rest in a recent Teen Vogue interview, saying that her relationship with the Biebs is “really fun.” Gomez recently wrapped filming on the upcoming Harmony Korine flick, Spring Breakers, which is due out next year.

MILEY CYRUS BECOMES VICTIM OF SHOOTING HOAX

Miley Cyrus must have been surprised when armed police officers showed up at her Los Angeles home to respond to a false shooting claim. Emergency services received a tip that there were shots fired at an attempted break-in at her home on Wednesday night, however the property was found to be secure with no disturbances. The hoax is currently under investigation.

MARIAH CAREY DROPS NEW “TRIUMPHANT” SINGLE! 

Just days after signing on to be a judge on American Idol next season, Mariah Carey has released her new single to radio.  It’s called “Triumphant (Get ’Em)” and features Rick Ross and Meek Mill.  The song will be on the diva’s 14^th studio album, which will likely arrive towards the end of the year or in early 2013.  “Triumphant (Get ’Em)” will be released to digital retailers on Tuesday. 

• TWEET: Mariah took to Twitter and wrote: “I wrote TRIUMPHANT when I was going through a difficult time & it helped me get through it. When u hear it, pay attention 2 the lyrics #WIN.”  

LOLLAPALOOZA KICKS OFF THIS WEEKEND

Lollapalooza started back in 1991 as a farewell tour for the band Jane’s Addiction. It featured mostly alternative acts at that time, but over the years has turned into the concert event of the summer with an all-encompassing lineup featuring almost every form of music imaginable, with 2012 promising one of the best lineups in recent memory. Scheduled to appear are the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Keys, Black Sabbath, Jack White, Florence and the Machine, Frank Ocean, fun. and over 100 other musical acts. For those of us unable to make the trek to Chicago for the festivities we have good news, you’ll be able to watch the whole event live on Lollapalooza’s very own Youtube channel. For a complete list of set times and performers, check out Lollapalooza.com.

TAYLOR SWIFT WINS THE HEARTS OF THE KENNEDY FAMILY

It looks like Taylor Swift is a household favorite at the Kennedys’, after reports circulated that she is dating Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s son - Conor Kennedy. According to People magazine, a few of Conor’s family members spoke highly of Taylor. Rory Kennedy, Conor’s aunt, says the singer is awesome and is a great friend to all of them. Conor’s grandmother, Ethel Kennedy, admitted that “they should be so lucky” if the couple were to ever take the relationship to the next level.

DIERKS BENTLEY REFLECTS ON THE SUCCESS OF HIS #1 HITS

Diersks Bentley still can’t fathom the fact that he has had ten number one singles, due to the recent success of his latest hit, “5-1-5-0.” The singer admits to Billboard that “it’s something that [he’s] never dreamed of,” and “it all feels like a blur.” Dierks’ garnered his first number one in 2003 with “What Was I Thinkin,’” and he can remember when he used “to write songs in this old converted firehouse.” Dierks’ follow-up single to “5-1-5-0” will be “Tip It On Back,” which is the first single the singer will release that he hasn’t written. Dierks thinks it’s “a fun process trying to find a song that fits who you are what you’re trying to say.”

CARRIE UNDERWOOD IS A PERFECT FIT FOR AEROSMITH RECORD

Country music fans have something to look forward to from Aerosmith’s next album. The band recorded a song called “Beautiful” with the help of Carrie Underwood, and guitarist Joe Perry tells Rolling Stone that the singer’s voice matches frontman Steven Tyler’s really well. He also adds that the blend “doesn’t sound forced – it was just right.” The classic rock band’s next album, Music From Another Dimension, is due on November 6^th.

BRAD & CARRIE TAKE ON THE CMA AWARDS ONCE AGAIN

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood are back at it again, as the two will co-host the 46^th Annual Country Music Awards. This is the dynamic duo’s fifth consecutive year entertaining the country music world.  It seems like the two are already getting into the hosting spirit. Carrie tweeted that she just caught Brad in her make-up chair and joked that he was such a diva! The CMA Awards will be held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 1^st. The show will broadcast live on ABC at 8 PM Eastern.