Karl Walter / Kevin Winter, Getty Images

As acts that seemingly came out of nowhere to score the year’s two biggest hits so far, fun. and Gotye have a lot in common. The guys of fun. have paid tribute to their fellow chart-topper with a cover of ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore.

The song was recorded for fun.’s appearance in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge. Though it sounds like the singers were in the same studio, the network reports that fun. were near London, while Williams sang her part from back in Los Angeles.

The fun. cover keeps it simple with a piano intro and acoustic guitar instrumentation throughout. Gotye called the ‘Glee’ cover of ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ “dinky” and “wrong,” so we’re curious to hear what he thinks of the fun. and Williams version of his song. To our ears, it sounds a bit less emotional than the original, probably because of the polished vocals of fun. singer Nate Ruess.

Gotye’s original recording with Kimbra has now spent five weeks at No. 1 in the U.S., one week short of the six-week run of fun.’s ‘We Are Young.’

Listen to fun. and Hayley Williams’ ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’

Source: PopCrush.com

Bob n Renee, flickr

At a time when gas prices are high, it’s hard to drive all around town to hit up one garage sale to find nothing interesting, then drive another few miles to find another one and maybe have the same kind of luck and then hit the jackpot 25 miles away!  Now Mix 93-1 has your gas saving tip, shop the first ever Mix 93-1 Garage Sale at the East Texas Fair Grounds tomorrow!

The Mix 93-1 Garage Sale will feature a treasure of goods from more than 35 different families across East Texas.  Save gas and time and shop all of these garage sales under one roof.  You can find the Mix 93-1 Garage Sale at the East Texas Fairgrounds inside building E.  The garage sale will be open Saturday only from 7a to 4p with a $5 admission charge for adults.

Here’s to finding that special treasure at the Mix 93-1 Garage Sale – because you know there’s going to be something there just for you!

Wood County Authorities said the body found by the property owner matches the description of 62-year-old Gerald Haley, who left his home on Tuesday.

A search of the area was conducted by several fire departments, citizens, East Texas Flying Services ,and the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.

The body has been sent to Dallas for a positive ID and cause of death. The Sheriff’s office does not suspect foul play at this time.

Brad Barket, Getty Images

The singer, looking fine in a green jacket, shades and a bling rope chain, was doing those cool, robotic, choreographed moves while flanked by bootylicious dancers during ‘OMG.’ Is it us or can Usher groove like Michael Jackson?

The song was a high-energy way to kick off the summer. But Usher is about dynamics, offering up one fast song and then one slow tempo sexy jam. It was a welcome balance that showed both sides of the R&B superstar.

Before he performed the falsetto-driven, sexy jam ‘Climax,’ he spoke about his evolution as an artist. While his accolades – sales numbers and industry awards like Grammys — were mentioned, he spoke about how important it is to be a father and to raise his kids into fine, incredible young men and gave them a shout out, since they were watching at home.

Too cute. We like seeing Usher in dad mode amidst a national TV performance. He then launched into ‘Climax’ and mid-song, he ripped off the jacket to show off his toned arms. It was met with screams from the crowd. He even sang on his knees a little bit, too.

Hello, summer 2012!

Watch Usher Perform ‘OMG’ on ‘Today’

Watch Usher Perform ‘Climax’ on ‘Today’

Source: PopCrush.com

The fourth Mix Boutique is ready to go, and things kick off at 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, May 16. Good luck! Here’s how you can win:

Listen weekdays at 10:20 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 2:20 p.m. and 4:20 p.m. to play to win your designer handbag from Mix 93-1. When you hear the cue to call be the 10th caller at 903.509.1000 or toll free 1.800.487.0931 to play to match a designer handbag.

Here’s how it works:

There are 15 squares in each of the Mix Boutiques.

Each square has either a left half or right half to a handbag from the Mix Boutique underneath it or an “X.” Uncovering an “X” at any point during your guess ends your play.

Caller 10 will get to pick 2 squares, if they match the caller wins that particular handbag. If they do not match there is no winner.

Keep track of all the guesses to win the bag you want from the Mix Boutique.

Here’s what is available to win now!

Mix Boutique No. 3: Closed. Congratulations to our winners!

Mix Boutique No. 2: Closed. Congratulations to our winners!

Mix Boutique No. 1: Closed. Congratulations to our winners!

All designer handbags appearing in the Mix Boutique have been paid for by the following record companies:
Roadrunner Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, RCA Records, Universal/Republic Records, Warner Brother Records and Epic Records.

Click here for complete contest rules.

Facebook

Ten years ago Matchbox Twenty released their album More Than You Think You Are, their last full album.  The band is back and getting ready to drop their latest effort called North on September 4th.

The band spent most of their time writing the new album in Nashville last summer and recording it in a California studio.  Paul Doucette, the guitarist, tells the Rolling Stone,

We went into this record with a lot of material. Many different songs that could have taken us in many different directions. It sort of overwhelmed us for a bit. But, at a certain point, we figured it out. We figured out where ‘North’ was.”

While writing, the band admits to spending $100,000 on wine!  A little excessive, but hopefully they got their monies worth!

Rob Thomas tweeted that the

first single SHE’S SO MEAN to come in the next couple weeks!

I’m actually looking forward to this album being released on September 4th.  What is your favorite Matchbox Twenty song?

To help your memory, here are a few of their videos!

Lars Baron/Getty Images

An eclipse like this only happens once every twenty years, and it will be viewable in Texas Sunday; partially anyway. 

A solar eclipse is when the moon blocks out the sun for a time, and leaves a ring of fire around its circumference.  The sky gets a little spooky-looking for a bit and then the moon and sun part like a good Dancing with the Stars release move, and life goes back to normal.

Spots like Reno, NV and Albuquerque, NM will have the most spectacular views of the complete eclipse, but the entire path of the eclipse stretches from China to Texas.  Plenty of folks will have the opportunity to see the rare show of nature. 

Space.com says 6 million people live in the path of the eclipse and many of them will be outside Sunday looking up at the sky with funny glasses on, viewing a piece of history.

Yes, you must view the eclipse with special glasses on or you’ll burn your retinas!  The fun doesn’t come without a little risk.  Ouch.

Yahoo News offers some of the best info on what exactly a solar eclipse is, how long it will last, and where to see it.  We might catch a glimpse in Tyler, but if you want better veiws, hop in the car and go visit your friends in Lubbock.

When will the next full solar eclipse be seen in East Texas?  Uh….April 8, 2024.  Start planning those solar eclipse viewing parties now.

ABC

Is Jimmy Kimmel the new king of late night? Judging by last Thursday’s ratings coup, Kimmel may soon be worthy of the crown.

‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!‘ bested ‘The Tonight Show With Jay Leno‘ by 4% in the 18-49 demo, according to Deadline. Not too shabby considering Kimmel’s show comes on at midnight, a half-hour into Leno’s ‘Tonight Show’ which airs after the eleven o’clock news.

Kimmel’s victorious night didn’t end with Leno, however. ‘Late Night with David Letterman’ also felt the heat of rising competition, as Kimmel trounced Letterman by as much as 60% with adults 18-34 on May 7th and 9th and on the 11th, with a repeat. Ouch.

Kimmel also scored notable wins over late, late night competitors, beating out ‘The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson’ by 48% in adults 18-49 and putting ‘Late Night with Jimmy Fallon‘ in second place with the demo.

The numbers mark Kimmel’s first in-season win over Leno and his 7th straight win over Fallon. If Kimmel can keep it up, celebrities may have to reconsider whose couch they’ll want to be sitting on to talk-up their next big flick.

Source: ScreenCrush.com

Sandra Mu, Getty Images

Those of you anxiously awaiting a video for the Taylor Swift track ‘Eyes Open’ will be somewhat happy today. The country cutie dropped an as-expected adorable lyric video for her ‘Hunger Games’-inspired song.

The clip features handwritten and drawn lyrics in stop-motion animation. Some of the images are literal, while others are just cute doodles and middle school-style notebook scrawls on white paper, lined pads and Post-Its. Amidst the dancing crumpled paper and colored pencils, a few of the sketches and writings contain subtle odes to ‘The Hunger Games,’ including some cartoon-flame engulfed lettering, a nod to ‘Girl on Fire.’

Swift, ever generous, also dropped something else recently — a cool $4 million to Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in support of music education. It’s the second biggest donation in the museum’s history! Swift’s donation will help pay for the Taylor Swift Education Center. MTV reports that Swift’s eponymous center will be an exhibit and classroom space.

So what will go down in that classroom? Museum director Kyle Young explained, “In terms of what it will allow us to do, we do education very well now. It will allow us to do what we do better, serve more people, develop new programs, and I’m happy to say that as we talked through this opportunity with Taylor, she very much wants to be involved in an advisory capacity in what we do,” he explained. “Is there a better person out there who’s in touch with a young audience? I think not.” We concur!

Swift’s connection with the Hall of Fame goes way back. She signed her first recording contract within its walls and gave one of her very first public performances on its plaza. Young gushed, “For Taylor to want to engage herself in the life of this place in such an appropriate way — every way you slice it and dice it, it’s great.”

This is just the most recent in some of Swift’s highly publicized charity work. The only thing bigger than Swift’s bank account may be her heart!

Watch theTaylor Swift ‘Eyes Open’ Lyric Video

Source: PopCrush.com

Cosmo

Pink graces the June 2012 cover of Cosmo, looking slim and trim in a red bandage dress. Less than a year after giving birth to daughter Willow Sage, new mom Pink has dropped the baby weight and looks banging. She was candid about how her life has changed since welcoming Willow into the world.

“I’m used to going into the studio and smoking and drinking until three in the morning,” the singer confessed to the mag. “But I can’t drink as much because I’m breastfeeding. See this glass of wine? Before, I’d have, like, four of them. Now, one is good. Oh, and I quit smoking… I’ve exorcised a lot of my demons, but I’m still working on myself. I think I’ll be a work in progress for the rest of my life.”

Aren’t we all, Pink?

The singer also shared that Willow sleeps in bed with her mom and dad, so she and hubby Carey Hart have to “schedule” alone time! “We’ve never had a problem with affection. But with a baby? It’s kinda gross, but you have to schedule it,” she said.

The parents are thinking of rearranging Willow’s sleeping accomodations at some point. “We’re just starting to think about putting her somewhere else, at least for a little while,” the songstress said. “Either that, or we’ll have to resort to getting it on in the laundry room.”

Speaking of sexy, the singer was not shy about saying she did not feel beautiful with a bulging belly. She gained 55 pounds during the gestation period, joking “my baby may be part cheesecake.” She didn’t feel pretty, at all. “I thought I’d feel like a goddess. They sell you on that… like you’ll never feel more feminine. Really, I just felt like a mess,” Pink said.

Feeling like a mess at the time or not, she looks uh-mazing right now.

Watch the Pink ‘Raise Your Glass’ Video

Source: PopCrush.com

Pamela Littky

Owl City — the musical brainchild of lone member Adam Young — hasn’t released a new single since Oct. 2011. So, fans will be happy to hear that not only is he prepping a new album, but he’s already dropped the lead single, ‘Shooting Star.’ And guess what? We’ve got an exclusive look at the ‘Shooting Star’ lyric video for your viewing/listening pleasure.

Opening with a loop of dreamy, high and low digital blips, the intro of ‘Shooting Star’ has a sound reminiscent of the Postal Service’s hit ‘Such Great Heights.’ Adam Young’s soft, breathy vocals kick in (which also sound a bit Ben Gibbard-esque but with more pop appeal) during the verses, but grows in strength and power as the chorus of ‘Shooting Star’ rolls around.

Like the song itself, the ‘Shooting Star’ lyric video has an ethereal, spacey quality. The video includes a montage of twinkling stars, swirling beams of light, bright nebulas, and atmospheric clouds. In quick flashes, Young reveals the lyrics to the loving song:

“When the sun goes down, and the lights burn out /  Then it’s time for you to shine / Brighter than the shooting star / So shine no matter where you are / Fill the darkest night, with a brilliant light / Cause it’s time for you to shine / Brighter than a shooting star / So shine no matter where you are, tonight.”

Stay tuned for more updates on Owl City’s latest, still-in-the-works LP. In the meantime, head over to iTunes or Amazon to download the ‘Shooting Star’ single, and check out the lyric video below!

Watch the Owl City ‘Shooting Star’ Lyric Video

Source: PopCrush.com

Paramount

A new poster from the Katy Perry biopic ‘Katy Perry: Part of Me’ has been revealed. The simple images shares a lot about the films rags-to-riches, dream-to-reality story.

A teenage (dream) Perry is in her girlish bedroom, singing into a hairbrush in front of the mirror like most youngins with rock star aspirations often do behind closed doors. She’s wearing a typical teen uniform of a cute mini-skirt and and thigh-high socks, with a record player at her feet. As for the image reflected in the mirror? It’s the blue-haired, strawberry dress-wearing diva, performing before her adoring crowd.

It’s Katy, then and now.

‘Katy Perry: Part of Me’ is a 3D spectacle, reportedly sans all footage of estranged (and soon to be ex) hubby Russell Brand. It hits theaters on July 5 when most of you will be BBQing and swilling beer or lemonade (if you are under 21) in celebration of the country’s independence.

Still, you can inject a little candy-coated color and sugary sweetness into your life by seeing the movie. It’s an intimate look at Katy Hudson becoming Katy Perry, the pop starlet you love to love.

Watch the ‘Katy Perry: Part of Me’ Trailer

Source: PopCrush.com

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Oh Internet, you are a coy mistress regarding information, especially when it comes to the status of the graduating cast members of ‘Glee‘ that aren’t Rachel Berry! Rumors abound, based off tweets and comments issued by the actors themselves, that Dianna Agron, Amber Riley and more are no longer on the show.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, says creator Ryan Murphy. Not so fast, keyboard ninjas. Murphy came clean about who’s staying and who’s going. He shot down the rampant digital speculation, telling Vulture that “a lot of people have been writing Dianna’s off the show, Amber’s off the show — they’re not off the show.”

Gleeks can heave a collective sigh of relief.

The Murph took it upon himself to speculate about what Riley meant when she tweeted about missing the familiarity of the show’s setting, saying, “I think Amber was talking about that bittersweet feeling of, ‘I’ll never be in the choir room with that exact group of people.’ At least that’s what she told me … When I read that [tweet,] I said, ‘I think people will misconstrue that.’ She’s excited about where her character is going,” Murphy insisted. “They all are. I wanted to do the right thing by all of them.”

Murphy is a democratic and diplomatic leader, who governs ‘Glee’ with a bit of an emotional velvet glove, as it has become a family for him. “We had a meeting, and you know we’ve become like a family, and I said to them, ‘Anybody who wants to stay on the show will stay on the show,’” he confessed. “Anyone who is a regular is coming back. Everyone said ‘Yes.’”

Can we get a “Woo hoo?”

Why yes, yes we can. However, coming back isn’t clarified for “how long.” Not every character will appear in every episode or even half of the full episode order. “It doesn’t mean everyone will be doing 22 episodes, but everyone wants to stay in our family and our world,’” Murphy clarified. “I wanted to make sure those actors know that if they want to have a home, they have a home. If they want to explore new and different things while also having a home, that is also an option.”

What a terrific employment situation that is! Not many bosses will tell you the door is open and that you can walk through either side and come back freely and at will.

[button href="http://popcrush.com/glee-goodbye-preview/" title="Watch the 'Glee' 'Goodbye' Preview" align="center"]

Source: PopCrush.com

YouTube

On tonight’s (May 17) results episode of ‘American Idol,’ which determined the Top 2 for Season 11, Joshua Ledet was eliminated and sent home. It’s the end of the road for Ledet on ‘Idol,’ but don’t fret for him. He will likely be scooped up to an Interscope record deal courtesy of show mentor Jimmy Iovine as soon as he gets backstage and has a second to breathe.

Much like Adam Lambert, who performed on tonight’s episode and placed second during his season, this is not the last we will hear from JL.

Ledet was certainly a consistent judge’s favorite, grabbing standing Os with great frequency, as well as being an audience fave. He was a PopCrush fave, too, for the way he would rip off his jackets while performing. It was a charming move.

For his ‘Idol’ stage swan song, he sang ‘It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World,’ reminding us why he made it to the Top 3 of Season 11 in the first place.

With Joshua Ledet eliminated, that means Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips will go head-to-head and voice- to-voice on next week’s two-episode finale, which takes place on Tuesday, May 22 and Wednesday, May 23, respectively.

It’s going to be quite the battle between those two, since she’s the powerhouse diva and he’s the outstanding artist that pretty much owns the female vote. It’ll be interesting, that’s for sure.

[button href="http://popcrush.com/get-to-know-american-idol-star-joshua-ledet/" title="Get to Know Joshua Ledet" align="center"]

Source: PopCrush.com

Realtor.com / Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images

It looks like Ryan Seacrest is moving in with Ellen Degeneres… well, into her old house at least. TMZ reports that the ‘American Idol‘ host and radio personality bought Degeneres’ estate, where she resided with wife and actress Portia de Rossi, in Beverly Hills for a cool $39 million.

That’s definitely not chump change, even for a media mogul like Seacrest. According to Forbes, Seacrest made around $59 million last year — but the luxurious pad seems to be worth every penny. And in some ways, it was a steal, since Degeneres had listed the pad for $49 million.

The main house, which is roughly 9,200 square feet, sits on nearly three acres of sprawling property that boasts a koi fish pond, an outdoor swimming pool and three other (presumably guest) houses. The house itself is as gorgeous as the landscape, with an extremely large gym (the size of a “large health club,” according to TMZ), an outdoor patio, three bedrooms, and windows all around. It’s like a tranquil oasis in the middle of the bustling city of Los Angeles.

This posh estate is really making its rounds amongst the stars. Before Degeneres and de Rossi moved in, the house belonged to ‘Will and Grace’ producer Max Mutchnick. Degeneres and de Rossi bought the surrounding land, but ended up losing money on improving the estate’s beauty and vastness.

We wonder if Seacrest is making room for his sweetie Julianne Hough. The two have been hot and heavy since spring 2010, so we wouldn’t be surprised! Check out some photos of Seacrest’s new home below.

Realtor.com

Realtor.com

Realtor.com

Realtor.com

Source: PopCrush.com

Kevin Winter, Getty Images

After months of auditions, amazing performances, millions of votes and plenty of tears, American Idol is down to its final two.

Phillip Phillips from Leesburg, Ga., and Jessica Sanchez, from Chula Vista, Calif., will sing for the final time Tuesday, May 22, to see who will become the next American Idol.

That meant the soulful Joshua Ledet from Louisiana was sent home Thursday in the second-to-last week of the show.

It’s an incredible turnaround for Jessica Sanchez, who was eliminated last month by the voters, but judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler decided to use their save on the 16-year-old singer.

Now, she’s in the final two against the Dave Matthews-esque Phillip Phillips, who stole the show Wednesday when he closed the episode with Bob Seger’s “We’ve Got Tonight” — easy one of the best performances of Season 11.

Now, you tell us:

Kevin Winter, Getty Images

‘American Idol‘ alum Adam Lambert brought his glam fabulosity to the stage on tonight’s (May 17) elimination episode. He performed his new single ‘Never Close Our Eyes’ from his brand new platter ‘Trespassing.’ Oh, Glambert, there are few as stylish as you. And you know what? You always hit the notes, too.

First, the fashion. The loud and proud singer’s earrings matched his bright fluorescent yellow t-shirt, which looked like the clothing equivalent of a highlighter that college students use to mark up textbooks. Even so, he made it look stylin’. Glambs paired the bright yellow shirt (and earrings) with black leather trousers and a shimmery grey blazer. While he has been rocking more tame hair in photo shoots and appearances lately, it was full on Glambert hair tonight. Big, bold, beautiful and blackened!

Now, for the song. He infused it with lots of high-energy wails and exuded some seriously infectious energy while he danced and sang. We admit it. We were grooving on the couch. Lambert has tons and tons of stage presence and loads of star power, which is a combo that many artists want but don’t have. It’s authentic and his music feels good. He was born to get on that stage and entertain and we love his dramatic, flamboyant voice.

Hard to believe he didn’t win his season, which was Season 8. He lost to Kris Allen, for those keeping score at home. But even though he wasn’t an official ‘Idol,’ he still has had a super hot career and he didn’t need that title to get where he is.

Source: PopCrush.com

Andreas Rentz, Getty Images

‘Rock of Ages‘ star Tom Cruise, who turns 50 in July, celebrated the milestone by appearing in next month’s issue of Playboy.

No no, not as a model (though wouldn’t that be unique) but as an interview subject, talking about his family, his religious beliefs, and having a stable of high-powered attorneys ready to attack.

On the latter subject, Cruise told the magazine while he’s able to ignore a lot of the gossip that swirls about him, there does come a point at which it goes too far.

“You start with a letter saying, ‘Okay, you know it’s not true. Apologize,’” he said. “But with certain ones you have to go, ‘Okay, you crossed a line, and now you have the attention of my lawyers.’ [laughs] When it involves your kids, you have to go, ‘Here’s the line.’”

Some of the more salacious things written about him involve his often vocal devotion to Scientology, but he says he’s in a no-win situation when it comes to talking about it: “If I don’t talk about my religion, if I say I’m not discussing it or different humanitarian things I’m working on, they’re like, ‘He’s avoiding it.’ If I do talk about it, it becomes, ‘Oh, he’s proselytizing.’”

But one thing he is willing to talk about is his wife, actress Katie Holmes, whom he calls “funny and charming.”

“When she walks into the room, I just feel better,” he said. “[She's] an extraordinary person, and if you spent five minutes with her, you’d see it. Everything she does, she does with this beautiful creativity.”

Professionally, he says ‘Rock of Ages’ was a special challenge, and that to prep for the role of rocker Stacee Jaxx, he often spent up to five hours a day with a vocal coach who also works with Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose.

“He was an opera singer who taught me how to control my voice,” the actor said. “It’s like learning a new sport or a skill for a character. I had to find out how to move air through the vocal cords and where to place it in my head, in the chest. It’s something you have to do every day to strengthen your voice.”

But even after having a taste of the rock star life, he’s not ready to abandon films for music.

“Making movies is all I ever wanted to do,” he said. “But when I look at Bono, Springsteen, Bon Jovi or Axl Rose and hear the songs they wrote and how they perform them and the life they have, I have a greater appreciation. It takes so much work to get to that level.”

Source: ScreenCrush.com

booleansplit, Flickr

When you’re buying sunscreen, do you look for words like ‘waterproof,’ ‘sweatproof’ and ‘sunblock?’ If so, don’t bother — they may not be as bulletproof as they seem.

Last year, the FDA mandated that sunscreen manufacturers had to stop using the above descriptions because no product is truly waterproof or sweatproof, and even the best sunscreens don’t completely block harmful rays. And although the ban was supposed to be in place this summer, makers now have until this winter to comply.

Products claiming to be ‘waterproof’ or ‘sweatproof’ will have to prove it with standard testing and state exactly how long a product will stay on the skin after being exposed to water or perspiration.

In addition, terms like ‘sunblock’ will be replaced with ‘broad spectrum’ as long as a product has an SPF rating of at least 15 and protects the user from both UVA rays (associated with skin cancer) and UVB rays (which can cause sunburn).

That said, sunscreens on the shelves are still effective and the FDA encourages their use, saying, “The ingredients in FDA-approved sunscreens marketed today have been used for many years, and FDA has no reason to believe these products are not safe.”

[Time]