ContactMusic — Singer Dean Martins daughter has put Johnny Depp at the top of her wish list to portray her father in an upcoming biopic Deana Martins memoir Memories Are Made of This is set for a big screen movie adaption directed by Joe Mantegna... more info

Guardian Music — In our ongoing series, we've explored the music of France, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Belgium – and now it's the turn of Italy, from political pop to Euro houseDespite its European neighbours still clinging to lazy cliches about ov... more info

WFMU's Beware of the Blog — by Casey Dewey Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Evel Knievel What's on Network Awesome today? Brave - 1. Willing to face danger, pain, or trouble; not afraid; having courage 2. showing to good effect; having a fine appearance 3. fine, grand,... more info

ContactMusic — A collection of signed photographs of stars including Marilyn Monroe and Dean Martin obtained by a traffic cop in lieu of speeding tickets is set to go under the hammer in Los Angeles Motorcycle officer Roy Garrett let a string of superstars off for ... more info

Guardian Music — 1953: This piece of escapism was the perfect antidote to the drudgery and austerity of life in 1950s BritainJo Stafford became the first female vocalist to have a UK No 1 with her take on this much-covered ballad (Dean Martin's version reached number... more info

Guardian Music — Fancy some Purple Stew cooked in a Melting Pot, washed down with some Alligator Wine? Then tuck into this week's playlistWe asked you to nominate some songs that take the form of recipes. And – would you believe? Many of them turn out not to be abo... more info

CNN Showbiz — Bob Greene says the crooner's tunes are still ubiquitous, working their magic even years after his death, their calm vibe like a muscle relaxant more info

L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — Musician Billy Strange dies at 81 in Nashville. Billy Strange wrote songs for, arranged or played on hundreds of recordings for Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Dean Martin and many others. more info

Time — I’m a Christmas music traditionalist. Whereas I happily seek out new bands and explore new music throughout the year (and not just because it’s my job), around the holidays I become so conservative, so unyielding in my song choices — it’s Bin... more info

Guardian Music — Save your virtual breath. There is nothing you can say to stop me rejoicing in mistletoe and wine slung in with Christian rhymeThere's a bit in A Passage to India where two missionaries discuss who would be allowed into God's heaven. Humans, black or... more info