All About Jazz — Los Angeles, CA - Jonathan Richman has announced a new run of shows with drummer Tommy Larkins. These twenty-seven shows, including a four-night residence in Austin, TX and a three-night stand at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY will ki... more info

Guardian Music — American singer-songwriter acclaimed for his raw, uncompromising lyricsThe singer-songwriter Vic Chesnutt, who has died aged 45 after an overdose of muscle relaxants, was a veteran presence in the independent, rather than the mainstream, music charts... more info

The Independent — On December 10, the Recording Academy of the US announced its Special Merit Awards, which honor lifetime contributions to American recording. Among the wide range of 2009 honorees, who will be celebrated during 2010 Grammy week, are Michael Jackson, ... more info

Mercury News, California — Leonard Cohen, En Vogue were also highlights in a strong year for live music. more info

Fantastic Weapon — I get really, really skeptical when bands who send me music to review list REALLY GOOD artists under their "Influences." So I was immediately expecting an aural atrocity when I visited Daddy Lion's myspace page and they had the following artists list... more info

Stopcryingyourheartout.com — Rock legend and Big Issue cover star Bob Dylan has revealed Robert Burns' song 'A Red, Red Rose' is his most inspirational track, on a celebrity calendar to raise cash for CLIC Sargent.The singer is one of 18 celebrities who have revealed whch song h... more info

Guardian Music — Cowell locks horns with weekly mag and responds to musicians' criticism of The X FactorIn a wheeze that may come to be ranked up there with former editor Steve Sutherland's August 1995 cover boosting the Blur v Oasis showdown, the NME tomorrow splash... more info

Guardian Music — A massive ballad about positivity is a pretty safe choice for Joe McElderry's song, but did X Factor producers have to cover a song that was so recent?Joe McElderry has a great deal to look forward to in the coming months, not least a style overhaul ... more info

Yahoo! Music UK — world entertainment news - The late King of Pop Michael Jackson and Leonard Cohen are among the musicians set to receive a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement. more info

MTV.com News — Jackson's brothers would like to be involved in a tribute, if it takes place.By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Matt Elias Michael Jackson Photo: Peter Still/ Getty Images Michael Jackson will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award f... more info