Playlist

It may be hard to believe, but Neil Diamond just snagged his first No. 1 album -- ever. That's right, folks. With 146,000 copies sold during its first week in stores, according to Nielsen SoundScan, Mr. Diamond's critically lauded Home Before Dark enters Billboard's album charts at the pinnacle. Dark is the enduring singer, songwriter and showman's second stripped-down disc produced by Rick Rubin.

This needs no lengthy introduction.

From Dolly Parton's California-based publicist: "Dolly Parton today expressed outrage over the airing of a segment on the Howard Stern radio show whereby her speaking voice was electronically manipulated to create racist and sexually vulgar comments. Here is her statement:"

"I have never been so shocked, hurt and humiliated in all my life. I cannot believe what Howard Stern has done to me. In a blue million years, I would never have such vulgar things come out of my mouth. They have done editing or some sort of trickery to make this horrible, horrible thing. Please accept my apology for them and certainly know I had nothing to do with this. If there was ever going to be a lawsuit, it's going to be over this. Just wanted you to know that I am completely devastated by this."
--Dolly Parton

It takes a lot to get Dolly Parton this riled up. Apparently recordings from one of Ms. Parton's audio books were manipulated last week, according to Billboard.com. So, did anybody hear this Howard Stern segment? If so, let us know.

On Tuesday, rapper Remy Ma was sentenced to 8 years in prison for shooting a former friend the the abdomen over a missing $3000.00 and because her fiance, mix-tape rapper, Papoose, tried to smuggle a handcuff key into the jail for Remy, he is banned from visiting her for 6 months.

In court, the hard-core rapper tried playing down her occupation to get leniency in sentencing, telling the judge, "....Reporters and newspapers have called me a 'hardcore rapper,' a 'hip-hop harlot'--Remy Ma is just a music industry name. A facade. I'm not a thug. I'm not a hardcore anything. I have feelings. I'm Remy Smith--No, I'm Remy Mackie. I'm a wife, mother, daughter and big sister."

Did the judge buy it? Keep reading....

Apparently, I wasn't the only one annoyed by the onstage camera crew during Grace Potter's set opening for the Black Crowes at Taste Addison:
Reader Kevin Pike writes: "Nice take on the clueless cameraman at the Grace Potter show Saturday night! We were all wondering the same thing ... I could not believe the guy was standing right in front of her blocking everyone's view. She is quite a musician and I really enjoy their disc; different from so much of what is out today."
To see a video of Grace & the Nocturnals in action, click here.