AP-AM Prep-Music

MORNING PREP - MORNING PREP - MORNING PREP - MORNING PREP

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! MUSIC !

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MUSIC FANS MARK 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH OF KURT COBAIN

UNDATED (AP) — Twenty years ago this weekend, Kurt Cobain chose to end his life. An electrician found Cobain's body with a shotgun at his Seattle home on April 8, 1994. A coroner's report later estimated Cobain probably died on April 5. Cobain did not like to be referred to as the spokesman for Generation X, but his influence is still felt today. Win Butler of Arcade Fire says Nirvana's "In Utero" album is a constant source of inspiration. He calls "All Apologies" ''one of the most beautiful songs ever written."

SOUND:

<<CUT *029 (04/04/14)>> 00:35 "''

Margie Szaroleta (zar-oh-LEH'-tah)

This weekend marks 20 years since the death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. AP music correspondent Margie Szaroleta takes a look back. ((opens with music))

<<CUT *030 (04/04/14)>> 00:19 "songs ever written"

Margie Szaroleta (zar-oh-LEH'-tah)

Szaroleta reports Kurt Cobain influenced musicians that had come before him and those who came after.

<<CUT *034 (04/04/14)>> 00:49 "''

Nirvana

Nirvana performing "All Apologies."

<<CUT *033 (04/04/14)>> 00:47 "''

Nirvana

Nirvana performing "Smells Like Teen Spirit."

<<CUT *032 (04/04/14)>> 00:04 "inside the house"

Vinette Vichi spokeswoman for Seattle Police Department

In this archive audio from April 1994, Seattle Police spokeswoman Vinette Vichi announces Kurt Cobain left a clue about his death.

<<CUT *031 (04/04/14)>> 00:15 "to the head"

Vinette Vichi spokeswoman for Seattle Police Department

In this archive audio from April 1994, Seattle Police spokeswoman Vinette Vichi announces Kurt Cobain's body was found by an electrician.

MUSICIANS REMEMBER KURT COBAIN ON 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH

UNDATED (AP) — Beck knew there was something unusual about the band whose frontman walked on stage giving the middle finger while looking both playful and menacing. It was three years before "Nevermind" came out and Beck says the audience at that Nirvana show erupted in a way he had never seen before. Billie Joe Armstrong says he recalls hearing "Nevermind" and thinking, "We've finally got our Beatles, this era finally got our Beatles." Win Butler says the social dynamic at his junior high school in Texas changed with "Nevermind," because the misfit kids "socially were in a weird way on the same level as everyone else." Neil Young says he wishes he could have told Cobain to take a break and not worry about people who were pushing him to do things he didn't want to do. Young says he almost got the chance but it didn't happen.

MIKE MILLS GETS THE SCOOP ON DAVID LETTERMAN'S RETIREMENT

NEW YORK (AP) — Who broke the news of David Letterman's retirement? Former REM bassist Mike Mills. He and Joseph Arthur happened to be the musical guests on Letterman's show when Letterman made the announcement, so Mills tweeted the news. Mills noted there were probably 300 people in the audience, so if he didn't tweet it, one of them would have.

ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS SET FOR SUNDAY

LAS VEGAS (AP) — There will be awards, all right. But there will also be a lot of performances when the Academy of Country Music holds its annual awards ceremony on Sunday. Among those set to sing at the event include Dierks Bentley, Sheryl Crow, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker and Rascal Flatts. And those are just the ones announced by producers this week. Others to take the stage include Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Shakira, George Strait, The Band Perry and Florida Georgia Line. The show airs on CBS.

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Sound:

<<CUT *039 (04/04/14)>> 00:36 "''

Oscar Wells Gabriel AP Music Correspondent

One country star will be looking to add to her already-impressive totals at the Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday. Details from AP Music Correspondent Oscar Wells Gabriel.

<<CUT *040 (04/04/14)>> 00:17 "featuring Lady Antebellum"

Oscar Wells Gabriel

AP Music Correspondent Oscar Wells Gabriel reports there are some big name stars up for top single at the ACMs.

<<CUT *041 (04/04/14)>> 00:16 "and Taylor Swift"

Oscar Wells Gabriel

AP Music Correspondent Oscar Wells Gabriel reports the artist of the year honor at the ACMs features a family battle.

MIRANDA LAMBERT IS "TOTAL-LY" SHOCKED AT ACM HAUL

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Miranda Lambert says she finds it hard to believe she has even been eligible for 15 ACM awards — much less won that many in her career. But it's true. Lambert says she was shocked when she read the total in the script of a promo she did for Sunday's ceremony. When she asked if it was an exaggeration, she was told no. She still didn't believe it until she went home and counted her awards. After setting aside the ones her husband Blake Shelton won, she saw only 10. But she says she realized she hasn't gotten them all yet. Lambert says she hopes fans aren't tired of her — and that her success at the ACMs will continue Sunday. She says she voted for herself — but always feels uncomfortable about that.

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Sound:

<<CUT *047 (04/04/14)>> 00:17 "''

Sound of MIranda Lambert

Here's a bit of Miranda Lambert performing her latest hit, "Mama's Broken Heart."

<<CUT *046 (04/04/14)>> 00:12 "someone else altogether"

MIranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert says she feels funny about it, but she will be voting for herself for an ACM.

<<CUT *045 (04/04/14)>> 00:07 "having a blast"

MIranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert says she hopes her success at the ACMs continues.

<<CUT *044 (04/04/14)>> 00:06 "them. That's crazy!"

MIranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert says she still can't believe she has racked up that many ACMs.

<<CUT *043 (04/04/14)>> 00:13 "couldn't believe it"

MIranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert says she had to do some checking at home to confirm she really had won 15 ACMs.

<<CUT *042 (04/04/14)>> 00:14 "it is 15"

MIranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert says she had trouble believing she had won as many ACMs, even though it was in a script she did to promote the awards show on Sunday.

2 CHAINZ HIT WITH FELONY DRUG RAP

LOS ANGELES (AP) — "Syrup" has landed 2 Chainz in a sticky legal mess. Prosecutors in Los Angeles have charged him with felony drug possession. The charge comes after the rapper's arrest last June at LAX. He was busted after airport officials reported finding codeine — a key ingredient in "sizzurp" — in his checked baggage. For those unfamiliar, "sizzurp" is prescription-strength cough syrup in large doses, mixed with soft drink and often hard candy. His publicist says the rapper has no comment on the charges he now faces.

CHRIS BROWN UNDER FEDERAL CUSTODY FOR MOVE TO D.C. FOR TRIAL

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chris Brown is now in the custody of U.S. marshals. The singer was turned over to the Feds so he could be in Washington D.C. next week for his misdemeanor assault trial. The transfer came on Wednesday — the day before a hearing during which his attorney wanted to ask that he take custody of Brown so they could prepare for the D.C. trial. Brown and his bodyguard are accused of punching a man in the face outside a hotel last fall, breaking the man's nose. Brown's lawyer will argue Monday that the assault charge be dismissed.

JANELLE MONAE PROMOTING SOCCER, PEPSI

RIO DE JANIERO, Brazil (AP) — Janelle Monae's (moh-NAYZ') promotion deal with Pepsi has taken her to Rio De Janiero and other spots overseas — to shoot a spot. The commercial is designed to promote both soccer and the soft drink — through a character named Stony, who travels the world meeting famous soccer players — or football stars as they're known in most of the rest of the world. Monae contributes to the soundtrack for the ad, doing a remake of David Bowie's "Heroes." She says Bowie is "just the coolest artist out there" and Heroes is one of her favorite Bowie songs. And the fact that she got to cover it was "truly a dream" — especially since they let her put her own stamp on the song. The full version of the song is available on iTunes.

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Sound:

<<CUT *038 (04/04/14)>> 00:23 "''

Except of Pepsi ad featuring Janelle Monae

Here's a bit of the Pepsi ad featuring Janelle Monae covering David Bowie's "Heroes."

<<CUT *037 (04/04/14)>> 00:14 "truly a dream"

Janelle Monae

Janelle Monae says she felt free to put a lot of herself in the Pepsi ad, in which she covers a David Bowie song she likes.

<<CUT *036 (04/04/14)>> 00:10 "something this big"

Janelle Monae

Janelle Monae says it was great that the promotional gig with Pepsi came together the way it did.

<<CUT *035 (04/04/14)>> 00:07 "energy was magnetic"

Janelle Monae

Janelle Monae says she was drawn to the character she works with in a video she did with Pepsi to promote soccer.

''AMERICAN IDOL" KEEPS SAM WOOLF

LOS ANGELES (AP) — You would have thought Sam Woolf had just won "American Idol" instead of getting the judges' save. When Jennifer Lopez announced they would save Woolf from elimination, the other contestants rushed the stage and confetti dropped from the ceiling. Woolf had the fewest number of votes this week. Malaya (mah-LY'-ah) Watson and CJ Harris were also in the bottom three.

SOUND:

<<CUT *016 (04/04/14)>> 00:17 "you are safe"

Ryan Seacrest

Host Ryan Seacrest announces the results that saw Sam Woolf, Malaya Watson and CJ Harris in the bottom three this week. COURTESY: Fox ((mandatory on-air credit))

<<CUT *017 (04/04/14)>> 00:28 "''

Sam Woolf, performing "Babylon"

Sam Woolf, performing "Babylon." COURTESY: Fox ((mandatory on-air credit))

<<CUT *018 (04/04/14)>> 00:04 "the save tonight (cheers)"

Jennifer Lopez

J-Lo has good news for Sam Woolf, who faced elimination. COURTESY: Fox ((mandatory on-air credit))

JACK WHITE PLANS WORLD'S FASTEST RELEASED RECORD

NASHVILLE (AP) — Jack White will mark Record Store Day by attempting what he calls the World's Fastest Released Record. White will take the stage at his Third Man Records in Nashville on April 19 to record a live version of the title track to his upcoming album, "Lazaretto." The masters will be taken to United Record Pressing, which will press 45s. Sleeves will be printed based on photos taken during White's performance. Fans will be able to buy the completed product in a matter of hours. United will continue to press copies as long as there are fans in line to buy it, but only on that day.

DON EVERLY REMEMBERS HIS BROTHER PHIL

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Don Everly of The Everly Brothers thinks of Phil every day -- but he always did. Everly tells The Los Angeles Times he thought about Phil daily even when they were not speaking to each other. He says he's still shocked that Phil is gone. Phil died in January of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after decades of smoking. Don says it was almost like they could read each other's minds when they sang. He says he always assumed he'd be the first to go because he's older.

MADONNA TAPS MILEY CYRUS TO CURATE ART FOR FREEDOM

UNDATED (AP) — Madonna has chosen Miley Cyrus to be a guest curator for the Art For Freedom project. They will collaborate to select daily submissions to be showcased on the Art For Freedom Web site, which features public art that focuses on human rights. Madonna says she and Cyrus look forward to hearing from artists expressing themselves on the subject of human rights and freedom of speech. Cyrus says Art For Freedom is an ideal home for seeing how everyone can participate in changing the world for the better.

COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME PLANS CEREMONY FOR EXPANSION OPENING

NASHVILLE (AP) — Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Lee Ann Womack and Buddy Miller will help the Country Music Hall of Fame celebrate the opening of its expansion. They will perform at a grand reopening ceremony on April 15 that's open to the public. The museum will open 10,000 square feet of new exhibit space that will include a hands-on interactive display about current country music and a window on museum staff working on actual archival projects.

TONI BRAXTON WILL PLAY DARLENE LOVE IN TV MOVIE

NEW YORK (AP) — Toni Braxton will play Darlene Love in a made-for-TV movie for the Oprah Winfrey Network. "My Name Is Love: The Darlene Love Story" will premiere in December. Love will be an executive producer.

VYBZ KARTEL SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Dancehall reggae star Vybz Kartel will be prison for life. A Jamaican judge handed down the sentence yesterday for Kartel and three other men. All were convicted last month of the 2011 murder of Clive "Lizard" Williams, an associate. Police in riot gear kept an eye over barricaded streets outside the courthouse in downtown Kingston, Jamaica. Some fans screamed in anguish when word of the life sentencing came.

by Margie Szaroleta and Oscar Wells Gabriel II

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