AP - The opening note of Bernd Alois Zimmermann's "Die Soldaten" has to be the most moving in opera when heard in David Pountney's production: The 974-seat bleacher containing the audience slowly starts to roll down train tracks in the Park Avenue Armory's Drill Hall, passing over a football field-length runway where most of the action takes place.

AP - The Essence Music Festival wraps up its 14th year with musical performances Sunday in the Louisiana Superdome, headlined by Grammy Award-winner Mary J. Blige and comedian Chris Rock but that was not the only draw for thousands of festival goers.

Reuters - It's summer and it's hot, but even so, Faith Hill is quick to warm up to talk about Christmas.

Reuters - Christmas came early for Sheryl Crow this year, thanks to a holiday album that will go on sale in Hallmark Gold Crown stores in September.

Reuters - Things are starting to get "a little bit" sentimental around the Bon Jovi camp as the New Jersey rockers enter the home stretch of their 2007-08 world tour, according to guitarist Richie Sambora.

E! Online - Teen sensation Miley Cyrus headlined the "America's Freedom Festival" in Provo, Utah, on the Fourth of July.

AP - DETROIT (AP) — Singer-guitarist Jack White has penned a poem expressing his strong feelings for Detroit to clear up any misconceptions about how the White Stripes frontman feels about his hometown.

E! Online - He might be MIA, but that doesn't stop trouble from finding Eminem.

E! Online - With rumors spreading like wildfire, perhaps the best thing to do is spread some more...kinda like firemen setting a backfire to sap a blaze's energy. Maybe that's John Mayer's strategy, because he told the crowd at his St. Louis show last night:

E! Online - Don't pull out the polyester and platforms just yet, folks. It was just for a movie premiere.

E! Online - It remains to be seen whether New Edition and New Kids on the Block teaming up will be a super group or more of a stupor group. But whatever happens, it's all gravy to a suddenly philosophical Bobby Brown, who now sees getting kicked out of New Edition years ago as a good thing when viewed in the rearview mirror:

E! Online - Ian Curtis wasn't around long but he left quite an impression.

AP - Soul diva Amy Winehouse sipped from a glass of red wine and looked a bit unsteady on her feet as she appeared in front of a large audience at the Rock in Rio music festival southeast of Madrid on Friday.

E! Online - It remains to be seen whether New Edition and New Kids on the Block teaming up will be a super group or more of a stupor group. But whatever happens, it's all gravy to a suddenly philosophical Bobby Brown, who now sees getting kicked out of New Edition years ago as a good thing when viewed in the rearview mirror: