AP - Although rapper Nas received backlash over his racial epithet-titled album before switching it to "Untitled," he says earning a Grammy nomination for his controversial disc encouraged him to keep speaking his mind.

AP - The Grammy survived, as did the pictures autographed by Elvis Presley and several presidents. Even Jimmy Dean's gold record for his spoken word sensation, "Big Bad John," was scooped up before a devastating fire gutted the entertainer's riverfront estate in Virginia.

AP - The music industry isn't recession proof, with many industry stars seeing their fortunes fade during the past year, according to a study by a British newspaper.

AP - It's opening day of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and trumpeter-composer Wynton Marsalis is set to take the stage.

AP - Opening statements have begun in a civil trial against Snoop Dogg by a man who says the rapper and his entourage severely beat him in 2005.

AP - Panamanian reggaeton sensation Flex won eight awards, and Spanish pop singer Enrique Iglesias took home six at the Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday night.

AP - The economy is scary, jobs are disappearing and taxes are going up. But Britain is buzzing over something else — Susan Boyle's new hairdo.

AP - Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift will perform during the Country Music Television awards show June 17.

E! Online - Has she had her eyebrows done or not?

E! Online - Did your fellow countrymen and women do you proud tonight?

Reuters - For a musician who claims to live a leisurely existence, British rocker Jeff Lynne has plenty of projects on his plate.