NEW YORK (Reuters) – Singer-songwriter Carole King will be honored as the 2014 MusiCares Person of the Year for a career spanning nearly six decades and her charitable and philanthropic work at a tribute early next year, The Recording Academy, which hands out the Grammy Awards, said on Thursday. Lady Gaga, Bette Midler and James Taylor will perform at the gala in Los Angeles on January 24, two nights before the Grammys. …

By Piya Sinha-Roy LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Australian country singer Keith Urban beat out Canadian The Weeknd in a tight race to No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart on Wednesday. Urban's latest album, "Fuse," sold 98,000 copies in its first week according to figures from Nielsen SoundScan, while The Weeknd's debut studio album "Kiss Land" sold more than 95,000 units, leaving the R&B artist less than 3,000 shy of the top spot. Rapper 2 Chainz landed at No. 3 this week with his latest record "B.O.A.T.S II #METIME," while soul-pop singer Janelle Monae entered the chart at No. …

By Sue Zeidler LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – At 66 years old, Elton John says he can make whatever kind of music he wants, regardless of commercial pressure, but he professes to love what young musicians are doing today. At a rare free concert in Los Angeles on Monday night, John told the audience that it's time to turn over the spotlight to younger artists, even as he prepares to release his 30th solo studio album "The Diving Board." "I (my music) don't play on the radio. It's other people's turn. …

White Iris Records president Daron Hollowell talks about the just-released soundtrack and how the comedian-podcaster informs the musical tone of the IFC show.

The actor, who appears in the upcoming “Snowpiercer,” is making his music debut with the album “Sprinter,” described as “a foray into David Bowie territory.”

Zosia Mamet and her sister Clara together form The Cabin Sisters, who are seeking to raise $32,000 for their indie project.

The song selection process also involves input from Lena Dunham and exec producer Judd Apatow.

Fueled by Ramen Records will release "Girls – Volume 1" on Jan. 8, five days before season two of the HBO hit premieres.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Irish rocker and anti-poverty campaigner Bono will appeal to Democrats and Republicans during a visit to Washington this week to spare U.S. development assistance programs from cuts as Congress tries to avert the looming "fiscal cliff" of tax hikes and spending reductions early next year. The U2 lead singer's visit comes as the Obama administration and congressional leaders try to forge a deal in coming weeks to avoid the economy hitting the "fiscal cliff" – tax increases and spending cuts worth $600 billion starting in January if Congress does not act. …

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Irish rocker and anti-poverty campaigner Bono will appeal to Democrats and Republicans during a visit to Washington this week to spare U.S. development assistance programs from cuts as Congress tries to avert the looming "fiscal cliff" of tax hikes and spending reductions early next year. The U2 lead singer's visit comes as the Obama administration and congressional leaders try to forge a deal in coming weeks to avoid the economy hitting the "fiscal cliff" – tax increases and spending cuts worth $600 billion starting in January if Congress does not act. …

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Irish rocker and anti-poverty campaigner Bono will appeal to Democrats and Republicans during a visit to Washington this week to spare U.S. development assistance programs from cuts as Congress tries to avert the looming "fiscal cliff" of tax hikes and spending reductions early next year. The U2 lead singer's visit comes as the Obama administration and congressional leaders try to forge a deal in coming weeks to avoid the economy hitting the "fiscal cliff" – tax increases and spending cuts worth $600 billion starting in January if Congress does not act. …

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Irish rocker and anti-poverty campaigner Bono will appeal to Democrats and Republicans during a visit to Washington this week to spare U.S. development assistance programs from cuts as Congress tries to avert the looming "fiscal cliff" of tax hikes and spending reductions early next year. The U2 lead singer's visit comes as the Obama administration and congressional leaders try to forge a deal in coming weeks to avoid the economy hitting the "fiscal cliff" – tax increases and spending cuts worth $600 billion starting in January if Congress does not act. …