About Top 40 / Pop

Artist in the Wings - VersaEmerge

2009-07-02T20:54:09Z

It looks like all the pieces are in place for the band VersaEmerge to rise into the pop spotlight. Female lead vocalist Sierra Kusterbeck adds a sound familiar to those of the band Paramore. The group are signed to the label Fueled By Ramen who are quick approaching legendary status for introducing us to acts ranging from Fall Out Boy to Gym Class Heroes. Alternative Press featured the group as one of the top 100 artists to know. Most importantly, perhaps, the band is generating fan appreciation through appearing on this summer's Vans Warped Tour.

VersaEmerge's most recent self-titled EP appeared in February this year and has made some headway on Billboard's nationwide heatseekers chart. VersaEmerge are eager to show fans just what they can do. �We know that this is going to be the best year of our lives,� says drummer Anthony Martone, �and it�s going to be the hardest working year of our lives, too.�

Watch "Past Praying For"

_{Photo by GageYoung, courtesy Atlantic Records}

Whitney Houston's "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" Leaks

2009-07-02T18:02:45Z

Whitney Houston is back and the voice is unmistakably hers, but some fans are already thinking that powerful instrument has been greatly diminished. "I Didn't Know My Own Strength," the expected first single from the upcoming album I Look To You, has leaked on to the Internet. It was produced by David Foster. The ballad style is similar to hits of her past, and the lyrics seem relevant to Whitney Houston's life experience, but we miss those incredible soaring moments when her voice really takes off. What do you think? Listen below while available, and let us know your opinion on the return of Whitney Houston.

Listen to "I Didn't Know My Own Strength"

Kevin Jonas of the Jonas Brothers Is Engaged

2009-07-02T17:47:07Z

It was welcomed with a hearty Twitter message, "Congrats big brother.....Dani welcome to the family, we can't wait to have you join us on the road! love Joe and Nick." Yesterday People magazine broke the story that 21 year old Kevin Jonas of the band the Jonas Brothers surprised his 22 year old girlfriend Danielle Deleasa by asking her to marry him. She said yes, and the couple who have been dating since 2007 are engaged to be married. The pair met while their families were both vacationing in the Bahamas. A date has not been set, but from all reports the families of both Kevin and Danielle are very excited by the news.

_{Photo by Carlos Alvarez / Getty Images}

Why Michael Jackson Does Not Appear on the Billboard Top 200 Albums and Hot 100 Charts

2009-07-02T15:53:57Z

After a week of stories about Michael Jackson's posthumous dominance of music sales in the wake of his death, most fans may be a bit shocked to see today's Billboard Top 200 Albums and Hot 100 charts with no Michael Jackson music present. This is because rule changes in the past have disqualified older music from making it to either chart.

Billboard's Top 200 album chart formerly included the sales of any albums in the US. However, the creation of a Top Pop Catalog Albums chart in 1991 caused a change in eligibility for the Top 200. Any album that was released more than 18 months ago and has fallen outside the top half of the chart is no longer eligible to be included in the future on the Billboard Top 200. This means that none of Michael Jackson's albums currently in release qualify for this chart. However, if you turn to the Top Pop Catalog Albums chart this week, Michael Jackson occupies nine of the top 10 places. This is also the first week since the chart's creation 18 years ago, that the top album, and, actually, the top three albums, sold more than the album placing at the peak of the Top 200. Michael Jackson's Number Ones, The Essential Michael Jackson and Thriller all outsold the Black Eyed Peas chart-topping album The E.N.D..

As far as the Billboard Hot 100 chart is concerned, the creation of a Recurrents chart in 1991 means that Michael Jackson's former hits do not qualify. As a general rule, songs that have spent more than 20 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and have fallen out of the top half of the chart must be moved to the Recurrents chart. Michael Jackson or Jackson 5 singles hold the top 19 places on this week's Recurrents chart.

_{Photo by Dave Hogan / Getty Images}

US Pop Music Charts This Week - Black Eyed Peas Rule Again

2009-07-02T13:48:34Z

After the album The E.N.D. fell out of the top spot last week it seemed like there might be an easing of the chart dominance by the Black Eyed Peas. However, that turns out to not be the case this week as the group once again locks up album, pop single, and radio airplay titles simultaneously. Check out all the details in this week's coverage of the US pop music charts.

_{Album cover courtesy Interscope}

Pop Music Awards - Your Guide to Honoring the Best in Pop Music Through the Year

2009-07-02T11:42:25Z

At times it seems like there are so many music awards ceremonies it is difficult to keep them sorted out. Now you have a handy schedule to help you keep track and look forward to the next celebration with celebrities and great stage performances. Check out the schedule of Pop Music Awards throughout the year.

A Pause for a Pop Standard Courtesy Michael Buble

2009-07-01T21:18:27Z

Michael Buble is one of the foremost of today's performers of pop standards, timeless songs that hold up to multiple interpretations by a wide range of artists. His latest album is a concert collection titled Michael Buble Meets Madison Square Garden. Check out the video below of him performing "I've Got the World On a String." The song dates back to 1933. It was written by legendary songwriters Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler and has been recorded by a wide range of artists including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Celine Dion.

Watch Michael Buble sing "I've Got the World on a String"

_{Album cover courtesy Reprise Records}

Top 10 New Pop Albums This Week

2009-07-01T19:05:36Z

This week Rob Thomas returns with his long awaited second solo album Cradlesong. However, it is far from the limit of the great new music in stores this week. Check out all the details in this week's list of the Top 10 New Pop Albums.

_{Album cover courtesy Atlantic}

Taylor Swift Does Covers, Too - Tom Petty's "American Girl"

2009-07-01T15:43:19Z

We all know by now that Taylor Swift is one of the top young songwriters in both the pop and country music worlds. However, she is no slouch at interpreting the songs of others either. A live version of Tom Petty's classic "American Girl" is now being released as a single exclusively through Rhapsody. The recording is from her 2009 Fearless tour. There is definitely a gutsy rocker inside of Taylor Swift. Don't miss another side of this young superstar.

Listen to "American Girl"

_{Photo by Jason Merritt / Getty Images}

Rob Thomas - Cradlesong

2009-07-01T12:05:45Z

Rob Thomas seems headed on the path of eclipsing his band Matchbox Twenty with his own solo career. The single "Her Diamonds" is well on its way to major success in adult top 40 pop circles. His second solo album hit stores just yesterday. Read more in the review of Cradlesong.

_{Album cover courtesy Atlantic Records}