BILLBOARD REMOVES RAP SONG FROM COUNTRY CHART

NASHVILLE (AP) — Rapper Lil Nas X managed to get the same song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the rap/hip hop chart AND the country chart -- but then Billboard magazine decided it wasn't country enough. His song "Old Town Road" was a viral hit that got online shout-outs from Justin Bieber, Meghan Linsey and Jake Owen. It's got a trap beat, a Nine Inch Nails banjo sample, and references to cowboys and the video game "Red Dead Redemption 2." While "Old Town Road" had debuted at number 19 on the Hot Country chart, Billboard says in a statement that upon further review, the song does not merit inclusion in that chart anymore. Billboard says while "Old Town Road" does refer to country and cowboy imagery, "it does not embrace enough elements of today's country music to chart in its current version. Lil Nas X tweets that while the song has funny lines, it's not a parody and he put effort into that song.

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DEF LEPPARD PREPARE FOR ROCK HALL INDUCTIONS

NEW YORK (AP) — Joe Elliott of Def Leppard has no problem trying to hype up a concert crowd. It's speaking in front of a crowd that's got him nervous. Elliott says he's worried that he'll forget to acknowledge someone as Def Leppard is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tonight. Elliott jokes that people have helped them for 40 years, "so you know, no pressure." Brian May of Queen will induct Def Leppard because Elliott says May has been a Def Leppard supporter since 1981. The other inductees are The Zombies, Janet Jackson, Roxy Music, Stevie Nicks, Radiohead and The Cure. The inductions are tonight in New York. HBO will broadcast the ceremony April 27.

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059109-a-137:52-(Joe Elliott, singer for Def Leppard)-"real good friends"-Rock Hall of Fame welcomes new class tonight (29 Mar 2019)

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059106-a-210:96-(Joe Elliott, singer for Def Leppard)-"it. We're in"-Rock Hall of Fame welcomes new class tonight (29 Mar 2019)

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059115-r-498:72-(Sound of Roxy Music, performing "More Than This")-"(music fades)"-Rock Hall of Fame welcomes new class tonight (29 Mar 2019)

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059104-a-170:16-(Joe Elliott, singer for Def Leppard)-"was the fans"-Rock Hall of Fame welcomes new class tonight (29 Mar 2019)

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059107-a-156:48-(Joe Elliott, singer for Def Leppard)-"know, no pressure (laughs)"-Rock Hall of Fame welcomes new class tonight (29 Mar 2019)

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059105-w-334:56-(Margie Szaroleta (zar-oh-LEH'-tah), AP music correspondent, with Joe Elliott, singer for Def Leppard)-"I'm Margie Szaroleta"-Rock Hall of Fame welcomes new class tonight (29 Mar 2019)

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SIGUR ROS IN TAX TROUBLE

REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Members of Sigur Ros have been charged with tax evasion. Prosecutors in Iceland say Sigur Ros evaded paying $1.2 million by submitting incorrect tax returns from 2011 to 2014. The band says in a statement it's the fault of their former accountant and they have co-operated with tax authorities after learning of his mishandling. A court date has not yet been set.

KETCH SECOR ASKS FOR KEN BURNS TO GIVE HONEST APPROACH TO COUNTRY MUSIC

NASHVILLE (AP) — Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show put his trust in filmmaker Ken Burns to tell the story of country music because he knew the country music industry couldn't be trusted to do it. Secor says country music has always been a commodity sold as the music of the hardest-working people in America. Burns himself says he could not tell every story in country music because it's so huge. He says his upcoming series, called "Country Music," is one of the most complicated he's ever done. It will air on PBS stations in September.

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059117-a-167:52-(Ken Burns, documentary maker)-"share in common"-Ken Burns hits the road to promote new 'Country Music' doc (29 Mar 2019)

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RAMMSTEIN STIR CONTROVERSY WITH "DEUTSCHLAND" VIDEO

BERLIN (AP) — Rammstein and its record label are refusing to comment on the uproar over a video for their new song "Deutschland" that features band members dressed as concentration camp inmates standing on a gallows. The 35-second clip is from a video that portrays the band members in different times in history. Jewish groups call the video tasteless and unacceptable. Felix Klein, Germany's anti-Semitism official, tells Bild newspaper the band had "crossed a red line." He calls the video "a tasteless exploitation of artistic freedom. German lawmaker Karl Freller has invited Rammstein to visit the site of the Dachau concentration camp.

JIMMY PAGE PLANS BOOK

NEW YORK (AP) — Jimmy Page will put out another book. What that entails is still a secret. Genesis Publications has announced Page will put out a limited-edition book called "Jimmy Page: The Anthology," which will come autographed. Details were not given, only that it will come out this year. Page had released a self-titled book of photographs through Genesis Publications in 2010.

BRET MICHAELS SUPPORTS DIABETES BILL IN CALIFORNIA

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Poison singer Bret Michaels is throwing his support behind a California bill that would require schools to offer more information about Type 1 diabetes to students and parents. Michaels was diagnosed with the disease as a child. He joined California lawmakers on Wednesday to show support for the bill, saying it will save lives. Democratic state senator Richard Roth sponsored the bill, which calls for giving information on descriptions of the disease, warning signs and the screening process for a diagnosis.

JAY Z WILL BE HONORED BY NAACP

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jay Z will get a special award at tomorrow's NAACP Image Awards. The NAACP says it will give Jay-Z its President's Award for shining a light on issues that affect the black community, including racism and unjust treatment under the law. The awards will be in Los Angeles and broadcast on TV One.

MARVIN GAYE'S CLOTHING ON DISPLAY AT MOTOWN MUSEUM

DETROIT (AP) — The burgundy military-style uniform and a knit cap that Marvin Gaye wore will be on display at the Motown Museum in Detroit. The rarely-seen items are part of the museum's celebration of the label's 60th anniversary.

By Margie Szaroleta

News from © The Associated Press, 2019