Attention voters of America: Sheryl Crow will sing to you for free — if you can get your voting-resistant friends to register. Well OK, she won’t be performing a private concert in your living room or anything, but she will be giving away her new album, Detours, to the first 50,000 people who register three friends at Rock the Vote.

Crow has been involved with Rock the Vote since its inception 18 years ago. Her new album fits perfectly with this giveaway because the songs are about the war in Iraq, the environment and Hurricane Katrina. Crow hopes it will promote awareness of these matters and at the same time hopes her gratis contribution will tempt people into registering.

Sheryl has made the process of winning her album very simple. Go to the Rock the Vote’s website, log in and rat out invite three people whom you know are not rocking their rights at the polls to sign up to vote. If all three of them accept your invite and register, then you are the price of a CD richer. Don’t you just love democracy?

So right now you might be saying, Reese, I don’t know anybody that’s over the age of 18 and not registered to vote — can I get some free Sheryl Crow music anyway? And I say to you, yes! Those already registered can head to the website and sign in to get a free download of Sheryl’s new politically-inspired song, Gasoline. You can add it to your Election Day playlist and listen to it while you are claiming your political voice and voting for our next president. … continue reading

Neo-soul artist India.Arie is the latest in a long line of talented R&B singers bit by the acting bug. Arie, 32, is set to star in a Broadway revival of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf. The play, based on the book of poems by Ntozake Shange, was nominated for a Tony award in 1977. The book, a women’s studies classic, presents several women of color discussing their experiences at a certain time in the United States.

It’s a bold step for Arie, but she’s in good company. In fact, I’m having a tough time thinking of an R&B artist who hasn’t tried her hand at acting on stage or screen. Some of them gave such good performances, they got in the running for Hollywood’s biggest honor, the Academy Award.

One of them actually won it. Of course, I'm talking about American Idol alum Jennifer Hudson, who brought home the Best Supporting Actress award for Dreamgirls. Hudson is the biggest success story on our list, although her castmate Beyonce, (Carmen: A Hip Hopera, Austin Powers: Goldmember) isn’t exactly hurting for parts. Alicia Keys (The Nanny Diaries, Smokin’ Aces) seems to record an album and film a new movie every other year. Keys just finished shooting another: The Secret Life of Bees.

Let’s not forget those ladies we don’t hear on the radio every day: Erykah Badu appeared in The Cider House Rules way back in 1999 and later, House of D; Macy Gray guest starred on Spin City and Gilmore Girls; Angie Stone appeared on an episode of Roswell. … continue reading

Tonight on the CW, Cycle 10 of America's Next Top Model begins, with new judge Paulina Porizkova. The promo photos certainly are dazzling. Tyra scares me — in a totally good way, of course!

If that's not enough fashion for you, tune in for the first part of Project Runway's two-part season finale on Bravo. Count me among the Christian fans, even though I found him annoying at first. But I already miss Sweet P.

Later, on VHI, the Rags to Riches series profiles Macy Gray. (Check out the great Q&A with Gray on the VH1 site.)

And, of course, it's ladies' night on American Idol. Will Paula Abdul be coherent (like last night) or orbiting a distant planet (like last week)?

Macy Gray's first new album in four years is titled Big, and it's clear from the first track, "Finally Made Me Happy," featuring Natalie Cole, that Gray is trying to make a splash with her comeback. Does it work? I'm not entirely sure. Big is a good album, produced by will.i.am (of the Black Eyed Peas) and Ron Fair (the Geffen chairman behind Mary J. Blige's The Breakthrough), but somehow it rarely seems to rise above background music.

One track that made me want to take a second listen is "Okay" (incidentally co-produced by Justin Timberlake, who also contributes some backing vocals), a sassy, beat-heavy tune about surviving a breakup. I also kinda liked "Ghetto Love," but maybe that's because the intro samples James Brown's "It's a Man's Man's Man's World." One of the best songs on the album is the amusing "Treat Me Like Your Money," where she sings: "Treat me like your money/Love me need me want me/Take me wherever you go/Worship me your whole life/Pray for me at night/Treat me better than anyone you know," and follows that up with a sample from Dead or Alive's '80s hit "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)." Listen to the entire CD for yourself at AOL.

(Click "read more" for Stevie Nicks twirling in lace.) … continue reading

Macy Gray is back, and, I must say, she's looking very Harry Connick Jr. today. The R&B singer with the baby-doll-dragged-through-gravel voice is set to release her first new studio album in nearly four years. Big hits store shelves March 27. Along with host of new collaborators (including will.i.am, Justin Timberlake, Fergie and Natalie Cole), Macy has a whole new look. Out is her signature afro and kooky fashions. In is a sleek cut and sophisticated style.

So, which Macy works for you?

Afrolicious Macy

Croonerific Macy