“Dixie Chick”  lead singer, Natalie Maines, is rallying support for three young men she believes were wrongly convicted of killing three 8-year-old boys back in 1993.

Maines says she wants to raise awareness and fuds to help Jason Baldwin, Damien Echols and Jesse Misskelley, who were convicted when they were teens of murdering three little boys in West Memphis, Arkansas.

Maines has written on the official Dixie Chick’s website: 

“I encourage everyone to see the documentaries ‘Paradise Lost’ and ‘Paradise Lost 2′ for the whole history of the case. I only discovered the films about six months ago, and when I finished ‘Paradise Lost 2,’ I immediately got online to make sure that these three wrongly convicted boys had been set free since the films were released. My heart sank when I learned that the boys were now men and were still in prison.

I searched for answers as to what had been done and what was being done to correct this injustice. I donated to the defense fund and received a letter from Damien Echols wife, Lorri. She is a lovely woman who has dedicated her time and heart to her husband. I was glad to hear that after so many years of fighting for justice it looked like things were finally happening. Below, I have written what the DNA and forensics evidence shows. I hope after reading it and looking at the WM3.org website, you will know that the wrong guys are sitting in jail right now, and feel compelled to help.”

Jason Baldwin and Jesse Misskelley received life sentences without parole, and Damien Echols sits on death row.

More here: wm3.org

Popularity: 3% [?]

Albums by Daughtry, Justin Timberlake and Carrie Underwood won big on Sunday at the 2007 American Music Awards show in Los Angeles. 

Daughtry’s self-titled disc won for favorite pop/rock album, while Timberlake’s “FutureSex/LoveSounds” earned the equivalent honor in the soul/rhythm and blues category. Underwood’s “Some Hearts” nabbed the prize for favorite country album.

Rapper T.I., who happens to be under house arrest in Georgia as he awaits trial on weapons charges, won two awards - favorite male rap/hip-hop artist and favorite rap/hip-hop album. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony won the prize for favorite rap or hip-hop band, duo or group.

Beyonce made history by walking away with the international artist prize - she’s the first female artist ever to win the award.

“I am so blessed to wake up every morning and do what I love to do. I don’t take it for granted. I’m so grateful, I’m so honored and I’m so humbled by this award.”

She was also nominated for favorite female soul/rhythm and blues artist, but lost out to Rihanna. Fergie took home the title of favorite pop or rock female artist. 

Carrie Underwood won the award for favorite female country artist, beating out Martina McBride and Taylor Swift.

“I have the most wonderful fans ever and they prove that to me 5 million times a day, every single day. I’d like to thank the fans first and foremost for giving all of us here jobs.”

After Underwood collected her prize, country vocal duo Sugarland performed the hit song “Irreplaceable” with Beyonce.

Following a win for breakthrough artist, Daughtry also picked up the award for favorite adult contemporary music artist, beating out Norah Jones and John Mayer for the honor.

Justin Timberlake won the prize for favorite male pop or rock artist. Also nominated in the category were Akon and Timbaland.

Popularity: 10% [?]

 Last night, the 41st Annual Country Music Awards were broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville. Carrie Underwood walked off with two awards, taking home Best Female Vocalist (an award she also took home last year) and Single of the Year, for her hit, “Before He Cheats,” while Kenny Chesney went home the big winner for Entertainer of the Year for the third time:

“I can’t believe that I get to stand on the stages that I stand on every summer and get to sing the songs that I sing. I love country music and I love doing what I do.”

Other winners:

• Male Vocalist: Brad Paisley
• Music Video of the Year: “Online” Brad Paisley 
• Duo of The Year: Sugarland 
• Horizon Award: Taylor Swift 
• Vocal Group: Rascal Flatts
• Best Album: ”It Just Comes Natural” George Strait
• Song of The Year: ”Give It Away” George Strait 
• Musical Event: Tracy Lawrence, featuring Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney, for “Find Out Who Your Friends Are”
• Musician of the Year: Jerry Douglas

Other performers were Miranda Lambert, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Big & Rich, Rodney Atkins, Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride, Keith Urban, Josh Turner, Kellie Pickler and the Eagles, who received a standing ovation. 

The show was broadcast live on ABC and was hosted by James Denton of “Desperate Houswives,” Kate Walsh of “Private Practice” and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, wife of Brad Paisley, who also stars in ”According to Jim.”

More photos after the jump!

(Want the whole story? Keep Reading…)

Popularity: 3% [?]

Singer Rosanne Cash has canceled the final four remaining dates on her “Black Cadillac: In Concert” tour, as well as an upcoming recording session to undergo brain surgery to treat a rare, but benign condition.

The procedure will be performed at New York Presbyterian Hospital and she’s expected to make a complete recovery.

Cash plans to return to the studio to complete the recording of her debut for Manhattan Records, as well as to resume her live performance schedule next spring and complete a new book, scheduled to be published in 2009. 

Popularity: 2% [?]