AP-AM Prep-Rock

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! ROCK !

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JOHN MELLENCAMP'S SON STILL TRYING TO GET DAD TO QUIT SMOKING

UNDATED (AP) — More than 273,000 people want John Mellencamp to quit smoking, but that's still not enough. Mellencamp's son, Speck, started a Facebook page earlier this month to get his dad to kick the habit. Mellencamp agreed that he'd quit smoking if a million people signed up. Mellencamp's wife, Elaine, is quoted on his Web site as saying Mellencamp started cutting back on cigarettes after 100,000 signed up.

COUNTING CROWS AND VANESSA CARLTON TOP WORST SONGS OF THE DECADE LIST

NEW YORK (AP) — Counting Crows and Vanessa Carlton have reached the top of a decade-ender list that they probably do not want. The Village Voice has chosen their version of "Big Yellow Taxi" as the worst song of the past ten years. The Village Voice rips on singer Adam Duritz for "his nerdball pronunciation" and Carlton for "her best cooing sex kitten impersonation." The Voice seems to really hate remakes. "What's Going On," an AIDS charity single featuring Fred Durst, Bono, Destiny's Child, Gwen Stefani and many others, is the second-worst song. Limp Bizkit's version of "Wish You Were Here" with John Rzeznik (REZ'-nik) of the Goo Goo Dolls makes the list, as does Disturbed's remake of "Land of Confusion," Ozzy and Kelly Osborne doing Black Sabbath's "Changes" and Hinder's take on "Born To Be Wild."

SUSANNA HOFFS SQUEAKS OUT "ETERNAL FLAME"

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nothing generates stomach acid for Susanna Hoffs as much as trying to hit that high note in "Eternal Flame" in concert. Hoffs says she avoided it for a long time, but the other Bangles would prod her to do it. She doesn't think of herself as a high singer, and she surprised herself when she sang it on the record. She says the good news is that she's gotten to the point in her life where she can lower the key of the song and not care what anyone thinks.

SOUND:

<<CUT …012 (12/30/09)>> 00:14 "note I do"

Susanna Hoffs, singer formerly with The Bangles

Susanna Hoffs says she never looks forward to singing the high note in "Eternal Flame."

<<CUT …013 (12/30/09)>> 00:08 "of came out"

Susanna Hoffs, singer formerly with The Bangles

Susanna Hoffs says she didn't even intend to sing the high note in "Eternal Flame."

<<CUT …014 (12/30/09)>> 00:07 "still the note"

Susanna Hoffs, singer formerly with The Bangles

Susanna Hoffs says she's not committed to singing the high note in "Eternal Flame."

<<CUT …015 (12/30/09)>> 00:10 "more the vibe"

Susanna Hoffs, singer formerly with The Bangles

Susanna Hoffs says if she blows the high note in "Eternal Flame" in concert, she doesn't beat herself up over it.

MARIAH CAREY: THE ACCIDENTIAL ACTRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) — So how did Mariah Carey end up getting that role in "Precious?" A bit of luck and an "epiphany," according to the director of the film, which is getting lots of Oscar buzz. Lee Daniels and Mariah are friends — but he says he already had Oscar winner Helen Mirren lined up for the role as the social worker. But Mirren had to back out — and it just so happened that Mariah called Daniels soon afterward. He says he called Mirren back to see what she thought about offering Carey the role — and Mirren thought it was a good idea.

Sound:

<<CUT …018 (12/30/09)>> 00:30 "''

Oscar Wells Gabriel

A pop star's performance in a movie that's getting Oscar buzz turns out it was more by accident than by design. Here's AP Correspondent Oscar Wells Gabriel to explain.

<<CUT …019 (12/30/09)>> 00:08 "a paying job"

Lee Daniels,

Lee Daniels says he had someone else lined up for the part Mariah Carey got in "Precious."

<<CUT …020 (12/30/09)>> 00:15 "I called Helen"

Lee Daniels,

Lee Daniels said it just happened that he, Mariah Carey and Helen Mirren ended up discussing the part separately.

<<CUT …021 (12/30/09)>> 00:10 "someone like Mariah"

Lee Daniels,

Lee Daniels says Helen Mirren suggested that he use Mariah Carey in the part of the social worker.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD-AUTOPSY

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (AP) — No official cause of death yet for Avenged Sevenfold drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan. An autopsy is inconclusive. Officials in Orange County, Calif., have ordered toxicology and other lab tests. Those results are expected to take several weeks. The Rev was found dead in his Southern California home Monday. In a statement, the band calls The Rev "one of the world's best drummers," and "our best friend and brother."

CONSTANTINE MAROULIS NAMED BROADWAY.COM'S STAR OF THE YEAR

NEW YORK (AP) — Former "American Idol" finalist Constantine Maroulis has been named Broadway.com's Star of the Year. Maroulis stars in the Broadway musical "Rock of Ages." Maroulis beat out Hugh Jackman, Angela Lansbury, Will Farrell and Daniel Craig for the honor.

QUEEN LATIFAH WILL OPEN PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Queen Latifah is planning a big opening number for the People's Choice Awards. She will have surprise guests, and while they have not been revealed, we do know some of the people who will attend: Mariah Carey, Colbie Caillat (kal-LAY'), LL Cool J, Carrie Underwood and Nicole Scherzinger. The People's Choice Awards are next Wednesday in Los Angeles and will be shown on CBS.

''PATTI SMITH: DREAM OF LIFE" COMES TO PBS

NEW YORK (AP) — Patti Smith's story is coming to PBS. "Patti Smith: Dream of Life" follows Smith's life as a woman on the male-dominated music scene of the 1970s who coped with the deaths of her husband and brother. The documentary took 11 years to make. It premieres tonight on PBS -- check local listings.

by Margie Szaroleta