There are many traditions associated with March Madness: filling out a bracket, slacking off at work to watch games, drinking all day and then getting up and drinking all day.

Another is the playing of “One Shining Moment” during the epic video montage CBS compiles at the end of the tournament.

This year, a version of the song sung by Jennifer Hudson, the first female given the honor, will be aired April 5 at the conclusion of the championship game.

Continue Reading…

Monday Afternoon Quick Fix runs every Monday afternoon to showcase the best of Chicago music news, views and stories from around the interwebs and blogosphere that we might have missed.

• • Mako Sica’s debut full-length album Dual Horizons is getting the vinyl treatment.  Only 250 copies of the limited edition pressing will be made available starting February 16, or pre-order now.

Continue Reading…

Jennifer Hudson was one of many performers who helped raise over $61 million as part of the Hope For Haiti Now telethon last Friday.  Hudson’s performance of the Beatles’ “Let It Be” as well as all of the others from the telethon are available to download at iTunes, with proceeds going to help Haiti.

Introducing Monday Afternoon Quick Fix! A brand new series that will run every Monday afternoon to showcase the best of Chicago music news, views and stories from around the interwebs and blogosphere that we might have missed.

• Democratic Cheryle Jackson, who’s running for U.S. Senate, has tapped Lupe Fiasco to perform at a fundraiser for the candidate Thursday, January 28 at the Shrine Chicago.
• Jennifer Hudson will join Usher Celine Dion,  Carrie Underwood, and Smokey Robinson as part of a 3-D tribute to the late Michael Jackson at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, January 31.

Continue Reading…

Many of Chicago’s top artists are contributing to Haiti earthquake relief efforts. Here’s a rundown of what some of them are doing to benefit the people of Haiti in this time of need.

Continue Reading…

If you haven’t already been overly inundated with Holiday Cheer, tune in to ABC tonight from 7:00 p.m – 8:00 p.m. to watch “Jennifer Hudson: I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

Hudson, a Grammy and Oscar Award Winner, will be hosting her first television special that will feature a trip back to her hometown of Chicago as well as special guests.

Continue Reading…

VH1 announced the addition of Jennifer Hudson to the roster of artists scheduled to perform as part of the return of the “VH1 Divas” program.

The Chicago native and Grammy Award and Academy Award winner will join Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus, Leona Lewis and Jordin Sparks for a live concert set to air on VH1 on Thursday, September 17 at 9:00pm. 

Paula Abdul is set to host the musical event that will also include special musical guests Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Cyndi Lauper and Martina McBride. The “Divas” will perform together live at the Brooklyn Academy of Music Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York.