FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4061046

LEAD IN:

A choir without a voice is set to tour Europe to raise awareness of the plight of throat cancer patients.

The group, fitted with artificial voice boxes, call themselves "Shout at Cancer" because they're fighting back against the cancer which robbed them of their ability to speak.

STORY-LINE:

Thanks to this choir, these people are able to 'shout' again and they're aiming to 'let it all out' as loudly as they possibly can.

The words of the song by the 1980s pop band "Tears for Fears" is special to them and they've named themselves "Shout at Cancer" because of it.

Here the choir's been given the opportunity of performing at the Royal College of Surgeons in London.

They're all on a mission to make people, including doctors, aware of how isolating and difficult it is to have throat cancer.

While most physicians understand the trauma of having cancer, not not everyone understands what it's like to live after having your voice taken away.

Apart from a few specialist voices, everyone here has had an operation to have their larynx cut out and their windpipe brought through to a hole made in the front of their throats.

The laryngectomy is a complex operation which takes several hours.

Afterwards breathing is never the same again.

Patients have to master the technique of using a valve which becomes a permanent reminder of the cancer.

To speak, patients have to draw air through the hole in their windpipe and use the valve to trap the air into the mouth.

This allows them to manipulate the air to form what doctors call a 'valve voice'.

Margaret Young discovered she had thyroid cancer over seven years ago, she thought it had been treated, but it spread and before Christmas two years ago she discovered it had metasticised.

It would not have occurred to Young to join a choir before her cancer, but she was persuaded to do it by a speech therapist who'd heard about "Shout at Cancer".

She remembers: "They kept saying I should join the choir, but I've never been able to sing, so they fooled me by saying, well you don't really have to sing, it's just speech therapy and well, they lied, because we do sing and that's how I've ended up in the choir. But it's nice to meet other people in the same position because you can become very isolated, it would be easy to become isolated."

Andrew Beaumont was among the first members of the choir.

He, like Young, had his voice box removed when his cancer spread.

Beaumont is a vigorous advocate for the charity: "It is absolutely essential, it stretches the tonal range one is able to create and apart from the social side, the sense of community and a sense of purpose. You know it's very important to have a sense of purpose in all things and this charity is unique in doing that for laryngectomees."

Shout at Cancer is also a charity which helps to fund the choir.

Thomas Moors is the co-founder and one of an array of medical experts from scientists, voice therapists, musicians and surgeons who are raising money to spearhead new research.

They want a scientific enquiry into how music therapy can be used aid voice exercises for people who have had laryngectomies and examine how it can be used to ensure they're not isolated by the rest of society.

Although there are published studies physical problems experienced by laryngectomees, there is little research on their their emotional welfare or the psychosocial implications of the operation.

An additional problem is that most laryngectomees are nearing retirement which means they are more easily isolated.

Evangelos Himonides from University College London is among the scientists aiming to use music as a tool to help survivors of throat cancer.

"There's nothing about all the psychosocial factors that are part of this game and anything that is to do with how we can foster the development of these people, how we can enable their engagement and how we can help them gain the confidence and the support structures and all the different understandings that need to be in place, so that they can return back to society, they can relinquish the stigma that is connected to this."

The charity says there is simply not enough research, or progress into using new technologies because the number of laryngectomies each year are relatively few.

Here in the UK there are fewer than 1,800 operations a year according to "Shout at Cancer".

During the concert, choir member Jean Cooper reads her testimonial: "I thought I would never talk again and I did, I thought I would never sing again and I have. Now I know I can do anything and I will, I am me again."

Though the sentiment is personal, her experience is shared by the rest of the choir.

As well as conducting, Dr. Thomas Moors is the choir's director and cofounder of Shout at Cancer.

He is hoping the choir will make people sit up and understand the needs of people surviving throat cancer - better social support, better voice training services and even research into better technology.

Moors says: "Up to thirty percent, forty percent of them get into social isolation because of the effect on their voice and psychological affects. Does it have an effect by them joining the choir, yes. As soon as they do it, after their first concert, but (also) going and preparing and meeting up and having the group effect and enjoying the music and the sound they are producing together, it has an amazingly uplifting effect on them and they are the best ambassadors for this project themselves, because they go out and they spread the word and they are so enthusiastic about it that sometimes I even have to ask them to shut up. (laughs)."

As well as planning a number of Christmas concerts, next spring the choir will travel Brussels and Barcelona to spread their message.

Music/video/performance rights must be cleared

London, UK - 5 October 2016

1. Mid of Shout at Cancer choir who've all had laryngectomies rehearsing their signature tune "Shout" by Tears for Fears

2. Close tilt down over the shoulder of charity founder Dr. Thomas Moors with choir in background

3. Close of concert pianist

4. Mid of choir

5. Close of pianist

6. Close of musical score

7. Wide of choir

8. Close of people in audience

9. Mid of audience

10. Wide pan from choir to audience applauding

11. UPSOUND: (English) Margaret Young, choir member, Shout at Cancer (shows wide of Margaret Young reading composition)

"It's gone, the box, the vocal chords, they took it all away. If I am mid sentence and I stop, it's not by choice. So I'll ask you again in a different way: can you hear my voice?"

12. Mid of audience applauding

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Margaret Young, choir member, Shout at Cancer

"They kept saying I should join the choir, but I've never been able to sing, so they fooled my by saying, well you don't really have to sing, it's just speech therapy and well, they lied, because we do sing and that's how I've ended up in the choir. But it's nice to meet other people in the same position because you can become very isolated, it would be easy to become isolated."

14. Close of choir member pressing their speech valve

15. Close of Dr Thomas Moors directing choir with professional mezzo soprano La Verne Williams in the background

16. Close of speech valve on choir member

17. Tracking shot of Moors' hands

18. Various of choir members rehearsing "We Will Rock You" by Queen

19. Close tilt up of Andrew Beaumont pressing his speech valve to his face during singing

20. Mid rear view of choir during rehearsal

21. SOUNDBITE: (English) Andrew Beaumont, choir member, Shout at Cancer:

"It is absolutely essential, it stretches the tonal range one is able to create and apart from the social side, the sense of community and a sense of purpose. You know it's very important to have a sense of purpose in all things and this charity is unique in doing that for laryngectomees."

22. Close pan of audience (of surgeons and voice therapists) listening to La Verne Williams explain the use of vocal exercise

23. Close pan up of pianist playing "Brussels" by Jaques Brel accompanied by choir including Williams

24. Mid zoom out of Williams to reveal whole choir

25. Various of choristers singing accompaniment to Brussels

26. SOUNDBITE: (English) Evangelos Himonides, senior lecturer, University College London:

"There's nothing about all the psychosocial factors that are part of this game and anything that has to do with how we can foster the development of these people, how we can enable their engagement and how we can help them gain the confidence and the support structures and all the different understandings that need to be in place, so that they can return back to society, they can relinquish the stigma that is connected to this."

27. UPSOUND: (English) Jean Cooper, choir member, Shout at Cancer (reading her Testimonial during concert)

"I thought I would never talk again and I did, I thought I would never sing again and I have. Now I know I can do anything and I will, I am me again."

28. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dr. Thomas Moors, director, founder, Shout at Cancer:

"Up to thirty percent, forty percent of them get into social isolation because of the effect on their voice and psychological affects. Does it have an effect by them joining the choir, yes. As soon as they do it, after their first concert, but (also) going and preparing and meeting up and having the group effect and enjoying the music and the sound they are producing together, it has an amazingly uplifting effect on them and they are the best ambassadors for this project themselves, because they go out and they spread the word and they are so enthusiastic about it that sometimes I even have to ask them to shut up. (laughs)."

29. Various of choir singing their own composition for the Paralympians " Together we shout … Louder!"

LEAD IN:

A choir without a voice is set to tour Europe to raise awareness of the plight of throat cancer patients.

The group, fitted with artificial voice boxes, call themselves "Shout at Cancer" because they're fighting back against the cancer which robbed them of their ability to speak.

STORY-LINE:

Thanks to this choir, these people are able to 'shout' again and they're aiming to 'let it all out' as loudly as they possibly can.

The words of the song by the 1980s pop band "Tears for Fears" is special to them and they've named themselves "Shout at Cancer" because of it.

Here the choir's been given the opportunity of performing at the Royal College of Surgeons in London.

They're all on a mission to make people, including doctors, aware of how isolating and difficult it is to have throat cancer.

While most physicians understand the trauma of having cancer, not not everyone understands what it's like to live after having your voice taken away.

Apart from a few specialist voices, everyone here has had an operation to have their larynx cut out and their windpipe brought through to a hole made in the front of their throats.

The laryngectomy is a complex operation which takes several hours.

Afterwards breathing is never the same again.

Patients have to master the technique of using a valve which becomes a permanent reminder of the cancer.

To speak, patients have to draw air through the hole in their windpipe and use the valve to trap the air into the mouth.

This allows them to manipulate the air to form what doctors call a 'valve voice'.

Margaret Young discovered she had thyroid cancer over seven years ago, she thought it had been treated, but it spread and before Christmas two years ago she discovered it had metasticised.

It would not have occurred to Young to join a choir before her cancer, but she was persuaded to do it by a speech therapist who'd heard about "Shout at Cancer".

She remembers: "They kept saying I should join the choir, but I've never been able to sing, so they fooled me by saying, well you don't really have to sing, it's just speech therapy and well, they lied, because we do sing and that's how I've ended up in the choir. But it's nice to meet other people in the same position because you can become very isolated, it would be easy to become isolated."

Andrew Beaumont was among the first members of the choir.

He, like Young, had his voice box removed when his cancer spread.

Beaumont is a vigorous advocate for the charity: "It is absolutely essential, it stretches the tonal range one is able to create and apart from the social side, the sense of community and a sense of purpose. You know it's very important to have a sense of purpose in all things and this charity is unique in doing that for laryngectomees."

Shout at Cancer is also a charity which helps to fund the choir.

Thomas Moors is the co-founder and one of an array of medical experts from scientists, voice therapists, musicians and surgeons who are raising money to spearhead new research.

They want a scientific enquiry into how music therapy can be used aid voice exercises for people who have had laryngectomies and examine how it can be used to ensure they're not isolated by the rest of society.

Although there are published studies physical problems experienced by laryngectomees, there is little research on their their emotional welfare or the psychosocial implications of the operation.

An additional problem is that most laryngectomees are nearing retirement which means they are more easily isolated.

Evangelos Himonides from University College London is among the scientists aiming to use music as a tool to help survivors of throat cancer.

"There's nothing about all the psychosocial factors that are part of this game and anything that is to do with how we can foster the development of these people, how we can enable their engagement and how we can help them gain the confidence and the support structures and all the different understandings that need to be in place, so that they can return back to society, they can relinquish the stigma that is connected to this."

The charity says there is simply not enough research, or progress into using new technologies because the number of laryngectomies each year are relatively few.

Here in the UK there are fewer than 1,800 operations a year according to "Shout at Cancer".

During the concert, choir member Jean Cooper reads her testimonial: "I thought I would never talk again and I did, I thought I would never sing again and I have. Now I know I can do anything and I will, I am me again."

Though the sentiment is personal, her experience is shared by the rest of the choir.

As well as conducting, Dr. Thomas Moors is the choir's director and cofounder of Shout at Cancer.

He is hoping the choir will make people sit up and understand the needs of people surviving throat cancer - better social support, better voice training services and even research into better technology.

Moors says: "Up to thirty percent, forty percent of them get into social isolation because of the effect on their voice and psychological affects. Does it have an effect by them joining the choir, yes. As soon as they do it, after their first concert, but (also) going and preparing and meeting up and having the group effect and enjoying the music and the sound they are producing together, it has an amazingly uplifting effect on them and they are the best ambassadors for this project themselves, because they go out and they spread the word and they are so enthusiastic about it that sometimes I even have to ask them to shut up. (laughs)."

As well as planning a number of Christmas concerts, next spring the choir will travel Brussels and Barcelona to spread their message.

AP TELEVISION - Music/video/performance rights must be cleared

London, UK - 5 October 2016

1. Mid of Shout at Cancer choir who've all had laryngectomies rehearsing their signature tune "Shout" by Tears for Fears

2. Close tilt down over the shoulder of charity founder Dr. Thomas Moors with choir in background

3. Close of concert pianist

4. Mid of choir

5. Close of pianist

6. Close of musical score

7. Wide of choir

8. Close of people in audience

9. Mid of audience

10. Wide pan from choir to audience applauding

11. UPSOUND: (English) Margaret Young, choir member, Shout at Cancer (shows wide of Margaret Young reading composition)

"It's gone, the box, the vocal chords, they took it all away. If I am mid sentence and I stop, it's not by choice. So I'll ask you again in a different way: can you hear my voice?"

12. Mid of audience applauding

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Margaret Young, choir member, Shout at Cancer

"They kept saying I should join the choir, but I've never been able to sing, so they fooled my by saying, well you don't really have to sing, it's just speech therapy and well, they lied, because we do sing and that's how I've ended up in the choir. But it's nice to meet other people in the same position because you can become very isolated, it would be easy to become isolated."

14. Close of choir member pressing their speech valve

15. Close of Dr Thomas Moors directing choir with professional mezzo soprano La Verne Williams in the background

16. Close of speech valve on choir member

17. Tracking shot of Moors' hands

18. Various of choir members rehearsing "We Will Rock You" by Queen

19. Close tilt up of Andrew Beaumont pressing his speech valve to his face during singing

20. Mid rear view of choir during rehearsal

21. SOUNDBITE: (English) Andrew Beaumont, choir member, Shout at Cancer:

"It is absolutely essential, it stretches the tonal range one is able to create and apart from the social side, the sense of community and a sense of purpose. You know it's very important to have a sense of purpose in all things and this charity is unique in doing that for laryngectomees."

22. Close pan of audience (of surgeons and voice therapists) listening to La Verne Williams explain the use of vocal exercise

23. Close pan up of pianist playing "Brussels" by Jaques Brel accompanied by choir including Williams

24. Mid zoom out of Williams to reveal whole choir

25. Various of choristers singing accompaniment to Brussels

26. SOUNDBITE: (English) Evangelos Himonides, senior lecturer, University College London:

"There's nothing about all the psychosocial factors that are part of this game and anything that has to do with how we can foster the development of these people, how we can enable their engagement and how we can help them gain the confidence and the support structures and all the different understandings that need to be in place, so that they can return back to society, they can relinquish the stigma that is connected to this."

27. UPSOUND: (English) Jean Cooper, choir member, Shout at Cancer (reading her Testimonial during concert)

"I thought I would never talk again and I did, I thought I would never sing again and I have. Now I know I can do anything and I will, I am me again."

28. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dr. Thomas Moors, director, founder, Shout at Cancer:

"Up to thirty percent, forty percent of them get into social isolation because of the effect on their voice and psychological affects. Does it have an effect by them joining the choir, yes. As soon as they do it, after their first concert, but (also) going and preparing and meeting up and having the group effect and enjoying the music and the sound they are producing together, it has an amazingly uplifting effect on them and they are the best ambassadors for this project themselves, because they go out and they spread the word and they are so enthusiastic about it that sometimes I even have to ask them to shut up. (laughs)."

29. Various of choir singing their own composition for the Paralympians " Together we shout … Louder!"

T/I: 10:46:46

9824

Linda McCartney Memorial/London/8th June/ENT 2

Surviving Beatles In Harmony For Linda

The Beatles classic "Let It Be" rang around Trafalgar Square in London on Monday night (8/6), as Sir Paul McCartney was joined by thousands of friends and wellwishers to pay tribute to his wife, Linda. While the choir and the congregation sang the song as a final farewell, some 3,000 animal rights campaigners and fans held a candle-lit vigil outside St Martin-in-the-Fields, where the memorial service was held.

SHOWS:

ST MARTINS IN THE FIELDS CHURCH ; PHOTO OF LINDA MCCARTNEY IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE ; PEOPLE WAITING IN RAIN WITH HELP ANIMALS BANNER ; CU BANNER ; ELTON JOHN ARRIVAL ; RINGO AND BARBARA BACH ARRIVAL ; CA POLICE ; BEATLES PRODUCER GEORGE MARTIN ARRIVAL ; CA PRESS ; GEORGE HARRISON ARRIVAL ; ROAD IN FRONT OF ST MARTINS IN THE FIELDS CHURCH ; SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY ARRIVES WITH FAMILY ; DUSK ST MARTINS IN THE FIELDS ; CANDLELIT VIGIL BY PHOTO OF LINDA ; CU CANDLES PULL OUT FROM LINDA MESSAGE BOARD ; GUITARIST SINGING TO PICTURE OF LINDA ; VOX POP MAN ; VOX POP WOMAN ; MCCARTNEY AND FAMILY LEAVING CHURCH

SHOTLIST (including transcript):-

AP Entertainment

London, 2 October 2012

1. Wide shot entrance of Royal Albert Hall

2. Mid shot Anthony Hopkins poses for photographs with Andre Rieu

3. Tilt up ceremony host Myleene Klass

4. Mid shot Russell Watson

5. Mid shot Anthony Hopkins and Andre Rieu walk up red carpet

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Anthony Hopkins, actor:

"I play the piano, I'm not an expert, not a classical musician or anything, but I love improvising and writing music and I wrote this waltz in 1964, many, many years ago, almost 50 years ago. And, I've written lots of other music but I've never orchestrated it and I orchestrated various pieces and I sent it to Andre (Rieu) - my wife did, actually - and I got a phone call from him when I was in Mexico City doing publicity for a movie and he played it to me, made a recording with his orchestra and I heard it over the phone. I couldn't believe it. Then we went to Maastricht, Vienna last year, July, then later Maastricht where he played the waltz, to 8 thousand people I believe."

Andre Rieu: "10 thousand."

Anthony Hopkins: "10 thousand people."

(Reporter: What was your initial reaction when you first went through the music?)

Andre Rieu: "So I tell you every day people ask me to play their waltzes and until now I prefer the big waltzes by the big maestro Johann Strauss but then this waltz, this man called me and when Anthony Hopkins calls you, you 'oh yes of course I'm very interested' and then I was sent the score and immediately, you know when you play music you hear it, if it touches your heart or not, and this touched my heart immediately and we made a first draft and he liked it so I was very honored."

(Reporter: Will you be collaborating again?)

Anthony Hopkins: "I don't know, life's a dream."

Andre Rieu: "Who knows."

7. Mid shot Russell Watson

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Russell Watson, recording artist - on his nomination for Album of the Year for "Anthems":

"In all fairness this one for me isn't really about winning or losing an award, it's about the fact that it's been 10 years since I was here and it's about the struggle that I've had to come through to get back to this point and get back in the Classical BRITs and it's just a delight and a thrill to be here."

9. Wide shot Russell Watson jokes with reporter

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Russell Watson, recording artist - on which of the performances scheduled for the evening his is looking forward to:

"Well obviously Andrea Boccelli's got an absolutely sublime voice so I'm looking forward to him, I know Gary's doing a little stint with The Military Wives, so I think that'll be super."

11. Mid shot choir master Gareth Malone with members of choir The Military Wives Eden Burrell and Maria Dudley

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Gareth Malone, choir master: "We've got a big performance to do at the end of the night which is sort of what we're all focused on, and then there's a small matter of being nominated for best single, which would be really lovely. It's great to be here celebrating what choirs have achieved in the last year. I think in the last - 5, 10 years ago I don't think anyone would have put money on a choir getting to number one, and we've done that and that's testament to these ladies' efforts."

(Reporter: How confident are you feeling about the actual award?)

SOUNDBITE (English) Eden Burrell, The Military Wives: "To be honest, just being here is amazing, so whether we win or not, we've already achieved so much for so many charities."

Gareth Malone: "You're like a politician!"

Eden Burrell: "Sorry"

Gareth Malone: "That was brilliant, textbook answer. Yeah I'm really excited, I'm hopeful, I'm hopeful."

13. Mid shot Joe McElderry

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe McElderry, recording artist

"Bocelli's singing as well that will be pretty cool. And you know, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Gary Barlow, they're all - The Military Wives, that's going to be a really cool thing to see. I always just like events that celebrate music, you know whether it's the BRITs or the Classic BRITs, any music ceremony where it brings loads of artists together and it's supportive and it puts a positive - you know there's something a lot of negativity in this industry. It's nice to see all the positively filled in this room tonight."

15. Mid shot Andrea Bocelli arrives

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrea Bocelli, recording artist: "It's a big honor because when you receive some award like this which means that people love you, so it's a big - which is the most important thing."

17. Wide shot Anthony Hopkins poses for photographers, goes into Royal Albert Hall

18. Wide shot exterior Royal Albert Hall

+++CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: AWARD RESULTS INFORMATION IS EMARGOED TIL 2100 GMT

ANTHONY HOPKINS JOINS STARS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC AT CLASSIC BRIT AWARDS

Hollywood star Sir Anthony Hopkins can add another accolade to his long list of honors - he has contributed to the winning Album of the Year, at the Classic BRIT Awards 2012.

The actor joined classical music stars including Andre Rieu, Andrea Bocelli and Russell Watson in London, Tuesday (2 OCT.), for the awards ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall.

Fans of Hopkin's films may be less familiar with his musical work - but he composed the title track of Rieu's winning album "And the Waltz Goes On."

"The Silence of the Lambs" star arrived on the red carpet with his violinist friend, and explained how he came to contribute to the album.

"I play the piano, I'm not an expert, not a classical musician or anything, but I love improvising and writing music and I wrote this waltz in 1964, many, many years ago, almost 50 years ago," said Hopkins. "And, I've written lots of other music but I've never orchestrated it and I orchestrated various pieces and I sent it to Andre - my wife did, actually - and I got a phone call from him when I was in Mexico City doing publicity for a movie and he played it to me, made a recording with his orchestra and I heard it over the phone. I couldn't believe it."

"Every day people ask me to play their waltzes and until now I prefer the big waltzes by the big maestro Johann Strauss," added Rieu, " but then this waltz, this man called me and when Anthony Hopkins calls you, you 'Oh yes of course I'm very interested' and then I was sent the score and immediately, you know when you play music you hear it, if it touches your heart or not, and this touched my heart immediately and we made a first draft and he liked it so I was very honored."

"And the Waltz Goes On" beat out nominees including Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and four times Classic BRIT winner Russell Watson.

Watson, a brain cancer survivor, arrived ready to perform during the ceremony, after having to pull out of last year's event just the night before, due to ill health.

The English tenor was in philosophical mood on the red carpet about whether his 8th Classic BRIT nomination would lead to a prize.

"In all fairness this one for me isn't really about winning or losing an award, it's about the fact that it's been 10 years since I was here and it's about the struggle that I've had to come through to get back to this point and get back in the Classical BRITs and it's just a delight and a thrill to be here."

Watson was also eager to watch his fellow performers, who included Bocelli, and "Sing" composers Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The pair played two grand pianos to accompany The Military Wives choir, who sang the jubilee anthem.

Choir master Gareth Malone arrived with Military Wives members Eden Burrell and Maria Dudley, eager to perform.

"We've got a big performance to do at the end of the night which is sort of what we're all focused on," said Malone,"and then there's a small matter of being nominated for best single, which would be really lovely."

The choir went on to win the award for Single of the Year, for "Wherever You Are"

"It's great to be here celebrating what choirs have achieved in the last year," Malone said before the ceremony. "I think in the last - 5, 10 years ago I don't think anyone would have put money on a choir getting to number one, and we've done that and that's testament to these ladies' efforts."

"To be honest, just being here is amazing, so whether we win or not, we've already achieved so much for so many charities," agreed Burrell.

Andrea Bocelli, who arrived shortly before the ceremony began, had previously been announced as International Artist of the Year.

Classical music's biggest selling solo artist, who has sold more than 75 million records worldwide, arrived still thrilled to be getting tributes.

"It's a big honor because when you receive some award like this which means that people love you, so it's a big - which is the most important thing," said Bocelli.

Also previously announced, Oscar winning Hollywood composer John Williams was given a Lifetime Achievement award, to honor his iconic scores including "Jaws," "ET The Extra Terrestrial," "Indiana Jones," "Harry Potter" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."

Williams was also named best composer for "War Horse" and "The Adventures of TinTin."

SHOTLIST

AP Television

Nashville, Tennessee, 7 June 2010

1. Wide shot Greer Stadium

2. Wide shot City of Hope sign

3. Wide shot players from both teams taking group picture

4. Medium shot players taking group picture, including Carrie Underwood and her finacee, NHL player Mike Fisher, above her in a white hat

5. Wide player warms up in front of the City of Hope sign

6. Medium Cheyenne Kimball and Mike Gossin of Gloriana warm up

7. Medium fans, pan to Carrie Underwood signing autographs

8. Carrie Underwood warming up at second base, throws ball to first

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Carrie Underwood, Recording Artist: "You would never know it now, but I played about nine years of softball, and I would like to think I was pretty good. I don't really know what happened. I think somewhere along the way I became a girly girl, a prissy girl. We're just out here to have fun. That's what it's all about."

10. Medium shot Carrie Underwood as the After MidNite team is introduced

11. Medium shot Ottawa Senators hockey player and Carrie Underwood's fianc�e Mike Fisher (wearing white hat)

12. Tight shot Mike Fisher

13. Medium shot Jason Aldean warming up at short stop

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Jason Aldean, Recording Artist: "I'd like to think I used to be athletic back when I was in high school. That's been a long time ago. But I grew up playing baseball and football. I played baseball from the time I was five until I was 19. That was my favorite sport growing up. I still try to get out and do some stuff every now and then, but definitely not what I once was for sure. I'm just trying to keep from embarrassing myself today."

15. Medium shot Joe Nichols, pan down to his cleats

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Nichols, Recording Artist: "I'm going to spike Luke Bryan with these, just going to slide into second really hard and spike him. If he's not on the same team. I may do it if he's on the same team. I may do that, too."

17. Medium shot Luke Bryan talking with members of the Trailer Choir

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Luke Bryan, Recording Artist: "I grew up playing all sports, baseball, football and basketball, and I played high school baseball a lot. It's always fun to come out here and see how much my skills have diminished with every passing year. It's fun coming out here and playing ball."

19. Medium shot Carrie Underwood hits the ball

20. Medium shot player from another team chases the ball

21. Medium shot Carrie Underwood gets to first base

22. Pan of fans taking pictures

23. Carrie Underwood runs from second to third and then scores for the Grand Ole Opry team

24. Batter from the Trailer Choir slides into home for the Grand Ole Opry team

25. Jason Aldean runs from second to third

26. Joe Nichols on the After MidNite team throws his hands up in mock frustration

27. Wide shot of crowd

28. Tight shot of fan taking a picture

29. Grand Ole Opry player pitches the ball

30. Chuck Wicks and Keith Anderson of the After MidNite team run through second base, pull out to Jason Aldean fielding the ball

CARRIE UNDERWOOD, JASON ALDEAN AND OTHER COUNTRY STARS FLEX THEIR MUSCLES AT CHARITY SOFTBALL GAME

Before they were stars, most of the country artists playing in the City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge Monday night (07 JUNE 2010) were athletes.

Artists including Carrie Underwood and Jason Aldean got a chance to show off their skills at Monday night's game, and Underwood's fianc�, Ottawa Senators hockey player Mike Fisher, also joined the fun.

"You would never know it now, but I played about nine years of softball," said Underwood. "I would like to think I was pretty good. I don't really know what happened. I think somewhere along the way I became a girly girl, a prissy girl. We're just out here to have fun. That's what it's all about."

Jason Aldean also remembers his athletic glory days.

"I'd like to think I used to be athletic back when I was in high school," he said. "That's been a long time ago. But I grew up playing baseball and football. I played baseball from the time I was five until I was 19. That was my favorite sport growing up. I still try to get out and do some stuff every now and then, but definitely not what I once was for sure. I'm just trying to keep from embarrassing myself today."

It was easy to tell who came to play by the shoes on their feet. Singer Joe Nichols was wearing Under Armour cleats.

Asked what he was most looking forward to, Nichols joked: "I'm going to spike Luke Bryan with these, just going to slide into second really hard and spike him. If he's not on the same team. I may do it if he's on the same team. I may do that, too."

Turns out they were both on the After MidNite team.

"I grew up playing all sports, baseball, football and basketball," said Bryan. "I played high school baseball a lot. It's always fun to come out here and see how much my skills have diminished with every passing year."

Underwood had a strong showing at the game, sending a line drive into the outfield on her first trip up to bat and eventually making her way around the bases to score. She also made an impressive, leaping catch to get a runner out as she was covering second base.

The score was tied 10-10 at the end of the sixth inning, and the fans were given the power to decide if the teams should play an extra inning. They said play ball, and After MidNite scored an additional five runs, beating the Grand Ole Opry 15-10.

Tickets from the game and its corresponding auction raised money for the City of Hope, a research and treatment center for cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Since it began, the event has raised more than $2 million (USD) for the cause.

Other celebrities playing softball included: Vince Gill, The Oak Ridge Boys, Keith Anderson, Justin Moore, Josh Thompson, The Band Perry, Whitney Duncan, Gloriana, Trailer Choir, Craig Morgan, Love and Theft, Chuck Wicks, Colt Ford, David Nail, Jaron and The Long Road to Love, Julianne Hough and Randy Montana.

STORY

UK Q Awards 3

CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: Emap footage - News access for 7 days only. After 12.01am on Tuesday 18th October, the rights to the footage will revert to Emap TV and all requests for licensing must be channelled through them.

CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: Story contains strong language

SD version available in \\Source_Clips\Entertainment Rushes

SHOWS

(including transcript):-

APTN

London, 10th October 2005

1. GVs Ext Grosvenor House Hotel

2. CA camera man

3. MS people arriving

4. MS Chris Evans (DJ)

5. GVs James Blunt

6. SOUNDBITE James Blunt: (AUDIO AS INCOMING)

"Awards aren't something that I really considered that much. You know, you make music because of a love of music and record music because you need to document stuff and then playing that live is really special and really great but yeah, awards are something I hadn't really considered and it's a really nice surprise."

7. MS Elbow

8. MS arrival Damon Albarn

9. MS arrival Prodigy

10. SOUNDBITE Maxim:

"It still means something."

(Q: "What are you doing at the moment.")

SOUNDBITE Liam Howlett:

"We are recording a new record, do you know what I mean? We've got a singles album coming out in a week's time but we're excited about our new album, for next year, you know."

SOUNDBITE Keith Flint:

"We are recording, touring, doing the festies and doing our own shows and stuff. And you know, we're on fire again now, do you know what I mean? The vibe's wicked and we're just hungry and that's the best way to be. That's when you write the best music, you know, and we're here and we're doing what we always do, you know."

11. GVs Richard Ashcroft

12. MS Yoko Ono

13. SOUNDBITE Yoko Ono:

"It's really grand for me because it's happening in Britain and John felt very much an Englishman through and through, until the very end, you know and so he would have been very happy."

14. MS Paul Weller

15. Arrival of Noel and Liam Gallagher

16. MS Chris Martin and Jonathan Buckland

17. SOUNDBITE Chris Martin:

(Q: "Chris we saw you and Liam have a shake of hands here so.....?")

"well it was more of a wrist shake, it wasn't quite fully hand."

(Q: "We thought there was more...")

"Where has thing come from with me and Liam I don't understand. Has something happened."

(Q: "He called you a geography teacher or something.")

"Wasn't that in 1986 ."

(Q: "So you wasn't offended then?")

"I'm not offended by anything, we are all going to die, you can't get offended by a band."

18. MS Chris Martin and Jonathan Buckland

19. SOUNDBITE Chris Martin:

"Anytime anyone gives you an award it is incredibly overwhelming because as much as we have deep-rooted confidence in what we do, we're still as insecure as the next man, so when someone acknowledges you, it's a great feeling. That sounds a little cheesy but it's true."

20. MS Sugababes

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Sugababes:

(Q: You're veterans of the Q Awards - are you still excited by coming to them?)

"Yeah, it's always such a nice little day out."

EMAP TV

21. SOUNDBITE Jonathon Ross:

"Thank you so much and thank you to Paul Reese. What a stirling piece of warming down. The perfect music magazine editor, I think, he is. He has the eyes of a rock star, the heart of a soul singer and the mouth of a crazy frog!"

22. Announcement of Best Album to Oasis

23. SOUNDBITE Liam Gallagher:

"Right then who's first. It's got to be you there with that weird hair cut there - how many haircuts you got there? Four? (crowd laughs) I'd like to thank all the people who voted for us."

24. SOUNDBITE Noel Gallagher:

"It's not often we come here and don't get that shit token gesture of Live Act, of 'Hey, you can play guitar! Brilliant! F**king nice one!' But nice one for the Best Album. Thank you very much."

25. Announcement of Best Act in the World Today to Coldplay

26. SOUNDBITE Chris Martin:

"Holy sh*t! Somewhere in the world Alan McGee is having a heart attack (laughs). I don't know if you remember that but he said we'd never make it and he was in a way right because we may be the best act in the world today but probably not tomorrow. That'll probably go back to Oasis, for whom we'd like to show our undying love and respect and f'**k the tabloids (gestures with hands) because they make our lives a misery and you know what, we're not in a fight with anyone, we're not in a fight with anyone, except George Bush and all those guys! And I think Liam, although he's been rude, he's charming...anyway, what we're trying to say...(turns to Jonathan Buckland)...What am I trying to say, man?"

27. SOUNDBITE Jonathan Buckland:

"Thanks very much to everybody, you know, everybody who's helped us out."

APTN

London, 10th October 2005

28. MS Chris Martin walking up and kissing Noel Gallagher UPSOUND Christ Martin: "That's the Madonna-Britney moment!"

29. SOUNDBITE Liam Gallagher:

"I always have fun, darling. I have fun everywhere, darling. I have fun everywhere. I don't raise my game just because I'm at Q Awards surrounded by f**king insane people. I always have fun."

(Q: "It felt a bit like school there, there were comments flying backwards and forwards.")

"Yeah but so what? So what? You know, that's life, you know what I mean. We'll be f**king gone soon, you know what I mean, so if people take it too seriously. We're not curing cancer, you know what I mean. We're having a f**king laugh and that's it. If people think...I don't hate anyone, I'm just having a laugh. It is like school except for there's no conkers!"

30. SOUNDBITE Chris Martin:

"How many awards did you win? Like 12?"

SOUNDBITE Noel Gallagher:

"We won as many as you did."

SOUNDBITE Chris Martin:

"No, we just won one."

SOUNDBITE Noel Gallagher:

"Oh! We got two!"

SOUNDBITE Chris Martin:

"Well you've won twice as many."

SOUNDBITE Noel Gallagher:

"Never mind, maybe next year."

(Q: "Why's your brother in a fight with him?)

SOUNDBITE Noel Gallagher:

"He's not. He's just being Liam, isn't he?"

SOUNDBITE Chris Martin:

"Is he in a fight? This is all news to me"

SOUNDBITE Noel Gallagher:

"No he's not. Come on, let's not bring it down."

SOUNDBITE Chris Martin:

"I'm not. I'm as happy as I could be and with what I'm about to take with the lads backstage, what?

SOUNDBITE Noel Gallagher:

"What? You're not on ecstasy are you?"

SOUNDBITE Chris Martin:

"I'm on everything."

32. CU Noel Gallagher and Chris Martin joke with press

EMAP TV

33. Announcement of award to John Lennon

34. SOUNDBITE Yoko Ono:

"John was very human and sometimes suddenly in the middle of the night he would say something like, 'Sorry, are you awake?', 'Yes, yes', 'They always cover Paul's songs but they never cover mine, I don't know why'. So I said, 'Well, you know you're a good songwriter but you know, it's no June with Spoon that you write, you know. And you're a good singer too. So much so that most musicians will probably be a little bit nervous about covering your songs.' "

35. Announcement of Best Producer to The Gorillaz

36. SOUNDBITE Damon Albarn:

"Gorillaz is a massive team effort. I want to thank Sean Ryder, Dennis Hopper, MF Doom, Ike Turner, De La Soul, Martina Topley Bird, Neneh Cherry, London Gospel Choir, San Fernando's Children Choir, Danger Mouse, James Dring, Jason Cox...(prompted by someone in audience) Farsythe (check?) - thank f**k! I'd forgotten that! Jesus, man! Thank you!"

37. CA Bee Gees montage

38. Announcement of Life Time achievement award to The Bee Gees

APTN

London, 10th October 2005

39. SOUNDBITE Robin Gibb:

"Well, it's tremendous recognition and again, you know, how just after Morris died, it's kind of a tribute to him. And yeah, it always feels good to get recognition of any kind but a Lifetime Achievement award by Q obviously is a big honour."

EMAP TV

40. SOUNDBITE Bjork:

"Thank you very much. I'm very flattered to get this award, it has a very nice title and also to receive it from Robert, it's double set. So thank you very very much. Thank you."

41. CA Paul Weller montage

42. MS Paul Weller walking up to stage

43. SOUNDBITE Paul Weller:

"Thank you very much. An award and a good review from Q in the space of one week, is something f**king else, that is! So nice one, thank you very much!"

Q THE AWARDS

Some of the biggest stars in the music business were at the glamorous Grosvenor House Hotel in London today (10OCT05) for this years Q Awards.

And as usual the event wasn't without its fair share of controversy with Yoko Ono, who picked up an award on behalf of John Lennon, appearing to take a dig at his former bandmate in The Beatles, Paul McCartney.

Accepting the special trophy, Ono said Lennon had sometimes felt insecure about his songs, asking why "they always cover Paul's songs and never mine. I said, 'You're a good songwriter, it's not June with Spoon that you write. You're a good singer, and most musicians are probably a little bit nervous about covering your songs.'"

Much of the days events were dominated by the media created rivalry between Coldplay and Oasis.

The Gallaghers took the Best Album title for Don't Believe The Truth, and the People's Choice Award whilst their supposed rivals Coldplay were named Best Act In The World Today.

Backstage Noel Gallagher and Coldplay front man, Chris Martin seemed the best of friends joking about the whole situation and even kissing for the cameras.

Other big awards given out went to The Bee Gees for Lifetime Achievement, Bjork for The Inspiration award and Paul Weller for Outstanding contribution to music award.

Dance outfit The Prodigy turned up letting everybody know that they are still a force to be reckoned with whilst also winning The Q Innovation in sound award.

The Q awards, now in their 16th year, are among the biggest prizes on the rock scene with winners voted for by fans on the Q music magazine's website.

Full winners list:

BEST NEW ACT: James Blunt

BEST TRACK (formerly BEST SINGLE): KT Tunstall Black Horse and the Cherry Tree

Q CLASSIC SONG: Ray Davies Waterloo Sunset

BEST LIVE ACT: U2

BEST ALBUM: Oasis - Don't Believe The Truth

THE Q PEOPLE'S CHOICE: Oasis

BEST PRODUCER: Gorillaz/ Danger Mouse - Demon Days

BEST VIDEO: Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc

BEST ACT IN THE WORLD TODAY: Coldplay

THE Q BIRTHDAY HONOUR: Michael Eavis

THE Q ICON AWARD: Jimmy Page

THE Q CLASSIC SONGWRITER: Nick Cave

THE Q LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS: Bee Gees

THE Q OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC AWARD: Paul Weller

THE Q INNOVATION IN SOUND: The Prodigy

THE Q LEGEND: Joy Division

THE Q INSPIRATION AWARD: Bjork

THE Q SPECIAL AWARD: John Lennon

IOSIF KOBZON, SINGER DUBBED 'SOVIET SINATRA,' DIES AT AGE 80

Iosif Kobzon, an iconic Russian crooner and political figure dubbed "the Soviet Sinatra" for his decades-long career, has died.  He was 80 years old.

One of the most revered Russian singers of the 20th century, Kobzon is remembered not only for his concerts but also for efforts to negotiate the release of hostages and prisoners of war.

The Russian State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, said in a statement that Kobzon died Thursday (30 AUG. 2018).

Russian news agencies quoted his assistant as saying the singer's death resulted from a protracted illness, a typical Russian euphemism for cancer.  Kobzon was diagnosed with cancer a decade ago.

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday sent his condolences to Kobzon's family, calling him "truly a people's artist" and a "man of great strength, courage and dignity."  Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Kobzon was "a wise mentor who was always there with help and advice."

With his trademark toupee, boxer's build and striking baritone that could easily withstand even seven-hour singing marathons, Kobzon was a perennial fixture on Soviet and Russian radio and television starting in the early 1960s.

His devotion to the Communist party and a repertoire of patriotic songs about the heroic achievements of the Soviet people helped him become one of the most successful performers of the Soviet era.  He sold tens of millions of records in the Soviet Union and the Socialist Bloc countries.

But to generations of Soviet dissidents and rock music fans, Kobzon symbolized the omnipresent Communist propaganda that contradicted the idea of artistic expression free from censorship and government control.

Kobzon was born into a poor Jewish family in the eastern Ukrainian town of Chasov Yar in 1937 - in the darkest hour of purges instigated by Soviet leader Josef Stalin.

As part of a children's choir, Kobzon performed in front of Stalin and later graduated from the prestigious Gnesin music school in Moscow.  He rose to fame in the early 1960s with "Cuba My Love," a song praising the anti-U.S. struggle of Cuban Communists.

By 1973, Kobzon had become a member of the Communist Party and earned a degree at the University of Marxism-Leninism.

He recorded albums with songs about World War II written by leading Soviet songwriters, sang opera arias as well as Russian and Ashkenazi Jewish folk songs and rediscovered dozens of popular songs dating back to the 1920s.

His hours-long shows with brass and string orchestras drew crowds throughout the Soviet Union, and his patriotic songs boosted his popularity among the country's military and law enforcement agencies.

In 1989, Kobzon was elected to the first Soviet parliament. In the same year, as an influential member of the Soviet Jewish community, he participated in the talks that restored Soviet-Israeli diplomatic ties, which had been cut after the 1967 Mideast War.

He tried to organize a Russian tour for his longtime idol Frank Sinatra.  But to Sinatra's demand to be sent a handwritten invitation from Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and to hold his show on Moscow's Red Square, Kobzon replied with a four-letter swear word.

In the years of perestroika and after the Soviet collapse, fame and connections helped Kobzon launch a career in business and politics.  But the U.S. and several Western European countries denied Kobzon entry visas because of his alleged links to the Russian mafia.  The FBI alleged in 1995 that Kobzon ran a criminal organization involved in racketeering, international arms trading and drug trafficking.

In 2003, a Swiss court froze Kobzon's assets in a Swiss bank and confiscated some $750,000 of his money alleging it was laundered by a criminal group.

Kobzon fiercely denied the claims and said they were made up by his political opponents.

From 1997 until his death, Kobzon was a lawmaker in the State Duma, joining the Kremlin-organized United Russia party.

Kobzon advocated for the introduction of strict limits on foreign music in radio and television broadcasts.

Using his political and business connections, he facilitated the release of dozens of captured Russian soldiers and civilians during the separatist wars in Chechnya.

He also helped hold talks with Chechen militants who seized a Moscow theater with some 900 hostages in October 2002.  Kobzon arrived at the scene and went into the theater. Even though he failed to convince the militants to let the hostages go, he did manage to secure the release of one woman and three children.

In 2007, Kobzon celebrated his 70th birthday with a seven-hour-long concert at the Kremlin's concert hall and a tour of former Soviet republics.

In recent years, Kobzon traveled to his native separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine to show his support for the Kremlin-backed rebels, defying protests of the Ukrainian government. In one of his last shows, he performed in the rebel capital of Donetsk in October 2014, celebrating the inauguration of the rebel leader.

Kobzon is survived by his third wife Nelly, son Andrey, daughter Natalya and ten grandchildren.

The crooner will be laid to rest in Moscow on Sunday.

FILE: Donetsk, Ukraine, 27 October, 2014

1. Various of Iosif Kobzon singing

2. Military orchestra playing violins

3. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Iosif Kobzon, Russian singer and lawmaker:

"Donbass is my motherland. The World War II victory day I celebrated in Slovyansk in 1945, then I want to school in Kramatorsk. Imagine how I feel when I hear that my motherland is being tortured."

4. Alexander Zakharchenko, leader of the rebels in the Donetsk region, applauding

++AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING++

5. Zakharchenko giving flowers to Kobzon; singing duet of the Cold War-era ballad "I Love You, My Life"

FILE: Moscow, Russia, 22 November 1995

6. UPSOUND (Russian) Iosif Kobzon speaks on stage at Russia High Fashion Week

"... Real men should be crying with happiness that for the second year in a row, we have this week of high fashion!...."

SHOTLIST

AP Entertainment

5 November, 2007

1. Exterior of Lincoln Centre

2. Wide of red carpet

3. Wide of Jennifer Garner on red carpet

4. Mid of Jennifer Garner

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Jennifer Garner, The Icon Next Door Honouree:

"I wouldn't trade being a woman for anything in the world. The best thing we have is our sisters and girlfriends and mothers and daughters. That kind of sums it up for me. Men just don't relate to each other the same way we do."

6. MS Ben Affleck, husband to Jennifer Garner, on red carpet

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Jennifer Garner:

"Is that too big a statement? Men have deep friendships - I'm not saying that - but with women we rely on each other in more of a community way. I don't mean to disparage men, but you asked me about being a woman; that's the way I feel."

8. Wide of Elizabeth Edwards and children on red carpet (wife of US Presidential candidate, John Edwards and cancer survivor)

9. UPSOUND (English): Elizabeth Edwards, The Role Model Honouree:

"I think that when people look for women as a candidate or spokesperson they're hoping that a woman does something in particular and that is speaks from her soul and when we see that I think it really moves us as a people and as women as well - when a woman really speaks the truth from her soul."

10. Wide push honourees from Empowering Hands

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Maurine Akello, former child soldier, The Survivor Honouree:

"We bring back hope in their lives because they know that these children who came back from the bush are useless people so we try to bring back hope in their lives. Meanwhile we tell them that these people went through difficult situations but they can still do something good for their future."

12. Mid push Toni Morrison to camera monitor:

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Toni Morrison, Lifetime Achievement Award Honouree:

"Well, I think the pinnacle for a writer has got to be the Nobel Prize. For other kinds of things - flawless character - something like the Glamour Lifetime Achievement Award is most welcome."

14. Mid of Donna Karan

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Donna Karan, The Style Force Honouree:

"We multi-task. We sort of handle a lot. We're used to taking care of them. A little bit of ourselves once in a while. Putting it out there. Our children."

16. Mid of Abigail Breslin

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Abigail Breslin, The American Girl Honouree:

"The most exciting thing that just happened to me - I might - I'm not sure, but I might get a puppy. So, I'm not sure, but that's really exciting for me right now. I'm not sure."

18. Mid of Jennifer Connelly and husband Paul Bettany on red carpet

GLAMOUR AWARDS

Glamour magazine honoured 21 extraordinary and inspirational women on Monday night at the 18th annual Glamour Women of the Year Awards.

Among the honourees were actress Jennifer Garner, designer Donna Karan, author Toni Morrison, Elizabeth Edwards and a group of young women from Uganda who bravely survived being abducted and forced to serve as child soldiers.

The gala event was held at Lincoln Centre's Avery Fisher Hall in New York with Grammy-winning recording artist Mariah Carey scheduled to perform along with the African Children's Choir.

While many of the issues being addressed and supported by the honourees are serious in nature, there was plenty of good natured joking on the red carpet.

When Jennifer Garner was asked what she liked most about being a woman she said, "I wouldn't trade being a woman for anything in the world. The best thing we have is our sisters and girlfriends and mothers and daughters. That kind of sums it up for me. Men just don't relate to each other the same way we do."

As her husband, Ben Affleck strolled by she added, "Is that too big a statement? Men have deep friendships - I'm not saying that - but with women we rely on each other in more of a community way. I don't mean to disparage men, but you asked me about being a woman; that's the way I feel."

Donna Karan added that women surpass men in their ability to multi-task.

Elizabeth Edwards, a cancer survivor and the wife of US presidential candidate John Edwards remarked, "I think that when people look for women as a candidate or spokesperson they're hoping that a woman does something in particular and that is, speaks from her soul and when we see that I think it really moves us as a people and as women as well - when a woman really speaks the truth from her soul."

The youngest honouree of the evening was Abigail Breslin, best known for her starring role in the film, "Little Miss Sunshine."

When asked what was most exciting about the gala evening, she answered as any 11-year-old should:

"The most exciting thing that just happened to me - I might - I'm not sure, but I might get a puppy. So, I'm not sure, but that's really exciting for me right now. I'm not sure," she said.

STEVIE WONDER, JENNIFER HUDSON, FAITH HILL, FANTASIA AMONG ALL-STAR PERFORMERS LINED UP TO PERFORM AT ARETHA FRANKLIN'S FUNERAL

An all-star lineup that includes Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Shirley Caesar and many more will perform at Aretha Franklin's funeral next week.

The Queen of Soul's service will be held in Detroit on Aug. 31. Also slated to perform are Ron Isley, Chaka Khan, Yolanda Adams, Jennifer Holliday and Franklin's son, Edward Franklin.

The list was provided to The Associated Press on Thursday (23 AUG. 2018) by Franklin's longtime publicist, Gwendolyn Quinn.

The service will reflect Franklin's strong gospel roots. Among the gospel stars performing will be Marvin Sapp and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. The Aretha Franklin Orchestra and the Aretha Franklin Celebration Choir are also on the program.

The service will be held at Greater Grace Temple. Franklin died of pancreatic cancer last Thursday at age 76 in Detroit.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

FILE: New York, 10 Aug. 2016

1. Various of Stevie Wonder arriving at an event

ASSOCIATED PRESS

FILE: New York, 16 Sept. 2015

2. Various of Jennifer Hudson posing at a DKNY fashion show

POOL

FILE: Las Vegas, 2 April 2017

3. Various of Faith Hill posing on the ACM red carpet

ASSOCIATED PRESS

FILE: New York, 11 July 2016

4. Various of Fantasia arriving at a VH1 Hip Hop Honors event

ASSOCIATED PRESS

FILE: New York, 22 March 2014

5. Medium shot Aretha Franklin arrives at party for her 72nd birthday

ASSOCIATED PRESS

FILE: New York, 21 May 2014

6. Wide shot Aretha Franklin on stage receiving her doctorate at New York University's commencement ceremony

ASSOCIATED PRESS

FILE: New York, 1 Oct. 2014

7. Various of Aretha Franklin and Clive Davis at event to promote her covers album 'Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics'

ASSOCIATED PRESS

FILE: New York, 30 Oct. 2014

8. Various of Clive Davis and Aretha Franklin posing for photographers at the Black Ball

HEADLINE Exteriors of Donna Summer's home

CAPTION: Exteriors of Donna Summer's home in Englewood, Florida. (May 17)

[Location - Date:ENGLEWOOD, FLORIDA]

[Source:AP]

STORYLINE:

NEW YORK (AP) _ Like the King of Pop or the Queen of Soul, Donna Summer was bestowed a title fitting of musical royalty _ the Queen of Disco.

Yet unlike Michael Jackson or Aretha Franklin, it was a designation she wasn't comfortable embracing.

"I grew up on rock `n' roll," Summer once said when explaining her reluctance to claim the title.

Indeed, as disco boomed then crashed in a single decade in the 1970s, Summer, the beautiful voice and face of the genre with pulsating hits like "I Feel Love," "Love to Love You Baby" and "Last Dance," would continue to make hits incorporating the rock roots she so loved. One of her biggest hits, "She Works Hard for the Money," came in the early 1980s and relied on a smoldering guitar solo as well as Summer's booming voice.

Yet it was with her disco anthems that she would have the most impact in music, and it's how she was remembered Thursday as news spread of her death at age 63.

Summer died of cancer Thursday morning in Naples, Fla., said her publicist Brian Edwards. Her family released a statement saying they "are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy."

It had been decades since that brief, flashy moment when Summer was every inch the Disco Queen.

Her glittery gowns and long eyelashes. Her luxurious hair and glossy, open lips. Her sultry vocals, her bedroom moans and sighs. She was as much a part of the culture as disco balls, polyester, platform shoes and the music's pulsing, pounding rhythms.

Summer's music gave voice to not only a musical revolution, but a cultural one _ a time when sex, race, fashion and drugs were being explored and exploited with freedom like never before in the United States.

Her rise was inseparable from disco's itself, even though she remained popular for years after the genre she helped invent had died. She won a Grammy for best rock vocal performance for "Hot Stuff," a fiery guitar-based song that represented her shift from disco to more rock-based sounds, and created another kind of anthem with "She Works Hard for the Money," this time for women's rights.

Elton John said in a statement that Summer was more than the Queen of Disco.

"Her records sound as good today as they ever did. That she has never been inducted into the Rock `n' Roll Hall of Fame is a total disgrace especially when I see the second-rate talent that has been inducted," he said. "She is a great friend to me and to the Elton John AIDS Foundation and I will miss her greatly."

Summer may not have liked the title and later became a born-again Christian, but many remembered her best for her early years, starting with the sinful "Love to Love You Baby."

Released in 1975, a breakthrough hit for Summer and for disco, it was a legend of studio ecstasy and the genre's ultimate sexual anthem. Summer came up with the idea of the song and first recorded it as a demo in 1975, on the condition that another singer perform it commercially. But Casablanca Records president Neil Bogart liked the track so much that he suggested to producer Giorgio Morodor they re-record it, and make it longer _ what would come to be known as a "disco disc."

Summer had reservations about the lyrics _ "Do it to me again and again" _ but imagined herself as a movie star playing a part as if she were Marilyn Monroe. So she agreed to sing, lying down on the studio floor, in darkness, and letting her imagination take over. Solo and multitracked, she whispered, she groaned, she crooned. Drums, bass, strings and keyboards answered her cries. She simulated climax so many times that the BBC kept count: 23, in 17 minutes.

What started as a scandal became a classic. The song was later sampled by LL Cool J, Timbaland and Beyonce, who interpolated the hit for her jam "Naughty Girl." It was also Summer's U.S. chart debut and the first of 19 No. 1 dance hits between 1975 and 2008 _ second only to Madonna.

Summer, real name LaDonna Adrian Gaines, was born in 1948 in Boston. She was raised on gospel music and became the soloist in her church choir by age 10.

"There was no question I would be a singer, I just always knew. I had credit in my neighborhood, people would lend me money and tell me to pay it back when I got famous," Summer said in a 1989 interview with The Associated Press.

Before disco, she had already reinvented herself several times. She sang Motown songs with local groups in Boston as a teenager, then dropped out of school in the late 1960s and switched to pyschedelic rock after hearing Janis Joplin. An attempt to get a part in the musical "Hair" led her to get the principal role in Munich. She stayed in Germany for five years, worked in other productions and modeled.

Meanwhile, she was performing in operas, singing backup for Three Dog Night and other groups and releasing songs of her own. A marriage to Helmuth Sommer didn't last, but the singer did hold on to her ex-husband's last name, changing it to "Summer." By 1974, she had met producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte and released her first album, "Lady of the Night," to success in Europe.

Then came "Love to Love You Baby," her memorable U.S. debut. Through the rest of the disco era she burned up the charts: She was the only artist to have three consecutive double-LPs hit No. 1, "Live and More," "Bad Girls" and "On the Radio." She was also the first female artist with four No. 1 singles in a 13-month period, according to the Rock Hall of Fame, where she was a nominee this year but was passed over.

Musically, she began to change in 1979 with "Hot Stuff," which had a tough, rock `n' roll beat. Her diverse sound helped her earn Grammy Awards in the dance, rock, R&B and inspirational categories.

Summer said grew up on rock `n' roll and later covered the Bruce Springsteen song "Protection."

"I like the Moody Blues, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones as well as Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, the Supremes and Temptations," she said. "I didn't know many white kids who didn't know the Supremes; I don't know many black kids who don't know the Moody Blues."

Warwick said in a statement that she was sad to lose a great performer and "dear friend."

"My heart goes out to her husband and her children," Warwick said. "Prayers will be said to keep them strong."

Summer later became a born-again Christian and was accused of making anti-gay comments in relation to the AIDS epidemic _ a particular problem for a woman who was and remains a gay icon. Summer denied making the comments, but became the target of a boycott.

Religion played an important role in her later life, said Michael Levine, who briefly worked as her publicist.

"Her passion in her life, besides music, was God, spirituality and religion. She held a bible study class at her home every week," he said.

Summer released her last album, "Crayons," in 2008. It was her first full studio album in 17 years. She also performed on "American Idol" that year with its top female contestants.

Summer is survived by her husband, Bruce Sudano, and three daughters, Brooklyn, Mimi and Amanda.

++16:9++

1. Wide Pope Benedict XVI entering Sanctuary of El Cobre, home to Cuba's Patron Saint

2. Close of Virgen del Cobre

3. Reverse shot of Benedict walking down aisle

4. Mid Benedict walking to altar

5. Wide interior of church

6. Close of stained glass

7. Various Benedict praying before Virgen del Cobre

8. Mid of stained glass

9. Wide of Benedict lighting candle for Virgen del Cobre

10. Mid of cardinals

11. Mid of Benedict reading to cardinals

12. Close of figure of Christ

13. Wide of Benedict leaving church

14. Mid of people outside church waiting for Benedict

15. Wide of Benedict speaking

++4:3++

16. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Pope Benedict XVI:

++OVERLAID WITH SHOTS OF STATUE AND CROWD LISTENING++

"I have entrusted to the Mother of God the future of your country, advancing along the ways of renewal and hope, for the greater good of all Cubans. I have also prayed to the Virgin for the needs of those who suffer, of those who are deprived of freedom, those who are separated from their loved ones or who are undergoing times of difficulty."

++16:9++

17. Mid of people waving at Benedict

18. Zoom in to Benedict leaving

STORYLINE

The power of a diminutive icon drew the leader of the world's Roman Catholics to a bucolic hillside town in eastern Cuba on Tuesday for a moment of private prayer and reflection amid days of vast ceremonies and meetings with heads of state.

On the second day of his Cuban tour, the pope knelt silently before the Virgin of Charity of Cobre for several minutes, his eyes open and hands clasped.

The crowned, wooden statue just over a foot (35 centimetres) tall stood on a covered table shrouded in a blue and white cloth.

The 84-year-old pontiff then rose with the help of two Cuban bishops, who held before him the text of a prayer.

Finally, Benedict approached the statue, lit a candle and stood in prayer as a choir sang hymns.

In a brief speech at the sanctuary, Benedict continued to touch on the themes of change and hope and expressed concern for prisoners and the enormous Cuban diaspora in South Florida and elsewhere, who he said were in his thoughts.

"I have entrusted to the Mother of God the future of your country, advancing along the ways of renewal and hope, for the greater good of all Cubans," he said.

The pope pointedly referred to the icon by her popular name, La Virgen Mambisa, in a gesture to the many non-Catholics on the island who nonetheless venerate the statue as an Afro-Cuban deity.

Mambisa is the word for the Cuban fighters who won independence from Spain at the turn of the last century.

While most Cubans are nominally Catholic, fewer than 10 percent practice the faith.

Bringing more Cubans back to the pews is a key aim of Benedict's trip to the Caribbean island.

After visiting the shrine, Benedict was flying to Havana to meet with President Raul Castro and possibly Fidel Castro, though that had not been confirmed.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who is in Havana undergoing radiation therapy for cancer, did not ask for an audience but would be welcome to attend Mass in the capital's Revolution Square on Wednesday, a Vatican spokesman said.

SHOTLIST

POOL

1. Wide pan of construction site at ground zero (former site of World Trade Centre)

2. Family members walking down ramp to World Trade Centre site and pool

3. Family members and others at pool writing messages and leaving flowers

4. Police officers reading names of victims

5. Pull out from woman holding photo of young man

6. Medium shot woman walking down ramp with flower and flag

7. Close up girl crying holding photo

8. Wide shot flag on building near Ground Zero

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Bloomberg, New York City mayor:

"On this anniversary day, we are guided by these words: 'Sadness flies on the wings of the morning and out of the heart of darkness comes the light.'"

AP TELEVISION

10. Pan from people looking through fence around Ground Zero to people crying

11. Pan from flowers to man draped in US flag standing at fence

12. Wide shot family members walking

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Annette Vukosa, lost her husband Alfred Vukosa:

"We're still grieving. It still feels like September 12th. "

14. Pan of family members leaving ceremony carrying flowers

15. SOUNDBITE: (English) Jeffery M. Taormina, lost his brother Dennis Taormina:

"It seemed like there was less people, which is kind of disheartening because I don't want anybody to forget about it. I want it to stay in American's minds, but having it in the park wasn't as bad as I thought it was going be. It was actually pretty nice."

16. Pan from FDNY (New York Fire Department) patch to balloon on fence

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Jose Rivera, lost his uncle:

"I think that it's very sad just to see so many people have lost someone that you love. And then when I saw the site, that made me cry, to see how deep that hole was. And people was actually buried under it. So you know you can't find no body in there. It's sad. Too many people died."

18. Pull out from hole in fence around Ground Zero

STORYLINE:

Relatives of World Trade Centre victims assembled at a park in the lower Manhattan area of New York city on Tuesday to mark the sixth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, with grey skies and rain providing a grim backdrop to the first ceremony not held at Ground Zero.

The site of the twin towers was not used because of ongoing construction there.

The decision to hold the ceremony at the park prompted some families to skip this year's memorial, which was also the first time the commemoration has been held on a Tuesday, the day the attacks occurred in 2001.

A choir sang, bagpipers and other musicians played, first responders read the names of the 2,750 victims, and city and state leaders, past and present, gave brief statements.

There were four moments of silence marked by a fire official ringing a bell.

They coincided with the moments when the planes hit each of the twin towers, and then the moments when the two towers collapsed.

Once again, the US city paused to listen as the names of the victims were read in a familiar but moving litany.

Although the ceremony was held in the park, family members had won the right to walk into the pit at Ground Zero to remember those who died in the fiery rubble of the collapsed 110-story towers.

They plucked roses from three buckets at the top of the ramp and marched slowly down to a circular pool of water.

Inside the pool, two smaller 6-foot square pools represented the trade centre as family members tossed flowers into the water or wrote messages on its wooden railing.

The Brooklyn Youth Chorus closed the ceremony by singing "Bridge over troubled water," a Simon and Garfunkel song, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg quoted French dramatist Jean Giraudoux, saying: "On this anniversary day, we are guided by these words: 'Sadness flies on the wings of the morning and out of the heart of darkness comes the light.'"

Outside the site, nearby, many others gathered to commemorate the event.

Even after six years, the pain of that morning lingered for many.

Annette Vukosa, who lost her husband Alfred Vukosa, said she is still grieving.

"It still feels like September 12th," she said.

Jeffery M. Taormina, whose brother, Dennis Taormina, was killed, said he liked the ceremony, even if there may have been fewer people than last year.

"It seemed like there was less people, which is kind of disheartening because I don't want anybody to forget about it," Taormina said.

Jose Rivera, whose uncle was killed, said he cried when he saw the site.

"I think that it's very sad just to see so many people have lost someone that you love," he said.

"And then we I saw the site, that made me cry, to see how deep that hole was. And people was actually buried in there. So you know you can't find no body in there. It's sad. Too many people died," he added.

For the first time this year, a victim who did not die at the trade centre was recognised -- the city added the name of an attorney who died of lung disease five months later to its official victims' list this year.

Many of the first responders have become sick, or died themselves, of respiratory problems and cancers they blame on exposure to trade centre dust.

SHOTLIST

1. Wide of the Christ the Saviour Cathedral, venue of funeral service for renowned cellist Mstislav Rostropovich

2. Tilt down from Cathedral dome to gathered crowd inside

3. Naina Yeltsin, widow of former President Boris Yeltsin, crying over coffin

4. Close of coffin

5. Wide of Naina Yeltsin and daughters at service

6. Wide of Rostropovich's widow Galina Vishnevskaya sitting in chair next to coffin

7. Close of Vishnevskaya with mourner

8. Various of mourners

9. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Boris Bressler, Theatre Director, Vox pop:

"(He was) a saint of a man and a genius. We cannot find anybody else with his combination of qualities; humanity, spirit, genius, creativity, simplicity. I cannot compare him with anybody else."

10. Wide of queue of mourners

11. Extreme wide shot of Novodevichy monastery

12. Wide of funeral procession

13. Woman carrying photo of Rostropovich

14. Vishnevskaya following coffin in funeral procession

15. Wide of procession

16. Writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn's wife Natalya holding flowers

17. Priest conducting service

18. Pan from Sofia, Queen of Spain, to the widow

19. Mid of choir

20. Close-up of Vishnevskaya

21. Assembled media

22. Coffin being lowered into grave

23. Tomb cross

24. Tighter shot of coffin being lowered into grave

25. Low shot of line of soldiers and crowd with roses in the foreground

STORYLINE

Mstislav Rostropovich, the renowned cellist and conductor who won world fame for his masterly playing and his courage in defending human rights, was laid to rest in an elite Moscow cemetery on Sunday.

Several thousand Russians came to bid farewell to Rostropovich, who fought for the rights of Soviet-era dissidents and later triumphantly played

Bach suites below the crumbling Berlin Wall.

He died Friday at age 80 after a battle with intestinal cancer.

Teary admirers of Rostropovich's talent flocked to the mourning service in the soaring gold-domed Cathedral of Christ the Saviour on the banks of the Moscow river, which was blown up by Communists in 1931 and which Rostropovich helped rebuild after the Soviet collapse.

Red-robed Orthodox priests sang prayers and swung incense burners as mourners lit thin wax candles and lay flowers near the open casket, where the musician's body lay covered with a white cloth embroidered with a cross.

Rostropovich's passing comes on the heels of the death of another key figure in the country's history, the first leader of post-Soviet Russia, Boris

Yeltsin, whose mourning service was performed in the same cathedral.

Yeltsin's widow Naina Yeltsin attended the funeral service with her daughters.

Rostropovich's widow, the Bolshoi Opera soprano Galina Vishnevskaya, and his two daughters Olga and Elena accepted condolences from mourners.

Throughout the day, dozens of people queued outside Cathedral, some brought flowers, while others lit candles for the renowned musician.

Boris Bressler, a theatre director who had come to pay his respects to Rostropovich and his family, described Rostropovich as "a saint of a man and a genius".

"We cannot find anybody else with his combination of qualities; humanity, spirit, genius creativity, simplicity. I cannot compare him with anybody else," he said.

After the ceremony, Rostropovich's coffin was transported to the elite, leafy Novodevichy Cemetery, which contains the graves of his teachers, Dmitry Shostakovich and Sergei Prokofiev.

Yeltsin was also interred there on Wednesday.

Rostropovich's brown wooden coffin was gently lowered into the ground, after which his widow and daughters Olga and Yelena sprinkled the casket with fistfuls of earth in line with Orthodox tradition.

Hundreds of mourners stood nearby, some clutching red carnations, other wiping tears from their eyes.

Guests and dignitaries at the funeral included the wife of dissident writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Natalya; Spain's Queen Sofia; French first lady Bernadette Chirac; and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliev and his wife.

President Vladimir Putin, who called the musician's death "a huge loss for Russian culture" paid his respects during a civil mourning on Saturday

at the Moscow Conservatory, where Rostropovich studied and played.

"Slava" Rostropovich was considered by many to be the successor to Pablo Casals as the world's greatest cellist.

He was an effusive rather than an intimidating maestro, a teacher who nurtured Jacqueline du Pre among many other great cellists.

Rostropovich's sympathies against the Communist leaders of his homeland started when Shostakovich and Prokofiev were denounced during the Stalin era.

Under Leonid Brezhnev's regime, in the early 1970s, Rostropovich and his wife sheltered Solzhenitsyn in their dacha.

After Solzhenitsyn won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1970, Rostropovich wrote an open letter to the Soviet media protesting the official

vilification of the author.

His fight for cultural freedom resulted in the cancellation of concerts, foreign tours and recording projects.

Finally, in 1974, he and his wife fled to Paris with their two daughters.

Four years later, their Soviet citizenship was revoked.

In 1989, as the Berlin Wall was being torn down, Rostropovich showed up with his cello and played Bach cello suites amid the rubble.

The next year, his Soviet citizenship was restored, and he made a triumphant return to Russia to perform with Washington's National Symphony Orchestra, where he was music director from 1977 to 1994.

SHOTLIST:

AP Television

Atlanta, Georgia 06 February 2006

1. Pullout from sign outside the Ebenezer Church to crowds waiting

2. Pan of mourners lined up outside church

3. Tracking shot of mourners standing with umbrellas

4. Mourners entering the church

Pool - Access All

5. Crowds filing past body of Coretta Scott King

6. Flowers cutaway

7. Television show host Oprah Winfrey paying respects

8. Closeup of Winfrey at casket

AP Television

9. More mourners walking into church

10. Man holding pamphlet for what he says was the memorial ceremony of Martin Luther King, Junior

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Reginald Millines, Mourner

"It's a sense of sadness but joy to know that Sister King is gone - she's gone to be with Martin and hopefully a big reunion is taking place in heaven at this time."

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Barbara Richardson, Mourner

"It was very emotional, she is a very beautiful person. Just reminded me of how we need to keep making a difference and that is just inspiring."

13. Wide exterior of church with lines of people

Pool - Access All

14. Wide of service with choir singing

15. Woman playing spiritual with saxophone

16. Man dancing with Coretta Scott King picture

17. Singer Gladys Knight singing

18. Wide of congregation

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Oprah Winfrey, Television Personality

"To me she embodied, royalty. She was the queen."

20. King family seated in front row

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Yolanda King, Daughter

"Through her courage strength and determination we learned to embrace our spiritual power and stand strong in truth."

22. Pan of audience

23. Congregation applauding King family

STORYLINE:

Thousands of mourners joined family members and celebrities at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Monday to pay their respects to the

"first lady of the civil rights movement," Coretta Scott King, widow of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

People lined up for blocks outside the church's historic sanctuary, waiting for hours in freezing rain.

King's children attended the viewing, as did TV talk-show host Oprah Winfrey.

King, who died on January 30, at age 78, lay in honour at the church where her husband, the Reverend Martin Luther King Junior, shared his dream from the pulpit in the 1960s.

Inside the silent sanctuary, mourners filed slowly past the coffin, some lingering a moment before moving on.

A shroud of flowers blanketed the lower half of the coffin, and wreaths stood on either side, decorated with roses, King's favourite flower.

During the weekend, some 42,000 mourners had walked past King's body at the state Capitol, where she became the first woman and the first black person to lie in honour there.

It was a striking contrast to the official snub her slain husband had been given by then Governor Lester Maddox, an outspoken segregationist.

Mourners from as far away as California stood in line for up to two hours for the viewing, with many saying King was a continuing inspiration even in her passing.

Across the street, at least 1,000 people filled the church's newer facility for a musical tribute, including Oprah Winfrey and other entertainers such as Gladys Knight.

"For me, she embodied royalty. She was the queen," Winfrey said.

King died at an alternative medicine clinic in Mexico, where doctors said she was battling advanced ovarian cancer.

She also had been recovering from a serious stroke and heart attack.

As the service concluded, King's eldest daughter, Yolanda King, told the gathering, "I know it is the prayers of so many of you and from all over the world that carried her safely home. We knew first hand the enduring power of love."

President Bush and former President Clinton lead the list of dignitaries expected to attend her funeral on Tuesday.

The funeral is to be held at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, a megachurch in Lithonia where the Kings' youngest child, Bernice, is a minister.