Video - Deep Fried Butter on a Stick Hits Iowa State Fair – Are you Serious?

Deep Fried Butter on a Stick

You’re kidding right? A fried butter log?

We all know that the Iowa State Fair is notorious for creating some of the worst possible foods known to mankind.

It’s almost like they are just tempting you to kill yourself.

But this year the creative purveyors of food delicacies have gone too far.

For just a few bucks, you can now buy a deep fried stick of butter mixed with a fat laden batter and deep fried.

All you have to do is take a stick of butter, cover it in cinnamon and honey and dip it in a hot grease fryer.

Mmmmm.

No – we’re not kidding.

Watch How to Make Deep Fried Butter Stick - Iowa State Fair


Now, we suspect if you have to ask how many calories are in a creation like this then “health” is not a word in your vocabulary.

Some experts say it is probably close to 2,500 calories and 300% of your daily recommended amount of fat.

Needless to say you will get an entire week of fat, cholesterol and other bad things if you chow down on one of these things.

Why not wash it down with a couple of beers?

Oh yea, don’t forget the Rolaids.

The Iowa State Fair runs through August 21st so hurry!

If you get there on opening night you can participate in one of the Fair’s oldest traditions – butter sculpting.

Each team receives one 55 pound block of butter and has 30 minutes to sculpt it into whatever they want. The winning sculptures will be displayed alongside the world famous Butter Cow in the Agriculture Building.

The losers? Well, they get their sculpture deep fried on a stick.

What do you think? Would YOU try one?

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Video - iCarly’s Miranda Cosgrove Breaks Ankle in Tour Bus Accident - Mother also Injured

18-year-old actress and singer Miranda Cosgrove broke her ankle in a tour bus accident this morning.

According to reports, the tour bus she was riding in crashed into an overturned truck on Interstate 70 near Vandalia Illinois.

Cosgrove was traveling to her next concert venue in Kansas when the accident occurred injuring several people. The bus driver was flown to the hospital and is reported in critical condition.

Cosgrove broke her ankle and was taken to the hospital for treatment and observation and has cancelled her shows in Wichita Kansas and Denver Colorado.

Her rep released a statement saying,

"Miranda Cosgrove's tour bus was involved in an accident early this morning in Illinois on I-70, just outside of Vandalia. There were five passengers on the bus, and Miranda suffered a broken ankle. At this time, we are told everyone will be fine. Because of this, her tour is postponed until further notice. Miranda thanks everyone for their understanding and support."

Miranda's mother was also injured in the accident but is expected to recover. One reporter on the scene said the accident was much worse then she thought saying,

"Miranda's mom was on the bus with her and got really beaten up by the crash. She's expected to fully recover, but it's scary because the driver was hurt, too, and he's in really bad shape because the injury happened close to his heart. This was a life-threatening crash. A piece from the tractor-trailer went straight through the windshield and the driver's arm was sliced all the way through."

A local news channel took the following footage showing the tour bus badly damaged and being towed away.



In addition to her role as Carly Shaw on “iCarly”, the actress has appeared in “The Naked Brothers Band”, “The Wild Stallion”, “Drake & Josh”, “Unfabulous”, and other Nickelodeon shows.

She is currently on the road touring as part of her “Dancing Crazy Summer Tour” and until yesterday was performing with teen sensation Greyson Chance.

Watch Miranda Cosgrove interview on HLN


We wish Miranda the best and are sure she will be back on tour as soon as she heals.

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Watch – Idol Winner Scotty McCreery Releases "I Love You This Big" Music Video

It’s here!

American Idol winner Scotty McCreery has finally released his music video for his first single “I Love You This Big”.

McCreery, who walked away with the Idol top prize this year, is currently on the road with his fellow contestants with the “American Idol Live Tour 2011” and from what we hear is bringing down the house.

His first single is now #1 on iTunes and on the Billboards 100 Hot Ten list.

Watch Scotty McCreery “I Love You This Big” Music Video


“I Love You This Big” will also be featured on his first album due out later this year.

Scotty told reporters,

“I’m really excited to let people hear what we’ve been working on and putting so much effort and energy and time into. It’s something that I’m really proud of. I can’t wait for them to hear it! Hopefully they’ll feel what I was feeling in the studio.”

I got to say, after watching this video he seems so natural, like he has been in the country music business for years.

He just has that magic touch.

Related: Watch Scotty perform in the Idol 2011 Summer Tour - Video

Scotty has also just opened a new official web site at “ScottyMccreery-Official” where you can pre-order his album, see his latest blog posts and photos, and read about his experience this summer while on tour with the rest of the American Idol contestants.

Watch Scotty's AI Win!

The summer concert tour runs through September and then you can expect to see him in the studio fulltime finishing up his album says his manager.

He also has plans to make the rounds on late night television visiting with Jay Leno and David Letterman as well as daytime stops with Ellen and The View to help promote his new project.

Way to go Scotty – you made Garner North Carolina proud!

What do you think? Will you buy his album when it comes out?

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Video - Do Piers Morgan and Howie Mandel Really Hate Each Other?

In short we think the answer is yes.

America’s Got Talent seems to be lacking this year in “talent”, but it is NOT lacking in loathing between judges Howie Mandel and Piers Morgan.

Piers hates Howie and Howie hates Piers.

It all started early in the season when British prude Piers Morgan seemed to take a disliking to Howie’s sense of comedy, and by mid-season Howie seemed to be taunting Morgan and trying to create conflict.

At one point, Morgan got so angry he walked off stage in the middle of the show and ran to his dressing room.

Watch Piers Morgan and Howie Mandel Fight


We suspected that it was just a ratings ploy because producers mysteriously had cameras in the hall, on the stairs, in the elevator, at his dressing room door, and IN Morgan’s dressing room.

This makes us think the whole thing was staged as it takes a bit of time to setup all that equipment - and they wouldn’t do it if they didn’t know what was going to happen.

But now it seems Howie is just trying to egg on Piers because he is such a party pooper and buzzes about 90% of the acts. It's really is getting old.



Morgan seems to not be having much fun anymore, and frequently argues with Howie to the point where he is red in the face.

Piers just looks like he really hates the job.

Our favorite was when Howie was wearing some kind of strange bee or wild insect costume and he flew over to Piers and started poking him.

Watch Howie Buzz Piers on America's Got Talent


Morgan stood up and looked like he was ready to take swing at Howie. And poor Sharon Osborne seems to be stuck in the middle.

Can you imagine if Piers and Howie sat next to each other?

But in our opinion the bottom line is simple.

Even if these two nut jobs hate each other, the focus of the show is supposed to be about the contestants.

Their constant bickering just detracts from the performances and leaves us feeling like we are watching “America’s Bad Judges”.

Mandel tells us in the video below that his relationship with Piers has deteriorated to such an extent that the comic has taken off his own gloves and is now trying hard to give Morgan an extreme dose of his own medicine. (Skip to about the 2:00 mark)



We think Morgan is trying to be the splitting image of Simon Cowell, and we're afraid it's going to backfire on him.

The show would be much better WITHOUT Piers Morgan, and producers should really consider not inviting him back next season.

We would buzz him if we could.

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Video - Pia Toscano Performs First Single "This Time" on SYTYCD

Our favorite American Idol contestant Pia Toscano belted out her first new single last night on “So You Think You Can Dance” – and she nailed it.

It is Toscano’s first single since being voted off the show in an early and controversial vote.

Her early elimination over Stefano Langone sparked a grassroots effort to have her reinstated by angry fans who felt she had been voted out too early.

Since then, Pia has amassed a huge following of fans who have been anxious to hear her new material.

After leaving American Idol, Pia was quickly signed to Jimmy Iovine’s Interscope records and started working with other talented artists in preparation for her first album.

Interscope says,

“Pia has been working with several artists and producers including Rock Mafia and is proud of her first single ‘This Time’. We look forward to a long relationship with Pia, and other Idol contestants.”

Pia has told reporters that she plans to have her first album out by years end and says it will be a big, diva sounding record.

Watch Pia Toscano sing “This Time” on SYTYCD


We were impressed with Pia’s first major performance and if this is any indication of what we can expect from her new album we will buy it.

We really missed not seeing her compete up to the end of American Idol, and were not surprised to hear that her and Stefano may have had more than, let’s say a business relationship during the show.

Related: Pia Toscano and Stefano Langone Entangled In American Idol Drama Off the Set.

Whatever you say about American Idol, Simon Cowell, or the new judges, last season produced more hit makers and was so much more fun to watch than previous seasons - a huge improvement.

We can’t wait till the next season!

Go Pia!

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Video - Justin Bieber’s Shawty Mane Raps on Chris Brown's New Single “Ladies Love Me”

Okay, we get that Justin Bieber wants to break out of his bubble gum “Baby” image and start his career anew with his next album.

But we’re not sure if hard core rap is going to be his thing.

Bieber just released a new track of his alter ego Shawty Mane rapping with infamous hip hop stars David Banner and Chris Brown on Brown’s latest single “Ladies Love Me” from his upcoming mix tape.

Maybe we are missing something, but this song seems to be missing a beat or two. The backing track sounds very superficial and the drums sound about as fake as they can be.

Also, the turntable scratch seems too load and it all seems like it was mixed by a kindergartener.

Listen To Justin Bieber Rap as Shawty Mane with Chris Brown


What do you think?

I hope this is not an indication of what Bieber plans to release with his new album later this year.

Related: Justin Bieber talks new album – Video

This song almost sounds like something they threw together playing around in the studio as a joke.

But then again, maybe we are missing something.

We know that the Biebs is trying to appear more mature and “manly” these days to help break away from his younger teen-idol mold, but were not sure if this kind of music suits him – or his huge established base of fans.

We also don’t think pranking a Burger King employee and coning on video while cruising around in a $400,000 Rolls-Royce and getting pulled over by the cops will help either.

Related: Bieber goes coning and almost hits wall – Video

It does seem that Bieber is now back in the studio full time after taking a much needed break from touring.

He has tweeted several times that he is in the studio and even released a few photos of him and Brown coming and going.

Justin and Dad get tattoos

He has also taken some time off to help jump-start his girlfriend Selena Gomez’s tour that kicked off last week.

Justin was seen at her debut concert in Boca Raton Florida before being chased by fans and getting caught with his pants down on a Miami hotel balcony - shirtless and wearing only a pair of grey boxer shorts.

Related: Shirtless Justin Bieber Caught in Grey Boxers – Photos

Time will tell how this young artist wishes to portray himself to the public and to his fans. But we hope he treads lightly with the rap because we’re just not sure if his fans will go for it.

But for now, Justin Bieber is Shawty Mane...

Are you a fan? Would you want to hear more rap like this from Justin?

Follow @InfoStar on Twitter - our alter ego…

Rise of the Planet of the Apes – New Movie Trailer and Review – Video

Every now and then a movie sequel comes along that was just meant to be made.

“Rise of the Planet of the Apes” is one of those movies.

James Franco plays scientist Will Rodman, who is trying to create some of the most effective medical treatments for humans ever seen.

He develops a new drug therapy he calls “The Cure” that allows the human brain to repair itself from traumatic injuries and disease like Alzheimer's and strokes - and it’s almost ready for clinical testing.

Bust first, they test the medication on a baby chimp that quickly begins to develop amazing cognitive powers.

Soon, the young chimp name “Caesar” has grown – and possesses intelligence far greater than any human could ever imagine.

Caesar starts reading books, doing complex math, and growing bored with his simple surroundings. The staff decides to let him co-mingle with the other chimps in the facility – and things go terribly wrong.

Caesar finds a large stash of “The Cure” in a medical freezer and promptly gives it to all the apes in the facility causing “The Rise of the Apes”.

Think “Jurassic Park” on steroids and smart pills.

“Apes” was directed by Rupert Wyatt and stars James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow, Brian Cox, Tom Felton, David Oyelowo,and  Andy Serkis.

The special effects are amazing and created by the Oscar-winning visual effects team that brought to life the worlds of "Avatar" and "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

IMDB describes “Rise of the Apes” as,

“An origin story in the truest sense of the term. Set in present day San Francisco, the film is a reality-based cautionary tale, a science fiction/science fact blend, where man's own experiments with genetic engineering lead to the development of intelligence in apes and the onset of a war for supremacy.”

We call it Apes getting pissed and seeking revenge.



The film is due in theaters this August.

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Video - New Greyson Chance Video Gives Tour of His Hometown and House

So, what’s it like to go from a small town musician to the bright lights of Hollywood?

Just ask 14-year-old Greyson Chance.

Greyson, who was discovered by Ellen DeGeneres after posting a YouTube video singing Lady Gaga, took to Vevo “Area Codes” last week to give his fans a personal video tour of his hometown Edmond Oklahoma.

His tour started inside his house where he shows us his two pianos – his childhood piano and the one that Ellen bought him.

Chance also talks about his discovery by Ellen, and shows us the very Church in Henderson Hills where he played the now famous “Paparazzi” by Lady Gaga that started it all and propelled him into the limelight.

Greyson says he is an avid collector of old school vinyl records and takes about 50 of them on the road with him while on tour.

Watch Greyson Chance Hometown Tour on Area Codes


Greyson also visits the Children’s Miracle Network hospital where he makes a donation of $10,000 and talks to several patients and doctors.

He gives us a view of the Ford Center where he was asked to perform the National Anthem and says he always listens to “Escape” by Journey before he goes on stage.

Chance has a new album coming out in August called “Hold on till the Night” and has recently released a new music video for his single “Unfriend You”.

Related: Greyson Chance releases video for “Unfriend Me” – Video

This comes on the success of his first single “Waiting Outside the Lines”.

Greyson is currently on tour with Miranda Cosgrove and Cody Simpson and frequently calls in to the Ellen show to give his fans an update on what he is doing.

It has also been announced that he will be taking a recurring role on the television series "Raising Hope" next season - his first journey into the world of TV.

Follow @InfoStar on Twitter – we won’t unfriend you

Video - Snake on Car Video Goes Viral

So you’re driving down the highway at 65 MPH and suddenly out of the corner of your eye you spy something moving.

A bird? A leaf? A bug?

No – how about a snake. A poisonous snake.

That’s what happened to the couple in the video below as they were out for a little weekend drive.

The husband spotted a poisonous water moccasin snake that had been asleep under the hood and was emerging to see what all the commotion was about.

It wrapped itself around the windshield wipers before moving over to the driver’s side mirror – hanging on for dear life the entire time.

Eventually, it fell off and became the problem of the car behind them.

The wife was in tears by the time it was all over.

The video has gone viral and originated on YouTube.

Watch “Snake on Car” YouTube Viral Video


By the way, water moccasins are a very venomous species of the pit viper snake found throughout the southeastern United States.

They mainly eat small fish, frogs, and little children and can grow up to six feet in length.

Bet you check your hood before getting in your car next time…

Follow @InfoStar on Twitter – we don’t bite... or do we?

Video - Selena Gomez Behind the Scenes at First “We Own the Night” Concert

19-Year-Old teen sensation Selena Gomez opened her “We Own the Night” concert tour last Thursday – and it was a huge success.

Gomez and her band “The Scene” started their tour at the Park Amphitheater in Boca Raton Florida and her boyfriend Justin Bieber was in the audience to cheer her on.

It was a great show and everybody loved it.

After the show Gomez tweeted,

"Boca really came out tonight. . . I love you all"

And our favorite sidekick and all-around good guy videographer Alfredo Flores was there to capture all the back stage action on film.

Over the weekend Flores edited up his footage so we could see how everything went down and have a chance to see Selena with her band, crew, singers, and dancers before hitting the stage for her opening night.

Watch Backstage Footage at Selena’s Opening Night


Alfredo was an instrumental player with Justin Bieber’s “My World” tour, and has worked on several of the singer’s videos as well as his 3D movie “Never Say Never”.

And after the show, Selena's boyfriend Justin Bieber hit up the town with his best bud Sean Kingston in what would turn out to be a wild night of being chased by fans, coning in a $400,000 Rolls Royce, getting pulled over by police in front of a T.G.I.F. restaurant, and getting caught by the paparazzi on his hotel balcony - shirtless and wearing only a pair of grey boxer short underwear.

Awkward.

Related: Justin Bieber’s wild night in Florida - Photos

Gomez will be touring through September but will take a break to perform at the “Kids Choice Awards” August 7th with OneRepublic.

The tour will cruise through Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Cleveland, Pennsylvania, Toronto, Boston, St. Louis, Dallas, Kansas City, San Diego, and Las Vegas.

She can also be seen in the recently released movie “Monte Carlo” starring with Cory Monteith, Leighton Meester, and Katie Cassidy - a comedy about three young women vacationing in Paris who find themselves whisked away to Monte Carlo after one of the girls is mistaken for a British heiress.

Later this year Selena can be seen in the Disney family comedy “The Muppets” working with an all-star cast that includes Mila Kunis, Emily Blunt, Amy Adams, and Jason Segel with appearances by Neil Patrick Harris, Katy Perry, Jack Black, and Ricky Gervais.

Watch “The Muppets” Official Movie Trailer


“The Muppets” will be released November 23rd and tells the story of how the rag-tag group must reunite, with the help of their fans, in order to save their old studio from a greedy oil tycoon.

Congrats to Selena and her crew for a great opening night and best wishes for a fantastic tour.

Follow @InfoStar on Twitter – no Muppets allowed...

Video - Young Hollywood Takes a Stand against Planking

Planking has become the scourge of our country and young Hollywood is taking a stand.

No really, we literally mean a “Stand” – as in standing up.

In a parody of the “More you know” public service announcements seen on TV, Funny or Die has taken to the airwaves to start an anti-planking campaign.

In the video, several young celebrities encourage us to abandon the dangerous act of “planking” and tell us to just “Stand up straight”, take a picture, and share it with the world.



We have to agree.

Planking really has ran its course and is kind of lame. But quickly following in its footsteps has been Coning and Owling.

Related: Forget planking – Owling is in – Photos
Related: Justin Bieber goes Coning – Video

I guess kids today could be out doing drugs or getting pregnant so these trends aren’t too bad, nor the end of the world as we know it.

But come on, you need to be a little more creative kids.

Is this all the better you can do?

We say “Stand up” for your generation and come up with something that will really impress the world.

Follow @InfoStar on Twitter – “Plank” this Owl head.

Photos - Shirtless Justin Bieber Shows Underwear, Chased by Fans, and Stopped by Cops in Miami

Justin Bieber sure did have a wild time in Miami this weekend.

First, he was chased by fans while trying to leave through the back door of his girlfriend Selena’s concert in Boca Raton Florida.

Word got out that the Biebs had been backstage and was leaving when a group of young fans tried to chase him down.

Security had to escort him through a maze of bushes and shrubs as he ran to an awaiting car that whisked him away.

Justin Bieber Chased by Fans in Florida

Then, Bieber and best friend Sean Kingston were pulled over by cops in South Beach while driving a $400,000 Rolls-Royce convertible after an evening of coning and pranking.

At one point, Bieber almost hit a wall while trying to drive while holding TWO upside-down ice cream cones in his hands.

Fortunately for us they recorded the whole thing on a flip-cam!

Related: Justin Bieber pulled over by cops in Miami – Photo
Related: Bieber goes coning – almost hits wall - Video

He wrapped up his wild weekend Sunday morning by walking out onto his hotel balcony in his boxer shorts unaware there was a paparazzi photographer across the street snapping photos of the shirtless teen idol.

Bieber walked around half naked while sporting his favorite pair of sagging grey boxer shorts before returning to his suite to pack up and head to the airport.

This week, Bieber returns to the studio to continue work on his latest album “Believe” due later this year.

While little is known about his new album we do know he has been seen at the studio with Chris Brown and has hired the best song writers and producers to help him nail down his new tracks.

Related: Justin Bieber talks about his new album – Video

He is also slated to resume his “My World” tour later this year in Brazil and Latin America. No word yet on tour dates or final locations.

He is also supposed to start filming his movie with Mark Wahlberg soon but there is some speculation that the project has been pushed into next year.

Ah to be young and have nothing to do!

Go get ‘em Justin.

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Video - Young Leo Howard Kickin' It In "Conan the Barbarian 3D" – New Trailer

Anybody who has been watching the new Disney XD show “Kickin’ It” knows who 14-year-old Leo Howard is.

Leo, who has a black belt in karate and is a martial arts master in real life, has displayed his skills in the Disney Wasabi Dojo profiled in the show and has made “Kickin’ It” a smash hit for the network.

Now he is branching out into his first big screen action adventure movie while taking a starring role.

Related: Leo Howard Kicks his way into Disney’s “Kickin’ It” - Video

But in August we are going to see a side to Leo that Disney will never show you.

Howard is playing the young “Conan the Barbarian” in the August 19th release of the 3D action film starring Ron Pearlman, Jason Momoa as adult Conan, Rose McGowan - and Leo as Conan as a child.

“Conan the Barbarian 3D” tells the tale of a quest that begins as a personal vendetta for the fierce warrior, but soon turns into an epic battle against enormous rivals, horrifying monsters, shirtless villains, and impossible odds.

Conan realizes he is the only hope of saving the great nations of Hyboria from an encroaching reign of supernatural evil.

Lionsgate has just released a new red band trailer showing Leo in his role as young Conan while taking part in an epic challenge to decide who will fight with the warriors.

It shows young Conan participating in a challenge where he has to race through the woods with and egg in his mouth, and deliver it unbroken to the final destination.

But along the way the group is ambushed by the enemy and an epic battle ensues and Leo kicks some serious butt.

There is lots of blood and gore and Leo Howard saves the group and returns to the elders with the severed heads of three bad guys – then spits the unbroken egg from his mouth!

This is the first “Conan” trailer where we really get to see Leo in action and he does impress us with both his acting ability and martial arts moves.

The kid definitely knows how to fight.

Watch Leo Howard in the Conan Red Band Trailer


Leo is no stranger to Hollywood.

He has already had roles in “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra”, “Shorts”, and “Logan” before snagging his role with Disney.

Howard also starred in the TV series “Zeke and Luther”, “Children of the Corn”, and “Aussie and Ted's Great Adventure”.

Related: Meet Leo Howard – Bio of a Karate Master and Movie Star – Video

With a smash hit television series and now a major role in an action adventure movie we suspect Leo will be a hot property in the near future and will have directors beating down his door with job offers.

Being a teen idol seems to come naturally to the young star and he is not afraid to take the shirtless pose for teen idol magazines to keep the interest up among his young female fans.

If your kids aren’t talking about Leo Howard yet – they will be soon.

Follow InfoStar on Twitter – No karate skills necessary

Video - Ronan Parke Does Lady Gaga “Edge of Glory” – Preps for First Album

Not a lot of people in the United Sates know who Ronan Parke is.

He came in second place in the “Britain’s Got Talent” television show last year and, much like our own United States AGT runner-up Jackie Evancho, seems to be doing pretty well for himself.

Ronan, who was only 12-years-old when he competed on BGT, has already been signed to a record label and is preparing his first studio album.

But it has not been an easy ride for young Ronan.

During the Britain’s Got Talent competition he and Simon Cowell were accused of rigging the competition.

Parke was accused of training in secret for two years under the care of Simon – who was also accused of paying for his vocal couch and buying his cloths and sitting him with a fashion coach.

In fact, the day before the final show Cowell actually called the police to try and stop the rumors.

Watch Ronan Parke Talk about BGT Scandal


Ronan started singing when he was only three and has been taking singing lessons the last two years. After singing at a few birthday parties he decided to enter the BGT auditions.

He blew away the judges and audience, and was booked for the show and made it all the way to second place.

Watch Ronan Parke Sing on Britain's Got Talent


But now the show is over and Ronan has been in the studio after being signed by Simon Cowell’s record label.

He has also been performing live shows and has appeared at the Manchester Opera House, The True Loves Academy in London, The Edge Festival in Edinburgh, and at The Kazimier in Liverpool.

Not bad for the now 13-year-old.

His upcoming album will release on October 24, 2011 and will consist of remixes of popular cover songs.

In preparation for the new album release, Parke has been giving his fans a sneak peek at the various tracks.

One that caught our eye was an acoustic version of Lady Gaga’s “Edge of Glory”.

Watch Ronan Park Sing Lady Gaga’s Edge of Glory


He may not be the next Justin Bieber, Greyson Chance or Cody Simpson but this kid has talent.

Ronan says that music is in his blood and it is all he wants to do in life. His parents are behind him 100 percent and it seems he is off to a good start.

You can visit Ronan on his Facebook page and can pre-order his new album here on Amazon.

Go get ‘em kid.

Follow @InfoStar on Twitter

Video - Meet Austin Mahone – Social Media Genius or the Next Justin Bieber?

Have you ever heard of Austin Mahone?

I bet your kids have. And they either love him or hate him – but they have heard of him.

So, who is Austin Mahone? What’s his bio?

Mahone lives in San Antonia Texas and is a 15-year-old singer and musician known for looking like Justin Bieber and recording cover songs on YouTube.

So what? There are lots of kids uploading videos and singing covers these days right?

But Mahone and his fans are different.

His fans are known as Mahomies - and he has his own Blog, Facebook, YouTube, Dailybooth, Tumblr, Twitter, SoundCloud, Formspring, and Myspace accounts.

He records popular cover songs and posts them to YouTube and interacts with his fans on a daily basis and claims that Justin Bieber is his favorite artist.



And oh yea, Mahone LOOKS like Justin Bieber and his fans love him.

The thing that fascinates us about this young man is his savvy for working the social media to create a name for himself while building his own fan base from the ground up without a record label or marketing rep.

He has learned to do what many adults and big companies have failed to do – create a successful brand.

In addition to uploading covers he has hundreds of thousands of Facebook fans, dedicated fan sites, over 13 million YouTube views, and sells t-shirts, posters, wristbands, Stickers, and Necklaces.

This is the kind of interaction that defines social media.

His fans love him but he admits that he also has haters saying,

“Haterz don’t matter to me because they are just jealous and the hateful words that they say are garbage. That’s why I don't listen to hate. I am curious of what haterz have to say sometimes just because I'm a curious person. But their opinions of me don't matter to me, because I’m not trying to please them.

What is important are my fans. I love them so much and everything they do for me. Haterz can't hurt you unless you let them. And I just have one last thing to say.... Haterz gonna hate Mahomies gonna love.”

Austin’s success is a prime example of how social media can springboard you into fame, build a fan base, and possibly launch a music career if you’re good enough.

So how powerful can a homegrown fan base be to a young artist like Mahone?



One day last week his fans decided he should appear on the “Ellen Show” with Ellen DeGeneres, and in one magnificent push of social media network power trended the phrase “#MahoneOnEllen” on twitter for the day as a worldwide trending topic.

His fans also bombarded DeGeneres’s Twitter and Facebook account and called her studio’s switchboard requesting she book Austin as a guest.

Why is this significant?

Because it was Ellen DeGeneres and her “eleveneleven” record label that discovered 14-year-old Greyson Chance.

And with less effort than Austin, Greyson has been propelled into a celebrity status with his first album “Hold on ‘til the Night” due to release next week.

Related: Greyson Chance gives video tour of his home town - Video

That kind of power by your own fans is exactly what made Justin Bieber what he is today.

One thing that helps make Mahone a fan favorite is he covers songs that are popular in today’s young music culture ranging from Cody Simpson, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Ne-yo, Usher, Adele, Chris Brown, and Edwin McCain.



So take note big record labels.

The youth of today have developed the social media skills to find, fall in love, promote, and make famous the musical artists THEY want to see and listen to - not who YOU want them to listen to.

Not that there’s not any place for “big music”, but things are changing these days and kids have grown frustrated with the “business as usual” mentality shown by the music industry.

They say that “necessity is the mother of invention”, and our kids are inventing a new way to communicate and enjoy their favorite artists and musicians.

We hope some of the adults out there are listening because these kids can teach us a thing or two about what makes them tick – and they are showing us what it is they want to listen to and who they want to fall in love with as a fan.

Time will tell if a shirtless Austin Mahone will become the next big teen idol or music sensation…

But shouldn’t we be listening to what they are trying to tell us?

Follow @InfoStar on Twitter - We follow back!

Video - Justin Bieber Goes “Coning” – Almost Drives His Car into a Wall

What do you do when your worth $100 million dollars and bored?

You go coning!

While taking a break from working on his new album “Believe”, teen pop sensation Justin Bieber almost drove his car into a wall while coning at a local restaurant.

He also bought a Frosty from Burger King and tried to return it to a Wendy’s but was shut down by an astute manager.

And he filmed it all on his flip-cam.

Watch Justin Bieber Coning Video


As we told you last week, it seems that “Owling” is the new “Planking” but it looks like “Coning” may be taking the lead as the new social phenomenon.

The concept is simple.

Buy an ice cream cone at a drive-thru and when you grab it - you grab it upside down with the ice cream in the palm of your hand.

Related: Owling is the new Planking - Photos

But I guess when you work as hard as Bieber has the last three years you are entitled to a little time off and harmless fun.

For his part, Justin has been in the studio working on his new album “Believe” – and the buzz is starting to grow.

Related: Justin Bieber talks new album "Believe" – Video

With a list of top song writers and A-list producers working with him everyone is excited to hear what he is laying down.

Most suspect this new album will be a radical departure from his bubble gum “Baby” days and usher in the new “Justin Timberlake” era of his career.

And keeping in line with his maturing image, Bieber and his dad just released photos of their adventure to the tattoo parlor where they both got inked with matching tats of the Hebrew word for Jesus down their left side.

Related: Justin and Jeremy Bieber get matching Jesus tattoos – Photos

Like father like son.

Ah, they grow up fast these days don’t they?

And while Justin is enjoying some time off, his girlfriend Selena Gomez is back on the road with her band touring and just celebrated her 19th birthday.

As a birthday present, Bieber surprised Gomez on stage during her show to belt out “Cry me a river” as his gift to her.

Follow @InfoStar on Twitter – Coning, Owling, and Planking allowed

Video – New “Journey” Rocks the Today Show – Talks About New Album

Anybody who grew up during the 1970’s and 1980’s remembers the original band Journey.

Who can forget "Don't Stop Believin”, “Lights”, “Open Arms”, “Wheel in the Sky”, “Any Way You Want It”, and "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin”?

And who could forget the unforgettable voice of Steve Perry?

Journey has been through a lot of transition since their inception when members from the original Santana left to create the new band.

Lead singer Steve Perry was hired in 1977 and became what most of us think about today when we think of the voice of Journey.

But today is a new day and Perry has left the group and been replaced by Pilipino lead singer Arnel Pineda.

Arnel is not the first replacement for Perry – but he is the latest.

We were excited when it was announced they would be performing on NBC’s “Today” Show - and if we close our eyes we can almost hear Perry – and remember the golden early days.

Watch the new “Journey” on the NBC Today Show

Okay, they aren’t bad – but it just doesn’t seem the same as it was in the old days.

But Journey has definitely left their mark on popular culture.

"Don't Stop Believin” was used on “The Sopranos”, and then adapted for the hit television show “Glee” and the “Family Guy”.

Watch Backstage with Journey Video on Today

The band's second album with Arnel Pineda, “Eclipse”, was released in May 2011 and debuted in the top ten on the Billboard 200 chart.

We give the new group a B+

Follow @InfoStar on Twitter – don’t stop believing!

Video - Piers Morgan Now Involved with Phone Hacking Scandal

I wish I could say “It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy” – but I’d be lying.

I really dislike Piers Morgan.

I didn’t like him, or even know who he was, when he appeared on Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice, and I have grown to despise him as the replacement for Larry King on CNN.

By the way, “Piers Morgan Tonight” on CNN is their WORST rated show in their entire lineup.

And after his childlike behavior on the Gong Show “America’s Got Talent” I have decided there is no longer a place for Piers Morgan on American Television.

And now a British blogger has come forward saying that he has recorded proof that Morgan was involved in the “News of the Day” phone hacking scandal while he was editor.

And British Parliament member Louise Mensch has gone on record saying Pierce admitted in his book to phone hacking and has really stirred up a hornets nest against the Simon Cowell wannabe.

For his part, Piers has gone on the record that he did not condone any illegal phone hacking while editor, and simply described in his book how the hack worked.

That’s an important distinction.

Describing how a phone hack works and actually doing it are two different things.

But we don’t believe him.

And after watching him battle it out with British MP Louise Mensch live on CNN this afternoon we have decided we no longer want Morgan on television in our country, and think he needs to learn a lesson on how we treat women in our society.



We suspect that he is guilty.
We suspect he hacked people’s phones.
We suspect he is lying.
We suspect he will deny everything.
We think he is smug and cheeky.
We don’t like him.
We don’t like the way he treats women.
We don’t like any of his TV shows.
We hope the British Blogger nails him to the wall.
We wish Howie Mandel hauls off and decks him.
We hope Sharon Osbourne smacks him upside his head.
We hope and wish he just goes away.

Thank goodness we life in a country we’re we can voice our opinion in a free and open way without the fear of going to jail or being killed.

Is it just us? Or do others dislike Piers as much as we do?

Let us know where you stand on the issue.

Follow @InfoStar on Twitter - we won't hack your phone

Video - Justin Bieber Sings “Cry Me A River” During Selena Gomez Birthday Concert

Pop sensation Justin Bieber paid his girlfriend Selena Gomez a visit yesterday for her birthday.

The 17-year-old Bieber made a surprise visit on stage during Selena’s concert in Orange County last night to help celebrate her 19th birthday.

The Bieb’s took the stage during her acoustic set and belted out Justin Timberlake’s famous breakup song “Cry Me a River”.

Selena looked totally surprised but we suspect she had a good idea that something was going to happen during the show.

Watch Justin Sing "Cry Me A River" During Gomez's Birthday Concert


The only issue we would take on the surprise visit is that “Cry Me a River” is a song about breaking up a relationship – not celebrating one.

We hope Justin doesn’t know something we don’t yet.

But we think it was a perfectly innocent birthday gesture and taken at face value is actually a very romantic thing to do for his girlfriend.

Selena is currently performing concerts on tour with her band “Selena Gomez and the Scene” and promoting her new album “When the Sun Goes Down” featuring her hit single “Who Says”.

She also is starring in the recently released movie “Monte Carlo”, a comedy about three young women vacationing in Paris who find themselves whisked away to Monte Carlo after one of the girls is mistaken for a British heiress.

Gomez can also be seen this November in the comedy “The Muppets” starring alongside Mila Kunis, Emily Blunt, Neil Patrick Harris, Neil Patrick Harris, Jason Segel, and Amy Adams.

Watch Selena Gomez in “The Muppets” Movie Trailer


Justin Bieber has just completed a month long vacation and is now back in the studio working on his new album due out later this year.

Related: Justin Bieber talks about his new album – Video

Bieber will also start filming his basketball movie this summer with pal Mark Wahlberg with an expected release date in 2012.

Wahlberg says neither him nor Bieber will be singing or dancing in the movie, and it will be a good chance for Justin to bring his dramatic acting skills to the table.

The movie is being produced by Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson, and Bieber’s manager Scott “Scooter” Braun.

Ah, to be young and in love – and have friends in high places.

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Dead - Amy Winehouse Found Dead in Her London Apartment

There is some sad news in the world of alternative music today.

Twenty-seven year-old singer Amy Winehouse was found dead in her London apartment Saturday afternoon.

London police were called shortly after 4:00 PM and asked to assist a female who turned out to be Winehouse.

When police arrived they found the singer dead.

Witnesses told reporters that they suspect drugs and alcohol was the cause of death.

Police have not commented on a possible overdose.

Winehouse had cancelled the remainder of her European tour last month after appearing intoxicated on stage in Serbia Belgrade and was heckled by the audience.

Related: Amy Winehouse wasted on stage in Serbia Belgrade – Video

In 2007 the singer married musician Blake Fielder-Civil, but the couple had an increasingly violent relationship. Blake was sent to prison in 2008 on charges of obstruction of justice and they divorced in 2009.

Mitch Winehouse, her father, has not commented on her death but is currently travelling to London from New York.

R.I.P and God speed Amy.

You’re in the arms of the Angels now – may you find some comfort there.

Follow @InfoStar on Twitter