May 6
Mike Spinella joined Pandora as senior director of original content, leading the growth and development of artist programming across the platform, with a focus on creating and curating video and audio for users. Spinella was most recently director of industry relations for Rolling Stone and Wenner Media.
May 8
The Agency Group announced that Michael Goldsmith was hired to head its new corporate division in Los Angeles. He began his career at CID Entertainment and subsequently held positions at CRS Management, Red Light Management, ATO Records and, most recently, William Morris Endeavor.
May 9
Roots leader Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson announced he is executive-producing a music series for VH1 titled SoundClash, which will be hosted by Diplo and feature A-list musicians performing with rising artists on one stage. The show will debut July 23 with Lil Wayne, Fall Out Boy and London Grammar. It will air on sister digital cable/satellite TV network Palladia.
Country singer Hunter Hayes broke the Guinness World Record for the most concerts played in multiple cities in 24 hours, beginning with a Good Morning America performance, followed by 10 shows in 10 cities in 24 hours. The trek, “The 24 Hour Road Race to End Child Hunger,” was produced by AEG Live and The Messina Group and broke the previous record held by The Flaming Lips, who played eight shows in 24 hours.
Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland quietly married her boyfriend (and manager) Tim Witherspoon in a quick ceremony in Costa Rica, with Beyoncé and her sister Solange in attendance. The next day, Beyoncé shared an Instagram snap in what appeared to be a bridesmaid’s dress with the caption “Good morning.”
May 10
Singer Bette Midler performed an impromptu rendition of “The Glory of Love” on The View for soon-departing co-host Barbara Walters, bringing the TV icon to tears a week before her last show.
May 11
Singer Chris Brown admitted to a probation violation concerning an altercation in 2013 outside a Washington, D.C., hotel and was sentenced to remain on probation and serve an additional 131 days in jail.
May 12
Rapper Lil’ Kim, who is expecting her first child with fellow rapper Mr. Papers, celebrated her baby shower at the Broad Street Ballroom in New York, organized by David Tutera, celebrity wedding planner and host of WeTV’s My Fair Wedding.
Country icon Glen Campbell’s wife, Kim Woolen, said it is unlikely he will be able to perform again, due to symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. She made the announcement while speaking at the Open Hearts Foundation’s fourth annual gala in Malibu. Campbell, 78, is living in a memory-care facility near the couple’s Nashville home.
Ozzy Osbourne and Village CEO Jeff Greenberg were honored for their sobriety in Los Angeles at the 10th annual MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit, which hosted performances by Osbourne, Metallica, Beth Hart and Keb Mo.
May 13
Singer Justin Bieber is being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department after being accused of committing an attempted robbery, an LAPD representative confirmed. It is reported to have occurred at a miniature-golf and batting-cage park in Sherman Oaks, Calif.
Rapper Gucci Mane (real name Radric Davis) pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in Atlanta. Prosecutors recommended that he be sentenced to serve three years and three months in prison. His sentencing is set for July 28.
Kevin Neal joined William Morris Endeavor in Nashville as an agent from Buddy Lee Attractions, bringing Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Colt Ford and Parmalee with him.
DEATHS
Alan Wills, former Shack drummer and founder of U.K. indie label Deltasonic, home to The Coral and The Zutons, died May?8 following a traffic accident in his native Liverpool. He was 52.
Wes “Party” Johnson, a former executive at Def Jam, died May 11 after a battle with cancer.