Galway Buzz

AP - The first-ever winner of the Eurovision Song Contest has failed in her attempt to make a comeback in the continent's annual popsong festival.

AP - Lady Gaga was in the Christmas spirit at Z100's annual Jingle Ball concert, but her version of "White Christmas" would have made Bing Crosby blush.

Reuters - Trumpeter Domingo Ramirez is hoping that U.N. recognition of the mariachi music he has played for 60 years will give business a boost.

Reuters - British singer Adele made Billboard history on Friday when she became the first female singer to be named top artist, have the top album, "21," and score the top single, "Rolling in the Deep," all in one year.

AP - The music director of New York's Metropolitan Opera will take a break from conducting for the rest of the company's current season and the 2012-2013 season.

Reuters - James Levine, the Metropolitan Opera's music director for 40 years, has withdrawn from conducting to the end of the 2012-13 season to recuperate from a spinal injury, the opera house said on Friday.

AP - An Oscar-winning composer and Grammy-winning rapper will handle the music at the 84th annual Academy Awards.

AP - If there is a "best-of" list for music this year, it's a safe bet to put Adele on top.

AP - Andrae Crouch's songs have made him a gospel legend. He's written dozens that he's made classic hits, while others have been sung by the likes of Elvis Presley.

AP - Jay-Z didn't graduate from high school, but he's encouraging others to value their education.

AP - NBC is now checking the songs the Roots play on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" after the band performed an off-color song during Michele Bachmann's show appearance last month.

Reuters - The Oscars will go in a new direction musically in 2012, with producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer choosing composer Hans Zimmer and songwriter/producer Pharrell Williams to be music consultants for the 84th Academy Awards.

Reuters - British singer Adele has became the first artist to secure three milestones on the iTunes music chart, scoring 2011's top-selling single, top-selling album and being named the iTunes Artist of the Year, the music company said on Thursday.

Reuters - Jay-Z will headline the first ever hip-hop focused series of performances at New York's Carnegie Hall in February 2012, with all proceeds benefiting children's education charities.

AP - The Top 20 Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city and includes the average ticket price for shows in North America. The previous week's ranking is in parentheses. The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers.

Reuters - Rapper Sean Paul is promising to surprise fans on upcoming album "Tomahawk Technique" with more singing that his last record and several collaborations with singers including Kelly Rowland.

AP - 50 Cent has rapped about getting rich. Now he's focusing on getting fit.

Reuters - Britpop band Blur will receive an Outstanding Contribution to Music award at next year's BRITs, Britain's answer to the Grammys.

Reuters - British singer Adele continued on her train of success on Wednesday as Rolling Stone magazine named her album "21" and single "Rolling In The Deep" the best of 2011.

Reuters - Heavy metal titans Metallica could have visited Europe in 2012 or 2013. A look at the euro crisis was enough to make up their minds -- the sooner the better.