Bob Seger, Jim Steinman Among Songwriter Hall Inductees

Stevie Nicks prefers writing a song over meeting a handsome prince. Ne-Yo claimed songwriting saved his life. And Bob Seger said writing a song is the hardest, yet most rewarding thing that he does.

Converging opinions thrived at the 43rd annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in New York where Seger, along with Canadian folk rocker Gordon Lightfoot, "Gambler" songwriter Don Schlitz, "and Jim Steinman of "Bat Out of Hell" fame became the latest members of the prestigious club. The writers of the long-running musical, "The Fantastick's" were also inducted.

Seger opened the show with a spirited version of his 1973 classic, "Turn the Page." He was then inducted by Valerie Simpson who performed "We've Got Tonight" in his honor.

On the red carpet before the performance, Simpson said that steamy track has a very special power.

"It's one of the sexiest songs I know, it put more people in bed than I can imagine," Simpson said.

Ne-Yo was honored with this year's Hal David Starlight Award. It's given to young artists that are making a significant impact with their original music.

"To have a person who that has written a song that I look up to or that I grew up listening to tell me that I am good at it to. That means the world to me," Ne-Yo said of Hal David, a frequent songwriting partner to Burt Bacharach."

Then he explained how writing songs saved him.

"I was a pretty riled up little kid, and if not for my mom giving me the pad and the pen and telling me to take my emotions and put them there, then there was no telling then I might I have been sticking you up or something," Ne-Yo joked.

After being inducted by Swizz Beatz, Ne-Yo told the crowd of nearly 900 that he didn't prepare a speech because he still didn't believe he was standing there.

While Nicks was not inducted, she did honor Bette Midler with the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award, and even performed "The Rose,' the song made famous by Midler in the 1979 movie of the same name.

"People ask what is your favorite thing to do in a night? Be in a fantastic studio with a great poem and a piano and a little tape recorder. That is my idea of a great time," Nicks said.

Lightfoot known for such hits as "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," and "Sundown" performed his haunting 1970 ode to his failed marriage, "If You Could Read My Mind."

On the red carpet he explained his motivation: "My life had been a bit of a rollercoaster. I think at that time I was going through the lower dip and sort of climbing up again."

Over the years, artists from Barbara Streisand to Johnny Cash covered the song.

One of the evening's funniest moments came from Jim Steinman, who wrote songs for Meat Loaf on his first two "Bat Out of Hell" albums. After Loaf and Constantine Maroulis performed an abridged version of the nearly 10-minute title track, Steinman noted: "They shortened the song so much I felt like I was watching an episode of "Glee."

The Songwriters Hall of Fame was created in 1969 by a group of established songwriters, including the legendary Jonny Mercer. The organization's mission is to shine a spotlight on the accomplishments of songwriters.

Rita Ora VEVO LIFT Showcase in NYC

Rita Ora tore up New York City Tuesday night as she performed at Gramercy Theatre for the VEVO LIFT showcase. The Roc Nation beauty performed popular singles like “R.I.P” and along with new material from her upcoming album, which she said, was expected to release around September. Ora was an electric performer as the packed audience in the theatre went wild throughout the show and especially at the end when Ora brought two fans on stage to shower the crowd with glitter and confetti while performing her popular single “How We Do (Party).” With a fast growing fan following the British singer is expected for great things.

Pharrell Williams is being honored byThe American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)

Pharrell Williams in undoubtedly a musical pioneer, and this month he is being honored byThe American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) for his contributions as a producer, songwriter, and composer.

The three-time Grammy Winner is being awarded with the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award during its 25th Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards.

Past winners include Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Quincy Jones, LL Cool J and Lionel Richie.

The event takes place Friday, June 29 in Los Angeles.

Congrats are in order to the Hip-Hop trendsetter.

The Heat Even The NBA Finals At 1-1

If Game 1 was forshadowing anything it would be that Game 2 was going to be that much more insane. The Heat came out of the gate and didn't look back holding the lead for the entire game. Just because they held the lead the entire game doesn't mean the Thunder didn't make it very interesing in the final minutes. Prior to all that though the Heat started the game on a tear while the Thunder were the complete opposite. For the second game in a row Shane Battier hit at least 4 three pointers, that and Dwyane Wade getting off to a quick start propelled the Heat to a 12 point lead at the half. 

The second half wasn't entirely like Game 1 where the Heat came out flat, but the Thunder came out on fire yet again. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook put the team on their back as the Thunder kept crawling closer and closer to taking the lead getting it all the way down to 2 points at one time. Truth be told when playing in OKC and the crowd is in to the game it seems like your playing a 5 on 6. Two highlights of the second half would be Kevin Durant dunking all over Shane Battier, and then late in the game when the Heat were so close to closing the game out, a late turnover resulting in a three by Kevin Durant put the game at 98-96 with 37 seconds left. LeBron James quickly fired an ill advised three which he missed giving the Thunder another chance. During a Durant drive to the hoop for the game tying bucket it seemed as if the refs missed a very big foul call that would've put Durant at the free throw line. The no call resulted in a miss, quick foul, and then two crucial made free throws by LeBron. With 6 seconds left Westbrook fired a three which didn't connect as the game went final 100-96. 

As controversial as the NBA can be sometimes the players can't dwell on what should've been for long, as Game 3 will be Sunday at 8:00 PM ET down in Miami. The adjustments for Miami seemed to work in Game 2, now it is on OKC to make the right adjustments to get a win in Miami for Game 3. Also a reminder that the Finals goes 2-3-2, so the next three games will be in Miami. Check the stats from the key players below. 

Oklahoma City Thunder 

Kevin Durant - 32pts, 3 reb, 1 asts 

Russell Westbrook - 27pts, 8reb, 7ast 

James Harden - 21pts, 4reb, 2 ast 

Miami Heat

LeBron James - 32pts, 8reb, 5 asts 

Dwyane Wade - 24pts, 6reb, 5ast 

Chris Bosh - 16pts, 15reb 

Chris Brown Ends Beef With Meek Mill

Breezy sends a tweet suggesting there is no bad blood between the stars.

Despite reports that he was responsible for the bloody chin Chris Brown sustained in a bottle-throwing clash last night in a NYC club, Meek Mill seems to be getting along with C-Breezy just fine. Two artists downplayed any supposed beef in a Twitter exchange, even expressing mutual respect.

"Me and @MeekMill ain't on that bulls---. Real respect Real...." Brown wrote on the microblogging site.

Mill then co-signed Brown's sentiment with a retweet, adding, "Naw, we just getting money!"

Earlier reports had said Mill and Brown had gotten into a shouting match last night at club W.I.P. in New York, which led to a scuffle between Drake and Brown’s entourages, but so far it looks like the only person the Maybach Music Group rapper has a problem with is Roscoe Dash.

Last month, Meek and Brown got into a skirmish on Twitter allegedly over Rihanna, whom both men have been linked to.

THREE LADIES AXED FROM BASKETBALL WIVES

Rumors have been circling for quite some time now around Shaunie O’Neal and VH1's decision to let go three cast members go from Basketball Wives.

According to TMZ, a decision has been made: Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed, and Kesha Nichols have all been fired from the show.

While VH1 has yet to release an official statement, sources allegedly said producers will be notifying the ladies any day now are dropping what they call “dead weight” from the show.

Royce was reportedly cut for not being allowed to talk about her ex Dwight Howard due to a 2009 court order, while Jennifer Williams was cut due to her lawsuit against Nia Crooks. According to the source, Kesha Nichols was cut for reportedly being too boring. Royce was also ostracized by the rest of the group and wasn’t able to participate in any group outings.

When TMZ contacted VH1 for a comment, the network had this to say: “We don't comment on casting until everything is final. Thanks for checking in.”

Are you surprised?

Funkmaster ‘Wife-Beating’ Flex Caught Lying…Again!!!

If Funkmaster Flex had his way, he’d have you believe the domestic charges against him – involving Monica Taylor – were dropped. But, that doesn’t appear to be the case. Know why? Because the Hot 97 DJ’s estranged wife is revealing the only reason she didn’t move forward with the second degree aggravated harassment charge against him, is to protect her kids.

You may remember back in April 2011, cops were called to the couple’s Westchester, New York home – where the altercation between the pair led to the arrest of Flex. At the time of the incident, the couple was married for 18-years.

Monica Taylor, who has since legally separated from her Hip Hop-personality husband – whose real name is Aston Taylor – after filing an order of protection against him, says there was no way she would have the court order her daughter to testify before a judge – leaving the court with no choice but to drop the case.

She says despite what Flex’s lawyer may have said, he was NOT found ‘not guilty’ of the domestic abuse charges against him.

Here’s what Funkmaster Flex’s lawyer had to say about the case:

“We are pleased to report that on April 15, 2011, Mr. Taylor was found NOT GUILTY of all charges.”

Here’s what Monica Taylor had to say about the case:

“Not Guilty? Case was dropped because I refused to allow my daughter 2 testify or her 911 calls public. Be a man, protect kids not urself. 

I have moved on! I now have a new life with Happiness & peace. Leave me out of your public battles & cries 4 attention, Wish U only the best.”