The Kinks frontman Ray Davies has hinted the legendary rock group are planning a comeback - but only if the band are able to write and record new material. The You Really Got Me hit maker, who has found success as a solo artist since the band's split in 1996, has agreed to the idea of a reunion - but refuses to play any of the British rockers' past hits.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Willie Nelson received BMI's icon award Tuesday during the organization's 55th annual Country Awards, and several of his friends showed up to help him celebrate.

Rock legend Ray Davies was so traumatized after he was shot by a thief, he used the incident to inspire an upcoming album. The Kinks icon, 63, was shot in the leg while chasing a man who had stolen his friend's wallet in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2004.

A galaxy of legendary musicians including Brian Wilson, Tom Waits, Ray Davies, Nelly Furtado, Jerry Lee Lewis, Loretta Lynn and Frank Black are the judges of this year's International Songwriting Competition.

Charges against a man accused of shooting The Kinks rocker Ray Davies have been dropped, after he failed to appear in court for the second time. Davies, 63, was shot in the leg while chasing a man who had stolen his friend's wallet in New Orleans, Louisiana, in January 2004.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Willie Nelson can add another award to his long list of accolades. Broadcast Music Inc. announced Thursday that it will bestow upon Nelson its icon designation during its 55th annual Country Awards Nov. 6 in Nashville.

Happy Birthday to The Killers singer Brandon Flowers (1981), Incubus guitarist Mike Einziger (1976), actress/singer Juliette Lewis (1973), "The Matrix" director Larry Wachowski (1965), actor Doug Savant (1964), country singer Kathy Mattea (1959), actor Leigh McCloskey (1955), "Dances With Wolves" actor Robert Pastorelli (1954; d. 2004), musician Nils Lofgren (1951), "Family Ties" stars Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter (1947), American musician Brenda Holloway (1946), The Kinks singer Ray Davies (1944), actress Mariette Hartley (1940), "Cocoon" actress Maureen Stapleton (1925; d. 2006), and actress Jane Russell (1921).

Erasure-the iconic British pop duo of Andy Bell and Vince Clark who've sold more than 20 million albums worldwide-have released their new single "I Could Fall in Love With You" through Mute on April 3. The song is taken from their new album Light At The End Of The World due out May 22. Coming after 2006's Union Street-an acoustic album of drastically rearranged lesser-known Erasure songs that was recorded with a full band and underlined the enduring quality of the material--Light At The End Of The World is a potent return to classic, totally electronic Erasure form as last heard on 2005's Nightbird (Mute).

A London pub landlord has caved into protests from fans of The Kinks to keep iconic band memorabilia at the establishment. Brothers Ray and Dave Davies pleaded with the new owner of The Clissold Arms not to remove photos, plaques and records from the venue - where they played their first gig in 1963 - to make room for an upmarket eatery.

British rockers The Kinks have slammed a London bar landlord for planning to erase an iconic piece of the band's history. Brothers Ray and Dave Davies have pleaded with the new owner of The Clissold Arms not to remove iconic Kinks memorabilia from the venue - where they played their first gig in 1963 - to make room for an upmarket eatery.