Willie Nelson, Annie Lennox and Carole King have been handed honorary doctor of music degrees for their lengthy careers.

The trio received the honours from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts on Saturday, and the former Eurythmics star stepped up to deliver the commencement address at the Agganis Arena.

Lennox told the audience, "Consider this... wherever you think you're heading right now might turn out to take a completely different path. What looks like an ending might actually be the start of a brand new beginning.

"Wherever and however we find ourselves, what a pr...

Legendary Country music star Willie Nelson celebrated his 80th birthday on Monday by auditioning to replace actor Ian McKellen in the two upcoming sequels to The Hobbit.

The singer hopes to usurp McKellen in the role of the wizard Gandalf in the films, and recorded a screen test for director Peter Jackson during Conan O'Brien's TBS talk show Monday night.

Nelson took lines from the films and did them his way -- adding a marijuana vibe to "Lord of the Rings" quotes like "You shall not pass" and changing it to "You shall not pass... an unlit joint. Man, that's just not cool."

Willie has be...

Every year when April 20 rolls around people across the U.S. celebrate an unofficial holiday: weed day.

Stoners everywhere recognize 4:20 as being the time of day to light up, and when the date is 4/20 it's time to kick back, light up and smoke all day -- especially at 4:20. If you're into that kind of thing, of course.

Now that several stats have legalized marijuana to various degrees plenty of folks from sea to shining sea will be lighting up this year, some even in public. Colorado, which has the loosest regulations on pot, sees thousands gather in downtown Denver -- aka the Mile High ...

Lone Star State Hero Willie Nelson is planning a fundraising concert in the state to help those affected by this week's devastating fertilizer plant explosion.

On Wednesday, The small town of West was crippled by a huge blast at the local factory - up to fifteen people are feared dead and more than 160 injured, while local houses and schools were among the buildings which were severely damaged. Nelson, who grew up in the town of Abbott, around five miles from West, has now declared an upcoming show in the state will be dedicated to the victims of the explosion.

The On The Road Again sin...

Lone Star State stars Willie Nelson and Eva Longoria are among the celebrities sending their regards to residents of the town of West, near Waco in Texas, which was rocked by a massive fertilizer plant explosion last night.

The small community, has been evacuated after a huge blast ripped through the West Fertilizer Plant on Wednesday, sending a giant fireball into the sky. At least 160 people have been treated for injuries following the explosion, and authorities confirm there have been fatalities, but have yet to give an estimated figure.

Local stars Longoria and Nelson, who both grew...

Country music legend Willie Nelson scrapped an appearance at a fundraiser in Colorado on Sunday after he was taken to the hospital.

The 79 year old was due to go to the Dumb Friends League event at the Castle Pines Village in Denver but pulled out after suffering breathing problems due to emphysema.

He was taken to a nearby hospital for checks, according to TMZ.com.

A rep for the event told the crowd that Nelson was "suffering from breathing problems due to the high altitude and emphysema."

No further details of his condition are available as WENN goes to press.

Willie Nelson is known for his penchant for marijuana, and the country star was joined by an all-star band to perform pot anthem "Roll Me Up" at the CMT Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, last night.

Toby Keith, the Zac Brown Band, Darius Rucker and Jamey Johnson played the fan-favorite song from Nelson's latest album, "Heroes." Lyrics include: So don't sit around and cry/ Just roll me up and smoke me when I die.

In April, Nelson, Snoop Dogg and Kris Kristofferson teamed up to record the weed anthem to mark the unofficial 4/20 holiday for stoners. The unlikely trio released "Roll Me Up...

Today country music artist and activist Willie Nelson turns 79! Willie Nelson was born on April 30, 1933 in Abbott, Texas. Despite approaching 80, Willie has not let his age slow him down. To much of his fans’ delight, Willie continues to tour and perform in concerts with other major musicians. Did you know that his fourth great grandfather John Nelson served as a Major in the American Revolutionary War?

Willie Nelson is connected to over 60 million profiles in Geni’s World Family Tree. How are you related?

View Willie Nelson’s Geni Profile

Country music icon Willie Nelson has been hailed a green hero after picking up a Planet Defender award for his environmental work.

Nelson was honored at Rock The Earth's Seventh Annual Planet Defender Awards on Monday. The prize is given out to those who have made a difference protecting the planet.

The singer's philanthropic work first began in 1985, when he set up the Farm Aid charity concert series with fellow rockers Neil Young and John Mellencamp, while his other charitable ventures include building two sustainable biodiesel plants and organizing several fundraisers.

Nelson says...

Marijuana lovers Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg and Kris Kristofferson have teamed up to record a new weed anthem to mark the unofficial 4/20 holiday for stoners.

The unlikely trio have released "Roll Me Up" in honor of the day associated with joint-rolling and smoking.

Country star Jamey Johnson joins them on the track, which begins with Nelson crooning, "Roll me up and smoke me when I die".

The track is available on Nelson's official website.

The 4/20 term was coined by a group of teenagers in San Rafael, California, in 1971 who pledged to meet at 4:20 p.m. every day to search for an aband...

Country legend Willie Nelson is to be honored in Austin, Texas with a new bronze statue.

The sculpture of the singer/songwriter will be unveiled at 4:20 p.m. on April 20 - a reference to the cultural significance of the 4/20 pro-marijuana movement, of which Nelson is a fervent supporter.

The larger-than-life likeness will stand over eight feet tall and weigh more than a ton. It was created by sculptor Clete Shields.

Nelson will be at the unveiling prior to a concert in the city later that night.

Country star Willie Nelson has given two severely-abused horses a second chance at life by offering up his ranch as a sanctuary.

The On The Road Again hit-maker swooped in to rescue three-year-old stallion Whisper and 12-year-old mare Traveler after learning the animals were being subjected to severe acts of abuse by their current owner in South Carolina.

Both of the horses are now being prepared for their big move to Nelson's home in Texas by members of LEARN (Livestock and Equine Awareness and Rescue Network).

According to LEARN executive Elizabeth Steed, Whisper was badly burned wi...

Brian Wilson, Billy Joel and B.B. King are hitting the studio to record Paul McCartney's greatest hits for a new tribute album.

Willie Nelson, Kiss, Alice Cooper, Jeff Lynne and The Cure will also cover tracks from McCartney's back catalogue, extending from his time in The Beatles, Wings and his solo career.

The as-yet-untitled collection will be released to coincide with the pop legend's 70th birthday in June, and a behind-the-scenes documentary is also being filmed during studio sessions.

Producer Ralph Sall, who is curating the album, tells The Hollywood Reporter that the Beatles icon...

Snoop Dogg has been booked on misdemeanor drug possession charges in Texas, according to reports.

The rapper's weed stash on a tour bus was discovered by a drug-sniffing dog during a routine border crossing vehicle check over the weekend, reports TMZ.com.

Ironically, the drug bust took place in the town of Sierra Blanca, where Willie Nelson was arrested for marijuana possession in 2010.

Reports suggest customs agents found a series of rolled joints in a red prescription bottle in a waste paper bin, and Snoop Dogg immediately admitted the marijuana belonged to him.

The rapper, real n...

Rocker Dave Grohl has reportedly turned documentarian to chronicle the history of the studio where he recorded Nevermind with Nirvana over 20 years ago

REO Speedwagon star Kevin Cronin has revealed news of the project to ArtisanNews.com, hinting he'll be a part of the untitled Sound City Studios film.

He explains, "Dave is working on this project based on a studio that we all used to work at. It's really interesting. I probably shouldn't be talking about it... but it's very cool. They (Nirvana) recorded Nevermind (there), and I know that it meant a lot to a lot of artists."

"So Dave is...

The Dixie Chicks are reuniting to raise funds for the victims of this summer's wildfires in Texas.

The trio will team up with Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett and Asleep at the Wheel, among others for the Fire Relief: The Concert for Central Texas event on October 17.

The fundraiser will be hosted by Emmy Award-winning Friday Night Lights star Kyle Chandler.

All proceeds will go to the Central Texas Wildfire Fund at the Austin Community Foundation in its efforts to assist families dealing with long-term problems stemming from the wildfires which ravaged the area this summer.

The fires cost tw...

Rapper Snoop Dogg will be honored at the BMI Urban Awards later this month.

The Gin and Juice hit-maker will be bestowed with the BMI Icon title previously awarded to James Brown, George Clinton, Willie Nelson and Al Green.

The event honors urban songwriters who have "a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers" and belong to Broadcast Music, Inc., - a performance rights organization which represents more than 475,000 songwriters, composers and publishers.

Snoop Dogg will pick up his accolade at a ceremony at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, California on Augus...

Grizzled country star Willie Nelson is to be inducted into America's Agricultural Hall of Fame in Kansas in recognition of his work for the country's farmers.

The singer/songwriter will be honored at a ceremony on the morning prior to next month's Farm Aid concert in Kansas City.

Nelson is founder and president of the annual benefit, which he helped launch in 1985.

He says, "I am extremely honored and humbled to join the company of the 38 prominent inductees already in the Agricultural Hall of Fame. I have long said that family farmers are the backbone of our country. I never thought Far...

A judge has refused to approve a plea deal reducing Willie Nelson's drug charges following a marijuana bust last year.

The country icon was arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession in November after a Border Patrol agent in Texas smelled pot smoke during a search of Nelson's tour bus.

Nelson reportedly struck a deal with prosecutors allowing him to plead no contest to a reduced charge of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, which he did last month, and pay a $500 fine and $280 in court costs.

However, on Friday, County Judge Becky Dean-Walker admitted she had signed the ...

Country icon Willie Nelson has been ordered to pay a $500 fine following his drug bust last year.

The singer was arrested for marijuana possession in November after a Border Patrol agent in Texas smelled pot smoke during a routine search of Nelson's tour bus.

He was reported to have reached a plea deal with Hudspeth County prosecutors in March, allowing him to plead guilty and hand over a small fine without having to appear in court.

However, the count has now been reduced to misdemeanour possession of drug paraphernalia, to which Nelson pleaded no contest, and the case will be dismissed...

Washington political news organization National Journal has named the "The 20 Most Politically Effective Celebrities of All Time."

The list, released online and in the April 30 issue of National Journal magazine, includes current Hollywood activists like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Robert Redford, and Bono, plus some of the most successful celebrity activists in history, including Harry Belafonte, Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman, and Elizabeth Taylor.

To help develop the list, National Journal interviewed dozens of staff members on Capitol Hill and Republican and Democratic o...

An auction of exclusive personal items and memorabilia donated by EMI’s family of artists and songwriters has raised $940,000 in funds to help the Red Cross support people affected by last month’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The charity auction, which launched on eBay’s worldwide sites on April 5, attracted bids totaling $470,000 from music fans around the world. All the money from winning bidders will be doubled through a donation by EMI.

EMI Group CEO Roger Faxon commented: “What a wonderful result!! It was made possible by the extraordinary generosity of so many members of the EMI...

Katy Perry's cupcake trampoline has helped swell the funds of the Japanese relief effort after it sold for thousands at an online auction.

Bosses at record company EMI raided their storage vaults and asked all artists to donate items for the 10-day eBay.com sale, which ended on Thursday.

French electronic duo Daft Punk offered up their black Ferrari used in the film Electroma, and the sports car went under the hammer for $40,960, while Perry's colorful cupcake trampoline prop - currently in use as a setpiece on her California Dreams tour - fetched $4,966.

But the winning bidder for the p...

Willie Nelson won't have to play for his freedom in a Texas court - he has been fined for marijuana possession.

A Hudspeth County prosecutor suggested the country star should perform his song "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" to resolve his charges, but Judge Becky Dean-Walker told the Associated Press that the idea was just a joke that "got out of hand."

Nelson will be able to plead guilty and pay a small fine without appearing in court.

He was arrested for possession in November when a Border Patrol agent smelled pot smoke during a routine search of the singer's tour bus.

Willie Nelson will avoid jail time for his 2010 marijuana bust -- as long as he sings for his freedom.

Willie Nelson was busted for drug possession in November 2010 after cops found six ounces of marijuana on his tour bus. Now Texas officials are basically saying they are so starstruck they'll let him off with a song -- literally -- even though the country singer already has a criminal drug record.

As Hudspeth County attorney Kim Bramblett put it, "You bet your I ain't gonna be mean to Willie Nelson."

Bramblett plans, are pretty simple. "I'm gonna let him plead, pay a small fine and he...

This is why What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas: the "stars" - Lady Gaga, Ozzy Osbourne, Robert Pattinson and a myriad of others - were out Thursday night at the Golden Nugget casino in Las Vegas for the 20th Annual Reel Awards - given to the best celebrity impersonators from around the world.

Yes, around the world.

The event is a spoof/tribute to the Academy Awards and is presented as such; with categories that mirror the Oscars, like Best Actor, Best Actress and a Lifetime Achievement Award. It also has its own categories, like Best Tribute Band, Best Classic Crooner and Most Professi...

The royal news of the year was the talk of the month as Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their engagement and plans to wed in 2011.

Teen star Demi Lovato stunned young Hollywood when she quite the Jonas Brothers tour and checked into rehab to address personal and "emotional" issues, and Charlie Sheen and Lil Wayne officially became free men again - the actor's divorce from Brooke Mueller became official, while rapper Lil Wayne was released from prison.

MGM, the studio behind the James Bond film franchise, filed for bankruptcy, actor Justin Long was injured in a car crash, and s...

Rapper Snoop Dogg has come to the defense of Willie Nelson following his arrest on suspicion of marijuana possession - insisting officials should leave the country music icon alone and start treating him with "respect".

The veteran musician was detained by police in Texas last month after Border Patrol officers allegedly found a stash of the drug onboard his tour bus. The 77 year old admitted the marijuana was his, but avoided a felony charge because the quantity was so small. He is now facing a misdemeanor charge of drug possession and a possible fine.

However, rapper Snoop Dogg is ada...

Country star Willie Nelson has escaped a possible jail term following his arrest for marijuana possession in Texas last week - he will only face a fine after police determined the drug stash was not big enough for a felony charge.

The singer was traveling on his tour bus when the vehicle was pulled over by Border Patrol officers at a Sierra Blanca checkpoint.

A cop embarked on a search of the bus after reportedly smelling pot and Nelson and two associates were taken into custody after a quantity of the drug, initially thought to be around six ounces, was found onboard.

The 77 year old ad...

Country legend Willie Nelson has been charged with marijuana possession following his Friday morning arrest in Texas.

The singer's tour bus was pulled over by Border Patrol police at a Sierra Blanca checkpoint and an officer embarked on a search of the vehicle after reportedly smelling pot.

Six ounces of marijuana was found and Nelson, along with two other people, was arrested on suspicion of drug possession.

The 77 year old was booked in Hudspeth County Jail and posted $2,500 bail. A spokesman for the U.S. Border Patrol has now confirmed the legendary musician has been charged with poss...