A couple of weeks ago we saw a few new photos of Mandy Moore rockin’ a cute, shorter hair’do around SoCal and I wondered aloud if she had plans to release a new album … it turns out that, yes, that exactly what Mandy’s got planned for later on this year. A new press release made its way to my inbox with news of Mandy’s new album, due to be released on May 26. Here is the full text of that press release:

Following her critically-acclaimed previous album, Wild Hope, Mandy Moore returns with the highly anticipated, Amanda Leigh – to be released May 26, 2009 on Storefront Recordings – a new partnership with RED Music. Co-written by Moore and primarily, Mike Viola, Amanda Leigh was recorded at engineer, Ducky Carlisle’s modest basement studio in his home outside of Boston and features an impressive and eclectic collection of vintage equipment utilized throughout the album. Sharing many of the same musical influences of artists such as Todd Rundgren, Joni Mitchell, CSNY and Nilsson, Moore and Viola set out to create a compelling body of work, in which the instrumentation mirrors so much of what inspired and guided the duo from the onset. The resulting collaboration, Amanda Leigh (Moore’s given name), is a collection of personal reflections and insights about life and love as evidenced in songs such as “Nothing Everything,” “Song About Home,” and “Love to Love Me Back” – the latter also written with Inara George of The Bird and the Bee. Experimentation was also prevalent and encouraged throughout the writing/recording process, as exemplified in the rather tongue-in-cheek, “I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week” – originally a very alt-country sounding demo that quickly took on a new life with the addition of the clavinet, while “Everblue,” co-written with Lori McKenna, simarily transformed with the inclusion of the Farfisa and Wurlitzer. Moore, intent to tour in support of Amanda Leigh – the debut release from Storefront Recordings, a new endeavor between Moore’s long-time manager, Jon Leshay and RED Distribution – adds, “I’m connected to these songs and how they came to fruition in a way I’ve never been able to articulate before. The entire experience was one that I will undoubtedly replicate.”

OOOH, I love it! I am so happy that Mandy is moving forward with more serious music and remains resolute in her commitment to her art. I really liked her last album Wild Hope (her first single from that album Extraordinary is still in rotation in my main iPod playlist) and I’m really looking forward to hearing this pared down, more mature album. I’m encouraged by her use of vintage instruments. It sounds like someone, who shall remain nameless, has had a great influence on her music craft :) I can’t wait to hear what Amanda Leigh sounds like … the album, that is … honestly, her given name sounds like a 70’s porn star name — and mebbe now we know why she changed it ;)

[Source]

America’s sweetheart Mandy Moore has been out of the spotlight for the past few months, not really showing up on the celeb radar. Not since she famously dated DJ AM in 2007 and then started dating Ryan Adams at the start of this past Summer has Mandy really been “on the scene” … and I miss her! Mandy did surface this week here in LA to show off a new, shorter haircut as she shopped at Barney’s New York … take a look:

Sure, these pics aren’t all that exciting but it is nice to see her looking so well. This look is a very sophisticated one, I think, and it really suits her. I’d do away with the sensible shoes but overall, she looks great. I hope we get to see more of Mandy this year … and not because of who she’s dating. I’d rather have more interesting things to talk about than guys, haircuts and shopping.

[Photo credit: INFdaily]

ABC, CBS and NBC joined together to broadcast a simultaneous telethon to support the Stand Up To Cancer organization which seeks to bring awareness and raise funds for cancer research. Many celebs came out to the Kodak Theater here in Hollywood, CA last night for the live event, including Patrick Swayze, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year. Here are a few pics from the red carpet arrivals last night:

Three TV networks, cancer research advocates and more than 60 celebrities from music, sports, TV and film made history Friday night with a live telethon that aired simultaneously on NBC, ABC and CBS. Jack Black, Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry and Keanu Reeves — along with presidential nominees John McCain and Barack Obama — were among the stars participating in “Stand Up to Cancer,” an hourlong, commercial-free fundraising show spearheaded by entertainment-industry heavyweights whose lives have been touched by the disease. “This is an absolutely historic night, thanks to the unbelievable generosity of the three networks,” producer and cancer survivor Laura Ziskin told the audience at the Kodak Theatre before the show began. “We hope we’re going to make you laugh, and I know we’re going to make you cry, so I have some party favors,” she said as she tossed packets of Kleenex into the crowd. Cancer survivors Lance Armstrong and Elizabeth Edwards kicked off the program with statistics: Cancer kills 550,000 Americans and six million people worldwide each year. “That’s the equivalent of 9/11 every two days,” Armstrong said. Patrick Swayze, Billy Crystal, Salma Hayek and Christina Applegate urged viewers to call in and donate, while Neil Patrick Harris, America Ferrera, Christina Ricci and Kirsten Dunst answered phones. A visibly pregnant Jennifer Garner, along with Berry, Forest Whitaker and Casey Affleck, read personal accounts from those battling cancer.

And speaking of Patrick Swayze, it turns out that he was called by some the “best part” of last night’s telethon:

Patrick Swazye’s surprise appearance at the EIF “Stand Up To Cancer” fund-raising special impressed a nation of television viewers and a stage full of fellow celebrities. The actor, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year, was brought out on a darkened stage during the opening segment. When the lights came up, he received a standing ovation. Even Jennifer Aniston, who was in the middle of a phone call, stood up to pay tribute to Swayze. “He looks amazing,” former basketball player Charles Barkley told PEOPLE. “For me, seeing Patrick Swayze, someone who is actually fighting this disease, was the best part of the show. Seeing him in person was amazing.” Swayze smiled and danced in the wings through the show, holding his wife, Lisa Niemi. He even managed a moment of solo air guitar.

It is really wonderful to hear that Patrick is doing so well … and what a momentous event. The Fashion Rocks event in NYC synced up with the Stand Up To Cancer event here in LA last night as a whole slew of musicians — including Carrie Underwood, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Natasha Bedingfield, Miley Cyrus, Leona Lewis, Keyshia Cole, LeAnn Rimes, Ashanti and Ciara — gave a special performance of the song Just Stand Up which was recorded specifically to help raise money and awareness for cancer research. After the jump, check out video of the Just Stand Up performance and find out how you can donate to this worthy cause …

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This past Monday we saw pics of Mandy Moore making her way thru LAX Airport with a mysterious new fellow in tow (who some readers recognized from the movie Super Troopers) and I speculated that she might’ve found a replacement for her most recent ex-boyfriend Ryan Adams. Today we get new pics of Mandy upon arrival back at LAX without any guy in tow … just her and her guitar:

I wasn’t aware that Mandy knew how to play guitar … perhaps she picked up this new habit from Ryan Adams? Perhaps they once made beautiful music together and now she’s taken to channeling her pain of a love lost thru her instrument? Might we expect a mournful new album of plaintive songs lamenting what could’ve been between R-Andy M-Adams? Am I asking too many questions?

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin]

Mandy Moore was snapped making her way thru LAX Airport yesterday afternoon and she was spotted in the company of a mysterious new dude … which of course leads to speculation about whether or not the two are dating. You may recall that Mandy Moore and her rocker ex-boyfriend Ryan Adams broke up in early July … you may also recall that Ryan posted a mysterious message on his official website a couple of weeks ago that seemed to be meant for Mandy. Could it be possible that Mandy has moved on and found a new dude to keep her company these days?

Now, of course this new friend could just be a new friend who happened to be traveling with Miss Moore but he’s a cutie … I can see how she might go for a dude like this. Irregardless of what is really doing on with these two, I hope that Mandy is truly happy. She’s a doll, she deserves to beeee happy!

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin]

Pink reader Niki gave me the head’s up that musician (and genius) Ryan Adams added a link to an interesting message on his official website that lists the Top 10 Ways to be a Gentleman. While the list is cute and could be referring to any of his previous ladyloves, the last sentence on the page seems awfully poignant and too cute to be meant for anyone other than his most recent girlfriend Mandy Moore. Perhaps I am not the only one lamenting the loss of R-Andy M-Adams. Could Ryan be sending out a secret message to his lost love in this very public way? Here is a screencap of Ryan’s entire message:

HMMM … I mean, it’s totes impossible to be absolutely sure who this message is meant for but I have the sneaking suspicion that Ryan is referring to and possibly trying to reach out to Mandy Moore. Ignore the cameras appears to refer to the paparazzi that began following Ryan and Mandy when it was discovered that they were dating. “Bug” seems like a cute little nickname that could be attributed to her, don’tcha think?

[Source; thanks Niki]

Despite the fact that Mandy Moore and Ryan Adams broke up a few weeks ago (after a pretty lengthy courtship that the couple managed to keep on the downlow) it appears that Mandy is still keen on showing Ryan just how much she still cares for him … by trying to look look exactly like him. Here are a couple pics of Mandy at LAX airport this past Tuesday catching a flight out of town (possibly to stalk Ryan?):

Yeah, I dunno that the indie/emo/grungy/hipster look is exactly right for Ms. Moore. I get that the break-up of R-Andy M-Adams is tough to deal with (for all of us) but Mandy shouldn’t be going around town impersonating her ex-boyfriend. The show Single White Female schtick is so 1992 … it’s time to move on! She might want to give back his glasses, too … if Ryan Adams has to continue on without his hipster spectacles then he might lose all of his cred altogether. Let’s move on … shall we?

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin]