Michelle Branch

Mariah who? Whitney who? Madonna who? Britney who? Christina who? Jennifer who? It's not a coincidence that these women were absent from the Grammys this year; 2003 is the year during which each of these women becomes irrelevant in pop music. Norah Jones, Avril Lavigne, Michelle Branch, Vanessa Carlton, Ashanti, India.Arie and Alicia Keys prove that the era of the dancing, prancing, overproduced and essentially talentless woman in pop music has finally reached its grateful end. Kudos to the recording industry for recognizing this fact, although it still has a long way to go in how to present this new female talent.

BY the time she was 18, Michelle Branch was already topping the charts as a singer-songwriter. Now 23, Branch is gaining new audiences as part of the country duo the Wreckers. She and musical partner Jessica Harp have been promoting their debut album, "Stand Still, Look Pretty," for most of 2006. That means Branch, husband (and Wreckers bass player) Teddy Landau and year-old daughter Owen Isabelle have been on the road almost nonstop since February.

BY the time she was 18, Michelle Branch was already topping the charts as a singer-songwriter. Now 23, Branch is gaining new audiences as part of the country duo the Wreckers. She and musical partner Jessica Harp have been promoting their debut album, "Stand Still, Look Pretty," for most of 2006. That means Branch, husband (and Wreckers bass player) Teddy Landau and year-old daughter Owen Isabelle have been on the road almost nonstop since February.

Mariah who? Whitney who? Madonna who? Britney who? Christina who? Jennifer who? It's not a coincidence that these women were absent from the Grammys this year; 2003 is the year during which each of these women becomes irrelevant in pop music. Norah Jones, Avril Lavigne, Michelle Branch, Vanessa Carlton, Ashanti, India.Arie and Alicia Keys prove that the era of the dancing, prancing, overproduced and essentially talentless woman in pop music has finally reached its grateful end. Kudos to the recording industry for recognizing this fact, although it still has a long way to go in how to present this new female talent.

Those attending last Sunday's fundraiser for the Blue Heron Foundation, which supports Romanian orphans, were shuttled by van to an estate hidden high in the Hollywood Hills. "It was the first house between Doheny and Sunset Drive," said Stefania Magidson, the estate's owner and founder of Blue Heron. "We have a photo of when the house was built in 1920, and Sunset Boulevard is just a dirt road."

Can you believe Adam Levine's nerve? On Monday's episode of “The Voice,” the Maroon 5 vocalist vented about an experience he had at the Roxy on the Sunset Strip eons ago. My colleague Todd Martens detailed the incident on The Times' music blog Pop & Hiss: The jab came while Levine and his coaching peers were giving comments to contestant Cassadee Pope, the former lead singer of Florida rock band Hey Monday. Pope had just completed a rendition of Michelle Branch 's "Are You Happy Now?"

Beautiful Creatures, "Beautiful Creatures," Warner Bros. Michelle Branch, "The Spirit Room," Maverick Mary Cutrufello, "Songs From the 6," 25 Story Drop 54-40, "Casual Viewin' USA," Nettwerk America Alison Krauss & Union Station, "New Favorite," Rounder k.d. lang, "Live by Request," Warner Bros. No One, "No One," Virgin Grant-Lee Phillips, "Mobilize," Rounder/Zo Chip Taylor, "Black & Blue America," Train Wreck Various artists, "How Many Bands Does It Take to Screw Up a Blondie Tribute?

Here's an unexpected feud. Near the end of Monday night's episode of the NBC talent show "The Voice," Maroon 5 vocalist Adam Levine took a moment to slam the West Hollywood club the Roxy. Why? Apparently the club didn't give the band a dressing room.  The jab came while Levine and his coaching peers were giving comments to contestant Cassadee Pope, the former lead singer of Florida rock band Hey Monday. Pope had just completed a rendition of Michelle Branch's "Are You Happy Now?"

Madonna's Maverick Records label sued Warner Music Group to sever their contract, accusing the record conglomerate of undercutting its artists and cheating the megastar and her partners out of millions of dollars. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, comes amid an impasse in discussions over the future of Maverick, a joint venture Warner Music launched with the pop singer in 1992.

* Ray Charles has been added as co-headliner on Willie Nelson's Feb. 9 Universal Amphitheatre concert.... Nelson will also play Feb. 8 at the Grove of Anaheim (formerly the Sun Theatre).... The 17th annual Elvis Birthday Bash will be held two days early, on Jan. 6 at the House of Blues. Also due at the West Hollywood club: Cowboy Mouth and Afroman on Jan. 22; Jack Johnson, Feb. 17; and Craig David, Feb. 18-19.... Now on sale at the Roxy: Michelle Branch on Feb. 8 ...

8pm Theater In "Stones in His Pocket," Marie Jones' hit Broadway and West End comedy, a Hollywood film crew arrives in a small Irish village to make its next blockbuster. Cultures clash when it hires dozens of locals as extras, all played by just two actors--Bronson Pinchot and Christopher Burns. "Stones in His Pockets," Globe Theatres' Old Globe Theatre, Balboa Park, San Diego, Tuesdays through Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 and 7 p.m. Ends March 16. $25 to $50.