Blog Posts by Claudine Zap

One of the perks of touring the country during the On the Road concert festival is checking out the local attractions.

One such place -- JuiceLand in Austin, Texas -- drew in thirsty and curious Yahoo! hosts Ben Lyons and Jerry Trainor, star of Nickelodeon’s “Wendell & Vinnie.”

Watch the video to see our fearless reporters sample a greenish-looking beverage called a Ninja Bachelor Party. One of the juice bar's most popular specialty blends, it mixes up fresh jalapeno, pineapple, kale, parsley, celery, and salt. Um, yum?

But it gets even stranger from there. Juice shop proprietor Jordan says the shop's made-to-order concoctions include other odd additions like hemp seeds and hemp protein, as well as Himalayan salt and Ormus Supergreens, a "green mix grown out of diatomaceous earth" from volcanic ash in Utah. Translation: fancy dirt.

Clearly, this is not your basic glass of orange juice. There are some serious claims going into these silly-sounding mixes of fruits, veggies, and other weird

Read More »from Yahoo! On the Road: Austin Super Smoothies

Billy Joel (Photo: Kevin Mazur)Meet the Piano Man Jr. As seen in a video that's taking the Internet by storm, Billy Joel fulfilled a Vanderbilt University student's ultimate dream: a onstage performance of "New York State of Mind" with the singer-songwriter.

The student, Michael Pollack, stood up during a question-and-answer session with the singer and posed what had to be the question he's been waiting to ask his whole life.

Mentioning the performer's sax player, he said, "My favorite song of yours is 'New York State of Mind.' I was very fortunate to play with Richie Cannata many times in New York City, and I was wondering if I could play it with you."

After a short pause, Joel said, "OK."

Read More »from Billy Joel’s Big-Hearted Duet Goes Viral

photo: David Livingston/Getty ImagesSinger-songwriter Rick Springfield had a close call with the law. The L.A. County Sheriff's Department confirmed to Yahoo! that the 63-year-old was arrested this morning on a bench warrant.

But before he could be booked, Springfield's lawyer contacted the judge and had the warrant recalled.

The performer, who apparently skipped a February court date tied to a DUI from 2011, had been expected to show proof he had completed an alcohol education program and pay $1,555 in fines, according to TMZ.

Read More »from Rick Springfield Arrested For Missing A Court Date

Melissa Etheridge and girlfriend Linda Wallem (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

The 55th Annual Grammy Awards have come and gone, but some questions remain. Here the top mysteries from the award show, solved.

Frank Ocean greets Etheridge at Grammys (Lester Cohen/WireImage).Melissa Etheridge in the house.
It was quick, but the twittersphere certainly noticed. During a Lumineers performance of "Ho, Hey," the camera panned to a woman singing along with long, slick backed hair. Some didn’t recognize the singer immediately, but Melissa Etheridge had been spotted in the audience.

Etheridge's last high-profile moment may have also been at the Grammys back in 2005, when the folk-rock singer, who was battling cancer, rocked the show, bald.

The musician who fought back cancer has recently been in another dispute, reportedly resolving a court settlement with ex Tammy Lynn Michaels over support and custody of their two children. The singer will be out doing some performing of her own. Fans who want to see her live can check out tickets for upcoming shows later in the year.

Who is Miguel?
Accepting her award for Best Pop Vocal Album, Kelly

Read More »from Melissa Etheridge’s Hair, Johnny Depp’s Cameo and Other Burning Grammy Mysteries Solved

Maybe there should be another category for the 55th Grammy Awards -- best "dis." Plenty were lobbed, and we're not talking about the Twittersphere -- these insults were hurled right from the stage. Here some of the most memorable moments some would probably prefer to forget.

The woman who has turned the boyfriend dis into an art form: Taylor Swift got the last word at her Grammy performance of "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together." She mocked her One Direction ex, Harry Styles, by doing a fake British voice for the "guy" who is pleading to get back together with her. The music icon changed the lyrics to "So he calls me up and I'm like, 'I'm busy opening up the Grammys.'" Future boyfriends of Swift, you've been warned.

Chris Brown and Frank Ocean are still in a spat: The two took their differences all the way to the Staples Center. Ocean and Brown, both up for Best Urban Contemporary Album, are officially rivals. Ocean ended up winning the Grammy, and although he received a

Read More »from Taylor Swift vs. Her Ex! Chris Brown vs. Frank Ocean! Jay-Z vs. The-Dream’s Hat! Best of Grammy Disses

2012 MTV VMAs double-decker red carpet The red carpet for MTV's Video Music Awards is being supersized. Stars (many in heels) will face a daunting double-decker behemoth with multiple levels. Hope those special-event gift bags have hiking boots.

The structure was inspired by a multilevel driving range. But instead of golf balls, fans will be treated to multiple levels of stars at the VMA preshow. Whether it will be a treat for the stars seems up for debate.

[Related: More MTV Video Music Awards coverage]

The superstructure is being built to span the 300 feet between the Nokia Theater and the Staples Center (where the event will be held) and is believed to be the first of its kind -- and possibly the last, once artists realize how many levels are involved. Performers may want to trade in their sky-high heels for sneakers -- or the entertainment may turn into some unplanned tumbles.

Read More »from Double-Decker Red Carpet For VMA Awards Made For Fans

2012 MTV VMAs Red Carpet (photo: Jonathan Goldner / MTV News)The red carpet for MTV's Video Music Awards is being supersized. Stars (many in heels) will face a daunting double-decker behemoth with multiple levels. Hope those special-event gift bags have hiking boots.

The structure was inspired by a multilevel driving range. But instead of golf balls, fans will be treated to multiple levels of stars at the VMA preshow. Whether it will be a treat for the stars seems up for debate.

[Related: More MTV Video Music Awards coverage]

The superstructure is being built to span the 300 feet between the Nokia Theater and the Staples Center (where the event will be held) and is believed to be the first of its kind -- and possibly the last, once artists realize how many levels are involved. Performers may want to trade in their sky-high heels for sneakers -- or the entertainment may turn into some unplanned tumbles.

Read More »from Double-Decker Red Carpet for VMA Awards Made for the Fans

Rihanna in 2011 Nivea campaignShe's too sexy for this skincare: The company Nivea has apparently dropped Rihanna as the face of its body-products line. The sultry star, known for her wild hair color and racy dance routines, was selected by the company last spring to be the face of its "100 Years Skincare for Life" campaign.

[Related: Rihanna and Drake top Video Music Awards nominees]

At the time, a representative for the brand, Markus Pinger, told the Independent, "We are excited to have Rihanna supporting us in our celebration and building a new generation of fans." The company released a photo with the announcement showing the pop diva posing seductively.

Read More »from Nivea Drops Rihanna