Usher boosts Obama voter drive in Detroit

The crowd was on the floor and screaming, but Usher wasn’t there to sing – he wanted to talk about voter registration.

The R&B superstar briefly spoke Thursday to more than 100 campaign volunteers and fans at the Barack Obama headquarters in Detroit. He was there to promote a voter registration drive for the Democrat’s presidential campaign and the Michigan Democratic Party.

The 39-year-old singer, whose full name is Usher Raymond IV, said even those too young to vote can make a difference by urging their older family members to register and support Obama.

Crow aims to upload voters with download

Sheryl Crow wants your vote – and figures she can get it for a song.

The Grammy Award-winning singer is offering a free download of her politically charged tune “Gasoline” to anyone who logs onto the Rock the Vote Web site or anyone on the group’s mailing list.

And the first 50,000 people who register three friends to vote will get a free digital copy of her album “Detours.”

“I hope people wake up and emotionally engage in issues,” Crow said in a telephone interview.

Crow’s giveaway is a kickoff to Rock the Vote’s voter registration drive, said the organization’s executive director Heather Smith.

Crow, 46, was one of the founding artists of Rock the Vote 18 years ago.

She said the “Detours” album fits perfectly into the group’s cause since the lyrics touch on topics such as adoption, breast cancer, the war in Iraq, the environment and Hurricane Katrina.

‘American Idol’ Sanjaya on Nationwide’s side

Former “American Idol” contestant Sanjaya has gone from “pitchy” to pitchman.

Sanjaya Malakar is selling Nationwide Insurance in a new ad that’s part of the Columbus, Ohio-based company’s campaign, “Life Comes at You Fast.”

Malakar says that’s something he knows from personal experience. In a statement, he points out that he went from an unknown singer to appearing before of millions of people on “Idol.”

Rejected by Hong Kong, Glitter goes to Thailand

Disgraced rocker Gary Glitter arrived back in Bangkok on Thursday after Hong Kong denied him entry, continuing a two-day odyssey that began when he was released from a Vietnamese prison after serving time for molesting children.

Glitter, a British citizen, flew to Hong Kong on Wednesday night after Thai authorities barred him from entering the country. Hong Kong immigration officials then refused him entry after interviewing him, a British Foreign Office spokesman said.

Police Col. Worawat Amornwiwat said Glitter arrived in Bangkok on Thursday and would again be denied entry. He said Glitter’s airline, Thai Airways, should ensure he continues on his original journey to England.

A spokeswoman for Thai Airways, who refused to be identified because she was not authorized to speak to the press, said the airline told Glitter that his only option was to fly to London.

Seinfeld to become pitchman for Microsoft

Junior Mints, Yoo-hoo, Drake’s Coffee Cakes, puffy shirts: These are all things Jerry Seinfeld has endorsed – at least in his alter ego on his classic sitcom. Now, add Microsoft software.

Seinfeld will be a key pitchman in a planned $300 million fall advertising campaign for the software giant, a person familiar with the plans confirmed to The Associated Press on condition on anonymity because the deal has not been formally announced.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the plans.

Citing people close to the situation, it reported the comedian will be paid $10 million for appearing in ads with Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.

It’s Microsoft’s latest move to try to capture some of the cool quotient that rival Apple has appeared to win so effortlessly.

But for younger consumers especially, can Seinfeld turn the image tide for Microsoft?

“Seinfeld does represent sort of a challenge,” says Brian Steinberg, television editor for the weekly advertising magazine Ad Age. “He’s not Dane Cook. He’s got a more sophisticated everyday take on things.

“He often comes across as a questioner of conventional wisdom but also can be kind of a crank.

“It’s a fine line to walk when you’re dealing with a younger person.”

Gwen Stefani gives birth to second child

It’s Love, Angel, Music, Baby No. 2 for Gwen Stefani, who’s given birth to her second son.

Zuma Nesta Rock weighed 8 pounds and 5 ounces when he was born Thursday afternoon, according to publicist Dave Tomberlin.

“Mother, baby and family are all happy and healthy,” he said in a statement.

The pop star and fashionista already has one son, Kingston, with her husband, rocker Gavin Rossdale. Rossdale also has a teenage daughter with fashion designer Pearl Lowe.