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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rosanne Cash's interest in political and social activism started at a young age, but she also had a role model in her father, Johnny Cash.
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter will receive the “Spirit of Americana” Free Speech award Wednesday during the Americana Honors & Awards show in Nashville. Her father received the honor in 2002.
“I campaigned for (George) McGovern when I was too young to vote,” she told The Associated Press in a recent interview. “I learned, too, at my father's knee. He was tremendously outspoken, but he had the ability to be passionate and righteous and also compassionate at the same time. That's what I try to do, too.”
Cash's career started with her 1981 break-out album, “Seven Year Ache,” followed by a string of 11 No. 1 country singles. Today, the singer-songwriter has found a better home for her introspective, poetic music in the Americana genre, which encompasses country, folk, blues, rock and much more.
She says First Amendment rights are under fire around the world.
“It's really alarming,” she says. “When the highest echelons of government call to shut down newspapers or strengthen libel laws or investigate journalists, to even attack journalists, that's a very dangerous time. It's one of the foundations of the republic.”
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LOS ANGELES — Julie Chen, wife of Les Moonves, was absent Monday but a central topic on “The Talk,” her talk show on the network, a day after a new round of sexual misconduct allegations brought the departure of the CBS chief executive.
In what was supposed to be a celebratory season premiere Monday for “The Talk,” its four other panelists walked out somberly without Chen, who acts as host and moderator and whose absence had not been announced.
Sharon Osbourne choked back tears as she spoke about Chen, who has an 8-year-old son with Moonves.
“As you all know, Julie's husband is in the news,” Osbourne said. “And she's taking off time to be with her family.”
Chen also hosts the prime-time reality show “Big Brother” on CBS, which is in its 20th season. She has been among the network's most prominent personalities and public faces — especially with her added role of wife of the chairman and CEO.
In a statement, Chen said she would be off “The Talk” for a few days, but would be on “Big Brother” on Thursday.
She publicly supported her husband after a first round of accusations last month.
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LOS ANGELES — An autopsy has been completed but the cause of death is not yet clear for hip-hop star Mac Miller, who was found dead in his Los Angeles home last week.
Los Angeles County coroner's spokesman Sarah Ardalani said Monday that investigators have performed the autopsy and released the body to the family, but a cause will not be announced until the results of toxicology tests that can take weeks or months.
Miller's rhymes often dealt with his depression and drug use, and his fans and collaborators included some of hip-hop's biggest names.
