LITTLE ROCK — Haiti’s singer-turned-president is returning to the international stage. President Michel Martelly will sing two songs with Spanish singer Julio Iglesias at a benefit concert today in the Dominican Republic. Martelly has made several impromptu performances in Haiti since he was elected in May 2011. But the show in Casa de Campo will be his first performance outside Haiti for the artist known as “Sweet Micky.” Concert organizer George Nader said proceeds will go to the Pink and White Foundation, a charity run by Martelly and his wife, Sophia. Among those expected to attend are Henry Kissinger and designers Donna Karan and Oscar de la Renta. Martelly was known for often bawdy performances before he was elected president of a country struggling to recover from a January 2010 earthquake.
The Kings of Leon family has just gotten bigger. Drummer Nathan Followill and his wife, singer-songwriterJessie Baylin, welcomed a baby girl Wednesday. It’s the first baby for the couple and the third for the Followill family band. Nathan Followill’s brother, Caleb, and cousin, Matthew, also have children. A spokesman said Violet Marlowe Followill was born at 4:01 p.m. inNashville, Tenn. She was 7 pounds, 13 ounces at birth. The baby comes before what promises to be a busy 2013 for Kings of Leon. The Nashville-based band has been working on new music for an album that’s expected to be released next year. Baylin released her third album, Little Spark, earlier this year. The couple has been married since 2009.
Front Section, Pages 2 on 12/28/2012