Third Man Records has announced that Jack White will appear on next Tuesday's season finale of The Muppets. According to a promotional poster, White will help Kermit the Frog work out some romantic difficulties with Miss Piggy. (Pitchfork)

#FreeKesha

Sony Music has clarified its position regarding Kesha's recording contract: the company, it says, is "legally unable to terminate the contract" between Kesha and Dr. Luke, to which the company is not a party. "Sony has made it possible for Kesha to record without any connection, involvement or interaction with Luke whatsoever," said Sony attorney Scott A. Edelman, "but Sony is not in a position to terminate the contractual relationship between Luke and Kesha." (New York Times)

As support from fans and fellow artists continues to pour in for Kesha, the singer has cancelled a planned Friday concert at Loyola University, citing "personal reasons." (Billboard)

What'd Ray say?

Barack Obama hosted a tribute to Ray Charles at the White House — and jumped up to join in the call-and-response of "What'd I Say" with Usher. The Wednesday night event also featured performances by Brittany Howard, Demi Lovato, and more. The complete event is available for viewing below, and will air Friday night on PBS. (Rolling Stone)

Today in music and politics

Republican presidential candidate — and Texas senator — Ted Cruz used the music of Explosions in the Sky in an advertisement touting Cruz's endorsement by Texas governor Greg Abbott. The band are from Texas, but they apparently don't share Cruz's political views — nor those of Abbott. "Those are two people we don't like very much," the band said in a tweet responding to a fan who asked whether the band had approved the use of their music. "We are absolutely not okay with it," the band wrote, promising, "We'll get to the bottom of this." (Billboard)

When Lady Gaga appears on Sunday's Academy Awards to perform her Oscar-nominated song "Til It Happens to You," she'll be introduced by Vice President Joe Biden. The appearance is meant to raise awareness about violence against women, the subject of The Hunting Ground — the documentary in which the nominated song appears. (Billboard)

Jones wowed by Bowie tribute

Duncan Jones, the son of David Bowie, was unimpressed with Gaga's tribute to his father at the Grammys. The tribute by Lorde, however, at the Brit Awards, left Jones tweeting, "Just...beautiful. Thank you." (Billboard)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TWwMqiGlCQ

No Collective for Cooper

Animal Collective have revealed that they passed on the opportunity to soundtrack the 2011 Bradley Cooper action movie Limitless. "When we talked to the director," the band wrote in a Reddit AMA, "he just wanted something that sounded like an instrumental version of 'Summertime Clothes' which we weren't very excited about." (Pitchfork)

Music on the TV

On Wednesday night, FKA Twigs appeared on The Tonight Show for the live debut of her new song "Good to Love." Watch the video at Rolling Stone.

Bill Gates also appeared on The Tonight Show, to promote his charitable organization. When Gates said he'd do "anything" to get people to go to GatesLetter.com, Jimmy Fallon transformed the Microsoft founder into a DJ. (Billboard)