BB Curve :: Cannot Play Or Download Anything With .mp3 Extension

I have a BB Curve 8530 Smartphone (v5.0.0.654) and I cannot download or play anything with a mp3 extension other than those items that were installed on the phone when I first got it or those that I downloaded before my first phone update. While trying to play an audio or video item with mp3 extension, I always get the message "an error occurred while attempting to play...". This usually happens after about a minute or two. My downloads simply fail. I'm confused because everything worked fine until that first update. I can still download and play anything with a .m3u extension.