Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Anka to Receive Royalties on New Jackson Single
Paul Anka Paul Anka will receive 50 percent of the royalties for Michael Jackson's new single "This Is It." The song was written by Anka and Jackson in 1983 for Paul's duets album Walk A Fine Line. In 1991, Latin singer Sa-Fire recorded the tune using its original title "I Never Heard." When Jackson's version was released on October 12, Michael was credited as the sole songwriter. Anka contacted Michael's estate, which admitted the mistake. Anka said, "Nobody tried to do anything that was devious. They have been very stand-up about it. I don't want there to be any negatives about this out of respect to Michael."
Brooks Steps Out of Retirement
Garth Brooks 47-year-old Country star Garth Brooks has announced that he's stepping out of retirement to begin a weekend residency at the Wynn Encore Resort in Las Vegas. His first shows will take place December 11-13. So far, Garth has 15 weeks of performances scheduled. He'll perform one show on Fridays, two on Saturdays and one on Sundays. Tickets to the solo acoustic concerts will sell for $125.00. Some shows could feature special guests, including Garth's wife Trisha Yearwood. Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn bought Garth a private jet so he can travel back and forth from his home in Oklahoma. The engagement could continue for five years. Garth retired from touring in 2000 to raise his three daughters. At that time, he said he wouldn't return to the road until his youngest daughter turned 18. She's 13 now, so fans have another five years to wait for a Garth Brooks tour.
Showtime to Air Bon Jovi Documentary
Bon Jovi bandLast year, rock band Bon Jovi filmed its Lost Highway Tour for a documentary that will begin airing on the Showtime movie channel on October 24. Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful features behind the scenes footage of the tour, plus the group's live concert in New York's Central Park. On October 27, Harper Collins will publish a companion book, also titled When We Were Beautiful. Bon Jovi's new album, The Circle, will be released on November 10. Its first single is the Top 20 Adult Contemporary hit, "We Weren't Born To Follow." New CD Celebrates Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Tina TurnerOn October 20, Time Life will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the release of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live. The nine-disc DVD collection features 125 performances and more than nine hours of bonus video that includes 52 induction speeches and never-before-seen backstage and rehearsal footage. Other highlights include musical collaborations at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions by Bruce Springsteen and Bono, Mick Jagger and Tina Turner, and Tom Petty and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, among others.
Eagles' Bassist to Release First Solo Album
The Eagles Lost Highway Records will the first solo album in eight years by Eagles bassist Timothy B. Schmit. Expando includes guest appearances by Kid Rock, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Gary Burton, Dwight Yoakam, and many others. Schmit wrote all 11 tracks and recorded the album at his home studio near Los Angeles. He says, " Expando implies growing and expanding and I feel like that's what the music on this album represents for me. I guess the word is a bit mysterious, but I'm trying out all these different things I've always wanted to do."
New Album Releases October 20
"Southern Voice" by Tim McGraw, "Dolly" (4-CD box set, includes seven previously unreleased tracks) by Dolly Parton, "Old Things New" by Joe Nichols, "The Remix Suite" by Michael Jackson, "Fight Like A Girl" by Bombshel, "The Long Way Home" by Terri Clark, "A Mediterranean Odyssey" by Loreena McKennitt, "Tina Live" by Tina Turner, "Live From the Isle of Wight" by Leonard Cohen, "Natural Forces" by Lyle Lovett, "Circles Around Me" by Sam Bush and "Let's See What Happens" by Kate Baldwin.
Musical Events/Festivals/Benefits
Sheryl Crow On October 24 and 25, the 2009 Bridge School Benefit will take place in Mountain View, California. Joining Bridge School co-founder Neil Young on the bill are Sheryl Crow, No Doubt, Jimmy Buffett, Gavin Rossdale, and others. Proceeds will support the Bridge School's programs for children with severe physical and speech disabilities.
Awards Presentations / Winners
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation will hold its 39th annual induction ceremony on October 18. The Class of 2009 includes Kye Fleming, Mark D. Sanders and the late Country legend Tammy Wynette. During the event, Toby Keith and Craig Wiseman will be honored with Songwriter of the Decade Awards. Nashville Songwriters Association International Executive Director Bart Herbison says, "These awards are very special honors, not only recognizing continuous hits over the past ten years, but because they are chosen by fellow songwriters. Craig and Toby have truly earned the respect of their fellow creators and deserve this special recognition."
Taylor Swift Taylor Swift leads the nominees for the 2009 American Music Awards. Her six nominations include Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist, Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist and Favorite Female Country Artist, Favorite Album and Favorite Country Album for "Fearless," and Artist of the Year. She shares the Artist of the Year category with Lady Gaga, Eminem, Kings of Leon and the late Michael Jackson. Jackson is the second most-nominated artist with five nods, Eminem picked up four, and Beyonce, the Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Kings of Leon and T.I. received three mentions each. Winners will be determined by online voting. The awards ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on November 22.
Look Who's Going On Tour!
Daughtry On October 19, Daughtry will kick off a 36-date North American arena tour in Topeka, Kansas. The rock band is supporting its new CD, Leave This Town, which debuted at Number One on the Billboard 200. Sharing the opening slot on the tour are Theory Of A Deadman and Cavo. The trek is scheduled to wrap up on December 20 in Evansville, Illinois.
Nominations for the 2009 Billboard Touring Awards have been announced. Up for Top Tour and Top Draw are AC/DC's Black Ice Tour, Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour and U2's 360 Tour. The Top Tour and Top Draw awards go to the top-grossing and ticket selling tours, respectively. Breakthrough Award nominees include Il Divo, Kings Of Leon, Lil Wayne and Taylor Swift. The Top Boxscore award recognizes the top-grossing single engagement from October 1st, 2008 through September 30th, 2009. Nominees are U2 at Dublin's Croke Park, U2 at Stade de France in Paris and the Oxegen Festival at Punchestown Racecourse in Naas, Ireland. Ozzy Osbourne will be named 2009 Legend of Live and Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman will be presented with the Humanitarian Award. The 2009 Billboard Touring Awards will be handed out at a reception in New York on November 5. (Complete list of nominees available at www.billboard.com.
