Rod Stewart's new album, Still the Same…Great American Rock Classics of Our Time, sold 184,000 copies its first week of release to debut at Number One on the Billboard 200 chart (week ending October 28). Each of his previous three albums, all part of Rod's Great American Songbook series, also entered that list in the top spot. And, on this week's Country Albums chart, Jimmy Buffett debuts at Number One for the second time in a row with his latest release, "Take the Weather With You."
Whitney Houston, who filed for a legal separation from her husband Bobby Brown last month, has begun divorce proceedings. The pop singer is asking for custody of the couple's 13-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina, with Brown to be allowed visitation rights. Whitney is currently working on a new album with her long-time friend and mentor Clive Davis.
And, speaking of divorces…A British newspaper reports that Heather Mills, wife of former Beatle Paul McCartney, has claimed her soon-to-be ex-husband used illegal drugs, abused alcohol, and, on several occasions, was physically and emotionally violent towards her. McCartney reportedly "denies the claims completely and cannot believe he would ever be accused of such behavior." Paul is said to be worth $1.2 billion.
On October 26, many Country superstars will appear at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles to pay tribute to Reba McEntire. They'll be taping an episode of Country Music Television's "CMT Giants." Among the artists scheduled to take part in the show are Dolly Parton, Wynonna Judd, Faith Hill, Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, Jennifer Nettles and LeAnn Rimes. "American Idol" first season winner Kelly Clarkson will also make an appearance. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to Habitat For Humanity.
Columbia Records will release Carly Simon's new album, Into White, on October 24. The collection features Simon's new versions of pop standards and traditional lullabies, including "Over the Rainbow," "All I Have To Do Is Dream," and "Hush Little Baby." Her son and daughter, Sally and Ben Taylor, join her on a remake of ex-husband James Taylor's "Mud Slid Slim and the Blue Horizon." Carly also recorded two self-penned songs for the album.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES
New albums scheduled for release on October 24 include: Givin' It Up by George Benson & Al Jarreau, Once Again by John Legend, Some People Change by Montgomery Gentry, Threes by Sparta, Live To Win by Paul Stanley, Pretty Little Head by Nellie McKay, 13 by the Brian Setzer Orchestra, and the original motion picture soundtrack to Hannah Montana.
MUSICAL EVENTS/FESTIVALS/BENEFITS
The 8th Voodoo Music Festival will take place October 28 and 29 in New Orleans. Duran Duran and the Red Hot Chili Peppers will headline the event. Also on the bill are Wu Tang Clan, Shooter Jennings, The Flaming Lips, Blue October, Social Distortion, My Chemical Romance, the Original Meters, and many others.
On October 28, Country singer Dean Miller will host the Roger Miller Festival in his late father's hometown of Erick, Oklahoma. In addition to a concert by Dean, the festival will feature arts and crafts, food vendors, and a "King of the Road" car show and poker run, named after Roger Miller's biggest chart hit. Proceeds will go to the Roger Miller Museum.
TOUR DATES AND INFORMATION
R&B newcomer Ciara will begin a 16-city club tour this week in support of her upcoming album Ciara: The Evolution. The album is due out on December 5. Ciara's first show will take place October 26 in Washington, D.C. Dates are scheduled to wrap up on December 10 in New York.
On October 27, Lionel Richie will begin a 16-city tour in Detroit, Michigan. He'll be supporting his new CD Coming Home, which includes his current single, "I Call It Love." Lionel partnered with tickets-for-charity.com, an official online charitable ticketing web site, to raise money for the United Way of America. He's donating proceeds from pre-sale premium seats and VIP packages to the organization. Lionel's "Coming Home" tour is scheduled to wrap up on November 25 in Oakland, California. In March 2007, he'll take the tour to the U.K.