Bon Jovi has the Hot Shot Debut on this week's Country Singles chart (week ending April 7). The New Jersey-based rock band enters at Number 39 with "(You Want To) Make A Memory," the first single from its upcoming album Lost Highway. Bon Jovi recorded the album in Nashville with noted producers John Shanks and Dann Huff. This isn't the first big Country hit for the group. Bon Jovi's 2005 album, Have A Nice Day, produced the Number One Country single "Who Says You Can't Go Home," a duet with Sugarland's lead singer Jennifer Nettles.
A deluxe edition of Beyonce's Grammy-winning album B-Day will be released on April 3. The double CD set will include a duet version of "Beautiful Liar" with Latin pop star Shakira, two new English-language songs and six new Spanish-language tracks.The self-titled debut album by 2006 American Idol finalist Elliott Yamin entered the Billboard 200 chart at Number 3 (week ending March 31). The collection landed on the independent album chart at Number One, making Yamin the highest new artist debut on that list in Soundscan history. Yamin's new single, "Wait For You," enters this week's Hot 100 chart at Number 67.
Britney Spears and Kevin Federline have reached a divorce settlement and a child custody agreement. TMZ.com reports that Kevin will get $1 million and joint custody of their two sons, 18-month-old Sean Preston and 6-month-old Jayden James. Federline's representatives, however, called the report inaccurate. According to USA Today, Britney's lawyer is expected to file the divorce papers in court this week. A judge's signature will make the settlement official.
The Bee Gees will receive an Icon Award from publishing rights organization BMI on May 15. Previous recipients include Crosby, Stills & Nash, James Brown, Carlos Santana and Dolly Parton, among others. The Icon Award honors artists for their "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers."
NEW ALBUM RELEASES
New albums scheduled for release on April 3 include: "Dignity" by Hilary Duff, "Como Ama Una Mujer" by Jennifer Lopez, "Live at Texas Stadium" by Alan Jackson, George Strait and Jimmy Buffett, "A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection" (greatest hits plus five new songs) by Alison Krauss, "Wake Up Laughing" by Martina McBride, "Timbaland Presents Shock Value" by Timbaland, "Careful What You Wish For" by Jonatha Brooke, and "Traffic and Weather" by Fountains of Wayne.
MUSICAL EVENTS/FESTIVALS/BENEFITS
On April 5, Jewel, Chris Isaak, Bruce Hornsby, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and many others will pay tribute to Bruce Springsteen at New York's Carnegie Hall. Proceeds from the gala concert will go to Music For Youth, which supports music education for underprivileged youth.
AWARDS PRESENTATIONS/WINNERS
On April 1, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences presented its 2007 Juno Awards in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Rapper K-os, rock group Billy Talent and singer Nelly Furtado led this year's nominees with five mentions each. Other multiple nominees included The Tragically Hip, Three Days Grace, Sarah Harmer, Diana Krall, Sarah McLachlan and Nickelback. This year's nominees for International Album of the Year were the Dixie Chicks, Il Divo, Justin Timberlake, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Madonna. Nelly Furtado hosted the Juno Awards ceremony.
TOUR DATES AND INFORMATION
On April 3, Grammy-winning R&B singer John Legend and British newcomer Corinne Bailey Rae will kick off a month-long co-headlining tour in Irvine, California. Legend will support his 2006 million-selling album Once Again. Rae's 2006 self-titled debut album has sold two million copies worldwide.
Justin Timberlake has announced plans to perform a second round of North American concerts later this year. On April 24, he'll head to Europe for a 37-date outing, which wraps up on July 8 in London. Justin will continue U.S. shows on August 6 in Memphis, Tennessee. Concerts are currently scheduled to run through mid-September.
