British singer Amy Winehouse was charged with assault Wednesday in connection with an incident on Saturday night at a theater, according to local police. The Grammy Award-winning singer, 26, was charged, under the name Amy Civil, with a public order offense and common assault. She is due to appear at Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court on January 20, 2010.
Brooks Sues Hospital
Garth Brooks is suing Canadian Valley Regional Hospital in Yukon, Oklahoma for breach of contract. In 2005, the Country star gave the hospital $500,000 to help finance a building that was to be named after his late mother, Colleen Brooks. Colleen died of cancer in 1999. Garth's lawsuit claims the building wasn't included in the hospital's expansion project. A spokesperson for Brooks told People magazine, "This deals with his mother, the hometown and the people he grew up with and is deeply personal." A representative for the hospital called it a misunderstanding, which they hope has a "swift and amicable end."
Electra to Host FOX TV New Year's Eve Show
FOX-TV will air Billboard's New Year's Eve Live. Hosted by Carmen Electra, the event will broadcast from Las Vegas and New York's Times Square. Performers include Kris Allen, Alison Iraheta and Sean Kingston. The show will also feature highlights from the 2009 Billboard Music Awards and a countdown of the Top 5 in music, film and television.
Secrest to Host ABC's New Year's Rockin Eve
ABC-TV will air Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Secrest 2010. Along with many pre-taped musical segments, the bi-coastal celebration will include live performances by Jennifer Lopez and Daughtry. Dick Clark will be in New York's Times Square to do the traditional countdown to midnight.
R Kelly Working on Memoir
R&B singer R. Kelly is writing a memoir that will be published in 2011. He's collaborating on the book with celebrity author David Ritz. Kelly released a statement that said, "I'm writing this book as Robert, not R. Kelly. I'm tired of being misunderstood. I will show you the tears, fears and sweat. I will open my heart and reveal the good in my life as well as all the drama. I want to tell it like it is." In early 2009, Kelly was acquitted of child pornography charges. He'll address his six-year legal battle in the book.
Cannon to Host Morning Radio Show
Beginning January 19, rapper, actor and television personality Nick Cannon will add morning radio host to his resume. The husband of pop star Mariah Carey has been hired to host CBS Radio's WXRK-FM in New York weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Fans living outside of the listening area can tune in online at www.923now.com.
First International Show of Peace Concert to be Held in Beijing
Beijing, China will host the first international Show Of Peace Concert on April 17. The event, which will coincide with the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, is expected to draw 100,000 people to the Bird's Nest stadium. It will also be televised around the world to a potential two billion viewers. Billboard reports that Prince, Beyonce, Green Day, Kenny Chesney, Mariah Carey and the Black Eyed Peas are among the dozens of artists being invited to perform at the concert. The list of confirmed performers will be announced at a later date. (More information is available at www.showofpeace.com.)
Beyonce's Mother Files for Divorce
Beyonce Knowles' mother Tina has filed for divorce from the singer's father and manager Mathew Knowles. The couple's statement says, "The decision to end our marriage is an amicable one. We remain friends, parents, and business partners. If anyone is expecting an ugly messy fight, they will be sadly disappointed. We ask for your respect of our privacy as we handle this matter." Mathew was recently named in a paternity suit. A woman in Los Angeles claims he is the father of her unborn child.
New Album Releases December 29:
"Ending Is Beginning" by Downhere, "People Like Me" by Rhett Akins, "One Hit Wonders" (box set) by various artists and "Mythology" (4-CD box set) by the Bee Gees.
Awards Presentations/Winners:
Joe Louis Walker leads the list of nominees for the Blues Foundation's 2010 Blues Music Awards. His five mentions include Album of the Year and Contemporary Blues Album of the Year for Between a Rock and the Blues. Close behind with four nominations apiece are Tommy Castro, Rick Estrin, Super Chikan, Louisiana Red and Duke Robillard. The 31st annual Blues Music Awards will be presented on May 6 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Look Who's Going On Tour!
Mariah Carey will perform a New Year's Eve concert at New York's Madison Square Garden. On January 2, she'll launch her "Angels Advocate" tour in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The tour supports her new album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. Mariah will wrap up the trek on February 27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jonas Brother Nick Jonas and his new band the Administration will begin a month-long tour on January 2 in Dallas, Texas. The 17-year-old said, "I am so excited! I just have to say thanks to my brothers for being as supportive as they've been." Fourteen shows are planned through January 30, when the outing ends in Berkeley, California. Hollywood Records will release Nick Jonas and the Administration's debut album, Who I Am, on February 2.
On January 2, Elliott Yamin will play the first of his 2010 concerts in Alexandria, Virginia. Other East Coast cities the American Idol season five finalist will stop in include New York, New York; Annapolis, Maryland; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Allentown, Pennsylvania; and Norfolk, Connecticut.
