Fantasia to Release 3rd Album
On August 24, J Records will release the third album by R&B singer Fantasia Barrino. "Back To Me," Barrino's first album since 2006, features her current Top 10 R&B hit "Bittersweet." On August 9, the season 3 American Idol winner made headlines after overdosing on aspirin and sleeping aids. She was hospitalized for a few days, but has now recovered. The overdose followed reports of Barrino's affair with a married man. His wife is threatening to sue Fantasia for violating North Carolina's home-wrecker law.
Blondie Working On New CD
Blondie is finishing its first new album in seven years. The band's drummer, Clem Burke, told Billboard.com that he expects "Panic of Girls" to be released in Australia in time for their tour dates there in November. He added that the album will be released in the U.S. and other countries in 2011.
Eminem Tops Billboard 200 Chart Again 
Eminem returns to Number One on the Billboard 200 chart this week with "Recovery." The album sold 133,000 copies during the past week. According to sales tracker Nielsen SoundScan, total sales of "Recovery" stand at 2.1 million copies. The only album that has sold more in 2010 is Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now" (2.5 million copies).
Dolenz Pays Musical Homage to Carole King
Former Monkee Micky Dolenz has recorded a Carole King tribute album. "King For A Day" features his version of 15 songs that were written or co-written by King, including "Up On The Roof," "Don't Bring Me Down" and "I Feel the Earth Move," which is a duet with "Hannah Montana" star Emily Osment. Bill Medley duets with Dolenz on the Righteous Brothers' "Just Once In My Life." "King For A Day" drops on August 24.
New Country Complilation Album Hits Stores 
The new Country music compilation "My Country: Smash Hits" will be released on August 24. The set contains previously released tracks by Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Lady Antebellum and many other popular Country stars. A portion of the proceeds from its sales will go to the Fisher House Foundation, which provides a "home away from home" for military families to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury.
New Album Releases August 24:
"Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry
"Versus" by Usher
"The Reason Why" by Little Big Town
"Burning The Day" by the Randy Rogers Band
"Homecoming: The Bluegrass Album" by Joe Diffie
"7th Symphony" by Apocalyptica
"I'll Fly Away" by Randy Travis
"Mosaic" by Ricky Skaggs
"For Lack of Honest Work" (3-CD set) by Todd Rundgren
"Top Ten" by Sixpence None The Richer
"For Always: The Very Best of CeCe Winans" by CeCe Winans
Awards Presentations/Winners:
Dailey & Vincent leads the nominees for the 21st annual International Bluegrass Music Awards. The group, which is the reigning two-time Entertainer of the Year, earned 10 nominations. They include Vocal Group of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year for "Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers" and Song of the Year for "Elizabeth." Among the other multiple IBMA nominees are Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, The Gibson Brothers, Sam Bush, The Grascals, the Josh Williams Band, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder and the Del McCoury Band. (Complete list of nominees and categories at www.ibma.org.)
