Lady Gaga Enjoying Record-Breaking Album Sales
Lady Gaga has the biggest first-week album sales in six years with her new CD, Born This Way. The set sold 1.11 million copies, thanks in part to an enormous marking campaign. Amazon.com offered the album for 99 cents its first two days of release and sold 440,000 downloads. The online retailer paid Universal Records $3.2 million to make up the sales price difference. Amazon offered the 99 cent deal to promote its new Amazon Cloud Music service.
Idol McCreery Makes History with Debut Single
American Idol winner Scotty McCreery makes history this week for having the highest-charting debut by a new Country artist in more than two decades. The 17-year-old’s first single, “I Love You This Big,” enters the Country chart at Number 32. The song debuts on the Hot 100 chart at Number 11. Scotty says, “I am humbled and shocked by this news. I can’t tell you what it means to me to be on the same charts as my musical heroes.” 16-year-old American Idol runner-up Lauren Alaina also had impressive entries on both charts. Her debut single, “Like My Mother Does,” lands on the Country chart at Number 49 and the Hot 100 at Number 20.
Lopez, Anthony Create Reality Show
Pop music couple Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony has created a new reality show that will begin airing in early 2012. Q’Viva! The Chosen? will feature new Latin talent selected by Jennifer and Mark as they travel through North, Central and South America. They’re also taking nominations on Facebook and YouTube. The show will be filmed in English, Portuguese and Spanish for broadcast in 21 countries.
Pink is a Mom!
Singer Pink and her husband, motocross racer Corey Hart, welcomed their first child on June 2. They named the baby girl Willow Sage Hart. Pink and Corey married in 2006. The couple separated in early 2008, but after attending marriage counseling, reunited in February 2010. Pink’s voice will be heard in the upcoming computer-animated film, Happy Feet 2. She replaced the voice of the character Gloria in the Happy Feet sequel following the death of actress Brittany Murphy.
Travis Celebrates Music Career with Duets Album
Country star Randy Travis is celebrating his 25 years in music with the June 7 release of Anniversary Celebration. The duets album features collaborations with the Zac Brown Band, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, and many others. They recorded some new tracks and also re-made Randy’s biggest hits. On June 15, Randy will appear at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles for a special discussion with Grammy Foundation Vice President Scott Goldman. He’ll also take questions from the audience and perform a few songs.
New Album Releases June 7:
“Ronnie Dunn” by Ronnie Dunn (solo debut by former Brooks & Dunn vocalist)
“The Gathering” by Diane Schuur
“Mirrorball” by Def Leppard
“Revelator” by Tedeschi Trucks Band
“Dakar-Kingston” by Youssou N’Dour
“Forever” by Chick Corea
“Ninth” by Peter Murphy
“Covers 80s” by Duncan Sheik
“Forever” by Corea
“The Book of Mormon” Broadway cast album Clarke & White
“The Sound of Philadelphia” by Larry Carlton
Musical Events/Festivals/Benefits:
The 2011 CMA Music Festival will take place June 9 -12 in Nashville. The annual event, formerly called Fan Fair, is Country music’s ultimate fan experience. In addition to concerts performed by today’s biggest Country stars, fans are given the opportunity to meet their favorite artists during the four-day festival. The CMA Music Festival benefits music education in Nashville public schools through a partnership with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education. Since 2006, more than $4.7 million has been donated to purchase musical instruments and supplies. The total also includes an annual endowment gift for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Words & Music program. The program, titled “Keep the Music Playing,” was created by the CMA Board of Directors as a way to give back to the community on behalf of the artists who perform for free.
Eminem, veteran rock group Buffalo Springfield and Lil Wayne will headline the 2011 Bonnaroo festival. The event will be held in Manchester, Tennessee June 9 -12. Among the many other artists appearing at the festival’s 10th anniversary are Arcade Fire, Widespread Panic, The Black Keys, My Morning Jacket and Mumford & Sons.
Look Who's Going On Tour!
On June 7, pop singer Katy Perry kicks off her 53-date North American “California Dreams” tour in Atlanta, Georgia. Opening acts include Swedish pop star Robyn and Welsh singer Marina and the Diamonds. Katy’s two albums, “One of the Boys” and “Teenage Dream” have collectively sold 10 million copies worldwide.
Legendary rock band Jethro Tull will begin a North American tour on June 8 in Denver, Colorado. The group will perform its 1971 Aqualung album in its entirety, as well as other classic favorites.
