Whitney Houston Releases Long-Awaited Album; Madonna Ends Concert Tour in Israel

The Los Angeles County coroner has determined that Michael Jackson's death was a homicide. Toxicology results showed he died of lethal levels of propofol, which was reportedly administered to him by his private doctor, Conrad Murray, twice in the hours leading up to his death. A printed timeline of events also shows Michael was given other drugs to help him sleep. They included Valium, Ativan and Versed. Michael will be buried on September 3 at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

On August 31, Arista Records released Whitney Houston's long-awaited new album, I Look To You. She worked on her first album in seven years with many respected songwriters and producers, including Alicia Keys, R. Kelly, Diane Warren and Akon. Listening parties were recently held in New York, Los Angeles and London. According to Whitney's mentor, Clive Davis, "There was a roaring ovation after every song." On September 14, Oprah Winfrey will launch the 24th season of her talk show with Whitney as her guest.



Madonna will wrap up the European leg of her "Sticky and Sweet" world tour with concerts in Tel Aviv on September 1 and 2. It's been 16 years since Madonna's last performance in Israel. Her sold-out "Sticky and Sweet" tour set a record as the highest-grossing tour by a female artist.


On September 1, the Bacon Brothers will make their debut at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry. Actors Kevin and Michael Bacon formed the duo in 1995. They'll perform "Guilty of the Crime" with the Bellamy Brothers. The Bacon Brothers recorded the song with them for the Bellamy's latest album, The Anthology, Vol. 1."


In other Country music news, Reba McEntire debuts at Number One on the Billboard 200 this week with "Keep On Lovin' You." This is only the second time in her career that she's topped that chart. She entered at Number One the first time in 2007 with "Reba Duets." "Keep On Lovin' You" also debuts at Number One on the Country Albums chart. It's her 11th chart-topper on that list, which sets a new record for most Number One's by a female artist on the Country chart. Reba had been tied with Loretta Lynn.


"Ready" by Trey Songz, "The Man I Want To Be" by Chris Young, "Before The Frost" by Black Crowes, "Here Comes Science" by They Might Be Giants, "Rides Again" by John Fogerty and the Blue Ridge Rangers (guests include Bruce Springsteen and the Eagles' Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit), "Graffiti Soul" by Simple Minds, "Revival" by Radney Foster and the Confessions and "Bang! Pow! Boom!" by Insane Clown Posse.


On August 30, the 4th annual Virgin Mobile FreeFest was held at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. Headliners included Weezer and Blink-182. Tickets were free, but attendees were encouraged to make a five-dollar donation to help youth homeless shelters.

Some of the biggest names in Country music were featured in ABC's television special, "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night To Rock." The three-hour event aired on August 31. Performers included Reba McEntire, The Judds, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Brooks & Dunn, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and many others. In addition to concert footage from Nashville's CMA Music Festival held this past June, the special included interviews with Country stars and a look at how they spent their days at the festival.

Katy Perry, Sheryl Crow and the Black Eyed Peas are among the artists appearing at the Bumbershoot: Seattle's Music & Arts Festival, which takes place September 5-7. Also on the bill are Jason Mraz, All-American Rejects, Franz Ferdinand and Modest Mouse.


On September 4, Florida-based rock band Between The Trees will begin a 29-city U.S. tour in Wilmington, North Carolina. The group is supporting its new sophomore album Spain, which includes the current single, "We Can Try."