A recent U.S. Postal Service survey shows that its Elvis Presley commemorative stamp is the most collected off all time. More than 124 million Presley stamps have been saved since it was issued in 1993. In second place is the 2006 Wonders of America stamp with 87.5 million saved. Rounding out the Top 5 are Wildflowers (76.1 million), Rock & Roll/Rhythm & Blues (75.9 million) and DC Comics Super Heroes (73 million).
On January 7, NBC-TV premiered its new reality show Grease: You're The One That I Want. The talent competition series will focus on finding two winners to star as Sandy and Danny in the upcoming Broadway revival of Grease. Olivia Newton-John, who performed the role of Sandy in the 1978 Grease film, will be a guest star on the first two episodes of the new NBC series.
And, speaking of reality shows, USA Network's Nashville Star will launch its fifth season on January 11. Pop singer Jewel will co-host the Country music talent competition with Country/rapper Cowboy Troy. Ten contestants will vie for a recording contract with Warner Music Group.
Hundreds of items from Whitney Houston's 1999 "My Love Is Your Love Tour" will be auctioned on January 9 to pay off nearly $200,000 she owes Speed of Sound in Irvington, New Jersey for unpaid storage fees. The company will auction grand pianos and other musical instruments and equipment, designer clothing, a barber chair and some of soon-to-be ex-husband Bobby Brown's music awards. Whitney currently lives in Los Angeles, where she's working on a new album.
Grammy Award-winning hip-hop star Wyclef Jean has been appointed by Haitian President Rene Preval as a traveling ambassador for Haiti. Wyclef was born in Haiti, but moved to New York at age 9. He'll continue his mission to bring attention to his native country's problems. Government officials were quoted as saying Wyclef Jean is "our best asset to promote the country's image around the world and to help attract foreign investors."
Health problems continue to plague 20-year-old pop star Lindsey Lohan. She was admitted to a Los Angeles hospital on January 4 for surgery to remove her appendix. Her publicist, Leslie Sloane, released a statement that confirmed, "she does have appendicitis, and she is getting her appendix removed." Lohan visited hospitals twice in 2006. In July, she was hospitalized for exhaustion and dehydration and in September she fractured her wrist after falling at a party in New York City.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES:
New albums scheduled for release on January 9 include: Right About Now by Ty Herndon and the original motion picture soundtracks to The Painted Veil and Notes on a Scandal.
AWARDS PRESENTATIONS/WINNERS:
The 33rd annual Peoples Choice Awards, honoring entertainers in film, television and music, will take place in Los Angeles on January 9, 2007. Nominees in the Favorite Female Singer category include Faith Hill, Shakira and Carrie Underwood. Trace Adkins, Kenny Chesney and Toby Keith are nominated for Favorite Male Singer. The Favorite Group category includes Black Eyed Peas, Nickelback and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. "Ain't No Other Man" by Christina Aguilera, "SexyBack" by Justin Timberlake and "Shake It Off" by Mariah Carey are up for Favorite R&B Song. Mentioned in the Favorite Hip-Hop Song category are "Grillz" by Nelly, "Ridin'" by Chamillionaire and "Shake That" by Eminem. Nominated for Favorite Pop Song are "Hips Don't Lie" by Shakira, "Promiscuous" by Nelly Furtado and "Stupid Girls" by Pink. Favorite Country Song nominees are Carrie Underwood for "Before He Cheats," Rascal Flatts for "What Hurts The Most" and Tim McGraw for "When the Stars Go Blue." And, the Favorite Rock Song category includes "Call Me When You're Sober" by Evanescence, "Dani California" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and "Who Says You Can't Go Home" by Bon Jovi.
TOUR DATES AND INFORMATION:
On January 8, Justin Timberlake kick offs a 40-date North American tour in support of his second solo album FutureSex/LoveSounds. Concerts begin in San Diego, California. He'll wrap up shows in East Rutherford, New Jersey on March 29, then take a few weeks off before heading to Europe for a two-and-a-half-month tour. From April 24-July 7, Justin is scheduled to perform in 25 cities throughout Ireland, England, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark.
Country star George Strait will begin a U.S. tour on January 11 in Lafayette, Louisiana. He'll be promoting his new album It Just Comes Natural. George will perform 16 concerts through March 3. On February 27, he'll open the month-long Rodeo Houston in Houston, Texas.
On January 12, Rod Stewart will kick off a 56-city North American tour in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He told billboard.com that he plans to play only a handful of songs from his latest covers album Still the Same…Great Rock Classics of Our Time. He'll concentrate instead on performing his own rock classics. Concerts will wrap up on May 9 in Albany, New York.
