On March 20, Lost Highway Records will release the Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Ray Price collaboration, Last of the Breed. The double CD features newly recorded versions of 22 classic songs composed by Harlan Howard, Cindy Walker, Mickey Newbury, and others. They also added two new tracks, "Back To Earth," which Willie Nelson wrote, and "Sweet Jesus," penned by Merle Haggard and Kenny Vernon. Guests on the album include Kris Kristofferson, Vince Gill and the Jordanaires. On March 15, Nelson, Haggard and Price kicked off a 10-date tour in support of "Last of the Breed."
On March 22, the Allman Brothers will begin a 13-night engagement at New York's Beacon Theater. The southern rock band schedules long runs at the venue each year. Performances from their 2003 stand was released on the double DVD, The Allman Brothers Band: Live at the Beacon Theater.
The fourth season of Dancing With the Stars begins on March 19. Celebrities include former 'N Sync member Joey Fatone, boxer Laila Ali (daughter of boxing legend Muhammed Ali), Country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, professional basketball player Clyde Drexler, Entertainment Tonight host Leeza Gibbons, Olympic gold medalist Apolo Ohno, supermodel Paulina Porizkova, 2004 Miss USA Shandi Finnessey, actors John Ratzenberger and Ian Ziering, and Paul McCartney's estranged wife Heather Mills. The winner will be announced on the show's May 22 finale.
Jury selection for the much-delayed murder trial of rock producer Phil Spector will begin on March 19. The 67-year-old is accused of killing actress Lana Clarkson at his home in February 2003. Spector faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if he is found guilty. Last month, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler ruled to allow the trial to be televised. He added, however, that cameras would be removed from the courtroom if jurors are ever shown.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES
New albums scheduled for release on March 20 include: Introducing Joss Stone by Joss Stone, (American Idol season 5 finalist) Elliott Yamin's self-titled debut album, Veteran by Marques Houston, Out of the Woods by Tracey Thorn, Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby by Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby, Mind Control by Stephen Marley, Hated On Mostly by Crime Mob, Dylanesque by Bryan Ferry, Sol's Rusty Trombone by The Jerky Boys and Ataxia II by John Frusciante.
MUSICAL EVENTS/FESTIVALS/BENEFITS
The 13th annual Celebrity Fight Night will take place on March 24 in Phoenix, Arizona. Diana Ross will be the entertainment headliner at this year's event, which will also feature an appearance by singer Michael Buble. Country star Reba McEntire will emcee the show. Celebrity Fight Night benefits the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Research Center. Some of this year's proceeds will also go to Childhelp USA, which offers intervention, prevention and treatment programs for abused children.
TOUR DATES AND INFORMATION
On March 23 and 24, the Dave Matthews Band will begin its 2007 concerts with two shows at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also on the group's itinerary are four shows in Australia, which take place May 1 through May 5. Later in May, the band will head to Europe. They'll wrap up the European tour with their first appearance at London's Wembley Arena. Reports indicate that RCA Records will release the Dave Matthews Band's next album in July.
