Maroon 5 makes history this week by jumping 63 positions to take over the top spot on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. The band achieved the feat by selling more than 243,000 digital downloads of its new single, "Makes You Wonder." The previous record holder for the biggest single-week jump on that chart was held by Kelly Clarkson, who climbed from Number 52 to Number One with her 2002 debut single, "A Moment Like This."
On May 7, Simon & Schuster releases Donda West's memoir "Raising Kanye: Life Lessons From the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar." The book chronicles Donda's struggles as a single mother to becoming her son's manager. Included are never-before-seen photographs of Kanye West and personal anecdotes.
Three more artists will have their handprints added to the Hollywood RockWalk on May 11. The Mamas & The Papas, Al Kooper and the late Otis Redding will be honored during a public ceremony on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard.
On May 8, Decca Records will release Paul Anka's new album, My Way: Swings & Strings. Anka included new versions of some of his biggest hits, as well as covers of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" and Billy Joel's "I Go To Extremes." Guests on the album include Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble and the late Sammy Davis Jr., who is featured on a duet version of "I Am Not Anyone." Anka wrote "I Am Not Anyone" for Sammy in the early-1970s.
Columbia Records will release Barbra Streisand's live album, Live in Concert 2006 on May 8. The performances were taped during her U.S. fall tour. In related news, Streisand is scheduled to begin a European summer tour beginning June 21 in Germany. She'll be backed by a 58-piece orchestra. The outing marks her first European tour and includes her first London concert since 1994. Proceeds from the tour will benefit her Streisand Foundation, which funds education and women's issues, AIDS research, and other causes.The debut album by 2006 American Idol finalist Paris Bennett will be released on May 8. The 18-year-old singer told Billboard.com that the songs on "Princess P" "speak for the young people and let them know it is alright to have the will to dream." Bennett's grandmother is Ann Nesby, a member of the R&B group Sounds of Blackness.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES
New albums scheduled for release on May 8 include: "Go" by Mario, "Strength & Loyalty" by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, "Volta" by Bjork, "Greatest Hits: Straight Up!" by Paula Abdul, "Unique" by DJ Encore, "Jesus Is Coming" by the Bellamy Brothers and "The Boy With No Name" by Travis.
AWARDS PRESENTATIONS/WINNERS
On May 10, the Blues Foundation's 2007 Blues Music Awards will be handed out in Memphis, Tennessee. Watermelon Slim and his band the Workers earned a leading six nominations, followed by Charlie Musselwhite, who picked up five nods. Other top contenders include Nick Moss & the Flip Tops, Irma Thomas, Guy Davis, Cephas & Wiggins, Michael Powers, Janiva Magness and Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials.
TOUR DATES AND INFORMATION
On May 10, Country stars Alan Jackson and Brooks & Dunn will kick off a North American co-headlining tour in Virginia Beach, Virginia. They'll perform 26 shows through late October. Newcomers Jake Owen and Catherine Britt will open the concerts.
Rock group Fall Out Boy will begin a 41-city North American tour in Englewood, Colorado on May 11. The group will be supporting its new album Infinity On High. The trek was originally scheduled to begin on April 18, but was postponed due to "personal issues."
