Country star Toby Keith makes his third Number One debut on the Billboard 200 chart with his new album, Big Dog Daddy. The collection, which also marks his fifth Number One debut on the Country Albums chart, sold 204,000 copies its first week in record stores. On June 21, Toby kicked off his "Big Dog Daddy" tour, which will keep him on the road through late September. Toby will have his second holiday album released later this year. His first, Christmas To Christmas, came out in 1995.
Three other albums debut in the Top 10 this week. Rapper Fabolous enters at Number 2 with "From Nothin' To Somethin'." Miami-based Palestinian-American-born DJ/producer DJ Khaled lands on the list at Number 8 with "We The Best." And, the Traveling Wilbury's self-titled CD/DVD set debuts at Number 9.
On June 23, Prince played the first of seven concerts at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel's 200-seat Blossom Room in Los Angeles. In other news, Prince is scheduled to perform more than 20 shows in London's new O2 Arena. His "Earth Tour" dates begin at the 23,000-seat venue on August 1. Prince's new album, Planet Earth, will be released on July 24.
The solo debut album by Ann Wilson, lead singer of the rock group Heart, will be released in September. Hope & Glory features many guests, including Elton John, Wynonna Judd, Gretchen Wilson, Alison Krauss, Rufus Wainwright and Ann's sister Nancy, who is also a founding member of Heart. Ann describes Hope & Glory as "socially conscious and thought-provoking." Included are her versions of songs made famous by Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Neil Young and others.
During the recent CMA Music Festival (Fan Fair) in Nashville, Country newcomer Jason Michael Carroll had the top-selling album at the festival's official vendor, Border's. The self-titled album includes his recent Top 5 single "Alyssa Lies" and his current hit "Livin' Our Love Song." Jason just learned that he's been invited to open some shows on Brooks & Dunn and Alan Jackson's co-headlining tour in September and October.
Jennifer Lopez has revealed some details about her upcoming sixth studio album. She told VH1.com, "I'm really excited about it. The first single will be out this summer. And, you know, it's very different from my Spanish album. My Spanish album was kind of an opportunity to get away from what I do on my English (albums), to kind of express a different side of myself. This album is more of what people and my fans are used to - you know, just kind of a dance, funk, R&B, hip-hop, all that stuff, all mixed up together to make some great pop music. Basically it's just danceable music." Jennifer is working on the album with her longtime producer Cory Rooney and rapper/producer Swizz Beatz.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES
New albums scheduled for release on June 26 include: "My December" by Kelly Clarkson, "Who We Are" by Lifehouse, "Theology" by Sinead O'Connor, "The Mix-Up" by the Beastie Boys, "Easy Tiger" by Ryan Adams, "Dylanesque" by Bryan Ferry, "Live From Iraq" by the Charlie Daniels Band, "S.O.S.: Save Our Soul" by Marc Broussard, "At My Age" by Nick Lowe (first new album in six years) and "Hannah Montana Vol. 2: Best of Both Worlds" by various artists.
MUSICAL EVENTS/FESTIVALS/BENEFITS
Milwaukee, Wisconsin's 2007 "Summerfest" will begin on June 28. Many big-name artists will perform at the 11-day event. They include Bon Jovi, John Mayer, Toby Keith, The Fray, Sugarland, Ne-Yo and the Goo Goo Dolls.
AWARDS PRESENTATIONS/WINNERS
The 2007 BET Awards will be handed out on June 26 in Los Angeles. Beyonce Knowles leads the contenders with six nominations, including Top Female R&B Artist and Viewer's Choice Award. She also earned two nominations in the Best Collaboration category for "Déjà Vu" and "Upgrade U," her duets with boyfriend Jay-Z. And, Beyonce is mentioned twice in the Video of the Year category for "Irreplaceable" and "Beautiful Liar." Jennifer Hudson, Ciara, Akon and Gnarls Barkley earned three nods each. Double nominees include Robin Thicke, Ludacris, Diddy, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, the late Gerald Levert, Ne-Yo, Lil Wayne, Mary Mary and Corinne Bailey Rae. During the ceremony, legendary singer Diana Ross will receive BET's Lifetime Achievement Award.
TOUR DATES AND INFORMATION
On June 28, Canadian rock band Nickelback will kick off a brief North American tour in Newfoundland. After performing six shows in Canada, the group will cross the border for 11 U.S. concerts. Then, in late July, they'll head back to Canada to wrap up the tour with four shows in Alberta.
