On November 19, Beyonce's September 2 concert at the Staples Center in Los Angeles will be shown in digital cinema theaters nationwide. "The Beyonce Experience" features an appearance by her boyfriend, hip-hop star Jay-Z, and a Destiny's Child reunion performance. On November 20, the concert will be released on DVD.
The Eagles' new album, Long Road Out of Eden, surpassed sales of one million copies its first two weeks of release. That wasn't enough, however, to keep its place at Number One on the Billboard 200 this week. Jay-Z enters the top spot with his eighth solo album American Gangster, which sold 425,000 copies its first week out. Two other titles debut in the Top 5. Garth Brooks' The Ultimate Hits enters at Number 3 with 352,000 copies sold, and Chris Brown debuts at Number 4 after selling 294,000 copies of his second album, Exclusive.
People magazine reports that 23-year-old 2006 American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee is engaged to her boyfriend of two years, 42-year-old actor Nick Cokas. They met in Los Angeles when both were performing in a theater production of "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir." McPhee is currently filming the comedy "I Know What Boys Like." She'll also appear in the upcoming independent film "The Last Caller," which Cokas will produce.
On November 20, Rhino Records will release Eric Clapton's live double-DVD, Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007 From Chicago. The performances were filmed on July 28. Clapton staged his first Crossroads Guitar Festival in Dallas, Texas in 2004. This year, Clapton's guests included Sheryl Crow, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Steve Winwood, Willie Nelson, and many others. Proceeds from the shows went to Clapton's Crossroads Centre, a non-profit drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility in Antigua.
U2 is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its album The Joshua Tree with a November 20 re-release in four different formats. According to the band's web site, the collection will be available as a standard CD, a double 12-inch vinyl album, a deluxe 2-CD set with rare outtakes and demos, and as a limited edition box set with two CDs and one DVD. The DVD contains performances from U2's 1987 "Joshua Tree Tour" concert in Paris, plus rare video footage.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES
New albums scheduled for release on November 20 include: "Madamoiselle" by Jordin Sparks, "Frank" by Amy Winehouse, "All That Is Within Me" by MercyMe, "Her Name Is Nicole" by Nicole Scherzinger, "Y34RZ3ROR3MIX3D" (CD and DVD) by Nine Inch Nails, "Greatest Hits: 18 Kids" by Keith Urban, "Dreaming Out Loud" by OneRepublic and "Angel Down" by Sebastian Bach.
MUSICAL EVENTS/FESTIVALS/BENEFITS
On November 19, Country legend Charlie Daniels will host the 11th annual "Christmas For Kids Benefit Concert" at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Also on the bill are Montgomery Gentry, Chris Young, Rodney Atkins and Taylor Swift. Proceeds go to 300 local school children, who will be escorted to a Wal-Mart store on December 18. Each will receive $150 to spend on anything they want. The children will be chauffeured from their schools to Wal-Mart by a Country star's luxury tour bus.
AWARDS PRESENTATIONS/WINNERS
The 2007 American Music Awards were held November 18 in Los Angeles. Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Linkin Park and Daughtry led this year's nominees with three mentions each. Double nominees included Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Akon, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Young Jeezy, T.I. and Carrie Underwood. Late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel will host the ceremony. Performers will include Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, and others. Winners were determined by fan votes at www.ABC.com .
TOUR DATES AND INFORMATION
Billboard held its 2007 Touring Awards on November 15 in New York City. The year's highest-grossing and leading ticket seller was the Police reunion tour, which won the awards for Top Tour and Top Draw. The 2007 Top Package Tour was Kenny Chesney's "Flip Flop Summer Tour," featuring Sugarland, Pat Green, Brooks & Dunn and Sara Evans. Other winners included Justin Timberlake for Breakthrough Tour, Prince at London's O2 Arena for Top Boxscore and Larry the Cable Guy for Top Comedy Tour. The Billboard Touring Awards also honored venues and promoters. Live Nation won for Top Promoter, New York's Madison Square Garden was named Top Arena, and the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. won for Top Club. (Additional winners available at www.billboard.com.)
Contemporary jazz artist Brian Culbertson will begin a month-long holiday tour on November 23 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Special guests appearing with Culbertson on his "A Soulful Christmas" tour include saxophonist Gerald Albright, guitarist Nick Colionne and singers Howard Hewett and Victoria White. The 18-city North American outing includes two shows at The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia on November 27 and 28.
