2008 American Idol winner David Cook has signed with 19 Recordings/RCA Records and is now working on his debut album. The collection is due out later this year. Cook's first single, "Time Of My Life," sold more than 236,000 digital tracks in four days. That makes it the best-selling American Idol debut since the 2003 release of Clay Aiken's first single, "This Is The Night" (sold 393,000 copies). David Cook will join the nine other Top 10 finalists on this summer's "American Idol" tour. The outing will begin on July 1 in Glendale, Arizona.
Singer Ashlee Simpson and Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz have announced they're expecting their first child. The couple married on May 17. Wentz released a statement on his web site that says, "While many have speculated about this, we wanted to wait until after the first trimester to officially confirm that we are expecting our first child. This is truly the most joyous time in our lives and we are excited to share the happy news and start our family."
The latest issue of Rolling Stone magazine features its list of The 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time. The Top 10 in ascending order are "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana, "Statesboro Blues" by The Allman Brothers Band, "Stairway To Heaven" by Led Zeppelin, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" by The Beatles, "Eruption" by Van Halen, "Brown Sugar" by The Rolling Stones, "You Really Got Me" by The Kinks, "Crossroads" by Cream, "Purple Haze" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience and "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry.
Journey was one of the most popular rock bands of the 1980s. The group recently added a new lead singer that guitarist Neal Schon found while looking at YouTube videos. Arnel Pineda, who's from the Philippines, has a tenor voice that's strikingly similar to former lead singer Steve Perry. On June 3, Journey will release Revelation, a 3-CD/DVD package sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores. The first disc includes 11 re-recorded Journey classics. Disc 2 contains 11 new songs and the third disc is a live, in-concert DVD. Last month, the band released two singles from Revelation - "Never Walk Away" and "After All These Years." On June 8, Journey will kick off a world tour in Spain. U.S. dates begin on July 9 in Denver, Colorado.
After recovering from bone cancer last year, former NBA basketball star turned bass guitarist Wayman Tisdale recorded the album Rebound. The project includes Wayman's remake of Barry White's "Never Gonna Give You Up," which features Country superstar Toby Keith. "Rebound" hits records stores this week (on June 3).
Undisclosed health problems have forced Toni Braxton to cancel the remainder of her scheduled shows at The Flamingo in Las Vegas. The 40-year-old Grammy-winning singer was hospitalized last month due to chest pains. She was expected to return to performing her show, "Toni Braxton: Revealed," on June 6. In 2002, she was treated for pericarditis, a viral inflammation of the heart.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES
New albums scheduled for release on June 3 include: "Now That's What I Call Music! 28" by various artists, "Perfectly Clear" by Jewel, "The Declaration" by Ashanti, "Indestructible" by Disturbed, "Wanderlust" by Gavin Rossdale (first solo album by former Bush lead singer), "Exclusive - The Forever Edition" by Chris Brown, "Don't Do Anything" by Sam Phillips, "Break The Silence" by Jon Peter Lewis, "Self Portrait" by Lalah Hathaway, "The Day Is Brave" by Brendan James and "City That Care Forgot" by Dr. John and The Lower 911.
MUSICAL EVENTS/FESTIVALS/BENEFITS
On June 4, the 18th Annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge will be played at Nashville's Greer Stadium. Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, Montgomery Gentry and Jo Dee Messina are among the Country stars taking part in the game. Proceeds will go to City of Hope, a research and treatment institution for cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It's located in Duarte, California, northeast of Los Angeles. Following the City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge, fans can visit the City of Hope on-line auction to bid on items donated by Country stars.
The 2008 CMA Music Festival will take place in Nashville June 5-8. Formerly known as "Fan Fair," the festival brings together hundreds of Country music's biggest stars and celebrities to meet fans from all over the world. In addition to daytime and nightly concerts, the CMA Music Festival will offer autograph signings, celebrity sports competitions at the Sports Zone, shopping and exhibits.
TOUR DATES AND INFORMATION
Chicago and the Doobie Brothers will begin a U.S. co-headlining tour on June 3 in Phoenix, Arizona. Chicago will be supporting its latest release, "The Best of Chicago: 40th Anniversary Edition." The month-long 23-date outing wraps up on July 4 in Uncasville, Connecticut. On July 16, Chicago will head to Europe for shows in Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, France and the U.K.
On June 5, Blondie will kick off a U.S. tour in Baltimore, Maryland. The group is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its breakthrough album Parallel Lines, which included the hits "Heart of Glass" and "One Way or Another." The album sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. An expanded version of Parallel Lines will be released on June 24. The anniversary edition includes a DVD with videos and television performances.
