Jamie Lynn Spears to Marry; Jonas Brothers Win Big at Teen Choice Awards

The 10th annual Teen Choice Awards were presented August 3 in Hollywood, California. The Jonas Brothers won six "Surfboards", as the Teen Choice trophies are called, receiving awards in the Choice Breakout Group, Love Song, Music Single, Song Of The Summer, Male Red Carpet Fashion Icons And Male Hotties categories. The teen-targeted TV series, Gossip Girl also was a six-time winner. R&B singer Chris Brown won in five categories, including Choice Music Male Artist, R&B Artist, R&B Track, Rap/Hip-Hop Track And Music Hook-Up for his duet with Jordin Sparks, "No Air." 15-year-old Miley Cyrus hosted the ceremony and also received three "Surfboards." The awards, which were selected by over 30 million votes cast online by teenagers, honor celebrities in TV, film, music, sports and fashion.

Usher Fires Manager, Publicist

R&B singer Usher has severed his relationship with his manager, Benny Medina, and his publicist, W&W Public Relations. Usher has re-engaged his mother, Jonnetta Patton as his manager. Medina had replaced Patton as Usher's manager in May 2007.


Black Crowes Warn Country Singer Gretchen Wilson About Copyright Infringement

The Black Crowes have served copyright infringement notices to Country singer Gretchen Wilson, her record label Sony BMG and music publishing company J. Money Music. The rock group claims Wilson's new song "Word Hard, Play Harder" is based in part on its 1991 Top 5 hit, "Jealous Again." Black Crowes manager Pete Angelus told CMT.com, "We find the musical verses of Wilson's song to be such an obvious example of copyright infringement that I expect all parties to reach a relatively quick resolution to avoid litigation." Wilson co-wrote "Word Hard, Play Harder" with Vicky McGehee and John Rich, who performs in the popular duo Big & Rich.

Jamie Lynn Spears to Marry

OK! Magazine reports that Britney Spears' younger sister, 17-year-old actress Jamie Lynn Spears, will marry her fiancé Casey Aldridge later this year. Aldridge is the father of Jamie Lynn's 7-week-old daughter Maddie Briann. The couple reportedly will marry in Mississippi, where Jamie Lynn recently bought a home. Britney will be her maid of honor.

Fantasy Records to Revive Creedence Clearwater Revival Albums

Fantasy Records plans to reissue the first six albums by classic rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival on September 30. The expanded-edition CD releases of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bayou Country, Green River, Willy & the Poor Boys, Cosmo's Factory and Pendulum will include unreleased studio and live tracks.

Jonas Brothers Release New Album

On August 12, Hollywood Records will release The Jonas Brothers' new album, "A Little Bit Longer." While working on their third album, Nick Jonas told Billboard magazine that the songs have "the same Jonas Brothers sound, but with just a couple more influences." The New Jersey-based pop/rock trio is currently performing a U.S. tour.

Irma Thomas Teams Up with Jazz Stars on New CD

Blues singer Irma Thomas' new album, Simply Grand, will be released on August 12. The collection teams her with 12 renowned pianists, including Ellis Marsalis, Norah Jones, Henry Butler, Dr. John, Marcia Ball and Randy Newman. Last year, Thomas won her first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album for After the Rain.

NEW ALBUM RELEASES

"Unexpected" - Michelle Williams
"Saudades De Rock" - Extreme
"Tinderbox" - Fred Eaglesmith.


Jessie Farrell Leads Nominees for Canadian Country Music Association Awards

Nominations for the 2008 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards were recently announced. Leading the contenders is 30-year-old newcomer Jessie Farrell with seven mentions. They include Single of the Year for "Best of Me," Album of the Year for "Nothing Fancy," Songwriter of the Year and Top New Female Talent of the Year. Other multiple CCMA Award nominees include Doc Walker, Paul Brandt, Gord Bamford and George Canyon. Nominated in the Top-Selling Album category are Carrie Underwood for "Carnival Ride," Robert Plant and Alison Krauss for "Raising Sand," Reba McEntire for "Reba Duets," Taylor Swift for her self-titled debut and Garth Brooks for "Ultimate Hits." Country singer Terri Clark will host the awards ceremony, which takes place on September 8th in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Celine Dion, Allman Brothers Band Begin North American Tour

On August 12, Celine Dion will begin the North American leg of her yearlong "Taking Chances" world tour in Boston, Massachusetts. She kicked off the tour with nine shows in South Africa this past February. Celine also performed in the United Arab Emirates, Japan, China, South Korea, Australia and 15 European countries. The final U.S. concert will take place on January 30, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Earlier this year, the Allman Brothers Band cancelled their 15-night engagement at New York's Beacon Theatre due to lead singer Gregg Allman's health problems. Gregg was diagnosed with Hepatitis C and underwent two months of Interferon treatments. He reportedly made a complete recovery and is now disease-free. On August 12, the Allman Brothers Band will begin a U.S. tour in Bethel, New York. 19 concerts are scheduled through October 11.