Hip Hop Star Kanye West Arrested; Jennifer Lopez Cancels 'Project Runway' Appearance

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has announced the names of six entertainers who will receive this year's Kennedy Center Honors. They are Barbra Streisand, the Who's Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, George Jones, actor Morgan Freeman and choreographer Twyla Tharp. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will host a dinner in their honor on December 6. On December 7, President Bush and Laura Bush will present them with the medals. That evening a tribute concert will take place at the Kennedy Center. CBS-TV will broadcast the gala in late December.

Former American Idol Runner-Up Aiken Returns to Broadway

On September 19, singer Clay Aiken will return to the role of Sir Robin in Broadway's Monty Python Spamalot. He'll perform in the show through January 4, 2009. Aiken made his Broadway debut as Sir Robin on January 18, 2008. That run ended on May 4.

Kanye West Arrested

Hip-hop star Kanye West was arrested on vandalism charges after he and his road manager, Don Crowley, allegedly smashed a paparazzo's camera at Los Angeles International Airport. West and Crowley were scheduled to fly to Honolulu, Hawaii, where Kanye is working on his next album. They were released from police custody later in the day.

Jennifer Lopez Cancels Project Runway Appearance

Jennifer Lopez has canceled her appearance as a guest judge on the finale of Bravo Network's Project Runway. Lopez has been training to compete in a triathlon to raise money for Los Angeles Children's Hospital. She hurt her foot and was advised to rest and undergo physical therapy.

Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers to Perform in Cancer Benefit Concert

On September 14, Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers will perform a concert in Los Angeles to benefit the City of Hope cancer research and treatment center. This isn't the first time Cyrus has supported City of Hope. Her "Best of Both Worlds" tour raised $1 million for the center.

New Album Releases September 16

"Year of the Gentleman" - Ne-Yo
"Brass Knuckles" - Nelly
"Close To The Edge" - Blessid Union Of Souls
"Why Wait" - Kristy Lee Cook
"Learn To Live" - Darius Rucker
"We Global" - DJ Khaled
"Gift of Screws" - Lindsey Buckingham
"The Way I See It" - Raphael Saadiq
"Sparks of Ancient Light" - Al Stewart

Musical Events/Festivals

The Monterey Jazz Festival will be held September 19-21 in Monterey, California. Headliners at the 51st annual festival include Herbie Hancock, Cassandra Wilson, Christian McBride and Nancy Wilson. More than 500 artists will perform on nine stages during the three-day event.

Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp will host their 2008 Farm Aid in Mansfield, Massachusetts. Also appearing at the 23rd Farm Aid concert are Dave Matthews, Kenny Chesney, Jamey Johnson, the Pretenders, Arlo Guthrie, Steve Earle and Jerry Lee Lewis, among others. DirecTV will broadcast this year's Farm Aid live on The 101 Network. Farm Aid has raised more than $30 million for American farmers.


Awards Presentations/Winners

Country star Kenny Chesney leads the nominees for the 42nd annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards. The CMA's reigning Entertainer of the Year is nominated again in that category. He's also up for Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for "Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates" and Single of the Year for "Don't Blink." Following close behind is Jennifer Nettles, lead singer of Sugarland, who received five mentions. Sugarland is a surprise nominee in the Entertainer of the Year category, which also includes Brad Paisley, George Strait and Keith Urban. The CMA Awards will be presented in Nashville on November 12. (Complete list of CMA Award nominees at www.cmaawards.com.)

Mexican rock band Café Tacuba received a leading six nominations for the 9th annual Latin Grammy Awards, which will take place on November 13 in Houston, Texas. Colombian singer Juanes and Argentinean producer Gustavo Santaolalla are up for five trophies each. (www.Grammy.com/Latin )

Look Who's Going on Tour!

On September 18, New Kids On The Block will begin their reunion tour in Toronto, Ontario. They'll be supporting their new album The Block, which debuts on this week's Billboard 200 at Number 2 (week ending September 20). Natasha Bedingfield has the opening slot on the tour. North American shows will wrap up on November 26 in Los Angeles.

Mary J. Blige and Alan Thicke will kick off their co-headlining "Love-Soul Tour" on September 19. Their first stop is Virginia Beach, Virginia. They'll perform 16 more shows before wrapping up the outing in Honolulu, Hawaii on October 22.