Flo Rida's new single, "Right Round," sold 636,000 digital downloads its first week of release. That breaks his previous record, which he set in January 2008 by selling 467,000 downloads of "Low." "Right Round" is the first single from Flo Rida's upcoming album R.O.O.T.S., due out on April 7.
Earth, Wind and Fire Perform at White House
On February 22, Earth, Wind and Fire performed at the White House Governors' Dinner. The event marks the first formal White House dinner hosted by President and First Lady Obama. The U.S. Marine Band also made an appearance.
Obama to Award Stevie Wonder Special Prize
Stevie Wonder will receive the second Library of Congress Gershwin Prize on February 25. President Barack Obama will present him with the award in the East Room of the White House. Wonder and other unnamed artists will perform a concert to be taped for a PBS special in celebration of African American History Month. The show will air on February 26. "The Gershwin Prize was created to honor an artist whose creative output transcends distinctions between musical styles and idioms, bringing diverse listeners together, and fostering mutual understanding and appreciation," Librarian of Congress James H. Billington explains. "Stevie Wonder's music epitomizes this ideal." Paul Simon received the library's first Gershwin Prize in 2007.
LA Police Investigating Rihanna Photo Obtained by TMZ
The Los Angeles Police Department has launched an internal investigation to find out how celebrity web site TMZ obtained a photo of Rihanna showing facial injuries she sustained in the alleged beating by her 19-year-old boyfriend Chris Brown. The photo shows welts and swelling on her face, as well as marks on her cheek and lips. On February 15, Brown released a statement that said, "Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired. I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person." Brown is scheduled to appear in court on March 5.
Jonas Brothers to Release 3D Concert Soundtrack
On February 24, the Jonas Brothers' 3D Concert Experience film soundtrack will be released. The album features a Jonas Brothers duet with Country star Taylor Swift on her 2008 Number One hit "Should've Said No" and a duet with Disney actress Demi Lovato. Also included is the Jonas Brothers' cover of Shania Twain's "I'm Gonna Getcha Good." 3D Concert Experience opens in U.S. theaters on February 27.
New Album Releases February 24
"Easy Does It" - Jake Owen
"Mr. Lucky" - Chris Isaak
"Astral Weeks Live At the Holiday Bowl" - Van Morrison
"Troubadour" - K'Naan
"Roll On" - JJ Cale
"The Wrestler" - motion picture soundtrack
"What I Know" - Tom Rush
Awards Presentations/Winners
Welsh pop singer Duffy was the big winner at the 2009 Brit Awards. She was named Best British Female and Best British Breakthrough Act. Duffy also won the Best British Album award for Rockferry. Other winners included Paul Weller, named Best British Male; Elbow, Best British Group; Girls Aloud, Best British Single for "The Promise;" Iron Maiden, Best British Live Act; Kanye West, Best International Male; Katy Perry, Best International Female; and Kings of Leon, Best International Group and Best International Album for Only By The Night.
Flex leads the nominees for the 11th annual Billboard Latin Music Awards. The Panamanian singer earned 13 nods, including Hot Latin Song of the Year for "Te Quiero" and Top Latin Album of the Year for his album of the same name. Other leading contenders include Enrique Iglesias with 10 nominations and Mana, Vicente Fernandez and Jenni Rivera with seven mentions each. The 2009 Billboard Latin Music Awards will take place in Miami on April 23rd. A complete list of nominees can be found at www.billboard.com.
Look Who's Going on Tour!
Jimmy Buffett will kick off his 2009 "Summerzcool" tour on February 24 in Maui. He'll also perform in Honolulu on February 28. 30 more shows are scheduled from April through November. Later this year, Buffett will release a live acoustic album.
On February 24, American Idol season seven runner-up David Archuleta will begin his first solo tour in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He'll be supporting his self-titled debut album, which produced the Number 2 hit "Crush."
Nickelback will kick off a 31-date North American tour on February 25 in Nashville, Tennessee. The band will be promoting its 2008 album, Dark Horse. Seether and Saving Abel are opening concerts on the outing, which wraps up on April 26 in Tampa, Florida. On May 22, Nickelback will head to the U.K., where they'll perform six arena shows through May 29.
