On May 25, 24-year-old Crystal Bowersox will compete against 23-year-old Lee DeWyze for the title of American Idol 2010. The following night, the winner will be named during a two-hour finale. Many special performances and surprise guests will be featured on the show. One announced guest is 2005 "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood, who will perform her new single, "Undo It."
Some of the audition cities for next year's "American Idol" Season 10 have been announced. They include Nashville, Tennessee; New Orleans, Louisiana; Jersey City, New Jersey; and San Francisco, California.
Rock singer and reality star Bret Michaels suffered a setback while recuperating from a recent brain hemorrhage. Michaels was admitted to a Los Angeles hospital after experiencing numbness on the left side of his body. He's now receiving out-patient care and having more tests run. Doctors called his condition a transient ischemic attack, which is also known as a warning stroke or mini-stroke. They also found that Michaels has a hole in his heart. His physician, Joseph Zabramski, said, "The good news is that it is operable and treatable, and we think we may have diagnosed the problem that caused the transient ischemic attack. However, we feel it is highly unlikely this is connected to the brain hemorrhage he suffered a few weeks earlier." Michaels' representative, Janna Elias, posted a message on his website that says, "Even though these last few months have been tough on him and his family, especially this most recent setback, he is in good spirits, great medical hands and is positive and hopeful that everything is going to be OK. He is up, walking, talking, continuing his daily rehab and very happy to be alive." Michaels and actress Holly Robinson Peete are the two contestants on the May 23 season finale of "Celebrity Apprentice." Most of the show had been pre-taped, but the reveal of the winner is to be broadcast live. Reports say Michaels' doctors will determine if he's well enough to appear on the finale.
U2's leader singer, Bono, underwent emergency back surgery on May 21. According to the band's website, Bono injured himself during tour rehearsals. He's in a Munich hospital where he'll spend the next few days before returning home to recuperate. U2 was scheduled to kick off the North American leg of its "360 Degree" world tour on June 3 in Salt Lake City, Utah. That date has been postponed. A spokesperson for Bono said more announcements concerning the tour will be made following an assessment of the 47-year-old Irish singer's condition.
Jazz saxophonist Boney James feels lucky to be alive following a recent automobile accident. He was driving home after performing at the Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, California when a drunk driver plowed into the back of his car. Witnesses pulled the musician from the wreckage after the car that struck his car burst into flames. James was treated at a hospital for a fractured jaw and gash in his chin that required 14 stitches. Dental work on two broken teeth forced him to cancel a May 21 concert in Columbia, South Carolina. According to the report, two saxophones in the trunk of his car weren't damaged.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES:
New albums scheduled for release on May 25 include: "Stone Temple Pilots" by Stone Temple Pilots, "Teargarden By Kaleidyscope 1: Songs for a Sailor" by Smashing Pumpkins, "Goon Affiliated" by Plies, "Iconos" by Marc Anthony, "Dirty Side Down" by Widespread Panic, "Rated R: Remixed" by Rihanna, "Back To Love" by Beth Nielsen Chapman, the original motion picture soundtrack to "Sex and the City 2," "Songs From The Heart" by Dailey & Vincent, "Rebel Within" by Hank Williams III, "Omen" by Soulfly and "Love Heals" by Wynonna Judd (available exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores).
MUSICAL EVENTS/FESTIVALS/BENEFITS:
On May 25, the Grand Ole Opry will kick off its 85th birthday celebration. Opry members Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Ricky Skaggs and Steve Wariner will perform solo sets and a guitar-jam finale. The Grand Ole Opry remains closed due to the recent Nashville floods, so the concert will be held at the Ryman Auditorium.
The inaugural Bayou Country Superfest will be held on May 29-30 at Louisiana State University's Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. Headlining the festival are Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Brooks & Dunn. Others appearing at the event include Jason Aldean, Gloriana, Kellie Pickler, Jake Owen, David Nail and Justin Moore.
AWARDS PRESENTATIONS/WINNERS:
The U.S. music rights organization BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) handed out its 2010 Pop Awards on May 18 in Los Angeles. Among the winners were RedOne, who took home the Songwriter of the Year honor for writing four hits. Three were recorded by Lady Gaga. Taylor Swift's "Love Song" won for Song of the Year, making the 20-year-old Country star the youngest songwriter ever to win that award. John Fogerty earned this year's BMI Icon Award for his "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." During the ceremony, Fogerty performed a medley of his hits, including "Proud Mary," "Fortunate Son" and "Bad Moon Rising." (Complete list of winners at www.bmi.com <http://www.bmi.com>.)
Jay-Z leads the nominees for the 2010 BET (Black Entertainment Television) Awards, which will be presented on June 27 in Los Angeles. The rapper earned five nominations, including Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, Video of the Year for "Run This Town," which features Rihanna and Kanye West, and his duet with Alicia Keys, "Empire State of Mind." "Empire State of Mind" is also mentioned in the Best Collaboration category. Following close behind with four nods apiece are Jay-Z's wife Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Trey Songz and Melanie Fiona. Other multiple nominees include Rihanna, Maxwell, Monica and newcomer B.o.B. The 2010 BET Awards will be hosted by Queen Latifah.
TOUR DATES AND INFORMATION:
British pop singer Leona Lewis will kick off her first tour of the U.K. and Ireland on May 28. The 18-date outing begins in Sheffield, England. Lewis said in a statement, "Over the last few years I've had some amazing experiences and sung in some really interesting places, but it's going to be great to be able to perform all my own material on my very own tour. It's a dream come true." After wrapping up the arena shows on July 6, Lewis will head to the U.S. On July 15, she'll begin a North American tour with pop star Christina Aguilera.
