Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest will co-host the 39th "Dick Clark's "New Year's Rockin' Eve" show live from New York City. New Kids On The Block with the Backstreet Boys, Ke$ha and Taio Cruz will be in Times Square to help ring in 2011. The Black Eyed Peas' Fergie will host the "New Year's Rockin' Eve" party in Los Angeles. Performers on the West Coast include La Roux, Ne-Yo, Willow Smith, Natashia Bedingfield, Drake, Jason Derulo, Mike Posner, Far East Movement, Train, Jennifer Hudson and Avril Lavigne. The special airs on ABC-TV.
Jackson's Neverland Ranch Repurposed
Colony Capital, owner of Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch, are planning to turn the property into a music school campus. According to TMZ.com, the school would teach all aspects of music, including writing and performing. Before moving forward, Santa Barbara County and the Jackson estate need to approve the conversion.
Paramore Band Members Part Ways
Two founding members of Paramore have left the pop-punk band. Guitarist Josh Farro and his brother, drummer Zac Farro, broke the news to their bandmates during the group's "Brand New Eyes" world tour. Remaining members Hayley Williams, Jeremy Davis and Taylor York wrote on their website, "A couple of months ago, Josh and Zac let us know they would be leaving the band after our show in Orlando December 12. None of us were really shocked. For the last year it hasn't seemed as if they wanted to be around anymore. We want Josh and Zac to do something that makes them happy and if that isn't here with us, then we support them finding happiness elsewhere."
Shania Twain Engaged
Country star Shania Twain is engaged to 40-year-old Swiss businessman Frederic Thiebaud. In 2008, the 45-year-old Canadian singer divorced her husband of 14 years, producer Robert "Mutt" Lange. Lange reportedly had an affair with Thiebaud's wife, Marie-Anne, who had been Shania's best friend and house manager. Shania recently posted a holiday greeting on her website, which said in part, "2010 is leaving me with a renewed faith in love and commitment. I believe in the right to be loved and the blessing of being able to love in return. Talking about love, I am excited to share some personal news with you; I'm in love! Frederic Nicolas Thiebaud has been a true gift to me as a compassionate, understanding friend and over time, an amazing love has blossomed from this precious friendship."
Bret Michaels to Marry Longtime Girlfriend
Poison frontman Bret Michaels is also engaged to his on-again off-again girlfriend of 16 years, Kristi Gibson. Kristi is the mother of Bret's two children, 10-year-old Raine and 5-year-old Jorja. Bret proposed to Kristi on the finale of his VH1 reality show, "Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It."
@chrisbrown Makes Big Announcement on Twitter
R&B singer Chris Brown turned to Twitter to announce that he's completed his court-mandated domestic violence classes. He was ordered to attend the counseling sessions as part of his sentence for assaulting ex-girlfriend Rihanna last year. Brown wrote, "I'm done with class. I have enough self respect and decency to be proud of accomplishing this DV class. Boyz run from mistakes. Men learn from them!" Brown is currently climbing the Hot 100 chart with his new hit, "Yeah 3X." It's the lead single from his upcoming album, F.A.M.E., which is due out in 2011.
Tim McGraw Lands New Movie Role
Although Country star Tim McGraw's latest film, Country Strong, doesn't open until January 7, he's already in talks to appear in another movie. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Tim is considering the part of a CIA agent in Safe House, which stars Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds. Safe House is a thriller that tells the story of a sole survivor of an attack on a CIA safe house.
New Album Releases December 28:
"Have It All" by Jesse McCartney
"Captured" by Flame
Look Who's Going On Tour!
On December 28, Gregg Allman will begin 14-date tour in support of his upcoming solo album, Low Country Blues. Concerts begin in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania and wrap up on January 18 at New York's Bowery Ballroom. This past June, Allman underwent a liver transplant. Following the surgery, he told Billboard.com, "I'm doing much better. The road's a little rougher, but my color's real good and my energy comes in spurts and, boy, they're big ones. I dropped a bunch of weight. The first [tour] will be rough, but I'm doing fine. I'm ready to get back to it." Allman's new album will be released on January 25.
Sarah McLachlan will begin another round of North American dates for her "Sarah and Friends" tour. Shows start on December 31 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Her 'friends' are band members Butterfly Boucher and Melissa McClelland, who each perform short sets. The 40-date outing comes to a close on March 26.
