Mariah Carey has announced that she and husband Nick Cannon are expecting their first child. The 40-year-old singer also revealed that she had a miscarriage in 2008. Cannon joined Carey in the recent interview and said, "The greatest gift on earth is a child." They're keeping the baby's due date a secret, only saying the child will be born "in the spring."
Michael Jackson's Thriller Film-Bound
GK Films is in negotiations to obtain the rights to a film adaptation of Michael Jackson's 1980's hit, "Thriller." Kenny Ortega will reportedly direct the movie and Jeremy Garelick has been chosen to write the screenplay. Billboard.com says "the film's plot will revolve around Vincent Price, who narrated the groundbreaking 'Thriller' music video in 1983."
Jackson Top Earner Among Dead Celebrities
In related news, Michael Jackson leads Forbes list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities. His estate brought in $275 million in 2010. Rounding out the Top 5 are Elvis Presley ($60 million), author J.R.R. Tolkien ($50 million), cartoonist Charles Schultz ($33 million) and former Beatle John Lennon ($17 million).
Stewart Launches Las Vegas Shows
On November 6, Rod Stewart will begin a two-week engagement at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. For the first time ever, Rod will perform all of his greatest hits spanning the past five decades in an intimate and up-close setting. He'll wrap up the eight shows on November 21. Rod's new album, "Fly Me to the Moon… The Great American Songbook, Volume V," debuted at Number 4 on the Billboard 200.
Swift's New Album is Record Setter
Taylor Swift continues to set records with her new album, Speak Now. According to Billboard, she's the first artist in the 52-year history of the magazine's Hot 100 chart to have the Hot Shot Debut (highest debuting single) for three successive weeks. The title track entered at Number 8 (week ending October 23), "Back To December" came in at Number 6 (week ending October 30), and, this week (week ending November 6), "Mean" debuts at Number 11. Taylor's Speak Now album is expected to sell between 800,000 and 900,000 copies its first week of release. Some industry prognosticators guess first-week sales could reach one million-copies.
Ricky Martin Publishes Memoir
On November 2, Celebra Books will publish Latin pop star Ricky Martin's memoir. The book will be released in English and Spanish editions, titled "Me" and "Yo." Martin addresses such topics as his early childhood, his musical career, coming to terms with his sexuality, becoming a father to twins and his work with children's charities throughout the world.
Celine Dion Gives Birth to Twins
Celine Dion gave birth to twin sons Eddy and Nelson Angelil on October 23. Her husband, Rene Angelil, said, "It was a very emotional moment, and even though we didn't speak to each other, we were both thinking about the time it took. We are very lucky, very privileged and very fortunate to have these boys." Eddy was named after Eddy Marnay, who produced Celine's first five records. Nelson is named after Nelson Mandela. Celine met Mandela in 2008, when she kicked off a world tour in South Africa.
New Album Releases November 2:
"Cardiology" by Good Charlotte
"Hits Alive" by Brad Paisley
"Dreams" by Neil Diamond
"Merry Christmas II You" by Mariah Carey
"National Ransom" by Elvis Costello
"My Kinda Party" by Jason Aldean
"Soulsville" by Huey Lewis & The News
"Death To False Metal" by Weezer
"Vintage Vinos" by Keith Richards
"Freeze Time" by Jay Sean
"Noel" by The Priests
"Now and Then" by Smokey Robinson (sold only at Cracker Barrel stores)
"Icon" by the Scorpions
the soundtrack to "The Sound of Music 45th Anniversary Edition"
"The Big 4: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria" by Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax
"The 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concerts" by various artists.
Musical Events/Festivals/Benefits:
Garth Brooks and his wife Trisha Yearwood recently held a press conference to announce their upcoming benefit concert in Nashville, Tennessee. Brooks last performed in Music City in 1998. The December 17 show at Bridgestone Arena will raise money for The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to support victims of the May floods in that state. Tickets will sell for $25 with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the foundation. Brooks says, "I have watched with great pride how the volunteer state has pulled together to rise above the damage suffered by the floods. Tennessee has shown amazing character through all of this and it is an honor to get to be a part of the healing process." The concert will feature some surprise guests.
On November 4, Country trio Rascal Flatts will perform a private fundraising concert in Nashville. The show will benefit the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. During the past several years, the band has raised close to three million dollars for the children's hospital. One hundred tickets were made available to Rascal Flatts' fans. In addition to the concert, the event will feature a silent auction. Items up for bid include a golf outing with Rascal Flatts' Joe Don Rooney, a hunting trip with lead singer Gary LeVox, and a studio session with Jay DeMarcus.
The 2010 Elvis Cruise will set sail from Jacksonville, Florida on November 4. The 5-day trip to Nassau, Bahamas is one of many events taking place this year to celebrate what would have been Elvis Presley's 75th birthday (1/8/10). In addition to musical entertainment, the cruise will feature panel discussions, an Elvis movie night and many other activities.
Look Who's Going On Tour!
On November 2, the Dave Matthews Band will begin a 12-date arena tour in Buffalo, New York. The outing will wrap up with two shows in the group's hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia on November 19 and 20. Earlier this year, Dave Matthews announced on the band's website that they'll be taking 2011 off from touring. He said he wants to "recharge my creative juices and sort of not have the safety net of touring… and just see what my head comes up with." The band plans to return to the road in 2012.
R&B singer Fantasia will kick off a 30-city tour on November 4 in Richmond, Virginia. Opening acts on her "Back To Me" tour are Eric Benet and Grammy-winning singer Kandi. Fantasia's Back To Me album debuted at Number One on Billboard's R&B chart and at Number 2 on the Billboard 200. The tour is scheduled to end with a New Year's Day show in St. Louis, Missouri.
