The Top 24 finalists on American Idol have been chosen and one has already been disqualified. Producers were informed that Chris Golightly was under contract with Dream Projects Entertainment. Chris countered the claim by saying his contract had ended the month before he had auditioned for American Idol. Producers made the decision to replace Golightly with Tim Urban in the Top 24. This week, the Top 24 will perform Hot 100 songs during the first live broadcast of the show.
Sade sold 502,000 copies of her new album its first week of release to debut at Number One on the Billboard 200. "Soldier of Love" marks Sade's first studio project since 2000. Other Top 10 debuts this week include "Another Round" by Jaheim (Number 3), "Haywire" by Josh Turner (Number 5) and "Tonight" by TobyMac (Number 6).
Good Charlotte's Joel Madden is engaged to his girlfriend of four years, Nicole Richie. She's the daughter of legendary pop singer Lionel Richie, who told Access Hollywood, "I am not sure who is luckier, Nicole and Joel to have each other, or me, to have both of them in my life. I cannot wait to give away the bride!"
On February 23, Time Life Records will release the double-CD set, "George Jones: The Great Lost Hits." The collection features 34 rare and mostly out-of-print recordings that were originally released between 1965 and 1972. A single CD version with 12 tracks will be sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores and Walmart.com.
On February 23, Lost Highway Records will release "American VI: Ain't No Grave," the sixth and final installment in Johnny Cash's American Recordings series. Rick Rubin produced all six of the albums in the series. February 26 would have been Johnny's 78th birthday. The legendary Country singer died in 2003 of respiratory failure brought on by complications from diabetes.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES:
New albums scheduled for release on February 23 include: "Timeless" by the late Bobby Charles, "Shadowland" by Michael Stanley, "Love & War" by Daniel Merriweather, "Sarah Buxton" by Sarah Buxton, "I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart" by Butch Walker, "Ireland" by The Irish Tenors, "Nightmare On Brick Street" by Frenchie and "Way Out Here" by Josh Thompson.
MUSICAL EVENTS/FESTIVALS/BENEFITS:
The 2010 Country Radio Seminar (CRS) kicks off on February 23. The event will begin with the Radio Hall of Fame dinner and awards ceremony. Brooks & Dunn, who will end their 20 years together as a duo later this year, will receive the Country Radio Broadcasters' Career Achievement Award. Radio personality Charlie Cook will be given the CRB's President's Award in recognition of his contributions to CRS. Other CRS highlights include Rascal Flatts' 10th Anniversary Radio Party on February 24th and the New Faces of Country Music show on February 26th featuring showcases by Gloriana, Randy Houser, Justin Moore and Chris Young.
On February 26, the 20th annual Tibet House Benefit Concert will take place at New York's Carnegie Hall. This year's lineup includes Iggy Pop, Patti Smith with her daughter Jesse Smith, Philip Glass, Regina Spektor, Pierce Turner, Tenzin Kunsel, Gogol Bordello and Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew. The Tibet House was founded in 1987 to serve as a center for the preservation of the Tibetan culture. Previous concerts have featured performances by Paul Simon, Sheryl Crow, R.E.M., David Bowie and many others.
AWARDS PRESENTATIONS/WINNERS:
Lady GaGa was the big winner at the 2010 BRIT Awards, which took place in London on February 16. She was named Best International Newcomer and Best International Female Solo Artist and also won the Best International Album trophy for "The Fame." Other winners included Lily Allen, Jay-Z, Dizzee Rascal, JLS, Kasabian and Florence & The Machine. To mark the 30th anniversary of the BRIT Awards, two special awards were handed out. The Spice Girls received "The BRIT's Hits 30" honor for the most memorable live performance in the show's history and Oasis won the BRIT's "Album of 30 Years" award for "(What's The Story) Morning Glory."
Puerto Rican reggaeton singer Tito "El Bambino" leads the nominees for the 2010 Billboard Latin Music Awards. He picked up 18 awards for his album "El Patron" and single "El Amor." Following close behind with 14 nominations is Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel. Other leading contenders include Dominican bachata group Aventura with 12 nods and Mexican singer Espinoza Paz with eight. Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi and Mexican groups Banda el Recodo and La Arrolladora Banda El Limon each received six nominations. This year's Billboard Latin Music Awards will be presented on April 29 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
TOUR DATES AND INFORMATION:
On February 27, legendary Country artist Charlie Daniels will begin a U.S. tour in Fort Pierce, Florida. He's scheduled to perform in 50 cities throughout 2010. Last month, Charlie suffered a mild stroke while vacationing in Colorado.
John Hiatt will preview his upcoming album, "The Open Road," on an 11-city tour that begins in Hollywood, Florida on February 27. He'll wrap up the outing with two concerts in the Baltimore-Washington area. Local shows include Rams Head in Annapolis, Maryland on March 14 and the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia on March 15. "The Open Road" will be released on March 2.
