One Direction 3D Movie Planned; Ke$ha Memoir Goes on Sale

Ke$ha Memoir Goes On Sale

On November 20, Simon & Schuster’s Touchstone imprint will publish Ke$ha’s memoir, “My Crazy Beautiful Life.” “In less than three years I’ve gone from being the worst waitress in L.A. to living out my childhood dreams of singing my songs to people all over the world," the 25-year-old pop singer said in a statement. "In these pages, I’m revealing a more complete picture of what my life is really like. It’s not all glamorous and it’s not all pretty, but it’s real.” Ke$ha’s second album, Warriors, will be released on December 4.

Cowell to Produce One Direction 3D Movie

Simon Cowell plans to produce a 3D movie on One Direction. He discovered the boy band two years ago on the U.K.’s “X Factor.” TriStar Pictures will release the film on August 30, 2013. One Direction is currently promoting its brand new sophomore album, “Take Me Home.” A world tour is set to begin in February 2013. The band’s first album, “Up All Night,” topped the chart in 16 countries and has sold more than 1.3 million copies in the U.S.

Rihanna's 777 Tour Wraps Up

On November 20, Rihanna wraps up her “777” promotional tour. The R&B star promoted her new album, Unapologetic, in seven cities around the world in seven days. Stops included Mexico City (November 14), Toronto (November 15), Stockholm (November 16), Paris (November 17), Berlin (November 18), London (November 19) and New York City (November 20)

Swift's Red Still Tops Billboard 200

Taylor Swift spends a third week at the top of the Billboard 200 chart with Red. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the album’s sales now total 1.75 million copies in the U.S. This week’s Top 10 debuts on the Billboard 200 include Now That’s What I Call Music! 44 (Number 2), Ne-Yo’s R.E.D. (Number 4), Aerosmith’s Music From Another Dimension (Number 5) and Third Day’s Miracle (Number 10).
Maroon 5’s "One More Night" spends its ninth week at Number One on the Hot 100 chart. That ties pop newcomer Carly Rae Jepsen’s record for the longest-running chart-topper of 2012, which she set with her multi-million-selling breakthrough hit, “Call Me Maybe.”

Led Zeppelin's Reunion Concert Captured on CD, Vinyl

On November 19, Led Zeppelin’s 2007 reunion concert at London’s O2 Arena will be released on CD. A vinyl version is scheduled to follow on December 11. The band’s guitarist Jimmy Page told USA Today, “It became apparent that it should go out because there wasn’t going to be anything else, any other shows.” Page and the two other surviving members, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones, will be in Washington, D.C. on December 2 to receive a Kennedy Center Honor.

New Album Releases / November 20:

“Unapologetic” by Rihanna
“The World From the Side of the Moon” by Phillip Phillips
“Rebel Soul” by Kid Rock
“Greatest Hits: Chapter 1” by Kelly Clarkson
“Live 2012” by Coldplay
“Habitame Siempre” by Thalia
“Global Warming” by Pitbull
“I Will Always Love You: The Best of Whitney Houston” by Whitney Houston
“The Greatest Hits” by Il Divo
“The Greatest Hits” by 3 Doors Down

Musical Events /Festivals/Benefits:

On November 19, Country legend Charlie Daniels will host his 11th annual “Charlie Daniels & Friends” charity concert at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The show also includes appearances by Phil Vassar, Rodney Atkins, Thompson Square, and some special guests. Proceeds benefit the Christmas4Kids organization, which offers over 400 underprivileged Nashville-area children an exciting holiday experience later in the year. They’ll be treated to a Christmas Party hosted by Santa and Mrs. Claus. The party includes a lunch donated by Garth Brooks, live music, dancing, and more. After attending a five-mile parade, the children will go to Super Walmart in Hendersonville, Tennessee where they’ll be given $150 to buy anything they want. Christmas4Kids also gives every child a brand new winter coat.

Star Birthdays

November 18 marks the birth date of the late singer-songwriter Johnny Mercer (born 1909). A highly respected composer, Mercer wrote or co-wrote more than one thousand songs. Several of his tunes won Academy Awards, including “Days of Wine & Roses,” “On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe” and “Moon River.”

On November 20, rock guitarist Joe Walsh will celebrate his 65th birthday. Walsh performed with The James Gang from 1969-1971 and with the Eagles from 1975 to 1982. In addition, he has recorded several solo albums. In 1994, he reunited with the Eagles to record the multi-million-selling album, “Hell Freezes Over.” The Eagles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Their 2003 anthology, “The Very Best Of,” produced the hit single, “Hole in the World.” The Eagles’ latest studio album, “Long Road out of Eden,” sold more than 700-thousand copies its first week of release to debut on the Billboard 200 at Number One. Its first single, “How Long,” was a hit on the Country chart and won the 2008 Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. This past June, Walsh released “Analog Man,” his first solo album in 20 years.

Country singer Dierks Bentley turns 37 on November 20. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Dierks moved to Nashville when he was 19 to attend Vanderbilt University. In 2003, he was signed to Capitol Records. Dierks’ self-titled debut album and his 2005 follow-up “Modern Day Drifter” sold more than one million copies each. His third album, “Long Trip Alone,” produced four Top 10 hits, including two that reached Number One. The first two singles from his 2009 album “Feel That Fire” also topped the Country chart. Dierks’ 2010 bluegrass-influenced album, “Up on the Ridge,” debuted at Number One on Billboard’s Bluegrass chart. The first three singles from his new album, “Home,” all reached Number One. He’s currently climbing the Country chart with his latest hit, “Tip It On Back.” It’s just been announced that Dierks will appear on Miranda Lambert’s 2013 “Locked and Reloaded” tour, which kicks off in January.

On November 22, singer, bass guitarist and producer “Miami” Steve Van Zandt will celebrate his 62nd birthday. In 1974, Van Zandt helped form Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes. One year later, he joined Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, which he played with until 1989. In 1982, he formed his own band, Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul, a group that recorded four albums. Van Zandt reunited with the other original members of Springsteen’s E Street Band in 1999 to perform a world tour. Also in 1999, Van Zandt made his acting debut in the award-winning HBO series “The Sopranos.” He played the role of Silvio Dante. Its eighth and final season aired in 2007. Van Zandt recorded his latest solo album, “Born Again Savage,” in 1999. In 2002, Van Zandt launched his syndicated radio program “Little Steven’s Underground Garage.” The rock show airs on nearly 200 affiliate stations throughout North America and throughout the world on VOA Music Mix. Van Zandt is currently touring with Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band to support their latest album, “Wrecking Ball.” Shows are scheduled to wrap up in Mexico City on December 10.

Singer and keyboardist Bruce Hornsby will turn 57 on November 23. In 1984, he formed the pop quintet Bruce Hornsby and The Range. Two years later, they received the Grammy Award for Best New Group and scored a Number One hit with “The Way It Is.” In 1993, Hornsby recorded his first solo album, “Harbor Lights,” which was followed by “Hot House” in 1995. RCA Records released his seventh studio collection, “Spirit Trail,” in 1998. Three years later, the label issued Hornsby’s first live CD, “Here Come the Noise Makers.” His next studio album, “Big Swing Face,” was released in 2002. Hornsby’s 2004 anthology, “The Greatest Radio Hits of Bruce Hornsby,” fulfilled his commitment to RCA. He then signed a multi-album deal with Columbia Records, which released his album “Halcyon Days” in 2004. The collection includes guest appearances by Sting, Eric Clapton and Elton John. In 2007, Hornsby collaborated with bluegrass artist Ricky Skaggs on the album “Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby.” He also recorded the jazz album “Camp Meeting” with Jack DeJohnette and Christian McBride. In 2009, Hornsby recorded “Levitate,” his fourth album with The Noisemakers. Twenty-five songs from their 2007-2009 tour are included on the group’s 2011 live collection, “Bride of the Noisemakers.” Hornsby has composed the scores to several Spike Lee movies, including his new film “Red Hook Summer.”

Awards Presentations / Winners

Mexican sibling duo Jesse & Joy led the winners at the 2012 Latin Grammy Awards, which were handed out on November 15 in Las Vegas. The pop/rock duo won four trophies, including Recording of the Year and Song of the Year for “Corre!,” Best Contemporary Vocal Pop Album for “Con Quien Se Queda El Perro?” and Best Short Video for “Me Voy.” Double winners included Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, who received the Best Latin Jazz Album honor for “Dear Diz (Every Day I Think Of You)” and Best Tango Album for “Tango Como Yo Te Siento,” and Colombian singer Juanes, Album of the Year and Best Long Video for “MTV Unplugged.” This year’s Best New Artist Latin Grammy Award went to Mexican group 3Ball MTY. (A complete list of winners is available at www.latingrammy.com.)

Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber led the winners at the 2012 MTV European Music Awards (EMAs). They each took home three trophies. Swift received this year’s EMAs for Best Female, Best Live Act and Best Look. Bieber was named Best Male, Best Pop and Best Worldwide Stage Act. Other winners included One Direction (Best New Artist and Biggest Fans), Nicki Minaj (Best Hip-Hop), Linkin Park (Best Rock), David Guetta (Best Electronic), Lana Del Rey (Best Alternative) and PSY (Best Video for “Gangnam Style”). Rihanna went into the race with a leading six nominations, but was shut out.

Look Who's Going On Tour!

On November 23, Country legend Kenny Rogers will kick off his “2012 Christmas and Hits Tour” in Catoosa, Oklahoma. This marks the 31st year Kenny has performed his annual holiday tour. Billy Dean will open the 22 shows, which wrap up on December 23 in Westbury, New York.

The five members of Australian rock band INXS have announced they will no longer perform concert tours. They said, “We understand that this must come as a blow to everybody, but all things must eventually come to an end. We have been performing as a band for 35 years, it’s time to step away from the touring arena.” INXS referenced the 1997 loss of lead singer Michael Hutchence by adding, “We lived for each other in the trenches and we loved each other. It was the six of us against the world and then suddenly and inexplicably we were but five.”