Rock News: Music's high and low notes

STARS LINE UP FOR LENO SHOW FOR U.S TROOPS

Singers Chris Isaak and Dwight Yoakam and comedians Cedric the Entertainer and Willie Barcena have signed up to accompany Jay Leno on a mini-tour of U.S. military installations to entertain the troops at Christmas time.

NBC says the performers will depart with Leno for an undisclosed location this Friday, and perform Saturday and Sunday before returning to the United States on Monday, Christmas Eve. Highlights from the performances will air Dec. 26-28 on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

(Thanks to UPI Hollywood Reporter Pat Nason)

CRITICS' CHOICE SONGS

Tunes from 2 movies that haven't even been released in the United States yet are among the four nominated for the 2001 Critics' Choice Awards, announced in Los Angeles Tuesday by the Broadcast Film Critics Association. They include "May It Be" by Enya from "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" and Sting's "Until" from "Kate & Leopold." The other nominees are "There You'll Stay" by Faith Hill from "Pearl Harbor" and the title track from "Vanilla Sky" by Paul McCartney.

"Lord of the Rings" opens nationwide Wednesday and "Kate & Leopold" hits theaters Christmas Day.

The Critics' Choice Awards will be presented on Jan. 11 in Beverly Hills, Calif., in ceremonies to be broadcast on E! Entertainment TV on Jan. 14.

JOHNNY CASH

Country icon Johnny Cash -- The Man in Black -- will soon join the ranks of Thomas Edison, George Washington and countless other famous people immortalized by Hollywood in what is affectionately called a "biopic."

Fox News is reporting that director James Mangold -- best known for his new hit "Kate and Leopold" and last year's "Girl, Interrupted" -- is heading up the project. There are also indications that Cash and wife June Carter Cash have seen the script and approve of the treatment. No casting for the movie has been done yet. Filming could begin in about 10 months.

Meanwhile, Cash -- who turns 70 in February -- continues to recuperate in the wake of recurring illnesses. He was hospitalized twice in recent months so doctors could keep a close watch on his chronic condition that makes him susceptible to infections.

BONO

If you think that millionaire rock stars sit in hot tubs all day when not recording or touring, think again. A look at just the last few days shows that at least one star -- U2's popular front man Bono -- is a hard act to follow.

According to published reports, Bono spent last week having dinner with actor Will Smith talking about possible future movie ventures; recording with The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr. and Adam Clayton at a London-area recording studio; attending a lecture at the Institute of Education in London given by Bill Clinton and chatting with Chelsea; dancing the night away at the opening of a new London nightspot; and meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair.

By the way, Bono tells London media that he's anxious to capture some of the electricity generated on the group's last tour in the production of its upcoming CD.

(The above two items thanks to UPI Feature Reporter Dennis Daily)

MICHAEL JACKSON

The software company ToolTrust has teamed up with the "What More Can I Give" charity record to enlist corporate support for the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The centerpiece of the partnership will be the release of "What More Can I Give," which was written and produced by Michael Jackson. The tune features such artists as Anastacia, Shawn Stockman and Michael McCary of Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Nick Carter of Backstreet Boys, Aaron Carter, Celine Dion, Joy Enriquez, Billy Gilman, Gloria Estefan, Hanson, Michael Jackson, Beyonce Knowles of Destiny's Child, Ricky Martin, Ziggy Marley, Reba McEntire, Brian McKnight, Mya, N'Sync, Tom Petty, Carlos Santana, Jon Secada, Shakira, Thalia, Usher, Luther Vandross and 3LW.

ToolTrust officials say the basic plan is to use the record, the song's video and the "making of" special to offer sponsors a financially and philanthropically compelling reason to help in the disaster relief effort. The goal is to raise $50 million.