Rock News: Music's high and low notes

'UNITED WE STAND'

The folks at Clear Channel Entertainment say they are putting together a huge pro-America rally and concert, to be held Oct. 21. It'll be staged at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

Promoters say the eight-hour show -- to be called "United We Stand" -- will start at noon (ET). Among those already signed to perform are Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Aerosmith, Backstreet Boys, 'N Sync, Ricky Martin, Kiss, Al Green, Aaron Carter and James Brown.

All proceeds from the event will go to the American Red Cross Relief Fund, the Pentagon Relief Fund and the Salvation Army Relief Fund. More information is available on the Clear Channel Entertainment Web site at cc.com.

(Thanks to UPI Feature Reporter Dennis Daily)

PAUL MCCARTNEY TRIBUTE ALBUM

Now in stores: "Listen to What The Man Said: Popular Artists Pay Tribute To The Music of Paul McCartney."

The CD (on the Oglio Records label) features takes on classic McCartney tracks from such artists as Steven Page and Kevin Hearn of Barenaked Ladies, Matthew Sweet, SR-71, World Party, Semisonic, the Finn Brothers and They Might Be Giants.

A second offering, "Coming Up: Independent Artists Pay Tribute to the Music of Paul McCartney," is due out Oct. 23.

What's described as a "large portion" of proceeds from sales of both albums will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in memory of McCartney's wife, Linda, who died from breast cancer in 1998.

(Web sites: tributellc.com, oglio.com, breastcancerinfo.com)

SLAYER

Slayer will kick off a four-week headlining North American tour beginning Oct. 29 in New Orleans. The road trip is in support of the band's eighth studio album, "God Hates Us All" (American Recordings), which was released in September.

Confirmed tour dates:

DATE VENUE CITY

10/29 House of Blues New Orleans, LA

10/31 Edge 2000 Jacksonville, FL

11/1 The Ritz Raleigh, NC

11/2 House of Blues Myrtle Beach, SC

11/3 Tabernacle Atlanta, GA

11/4 Norva Theatre Norfolk, VA

11/7 9:30 Club Washington, D.C.

11/8 Metropol Pittsburgh, PA

11/9 The Warehouse Toronto, CANADA

11/10 Metropolis Montreal, CANADA

11/11 State Theatre Portland, ME

11/13 Webster Theatre Hartford, CT

11/14 Avalon Ballroom Boston, MA

11/15 Electric Factory Philadelphia, PA

11/16 Roseland Ballroom New York, NY

11/17 Agora Ballroom Cleveland, OH

11/19 Bogart's Cincinnati, OH

11/20 Newport Music Hall Columbus, OH

11/21 Aragon Ballroom Chicago, IL

11/23 Harpo's Detroit, MI

11/24 Eagles Auditorium Milwaukee, WI

Slayer's North American dates come on the heels of the band's "Tattoo the Planet" European tour, which wraps up this Sunday. "In Holland," remembers Slayer¹s bassist/vocalist Tom Araya, "the crowd went nuts when we came on stage. At one point, the audience, like 10,000 kids, were singing along so loudly, I just stopped and let them finish the song. It was just amazing."

EMINEM

The divorce between Eminem and his wife has been finalized.

The rapper -- whose real name is Marshall Mathers III -- and Kim Mathers were wed in 1999 and separated in August 2000. The divorce was finalized last week in Macomb County, Mich., Family Court, according to court records.

The Grammy winner agreed to pay $1,000 a week in child support and share custody of his 5-year-old daughter, Hailie Jade.

The settlement is less than half the $142,280 recommended by the Friend of the Court. However, Eminem's lawyer, Harvey Hauer, said the resolution was amicable.

Kim Mathers, 25, filed for divorce in March, just two months after the couple reconciled and Eminem dropped divorce proceedings.

Earlier this year, Eminem was sentenced on a weapons charge stemming from an incident outside a Warren, Mich., nightclub after he saw his wife kissing another man in the parking lot.

JANET JACKSON

Janet Jackson says she's always been very disciplined. Which is why she's in such great shape, according to SHAPE magazine's first-ever "celebrity" issue.

In an exclusive cover story interview, the four-time Grammy-winning singer gets candid about her fantastic new shape and her rigorous exercise regime. Jackson reveals that three days of abs, five to six days of cardiovascular and two days of upper body and legs have required immense discipline to keep in shape. However, it's all a part of keeping on track to becoming who she wants to be. "When I finally make up my mind that I want to do something, it's never been hard for me to do," said the pop diva.

The issue, titled Shape Presents Fit Hollywood, hits newsstands next Tuesday.