Rock News: Music's high and low notes

THE CONCERT FOR NEW YORK CITY

VH1, Cablevision, Miramax Films and AOL officials say as of Thursday, the amount of money raised by "The Concert For New York City" has passed the $30 million mark. This includes tickets sales, domestic and international television rights, and concert merchandise as well as donations made through both a toll-free number and the Internet.

To help raise even more money, Columbia Records will release "The Concert For New York City" album on Nov. 27, benefiting the Robin Hood Relief Fund.

In addition, eBay is auctioning off select items from "The Concert For New York City."

The Oct. 20 concert at Madison Square Garden featured an all-star musical lineup of Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, David Bowie, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, The Who, James Taylor, Destiny's Child, Kid Rock, Backstreet Boys, John Mellencamp, Macy Gray, Goo Goo Dolls, Marc Anthony, Bon Jovi, Melissa Etheridge, Jay-Z, and Five For Fighting, plus Janet Jackson (who appeared live via satellite), and Paul Shaffer as musical director.

New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former President Bill Clinton, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Gov. George Pataki, Harrison Ford, Jim Carrey, Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Susan Sarandon, Richard Gere, David Spade, Julia Stiles, Howard Stern, John Cusack, Dan Ackroyd, Michael J. Fox, Hilary Swank, Adam Sandler, Salma Hayek, Mike Myers, Mark Wahlberg, Halle Berry, Denis Leary, Will Farrell, Jimmy Fallon, Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillippe, and James Lipton also made appearances.

The benefit concert also featured short films directed by some of Hollywood's top filmmakers and entertainers, including Woody Allen, Edward Burns, Spike Lee, Martin Scorsese, Jerry Seinfeld and Kevin Smith.

BRITNEY SPEARS

A dream weekend to see Britney Spears in concert in Las Vegas is on the block at eBay's Auction for America.

The package includes four tickets to the show Nov. 18, which will be broadcast on HBO, as well as a private "meet and greet" session with the teen pop diva the day before the concert and a year's supply of Pepsi.

Bidding runs through next Thursday. The current high bid as of early Thursday was $14,000.

Proceeds from the auction benefit the victims of families of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

SONGS OF HOPE

Celine Dion, Bon Jovi, Lenny Kravitz and Mary J. Blige are among the artists who have contributed to an online celebrity sheet music auction launched Thursday on Yahoo.

Proceeds from the Song of Hope Online Auction (auctions.yahoo.com/booth/cityofhopecharity) will benefit City of Hope, the Southern California medical institution committed to battling cancer and a host of other life-threatening diseases.

Other artists, songwriters and composers featured in the auction include Barbra Streisand, Jewel, George Strait, Faith Hill, Maria Carey, Jimmy Buffet, Burt Bacharach, Hal David, Barry Manilow, Brian McKnight, The Carpenters, Ani DiFranco, Destiny's Child and the Backstreet Boys.

WORLD TRAID911 BENEFIT

Peter Criss of KISS, Cyndi Lauper and Seal are among the entertainers scheduled to take part in the First Annual World TrAID911 Benefit, being held next Monday at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom.

The event -- which will be hosted by Chevy Chase -- will raise money for educational assistance to the children and spouses of those killed or permanently disabled as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Other artists who'll perform include PM Dawn, Joan Osborne, and Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra.

HANSON

One of the most non-threatening groups in pop history, Hanson, is causing legal trouble for online music service MP3.com.

Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson have filed suit, alleging the Web site allowed illegal access to their songs. They are seeking an injunction against the San Diego-based company and seeking damages of $150,000 per infringed song.

Singer-songwriter Tom Waits and Oscar-winning pop composer Randy Newman both sued MP3.com in May, and more than 50 songwriters and music publishers demanded royalties and an injunction against the site in August.

Hanson came to fame in 1997 with the upbeat song "MMMBop" when they were 16, 14 and 11 years old, respectively.

(Thanks to UPI's Joe Warminsky in Washington)

TOM WAITS

Tom Waits has two entirely separate albums due out on April 9, 2002 (on Anti/Epitaph Records). Both were written and produced by Waits and Kathleen Brennan, his wife and long-time collaborator. They're currently in the studio putting the finishing touches upon each.

The first CD, titled "Alice," is described as containing "dark tunes from an adult fairytale." The songs on the second CD, titled "Red Drum," were inspired by the dark tale of Woyzeck -- a poor soldier driven mad by medical experiments and an unfaithful wife.

Each album was recorded chiefly using acoustic instruments.

(Web site: anti.com)

TONY BENNETT

Sheryl Crow, Billy Joel, B.B. King, k.d. lang, Bonnie Raitt and Stevie Wonder are among the artists making guest appearances on Tony Bennett's latest album.

"Playin' with My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues" hits stores next Tuesday. Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Diana Krall and Kay Starr are also among the singers who perform duets of classic blues songs with Bennett.

Bennett will be supporting the album's release with appearances this month on the "Late Show with David Letterman," "The Today Show," "Live with Regis & Kelly" and "The View." The native New Yorker will also be performing at the All-Star tribute to Mayor Rudolph Giuliani on Nov. 14, which will raise money for the Twin Towers Fund and The Forum's Children's Fund.

GQ MEN OF THE YEAR

Bruce Springsteen and the members of U2 are GQ Men of the Year.

"The Boss" was named solo musical artist of 2001 in the November issue of the publication, while the Irish rockers were tabbed as band of the year in the sixth annual list.