Rock News Two: The week in pop music

AMA NOMINATIONS

Newcomer Alicia Keys led the field with five nominations for the 29th annual American Music Awards, to be handed out in Los Angeles in January.

Several artists -- including Janet Jackson, 'N Sync, Lonestar and the late Aaliyah -- received two nominations each. The nominations were announced last Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Keys' debut album, "Songs in A Minor," was nominated for favorite soul/rhythm & blues album. She was nominated for favorite female pop/rock artist, favorite soul/rhythm & blues artist and favorite new artist in both pop and soul/rhythm & blues categories.

The other nominees for favorite female pop-rock artist are Janet Jackson and Jennifer Lopez. Jackson's album, "All for You," is up for favorite soul/rhythm & blues album.

'N Sync and Dave Matthews Band were both nominated for favorite band, duo or group, along with U2. 'N Sync's "Celebrity" and Dave Matthews Band's "Everyday" were nominated for favorite pop/rock album, along with "Survivor," by Destiny's Child.

Destiny's Child was nominated for favorite soul/rhythm & blues band, duo or group, along with The Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley, a.k.a. Mr. Biggs, and Jagged Edge.

Aaliyah, who was killed in a plane crash in August, was nominated for favorite female soul/rhythm & blues artist. Her album, "Aaliyah," is up for favorite soul/rhythm & blues album.

Lenny Kravitz, R. Kelly and Shaggy are nominated for favorite male pop/rock artist.

In addition to Keys, the nominees for favorite new pop/rock artist are Nelly Furtado and Lifehouse. The other nominees for favorite new soul/rhythm & blues artist are Blu Cantrell and Musiq Soulchild.

The nominees for favorite male soul/rhythm & blues artist are Ginuwine, R. Kelly and Luther Vandross.

The 29th American Music Awards will be presented Jan. 9, 2002, at the Shrine Auditorium in ceremonies that'll air on ABC-TV. Winners are determined by the public in a national poll conducted by the National Family Opinion, Inc. firm under the supervision of Broadcast Research and Consulting, Inc.

The nominees:

-- Pop/Rock:

Favorite Male Artist: Lenny Kravitz, R. Kelly, Shaggy

Favorite Female Artist: Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez

Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Dave Matthews Band, 'N Sync, U2

Favorite Album: "Everyday" (Dave Matthews Band), "Survivor" (Destiny's Child), "Celebrity" ('N Sync)

Favorite New Artist: Nelly Furtado, Alicia Keys, and Lifehouse

-- Soul Rhythm & Blues:

Favorite Male Artist: Ginuwine, R. Kelly, Luther Vandross

Favorite Female Artist: Aaliyah, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys

Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Destiny's Child, The Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley, a.k.a. Mr. Biggs, Jagged Edge

Favorite Album: "Aaliyah" (Aaliyah), "All For You" (Janet Jackson), "Songs In A Minor" (Alicia Keys)

Favorite New Artist: Blu Cantrell, Alicia Keys, Musiq Soulchild

-- Country:

Favorite Male Artist: Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Travis Tritt

Favorite Female Artist: Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Jo Dee Messina

Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Brooks & Dunn, Lonestar, SHeDAISY

Favorite Album: "Steers & Stripes" (Brooks & Dunn), "I'm Already There" (Lonestar), "Set This Circus Down" (Tim McGraw)

Favorite New Artist: Jamie O'Neal, Blake Shelton, Trick Pony

-- Adult Contemporary

Favorite Artist: Enya, LeAnn Rimes, Sade

-- Latin Music

Favorite Artist: Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, Jaci Velasquez

-- Rap/Hip Hop

Favorite Artist: Nelly, Ja Rule, Shaggy

-- Alternative Music

Favorite Artist: Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Staind

-- Contemporary Inspirational

Favorite Artist: Yolanda Adams, Steven Curtis Chapman, Donnie McClurkin

-- Favorite Soundtrack: "American Pie 2," "Moulin Rouge," "Save The Last Dance"

-- New Music Award: Carbon Leaf (Richmond, Va.), Live Honey (New York), Yo, Flaco! (Denver)

-- Award of Merit (for outstanding contributions to the musical entertainment of the American public): To be announced.

BEATLES FOR SALE

A six-minute recording featuring all four Beatles, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and legendary surfer guitarists Dick Dale talking about music, fashion, hair styles and other stuff sold for $10,400 Wednesday night in an online auction conducted by Collectors Universe (collectors.com).

That's a lot more than the 1964 recording sold for earlier this year, when it fetched $5 at a Los Angeles area flea market.

"The recording is an extraordinary Rock 'n' Roll conference call," said Dave Gioia, a Collectors Universe executive.

It includes comments by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Star, along with Wilson and Dale -- recorded as part of a promotion for a Hollywood event called Teen Fair. The event was held March 11, 1964, at the height of Beatle-mania.

The record -- an eight-inch, 33 1/3 RPM Capitol Records acetate disk -- also features excepts from the Beatles hit "Can't Buy Me Love," the Beach Boys classic "Fun, Fun, Fun ('till her Daddy takes the T-Bird away") and Dale's instrumental "Mr. Eliminator."

During the conversation, the Beatles talk about an untitled movie project that eventually became "A Hard Day's Night."

BRITNEY SPEARS

HBO has announced that it will feed Britney Spears' upcoming pay-TV special to Armed Forces Radio and Television Service free of charge, at the request of the 19-year-old singer herself.

"Britney Spears: Live From Las Vegas" will air Sunday on HBO, originating from the MGM Grand.

AFRTS will carry the show on its AFN-Atlantic and AFN-Pacific channels.

Plans call for several segments of the show to have Spears interact via satellite with military personnel at Fort Polk. La.; Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; and two installations in California, Camp Pendleton and the San Diego Naval Station.

(The above two items thanks to UPI Hollywood Reporter Pat Nason)

'N SYNC

'N Sync wowed more than 5,000 guests and residents of Atlantis, Paradise Island in the Bahamas at Thursday's taping of "'N Sync Live! The Atlantis Concert," the Thanksgiving entertainment special scheduled to air on CBS-TV next Friday (at 10 p.m. EST).

The group performed such hits as "It's Gonna Be Me," "Pop," "This I Promise You," "Gone" and "Bye Bye Bye." Special guest star Tim McGraw joined the band for a tribute to America in a medley of standards including "Stand By Me," "Fire and Rain" and "Lean on Me."

(Web site: Atlantis.com)

VOLUNTEERS FOR AMERICA CONCERTS

Members of the classic rock bands Styx and Journey presented a check for $500,000 Tuesday to the New York Port Authority -- the proceeds from two benefit concerts held last month in Atlanta and Dallas to raise funds for the victims and heroes of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

The Volunteers For America concerts -- on Oct. 20 at the HiFiBuys Lakewood Amphitheatre in Atlanta, and Oct. 21 at the Smirnoff Music Center in Dallas -- featured performances by both bands, as well as Bad Company, Peter Frampton, Kansas, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eddie Money, REO Speedwagon, Survivor, John Waite, Edgar Winter and Grand Funk Railroad's Mark Farner.

MICK FLEETWOOD

Mick Fleetwood is raising money for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. He and his All-Star Blues Band held a benefit concert last Wednesday night at the House of Blues in Los Angeles.

The co-founder of Fleetwood Mac signed the DW drum kit he played during the show. Proceeds from its sale during an online auction, as well as from the sale of signed drumsticks that night, will be given to the Red Cross.

Next Tuesday, Nov. 20 (at 10 a.m. PST), Fleetwood will auction off a large collection of rock memorabilia on his Web site (FleetwoodOwen.com).

Items on the block include a selection of guitars from the personal collection of Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora, an autographed cowboy hat worn by Madonna during publicity for her recent "Drowned World Tour," Noel Gallagher's silver sparkle Gibson guitar, and several rare, original concert posters -- including Bob Dylan, The Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell and Woodstock.

CREED

Creed will help the Salvation Army kick off its annual Red Kettle Campaign with a nationally televised performance during the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day half-time show.

Creed will entertain Thanksgiving Day fans at Texas Stadium and those watching at home by performing a medley of songs, including the band's new single, "My Sacrifice."

"The Salvation Army does so much to help those in need, and has been such an important part of the relief efforts since Sept. 11, that it is a real honor to perform for America on Thanksgiving Day," said Creed's lead singer Scott Stapp. "We're going to put on a great show and hopefully remind people how important it is to continue to help their fellow Americans."

The National Kettle Kick-off signifies the beginning of the holiday season, one where people across the country will be encouraged to fill the more than 20,000 Salvation Army red kettles that will be on display beginning next Friday, Nov. 23. All donations made to The Salvation Army's red kettles remain local, and go to support programs that serve people in that community.

U2

U2's concert last summer at Boston's Fleet Center was taped and will air next week on VH1. "U2: Elevation Live 2001" captures the band live on stage as Bono, The Edge, Adam and Larry perform a mix of their hits as well as songs from their latest album, "All That You Can't Leave Behind."

The 90-minute special --- airing next Friday (at 9 p.m. ET/PT) -- will be immediately preceded by "U2: Legends" (at 7:30 p.m.) and a special half-hour U2 concert pre-show (at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT).

"U2 Elevation Tour 2001" is the band's first tour since the highly successful "PopMart" (the top-grossing tour of 1997), and their first arena tour since 1992. It kicked off March 24 in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale and has continued with more than 101 sold-out dates in North America and Europe. The tour began its second North American leg in Notre Dame, Ind., on Oct. 10, and winds up in Miami Dec. 2.

U2 is tied with Dave Matthews Band for the most nominations at the upcoming My VH1 Music Awards '01, airing live Dec.2 (at 9 p.m. ET/PT) on VH1.

MICHAEL JACKSON

The taped version of Michael Jackson's recent Madison Square Garden concerts in New York City, titled "Michael Jackson: The Solo Years, 30th Anniversary Celebration," aired last Tuesday night on CBS.

The two-evening "Celebration" -- taped Sept. 7 and 10 -- featured performances by Jackson and several artists paying tribute to the King of Pop. Performers include Destiny's Child, Gloria Estefan, Al Jarreau, Whitney Houston, Liza Minnelli, 'N Sync, and Britney Spears. The shows also featured a reunion of Jackson and his brothers performing a medley of hits by The Jackson 5 in their first performance together in almost 20 years.

Jackson's new album, "Invincible," was released Oct. 30.

RICK SPRINGFIELD

Actor-turned-singer Rick Springfield has indefinitely extended his starring role in "EFX Alive," the MGM Grand's acclaimed stage production in Las Vegas. Springfield debuted in the show on Jan. 30, 2001 and was originally contracted for one year.

"Audiences from around the world have responded to Rick's energetic personality and stage presence," said Richard Sturm, President and COO of Entertainment and Sports for MGM Mirage. "We are delighted that he is staying with the show."

(Web site: mgmgrand.com)

MATCHBOX TWENTY

This week's appearance by Rob Thomas and Adam Gaynor of matchbox twenty at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City was postponed due to Monday's airplane crash in the Rockaway section of Queens.

Thomas and Gaynor had been scheduled to unveil the newest Hard Rock Cafe Signature Series T-shirt and pin. However, because of the closing of all New York area airports in the wake of the crash, the event will be held at a later date.

SHAKIRA

Latin rock star Shakira personally introduced New York City fans to her first English-language CD, titled "Laundry Service," last Tuesday at The Wiz.

The singer, 24, met with fans and signed copies of her new album, which includes her new single "Whenever, Wherever."

Although "Laundry Service" is her first album recorded in English, Shakira is no stranger to the United States, where "Donde Estan Los Ladrones?" has already gone platinum.

B.B. KING

B.B. King is out with his first Christmas album.

"A Christmas Celebration of Hope" (on the MCA/Universal Records label) features 13 songs that were recorded in New Orleans and produced by B.B. King with his touring band on the sessions. It includes Christmas classics in both popular and blues music genres as well as two B.B. King originals -- "Christmas Celebration" (first released in 1960 on Kent Records) and the newly written instrumental "Christmas Love."

MCA Records is donating all profits from the sale of "A Christmas Celebration of Hope" to City of Hope to fund its research and patient care programs.

PETER FRAMPTON

Peter Frampton says he's fallen in love with his adopted hometown of Cincinnati and plans to hold a special concert at a popular downtown theater next month.

The Cincinnati Post reports that the show -- to be held Dec. 9 at the Taft Theatre -- will be called "Peter Frampton Presents: Cincinnati USA." His publicist says after the rocker performed a relief concert in Dallas recently, he decided that he should bring the show to the Queen City.

Among those who'll be joining Frampton on stage will be the group Blessid Union of Souls, several local jazz artists and at least one member of 98 Degrees. Post reporter Rick Bird says in picking the lineup for the concert, the rock legend is showing real sensitivity to the local music climate.

GEORGE HARRISON

Former Beatle George Harrison is reportedly undergoing highly experimental treatments for cancer.

Published reports indicate that Harrison, now 58, took treatments at New York's Staten Island University Hospital. Several Big Apple newspapers have given more details. The Post says Ringo Starr visited Harrison during his hospitalization and that Harrison was discharged some days ago. The Times reported he was in a private suite.

If you remember, last summer there were reports that Harrison was at death's door.

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

JERMAINE JACKSON

A 42-year-old drifter is sitting in jail after being arrested early last Tuesday morning for allegedly making threats against Jermaine Jackson, brother of pop star Michael Jackson.

Everett McCrimmon was nabbed outside Jackson's home in Encino, Calif. The incident took place on the same day Jackson and his brothers appeared on a TV special celebrating Michael Jackson's show business career.

Police said McCrimmon was arrested without incident.