Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD NOMINEES All three of last year's People's Choice Awards musical winners -- 'N Aync, Garth Brooks and Faith Hill -- are nominated again this year. Advertisement 'N Sync is up for musical group, along with Backstreet Boys and Dixie Chicks. Brooks is up for male musical performer, along with Tim McGraw and George Strait. Hill is up for female musical performer, along with Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears. Lopez has also been nominated for favorite actress, along with Sandra Bullock and Julia Roberts. The People's Choice Awards will be presented on Jan. 13, 2002, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif., in ceremonies televised over CBS-TV. Kevin James, the star of the CBS comedy "The King of Queens," will emcee. Advertisement DAVE GROHL, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl is a major part of the Queens of the Stone Age's upcoming album, "Songs For The Deaf," due in stores next spring (on Interscope Records). The former drummer for Nirvana --- whose current band toured with Queens Of The Stone Age last year -- is a long-time fan of Queens duo Josh Homme (vocals/guitar) and Nick Oliveri (vocals/bass). Initially, the Queens only planned to have Grohl join for no more than three songs on the new album. However, things went so well that Grohl ended up staying and playing on the majority of tracks. Recording took place in studios in Los Angeles and San Francisco. "It was f--king amazing," said Grohl. "(Josh and Nick) let me go off on this album like never before. It rocks ten times harder than anything they've ever done." "Songs For The Deaf" is the band's third full-length album. GEORGE MICHAEL When artists sign with a record label, traditionally they sign for a certain number of years or a designated number of recording sessions. But, according to published reports, George Michael has signed an unprecedented deal with Universal that will allow him to record only one record and leave -- if he so opts. Normally. record companies will ink short-term contracts if they are not sure how good the artist is. This would appear to be the other way around, with Michael not sure how well the company can promote his wares. Advertisement The album -- a collection of dance music -- was financed by the millionaire Michael. It's due out sometime late next spring. CRYSTAL GAYLE Crystal Gayle has announced the 10-city itinerary for her upcoming Christmas tour. Her publicist says Gayle will hold her first concert at the Dunn Center For Performing Arts at North Carolina Weselyan College in Rocky Mount, N.C., on Dec 6. Other venues include Pembroke, N.C.; Newberry, S.C.; Macon, Ga.; Morristown, N.J.; Staten Island, N.Y.; Harrisburg, Pa.; and Hampton, Va. The tour will end Dec. 20. After a short holiday break, Gayle will resume her regular concert series in mid-January. (The above two items thanks to UPI Feature Reporter Dennis Daily) JAMES BROWN The Godfather of Soul will be spending New Year's Eve in Honolulu. James Brown --- the hardest-working man in show business --- will ring in 2002 in concert at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa's Coral Ballroom. Tickets go on sale Dec. 10 (and range in price from $85-150.) U2 December is U2 month on DIRECTTV. Starting Saturday morning (at 6 a.m. ET), the digital TV service provider will air a four-hour commercial-free block of U2 programming --- including a concert film of the band's sold-out Elevation Tour 2001, recorded live in Boston last June. Advertisement Additional footage includes the VH1 special "U2 Legends"; a documentary on the making of "All I Want Is You," never before seen in the United States; "The Sweetest Thing" video; "Bullet the Blue Sky," filmed during the Rock the Vote election campaign; the Trabantland and Lovetown documentaries; and the "Lemon," "Please," "One," and "Beautiful Day" music videos. 'N SYNC Autographed bobblehead figures of 'N Sync have raised $4,100 for charity through auctions held on eBay. A total of 19 auctions were held -- four complete sets and three individual bobbleheads of each of the five 'N Sync band members. The highest winning bid for the complete collection was $610, while a signed Joey Fatone, Jr. bobblehead went for $200. The figures of JC, Lance, Joey, Justin and Chris are from the exclusive 'N Sync bobblehead series available at Best Buy stores this holiday shopping season. The consumer-electronics retailer is releasing one 'N Sync bobblehead figure per week at all of its stores for $9.99 each while supplies last. Best Buy has pledged to donate $1 million in bobblehead store-sale proceeds to benefit New York City relief efforts. The eBay sales will be added to that donation. 'N Sync fans who were not aware of the eBay auctions or who were out-bid will have another chance to get these rare collectibles -- Best Buy has added 24 more autographed 'N Sync bobblehead auctions to eBay. The current auctions close next Monday. Advertisement CELEBRITY B-BALL GAME Rapper Coolio and musician-turned-actor Ice Cube are among the celebrities who'll take part in Sunday's benefit basketball game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Ticket sales will benefit the Union Rescue Mission, located on LA's Skid Row. The Celebrity Game (at 3:30 p.m. PST) will precede the Clippers vs. Indiana Pacers game. MEMORABILIA AUCTION RECORDMECCA, a premier Web site for high-end collectible records and music memorabilia, is offering for sale Elvis Presley's first-ever agency contract, priced at $40,000. The previously unknown contract is dated Jan. 31, 1956 -- the day after he recorded "Blue Suede Shoes" and three days after his first national television appearance. In it, the William Morris Agency agrees to rep Elvis as an actor. It was so early in Presley's career that the agency's typist misspelled his first name, which had to be corrected. Other rarities being offered in RECORDMECCA'S new "One of a Kind" section include Jimi Hendrix's own love-beads, a copy of the Beatles first record (recording as Tony Sheridan & The Beat Brothers,) a program from Bob Dylan's 1961 first-ever concert and a guitar owned by blues legend Howlin' Wolf. Prices range from $125 for a Jimi Hendrix concert poster to $40,000 for the Presley contract. Advertisement (Web site: recordmecca.com)
