Rock News: Music's high and low notes

DESTINY'S CHILD

Destiny's Child says reports of their imminent demise have been greatly exaggerated.

In a statement released Thursday by their recording label, Columbia Records, the trio declares: "We are very much a group, very much together, and plan to be for many years. ... We just want to take a little time to work on some things that reflect our individual personalities and we're going to help and support each other with everything we do."

The group says its plans include a world tour next spring, work on a new album after that, and TV appearances in both the United States and in Europe.

In the meantime, fans can look forward to upcoming projects from each of the group's members. Beyonce Knowles appears as Foxy Cleopatra in "Austin Powers 3: Goldmember," due in theaters on July 26. Michelle Williams has been recording an album of inspirational music, while Kelly Rowland is working up material for an album of her own.

Destiny's Child has been nominated in two categories for this year's American Music Awards: Favorite Album, Pop/Rock (for "Survivor") and Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Soul/R&B. The 29th Annual American Music Awards ceremony will air Jan. 9 on ABC-TV. Last month, the trio entered the "Guinness Book Of World Records" for having more No.1 records on the U.S. charts than any girl group in music history.

(Web sites: columbiarecords.com, destiny'schild.com, dc-unplugged.com)

CREED, TANTRIC

Tantric has been confirmed as one of two opening acts on the first leg of Creed's tour, which kicks off in January. One additional band will be announced shortly.

AEROSMITH

Aerosmith's "Just Push Play" fall tour has rolled into Cleveland and area Dodge dealers are pulling out all the stops to give fans a chance to see the band in concert. They're sponsoring various events prior to Sunday's Cleveland Browns football game, during which fans can win tickets to next Monday night's show.

Dodge and Aerosmith announced this past summer a partnership in which the automaker is using the band's music in its Ram truck commercials.

TOP-20 ENTERTAINERS

Jennifer Lopez, 'N Sync, Destiny's Child and Britney Spears are among the artists who made E!'s list of the Top-20 Entertainers of 2001.

Madonna and Paul McCartney also are on the network's 12th annual list (in order of ranking):

20. Jennifer Aniston

19. The Rock

18. Mel Brooks

17. Paul McCartney

16. Sarah Jessica Parker

15. Johnny Depp

14. Denzel Washington

13. Renee Zellweger

12. Madonna

11. Reese Witherspoon

10. Kelly Ripa

9. Ray Romano

8. Britney Spears

7. Eddie Murphy

6. Destiny's Child

5. James Gandolfini

4. Julia Roberts

3. 'N Sync

2. Jennifer Lopez

1. Nicole Kidman

E! Online voters also crowned Michael Jackson as the "Celebrity with the Biggest Comeback" and Lopez's love affair with Chris Judd as the "Best Celebrity Romance of the Year."

"Rank: Top 20 Entertainers of 2001" will be repeated Friday (at 10 p.m. ET/PT).

REBA MCENTIRE

Country singer Reba McEntire will be among the presenters on THE 28TH ANNUAL PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS, to be broadcast from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 13 (9-11 p.m. ET) on CBS-TV. Other presenters will include the CBS Television Network. Additional presenters will include comedian Carol Burnett and actors Tony Danza and David James Elliott.

The winners in 18 categories will be announced on the star-studded special, hosted for the second consecutive year by Kevin James ("The King of Queens"). The broadcast honors America's favorites in the fields of television, motion pictures and music, as determined by a public opinion poll of thousands of Americans conducted by The Gallup Organization.