June 27, Capitol Records released a 30th anniversary edition of Steve Miller's Fly Like An Eagle album. The remixed collection includes three unreleased tracks and is packaged with a two-hour DVD that features live concert footage and a documentary on the making of the album.
This year's American Idol winner, 29-year-old Taylor Hicks, entered Billboard's Hot 100 chart at Number One the week ending June 24 with his debut single "Do I Make You Proud." Three other American Idol winners had similar success with their first singles. They were Carrie Underwood with "Inside Your Heaven," Fantasia with "I Believe" and Kelly Clarkson, who debuted at the top of the chart with "A Moment Like This." Hicks' debut album will be released later this year on Arista Records.
Country star Keith Urban married Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman on June 25 in Sydney, Australia. Both were raised in Australia and flew home on June 19. Upon arrival, they released a joint statement that said, "We are very happy to be back in Australia. We have come home to celebrate our wedding with our family and friends." The marriage is the first for Urban. Kidman was married to actor Tom Cruise from 1990 to 2001.
Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood is spending the weeks leading up to the continuation of the group's "A Bigger Bang" tour in rehab. Wood checked himself into a clinic for alcohol abuse treatment, but plans to be with the Rolling Stones on July 11, when they kick off their European concerts in Milan, Italy. The tour was postponed after Keith Richards suffered a head injury while vacationing in Fiji in April.
Two R&B stars have taped appearances for popular daytime dramas. 18-year-old Rihanna will guest star as herself in an All My Children episode scheduled to air on July 25. And, 35-year-old Mary J. Blige will make a cameo appearance on One Life To Live on July 28. On the show, Blige will perform two songs from her new album "The Breakthrough."
MUSICAL EVENTS/FESTIVALS/BENEFITS
The 2006 Essence Music Festival takes place July 1-3. Organizers moved this year's event to Houston, Texas while hurricane rebuilding efforts continue in New Orleans. Performers at the Essence Music Festival will include Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Earth, Wind & Fire, Yolanda Adams, Chris Brown and New Edition, who are reuniting with original member Bobby Brown for the festival appearance. Brown, who is married to Whitney Houston, left the group in the 1980s to pursue a solo career.
AWARDS PRESENTATIONS/WINNERS
The 2006 BET (Black Entertainment Television) Awards were presented on June 27 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. This year's top nominees were Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx, Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes, who each received four mentions. Other leading contenders included Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Keyshia Cole, Chris Brown and Ne-Yo. During the three-hour telecast, BET presented its 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award to Chaka Khan. Beyonce opened the awards show and Prince closed the ceremony.
TOUR DATES AND INFORMATION
Billy Joel began a 14-date European arena tour on June 26 in Vienna, Austria. His itinerary also includes shows in Germany, the U.K., the Netherlands and Ireland. Dates will wrap up on July 29 in Dublin.
On June 28, Paul Simon began a 20-city U.S. tour in Columbus, Ohio. He'll be promoting his new album Surprise. The Jerry Douglas Band will open shows. Douglas is the Country Music Association's reigning Musician of the Year. He's also a 12-time Grammy winner, who is well known for his featured role with Alison Krauss and her band Union Station.
Ozzfest 2006 kicked off June 29 in Seattle, Washington. Now in its 11th year, the festival tour will stop in 26 U.S. cities through August 13. Main stage performers include System Of A Down, Disturbed, Hatebreed and Lacuna Coil, Dragonforce and Ozzy Osbourne, who will headline only 10 of this year's dates.
On June 30, season one American Idol Kelly Clarkson began her 25-date "Addicted" tour in West Palm Beach, Florida. The outing will support her multi-million-selling 2004 album Breakaway. After wrapping up the tour in early August, Clarkson will head back to the recording studio to complete her third album, which is due out in late 2006 or early 2007.
The Who kicked off its 2006 tour on June 25 in Leeds, England. 20 additional concerts are scheduled in Belgium, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco, France, Austria, Spain and several other U.K. cities. The European tour will run through July 29.