On August 9, the Uptown Partnership and the City of Memphis will hold the grand opening of Elvis Presley's childhood home. The apartment, located at Lauderdale Courts, was declared an historical building. Presley lived in the apartment from 1949 to 1953.
Manhattan Records will release Richard Marx's new CD on August 10. My Own Best Enemy is his first solo album since 1997's Flesh and Bone. Marx wasn't sure he'd go back into the studio. He says, "I thought I was OK. My producing career kept me happy." The first single from My Own Best Enemy is a track called "When You're Gone," which features Country star Keith Urban on guitar and background vocals. Marx plans to continue to write and produce for other artists. He's working with Sony Music Group to develop new acts. His first project will be the debut album by the new teen pop group Valli Girls.
This week, Country superstar Faith Hill will take to the stage after a four-year absence. She'll perform four shows at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 10, 11, 13 and 14. Faith's next album is due out in the fall.
On August 10, Sugar Hill Records will release a gospel album by Willie Nelson and his sister Bobbie Nelson. Farther Along: A Gospel Collection includes 18 traditional gospel favorites from their early childhood.
MUSICAL EVENTS/FESTIVALS/BENEFITS:
Nickelback, Lil' Jon, Ludacris, Our Lady Peace and Kid Rock are among the acts that will be headlining the 2nd Coors Light Mountain Jam. The day-long event will take place on August 14 at the Red Rock Amphitheater outside Denver, Colorado.
AWARDS PRESENTATIONS/WINNERS:
Jay-Z leads the nominees for the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards, set to take place in Miami, Florida on August 29. The rapper earned six nominations for his video to "99 Problems." Hip-hop duo OutKast, rock group No Doubt and rhythm-and-blues star Beyonce each received five mentions. The Video of the Year category includes Jay-Z's "99 Problems," OutKast's "Hey Ya!," Britney Spears' "Toxic," Usher's "Yeah!" and D12's "My Band."
LOOK WHO'S GOING ON TOUR!
Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller, Gillian Welch, Patti Griffin and David Rawlings will begin their "Sweet Harmony Traveling Revue" on August 11. The 14-city trek begins in Atlanta, Georgia and will end in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 29. The artists will perform solo and ensemble sets.
On August 12, singer-pianist Norah Jones will kick off a North American tour at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. 56 shows are scheduled through mid-November. Jones will be supporting her latest CD, Feels Like Home.