Rock singer and reality television star Bret Michaels remains in critical but stable condition at an undisclosed hospital after suffering a brain hemorrhage on April 22. According to posts on his website, he's responding well to tests and treatment. Several days later, however, reports said the 47-year-old had a "minor setback."
Bret developed hyponatremia, which is caused by a lack of sodium in the body. The condition could cause seizures. His publicist, Joann Mignano, released a statement that says, "With further testing and rehabilitation, they are hopeful that Bret will gradually improve as the blood surrounding the brain dissolves and is reabsorbed into his system, which can be a very painful recovery and take several weeks to months."
Siobhan Magnus, 20, from Cape Cod, Massachusetts was voted off "American Idol" on April 28. Left in the competition are Crystal Bowersox, Casey James, Michael Lynche, Aaron Kelly and Lee DeWyze. For week of May 4th, the final five will sing songs made famous by Frank Sinatra. The celebrity mentor will be Harry Connick, Jr. It's just been announced that the Top 10 season nine finalists will head out on the 47-city "American Idol Live! Tour" on July 1. Shows will begin in Detroit, Michigan and wrap up on September 14 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Sotheby's in New York plans to auction the lyrics to John Lennon's song "A Day In The Life." The auctioneer describes the track as "the revolutionary song that marked the Beatles' transformation from pop icons to artists." The lyrics are expected to fetch $500,000-$700,000. The auction will take place on June 18.
"Glee: The Power of Madonna" debuts at Number One on this week's Billboard 200. The soundtrack to FOX-TV's recent Madonna-themed "Glee" show sold 98,000 copies its first week of release. Also this week, the soundtrack to "Iron Man 2," featuring music by the Australian rock band AC/DC, debuts at Number 4. According to Billboard, this is the first time two soundtracks have simultaneously entered the chart in the Top 5.
In other chart news, Lady Antebellum holds the Number One spot on the Country Albums chart for the 13th week with "Need You Now." If it remains there another week, the trio will tie Kenny Chesney's 2004 14-week run in the top spot. He accomplished that with his album, "When The Sun Goes Down." The collection won the Country Music Association Award for Album of the Year. Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now" will undoubtedly be a contender in that category this year.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES:
New albums scheduled for release on May 4 include: "Pulse" by Toni Braxton, "The Oracle" by Godsmack, "Court Yard Hounds" by the Court Yard Hounds (Emily Robison and Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks), "One Night Only" by Barbra Streisand, "To Be Loved" by Papa Roach, "Uni-5: The World's Enemy" by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, "One World One Love" by Michael Bolton, "Pass The Jar: Live From The Fabulous Fox Theatre In Atlanta" (3-CD set) by the Zac Brown Band and Friends, "The Generous Mr. Lovewell" by MercyMe, "Amazin'" by Trina, "Lifted Off The Ground" by Chely Wright, "So Runs The World Away" by Josh Ritter, "Sings The Ultimate American Songbook 2" by Tony Bennett, "Troubadour Reunion" by James Taylor & Carole King and "Omega" by Asia.
AWARDS PRESENTATIONS/WINNERS:
The Blues Foundation will hand out its 2010 Blues Music Awards on May 6 in Memphis, Tennessee. Joe Louis Walker leads the contenders with five nominations that include Album of the Year and Contemporary Blues Album of the Year for "Between a Rock and the Blues." Close behind with four nominations apiece are Tommy Castro, Rick Estrin, Super Chikan, Louisiana Red and Duke Robillard. This year, the Foundation changed the name of the Best Traditional Female Artist category to the Koko Taylor Award in honor of the late blues legend. Taylor died last year at age 80 of complications from gastrointestinal bleeding.
TOUR DATES AND INFORMATION:
On May 7, Carole King and James Taylor will kick off their "Troubadour Reunion" tour in Portland, Oregon. Forty-five North American shows are scheduled through July 20. Taylor says, "This tour, our 'Troubadour Reunion,' has been waiting to happen for a long time and the years seems to have vanished, where does the time go?. When we reunited for the Troubadour's 50th Anniversary celebration, it felt like yesterday. It was and still is all about the music and the songs that we get to perform together."
Lady GaGa will begin the European leg of her "Monster Ball" tour on May 7 in Stockholm, Sweden. Also on her itinerary are stops in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and several cities in the United Kingdom. Lady GaGa will kick off another round of North American dates on June 28 in Montreal, Quebec.
Simon & Garfunkel's April-May concert tour has been postponed. Art Garfunkel recently sustained a vocal strain. Dates will now begin on July 3 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
