Tina Turner Kicks Off World Tour; VH1 Honors Hip-Hop

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announced the nine semi-finalists being considered for its Class of 2009 inductions. They are: Wanda Jackson, Jeff Beck, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Bobby Womack, Run-D.M.C., Metallica, the Stooges, War and Chic. Three of the candidates, the Stooges, Chic and Wanda Jackson, have been previously nominated. More than 500 industry professionals, musicians and journalists will vote to decide the final five. They'll be announced in January 2009. The induction ceremony will take place in Cleveland, Ohio on April 4, 2009.

New Exhibit Features Johnny Cash

On September 30, a new exhibit dedicated to the late Johnny Cash will open at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. "Johnny Cash: Man In Black" will feature such items as his black leather coat and a monogrammed leather briefcase. Mick Buck, curator of collections at the museum says, "There was a certain complexity behind Johnny Cash's simple, black-clad image. The items on display echo Cash's rebellious spirit and political awareness, and more importantly, his transcendent ability to connect with people."

VH1 Focuses on Hip-Hop

Cable music channel VH1 counts down its Top 100 greatest hip-hop songs beginning September 29. At Number One is "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy. Rounding out the Top 5 are "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugar Hill Gang, "Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang" by Dr. Dre, "Walk This Way" by Run-D.M.C. with Aerosmith and "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five. On October 6 VH1 will pay tribute to pioneers in rap at its 2008 Hip-Hop Honors. This year's honorees include De La Soul, Naughty By Nature, Cypress Hill, Slick Rick and Too Short.

The Police Tops Forbes Money Making Musicians List

Forbes magazine has revealed the top money-making musicians from June 1, 2007 to June 1, 2008. In first place are the Police with $115 million. Beyonce came in second with $80 million. Country star Toby Keith ranks third with $48 million, followed by Justin Timberlake with $44 million. Madonna, Celine Dion and Rascal Flatts tied for fifth place by earning $40 million apiece.

Idol Concert Tour Grosses Over $29 Million

Billboard Boxscore has released the numbers for this year's American Idol tour. Led by winner David Cook, the outing grossed $29.3 million. 85 percent of the concerts sold out. Last year's American Idol tour brought in $20.9 million, with a sell-out figure of 68.4 percent.

Rhino Records Honors Late Jim Croce

Rhino Records is honoring the 35th anniversary of Jim Croce's death with reissues of his three studio albums. You Don't Mess Around With Jim, Life and Times and I Got A Name will all be released on CD on September 30. Croce was only 30 years old when he died in a plane crash in 1973. His death came just months after he reached Number One with "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown."

New Album Releases September 30

"The Paper Trail" - T.I.
Jennifer Hudson - self-titled debut album
"Something Else" - Robin Thicke
"Invincible Summer" - Common
"Our World, Our Way" - Dem Franchize Boyz
Kellie Pickler - self-titled debut album
"Way To Normal" - Ben Folds
"Multi-Dimensional Warrior" - Santana
"Covers" - James Taylor
"Greatest Hits" - Craig Morgan
"Tina!" - Tina Turner
"The Other Side Of Me" - Linda Eder
"Christmas Collections" - Amy Grant
"Joy To The World" - Faith Hill
"A New Thought For Christmas" - Melissa Etheridge
"Arena" - Todd Rundgren
"Simple Times" - Joshua Radin
"Jingle All The Way" - Bela Fleck & The Flecktones
"At 89" - Pete Seeger
"Les Paul and Friends: Tribute To A Legend" - various artists
"To Be Free" - Nina Simone

Musical Events/Festivals/Benefits

The 4th annual Duke Ellington Jazz Festival will take place October 1-7 in Washington, D.C. The event will feature concerts at 40 different venues, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Blues Alley and Lincoln Theater. More than 100 programs and performances will showcase local, national and international jazz artists. Two days of free jazz shows on the National Mall will be held on October 4 and 5.

Awards Presentations/Winners

The 19th annual International Bluegrass Music Awards will be presented on October 2 in Nashville, Tennessee. First-time nominees Dailey & Vincent lead this year's contenders with 10 nods, including Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year for their self-titled Rounder Records release and Vocal Group of the Year. Blue Highway, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder and the Dan Tyminski Band each received six nominations. Close behind with four mentions apiece are Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Del McCoury Band and Grasstowne.

Look Who's Going on Tour!

On October 1, Tina Turner will kick of her first tour in eight years. Shows begin in Kansas City, Missouri. 35 more North American concerts are planned through December 13. September 30, Turner's new compilation, Tina!, will be released. The album includes 16 of her hits, two new tracks and live performances of "Let's Stay Together" and "The Best." She'll launch the tour's European leg on January 14, 2009. In 2000, Tina announced her retirement from live performing. Her "Twenty Four Seven Tour" was that year's highest-grossing tour.

Alan Jackson and Trace Adkins will begin a North American co-headlining tour in Fayetteville, North Carolina on October 2. They'll stop in 17 cities before wrapping up concerts in Ontario, Canada on November 23. Jackson will be supporting his latest CD, Good Time. Adkins will introduce fans to songs from his upcoming album, 10, which is due out in late November.