Springsteen Tops Billboard Album Chart
Bruce Springsteen makes a Number One debut on the Billboard 200 chart this week with his new album, Working on a Dream (week ending February 14). He dethrones Taylor Swift, who spent the past eight weeks at Number One with her second album, Fearless. Springsteen sold 224,000 copies of Working on a Dream its first week out to give him the ninth chart-topping album of his career. He also debuts at Number One on this week's European Albums chart.
Country Star John Rich Scores Hit Solo Album
Also this week, John Rich, half of Country duo Big & Rich, enters the Country Singles chart at Number 34 with the second hit off his upcoming solo debut album, Son of A Preacher Man. "Shuttin' Detroit Down" deals with the government's auto industry bailout. Due to the song's popularity, Warner Brothers Records will release John's solo album ahead of schedule. Son of A Preacher Man will now be out on March 24, nearly two months before its original release date.
Hudson Superbowl Performance Available on iTunes
Jennifer Hudson's Super Bowl XLIII performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" has been released on the digital download site iTunes. She'll donate a portion of the proceeds from sales of the track to the Hudson-King Foundation, which Jennifer and her family created following the murders of her mother, brother and nephew. The foundation assists families of violent crime victims.
Elton John to Close Vegas Show
Elton John will close his Las Vegas show on April 22. "The Red Piano" opened in February 2004 at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The final show will mark his 241st performance. Bette Midler and Cher also have long-term engagements at the Colosseum.
Roy Clark, Barbara Mandrell Among Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees
The Country Music Hall of Fame has announced its 2009 inductees. Charlie McCoy, Roy Clark and Barbara Mandrell will take their place in the prestigious Hall in May and will be recognized during the Country Music Association Awards in November. Country Music Hall of Fame CEO Tammy Genovese says, "Barbara, Charlie and Roy are truly deserving of Country Music's biggest honor and the opportunity to join the legendary artists and musicians who have already been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame."
New Album Releases, February 10
"Block Party" - Missy Elliott
"The Ecstatic" - Mos Def
"Testimony Vol. 2: Love And Politics" - India.Arie
"It's Not Me, It's You" - Lily Allen
"The Rebirth" - Bobby Valentino
"Stems and Seeds" - Ben Folds
"Astral Weeks Live At The Holiday Bowl" - Van Morrison "The G-Files" - Warren G
"Troubadour" - K'Naan
"Memorial Collection" - Buddy Holly
"Keep It Hid" - Dan Auerbach
Awards Presentations/Winners
On February 12, the 40th NAACP Image Awards will take place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Jennifer Hudson leads this year's nominees. Her six mentions include Outstanding Female Artist, Outstanding Album for her self-titled debut, and Outstanding Song and Outstanding Music Video for "Spotlight." She also shares a nomination with Fantasia for Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration. Beyonce follows close behind with five nominations, including Outstanding Female Artist, Outstanding Album for "I Am…Sasha Fierce," Outstanding Song for "Single Ladies" and Outstanding Music Video for "If I Were A Boy" and "Single Ladies." Natalie Cole, Will.i.am, Alicia Keys and John Legend are among the other artists who received multiple nominations.
Look Who's Going on Tour!
Pop singer Jesse McCartney will begin a 19-city U.S. tour on February 13. The outing kicks off in Dallas, Texas and will wrap up in San Diego, California on March 10th. Jesse's latest album, Departure, was released in 2008. He recently recorded a remix of its third single "How Do You Sleep" with Grammy-winning rapper Ludacris.
On February 13, last year's American Idol winner David Cook will kick off his first headlining tour in Tallahassee, Florida. "The Declaration Tour - 2009" includes 38 shows through April 25. Cook's 2008 self-titled debut album recently surpassed sales of one million copies in the U.S.
