December 8, 55-year-old British rock star Ozzy Osbourne was seriously injured in an all-terrain vehicle accident. He was riding the ATV on his property in southern England during a day off from promoting his new single Changes, a duet he recorded with his daughter Kelly. Osbourne fractured six ribs, a vertebra in his neck and his left collarbone and also punctured a lung. His publicist, Cindy Guagenti, reported that Ozzy had to undergo emergency surgery to lift the collarbone because it was resting on a major artery and interrupting blood flow to his arm. Following surgery, he was placed on a ventilator in intensive care, but doctors say the injuries are not considered life-threatening and he's now resting comfortably.
Several holiday specials will air this week. On December 14, music cable channel VH1 will celebrate the season with "A Kid Rock Christmas," featuring performances by Kid Rock and some special guests. Also on December 14, cable channel TNT will air "Christmas In Washington." Hosted by actress Patricia Heaton, the program includes the world premiere of the video for Hootie & the Blowfish's new recording of Goodbye Girl. The song was a hit for David Gates in 1977. The 22nd annual "Christmas In Washington" concert also features performances by Ian Fraser & the Christmas In Washington Orchestra, the U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club, the U.S. Army Band Herald Trumpets and the American Family Choir, which consists of 90 teenage singers from Washington area high schools. And, FOX-TV will air its "Jingle Ball Rock '03" holiday special on December 15. Scheduled to appear on the show are Beyonce, Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson and many others, who will sing their favorite holiday songs.
The U.S. Supreme Court will not intervene in 90-year-old civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks' lawsuit against OutKast. Park claims the Grammy-winning rap duo violated her publicity and trademark rights and constituted false advertising by titling its Grammy-nominated hit song Rosa Parks. The single appeared on OutKast's 1998 album, Aquemini. In 1999, a federal court judge ruled in OutKast's favor, citing free-speech rights. Now, having won her appeal, Parks will take the case back to a federal court judge. She's asking that all references to her be removed from OutKast's singles, albums and videos.
Singer Bobby Brown appeared in a Fulton County, Georgia court last week December 10, three days after allegedly hitting his wife, Whitney Houston. Houston called police on December 7 to report a domestic violence incident, which left her with a bruised face and a cut inside her upper lip. When an officer arrived at their home, Brown was not there. The couple appeared together at the Fulton County Magistrate Court, where Brown was charged with battery and released. He's scheduled to appear in court on January 7 for a preliminary hearing. Houston's lawyer said, "She's trying to resolve the matter privately."
Jazz singer and pianist Diana Krall married British singer-songwriter Elvis Costello on December 8. The ceremony took place at Elton John's castle near London and was attended by 150 guests, including Paul McCartney. The marriage is the first for 39-year-old Krall and the third for her 49-year-old husband.
65-year-old Country star Kenny Rogers and his fifth wife, 36-year-old Wanda, are expecting twins in July. Kenny married Wanda in 1997. He has three grown children from two previous marriages.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES / DEC. 16:
AWARDS PRESENTATIONS/WINNERS:
Country artists lead the nominees in the musical categories for the 30th People's Choice Awards. Nominees in the Favorite Male Musical Performer category include Eminem, 50 Cent and Tim McGraw. Up for Favorite Female Musical Performer are Faith Hill, Beyonce Knowles and Shania Twain. And, Alabama, Brooks & Dunn and matchbox twenty are the contenders for Favorite Musical Group or Band. The People's Choice Awards will be handed out on January 11th in Pasadena, California.
Rhythm-and-blues and hip-hop stars dominated the winners of the 14th annual Billboard Music Awards, which were presented in Las Vegas on December 10. Beyonce and R. Kelly each took home four awards. Beyonce's wins included Hot 100 Female Artist, New R&B Artist and New Female Artist of the Year, and a special Hot 100 award for spending the most weeks at Number One during 2003. R. Kelly won in the Hot 100 Producer, R&B Producer, Hot 100 Songwriter and R&B Songwriter of the Year categories. Shania Twain swept the Country categories, taking home three trophies for Country Artist of the Year, Country Albums Artist of the Year and Country Album of the Year for Up! This season's American Idol runner-up, Clay Aiken, received the Best Selling Single of the Year award for his debut hit, This Is The Night/Bridge Over Troubled Water. In addition, rap newcomer 50 Cent was named Artist of the Year and R&B Artist of the Year, 3 Doors Down won for Hot 100 Group and Group of the Year, Evanescence earned the New Group of the Year honor, Audioslave won for Rock Artist of the Year and Modern Rock Artist of the Year, and Josh Groban was named No. 1 Classical Crossover Artist of the Year and also won the No. 1 Classical Crossover Album of the Year award for Closer.