Hilton Hotel heiress and celebrity Paris Hilton has been signed to Warner Brothers Records for the release of her debut album. According to Billboard magazine, the collection will be a mix of dance, pop and rock music. The still-untitled album is expected to be out in early 2005.
On October 19, J Records will release Rod Stewart's third collection of pop standards, Stardust: The Great American Songbook: Volume III. Stewart's previous standards collections, 2002's "It Had To Be You" and 2003's "As Time Goes By," each sold more than two million copies in the U.S.
On October 22, CBS-TV will air the recent tribute to the late Ray Charles. The event took place in Los Angeles and featured appearances by Elton John, Mary J. Blige, Norah Jones, Usher, Stevie Wonder and Al Green.
Mick Jagger and the Eurythmics' Dave Stewart composed and recorded more than a dozen tracks for the soundtrack to Alfie, which will be released on October 19. Newcomer Joss Stone contributed her version of the movie's title song. The motion picture is a remake of the 1966 classic romantic comedy. It stars Jude Law and opens in theaters nationwide on October 22.
A 17-track anthology by Country music's most successful duo Brooks & Dunn will be released on October 19. The Greatest Hits Collection II includes three new songs: "It's Getting Better All the Time," "South of Santa Fe" and Brooks & Dunn's current Top 10 single "That's What It's All About." The duo will wrap up its U.S. concert tour on October 24 in Atlanta. Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn will host this year's Country Music Association Awards, taking place in Nashville on November 9.
On October 19, Island Records will release a double CD of John Mellencamp's career hits. Words & Music contains all of the rocker's 22 Top 40 songs, including his ten Top 10 tracks. The set also features two brand new cuts, "Thank You" and "Walk Tall."
MUSICAL EVENTS/FESTIVALS/BENEFITS:
The 18th annual Bridge School benefit concerts will take place October 23 and 24 at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California. This year's participants include Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Los Lonely Boys, Canadian twin sister act Tegan and Sara, and others. The Bridge School is an organization dedicated to ensuring that children with severe speech and physical impairments achieve full participation in their communities through the use of assistive technology and innovative educational strategies.
TOUR DATES AND INFORMATION:
Motown legend Diana Ross hopes to make a comeback in her music career following her drunk driving conviction earlier this year. She recently announced plans to perform 11 concerts next month. Her "Forever" tour will begin on November 5 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Shows are scheduled to wrap up on November 21 in Minnesota.