October 8, the late Michael Jackson will be honored at ?Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert.? The show will take place in Cardiff, Wales. Academy Award-winning actor and singer Jamie Foxx will host the event. Performers include Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Leona Lewis, Smokey Robinson, British boy band JLS, Craig David and Alien Ant Farm.
While most of the Jackson family supports the concert, two of Michael?s brothers, Jermaine and Randy, issued a statement that said, ?We want to make clear that this does not reflect the position of the entire family. While we wholeheartedly support the spirit of a tribute that honors our brother, we find it impossible to support an event that is due to take place during the criminal trial surrounding Michael?s death.?
Nashville?s kicks off its month-long 86th birthday events on October 4. The show will honor Randy Travis as he celebrates his 25th anniversary in Country music. Performers include Carrie Underwood, Connie Smith, Josh Turner and John Anderson, among others. Other special shows planned throughout the month include the Opry?s Official 86th Birthday Bash Weekend October 7 and 8. Rascal Flatts, Ronnie Dunn, Charley Pride and Mel Tillis are scheduled to perform. On October 8, Rascal Flatts will be inducted into the Opry.
This week, Tony Bennett becomes the oldest living artist to top the chart. The 85-year-old?s new collaborative album, , sold 179,000 copies its first week of release. This is Bennett?s first Number One album on the chart. Other Top 10 debuts this week include by Demi Lovato (Number 4), by Needtobreathe (Number 6), by Gavin DeGraw (Number 8) and the soundtrack (Number 10).
The has announced its Class of 2012 nominees. First-time nominees include Guns N? Roses, the Cure, Heart, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Eric B. & Rakim, the Spinners, the Faces, the late Freddy King, and Rufus with Chaka Khan. Returning to the ballot are Beastie Boys, the late Laura Nyro, War, Donovan, Donna Summer and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Acts are eligible for induction 25 years after their first commercial record is released. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?s voters will select five of the fifteen nominees for induction. The 2012 ceremony will take place in Cleveland, Ohio on April 14.
Courtney Love joins a growing list of musicians who are writing memoirs. Love?s book will reportedly ?set the record straight? about her marriage to the late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, her drug problems and Hollywood career. It?s expected to be published in late 2012. Gregg Allman, Carole King, Pete Townshend and Neil Young also signed book deals this year.
?Take A Back Road? by Rodney Atkins
?Beauty Queen Sister? by Indigo Girls
?Clear As Day? by Scotty McCreery
?Rebels on the Run? by Montgomery Gentry
?Working In Tennessee? by Merle Haggard
?Radiosurgery? by New Found Glory
?Tomorrow?s World? by Erasure
?People & Things? by Jack?s Mannequin
?Paul McCartney?s Ocean?s Kingdom? by Paul McCartney
?When Ronan Met Burt? by Ronan Keating
?Everything Changes? by Julian Lennon
?The Awakening? by James Morrison
?Miss Little Havana? by Gloria Estefan
?Chicago XXXIII: O Christmas Three? by Chicago
The Boxcars led the winners of the 22nd annual (IBMA) Awards, which were presented in Nashville on September 29. The five-man band was named Instrumental Group of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year. Boxcar member Ron Stewart earned an additional trophy for Banjo Player of the Year and the band?s Adam Steffey won his eighth Mandolin Player of the Year award. Other winners included The Gibson Brothers, Russell Moore, Dale Ann Bradley, J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson & Paul Williams, Bryan Sutton, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Balsam Range, Kristin Scott Benson, Marshall Wilborn and Rob Ickes. Actor and musician Steve Martin and his band The Steep Canyon Rangers took home the night?s top honor, Entertainer of the Year.
On October 1, the 6th Annual (Black Entertainment Television) Hip-Hop Awards were presented in Atlanta, Georgia. Rapper Lil Wayne was this year?s top contender with a record-breaking 18 nominations. They included Best Live Performer, Lyricist of the Year and MVP of the Year. He shared the MVP category with Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, Kanye West and Wiz Khalifa. See the list of . The ceremony will air on October 11.