DATE=4/26/2002
TYPE=Music Programs Feature
NUMBER=7-400737
TITLE=Music Notes For The Week Of April 28-May 4, 2002
BYLINE=Mary Morningstar
TELEPHONE=619-1692
DATELINE=Washington
EDITOR=ML
CONTENT=
POP NUMBER ONE HITS:
1962 The Shirelles "Soldier Boy" (CDP-98)
1972 Roberta Flack "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (CDP-15001)
1982 Joan Jett & The Blackhearts "I Love Rock 'N Roll" (CDP-8684)
1992 Kris Kross "Jump" (CDP-5528)
2002 Ashanti "Foolish" (CDP-25004)
MUSIC NEWS:
Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, of the Grammy-winning rhythm-and-blues trio TLC, was killed in an automobile accident on April 25th while vacationing in Honduras. The 30-year-old had been in the recording studio recently with TLC's other members, "T-Boz" Watkins and "Chilli" Thomas. A new album was due out later this year. TLC made its debut in 1992 with "Ooooooh…On The TLC Tip!" They returned in 1994 with the album "CrazySexyCool." TLC's latest CD, "Fanmail," was released in 1999. "Fanmail" topped the charts for 5 weeks and produced the hit singles "No Scrubs" and "Unpretty."
On May 2nd, pop stars Celine Dion and Jessica Simpson and Country acts Lonestar and Clint Black will be in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to perform aboard America's newest aircraft carrier, the USS Harry S. Truman. The concert will kick off National Military Appreciation Month. CBS-TV will tape the show for a May 25th broadcast.
Pop singer Jewel was seriously hurt after being thrown from a horse at the Texas ranch of her boyfriend, world rodeo champion, Ty Murray. The 27-year-old artist broke her collarbone, a rib and suffered bumps and bruises. Jewel's injuries will require a month or more of recovery time. She was forced to cancel her appearance at California's Fan Nation festival on April 27th, but she says she's determined to go on with her 17-date European tour, scheduled to begin on May 10th. The U.S. leg kicks off on June 14th.
On May 3rd, ABC-TV will air "American Bandstand's 50th…A Celebration." The two-hour special includes appearances by Stevie Wonder, Cher, Michael Jackson, Brandy, Babyface, KISS, the Village People, Little Richard and many others. Dick Clark will host the 50th anniversary celebration.
Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley and Willie Nelson are among the fifteen Country acts featured on "Sharp Dressed Man: A Tribute to ZZ Top." The album, which hits record stores on April 30th, contains their new versions of ZZ Top's classics, including "Sharp Dressed Man," "Legs," "Cheap Sunglasses" and "Gimme All Your Lovin'."
NEW ALBUM RELEASES:
New albums scheduled for release on April 30th include: "Mended" by Marc Anthony on Columbia Records; "Can You Hear Me Now" by Sawyer Brown on Curb Records; "Be Not Nobody" by Vanessa Carlton on A&M Records; "Songs for Survivors" by Graham Nash on Valley Entertainment; "Life Goes On" by Donell Jones on Arista Records; "Days of Speed" by Paul Weller on Epic Records; "Blazing Arrow" by Blackalicious on MCA Records; "Ready Ready Set Go" by Simon & Milo on Hollywood Records; "Maladroit" by Weezer on Interscope Records; "Sharp Dressed Men: A Tribute to ZZ Top" by various artists on RCA Records; "Heavy Starch" by Ali on Universal Records; and "Cledus Envy" by Cledus T. Judd on Monument Records.
MUSICAL EVENTS/FESTIVALS/BENEFITS:
Bonnie Raitt, No Doubt and the Doobies Brothers are among the headliners at this year's SunFest 2002, Florida's largest music and arts festival. The event will take place May 1st-5th along Florida's Intracoastal Waterway.
Atlanta, Georgia's 9th annual Music Midtown Festival will begin on May 3rd. The three-day event draws 300-hundred-thousand people to Atlanta each year. This year, more than 120 local, regional and national bands will perform on eleven stages. The lineup includes everyone from Kid Rock, Mystikal and Ja Rule, to Don McLean, David Lee Roth, June Carter Cash and Jethro Tull. In addition to the many concerts, Music Midtown will offer children's entertainment and array of authentic Southern food and international cuisine.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK AND SUGGESTED MUSIC:
Pop singer Tommy James will turn 55 on April 29th. At age 12, he formed The Shondells, and four years later, recorded "Hanky Panky." A Pittsburgh disc jockey popularized the song in 1965, and it reached Number One the following year. Tommy James & The Shondells' other classic hits include "Mony Mony," "Crimson And Clover" and "Crystal Blue Persuasion." Those songs and many others appear on K-Tel Records' 1998 anthology release "Greatest Hits Live." ("Hanky Panky" CDP-1910)
On April 29th, Carnie Wilson of the pop trio Wilson Phillips will celebrate her 34th birthday. The daughter of Beach Boy Brian Wilson, Carnie formed Wilson Phillips with her sister Wendy and friend Chynna Phillips. Their 1990 debut album produced five hit songs, including three Number One singles. After recording a second album, the three singers pursued various solo projects. Carnie and her sister Wendy recorded the 1994 Christmas CD, "Hey Santa!" In 1997, they teamed with their father to record an album titled, "The Wilsons." ("Hold On" CDP-2261)
On April 30th, Country singer Willie Nelson will celebrate his 69th birthday. In 1960, he left his native Texas to pursue a songwriting career in Nashville. Later, Nelson began performing regularly on the Grand Ole Opry. That eventually led to a recording career. During the 1970s and 1980s, he dominated the Country charts with hits such as "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain," "On The Road Again" and "Always On My Mind." Since 1985, Nelson has organized several Farm Aid benefit concerts, which have raised more than $20-million for American farmers. Along with his solo projects, Nelson has recorded and performed concert tours with the Country supergroup, The Highwaymen. In~1996, he signed a recording deal with Island~Records, which released "Spirit," his first album of new material in nearly five years. His second album for the label, titled "Teatro," was released in 1998. In 2000, Nelson released two albums. "Love Songs" (CDP-22369) was a collection of ballads reissued from various albums released while he recorded for Columbia Records. "Milk Cow Blues" (CDP-22192) is an album of the singer's personal favorites. It was released on Island Records. Willie's current album, "The Great Divide," features a number of guests, including Kid Rock, Lee Ann Womack, Sheryl Crow, Brian McKnight and Bonnie Raitt. ("Mendocino County Line" CDP-24655)
May 1st marks the birth date of the late Kate Smith (born 1907). Smith began her career as a popular radio and television star. She is best remembered, however, for her recording of Irving Berlin's "God Bless America," which made her a national patriotic symbol. The Philadelphia Flyers hockey team was so inspired by the recording that they substituted it for the National Anthem to open their games. Smith died on June 17, 1986 of respiratory failure at age 79. ("God Bless America" CDP-5726)
On May 2nd, Lou Gramm, lead singer of the British American rock band Foreigner, will turn 51. Foreigner's 1977 self-titled debut album spawned three~chart hits and brought the group international stardom. In 1984, the group recorded its first and only Number One single, "I Want To Know What Love Is." In 1995, Foreigner recorded "Mr. Moonlight," the band's first studio album in eight years. In 1998, Gramm was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Surgery to remove the tumor was successful. In 1999, Gramm and his wife welcomed twins to their family, a girl named Natalie and a boy named Joseph. Foreigner will spend the month of June performing concert dates with another classic rock band, Bad Company. ("I Want To Know What Love Is" CDP-6450)
"The Godfather of Soul" James Brown will celebrate his 69th birthday on May 3rd. A pioneer of soul music, he~formed his first vocal group, The Famous Flames, in~1955. Ten years later, Brown recorded his first Top~10 single, "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag," which was followed by his biggest hit, "I Got You (I Feel Good)." In 1986, Brown was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. His fourth "Live At The Apollo" collection was released in 1995. The following year, he was among the headliners at the Summer Olympic musical festivities in Atlanta, Georgia. ("I Got You (I Feel Good)" CDP-4791)
Country singer Randy Travis will turn 43 on May 4th. At age 10, the North Carolina native began singing with his brother's band. Four years later, Travis made his professional debut performing in local clubs. In 1978, he recorded his first records on an independent label, and the following year, appeared on the Country chart with "She's My Woman." His big break in music came in 1985, when Randy signed with Warner Brothers Records and recorded the album "Storms Of Life." Among his numerous Number One hits are "Diggin' Up Bones," "Forever And Ever, Amen," "Hard Rock Bottom Of Your Heart," and "Look Heart, No Hands." Randy's 1996 album, "Full Circle," produced the chart singles "Would~I," "Are We In Trouble Now," "Price To Pay" and his cover of Roger Miller's classic tune, "King Of The Road." In 1998, Randy signed with DreamWorks Records and recorded his first CD for the label, "You and You Alone." In August of 1998, his former label, Warner~Brothers Records, issued the 10-song anthology CD, "Greatest #1 Hits." Randy released a bluegrass/gospel album called "Inspirational Journey" in 2000. He won two Dove Awards for that work. Randy recently recorded a duet with Tommy Shane Steiner. The track, titled "I Don't Need Another Reason," appears on Tommy's debut album, "Then Came the Night." ("Forever And Ever, Amen" CDP-512)
AWARDS PRESENTATIONS/WINNERS:
Michael W. Smith was the big winner at the Gospel Music Association's 33rd annual Dove Awards, presented on April 25th in Nashville, Tennessee. The singer took home six trophies, including Artist of the Year and Praise & Worship Album of the Year for his set called "Worship." The Georgia-based rock group Third Day received five awards, including its second consecutive Rock Group of the Year trophy and the Rock Album of the Year award for "Come Together." Third Day's lead singer Mac Powell was named Male Vocalist of the Year and Nicole C. Mullen received the Female Vocalist of the Year award. Toby McKeehan, a member of the gospel trio dc Talk, won five Dove awards, including his first for Producer of the Year. (Full list of winners at www.doveawards.com.)
Pop star Pink was a double winner at Nickelodeon's 15th annual Kids' Choice Awards. She received the Favorite Female Singer award and Favorite Song honor for "Get The Party Started." Other winners included Usher, who was named Favorite Male Singer; Destiny's Child, named Favorite Singing Group; the Baha Men, Favorite Band; and Jennifer Lopez, who lost in the musical categories, but was named Favorite Female Movie Star for her role in "The Wedding Planner."
TOUR DATES/INFORMATION:
On May 1st, Alanis Morissette will kick off a U.S. concert tour in San Diego, California. The outing is in support of her new album "Under Rug Swept," which has already sold three million copies worldwide. It marks Morissette's first tour in three years. Newcomer Ryan Adams will open shows on the first thirteen dates.
Pink will begin her first headlining tour on May 2nd in Phoenix, Arizona. The pop singer will be promoting her second album, "Missundaztood." Dates are currently scheduled through late June. (Also see Awards section.)
FACTS FROM THE PAST AND SUGGESTED MUSIC:
4/28/84 - The Judds' first Number One hit, "Mama, He's Crazy," entered the Country charts. The mother-daughter duo recorded sixteen Number One singles, sold more than 10 million albums, and won numerous industry awards. ("Mama, He's Crazy" CDP-1168)
4/28/90 - "A Chorus Line," Broadway's longest-running show, closed after 15 years and more than 6,000 performances. The musical received nine Tony Awards, as well as a Pulitzer Prize. ("A Chorus Line" CDP-2099)
4/30/83 - The original members of Manfred Mann reunited to perform a concert in London. The band is best known for its Number One singles "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" and~"Blinded By The Light." ("Blinded By The Light" CDP-295)
5/2/57 - Elvis Presley recorded his ninth Number One song, "Jailhouse Rock." The song spent seven weeks at the top of the charts and was featured in the film of the same name. ("Jailhouse Rock" CDP-26)
5/2/60 - Ben E. King left the Drifters to pursue a solo recording career. The following year, he recorded his most popular song, the Top 5 hit, "Stand By Me." ("Stand By Me" CDP-407)
5/4/59 - The first Annual Grammy Awards took place in Los Angeles, California. Among the winners were Domenico Modugno's "Volare" for Record of the Year and Song of the Year; Henry Mancini's "The Music From Peter~Gunn" for Album of the Year; Ella Fitzgerald, Best Vocal Performance, Female; and Perry Como, Best~Vocal Performance, Male. ("The Music From Peter~Gunn" CDP-952)
5/4/68 - Buffalo Springfield disbanded following a~performance in Long Beach, California. Stephen~Stills and Neil Young later teamed with David~Crosby and Graham Nash to form Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Jim Messina and Richie Furay formed Poco. ("For What It's Worth (Stop, Hey What's That Sound)" CDP-996)