By Mary
Morningstar from Washington
Jackson
Estate Earns $310 Million
The
Associated Press reports that Michael Jackson’s estate generated $310 million
from the time of his death in June 2009 through December 2010. Executors plan to distribute an initial $30
million to Jackson’s mother Katherine and his three children, Paris, Prince and
Michael (a.k.a. Blanket). Some of the
money is also being donated to charities.
A court hearing to approve the plan is set for September 28.
Fox
Premieres X Factor
On
September 21, the U.S. version of Britain’s singing competition, “The X
Factor,” will launch on FOX-TV. The
winner, who will be announced on December 22, receives $5 million and a
recording contract with Syco/Sony Music.
The show’s four judges are Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid, Nicole Scherzinger
and Simon Cowell.
SuperHeavy
CD Features Mick Jagger, Joss Stone
A&M
Records released the self-titled debut album by SuperHeavy on September
20. The group features Rolling Stones
frontman Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, British soul singer Joss
Stone, Indian artist A.R. Rahman and reggae star Damian Marley. Jagger describes the multicultural
collaboration as “an unknown genre,” but adds that “it’s accessible and
structured.”
Tony
Bennett Drops 'Duets II' CD
Columbia
Records released Tony Bennett’s 17-track collaborative album, Duets II, on
September 20. The collection follows his
2006 million-selling, double Grammy-winning “Duets: An American Classic.” Artists featured on his new album include
Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Willie Nelson, Michael Buble, Norah Jones and the
late Amy Winehouse, among others. Amy’s
duet with Bennett on “Body and Soul” is the album’s lead single. Proceeds from its sales will go to a
foundation Winehouse’s father created in her name. The foundation offers programs to keep young
people off drugs.
New
NYC Ballet Show Features McCartney Score
The
premiere of the New York City Ballet’s “Ocean’s Kingdom” will take place on
September 22. Its score was written by
former Beatle Paul McCartney. This marks
the first time McCartney has written music for dance. The Ocean’s Kingdom soundtrack, performed by
the London Classical Orchestra, will be released on October 4.
In
other Paul McCartney news…
The
MusiCares Foundation has announced that he will be honored as its 2012
MusiCares Person of the Year. McCartney
will be recognized for his creative accomplishments and charitable work at
MusiCares’ 22nd annual benefit gala on February 10th, 2012. McCartney says, “I’ve been given a great gift
- a life making music - and it’s my privilege to try to make the world a better
place by giving back. For more than 20
years, MusiCares has helped so many music people in times of crisis - whether
with emergency financial assistance or access to addiction recovery resources -
and it is an honor to be recognized as the 2012 MusiCares Person of the
Year.” And, there’s also good news in
McCartney’s personal life. He and
fiancée Nancy Shevell will soon be married.
Although the exact date is unknown, they announced that the ceremony
will be held at the Old Marylebone Town Hall.
McCartney married his first wife, the late Linda Eastman McCartney, at
the same venue in 1969.
Dean
Martin Re-Release Includes Duet with Scarlett Johansson
On
September 20, Universal Music released the 2011 edition of the late Dean
Martin’s My Kind of Christmas album. The
collection features a newly recorded virtual duet of the holiday classic “I’ll
Be Home For Christmas” with actress Scarlett Johansson.
New
Album Releases September 20
“Unbroken”
by Demi Lovato
“Sweeter”
by Gavin DeGraw
“TM103”
by Young Jeezy
“Letters
From the Fire” by Fuel
“Night
of Hunters” by Tori Amos
“Coast
To Coast” by Cody Simpson
“The
Reckoning” by NeedToBreathe
“Mockingbird
Time” by The Jayhawks
“PJ
20” by Pearl Jam
Musical
Events/Festivals/Benefits:
The
inaugural “iHeartRadio Music Festival” will take place September 23 and 24 at
the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Tickets to the two-day event sold out within 10 minutes. American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest will host the
festival. Performers include Lady Gaga,
the Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Clarkson, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Bruno Mars, Kenny
Chesney, Carrie Underwood, and many others. ---VOA News
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