The closing ceremonies for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London featured the Spice Girls, George Michael, the Pet Shop Boys and Queen’s Brian May. Among other acts participating in the extravaganza -- Jessie J, Annie Lennox, The Who, Kate Bush, One Direction, Tinie Tempah and Paul McCartney. The show was widely praised by critics.
Country singer Randy Travis is in trouble with the law for the second time this year. On August 7, he crashed his car in a construction zone near his hometown of Tioga, Texas. A passerby found him lying naked in the middle of the road. Travis was charged with driving while intoxicated and retaliation or obstruction for threatening to shoot and kill the police officers who responded. Six months ago, Travis was charged with public intoxication after he was found sitting in his vehicle with a bottle of wine at a local church.
Blake Fielder-Civil, ex-husband of late British singer Amy Winehouse, is on life support in a London hospital. “They said they put him in a coma to help him and due to infection," explained Sarah Aspin, Fielder-Civil’s girlfriend. According to reports, Fielder-Civil arrived at the hospital after a drug and alcohol binge, which resulted in multiple organ failure. On August 9, Winehouse’s father tweeted, “Terrible news about Blake this morning. Remember Amy loved him. Let’s pray for his recovery.”
On August 14, soul legend Aretha Franklin will be inducted into the Gospel Music Association’s Gospel Hall of Fame in Hendersonville, Tennessee. This year’s other inductees include bluegrass artist Ricky Skaggs, gospel family band The Hoppers, contemporary Christian singer Dallas Holm, Christian rock band Love Song and the late television evangelist Rex Humbard.
The debut single by 2012 winner Phillip Phillips has received a huge sales boost thanks to the Summer Olympics. According the Nielsen SoundScan, “Home” was the Number One selling download with 288,000 copies purchased during the past week. NBC used the song in pieces it produced on the U.S. women’s gymnastics team. “Home” has sold a total of 884,000 downloads since its release in late May.
American boy band 98 Degrees has reunited to perform two concerts this week. On August 17, original members Nick Lachey, his brother Drew Lachey, Justin Jeffre and Jeff Timmons will make their first television appearance in more than a decade with a performance on the NBC The following day, 98 Degrees will perform at the inaugural MixTape Festival in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Pop newcomer Carly Rae Jepsen remains at Number One on chart again this week with “Call Me Maybe.” The song has spent nine weeks in the top spot to become this year’s longest-running chart-topper on that list. Digital sales of “Call Me Maybe” have reached more than five million downloads to date.
Rapper Rick Ross scores his fourth Number One album on the this week with “God Forgives, I Don’t.” British singer Joss Stone has the only other new Top 10 entry with “The Soul Sessions: Volume 2.” Re-entering the list at Number 5 is the Bee Gees’ 2004 compilation “Number Ones.” The boost was due to Amazon’s 99 cent sale of the 20-song collection.
“Based On a T.R.U. Story” by 2 Chainz
“Anastasis” by Dead Can Dance
“Story of Light” by Steve Vai
“Rock N Roll Revival” by Loverboy
“Mighty Death Pop” by Insane Clown Posse
“Just Tell Me What You Want - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac” by various artists
“Songs of the Century - An All-Star Tribute to Supertramp” by various artists
“Whippoorwill” by Blackberry Smoke
“Live: Rock in Rio” by George Michael
“Two Sides: The Very Best of Mike Oldfield” by Mike Oldfield
The “Teachers Rock” benefit concert takes place August 17 at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. Performers include Fun, Josh Groban, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks and Dierks Bentley. Proceeds from the show honoring America’s educators will go to DonorsChoose.org, Feeding America and Teach for America. “Teachers Rock” will be televised live on CBS.
The first MixTape Festival will take place August 17 and 18 in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Artists appearing at the event include Kelly Clarkson, The Fray, NKOTBSB (New Kids On The Block and the Backstreet Boys), Carly Rae Jepsen and The Wanted, among others.
