Autumn is here. It’s time to welcome the colorful foliage, kids in school and, of course, the 60th Annual Emmys that took place on September 21. The fall brings us the third Annual BET Hip-Hop Awards, and the 58th Annual Country Awards gala.
BMI, known as Broadcast Music Inc, a performing rights organization, will hold its annual awards show in Nashville on November 11. This year Hank Williams Jr., who is known for a long string of hit songs that include “Family Tradition” and “All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down,” will be honored as an icon in country music. You may recall that I mentioned once that I met him when he performed at “Gilley’s” in Pasadena, Texas. The club doesn’t exist anymore; it was known for the mechanical bull and features in the film “Urban Cowboy,” starring John Travolta. The past honorees include Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, James Brown, Merle Haggard and the Bee Gees.
It must be something in the name, another honor this time is for two-time Academy winner Tom Hanks. The Film Society of Lincoln Center will honor the actor in its annual gala tribute. He will be feted on April 27, 2009 at Alice Tully Hall, which is currently being renovated; however, it is scheduled to reopen February 22. The 52-year-old Hanks won Best Actor Oscars for 1993’s “Philadelphia” and 1994’s “Forest Gump.”
All I need is love, or should I say inspiration. Patty Loveless has found inspiration from a queen of classic rock: Stevie Nicks. The 51-year-old country singer recorded Nicks’s Fleetwood Mac song “Silver Springs” for a new CD to raise money for the Imus Ranch, founded by WABC-AM (770) radio personality Don Imus and his wife Deirde to help ill children. The CD, which was released on September 16, included contributions from Delbert McClinton, Lucinda Williams, Levon Helm, Raul Maio, Little Richard, Randy Travis, Big and Rich, Willie Nelson, Dwight Yeakam, Bekka Bramlett, John Hiatt and Vince Gill.
Another inspiration for legendary singer Tom Jones is Amy Winehouse, who’ll be so lucky to make it to 30. Tom Jones, 68, who’s releasing his first album in 15 years, says he was turned on by Winehouse’s retro soul stylings. His new album, “24 Hours,” drops in November and includes two covers, including Bruce Springsteen’s “The Hitter.” On the single “Sugar Daddy,” Bono and the Edge perform.
In what can be called déjà vu of last September, 50 Cent and Kanye West will release new albums a week apart in December. An Interscope rep confirms 50’s “Before I Self Destruct” will arrive December 9, while West’s “808’s and Heartbreak” is due December 16 via Def Jam. It should be interesting. Last year, West’s “Graduation” easily outsold 50’s “Curtis,” both of which came out September 11.
In the book world, Oprah Winfrey announced on September 19 that she’d chosen David Wroblewski’s “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” as her latest book club pick, calling the novel a classic and the “best novel I’ve read in a long, long, long time.” The author, Wroblewski, worked on his novel for about a decade, a story of a mute boy who communicates best with his dogs. Another bio on the way is a memoir by Serena Williams that will be released in 2009 by Grand Central Publishing. The financial terms were not disclosed; however, we hear that the bidding reached at least $1.3 million.
Rose’s Scoop: Britney Spears’s trial for driving without a valid California license is set for next month.
