Demi Lovato will be releasing her new album, Here We Go Again, on July 21, 2009 but, for now, the Camp Rock star is focusing on delivering a great summer tour for her fans.

While some people seem determined to put together one show-stopping number after another in concert (indeed, some acts can’t come to my city because our venue isn’t set up to support their “technology” and I live in a major city!), Demi is focusing on the quality of her music and performance instead.

The 16-year-old Disney star told Billboard: "I’m not really one to have a lot of, like, crazy stuff on stage.  I feel like it’s more about the music, so I don’t want to take away from that."

The tour, which kicks off in Hartford, Connecticut on June 21, will mostly feature songs from her 2008 debut album Don’t Forget which, she explains, is a lot different from her new material.  "I think Don’t Forget was a lot more Jonas sounding.  It had a little more of their feel on it. But this album is just me."  She said that Here We Go Again is "a lot more soulful and personal" so I’m looking forward to seeing how she’s grown since her days of writing songs with the Jonas Brothers (although, one track called “Can’t Stop the World” was co-written with Nick Jonas).  I’m really intrigued by the two songs that were penned by John Mayer ("World of Chances" and "Shut Up and Love Me") since he really is one of my favorite songwriters and I believe he possesses the tenderness needed to write with a young woman like Demi.

She definitely sounds like she coming into her own: "I felt a little more confident this time, but I also felt like it was a little more pressure.  I feel like, for me, this is definitely a step forward. I was really, really nervous making the album, but I feel like it’s come together. I’m really, really, really excited about it."

image: Total Assault

After months (years?) of speculation, Whitney Houston, is finally releasing that “comeback album” we’ve all been waiting for.  It doesn’t have a title but the release date is September 1, 2009.

I’m happy for her and I hope this means that she is getting her life back on track and doing what she does best.  This is a woman who, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is "the most awarded female artist of all time" – she has six Grammy Awards but has amassed a total of 411 awards!

Now, instead of thinking of all the good songs she’s released or the amazing performances (my favorites are the concert in South Africa that was released on HBO and, of course, the National Anthem at the Superbowl), I just think of that dumb interview where she denied taking drugs and said “crack is whack” even though most of us could tell that she was already heavy into using something.

I remember when she got married to Bobby Brown.  Everyone was stunned when this “good girl” married the “bad boy” and people said that she’d either change his ways or he would be a bad influence on her.  His volatile behavior seems to have won out but, back in 2006, she left Bobby and sought treatment for her substance abuse problems.  They have just one child together, Bobbi Christina.

Whitney Houston has an incredible gift and I would love to see her back on top where she belongs.  It’s so sad to me when a single bad decision sets off a chain of events that derail even the best-laid plans but I’ve got high hopes for Ms. Houston.  Back in February, Clive Davis told MTV:  “You wait for the great songs to be written.  The great hits Whitney has given to the public for so many years — you keep encouraging and setting the bar."  I hope he’s right.

image: Bauer-Griffin

Garbage front woman, Shirley Mason, was planning on putting out a solo album, that has been put on hold indefinitely while she and her record label for common ground.

I played some of the stuff to the record label not long ago and they described it as being very noir. At the time, I took the comment as being a huge compliment. That they liked the intensity of my material. But then I realized it wasn’t intended as a compliment. But I’m 41, I’m a woman not a kid. I have no interest in making silly pop music and I don’t want to wear a silly sexy outfit and sell myself short. I’m sure it will all get sorted out in the end. But I do think record companies, in general, have different ideas about how they promote women. In the end, it is down to each and every woman to fight to be treated as an individual. I just want to be who I am.” [source]

In the meantime, Manson has landed a recurring role on the Fox series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles as perhaps the sexiest Terminator, EVAR. Critics are all up in arms about Manson’s character morphing from “about-to-be-peed-on urinal into a killing machine.”  Aside from successfully avoiding the yellow rain, she’s a sexy and sinister, terminating S&M wet dream.

It’s almost time for the Fashion Rocks benefit concert again and several big names have already signed up to perform. The ladies on this year’s line-up include Beyoncé, Fergie, Mariah Carey, Duffy and Rihanna.

Sponsored by CoverGirl, Verizon Wireless Kohl’s and several other large corporations, all proceeds from Fashion Rocks will benefit, Stand Up to Cancer.

Fashion Rocks will be held on September 5 at New York’s famous Radio City Music Hall and airs on CBS Tuesday, September 9th.

Stay tuned for updates as more artists are added to the line-up!

HT

b5Media’s Music Channel offers 38 tracks to get you through your Monday.

The selection is vast.  The tracks are ones we feel you should hear.  Discover music and let us know what we should be checking out. 
Have fun and welcome to a great selection of music.  

Every Monday should start off with some quality Jazz.  The Jazz and Blues Lounge is our online authority.  Keeping with the jazz era The Good Musician gives us two of the greatest of all time.  Finish your third cup of coffee and bring it upbeat a bit with either Pop and listen to some new Nelly w Fergie at Pop Music Scene or download two free metal tracks at Metal Martyr. 

From the world of 4 global music mecca’s….Jet-set half way around the globe for two must have Aussie tracks at Oz Music Scene.  Heading back to the new music mecca of America, Big Apple Music Scene gives you two tracks that should be on every iPod.  Down to one of America’s strongest indie cultures, Austin Sound Check gives us two tracks that you need to hear.  Toronto is a bustling and exciting music scene and Toronto Unplugged gives us two solid, soild tunes. 

Our online music resource Our Digital Music lets us in on two key tracks to download.  Anything with Dylan is good, but this Rock Dose is the best.  Christian Music Fan outlines two tracks within the Christian genre.  Ear Sucker always features a wide variety of quality music and these tracks are no different.   

After you coffee, enjoy a martini and crank up some good ol’ fashioned crooning by blasting these two gems from Crooner Culture.  No day is complete without some top notch classic rock - head to the Rock Relic for your rock fix.  After the magical mystery ride in rock, float over to New Age Vibe for two favorites.  New Age to Industrial Addiction for great cuts from that growing genre.   She Plays Music always has the inside track of women in music - here are two solid recommendations.  Punk Rock is alive and well!  News in Punk features two outstanding punk tracks.  Add a little Hippie to your day with these diamonds at Hippie Sounds.

Enjoy!

Image: Buy at AllPosters.com

There have been some very cool goings on at the Music Channel here at b5Meida. Check out what happened here in April:

• 52Bands featured the Barenaked Ladies band.
• Austin Sound Check already has the SXSW 2009 Dates.
• Big Apple Music Scene has a list of her favorite CD store in NYC.
• Brit Music Scene begs for BoyZone to give up.
• Christian Music Fan reviewed David Pettigrew “Every Minute Miracles”.
• Concord Crazy delved onto New Zealand’s Coat of Arms.
• Country Music Stop tells us about the Country Music’s 3 Muskeeters.
• Crooner Culture is not sure whether to believe or not that Marilyn Monroe has a sex tape.
• Ear Sucker is starting to get really sick of Mariah Carey.
• Hip Hop Roll confirms that it’s really hard out there for a pimp.
• Hippie Sounds posts her favorite hippie video of the week.
• Industrial Addiction is not surprised at Marilyn Manson’s sex change.
• Jazz and Blues Lounge teaches you how to create your basic jazz library.
• Killed By The Video Star is not impressed with John Mayer.
• Metal Martyr gives you major tips before getting your tattoo.
• New Age Vibe posts an interview with Steven Halpern.
• News In Punk has the track list from the Offspring new album.
• Our Digital Music shares the news on MSN Download shut down.
• Oz Music Scene gives Wyclef Jean a pat in back for setting a journalist straight during MTV Australia Awards.
• Pop Music Scene jumped on the Miley Cyrus Vanity Fair pictures bandwagon.
• Rumors In Music says there might be a Metallica online album.
• She Plays Music lists the Top 10 Bad Girls Of Music.
• The Beatles Invasion takes a look at the bitter rivalry between John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
• The Good Musician has 10 tips to power up your rehearsal techniques.
• The Production Side has the FYI on Lollapalooza.
• The Rock Dose has the Bob Dylan ‘Hard Rain’ video.
• The Rock Relic says it’s time to ROCK again.
• Toronto Unplugged reviews the Colin Meloy concert at the Phoenix.

HT: To Dexie at Pop Music Scene for the list.

I’m reading an interesting article right now about how some bands are offering up their music on flash drives in addition to CDs. Flash drives allow you to listen to music on your computer or download to your iPod. Plus, those who buy the flash drive will have access to extra bonus material later on down the line. For a fixed price you can keep coming back for more.

The musical flash drives will run about $30 each but that’s because at the moment, they cost more to manufacture. Some of the artists releasing music on flash drives include Erykah Badu’s February 28th release “Nu AmErycah”, Ringo Starr, Matchbox 20, Mars Volta and Jennifer Lopez.

I think it’s a great idea for those who still buy whole albums of music. In this day and age, a release has to be really, really good for me to buy the entire collection of songs, otherwise I just download the songs I like. Still, it seems like a natural progression.

Roseanne Cash is recovering at her home in New York City after having brain surgery for a rare, but benign condition called “Chiari Type I malformation.” This malformation of the skull affects the brain and spinal cord, so early intervention is key.

Roseanne actually had the surgery on November 27th and has been resting comfortably at home ever since. She’s expected to make a full recovery and hopes to resume touring in the spring.

Image via Google Images

Here’s a great gift for your favorite female rocker: a sexy Daisy Rock guitar. Now, I’m the first one to crinkle my nose at the stereotypical pink=women gear, but these guitars look hot. And I love the Daisy Rock slogan, “cute until you plug it in.”
Check out these guitars:

Pink Label:

Wildwood Acoustic Short Scale

Rock Candy Custom (Dark Star)

After a year of drama, Sara Evans was granted her divorce. In addition to reaching a custody agreement, Sara has agreed to pay her husband at least $500,000 in alimony over the next ten years.

“Both parties are fully committed to raising their children in a cooperative and positive way. Both parties are loving and caring parents,” said a brief statement filed with the court by the lawyers for both sides. “They request that everyone respect the family’s privacy.