Music News & Notes

New Sugarland Release

Sugarland has begun writing new material for their new release, and so far, the sound will be a bit different than what fans have come to expect from the country duo. "We've written like six songs and none of them are country songs yet," said guitarist Kristian Bush.

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Snoop Dogg News

Snoop Dogg is said to be eyeing a September release for his next album, "Malice in Wonderland." The rapper told Billboard that longtime collaborator Dr. Dre will also be working on the project. Snoop added that his fans should "keep your eyes and ears open for Snoop Dogg. I'm coming to a hood near you." Snoop's new MTV show, "Dogg After Dark," premieres Feb. 17.

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Good Charlotte Album

Good Charlotte's Benji Madden has told Billboard that the group will be aiming for a fall release for its next Epic album. Expect "more straightforward rock, maybe taking it back to our first or second record," he said. Madden is especially stoked and excited about the song "Love Ain't Easy," which he promised is "really catchy. We love the catchy hooks."

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Young Jeezy Confident

Young Jeezy told Billboard he's working on his next album but was not revealing the specifics. "I'll have some features but I kinda want to hold that up for a minure," he said. Jeezy also stated that he's not worried about the continual sales decline for hip-hop because he's "an entrepreneur," citing endorsement deals with Belvedere vodka and Adidas.

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Happy Eagles

The Eagles have been continuing to tour long and hard in support of their 2007 smash release "Long Road Out of Eden," which has sold more than 3.2 million copies so far. "I thought it would do fairly well, but it did extremely well," group member Timothy B. Schmit said.

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J. Geils Band Doing Single Reunion Show

It's reported that the J. Geils Band is reuniting, but for one show only. They will help open the new "House of Blues" in Boston on February 19. Peter Wolf, Magic Dick, Seth Justman, Danny Klein and Jay Geils have not played together regularly since 1985, only a handfull of benefits, and have not played one of those in ten years.

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Dancing With Belinda

Dancing With the Stars is welcoming Belinda Carlisle to the popular TV show. The ex-Go Go's singer has been announced as one of the contestants for the new season of the ABC program, which kicks of March 9. Also competing are fellow musician's Jewel and Lil' Kim, in addition to Chuck Wicks, David Alan Greer, Nancy O'Dell, Lawrence Taylor, Shawn Johnson, Gilles Marini, Steve-O, Denise Richards and Steve Wozniak.

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Ailing UFO Member Taking Time Off

Pete Way, founding member and bassist for UFO, Pete Way will be taking some time off from the band due to illness (liver damage). It's reported that the rockers will use a temporary replacement for the recording of their new album, expected later in the year.

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New Green Day Release

Green Day forthcoming album, called 21st Century Breakdown according their official Website, is set to be released in May.

Warner Music confirmed the title and is now accepting pre-orders for the album at the early-bird price of $11.99. According to AP magazine, the new LP will feature 16 songs spread across three Acts: Heroes and Cons, Charlatans and Saints and Horseshoes and Handgrenades.

Among the reported song titles include the title track, “Viva La Gloria,” “Know Your Enemy” and “March of the Dogs.” It's also been revealed that Butch Vig would produce the album. Vig is noted for helming Nirvana’s Nevermind and the Smashing Pumpkins’ Siamese Dream.

The album will be the band’s first since 2004’s highly-acclaimed "American Idiot," which went on to win Best Rock Album at the 2005 Grammys, while “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” won Record of the Year at the 2006 event.