George Michael Tours U.S. This Summer

George Michael announced today that he will be touring the United States and Canada over the summer.

His tour starts in San Diego, CA on June 17 and ends in Sunrise, FL on August 3, with stops in Dallas, Montreal, Toronto, Seattle, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Boston along the way.

Before beginning his successful solo career as a music artist, George Michael performed with the band, Wham! in the 1980s.

Michael's Greatest Hits CD is being released in the United States on April 1, and is entitled "Twenty Five."

Underwood Invited to Join Opry

Carrie Underwood has been given an official invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry. She received the invitation from Randy Travis on Saturday.

The Grand Ole Opry is the longest, continuous running radio show in the country, established in 1925.

Underwood has been a country success ever since she won season four of American Idol.

MSN Music News reports Underwood remarking that the invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry was a complete surprise to her.

Her official induction into the Opry will be held on May 10.

ACM Award Nominees

The nominees for this year's Academy of Country Music Awards were recently announced, and include the following:

Entertainer of the Year Nominees:
Brad Paisley
Kenny Chesney
Rascal Flatts
Keith Urban
George Strait

Top Male Vocalist Nominees:
Rodney Atkins
Brad Paisley
Keith Urban
Kenny Chesney
George Strait

Top Female Vocalist Nominees:
Martina McBride
Miranda Lambert
Carrie Underwood
Taylor Swift
LeAnn Rimes

Top Vocal Group Nominees:
Eagles
Diamond Rio
Rascal Flatts
Little Big Town
Emerson Drive

Top Vocal Duo Nominees:
Big & Rich
Sugerland
Brooks & Dunn
Halfway to Hazzard
Montgomery Centry

Album of the Year Nominees:
5th Gear - Brad Paisley
If You're Going Through Hell - Rodney Atkins
Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift
Just Who I Am - Poets & Pirates
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend - Miranda Lambert

For the complete list of nominations for this year's Academy of Country Music Awards, please visit: http://www.acmcountry.com/content/index.php.

Woman Finds Bone Marrow Donor, Thanks to Rhianna

Some time ago, I posted about how Rhianna was helping a New York woman with leukemia find a bone marrow donor to save her life.

People magazine is now reporting that a bone marrow donor has been found for the leukemia patient, Lisa Geroshwitz-Flynn. She is reporting as writing, "The English language does not have words that are adequate to thank someone for working to save your life," in an e-mail she wrote to her supporters.

I think it is so wonderful when people take the time to help someone in need, celebrity or not. I'm thrilled that this woman and mother of two will have the opportunity to continue to live.

Jackson Writes Book About Weight Loss

Janet Jackson is co-authoring a book about weight-loss with her nutritionist, David Allen.

The book not only details what worked for Jackson in terms of dealing with her emotional eating and weight-loss, but her personal journey through dieting.

The book is set to release sometime later this year.

Avril Lavigne's New Fashion Line!

Avril Lavigne's new fashion line will be making its debut in the Kohl's junior department stores soon!

Lavigne named her fashion line after her childhood nickname, Abbey Dawn, Yahoo Music News reports.

Lavigne began her world tour earlier this month in Canada.

Whitney Houston Releases New Music

I don't know about the rest of y'all, but I haven't seen anything about Whitney Houston in ages, so I was surprised to see this bit of news.

Whitney Houston is currently working on another album, which is set for release later this year. Yahoo Music News reports her record company, BMG as asserting the album will be a holiday release. The album does not yet have a title.

CMA Announces Some Performers for Their Annual Music Festival

The Country Music Association is lining up performers for its annual festival, which is set to take place from June 5-8 this year.

Among the performers this year, Carrie Underwood, Jewel, Taylor Swift, Alan Jackson, Faith Hill, Rodney Atkins, Sugarland, and Kellie Picker will perform at the Music Festival.