Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/26/12

Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -

Bon Jovi will embark on a world tour next year in support of the upcoming album, What About Now, to be released in spring 2013. The band already has unveiled some Canadian dates for the Because We Can tour, running from February 13 in Montreal to April 5 in Winnipeg. With U.S. dates to be announced in the coming weeks, Bon Jovi will also tour Europe, the Far East, Africa, Latin America and Australia.

American Idol is set to return to FOX for its 12th season on January 16 and 17 with a two-night premiere, when fans will finally get to see new judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban in action.

Taylor Swift has created special limited-edition promotional items for fans in various major retail outlets. Target exclusively carries a Deluxe Edition of her new CD “Red.” But fans who buy “Red” at Walgreens outlets will also get more Taylor for their money. Taylor is also catering to her fans through the creation of The Taylor Swift Store in all Walgreens and Duane Reade locations. Those outlets will make items like Taylor-branded T-shirts and notebooks available for fan purchase. “Red” is off to a big start following its release on Monday. The album is projected to top next week’s Billboard 200 Album chart.

Carly Rae Jepsen could not have had a better 2012. To top off the year, “Billboard” has named the Canadian pop singer its “Rising Star” for 2012. The award acknowledges Jepsen’s breakout year with the smash success of her song “Call Me Maybe,” which was also named “Song of the Summer” by the magazine earlier this year. She will be presented with the honor at “Billboard’s” Women in Music event on November 30th. Katy Perry, who was named Woman Of the Year, will also be honored at the event. In a statement, Jepsen said she’s grateful for the honor because she grew up “listening to and being influenced by countless female artists.” She also said that she hopes to “inspire others” through her own music.

Apparently, music isn’t enough for Christina Aguilera. While attending the “Billboard” and “Hollywood Reporter” 2012 Film & TV Music conference on Thursday, the singer told E! she’s looking for more interesting acting parts. She tells the site that if she is going to go after her personal desire to dabble more in film, she wants to play “a crackhead on the street, or a drug addict.” She says she only wants to take roles that are “crazy and meaty and juicy.” Aguilera starred in the 2010 film “Burlesque” with Cher, but now she says she looking to do something “really outside” of herself, “outside of music.”

Britney Spears former associate Sam Lutfi has apparently moved on to another blonde musician. Music-News.com says Lutfi revealed in court this week that he’s co-managing Courtney Love and working with the rocker on a “possible motion picture or Broadway musical based on the Nirvana catalogue.” He went on to say that the project will tell the story of Love’s life with Kurt Cobain, but he added that it’s still in the early stages and he didn’t want to reveal any other details. Lutfi has been in court this week testifying against Spears and her family. He’s suing his former client and her parents for breach of contract, libel and unpaid management fees.

Meat Loaf has warmed up to Mitt Romney. He gave his endorsement to the Republican Presidential hopeful at a rally in the swing state of Ohio Thursday night. According to TheWrap.com, Meat performed a few songs at a high school football stadium in Defiance just ahead of a speech by Romney. In introducing the former Massachusetts Governor, the rocker said Romney was the “one man who will stand tall in this country and fight the storm and bring the United States back to what it should be.” He also said that in 2012 “this is the most important election in the history of the United States.” Country stars Big & Rich and Randy Owen of Alabama were also on hand for the event.

Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose admits that voting in California is not a high priority for him. But if he were to vote he would likely vote the way much of the state has voted in the past. In a rare TV interview on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Wednesday night, the notoriously reclusive rocker gave an endorsement of sorts to the current President. He told Kimmel if he were to cast a ballot for the upcoming election, quote, “I would lean Democrat, I would lean Obama.” Rose also said he hasn’t really voted, having banked on California’s tendency to vote Democratic to carry his vote forward. He said, “I’m not in a battleground state, so does my vote even matter?” Kimmel was quick to joke that Axl’s comments, “would make a great ‘Rock the Vote’ commercial.”