Arch MUSIC NEWS for 11/15/12

Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -

Stevie Wonder is set to perform a tribute to Dick Clark at the 40th Anniversary American Music Awards on Sunday. Wonder will take the stage in honor of the late TV and radio personality, who created the American Music Awards in 1973. Wonder joins a performance lineup that already includes Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, Linkin Park, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Ke$ha, Psy and Carly Rae Jepsen. The awards will be broadcast live on ABC on November 18 at 7 p.m. CST.

Dave Matthews Band is helping the victims of Hurricane Sandy by turning their tour-opening concert in New Jersey into a benefit show, pledging $1 million to regional recovery efforts. According to a statement, all proceeds from the November 30 show at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ will be donated to Bama Works Sandy Relief Fund, including ticket sales and merchandise

Maroon 5 is now one week away from unseating Carly Rae Jepsen on the Single of the Year throne. Billboard.com reports the pop-rockers’ hit “One More Night” is number one on the Hot 100 for ninth frame this week, which puts it in a tie with the Canadian pop star’s “Call Me Maybe” for 2012′s longest-reigning chart-topper.

Mariah Carey and Cee Lo Green will help bring in the Christmas spirit on this year’s “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” on NBC. The network announced on Wednesday that the two have signed on for the special, along with Rod Stewart, Trace Adkins, Victoria Justice, and “The Voice” season two contestant Chris Mann. Billy Crystal and Bette Midler will also be making special appearances. On Wednesday, an 80-foot-tall, 50-foot-wide Christmas tree arrived at Rockefeller Center ready to be lit up with thousands of lights to bring in the holiday season. This is the 80th year of the tree lighting tradition. NBC’s presentation of “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” will air Wednesday, November 28th on NBC.

Kelly Clarkson says she sometimes has a hard time listening to her older songs because “they just use so much autotune when it’s not needed.” She says that she finds that she sounded “so different” and “so young” when she goes back and listens to songs like “Miss Independent.” It’s been a decade since she won the first season of “American Idol” and has put out five albums since. She’s also picked up two Grammy awards. Next Tuesday is the release of Clarkson’s first greatest hits album “Greatest Hits – Chapter 1,” which will include hits like “Stronger,” “Since U Been Gone,” and “Behind These Hazel Eyes.” The album has two new songs as well, “Catch My Breath” and a duet with Vince Gill called “Don’t Rush.” Clarkson will also be performing at this Sunday’s American Music Awards on ABC.

Jon Bon Jovi has yet to comment on his family drama. His 19-year-old daughter is reportedly OK but facing charges after allegedly overdosing on heroin at her upstate New York college. TMZ.com says police responded to a dorm room at Hamilton College early Wednesday after someone reported Stephanie Rose Bongiovi as unresponsive. Emergency medical personnel on the scene found Stephanie alive. Police say they also found a “small quantity” of heroin along with marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Stephanie, the oldest of Jon Bon Jovi’s four children with wife Dorothea Hurley, was arrested on misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and criminally using drug paraphernalia. She’s been ordered to appear in court at a later date. TMZ says another student, a 21-year-old man, was also arrested and charged with drug possession.

Rolling Stones fans are now getting the chance to see the band’s new documentary. “Crossfire Hurricane” is having its broadcast debut on HBO tonight. The group teamed up with director Brett Morgen on the project, which commemorates the band’s 50th anniversary.

Van Halen is keeping its word — on two fronts. As promised, the group will return to action next year, and they will go to Japan. Pollstar.com says Van Halen has set make-good dates for their missed Japanese shows. The group will perform in Tokyo on June 21st and play a two-night stand in Osaka on June 24th and 26th. Rumors began to surface about the band’s stability earlier this year after Van Halen scrapped the second leg of their North American tour. At the time, band members said they weren’t splitting up but they just needed a break. Van Halen originally intended to resume touring this month with shows in Japan. However, those plans changed over the summer when Eddie Van Halen needed emergency surgery following a severe bout of diverticulitis.

A CD edition of John Mellencamp and Stephen King‘s musical “Ghost Brothers of Darkland County” is on the way. Elvis Costello is among the performers taking part in the project. He provides the voice for the devil-like character “The Shape” on the song “That’s Me.”  T Bone Burnett served as musical director for “Ghost Brothers,” which had its premiere in Atlanta earlier this year. He joined Mellencamp and King in assembling an all-star cast for the album, which features songs from the musical along with key sections of dialog. Sheryl Crow, Kris Kristofferson, Rosanne Cash, Matthew McConaughey and Meg Ryan are some of the stars featured on the project.  In addition to the single CD, “Ghost Brothers” will be available as a deluxe three-disc set featuring the music and dialog disc, a music-only CD, and a DVD with a “Making of Ghost Brothers” mini-documentary and interviews with Mellencamp, King, and Burnett along with other bonuses. “Ghost Brothers” is slated for release on March 19th.