Oscar winner Hudson ready for her CD close-up

Reuters - Fri Aug 8, 11:05 PM ET

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Jennifer Hudson doesn't drink coffee. Doesn't like it, she says. Doesn't need it, counters her manager, Miguel Melendez.

Solange realizes "Dreams" on her own terms

• Reuters - Fri Aug 8, 8:34 PM ET

  NEW YORK (Billboard) - The opener on singer Solange's sophomore album, "Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams," is a track titled "God Given Name," on which the 22-year-old artist reminds fans and skeptics alike that she's her own woman -- no matter how tempted people may be to compare her to her superstar sibling Beyonce.

Country rock band Calexico stakes out new frontiers

• Reuters - Fri Aug 8, 8:33 PM ET

  NEW YORK (Billboard) - Over the past decade, many people have heard the band Calexico without knowing who they were listening to. Its Tex-Mex country rock sounds have been featured on countless NPR segment segues and Starbucks compilations.v

Singer Benet embraces classic R&B on new hit

• Reuters - Fri Aug 8, 8:33 PM ET

  LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Relaxing after a mixing session for his forthcoming live DVD, R&B singer Eric Benet recalls the conversation that inspired his latest single, "You're the Only One."

Chuck Berry's house rocks

• AP - Fri Aug 8, 7:41 PM ET

  ST. LOUIS - A modest, one-story red-brick house that rock and roll legend Chuck Berry bought in 1950 will be considered for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

Actor Howard tackles new role: recording artist

• Reuters - Fri Aug 8, 6:58 PM ET

  LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - It's 6:30 p.m. on a Friday in Los Angeles. The car ferrying actor Terrence Howard has just left the landmark Orpheum Theatre, the downtown backdrop for such movies and TV shows as "Dreamgirls" and "American Idol." It's where Howard will return the next morning to direct the video for "Sanctuary," the soulful love ballad/lead single from his debut album, "Shine Through It."

Songwriter Scott puts down his pen for new album

• Reuters - Fri Aug 8, 6:02 PM ET

  NASHVILLE (Billboard) - Why would former ASCAP songwriter of the year Darrell Scott, who has penned hits for Travis Tritt ("It's a Great Day to Be Alive"), Dixie Chicks ("Long Time Gone") and Sara Evans ("Born to Fly"), record an album of songs he didn't write?