British rock group Coldplay enters this week's Billboard 200 chart atNumber One with its latest release, Viva La Vida or Death and All HisFriends. The album sold 721,000 copies in its first week. Billboardreports that this marks the first time since March 2005 that two albumshave sold more than 700,000 copies in consecutive weeks. Last week,rapper Lil Wayne became the first artist in more than three years tosell more than one million copies in the opening week.

Britney Spears (file photo)

On June19, Britney Spears and her ex-husband Kevin Federline were in court foranother child custody hearing. The judge ruled in Britney's favor toexpand visitation with her two young sons. She's now allowed to have onemonitored overnight each week with her children. Federline was givenfull custody of two-year-old Preston and one-year-old Jayden inJanuary. Following the hearing, Kevin's lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan,said, "Kevin has always been willing to jointly parent these children. He felt confident that the conditions satisfied his concerns."

Ruben Studdard

Two American Idol finalists are in the news. Season 2 winner RubenStuddard applied for a marriage license in Columbiana, Alabama on June23. His representative confirmed that he plans to wed Surata ZuriMcCants on June 28. And, season 6 "American Idol" runner-up BlakeLewis has lost his recording deal with Arista Records. His debutalbum, "Audio Day Dream," sold 300,000 copies. Lewis claims Aristadidn't promote the album properly. The label said, "We wish him thebest of luck in his future endeavors."

47-year-old Britishsinger Boy George planned to begin a 24-date North American tour onJuly 11. The State Department has turned down his visa request,however, because he's scheduled to stand trial in London later thisyear. The charges stem from his arrest in April 2006. A male escortfrom Norway accused him of false imprisonment and assault.

TheNashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation has announced the 15nominees being considered for induction later this year. The 10nominees in the Songwriter category include Matraca Berg, Paul Craft,Kye Fleming, Larry Henley, John Jarrard, Bob Morrison, Mark D. Sanders,Tom Shapiro, John Scott Sherrill and Sharon Vaughn. Five additionalnominees appear in the Songwriter/Artist category. They are PaulDavis, Larry Gatlin, John Hiatt, Johnny Horton and Tony Joe White. The2008 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony will takeplace in Nashville on October 26.

NEW ALBUM RELEASES

Newalbums scheduled for release on July 1 include: "Where The Light Is:John Mayer Live in Los Angeles" by John Mayer, "Forgiven" by Los LonelyBoys, "Identified" by Vanessa Hudgens, "Hole In The Sun" by NightRanger and "Girlicious" by Girlicious.

MUSICAL EVENTS/FESTIVALS/BENEFITS

Kanye West

The2008 Essence Music Festival will take place in New Orleans, LouisianaJuly 4-6. The 14th annual event will feature performances by KanyeWest, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Jill Scott, Irma Thomas, Angie Stone,Ledisi, Rihanna, and many others.



AWARDS PRESENTATIONS/WINNERS

Alicia Keys

AliciaKeys and Chris Brown won the Best Female R&B Artist and Best MaleR&B Artist honors at the 2008 BET Awards, which were handed out onJune 24 in Los Angeles. Other winners in the music categories includedUGK for Best Group, Marvin Sapp for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, TheDream for Best New Artist and Kanye West for Best Male Hip-Hop Artistand Best Collaboration for "Good Life," an award he shared withT-Pain. During the ceremony, Quincy Jones received this year's BETHumanitarian Award and soul legend Al Green was given the LifetimeAchievement Award.

TOUR DATES AND INFORMATION

On July 1,the "American Idols Live" tour will begin in Glendale, Arizona. The50-date trek will feature this year's Top 10 finalists Michael Johns,Kristy Lee Cook, Jason Castro, Syesha Mercado, Brooke White, CarlySmithson, Chikezie Eze, David Archuleta, Ramiele Malubay and winnerDavid Cook. Concerts will wrap up in Tulsa, Oklahoma on September 13.

John Mayer

Pop/rocksinger John Mayer finishes his European tour on June 29. Two dayslater, he'll begin the North American leg. The first stop is atMilwaukee, Wisconsin's July 2 "Summerfest." Thirty more concerts arescheduled through August 31.

After wrapping up European showswith Avril Lavigne on June 28, the Jonas Brothers will return to theU.S. to kick off their headlining North American "Burning Up" tour. Dates begin on July 4 in Toronto. The Jonas Brothers' third album, ALittle Bit Longer, is due out on August 12.