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Return to Oz...

Brisbane Times: 22 years on, Whitney Houston returns to Brisbane

Whitney Houston will drop into Brisbane early next year as part of her 'Nothing But Love' Australian tour.

It will be the soul-pop diva's first tour Down Under since her 'Moment Of Truth Tour' in 1988.

Houston's chart-topping hits include Saving All My Love For You, How Will I Know, Greatest Love Of All, I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me), Didn't We Almost Have It All, So Emotional and Where Do Broken Hearts Go.

The promoters of the tour say The Bodyguard soundtrack is one of the top 10 biggest-selling albums of all-time and her career-defining version of Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You is the biggest-selling single in the United States.

In her upcoming tour Houston will perform her greatest hits alongside new songs from her recent album I Look To You.

She will be supported on the tour by former Australian Idol star Anthony Callea.

Houston will perform at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre at Boondall on February 22 next year.

Tickets go on sale on December 11. For more information, visit www.ticketek.com.au or phone 132 849.

UK Chart...

UK Chart Update for the week ending 5 December 2009:

MILLION DOLLAR BILL:
UK Singles Chart - Remains at No.28 (2 weeks) - 8 weeks on chart.

I LOOK TO YOU:
UK Album Chart - Down to No.46 (from No.36) - 6 weeks on chart.

THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION:
UK Album Chart - Down to No.58 (from No.48) - 31 weeks on chart.

Billboard Chart Update...

The Billboard update for the week ending 5 December 2009:

I LOOK TO YOU:
The Billboard 200 - Up to No.62 (from No.65) with Bullet - 12 weeks on chart;
Top Current Albums - Up to No.56 (from No.65) with Bullet - 12 weeks on chart;
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Up to No.7 (from No.9) with Bullet - 12 weeks on chart.

ONE WISH: THE HOLIDAY ALBUM:
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Catalog Albums - Remains at No.10 (2 weeks) - with Bullet - 37 weeks on chart.

MILLION DOLLAR BILL:
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Remains at No.19 (2 weeks) with Bullet - 16 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay - Remains at No.19 (2 weeks) with Bullet - 16 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult R&B Airplay - Up to No.2 (from No.6) with Bullet - 10 weeks on chart;
Hot Dance Club Play - Down to No.22 (from No.10) - 10 weeks on chart.

I LOOK TO YOU:
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Down to No.75 (from No.70) - 18 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay - Down to No.75 (from No.70) - 18 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult R&B Airplay - Down to No.21 (from No.20) - 18 weeks on chart;
Hot Gospel Songs - Remains at No.25 (2 weeks) - 13 weeks on chart.

Additional Charts reported in Billboard:

European Top 100 Albums: 'I Look To You' - Down to No.55 (from No.27) - 12 weeks on chart;
European Hot 100 Singles: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Down to No.70 (from No.54) - 7 weeks on chart;
Japan Hot 100 Singles: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Down to No.58 (from No.16);
Global Dance Tracks - Down to No.14 (from No.12) - 7 weeks on chart.

Dancing with the Stars...

Grammy Speculation...

Billboard: Grammy Awards 2010 Nominations Preview

Whitney Houston, like a true diva, returned to the Billboard 200 in grand style. "I Look To You" was Houston's fourth No. 1 album on the chart and first since the Houston-fueled "The Bodyguard" soundtrack spent 20 weeks at No. 1 in 1993.

On the album's title track, her first single in more than seven years, the lead single from her first album in seven years, Houston is both vulnerable and in control. The singer re-enters the spotlight with a stoic ballad about rising again after a fall from grace, with all the literal resonance that brings. Her comeback began at a pre-Grammy party before the 2009 awards, and she'll return for a victory turn in 2010.

Dancing Queen...

People: BALLROOM WHITNEY: Pop queen Whitney Houston graced the ballroom following Monday night’s live show. Houston was on hand to pre-tape two musical numbers, which will air during Tuesday night’s live results show. Ten of Dancing’s pros, including Lacey Schwimmer, strutted their stuff while Houston sang her popular 1980s anthem “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”

“She is literally an icon. We were rehearsing this morning and she walked in and we were all staring at her,” Schwimmer said after the performance. “It was like a goddess walked in. We talked to her and she was the nicest! She didn’t have to do that and she did. Who gets to dance for Whitney Houston, and to her biggest dance song? It was such a cool experience.” And Schwimmer says if Houston ever wants to come back as a contestant, “that would be awesome. If she did, all of the guys would be fighting over who gets to dance with her for sure!”

Whitney Houston at American Music Awards...

UK Chart Update...

UK Chart Update for the week ending 28 November 2009:

MILLION DOLLAR BILL:
UK Singles Chart - Down to No.28 (from No.19) - 7 weeks on chart.

I LOOK TO YOU:
UK Album Chart - Down to No.36 (from No.24) - 5 weeks on chart.

THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION:
UK Album Chart - Down to No.48 (from No.34) - 30 weeks on chart.

Platinum Travel Experiences...

WhitneyVip.com & WhitneyHouston.com:

See Whitney, See the World!
Platinum Travel Experiences by Fan Asylum

Whitney is back, her sensational new album, I Look To You is out and now it's time for YOU to connect with the excitement! Join your fellow Whitney fans as you take your reserved seat from the first and second rows in front of the stage! It's a hassle-free journey as we take care of your accommodations, get you to the show and escort you to your exclusive MEET & GREET with Whitney herself! Be among community as we look to Whitney for her dynamic return to the stage.

Travel Experiences available for Tokyo, Paris, Dublin, London, Hamburg, Munich and Antwerp.  Go to WhitneyVip.com or call Mon-Thu, 1:00PM-5:00PM Pacific Time: 1-415-575-6688
 

Clive Davis, Star Maker...

The Times today published an extensive interview with Clive Davis today during a short stop at London's Dorchester Hotel.  In the interview, Clive is listening to new Whitney Houston remixes (loud) and talks about his experiences with developing artists, including Whitney.

Read The Times' Interview with Clive Davis here.

Rehearsal...

Whitney Houston pictured rehearsing for her American Music Awards performance:

'Whitney Houston' 25th Anniversary Release...

Arista Records/Legacy Recordings Ready to Release Whitney Houston - 25th Anniversary Edition on Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Expanded 25th Anniversary Edition of Superstar's Groundbreaking Debut Includes Extra Tracks Plus DVD Showcasing Iconic Music Videos & Exclusive New Interviews

NEW YORK, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 19, 2010, Arista Records/Legacy Recordings will release the 25th Anniversary Edition of Whitney Houston, the astonishing debut album that catapulted a virtually unknown young artist into the upper reaches of pop superstardom in 1985.

The Whitney Houston - 25th Anniversary Edition CD/DVD package includes the international chart-topping original Arista album remastered in its entirety for the 25th anniversary along with five bonus tracks including Whitney's a cappella recording of "How Will I Know" plus a stunning live performance of "Greatest Love of All."

As an added bonus for fans, the 25th Anniversary Edition of Whitney Houston includes a new DVD collection featuring the four iconic music videos from the album as well as her breakout national TV debut singing "Home" (from The Wiz) on the Merv Griffin Show in 1983. Exclusive and newly filmed interviews with Whitney Houston and Clive Davis round out the bonus DVD portion of the Whitney Houston - 25th Anniversary Edition collection.

Originally released on Valentine's Day 1985, Whitney Houston entered The Billboard 200 at #166 the week of March 30. A year later, in April 1986, the album began its first seven week run at #1, then spending three weeks at #2 before reclaiming the top slot for a jaw-dropping second seven week stand. Whitney Houston became a fixture on The Billboard 200 for 162 weeks, including a record-breaking 46 weeks in the Top 10 and 14 non-consecutive weeks at #1.

The strength, beauty and power of the record's music including four chart-topping singles ("You Give Good Love," "Saving All My Love For You," "How Will I Know," "Greatest Love of All") have made Whitney Houston one of the best-loved and most enduring albums in pop music history. The planet's top-selling debut album ever released by a solo artist, Whitney Houston has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide while earning RIAA-certified 13x Platinum status in the US (in recognition of domestic sales of more than 13 million pieces).

With Whitney Houston earning the artist a Best Album Grammy nomination in 1986, Whitney Houston took home her first Grammy that year in the Best Pop Vocal, Female category for "Saving All My Love For You." Her performance on the Grammys won her an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety of Music Program. Whitney, who currently holds the record for most American Music Awards held by a solo artist (21), picked up her first seven AMAs, and an MTV Video Award, that same year.

Whitney Houston topped countless critic's polls and year-end lists including Rolling Stone, who named it 1986's Album of the Year. Billboard ranked Whitney Houston as the #1 album of the year and Whitney Houston 1986's #1 popular artist.

"I cannot believe it has been 25 years since my first album!," writes Whitney Houston in her exclusive letter to fans appearing in the packaging for the 25th anniversary release of her debut. "I could never have done this without the support, encouragement and unconditional love from my fans all over the world. I love you all!"

Since the release of her 1985 self-titled debut album, Whitney Houston has built and sustained an illustrious career, generating combined worldwide sales of more than 170 million albums, singles and videos. Cited by the Guinness Book of World Records as music's "most awarded female artist of all time," with an unsurpassed tally of 411 awards including 6 Grammy Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, 23 American Music Awards and 16 Billboard Music Awards Whitney Houston remains a singular force in music today.

In August of 2009, Houston's seventh studio album, the critically-acclaimed I Look To You debuted No. 1 in USA, Canada, Germany, Italy, Holland and Switzerland, marking the biggest first week's sales of her career in both the USA and the UK.

Whitney Houston - 25th Anniversary tracklisting

DISC 1 - CD

You Give Good Love
Thinking About You
Someone For Me
Saving All My Love For You
Nobody Loves Me Like You Do
How Will I Know
All At Once
Take Good Care Of My Heart
Greatest Love Of All
Hold Me (Duet With Teddy Pendergrass)

BONUS TRACKS
Thinking About You (Remix by Bruce Forest)
Someone For Me (Remix by Alan Coulthard)
How Will I Know (A cappella)
How Will I Know (Remix by Jellybean)
Greatest Love Of All (Live)

DISC 2 - DVD

"Home" - Whitney Houston's premiere performance on the Merv Griffin Show
"You Give Good Love" (promo music video)
"Saving All My Love" (promo music video)
"How Will I Know" (promo music video)
"Greatest Love Of All" (promo music video)
Interviews with Whitney Houston and Clive Davis on Whitney Houston

About Legacy Recordings

The multiple Grammy-winning Legacy Recordings, Sony Music Entertainment's catalog division, produces and maintains the world's foremost catalog of historic reissues, an unparalleled compendium of thousands of digitally remastered archival titles representing virtually every musical genre including popular, rock, jazz, blues, R&B, hip-hop, folk, country, gospel, Broadway musicals, movie soundtracks, ethnic, world music, classical, comedy and more.

www.legacyrecordings.com

SOURCE Legacy Recordings

Billboard Chart Update...

The Billboard update for the week ending 28 November 2009:

I LOOK TO YOU:
The Billboard 200 - Down to No.65 (from No.43) - 11 weeks on chart;
Billboard Comprehensive Albums - Down to No.71 (from No.49) - 11 weeks on chart;
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Down to No.9 (from No.8) - 11 weeks on chart.

ONE WISH: THE HOLIDAY ALBUM:
Top Holiday Albums - Re-Entry at No.50 - with Bullet - 13 weeks on chart;
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Catalog Albums - Re-Entry at No.10 - with Bullet - 36 weeks on chart.

MILLION DOLLAR BILL:
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Up to No.19 (from No.24) with Bullet - 15 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay - Up to No.19 (from No.24) with Bullet - 15 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult R&B Airplay - Up to No.6 (from No.7) with Bullet - 9 weeks on chart;
Hot Dance Club Play - Down to No.10 (from No.6) - 9 weeks on chart.

I LOOK TO YOU:
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Down to No.70 (from No.69) - 17 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay - Down to No.70 (from No.69) - 17 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult R&B Airplay - Down to No.20 (from No.15) - 17 weeks on chart;
Hot Gospel Songs - Down to No.25 (from No.17) - 12 weeks on chart.

Additional Charts reported in Billboard:

European Top 100 Albums: 'I Look To You' - Down to No.27 (from No.15) - 11 weeks on chart;
European Top 100 Albums: 'The Ultimate Collection' - Down to No.100 (from No.88) - 4 weeks on chart;
European Hot 100 Singles: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Down to No.54 (from No.41) - 6 weeks on chart;
Global Dance Tracks - Down to No.12 (from No.11) - 6 weeks on chart.

Whitney to tour Australia...

Same Same: Whitney Houston For Mardi Gras?
By Christian Taylor, 18th November, 2009

Whitney Houston is touring Australia in February next year, and today announced that she will be performing at Hope Estate Winery in the Hunter Valley on Saturday, 27 February 2010, smack bang in the middle of Mardi Gras season.

The full dates of her Australian tour have not yet been released. It will be her first tour since 1988.

Dubbed ‘The Voice’, Whitney Houston is the ultimate soul-pop diva. She has sold over 170 million records in a glittering career, producing world-famous tracks such as The Greatest Love Of All, Saving All My Love For You, I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me), My Love Is Your Love, and of course, I Will Always Love You – the theme track from her starring role alongside Kevin Costner in The Bodyguard.

Earlier this year Whitney released her comeback album I Look To You, re-instating her diva status. Listen to a stream of the album here.

But the question on the gay community’s lips – will she be performing at Mardi Gras? “We make announcements about performers in our own time – if indeed we choose to announce them,” says Head of Marketing at Mardi Gras, Damien Eames. “Until such point we won’t confirm or deny any speculation about who’s appearing.”

Tickets to Whitney’s Hope Estate Winery concert are on sale from 9am, 11 December through Ticketmaster. Diamond – $195, Gold – $165, Silver – $125 and GA – $95. Full National Tour Dates To Be Announced On 30 November 2009.

Houston Heading to Perth...

The West Australian: Houston heading to Perth

Whitney Houston is expected to perform in Perth after the diva announced dates in Sydney.

The singer, who is back in the charts with her new album, will travel to Australia as part of her I Look to You tour.

While she is playing a winery show at the Hope Estate Winery in The Hunter Valley, Houston is likely to perform at either Challenge Stadium or ME Bank Stadium when she visits Perth next year.

Dates for the Perth leg have yet to be announced but she will perform in Sydney on February 27.
 

Dancing With the Stars...

Zap2it: Whitney Houston to perform on 'Dancing With The Stars' Finale

She wants to dance with somebody!

Whitney Houston will appear on Dancing with the Stars -- not as a contestant, but as a performer on next week's finale.

An ABC rep confirms to Usmagazine.com that Houston, 46, will sing on the Nov. 24 finale.

I Look To You, Houston's seventh album (and her first in seven years) debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 in September, selling 305,000 copies in its first week.

The semifinals for the dance competition get underway Monday Nov. 16 with Joanna Krupa, Mya, Kelly Osbourne, and Donny Osmond in the final four.

'Dancing With The Stars' Song Unknown...

Access Hollywood: Whitney Houston to sing on 'Dancing With The Stars' Finale

No word yet on what song she will perform

After much speculation, Whitney Houston is headed to “Dancing With the Stars,” Access Hollywood has confirmed.

Houston will perform on the Nov. 24 season finale of the reality competition, ABC confirmed to Access on Monday.

Houston will join an illustrious season of guest performers that have included Susan Boyle, Michael Buble and Taylor Swift. This season — the ninth in the show’s history — has had a host of special moments including their tributes to Patrick Swayze and Michael Jackson, who both passed away earlier this year.

It was not clear which song Houston would be performing on the finale. Houston, however, is currently promoting her comeback album, “I Look To You.”

She will also perform on the American Music Awards, which airs on ABC on Nov. 22.

UK Chart Update...

UK Chart Update...

UK Chart Update for the week ending 21 November 2009:

MILLION DOLLAR BILL:
UK Singles Chart - Down to No.19 (from No.14) - 6 weeks on chart.

I LOOK TO YOU:
UK Album Chart - Down to No.24 (from No.13) - 4 weeks on chart.

THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION:
UK Album Chart - Down to No.34 (from No.28) - 29 weeks on chart.

Billboard Chart Update...

The Billboard update for the week ending 21 November 2009:

I LOOK TO YOU:
The Billboard 200 - Down to No.43 (from No.30) - 10 weeks on chart;
Billboard Comprehensive Albums - Down to No.49 (from No.33) - 10 weeks on chart;
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Down to No.8 (from No.6) - 10 weeks on chart.

MILLION DOLLAR BILL:
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Down to No.24 (from No.20) - 14 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay - Down to No.24 (from No.20) - 14 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult R&B Airplay - Up to No.7 (from No.9) with Bullet - 8 weeks on chart;
Hot Dance Club Play - Down to No.6 (from No.5) - 8 weeks on chart.

I LOOK TO YOU:
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Down to No.69 (from No.56) - 16 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay - Down to No.69 (from No.56) - 16 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult R&B Airplay - Down to No.15 (from No.13) - 16 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks - Up to No.28 (from No.29) - 14 weeks on chart;
Hot Gospel Songs - Down to No.17 (from No.15) - 11 weeks on chart.

Additional Charts reported in Billboard:

European Top 100 Albums: 'I Look To You' - Down to No.15 (from No.9) - 10 weeks on chart;
European Top 100 Albums: 'The Ultimate Collection' - Down to No.88 (from No.72) - 3 weeks on chart;
European Hot 100 Singles: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Down to No.41 (from No.26) - 5 weeks on chart;
Global Dance Tracks - Remains at No.11 (2nd week) - 5 weeks on chart.

American Music Awards...

Zap2it: Whitney Houston performing, getting award at AMAs

The American Music Awards has added Whitney Houston to its roster of performers, and she'll be picking up some hardware at the ceremony as well.

Houston is slated to perform the song "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" from her latest album, "I Look to You," at the AMAs, which will air Nov. 22 on ABC. It will be her first time performing at the awards in a decade.

"We're honored to have Whitney Houston back on the AMA stage after ten years," producer Larry Klein says. "She has won the most AMAs of any female artist in history and is without a doubt an international superstar."

Houston will also receive the American Music Awards International Artist Award at the ceremony. The honor has only been given occasionally in the 36-year history of the awards and recognizes artists who "have gone beyond the borders of their own country to be acknowledged for their superstar status around the globe."

Past recipients include Michael Jackson, Led Zeppelin, Rod Stewart, the Bee Gees, Madonna, Beyonce and Aerosmith.

Other performers scheduled for the AMAs include Rihanna, Adam Lambert, Green Day, Mary J. Blige, Lady Gaga, Eminem, Jay-Z and the Black Eyed Peas.
 

Whitney to perform & be honoured by American Music Awards...

OK! Magazine: Whitney Houston to Take the Stage at the AMAs

Whitney Houston will make her return debut to the American Music Award stage on Nov. 22, Dick Clark productions announced today. The diva will perform her latest hit “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength,” and will also be the recipient of the AMA International Artist Award, an honor presented only to those artists who have achieved worldwide fame.

The award is so unique that it has only been presented seven times in the 36-year history of the American Music Awards. Whitney will be the eighth artist to receive the honor, after Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Led Zeppelin, the Bee Gees, Aerosmith, Madonna and Beyonce.

“We’re honored to have Whitney Houston back on the AMA stage after ten years,” said American Music Awards producer Larry Klein. “She has won the most AMA’s of any female artist in history and is without a doubt an international superstar so it’s only fitting we honor her with the International Artist Award this year at such an important time in her career.”

Whitney has been nominated 37 times and won 21 AMAs in her career, more than any other female solo artist. She also holds a record with the King of Pop himself for the most AMAs won in a single year for 1992’s The Bodyguard Soundtrack. Michael Jackson’s record from 1983 was for his breakthrough album Thriller.

Whitney has been making many public performances since her comeback premiere on the Oprah Show, where she talked candidly about her days of drug abuse. Last month she went on Simon Cowell’s The X-Factor, the British equivalent of American Idol, where she experienced a wardrobe malfunction.

Despite the slip, Whitney held her head high and remains in a positive place in her life.

Other performances this year include Rihanna, Green Day, Shakira, Mary J. Blige, Keith Urban, Lady Gaga, Eminem, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, The Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry and Adam Lambert.

The 37th Annual AMAs airs Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

 

MSG...

whitneyhouston.com: Whitney Houston: The Greatest MSG show of All Time?

In 1968, the latest incarnation of Madison Square Garden opened in the heart of NYC. By the 1970s, the arena was the premier showcase for music's biggest stars.

With the '00s ending and MSG's renovation scheduled to begin in 2010, we have four decades of classic concerts and one question: What's The Garden's greatest show? Each week in November, MSG will give you a chance to vote on shows from each different decade. Last week was the 70’s, this week MSG is asking you to vote for your favorite show at The Garden during the 1980’s.

Whitney Houston made her Madison Square Garden headlining debut with two huge shows in 1987, August 8 and 9th. Be sure to go to MSG.com and vote for Whitney Houston as your favorite show at The Garden during the 80s.

Upcoming Decades to vote on include:
1990’s poll opens Monday, November 16
2000’s poll opens Monday, November 23

Alicia On Whitney...

CNN: Alicia Keys on Whitney Houston

Keys' creativity may be running freely on her new album, but some major artists are also benefiting from the overflow. She co-wrote the song "Million Dollar Bill" for one of the most anticipated comeback albums of the year: Whitney Houston's.

"I love being a part of Whitney Houston's comeback, and me and [producer] Swizz [Beatz] being able to get into the studio and create this sound for her and this song for her," says Keys. "She is such a dynamic force; it was really an honor and a pleasure."
 

UK Chart Update...

UK Chart Update...

UK Chart Update for the week ending 14 November 2009:

MILLION DOLLAR BILL:
UK Singles Chart - Down to No.14 (from No.8) - 5 weeks on chart.

I LOOK TO YOU:
UK Album Chart - Down to No.13 (from No.7) - 3 weeks on chart.

THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION:
UK Album Chart - Down to No.28 (from No.22) - 28 weeks on chart.

Whitney Houston Digital Remix Singles...

whitneyhouston.com: New Remixes Available Now!

Whitney's amazing new collection of remixes are available now exclusively on ShopWhitney.com!

The remixes will be available for download at all your favorite digital music retailers soon, but if you want to be the first to hear this amazing collection of remixes, there's only one place to get them: ShopWhitney.com!

X Factor Spend...

Mirror: X Factor guest stars Robbie Williams and Cheryl Cole had to pay thousands to perform on show

Desperate for a No1 or a career comeback? Then get a spot on the X Factor - if you can afford it.  Big name stars have to shell out tens of thousands of pounds to appear on the show.  But the money's well worth it, with guest appearances ensuring maximum exposure to recordbreaking audiences.

An X Factor insider revealed: "The performers have to pay their own production costs and it can be a small fortune.  "The money is spent on hiring dancers, costumes, extra lighting, lasers and any other special effects they require."

Top of the bigspenders' list is show judge Cheryl Cole, 26, whose lavish rendition of her solo debut, Fight For This Love, cost about £65,000 - and netted her a No1 single and album.

Alexandra Burke's high-energy production of her new single, Bad Boys, came in at around £60,000, while Whitney Houston's comeback performance of Million Dollar Bill after almost a decade out of the spotlight was about the same.

Bon Jovi's rendition of new single We Weren't Born To Follow on last Sunday night's show came in at about £30,000.  Westlife's performance of What About Now? - accompanied by an extravagant laser show - racked up a bill of around £57,000 and a No2 hit while JLS splashed out £55,000 for special risers to lift the front of the stage.

Low-key performances from Robbie Williams and Michael Buble cost between £30,000 and £40,000.

The insider said: "JLS had to bring in special risers while Cheryl and Alexandra had lots of dancers and Westlife had an amazing light show.

"These figures were the originally agreed budgets by the record companies but the actual performances may have cost even more. "But the labels are more than happy to cover the costs as it means their acts are getting exposure to audiences in their millions.  "Look at the success that Cheryl and Alexandra have had on the back on the show - both of them had No1 hits.  "It's a ratings juggernaut and the record companies know that and don't mind paying for it.  "They know it is money well spent, although I don't know if the same could be said for the shambolic performances by Robbie and Whitney.

"But let's be honest, where else could Bon Jovi be exposed to almost 16 million viewers on a Sunday night in November?"

Clive on Whitney's Oprah Interview...

NYU Washington Square News: Clive Davis visits namesake dept.
by Esther Tran-Le
Published November 5, 2009

Record producer Clive Davis spoke to NYU students for the first time yesterday at an event organized by his namesake department, the Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music.

Interviewed by Billboard magazine's editorial director, Bill Werde, Davis provided insight into his success and offered tips for aspiring producers.

Davis helped jump-start the careers of Whitney Houston, Aerosmith and Alicia Keys, among others. He is currently Sony Music's chief creative officer.

Werde noted that Davis had a knack for making hits out of a wide range of musical talents and genres as president of Columbia Records from 1967 to 1972. Davis said he changed Columbia's direction by making it more diverse.

"Each area was important. I learned not to specialize and to take music as it is," Davis said.

Davis also emphasized the importance of "honest development" — marketing talent appropriately without damaging credibility. For example, Davis said he was worried about letting Houston appear on Oprah Winfrey's show to speak about substance abuse, which he believed would have damaged her image, even if it provided her a temporary surge in popularity.

Additionally, Davis gave words of advice for up-and-coming music entrepreneurs.

"One, you need artists that are headliners, and two, the executive must be above the rest of the competition for his artist," Davis said.

Though Tisch professor Kobi Wu-Pasmore's class, "Curating Live Music Events," helped to bring Davis to NYU, the event's principle organizers were Sound CTRL co-founder Jesse Kirshbaum and Jason King, artistic director of the Clive Davis Department.

For Kirshbaum, having Davis speak to "a music and technology community" was the only way to go.
 

Billboard Chart Update...

The Billboard update for the week ending 14 November 2009:

I LOOK TO YOU:
The Billboard 200 - Down to No.30 (from No.20) - 9 weeks on chart;
Billboard Comprehensive Albums - Down to No.33 (from No.21) - 9 weeks on chart;
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Down to No.6 (from No.3) - 9 weeks on chart.

I DIDN'T KNOW MY OWN STRENGTH:
Hot Dance Club Play - Down to No.40 (from No.37) - 10 weeks on chart.

MILLION DOLLAR BILL:
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Up to No.20 (from No.22) with Bullet - 13 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay - Up to No.20 (from No.22) with Bullet - 13 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult R&B Airplay - Up to No.9 (from No.13) with Bullet - 7 weeks on chart;
Hot Dance Club Play - Down to No.5 (from No.1) - 7 weeks on chart.

I LOOK TO YOU:
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Down to No.56 (from No.39) - 15 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay - Down to No.56 (from No.39) - 15 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult R&B Airplay - Down to No.13 (from No.4) - 15 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks - Down to No.29 (from No.28) - 13 weeks on chart;
Hot Gospel Songs - Up to No.15 (from No.18) with Bullet - 10 weeks on chart;

Additional Charts reported in Billboard:

European Top 100 Albums: 'I Look To You' - Down to No.9 (from No.4) - 9 weeks on chart;
European Top 100 Albums: 'The Ultimate Collection' - Up to No.72 (from No.77) - 2 weeks on chart;
European Hot 100 Singles: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Down to No.26 (from No.15) - 4 weeks on chart;
Japan Hot 100 Singles: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Remains at No.81 (2nd week) - 9 weeks on chart;
Euro Digital Songs: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Down to No.12 (from No.6) - 4 weeks on chart;
Euro Digital Tracks: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Down to No.12 (from No.5) - 4 weeks on chart;
Global Dance Tracks - Up to No.11 (from No.14) with Bullet - 4 weeks on chart.

50 Great Voices...

NRP: Voice Your Opinion For NPR’s "50 Great Voices" Series
WEBWIRE – Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Vote Today; Top Vocalists To Be Included In Year-Long Series Beginning January 2010

Washington, D.C. -- Whitney Houston. Bob Marley. Edith Piaf. Placido Domingo. Busta Rhymes. Joni Mitchell. Whether influencing a genre or providing the soundtrack that defined a generation, each of these artists has established a firm place in music history. NPR is asking audiences to help decide which voices rise to the top for "50 Great Voices" -- a year-long exploration of iconic, distinct and memorable vocalists in recorded history, set to launch on-air and online in January 2010.

Voting is now open at the "50 Great Voices" site (npr.org/greatvoices): a striking interactive lets visitors listen to more than 100 nominated artists, and select their five favorites. Polling begins today and will remain open through November 16.

With "50 Great Voices" NPR is hoping to discover and rediscover awe-inspiring vocalists from around the world and across time. Last month, listeners and visitors to NPR.org were asked to nominate artists; NPR and a panel of experts whittled down the nearly 8,000 submissions to about 100 singers -- a mix of familiar names (we see you, Elvis Presley and Biggie Smalls) and surprising discoveries (like singer Alim Qasimov from Azerbaijan).

Audience votes will influence the final 50 artists to be profiled in the series -- which will spotlight the lives and legacies of these voices through radio pieces on all of NPR’s programs, and online at NPR Music. The music discovery web site will offer additional content for all of the featured artists, including archival material, live performances, interviews and news.

Russian Shows...

RIA Novosti: Whitney Houston to kick off world tour with 2 Russian shows

MOSCOW, November 3 (RIA Novosti) - Whitney Houston, who in September released a new album after years of silence, will start her world concert tour with two shows in Moscow and St. Petersburg in December, the concerts' organizers said on Tuesday.

"Whitney Houston will perform two exclusive concerts in Russia," the organizers said in a statement, adding the first concert was to take place at Moscow's Olympiisky Arena on December 9, and the second was to be held at the Ledovy sports complex in St. Petersburg on December 12.

"The winner of six Grammy Awards will present to the Russian audience her new album, I Look To You, which was issued in 2009 and had already become a bestseller in the American record market," the organizers said.

The album marked the resumption of Houston's singing career after the seven-year break.

Besides her new singles, mainly Whitney-style ballades, the famous singer will also perform her greatest hits, such as I Will Always Love You, Queen Of The Night, and My Love Is Your Love.

"The upcoming concerts in Russia will prove that Whitney has the right to be called a legend and a [music] goddess," the concerts' organizers said.

After the two December shows in Russia, Houston is also scheduled to visit Japan, Britain and Germany in February, April and May.

The 46-year-old entered the Guinness Book of World Records as "the most awarded female artist of all time." During her singing career, which started when she was 11, Houston has won six Grammy Awards, 15 Billboard Music Awards, 21 American Music Awards, two Emmy Awards, and many other music prizes.

She is also known as an actress, particularly for starring opposite Kevin Costner in the 1992 box-office smash The Bodyguard. Her songs from the movie, in which she played a singer, were also worldwide hits.

The star's previous album, called Just Whitney, was released in 2002.

Can't Spell Whitney Without H-I-T...

Billboard: Chart Beat

CAN'T SPELL WHITNEY WITHOUT H-I-T: In addition to Boyz II Men's bow, the Adult R&B chart sports a milestone mark for another format cornerstone.

Whitney Houston enters a four-way tie for most Adult R&B top 10s (13) among women in the chart's history, as "Million Dollar Bill" bounds 13-9. With the advance, Houston equals the chart-best top 10 totals of Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton and Mariah Carey.

When the Adult R&B tally first appeared in Billboard's pages in the issue dated Sept. 18, 1993, all four artists graced the list. That week, Braxton reigned with "Another Sad Love Song," Carey ranked at No. 7 with "Dreamlover," Houston showed at No. 31 with "Run to You" and Blige occupied the No. 35 slot with "Love No Limit."
 

Australian Interview...

Whitney Houston was interviewed for Australian TV show 'Sunday Night' by local host Molly Meldrum.  In the short interview, Whitney talks about returning to singing and that X Factor performance.

People's Choice...

whitneyhouston.com: Vote for Whitney Houston at People's Choice Awards 2010

Nominations for the People's Choice Awards 2010 are open. The top five with the most votes in each category will become the official nominees. Let's all get out and vote for Whitney Houston!

You can scroll down and use the category finder or for faster voting, jump straight to the music section. Click on Whitney's name for favorite female artist, R&B female, and you can even write her name in for pop female as well. Happy voting!

UK Chart Update...
 

UK Chart Update...

UK Chart Update for the week ending 7 November 2009:

MILLION DOLLAR BILL:
UK Singles Chart - Down to No.8 (from No.5) - 4 weeks on chart.

I LOOK TO YOU:
UK Album Chart - Down to No.7 (from No.3) - 2 weeks on chart.

THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION:
UK Album Chart - Remains at No.22 (2nd week) - 27 weeks on chart.