Pearl Jam [ tickets ] has launched its "2006 Carbon Portfolio Strategy," a plan the group says is an effort to mitigate its own tour-related carbon emissions while "raising the public's carbon consciousness."

As part of the strategy, the band will donate a total of $100,000 to nine organizations working in the fields of climate change, renewable energy and the environment.

"We established the Carbon Portfolio Strategy in the hopes of creating new models for businesses like ours looking to invest in the future health of our planet and its delicate ecosphere," Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard said in a press release. "Our Carbon Portfolio Strategy unites the combined efforts of nine diverse groups all approaching the issue of carbon in distinctive and unique ways. We hope that by highlighting and creating a commons for these groups, we can help to advance a broad and synergistic strategy that encourages preservation of existing ecosystems, restoration of degraded environments, and broad stimulus for clean, renewable energy technologies."

Chris Daughtry [ tickets ], a contestant on the fifth season of the Fox-TV talent show "American Idol," has signed a recording deal with 19 Recordings/RCA, the label that also signed winner Taylor Hicks and runner-up Katharine McPhee.

According to a press release issued by the label, the singer has enlisted the help of "A-list collaborators," and has begun work on his debut album, which should be in stores by the end of the year.

Daughtry and nine other "Idol" finalists are currently traversing North America on the "American Idols Live" tour.

Contemporary Christian singer Amy Grant [ tickets ] will issue her first live album in 25 years on Sept. 26.

The set, dubbed "Time Again ... Amy Grant Live," will be issued as both a CD and as a DVD. The set was filmed and recorded live at Bass Hall in Fort Worth, TX.

Bluegrass outfit The Grascals [ tickets ] will issue a new studio album, "Long List of Heartaches," on Aug. 29. George Jones, Dierks Bentley, The Jordanaires and Steve Wariner are among the guest performers who appear on the set.