Briefly: Usher, Tom Petty, Lollapalooza, Survivor
R&B star Usher will make his Broadway debut on Aug. 22, playing the role of lawyer Billy Flynn in the musical "Chicago."
"I have always admired Broadway actors for their showmanship, dedication and focus that goes into performing live on stage every night," Usher said in a press release. "Being on Broadway allows you to connect to audiences in a whole new way that's different from music and movies."
Usher will appear in the production through Oct. 1.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers have beefed up their summer itinerary with a Sept. 26 gig at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The Strokes will open.
Petty and his band are also scheduled to make a July 20 appearance on NBC-TV's "The Tonight Show."
My Morning Jacket has joined the bill for this year's Lollapalooza festival, set for Aug. 4-6 at Chicago's Grant Park.
Among the dozens of acts also set to perform are The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kanye West, Manu Chao, Wilco, Death Cab for Cutie, The Raconteurs and The Flaming Lips.
Robin McAuley, formerly of McAuley Schenker Group, has replaced Jim Jamison as the lead singer for Survivor.
Jamison had fronted the group since 1984, after original frontman Dave Bickler suffered vocal problems on tour.
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Festival Guide: Mile High Music Festival, Commerce City, CO [June 2008]
Madonna's "Confessions on a Dance Floor" tour
The Duke Spirit on stage and in the studio
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with Stevie Nicks
Metallica at the KROQ Weenie Roast in Irvine, CA
R.E.M. at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA
Herbie Hancock at the Sonoma Jazz Festival
Brad Paisley, Jack Ingram and Kellie Pickler
Dengue Fever at The Independent, San Francisco, CA

