Sharon Osbourne is negotiating her family's split from Sony's Epic Records, for which Ozzy Osbourne [ tickets ] has recorded for 23 years. Ozzy's daughter Kelly released her debut album for Sony last year.

"We've had 23 great years together," Sharon Osbourne said in a statement. "We've shared many great successes, but sometimes you have to search out fresh blood to get fresh ideas, which is a philosophy that every record company, especially Sony, understands."

Theatrical rocker Rob Zombie [ tickets ] has signed on to write and direct a sequel to his horror film "House of 1000 Corpses," which has grossed more than $11 million at the box office during its first month in theaters, according to Lions Gate Films. Work is expected to begin in the fall, and an April 2004 release is planned.

The inaugural voyage of Jam Cruise--a four-day outing aboard a chartered cruise ship that aims to carry 800 music fans and more than 10 bands--will leave port from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Jan. 6.

Among the confirmed acts so far are Galactic, Keller Williams, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Peter Rowan's Reggaeabilly, Billy Nershi (of the String Cheese Incident) and Liza, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Jerry Joseph, the Disco Biscuits, Mofro, Particle, Umphrey's McGee, Supreme Beings of Leisure and DJ Z-Trip.

More information on the cruise is available at the Jam Cruise website

A candlelight vigil and prayer service for Luther Vandross [ tickets ], who remains unconscious and in critical condition three weeks after suffering a stroke, is scheduled to take place on May 19 at Detroit's Little Rock Baptist Church. Aretha Franklin [ tickets ] will sing songs with the Ebenezer Mass Choir, and the Four Tops will be among the guests.

Brian McKnight [ tickets ] will perform during an intimate rooftop benefit party at Chicago's Wrigleyville on Sunday (5/11). Proceeds from the performance--which will take place as the Cubs play across the street at Wrigley Field--will benefit the Save the Music Foundation's efforts in local Chicago schools.

Attendance will be limited to 200. Tickets, priced at $170, can be purchased through Ticketmaster via the website of Chicago radio station B96. (Ticketmaster is liveDaily's parent company.)