Ray Charles [ tickets ], who canceled the second half of his 2003 tour in July due to hip pain, underwent successful hip-replacement surgery last week, according to his publicist. Charles plans to be back on the road by March.

"I feel terrific and am so thankful to the good Lord that all is going well for me," Charles said in a statement. "I can't wait to get back on the road, which is my second home. I want to thank the folks in person for all their prayers and good wishes."

Mick Jagger [ tickets ] is scheduled to be knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on Dec. 12. According to British press reports, his 90-year-old father will join him at the ceremony.

Royal officials reportedly had been attempting to schedule the ceremony for months, but Jagger's schedule was occupied by his lengthy tour with The Rolling Stones.

"Mick is delighted that a date has been agreed for the investiture after spending over a year touring the world with the Rolling Stones," Jagger's spokesperson said in a statement. “He and his family are looking forward immensely to the occasion. He would also like to express his gratitude to Buckingham Palace for their understanding of his other commitments over the last 18 months.”

The nominations are out for the 30th People's Choice Awards, which will be handed out Jan. 11 during a ceremony that will be broadcast by CBS-TV.

Nominees in the male musical performer category are Eminem [ tickets ], 50 Cent and Tim McGraw, while Faith Hill [ tickets ], Beyonce Knowles and Shania Twain are vying for the female musical performer prize. Nominees for top musical group or band are Alabama, Brooks & Dunn and Matchbox Twenty.

James Carter [ tickets ], whose 1959 performance of "Po Lazarus" with fellow Mississippi State Penitentiary inmates is the opening song on the "O Brother Where Art Thou?" soundtrack, died on Nov. 26 from complications related to a stroke. He was 77.