Ruben Studdard [ tickets ], who was hospitalized in Birmingham, AL, last week due to exhaustion, was released in time for Thanksgiving.

Studdard's ailment reportedly came on following a bout with bronchitis. His sophomore album, the gospel set "I Need an Angel," hit stores last week.

"Food for Thought," a benefit CD featuring four new Santana [ tickets ] tracks that was sold exclusively through Baja Fresh Mexican Restaurants this year, raised more than $163,000 for Santana's Milagro Foundation, an organization that donates money to support health, education and the arts for children and youth.

Better Than Ezra [ tickets ] has signed with Artemis Records, and will release an album of all-new material in the spring of 2005.

Bob Hardy, bassist for Franz Ferdinand [ tickets ], was hospitalized in Japan this week after suffering severe gastroenteritis. Toshi Yano of The Fiery Furnaces will fill in on the first two dates of Franz Ferdinand's upcoming U.S. tour.