Bice was announced as a Radio Music Awards performer after Ashlee Simpson [ tickets ] bowed out, citing illness.

Singer/actress Ashlee Simpson has returned to the U.S. after spending a brief time in a Tokyo hospital over the weekend, reportedly due to exhaustion.

According to MTV, Simpson was performing Friday (12/16) at MTV Japan's fifth annual Cool Christmas concert. She left the stage in the middle of her second of five planned songs, and later returned to the stage to apologize--reportedly saying that she was losing her voice.

Previous reports indicated that Simpson passed out at MTV's Tokyo offices, but it was subsequently learned that she collapsed after she left the venue, and that she checked into the hospital after returning to her hotel room.

Remastered versions of 10 albums Merle Haggard [ tickets ] recorded for Capitol Records between 1965 and 1971 are set for release Feb. 21. The discs will also contain "a bevy of rare and previously unreleased bonus tracks," according to a press release.

The collection will be issued on five separate CDs, with each disc containing two full albums, plus the bonus material. Four of the albums have never before been available on CD.

Additional remastered Haggard albums will roll out through 2006 and into 2007, according to Capitol Nashville/EMI.

The annual New Orleans roots-music festival Ponderosa Stomp will find a temporary home in Memphis in 2006.

Next year's event is set for May 9-10 at the Gibson Factory, and proceeds will go to charities dedicated helping New Orleans and Gulf Coast musicians affected by this year's hurricanes.

Acts so far confirmed for the festival include Clarence "Frogman" Henry [ tickets ], Joe Clay [ tickets ], Jay Chevalier, Rebirth Brass Band, Archie Bell, Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana, Sonny Burgess, The Nightcaps, Kenny & the Kasuals, ? & the Mysterians, Lady Bo and Deke Dickerson & the Eccofonics, among others.

Ticket information and other details are posted at the event's website.