Jackson back in US for comeback

After stints living in Bahrain, France, and Ireland, Michael Jackson is back in the US and plotting his long-rumored comeback. The legendary singer's spokesman told the Associated Press today that he is back after more than a year in self-imposed exile following his acquittal in a high-profile child molestation trial that ended in June 2005. "I can confirm that he is in the United States," spokeswoman Raymone K. Bain said. "We don't give out information regarding our client's whereabouts because of safety, and this is just an ongoing policy." Jackson has scheduled a pair of "fan appreciation events" in Japan in March, one of which will charge $3,300 for the opportunity to meet the Gloved One. During a conference call to announce the events, Jackson allowed only one question: How are you? "I'm fine, thank you," he replied. Guests at one of the events will receive dinner and autographed photos, and will have the chance to "meet and greet" Jackson for 30 seconds to one minute. Jackson didn't provide the AP with any details of his comeback album, which he allowed the TV show Access Hollywood to film him recording with Black Eyed Peas producer Will.i.am in Ireland last November.

Nickelback to donate single proceeds to charity

Nickelback is showing it cares with its latest single, "If Everyone Cared." The Canadian rockers said this week that they will donate all of the proceeds from the digital sales of the single and its video counterpart to charity for the next six months. The song is the sixth single off Nickelback's quintuple-platinum 2005 album, All the Right Reasons. The money raised will be split equally between Amnesty International and Nickelback guitarist Ryan Peake's favorite charity, International Children's Awareness Canada. The video for the songs focuses on Live Aid catalyst Bob Geldof; former South African president Nelson Mandela; Amnesty International founder Peter Benenson; and Betty Williams of World Centers of Compassion for Children International. Their stories are interwoven with clips of a Nickelback performance. "Nickelback's success has thankfully afforded us the opportunity as a band to make a significant contribution to the organization my wife and I have supported for years, International Children's Awareness Canada," Peake said in a statement. "Now, with the release of 'If Everyone Cared,' a song and video that carries a message of positive change, we can globalize our efforts with Amnesty International as well. The idea is simply to do something that moves you and helps others, no matter how small."

B.B. King hospitalized with infection

B.B. King was hospitalized last night in Galveston, Texas, for an undisclosed infection, forcing him to cancel two performances in the area, according to a report in the Galveston County Daily News. The legendary 81-year-old bluesman was admitted to The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, but is in good condition and is expected to be released tomorrow. "He has an infection the doctors are concerned about," Willie King, the guitarist's son and manager, told the paper. "It might also be a bug, but he also is diabetic and has high blood pressure and they are not comfortable releasing him right now. But he's really his old self, joking around. We should have the medical test results today." King was set to play at Galveston's Grand 1894 Opera House Thursday and Friday night. Last December, President Bush awarded King the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his musical contributions.

Mechanical failure ruled out in Brandy crash

California Highway Patrol officials have ruled out mechanical defects as contributing to the fatal freeway crash last month involving actress-singer Brandy, who triggered the accident when her vehicle rammed into the car in front of hers, police said. But it remains to be seen whether the 27-year-old Brandy--real name Brandy Norwood--will be found to be primarily at fault or criminally negligent in the December 30 crash, which occurred on the 405 freeway in Los Angeles. A motorist, Awatef Aboudihaj, 38, a married mother of one, was killed when Brandy's Land Rover struck her from behind, as the impact sent Aboudihaj's car into another car before being broad-sided by a fourth vehicle. Brandy was not hurt in the crash. Alcohol and drugs have been ruled out as factors in the crash, and there is no evidence that Brandy was using a cell phone or was otherwise distracted at the time of the crash.

Indy hip-hop act crafts Colts song

If you're going to go head-to-head with the "Super Bowl Shuffle," you better come strong. Mudkids, a hip-hop group based in Indianapolis, has done just that by recording a song that might be the team's new anthem. With the Indianapolis Colts set to square off with the Chicago Bears in next week's Super Bowl, the group came up with "Rock 'N' Roll (Go Blue)," and fans turned out Thursday night to film a music video for the song. "This song represents Indianapolis pretty well," Mudkids frontman Russell Johnson, known on stage as Rusty Redenbacher, told the Associated Press. "It's got the right aesthetic--gritty and pretty, like the team," he said. The song's lyrics include lines like, "You wanna rock? You wanna roll? We gonna win it--the Super Bowl." Several members of the Chicago Bears recorded the rap song "Super Bowl Shuffle" in the run-up to the team's 1986 championship.

Dupri might sign with Island/Def Jam

Jermaine Dupri is in negotiations with Universal Music Group about joining its Island Def Jam label, the New York Post reported this week. The super-producer and boyfriend of Janet Jackson is eyeing a role at the label, the Post said. A deal with Island would reunite Chairman L.A. Reid with Dupri, who brought his So So Def Records to Arista when Reid was CEO of that label. In January 2005, Dupri joined EMI's Virgin Records label as the head of its urban music division. But he resigned in October, just 21 months into his tenure, following the poor sales of Jackson's album 20 Y.O..