A Few More Things: Brooks & Dunn, Elton, Shirley Bassey

Play Something Country

Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn are asking fans to help the duo out with a small favor before their farewell tour “The Last Rodeo” wraps up. Brooks and Dunn want fans to pick the song the singer-guitarists should perform at next month’s Academy of Country Music Awards show.

Fans simply need to log on to www.cbs.com/brooksdunn and vote for one tune, choosing between “My Maria,” “Brand New Man,” “Red Dirt Road,” “Neon Moon,” “You’re Gonna Miss Me” and “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.”

The award show takes place April 18 in Las Vegas. After winning a record 26 awards from the academy, this year Brooks and Dunn are nominated for top vocal duo. The Academy is celebrating the duo’s 20-year career with its Milestone Award and an April 19 special, ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn – The Last Rodeo.

After two decades of making music together, Brooks and Dunn will go their separate ways with the conclusion of “The Last Rodeo” tour. Dates are booked through August.

Click here to vote.

Click here for the Academy of Country Music’s Web site.

That’s What Friends Are For

Elton John is helping to honor the life of a dear friend and AIDS victim with a headlining performance at an April 28 benefit at Butler University in Indianapolis.

Ryan White died April 18, 1990, at the age of 18 after being diagnosed with AIDS five years earlier. He contacted the disease because of a tainted transfusion of a blood-clotting agent.

White became a national symbol for people living with HIV/AIDS through his fight to be allowed to attend public school. John performed at his funeral. 

The event benefits the Indianapolis Children’s Museum and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Click here for the AP story.  

Police Reexamine Bassey Case

In 1985 the body of singer Shirley Bassey’s daughter was found face-down in a river near a 250-foot suspension bridge in Bristol, England. A coroner’s report declared that the death of Samantha Novak was a result of the 21-year-old falling off the riverbank after a night out with friends. British police are now reopening the investigation as a possible murder case.

A few weeks ago the mother of Penny Beale – who was killed by partner Michael Moffat in 2001 – contacted police with a tip about Bassey’s death.

“Her daughter had said that Moffat told her he was involved in the murder of Samantha Novak,” police said in a statement. “There was nothing from the coroner’s report to suggest it was murder rather than suicide, however this information is obviously additional so we are making fresh inquiries.”

In October Bassey reiterated her belief that her daughter’s death wasn’t an accident or suicide. She told reporters, “I never believed that she killed herself. If she’d jumped off the bridge, all her bones would have been broken.”

Click here for the AP story.