The Isley Brothers' Ronald Isley is relaxing at home in St. Louis after suffering a minor stroke July 30 in London. The 63-year-old artist is expected to make a full recovery, according to his spokesperson. The Isleys' first album in a new deal with Def Soul is still expected in the first quarter of 2005.As previously reported, the group's discography gets an updated treatment on the album "Taken to the Next Phase (Reconstructions)," due Tuesday (Aug. 10) via Sony Urban/Legacy. Among the artists participating are Mos Def, Raphael Saadiq and members of the Roots, Black Eyed Peas and De La Soul.
-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
Alison Krauss + Union Station are in Nashville working on new studio album for a November release via Rounder. The as-yet-untitled set will be the band's first since 2002's "Live," which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Bluegrass Albums chart, and its first studio effort since 2001's "New Favorite," which hit No. 2 on the same tally.Krauss remains in the spotlight thanks to her guest spot on Brad Paisley's single "Whiskey Lullaby," which climbs 4-3 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart this week. She and guitarist Dan Tyminski have also signed on to host the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards, which will be held Oct. 7 in Louisville.
-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
Canadian singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot will make his first public performance in nearly two years at the Flood Relief Concert tomorrow (Aug. 6) in Peterborough, Ontario, northeast of Toronto. Lightfoot spent the last two years recovering from surgeries relating to an abdominal aneurysm suffered in September 2002. Other performers include Ronnie Hawkins and Jason McCoy.Proceeds from the event will aid the town's recovery from a flash food that caused severe damage to several homes and businesses last month. Lightfoot released his latest studio album, "Harmony," in May via spinART in the United States.
-- Jason MacNeil, Toronto
The 47th annual Grammy Awards are set to take place Feb. 13, 2005, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The show will be broadcast live on CBS for the 32nd consecutive year, beginning at 8 p.m. ET (tape-delayed on the West Coast). Nominations will be unveiled Dec. 8.
The awards show will take place in Los Angeles for the second consecutive year and six of the last seven. In 2003, it was hosted at New York's Madison Square Garden.
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