News on CMA Awards, Incubus, Master P

A host of top stars have been added to the performance lineup for the 35th annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, set for Nov. 7 at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House. Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow will debut their duet, "I'll Be There for You," which will be released in January on Nelson's Island album, "The Great Divide." Dixie Chicks, Martina McBride, Jessica Andrews, Phil Vassar, Blake Shelton, and Cyndi Thomson have also joined the bill.

As previously reported, Tim McGraw, Lonestar, Sara Evans, George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith, Diamond Rio, Lee Ann Womack, and Keith Urban will also perform. The event will be hosted for the 10th year in a row by Vince Gill, and broadcast live on CBS beginning at 8 p.m. ET. Evans leads the field with nominations in five categories.

-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

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Following next Tuesday's (Oct. 23) release of its Immortal/Epic album "Morning View," Incubus will make a trio of bi-coastal appearances at record stores. The group will sign copies of the new set Oct. 24 at New York's downtown Tower Records outlet (629 Broadway), and then head to California for an Oct. 25 appearance at the Concord Tower Records location (1280 E. Willow Pass Rd.), and finish up Oct. 26 at Wherehouse Records in Hollywood (100 La Cienga Blvd.).

As previously reported, on the night of the album's release, the band will participate in a 90-minute live performance and interview radio special. "Incubus: The Morning View Sessions" will be broadcast at 8:30 p.m. ET from New York's Sony Studios by Westwood One.

All the promotional activity comes during a brief break in the band's ongoing North American tour, which plays Toronto's Arrow Hall tomorrow (Oct. 17). For up to date info on the trek, visit the band's official Web site"

-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.

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Rap mogul Master P will release a new album, "Game Face," on Dec. 18 via his No Limit label's new partnership with Universal Records. First single "Back on Top" will feature a who's who of No Limit stars, including C-Murder, Silkk the Shocker, and Lil' Romeo. The album sports production credits from Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Soulja Music, C-Los Beats, and the Neptunes.

"Game Face" will be followed on Jan. 29 by the rap compilation "West Coast Bad Boyz' Poppin Them Collars." Master P's previous set, "Ghetto Postage," debuted at No. 2 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart and at No. 26 on The Billboard 200 last December.

-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.