Billboard Bits: ‘N Sync, Marilyn Manson, McClinton

The early days of ‘N Sync are chronicled on the upcoming DVD “The Reel ‘N Sync,” due Nov. 5 from Trauma Records. According to a spokesperson for the project, the DVD was whittled down from “a couple hundred hours” of footage shot by ‘N Sync’s Joey Fatone from late 1996 through mid-1997. The group’s self-titled RCA debut was not released until April 1998.

“The Reel ‘N Sync” does not include “a note of ‘N Sync music,” instead focusing on such formative experiences as airline travel (in coach class!), group members being chaperoned by their mothers, and promotional visits with European music business personnel.

‘N Sync’s most recent foray into home video was “POPOdyssey LIVE,” which spotlights the group’s 2001 North American tour of that name. As previously reported, group member Justin Timberlake’s solo debut, “Justified,” is due Nov. 5 from Jive.

— Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

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Shock rocker Marilyn Manson will host a special one-hour Halloween episode of “Uranium,” MuchMusic USA’s heavy-metal series. The taping will be held Thursday (Oct. 24) at 11 Penn Plaza in New York, with the episode due to premiere Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. ET. Manson is asking any guests and fans who will be at the taping to wear “vaudeville / burlesque / cabaret / fetish dress.” A signed Manson watercolor will be given to the best dressed fan.

As previously reported, Manson has signed on to write the score for the impending remake of the ’70s horror classic “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” The artist continues to work on his next Nothing/Interscope album, “The Golden Age of Grotesque.”

— Carla Hay, N.Y.

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Veteran blues artist Delbert McClinton has drafted Pam Tillis, Brooks & Dunn’s Kix Brooks, Suzy Bogguss, Lee Roy Parnell, Jim Lauderdale, Rodney Crowell, and late NASCAR racer Dale Earnhardt’s widow Teresa to star in his new video, “Lone Star Blues.” In the Michael McNamara-directed clip, McClinton tends bar in a Texas honky-tonk, with the aforementioned guest stars joining him to sing the song’s chorus.

“Lone Star Blues” is drawn from “Room To Breathe” (New West), which earlier this month debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Blues Album chart. McClinton has three November tour dates scheduled, beginning Nov. 3 at the Sound Advice Blues Festival in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

— Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.