The buzz

— Sales of music have dropped by more than half in the past five years, 15 percent this year alone. So far.

But that doesn't mean the music industry is going to quit trying to lure you back to the stores and online services to spend, spend, spend. Here are a few A-list titles on the schedule for the rest of the year. All release dates are subject to change:

First, a little state pride:

Kris Allen, the Conway resident who won American Idol this year, makes his album debut, Nov. 17. It is yet to be titled.

Joe Nichols, the Rogersborn singer-songwriter, will have a new album Oct. 27. It's titled Old Things New and includes country, swing and a hint of blues. He's signed to appear in Pure Country, a Broadway-bound version of the 1992 George Strait film.

There's more ...

Barbra Streisand, Love Is the Answer, Tuesday

Mariah Carey, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, Tuesday. Twice delayed, includes a cover of Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is."

Ghostface Killah, Ghostdini: Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City, Tuesday: Wu-Tang MC's eighth album softens with R&B.

Madonna, Celebration, Tuesday: Hits and two new songs.

Miranda Lambert, Revolution, Tuesday: Fiery country singer's third album.

Selena Gomez & the Scene, Kiss and Tell, Tuesday: Another Disney diva.

Toby Keith, American Ride, Oct. 6

Rosanne Cash, The List, Oct. 6

Twilight: New Moon, soundtrack, Oct. 13

Tim McGraw, Southern Voice, Oct. 20

Wale, Attention: Deficit, Oct. 20: There's a lot of buzz about this Washington rapper. Lady Gaga is on the single "Chillin'."

Carrie Underwood, Play On, Nov. 3. The country charttopper's third album.

Nirvana, Live at Reading, Nov. 3

Bon Jovi, The Circle, Nov. 10

Leona Lewis, Echo, Nov. 17

Norah Jones, The Fall, Nov. 17

Susan Boyle, I Dreamed a Dream, Nov. 24. Brit sensation steps from TV talent show to her first album.

Adam Lambert, not yet titled, Nov. 24. American Idol's glam-rock runner-up.

Lil Jon, Crunk Rock, Nov. 24

Mary J. Blige, Stronger, Nov. 24

Lil Wayne, Rebirth, Nov. 24. His move into rock has been delayed several times.

Diddy, Last Train to Paris, Nov. 24

Will they or won't they?

Eminem, Relapse 2, sometime before year's end

Dr. Dre, Detox: In the works for nearly a decade.

50 Cent, Before I Self Destruct. Delayed and still in rework stage.

Merry Christmas! Rodney Carrington already beat these folks to the stores with his yuletide album, Make It Christmas. Here are a fewmore on the way:

Bob Dylan, Christmas in the Heart, Oct. 13. Benefits hunger programs. What's next? Bob sings Broadway?

David Archuleta, Christmas From the Heart, Oct. 13

Sting, If On a Winter's Night, Oct. 27

Andrea Bocelli, My Christmas, Nov. 3

STEELY MANDRELL

Barbara Mandrell is the first woman to be inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. She was honored Sept. 5 at the International Steel Guitar Convention in St. Louis. Mandrell plays a number of instruments and, at age 13, toured with Johnny Cash.

Mandrell's first country hit was her 1969 cover of Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long." She is known for hits such as "Burning the Midnight Oil," "Married But Not to Each Other" and "Sleeping Single in a Double Bed." She also had a weekly TV show, Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters, from 1980 to 1982. Mandrell was named entertainer of the year by the Country Music Association in 1980 and 1981 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame earlier this year.

SOUTHERN MUSIC

Oxford American's annual Southern Music issue will be on newsstands Dec. 1. Like last year's issue, it will include two CDs of music, with what editors promise will be "a special surprise."E-mail:

[email protected]

Style, Pages 57 on 09/27/2009

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