Mar 28, 2006 5:54 PM

From Wyclef to Elvis

Grammy winners WYCLEF JEAN and SHAKIRA will appear on FOX's American Idol this Wednesday to perform the Colombian singer's latest single, "Hips Don't Lie," off 2005's Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 . . . In more Idol news, judge SIMON COWELL -- also the creator of ABC's American Inventor -- is at work on another competition-based reality show. America's Got Talent, which begins auditions next month, will feature contestants of all talents -- including singers, magicians and comics -- competing for a $1 million prize. The show will air on NBC and include a three-judge panel.

Cat Power Back After "Health Issues"

CHAN MARSHALL, a.k.a. CAT POWER, has rescheduled a handful of West Coast dates for this spring. Marshall -- known among indie-rock fans for her erratic live performances -- cancelled a string of February dates in support of her latest album, The Greatest, due to undisclosed "health issues." In addition to appearances at the Coachella and Bonnaroo festivals, Marshall will perform in Tucson, Arizona; Seattle; and San Francisco, backed by the Memphis Rhythm Band. More dates are expected to be announced.

Roots to Host Stellar J Dilla Benefit

The ROOTS will host a set of J DILLA benefit shows at New York's Radio City Music Hall on May 18th and 19th, featuring performances from NAS, COMMON, TALIB KWELI, ERYKAH BADU and MOS DEF, among others. Officially, the shows are to promote the Roots upcoming Game Theory album, due this summer, but a portion of the proceeds will go to Dilla's family. The Shining, the first posthumous release from visionary hip-hop producer Dilla, who died on February 10th of lupus, is slated for July release and will be accompanied by a tribute DVD.

Snoop Gets No Love From Vegas

A recent SNOOP DOGG performance in Las Vegas was cancelled after local authorities pressured the casino's owners to intervene. In February, after a police officer was murdered by a local rapper and the city sheriff's department deemed the banning of rap performances a "legitimate crime-prevention strategy," the Nevada State Gaming Control Board warned casino operators that rap acts are "serious threats to the community."

Jewel Has It Bad for Nascar

In a move that is sure to surprise many of her fans, JEWEL is set to appear in a thirty-second TV spot for Nascar, entitled "Nascar: How bad have you got it?" Filmed during the singer's appearance at the Auto Club 500 race in Fontana, California, the spot will feature "Again and Again" off the sensitive singer-songwriter's upcoming May 2nd release, Goodbye Alice in Wonderland. The spot debuts this week on FOX and will subsequently also run on FX, NBC, TNT and the Speed Channel during Nascar broadcasts.

Evanescence Touch Up New Album

EVANESCENCE guitarist TERRY BALSAMO is back to work in the studio after suffering a stroke last November. He and singer AMY LEE are currently putting together final mixes for the group's as-yet-untitled new album. Fallen, the band's 2003 debut, sold more than six million copies.

Graceland Becomes National Landmark

Graceland, the former residence of ELVIS PRESLEY and one of the five most visited home museums in the U.S., was designated a national historic landmark this week. The estate now joins fewer than 2,500 locations -- including the homes of former presidents -- in receiving the highest designation for historic properties. Presley bought the home, located in Memphis, in 1957 for $103,000. More than half a million visitors visit Graceland every year. Presley's first home, where the young singer lived as his career began to take off, will be up for sale on the online auction site eBay as of April 14th.

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