Oprah does the big give now everyone is jumping on board. PEOPLE reports that American Idol judge Simon Cowell is donating one day of his pay to Idol Gives Back, an event to raise awareness and funds for six charities. A source close to the host of Idol, Ryan Seacrest reaveald to PEOPLE that he is also planning on doing the same. [Source]

George Strait takes the No. 1 spot this week on The Billboard 200 with his new album "Troubadour." The album sold 166,000 copies and gives him his fourth No. 1 album. Coming in at a distant second was R.E.M.'s  "Accelerate" with 115,000 copies sold. This same week last year shows a 24.5% decrease in album sales. [Source]


Bumbershoot is gearing up this year with some major talent announcements. Beck and Stone Temple Pilots are going to be headlining the festival this year. Over Labor Day Weekend, August 30 to September 1, other acts making an appearance will be Jokob Dylan, Neko Case, The Walkmen, Lucinda Williams, M Ward, Del Tha Funky Homosapien and Dan Deacon. Check out the Official site for more information. [Source]


According to Extra, Sean Peen and Robin Wright filed for divorce back in December but now a few months later have reconciled and called off the split. You don't hear this kind of story often and I must say it's quite refreshing to hear people working out their marital problems. Good luck to them! [Source]

R&B singer Sean Levert, the son of singer Eddie Levert died Sunday March 30th following a medical emergency in jail. Apparently he was in jail for failure to pay child support. While in jail he was said to be hallucinating and suffering from high blood pressure. He had been pounding on his cell door which lead guards to strap him to a restraint chair. His breathing became shallow and he was taken to Lutheran Hospital, where he died less than an hour later. The family is asking the FBI to investigate his death. This situation is very unfortunate and I find it ridiculous that people are getting locked up these days for failure to pay child support. How much sense does that make? He wasn't paying when he had the ability to have a job, then he gets locked up with even less ability than that, so what good does that really do? How about we save that space and tax money for a real threat to society. [Source]



Aaron Fields writes for KSTW-TV in Seattle. All opinions expressed in this column are his.