ROB THOMAS COMPARES MATCHBOX TWENTY TO NO DOUBT OR U2

Matchbox Twenty only has a few tour dates lined up for the summer, which means the guys could have some free time to work on new material. Singer Rob Thomas has been writing songs for his sophomore solo effort, and there's also a new Matchbox album the works. Thomas says Matchbox Twenty is similar to No Doubt and U2 because just like in those groups, members often work on their own projects: "We're all grown up. We're all much more conscious of everybody's personal lives. The fact that we all talk about it and we're all well aware of like 'OK, there's things we all want to do.' Like everyone knows I'm working on my solo record. Gwen Stefani was out doing stuff on her solo record. And while she was doing it the guys in No Doubt were working on the next No Doubt record. And U2 is a bit like that as well. Bono may be busy, but the band is working on stuff to get to the next record. Bono same as Gwen Stefani. So I think that we've realized -- Matchbox as a band -- as a band we can do a lot."

The next Matchbox Twenty show is scheduled for July 19th in Minot, North Dakota.
Matchbox Twenty's new album could come out next year. The band's most recent release, Exile on Mainstream, featured several hits and a few new tracks.

3 DOORS DOWN UNVEILS SUMMER TOUR DATES

3 Doors Down has announced the initial stretch of dates for the band's upcoming summer tour, which will also feature Staind and Hinder on the bill. The trek begins on July 7th in Maryland Heights, Missouri, with shows confirmed through August 27th in Seattle. More dates are expected to be announced in the weeks ahead as the band fills out its schedule.

3 Doors Down is on the road right now and the group's itinerary includes a number of festival appearances with other acts. Lead singer Brad Arnold told us that there was only one time that he got nervous playing on a festival bill: "We were headlining the side stage over in Austria at this festival and Metallica was headlining the main stage. We're, like, three songs into it, I look over there and James Hetfield's standing there. My jaw dropped. I was incredibly honored that he was standing there, but about four songs later, I was like, 'For the love of God, would you go on? You're making me nervous!'"

3 Doors Down plays on Saturday (May 10th) in Orlando, Florida.
The band's self-titled fourth album arrives in stores on May 20th. The first single is called "It's Not My Time."
Newly confirmed 3 Doors Down tour dates:
July 7 - Maryland Heights, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
July 11 - Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Blossom Music Theater
July 12 - Milwaukee, WI - Marcus Amphitheater
July 13 - Tinley Park, IL - First Midwest Bank Pavilion
July 15 - Portland, ME - Cumberland County Civic Center
July 18 - Hartford, CT - NE Dodge Music Center
July 19 - Harrington, DE - Delaware State Fair
July 20 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center
July 22 - Mansfield, MA - Tweeter Center
July 25 - Darien Lake, NY - Six Flags Amphitheatre
July 26 - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Center
July 27 - Hershey, PA - Hershey Park Amphitheatre
July 30 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theater
August 6 - Sturgis, SD - Legendary Buffalo Chip
August 27 - Seattle, WA - WaMu Theater

THE POLICE ANNOUNCE FINAL CONCERT

The Police will play their last show ever this summer in New York. Details about the fundraising event will be announced soon, but according to Billboard.com, the show will likely be held at an indoor venue with proceeds going to production of arts programming for public television stations Thirteen/WNET and WLIW New York. Tickets will be available nationally online via the Thirteen/WNET and WLIW Web sites.

The Police will also donate $1 million to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's MillionTreesNYC initiative, which plants trees all over New York City. Sting said, "Some people may be surprised to know that the greatest single contribution to greenhouse gases is deforestation. We all want cleaner and cooler air, and planting trees is the best way to achieve that." He added, "We have a long history in New York. We came here first in 1978. We want to leave a gift that will last for decades."

During a press conference on Tuesday (May 6th), Mayor Bloomberg gave each member of the Police a key to New York City, while Sting gave the mayor an all-access backstage pass that he said could be used at "any Police concert."
The Police are on tour this summer, playing amphitheaters, arenas and stadiums located mainly in North America and Europe.
Elvis Costello & the Imposters will open for the shows.

MADONNA CALLS NEW ALBUM A 'TRUE AND EQUAL COLLABORATION'

Madonna sought out some help on her new album, Hard Candy, from Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and the Neptunes. But she doesn't feel like any of the accomplished producers and artists overshadowed her. Madge recently told the Associated Press, "I thought of it as a true and equal collaboration. ... I like to think that when you listen to the record, you don't just go, 'Oh, that is a Timbaland record or that's Pharrell (of the Neptunes).' That you hear it and you go, 'There is something new and different about it."

The 49-year-old singer has a busy year ahead of her. She recently debuted her new documentary, I Am Because We Are, about the impoverished African country, Malawi -- the same country from which she adopted her son. Madonna said the documentary helps "explain a lot of the story and the mystery to people. People will have a better perspective. It is always good to know the whole story before you jump to conclusions." When asked if she would adopt another child, Madonna said, "I would like to. They are still trying to finesse the laws and make it so it is not such a long waiting period, which would be good. I would prefer that."

Madonna also talked about the paparazzi and how it affects her children, saying "I don't like it when they get in their face. It is scary and frightening especially if you are not used to it and you are a kid. I think Lola is a little bit more familiar with it now. My son (Rocco) is still seriously irritated by it."
Madonna has plans to tour this fall behind her new album. Dates and venues haven't been announced yet.