Rockers in benefit show

Rockers in benefit show
MOBILE, Ala. -- Rock band 3 Doors Down plans a concert March 27 in Mobile to benefit children's charities along the Gulf Coast.
Guitarist Matt Roberts, one of two band members with homes in the Mobile area, said the show "is a very special thing for us because it's always great to give back to this city." Mayor Mike Dow said he hopes the outdoor concert at Cooper Riverside Park will draw 30,000 people.
Hootie & amp; Blowfishendorse Edwards
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Hootie & amp; the Blowfish have endorsed Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards, who hails from the state where the rock band got its start.
Members of the band are University of South Carolina alumni. Edwards is a senator from North Carolina and stresses on the campaign trail that he's the son of a South Carolina millworker. "South Carolina's band is coming out for South Carolina's candidate," said Edwards spokeswoman Jenni Engebretsen. The band's lawyer, Richard "Gus" Gusler, said the group is planning a performance in South Carolina before the state's primary on Feb. 3.
Rapper faces chargeof child abandonment
ATLANTA -- New Orleans-based rapper Juvenile, known for his hit song "Back That Thang Up," is facing an arrest warrant in Georgia on child abandonment charges.
Gwinnett County sheriff's deputies say the multi-platinum artist, whose real name is Terius Gray, has failed to provide financial support for a six-month-old daughter. Deputies say they have paternity test results that show Gray is the child's father -- an allegation the rapper disputes.
Singer at MLK event
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Gospel singer Yolanda Adams will highlight the 15th annual "Realizing the Dream" concert at The University of Alabama in memory of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The event will be held Jan. 17 at the university's Moody Music Concert Hall. The national holiday honoring the slain civil rights leader is Jan. 19. Adams says she never tires of singing gospels. "I like to sing songs that, in the end, touch everybody. There's a humanity to these songs that gets in your blood," the 41-year-old singer said in a statement.
Comedian playsthe straight man
LOS ANGELES -- Tom Welling of the hit WB series "Smallville" is serious about comedy, but you wouldn't know it from his latest role.
The 25-year-old plays the straight man in the slapstick family film "Cheaper by the Dozen," which stars comic veteran Steve Martin as his father. "I'm the only one who's not funny," Welling says of his character -- the family's older brother, Charlie. Welling, who plays a young Clark Kent in "Smallville," says he's serious about making people laugh. He's examined Jerry Seinfeld's recent documentary, and says he was attracted to "Cheaper by the Dozen" by the chance to work with Martin.
The movie is a remake of the 1950s family comedy about 12 children being raised in a household made even more chaotic by their parents' demanding careers.
The film, which opened Christmas Day, also stars Bonnie Hunt and Hilary Duff.
Today's birthdays
Actress Inga Swenson is 71. ABC newscaster Tom Jarriel is 69. Actress Mary Tyler Moore is 66. Actor Jon Voight is 65. Country singer Ed Bruce is 63. Rock musician Ray Thomas (The Moody Blues) is 62. Singer Marianne Faithfull is 57. Jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. is 57. Actor Ted Danson is 56. Actor Jon Polito is 53. Singer-actress Yvonne Elliman is 52. Actress Patricia Clarkson is 44. Comedian Paula Poundstone is 44. Rock singer-musician Jim Reid (The Jesus and Mary Chain) is 42. Actor-comedian Mystro Clark is 37. Actor Jason Gould is 37. Actress Jennifer Ehle is 34. Rock singer-musician Glen Phillips is 33. Actor Kevin Weisman is 33. Actor Jude Law is 31. Actor Mekhi Phifer is 29. Actor Shawn Hatosy is 28. Country singer Jessica Andrews is 20.