Jessica Simpson is in the early stages of recording a country album in Nashville, a project slated for a May/June 2008 release via Columbia Records.Simpson said she had always wanted to make a country album, but was waiting until the right time.

“I think there is a strength in female country artists,” Simpson said, citing Martina McBride, Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Reba McEntire as some of her inspirations. She said she would be involved in the creative process.

“Writing is a release for me,” she said. “It’s a way for me to tell my story. That’s not to say I wouldn’t record a song that I didn’t write.”

Her last album, “A Public Affair,” spent just nine weeks on the Billboard 200 in 2006. Her most recent movie, “Blonde Ambition,” was recently released in a handful of theaters in her native Texas en route to DVD stores.

Hip-hop star Akon has been charged by police after a fan said she suffered concussion when he allegedly threw a teenager off stage, hitting her. The incident occurred in June at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, north of New York City.  The singer is scheduled to appear in court next week on charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree harassment. Injured fan Abby Rosa said she had hired a lawyer over the incident.

Audience members at the concert told Associated Press a spectator lobbed something at the singer and Akon asked the crowd to point out the culprit.  A security guard picked out a 15-year-old and sent him up to the stage, where Akon is said to have picked him up onto his shoulders and threw him into the crowd.

Abby Rosa said the boy landed on her. She told a local newspaper she was later diagnosed with a concussion.  Akon’s lawyer has said there is no basis for criminal charges.  The singer caused controversy in April when he danced provocatively with a teenage girl onstage in Trinidad.  He later apologised for the incident saying he did not know the girl was underage.  I wonder if this incident will bring a slew of others out from the wood-work?

For those that must know the latest gossip on Brit, Britney Spears’ hit-and-run charges have been dropped.  The misdemeanour charge – which resulted from an incident where the 25-year-old drove into a Mercedes-Benz Station wagon in a San Fernando car park and then walked away- was dismissed by Superior Court Judge Susan Speer after Britney paid the car owner Kim Robard-Rifkin approximately $1,000 to cover the damages.

However, Britney still faces a charge of driving without a valid Californian driving licence. While Britney didn’t attend court herself, her lawyer Michael Flanagan entered a not guilty plea on her behalf at the Van Nuys court in California, ahead of a pre-trial hearing on November 26. Speaking outside the court, Mr. Flanagan said Assistant City Attorney Michael Amerian had already offered Britney a plea deal for the licence charge which would result in her being on probation for a year.

He said: “She got a licence, she has insurance, has always had insurance.  The question is – is probation really necessary?” Meanwhile, Britney is required to attend a custody hearing today (26.10.07) at the Los Angeles Superior Court. The ‘Gimme More’ singer is fighting for joint custody of her two sons, Sean Preston, two, and 13-month-old Jayden James, who were awarded to her ex-husband Kevin Federline last month.  One thing you can always count on with Britney is that she will be in the news again shortly.

Among those being considered, Madonna, the Beastie Boys and Donna Summer have all been nominated for induction into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an industry report says.   Also in the running are Leonard Cohen, John Mellencamp, Chic, the Dave Clark Five and Afrika Bambaataa, according to Billboard magazine.

The nominees are chosen by a committee and are whittled down to a final list of five by more than 600 music experts.  Those acts will enter the hall, which is based in Cleveland, Ohio, in March.  Musicians can be considered for the honour 25 years after their first recording.

Last year’s inductees were REM, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Van Halen, the Ronettes and Patti Smith.  Once included, the artists are featured in the Museum’s Hall of Fame exhibit.  This includes a computerised jukebox containing every song of every inductee and a film on three big screens recounting their careers and music.  I am sure Madonna is a lock as is John Mellencamp.

Rocker Courtney Love is reportedly dating Kate Moss’ rocker ex Pete Doherty. The couple was spotted kissing and cuddling over lunch in an English pub, sfgate.com reports. 

It is believed the former Hole frontwoman was visiting the Babyshambles singer during his spell in rehab. A source tells Britain’s The Daily Star, “It’s too early to say if it could be romance. But these two are both musicians, both self destructive and rather poetic.” Love recently spoke of her admiration for Doherty, saying, “He’s committed, he’s very loyal, he’s a Scorpio. We had really good chemistry.”

She certainly sounds like she has lost more than a few brain cells to drugs.