IT’S AN HONOR JUST TO BE NOMINATED FOR HITS’ MUSIC NEWS

I SMELL A RATT…
Eighties metal gods Ratt are set for a reunion performance…in court. Former singer Stephen Pearcy
has filed a breach of contract suit against two bandmates and their manager. The suit, filed Tuesday (2/20) in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges Ratt's Robert Blotzer and Warren DeMartini, along with manager Tim Heyne, withdrew thousands of dollars from a corporate checking account opened by the band members under the entity WBS Inc. Pearcy further accused Blotzer and DeMartini of falsely posting that he quit Ratt on the Internet, leading to the cancellation of the band's proposed January 2000 tour. While the suit is seeking unspecified general and punitive damages, Pearcy's camp says a settlement could "buy a lot of spandex pants and headbands at the local Merry-Go-Round outlet." Dee Snyder was being sought as a witness for the defense.

BEST FOOT FORWARD
Carlos Santana has traded his six-string for a shoehorn. The Grammy-award-winning guitarist has introduced a personalized line of women's footwear. The "Carlos" collection comes in 13 styles, from boots to stilettos to sandals, with prices ranging from $59 to $70 a pair. Manufactured by Brown Shoe Co. Inc. (makers of Naturalizer and Buster Brown brands), Carlos shoes will be available in Macy's department stores in California, Arizona, Texas and Nevada, and at Burdines stores in Miami. Part of the proceeds will benefit Santana's Milagro Foundation, which supports children's education. Said Santana: "We do anything and everything we can to help people. We give back to many communities and organizations. We really believe it's important to dismantle the shootings in schools and post offices. So when we sell clothes or shoes, we take those funds to educate people at schools, hospitals..." And at least $2.25 an hour go to each of the Filipino sweatshop workers employed by the plants that manufacture the shoes. Kathie Lee, eat your heart out.

BACK IN BLACK
The Man In Black has traded his hospital gown for street clothes. Johnny Cash was released from Baptist Hospital in Nashville Wednesday (2/21), where he was treated for pneumonia. Cash had been hospitalized since Feb.10. Upon his release, Cash thanked his fans for all "their prayers and thoughts," then headed home to watch the 43^rd Annual Grammy Awards, where the legendary artist won his 10^th Grammy, this time around for Best Male Country Performance for "Solitary Man." Said Cash: "It was an honor just to be nominated. Hey, where's that sponge bath Mike Greene promised if I won?"