MUSIC ROUNDUP: SOMEBODY GET US A DOCTOR

EDDIE VAN HALEN CONFIRMS ILLNESS
Rock guitar legend acknowledged for the first time last week that he has cancer and said he's winning his battle against the disease. "Although it's hard to say when, there's a good chance I will be cancer-free in the near future," the Van Halen leader said in a message posted on his band's official website, adding, "I'm sorry for having waited so long to address this issue personally. But cancer can be a very unique and private matter to deal with." Van Halen said he was "examined by three oncologists and three head and neck surgeons at Cedars-Sinai just before spring break and was told that he’s healthier than ever and beating cancer."

TIGER JAMS WITH MUSICIANS
Celebrities including Kid Rock, Incubus and Seal gathered at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 28 for Tiger Jam IV. The event featured a silent auction and a concert from Third Eye Blind and John Mellancamp, whose set included a surprise duet with Kid Rock on "Pink Houses." The entire evening raised over $1 million for the Tiger Woods Foundation, which seeks to empower young people to reach their highest potential. The foundation’s success record is marred only by Yennie Cheung, who wound up as an assistant editor at HITS.

WRITE A COUNTRY SONG ABOUT THIS
Atlantic Records today announced the closing of its Nashville offices. About 15 employees, including President/CEO Barry Coburn will leave the company, after being notified last week. Atlantic’s country acts—which includes Tracy Lawrence, John Michael Montgomery and Tim Rushlow—now will be marketed and promoted by parent company Warner Bros. in Nashville and the Atlantic office in New York, which has begun to stock its lobbies with spittoons in preparation.