Sound Bites: Kid Rock, Aretha, Kenny Rogers

April 4, 2001 -- Kid Rock Joins Divas

Bad boy Kid Rock will take an unexpected turn as a diva when he joins the VH1 Divas Live tribute to Aretha Franklin April 10 at New York's Radio City Music Hall. The Motown legend will be joined by the Detroit singer for what promises to be a duet of strikingly different voices. Salsa singer Marc Anthony also signed on to the telecast, along with three out of five Backstreet Boys — A.J. McLean, Howie Dorough, and Kevin Richardson. The actual divas (in the traditional sense) at the show, aside from Franklin, will be Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Celia Cruz, Jill Scott, and Nelly Furtado.

Stevie Nicks to Perform at Blockbuster Awards

A trio of female singers from different generations — Christina Aguilera, Sheryl Crow, and Stevie Nicks — will perform April 10 at the Blockbuster Awards at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium (although Aguilera won't be joining the scheduled Crow-Nicks duet). Latin pop sensation Ricky Martin is also set to perform. The awards show, run by the massive video-rental chain, is voted on by the public, and honors films, music, and video games made in the year 2000. The show will be broadcast April 11 on Fox.

The Gambler Sings for Sir Charles

Kenny Rogers surprised Charles Barkley — and all of Philadelphia's First Union Center — when he busted out with the 1982 hit "Through the Years" during halftime of an NBA basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Golden State Warriors. The performance was part of a ceremony held in honor of Barkley, who recently retired. Rogers has been friends with the outspoken sports star since the golfing buddies met in 1992. Philly soul group Boyz II Men also performed the national anthem before the game.