By MELISSA RUGGIERI / Media General News Service Music Critic
Published: April 3, 2008

If you haven’t yet heard the Drive-By Truckers’ excellent new album, “Brighter Than Creation’s Dark,” you might want to seek out “Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife.” The song was written in memory of the Harvey family, who were brutally murdered in their South Side home on New Year’s Day 2006. The song can be heard on the band’s MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/drivebytruckers), where the poignant lyrics can also be accessed. . . . The third annual Virgin Mobile Festival will be held Aug. 9-10 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. So far, only headliners Foo Fighters, Jack Johnson, Kanye West, Nine Inch Nails and Stone Temple Pilots have been announced. More acts—as well as ticket information—will soon be available at http://www.virginmobilefestival.com. . . . David Cook’s version of “Billie Jean” on last week’s “American Idol” is benefiting Chris Cornell, who originally reworked the song into a moody ballad last year. Cornell’s 2007 solo album, “Carry On,” which contains the track, saw a 300 percent sales jump in the past week and is in the Top 10 on iTunes’ Alternative songs chart. . . . Speaking of iTunes, a second soundtrack to “Juno” arrives Tuesday; it’s called “Juno B-Sides: Adopted Songs” iTunes will be the exclusive home for the tracks until May 13, when they will be available at all digital stores. No CD is planned.

ON TV

Today: Mario visits Regis & Kelly; Snoop Dogg visits “The View”; Kid Rock helps Jimmy Kimmel celebrate his 1,000th show.

Tomorrow: Leona Lewis performs on “Good Morning America”; Raheem DeVaughn is on “Today”; The B-52s visit Ellen DeGeneres; in late night, Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige perform on David Letterman, while Ben Lee does Jay Leno.

Saturday: Panic at the Disco plays on a new “Saturday Night Live.”

Sunday: Natalie Cole guests on “Oprah’s Big Give.”

ALBUM NEWS
Liz Phair has signed a record deal with ATO, the record label partially founded by Dave Matthews. The first release will be a reissue of her classic 1993 debut, “Exile in Guyville.” Coming June 24, the disc will also include four previously unreleased tracks and a DVD documentary. A new Phair album is tentatively slated for fall. . . . Nelly’s long-delayed new release, “Brass Knuckles,” is now set for June 24. The first single, “Party People,” featuring Fergie, is already hitting radio, even though the official release isn’t until May 15. . . . Look for Ne-Yo’s latest, “Year of the Gentleman,” also on June 24. Ne-Yo is opening for Alicia Keys on her upcoming tour, which launches April 19 at the Hampton Coliseum.—Melissa Ruggieri Compiled from staff, Internet, wire reports