Tom Petty receives award nomination

The University of Florida has nominated classic rocker Tom Petty for its Distinguished Achievement Award. Although Petty is not a graduate of the university, he grew up in Gainsville, Fla.

Petty was nominated because of his outstanding musical accomplishments, his work for Live Aid, Farm Aid, Greenpeace and the recent “America: A Tribute to Heroes” benefit.

Garth Brooks gets music merit award

Country singer Garth Brooks is scheduled to take home an American Music Award of Merit at the 29th annual AMA ceremony.

The awards program will be shown Jan. 9 on ABC.

Brooks has 21 tunes that have reached No. 1.

Strokes rockers announce tour

Newcomer rockers the Strokes have announced the dates for their international tour. Only one show is planned for the United States; other locations include Japan, France, Germany and England.

The band will also appear on Saturday Night Live on Jan. 19, along with host Jack Black of Tenacious D.

Subject of song sues Eminem

DeAngelo Bailey, who allegedly bullied Eminem in elementary school, is suing the rapper for slander to the tune of $1 million.

Bailey claims he suffered humiliation and that his reputation was damaged by the song “Brain Damage,” in which Eminem describes Bailey as a bully beating him up until he was bloody in a bathroom at school.

While Eminem was still in school, his mother attempted to sue her son’s school district, but failed. She said Eminem suffered headaches, nausea and anti-social behavior due to harassment from Bailey and his friends.

The case will not be evaluated until April 2002, but depositions will be collected sooner. Eminem declined to comment.

– News gathered by Bethany Kohoutek from billboard.com and mtv.com