MUSIC- ‘High School Musical’ tops charts Don’t deny it: Disney’s attempt at a musical concerning the squeeky clean lives of six students in “High School Musical” not only took off but is still soaring several months later. The movie surrounds a shy bookworm who meets the star athlete at a karaoke contest while on vacation. After they recognize they share the same passion for music and sign up for the school’s musical, chaos ensues. The musical aired on the Disney Channel earlier this year and was released on DVD in May. The movie has tail-spinned into a a frenzy of merchandise, a soundtrack that sold 3,252,734 copies and took the No. 2 spot the Top 50 Billboard Album Sales of 2006 chart, and is currently touring the country. Not bad Disney, not bad at all.

MUSIC- Timberlake brings ‘Sexyback’ After a four-year break from his solo debut, “Jusitified,” Justin Timberlake came back with a furry called “FutureSex/Lovesounds” in 2006. All around the world, clubs and radio stations began putting his first single, “Sexyback,” on heavy rotation. The new album shows a different side of Timberlake that fans had never seen before. Much different from his boyband days with Nsync, the album includes cameos from three 6 mafia, T.I. and Timbaland. The album signifies Timberlake’s ability to stay ontop of his game despite scandals and those pesky paparazzi. The album sold 1,610,932 copies and took the No. 18 slot in the Top 50 Billboard Album Sales of 2006 chart.

MUSIC- Dixie Chicks make a comeback The ladies that make The Dixie Chicks have had their share of difficult years, especially after lead singer Natalie Maines verbalLY bashed President George W. Bush. It took three years and several cancelled concerts for the Chicks to released their album “Taking the Long Way.” Some would say the first single off of their album, “Not Ready to Make Nice” is a homage to those who turned their backs to the band and taking back their apologies that seemingly streamed through deaf ears. The album did fairly well, selling 1,701,374 copies and taking the No. 16 spot on the billboard charts. Along with their CD, the band released their movie, “Shut Up and Sing,” documenting the aftermath of Maines’ statement. The movie has received many rave reviews from critics but has only grossed $803,909 in its limited released since Oct. 27.