Believe it or not, Beyonce and her younger sister Solange have almost never performed onstage together - at least not in public. But that's about to change in a big way later this month when the Knowles sisters get together for a holiday concert that'll be broadcast on cable's Fuse TV network. The charity concert, called "Beyonce and Solange: Hope for the Holidays," takes place at the House of Blues in the girls' hometown of Houston, Texas on Tues., Dec. 9. It'll then premiere on Fuse on Sun., Dec. 21 at 10 p.m. Eastern Time. The concert benefits the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund to aid Texas victims of Hurricane Ike through the Survivor Foundation, a Knowles family charity that helps the needy. For more info about Fuse television, visit fuse.tv.

The year 2008's coming to a close in a few short weeks, and it looks like the year could end on a strong note. Not only is superstar Keyshia Cole dropping a new album, but so are her fellow reality TV stars Brutha. Also on tap: the latest from Soul man Anthony Hamilton, plus new releases from Musiq Soulchild, Avant, actor-singer Jamie Foxx and the long-awaited return of '90s darling Brandy, who hasn't released an album in over four years. Also out during the last month of the year will be the soundtrack to the movie Cadillac Records, which features newly-recorded music by some of the film's stars, including Beyonce. For more info, check out the full list of new R&B album releases for Dec. '08.

Some of the more interesting news and rumors from the past week:

• Beyonce scored her third straight No. 1 debut on the Billboard top 200 albums chart last week when I Am ... Sasha Fierce moved 482,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
• Michael Jackson reached a settlement with a Bahraini sheik who says the singer owes him $7 million after breaching a signed contract, according to the pop star's spokeswoman.
• "Chocolate Chip," the first single India.Arie's next abum, Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics, leaked on the 'net recently. It's a duet with Musiq Soulchild.
• Chris Brown swept the 2008 American Music Awards, winning three statues, including Artist of the Year.
• Jill Scott won't confirm it (yet), but sources say she's pregnant with her first child.
• J. Holiday's second album, Round 2, is due out in February.
• And is Mariah Carey pregnant too?

If you're the type who's always looking for new Christmas music every time the holiday season rolls around, then this is for you. This list gives you all the info on the most notweworthy Christmas albums released by R&B and Soul artists in 2008. So if you've been wondering if that Brian McKnight version of "The Christmas Song" that you heard on the radio is new, or who the new, upbeat song "Be There for Christmas" is by, you're in luck; the answers to these questions and more - including how/where to buy the albums - are in the list of 2008 R&B Holiday Albums. Have a look.