News Roundup: 2/9/2011

Former American Idol champion Fantasia Barrino is set to star in a biopic of legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Based on the 1993 book Got to Tell It: Mahalia Jackson, Queen of Gospel, the film will be directed by Euzhan Palcy (A Dry White Season) and will depict Jackson’s rise from poverty in New Orleans to success as a gospel star and supporter of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. [Billboard.com]
Experimental indie-rock ensemble Battles have finished work on the follow-up to the band’s 2007 debut, Mirrored. Although prospects for finishing the album dimmed after the departure of multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Tyondai Braxton last year, Battles forged onward, with guest artists like Boredom’s Eye lending vocals. The as-yet-untitled album is set for release this summer. [Pitchfork.com]

British garage-punk band the Vaccines have moved up the release date of their debut album. The record, What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?, will now be released on March 14 so as not to compete with the Strokes’ upcoming album, which is set for release on March 21. [NME.com]
American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe is set to launch a new singing competition on CMT. Slated for ten episodes starting in April, CMT’S Next Superstar will feature contestants participating in both business- and performance-related challenges. [MonstersandCritics.com]
The classical music label Decca celebrated a relaunch on Monday under the new name Decca Classics. Already part of the Universal Music Group, Decca Classics will become part of Universal UK under the relaunch. Decca Classics is home to such artists as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Daniel Barenboim, Cecilia Bartoli, Renee Fleming, and others. [Reuters.com]