Rock act Staind [ tickets ] has begun work on its fourth album, an as-yet-untitled effort, with producer David Bottrill (Tool, Godsmack).

"It's ... really good working with David Bottrill--he's a great guy and has some really good ideas in helping make the songs better," guitarist Mike Mushok said in a journal entry on the band's website. "He's also really a stickler for getting the best performances out of you as possible."

Responding to a recent RollingStone.com report that former Ramones guitarist Johnny Ramone is losing his battle with prostate cancer, the musician's doctor told MTV News that Ramone's situation isn't dire.

Dr. David Argus reportedly said that Ramone was recently admitted to the hospital, where he was treated for a complication from the cancer.

"But he got through it, and he's now on a new, experimental therapy," the doctor reportedly said. "He's fighting courageously, and I think he will be going home in the near term."

Stan Ridgway [ tickets ] is set to issue his latest album, "Snakebite: Blacktop Ballads and Fugitive Songs," on Aug. 20. It features 16 new songs, including "Talkin' Wall of Voodoo Blues, Part 1," which tells the story of his early years in Los Angeles New Wave band Wall of Voodoo.

Nashville pop-rocker Jason White will issue his second solo CD, "Tonight's Top Story," on July 13.

Country star Tim McGraw [ tickets ]'s version of "Red Ragtop"--a track from White's 2001 debut, "Shades of Gray"--climbed to No. 2 on the country charts in 2002.