UPDATED 10/14, 9:25 a.m.--Billboard.com, noting that details weren't finalized, reported Wednesday (10/13) that the concert industry is rife with talk that Neil Diamond [ tickets ] and Barbra Streisand [ tickets ] will embark on a 2005 co-headlining tour.

But by Thursday (10/14), after a Diamond spokesperson said that the artist had "other plans" for 2005, the publication reported that the speculation "appears to be incorrect."

Diamond--who normally keeps his ticket prices well below the industry average--last toured in 2001 and 2002. Streisand, meanwhile, is known for pushing the envelope on ticket prices. In September of 2000, Streisand played two-night stands in Los Angeles and New York City, which were billed as her final public performances.

George Strait [ tickets ]'s two-CD set "50 Number Ones," tops the latest U.S. album charts with about 343,000 units sold, according to industry sources. The album edges out Usher [ tickets ]'s "Confessions," which sold about 336,000 copies.

Good Charlotte's "The Chronicles of Life and Death" enters The Billboard 200 album chart at No. 3, while Korn's "Greatest Hits Vol. 1" opens at No. 4. Nelly's "Suit" rounds out the Top 5.

Beyonce [ tickets ], Faith Hill and Josh Groban are scheduled to perform at The Carousel of Hope, an Oct. 23 charity event benefiting childhood diabetes. Jay Leno will host the event at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA.

According to organizers, the annual Carousel of Hope shows have raised nearly $70 million since debuting in 1977 on behalf of the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes in Denver.