Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash makes a guest appearance on the upcoming album from R&B star Rihanna, titled Rated R. Slash contributes guitar to a song called "Rockstar 101" on the disc, which arrives on November 23rd. Slash has also signed with Roadrunner Records for European distribution of his own upcoming solo album, tentatively called Slash & Friends, although a U.S. deal and release date have yet to be announced. (Rolling Stone / Blabbermouth)

Shinedown and Papa Roach will team up for a short series of co-headlining tour dates next month to wrap up 2009. Shinedown will deliver proceeds from the tour to the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville, while Papa Roach has partnered with WHY (World Hunger Year) to support local and national efforts to end hunger and poverty. Halestorm will appear on all but the first two dates, which are (subject to change):

December 5 - Highland Heights, KY - Bank of KY Center

December 6 - Erie, PA - Erie Civic Center 

December 8 - Binghamton, NY - Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena 

December 12 - Cedar Rapids, IA - US Cellular Center 

December 15 - Rockford, IL - Rockford MetroCentre 

December 16 - Poplar Bluff, MO - Black River Coliseum