MUSIC* Charitable Rockers John Mellencamp’s return to...

MUSIC

* Charitable Rockers John Mellencamp’s return to his heartland home last month raised more than $450,000 for Midwest flood victims at concerts in Chicago and Indianapolis--even after a St. Louis performance had to be canceled due to fear that a levee near the venue would break. . . . Van Halen and USA Harvest announced they collected more than 180 tons of canned goods for the needy during the rock group’s “Right Here, Right Now” tour, which ended Saturday night at the Pacific Amphitheatre. Spokesmen for the food drive said it was the most ever collected by such a campaign. But in other flood-related charity news, singer Joni Mitchell unexpectedly pulled out of a benefit concert Saturday that would have raised money to help send Pennsylvania volunteers to flood-ravaged Iowa. Mitchell’s absence resulted in cancellation of the first date of the Troubadours of Folk tour, featuring Roger McGuinn, Richie Havens and Janis Ian.

TELEVISION

* Jackson Family Conference The investigation into accusations against Michael Jackson has transformed a long-planned news conference by Jackson family members into a major media event. Cable News Network and E! Entertainment Television say they will have live coverage of an 11 a.m. news conference from North Hollywood. A spokeswoman for KNBC-TV Channel 4 said the station would also cover the news conference live “if it applies to the continuing investigation regarding Michael Jackson.” Organizers say that more than 20 members of the Jackson family, including Michael’s parents, Joseph and Katherine, brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, Randy, Tito and sister Rebbie will be present. The news conference, said to have been scheduled for two months, is to announce details of “The Jackson Family Honors,” an upcoming special on NBC.

MOVIES

* Nobody Catches ‘The Fugitive”’The Fugitive” remained atop box-office charts for a fourth straight weekend. The film, based on the 1960s television series about a doctor wrongly accused of killing his wife, took in an estimated $14.4 million, industry sources said Sunday. Stephen King’s terror flick “Needful Things” debuted in second place, earning $5.3 million, followed by the Jean-Claude Van Damme action movie “Hard Target,” which collected $4.7 million in ticket sales. “The Man Without a Face,” starring Mel Gibson as a disfigured recluse, debuted in fourth place with $4.1 million in ticket sales. Since its Wednesday opening, it has collected $5.2 million. The children’s tale “The Secret Garden” earned $3.2 million for the No. 5 spot, followed by “Jurassic Park” with $2.9 million and “Rising Sun” with $2.8 million. Rounding out the Top 10 were Clint Eastwood’s “In the Line of Fire” with $2.7 million, “Sleepless in Seattle” with $2.1 million and “Free Willy” with $2 million. Other debut films this weekend that didn’t make the Top 10 were “The Son of the Pink Panther,” “Only the Strong” and “Father Hood,” which each collected an estimated $1.2 million.

STAGE

* ‘Hee Haw’ Onstage: George (Goober) Lindsey, Grandpa Jones and other members of the “Hee Haw” crew are regrouping for a stage show based on the long-running TV program, which is still seen in syndication. “Hee Haw Live” will be presented during the summer season next year at the Opryland USA theme park in Nashville. The show will include comedy skits first featured on “Hee Haw,” new routines and country music.

QUICK TAKES

* Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones will be filling in on bass in Lenny Kravitz’s band during Thursday’s MTV Music Awards. No word yet if Jones will be a permanent replacement in the band. . . . ABC News has named Boyd Matson, a 14-year veteran of rival NBC News, as co-anchor (with Thalia Assuras) of “World News Now” and “World News This Morning.” Matson most recently was host of the live talk show, “The Real Story,” on CNBC. . . . The Society of Composers and Lyricists raised some $5,000 to support music education in L.A.-area schools during a reception Saturday night at Hollywood Bowl. . . . William W. Crane IV, lead singer of the rock band Ugly Kid Joe, was arrested at a rock concert in Columbus, Ohio, Friday after allegedly encouraging crowd members to attack security guards. He was charged with felony assault and with inciting violence for reportedly screaming “Kill the pigs” and hitting a security guard with a microphone stand.