Music notes

Citing Internet piracy and bootlegging as well as “rabid demand,” Interscope Records will release Eminem’s new album, “Encore,” on Friday instead of the previously scheduled Nov. 16.

The move echoes the label’s action on Eminem’s 2002 album “The Eminem Show,” which was moved up a week to undercut extensive piracy on both the Internet and the streets. Many tracks from “Encore” are currently circulating on the Internet.

The album, which will come in a standard version and a “collector’s edition” with special packaging and bonuses, is among the most anticipated releases of the year.

“The Eminem Show” won two Grammys and sold 19 million copies worldwide, bringing the controversial rapper’s total to 50 million.

Twain tops country songs

Shania Twain’s “Forever and For Always” won this year’s country song of the year honors from the music licensing agency BMI.

The song, co-written by Twain and her husband, Robert John “Mutt” Lange, was the most performed country song of the year, based on U.S. broadcasts. It was Twain’s fourth BMI song of the year win.

In other awards, Toby Keith, who comes to the Spokane Arena on Thursday, collected country songwriter/artist of the year honors for his hits “American Soldier,” “Beer for My Horses” and “I Love This Bar.”

Keith croons on AOL

Toby Keith tonight will become the first country artist to perform on AOL Music Live, the live performance series that has previously tapped Nelly, Usher, Avril Lavigne and Rod Stewart.

The Web concert will stream starting today at 6 p.m. from The Factory in Franklin, about 20 miles south of Nashville, according to Keith’s Web site. It’s part of a media blitz this week to support Tuesday’s release of his “Greatest Hits 2” album.