SOUL ON SOUL: The Soul Train Music...

SOUL ON SOUL: The Soul Train Music Awards, which air here April 12 at 8 p.m. on Channel 11, will debut a new honor category--the Sammy Davis Jr. Award, which goes to the year’s outstanding live performer. The first recipient is (surprise) Michael Jackson! Show organizers say Jackson will be on hand to accept the award, which is more than they can say for Davis, who’ll make the presentation--via satellite--from Norway, where he has a concert engagement. . . . Jeff Beck’s new band is called Surprise Surprise. . . . Jules Shear has cut a solo album (sans the Reckless Sleepers). Called “The Third Party,” it’s due out later this spring on I.R.S. Records. . . . Babyface (of the Grammy-nominated L.A. and Babyface production team) is at work on a solo album for Motown Records. . . . One of our metal faves, Motorhead, has just signed with Enigma Records. Expect a new album later this year. . . . Our Title of the Week goes to Gang Green, the Boston skateboard-thrash band, whose new RoadRacer Records EP is called “I81B4U,” (a sly spoof of Van Halen’s recent “OU812”). . . . And Irish popsters Hothouse Flowers, who’ll be at the Roxy for three nights beginning Monday, will do an impromptu “busker” show at the Hard Rock Cafe today. Starting at 1 p.m., the group will be on hand, donating a mandolin to the restaurant’s celebrity-instrument collection and giving away albums to fans. . . . And our condolences to Ted Nugent, whose mother--known as Ma Nuge--died recently of cancer. Ma Nuge had been a regular concert-goer and written a teen advice column for RIP magazine. She’ll be missed.