News …

Record label EMI reportedly wants to reduce funding for trade organizations like the RIAA – MarketWatch

Live Nation offering “Amphitheatre Concert Packs” for 2008 – two general admission lawn tickets plus six music downloads for $39.99 – CNNMoney / Press Release

Are today’s Guitar Hero players tomorrow’s guitar heroes? – Cnet

Trading Jack Daniels and groupies for organic coffee and snacks – The New York Times (registration may be required)

Your Charlie Daniels primer – The Salinas Californian

Rockers for kangaroos – The Age

Views …

Babyshambles – the band that would never play Wembley plays Wembley – The Evening Standard

Peter Bjorn And John serve up a gourmet course – The Dallas Morning News

Tori Amos brings lots and lots of music to San Antonio – The San Antonio Express-News

Elton John brings hits and hair to Australia – The Sidney Morning Herald

The return of Edwyn Collins – The Times

They Say It’s Their Birthday … (Or so says Associated Press)

Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr. is 78

Randy Newman is 64

Paul Shaffer is 58

Kristine Arnold (Sweethearts of the Rodeo) is 51

Matt Cameron (Soundgarden) is 45

Jon Stewart is 45

Dawn Robinson (En Vogue, Lucy Pearl) is 39

Apl.de.Ap (Black Eyed Peas) is 33

Chamillionaire is 28