News …

Court upholds Ron Isley prison sentence – Associated Press

UC Davis P2P users could be in for a “rude surprise” – The California Aggie

The world of Chinese hip-hop – The Times Online

25 things you might not know about Michael Jackson’s Thriller – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

Is that a gun in your pocket or are you a music fan? – Daily Mail U.K.

Rap promoter testifies in drug trial – Courier Post Online / Associated Press

Views …

Jonas Brothers in El Paso – “Ever heard 2,400 girls scream?” – El Paso Times

John Mellencamp in Canada – “He may not go down as easy, but there’s no denying John Mellencamp is as American as apple pie.” – Winnipeg Sun

The Spice Girls in New Jersey – “Opening with ‘Spice Up Your Life,’ the group dazzled the fanatical crowd with its general splendor.” – The Cornell Daily Sun

Thrice in Edmonton – “Deliberate experimental shifts in style usually leave bands like Thrice caught between fan bases, but the all-ages-and-up crowd cheered on the newer material as much as they did the older.” – Edmonton Journal

Will Ferrell’s “Funny Or Die Comedy Tour” at Penn State – “Ferrell isn’t known for standup comedy but rather for sketch comedy like Saturday Night Live, and he didn’t disappoint on that front.” – The Daily Collegian

A Blues Cruise for landlubbers – “Between 400 and 500 people filled the historic building to enjoy the stylings of guitar-slinger Tommy Castro, keyboardist/saxophonist Deanna Bogart and harmonica man Richard “Magic Dick” Salwitz.” – WCF Courier

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

Ray Manzarek is 69

Moe Bandy is 64

Steve Hackett is 58

Michael McDonald is 56

Chynna Phillips (Wilson Phillips) is 40

Jim Creeggan (Barenaked Ladies) is 38

Keri Lewis (Mint Condition) is 37