News …

Who killed Tupac? – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

Amazon MP3 / Pepsi free download promotion isn’t music to everyone’s ears – Financial Times (registration may be required)

Loan extension keeps advertising-supported music service SpiralFrog a hoppin’ – CNET / News.com

Carrie Underwood to join Grand Ole Opry – Associated Press

Former Abba drummer, Ola Brunkert, found dead in apartment – Reuters

Views …

Pink Martini in Ottawa – “Last night’s music brought to mind a simpler time, when men wore suits and women dressed up in long gowns and jewels, and everyone took their music seriously.” – The Ottawa Citizen

Newsboys in Indiana – “… delivered nearly 90 minutes of high-energy music, bold light effects and even a gravity-defying drum solo …” Evansville Courier & Press

Tom Jones in the Twin Cities – “… his performance ended with 49 panties … two bras, one stuffed Easter bunny onstage and 2,100 smiles on concertgoers faces – Minneapolis Star Tribune

Ben Folds in Boston – “Folds didn’t have to make much effort to inspire crowd participation during last night’s set. In between songs, crowd members would shout out songs to sing and echo back the lyrics if he chose to take a breather for a couple of lines occasionally.” – The Northeastern News

Loretta Lynn in Illinois – ” … was a tiny slice of the Grand Ole Opry come to Joliet.” Southern Star

George Carlin in Kingston, NY – “… fired a barrage of jokes – and four-letter words – to a delighted sold-out audience at the Ulster Performing Arts Center Sunday night.” – Daily Freeman

Australia’s West Coast Blues N Roots Festival – “By far the most popular acts last night were Sinead O’Connor, Gotye and Buddy Guy.” – The West Australian

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

Paul Kantner is 67

Jim Weatherly is 65

John Sebastian is 64

Harold Brown (War) is 62

Paul Overstreet is 53

Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) is 41

Van Conner (Screaming Trees) is 41

Melissa Auf der Maur (Smashing Pumpkins, Hole) is 36

Caroline Corr (The Corrs) is 35

Swifty (D12) is 33