News …

Ticketmaster acquires VIP Ticketing Services Company SLO Limited – PRNewswire / Ticketmaster / press release

Nicole Kidman to portray Dusty Springfield in biopic – Daily Record U.K.

Ang Lee to make movie about Woodstock – Poughkeepsie Journal

Annie Lennox to receive British Red Cross “Services To Humanity” award for her “‘outstanding’ humanitarian work and her efforts for families affected by HIV and Aids.” – Luton Today U.K.

Q&A with 36 Crazy Fists’ Brock Lindow – Anchorage Daily News

The Internet is evil. Really, really, evil – The London Free Press

Views …

Madonna in the Big Apple – “New York may be a city of the impatient, but for Madonna’s fans, Wednesday’s show proved that seeing her for free in a 2,200-capacity hall – minuscule by her usual touring standards – was something worth waiting for. And waiting for a very long time.” – The New York Times (registration may be required)

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band in Charlottesville, Virginia – “coming off the death of band member Danny Federici a couple of weeks ago, the band sounds as if it has a new purpose – to memorialize its friend and channel its grief through its music.” – Charlottesville Daily Progress

Nick Lowe in Albany – “Armed with only his acoustic guitar, his honeyed voice, just a touch of reverb and a very, very impressive cache of deftly understated songs, Lowe held the crowd rapt throughout the night.” – Albany Times Union

Roger Waters in Denver – ” … put together a powerful, seamless blend of Floyd classics and his own solo work, making political and societal statements that have been his ongoing lyrical theme for decades.” – Rocky Mountain News

Jack Ingram in Fort Worth – “‘My goal tonight is to turn this place into a honky-tonk'” – Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Ron Sexsmith in Peterborough, Ontario – “The 2004 Juno Award winner for best songwriter demonstrated the melodic and lyrical talent that has won him fans worldwide and a loyal following here in his home province.” – The Peterborough Examiner

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

Sonny James is 79

Judy Collins is 69

Rita Coolidge is 63

Ray Parker Jr. is 54

Wayne Hancock is 43

Johnny Colt (The Black Crowes) is 42

Tim McGraw is 41

D’Arcy Wretzky (Smashing Pumpkins) is 40