News …

Federal appeals court throws out $550,000 fine leveled against CBS by the FCC over Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl nipple exposure – Associated Press

Amy Winehouse’s husband sentenced to 27 months in the slammer for assault and obstructing justice – Associated Press

The new music biz – Indie band pitches investors on TV reality show and walks away with enough cash to make an album – The Times Online U.K.

Mixing pop music with Broadway musicals. It’s not as easy as it sounds – The Dallas Morning News

DMX arrested (again) in Phoenix (again) – Associated Press

The Dandy Warhols do the Q&A – BBC

Tailgating with the Parrotheads – Chicago Sun – Times / Scratch Crib (registration may be required)

Views …

Juan Luis Guerra in New York City – “He filters Dominican styles through his own pop sensibility, inserting more chords than standard merengues use and letting keyboards share the guitar syncopations of typical bachatas.” – The New York Times (registration may be required)

Mark Knopfler in Syracuse – ” … thoroughly wowed the 2,300 or so folks in the Landmark Theatre on Sunday night with guitar work that rang true and clear with his signature sound.” – Syracuse Post-Standard / Syracuse.com

Earth, Wind & Fire in Memphis – “They’ve been together almost 40 years and are enshrined in the venerable Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but members of R&B funk monster band Earth, Wind & Fire don’t rest on their laurels.” – Memphis Commercial Appeal

Lyle Lovett in Salt Lake City – ” …the show’s real star – aside from its rangy guitarist, singer and bandleader – was the songs.” – The Salt Lake Tribune

Wynonna in Lancaster, Ohio – ” … nailed everything she sang, sounding in sync with the Lancaster Festival Orchestra.” – The Columbus Dispatch

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss in Nashville – “Closing out six straight weeks of shows, the concert balanced an elated homecoming vibe with a finely tuned performance, as the duo’s smoothly blended harmonies rose and fell in perfect step.” – The Tennessean

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

Kay Starr is 86

Yusuf (Cat Stevens) is 60

Robin Williams is 57

Eric Bazilian (The Hooters) is 55

Emerson Hart (Tonic) is 39

Paul Brandt is 36

Damian Marley is 30

Blake Lewis is 27