News …

Heart asks the McCain / Palin campaign to stop using the band’s music – Entertainment Weekly / Hollywood Insider

Questions, questions and more questions about this year’s VMAs – Newsday

Jacksons reunite at BMI Urban Awards. That is, The Jacksons minus Jermaine and You-Know-Who – Associated Press

Comcast appeals FCC sanctioning of the ISP for blocking P2P traffic – The New York Times / Bits (registration may be required)

John Oates talks about his solo album – Lansdale Reporter Online

Wanna know who paid just under $500,000 for Jimi Hendrix’s burnt guitar? – Boston Herald

Views …

Built To Spill in Boise – “…deserves kudos for performing its classic indie-rock album Perfect From Now On Sunday, during a show to kick off its 2-month tour. This one’s for the fans.” – Idaho Statesman

Carrie Rodriguez in Albany – “The 29-year-old curly haired singer has a big voice, and she knows how to use it. But on Thursday she often reined it in, trading it for a sultry, southern-tinged purr on such dark tales of sensual obsession as ‘Got Your Name On It’ and ‘Rag Doll.'” – Albany Times Union

Jesse McCartney in Springfield, Illinois – “Like an Elvis Presley for the Radio Disney set, McCartney elicited yelps from the crowd with every swivel of his hips.” – The State Journal Register

Peter Frampton in Dallas – ” … Mr. Frampton cut through the sense of predictability with surprisingly adept chops and an obvious sense of joy.” – The Dallas Morning News

Kenny Burrell in NYC – “This is an exuberant, outgoing ensemble, one that treats modern jazz not as elitist music for insiders and fellow musicians but, without stooping to a condescending pop or R&B sound, as an upbeat instrumental art.” – The New York Sun

Ice Cube in Tempe, Arizona – ” … still got plenty of gangsta left in him. And he’s willing to prove it to anyone who says otherwise.” – Arizona Republic

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

Bob Newhart is 79

Al Stewart is 63

Loudon Wainwright III is 62

Terry Ellis (En Vogue) is 42

Brad Wilk (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave) is 40

Dweezil Zappa is 39