News …

Doc Walker sweeps Canadian Country Music Awards – The Canadian Press

Sooooo … What do you think of VMA host Russell Brand? – The Telegraph U.K.

John Oates goes back to his old high school – “‘I used to love assemblies because they always gave me an excuse to get me out of class. Now I’m your excuse.'” – The Morning Call

Hank Williams Jr. does the ol’ Q&A – Sports Illustrated / CNN.com

Beastie Boy Adam Yauch’s celluloid dreams – The New York Times (registration may be required)

Croatian singer Dino Dvornik dies at 44 – International Herald Tribune / Associated Press

Views …

Gloria Estefan in Belfast – ” … takes the audience to power ballad heaven.” – Belfast Telegraph

Gavin DeGraw in Boston – “The most striking part of DeGraw’s stage presence was the positive and personable vibe that he gave off.” – The Heights

The Felice Brothers in Great Barrington, Massachusetts – “They know how to bring their down-home brand of authenticity to the table.” – The Daily Collegian Online

The Hot Club Of Cowtown in London – “Unfussy and unpretentious, their blend of down-home melodies and exuberant improvisation harks back to a lost era of so-called western swing.” – The Times Online U.K.

Lewis Black at Purdue University – “Black’s delivery is now famous. It’s like a Pixies or Nirvana song. There’s the quiet buildup that’s interesting and compelling — and then a sonic blast. With Black, the punch line is often carried out at eardrum exploding volume.” Journal & Courier Online

Jeremy Camp in Michigan – “Rainy weather can’t stop performer Jeremy Camp’s fire at the Allegan County Fair.” – Kalamazoo Gazette / MiLive.com

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

Luther Simmons (The Main Ingredient) is 66

Inez Fox is 66

Dee Dee Sharp is 63

Doug Ingle (Iron Butterfly) is 62

Freddy Weller is 61

Dave Stewart is 56

Michael Buble’ is 33