News …

MySpace Music arrives – Los Angeles Times (registration may be required)

Depending on how you look at it, the labels are either optimistic, or less pessimistic, about the future – The New York Times (registration may be required)

There’s only one Steven Tyler, and the Aerosmith frontman wants to keep it that way as he files lawsuit against unknown blogger claiming to be him – Reuters

Everybody out of the pool! Fire destroys pool house at Ludacris’ Atlanta home – Associated Press

U2 guitarist Edge wants you to know it’s his yacht and not Bono’s – Belfast Telegraph

Randy Travis sits still long enough for a Q&A – Cincinnati Enquirer

Views …

New Kids On The Block in NYC – “Collective memory is about specifics, after all, and here, at the first American stop on the New Kids on the Block reunion tour, no detail was left unexploited.” – The New York Times (registration may be required)

Neko Case in St. Louis – “Case is one of our generation’s best and most original singer-songwriters, her pitch-perfect voice and dark humor setting the table for taut, loaded lyrics.”- Riverfront Times

Glasvegas in London – “The band recreated the Phil Spector-inspired ‘wall of sound’ of their recordings surprisingly faithfully with just two guitars, a bass and the minimalist drumming technique of Caroline McKay. ” – The Times Online U.K.

Dar Williams in Iowa City – ” … an evening with East Coast folkie Dar Williams is like meeting up with a college pal every few years, catching up on the latest happenings, watching time melt away.” – The Gazette Online

Neil Diamond in Seattle – “The world may be crumbling around us, but Neil Diamond is forever.” – The Seattle Times

Celine Dion in Cleveland – ” … started in ‘over the top’ mode and worked her way up from there.” – The Plain Dealer

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

Ian Tyson is 75

Joe Russell is 69

Jimmy Sturr (Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra) – is 57

Will Smith is 40

Mike Luce (Drowning Pool) is 37

T.I. is 28

Diana Ortiz (Dream) is 23