News …

European Union study shows one in ten people using personal music players could suffer hearing loss. That is, of course, if you’re European. – BBC

iPod awarded “Gadget of the Year” honor at T3 Awards – The Tech Herald

Recent survey indicates 72 percent of illicit downloaders would quit swapping songs after receiving a warning from their ISP. But what would all those record label lawyers do? – Broadband-Finder

It was the night the stars came out as Sting, Placido Domingo, Andrea Bocelli, Roberto Alagna, Jose Carreras, Zucchero and Jovanotti paid tribute to Luciano Pavorotti at private memorial event – Daily Mail U.K.

Who’s that DJ on the Madonna tour? He’s DJ Enferno – Boston Herald / The Edge

Music photographer William Claxton dies at 80 – Associated Press

Views …

Maxwell in Wallingford, Connecticut – “His subtly rich vocal manner nestled into the springy vibe of ‘Noone,’ and showed the strong Prince influences that inhabit much of his music as he shaped a cool falsetto lead for his simmering cover of Kate Bush’s ‘This Woman’s Work.'” – Hartford Courant

The Black Keys in Akron, Ohio – The no-frills duo returned to its hometown Saturday night to headline its largest Northeast Ohio gig to date, transforming the august E.J. Thomas Hall into one big juke joint.” – The Plain Dealer

Randy Newman in Kansas City – “No one does what he does the way he does it: sing and comment with humor, sadness, anger and regret about everything from world history, politics, religion and socio-economics to love, death, sex and parenthood.” – The Kansas City Star

Lil’ Wayne in Tulsa – “Rather than performing each of his songs from start to finish, Lil Wayne opted for shortened remixes of his catalogue, allowing him to fit in more songs, which his enthusiastic fans seem to appreciate.” – Tulsa World

Alanis Morissette in Ottawa – “As the guitars blazed, bass thundered and drums rolled, Morissette carried an air of rock ‘n’ roll elegance, sporting an outfit that featured tall boots and something dark and sparkly on top.” – Ottawa Citizen / Canada.com

Kris Kristofferson in British Columbia – “And you wonder why ladies love him and guys want to be him. No surprise there. Shoot, he really is a silver-tongued devil.” – Times Colonist / Canada.com

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

Shirley Caesar is 70

Paul Simon is 67

Robert Lamm (Chicago) is 64

Lacy J. Dalton is 62

Sammy Hagar is 61

Marie Osmond is 49

Joey Belladonna is 48

John Wiggins is 46

Jeff Allen (Mint Condition) is 40

Carlos Marin (Il Divo) is 40

Rhett Akins is 39

Jan Van Sichem Jr. (K’s Choice) is 36

Brandon and Brian Casey (Jagged Edge) are 33

Ashanti is 28

Jon Micah Sumrall (Kutless) is 28