A Few More Things: Mick Jagger, Slayer & CMA Music Festival

Let’s Spend Saturday Night Together

The 37th season of “SNL” wraps up May 19 with Mick Jagger taking over as both host and musical guest. The upcoming episode will be the Rolling Stones frontman’s first time hosting the sketch comedy show and third time performing at the NBC set, according to Reuters.

Back in December 2001 Jagger showed off his sense of humor by taking part in a “SNL” skit with Jimmy Fallon about those famous dance moves of his.

New York Giant quarterback Eli Manning hosts the show this weekend with musical guest Rihanna. May 12’s episode features former “SNL” cast member Will Ferrell as host and Usher as the musical guest.

CMA Music Festival 2012 Additions

The latest acts confirmed for this year’s nightly concert series at CMA Music Festival are Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town.

Thursday, June 7: Jason Aldean, Glen Campbell, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley and Zac Brown Band.

Friday, June 8: The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert, Ronnie Milsap, Jake Owen, Blake Shelton and Carrie Underwood.

Saturday, June 9: Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Hunter Hayes, Faith Hill, Little Big Town and Kenny Rogers.

Sunday, June 10: Dierks Bentley, Alan Jackson, The Mavericks, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery and Rascal Flatts.

Here’s what the National Anthem schedule looks like: Nashville School of Arts Chamber (under the direction of Walter Bitner) June 7, The Oak Ridge Boys June 8, Julie Roberts June 9, and Sarah Darling June 10.

Tickets are on sale now. For more information click here.

Slayer & The Spider

Earlier this week Slayer posted an open letter on its site to tell fans that Gary Holt will continue to fill in for Jeff Hanneman on tour as the guitarist takes more time off to recover from a spider bite.

The statement explained that when Hannerman was bitten more than a year ago and checked into the ER, “things were touch-and-go. There was talk that he might have to have his arm amputated, and we didn’t know if he was going to pull through at all.

“He was in a medically-induced coma for a few days and had several operations to remove the dead and dying tissue from his arm. So, understand, he was in really, really bad shape. It’s been about a year since he got out of the hospital, and since then, he had to learn to walk again, he’s had several painful skin grafts, he’s been in rehab doing exercises to regain the strength in his arm; but best of all, he’s been playing guitar.”

Although Hanneman was able to join the band on stage for the encore at the 2011 “Big Four” show in Indio, Calif., and has been coming to band rehearsals during the past several weeks, he still needs more time in rehab.

And how long can fans expect to wait before Hanneman is ready to return to the road? Slayer says the most honest answer is “as long as it takes.” Until then, Holt will tour with the band.

Slayer has several European festivals scheduled in late May and early June, followed by the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival. The traveling fest kicks off June 30 in Devore, Calif., and runs through Aug. 5 in Hartford, Conn. 

For more information visit Slayer.net.