Their song, Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked, is not only choppy, but the title’s even a misquote (the correct quote is “Ain’t no rest for the weary”. But we can overlook that, because it’s a common misquote)!

Beyond the music, lead singer Matt Shultz jumped around in a way that was more like a twelve year old pretending to be a rock star; if ya look at heroes like Steven Tyler and even early Mick Jagger, you’ll at least see synchronized histrionics (in time to the beat, and done to emphasize part of the song). The fact that the rest of the band were rather sedate didn’t add much; he stuck out like a sort thumb!

And then there was guitarist Lincoln Parish, who looked … well, like he had some kind of problem that kept him from straightening up. Now, I know any guitar that’s fashioned after a dobro is gonna be hard to play — but this guy looked like he was missing something …
But we’ll have to wait and see if, in the long run, they straighten those areas out …

UNKNOWN SONS OF DIFFERENT FATHERS

By now, the world’s heard about Michael Jackson’s allegedly long-lost son, Omer Bhatti (aka rapper O-Bee). It seems that more proof is coming in proving that he is the late King of Pop’s son.
Even Michael’s strange pop, Joe Jackson, said that O-Bee is the son of the Gloved One. The fact that he was sitting beside Jackson’s sister, Rebbie, at the memorial service only added fuel to the fire!
Personally, I don’t see any problem with this.

But what I do see as a problem is the familial rejection of young Christopher Cyrus.
Here’s a guy who actually wants the approval of his famous dad, Billy Ray and half-sister Miley, but doesn’t get it (he was the product of an affair his father had in S.C. in 1991).
Personally, I think it’s time for Billy Ray to put away any animosity, ‘fess up and accept this youngster into his family. Anybody out there … can I get an amen??

SongVest has partnered with writer Preston Glass to offer bidders 25% of his writer’s share for his hit songs “We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off” and “Miss You Like Crazy”.

In addition to sharing in the royalties, the highest bidders will also receive one-of-a-kind platinum album awards plaques featuring handwritten and signed lyrics.

Glass says, “As a songwriter, sharing my songs with people is always a great thrill. But I can think of no deeper fan connection than sharing the benefits of ownership as well. It’s a mutually rewarding opportunity,”

Over the past three years, SongVest has offered music fans, collectors, and investors the unique opportunity to share the royalties with the writers of their favorite music.
Past auctions have included the rights to songs recorded by Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Carrie Underwood, Ringo Starr, Ozzy Osbourne, and The Monkees.

The auction will begin at 3PM EST on Saturday, August 15 and end at 3PM EST on Saturday, August 22. Fans can register now at http://www.songvest.com to learn more about the revenue history for each song and get a glimpse behind the scenes at how and why the songs were written.

You can bid on items like: original artwork and photos from Taylor Swift and Paris Hilton, signed postcards from Kanye West and Stevie Wonder, and actual guitars signed by Depeche Mode, John Mayer, Tom Petty and Sheryl Crow.

The GRAMMY Foundation makes it possible to show others how our culture is impacted by music, and does it through music education programs, scholarships and grants. MusiCares, on the other hand, provides a safety net of critical financial assistance and services for music people in times of need.

You’ll also have the opportunity to pick up hoodies signed by the Jonas Brothers, a T shirt signed by Iggy Pop, and items from Coldplay, Maroon 5, Joe Satriani, the Dave Matthews Band, Slash, Alice Cooper, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Hudson, Neil Diamond, 3 Doors Down, John Legend, Jason Mraz, U2, Melissa Etheridge, Green Day and many more.

The auction runs until July 31 and can be accessed here.

With the band just halfway through a 21-month Black Ice, he now says the band are even thinking of extending the tour into summer 2010, with outdoor shows in the UK.

“We were talking about the end of the tour and I said: ‘We’re finishing in May and that’s me done!’ But Malcolm [Young, rhythm guitarist] said: ‘What are you talkin’ about? We’re not gonna let you retire!’ And now they’re talking about next year. I’m going: ‘What do you mean next year? We’re finishing in May in Japan, I’ll be tired!’ And they said: ‘Well, we’ve been offered some festivals…’”

Johnson, whose autobiography, Rockers And Rollers, comes out in October, says he wants to devote more of his time to his auto racing. “The years are flashing past and I don’t wanna be sitting in hotel rooms. I wanna go racing again!”

But the huge success of the Black Ice tour has put these plans on hold. “We just keep selling tickets and I’m just going, Jesus Christ!”

Johnson says that he remains fully committed to AC/DC, but says: “It’s a tough one. It’s not me – it’s just my age. I try to keep myself fit, and I love it being in this band. But it’s not just me – Cliff [Williams, bassist] is knocking on a bit more than the others. The other lads are in their early 50s. I’m the old dog in the regiment.

“It’s a purely selfish thing. I don’t want to look a prat if I try to push it too far. I don’t want for people to see me on stage and say, ‘Oh, poor old f****r, the band’s carrying him!’”

But AC/DC fans don’t have anything to worry about at the moment. Right now, Johnson says he’s feeling as good as ever, and enjoying every moment on stage.
“We’ve been out on the road since September [2008], but it never gets boring. They’re just the best rock band, and just to listen to them every night, it gets me. Every time they kick in, you think, What the f***! You’re on again and you’re thinking, ‘This is ridiculous! I’m still grooving!’”

A young rock fan in England had his dream come true when he met the legendary rockers, AC/DC, thanks to the UK Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Six-year-old Hendrix of Walsall, West Midlands, has Acute Monocytic Leukemia and has been a BIG fan of the famous rockers since the age of three, when he had to have a major bone marrow transplant. Believe it or not, AC/DC’s music was the only thing that would calm him and help him sleep!

As well as watching the band’s show in Wembley (from a VIP box, no less), the youngster was escorted backstage where band members Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Phill Rudd and Cliff Williams gave him a goodie bag and his very own miniature guitar, signed by all the band members!

“Tonight has been fantastic for Hendrix and just to see him so happy means everything,” his father said. “He has met his heroes and this will be something he will never forget. Thank you so much for making his wish come true.”

You’ll find many in our field who are busy with charitable or benevolent causes today — namely, because, as a genre, we know the benefits will only help the human condition — one that we, not so long ago (think Sixties here) had such a hard time with.

So kudos to Brian, Mal and the band for their kind work. Having lost a young friend years ago to the disease, I can guarantee that what they did for this lad helped him more than a hundred doctor visits!

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE …

Obviously, the last word is “Home”.  Wherever we go in this world — whether on business trips, college, military service or simple vacations — we always look forward to getting back to the comfort and safety of home.
But what happens if your home is hit by some kind of disaster?  Is it insured in the event of a loss?  So many homeowners put insurance on a “back-burner” because they think it’s too expensive. 
Of course, it’ll cost you a lot more should anything happen to your residence.  But, to help you find the best home insurance quote, all you have to do is click the link you just passed. These folks will help you find multiple quotes — and do it fast, so you can save time and money. They’ll even give you tips on how much coverage you’ll need.
Protect the investment that’s called “home”, and click there now, okay??
It’s the smart thing to do!

Have you noticed that, among all genres of music, ours has the fittest, trimmest stars?  Yeah, country music’s in the mix, too, but, by and large, rock performers have better builds and, overall (if they stay away from the booze and bongs), better health.

Now, there’s a reason for this. 

You see, the rigors of rehearsals, tours (often from setting up equipment to the actual performances themselves) and the adrenalin that’s pumping throughout all that can be excruciating to any singer or instrumentalist who’s out-of-shape.
They also have to concern themselves with the public image.  Let’s face it:  in today’s world, “fat” just doesn’t sell (unless you’re a comic actor).

So, beyond the music, the glitz and glamor that comes with the territory, we’ve gotta take a moment and appreciate their fitness — and maybe even take a few lessons from them!

DIETING MADE EASIER

Of course, we all want trimmer, healthier bodies … and, when that calls for dietary supplements, we want to make sure they work to their full potential!
But there are so many of them out there, how can we be sure we’re getting the best?

Obviously, we can “pick and choose” through whatever pills and potions the local department store or pharmacy has, but, to find an actual diet pill that works, all you need to do is click that link you just passed.
These folks compare the best diet pills on the market and rate them by criteria that mean something to the consumer: Power, ingredient quality, reputation, results, value … even possible side effects! (Now, how many will go so far as to check that out for you?)
If you want to know which pills scored the highest (ie, the best), then just click the link you saw up there …
and, with their findings, you can discover the best diet supplement to help bring out the new you!

Michael Dick was born in Spokane, Washington (I don’t believe he was any relation to Paul Revere [rn: Revere Dick] who was from the same area).  His father was an artist and his mom, a musician.

In 1963 he met Chris Hillman, Gene Clark, David Crosby and Roger McGuinn, and changed his name to Michael Clarke when they formed The Byrds. The rest, as you know, is history.

Other than the band that put his face and name on the map of rock music, Mike was also part of the Flying Burrito Brothers and founding member of Firefall (who hit the chart twice with You Are The Woman and Just Remember I Love You). 
An accomplished artist as well, Michael died from cirrhosis of the liver at the age of 47 as the result of an addiction to alcohol, which started at the age of 14.

It was his dying wish to go on national television so that all the children across the nation could see what happens to you when you start abusing alcohol in your teens.
He said, “I want to tell them to say no to alcohol, it’s the most deadly drug of all! I want to tell them to get high on life through music and art.”

Although he looked forward to making this PSA, he never got the chance (the photo on your right was taken just an hour before he died). 
But he did leave an amazingly-heartwrenching letter … one that all teens … in fact, everyone, rockers included … that I wantcha to read.
Now, it’s a bit long to put in here, so do yourself a tremendous favor and download it here … or, to see it online, go here (the hard-copy is easier to share offline, though).
Maybe it’ll wake somebody up …

Whitney Houston appeared at the world premiere of her new album, “I Look to You” (Arista), in London last week, and, according so some who attended, the lady’s lookin’ goood!

She came onstage for a few moments after Sony’s legend Clive Davis played nine tracks from the album (it’s due to be released Sept. 1 in the U.S. In England, it’ll be out a day earlier by RCA).

But Davis is quick to say the album is “by no means done,” while many of the songs played were still not completely finished.

Houston thanked Davis for his work on the album, though, saying: “When Clive called me I was pretty ready to buy my island home [and retire] but he said, ‘No, you’re going to sing again, people want to hear you.’”

Calling the album “a labor of love”, she said: “I hope that these songs stay with you for a lifetime.”

WEIGHING IN

There are many of you who’ve tried to lose weight by using the diet supplement, nuphedra, but haven’t been able to find it at your local nutrition stores lately.
It’s because the FDA has ordered a reformulation of the supplement so that it’s compliant with their Good Manufacturing Practices Policies.
Now, that might leave a few people confused about the future of this successful dietary aid.  But there is a new version that’s already undergoing testing and is expected to be released in September of this year.
In the meantime, if you want to read more about ephedra, just click the link you just passed. You’ll find a site that’ll not only give you the full report but will also help you find alternatives until the new formula’s released to the public! It’s straightforward — giving you the positive effects while reminding you of the importance of taking it only as directed.
But you can’t wait for the new version, they’ll even help you find it on eBay!

With all the benefits that you can gain, you’ll certainly want the new, reformulated its reformulation is complete when it comes on the market. So click on the link and find out more about the supplement — and the latest updates!

Now, you’ve heard … er, read … me talk about the fab new UK band, The Fore, and many of you have become great fans of the foresome.
Well, they’ve now been nominated IRM Best Independent Artist of 2009! And all it takes to get them on top is your vote for them to win!
Here’s how ya do it:

Click on this link, select “Rate this song” or “Become a Fan” or, better yet, both! Rating the song gives the artist a point, while becoming a fan gives the artist FIVE points!

Become a fan of the fore by clicking here! It won’t take but a minute … and you can listen to their music while you’re voting for them!

NOW … TO OTHER THINGS

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have added some new dates to their Working on a Dream tour, which starts late next month with three shows at the Comcast Theater in Hartford, Conn.

Now, in addition to other U.S. dates already set, they’re adding performances in Nashville, Tenn.
Tampa, Fla.
Sunrise, Fla.
Greenville, S.C.
Chicago. Ill.
Philadelphia, Pa.
St. Louis, Mo.
Kansas City, Mo.
Washington, D.C.
Charlotte, N.C.
New York, N.Y.
Cleveland, Ohio
Auburn Hills, Mich.
Milwaukee, Wisc.

So, if you’re around any of these areas, be sure to take in “The Boss” … ’cause you’re guaranteed an excellent show you won’t soon forget …

Remember, a few weeks ago, when Mollie Sugden (the wonderful Mrs. Slocombe on the Thames TV hit Are You Being Served?) died? I wuz putting up the installments of Mrs. Slocombe’s Erotic Dreams up here … and got a bit bogged down, thus forgetting Part 3!

Sooooooo, to make up for that, whaddya say we run all three installments on here, okay??
Here ya go (and my apologies for the delay. Enjoy!):

Now … still friends? Good. Then I’ll see ya on the flip side …