In the News
So what's been happening in the news lately? Let's take a look...

Creed will be releasing a new album in November. Still untitled at this point, Scott Stapp said, "It's everything we've done so far turned up times 10."...So we get more over-blown, over-produced, whiny ass songs that girls will want their boyfriends to listen to over and over again?

Kid Rock and Pamela Anderson are a hot item. Can you believe it? According to Kid, 'I was surprised she was so genuine and down-to-earth and a really beautiful person inside.'...Isn't it funny he didn't mention the attributes that make her a really beautiful person on the outside?

Let's see if I have this right...The Eagles filed a trademark-infringement lawsuit against the non-profit American Eagle Foundation over their use of its educational and fundraising Web site, Eagles.org, its '1-800-2EAGLES' phone number and its American Eagle Records label. Then they dropped the suit because they're on tour in Europe and couldn't make it back to testify at the trial on June 11th. Now AEF is considering counter-suing The Eagles for court costs and attorney's fees incurred during the original suit. Yeah, sure...Okay...What's next? The city of Chicago suing the group Chicago for trademark-infringements? Or how about the estate of the late Buddy Holly suing the National Society of Cricket Lovers because they feel that they have mislead the music loving population as to their true intent?

Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys donated $10,000 to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department to buy new bullet proof vests after they recovered his two missing dogs which were taken from his home. That's cool! Unfortunately, the dogs were not German Shepherds or Alaskan Huskies or Pit Bulls or Doberman Pinschers. No!!! They weren't any of those manly dogs. They were Chihuahuas...I understand that the Sheriff's Department is stepping up its investigation and are now looking for individuals with gnaw marks on their ankles.

Since American millionaire Dennis Tito bought a ride into space, now a Russian pop star wants to follow suit. Members of the pop group Na Na, who have hook laden tunes and pretty-boy looks, have already taken the cosmonaut training course. Since only one member of the group would be able to go into space the other members of the group would join him in a concert by radio hook-up from Earth...I can think of at least a half dozen American 'boy bands' that can go up on the next shuttle mission.

On a more somber note, the recording industry lost one the greatest blues players this week. John Lee Hooker died in his sleep at his home in Los Altos, CA on June 21st. He influenced a generation of guitar players and up and coming blues-rock groups, including The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, Bruce Springsteen and Bonnie Raitt. If you've never heard John Lee Hooker, I recommend checking out 'Boom Boom', 'Boogie Chillun', 'Crawling Kingsnake' or his Grammy winning duet with Bonnie Raitt 'I'm In the Mood'. Thanks for the great music John Lee. We'll miss you. For more on John Lee Hooker check out the Boom Boom Room. You won't be disappointed.

- Richard Blaine
Quote of the Week
People say I'm a genius but I don't know about that. I don't know what a genius is. I know there ain't no one ever sound like me, except maybe my stepfather. You hear all the kids trying to play like B.B. (King), and they ain't going to because, ooh, he's such a fine player and a very great man. But you never hear them even try and sound like John Lee Hooker.
John Lee Hooker - Interview with The Times of London

* Richard Blaine's views and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the staff at Twin-Music.


Check out Richard Blaine's past articles.
Have a gripe? E-mail Richard Blaine and let him know.