#WhatsHappening for July 5, 2017

Hey kids. Happy Wednesday of a this short week. Hope you all survived the festivities with all your digits intact.

I had to laugh when I read the headline this morning that a certain group of people were upset by NPR's tweeting out the Declaration of Independence.

Some things make it very difficult not to be partisan.

Billboard headline: 50 Cent on JAY-Z's '4:44' Album: 'That Sh-- Was Like Golf Course Music' I'm not hip on the lingo the kid's use- is that an insult or a recommendation?

Speaking of laughs- I was laughing earlier when someone was telling me that some folks were wanting to have a friend's 40th birthday party at karaoke night... when I wasn't working.

I said, "do you mean the next time there's no karaoke, or just me, specifically?"

"You, specifically."

"Fine by me, as long as it's Mark's turn to work."

Now, judging by the group that was asking, I'm guessing some of them don't like that I've told them over and over that I only take one slip per person, per rotation- and won't let them bring me a goddamned handful of slips with the same name written on all of them.

Then, there's others in the group who don't think should have to wait their turn (and, seriously- want to fall even farther down the list? Pester me about "when is it my turn?"), while still others probably don't care for the way I tease- well, everyone.

Judging by the average crowd though, there are plenty of people who have no problem with the way I do things (or just aren't ginormous babies about it). Honestly, though? I really do hope it's Mark turn in the rotation the week they're asking about, because this particular group is almost always a pain in the ass.

And, I hope they're just as concerned about my not caring much for them as I am about them not liking me- because I couldn't give a frog's fat ass.

Drummer John Blackwell Jr., best known for his work with Prince, has died. He was 43.

Blackwell's wife, Yaritza, announced his death on her husband's Instagram account. "My husband incredible drummer John Blackwell Jr. passed the way peacefully in my company today. Thanks God for his life and thanks everyone for their support."

Blackwell performed with Prince for over a decade and played on 2003's instrumental N.E.W.S. album and the Live at the Aladdin Las Vegas DVD. He also worked with Patti LaBelle and Justin Timberlake.

Blackwell was diagnosed with brain tumors last year.

A British court has sentenced a 19 year old to a minimum of 16 years for plotting a bomb attack on an Elton John concert in London on the 9/11 anniversary.

The judge said man was "committed to carrying out an act of mass murder" as he handed down a life sentence with a minimum 16-year term.

The west Londoner man admitted that he was preparing terrorist acts between April and September last year- considering targets like Oxford Street and John's Hyde Park concert, and that he'd tried to get a machine gun, handguns, a suicide vest, and a bomb.

The man's brother is serving a minimum 15 year service after being found guilty of plotting to carry out the beheading of a British soldier in 2014.

Birthdays today include: Jason Wade of Lifehouse (37); Bengt Lagerberg of The Cardigans (44); Marc Cohn (58); Huey Lewis of Huey Lewis & The News (67); and Robbie Robertson (74). #MusicalBirthdays