#Whaddup for Sunday, October 2, 2022

Hi, folks. Hope you're all enjoying the weekend- and that any of you joining us from any of the coastal areas- we hope you and yours escaped relatively unscathed from Ian's temper tantrum.

In our area, at least, there wasn't much more than some pretty stiff breezes Thursday (or maybe it was Wednesday), but that's about it. I don't think it even rained. But it's not like I spend a lot of time outside anyway.

In fact, that's something my doctor mentioned to me at my checkup a couple of weeks ago- that I needed to make sure I got plenty of vitamin D (you know? 'cause I'm old), so I should go outside more. I think maybe she missed the part where I said I had allergies to pretty much everything with chlorophyll, and that I pink up like a lobster in a pot after about 10 minutes in the sun. In case you're curious, I also had my six month cancer check up, and I'm still in the clear.

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Seriously? People are pissed of that Lizzo- a classically trained flautist- was allowed to play an instrument once owned by James Madison? Let me say that again- just in case you missed it- she is a classically trained flautist. She was invited to play the instrument by the Librarian of Congress. She played all of two notes, it's reported.

No matter what I personally think of her music, that flute belongs to the people of the United States. The bigger offense is that other flautists aren't allowed the same access. Everyone needs to pull their collective heads out of their collective asses and stop arguing about ridiculous shit like this.

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Saturday Night Karaoke returns to the Iron Horse this week- and don't forget our 12th Annual Costumes & Karaoke Party, coming Saturday, October 29th.

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We went concerting last week (well, two weeks ago now), trekking down to that ugly-assed stadium where Atlanta United plays (there's a shitty American football team that plays there, too) to catch Elton John's 53rd (and last, according to him) concert. 

In the midst of the latter stages of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, Sir Elton is still of fine voice (though, yes, there are some notes that he can't hit any more- a feeling I'm quite familiar with), and geez can he tickle the ivories like a fiend. Of course, like anything I get mixed up in, the night wasn't all hearts and flowers.

Before we even got inside, it was loud. Too loud. I had the foresight, at least, to have been packing ear plugs, so I wasn't cursed with a ringing head for three days afterward. In fact, with the ear plugs, it was still loud- but not uncomfortably so. For the folks who didn't prepare, I hate to think what it was like.

Second, not only is the facility itself is ugly (which I already mentioned), the concourses and hallways are poorly lit, and their signage is terrible (as a guy who works on that stuff for a living, I always notice that kind of thing)- especially when it comes to wayfinding.

There was nothing wrong with the music, though, that's the important thing. I'm sad I won't get another chance to see him perform, though. Too bad he lives in Buckhead, and not closer to us- then maybe I could con him into coming to karaoke one night.

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Tennessee’s Supreme Court has vacated a lower court ruling that would require the release of the details Naomi Judd's death. The decision was in response to a petition filed by her family last month to seal the investigation. The family claimed that the release of video and audio interviews with relatives in the days following her death would cause "significant trauma and irreparable harm" to the involved parties.

The decision, however, didn't concern whether the records could be released, but sends the case back to the lower court for another hearing. That judge had previously denied the injunction request.

If you or anyone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.

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The Prince estate denied director Kathryn Ferguson use of Nothing Compares 2 U for her documentary about Sinead O’Connor. Sharon Nelson- half-sister of the late singer and co-heir of his estate told Billboard that she "didn’t feel (O'Connor) deserved to use the song my brother wrote in her documentary so we declined. His version is the best."

Prince's version of the song- a duet with Rosie Gaines- appeared on The Hits 1. 

The documentary is available streaming and on-demand.

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Eddie Vedder joined Stevie Nicks on stage during her at the 2022 Ohana Festival Friday night for a go at the Tom Petty/Nicks classic Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.

Before starting the songs, Nicks herself implied that the pair had even recorded an official version of their rendition.

The Dana Point, California festival runs through tonight. Vedder and Jack White co-headlined last night, while P!nk will close things out tonight. Manchester Orchestra, St. Vincent, Grouplove, Broken Social Scene, and The Dirty Knobs are among the other artists performing.

As much as I love Stevie, I kind of hate her, too. That whole Fleetwood Mac firing Lindsey thing still bothers me.

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California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 2799 (The Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act) into law in the state, a bill that restricts prosecutors from using rap lyrics as evidence in court. The bill had been unanimously approved by the state senate and assembly in August.

In a statement about the bill, Songwriters of North America co-founder Dina LaPolt said "For too long, prosecutors in California have used rap lyrics as a convenient way to inject racial bias and confusion into the criminal justice process. This legislation sets up important guardrails that will help courts hold prosecutors accountable and prevent them from criminalizing Black and Brown artistic expression. Thank you, Gov. Newsom, for setting the standard. We hope Congress will pass similar legislation, as this is a nationwide problem."

Black Music Action Coalition co-founder Willie "Prophet" Stiggers added, "The signing... into California law is a huge victory for the artistic and creative community, and a big step in the right direction towards our (proposed) federal legislation... preventing the use of lyrics as the sole basis to prosecute cases. The Black Music Action Coalition applauds Governor Newsom for his willingness to stand with Artists and defend our First Amendment right to freedom of speech."

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Megadeth's Dave Mustaine tells VWMusic he's "secretly hoping there’d be a day where James (Hetfield) and I can write together again. I think the world really does want us to do that, and I think there is a pretty good possibility of it happening down the line. I do think that it’s possible that one day James is going to come around and that he and I are going to be able to do something together again. I guess that’s one of the things that has always kept me pushing forward. I think it’d be good for Megadeth, and it could be great for Metallica, too."

The closest the pair have come to reconciling since Mustaine's ouster from the band in 1983 was when he joined Metallica onstage at a 30th anniversary concert in 2011. Megadeth is at the end of their US tour in support of their new album. That stretch wraps up on October 15th in Salt Lake City. 

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Dave Navarro won't be a part of the upcoming Jane's Addiction/Smashing Pumpkins' tour, as he says he's still dealing with the effects of long term COVID. 

In a post to the band's social media channels, Navarro said he "had hoped for a full recovery by October but I am still very fatigued and will not be able to join this leg. I am personally gutted as our original bass player has returned, Eric Avery. We wanted to bring you the original line up but that will have to wait until I am recovered. While the band is touring, I will be working on some new Jane’s material in the studio here in LA."

Navarro will be replaced on the tour by Queens of the Stone Age guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen, who he calls a "a great guy" and that he was "honored to have him help make this tour happen." That tour kicks off tonight in Dallas.

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Birthdays today include: Ron Meagher of The Beau Brummels (81); Don McLean (77); Mike Rutherford of Genesis (72); Sting (71); Vanessa Bell Armstrong (69); Philip Oakey of Human League (67); Freddie Jackson (66); Gillian Welch (55); Tiffany (51); #4 (James Donald Root) of Slipknot (51); and Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes (34). #MusicalBirthdays