But what's with the growling???

So my husband and the features writer (Brett) are having this musical male-bonding thing. It's been going on for about two years now, with Phillip serving as Yoda keeper-of-knowledge to Brett's jedi absorbtion of all the musical stuff that Phillip's apparently been dying to share with someone, and I just haven't been a good enough candidate over the last 15 years. In that time, I'll point out, I've seen Megadeth (or maybe it was Metallica?), Warrant, Tesla (I like them), so I've hung in there. I've even grown to appreciate the humor and tallness of Ted Nugent.

However, as a musical buddy, I'm lacking. Brett has taken up the yoke admirably, and apparently it is a light load to bear.

Anyway, into this exchange of musical culture comes something called Opeth -- a Swedish band that's opening for the show they're going to hear in Atlanta tomorrow. They growl. Which, I understand if you can't sing. But in the moments when this guy (Opeth's lead singer, who's probably named Lars...) sings, he's got a nice voice. Interesting music, but I don't get the growling.

Their summer of music continues in New York on Father's Day weekend. Both are fathers, by the way, which automatically makes both of their wives saints for sanctioning these outings, right?

NKOTB performs again

They're not so new, nor are they kids but one could argue they were on a block outside of the NBC studios. I can't believe I'm posting this ... the things I do for you people.

Rodney Atkins could take 6 ACM Awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Rodney Atkins is still surprised when people recognize him in the grocery store nowadays. But give it time.

With six nominations for Sunday's Academy of Country Music Awards, including biggies like male vocalist, album of the year and song of the year, his shopping trips are about to get a lot dicier. He's also scheduled to perform at the show, which airs live from Las Vegas at 8 p.m. Eastern on CBS.

Read more >>

NIN new album is a free download

It seems like Trent Reznor and Radiohead are going head-to-head to change the music industry. 

Monday, Reznor announced that the newest NIN album, The Slip, will be available for free download at their website. 

Click here for the download form. Why not? It's free. 

You can read more about it here.

Also, check out a review of The Slip in tomorrows Escapes section. 

Jazz Fest Webcast

Click here to watch

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest) Webcast is right around the corner! Live on the blue room May 3rd and 4th starting at 2 p.m. EST. Featuring the best performances from the festival, the live Webcast will include taped highlights from the first weekend.

Saturday Line-Up
Roddie Romero & The Hub City All Stars
Zac Brown
Wayne Toups
Jon Cleary
Dr. John
Voice of the Wetlands All Stars featuring Tab Benoit, Dr. Cyril Neville, Dr. John and others
the subdudes
Theresa Andersson
Susan Cowsill
Kim Carson
Irma Thomas
Tim McGraw
Jimmy Buffett
Widespread Panic (Woohoo!)

Sunday Line-Up
Salvador Santana Band
Alejandro Escovedo
Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk
Porter Batiste Stoltz
Papa Grows Funk
Art Neville
The Neville Brothers

— Info from www.attblueroom.com

Remember, live music festival in Anniston this weekend

The Noble Street Festival is this weekend in downtown Anniston, and you're gonna get sick of us reminding you of it -- especially the Hot Blast MusicFest.

If you don't remember, here's the lineup. Music starts at 2. Thanks to the festival Web site for the info.

Keitha Williams, 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Solo Acoustic singer/songwriter. A longtime local favorite!

Lonely Pines, 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Blues Rock

McPherson Struts, 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Rock

Caribbean Chrome, 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Steel Drum Band

Distant Cousins, 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Bluegrass. Featuring Kelli Johnson & Jim Marsh

Ethan and the Ewox, 7:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. until!
Having opened for such artists as The Dave Mathews Band, Drivin 'n Cryin, Chris Whitley, and others, Ethan and the Ewox recently moved from Jacksonville, Alabama to the big city of Atlanta, where they are developing quite a fan base. The band is fronted by the passionate vocals of Ethan Baker. Add to that the distinctive lead and slide techniques of guitarist Rob Bruce. Bassist Lafrandin Minchew's evocative tenor voice keeps the background vocals dripping with soul. Renaissance-man Gary Chumney fills it out with his incredible drumming and talent for being able to play any instrument he picks up. From blistering rock to fusionistic funk to searing swampy blues to contemplative folk and soul, Ethan and the Ewox occupy a distinctive space in the music world.

This time, Chesney's really the man

Gotta hand it to Kenny Chesney -- you don't hear this type of story every day.

Chesney, the country music star, got his foot stuck in an elevator during his show this weekend in South Carolina. He finished the show, even though reports from the event say Chesney crushed bones in his foot and was in considerable pain. No kidding, right?

It's quite an amazing read. There were about 45,000 people at the show -- held at the University of South Carolina football stadium -- and Chesney played the entire show without medical assistance instead of stopping the show and disappointing the crowd.

Wow. It's all over the Internet, but you can read about it here.