Tribune Blogs -- Burger with Relish: Pop Culture and music by David Burger

Mission possible for Archuleta

I spoke to David Archuleta on June 18, and I finally got around to transcribing the interview. Here is a portion of the interview, where he talks about the American Idol LIVE Tour (in West Valley City on July 14 and 15), what he wants to do after the tour, whether he'll be back at Murray High and what he feels about going on a LDS Mission in a few years:

Here is Archuleta:

On whether he is concerned about his vocal cord problems resurfacing during the long concert tour:
A: I was able to do it, the show, I mean, we were rehearsing every day and performing every week. I think I showed to myself that I could perform a lot with a lot going on. It's just a matter of leaning how to take care of your voice and sing a certain way. You kind of learn from experience which way you can best handle all the tour shows and rehearsing.

On the record contract he just signed and when he'll be starting work on it:
A: We actually just started [the week of June 8] working because, you know, it takes a lot of time and planning. It's a pretty long process trying to get that done well and completed. We've already started looking at songs and meeting with a bunch of people and seeing what works best for me ... I just want it to be a really good pop album, kind of how Robbie Williams is ... Pop with a little soul, kind of like how John Mayer is ... Jason Mraz, maybe some of that flavor somewhere. I'm still a young kid, so it will be a fun album ... I'm trying to write some.

On writing for his album:
A: We got a week after all the press stuff we had to do, and I went to Lake Powell with some friends. Well, I didn't go out on the boats or anything, I actually spent my time trying to write songs ... I just want the best things to be on there ... so I'm just trying to write and learn. I'm pretty new to the whole thing, pretty amateurish. We'll just see how it works. You only get better by keeping on doing it, that's how you learn, by writing and writing and writing. I love to do it. It's like your own story that you're telling to people.

On nerves in front of a home crowd:
A: I don't think [I'll be nervous]. By that point, we'll have done a few shows, so we'll get more comfortable being on stage and performing the songs, doing our little movements and whatever ... It's always great to be home and see everyone there and see the support people are giving me. I love going home.

On: Plans after the tour and whether he'll be back at Murray High for his senior year:
A: I have no idea what [life after the tour will] be like. I haven't really planned that far ahead. You know, we're still going to be working on the album, I'm sure, and trying to get things up so we can release it by a certain time. I'm not sure when exactly that is. I guess it just depends on the pace ... I don't think [I'll be back at Murray High]. I love Murray High. You never know. It depends on how busy my schedule will be, and if I have to commit to other things, like in California. We'll just have to see, I guess.

On: Going on a LDS Mission:
A: I'd still love to [go]. It just depends if things completely slow down. I don't know how many people have seen the show ... I already feel like this is my mission, like I am serving a mission doing this. There's been so many amazing stories that people have shared. It's an amazing experience for me and it's done a lot of good already. That's what I love about music, like it's the best way for me to communicate with other people, You know, this is what I feel and one of those things is definitely the Spirit. While I do like to have fun with my music, there are songs that were definitely more emotional songs and I'm glad people were able to feel what I was trying to communicate to them.

On: Meeting LDS President Thomas Monson right after he sang the National Anthem at a Jazz game:
A: It was great. He is such a great guy. I was so amazing [that] I couldn't believe, I was able to go meet and talk to him and have a little conversation. He's such a nice man. I've always looked up to him. I always love it when he talked in Conference ... He said to do what I felt is right and the Lord will be there. Just to believe in myself and have faith and I'll be headed in the right direction I need to go, as long as I keep that in mind and remember what the Lord has in store for me.

On the tour:
A: We were allowed to give one song away [to the media], and that was "Angels" ... Mine are never too high in energy ... There will be songs people will be familiar with from the show and quite a few new ones that people haven't heard ... It will be a lot of fun because especially we're all performing and it's not like one of us will be kicked off anymore.

On his father:
A: He's doing great. He's been there along with me, and coming to meetings and discussing things with the producers, songwriters and A & R people. He's been a great support for me. I've learned a lot from him and he's the one who's helped keep me grounded. He reminds me what's important this whole experience.

Dehyrdation, sunburns and rock 'n' roll

Fifty-nine bands. Ten stages. Ninety degrees.

More than 13,000 teenagers from all over Utah - and beyond - converged at the conspicuously unshaded Utah State Fairpark on Saturday for the 14th annual incarnation of the Vans Warped Tour.

The Warped Tour, a nine-hour music festival that barnstorms across the country from west to east, is a rite of passage for teenagers who spend about $30 to see their favorite rock bands, get sunburned, and, most of all, exacerbate their attention-deficit disorders.

It was the first concert 16-year-old Tyler Jolley, of Lehi, had ever attended. He wasted no time getting his shirt spray painted with the black stenciled words "Hang Em High," courtesy of the Las Vegas band of the same name.

Jolley was sitting under one of the few trees, next to his 19-year-old friend Joe Mills, of Layton, as they waited for a set by the legendary punk band Pennywise.
"This is the biggest event of the year," said Mills, whose bare red back also bore the words "Hang Em High." It was the third Warped Tour Mills had been to, and he regaled his friends with stories about last year's show, where he entered a mosh pit and came out with two black eyes and torn cartilage in his left ear.

A decidedly friendlier fan, the dreadlocked Drew Torres, 23, from New York City, was walking around the fairpark with a yellow sign that said "Free Hugs." He was averaging about one hug a minute since he had arrived at the festival shortly after the doors opened at 11 a.m., he said.

Each act, from the most famous to the least-known, was given only 30 minutes to play. Steve Oliver, of the band Midnight to Twelve (pictured above), said his band's set was "condensed," while his bandmate Jon Hartman preferred the word "action-packed."

Keeping healthy was key for the bands as well as the fans. Animo's lead singer, Schuyler Ankele, said he forces himself to drink two gallons every day. Jesse Wagner from the Aggrolites and Derek Sanders from Mayday Parade said hanging out in their air-conditioned RVs and tour buses were saving their lives.

Lauryn McCaffery was hired by tour organizers to provide opportunities for bands to exercise. She was offering yoga classes every morning to keep the high-strung lead singers and drummers relaxed. "The healthier you are, the better you can endure [this]," she said.

Staying fit was important because each band spent most of the day meeting fans, staffing autograph tables and even selling merchandise themselves at vendor booths.

Band members continually said the tour was all about the fans.

"This is the only tour that some kids go to each year," said Brian Champ, drummer for Greeley Estates.

Check out a photo gallery from the day here.

Doggystyle

311, Snoop Dogg and Fiction Plane will be at Usana Amphitheatre tonight at 7 p.m., with $47 tickets still available at SmithsTix.

While Snoop Dogg is the most well known of the three acts, he is merely an opening act for 311, who put this "Unity Tour" together. 311 sold out their last appearance in Salt Lake City when they were at the Depot, so they are a popular band. If you like funk and reggae mixed with your rock, you'd like it. I went to college with a bass player named Jared who coerced everyone to call him "Bassman," and 311 was his favorite band. I don't hold that against them. Any more.

While even my Dad knows who Snoop Dogg is and what he's famous for (besides the blunts), not many people know much about Fiction Plane. They are a trio led by Joe Sumner, the son of Sting. He plays bass like his father, and he sings just like his father. Of course, he looks like him, too, but I'm not sure if he's tantric.

Here is Fiction Plane:

Saturday morning's all right for Zimmerman

Even if you are at the Warped Tour or the Arts Festival tomorrow, get your phone ready.

Bob Dylan tickets go onsale tomorrow (Saturday) at 10 a.m. at all SmithsTix outlets.

He is playing Deer Valley Resort (2250 Deer Valley Drive, Park City) on the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 31, at 7:30 p.m. The price is $49.50.

Everyone 3 and older require a ticket. Blankets, Coolers, Picnic Baskets, Food and Beverages are allowed, but no lawn chairs higher than 9 inches tall allowed.

If the bard isn't your thing, Coldplay goes onsale at the same time at Ticketmaster outlets. The quartet is coming to EnergySolutions Arena in November.

B-52's drop a bomb

If you were planning on having the B-52's provide the fireworks on your Fourth of July, maybe it's time to pay a million dollars for Miley Cyrus tickets at the Stadium of Fire.

The B-52's have postponed their scheduled Fourth of July show at the Depot to sometime in the fall.

United Concerts sent out this e-mail today: "The B-52’s concert scheduled at the Depot on July 4th has been postponed for a date in the fall. We will release the rescheduled date as soon as possible. Tickets purchase for the July 4 performance will be honored for the rescheduled date."

I hope there aren't any die-hard B-52's fans out there, but there probably are, considering they sold out their last show in Salt Lake City, last fall. The B-52's were originally supposed to be coming for the True Colors tour with Cyndi Lauper, scheduled for July 4, but that concert got canceled. Then they announced they would still play Salt Lake City on the Fourth. And now this. Crushing.

Hough and puff

Besides Tim McGraw tonight at USANA and Jerry Seinfeld at Abravanel, the Utah Arts Festival continues downtown today. See the Web site for all the information. Here's someone for Sunday:

Chris Hough (left) is an accomplished jazz guitarist with a degree from the acclaimed Berklee College of Music who has just released an album called "Turn for the West." The 47-year-old transplant isn't content to play jazz that would be at home in food courts and elevators, because he loves Led Zeppelin as much as Al Di Meola and was known as "Mister Rock" in college, he told The Salt Lake Tribune. The music teacher is just one of the many acts at the Utah Arts Festival this weekend. The festival, running through Sunday, features the accomplished WMCA Rock Ensemble, alt-country favorites Band of Annuals and mellow psychedelic band Calico, among scores of others. Hough said he might be so inspired by the creative aura of the festival he'll "sing some bossa nova."

Chris Hough Quartet at the Arts Festival
When Sunday at 2 p.m.
Where Utah Arts Festival Festival Stage (nearest stage to entrance), 210 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets $10 at www.uaf.org (good for all day)

Hold on to the weekend

Besides the Utah Arts Festival, there are plenty of things to see and do this weekend:

Jerry Seinfeld
Now that all the hubbub over "Bee Movie" is over, Seinfeld can continue doing stand-up, which is what he had been doing since ending his self-titled TV show in 1998. Seinfeld performs twice tonight, with each show billed as being 105 minutes long. That's a lot of yadda yadda yadda.
When Tonight at 7 and 9:30
Where Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City
Tickets $60 at ArtTix or 801-355-ARTS

Soulja Boy
The 17-year-old Southern rapper shares a record with none other than Debbie Gibson: He is the youngest person to write, produce and perform a Billboard No. 1 hit single. That single was "Crank That (Soulja Boy)," which spent weeks at No. 1 last September and inspired a short-lived dance move called, appropriately, "Soulja Boy." J. Holiday and V.I.C. are also on the bill.
When Tonight at 7
Where Sandy Amphitheater, 1245 E. 9400 South, Sandy
Tickets $25 to $49 at SmithsTix

Lady Antebellum
Lady Antebellum is an up-and-coming mixed-gender country group from Nashville. The trio won the Top New Duo or Group award at the 2008 Academy of Country Music awards, based on the male-female harmonies. The band's first album, released in May, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard country charts. It was the first time an album by a new group debuted at No. 1 on the country album charts in its first week.
When Saturday at 8 p.m.
Where Ogden Amphitheatre, 343 Historic 25th St., Ogden
Tickets $10 to $20 at SmithsTix

Ingrid Michaelson
Michaelson just can't stop touring Utah, or Utahns can't get enough of her, or maybe both. She was here during Sundance and on the Hotel Cafe tour this year alone, performing her intimate acoustic singer-songwriter tunes that have appeared everywhere. Greg Laswell is also on the bill.
When Saturday at 7 p.m.
Where Avalon Theater, 3605 S. State St., South Salt Lake
Tickets $17.50 in advance, $20 day of, at SmithsTix and KTix

Randall Williams
The Bridger Folk Music Society hosts this concert for classically trained guitarist Williams. He graduated from the Royal Observatory of Mons, Belgium, at the head of his class, and then decided to leave the world of classical music. He liked the inclusiveness of folk music, and for a time lived aboard a 20-foot sailboat, teaching himself how to sail in the Baltic Sea while the guitar shared a berth with him in the hull.
When Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Where Crumb Brothers Bakery, 291 S. 300 West, Logan
Tickets $10 at the door or by calling 435-757-3468

Peter Breinholt
This is a military appreciation benefit concert for the Blue Star Mothers, a local nonprofit that supports the deployed and veterans. All proceeds go to the Bridgerland chapter of the group. Dinner (burger or hot dog, chips, coleslaw or potato salad, dessert and drink) begins at 4 p.m. with music at 6. Peter Breinholt is a folk favorite whose hit "Edwin's Tale" was a ballad about the honorable struggle of being a soldier.
When Saturday at 6 p.m.
Where American West Heritage Center, 4025 S. Highway 89-91, Wellsville
Tickets Concert tickets are $10; concert and dinner tickets are $12; free for military personnel.

Richard Marx
The 44-year-old singer-songwriter was an accomplished songwriter before he decided to record his own music, and when he did, he put himself in the record books by being the first solo artist to have his first seven singles hit the Top 5 on U.S. charts, including "Right Here Waiting." Marx's self-titled debut album was released in 1987 and sold nearly 4 million copies in America. He also has written hits for other artists, ranging from Barbra Streisand to Utah's own SHeDAISY.
When Saturday at 8 p.m.
Where Sandy Amphitheater, 1245 E. 9400 South, Sandy
Tickets $18-$28 at SmithsTix

Sky Eats Airplane
Sky Eats Airplane, from Texas, is a metalcore band that isn't afraid to toy with electronica. Originally a duo, the band has expanded into a quintet, and its second album will be self-titled and released in July. The album's producer has worked with Circa Survive, Thrice, The Bled and Senses Fail. A Skylit Drive is also on the bill.
When Sunday at 6 p.m.
Where Club Boom Va, 2701 Washington Blvd., Ogden
Tickets $12 in advance, $14 day of show

Molly Hatchet
This is a benefit concert for Ride for Life, a group that raises public awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and aids research for a cure. Molly Hatchet is a Southern rock band from the same hometown (Jacksonville) as Tom Petty. Named for a legendary prostitute who killed her clients, the band formed all the way back in 1974 and cites Lynyrd Skynyrd as an influence.
When Sunday. Doors open at noon.
Where Gallivan Center, 239 S. Main St., Salt Lake City
Tickets $20 at SmithsTix

Here's Molly Hatchet in 1983:

Three times a comedian

Who knew this guy was so popular? I mean, I had heard of him, but this is ridiculous.

Comedian Brian Regan, because of overwhelming demand, will be having a third show this August at Thanksgiving Point. Initially, he was only scheduled for one performance, but that sold out so quickly they added another show. And now that show has sold out.

So now a third show has been set up. This one will be on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Tickets go onsale this Saturday at 11 a.m. at all SmithsTix outlets, and the price is $38, not counting service charges.

He will be at the Point's Waterfall Amphitheatre.

Once again: who is this guy, exactly? It is David Chappelle in disguise? Is "Brain Regan" an anagram for "Jerry Seinfeld"?

Knopfler no longer in dire straits

Although he's the writer of the most creative song about the Mason-Dixon Line, Mark Knopfler showed a packed Abravanel Hall Wednesday that his story-telling gifts pale in comparison to his stellar guitar work.

"Virtuoso" is an over-used phrase, especially in rock 'n' roll, but Knopfler, the former frontman of the Dire Straits, showed why his unique finger-picking style place him in the same category as the Claptons and the Pages.

Knopfler is touring in support of his latest album, "Kill to Get Crimson," his fifth solo album since the 1995 dissolution of the British rock band he led. The hair and his famous headband are gone, but his fingers still work.

Knopfler opened his two-hour concert with "Cannibals," a zydeco-inspired song hat was just one of the many genres he and the band dipped their feet into. He eschewed playing his two Dire Straits greatest hits ("Money for Nothing" and "Walk of Life") but he played highlights from his old band and new work, from an epic 12-minute, guitar-hero version of "Telegraph Road" to the intimate "True Love Will Never Fade," which opens the album "Kill to Get Crimson." And his final song of the encore was an instrumental, the soaring theme song "Going Home" from the 1983 Scottish film "Local Hero."

Except for the first few songs, when Knopfler's voice was too low in the mix, the sound of the concert was outstanding. His band played the chords and supplied the rhythm to the songs, allowing Knopfler to be rightfully in the spotlight, shredding with arpeggios, licks, and riffs. He cleanly led the melodies of the songs, stretching the basic song structures like a jazz guitarist. Knopfler, a notorious guitar collector, switched guitars nearly after every song.

Highlights included the one-two punch of "Romeo and Juliet" and "Sultans of Swing" half-way through the show, as well as another duo of songs from his underrated 2000 solo album, "Sailing to Philadelphia": "What It Is" and the title song (the aforementioned song about Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, the English surveyors who established the border between the South and the North back in the 1760s).

The band looked like it would end the concert after playing two songs in the encore, but the rapturous crowd wouldn't let the band off the stage, so the band played two more songs before the house lights came on.

Keep your hands to yourself

Vanessa Hudgens ("Gabrielle" of the "High School Musical" juggernaut) is one of the headliners at this year's Utah State Fair, which opens Sept. 4 and runs through Sept. 14.

Tickets for Hudgens and others go onsale Friday, July 11 at 10 .m. at all SmithsTix outlets, online at utahstatefair.com, or by calling 800-888-TIXX. She will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 5, and advance tickets are $18, which includes gate admission to the fair on the day of the show. Day of show, the price is $23. (I was about to leave a comment about the price if she agrees to pass out those famous nude pics of her, but I left it out.)

Other performers:

Saturday, Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m.: Natalie Grant, three-time Gospel Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year.

Sunday Sept. 7 5 p.m. : Country Gold Tour, with Leroy Van Dyke, Tommy Cash, Jimmy Fortune, Jack Greene, Charlie Rich, Jr., and Jeannie Seely.

Monday Sept. 8 7:30 p.m.: Chris Cagle Country music singer and songwriter

Tuesday Sept. 9 6 p.m.: Veggie Tales (Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber and the rest of the VeggieTales LIVE cast)

Wednesday Sept. 10 7:30 p.m.: Marshall Tucker Band, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Georgia Satellites

Friday Sept. 12 7:30 p.m.: Elvis Extravaganza

Saturday Sept. 13 5 p.m.: The 27th Annual Colgate Country Showdown with Headliner Lady Antebellum

Sunday Sept. 14 1 p.m.: Utah Strongest Man (Amateur Nationals)

More details are forthcoming at www.utahstatefair.com. You can also call the fair office at 801-538-8400 during weekday business hours.

$303.25? Somebody call The Police!

Here are some stats from StubHub, one of the leading online ticket brokers around. Ranked, in order of number of tickets sold, are the 15 highest selling tickets on StubHub.

(In other words, although The Police have the highest per-ticket price, more tickets have been sold to fans who need tickets for the Stadium of Fire show.)

Each ticket price is the average ticket-selling price. In a nutshell, StubHub works as a place where the holders of tickets put their tickets on sale on the Web site, and people who need tickets can buy them on the site. StubHub receives a commission on each transaction.

Here's the list. Remember, these are averages, so some people pay much more (or much less):

Stadium of Fire, July 4, $162.61
American Idols Live, July 14, $124.21
The Police, July 19, $303.25
Tim McGraw, June 27, $165.14
Dave Matthews Band, August 27, $268.63
Jack Johnson, August 18, $104.82
Journey/Cheap Trick/Heart, July 11, $158.20
John Mayer, July 21, $147.06
Mark Knopfler, June 25, $208.27
James Taylor August 4, $152.71
American Idols Live, July 15, $132.68
Stone Temple Pilots, June 11, $95.95
Snoop Dogg, June 30, $75.91
Crue Fest, July 29, $91.17
Poison, July 3, $113.00

I can't pronounce Abravanel

Above is the Sultan of Swing, Mark Knopfler, former frontman of the Dire Straits, who will be at Abravanel Hall tonight, and Friday night Jerry Seinfeld will be performing two shows at the same venue. At Arttix.com, Knopfler's tickets are $61 and $81 and Seinfeld is $60. (For Seinfeld, it looks like tix are not available online, but you can call 801-355-ARTS to see if tix are still available.) Both video clips are recent clips. Here is recent Jerry:

But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here, Ev'rybody's gonna jump for joy

I wasn't able to attend Tuesday's Gov't Mule and RatDog show at the Depot, but editor Scott Murphy did and sent me these notes, preceded by the set list:

Jam
Feel Like A Stranger
Casey Jones (with Gov't Mule's Warren Haynes on vocals and guitar)
All Along The Watchtower (with Haynes)
Weather Report Suite
Let It Grow
Peggy-O (acoustic)
Mexicali Blues (acoustic)
Quinn The Eskimo (acoustic)
Silvio>Tequila>Silvio>Tequila>Silvio
Ashes and Glass
Stuff
Wharf Rat
Throwin' Stones
Encore: Not Fade Away

Both bands played right about two hours ... Gov't Mule played a covers-heavy set featuring "When The Levee Breaks" and "Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys." Ratdog's highlights were the original Bob Weir compositions "Weather Report Suite," written in Salt Lake City back in February 1973 with his songwriting partner John Barlow and "Throwing Stones" and "Ashes and Glass." Last night's concert included two songs written by Dylan and a third (Silvio) that Dylan sings. It was written by long-time Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. "Casey Jones" and "Watchtower" featured Haynes and Weir trading verses. As "Watchtower" ended, Weir instructed the crowd to "Say Thank You Warren."

Thank you Scott.

With the mules and rats and dogs, it's like Noah's Ark

Legendary musician Bob Weir knows The Depot is a nonsmoking venue.

The musician has good reason to follow the rules after an incident in Park City several years ago. The drummer for Weir's band RatDog was caught smoking a joint before the show, and the police nearly canceled it.

"Somehow we lucked out of that one," Weir said in a phone interview from his home in Northern California.

Weir and the rest of Salt Lake City wouldn't want tonight's show at The Depot at 7 p.m with a double bill of legendary jam bands, RatDog and Gov't Mule, to be canceled. Weir, rhythm guitarist with the Grateful Dead, still has a sparkle in his voice despite looking more and more like Gen. Robert E. Lee every day. The youngest member of the Dead - he joined when he was only 16 - is now 60 and has no plans of retiring from performing.

"It's all I've ever done," he said. "I wouldn't know what to do with myself [if I stopped]."

Weir is especially happy to be reunited with Mark Karan, RatDog's lead guitarist, who has recovered from a bout with throat cancer last year. "He dodged a bullet," Weir said. "The odds were stacked against him."

RatDog is Weir's priority, although the band has only released one studio album, "Evening Moods," since forming in 1995, and there's no plan to release a new album any time soon. "We've got plenty of new material, but we don't know what to do with it," Weir said.

After Jerry Garcia died in 1995, the rest of the Grateful Dead performed occasionally as The Other Ones, and became The Dead in 2003. One member of The Dead has been Warren Haynes, the leader of Gov't Mule. "He's easy to get along with," Weir said of his good friend.

Haynes offered a similar assessment of the pair's friendship, in a phone interview while taking a break recording a solo album. "We've been friends for quite a few years," he said. "He's one of the most open-minded guys. [Weir's attitude is] 'Whatever happens is meant to happen.' That's a beautiful concept. He still loves to play, night after night."

The same can be said of Haynes, who besides playing with Gov't Mule and The Dead is a longtime member of the Allman Brothers Band. Gov't Mule, like RatDog, writes new material, but both bands play cover songs that are considered the highlights of their shows.

"There's a whole world out there when you've got as many influences as we've got," Haynes said. "It's a never-ending source of inspiration."

Gov't Mule will be no mere opening act. Haynes said the plan is for Gov't Mule to play for at least two hours, and maybe even more, depending on the mood. "There's a different set list every night," he said. "We have a repertoire of hundreds of tunes."

Disregard the first line of this story. There will be smoking at The Depot on Tuesday night.

Basque food: bad. Basque dance: good

The Utah Arts Council is sponsoring the "Mondays in the Park" 2008 Concert Series, which kicks off July 7 and runs through Aug. 25 at the Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts in the middle of Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. (It's close to the concession stand that sells $1 snowcones; I recommend the "Tiger's Blood" flavor.)

Performances are free and begin at 7 p.m.

Here's the schedule:
July 7, Wayne Gardner and Kokobolo (Native American)
July 14, Ballet Folklorico Citlali (Mexican dance)
July 21, Beehive Band (Mormon)
July 28, Venezuela Cantado (Venezuelan)
Aug. 4, Jon Rochette (Tahitian)
Aug. 11, Bazeen (North African, Middle Eastern)
Aug. 18 Vientos del Sur (South American)
Aug. 25, Sura Chhandam Katak School of Dance (North Indian)

On Aug. 11, Utah 'Ko Triskalariak will also perform, and they are billed as Basque dance. It reminds me of Basque restaurants where I used to live, in Bakersfield, Calif. There were several, and I don't miss them. The entrees were usually good (lots of lamb), but the dinners were always six or seven courses, with weird combinations like bland spaghetti and french fries. The worst was that at every meal, for lunch and dinner, they would serve you a whole plate of pickled tongue. But don't hold that against Utah 'Ko Yriskalariak.

Punch drunk and fed

The Park City Performing Arts Foundation is having a benefit concert Thursday, with dinner-and-concert tickets (at Fin Restaurant) for $125.

But concert-only tickets are only $30.

The Punch Brothers are the performers. That name might not mean much to you, but the band features mandolinist Chris Thile, formerly of Nickel Creek. I once owned a mandolin, but now it shares the bottom part of a closet with my guitar and long johns three sizes too small, sharing stories about their halcyon days when they chafed me and/or gave me callouses.

The dinner Thursday is at 6 p.m., with the concert at 7:30 p.m., at the Easy Street Plaza (located at 201 Heber Avenue and Main Street).

Proceeds benefit the Park City Performing Arts Foundation, which holds the great shows at Deer Valley in the summer and the fall/winter/spring shows at the Eccles Center.

The Eccles Center Box Office location is 1750 Kearns Blvd, adjacent to Park City High School, and it is open between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. You can also call (435) 655-3114 to buy tickets.

All work and Coldplay

Coldplay is coming to Utah.

The Brits will be at EnergySolutions Arena on Nov. 22, the Saturday before Thanksgiving. From the looks of it, it looks like the last date of their North American tour.

Tickets go onsale this Saturday at 10 a.m. at the arena's box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Prices range from $49.50 to $97.50, not counting service charges. Hey, someone needs to pay for all those weird-baby-name books.

George Carlin R.I.P.

Here is an article I wrote about George Carlin, R.I.P., before he performed in Salt Lake City in May:

George Carlin just filmed his record 14th HBO comedy special. When it was filmed, the first words out of his mouth to the audience were, "F--- Lance Armstrong. . . . And while you're at it, f--- Tiger Woods, too."

Carlin really doesn't have anything against the Tour de France winner or the greatest golfer alive. Really. He just doesn't like being told who his heroes are supposed to be.

The 71-year-old contrarian will be at Abravanel Hall tonight to perform. Recently, he called The Salt Lake Tribune to explain why he is, in his words, "just like herpes. I keep coming back."

Q: In the new HBO special, you talk a lot about death and old age. Is it because you just turned 71?

"There has been a lot of that along the way. I talk about being 70 because I was, and 70 is a milestone for me. It's a significant age, so I wanted to throw that in. I had these ideas about being an old f---, which is the way I describe it in the show, and I wanted to do those thoughts. So this was the perfect time to do it. It doesn't mean that I'm starting to look back, or I'm starting to wrap it up, that I'm starting to get wistful or nostalgic. None of that is in there."

Aren't people sensitive about talking about death?

"One of the reasons I like subjects like that - death, old age, the flag, God, all these things - is because people, in general, get nervous about those things."

Do you ever get an audience that disapproves of what you say?

"No, because I always tend to get my people. And individuals in an audience who are put off by some things - maybe they didn't expect what you were going to be doing - when they hear everyone laughing and supporting you, they don't want to stand out as someone who's going to yell something rude or something contrary. They'll just get up quietly and leave."

You're celebrating your 50th year in show business, just like the Osmonds.

"God bless the Osmonds."

How does the 71-year-old George Carlin compare to the 21-year-old George Carlin?

"It's just something you would expect over life, whether you're welding, playing baseball or playing the violin. You're supposed to improve over time. . . . I've always prided myself on using my mind and to have my mind get better, and stronger and more capable at the things I chose to do. I have a good IQ, but I'm not a genius of any kind. I'm just a smart guy who knew how to run his life and found out how to write for himself. And that's what makes me happy."

Have you improved?

"This is a job for a show-off. This is for a kid in sixth grade who learned how to do the fart sounds underneath his armpit louder than anyone else. And who bent his thumb back so it could touch my forearm. That's the stupid s--- I did to show off for the girls and the guys and stand out and gain attention."

What do you watch that makes you laugh?

"I don't watch things to laugh. I laugh along the way. The real question is what makes you laugh. I don't know. . . . I'll tell you my little Mormon joke. There's this Mormon guy who has 17 wives. He tells this guy: 'If I had one more wife, I'd have a golf course.' There you go."

America's Got Talent (?)

Most nights, KC Hensley is a mild-mannered bartender at a Holiday Inn in Pocatello. But tonight Hensley will be transformed into somebody else.

"Once I put on my makeup, I will not answer to 'KC,' " Hensley said. "I will be Condor Frehley." (At left.)

Hensley - or, should we say, Frehley - is one of the contestants at tonight's Salt Lake City regional competition for the U.S. Air Guitar Championships. Tickets are $12.

The best air-guitar player from the Avalon Theater (3605. S. State St., Salt Lake City) event will perform in San Francisco on Aug. 8. The Utah winner will compete against other regional winners, such as Hot Lix Hallahan from Washington, McNallica from Boston, and Derek Not-So-Smalls from Cleveland. The U.S. champion will compete at the Air Guitar World Championships in Finland in late August.

This is the first year a regional competition has been held in Utah, and contestants from all over the West will be competing in 60-second performances. Evaluated by local judges in three categories - technical ability, stage presence and an undefinable criterion called "airness" - it's safe to assume the winner won't be someone who occasionally plays "Free Bird" on air guitar in the bathroom mirror.

"It takes years and years of shower and bathroom experience before you can even move on to the bedroom," said Jared Hallock, 31, a phone company dispatcher in Boise, who performs under the stage name Sir Michael Carmichael Zutt. "Then you first have to try it out before your family and friends."

This dedication to craft is what Kriston Rucker and Cedric Devitt envisioned when they founded the U.S. championship in 2002. Finland has been hosting the world championships since 1996, and Rucker was "very disturbed to find the U.S. wasn't represented."

Former U.S. champion David "C-Diddy" Jung won the world title in 2003, but since then, the Americans have been dominated by the "airness" talents of Japanese, French and Austrian performers.

That American drought is why Rucker and Devitt launched the regional championships. They're seeking Americans who play the air guitar as well as Ochi "Dainoji" Yosuke, Guillaume "Moche Pitt" de Tonquédec and Max "Herr Jaquelin" Heller, last year's top three international performers.

The way to win? Judges are looking for originality, said Devitt, who in 2002 was ranked No. 4 in the world.

Rucker and Devitt say there's nothing kitschy or cheesy about playing the air guitar competitively. "Some people see it as performance art, some see it as sport, some see it as music," Rucker said. Devitt adds: "It's where you're imitating an art form and it transcends that and becomes its own art form."

As you might expect, local competitors all claim they have the discipline and talent required to beat the world. Jimmy Parks, 39, of Salt Lake City, is a concert promoter who will display his prowess tonight by playing Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher" while wearing a Chinese silk robe. He is so into the competition that even his stage character, Faster Panda, has his own stage name: Air Supremacy.

After paying $20 to enter the contest, Parks began practicing diligently. While driving, he engages in what he calls "half-body air guitar," with his fingers strumming power chords on the steering wheel while he responsibly uses his feet only to accelerate and decelerate the car. When he's not driving, he uses his feet to operate wah-wah pedals.

Hallock - that's Sir Michael Carmichael Zutt to us - will perform three snippets of songs - the intro to Prince's "When Doves Cry," then Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Tightrope," finished off by System of a Down's "F--- the System." He has created his own backstory for his character, a suede jacket-wearing Southern rocker who grew up so poor he couldn't afford a real guitar, which is why he took up the air instrument.

Hensley, as Frehley, will play air guitar to the tune of "Lit Up" by Buckcherry. Like Parks, he has been preparing for his performance by "playing the air steering wheel" while driving, but engages in a bit of cross-training by playing the video game "Rock Band."

His persona was inspired by Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley, mixed with a little Mötley Crüe attitude, which explains his Nikki Sixx wig and eyeliner, eye shadow and mascara. Condor Frehley, whose backstory includes being 39 although Hensley is only 24, even has his own MySpace page: www.myspace/condorofpb.

Hensley professes his confidence that he will win the Salt Lake City crown; after all, he practiced every day leading up to tonight's competition. "I'm a professional," he claimed.

The bartender also revealed another secret weapon. "One of [my] rules is that you need alcohol in your system," he said. "Jack Daniel's."

Anyone willing to bring a concert series to the Gateway food court?

This summer, the Brown Bag Concert Series will present eight weeks of free concerts between June 30 and Aug. 29 at different Salt Lake City locations.

All concerts are held Mondays through Fridays from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m. Locations change weekly.

A program of the Salt Lake City Arts Council, the Brown Bag Concert Series began in 1978.

Here's the schedule:

Opening Week: Exchange Place Plaza, 350 South Main Street:

June 30, Woodbox Gang (Trash Can Americana from Southern Illinois)

July 1, Cavedoll (Indie Dance Pop)

July 2, Jon E. Dangerously (Rockabilly)

July 3, Rauber-Prinz Ensemble (Tango Nuevo, Videogame Music)

July 4, No Brown Bag Concert (But I will be singing "Born in the U.S.A." in my bathroom)

Washington Square, 451 South State Street:

July 7, Calico (Psychedelic Rock)

July 8, Frayed Knot String Band (Old Time String Band)

July 9, KlezBros (Eastern European Jewish Dance Music)

July 10, Llajtayku (Music of the Andes and South America)

July 11, Eliza Wren (Melodious Guitar & Banjo)

City Creek Park, State Street & 2nd Avenue:

July 14, Red Rock Hot Club (Swing Jazz)

July 15, Michael Lucarelli (Classical Guitar)

July 16, The Platte (Singer/Songwriter)

July 17, Chris Hough Band (Jazz)

July 18, Chaz Prymek (Acoustic)

Exchange Place Plaza, 350 South Main Street:

July 21, Red Rock Rondo (New Folk)

July 22, Taj Weekes & Adowa (Classic Roots and Reggae from New York)

July 23, Cosy Sheridan & T.R. Ritchie (Award Winning Singer/Songwriters)

July 24 – No Brown Bag Concert (But I will be singing "Come, Come Ye Saints" in my bathroom)

July 25 – No Brown Bag Concert (But I will be singing "Friday, I'm in Love" in my bathroom)

Washington Square, 451 South State Street:

July 28, Zion Tribe (Reggae/Funk/Afrobeat)

July 29, Way Way East Bay (Funk)

July 30, Kairo By Night (Middle Eastern Music & Dance)

July 31, Red Desert Ramblers (Bluegrass)

August 1, Stacey Board Trio (Americana/Folk)

City Creek Park, State Street & 2nd Avenue:

August 4, The Buckle Busters (Old Time American Fiddle Music)

August 5, In The Pocket (Jazz)

August 6, Charley Simmons (Singer/ Songwriter)

August 7, Haun’s Mill Massacre (Vaudeville Folk)

August 8, Crescent Moon String Band (Folkgrass)

Exchange Place Plaza, 350 South Main Street:

August 11, Aphrodesia (Afrobeat from San Francisco)

August 12, The Black Hens (Indie Folk Rock)

August 13, Movement Forum (Improvisational Modern Dance)

August 14, Flash Cabbage (Rock/Country)

August 15, Gene Sartain & Friends (Folk/Blues)

Washington Square, 451 South State Street:
August 18, Wasatch Music Coaching Academy Rock Bands (Classic Rock)

August 19, Gross National Product (Jazz)

August 20, Radio Rhythm Makers (R&B)

August 21, Digital Lov (Electronic Rock)

August 22, Blue Sunshine Soul (Psychedelic Rock/Blues)

Exchange Place Plaza, 350 South Main St.:
August 25, The Future Of The Ghost (Indie Rock)

August 26, Danger Mouth (Hip Hop)

August 27, Junta Deville (Rock and Roll/Musica De Politico)

August 28, Xillow Jazz Quartet (Jazz)

August 29, John Flanders & Double Helix (Jazz/Funk)

Beginning Aug. 30, I will be performing in my bathroom (Boring/Terrible)

This girl's sexuality is at least warped

In eight days, the Vans Warped Tour will be in Salt Lake City, and one of the performers, Katy Perry, has the No. 2 song in the country with "I Kissed a Girl."

The song is not a cover of the 1995 song by Jill Sobule, and Jill was recently dismissive of the song in Entertainment Weekly, calling it more of a "Girls Gone Wild" song than her take, which was more liberating and independent.

Perry told The Salt Lake Tribune that it simply meant as a "fun pop song," and talked about why she liked kissing girls.

"Girls smell better than men, but AXE [Men's body spray] always works. That stuff is infectious."

Perry has never been on the Warped Tour but has had friends perform and "they came back smelly."

All that jazz in Park City this weekend and beyond

The Blind Boys of Alabama will stop at Park City in Aug. 24 for the Park City Jazz Festival. They are joining other nationally known acts like Blues Traveler and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy that weekend.

In January, the boys released "Down in New Orleans," an album recorded in the Crescent City with their touring band, the Preservation Hall Band, a band that began touring in 1963 and that takes its name from the ramshackle but historic venue a stone's throw from Bourbon Street.

The Blind Boys of Alabama is a gospel group formed at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in 1939, and the three main singers and their drummer are blind. Of course, the members have changed over the years, but, remarkably, one of the singers has been with the group since its inception. The group won the Grammy for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album every year between 2002 to 2005.

Here's a taste:

Tickets for the Blind Boys and other acts for the festival are on sale now at the Park City Jazz Foundation's Web site, www.parkcityjazz.org, or by calling the box office at 435-940-1362. Tickets are $45 each day of the three-day festival, but if you are a resident of Summit or Wasatch County, you get in for $25.

As for this weekend, Friday, June 20, go to Main Street between 6 and 10 p.m. for the largest dinner table ever set in Park City, The Grande Table, set right down the middle of Historic Main Street. While all the dinner tickets have been sold, there will be jazz music and late shopping all around, as part of the inaugural Park City Jazz Summit, which has been going on since June 12.

And on Saturday, June 21, there will be the Grande Picnic, costing $50. Here is the listing: "You bring the blanket, we'll provide the live jazz and the culinary delectables from local specialty food purveyors and producers. Sample the best there is to offer in micro-produced foods and sustainably grown products prepared as the ultimate in picnic fare. And you will also savor the sounds of one of superior jazz acts that the Jazz Summit will bring to town. This ticketed food, wine, and jazz event is sure to become an annual favorite to locals and visitors alike ... [Tickets] May be purchased at the Coda Gallery, 804 Main Street, OR by calling the Park City Jazz Foundation office at 435-940-1362."

Ut Ah

Flo Rida promises one of the better shows this weekend. Too bad it's at Saltair.

Here's a sampling of some shows this weekend:

Flo Rida
When: Tonight at 8
Where: Saltair, 12408 W. Saltair Drive, Magna
Tickets: $47 at SmithsTix and KTix
Why go: The 28-year-old rapper was born in Florida, hence the name. He began rapping with 2 Live Crew while still a teenager, but is now most known for his collaboration with T-Pain, "Low," which was No. 1 for more than two months earlier this year. His debut album, "Mail on Sunday," was released in March and has reached gold-selling status.

Reverend Horton Heat
When: Tonight; doors open at 7
Where: The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City
Tickets: $24 at SmithsTix
Why go: Reverend Horton Heat is a psychobilly trio from Dallas now in its 23rd year. The band - Jim "Reverend Horton" Heath on guitar and lead vocals, Jimbo Wallace on the upright bass and Paul Simmons on drums - has developed a devoted cult following with witty lyrics and countrified, high-octane punk.

Zion Tribe
When: Tonight at 7:30
Where: Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort, Little Cottonwood Canyon
Tickets: Free
Why go: The local band recently celebrated its 21st anniversary with a new CD. Zion Tribe played its first show on May 29, 1987, at the University of Utah Mayfest; more than 700 performances later, the group is celebrating its tenure as one of the oldest bands in the area, playing its brand of "world beat." The band is playing as part of the "Grill on the Hill BBQ Championship," a two-day music and food event at the resort. Live music starts at 4 p.m. today and 1 p.m. on Saturday, concluding with a Santana tribute band at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Marion Meadows
When: Tonight at 8:30
Where: Ogden City Amphitheatre, 343 Historic 25th St., Ogden
Tickets: $20 at 629-8311 or ocae.org
Why go: Tenor saxophonist Marion Meadows and his band play soul-driven contemporary jazz. The native of West Virginia studied arranging and composition at Berklee College of Music and has released nine albums, including his latest, "Dressed to Chill."

Destroy Everything
When: Tonight at 6:30
When: The Outer Rim, 996 S. Redwood Road, Salt Lake City
Tickets: $6 at door; under 21 is $8
Why go: Destroy Everything is a Chicago quintet influenced by the early days of London punk, early '80s Midwest hardcore and '90s SoCal skate punk. Promotional materials say the band has set out to "reintroduce true punk to the masses and take it back from the poseurs who've sullied its good name."

Corey Christiansen
When: Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Emma Eccles Jones Conservatory, Westminster College
Tickets: $12 at Hires Big H restaurants and Westminster box office (832-2457)
Why go: Jazz guitarist Corey Christiansen is director of curriculum at The Music School in American Fork and son of Mike Christiansen, chairman of guitar studies at Utah State University. The concert is the latest installment of the Excellence in the Community concert series run by local promoter Jeff Whiteley.

Chris Merritt
When: Saturday at 8 p.m.
Where: Velour, 135 N. University Ave., Provo
Tickets: $5 at the door
Why go: Merritt is releasing his CD and having a free barbecue (if you buy a show ticket, of course) to celebrate. Last summer his band was voted one of the top six independent bands of the West by editors at Billboard Magazine. Merritt, a native of Virginia, moved to Utah in 2007, and then released his first solo album titled "Hello, Little Captain." The party celebrates the release of "Pixie and the Bear," a double-disc album.

Salt Lake Metalfest 2008
When: Saturday at 3 p.m.
Where: Club Vegas, 445 S. 400 West, Salt Lake City
Tickets: $10 at door or Friday at the Heavy Metal Shop and Backbeats Drum
Why go: The music starts at 3 p.m. and ends early Sunday morning with more than 15 metal bands sharing two stages, one outside (for all ages) and one inside (21 and over). Bands include My Last Breath, Blood of Saints and Trench.

Michael Dean Damron and Thee Loyal Bastards
When: Saturday at 5 p.m.
Where: Heavy Metal Shop, 63 Exchange Place, Salt Lake City
Tickets: Free
Why go: The former frontman of I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch in the House is touring to support his second solo album, "Bay Days Ahead," backed by Thee Loyal Bastards. The Bastards include the Eels' former bassist and a cellist. The band, a frequent visitor to Salt Lake City, is celebrating the Heavy Metal Shop's 21st anniversary. Later that night, it will play again at 9 at Bar Deluxe, 666 S. State St., Salt Lake City. Cover is $6.

Here's Michael last year at the Heavy Metal Shop:

Great TV tonight: On Channel 3, it's the 49th Annual Eucharistic Congress: Celebration of the Eucharist! Freaking awesome!

Friday night is normally a dull night for TV watching, because presumably everyone (but me) is out enjoying a Friday night out either bowling or carousing.

But tonight has two music-related shows that appeal to two different demographics.

Larry King, of all people, has this on tap for his CNN show tonight: "Larry goes backstage with the guys and digs up the dirt on Mick, Nikki, Vince, and Tommy's new flame, ex-wife Pam Anderson!" I didn't realize Pam and Tommy were back together yet again, but, then again, I haven't watched TMZ lately.

If it's too late to catch Larry (he comes on around at about 10 p.m.), then Disney's "Camp Rock" might be your bet. (Note I didn't say "best" bet.) It airs tonight at 9 p.m. on the Disney Channel. It is the channel's latest effort to produce another "High School Musical" franchise, and all appearances point to it being that very thing. Plus, it has the Jonas Brothers, for extra insurance.

If even that show is too late for you, there's a "Ghost Whisperer" re-run on CBS at 7 p.m.

Where has all the Rusted Root gone?

"Scheduling conflicts'" is usually a code word for "the show wasn't selling." But try getting anyone to say that on the record. (Or off, for that matter.)

"Scheduling conflicts" was used as the reason why the Rusted Root show at The Depot on July 6 was canceled, but the opening act's manager ponied up the info today that the show was in fact canceled due to "slow sales."

The opening act was Pete Francis, formerly one-third of the successful band Dispatch, and now he's trying to angle his way into a headlining show that same night at The Depot.

At the very least, we should support Pete and his people for being one of the most truthy folks out there.

How to get grass stains on your jeans

On Friday, lawn seats for Martina McBride's Aug. 1 show at Usana Amphitheatre will be available for only $20 at SmithsTix between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. (Their number is 467-TIXX.) The price also doesn't include service fees.

The initially advertised price is $33 for lawn seats. After 10 p.m. on Friday, it will be back at that price.

The show also includes Jack Ingram and Chris Young.

Martina is one of three big country acts coming to Usana this summer, with Tim McGraw there on June 27 and Toby Keith in late September. Here's some Martina if you don't know much about her:

15 minutes to save the world

If you click on the link below, you can hear a 15-minute conversation with David Archuleta, conducted on Wednesday, June 18, less than a month before the "American Idols LIVE" tour comes to West Valley City.

I apologize for the stupid questions and talking over him sometimes. You be the judge. Who is more awkward? Me David or him David?

Here's the link:

Archuleta.WMA

If listening to 15 minutes looking at blank screen isn't enough for you, here is 15 minutes with fellow LDS member Brooke White, who finished fifth:

BrookeWhite.WMA

If those links don't work, don't worry. I will transcribe them in the next few weeks. By the way, if anyone wants to transcribe these for me, I'll pay you $20.

It's better to burn out than it is to rusted root

The Rusted Root concert scheduled for July 6 has been cancelled.

United Concerts sent out an e-mail:
"Due to scheduling conflicts the Rusted Root concert scheduled at The Depot on July 6 has been canceled. Tickets can be refunded at point of purchase. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause."

Hmm. Is "scheduling conflict" a euphemism for "bathtub injury"?

That's my mofo

The Mother Truckers, from Austin, are playing Burt's Tiki Lounge (726 S. State St.) tonight at 8 p.m. Local favorites Utah County Swillers and Mean Mollys Trio (from Ogden) are opening.

The band, with great male and female harmonies, are touring behind their just-released album, "Let's Go to Bed," a title you would expect from the band called the Mother Truckers. Their Web site calls their music "high-octane Americana, blending hard hitting electric guitars with soaring vocals and irreverent lyrics. They take the Texas mix of Country, Blues and Rock to a higher place with their creative songwriting and high energy live performances."

Tickets are $10 at SmithsTix. Here's a clip:

Delusions of adequacy

At left is Jared Hallock, from Boise, who will be competing at the Avalon Theater Friday night in the Salt Lake City qualifier for the U.S. Air Guitar Championships.

Jared's stage name is "Sir Michael Carmichael Zutt," and Jared has even developed a "backstory" on his persona. Here he wrote in an e-mail to The Salt Lake Tribune:

"Mr. Zutt grew up in a broken home. Zutt realized he had many musical contributions to provide, but being so poor to own an instrument was forced to find others means to rock. Starting at an early age he came across an air triangle. Through endless hours of wood shedding on this instrument he learned the importance of rhythm. Knowing there was more to music than rhythm he longed for other forms of expression. One day while riding in the box car of a train he came across a mentor of sorts. This mentor was a very savvy and experienced musician who took Zutt under his wings. Together they rode train after train in search of the crossroads. The crossroads for "air" musicians is a little harder to find than the one where blues musician Robert Johnson sold his soul. After an exhaustive search they came across the "air-roads". It was at this point that his mentor's journey ended and Zutt's began.

At the "air-roads" Zutt fell in love with the air rain stick. This was an exciting instrument because it provided Zutt with musical texture, something he longed for after years of playing the air triangle. Using the air rain stick Zutt played every street corner in every city in America....which he deemed his "Tour of Amairica".

Eventually Zutt grew tired of the limitations of the air rain stick, and did a stint as an air DJ. Zutt could not understand why clubs across America were not hip to air DJ's. This is when Zutt hit his point of frustration and he gave up his craft altogether. Wanting to get away from it all he became a mime and moved to France. There Zutt developed an odd outlook on life. He realized his musical journey was one of the mind, and refused to be limited by current musical/performance restrictions. 'Why does everybody use tangible instruments to express themselves,' he wondered. Then he remember the wise words of his mentor: 'air not, live not.'

Zutt was back in action! Taking every possible gig Zutt reworked his air skills! Playing air drums for the Zeppelin reunion tour he developed an animalistic sense of performing! As a back-up air singer for Prince in Vegas he learned the importance of topless show girls! As a back-up air dancer for Britney Spears he learned absolutely nothing, but ended up having a child. It is very hard for an air musician to turn down the temptations of this life style, but now he was a role model for his son....he was successful!!!! He was happy that he did not have to rely on Britney for child support.

Zutt's musical experiences culminate with the air guitar. With this instrument he can be whoever he wants to be, and sound like whoever he wants to. The possibilities are endless, and Zutt finally reached Airdome.

'Kitsch?' you may ask. 'Life!" Zutt may answer.

Countless clubs across the America are ringing with Zutt's catch phrase spoken in a faux British, Italian, Basque accent..."My name iz ze Sir Michael Carmichael Zutt, and i like-a-zee butt!"

Jesus, take the E Center

"American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood follows other Idol albums David Archuleta (July) and Kelly Clarkson (October) in coming to the area in November.

Carrie performs Nov. 19 at the E Center in West Valley City.

Tickets go onsale this Saturday at 11 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 325-SEAT. Prices range from $35 to $55.

Little Big Town will open.

For those about to kind-of rock

At right is Condor Frehley. Below is KC Hensley.

Both are the same person.

KC Hensley, from Pocatello, will be performing this Friday at the Avalon Theater in the Salt Lake City regional qualifiers for the U.S. Air Guitar Championships. Well, "performing" might not be the word.

KC, a mild-mannered bartender at a Holiday Inn, will assume his alter-ego of Condor Frehley when he competes Friday, to the tune of a Buckcherry song. He said he is inspired by Motley Crue (check out the Nikki Sixx wig) and, of course, KISS and guitarist Ace Frehley. I'm not sure where the "Condor" comes from.

It costs $20 to enter the contest, and the winner gets to go on to the national qualifier in San Francisco on Aug. 8. The U.S. champion goes to Finland for the world championships, which has not been won by an American since 2003. The Japanese have been dominating, of late.

KC, or should I say, "Condor," is confident that he will win. "I'm good on air guitar, what can I say," he said.

Despite his confidence, he still will be practicing all this week for the competition. After all, he said, "I'm a professional."

See KC and others this Friday at the Avalon Theater.

Wappah!

Hispanic comedian George Lopez will perform at the E Center in West Valley City on Saturday, Sept. 27.

Tickets go onsale this Saturday at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster locations and at the E Center box office at 3200 S. Decker Lake Drive in WVC.

Tickets are $40 to $50, not counting service charges.

Here's the press release:

George Lopez is one of the premier comedic talents in the entertainment industry today. Maintaining an extremely active schedule as a stand-up comedian, George is a sell-out attraction coast to coast. Lopez has earned kudos for his performance in the HBO Films drama, “Real Women Have Curves,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to tremendous reviews—receiving the 2002 Audience Award. Previously, Lopez was featured in the acclaimed drama “Bread and Roses.” The film, directed by British filmmaker Ken Loach and released by Lion’s Gate, received critical acclaim after its premier at the Cannes Film Festival. In 2001, Lopez hosted a major morning radio for Clear Channel Communications inLos Angeles. He was the first Latino to have headlined the keystone morning radio slot on an English-language station in LA—the nation’s top radio market. Lopez received the 2003 Imagen Vision Award, 2003 Latino Spirit Award for Excellence in Television and the National Hispanic Media Coalition Impact Award. George was a featured celebrity golfer in The 2004 Chrysler Bob Hope Classic and the 2004 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Lopez and his pro partner finished third in the Pebble Beach event. George was the top ranking celebrity at completion of the golf tournament. A native of Los Angeles who grew up in San Fernando Valley’s Mission Hills, George devotes much time to the community. His own charity, The George & Ann Lopez-Richie Alarcon CARE Foundation, provides significant community and arts resources for education. He has received the Manny Mota Foundation Community Spirit Award and was named Honorary Mayor of Los Angeles for his extensive fundraising efforts benefiting earthquake victims in El Salvador and Guatemala. In February 2004, George was presented the 2004 Artist of the Year and Humanitarian Award by Harvard University. In September 2004, George was honored with the “Spirit of Liberty Award” presented by People for the American Way. In August 2005, Time Magazine recognized George as one of “The 25 Most Influential Hispanics In America.”

Needle in a haystack

FM station 105.7 FM will try to help out listeners who want to see Tim McGraw at Usana Amphitheatre on Aug. 27.

The country station will hold a contest called "Straw for McGraw" at Veteran's Memorial Park in West Jordan on June 26. At 8 a.m., qualified entrants will be hosed down with water and then they have 105 seconds to jump into the straw to find McGraw tickets buried under a truckload's worth of straw.

(It's a good thing McGraw's name doesn't rhyme with excrement.)

To qualify for the contest, you have to be one of the first 105 people to go on the station's Web site (www.mycountry1057.com) Monday around lunchtime and register. There isn't an exact time set up yet when people can first register, but it should be around noon, said Kevin Wolters, promotions director for the station.

The Game without Sean Penn, Michael Douglas and 50 Cent

The Game (left) will headline U92's "Summerjam 2008" on Saturday, Aug. 2 at Usana Amphitheatre in West Valley City.

The Game, if you remember, was once part of 50 Cent's "G Unit" but has left and has feuded with his former compadres.

U92 will offer a special one-day ticket price of only $10 on Saturday, June 21. You can get those at SmithsTix, the E Center box office and at Car Concepts (3405 S. State St.)

After that day, tickets will be $20 at the same locations.

The other performers are David Banner, Dolla, Play-N-Skillz, Wiz Khalfia and Far East Movement.
From the press release about The Game: "Interscope recording artist The Game is currently gearing up for the release of his latest album, 'LAX,' due in stores in early July. The Game broke into the music industry by working with 50 Cent's group, G Unit. Eventually The Game left G Unit to write as a solo artist; however, many saw this as an insult to 50 Cent and his G Unit crew. The Game has no intentions of having a bad relationship with 50 Cent or his former G Unit members. According to The Game 'flat out hatin’ – it kills, it’s poison and it’s a disease… it’s killing us. And when I say 'us' this would be the first time that I spoke of race because I’m of African American decent and so 'us' – it’s killing us. Ignorance, it’s gonna kill us.' A native of the streets of Compton, a city known most for its heavy gang activity, The Game has become an influential figure in West Coast gangster rap. 'I’m the last of who I am. I’m a gangster rapper, which is a form of rap that hip hop artists today have taken on that was generated by the godfather of gangster rap, Eazy-E ... I’m the last gangster rapper that you’ll probably see on the scale of being a superstar in hip hop, period,' says The Game."

The shoe doesn't fit

It looks like Cinderella the princess is more likely to show up in West Valley City this summer than Cinderella the band.

Cinderella the band was scheduled to play a show with Warrant this August at Usana Amphitheatre. However, United Concerts sent out an e-mail this morning from Cinderella's management company.

If you are easily queasy, you might want to not read this.

The e-mail stated: "It's with unbelievably deep regret that I must announce that Cinderella's Tom Keifer's left vocal cord has hemorrhaged, thereby making it impossible for him to sing in the immediate future. Tom felt his throat give way last night (6/11) finishing the set in pre-production rehearsals, went to his vocal doctor (Dr. Stephen Mitchell) in Nashville this morning, and was told the grim news. In the short term, Tom's Dr. told him it would be two to three weeks before the swelling and damage would recede to a point to where an assessment can be made as to whether surgery will be required. Consequently, and again, most regretfully, we have no choice but to postpone the upcoming Cinderella tour until such time as Tom is ready [to] tour again."

Didn't Archuleta suck up the vocal cord problem and go on performing?

The screen shot at the end of this post is Not RZA

Gypsy Dave (left) is just one of the many musical acts in Utah this weekend. Here's a small sampling:

Gypsy Dave & the Stumpjumpers
When: Tonight at 6:30
Where: Pat's BBQ, 155 W. Commonwealth, South Salt Lake
Tickets: $10 at the door
Why go: This show, which includes local openers the Rauber-Prinz Trio, is another installment of Jon Grippe's "SLC Big Beat Jamboree Folk & Jazz Night." Gypsy Dave & the Stumpjumpers are from Pennsylvania, the setting of the television show "The Office," but the trio's "ruckus music" is something that Jim and Pam, not Michael, might listen to. It's a blend of Americana, roots and bluegrass, with a washboard showing up as often as a guitar, said Gypsy Dave, 24. He told The Salt Lake Tribune that the young band grew up in the 1990s, soaking up the spirit of Nirvana and Beck, but has also delved into the back pages of American folk music, aspiring to conjure the spitfire of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. This organic band is perfect for an old-fashioned hootenanny after scarfing down Pat's famous Burnt Ends (tender brisket tips), mustard greens and jambalaya.

Three 6 Mafia
When: Tonight at 7
Where: South Towne Expo Center, 9575 S. State St., Sandy
Tickets: $30, with $60 for VIP tickets, at SmithsTix and 24Tix
Why go: Promoters have called this "Utah Beats" concert "the biggest and most impressive party ever done in the history of Salt Lake City" with "two massive dance floors" and a "perfect combination between a surreal show of lights, laser shows as well as explosions and a crowd that wants change." That's all fine and OK, but the real show should be the Oscar-winning Three 6 Mafia, who won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the 2005 rap "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp." The Global DJs are also on the bill.

Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers
When: Tonight at 8
Where: Ogden Amphitheatre, 343 25th Street, Ogden
Tickets: $20 at the door
Why go: It's summer in southern Louisiana, and Ogden audiences should be treated to the same dance music the Cajuns are dancing to right now. Dwayne Dopsie is the son of the "King of Zydeco," Alton Rubin Sr. Born in 1979 and raised in Lafayette, Dopsie played the washboard at the age of 4, then picked up the accordion and traveled the zydeco circuit with his family. When he was 19, he formed his own band to play zydeco.

The Black Angels, The Warlocks
When: Tonight at 9
Where: Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, Salt Lake City
Tickets: $12 at the door and at 24Tix and SmithsTix
Why go: The Black Angels take their name from the infamous Velvet Underground song "The Black Angel's Death Song" and evoke the same feelings. They are a psychedelic rock band from Austin, which makes them a perfect fit with The Warlocks, who take their name from the original name of The Grateful Dead and add an updated spin to the Dead's psychedelics with swampy opuses.

Bassnectar
When: Saturday at midnight. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Where: The X Room, 1847 Wall Ave., Ogden
Tickets: $20 at the door
Why go: Bassnectar is known as San Francisco's No. 1 DJ and dubs his touring show "Adventures in Bassnectarland." Recently he was nominated by the Beatport Music Awards in the category of Best Dubstep and Grime artist. Also on the bill are Eliot Lipp and local DJs with visuals by Videolicious.

The Salt Lake Scots Pipe Band
When: Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Hidden Valley Presbyterian Church, 12883 S. 1300 East, Draper
Tickets: Free
Why go: In collaboration with the Utah Scottish Association's Highland Games at Thanksgiving Point this weekend, the church is holding a "kirking service," which includes the Salt Lake Scots Pipe Band and a soloist on the Uilleann pipes. Chiefs of several local Scottish clans will present their clan tartans for a special blessing and prayer at the end of the service.

RZA
When: Sunday at 9 p.m.
Where: The Paladium, 415 W. 600 North, Salt Lake City
Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 the day of, at SmithsTix and 24Tix
Why go: Rapper RZA, de facto leader of the Wu Tang Clan, is touring the U.S. with the future-soul group Stone Mecca as his backing band. RZA's alter-ego, Bobby Digital, returns this July with "Digi Snacks," a new studio album. The Bobby Digital character was introduced a decade ago with the release of "In Stereo," and Bobby Digital releases have sold more than 1 million copies since.

Here is RZA, aka Bobby Digital:

Which way to West Jorday?

Marcus, the "Man of 1000 Voices" and current contestant on NBC's "Last Comic Standing," will be at the Wiseguys in Ogden (269 Historic 25th St.) Friday and Saturday.

He does two shows each night: one at 8 p.m. and another at 10 p.m.

Tickets are $10 at the door.

The heavily tattooed mimic impressed judges and a test audience on the show with impressions of Matthew McConaughey, Bobcat Goldthwhait and Johnny Depp as Capt. Jack Sparrow. He is technically a semifinalist on the show, and once the NBC show decides to quit doing a million shows of auditions and have the comedians compete to be the Last Comic Standing, we'll be able to see how Marcus does.

If Marcus does well, perhaps NBC will stop labeling him as being from "West Jorday, Utah."

In sleepy New London town there's no place for a street-fighting man

The final list of this summer's Twilight Concert Series at the Gallivan Center (239 S. Main St., Salt Lake City) has been announced. New additions include Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, an indie rock band formed in the same town where I went to college, New London, Conn. The band members formed at Connecticut College, which is right across the street from where I went, the Coast Guard Academy. In the good ol' days, Conn College was an all-girls school and the CGA was all guys, and there are many old salts who are married to girls with a Conn College degree. Now that both are co-ed, Conn College girls avoid the CG guys like the plague; they immediately see the navy-blue wool overcoats and combo covers and scram.

But that's neither here nor there.

Here's the list, and all are free:

July 10: The Roots
July 17: Andrew Bird, Josh Ritter
July 24: De La Soul
July 31: Yonder Mountain String Band, Keller Williams
Aug. 7: Nada Surf, Tim Fite
Aug. 14: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Aug. 21: Big Sleep, Broken Social Scene
Aug. 28: Neko Case, Crooked Fingers

This is Regan country

Comedian Brian Regan sold out a Aug. 15 concert at Thanksgiving Point so quickly that a second show, on the preceding Thursday (Aug. 14), has been added.

The second concert was initially scheduled for the Saturday (Aug. 16) after, but a scheduling conflict has just popped up.

Tickets go onsale this Saturday at 10 a.m. for the second show.

Tickets are $38 and at available at SmithsTix.

To check out whether you want to vote for Regan, here is a clip of his stand-up:

STP is AOK

Just when you think that all Rock Stars - with capital letters - are dead, there comes along Scott Weiland.

Frontman Weiland and the three other members of the Stone Temple Pilots reunited earlier this year and performed at the E Center Wednesday in a 100-minute rock concert that was tight, focused and energetic.

Skeptics could snipe that the band played it safe by playing a set heavy on the hits, and that the live versions were near-identical to the versions on the records, but considering Weiland's long history of substance abuse, it was fun to see Weiland and the band alive and well.

From the opening song, "Big Empty," to the last song of the encore, "Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart," Weiland's voice was strong and evocative, and he displayed a spellbinding stage presence and undeniable charisma.

The lead singer arrived on stage with a tie, vest, grey slacks and jacket. Showing a little flair, he wore a bright maroon fedora with a yellow feather tucked in the band, matching the bleached blonde locks underneath.

As the show progressed, he engaged in a gradual striptease, so by the time the song "Sex Type Thing" appeared near the end of the show, Weiland was bare-chested, showing off a leopard-skin belt. Throughout, his left hand alternated between holding a lit cigarette and clutching a megaphone. He prowled around the stage in a manner best compared as Jim Morrison's Lizard King persona melded with the hip-swaying, brazen sexuality of Axl Rose, making eye contact with the audience.

Brothers Dean and Robert DeLeo, on the guitar and bass, respectively, anchored the crunch the band is known for and the venue was able to present the sound clearly, a welcome change compared to Kanye West's muddled sound two nights before.

As for the set, the big screen behind the band showed off the usual abstract images, and lights and fog machines were in full effect, but the real show was the resurrected Weiland.

Here is a YouTube video shot at the show, not by me. Trust me, the sound wasn't that bad, and that is not me at on the left-hand side of the shot:

All I really want to do

Ticket information for Bob Dylan's Aug. 31 concert at Deer Valley has been released.

General admission tickets go on sale Saturday, June 28 at 10 a.m. at all Smith’s Tix Outlets, 467-TIXX, 1-800-888-TIXX, www.smithstix.com, or in person at Deer Valley Signatures Stores, 625 Main Street, Park City.

Ticket price is $49.50 (plus applicable service fees).

Queen (or Mary) Jane is not included when you buy a ticket.

STP needed for my Old 97 Honda Civic

Now that the band is presumably no longer the Stoned Temple Pilots, the Stone Temple Pilots have reunited and will be at the E Center tonight.

Things have changed since the band broke up five years ago. Famously troubled frontman Scott Weiland sang with rock supergroup Velvet Revolver before acrimoniously leaving earlier this year, while guitarist Dean DeLeo now lives a few houses down from Glen Campbell and dines with the Campbells sometimes. And forgiveness apparently happens, too.

DeLeo, 46, talked to The Salt Lake Tribune just as Campbell drove past his house in the Hollywood Hills. "I think I have a great part of the canine aspect in me," DeLeo said. "I'm a loyal person."

Loyalty is one way to explain the they-said-it-couldn't-happen unification of the initially critically reviled quartet that ruled the rock charts in the 1990s.

The San Diego band broke through in 1992 with "Plush," the first of many songs with song titles that seemed like non sequiturs. Just as Nirvana was bashing Pearl Jam for seemingly jumping on the grunge bandwagon, the Stone Temple Pilots were criticized for aping the guttural, Jim Morrison-inspired vocals of Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder.

But critics, inside and outside the music industry, couldn't stop the hits from coming: "Sex Type Thing," "Creep," "Wicked Garden," "Interstate Love Song," "Vasoline," "Big Empty," "Big Bang Baby" and "Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart." Arguably, the band's singles were the most radio-friendly - and popular - rock songs of the 1990s. Throughout it all, other rock bands either died (Soundgarden) or decided they didn't want to be too mainstream (Pearl Jam).

What has been forgotten is that the band's alternative-meets-arena rock evolved throughout its lifespan. The Stone Temple Pilots - a nonsense name coined because the band members liked the acronym STP - grew more musically adventurous and gained respect for their resurrection of glam rock, with DeLeo's distinctive crunch providing the spiraling melodies.

But what finally split up the group were Weiland's struggles with drug addiction. Heroin and other drugs were cited as the cause of a two-year hiatus in the late 1990s and the 2002 breakup. (Reportedly, DeLeo and Weiland got into a fistfight during the last show of STP's fall 2002 tour.) DeLeo's struggles with alcoholism never got much press because of the spotlight on Weiland.

The reunion is nearly a year in the making, DeLeo said. He and his brother, bassist Robert DeLeo, were invited by Weiland's wife to play at a beach party last year. "I didn't want to do it," DeLeo said. "But I told Scott that if we were going to get back onstage, it should be groovier than this private party."

Once Weiland quit - or was fired from - Velvet Revolver, STP began "weeding through about 35 songs," DeLeo said, with rehearsals going "great."

"Absolutely we want to record," he said, then added: "But nothing is 100 percent."

Old 97 is also what I call my Honda Civic

The Old 97's, with Rhett Miller (left), perform tonight at the Paladium, 415 W. 600 North, Salt Lake City. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $16 in advance, $18 the day of, at SmithsTix.

The "Old 97" was a Southern Railway train involved in a 1903 wreck due to operating at a dangerously high speed.

Although the country-rock band the Old 97's doesn't want its new album to be known as a train wreck, the speed of the new album is similarly dangerously, and exhilaratingly, high.

"It's pedal-to-the-metal," said Rhett Miller, frontman of the Dallas band that headlines the Paladium on Wednesday. "What we're doing is a rock album."

The up-tempo album, "Blame It on Gravity," released May 13, is much different from the band's previous effort, "Drag It Up," which was a more contemplative, softer album. Apparently, that was on purpose. "Our albums have always been reactionary to the previous album," said Miller of the working mode of the band that has been together since 1993.

While Miller has released several solo albums, the band has never disbanded. In fact, it always seems to be on the cusp of breaking through. The band's formula is simple: undeniably catchy melodies paired with Miller's heartbroken lyrics. But the band has suffered by falling through the genre cracks, its sound too rocking for the country charts and too country for the rock charts.

In person, Miller is much more upbeat and optimistic than his lyrics make him out to be, and he even offered up a Utah connection before being asked. His sister-in-law is dating Utah native Jason Hartley, the author of Just a Soldier: A Year on the Ground in Iraq. And, as a surprisingly happily married man, Miller has encouraged his sister-in-law to wed. Now, that doesn't sound like someone who once compared his heart to a stripped-down car.

The secret to the band's longevity, Miller said, is that they never rehearse. Between albums and tours, they stay away from each other to avoid getting on each other's nerves. The only rehearsing is done onstage, live in concert. "By the time we get to Salt Lake, we'll be tight," he added.

Hayes Carll is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter also from the Lone Star State. He is bringing his band and touring in support of his second album, "Trouble in Mind," released in April.

The former door-to-door vacuum-cleaner salesman is pleased to be touring with the Old 97's.
"We seem to have mutual fans," he said. "We're not from different planets. I won't be playing death-metal."

Baseball, Mom's apple pie and Toby Keith

Long-rumored but now true, Toby Keith will visit Usana Amphitheatre for what should be the last concert there this "summer." He starts his North American tour in just eight days, but the last stop on his tour will be West Valley City on Sept. 20. Ticket info isn't available yet, but it should be through SmithsTix, which handles Usana concerts.

Joining him on his tour is Carter's Chord, Mica Roberts and the Trailer Choir.

Keith's baritone is well-known for his Ford commercials and his blustery, catchy songs like the above song (His first No. 1 country song), "I Wanna Talk About Me," "As Good as I Once Was," and "How Do You Like Me Now?!" Of course, he also is an unabashed patriot (and Dixie Chick foe), with songs like "Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American)."

Kanye West review: Please stop the music

Kanye West performed Monday night at the E Center, and my review is below.

Limited in space, I was unable to write about how sparsely attended the show was, and how the show ended after 1 a.m. Don't musicians realize that the only people who can afford $77 tickets are ones that have to get up early for work?

One more thing I couldn't find room for: at one point, Kanye was singing a song about his recently deceased mother, and it was obvious he was still emotional about her passing as he performed that song. One audience member near the stage had one of those annoying red-lighted laser lights, which the fan chose to aim directly at Kanye's torso and face during the song. Although Kanye didn't stop the song, he pointed to the vicinity of where the fan was and angrily said, "You f______ a______." Kanye gets a lot of grief from critics for being volatile, but that was one instance in which it was warranted.

Here's the review:

At the end of Kanye West's concert Monday, E Center employees were handing out free copies of West's book, Thank You and You're Welcome.

It's good they weren't handing out audio books to listen to on the way home. No one would have been able to hear it because of the ringing in our ears.

West's "Glow in the Dark Tour," with Rihanna, N.E.R.D. and Lupe Fiasco, was ultimately disappointing. While the stage shows and obvious energy of the performers - especially West - were a treat for the eyes, the entire show was whince-enducingly loud, while the sound coming from the stage was garbled and sludgy.

The E Center normally has no problem with acoustics and is one of the best venues to hear live music in the area. But either the arena wasn't prepared to handle the deep bass and rhythmic beats of a hip-hop show, or the performers and their sound engineers were oblivious during the soundcheck that audience members wouldn't be able to decipher a single word coming out of West's mouth. (I blame the latter, judging from the E Center's history of good-sounding shows.)

It was a shame that one of the most lyrically gifted and catchy rappers was overwhelmed by a deafening wall of sound.

West's stage show was impressive, especially because he was the only person on the stage for the entire show - no band, no backup

singers in sight. It takes incredible charisma and stage presence to avoid becoming a bore, but the way he prowled the stage, hunched over and concentrating on the emotions of the songs, was mesmerizing.

It was a high-concept show, with huge, vividly colored screens behind him and a detailed stage design that told a story about West being marooned on a deserted planet and desperate to return home in a spaceship. Between songs, he would plead with the spaceship's female version of HAL from "2001" to take him home. Subsequent entreaties to God segued nicely into the song "Jesus Walks," and anguish over loneliness segued (not as coherently) into "Golddigger."

Before the show began, it seemed as if Rihanna, an R & B songstress, would be the odd woman out in a night of rap. But she provided the musical highlight of the evening: a rousing version of "Umbrella" that closed her half-hour set, reminding the crowd what a well-crafted song it is. Because her set wasn't overloaded with bass and instrumentation, her sound came across as the best of the night.

The other openers, rapper Lupe Fiasco and funk-rap band N.E.R.D., suffered from the same problems that West encountered. As for their highlights, Fiasco was aided by the presence of folk singer Matthew Santos, who joined him on four songs, including the chart-topping "Superstar," and N.E.R.D. was impressive for having two drummers bring a tribal beat to their show.

But in end, you have to ask yourself a question West asks in the book that was handed out:
"Sometimes when I see a bad performance and people still clap ... I wonder if they're clapping because they liked what they saw or because they're happy it's over?"

Evil urges on New Release Tuesday

My Morning Jacket and The Cure release two high-profile new albums today, with MMJ up-and-coming and the Cure seeking to remain relevant.

Here are Tuesday's new album releases:

"Evil Urges" My Morning Jacket
"Freakshow (Mix 13)" The Cure
"Tha Carter III" Lil Wayne
"All I Intended to Be" Emmylou Harris
"Flavors of Entanglement" Alanis Morissette
"Hear O Israel" Herbie Hancock
"Back When I Knew It All" Montgomery Gentry
"Seeing Things" Jakob Dylan
"I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too" Martha Wainwright
"19" Adele
"Definition of Real" Plies
"Seeing Sounds" N.E.R.D. (at the E Center Monday with Kanye West)
"Circus Money" Walter Becker
"Here We Stand" The Fratellis
"Loverly" Cassandra Wilson
"U.S. Singles Collection Box" The Beach Boys
"Light It Up" Rev Theory
"Diamond Hoo Ha" Supergrass

Pretty fly for some white guys

The Offspring release their new album "Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace" on June 17, but you can listen to the album on the band's Web site, www.imeem.com/theoffspring.

Don't stop the music tonight

Rihanna is just one of the performers tonight when Kanye West brings his "Glow in the Dark" Tour to the E Center in West Valley City.

The show begins at 7 p.m. and tickets range from $32 to $77, not counting service charges, at SmithsTix.

The E Center is at 3200 S. Decker Lake Drive in
West Valley City.

N.E.R.D. and Lupe Fiasco are also performing, but Rihanna could headline a tour on her own. She has a song in the top-5 right now, with "Take a Bow," and had huge hits with "Umbrella," Don't Stop the Music" and "Hate That I Love You."

Here is one of the openers, N.E.R.D.:

Here is Lupe Fiasco with Matthew Santos, who performed in Ogden in May:

Tattoos now allowed in Orem

A month before David Archuleta and the final 10 contestants come to town for the American Idol Live tour, the previous season's Idol, Jordin Sparks, will be in Orem on June 25.

The concert is at 8 p.m. at the Shell in SCERA Park, 699 S. State St., Orem. General admission tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children (age 3-11), students (w/ID) and seniors (65+). Seating is on a grassy slope, and patrons may bring blankets or rent a first-come, first-served chair from SCERA for $1.00. Tickets are available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays (noon to 6 p.m.) at the SCERA Center, 745 S. State, Orem, by calling (801) 225-ARTS, online at www.scera.org or at the gate 90 minutes prior to the show. The reserved seating is already sold out, so you might not want to wait until the day of the show.

Jordin, the youngest American Idol winner in history, has exceeded modest expectations and has surpassed the success of previous winners like Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks. She's had chart-topping pop singles with “This Is My Now,” “Tattoo” and most recently with “No Air,” a duet with It Boy of The Moment, Chris Brown.

Bow down to her on Sunday, salute her when ...

Bob Dylan will perform at Deer Valley on the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 31, at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets go onsale on June 28 at 10 a.m., with a pre-sale beginning on June 23. I would include more information about how exactly to go about getting tickets, but it seems as if no one at Deer Valley Resort knows about the concert.

It will be Mr. Zimmerman's first stop in Utah since winning the Pulitzer Prize in April, making history as the first rock and roll artist to be honored. He was recognized for his "profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power."

Guess what song he is performing here, from Chile earlier this year:

God Bless Utah this weekend

Emerson Hart, left, former frontman of Tonic, will perform at our very own Hard Rock Cafe tonight. Here's some other notable shows for the weekend:

Calico
When: Tonight at 7 p.m.
Where: Slowtrain Music, 221 E. Broadway (300 South), Salt Lake City
Tickets: Free
Why go: This party celebrates the release of Calico's second album, "Black Pyramid." The first Calico album was recorded by the frontman and his then-girlfriend, but the band came together after the album came out. Calico describes its mellow rock as "sparse, dynamic and textural." Chaz Prymek will open the show.

Ryan Shupe & The Rubberband
When: Friday at 8 p.m.
Where: Sandy Amphitheater, 1245 E. 9400 South, Sandy
Tickets: $9 to $12 at SmithsTix
Why go: Ogden's own Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband is a unique country band formed in the 1990s, which, although it has tasted the sweet taste of success nationally, still remembers its home state. Not a country band in the slick Nashville sense, the Rubberband is more of a jam band in the Dave Matthews vein. Its 2005 album, "Dream Big," reached No. 13 on the Billboard country charts.

Dark Arts Festival
When: Friday tonight at 9 p.m.
Where: Area 51, 451 S. 400 West, Salt Lake City
Tickets: $25 at darkartsfestival.com
Why go: This three-day festival features 14 bands, local and nonlocal, that range in style from "elegant gothic rock to seething industrial rage to theatrical deathrock to dance electronica and everything in between," the news release states. It's the eighth year of the festival, designed to bring together different elements of the underground culture, including fashion, art and performance art. Performers include London After Midnight, Johnny Indovina, System Syn, James D. Stark and Adrian H and the Wounds.

Emerson Hart
When: Friday at 10 p.m.
Where: Hard Rock Cafe, 505 S. 600 East, Salt Lake City
Tickets: $10 at www.ticketweb.com or at Cafe
Why go: To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hard Rock Cafe's arrival in Utah, the club will partner with the Utah Food Bank Services to host this benefit concert. Hart was formerly the frontman of Tonic, a '90s alternative rock band best known for "If You Could Only See." He is touring to promote his debut solo album, "Cigarettes and Gasoline."

Little Texas, Restless Heart
When: Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Silver Lake Amphitheatre, 7920 N. Silver Lake Parkway, Eagle Mountain
Tickets: $15 at SmithsTix
Why go: Little Texas bassist Duane Propes once had a rising star named Tim McGraw open for his band, but the Nashville country band is happy where it is now. Propes told The Salt Lake Tribune that the reunited band - it had broken up in 1997 - feels right again. "We all tried things with other people," Propes said, "but the same chemistry wasn't there." The band was on a roll until its initial dissolution: It scored the No. 1 single "My Love" and had top-10 hits in "You and Forever and Me," "What Might Have Been," "God Blessed Texas," "Kick a Little," "Amy's Back in Austin" and "Life Goes On." The band has had a large following in Utah and prefers to play smaller-venue shows than arena shows opening for, say, Tim McGraw. "I'd rather see 3,000 people going bonkers, instead of 10,000 people waiting for someone else to perform," Propes said.

Here's Little Texas:

Jazz vs. $10

Sheila E (right) is just one of the performers coming to the eighth annual Salt Lake City International Jazz festival.

The fest will be July 11 through July 13 in Washington Square. For the first time, the fest is not free: the cost is $10 a day, with children 12 and under the only ones able to get in for free.

All performances are slated for the stages at Washington Square at the City & County Building. Clinics at the University of Utah are free to the public. Tickets will be available at the festival gates on each day of the event. Also, for a limited time, there will be an advance purchase discount (three general-admission tix for the price of two) through SmithsTix.

Here's the lineup:

Complete Artist Lineup for 2008

Friday, July 11th

5:30-6:30 (Ellington Stage) Great Basin Street Band
6:40-7:30 (Yardbird Stage) Dave Valentin All Star Quintet
7:40-8:40 (Ellington Stage) Jack Jones with SLC Jazz Orchestra
8:50-9:50 (Yardbird Stage) Wallace Roney Quintet
10:00-11:00 (Ellington Stage) Gerald Albright

Saturday, July 12th

4:00-4:50 (Yardbird Stage) John Flanders Quartet
5:00-6:00 (Ellington Stage) Salt Lake City Jazz Orchestra
6:10-7:00 (Yardbird Stage) The Latin Jazz All Stars
7:10-8:15 (Ellington Stage) SLCJO w/Debby Boone Reflections of Rosemary Clooney
8:40-9:40 (Yardbird Stage) Eddie Daniels Quartet
9:50-11:00 (Ellington Stage) The E Family featuring Sheila E, Pete & Juan Escovedo

Sunday, July 13th

4:00-4:50 (Yardbird Stage) Chase Michaels Group featuring Julian Waterfall Pollack
5:00-6:00 (Ellington Stage) Salt Lake City Jazz Orchestra
6:10-7:10 (Yardbird Stage) TBD
7:10-8:10 (Ellington Stage) Traincha Oosterhaus w/Salt Lake City Jazz Orchestra
8:20-9:20 (Yardbird Stage) Ellis Hall & The Truth featuring Mindi Abair
9:30-10:50 (Ellington Stage) R&R (Rick Braun/Richard Elliot)

Bigger, stronger, and not selling

Is the Kanye West show not selling?

Apparently not.

SmithsTix is offering heavily discounted floor seats for West's Monday show at the E Center for only $32.

West is performing with Rihanna, Lupe Fiasco and N.E.R.D.

Perhaps at least one of the performers should have been made available for interviews beforehand, and Kanye could have stolen the front page of our Friday Arts section from Stone Temple Pilots.

But I'm not bitter.

Walk a mile in Crow's feet

Zions Bank and United Concerts have partnered with The Children's Center in Salt Lake City to raise money for the center using an unusual fundraiser: a Sheryl Crow concert.

Sheryl Crow performs Aug. 25 at Usana Amphitheatre in West Valley City.

Zions Bank bought 200 tickets for the concert and will sell them for $100 each, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Children's Center, a 45-year-old local non-profit that is dedicated to providing mental health care to young children and their families. The money will be used specifically to renovate its Oquirrh School.

United Concerts is also donating $1 for every Sheryl Crow ticket sold.

The $100 tickets include reserved seating "close to the stage," premier parking and a pre-concert barbecue. (The top ticket price otherwise is $61 not counting service charges.)

Go to tccslc.org to buy these special tickets.

She kissed a girl

Katy Perry just broke into the top-10 this week with her hit single, "I Kissed a Girl," and spoke to The Salt Lake Tribune about her upcoming concert stop with the Warped Tour in Utah on June 28.

She is fully aware, she said, that the Warped Tour doesn't have a whole lot of girls on the tour. (Usually, that would mean a good thing for a young, good-looking girl, but considering that she is a lesbian, maybe she should continue exploring her bisexuality.)

Katy is encouraging women to accompany their boyfriends to her tour stop. "Please, I need someone to ovulate with," she said. She said she likes girls because they smell better, though she is not above making out with guys who wear AXE body spray. ("That stuff is infectious," she said.)

She's excited about the tour, though she said, "I have friends who had done it and they came back smelly. They told me to expect a lot of heat. I've traded my vices for Vitamin C."

Governor still not as cool as Schwarzenegger. But at least he's trying.

Here's the proclamation from Gov. Huntsman declaring June 4, 2008 as "Return to Forever Day" in Utah, in honor of RTF's Wednesday night concert. RTF are on their reunion tour, playing their jazz-fusion, a genre they invented.

Danity Kane played at Harry O's and presumably feel slighted by it not being "Danity Kane Day" in Utah. It's probably for the best.

Return to Forever semi-review

The legendary jazz-fusion band Return to Forever played at Kingsbury Hall Wednesday, and imagine my surprise Thursday morning when I received a press release from the band's publicists listing my comments from last Friday's show preview.

An excerpt from the press release:

"Return to Forever Returns
To Rave Reviews -- Jazz legends Return to Forever just began their reunion world tour, but the frenzy is already in full swing. The group, back together for the
first time in 25 years, have seen their tour become the jazz event of the year, with rave reviews poppng up wherever they go. Here's what we've been reading: "Spontaneous jams and thrilling call-and-response solos ... At its best, it was like Ornette Coleman's Free Jazz: Four musicians playing four seperate songs that fit together like piece of a puzzle." -- Thor
Christensen, Dallas Morning News. "Whistles and whoops of appreciation erupted after: Clarke's electric bass solo referenced John Coltrane's masterwork "A Love Supreme," Lenny
White -- part Roy Haynes, part Dennis Chambers -- snapped out another thunderous groove, and when Corea's keys and DiMeola's strings traded harmonic sixty-forth notes. -- D.G. Lynch, Austin American Statesman. "You can expect Return to Forever to be one of the tightest quartets you'll ever see, despite the jazz fusion group not performing together
in more than a quarter century." -- David Burger, Salt Lake Tribune ..."

I don't mind being quoted, but to tell you the truth, jazz-fusion has never been my thing. I remember when I interviewed for this job, I was asked the usual question about what my weaknesses were. Instead of saying stuff like "I work too hard" or "I am so passionate about my job that I am a perfectionist," I mentioned that while I like most genres of music, the only genre I wasn't too crazy about was, specifically, "non-vocal jazz."

Since I have already buried the lead, let me just say that the band at Kingsbury Hall sounded, as expected, great. The acoustics were outstanding, and you could hear every note from each of the quartet's songs distinctly, which was fun whenever Al DiMeola was shredding on his guitar or the very tall Stanley Clarke was playing electric bass solos as if it were a lead instrument, reminding me of Paul McCartney's work on "Paperback Writer."

Each of the band members took turns at the microphone in the beginning stages of the show. Chick Corea, keyboardist who apparently loves the sounds of 1970s synthesizers than anyone else alive, said that band was "still rehearsing," since it was only about the fifth or sixth show of the summer tour.

Clarke told the crowd that "I was ecstatic as you are" about the reunion, and "it's nice to do something with your friends." He called Corea "the great American composer."

And drummer Lenny White told the crowd, "After 25 years, you guys still showed up. He then pointed to the governor, who was seated in the first few rows, and told the crowd that "you have the hippest governor in America" because Gov. Huntsman declared June 5 "Return to Forever Day" in Utah. (I don't know the governor, but I would be more apt to call him the hippest governor in America if he showed up at Saltair Wednesday and declared it "Motion City Soundtrack Day" in Utah. I mean, come on, doesn't anyone remember who's governor of my home state of Cal-ee-fornia?) Finally, Lenny said, "In an era of boy bands, this is a man band."

Corea anchored the entire show, even when the other musicians were soloing, including extended drum solos. (Egads.) All musicians were technically perfect and meshed well together, and my favorite parts were when DiMeola — who was only 19 when he first joined the group — would play bluesy solos one minute, and then transfer his fingers down the fretboard to play beautifully high-pitched licks like Eddie Van Halen in his prime.

To0 sum up, it was the opposite of my favorite type of music: three-minute-long pop rock songs with vocals way above the mix and no guitar solos. (Kind of like the Ramones, but I always thought the Ramones needed a better singer.) But I could, and did, appreciate what the quartet was doing, and realize that I shouldn't be so stubborn about non-vocal jazz. If it's good enough for Coltrane, it's good enough for me.

Besides, the only thing on TV Wednesday was a "Bachelor" marathon on VH1.

Return to Forever like Phantom Planets

It is quite a night for music in the valley, as Panic at the Disco and Phantom Planet (right) play Saltair tonight and the jazz-fusion group Return to Forever, with the revered Chick Corea on keyboards, playing at Kingsbury Hall.

The Honda Civic Tour with PATD, Phantom Planet, Motion City Soundtrack and The Hush Sound are at Saltair tonight. The doors open at 6 p.m., and tickets are $30.

Return to Forever are at the University of Utah venue and start at 7:30, with tickets still available at the Kingsbury Hall box office for $85, $65, $50 and $35. Don't forget to park at the football stadium for free and catch the shuttle for free.

If you still haven't got enough music by the time these shows let out, go out to Park City and visit Harry O's. Danity Kane, the girl band manufactured by P. Diddy, with be at Harry O's at 427 Main St. Doors open at 9 p.m., but nothing at Harry O's starts before 11 p.m. And remember, no matter how much liquor you consume in those two hours before the show starts, no one in Danity Kane will find you attractive.

Snowbird on a wire

Local band Band of Annuals will be one of the free shows at Snowbird's Cool Air Concert Series this summer at the resort.

Here's the schedule:
-- July 5, Eilen Jewell Band and Tim Easton , 5-8 p.m.
-- July 6, 56 Hope Road, 2-5 p.m.
-- July 18, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals 6-9 p.m.
-- July 19, Mike Farris 6-8 p.m.
-- July 25, The Maldives 6-8 p.m.
-- July 27, The Biscuit Burners 2-4 p.m.
-- Aug 3, Monrovia 2-5 p.m.
-- Aug 8, Band of Annuals 6-8 p.m.
-- Aug 15, Mana Poly All Stars 6-8 p.m.
-- Aug 17, Steve Poltz 2-4 p.m.

The shows will be on the Snowbird Center Plaza Deck.

Here's Band of Annuals performing their alt-country:

Regan Library

Comedian Brian Regan will be in Lehi on Friday, Aug. 15. He'll perform at the Gardens' Waterfall Ampitheatre at Thanksgiving Point.

You can buy tickets before the rest of the general public by going to the SmithsTix Web site between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Friday and using the password "funny."

Tickets go on sale for everyone Saturday at 10 a.m. Tickets are $38 at SmithsTix.

His first one-hour special, "Brian Regan: Standing Up," premiered on Comedy Central on June 10 last year. He taped his second special last month.

Here is Brian in action:

They're my cherry pie

Cinderella and Warrant (left) will be at Usana Amphitheatre Friday, Aug. 15.

The Lynch Mob and Lynam will join them. (No, I've never heard of them, either.)

Tickets go on sale this Saturday at 11 a.m. at all SmithsTix outlets. Tickets are $40, $24 and $20.

From the press release: "Hard rock band Cinderella gained success in the mid 1980s, turning out a series of million-selling albums and hit singles while placing music videos in heavy rotation on MTV. Cinderella was a heavy-metal band when heavy metal was not cool, headlined arenas when metal became cool, and remained a heavy-metal band long enough to capitalize on its late 1990s revival. Their teased coiffures, leather ’n’ lace costumes, and thudding blues-based music will be heard at Usana Amphitheatre on Friday, Aug. 15. Warrant is joining the show with the return of its original members along with Lynch Mob and Lynam making this a night of 'Metal Masters.'"

The choice of venue is a little interesting. When looking at the other venues on the tour, it appears as if Usana is by far the largest venue Cinderella will be playing at this summer. I mean, they play a tiny House of Blues, for crying out loud. With the list of great shows Usana has this summer (The Police, DMB, Jack Johnson, etc.), isn't it a little slumming to have Warrant? Honestly, I haven't listened to "Cherry Pie" in while, but that's for a reason.

I hope fans prove me wrong by selling out the joint.

This ... is NOT American Idol

Rumors are floating that FOX put the kibosh on the aforementioned David Archuleta concert. He was supposed to give a concert at the E Center in West Valley City Friday night, with $1 tickets from Ticketmaster available Wednesday at 10 a.m. More details to follow in this continuing unprecedented news event.

The presses have stopped

Rumors are floating that David Archuleta will be giving a concert at the E Center in West Valley City Friday night, with $1 tickets from Ticketmaster available Wednesday at 10 a.m. More details to follow in this unprecedented news event.

The Right Stuff?

The New Kids on the Block, with their new single above, will be at the E Center on Nov. 15.

Tickets go on sale Monday, June 9 at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets and the E Center box office. You can also call 325-SEAT.

Tickets are $77, $57 and $37 plus service charges.

The original line-up will all be there: Joey McIntyre, Jonathan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan Knight and that one guy without a neck. They are reportedly working on their first new album since 1994.

Say what you want. They sold 70 million albums the first time around.

Utahns try to overthrow Paisley

Jewel releases her first country album Tuesday (June 3), and she talked to The Salt Lake Tribune about why now, and why Nashville.

"Nashville has always been a home for me," said Jewel. While this is her seventh album, it is the fourth one she has recorded in Nashville, so it didn't take much to be accepted by the Nashville crowd, she said.

It was, of all places, Utah where she fell in love with singing country songs around the campfire and listening to cowboy poetry from her BYU-grad father. She was born in Utah, and said she still feels a connection to the beautiful Intermountain West, although all everyone usually asks her about is her later childhood in Alaska and her homeless days in San Diego.

She will be embarking on a high-profile tour with another Utah native, Julianne Hough, as both will open for Brad Paisley on the next leg of his tour, beginning June 11 in New Mexico.

"I'm tickled to tour with him," she said.

Her new album is called "Perfectly Clear," and you can read a review of the album in the PopTop section of the paper on Tuesday.

Wilco sold out. G. Love not so much.

Red Butte Garden tickets went on sale to the general public today, after being on sale to Garden members since May 19. (That's why Bonnie Raitt and Wilco are already sold out.)

But there's still concerts not sold out, like Emmylou Harris, Al Green and Wynton Marsalis (left), who opens the season on July 11.

The season usually starts this month, but has been pushed back until July because of the new ampitheatre that is being built.

Tickets are available by calling 585-0556 or going online at www.redbuttegarden.org/concerts/

Bo knows diddley

R.I.P Bo Diddley, who died at his Florida home Monday morning at the age of 79 from heart failure.

She's not 13 anymore

LeAnn Rimes will perform in a benefit concert here in October for the Regence Caring Foundation for Children.

She will perform at Abravanel Hall on Oct. 3m and tickets went on sale today at 10 a.m. at arttix.com. or by calling 801-355-ARTS. Tickets are $45 to $65.

VIP tickets include a seat in the first 20 rows and a cocktail reception and dinner at the Grand America before the show. (These are available by calling 333-2679.) These tickets are $200, with $100 being tax-deductible.

The Regence Caring Foundation is a public charity that provides free, comprehensive dental care to low-income children. Despite the appearance of Ms. Rimes, to the right, the foundation does not provide free, comprehensive abdominal toning to low-income children.

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