Monday Morning Newsletter (2-9-09)

The 13th Annual Millennium Music Conference & Showcase begins this Wednesday, February 12th. the four day fest will be held at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel in Camp Hill, PA. The MMC features two days of presentations, panels and workshops with four nights of showcase performances by 300+ bands. Do the math, that means you have time to sober up every other day.

HORSE the band have reportedly signed a record deal with Vagrant Records. They are scheduled to begin recording a new LP in March for a summer release. They are also pressing forward with previously announced plans to self-release a tour DVD and photo book.

Lux Interior a.k.a. Erick Lee Purkhiser died this week. He was the vocalist for the iconic punk band The Cramps. The band’s publicist released a statement attributing death to a preexisting heart condition. He is survived by his wife Cramps guitarist Kristy “Poison Ivy Rorschach” Wallace. He was 62.

Jason Null, the lead guitarist of the Christian rock group Saving Abel and guitarist Brandon J. Danger are being charged with felony counts of forced oral copulation with a minor. Police claim the duo lured a 17-year-old girl onto their tour bus with promises of appearing in a rock video. Guess that works better than the old kittens and candy routine.

Former Buffalo Springfield Dewey Martin drummer died this week. His body was discovered at his home in Van Nuys, CA. He had been a session drummer in Nashville before joining Buffalo Springfield in 1966. After the band broke up he whored out the brand recognition by continuing to tour with new members as the “New Buffalo Springfield.” The old Buffalo Springfield sued and euthanized the eponymous sequel. He soldiered on and did the oldies circuit in the 80s. He was 68.

Etta James and Beyonce are on the verge of a catfight. The 71-year-old singer said that she intended to "whip" Beyonce for singing her song at President Barack Obama’s inaugural ball. She was referring to "At Last" her signature piece. Of course Etta didn’t’ write the song. It’s by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren. Just the same, beware of angry divas.