By which I mean "into gays," specifically with regard to their marriage rights. Rob Thomas of Matchbook 20, also known as Matchbook Twenty (you may also have heard that song he did with Carlos Santana, "Supernatural" once or twice) has written a heartfelt blog column for the Huffington Post voicing his pro-gay-marriage leanings, which are ultimately anti-religionist at their root, meaning he thinks laws shouldn't be dictated by any church. And that is interesting, you know, because that's what the people who wrote the United States Constitution also said. So if you were ever wondering what Rob Thomas had in common with Thomas Jefferson (aside from dodgy solo albums), now you can know!

From "The Big Gay Chip on My Shoulder":

I believe the fact that an atheist, who doesn't believe in God at all, is allowed to enter into the holy land of marriage while a gay Christian is not, shows that this law is arbitrary. Are we to believe that anyone who doesn't live their life according to the King James Bible isn't protected by the same laws that protect those who do? Using the same argument that I've seen on the 700 Club, that would mean that Jewish, Hindu, or Muslim weddings are also null and void.

I believe that to deny this right to the gay population is to say to them, "this god is not your god and he doesn't love you." There isn't one person who is against gay marriage that can give me a reason why it shouldn't be legal without bringing God or their religion into it. Still, I'm amazed at the audacity of a small, misdirected group of the ultra-conservative Christian right wing, to spend millions of dollars, in a recession, on advertisements to stop two men or women who love each other from being able to be married, but when you present any opposition to them, they accuse you of attacking their religion. Isn't it funny that the people who are the quickest to take someone's basic rights to happiness are always the loudest to scream when someone attacks their right to do so?

But this isn't a paper about religion. How could it be? Since we clearly have a separation of church and state, how could a conversation about laws have anything to do with religion at all? I'm writing about basic civil rights. We've been here before, fighting for the rights of African Americans or women to vote, or the rights of Jewish Americans to worship as they see fit. And, just as whites fought for African Americans or Christians for Jewish Americans, straight people must stand up and be a voice for gay people.

I've heard it said before, many times, that if two men or two women are allowed to join into a civil union together, why can't they be happy with that and why is it so important that they call it marriage? In essence, what's in a name?

A civil union has to do with death. It's essentially a document that gives you lower taxes and the right to let your faux spouse collect your insurance when you pass away. A marriage is about life. It's about a commitment. And this argument is about allowing people to have the right to make that commitment, even if it doesn't make sense to you. Anything else falls under the category of "separate but equal" and we know how that works out.

The support of legalizing gay marriage is in no way meant to change the ideals of the section of Christians who believe that homosexuality is a sin. But we should refuse to let other people's ideals shape the way we live our lives. Each of us has a short ride on this earth and as long as we stay in our lane, and don't affect someone else's ride, we should be allowed to drive as we see fit.

In essence, it sounds like he's saying "give [gay people the right to marry], make it real, or just forget about it."

In the grand scheme of important projects, you could probably make a case that Sean "P. "Puff Daddy" Diddy" Combs's thirst to gain one million followers on Twitter isn't quite as noble as the thing about carbon footprints, or the thing about making it legal for gay people to marry each other, or that one about clean drinking water or whatever. But even if you did make that case, who are YOU to argue with a famous person who wants something?

Idolator has relevant details, including real people's objections!

Is the question the NY Times dared to ask this weekend, by suggesting that things aren't quite as rosy in the JoBro camp as a generally hysterical entertainment media would have you believe. Their 3-D concert film? Flop (sort of). Their new TV show? Few kids are watching it. Their new record? They make records?! Anyway, you get the idea: Caught between their child audience and the slightly less childish tween/teen audience their managers seem to think is the secret to longevity (errr....), the Brothers Jonas are plainly in a weird space. The good news (if, indeed any of this can be thought of a "good" or "news") is that their tour sold 800,000 tickets in a single weekend. Which is a lot of tickets. So why is anybody writing this article? Or, more to the point, reading it? Well, how else are you gonna find out about Walter the Farting Dog?

Lay on, MacDuff:

The Jonas Brothers are trying to expand beyond the Disney footprint and shouldn’t be evaluated as a company franchise, said Johnny Wright, the group’s co-manager. “We consult with Disney, but Disney doesn’t tell us what to do,” he said. The band’s outside efforts include a line of branded energy drinks and starring roles in “Walter the Farting Dog,” a movie for 20th Century Fox based on the best-selling children’s book. (The trio had cameo roles of a sort in “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian,” which was the No. 1 movie at the box office over the weekend.)

“People are wrong when they say the bubble has burst,” Mr. Wright continued. “It’s just changing. We are focused on longevity and transitioning to a slightly older audience. When you do that, you risk losing some of your core fan base.”

Still, Disney is counting on the cherubic musicians — Kevin, 21, Joe, 19, and Nick, 16 — to be more than just pop stars. The company’s profit engines are creative franchises like “Hannah Montana” that spawn merchandising, movie and theme park spin-offs, and Disney has been putting considerable muscle into broadening the Jonases’ beyond music.

So far results have been mixed.

The rest is here.

Well, world, despite my protests and boycotts, the ugly phenomenon known as American Idol remains intact, and, if the internet is to be trusted (I know, it really isn't), as popular as ever. Last night, a new winner was crowned—do they crown them? with actual crowns? may I suggest thorns?—and the choice was, as ever, controversial. I guess someone named Kris beat someone named Adam, but a lot of people think Adam should have won instead of Kris. I haven't seen the show, so I have no opinion, other than this one: I can guarantee, with absolute certainty, that they both suck. Because everyone who has ever been on American Idol sucks. It's not their fault. It's just the way it works.

Some people I respect a lot seem to love American Idol. Some of them blog about it. One such person does so for the LA Times. Dig this:

Minutes before Kris Allen was announced as the new American Idol, he and Adam Lambert sang “We Are the Champions,” the 1977 smash by the rock band Queen. As the pyrotechnics sizzled and a large choir (including this year’s other “Idol” finalists) backed them up, those two unlikely partners in bringing back heat to the long-running series had one last laugh together.

It was Lambert’s moment. It felt like his victory. Ever since he auditioned with an a cappella version of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” fans of the fiery-voiced Southland native had been clamoring for him to sing a Queen song. And here he was doing it, leaning on guitarist Brian May’s shoulder, fitting right into the spot originally occupied by Freddie Mercury — one of the most sensationally gifted frontmen in rock history. Allen seemed delighted to be his wing man. And then, in a surprise that really wasn’t a surprise at all, he grabbed away the spotlight.

Well, sort of. When Ryan Seacrest announced Allen’s victory Wednesday night at the Nokia Theatre, the sweet-?natured troubadour actually seemed a bit distressed. “It feels good, man, but Adam deserves this,” he said.

Did Lambert? Many critics — including this one, openly and with heartfelt enthusiasm — thought so. But Allen has his undeniable strong points. In terms of the music industry, he cuts a more contemporary figure than Lambert: Many stars now (specifically rock-oriented, male ones) tend to do better when they draw themselves to scale, offering songs that make fans feel warm and connected, not blown away.

Think Jack Johnson. Dave Matthews. Jason Mraz, who performed on the “Idol” finale. And on the country side, Keith Urban, with whom Allen did a spirited duet early in the show.

This approachable kind of pop figure is one that often naturally emerges from the “Idol” competition. David Cook, last year’s winner, is cut from this natural-fiber cloth. Performing “Permanent,” the song he has dedicated to the brother he recently lost to cancer, Cook epitomized what Allen will likely soon become — a crowd favorite, empathetic and touchable. ...

But he still lost. Does it matter?

As a whole, the finale argued otherwise. This two-hour-long immersion in mainstream pop’s confetti pit happily asserted that one kind of music — or personality — cannot define or dominate American taste.

Do yourself a favor and read the full dispatch here.

Don't let all this talk about gentle, intellectual indie rock fool you, fool. America's rock of choice is still hard, loud, and, if al all possible, old as hell. Don't believe me (or better yet, wish that you could)? Then check out this report about the Rock on the Range Festival, which drew nearly 60,000 unrepentant dudeasauruses, a few of whom may have been women, to Columbus, OH to hear Motley Crue, Slipknot, Alice in Chains, and Korn (among many rockin' others) play what has been described by some as "music."

From Rollingstone.com:

Hard rock ruled the heartland this weekend as Mötley Crüe, Slipknot and Alice in Chains headlined Rock on the Range. For its third year, the Columbus festival drew 38 bands and sold a two-day total of 56,000 tickets, according to L.A.-based promoter Del Williams. A mixed crowd — college kids in baseball caps to bikers — partied under dreary skies on Saturday, and were energized and ready to toss the devil horns on sunny Sunday.

On day one, before he joined Alice in Chains for a haunting rendition of “Rooster,” Velvet Revolver’s Duff McKagan played a side stage, fronting his band Loaded. “The thing about Rock on the Range, I didn’t understand it until Velvet Revolver played here a couple years ago,” explained Duff backstage between appearances. “It’s in Columbus, a little college town — how big a festival can you have here? But people come here from Cleveland, Detroit, Toledo, Cincinnati, Indiana, West Virginia, from Kentucky, Tennessee. They all converge, and this is the big thing of the summer.”

More coverage, including video and photos, here.

Another day, another country music awards ceremony. The nominees for the CMT Awards were announced today. Unlike some awards shows, the CMTs are voted on by fans—you, too, can vote by going right here. Not too shockingly, nominees were led by Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, and Sugarland. Well, two out of three ain't bad.

List of Top Nominees:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Kenny Chesney

• Brad Paisley

• George Strait

• Keith Urban

• Carrie Underwood

TOP MALE VOCALIST

• Kenny Chesney

• Toby Keith

• Brad Paisley

• George Strait

• Keith Urban

TOP FEMALE VOCALIST

• Miranda Lambert

• Heidi Newfield

• Taylor Swift

• Carrie Underwood

• Lee Ann Womack

TOP VOCAL GROUP

• Lady Antebellum

• Little Big Town

• Rascal Flatts

• Randy Rogers Band

• The Lost Trailers

TOP VOCAL DUO

• Big & Rich

• Brooks & Dunn

• Joey & Rory

• Montgomery Gentry

• Sugarland

TOP NEW MALE VOCALIST

• Jamey Johnson

• James Otto

• Jake Owen

TOP NEW FEMALE VOCALIST

• Sarah Buxton

• Julianne Hough

• Ashton Shepherd

TOP NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP

• Eli Young Band

• The Lost Trailers

• Zac Brown Band

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR

• "Gunpowder & Lead," Miranda Lambert

• "In Color," Jamey Johnson

• "Johnny & June," Heidi Newfield

• "Waitin' On A Woman," Brad Paisley

• "You're Gonna Miss This," Trace Adkins

SONG OF THE YEAR

• "I Saw God Today," George Strait

• "In Color," Jamey Johnson

• "Johnny & June," Heidi Newfield

• "Waitin' On A Woman," Brad Paisley

• "You're Gonna Miss This," Trace Adkins

The complete list (yes, with even MORE categories) can be found over at CMT.com, y'all.

I realize this might not be such a big deal to everyone, but that doesn't mean it's NOT A VERY BIG DEAL. Lionel Richie, whom many know as a solo hitmaker from the '80s, started out as the singer/spiritual leader of '70s soul combo The Commodores. After a couple of decades worth of going it alone, Richie told Billboard that:

...the long-promised Commodores reunion is also in the works. "It's the No. 1 question we get," Richie says. "I can honestly tell you before the end of the year, for sure, you'll hear a rumble. I think now might be the proper time."

OK, I know that's not the same thing as tour dates, but it's not nothing. And if Led Zeppelin can do it, for pete's sake... Read the rest of Lionel's interview (which is resplendent in not-that-interesting talk about his recent solo career, incl. a collaboration with his daughter Nicole's babydaddy from Good Charlotte) right here, should it feel necessary.

The godfathers (godsons?) of obnoxious pop punk have returned. After years of interpersonal acrimony (and follow-up projects that didn't exactly set the world on fire) Blink-182 is back for a summer tour with (presumably much bigger bands) Weezer and Fall Out Boy (inexplicably) opening. People still like Blink, apparently—at least enough to pack out a preview show that doubled as a launch party for the new T-Mobile sidekick (perfect for Blink, one of the pioneers of corporate branding as "punk" gesture). Weezer played too. Sigh.

Rolling Stone.com has all the deets:

For the first time in four years, punk trio Blink-182 performed live last night. Bassist Mark Hoppus explained in his Hi My Name is Mark blog that the gig took place at a private party to unveil the new T-Mobile Sidekick at Hollywood’s Paramount Pictures. Drummer Travis Barker was already on the bill with DJ AM, as were Blink’s summer openers Weezer, so Blink were asked to serve as the evening’s surprise ending. According to AltPress (who have shaky fan footage from the show), the trio played three songs, opening their set with Take Off Your Pants And Jacket’s “The Rock Show. “This is our very first show after hating each other’s guts for many years,” Hoppus joked from the stage. This morning, the band released their full summer tour schedule via Billboard (see below).

Blink closed out their set 2003’s “The Feeling” and Dude Ranch’s “Dammit.” “To be honest, it was one of the best nights of my life,” Hoppus wrote on his blog, which also has backstage photos from the gig. “Thanks to Travis and Tom. You are my brothers, and it feels amazing to share the stage with you once again.” The band’s official return comes when they play the The Late Show With Jay Leno on Tuesday, May 21st. As Rolling Stone reported in our current issue, Blink will be joined by Fall Out Boy on the road for two-thirds of their reunion jaunt, with Weezer picking up the remaining dates.

Weezer, who covered both Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” and MGMT’s “Kids” during their set, also debuted a slightly new lineup on stage during their performance. Drummer Pat Wilson, who has been behind the skins since 1994’s Weezer (The Blue Album), joined the front lines as Weezer’s third guitarist, with Devo/Gn’R/NIN drummer Josh Freese picking up the sticks (and adding another prestigious band to his rocking resume). Since Freese is committed to tour dates with Devo this summer, it’s unclear whether he’ll be joining Weezer onstage again. Dates dates for the Blink tour were released this morning on Billboard’s Website, however the opening-band schedule has not been announced at this time.

July 24 - Las Vegas, NV @ the Joint

July 28 – Vancouver, BC @ GM Place

July 30 - Calgary, AB @ Saddledome

July 31 - Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place

August 1 - Saskatoon, SK @ Credit Union Center

August 2 - Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Centre

August 4 – Milwaukee, WI @ Marcus Amphitheater

August 6 – Boston, MA @ Comcast Center

August 7 - Quebec City, QC @ Colisee Pepsi

August 8 – Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre

August 9 - Wantagh, N.Y. @ Nikon Theater at Jones Beach

August 12 - Hershey, PA @ the Star Pavilion

August 13 – Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center

August 14 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Post Gazette Pavilion

August 15 – Chicago, IL @ First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre

August 16 - Omaha, NE @ Westfair Amphitheater

August 18 – Minneapolis, MN @ Xcel Energy Center

August 20 – Indianapolis, IN @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

August 21 - Buffalo, N.Y. @ Darien Lakes Performing Arts Center

August 22 – Detroit, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre

August 23 – Toronto, ON @ Molson Amphitheater

August 25 - Holmdel, N.J. @ PNC Bank Arts Center

August 27 - Saratoga, N.Y. @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

August 28 - Camden, PA @ Susquehanna Bank Center

August 29 - Hartford, CT @ New England Dodge Music Center

August 30 - Washington, D.C. @ TBD

August 31 - Wantagh, N.Y. @ Nikon Theater at Jones Beach

September 2 – Cleveland, OH @ Blossom Music Center

September 3 - St. Louis, MO @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

September 4 - Kansas City, MO @ Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone

September 6 – Denver, CO @ Fiddlers Green Amphitheater

September 7 - Salt Lake City, UT @ David O. McKay Events Center

September 10 – Seattle, WA @ White River Amphitheater

September 12 - Sacramento, CA @ Sleep Train Amphitheater

September 13 - Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheater

September 14 - Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl

September 16 - San Diego, CA @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheater

September 17 - Irvine, CA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

September 19 – Phoenix, AZ @ Tempe Beach Park

September 21 - Albuquerque, N.M. @ Journal Pavilion

September 23 – Dallas, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

September 24 – Houston, TX @ Superpages.com Center

September 26 - West Palm Beach, FL @ Cruzan Amphitheater

September 27 - Tampa, FL @ Ford Amphitheater

September 29 – Atlanta. GA @ Lakewood Amphitheater

October 1 - Charlotte, N.C. @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

October 2 - Virginia Beach, VA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

October 3 - Atlantic City, N.J. @ Borgata Events Center

The least coherent, least spell-checked blogger in cyberspace (which, my friends, is REALLY saying something) is back with more vitriol to spill onto Mandy Moore, Ryan Adams, and her old (500% more interesting) Olympia nemesis Kathleen Hanna, whom Love outs as being married to one of the Beastie Boys. Some shows never end.

Courtesy of Stereogum:

Christ ugh igh ugh Mandy Moore ick the thoufghg of her sticking her toungue downthat filthy hatch...i might as well go watch "Hostelle" ill feel better), ick, dirty sheets, ick no toothbrush, smelly ass, ick i LOATHE that guy, ivehad my fair share of fights with artists, i mean Kathleen :Black Card" Horowitz OOPS did i tell a big secret? you mean ypou didmnt KNPW she had a HUGE bunch of property? a Centurion card and summers in the Hamptons? oops...well lets just pretend shes Julie ruin, listen man if you just khanded 90,000 people thier asses and were good anough to respecdt your elders and letthem have ab opening slot on an old alt tour, and they were so rude they put that witch on mystage THERE IS NO STRONGER DRUG THAN ADRENILINE and fucking a i know that, ive been like the mother who can lift up three cars to get my child from out undert for years , ussuaully around this time at night ,morning too. and your all sweaty and adrenilised, and smarky snarky says the nastiest thing to you and throws CANDY in yoruface youd giveher one in theface.

The ramble goes on (and on) here, at least for now.

A new exhibit of personal effects from John Lennon's years spent living in New York will include the blood-stained clothes he was wearing when he was shot and killed on December 8, 1980. The decision to include the garments, as well as every other decision made regarding Lennon in the past 29 years, was made by Yoko Ono, who acknowledged that it was, you know, kind of intense. Ono hopes it will force viewers of the exhibit—housed in the NYC Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex—to consider the reality of gun violence. Err... there are handwritten song lyrics, too!

From Huffington Post:

NEW YORK — A new John Lennon exhibit is particularly emotional for his widow, Yoko Ono. Besides Lennon's guitars, letters and other personal effects, it also includes a paper bag containing the bloody clothes from the night he was shot to death. Ono received the items from the medical examiner in December 1980, when the former Beatle was gunned down in New York City at age 40. "It was hard to include," Ono said. "And I thought it might be criticized as well." But ultimately, Ono thought it was important to let people see the effects of gun violence. The Lennon items are part of a new exhibit that will launch Tuesday at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex. "John Lennon: The New York Years" includes Lennon's famous New York City T-shirt, his upright piano from his Dakota apartment, and a posthumous 1981 Grammy Award for the couple's album "Double Fantasy." ... There are also letters documenting Lennon's long-fought battle against deportation in the early 1970s, both from the government and supporters. Glass cases also contain a dozen or so handwritten lyrics. Ono says Lennon's death still haunts her nearly 30 years later: "I still get affected by it."

Does anyone not?

Bob Dylan wants to work with Paul McCartney. Let me just state for the record that I also want them to work together. Let's hope that's all it takes.

From digital spy:

Bob Dylan has said that it would be "exciting" to work with Paul McCartney.

The legendary musician, who recently topped the UK charts with his 33rd studio album "Together Through Life," told Rolling Stone that such a collaboration would depend on their meeting up.

Dylan said: "That would be exciting - to do something with Paul. But, you know, your paths have to cross for something like that to make sense."

McCartney's spokesman said: "We heard the offer this morning and we're trying to let Paul know about it.

"I should think he would be very interested in hearing about it. As you can imagine, it would be a pretty major thing if it went ahead."

Dylan first met McCartney's former band The Beatles in August 1964 and allegedly introduced the group to marijuana.

Christina Aguilera waited as long as she could, but she can wait no longer: she's going to make her film debut. But this ain't no Crossroads. Oh, no. The film is a musical, and it's called Burlesque. Guess what it's about. Actually, don't!

From Variety online:

Christina Aguilera will make her screen debut for Screen Gems in "Burlesque," a contemporary musical that Steven Antin will direct. Antin wrote a script that was revised by "Erin Brockovich" scribe Susannah Grant.

Aguilera will play an ambitious smalltown girl with a big voice who finds love, family and success in a Los Angeles neo-burlesque club that appears to be right out of Bob Fosse's "Cabaret." Donald De Line will produce. Pic will shoot late this year.

While Aguilera has won four Grammy Awards, a Latin Grammy and has sold more than 25 million albums, she has never starred in a film, though she lent her voice to the animated "Shark Tale." "I couldn't be more excited, as this was a project written with her in mind," Screen Gems topper Clint Culpepper said.

Deal comes on the heels of Screen Gems benefiting from the star power of another songstress, Beyonce Knowles, who toplined thriller hit "Obsessed."

Sometimes you don't even really need words. Ladies and gentlemen, Denise Richards, former companion to Charlie Sheen, star of Starship Troopers and Wild Things, singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" at Wrigley Field's seventh inning stretch—surely, this is why the internet exists:

 

Courtesy of Idolator, long may they run.

The godfather of American folk music, as well as one of the last remaining public liberals who leans toward being a socialist with a proper bleeding heart and a conscience instead of a moderate with an agenda, Pete Seeger is a great American (even if he can be a bit sanctimonious). For proof, check out who came and played at his 90th birthday party:

From Huffington Post:

Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Emmylou Harris, Ani DiFranco and John Mellencamp were among the 40 musicians performing in Madison Square Garden for the Sunday night show, a benefit to raise awareness for Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, an organization Seeger started to preserve and protect the Hudson River.

A lone light shone on Seeger as he opened the show playing a flute solo called "Menomonee Love Song." As the lights came up, they revealed the outline of a sloop, fitting for an event dubbed the Clearwater Concert after the organization's vessel, the gaff sloop Clearwater.

The crowd ranged from teens to octogenarians and perhaps even older. Springsteen brought them to laughter as he introduced Seeger.

"He's gonna look a lot like your granddad that wears flannel shirts and funny hats. He gonna look like your granddad if your granddad can kick your a--," the Boss said. "At 90, he remains a stealth dagger through the heart of our country's illusions about itself."

Not too shabby for a grand old man. I hope the band at my 90th is that good. If I even have a party. Or a 90th! Read the rest of the story right here. And Rolling Stone's coverage is here.

Hey, you. You there. With the computer. Are you the one who still likes Coldplay? Well if you are, I have some very exciting news for you (especially if you also like free music):

From Coldplay.com:

Good morning. We're pleased to announce that Coldplay will be giving away a live CD, LeftRightLeftRightLeft, at every remaining live show in 2009 (apart from festival shows). Starting with the band's first North American tour date, at West Palm Beach in Florida on May 15th, every fan attending a show will be given a free copy of the nine-track CD, which won't be available elsewhere. Also on May 15th, LeftRightLeftRightLeft will be made available as a free download right here at Coldplay.com, for all fans (and for the same time period).

According to the band, the give-away is meant as a recession-busting mark of gratitude to everyone who's supported them: "Playing live is what we love. This album is a thank you to our fans – the people who give us a reason to do it and make it happen."

The album was recorded over the past year in various cities around the world on the Viva La Vida tour. Its tracklisting is as follows:

1. Glass of Water

2. 42

3. Clocks

4. Strawberry Swing

5. The Hardest Part/Postcards From Far Away

6. Viva La Vida

7. Death Will Never Conquer

8. Fix You

9. Death And All His Friends