The RAC (Recording Artists Coalition) filled their money coffers to the tune of $2.5 million with the assistance of high powered artists aligning themselves with the principles of this coalition. Eddie Vedder, Eagles, Offspring, No Doubt and others performed at 4 separate venues in a show of solidarity. Awareness of the so-called plight of the artists and their attempt to extricate themselves from suffocating contracts is ongoing and is being countered by the industry. Developing. -Launch and LA Times

Party in Indio with Coachella Festival [4:55p PST February 28 2002]

The third annual Coachella Music and Arts Festival that runs from April 27th thru April 28th with an absolutely incredible lineup should be a lot of fun. Lineups include Cake, Oasis, Prodigy, Bjork, Strokes, Digweed and many many others. The event also brings a reformed Siouxie and the Banshees to the stage.

Cobain Diaries [5:07p PST February 28 2002]

The diaries of Kurt Cobain will be made available to the public via published book. The book, a collection of 23 notebooks totalling 800 pages and comprised of drawings, written thoughts and letters, was submitted for bid. The book is expected to hit shelves sometime in October or November. -SonicNet

"God Save the Queen" Reissued [5:27p PST February 28 2002]

The Sex Pistols will reissue their infamous "God Save The Queen" in time to celebrate the Queen's 50 years on the throne, the Golden Jubilee. -Reuters

Ex Destiny's Child Sues Current Group [5:37p PST February 28 2002]

Several ex-members of the group Destiny's Child has filed suit against the current band alleging that an agreement between all parties which prevented them from discussing each other in a derisive manner was breached. Lines in songs are suspect and are used as evidence to support the claims. A song in question, Survivor, says "you thought that I wouldn't sell without you, sold 9 million" si one of the songs on the latest CD. -AP

Morpheus Upgrade Spells Bad News [6:38p PST February 28 2002]

A software upgrade shut down Morpheus and could be bad news if the RIAA proves, after all, that Morpheus is centrally run. The reasoning was that if Morpheus was shutdown, then the software, and its supernodes would continue. Didn't happen...ooop! -Wired

44th Grammy Award Winners [5:17p PST February 27 2002]

The pre-show ceremony announcements are listed below.

Rock Album: "All That You Can't Leave Behind," U2.

Male Pop Vocal Performance: "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," James Taylor.

Pop Instrumental Performance: "Reptile," Eric Clapton.

Dance Recording: "All For You," Janet Jackson.

Pop Instrumental Album: "No Substitutions — Live in Osaka," Larry Carlton and Steve Lukather.

Pop Vocal Album: "Lovers Rock," Sade.

Traditional Pop Vocal Album: "Songs I Heard," Harry Connick Jr.

Female Rock Vocal Performance: "Get Right With God," Lucinda Williams.

Male Rock Vocal Performance: "Dig In," Lenny Kravitz.

Hard Rock Vocal: "Crawling," Linkin Park.

Metal Performance: "Schism," Tool.

Rock Instrumental Performance: "Dirty Mind," Jeff Beck.

Alternative Music Album: "Parachutes," Coldplay.

Female R&B Vocal Performance: "Fallin'," Alicia Keys.

Male R&B Vocal Performance: "U Remind Me," Usher.

R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: "Survivor," Destiny's Child.

R&B Song: "Fallin'," Alicia Keys (Alicia Keys).

Traditional R&B Album: "At Last," Gladys Knight.

Rap Solo Performance: "Get Ur Freak On," Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott.

Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: "Ms. Jackson," OutKast.

Rap/Sung Collaboration: "Let Me Blow Ya Mind," Eve Featuring Gwen Stefani.

Female Country Vocal Performance: "Shine," Dolly Parton.

Male Country Vocal Performance: "O Death," Ralph Stanley, from the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack.

Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: "The Lucky One," Alison Krauss and Union Station.

Country Instrumental Performance: "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," Earl Scruggs, Glen Duncan, Randy Scruggs, Steve Martin, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Gary Scruggs, Albert Lee, Paul Shaffer, Jerry Douglas and Leon Russell.

Country Song: "The Lucky One," Robert Lee Castleman (Alison Krauss and Union Station).

Country Album: "Timeless — Hank Williams Tribute," Various Artists.

Bluegrass Album: "New Favorite," Alison Krauss and Union Station.

Contemporary Jazz Album: "M2," Marcus Miller.

Jazz Vocal Album: "The Calling," Dianne Reeves.

Jazz Instrumental Solo: "Chan's Song," Michael Brecker.

Jazz Instrumental Album: "This Is What I Do," Sonny Rollins.

Large Jazz Ensemble Album: "Homage To Count Basie," Bob Mintzer Big Band.

Latin Jazz Album: "Nocturne," Charlie Haden.

Rock Gospel Album: "Solo," DC Talk.

Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album: "CeCe Winans," CeCe Winans.

Southern, Country or Bluegrass Album: "Bill & Gloria Gaither Present A Billy Graham Music Homecoming," Bill and Gloria Gaither and The Homecoming Friends.

Traditional Soul Gospel Album: "Spirit of the Century," The Blind Boys of Alabama.

Contemporary Soul Gospel Album: "The Experience," Yolanda Adams.

Gospel Choir or Chorus Album: "Love Is Live!," LFT Church Choir, Hezekiah Walker, choir director.

Latin Pop Album: "La Musica De Baldemar Huerta," Freddy Fender.

Latin Rock/Alternative Album: "Embrace the Chaos," Ozomatli.

Traditional Tropical Latin Album: "Dejame Entrar," Carlos Vives.

Salsa Album: "Encore," Robert Blades.

Merengue Album: "Yo Por Ti," Olga Tanon.

Mexican/Mexican-American Album: "En Vivo ... El Hombre y Su Musica," Ramon Ayala y Sus Bravos del Norte.

Tejano Album: "Nadie Como Tu," Solido.

Traditional Blues Album: "Do You Get the Blues?," Jimmie Vaughan.

Contemporary Blues Album: "Nothing Personal," Delbert McClinton.

Traditional Folk Album: "Down From the Mountain," Various Artists.

Contemporary Folk Album: "Love and Theft," Bob Dylan.

Native American Music Album: "Bless the People — Harmonized Peyote Songs," Verdell Primeaux and Johnny Mike.

Reggae Album: "Halfway Tree," Damian Marley.

World Music Album: "Full Circle/Carnegie Hall 2000," Ravi Shankar.

Polka Album: "Gone Polka," Jimmy Sturr.

Musical Album for Children: "Elmo and the Orchestra," Sesame Street Characters.

Spoken Word Album for Children: "Mama Don't Allow," Tom Chapin.

Spoken Word Album: "Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones," Quincy Jones.

Spoken Comedy Album: "Napalm and Silly Putty," George Carlin.

Musical Show Album: "The Producers," Original Broadway Cast with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, lyricist and composer Mel Brooks.

Compilation Soundtrack Album For a Motion Picture, Television or other Visual Media: "O Brother, Where Art Thou?," Various Artists.

Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or other Visual Media: "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," composer Tan Dun.

Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: "Boss of Me," (They Might Be Giants from "Malcolm in the Middle (news - Y! TV)"), songwriters They Might Be Giants.

Instrumental Composition: "Cast Away (End Credits)," Alan Silvestri (Alan Silvestri).

Instrumental Arrangement: "Claude Debussy 'Doctor Gradus Ad Parnassum' from Children's Corner," Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer (Bela Fleck with Joshua Bell and Gary Hoffmann).

Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): "Drops of Jupiter," Paul Buckmaster (Train).

Recording Package: "Amnesiac (Special Limited Edition)" (Radiohead).

Boxed Recording Package: "Brain in a Box — The Science Fiction Collection," (Various Artists).

Album Notes: (tie) "Richard Pryor ... And It's Deep Too! The Complete Warner Bros. Recordings (1968-1992)," (Richard Pryor); "Arhoolie Records 40th Anniversary Collection: 1960-2000 The Journey Of Chris Strachwitz," (Various Artists).

Historical Album: "Lady Day: The Complete Billie Holiday on Columbia 1933-1944," (Billie Holiday).

Engineered Album, Non-Classical: "The Look of Love," (Diana Krall).

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: T Bone Burnett.

Remixed of the Year, Non-Classical: Deep Dish, "Thank You (Deep Dish Vocal Remix)" (Dido).

Engineered Album, Classical: "Bernstein (Arr. Brohn & Corigliano): West Side Story Suite (Lonely Town; Make Our Garden Grow, Etc.)" (Joshua Bell).

Producer Of The Year, Classical: Manfred Eicher.

Classical Album: "Berlioz: Les Troyens," James Mallinson, producer.

Orchestral Performance: "Boulez Conducts Varese (Ameriques; Arcana; Deserts; Ionisation)," Pierre Boulez (Chicago Sym. Orch.)

Opera Recording: "Berlioz: Les Troyens," Sir Colin Davis; Michelle De Young, Ben Heppner, Petra Lang, Peter Mattei, Stephen Milling, Sara Mingardo, Kenneth Tarver; James Mallinson, producer (Various Artists; London Sym. Orch.)

Choral Performance Award: "Bach: St. Matthew Passion," Nikolaus Harnoncourt (Arnold Schoenberg Chamber Orch. and Wiener Sangerknaben; Concentus Musicus Wien).

Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance: "Strauss Wind Concertos (Horn Concerto; Oboe Concerto, etc.)," Dale Clevenger, horn; Larry Combs, clarinet; Alex Klein, oboe; David McGill, bassoon; Daniel Barenboim, piano/conductor (Chicago Sym. Orch.).

Instrumental Soloist Performance (without Orchestra): "Britten Cello Suites (1-3)," Truls Mork, cello.

Chamber Music Performance: "Haydn: The Complete String Quartets," The Angeles String Quartet.

Small Ensemble Performance (with or without Conductor): "After Mozart (Raskatov, Silvestrov, Schnittke, Etc.)," Kremerata Baltica; Gidon Kremer, violin.

Classical Vocal Performance: "Dreams & Fables — Gluck Italian Arias (Tremo Fra' Dubbi Miei; Di Questa Cetra in Seno, etc.)," Cecilia Bartoli, mezzo soprano.

Classical Contemporary Composition: "Rouse: Concert De Gaudi for Guitar and Orch.," Christopher Rouse, composer.

Classical Crossover Album: "Perpetual Motion (Scarlatti, Bach, Debussy, Chopin, etc.)" Bela Fleck, banjo (Joshua Bell, violin; Evelyn Glennie, marimba; Gary Hoffman, cello; Edgar Meyer, bass and piano; Chris Thile, mandolin; John Williams, guitar).

Short Form Music Video: "Weapon of Choice," Fatboy Slim featuring Bootsy Collins.

Long Form Music Video: "Recording the Producers — A Musical Romp With Mel Brooks," Mel Brooks (with Various Artists including Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick).

New Age Album: "A Day Without Rain," Enya. -AP

Aaliyah Crash Victims File Suit [5:22p PST February 27 2002]

Families of two of the victims in the crash that took the lives of eight people, including Aaliyah, has filed wrongful death lawsuits against Virgin Records. -AP

Gibson Guitar Awards [5:30p PST February 27 2002]

The annual Orville H. Gibson Guitar Awards, was held Tuesday at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. The winners, U2 for Best Guitar Band, Edge (U2) for Best Rock Guitarist and Adam Clayton (U2) for Best Bass Guitarist. Best Acoustic Guitarist (Male) to Dave Matthews and Best Acoustic Guitarist (Female) to India.Arie while the Best Country Guitarist (Male) goes to Brad Paisley and Best Country Guitarist (Female) to Gillian Welch. Keb 'Mo' takes it for Best Blues Guitarist while Acoustic Alchemy acquires the awards for Best Jazz Guitarist. Finally, Pete Yorn takes it home for Most Promising Up and Coming Guitarist, The Les Paul Horizon Award. The awards' top honour goes to Scotty Moore and Earl Scruggs with the Lifetime Achievement Award. - Gibson.com

LawSuit Over Eagles Greatest Hits Royalties [5:49p PST February 27 2002]

Jackson Browne, JD Souther and Jack Tempchin. all co-writers of popular Eagles tunes, have joined together in suit against Warner arguing that they were paid a rate for royalties other than what they were promised. The individuals are seeking more thna $10 million in unpaid royalties. -Launch

Robert Plant as Opening Act forWho [5:56p PST February 27 2002]

Plant has signed on to do most of the opening act duties throughtout The Who's Tour. -Launch

RAC Gets Riled [6:05p PST February 27 2002]

Check out the Web Site for the Recording Artists coalition to check out the beef that the artists have against their home labels. - RAC.com

News today was slim pickins. So slim, in fact, that to write any of it here, at this point in time, would be to repeat news of the last few days as well as news reported here several weeks ago. Funny, I never really anticipated a slow day like this. I will return later tonight to close the day out with any news that may stray into my path. The day isn't over yet. I'm now off to see "Dragonfly". I will have new reviews posted within the next few days. I also have several contributing editors that will be joining the fray. When their material is available, I'll post it. Additionally, the New Releases data bases will be updated shortly. - Matthew A Rowe [3:29p PST February 26 2002]

RIAA Releases Data to Prove Piracy Devastates [4:40p PST February 25 2002]

The RIAA released data today showing an over 10% decline in CD purchases. The agency cites the decline, in part, to the slow economy but did not hesitate to cite online music piracy via Napster, Morpheus and other services and the proliferation of CD burners as a cause effect. The RIAA also states that respondents of a study show that 50% of downloaders using the above mentioned services say that they create copies via CD burning, up 37% from just two years ago. CD burner ownership have tripled in the past few years as well. -Reuters

Johnny Cash Turns 70...and Feels Good [3:25p PST February 25 2002]

Johnny Cash, who has been in ill health for several years due to diabetic neuropathy , says that he feels himself getting healthier as the days go on. Cash celebrates his 70th birthday on Tuesday. He is finishing work on a new CD and feels the itch to go on tour again. Happy Birthday Johnny!! We look forward to your new material. -AP/Yahoo

Durst to Testify Concerning Fan Death [3:32p PST February 25 2002]

Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit, offered to testify about a fan's death during a crush in a concert in Australia. The fan was 15 and suffered a heart attack. Durst is unable to attend hearing in person but will do so via video link. -AP/Yahoo

Harrison Birthday Celebrated [3:38p PST February 25 2002]

Liverpool has marked the birthday of George Harrison on Monday. George would have been 59. A concert held the night before, featured Paul McCartney singing an acapella rendition of "Yesterday" and other of his contemporaries. Happy Birthday George!! You still live on in our hearts. -AP/Yahoo

Developer Plans Elvis Themed Resort [3:45p PST February 25 2002]

A developer has plans to build a resort in Mississippi where Priscilla and Elvis spent their honeymoon. It is planned to be christened "Elvis Presley Ranch". -AP/Yahoo

1st Annual Backstreet Boys Convention [3:49p PST February 25 2002]

In Baltimore, March 2nd and 3rd, the 2002 Fan Convention will be held. Bringing together the fans of Backstreet Boys, it is an unofficial event held to generate funds for Backstreet Boys favourite charities. It also allows for fans the world over to unite and talk about their favourite subject. Many festivities are planned. -Launch/Yahoo

Garth Brooks Plans Reading Tour [3:56p PST February 25 2002]

Brooks reads in the Read Across America 2002 celebration. See accompanying story for information. -Launch/Yahoo

LeAnn Rimes Gets Married [4:01p PST February 25 2002]

19 year old LeAnn Rimes gets married to 21 year old Lee Sheremet. The ceremony occured on February 23rd in Dallas, TX. Her site promises wedding details to be posted at a later date. This comes off the heels of a reported reconciliation with her father. E! Online Music/Yahoo

Everclear's Alexakis to Solo [4:11p PST February 25 2002]

Art Alexakis readies a 16 date tour to showcase new and older songs. Most of the dates are on college campuses. Read story for tour dates. -Launch/Excite

Kid Rock Tour Opens With a Bang [4:16p PST February 25 2002]

The party begins with Kid Rock when he opened his tour with all the special extras that only Kid Rock can provide. The event was more a party than a concert and lasted 2+ hours. Details of the concert here. -Launch/Excite

David Bowie Showcases New Song [4:22p PST February 25 2002]

Bowie tries out a new song "I Will Be Your Slave" at a benefit concert for Tibetan Monks last weekend. In addition, Bowie performed Space Oddity with the use of string arrangements. Lastly, he joined Ray Davies of The Kinks in an all-star sing a long of Patti Smith's "People Got The Power". No word on how good the new song was. -New Musical Express/NME.com

Limp Bizkit Narrows Choices [4:31p PST February 25 2002]

Durst announces that the choices have been narrowed for the replacement of departed Wes Borland. The choices were brought back to LA to further try them out. In addition, as a result of the tryouts, several bands have been signed to Durst's label from demos that were provided to him for the tryouts. -New Musical Express/NME.com

Patel Calls 'Em "..All Dirty" [3:08a PST February 23, 2002]

Interesting story regarding Judge Patel and her hit on record companies, calling them "dirty". It nears a ruling that may require the Big 5 to prove ownership of songs. If they cannot, the ruling may allow for Napster, and other services, to deal directly with artists rather than the companies. Developing!! - Wired

Washington Quarters Refaced with Elvis' Visage [6:36p PST February 24, 2002]

A company in Tennessee has refaced the Washington Quarter with the visage of Elvis Presley to mark the 25th anniversary of his death. While the defacing of a US minted coin is a misdemeanor, it appears that no one will be prosecuted because the distribution of the coin is not part of a scheme nor any fraudulent intention. -AP Music/Yahoo

Bono Wants Relief For World's Poor [6:44p PST February 24, 2002]

Bono has met with Treasury Secretary O'Neill to discuss relief for the world's poor. Bono states that he is "into doing at the moment" and the powers are listening to him. Very interesting. The Feb 24th issue of Time magazine features an article with Bono; issues on newsstands Monday. Bono also recently sat in on a World Economic Forum with Bill Gates to discuss keeping Africa from disintegrating financially. -AP Music/Yahoo

Billy Joel and Tony Bennett Duet For Grammy [6:52p PST February 24 2002]

At the 44th Grammy Awards, Billy Joel will team up with Tony Bennett for a duet of "New York State of Mind". Joel/Bennett join a growing list of entertainers scheduled to perform. The Grammy Awards is held at Staples Center in LA on February 27th 8p ET/PT on CBS. Watch this site for continuing info. -Rolling Stone/Yahoo

Jay-Z, R. Kelly CD Bootlegged Before Release [7:08p PST February 24 2002]

The combination of Jay-Z and R. Kelly is obviously so hot that a leaked version has come out and is now on the streets despite the fact that the CD is yet to debut with a March 26th release date. The CD, entitled "The Best of Both Worlds"

Guitarist Search For Limp Bizkit Not Rushed [7:17p PST February 24 2002]

The search for the next guitarist of Limp Bizkit is not being hurried because, as Fred Durst puts it, the next CD must be "timeless". Referring to the band's last output, "Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water", Durst wants to make the selection AND the CD count. There is no timetable to choose a new guitarist, the replacement for Wes Borland. -Launch/Yahoo

Estefan Stalker Arrested [7:33p PST February 24, 2002]

A stalker that has been stalking Gloria Estefan and her family in Miami has been arrested. The incidents are many including befriending the son and following their daughter to school. The individual, Juan Carlos Diaz, 33, was arrested on Thursday, after a two year long stretch of terrorizing the family. -E! Online/Yahoo

Groups to Receive Tour Donations From CSNY [7:55p PST February 24 2002]

Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young are donating portions of their tour's proceeds to various activist groups, Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS), Voters for Choice (VFC), and the Buffalo Field Campaign. Nash has told Launch that CSNY's activism has never been more important than it is now. -Launch/Yahoo

Tiffany Poses Nude For Playboy [8:09p PST February 24 2002]

In the upcoming April issue of Playboy, Tiffany, known for her hits in the 80s with "I Think We're Alone Now" poses nude. Apparently, she declined their offer several times but eventually decided, out of frustration at lack of promotional opportunities to promote her latest CD, to do it. Tiffany says, on her website,

"I know that many of my fans look with great interest at my upcoming appearance in the April edition of Playboy magazine. I will have much more to say on the subject in the weeks to come."

Tiffany hopes to shed her image of the past and gain acceptance as a singer apart from those earlier years. -Launch/Yahoo and Tiffanymusic.com

Handwritten 'Hey Jude' Lyrics to Auction [8:42p PST February 24 2002]

On April 30th, a piece of history is expected to bring some big cash at an auction in London. The piece of history is the written lyrics to 'Hey Jude, written by Paul McCartney for Julian Lennon to ease the pain over the split of John and Cynthia. Owned by an individual who bought it at a London flea market in 1971 and kept it in a drawer for over 30 years, it is brought to auction. 'Hey Jude' was the Beatles best selling song. -Launch/Excite

Big Stars Create Supergroup [8:52p PST February 24 2002]

Sammy Hagar (Montrose, Solo and Van Halen), Neil Schon (Journey, Solo), Michael Anthony (Van Halen), Slash (Guns n Roses, Solo) and Deen Castronovo (Journey) has teamed to create a group. The music has been described to sound like a hybrid of Van Halen, Tool and Led Zeppelin. This grouping should be seen as a side project, evidenced by the tours set up for Journey and Hagar. But you never know... Launch/Excite

Artists Plan Protest Concert Eve of Grammy [9:01p PST February 24 2002]

Called 'Concerts for Artists Rights', it is put on by Don Henley, Billy Joel and Sheryl Crow. The concert, a fundraiser to support artists wresting their rights from labels and regaining control of their recording careers. The artists haved formed a lobbying group called Recording Artists Coalition and hope to achieve success via law changes supporting the Coalition's wishes. -Reuters

Grammy Awards Show Extended by Half Hour [9:15p PST February 24 2002]

The Grammy Awards show has been officially extended by one half hour due to the sheer number of talent that will be performing. The listing is incredible with U2, Tony Bennett/Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Outkast, Joshua Bell, Alan Jackson, Train, Alicia Keys, Destiny's Child, Alejandro Sanz, Dave Matthews Band, NSync and Nelly. Also included in the lineup is a tribute to "O Brother, Where Art Thou" with Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Ralph Stanley, Gillian Welch and The Soggy Bottom Boys. -Arrow 93 FM