IceBergRadio reports that Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks says his online music deal won't be ready in time for the group's "March Madness" run in New York City, as he had hoped. Trucks is leading a web-music initiative under the name Moogis, and the plan was to kick things off with webcasts of the Allman Brothers'residency at the Beacon Theatre, which begins March 20th. But Trucks told jambands.com, "We were hoping that we could get the webcast of the Allman Brothers going as a kind of proof of concept, 'cause that is what this is going to be: live music on the Internet... But unfortunately, I don't think we will be ready by the Beacon."

Trucks didn't get into specifics about the delay, but he did say, "I've been working on getting together an investment package to do the whole Moogis project, which is going to be relatively expensive."

Trucks also revealed the scope of the Moogis plan when he said, "We're going into six different clubs and wiring them up with five cameras, video equipment, full 24-track audio... Then we'll also have a mobile unit which we were gonna put together for the Beacon, that we could take around and do with bands like the Allman Brothers and Dave Matthews and Widespread (Panic) and bands that don't play these clubs... If you pay a monthly subscription fee -- which is about the cost of seeing one movie -- you can go online every single night and see a concert." He added, "Then also, I'm gonna send camera crews out to do documentaries of all these bands, interviews with the bands, and videos of every damn musician out there."

Trucks announced that he doesn't plan to run Moogis like a traditional label. He said, "We're doing things backwards: in the old days, when we signed a record deal, we paid for everything and the record company owned it all. Well, we're turning it around and we're paying for everything and the bands are gonna own it all. All we want from the band is a limited license to be able to stream the concert we do over the Internet."

The clubs being wired include Starr Hill in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Georgia, as well as unnamed venues in Flagstaff, Arizona, and Denver.

The focus for Moogis will be jam bands at first, but if it takes off like he expects, Trucks will expand into other forms of music, including jazz and country.

Source IceBergRadio

The core of INXS has been honored in their homeland of Australia. Brothers Andrew, Jon, and Tim Farriss have been inducted into the West Australia Music Hall Of Fame. The award came from the West Australian Music Industry Association, and keyboardist Andrew was on hand to accept. On the official inxs.com website, Andrew wrote, "This year's WAMi Hall Of Fame award is a very special honor. So much of our early influences culturally and musically were absorbed in (Western Australia)'s unique environment... Like listening to the AM radio stations like 6PR under my pillow at night."

He added, "We owe much to our mates in INXS who have shared this journey with us, even though they're not from (Western Australia), they might as well be, as we spent a whole year as the Farriss Brothers in 1978 playing right across the big state of (Western Australia)."

Andrew Farriss also delivered a keynote address at the event.

As of now, the only INXS shows in this part of the world are next week, with a gig in Merida, Mexico, and dates in Cabazon and Brooks, California. The band will then play across Australia, New Zealand, and Europe through the end of June.

Source IceBergRadio

Paul McCartney wants one last crack (at least until another old tape surfaces) to work with songwriting partner John Lennon. Earlier reports had McCartney keen to go back in the studio to add some harmonies to a John Lennon lead vocal track of a song they wrote decades ago called "Now and Then."

The remaining Beatles reportedly considered releasing the song in the 1990s, but George Harrison apparently wasn't happy with the song. McCartney was quoted as saying "It needed a bit of reworking but it had a beautiful verse."

Now, Yoko Ono has apparently chimed in saying she doesn't mind Sir Paul resurrecting the song. Ono reportedly said "It's up to them. But no, I'm not against it." There is no report on the Harrison estate weighing in on the venture. As for Ringo, I imagine he's happy just to be possibly involved.

Source Earvolution

Diana Ross, Barry Gibb, Peter Noone, and a host of others have been announced as upcoming guest coaches appearing on this season's American Idol. The show's host Ryan Seacrest announced on Thursday night's show (February 22nd) that celebrity coaches set to appear over the next three months would include Tony Bennett, Jon Bon Jovi, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez, Lulu, and country star Martina McBride, as well as Ross, Gibb and Noone.

Previous Idol guest coaches have included Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Barry Manilow, Elton John, and Burt Bacharach.

American Idol airs on Tuesday and Wednesday nights on Fox, and sometimes on Thursdays. Check your local listings for stations and times.

We asked Diana Ross why she's always tried to help younger artists break into the business:"Because I have been performing for so many years, I have an opportunity to open the door for other young talent. I wanted to be a role model like Berry Gordy was for us. I just thought it would be great to nurture young stars, to give them the benefit of the wisdom that I've learned in all these years."

Diana Ross will kick off her U.S. tour on April 11th and 12th in Niagara Falls, Ontario at the Fallsview Casino Resort.

Source IceBergRadio