2009

Pitchfork reports that the White Stripes have been secured as the musical guest for the last episode of Late Night with Conan O’Brien on Feb. 20.

Laid back folk rocker Brett Dennen follows up Monday’s appearance on Conan O’Brien with a concert at New York City’s Webster Hall this evening. Brett was joined by Matisyahu on

Many music fans were shocked that the late LeRoi Moore of the Dave Matthews Band wasn’t featured in the montage featuring musicians who have passed away since last year’s Grammy

There aren’t too many God Street Wine videos on YouTube and the majority of ’em are from the mid ’90s. Yet we did come across one terrific clip from the

There are few music venues in Portland as intimate as the KINK.FM Live Performance Lounge. Nestled in the center of a suburban looking office building, less than 200 yards from the I-405 and in the heart of downtown, it’s a dimly lit conference room turned music cave where wonderful things occur on a practically daily basis. The first half of February is no different. M. Ward, Fiction Family, Tyrone Wells, Lisa Hannigan, Ben Taylor and Todd Snider will spend the lunch hour with about 50 or 60 lucky listeners and staff members; playing a few songs, telling a few stories, signing autographs.

To long time listeners, and you know who you are, it is the ‘Golden Ticket’, a chance to share in the magic. You are THIS close to the performer, making a real connection and hearing a one of a kind performance. Acoustic, mostly, and delivered without the din of background noises that will no doubt compete for your aural attention later that night at whatever venue you’ll wind up going to see them at. Plus, the nice Performance Lounge sponsors throw in an energy drink to enjoy, which comes in handy to stave off the stomach rumblings of 50 to 60 people who have delayed lunch to see the show.

Two days ago, the Golden Ticket arrived via e-mail. “You’ve made the cut” it began. I was in. Tyrone Wells, who was appearing Thursday night at the Aladdin Theater, would be the special guest. I caught him the last time he came to town and remember being taken by his rapport with the audience. He interacted with the fans, told engaging stories, both as a set up to as well as the main thrust of his songs. I was really looking forward to it.

READ ON for more about A.J.’s experience at KINK-FM…