If you love country music, you probably have a few records with Fred Carter Jr. on them. RIP to a great picker.

great hanging out with my old friend David Cantwell this weekend. Look out folks: His Haggard book is gonna slay.

So long, Hank Cochran. You were one of those rare songwriters who really could, for a spell, make the world go away.

Killing me: Clydie King's 1971 album Direct Me, produced by Billy Preston. Christgau rated it C during his brief deaf period.

1/2 mint tea 1/2 lipton big star's third album detectable breeze = recipe for a july afternoon

2 of my favorite live bands, Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles and Bros Lazaroff, at Off Broadway tonight. Are you with me?

drinks, grilling and hang time at Chez Chechik and Thomson. Then Joe Pug @ Off Broadway. I'll say hi to Bucky Baxter for you.

Plan: Mexican food on Cherokee, Beth Bombara drinks @ Map Room, Rough Shop Susan Cowsill @ Off Broadway. Best summer Thursday is on.

indie rock reaches a pandering apotheosis courtesy of LCD Soundsystem's "Drunk Girls"

Serge who?