"Mama Tried":

"Working Man's Blues":

"White Line Fever":

"Swinging Doors":

Merle Haggard Recovering From Lung Surgery [CMT]

I expected the treatment to be a bit hellish, but it's actually not that bad. Ironically, I was the first one I knew of to be 'googling for wigs,' as we're singing in 'Hell Toupee'. But fortunately for a rocking cat like meself, I haven't lost my hair (yet). It also looks like I won't be allowed into the handicapped area, rolling in on a wheelchair, at this summer's stadium concerts in Oslo. Seriously, the treatment doesn't wear me out. I'm basically able to carry on as normal, just staying at home and taking it a little easy.



The last two months I've rediscovered my record collection, been through three seasons of 'The Wire', getting to spend more valuable time with Marie (10 months) and probably been playing more guitar than I have in last ten years. I was very happy to do a couple of shows in Norway earlier this month. As I wrote earlier, it sucked to cancel the tours, especially the Coachella festival in Palm Springs, which we've wanted to play for years. Now I'm all set to play the festivals this summer and deliver the goods.



Not long ago, Tom and me sat down to write some new shit. (Now we finally have the chance to take use of the old turbo working album title 'Tumours' with certain credibility). One of the new songs, entitled 'Destroy All Monsters', was recorded this weekend.

Dude's already writing songs named after obscure '70s noise punks? I'm sure he'll be just fine.

TURBONEGRO Guitarist Says He Was Diagnosed With Hodgkin's Disease [Blabbermouth]
Turbonegro Get It On [YouTube]

Some quick research on vocal cord hemorrhages shows that the affliction is usually caused by misuse of the voice. Here's what the American Academy of Otolaryngology has to say about them:

If you experience sudden loss of voice following yelling, shouting, or other strenuous vocal tasks, you may have developed a vocal cord hemorrhage. Vocal cord hemorrhage results when one of the blood vessels on the surface of the vocal cord ruptures and the soft tissues of the vocal cord fill with blood. It is considered a vocal emergency and is treated with absolute voice rest until the hemorrhage resolves. If you lose your voice after strenuous voice use, see your Otolaryngologist as soon as possible.

The use of "yelling" and "shouting" in that particular paragraph should give Simon Cowell some new ammunition for hopefuls who get "shrieky" during their time on the Idol stage. Vote For The Worst is claiming that the vocal-cord news "is just the tip of the iceberg" as far as developments in Sparks' career go, and since the news is making even those guys feel bad I'm sort of wondering what could possibly come next.

Will "Idol" Ever Sing Again? [NYP]
[Photo: AP]

In a statement, DOLLY said: "I know I have been breaking my neck and bending over backwards trying to get my new Backwoods Barbie CD and world tour together, but I didn't mean to hurt myself doing it! But hey, you try wagging these puppies around a while and see if you don't have back problems. Seriously though, the doctors said I will be good as new in a few weeks, and I can't wait to get back out there. See you soon, Dolly."

Seems that Dolly is taking her own advice and adhering to the strict no-whinin' policy. The rest of the press release is pretty vague about just what it is that's bothering Dolly's back, but one can only assume that it has something to do with Burt Reynolds' chest hair:

Ailing Parton Postpones U.S. Tour [Billboard]

The media interest continued earlier this week when TMZ released an audio clip that McGrew confirmed was Nate Dogg's girlfriend phoning 911 after the singer collapsed.

The reaction to clip — bloggers joked about the caller's monotonous tone during such a crisis — drew McGrew's ire. He said he was dismayed over the interest in such a thing and intends to pursue legal action, although he did not specify what his plans are.

"I'm not sure what people are trying to glean from that tape," he said. "The diagnosis is what it is, and the prognosis is what it is: He had a stroke. The media wants to create something, but I'm not sure what the point is. If you had an emergency and someone was in your presence, they would call 911.

The offending quote:

TMZ has obtained the 911 call that was made after Nate Dogg — cousin of Snoop Dogg — suffered what was described as a "heart attack" ... and you're not going to believe how nonchalant the caller is! It sounds like she's calling in about a hangnail — not for a guy whose life's on the line!

Ah, welcome to the world of the slow blogging day, an ugly thing indeed. Listening to the tape, and maybe this is just because I'd like to think that, even as a generally sarcastic dude, I have a smidge of empathy, I hear Nate's girlfriend more as stunned and maybe a little scared rather than "nonchalant." But c'mon, Nate, while this is a pretty shitty cheap shot, don't agitate your recovery/give them the satisfaction of "legal action." Your fans want you back!

Nate Dogg Paralyzed After Stroke
Dogg's "Heart Attack" — Chillest 911 Call Ever [TMZ]

"MASTODON guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds suffered a severe head injury after his performance on Sunday night's [September 9] MTV Video Music Awards in Las Vegas. He is being treated by a Las Vegas hospital where he remains hospitalized."

It is rumored that Hinds' injury was sustained during a brutal assault that took place shortly after MASTODON performed "Colony of Birchmen" at the Palms Casino Fantasy Suites in Las Vegas. However, it should be noted that this information has not yet been corroborated by an official source.

Meanwhile Brandon Urie and Boys Like Girls are still walking around. Jesus, that's nice and vaguely ominous isn't it? "A brutal assault." Whatever the cause turns out to be, I hope Mr. Hinds is on the mend soon. And for chrissakes everyone, stay away from MTV from now on.

Mastodon's Brent Hinds Hospitalized With "Severe Head Injury" [Blabbermouth]