Good news for Police fans. On Tuesday, they confirmed they will open the Grammy Awards telecast on Feb. 11 with a live performance. Presumably, they will announce an enusing world tour right around that time, as well.
Big question: Will they play stadiums or amphitheaters? Here's hoping they don't overestimate their importance and stick with amphitheaters, which are little more cozy than Heinz Field or Cleveland Stadium. However you look at it, though, 2007 is shaping up as a big one for concerts, with Van Halen (and David Lee Roth in the fold) and Genesis (with Phil Collins) also going out.
Erie's live concert scene could feature a really hip show in May, if details can be worked out.
Look for Staind's Aaron Lewis to play a solo date at House of Blues in Cleveland on March 2. Tickets will go on sale Friday at Ticketmaster.
Tickets also go on sale Friday for House of Blues' Jagermesister Music Tour with Stone Sour, Lacuna Coil, and Shadows Fall.
It's not yet February but dates are falling into place for 8 Great Tuesdays this summer. I'm hearing some pretty cool names so far by bands that not only have a name but remain viable, as in creating new work, not just resting on their reputations. That series is tricky to book because if you land someone too big, the venue will never hold everyone, not with it being a free concert. But so far, the series has navigated that tightrope pretty well.
Good luck to Ron Yarosz and the Vehicle, as they head to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge competition. They sizzled in their warm-up gig at Docksider last Friday. Randy Hetherington sat in with the band for a bit, which was a nice surprise. "$200 Car" -- with Ron going nuts on harmonica -- remains a tour-de-force crowd favorite.
Personally, I was glad to see WRIE-AM 1260 pick up ESPN Radio on Monday. Sports and talk belongs on AM more than music, and with 1330 now featuring oldies, there is less compelling need for the rather tired Music of Your Life format. Not that it won't be missed; every station develops a loyal following that feels betrayed when it goes away. But a rabid sports town like Erie -- deserves and needs a full-time sports station. So give me a C, give me an I -- etc. -- for Citadel bringing back ESPN (and also Jim Rome).