Both Rolling Stone and Backstreets, a Bruce Springsteen web site, are reporting the Boss may issue a new CD in early 2009 -- perhaps in January.
Springsteen played a new song at a rally for Barack Obama in Cleveland last week. He reportedly has a lot of songs left from the "Magic" sessions. We'll see how quickly this develops, and if Springsteen and the E Street Band will once again hit the road.

Billboard also reports that Ray Davies is writing songs for a Kinks' reunion CD. But he said he won't proceed until he has a strong enough batch of songs worth recording. Kinks are one of the few 60s bands where all original members are still alive. Dave Davies, the most outspoken one about not reuniting, may have changed his tune after recovering from a stroke.

Gregg Allman will play Jan. 10 at the Seneca Events Center at Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Tickets go on sale Monday.

Dave Stevens Big Band will play a pair of Jingle Bell Swing Christmas shows at the Warner Theatre on Dec. 6 and Dec. 7. Guest vocalist Helen Welch will join them. Tickets are $15, on sale now at the Tullio Arena box office, Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 452-4857 or 456-7070, and online at www.ticketmaster.com.