I was driving to work this morning and took a left turn instead of the usual right turn and next thing I knew, I was in New Jack City. The clouds scattered, my pulse quickened and videos were found. Suddenly the day became bearable as the jams rolled on and on. Take a listen to some of the best music ever made! No lie.

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R.I.P. country and bluegrass singer Vern Gosdin, who died Thursday after suffering a stroke a few weeks ago. Thanks to his rich baritone, Gosdin was known as “the Voice,” and after his group the Gosdin Brothers disbanded in the ’70s, he scored solo hits including 1984’s “I Can Tell By the Way You Dance,” 1988’s “Set ‘Em Up Joe” and “Chiseled in Stone,” which was 1988’s CMA Song of the Year. Gosdin was 74. [Billboard.com]

Chris Brown’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, is arguing for the assault case against the singer to be dropped, saying that media leaks — including photos of Brown’s ex-girlfriend Rihanna showing her cut and bruised — “can form the basis for a motion to dismiss the case in regard to outrageous governmental misconduct.” A new hearing for the case was scheduled for May 28. [Guardian.co.uk]

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It’s been kind of an insane 100 days, huh? Total collapse of the world’s economy, wars continuing to sputter along, tax cheating politicians, low-flying jets buzzing NYC, Creed getting back together, swine flu… it’s enough to crack the resolve of even the hardiest of souls. So, hey, how about some Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings? First a timely video, then something to put a little bit of pep back in your step. Both songs are taken from her 2007 album 100 Days, 100 Nights. Hmm….2007? That means we’re due for a new album soon! That’s good news, right?

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Polish classical pianist Krystian Zimerman will no longer perform in the United States in a protest move against U.S. military policies overseas. Stopping his concert on Sunday at Disney Hall, Zimerman told the audience that this would be his last performance in America due to his disagreement with various U.S. military agendas, including the country’s policies toward his native Poland. [Latimes.com]

Organizers of the 2009 30th Anniversary Detroit Jazz Festival are planning to announce the line-up today. Expected to perform are such artists as Detroit jazz legend pianist Hank Jones, guitarists Bucky and John Pizzarelli, drummer T.S. Monk, and others. The largest free jazz festival in North America, the Detroit Jazz Fest will run over Labor Day weekend. [DetNews.com]

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Crocodiles - Summer of Hate
Even without “Neon Jesus” — the single that garnered Crocodiles quite a bit of web attention just before this release — Summer of Hate stands strong as a tremendous debut: one that pays heavy tribute to its influences while never seeming overly derivative. Crocodiles’ band name, which references Echo & the Bunnyman’s 1980 album, is a telling clue that Charles Rowell and Brandon Welchez are well versed in neo-psychedelia, British post-punk, and noise pop. While many other bands out there have attempted to rehash the scummy sounds of yesteryear (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club comes to mind), rarely does anyone take it to another level so successfully.

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This year’s Austin City Limits festival headliners will include the Beastie Boys, the Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam and Kings of Leon, with Lily Allen, Grizzly Bear, The Dead Weather, Mos Def, Daniel Johnston, the Toadies and the Raveonettes among the rest of the eclectic lineup. The festival will be held in Austin’s Zilker Park on October 2 - 4. [Idolator.com]

Speaking of festivals, the Rock the Bells tour has added Busta Rhymes, the Knux and the GZA to its roster, which already included Common, the Roots, Big Boi, Nas, RZA and host KRS-One. The 10-date tour kicks off June 27 at Chicago’s First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre. [AllHipHop.com]

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The great German composer, conductor, and violist Paul Hindemith died at age 68, a little over a month after John F. Kennedy was assassinated, so the very idea of Hindemith producing “new music” in 2009 seems a little counter-intuitive. Admittedly, the gradual trickling out of bottom drawer content — sketches, unpublished and forgotten early works, etc. — by major classical composers is nothing new. It seems these days as though Jean Sibelius has a half dozen new things come out every few months or so. However, instances where a large score, such as a previously unknown full-scale concerto, from a composer of Hindemith’s stature are relatively rare. That’s what Finnish label Ondine is offering for the first time in their release, Hindemith: Klaviermusik mit Orchester.

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American Idol judges Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul are contemplating an exit from the hit TV show. The judges’ contracts expire this year, and both have openly expressed the possibility of declining a renewal. Cowell, who nets “an estimated $36 million a season” for his role on the show, has also discussed bringing his U.K. program, The X Factor, to American audiences. [Billboard.com]

After a convoluted nomination process, the Flaming Lips’ “Do You Realize??” will become the official rock song of Oklahoma tomorrow morning, after Governor Brad Henry signs the appropriate executive order. [DallasNews.com]

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