CELEBRATING STAX

It's obvious that Motown Records -- and The Supremes in particular -- served as the inspiration for Dreamgirls.

And while there hasn't been a Broadway play-turned-hit movie based on Stax Records, the story of its rise, peak, fall and resurrection is perfectly suited for the stage and the big screen.

The Stax story also is tailor-made for a documentary. This summer, PBS will air a Stax doc in conjunction with the yearlong 50th anniversary celebration of the soul music company that was the home to Isaac Hayes (above), Booker T. and the MG's and The Staple Singers, among others.

March will be a big month for Stax, which went bankrupt in 1975 and was acquired in 2004 by the Concord Music Group. Stax 50, a two-disc, 50-song collection of major Stax singles, is due March 13 and will formally inaugurate Concord's relaunch of the label.

And on March 15, Hayes, Eddie Floyd and others are scheduled to perform during the SXSW music conference/festival in Austin, Texas, as part of the Stax 50 Revue.

More info about Stax can be found at www.concordmusicgroup.com.

EMERSON HART'S NEW START

As far as famous Jersey Shore-bred musicians go, Emerson Hart usually doesn't come to mind right away.

But Hart, formerly the lead singer for the rock band Tonic (best known for the hit "If You Could Only See"), has roots in Atlantic Highlands. And on his upcoming solo album, Cigarettes and Gasoline, Hart reflects on memories both good and bad from his formative years in the Garden State.

As for the title, the Nashville, Tenn.-based Hart says on his Web site, "It refers to an olfactory sense from my childhood -- my dad smoking Marlboro reds and getting gas in Jersey; I remember sitting in the back of his Caddy, and the smell of that, and his arm up on the armrest and him smoking -- early memories for me.

"Also, working on boats as a kid in Jersey, going out on the water in the mornings, that boat smell -- and cigarettes."

As for the bad memories on the album, he addresses a big one -- the still-unresolved murder of his father, whose body was never found, when Hart was 10 years old.

"I had to address those issues before I moved on," says Hart, "so I had to forgive the people who killed my father and let that go. Also, learning how to come full circle with that, thinking about being a father myself someday."

Hart's solo debut is due June 19 on EMI/Manhattan Records. His concert itinerary includes a show Wednesday (Feb. 28) at the Village Underground in New York and a showcase gig March 16 during the South by Southwest music conference/festival in Austin, Texas.

THE AXL AURA

So, the Guns N' Roses album Chinese Democracy has been pushed back once again.

A March 6 release date was announced late last year, but that was squashed Thursday (Feb. 22) via a post on the band's official site stating "there is no official release date."

For the fans who still care about GNR and remain curious about Chinese Democracy, which has been more than 10 years in the making, there is good news: According to the post, recording is finished and the album is in the mixing stage.

It's anyone's guess how long that will take.

Moody and unpredictable leader Axl Rose (above) is the only original member left in the band, and there's no doubt that he's the reason for Democracy's holdups. That has to be frustrating for everyone involved with the project, especially the current members of the band.

But leaving GNR doesn't necessarily shed one of the Axl-esque delays or long gaps between output. Ex-GNR guitarist Izzy Stradlin released his first solo album in 1992. His next one arrived in 1998. By Axl standards, that would appear to be a rush job. Anyway, Stradlin has been much more prolific since '98, and according to AllMusic.com, he has five full-length studio efforts to his credit -- one more than GNR.

Then there's Velvet Revolver, featuring former GNR members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum. The band's debut album, 2004's Contraband, was delayed a few times, and it would be fair to say that VR front man Scott Weiland's personal troubles were the reasons for the album's release being pushed back.

But maybe the GNR guys had yet to shed their previous singer's bad vibes. The Axl aura is a powerful thing, and nobody knows it better than his current bandmates.

BEYONCE BURNOUT

Hey, was that Beyonce rubbing elbows backstage at Red Bank's Count Basie Theatre on Saturday following the Jersey Shore Rock-N-Soul Revue concert?

And was that Ms. Knowles and her entourage Monday afternoon mingling in the food court at Monmouth Mall in Eatontown?

The answer to both of these questions is no -- it just seems like Beyonce is everywhere. And while nothing in life is guaranteed, there's a really, really good chance the Dreamgirls star will be walking the red carpet Sunday night prior to the Academy Awards ceremony.

Seriously, though: The ubiquitous singer/actress -- and reigning Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover girl -- ought to spend some time out of the spotlight before she wears out her welcome.

She might want to follow Jennifer Lopez's attempt to scale down her presence in the public eye. Five years ago, that would have been a ridiculous statement to make because back then J.Lo was what Beyonce is right now. But Lopez began to tone it down around the time she married husband No. 3, Marc Anthony, who may or may not have been influential in her not being everywhere all the time.

Then again, Beyonce's man in recent years has been Jay-Z, who hasn't been the type to keep a low profile, ever. During his so-called retirement from rap music, not only did Jay-Z perform concerts and contribute to other artists' albums -- including Beyonce's -- he also appeared with her at awards shows and other high-profile events.

All things considered, maybe Beyonce visiting the Jersey Shore isn't that far-fetched. With a seemingly endless appetite for attention, experience as a swimsuit model and summer just a few months away, the conditions are pretty close to being perfect.

FOXTON, BUCKLER JAM ON

As far as rhythm sections go, The Jam had a good one in bassist Bruce Foxton and drummer Rick Buckler.

In addition to being good, they were overshadowed by a strong front man in Paul Weller -- much like Creedence Clearwater Revival's solid rhythm foundation, bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug Clifford, took a back seat to John Fogerty.

Borrowing a recent page from the Cook/Clifford playbook, Foxton and Buckler are planning to hit the road to perform songs by their former band, using a modified moniker and with the support of other musicians.

Backed by singer/guitarist Russell Hastings and guitarist/keyboardist Dave Moore, the duo now billed as From the Jam: Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler will begin a 19-date U.K. tour May 2.

Buckler told Billboard.com that it will be "difficult to choose which [Jam] songs we would leave out," but he did say that "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight" and "Start!" are among those in the set.

As for possibly taking the tour to America, Foxton said, "Let's see how the U.K. tour goes."

Ticket pre-sale for the U.K. shows is scheduled to begin Wednesday (Feb. 21) via www.livenation.co.uk.

ASTBURY, CORNELL MOVE ON

With a lifetime achievement Grammy Award on Sunday (Feb. 11) and a 10-times-platinum RIAA certification on Wednesday (Feb. 14) for one of their hits collections, The Doors have had a really big week.

It hasn't been quite so good for Riders on the Storm, who are anchored by Doors alums Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger.

On Thursday (Feb. 15), ROTS singer Ian Astbury -- who essentially was filling Jim Morrison's shoes as he, Manzarek, Krieger and others toured in recent years playing Doors music -- announced that he's leaving to "relaunch" The Cult with guitarist Billy Duffy.

"I have decided to move on and focus on my own music and legacy," Astbury said in an e-mailed statement from Cult publicist Todd Brodginski.

Riders on the Storm will continue, and it's been reported that the band is looking at a short list of singers.

Chances are Chris Cornell isn't on that list. Cornell recently announced his split from Audioslave after three albums. In a statement that sounds like the end of a marriage and a band, he cited "irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences."

Cornell hasn't ruled out a Soundgarden reunion at some point in the future, but he says his immediate focus is his solo career. Carry On, Cornell's second solo disc, is due in May, with a tour expected to follow.

POISON TELEVISION

Once upon a time, VH1 had a few good reality-type shows, among them Bands on the Run.

More recently, though, the cable network has been scraping the bottom of the barrel with such dreck as Flavor of Love and I Love New York.

Don't expect things to get any better in July. That's when VH1 will debut the 10-episode series Rock of Love With Bret Michaels, starring Poison's lead singer.

The gist, according to a press release, is that "a bevy of beauties" will vie to win the heart of "VH1's hottest eligible bachelor." They'll reside with Michaels in his "Los Angeles rock palace," all the while being "tested on their devotion to him and their love and understanding of all that is rock 'n' roll."

Sounds more like a sitcom than a reality show.

GRADING THE GRAMMYS

Here are the grades for select performances that took place Sunday night during the 49th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles:

THE POLICE: The recently reunited trio looked good and sounded good, offering a slightly altered arrangement of "Roxanne" to open the show in fine fashion. Grade: A-

CORINNE BAILEY RAE, JOHN MAYER AND JOHN LEGEND: Three young solo artists playing together, and not once did they step on each other's toes. That's a minor miracle in this age of self-indulgence (see last entry). Grade: A

SHAKIRA AND WYCLEF JEAN: All the midriff-bearing, dancing and stage-show flash in the world can't cover up the fact that Shakira is a terrible singer, and "Hips Don't Lie" is a horrible song. Think about it: Would Dolly Parton ever stoop so low as to perform a song about her most famous physical attribute? Grade: F

GNARLS BARKLEY: Yawn -- this rendition of "Crazy" was boring and overdone, featuring an army of backing singers and musicians. Those pilot uniforms worn by Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo didn't help matters, either. Grade: D

CHRISTINA AGUILERA: Clueless as always, she suffocated "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" with her vocal acrobatics and theatrics during a tribute to James Brown. Someone really needs to give her a lesson in dynamics and pacing. Grade: F

SXSW MIXES THINGS UP

The preliminary lineup for next month's South by Southwest (SXSW) music conference has been announced, and one thing that's obvious is the lack of stars and legends.

That's not necessarily a bad thing.

In recent years, it felt like performances by Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, The Black Crowes and The Pretenders, just to mention a few, overshadowed many of the up-and-coming artists who also were showcasing in Austin, Texas, during the music industry's unofficial spring break.

The initial list for this year does include such established vets as Cracker, Rickie Lee Jones, Steve Earle, The Stooges, Jello Biafra and the Hoodoo Gurus, but with all due respect, they don't carry the same clout as the names mentioned above.

The Jersey Shore is represented by the rock quintet Parlor Mob (based in Red Bank) and singer/songwriter Nicole Atkins (who grew up in the Neptune area).

Of course, there will be plenty of buzz-worthy acts (Lily Allen, VietNam) and solid Austin-based talent (Spoon, David Garza).

Then there are a few eyebrow-raising, out-of-place oddities, such as groupie legend Pamela Des Barres and American Idol winner Taylor Hicks.

Could SXSW organizers have a few superstars up their sleeves when they announce the next wave of '07 performers? Maybe, but if not, a mixed-bag lineup of emerging artists doesn't make the conference any less worthwhile.

THE GRAMMY WHAMMY

Winning a Grammy Award should be a celebratory occasion.

But when it comes to the Best New Artist honor, every now and then it turns out to be a blessing and a curse.

Call it the Grammy Whammy, both the undisputed high point of an act's career as well as the last major achievement.

The Whammy struck in three straight years during the 1970s, when the Starland Vocal Band, Debby Boone and A Taste of Honey each were crowned Best New Artist. Of those three acts, only A Taste of Honey avoided the double distinction of having a brief reign of commercial success and only one Top 40 pop hit.

Of course, there are many who remember those three acts and their signature pop hits, all of which hit No. 1 -- "Afternoon Delight," "You Light Up My Life" and "Boogie Oogie Oogie," respectively -- and are grateful they were jinxed.

The shamed Milli Vanilli also was a victim, and even though he still records and performs, Marc Cohn hasn't come close to the commercial success or critical acclaim of his 1991 self-titled debut.

The last true victim of the Best New Artist Grammy Whammy was Paula Cole, who on the strength of her 1996 album, This Fire (which was not her first, by the way), was named Best New Artist for the Grammy year 1997. She's released only one new album since then, the 1999 dud Amen. (A comeback may be in the works, though, as she is scheduled to perform in Boston on Feb. 16 -- her first show in seven years.)

Since the first Best New Artist award, presented to Bobby Darin for the Grammy year 1959, the only full decade without at least one new artist being hit with the Whammy has been the 1960s. (It is worth pointing out that no Best New Artist was named for 1966, and comedian Bob Newhart won the honor for 1960.) There really hasn't been one since the turn of the century -- although one could argue that Shelby Lynne hasn't caused much of a stir since her Best New Artist win, and until Maroon 5 releases another studio album, the band gets a pass.

So it's about time for the Grammy Whammy to strike. Nominees James Blunt, Chris Brown, Imogen Heap, Corinne Bailey Rae and Carrie Underwood should keep in mind during Sunday night's ceremony (airing on CBS) that a Best New Artist win doesn't guarantee continued success.

BLITZKRIEG BLUEGRASS

Ramones fans longing for original drummer Tommy to return to his punk roots will have to wait.

He’s embracing a sound that's more Kentucky than Queens as part of the bluegrass duo Uncle Monk, which also features Claudia Tienan. The group's self-titled album is due May 22 via indie label Airday Records, distributed by Burnside Distribution.

"We are doing what feels natural to us," said Ramone, a.k.a. Tommy Erdelyi, via a press release. "We are making use of string-band instrumentation along with alternative-rock flavorings. We're drawn to the classic simplicity of string-band music, but at the same time we are deeply involved with the aesthetics of indie music. There is a similarity between punk and old-time music -- both are home-brewed as apposed to schooled.”

To hear what he's talking about, check out the songs on Uncle Monk's MySpace page. The band's concert itinerary includes a March 16 show during the SXSW conference in Austin, Texas, and a March 18 gig at the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in Manhattan opening for Ralph Stanley.

NOTABLE LOCALS, VOL. 2

With the start of a new month comes another round of Jersey Shore-connected bands worth checking out:

deSOL:

This Asbury Park group's lineup has changed since its self-titled Curb Records album was released a few years ago, but deSol's Latin-rock sound remains intact -- and the same goes for its lively stage show. Singer Albie Monterrosa and company have been in Texas recently to record a new studio album, which is expected this summer.

Official Web site: www.desolmusic.com

Upcoming gigs:
Feb. 2 and 9: The Wonder Bar -- Asbury Park

NICOLE ATKINS

Singer/songwriter Atkins grew up in the Neptune area. Last year, Columbia released her Bleeding Diamonds EP -- at times it's quirky and folky, plus it has nice instrumental touches and crafty backing vocals. According to her Web site, Atkins has been in the studio recently putting the finishing touches on a full-length album.

Official Web site: www.nicoleatkins.com

Upcoming gigs:
Feb. 7: Red -- Red Bank
Feb. 20: Mercury Lounge -- New York (also with Red Bank's Parlor Mob)