NEIL YOUNG TO ADDRESS JAVAONE CONFERENCE

Well, I've never heard of the JavaOne Conference before today, but the great Neil Young web site Thrasher's Wheat seems to think that Neil will be making a big announcement, possibly about his Archives box set. Or the release of Toast.

Meanwhile, a story from The Rocky Mountain Times, repeated in the NY Times, says that Neil actually "tuned" an entire venue. I won't paraphrase it, just check out the article.

Right now, I'm over 600 pages into Neil's semi-unauthorized biography Shakey right now. I don't really read books about music - I read enough magazines. But this book really is awesome. I can't recommend it enough.

FOX SMACKS DOWN THE POST OVER STING AND TRUDIE

I don't know that I'll ever write a more bizarre headline than that.

Is there an easier target for haters than Sting and Trudie Styler's big Rainforrest Foundation concerts? People love to hate on Sting, and his relationship with Trudie, and tree-hugging millionaires, and adult contemporary stars (many of whom show perform at these benefits). So this is like fish in a barrel. It's probably one thing that indie rock blogs and The New York Post can get agree on.

And The Post recently ran a smear piece on the Foundation. But surprisingly, a fellow property in the Evil Empire stepped up and gave them a factual smackdown: Fox News. Read the real deal here.

GRETCHEN WILSON GRADUATES

Congratulations to Gretchen Wilson for getting her high school diploma. She dropped out of school when she was younger. But now, despite the fact that she's sold tons of records and is a millionaire country star, she wanted to set a good example for her daughter by studying for and passing her

General Educational Development exam.

I interviewed Ms. Wilson right before her debut album came out: it was in 2004, and her first single, "Redneck Woman," was a smash. Lots of people - particularly in the press - were referring to her as the "anti-Shania." I asked her about it, and she wasn't having any of it. She felt that they weren't that different: they both came from very poor beginnings, and were determined to make it. I'm sure lots of journalists would have loved for her to take potshots at Shania, but she wouldn't go for it. I told her that I wasn't actually very familiar with Shania's music, but I liked her then-new version of Dolly Parton's "Coat Of Many Colors" from the Just Because I'm A Woman tribute album. She said that the fact that Shania knew the song should shut the critics up. Anyway, congrats again, Gretchen.

NICELY DONE, JAY-Z

I'm not a huge Jay-Z fan. I like some of his songs, but generally his music doesn't move me, and I've never gotten caught up with his whole thing: I don't really get why people are so enthralled with him.

Yet, despite that, when I read interviews with him, he comes off OK. I remember after Columbine, he donated proceeds from his local concert to relevent charities. Now, he's set up an educational trust for Sean Bell's children. Credit where it's due.

STAGECOACH ROCKED

Earlier this year, I wrote about music festivals losing their voices. When Roger Waters headlines Coachella and Metallica headlines Bonnaroo, and Jack Johnson headlines both (and a bunch of other festivals as well), you have to wonder what is the difference between all of these festivals. I just read that Vegoose, which I think the Bonnaroo people put on in Vegas in the fall, announced it won't happen this year.

So, it's cool that Stagecoach - held at the Coachella location and organized by the Coachella folks - did so well in it's second year. It is a country festival that, because it isn't run by Nashville, is inclusive, but still has a voice and a theme. The biggest stars in country were there - Trisha Yearwood, Rascal Flatts, The Judds, Taylor Swift, Dierks Bentley, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson. But also artists thought of as "rock and roll" who have influenced country - The Eagles (who I would argue are the single biggest influence - for better or worse - on country music these days) and John Fogerty. Legends who Nashville would rather forget - George Jones and Ralph Stanley. And some of the real outlaws - Shooter Jennings, Cross Canadian Ragweed and even Mike Ness of Social Distortion.

It would be cool to think that Nashville took notice - but they probably didn't.

PEARL JAM RECORDING NEW ALBUM WITH BRENDAN O'BRIEN

Now that is some good news. I would argue that Brendan O'Brien produced Pearl Jam's best two albums: 1993's Vs. and 1994's Vitalogy. Plus the 1995 collaboration with Neil Young, Mirrorball (and the Merkin Ball EP) and the 1996 No Code and 1998 Yield albums.

Pearl Jam's last album, 2006's self-titled debut, was my favorite since No Code - it showed a willingness to want to be the biggest and the best, and not worry about indie cred. Getting back with Brendan is another step in the right direction. I don't love everything he's ever worked on, but since he stopped working with Pearl Jam, he's done two classic Bruce Springsteen albums - 2002's The Rising and last year's Magic. Plus Rage Against The Machine's 1999 The Battle Of Los Angeles.

I know if I were in a band, I'd rather make records like those than My Morning Jacket or whoever. They are strong, credible albums with a definite voice and no compromising.

I'm excited to see Pearl Jam next month - I have tickets to both of their MSG shows. Hopefully they'll play some new songs.

TRENT REZNOR GIVES FANS "THE SLIP"

Over the years, a lot of artists have talked a big talk about what they would do if they didn't have to worry about record labels. But other than Trent Reznor, how many major label artists - capable of selling six figures worth of CDs, no sweat, and playing arenas - have really walked the walk?

Just weeks after releasing the experimental instrumental Nine Inch Nails double album Ghosts I - IV, Trent has released a new album, The Slip. It's free for fans - you can download the whole thing at nin.com. He says that he'll release it on CD and LP in July, but for now you can download it in any digital format you want for free.

This one is more "conventional" - meaning it has vocals. NIN is touring this summer, and they make more money on touring than on albums anyway, so this is actually a pretty great idea. Makes Trent look really cool and in touch, and builds excitement for his tour. Good for you, Trent, I'll see you this summer.