Nominations for Best Hard Rock Album and Best Hard Rock nominees have been announced for this year’s San Diego Music Awards. The ceremony will take place on Sunday, September 12 at Humphrey’s By The Bay.

“Best Hard Rock Album” nominees:

* A CITY SERENE – The Art Of Deceiving
* ALL LEATHER – When I Grow Up…
* AS I LAY DYING – The Powerless Rise
* BITTER FROST – self-titled
* BURNING THE MASSES – Offspring Of Time
* CANOBLISS – Man Is The Enemy
* CARNIFEX – Hell Chose Me
* MOWER – Make It A Double

“Best Hard Rock” nominees

* ALL LEATHER
* CATTLE DECAPITATION
* GHETTO BLASTER
* LORD HOWLER
* RATS EYES
* SPACE NATURE
* SPIDER FEVER
* THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT

Today, fans from across the world gathered in Memphis to commemorate the life of music legend Elvis Presley.   He died at age 42, August 16, 1977, at his home in Graceland.

I remember where I was 33 years ago, today.  I was pregnant with my first child and standing in the spare bedroom of my parent’s house holding the receiver of dark green rotary phone, getting ready to call my mother at work.  I knew she would want to know that Elvis had passed away, but I hesitated because I wasn’t sure how she would react.  It was a shock for me, and I knew it would be even a bigger shock for her, because she was a big Elvis fan.  She had a collection of his records that she played every time she had a house party.

She was silent after I told her and then I asked her if she was alright.  She said yes, and I hung up the phone knowing that she would be thinking about it for a while, and maybe even morn.

My mother is still alive, and in her 80′s but, whenever Elvis’ name is mentioned, she smiles.  Her eyes light up like that did when she was young,  as she remembers the man that gave her such great music to listen to and so many happy memories.

“Glee” creator Ryan Murphy told reporters that singer Susan Boyle will be playing the role of a Lunch Lady in the TV series.

Murphy also announced he received a package with a handwritten note that said, “Hi Ryan, I hope you will consider some of these songs for “Glee.”  Inside the package was two CDs made by Paul McCartney.

Murphy said he heard that Paul was a fan of the show, and he was gob-smacked when he got the music, and will of course use it for the show.

Glee has been nominated for 19 Emmys it’s first season on TV.

In Season 2 there will be more focus on characters, including minor one, like Brittany, Tina and the father of Kurt.

You may have heard of the band Styx, a rock band in the 1970′s through 1980′s.  Their most popular songs were Lady and Mr. Roboto. In 1984, the band released its first live album, Caught in the Act.   The project featured one studio track, “Music Time“, which became a Top 40 hit. The concert was also filmed and released on VHS under the same title (and on DVD in 2007). However, by the time of the album’s release, the band had already parted ways.  So,  board the wayback machine and watch Music Time by Styx.

Part of the chorus is:

Turn it on, turn it up, turn it loose, turn it loud….hey everybody, it’s Music Time