Last night it was time for the annual fundraising dinner and auction for the Kristen Ann Carr Fund. As usual Bruce and Patti attended. Also, Little Steven was present. Bruce posed for a few pictures, but did not perform. Among the auctioned items was a Telecaster autographed by Bruce that was auctioned off for a minimum bid of $5000. The Kristen Ann Carr Fund was created in 1993 when daughter of Bruce friends and associates, Dave Marsh and Barbara Carr, died of sarcoma cancer. The fund provides grants for sarcoma cancer research. Read more on the fund's official website. Read more

   

Former E Street drummer Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez recently lost his wife, Laurel, due to a liver disease. A benefit fundraiser in her honor will be held on Sunday, May 2nd at The Headliner, in Neptune NJ on Route 35. Bands will be performing on two stages one inside and one outside, rain or shine. Among the performers you will find Boccigalupe and the Bad Boys, The B Street Band, A Tribute to the Boss, Runaway, The Bon Jovi Tribute, and starring Steel Mill Retro (Vini Lopez), Lance Larson, Blue Plate Special (Vinni Roslyn original Steel Mill bassist), Robbin Thompson (original Steel Mill singer), Joe D'Urso, JoBonanno & The Godsons of Soul and many more are expected. Also present will be a new non-profit organization, Jersey Shore Music Association, who will offer unique t-shirts in return for donations. If you live in the area, don't miss this chance to help the man who played drums on some of the greatest rock songs of all time. Read more

   

Backstreets reports that a gathering of Sony executives were informed at a sales meeting that a new Springsteen studio album is planned for this year. There is no info on release date, title or with what musicians the album will be made. Altogether, even though it's certainly a good sign that Bruce is probably working on something or other, things could change quickly. Read the complete story on Backstreets.com. Read more

   

Last night at the Hit Factory in New York City, Patti Scialfa took the stage to promote her upcoming album, 23rd Street Lullaby. The audience was made up of radio contest winners. Backed by a band that consisted of Soozie Tyrell and Nils Lofgren, among others, she played a set consisting of both old and new songs. Her husband, someone named Bruce Springsteen, was there too and played guitar on "Love Stand Up" and "As Long As I Can Be With You" from her first album and sang backup vocals. Patti's new album will be released on June 15. Read more

   

The current Bruce drought means lots of activity on the cover artist scene. Now you have the chance to see and hear the entire Born to Run album performed note for note live on stage at BB Kings Blues Club in Manhattan. The event takes place this Saturday, April 17, and a group of Toronto based people who call themselves Classic Albums Live are behind it. You can get more information on their website. Read more

   

The Palace building in Asbury Park may soon be history, but the smiling Tillie face that adorns the wall and other artifacts from the 117-year-old building will be preserved. At least according to an article in New York Times. In what form and shape it's going to happen is not yet known, but the Asbury Park developers allegedly are interested in saving this famous landmark that people from all over the world have fought to keep for several years. Read the article. Read more

   

The wait is finally over for fans of Patti Scialfa. On June 15 her new album will see the light of day, 11 years after her first album, Rumble Doll. The new album will be titled 23rd Street Lullaby and will contain 12 new songs:

23rd Street Lullaby
You Can't Go Back
Rose
City Boys
Love (Stand Up)
Yesterday's Child
Stumbling to Bethlehem
Each Other's Medicine
Romeo
State of Grace
Chelsea Avenue
When You're Young in the City

"Rose" and "Love Stand Up" were heard live at the holiday shows in 2001 and "Romeo" goes back to 1998 when it was used in the Ed Burns movie No Looking Back. No word yet on any Bruce participation on the album. Read more

   

The American national library, Library of Congress in Washington DC, has chosen the song "Born to Run" to be included in a collection of 50 historic and culturally significant sounds. Other sounds included in the collection are a radio broadcast by Garrison Keillor, a Judy Garland concert, and native American music. Read more. Read more

   

Two nights ago Bruce was back in his old role as an inductor at the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame. The subject of his speech was his old colleague and good pal Jackson Browne. Bruce talked about opening for Jackson Browne in the early Seventies and described songs like "Late for the Sky", "The Pretender", and "Running on Empty" as songs he wished he'd written. Bruce did not perform at the ceremony, but last night, according to early reports, he was on stage with Jackson Browne for the latter's show at the Beacon Theatre in New York City playing on the last encore, "Take It Easy". Read more

   

In an extensive interview with Chorus & Verse Clarence talks about his latest album, Live in Asbury Park Vol. II, and his playing style. Among other things, he reveals that his primary saxophone is called Jerome and that 2004 will see him record a new studio album with the Temple of Souls. That is, if his real Boss doesn't call him, in which case Clarence declares himself ready. Read it here. Read more