Heads and tales: Gimme ‘Shelter’

Grammy drought: If you actually follow the sham that is the Grammys, the noms are out. After having scanned the entire nominee list, only one Alabamian jumps out: Birmingham’s Emmylou Harris. She and Rodney Crowell are competing in the hotly contested Country Collaboration With Vocals category for their single, “Shelter From the Storm.” It’s a cover of a Bob Dylan tune on Crowell’s disc, "The Outsider."
• Mariah Carey and 2 Others Lead Grammy Nods [New York Times]

Musings on a Magic Platter: Anyone who remembers growing up in Birmingham shopped at the Magic Platter in Hoover for cool CDs. What many folks don’t know is that the owner, Don VanCleave, was at the heart of a revolution in the music industry: organizing indie music stores into a powerful force, the Coalition of Independent Music Stores. While the Platter is history, VanCleave remains active in a tumultuous biz. And if you enjoyed the Killers at this year’s City Stages, you have him to thank.
• Indie Music Mogul Don VanCleave [Black and White]

Sovereignty, diplomacy and rock 'n’ roll!: Speaking of moguls, apparently Birmingham’s Condi Rice is a rock star in the take-no-prisoners world of diplomacy. She’s beloved by many the world over, and it’s all part of the plan. The man behind the woman ain’t Dick Cheney, but Jim Wilkinson, a senior aide. Ya gotta admit, even with all of her credibility problems and boss’ sinking approval ranking, she usually manages to come out on top.
• The Man Behind the Secretary of State’s Rock Star Image [New York Times]

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