» Virtual: Reality Entertainment has signed bluesman Von Johin based on his performances in Second Life. Johin played in small real-life clubs and also had a weekly performance in Second Life, where he would play his guitar and sing and his virtual audience would receive the audio via VOIP. Also: Maybe this 8-year-old blues prodigy should go to Second Life to avoid the labor-law harassers that are calling his playing child labor. Then again, I think you have to be older for that kind of thing too. And in Guitar Hero: A copy-cat version of the game is set to come out which will only include music from Christian bands; High Schooler pursues professional Guitar Hero career.

» Presidential: Obama has personally asked Joss Stone to record a campaign theme song for him. Barack chose her because she appeals to both white and black voters. Both Barack and Johnny McCain have released to Blender their list of their favorite ten songs. McCain's first choice is "Dancing Queen." His third is another song by Abba. What?

» Mish-masher Girl Talk has announced plans to suck for twenty hours and then destroy for the final four of the last day of the world, December 12, 2012. This will be the last day of the world according to the Mayan Calendar. "I want it to be a stage production, but one where the lines become blurry between reality and complete stage me...I want it to be miserable and equally fantastic. I want the best of both worlds."

» The RIAA has taken down Muxtape, a website which allowed users to upload tracks and place them in a playlist which they could then send to friends. Its copyright infringement was fairly obvious, but Muxtape says that they have not been contacted by artists or labels and that they are not down indefinitely. Similarly: Pandora looks like it will be closing its doors.

» The Rest, in short: MTV is set to grab Meatloaf and remake "The Rocky Horror Show"; Muse buys a huge UFO for stage show then can't fit it anywhere; Former Madonna and Bob Dylan manager is hit by car on PCH; Avril Lavigne has a Malasian concert postponed; Jay-Z will be first act to perform in the newly opened Hollywood Palladium; Madonna exhibits old costumes; R. Kelly turns to internet fraud; Dr. Dre's son dies; Perfect Pitch is more common than expected; Music fan has CDs destroyed by judge; American Idol adds a fourth judge; Denny's names dishes after rock bands.

» Obits, in short: The Dubliners' Ronnie Drew, 73; "Industry Legend" Jerry Wexler, 91; Jazz Drummer Lee Young, 94; Steel Guitarist Don Helms, 81; Dave Matthews Band Saxophonist LeRoi Moore, 46.