Last year, I modeled in a Fashion Show that raised funds for NorthWest Hope and Healing, a fantastic hands-on organization that helps local folks who have breast cancer with practical matters like daycare and getting to and from chemo appointments.

Even though I was all toothy and clumsy and the stylists mistook my hair for a butterscotch sundae (see evidence) I was asked back.

The event is tonight at The Showbox Sodo. I’d love to see you there. I’ll help you raise your paddle! Details: http://tinyurl.com/ca85zz

- Shawn

My beautiful sister Robin, mother of 4, school teacher, music lover, Atlanta dweller, called me at 10:30pm last night. That’s 1:30 am Atlanta time. She was just rolling home after taking 2 of her daughters to see Robert Randolph and the Family Band in Athens. It was her 2nd show in a week; she’d been to Springsteen with her youngest daughter on Sunday. That’s two more shows than I’ve been to this week.

In honor of my sister not losing her edge, we have given her an alter ego, too. Meet DJ Sisterstockings, guest blogger! Here’s her Springsteen review.

————

Shawn,

The concert was beyond fabulous. It took Jordan until we were a block from Phillips arena to figure out who she was going to see. A last minute change in her orchestra rehearsal schedule made it a squeeze to get to the lounge. All the musicians were gone when we arrived., but Jordan still thought it was cool to be there.

We were stage left about 20 rows up, so the seats were great. We were deaf when it was over. I didn’t recognize every song, anything from 1983-1994 was pretty much from my lost (i.e. childbearing) decade. I was glad he did some music from the Dublin CD and a couple of standards. The rendition of “Jungleland” was wonderful. He dedicated “Kingdom of Days” to Patti, who was absent due to a horseback riding accident. Jay Weinberg (Max’s son) played a number of songs impressively. The only sad part of the night was watching Clarence try to move around on stage.

I forgot to ask Jordan her favorite song but Rick’s was Stephen Foster’s “Hard Times” and I can’t pick one. Probably a 3 way tie with Kingdom of Days, American Land and Working on a Dream. But the Detroit Medley was great too. Caitlin did a text request for a call if they played Radio Nowhere, so she got a long distance favorite.

We all had a great time and are so thankful for the tickets… we will settle up later… we should do this together next time.

You’re the best,
Robin

Chris Cornell talks about how his singing had to change to fit with the new kind of music he made on his new album Scream, and what he learned about singing by listening to Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder.

Backstage at the Showbox Sodo before his show, Chris Cornell told me about analyzing The Beatles as a kid, and why his album Scream — a collaboration with uber-producer Timbaland — is more of a rock record than many so-called rock records. (BTW, he looks kind of short because of the camera angle, but he’s actually 6′ 3″ — a few inches taller than me.)

(Thanks to videographer Brendan Joyce.)

Emerging Mountain Artist Jason Reeves visited the station on Monday. I was in Montana herding cattle and didn’t get a chance to say “Hi,” but what was sitting on my desk when I returned? These two super sassy Jason Reeves tees. Jason asked King Of The Mountain’s Amy and Superintern Janelle to model the tees for you to see:

Of note: OMG, Amy’s hair is TOTES covering Jason’s logo. And the tee Janelle has on? It’s a rare one! It was designed for American Idol judge Gina (she discovered Jason). It’s not for sale at Jason’s shows or anyplace else.

I’d love to give these tees to some fans. You can get a sense of the size and designs by checking out Amy and Janelle in their best America’s Next Top Model poses (minus the backstabbing and trash talking):

I’ll give the tees to the first two peeps who follow me on Twitter!

Check out a snippet of Jason’s tunes:

JASON REEVES

- Shawn

From the desk of Kat, VP of Content…

It’s Monday. So why give you a text-heavy entry when I can simply post pictures instead?

This week’s theme: Spotted Together!

Bono + Bill Clinton + Jon Bon Jovi (and JBJ’s wife, Dorothea)

April 21, Can-Do Awards

Jeff Beck + Rod Stewart

April 22, El Rey Theatre 

Paul McCartney + Brian Wilson

April 17, Tunnel of Love at the Huron County Fair

(but really, they’re at Coachella in Indio, CA)

Snoop Dogg + … Snoop Dogg?

April 20, Madame Tussauds

(I’ve heard he camps out near his wax duplicate)

Ronnie Wood + his sandwich

April 21, London

(I’m debating who will bite first… Ronnie Wood or the dog?)

And how could I possibly forget… Jack and Jack and Shawn!

Photos are courtesy of Rolling Stone. 

- Kat

I spent some time with Chris Cornell in his dressing room minutes before he went onstage at the Showbox Sodo in Seattle. His third solo album Scream has won mixed reviews — some people love the fact that the former Soundgarden and Audioslave front man is trying new things by collaborating with legendary hip-hop producer Timbaland. Others seem to think the music is hollow and formulaic. In Part 1 of our chat, Chris talks about how he and Timbaland connected, and what their first meeting was like.

I thought you might be interested in seeing what it’s like to go onstage and bring out a band . . . so here’s how it went at The Mountain’s Earth Day show when I introduced Serena Ryder. And you also get to see the first song she did, the title track from her album Is It O.K.
(WARNING: Serena’s so excited to be in Seattle that she drops an f-bomb here . . . .)

Meet Jason Reeves. He’s a young musician who’s visiting the station today who I had the good fortune of talking to recently in L.A. We’ve featured his music on New Music Tuesday, you might recall…he’s the fellow who co-wrote the smash hit Bubbly.

You can learn his whole story and even take a tour of his tattoos here:

Come back after his visit for details on how you can win some exclusive Jason Reeves merch!

- Shawn

Hey Tweeps! You can check out the MD on Twitter: www.twitter.com/askthemd

Dear T.J. Houshmandzadeh (@tjhoush),

When I received your note that you were following me on twitter yesterday morning, I felt very special. Flattered even. Me, really? Being followed by a guy who’s been called the NFL’s most underrated player? I’m not gonna lie, I forwarded that email around to a few of my friends, co-workers, and family members with the subject line “Look Who’s Following Me On Twitter!”

Without hesitation, TJ, I followed you back. I wanted to know how your transition to Seattle was going, how you were planning on spending your $40,000,000, and what you were eating for breakfast. I was going to re-tweet for you, and I don’t do that for just anybody.

So imagine my surprise when you broke up with me on twitter in less than 5 minutes! Since I hadn’t even had time to smother you with direct messages and @replies, I turned to my social networking gurus @daveschappell and @leifhansen to find out how our relationship had gone all sideways.

My friends informed me that this kind of thing happens all the time, that I fell prey to your charms. I thought you were following ME on twitter, when in fact you were following all kinds of people with the singular purpose of getting people to follow you back…only to unfollow them, too!

I thought I meant something to you, TJ. But unfollowing me before even getting to know me, that hurt. Twitter etiquette requires that I label you a #twouchebag. I hope you and your 424 followers are happy, in 140 characters or less.

With respect,

@askthemd