Oh How The Mighty Have Fallen! Have you seen the stock price for ClearChannel, lately? It makes us smile at Crazy Pinoy. We remember fondly the attitude over at CC which was Get With Our Program Or Get Squashed. In 2005 all I can say is, Boo Hoo. Never could they imagine that by monopolizing radio, live shows and venues that it would be undermined by a little known thing called The Internet and independent Industry! So what is ClearChannel's plan now? Asking their 35,000 employees what to do! This after these same employees towed the dogma for these execs! Like I said, pass the tissue box, we care. We really do.

A year ago my restaurant industry people were saying there was this small but interesting film about a couple of guys working the central California wine scene for a week of pre wedding fun, and that I should go see it. Well, I finally got around to the rental of SideWays, not because of previous suggestions but due to the fact that I can't stand watching idiots in restaurants all over, ordering Pinot Noir because they saw a friggin' movie! Please. Pinot is a great varietal but not something you want to pretend to know about because Disney is involved now. You are being laughed at by service staff behind the door when faking a bottle order, understand this. It is too obvious when someone doesn't know a thing about wine, so quit before you get clowned, in front of you and your friends! Shocking statement, my readers may say. Well, that's DRAMA. It just doesn't make sense when people with Middle America written all over their foreheads try to impress professional service staffs with lightyears of experience by fumbling over their vast, single movie lesson knowledge about a Pinot varietal ! 'Nuff said....except that the movie was average, at best!

Is hiphop dying? I am waiting to hear or see a breakthrough with the most important cultural phenom of the late 20th Century. Where are the MC's at right now? Where is the future? In Seattle right now, I think there are two entities, in NY maybe three. Maybe.

BUZZ FOR JUNE: Lauren Hill undone? Tom Cruise unhinged? Club Chapel (Seattle), Cocoon Club (Frankfurt), Generation G, The Flat Market Society, E Dawg solo project coming soon, Michael Jackson world tour? Return of Bow Wow 2000 records? Skyy 60, Ruehl No. 925, Tego Calderon.

WANKSTER FOR JUNE: Richard Monroe. This is the self described Snoop Dogg fan who snuck onto stage during the Game/Snoop co-appearance at Seattle's White River Amphitheater. After the obligatory beatdown by security this guy has the nerve to cry to the Seattle Times about it. Message to Richard and everyone else: Do not walk up on A list MC's during performances, period. If you're a fan, you know about the drama they go through everyday. And message two, stop lying about how Snoop invited a dude onto stage, it has never happened in the history of live rap music performance, ever!

Gene Dexter, Spiritual Advisor