Here are some sites worth visiting:
Ben Connelly was my long-time parter in Steeplejack and other musical ventures. He's since unplugged the Telecaster and picked up his grandfather's ancient hollowbody guitar to produce quieter, more subtle material. His two solo albums -- both excellent -- showcase his sandpaper-soul voice and monster fingerpicking skills, as well as songs and stories that stick in your head like that last bit of earwax the Q-Tip can't reach.
Nad Navillus is another excellent singer/guitarist but he's got a whole different approach -- it's all about texture and mood. Think John Fahey or Nick Drake with Steve Reich's 18 Musicians backing them up. Plus he's got a really handsome brother.
Butchershop Quartet Ever wonder what Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" would sound like if played by a rock band?
Parker Paul Calling this guy a "songwriter" is like calling Jimi Hendrix a "guitarist." Imagine Randy Newman with a head cold and a thesaurus and not doing sucky soundtracks for Disney movies. His Web site isn't much but if you buy "Wingfoot" you'll thank me forever.
The Frames A sensation in Ireland, a secret here in the States. They're very Irish: big sloppy earnest choruses, long-winded storytelling, a brilliant tightrope act live. I saw them absolutely wipe the floor with the New Pornographers a few years back. When it comes to rock, Nucks can't hold a candle to Micks.
The Darkness Oonta, gleeben, glauten, globen ... these guys kick it like Def Leppard did back in the day. You know they rock the zebra spandex tights live.
Allmusic.com: Wondering who played bass on Neil Young's "On the Beach"? Wondering which Miles Davis albums you should buy first? How about a complete discography of Pussy Galore or the Cows? This is the site for you. They even note that I played banjo on the Straw Dogs' first record.
Pitchforkmedia.com Yes, they're obsessive indie-rock nerds but when you're old and square like me they're the only way to keep up with what the kids are listening to these days. I've discovered a lot of great new music -- Spoon, Junior Senior, the Darkness -- from this site. Plus they take the piss out of Ryan Adams like nobody's business, and that's a good thing.
Alan Elsner A colleague of mine at Reuters is coming out with a book that takes a pretty hard look at our prison system. I've only read little bits, but it promises to be a potboiler.
Matthew Vadum Yes, another cranky right-wing blog -- but this one's got a dash of erudition and a healthy dollop of self-deprecating humor to temper the bile.
Andyandmeg.info Our wedding site lives on, in dire need of an update.