HI - Benny from bennyandthejets.com band here.

You know I write this column for several local newspapers. As always feel free to reprint it, post it, forward it. If it is not carried in your local paper it should or could be, ask them to call me! If you or you know someone, who is not getting it e-mail directly every week-let me know. The last 3 years I have been co-hosting a radio show with DR Franklin. An interesting mix of music and health related topics every Wednesday 5 till 7pm on WPON am1460 in Pontiac. Then Wednesday night/Thursday morning 1am, I do a call in to my friend The Brick House with JT the Brick on his national Fox Sports radio show.

Also I have a new endorsement deal with Reverend Guitars. Not only make in USA but made in Detroit. See the web site Welcome to Reverend Musical Instruments and the photo benny_jets.jpg nice looking gold 50s Hawaiian inspired guitar.

OK, keep in touch, e-anytime, come see the band some night! Remember the bands play dates calendar, past columns, product page, free link page, photo page are all on the message board page on the bennyandthejets.com web site. Benny 313 730-1627

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> this weeks column October 7 edition >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Some musicians think their opinions can or should change the world. Or do they just feel some kind of obligation? The vote for a change tour rolled through Detroit. The concert with Bruce Springsteen, REM, John Folgerty sold out at Cobo Hall. Dave Matthew's band, Jurassic 5, Ben Harper and My Morning Jacket performed at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Dixie Chicks and James Taylor performed at the Fox Theater.

Was this tour a success? Did it motivate anyone to get out and vote? Did it make the world a better place? Did it do anyone any good? I can't answer that. I guess I can say in the words of the Detroit rock band the MC5, if you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.

I should be screaming about the presidential elections, little kids getting killed at day care, the price of gas, the price of home heating, the water and sewer rate increase, the roads, the school superintendent search, the girls at Oakland U pushing the limits on low cut jeans, skunks, rats, the new tax shift, but man, I just don't have it in me today.

At first I didn't care about this new tax shift. I thought much to do about nothing. You have to pay it sooner or later anyway. Then I thought death and taxes. What if you died and had already paid your taxes. They are going to make it so you can't even get out of paying by dying.

I been getting a lot of reaction on the Michigan Music Hall of Fame idea. I am hoping some area activist can start promoting this idea. Maybe even get it to Governor Granholm's desk.