GO The summer of 2010 has been very busy so far, to say the least. It’s been difficult to sit still!  And I gotta say, I really like when August hits for two reasons. First, it brings my wife’s and my wedding anniversary (21 wonderful years). Secondly, I love seeing all the back to school ads in the paper because it reminds me that autumn (my favorite season) is right around the corner!  The Smithereens have had some marvelous shows of late. Thanks to everyone who came out in Atlanta, NYC, Norfolk (Connecticut, that is), Manchester in NH, Walker, MN and Vernon Hills, IL and at Rock Con here in the Garden State. It was good to see all of our friends, old and new.  Please see below for a listing of upcoming shows.  I’ll be sitting in at a very cool show to benefit Dennis Ferrante, a good friend to many of us, who needs a new heart. Please come, 7-10pm on Wednesday August 4 at the Highline Ballroom in NYC at 431 West 16th St. between 9th and 10th Avenues. I’m stoked because Lou Christie and Chuck Jackson are on the bill! http://play4lifenyc.eventbrite.com/   On Thursday August 12, Dennis Diken with Bell Sound will be on the card with The Baseball Project at Maxwell’s in Hoboken. Chris Butler will be out of town that nite so TBP’s own Scott McCaughey will be sitting in on a few numbers. Scott’s a dear mate of many a year and it’s always a gas to make noise with him. In addition to Scott, this fine band features Steve Wynn, Linda Pitmon and Mike Mills and they will also performing songs of The Dream Syndicate and The Minus 5. Big fun to be had, please come by and say hi! http://www.maxwellsnj.com   And please mark your calendars for Thursday September 16. The Jim Duffy Combo will return to The Lakeside Lounge on Avenue B in NYC. More info to follow as the date gets closer!  My best, DD UPCOMING SMITHEREENS SHOWS Wednesday August 18   Empire State Plaza – Albany, NY Thursday August 19   Neptune’s Park – Virginia Beach, VA Saturday August 28   Palatine Street Festival - Palatine, IL Saturday September 4  The Smithereens 30th Anniversary Homecoming Concert – Carteret Park, Carteret, NJ (free show!) Saturday September 25 Red Rocks – Las Vegas, NV   “If ever there were a 10-star pop (“psych”-, “power”- or otherwise) album this year, Late Music just may be the one. Critical hype? Nope — it’s that jawdroppingly good.” Fred Mills Blurt Magazine Summer 2010 Brian Wilson 2009 CE. copyright Dennis Diken 2009