Quoted on Wired.com as saying that "leading African youth to the Internet is the most important thing I can do as a musician today," Youssou N'Dour is establishing cybercafés throughout his home country of Senegal.

The Associated Press suggests that the presidential race has a musical side to it, as both candidates' campaign headquarters are based out of cities known for their country/roots-rock music scenes--Al Gore's is in Nashville, George W. Bush's is in Austin:

"It reflects things about the campaigns," says Bush spokesman Tucker Eskew.....

"Austin music is more independent, less stuck within old traditional lines," he says. "Governor Bush is a different kind of Republican, and Austin music is a different kind of music mix, not wed to old traditions."

Gore spokesman Douglas Hattaway sees it a little differently.

"The Nashville music scene is very much of, by and for the people, and that's who Al Gore is fighting for--the people," he says. "Austin's open-minded, forward-looking music scene is a stark contrast to Bush's retro agenda."

For the two candidates, the Austin vs. Nashville rivalry is no doubt a refreshing change from the Andover vs. St. Albans one.

Unified Theory [ tickets ] has dropped the Nov. 18 Washington D.C. show from its recently announced headlining tour itinerary. A Nov. 11 show in Asheville, N.C., meanwhile, has been added.

Country.com will hold a webchat with Kenny Chesney [ tickets ] on Nov. 29, immediately following his concert on CMT.

RollingStone.com reported that former Fine Young Cannibals frontman Roland Gift has a solo album scheduled for release in March.

The New York Times wrote:

"As Congress nears adjournment, some of the nation's most powerful corporations have enlisted important lawmakers to tuck provisions into spending bills that could reshape the balance of power among telephone companies, Internet companies, broadcasters and cable operators.

The measures ... would kill a plan to create hundreds of new low- power FM stations for churches, schools and community groups."

The Internet Underground Music Archive (IUMA)--which recently paid $5,000 to the first couple to name a child Iuma--and "The Jenny Jones Show" have joined forces to showcase unsigned bands on the daytime talk show. Rock is dead.