As all eyes continue to be glued to cable news networks, this has been a slow music news week. Still, there're some gems out there and I'm determined to find 'em. For this week's points of light, see below...

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Songs can Mean so Much: Last week Threats & Promises told you about R.E.M.'s song written in response to America's war on Iraq. Well, they're not the only local musicians expressing their opinion; on April 17, country singer Ricky Fitzpatrick will make available for download his new song "The Dream Is Still Strong," which he recorded at Radium Recording. "My hope," says the Commerce-based singer, "is that the families of our service people will send links, burn copies, download the song and send it over to their loved ones who are really paying the price to preserve the American dream." The official airplay release date for the song is May 1, and it'll find its way to a CD single on May 17. Fitzpatrick has been creating a lot of on-line excitement among the country set lately, as he's started offering some of his more popular live songs for streaming and free download via his web site. According to Fitzpatrick, his most popular song to date, "Mississippi Moonshine," peaked out in the no. 3 spot on the Soundclick General Country Charts and received over 2500 hits in a little under two weeks. Regardless of whether you share Fitzpatrick's (or R.E.M.'s, for that matter) views on American policy, support for the troops' safety should be universal. Fitzpatrick's web site is www.soundclick.com/rickyfitzpatrick. Ricky is performing at T'Cakes on Friday, Apr. 18. [Chris Hassiotis]

Getting Across the Country, Finally: Speaking of, here's some R.E.M. news, we can all stop holding our breath - the boys have decided to tour North America. At least for a little while. Kicking things off at Seattle's Bumbershoot Festival on September 1, the band will play a few dates that will lead them to Atlanta on October 11 at Philips Arena. Thank God they're gonna play a real arena this time around. Sorry, fans and chat room hounds, but even when the best bands play Chastain Park, as R.E.M. did in 1999, it sounds less like a rock band and more like rehearsals for retirement. The band will kick off a full-on, no-holds-barred U.S. tour in 2004 after the release of the next album. YES!

WUOG Oh Gee: University Of Georgia radio station WUOG 90.5 FM is sending out a call for all local musicians that want the chance, not to play, but to talk about themselves on the air. 'Tis true, folks. You don't even have to be a Maserati or Widespread Panic to get in on this action either. They want everyone from seasoned veterans to brand-new baby bands about to play their first gig. The show "Athens Alternatives" airs Wednesday evenings from 6-6:30 p.m. All you gotta do is drop an email to affairs@wuog.org and set up a date. Oh yeah, you know Vitamin G is gonna get in on that shiznit.

The Television Tells the Truth: Looks like some of the folks on the Britpop/ indie scene in Atlanta have taken a liking to Athens' The High Caliber, according to the band's Tommy Salmon. Folks at The EARL can catch their video for "16 Miles" playing alongside videos by other all-the-rage bands like The Raveonettes, The Libertines and Hot Hot Heat. The show goes down every Monday night as part of their "Post-MODern" event. More information about the whats-wheres-how-and-whys are available here: www.britanniarocks.com/ postmodern.html The High Caliber'll open Twain's Wednesday, April 16 show at the Caledonia Lounge, and the band will play the EARL on April 17 as part of "Off Yer Head," a monthly happening which involves DJ's and live entertainment. [CH]

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Skylab 2021: Who says that the war's got people staying in all the time? Athens' own Skylab recording studio has been booked solid since the new year, giving the good folks over there scant time to breath. They've been working on projects for Carrie Nations, Exit 86, 33 Days, The Rockstar Wallabies, Motorcade, and the still long-running Sharks and Minnows double album. Given how long that Sharks and Minnows business has been in the works, there's a chance we'll all get to see it by the time Bush's grandson has assumed the throne. And though Skylab's Asa and Eric have welcomed Dustin Hudson to the Skylab family, the gang's still got a couple of open slots for those looking to cut some wax. They don't like having any open recording slots, so Eric says he's willing to negotiate prices to fill those spaces. If you're interested in messing with Skylab's new equipment (they've just acquired brand new Mackie monitors, an Otari half-inch 8-track and a few new microphones), visit www.skylabaudio.com or drop a line to betrockmusic@earthlink.net or asaleffer@hotmail.com. [CH]

Orwellian, Yet Hilarious: The guys over at Athensmusic.net have tipped me off to news that The B-52's have been included on a list of bands that will provide an example to MTV Europe of certain bands to not play out of sensitivity to the current unpleasantness in Iraq. According to an MTV Broadcast Standards department memo, the network should refrain from playing videos that depict "war, soldiers, war planes, bombs, missiles, riots and social unrest, executions and other obviously sensitive material." Apparently this included bands with suspicious names like the beloved B-52's. Which is funnier, MTV picking on a band whose videos it hasn't played in at least 10 years or MTV trying to get us to believe they have anything to do with "broadcast standards?"

And there's the end of that. Keep that news pouring in, and remember that I need all your info at least 10 days before the issue hits the street. (Simply: Flagpole comes out on Tuesday, so get your news to me by two Fridays earlier.) Make me pay in pain via email to music@flagpole.com, voicemail at 549-2360; via fax at 548-8981; or by post at P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603.

Gordon Lamb