So the holiday week is upon us and no matter what holiday you're celebrating I hope that all of you get what you wish for and let's hope none of us get what we deserve. Now, on that jolly note, let's get on with it...

It's Not Always Good News: A tragic piece of news has come in just as this was meeting deadline so full details aren't available. Former Athens musician Drew Worsham is in critical condition at Memorial Hospital in Savannah. He was the victim of a violent attack on Saturday, Dec. 13.

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Worsham, who drummed for Dreams So Real and in Rags with Athens' own Dodd Ferrelle, has no health insurance; as such, a fund is being set up to assist with his medical bills which, in all likelihood, will be substantial. To contribute, write to the Drew Worsham Care Fund, Trustee, P.O. Box 316, Jesup, GA 31598. There will be a benefit show to help with the cost of hospital care for Drew on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at Smith's Olde Bar in Atlanta. Bloodkin, Dodd Ferrelle & The Tinfoil Stars and more will perform. Please keep Worsham in your thoughts and prayers; contribute to the fund if you can.

I Got Songs Coming Outta My Ears: Athens folk musician Neal Priest of the cleverly named Priestie Boys has produced an hour-long radio program that has just been picked up for broadcast by Georgia Public Radio. The program, titled "Musical Gifts: A 'Songsmiths' Holiday Special," originally aired locally last week on WUGA 91.7 FM but was scheduled to be rebroadcast statewide (except for the Atlanta market) on December 23 at 7 p.m. via all GPR affiliates. Check local listings for more broadcast times. The program features various Athens-area musicians talking about their favorite holiday traditions, what this time of year was like for them as children, etc. Of course, all musicians featured also contribute original music to the show. Artists of note include Debbie Norton, Bill Mallonee, Anne Richmond Boston and Patterson Hood, who performs for the first time with his father, R&B bassist David Hood. Lots of work went into producing this and all of you should know by now that coordinating musicians to do anything is like trying to throw a rope around a rainstorm. Hell, tune in with your friends and family while you're drinking that eggnog. It'll be fun.

And The Rock Just Don't Stop: The guys in Athens rock band Blue Hiram are some of the most enthusiastic self promoters in this town. Recently I received correspondence from them announcing that they were going into Athens' Pig Pen Studios to record, and I quote, "a kick-ass CD." No pretension, no artsy-fartsy bullshit, just a simple "kick-ass CD." Man, I tell you, that shit is refreshing. If I hear one more band tell me how they want to blend the artistry of so-and-so with the street-cred of this-and-that I'm gonna puke. So, basically, you don't even have to dig Blue Hiram to dig where they're coming from. Dig? Apparently, Atlanta radio station 96 Rock has warmed to the Blue Hiram 'tude, as the station loaded the crowd down with all kinds of promotional goods at the band's most recent show at The American Tavern in Conyers. Local fans can catch the band at the Athens Steam Co. Pub on January 17. For more kick-ass information please see www.bluehiram.com.

At Least The Kids Might Learn Something: In a move not seen since their performance several years ago on "Party of Five," R.E.M. recently performed as the band playing a high school dance on Fox's program "Boston Public." How cool would it have been if R.E.M. had played at your high school? Pretty damn cool, you know. So it's a safe bet that all involved were thrilled by their appearance. Yeah, I know it's just TV and all, but it's still pretty damn cool. What would be even cooler is if someone could convince Michael Stipe to play a renegade substitute teacher and stage a walk-out protest of some sort with all the kids following him. I swear I should write for TV. Don't you think?

Not That He Would Know Or Anything: Studio owners can impart lots of good advice ranging from equipment choices to which songs to scrap. However, Radium Recording knob-turner and Murder Beach bassist Chris Bishop has a little more he'd like to tell you. In the latest issue of Southeast Performer magazine, Bishop has a feature article in which he give musicians advice on which, um, substances, and in what quantity, are acceptable in a studio setting. I kid you not. You know, normally the Performer is kind of a dull, business-oriented, glossy bore-fest, but if this is any indication of where they're heading then, hell, more power to 'em. Bishop has another article in the same issue in which he advises musicians on how to wisely utilize studio time. So don't think he's got a one-track (Ha! No pun intended...) mind or anything like that. Interested parties can read the articles on-line at www.performermag.com.

More than a Theory: Local four-piece rock outfit The Dan K. Theory is looking to kick off the year with something of a residency at DT's Down Under. Following its performance at the 2003 Blue Ridge Harvest Fest, the band's been on a hiatus of sorts, and the Dan K. Theory

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"wanted to start locally again after the new year and really tighten back up for a push back into the Southeast," says guitarist Dan Roth. The band plays every Monday night in January at DT's, and every night will feature ever-changing set lists, jams and special guests including guitarist Jimmy Dortmundt (Bulletproof, Men in Trees). For more info, visit the soon-to-be-refurbished www.danktheory.com. [Chris Hassiotis]

Last Local Lyric Of The Year: Now that another year has come to close here in ol' Athens, how could I leave you with anything other than an R.E.M. lyric? The band has never, ever been short of words, even in the mumble-mumble days of yore. So here is my send off to y'all till next year. From "I Believe" off 1986's Life's Rich Pageant: "Trust in your calling, make sure your calling's true/ Think of others, the others think of you/ Silly rule golden words make/ practice, practice makes perfect/ Perfect is a fault, and fault lines change."

Thanks for another incredible year in Athens music and remember to get all your news to me ASAP, as I want to include anything you've got going on. Remember to mention either myself or Threats & Promises in the subject lines of all emails. Deck my halls via email 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