Scotty McCreery, the reigning "American Idol" from Garner, has received a double dose of good news - he now has a second gold single, and he's up for a second country music award.

Live music in Durham has ebbed and flowed over the years, but it's been on a definite upswing the past year and a half - and Motorco Music Hall, a 500-or-so-capacity club near the old Durham Bulls baseball park, is one of the key players.

Celebrating its 15th anniversary as a recording artist, Solas is considered one of the most exciting bands to emerge from the Irish-American music scene.

Sharon Van Etten sings like an angel, but not one with comfort to offer.

Fox's medical drama "House" is ending its eight-year run this season.

John, Paul, George, Ringo - and Roberta?

If you were around these parts back when driving between Raleigh and Chapel Hill involved N.C. 54 and not Interstate 40, you might remember The Popes - a very fine guitar-pop band that fit right into the prevailing college-radio ethos of the late '80s.

Once singer-songwriter Eric Benet has crafted the lyrics and paired them with instruments, the last decision he makes is where, within his own top-to-bottom vocal range, he'll actually record the song.

For fans of old-time and bluegrass, the talented duo of Mike Compton and Joe Newberry is a musical marriage made in heaven.

Whatever her drama-queen tendencies, Kelly Clarkson can really, really sing, even if it's often hard to tell just how good she is when she has to fight to be heard over some of her backing arrangements.

As far as local excitement, Sunday's Grammy Awards will have to go a long way to top last year - when Durham's Merge Records unexpectedly snatched last-minute victory from the jaws of defeat by winning the album-of-the-year grand prize (for Arcade Fire).

Fishbone was arguably the finest live band to emerge from Los Angeles' mid-'80s punk-rock scene. Every time the punk-funkateers took the stage, there was a palpable sense of danger and unpredictability.

On Sunday, the Raleigh Chamber Music Guild celebrates the 35th wedding anniversary of violinist Jaime Laredo and cellist Sharon Robinson, who, along with pianist Joseph Kalichstein, make up a highly respected chamber trio, also celebrating 35 years together.

On music fans' list of bands that shoulda been bigger than they were, Fishbone ranks high.

Four New York-based pianists will be in Clayton this week, ready to share their mastery of the 18th century instrument with a modern twist.

If jazz pianist Lenore Raphael has her way, lots of toes will be tapping in the Triangle. The world-renowned Steinway artist hopes others will swing with her as she makes melodies dance from the keyboard.

One the more fun gadgets I've tested lately is Gear4's PocketLoops. With the portable keyboard and free companion app, users can create and remix loops. Gear4 is known for its variety of idevice accessories including cases, speakers and its UnityRemote universal remote.

The following is another article trying to explain the enigma that is Theophilus London.

This Sunday, Mallarmé Chamber Players combine with the Choral Society of Durham Chamber Choir at Durham's Hayti Heritage Center for an afternoon of Bach.