Remy Shand
Photo: Motown

When the Grammy nominees were announced in early January, few were more surprised than guitarist Jeff Russo, whose band Tonic earned two nominations.

"As a matter of fact, when we were told, all of us thought it was a joke," Russo recalled. "We did not expect them at all."

Neither did anyone else. Sure, Tonic's Best Rock Album-nominated Head on Straight garnered decent reviews, but it sold poorly and had no radio support. And "Take Me As I Am" was a standout song, but not nearly as significant as other Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal nominees from Coldplay, U2, and Chad Kroeger and Josie Scott.

Tonic have grown obscure since the days of "If You Could Only See," but they're still better known than Eartha Moore, who will compete against Aaliyah, Ashanti, Mary J. Blige and Jill Scott for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

"Who?" asked Liz Hernandez, the news corespondent for Los Angeles hip-hop and R&B juggernaut KWPR-FM.

"I've never heard of her," admitted Peter DeGraaff, the music director for Orlando, Florida, top 40 powerhouse WXXL-FM.

Moore does have a following in the contemporary Christian scene, but that's not the point.

The point, according to music industry insiders who follow the Grammys, is the Recording Academy is out of sync with what's happening in popular music, perhaps now more than any other year.

Nominees for the big four — Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist — offer no surprises, but things certainly get peculiar in the genre categories.

Petey Pablo and Mystikal are competing for Best Rap Album with Eminem, Nelly and Ludacris, while the more critically acclaimed and commercially successful Jay-Z, Nas and Ja Rule are not. The Blueprint 2: The Gift and the Curse, God's Son and The Last Temptation were released after the October 1 deadline, but the 2001 releases Unplugged, Stillmatic and Pain Is Love all qualify.

Soundtrack of our Lives and Clinic are vying for Best Alternative Music Album with Beck, Coldplay and Elvis Costello, but the bands more significant to the so-called rock comeback of 2002, like the Hives and the Vines, are not. (The Strokes and the White Stripes were released too early in 2001 to qualify.)

Canadian Remy Shand made only a small commercial and radio splash in 2002 but managed to earn three Grammy nominations: Best R&B Album, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song. Raphael Saadiq, whose sales figures are comparable to Shand's, is nominated in two of those categories and three others.

Then there's Bowling for Soup up against No Doubt, 'NSYNC, Dave Matthews Band and Bon Jovi in the Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal category (see "Who The Hell Is The Grammy-Nominated Band Bowling For Soup?") and blues singer Susan Tedechi in the Best Female Rock Vocal Performance category with Avril Lavigne, Sheryl Crow and others.

And it only gets stranger. India.Arie and Stevie Wonder's "The Christmas Song" is up for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals, even though it originated as a commercial and was released on promotional Arie CDs available only at Target stores.

The Best Female Rap Solo Performance category includes Missy Elliott's little heard "Scream a.k.a. Itchin," Lauryn Hill's even less heard "Mystery of Iniquity" and Charli Baltimore's "Diary ...," which was only at radio a few days before her label pulled it because of poor response.

The Best Short Form Music Video category includes "Knoc" by Knoc-Turn'Al featuring Missy Elliott and Dr. Dre, and "My Culture" by 1 Giant Leap featuring Robbie Williams and Maxi Jazz — hardly MTV staples — but not the White Stripes' commended "Fell in Love With a Girl."

Perhaps the most outrageous category is the Producer of the Year, Non-Classical. Perpetual hit makers the Neptunes are not nominated — because apparently no one thought to submit them (see "The Only Thing The Neptunes Can't Produce Is A Grammy") — but Dr. Dre, on a slow year, and Arif Mardin are.

"I was surprised," Mardin said. "I only did one project to qualify, and I'm looking at the other nominated people and they've done three or four projects. I feel a little embarrassed."

So should the Recording Academy, according to WXXL's DeGraaff. As he scanned through the nominations, he had trouble finding songs that actually aired on his top 40 station, especially in the pop categories. "Bowling for Soup? How did that get here?" he asked. "Their idea of what pop music is seems way off."

"I would like to see who votes for these," added KWPR's Hernandez.

Except in craft categories, like Producer of the Year, which are determined by special committees, Grammy nominations are determined by the 18,000-member National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, made up of music professionals and record label executives.

The reason many of the Grammy nominations are off, according to Paul Fischer, a recording industry professor at Middle Tennessee State University, is that most of the academy is focused on the business of music.

"My sense is that the Grammys are more about who the industry thinks is important than who is making the best or most compelling music," he explained. "At this time, with their business priorities completely misaligned, we should expect the nominees to be more than casually incomprehensible. The more the industry focuses on short-term numbers and strategies about new technologies, the more out of sync they will be with the evolution of music and the marketplace."

Of course, not everyone is against the academy.

"I think it's a great thing that these awards are obviously not a popularity contest," Tonic's Russo said. "It's just about the music."

For more Grammy news, check out the MTV News Grammy Archive.

• Tonic
• Bowling For Soup

Avril Lavigne, John Mayer, and Nelly announce 2003 Grammy nominations
Photo: MTV News

When nominations for the 45th annual Grammy Awards were announced Tuesday morning, reactions ranged from sincere congratulations to "What were they thinking?" (Click here for the list of nominees.)

Few readers writing to MTVNews.com's You Tell Us forum had sour sentiments about demure Norah Jones, the jazz-influenced singer/pianist who's got a chance to sweep the four biggest categories — Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Best New Artist (see "Eminem, Avril Lavigne, Nelly, Norah Jones Nab Most Grammy Noms"). Jones is also among the eight artists who garnered five nominations. (Click for photos of this year's Grammy nominees.)

"I'm sooo happy for [Norah Jones]," wrote 18-year-old Lexi, from Seattle. "I know many people haven't heard her music, but those who have know how great it is. Big ups to the critics for giving this girl the credit she deserves."

Jones' Come Away With Me faces stiff competition from The Rising, Bruce Springsteen's return to form, and, to a lesser extent, The Eminem Show. Although the mainstream seems to have embraced the volatile rapper, with hardly a protest over his third major-label album or his fictionalized biopic "8 Mile," the Grammys might not be ready to bestow such a prestigious honor to a man who had a hit with a song that talks about killing the mother of his child and stuffing her in a trunk.

Then again, Eminem already has five golden gramophones in his trophy case (though none in the big four categories), and the Recording Academy did grant an Album of the Year Grammy to Steely Dan in 2001, for Two Against Nature, which featured the song "Cousin Dupree," about incest. But old guards like Donald Fagen and Walter Becker have always had Grammy odds in their favor, which is why Springsteen stands such a good shot. And even if The Eminem Show doesn't win for Album of the Year and "Without Me" doesn't lay claim to Record of the Year, Eminem is likely to make good on at least one of his other three nominations.

While Jones stands as the artist with the smallest presence at radio compared with fellow new-artist nominees R&B songbird Ashanti, singer/songwriter Michelle Branch, sensitive guy John Mayer and pop-rocker Avril Lavigne, most of you think the latter stands as her fiercest competition.

"I think Avril Lavigne definitely deserves Best New Artist," wrote 14-year-old Ashley of Thief River Falls, Minnesota. "She's worked so hard and accomplished so much this year."

"There is no doubt that Avril Lavigne should win Best New Artist," echoed 14-year-old Danielle, from Somerset, New Jersey. "She writes her own music, had three top 40 songs in 2002, sold over 4 million copies of her debut, Let Go, and hates Britney Spears. What more could you want in a Best New Artist?"

While statistics may garner gold records, they don't necessarily translate to a Grammy. Awards are (theoretically) doled out to those who demonstrate genuine artistry in their work. And that's Avril Lavigne, isn't it?

"Avril has no business being nominated for as much as she was," disagreed 19-year-old Andrea. "As far as music and creativity go, Britney is more creative — and you know that's a stretch, especially since Britney is nothing but manufactured bubble gum. Avril may have had something going with her and her ties but let's face it, MTV, that's all she has had."

After yesterday's announcement of the nominations, Lavigne has a lot more attached to her, namely a monumental mistake when she mispronounced David Bowie's last name. When reading the list of artists up for the Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, she mispronounced Bowie as "bow-wie" (rhymes with oh, wowee!). An unnerving hush immediately enveloped Madison Square Garden.

"Am I the only person who realizes what a poser Avril Lavigne is?" queried 22-year-old Kim, from Denver. "First of all, she botched the pronunciation of David Bowie, one of the most influential musicians of our time. ... Does Avril know anything about music? ... My point is, although everyone seems to be touting Avril Lavigne as some new prodigy, the fact is that she is not a true musician or artist and is just as fake and untalented as Britney Spears."

And here we thought Avril was the anti-Britney.

While Mayer's the only guy among the gals in the Best New Artist pack, his fans warn not to count him out just because he's outnumbered.

"John Mayer deserves to win the Grammy for Best New Artist," declared 18-year-old Tiffany Johnson, from Austin, Texas. "He is just on a different level from the rest of the nominees. The guy is brilliant."

Nelly, who's up for Album of the Year, Best Male Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Album honors, among others, is feeling the brunt of haters. For the nearly 5 million copies of Nellyville sold, the St. Louis rapper seems to have just as many, if not more, detractors.

"I want to know what the Grammy folks see in Nelly," demanded 19-year-old Jason Curtis of Seattle. "Everyone is hypnotized by his so-called 'skills,' which are by no means good. As far as I'm concerned, Nelly doesn't deserve a Grammy."

It wasn't all trash talk directed at the St. Louis rapper, however. Many have their fingers crossed that the Band-Aid bearing MC will leave with even more gold than he came in with.

"I'm really anticipating seeing Nelly take home the Grammy for best album," wrote 14-year-old Linzi, from Sandusky, Michigan. "I mean, his music is totally hot, and I'm pretty sure that I don't know anyone who isn't into Nelly."

Linzi, meet 21-year-old James, from New Haven, Connecticut.

"It is clear once again that the awards honor what is popular, not what is good," James began. "Nelly has sunk so far down in the talent pool that he's left rapping about sneakers and some sort of heat wave that has apparently swept Nellyville. Talk about meaningless music. Seriously, if it's that hot in 'herre,' then drink a glass of water. Don't make a freakin' song about it."

Fellow hip-hopper Petey Pablo, up for Best Rap Album with Diary of a Sinner: 1st Entry, faced some harsh reactions, with fellow nominee Mystikal also catching some heat.

"I am very upset to see that Pete Pablo has been nominated for Best Rap Album," expressed 25-year-old Curtis, from Tallahassee, Florida. "Also, Mystikal's Tarantula album was very disappointing. How come someone like Trick Daddy or Cee-Lo never gets nominated? He is pure trash, and I understand why people like Jay-Z protest the Grammys. If we want to make it mainstream for all these old white people, let's nominate Will Smith. Even though his album sold probably 200 copies, he does not curse."

Such outrage over those who were nominated couldn't rival the furor over those who were left out: uber-producers the Neptunes and anyone from the neo-garage school, such as the Hives, the Vines, the Strokes or the White Stripes.

"How did Dr. Dre get nominated in the Producer of the Year category, while the Neptunes were ignored?" wondered Venni, 18, from Blacksburg, Virginia. "Dre didn't do anything in 2002. Every single song on the radio was produced by the Neptunes."

OK, Venni may be exaggerating a bit, though Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo are responsible for Justin Timberlake's "Like I Love You," Nelly's "Hot in Herre" and Mystikal's "Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against the Wall)," all of which are Grammy-nominated.

"I'm surprised the new 'the' bands didn't get major nods," typed an aghast CJ, 18, from Newmarket, New Hampshire. "I'm sad that the White Stripes were shafted, when overrated Avril Lavigne gets all the credit. Well, the Grammys are pretty lame either way."

If the nominations aroused such fervent feelings in these folks, they'd better be prepared for the shock of February 23. While some surprises can be expected with the nods, utter jaw-droppers like the over-the-hill Jethro Tull winning for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance in 1988 are unmatched.

Stay tuned and stay calm.

For a look back at previous big Grammy winners, red carpet photos and much more, visit our Grammy News Archive.

• Eminem
• Norah Jones
• Nelly
• Dixie Chicks
• Bruce Springsteen

Nelly
Photo: Universal

With eight artists grabbing five nominations each, this year's Grammy Awards looks to be one of the most competitive in the ceremony's 45 years. (Click here for the list of nominees and for photos of this year's Grammy nominees and performers.)

Three relative newcomers, Ashanti, Norah Jones and Avril Lavigne, join Sheryl Crow, Eminem, Nelly, Raphael Saadiq and Bruce Springsteen as the artists with the greatest chances of leaving New York's Madison Square Garden on February 23 with the most golden gramophones in their arms.

All eyes will be on Norah Jones, who stands to reign supreme on Grammy night with four of her five nominations arriving in the big four categories: Best New Artist; Album of the Year, for Come Away With Me; and Song of the Year (given to the songwriter Jesse Harris) and Record of the Year for "Don't Know Why." Jones and her full-length debut album also received nods in the categories Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, while the LP's producer, Arif Mardin, scored one in the Producer of the Year, Non-Classical category to give the Norah Jones camp a whopping eight nominations combined.

Eminem, Nelly, Springsteen and Lavigne received two nods apiece for the big awards. Em's "Without Me" is up for Record of the Year, along with Nelly's "Dilemma" (which features Kelly Rowland), Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" and Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles." The Eminem Show will vie for Album of the Year honors against Come Away With Me, the Dixie Chicks' Home, Nelly's Nellyville and Bruce Springsteen's The Rising.

Springsteen was also nominated in the Song of the Year category for "The Rising." The Boss' tune, which resonated with many after the events of September 11, 2001, will face off against another song inspired by the tragedy, Alan Jackson's "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)."

The Best New Artist category finds John Mayer the sole male amidst a quartet of ladies, Ashanti, Michelle Branch, Jones and Lavigne, whose single "Complicated" is also up for Song of the Year. (Last year, Alicia Keys walked off with the prestigious honor. Who do you think should win Grammy's equivalent to Rookie of the Year? Take our poll.)

"Chauvinists unite!" Mayer joked at Madison Square Garden, in a half-hearted attempt to strum up support for his cause. "I'm just going to go to sports bars and lobby.

"It's cool," he continued sincerely. "I look at the list and say, 'It makes sense to me.' "

While Ashanti is likely to have her fingers crossed for the big Best New Artist win, she'll be doubly excited when the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration category is awarded. Besides receiving a nod for assisting Fat Joe with "What's Luv?" the songbird with the second-best-selling debut album of 2002 has increased her chances of winning with "Always on Time," her collaboration with Ja Rule. Ashanti likes both songs, but she looks to the phrase "blood is thicker than water" when deciding whom to root for.

"I don't necessarily have a preference, but it I had to choose, it would have to be my brother Ja," she said. "That's my family, Murder, Inc. Records."

Nominations for the 45th annual Grammy Awards were announced Tuesday (January 7) at a press conference held in Madison Square Garden. Among the artists on hand to read the roster of those hopeful for Grammy gold were Ashanti, country singer Kenny Chesney, '80s faceplate Cyndi Lauper, Avril Lavigne, John Mayer, Justin Timberlake, Nelly and producer Jimmy Jam, who filled in for a previously scheduled but absent Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.

The artists each took the podium in turn to announce the contestants for two of the categories, which made for some interesting pronunciations. Ashanti (pronounced a-shan-tee) became the faux-fabulous sounding "A-shan-tay" whenever most on hand mentioned her name; and Lavigne, in announcing the nominees for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance botched David Bowie's name, pronouncing it 'Bow-wee" (as in the dog sound "bow-wow"). The flub is not likely to go unnoticed among Lavigne's critics, and it just might go down in pop-star infamy, the way Britney Spears' remark that suggested Pat Benatar sang "I Love Rock 'N Roll," a song Joan Jett made famous, did in a fall 2001 interview.

Four nominations fell on the Dixie Chicks, Alan Jackson, R&B singer Remy Shand and Chad Kroeger, who scored one with his band Nickelback, and three others for his song "Hero," penned for the soundtrack to "Spider-Man."

Besides two in the big four, Vanessa Carlton's other nomination came in the Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s). While most categories in the Composing/Arranging field are often overlooked in favor of more artist-specific ones, the 21-year-old pianist doesn't consider her third nod to be any less important. In fact, considering that she's the only nominee who's also an artist in that category, she said she's perhaps most proud of that honor because it shows her as the well-rounded artist she is.

"I am most excited for that nomination because it is recognizing the process, something other than the vocal and the song itself," she explained. "It kind of acknowledges how the puzzle fits together. I think [Be Not Nobody] is a beautiful record and I'm really proud to know that people recognized that. I was totally surprised, though. I really was."

India.Arie, Erykah Badu, Johnny Cash, Elvis Costello, Dr. Dre, Randy Newman, Arif Mardin and No Doubt also nabbed three nominations each.

Touting over 100 categories, the Grammys is the most comprehensive music awards show, but even with classifications such as Best Polka Album (for which Jimmy Sturr's Top of the World looks to be the odds-on favorite) and Best Remixed Record, Non-Classical, there just aren't enough designations for some folks.

"Actually, one they didn't mention was best haircut-changing-style every year,' a near-bald Timberlake kidded. "I'm hoping I get the Victrola for that."

Maybe next year, Justin. In the meantime, the 'NSYNC star must be content with just one nomination, for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, for the Clipse-featured "Like I Love You," the first single from his solo debut, Justified.

Super production duo the Neptunes were puzzlingly absent from the Producer of the Year category, which instead found Dr. Dre, Nellee Hooper, Arif Mardin, Rick Rubin, and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis attempting to stake their claim to the title. After producing a number of Grammy-nominated tracks, including Timberlake's "Like I Love You," Nelly's "Hot in Herre" and Mystikal's "Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against the Wall)," it's a mystery why Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams didn't receive any love from the Recording Academy.

"For the second year in a row, can you imagine that?" Williams said of his Grammy dis. "All the work we've done? For whatever reason, nobody thought to put us on the ballot."

The 45th annual ceremony marks the Grammys' return to New York, after Los Angeles hosted the previous four events. The show will be broadcast live on CBS at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). Before the show, catch MTV's pre-show telecast "Backstage at the Grammys," airing at 7 p.m. ET.

MTV's parent company, Viacom, also owns CBS.

For more Grammy news, check out the MTV News Grammy Archive.

• Nelly
• Avril Lavigne
• Norah Jones
• Eminem
• Vanessa Carlton

Tonic's Emerson Hart
Photo: MTV

SANTA MONICA, California — A few days after finishing the third Tonic album, bassist Dan Lavery ran into an old friend in Los Angeles.

"I was basically telling him what was going on with the band and he said, 'Well, that's cool, man. It sounds like you got your head on straight.' "

Lavery smiled. Little did his friend know that Tonic had just decided on a title for their new album: Head on Straight.

And since then, after spending the summer on the road with Sheryl Crow and Train on the Jeep World Outside Tour, the title is even more appropriate. "The more we talk about the album, the more I feel it fits," Lavery said.

That's because, despite the disappointing sales of their second record, 1999's Sugar (see "Tonic Flexes D.I.Y. Muscle For 'Sugar' Coated Album"), the members of Tonic are excited about their music careers.

Singer Emerson Hart, guitarist Jeff Russo and Lavery are aware of the challenge ahead of them — reclaiming the success they had with 1997's Lemon Parade, which featured "If You Could Only See," the most played song of 1997 — but they aren't letting it cloud their vision.

"The best you can do is love your own record," Lavery said. "That way if your fans don't like it, you know at least you do."

Tonic began writing Head on Straight, due Tuesday, while touring behind Sugar. Hart moved from Los Angeles to Nashville to finish the material, which touches on a variety of issues, including the struggle with their last album, specifically on "Come Rest Your Head."

"I think what we really wanted to go for was a solid, song-based record," Hart said. "And honesty in the music, [because] that's just how we are as people. No real concept, just as open and honest as possible.

"There's a few nods to what we went through on the last record on this record," he continued. "Being a writer is a reflector on things past and present. It was a real reflection of what we've been through and what's to come. We're just fortunate that we can do what we do."

Tonic wanted to punctuate the strong feelings in their album with potent guitars, so when it came time to record, they flew to Maui to work with veteran producer Bob Rock. Joey Waronker, who has recorded with Beck, Smashing Pumpkins and R.E.M., among others, played drums on the album.

"Working with Bob Rock, who is a guitar master of tone and gear, that lent itself to our record being a cohesive guitar record," Russo said. "He took everything inside of us that is the best we all do and brought it all out and made the whole thing cohesive."

"He magnified everything," Lavery added. "If it was a riff rock song, he made it huge. If it was sort of a pop song, he made it lush and beautiful."

Rock is also known for pulling straightforward lyrics out of songwriters, whether it's Metallica's James Hetfield or Our Lady Peace's Raine Maida (see "Our Lady Peace Are Putty In Producer Bob Rock's Hands"). Hart was no exception.

"He is so focused on the song," Hart said. "He was always, 'Maybe this line could be better, more direct.' Overall, he pulled great vocal performances out of me and also really helped me hone what I wanted to say directly."

On "Take Me As I Am," the first single from Head on Straight, Hart reflects on how he was raised and on realizing "the sins of the father" as he enters a new relationship. It's about "using what you learned from your parents' mistakes to become a better person," he explained.

Several of the songs on the album, including the title track and the infectious "On Your Feet Again," are about letting things go and moving forward, or as Hart put it, "being a functioning human being."

For the latter, Hart brought the band a demo of him playing acoustic guitar and a cheap Casio keyboard. "Bob set up this cardboard box and had our drummer play a quick loop on it," Russo recalled. "He turned some knobs and made it sound cool."

Tonic will promote the album with a few dates in late September and a full tour later in the fall. Scheduled shows include September 24 at the Village Underground in New York, September 28 at the Big Day Out festival in Atlanta, and September 29 at the LRS Fest in Louisville, Kentucky.

• Tonic

Tonic will serve as the musical ingredient for "The Master Bake-Off Competition," a promotional stunt being held at the Globe Theater in Universal City, California on May 15 in conjunction with the release of a sell-through version of "American Pie" on home video.

• 4/2 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ Marist College
• 4/3 - New York, NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom
• 4/4 - Newark, DE @ Bob Carpenter Center
• 4/6 - Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
• 4/7 - Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
• 4/8 - Pompano Beach, FL @ Pompano Beach Amphitheater
• 4/9 - Tampa, FL @ USF Sun Dome
• 4/11 - New Orleans, LA @ UNO Lakefront Arena
• 4/12 - Dallas, TX @ Bronco Bowl
• 4/14 - Austin, TX @ Austin Music Hall
• 4/15 - Houston, TX @ KTBZ Radio Show
• 4/16 - Fayetteville, AR @ University Of Arkansas
• 4/17 - Warrensburg, MO @ Central Missouri State University
• 4/18 - Normal, IL @ Braden Auditorium
• 4/20 - Columbus, OH @ Palace Theatre
• 4/21 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
• 4/22 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
• 4/24 - Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre
• 4/25 - Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre
• 4/27 - Toronto, ON @ Warehouse
• 4/28 - Montreal, QC @ Metropolis
• 4/29 - Storrs, CT @ Gampel Pavilion
• 5/2 - Winnipeg, MB @ Walker Theatre
• 5/4 - Edmonton, AB @ Joint
• 5/5 - Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall
• 5/7 - Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom

• Tonic

Tonic and Sugar Ray have both signed on to headline separate benefit concerts in California which will be held later this month in Los Angeles and Santa Ana, respectively.

-- David Basham

• Sugar Ray
• Tonic

Tonic will be heading for the mountains next week and is encouraging fans to do the same for a free concert sponsored by a Philadelphia radio station.

• 1/9 - Birmingham, AL @ Five Points Music Hall
• 1/11 - Oxford, MS @ Library
• 1/12 - Ruston, LA @ Louisiana Tech. Univ.
• 1/13 - Jackson, MS @ Hal & Mal's
• 1/14 - Memphis, TN @ New Daisy Theatre
• 1/15 - Chattanooga, TN @ McCallie's

• Tonic

Having already joined forces with MP3.com by hopping aboard the "Music And Technology" tour, Tonic has now joined forces with another powerful web presence, Amazon.com.

• 10/22 - Towson, MD @ Towson Center Arena
• 10/24 - Loudenville, NY @ Recreation Center
• 10/25 - Binghamton, NY @ Broom County Arena
• 10/27 - Upper Montclair, NJ @ Yogi Berra Stadium
• 10/28 - Philadelphia, PA @ Apollo of Temple
• 10/29 - Latrobe, PA @ Kennedy Hall
• 11/2 - Tallahassee, FL @ Leon Co. Civic Center
• 11/3 - Gainesville, FL @ Stephen C. O'Connell Center
• 11/6 - Columbia, SC @ Carolina Coliseum
• 11/7 - Murfreesboro, TN @ MTSU Murphy Center
• 11/8 - Mississippi State, MS @ Humphrey Coliseum
• 11/10 - New Orleans, LA @ UNO Lakefront Arena
• 11/11 - Fort Worth, TX @ Daniel-Meyer Coliseum
• 11/12 - Austin, TX @ Frank Erwin Center
• 11/14 - El Paso, TX @ UTEP Arena
• 11/15 - Albuquerque, NM @ Pit Arena
• 11/17 - Irvine, CA @ Bren Events Center
• 11/18 - La Jolla, CA @ RIMAC Arena

• Tonic

The Goo Goo Dolls are taking to the road with Tonic for MP3.com, an issue of no small concern to the group's label.

• 10/5 - Iowa City, IA @ University of Iowa
• 10/6 - Dubuque, IA @ Loras University
• 10/8 - Champaign, IL @ University of Illinois
• 10/9 - Champaign, IL @ University of Illinois
• 10/12 - Green Bay, WI @ Brown County Arena
• 10/14 - Ypsilanti, MI @ EMU Convocation Center
• 10/17 - East Lansing, MI @ Michigan State University
• 10/19 - University Park, PA @ Penn State
• 10/20 - Amherst, MA @ University of Massachusetts
• 10/22 - Towson, MD @ Towson University
• 10/25 - Washington, DC @ George Mason University
• 10/25 - Binghamton, NY @ Broom County Arena
• 10/26 - Allentown, PA @ Lehigh University
• 10/27 - Philadelphia, PA @ Temple University
• 10/29 - Columbia, SC @ University of South Carolina
• 10/30 - Columbia, SC @ University of South Carolina
• 11/2 - Tallahassee, FL @ Florida State University
• 11/3 - Gainesville, FL @ University of Florida
• 11/10 - New Orleans, LA @ University of New Orleans
• 11/12 - Austin, TX @ University of Texas
• 11/13 - El Paso, TX @ UTEP
• 11/14 - El Paso, TX @ UTEP
• 11/17 - San Diego, CA @ University of California

-- Kara Manning

• Goo Goo Dolls
• Tonic

Music, technology, and Jerry Lewis... you name it, the Goo Goo Dolls will play it.

• 10/5 - Iowa City, IA @ University of Iowa
• 10/6 - Dubuque, IA @ Loras University
• 10/8 - Champaign, IL @ University of Illinois
• 10/9 - Champaign, IL @ University of Illinois
• 10/12 - Green Bay, WI @ Brown County Arena
• 10/14 - Ypsilanti, MI @ EMU Convocation Center
• 10/17 - East Lansing, MI @ Michigan State University
• 10/19 - University Park, PA @ Penn State
• 10/20 - Amherst, MA @ University of Massachusetts
• 10/22 - Towson, MD @ Towson University
• 10/25 - Washington, DC @ George Mason University
• 10/25 - Binghamton, NY @ Broom County Arena
• 10/26 - Allentown, PA @ Lehigh University
• 10/27 - Philadelphia, PA @ Temple University
• 10/29 - Columbia, SC @ University of South Carolina
• 10/30 - Columbia, SC @ University of South Carolina
• 11/2 - Tallahassee, FL @ Florida State University
• 11/3 - Gainesville, FL @ University of Florida
• 11/10 - New Orleans, LA @ University of New Orleans
• 11/12 - Austin, TX @ University of Texas
• 11/13 - El Paso, TX @ UTEP
• 11/14 - El Paso, TX @ UTEP
• 11/17 - San Diego, CA @ University of California

-- Tina Johnson

• Goo Goo Dolls
• Tonic

Alanis, Vanessa Carlton, Robbie Williams, More Rock The Vote

• Alanis Morissette
• Peter Gabriel
• Robbie Williams
• Vanessa Carlton
• Chuck D