It's hard to remember a time when Kris Kristofferson wasn't a singing/songwriting icon and ubiquitous entertainment presence. But long before his work as both a songwriter and performer was recognized for its inherent greatnes, his songs were translated by some of the most potent voices in musical achievement.  

Before I push on to this week's album reviews, I feel compelled to add my condolences to the many thousands being offered in the wake of Ronnie James Dio's passing. As a teenager discovering FM radio in the '70s, I came across a sound one night that was unlike anything I'd heard before: blazing hard rock guitars, thundering bass, hall-of-the-mountain-king drumming and, rising above it all, that soaring, otherworldly voice. The DJ announced it as a song from the new Elf album, and I had a new favorite band. His later work with Rainbow and the resurrected Black Sabbath cemented Dio's place in music history.  

It's been a couple of days since the end of MidPoint, and I still feel as though I bodysurfed a tsunami. Two thoughts occurred almost simultaneously when I finished my review of Saturday night's final shows: "Man, I'm glad I don't have to go out tonight," followed by, "Man, I can't wait until next year." In the meantime, let's spin some new albums from Madness, Blackberry Smoke, Dennis Diken with Bell Sound, Will Hoge and Kris Kristofferson.  

We're all for marijuana legalization, even though our fanatical liberal/socialist president has already made it clear he won't consider it. But we think the pro-marijuana movement needs to hire a big-time PR firm to help manage its image and unsanctioned spokespeople. Certainly they can do better than Snoop Dogg and Chong?