Nothing notable to report on the music side of things - unless you are over 40 and like KC and the Sunshine Band - but I can officially say that I am excited for Musikfest. This time it's the food that's got me pumped...

Carmel corn and funnel cake and gryos and everything deep fried! OOOHHHH! I can't wait any more.

It's like a vacation in my own backyard to be outside in the sun and binge on greasy food and beer for 10 days.

And this year, I love, love, love that I can walk from my house down to the fest to feast. I'll need the exercise in between feedings, I'm sure.

- Judianne

Now I'm impressed. I wasn't really aware that LL Cool J was still touring musicially since he has been all up in the movies lately, but it looks like he's coming to Musikfest. That's pretty cool. He's the topper on a full R&B and Hip-Hop lineup on August 6 - something new this year worth noting. During the day it's all free at Plaza Tropical but you can wrap it all up with LL and Ne-Yo at RiverPlace.

- Judianne

The show announccements for Musikfest are getting better. I have to admit that I was pretty bummed at first that Carrie Underwood was the only artist who wasn't a total throwback to another decade. Now, even though it's nobody that makes me want to do tricks for tickets, Melissa Ethridge is one of those artists that has enough talent to span a much wider audience. Nice work, Fest - you're getting warmer.

- Judianne

I like Train (the band) and I'm not afraid to say it. They're talented and they put on a good concert. So when I heard that they signed up for Musikfest this year, I was happy. They're not as "hot" as they used to be so it's not that big of a deal that they're going to show but they're still worth a listen. Just because they're out of the limelight doesn't mean they're all washed up. And for those of you that are Train-haters... no worries, more tickets available for me.

Also added to the '06 lineup was Kathy Mattea, who I've never heard of but I looked her up to find that she's a "folk-based roots performer." PASS for me, but maybe she's got some fans just like Train.

- Judianne

Oh, god no.  That title is the LAST thing I want to  be doing.  But all this talk about it lately has planted the seeds firmly in my subconscious, apparently, because the other night I had a dream.  Nothing about peace and harmony - just about announcing who the "big secret act" is going to be.  In my dream, I was talking to a Musikfest rep and they completely spilled the beans to me.  Immediately I went around telling everybody, and responses were mixed.

I wish I could, for the life of me, remember who the act from the dream was, but I can't.  It would have been really cool if I remembered and it turned out they actually came - I guess then I'd be psychic or something.  But, since I can't, I guess I'm just lame.

Please, please let this be the last time I dream about Musikfest more than two nights in advance.  Please?

    -Tucker

This week we revealed - in our audio interview with a Musikfest rep - that there is a big announcement coming around the bend soon about a major act signing on for this year's fest. We went around the office with some ideas as to who it might be and here are some of my best guesses...

Bruce Springsteen
Black Eyed Peas
Bob Dillon
Bon Jovi

Listen to our interview and try to make a guess for yourself - The Inside Scoop On Musikfest '06

- Judianne

Alright. The tease is over. Today you can find our exclusive phone interview with the Musikfet marketing manager online. Listen in on the scoop she gave us about who's playing this year, Stars Of Bethlehem and other newly added items. You can't get this info anywhere else today!

Go Merge. Go Merge. We rock. It's our birthday. Oh... sorry... I digress.

- Judianne

This blog is a total tease! We did an interview yesterday with someone from Musikfest and we got some juicy tidbits that you'll want to know about. But you'll have to come back to MergeDigital.com on on Thursday to get them. We'll have our exclusive audio interview ready for you. Until then, you can get your fix at the new Musikfest Web site: www.musikfest.org. See you Thursday!

- Judianne

Carrie Underwood. Sure, she won the Idol contest so I guess that makes her enough of a star to headline Musikfest. But the announcement of her booking got me to thinking... we had Clay, we just had Bo in Quakertown and tonight we've got Ian Holmes performing at the Sterling Hotel. It's starting to feel like the Lehigh Valley is a haven for Idol leftovers. What's up with that?

- Judianne

Yesterday, I questioned Judianne when she decided to put the Musikfest blog live.  Sure, they announced some acts, but I really didn't think anyone would be thinking about Musikfest this early.

Well, less than an hour after I got home, one of my friends mentioned that she saw the list of acts and wanted to start making plans.  Wow, proven wrong.

Anyway, I guess I'll go ahead and start getting excited too.  Yeah, give me hell for it, but I'm really looking forward to seeing Styx.  Is anyone else starting to make plans or at least ready to start thinking about it?

    -Tucker