Hello Bottom Line fans. Take note that starting with this column, THE INSIDE LINE will absorb the LINER NOTES feature, offering commentary on shows of the recent past and highlighting shows on our upcoming schedule. All good things rolled up in one tidy package.

April and May featured several hard rocking shows which raised the temperature inside the club by a few degrees. COREY GLOVER and VERNON REID, both veterans of the band LIVING COLOR, turned in separate solo evenings that proved they haven't lost a step since that group dissolved several years ago. In fact rumor has it that a reunion tour is in the works for the fall.

ED PALERMO, whose big band usually covers the music of Frank Zappa, staged an all out tribute to blues pioneers Paul Butterfield and Michael Bloomfield, two white guys from Chicago who helped introduce a new generation of listeners to the music of their Afro-American brothers and sisters. The band sounded great, drawing spontaneous applause throughot the show. Special guests included Jimmy Vivino on guitar and vocals, Rob Papparozzi on harmonica and vocals, Will Lee, and The Lovin Spoonful's John Sebastian. Let's hope Mr Palermo has plans to repeat this program...It was terrific.

Of course, the rockingest show of all was BILLY IDOL. The eighties punk/glam/new wave superstar teamed up with his long time guitarist STEVE STEVENS to resurrect and reshape his greatest hits. Classics like White Wedding, Eyes Without a Face, Rebel Yell and Mony Mony had the audience on their feet and in the aisles from the minute Billy hit the stage,to the the moment he slipped out he backdoor in true rockstar fashion, leaving us to announce to those assembled that he had truly "left the building."

Click here for Billy Idol concert photos

A little more down to earth, but just as satisfying were shows from THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE CENTURY BAND, DAVID LINDLEY and BUDDY AND JULIE MILLER, All these artists represent the best in American roots music....great songs, terrific instrumental talents, and wonderful singing. If you haven't yet seen these performers, you're only cheating yourself. Watch out schedule, cause they're bound to come around again.

Which brings us to June. Check our schedule for the following performances, because there's a little something for everyone.

For fans of Bluegrass and traditional music we have RHONDA VINCENT AND THE RAGE and JAMES REAMS AND THE BARNSTORMERS. Rhonda was recently featured in an article in the New York Times, which cited her as one of the up and coming stars of the contemporary bluegrass scene.

Fans of acapella music can catch THE BOBS, and a double bill of DAVINCI'S NOTEBOOK and FIVE O'CLOCK SHADOW. Vocal groups don't come any better than these, and they throw in a healthy dose of humor to boot.

Devotees of the contemporary folk scene can catch singer-songwriters (in no particular order) GREG TROOPER, ELLIS PAUL, TERRY CALLIER and ROSIE FLORES. Also, on June 20th, we will present FREEDOM SINGS, a benefit for the Folk Museum of Greenwich Village. Featured artists are TOM PAXTON, JANIS IAN, and MARTY BALIN and PAUL KANTNER of the Jefferson Airplane.

For the classic rock fans, Marty (see above) and SLICK AGUILAR will share a bill with San Francisco legends QUICKSILVER . And if that ain't enough, JOHN KAY will appear with "friends" to remind us of the glory that was Steppenwolf.

The last but not least category is Jazz in its various forms. Look out for drummer DAVE WECKL and his group on a bill with the CARRIBEAN JAZZ PROJECT featuring Dave Valentin, Dave Samuels and Steve Kahn. TRILOK GURTU brings his world music-jazz fusion back for two nights. And finally, jazz supergroup CAB will combine drummer DENNIS CHAMBERS, keyboardist BRIAN AUGER, bassist BUNNY BRUNEL and guitarist TONY MacALPINE for two evenings of high powered instrumental passion.

WOW!! I'm exhausted just thinking about all the possibilities. Hope to see you for at least a few of these great shows. Till then.