When the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus tour hits Worcester's DCU Center tonight and tomorrow ... the most talented singer won't be center stage. She'll be to the side, her normally straight hair curled up in ringlets. She's Kay Hanley, once a real life rock star ... now providing backing vocals for a fake one. There's no business like show business folks!

Kay and her band Letters To Cleo burst out of Boston in the early 90's. Their breakthrough CD "Aurora Gory Alice" produce the excellent single "Here and Now." That song's inclusion on the "Melrose Place" soundtrack shot them to short-lived stardom. The follow up, "Wholesale Meats and Fish" only received a tepid response ... the single "Awake" being the exception ... but that was pretty much it. One minute you're on Conan O'Brien performing for millions ... then you're back at The Paradise where the faithful try to keep the torch lit.

Kay has spunk, chops, and 'tude ... but she's a pragmatist. Nobody's gonna pay the rent for you. She was the singing voice for Rachael Leigh Cook in the "Josie & The Pussycats" movie ... she sings the theme song for "My Friends Tigger and Pooh" on the Disney Channel. She grew up in Dorchester and knows the value of a buck. I know and understand all this ... but I still hate the fact that she's doing the Miley Cyrus thing.

Kay can hide her tattoos and take well timed cigarette breaks to please her Disney handlers, but it was to be a drag. Kiss, kiss. Hug, hug. It's all prefab happiness with the Mouse Mafia. Letters to Cleo took on real issues with real edge ... it wasn't great, but it was true. Or was it? The guy on the drum kit for LTC was Stacy Jones ... now he's the musical director for the lovely Miley. Nice of Jones to bring Kay along on his new adventure ... but I hope next time he gets the machine when he calls her. "Kay can't come to the phone right now, she's working on her own music."

So, blog boy what do you want for Christmas?

Time.

You mean a watch? Rolex, Breitling, TAG?

No just time. The one thing that's always so short during the holiday rush. Time to sit down and listen to a new CD -- and I mean sit down and listen. Not drive to work and listen. Not write a blog and listen. Just listen. Maybe even look at the booklet that came with it! Such luxuries.

What about a late movie with that special someone? You know, no work tomorrow, doesn't matter what time we get in. Last minute Chinese takeout. Eating out of the box. Actually talking about the movie beyond the plot lines. The little things. The costumes. The set design. The writing. You know, stuff you can only discuss when you have -- time.

Coffee and live music always works too. The jazz quartet with an eggnog latte. The old folkie with the battered -- but much loved -- Martin guitar. A few originals with the cover tunes. Maybe spike that eggnog to make the music flow even better. All possible -- but only with time.

So, pick up the new Rivers Cuomo CD "Alone - The Home Recordings" -- see the movie "Atonement" -- and if you live in the Merrimack Valley, maybe check out The Java Room in Chelmsford.

Hope you can find the time.

Until "Lost" returns -- and that "Idol" thing -- the only can't miss show on television right now is "Pushing Daisies." Okay, you can make an argument for "House" but the competition ends there. "Daisies" hits right smack in the middle of the work week, and darn if it doesn't kickstart the run toward the weekend. The show still takes more chances than 10 other prime time shows combined.

I admit I wasn't sure "Pushing Daisies" could sustain itself after its stellar opening episodes. The storyline is so totally foreign to American television. Death and whimsy -- who'd ever thought they would work so well together?

So, how about we do a little character reassessment now that we've got a solid stack of episodes behind us?

Ned - If you don't dig the piemaker you're not going to stick with the show. Lee Pace continues to tweak PD's central character. He's added some decidedly darker shades of late -- not being able to touch the girl you love can do that to a fellow. Ned is needy, which can be grating at times, but his determination to do the right thing keeps him in the viewer's good graces.

Chuck - Like Ned, the Dead Girl comes packed with quirks both endearing and annoying. Anna Friel tries to spice up this sweetie pie with varying degrees of success. The kid's got spunk, but sometimes I feel like the adorable outfits and doe eyes are holding the character back. I'd like to see a little more woman -- and a little less child.

Olive - Admit it. Name another actress who chews up the scenery as unabashedly as Kristin Chenowith? The girl is just out of control in PD and I love it. Her cleavage borders on the hypnotic in most episodes. Olive may be the third wheel in the PD relationship game, but she often keeps the storyline from hitting the wall.

Emerson Cod - PD's MVP. Best lines. Best clothes. Best 'tude. Chi McBride is a revelation as the cynical private detective. Just when the show is about to give you a toothache from being so sweet , Emerson shows up to do a little dental work -- hold the Novocaine.

Thank you Bryan Fuller for giving ABC a show worth talking and laughing about. It's great trying to figure out just what is going to happen next.

Aimee Mann brings her Second Annual Christmas Show to the Berklee Performance Center in Boston on Sunday (December 16), and this year's lineup of talent is amazing. Here's some of the folks who are on board: Grant Lee Phillips, Josh Ritter, Ben Lee, and a special bonus for the Hub, Nellie McKay. Members of The Decemberists will also play along. This show WILL sell out so get your tickets immediately!

Aimee might not be the first musician you think of when it comes to Christmas music. Her style and sound has always been moody and introspective, not celebratory. Still, my favorite Christmas songs have always been the bittersweet ones. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" is a perfect example. Under the cheery title is a very dark tune ... the basic theme being, who knows if we'll even be here next year so we'd better celebrate now. Judy Garland delivers the classic version, but Chrissie Hynde and Conor Oberst also do wonderful takes on it.

Speaking of Conor, his version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is hypnotic and chilling. Pick up the Bright Eyes Christmas CD for more.

I'm not all hard boiled in my Christmas music though. I love Nat King Cole's "A Cradle In Bethlehem ... and for nutty fun there's nothing like Sufjan Stevens' "Come On Let's Boogie To The Elf Dance." Sufjan's Christmas CD collection is another must have.

When Christmas craziness kicks in, my iPod full of holiday tunes saves the day.

And don't forget, go see Aimee!

A quick heads up on a couple of not to be missed shows at the Paradise in Boston in December.

Beginning tomorrow (December 6th) Grace Potter and the Nocturnals begin a three night run. This is a golden opportunity to catch this awesome folk rock band at the top of their game. The group's latest CD, "This Is Somewhere" is remarkable .. and, in my mind, features the best rock single of the year, "Ah Mary." Vermont-based, but right at home here in Boston, GPTN deserves a packed house every night. The national press keeps calling them a "best kept secret" .. let's start making some noise and get the word out!

Later this month, The Sheila Devine regroups for two night's at The Dice (December 28, 29). Aaaron Perrino and company tore up the Hub from 1997-2003 with searing indie rock. The song "Hum" became a rock radio staple. A lot of folks, including myself, thought these guys were going to be BIG. It never happened, but the quality of music was always excellent. Perrino went on to form the group Dear Leader .. a fine outfit in their own right .. but I'm psyched he's reforming TSD.

The Paradise is the perfect spot for these two bands to turn it loose. Pick a choice spot on the upper level, throw back a few beers, and have a great time.