Create your own hyperlocal Flipboard publication

As regular readers know, I'm a big fan of Flipboard, the slick iPad feed reader. I've thought over the last year how Flipboard can be the local news platform of choice as tablets (OK, iPads) fly off the shelves. 

Now comes this nice how-to from Ted Mann, digital development director for Gannett NJ, who shows how easy it is for someone to create their own hyperlocal Flipboard news feed. 

There's still a disconnect as to how your feed can be shared by others -- and there's that ever-present advertising question -- but the concept is great, and Mann's short video well worth watching. 

As noted before, if you haven't tried Flipboard -- which Apple named its "iPad app of the year" it's time to do so. 

Soul legend Cropper back with a vengeance

Southern soul legend Steve Cropper has been living off his reputation for more than 40 years since Stax Records petered out and Memphis lost its mojo.

But Cropper is back from nowhere with a surprising tribute to a band called The 5 Royales. "Dedicated: A Salute to The 5 Royales" is a star-studded album, featuring performances  from B.B. King, Lucinda Williams and Betty LaVette.

But it's Cropper who is on fire, reaching deep in salute to the little-known R&B/gospel group he says inspired him to jump into  a career that led him to become one of the 20th century's most successful songwriters (stuff like "In The Midnight Hour" and "Sittin' On The Dock of The Bay" to name just two).

NPR affiliate WBUR has a nice interview with Cropper that offers a glimpse at an understated musician who, thankfully, is sharing some of his inspiration all these many decades later.

Contagious energy fuels rock 'n' roots artist

"Soundcheck" opened my ears to a wonderful artist named J.D. McPherson, whose high-energy songs are a blend of country, rockabilly, R&B, punk and blues.

His energy is contagious, but that's just the beginning of why his act works. Like Imelda May, McPherson truly has a handle on how to blend those old styles pop in a digital age without coming across as a novelty act.

By the looks of fan reviews for his album "Signs & Signifiers," McPherson has big upside. Can't wait to see his act come out West.