I have been meaning to write something kind about Mason Porter here for a while now, but kept getting swept up into a bevy of other in-the-way things.

But I don't think you should have to suffer for my too-busy-to-blog-right-now-ness, so get to Chaplins TONIGHT if you're reading this TODAY.

If you got a fancy for folk music, or REAL country music (as opposed to the polished, over-produced, hokey junk that gets passed off as country nowadays) go to Chaplins RIGHT NOW to catch their show tonight. The West Chester band is opening for Old School Freight Train. Show starts at 7:30. Admission is $12. And the music is good. You can't lose!

And then, after you go and get swept up in their joyful show, come back here and read a review of their new self-titled EP, because I'm gonna do it. I swear!

Do you write songs that float like a butterfly and sting like a bee? Think your band is a knock out?

Prove it.

The biggest Battle of the Bands extravaganza this area has seen is looking for some local musicians to test their musical might this fall, live at The Cisco Arena in Oaks, Pa.

The bands will compete before a live crowd Oct. 25 for a chance to win a coveted grand prize package which includes free recording studio time, music industry gifts, a cash award, a promotional photo shoot, Web site development and more.

All walks of musical acts from all around are invited to enter, including solo musicians.Please call 610-650-8450 and ask for Nick to learn further details on how to enter your band. Hurry, deadline for band submissions is Oct. 5.

Every once in a while, we like to share some of the edgier ideas from our marketing department's cutting room floor. So here's a new one for you; a little piece from our razor-sharp editorial department who threw this together after the Page One meeting today.

What could possibly be cuter than a kitten doing something silly with it's paws? How about, opposing presidential hopefuls eying each other up in a warm embrace. We haz it. And if you want it, check out today's edition of The Mercury.

Let's skip over the fact that I belong in the doghouse for, uh, not blogging much these days and move right along onto what you should do with your Wednesday evening.

Forget about walking the dog, forget about watching Friends reruns. Our musical hometown heroes (and Scene and Heard favs) Innerpartysystem are bringing down the house tonight at Club 1402 in Reading. I'll be there. They'll be there. Loud hypnotic booty shaking rock will be there too. Which means there is no reason to not be there.

And why else can you NOT miss this show? Glad you asked. Well, it's your absolute last chance to catch them play their hometown before they go on to, what they call in this silly music business, "the big time." The Berks County-bred group will release their Island Records debut later this month, Sept 30.

Sounds like a monumental historic moment if you ask me. Like when General Washington crossed the Delaware. So don't miss it!

They'll be joined by The Urgency, and doors open at 8. Sorry high schoolers, gotta be 18 to get in. See ya at the show, folks.

And aw, heck, here's a video of "Don't Stop" if you need further enticing.