Get off the back porch and tell us something. Tell us a secret.

This coming week should be jam-packed with Rock Action! Here are just a few of the events we have planned. Beyond that, anything goes! For all we know it may be an All-Star Jam that takes us to the next level.

Monday kicks off a week-long examination of 2007’s Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame inductees and other HoF-related topics. This year’s inductees are Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, R.E.M., The Ronettes, Patti Smith (see video), and Van Halen. We know the whole thing’s a crock, but it’s still hard to resist caring, getting worked up over the self-aggrandizing nature of the event, and even getting a bit moved by a particular artist’s performance or induction/acceptance speech. Monday, March 12, the show will be broadcast live on VH1 Classics; it will then be broadcast endlessly on regular VH1 beginning Saturday, March 17. Expect hot, live blogging action Monday evening and thereafter!

Also by Monday, all entries will be in for the Rock Town Hall Fantasy Rock Band Leauge. Details about the draft procedures, the talent pool, and predraft predictions and analysis will begin publishing this weekend. Anticipation is building. There’s still time to reserve a band. See description and entry rules here!

That’s not all that’s to come, but we’re not telling any more than what we’re certain of happening. So there! Get ready, Rock Town Hall. If you’re new around here and have yet to jump into the fray, this is an ideal week to take the leap.

First a brief news item generated from our very own Moderator, that is, me. Then I’ll open up discussion based on a recently received offlist message from the Mailbag.

First the news!

ROCK TOWN HALL, EARTH – Mr. Moderator has proposed to the Rules and Regulations Commission of Rock Town Hall a cap on cymbal and hi-hat fills by rock drummers.

“Think of the cymbals and hi-hats as the supporting percussion bag of the drum kit,” said Mr. Moderator in his 48-page proposal to he Commission. “They’re there to assist the drummer in fortifying his or her key beats. You wouldn’t want Ray Cooper hopping about playing tambourine and vibroslap fills indiscriminantly, would you?”

In brief, Mr. Moderator proposed no more than one cymbal crash per every 4 measures and a maximum of 2 open hi-hat fills (as opposed to rhythmic variations within the standard hi-hat pattern) per song. He noted that special cymbal privileges could be obtained by the likes of Keith Moon and Mitch Mitchell.

Proponents of the proposition include Peter Gabriel, who said, “If we’re going to allow any cymbals, this is a more than reasonable proposition.” Opponents of the measure include Mr. Moderator’s bandmates, Townsman Andyr and Townsman Sethro.

As for the Mailbag question…

I’m a little confused by the pro-drummer sentiments from you and Andy. I thought bass was the single most important ingredient for the Nixon’s Head crew.

Let me think more about how to answer this fine question. Meanwhile I’ll throw it open to my bandmates in the Hall and the rest of our members. Thanks.

I look forward to our responses.