By Charlene Arsenault

• Everyone's wondering how Steve Going is doing: If Going were up and about, he'd have made calls to all the papers and had a press release out by now. As the voice of Wilbur and The Dukes, Going has long been a strong presence on the music scene. Last Wednesday, he and a friend were in a severe motorcycle accident — a head-on collision in Clinton that left Going in a touch-and-go situation for the first 24 hours. By Thursday, rumors were circulating that he was in a coma, might lose his leg and had a collapsed lung. Most of the rumors were true. He shattered many bones, most notably in his arms and legs — his right leg, including the knee, was completely smashed and it was unclear at first whether doctors would have to amputate. He has already undergone surgery and will need a knee replacement. He also has a collapsed lung which was re-inflated.

Recovering in the ICU at UMass, his nephew, Tom Nelson, says Going is in good spirits, considering, but sleeps most of the day and eats very little.

"He's on the mend," says Nelson. "He's going to be all right and making his way back. He needs rest and there are a lot of people coming in and trying to see him. In due time we want everyone to come and see him, but right now he really needs his rest, so keep him in your thoughts."

Already surviving a heart attack and a massive fall from his rooftop in recent years, Going wins the award for the musician with the most lives. "He recognizes everybody," adds Nelson, saying thankfully he sustained no head injuries. "He's remorseful, and he feels bad. Right now, we're respecting the wishes of the family. We really appreciate the support we have been getting."

• Club notes: On Friday, Grand Evolution releases a new CD at The Lucky Dog with The Wandas; Chromatic Swing plays Gilrein's; Lori Brooks sings at The Artist Development Complex in Southbridge; The Coyotes howl at The Blue Plate in Holden; Bill McCarthy unpacks his acoustic at The Galway Bay. On Saturday, Scott Ricciuti and friends jam at Vincent's; Gilmour's Breakfast does Floyd at Tammany Hall; Little Big Wheel's rolling into Sahara; Jim Perry leads Hot House at Gilrein's; it's punk night at Ralph's with Hoorat, Musclecah, Slitstitch, The Midnight Creeps and more; The Stymonsters are back at Greendale's; and Roomful of Blues packs Nick's. Friday and Saturday night, The New England Metal and Hardcore Festival takes over The Palladium. On Thursday, May 1, it's the big Turtle Boy Music Awards night at 10 venues on and around Green Street. The Lucky Dog, The Dive Bar, The Hotel Vernon, Nick's, Creegan's, the Tara Pub, Block 5, Bocado and The Grey Hound help us host more than 25 bands that won Turtle Boy Music Awards. Worcester Magazine also releases, with the help of Music Drives Us, our first compilation CD featuring many of the winning acts (which you can read all about in this issue's cover story).

We want to hear about it. All of it. The horrors. The stories. The music news. E-mail Charlene at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  or call 508-749-3166, ext. 245. Add cookiewomag to your buddy list, too, to chat live during the workday.