Nissan Pavilion

MIAMI -- Kelly Clarkson talks fast, "fasterthana- speedingbullet" fast. This turns out to be a good thing. Today's Queen of Pop, who performs at the Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, Va., tomorrow, is giving you 15 minutes of her time, hardly long enough to get beyond the butter-'em-up pleasantries and into the hard questions like: "Why did you stop American Idol from using your songs this season?" But Clarkson, personable, polite and poised on her cell phone, multi-tasks well, exhibiting all the youthful, agreeable traits that made her the first and still biggest American Idol.

Ashlee Simpson performs with Ashley Parker Angel at 7:30 tomorrow night at the Warner Theatre. The show, which was originally scheduled to be at Nissan Pavilion, has seating arrangement adjustments, so check with warnertheatre.com and arrive early. Tickets are $42.50. Warner Theatre is at 13th Street (between E and F streets) Northwest, Washington. For tickets, call 410-547-SEAT or go to ticketmaster.com.

Ben Jelen -- Recher Theatre / Singer/songwriter Ben Jelen spent his childhood perfecting violin, piano and guitar. The result is melodically orchestrated, aesthetically pleasing songs. Acoustic folk-rockers the Mike McFadden Band open tonight's show at the Recher Theatre. Doors open at 7 p.m., and tickets are $10, plus $3 for patrons younger than 21. The Recher Theatre is at 512 York Road, Towson. For more information, call 410-337-7210. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 410-547-SEAT or go to ticketmaster.

As a baby boomer who still goes to a fair amount of rock concerts, let me say this: It sure ain't the Age of Aquarius anymore. That point was driven home again after a recent trip to see the great Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at the Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, Va. (By the way, if you've never been to Bristow, the best thing to do is go online, call up MapQuest and type in: Middle of Nowhere. (OK, technically it's in Northern Virginia. But once you get off I-66, this place is so out of the way, Osama bin Laden probably has a hideout there.