Billboard Bits: Pearl Jam, Krist Novoselic, Zaa

Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready will preview tracks from the group's upcoming double-disc concert set "Live at Benaroya Hall" via a live, one-hour radio broadcast beginning 8 p.m. ET Sunday (July 25). A band spokesperson confirms such outlets as WBCN Boston, KNDD Seattle, WWDC Washington, D.C., KOMP Las Vegas, XTRA San Diego, WRIF Detroit and WMMR Philadelphia will carry the program.

In addition, McCready was interviewed by XM Satellite Radio for broadcast on the Ethel XM47 show, which will air Sunday at 7 p.m. ET and Monday at 10 p.m. ET.

Due Tuesday, "Live at Benaroya Hall" is Pearl Jam's first release since splitting with longtime label Epic, and will be issued via the band's own Ten Club fan organization with distribution by BMG. The largely acoustic set was taped Oct. 22, 2003, as part of a benefit for the Seattle-based aid organization YouthCare.

In related news, Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard is scheduled to appear Tuesday morning on KNDD's Morning Alternative show.

-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

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Former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic will publish his first book, "Of Grunge and Government: Let's Fix This Broken Democracy!" Due in September from Akashic Books/RDV Books, the tome is described as part memoir, part political platform.

Since the demise of Nirvana in the wake of bandleader Kurt Cobain's 1994 suicide, Novoselic formed two bands, Sweet 75 and Eyes Adrift, but decided to retire from music last year.

As founder of the Joint Artists and Music Promotions Political Action Committee (or JAMPAC), he has concentrated his energies as an activist for issues including electoral reform, which is covered in the book, as well as on his Web siteFixour.us.

-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.

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Colombian artist Charlie Zaa has returned home from a promotional tour to undergo emergency surgery. He first experienced kidney pains while in New York recently, but decided to press on with his promotional duties.

On Tuesday, the artist complained of severe kidney pains during a trip to Puerto Rico, and was rushed to an emergency room in Ponce, according to a statement from his publicist. The next day he traveled to Miami to consult with specialists there. No further information on his condition was available at deadline.

Zaa, who was among the performers at the Billboard Latin Music Conference held in May in Miami, has been busy promoting his new album, "Puro Sentimento," due Tuesday (July 27) via Ole Music.

-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.