The Next Guv May Have a Gig Still Left in Him

Fear not, Free State music fans: Rumors that Maryland's guv-to-be is breaking up the band are somewhat exaggerated.

But when exactly Martin O'Malley will next take the concert stage -- with or without O'Malley's March -- remains unclear.

An Associated Press story this week about O'Malley's transition plans stated that his band will not perform at Wednesday's inaugural ball in Baltimore because it "has broken up," a newsflash that sent waves of harp-throwing hysteria throughout the region's Celtic-rock community. (Okay, we're making that last part up -- but it did catch our attention.)

Almost two years ago, the Baltimore mayor declared an official end to the band he formed 20 years ago (while working as a young Gary Hart campaign aide), citing the need to devote himself to his gubernatorial campaign. But groupies and political analysts were quick to parse his farewell -- saying "this will be my last St. Patrick's season" left a lot of potential concert dates open. And indeed, O'Malley's March continued to reunite during the campaign, at a handful of Irish festivals and fundraisers.

O'Malley spokesman Rick Abbruzzese clarified for us yesterday that there has been no final breakup. And yet, "no plans for a reunion tour either."

A better-known Irish band called the Saw Doctors will play at the inaugural ball. Earlier this week in Annapolis, O'Malley hinted that he might -- just might-- take the stage with the group. Uh-oh -- would that mean the end of O'Malley's March?

"We're all good friends, and it's not like those friendships or the music ever disintegrated," he told our colleague John Wagner last night. "It can be reignited by a single spark."

GET THIS

George H.W. Bush is going to jump out of yet another airplane, despite objections from his wife. The former president, who is recovering from hip replacement surgery, told the Houston Chronicle he'll mark his 85th birthday in 2009 with another parachute jump. "I almost fell off my chair when I heard him say this, but he is serious," said chief of staff Jean Becker.

Bush took the plunge for his 75th birthday, and again for his 80th -- when Barbara Bush told him, "One way or another, George, this will be your final jump." Guess not. Says Becker: "She's just given up. She's decided he's 82 and he can make his own decision."

LOVE, ETC.

Split: Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake, after a four-year romance. According to a statement the couple released yesterday: "We have, in fact, ended our romantic relationship, and have done so mutually and as friends, with continued love and respect for one another." The 34-year-old actress and 25-year-old former boy band singer, despite all naysayers, lasted longer than most Hollywood marriages. Hey, Justin: Ya hear your old flame Britney is available?

Stiffed: Singer James Brown left his longtime companion, Tomi Rae Hynie, and their 5-year-old son, James Jr., out of his will, reports the Associated Press. The will, which was read yesterday but has not been filed, splits the Brown's estate among his six adult children. Hynie was locked out of Brown's home shortly after the Godfather of Soul died on Christmas Day but was present for the reading of the will. Sounds like a pending lawsuit . . .

HEY, ISN'T THAT . . . ?

Plain ol' Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) at Peking Gourmet on Wednesday night. The former speaker had dinner with a couple of other members, then raced off to comment on the president's speech. And those burly guys who left with him? Turns out he didn't lose all his security, after all, but has a smaller detail for an unspecified period of time.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton breakfasting yesterday morning with Andy Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union, and another union rep at Bistro Bis yesterday morning. Probably never hurts for a presidential hopeful to break bread with the man who reps for a couple million union members.