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CASH RELEASED FROM NASHVILLE HOSPITAL

Doctors in Nashville say Johnny Cash has been released from a local hospital after yet another bout with an infection. The venerable mega-star was listed in stable condition while he was undergoing treatment. The singer's longtime manager, Lou Robin, told country.com "The Man in Black" was treated at Nashville's Baptist Hospital. Even though he is improving, the Country Music Hall of Famer remains susceptible to pneumonia and likely will go through periods of hospitalization in future years as a precaution. The news provider says Cash plans on working on a new CD when he regains his strength. By the way, Cash will be honored for his five decades of musical contributions during the upcoming CMT Flameworthy 2003 Video Music Awards. Those ceremonies are slated for next Monday night.

ACTOR CHEUNG KWOK-WING TAKES OWN LIFE

The pop singer-turned-actor who played a gay Chinese opera singer in "Farewell My Concubine" has died. Published reports note there is an irony in Cheung Kwok-wing's death; the character he played in the Oscar-nominated film committed suicide. Chueng, according to Hong Kong police, jumped to his death from the balcony of a hotel. One newspaper in Taiwan asked the question "Does life imitate art?" in reporting the death. The actor set himself apart by being willing to play gay roles, something nearly unheard of in Asian cinema. Like the vast majority of gay men and women on the silver screen, however, his characters met tragic ends. He was born in Hong Kong, rising to international attention as a pop singer with a decidedly "bad boy" image in the 1980s. He also had prominent roles in "Happy Together," "Days of Being Wild" and "Ashes of Time." Cheung Kwok-wing was only 56.

NEVILLE NEW DELTA HALL INDUCTEE

Soul singer Aaron Neville has been given another honor, induction into the Delta Music Museum and Hall of Fame. The singer, according to CNN, is likely best known for his mega-hit "Tell It Like It Is," which soared to the top of the charts in 1967. Much of his career was spent in recording sessions with his siblings, performing as the Neville Brothers. In recent years he's been involved in the production of gospel music. His latest CD is "Believe." The Delta museum is in Ferriday, La., an out-of-the-way town that was a gathering place for hundreds of jazz, soul and country musicians over the years. To honor the singer-songwriter, the museum also will present an exhibit of photographs and memorabilia relating to Neville and his brothers. The museum and hall is a relatively new venture. It's officially operated by the State of Louisiana and has been open for about a year. In addition to Neville, others to be inducted into the hall in weekend ceremonies include former Louisiana Gov. Jimmie Davis, who wrote "You Are My Sunshine," and Conway Twitty. Mickey Gilley and Jerry Lee Lewis, both "hometown Ferriday boys," are also in the hall.

SINGER-SONGWRITER EDWIN STARR DIES

Edwin Starr, the driving force behind the group War, has died in England. He was an international star in the 1960s, then revived his career during the disco era. He also expanded his portfolio several years ago, taking part in a British Broadcasting Corp. project that many in the States never heard about. He worked with the BBC on a much-heralded series about this country's civil rights movement. Starr continued to perform, even as his health began to deteriorate. His Web site, edwinstarr.info, simply notes his birth and death years, with a Starr song playing in the background. Starr was 61.

RADIOHEAD SAYS SONGS WERE STOLEN

Those not-yet-released tracks of the group Radiohead now circulating on the Internet were stolen, says Radiohead. The MP3 files said to feature songs from the group's upcoming album "Hail to the Thief" are, according to the band's Web site, "stolen from early, unmixed edits and rough cuts." The group's guitarist Jonny Greenwood notes the band is "not angry." He initially made the statement to reporters when he learned the cuts had been leaked through the Internet last weekend. On the Web site he notes it's become apparent the versions are "work we've not finished, being released in this sloppy way, 10 weeks before the real version is even available. It doesn't even exist as a record yet." He adds it's a shame listeners are not getting the real thing or any of the artwork that will be with the finished CD. Meanwhile, the project's producer, Nigel Godrich, says some of what is on the Web is really old stuff, some of it from "day one" of the album's recording sessions. EMI has gotten a cease-and-desist order against the Web sites transmitting the songs.

HOUSTON REMEMBERS A VERY 'COMPLEX' WOMAN

One word that truly describes the late Gloria Lucille Gillespie is "unique." Gillespie died in Houston after a long career that made her famous in two very different disciplines. The Houston Chronicle says during World War II she became famous for her ability to repair airplanes. As a member of the Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service or WAVES she became proficient in the repair of fighter aircraft. At an early age the tomboy-esque Gillespie had been taught by her father to be proficient with tools and all kinds of machinery. After the war Gillespie returned to Houston, eventually becoming the private secretary to the late Texas oil billionaire R.E. "Bob" Smith. Not satisfied to be a "simple secretary," she had numerous conversations with her boss about Wall Street investments. Those investments would serve her well in her later years. Gloria Lucille Gillespie, mechanic-confidant, was 80.

UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 559

Here is today's question: "What is your snack or food preference when you are at your computer?" Put UPI-SNACK in the subject line and send to [email protected] via the Internet.

RESULTS OF QUESTION NO. 554 (BUS9)

Last week we asked: "If you had to spend a week sitting on a cross-country bus with a single seat-mate, which of these two would you chose -- the Rev. Jerry Falwell or the Rev. Billy Graham." From our usual random dip into the e-mail inbox, we found these results: The Rev. Billy Graham, 80 percent, The Rev. Jerry Falwell, 15 percent, would rather sit alone, 5 percent.

TOMORROW: The bus grinds to a halt. GBA