LATE-NIGHT ALERT: No thank you for the music

I have my iPhone set to deliver a "ding-ding" tone whenever I get a text message. It sounds like the bell that sits on the counter at the empty motel lobby registration desk. You know, the old-school motor lodge run by a couple that lives in the apartment attached to the front lobby. Ding-ding. Anyone there? That bell sound.

I generally leave the sound switch in the "on" position, so I don't miss any phone calls or text messages. Included in my stream of incoming test messages are breaking news alerts from CNN.com. I trust this news organization to know what level of events warrants a breaking-news alert. CNN was the first to tell me of the earthquake in Chile and the tsunami warnings that followed. It was the first to alert me with news the recent congressional votes on health care legislation and on the recalls of millions of Toyota and General Motors vehicles.

This morning the bar was lowered considerably when the "ding-ding" roused me at 1:19 this morning. I reached to the nightstand where my iPhone charges every night, and squinted to read the text message from CNN.com: "Abba to be inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tonight. http://on.cnn.com/alh-4df" (Link works on iPhone. Takes you to breaking news page on computer) (Maybe that ding-ding should have been “Ring-Ring” like Abba’s 1973 album.)

Really? I got a news flash at quarter-past my third dream to let me know the band behind "Mamma Mia" is being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Really? This is breaking news? Should I drop everything and book a flight to Cleveland to witness this? I wasn’t going to be Abba’s man after midnight. The only gimme gimme gimme I wanted was more sleep. I rolled over.

After waking and starting my day for real several hours later, I decided to follow the link in the text message. It took me to a CNN story with the thrilling news that Abba, and some other musicians were being added to the hall. They include Jimmy Cliff, Genesis, the Hollies and the Stooges. I wondered why Abba got top billing and lone mention in the text message. Were they sending out an "S.O.S.” or is there an editor that is "Head Over Heels" with the band? I figure the 140-character limit had something to do with it.

One more middle-of-the-night Abba sighting on my iPhone will force me to oust CNN.com from my instant "ding-ding" alerts. News about any "Dancing Queen" or “Super Trouper” will have to wait until the sun is shining.