Shoe by Gary Brookins & Susie MacNelly

Kind of like karaoke night, huh?

#WhatsHappening for November 25, 2016

Hey kids- happy Friday.

Unless you're one of those crazy people who thinks this is a good day to do your shopping. Then, all I can say is, good luck.

Way back when, my late sister-in-law always took joy in going out on the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping. 

She'd preplan exactly where she was going and get every single name on her list taken care of (she bought me my first DVD player that way), but I never understood (and even more so now) what the appeal was. And this was before "Black Friday" was a thing. 

Then again, it did give her an extra day off from work (well, she was co-owner of the business, so she could take off whenever she liked, but still), so that was a bonus, too, I'm sure. I have the day off today, myself- but you can bet your sweet bippy there's no way in hell I'm going anywhere near any retail establishment (other than maybe Rite-Aid to get some sinus medicine).

I'm not much of a football fan, so I didn't watch all of either game yesterday (actually, I didn't watch any of the Washington-Dallas game), and I missed Aretha Franklin's performance of the National Anthem before the Minnesota-Detroit game. Watching it this morning, though- I ask that we now all forget about that shit-fest of vocal histrionics Whitney Houston put on pre-Super Bowl XXV. 

Ms. Franklin put her considerable gospel talents on full display for this one. No vocal tricks. No pre-recorded orchestra. No lip-synching. Just her and a piano. This is what a heart-felt rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" sounds like. 

I did catch the halftime show, though. Well, the visuals- I had the sound muted. And going strictly by that, I can tell you it sucked. I think the Ayatollah would get a better reception at a Klan meeting.

Billboard's charts this week reinforce the notion that dying is good for record sales, as sales of Leonard Cohen's music have jumped 400%. 'The Essential Leonard Cohen' debuted at #13 on the album charts while his studio album, 'You Want it Darker,' jumped 41 spots to #7.

A Tribe Called Quest's newest (and reportedly last) disc, 'We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service' debuted at #1.

Madonna says she loves "her son very much" and "will do whatever I can to give him the support that he needs" after reports of his September arrest in London for marijuana possession came to light this week.

Rocco Ritchie- who was at the center of a drawn-out custody fight between Madonna and ex-husband Guy Ritchie- lives in London with his father. 

The singer released a statement to the AP Wednesday, saying the arrest was "a family matter" and asked that people "respect our privacy at this time."

Birthdays today include: Rodney Sheppard of Sugar Ray; Stacy Lattisaw; Mark Lanegan of Queens of the Stone Age; and Amy Grant. #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for November 23, 2016

Hey ho, kids. Hope your week has been good.

Amazingly, the company I work for during the week is closed tomorrow and Friday, so I'll actually have a long weekend. That's unusual for me- and why I always make sure to try and have at least one week off a month.

Anyway, hope you all have a good Thanksgiving- and watch out for retail-related mayhem.

From my buddy Robin: "Yo, Kanye..I'm real happy for you. I'm'a let you finish, but Britney Spears had one of the best public breakdowns of all time!"

In all seriousness, though- I give zero fucks about Mr. West, or his  breakdown, or his "music", or anything about him.

Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) is retiring- but not before celebrating with gigs at the famed Apollo Theater and Washington, DC's Kennedy Center next month.

The Apollo show will be December 21, while the Kennedy Center appearance will be a multi-night show on the 31st and January first and second. The shows are part of a collaborative effort between the Apollo and the Kennedy Center. 

"We’re so excited to collaborate with the Kennedy Center on what will be a milestone moment in not only hip-hop history but also in popular culture," said the Apollo’s executive producer Kamilah Forbes.

Bey had been banned from international travel from his native South Africa after violating immigration laws, but his travel restrictions were lifted yesterday. He announced his plans to retire early this year.

John Legend and Lionel Richie will be special guests at Stevie Wonder’s House Full of Toys event. This year will be the 20th anniversary of the event- which will be held at L.A. Live’s Microsoft Theater on December 9.

Among the stars who performed at past benefits include Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Drake, Common, Dave Chappelle, Babyface, Alicia Keys, Corinne Bailey Rae, Ziggy Marley, Janelle Monae, and Yolanda Adams.

Additional performers will be announced soon. Concert proceeds benefit the We Are You Foundation, which assists children and families in need.

Sir Elton John's publicist says the legendary performer "will NOT be performing" for the inauguration of Donald Trump- despite claims made by Trump advisor Anthony Scarammucci on "BBC HARDTalk" this morning.

Scaramucci told HARDTalk that John's performance would show the president-elect's "commitment to gay rights" as the "first American president in U.S. history that enters the White House with a pro-gay rights stance."

John's publicist, Fran Curtis, said Scaramucci was "Incorrect" and unequivocally denied his claim that said that John would be "doing our concert on the mall for inauguration.

TMZ reports that police have arrested a doctor in connection with former 3 Doors Down member Matt Roberts' death. 

The medical examiner's reports showed that Roberts died from a prescription drug overdose in August and police say source of those drugs was Alabama-based physician Dr. Richard Snellgrove. Snellgrove was indicted for illegal drug distribution for reportedly prescribing five different controlled substances to different names, all intended for Roberts.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients were honored yesterday. Check it out below.

Recipients included Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross.

Birthdays today include: Miley Cyrus; Charlie Grover of Sponge; Ken Block of Sister Hazel; and Bruce Hornsby. #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for November 19, 2016

Hey kids! It's Saturday, and that means we're gearing up for another fun-filled night of Saturday Night Karaoke, live and loud at the Iron Horse Tavern in historic downtown Norcross tonight from 10pm-1am. Come see us and work up an appetite!

AP headline from a few weeks ago:

Police: RV containing pot-laced candy catches fire on bridge

Responders report having "the munchies" after battling blaze. (Okay, I might have added that last part)

Dap-Kings' singer Sharon Jones died yesterday in Cooperstown after a long battle with cancer. A representative for Jones says the singer  was surrounded by loved ones and members of her band.

Jones' battle with pancreatic cancer- diagnosed in 2013- was chronicled in "Miss Sharon Jones!", a documentary by Barbara Kopple that was released earlier this year and Jones told the AP between tour stop in July that "You got to be brave. I want to use the time that I have. I don't want to spend it all laid up, wishing I had done that gig."

Jones was born in Augusta, Georgia and grew up in Brooklyn after her mother moved the family there when Jones was a child. Jones was 60.

The Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn Heights was defaced yesterday (Nov. 18)

I'm not entirely convinced that this was done by actual Trump supporters. I mean douchebags are douchebags. But the fact that the presumed president-elect is so adamantly supported by organizations like the Klan and American Nazi Party because of statements he made during this year's campaign means that we're probably going to see a lot more of this kind of thing. #ThatAintCool

Despite earlier reports, Vince Neil now says that his invitation to perform at a post-inaugural party wasn't happening.
"I was asked to do the inauguration two months ago no matter who won," Nile told he told TMZ. "As far as I knew, we were playing. It turns out when the Republicans won, we were uninvited. I didn’t know about the Democratic part of asking us to play. I assumed ... it didn’t matter who won, it would still be a party. I guess there is more politics in bands playing than I thought there was. I just found out about this today when all this stuff came out when I was playing. I asked my guys, and they said once Trump won, it was all politics. I don’t know who’s playing Trump’s party, but God bless them."

Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas says his battle with testicular cancer inspired his new song "The Fight."
The rapper says he checked into an emergency room in 2014 after having pain throughout his body after a show and found out that he had stage 2 testicular cancer that was treated with surgery and chemotherapy. He was declared in remission last year.
He says all proceeds from the single will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

Birthdays today include: Tamika Scott of Xscape; Tony Rich; Justin Chancellor of Tool; Travis McNabb of Better Than Ezra; Matt Sorum of Guns N' Roses; Fred Lipsius of Blood, Sweat & Tears; and Pete Moore of The Miracles. #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for November 18, 2016

Happy Friday, homies!

George Strait will be back in Sin City next year for a month's worth of weekend shows. The 2 Nights of Number 1's will run in April, July, September, and December at the T-Mobile 

Arena.

The 2017 shows are the follow ups to this year's sold out sets that conclude next month. Tickets go on sale December 2.

Tear the roof off the sucker! George Clinton announced yesterday that he'd be hitting the road with Parliament Funkadelic for the Mardi Gras Madness next year.

The shows kick off February 16 in Pittsburgh and include a Fat Tuesday stop at the BB King Blues Club, and a March 2 stop here in Atlanta.

President Barack Obama will be honoring Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross with the nation's highest civilian honor- the Presidential Medal of Freedom- next Tuesday.

Other honorees include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Vin Scully, Bill and Melinda Gates, physicist Richard Garwin, architect Frank Gehry, designer Maya Lin, Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels, attorney Newt Minow, computer scientist Margaret H. Hamilton, Ellen DeGeneres, Robert De Niro, Cicely Tyson, Tom Hanks, Robert Redford, and Miami Dade College president Eduardo Padrón.

Native American advocate Elouise Cobell and Rear Admiral Grace Hopper will recieve posthumous honors.

NME headline: Watch Justin Bieber cry while performing ‘Purpose’ at gig in Germany

Watching Justin Bieber would certainly make me want to cry.

Birthdays today include: Fabolous; Duncan Sheik; Kirk Hammett of Metallica; Kim Wilde; Michael Ramos of The BoDeans; John Parr; Charles Williams of KC & The Sunshine Band; John McFee of the Doobie Brothers; Graham Parker; Rudy Sarzo of Whitesnake; ad Herman Rarebell of The Scorpions. #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for November 17, 2016

Hey there, boys and girls. Hope you're doing well this week. If not- look at the bright side, tomorrow's Friday!

If you live in our area, you've doubtless heard about the fucking dipshit who tried to drive a tractor trailer across Holcomb Bridge Road in downtown Norcross earlier this week.

Seriously, though?

There are freaking signs everywhere saying NO TRUCKS. The driver should spend some time in lockup- just to inconvenience them as much as they inconvenienced the whole damned city.

Country singer Holly Dunn, who had a string of hits back in the late 80s and early 90s, died at home in Albuquerque on Monday after a short battle with cancer.

Dunn was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and three time Grammy winner. She was also the Academy of Country Music's Best New Female Vocalist in 1986, the Country Music Association’s Horizons Award winner in 1987, and BMI’s Songwriter of the Year in 1989.

She later moved into radio, working in Detroit at WWWW-FM before retiring completely from the music business in 2003 to concentrate on her art career- serving as PR coordinator for the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, co-owner of Pena-Dunn Gallery, and owner of the Art Song Gallery in Salado, Texas.

She was 59.

A letter from John Lennon to Paul and Linda McCartney from 1971 is up for auction at RR Auctions in Amherst, New Hampshire. Open bidding on the acrimonious missive closes tonight, and is expected to exceed $20,000. 

The letter, written in response to one from the late Linda chastising Lennon for not formally announcing that he was leaving the Beatles. 

The full text:

"Dear Linda and Paul-

I was reading your letter and wondering what middle aged cranky Beatle fan wrote it. I resisted looking at the last page to find out—I kept thinking who is it—Queenie? Stuart's mother?—Clive Epstein's wife?—Alan Williams?—What the hell—it's Linda!

You really think the press are beneath me/you? Do you think that? Who do you think we/you are? The ‘self-indulgent doesn't realize who he is hurting’ bit—I hope you realize what shit you and the rest of my 'kind and unselfish' friends laid on Yoko and me, since we've been together. It might have sometimes been a bit more subtle or should I say ‘middle class’—but not often. We both ‘rose above it’ quite a few times—& forgave you two—so it's the least you can do for us—you noble people.—Linda—if you don't care what I say—shut up!—let Paul write—or whatever.

When asked about what I thought originally concerning MBE, etc.—I told them as best as I can remember—and I do remember squirming a little—don't you, Paul?—or do you—as I suspect—still believe it all? I'll forgive Paul for encouraging the Beatles—if he forgives me for the same—for being—‘honest with me and caring too much’! Fucking hell, Linda, you're not writing for Beatle book!!!

I'm not ashamed of the Beatles—(I did start it all)—but of some of the shit we took to make them so big—I thought we all felt that way in varying degrees—obviously not.

Do you really think most of today's art came about because of the Beatles?—I don't believe you're that insane—Paul—do you believe that? When you stop believing it you might wake up! Didn't we always say we were part of the movement—not all of it?—Of course, we changed the world—but try and follow it through—GET OFF YOUR GOLD DISC AND FLY!

Don't give me that Aunty Gin shit about ‘in five years I'll look back as a different person’—don't you see that's what's happening NOW!—If I only knew THEN what I know NOW—you seemed to have missed that point….

Excuse me if I use ‘Beatle Space’ to talk about whatever I want—obviously if they keep asking Beatle questions—I'll answer them—and get as much John and Yoko Space as I can—they ask me about Paul and I answer—I know some of it gets personal—but whether you believe it or not I try and answer straight—and the bits they use are obviously the juicy bits—I don't resent your husband—I'm sorry for him. I know the Beatles are ‘quite nice people’—I'm one of them—they're also just as big bastards as anyone else—so get off your high horse!—by the way—we've had more intelligent interest in our new activities in one year than we had throughout the Beatle era.

That does not mean he thought Paul was #1.

Finally, about not telling anyone that I left the Beatles—PAUL and Klein both spent the day persuading me it was better not to say anything—asking me not to say anything because it would 'hurt the Beatles'—and ‘let's just let it petre out’—remember? So get that into your petty little perversion of a mind, Mrs. McCartney—the cunts asked me to keep quiet about it. Of course, the money angle is important—to all of us—especially after all the petty shit that came from your insane family/in laws—and GOD HELP YOU OUT, PAUL—see you in two years—I reckon you'll be out then—inspite of it all, love to you both, from us two.

P.S. about addressing your letter just to me—STILL….!!!"

The letter is "pre-certified" as real. I'm not sure if that means it's real or not. Paul isn't talking.

Bob Dylan won't be picking up his Nobel Prize in person, according to the Swedish Academy. 

A press release from the group says Dylan wrote a personal letter to the organization saying "he wishes he could receive the prize personally, but other commitments make it unfortunately impossible."

The press release added the Academy looked "forward to Bob Dylan’s Nobel Lecture, which he must give – it is the only requirement – within six months counting from December 10, 2016."

"That laureates decide not to come is unusual, to be sure, but not exceptional. In the recent past, several laureates have, for various reasons, been unable to come to Stockholm to receive the prize, among them Doris Lessing, Harold Pinter, and Elfriede Jelinek. The prize still belongs to them, just as it belongs to Bob Dylan."

Prince's NPG Records has filed a lawsuit in federal court, accusing the Tidal music service of streaming the artist's music without permission after his death.

The suit claims that Prince gave permission to stream songs from only one of his albums, but says that other songs, including "Purple Rain," ''Little Red Corvette" and "1999," began streaming about six weeks after his death. 

The suit seeks a halt to the streaming and monetary damages. A spokesman for Tidal declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Look, I'm not happy Leonard Cohen died or anything- but I can't be the only person that thinks "Hallelujah" is terrible, can I?

Maybe it's just the versions of it that I've heard. I mean, the lyrics aren't bad.

Birthdays today include: Hanson's Isaac Hanson; Ben Wilson of Blues Traveler; Ronny DeVoe of New Edition and Bell Biv Devoe; Harry Rushakoff of Concrete Blonde; Jim Babjak of The Smithereens; Martin Barre of Jethro Tull; and Gordon Lightfoot. #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for November 14, 2016

Hi kids. Hope you've a smashing time since we last chatted.

A group of Freehold, NJ American Legion motorcyclists out for a ride after a Veterans Day event Friday had an interesting diversion when they stopped to help a stranded biker.

Dan Barkalow, one of the bikers, told reporters, "bikers gotta stick together. I stopped to see if he needed help, and it was Bruce." Bruce Springsteen, that is.

Barkalow said he and hisfellow Legion members tried to help get Springsteen's bike going but failed, so they gave the Boss a ride to a local bar instead.

"We sat there and shot the breeze for a half hour, 45 minutes till his ride showed up. (Springsteen is a nice) guy, real down to earth. Just talked about motorcycles and his old Freehold days."

"It was nice to help out," said Ryan Bailey, who Springsteen road with. "One Freehold person helping out another."

Samsung has announced an $8 billion, all-cash deal to purchase Harman, maker of top shelf speakers and audio products under the JBL, Infinity, AKG Acoustics, and Harman/Kardon product lines, among others.

Announced this morning, the deal gives Samsung a an larger market in the growing automotive electronics market and controlling interest in a company that reported sales of $7 billion during the 12 months ended September 30.

Having used a number of Harmon products, I can concur that they are pretty bad ass. JBLs are the standard in most broadcast environments and put out an awesome sound.

Of course, I can't afford them- so that's not what we use at karaoke.

Friends and former bandmates of David Bowie will gather on what would've been the singer's 70th birthday to celebrate the singer's life and music. The January 8 event at the Brixton Academy will feature more than 30 musicians from throughout Bowie's career and be hosted by Gary Oldman. NME reports that the show will be the first in a series of shows around the world "in cities that have a strong connection with David Bowie and his work."

Tickets for the Brixton Show go on sale Wednesday at 9am. 

Songwriter Leon Russell passed away Sunday morning at home in Nashville, according to a statement released by his wife, Jan Bridges.

"We thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this very, very difficult time," Bridges said. "My husband passed in his sleep in our Nashville home. He was recovering from heart surgery in July and looked forward to getting back on the road in January. We appreciate everyone’s love and support."

In addition to his songwriting, Russell was also a session musician on recordings from Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, the Rolling Stones and more. He was 74.

Bon Jovi’s latest album, This House Is Not for Sale, debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 album charts- the band's sixth number one album and thirteenth in the top 10. 

For the week ending November 10, the disc sold 129,000 units. 

Pink surprised fans around the world Saturday morning, posting on Twitter and Instagram that she and her husband, Carey Hart, are expecting their second child.  

Appearing on Good Morning America back in may, Pink said "I love being a mama. I made a choice a long time ago that I was going to have a successful family and that is my absolute number one goal in life."

Birthdays today include: Adina Howard; Travis Barker  of Blink-182; Brian Yale of Matchbox 20; Joseph Simmons (Run) of Run-D.M.C.; Alec John Such of Bon Jovi; Frankie Banali of Quiet Riot; Steven Bishop; and James Young of STYX. #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for November 8, 2016

May it fly high tomorrow, too.

Police were forced to evacuate a Boston area mall after more than 1,000 people became unruly during an event featuring rapper Desiigner and Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown.

The two were doing a meet and greet at the Champs Sports in the CambridgeSide Galleria mall yesterday when fights broke out. 

Police say pepper spray was used to help control the crowd. There's no word on whether any arrests were made.

Garth Brooks will join The Voice next month as "key adviser". (By the way, I have zero fucking clue- or interest in- what that means, I'm just reporting it.)

Before that, though, Brooks will appear on the Audience Network Thursday in his "Garth Brooks/Yankee Stadium" special and has a new album, Gunslinger, due out later this month. 

Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg are ready to hit the airwaves in VH1's "Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party."

The show will feature celebrity guests every week visiting Snoop and Stewart as they prepare dishes.

"He really approached every single day with 'What am I gonna learn how to make today?' and 'What am I gonna show Martha what I can do?' He proved himself to be very adept in the kitchen, by the way," Stewart.

"I learned the preparation from Martha, and that’s key. A lot of time you can go into a meal and not prepare it the right way and it comes out wrong. I feel like preparation takes the meal to a whole 'nother level," Snoop said.

Birthdays today include: Diana King; Leif Garrett; Rickie Lee Jones; Bonnie Raitt; and Roy Wood of ELO. #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for November 5, 2016

Hey, ho kids. Good Saturday morning.

Don't forget to join us in about fifteen hours for another kickass edition of Saturday Night Karaoke, live and loud at the Iron Horse Tavern in historic downtown Norcross. We'll be rocking the house from 10pm-1am.

Mr. Robot star Rami Malek will take be taking the lead for the long awaited Queen biopic being directed by Bryan Singer.

Singer made the announcement on Instagram that the Emmy-winning Malek will play Freddie Mercury in the picture, which still has no release date.

I'm not personally familiar with Malek, but at least my immediate reaction isn't "that's one movie I'll never fucking watch", which was my first thought after hearing that Sacha Baron Cohen was previously set to play Mercury. Because, sadly, I am familiar with Cohen through his "Ali G" show, which I made the mistake of watching once on HBO a long time ago- and he's fucking terrible. In fact, terrible doesn't adequately convey how bad he is.

How about abhorrent, appalling, atrocious, awful, disastrous, dreadful, frightful, ghastly. hideous, horrendous, horrid, unfortunate, unpleasant, loathsome, obnoxious, odious, petrifying, repulsive, revolting, unnerving, vile, and- finally- unwelcome? (I love the thesaurus). 

Former Black Crowes keyboardist Eddie Harsch died yesterday. 

Harsch joined the band in 1991 and played on their biggest selling album- the Southern Harmony and Musical Companion- and was with the band until shortly before their break up in 2002. 

Former Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson, who also worked with Harsch in Magpie Salute, wrote on that band's Facebook page that "It is with the saddest of hearts that we bid farewell to our dear friend Eddie Harsch. Eddie was a brilliant musician, with a beautiful heart. We should remember Eddie for his music, his great sense of humor, and his positive outlook on life. We ask that everyone please respect the privacy of Eddie's family at this time. Let's honor him by celebrating his musical contributions to the world, and by sending positive thoughts and prayers to him and his family. Our hearts will forever remain with our musical brother."

No cause of death was given. Harsch was 59.

Much like Keith Richards, Tom Petty has looked the same since his debut.

Foo Fighters, Stevie Nicks, Norah Jones, and Don Henley are among the performers who will honor Tom Petty at the MusiCares Person of the Year award on February 10.

The Recording Academy announced yesterday that George Strait, Lucinda Williams, and Randy Newman will also be among those paying tribute at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Previously announced performers include Jackson Browne, Kings of Leon, the Bangles, Gary Clark Jr., Jeff Lynne, Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen, Regina Spektor, and Elle King. More performers are expected to be announced as the event gets closer.

Petty and the Heartbreakers will close the show. 

Michael Buble has called off his current tour and all of his other commitments after his three-year-old son, Noah, was diagnosed with cancer.

In a Facebook post yesterday on his official page, Buble said that he and wife Luisana Lopilato were "devastated about the recent cancer diagnosis of our oldest son Noah who is currently undergoing treatment in the US. We have always been very vocal about the importance of family and the love we have for our children. Luisana and I have put our careers on hold in order to devote all our time and attention to helping Noah get well." 

"At this difficult time, we ask only for your prayers and respect for our privacy. We have a long journey in front of us and hope that with the support of family, friends and fans around the world, we will win this battle, God willing."

Sting will reopen the Bataclan next Saturday night- one day prior to the anniversary of last year's terrorist attacks in Paris.

The Grammy winner's show will feature songs from his new 57th & 9th album, and benefit the charities Life for Paris and 13 Novembre Fraternite Verite, which support the victims of the attacks, their family members, caregivers and loved ones.

In a statement on his website, Sting said that "(in) re-opening the Bataclan, we have two important tasks to reconcile. First, to remember and honor those who lost their lives in the attack a year ago, and second to celebrate the life and the music that this historic theatre represents. In doing so we hope to respect the memory as well as the life affirming spirit of those who fell. We shall not forget them."

Tickets for the show will go on sale Tuesday on the venue’s website.

BBC TWO will celebrate what would be David Bowie's 70th birthday in January with the new movie "David Bowie: The Last Five Years."

The project- a follow up to the network's 2013 special, "David Bowie: Five Years"- will feature unseen archive footage and early audio interviews, as well as the original vocalsfor Lazarus, Bowie's last release before his death.

Director Francis Whately said he'd "always hoped that (he) would make another film about Bowie as we were only able to scratch the surface in the first film, but I just didn’t expect it to be this soon. However, looking at Bowie’s extraordinary creativity during the last five years of his life has allowed me to re-examine his life’s work and move beyond the simplistic view that his career was simply predicated on change - Bowie the chameleon… ‘ch ch ch changes’ etc. Instead, I would like to show how the changes were often superficial, but the core themes in his work were entirely consistent – Alienation, Mortality and Fame."

The BBC also announced that BBC Four would be showing "Bowie at the BBC", a compilation of rarely seen archive footage that explores his career as captured by BBC journalists from his first appearance in 1964 to through his death in last year, while BBC Radio 2 would air "Life On Mars", a documentary presented by Martin Kemp that examines the "legacy of the song which is widely regarded as Bowie’s masterpiece, featuring unreleased music archive."

Birthdays today include: the Jonas Brothers' Kevin; Ryan Adams; Jon Greenwood of Radiohead; David Bryson of Counting Crows; Bryan Adams; Mike Score of A Flock Of Seagulls; Don McDougall of Guess Who; Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits; and Art Garfunkel. #MusicalBirthdays

Hey kids- we're on the verge.

That's right, it's always the weekend- and that means another fun-filled edition of Saturday Night Karaoke, live and loud at the Iron Horse Tavern in historic downtown Norcross.

I'll be the first to admit that I don't watch (pretty much any) awards shows- but why the blazing bag of fucks was Beyonce a featured performer a the Country Music Awards last night? 

Speaking of that- just how many awards shows do we need? Today's Billboard headlines page includes blurbs about not just the CMAs, but the American Music Awards, the Epiphone Revolver Music Awards, the InStyle Awards, and the Soul Train Awards. 

Off the top of my head, there's also the Grammys, the BET Awards, the MTV Awards, the World Music Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, the Independent Music Awards, the Blues Music Awards, and the iHeartMusic Awards.

Seriously- are you fucking kidding me? This is like the whole "everyone gets a trophy" bullshit.

Short post today. I'm tired.

Birthdays include: Adam Ant and Lulu. #MusicalBirthdays.

See you soon.

#WhatsHappening for November 1, 2016

Hey, ho, kids. Hope your week is going swimmingly!

Once again, I'd like to thank everyone who came out for the fun of our Seventh Annual Costumes & Karaoke Party at the Iron Horse Tavern last weekend. Go ahead and start planning for next year- and don't forget, there's plenty of karaoke fun between now and then, including this Saturday night!

Bob Dylan finally broke his silence on his Nobel prize win, saying the honor had left him "speechless."

Dylan told Swedish Academy secretary Sara Danius, "of course" he accepted, and added "(the) news... left me speechless. I appreciate the honor so much."

There was still no word on whether Dylan would appear in Stockholm to pick up his prize, though he told Britain's Daily Telegraph that he would "absolutely" be present "(if) it's at all possible." He added Dylan that the award was "amazing, incredible", and "hard to believe."

Today is the grand opening day for the Peter Tosh Museum in Kingston, Jamaica after a "soft" opening October 19th- the late reggae legend's birthday.

The museum is reportedly "stuffed" with exhibitions, photos and artifacts from the revolutionary musician's life. 

A founding member of The Wailers (alongside Bunny Wailer and Bob Marley), Tosh was the first artist signed to Rolling Stones Records after being unanimously chosen by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ron Wood. 

"About 15 years ago, Marlene Brown asked me to preserve some of Peter's belongings," Pulse Investments (one of the museum's partners) chairman Kingsley Cooper told Billboard, "some items had been stolen and there was danger of more disappearing, so the museum idea came from that... but it couldn't have happened without the Peter Tosh Estate.

Tosh's youngest child, Niambe McIntosh, says the museum will "will be working with the Jamaican government and marketing through various travel and music channels to make the museum part of the country's tourism destinations. We also want to create partnerships with schools so children can learn that Peter Tosh was a powerful advocate for disadvantaged people everywhere."

Tosh's son Andrew said his "father's name resonates with different people all over the world, lawyers, doctors, Rastas, so whatever the estate does has to reflect his vision, and we have barely scratched the surface for the potential of his brand."

(How do you think he'd reacted to being called a "brand"? I'm guessing not all that well.)

Anybody besides me spend a lot of this past weekend watching horror movies?

Can't get enough of the 80s? You'll be happy to hear the iHeart80s Party will be retuning next year with a January 28 show at the SAP Center in San Antonio. 

This year's gig, hosted by original MTV VJ Martha Quinn, will feature New Kids on the Block, UB40, Rick Astley, Men at Work's Colin Hay, Starship, Eddie Money, and Night Ranger.

iHeartMedia president John Sykes said "the music of the 80’s defined a generation in America three decades ago- and it's still driving pop culture today Last year’s iHeart80s Party sold out in minutes, showing the enduring popularity of 80s artists and their music."

Tickets for the show go on sale Friday and iHeartRadio will be giving away tickets to the show beginning December 26.

The Mouse House is reportedly developing a live-action version of their classic "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves", according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Though there's no release date set, songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul have signed on to write new music for the film, and screenwriter Erin Cressida Wilson is set to deliver the script.

Disney also has live action versions of Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, The Lion King, and Aladdin lined up. 

Birthdays today include: Willie D of Geto Boys; Rick Allen of Def Leppard; Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers; Lyle Lovett; Ronald Bell of Kool & The Gang; and producer David Foster. #MusicalBirthdays