#WhatsHappening for July 30, 2017

Good Sunday morning, kids. Hope your weekend has been a-okay so far. If you missed karaoke last night, you missed a fine time. 

The Tommorowland show in Barcelona was evacuated yesterday when a fire broke out on the EDM show's stage.

Show organizers said none of the 22,000 in attendance were injured, and posted on their Facebook page that the fire was caused by "a technical malfunction. Thanks to the professional intervention of the authorities all 22.000 visitors were evacuated safely and without reports of injuries. Authorities will follow up and continue the investigation with the local Spanish organizer of UNITE."

Y Not Festival attendees are calling for refunds after Friday's performances by The Vaccines and Clean Bandit were cancelled due to torrential rainfall Friday.

Festival organizers said on Twitter that "adverse weather conditions The Vaccines were unable to perform. The safety of our guests, performers and crew is the primary concern and we regret the disappointment caused to the many individuals who were looking forward to the performance".

In the meantime, festival goers were not happy- claiming the festival was having safety concerns before the weather took a turn- citing safety concerns and theft.

Simpsons co-creators Al Jean and David Silverman hinted to Entertainment Weekly that another movie featuring the family might be in the works.

Silverman said "I’d love for there to be another one. We’re still a ways away from it. We talk about this and that. We’re thinking it over, but nothing’s happening just yet… It’s still daunting because it really knocked the stuffing out of us to do the movie and the show at the same time."

Jean did reveal that the episode where the family was by Kang and Kodus was originally a potential movie plot that was abandoned during season 24's development.

In other news Simpsons-peripheral news, Netflix has announced that Matt Groening would be creating a new animated series for the service, set to debut next year. 

Disenchantment is scheduled for an initial run of 10 episodes with Abbi Jacobson, Nat Faxon, and Eric Andre providing vocal talents.

Birthdays today include: Brad Hargraves of Third Eye Blind (45); Sean Moore of Manic Street Preachers (49); Kate Bush (58); Hugh Nicholson of Marmalade (68); Andy Scott of Sweet (68); Jeffrey Hammond of Jethro Tull (71); David Sanborn (72); Paul Anka (76); and Buddy Guy (81). #MusicalBirthdays 

#WhatsHappening for July 29, 2017

Awwwwwww, yeah. the weekend!

I say that even though I went to bed last night around 9:30 and read for about three hours, woke up about 4 this morning and was awake for about an hour, then dozed off until about 7:30. Let's hear it for middle age, am I right?

Don't sweat it, though, I'll be wide awake for another kick-ass edition of Saturday Night Karaoke- live, loud, and in your face tonight at the Iron Horse Tavern in Historic Downtown Norcross from 10pm-1am. Don't miss the fun!

This is probably the funniest goddamned thing I'll see this week, month, or year: Paris Hilton on Her Music Career: 'I'm More Talent Than Name'

Is it just me, or does Cara Delevingne look perpetually pissed off? 

Anyway, she has a new single out- I Feel Everything- from her movie Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (which I can't decide if it looks The Fifth Element fun, or just stupid).

You know, if you care.

The Killers announced yesterday that they'd be heading out on a North American tour, beginning next January, in support of their Wonderful Wonderful album that's due out in September.

The tour kicks off January 5 in Toronto and runs through February. They'll be stopping in Duluth at the Infinite Energy Center on January 21.

Page Six reports that John Mellencamp and Meg Ryan are back together just a few months after Mellencamp told Howard Stern that Ryan "hates me to death."

Ryan and Mellencamp dated for three years before splitting up in 2014. Mellencamp then dated Christie Brinkley until last summer. 

Look, nothing against Meg Ryan, but...

Birthdays today include: Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men (44); Chris Gorman of Belly (50); Martina McBride (52); John Sykes of Whitesnake (58); Patty Scialfa of the E Street Band (64); Geddy Lee of Rush (64); Simon Kirke of Bad Company (68); and Neal Doughty of REO Speedwagon (70). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for July 27, 2017

Hey kids- what's happening? Hope your Thursday has gone swimmingly. I used to swim. Not anymore, though- especially not at the beach. People always try to roll me back in the water.

A Los Angeles jury has awarded Quincy Jones a $9.4 million settlement in his suit against Michael Jackson's estate for royalties and production fees.

The suit, filed in 2013, sought $30 million- while the estate had countered that Jones was owed just shy of $400,000.

Jones testified last week that he had been "cheated out of a lot of money," claiming the Jackson estate remixed songs so they could avoid paying royalties.

"One example is This Is It. My name is nowhere near that." Jones said he was paid less than $500,000 in royalties for the film, while the estate made $90 million.

Jackson estate attorneys say Jones has been paid $18 million since Jackson died- and any licensing revenue paid previously was a "gift." Jones’ lawyers claimed that interpretation was flawed, saying the "contracts expressly provide for licensing revenue. The parties, for 35 years, have interpreted the contracts that way and paid on that basis. To say it was a 'gift,' that’s just absurd."

The two surviving Beatles were in the studio together to record a new track for Ringo Starr's upcoming album.

Give Me Love goes on sale September 15 and Starr enlisted his former bandmate Paul McCartney- along with Edgar Winter, Steve Lukather, Joe Walsh for the track We're on the Road Again- which he debuted today. Follow the link to give it a listen.

Katy Perry announced on Twitter today that she'd be hosting MTV's Video Music Awards this year.

Perry has been nominated for five awards, including best pop video. Of course, MTV doesn't show videos anymore, so...

Still, it's a reason to post this GIF again, so- there's that.

Birthdays today include: Pete Yorn (43); Juliana Hatfield (50); Karl Mueller of Soul Asylum (55); Bobby Rondinelli (61); Maureen McGovern (68); and Bobbie Gentry (73). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for July 26, 2017

What's shaking, children? Hope you're all having a great week so far. And we're halfway to another edition of face melting fun at Saturday Night Karaoke- live at the Iron Horse Tavern. Don't miss it!

Rolling Stone is reporting that Dio is going on tour- despite the fact that lead singer Ronnie James Dio has been dead since 2010.

The tour, which begins in Helsinki on November 30, has been christened the Dio Returns tour, and will feature a hologram of their eponymous leader performing with the Dio tribute band Dio Disciples.

"Ronnie was always wanting to experiment with new stage ideas and was a big Disney fan," said his widow, Wendy. "With this said, I am sure he is giving us his blessing with this hologram project. It gives the fans that saw Ronnie perform an opportunity to see him again and new fans that never got to see him a chance to see him for the first time. We hope everyone will enjoy the show that we have all worked so hard to put together."

Seeing as they can't even get the actual band to play, seems to my like this is nothing but a big "fuck you" to fans.

Tears for Fears announced today that they would be postponing the final four dates of their U.S. tour. Three of those concerts shows were with Hall & Oates, who the band had been co-headlining with since May.

"All dates will be rescheduled with details to follow shortly," said a post on the band's social media accounts. The cause of the cancellations was termed a "family emergency" but no further details were given.

With Glastonbury taking its traditional year off next year to allow the farm where it's held to recover, the BBC has announced a substitute- The Biggest Weekend.

BBC Music says the festival will have "coverage similar to that around Glastonbury."

The Biggest Weekend will be held over four days in late May 2018 at four sites in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Director of BBC Radio and Music Bob Shennan said "BBC Music has a strong history of bringing the nation together for some special moments, and this is the biggest single music event ever attempted by the BBC. We will be celebrating the diversity of music from four different corners of the country, bringing the best UK music to the world and the best global music to the UK."

So far, there are no plans for The Biggest Weekend to become an annual event.

Birthdays today include: Dave Baksh of Sum 41 (37); Headliner of Arrested Development (50); Andy Connell of Swing Out Sister (56); Gary Cherone of Extreme- and Van Halen for, what... two days? (57); Roger Taylor of Queen (68); Mick Jagger of Rolling Stones (74); and Darlene Love (76). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for July 24, 2017

Hey kids. Welcome to another work week.

Yep, I'm stoked, too.

A statement on Justin Bieber's website today says he's cancelling the remainder of his Purpose tour. 

"Due to unforeseen circumstances," the post said, " Justin Bieber will cancel the remainder of the Purpose world tour concerts.

Justin loves his fans and hates to disappoint them. He thanks his fans for the incredible experience of the Purpose world tour over last 18 months. He is grateful and honored to have shared that experience with his cast and crew for over 150 successful shows across six continents during this run. However, after careful consideration he has decided he will not be performing any further dates. Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase."

The announcement comes on the heels of last week's decree by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture that the he not be allowed to be performed in China.

I'm freaking dying here... Billboard headline: 'Inside Pussy Riot' Immersive Political Theater Experience In Works: Exclusive Interview

In 2013, Arcade Fire asked fans to follow a dress code for attending their shows- then backtracked after facing intense criticism. Doesn't seem like anyone learned anything from that experience after it was reported that, for their Thursday night show in Brooklyn, attendees (who had to apply for tickets and answer the question 'What do you like about the first single from the new album?') were sent a notice about how they had to dress.

Win Butler said on his Twitter feed that Apple, which will be live-streaming the show, is responsible for the dress code. 

The notice also said that all cell phones, smart watches. cameras, and recording devices would be gathered and held in secure pouches that can only be opened in designated areas or after the show is over.

Yep.

As for the dress code, the notice calls it "HIP & TRENDY as if you are going to a concert or night out with friends! The event is standing-room-only so please plan accordingly.

PLEASE DO NOT WEAR shorts, large logos, flip flops, tank tops, crop tops, baseball hats, solid white or red clothing. We reserve the right to deny entry to anyone dressed inappropriately."

Now, I'm not a fan of flip flops or tank tops- but just go eat a bag of dicks. This reeks of the pretentious douchery of Apple, for sure. I'm guessing that's so they can control what's advertised.

Birthdays today include:  Jay McGuiness of The Wanted (27); Mecca of Digable Planets (44); Jennifer Lopez (47);  Paul Geary of Extreme (56); Pam Tillis (60); Alan Whitehead of Marmalade (70); Barbara Love of The Friends Of Distinction (76). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for July 22, 2017

Hey, ho kiddios. Welcome to another glorious weekend (hey, that's what I'm shooting for).

Don't forget to join me tonight for the fun at Saturday Night Karaoke at the Iron Horse Tavern. We'll be rocking the house from 10-1.

Justin Bieber's Asian tour won't be including a stop in China after that nation's government instituted their own travel ban- preventing Canada's most embarrassing export (yes, even worse than Celine Dion) from performing their.

Beijing's Culture Bureau said in a statement that it was not appropriate to allow in entertainers who have engaged in "bad behaviour." They added that "Bieber is a gifted singer, but he is also a controversial young foreign singer."

I'm guessing there aren't a lot of good singers there- that's the only explanation for calling him "gifted."

"We hope that as Justin Bieber matures, he can continue to improve his own words and actions, and truly become a singer beloved by the public," the statement said.

The statement didn't elaborate on just which of Bieber's actions the government found unwelcome.

Since Chester Bennington's presumed suicide Thursday, sales of Linkin Park music has risen 5332%. 

The LA County coroner confirmed yesterday that Bennington's death was due to asphyxiation from hanging, but investigators say that no suicide note has been found.

The rest of the band has, understandably, canceled their upcoming One More Light tour- which was scheduled to kick off this coming Thursday in Massachusetts.

Live Nation, the tour's promoter, said they were "incredibly saddened to hear about the passing of Chester Bennington," and said that "refunds are available at point of purchase. Our thoughts go out to all those affected."

Billboard headline: Coming Around Again Podcast: Why Does 'Appetite for Destruction' Tower Over the Rest of Guns N' Roses' Catalog?

I don't really think you need a whole podcast to figure it out. Appetite for Destruction was successful because it was groundbreaking. It was powerful. It was well done. It towers over the rest of their catalog because they've spent the 30 years since its release trying to duplicate it.

Mijac Music, the late Michael Jackson's publishing company, has extended its administration agreement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing. The catalog also includes songs written by Sly Stone, Kenneth Gamble, and Leon Huff.

"(The) Mijac catalog is one of the most significant and valuable in music," said Sony/ATV CEO Martin Bandier. "Michael's songwriting talents are respected and admired by everyone, but I also want to acknowledge his gifts as a smart businessman who put together an incredible catalog of classic songs."

Terms of the deal extension were not disclosed.

The announcement comes in the midst of the lawsuit filed by Quincy Jones against the Jackson estate over unpaid royalties. Closing arguments are expected to begin Monday.

Birthdays today include: Selena Gomez (25); Daniel Jones of Savage Garden (44); Rufus Wainwright (44); Pat Badger of Extreme (50); Emily Sailers of Indigo Girls (54); Keith Sweat (56); Don Henley (70); Richard Davies of Supertramp (73); and George Clinton (76). #MusicalBirthdays 

#WhatsHappening for July 20, 2017

Top news today.

TMZ reports that Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington was in a residence in Palos Verdes Estates, this morning.

An LA County Coroner confirmed the report and said the department was currently investigating the cause as an apparent suicide. No further details were available. 

Bennington was 41.

In other headlines, a Nevada parole board has voted to release OJ Simpson from prison after he served nine years of his nine to 33 year sentence on his armed robbery conviction.

The Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners cited Simpson's age and the fact that he has been a model prisoner as reasons for granting his release the first time he was eligible. He is set to be released in October.

Paul McCartney, via Twitter, had this to say: "Thanks Westboro Baptist Church for the warm welcome! #OneOnOne"

Go Macca!

Birthdays today include:  Elliott Yamin (39); rapper Vitamin C (45); Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam (51); Mick McNeil of Simple Minds (59); Paul Cook of Sex Pistols (61); Carlos Santana (70); Kim Carnes (72); T.G. Sheppard (73); and John Lodge of Moody Blues (74). #MusicalBirthdays 

#WhatsHappening for July 19, 2017

Hump day (and a day off for me to visit the dentist- as Shelby said, I'm making up for not going for a while).

Don't forget to include us in your weekend plans as we rock the house at Saturday Night Karaoke at the Iron Horse Tavern. 

The woman who was the star of a book called Sex has filed suit to prevent Gotta Have It! Collectibles from auctioning off items that once belonged to her- including underwear that she wore.

Attorneys for Madonna sought an emergency injunction to prevent the planned auction that also included a hairbrush that included her hair and a letter from Tupac Shakur- who was her lover at the time the letter was written.

A Manhattan judge ordered the auction house to pull the 22 items yesterday. The auction was scheduled to start today.

Madonna said she was "shocked to learn" of the auction of the Tupac letter and didn't know she no longer had it. She claims a "former friend" is behind the sale and called it "outrageous and grossly offensive" that her DNA could be auctioned.

A jury in Savannah has awarded the family of Sarah Jones $3.9 million after finding CSX shared the blame for her death during filming of the Gregg Allman biopic, Midnight Rider, despite the fact that that the film crew was trespassing.

A spokesperson for CSX said the company was "deeply sympathetic to the terrible loss suffered by the family of Ms. Sarah Jones, but respectfully disagrees with the conclusions reached by the jury today and will appeal."

Director Randall Miller served a year in jail after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespassing charges in the case, but Jones' parents claim CSX also failed to take precautions that could have averted the crash on a trestle spanning the Altamaha River near Jesup.

CSX attorneys blamed the crash entirely on the filmmakers- saying theyhad twice sent production managers emails denying permission to shoot on the bridge, and three of Jones' co-workers testified that production managers never told the rest of the crew members.

Birthdays today include: Kevin Haskins of Love & Rockets (57); Bernie Leadon, formerly of the Eagles (70); Brian May of Queen (70); Alan Gorrie of Average White Band (71); and George Frayne- best know as Commander Cody from Commander Cody And His Lost Planet Airmen (73). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for July 17, 2017

Here's to you, Monday.

Hey kids. Hope your Monday has been okey dokey fine. Personally, I've been having trouble staying awake today. And now, it's raining. That's not helping!

I was saddened to read yesterday of the deaths of two pretty big names from movie history: Martin Landau and George Romero.

While younger folks probably know Landau best from his Oscar-winning turn in Ed Wood, my favorite role of his was as Phillip Vandamm's (James Mason) henchman, Leonard, in Hitchcock's classic- North By Northwest.

Romero, of course, was the progenitor of the modern zombie genre- and author as some pretty cutting social commentary in his "Dead" movies, beginning with the classic Night of the Living Dead.

Simon Pegg, who co-wrote and starred in Edgar Wright's had this to say about Romero:

In the wake of losing someone you respect, it’s hard to pay tribute without making it about you. What they meant to you, how they changed you, what you owe them, how sad you are. The key subject in all those sentiments is never the lost, it is always the loser. So instead of any personal reminiscence or reaction to the death of George Romero, I offer my love and sympathy to George’s wife, Suzanne and his family.

To everyone else, a simple reminder. George A. Romero invented the modern zombie. Not the comedy variants that moan for, “Braaaains” or the squealing raptor like super zombies of later years, both of which are descendants of George’s original dead baby. George gave us patient zero. Before Night of the Living Dead (1968), zombies were specifically tied to Haitian voodoo mythology and generally used as metaphors for slavery and subjugation. It was George’s idea to combine elements of voodoo legend with a voguish fascination for cannibalism and the mythic communicability of lycanthropy and vampirism. It is from George’s epoch defining mash up, that everything else derives. Whether fast or slow, brain preferring of whole body inclined, ruining Shaun’s day or seven years of Rick Grimes’ life, everything that came after Night of the Living Dead owes a debt of gratitude to George. I don’t think it is said enough or acknowledged by those who have adopted his ideas. The remakes, the rip offs, the pastiches and the tributes all stand on the shoulders of this giant. Remember that, remember George A. Romero.

Birthdays today include: Luke Bryan (41); JC of PM Dawn (46); Regina Belle (54); Chet McCracken of the Doobie Brothers (65); Phoebe Snow (65); and Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath (1949). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for July 15, 2017

Good Saturday morning, kiddios. Hope you're well on your way to enjoying the hell out of your weekend. 

Me, I'm gonna sit right here on this couch doing a whole lot of nothing and turn over the controls for Saturday Night Karaoke to Mark. Well, I'll be sitting here after I put an air conditioner in the den. It gets warm in there and the central air can't quite keep up.

Rapper DMX (real name Earl Simmons) appeared in a New York City federal courtroom yesterday to plead not guilty to charges he's failed to pay nearly $2 million in back taxes. 

Prosecutors say Simmons stopped paying taxes in the early 2000s and began putting his paychecks in his managers' accounts and having them give him cash for his expenses when the IRS attempted to recover the taxes owed.

He was released on $500,000 bond.

Billboard headlines this morning: "5 Girl Groups From Around the World You Won't Believe Actually Exist"

Followed shortly by: Is 'Girl Group' A Sexist Term?

(What, should we call them Gyno Gaggles or something?)

You know what I don't get about Kid Rock? (I mean, besides how the shitty noise he makes is entertaining to people?)

How a guy who made his career ripping off the style of African American artists can be such a die hard politico of a party that hates African Americans. And anyone else who isn't white. Or rich. Or has a dick.

Maybe his campaign for a Michigan senate seat is a joke. Maybe it's not. But, if recent history has taught us anything, it's that equally stupid people will vote in large numbers for an equally stupid candidate with absolutely no qualifications.

I also continue to give less than a fuck about Beyonce's new spawn.

The members of Queen have confirmed some details about the long-delayed Freddie Mercury biopic, which is due out next year.

The movie will be called Bohemian Rhapsody, and will be directed by Bryan Singer, who the band says- in a statement on their website- will "faithfully recreate" Mercury and the band's "iconic moments."

The film's star was also confirmed. Rami Malek- most famous for his part in Mr Robot will play Mercury. 

May and Taylor call Malek a "great presence" and added "he’s utterly dedicated to the project. He’s completely living and breathing Freddie already, which is wonderful."

Shooting is scheduled to begin in London in September.

Birthdays today include: Ray Toro of My Chemical Romance (40); John Dolmayan of System of a Down (45); Jason Bonham (51); Joe Satriani (61); Marky Ramone of the Ramones (61); Alicia Bridges (64); Jeff Carlisli of 38 Special (65); Trevor Horn of the Art of Noise (68); Linda Ronstadt (69); former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Thomas Delmer "Artimus" Pyle (69); and Millie Jackson (72). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for July 12, 2017

Happy hump day, kiddios. Hope it's been smooth sailing so far.

Don't forget to join us for another super Saturday Night Karaoke at the Iron Horse this week. Magic Mark will man the controls for all the fun, from 10pm-1am. Don't miss it!

Loretta Lynn has canceled all of her 2017 tour dates and postponed the release of her upcoming album, Wouldn’t It Be Great?

Lynn, who suffered a stroke in May, issued this statement via her website: "Thank you so much for all of your prayers, love, and support. I’m happy to say that I'm at home with my family and getting better by the day! My main focus now is making a full recovery so that I can get back to putting all of me into what I love, sharing my music with all of you."

"My new album, Wouldn’t It Be Great, was originally scheduled to come in August this year. I now want to wait to release it next year because this record is so special for me. It deserves me at my best and I can’t wait to share it. I want to thank everyone for hanging in there with me. I am getting stronger every day and can’t wait to get back out there with all of you. I’m just letting everybody know that Willie ain’t dead yet and neither am I, and I can’t wait to see all of you on the road!"

The lawsuit filed by Quincy Jones against Michael Jackson's estate in 2013 has finally made it to trial.

The suit involves money Jones claims he was owed from a series of projects that were released after Jackon's death, including the 25th anniversary reissue of Bad, a Cirque du Soleil production, and the This Is It concert film and live album. Variety says Jackson was initially seeking $10 million but is now seeking $30 million or more.

Jones' lawyer says Jones did not receive an adequate share of licensing fees from the posthumous releases, not the appropriate royalties from the renewed interest in Jackson's catalog following his death.

The Jackson estate says that Jones has been properly paid for his contributions- despite offering Jones between $2 million and $3 million to settle the case.

Speaking of MJ, an album of nine unreleased songs by the late singer is set to be auctioned off later this month in New York.

Gotta Have Rock and Roll Auctions says the album is on a blank disc with the word "Bible" written in pen, and will be just one the items available during the online auction from July 19th to 28th. 

The album also includes alternate mixes of the three songs that were released on the 2010 album Michael.

The starting bid on the unreleased album is $50,000, but the auction house expects the final price to be around $1 million- though the winning bidder will not own rights to the music and cannot legally distribute the recording.

Birthdays today include: Gareth Gates of Muse (40); Tanya Donnelly of Belly (51); Robin Wilson of Gin Blossoms (52); Alan Duval of UB40) (54); Dan Murphy of Soul Asylum (55); Sandi Patti (61); and Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac (74). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for July 10, 2017

Hey kids. Welcome to Monday. Are you excited for the new week? 

Eh. Me neither.

Since the Braves bailed on Atlanta to become the Atlanta-adjacent Braves, I haven't really paid much attention to baseball this year- so I was totally unaware that the All Star Game was tomorrow night (other than it being in the back of my mind somewhere that this is the time of year for it).

Here's the lineup of "entertainment" for the week's festivities (yeah, I'm old enough to remember when they only took three days off):

• Pitbull will perform tonight before the Home Run Derby.
• Bebe Rexha will sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" and Jocelyn Alice will sing "O Canada" before the All Star Game.
• Lenny Kravitz will perform Monday night at the Major League Baseball Players Association party in Miami.

Quite a few of my friends were posting about how celebrity douchebag Shia LeBouf was arrested in Savannah over the weekend. Personally, I don't understand the fascination.

A) He's been arrested on similar charges numerous times; 2) He has all the talent of a young Jack Smith (who? Exactly); C) I'm not celebrity obsessed.

Green Day's Billy Joe Armstrong says the band was not told of the death of an acrobat just before they took the stage at Madrid’s Mad Cool Festival on Friday.

Armstrong was responding to criticism for continuing with the performance in the aftermath of the accident.

"...We are so sad for Pedro (the acrobat who died) and his family and we pray for them in this time of grief. I can’t imagine how much suffering the friends and family are going through..."

"Green Day did not hear about the accident until after our show was over. We didn’t even know there was an acrobat performance at all... 15 minutes prior our tour management was told by local authorities to wait to go on stage because there was some sort of security issue."

"Security issues are a normal occurrence and procedure at any show.. we were NOT told why which is also normal. we waited as we were instructed... We were given the ok. The band jumped into vans and drove to the main festival stage. .."

"...If we had known prior to our performance we most likely would not have played at all. We are not heartless people. The safety and well being at any of our concerts absolutely comes first..."

The full statement is on the band's website.

Birthdays today include: Jessica Simpson (37); Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts (47); Peter DiStefano of Porno For Pyros (52); Béla Fleck (59); Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys (63); Greg Kihn (67); Dave Smalley of The Raspberries (68); Arlo Guthrie (70); and Mavis Staples (77). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for July 7, 2017

Hey folks- happy Friday!

Please note- we do not guarantee you'll see anything like this.

Don't forget to join us tomorrow night for an ass-kicking good time at Saturday Night Karaoke, live at the Iron Horse Tavern in historic downtown Norcross. You don't want to miss it!

A U.S. Attorney's Office spokesperson says Ricky Hampton, the rapper who was performing at the club in Little Rock where a shooting occurred last Saturday, was arrested by US Marshals in Alabama Sunday.
Hampton was charged with aggravated assault with a gun after an altercation on June 28 outside a Forrest City, Arkansas club. Hampton stands accused of shooting a man there who he'd had an argument with.
Twenty-eight people were injured in the Little Rock incident. Marshals say they confiscated two handguns and an assault rifle from the vehicle Hampton was in at the time of his arrest in Alabama. He was still being held without bond in Birmingham as of Monday morning.

Radiohead fans who didn't get to go to Coachella can now catch the band's April 21 performance online. The full set is the first in what's promised to be a series of live show videos the band plans to share. 

Police say they've made another arrest in connection with the May 22 bombing at Ariana Grande's concert in Manchester.

The Greater Manchester Police force says the man was arrested today at the John Lennon Airport in Liverpool on suspicion of terrorism offenses. 
Twenty-two others were arrested previously, but all were subsequently released without charge.

Birthdays today include: Vonda Shepard (54); Mark White of Spin Doctors (55); David Hodo- the Village People's construction worker (70); Warren Entner of the Grass Roots (73); Ringo Starr (77); and Doc Severinson (90). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for July 5, 2017

Hey kids. Happy Wednesday of a this short week. Hope you all survived the festivities with all your digits intact.

I had to laugh when I read the headline this morning that a certain group of people were upset by NPR's tweeting out the Declaration of Independence.

Some things make it very difficult not to be partisan.

Billboard headline: 50 Cent on JAY-Z's '4:44' Album: 'That Sh-- Was Like Golf Course Music' I'm not hip on the lingo the kid's use- is that an insult or a recommendation?

Speaking of laughs- I was laughing earlier when someone was telling me that some folks were wanting to have a friend's 40th birthday party at karaoke night... when I wasn't working.

I said, "do you mean the next time there's no karaoke, or just me, specifically?"

"You, specifically."

"Fine by me, as long as it's Mark's turn to work."

Now, judging by the group that was asking, I'm guessing some of them don't like that I've told them over and over that I only take one slip per person, per rotation- and won't let them bring me a goddamned handful of slips with the same name written on all of them.

Then, there's others in the group who don't think should have to wait their turn (and, seriously- want to fall even farther down the list? Pester me about "when is it my turn?"), while still others probably don't care for the way I tease- well, everyone.

Judging by the average crowd though, there are plenty of people who have no problem with the way I do things (or just aren't ginormous babies about it). Honestly, though? I really do hope it's Mark turn in the rotation the week they're asking about, because this particular group is almost always a pain in the ass.

And, I hope they're just as concerned about my not caring much for them as I am about them not liking me- because I couldn't give a frog's fat ass.

Drummer John Blackwell Jr., best known for his work with Prince, has died. He was 43.

Blackwell's wife, Yaritza, announced his death on her husband's Instagram account. "My husband incredible drummer John Blackwell Jr. passed the way peacefully in my company today. Thanks God for his life and thanks everyone for their support."

Blackwell performed with Prince for over a decade and played on 2003's instrumental N.E.W.S. album and the Live at the Aladdin Las Vegas DVD. He also worked with Patti LaBelle and Justin Timberlake.

Blackwell was diagnosed with brain tumors last year.

A British court has sentenced a 19 year old to a minimum of 16 years for plotting a bomb attack on an Elton John concert in London on the 9/11 anniversary.

The judge said man was "committed to carrying out an act of mass murder" as he handed down a life sentence with a minimum 16-year term.

The west Londoner man admitted that he was preparing terrorist acts between April and September last year- considering targets like Oxford Street and John's Hyde Park concert, and that he'd tried to get a machine gun, handguns, a suicide vest, and a bomb.

The man's brother is serving a minimum 15 year service after being found guilty of plotting to carry out the beheading of a British soldier in 2014.

Birthdays today include: Jason Wade of Lifehouse (37); Bengt Lagerberg of The Cardigans (44); Marc Cohn (58); Huey Lewis of Huey Lewis & The News (67); and Robbie Robertson (74). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for July 3, 2017

Hey kids, hope you enjoyed your weekend. And, whether you're working today or in the midst of a long weekend don't forget to be careful- with fireworks, driving, or whatever you're doing- and have a great Fourth!

Every now and then, I'll open up Saturday Night Karaoke with a few words I think are relevant. From last week:

In the summer of 1858, Abraham Lincoln addressed a crowd of revelers in Lewiston, Illinois who'd gathered to celebrate Independence Day. He advised them to "Return to the fountain whose waters spring close by the blood of the revolution. Think nothing of me," he said, "take no thought for the political fate of any man whomsoever -- but come back to the truths that are in the Declaration of Independence. You may do anything with me you choose if you will but heed these sacred principles."

Wise words from a wise man, who also counseled the nation that "a house divided against itself cannot stand." And while our nation's current state may be fractious- on this weekend before Independence Day, I'd like to remind you that, while differences of opinion are normal and even healthy- policies that hurt one of us, hurt all of us. We're supposed to be more enlightened than that.

Two hundred forty one years later, these words still resound: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

And, finally, we have to remember that the "government of the people, by the people, for the people" must not perish from this earth.

I'm often the butt of jokes,

That said, we had a blast at Saturday Night Karaoke last weekend, but I swear the highlight of the night was Mike's serenading his wife, CeeCee, with a Bruno Mars' tune then making a very nice speech to thank her for their six years of marriage (which they were celebrating with us at karaoke). It was only topped by CeeCee's rendition of Erykah Badu's of "Tyrone" on the heels of his speech, which had us all cracking up.

If you missed it, don't forget to join us next week to find out what happens!

Are you fucking kidding me? The Emoji Movie? Fuck off.

Birthdays today include:  Shane Lynch of Boyzone (41); Kevin Hearn of Barenaked Ladies (48); Vince Clarke of Erasure (57); Stephen Pearcy of Ratt (61); Mike Corby of The Babys (62); Johnnie Wilder of Heatwave (68); Paul Barrere of Little Feat (69); Betty Buckley (70); and Judith Durham of The Seekers (74). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for July 1, 2017

Good Saturday morning, kiddios. Hope you all sailed smoothly through the week and are well on your way to enjoying your weekend.

Personally, I'm taking Monday off, so I'll have a very long weekend. Unfortunately, though, I'm not doing anything fun. I have a dentist's appointment Monday (well, dentist's assistant- it's a cleaning), so I didn't figure it was worth it to go in for an hour, leave, and then go back to work whenever it was that I got done.

Anyway, don't forget to put join us tonight at Saturday Night Karaoke- live and loud at the Iron Horse Tavern in Historic Downtown Norcross. We'll be rocking the roof off the place from 10pm-1am, so put on your party pants and polish off your favorite patriotic songs as we get an early start on celebrating the Fourth. (You're also welcome to celebrate our neighbor to the north, as today is Canada Day!)

Heir to the Mariah Carey throne for most annoying vocal histrionics Adele has been forced to cancel the last two shows of her world tour.

In a Twitter post, the singer said she saw a doctor after her two shows at Wembley Stadium and was diagnosed with "damaged my vocal cords. And on medical advice I simply am unable to perform over the weekend. To say I'm heartbroken would be a complete understatement."

She went on to say that she was "already maxed out on steroids and aids for my voice. I've considered doing Saturday night's show but it's highly unlikely I'd even make it through the set and I simply can't crumble in front of you all and walk out on you in that way."

This comes on the heels of rumors that the tour will be her last. 

Gary DeCarlo, lead singer of the group Steam, passed away earlier the week.

DeCarlo wrote and sang lead on the band's best known song- Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye. The 1969 chart topper found new life as a sports stadium staple- usually being played to taunt visiting teams and players. 

DeCarlo's wife, Annette, said he had been in a hospice facility due to cancer. He was 75.

Birthdays today include: Missy Elliott (46); Roddy Bottum of Faith No More (54); Evelyn "Champagne" King (57); Phil Solem of The Rembrandts (61); Dan Akroyd a.k.a. Ellwood Blues (65); Fred Schneider of The B-52's (66); and Debbie Harry of Blondie (72). #MusicalBirthdays