#WhatsHappening for August 31, 2018

Friday! Hell yeah. And a little blast from the disco past to help you kick off your holiday weekend.

Don't forget to join us tomorrow night for the insanity of Saturday Night Karaoke, live and loud at the Iron Horse Tavern.

Tomorrow night is a "Jazz (not really) in the Alley" night in downtown Norcross (as long as it's not raining) so Jones St. will be block in front of the Tavern, but there's plenty of other parking downtown, and the street usually reopens right around 10pm.

Gretchen Wilson says she's "saddened by the whole thing" in the wake of being arrested by Connecticut State Troopers on August 21st.

Authorities say Wilson caused a "minor disturbance" during a flight and "became belligerent toward officers" when she was questioned after the plane landed at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks. She was "taken into custody for Breach of Peace."

Wilson told Taste of Country she didn't know that she was embarrassed by what happened, but was "embarrassed that the situation got to where it was, but no, not personally" and added that she was "frustrated" by coverage of the incident.
"I’m reading all of these headlines and am like, 'Oh gosh, it’s so wrong. It’s all so wrong!'"

"It’s been really frustrating for me not to be able to talk about it, because people who know me know that I just wanna get it straight." Wilson said she is unable to comment further because the case is still under investigation.

Redneck woman, indeed.

What was supposed to be a gala premiere at the Venice Film Festival for Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga's version of A Star Is Born went south when a technical malfunction caused the screen to go dark for "15 to 20 minutes" in the middle of the show.

Heavy storms in the area caused a power outage at the facility where the film was screening. Critics seemed to enjoy the film despite the technical glitches. Me? No thanks.

Birthdays today include: Debbie Gibson (48); Jeff Russo of Tonic (49); Larry Waddell of Mint Condition (55); Gina Schock of The Go-Go's (61); Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze (61); Anthony Thistlethwaite of The Waterboys (63); Rudolf Schenker of Scorpions (70); and Van Morrison (73). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for August 29, 2018

Happy hump day, homies. Hope you're all sailing smoothly towards the weekend.

Don't forget to join us for our Labor Day weekend Saturday Night Karaoke extravaganza, live and loud at the Iron Horse Tavern this weekend. 

Nope, we're not doing anything special- every edition of Saturday Night Karaoke is an extravaganza!

Damon Albarn confirmed last Friday that a new Gorillaz album is in the works- hot on the heels of their June release, The Now Now.

Albarn to Australian radio station Radio FM4 that he has an album nearly ready, "but I know I'm not gonna be allowed to even think about recording or putting it out this year."

The Now Now was released just over a year after the band's fifth album, Humanz.

You can check out the entire interview here.

Today would've been Michael Jackson's 60th birthday.

Here's his first single from his debut solo album, Got To Be There.

A new report from Neilsen shows that Hispanic consumers spend about 32 hours a week listening to music. Of that, 15% of listening is terrestrial radio, 4% is satellite radio, 14% is digital music library, and 46% is some type of streaming. Another 10% of listening is via physical copies, while 12% is from miscellaneous sources such as TV music channels.

Just out of curiosity, how many hours a week do you listen to music- and where?

Thanks to my normally short commute (stupid-drunk-asshole-who-hit-the-power-pole-on-the-road-outside-my-neighborhood-causing-a-week-of-detours aside), I only spend about 20 minutes a day in the car (and usually go home for lunch), so I don't really listen much there- and it's satellite radio when I do, but I do listen to my MP3 player most of the day, every day- so that's about 40 hours right there (plus the hour and a half driving), and the three hours of karaoke on Saturdays.

Go me- I'm above average.

Birthdays today include: Liam Payne of OneDirection (25); David Desrosiers of Simple Plan (35); Kyle Cook of Matchbox 20 (43); Carl Martin of Shai (48); Me'Shell NdegéOcello (49); Chris Copping of Procol Harum (73); Dick Halligan of Blood, Sweat & Tears (75). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for August 27, 2018

Hello friends. Hope you all had a great weekend. If not, well- there's a long weekend coming, so there's always that.

Geffen Records has announced a six-disc boxed set of music from John Lennon, due out just ahead of what would have been his 78th birthday on October 9th.

John Lennon: Imagine: The Ultimate Collection will feature 140 remixed and remastered tracks on four CDs and two Blu-Rays and was overseen by Yoko Ono. 

A press release calls the upcoming release a "long-overdue and fitting tribute to one of the most important songs, albums and creative collaborations of the 20th century. John & Yoko’s message is as universal and pertinent today as it was when the album was created and arguably needed more now than ever. This new edition takes listeners on an incredibly personal journey through the entire songwriting and recording process -- from the very first writing and demo sessions at John’s home studio at Tittenhurst Park through to the final co-production with Phil Spector -- providing a remarkable testament of the lives of John Lennon and Yoko Ono in their own words."

Let the fighting begin.

Aretha Franklin's four sons have filed court documents as "interested parties" in regards to the late singer's estate in the wake of her death two weeks ago. It's reported that she did not have a will or trust established at the time of her passing- and had bank accounts totaling around $80 million.

In addition to the filing by her sons, Franklin's niece has asked the court to appoint her as a personal representative of the estate. Michigan law requires that the estates of unmarried persons with children be divided equally among those children.

Attorney Don Wilson, who represented Franklin in entertainment matters for nearly thirty years, told the Detroit Free Press he "was after her for a number of years to do a trust" but she "never got around to it."

Birthdays today include: Sarah Neufeld of Arcade Fire (39); Jon Siebles of Eve 6 (39); Mase (41); Tony Kanal of No Doubt (38); Bobo of Cypress Hill (50); Yolanda Adams (56); Glen Matlock of Sex Pistols (62); Alex Lifeson of Rush (65); Jeff Cook of Alabama (69); and Daryl "Captain" Dragon of Captain & Tennille (76). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for August 23, 2018

Hey friends- happy Thursday. Hope the week's going well for you so far.

Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Jennifer Hudson, and Shirley Caesar will be among the performers at Aretha Franklin's next week.

The service- to be held at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit next Friday- will also reflect Franklin’s gospel roots with gospel stars Marvin Sapp and Vanessa Bell Armstrong performing, and the Aretha Franklin Choir and Aretha Franklin Celebration Choir on the program, too. The list of performers- shared with the Associated Press by Franklin's longtime publicist- also includes Ron Isley, Chaka Khan, Yolanda Adams, Jennifer Holliday, and Aretha Franklin’s son, Edward Franklin.

Don't forget to join us for another rip-roaring edition of Saturday Night Karaokelive, loud, and all up in your business this weekend at the Iron Horse Tavern in historic downtown Norcross. 

Former Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Ed King- co-writer of Sweet Home Alabama and Saturday Night Special, among others- has died at age 68, according to his family. 

A post to King's Facebook page today reads "It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Ed King who died at his home in Nashville, Tennessee on August 22nd, 2018. We thank his many friend and fans for their love and support of Ed during his life and career."

Cause of death was not announced at press time, but King had been chronicling health issues on his Facebook page for some time.

King joined Skynyrd after co-founding Strawberry Alarm Clock in Los Angeles in 1967 and co-writing the band's best-known song, Incense and Peppermints.

No memorial plans have been announced.

KT Tunstall has released a new single called The River ahead of her new album, WAX, due out October 5.

Don't remember KT? You couldn't get away from her Black Horse & The Cherry Tree back in 2006. 
This one lacks a "hook" (the "whoo-hoo") a'la Tunstall's biggest hit, but it's still a pretty good tune. 

Birthdays today include: SkyBlu of LMFAO (32); Julian Casablancas of the Strokes (40); Bobby G of Bucks Fizz (55); Shaun Ryder of Happy Mondays (56); Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots (57); Edwyn Collins (58); Rick Springfield (69); and Roger Greenway (79). #MusicalBirthdays 

#WhatsHappening for August 21, 2018

Hey kids, what's shaking?

I had to head home early from my "regular" job today and meet the handyman. Why? Well, I was sitting on the couch last night, with some mindless crap on the tube as background noise and heard this strange tapping. At first, I figured I was just hearing water dripping from the gutters (the den is next to the garage). 

I was half right- I did hear water dripping. It was in dripping onto the ceiling in the den from the attic.

Fortunately, this is a new thing- and the handyman was able to spot the problem immediately. He put a bucket under it in the attic and will be back in a day or two (when the forecast clears up) to fix it. 

It's times like that I'm quite happy to be a tenant.

It wouldn't be the first time I've gone creepy clown.

Okay- who's got their costume ready for the Halloween party? More importantly- who's got some extra ideas to share with yours truly? I'm thinking creepy clown, but I'm lazy. 

I really like Madonna (well, I used to- I don't recall having heard any music she's released since about 2010 or so), but I'm glad I never bother watching the VMA's if her "tribute" to Aretha Franklin was even .01% as self-serving as everyone's saying it was.

Update: A post by Madonna to her Instagram account said she didn't "not intend to do a tribute.."

"I shared a part of my journey and thanked Aretha for inspiring me along the way. I did not intend to do a tribute to her!" Madonna wrote. "That would be impossible in 2 minutes with all the noise and tinsel of an award show. I could never do her justice in this context or environment."

I mean... Come on.

50 Cent was on Douchebag Conan last night- doing publicity for his new champagne- and told O'Brien about meeting the one and only Helen Mirren in Cannes.

"She looked at me and this interesting thing was going on in her eyes. She knows she's sexy!"

Don't sweat it, Curtis- I'm pretty sure everybody has a crush on Ms. Mirren. I know I was smitten the first time I can recall seeing her (playing Morgana in John Boorman's seriously underrated Excalibur). 

Birthdays today include: Kelis (38); Liam Howlett of Prodigy (47); Kim Sledge of Sister Sledge (60); Steve Smith of Journey (64); Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple (67); Carl Giammarese of The Buckinghams (71); Jackie DeShannon (77); James Burton, who's played with Elvis, Ricky Nelson, Emmylou Harris, and John Denver (79); Kenny Rogers (80). #MusicalBirthdays

#WhatsHappening for August 19, 2018

Good Sunday morning, kiddios. Hope you're enjoying the weekend so far. 

What big plans do you have for this Sunday? Personally, I plan on doing a whole lot of nothing (except laundry) because I'm old, and that assprint on the couch isn't gonna make itself!

Thanks to everyone who came out for Saturday Night Karaoke last night, and we hope you enjoyed the Aretha Franklin interlude music. 

A couple of things I forgot to mention during the evening:

August 16th wasn't just Aretha's last day on the planet- it was also the 80th anniversary of Robert Johnson's death, and the 41st anniversary of Elvis' death. That is one hell of a trifecta for the grim reaper.

I was being lucky enough to catch a performance from the Queen about 10 years ago at the Fox. It was pretty damned awesome, as I was certain it would be, and I'm particularly glad to have spent that money.

Anyway, we'll be back at it this Saturday, too- hopefully without holding another memorial again for a long time.

The Backstreets Boys were forced to cancel their concert last night in Oklahoma after high winds and rain caused damage to the group's stage and equipment.

Kevin Richardson tweeted that the group was "... unfortunately... unable to perform" due to the damage, urged that fans to "... (keep their) tickets because, Backstreet WILL BE BACK!"

A number of fans were injured prior to the cancellation when a temporary structure was collapsed. Emergency personnel treated 14 people. A statement from the WinStar World Casino and Resort, where the show was to be held, said that "officials began evacuation of the outdoor concert venue after observing that lightning was within four miles of the casino (around 5pm local time). All patrons in the area were asked to move and to seek shelter from the storm..."

Eric Clapton has announced he'll be releasing a new October 12th with his first Christmas album, Happy Xmas.

The disc is Clapton's first studio album since I Still Do in 2016, and will have 14 tracks, including White Christmas, Silent Night, Jingle Bells, as well as a new, original track. 

Anyone else think that one up front, center right looks like Lady Gaga? And Elton John over on the far right?

Birthdays today include: Lil' Romeo (29); Christina Perri (32); Clay Walker (49); MC Eric of Technotronic (50); Lee Ann Womack (52); Joey Tempest of Europe (54); John Deacon of Queen (67); Eliot Lurie of Looking Glass (70); Ian Gillan of Deep Purple (73); Eddy Raven (74); Billy J. Kramer (75); Roger Cook (78); Johnny Nash (78); Ginger Baker of Cream (79). #MusicalBirthdays 

Nobody gets out alive, and the best we can hope is to made the world a better place for our having been here. Aretha did that- and then some. 

Rest in peace.

#WhatsHappening for August 14, 2018

No. No, no, no, no, no. Not the Queen of Soul. Not yet. So, whoever or whatever you believe in, ask/pray/whatever for him/her/them to look over Aretha Franklin.

She's a national treasure and needs to stick around a while.

It's now being reported that Franklin is in hospice care, but a spokesperson for the family- Gwendolyn Quinn- confirmed only that the legendary lady was "seriously ill and surrounded by family members who appreciate the outpouring of love and support they have received." 

Quinn also confirmed Stevie Wonder and Glen Turman- Franklin's ex-husband- were among those who've visited today.

Get well. Soon. Please.

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Department say a bomb threat made against the Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center is what led to the abrupt ending to last Thursday's Rascal Flatts concert in Indianapolis.

In a statement released last night, the Department said no further details would be released while the incident was being incident, but that the threat was deemed credible.

These two might look a little bit like their fathers.

Peekaboo...

A post shared by Sean Ono Lennon (@sean_ono_lennon) on Aug 13, 2018 at 7:52am PDT

Weird. I'd swear I remember Lindsey Buckingham giving his reason for not wanting to tour with Fleetwood Mac (and subsequently being fired from the band) was because he wanted to concentrate on making new music. That's cool- except it was announced today that Buckingham would be releasing a 3-disc Solo Anthology - The Best of Lindsey Buckingham this October- and that he'd be hitting the road on a solo tour this fall that kicks off in Portland, Oregon on October 7th.

Birthdays today include: Ana Matronic of Scissor Sisters (44); Kevin Cadogan of Third Eye Blind (48); Sarah Brightman (58); Sharon Bryant of Atlantic Starr (62); Slim Dunlap of The Replacements (67); Larry Graham (72); David Crosby (77); and Dash Crofts of Seals & Crofts (78). #MusicalBirthdays 

#WhatsHappening for August 10, 2018

Hey, hi, howdy boys and girls.  Hope you all made it through the week safe and sound. My sciatica is better- thanks for asking!

Don't forget to join Mark tomorrow night for all the rip-roaring madness of Saturday Night Karaoke, live and loud at the Iron Horse Tavern. Prepare to get your face rocked off come 10pm!

Speaking of Saturday Night Karaoke, our Ninth Annual Costumes & Karaoke Party is just over two months away- so start getting your costume together now and join us for the fun. We'll have prizes for Best Costume, Sexiest Costume, and Best Performance Related to Costume (I don't remember how I worded it- you get the idea!). That's coming up Saturday, October 27th!

A new musical based on the music of Huey Lewis & The News is set to debut next month at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego next month.

Matt Doyle, who has appeared on Broadway in The Book of Mormon, War Horse, and Spring Awakening, will star as Bobby, who trades in his guitar for a job in corporate America- using the band's music as the story's backdrop.

Katie Rose Clarke, Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Patrice Covington, and Tony nominee John Dossett will also appear.

The show runs September 6–October 21.

Rascal Flatts was forced to cut their show in Indianapolis last night short due to what police deemed a "security issue."

Attendees said the band didn’t return for an expected encore and a public-address announcement said the show was over. shortly afterwards with security guards telling fans to leave the the seating area. One witness said he saw a "disruption" close to the stage.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department said today the incident was under investigation and didn’t release any further details.

The safety of our fans, band and crew is always the top priority for us, so we are so thankful for everyone who jumped into action and for your understanding. We will be back soon!

— Rascal Flatts (@rascalflatts) August 10, 2018

People is reporting that Demi Lovato has left the Los Angeles in-patient rehab facility she went to last week to seek treatment in Chicago.

The magazine says Lovato and her mother left LA last night to meet with a psychiatrist who specializes in mental health and sobriety treatment. Citing the ever-reliable "unnamed source close to the singer," People claims Lovato is "in the midst of recovery," and that "it's going to be a long road, and Demi knows that. Emotionally, it hasn't been easy but she's doing okay."

Toto is returning the favor. Take a listen to their cover of Weezer's Hash Pipe. 

Birthdays today include: Aaron Kamin of The Calling (41); Michael Bivins of New Edition and Bell Biv Devoe (50); Todd Nichols of Toad The Wet Sprocket (51); Neneh Cherry (54); Jon Farriss of INXS (57); Patti Austin (70); Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull (71); and Ronnie Spector (75). #MusicalBirthdays 

#WhatsHappening for Augsut 7, 2018

Yeah, I'll freely admit it- I've been slack. I'm old, though, so give me a break. I've been suffering from an attack of sciatic pain for a week plus now. Right, woe is me. 

I was pleasantly perked up by the turnout for Saturday Night Karaoke at the Iron Horse last weekend- so let's lift Mark's spirits this week! He'll be manning the controls for our next karaoke throw-down.

I was talking with one of our faithful Saturday after the show, and they mentioned that Mark was less strict than I am (this I know). I'm curious as to your thoughts?

Not on my being strict, specifically, but on my "policies" (like, no drinks while singing, not allowing people to sing if their names aren't listed on the slips, one turn per rotation, calling a name three times before skipping them, etc.)- though you're free to comment on the strict part, too (I've been called worse, and and even accused of being "mean" and ruining the wedding day of a bride who I wouldn't let sing when her friend came up to me at 1:05 as I was packing up). 

I've found over the years that these "rules" I have (though sometimes limiting) are unfortunately necessary because drinks spill, there are always people who try to wheedle their way into singing with everyone, and no one working wants to hang out late because you want to do "just one more song" (they have to clean up, and Norcross says you have to be gone by 2:00AM).

I get the strict part. Part of it is because I have limited patience, but it's mostly because I do try to be fair- whether some folks warrant it or not- and make sure that everyone gets a turn. (Even when I- and most everyone else- thinks they s-u-u-u-u-u-u-u-u-u-u-u-c-k!) 

I've toyed, over the years, with the best way to do rotations, and I've always thought I was relatively fair with it, but I'm up for ideas. I take slips for the first rotation while people are bringing them up for their first turn. Once there's a lull, or everyone's had their turn, I line up the next rotation. 

I do know that at some venues, you sing and then you're back in the rotation, regardless of whether or not everyone else has had their turn. I just have a hard time with that- but feel free to weigh in there, too.

Anyway... suggestions are welcome.

So, my old man's ailments are getting to me. I'll catch you tomorrow, hopefully.

#WhatsHappening for August 1, 2018

Happy hump day, my friends- hope you're all staying high and dry so far this week.

Just in case you think most or all of the current roster of "stars" are superficial fuckwits, take a minute or two to read this..

Now, from what I hear, this isn't some one-time thing. The guy evidently does stuff like this all the time. Bravo, dude. Bravo. #BeLikeLudacris

Peter Gabriel says he's "alarmed" over a new UK policy that prevented a some international performers from appearing at the Womad world music festival over the weekend. 
At least three acts scheduled to appear were unable to take part due to "visas issues."
Sabry Mosbah from Tunisia, Wazimbo from Mozambique and members of Niger’s Tal National were prevented from entering the country for the performance, while Hashmat Sultana- sisters from India- arrived 24 hours after their scheduled performance because of delays.
Gabriel said: "The right to travel for work, for education and even for pleasure is increasingly being restricted and often along racial and religious lines."
"It is alarming that our UK festival would now have real problems bringing artists into this country … [many of whom] no longer want to come to the UK because of the difficulty, cost and delays with visas, along with the new fear that they will not be welcomed."
Event director Chris Smith this year marked the first time artists had declined invitations to perform at Womad, with many citing the difficulty of entering the country using the nation's automated visa system.
"Whether their perceptions are real or inflamed, the reality is that artists are deciding that the hassle and cost of entering the UK are neither worth the return nor the exposure to rejection that the process might bring," Smith said. "For now this is a trickle, but how do we prevent it becoming a flood?"
Smith called Britain "a country built on a foundation of diverse cultures; it is a country that respects and is excited by diversity and a country that wants to take its place on the global stage."
"Tragically, this is not the message that is being projected beyond our borders and the potential damage to our communities, culture and economy as a consequence of that is, frankly, heartbreaking."

Pictured: Sexy cute!

So, I was reading this thing on article on Yahoo! earlier about the original line-up of MTV veejays, and this is the picture that accompanied it. No wonder 13 year old me had a crush on Martha Quinn! Fifty year old me is saying "hubba hubba" too!

Madonna tells the latest issue of Vogue Italia that she'll release a new album by the end of the year.
In the interview, she says she's "met lots of really amazing musicians (in Portugal, her new home), and... ended up working with a lot of these musicians on my new record, so Lisbon has influenced my music and my work."
Her last release was Rebel Heart in 2015.

Birthdays today include: Ashley Angel of O-Town (36); Adam Duritz of Counting Crows (54); Coolio (55); Chuck D of Public Enemy (58); Suzi Gardner of L7 (58); Joe Elliot of Def Leppard (59); Michael Penn (60); Robert Cray (65); Tim Bachman of Bachman-Turner Overdrive (67); and Boz Burrell of Bad Company (72). #MusicalBirthdays