#Whaddup for June 19, 2022

Even on days off, I still wake up around (or, more often, before) the alarm would normally sound. I don't think I've slept more than about 30 minutes late (other than when ill or on medication) in something like 20 years. So, yep, as of 10:00 am this sunny Sunday morning, I've been awake for better than 8 hours now. In fact, were it a weekday, I'd be just a couple of hours from heading home for the day.

My plan for the day was to head over to the theater and catch a movie. Not just any movie, but one of the best creature features ever made: John Carpenter's 1982 version of The Thing. Here's "the thing" about that, though- checking online, and there not all that many unsold seats (looks like the theater is at 70% or so) and I'm just so not cool with that- plague or no. Maybe I'll still be alive in 10 years for the 50th anniversary screening.

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Saturday Night Karaoke will return to the Iron Horse Tavern this weekend. Join me for the fun from 9:30 until 12:30. 

As usual, we'd like to remind you that sign-ups are all digital, as is our songbook. The sign-up portal is active on show nights from 30 minutes prior to the start time.

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I've been working on the songbook, attempting to correct errors and repeats that I come across. If you notice any, please drop me a line and let me know.

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Wait, what? I mean, I get rerecording the originals with the actors in the roles of the original performers providing the vocals, but... why use new (modern) songs in Baz Lurhman's Elvis Presley movie? Eminem and CeeLo? Really?

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YouTube rhythm sensation Nandi Bushell will join Foo Fighters when they take the stage at Wembley Stadium in September to honor Taylor Hawkins. She previously played with the band at a gig in LA last year, joining them onstage at The Forum for a performance of Everlong while Hawkins sat back and watched.

Performers announced for the London show include Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, Rush's Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, Mark Ronson, Stewart Copeland of The Police, Wolfgang Van Halen, Jane's Addiction's Chris Chaney, the incredibly talented Omar Hakim, Chrissie Hynde of Pretenders, Liam Gallagher, Supergrass, and Hawkins' cover band, Chevy Metal.

When the show hits Los Angeles, performers will include Miley Cyrus, Joan Jett, Alanis Morissette, Kiss’ Gene Simmons, Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx, the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith, Struts singer Luke Spiller, Queens of the Stone Age drummer Jon Theodore, Weezer drummer Pat Wilson and Rage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wilk.

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Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett was arrested in Tullahoma Friday night and charged with DUI after leaving that evening's Bonnaroo performances.

While not exactly denying the charge, he didn't exactly admit guilt, either, saying he regretted "the circumstances regarding (his) arrest" in a statement released yesterday. He added that he would "trust the legal process" as the case moved forward.

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Didn't Motley Crue do a farewell tour a few years ago? Anyway, I know some folks who went to the show here in Atlanta last week- which kicked off their tour. It was in the upper 90s when the concert started. And that is the big reason why I've not seen Earth, Wind, and Fire or Chicago, Steely Dan, or Boz Scaggs in concert: the concerts they've performed since I've been here in Atlanta have all been outdoors during Chastain's summer concert series. I'm too old and too fat to sweat that shit out.

I did, however, make exceptions for Blondie and Pat Benetar, Duran Duran, Sheryl Crow, and the Eagles. To (poorly) paraphrase Patrick Henry: Give me air conditioning, or give me death.

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Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill is in the top spot of the singles' charts in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland this week (and #4 on the Billboard singles' chart- Bush's best US showing), thanks to its use in the latest season of Stranger Things.

In a statement about the songs' use in the show, Bush said she saluted series' creators "the Duffer Brothers for their courage – taking this new series into a much more adult and darker place. I want to thank them so much for bringing the song into so many people’s lives." 

She added she was "overwhelmed by the scale of affection and support the song is receiving, and it’s all happening really fast, as if it’s being driven along by a kind of elemental force. I have to admit I feel really moved by it all. Thank you so very much for making the song a number one in such an unexpected way."

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Birthdays today include: Ann Wilson of Heart (72); Marty DeBarge of DeBarge (63); Paula Abdul (60); Brian Vander Ark of The Verve Pipe (58); Head (Brian Welch) of Korn (52); Anita Wilson (46); and Macklemore (39). #MusicalBirthdays