Music Bender

YESSSS!!! It’s about time …

On the fortieth anniversary of the original peace and love gathering on Yasgur’s Farm, we’re gettin’ the full set of the performances that made a generation!

All … six CDs full of them!

The 77-song package will recreate the festival’s 33 sets chronologically.  For anyone who was there (or knew about this from some serious study of the festival), you’ll also get the famous “brown acid” warnings as well as the confrontation between activist Abbie Hoffman and The Who’s Pete Townsend!

HERE’S WHAT WE’RE GETTING, PEOPLE:

WOODSTOCK - 40 YEARS ON: BACK TO YASGUR’S FARM

Disc 1

1. “Handsome Johnny” - Richie Havens
2. “Freedom (Motherless Child)” - Richie Havens
3. “Choppity Choppity” - John Morris
4. “Look Out” - Sweetwater
5. “Two Worlds” - Sweetwater
6. “Jennifer” - Bert Sommer
7. “And When It’s Over” - Bert Sommer
8. “Smile” - Bert Sommer
9. “There Goes Marilyn!” - John Morris
10. “Hang On To A Dream” - Tim Hardin
11. “Simple Song Of Freedom” - Tim Hardin
12. “Flat Blue Acid” - John Morris
13. “Raga Puriya-Dhanashri/Gat In Sawarital” - Ravi Shankar
14. “Momma Momma” - Melanie
15. “Beautiful People” - Melanie
16. “Birthday Of The Sun” - Melanie
17. “Coming Into Los Angeles” - Arlo Guthrie
18. “Wheel Of Fortune” - Arlo Guthrie
19. “Every Hand In The Land” - Arlo Guthrie
20. “All You Funny People” - John Morris

Disc 2

1. “Joe Hill” - Joan Baez
2. “Sweet Sir Galahad” - Joan Baez
3. “Hickory Wind” - Joan Baez
4. “Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man” - Joan Baez w/Jeffrey Shurtleff
5. “Bring Scully His Asthma Pills” - John Morris
6. “Insulin” & Quill Intro - John Morris
7. “They Live The Life” - Quill
8. “That’s How I Eat” - Quill
9. “I Understand Your Wife Is Having A Baby” - Chip Monck
10. “Donovan’s Reef” - Country Joe McDonald
11. “The ‘Fish’ Cheer”/”I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag” - Country Joe
McDonald
12. “Persuasion” - Santana
13. “Soul Sacrifice” - Santana
14. “How Have You Been” - John B. Sebastian
15. “Rainbows All Over Your Blues” - John B. Sebastian
16. “I Had A Dream” - John B. Sebastian
17. “The Letter” - Incredible String Band
18. “When You Find Out Who You Are” - Incredible String Band
19. “She Is Lost” - Chip Monck

Disc 3

1. “We’re In Pretty Good Shape” - Chip Monck
2. “Going Up The Country” - Canned Heat
3. “Woodstock Boogie” - Canned Heat
4. “The Brown Acid Is Not Specifically Too Good” - Chip Monck
5. “Blood Of The Sun” - Mountain
6. “Theme For An Imaginary Western” - Mountain
7. “For Yasgur’s Farm” - Mountain
8. “For Those Of You Who Have Partaken Of The Green Acid” - Chip Monck
9. “Green Acid Advice” - Jerry Garcia & Country Joe McDonald
10. “Dark Star” - Grateful Dead
11. “Green River” - Creedence Clearwater Revival
12. “Bad Moon Rising” - Creedence Clearwater Revival
13. “I Put A Spell On You” - Creedence Clearwater Revival

Disc 4

1. “Work Me, Lord” - Janis Joplin
2. “Ball And Chain” - Janis Joplin
3. Medley: “Dance To The Music”/”Music Lover”/”I Want To Take You
Higher” - Sly & The Family Stone
4. “The Politics Of The Situation” - Abbie Hoffman
5. “Amazing Journey” - The Who
6. “Pinball Wizard” - The Who
7. Abbie Hoffman vs. Pete Townshend
8. “We’re Not Gonna Take It” - The Who
9. “The Other Side Of This Life” - Jefferson Airplane
10. “Somebody To Love” - Jefferson Airplane
11. “Won’t You Try”/ “Saturday Afternoon” - Jefferson Airplane
12. “We Got A Whole Lot Of Orange” - Grace Slick
13. “Volunteers” - Jefferson Airplane
14. “Breakfast In Bed For 400,000″ - Wavy Gravy
15. “It Just Keeps Goin’” - John Morris
16. Max Yasgur Speaks

Disc 5

1. “Feelin’ Alright” - Joe Cocker
2. “Let’s Go Get Stoned” - Joe Cocker
3. “With A Little Help From My Friends” - Joe Cocker
4. The Rainstorm
5. “Rock & Soul Music” - Country Joe & The Fish
6. “Love” - Country Joe & The Fish
7. “Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine” - Country Joe & The Fish
8. “Summer Dresses” - Country Joe & The Fish
9. “Silver and Gold” - Country Joe & The Fish
10. “Rock & Soul Music” (Reprise) - Country Joe & The Fish
11. “Leland Mississippi Blues” - Johnny Winter
12. “Mean Town Blues” - Johnny Winter
13. “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” - Blood Sweat & Tears

Disc 6

1. “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” - Crosby Stills & Nash
2. “Guinnevere” - Crosby Stills & Nash
3. “Marrakesh Express” - Crosby Stills & Nash
4. “4 + 20″ - Crosby Stills & Nash
5. “Sea Of Madness” - Crosby Stills Nash & Young
6. “Wooden Ships” - Crosby Stills Nash & Young
7. “No Amount Of Loving” -The Butterfield Blues Band
8. “Love March” - The Butterfield Blues Band
9. “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” - The Butterfield Blues Band
10. “Get A Job” - Sha Na Na
11. “At The Hop” - Sha Na Na
12. “Get A Job” (Reprise) - Sha Na Na
13. “The Star Spangled Banner” - Jimi Hendrix
“Purple Haze” - Jimi Hendrix
“Woodstock Improvisation” - Jimi Hendrix
14. “Woodstock Farewell” - Chip Monck

Need I say more??

‘WOODSTOCK - 40 YEARS ON: BACK TO YASGUR’S FARM’ will be released on August 17th through Rhino Records.

IT’S MORE THAN JUST A SONG TITLE

Actually, rehab is definitely serious business! As with many of us, I have friends who’ve been addicted to various substances (and mores) and have needed help in breaking them! And many colleges throughout the nation (including one from my hometown, University of North Carolina, Charlotte campus, have joined in the effort to help (in larger cities, of course, the need is more prevalent).

And there’s one center that’s known for not only its varying forms of treatment, but its amazing success rate! More importantly, though, is that it treats not just the body, but the mind and spirit of the patient (and there are few who actually care enough to go that far!).
But it doesn’t stop there:
They also have a tremendous alumni program — realizing that “followup” is just as important as the initial treatment!
If you wanna learn more about this place where alternative medicine meets drug rehab , just click on the link you just passed …
then, spread the word! They’re there to help you — totally!

Some things are expected on television: A murder on the CSI shows, that friggin’ “Viagra” commercial, Stephen Colbert’s shock of black hair.

Wellll … almost expected …

The comedian, who’s a master of satire and improvised banter on Comedy Central’s “Colbert Report,” started his USO tour (aptly named “Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando”) Sunday in Baghdad — headquarters of the U.S.-led military coalition in Iraq.

“It must be nice in Iraq, because some of you keep coming back again and again,” Colbert joked, referring to the multiple tour that many troops have had in Iraq since the 2003 invasion. Some troops had accumulated enough frequent flyer miles to earn them a free ticket to Afghanistan, he continued.

Colbert told his guest, Gen. Ray Odierno, he felt “a little intimidated” by him because it felt like he was “interviewing Shrek.” Odierno is a huge bald figure at 6′ 5″.

When Stephen said, “I, Stephen Colbert, by the power invested in me by basic cable, officially declare we won the Iraq war,” his audience broke out into applause.

But, then, the interview was interrupted, and President Obama appeared on large television screens. The commander-in-chief told his Gen. Odierno it was time to “cut that man’s hair.”

With white electric hair clippers in his hand, Ordierno stood up and began shaving Colbert’s trademark thick dark hair. The troops stood and cheered as a female member of Colbert’s staff finished the job.

After the haircut, Colbert ran through the audience, high-fiving the troops as he showed off his new military look.

Speaking of “look”: Look for the episode to appear on Monday night’s edition of Colbert Report. The producers rushed to get the taping prepped for airing and, apparently, did a fantastic job of it!

TO BE A-DOORED

Y’know, it’s obvious: a really great-looking door adds a lot of class to your home, no matter how big or small it is.  Whether inside or out, it should not only provide a beauty that complements your home, but also security against the elements (wind, rain, etc.) as well as intruders!

Now, we can drive for hours (and spend more than we wanted) to try and find just the right door for our homes (and businesses), but come  up with one that either doesn’t fit right or just isn’t the style we really want. 

Fortunately, there’s a great solution to all this, and it’s found just by clicking the link I’m about to give you!
Not only will you find the best deals on custom-made doors anywhere, but you’ll find them made to your specifications with the finest quality material and care!
All you have to do to find the best Naples Fl
custom doors is to click that link you just passed. Remember … the whole process begins with your ideas!

John Lennon’s first wife, Cynthia Lennon, and their son, Julian, are about to launch a new exhibition of memorabilia in the name of a new charity.

White Feather: The Spirit of Lennon is being held in conjunction with Liverpool’s Beatles Story museum, and will include belongings and photos of Lennon’s family life. The White Feather Foundation is also the name of a charity that’s being set up by the Cynthia and Julian that’ll on environmental and humanitarian issues.

“The white feather is so prevalent in my life,” Julian says. “One thing for sure is that it’s always represented peace to me. And one of the things my father said to me was that should he pass away, if there was some way of letting me know he was going to be okay, or that we were all going to be okay, it was by in some way, shape or form presenting me with a white feather.

“I hope this exhibition lets people see another aspect of his life and our time together as a family. This collection represents something of great importance to us as it is part of our history.”

The exhibition opens at the Mersey Ferries terminal building at Liverpool’s Albert Dock on June 17 and runs until December 31. More information can be found at the official website.

A very special edition of Rock Band is gonna be debuting on 9/9/09 in the form of The Beatles (incidentally, 9 was John Lennon’s favorite number.

Of course, everyone’s excited about the new edition. Even Sir Macca himself is eager for its release (considering his background screens during his Coachella appearance was pretty much a commercial for it)!

It’s billed as a “first-of-its-kind music-based video game offers a revolutionary tour of The Beatles’ music, career, and legacy.”
September 9, btw, is also the date the Beatles’ entire discography is released in digitally remastered format.

The game will have 45 songs, with these verified so far:

“I Saw Her Standing There”
“I Want To Hold Your Hand”
“I Feel Fine”
“Taxman”
“Day Tripper”
“Back In The USSR”
“I Am The Walrus”
“Octopus’s Garden”
“Here Comes The Sun”
“Get Back”

And dig this: they’re promising all of the Abbey Road album for future download purchase, as well as others from the discography!

HITTING #1

This past weekend, the popular UK band THE FORE hit the #1 spot on the Unsigned Chart show — for the second time!
And now they’re goin’ for the gold at Overplay, where their hit You’ll Be Mine is already #4 this week on the main charts, #2 on the pop charts (remember, they’ve got a lot of competition for the position!).
Now, just as you helped them get the top spot on Unsigned, you can do the same at Overplay!
Just click this link (it takes you to the chart where you can play the hit) and give You’ll Be Mine a listen! With each click, the lads get closer to #1! (Oh … did I mention it’s also a free download?)
And, on behalf of Spencer, Matt, Si and Nathan, thanks for your helping the band get to the top at Unsigned! You all are amazing!

Last night, actor Dean Cain hosted the 2009 Hero Awards on Saturday, which was held to honor everyday people who have gone out of their way to help others and their community. (Hey … who better than “Superman” himself, right??)

Set at Universal Studios in Hollywood, the Awards were filmed for television broadcast and will benefit the non-profit Feed the Children. Presenters included Tatyana Ali, Anthony Anderson, Tom Arnold, Nnamdi Asomugha, Corbin Bernsen, Sharon Case, Erik Estrada, Kelly Hu, Jason London, Willie McGinest, Judd Nelson, Chester Pitts and Efren Ramirez. Musical guests were disco legend (and heroine in her own right) Gloria Gaynor and Brian McKnight.

The honorees really touched a lot of hearts last night:

* NANCY DAVIS – Diagnosed with the illness 16 years ago, she founded The Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis and has raised millions in her Race-to-Erase-MS.
* KATHY IRELAND – Well-known actress and author as well as CEO & Chief Designer of Kathy Ireland Worldwide, she continues to give back by dedicating countless hours of personal time and financial resources to philanthropic and non-profit projects.
* DR. TODD PRICE – Director and President of International Medical Outreach, he supervises medical and humanitarian aid projects around the world. In this past year alone, his foundation has sent over $70 million dollars worth of resources abroad!
* DOROTEA LIGUORI – Compassionate international jewelry designer, entrepreneur and philanthropist; she recently co-funded the ABC Baby Center for Feed The Children in Africa.
* JOLANDA & JIOVANNI JONES – This mother and 16-year-old son saved the life of a teenage driver by pulling her from the rubble of a fiery crash just seconds before the car exploded!
* ZACH SMOTHERS – This 12-year-old rescued his 3-year-old cousin from the bottom of a pool and, repeating what he saw on TV, administered CPR to save her life.
* USMC LANCE CORPORAL JEREMY LEPSCH – A Marine who saved the life of a motorcyclist whose leg had been severed in an accident.
* MADELYN EAVES – The … 3-year-old you read it right!) … who called 911 to save her pregnant mother! (btw, her mother taught her a song to remember how to call “911″. Read more about it here. (This is something all moms and dads should do, IMHO!)
* HERO - A German Shepherd who saved a stranger from a car wreck and is now being trained as a search and rescue dog.

Now, we all know of heroes who, in one form or another, have made an impact upon people or society through their selfless efforts. Wherever they are, take a minute to thank them for their work, whether through a card, a call or a compassionate hug. God knows, we need more of those around …

I posted this because … well, it was too good to pass up! More ROCK in the next installment. Until then …
See ya on the flip side …

Justin Timberlake says he’s gonna climb Mount Kilimanjaro for charity this year!

He and rapper Lupe Fiasco have been recruited by Ethiopian-born pop star Kenna for the big climb, and it’s all to raise awareness of the world water crisis.

Now, this particular climb comes on the heels of another one carried out by a group of British and Irish stars earlier this year, including Take That’s Gary Barlow and Boyzone’s Ronan Keating. Their climb on Africa’s highest mountain raised over £3,326,142 for Comic Relief.

But Justin’s climb has a special significance for Kenna, whose hits include Out Of Control.

“My dad almost died as a child from waterborne diseases in Ethiopia, and he had talked to me about digging a well there, and I thought, ‘I have too many friends who would be concerned with the subject of clean water,’” he said. “‘Maybe I can help out.’”

It’s certainly a challenge Lupe’s looking forward to: “I’m an adventure junkie. Part of the motivation is beating Kenna to the top. Sabotaging his tent, taking the lining out of his coat, lacing it with ants or something like that. [The water crisis in Africa] is a universal problem; it’s all mounting to the point where eventually there’s no clean water left. If I did a song, it would be jam-packed with so much information, it would almost be like we fit the substance of an entire interview in three and a half minutes.”

They’re expected to climb the mountain later this year.

GIFTS FOR THE GRAD (and YOURSELF!)

In today’s economy, we’re all looking for great deals on quality merchandise. Sadly, up to now, this only led us straight to the big Supercenter department stores; sure, the prices would be better, but … the quality?? That’s a different story.

But there’s one stop you can make and be guaranteed not only low, low prices but the best quality merchandise! It’s behind the link you’re about to see — and these folks offer just about everything! You’ll find daily deals, great service and much more!

To find the best items for sale on the web, just click that link you just passed! You (and your wallet) will be very pleased …

THIS JUST IN: Depeche Mode singer Dave Gahan has just had a successful operation to remove a malignant tumor from his bladder.
It was discovered when he went to a hospital on May 12, complaining of gastroenteritis.

The band has canceled its O2 appearance, scheduled for this Saturday, and will be on hiatus until June 8 to give Gahan time to recuperate.  On that date, they’ll continue their tour with a gig in Leipzig, Germany.
Natch, we all wish the 47-year-old frontman a full and speedy recovery, with no recurrence.

THE MOORE, THE NOT-SO-MERRIER

As I reported earlier, guitarist Ronnie Montrose finally found his 1959 Les Paul Standard (which was stolen during a concert in 1972) — in a guitar magazine!
Well, now he’s suing another guitarist named Gary Moore.
The reason? He says Moore has the stolen axe!

When he saw Moore’s guitar collection in a British magazine he was convinced that one of the Les Pauls in the photo was his.
A photo showing a pin-sized hole in the back of the guitar is the proof, according to Ronnie, since he drills those holes in all of his guitars.

So far, Moore hasn’t responded to any attempted contact, so Ronnie is suing the Irishman (here, it’s gotta be said that there’s no proof that Moore actually stole the guitar himself. He could’ve just bought it off someone …) was behind any claimed theft in 1972.
Reached at his home in Brighton, England, Moore wouldn’t discuss the matter, saying only that the “whole thing is a sham”.

Wait … if Ronnie’s having that much trouble trying to contact Gary, but the reporter had no problem getting a quote from him, then why not ride with the reporter the next time he goes?? Makes common sense, right??

Rod Stewart is planning to attend attend a special busking show on board the HMS Belfast to launch this year’s Busking Cancer event (now, for our statesiders who don’t know, busking is a term meaning “entertaining in a public place for donations”).

The HMS Belfast is permanently moored on the banks of the River Thames near Tower Bridge in London. In the concert, Madness frontman Suggs will be just one of the performers on stage in support of the cause, which will have street performers from all over Britain donating their takings to Cancer Research UK.

“When it comes to busking, I’m your man,” said Stewart, who, as most fans remember, survived thyroid cancer.
“That’s how I started in the early 60s on the streets of Paris. So the idea of Busking Cancer has my support. It’s what music is all about just getting out there and singing or playing for the sheer joy of it. And if you can earn a few quid for Cancer Research UK – a few quid that might just help to save someone’s life – what could be better?”

Stewart has contributed his time, voice and/or money to many charities over the years, but it seems that, lately, the requests have been staggering. It obviously reflects the shape of the socioeconomic world in the last years of this decade, and it’s to Rod’s credit that he’s put himself on the “front lines” in the quest to help others.

Besides that, he has a remarkable performance style — both on record and in live venues — that shows a rare ability to cross genres.

The HMS Belfast concert will take place on June 20, and Busking Cancer will run until June 27. For all my UK and Euro readers who’d like to go, click here.

Sometimes, even the stars of another genre can make a big difference …

For example, country legend Dolly Parton has teamed up with the United Way of America to double the number of books their program provides at the moment.

Dolly started the Imagination Library in 1996 as part of her Dollywood Foundation, and you’ll find it in 566 counties across 36 Smerican states, as well as in Canada and the UK.

It all came from a simple idea: build an organization that sends one book per month to children from the time of their birth until they enter kindergarten.

The Tennessee songbird states, “This program is one of the most important ways I know to improve the educational opportunities for children. When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true. I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer. The seeds of these dreams are often found in books, and the seeds you plant in your community can grow across the world.”

The new partnership has set a goal of providing free books to one million children each month by 2014.

Interested in getting involved? Find out more about the program here.

Remember to circle July 10 on your calendars!

The reason? Beatlemaniacs from around the world will be celebrating their favorite band during Beatles Day 09 — and raise money for Yoko Ono’s Imagine Appeal which will use their share for the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital (the largest children’s hospital in Europe). Part of the receipts will also go to the Marina Dalglish Appeal for a radiotherapy center in Liverpool.

Officially launched by Julia Baird (John Lennon’s sister) and Ricky Tomlinson, the event will take place in places as diverse as China, Russia, New Zealand and, natch, the Beatles’ hometown of Liverpool.

Last year’s event (which was actually the first, and raised a few international eyebrows as one of the highlights is for everyone to wear Beatle wigs) raised over £45,000.
Liverpool will once again host a concert as part of the event, and there will be loads of merchandise and happenings available.

Oh … in case yer wonderin’, July 10 was chosen as the date because it’s the anniversary of the Beatles triumphant return to Liverpool from the States and the premiere of the film ‘Hard Day’s Night’ in 1964. On that day, the streets were lined with thousands of adoring fans, and organizers hope to they can recreate the same sort of Beatlemania atmosphere this year.

The Summer Pops promoter, Chas Cole, said, “It’s 24 hours when people can show their love for the Beatles and celebrate the legacy of their music. The concert at the Echo Arena will be a great way to finish, but Beatles Day is really a chance for the ordinary people of Liverpool and other towns and cities all over the world to take part in Beatles-related fundraising activities and events. The most important thing is to have fun whilst raising money.

Liverpool will be the center of events on 10th July. It would be a great time to visit and let the people show you what makes this city truly great; its heritage, humor, boundless enthusiasm under pressure and above all, its ability to not take itself too seriously. BEATLES DAY here we come!

Since 1914, the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital has led the way in the care of sick children and now treats more than 200,000 young patients every year.

To find out more about this event, here’s the article from the Liverpool Echo.

WOW! Talk about yer marketing ploys:

The popular rock band Chickenfoot has hired Chromatic Technologies Inc. (CTI), a custom special effect inks and coatings manufacturer, to create a … er, very special cover for CF’s debut album.

Now, get this: Buyers will see the record’s artwork change by the heat that radiates from their hands!

This is supposed reveal hidden images on the front cover and hidden song titles on the back. I dunno if that’ll make the album a bit pricier — or if the hand-heat will make the music sound better — but we’ll find out soon …
(Oh, yeah — is it just me, or does that drummer look a little like a young George Bush? Just wonderin’ … back to the program …)

QUEEN - (yep … MINUS) PAUL RODGERS

Well, it looks like singer Paul Rodgers is no longer with the superband Queen. At least that’s what Brian May said on his official website.

Though May himself hasn’t said anything personally on whether this is true or not,  it doesn’t matter; Rodgers has pretty much answered the question, anyway.

“We [Q+PR] did a world tour, we did a second tour of Europe and the Far East and Eastern Europe and a studio album [The Cosmos Rocks] and I think we’re kind of leaving it there gently.” he said.
“It’s out there for us to do things in the future if there’s something, [for instance] a huge charity say like Nelson Mandela, but I think we are pretty much done.”

Now, Paul’s not making a formal announcement about his plans, but his publicist is playing it down, saying that they’re  “just not touring right now.”
Besides, Rodgers has a 10-date tour of the US with Bad Company – featuring original guitarist Mick Ralphs and drummer Simon Kirke – coming up in June and July.

By the way, QP+R’s latest release is a CD/DVD, titled Queen + Paul Rodgers Live In Ukraine, which hits the racks on June 15.

Gotta start this round with Brian, Angus and the gang at Friday’s AC/DC gig in Germany.

Now, these guys aren’t exactly known for soft, easy-going music — but I do believe they overdid it with the loudness this time.
Especially when the neighbors complained about the hard-rockin’ noise …

from twelve miles away!!

Sie hörten mich nach rechts, yardbirds! Their Munich concert drew complaints from the fine folks of Unterhaching, about 20 kilometers (okay … twelve miles, give or take a foot) from the scene of the crime … er, show.
(Reckon, when they heard about it, they shoulda borrowed Quiet Riot’s Cum On, Feel The Noize to close the set?)

THE PAT & DEBBIE SHOW

One of the sultriest rockers on the planet, Pat Benatar, will join Blondie (Debbie Harry) on a tour across America this summer that they’ll both headline. Joining them on their run will be up-and-coming “girlgroup” The Donnas.

Debbie Harry said: “Pat Benatar is not only a friend, but a fearless female rocker who has entertained me and her wealth of fans for so many years. This will be a reunion for us both and being able to bring our two shows to fans across the country is very exciting.”
It’ll be sort of a 30th anniversary celebration for Benatar, btw: she got her career start in 1979 with a debut album called In The Heat Of The Night.
Their tour begins in Saratoga, California on July 21. For a list of dates, just click here.

(Oh … didja know that Blondie’s big hit Heart of Glass actually came from a change in lyrics? Yeah … remember the line, Soon found out, he had a heart of glass? Welllll, it was written as Soon found out, he was a pain in the ass. Natch, they hadta change it to get airplay … and the rest is history …)

WOW! Check this out: There’s a new charity auction going on that’s … well, unbelievable! If you enter a bid, look at what some of the goodies are that you could win:

A chance to meet Oprah Winfrey
Actual swimming lessons from Michael Phelps
Get fashion Talk politics with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi … or Senator John McCain
Meet heart-throb Richard Gere (with VIP tickets during His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 2010 trip to NYC!)
Ride in a pace car at the Indy 500 and party with track chairman, Mari George.

Supporters of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights have put together these experiences and much more for their Annual Online Auction.
The online auction will raise funds supporting the RFK Center’s human rights work. It’s open right now and runs ’til May 25th — and they say new lots are gonna be added each day!

Huh?? Ya want more?? Okay ….
How about a one-hour singing lesson with the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin?
Or have lunch (at the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills) with Warren Beatty?
Or watch a taping of The Rachael Ray Show and go backstage to meet her?
How about visiting the set of the hit series HOUSE and meet the cast, including star Hugh Laurie?
How’d you like dinner with Bill Cosby at “Bouley” in NYC and take home signed copies of his recent book and 4 bottles of wine from his private collection?
Would you like to meet singing star Jennifer Hudson and watch her concert in Nashville? Or hang out with David Foster and friends such as Andrea Bocelli, Katherine Jenkins and Michael Buble in his recording studio?

All you’ve gotta do to have your shot at these is to click on the RFK Center/Charity Buzz auction site and place your bid!

COMPLEMENTING THE AREA

There’s always one way to add beauty to any floor — and that’s with an area rug that’ll complement the decor of the room you choose!
Not only are they sturdy and feel oh-so-good on your tired feet, but they also insulate against the cold, protect your hardwood floors and add a bit of a “down-home”, relaxed feeling to your home!
Now, you can go to just about any department store and find these IF you like limited selections, hard-to-find salespeople, uncertain quality and high prices …
OR …
you can just click on the link I’m about to give you and see the best selection anywhere, at prices anyone can afford, with great customer services, no processing fees, a great “BillMeLater” plan*(*on approved credit, of course) — even some great reading about how to select the right rug for your home!!
Interested?? Of course you are!! So, to learn more about all of these (and a lot more), just click on this link for the best in area rugs. Your home (as well as your wallet, your feet, your visitors) will thank you for it!

I think everybody’s heard of Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America at some time — maybe even knowing someone who benefited from it.
If you don’t, then look no further than the five-time Grammy award-winning soul artist, Usher — who’s unveiled a new billboard with his childhood picture and a bold call-to-action: BE ICONIC.

He joins 25 other well-known alumni in a campaign to make people more aware about the positive impact of Clubs. They include Academy award-winning actor (and BGCA national spokesperson) Denzel Washington, Muhammad Ali, Ashanti, Swin Cash, Gen. Wesley Clark, Bill Clinton, Bill Cosby, Cuba Gooding Jr., Michael Jordan, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Queen Latifah, Mario Lopez, John Mellencamp, Edward James Olmos, Shaquille O’Neal, Smokey Robinson, Martin Sheen, John Singleton, Ruben Studdard, Courtney B. Vance, Mark Wahlberg and Kerry Washington.

“Growing up in the Club, I had the chance to experience a lot of positive things; it helped reinforce the values I learned at home including good character, leadership and giving back to my community, my country and my world,” Usher says. “It’s where I developed my love of singing and performing, received help with my homework, and it’s where I found a safe place to go after school.”

He’ll work with the BGCA and other alumni to urge all political and business leaders to make the young people of America a priority and encourage every citizen to make a difference by supporting organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs — ensuring that every child has a safe, supervised and structured environment during the critical after-school hours.

A very worthwhile purpose …

See ya on the flip side!

Hey … tired of burning your tender fingers while tryin’ to “flick yer Bic®″? Are you embarrassed by that plain, fifty-cent lighter ya picked up at the supermarket?
Then you’ve gotta want KISS’ new virtual concert lighter!

Kiss Army News has more about this crazily-amazing new way to light … well, just about anything!

You just gotta dig their pitch!:

“Shout It Out Loud” and make things “Hotter than Hell” with this one-of-a-kind virtual concert lighter™ officially licensed by KISS!

Whether you’re in Detroit Rock City or on a date with Beth and Christine Sixteen, you’ll be a real Strutter when you pull out this concert lighter to show your KISS pride or flash a message on the virtual marquee. You were made for lovin’ it!”

STORING IT ALL IN

Sometimes, we just don’t have enough room for everything we have, whether we own a business, farm or just need more space at home. Naturally, adding onto our existing buildings can become mega-costly.
But, with so much to store, we can’t afford not to have that extra space. Leaving it all outside could mean rain and other elements getting to them all — not to mention the possibility of even thieves taking off with some of them.

There’s a great way to put your storage/expansion worries to rest, though — and you can do it just by clicking the link you’re about to see. The folks you’ll be meeting — some of the most experienced professionals in the building field — will not just provide you with the building you need, but with the best selection and at the most affordable prices!
Their customer support is second-to-none, and they have some tremendous specials where you can save even more!
Safe … dependable … affordable … durable: All the things you’d want in steel buildings can be found right behind that link!
So, whatever your need — whether industrial, farm or home — click that link today!