Happy Birthday Funny Guys

A couple really funny guys were born on August 29th. Both American actor Elliott Gould and British comedic actor, writer Lenny Henry celebrate their birthdays today. Have a good one, guys!

Donald Sutherland and Elliott Gould in the movie 'M*A*S*H'
Photo from ElliottGould.com

Elliott Gould was born Elliott Goldstein, the son of Jewish immigrants in Brooklyn, New York in 1938. He has appeared in many movies since his career started in the 1960's, including comedies and dramas. When I think of Gould, I remember him as Dr. "Trapper" John McIntyre in the wonderfully humorous 1970 movie 'M*A*S*H'. I also remember his many recurring appearances in various TV sitcoms, like 'Friends', where he played Monica and Ross's dad, Jack Geller.

Caroline Lee-Johnson and Lenny Henry in 'Chef!'
Photo from LennyHenry.com

Britain's comedy genius Lenworth George Henry CBE, better known as Lenny Henry, was born in 1958. He's the son of Jamaican immigrants who moved to England from the West Indies years before the day of his birth. He started his career as a character actor in the 1970's. He appeared in and wrote for sketch comedy shows and did stand up performances early on. He met his wife Dawn French, another brilliant comedy actor, in the early 1980's. Henry has been involved in many successful projects, both funny and serious. He has also had some good fortune as a singer, but his preference is comedy actor. If you watch the Britcoms on public television, you've probably enjoyed watching him play the lead character Gareth Blackstock, in the hilarious show, 'Chef!'. Of course, Mrs. Blackstock was played by the super fine Caroline Lee-Johnson. I guess Lenny Henry might be considered kind of pretty as well by some, but he's definitely super funny!

'M*A*S*H' movie trailer - 1970

'Chef!' - Highlights of "England Expects" episode

Kelly Hansen Interviewed On 100.7 The Bay

Kelly Hansen(Inset Kelly Hansen photo from Foreigner's official web site) started out as a studio / session singer. He later worked on a few projects with members of well known bands, like Quiet Riot and Poison. In 2005, he became the new lead singer for Foreigner.

A few weeks ago, I listed a few Foreigner concert dates in the Mid-Atlantic region. Included in that list, is tonight's show at the Maryland State Fair in Timonium, MD.

Klug, of 100.7 The Bay FM Radio, recently interviewed Hansen. They talked about Kelly's early projects, joining the band Foreigner, and tonight's concert. Below are links to the two part session.

Part 1 - Kelly Hansen on 100.7 The Bay


Part 2 - Kelly Hansen on 100.7 The Bay

What Did You Just Say?

The following is a list of bloopers from the 2008 Summer Olympics, that my Texas cousin Diane E-Mailed to me today. I hope you find them as amusing as I did.

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Here are the top nine comments made by the NBC sports commentators during the Summer Olympics that they would probably like to take back:

1. Weightlifting commentator: "This is Gregoriava from Bulgaria . I saw her snatch this morning during her warm up, and it was amazing."

2. Dressage commentator: "This is really a lovely horse, and I speak from personal experience, since I once mounted her mother."

3. Paul Hamm, Gymnast: "I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father."

4. Boxing Analyst: "Sure there have been injuries, and even some deaths in boxing, but none of them really that serious."

5. Softball announcer: "If history repeats itself, I should think we can expect the same thing again."

6. Basketball analyst: "He dribbles a lot and the opposition doesn't like it. In fact you can see it all over their faces."

7. At the rowing medal ceremony: "Ah, isn't that nice, the wife of the IOC president is hugging the cox of the British crew."

8. Soccer commentator: "Julian Dicks is everywhere. It's like they've got eleven Dicks on the field."

9. Tennis commentator: "One of the reasons Andy is playing so well is that, before the final round, his wife takes out his balls and kisses them... Oh my God, what have I just said?"

Glenn Hughes And Joe Strummer Together?

Glenn Hughes on 'Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp Tour'
Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, TN Aug. 11, 2008
Photo by Stan Jackson of Double Exposure Media

As far as I know, Glenn Hughes and Joe Strummer never played music together. Besides both of them being singers and musicians, they probably haven't had much in common. But they were both born on August 21st, and that gives me an excuse to post something about the two of them.

Glenn Hughes has been a bassist / vocalist for Trapeze and Deep Purple. He also was briefly lead singer for Black Sabbath, but that and other jobs afterwards didn't last as drug addiction and health problems began to derail his career by the late 1980's. By the early 1990's, he was headed back to the clean, sober life his health badly needed. Thankfully, he's been involved in some fine collaborative and solo efforts since then. Glenn is on tour in the States right now.

Joe Strummer And The Mescaleros
Last show - Liverpool, England Nov. 22, 2002
Photo by Graham Jones

Unfortunately, Joe Strummer passed away December 22, 2002 because of a congenital heart defect. He was a co-founder and a lead singer of Punk Rock's most remembered band, The Clash. He also wrote songs and played rhythm guitar for the band and was involved in other projects too. Joe was heavily involved in environmental efforts, some of the efforts he was a part of are still going strong.

Glenn Hughes w/ Dave Navarro, Chad Smith - "Soul Mover"

Joe Strummer And The Mescaleros - "Redemption Song"
Joe's cover of song by Bob Marley

August 19th Birthdays

It's amazing how so many famous people were born on the date of August 19th. The following are a few that have helped entertain me, develope my taste in music and affect who I am.

Ginger Baker turns 69 today. Baker is the legendary drummer that is best known for playing in the bands Cream and the short lived Blind Faith. Happy birthday to you, yah big kook.

Ian Gillan is now 63 years old. He sang on one album (Born Again) and part of a tour with Black Sabbath, and has done various other projects, including some solo work. Most of his career has been spent with Deep Purple. Gillan is currently touring Europe with Deep Purple. Hope you have a good one, Ian.

Happy 57th birthday to John Deacon. Deacon was the bass player for Queen. He also played some guitar and wrote some of their biggest hits. John is a very rich, but definitely retired musician.

Ginger Baker Drum Solo with Cream in 2005

Deep Purple, Tony Iommi, Brian May, Paul Rodgers, Bruce Dickinson, etc., etc., etc.
"Smoke On The Water"

1986 John Deacon Interview on Dutch TV

R.I.P. Gene Roddenberry

Photo from www.roddenberry.com

I was thinking about someone born on this day that is no longer with us (literally). Gene Roddenberry passed away on October 24, 1991. The very controversial, often greedy, but creative and successful man that most of us remember as the original writer / creater of the television show Star Trek, was one of the first to be "buried" in space.

Tony Martin - August 2008 Update

Tony Martin Band In Paliano, Italy on May 14, 2005

Talented singer and multi-instrumentalist Tony Martin, known mostly for his years as lead singer Black Sabbath (1987 to 1991 and 1993 to 1997), recently posted the following update to his web site.

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Dear friends

At last i have a my space site!!!! its called the official tony martin site cause there are about 20 Tony Martins out there doin' much the same. However its being put together by my daughter who has pestered me for the past 2 years to make one and i finally let her do it. Also other people have been putting tribute sites up so i couldn't really NOT do anything. Anyway check it out. We JUST went live with it so it's a work in progress but at least i'm up there for real now. Well done Laura.

I had hoped that i'd been doing more shows this year since i hooked up with a Canadian agent but it didnt work out, so i'm going to be concentrating on a new album instead. I already have some things in mind and some of the demos are sounding quite good so as that gets closer i'll let you know more.

But i did a seminar recently in England which is unusual for me! It was by way of an accidental meeting actually, because my lady has been taking medical treatment in East Anglia and the clinic she was at is close to a music store and teaching school called Planet Music. I called in breifly to have a look around and the guys in there turned out to be great. So i ended up doing a seminar on the industry and vocal stuff. It was cool!! So i'd just like to thank those guys and wish them luck.

Anyways

Best wishes to everyone.

TM

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Click on this link to see an article published by The Evening Star that covers Tony's August 8th visit to Planet Music in Martlesham of Suffolk, England.

I loved the Tony Martin years of Black Sabbath. It's a shame, but it doesn't look like we'll ever see them back together. Not even for short reunions, like with Ozzy Osbourne for a while. Lately, Black Sabbath has Ronnie James Dio back again, recording and touring under the name Heaven And Hell. Too bad Martin doesn't get his turn. Then again, like most of the other former Sabbath members, Tony has kept busy with other projects. He's put out a couple solo albums too, and is bound to have continued success.

Black Sabbath - "Get A Grip"



Black Sabbath - "I Won't Cry For You"



Tony Martin Band - "Scream"

Just Give 'Em The Finger

Do you ever get suspicious of the mirrors in hotels or changing rooms? The following is a neat little test you can do that supposedly tells you if it's a regular mirror or the see through kind (Mirropane), often referred to as a "two-way mirror" or even "one-way mirror" (That's not confusing, right?). Thanks to my niece Elyse for forwarding this E-Mail about the test.

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VERY INTERESTING!!!!!

How can you tell when you are in a room, restroom, motel etc. with a mirror or a 2-way glass?

Here's how: I thought it was quite interesting! And I know in about 30 seconds you're going do what I did and find the nearest mirror...

Do you know how to determine if a mirror is 2-way or not? This is not to scare you, but to make you aware. A policewoman who travels all over the U.S. and gives seminars and techniques for businesswomen passed this on.

When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms, etc., how many of you know for sure that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on the wall is a real mirror, or actually a 2-way mirror ( i.e., they can see you, but you can't see them)? There have been many cases of people installing 2-way mirrors in female changing rooms. It is very difficult to positively identify the surface by just looking at it.

So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty what type of mirror we are looking at? Just conduct this simple test:

Place the tip of your fingernail against the reflective surface and if there is a GAP between your fingernail and the image of the nail, then it is a GENUINE mirror...

However, if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail, then BEWARE, FOR IT IS a 2-WAY MIRROR!

'No Space, Leave the Place'

So remember, every time you see a Mirror, do the 'fingernail test.'

It doesn't cost you anything.

Remember: 'No Space, Leave the Place'

Ladies: Share this with your girlfriends, sisters, daughters, etc.

Men: Share this with your wives, daughters, daughters-in-law, mothers, girlfriends and/or friends.

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So the next time you find yourself suspicious of a mirror, and don't have a flashlight handy to see through to the dark side or don't dare scratch it with a belt buckle, just Give 'Em The Finger!

Chris Clark And Alex Ovechkin Interviews

A few interesting videos of Washington Capitals forwards Chris Clark and Alex Ovechkin have been released over the past couple days. Japers' Rink posted a wild Russian video of Ovechkin from 2006 that is kind of an assault on the senses (quick moving for non Russians) in a mostly good way. JP refers to it as "Ovechkin Insanity". Alex even gives out his cell phone number! Well, sort of. Over at CapsTV, you can enjoy a very recent video (8-14-08 SnapShots-Ovechkin and Bondra) of former high scoring Capital forward Peter Bondra sitting down with Ovie for Capitol File magazine. Included in this one are what Alex has been up to, future expectations and desires and also superstitions. An August 13th Washington Post Live session with Comcast SportsNet anchor / reporter Jill Sorenson and Captain Chris Clark was very enlightening and fun as well. See the video of that interview below.

Happy 48th Sarah Brightman

Harem Tour in 2004 - Photo by Siew May Chin

The very talented singer Sarah Brightman turned 48 years old today. I'll bet she had an extravagant, over the top celebration party. That's how I see her, anyway. Sarah is a bit "different", but I love her. She is mostly known as one of the world's best opera singers, but she is so much more than that. She has done a good job in other musical genres, acting, songwriting, etc. Most recently, she sang at the opening of the 2008 Olympics. Happy Birthday Sarah!

Live In Vienna - "Pie Jesu"

La Luna Tour - "Who Wants To Live Forever" (by Queen)

Peter Frampton Interviewed On 100.7 The Bay

As I've mentioned before, Peter Frampton will be playing in Baltimore, MD at Rams Head Live! tomorrow night, Friday August 15th. He was recently interviewed by 100.7 The Bay FM Radio DJ Colleen Carew. He was in good spirits that morning, a couple weeks ago. Happy as ever and ready to roll. I'm sure he's going to put on a great show tomorrow night. They talked for just over seven minutes. They covered the current tour, getting older, TV shows, commercials, where Peter lives these days, family and more. Click on this link to hear that interview.

'Metal Masters Tour 2008' Pictures And Reviews

Tony Iommi in Camden, NJ on August 6, 2008 - Photo by Damian Muziani

The 'Metal Masters Tour 2008' started in Camden, NJ this Wednesday, August 6th. This tour features four great metal bands, including Heaven And Hell (Black Sabbath with Ronnie James Dio and Vinny Appice), Judas Priest, Motorhead and Testament. Fans started posting their pictures and personal reviews at Joe Siegler's Black Sabbath Online web site Wednesday night. Fans are able to submit pictures to be archived into the photo gallery via E-Mail. Reviews are submitted directly through the specific tour's interactive tour page and are available for reading (after Joe's approval) via the same individual tour page. Just click on Concert Reviews in the Notes column beside each concert within the tour chart. I'm anxious to see what people who went to the concert at Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, VA last night have to say. I wish I could've been there.

Judas Priest in Camden, NJ on August 6, 2008 - Photo by Damian Muziani

So Anonymous Said ... And Then I Said ...

The following comments in this post are from my July 18, 2008 entry entitled Nazareth's "The Newz" In US Stores July 22nd. I'm not just trying to embarrass this Anonymous person. I thought it was interesting and sad that this commenter hadn't seemed to have read the story or checked any facts at all before sharing their views. Perhaps they were just bored and were trying to pick a fight. Who knows? Who cares? You know, it's not a rule of this blog to use a real or full name. But how about a first name or funny (non vulgar) made up one at least?

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On 08/07/2008 at 7:14 PM Anonymous said...

Boring, Dead weight music. Spend your coin on something you will enjoy. They may claim to be Nazareth.
They are not, Don't get fooled.
Boycot this group

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On 08/07/2008 at 7:47 Dan, Jr. said...

I couldn't disagree with you more.

I have listened to the music on the new album, and I love it. I should think that the videos posted make it obvious that I've heard it and enjoy it. They are the official Nazareth, with the legal right to use the name. Two of [the] members are originals and one is the son of an original.

The "fake" or less real "Nazareth" would be the American band. Guitarist Manny Charlton is the only original Nazareth member in that much newer group. I love and enjoy Manny's work. However, his lead "singer" is terrible. If there is yet another band that you believe to have the rights to the name, then you are completely delusional.

It doesn't matter what some idiot who hasn't bothered to read the article says. I love the music from the group that put out "The Newz". If I were to boycott the group just because of the comment left by the cowardly "anonymous", then I'd be just as stupid. Fortunately, I'm not stupid, and I have free will. Perhaps the anonymous comment was left by someone who lets mainstream media tell him or her what to like. That is the reason we have most of the crap that has been force fed to us over the last several years. I'm glad to say they are starting to lose their power over even their most loyal mindless followers.

A Few More August 2008 Concerts In Mid-Atlantic

When I posted 'August 2008 Concerts In Mid-Atlantic' a couple days ago, I missed some shows I should've mentioned. Jethro Tull and Foreigner will both be in the region this month.

Jethro Tull was in Vienna, VA last night and Bethlehem, PA tonight, but the opening act for the '40TH Anniversary Tour' concert at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts tomorrow night is Peter Frampton. They are still showing lawn seats available for a mere $25.00! If you'll be in the Philadelphia, PA area and you don't hit this bargain, you're crazy.

You have a few chances to see Foreigner in the region this month. They are without singer Lou Gramm these days, but Kelly Hansen has a similar, though less powerful voice. Check them out for $15.00 (in advance / includes fair entry) at the Maryland State Fair in Timonium, MD on the 28th or see them at the Shenandoah County Fair in Woodstock, VA on the 29th. They visit the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ on the 30th ($150.00 VIP tickets = Ouch! ) and Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ on August 31st (Concert included with park admission). After that, they take a break for a couple weeks before doing shows out West.

7th Annual MD Barbeque Bash

www.mdbbq.com

For the benefit of the Bel Air Downtown Alliance and MD Agricultural Education Foundation.

2008 Komen Race For The Cure

www.komenmd.org

August 2008 Concerts In Mid-Atlantic

The weather has been heating up and so has the local concert schedule. There are plenty of good shows to catch in the Mid-Atlantic area this August.

Counting Crows and Maroon 5 played Hershey Park Stadium in Hershey, PA tonight. On Friday, the stadium will be filled with the heavy sounds of Poison and Dokken.If you're a fan of Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, you can catch them there on the 19th. The Allman Brothers Band bring their bluesy southern rock to Hershey Monday August 25th. The other half of that bill is Bob Weir and RatDog. Ending the month's shows at Hershey, is a triple threat concert of Journey, Heart and Cheap Trick on the 28th.

At Rams Head Live! in Baltimore, MD tonight, Metallica wannabes and an embarrassment to all of us with even partial Welsh heritage, Bullet For My Valentine were scheduled to play. Opening for them was Cancer Bats, who could be a halfway decent band if they had a singer fronting the band instead of whatever you would call Liam Cormier. One upcoming concert that does get me excited, and for the right reasons, is Peter Frampton. He'll be playing real Rock and Roll music at Rams Head on Friday, August 15th. Ted Nugent may be a total whack job, but he sure can play guitar. You can "Wango Tango" with him on the 26th.

There are many reasons to visit Baltimore's Pier Six Pavilion this month. They'll have a wide range of musical styles in the entertainers headlining the venue. I'll just mention the most interesting. Classic Rock takes the stage on August 13th, when both Boston and Styx play there. Eight time Grammy Award winner Anita Baker follows with her beautiful voice two nights later, on the 15th. We change gears again on the 19th, with a harder edged style of blues in the forms of George Thorogood And The Destroyers and Buddy Guy. Performing their own hits, as well as 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' in it's entirety on August 21st, is an odd mix of musicians if you ask me (nobody's asking me). The list for the 'Sgt. Peppers' Tribute includes the great talents Todd Rundgren (He's gone metal with his latest album, you know), Lou Gramm (of Foreigner) and Denny Laine (of The Moody Blues, Wings), along with the less popular Christopher Cross and Bo Bice (former American Idol contestant). Speaking of Idols, Billy Idol will be at Pier Six on the 22nd. The wonderful blues artist Robert Cray will share the bill with Keb' Mo' on Saturday, August 23rd during the "Bringin' It Back Home Tour".

This coming weekend, Saturday August 9th and Sunday August 10th, it's time for "Virgin Music Festival 2008" . Held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD as it has been each year since 2006, the festival will have a boat load of talent. The artists scheduled to perform this year include Bob Dylan, Nine Inch Nails, The Foo Fighters, Stone Temple Pilots, Iggy Pop And The Stooges, etc., etc., etc.

There's a few really good concerts at Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, VA (a.k.a. Washington, DC) this month. The 'Metal Masters Tour 2008' featuring Motorhead, Judas Priest, Heaven And Hell and Testament rocks the place on Thursday, the 7th. Counting Crows along with Maroon 5, as well as Sara Bareilles visit on the 16th. The legendary singer, Rod Stewart appears on Sunday, August 24th. Finally, on the 27th, the combo of Journey, Heart and Cheap Trick play at Nissan Pavilion.

8-01-08 SnapShots - Jose Theodore Part 2

The Washington Capitals posted the SnapShots - Jose Theodore Part 2 video on WashingtonCaps.com today. The first part was released Wednesday, July 30th. These videos are of an interview that Mike Vogel conducted to help introduce Capitals fans to their new number one netminder. Both Part 1 and Part 2 are currently on the team's homepage. They are also archived and available via Caps TV.