If Has Beens ruled the world

After the painful experience of attending a Vanilla Ice show this past weekend, I've felt the urge to burn all my '90s music memorabilia. Of course, with the exception of New Kids on the Block.
I won't explain my views on the Ice show. You'll have to wait for Friday's Preview to get my honest opinion on the event. But on Monday '90s music was the chatter of the newsroom.

Alexandyr Kent, our online entertainment guy and movie buff, kept quoting the Vanilla Ice interview where he explained how the beat to "Ice, Ice Baby" is different than "Under Pressure."

"You hear that? There's an extra beat at the end. See, it's different."

Of course, when Vanilla Ice is mentioned everyone in our area of the newsroom joined in on the conversation. Talk about other '90s artists like MC Hammer and Milli Vanilli eventually led to this question: If there was a Has Beens Tour, who would be invited to participate?

Other than Vanilla Ice, our show includes Right Said Fred ("I'm Too Sexy") and Gerardo ("Rico Suave"). One of our reporters, whose identity I'll keep confidential due to the nature of their comments, wouldn't let MC Hammer be included in the hypothetical tour because this person actually is still a fan.

Now it's your turn. Who would be on your Has Beens Tour?

'U218 Singles' stirs up trouble for loyal fan

When a U2 album is released I have to get it that day. The anticipation is too much for me to wait. On release day, I wake up contemplating when I'll be able to pick up a CD and I schedule my day around this event.

Today was no different. Even though "U218 Singles" is a compilation of the band's biggest songs throughout the years, I had to have it immediately. I thought I was getting a deal -- BestBuy had the disc on sale for $9.99. However, it ended up costing me later.

As I was driving back to work on Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway, singing along, "How long, how long must we sing this song? ... Sunday Bloody Sunday," I'm nearly run off the road by a policeman eager to get to a crime scene. I pull over on the shoulder for him to pass, but as the red and blue lights pull up and park behind me I realized I was the criminal.

Hypnotized by the music I love and in complete (and unintentional) disregard to law and order, I was caught going 60 mph in a 45 mph zone. Now, I'm sure my $9.99 CD will cost approximately $150.

My complaints are directed toward the speeding incident, not the CD itself. But if you are fan, like me, maybe it's safer to just buy the CD online. Plus, Rhapsody.com is donating the proceeds for every download of the live version of "The Saints Are Coming," to Music Rising, a charity that benefits Hurricane Katrina victims. The song was performed and recorded live during the reopening of the New Orleans Superdome.

Considering the speeding ticket nearly wrecked my beautiful day, I think the next release I'll have a friend drive.

TSO donates to local non-profit

Nothing makes my heart warmer than do-gooder musicians. Recently the Trans-Siberian Orchestra was in town performing their spectacle of Christmas songs.

While in town the band donated a portion of their proceeds from the Nov. 13 show to the Tipitina's Music Office Co-Op. More than $5,000 was donated to the Shreveport facility that helps local artists promote their music. Last year the band donated to the Northwest Louisiana Foodbank.

"We like to give to a local non-profit in the communities where the performances take place and it's important that we know the contributions will be used locally," Larry McGuffin, from Stone City Attractions of San Antonio, Texas, said.

I've never heard of a group that does something quite this extraordinary at each of their tour stops. The donation makes a night full of great music even more worthwhile.

Free festival a solid weekend event

If you haven't had your fill of festival going then Columbia Park is the place for you to be this weekend. The Highland Jazz & Blues Festival is free event Saturday featuring great music, food drinks and more.

Dirtfoot, The Bluebirds, Professor Porkchop, The General Lee, Dorothy Prime, Dan Sanchez and the Kings Pleasure and other groups will perform on two stages at the event.

Columbia Park is sandwiched between Line and Creswell avenues. Festivities begin at noon and last until 6 p.m. For more information, call 318-869-5706.

If your still curious about what is in store, attached is a video of Dan Sanchez and the Kings Pleasure performing at Mystic in Hot Springs, Ark.

Rehab to play Flannagan's

The band name Rehab may not ring a bell with some, but lyrics from the song "Sittin' at the Bar" are familiar to most of us.

Still not ringing a bell? Ok, I'll sing a bit of it for you, "Bartender I really did it this time, broke my parole to have a good time." The lyrics get a bit explicit from there, so I'll just leave it at that.

The Atlanta-based band will play at 9 p.m. tonight at Flannagan's. There is a $5 cover, but it should be a fun way to spend a Tuesday night.

Check out Rehab online at www.myspace.com/rehabmusic or www.rehabmusic.com.

Stand up for Pauly Shore

The room should be packed when Pauly Shore takes the stage at Shreveport's Funny Bone for one night only on Nov. 20.
But don't come expecting to see "The Weasel," a persona Shore popularized in the '90s with his MTV show "Totally Pauly" and later his series of films including "Encino Man" and "Son-in-Law." Shore credits the death of The Weasel to him evolving as a person. Now in his 30s, the comedian says he's comfortable on stage being himself and just being funny.

Tickets are on sale now for $25 through the Funny Bone. Reservations are recommended. To get yours, call the box office during reservation times:
Sunday 5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Monday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Saturday 3 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Or, visit the Funny Bone's Web site at www.funnyboneusa.com/shreveport.

Check out Pauly Shore online:
www.myspace.com/paulyshore
http://www.blogger.com/www.naturalbornkomics.com
www.youtube.com/user/Paulyshore06

CMAs were worth watching

I'm a born and raised Southern girl, so it might not make sense that I really, really don't like country music. I'm sorry, but it's just not my thing. Old country wears on my nerves with the over-used wang of the steel guitar. New country annoys me just as much by trying to add pop flavor to rejuvenate its sound. I just don't find it interesting and never have.

But, last night's Country Music Association Awards almost changed my mind. The performances were non-stop and, get this -- entertaining! Believe me, I fought it. I sat in my living room with my roommate trying to hate every minute of the show. The only moment that I found truly hateable was "American Idol" finalist Kellie Pickler's well rehearsed blonde moment during the announcement of an award.

This doesn't mean I've converted. But it does mean the CMAs managed to do something other award shows have failed to do in recent years by entertaining me. Who knows, the next step may be purchasing a Keith Urban CD.

(In the photo: Ronnie Dunn (left) and Kix Brooks host the show at the 40th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn. on Monday. (Mark Humphrey/The Associated Press)

Stop, collaborate and listen

"Alright, stop, collaborate and listen. Ice is back with a brand new invention. Something, grabs a hold of me tightly ..."

Ahh, Vanilla Ice. Not only did he provide this self-titled hit for the "Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze," but he also gave us an eternal anthem to remember the early '90s. Most of us, like it or not, can still quote every line to the song.

The ice man himself will make a stop in our area on Nov. 24 to perform at Flannagan's. Futuro Boots, a local treat of white-boy hip hop, will open for Vanilla Ice. If you haven't heard FB, it's music you can't help but love. It's nothing shy of hilarious. Yes Sammy, part of the FB duo, is a friend of mine who kindly reads this blog, but the music is still good and the lyrics can't be topped.

"All that you see is the color of money, them big fast cars and really fly hunnies. But life's full of choices so you better start choosing because right now man you're Tom Cruisin' for a bruisin'."

See what I mean? Between the two groups this could be the perfect night on the town.

Check out Futuro Boots online at www.myspace.com/futuro_boots

El Guapo saves village of Greenwood

In the 1986 comedy "Three Amigos," El Guapo was one nasty guy.

Suppressing village people in small town Mexico, El Guapo and his rowdy gang rule the roost until three B-list actors roll into town. Seasoned with hilarious scenes that make a mockery of El Guapo, "Three Amigos" is one of my all-time favorite films.

My favorite scene -- El Guapo's birthday party. The gang go in together on El Guapo's gift -- a sweater. As the rough and tough leader opens the gift, he exclaims, "It's ... a sweater!" and everyone cheers.

Locally, a small, family-run restaurant in Greenwood has taken on the villainous name of El Guapo, but instead of terrorizing the village people they are treating them to tasty Mexican cosine with a plethora of dishes.

"Jefe, do you even know what a plethora is?" I'm turning into that annoying person who quotes every line in the movie.

Times reporter Diane Haag visited the restaurant recently and had good things to say about the eatery -- and especially the dessert. Check out her review in tomorrow's Preview.