What’s Going On – Zune troubles, “Idol”

Happy New Year’s Eve, Scene cats!

So I opted out of seeing “Marley & Me,” but I caught up with my pals afterward, and they were all red-eyed and sad. See, I knew that movie was of the devil!
Instead of going to the “Marley & Me,” I worked out and watched “Control,” the biopic about Ian Curtis of Joy Divison. I really, really liked the movie. I didn’t know much at all about Curtis going into the movie, and it was really informative. Definitely gave me a bigger appreciation for Joy Division’s music.

Anyways, news!

• If you’ve watched cable, you’ve no doubt seen those crawlers about how you’ll lose MTV, Nickelodeon and such if you’re on certain cable providers. Here’s more info on that.

• Is your Zune locking up? Apparently all the 30 and 80 gigs are.

• New “Watchmen” sneak peek!

• Meet “American Idol”‘s new judge.

• And, finally, thanks to the Carlie half of Biz Buzz for this fun bit: it’s a gallery of “The End”‘s from movies.

By the way, lads and lasses, this will be the last post for a few days.

Be super-duper careful tonight, k? You know the drill – get a driver if you intend on drinking at all!

Thanks for making this such a great year for Scene Now. Happy new year!

Best Music of 2008

Check out Thursday’s Daily Journal for my take on the best local music released this year.

This is a list of my favorite non-local music of 2008 – but first, here’s why I even have a list to begin with:

It seems like, back in the day, everybody saw The Beatles on Ed Sullivan, everybody had a copy of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and everybody remembers seeing the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video for the first time.

I’m not sure that “everybody” does anything together like that anymore. We all hear music and experience pop culture in different ways. I know I don’t listen to the radio as much as I used to, for example, but I know plenty of folks who are loyal to their favorite stations. Others only listen to the most obscure bands on MySpace. Some folks are content to stick with one band or genre.

In other words – we’re all living our own playlists. My favorite music of the year won’t be the same as anybody else’s, which I like.

I’m lucky enough to have a job at which I can spend a lot of time studying and reading about the latest music. I find my music in thousands of different ways – some I fall in love with by seeing the band live (Farewell Flight, for example); some I find via magazine articles (Darker My Love); others I find by just searching music sites (She Keeps Bees); others I check out based on what another music blogger suggests (Jessica Lea Mayfield).

That said, I offer up a list of my favorite music from this year so more listeners can discover music they may like. We may not all have the same taste in genres, but you may find something in this you like. And if I can spread a little musical cheer, then my job is done. 🙂

Here’s my list. Share your favorites!

Best Album of 2008:  “Sound. Color. Motion,” Farewell Flight

My favorite album of 2007 was M.I.A.’s “Kala,” because it changed the way I listened to music.
My favorite album of 2008 reminds me why I fell in love with music in the first place.
The music on “Sound. Color. Motion,” feels like the most true thing I’ve heard in years. There’s no pretentiousness here, no showing off, no trying to one-up those who’ve come before. It’s just the lives of Luke Foley, Robbe Reddinger, Marc Prokopchak and Timmy Moslener, in the form of music.
The Pennsylvania-based band works together tightly, playing off each other so well and allowing each member plenty of time to shine.
It’s Foley’s voice is what makes the beautiful music even better. It’s evident that the songs were well-worn and well-practiced even going into the studio, but Foley sings each track with raw emotion and power that draws the listener in every time.
There are thousands of labels I could throw at Farewell Flight – words like pop, indie rock, emo even – but that just feels like it cheapens the music. I think words like reality and truth better describe the band’s sound.
Farewell Flight reminds me of John Lennon in that I hear the truth in both artists’ music.
As Lennon said about his 1971 album “Imagine,” “I think it’s realistic and it’s true to the me that has been developing over the years from my life…It’s me! And nobody else. That’s why I like it. It’s real, that’s all.”
And that’s why I love “Sound. Color. Motion,” by Farewell Flight. It’s real, that’s all.

Click “keep reading” to see my other favorites of the year…

New Year’s Eve Happenings

So, what are you doing on New Year’s Eve?

Here’s what’s happening across NeMiss. List will be updated as I get in more info…

TUPELO
Benjamin’s – Dead Set, Refuse the Fall, Unfinished upstairs; Shagadoo downstairs
Bogart’s – Moses Crow
Boondocks Grill – Thomas Jackson Orchestra
Old Venice – Full Tilt
Vanelli’s – Cockfight Club
Mall at Barnes Crossing – Party with DJ Craig Horton

STARKVILLE
Rick’s – Santa Fe
Dave’s Dark Horse – Hogleg
State Theatre – Musical Malpractice

OXFORD
Ajax – Airships, Dent May & his Magnificent Ukulele, The Sleepwalkers, John Barrett, Flight, Boy Scout Knife
City Grocery – Wiley & the Checkmates
Jubilee – The Cooters
The Lyric Oxford – Blue Mountain with Tate Moore
Proud Larry’s – Pithecanfunkus Erectus, Tomas y Gordo
Rooster’s – Kenny Brown

And, in case you want to be a couch potato (and who doesn’t?:)), check out this list of marathons that will grace your telly Wednesday and Thursday.

What’s Going On – ‘Watchmen,’ new music

Happy Tuesday, Scene cats!

So my pals are trying to talk me into seeing “Marley & Me” tonight, and I’m standing my ground with a big fat “NO!” I generally hate movies that make you cry (with the exception of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I cry every time I see that movie, even though I can quote it backwards and forwards). *sigh* Should I go or stay home, Scenesters?

Anyway, news…

• So the “Watchmen” war continues: WB says it’s not moving from the release date.

• The Beastie Boys will rerelease “Paul’s Boutique,” with lots of extra goodies.

• What? Paul McCartney and the Killers? I can see…er, hear it.

• Here’s a story about Dick Clark and how he will continue to rock New Year’s Eve.

• Hey! Blue October! Remember them? The band is releasing its fifth album.

• Speaking of new albums coming out, India.Arie’s latest will hit stores in February.

And, finally, are you in a band? Need a place to stay while on tour? Check out this site.

And, finally part two, do you like music? Do you like music mashed together? Of course you do! Here’s a mash-up of Billboard’s Top 25 songs of the year. (thanks, will:))

“Rock”-a-bye-baby?

I was just driving around town, listening to Tawny on KZ103, when she told about this story that ran earlier this month in the New York Times.

A host of (mostly) British moms took a survey and revealed that they don’t sing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” or “Itsy-Bitsy Spider” to their kids – they sing “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera, “Wonderwall” by Oasis and “I Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry. Pop music, not lullabies.

I can definitely relate. Not that I have kids, but I remember vividly what my mom sang to me. She sang her favorite songs by Willie Nelson and Hank Williams (senior….although my classes always sang Jr.’s songs on the bus to field trips), like “Hey Good Lookin’,” “If You’ve Got the Money,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and “Crazy.” But I don’t remember her actually playing the original versions – I just remember her singing them. I guess I was too busy listening to whatever my older (and therefore cooler) cousin was into, and then at about 4 I hit my oldies period where I wanted to hear nothing but The Beach Boys, The Supremes and Fats Domino (I loved “Blueberry Hill” something fierce).

I really wasn’t into country until college, when I finally realized how much I loved Willie, Hank, Patsy, Buck, Johnny and, well, the list goes on. Then I went back and heard all those old songs my mama sang to me, and it was almost weird to hear somebody else sing those songs.

Funny what songs soothe you, eh? I thought it was funny that Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” was No. 3 on the story’s list. I can’t say much, though – my favorite as a kid was Hank’s “There’s a Tear in my Beer.” 🙂

What songs do you sing to your kids? What songs did your parents sing to you?

What’s Going On – Bramlett, Springsteen, MCR

Merry post-Christmas, Scene cats!

How was your holiday?

Mine was great. I got a new, larger iPod, which I really needed. My old one was beginning to get full, so I was starting to get picky about what went on it. Now, I’ve got the new one loaded down with stuff I don’t really need, I just want – like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” an episode of “Supernatural” (besides “Dr. Horrible” and a “Buffy” ep) as well as some “Watchmen” clips. Woot!

I also got some of Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Lovers fragrances. I like them all but I think “G” may be my favorite. Yum. 🙂

But what was super-great? Getting to see my family, getting my cheese-spinach-bacon dip just right and getting to eat plenty of my chocolate-vanilla swirl cheesecake. 🙂

What did you get? Share any fun holiday stories you’ve got.

Newsy news news news!

• R.I.P., Delaney Bramlett.

• R.I.P., Eartha Kitt.

• R.I.P., John Costelloe.

• Kelly Clarkson’s new single should hit radio next month.

• Bruce Springsteen’s “Greatest Hits” will be sold only at Wal-Mart.

• Here’s an update on the “Watchmen” case, and it could affect if the film is released in March.

• My Chemical Romance is working on its follow-up to “The Black Parade.”

Oh! And I got my own Christmas miracle: My “Dr. Horrible” DVD was scheduled to arrive Dec. 27, but actually arrived on Christmas Eve.

If you’re a “Dr. Horrible” fan, what did you think of the DVD? “Commentary – the Musical!” blew my feeble mind away!

What’s Going On – Industry news, U2

Merry Monday, y’all!

Hope y’all are having a great week so far!

Just a heads up that Scene Now will be on a short holiday for the remainder of the week and will return next week (12/29). I’m taking a little time to celebrate the holidays and my mom’s birthday! Woot!

Speaking of the holidays, Billboard has a wonderful idea – you can send two free music downloads to a soldier (and, no, it doesn’t cost you a thing, except a few minutes of your time). What a great gift! Click here to send music to a soldier.

Here’s the news for this Monday…

• Warner Music has pulled all its music from YouTube.

• Speaking of more industry stuff, the RIAA will track ISPs instead of users to combat piracy.

• Here’s more scoop on the new U2 album.

• Not sure how I feel about a new show about female werewolves – or its name.

• Here’s a story about how Shooter Jennings is completing some of his dad’s unfinished work.

• The Barenaked Ladies are turning 20 and releasing a boxed set to celebrate.

• And, finally, VHS really is dead.

Life with Lucy: All I Want for Christmas…

BY LAURA SANDIFORD

Lately Lucy has been unusually rambunctious and eager to play. My guess is because the persistent rain is keeping the both of us inside a lot more than usual.

She has resorted to playing inside tag. This game involves Lucy darting around the living room, under coffee tables and around couches, while I “try” to catch her.  She doesn’t want to be caught; she just wants me to put in a good effort.

In the Arena, 12/19

BY TODD HUNT

Here’s the last blog of 2008 from the arena.  In some ways it seems like the year has flown by.  I thought this would be a good time to look back on all of the events that we have hosted over the year.

JANUARY – WWE, the Royal Lipizzaner Stallions and the Rodeo all took place.  I think we’re still trying to get the red dirt out of the building…

FEBRUARY – How did the shortest month of the year become the busiest?  Gaither Homecoming, Winter Jam, Reba/Kelly, Rickey Smiley, and Kid Rock were the highlights.  What a month!

MARCH – Monster Jam, the Harlem Globetrotters and the Mudcats all played the arena.

APRIL – More Mudcats football.

MAY – More Mudcats, Soulja Boy, high school graduations and ten days of Rascal Flatts rehearsals.  I still wish we had gotten a concert out of those guys.  Maybe next time…

JUNE – Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey:  the circus came to town!

JULY – Our last Mudcats game of the season.

AUGUST – Sommore’s comedy and Staind/Hinder/Theory of a Deadman’s music rocked the house.

SEPTEMBER – Disney Live’s Winnie the Pooh turned the arena into the Hundred Acre Wood.

OCTOBER – Another busy month.  The Tupelo Fair, the Cheetah Girls and Sugarland made sure there was something for everyone.

NOVEMBER – Disney on Ice, MSU Hockey (?!?!?), public skating and Avenged Sevenfold/Buckcherry made for a diverse month of entertainment.

DECEMBER – Casting Crowns Christmas Celebration and Carrie Underwood/Little Big Town concluded the year’s entertainment.

I hope that we were able to schedule at least one event that everyone could enjoy this past year.  Our goal each year is to provide a wide variety of entertainment options for the community.  If we didn’t fill your niche this year, let us know!  We can’t promise to book everyone’s favorite act (after all, neither the Beatles or Elvis tour anymore) but we’ll see what we can do.

Once again, thanks for your support in 2008.  We look forward to bigger and better things in 2009.  Happy holidays from all of us at the Arena!

Until next year,

Todd

What’s Going On – McCready, ‘Idol,’ Jonas Bros.

Happy Thursday, y’all!

My Christmas party playlist made its debut last night to some rave reviews – thanks to everyone’s suggestions!

But I guess I stayed out too late, cause this morning I’m not feeling so hot. Today’s one of those days you’d rather stay inside watching hours of “Dexter” or “Supernatural”…or at least I do anyway. 🙂

Newsy bits!

• Best wishes and prayers for Mindy McCready, who’s in a Nashville hospital after a suicide attempt.

• Here’s some scoop on the next season of “American Idol,” courtesy of Simon Cowell.

• A 3-D Jonas Brothers concert movie? My brain just can’t process that.

• WOOT! “Buffy” writer Jane Espenson will write an Oz-centered comic for Dark Horse! Yay!

• Here’s scoop on how Sci Fi wants to expand the “Ghost Hunters” franchise.

• Morrissey’s new record drops in February – here’s some news on it.

• Rolling Stone shares its best concert photos of the year.