Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ExtraTV/~3/rVLHjx93vLQ/will_casey_anthony_cash_in.php
Tara Reed Radha Mitchell Samantha Morton Tamie Sheffield Yamila Diaz
Usher is launching his own lingerie line
Usher has revealed that he wants Kate's little sister Pippa Middleton to be the face of his new underwear range.
The R&B singer watched Pippa, 27, step out in her figure-hugging gown at the Royal Wedding in April and quickly made plans to hire her as a model.
'I don't think there's a more beautiful, more stunning, more talked-about woman in the world at the moment,' says Usher, 32.
'I'm going to be approaching her in the next few weeks and setting up a meeting this summer.'
The savvy businessman knows it would make good sense to have Pippa - whose shapely bottom has become a worldwide phenomenon - front his campaign.
'The great thing about her is that she would be a global brand. Everybody knows her now, she would be perfect,' Usher tells Look magazine.
'I am sure everybody is trying to sign her up and she won't be cheap, but she has the looks and the popularity to really establish a new product.'
NEW PICTURES Pippa Middleton takes part in Highland Cross duathlon challenge 2011>>
SEE PICTURES Tennis fan Pippa Middleton braves the rain in denim>>
SEE PICTURES Pippa Middleton stays fit with a run at the Blenheim Triathlon>>
Pippa Middleton enjoys a day at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris>>
MORE PICTURES Amazing facts about Kate Middleton - Prince William's wedding belle>>
SEE PICTURES Kate Middleton and Prince William: Their love story in photos>>
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Marley Shelton Leeann Tweeden Jolene Blalock Raquel Alessi Drea de Matteo
NEW YORK - With the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire at midnight, the NBA said in a statement Thursday that it would begin the lockout at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Here is the full text of that statement:
"The National Basketball Association announced that it will commence a lockout of its players, effective at 12:01 am ET on July 1, until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached with the National Basketball Players Association.
'The expiring collective bargaining agreement created a broken system that produced huge financial losses for our teams,' said NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver. 'We need a sustainable business model that allows all 30 teams to be able to compete for a championship, fairly compensates our players, and provides teams, if well-managed, with an opportunity to be profitable.'
'We have made several proposals to the union, including a deal targeting $2 billion annually as the players' share - an average of approximately $5 million per player that could increase along with league revenue growth,' said Silver. 'Elements of our proposal would also better align players' pay with performance.'
'We will continue to make every effort to reach a new agreement that is fair and in the best interests of our teams, our players, our fans, and our game.'
During the lockout, players will not receive their salaries; teams will not negotiate, sign or trade player contracts; players will not be able to use team
facilities for any purpose; and teams will not conduct or facilitate any summer camps, exhibitions, practices, workouts, coaching sessions, or team meetings."Source: http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_18384645?source=rss
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Padma Lakshmi Piper Perabo Olivia Wilde Jodi Lyn OKeefe Aisha Tyler
30 June 2011
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Singer Pink is being kept awake at night by her new baby daughter Willow Sage, but claims sleep is ''overrated'' anyway.
Pink is being kept awake by her new baby.
The singer and her husband Carey Hart welcomed their daughter Willow Sage into the world earlier this month and like most new mothers she is experiencing sleep deprivation.
Writing on her twitter page, Pink said: "yeah!!!!!!!! up all night!!!! reliving my past . i've just replaced techno music with ocean sounds - glow sticks with night lights. (sic)"
yeah!!!!!!!! up all night!!!! reliving my past . i've just replaced techno music with ocean sounds - glow sticks with night lights. (sic)
In another post, she tweeted: "Sleep is overrated anyway. (sic)"
It seems Willow's sleeping habits have changed as when the tot - who the pop star named after an "unbreakable tree" - was first born, Pink claimed she was a "pro" at getting rest.
Speaking at a photo shoot for People magazine, she said: "Willow is a pro! Or else she is borderline narcoleptic like her daddy - she slept the whole time."
As well as her daughter's sleeping habits, the 'So What' hitmaker also revealed she can't wait until little Willow is old enough to be taken out on her motorbike, alongside her dog Bubba.
She tweeted: "how old do babies have to be on motorcycles? may have to get a side car for bubba and willow. they can wear capes and doggles and rhinestones (sic)"
Source: http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/celebrity/Pink-40151.html
Jun
30
Photo: INFdaily.com
Isn?t Paris Hilton a little old to be letting her mom dress her? Dressed in matching stripe maxi-dresses, Paris and mom Kathy proudly showed off their coordinating dresses as they headed out shopping with Kyle Richards. Paris is newly single again, after splitting with Cy Waits just as the world began to believe she had finally chosen her ?one? ? again. Now, it looks as though Paris may ended up a lonely old spinster surrounded by cats after all, perhaps dating every now and then as she does now ? which is fine, but don?t start hanging out with your mom Paris, at least not too regularly, or you?ll turn into an old woman before your time.
These two look blissfully happy wearing their matching dresses ? and I sort of like Paris? outfit ? but when both of them stand together it becomes a blurry colour/stripe-fest. Wearing white wayfarers, a chunky silver necklace and black patent heels, Paris looks like she always does ? pretty decently dressed ? at least clothes never really fail her like men do.
Tags: Celebrity Gossip, Celebs, fashion, Girls Talkin Smack, Paris Hilton
Posted in Celebrity Gossip Girls Talkin Smack Inspirationally
Posted by Girls Talkin Smack
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/inspirationally/CelebrityGossipNewsHeadlines/~3/Rmpm6BOvzJA/
Lindsay Lohan Marisa Tomei Samaire Armstrong Amber Arbucci Nikki Cox
Steel Magnolia bandmates Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones planning to marry in July of 2012.
The Steel Magnolia stars told Country Weekly they plan to get hitched on Joshua?s birthday next year, July 10, 2012.
Meghan isn?t certain about that date, saying, ?We were thinking about it. We?re going to see,? she says. ?See, he just thinks July 10 because of his birthday and I?m going, ?Well, do you know if it?s a Saturday? Is it a Tuesday?? He doesn?t think about those things.?
Joshua and Meghan actually got engaged four-and-a-half years ago, after dating for a year.� Jones gave Linsey his great grandmother?s antique ring, but Meghan wears it on her middle finger of her left hand because it?s too big.
?We?re technically engaged,? Linsey says. ?He?s waited so long that he?s going to have to re-ask.?
Meghan revealed, ?We went to Vegas for the ACMs and we went to dinner and we?re sitting there with our friends. We?re like, ?We should just go get married. Why not???
?And we ate too much,? Joshua says. ?And we were tired,? Meghan adds. ?So we feel like we?re married because we?re too tired to get married. It?s like an old couple or something.?
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Images: wenn.com
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/stupidcelebrities/~3/i5WPRF95u-Q/
Ehrinn Cummings Diora Baird Adriana Lima Padma Lakshmi Piper Perabo
WASHINGTON ? In a blistering rebuke of Republicans, President Barack Obama on Wednesday pressed lawmakers to accept tax increases as part of a deal to cut the nation's deficits and avoid a crippling government default. "Let's get it done," Obama challenged, chiding Congress for frequent absences from Washington.
Senators from Obama's own Democratic Party quickly said they'd consider canceling next week's July 4 recess to work on a possible agreement, and as the day went on senators said they assumed they would stay.
In a White House news conference, Obama offered one fresh wrinkle to try to give the economy and pessimistic voters a lift, calling on Congress to pass a one-year extension of the Social Security payroll tax cut that employees got this year. But he used most of the hour-long session to try to sway public opinion his way on the debt debate consuming Washington.
Obama accused Republicans of intransigence over tax hikes, comparing their leaders to procrastinating children and painting them as putting millionaires, oil companies and jet owners ahead of needy students. One Democratic official said that in talks to date, the administration was seeking roughly $400 billion in higher tax revenue over the next decade.
Responding quickly to the news conference, the Republican House Speaker, Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, shot back that the president was ignoring reality.
"His administration has been burying our kids and grandkids in new debt and offered no plan to rein in spending," Boehner said as the day's events seemed only to entrench both sides. "The president is sorely mistaken if he believes a bill to raise the debt ceiling and raise taxes would pass the House. The votes simply aren't there."
Obama insisted he wouldn't support a deal to cut the deficit unless it includes higher tax revenue, not just spending cuts. Republicans have refused to consider that. The stalemate threatens to derail an extension of the nation's $14.3 trillion debt limit, which in turn could lead the government into an unprecedented default.
"They need to do their job," Obama said of Republicans. "Now's the time to go ahead and make the tough choices."
Professing optimism ? but with a bite ? the president said, "Call me naive, but my expectation is that leaders are going to lead."
Obama's aggressive response came with the country souring on the recovery, the Republican presidential contenders taking aim at his economic record and GOP leaders in Congress challenging him to show more leadership in the debt stalks. His re-election hinges on the economy, and Obama is trying to restore a sense of public confidence.
The Treasury Department says the government is on pace to begin failing to pay its bills by Aug. 2 unless Congress votes to allow the limit on federal debt to rise.
Obama declared that is a "hard deadline" and warned that waiting too long could spook capital markets and prompt investors to bail. Here, too, he tried to put heat on Congress by saying lawmakers should cancel any plans to take days off in July if they can't make substantial progress by the end of this week.
Democratic Senate leaders met later with Obama at the White House and sent word they were considering canceling next week's scheduled recess.
"I think we are going to be here" next week, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said. "No announcement has been made, but to me it's pretty clear."
Conrad said he would unveil a Senate Democratic budget that Democratic senators on his panel signed off on Wednesday. He said there would not be a vote on the plan.
Before that, Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky said that if the Democrats keep the Senate schedule "they are running from this debate." And Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said, "The fact that anyone would even consider recessing at this point in time is absurd."
The House, under Republican control, has been in recess this week but is to return on Tuesday. Democrats hold a majority in the Senate.
Obama said even his daughters, 12-year-old Malia and 10-year-old Sasha, get their homework done ahead of deadline. "Congress can do the same thing," the president said. "If you know you've got to do something, just do it."
Obama sought to reframe the entire debt debate in terms people would care about, accusing Republicans of protecting tax breaks for corporate jet owners on the backs of college students who would lose their federal aid ? even though there is no direct relationship between that tax provision and any particular budget cut. He spoke of eliminating tax cuts that favor the rich and oil companies ? "I don't think that's real radical" he said ? but Republicans contend the White House is pursuing far broader tax changes that would undermine job creation.
At his first formal White House news conference in more than three months, Obama also pushed back against Republican criticism of the U.S.-aided military campaign in Libya, saying congressional concerns about consultation were not substantive.
And he even took a sharp tone toward the business leaders that his White House has tried to court. "The business community is always complaining about regulations," he said in response to one question. "Frankly, they want to be able to do whatever they think is going to maximize their profits."
The president stepped to the podium not long after the International Monetary Fund publicly urged lawmakers to raise the U.S. debt limit, now $14.3 trillion, and warned that failure to do so could produce a spike in interest rates and "severe shock to the economy and world financial markets."
Obama also spoke on the same day that Senate Republicans announced support for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution that would establish a new requirement for a two-thirds majority of each house of Congress to raise taxes. "Washington has to stop spending money we don't have," said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.
On the deficit, Obama said both parties must be prepared to "take on their sacred cows" as part of the negotiations, with Democrats accepting cuts in government programs.
Republicans in Congress have been insistent in recent days that any deficit reduction be limited to spending cuts, including reductions in benefit programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, and exclude additional revenues.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Wednesday that Obama "can't call for tax hikes and job creation. It's one or the other."
At Obama's behest, Vice President Joe Biden met for weeks with bipartisan teams from the House and Senate on a package to cut the deficit and, in turn, earn support to raise the debt limit to pay for costs already incurred. Democrats proposed about $400 billion in additional tax revenue, including ending subsidies to oil and gas companies.
The talks halted when Republicans said there was an impasse over the tax issue, and they called on Obama to get more involved.
He bristled over that at the news conference and suggested that ultimately Republicans will give ground on the need to raise revenue, not just cut spending.
"Here in Washington, a lot of people say a lot of things to satisfy their base or to get on a cable news," he said, "Hopefully, leaders at a certain point rise to the occasion and they do the right thing for the American people."
___
Associated Press writers David Espo, Erica Werner and Laurie Kellman contributed to this report.
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/29/confrontational-obama-reb_n_887542.html
Izabella Miko Dita Von Teese Blu Cantrell Georgianna Robertson Olivia Munn
Source: http://ksfm.radio.com/2011/06/29/remember-that-track-of-the-day-r-kelly/
Nicollette Sheridan Jessica Alba Mila Kunis Brody Dalle Sara Foster
Teresa Giudice is not pregnant.
We know what the latest In Touch Weekly screams; we also know what the cover of an issue of OK! said earlier this month about Kim Kardashian. Remember how that rumor turned out?
Between a feud with sister-in-law Melissa Gorga, an impending lawsuit and her general lack of talent, Teresa has enough to worry about without tabloids conjuring up allegations of...
... whoa! Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux might get engaged?!?
Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2011/06/teresa-giudice-pregnant/
Garcelle Beauvais Anna Paquin Drew Barrymore Tyra Banks Ashley Greene
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Posted by ILookFlyChick�-�Wednesday June 8, 2011 07:44
Filed under: Movies
As recently as last month, ?Training Day? director Antoine Fuqua was slated to direct a biopic about the life of Tupac Shakur. Now 24 Frames has learned that the director has stepped away from that film and is instead poised to join a movie that revolves around a different hip-hop artist: Eminem.
Fuqua is set to come aboard ?Southpaw,? a fictional boxing drama written and conceived by ?Sons of Anarchy? creator Kurt Sutter and starring the Detroit rapper, said a source briefed on the film who requested anonymity because he wasn?t authorized to speak about it publicly. The DreamWorks film aims to shoot later this year. Fuqua has no formal deal in place as yet. [Update, 6:52 p.m.: A person close to Fuqua said the two still must work out a number of deal points.]
A studio spokeswoman declined comment.
The project?s progress is good news for fans of Eminem, who received acclaim for his turn as a talented rapper in 2002?s ?8 Mile? but has not taken a lead movie part since. The man born Marshall Mathers does have a propensity for working with top-tier filmmakers: ?8 Mile? was directed by Curtis Hanson, and Eminem also appeared in this year?s well-regarded Chrysler Super Bowl spot, which was helmed by decorated music-video director Samuel Bayer.
Read more here.
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Source: http://ilookfly.com/black-celebs-gossip/antoine-fuqua-and-eminem-look-to-pair-up-for-boxing-drama/
Alexis Bledel Rachel Bilson Rebecca Mader January Jones Rachel Weisz
Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
The last time all six members of the group stood harmoniously onstage was in 1996 for the release of their album Home Again.
The group has tried to reunite several times in the past, but conflict and erratic behavior by notorious singer Bobby Brown has hindered a successful comeback. Yet, Brown insists the past is behind the group. "We're just working on us and our friendship," he tells PEOPLE.
Along with fellow members Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant, Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell and Ronnie DeVoe, Brown is optimistic about the reunion.
"All of us are psyched about it," he says.
The group hopes to rekindle some of the chemistry that sold more than 40 million records worldwide during their 10-album career. "We're grown men, and we're able to talk and argue and pray and laugh," Brown says. "There's a lot of laughter [because] we remember some of the crazy times, and it's just funny to us now that we were able to make it past all of those crazy times and be able to come together as grown men and make this business happen."
The festival kicks off July 1 and expects thousands to turn out for concerts by Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige and more!
� Reporting by MARISA LAUDADIO and DEBRA LEWIS-BOOTHMAN
Source: http://feeds.people.com/~r/people/headlines/~3/7HbRYg7bvjE/0,,20505529,00.html
Maria Bello Xenia Seeberg Halle Berry Gabrielle Union Keira Knightley
Peter Andre is managed by CAN Associates
Peter Andre hopes good mate Kerry Katona will be okay after splitting from her agent this month.
Reality star Kerry Katona claims she left Claire Powell's celebrity agency CAN Associates - who also manage Pete - because she felt her 'integrity had been compromised.'
'Kerry is still my friend but, for the last 18 months, I've seen Claire protect her with her life,' reveals Pete, 38.
'She only ever had her best interests at heart.'
CAN took on Kerry, 30, just weeks after her nasty break-up from ex-husband Mark Croft last year and she quickly won back public support after beating her drug habit and working hard to sort out her bankruptcy.
But since she left Claire and co, Now has learnt that Kerry's been meeting with ex-cabbie Mark, 40.
'I haven't spoken to Kerry since [she left CAN] but that's not unusual as we often go weeks without ringing each other,' says Pete.
'I just hope she knows what she's doing.'
SEE PICTURES Kerry Katona at Sky One's Children's Champions Awards>>��
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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NEWS_CELEBRITYNEWS/~3/erDEFLXID8E/story01.htm
Missi Pyle Shana Hiatt Emmy Rossum Angelina Jolie Arielle Kebbel
If you are looking for money to start or scale your company, then you probably have heard about the BIG Venture Challenge. If not, then you better read on.The Next Women spoke with Jo HIll who has around a million pounds to spend....
What is The BIG Venture Challenge?
�The Big Venture Challenge is a national competition run by UnLtd to find the most ambitious social entrepreneurs in England. We are looking for people with big ideas who can build successful ventures to deliver social impact. Winners of the Big Venture Challenge will get an initial �25K grant plus the opportunity to pitch for up to �150K of further match grant. In addition the winners will get access to first class business support, networks and mentoring designed to keep pace with the fastest growing social ventures.
The money comes from the Big Lottery Fund. The want to find people who can provide entrepreneurial solutions to tackle increasing social problems across England.�
I am the Head of Ventures at UnLtd and my role is to find the most ambitious social entrepreneurs in the country, back them with seed finance and support them to scale up.
This is a great opportunity for start-ups as well as more established ventures that are ready to scale and want investment to grow. It can be tough to find seed investment but our match grants may encourage other investors to back your venture. If an investor is willing to put in �50K and they know that this could leverage an additional �50K from us ? this could be an attractive proposition to an investor. You will also get great profile as one of the Big Venture Challenge winners.
We are looking for entrepreneurs who are tackling the big social issues for example the rise in depression, obesity, products and services for people with disabilities, ventures that tackle crime, addiction, long term unemployment etc. We are looking for exciting, entrepreneurial ideas to improve people?s lives in sectors such as health, education, unemployment, housing etc. Could you be the next ?Big Issue??
If you would like to apply, the deadline is June 30th at 5pm. Your application form doesn?t have to be perfect, just tell us why your venture is exciting and can scale up to provide widespread impact. If you have any questions, pick up the phone and give us a call on 02075661100. You can find out more information and how to apply on www.bigventurechallenge.com
Source: http://www.thenextwomen.com/2011/06/28/big-lottery-fund-looking-ambitious-social-entrepreneurs-fund
Rozonda Thomas Natalie Portman Virginie Ledoyen SofÃa Vergara Monika Kramlik
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Avril Lavigne Gina Philips Karen Carreno Moon Bloodgood Eva Mendes
Calling revelations about bribery of Department of Building and Safety employees "horrendous violations of the public trust," the top official at the agency provided new details on the investigation of the scandal at a Tuesday City Hall hearing.
Appearing before a subcommittee, Robert "Bud" Ovrom said the department's code enforcement, engineering, and inspection bureaus are being examined as part of the corruption probe. The agency is also investigating developers and contractors who offered bribes to Building and Safety employees.
"This is a problem that crosscuts
our department," said Ovrom. "And it crosscuts our city."Two building inspectors pleaded guilty in April to accepting bribes in exchange for granting approvals following an FBI investigation launched over the summer. A third inspector, Albert Acosta, who worked in the department's Van Nuys office, was fired about two weeks ago for soliciting money from contractors, according to David Lara, a spokesman for the department.
The hearing was intended to discuss reforms at the Department of Building and Safety, which is still being investigated by the FBI.
"We have a very, very good working relationship with the FBI," Ovrom told the panel.
"We tell them everything we have, and they tell us nothing about what they're doing ... That's the way it needs to operate and we're comfortable with that."
The Department of Building and Safety began its investigation of its employees after receiving an anonymous letter in January that alleged misconduct at the agency.
Source: http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_18372095?source=rss
Whitney Port Sunny Mabrey Jennifer ODell Vanessa Minnillo Marika Dominczyk
Posted by ILookFlyChick�-�Monday June 6, 2011 23:49
The stars came down in all their glory. It was a night to be remembered as everyone looked on with pride and admiration at the coveted Black Lady was presented to the deserving winners. A true celebration of excellence in Indian Cinema, the 56th Idea Filmfare Awards 2010 held at the YRF studios in Mumbai on the 29th of January, 2011 was a larger than life spectacle, a glorious representation of its legacy of over five decades. Through the years, Filmfare has become the most awaited event in the industry as everyone looks forward to this night of nights. With a slew of performances by the biggest names in filmdom, the annual Idea Filmfare Awards is now an extravagant gala of glitz, glamour, excitement and entertainment. This year, the 56th Idea Filmfare Awards was hosted by the new kings of cool ? the very suave Imran Khan and charming Ranbir Kapoor who bought the house down with their wit and humour. The performances were power packed with the beautiful Madhuri Dixit unleashing her magic and spellbinding the audience as she danced with Shahrukh Khan to hits from their movies like Devdas and Dil To Pagal Hain. Kareena Kapoor had everyone dancing to her tunes with a medley of songs from 3 Idiots, Golmaal 3, and Jab We Met. Priyanka Chopra set pulses racing and raised the temperature a good few notches with her tribute to Madhuri Dixit. she danced to hits like Ek Do Teen, Choli Ke Peeche and Dola Re. Amongst the other performers were the melodious Sonu Nigam, Bollywood?s ?
Video Rating: 4 / 5
The stars came down in all their glory. It was a night to be remembered as everyone looked on with pride and admiration at the coveted Black Lady was presented to the deserving winners. A true celebration of excellence in Indian Cinema, the 56th Idea Filmfare Awards 2010 held at the YRF studios in Mumbai on the 29th of January, 2011 was a larger than life spectacle, a glorious representation of its legacy of over five decades. Through the years, Filmfare has become the most awaited event in the industry as everyone looks forward to this night of nights. With a slew of performances by the biggest names in filmdom, the annual Idea Filmfare Awards is now an extravagant gala of glitz, glamour, excitement and entertainment. This year, the 56th Idea Filmfare Awards was hosted by the new kings of cool ? the very suave Imran Khan and charming Ranbir Kapoor who bought the house down with their wit and humour. The performances were power packed with the beautiful Madhuri Dixit unleashing her magic and spellbinding the audience as she danced with Shahrukh Khan to hits from their movies like Devdas and Dil To Pagal Hain. Kareena Kapoor had everyone dancing to her tunes with a medley of songs from 3 Idiots, Golmaal 3, and Jab We Met. Priyanka Chopra set pulses racing and raised the temperature a good few notches with her tribute to Madhuri Dixit. she danced to hits like Ek Do Teen, Choli Ke Peeche and Dola Re. Amongst the other performers were the melodious Sonu Nigam, Bollywood?s ?
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Alexis Bledel Rachel Bilson Rebecca Mader January Jones Rachel Weisz
A Conversation with Loverboy's Mike Reno
Mike Ragogna: Hey Mike, it used to be everybody was "Working For The Weekend." Now, everybody is working on the weekend.
Mike Reno: Yeah, when we wrote the song, we wrote it, "Everybody's working for the weekend," but now it appears that everybody is working on the weekend. You're absolutely right, Mike.
MR: One of the joys of the '80s was exploring songs on MTV before they were in heavy Top Ten rotations, and I imagine that's where many Loverboy fans discovered your songs. In fact, MTV played your videos so often, you guys should have been paid as hosts.
M Reno: You know, I figured out what it was. We turned in three videos the week they opened, and MTV didn't have much content. So, just by process of elimination, it was like, "What have we got?" and they said, "Well, we've got these three Loverboy videos." Actually, back then, we didn't really know what to call them--they were music performances that were filmed. We didn't even have the term "video" back then. But it was great that we did three, which we did all in one weekend in Albany, New York, and we handed them to MTV and became TV heroes, I guess.
MR: Do you remember which three they were?
M Reno: I believe it was "Turn Me Loose," "Working For The Weekend" and "Lucky Ones."
MR: That's one of my favorite eras for music, not so much because of the production values, but because everybody was having fun.
M Reno: The '80s was a riot. I even talk about it when I do my concerts. I say, "Anyone remember the '80s?' and they all go, "Yeah!" I say, "Yeah, that was a good decade," and it truly was a good decade. It was all about having fun, and there weren't a lot of the issues back then that there are now, so we were pretty lucky back then.
MR: Now, you started the ball rolling on a solo, or rather, "duet" career, becoming a hit maker with Ann Wilson on the song, "Almost Paradise" from Footloose.
M Reno: I was asked to do the song, and they asked me to choose the singer that I would sing with, so it was all up to me. I chose Ann Wilson because I've always loved Heart, I love the way she sings, and she's a wonderful person--the whole band was great. They used to be a Vancouver band, they were up here in the '70s. They came up from Seattle, and I think some of their boyfriends and roadies were trying to avoid going to Vietnam or something--it's been long enough I can mention that now. So, they were considered a Vancouver band, and when I was young I used to come down to Vancouver from where I lived--it was like a four or five hour drive--and I used to go see Heart playing in nightclubs, and I thought they were awesome. So, I picked Ann Wilson to sing that with, and it only took us like one recording session, and it wasn't even a long one. I just walked in and sang it with her, our facing each other. We both had a mic, but they were facing each other, and we just banged it off and had a lot of fun doing it. The pleasure was in that it didn't take us more than one take to get through the whole thing. I knew she'd pull it off because she's always been so great, and she still is great live. I don't know if there's any better singer out there than Ann Wilson.
MR: I know what you mean, she's got an incredible rock voice. And Heart still has one of my favorite sounds. Their last album was Red Velvet Car, and it sounded like yet another classic Heart record to me.
M Reno: You know, that's the one record I haven't got in my collection, so thanks for reminding me. This interview is helping me figure out things that I've forgotten to do. (laughs) I was listening to some track from that record on iTunes and was going to order it, and then something came up. Thanks for reminding me. I'm going to go order it right now.
MR: (laughs) You got it. Mike, you also did "Heaven In Your Eyes" for an obscure little movie called Top Gun.
M Reno: Boy, that's a funny story. Do you want to hear it?
MR: Ya, do it.
M Reno: I got called into the office of these two famous people, Bruckheimer and Simpson, who produced major movies, and they were in this big office space with a popcorn machine. They were walking by as if I wasn't in the room, flashing ideas back and forth, both on telephones talking to different people, and finally one of them stops and says, "Can I help you?" I said, "You wanted to see me. My name's Mike Reno," and they went, "Oh, good, sit down here and watch this little piece." So, I sat down in this chair, and they started playing me this piece of a movie starring Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis. It was Tuesday morning, and they said, "Could you write a song for this scene right here?" I said, " Play it again." They ran the scene and I said, "Yeah, I can do that. When do you need it?" They said, "Friday." "This Friday?" I said, and they went, "Yeah." I said, "Well, I'd better get out of here." I flew back home and got together with Paul Dean and another guy that I work with sometimes, John Dexter, and we banged it out. We just kind of came up with the concept loosely around a paradise kind of a vibe because that's what they wanted--they wanted a song that was "Almost Paradise"-ish, but not necessarily a duet. So, we came up with this, banged it off, and there goes another big one. I think that album sold over twenty-three million copies.
MR: And, of course, they both paled in comparison to another solo of yours, "Chasing The Angels," from Iron Eagle 2.
M Reno: Oh stop, you're just saying that, aren't you.
MR: (laughs) Mike, as a soloist, duet, or with Loverboy, it seemed like there was always something with your sound on the radio at all times for a period, you know?
M Reno: Here's the deal--when I open my mouth to start singing, people think of Loverboy because I created the sound thirty years ago. Paul and I decided to keep it pretty simple and not get too crazy on the overdubs, and we did these Everly harmonies and we kept it simple. I think it must have caught on because it's just been like work, work, work, ever since we started.
MR: It also didn't hurt to have songs with titles like "Hot Girls In Love" and "Queen Of The Broken Hearts." I remember there was a big MTV contest for "Queen Of The Broken Hearts." I don't remember any of the specifics, but I do remember there was a big contest.
M Reno: Oh, I remember the specifics. A lucky winner of this contest, which was whoever wrote in with the best explanation of why they should be in a video with Loverboy, won a spot in the video, and then they got to hang out with Loverboy for a day. It was a pretty cool prize, if you think about it--it would be like hanging out with somebody you really love for a whole day, and then being in a video that will probably last forever.
MR: Speaking of videos again, some of the guest spots of the day were wild. For instance, I remember at the end of Cyndi Lauper's video for "Girls Just Want To Have Fun," in steps Steve Forbert, one of my favorite artists of all time. The pairing of these two was absolutely ridiculous to me because they were nowhere near the same musical genres, but it was a lot of fun to see Forbert show up at Lauper's house.
M Reno: (laughs) Well, Cyndi's pretty quirky--she's pretty cool that way. She's over the top, she's out of the box.
MR: And that brings us to the latest news, which is that you guys got together recently and did a couple of recordings--"Heartbreaker" and also "No Tomorrow."
M Reno: We got a call from Bob Rock, who wanted to go in the studio and cut some songs, and we said, "Absolutely." For those that don't know, Bob Rock was actually our engineer for out first four albums or so, and he is the one who kind of gave us that sound--simplistic recordings of a bunch of high energy, young guys. He got into producing, and now he's a world famous producer who has worked with an amazing list of artists. He's always been a friend of ours, and he asked us to get together shortly after Christmas in Vancouver. So, we got together in Bryan Adam's recording studio in Vancouver called The Warehouse, and we banged off a couple of tunes during the weekend, and really enjoyed it. We did the whole thing in two days.
MR: "Heartbreaker" has more than enough of the signature Loverboy sound, but it also feels contemporary.
M Reno: Well, I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that we were working with a couple of other guys. Bob Rock and his partner were writing some songs, and we helped him finish the songs. As soon as Bob was working on the song, he said, "I know a band that would love to play this." So, we got the song, and Paul and I finished it up and made it really kind of Loverboy, so it's got that whole Loverboy thing. When we record something, and I mean anything, it generally ends up sounding like Loverboy for all the obvious reasons, and that is basically that we are Loverboy.
MR: Well, the fact that it doesn't sound like Metallica or The Cure, other acts Bob's worked with, I think is the sign of a really good producer. It's always nice when the sound of the act doesn't mimic the sound of the producer.
M Reno: I agree. When he gets a room full of musicians who can actually play their instruments, he just stands there and lets you go for it. He may throw in a few suggestions about an arrangement, but he just lets you go for it. He had a big smile on his face, and he was going, "Yeah man, this is great." We did a few takes of each song, and it was done.
MR: Now, you were also in the group Moxy for a while, right?
M Reno: Wow, you've done your homework. That seems like half a lifetime ago...actually it was a half a lifetime ago. That was in the late '70s just before I decided to go back West and find a new group of people to work with. Luckily, after I made that decision, I ran into Paul Dean, and then my whole world got turned upside down. That's when we created Loverboy.
MR: I have to ask you about some of these lyrics from "Heartbreaker." The line is, "She may be from Heaven, she may be from Hell, she may be from Jersey..." You know my next question, right?
M Reno: Jersey's great. It's The Garden State, my friend. What it was is that the girl could be from anywhere, it could be any couple, and it happens all the time. It's just what we do best--we do relationship songs, and here's another one for you.
MR: Yes, why it's another "Hot Girls In Love."
M Reno: It's just like that. It's the same, but different.
MR: (laughs) Let's go over some of the latest stuff that's been going on with Loverboy. You were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in '09.
M Reno: That was a wonderful experience--a little bit humbling for sure. They did it at the Juno awards, which is Canada's Grammys, and they took fifteen minutes out of the whole show to honor Loverboy and basically give us a lifetime achievement award and enter us into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. They had interviews and big congratulations from all these people we've worked with over the last thirty years. It was really quite an honor. Dick Clark was talking about us, and all the promoters, producers, engineers, and record company people--it was actually kind of humbling. Then, they handed us this beautiful award, and all of us were up there just going, "Thank you."
MR: Given his physical challenges now, how did it feel seeing Dick Clark?
M Reno: We got to know Dick Clark many years ago, when he was the first one to recognize that we had a chance to really do something with ourselves. He invited us to American Bandstand to play our first television appearance doing a live song, so it was pretty neat to get to know him over the years. After that, he started inviting us to the American Music Awards as presenters, and all kinds of interesting things. It was sad to see him have his stroke and have to slow down a little bit because he was always--and probably will be forever--this young guy in our imagination. He's this guy that never seems to grow old, but like you'll realize in life, it can happen to anybody, anytime, so you've really got to grab life and enjoy every moment of it.
MR: Yeah, I think the recent passing of Clarence Clemons is a big wake up call for baby boomers as well as slightly younger generations.
M Reno: I recently had a realization and decided to do something about it. I had high blood pressure, and my cholesterol was through the roof. I spent three months making some life changes, and I got my blood pressure back to perfectly normal, and my cholesterol down, and I shed forty pounds. I knew I had to do this and stay healthy because you get to a point in your life when you can really experience the other side--there's going to be an end to this show at some point--and you don't want it to happen any sooner than it has to.
MR: Of course, but weren't you also training for the Olympics for which you played at the ceremony in Vancouver in '10.
M Reno: (laughs) I know, but I wasn't on the hockey team or anything. I was just playing a concert for those people.
MR: And you love your Canucks, don't you.
M Reno: Oh, you've got to love the Canucks. We nearly won the Stanley Cup! We were in it right to the seventh game, and the whole town went crazy afterward, as you probably heard. I think the Canucks in the seventh game of the Stanley Cup playoffs was maybe even a bigger event than the Olympics, believe it or not.
MR: Do you notice hockey spiking as far as people's awareness of it?
M Reno: Oh, one-hundred percent, for sure. I'm even noticing it down in the States, and even in the South they're paying attention to it. Heck, Tampa won the Stanley Cup a few years ago.
MR: Back to your music, sir. Is "No Tomorrow" going to be your next single?
M Reno: Yeah, probably. We're going to cut songs every once in a while, and to be honest with you, I've been watching what's going on in music, and in my opinion, a good, new song that is being played and enjoyed everywhere is almost the way to go now rather than recording a whole twelve song album and putting it out as a whole. I think one song at a time is kind of a new way of doing things. So, we've decided to record some songs every once in a while, put them out, and just have new songs coming out all the time from now on. That's kind of a new way of thinking, but that's kind of how we feel.
MR: It's a return to the old days of rock 'n' roll, when you'd have singles, and then when you had enough singles together, you'd put out an album.
M Reno: Exactly.
MR: What's cool about this is that the idea of a concept album is gone. Unless you're an act that's really trying to prove a point with an arc of music, it doesn't seem like it's necessary anymore. This method that you're talking about is also really good for the whole DIY movement in music.
M Reno: I've got a feeling that this is the way it's been, and we got off track, but now we're coming back to it. Like you eluded to, they used to put out singles all the time, and then you'd take your singles out and play concerts, and people would go, "Oh, this is a great song," or "This song is on the radio," or "This is my favorite song." If you have twelve songs on an album, what are the chances that people are going to like all twelve of those songs? So, why not just put a song out every once in a while, when you feel confident about it, you know?
MR: Well, we had vinyl that allowed forty-five to fifty minutes of playing time before it sounded horrible, that was the delivery system for a while. Then, with the CD you could go up to eighty minutes, and you could have War And Peace as your release. When it gets right down to it, like you said, it's the two or three songs that people remember and are going to want to come back to. So, these long, and in some cases, oppressive projects really don't make sense a lot of the time.
M Reno: I agree with you, Mike. I think that people are moving so fast, and they're receiving their information so fast that a twelve-song disc seems like such an archaic way to go. I say give them fresh songs all the time. Put new artwork on each new song, throw it out there, and really keep it fresh and moving.
MR: There's also the immediate gratification of being able download a single from iTunes or from a website instantly.
M Reno: Absolutely. I love that.
MR: The sound takes a hit, of course. You know, the group Less Than Jake has a business model where you have to order their latest release through their site, which means they keep 100% percent of the profit, as opposed to sharing it with an iTunes or whatever.
M Reno: I kind of had a similar vision, and it goes even one step further. It's not anything you could easily implement, but how about you could never hear a new song by a group unless you go see them live? Wouldn't that be interesting?
MR: Here's how I look at it. When Live Nation populated every concert hall in the country, it just saturated everybody--I mean, how could you keep up with all of these major acts in all these major places? DIY acts play everywhere as well, but at smaller, less expensive venues. They're almost an antidote to seventy-five dollar and above ticket prices since fifteen dollars buys you a local caf� or club, its atmosphere or vibe, and much of the time, great new music.
M Reno: I'm with you. I think there are a lot of changes going on in the music business, and you've got to keep up with it. I love some of those new, fresh ideas that are going around. Let's say there was a new Van Halen album and you couldn't even buy it because they didn't record it. If you wanted to hear a bunch of new songs by them, you'd have to go see it live. Wouldn't you go to that concert? I would.
MR: Right, and since we're on the subject of the music business and new artists, what advice do you have for new artists?
M Reno: It's quite simple. Find a person or a group of people that you really enjoy being around and like to work with, and concentrate on your songwriting and practice your craft. If you're a player of some sort, keep playing all the time, but concentrate on making the songs interesting, fun, and whatever it takes to make them something people want to hear over and over again. You have to spend some time with this because crafting songs is not easy. Crafting good songs is really hard, but it's really worth the effort.
MR: Mike, when you look back at yourself in the early days of Loverboy and looking at yourself now, what do you see as the key differences?
M Reno: Well, I don't know if there are a lot of changes, but I'll tell you one thing--I'm starting to get pretty darn good at it. People are coming up after the show and they go, "I swear you're sounding better than you used to, is that possible?" I tell them, "If you really think about it, we've been getting a lot of practice over the last thirty years." You're bound to get better, and if you're not, there is something seriously wrong, dude.
MR: Can you hear it in your voice? Can you hear it in your playing?
M Reno: I do. When we do live shows, which is all the time, I notice the songs have come to a better place. They were originally written and recorded many years ago, and now we're playing them a little differently. I honestly think they're sounding better--a little bit edited here and there. Some are a little shorter, and some are a little longer. They're played a little differently, but the catalyst is the same. I think things are exciting and better that way, and we really enjoy that kind of thing.
MR: I used to be prejudiced about it, always wanting to find the absolute original recording of everything back when I was doing compilation work. I'm surprised at how much I've gotten over that. Now it's like, "We've already heard the original version. I want to hear something more."
M Reno: I'm with you and that's a learning curve. I went in one time when we were doing some new stuff and I said, "After we get done with these new songs, I want to try singing a few of our old songs again to see if we can get them sounding the same." I started singing them, and I said, "I sing it different, but I like it better." So, I have to agree with you. (laughs)
MR: Especially after having taken a little break because then it's like getting back together with old friends and checking out everyone's changes.
M Reno: Being in a band is kind of like being on a team. We all kind of go together, take this team, and try to make it as good as we can. Everywhere we go, we try to make it look good and sound good. We love these songs--they're part of our DNA, and they're part of a lot of people's DNA. People send us a lot of love and we end up loving them back, so it's just a big lovefest really.
MR: For "Loverboy," how appropriate.
M Reno: I know, go figure.
MR: Mike, since you brought up DNA, could you have done anything else or was this the only thing you could have done with your life?
M Reno: I could have done a lot of things. I have a lot of interests, you know? I read a lot and I feel like I could probably write books. I could probably be a good manager or producer. I'm a good songwriter, I'm a good singer, I'm a good friend, I'm a good dad--I'm good at a lot of things. I can say that because I've done it for so long. It's not that I'm bragging, it's just that after a while, you start getting good at these things. I could have been a lawyer, I think, even though it definitely wouldn't have been as much fun as being in a rock band, but I have those sensibilities.
MR: That's what I was going to ask--do you think you would have had as much fun doing anything else than you're doing right now?
M Reno: Oh, there's no way you can top being in a rock band--it's the best job on Earth.
MR: Mike, this has been a lot of fun, and I'm really glad we got to spend some time together.
M Reno: Thank you, Mike. You're always a pleasure to talk to, and I'm glad we got a chance to share some stories, my friend.
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Follow Mike Ragogna on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ragz2008
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ragogna/from-heart-to-heartbreake_b_886627.html
Christina Aguilera Katherine Heigl Jordana Brewster Amanda Swisten Sienna Miller
As nonprofit groups in Palmdale gear up to sell "safe and sane" fireworks for July4, city officials warned residents Tuesday to maintain caution when preparing for their celebrations.
Palmdale is one of 38 cities in Los Angeles County that permit the use of safe and sane fireworks. Fillmore, in Ventura County, does as well. All fireworks are illegal in the city of Los Angeles.
Palmdale's residents voted in April 1992 to continue the use of safe and sane fireworks, defined loosely as those that don't explode or fly. They are identified with a seal approved by the state fire marshal.
"If used properly, there shouldn't be any issues," said Gerald Cosey, battalion chief of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. "The Fire Department wants the residents to enjoy the holiday and we want them to enjoy it safely and responsibly."
He anticipates adding more engines and personnel in the Antelope Valley cities to help ensure safety.
Palmdale communications manager John Mlynar (cq)said the city is trying to spread the word through different outlets to its approximately 154,000 residents.
"We're trying to get the message out," Mlynar said. "Like every year, you've got to be cautious."
Bilingual public service announcements fill the radio waves, fliers including fireworks safety tips are mailed out to residents and an interactive map that allows visitors to verify if their residence lies within city limits is accessible via the city's website, www.cityofpalmdale.org.
Even safe and sane fireworks are banned from some areas of Palmdale, primarily the southwest neighborhoods, as identified on a map on the city website.
The annual protocol to inform residents of fireworks safety is coupled with encouragement to report any illegal fireworks - such as bottle rockets, M-80 s and others that explode or fly - which are not allowed anywhere in Los Angeles County. The county penalties for possession or use of illegal fireworks can range from a fine of up to $1,000 to one year in county jail. In Palmdale fines can start at $2,500.
"With fire season upon us, it is vital that our county residents understand that fireworks can cause brush fires, house fires, millions of dollars in damages, injuries and even death," said county Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich in a news release.
"Our firefighters risk their lives protecting lives and property - they deserve our help in preventing further fire emergencies."
The sale of safe and sane fireworks is restricted to nonprofit groups, which can start earning money several days before Independence Day, starting Tuesday at noon and ending noon July5.
"People that sell safe and sane fireworks raise funds for organizations, and it's a major way they make money. You can help out a charity," Cosey said.
This year, 42 safe and sane fireworks distribution booths are set up across Palmdale. Among their sponsors are religious groups, high school clubs, community service organizations and youth programs.
The Kiwanis Club of Palmdale, a service group which focuses on helping children, provides scholarships for high school students while giving back to Palmdale through volunteer work.
They hope to raise $20,000 through fireworks sales this year. Lynn Wright, advisor of the Highland High School Key Club and Kiwanis Club volunteer, said they depend on fireworks sales to provide a portion of the money used for the programs they offer.
"We would have to find other means if we couldn't sell the fireworks," she said.
Source: http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_18370793?source=rss
Scarlett Johansson Chandra West Jennifer Scholle Jill Arrington Marley Shelton
Linda Hogan, who was married to Hulk Hogan for almost 25 years, talked to Matt Lauer on the 'Today Show' Tuesday and revealed, once again, that she often feared for her life around her ex-husband.
Hogan is promoting her new book, 'Wrestling the Hulk: My Life Against the Ropes,' and in it writes that Hulk "tore my shirt. He threw lamps. He held me down on the bed with his hands around my throat during arguments, slamming doors, pounding walls. I was always afraid he would kill me in one of his rages."
"He did not feel remorse," Hogan told Lauer. "And to this day he hasn't apologized for any of his actions."
Hogan said the turning point was when she found out Hulk had an affair 10 years into their marriage, and added that drugs probably factored into his behavior.
"The drugs were always around," she said, adding there was a "constant flow of pain pills."
Though she always knew she would one day come clean about the abuse, she claims now is the best time.
"I didn't want to add fuel to the fire," she said, referring to her very public divorce from the wrestler in 2007. "There are a lot of women out there in the world that are going through the same thing that I went to. if they can learn something from what I wrote, I hope I can help people."
However, according to TMZ, Hulk is firing back at his ex. He called into the 'Bubba the Love Sponge Show" today, referring to Linda's remarks as "delusional" and her her abuse accusation "a cold, blatant lie."
According to Hulk, Linda is just trying to exploit him and his name, saying, "Just take her and put her in the same category with the Iron Sheik and the Ultimate Warrior. They all belong together."
Watch Linda Hogan's interview on the 'Today Show' below.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Source: http://www.popeater.com/2011/06/28/linda-hogan-feared-hulk-would-kill-her/
Kristanna Loken Lauren Conrad Cristina Dumitru Charlies Angels Busy Philipps
Source: http://concreteloop.com/2011/06/music-news-rapper-big-sean-releases-debut-album
Maria Bello Xenia Seeberg Halle Berry Gabrielle Union Keira Knightley
6/28/2011 10:45 AM PDT�by TMZ Staff��
Break out your swim suits ... it's time for TMZ's 53rd annual Beachin' Body Photo Contest!!!! So if you've got a BODACIOUS beach bod ... email in a picture and you could win big!
**CLICK HERE for contest rules and regulations!**
Tags: Contest
Source: http://www.tmz.com/2011/06/28/tmz-hot-body-swimsuit-bikini-picture-contest-prize-winner-vote/
Stacy Keibler Kelly Rowland Carmen Electra Amber Heard Grace Park