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Jump N' The Saddle Band Takes Hall Of Fame Induction In Stride
CHICAGO - Singer Peter Quinn can't help mimicking his boyhood idol when discussing his band's surprise 2008 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "Do we deserve it? Soitenly!" he mugs in a dead-on impression of the loveable Stooge who inspired Jump N' The Saddle's 1984 hit "The Curly Shuffle." The song climbed as high as #15 on the Billboard charts and has become the soundtrack to Three Stooges film festivals the world over. "It is rare that a novelty song transcends it's pop phenomenon status and becomes a treasured part of American musical lore," announced Hall of Fame President and CEO Joel Peresman in defense of the Foundation's controversial choice. "The Hall is justifiably proud that Chicago's favorite sons have been recognized with such a prestigious honor." Jump N' The Saddle have not performed together since the early part of the decade but Quinn reports that the band will convene rehearsals in early February. "I've got to brush up on my 'Woo Woo Woo's' and 'Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk's" Quinn jokes, miming a few of Curly's signature slapstick gags including the famous "eye-poke blocker." Duo Jerry Buckner and Gary Garcia, who charted with the 1982 smash hit "Pac Man Fever" are slated to induct Quinn and company at the induction ceremony March 10th. Fellow inductees include John Mellencamp, Leonard Cohen, The Dave Clark Five and Madonna.
Corporate World Embraces Team Building Benefits Of Soulja Boy Dance
SACRAMENTO - An increasing number of companies nationwide are discovering the morale-boosting qualities of the popular Hip Hop dance known as the "Soulja Boy" and substituting it for traditional team building exercises according to a recent report in the Sacramento Business Journal. The dance, popularized by the song "Crank Dat", is characterized by the signature move of jumping on one foot and cranking the hands as if revving a motorcycle. Many corporate offices have begun sponsoring fifteen-minute "Soulja Boy breaks" at appointed times of the day during which employees adjourn to an open space and participate in the group line dance. "The Soulja Boy dance is a great way to draw people out of their comfort zone and challenge them to try something a little new," says Diane Waltier, a business consultant with Marks and Associates in Sacramento, who organizes team building events for corporate clients. "There's something invigorating in seeing a line of business-attired men and women of all ages and personalities hopping around in the Superman pose." Michael Spinks, a sales manager for a medical supply company, has begun implementing impromptu Soulja Boy breaks into his team's workday and is noticing improved employee relations and fewer absences. "Sometimes it's just a great method of shaking people out of their early morning funk," he explains. "I have a boombox set up in the lunchroom and as soon as people hear that steel drum beat blasting through the office they're up out of their seats and hopping side to side with wide grins on their faces."
Juilliard Receives Rare Eazy-E Manuscripts
NEW YORK - Eazy-E's widow Tomika Wright, in an surprising act of generosity, has donated nearly 100 pages of handwritten lyrics penned by deceased rapper Eazy-E to the Juilliard school, many of which have never been seen by the public. Some of the more coveted items included in the collection are several revisions of an unrecorded rap entitled "Ruthless Muthaf***kka", the long-thought-lost first edition manuscript of "Nutz On Ya Chin" and a barely-legible Dr. Dre diss Eazy is alleged to have composed days prior to his death, "Take That N*gga Down". "I'm speechless," marveled Carl Hiller, Professor of Music at Cornell University. "These documents are invaluable artifacts essential to the preservation of gangster rap's cultural legacy within the larger context of West Coast hip hop." While many of the lyrics are mysogynistic in nature and glorify gun violence, Juilliard President Joseph W. Polisi defends the decision to make the manuscripts available for public viewing, citing Eazy-E's significant contribution to art and humanity during his lifetime. "I may not agree with some of Mr. E's sentiments with regards to women and urban conflict resolution, but that should not detract from the historical implications of these precious documents."
Local Man Regrets Karaoke Song Selection
TAMPA - Kevin Jameson, a regular patron and karaoke participant at Barney's Sports Tavern, claimed his judgment was "significantly" impaired when he attempted a disastrously off-key rendition of Journey's classic power ballad "Don't Stop Believing" in front of a packed crowd of giggling onlookers Friday Night. "Normally, I shy away from Journey considering Steve (Perry) is a tenor and I'm a baritone," Jameson soberly explained in a candid interview Saturday morning. "If I'm feeling a little cocky I might give 'Separate Ways' a try but as a rule I'm a Def Leppard guy. I just had too much to drink and I guess I overestimated my range." An unnamed member of the waitstaff at Barney's confirmed Jameson often received a "rousing" ovation for his spirited covers of "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and "Bringin' On The Heartache" but was unable to recall him ever tackling a Journey song before.
According to three separate witnesses, Jameson appeared "visibly intoxicated" as he staggered up to the DJ with a slip of paper containing the hastily scrawled song selection. Several members of his party tried unsuccessfully to restrain him when his name was called, but Jameson pushed his way to the small stage and grabbed the mic. "At first I thought he might pull it off," recalls bartender Heather Schafer, "but when he hit the bridge, his voice started cracking all over the place and you could see he just wanted to die." Looking back, Jameson admits he should have walked off the stage at that point and allowed the DJ to fade out the remainder of the song. "But again, I wasn't thinking clearly and figured I could right the ship." DJ Ken Wallace, who now says he had "serious reservations" about letting Jameson get behind the microphone in his condition, agrees that the stocky singer should have aborted the song after the first botched chorus. "That kind of stuff happens a lot and as a performer, you need to know your limitations and pull that proverbial rip cord if things start going south." Jameson plans to lay low next week and just "observe the action" but promises to come back strong the following week. "I've been trying out 'Smokin' In The Boys Room,'" he confides with a wink, singing a few bars for good measure. "See? I still got it!"
Former Nirvana Bassist Wages Heroic Battle Against Anonymity
WASHINGTON - Krist Novoselic, former bassist for alternative rock band Nirvana, reveals in the latest issue of SPIN magazine that he has been fighting a long and difficult battle with anonymity. Novoselic's condition has reportedly progressed to the point where his presence in public places is frequently greeted with indifference and apathy. No longer able to enjoy the trappings of fame many higher profile musicians take for granted such as signing autographs or posing for pictures with complete strangers, Kirk Cobain's former sideman has learned to cope with his ignominious existence by playing music in the undistinguished San Francisco rock band, Flipper. His struggle against total irrelevance has also led him to become more active in politics, specifically targeting the issue of electoral reform. Novoselic admits he was reluctant to go public with his battle against obscurity but hopes to raise awareness of his plight and the incapacitation of his musical career.
Kellie Pickler Resents Compliment Paid In Local Radio Promo
NASHVILLE - Country music starlet and former American Idol contestant Kellie Pickler expressed her disappointment with a Tennessee radio station recently, having apparently misinterpreted a promo describing her as "alluring." In her personal blog at kelliepickler.com, the singer described radio station WYOZ's advertisement as "an outrite lie" and implored fans not to believe everything they read and hear about her. "I kno who i am - a Cristian, a filanthropist, and hopfully a roal modle," Pickler wrote. "But I am NOT a lurring, and resent being called one."
Ice Cube's Ghetto Pass Revoked By NAACP
LOS ANGELES - According to a recent article in Blender magazine, actor/rapper Ice Cube has been served with an official notice that his Ghetto Pass is being revoked by the NAACP due to "a prolonged pattern of conduct unbefitting of a hood resident." Cube, who was a member of the seminal rap group N.W.A. and co-starred in the films "Are We There Yet?" and "Friday", could not be reached for comment but is apparently shocked by the news. The NAACP would not elaborate on what specifically prompted their decision, but rumors of their displeasure began swirling after the release of 2007's "Are We Done Yet?". Allegedly, Cube was first put on notice after appearing in the 1997 film "Anaconda" and was issued a warning following his role in 2001's "Ghosts of Mars" that all ghetto privileges were in danger of being suspended due to questionable career moves. However, membership was reinstated following the success of the film "Barbershop" in 2002 coupled with a contribution to the "Harsh Times" soundtrack in 2005. Ice Cube could not be reached for comment, but allegedly plans to appeal the ruling.
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