Grammy winner Herbie Hancock is among the headliners slated for the 2008 Playboy Jazz Festival.The bill, which includes Al Jarreau, Tower of Power, Keb' Mo', the James Moody Quartet, Roy Hargrove Big Band and first-time Playboy performer Ryan Shaw, was announced yesterday afternoon at the Playboy Mansion. Celebrating its 30th year, the Playboy Jazz Festival will take place June 14-15 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.Returning as host of the two-day event, comedian/actor Bill Cosby will perform once again with his group, the Cos of Good Music on June 14.Talking to Billboard.com about his love affair with jazz, Cosby said, "When I heard it, it moved me. Then I wanted to hear it again and we've been friends ever since." He also applauded Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner's prescience. "Hugh knows and respects jazz. For that [Playboy] banner to be there 30 years ago is fantastic," he said.Cosby and other artists on hand for the press conference paid tribute as well to Hancock's surprising Grammy win for album of the year. Added 2008 festival performer Dee Dee Bridgewater, "Now maybe we'll all get more attention."
Bassist Marcus Miller also announced the lineup for the inaugural Playboy Jazz Cruise, for which he will serve as musical host. Setting sail Jan. 25-Feb. 1, 2009, the cruise will feature special guest Hancock along with such acts as Pancho Sanchez, Dianne Reeves and young jazz pianist Eldar.Presented in association with Jazz Cruises LLC, the Playboy Jazz Cruise will travel to the ports of San Juan, Saint Barth's, Nevis and the private island of Half Moon Cay.
To get tickets to the Playboy Jazz Festival go to www.platinumtickets.com/venue/hollywood_bowl_tickets/playboy_jazz_festival_tickets.html
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Rod Stewart Steps Outside For Summer Tour
Rod Stewart will hit outdoor amphitheatres on his summer North American tour, which will begin July 30 in Pasa Robles, Calif. Bryan Adams will open the first seven dates.Stewart will be making another push behind his 2007 album “Still the Same: Great Rock Classics of Our Time,” which has sold XXX,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.Tickets go on sale Saturday (March 1).
- Here are Rod Stewart’s tour dates:
- July 30: Paso Robles, Calif. (Mid California State Fair)
- Aug. 1: Irvine, Calif. (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre)
- Aug. 2: Las Vegas (MGM Grand Garden)
- Aug. 5: Chicago (Sears Centre)
- Aug. 6: Clarkston, Mich. (DTE Energy Center)
- Aug. 8: Cincinnati (Riverbend Music Center)
- Aug. 9: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio (Blossom Music Center)
- Aug. 12: Uncasville, Conn. (Mohegan Sun)
- Aug. 13: Montreal (Bell Centre)
- Aug. 15: Mansfield, Mass. (Tweeter Center)
- Aug. 16: Toronto (Molson Amphitheatre)
- Aug. 19: Wantagh, N.Y. (Jones Beach)
- Aug. 20: Holmdel, N.J. (PNC Bank Arts Center)
- Aug. 22-23: Atlantic City, N.J. (Borgata)
- Aug. 24: Bristow, Va. (Nissan Pavilion)
- Aug. 27: Atlanta (Verizon at Encore Park)
- Aug. 28: Tampa, Fla. (Ford Amphitheatre)
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Chinese face loss of Games colossus
FOR China, the Beijing Olympics without its most famous sportsman, Yao Ming, would be like the Sydney Games without Ian Thorpe.
But that is the grim possibility facing China after the 27-year-old was ruled out of the rest of the US basketball season with a stress fracture in his left foot.
Along with world record-holding hurdler Liu Xiang, Yao is the face of the Beijing Olympics. His portrait is plastered on billboards throughout the capital, and appears in continual television advertisements.
Yao, who has for several years topped the Forbes rich list of Chinese celebrities, earning $39million last year, epitomises the Chinese dream: he is rich, famous and lives in the US.
But Yao is considering the possibility he will miss his home Games. "If I cannot play in the Olympics for my country this time, that would be the biggest loss of my career," said the 230cm colossus.
The news broke in China mid-morning. By 3pm, a single website, sina.com, had registered 7.7 million posts from sports fans registering their anguish and declaring their support for the likeable Yao.
One lamented: "It's thunder in the sky! I'd rather my girlfriend leave me, my boss fire me, China fail to qualify for the soccer World Cup, even China to be robbed of hosting the Olympics, than Yao Ming to be too injured to play."
Many Chinese journalists are stationed in the US during the NBA season just to follow the fortunes of Yao Ming. Games in which he plays usually top the TV ratings in China. His wedding in Shanghai was the most widely reported event in the city last year.
He endorses dozens of products, including McDonald's, Pepsi, Reebok, Visa, Apple and giant mobile phone company China Unicom.
Yao said yesterday he and his doctors were still discussing how to treat the injury - "whether to put a cast on it or operate". In either case, healing would take three to four months and rehabilitation would begin only after that.
Yao's absence from the Beijing Games would be a huge blow for China's Communist Party. His birth was in many ways the culmination of a plan hatched by Shanghai sports officials to cultivate a generation of athletes who would embody the rising power of the communist nation.
More than 20 years before Yao was born, Mao Zedong ordered his followers to bring the most genetically gifted youngsters into the emerging communist sports machine so they could produce the next generation of superstars.
Shanghai basketball coaches paired Yao's father, Yao Zhiyuan, and his mother, Fang Fengdi, both basketballers. An official convinced them they could "make do" with each other, and that they had the Communist Party's stamp of approval to get together.
The pair married, and Yao Ming was born on September 12, 1980 - twice the size of the average Chinese newborn
But that is the grim possibility facing China after the 27-year-old was ruled out of the rest of the US basketball season with a stress fracture in his left foot.
Along with world record-holding hurdler Liu Xiang, Yao is the face of the Beijing Olympics. His portrait is plastered on billboards throughout the capital, and appears in continual television advertisements.
Yao, who has for several years topped the Forbes rich list of Chinese celebrities, earning $39million last year, epitomises the Chinese dream: he is rich, famous and lives in the US.
But Yao is considering the possibility he will miss his home Games. "If I cannot play in the Olympics for my country this time, that would be the biggest loss of my career," said the 230cm colossus.
The news broke in China mid-morning. By 3pm, a single website, sina.com, had registered 7.7 million posts from sports fans registering their anguish and declaring their support for the likeable Yao.
One lamented: "It's thunder in the sky! I'd rather my girlfriend leave me, my boss fire me, China fail to qualify for the soccer World Cup, even China to be robbed of hosting the Olympics, than Yao Ming to be too injured to play."
Many Chinese journalists are stationed in the US during the NBA season just to follow the fortunes of Yao Ming. Games in which he plays usually top the TV ratings in China. His wedding in Shanghai was the most widely reported event in the city last year.
He endorses dozens of products, including McDonald's, Pepsi, Reebok, Visa, Apple and giant mobile phone company China Unicom.
Yao said yesterday he and his doctors were still discussing how to treat the injury - "whether to put a cast on it or operate". In either case, healing would take three to four months and rehabilitation would begin only after that.
Yao's absence from the Beijing Games would be a huge blow for China's Communist Party. His birth was in many ways the culmination of a plan hatched by Shanghai sports officials to cultivate a generation of athletes who would embody the rising power of the communist nation.
More than 20 years before Yao was born, Mao Zedong ordered his followers to bring the most genetically gifted youngsters into the emerging communist sports machine so they could produce the next generation of superstars.
Shanghai basketball coaches paired Yao's father, Yao Zhiyuan, and his mother, Fang Fengdi, both basketballers. An official convinced them they could "make do" with each other, and that they had the Communist Party's stamp of approval to get together.
The pair married, and Yao Ming was born on September 12, 1980 - twice the size of the average Chinese newborn
Olympic first as Games go to pay TV
IN a groundbreaking move, the International Olympic Committee has ended the grip of free-to-air television networks on its broadcast rights after awarding the Italian rights for the 2010 and 2012 Olympics to News Corporation's pay-TV arm Sky Italia.
It is the first time a pay-TV group in a large market has been awarded the IOC's full broadcast and electronic rights, effectively becoming the gatekeeper of the rights. The move follows the $110million deal by the Nine Network and Foxtel for Australian rights to the same Games.
The Italian deal ends the hold on Olympic TV rights by Italy's state-owned TV network RAI, which has traditionally broadcast the Olympics in the sports-mad country and will broadcast the Beijing Games.
While Sky Italia will have to do a deal with a free-to-air TV operator in Italy to provide a minimum coverage, the surprise decision signals the IOC's determination to seek media deals that provide the maximum potential for the thousands of hours of Olympic sport across all electronic platforms, from pay and free-to-air to the internet and mobile telephony.
It also opens up the potential for News Corporation-linked pay-TV groups in three countries to consult on the coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
In Australia, pay-TV group Foxtel is 25 per cent owned by News Corporation (parent company of News Limited, publisher of The Australian), Media, with Telstra holding 50 per cent and Consolidated Media holding the final 25 per cent.
Last November the IOC awarded the New Zealand broadcast rights for the 2010 and 2012 Games to pay-TV operator Sky Network Television and its free-to-air channel Prime.
Sky Television New Zealand is 44 per cent owned by News Corporation.
Foxtel spokeswoman Kristen Foster said yesterday that the deal represented a "changing of the guard" with respect to the IOC's attitude towards subscription television.
She described the deal as transformational but said it was was early days in Foxtel's planning for coverage of the 2010 and 2012 Games.
Announcing the deal in Europe, IOC president Jacques Rogge said it would mean an increased coverage of the Games in Italy as well as "an exciting promotion of Olympic sports and Olympic values in Italy".
IOC vice-president Thomas Bach, who led the negotiations, said Sky Italia had "demonstrated an unrivalled commitment to the Olympic Games and the Olympic values that will allow sports fans in Italy the chance to see more Olympic sport than ever before".
Sky Italia chief executive Tom Mockridge said the deal showed Sky's "commitment to offer more quality and choice to our subscribers".
Mr Mockridge said Sky Italia would immediately begin discussions to identify the best free-to-air network to proceed with this project.
The Sky Italia deal is reported to have caught RAI by surprise. "It was asleep," said one observer this week.
RAI has traditionally shown the Olympics under a deal with the European Broadcasting Union, which negotiates a collective deal with the IOC on behalf of state-owned broadcasters including the BBC.
But this time around RAI did not want to pay the high price, after the EBU agreed a deal with the IOC in 2004 which represented a 40 per cent increase in fees for the 2010 and the 2012 Olympics to $US746 million in a deal covering 51 countries.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed, although one source said the IOC's decision was driven more by Sky's plans for extensive coverage across all platforms rather than the price
It is the first time a pay-TV group in a large market has been awarded the IOC's full broadcast and electronic rights, effectively becoming the gatekeeper of the rights. The move follows the $110million deal by the Nine Network and Foxtel for Australian rights to the same Games.
The Italian deal ends the hold on Olympic TV rights by Italy's state-owned TV network RAI, which has traditionally broadcast the Olympics in the sports-mad country and will broadcast the Beijing Games.
While Sky Italia will have to do a deal with a free-to-air TV operator in Italy to provide a minimum coverage, the surprise decision signals the IOC's determination to seek media deals that provide the maximum potential for the thousands of hours of Olympic sport across all electronic platforms, from pay and free-to-air to the internet and mobile telephony.
It also opens up the potential for News Corporation-linked pay-TV groups in three countries to consult on the coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
In Australia, pay-TV group Foxtel is 25 per cent owned by News Corporation (parent company of News Limited, publisher of The Australian), Media, with Telstra holding 50 per cent and Consolidated Media holding the final 25 per cent.
Last November the IOC awarded the New Zealand broadcast rights for the 2010 and 2012 Games to pay-TV operator Sky Network Television and its free-to-air channel Prime.
Sky Television New Zealand is 44 per cent owned by News Corporation.
Foxtel spokeswoman Kristen Foster said yesterday that the deal represented a "changing of the guard" with respect to the IOC's attitude towards subscription television.
She described the deal as transformational but said it was was early days in Foxtel's planning for coverage of the 2010 and 2012 Games.
Announcing the deal in Europe, IOC president Jacques Rogge said it would mean an increased coverage of the Games in Italy as well as "an exciting promotion of Olympic sports and Olympic values in Italy".
IOC vice-president Thomas Bach, who led the negotiations, said Sky Italia had "demonstrated an unrivalled commitment to the Olympic Games and the Olympic values that will allow sports fans in Italy the chance to see more Olympic sport than ever before".
Sky Italia chief executive Tom Mockridge said the deal showed Sky's "commitment to offer more quality and choice to our subscribers".
Mr Mockridge said Sky Italia would immediately begin discussions to identify the best free-to-air network to proceed with this project.
The Sky Italia deal is reported to have caught RAI by surprise. "It was asleep," said one observer this week.
RAI has traditionally shown the Olympics under a deal with the European Broadcasting Union, which negotiates a collective deal with the IOC on behalf of state-owned broadcasters including the BBC.
But this time around RAI did not want to pay the high price, after the EBU agreed a deal with the IOC in 2004 which represented a 40 per cent increase in fees for the 2010 and the 2012 Olympics to $US746 million in a deal covering 51 countries.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed, although one source said the IOC's decision was driven more by Sky's plans for extensive coverage across all platforms rather than the price
Ticketmaster completes acquisition of TicketsNow
By Alfred Branch Jr.
Despite widespread opposition to the deal from brokers, Ticketmaster today announced it had completed its purchase of the nation’s number-two ranked secondary ticket reseller TicketsNow. Ticketmaster never officially disclosed the financial terms of the deal, which was scrutinized and approved by the federal government for possible anti-trust violations, but published reports placed the purchase price at $265 million.
The acquisition changes the ticket-selling landscape as Ticketmaster, already the largest primary ticket seller, according to TicketNews’ exclusive market rankings, is now poised to become the second-largest secondary ticket reseller with its sights set squarely on its rival StubHub for the top slot.
But, questions remain about how the relationship between Ticketmaster and TicketsNow will play out, especially as it relates to information about brokers and their sales, and how much of an advantage Ticketmaster may gain by having access to that data.
“As long as they [Ticketmaster] totally go free market, then it’s OK with me,” said Arizona State University Economics Professor Stephen Happel, one of the nation’s leading authorities on the ticketing industry. “But, the question is will Ticketmaster use the inherent advantages it has in the primary market to then channel tickets quietly through TicketsNow? They say they’re for transparency, but this is the same group that not that long ago was fighting vehemently against the secondary market before they found religion.”
Ticketmaster, which watched for years as StubHub and others grew and dominated the secondary market at the expense of its own TicketExchange model, knew it needed to make a big splash in the secondary market soon or risk being irreparably damaged, especially as it prepares for life without its largest customer, Live Nation, which is launching its own primary ticketing operation in 2009.
Industry heavyweight Harris Rosner, owner of VIPTickets.com, believes the deal will be a boon to ticket brokers because it further mainstreams what was once a stealth or clandestine market. “This raises the bar and further legitimizes the whole industry,” Rosner said. “I can’t say that I know all the answers as to how this will all shake out, but evolution was inevitable. Besides, I don’t think it’s in Ticketmaster’s best interest to pay $265 million for a company that they’ll implode.”
Sean Moriarty, president and CEO of Ticketmaster, said in a statement that the acquisition will redefine the ticket market. "We are going to provide fans more options and the most secure, reliable and convenient way to buy tickets to the events they want to attend at a price they are willing to pay."
Cheryl Rosner, CEO of TicketsNow, who will remain in charge of the company, added, "TicketsNow revolutionized the event ticket industry by providing great service and technology to the broker community and by ensuring the quality of resellers in our marketplace. By combining with Ticketmaster, TicketsNow is able to offer our partners a greatly expanded market opportunity and provide fans even higher levels of service and security."
-Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner also contributed to this story.
Despite widespread opposition to the deal from brokers, Ticketmaster today announced it had completed its purchase of the nation’s number-two ranked secondary ticket reseller TicketsNow. Ticketmaster never officially disclosed the financial terms of the deal, which was scrutinized and approved by the federal government for possible anti-trust violations, but published reports placed the purchase price at $265 million.
The acquisition changes the ticket-selling landscape as Ticketmaster, already the largest primary ticket seller, according to TicketNews’ exclusive market rankings, is now poised to become the second-largest secondary ticket reseller with its sights set squarely on its rival StubHub for the top slot.
But, questions remain about how the relationship between Ticketmaster and TicketsNow will play out, especially as it relates to information about brokers and their sales, and how much of an advantage Ticketmaster may gain by having access to that data.
“As long as they [Ticketmaster] totally go free market, then it’s OK with me,” said Arizona State University Economics Professor Stephen Happel, one of the nation’s leading authorities on the ticketing industry. “But, the question is will Ticketmaster use the inherent advantages it has in the primary market to then channel tickets quietly through TicketsNow? They say they’re for transparency, but this is the same group that not that long ago was fighting vehemently against the secondary market before they found religion.”
Ticketmaster, which watched for years as StubHub and others grew and dominated the secondary market at the expense of its own TicketExchange model, knew it needed to make a big splash in the secondary market soon or risk being irreparably damaged, especially as it prepares for life without its largest customer, Live Nation, which is launching its own primary ticketing operation in 2009.
Industry heavyweight Harris Rosner, owner of VIPTickets.com, believes the deal will be a boon to ticket brokers because it further mainstreams what was once a stealth or clandestine market. “This raises the bar and further legitimizes the whole industry,” Rosner said. “I can’t say that I know all the answers as to how this will all shake out, but evolution was inevitable. Besides, I don’t think it’s in Ticketmaster’s best interest to pay $265 million for a company that they’ll implode.”
Sean Moriarty, president and CEO of Ticketmaster, said in a statement that the acquisition will redefine the ticket market. "We are going to provide fans more options and the most secure, reliable and convenient way to buy tickets to the events they want to attend at a price they are willing to pay."
Cheryl Rosner, CEO of TicketsNow, who will remain in charge of the company, added, "TicketsNow revolutionized the event ticket industry by providing great service and technology to the broker community and by ensuring the quality of resellers in our marketplace. By combining with Ticketmaster, TicketsNow is able to offer our partners a greatly expanded market opportunity and provide fans even higher levels of service and security."
-Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner also contributed to this story.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Roddick powers to SAP Open title win
Top-seeded Andy Roddick used his overpowering serve to win the SAP Open for the third time in his career, beating fourth-seeded Radek Stepanek 6-4, 7-5 in Sunday's final.
Roddick never faced a break point as Stepanek had no answer for his booming serve. Roddick closed out each set with an ace to win his 23rd career title.
There were only two service breaks in the match. Stepanek lost his serve at love to open the match and never recovered. Then at 5-all in the second set, Roddick came up with the two powerful groundstrokes he needed to close out the match.
He hit a forehand down the line off the first serve that handcuffed Stepanek as he approached the net to earn a break point. Then he went up 6-5 with a topspin forehand passing shot.
After that, it was just a formality as Roddick started the next game with an ace and two service winners. Roddick made two errors before finishing it off with a 208kph ace down the middle.
Stepanek was looking for his third career title. The Czech tried to win over the fans in San Jose by wearing a Joe Thornton Sharks jersey when he came out onto the court. But that was probably a bad omen, considering the Sharks have one of the worst home records in the NHL.
Maria Sharapova returns to fellow Russian Vera Zvonareva during their final match at the US$2.5 million Qatar Open tournament in Doha on Sunday.
Roddick never faced a break point as Stepanek had no answer for his booming serve. Roddick closed out each set with an ace to win his 23rd career title.
There were only two service breaks in the match. Stepanek lost his serve at love to open the match and never recovered. Then at 5-all in the second set, Roddick came up with the two powerful groundstrokes he needed to close out the match.
He hit a forehand down the line off the first serve that handcuffed Stepanek as he approached the net to earn a break point. Then he went up 6-5 with a topspin forehand passing shot.
After that, it was just a formality as Roddick started the next game with an ace and two service winners. Roddick made two errors before finishing it off with a 208kph ace down the middle.
Stepanek was looking for his third career title. The Czech tried to win over the fans in San Jose by wearing a Joe Thornton Sharks jersey when he came out onto the court. But that was probably a bad omen, considering the Sharks have one of the worst home records in the NHL.
Maria Sharapova returns to fellow Russian Vera Zvonareva during their final match at the US$2.5 million Qatar Open tournament in Doha on Sunday.
Henin raring to go after troubles ease
By Paul Newman in DubaiTuesday, 26 February 2008
Defeats and injuries barely figured in Justine Henin's vocabulary last year, but this week's Dubai Championships will give the world No 1 a chance to rebuild both her confidence and her fitness following her quarter-final drubbing by Maria Sharapova at last month's Australian Open.
Henin, who has a bye in the first round, admitted yesterday that she should not have played in Melbourne after the recurrence of a knee injury. After her defeat to Sharapova, which ended a 33-match winning run dating back to Wimbledon in July, Henin was forced to rest following a cortisone injection in her right knee.
"There were a lot of factors involved in what happened in Australia," Henin said. "Sharapova was certainly the better player on the day, but I probably didn't have enough time in December to come down after everything that happened in 2007. I was quite tired and I shouldn't have played in Australia because of my knee. It was a big mistake because it took me a few weeks to recover. I was feeling the injury a bit when I left for Australia, but you always think that it's going to be better. Now my knee is much better after the injection and I can play without pain, but I had to stop for three weeks."
The 25-year-old Belgian has played once since Melbourne and had double reason to celebrate. Not only did she win in her first tour appearance in her home country for five years, but it also marked the final phase in her reconciliation with her family. The Antwerp final was the first occasion on which she has been watched by her father since she cut herself off from her relatives – for reasons never explained publicly – several years ago.
Ana Ivanovic, the world No 2 due to play her first match tomorrow, said she may withdraw after suffering a foot injury last week.
Elena Dementieva, the No 8 seed, was the most significant winner in yesterday's opening contests, beating Patty Schnyder in straight sets.
For tickets to tennis events go to www.PlatinumTickets.com
Defeats and injuries barely figured in Justine Henin's vocabulary last year, but this week's Dubai Championships will give the world No 1 a chance to rebuild both her confidence and her fitness following her quarter-final drubbing by Maria Sharapova at last month's Australian Open.
Henin, who has a bye in the first round, admitted yesterday that she should not have played in Melbourne after the recurrence of a knee injury. After her defeat to Sharapova, which ended a 33-match winning run dating back to Wimbledon in July, Henin was forced to rest following a cortisone injection in her right knee.
"There were a lot of factors involved in what happened in Australia," Henin said. "Sharapova was certainly the better player on the day, but I probably didn't have enough time in December to come down after everything that happened in 2007. I was quite tired and I shouldn't have played in Australia because of my knee. It was a big mistake because it took me a few weeks to recover. I was feeling the injury a bit when I left for Australia, but you always think that it's going to be better. Now my knee is much better after the injection and I can play without pain, but I had to stop for three weeks."
The 25-year-old Belgian has played once since Melbourne and had double reason to celebrate. Not only did she win in her first tour appearance in her home country for five years, but it also marked the final phase in her reconciliation with her family. The Antwerp final was the first occasion on which she has been watched by her father since she cut herself off from her relatives – for reasons never explained publicly – several years ago.
Ana Ivanovic, the world No 2 due to play her first match tomorrow, said she may withdraw after suffering a foot injury last week.
Elena Dementieva, the No 8 seed, was the most significant winner in yesterday's opening contests, beating Patty Schnyder in straight sets.
For tickets to tennis events go to www.PlatinumTickets.com
Sunday, February 24, 2008
In Our Talons: The Bowerbirds
Bowerbirds were born of the natural surroundings in the rural Carolinas and with song titles like "Bur Oak," "Hooves," "In Our Talons" and "Olive Hearts," the trio wears their organic sound on their (album) sleeves. "A lot of the songs feel more like praise songs to me," frontman Phil Moore says. "Praising what is still wild in and around us."Serving as a sort of field guide of contemporary folk, Bowerbirds' 2007 album "Hymns for a Dark Horse" is a collection of raw recordings complete with breaths, sticks clicking on drum edges and the sounds of fingers sliding over frets left in the mix. Utilizing a bass drum, tamborine and mallet as the only traditional percussive elements, multi-instrumentalists Mark Paulson and Beth Tacular build their structures instead around Moore's meandering vocals, breezy guitar lines and poetic verse like "There's a rusty prick in the tall grass/Where the barbed wire waits/ for a blind horse in a gallop and its sealed and sudden fate/There is hate in the grip of our human hands" (from "Human Hands"). The tunes are further accented with deftly restrained accordion, piano, violin, vocoder and upright bass.Following the 'Birds January signing to the Austin, TX based label Dead Oceans, the release of an expanded version of "Hymns" is planned for later this year. As the Bowerbirds got ready to set off on tour Feb. 23 with labelmates Phosphorescent and a quartet of South By Southwest performances, Moore took time out to discuss the band's history and future.
UCI backs Contador for TDF
Madrid - The International Cycling Union (ICU) will do all it can to ensure that defending Tour de France winner Alberto Contador of Spain will take part in this year's edition of the cycle race, its president said on Wednesday in a newspaper interview.
The tour's organisers, Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), ruled on February 13 that Contador's Astana team would be barred from competing in this year's race as a result of doping scandals over the past two years.
"We will do everything that is possible to ensure that Contador takes part in the Tour. It would be a tragedy if Contador could not defend his title," ICU president Pat McQuaid of Ireland told El Pais.
"It's unjust and unjustifiable. Its a decision taken by people who don't understand this sport," he added.
Tour organisers said they had decided to prevent Astana from competing in any of their races because of "the damage caused by this team to the Tour de France and cycling in general, as much in 2006 as 2007".
The Luxembourg-registered Kazakh team were forced to withdraw from the 2007 Tour de France and were snubbed by the Spanish Vuelta in September after a string of doping scandals.
The team's former leader Alexandre Vinokourov was fired after testing positive for a blood transfusion during the Tour, while riders Andrej Kashechkin and Matthias Kessler also failed doping tests.
Since their drug-tainted 2007 season, Astana have undergone a makeover, and promised to clean up their act.
A new team of riders, including Contador and Leipheimer, have come on board along with their manager, Johan Bruyneel, from the now defunct Discovery Channel team.
Bruyneel helped Lance Armstrong to seven consecutive Tour wins, and led Contador to his first yellow jersey last year.
Contador joined Astana in a two-year deal in October.
Astana have also been left out of a list of 21 teams due to compete in this year's Giro d'Italia.
The tour's organisers, Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), ruled on February 13 that Contador's Astana team would be barred from competing in this year's race as a result of doping scandals over the past two years.
"We will do everything that is possible to ensure that Contador takes part in the Tour. It would be a tragedy if Contador could not defend his title," ICU president Pat McQuaid of Ireland told El Pais.
"It's unjust and unjustifiable. Its a decision taken by people who don't understand this sport," he added.
Tour organisers said they had decided to prevent Astana from competing in any of their races because of "the damage caused by this team to the Tour de France and cycling in general, as much in 2006 as 2007".
The Luxembourg-registered Kazakh team were forced to withdraw from the 2007 Tour de France and were snubbed by the Spanish Vuelta in September after a string of doping scandals.
The team's former leader Alexandre Vinokourov was fired after testing positive for a blood transfusion during the Tour, while riders Andrej Kashechkin and Matthias Kessler also failed doping tests.
Since their drug-tainted 2007 season, Astana have undergone a makeover, and promised to clean up their act.
A new team of riders, including Contador and Leipheimer, have come on board along with their manager, Johan Bruyneel, from the now defunct Discovery Channel team.
Bruyneel helped Lance Armstrong to seven consecutive Tour wins, and led Contador to his first yellow jersey last year.
Contador joined Astana in a two-year deal in October.
Astana have also been left out of a list of 21 teams due to compete in this year's Giro d'Italia.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Portishead Relaunching At Coachella
Out in the California desert, the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival is fast becoming an oasis for high-profile reunions.The Jesus and Mary Chain, the Pixies, Rage Against the Machine, Gang of Four and Bauhaus are just a handful of the acts who've come back to life at the Indio, Calif.-based event in recent years.The trend will continue this year when two of Britain's most important '90s alternative bands, Portishead and the Verve, make their respective U.S. returns for the first time in nearly a decade.Securing the services of both groups, says Paul Tollett, principal of Los Angeles-based Goldenvoice, which organizes Coachella, has brought serious pulling power. "The fans like them," he says, "but also they attract other bands to the bill and give a serious feel to the show." Portishead should be nearing peak shape for Coachella, which will serve as a launch pad for "Third," its first studio album in more than a decade. "They've been asking us for quite a few years," Portishead's Adrian Utley says of Coachella. "It seems like a good place to play, being out in the desert, and it was started by what seems to be some pretty cool people."
Gatfield is confident "Third" hits the stellar notes of earlier works."It's a really strong record and it's adventurous," he says. "Beth [Gibbons'] voice is as powerful as ever. The uptempo tracks are never going to be drum'n'bass, but they do hit 120 BPMs in some places."Adds Utley, "[It] sounds nothing like 'Dummy' or 'Portishead,' but it's definitely its older brother or sister. It's the same mindset we've always had, only further down the road."Admitting the band's creative process can be "very slow," with some tracks from "Third" percolating for four years, Utley says the members have drawn upon an eclectic mix for musical inspiration, including recordings by Can, the Silver Apples, Joy Division, early Human League and "weird doom metal band" Ohm.New tracks were first given an airing last December at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Minehead, England, which the band curated. Wider U.K. and European audiences will get a taste during a spring tour."There was never no Portishead," notes Utley. "It was just we'd had enough, and we didn't have any ideas. We all got on with various different things, but we worked on each others' projects. There was always a Portishead. We have ongoing business, obviously, to deal with -- permissions and compilations and film requests, even if we're not doing anything at all."
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Gatfield is confident "Third" hits the stellar notes of earlier works."It's a really strong record and it's adventurous," he says. "Beth [Gibbons'] voice is as powerful as ever. The uptempo tracks are never going to be drum'n'bass, but they do hit 120 BPMs in some places."Adds Utley, "[It] sounds nothing like 'Dummy' or 'Portishead,' but it's definitely its older brother or sister. It's the same mindset we've always had, only further down the road."Admitting the band's creative process can be "very slow," with some tracks from "Third" percolating for four years, Utley says the members have drawn upon an eclectic mix for musical inspiration, including recordings by Can, the Silver Apples, Joy Division, early Human League and "weird doom metal band" Ohm.New tracks were first given an airing last December at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Minehead, England, which the band curated. Wider U.K. and European audiences will get a taste during a spring tour."There was never no Portishead," notes Utley. "It was just we'd had enough, and we didn't have any ideas. We all got on with various different things, but we worked on each others' projects. There was always a Portishead. We have ongoing business, obviously, to deal with -- permissions and compilations and film requests, even if we're not doing anything at all."
For tickets to this event go to PlatinumTickets.com
McGrady leads Rockets to 10th win in a row
HOUSTON (Reuters) - The Houston Rockets surged to their 10th consecutive win on Thursday, beating the Miami Heat 112-100 behind Tracy McGrady's 23 points and 10 assists.
Yao Ming added 21 points as all five Houston starters finished in double figures.
"It feels great," Yao told reporters.
A 10 game winning streak. When I walk out of this building tonight, I think I will feel very fresh."
Dwyane Wade had 33 points and 11 assists but could not keep the Heat from losing their 10th successive game.
A 41-point first quarter gave the Rockets a 15-point lead which Miami could not catch.
McGrady had 14 points in the quarter with Rafer Alston adding 11 as Houston shot a torrid 81 percent from the floor.
Alston finished with 16 points and 11 assists, Luis Scola had 11 points and 10 rebounds and Shane Battier grabbed 12 points for Houston.
Rookie reserve Carl Landry also played a big role, scoring 19 points, 11 of them in the fourth quarter.
"We have confidence in him," McGrady told reporters.
"He's a guy that somehow, some way can read defenses. We know where he's going to be. He's not afraid. He finishes well, has great hands and he plays hard."
Shawn Marion added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Heat.
* Manu Ginobili's jumper with six seconds left closed out a 44-point performance and helped the San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 100-99.
* Brandon Roy had 19 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 92-88 home win over the Seattle SuperSonics.
(Writing by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina, editing by Martin Petty and Peter Rutherford
Yao Ming added 21 points as all five Houston starters finished in double figures.
"It feels great," Yao told reporters.
A 10 game winning streak. When I walk out of this building tonight, I think I will feel very fresh."
Dwyane Wade had 33 points and 11 assists but could not keep the Heat from losing their 10th successive game.
A 41-point first quarter gave the Rockets a 15-point lead which Miami could not catch.
McGrady had 14 points in the quarter with Rafer Alston adding 11 as Houston shot a torrid 81 percent from the floor.
Alston finished with 16 points and 11 assists, Luis Scola had 11 points and 10 rebounds and Shane Battier grabbed 12 points for Houston.
Rookie reserve Carl Landry also played a big role, scoring 19 points, 11 of them in the fourth quarter.
"We have confidence in him," McGrady told reporters.
"He's a guy that somehow, some way can read defenses. We know where he's going to be. He's not afraid. He finishes well, has great hands and he plays hard."
Shawn Marion added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Heat.
* Manu Ginobili's jumper with six seconds left closed out a 44-point performance and helped the San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 100-99.
* Brandon Roy had 19 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 92-88 home win over the Seattle SuperSonics.
(Writing by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina, editing by Martin Petty and Peter Rutherford
Roy and Portland get past Seattle
Portland, OR (Sports Network) - Brandon Roy had 19 points, a career-high 14 rebounds and five assists and the Portland Trail Blazers snapped a five-game losing streak with a 92-88 win over the Seattle SuperSonics at the Rose Garden.
LaMarcus Aldridge scored 18, pulled down 12 boards and blocked five shots, while Travis Outlaw added 19 off the bench. Portland shot just 38.2 percent from the floor and only 69 percent from the line, but hit its free throws down the stretch to pick up just its second win in the last eight games.
Kevin Durant led Seattle with 20 points and six rebounds, while Earl Watson went for 15 and nine assists. The Sonics have dropped three of four on the heels of a stretch during which they won four of five.
Down as many as 14 in the second half, Seattle suddenly found itself within three with under two minutes remaining after a Jeff Green putback made it 87-84. Roy airballed a jumper at the other end and Luke Ridnour corralled the rebound, giving the Sonics a chance to cut it to one or tie.
But Damien Wilkins misfired on a three, and Outlaw drew a foul at the other end that led to two free throws and an 89-84 Blazers advantage with 39.9 seconds left.
Nick Collison's tip-in again made it a one-possession game, but Collison negated that bucket by losing track of Aldridge on a pick and roll. Jarrett Jack hit Aldridge underneath, and a scrambling Collison had to foul with 12.3 ticks on the clock.
Aldridge hit one-of-two at the line, and Jack sealed it by canning a pair inside the seven-second mark, sealing the much-needed win for Portland.
Jack finished with 15 points and six assists, and the Blazers committed just eight turnovers as a team.
"We'll take it," said Blazers head coach Nate McMillan. "We did some good things out there. We wanted to get to the free-throw line and be aggressive and tonight we did. It's always good to get a 'w' and build off of that. I think another factor in our win tonight was that we made some plays down the stretch this time."
Green and Collison had 13 apiece for the Sonics, who made just 38.8 percent of their field-goal attempts. Ridnour finished his night with 10 points.
Seattle led 25-23 after one quarter, but Portland moved ahead 32-28 on an Outlaw bank shot with a little over eight minutes to go before the half. Ridnour tied the game at 34 with back-to-back threes, but Portland closed the half on a 17-7 burst for a 51-41 lead at the break.
The Blazers lead was as many as 14 during the third, but Seattle closed to within 65-60 on a Durant three with 3:20 to go. The rookie then got himself in the open court and finished to trim the margin to three with under a minute remaining, and Portland's lead was just 70-67 going to the fourth.
Seattle briefly took the lead on a pair of free throws from Green with 9:21 to go, making it 74-73. But Jack answered with a three, and Portland was back on top, 85-79, by the six-minute mark.
Game Notes
Seattle was involved in an 11-player, three-team trade earlier Thursday, acquiring Ira Newble and Donyell Marshall from Cleveland in addition to Adrian Griffin and a 2009 second-round draft pick from the Bulls; In exchange Seattle sent guards Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West to the Cavs. This happened one day after the Sonics sent forward/center Kurt Thomas to San Antonio for Brent Barry and Francisco Elson...Portland made a more subtle move, acquiring guard Von Wafer from Denver in exchange for rookie Taurean Green...Seattle center Robert Swift left early in the second quarter with what was reported as a sprained right knee, and did not return; he has already missed 41 games this season...Portland had a season-high 11 blocked shots as a team.
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LaMarcus Aldridge scored 18, pulled down 12 boards and blocked five shots, while Travis Outlaw added 19 off the bench. Portland shot just 38.2 percent from the floor and only 69 percent from the line, but hit its free throws down the stretch to pick up just its second win in the last eight games.
Kevin Durant led Seattle with 20 points and six rebounds, while Earl Watson went for 15 and nine assists. The Sonics have dropped three of four on the heels of a stretch during which they won four of five.
Down as many as 14 in the second half, Seattle suddenly found itself within three with under two minutes remaining after a Jeff Green putback made it 87-84. Roy airballed a jumper at the other end and Luke Ridnour corralled the rebound, giving the Sonics a chance to cut it to one or tie.
But Damien Wilkins misfired on a three, and Outlaw drew a foul at the other end that led to two free throws and an 89-84 Blazers advantage with 39.9 seconds left.
Nick Collison's tip-in again made it a one-possession game, but Collison negated that bucket by losing track of Aldridge on a pick and roll. Jarrett Jack hit Aldridge underneath, and a scrambling Collison had to foul with 12.3 ticks on the clock.
Aldridge hit one-of-two at the line, and Jack sealed it by canning a pair inside the seven-second mark, sealing the much-needed win for Portland.
Jack finished with 15 points and six assists, and the Blazers committed just eight turnovers as a team.
"We'll take it," said Blazers head coach Nate McMillan. "We did some good things out there. We wanted to get to the free-throw line and be aggressive and tonight we did. It's always good to get a 'w' and build off of that. I think another factor in our win tonight was that we made some plays down the stretch this time."
Green and Collison had 13 apiece for the Sonics, who made just 38.8 percent of their field-goal attempts. Ridnour finished his night with 10 points.
Seattle led 25-23 after one quarter, but Portland moved ahead 32-28 on an Outlaw bank shot with a little over eight minutes to go before the half. Ridnour tied the game at 34 with back-to-back threes, but Portland closed the half on a 17-7 burst for a 51-41 lead at the break.
The Blazers lead was as many as 14 during the third, but Seattle closed to within 65-60 on a Durant three with 3:20 to go. The rookie then got himself in the open court and finished to trim the margin to three with under a minute remaining, and Portland's lead was just 70-67 going to the fourth.
Seattle briefly took the lead on a pair of free throws from Green with 9:21 to go, making it 74-73. But Jack answered with a three, and Portland was back on top, 85-79, by the six-minute mark.
Game Notes
Seattle was involved in an 11-player, three-team trade earlier Thursday, acquiring Ira Newble and Donyell Marshall from Cleveland in addition to Adrian Griffin and a 2009 second-round draft pick from the Bulls; In exchange Seattle sent guards Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West to the Cavs. This happened one day after the Sonics sent forward/center Kurt Thomas to San Antonio for Brent Barry and Francisco Elson...Portland made a more subtle move, acquiring guard Von Wafer from Denver in exchange for rookie Taurean Green...Seattle center Robert Swift left early in the second quarter with what was reported as a sprained right knee, and did not return; he has already missed 41 games this season...Portland had a season-high 11 blocked shots as a team.
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Thursday, February 21, 2008
Coldplay Mixing Next Studio Album
Coldplay is putting the finishing touches on its fourth studio album, an as-yet-untitled project set for an early summer release via Capitol. A summer tour of North America and Europe will follow.The band began working on the record in November of 2006 at their studio in North London, taking a break in March of last year to tour South American for the first time. Producers are Brian Eno, Markus Dravs and the band."We're just about finished," band manager Dave Holmes tells Billboard.com. "They're in the final mixing. They'll start mastering, and away we go." Typically light on hyperbole, Holmes is enthusiastic about the new project. "I think it's their best album," he says. "They've really delivered. It's a fantastic record. They've really put the work in."Holmes says the album "definitely takes them in some different directions. I'm not a music critic, but it's certainly a progression, with some really great songwriting."The much-publicized upheaval at EMI, including restructuring, high-profile departures and unsubstantiated rumors that the band might depart its longtime label home, had little impact on the recording or the setup of its release. "When all that was going on we were over here in [in London] in the studio, so we kind of steered clear of all that," Holmes says. "We've got a great plan in place."
Touring plans are still in the works, but Holmes says the band is working on something "special," with several ideas in development. The band is working for the first time with respected lighting director/set designer Paul Normandale on ideas, "and if we can pull this off it's going to be quite different. We're going to try something a little different in the arena space."Holmes adds, "The guys are really eager to get back on the road. They're really looking forward to touring and getting back out there."
Touring plans are still in the works, but Holmes says the band is working on something "special," with several ideas in development. The band is working for the first time with respected lighting director/set designer Paul Normandale on ideas, "and if we can pull this off it's going to be quite different. We're going to try something a little different in the arena space."Holmes adds, "The guys are really eager to get back on the road. They're really looking forward to touring and getting back out there."
Linkin Park Rocks Apple Store At Secret Show
Linkin Park rocked a crowd of contest winners and industry personnel just after midnight Thursday (Feb. 21) at the Apple Store in New York's Soho neighborhood, in what served as an intimate warm-up for a show tonight at the city's Madison Square Garden.The set was recorded and filmed for what is expected to be a March release on Apple's iTunes Music Store, sources say.Linkin Park took the stage to the concise "Wake" before tearing into "Given Up," from its latest album, "Minutes to Midnight." The group also played "Shadow of the Day," "My December" (with just frontman Chester Bennington's vocals and Mike Shinoda's keyboard), "In Pieces" and "Bleed It Out.""This is the best show in an Apple store we've ever played," Bennington joked with the crowd. After the set, group members stuck around to sign autographs for the devotees.Apple has hosted concerts at its New York store on several occasions, including performances by Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, Kaki King, the New Pornographers and Simian Mobile Disco. But Linkin Park is by far the most recognizable act to appear here to date.
Lanka face a daunting task against Australia
MELBOURNE, February 21: Faced with the stiff task of winning at least two more matches to secure a place in the cricket tri-series final, Sri Lanka will need a spark of inspiration when they take on Australia in a crucial game here on Friday. Languishing at the bottom of the point table, Sri Lanka just cannot afford yet another defeat on Friday and as outlined by their captain Mahela Jayawardene, every match is a semi-final for the islanders, who have been lacklustre in the tournament so far. Despite their fierce on-field rivalry with the world champions, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his team-mates would love to see Australia win on Friday, an outcome that would ease India's passage to the final of the tournament. As of now, the hosts lead the table with 17 points from five matches, while India is a distant second with 12 from six games. The Lankans languish at the bottom with six points from five games and they need to win two of their remaining three games to reach the final. The Jayawardene-led side has not lived up to the expectation with both the batsmen and bowlers failing to make much of an impact in the series so far. The batting order looked brittle and the attack, despite having the likes of Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan, lacked teeth. Even their reputation as one of the better fielding side took a beating and Jayawardene did not hide his disappointment after Tuesday's defeat against India. "We were 20 runs short in our total. In the fielding, we gave at least 15 extra runs and in bowling, we bowled too short and wide at times." "We were not very consistent with our line and length and bowled a bit short and wide. Our fielding was not up to scratch," he said. Not that the batsmen did any better. Apart from Kumar Sangakkara, none looked game for a fight. Veteran Sanath Jayasuriya's trademark fireworks have been brief, while others, including the captain himself, too have failed to do justice to their reputation. In such a situation, Jayawardene reckons he and Sangakkara would have to shoulder extra load. "Kumar and I have decided that we would look to bat majority of overs if we get a bad start. In the last few innings, I did not support him," he said. While it's difficult to derive any positive out of the whole situation, Jayawardene refuses to give up. "We cannot afford to lose. Every game is a semi-final for us from now on. We made a few mistakes at the start of the tournament but we are now getting into it. We will keep fighting and show the fighting spirit that we lately have been showing," he said. Australia, on the other hand, have no such worries. Sitting pretty on the points tally and virtually assured of a place in the final, Ricky Ponting's men would be under less pressure on Friday. For the hosts, retiring hero Adam Gilchrist has been in good nick and his exploit has been able to mask the failure of his opening partner Matthew Hayden. Michael Clarke has been rock solid in the middle, while the lower order batsmen too seemed keen to make a statement with the willow. Even more satisfying has been the performance of the Australian bowlers, who seem capable of defending any total, however, meagre it may look. In their previous match against India, they had just 209 runs to defend and still the bowlers chalked out a 50-run victory against a batting order that runs deep and commands worldwide respect. It was a superlative show, considering the fact that the Australian attack was sans its spearhead Brett Lee in the match and still the hosts not only mowed down India's much-vaunted batting order but also bagged an extra bonus point from the low-scoring outing. Squads (From): Australia: Ricky Ponting (c), Adam Gilchrist, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, James Hopes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Andrew Symonds, Ashley Noffke, Adam Voges. Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (c), Kumar Sangakkara, Ishara Amerasinghe, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilruwan Perera, Chamara Silva, Upul Tharanga, Chaminda Vaas, Chanaka Welegedara
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Juninho - No Ronaldo Obsession
Lyon's Juninho Pernambucano insists his teammates will not become obsessed with the threat posed by Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of their Champions League clash with Manchester United.
The Portuguese winger has undoubtedly been Sir Alex Ferguson's star performer so far this season, scoring an astonishing 27 goals.
But Juninho is sure the French Ligue 1 leaders will not consume themselves in the sole menace of 23-year-old in the last-16 tie, insisting United have players all over the pitch that can hurt them.
"The dream match has almost arrived and we need to play our best game," he told skysports.com.
"Against a team like United, it is necessary to pay perfectly.
"The Lyon squad is calm. I believe the pressure is on United to progress to the quarter-finals.
"United are a super team with players of enormous names but our chances are alive. Nobody should discard a Lyon surprise.
"Cristiano is the main threat but their other players are important. We will not become obsessed with the Portuguese."
However, Sidney Govou has revealed that Alain Perrin's side have been working on a number of systems to assist in nullifying Ronaldo's quality.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is the key player but we have prepared some systems in order to restrict his threat," he explained.
"The Portuguese is the main threat and without him, United are different."
The Portuguese winger has undoubtedly been Sir Alex Ferguson's star performer so far this season, scoring an astonishing 27 goals.
But Juninho is sure the French Ligue 1 leaders will not consume themselves in the sole menace of 23-year-old in the last-16 tie, insisting United have players all over the pitch that can hurt them.
"The dream match has almost arrived and we need to play our best game," he told skysports.com.
"Against a team like United, it is necessary to pay perfectly.
"The Lyon squad is calm. I believe the pressure is on United to progress to the quarter-finals.
"United are a super team with players of enormous names but our chances are alive. Nobody should discard a Lyon surprise.
"Cristiano is the main threat but their other players are important. We will not become obsessed with the Portuguese."
However, Sidney Govou has revealed that Alain Perrin's side have been working on a number of systems to assist in nullifying Ronaldo's quality.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is the key player but we have prepared some systems in order to restrict his threat," he explained.
"The Portuguese is the main threat and without him, United are different."
Hewitt lashes out at media
Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt has lashed out at the media over the amount of coverage given to his soap-star wife Bec and their young daughter.
"We are on the front cover of a certain level of magazine every week," Hewitt told The Times newspaper.
"The last story was 'Bec's Breakdown', full of lies and made-up quotes, but then a lot of people believe it.
"It's hard to deal with it all, which is why I don't like having to leave them alone.
"Whatever people might think, I'm really a shy, down-to-earth lad who just likes being with my mates and whose favourite way of spending a weekend is a family barbecue."
Hewitt's outburst comes amid reports Bec Hewitt was spotted leaving the Nine Network's Sydney studios, sparking speculation her husband could be one of the first celebrities profiled in the new series of This Is Your Life.
While he objects to being in the spotlight, Hewitt says he does admire the amount of support he receives from tennis fans and hopes their enthusiasm will encourage more people to play the sport.
"Australia is such a wonderful place to grow up, with a great lifestyle, but there are so many choices," he said.
"Kids see Aussie Rules footballers in the papers and television every day. It's not the same with tennis. It's about trying to persuade them to play our sport."
"We are on the front cover of a certain level of magazine every week," Hewitt told The Times newspaper.
"The last story was 'Bec's Breakdown', full of lies and made-up quotes, but then a lot of people believe it.
"It's hard to deal with it all, which is why I don't like having to leave them alone.
"Whatever people might think, I'm really a shy, down-to-earth lad who just likes being with my mates and whose favourite way of spending a weekend is a family barbecue."
Hewitt's outburst comes amid reports Bec Hewitt was spotted leaving the Nine Network's Sydney studios, sparking speculation her husband could be one of the first celebrities profiled in the new series of This Is Your Life.
While he objects to being in the spotlight, Hewitt says he does admire the amount of support he receives from tennis fans and hopes their enthusiasm will encourage more people to play the sport.
"Australia is such a wonderful place to grow up, with a great lifestyle, but there are so many choices," he said.
"Kids see Aussie Rules footballers in the papers and television every day. It's not the same with tennis. It's about trying to persuade them to play our sport."
Smith Keeps Rocking During Chili Peppers Break
With his regular band and at least four side projects, Chad Smith is making his case as the hardest working man -- or at least drummer -- in show biz these days. Just don't expect any of that work to be with the Red Hot Chili Peppers for a while."We worked really hard on (the double-disc 'Stadium Arcadium') and we toured for a year-and-a-half, pretty much straight," Smith says. "So we took a look at each other in September in England, when we played our last shows, and we were like, 'You know what? I love you guys, but we all kinda need a break,' and we said, 'Let's reconvene in one year.' We see each other, go to (Los Angeles) Lakers games and stuff, but Chili Pepper-wise we don't have any plans for any recording or any concerts or anything.Smith is hardly looking for things to do, however; as he says, "I can't really sit still too long." He's involved with Chickenfoot, an all-star group fronted by Sammy Hagar along with former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and guitarist Joe Satriani. He's also started Chad's Bombastic Meat Bats, an instrumental group he describes as "kind of a funk, jazz odyssey thing. I don't know if it's the greatest thing ever, but it's fun." The troupe will be playing some April dates in Japan. Off the rock path, Smith is working with a children's music project called Rhythm Train with the music director at his son's school. The drummer recently met with veteran actor Dick Van Dyke about recording a rap for a future recording. What Smith is most excited about, however, is his continuing work with Glenn Hughes, the former Deep Purple and Trapeze bassist and short-lived Black Sabbath singer. Smith has played on Hughes' last four solo albums and produced the last three -- including the forthcoming "First Underground Nuclear Kitchen," which is due out in May. He also plays sporadic shows with Hughes.
"That guy's amazing," Smith says of Hughes. "I just love the records he's on. I grew up on that stuff, all that early '70s British rock music. And we've just blossomed into this kind of working relationship. We met five years ago and we've been buddies ever since. I don't know why, but he trusts my musical judgment."
"That guy's amazing," Smith says of Hughes. "I just love the records he's on. I grew up on that stuff, all that early '70s British rock music. And we've just blossomed into this kind of working relationship. We met five years ago and we've been buddies ever since. I don't know why, but he trusts my musical judgment."
Beyonce Starring In Chess Records Film
Beyonce Knowles is adding "executive producer" to her resume. The 10-time Grammy winner has signed on to executive produce and star in Darnell Martin's "Cadillac Records" for Sony BMG Films.Knowles will play Etta James in the 1950s period film about the Chicago record company Chess Records; its founder, Leonard Chess; and the turbulent lives of some of the label's legends, who included Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf and Chuck Berry.Martin ("Their Eyes Were Watching God") penned the screenplay. Sony BMG's Andrew Lack and Sofia Sondervan are producing for the 3-year-old specialty label.Knowles joins a cast that includes Adrien Brody (Chess), Jeffrey Wright (Waters), Cedric the Entertainer (Willie Dixon) and Columbus Short (Little Walter). Emmanuelle Chriqui and Tammy Blanchard co-star.Music for the film is being produced by Steve Jordan ("Cars," "The Sopranos"). Knowles will record four songs for the soundtrack, which will be released through Music World Entertainment and Columbia Records.
The singer/actress will donate a portion of her fees for the film to recovering addicts through her family's charity, the Survivor Foundation, according to her reps.Knowles ("Austin Powers in Goldmember") earned a Golden Globe nomination for her role as Deena Jones in 2006's "Dreamgirls" and a 2008 Grammy nomination for best compilation soundtrack album for the film. She also was nominated for the record of the year Grammy this year for her song "Irreplaceable."
The singer/actress will donate a portion of her fees for the film to recovering addicts through her family's charity, the Survivor Foundation, according to her reps.Knowles ("Austin Powers in Goldmember") earned a Golden Globe nomination for her role as Deena Jones in 2006's "Dreamgirls" and a 2008 Grammy nomination for best compilation soundtrack album for the film. She also was nominated for the record of the year Grammy this year for her song "Irreplaceable."
Johnson Remains No. 1; Winehouse, Hancock Soar
In a slow week for new releases, Jack Johnson's "Sleep Through the Static" remains No. 1 on The Billboard 200 for a second week, despite a 52% sales slide. The Brushfire effort sold 180,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.The bigger news is significant jumps for artists who appeared on the Feb. 10 Grammy Awards, led by top winner Amy Winehouse. Her Universal Republic set "Back to Black" bounces back into the top 10 in a big way, zooming up 24-2 for a new charting high and sales week with 115,000. Winehouse led the Grammy field with five wins.Album of the year winner Herbie Hancock's "River: The Joni Letters" (Verve) explodes 159-5, with a 967% bump to 54,000, while Foo Fighters' "Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace" (Roswell/RCA) climbs 65-22 with 33,000 (+160%). Kanye West's "Graduation" (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam) ascends 64-40 with a 74% gain, selling 23,000."As I Am" (J) by Alicia Keys, who performed twice at the ceremony, stays put at No. 3 for a second week with 109,000 (+36%). The "2008 Grammy Nominees" compilation climbs a notch 5-4 with 72,000, a 40% increase. Back on The Billboard 200, the Rhino soundtrack to "Juno" holds tight at No. 6 with 53,000 (+13%), while Taylor Swift's Big Machine self-titled album ascends 10-7 with 52,000 (+35%). Also moving 52,000, Sheryl Crow's "Detours" (A&M/Interscope) falls 2-8 with a 44% sales hit.
Mary J. Blige's Matriarch/Geffen album "Growing Pains" slips 7-9 with 49,000 (+9%) as Atlantic's soundtrack to the film "Step Up 2" steps up 13-10, moving 45,000 units with a 44% increase.Considering its status as a catalog release, the new 25th anniversary reissue of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" (Epic/Legacy) was ineligible to chart on The Billboard 200 this week. But it does bow at No. 1 on the Top Pop Catalog Albums tally after selling 166,000. The project includes reworked "Thriller" tracks by Akon, Kanye West, Fergie and will.i.am.Only two other albums bow inside the top 50. Simple Plan's self-titled Lava/Atlantic album starts at No. 14 with 39,000, and the "WOW Gospel 2008" multi-label compilation debuts at No. 34 with 28,000.Sales this week are up 16.1% from last week at 9.78 million units and down 11.6% from the same week last year.
Mary J. Blige's Matriarch/Geffen album "Growing Pains" slips 7-9 with 49,000 (+9%) as Atlantic's soundtrack to the film "Step Up 2" steps up 13-10, moving 45,000 units with a 44% increase.Considering its status as a catalog release, the new 25th anniversary reissue of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" (Epic/Legacy) was ineligible to chart on The Billboard 200 this week. But it does bow at No. 1 on the Top Pop Catalog Albums tally after selling 166,000. The project includes reworked "Thriller" tracks by Akon, Kanye West, Fergie and will.i.am.Only two other albums bow inside the top 50. Simple Plan's self-titled Lava/Atlantic album starts at No. 14 with 39,000, and the "WOW Gospel 2008" multi-label compilation debuts at No. 34 with 28,000.Sales this week are up 16.1% from last week at 9.78 million units and down 11.6% from the same week last year.
Ticketmaster privacy policy slammed
People buying tickets online through Ticketmaster may be surprised to find themselves receiving spam as an encore.
The ticket service, which holds a lock on advance ticket sales for most major entertainment events, is taking heat from consumers for a privacy policy that does not let online ticket buyers opt out of receiving e-mail pitches from an event's producers and other businesses associated with it.
That, Ticketmaster critics say, means that the company has made receiving spam part of the price of admission.
"I have only bought a single ticket from Ticketmaster, many years ago," wrote one customer on an online discussion board devoted to the privacy policy. "Since that purchase, I have received tons of 'targeted' e-mail personalized with my full name, the city, etc...For now, I do everything I can to avoid ticket purchases from Ticketmaster (and have been successful)."
The Ticketmaster privacy policy under fire states that customers may "opt out" of getting e-mail from Ticketmaster itself, but cannot refuse to share their personal information with "event partners"--defined as "the venues, promoters, artists, teams, leagues and other third parties associated with that concert, game or other event."
"We cannot offer you a separate opportunity to opt-out, or not to consent, to our sharing of your personal information with them," reads the policy. "Event Partners may use your personal information in accordance with their own privacy policies, and may consequently use your personal information to contact you and may share your personal information with others. You will need to contact those Event Partners who contact you to instruct them directly regarding your preferences for the use of your personal information by them."
Ticketmaster did not return calls. But in a statement provided to Ed Foster's Gripelog, which hosts a discussion about the policy, the company's chief privacy officer said Ticketmaster had no choice but to share the information it collected with businesses associated with the events.
Event partners "have both the desire and the need to receive information about the consumers who purchase tickets for their entertainment offerings," Tickemaster's Kerry Samovar said in a statement. "Our clients, for whom we sell tickets, use the information to help fulfill the ticket orders and may use it to contact the consumer. Please remember that we are the legal 'agent' of these parties; we are selling tickets on their behalf. They are completely separate companies, and how they use the information is based on their respective policies."
Samovar recommended that people unhappy with the privacy policy use "more traditional" ticket sales venues, such as Ticketmaster's brick-and-mortar outlets.
One spam opponent said that although she didn't like the policy, she accepted Ticketmaster's defense that it was acting on behalf of its clients.
"If you purchase the tickets directly from the team, promoter, etc., they'd have all your personal information as well," Laura Atkins, president of the SpamCon Foundation, wrote in an e-mail exchange. "Ticketmaster could act as a privacy barrier, and not pass along so much identifying information, but they're not. I suspect that the promoters, etc., don't want that. They want the information of their visitors."
Based in West Hollywood, Calif., Ticketmaster is a unit of InterActiveCorp. The company says that last year it sold 95 million tickets, worth more than $4 billion, through venues including the Web site, more than 3,500 retail outlets, and 19 call centers. Other Web sites that use Ticketmaster include Microsoft's MSN portal, despite prior legal squabbles between the two companies over links to Ticketmaster from Microsoft pages.
The ticket service, which holds a lock on advance ticket sales for most major entertainment events, is taking heat from consumers for a privacy policy that does not let online ticket buyers opt out of receiving e-mail pitches from an event's producers and other businesses associated with it.
That, Ticketmaster critics say, means that the company has made receiving spam part of the price of admission.
"I have only bought a single ticket from Ticketmaster, many years ago," wrote one customer on an online discussion board devoted to the privacy policy. "Since that purchase, I have received tons of 'targeted' e-mail personalized with my full name, the city, etc...For now, I do everything I can to avoid ticket purchases from Ticketmaster (and have been successful)."
The Ticketmaster privacy policy under fire states that customers may "opt out" of getting e-mail from Ticketmaster itself, but cannot refuse to share their personal information with "event partners"--defined as "the venues, promoters, artists, teams, leagues and other third parties associated with that concert, game or other event."
"We cannot offer you a separate opportunity to opt-out, or not to consent, to our sharing of your personal information with them," reads the policy. "Event Partners may use your personal information in accordance with their own privacy policies, and may consequently use your personal information to contact you and may share your personal information with others. You will need to contact those Event Partners who contact you to instruct them directly regarding your preferences for the use of your personal information by them."
Ticketmaster did not return calls. But in a statement provided to Ed Foster's Gripelog, which hosts a discussion about the policy, the company's chief privacy officer said Ticketmaster had no choice but to share the information it collected with businesses associated with the events.
Event partners "have both the desire and the need to receive information about the consumers who purchase tickets for their entertainment offerings," Tickemaster's Kerry Samovar said in a statement. "Our clients, for whom we sell tickets, use the information to help fulfill the ticket orders and may use it to contact the consumer. Please remember that we are the legal 'agent' of these parties; we are selling tickets on their behalf. They are completely separate companies, and how they use the information is based on their respective policies."
Samovar recommended that people unhappy with the privacy policy use "more traditional" ticket sales venues, such as Ticketmaster's brick-and-mortar outlets.
One spam opponent said that although she didn't like the policy, she accepted Ticketmaster's defense that it was acting on behalf of its clients.
"If you purchase the tickets directly from the team, promoter, etc., they'd have all your personal information as well," Laura Atkins, president of the SpamCon Foundation, wrote in an e-mail exchange. "Ticketmaster could act as a privacy barrier, and not pass along so much identifying information, but they're not. I suspect that the promoters, etc., don't want that. They want the information of their visitors."
Based in West Hollywood, Calif., Ticketmaster is a unit of InterActiveCorp. The company says that last year it sold 95 million tickets, worth more than $4 billion, through venues including the Web site, more than 3,500 retail outlets, and 19 call centers. Other Web sites that use Ticketmaster include Microsoft's MSN portal, despite prior legal squabbles between the two companies over links to Ticketmaster from Microsoft pages.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Kidd traded to Dallas in latest blockbuster deal
By Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! SportsFebruary 13, 2008
Jason Kidd was so determined to make his way back to the Dallas Mavericks, he has contemplated wearing No. 2 on his jersey to honor a return to where his career started in 1994.
Despite Kidd’s doubts that the Nets and Mavericks would ever come to an agreement, two league sources close to the negotiations said an agreement in principle has been reached on Wednesday. After wavering for weeks, Dallas owner Mark Cuban has sacrificed some of his franchise’s future to chase a championship in the short term. The agreement would send five players, including point guard Devin Harris, and first round picks in 2008 and 2010, for the future Hall of Fame guard.
The two teams are still exchanging insurance information and going through the normal procedures with the league office to finalize the deal.
Kidd, who turns 35 next month, goes to Dallas with an unmistakable mandate: Bring a title for a team and career that are desperately seeking it. As part of the trade, the Mavericks would also send Jerry Stackhouse, Devean George, DeSagna Diop, Maurice Ager and $3 million to New Jersey. Along with Kidd, the Nets send reserve forward Malik Allen to the Mavs.
In a separate deal, the Nets are sending guard Antoine Wright to Dallas for a future second-round pick and possibly other considerations, one source said.
For New Jersey, president Rod Thorn brought back the three elements he most wanted for Kidd: a good young player (Harris), expiring contracts (Diop and George) and draft picks. What’s more, the Nets plan to buyout the rest of Stackhouse’s contract. Stackhouse can become an immediate free agent, but must wait 30 days to re-sign with Dallas.
One league source expected Stackhouse to return to the Mavericks.
For the Nets, this clears cap space next season. It will allow them to re-sign forward Nenad Krstic and start rebuilding the franchise after seven straight playoff appearances with Kidd. The Nets are still discussing a Vince Carter-Jermaine O’Neal trade with the Indiana Pacers, but two sources close to those discussions placed odds below 50 percent. According to one source, the Nets have gone so far as talking to O’Neal’s doctors in Indiana about the state of his troubled knee.
Despite Cuban’s public dismissals, the talks between the two teams were restarted on Sunday when the Mavericks lost to the Nets in New Jersey. After watching the Lakers and Suns make moves for Pau Gasol and Shaquille O’Neal, the Mavericks could no longer sit on the sidelines. There was an element of toughness and leadership that had been missing in Dallas, and team officials believe Kidd transforms them. Immediately, this trade solidifies the Mavericks, who are 34-17 and holding the third spot in the Western Conference playoff, as a serious championship contender.
When motivated, Kidd can still play the point-guard position at the highest level. He desperately wanted this trade and Nets officials knew that they could no longer function as a franchise until they honored his wishes.
Jason Kidd was so determined to make his way back to the Dallas Mavericks, he has contemplated wearing No. 2 on his jersey to honor a return to where his career started in 1994.
Despite Kidd’s doubts that the Nets and Mavericks would ever come to an agreement, two league sources close to the negotiations said an agreement in principle has been reached on Wednesday. After wavering for weeks, Dallas owner Mark Cuban has sacrificed some of his franchise’s future to chase a championship in the short term. The agreement would send five players, including point guard Devin Harris, and first round picks in 2008 and 2010, for the future Hall of Fame guard.
The two teams are still exchanging insurance information and going through the normal procedures with the league office to finalize the deal.
Kidd, who turns 35 next month, goes to Dallas with an unmistakable mandate: Bring a title for a team and career that are desperately seeking it. As part of the trade, the Mavericks would also send Jerry Stackhouse, Devean George, DeSagna Diop, Maurice Ager and $3 million to New Jersey. Along with Kidd, the Nets send reserve forward Malik Allen to the Mavs.
In a separate deal, the Nets are sending guard Antoine Wright to Dallas for a future second-round pick and possibly other considerations, one source said.
For New Jersey, president Rod Thorn brought back the three elements he most wanted for Kidd: a good young player (Harris), expiring contracts (Diop and George) and draft picks. What’s more, the Nets plan to buyout the rest of Stackhouse’s contract. Stackhouse can become an immediate free agent, but must wait 30 days to re-sign with Dallas.
One league source expected Stackhouse to return to the Mavericks.
For the Nets, this clears cap space next season. It will allow them to re-sign forward Nenad Krstic and start rebuilding the franchise after seven straight playoff appearances with Kidd. The Nets are still discussing a Vince Carter-Jermaine O’Neal trade with the Indiana Pacers, but two sources close to those discussions placed odds below 50 percent. According to one source, the Nets have gone so far as talking to O’Neal’s doctors in Indiana about the state of his troubled knee.
Despite Cuban’s public dismissals, the talks between the two teams were restarted on Sunday when the Mavericks lost to the Nets in New Jersey. After watching the Lakers and Suns make moves for Pau Gasol and Shaquille O’Neal, the Mavericks could no longer sit on the sidelines. There was an element of toughness and leadership that had been missing in Dallas, and team officials believe Kidd transforms them. Immediately, this trade solidifies the Mavericks, who are 34-17 and holding the third spot in the Western Conference playoff, as a serious championship contender.
When motivated, Kidd can still play the point-guard position at the highest level. He desperately wanted this trade and Nets officials knew that they could no longer function as a franchise until they honored his wishes.
Clemens pressed by Congress, denies accusations by Pettitte, McNamee
AP Sports Writers
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Roger Clemens struggled to find the right words under questioning during a congressional hearing Wednesday and denied new accounts of drug use made against him by former teammate and close friend Andy Pettitte.
Using words like "misremembered" and mispronouncing the last name of his chief accuser, Brian McNamee, Clemens rambled and stumbled during his early remarks on Capitol Hill.
Clemens' reputation and legacy were on the line, and there was the possibility that criminal charges could follow after the seven-time Cy Young Award winner testified.
"I have never taken steroids or HGH," Clemens said under oath, his voice rising. "No matter what we discuss here today, I am never going to have my name restored."
For many, his denials rang hollow.
"It's hard to believe you, sir. I hate to say that," said Rep. Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democrat. "You're one of my heroes, but it's hard to believe."
McNamee's answers were generally quick and concise. His credibility also came under scrutiny.
"You're here under oath, and yet we have lie after lie after lie after lie," said Rep. Dan Burton, an Indiana Republican.
It seemed clear nearly from the start of the 4 1/2 -hour session that the committee would not treat Clemens with kid gloves, despite all the face-to-face sit-downs he did with representatives in recent days -- sometimes posing for photos or signing autographs for staff members.
In fact, after Clemens interrupted committee chairman Henry Waxman at the end, the California Democrat pounded the gavel and said: "Excuse me, but this is not your time to argue with me."
When it was over, Clemens avoided reporters by leaving the hearing room through a back door. Just before exiting, he paused to shake hands with Tom Davis, the ranking Republican on the committee.
Exactly two months after the Mitchell Report was released, Clemens and McNamee were separated by one seat in the same wood-paneled room where Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro saw their careers tarnished during a hearing in March 2005. In a reference to McGwire's evasions that day, Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., admonished Wednesday's witnesses by saying: "It's better not to talk about the past than to lie about the past."
Clemens briefly stared at McNamee, his former employee, during his accuser's opening statement and later pointed several times at his former personal trainer. For the most part, they did not look at each other.
Members of Congress questioned the credibility of both.
Waxman pointed out inconsistencies in Clemens' comments and accused him of possibly attempting to influence statements to the committee by the pitcher's former nanny.
Burton repeatedly read remarks McNamee had made, and each time the former trainer was forced to admit they were untrue.
"This is really disgusting. You're here as a sworn witness. You're here to tell the truth," he said. "I don't know what to believe. I know one thing I don't believe and that's you."
The hearing seemed to split the committee along party lines, with the Democrats reserving their most pointed queries for Clemens, and the Republicans giving McNamee a rougher time. Chris Shays, a Connecticut Republican, likened the hearing to a "Roman Circus" featuring gladiators.
Cummings set the tone within minutes, repeatedly reminding Clemens he was under oath and admonishing the pitcher to "keep your voice up." McNamee also was asked to pull his microphone closer.
The hearing started about an hour after several teams opened spring training. This was far from the sunny settings of Florida and Arizona.
Debbie Clemens, the pitcher's wife, sat behind her husband and listened as Waxman implicated her in HGH use, citing statements by Pettitte. Later, Clemens read a statement from his wife and said she "has been broken up over this."
IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky, a key member of the federal prosecution team against Barry Bonds, watched from a second-row seat. Asked why by a reporter, he declined comment.
Bonds, baseball's home run king, was indicted in November on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice stemming from his 2003 testimony to a grand jury in which he denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs. Because of his denials under oath, Clemens could be subjected to a similar criminal probe.
Pettitte, who was excused from testifying, said in a statement to the committee that Clemens admitted to him as long as 10 years ago that he used HGH. Waxman read from affidavits by Pettitte and Pettitte's wife, Laura, supporting the accusations.
"Andy Pettitte is my friend. He was my friend before this. He will be my friend after this and again. I think Andy has misheard," Clemens said. "I think he misremembers."
McNamee told Mitchell that he injected Clemens 16 to 21 times with steroids and human growth hormone from 1998-01, and that Pettitte and Chuck Knoblauch used HGH. In his opening statement, McNamee said he might have injected Clemens and Knoblauch more than that.
"I have helped taint our national pastime," McNamee said. "Make no mistake: When I told Sen. Mitchell that I injected Roger Clemens with performance-enhancing drugs, I told the truth."
Waxman said McNamee, a former New York City police officer, lied to police seven years ago during an investigation of a possible rape. He also was tough on Clemens.
"We have found conflicts and inconsistencies in Mr. Clemens' account. During his deposition, he made statements that we know are untrue," Waxman said.
In the affidavit, Pettitte said Clemens backtracked when the subject of HGH came up again in conversation in 2005, before the same House committee held the first hearing on steroids in baseball.
Pettitte said in the affidavit that he asked Clemens in 2005 what he would do if asked about performance-enhancing substances. Pettitte said Clemens responded by saying Pettitte misunderstood the previous exchange in 1999 or 2000 and that, in fact, Clemens had been talking about HGH use by his wife in the original conversation.
Clemens read a statement from his wife in which she acknowledged using HGH once, without his knowledge.
"She has been broken up over this for a long time," Clemens said. "She feels like a pawn."
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Roger Clemens struggled to find the right words under questioning during a congressional hearing Wednesday and denied new accounts of drug use made against him by former teammate and close friend Andy Pettitte.
Using words like "misremembered" and mispronouncing the last name of his chief accuser, Brian McNamee, Clemens rambled and stumbled during his early remarks on Capitol Hill.
Clemens' reputation and legacy were on the line, and there was the possibility that criminal charges could follow after the seven-time Cy Young Award winner testified.
"I have never taken steroids or HGH," Clemens said under oath, his voice rising. "No matter what we discuss here today, I am never going to have my name restored."
For many, his denials rang hollow.
"It's hard to believe you, sir. I hate to say that," said Rep. Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democrat. "You're one of my heroes, but it's hard to believe."
McNamee's answers were generally quick and concise. His credibility also came under scrutiny.
"You're here under oath, and yet we have lie after lie after lie after lie," said Rep. Dan Burton, an Indiana Republican.
It seemed clear nearly from the start of the 4 1/2 -hour session that the committee would not treat Clemens with kid gloves, despite all the face-to-face sit-downs he did with representatives in recent days -- sometimes posing for photos or signing autographs for staff members.
In fact, after Clemens interrupted committee chairman Henry Waxman at the end, the California Democrat pounded the gavel and said: "Excuse me, but this is not your time to argue with me."
When it was over, Clemens avoided reporters by leaving the hearing room through a back door. Just before exiting, he paused to shake hands with Tom Davis, the ranking Republican on the committee.
Exactly two months after the Mitchell Report was released, Clemens and McNamee were separated by one seat in the same wood-paneled room where Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro saw their careers tarnished during a hearing in March 2005. In a reference to McGwire's evasions that day, Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., admonished Wednesday's witnesses by saying: "It's better not to talk about the past than to lie about the past."
Clemens briefly stared at McNamee, his former employee, during his accuser's opening statement and later pointed several times at his former personal trainer. For the most part, they did not look at each other.
Members of Congress questioned the credibility of both.
Waxman pointed out inconsistencies in Clemens' comments and accused him of possibly attempting to influence statements to the committee by the pitcher's former nanny.
Burton repeatedly read remarks McNamee had made, and each time the former trainer was forced to admit they were untrue.
"This is really disgusting. You're here as a sworn witness. You're here to tell the truth," he said. "I don't know what to believe. I know one thing I don't believe and that's you."
The hearing seemed to split the committee along party lines, with the Democrats reserving their most pointed queries for Clemens, and the Republicans giving McNamee a rougher time. Chris Shays, a Connecticut Republican, likened the hearing to a "Roman Circus" featuring gladiators.
Cummings set the tone within minutes, repeatedly reminding Clemens he was under oath and admonishing the pitcher to "keep your voice up." McNamee also was asked to pull his microphone closer.
The hearing started about an hour after several teams opened spring training. This was far from the sunny settings of Florida and Arizona.
Debbie Clemens, the pitcher's wife, sat behind her husband and listened as Waxman implicated her in HGH use, citing statements by Pettitte. Later, Clemens read a statement from his wife and said she "has been broken up over this."
IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky, a key member of the federal prosecution team against Barry Bonds, watched from a second-row seat. Asked why by a reporter, he declined comment.
Bonds, baseball's home run king, was indicted in November on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice stemming from his 2003 testimony to a grand jury in which he denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs. Because of his denials under oath, Clemens could be subjected to a similar criminal probe.
Pettitte, who was excused from testifying, said in a statement to the committee that Clemens admitted to him as long as 10 years ago that he used HGH. Waxman read from affidavits by Pettitte and Pettitte's wife, Laura, supporting the accusations.
"Andy Pettitte is my friend. He was my friend before this. He will be my friend after this and again. I think Andy has misheard," Clemens said. "I think he misremembers."
McNamee told Mitchell that he injected Clemens 16 to 21 times with steroids and human growth hormone from 1998-01, and that Pettitte and Chuck Knoblauch used HGH. In his opening statement, McNamee said he might have injected Clemens and Knoblauch more than that.
"I have helped taint our national pastime," McNamee said. "Make no mistake: When I told Sen. Mitchell that I injected Roger Clemens with performance-enhancing drugs, I told the truth."
Waxman said McNamee, a former New York City police officer, lied to police seven years ago during an investigation of a possible rape. He also was tough on Clemens.
"We have found conflicts and inconsistencies in Mr. Clemens' account. During his deposition, he made statements that we know are untrue," Waxman said.
In the affidavit, Pettitte said Clemens backtracked when the subject of HGH came up again in conversation in 2005, before the same House committee held the first hearing on steroids in baseball.
Pettitte said in the affidavit that he asked Clemens in 2005 what he would do if asked about performance-enhancing substances. Pettitte said Clemens responded by saying Pettitte misunderstood the previous exchange in 1999 or 2000 and that, in fact, Clemens had been talking about HGH use by his wife in the original conversation.
Clemens read a statement from his wife in which she acknowledged using HGH once, without his knowledge.
"She has been broken up over this for a long time," Clemens said. "She feels like a pawn."
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Winehouse dominates Grammys from afar
By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY, AP
LOS ANGELES - Trapped half a world away by the place she promised to never "go, go, go," a vibrant, exuberant Amy Winehouse dominated the Grammys on Sunday night, winning five awards and delivering a defiant performance of her autobiographical hit "Rehab" via satellite from London.
Winehouse, nominated for six awards, lost the final prize in a shocker when Herbie Hancock took album of the year for "River: The Joni Letters."
"You know it's been 43 years since the first and only time that a jazz artist got the album of the year award," Hancock said, then proceeded to honor "the giants upon whose shoulders I stand, some of whom like Miles Davis, John Coltrane ... unquestionably deserved the award in the past. But this is a new day, that proves that the impossible can be made possible."
For a while it seemed impossible that Winehouse would perform at all. She recently entered a drug rehabilitation center after months of erratic behavior and canceled performances, not to mention the anthemic "no, no, no" resistance of her hit song.
As the ceremony approached, suspense built over whether her drug troubles would cost her a work visa. When her visa application was rejected Thursday, Grammy producers arranged for her to perform remotely. On Friday, the U.S. government reversed itself and approved the visa, but it was too late for her to make the cross-continental trek.
So she took the stage at almost 4 a.m. London time before a small cabaret audience, wearing a sly smile as she performed a sultry, soulful rendition of the hit that has defined her recent fall from grace. She looked just as coy as she sang the song "You Know I'm No Good" — almost reveling in the irony of her words.
Shortly afterward, Winehouse seemed dumbfounded when she was announced as the record of the year winner. She was immediately enveloped by her band, then her mother and father, who have publicly worried whether the 24-year-old artist would survive her demons.
"I am so proud of this album," Winehouse told The Associated Press in a statement. "I put my heart and soul into it and it's wicked to be recognized in this way. I feel truly honored to be mentioned in the same breath as many of the artists present tonight and to win is even more amazing!"
Her five awards were the most of the night, and included wins for best new artist, song of the year, pop vocal album and female pop vocal performance.
Winehouse's performance was not the only dramatic moment of the night. Kanye West, who had a leading eight nominations and won four trophies, delivered an electric, glow-in-the-dark rendition of "Stronger," then segued into a stirring tribute to his mother, Donda West, who died unexpectedly last year at age 58 after undergoing plastic surgery.
"Last night I saw you in my dreams, and now I can't wait to go to sleep," sang West, dressed in black and with MAMA etched into his haircut, as he launched into "Hey Mama," a celebratory tune from his second album that has now turned into a somber ode.
West won awards for best rap album for "Graduation," best solo performance for "Stronger," best rap song for "Good Life" and best rap performance by a duo or group for his collaboration with Common on "Southside."
While West was accepting the best rap album trophy, the orchestra tried to play him off the stage as he began speaking about his mother.
"It would be in good taste to stop the music," West said — and the music stopped.
"I know you're really proud of me right now and I know you want me to be the No. 1 artist in the world and Mama," West continued, "all I'm going to do is keep making you proud. We run this."
The Grammys, celebrating its 50th year, emphasized its history from the first performance. Alicia Keys, glammed-up with a '50s style, sat at the piano and sang "Learnin' the Blues" along with a black-and-white video performance from the late Frank Sinatra.
"Frank Sinatra looked good for 150, didn't he," Prince joked moments later before introducing Keys as the best female R&B vocal winner for her smash "No One."
Later, the casts from Cirque Du Soleil's "Love" Beatles' show and the Beatles-inspired movie "Across the Universe" paid tribute to the Fab Four as Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and George Harrison's widow Olivia Harrison watched from the audience.
It was a hot-legs competition when Tina Turner teamed up with Beyonce on "Proud Mary." The senior citizen kept up with her younger counterpart, showcasing her famous dance moves while wearing a tight-fitting silver bustier and pantsuit.
Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" earned two Grammys, including for best female country vocal performance. Bruce Springsteen took three awards, including best rock song for "Radio Nowhere." Other winners included the White Stripes, Justin Timberlake and Mary J. Blige with two each, the Foo Fighters and even Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama for best spoken-word album.
The last jazz album to win album of the year (not counting pop-jazz singer Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me") was "Getz/Gilberto," a collaboration between Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto, in 1964.
In any other year, West would have been the main story line thanks to his history of awards-show tirades, his huge album "Graduation" and the shocking death of his mother. But Winehouse's drama upstaged West and everyone else.
Many artists expressed support for her, such as Grammy-winner Chaka Khan, who admitted having her own problems in the spotlight during her long career.
"She's walking her walk. We all have a walk in life, we have hard and difficult times and going through that chaos often leads to clarity," Khan said. "We have to have that room and that space, that privacy time, to be able to walk your walk, make your mistakes and come out of it. It will make you stronger."
LOS ANGELES - Trapped half a world away by the place she promised to never "go, go, go," a vibrant, exuberant Amy Winehouse dominated the Grammys on Sunday night, winning five awards and delivering a defiant performance of her autobiographical hit "Rehab" via satellite from London.
Winehouse, nominated for six awards, lost the final prize in a shocker when Herbie Hancock took album of the year for "River: The Joni Letters."
"You know it's been 43 years since the first and only time that a jazz artist got the album of the year award," Hancock said, then proceeded to honor "the giants upon whose shoulders I stand, some of whom like Miles Davis, John Coltrane ... unquestionably deserved the award in the past. But this is a new day, that proves that the impossible can be made possible."
For a while it seemed impossible that Winehouse would perform at all. She recently entered a drug rehabilitation center after months of erratic behavior and canceled performances, not to mention the anthemic "no, no, no" resistance of her hit song.
As the ceremony approached, suspense built over whether her drug troubles would cost her a work visa. When her visa application was rejected Thursday, Grammy producers arranged for her to perform remotely. On Friday, the U.S. government reversed itself and approved the visa, but it was too late for her to make the cross-continental trek.
So she took the stage at almost 4 a.m. London time before a small cabaret audience, wearing a sly smile as she performed a sultry, soulful rendition of the hit that has defined her recent fall from grace. She looked just as coy as she sang the song "You Know I'm No Good" — almost reveling in the irony of her words.
Shortly afterward, Winehouse seemed dumbfounded when she was announced as the record of the year winner. She was immediately enveloped by her band, then her mother and father, who have publicly worried whether the 24-year-old artist would survive her demons.
"I am so proud of this album," Winehouse told The Associated Press in a statement. "I put my heart and soul into it and it's wicked to be recognized in this way. I feel truly honored to be mentioned in the same breath as many of the artists present tonight and to win is even more amazing!"
Her five awards were the most of the night, and included wins for best new artist, song of the year, pop vocal album and female pop vocal performance.
Winehouse's performance was not the only dramatic moment of the night. Kanye West, who had a leading eight nominations and won four trophies, delivered an electric, glow-in-the-dark rendition of "Stronger," then segued into a stirring tribute to his mother, Donda West, who died unexpectedly last year at age 58 after undergoing plastic surgery.
"Last night I saw you in my dreams, and now I can't wait to go to sleep," sang West, dressed in black and with MAMA etched into his haircut, as he launched into "Hey Mama," a celebratory tune from his second album that has now turned into a somber ode.
West won awards for best rap album for "Graduation," best solo performance for "Stronger," best rap song for "Good Life" and best rap performance by a duo or group for his collaboration with Common on "Southside."
While West was accepting the best rap album trophy, the orchestra tried to play him off the stage as he began speaking about his mother.
"It would be in good taste to stop the music," West said — and the music stopped.
"I know you're really proud of me right now and I know you want me to be the No. 1 artist in the world and Mama," West continued, "all I'm going to do is keep making you proud. We run this."
The Grammys, celebrating its 50th year, emphasized its history from the first performance. Alicia Keys, glammed-up with a '50s style, sat at the piano and sang "Learnin' the Blues" along with a black-and-white video performance from the late Frank Sinatra.
"Frank Sinatra looked good for 150, didn't he," Prince joked moments later before introducing Keys as the best female R&B vocal winner for her smash "No One."
Later, the casts from Cirque Du Soleil's "Love" Beatles' show and the Beatles-inspired movie "Across the Universe" paid tribute to the Fab Four as Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and George Harrison's widow Olivia Harrison watched from the audience.
It was a hot-legs competition when Tina Turner teamed up with Beyonce on "Proud Mary." The senior citizen kept up with her younger counterpart, showcasing her famous dance moves while wearing a tight-fitting silver bustier and pantsuit.
Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" earned two Grammys, including for best female country vocal performance. Bruce Springsteen took three awards, including best rock song for "Radio Nowhere." Other winners included the White Stripes, Justin Timberlake and Mary J. Blige with two each, the Foo Fighters and even Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama for best spoken-word album.
The last jazz album to win album of the year (not counting pop-jazz singer Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me") was "Getz/Gilberto," a collaboration between Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto, in 1964.
In any other year, West would have been the main story line thanks to his history of awards-show tirades, his huge album "Graduation" and the shocking death of his mother. But Winehouse's drama upstaged West and everyone else.
Many artists expressed support for her, such as Grammy-winner Chaka Khan, who admitted having her own problems in the spotlight during her long career.
"She's walking her walk. We all have a walk in life, we have hard and difficult times and going through that chaos often leads to clarity," Khan said. "We have to have that room and that space, that privacy time, to be able to walk your walk, make your mistakes and come out of it. It will make you stronger."
Friday, February 8, 2008
Weekly Ticket Searches (January 27- February 2)
The following are the top 5 ticket searches (PlatinumTickets.com) for the week of January 27- February 2, 2008
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Pageant of the Masters Tickets
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Blue Man Group Tickets
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