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Yeah, I'm ready for some NFL football, even if it's pre-season.
Channel 5's got the Patriots-Buccaneers at 7:30 p.m. and Channel 4's got the national game, Bills vs. Saints at 8 p.m.
If that doesn't interest ya, there's always Justin Timberlake tonight at the Garden. Let's hope he brings sexy back to Boston.
Later,
Andy
OK, I'm back from vacation. Sorry that I didn't announce it to the world, but I didn't want anybody sneaking into my house while I was gone!
I'm just getting settled in right now. I'm working on a big story about Elvis, who died 30 years ago on Aug. 16, 1977. The Sun will run my story about "The King" in next Thursday's paper. Here are some interesting tidbits I've dug up so far:
Elvis Presley
• Born: Jan. 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Miss.
• Died: Aug. 16, 1977 in Memphis, Tenn.
• One billion records sold.
• Produced 18 No. 1 Billboard singles.
• Star of 31 feature films, two concert documentaries and three network television specials.
• 14 Grammy nominations and three wins.
• Member of the Rock ‘n Roll, Country and Gospel Hall of Fames.
Did you know?
• Elvis Presley’s 1973 television special, "Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii, via Satellite," was seen by an estimated 1 to 1.5 billion people in 40 different countries. More American homes watched that special than man’s first walk on the moon.
• Every year, about 600,000 fans visit the Graceland Mansion, which in 2006 was designated a National Historic Landmark.
Some information courtesy of Elvis.com.
-Andy
DISCLAIMER: This is an entertainment blog and I think sports falls into that category. Check out this link and continue reading below. You may also want to check out your favorite sports site for further details, but why not give a shout out to the Twin Cities for this gift?
I like this deal: Kevin Garnett to Boston for whatever. Sure, you give up Al Jefferson, a big man with big potential...but Big Al is also a man who sports injury prone ankles.
Print the playoff tickets, Danny. But don't count on winning it all. This team still needs to improve its defense if it wants to compete with the West, which is still way too powerful.
If this goes through, we'll keep an eye on local sales of Garnett jerseys in Celtic green.
Later,
Andy
The largest free folk festival in the country begins tonight in Lowell. Yes, it's the Lowell Folk Festival, traditionally home to good food, drinks, music (and hot weather)! Check out this link for more info.
Later,
Andy
Red Sox GM Theo Epstein and ESPN's Peter Gammons will announce today the third annual "Hot Stove, Cool Music: The Fenway Park Sessions," the popular charity concert at Fenway that benefits Boston area youth and the Foundation to Be Named Later.
The current line-up (stay tuned because last minute additions typically happen!) includes John Legend, Buffalo Tom, Kay Hanley and French Lick featuring Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck. The Hot Stove All-Stars (Theo, Peter and more) will also perform.
Tickets ($40) go on sale tomorrow at noon. Click here to buy tickets or call 877 RED-SOX9.
I cover these concerts every year and Nashua's actor/comedian Mike O'Malley ("Yes, Dear") always steals the show. He's a funny, down-to-Earth guy.
Latah,
Andy
One of HBO's best TV series (which was canned too early) might return in the form of two two-hour movies. We've heard this before, but here's a link that gives fans hope.
Have a good one,
Andy
If you're still a fan of alternative music with a big splash of real rock, you must be happy this week because R.E.M. debuted at least 10 new songs during a series of live "working rehearsals" held before lucky crowds in Dublin.
Here's a link to YouTube videos of the news songs, which remind me of the band's early material. R.E.M.'s new album is due out sometime later this year.
ANALYSIS: The new songs sound great and remind me of the band's early works during the late 80's and mid-90's. Each has a "Document," "Out of Time," "Automatic For The People," "New Adventures in Hi-Fi" feel to it. This is good, when you consider the band's last two albums, "Reveal" and "Around the Sun" weren't so great. They are back to rockin' the joint out.
There's also word that Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder will release his first-ever solo album, a product of his work on Sean Penn's forthcoming film, "Into the Wild." Vedder's tunes will appear in the film, which hits theaters Sept. 21. The solo album, released sometime in September, will be distributed by J Records.
Vedder contributed music to Penn's 1995 film, "Dead Man Walking," and 2001's "I am Sam."
ANALYSIS: Vedder solo efforts are typically great, but you can always count on a clunker or two. Vedder (who wrote "Betterman") also penned the anti-war tune "No More," which feels like it could have been, well, so much more. Bottom line: If he releases, say nine songs, you can count on seven of them being four-star quality.
Have a great weekend, everyone.
— Andy