The good, the bad, and the random of Cleveland County, NC.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Canadian Fat Jokes
AlanisMorissette was seen performing earlier this month with a little excess baggage. Reportedly, she's been battling depression for about two years and has gained a little weight as a result.
While I wish her well, and congratulate her for a good show back in January at Cricket Arena, the jokes here are too good to pass up.
Maybe her next song could be ...
You Oughta Know (I'm Gonna Eat Your Doughnut)
Thank U (Cold Stone)
All I Really Want (is Apple Pie)
You Learn (to Wash Down Cheeseburgers with Milkshakes)
Crazy (How I just Left Golden Corral but am Hungry Again)
They tore into the music scene with a take-no-prisoners mentality. In a world of pop music and glam metal, they stood out for having an appetite for destruction.
Some called them the next Rolling Stones. And while they didn’t have the longevity of Mick and the gang, they still rank high, on lists compiled by Rolling Stone magazine and VH1, for their contributions to the rock genre.
Axl Rose’s trademark red bandana and microphone sway. Slash’s customary top hat, sun glasses, and cigarette. For about five years, before fame and egos caused Guns N’ Roses to implode, they were the face of rock ‘n’ roll.
Check out Thursday's Star for my top 5 GN'R songs, then come back to the blog for music videos for each.
As I write this, the only thing I can hear in my apartment is the sound of the AC blasting. It’s going to be a long, hot summer and it’s only just begun.
So while many of you are scheduling time off work to head to the beach or a colder climate – I hear Australia’s nice this time of year – here are a few of my picks for summer fun. You’ll still want to bring some SPF and a towel but you won’t need to spend your kids’ college savings to cover the transportation.
It’s just 40 miles down the road and it’s called the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. Over the past two years, it’s become a tradition of mine to check out as many shows as time and money permit and this year will be no different. I might even come home with a T-shirt or two.
So with that said, here are a few shows coming this summer worth checking out.
Tuesday, July 1: Dave Matthews Band
$32.50 - $62.50
Dave has been making an annual stop each year since I’ve lived in North Carolina, which isn’t all that long yet still impressive. His visit in 2006 remains one of my favorite concert experiences; just imagine a “Best of” album performed live. Last year’s wasn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination but if you weren’t a die-hard you probably didn’t know half the songs. Hopefully the upcoming show resembles 06 more than 07.
Friday, July 11: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Opening act: Steve Winwood
$29.50 - $95
My first concert at Verizon Wireless was Petty’s appearance in 2006, backed by Stevie Nicks and Trey Anastasio. Petty is coming off a career-retrospective documentary (“Runnin’ Down a Dream”) and new album with some old friends. The self-titled “Mudcrutch,” released this spring, reunites Petty and some of the original Heartbreakers with the band they comprised in the mid 1970s. There’s still the distinctive Petty sound to the music, just with a grittier, southern slang.
Monday, July 28: Counting Crows and Maroon 5
Opening act: Sara Bareilles
$23.50 - $126
The Crows return to Charlotte after a 2006 stop with the Goo Goo Dolls. And, much like then, I might be more interested in the second, and in this case third, act rather than Adam Duritz’ “Sideshow Bob” hair. I’ve wanted to see Maroon 5 in concert for a few years now. They and the Crows will be joined by Bareilles, who broke out this year with “Love Song.”
Saturday, Aug. 2: Journey with Heart and Cheap Trick
$23.50 - $125
Oh, if only Steve Perry was still part of the band... I’m all for classic rock tours, especially bands that had songs that still hold up compared to today’s hits. But Journey without Steve Perry is like apple pie without ice cream. Sure, it tastes okay. But something’s lacking and you know you’re getting ripped off. Never been much of a Heart fan but you can’t go wrong with Cheap Trick’s “I Want You to Want Me.”
Wednesday, Sept. 17: 3 Doors Down with Finger Eleven and Hinder
$19 – $69
3 Doors came in 2006 with Lynard Skynard. I skipped out on that one for the same reason I’ll be skipping out on Journey and, if they ever come to town, the Beach Boys. It’s just not the same if half your band has been dead 30 years. But throw in Finger Eleven (“One Thing”) and Hinder (“Lips of an Angel”) and this might be a rock show worth checking out.
And if that wasn’t enough to wet your apetite, here’s the full summer lineup.
Tuesday, July 1: Dave Matthews Band
Saturday, July 5: Crue Fest featuring Motley Crue, Buckcherry, Papa Roach, SIXX:A.M. and Trapt
Friday, July 11: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Monday, July 14: Vans Warped Tour
Friday, July 18: Brad Paisley
Saturday, July 19: Foreigner and Bryan Adams
Sunday, July 20: Rush
Thursday, July 24: 311 and Snoop Dogg with Fiction Plane
Friday, July 25: Widespread Panic
Monday, July 28: Counting Crows and Maroon 5 with Sara Bareilles
Tuesday, July 29: Jonas Brothers and Avril Lavigne
Wednesday, July 30: Projekt Revolution 2008
Saturday, Aug. 2: Journey with Heart and Cheap Trick
Sunday, Aug. 3: Rascal Flatts
Sunday, Aug. 17: Stone Temple Pilots
Tuesday, Aug. 19: John Mayer
Thursday, Aug. 21: Kenny Chesney
Friday, September 5: Brooks & Dunn and ZZ Top
Wednesday, Sept. 17: 3 Doors Down with Staind and Hinder
And for those making the trip this year, here are a few survival tips:
If you’re getting lawn seats, get there early and sit as close as you can. The people on stage are still going to appear small no matter where you are but if you're close you're going to have far less people standing in your view.
Bring blankets to sit on, if only to mark your territory and give you more space than the person next to you.
Be prepared to deal with drunk and / or high people. Think of it as part of the concert experience; an added bonus thrown in for free with your purchase of a ticket.
For more information, visit ticketmaster.com or call the box office at 704-549-1292.
It's going to be a long hot summer. Why not spend it amongst thousands of drunk music fans at an amphitheatre?
Check out Thursday's Star for a full list of what to expect this summer at Charlotte's Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. And be sure to come back to the blog for a selection of music videos from those on the list.
I've never been much of a gamer. In fact, I'm not entirely sure in what connotation the word "gamer" should be used.
Of course I played Nintendo. Relentlessly. For years. But after Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo, my passion for stomping buttons with my thumbs and then throwing the controller at the wall in frustration died.
But there was one game that I became addicted to a few years back. And thanks to Wal-Mart's super low prices, that addiction is back.
Back in 1998, I got my first desktop computer. And with it came a game called "Age of Empires." In summary, you create your own ancient civilization while at the same time blowing up the rival nations' homes and markets.
A good time is had by all.
Over the years, that CD became so scratched and worn out that it refused to play at all.
The grieving process took years.
Last week I made a much-needed trip for groceries and, with a little time to kill, explored the electronics department. And there it was. For only $10 - and with two sequels included!
A typical game can take up to 4 hours to play (and win).
As though I didn't already have enough to do with my time...
Minutes from last month's CrimeStoppers meeting, sent yesterday from Secretary Karen Rhyne.
MINUTES FOR MAY 19 2008 CRIME STOPPERS MEETING
The monthly meeting of Crime Stoppers was held on Monday, May 19, 2008 at noon in the Kings Mountain Police Department.
Vice President Charles McCloud called the meeting to order at 12:06pm.
A wonderful meal was donated by Roger's BBQ, located on Cherokee St. in Kings Mountain.
Those present were: Charles McCloud, Mike Putnam, Karen Rhyne, Andy Andrews, Tammy Endicott, Mike Poage, Rick Murphrey, Melvin Proctor, Kirsten Thomas, Kathryn Larson, Ellis Noell and Sam Richards.
Members were delighted to have the Kings Mountain Mayor Rick Murphrey attending the meeting.
The minutes were read and approved as written.
A financial statement was also read.
The Balance forward from the last meeting includes the $400.00 added back to the account from the checks that where never cashed:
$15,894.57 -400.00 pay out -200.00 pay out 10.02 interest earned -800.00 Creative Sign Service$14,504.59 ending balance
Lt. Tammy Endicott reported that 17 tips had been received since our last meeting in April. Six tips were for the Shelby Police, and eleven were for the county. These latest tips bring the total for the year up to 58.
One tip was recommended for a pay out of $100. Raymond Eugene Rucker, from the Cleveland County Sheriff's List of "Deadbeat Parents" was arrested due to the information provided by the tipster.
Chief Melvin Proctor said that crimes involving prescription drugs were a big problem in Kings Mountain. There have been some senior citizens who have paid their co pays and then sold their drugs for thousands of dollars. The chief said there had been arrests, some involving physicians.
Chief Proctor said he would like to improve the visibility of CrimeStoppers in Kings Mountain. He presented an idea to members that would involve doing a clip from the scene of a crime. This could evoke memories and possibly help solve some of the city's older and more prominent crimes.
Members discussed getting some sort of member identification. Refrigerator magnets were also discussed.
By the end of June, a new billboard will be present on 74, near the Shelby Road exit. This billboard has a new design, which shows pictures of cash on the side.
Vice President Charles McCloud adjourned the meeting at 11:55am.
The next meeting of Crime Stoppers will be on Monday June 16 at noon.
Submitted by Karen Rhyne, Secretary Cleveland County CrimeStoppers
Anyone that knows me knows I get around. And not in the improper sense.
Growing up a military kid, I got a taste early on for far off places. And with as stressful as newspaper-ing can be, I jump at any opportunity to escape and check out a new zip code.
New places. New people. New food. And though it doesn’t come cheap, that’s why God created credit cards.
So with that said, I thought I would focus this week on some of the tunes I’ve come to associate with my weekend or weeklong trips. The songs that take me back to a different time and place, far away from banjos and livermush.
Have a list of your own you’d like to share? Shoot me an e-mail at grahamcawthon@shelbystar.com. I’d love to hear from you and you might see your response printed here in The Star.
Filter – Take A Picture
Woodbridge, VA
March 2000
It’s not often I get to visit a former hometown; there have been so many. But that’s exactly what I was able to do during my first spring break of college. My parents had just moved from Alaska back to the Washington DC area – where I spent my middle school years – and this was my first trip back since 9th grade. A week of home cooking was just what I needed after months of Ramen and Gatorade. And listening to the car radio while visiting my former neighborhoods nearby had this song stuck in my head for weeks.
Evanescence – My Immortal
Eagle River, Alaska
July 2003
It was during a two week trip to my former high school stomping grounds that I got a chance to listen to Evanescence’s acclaimed “Fallen” album, released earlier in the year. Obviously the “Daredevil” song – “Bring Me to Life” – was the radio favorite at the time but I became drawn to this song while speeding back from Anchorage, enormous mountains on all sides and a pristine blue sky overhead on a warm summer day.
Norah Jones – Sunrise
New York City, NY
March 2004
Talk about overwhelming. From Times Square and NBC Studios to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Madison Square Garden, my spring break trip to NYC gave me enough memories for a lifetime. And seemingly everywhere I turned, I heard “Sunrise,” which at that time had just been released. From the hotel lobby to the coffee shop, I couldn’t shake it. I also couldn’t shake that 9 percent sales tax.
No Doubt – New
Seattle, WA
May 1999
The great thing about living in Alaska – by the time spring comes around, the sun is out nearly 24/7. And what could be better than getting a tan at 10 pm? Being on the verge of college. With high school graduation just weeks away, I found myself for a couple of days in the birthplace of grunge registering for my classes that fall at Arizona State University (the other ASU). It was during the trip that I picked up the “Go” movie soundtrack – where this song is featured – and checked out the brand new Star Wars toys at FAO Schwarz’; “Episode 1” was about to premiere.
Dido – Here With Me
London, England
September 2001
I bought the “No Angel” CD on Sept. 10, 2001 in preparation for my overseas flight later that day. And it was the first song I listened to the following night after watching hours of horrifying news coverage from back home. And while listening, I couldn’t help but think about all the people who wouldn’t be spending that evening with their loved ones because of the events of the day. I did have fun on the trip but it was obviously overshadowed by the tragedy states-side.
Fuel – Leave the Memories Alone
Orlando, FL
March 2008
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to many that know me that I’m a longtime wrestling fan. So it would be only fitting, being a resident of the Charlotte area, to be in attendance for the last match of Ric Flair’s 35-year career. As a Carolinian, if you don’t know who Ric Flair is, something’s wrong.. Attend a Carolina Hurricanes game and you’re sure to hear his trademark “Whoo!” following a goal.
In the weeks leading up to the recent match in Orlando, a tribute video was made to the tune of this song. The trip was fantastic for many reasons but this, perhaps more than anything else, left the strongest impression.
The Eagles – Take it Easy
Colorado
October 2000
I hope Winslow, Az. is adequately compensating the Eagles for all the t-shirts, key chains and mugs sold in the town. I turned off the interstate, in the midst of a 10 hour drive from Tempe, Az. to Colorado for a weekend trip, to find a nice assortment of “Take it Easy” items for sale at the local gas station in Winslow. And if you don't know why - listen to the song. In-between listening to “The Ricky Lake Show” on the radio – at one point I actually started picking up TV stations on my route – I played my “Hell Freezes Over” tape over and over until the lyrics were burned into my brain. Yes, children, that’s what car trips were like before the invention of the iPod.
So there’s a glimpse into my world. Have any stories you’d like to share? Drop me an e-mail and you might see your words here in The Star.
Growing up a military kid, I got a taste early on for far off places. And with as stressful as newspaper-ing can be, I jump at any opportunity to escape and check out a new zip code.
New places. New people. New food. And though it doesn’t come cheap, that’s why God created credit cards.
So with that said, I thought I would focus this week on some of the tunes I’ve come to associate with my weekend or week long trips. The songs that take me back to a different time and place, far away from banjos and livermush.
Check out the list in Thursday's Star - then come back to the blog for music videos of each.
Have a list of your own you’d like to share? Shoot me an e-mail at grahamcawthon@shelbystar.com. I’d love to hear from you and you might see your response printed here in The Star.
I've been with The Star since October 2005 - Shelby follows Germany, DC, Alaska, Florida, Arizona, and Oklahoma as just some of the places I've called home. Started as the cops reporter and just recently took over as city editor.
Alanis Morissette was seen performing earlier this month with a little excess baggage. Reportedly, she's been battling depression for about two years and has gained a little weight as a result.
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