Saturday, April 11, 2009
Oscar-Winner Billy Bob Thornton and His Band Booed Out of Canada
Billy Bob Thornton's band has canceled the rest of its Canadian tour after the actor compared the country's fans to mashed potatoes with no gravy in a testy interview that caused a sensation online.
The Boxmasters opened for Willie Nelson on Thursday in Toronto , where they reportedly were booed and met with catcalls of "Here comes the gravy."
A note posted on Nelson's Web site Friday said the Boxmasters were canceling the rest of their Canadian dates "due to one band member and several of the crew having the flu."
The cancellation came two days after Thornton made world headlines with a belligerent appearance on CBC radio's "Q."
The actor apparently didn't like that host Jian Ghomeshi started the interview with references to Thornton's Hollywood career.
Thornton refused to answer many of Ghomeshi's questions directly, mumbling: "I don't know what you're talking about." He later said Ghomeshi's producers had been told ahead of time not to talk about his film career.
Thornton also had some unkind words for Canadian crowds. "Canadian audiences seem to be very reserved," he told Ghomeshi. "We tend to play places where people throw things at each other. Here, they just sort of sit there. And it doesn't matter what you say to 'em. ... It's mashed potatoes but no gravy."
Before his Thursday night gig, Thornton tried to clarify those remarks, saying he loved Canada and his "mashed potatoes" comment had been aimed at Ghomeshi.
Media around the world delighted in the story. Entertainment Weekly's Web site ran the headline, " Billy Bob Thornton : What's his problem?"
Thanks to the AP
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Nashville Airport Marriott Greets Spring with New Renovations
The Nashville Airport Marriott has just undergone a $7 million cutting-edge renovation of guest rooms, concierge lounge and fitness center. This hotel near the Nashville Airport is also making exciting changes in the lobby to make it even more comfortable to work and relax in than ever - the perfect way to welcome spring to Music City.
All 392 rooms and suites have been modernized with stylish furnishings, sophisticated lighting, granite bathroom countertops and 32" flat-screen TVs. The concierge lounge is being transformed to meet the evolving needs of the business traveler. New granite counter tops are being added along the windows to provide business travelers with a convenient place to plug in and get to work while enjoying the delicious food and beverage amenities provided in the lounge. There will be new flat panel TVs, communal tables and comfortable seating added to the lounge to allow guests to relax and recharge.
Guests will notice an array of other upgrades around the property. The Fitness Center features new state-of-the-art equipment including treadmills and elliptical machines with built-in flat-screen TVs for you to recharge. The meeting space and Albert's Lounge were also recently transformed to create a sophisticated place to hold a productive meeting and relax.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Andy Griggs Celebrity Poker Tournament
Digital Rodeo will sponsor Nashville's first ever Andy Griggs Celebrity Poker Tournament, to be held Thursday, June 11 at Cadillac Ranch.
"We got to know Andy and learned of his involvement with the World Series of Poker," says Digital Rodeo Director of Marketing and Promotions John Pyne. "Digital Rodeo is continually trying to create unique country music events, and we felt like a celebrity poker game was a great way to benefit a wonderful organization like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Judging by the early response to this event, we're anticipating an incredible turn out from both the artists and fans."
Country recording artist and World Series of Poker main event participant, Andy Griggs, will host the event, beginning at 2 p.m. on Thursday afternoon. An artist "in-the-round" jam session will follow at 5:30 p.m. A silent auction and door prize with five separate drawings will also be held.
"I'm excited about the opportunity to work with the guys at Digital Rodeo again and raise money for some really great causes," says Griggs. "I know this is going to be a great event because everybody wins - the fans get a chance to see some of their favorite celebrities interact and compete, we get a chance to play some music and some poker, and the charities get all the proceeds. It's a win-win-win situation."
Celebrity players from country music, sports, film and television, as well as professional poker players, will participate in the tournament.
Griggs is the first country artist to receive sponsorship into the main event at the World Series of Poker. He outlasted every non-poker celebrity in the tournament, including his sponsor, WSOP champion Doyle Brunson. Griggs went on to register an impressive finish in the top 12 percent of the 2008 competition.
Currently, Digital Rodeo is featuring a weekly poker tip from Griggs on his profile page at www.DigitalRodeo.com/AndyGriggs. The clips offer advice on a variety of topics, including how to bet, gauging facial expressions, reading your cards and learning to interpret body language.
Kellie Pickler Returns to American Idol
Kellie Pickler returns to American Idol on Wednesday to perform her latest single, "Best Days of Your Life." Pickler and Taylor Swift co-wrote the song which is the second single from Pickler's most recent album. Pickler was a finalist during the 2006 season of the TV show. "Going back to American Idol is like going to a family reunion. Well, it's more fun than going to my family reunions," she laughed. "Seriously, it's always great to see the gang and feel the excitement from the contestants."
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