Mammoth Blog

On this day in 1959, TV's Superman, George Reeves, was found dead in an apparent suicide. It was to be the start of the urban legend known as the Superman Curse. On June 16, 1963, cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space source>>>

Manny Ramirez has fallen to sixth place in fan voting for National League All-Star outfielders, making it increasingly unlikely that the highest-profile player suspended under baseball's drug policy will appear in the sport's summer showcase.

The amount of votes standing between Ramirez and a starting spot in the All-Star game has nearly tripled over the last two weeks.
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The NFL has extended its minority interviewing rule to include openings for general manager jobs and equivalent front-office positions, in addition to head coaching vacancies.

The league made the announcement yesterday. The move had been expected after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said at a set of owners' meetings last month in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., that he planned to expand the rule.

Under the new rule, any team seeking to hire a senior football operations official for its front office must interview at least one minority candidate.

"The discussion at the league meeting identified the strong reasons for taking this step, which in large part simply confirms a recommended practice that clubs have voluntarily embraced," Goodell said in a written statement released by the NFL. "The recommendation also recognizes that this process has worked well in the context of head coaches, and that clubs have deservedly received considerable positive recognition for their efforts in this respect."

The rule previously had required each club with a head coaching vacancy to interview at least one minority candidate.

That provision widely is known as the Rooney Rule after Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, the chairman of the league's workplace diversity committee, and was credited by many observers for the recent gains in diversity the league has made in its head coaching ranks.

The Fritz Pollard Alliance, the group formed to promote diversity in hiring at all levels in the NFL, had pressed in recent years for the league to extend its minority interviewing requirement to key front-office jobs. But NFL officials until recently had resisted making that move, instead asking teams to follow the guideline voluntarily.

The league indicated the minority interviewing rule will not apply to a case in which a team's top front-office job is held or filled by the franchise's owner or a member of his or her family, or in a case in which a team has an existing contractual obligation to promote a member of its front-office staff.

According to the league, Goodell also urged teams to interview a diverse slate of candidates for other vacant front-office jobs. source>>>

The New York Jets signed third-round draft pick Shonn Greene on Monday to a four-year deal that includes a $905,000 signing bonus.

The bulldozing running back out of Iowa was the first player taken on the second day of the draft after the Jets traded up with Detroit to select him. Greene rushed for a school-record 1,850 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, and was selected the Big Ten's offensive player of the year.

He could provide a goal-line complement to Thomas Jones and Leon Washington, or provide insurance if contract negotiations go awry with either of the other two running backs. Both Jones and Washington held out for parts of voluntary workouts while looking for new deals, but reported to mandatory minicamp last week.

With the signing, the Jets have inked all three of their draft picks, including quarterback Mark Sanchez, the fifth overall pick, and offensive lineman Matt Slauson, a sixth-round selection.

After two years as a backup at Iowa, Greene appeared ready to step into the Hawkeyes' starting lineup in 2007, but was ruled academically ineligible. He worked at a furniture store in Iowa for six months while improving his grades at Kirkwood Community College.

Greene, from Sicklerville, N.J., re-enrolled at Iowa and was sixth on the depth chart at running back last spring. He quickly bulldozed his way into the starting lineup and had one of the best seasons in school history, winning the Doak Walker Award as the country's top running back. Greene capped the season by rushing for three touchdowns in a 31-10 win over South Carolina in the Outback Bowl. Shortly after the victory, Greene announced he was entering the draft.

Also Monday, the Jets signed free agent linebacker Brock Christopher. source>>>

The NFL Players Association was smart to choose a David-sized executive director to replace Hall of Fame lineman Gene Upshaw. The looming battle with the gargantuan and heavily fortified NFL might be won with a well-aimed stone.

DeMaurice Smith took over his new job at the most difficult moment in two decades of relations between the league and its players. He was at the NovaCare Complex yesterday, meeting with a couple of dozen Eagles players.

Smith would have preferred to address the entire team, but most of the squad scattered at the end of last week's sort-of-voluntary camp. Such is the logistical reality of trying to meet with 32 teams during the off-season.

"When I flew home from Nashville [last week]," Smith said, "that was my 41st plane flight in the last four weeks. I'm going to be about two inches shorter when this is done and I'm not sure I can afford it."

Smith jokes about his height (about 5-foot-8) in that way that dares you to take him lightly because of it. It's the same way he talks about not being a former pro or college player, and therefore a surprise choice to replace Upshaw. Smith defeated former Eagle Troy Vincent and former defensive lineman Trace Armstrong in a vote earlier this year.

He will ultimately be judged on how he handles the most daunting situation since the union decertified after the disastrous 1987 strike and fought its way back to prominence through the courts.

In the last year or so, NFL owners voted unanimously to reopen the collective-bargaining agreement early, after the 2010 season; signed enormous new TV deals that provide revenue even if there is a labor stoppage (a lockout, in this case), and set up 2010 - the dreaded "uncapped year" - to put the squeeze on players' earnings.

Roger Goodell's Death Star is fully operational, during an economic crisis that will leave fans with little sympathy for either millionaire athletes or billionaire owners.

The death of Upshaw last summer left the union scrambling for a leader capable of getting up to speed quickly and taking on the league. In person, Smith is everything he's been made out to be: smart, sharp-witted, prepared, more PR-savvy than Upshaw, who tended to say whatever popped into his head.

Smith said he'd had one meeting with Goodell and "we've got another one scheduled. But as far as the CBA negotiation stuff, we're going to keep that kind of close to the vest."

Already, Smith has demonstrated very different views from Upshaw, who was despised by many retired players for his perceived insensitivity to their plight. While he was earning seven figures representing active players, Upshaw was not especially receptive to the pleas for improved pension and disability programs for the men who played before, during, and after his own career.

Smith, the non-player, feels just as strongly that "the NFLPA had a fiduciary obligation to the players who made this game great, but I also believe personally that they have a moral obligation."

While Upshaw held that he reflected the beliefs of the active players, Smith said his own election suggests otherwise.

"If there was ever an opportunity for these players to not pick a person who believed as strongly as he did about the former players, they had it," Smith said. "The fact is, the players of today recognize that the game today is . . . built upon the players that came before."

Smith has already taken concrete action, settling a lawsuit filed by retired players over use of their images in video games. Instead of appealing and continuing to fight, Smith's NFLPA agreed to pay the plaintiffs more than $25 million - nearly as much as a jury awarded them.

As encouraging as that is, the larger point is that Smith's different approach may be just what the players need now. While Upshaw was often characterized as being too close to the commissioner - broadcaster Bryant Gumbel famously described Upshaw as the "personal pet" of Paul Tagliabue - Smith is a high-powered attorney who seems prepared for the looming confrontation.

"Even in the worst economic downturn in our lifetime, they've secured television deals that go until 2014," Smith said. "We know that all of those TV deals . . . have been increases over the past television deals. We know that attendance continues to climb. We know that 40 million people watched the draft, and we know that [the league] generated over $8 billion last year."

Smith wants the union to have access to the teams' financial statements. If the owners can prove they are struggling financially, contrary to all appearances, then fine, the union will share the pain. If not, there's no good reason to shut down America's favorite sport.

That's a pretty well-aimed stone. It's up to Goliath whether to duck or fight. source>>>

In the end, the NFL's man of mystery didn't leave much room at all for guesswork.

If Brett Favre's arm is sufficiently healed, he'll be playing quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings this season.
The league's three-time most valuable player said as much Monday night on the premiere episode of HBO's "Joe Buck Live," when, as the program's first guest, he confirmed A) he had a surgical procedure on his throwing shoulder about 2 1/2 weeks ago; B) he declined an invitation by Vikings Coach Brad Childress to attend last week's organized team-activity practices; and C) he is comfortable with the idea of trotting onto Green Bay's Lambeau Field wearing a purple No. 4 jersey.

"I don't know what to tell them," Favre said, when asked about Packers fans. " Vince Lombardi went to the Washington Redskins when he left. His name's on the trophy. We give that trophy out every year. I don't hear too many people say, 'That traitor, he went to Washington.'

"Time heals a lot of things. I have nothing but the highest regard for Green Bay. And I mean that sincerely. Did some things happen there that may have ruffled the feathers for both sides? Yes. But once again, the 16 years I spent there, you can't take away. I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. They chose to go in a different direction, and that's OK. I chose to play again, and that's OK.

"I have former players, friends of mine, I have family saying, 'I can't picture you playing anywhere but Green Bay.' . . . It's football. It's not life or death."

The Vikings already have two quarterbacks expected to vie for the No. 1 job -- Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels -- but Favre would go to Minnesota only to be the starter. The move would reunite him with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, his close friend and a former quarterbacks coach in Green Bay.

"It makes perfect sense as far as coming back because it's an offense that I ran for 16 years," Favre said, adding: "I could teach the offense."

A short time later, the quarterback made what might have been his most telling comment, when -- perhaps in a slip -- he used "we" when referring to the Vikings.

"They do have a great running back, they have a great running game," he said. "If I go there, there's no guarantees, we all know that. I went through that last year in New York. I think every player should think that he is a difference maker. . . .

"In that situation, understanding what is expected of you, knowing your team, knowing that as long as we can run the ball and complete passes when needed, we should be pretty good."

Basically, Favre said, his decision hinges on the health of his right arm and shoulder, which was operated on by renowned surgeon James Andrews. Favre said he was told the typical recovery time for his type of upper biceps procedure is four or five weeks.

"I don't think you can go past anything more than the arm," said Favre, who turns 40 in October. "If that's not up to par -- and is not up to par when the time comes -- then you can't play. I went through it last year, and I gutted it out or whatever, but it affected me, and it affected our team. I can't do that again, and I won't do that again. . . .

"As I rehab and continue to throw, if it ever gets to the point where it feels like it did before it started hurting, then the biggest question mark is out of the way."
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Plaxico Burress showed up in Room 219 in Manhattan Criminal Court Monday morning - 28 minutes late, of course - and through some shrewd delay tactics the last few months, has managed to steer clear of Rikers Island until at least 2010. As a result, his attorney and his agent naturally declared the market officially open in the Burress Sweepstakes.

Need a 6-foot-5 receiver with felony gun charges and the winning touchdown catch in the Super Bowl on his resume? Plax is your guy.

For his own credibility and the integrity of his league, now is the time for Roger Goodell to suspend Burress for the first four games of the 2009 season as punishment for one of the clearest violations yet of the NFL's personal conduct policy. Goodell would have preferred the legal process play out before he had to deal with Burress, but after two adjournments, the gun-toting wide receiver is not due back in court until Sept. 23, 10 days after the opening weekend of the season. At that time, it's likely a trial date will be set for the spring of 2010.

Can Goodell really let a player facing felony gun charges walk back into the league without being disciplined? Of course, our system of justice is based on innocent until proven guilty, but the personal conduct policy does not require a conviction. Goodell has flexibility and the power to sit down players who have brought shame to the NFL.

As Burress, who will be 32 in August, tries to work the system so he can get on the field this season as his prime years begin to dwindle, all Goodell needs to remember is Burress was carrying a gun that was not licensed in New York, took it into a Manhattan club and accidentally shot himself in the leg. Burress is fortunate he did not kill anybody.

Let's be clear about a couple of things: Sources said yesterday that Goodell does not have to wait for Burress to sign with a team before he suspends him, even though he is not currently employed in the league. He can sit him down for the first four games of this season (more, if he prefers) and let teams decide if they want to bring him into training camp and then have him for the final 12 games. The fact the Giants suspended him for the last four regular-season games of 2008 for conduct detrimental to the team is irrelevant. That was the Giants' decision. This one belongs to Goodell.

"We reserve the right to make a decision at the appropriate time," league spokesman Greg Aiello said yesterday.

The Jets, Bucs and Bears in the last two months have expressed interest, with Tampa showing the strongest inclination to sign him. Although there are indications the Jets and Bears are backing off, don't forget the Jets were denying interest in Brett Favre right before they completed the trade and Chicago lacks a big-time wideout for Jay Cutler. Still, it would be ludicrous for the Jets to get Burress in this market. source>>>

When hundreds of fans failed to get Bruce Springsteen concert tickets last month, they were quick to blame the usual suspects - Ticketmaster and other ticket brokers. But the Boss may himself have been partly responsible, according to a new report, withholding thousands of the best seats.

Springsteen, his agent, his label and the gig's promoter held back 2,262 tickets from the East Rutherford, New Jersey gig on 21 May - about 12% of the total, the New Jersey Star-Ledger has reported. These included 90% of the seats in the four sections closest to the stage.

As high demand for the concert drove up secondary ticket prices, fans responded with outrage - petitioning state attorney general Anne Milgram to investigate the resale market. But while Ticketmaster and other major resellers are now in the spotlight, it's Springsteen's cordoned-off seats that reduced the supply and helped send prices skyrocketing.

By withholding 12% of tickets, the concert's organisers may have been breaking the law. According to the 2001 statute that regulates New Jersey ticket sales, it is forbidden "to withhold those tickets from sale to the general public in an amount exceeding 5% of all available seating for the event".

"They are allowed to hold back 5% for family, fan clubs, friends, sponsors, for the band, for the producer, for everyone involved," New Jersey assembly member Peter Biondi told the Star-Ledger. "[The law] is there for a reason. The intent was to have enough tickets available to have fair and open pricing."

Organisers inevitably disagree, claiming that the 5% rule applies only to the promoter - not to tickets reserved by artists, sponsors and media. "The holds are a necessary part of doing business," spokesman John Samerjan said. "We work with the attorney general and consumer affairs. They were aware of exactly where every ticket is going."

There's at least one reassurance for fans - none of the 9,800 nose-bleed seats in the arena's upper level were withheld.

The 2009 edition of the Martha Argerich Project, a three-week event now underway as part of the Lugano Music Festival, is scheduled to close on June 29, with a grand program of opera excerpts. But don't expect any singers. The Progetto, as it is known in the Italian speaking region of Switzerland, is almost exclusively an instrumental affair, and thus the concert will consist of transcriptions, involving 10 pianists, including Ms. Argerich herself, and 11 other instrumentalists. If all goes according to plan, it will be the 11th concert in which the elusive pianist participates at this year's Progetto.
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Concert impresarios the world over have found that they can do little to deter Ms. Argerich from her notorious tendency to cancel performances, yet the formula of the Progetto seems to do the trick, difficult as it would be to duplicate elsewhere: just surround her with 50 or more top-notch musicians whom she enjoys both as people and as performers, then let her set the terms of their working relationship. Because of her cancellations, some may think of Ms. Argerich as antisocial, but by all accounts she loves companionship. Fellow participants at the Progetto include established superstars, accomplished musicians who are less well known and young performers identified by Ms. Argerich as having singular promise.

Although the Progetto's 22 events include solo piano recitals, the emphasis is on collaboration. The first of the three concerts I heard was essentially an evening of concertos with the Swiss Italian Orchestra conducted by Alexander Vedernikov, held in the functional auditorium of the Palazzo dei Congressi. The eminent Russian-born cellist Mischa Maisky played Ernest Bloch's "Schelomo," a piece that can often sound gloomy but here benefited mightily from the rhythmic and tonal variety Mr. Maisky brought to the score. Dong-Hyek Lim and Francesco Piemontesi gave an effervescent performance of Mendelssohn's youthful but expertly written Concerto No. 1 for Two Pianos in E major.

But the main draw was presumably Ms. Argerich, who was heard in Manuel De Falla's "Nights in the Gardens of Spain." In a piece where instrumental color counts for so much, the vibrancy of her tone proved stunning, whether helping to evoke a lush nocturnal atmosphere or imitating a guitar. After the concert, Ms. Argerich, a night owl, is said to have followed her familiar pattern of having a bit of dinner, then rehearsing into the late hours. It is a pattern her colleagues are expected to follow.

The routine doesn't leave a lot of time to enjoy this picturesque lakeside town encased by mountains, yet nobody seems to complain. Gabriele Baldocci, a young pianist, spoke of Ms. Argerich's congeniality. "She is very easy to play with and says everything though music," he said. "I've never had a formal lesson with her, but she is my greatest teacher."

Mr. Maisky, a mainstay of the Progetto since its inception in 2002, was more philosophical. "Working with Martha is like life itself," he said. "It's not easy -- it can be quite unpredictable and very irritating. But it is the most wonderful thing there is. She is unbelievably gifted -- in an almost depressing way."

The Argentine-born Ms. Argerich, who rocketed to fame following competition victories as a teenager in the 1950s, declined to be interviewed for this article.

With just one concert a day, the Progetto has a remarkably modest budget of only 600,000 Swiss francs, or about $550,000, according to the artistic director Carlo Piccardi. About 35 percent of the cost is borne by the sole private sponsor, the bank BSI. The rest comes from governmental entities; Swiss-Italian Radio, in whose studios many of the concerts are held; the EMI Group, which issues a CD set from each Progetto, and ticket sales. All participants are paid the same flat amount multiplied by the number of pieces they play. "Martha could earn more from one engagement in Paris than she does for three weeks here," Mr. Piccardi said.

Giving exposure to young talent is an important aim of the Progetto, and one of this year's young stars is Mr. Lim, a 24-year-old from South Korea. In addition to the Mendelssohn concerto, he played an all-Bach solo program. His performance of the Goldberg Variations glistened with contrapuntal brio yet also showed maturity in its expressive phrasing.

With so many pianists among the participants -- 32 out of 55 this year -- there is always a premium on chamber works with piano. At a concert at the Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola, Mr. Baldocci and the cellist Mark Drobinsky played Brahms's Sonata No. 1 in E minor, op. 38, then Mr. Drobinsky was joined by the pianist Dagmar Clottu and the violinist Lucia Hall in a stirring performance of Chopin's underrated Trio in G minor, op. 8. The concert closed with Schubert's late Fantasie in F minor for Piano, Four-Hands, D. 940, in a performance by Karin Merle and Ms. Argerich that brought out all the work's poignancy while minimizing its episodic nature.

At a concert like this, in intimate surroundings, one could appreciate a comment by Mr. Maisky that the essence of the Progetto "is about coming back and making music together with people you know and love." It must be what motivates Ms. Argerich too. "She doesn't care about fame, money or career," Mr. Maisky said, "but, of course, she has all of those." source>>>

Susan Boyle made a triumphant return to Scotland Monday night - and was met with rapturous applause.

As part of the Britain's Got Talent tour starring every finalist from the TV competition, the concert in Glasgow came a day after runner-up Boyle canceled her two performances in Manchester because of a need to rest, it was announced.

But Monday night she wowed 6,000 fans, as Boyle, 48, sang her renditions of "I Dreamed a Dream" and "Memory" and sparked spontaneous applause, according to her publicist.

"Halfway through the first song they were on their feet giving her a standing ovation, and they remained on their feet the whole way through," the rep tells PEOPLE.

"They were cheering her on. And she was ecstatic with the performance. She was really, really happy with how it went. "

Boyle, the spokesperson adds, is "doing what she loves doing best, and that's singing."

Rest Is Vital
Her brother John wasn't at the show - he hopes to catch his sister in Edinburgh - but, from photos he has seen, says it is obvious that she is "enjoying herself." Adding that 95 percent of his sister's fan mail comes from the U.S., John Boyle tells PEOPLE: "I just want her to be happy and enjoy herself and sing. At the end of the day, it's the quality of her voice that's got her this far."

Promoters are being careful not to push Boyle. After placing second in the Britain's Got Talent final, the Scottish singing sensation was hospitalized with exhaustion for four days.

About a week later, she met with producers from Simon Cowell's Syco label at Sony and began to choose tracks for the album of her dreams. She and producers hope it will be out by Christmas.

"She has a vast musical knowledge that she is bringing to the discussions," a source tells PEOPLE. But, again, she will not be rushed.

"It is one thing at a time, and first it is the tour," says someone close to Boyle. "Then she can move on to the album when she is ready." source>>>

Toby Keith, Alison Krauss, Kellie Pickler and Heidi Newfield have been added to the list of presenters for the CMT Music Awards on Tuesday (June 16). In addition, Tennessee Titans quarterback Kerry Collins, ventriloquist Terry Fator, model Karolina Kurkova, and comedian Melissa Peterman will also present awards. Hosted by actor-comedian Bill Engvall, the awards show will include performances by Keith, Pickler, Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Def Leppard. Previously announced presenters include Randy Jackson (American Idol), Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas (Dancing With the Stars), Bill O'Reilly (The O'Reilly Factor), actor Luke Wilson, Kid Rock, Ted Nugent and T-Pain. The awards show airs live from the Sommet Center in Nashville at 8 p.m. ET/PT. A live red carpet special, hosted by CMT's Katie Cook and Lance Smith, will be telecast at 7 p.m. ET/PT. source>>>

With Kenny Chesney's "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" still ringing in their ears, tens of thousands of fans at Nashville's LP Field bid a weary farewell Sunday night (June 14) to the 2009 CMA Music Festival.

Chesney, who didn't take the stage until midnight, topped a bill that also featured Taylor Swift, Sugarland, John Rich, Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry, Heidi Newfield and Jack Ingram.

Unlike most closing nights, there was little crowd erosion as the evening ticked on. Everybody wanted to stay and see Chesney. And he made the wait worthwhile, starting with the inciting "Beer in Mexico" and steaming ahead to such party fare as "Summertime," "Out Last Night," "Young" and "Living in Fast Forward."

He dedicated the nostalgic "I Go Back" to his first producer, Barry Beckett, who died last week, calling him "a very important guy in music [who's] moved to the other side."

Risking being mauled by frantically outstretched hands, Chesney sat on the lip of the stage to croon the grateful "Don't Happen Twice." Then he leaped up, ran to center stage and started his "Tractor."

Sugarland matched Chesney for crowd appeal. Each of the duo's songs drew massive shouts of approval -- and a great deal of singing along. Lead singer Jennifer Nettles' dramatic other-woman monolog, "Stay," proved to be a particular favorite. The audience broke into spontaneous applause at the point where the other woman finally turns the tables on her hit-and-run lover. Sugarland worked up to that high point via "Love," "Settlin'," "All I Want to Do" and "Joey." They signed off with "It Happens." Nettles was spellbinding.

Listening to Swift's teen epiphanies on record, it's hard to imagine her competing as a stadium act. But with this show, she blew away any doubts. Tall, trim, leggy and crowned with that glorious blonde mane, she skipped and strutted around the stage like the world was her personal playground (as it's turning out to be). She even dared some modest bumps and grinds.

Most of the audience was up on its feet and urging her on by the time she was midway through her opener, "Picture to Burn." Between numbers -- "Our Song," "You Belong With Me," "Fifteen" -- she shared her observations about life and love. If it sounded a bit scripted, at least it was well-scripted. She then seated herself at a piano to perform the semi-operatic "You're Not Sorry." There, she swiveled, slumped, raised her eyes to the heavens and tossed her hair wildly in an apparent effort to ramp up the drama. Swift clearly knows how to work her audience. It will be interesting to see how she shifts -- as she inevitably must -- when her core fans evolve from adolescent angst to more adult woes.

Rich turned his set into a MuzikMafia outing, albeit without his duet partner, Big Kenny. Making his entrance with the Big & Rich favorite, "Loud," he wore an ankle-length fur coat over a T-shirt and jeans. (Are we to deduce he has money?) Next, he brought out Mafia buddy Cowboy Troy and accompanied him on the rapping "I Play Chicken With the Train." He proceeded to speak about the nation's current hard times by way of setting up his current single, "Shuttin' Detroit Down."

Then Rich beckoned to the stage a line of veterans he said represented America's armed conflicts from World War II onward. They stood there uneasily while the crowd chanted "U.S.A., U.S.A." and Rich sang "The Good Lord and the Man," a song he wrote to salute his grandfather's war services. Rich wrapped up his segment with "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy." Joining him in that effort were Cowboy Troy and fellow Mafioso, Two Foot Fred. Rich did not allude to Big Kenny or why he was absent from the shindig.

Lambert was toughness personified as she blazed and pranced through "Kerosene," "Gunpowder & Lead," "Dead Flowers," "Famous in a Small Town" and "Guilty in Here." Like Swift, who would soon follow her, Lambert tossed her head as if trying to rid it of hair.

The crowd roared as soon as Montgomery Gentry's name was mentioned -- and it continued to roar through the brief but solid set of "What Do Ya Think About That," "Roll With Me," "One in Every Crowd" and "Gone." No act gives more affection to its audience than these two Kentuckians. Despite the pugnaciousness of his lyrics, Eddie Montgomery always looks more boyishly mischievous than menacing. And Troy Gentry exudes a sort of dangerous charm, especially with his new and more youthful looking hairdo. MG deserved more time than they got.

Newfield was apparently a last-minute addition to the show. But even singing from the side of the main stage as sets were being changed, she still had the aura of a headliner. Her first of three songs was a hit from her Trick Pony days, "Pour Me," which she introduced with a bluesy harmonica riff. From there she proceeded to "Cry, Cry (Til the Sun Shines)" and finished with the worshipful "Johnny and June."

Ingram was the evening's opening act. He tried hard -- a bit too hard, perhaps -- to get the crowd going by exhorting it to stand. "It ain't a festival unless you're standing up and singing along," he scolded. Ingram had some success in animating the onlookers by breaking out such festive goodies as "Barbie Doll," "Barefoot and Crazy" and his euphemistic ace-in-the-hole, "Love You."

It's just as well, though, that Ingram didn't get them too foamed up. They had a long evening ahead. source>>>

Country music fans packed the Stage, a club on Nashville's Lower Broadway, to hear performances by the Carter Twins, the Eli Young Band, Emerson Drive, Gloriana, Holly Williams and Joey & Rory during the third annual CMA Fan Social. Sponsored by CMT, fans gained admission to Saturday's (June 13) event through an online scavenger hunt involving Rhapsody, Verizon Wireless and CMT Mobile. Winners were informed of the concert's secret location. With hundreds lining the street in hopes of gaining entrance to the venue, Joey & Rory met them outside with an impromptu acoustic performance. The event was hosted by CMT's Lance Smith. View photos from the CMA Fan Social. source>>>

Miranda Lambert entertained an estimated 300 members from her fan club Sunday afternoon (June 14) at a Nashville club. Prior to her performance, members enjoyed a lunch of barbecue sandwiches, chicken fingers, hamburgers and French fries. During lunch, Lambert's mother handed out prizes to fan club members while her father greeted the throngs. When Lambert took the stage, she thanked the members for their continuous support and performed music from her upcoming album, Revolution, including "Maintain the Pain" and her newest single, "Dead Flowers." At one point, she asked her fans if they had been following her on Twitter. "I've got to keep up with Taylor [Swift] somehow," she laughed. Lambert went on to perform "Famous in a Small Town," "Gunpowder & Lead," "Kerosene" and Patsy Cline's "Crazy." Afterwards, Lambert greeted her fans and posed for photos. Check out photos from Miranda Lambert's fan club party. source>>>

One of the more interesting ideas creator Shigeru Miyamoto mentioned during his E3 roundtable was Woohoo Island. It's the name he's given to the setting of Wii Sports Resort. Those who have eagle eyes will notice that the fictional place is the same area you run in Wii Fit. Both games have the same lighthouse and windmills. I suppose this is Miyamoto's Yoknapatawpha County. It's the idea of a setting recurring throughout games and being as important as a character.

I had a chance to spend some time in Miyamoto's fictional island playing a few games in the upcoming Wii Sports Resort, the follow-up to Wii Sports. The sequel sports new games like basketball, swordplay and table tennis, but the big change is the Wii Motion Plus, a new peripheral that adds more fidelity to the Wii's motion-sensing technology. It tracks one-to-one movement so that players can actually aim a bow and arrow or move a virtual skydiver and see the results perfectly translated on screen.

Wii Sports Resort

I played two games: swordplay and basketball. Both worked well and are great party games. With swordplay, Wii Sports Resort pits you and a friend or computer in a fight with wooden swords. Swing the Wii Remote horizontally and you'll make horizontal swing of the sword. Slash down and the movement is mimicked on screen. Surprisingly, the game even detects lunges.

I played against the folks with Nintendo, and I did fairly well winning two of the three rounds by knocking my opponent off a platform. It's almost like the sword fighting you did as a kid. I got into the habit of waggling around madly, and it seemed to work well. But I expect constantly lunging won't get you far against a fencing expert.

The other minigame I played was the 3-point shooting contest. Set up like the one in the NBA All-Star game, players pick up a ball with the a button and they'll have to make a shooting motion with the Wii remote. Other than picking up the ball, there's no other button pressing. There's no awkward gesture. It's just a set shot and a follow through with the Wii Remote in your hand.

It works amazingly well, and once you get in rhythm, you feel like Craig Hodges or Larry Bird. As you work your way around the different racks, you can take your time with the money ball.

But be sure not to linger too long because the event is timed and you have to make as many shots as possible within the limit.

Wii Sports Resort is scheduled to be released July 26. source>>>