EXCLUSIVE: Boys Like Girls On Twitter, Taylor Swift, & Thanksgiving

Just because Martin Johnson tweets, doesn’t mean the Boys Like Girls front man thinks the micro-blogging service is doing anyone any good.

“I think Twitter is really stupid,” said Johnson during an interview on The Ralphie Radio Show. I chatted with the lead singer and guitarist Paul DiGiovanni before another stop on BLG’s headlining fall trek with Cobra Starship. “I think it’s ruining America’s youth.”

Quickly I retorted that Johnson himself owns an account, with over 35,000 “followers.”

“You have to do a Twitter if you’re in a band… keep people updated,” explained Johnson. “Dude, people don’t talk to each other anymore. You go to a show, and kids, like, are texting each other… it’s scary man.”
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I asked Johnson if he’s apprehensive to send out updates, or is even tempted to cancel his account all together. He began to answer before cutting himself off, admitting that he can become “preachy” and “annoying” about the subject. DiGiovanni then chimed in.

“It’s just another way for people to communicate with each other and contact each other,” said the guitarist. “I don’t think it’s gonna be bad.”

Social networking and it’s affect on our country wasn’t the only subject spoken about during the interview. Of course, the guys talked about the latest single from Love Drunk, “Two Is Better Than One”, featuring Taylor Swift.

“It felt, when we made (“Two Is Better Than One”), like it was something special,” revealed Johnson. “The song was fully produced and we were like, ‘It’s missing something so bad,’ and we had been friends with Taylor for a couple years. John (Keefe) actually played on Fearless. So we called her up and asked her to do it, and as soon as we got her voice on there it was just like, ‘Oh man, this is something special.’”

EXCLUSIVE: Jada!

Universal Motown's Jada stopped by The Ralphie Radio Show to catch up and play the group's new single, "Breakup Song."

Jada serenades me on stage at 97 BHT's Summer Jam.
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Part 1: "Breakup Song"

Part 2: Catching up since Summer Jam

EXCLUSIVE: NKOTB's Danny Wood Talks Future Plans, Jesse McCartney, Red Sox/Yankees

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Danny Wood didn’t think it would last this long.

“We thought we’d do like 20, 30 shows at best probably, and be home,” Wood confessed. “But we’re very happy it’s gone this long and we’re happy to now be doing the ‘Full Service’ tour.”

New Kids On The Block released The Block in September 2008. The LP marked the boy band’s first studio release in 14 years. After the CD debuted atop the Billboard Pop Charts, NKOTB embarked on a North American tour – then extended the trek to dates overseas. A “fan cruise” last month took the guys with supporters from Miami to the Bahamas. Now, New Kids find themselves on the “Full Service” tour – playing outdoor amphitheaters throughout the summer with opening act Jesse McCartney.

The Boston-born singers themselves didn’t expect this reunion to last in to the summer… but now some are wondering not when will it end, but if it will cease at all?

“We have some plans for next year. I think a new record will probably come in 2011, if we all agree to do that. But, we’re pretty much all on the same page right now. I don’t see this being the last time to see us.”

Wood joked that someone in the group “acting like an asshole,” could prevent the CD release. But, according to him, everyone in the band agreed on that plan for the time being. Still, Wood noted that family situations could play a factor.

“It’s different this time around, so you never know. I mean, I know I never thought my kids would get to see me back on stage. My daughters are with me so, it’s always perfect when they’re here.”

Also with the group is McCartney, a 22-year old pop star that wasn’t alive when NKOTB released its self-titled debut LP in 1986. But apparently, that doesn’t mean the former All My Children actor is seeking out Donnie Wahlberg or anyone in the group for advice.

“You want me to be honest?” Wood asked. “I haven’t seen the dude once. I don’t know… I don’t know. He does a mad dash or he’s hiding or I don’t know.”

Wood seemed a bit bothered, perhaps even offended, in his tone and body language, but insisted that is far from the case.

“I don’t give a shit. He can do whatever he wants, I don’t care,” Wood insisted. “We’re pretty accessible… if you walked around here you’d probably run in to all five of us.”

Give the man credit – I did in fact run in to all the guys at one point or another while backstage. Donnie chatted on his phone. Joey McIntyre walked his puppy. Jordan Knight snapped a photo with me before a Boston Herald phone interview. His brother, Jonathan, attempted to chat on his cell, but of course, coverage can be spotty up on the mountain.

And as for McCartney – Jesse told me later that earlier that day he finally met all five of the guys. The singer blamed a hectic schedule – which even forced him to jet back to Los Angeles at one point – as the reason for his notable absence backstage.

JADA w/ Ralphie!

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97 BHT Summer Jam 2009 Artist "Jada" checks in to The Ralphie Radio Show, updating Ralphie on the group's latest whereabouts while creating a to-do list for Saturday's show.

Visit Jada on MySpace & Twitter!

TMZ'S LESLIE HARRIS: Manny Being Manny... or Barry?

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TMZ's Leslie Harris talks about the reaction from Los Angeles after MLB suspended former Red Sox/current Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez for 50 games after he failed a drug test.

Catch Leslie on TMZ TV - Weekdays at 6 on Channel 38 - The CW.

Ramirez released the following statement:

"Recently I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was OK to give me.

Unfortunately, the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under the policy, that mistake is now my responsibility. I've been advised not to say anything more for now.

I do want to say one other thing; I've taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past 5 seasons. 

I want to apologize to Mr. McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, Mr. Torre, my teammates, the Dodger organization, and to the Dodger fans. L.A. is a special place to me and I know everybody is disappointed. So am I. I'm sorry about this whole situation."

EXCLUSIVE: scoop on weezy.

So here's the scoop - Lil Wayne's excuses as to why he would not perform in Rochester and Boston are essentially bullshit. Why would Wayne not comply with rules in two big media markets, yet follow all the rules in Wilkes-Barre, PA?

Money.

Weezy pulled in a quick $210,000 for last night's show at the Wachovia Arena. Whereas the shows in Rochester and Boston were for radio stations, booked by the labels. "Radio shows" usually pay expenses and not much more. Some stations will work out a deal where the headlining artist receives a cut or all of the door - but that is rare.

Just to furthen the point - Weezy complained of a subpar soundsystem in Rochester. Yet, the system was good enough for other performers that night, including T-Pain and Ludacris.

In Boston, the story revolved around mandatory medal detectors. My source who works security at Wachovia Arena told me Wayne would be subjected to the same preresequites to enter the venue in PA. Apparently, he did.

BTW - After leaving Wachovia Arena with 2 groupies, Weezy and company made a quick stop at the local Denny's. Wayne himself did not enter, instead sending his manager to snag a menu, place his order, and bring his food back to the bus.