John Mayer's Big Decision

Looks like Mayer, not LeBron, was able to please everyone...

RRS AUDIO: Headlining MSG a Big Deal for GaGa

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Lady GaGa brought her Monster Ball to New York City for two headlining dates this week - and the shows fulfilled a dream for the NYC native. Back in October 2008, while GaGa opened for New Kids On The Block, she performed at Madison Square Garden, and the singer even went "gaga" over the opening slot at "The Mecca" during an interview on "The Ralphie Radio Show."

RRS AUDIO: Lady GaGa In The Wrong For Wandering In To Yanks Clubhouse

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IMHO, it wasn't a good look on Lady GaGa's part to enter the clubhouse at Yankee Stadium last Friday, after the Yankees lost the opening game of the Subway Series to the cross-rival Mets. The three main reasons:

- GaGa wouldn't approve if someone simply talked their way in to the backstage area of her concert.
- Media access is much more broad and not as controlled at a sporting event as opposed to most concerts.
- The players aren't singers or musicians with seperate, closed off dressing rooms. Everyone is in the same room - you also have family and children there.

I love the Yankees, I love GaGa, but the simply put, the singer is in the wrong on this one. For my full opinion, download the segment at the top of the thread.

Thank You For The Birthday Love

Had such a great birthday weekend... I officially turned the big 2-5 yesterday - and I spent the day with my girlfriend in New York City, taking in the Yankees game at the Hard Rock Cafe at the stadium (the team played in Toronto), then doing a little shopping and walking around - the weather was gorgeous.



The number of calls, texts, Facebook messages, and Twitter at replies were overwhelming. Thank you so much, means a lot.

Oh, and because I just received this from the label (thanks Bobbi!) here's a shot of me and Orianthi from last week:

EXCLUSIVE: Justin Bieber Makes Dream Come True For Archbald Teen

She was introduced to Justin Bieber initially by “Kidd Kraddick In The Morning” on 97 BHT. Little did 14 year-old Alex Buchinski know that she would later be introduced to Justin, literally, by his manager Scooter Braun.

This isn’t your average meet-and-greet tale.

Buchinski is a 97 BHT listener and Archbald, Pa. resident. Like many of her peers, she loves “The Bieber.” Matter of fact, she wasn’t satisfied by just professing her admiration by missing two days of school to see Justin perform inside The Mall at Steamtown. Nor did winning passes to check out Bieber on “Good Morning America” satisfy her, um, sorry – Bieber Fever.

Nope, instead Alex wanted to see her favorite artist on “Saturday Night Live.” Step one: take to Twitter.

“I was just sending (links, comments) out there, like I didn’t send it to ‘Saturday Night Live’ or NBC or anyone like that,” explained Buchinski on “The Ralphie Radio Show” – a radio show that Bieber has been interviewed on twice. “I was just sending it out there, trying to get more followers to support the idea, and it worked.”

In no time, Buchinski found herself in the center of a viral marketing campaign to land Bieber on “SNL.” Alex’s account, “BieberOnSNL”, has close to 10,000 followers. Bieber himself has “at replied” – or mentioned Alex’s name in a Twitter update, on three different occasions. Yet, Buchinski still has no idea how Bieber or his team figured out that she was one of the forces behind it.
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“He ‘tweeted’ me back, like 6, 7 weeks ago, saying that he was going to be on ‘Saturday Night Live’ April 10,” she said. “I don’t know how he found out that I helped him.”

But Justin did, and offered Alex four VIP tickets to check out his performance the following afternoon. Bieber taped an edition of “Walmart Soundcheck” at the Highland Ballroom in New York City. The teenager made the trip to the concrete jungle with her parents and younger sister. Her father, Chris, didn’t know what to expect when he arrived. But upon stepping foot in the front door of the venue, the dad was immediately taken aback.

“We went out there, and I thought it was gonna be just a run-of-the-mill kind of thing,” Mr. Buchinski admitted. “But I went to the door and I said ‘I’m looking for Scooter.’ He was right there, and he took me right in.”

Bieber’s manager immediately handed over wristbands for VIP access for the family of four. Then, Braun took them all backstage, to meet Justin and the band in their dressing room.

“It was phenomenal,” Alex’s dad said. “(Braun) was really, unbelievable. He even gave me his e-mail address to keep in touch; I mean he was a fabulous guy.”

But the VIP experience didn’t end there. During the taping, Bieber performed “One Less Lonely Girl.” Let’s just say, the only girl that did not feel lonely in the crowd was Alex, who spent the duration of the song literally just a few feet away from the pint-sized pop star.

“He sang ‘One Less Lonely Girl’ to me on stage, in front of like, hundreds of screaming girls,” recalled Buchinski. “It was just amazing.”

“Walmart Soundcheck” featuring Justin Bieber will premiere on May 15 online and throughout Walmart stores across the country.

NY MAG'S AMY ODELL: Fashion Week; 'The Situation'

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Amy Odell, of New York Magazine's The Cut blog, called in to "The Ralphie Radio Show" to chat about her experiences at Fashion Week 2010 in New York City, as well as the latest about a new photoshoot for Interview magazine with Mike "The Situation" and Bar Rafaeli.

Catch up on the latest here.

PR CONSULTANT RICK CERRONE: Tiger Woods Statement on Friday

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Rick Cerrone manned what Sports Illustrated called, "The Hottest Seat in Sports." As the Yankees' Senior Director of Media Relations from 1996 through 2006, he worked side by side with some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment. Cerrone checked in to "The RRS" to offer his thoughts on Tiger Woods' planned appearance with select media on Friday.

Visit Rick's official website here.

The Most Unique Defense Used In A Prostitution Case...

Remember the Philadelphia Phillies fan who posted a Craigslist ad last October offering, well, "services", in exchange for World Series tickets? William J. Brennan, the attorney for Susan Finkelstein, used quite the defense while attempting to protect his client in court last Friday.

What exactly did he say? I'd rather not repear... click here for more.

TMZ: Creepin' On Ke$ha

I love TMZ - a reporter calls my show at least once a week to chat about one of the many entertainment stories they are breaking exclusive news on. But, this photog is creepy. No, not because he's videotaping Ke$ha shopping in New York City, while she prances around sans pants, ala Lady GaGa. Instead of the video, focus on the audio... his running commentary is, well, priceless.

Meteorologist Snooki With The 7-Day...

Her show airs on MTV. Jay Leno invited her on his ill-fated prime-time show twice. She receives $10,000 to appear at clubs and events. Yet still, it seems America can't get enough of Nicole Polizzi - known to the masses as "Snooki" from "Jersey Shore". In her latest cameo, Snooki trades in lush background of Seaside Heights for a green screen on New York TV station WPIX.

EXCLUSIVE: Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz To Make Big Announcement Before Year's End

You know when Pete Wentz starts paraphrasing Jay-Z, he means business. Actually, I wasn’t sure what the Fall Out Boy bassist meant when he dropped this during our conversation – but I think we’re all about to find out soon.

“People are gonna be really sick about the next deal I make,” said Wentz, who is also the head of Decaydance Records. “If people felt weird about the last one, people are gonna feel real weird about the next one.”

I asked Wentz to elaborate on his “On To The Next One” reference, and well… he at least continued.

“It’s got nothing to do with Fall Out Boy or Island Def Jam,” Wentz admitted. “It’s gonna be different, and it’s gonna make people feel sick, or happy.”

The only timeline Wentz gave to the big announcement is that it will not happen on Thanksgiving or Christmas, but will happen before the end of the year. He said that everyone is a little lost on what’s happening, but that he’s going through with it – whatever it is – anyways.

Interestingly enough, shortly after our conversation, he posted this Twitter update, "I kinda lost my mind for real. Not really looking for it either".

Wentz called in to The Ralphie Radio Show to promote Believers Never Die: Greatest Hits. The FOB compilation hit stores and iTunes on Tuesday, and features two new tracks.

“Ahh man… funny question, yunno?” Wentz responded when I asked why the band released a “best of” album at this particular moment in time. “Fourth quarter. Labels like to put out greatest hits in the fourth quarter, don’t they? And ‘why now?’ because it’s like, the band doesn’t have enough hits to have a greatest hits. And ‘why now?’ because maybe it’s like, you have a contract you want to get out of. We asked ourselves all those questions, and then decided to put it out as something for the fans.”
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Part 1: Believers Never Die: Greatest Hits, "Alpha Dog"

Part 2: Hair Cut, Future Plans, Angels & Kings (Wentz's NYC Bar)

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The timing is also curious given that Fall Out Boy as a band is currently on a hiatus, or as Wentz told MTV News the night before – a “decompressing.” So, while supporters may not have new material in the immediate future, they will have two new songs from the release, including the first single, “Alpha Dog.”

“We felt like (“Alpha Dog”) didn’t fit in,” Wentz reasoned as to why the track didn’t appear on Folie A Deux. The song did pop up on a mixtape the label head released prior to Fall Out Boy’s last LP. “It felt too electronic. At the time it felt futuristic, now it feels it is the right time for it.”

And oh how the times have changed. Wentz is 30, with a child and a wife, and will be living in New York for at least the next 13 weeks. His spouse, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, makes her Broadway debut on November 30 in the musical, “Chicago.” For Wentz, this will translate to more time with his son. Bronx Mowgli Wentz turns 1 on Friday. This will probably also find the entrepreneur with more opportunities to manage and appear at his New York bar, Angels and Kings. The drinking establishment might be to blame for the slow, sometimes rambling responses I received from Wentz throughout our chat.

“I was there, in my head, last night,” Wentz said. “But I don’t think I was there, in reality.”

EXCLUSIVE: Cobra Starship's Gabe Saporta On Angels & Kings, New CD, Pete Wentz's Birthday

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Cobra Starship's Gabe Saporta is glad he called The Ralphie Radio Show. Thankfully for the lead singer, I reminded him that Pete Wentz's birthday was the next day. Sure Gabe may not know what to get Pete, but Saporta did chat about Cobra's new CD and the bar he, Pete, and a few others own in NYC: Angels & Kings.

Check out Gabe talking about Leighton Meester and Cobra's new single, "Good Girls Go Bad" here.
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I suppose you could excuse Cobra Starship’s Gabe Saporta if he did forget Pete Wentz’s birthday… his band is touring the globe and gearing up for the release of a new LP in August.

But, thankfully for Gabe (and possibly a gift-receiving Pete), I reminded the lead singer of June 5’s significance when he called up The Ralphie Radio Show.

“Aw man, thank you for reminding me, you just saved my life!” Saporta acknowledged as an answer to a question about what he’d get Wentz for his 30th life anniversary. “I’m always glad to know when it’s Pete’s birthday because it always reminds me that I’m a little younger than him.”

Cobra Starship’s 29 year-old lead singer discussed Cobra’s new single with Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester – the story behind Hot Mess – and the pending legal issues with a New York City bar co-owned by Wentz, himself, and members of the Gym Class Heroes.

“(Laughing) It was just something we were using to describe all of our favorite kind of girls,” Saporta admitted of Hot Mess, which drops August 11. “Then we’re like, ‘Why don’t we just call the album that?’”

The story behind Cobra’s new LP title doesn’t seem the least far-fetched. Saporta takes pride in the band’s reputation for its fun-first, music-second approach.

“You can’t insult me because, that’s the whole point of our band is yunno, we like to knock each other all the time.”

Matter of fact, the insults can even yield positive results. Saporta notes that one of the songs on the new CD, “Pete Wentz is the Only Reason We’re Famous” stemmed from a live on-line fan chat.

It also makes sense that the front man neither felt insulted nor shied away from questions regarding the bar he part-owns with Wentz, Angels and Kings. The drinking establishment recently experienced a run-in with New York State Liquor Authority. Officials cited the spot for serving minors. Saporta noted that the bar is now open, and that New York in general is offering quite the amount of tickets these days.

“They’re just cracking down left and right, even on crazy stuff – on like parking tickets and garbage fines,” said Saporta. “It’s hard to run a business like that, we’re not there to run it.”

Instead, Saporta and company are making music, playing shows, and filming videos. The band just wrapped up the shoot for “Good Girls Go Bad” – a track produced and written by Kevin Rudolf and American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi. Cobra’s front man noted that both Gossip Girl actresses-turned-singers – Meester and Taylor Momsen, were possibilities for the song.

“They both talked to our management,” revealed Saporta. “I’m like, ‘Yo, they came in here? Why didn’t you tell me about it? I wanna meet them, I love Gossip Girl!’”

DR. MICHAEL SILVERMAN: NYC's Swine Flu Psyche

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Psychologist to the stars Dr. Michael Silverman talks about NYC's reaction and mental state after the Swine Flu breakout. He authored the book, "Unleash Your Dreams".

During the conversation, Dr. Silverman draws a parallel between the fear of swine flu and living in a post-9/11 world. The psychologist doesn’t believe that the disease is as wide-spread and rampant as the media reports, but cautions that such a situation could happen, it just hasn’t occurred yet.

RALPHIE REPORT: Flavor Flav, Vegas, DJ AM, Hinder

Flavor Flav celebrated his 50th birthday last week. No, that is not a typo.

The “Flavor Of Love” star kicked off the celebration on the East Coast – with a star-studded bash at BB King’s in New York City. The party brought a pleasant surprise to ongoers, as Ice-T and Chuck D joined Flav on stage to perform a number of hits from Public Enemy’s catalog.

Last Friday, Flav flew the festivities to Las Vegas, with a party inside Jet Nightclub at The Mirage. The highlight? The rapper held his trademark, “Yeah Boyee!” catchphrase for an uncanny 35 seconds.

SPEAKING OF LAST FRIDAY…

So I spent part of last week in Las Vegas, betting on March Madness (How ‘bout Syracuse?!), partaking in bottle/limo service, and enjoying the amenities of The Strip (as in the stretch of attractions, not a prefix for a club).

You would’ve thought that these activities, especially with Spring Break, would’ve yielded a many stories for this column, between celebrity sightings and encounters.

Well, you would’ve thought incorrectly. I saw DJ AM spin at LAX inside Luxor, and didn’t bother with Flav’s aforementioned party on Friday night. All in all, I did not meet, let alone knowingly encounter any type of celebrity.

And as far as stories? I accumulated quite a few for a 72 hour period, however what happens in Vegas…

BUT AGAIN, BACK TO LAST FRIDAY…

Big thanks to everyone who joined 97 BHT for the return of Funhouse Friday’s inside The Woodlands. While I was actin’-a-foo inside Prive at Planet Hollywood, A.J. In The Afternoon was throwing a big bash inside Evolution at The Woodlands. I can only imagine what Week 2 will be like inside The Woods, with Shontelle, Adam Barta, and DJ Woogie slated to perform on Friday.

There was also a group of celebrities in the house last week. However the band Hinder was “less than friendly” according to one patron. Another person at the event noted that the band would only sign five CDs for 97 BHT to give to listeners (Most artists usually will agree to how many CDs asked of them).
But then again, I suppose it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise – we are talking about a “rock” group from Oklahoma that is notorious for playing by their own rules, whether that be shots of “Jager” prior to radio interviews or all-night benders on the tour bus before concerts.

It’s really quite a shame though. I remember hearing so many stories about an easy going Hinder – drinking at Tinks with fans, sleeping in their caravan outside of studios just to snag radio time and the attention of Program Directors.

I suppose it’s just an example of the affect that groupies, alcohol, cross-country tours, and a couple of Billboard “rock” hits can have on one’s ego.

BTW, if you weren’t one of the 5 to snag one of those highly-coveted autographed CDs, you might have a chance this summer, as the pompous partiers return to NEPA on July 14 to open for fellow “rockers” Nickelback at Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain.

Pictures of NEPA'a Partying Priest...

The New York Daily News continues its coverage of Father Gregory Malia of Wilkes-Barre with these pictures taken inside Pink Elephant, an exclusive NYC club and one of Fr. Greg's many haunts...

RALPHIE REPORT: Father Party-er of Wilkes-Barre

REVISED 12/30/2008
The following will appear this Wednesday in The Weekender.
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Turns out that one of the most extravagant partiers that calls The Valley their residence, doesn’t even party within Northeastern PA.

He is 43 year-old Gregory Malia – but many in the area as well as the bar staffs he so generously tips simply know him as “Father Greg.”

That isn’t a nickname for his charitable contributions on bills – tipping as much as 60 percent on one tab, which brought the grand total to a staggering $45,000.

Nope, this big city, bottle-ordering patron is of the priesthood. Father Gregory Malia preaches at St. James, a summer-only Episcopal Church in Carbondale.

 
Credit the New York Daily News with breaking this story. Their reporter scored an interview with Fr. Greg, however a publicist for the company which Malia owns cut the conversation short. The pharmacy specializes in medicine dedicated to blood disorders – allegedly the source funding these spending sprees of up to $52,000… in one night.

You’re probably wondering, and the answer is no, Malia doesn’t see anything wrong with the situation.

“I work hard. I make good money. How I spend it – that’s my business,” the priest told a reporter for the Daily News, which ran the article in its Sunday edition.
Bishop Paul V. Marshall of the Diocese of Bethlehem cares to dissent. The diocesan head swiftly released a statement via the Internet the day that the article ran.

“The allegations made in the article, if true, constitute a serious violation of ordination vows to be ‘a wholesome example’ to a priest's people,” writes Bishop Marshall. “If true, they may also violate other canonical provisions and certainly portray an unacceptable idea of Christian stewardship,” Bishop Marshall wrote. The Bishop goes on to reveal that The Daily News did not reach out to him or his communications department for comment, and that Malia hadn’t returned an e-mail and a phone call.

Furthermore, the Bishop removed Malia as his vicar at St. James, prohibiting him from the exercise of priestly ministry.

The Daily News would not comment on the piece, noting that it is still a work in progress.

I shouldn’t and won’t pass judgment on Malia, however I will say that he could certainly teach a thing or two about tipping to most of the celebrities and athletes that roll through this area.

T.I. SHOW CANCELLED

Speaking of celebrities in the 570, T.I. will not be one of them, at least in 2008. E & R Entertainment’s Jingle Jam, which was to feature T.I.P. along with fellow Atlanta artist Young Jeezy, was canceled Monday.

The concert was slated for December 29. Ticket holders can receive a full refund at point-of-purchase. The promoter cited ticket sales as the reason for cancellation, although a reschedule date is still in the works – pending approval from the judge overseeing T.I.’s forthcoming jail sentence, which begins in March 2009.
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Listen to Ralphie Aversa weekdays from 5-10p on 97 BHT.

RALPHIE REPORT: AAR/NBC Drops The Ball Early...

The front man of The All-American Rejects might have a dirty little secret regarding his throat. Ailments hampered Tyson Ritter a couple of years ago while AAR toured. Bassist Nick Wheeler decided to all-but-skirt the issue last week, when I asked him about it on The Ralphie Radio Show.

“(Tyson’s) doing good,” replied Wheeler, before quickly segueing to another topic. “We’ve got a big week ahead of us – new record’s coming out finally.”

It isn’t known when Ritter began experiencing issues with his vocal chords. But, the condition became public in July 2006. The pop-rock stars cancelled the remaining four dates on their Canadian tour. The following fall, the group played the U.S. – but Ritter did not make the media rounds - reportedly not speaking all day, perform the show, and then not talking for the remainder of the evening.

The Rejects released “When The World Comes Down” on Tuesday. The new album brings a number of press obligations. But without a clear answer from AAR’s bassist, it’s unknown whether Ritter is in the clear himself.

Wheeler seemed equally taken aback later in our conversation. Only this time, he entertained the thought of what the Rejects career would look like if their current record label, Interscope, had released their first, self-titled LP. Wheeler first paused for two seconds, before tearing into a mini-diatribe about the current conditions in which bands sign to labels.

“Yunno, I’d like to think that music speaks for itself. Granted, you need people to help you get it out there. From the beginning, we’ve gotten in a van and gone out and played shows. We were around before MySpace and YouTube.”

Certainly the aforementioned networks have unequivocally fostered viral marketing plans and short-term success – but only time will tell if anyone from this new era of music can sustain that.

But with The Rejects predating this new phenomenon, I suppose that’s something the Oklahoma-based band won’t have to worry about.

NBC DROPS THE BALL EARLY

This has nothing to do with Jay Leno’s earlier timeslot, and everything to do with the New Years Eve special on the Peacock Network.

But how much of the show will be live, as opposed to “live”? According to my source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, NBC already pre-taped at least one musical performance. Expect to see The Ting Tings play 1-3 songs, including the iPod commercial-featured “Shut Up and Let Me Go.”

The event occurred in Rockefeller Center, and needed multiple takes. NBC even equipped the audience with hats and noisemakers, as if the ball was dropping.

Problem is, this all went down last Sunday night.
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Listen to Ralphie Aversa weekdays from 5-10p on 97 BHT.

EXCLUSIVE: lesley roy interview...

97 BHT's Ralphie Aversa sat down inside The Mines with Lesley Roy to chat about Ireland, The Hills, and her debut CD - Unbeautiful.

Or Watch The Interview Below!

live like heath...

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TMZ's Leslie Harris filled in Ralphie Aversa on the latest property listing in the SoHo district of NYC - Heath Ledger's old apartment!

Catch Leslie on TMZ TV - Weekdays at 5 on Channel 38 - The CW.

whitney (de)port's her standards...

she's in nyc filming for her new reality show, and could do way better than this...

someone tell her that i'll sign the footage release form.