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!

danity kane headed to splitsville...

kellie rasberry says it could be aubrey and d. woods. anyone else think this is one big publicity stunt?

t-pain can't shut off the vocoder...

love this...

no tmz update this week...

my girl leslie harris came down with the sickness - get well love - and show tmz some while you're at it!

backstreet boys presale password...

heard it on bhtizzle first, and you're welcome :)

DAILY DOWNLOAD: shwaaaaayyyzzeeee!

Check back every weeknight to listen to Ralphie's "Daily Download" - the one song you should have on your iTunes playlist!

10.01.08 : Shwayze - Corona and Lime

new celeb crush: anne hathaway...

after watching her interview with letterman last night, how can you not fall in love?

costumes that will get you laid.

full list here.

you're welcome.

aussie men are weird...

this study shows that more australian men find happiness on-line than in real life... say, with a woman or something.

oy, oy, oy.

taco bell/kfc getting healthier?

eh, no. instead, the company is posting calorie totals on its menus.

as if us health nuts didn't have enough reasons not to eat there?

blaine blames bush...

Download the mp3
It seems these days, everyone is using President George Bush as a scapegoat... according to TMZ's Leslie Harris, even magician David Blaine is jumping in on the act..

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

RALPHIE REPORT: bad boys fly commercial...

Donnie Klang insists he won’t be chartering a private jet, ever.

Klang, from MTV’s “Making The Band 4”, along with Day 26’s Q and Willie, called in to The Ralphie Radio Show on Monday. Klang and company spoke on a plethora of topics – from Donnie’s new track Dr. Love to the tragic plane crash involving Travis Barker and Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein.

The former Blink 182 drummer and celebrity mixer escaped the private jet accident with a number of third and fourth degree burns. Some weren’t as lucky: four people died in the crash.

Both artists are out of the hospital and expected to make full recoveries.

All three “MTB” stars went out of their way to send well wishes to Barker and DJ AM. Klang just met the duo in September at the MTV Video Music Awards.

“No matter how big, how rich (I get), I’m staying on Jet Blue,” the solo artist said.

Of course, the three enjoy Jet Blue for its leg space, comfy leather seats, and free DirecTV – that includes MTV in the channel lineup. Klang remembers being recognized on a flight to Florida – filled with older people – after it landed.

“They all happened to have MTV on,” the Long Island native recalled. “By the time we got off the plane they put two and two together and I got swarmed by old people.”

For Klang and Day 26, similar stories could be on the way – as Diddy and MTV keep the artists busy with album promotion, tour dates, and the latest season of “Making The Band.”

THEY’RE BAAAAACCKKK

C’mon, everyone sing-a-long now… Backstreet’s Back, Alright!

The Wachovia Arena added a little diversity to its concert lineup with the announcement that The Backstreet Boys will invade Wilkes-Barre on November 1. Tickets go on sale this Friday.

AC/DC and Elton John also play the Arena before year’s end.

Details other than the date, on sale date, and ticket prices ($49.50, 39.50) are sparse. Pollstar only lists 14 dates for the boy band – with what seems to be a mini-North American tour that kicks off on October 30 in Reading.

Usually groups travel to support new music or projects – but Howie, Brian, Nick, and A.J. haven’t released any music since 2007’s Unbreakable. The LP holds the distinction of the only BSB album not to reach platinum status, selling just over 800,000 copies.

As of press time, no opening act was announced.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: scranton/west scranton...

congrats to the spartans... more from the bell game here.

backstreet's back - alright!

The Backstreet Boys come to Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza on November 1st - tickets go in sale this Friday at the Arena, all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone at 570.693.4100., or on-line at ticketmaster.com.

Keep listening for more information on 97.1... 97 BHT!

• Backstreet Boys


• New Music

• Backstreet Boys


• New Music

lesley roy live - this saturday...

You've heard her songs on MTV's "The Hills"... You've heard her songs on 97 BHT...

Now 97 BHT says "thank you" by bringing Lesley Roy to you! Join BHT inside The Mines, 105 N. Main St. in Wilkes Barre on Saturday, October 4 for a special performance from Jive Recording Artist Lesley Roy! Powered by The Mines, Jive Records, & The Station That Appreciates You... 97.1... 97 BHT!

DAILY DOWNLOAD: donnie klang...

Check back every weeknight to listen to Ralphie's "Daily Download" - the one song you should have on your iTunes playlist!

09.29.08 : Donnie Klang - Dr. Love

The first 97 people can down the track for free! Click Here!
Donnie along with Q & Willie from MTV's MTB speak w/ Ralphie!

healthy take-out is not an oxymoron...

heath magazine released a list of the top 10 sit-down chains and top 5 fast food joints for healthy grub. some of the mentionables for nepa...

- uno's (dickson city)

- olive garden (w-b)
- denny's (all over) (yes, apparently there is a "fit fare" portion of their menu)
- panera bread (all over) (my personal fav)

- au bon pain (tannersville)

biden in wilkes-barre...

senator joe biden spoke, literally, a jog away from my apartment today. the democratic vice presidential nominee filled nesbitt park with words of emotion and anger regarding the current state of the country - centrally the economic situation on wall st.

i covered the event - video forthcoming. didn't get a word after with my fellow syracuse alum. i find it very strange. i host a show that broadcasts to over 100,000 people in this area, most of whom are between the ages of 18 and 34. yet, i have more access to frivolous celebs than people who will be running our country.

frustrating.

buy the food, resist the temptation...

according to this study, people who have unhealthy food in their house have an easier time resisting it...

eh, always want what you can't have. right?

RALPHIE REWIND: the shop-a-holic test.

Download this show
Sarah from Scranton takes an "Are You A Shop-A-Holic" test on The Ralphie Radio Show - listen to see if she passes!


To read the article, click here.

RALPHIE REPORT: chillin' with blg's martin...

Its just past 3 a.m. Martin Johnson spent the day traveling, meeting fans, and living the life; granted by the pop-rock quartet he fronts. Boys Like Girls caught a 6 a.m., from their hometown of Boston – and were stuck in Philadelphia for the majority of the morning due to plane issues. Upon arriving in Avoca, the four were swept up by a Columbia Records rep and driven to The Woodlands – where I awaited with the rest of the 97 BHT staff for an interview/photo-op date.

But Johnson’s finished with media and other obligations for the night. Yet despite the 9 a.m. lobby call for a flight back to Beantown, the BLG lead singer is fidgeting through his iTunes playlist. At my suggestion, a Goo Goo Dolls live LP from a 2004 concert in Buffalo, NY (my hometown) is selected. Johnson skips through a couple tracks – Martin insists he “only wants to hear the hits.”

The comment is a microcosm of the singer. Call his group what you may, and categorize his music how you will, but one thing is for certain – Johnson is true to his art. We spend most of the time discussing and dissecting not just pop rock, but radio songs, and subsequent hits.

“(I) Love ‘Crush’,” Johnson admits of the debut single from American Idol runner-up David Archuleta. “It’s just a good radio song. He’s got a great voice.”

It isn’t often that you’ll meet an artist who genuinely enjoys the work of their peers. I suppose hanging out in an artist’s hotel room after last call with a few close friends isn’t all too much of an everyday occurrence either. Nonetheless, Johnson loves pop music. He thinks the latest Katy Perry song (“Hot N Cold”) is one of the top three tracks on radio. And Johnson insists that Metro Station’s second single, “Seventeen Forever” is a better song than “Shake It” – so much that he originally suggested to MS’s manager (who also heads up Boys Like Girls) that it should be the debut single.

“Yeah, I ended up being wrong on that one. But still,” says Johnson.

Of course, Boys Like Girls scored a few hits of their own. Johnson – even at this late hour – continuously flaunts his music cognoscitive. He compares the band’s success to that of fellow pop rockers All-American Rejects.

“’Great Escape’ was our ‘Dirty Little Secret’” explains Johnson. “It allowed us to have ‘Hero/Heroine’ and ‘Thunder’ – like ‘Move Along’ and ‘It Ends Tonight.’”

All in the room nod in agreement. Like AAR, Boys Like Girls roughed it on the Vans Warped Tour – one of the many concerts hit hard this summer by rising fuel prices.

“Bands that are starting out right now, it’s going to start to literally be impossible to tour,” the singer told me earlier. “When we did a 15 passenger and a trailer, we were just surviving barely on gas – hoping we could maybe get a hotel room for six people to share.”

Not the case anymore. Funny how Martin once worked in Hollister – listening to the type of music he’s now paid to perform for millions of fans across the world.

And he doesn’t even have to take care of the gas bill.

DAILY DOWNLOAD: new pcd...

Check back every weeknight to listen to Ralphie's "Daily Download" - the one song you should have on your iTunes playlist!

09.24.08 : Pussycat Dolls f. Missy Elliott - Whatcha Think About That?

weekend recap in photos...

yup, facebook album here.

no cell phones in the pockets guys...

i wasn't kidding about this study regarding cell phones affecting men's quality of sperm... the link is here!

election supporters clash in the electric city...

video courtesy of the times tribune...

today show in scranton...

i was not there - after events that had transpired the night before regarding my lack of access during sen. mccain's arrival at the airport - i figured there was no reason to check out a town hall meeting that i had already seen.

but i am regretting it a bit... because the today show was in town.

DAILY DOWNLOAD: forever the sickest kids...

Check back every weeknight to listen to Ralphie's "Daily Download" - the one song you should have on your iTunes playlist!

09.22.08 : Forever The Sickest Kids - She's A Lady

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS : berwick @ wvw.

more pictures here.

EXCLUSIVE: boys like girls...

Download the mp3
97 BHT's Ralphie Aversa chats with Boys Like Girls inside The Woodlands about "Thunder", hair-straightening, partying, and touring! The event was powered by All About Singles & Columbia Records!

Or Watch The Interview Below!

photos from the ymca wilkes-barre street fair...

right before the picture he goes, "say cheeseburger!"

britney back in court soon...

Download this show
Britney Spears will be back in court - and TMZ's Leslie Harris tells Ralphie why.

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

DAILY DOWNLOAD : colby o'donis...

Check back every weeknight to listen to Ralphie's "Daily Download" - the one song you should have on your iTunes playlist!

09.18.08 : Colby O'Donis - Don't Turn Back

britney's mom speaks...

lynne says she lost control of britney at 17. it took her this long to intervene?

first lady, mccain, clintons to visit within month...

some quick politics news...

- a source with the first lady's press office confirmed that laura bush will visit the area tomorrow. as of now, the only visit on her itinerary is this fund raiser.

- senator john mccain will visit scranton on monday.

- senator hillary clinton will campaign in PA for senator barack obama, and will be with president clinton while in the commonwealth.

you'll know when i know.

BOYS LIKE GIRLS this friday!

Join 97 BHT, Boys Like Girls, and All About Singles inside The Woodlands on Friday September 19 for Happy Hour, a special guest appearance from BLG, and an All About Singles Mingle!

5:00-6:00P : Happy Hour Specials!
6:00-6:30P : Boys Like Girls Special Guest Appearance
6:30-8:00P : All About Singles Mingle

Powered by Columbia Records, All About Singles, The Woodlands, and 97.1... 97 BHT!

• MTV


• Music Videos


• MTV Shows


• Entertainment News

DAILY DOWNLOAD: kanye's new track.

Check back every weeknight to listen to Ralphie's "Daily Download" - the one song you should have on your iTunes playlist!

---
09.16.08 : Kanye West - Love Lockdown

EXCLUSIVE: story on love lockdown...

my source tells me that the friday before the vma's, employees at island def jam music group were informed kanye west would perform "love lockdown" on the awards show, and that the song would be released to radio the following tuesday. the track would serve as kanye's first single for his forthcoming LP, "808's and Heartbreaks" - due out sometime in november.

kanye performed the song sunday to rave reviews, however the following monday, pulled a 180 on idjmg, saying the song was too "out there" for a first single.

despite this, radio stations - including bht - are spinning the track anyways.

pictures from miami...

the debauchery in images via facebook album is here.

this week's ralphie report...

the following can be read this wednesday in the weekender.
---
Hold the opinions that you will, but you cannot deny that Kanye West knows how to get people chatting. Two weekends ago, the rapper/producer rescinded on his 2007 award-losing rant that he’d “never go back to MTV.” ‘Ye turned in a spectacle of a performance at this year’s Video Music Awards with a new song, “Love Lockdown.” The track features a “vocoded” West (ala T-Pain) – all singing, and no rapping.

“I’m not loving you, way I wanted to, see I had to go, see I had to move,” Kanye croons, seemingly about his ex-fiancé Alexis Phifer, who he parted ways with before heading out on last spring’s Glow In The Dark Tour. A few online media outlets reported last week that the two may have reconciled.

West will release a new CD before the end of the year – a rumored November release called, “808’s and Heartbreaks.” The emcee flew to Honolulu a few days after the VMA’s – as later said in a blog post, to work on the album.

But before boarding the plane, Kanye and his manager/road manager Don Crowley managed to snag a little more publicity. Angered by the aggressiveness of a paparazzo, the two men grabbed and damaged a camera worth thousands, en route to checking in. West’s manager then noticed that another photographer filmed the entire incident. Crowley immediately attacked that photographer as well, throwing his lens and microphone to the ground, breaking the camera in the tussle. 

To the misfortune of the rapper, the videographer was Erik – who films for TMZ. The footage survived the havoc, and instantaneously appeared on the celebrity news’ website, as well as television affiliates across the country.

Meanwhile, West and manager were booked at Los Angeles International Airport for vandalism, and released on $20,000 bail. ‘Ye, in typical fashion, took to his blog after arriving via private jet in Hawaii, saying that he’s cool with the paparazzi, and back “in the shop,” working on the aforementioned forthcoming LP.

Although two cameras worth thousands were destroyed, no members of the media were harmed as a result of the story.

PENNSYLVANIAN SWIMS TO MEDAL – SLEEPS IT AWAY

Havertown’s Brendan Hansen should be counting his lucky stars, perhaps even playing the lottery at this hour. Earlier in the week – after his relay-mate Michael Phelps hosted Saturday Night Live – Hansen flew from Austin to Philadelphia, where he would make the media rounds and receive the Liberty Bell Award. The plane stopped in Nashville, and that’s when the gold medalist realized he couldn’t find his medal.

Hansen told officials he slept for two hours on the flight, and believed the prized possession scurried away during his nap.

Forget the terror threat rising to “Yellow” – the FBI felt the need to investigate. Thankfully for Hansen, as well as our country’s security resources, the gold turned up. A passenger who left the plane in Nashville found the missing medal and reported it to authorities.

Hansen won the medal in the 400-meter men’s relay of the Beijing Olympics. No word on if the International Olympic Committee will revoke it due to “incompetence.”

that whole kanye debacle...

my second day of vacation - and the day i usually check in on-air with tmz, this all goes down... if you've been living under a rock, watch below.

kanye is due back in court oct. 2 - and will probably skate on the charges, to some degree.

back in the commonwealth.

live from the food court inside the philly airport.

yessur.

heyoooo

hiya,

just thought i'd check in from the m-i-a real right quick. spent today beachside and poolside, in the midst watching my orange get embaressed by penn state. i mean, it was expected, but that doesnt nulify the pain.

tonight i'm currently en route to the hard rock hotel and casino in ft lauderdale, about 40 minutes north of miami. i'll be finding the lowest minimum black jack table and parking there til i have a reason to leave. hopefully that reason will not coincide with any loss of funds.

have a great rest-of-the-weekend. sunday and monday afternoons will be spent on the beach here, and i return to avoca late monday night.

best,
ralphie.

kevin rudolf - let it rock video...

weezy kills this...

remembering 9/11...

please, make sure to take atleast a moment today to remember those who lost their lives on september 11, 2001. the innocent civilians - the first responders... we must always keep those who died on 9/11 in our thoughts and prayers.

everyone remembers where they were on september 11. you don't remember what you ate for breakfast yesterday, but you can recollect your entire itinerary on that tuesday. for me - i was a junior in high school at niagara catholic in niagara falls, ny. i remember watching it all on television... those images will always remain engraved in my mind.

my senior year of high school - for the first anniversary - i edited together the following piece.

god bless.

random ramblings...

top of the mornin' to ya!

blogging live from gate 5 at the extravagent wilkes-barre scranton international airport. a.j. in the afternoon insisted i leave my wilkes-barre apartment by 6:20 for my 8a flight. however, judging by the traffic, check-in line, and security line - or the lackthereof for the aforementioned - i suppose i could've snagged a little extra sleep before my jaunt down the east coast.

i'm on my way to miami. my old college roommate from syracuse now attends grad school at the university of miami. i'll be chillin' beach side and finding ways to cause debauchery at night. after the past few weeks, i couldn't have timed this vacation any better. 

c'mon, had to throw that one in there. and how coincidental that my next flight is from philly to the city where the heat is on... all night... til the break of dawn.

talk soon!

senator obama's visit...

so after an early morning and a few struggles with the presidential candidate's communications team (yes, they waitlist people), i landed a press credential and filmed the speech. no exclusive comments, but another interesting story indeed...

why i haven't posted/slept...

as quickly as possible, i'm going to run down my weekend for you...

- thursday: on-air in studio til 10, live from the woodlands til midnight, back to the station for web work, left at 2a, prepped for senator obama visit, fell asleep at 4a (friday).A

- friday: awoke at 8a, arrived at avoca airport, jill from wbre tells me the landing is closed to the press, drove to schott glass, weightlisted for credentials, finally allowed in (but without my engineer), filmed event, chased obama around nepa, grabbed food, met couple i would be dj-ing wedding for in dallas, stopped home, went to the station - on-air til 10, woodlands til midnight. headed home, took care of work, fell asleep at 4a (saturday).

- saturday: awoke at 9a, on-air 10-1p, came home and showered, dj-d wedding in dallas, came home, wrote a few pieces, went to bed at 5a (sunday).

- sunday: awoke at 9a, showered and drove into new york city, spent all day working on side projects, met up with a friend after, arrived home, took care of station work, fell asleep at 6a (monday).

- monday: awoke at 12p, showered and drove to wachovia arena, interviewed idol's, broadcasted live til 7, on-air in studio til midnight, took care of the ralphie report, production, web work... fell asleep at 7.

- tuesday: rather mundane.

now it's 4a on wednesday, i'm officially on vacation, and a little more than 24 hours from now, will be boarding a flight that will ultimately land me in miami :)

my favorite vma performances...

paramore - hayley packs a big voice in that emo-sized body.

t.i. f. rihanna - she sounded way better here than in her first performance. and sampling the numa numa song... genius.

love the ting tings...

lil wayne brings new life to "all summer long"...

kanye killed it.

RALPHIE REPORT: idol backstage news...

the following will appear this wednesday in the weekender.
---
A unique and familiar laughter filled the backstage area of Wachovia Arena Monday afternoon. Down the corridor walked American Idol runner-up David Archuleta. The 17 year-old trudged through the hallway with two hands full of gifts in tow. Shopping bags filled with affection, food made with love – fans from all points in between New York, New Jersey, and Delaware showed up by the press gates as early as noon for the 7 p.m. start – just to snag a glimpse of their favorite Idol finalist.

The scene wasn’t unique to Wilkes-Barre. Every afternoon of every show brings a similar occurrence of Idol fanatics dropping off cameras, clothing, and birthday cakes to their favorite performers. Carly Smithson recalled an elaborate cake bearing her resemblance. Idol winner David Cook stood outside for close to an hour, returning gifts and well wishes with autographs and hugs.

Of course, Archuleta appreciated the bags and bags of goodies. However, the generosity does put the artist in a bit of a predicament when it’s time to pack-up and travel to the next city.

“Right now, without those gifts, I can barely fit in my bunk. I have to sleep sideways because there’s no room.” Archuleta said. “I always look through everything I can – it just depends on how busy the day is.”

There are three different fates for the items. Some are packed with Archuleta as he travels the country. Others are shipped back to the singer’s Utah home. And some will be donated to charity. Despite the tour wrapping up this weekend, it seemed that all the Idols I spoke with hadn’t grown weary or tired of the love from supporters.

Of course – for Archuleta – that love transcends gifts.

“It’s always cool to hear that people like it, because you’re always wondering if people are going to like it or not.”

“It” is the singer’s new song, “Crush.” The single made the highest Billboard Hot 100 debut in 18 months, losing out to only Rihanna’s “Disturbia” for the top spot. Archuleta’s forthcoming LP is tentatively self-titled and slated for a November release.

Could Archuleta be the next Clay Aiken – a runner-up, small in stature, large in vocals – outshining the season’s winner? He hasn’t reached out to Aiken for any advice – instead leaning on someone a little more relatable in current career path and age – last year’s winner and Jive label-mate Jordin Sparks.

But, don’t count out Cook yet. A source close to the singer revealed exclusively to me that three tracks were mixed down in studio for the rocker this week – all with the potential to be a radio single heard before the end of the month.

Meanwhile, the other Idols will finish up the remaining dates and disperse to what many hope will be profitable individual careers. Some, such as Australia’s Michael Johns, have already recorded tracks for new projects. Yet others, like Chekeze and Smithson, will be traveling back to the west coast to meet with record execs in search of offers and contracts. A few artists I spoke with will take a little bit of time off after the final show – while some are moving to new locations and working immediately after the last song. Kristy Lee Cook will head right to Nashville – but don’t worry – she’s already requested Thanksgiving off.

Despite the various paths – all of the American Idol contestants I spoke with could agree on one point – no one could’ve fathomed the joys and pains of Idol life and the concurrent career moves.

DAILY DOWNLOAD: past few days...

some of my picks...

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09.09.08 : Usher f. will.i.am. - What's Your Name?

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09.08.08 : Gym Class Heroes f. The Dream - Cookie Jar

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09.04.08 : Fall Out Boy - I Don't Care

---
09.03.08 : Thriving Ivory - Angels On The Moon

The first 97 people can down the track for free! Click Here!
Clayton from Thriving Ivory talks with Ralphie!

EXCLUSIVE: david archuleta & the idols interview...

American Idol runner-up David Archuleta, as well as Michael Johns and Kristy Lee Cook, sat down with Ralphie backstage at Wachovia Arena. David chats about his new song, David Cook, his father, and who he calls for advice. Meanwhile Michael & Kristy discuss their cell phones and touring with the Idols!

David Archuleta

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Michael Johns

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Kristy Lee Cook

the wingman hits the campaign trail...

you heard james holeva - aka the wingman - along with other local filmmakers on the show last friday. hopefully you had a chance to check out the community film project's event last weekend at the endless mountains movie theater. but now, the wingman needs your help. watch the video below...

and vote for it (click the vote button, then click "funny" - not "die". the wingman ensured me good weekend creepin' karma will come your way.

dvr's save tv shows, real-life relationships...

these studies always make me laugh, read on.

eight reasons to NOT make lurve.

figured my friends back in dorms at kings, wilkes, etc. could use this...

explanations at the link... but here are the eight...

1.) revenge.
2.) ego gratification.
3.) appliance envy.
4.) weight loss.
5.) clarity.
6.) mercy.
7.) quid pro quo.
8.) fame by association.

DAILY DOWNLOAD : ne-yo - miss independent.

Check back every weeknight to listen to Ralphie's "Daily Download" - the one song you should have on your iTunes playlist!

09.02.08 : Ne-Yo - Miss Independent

Year Of The Gentleman drops September 16th.

nirvana.

a select picture from the weekend... converse outlet... niagara falls.

what more could i ask for?

new heidi song... oh joy...

this one's called "the party's wherever i am."

when does this end?

miley targeted nick in "7 things"...

so apparently this...

is about this...

details on everything from the dirty socks to diabetes necklace is here.

labor day photos...

only saturday night and sunday afternoon, due to the battery in my camera dying...

facebook album is here.
p.s. - that's my nephew - the coolest dude i know, and a diehard yankees fan.