EXCLUSIVE: Nick Lachey On V-Day, Paparazzi...

02.17.09 : Nick Lachey - Patience
Nick Calls The Ralphie Radio Show!
On "Patience" & Coming Up For Air:


(Old School: Ralphie & sister Raquela w/ Nick & Jess; Buffalo, 2003)
On Valentine's Day & The Paparazzi:

RALPHIE REPORT: Chris Brown Speaks, Life Imitates Art, We The Kings

The following will appear in The Weekender, which hits newsstands this Wednesday.
---
Chris Brown waited a week to speak out regarding his alleged attack on Rihanna. The R&B crooner filled his two-paragraph statement with remorse, but left out the assumed victim’s name.

“Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired. I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person," said Brown, who also debunked reports that he commented on the incident to a Facebook page or any other blog.

No word from Rihanna, although her father, Ronald Fenty, did speak with the media – confirming that Brown hit his daughter and affirming that she’ll be okay, despite brusing.“At some point, she will speak out. I hope she will stand up for women all over the world,” Fenty told People Magazine.Meanwhile, the spectacle surrounding the incident continues to grow as Los Angeles authorities gather evidence and decide what exactly Brown will be prosecuted for. As of press time, only the original charge of suspicion of making felony criminal threats stood.

Another interesting twist of life possibly imitating art emerged this week, when a track sung by Mario Barrett and allegedly featuring Rihanna hit the net. “Emergency Room” details the actions that led to a woman finding out her man’s cheating ways, and her response.
“You gon’ be in the emergency room… I’m fighting with myself, I can’t hurt you even though you hurt me,” sings the woman on the hook – who sounds eerily similar to RiRi.

At least according to Mario and the author of the track, it is not Rihanna singing. Priscilla Renea wrote “Emergency Room”, with Rihanna and Akon in mind. Mario heard the song, snagged it and re-recorded the verses, leaving the part-to-be-sung-by-Rihanna on the hook. Both Barrett and Renea insist that the Barbatos-born singer hasn’t even been presented with the song, let alone graced it with her vocals.

“The record was far from done,” Barrett wrote in a statement to Vibe. “I’m still proud of the record but want to make sure that the truth is out there.”

IT’S NOT ALL SUNSHINE FOR WE THE KINGS

If you recall the last time I spoke with We The Kings, there was no sunshine – rather a hail storm on Montage Mountain during Warped Tour.

The conditions during our interview last week inside The Crocodile Rock Café in Allentown were a bit more favorable, sans the leaky ceiling. Nonetheless, the boys from Bradenton, Florida spilled about their not-so-rock star Super Bowl experience.“We were actually flying during the Super Bowl, it was kinda miserable,” bassist Hunter Thomsen told me. The conflict forced the group to forgo tickets to the big game, played an hour from their house. Plus, the guys missed their favorite show, The Office. I held off any, “Boom, Roasted,” lines – because it’s no fun being in the dark on those things.

That’s what she said.
---
Listen to Ralphie Aversa weekdays from 5-10p on 97 BHT.

WINGMAN WEDNESDAY: Taking 1 For The Team

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If anyone can offer advice on being a wingman, it is clearly The Wingman.

Initial Wingman Response:

Reaction #1:

Reaction #2:

Visit The Wingman on MySpace.

UPDATE: David Archuleta Meet-And-Greet

So many of you have e-mailed me regarding last week's post about 97 BHT's exclusive meet-and-greet with American Idol runner-up David Archuleta.

I know a little bit more. And I mean literally, a little bit.

The day of the signing (Friday, 2/27), FYE will be selling 500 copies of David's new CD. With the purchase of a CD comes a wristband, which will allow you the chance to meet David at 7P.

Now - you probably have a lot of questions...

- What time will FYE begin selling CDs?
I don't know yet.
- Is there a per-person limit?
I would imagine 1-per, but I don't know that as fact.
- Does a CD purchase guarantee that I'll meet David?
I don't know.
- What if I already own the CD, can I just bring that?
No, you have to purchase a CD the day of in order to meet David.
- Is there a time limit on the signing?
I don't know. I do know the signing begins at 7P, and the mall closes at 9P.
- Will you know any more answers before the date?

I sure hope so.

VIDEO: Ice In The Cake!

Congrats to Carol who won a $1,000 Diamond Band thanks to Zales, Gerrity's, The Mall at Steamtown, and 97 BHT! See how it all went down below!

EXCLUSIVE: We The Kings

Download the mp3

We The Kings took time from "The Secret Valentine Tour" at The Crocodile Rock Cafe in Allentown to talk with Ralphie about the song, Twitter, and missing The Super Bowl in their home town.

Or, Watch The Interview Below!

DAILY DOWNLOAD: Mario/"Rihanna"

02.12.09 : Mario f. Rihanna (Allegedly) - Emergency Room
Read Mario's Statement Regarding This Track Here.
Hear The Original Demo ("Rihanna f. Akon" - Emergency Room) Here.
The woman who wrote/recorded the demo speaks here.

TMZ: Chris Brown/Rihanna Update

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TMZ's Leslie Harris gives Ralphie details on the types of charges that might be brought against Chris Brown - while also shedding light on an abusive past between the two.

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

RALPHIE REPORT: Rihanna, Chris Brown, Colby O'

The following appears in the latest edition of The Weekender.
---

Pop went Chris Brown’s bubble this week, in oh-so-many aspects.

In the confines of a weekend, the R&B singer lost an endorsement deal, a Grammy Awards performance, a girlfriend, and a squeaky-clean image – all while gaining a criminal record.

The downfall began on Sunday morning, around 12:30. According to witnesses, Brown allegedly engaged in a physical altercation with another female. A number of sources identified the woman as 20 year-old Rihanna.

After one onlooker heard screaming, she called 911. By the time police arrived, Brown left the scene of the crime – but turned himself in to custody later that evening. The Los Angeles Police Department booked Brown on suspicion of making felony criminal threats. Authorities released the singer after he posted the $50,000 bail.

A court date is set for March. Wrigley Jr. Company is not waiting until then to take action. The candy company suspended its marketing campaign which promotes Doublemint gum with Brown and his song, “Forever”. In a statement released Monday, Wrigley’s acknowledges due process yet takes the allegations seriously.

Coincidentally, Brown’s “Got Milk?” campaign was previously set to cease this week. That contract will not be renewed. Furthermore, the crooner will not appear at next weekend’s NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix.

As the fallout of Brown’s fate unfolds, more details emerge about the victim, allegedly Rihanna. According to TMZ, law officials call the songstress’s injuries “horrific.” The website reported a litany of damage done by the beating – from face contusions to busted lips and a bloody nose.

Both singers cancelled their performances for Sunday’s Grammy Awards. Neither won an award.
TMZ’s Leslie Harris informed me that there’s a history of domestic violence in Brown’s family. In an interview on The Tyra Banks Show a few years ago, Brown recounted some of those childhood memories.

“I treat women differently, because you know, I don’t want to put a women through the same thing that person put my mom through,” said Brown when recalling memories of watching the abuse as young as age 7.

Rumors began to swirl earlier this month that the couple, who had been dating for at least a year, was on the rocks. Other artists even talked about the possible break-up. Grammy nominated Colby O’Donis went as far to dedicate a song off of his LP, “Let You Go”, to the duo.

“I actually just found out that they broke up,” O’Donis told me exclusively on 97 BHT the Thursday before The Grammy’s. “I’m sure they’re going to dedicate that song to each other.”

O’Donis nabbed his first Grammy nod for his contribution to Lady GaGa’s “Just Dance.” He and Rihanna share a mutual friend in singer/producer Akon.

As of press time, neither Brown’s nor Rihanna’s camp issued a statement regarding the abuse reports.
---
Listen to Ralphie Aversa weekdays from 5-10p on 97 BHT.

Party Like A Movie Star on Friday

Received this info from our resident Wingman, James Holeva...
---
If you're in the Scranton, PA area come party with the cast and crew of "FORGED" Friday night at the Holiday Inn in Dunmore.

The cast including Manny Perez, David Castro, Kevin Breznahan, Jaime Tirelli and director William Wedig; as well as director of photography Zeus Morand will be on-hand to hang out, sign autographs, and talk about the movie!

Also it's happy hour from 5-7 with a dollar off drafts, and two dollars off mixed drinks.

The bar will be selling a special drink called "FORGED," which is named after the movie!

The meet and greet, autograph signing, press conference runs till 8 p.m. Hope to see you out.

Don't forget to check out all the up to date FORGED info on the movie's blog, www.forgedmovie.blogspot.com

RALPHIE REWIND: Allentown.

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Ralphie finally hit up Center City Allentown... he didn't leave all that impressed.

Catch Ralphie's chat with We The Kings later this week!

Chris Brown Knows About Domestic Violence...

FF to 4:10 in this video. Interesting interview and comments given the recent events...

Thriving Ivory Live!

· WEDNESDAY, 2/25/09, 4:00PM, CENTER COURT INSIDE THE MALL AT STEAMTOWN FOR A FREE ACOUSTIC PRE-SHOW PERFORMANCE WITH THRIVING IVORY BEFORE THE CONCERT AT TINK’S ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX

· LISTEN TO 97 BHT WIN PASSES TO MEET THRIVING IVORY AFTER PRE-SHOW

· PLUS LISTEN TO WIN FREE TICKETS TO SEE THRIVING IVORY AT TINK’S

· POWERED BY WIND-UP RECORDS AND 97 BHT!

Meet David Archuleta!

· FRIDAY, 2/27/09, 7:00PM AT F-Y-E INSIDE THE MALL AT STEAMTOWN
· MEET DAVID ARCHULETA WHILE HE SIGNS YOUR COPY OF HIS NEW SELF-TITLED CD, FEATURING THE HIT SONGS “CRUSH” AND “A LITTLE TOO NOT OVER YOU”
· LISTEN TO 97 BHT TO WIN ONE OF THE FIRST TEN SPOTS IN LINE
· PLUS LISTEN TO 97 BHT TO WIN FREE TICKETS TO SEE DAVID ARCHULETA AND LESLIE ROY AT THE CROCODILE ROCK CAFÉ IN ALLENTOWN
· POWERED BY JIVE LABEL GROUP, F-Y-E, AND 97 BHT

Click Here To Listen To Ralphie Interview David At The Wachovia Arena!

DAILY DOWNLOAD: Coldplay B-Side...

02.09.09 : Coldplay - The Goldrush

TMZ: Rihanna/Chris Brown Situation

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TMZ's Leslie Harris phoned in the latest on the Rihanna/Chris Brown story to The Ralphie Radio Show.

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

Probably My Favorite Grammy Performance...

Does M.I.A. get props or drops for wearing that outfit for a Grammy Performance on her due date?

Full list of Grammy Winners here.

Chris Brown Booked For Alledged RiRi Assault

Sunday night should have been a magical evening for Chris Brown and Rihanna, with both scheduled to perform at The Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. However the morning hours wiped away any chance of that, with an alleged domestic violence alteraction that's left the R&B singer with a $50,000 bail and many people asking lots of questions.

Few answers are known, but here's are the facts: The Los Angeles Police Department booked Brown on Sunday for suspicion of making felony criminal threats. The crooner posted the $50 K bail and left authorities before 9 p.m. The Los Angeles Times reports that sources close to the investigation identify the female in the incident as Robin "Rihanna" Fenty. Standard procedure for the department involves not release the alledged victim's identity. 

A victim tipped off police to the incident around 12:30 PST - calling 911 to inform authorities of an altercation that involved a visably-injured female. Brown left the scene before police arrived, however turned himself in later. The victim identified Brown as the attacker.

TMZ: Etta v. Beyonce?

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Everyone enjoyed Beyonce's cover of "At Last" at The Inaugural Ball... except for Etta James. TMZ's Leslie Harris fills Ralphie in.

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

DAILY DOWNLOAD: Jada In Studio!

02.05.09 : Jada - American Cowboy
Jada In Studio With Ralphie!
- On "American Cowboy":

- All About Jada:

EXCLUSIVE: COLBY O'DONIS Talks Grammy's, GaGa, RiRi/Chris Brown Breakup

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The Grammy-Nominated Colby O'Donis called Ralphie exclusively to talk about The Grammy's, Lady GaGa, and to dedicate his new single to the recently broken-up Rihanna & Chris Brown.

Colby O is in stores now.

JADA Inside Club HD Thursday Night!

Join 97 BHT for a special Club HD inside Evolution at The Woodlands - with a performance by Universal Motown's "Jada" - 18+ to party, 21+ to drink! Evolution inside The Woodlands, Rte. 315 in Plains! This Thursday!

To hear Jada's music, click here.

RALPHIE REWIND: Komen Foundation Fundraiser

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Ralphie loves helping out the NEPA Affliate of the Susan G. Komen For The Cure Foundation. Thursday night, the highly anticipated Girls High School Basketball Game between Abington Heights and Scranton Prep will also double as a fundraiser for the breast cancer foundation. Ralphie interviewed Heights Senior Guard Liz Kilzi to find out more about the game.

Game: Abington Heights vs. Scranton Prep Girls Basketball Team

 

Time: 7:30pm @ Abington Heights

 

Benefits: NEPA Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  75% of net proceeds stay in our local area to fund much needed mammograms and breast health services for uninsured women and men in 15 counties in NEPA.  25% goes towards National Research.  

 

Donations: Over 700 t-shirts between the 2 schools have been sold so far and collections will be taken during the game.

 

Read The Scranton Times' Article Here.

WINGMAN WEDNESDAY: Attracting Clingers.

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Lisa from Clarks Summit has an issue - she is constantly attracting Stage 5 Clingers. The Wingman comes to the rescue, with some interesting advice.

Initial Wingman Response:

Reaction #1:

Reaction #2:

Visit The Wingman on MySpace.

DAILY DOWNLOAD: Rihanna, Fat Joe, Akon, Mraz, Trazz...

02.04.09 : Fat Joe f. Akon - One
02.03.09 : Trazz f. Colby O'Donis - She's On Fire
02.02.09 : Jason Mraz f. Colbie Caillat - Lucky

01.29.09 : Rihanna - Hatin' On The Club
***This track was cut from the rerelease of Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded. But why? Written by The Dream, Produced by Tricky Stewart.

RALPHIE REPORT: Soulja Boy's Tie To Scranton

The following will appear in this week's edition of The Weekender:
---
Last week, Scranton officially became an all-encompassing city. I couldn’t even interview Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em without drawing a connection to The Electric City.

The “Crank That” artist will visit Northeastern PA on February 26, when he performs at The Scranton Cultural Center. Soulja already has a friend in town.

“DJ Woogie holds me down man,” said Soulja Boy last week, when he called into The Ralphie Radio Show. “Thought I’d never jump into the mixtape game man, but Woogie and I did it man so, you know, it’s only right for me to come down there and show love to Scranton.” 

The aforementioned “Woogie” is a product of Scranton, who still resides in the area. But, the DJ spends most of his time trotting the globe, representing the Shadyville DJs – a group of mixers handpicked by Eminem’s own, DJ Whoo Kid. In addition, Woogie spins for and with some of the biggest names in music, from Tommy Lee to Sean Kingston.

Woogie sold Soulja on releasing mixtapes – free compilations of B-sides, mash-ups, and freestyles.

Suddenly the 19 year-old rapper added a new arsenal to his repertoire. Sure, this facet of his career didn’t involve a coined dance or a million YouTube views – but the Internet certainly played a huge factor.  Over 10,000 people downloaded Soulja’s inaugural mixtape with Woogie… in its first five minutes of availability on the net.

Now Soulja is promoting his second major-label LP, iSouljaBoyTellEm. The music video for the single, “Kiss Me Thru The Phone” is already a smash on web, with over 2.7 million views.

And that’s what you can expect when you see Soulja Boy perform: music fit for dances, dances fit for YouTube, and YouTube antics fit for a live show. Here’s hoping the SCC is fit for all of the above.

GEORGE CLOONEY’S GIRLFRIEND… COME ON DOWN!

You’d think an international movie star like George Clooney would pull in A-list actresses, platinum selling artists… maybe exotic looking models as partners.

Apparently, you’d think incorrectly. Danny Ocean found his last girlfriend in Las Vegas, a cocktail waitress named Sarah Larson. Now it seems Clooney moved on to a semi-professional game show contestant.

TMZ’s Leslie Harris told me that cameras caught Clooney on a date with a woman who’s gone by three different names on four different game shows. Katie, Kate, or Stephanie Moeser appeared on Hollywood Squares, The Price Is Right, Trivial Pursuit, and Don’t Forget The Lyrics – all between 2003 and 2007.

And George thought he was a player…
---
Listen to Ralphie Aversa weekdays from 5-10p on 97 BHT.

Boom, Roasted.

One of my favorite parts of The Office on Super Bowl Sunday (FF to 5:45)...

A Few Of My Favorite Super Bowl Commercials...

The E*Trade Baby has a friend!

Best of the night wasn't funny - but was insightful... props to Pepsi's "Forever Young"

The girl in this is from Mountain Top!

Speaking of Doritos, loved this one, except for the end...

Back to a local flavor - the guy that gets tackled in this is a stunt double from Plains!

Overall, I thought the commericials were OKAY. Bud Light had a couple good ones as well. Very cool that a couple had local people in them.

Super Bowl Equals Super Calories

Just going to link to a thread from last year about calories found in the most common Super Bowl delicasies.

See you at the gym.

No Shame In Katy's Game

People reports that she said the following to concert-goers in L.A.:

"Girls, if you have ever dated a boy – specifically the lead singer from Gym Class Heroes – don't do it! Boys should have a heart. You know what I mean girls? Boys just want the milk, but they don't want to buy the cow."

Obviously she's just a tad bitter. Pretty tacky that Katy is airing out her grievances on a concert stage, but whatev.

Bruce Introduces Crotch To HD Camera

Seriously, how funny was this last night?

Great performance by Bruce, Steve, Max - and The E Street Band.

TMZ: George Clooney's New Girlfriend

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George Clooney's new girlfriend... come on down! TMZ's Leslie Harris explains to Ralphie...

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

JOSSIP: Twitter's Rise To Pop Culture Prominence

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Twitter is the latest Internet phenomenon. Jossip.com Editor Drew Grant explained to Ralphie how and why.

Read Drew's Article Here.

FORGED Press Conference/Cocktail Reception

Just received this from our resident Wingman...
---
"FORGED"
Looking to bring a little Hollywood to your weekend? Head out to Breakers at Mohegan Sun Saturday. "Forged," an independent film shooting in Northeastern PA from February 2nd, through March 2nd will host a cocktail party, meet and greet with cast and filmmaker, and press conference.

The movie stars Paul Calderon (Pulp Fiction, 21 Grams), Manny Perez (Pride and Glory), Margo Martindale (Million Dollar Baby), David Castro (Where God Left His Shoes) and Kevin Breznahan (Superbad, There Will Be Blood). Written and directed by William Wedig (Tryst, Rise of The Dead), produced by Josh Crook and Joe Van Wie.

Cocktail party and press conference Saturday, Janurary 31 at 3:30 p.m. Breakers at Mohegan Sun Film stars Manny Perez, Kevin Breznahan, and David Castro will be on hand. There will be light hourdoerves, free soft drinks, and cash bar. For all the up to date info on Forged, check out the movie's blog http://www.forgedmovie.blogspot.com/

DAILY DOWNLOAD: The Matrix/Katy Perry

01.28.09 : The Matrix f. Katy Perry - Damn

Good for The Matrix - this team is on fire, 'bout time they release under their own name. Katy just kills - really love everything about this song.

WINGMAN WEDNESDAY: Nice Girl Or Drama Queen

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Matt from West Pittston is 28 and ready to date wild women... so he thinks. The Wingman chimes in with his two cents on 97 BHT.

Initial Wingman Response:

Reaction #1:

Reaction #2:

Reaction #3:

Visit The Wingman on MySpace.

President Obama Likes Beyonce's "Single Ladies"

Another reason to love #44...

Starbucks Cuts Decaf

I'm not a big decaf person, so this doesn't affect me as much. Nonetheless, Starbucks will no longer be continuously brewing decaf in the PM hours - a move that's expected to save the company about $400 million. Details here., 

FREE Diet Dr. Pepper!

Pretty straight forward, you can snag the coupon here.

DAILY DOWNLOAD: Exclusive Soulja Boy Interview

01.27.09 : Soulja Boy Tell 'em f. Sammie - Kiss Me Thru The Phone
Soulja talks about the song w/ Ralphie:

Soulja & Ralphie chat about DJ Woogie & his show on Feb 26:

In the interview, Soulja chats about keeping track of his chart position, turning down Autotune, and getting crunk. A much better interview than I had anticipated.

Another Reason For BHT Over MP3s...

This EU study suggests that 5-10 percent of MP3 listeners will at one point cause severe and irreparable harm to their hearing thanks to the audio files.

No cure is known for hearing loss.

So basically, throw down the iPod, and throw on 97 BHT!

EXCLUSIVE: Story Behind A.J. McLean's Night

In case you missed it, TMZ just posted footage of a very innebriated A.J. McLean. The Backstreet Boy's struggle with substance abuse is well-documented... who could forget the emotional revelation of his problems when the group appeared on MTV's TRL back in the earlier part of this decade?

What I can exclusively reveal is that the group just completed recording their new LP, due out this spring. The boys were also celebrating Nick Carter's birthday. Carter has three more birthday bashes on the docket, all throughout Canada, all planned previous to last night.

But is it possible that on their watch, McLean fell off the wagon? Interesting considering it is an unspoken rule within the camp that you do not drink in front of A.J., under any circumstances. The subsequent statements to be released by the parties involved will hopefully shed more light on what is looking like a bleak situation.

Ryan Leslie - How It Was Supposed To Be Music Video

If you recall from my interview with Ryan, we discuss the synopsis of the song and the fact that I almost landed in the video as an extra.

Nonetheless, what a production. Rumor is that he directed it himself.

Plax Is Pepsi's Poster Boy?

Plaxico Burress is the New York Giants wide receiver who accidently shot himself in the leg, subsequently shooting his team's Super Bowl aspirations out the door. So when I hit up Wal-Mart to find this, I was quite amused.

These are special edition Pepsi bottles for the Super Bowl. Don't hurt yourself with one of these. You certainly won't find it in my pocket.

The Bronx Is Burning... With Bitterness.

Considering this story won't really resonate with most of my loyal readers, I'll attempt to keep it brief. However, the following exchange affected me so profoundly that I'd be remiss not to share.

Reggie Jackson is known in baseball as "Mr. October" for his clutch play in the most important month of the baseball season. He once hit three home runs in a World Series game... on three consecutive pitches. ESPN even made a mini-series about that team, the 1977 New York Yankees, entitled, "The Bronx Is Burning."

Last Saturday, I traveled to the swamps of Secaucus, NJ for "Yanks For The Memories." The event featured mostly former and a few current Yankees baseball players, and for nominal fees, you could meet the stars and obtain autographs and inscriptions on pre-purchased items. I went essentially to meet Jackson, who I look up to as a professional, although I also paid to meet Bucky Dent, Mel Stottlemyre, and David Wells.

I arrived at the event with about an hour left in the Jackson autograph session. My friends, including Cousin Tony, already met the Hall of Famer - and warned me about his terrible demeanor, especially compared with the other Yankees players. Nonetheless, I was unfazed, as I'm used to dealing with these types of people on a daily basis.

Fast forward to meeting Jackson. I wanted him to sign "The Straw That Stirs The Drink" underneath his famous cursive autograph. The quote was allegedly misattributed to him by a reporter in the late 70's - although two sources lay the statement to Jackson at one point or another. The phrase, no pun intended, stirred up a controversy amongst the team, which though of it as overzealous.

Jackson refused to sign "The Straw That Stirs The Drink" or "The Bronx Is Burning" on the photo.

"I don't want to be associated with that stuff," the Hall of Famer told me. "A lot of people come up to me and say that they loved The Bronx Is Burning. But I was embaressed by it."

He eventually relented to offering me two inscriptions for the price of one. So the photo reads: "To Ralph - Reggie Jackson, #44 - Mr. October."

I offered up the original requests for two reasons: "The Straw That Stirs The Drink" is a quote I live my career by. Who doesn't want to be "the man"... "the go-to-guy"... "Mr. Clutch"? 

Second, I wanted my autograph to be different, unique - something that carried more than just a monetary value.

But at the end of the day, Jackson satisfied my second reason. Now whenever I look back on the photo and experience, I'll think about the man that I thought epitomized "swagger" - and how it was all manifested by the media. 

KKITM: The Fray Performance

Listen to The Fray's Interview & Performance on the K-Pod!
Watch The Fray In The KKITM Studios Here!

A verse in The Fray’s debut single from their upcoming new album suggests that the last two years haven’t been just rock ‘n roll fame and fortune.
 
“I’ve been calling for years and years and years and years And you never left me no messages You never send me no letters. You got some kind of nerve, taking all I want… Why’d you have to wait to find me?” 
 
Appearing on the nationally syndicated Kidd Kraddick in the Morning Show today, lead singer Isaac Slade explained that the song is about the anger he was feeling towards his higher power.
 
“We just had a lot of bad things happen to our friends in the span of a year and a half and there we were out on the road, stuck in this whole weird tornado thing. I kept getting these phone calls…tragedy after tragedy, and you get the sense that if karma works, it must be busted.“ The song begins “I found God on the corner of First and Armistead”. Isaac revealed that it is an actual intersection somewhere in Texas but that’s merely a coincidence. 
 
Kraddick asked if it was instead a metaphor meaning “God is My First Friend” to which Isaac replied, “Dude, you are on it!” Isaac’s intent was to portray his relationship with God as more personal. “They always taught me in church that if I ran into God it would be a ‘fall on your knees’ moment, and when they said that I had a little fight to pick with them.” 
 
With three songs from the new album woven between talk segments, the small audience in Kraddick’s performance hall was treated to what Kraddick suggested later might be “the most intimate Fray show that’s likely to be had this year.”
 
“Like it or not, The Fray is a super-group now and that means moments like the one we had this morning will become more and more rare,” Kraddick said. Their last album was double platinum and “How To Save A Life” holds the record for digital downloads at over six-million. 
 
In addition to the debut single, Kraddick’s audience of two-million was treated to two other songs from the album, including a never-before-heard track called “Enough For Now”; a song about Isaac’s grandfather who abandoned his “mother’s mother without so much as a kiss.” 
 
It was an uncharacteristically long segment with the band, but Kraddick said he’s received no complaints from listeners or affiliates. “Our show is heard on many different radio formats across the country and The Fray gets played on most of them. I didn’t think anyone would mind if we gave them a little more time.

TMZ: Dunder Mifflin Employees Done Good

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TMZ Cameras caught up with the stars of The Office at the SAG awards. Leslie tells Ralphie that the Dunder Mifflin employees may have gained a few new fans with their kindness!

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

DAILY DOWNLOAD: New Weezy!

01.26.09 : Lil Wayne - Prom Queen

I'm a fan of this record... Weezy's rock LP drops in April.

RALPHIE REPORT: Rod/Office, Barack-Berry, New Music

The following will appear in The Weekender, a weekly arts and entertainment publication in NEPA with a circulation of over 175,000.
---
Rod Stewart watches “The Office.”

TMZ caught the “Forever Young” singer outside a restaurant in Los Angeles with his wife, model Penny Lancaster. When Stewart’s spouse went to snag the car, he told her, “Pull it out just a little bit.”

Then Stewart quickly added, “That’s what she said.”

“It’s pretty cool that we got (on camera) Rod Stewart,” TMZ’s Leslie Harris told me on The Ralphie Radio Show. “But he did his own joke! It was awesome.”

Usually when TMZ cameras are rolling, the joke is on the celebrity. But this time, the subject provided the laughter, without any bait.

Maybe it makes a little bit of sense considering Stewart is usually regarded in a class of his own. Both Elton John and James Brown have referred to him as the best “white soul singer” alive.

BARACK-BERRY TO STAY

Last week you read in this column about the new barrier that President Barack Obama attempted to break down: the first President to e-mail in the Oval Office.

Well, it looks like President Obama will officially become wired.

The Associated Press reported last week that the Secret Service and White House lawyers will allow Mr. Obama to keep his BlackBerry. He will use the device to keep in touch with family, close friends, and staff members.

“Anything Obama’s thumbs tap out into the ether is of historical value,” said one presidential historian to The AP.

No media outlet has yet to report on if the President uses BlackBerry Messenger, or what is PIN is.

NEW MUSIC ABUNDANT

A number of previously-unreleased songs and demos by A-List artists leaked on The Ralphie Radio Show within the past 7 days.

Last week, a new track from The Black Eyed Peas emerged. The hip-hop quartet hasn’t released an LP since 2005’s Monkey Business. Lead emcee will.i.am. told Billboard that he finished recording The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies) last October. The album is due out sometime this year. “Rockin Tha Beatz” is an uptempo, synth-heavy club banger, laced with an auto-tuned Will on vocals.

Also on the Internet is a demo of a track called, “Hologram.” The beat is a Dr. Dre production, and Chris Brown guests on the track. The Backstreet Boys purchased the song. It’s the first single from the band’s new effort – which hits shelves this spring.

Finally, a new Lil Wayne song hit the net Monday. Weezy gets his ‘Yeezy on, singing with autotune on “Prom Queen.” The track is from the rapper’s rock album, to be released this April.
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Apparently Pets Relieve Stress

Perhaps this is another reason to buy a puppy if you're in college - the study is here.