"RRS" BlogFacebookTwitterE-MailPlaylistListen LivePodcasts
Interviewing celebrities, breaking national stories, blogging daily, and offering candid commentary on pop culture is just a small sample of what he does. Ralphie Aversa is the relentless, tireless, non-stop-always-go host and executive producer of “The Ralphie Radio Show.” Check out his links above, and his blog below - and thanks for swinging through!

12.02.2009

Gabe Saporta Tweets About His RRS Interview...

Aw shucks... thanks Gabe... and I thought that drink the tour manager handed him after our interview was his first of the night!

"I haven't seen this interview w/@ralphieaversa yet, but from what I remember of it (umm..not much), it was he lazarus! http://bit.ly/6yzKrf"

The permalink to the tweet is here. Gabe's twitter is here. Mine is here. Interview is on the blog, yo.

Lady GaGa Interviewed By John Norris


This is part three of five... very in depth, lots of substance. Love her thoughts on electronic music having soul. Much props to John Norris on this.

WINGMAN WEDNESDAY: 1 Year Anniversary

Download the mp3

The Wingman celebrates 1 year of creepin' on The Ralphie Radio Show - here's a compilation of his greatest hits... and misses.


Visit The Wingman on MySpace, Twitter, or Facebook.

11.30.2009

AUDIO: Brad Wilson, BradsDeals.com

Download the mp3

He scours the net for the best deals, then posts them for your benefit. Brad Wilson, founder of BradsDeals.com, weighs in on holiday shopping, Black Friday, & Cyber Monday on The RRS.

EXCLUSIVE: Cobra Starship's Gabe Saporta Talks Touring, Hot Mess, & Pete Wentz

From the outset, it seems as if Gabe Saporta is having the time of his life, and you really can’t blame him.

The band he fronts, Cobra Starship, just wrapped up a tour with Boys Like Girls, scored a Top 10 hit in “Good Girls Go Bad”, and was even paid a high compliment from the lead singer of a band they idolize; Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo told MTV News he’d most like to tour with Cobra, out of any band, dead or alive. But as exciting as all of the aforementioned is, Saporta seems just as pumped about everything else in his life – whether it’s having a picture of his face tattooed on his boss’s leg, or receiving a Red Bull and vodka from his tour manager after a taxing set.

During our ten minute chat, Saporta chatted openly about Hot Mess, the tour, and Decaydance Records head honcho Pete Wentz. Twice during the interview, he called over to Boys Like Girls, prompting lead singer Martin Johnson to join in our conversation for a second and drummer John Keefe to claim he was too busy with his own interview (truth be told, no one was interviewing him, but a BLG camera crew caught it all on tape). Never did Gabe look or sound tired… despite stepping off the hot, muggy stage of the Crocodile Rock Café in Allentown just prior to sitting down with The Ralphie Radio Show.
---
Download the mp3

Part 1:

---
“Backstage shenanigans, non –stop bro,” proclaimed Saporta, before mockingly stating, “If Ralphie would hang out, but he’s gotta be (back home), his mom’s making lasagna.”

Actually, I had a club appearance. I might have taken a rain check on the lasagna (no offense, Ma) to hang out with these guys. It seems the party-vibe exhibited in Cobra’s latest LP isn’t a far stretch from the musicians themselves. Saporta told me that the band holed up for a few weeks in, of all places, The Poconos, to record the album. While “Hot Mess” has a negative connotation in our society, the lead singer feels that Cobra Starship is shifting the definition with the new LP and title track.
---
Part 2:

---
“For me, (hot mess) is awesome,” said Saporta. “Kate Moss, that girl’s a hot mess! She’s bangin’, but like, you’ll find YouTube videos of her doing drugs. And she loses her endorsements because she’s a hot mess. That’s rock ‘n roll.”

It seems for now though that the LP will be defined by “Good Girls Go Bad” which features Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester. The record gained more traction on-air and in the club when a remix hit the Internets with a new verse from rapper Flo-Rida.

“I’ll tell ya where it came from, outta nowhere,” admitted Saporta. “Mike Caren, he’s a top dude at Atlantic (Records), really sweet dude. He discovered Flo-Rida. He’s like, ‘Yo man, I can get Flo to do a rhyme on one of your songs. You just gotta promise to do a trade later on.’”
---
Part 3:
---
Caren explained to Gabe that a trade meant in exchange for Flo-Rida rapping on “Good Girls Go Bad” – Saporta would have to hop on one of the rapper’s tracks.

“I’m like, ‘Lemme think about that? DUH!’” exclaimed Saporta. “Whenever he wants some cool punk rock singing on one of his songs, I’m in there like swimwear.”

The track also yielded the latest in the ongoing ribbing between Gabe and Wentz. Saporta set the record straight on The RRS, stating that the official bet was if “Good Girls Go Bad” went number one on the iTunes chart, the Fall Out Boy bassist would let Saporta pick his next tattoo.

Although for only 30 seconds, the song hit the top of the chart, confirmed by numerous screen captures. Saporta picked his third grade class photo as the tattoo for Wentz.

“Even though Pete Wentz is my friend, he’s also the boss man. And sometimes the record guys… they stop returning your calls if your record doesn’t do well,” explained Saporta. “So I’m thinking, ‘Yo, if I got Pete’s tattoo of my face on his leg man, he’s always gonna have to return my calls.”

Sure he’s never one to look back, but given his present, you have to at least give Saporta props for his foresight – even though it doesn’t look as if Cobra Starship will have a hard time snagging Wentz’s attention in the immediate future.

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.”
---
Download the mp3


---
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.’”

THE MAINE In Studio!

Download the mp3

The fellas, on tour with Cobra Starship & Boys Like Girls, made some time for The RRS...


11.18.2009

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.”
---

Part 1: Believers Never Die: Greatest Hits, "Alpha Dog"

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

---
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: Allison Iraheta To Make GMA Appearance

Download the mp3

American Idol finalist Allison Iraheta stopped by The RRS to play her new track and talk about her new LP, hitting stores on December 1.

EXCLUSIVE: Chris Daughtry On Kris Allen, New Single, Lady GaGa

No pun intended, but it is no surprise to the band Daughtry that the first two singles off of Leave This Town were co-written by Nickelback front man Chad Kroeger.

“Soon as we made the decision to put those on the record, we looked at it and goes, ‘That’ll probably be the first two singles,’” said lead singer Chris Daughtry, who sat down with me before performing at Wachovia Arena. “They’re great songs and we agree that they fit the bill.”

The group led off the sophomore LP with the single, “No Surprise”, followed by the latest, “Life After You.” Daughtry played the new track at both the American Music Awards and the halftime show of the Cowboys/Raiders game on Thanksgiving.
---
Download the mp3


---
Speaking of tracks co-written by the Idol alum – Daughtry also wrote a track for American Idol champ Kris Allen. Although previously reported that it would not make Allen’s final LP, Chris confirmed that the song will be included on the Wal-Mart exclusive version of self-titled album.

“It’s called ‘Send Me All Your Angels’ and it’s a great song,” remarked Daughtry. “At the end of the day, there’s songs on our record that didn’t make it either that we were bummed out about. We had 70 songs to weed through.”

EXCLUSIVE: Creed's Scott Stapp On New Lifestyle, New LP

The reunion or comeback is a common storyline in music these days. The reunion or comeback that people actually care about is not.

For Scott Stapp, the lead singer of Creed, it almost didn’t come to fruition. Alleged alcohol and drug abuse drove everyone around him away – from family to band mates. Suddenly Stapp’s controversies were overshadowing his chops – and those vocals aren’t easily upstaged. But just before 2008, the front man began reaching out to his cohorts. By April of this year, the reunion was announced. Now, Creed is back, with a top selling album in Full Circle and comeback tour already under its belt.

“Thanks to all the fans out there, who stuck by us,” remarked Stapp, who called in to The Ralphie Radio Show. The lead singer sounded nothing like the guy who belted out powerhouses like, “My Sacrifice” and “Higher”, and everything like the guy that was just granted a new lease on life. Stapp took his time answering every question, not afraid to pause seconds between words, finding the right phrases to describe this new phase of his personal and professional life. He didn’t shy away from one query, and offered candid, honest responses throughout our 15 minute conversation.
---
Download the mp3


---
“I can’t mislead ya,” Stapp began, in answering a question regarding life on the road since he curbed his substance abuse. “I-uh… I still had, at the time (of the tour) a glass of wine or so with my wife here and there, but, as far as being like it was back in the day… guess it made it a lot easier to have my wife and my family there.”

Returning to the old Creed meant breaking some old habits. Bringing the family on tour and calming down the partying certainly played a role. Stapp also revealed that the band needed to remove some of the people that hung around the band. He attributed the misinterpretation of a quote in his 2006 Rolling Stone interview to this. In the article, Mark Binelli wrote that Stapp believed anyone involved with Creed wanted the lead singer to die, so he’d become a “Kurt Cobain martyr-type” and boost record sales.

“I communicated that, in that there were some people around all of us, that had some really negative intentions,” said Stapp. “That was the context of that – (the band members) don’t have the heart… that’s not guys in this band… we were surrounded by a lot of people that, now we’re not.”

Stapp told me he’s looking forward to spending the holidays at home, with his kids and wife. Full Circle debuted at number two on the Billboard charts.

EXCLUSIVE: Down With Webster In Studio!

Download the mp3

Universal Motown's Down With Webster swung through The RRS to perform an acoustic version of "Rich Girl$" & chat about the track.

(Click above download link for interview audio)

11.16.2009

EXCLUSIVE: Shontelle Preps New LP, Thought Rihanna Did "Great" on 20/20

In the days of Web 2.0 – you know you’ve made it when someone attempts to imitate you on Twitter. Bajan singer Shontelle fell a brief victim to an identity thief – or should I say, twief – on Wednesday evening. Coincidently enough, Ms. Layne stopped by The Ralphie Radio Show on the following day.

“This was not the first time,” revealed Shontelle. “We literally had to call the Twitter people and freak out, ‘cause we’ve like, submitted for verification so long ago. I guess it takes a minute, ‘cause there’s so many people they have to verify.”

The impersonator used the Twitter username “ShontelleLayne_”, simply moving the underscore from the real Shontelle’s handle of “Shontelle_Layne.” When Layne looked at the fake account’s timeline, she was shocked to find that this person began “tweeting” at Solange Knowles (singer, Beyoncé’s sister) and Rorrey Fenty (Rihanna’s brother) amongst other people.

As of late Sunday evening, Twitter had yet to verify Shontelle’s account. By “verifying” an account, Twitter places a notification in the upper right corner of the page, so that visitors know the account belongs to the person who they claim to be.

Of course, Layne didn’t need the Twitter incident as a sign that she’s making it in the entertainment industry. Surely opening up for Beyoncé overseas could help that argument. Layne opened for Jay-Z’s husband for about a month on the “I Am…” tour overseas. Shontelle entered the trek with the expectation that she wouldn’t even meet Beyoncé face-to-face, however the headliner proved the opener wrong on that thought.

“I just get this message, ‘Shontelle, go to Beyoncé’s room’” she recalled, noting that immediately she believed that something was wrong. “When I got in there (Beyoncé) was like, ‘No, I just wanted to like, hang out for a bit, because you know, you’ve been on this tour with me, and I haven’t really gotten the chance to tell you thank you for being on the tour, I haven’t really gotten the chance to tell you how talented I think you are.’”

Shontelle's feelings immediately switched from scared to shocked – one of the biggest pop stars in the world went out of her way to pay Layne high compliments on her singing, stage performance… even videos. From the sound of Layne’s recollection, “stunned” may be an understatement.
---

Part 1:
Twitter, Beyonce, Thanksgiving Day

Part 2: "Licky", Rihanna, New CD


---
“I’m like, ‘You’re Beyoncé, why are you telling me this?’” said Shontelle. “Like, is this real? They couldn’t even get me in the room at first… because I was shaking,” she admitted, although Layne insists she wasn’t star struck as much as she was nervous about the meeting’s purpose.

Shontelle also admitted on The Ralphie Radio Show that she’s nervous about an upcoming event – the “T-Shirt” singer will take part in the halftime show in Detroit at the Lions/Packers game on Thanksgiving Sunday. Layne, along with other Universal Motown artists, will perform classic Motown hits in Motown. Shontelle would not divulge which song she is covering.

“If you watched Sister Act 2… you can take a hint from that,” she teased.

In addition to the performance, which will air to a national and international audience on FOX, Shontelle is preparing a new LP. The album is slated for a 2010 release, and Layne will only confirm collaborations with Mr. Hudson and Akon. The first single is a dance infused record called “Licky” – which Layne insists is inspired by desserts.

“Licky” isn’t the only new track from a Bajan artist – as Shontelle’s friend, the aforementioned Rihanna, is back with “Russian Roulette” and “Hard.” A week and a half ago, Rihanna appeared on 20/20 with Diane Sawyer to tell her side of the story. Layne told me that the interview was tough to watch.

“Honestly, it was like watching your little sister do a piano recital for the first time,” she said. “I was nervous. I was a wreck.”

The singer thought her former Cadet partner handled the situation on camera well.

“I thought she did great, actually,” remarked Shontelle. “And she said a lot more than I even thought she was gonna say. I’m really proud of her… I just want, them both really, to grow from this.”

11.11.2009

Sean Paul/Keri Hilson Show Cancelled

The Sean Paul concert with special guests Keri Hilson & Colby O'Donis on Friday, November 13 at the Wachovia Arena has been cancelled. Refunds are available at point of purchase.

The Creators of Pornaments on The RRS

Download the mp3

Would love to post links/photos... but I don't think my bosses would appreciate that... if you listen to the interview, you can find out where to snag more info on "Pornaments." Google searches always work too...

EXCLUSIVE: Sean Kingston Talks New LP, I-Yaz, Jason Derulo

Don’t expect a new single from Sean Kingston’s sophomore LP tomorrow, or the day after, or the day after.

Checking in to The Ralphie Radio Show via telephone, Kingston told me that Tomorrow is yesterday, as he is already in production on his third album.

“We’re gonna go to a brand new album, with some crazy joints,” revealed Kingston. “I’ve been so inspired that I’ve been in the studio… and I’ve been coming up with a lot of smashes.”
---
Download the mp3


---
The “Fire Burnin’” singer did confirm that J.R. Rotem is contributing to the new effort. Rotem produced the number one hit, “Whatcha Say” – a song performed by Jason Derulo but originally intended for Kingston’s album. Perhaps it’s that song, along with “Replay” – which is by Kingston’s artist I-Yaz, that inspired the new material.

Kingston closes out the year with the “Tomorrow Tour” and radio promo dates, and then will continue production on his next LP.

EXCLUSIVE: Colby O'Donis Talks New Music Projects...

Download the mp3

The Grammy-nominated Colby O' checked in to the RRS to give us an update on his next music project...

11.09.2009

EXCLUSIVE: OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder On Possible Rihanna Collaboration, New OR Single

He’s the lead singer of OneRepublic. The guy’s band is currently on tour with Rob Thomas. The group is releasing a new LP this month. He’s also writing and producing some of the biggest hits on radio for some of the most popular artists. But if you’re Ryan Tedder, you know you’re busy when you miss the deadline for Rihanna’s new album.

“(Laughing) Man, that week literally, I was working on stuff, and they were closing out her record, and I just missed (the deadline) by the cusp,” Tedder revealed. OneRepublic’s front man called in to The Ralphie Radio Show while on the road, and sounded optimistic about a future opportunity to work with Rihanna. “I mean, I know they’ll be repackaging it at some point. Yunno, they repackage everything at some point, so. I talked to her label and I’m definitely gonna bring some heat for the reissue.”
---

Part 1: Rihanna, Michael Bolton, Making Radio Hits

Part 2: Balancing OneRepublic/Side Projects, New LP, New Hit Predictions


---
Rihanna’s last LP, Good Girl Gone Bad, spawned Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded, which included the mega hit, “Take A Bow.”Other projects that Tedder worked on included the new release from Leona Lewis (Tedder co-wrote “Bleeding Love”, and wrote her new single, “Happy”) and Adam Lambert’s For Your Entertainment. Tedder is responsible for the song, “Sleepwalker” – which he predicts will be a radio hit. Another big song prediction of Tedder’s is the next OneRepublic track, “Secrets”

“It connects, man,” Tedder noted of the song, which already reached the top of the iTunes sales charts overseas (The German movie, Zweiohrküken featured “Secrets” on its soundtrack). “We have a lot of high hopes for ‘Secrets’.”

While the song is reminiscent of the sound that made Dreaming Out Loud such a success, if it doesn’t take off in the States, it wouldn’t mark the first incorrect prediction by Tedder. The songwriter admits he is still learning the skill of marrying the right song to the right artist, and cited Jennifer Lopez’s “Do It Well” as an example.

“It sounded like such a hit for her,” said Tedder. “It was kind of one of those deals where, I think people just really didn’t care. They were kinda like, ‘Eh, J-Lo, whatever.’”

Clearly, Tedder hopes for a different reaction when OneRepublic releases their sophomore LP, Waking Up, on November 17.

EXCLUSIVE: Jordin Sparks Hadn't Heard "Let The Music Play" Until "S.O.S."

Of course, Jordin Sparks never thought that she would sample the 1983 hit “Let The Music Play” by Shannon for a track of her own. Before using the song, Sparks hadn’t even heard of it.

“I thought it was going to be really cool, just a different kind of experiment for me because I’ve never done like, a dance track before,” said Sparks, who called in to The Ralphie Radio Show from Los Angeles. “I played it for my mom and she was like, ‘Oh my god, I love this song!’ and I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’ And she was like, ‘This is ‘Let The Music Play’ by Shannon!’ and I was just like, ‘Oh my goodness.’”

Sparks’ mom gave birth to Jordin 6 years after Shannon’s song burst on to the music scene. “S.O.S. (Let The Music Play)” is now Jordin’s second single from her sophomore LP, Battlefield. It’s the second album released since Sparks won American Idol Season 6 – at age 17. She is the youngest winner of the reality show in its seven season history. Now, at age 19, she is not only an Idol champ, but an American Music Awards winner, a Grammy nominee, and an opener for such acts as Alicia Keys, the Jonas Brothers, and Britney Spears. It’s quite the diverse roster of acts, and Sparks noted that there were some differences between touring with the Jo-Bros and Britney.
---

Part 1:
World Series, Touring With Britney, The Jonas Brothers

Part 2: Self-Image, "SOS (Let The Music Play)"

---
“On the Jonas crew, we were all around the same age,” said Sparks. “So we all got along, just hanging out, doing different things like that. With Britney, she’s trying to get back on track, and the people around her are definitely taking care of her. I did get to see her, but she’s Britney Spears. She’s busy doing her V.I.P. meet-and-greets and adding new songs and choreography and stuff, but it was amazing to be able to see her back on the stage.”

Certainly Sparks learned, both what to do and what not to do, from watching Spears so closely. Both entered mainstream as teenagers (Spears released “…Baby One More Time” when she was almost 16). Both now must stay conscience of the tabloids, blogs, and paparazzi. Spears and Sparks have even both posed for their own “Got Milk?” campaigns. But any type of downward spiral from Sparks seems highly unlikely, judging by a refreshingly honest answer she gave to a listener-generated question on The RRS about her look.

“The Hollywood obsession with being skinny and everything, it’s so crazy,” Sparks said. “For me, I’m just all about staying healthy. I mean, yeah I’ll work out and, yeah I’ll eat healthy. But it’s not like, to diet or to lose weight. Yunno, it’s to stay healthy and not get sick, like I did so many times last year.”

Jordin even went as far as to say that some of her detractors refer to her as “fat,” but does not waver in her stance on her image – citing her taller, curvier frame as the reason why she may not look the same as other artists or actresses. But clearly it isn’t just Sparks’s figure that sets her apart from others, but rather her talent, confidence, and perspective on young women and their self-image.

11.06.2009

EXCLUSIVE: Sean Paul on Kanye's Hennessy, Marijuana Legalization

Most celebrities might not take working the red carpet of events as serious as others – walking through quickly, avoiding the media, briefly posing for photographers, and heading inside to the event. For Jamaican dance hall king Sean Paul, this is far from the case.

“Everybody always asks me, ‘What do you like about these events (while I’m on the red carpet)?’ I’m like, ‘The networking!’” Paul said last week – calling in to The Ralphie Radio Show from Jamaica.

In Paul’s case, he’s converted two different red carpet meet-ups in to big studio collaborations. Over the summer, he met Keri Hilson on the red carpet of the BET Awards. The two would duet for a track called “Hold My Hand” – which can be found on the iTunes version of Imperial Blaze. Now the singers will meet again – in Wilkes-Barre on November 13. 97 BHT and E&R Entertainment present Sean Paul, Keri Hilson, and Colby O’Donis at the Wachovia Arena.

“She gon’ be on the show, so I dunno what’s gonna happen there,” Paul teased, hinting to a possible on-stage performance of the track from the both of them. “Yo, I’m looking forward to it. I’m really, really looking forward to that.”

Sean Paul also converted another awards show meet-up in to a possible hit record – he first met Jay Sean at the MTV VMA’s this past September. Shortly after, the two headed in to the studio to record, “Do You Remember” – the follow-up single to Jay Sean’s “Down”, which features Lil Wayne.

“(Jay Sean) was like, ‘Yo, I like your music!’ and was like, ‘Yo, I ain’t heard all of yours, but I liked the first single that I heard and listen, let’s do something.’”

Lil Jon also cameos on the track – which features two British artists. Jay Sean is from England – and Sean Paul’s grandmother is from overseas as well.
---

Part 1:
Wachovia Arena/Nov. 13, Keri Hilson, Jay Sean, Red Carpets, KanYe West

Part 2: Legalization of Marijuana

More on the big show here.
---
While Sean Paul recorded a potential hit record thanks to a VMA encounter, he also avoided a potential disaster – as he ran in to his friend KanYe West on the red carpet as well.

“(West) gave me some of that Hennessey,” revealed Paul. “I’m just glad I didn’t take more of that.”

Immediately after West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech, Paul knew the alcohol played a role.

“I’ve been there before,” said Paul. “I know that feeling.”

Perhaps this is just more fuel to Sean Paul’s fire (no pun intended, here) in his argument that marijuana should be legalized. The singer of such tracks as “Gimme Di Light” and “We Be Burnin’ (Legalize It)” – Paul thinks that alcohol does much more hard to society than the illegal substance.

“Last time I drank, was one month ago dude. I was on the ground for like, a half hour,” Paul recounted. “You can take it for your own judgment. I’ve been doing what (President) Obama is not against for longest time, and I ain’t been on no carpet’s on the ground for a half hour.”

Paul also cited the overpopulation in America’s prisons as a reason he’d like to see marijuana legalized by the President, who has already said that the drug isn’t a priority for the administration at the moment.

11.04.2009

ATTY. ELIZABETH KELLEY: Lil Wayne's Plea Deal

Download the mp3

Weezy could spend up to a year in jail, but avoided a bigger sentance, according to Ms. Kelley.

Read more about Lil Wayne here.

Visit Elizabeth Kelley's website.

EXCLUSIVE: Pitbull On David Rush, Touring, J-Lo

He’s the teacher and the student – the leader and the follower. It is this trait that helped Miami born emcee Pitbull reach the top of his game, with back to back top 10 singles, his first LP distributed by a major label, a world tour, and many more cameos on the horizon.

On this particular night, Pitbull, real name Armando Perez, plays the role of teacher. Pitbull provides for his crew, which features your typical litany of managers and stage hands, along with a band and DJ. Pit’s company, Mr. 305 Inc., fronts the money for expenses incurred. The crew chows down on a mix of fried chicken and salad, with a conservative selection of beer, liquor, and soda. In the back of the tour bus, also covered by Pit’s company, where a second flat screen and video game system are stored, I plop down on the leather couch. There, I’m joined by the Miami emcee and another one of his students, David Rush.

“It’s like going to college for free,” described Rush of his jaunt on “The Rebelution Tour” – which bears the name of Pit’s recent release on Mr. 305/RCA. Rush, who is also known as “Young Boss”, wrote and appeared on the club banger, “Go Girl”. Every night of the tour, Rush joins Pit on stage for the track. However unlike most opening acts, the Jersey native sticks around for the entire set.

“I get to learn and experience what not to do, what to do, what works on stage, what doesn’t work on stage, and… you get to study, you get to watch and learn,” said Rush.

Pitbull feels Rush is someone who “knows how to make hit records,” as opposed to just someone who may “stumble over” a hit. But in addition to the creative side, Rush is learning the business aspect of the industry as well – as Pit balances both the demands of his own company and of the record label’s.
---

Part 1: "Rebelution Tour", "Ellen", Mr. 305 Inc.

Part 2: Collaborations w/ Akon, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira; New Music

---
“I’m out here on my own dime. The label ain’t give me no money for this right here,” revealed Pit. “But to me, I am my biggest investment. Not that the label is treating me bad or anything like that, not at all, they just lettin’ me do what I do.”

What Pit has done is continued and extended the grass roots movement he started in 1997. From the outset, there doesn’t seem to be a magic formula to his success. Pitbull works 24/7 – rarely one to turn down any type of request – whether it’s for an interview, a record cameo, or an autograph. The “on-the-grind” mentality combined with the reliability of the person himself, mixed with a lucky break here and there – has landed Pitbull both street cred and mainstream notoriety, a tough status that only few artists obtain in this day and age.

But after speaking with the emcee, you realize there is one other ingredient to his successful recipe – the hunger and desire to continue to learn. This became evident when I asked Pitbull about his recent collaboration with Jennifer Lopez, who is now releasing music under her alter-ego, “Lola.”

“’Lola’ is what Marc Anthony calls her,” said Pit. “To work with Jennifer Lopez was an honor. Especially someone that’s opened the doors for the Latin’s the way she’s done it in the movie industry, in the music industry. More than anything, I watch them and I learn, yunno? And I’m studying, also.”

The Jennifer Lopez collaboration is just one of many on the way for Mr. 305 himself – also on the docket – tracks with Shakira, Kristinia Debarge, and Janet Jackson. Plus, similar to the Livvi Franc track – you never know what Pit will just hop on.

“Right now I’ve been on tour, since I’m the one funding the bus, I don’t get the studio bus,” he joked. “There’s a lot of riddims out right now, that don’t nobody really know about. I’m about to f*ck ‘em up!”

11.03.2009

EXCLUSIVE: Justin Bieber, Your Typical 15 Year Old... Almost

From the outset, Justin Bieber seems like your typical 15 year-old. He doodles on his own photos, cracks jokes with band mates, and will at times refuse to listen to anyone older than him. Getting ready to walk on stage at The Mall at Steamtown, he hops on his record label rep’s back, only to crash his head in to a door sill. Leaving the mall, in an attempt to retrieve his fallen hat, his ankle is stepped on by a fan, but of course, he tries not to let on to his staff, which laughs at him as he hobbles around, that its bothering him.

But a quick look at what the Canadian-born heart throb accomplished this past year, and “typical” will quickly become the furthest adjective from your mind.

Bieber performed last Thursday exclusively for 97 BHT listeners inside The Mall at Steamtown. Usher signed the teenage crooner to a deal after watching some of his YouTube videos – the most famous being Bieber’s cover of Chris Brown’s “With You”. But Usher wasn’t the only A-lister trying to court the 15 year-old.

“Well, what happened was, it was in Las Vegas. And it was Justin Timberlake in the red corner, it was Usher in the blue corner, and I’m pretty sure it was a technical knockout,” joked Bieber before he performed for almost 1,200 people inside the mall. I asked if Usher offered that much more than Timberlake, to which Bieber replied, “No, uhm… it was a technical knockout.”
---
---
Now with the upcoming release of his debut LP, My World, Bieber sports an enthusiastic fan base throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as two hits charted in the Top 30. Just a few weeks ago he popped up on NBC’s “The Today Show”, and who could forget his cameo at the MTV Video Music Awards? Yes, the 15 year-old had the daunting task of introducing Taylor Swift’s performance, immediately after KanYe West interrupted the starlet’s acceptance speech on stage. Bieber witnessed the fiasco from the stage, and then went on to offer impromptu kudos to Swift on-air, before introducing her.

“I don’t think as a new artist, or anybody, really goes off topic of like, what they’re supposed to say on the teleprompter,” Bieber noted. “I kinda took a risk… having to introduce Taylor Swift on top of that was kinda scary, but I mean, she’s amazing. She’s a really nice girl so, I was honored to be able to introduce her.”

Bieber was also honored to take part in Kidd Kraddick In The Morning’s “Band Camp.” For a week straight, the singer joined the morning show to help a group of kids form a band. Bieber notes that he enjoyed the experience, but in typical 15 year-old fashion, did have one complaint.

“The only crappy part was I had to wake up at like 5 in the morning, every single day,” Bieber said. He uses his iPhone as an alarm – and also as a way to connect with his fans. The same day he performed at the mall, uStream, a web site that allows for live web video chatting, sent Bieber an iPhone application that allows him to stream live video to the web site.

“I just got it today,” Bieber said, still kinda taken aback that uStream would send him the app before it makes it available to the general public. “But like, it’s cool that I can uStream from my phone.”

Bieber will then send the uStream link out to his Twitter followers, all 300,000 plus.

“I don’t know why (I have that many followers),” he joked. “I’m not that cool.”

10.16.2009

ATTY. ROBIN BOND: Letterman/Quinnipiac University Interns

Download the mp3

Attorney Robin Bond is a regular guest on The Ralphie Radio Show, and an expert on labor law, so we asked he asked her about the situation regarding David Letterman/Quinnipiac University internships.


Visit Robin's Site Here.

EXCLUSIVE: We The Kings Finish CD - Due Out In December

Better late than never for We The Kings – who finished recording the new LP, Smile Kid about two weeks after expected.

Last time I chatted with WTK front man Travis Clark, the band was on the eve of releasing “Heaven Can Wait” to radio stations across the country. With The Ralphie Radio Show receiving the track a day early, I asked Travis when we could expect an LP. He originally noted that the band hoped to finish work on it before October. I reconnected with him and guitarist Hunter Thomsen on Tuesday, October 13.
---
Download the mp3


Check out the performance here.

---
“Last night I finished the last vocal for it,” said Clark. “So it was a little delayed, but it was worth it, because it’s perfect now.”

Clark is also relieved the band finished recording it before embarking on its current tour with All Time Low, Hey Monday, and The Friday Night Boys. We The Kings will release the sophomore LP on December 8.

EXCLUSIVE: Catching Up With Jason Derulo

J.R. Rotem believed “Whatcha Say” needed to be someone’s first single. Sean Kingston already had that lead hit in “Fire Burning.” I-Yaz wrote and sang on the beat – but even the artist himself knew it just didn’t work. Then Jason Derulo sang on it, with the sped-up sample of Imogen Heap’s “Lost and Found.” While others within Rotem’s camp may have known of the forthcoming success, Derulo did not.

“We all liked the song, but I mean, we never knew that it’d be my first single or that people would have received it so well,” revealed Derulo, who stopped by The Ralphie Radio Show before performing at The Woodlands for 97 BHT listeners.

“We’ll make six songs in a day. I mean, “Whatcha Say” is definitely special, and we definitely got spine chills from it, but it’s amazing that people are being so receptive to it, and I couldn’t be more pleased.”
---

Part 1:
"Whatcha Say", Forthcoming LP

Part 2: Performance at The Woodlands, A.J. In The Afternoon

Check out Jason's performance here.
---
However, for Derulo, there is one drawback to the song’s success – some radio stations play an edit sans the trademark “J-R” stutter and “Jason Derulo” shout out over the beginning. The Miami-born singer feels that he can work around such an edit on the next single.

“Next time, I’m gonna actually put it inside the song, where it’s like, ‘Mhhmm Whatcha Sa-Jason Derulo!’” he joked. “Try taking that out.”

We’ll see if Derulo follows through on the follow-up single. While Derulo hasn’t named a second track for radio release – he has played “Ridin’ Solo” at radio performances. The song samples The Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony” – and describes a bitter sweet breakup in an uplifting tone.

Derulo will open up for Lady GaGa on The Monster Ball tour this winter, and release his self-titled, debut LP in early 2010.

WINGMAN WEDNESDAY: The Friend Zone

Download the mp3

The Wingman attempts to help a woman jump out of "the friend zone" with a crush.

Visit The Wingman on MySpace or Facebook.

EXCLUSIVE: Jason Castro Explains The LP Delay

Jason Castro postponed the release of his debut, self-titled LP to next year – he says it should be released in early 2010. On the day he announced the delay, Castro spoke with The Ralphie Radio Show on why he pushed back the date.

“I’ve spent the last year working on this record, and I’ve just poured so much in to it,” Castro said. “We’re still mixing and there’s still just a couple last minute tweaks that – we just still don’t have it all together, so, we don’t want to rush it out.”
---
Download the mp3


---
Castro insists the LP will drop in the beginning of the next calendar year – noting January as probably but definitely by February. Meanwhile, the American Idol alum will continue to put the finishing touches on the record while touring the country, performing at malls and promoting the album along with its first single, the catchy “Let’s Just Fall In Love Again.”

10.14.2009

97 BHT: High School Hookup 2.0 Starring We The Kings!


After almost a half a million text messages to BHTtxt, Meyers High School won 97 BHT's High School Hookup V2.0, scoring a free concert from We The Kings. Travis & Hunter played an acoustic set in the school's auditorium for the student body. Thanks to S-Curve Records & 97 BHT!

10.13.2009

VIDEO: Jason Castro Inside The Mall At Steamtown!


97 BHT PRESENTED JASON CASTRO FROM AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 7 ON TUESDAY, 10/6/09 AT 6:00PM LIVE ON STAGE AT CENTER COURT AT THE MALL AT STEAMTOWN


POWERED BY ATLANTIC RECORDS, THE MALL AT STEAMTOWN, & 97 BHT

VIDEO: Jason Derulo Inside The Woodlands!


97 BHT Presented Warner Bros. Recording Artist Jason Derulo, featuring his hit song, "Whatcha Say", live inside Club HD at The Woodlands, Plains - Rte. 315 - on Thursday, October 8! Thank you for coming out!

Powered by The Woodlands, Warner Bros. Records, & The Only Radio Station in NEPA Playing "Whatcha Say" - 97 BHT!

EXCLUSIVE: 97 BHT & E&R Entertainment Presents Sean Paul/Keri Hilson/Colby O'Donis!


97 BHT & E&R Entertainment presents Sean Paul with special guests Keri Hilson & Colby O'Donis on Friday, November 13 at the Wachovia Arena!

A special pre-sale for 97 BHT listeners will take place Friday. Stay tuned to this page for more info. Tickets go on sale to the general public this Saturday at Noon.

There's only one radio station in NEPA bringing you Sean Paul, Miss Keri Baby, & Colby O - 97 BHT!

Powered by E&R Entertainment & 97 BHT!

10.03.2009

Kidd's Kids '09: Thank You!


Thank you for your support! Adam from Kidd Kraddick In The Morning ran 15K for Kidd's Kids inside The Mall at Steamtown. Thanks to your generosity, 2 families from NEPA with terminally or chronically ill children are headed to Disney World!

10.01.2009

EXCLUSIVE: Daughtry "Flattered" By Theory's Comments on RRS

Theory Of A Deadman revealed on The Ralphie Radio Show about a month ago that the band passed on a headlining Fall tour to support Daughtry’s arena tour. Chris Daughtry heard the interview.

“I was very flattered that they took us over (their own tour),” said lead singer Daughtry. “Any band like that, that’s doing it big in the rock world, that’s not too cool for school to hang with the Daughtry boys… we’re very flattered and honored.”

It’s certainly a humble statement from the front man of a band that has sold over 7.5 million albums worldwide to date. It seems as if Daughtry assumes nothing when it comes to the rock and pop realms.

“Same with Nickelback, when we did that tour… these guys are huge in the rock world, and we just feel like the freshmen in high school just trying to get our props.” Daughtry said.

Props or otherwise, the band is clearly doing something right as it readies for its first arena trek – a new venue that will bring a different performance.

“We’re gonna have pyro this time, I think,” said Daughtry. “Our stage is obviously going to be bigger – more production, more lights.”
---
Download the mp3

Click here to purchase tickets to Daughtry's show at Wachovia Arena.
---
Chris noted that the target set time is about an hour and a half. This brings yet another facet in to view – the physical preparation.

“Any time you’re playing that long, as a singer, (it’s) definitely a stretch, especially when you’re used to playing, yunno, an hour at the most,” he said. “And these songs, some of them are just ridiculous to sing. Some of them… once you listen back to it, you’re like, ‘Why did I write that?’”

So Daughtry is hitting the gym to ready himself for the 36 date jaunt that begins October 19 in Topeka, KS. So is guitarist Brian Craddock, but he joked that it’s for different reasons.

“I developed, while in Germany, this beer gut,” Craddock admitted, while laughing. Although, Daughtry quickly pointed out that everybody sings during the show at one point or another.

Everyone doesn’t “tweet” though. Craddock is the self-described cynic of the crew – ever since a bad experience with his MySpace profile and spam, he stays away from the social networking sites. Meanwhile, Daughtry updates his Twitter account all the time. Apparently, he even checks his “at replies.”

“I think I see you on Twitter a lot,” Daughtry commented regarding my posts. “If I check, when I’ve only gotten maybe 40 or 50 tweets in, I can stay on top of it.”

9.30.2009

EXCLUSIVE: Meet Tamar Kaprelian

You know the premise by now – budding, raw talent builds following through social networking site, catches the eye of someone important, lands a record deal. Sean Kingston reached out to J.R. Rotem on MySpace, and then found the Island singer I-Yaz. MySpace is the same site that helped the career of Colbie Caillat. Priscilla Renea and Esmee Denters were both YouTube sensations before catching the eyes and ears of Capitol Records and Justin Timberlake, respectively.

Thing is, the story is becoming more and more common. While all the aforementioned artists have or are receiving airplay on mainstream radio – there are still others, waiting in the wings, with much more than a webcam to promote their talent.

Enter Tamar Kaprelian.

The 23 year-old wrote, played, and sang for six years. She eventually decided YouTube might be the best outlet to perform, connect, and network until she could get discovered. Then in March of 2008, Kaprelian won an online contest for her cover of OneRepublic’s “Apologize.” Soon after, the band’s record label, Interscope, signed Tamar to a deal.
---

---
Almost two years later, Kaprelian will release her first LP, slated for February 2010. Tamar has split her time in the past 18 months between touring, writing, and charity work: the singer is just finishing a 30-day, 30-city tour for Feeding America. Kaprelian joined forces with the likes of David Arquette and The Cheesecake Factory for “Drive Out Hunger”, raising soup donations for the needy. After performing Saturday night in New York City, Kaprelian woke up at her usual 4 a.m. for the next stop – Edison, NJ. This is where I met up with her – to chat about the soup drive and the music projects – amidst the Menlo Park Mall – which echoed with the chants and cheers of caffeine-fueled workers accepting donations.

“I worked for Cheesecake Factory before I signed with Interscope,” revealed Kaprelian. “They’ve been so supportive of my music, and of my career, and so they asked me to get involved with this charity, and I said of course.”
---

Part 1: Feeding America/Cheesecake Factory, OneRepublic Contest, YouTube


Part 2:
"The Hills", Armenian Heritage, Forthcoming LP

---
The tour provides Kaprelian with quite the change of perspective. As we sat in an almost empty restaurant, people who worked a job she once held scurried about around us, setting tables and preparing for open.

“It is very surreal, but I feel very blessed,” Kaprelian said. At two different points during the interview, a server mistook us for two customers. Each time, Kaprelian stopped and thanked the person for attempting to wait on us, before informing them that we were just in the restaurant to take refuge from the noisy chambers of the mall.

Kaprelian wraps up the food drive on October 1, and then heads back to Los Angeles. She’s already worked on two tracks for the LP with OneRepublic front man Ryan Tedder – one of which Tamar reveals is a duet with label mate and All-American Rejects lead singer Tyson Ritter.

“It’s gonna be a cool record… he’s so talented,” Kaprelian said of her time working with Ritter. The collaboration wasn’t her first encounter with AAR – she sang backup for the group on “Ellen”, “Jimmy Kimmel Live”, and “The Tonight Show.”

Butch Walker also contributes to the project, which is yet to be titled. Kaprelian seems to be mulling over three options – Delicate Soul, It Is What It Is, or Sinner Or Saint.

The title may not be chosen, but the first single is: Kaprelian confirmed that “New Day” will be the lead song from the album. The track gained notoriety when MTV featured it in the last scene of Season 5 on “The Hills” – the track served as Lauren Conrad’s swan song. Kaprelian told me that she knew it’d be in the finale, but had no clue as to how and when it would be heard.

“You hope (the song is) at the end,” said Kaprelian. “I was over the moon. We were in the sitting room, and my entire family and I were watching it, and it was just such a great moment.”

Tamar was born in Arizona and also raised in Georgia. Like me, she is proudly of Armenian descent. I even learned something during the interview: apparently Gwen Stefani is also Armenian.

“Family is important to us,” Kaprelian said. “(My family has been) beyond supportive. They’re really happy for me. I think they’re just proud that I get to do what I love to do every day.”

With the recent addition of a third song to iTunes, a radio promo tour set for January, and an LP to follow – the Kaprelian’s will have much to be supportive for, as Tamar will be doing what she loves on a daily basis for the foreseeable future.

9.29.2009

Catch Up With Me On TweetPhoto


I'll still use my Facebook Mobile Uploads from time to time, but as of late, any picture I take on the road is uploaded soon after to my TweetPhoto account. Make sure you're following on Twitter :)

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.
---
Part 1: "Breakup Song"

Part 2: Catching up since Summer Jam

9.25.2009

TMZ'S LESLIE HARRIS: The Night Khloe & Lamar Met

Download the mp3

This is one of those "Made In LaLa Land" stories...


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

EXCLUSIVE: Jason Castro Reveals Ellen Encounter, LP Title

"American Idol" alum and newly signed Atlantic Records artist Jason Castro doesn’t know if Ellen DeGeneres would’ve took a liking to him on "Idol." Castro paused for a few moments before answering and revealing an encounter with the talk show host.

“I met her once, and I know she thought I was like, trying to get off the show, which wasn’t true,” said Castro on Thursday, during a phone interview on The Ralphie Radio Show. “She was like thinking, ‘You didn’t wanna be there, did you?’ and I’m like, ‘Ohhhh, I dunno!’”

But the days of "American Idol" and what he mouthed and what he didn’t are long past Castro. Now the Dallas, Texas native is set to embark on a new career. Castro is promoting his new single, “Let’s Fall In Love Again” – a catchy, folkie, Jason Mraz-type number that makes you want to bob your head from side to side, and then maybe find that ex-lover on Facebook. The song is off of Castro’s debut LP, which he confirmed on The RRS is self-titled. It’s due out November 17.
---

Part 1: Dreads, Album, Ellen

Part 2: "Let's Fall In Love Again" (Whistling Included)

---
“Keepin’ it simple,” said Castro of the decision to throw his name on the album’s title. “This is Jason Castro, this is my introduction to the world.”

Perhaps “reintroduction” would have been more appropriate – but you can’t blame Castro for feeling as if he’s starting fresh. Few that have walked his path received the opportunity to write and record for a major label after "Idol" concluded. But with his style, attitude, and laid back demeanor, clearly there are few Idol finalists like Jason Castro.

9.24.2009

HIGH SCHOOL HOOKUP 2.0 STARRING WE THE KINGS!


• TEXT “KINGS” TO 6-2-5-8-2 FOR THE CHANCE TO HAVE WE THE KINGS PLAY IN YOUR HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM OR AUDITORIUM ON
TUESDAY, 10/13/09

• TEXT AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WANT FOR A BETTER CHANCE TO WIN

• STANDARD TEXT MESSAGING RATES APPLY

• LISTEN TO THE RALPHIE RADIO SHOW WEEKNIGHTS AFTER SONG #4 ON THE TOP 8 @ TO FIND OUT THAT DAY’S TOP 4 HIGH SCHOOLS WITH THE MOST TEXTS. RALPHIE ANNOUNCES THE WINNING SCHOOL ON 10/9/09.
• POWERED BY S-CURVE RECORDS AND 97 BHT

JASON CASTRO INSIDE THE MALL AT STEAMTOWN!

• 97 BHT PRESENTS JASON CASTRO FROM AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 7 ON TUESDAY, 10/6/09 AT 6:00PM LIVE ON STAGE AT CENTER COURT AT THE MALL AT STEAMTOWN

• LISTEN TO 97 BHT FOR ALL ACCESS AND YOUR CHANCE TO HANG OUT WITH JASON CASTRO

• POWERED BY ATLANTIC RECORDS AND 97 BHT

WINGMAN WEDNESDAY: Advising A Cougar

Download the mp3

The Wingman gives the green light to a cougar who wants to hook up with her son's best friend - he just insists that she keeps it on the DL.


Visit The Wingman on MySpace or Facebook.

9.23.2009

TMZ'S LESLIE HARRIS: Chris Brown's Community Service

Download the mp3

Chris Brown is going about serving his community service in a peculiar manner... TMZ's Leslie Harris elaborated.


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

EXCLUSIVE: All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth Talks Tours, Twitter, The VMA's

By even his own account, he stretched the truth, but that didn’t stop All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth from describing the band’s upcoming fall tour as a “spectacle on wheels.”

“A little bit like Cirque du Soleil, minus leotards, plus alcohol and tattoos,” described Gaskarth of The Glamour Kills Tour. “And still maybe a few backflips, I dunno.”

The lead singer eventually toned down the hyperbole, but point taken – the upcoming trek, which includes supporting acts We The Kings, Hey Monday, and The Friday Night Boys - will be a sight to behold. The tour is comprised of 41 dates, kicking off in Hartford, CT, moving west, and the ending back east in Philadelphia.

Not too shabby for a band that just a mere two years ago, played the Smartpunk Stage at Vans Warped Tour. Since that time, All Time Low has opened for Fall Out Boy, toured Europe, and landed a sweet record deal that affords them a healthy amount of radio promotion. The band itself built up quite a following in the process. You know you’re big when someone starts a Twitter account on behalf of… your hair.
---
Download the mp3


---
“I’ve been made aware of it. It’s not anyone that I know,” revealed Gaskarth of the Twitter account, whose username is conveniently enough, “gaskarthsHair.” “Yunno, more power to ‘em. If they want to speak on behalf of my hair, they’re entitled to.”

Among the other perks of the fame: invites to award shows. Alex and crew were at the MTV VMA’s, and the front man thought Lady GaGa’s performance was “phenomenal.”

“They did a good job of sort of adapting that already-strange video in to an even stranger and harder to understand stage performance,” said Gaskarth. But she has the most phenomenal live voice. I give that girl props.”

Not so phenomenal: the antics of a one KanYe West. Alex likened his first reaction to that of everyone else’s inside Radio City Music Hall.

“Everyone gasped, everyone rolled their eyes, everybody sighed, and everybody forgot about it.”

But unfortunately for West, Alex is incorrect on one point – as no one has forgotten it.

9.18.2009

VIDEO: Obama Calls KanYe a Jackass

I will admit, this is not a good look for the media, when we have reporters for major, national outlets leaking off the record quotes from our President via Twitter, audio, and now video.

Refreshingly honest and on-point, nonetheless.

EXCLUSIVE: Ester Dean Stays True To Herself, Keeps In Touch With Chris Brown

Without hesitation, Ester Dean revealed on The Ralphie Radio Show that she never hesitated to include Chris Brown on the remix or in the video of her track, “Drop It Low.”

“I love him. That’s like my brother,” described Dean of her relationship to the R&B crooner. “It didn’t matter. He killed it.”

The singer referred to Brown’s inclusion in the project and his performance in the video. But as close as the two are, Dean insists that she’s doesn’t inquiry in to Brown’s personal matters.
---
Download the mp3

Singer/Songwriter Ester Dean talked Chris Brown, "Drop It Low", and self-image on The Ralphie Radio Show.


---
“I don’t dig in to all of that,” said Dean. “I let him do what he does. I’m here on a different side for him.”

Brown recently began serving out his sentence of hard labor and community service after pleading guilty to assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Rihanna, last February. Dean – an accomplished song writer who penned tracks for Keri Hilson, Mary J. Blige, and The Pussycat Dolls – is signed to a deal with producer Polow Da Don’s Zone 4. “Drop It Low” is included on the soundtrack to a new documentary that features LeBron James.

9.17.2009

President Obama/KanYe Multimedia

You could easily kill 20 minutes on this one. Enjoy.

Here is audio of Mr. President calling West a "jackass" before a CNBC interview - courtesy of TMZ.

JASON DERULO INSIDE THE WOODLANDS!


97 BHT Presents Warner Bros. Recording Artist Jason Derulo, featuring his hit song, "Whatcha Say", live inside Club HD at The Woodlands, Plains - Rte. 315 - on Thursday, October 1!

Plus, listen to 97 BHT to win Meet & Greet Passes! Powered by The Woodlands, Warner Bros. Records, & The Only Radio Station in NEPA Playing "Whatcha Say" - 97 BHT!

EXCLUSIVE: I-Yaz Checks In After The VMA'S

The up-and-coming singer chats about living with Sean Kingston, working with J.R. Rotem, and attending the VMAs in NYC, after the jump.

Part 1: The VMA's, "Replay"

Part 2: New LP, Tour

TMZ'S LESLIE HARRIS: Ellen Replaces Paula On Idol

Download the mp3

TMZ's Leslie Harris checks in with the latest on Ellen's 5-year deal to join the judges on American Idol.



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








EXCLUSIVE: Hey Monday In Studio!

Hey Monday stopped by The RRS to chat and perform a couple of tracks acoustically, including the group's new single, "How You Love Me Now" - off of the LP - Hold On Tight.

Part 1: Cassadee's "Tree" Story, Hey Monday's VMA Plans


Part 2: The Wingman joins Hey Monday on-air

9.11.2009

EXCLUSIVE: Adam Lambert Has Elton John's Number, Talks New LP

When you’re the runner-up on a show as popular as American Idol, surely you’ll accumulate a few new contacts in your phone.

“Hmm… the most famous contact in my phone?” Adam Lambert pondered before answering, “Elton John.”

That immediately begs the question: Do Adam and Sir Elton talk or text?

“Um… he’s just the most famous contact in my phone right now,” Lambert replied. “’Nuff said.”

It’s almost anti-Adam that he didn’t follow through on specifics of his relationship to Elton. Lambert admits that he’s been very open and honest since AI ceased – first revealing (or maybe in some cases confirming) his sexual orientation to Rolling Stone, then directly confronting the public release of material he recorded well before his run on Idol.

“My mom was funny, because she was like, ‘I wouldn’t have gone in to detail about this, this, and this,’” Lambert said of his mother’s reaction to the RS cover story. “Why not just address everything right off the bat, before my career really starts, and kinda be an open book?”
---
Download the mp3


---

Since the two aforementioned issues, it seems there are no more skeletons in Lambert’s closet. But that doesn’t mean the singer is free from rumors and gossip. During our conversation backstage before American Idols Live, Lambert revealed Better Than Ezra’s Kevin Griffin is not possible songwriter for Lambert’s forthcoming LP. Griffin told MTV News that he wrote for Lambert, describing the Idol-alum’s sound as a mix between Fall Out Boy and Kylie Minogue.

“I don’t know who Kevin is. That was actually a surprise to me, when I read that on MTV,” said Lambert. “We haven’t talked to him at all. He hasn’t written anything… we don’t have any of his songs.”

Despite this, Griffin’s appraisal of Lambert’s November 24 debut may not be far off.

“Yunno, I’ll give him credit. I don’t know how he can write a song, but he certainly can give good quotes,” Lambert joked. “I wasn’t hating on him for it, I had just never heard of him before.”

Lambert himself described the LP as an audio version of playing dress-up. After the Idol tour wraps up, he’ll focus on picking around 12 songs from a list of 20. Also on the docket is a photo shoot for the album – as well as a title – which Lambert says won’t be picked until the track listing is set.

Confirmed by Lambert as a collaborator on the LP is Lady GaGa’s producer, RedOne. The Idol runner-up reached out to GaGa herself – but due to scheduling conflicts they were not able to team up.

9.09.2009

EXCLUSIVE: Theory Of A Deadman Scratched Fall Tour To Support Daughtry

Theory of a Deadman admits that by the year’s end, they will have catered to both ends of the spectrum of their audience: with a summer spent on Crue Fest and a fall tour planned with Daughtry. But none of the British Columbia rockers believe that either group will feel alienated.

“We were really thinking about doing a headlining tour,” TOADM front man Tyler Connolly revealed. “I think we were kinda thought to ourselves, ‘Well, where are we in this record cycle and our career? Maybe we should be out there in front of a lot of people, maybe people that don’t know Theory of a Deadman yet.’”

Connolly and his band are no strangers to Daughtry – as Chris himself lent vocals to TOADM’s “By The Way”, off of Theory’s third LP, Scars & Souvenirs.

“That’ll be cool to play that song live too,” said the lead singer. “From a business point of view, it’s going to be such a great tour for us.”
---

Part 1: Canadian Beer (Drake Comments), Touring w/ Tommy Lee

Part 2: Vocal Warmups, Touring w/ Daughtry

---
Theory’s perspective is simultaneously honest and refreshing. While many bands struggle to find an identity in between their rock and mainstream audiences, TOADM seems to have successfully done so. Yet the band doesn’t take itself too seriously – Connolly along with bassist Dean Beck and guitarist Dave Brenner joked about partying naked with Motley Crue, banging groupies, and their choice of Canadian beer.

The ribbing didn’t lie exclusively within the room, as a lot of light-hearted comments were directed toward fellow Canadian Aubrey “Drake” Graham. When asked on The Ralphie Radio Show if he was a Labatt or Molson guy, Drake responded with Dom Perignon Rosé.

“What?! What is he talking about?” asked Connolly, as all three guys laughed while chatting about their favorite microbreweries in British Columbia.

9.07.2009

TMZ'S LESLIE HARRIS: Oprah/Chris Brown Feud

Download the mp3

After Chris Brown voiced his displeasure with the actions of Oprah, the talk show host released a statement to TMZ.


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

WINGMAN WEDNESDAY: The Relative Homewrecker

Download the mp3

The Wingman gives the green light for a man to move in on the sister of a relative.


Visit The Wingman on Facebook and MySpace.