DAILY DOWNLOAD - New FOB, Jonas Brothers...

05.12.09 : Fall Out Boy - Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown... (Originally featured in Oct. '08)

05.11.09 : Jonas Brothers - Paranoid

FOREVER THE SICKEST KIDS w/ Ralphie!

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Forever The Sickest Kids chat with Ralphie on their tour bus in Allentown about the incident regarding Philadelphia Police and upcoming projects.

Read Ralphie's report on the Philadelphia incident here.
Check out Ralphie's 2008 FTSK Warped Tour interview here.

Band and crew members of We The Kings and Forever The Sickest Kids were involved in an alleged altercation with the Philadelphia Police Department on Sunday night, following the Bamboozle Road Show at The Theater of the Living Arts. According to Twitter updates from both band's camps, three people were taken in to custody, some beaten with nightsticks by police who were "abusing their power." However, a spokesperson for the PPD denied the incident on The Ralphie Radio Show.

What is agreed on by all parties involved is that police were called to the venue after the conclusion of the show to prevent any disorderly conduct from concert-goers. Furthermore, Philly enforces a curfew for people under the age of 18, so authorities arrived at the venue to ensure that teens complied with the law.

The similarities in the stories end there. According to an officer in the PPD's Public Affairs Office, the involvement of the patrollers ended there. However, Twitter updates by We The Kings front man Travis Clark and Forever The Sickest Kids guitarist Caleb Turman, along with a disturbing online video, paint a drastically different picture.

"Philadelphia cops just beat us up for nothing!" typed Clark on his Twitter account at approximately 8:13 PM. He updated ten minutes later, "Chris V is bleeding from his head, every cop is completely abusing their power!! This is so messed up!"

"Chris V" handles merchandise for WTK. In a video posted to MySpace by production company Artist Approach, Chris is shown face down on the ground, surrounded by police officers. The video ends with a still photograph of the “merch guy” looking up, his upper face covered in blood.

Forever The Sickest Kids' Turman also "tweeted" during and immediately after the alleged incident, attempting to update fans and build a case against the officers.

"Everyone tweet about the #phillycops and how they wrongfully assaulted us!" wrote the guitarist. "Philly cops just assaulted ftsk and we the kings!"

According to the aforementioned MySpace video, Turman and WTK Road Manager Trevor Fair were the original reasons why police entered the venue. Text in the video states that after cops arrived to clear the crowd, an officer wrote a parking ticket for a trailer belonging to the band Mercy Mercedes. Turman went outside to see what the commotion was about, and a cop immediately withdrew his baton and ordered him back in the building. Fair then followed, only to be forced back inside as well. After Fair repeatedly and unsuccessfully attempted to open the door, officers entered the venue to arrest him for disorderly conduct. As police dragged Fair out of the venue, "Chris V" can be heard yelling, "Are you kidding me?! F*** you bro, f*** you. What's your f***ing badge number?" to an officer. Police then attacked the merch handler to subdue him.

WTK lead man Clark updated his Twitter on Monday, assuring fans that all parties involved were okay and out of jail, and that there'd be no interruptions in commitments. Some of the bands on tour attended Monday night's Phillies game to relax.

None of the three bands involved have released any formal statement – and Philadelphia Police continue to deny such an incident even occurred.

THE WHITE TIE AFFAIR w/ Ralphie

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After playing 97 BHT's "High School Hookup 2009" at Riverside - The White Tie Affair met up with Ralphie at T.G.I. Friday's, and you could tell that they weren't speaking in front of a high school anymore.

Check out photos from "High School Hookup 2009" here.

It felt like a bunch of my old friends I grew up with comprised The White Tie Affair, a pop-rock band from Chicago. Sitting at a table at T.G.I. Friday’s in Wilkes-Barre, the fellas and I chatted candidly about porn videos, gossip, and (alleged) sexual escapades with or by friends and tour mates.

Then, I turned on the microphone and began the interview. If you think the band tamed the lingo – well, you thought incorrectly. In between dishing on the group’s next MTV cameo (in a couple weeks on The Hills) and Lady GaGa (they opened for GaGa on “The Fame Ball”), TWTA jumped at every spare moment to change the subject. The guys constantly mentioned premature ejaculation (or as guitarist Sean P. commonly referred to it: premature evacuation) and Daryl Strawberry.

“A lot of times what happens, there’s like premature evacuation going on and you don’t want to be embarrassed by the way you evacuate due to weather,” the guitarist all-but-blurted out. I didn’t care to inquire as to the origin of the inside joke, but the constant references to the former baseball player Strawberry peaked my curiosity.

“Was Daryl Strawberry there?” keyboardist Ryan McClain asked after a question about the group keeping up with the storylines of The Hills. “Candle (Sick and Tired)” first gained notoriety after the show featured the track and TWTA.

After a few more mentions of the former Yankees and Mets outfielder, lead singer Chris Wallace attempted to shed some light on the joke.

“We did this event in New York at CitiField, the Mets new stadium, and we heard Daryl Strawberry was gonna be there,” said Wallace.

“I’m a huge fan,” continued McClain. “Apparently, he had some problems back in the day.”

Those problems were alluded to early in the interview, when Wallace abruptly speculated that he heard Strawberry, “could no longer smell.”

Perhaps a lack of sleep could be attributed to the meandering of the interview. Wallace wrote the next day on the band’s MySpace blog that TWTA pulled an all-nighter – driving from Rochester, N.Y. to Wilkes-Barre. The next stop: Riverside High School, where Wallace and his crew performed for 97 BHT’s High School Hookup 2009, complete with a few of the group’s own tracks and covers of GaGa and Kanye West.

Anyways, the interview moved on, or at least I attempted to move it on – asking the guys about touring with the aforementioned GaGa.

“Let’s just say, she’s very polite and very generous with her ‘givings’,” Sean P noted. He couldn’t elaborate any further without inciting an FCC fine, however the guitarist did revert to a familiar topic in the conversation.

“If you were to run a city and there was a hurricane to come, you don’t want to be caught up premature evacuating even though it’s safer, and you get what you get done, I would never want to say that I premature evacuated a city when a tornado was coming.”

And on that note, I did not find anything premature about exiting the interview – after all, I knew the “tornado” of an editing task that awaited me before I could air the conversation.

RICARDO/E&R ENTERTAINMENT ON LIL' WAYNE'S ARTIST RIDER

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E&R Entertainment's CEO, Ricardo, chats about Lil' Wayne's artist rider, which leaked on to the Internet. Ricardo brought Weezy to the Wachovia Arena last fall.

E and R Entertainment is also bringing "The Terrific Teen Tour featuring Mitchel Musso" to the Wachovia Arena on Thursday, July 9th.

- Lil' Wayne's Wilkes-Barre Concert
- E and R Entertainment
- Lil' Wayne's Rider

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

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

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

Ramirez released the following statement:

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

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

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

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

WINGMAN WEDNESDAY: The Wedding Date-Crasher

The Wingman's wedding date didn't work out as originally planned, so he made the best of the night... until the date awoke to an unpleasant surprise.

Initial Wingman Story:

The Wedding Date Calls Up!:

The Wingman's Mother's Day Plans:

Visit The Wingman on MySpace.

RALPHIE REWIND: Coldplay Copyright Infringement?

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Yet another artist comes forth to claim that Coldplay copied a melody for the song, "Viva La Vida." Hear both tracks in this clip and judge for yourself...

From Reuters:

"Singer-songwriter Cat Stevens agreed on Monday that the Coldplay song, "Viva La Vida," sounds like one of his 1973 songs, but he stopped short of saying he would sue for plagiarism.

"My son brought it to my attention and said: 'Doesn't that sound like 'Foreigner Suite?'" the musician, now known as Yusuf Islam, told Reuters.

"The song definitely sounds like it," he said of his song. "It has such logical chords and the melody has to be what it is..."

Read the full story here.

DAILY DOWNLOAD: Pussycat Dolls - Hush Hush (Remix)

I think the remix will work well on radio. Of course, we'll see if PCD ends up like Danity Kane. If you remember, this is one of the two songs that Melody indirectly referred to with her "I'm not featured" comments. Nicole is "featured" on this along with "Jai Ho". 

EXCLUSIVE: V Factory w/ Ralphie!

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V Factory stops by The Ralphie Radio Show to chat about the group's new music video for "Love Struck" - Twitter - and birthday celebrations.

Plus, the group allowed Ralphie an exclusive sneak peak to the video...

V Factory just finished the video, and is set to release it as soon as this weekend. Of course, quite the interesting predicament on set - as Scott Speer directed the piece. Speer currently dates Ashley Tisdale, who recently broke up with V Factory's Jared Murillo. In the interview, Murillo insists that he and Speer were friends well before this incident, and that only the addition of Tisdale on set would've made the situation awkward.

The group is continuing on a promo tour as "Love Struck" climbs the charts. V Factory's debut LP is set for a late summer/fall release.

"Love Struck" will also be heard in the upcoming Transformers 2 movie.

RALPHIE REPORT: Anti-Chris Brown Song, Britney's "Circus"

If a group by the name of Jump Smokers didn’t do it, you know someone else would have released an anti-Chris Brown song. But, the Chicago-based duo is gaining world-notoriety for the track, “My Flow So Tight (Anti-Breezy)”.

“My flow so tight and the beat so sick, Chris Brown should get his ass kicked,” raps Jump Smokers front man C.W. Grizz on the hook.

The lead emcee called in to The Ralphie Radio Show last week to discuss the origin of the song and the response it’s received.

“It started out kinda as a joke,” revealed Grizz. “We wanted to make a song that legitimately would be poppin’ here in Chicago at the clubs.”

Jump Smokers first received airplay from a DJ in the Windy City, who spun the song on a live-to-air broadcast from a nightclub. Immediately, the radio station request lines lit up with listeners inquiring about the source of the track. Suddenly, night clubs and radio stations from coast to coast began playing the record, and news outlets from MTV to The New York Times covered the story of the song.

“Once I saw the pictures of Rihanna on TMZ.com… for me, I had it,” explained Grizz. “I kinda got fed up with a lot of celebrities not speaking out against him.”

Kanye West can be counted among the artists who didn’t speak against Brown – matter of fact – he even spoke in support of him. At a TV taping shortly after the pre-Grammy night incident, West asked a crowd to give the young R&B crooner a break. Other public figures – such as Oprah, Tyra Banks, and Perez Hilton – spoke out against the alleged abuse.

In an attempt not to gain any direct monetary success from the situation, Grizz noted that the group is donating proceeds of the song sales to charities that benefit women. However, this road proved rocky when a couple of non-for-profits were reluctant to accept the funds. Some were afraid that the song sent the wrong message to people – answering domestic violence with more abuse.

“I think (the charities) are taking it a little too seriously,” Grizz said in defense of his track. “We’re not threatening Chris Brown in this song. Hopefully the song makes you dance, laugh, and then think.”

At least two of the three reactions occurred over the weekend, when I spun the track inside Reflex at The Wilkes-Barre Hardware Bar Entertainment Complex. A couple club goers stopped and shot a perplexed look toward the DJ booth, while others “oohed” and most continued to dance.

And for those wondering, yes, Rihanna did hear the track. A DJ at a birthday party for Los Angeles Clipper Baron Davis spun the song with the Bajan-beauty present. No word on her reaction.

BRITNEY TOUR LIVES UP TO “CIRCUS” TITLE

Poor Britney Spears. If it isn’t Kevin Federline showing up backstage, it’s the Pussycat Dolls verbally clawing at each other on stage. If it isn’t a smoke-filled venue, it’s a fan jumping from the venue’s seating on stage.

Orlando, Florida resident Kyle King, 20, faces a single breach of peace charge for walking on stage during Spears’ encore performance of “Womanizer” at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. He could face jail time.
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Listen to Ralphie Aversa weekdays from 5-10p on 97 BHT.

EXCLUSIVE: V-Factory previews "Love Struck" Video exclusively on The RRS!

V Factory swung through the studio... you can hear the interview tomorrow on The Ralphie Radio Show - but meanwhile - check out an exclusive preview of the music video for their soon-to-be hit single, "Love Struck."

Scott Speer directed the video. Yes, he's currently dating V Factory member Jared Murillo's ex-girlfriend, Ashley Tisdale. But did that make things awkward on set? Find out tomorrow when I ask Jared - plus the guys chat about shopping, celebrating birthdays, and landing their song in Transformers 2!

DAILY DOWNLOAD: Lady GaGa - Lovegame

05.04.09 : Lady GaGa - Lovegame

This track is set as the third single off of GaGa's debut LP, The Fame. The track falls in line with "Just Dance" and "Poker Face" - although slower in tempo, the song is just as upbeat, and lyrically similar with its sexual overtones and brutally honest dialogue.

Similar to its predecessors, I'm sure "Lovegame" will have the women dancing - sans or with disco sticks - in no time.

RALPHIE REWIND: New Guilty Pleasure

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My new guilty pleasure? The Justin Timberlake-produced reality game show "The Phone" on MTV. I've watched it the past two Sunday evenings, and although I'm usually not a fan of MTV "reality" shows - the various dynamics of this program intrigue me. Of course, the fast-paced nature of the show lends to the excitement, but I also think the team work/trust aspect of the show adds to it - along with the final challenge for the eventual winner - keep the $50,000, or split it with your teammate?

The Phone at MTV
The show's trailer:

ATTY. ELIZABETH KELLEY: Britney Fan Incident Blown Out of Proportion

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Attorney Elizabeth Kelley thinks the prosecution of a Britney Spears fan who jumped on stage during an encore at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut is a waste of taxpayers' money. 20 year-old Kyle King alledgedly drank a little too much and hopped on stage during Britney's encore, as she performed, "Womanizer." Kelley explains that King could face jail time - but that his non-violent act does not warrent the use of resources such as a judge or public defender.

Video of the incident is below, about half-way through the video. Spears is clearly startled by her impromptu face-to-face confrontation with the fan.

Read more about the story here.
Visit Elizabeth Kelley's website.
BELOW: A mugshot taken by Mohegan Sun security of 20 year-old Kyle King.

Poker Face Face-Off!

Two contestants - one grand prize with tickets to see Lady GaGa at her sold out show inside The TLA in Philadelphia and backstage passes to meet GaGa. But who would hold their Pokerface the longest? Find out!

All thanks to Interscope/Geffen/A&M Records & The Ralphie Radio Show on 97 BHT!

DAILY DOWNLOAD: Fall Out Boy f. Lil Wayne - America's Suitehearts

04.29.09 : Fall Out Boy f. Lil' Wayne - America's Suitehearts (Remix)

FOB's Pete Wentz actually tipped me off as to the existance of this remix. A quick Google search yielded the MP3. Certainly a healthy debate could occur as to if this trumps the original off of Folie A Deux, but any collab between the princes of pop-emo and Weezy F. Baby deserves atleast one radio spin, right?

DAILY DOWNLOAD: Jump Smokers - My Flow So Tight (Anti-Breezy)

05.01.09 : Jump Smokers - My Flow So Tight (Anti-Breezy)
Jump Smokers' front-man C.W. Grizz on The Ralphie Radio Show:
How the anti-Chris Brown song came about:

Trying to donate to charties, Rihanna's reaction:

Grizz insists during the conversation that in no way does the song advocate abuse, yet some charities are reluctant to accept proceeds of download sales from the group. The Jump Smokers lead emcee also confirms during the interview that Rihanna did in fact hear the song at a L.A. party - however he is unaware what her response to the song was.

He cites the TMZ photo of a beaten and bruised RiRi as the lead inspiration for the song. The Jump Smokers hail from Chicago.

TMZ'S LESLIE HARRIS: Hugh Jackman, Huge Heart.

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Hugh Jackman wanted to show his appreciation for fans who slept out overnight in anticipation of the Wolverine movie world premiere. TMZ's Leslie Harris calls The RRS to talk about what he did and how much it cost him.

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

The movie also features Black Eyed Peas frontman/renaissance man will.i.am.

WINGMAN WEDNESDAY: Too Good Of A Wingman?

Is it possible to be too good of a Wingman? Well, if anyone would know... plus, a special guest checks in this week...

Initial Wingman Response:

Reaction #1, from Taylor Gildersleeve - who will be appearing in The Wingman's TV Pilot!:

Visit The Wingman on MySpace.

DR. MICHAEL SILVERMAN: NYC's Swine Flu Psyche

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

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