Jim Croce's "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" May Live On As A Movie

Reportedly, Warren Zide who was involved in production for both the AMERICAN PIE and FINAL DESTINATION films has struck a deal with the widow of Jim Croce, Ingrid Croce, to produce a live action comedy based off the famous hit song, "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown".

Zide hopes to create a whole new franchise of films based off the character from the song, Leroy Brown, Who is "the baddest man in the whole damn town".

Writers are currently working on the project in which Jim Croce's widow is excited about.

Jim Croce was only 30 years old when he was killed in a plane crash after a concert in Louisiana, when either human error or else a heart condition caused the pilot to miss a pecan tree at the end of the runway, killing everyone onboard. After Croce's death, his last album I GOT A NAME, which was recorded only eight days before his death was released. Croce had two #1 hits in his career, including "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown", which sounded like it was recorded in a music in the round-type atmosphere. It was a fun recording.

Croce actually had created music since 1960, when he graduated from high school. However 1966's FACETs and a 1969 album with his wife Ingrid gained little traction. But when he signed a deal with ABC Records in 1972 to produce three albums, his career finally took off. His first ABC single, "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" which peaked at #8 on the charts was another fun song somewhat like "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown", which became his biggest seller by far. The album sold two million copies. Jim Croce was a hot star with a bright future. But then the accident robbed him of what would likely have been superstardom.

Dolly Parton vs. U.S. Senator Story Takes A Strange Turn

The story reported yesterday by the country western THE BOOT news, took a very strange turn today, as the office of U.S. Senator Bob Corker now claims that the interview of Dolly Parton by WAXO1220AM (Kickin' Country) never took place. Spokesperson for Corker's office, Laura Herzog claimed that the senator's office had checked with the radio station as well as Dolly Parton's representatives, claiming that Dolly Parton wasn't on that station in an interview segment.

Herzog also claimed that it was "categorically false" that the senator carved out any exemption clause for payday loan companies. However, THE NEW YORK TIMES reports just the opposite to be true, claiming that Corker was indeed the driving force to exempt payday loan companies from proposed new consumer law legislation. Further, W. Allan Jones, who owns Checks Into Cash has been a longtime friend and political supporter of Corker. Since 2001, Corker has received $31,000 in political contributions from Jones and other employees of the business.

So far, no official statement has come from Dolly Parton or WAXO radio about the claimed interview. And according to one source, military families are already protected somewhat from higher interest rates by payday loan companies, which are capped at 36% under provisions of the Federal Military Lending Act of 2007.

So, who's telling the truth here? Did Dolly Parton actually do a radio interview tearing into the senator or not yesterday? Why did Corker's office misrepresent his actual involvement and support for provisions exempting the payday loan industry?

A strange entertainment news story grows stranger.

Charlie Sheen's Problems Shorten TWO AND A HALF MEN Season

This year's season for TWO AND A HALF MEN will be two episodes shorter this year because of Charlie Sheen's legal problems which landed him in rehab. Instead of the usual 24 episodes, just 22 will be filmed. But, what will be missing is the big season finale episode because it got cut from the schedule. But, TWO AND A HALF MEN is a really great comedy, so you can still expect a very good episode to wrap up this season.

TWO AND A HALF MEN is the most important comedy that CBS has and the #1 comedy on TV. However, Charlie Sheen's legal and rehab problems this year have caused plenty of problems for the show. The show has maintained it's quality despite all of this and really hasn't witnesses any audience slippage according to the ratings.

Dolly Parton Tears U.S. Senator A New One In A Radio Interview

Dolly Parton is at war with her U.S. senator over his apparent support for payday loan companies that charge U.S. service-person families 400% interest rates. Parton stopped just short of calling U.S. Senator Bob Corker a crook, by accusing him of "behind closed door" efforts to work with the payday loan industry to rip off military families. Parton was a guest on the country western station WAXO-1220AM in Lewisburg, Tenn(Kickin' Country) and decided to tear the senator a new one during what would have been a normal interview about her life and music.

It was a surprising and abrupt political statement from the country music legend, who even called the senator "unAmerican". Corker blocked a move in the U.S. Senate to limit the payday loan industry to 36% maximum interest rates by law. In the last few months, the Senate voted to put new regulations on the credit card industry. However, these regulations had mixed results since the credit card industry had nine months before the law took effect, and then raised interest rates and added new charges while the industry lawyers sought clarification from the Federal Reserve Board about certain provisions. Corker removed language from the bill so that the payday loan industry would be exempt from proposed new rules regulating other money lenders.

Tennessee has 2,700 military families, and these families are highly likely to use payday loans to survive between pay checks for survival.

Dolly Parton added in the radio interview, that "Growing up poor, I know the hardship and tragedy that money matters can cause to a family".

No comment from the senator as of yet what it feels like being torn a new one by the country music legend.

Conflicting Stories Emerge About Possible Divorce For Sandra Bullock

Entertainment sources are reporting conflicting stories about whether Sandra Bullock and her husband are seeking divorce lawyers. ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT claims that a representative of Sandra Bullock has denied that she is seeking a divorce or has hired a divorce attorney at this time. On the other hand, TMZ reports that both Sandra Bullock and her husband Jesse James have been interviewing divorce lawyers.

Both entertainment sources are no doubt getting their information from different sources accounting for the differing stories. This is a developing story that will take some days to play out.

The Shocking Ages Of Rock Stars!

It's absolutely shocking just how old some of the greatest rock stars now are. This isn't for the faint hearted. Read at your own risk!

Ray Manzarek, the the legendary keyboardist for The Doors was born in 1939, and is now 71 years old! Manzarek has continued to produce music since the days of The Doors, including a number of solo and instrumental albums.

Jet Black, the drummer for the punk group, The Stranglers, was born in 1938. He's also 71 years old now. Black was actually a successful businessman in England in the mid70's before deciding to join The Stranglers and to become one of the oldest punk rockers out there.

Mick Jagger, the fantastic front-man for The Rolling Stones is 66, and was born in 1943. Jagger's middle class family background led him to study economics in college, where he kept The Rolling Stones a business for all these years. making the group one of the most successful business ventures ever.

Eric Clapton, long considered to be one of the greatest guitar players of all time is 64 years old, and was born in 1945. Clapton's career spans successful acts such as Blind Faith, Derek And The Dominoes, Cream, The Yardbirds as well his highly successful solo career.

Alvin Lee, the Gibson 335 guitar superman from Ten Years After is 65 now, born in 1944. Allvin Lee continues to record and turn out great solo albums, proving himself to be one of the most enduring ring rock legends of all time.

Jerry Lee Lewis, the original keyboard wildman of the 1950's, was born in 1935, and is now 74 years old. He continues as real legend in both rock and roll and country music.

Chuck Berry, the great pioneering rocker of the 1950's is 83 now, born in 1926. He remains an active legend in rock and roll, and has even performed for President Carter at the White House.

Little Richard, who combined a hard rock sound with R&B, is 77 years old, born in 1932, probably was a great influence to later performers like Elton John for his outrageous stage presence and dress. Little Richard remains one of the biggest influences on music to this day, probably originating a hard rock sound more than any early performer.

Paul McCartney, at age 67, still has plenty of his boyish good looks going for him. He was born in 1942, and remains the most successful of the surviving members of The Beatles.

Ringo Starr, 69, born in 1940, has had a less successful solo career than Paul McCartney, but still remains a beloved music legend by all means. Ringo never thought of himself as a great drummer, but many music disagree and call him great. Further, his vocal style has a "everyman" quality about it that is sort of cute in it's own way.

Carlos Santana, at age 62, born in Mexico in 1947, continues to be one of greatest and most hypnotic guitar legends of all time.

Patti Smith, at 63, born in 1946, is called the "Godmother of punk", by some for her pioneering style in this genre of music. In the late 70's comic actress Gilda Radner based her "Candy Slice" character off of Patti Smith, although the real Patti Smith has always been a very intelligent person and hardly the "burn out case" that the character lampoons.

Bruce Springsteen, "The Boss" turned 60 this year. Born in 1949, Springsteen continues to remain one of the greatest live performers of all time.

Bob Dylan, born in 1941, aged 68, remains a legendary singer and songwriter, and continues to produce some of the best albums of his entire career.

Tom Petty, aged 59, born in 1950, seems like a baby here. Yet, the aging singer- songwriter continues have legions of loyal fans attracted to his own unique rock and roll style.

The Strange Story Behind "Gimme Dat Ding" By The Pipkins

In 1970, a very unusual novelty single, "Gimme Dat Ding" hit the charts and became a top hit both in the UK reaching and in the U.S. But this very unusual single has an even stranger history.

In many ways, "Gimme Dat Ding" was the first rap song ever, using two voices in a strange duet, one very similar to that of legendary radio announcer Wolfman Jack, and another much higher pitched voice. The song also made liberal use of ragtime-era styled music as well. The popular British comedy show, THE BENNY HILL SHOW, often made use of the music from this song which was originally written for a British children's program, OLIVER AND THE OVERLORD.

Tony Burrows, the lead singer on the song actually hit the charts in 1970 using four different act names. With The White Plains, "My Baby Loves Lovin"" was a hit both in the Uk and the U.S., with Edison Lighthouse, "Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes", and with The Brotherhood Of Man, "United We Stand" was also hit both in the UK and the U.S. It was probably the first time in chart history that one singer had four chart hits in one year in both the UK and the the U.S. using four different act names, each with a different style of music. Two other singles by Burrows recorded under the group names Current Kraze and The Naked Truth apparently failed to chart in 1970, otherwise Burrows would have had even more hit singles in a single year. Tony Burrows sang the deeper voice parts, while it was Roger Greenaway who did the falsetto style voice on "Gimme Dat Ding".

Interestingly, since Tony Burrows was a session singer, he wasn't always available, so live show versions of "Gimme Dat Ding" were performed by British singers, Davey Sands and Len Marshall. A few years ago, "Gimme Dat Ding" was rerecorded using new digital recording technology. However, fans of the songs complain that the new version simply lacks the sheer fun of the original recording.

Tony Burrows was sometimes describes as "the human hit machine" because he had an usual knack for picking the right songs to sing that became hits. Burrows also rates in the record books as having the most chart hit singles by any human being ever. Burrows had hit singles recording under his own name, as well as with a huge number of group names. He was also the lead singer of First Class and had the hit "Beach Baby" with them as well.

Incidentally, Albert Hammond who co-wrote "Gimme Dat Ding", with Mike Hazlewood, also wrote the hit song for The Hollies, "The Air That I Breathe". Hammond also had a big hit single with the song, "It Never Rains In Southern California".

A Motorcycle Hearse

A British company, http://www.motorcyclefunerals.com/ , offers a unique motorcycle hearse service that's very popular with rockers, bikers, ton-up boys and other UK motorcycle culture groups. The company offers several very attractive custom built motorcycle hearses including a classic Triumph, a cafe racer styled Triumph, a Suzuki, and custom Harley complete with a nice engine note roar.

What a way to go out....

Jesse James Affair Story Generates New Embarrassments For Sandra Bullock

As if the story of the purported affair between Sandra Bullock's husband, Jesse James, and tattoo model, Michele McGee, hasn't been painful enough for the award winning actress, new embarrassments popped up overnight about the story. Reportedly, TMZ has acquired a picture of Jesse James wearing a Nazi officers hat giving a Nazi salute, and TMZ also uncovered a video of McGee shot about two weeks ago performing onstage at the Pure Platinum strip club.

For Sandra Bullock, the steady drip-drip-drip of awful stories over the last few days must be presenting a terrible public image nightmare. Bullock has always been known for kindness and giving to charity and other good will. But, the reported antics of her husband have to be presenting a serious public relations crisis for the actress, and some way to have some damage control over the situation.

Probably, the marriage is in critical condition right now. Whether it survives all of this is a big question.

Some FOX Affiliates Wary Of Possible New Conan Show

Reportedly, FOX is putting pressure on local stations to set aside the 11:00 pm time slot for a possible new Fall season Conan O'Brien show. However, no financial deal has yet been struck between FOX and O'Brien, which is still a critical issue.

But, some local FOX network affiliates are kicking at the notion of bumping profitable programming such as THE OFFICE reruns in favor of the O'Brien, who badly failed in the 11:35 time slot over at NBC. And sometimes, moving a show cover to another network badly fails in the ratings.

A prime example of moving a show to another network that grossly failed was the mega-disaster $40 million dollar deal that moved FAMILY MATTERS and STEP BY STEP over to CBS from ABC. CBS had hoped to start a new family comedy programming block called the "CBS Block Party", but audiences failed to watch in big numbers, and FAMILY MATTERS was a huge ratings disaster for CBS where the show soon fell out of the top 100 TV shows.

Many local CBS affiliates found the ratings so low that some even aired paid programming infomercials in the 8:00pm FAMILY MATTERS time slot because it made more money than airing the fresh CBS episodes of the show. CBS soon pulled the program from the network lineup, and during the Summer ran the unaired episodes as a sort of dumping ground for all of the money they wasted on this $40 million dollar disaster.

CBS's bid to create a family oriented programming slot on Friday nights failed for several reasons. Part of the problem was that the ratings for FAMILY MATTERS had been on a slow slide ever since the second season of the show where it peaked at #15 among all shows. By season eight on ABC, the show had tumbled down to #50. For the ninth season at CBS, the show was down to #108 among all shows. For CBS to pay $40 million to purchase a declining entity was a very bad business decision.

Another problem for CBS was that with their older demographic of viewers, fewer younger viewers would migrate over to CBS, where many of the viewers tended to be near 50 at the time. Another problem is that there really wasn't as much of an audience for "family programming" as some would think. CBS has done far better in later years by airing dark dramas such as GHOST WHISPERER in this Friday time slot.

What FOX can learn from all of this is that Conan O'Brien has his fans for sure, but he was a ratings disaster for NBC in the 11:35 time slot. And usually moving a show to another network brings along less viewers as well. Further, as local stations find a network show lagging, they're willing to even air paid programming junk at prime-time if they have to to break even. All of this are bad omens for FOX here.

But FOX hopes to buck the trend, and Conan O'Brien will give FOX the best shot that they can at putting together a 11:00 talk show to compete with Leno and Letterman, even if the ratings are much smaller. FOX also hopes that Conan can build an audience as well. FOX looks willing to gamble on O'Brien here, even if many local FOX stations aren't too excited to be onboard for looks like a huge financial risk to them.

The Sporty Rambler That You Never Saw

In the 1960's, when the sporty Dodge Charger fastback was all the rage, little American Motors Corporation wanted to develop their own sports fastback model. One concept car was the Tarpon, a sports fastback based off the small compact Rambler model. Sadly, designers at AMC decided to instead base the actual Marlin production sports fastbacks off of the larger Rambler Classic series of cars because the cars were more similar to the Dodge Charger in size.

Looking back, you just can't help but wonder what a big success some awesome 390 cubic inch powered little fastback sports Rambler could have been. For little AMC, this might have a major missed opportunity.

Pharmacy Cut Off Brittany Murphy's Prescription Drugs

When it was found out by Eddie's Pharmacy in Los Angeles that the late actress Brittany Murphy was using hundreds of prescription pills a month under an alias name, the pharmacy cut her off. Records from the pharmacy show that the late actress was prescribed as many as 400 pills one month for example.

Records also indicate that one of the drugs that the late actress sought were hydrocodone(Vicodin, an opiad analgesic drug, that is used for severe pain relief, but has a very high psychological dependence problem for some persons who abuse this drug). The actress also sought out vicoprofen(which is a combination drug with both vicodin and ibuprofen, prescribed for pain and probably inflammation issues). A third type of drug that the actress sought out were antiaxiety drugs such as clonazepam or Klonopin.

Interestingly, one Dr. Richard Kroop was responsible for all of the prescriptions. including the one's written under the alias name as well. According to a report by TMZ, authorities paid a visit to the medical office run by Dr. Kroop on Friday, which may indicate an ongoing investigation into the causes of death of the late actress.

Octomom Could Lose Home

Octomom, Nadya Suleman, is apparently a victim of one of those bad sub-prime loan arrangements to buy a home. According to one report, she must make a $450,000 balloon payment by Tuesday, or else faces foreclosure. Further, Suleman has fallen behind on a monthly payment of $4139 monthly as well, only complicating her situation.

It further appears that the seller to Suleman couldn't afford the house either, so sold it to her with the outrageous payment arrangements because it was what he owed on the property. What a mess. Lawyers are going to have their work cut out for them here.

Back in January, THE WASHINGTON POST ran this photo of the house and an unidentified woman carrying balloons in for the children.

Heil No! Outrageous New Photo Shoot From Woman Linked To Jesse James

Jesse James sure knows how to pick 'em. One day after the awful news about an affair rocked the marriage of Jesse James and Sandra Bullock, TMZ obtained these outrageous photos of the woman reportedly linked to the affair with James. Reportedly, she even has a swastika on her stomach as well as symbols for "White Power" on her legs.

The outrageous photos have only to be the latest blow to the marriage of Sandra Bullock and her husband, Jesse James. And probably, they leave Sandra Bullock today asking, "Why?"

Michelle McGee, the woman in the photos is a tattoo model. And her husband's lawyers used her interest in the Nazi-era as one basis to seek to seek custody of the children from the failed marriage.

Sandra Bullock & Jesse James Marriage Bombshell Story

The marriage of very popular award winning actress Sandra Bullock and Jesse James has been hit by a huge adultery scandal bombshell story according to TMZ and other news sources. The marriage may even be headed for a split as well.

According to the latest report by TMZ, Jesse James has offered an apology to the actress by way of a message to PEOPLE magazine, claiming that he used "poor judgment" after a woman claimed to be having an affair with popular TV motorcycle and custom car host and manufacturer.

James offered up a very sincere apology statement to his wife and children concerned about the "pain and embarrassment beyond comprehension" and the "grief" his own actions might have caused, while acknowledging that the "vast majority" of the allegations are "untrue and unfounded".

The marriage to Sandra Bullock is the third for the motorcycle enthusiast, who has two children from his first marriage to Karla James, and a daughter with former adult film star, Janine Lindemulder.

Jesse James claims to a descendant of the famous Western outlaw, Jesse James, and has some minor legal brushes of his own, especially as a young man when arrested for stealing cars. James also has had some involvement with motorcycle organizations such as The Hell's Angels and some other "1%" motorcycle clubs. However, as a businessman, James has successfully marketed his "bad boy" outlaw biker image into a massive money-making enterprise and gained a huge following of mainstream popularity.

Tiger Woods' Alleged Mistress Releases Claimed Explicit Text Messages

One of the alleged mistresses of Tiger Woods is causing him new embarrassment after releasing a round of some very explicit and nasty text messages that she claims were from the championship golfer.

Joslyn James, a former adult film star, released a series of claimed text messages from the Tiger, where he expressed an interest in golden showers, oral sex, slapping around, spanking, biting and ATM type sexual activities.

It is the last thing that the Tiger needs right now for such rough and crude text messages to hurt his attempts to revive his career and marriage. The claimed text messages could not have come at a worst time.

The last claimed text message from the Tiger to Joslyn James seemed to involve an angry breakup of the two and claims to James, "that you almost just ruined my whole life".

What emerges from the claimed text messages is an image of the Tiger far different than the squeaky clean image that Nike and the media created of the golf champion. At least, new endorsement deals will be far more difficult to achieve after the release of these messages if they prove to authentic.

Fess Parker, Star of DAVY CROCKETT & DANIEL BOONE Dead At 85

Fess Parker the popular star of the Disney's wildly popular DAVY CROCKETT and TV's DANIEL BOONE , has died at the age of 85 of natural causes. Fess Parker's character became such a hit in the 1950's that Disney was able to market more than $300 million of DAVY CROCKETT merchandise in 1955 such as raccoon skin style "coon skin" hats and other merchandise. Fess Parker's characters were pure marketing gold for Disney, and the largest movie or TV related merchandising bonanzas for that time. Kids in the 50's wanted to own all things DAVY CROCKETT in those days.

Fess Parker's DANIEL BOONE TV series was also a huge hit, and ran six seasons from 1964 until 1970. Popular singer Ed Ames played the Native American sidekick, Mingo, in most of the series. For the Fall 1965 season, the series was broadcast by NBC in their new "living color" system. During the 1969-70 season, former NFL football great, Roosevelt Grier, made a series of regular appearances in the series as a new character.

Fess Parker seemed a natural actor for both the DAVY CROCKETT and DANIEL BOONE roles. He was one of the greatest Western style actors of all time. During the 50's and 60's, Westerns were wildly popular, and Fess Parker's roles as an early pioneering type of Western actor seemed tailor-made for audience tastes in those days.

Life for Fess Parker after DANIEL BOONE involved developing a top-notch family vineyard winery with fine quality wines sold in better wine shops. Fess Parker continued to sell coon skin caps as well.

Interestingly, the real life Daniel Boone actually disliked coon skin caps, and instead wore felt hats. However, coon skin caps were once very popular among White settlers to the United States as hunting caps. Originally, the coon skin cap was a Native American Indian clothing item, however White settlers loved the style and quickly adopted it for themselves.

Happy St. Paddy's Day To Ya!

Well, happy St. Paddy's Day folks.

And, as my yearly tradition goes, here's my old Irish saying that really isn't an old Irish saying.....

"May wee Alan Hale be fat to you in the mornin'"

A happy drinking holiday to you all. Have fun. But be safe.

New MG2 Spy Shots

Since the Chinese company Nanjing Automotive Group purchased the assets and name of the famous British brand of MG cars back in 2005, you knew it would only be a matter of time before the product line would be revamped and re-introduced. Here's a spy shot of the new MG2 which should debut sometime in April around the world after it debuts at the huge Beijing Auto Show.

Some major companies in China such as in the auto industry get help from the government, which views such investment as an important stake in the country's future. When Nanjing Automotive Group and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation considered a merger, the government actively encouraged the marriage of the two to create a stronger automobile giant that would be able to compete in world markets. The new MG2 is currently being tested in Australia, where it likely might see some serious marketing. In the U.S., the new MG2 might see some distribution by way of the Chilean importer, SKBerge.

Seth Rogen To Star As THE GREEN HORNET Soon

Big news for fans of THE GREEN HORNET is that Seth Rogen will cast as the crime-busting newspaper publisher in the new movie due out soon. The film is scheduled for release somewhere between June 25- December 22, 2010. Black Beauty will be back too, this time as a customized 1960's vintage Imperial with machine guns popping out of the hood. Kato, who was played by martial arts expert Bruce Lee in the 1960's TV series is set to be played Taiwanese actor and singer Jay Chou. Christoph Waltz, who just won the Oscar for best supporting actor, will be cast as the villain in the film.

Since the 1990's there have been some attempts to get a GREEN HORNET film made. One early attempt involved having George Clooney play the lead role.

Seth Rogen will as also co-write the script for the film which started as a radio series in the 1930's. The main character, Brit Reid is a millionaire newspaper publisher disgusted and fed up with crime who roams at night as a vigilante crime fighter. Often, THE GREEN HORNET portrays himself as another criminal to get in the favor of other criminals, but then sets the criminals up for a big fall. Unlike BATMAN or SUPERMAN who is are allies of the police, THE GREEN HORNET is at odds with the police who believe him to be another criminal element as well.