You spend a lot of time chasing the other sex (in some cases, chasing the same sex) and wooing them with dinners, gifts and compliments. Once you find that you have compatibilities, you move to monogamy with the person pledging that you will only spend quality time with them. From there, the games stakes are increased with the chances of moving in together.

When you move in together with your mate, to borrow a phrase from De La Soul, "The Stakes are High" You are faced with the decision of do you love this person enough to commit to them for the rest of your lives, or until you hire the most incredible fixer, divorce lawyer. You have to deal with their weaknesses, just like they will have to deal with some of your small flaws. After all those steps, once you make the ultimate decision, you still have to weigh various issues that surround having joint decisions.

After the big day with all the pomp and circumstance, you get married. That is not enough. You make the ultimate sacrifice and you have a child together. You plan and get lucky in the life lottery and pop a child out of a very small hole.

AROD is now wondering if it was all worth it, now that he is about to get a divorce. His wife didn't like his late night creeping,

and coming out of Madonna's house at all hours.

Or, maybe it was coming out of the casino with the adult movie star…. Anyway, she has had enough…

MIAMI (AP)—Alex Rodriguez's wife will file for divorce Monday, according to media reports.

Cynthia Rodriguez, who married the New York Yankees star in 2002, said the marriage is over because of the All-Star third baseman's extramarital affairs, according to reports that appeared Sunday on the Web sites of Houston television station KTRK and The Miami Herald.

The reports come just days after Alex Rodriguez was linked to Madonna in various media outlets and Cynthia Rodriguez's subsequent visit to the Paris home of rocker Lenny Kravitz, who said she came to France to escape the media frenzy in New York and denied that anything improper had happened.

Houston attorney Earle Lilly, who said he was hired by Cynthia Rodriguez last week to launch the divorce case, told KTRK the star's "relationship with Madonna was the final straw for Mrs. Rodriguez."

Rodriguez's wife also is represented by attorneys Maurice Kutner and Anthony Sabatino of Miami and John Van Ness of Houston, the Herald reported.

"She feels that she has exhausted every opportunity to salvage the marriage, and that Alex has emotionally abandoned her and the children and has left her with no choice but to divorce him," Kutner told the newspaper.

The former Cynthia Scurtis and Rodriguez were married Nov. 2, 2002, in Dallas. They have two children, Natasha Alexander and Ella Alexander, who was born April 21.

The suit is expected to be filed early Monday in Miami-Dade County Family Court. The court's Web site did not list any divorce filing involving Cynthia Rodriguez late Sunday.

Lilly didn't immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press.

Alex Rodriguez has refused to comment on his relationship with Madonna, who denied any romantic involvement with the slugger in a statement posted Sunday on people.com.

"My husband and I are not planning on getting a divorce," Madonna said. "I know Alex Rodriguez through Guy Oseary, who manages both of us. I brought my kids to a Yankee game. I am not romantically involved in any way with Alex Rodriguez.

"I have nothing to do with the state of his marriage or what spiritual path he may choose to study," the statement continued, apparently referring to reports that the singer had introduced the ballplayer to the form of Jewish mysticism known as Kabbalah.

I watched Nashville Star last night and was very disappointed that Nashville and country music were being represented so poorly.  Frankly, it was embarrassing.  If that's the best finalists they can come up with then something is terribly amiss in their marketing strategy or our format is in serious trouble.  I think a couple of the contestants were okay and have potential, but there was only one future star on stage and that was Natalie Hemby.

No she's not a finalist, but rather was the backup vocalist for Blake Shelton on his performance of "Home" last night.  I recently saw Natalie during a showcase at The Rutledge and she is a phenomenal songwriter and vocalist.  Exactly what the country format needs more of as opposed to what is being delivered by Nashville Star.  Go check out Natalie here.  Give a listen to her songs, especially "The Bees", "Place To Shine", and a brand new song she wrote entitled "Wailing Wall".  Even in its demo form it kills.

During the evening I was also reminded how much Nashville labels need to get off their lazy haunches and go discover real artists as opposed to relying on the conveyor belt of talent shows and retreads from other formats.

It is supremely talented artists like Natalie that keeps my hope alive for this town.

Product (RED), which we've covered before, announced a new offering yesterday designed to create a steady stream of donations for The Global Fund through a music subscription service. The yet-to-be-named service will offer consumers, for $5.00 per month, access to 3 new pieces of exclusive content each week (two of them digiatl song downloads). Half of the subscription revenue will go directly to The Global Fund, while the other half will go to the artists and record labels who contribute content. From the New York Times:

Each week (RED)'s service will deliver two songs in MP3 format, one from a superstar act like U2, whose frontman, Bono, was a co-founder of (RED), and one from a less established artist. The third piece of content will be a "crackerjack surprise," a song, video or short story. The idea is to appeal to Internet users who are interested in music but alienated by commercial radio or the chaos of some online music sites.

The best part of this new offering, which will launch in September, is that it's helping create a steady stream of donations for AIDS charities associated with The Global Fund. At the same time, (RED) is gaining donations without necessarily increasing the physical consumption of products, which it has been criticized for in the past.

Additionally, the service will be a good way for consumers who are interested in discovering new music do so while also helping them contribute to a good cause (though some might still argue that the $5/month donation should be given directly to The Global Fund rather than being used to get something in return).

While we'll be eager to see how this new offering is received in the marketplace, it's good to see that (RED) is constantly looking for new and different ways to connect with consumers beyond its existing lineup of Product (RED) goods.

Learn more at the New York Times or Product (RED).

A lot of PUMA hacks across the blogopshere have been quiet the last few days about recent poll numbers showing Obama gaining as massive lead on McCain. This is funny to me because orginally folks were citing the early national polls as proof of Obama's unelectability. Orginally, media pundits derided the Newsweek polls which gave Obama a double digit lead, but now, as more polls crop up confirming this lead, everyone seems to have gone silent on this issue. Listen, my message here is simple if you predicated your support of a primary candidate on his or her electability because you thought Obama just couldn't win, polls are starting to confirm that yes, you are in fact an idiot. Here's another component of the message that i just don't get, countless numbers have implied that Clinton's vast experience (although no one has taken me up on the challenge to identify one bit of her past which constitues executive experience)  made her the better political operative for winning in November while at the same time deriding Obama for gaming the DNC and the system. If its true that Obama gamed the system, doesn't this by definition make him the better political operative? Quit trying to have it both ways, fall in line, and if you don't, don't try to "win back the party" you fucking quit the party remember? You're done here, and if you're not buying the unity schtick that Obama, Clinton, and the DNC are schilling, then go vote for McCain and spend another election night in November watching the candidate you support crash and burn. It's sweet finally being on the winning team, and its even sweeter knowing that this team is going to be the democrats this time. Thanks for nothing. That being said, I've already donated some money to retire Clinton's debt and I can't wait to watch their joint event.

Austin360.com has an article on bands dealing with the economics of being on the road.

Comedic legend George Carlin died (he loathed the term "passed away" so I'll refrain from using it here) of heart failure on Sunday; he was 71 years old.  I'm sure some of you old-timers out there have fond memories of Carlin from his earlier comedy stuff ("7 words you can't say on television" comes to mind) but I was first introduced to this legend when he portrayed futuristic time traveler and rock n' roll aficionado Rufus in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.  This was one of my favorite films growing up and for some reason, in spite of his vast career repertoire, I still associate Carlin as an integral piece that makes this film.  Obviously I have heard/seen large portions of his stand-up as well as his multitude of other TV and movie appearances so I can attest to his versatility as an actor and his rightful position as a true comedic legend but for some reason it all comes back to Carlin as Rufus, telling Keanu and Alex Winter (what happened to this dude?) to "be excellent to each other."  Sometimes angry and aggressive, other times gentle and inviting, always good for a laugh: George Carlin, you will be truly missed.

By many accounts, the recent “fireside chat” meeting held for ticket brokers by Ticketmaster and new partner TicketsNow answered a lot of questions. But, one of the top concerns that continues to haunt some brokers is their belief that they are being frozen out of receiving access to premium seats to some of the hot concerts of the year, an issue that neither Ticketmaster nor TicketsNow moved to dispel.

The two companies’ CEOs, Sean Moriarty of Ticketmaster and Cheryl Rosner of TicketsNow, addressed many of the concerns that brokers have concerning how the two industry giants will behave in the marketplace, but on at least the issue of how premium tickets are ending up on TicketsNow or Ticketmaster’s TicketExchange before the public had a chance to purchase them, questions remain. TicketNews obtained a recording of the May meeting in Las Vegas, and in this story, the second part of a in-depth series on the results of the meeting, Moriarty essentially said that artists are to blame for how premium tickets are sold before the public has a chance to buy them. While he did not say that Ticketmaster itself is placing tickets on those two websites, the practice of tickets turning up on those sites before they go on sale to the public will continue, but he refused to disclose the specific sources of those tickets.

“Tickets get onto TicketExchange a bunch of different ways. Members of the general public, in some cases, I’m sure the ticket brokers, and in some cases artists want to sell tickets directly to the public,” Moriarty said. “It’s a platform.”

What it comes down to, Moriarty believes, is “Who is best equipped to help artists find” the best value for their tickets?

“I think the trend that you’re seeing is artists in the concert category saying, ‘Gosh, we now know that there is a market value for our tickets, we understand full well, that it’s much higher than what our tickets are priced at, and we want our initial public offering, if you will, to recognize that value, or as much of it as we can get’,” he added.

Artists are have begun to negotiate with “every player” in the ticketing in the business, Moriarty said, whether it’s “Ticketmaster or StubHub or individual and local brokers,” and he believes that more artists will begin placing tickets directly on secondary ticket websites to maximize revenue.According to Moriarty, artists started asking Ticketmaster to be able to use the company’s ticket auction platform about four years ago to “get as close to what they thought market value was in forum that was fair.”

It’s grown from there, to the point that now Moriarty believes that artists will routinely survey the ticketing landscape and see where they can maximize their revenue.

But as to how and where tickets are ending up on TicketsNow, or the TicketExchange marketplace, Moriarty refused to offer specifics, instead leaving it up to brokers to speculate how and where tickets are coming ending up on those two locations.

“I’m not in the business of disclosing the individual client practices to the general public. I think that’s bad practice, and I don’t think anyone in this room would like their business put forth in front of the general public,” Moriarty said. “I don’t think it makes any sense.”

However, Moriarty tried to stress that Ticketmaster doesn’t make the decisions to place specific inventory on the TicketExchange, TicketsNow or any other location. Those decisions are up to artists and promoters. “They’re not our tickets,” Moriarty said. “That’s an important point, guys.” But, Ticketmaster could purchase tickets themselves from the promoters/artists and then place them wherever they want, which Moriarty never addressed.

“I’ve read in the paper, for example, that Ticketmaster has been moving tickets from one site to another, but we’ve never been in the business of doing anything like that. We make the tickets available through us by our clients, through our channels, in the way that they instruct us. And, you can take that to the bank,” Moriarty said.

In the case of Radiohead, and Van Halen in the fall of 2007and others, premium tickets were posted on TicketsNow or the TicketExchange within minutes of the general public offering, but those tickets were held back and not available to fans or brokers. And, even if they had been made a available, it would have been physically impossible for someone to purchase those seats (dozens of them) and turn around and post them on TicketsNow or the TicketExchange with the two to three minutes between when tickets went on sale and when they were re-posted.

Moriarty said he believes in transparency when it comes to the industry, but he stops short of endorsing full disclosure of when, where and how many tickets are made available through different channels. Some states, including Connecticut, are considering legislation to require promoters, venues and ticket companies to initially release at least 75 percent of tickets for any event. While he didn’t speak specifically for or against that measure, Moriarty said he would not like to be forced to disclose how many tickets are available for an event or the sources from which they came.

There are a lot of people who have said that Obama engaged in race baiting to win the democratic primary. Others have suggested race helped and will continue to help him in this campaign. Look at that button, let it sink in. It's no different than the Clinton Nutracker. Neither of them or funny (well both of them are kinda) but both of them make me want to wretch. And so do people who think racism isn't pervasive. (And for those folks annoying enough to engage in the Sexism is worse than Racism game please STFU already you're an idiot who proves why identity politics discussions are always annoying). As a buddy of mine Jane said the other day "you're a sexist, now what do you want repairations or something?" America fucking sucks. (Thanks to B. Smith for the button).

And in an unlrelated note: Allez les Bleus! 

Once again Obama proves to be nothing more than a Will-o’-the-Wisp, a sort of ethereal other-worldly presence that either possess you fully a la The Exorcist, or he creeps the s*#% out of you a la …um…The Exorcist.  For some people he is too liberal, for others too conservative.  I think this is mainly due to the fact that he really represents nothing.  You can either project your hopes and dreams onto him, or your worst nightmares.   Many of us however see him for exactly what he is, an empty suit.  When I lived in Spain they had a word for someone like Obama.  Someone who you can never quite pin down, who is always changing to suit the environment he is in.  They call such people fantasmas–the Spanish word for ghost.  

Gary, when you were in Spain did you notice that this term "fantasmas" was used most frequently when referring to moors? How about you call Obama what you really think he is, a spook.

And as a final question, how could you possibly commend the Democrats who refused to back Obama for being too liberal? Particularly when you so poingantly disagree with that claim. It actually hurts a little  to see you folks grasping and clawing for relevance in a world that has left you so far behind. That's enough for now, back to my latte (Or is it kool-aid, since I am, you know, a nigger?).

[Update: First of all, the idea that not backing the Presidential Nominee from your party is hardly new, Jim Marshall of Georgia (who isn't backing Obama) also didn't back Kerry. And lest you think this is a Democratic game, there are 14 GOP congresspeople who aren't backing McCain (yes, that's 8 more than the total number of congressional democrats not backing Obama). Obama - 1, McCain - 0. ]

Well, my proms weren't shit compared to this one…

That is tight to have Ashanti, Lloyd and some other chick I have never heard up by the name of JoJo… I guess that she has done some things in Hollywood, like Kids say the Darnest Things, and was on Oprah. Like all people in Hollywood, singing is the next arena to break into after you have conquered the big or small screen. This is more information on her from askmen.com

For a girl barely in her teens, JoJo has accomplished quite a bit. Her singing talent brought her early success on TV shows like Kids Say the Darndest Things, The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Rosie O'Donnell Show. Although she didn't win the America's Most Talented Kids competition, the experience gave her contacts that eventually led to a multi-album recording contract. This, in turn, led to a debut release, JoJo, which climbed the charts and spawned record-breaking singles like "Leave (Get Out)" and "Baby It's You."

However, JoJo's fame is still nascent. JoJo may be well-known in tween and teen circles, but she still has far to go before she'll be considered the next Britney. Only time will tell if she has staying power, and isn't just another flash in the teenybopper pan.

Fellas, take a chill pill on this one, as she is old enough to be going to the prom with a date, as she is only 16. We here at Too Old don't want the "moment on the hips and a lifetime of taking… " well you know what happens in prison, especially to children offenders… be forwarned…

This jam reminded me of this crew called the Trackrunners that Steve came across a few months ago who also did some tracks a bit more specifically about the Warriors. Their more popular Warriors song is called "Game Time" a portion of which is featured in the video (the full track can be heard on their myspace page):

The Trackrunners also have a track on their myspace page (linked above) called "Be Right back" which is certainly worth a listen.

Both of the above songs are kinda tight in their own way and certainly way better than some of the lame songs I've heard over the years repping other professional sports teams (I'll spare you the videos made by the Chicago Bears and LA Dodgers in the 80's for your sake).

Speaking of bay area basketball, I know it was hard for Steve to watch but how about local Oakland boy Leon Powe coming HUGE against the Lakers in game two last night? As if planned and orchestrated by the folks at ABC, Powe goes for 21 coming off the bench to help lead the Celtics to a game 2 victory on the same night ABC does a special on him (coming up on the streets of Oakland) for the half-time coverage. I was rooting for the Lakers because I generally detest (as a rule) all fans of New England area teams but at least it was Oakland Tech and Cal hoops alumnus Powe that did them in.

Lemme know what y'all think about those tracks...

LANCE SMITH
Video host/personality CMT

Previous Positions: Bartender, shoe salesman, struggling actor

Years in the biz: 10

Marital Status: Married, 3yrs

Kids: 2 dogs

I know you have an interesting schedule, but what compromises a typical day for you?  It all depends on the day. My work load can be very sporadic. But typically when we shoot the Top 20 Countdown, I arrive around 8:30am, make-up at 9:00, rolling by 10:00. This all, of course, is dependent on my coffee intake that morning. Sometimes we don’t roll until 11:00. Then, if we have an artist on the show that day we shoot what we can around their interview. When the artist arrives we tape the interview and then wrap everything else up when they leave. On a shoot day I’m usually gone between 4:00 and 5:00

Have you appeared in any movies or television shows other than CMT? If so, which ones?  I had small parts in Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector, as well as Delta Farce, also starring Larry the Cable Guy. I’m not stalking him. I’m just managed by Parallel Entertainment in LA. They handle the Blue Collar guys along with some other really great talent… and then there’s me.

What are the biggest changes you have seen happen in the music business? How about CMT?As for the music business, what hasn’t changed? Let’s face it, technology dictates our future, both in and out of the business. Adapt or move out of the way. Luckily Nashville (and the country music business) has always moved at its own pace but eventually change does come. As for CMT I would say the biggest change is the number of hats the network must wear. Are we a music channel? Sure. But with music and videos so readily available through a wide variety of formats CMT has to offer so much more to that same audience.

What was the most memorable experience you have had in your career?  Touring. I’ve hit the road on a few major tours including the Dixie Chicks, Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts. And with respect to those artists, it has nothing to do with them. You can watch all the YouTube videos you want and search MySpace for days but you don’t really connect with people until you get off the bus at some random Steak and Shake in Nebraska at midnight and talk with the night shift.

What other projects are you involved with besides those with CMT?  There’s always an iron or two in the fire but I’m most excited about a children’s book I’m publishing and releasing early this fall. It’s titled The Old Man and The Cat and I can’t wait to get it out there. It’s a story poem in the form of a picture book. Buy it for a kid you know or the kid in you! (this plug brought to you without shame)

What is the most pressing problem the music business faces today?  Finding its balance once again and getting ahead of the curve.

Who has had the most influence on you in your career thus far? Why?  I wish I could answer that with a single name. But the truth is that I’m influenced by many people for many reasons. Anyone who’s shown real integrity and honesty.

What are your favorite televisions shows, web sites and/or blogs?  Is there anything else on other than CMT? (wink)

As for websites, everyone should spend some time on www.ted.com. The greatest ideas and discussions are born there. And I’m a big Rives fan (he’s a spoken word poet) so check out www.shopliftwindchimes.com.

Favorite place to travel or vacation?  The theater in my house.

What advice would you give someone wanting to get into the music business?  Have passion for the art first and foremost regardless of where you want to be in the business. After that, just be nice to people because you’ll see everyone again when you’re either sharing a place at the top or on the way back down to the middle.

What is the most significant change you have seen in the music and/or video industry?  It’s not really a change because it happens every decade but I love how everyone’s gone country. How many times does a pop/rock artist say “Well I’ve always wanted to make a country album.”? Wonderful. There’s room on the dance floor.

What are you looking forward to most?  Once again for the retail price of $18.50 this fall you can take home what’s sure to be a children’s classic for years to come! Buy two copies of The Old Man and The Cat by Lance Smith, one for you and one for a friend.

What do you like to do when you “unplug”?  Fish.

I’m ready for another round of “Rock Band”! What is the highest level or score you have ever posted?  I’m not really a score hound but I know I hit 200,000+ consistently. But you’ll have to come over because I got a second guitar so I’m a full on nerd!

What is your favorite charities?  ARC and Outlook Nashville

THANKS LANCE!

I'm not even sure if I would call it a "guilty pleasure" as opposed to just "a show I watch if it's on" but some of you high-brow intellectual readers and "richey people" out there might look down on it as trashy, so I'll keep it in my grouping with other reality TV for now. Whatever you want to call it, I love this show. Obviously a big-upping of my man Joey Greco goes hand-in-hand with this. For any of you poor, unfortunate souls out there who have not witness the greatness that is Cheaters, allow me to briefly summarize. Men or women who have a serious suspicion that their significant other is unfaithful call into the show and meet with host Joey Greco. Greco then sends his team of investigators (who appear blurred on camera for their protection) to conduct surveillance on the significant other. After they have collected enough evidence Joey Grecco takes the initial individual to confront his/her significant other (always while in a potentially compromising situation with another) and bedlam/hilarity ensues. If that description alone was insufficient to demonstrate the tightness of this show, perhaps this video will do the trick:

Yes, that was Joey Greco straight taking a knife to the stomach for the good of the show. While the stabbing resulted in a much larger security budget for the show, and hence less physical assault on Greco himself, they still allow a fair amount of tussling between the people featured in the episode. There are also ALWAYS crazy things that happen. I watched an episode a few weeks ago in which the woman caught her man having a threesome in a tattoo shop. I've seen women get their clothing tossed into a garbage bag and thrown out onto the street. There is ALWAYS somebody yelling. The phrase "who the fuck is this bitch" is commonplace. If you don't watch this show you must hate yourself.

As a convenient addition, the show has spawned an online dating service for people who have committed not to cheat. Of course the ultimate goal must now be to meet a woman via this service, cheat on her, and make it to the big show as a result.**

**Too Old for Maxim in no way endorses cheating, or being on Cheaters. We simply enjoy watching Cheaters. Understanding this important distinction could save your life.

Just like these desperate housewives that seemingly make a job out of sleeping around, Lindsey has the job on LOCK! Not that it stops with women; the men have something to say about it as well. According to Skillz, the year-end wrap up rapper, (say that five times fast!) you can't save your marriage from Superhead's couch… (If you need the explanation of all this, Bobby Brown admits cheating on Whitney with Karrine Steffans. Her claim to fame is her ability to provide good neck and brains, and her being with most of the rap community. A side note would be to give dap to Bill Maher, since he has also joined the crew. )

Just like his father, Landon has taken to rolling in fast circles, with even faster women. Bobby Brown's son Landon has taken the fruit from the poisonous tree or women who get around…like father like son…this time with our star of Too Old For Maxim's MTV Movie Awards, Lindsey Lohan. Here are Landon's words to describe the encounter…

"Me and Lindsay got really, really close ... She followed me into the bathroom during a private party and, well, we basically got together." ...

"I think she knew who I was when she first saw me," Landon explained, "We were just staring at each other and she walked by. Then she turned around and she was just ready to party. I walked into the bathroom and she followed me in."

After that night, the couple never pursued a relationship, which he regrets, he says. "It didn't end badly, but it did end weird," said Landon without elaborating. "I'm actually trying to get back in touch with her - really soon."

Usually it does end weird after you have sex with someone at a party, that you do not know at all…you were her plaything. An envious position clearly, but her plaything and that is it. But, my hat is off to you…

I've been quiet for the last few days because there are quite a few folks out there who are still mourning the Clinton's loss. Out of respect (sadly, i'm being serious) I decided against posting anything congratulatory about the truly historical victory and the associated transformation which is taking place in America. I will say. This post, written by one of the Pro-Clinton blogs I regularly trolled The Hillary 1000, was the most impressive reflection I've read from ClintonLand (specifically with the suggestion that PUMA/Pro-McCain folks are GOP operatives in drag). More reflections later, but I'm hesistant to celebrate until sometime after Saturday. Clinton is an amazing woman and a fierce politician (that's a good thing). She'll continue to do outstanding work and will hopefully have another shot at the white house as president (and hopefully that starts by being the veep). Remember folks, the distinctions between Obama and Clinton are aesthetic and nuanced. The differences between Clinton and McCain are substantive and significant. Let's get this one done or we'll only have ourselves to blame.

One of the few exceptions to that rule is Garth Brooks. He is the true artist for the fan and that was never portrayed more than at Fan Fair 1996 when he signed autographs and took photos with fans for 23 hours straight without a break.

You may call it a brilliant PR or marketing ploy, but the bottom line is that he took care of his fans first and foremost and they rewarded him for it.

Here's a short video of the master at work: 

In honor of the festival this week, check out this TNN video from Fan Fair 20 years ago. A lot has changed, but the fans keep coming back.

It would seem wise to catch the next generation of listeners while we still have the chance.  Offer them not only the latest music and content, but create innovative platforms to feed their "self broadcasting" lifestyle.  Engage them with podcasts, web sites, social networks, texting, and mobile.  Catch them before terrestrial radio loses its rank among their entertainment options, of which their are already too many.

It doesn't mean the older demo needs to be tossed aside since they are key targets for advertisers, but so are the younger demos.  There is a way to get the kid and their parents.  Country radio can be edgy, hip and play exciting new music right along with the safe superstars.  After all, we are a "family format" right? 

Give them REAL music variety within a framework of multiple platforms and we just may be able to hang on to the next generations.  How can it be done with a 15 or 20 song playlist?  There is no discovery or excitement in that.  It's time to move forward.  The format has a wealth of young and talented new artists to lead the way if given the opportunity.

The indications are that teens and twentysomethings find themselves currently apathetic to radio and if country radio doesn't welcome them in and create a demand then we will lose them.  You think ratings and records sales are hurting now?  Just wait till we let the new generation slip away as we follow the increasingly older demo up the mountain and off the cliff.

A handful of companies are trying to make it happen, but the majority still focus on the way things worked in the past and making decisions according to an outdated model.  There is incredible and unprecedented opportunity if we will just seize it.

Rock n' Roll guitar pioneer Bo Diddley died this morning due to heart failure at the age of 79.  Although the prime of his career was in the 50's and 60's making influential rock beats and guitar riffs that are still constantly covered today, I remember him most from the Bo Jackson Nike commercials from when I was a kid.  I was always a Bo Jackson fan and these commercials were brilliant marketing strategy when Nike really began to rise to prominence in the athletic shoe and apparel game.  But enough about shoes for now, this guitar legend had some silky smooth fingers which created hits later used by the likes of Clapton, Buddy Holly and the Rolling Stones.  The world lost a rock legend today...

The first thing that caught my eye was that Lindsey Lohan was in attendance. I started to wonder what she had done to be there, and then I remembered that anything that she was in, I wouldn't want to see anyway, so why should I care. Then the usual wardrobe malfunction that happens with her happened. At least this time, she was wearing undergarments.

I have always been in support of going commando, as I love our country. This is a girl that I run hot and cold on. In the past before all her drug and alcohol problems, she was pretty smoking hot…Even some of the recent Marilyn Monroe takeouts are artistic. Here is one of her pictures that make me think about my list and her place on the list. Plus, she is a sex addict, what a perfect combo! Snowboard daredevil Riley Giles throws his fears to the side and jumps in and talks about Lindsey and her addictions.

Riley revealed how Lindsay used orgasm after orgasm as a potent substitute for the huge chemical hits she was used to while partying.

He explained: "When you orgasm, your endorphins shoot up and it becomes a massive natural high. If you have an addictive personality like Lindsay you need that to replace the highs you got from taking drugs all the time. Sex became a key part of her recovery.

"And we didn't get out of bed for days. It was the perfect place—roaring fires with amazing views over the Sundance ski resort.

"The first time we had sex I couldn't believe I was looking down at Lindsay Lohan naked. We'd barely gotten through the door when we just ripped each other's clothes off.

"Lindsay is so hot. She has a great body. Her backside is fantastic, perfect, all plump and round.

"She has great curves but her belly is nice and flat and toned. We couldn't get enough of each other."

SO this is Extreme Daredevil… he kinda should be shocked that he is pulling premium box like this… It gives hope to all of you out there that if you develop a serious coke problem, and then go to rehab, you too can swoop on vixens that are looking to fill the place their drug addiction usually held.

Hopefully she will get back to acting…but she sucked at that, so get back to being the party girl that made us love you. I really don't know why you are at the MTV music awards, since you really can't sing and you can't act unless it's feigning ignorance at your various wardrobe malfunctions… I wonder where Miley Cyrus got the idea of the suggestive picture from?

I just figured out why she was there at the MTV awards. She must have won the legend award for most upskirt shots without panties on. Her contestants that she was competing against was Brittney Spears, but she has dropped out of the limelight, allowing Lindsey to take the line and win.

The other thing that was memorable for me was Rain Wilson, the guy who plays Dwight. His character on the Office is classic and Dwight is a pimp, no questions asked. Just like at the end of the season, he is macking the hoes… One of the other memorable Dwight moments is when he and Michael go to NY to hang out with Ryan. Dwight is pimping all the girls in the club and is making out with some woman from a college basketball team. She is all broken up with Dwight leaves her, like a true player, he leaves her wanting more.

At the Awards, he comes on the stage with only a bear around the groin with Megan Fox. I think that he would make it hard to present anything with only the bear, but Megan seems relatively composed.

This is for you Erik, your man and his girl enjoying each other's company at the awards

2008 MTV MOVIE AWARD WINNERS

BEST MOVIE - Transformers
BEST MALE PERFORMANCE - Will Smith, I Am Legend
BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE - Ellen Page, Juno
BEST VILLAIN - Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE - Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.
BEST FIGHT - Sean Faris, Cam Gigandet, Never Back Down
BEST KISS - Briana Evigan, Robert Hoffman, Step Up 2 The Streets
BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE - Zac Efron, Hairspray
BEST SUMMER MOVIE SO FAR - Iron Man
GENERATION AWARD - Adam Sandler

As an unabashed Obama “troll” (for the uninitiated this is someone who lurks around Clinton blogs with the audacity to even attempt to post rational arguments and engage in discussions with Clinton supporters) it's quite difficult for me to contain my frustration at some of the absurd observations/commentaries I read on the internets. Recently though, I was struck with the idea that maybe the Clinton folk just need some time to grieve properly.

In 1969, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross wrote a truly amazing work entitled On Death and Dying. A critical component of this work identifies the Kubler-Ross model which describes the five discrete stages by which individuals come to cope with tragic loss. Perhaps Dr. Kubler-Ross can contribute something to this election cycle. So let's don the white lab coats and play a little game of doctor.

Stage One – Denial

Now, I'm not the most mathematically inclined individual but how many of you folks actually believe the argument that “Hillary is ahead in the popular vote?” Despite the fact that this number requires the willful suspension of disbelief the Clinton blogosphere has eaten this one up. Not only do you have to assign Obama ZERO votes from the ENTIRE STATE OF MICHIGAN (yeah that's right, not a single person in Detroit voted for Obama) for this math to work but you also have to literally ignore every single caucus state voter. Needless to say, this has allowed some Clinton supporters to hold on to the idea that Clinton's still got a chance in this race. It's ok people, it's ok, you'll be alright.

Stage Two – Anger

I know friends don’t let friends vote republican, but I have had it! I’ve donated the legal limit to Hillary, I’ll get a part time job if I have to just to give the legal limit to McCain. Anything to prevent that creep Obama from making the next four years even worse than the past eight.

That's a quote from the comments section of my favorite Clinton site, the Confluence. Yeah, I feel a little dirty just increasing the number of sites that link to them, but hey, my candidate's going to win, so I don't feel so bad. And you know what, even if somehow she steals the election, I'll still vote for her, because I'm a democrat, not a total fucking coward. Sorry, that wasn't very helpful on my part. You'll be fine, I promise you folks will get through this yet.

Stage Three - Bargaining

How else do we characterize the pleas to ensure Clinton makes it onto the sorry side of the “dream ticket.” Last week, Time reported that Bill Clinton suggested Hillary was entitled to nothing less than Vice President. Sorry, Bill, it doesn't work that way, but everything will be ok. We'll come through this one together.

Stage Four – Depression

NYT reported on Depression setting in on the campaign months ago:

Morale is low. After 13 months of dawn-to-dark seven-day weeks, the staff is exhausted. Some have taken to going home early — 9 p.m. — turning off their BlackBerrys, and polishing off bottles of wine, several senior staff members said.

Some advisers have been heard yelling at close friends and colleagues. In a much-reported incident, Mr. Penn and the campaign advertising chief, Mandy Grunwald, had a screaming match over strategy recently that prompted another senior aide, Guy Cecil, to leave the room. “I have work to do — you’re acting like kids,” Mr. Cecil said, according to three people in the room.

There's a light at the end of the tunnel, I promise.

Stage Five – Acceptance

I haven't witnessed too much of this yet, but hopefully, below is an indication of the things to come:

]]> http://2oldformaxim.wordpress.com/2008/05/28/the-pain-of-fame-miley-cyrus-photo-scandal/ Wed, 28 May 2008 19:14:10 +0000 Steve http://2oldformaxim.wordpress.com/2008/05/28/the-pain-of-fame-miley-cyrus-photo-scandal/ Fame outweighs youth. You have to grow up early when you have your face plastered everywhere. You are an icon in the industry at a young age, but to quote Aaliyah and (I guess R. Kelly), Age is Just a Number…especially in the business. I think that is the main reason why I am finding it hard to have any sympathy for Miley Cyrus and her alter ego, Hanna Montana and the problems that she has caused for herself.

TEEN star Miley Cyrus has spoken for the first time about the recent picture scandals which have beset her career, confiding in a friend she's hurting inside.

Cyrus has lived most of her young life in the spotlight, but that hasn't stopped criticism from sections of the US media and her fans from affecting her.

So says her pal Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, who plays Ashley Dewitt on Hannah Montana.

"Sometimes I'll talk to her on the phone and she'll be like, 'It's really hard' or 'I'm really tired. I can't do this,' " Perez de Tagle said.

"But I'll always say, 'You do want to do this. You love your job.' And she's like, 'Yeah.' "

Perez de Tagle said Cyrus' friends avoid talking to her about the Vanity Fair controversy. "It really hurt her inside," she said. "She didn't know that people would look at it like that."

Perez de Tagle insists Cyrus is no different than most other teens: "When she's not busy, we usually go shopping, go bowling - do normal girl stuff."

If she thought that this would get him sympathy from people, she was clearly mistaken. At least for Vanity Fair, you can claim that you were taking direction under the world famous photographer, Annie Lebowitz. In these pictures, you have nobody to blame but yourself. And who is the fool taking the pictures?

What is so hard? Not putting your skanky ass on the internet with some totally geeky looking loser friend? Plus, look at the look on this dweebs face. Write the caption that he is thinking. Mine is, "Damn, I can't believe that I am about to get lucky…"

In these pictures you look like the proverbial myspace whore, a place for friends, I mean to hook up and act crazy

Now, sometimes it gets out of hand. The Daily Telegraph had this picture.

Here is how they labeled it…Miley Cyrus, engaged in risqué faux lesbian photo shoot with a friend. Seen on the Perez Hilton website.

What is risqué about this? Or what is so lesbian about this? It looks like two teenage girls mugging for the camera. Now, if her hand was on her in some way then, yes, I would say the same thing. But, for once, the media went too far…

wait, no they didn't…

Miley Cyrus said in an interview with Z100 New York:

"They're nothing bad!" she said. "At first, I was really upset. It really sucks. [The girl in the pictures] was a friend of mine that's a normal girl. [Now] she has to go to school and deal with this crap. It's two girls at a sleepover, and if all of a sudden that's bad, then what is the world coming to?

"What I decided -- before I came out to L.A. and started working -- was the minute I didn't have fun was the minute I go home," she continued. "I don't want to go home, and I don't want to not do what I do, because I love it. But this ... it's Satan attacking. It's not something I'm going to let slide. I'm really upset about it 'cause it was, like, not even a big deal."

Maybe the bad thing that she (Miley's friend) as to deal with is that she is a lesbian, and you might be too or at least bi-sexual… We are all for self-discovery and being whoever you want to be. But, first and foremost I am about the cake, a.k.a. the C.R.E.A.M. Your irresponsible behavior might cost a franchise where you can be as rich as the Olsen twins, maybe even richer. That is the problem that I have with you not thinking through the consequences of your actions. You are right. You are a girl, a teenager having fun. Did you ever stop to think, "Wow, I am having fun, but I don't think that I need pictures to commemorate my lesbian moment…" Or, better yet, how did the media get a hold of my private pictures? Most people have pictures that they take that they don't want other people to see. Many a girlfriend has sent me pictures to get me through the cold evenings. But, I don't show them around, and I certainly do not allow them to be posted on the internet! I like those pictures and I am always trying to get more. Allowing others to see might decrease the possibility of future, more open pictures.

You have to keep it in perspective. Here is your audience

That's right, teens and children. Yes, teens do stupid things, but you have to remember that YOU ARE A TEENAGER too! You have no business acting like the floozy that grown men are after. You need to remember that you are Hanna Montana, star to young girls and boys. You are only appealing to boys your own age, and dirty ass perverts. You are jeopardizing lots of money acting a fool. Wait until you're older to become Lindsey Lohan. It's funny with her, it's sad and depressing with you…