Confession: I love the Blue Collar Comedy Tour.  I may not be within their target demographic, but it is just so entertaining to listen to a fast-paced, tell it exactly like it is comedy set.  One of my favorites is the iconic redneck Larry the Cable Guy (also known as: Dan Whitney.)  With his “Git-r-Done!” catch phrase, Larry has defended the Right to Bare Arms in tours, movies and television specials.

On March 15, we get to see Larry in rare form: not behind a microphone, but still laughing at himself.  The two time Grammy nominee will face his peers in Comedy Central’s Roast in a night of jokes without reservations.  Each roast takes on a life of its own…anything can happen and it usually does.

“It is an honor that COMEDY CENTRAL has chosen me to be roasted,” Larry said.  “Only a handful of folks have been dumb enough to accept. And believe me, I’m pretty dumb!”

So you can bet I’ll be tuning in, I don’t care who you are, this special is sure to be funny!

“I act because I love it, not because I want to be a movie star.”

Daniel Craig

Super Bowl commercials is every advertiser’s time to step outside of the box.  But a cellist during football’s greatest night, is that really the right fit?  Hyundai thinks so and is featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma’s music in their 2009 Super Bowl ads.

If classical music isn’t unique enough, Hyundai is taking the commercial to the internet.  After the commercial airs, viewers can visit Hyundai’s website to put their own spin on the commercial by editing their own version of the ad.

I admit that I am a Super Bowl reverse-viewer (at the party for the ads, not the game) and I think the soothing sounds of a cellist will be a welcome change.  Instead of constantly one-upping the competition, Hyundai is taking its image back to basics.  And you can guarantee that I will edit my own version of the commercial, maybe Hyundai needs a little Kenny G too….

Wow, Hillary Clinton spent a lot of money in the race for the Democratic nomination. She still owes in the neighborhood of $6 million dollars and hopes to clear the debt up before she can be appointed Secretary of State later this month. But have no fear Hillary, Jon Bon Jovi is here to save the day.

Bon Jovi is still rocking and looking amazing (what kind of face cream does this guy use?) and his loyalty extends to holding a benefit concert to help wipe out Clinton’s debt. The January 15th concert at Manhattan’s Town Hall is being called “A Final Evening in Support of Hilary Clinton for President Debt Relief”. Whew, that’s the longest concert title I’ve ever seen. If you haven’t seen Bon Jovi in concert, let me tell you, he’s worth the dough. Buy a ticket and you’ll help Clinton get out from under a big burden so she can give her full attention to being a great ambassador for the US.

Tickets are available here.

Wow.  I don’t even really know where to start with this post.  Basically, Mae is at the top of my list of awesome bands right now.  I was obsessed with their Everglow album back in the day, but I kind of lost track of them after that.  They have just earned themselves a permanent place on my music radar thanks to their latest project. Read more »

*Begin Spazz*

I have ADD. No joke. Ok, maybe I just think I have ADD. Anyway, I was pro-surfing the Internet, which for me usually involves checking out all the music sites I don’t get to check out on a regular basis. And somehow I ended up on Katy Perry’s website, then Katy Perry’s blog - neither of which have I ever visited before.  And then…and THEN! I found THIS gem!!!:

http://katyperryblog.tumblr.com/post/55437912/this-was-done-for-the-radio-station-nova-in-aus <— CLICK IT!!!!

Oh.my.gosh.

First of all, I love the original Sam Sparro version of that song with all my heart anyway. Such a great jam. It’s my ringtone for my sister because she was the awesome kid who blessed me with its discovery.

But Katy, Katy, Katy. The voice! The guitar! The backup vocalist! I love it! Kudos, girl! Ku-dose!

*End Spazz*

Now that the holidays and all the festivities are over, it feels good to be back in the NOssiping game.

Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk is also back in the game, literally, with the 10th installment in his video game series set to release sometime this year.  Hawk says this game is the best one yet, so I’m having a tough time wrapping my mind around how cool it must be.  I have to admit, though I’m a girl I definitely own Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1-3.  For PS1.  I am old.

While Hawk no longer competes professionally, he has been keeping busy between video game releases by continuing to hone his skateboarding skills and doing charity work.  His most recent project combined fruitcakes, Facebook, and regifting into a fundraiser for his Tony Hawk Foundation.  The foundation “seeks to foster lasting improvements in society, with an emphasis on supporting and empowering youth. Through special events, grants, and technical assistance, the Foundation supports recreational programs with a focus on the creation of public skateboard parks in low-income communities. ” Read more »

Due to the recent decline in the economy, Brooks and Dunn, not the country duo — Tampa Bay Buccaneers Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn, were forced to cancel their upcoming golf tournament.  Six weeks before the big day, the event was only at 1/3 of their target donation level and organizers could no longer see the event as feasible.

But both players didn’t let a little cancellation interfere with their giving spirit.  Each is still giving back in a huge way.  Warrick Dunn will take part in the NFL Superbuild to build 6 homes for habitat for humanity just in time for the SuperBowl.  Derrick Brooks will take part in the Ebony Fashion Fair in Tampa Bay later this year.

The economymay not be at its best this month, but these two players’ giving spirit is definitely Pro Bowl material.

In November, a group of Chicago students made national headlines with their version of TI’s However You Like - Vote However you Like. But what I did not know is that these students are from The Ron Clark Academy in south Atlanta founded by teacher and author Ron Clark.  Clark, author of The Essential 55, began the school with proceeds from his book and private donations to educate children in one of Atlanta’s poorest neighborhoods.

This Christmas, the school receieved a very surprising gift, a letter from Oprah Winfrey.  While her insipiring words were reason enough to celebrate, the $365,000 check surprised the entire school.  Tuition for each student is $14,000 a year and Clark seeks out private donors to pay for a majority of each child’s share.

”We teach school all day and fundraise at night,” Clark said.  ”To have an unsolicited gift come like that is incredible.”

Oprah’s gift will fund 26 children’s education for a year.  So not only can the students Vote However they like….they can learn however they like.

I can’t believe today is the last day of 2008.  The last day.  I am still writing 2007 on my checks.   A lot has happened in 2008 that I will not forget and The NOssip’s first three months is definitely the high point.   Every day on this website is a joy, writing about the news everyone should hear just makes me smile.  I am so excited for what 2009 will bring so 8 minutes before the new year begins here is my top ten nossips (next year’s resolution: do not procrastinate!)

1. Rock ON:  Third Day really does rock and I hope everyone that read this post realized it too.  To hear Mel’s personal review of the concert and cause made this post extremely special.  Oh, and making Mark’s Twitter stream was just the icing on the cake.

2. ScarJo - Fighting AIDS on the FRont Line: The first official nossip story.  Reading Alicia’s finished product really inspired me as the first evidence that this could really be something huge.

3. Delta: In this LIfe: I was a fan of Delta’s music before I wrote this story, but to research her history made me truly a fan of Delta.   Her struggles in her short life make her hit song much more meaningful and her story is one of survival rather than pity.  She is truly talented inside and out.

4. Good INdeeds:  Paulo reaching out to his readers on social media is a wonderful sign of our times.  I hope other authors follow suit.

5. Thanks for Giving YA’ll: I wrote this post for my grandmother who is a huge fan of Paula Deen.  I was happy to see that Paula saw a problem and brought her own unique solution to help solve it.  Hopefully residents of the Tennessee Valley seized the opportunity to get their aprons and give back to a region that needs it.

6. Tinkerbell Can Keep CRuising: I loved this story, mainly because it garnered the opportunity to write celebupet.  Only in California would dogs gain this much attention.

7. Celebrities 1, Tabloids 0: Way to go Josh.  Sometimes the tabloids need to be put in their place and I’m so glad this fabricated story was brought to justice.

8. Let’s HUg it Out:  I visit this post about once a week just to see Mark’s skit again.  Nossip isn’t just about charity, I love that making others laugh can be news in itself.  My friends are a little tired of hearing “Say hi to your mother for me,” but it is definitely my classic line of 08!

9. You’ve Got…BOoks:  Tom Hanks likely saved this bookstore with one night.  In our current economy, businesses across America will face the harsh reality of closing their doors forever.  I hope other celebrities follow suit and save the small businesses like Village Books that are an iconic part of our society.

10. Scott CAres…Do You Care?: I enjoyed writing this post so much.  Scott’s charitable contributions are only matched with his huge personality.  His work on one night is just amazing and I cannot wait to hear the breakthroughs the research team at the Cleveland Clinic can reach due to his grants.