The Blog @ TerryLyons.com

GOP Mantra: When in doubt, blame it on Obama

2012-01-26T17:02:00.000-05:00

Somehow or another, first lady Michelle Obama and the Obama administration are being criticized for a public service campaign and a call for legislation to have our public schools serve more nutritious lunches to the children of the USA.

Go figure?

Ms. Obama's view: "When we send our kids to school," Obama said, "we have a right to expect that they won't be eating the kind of fatty, salty, sugary foods that we're trying to keep from them when they're at home."

Of course, brainwave Sarah Palin tries to manipulate the story to being a "government getting involved in something parents should be in charge of," but, of course, Palin overlooked the fact that the government subsidizes the public schools and their purchasing of lunch products and is already very much involved in the process.

The Obama initiative is only out to improve the dietary aspects.

Plus, some parents might not have the time nor inclination to fight the battle vs. their local school board to improve the lunch menu.

See: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505269_162-57366517/healthier-school-lunches-draw-controversy/?tag=morningFlexGridRight;flexGridModule

or watch here:

Marv with the Wild and Wacky!

2012-01-16T00:30:00.000-05:00

The annual Marv Albert tribute to the wild and wackyness in sports:

To Be Inspired ...

2012-01-15T02:00:00.000-05:00

Wendy Booker and the dog team in North Pole

BOSTON - JANUARY 14, 2012 -- It's two weeks into the new year, do you know where your resolutions are?

Wendy Booker does and she's keeping her promises. Booker is currently skiing to the South Pole and is ten days into a 17-day ski and sledding expedition which will complete the second leg of her amazing, three-prong, top of the bucket-list, mission impossible-type goal of tackling the Polar Trilogy. In April 2011, she booked to the North Pole and accomplished that feat with the little help of some Alpo and a determined team of canines. Come springtime this year or next, the vast ice covered tundra of Greenland will be in her sight to complete the three-part goal.

The Polar Trilogy attempt comes after a series of marathon runs, including Boston and its famed Heartbreak Hill, along with her mountain climbing treks which now includes successfully scaling six of the "Seven Summits," the highest mountains on each of the seven continents.

And, oh yeah, Wendy Booker, a 57-year old mother of three who lives in Boston and grew up in Westchester County, NY, has MS.

In June of 1998, Booker was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) after experiencing balance problems, blurred vision and numbness on her left side. Multiple sclerosis is a terrible condition which affects the body's central nervous system, the brain and spinal cord. MS is caused by damage to the myelin sheath, the protective covering that surrounds nerve cells. When this nerve covering is damaged, nerve signals slow down or stop.

The nerve damage is caused by inflammation and when the body's own immune cells attack the nervous system. This can occur along any area of the brain, optic nerve and spinal cord. The exact cause the disease is unknown but researchers have made significant strides in treating MS since the mid-1990s. . The most common thought is that a virus or gene defect, or both, are the cause but environmental factors may play a role. It is more likely to occur when there is a family history of MS, and, in general, more women are affected by MS than men. Booker's form of MS is RMSS which is characterized by partial or total recovery after attacks, also known as relapses or flares. Hers is the most common form of MS as approximately 85% of the people with MS initially begin with a relapsing-remitting course.

Upon being diagnosed in '98, Booker openly admits to following the very typical human response of picturing herself in a wheelchair and falling victim to the debilitating condition. She spoke of taking time to come to terms with the diagnosis. After that, she told a Rye, NY based reporter for AOL-Patch, "It's what happens after you get up from the couch that matters."

That's when Booker took charge of the rest of her life. A casual runner, she decided to enter a marathon to challenge herself and raise awareness for people living with MS. One marathon in the year 2000 became two, then three.

"We called ourselves, the 'Back of the Packers,' said Booker a few days before departing on her current jaunt to the South Pole. "I was so humbled to be running with them. Saucony, the shoe company, took 26 people with interesting stories, like my MS story, and called us the "Saucony 26," and while there were some good stories at the front of the race with the elite runners, the really cool stories were those about the people suffering in the back of the pack.

"I have my personal name for it and I call it the 'Wheaties Box phenomenon' and that is a term that describes the fact that we, as Americans, unfortunately, only embrace the winner, the gold medalist. In a race when first and second are decided by a hundredth of a second, nobody remembers who came in second. It is such a fleeting, fleeting moment. You get on that Wheaties Box and everybody knows you, but tomorrow? Nobody can remember."

Like most, Booker is drawn to the human interest stories, the story behind the story. And hers is certainly one to be told.

In 2002, at the age of 46, Booker joined a team of climbers with MS who were attempting to climb Mt. McKinley in Alaska. The first attempt did not bring her to the summit, but her next trip, in 2004, did, and she reached the top of the mountain on the second try and, in doing so, Wendy became the first woman with MS to ever conquer the 20,320-foot summit of Mt. McKinley, also known as Denali. She proved to the world that her MS condition would not keep her from pursuing her dream and she related her experience of scaling Mt. McKinley to Jerry Milani, an outdoor sports columnist for Bleacher Report, saying, that it reflected her past experiences with MS.

"It’s hard, it’s steep, it’s scary, we don’t always get to the top, and sometimes, we have to do things more than once," she said.

Since that climb, she has reached the highest summit of six of the seven biggest mountains on each continent—Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Elbrus, Mt. Aconcagua, Mt. Vinson Massif and Mt. Kosciuszko—with only Mt. Everest keeping her short of her goal of seven-for-seven. Mount Everest because of its height and extreme weather, forced her to turn back twice, but she remained passionate and is considering another attempt somewhere in the future.

"I like the human interest side of a story," she said. "What happens when you don't make it to the top of Mt. Everest? I wanted to roll over and die, but somehow, we re-create ourselves and we keep on going," she said looking back at her goal to scale the largest mountain in the world.
How, on earth, is it possible to have a woman, diagnosed with MS in 1998 run a slew of marathons, climb the highest mountains and ski/sled terrain that makes Lambeau Field in Green Bay (Wisconsin) seem like Waikiki Beach (Hawaii)?

Wendy committed to a healthy diet, exercise and a daily dose of COPAXONE® -- a glatiramer acetate injection which she "self injects" without reservation everyday. She has special equipment and storage for the drug when she is in the frigid confines of a mountain climbing expedition and speaks of taking the injection the same way one might consider popping a "One-a-Day" vitamin.

At one point, in 2006, early on in her fame as a marathoner, climber and inspirational speaker who works with others facing similar daunting tasks in daily life, she was asked to describe what "Woman Power" meant to her. "While I can always appreciate the fluff question, that question was "Wow, what a cool question.

In '06, I looked at myself as a product of so many of the women who went before me. And that is me, in particular because I was born in the '50s (the era of June Cleaver of the TV show "Leave it to Beaver' fame) and then the '60s when Gloria Steinem came in, then the '70s when we really began to make a statement of who and what we are. I found the 80s to be the hardest and that was when I chose to be a 'stay at home' Mom, but that was when we faced the crossroads and half of us went to work and the other half stayed at home and neither were sure they made the right decision.

"We looked at each other, one feeling guilty they left their kids and the other saying they weren't making any impact and I'm not making any money and therefore, I'm not worthy.

"Now, jump to 2011-12, and aren't I lucky that because of all of that, after 40 years - the 40 years of Title IX actually, I am truly the impact of that...the result.

"Now I can say, 'Look at the choices you have. Don't be limited by being told no, you are too old, you have breast cancer, you have MS. Now, you have a choice, you can go right or left and that is what I think is the power that women have.'

"I have to credit a lot of luck and a lot of people who have come across my path along the way," said Booker when she looks back at those ultra-important 40 years of time."

"I work, now, as a motivational speaker which is a joy, but I have my journey with MS and doing all this stuff, I say to people - what I call the 'Three S's. Self discovery, serendipity and stubbornness. And all three play into who and what I am. And serendipity is a fortuitous accident or luck and it's hard for people to believe you can put MS and fortuitous accident in the same sentence. But, I always think it made me more perceptive and receptive to the things going on around me that I would have missed.
"I get diagnosed for MS in the '90s, but prior to 1993, there were no drugs for this, there was nothing. When you were diagnosed prior to 1993, you were told to go home and prepare for a wheelchair. I come boppin' along in the late '90s just as these drugs were put on the market. I was put on one by a fabulous doctor at Harvard, one of the top in the country -- how lucky I am that I was living right here (in the greater Boston area). I get on this drug and in 14 years, I've never looked back."

The reason?

"In 1993, the first of the disease modifying therapies came out," explained Booker. "Mine was the second or third to come out. I asked the doctor, Dr. Weiner in Boston, 'If I were your wife or daughter what would you put me on?' And he put me on Copaxone, and I had no side effects. I've had a few bumps in the road, some flare-ups, but, basically very few problems and 14 years is a long time. The drug is showing a very good track record. It is easily tolerated. The beauty for an MS patient is that they can switch. If they are not happy with the one they are on, they don't feel well or they are getting a reaction from the injection, they can change. My advice is to get with a doctor, a neurologist who you can talk to openly because that neurologist is going to be your team leader.

"It's afforded me the ability to go on living my life. I don't think about it. If I can inject at 20,000 feet on a glacier, it's nothing when I'm home. It's like brushing your teeth. Anyone with MS can also call the drug manufacturer and get advice or information 24 hours a day, say you are having a tough time at the start with giving yourself an injection, they'll come out and help train you. They'll also help you with the finances, the insurance and its incredible user-friendly because the patient is so involved with the treatment."

"There's a lot out there. The national MS Society does an amazing amount of research with the money they raise. They are doing studies on childhood MS and they are doing a great deal of research which is how these drugs come to market. And, then there's an organization out of Florida called the MS Foundation which is great for the patients. They do a thing called, "Cruise for the Cause." for people with MS.

"Sometimes, I realize that I am the new face of multiple sclerosis. Everybody should be that face. So, I decided to launch my speaking to say, 'I'm here to motivate, educate and challenge. Get on one of these drugs," says Booker. "It's totally made this illness not what we remember. It ain't your momma's MS! Now, with MS, the sky's the limit."

Tebow is just Alright with me

2012-01-14T17:31:00.000-05:00

BOSTON, JANUARY 14, 2012 -- Toulouse Street is an address most sports fans do not know. In 1972, it was the title of a popular album released by The Doobie Brothers band and it included a cover of a popular gospel hit, "Jesus is just alright," a song written in 1966 by Arthur Reynolds for the "Art Reynolds Singers". Later, the Byrds recorded a version of the song but it was the Doobies who took it to #35 on the Billboard charts.

Tebow throwing, not Tebowing

The lyrics are pretty damn repetitive and the song didn't do much for me, but the closing lines might help explain a little something about Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. It goes,

"Jesus is just alright with me, Jesus is just alright, oh yeah
Jesus is just alright with me, Jesus is just alright

I don’t care what they may say, I don’t care what they may do
I don’t care what they may say, Jesus is just alright, oh yeah."

Tebow is all over the airwaves. At one point this week, ESPN's First Take was argueing whether their own show and network has been "talking" about Tebow too much. Go figure?

Quite frankly, the Broncos and Tebow just don't register with me at this point in time. Sure, it's a great story. Sure, his play led the Broncos to an unexpected winning streak, then a dangerous three-game end-of-season plunge but they backed into the NFL wildcard playoffs and won a home game over a highly favored Pittsburgh Steelers team. If they were to pull an upset over the #1 ranked AFC New England Patriots, at Foxboro tonight, the Broncos and Tebow would certainly earn my respect and attention.

Tebow has been called "polarizing" among many other things. Being a traditionalist when it comes to religion(s), I find it a deeply personal topic. While I'll argue sports and politics all day long, I tend to shy away from religion because of the fact I truly believe it is a very individual issue. People practice all different religions and thankfully, in the USA, they have that right. The right of freedom of religion. It's as important as any human right we retain in this US of A.

To get some better insight, I chose to go to a source, an impeccable source. Tom Green hosts a morning show in Denver. He's been on the airwaves in the Mile High city since paying his dues as weekend anchor for KUSA-TV in the early '80s. He also did some dues paying at ESPN in the very early days. He knows sports, knows people, likes people and everyone -- I mean everyone -- likes him. Here's what Green had to say and I believe he is right on the money in explaining the phenomenon called Tim Tebow.

"There are so many tangents to the Tim Tebow phenomenon," said Green by email, "that it is hard to focus in on what has happened in less than two years since he was drafted here. If you think he's on ESPN all the time...well, you're right. Here in Denver it's even more media manic. He has been given extraordinary coverage in the press, but asked for little, if any. He was almost as famous and well-liked as Kyle Orton's backup, as he his now in the playoffs. The run to the post-season and the OT win over Pittsburgh have made him absolutely white hot.

"On Saturday night, he'll face, among many others, the coach who drafted him for the Denver Broncos. When Josh McDaniels was fired here, most fans were glad to see him go. Not only for the losing on the field, but also for the failure in - and wasting of - the NFL Draft. Hindsight - now amplified by Tebowmania - shows that McDaniels final draft as Head Coach of the Broncos in 2010 would be considered an unqualified success for any organization. Yielding a starter at QB (Tebow), what amounts to 2 starting WR's (Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker), and 2 starters on the OL (Zane Beadles, J.D. Walton).

"It is, of course, Tebow by which all things are measured now. He has clearly crossed over in a huge way from the sports world into the mainstream. Jimmy Fallon sings about him, SNL parodies him, Time Magazine writes about him, Katy Perry's parents covet him. The difference between Tebow, and that select few that have also successfully made that crossover, is that he is not necessarily trying to do so. Instead of dedicating his life to being famous (Ochocinco, Canseco etc) the mainstream has instead chosen him, claimed him as theirs, and still wants more.

Here in Denver, the Broncos have always been able to drive the locals into frenzy, but this, again, is different. Non-football fans are absolutely taken with a young star who is not so taken with himself. This is where it gets fuzzy for some, who add religion and race to the discussion. Those topics certainly are components of Tebow-mania, but it seems that they are almost exclusively directed (or mis-directed) by people other than Tebow himself. His openness about faith might make some squirm, but he doesn't seem to be set on converting anyone, he just seems to be living his life openly, comfortably by his own standards.

The football qualities and qualifications will be measured on the weekends. Excellence and shortcomings are always right there for all to see in sports, both individually and team-wise. The unique package that is Tim Tebow will be measured in many ways though as he no longer belongs solely to the sports world."

NASA: THIRD ROCK

2012-01-10T16:34:00.001-05:00

THIRD ROCK

NASA'S ONLINE RADIO STATION ROCKS SMARTPHONES

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- NASA's Third Rock Radio just went mobile. Updates to the NASA App for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android now include a feature to listen to the agency's online alternative rock radio station.

"Now you can listen to great music in the same app that still provides all of NASA's amazing content wherever you are," said Jerry Colen, NASA App project manager at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif.

Third Rock - America's Space Station - launched with a new rock/indie/alternative format on Dec. 12, 2011. The station is being developed and operated at no cost to the government through a Space Act Agreement.
The NASA Apps showcase a wealth of NASA content, including images, videos on-demand, live streaming video from NASA Television, mission information, feature stories and breaking news. Users also can find sighting opportunities for the International Space Station and track the positions of spacecraft orbiting Earth. App users easily can share NASA content on Facebook, Twitter or via e-mail.

For more information and to links download the apps, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/nasaapp

For more information on and to listen to Third Rock, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/thirdrock

Good Night to 2011 with a little help from The Beatles

2011-12-31T16:00:00.000-05:00

The year 2011 was a little better than the bygone times of 2008, '09 and 2010, although the war against terrorism on the foreign soil of the Middle East and Afghanistan weighs heavily on the minds and lives of the servicemen and women deployed overseas or stationed in the States to prepare for the inevitable. They, along with their families, deserve our thoughts and prayers at this time of year.

The past year brought about more challenging economic times. For every blip on the NASDAQ or DOW Jones markets, there seemed to be another bank bailout, currency calamity or other forces to create uncertainty and fear in the global markets. After 20-30 years of an entire generation of yuppy apathy placed alongside prosperity and soaring market returns, the 401K generation is now feeling the pain. While it isn't as bad as the fall/winter of 2008-09, the financial and job uncertainty remains as our generation worries by tweeting comments into $499 iPad2s or the latest DROID with its $150+ monthly fee.

We complain about an economy that includes a must-see TV diet of HBO and Showtime, ESPN and the Food Network. Without them, we are nothing.

Network News has become a combination of ratings-driven fluff and stuff, sprinkled with talking heads screaming at each other. Where in the world are (Chet) Huntley and (David) Brinkley and their no-nonsense approach? Give me John Chancellor or give me death.

Instead, I have Piers and Anderson Cooper, I flip past Bill O'Reilly and the FOX hoax but enjoy the entertainment news/comedy work by Jon Stewart and his team of talented writers, wondering just how did a news and entertainment show on the Comedy Network actually become the prime source of non-filtered, non-glamorized telling of the truth.

I admire Brian Williams (NBC Nightly) and Ann Curry (NBC Today), among a small handful of others. I think the world of Robin Roberts on GMA but wish her co-host, George Stephonopoulos, would head to Washington to start-up the be all, end-all of 2012 campaign coverage where he could anchor a show that has one mission: Sift through the spin and ridiculousness, hold the 2012 candidates accountable for their actions and inaction (inaction, standing by and doing nothing about problems seems to be the Republican way).

I recommend to all readers of The Blog at Terry Lyons (dot) com to tune into Global Post for some insight and perspective and meanwhile, in the year 2012 and beyond, please be sure to support, comment, share your thoughts and suggestions about my two new business ventures online, DigitalSportsDesk.com and MediaForward.tv - Try 'em, you'll like 'em. Then, please do all the things you need to do in this day and age to follow a reliable source - that means bookmark them, share them, tweet about them and retweet them some more. Facebook follow, like and post away. Quite frankly, it's the new-fangled word of mouth in the year 2012 and beyond.

We'll need plenty of support and input from the many trusted friends I've been privileged to meet along the way. From the readers who I do not know, I hope to get to know you through this blog, through your participation online, especially on MediaForward.tv and -- coming in January 2012 -- just hours away -- you'll see me blogging at my MediaForward.tv blog soon to be "MediaForwardU.com - catchy eh?

As the year of 2011 comes to a close, you might be surprised to read that I have no special words of wisdom. Like the NFL analysts who I love to criticize for stating the obvious (limit turnovers, run the ball, stop the run, limit penalties), I, too, will go down that road to state the obvious. Here are my goals for 2012 which I recommend to one and all:

1. Try to save some money.

2. Invest wisely and carefully but keep on investing in funds that will pay dividends and grow slowly.

3. Exercise. (This is my #1 goal). Burn the stress and keep the mind and body healthy. Do all the things they say: Drink water, go for short walks, sleep well, read and read some more. Learn.

4. If you have children invest in their Education. It is the future - their future in which you are investing. If you do not have children, you're paying taxes and that helps fund the local schools. A great investment, so don't look at it so critically and selfishly. If you don't have children, you can still go down to the local school and participate, volunteer, donate supplies or maybe just drop a few StarBucks cards for the teachers.

5, Live. Laugh, Learn, Think and - like Jimmy V said - you might have to cry (at times!) "That's a full day," he said as his death neared.

6. Join something or plan for something - whether you can sign up for a marathon, 10-K, 5-K fun run, bike race, tennis lessons, nature walks - whatever. Set a goal and follow through.

Here are my goals for fitness for 2012:

1. Start a basic work-out program.

2. Begin prep and training for the Pan-Mass Challenge bike race and fund raiser (August).

3. Sign up for the local Newton Tennis program so there is an immediate need for better conditioning.

4. Take more walks in the morning.

5. Fewer Diet Cokes, more water.

6. Plenty of vitamins, OJ, milk and fruit/veggies.

To close the year of 2011, I will pass along a classic. It doesn't need any further introduction. Enjoy, sleep tight. Wake up in 2012 and get ready for the rest of your life.

The Beatles:

Good Night and Good Luck.

Chip off the ole' Block

2011-12-28T21:07:00.000-05:00

Great story from San Marino California on my buddy, Michael Bernstein, son of pro photographer extraordinaire, Andrew D. Bernstein. Read on:

Whiz Kid’s Name: Michael Bernstein

Whiz Kid’s Age: 17 years old

Whiz Kid’s School: San Marino High School

Whiz Kid’s Accomplishment:

McIntyre, Bernstein & Lyons

At age 12, Michael served as the Director of Photography on the San Marino National Little League’s Board of Directors for two seasons. He has worked for the San Marino Tribune for the past four years. He’s the founder of a company that recently received legal accreditation from the State of California and serves the San Marino Unified School District, the San Marino Recreation Department and the Los Angeles Chapter of Legal Administrators--just to name a few. He’s also served national clients such as NBA Entertainment and Autism Speaks and has interned as a staff photographer at Staples Center and Nokia Theatre LA Live. He’s currently a member of the San Marino Titanian Yearbook leadership team as the Sports Editor.

Whiz Kid’s Key to Awesomeness:

The key to Michael’s awesomeness is his open perspective. Whether it’s his ability to see pictures in motion--be it action shots of athletes or beautiful panoramas--or to stay grounded in his success, Michael always remembers to thank the people who stand behind him and support him in all his ventures.

Michael would first like to thank his father, professional photographer Andrew D. Bernstein, who taught him everything he knows about photography and helped him realize that vision; every day he is learning from the master is a blessing. He would also like to thank his stepmom, Susú, for all the support she has provided in everything. His success wouldn’t have been possible without her encouragement.

He recognized and wants to express his gratitude to the people of this community (Mr. Kevin McCloskey, Mr. Mitch Lehman and Mr. Jose Caire) who have given him the opportunities that cultivate and foster his passion of photography.

Michael’s humility is definitely what keeps him on the right track now and hopefully into the future. The fact that he does so much photography for the schools in his home and his community will keep him grounded as he continues to advance himself, his company and his craft. He incorporates this earnestness into his photography. All these elements, coupled with his continuing passion for his art, will take him far.

Michael's Family:

Michael went to Valentine Elementary and Huntington Middle School before attending San Marino High School. His father is Andrew D. Bernstein, a professional photographer and an alumnus of UMASS Amherst and Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. His step mother is Mariel “Susú” Mulet, a labor and employment attorney and alumnus of USC.

Michael has three sisters: Helen Bugacov (step-sister) and Juliet Bernstein, both of whom are 16 years old and attend San Marino High School; and his youngest step-sister, Emilia “Mimi” Bernstein, who is three years old and currently enrolled at San Marino Community Church Nursery School. Their family also has a cat named Lola.

SHELBY for CHRISTMAS: Must Read Column

2011-12-25T09:48:00.000-05:00

Just as I did back in 2007 & 2009, here's a little Shelby for Christmas. It doesn't get any better than this column to pass along the true meaning of Christmas.

Saddlebags, a book dedicated to Shelby

By SHELBY STROTHER

It did not matter that the wind-chill was life threatening. It was Christmas morning, and a bright sun stabbed the frozen land. And children were playing.

The decision over which to play with - the official World Cup soccer ball or the Turbo Football - never materialized. With all the snow, a soccer match was out of the question. So spirals of pink and black performed in the most sincere imitations of Rodney Peete and Joe Montana floated back and forth in the yard.

What a nice sight.

The Annual Second Chance is near - it's called New Year's Eve. It is the window of opportunity where the hopes and fears of all the year (not to mention the mistakes) can be erased.

But Christmas Day is a time of reinforcement and the essence of tomorrow. And children playing with toys are the finest examples of what that tomorrow looks like.

I look out the window. I've been in that yard. All young boys have. Sports become such a part of childhood. Santa is aware of all of this, naturally.

This particular day is exquisite, I think to myself. I take personal inventory, not only of blessings and personal satisfaction, but of the presents of Christmas past. Still the kid, I suppose.

I got my first basketball when I was six. I made my first basket a year later. There was a tetherball set; I must have been eight. And a football helmet when I was ten. A Carl Furillo-model baseball mitt at eleven. There were tennis rackets and fishing poles and boxing gloves and shrimp nets and a Mickey Mantle 32-inch Little League bat and one time, even a badminton set.

Every Christmas, I'd play out my dreams and my mind would fly over the rainbow, imagining my propulsion. Of course, I would become a major-leaguer, an All-Star, an all-time great, a Hall of Famer. We all would. My vision extended well beyond the day.

My athletic ability, alas, never kept stride. It was not the worst realization I would ever make.

But I have noticed a direct correlation between Christmas gifts and sporting dreams. The dreams are for the young. So are the gifts. Usually, the two disappear in unison. The rare few who project into greatness discover they do not need imagination to make those lofty flights of fantasy. Hope is not the co-pilot. Expectation is.

It must be a wonderful view.

I was thinking about all of this when another memory nudged me. My 17th Christmas I got a typewriter.

It was about the same time that I'd maneuvered my fantasy a few extra miles. I'd received a baseball scholarship to pitch at a small school in Florida. There were other opportunities, other colleges available. But none that would allow my athletic vision to continue.

I had expected a Christmas of more games in the yard. More dreams to celebrate. I got a typewriter instead.

"What am I going to do with a typewriter?" I asked.

My mother said I'd need it for college. But she also said, "Sometimes you get too old to play games. But you never get too old that you can't use your imagination."

Sometimes Christmas is taken for granted. Almost always, in fact. I think Christmas music, and I hear bells. I turn on the radio and I hear someone named Elmo and Patsy lamenting their grandmother's head-on collision with a reindeer. I think of the meaning of Christmas, and I think of the most special birthday in the history of the world. But I turn on the TV and there are all these Claymation raisins doing Doo-Wop homages to the joys of buying machines wherein a microchip can seize command of entire generations.

Christmas (will soon) be gone, 364 days to go. But children still play. They chase the wonderful image of themselves as they would like to be seen. Christmas is their favorite arena. But they settle for lesser stadia.

But remember this - the present is sometimes confused with the package it comes wrapped in. Sometimes the gift is simply the freedom to imagine. There may be no greater one.

It was a great typewriter. I still play with it.

***

I frequently make note in this blog, if you want to buy a great book, "Google" ' Saddlebags and Shelby Strother' or head to Amazon.com and do the same. Then, buy the book. Click HERE.

Christmas Cheer: Bird Understands the True Meaning of Christmas

2011-12-24T23:59:00.000-05:00

My business colleague and good friend, John Caron, passed along a column by longtime Boston Herald scribe Joe Fitzgerald. It was written for the December 21, 1997 edition of the Herald and John took the time to get the page blown up to "posterize" the words for all patrons of "West End Johnnie's" to see when they visit our establishment during the holidays.

Larry Bird (left) with Earvin "Magic" Johnson

It's been an amazing year for Johnnie's. From the scary economic times and touch & go operation of 2008-09-10, we turned the corner and haven't looked back. It's still not perfect, but Johnnie's is healthy and proud of the hard work that has brought the restaurant to the year 2012 with a promising future ahead.

My business partner(s) put in a lot of hard work and we've been thrilled with the wonderful atmosphere that the patrons of Johnnie's bring out in our joint. No one has worked harder than John Caron and Dave Glucksman as they strive to make West End Johnnie's a destination for everyone in Boston who wants to have some great food, great drinks and meet some great people in Boston's West End, near TD Boston Garden.

So, here's a great column, recommended by John Caron and brought to you by his proud business partner and friend, The Blog (at) TerryLyons (dot) com

***

By Joe Fitzgerald, Dec. 21, 1997

Larry Bird, out of a Celtics uniform since 1992, left a ton of memories at this address, but none more poignant than a Christmas memory he shared with several hundred Boston schoolkids, repeated here this morning because, quite frankly, sports could use a dose of reality.

"What kills me about Christmas," he said, "is that while it's a time of excitement for some people, it's a time that makes other people sad, like kids who just can't have the things they see their friends getting. A lot of people - and I know people like this - can't wait for Christmas to be gone.

"You know how they say it was the Grinch who stole Christmas? It wasn't the Grinch at all. It was the rich people. They're the ones who've stolen it, buying everything they can for their kids and not worrying about other kids who are going to end up feeling left out. They've taken Christmas the wrong way. I mean, it's suposed to be a time for letting people know how you feel about them, isn't it?

"That's why, next to family, the most important thing in my life today are the old friends I have back home, the guys I went to school with, the guys who look at me and don't see money, or the cars, or even the Celtics. They couldn't care less about all of that. They live in a different world, the world I came from, where old buddies are still buddies 'cuz they know what's important, and it sure ain't money.

"I look at my little brother today, and when I see him wanting Reeboks, or Champion shirts, it bothers me because kids don't realize fads and fashions aren't what determine how good you are, or how important you are.

"Whenever I'm out speaking to a bunch of kids, maybe doing a playground clinic, I always look for that one who stands off by himself, whose clothes don't look too good. I'll go out of my way to make a big deal over him because I used to be that kid.

"We got mostly clothes at our house every Christmas, 'cuz that's what we needed. I can remember my friends getting bicycles, and thinking how I'd buy the best bike in town if only I had the money. But that just wasn't possible. Still, my Mom did a good job. Christmas was a big thing around our house. There was always a pile of five or six gifts for all of us; as soon as you opened one, you went right to the next one. It was chaos, and even though we knew it wasn't going to be a lot, we appreciated how tough it was for our folks to get us what they did.

"So I'll tell you what we did one year. We knew there'd be no toys that year because the funds just weren't there. My older brother got the rest of us together and said, 'Let's do something special for Mom and Dad before we open our presents. Let's just tell 'em we love 'em and see how they react, OK? I'll do the speaking.'

"You've got to understand, 'love' wasn't a word we threw around much in our family, so just hearing it said that way was new to me.

"Anyway, we're all sitting around the tree and my brother stands up. He says, 'Mom, dad, we want to say something to you tonight. We want to tell you we appreciate all you do for us, giving us things we know you had to work overtime to get. And, we just want to tell you we love you.

"Well, I'm sitting there thinking, 'Gee, that's a pretty strong statement,' when I saw tears coming from my mother's eyes - and my Dad, he just sat there so proud. You could tell it really hit a chord.

"So look, if you guys want to do something really special this Christmas, tell your parents you love 'em, OK? Tell 'em thanks for all their hard work.

"That's all I really came here to tell you. Thanks for listening. Good luck to every one of you, and Merry Christmas."

- L. Bird

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. Check in on The Blog tomorrow for another special column - a Shelby Strother piece - that's become a bit of a tradition at this space each and every Christmas Day.

Top Ten Christmas Songs of All-Time

2011-12-24T10:31:00.000-05:00

Bing Crosby's #1 Christmas Song

By TERRY LYONS -- All-Time Top Christmas Songs: (as chosen by Terry Lyons, co-founder of MediaForward.tv - Creator, founder and editor-in-chief of DigitalSportsDesk.com and principal of Terry Lyons Sports & Entertainment Marketing LLC, not to mention partner in the popular "West End Johnnie's" in Boston. Here is my list with short notes, mostly courtesy of info via Wikipedia:

10. "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow" - The tune is often referred to as simply "Let It Snow", is a song written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in 1945. The song was written in July 1945 in Hollywood, California during one of the hottest days on record. First recorded by Vaughn Monroe, it became a popular hit, reaching number one on the Billboard music chart the following year (1946). One of the best-selling songs of all time, "Let It Snow!" has been covered countless times by many artists. Due to its seasonal lyrics, it is commonly regarded as a Christmas song. However, despite the song's cheery, holiday feel, it is a love song that never mentions Christmas. Despite that fact, it comes in at #10 on my list.

9. "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" - Interesting song, as it was composed by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie, and was first sung on Eddie Cantor's radio show in November 1934. It was played by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and later recorded by Andy Williams, probably its most popular rendition until Bruce Springsteen came along and sang the song, quite regularly, during his Christmas time concerts. Celine Dion recorded the song in French and Mariah Carey included it on her popular Christmas album.

The song has been covered by everyone from Ray Charles to The Temptations, from the Ray Coniff singers to the Pointer Sisters or The Supremes. Nat King Cole did a famous rendition as did Bing Crosby. It is probably the most popular song across all generations.

8. "Silver Bells" - The best seems to me to be the Johnny Mathis version. Silver Bells is a classic Christmas song, composed by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. Bob Hope did one of the very first recordings with Marilyn Maxwell in the movie Lemon Drop Kid in 1951. Bing Crosby covered it a few years later and, since then, it's been covered by everyone from Wilson Pickett to Kenny G.

7. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" - The Frank Sinatra version is the best. Judy Garland recorded the song for the motion picture, "Meet Me in St. Louis." The song was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. It is often listed among the Top Three Christmas songs of all-time. Christina Aguilera did a popular rendition most recently.

6. "Little Drummer Boy" - The carol was originally known as "Carol of the Drum" is a popular Christmas song written by the American classical music composer and teacher Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941. It was recorded in 1955 by the Trapp Family Singers of "The Sound of Music" fame and further popularized by a 1958 recording by the Harry Simeone Chorale.

5. "Sleigh Ride" - "Lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you" - Arthur Fiedler & Boston Pops version tops out as the all-time best. Here's the brief history: The popular light orchestral piece was composed by Leroy Anderson. The composer had the original idea for the piece during a heat wave in July 1946 but actually finished the work in February 1948. The lyrics, about a person who would like to ride in a sleigh on a winter's day, were written by Mitchell Parish in 1950. The orchestral version was first recorded in 1949 by Arthur Fiedler and The Boston Pops Orchestra.

4. "Jingle Bells" - is one of the best-known and most-commonly sung winter songs in the world. It was written by James Lord Pierpont in 1822 and published under the title "One Horse Open Sleigh" in the autumn of 1857. Even though it is commonly thought of as a Christmas song, it was actually written and sung for Thanksgiving. Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters took the song to its heights in 1943 on the old Decca label. Benny Goodman, the Glenn Miller Orchestra and Ella Fitzgerald did very popular covers while Les Paul's guitar version is pretty amazing.

3. "O Holy Night" - This carol might be one of the most beutiful songs of the season. It is often sung as the closing hymn at many Christmas Masses around the world because of its highly emotional tone and true Chritmas meaning. The very well-known hymn was composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians) by Placide Cappeau (1808–1877), a wine merchant and poet, who had been asked by a parish priest to write a Christmas poem. Later, Unitarian minister John Sullivan Dwight, editor of Dwight's Journal of Music, created a singing edition based on Cappeau's French text in 1855. In both the French original and in the two familiar English versions of the carol, the text reflects on the birth of Jesus The song has been performed by the very best in the world, including Tenor Enrico Caruso who recorded a version in 1916 still available today. In 1984, the great Luciano Pavarotti's title record was his first to go platinum.

2. "It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas" - Bing Crosby version is my fave, of course, but let's not forget Perry Como. It is a classic Christmas song, written in 1951 by Meredith Willson. The song was originally titled "It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas" and it has been recorded by many artists, but was a major hit by Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters with Mitchell Ayres & His Orchestra on September 10, 1951. Bing Crosby's version was recorded on October 1, 1951, and is widely played. Pretty amazing as they were recorded just a few weeks apart.

1. "White Christmas" - Bing Crosby version is often thought of as "second to none" for any song, anytime. The tune is the great Bing's #1 Christmas carol and was the centerpiece of the film, "White Christmas" starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, but it was first used in the picture, Holiday Inn, which consequently won the 1942 film an Academy Award for Best Original Song. It was written as an Irving Berlin tune, reminiscing about an old-fashioned Christmas setting. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the version sung by Crosby is the best-selling single of all time, with estimated sales in excess of 50 million copies worldwide.

Please send comments with your favorites of some others to be added to the list or considered for the Top Ten next year?

Honorable mention and apologies go out to: "Alvin and the Chipmunks" songs and covers. Sorry guys. Some others: "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,"

Catching Magic in the Air

2011-12-20T13:44:00.000-05:00

MAGIC BIRD Finds “MAGIC” Actor Kevin Daniels To Perform Title Role of Earvin “MAGIC” Johnson
MAGIC BIRD has found its “Magic”. The producers of MAGIC BIRD, Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo, today announced that the title role of Hall of Fame basketball player and Lakers legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson will be played by actor Kevin Daniels.

Kevin played high school basketball before turning his sights to acting which brought him to the prestigious Julliard School, NYC at the age of 17. After graduation Kevin made his Broadway debut at Lincoln Center, NYC in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Other stage roles include “Suge Knight” opposite Anthony Mackie in Up Against the Wind (New York Theater Workshop, NYC) and the role of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the staged radio play of RFK: Journey to Justice (LA Theatre Works, CA). On the big screen Kevin played Firefighter “Don Miller” in Touchstone Pictures Ladder 49 and starred in And Then Came Love with Vanessa Williams. Kevin can currently be seen in a reoccurring role on the ABC hit comedy MODERN FAMILY. His other TV credits include guest stars on NBC's CHUCK and LAW & ORDER, and ABC's BROTHERS & SISTERS. Kevin resides in LA and is a Lakers fan.

“I am honored to be playing Earvin “Magic” Johnson and am excited to dig in and deliver,” says Kevin Daniels.

Magic said, “Kevin Daniels is a great choice to play me and I look forward to his electric performance on the stage.”

Simply the Best

2011-12-18T12:13:00.001-05:00

Not much to add to this post other than to say that I was proud and felt privileged to work with George Vecsey during the past 30 years. I loved his work, appreciated his professionalism and applaud his decision to step back and enjoy life, his wife and his passion of writing. My very best to George and a salute in best way possible, simply passing along his last column and link to his blog. TL

A Columnist Steps Away After More Than Three Decades on the Beat

By GEORGE VECSEY

This is a column about a column.

On St. Patrick’s Day in 1980, the sports editor of The New York Times asked if I would consider moving back to the sports department.

The editor, Le Anne Schreiber, said she admired the way I wrote about nuns while covering religion. Find the humanity in sports, she said. Think of it as writing short stories or plays. I cannot imagine any other approach that would have lured me back.

Le Anne thinks she also mentioned the possibility of my writing fill-in Sports of The Times columns, but I don’t remember anxiety about trying out for the big job.

The sports column was a different animal altogether — a public trust in a sense, prominently displayed, a regular personal dialogue with knowing readers, demanding a seven-day commitment and inside knowledge and singular voice. In my mind, I was just passing through, en route to a freelancer’s future of writing books.

Turned out, Schreiber was way ahead of me. She took a vacation in Baja California and came back to tell her bosses that her two years as sports editor were now officially up. The new editor was Joe Vecchione, who had a shrewd and literate instinct, urging me to write in the first person sometimes when I was filling in for the great Dave Anderson and the great Red Smith. Don’t be coy, Joe said; we want your opinions.

In January 1982, Red Smith died, and after a respectful intermission, A. M. Rosenthal, the executive editor, called me into his office and offered me the columnist job. It was a big deal to follow in the grand and consistent and varied tradition, going all the way back to 1927, of John Kieran, Arthur Daley, Robert Lipsyte, Smith and Anderson.

Then Rosenthal issued advice that has sustained me to this day — don’t try to be Red Smith or anybody else. Be yourself. That will be fine. My other newsroom rabbi, Arthur Gelb, peppered me with questions and advice for my distant dances-with-wolves assignment.

That gig is now over. I love being a lifer at The New York Times, but a few things have convinced me that it is time to step back (not using the R-word) and write for the paper occasionally.

I will always treasure the privilege of writing the Sports of The Times column. I appreciated Schreiber’s words but never confused athletes with nuns. But I did aim my columns at a female Times reader who might not be a hard-core fan but might discover me in the sports pages. Why not address universal values? Why cut myself off from part of our smart and complex readership?

My pattern was to mix it up — the Super Bowl one day, a high school gym the next day, the familiar, the unfamiliar, opinion one day, description and mood the next. Goya and war one day, Monet and water lilies the next.

You really couldn’t miss: George and Billy bickering in our town; the last fights of Frazier and Ali; money and drugs; the Islanders — best team I ever covered — winning Stanley Cups in my backyard.

Vecchione was succeeded by Neil Amdur, who prodded me to write more big-ticket columns, often calling me an hour before deadline and saying, “Listen, big guy, I know your column is already edited, but this just happened.” Amdur and Vecchione both sussed out that I could type fast. I loved to spend a few days crafting a theme but also came to love (at least most of the time) the high-wire act — instant profundity about immediate events that people were talking about.

The opinions were always mine; nobody ever told me what to think. I proposed abolishing boxing because it was bad for the brain, but boxers were generally so decent that I loved being around the gyms. Having written about addiction, I was able to discuss the trend of athletes’ entering treatment centers. I wrote about soccer, knowing that the world’s favorite sport would catch on here.

Just a few of my favorite columns:

¶ My friend Rich Murray took his teenage son R. J. hunting in western Pennsylvania right after Thanksgiving in 1982. A four-point buck meandered through the woods and Rich put down his rifle to let R. J. have the shot. But R. J. was munching a leftover turkey sandwich, cranberries and stuffing and all, which meant no venison in the freezer for their relatives. When Rich and R. J. told me the story, we all roared with laughter. In those days, columnists could write their own headlines. Mine was: “The Sandwich Eater” (based on “The Deer Hunter,” of course).

¶ Before the sixth game of the 1986 World Series, I wrote for our early Sunday edition, the so-called bulldog. I described the gloom and doom I had detected on sports-talk radio in Boston early Friday, despite the Red Sox’ 3-2 lead. One fearful fan even complained about poor old Buckner’s defense and warned that the manager had better use Stapleton in the late innings. I suggested that Boston’s bad karma could be traced to the selling of Babe Ruth after the 1919 season. Around midnight, after Mookie Wilson had his epic at-bat, I rewrote the column for the final edition, noting that the bad spirits had struck Boston again. Some people think I invented the phrase the Curse of the Bambino, but I’ll settle for having sensed the bad vibes in the dank Boston air. (Sensed? You couldn’t miss it.)

¶ In 1996, I proposed covering women’s sports just about every day of the coming Summer Games in Atlanta, noting that the International Olympic Committee had rightly increased the events for women. The so-called Games of the Women were graced by soccer, softball and basketball teams from the United States and elsewhere.

¶ A decade ago, I found myself full of skepticism about New York City’s proposal to host the 2012 Summer Games. Fortunately, London was selected. Now I read that the Far West Side of Manhattan is about to boom, in my opinion because a dead-zone stadium was not plopped down in the middle.

They were great years. I was blessed to be around some of the finest performers I have ever seen — that is to say Dave Anderson, Ira Berkow, Bill Rhoden, Selena Roberts and Harvey Araton, a Dream Team of columnists. Many colleagues in the sports department became like family.

Then there were the athletes — Super Bowls; Jordan, Magic and Bird; despite being an old Brooklyn Dodgers fan, I could appreciate the age of Jeter and Rivera; the Olympics and the Tour de France were great, but my eight World Cups of soccer, so far, were the best sporting events on the planet.

If I have one regret — one pitch I’d like back — it is my upbeat commentary during the McGwire-Sosa home run frolics of 1998, after Steve Wilstein of The Associated Press spotted androstenedione in McGwire’s locker. The drug was not illegal in baseball; the sport did not have testing yet; and great newspapers do not indulge in idle speculation. Still, I could have been a bit more cautious a bit earlier.

The world kept changing as our next sports editor, Tom Jolly, chaperoned us into the era of 24-hour news on the Web. I always said I would do this job as long as I could walk faster than my younger colleagues on the ramp up from the clubhouse, which is still the case. My work this past year tells me I still love writing about the human condition, and sports is a great framework for it. I never worried about getting stale because the news and the people induce freshness every working hour.

The New York Times is the greatest newspaper in the world. Long may it arrive on my doorstep. I am proud that Joe Sexton, the current sports editor, has asked me to retain my voice here occasionally. I plan to do stuff with my wife, Marianne, who has seen her considerable painting talent hemmed in by my columnist obsession long enough, and I plan to sometimes emulate my spiritual cousin John Lennon and watch the wheels go round and round. I am blessed with loyal readers, and regular e-mail correspondents from around the world. Everything is good. I will be findable as I continue to honor the ideals Le Anne Schreiber stirred when she said she liked the way I wrote about nuns.

Media Forward.TV & Media Forward U. - Coming Soon

2011-12-17T13:03:00.005-05:00

The Short Blog, on MediaForward.tv

By Terry Lyons

Here are a few important factoids to consider when you plan your next marketing platform:

A whopping 74% of Smartphone owners have made a purchase with their mobile device. Of those users,

- 76% still lean to the in-store experience

- 59% regularly use their laptop or home computer to shop

- 35% are relying on their Smartphone for purchases

- Google Research, 2011

***

Proximity Marketing is Next:

Proximity Marketing (also known as Location-based) is the process by which rich media content is delivered via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to any enabled device and ultimately provides a free service to the end user. Rich Media Content can be, but is not restricted or limited to ringtones, wallpaper, coupons, music, videos, games and applications. Flash Messages can be delivered anywhere in proximity between 3-ft to 600-ft of the hotspot location.

Mobiquity Networks, based in New York, is the USA industry leader. - http://www.mobiquitynetworks.com

- Terry Lyons, Consultant and Proximity Marketing expert

***

The forecasters at eMarketing peg the mobile advertising spend in 2012 at $1.8 Billion, growing a healthy 47% during the year.

A majority of the growth will be attributed to search and display (banners, rich media and video) ad units, in addition to continued adoption of smartphones, tablets and mobile Web usage. “Mobile advertising is no longer a question of ‘if’ but of ‘when,’” said Noah Elkin, principal analyst at eMarketer.

“Consumers increasingly expect to communicate, network, browse and shop from a range of devices, and the growing sophistication of smart devices will only accelerate this trend,” said Elkin. “But whether consumers access the web from a PC or a mobile device will ultimately take a back seat to marketers’ ability to build campaigns that reach across channels and devices and focus on targeting specific actions.”

***

Every CEO tells the same great white lie. It is at the heart of every communication. It is at the heart of every financial decision. It is, at it’s very base, the reason why you all are in the 99pct and they are in the 1pct. The Lie?

Says Mark Cuban, the author of BlogMaverick, "The Great CEO White Lie = “We are acting in the best interests of shareholders.”

When a CEO utters this lie, everyone automatically forgives whatever they do. Add 10k jobless to the unemployment rolls ? Sorry, we did it in the BEST INTEREST OF SHAREHOLDERS. Merge or buy a company and cut back across the board ? We did it in the Best Interest of Shareholders," wrote Cuban, the owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks.

***

"Top Ten thought-provoking Did You Knows"

1. Proximity marketing is powerful all by itself, as it allows you to target a potential customer just as he is within “proximity” to your business. When a person who has their mobile phone ‘enabled’ to handle a broadcast message (most mobile phones do by default), that means that you can send them a very special offer, such as a discount on tickets that might go unsold.

2. As the industry is well aware, the key to unlocking the potential of mobile is the growth of the smartphone. A recent report from Ofcom suggested this penetration is taking place at a rapid pace. The report revealed that more than a quarter of all adults (27%) in Britain now own a smartphone, while 28% use their mobiles to access the internet.

These statistics are backed up by agency Kinetic, and their research reveals that 50% of consumers would download promotions from posters to their mobile phones, while 75% expect to carry a smartphone or tablet when they leave their homes. Coupled with the increasingly hectic lifestyles of today’s consumers, this makes the prospect of accessing content on the move and out of the home an attractive proposition for brands.

3. The next level for outdoor will be to turn interaction into a transaction and, as mobiles become payment devices, the ability to buy off a poster in a bus shelter or shopping mall is going to be transformative.

4. Nigel Clarkson, sales and marketing director at Primesight, says: "Looking at the big picture for outdoor and mobile, the technology will only kick off if it provides something cheaper or easier for the consumer. "At the moment, we don’t have clients crying out for billboards with augmented reality. They are a great PR stunt and people like them, but at the moment, they are being used for one thing."

However, Clarkson admits that by its very definition, outdoor is the perfect medium for mobile.

"The perfect medium is really the perfect storm of opportunity for venues and sports teams looking to use their outdoor and ticket office or concourse assets to sell tickets to future events," says MediaForward.tv Co-Founder and Principal Terry Lyons.

5. The Third Screen: Marketing to your customers in a world gone mobile is an interesting read.

From an Amazon review: "Author Chuck Martin thoroughly explains how mobile devices, mobile apps, mobile commerce, and the mobile lifestyle are impacting marketers in a big way, all around the world. Most of the content in this book focuses on helping the reader understand the best strategies and tactics for leveraging mobile as a new channel for marketing their products and services."

6. "The fact that most users are switching between their laptops and mobile devices on a minute-by-minute basis -- I know I go from my MacBook Pro to my iPhone email every time the phone rings and that doesn't address iPad and other tablets -- makes it much more difficult for email marketers to reach their customers with messages they will open, read and engage. But the dilemma and confusion brewing makes me consider bluetooth or wi-fi delivered video as the mechanism of choice for the future," says Terry Lyons, Co-Founder of MediaForward.tv

7. Should marketers design their emails for a text and still photo user on their desktop, a mobile user on a light and portable MacBook, a student on their new iPad2, a business owner on his iphone or her Android? What about the people at RIM and their never-ending attempt to adapt the omni-present Blackberry devices? Are text messages with a single link to a well designed site more effective as we delve into the mobile year of 2012?

8. "Controlling the "mobile" airwaves within and around an arena or venue with increased need of bandwidth for smartphone users, media and even arena workers/employees who can utilize web-based applications to take drink or hot dog orders will be the key issue for arena operators. A number of leagues, arena owners, telecommunications companies, sponsors, content providers and marketers are struggling with the issue and disappointing their consumers," says Terry Lyons, consultant to AceMarketing & Promotions and partner in MobiquityNetworks. "You can't control the radio frequencies or TV, but you can own your bluetooth and proximity delivery systems.

9. According to a blog post on Pew, people looking for information about local restaurants and other businesses say they rely on the internet, especially search engines, ahead of any other source. Newspapers, both printed copies and the websites of newspaper companies, run second behind the internet as the source that people rely on for news and information about local businesses, including restaurants and bars.

Media Forward.tv is focusing on that fact and designing programs for local bars and restaurants to help communicate their messages in real-time, locally.

10. The Media Forward mantra to help recap all of the information?

Media Forward and a membership on MediaForward.tv will help you:

-Maximize your investments by learning from the very best media professionals and revenue generators

-Develop your personal image, skills and build a global brand

-Drive organizational growth as you gain a better understanding of the sports, entertainment and media industry and improve morale

-Gain knowledge to create the ultimate game plan for every level from student to CEO

Not only is the opportunity immense, you can't afford to get left behind! Connect with MediaForward as a member.

#iamaceltic

2011-12-10T03:19:00.001-05:00

There's been a lot of "what's wrong" with the NBA going around. I would like to provide Exhibit 1-A of "what's right." Nice job by the Boston Celtics:

Not Gonna Take It ...

2011-12-09T16:34:00.000-05:00

This is the only response I can think of to help illustrate my viewpoint on the NBA mayhem -- from July lockout to roller-coaster October/November to the armageddon of December 8/9th. What are they doin' to my league? Here it is:

Rock guitar, classic rock and lists ...

2011-11-30T10:35:00.006-05:00

It's that time of year.

Year-end stories and year-in-review lists. Top moments, champions, biggest winners and losers. We see it all the time and, quite frankly, can't get enough of it.

Rolling Stone Magazine is listing it's greatest guitarists - a group of people close to my heart and on my mind as Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes and the Allman Brothers Band head to Boston for a quartet of shows which began last night, you all should know.

See: Rolling Stone

The coolest angle on this particular list is the panel of contributing voters. It needs no prelude aside from posting the list:

THE VOTERS: Trey Anastasio, Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys), Brian Bell (Weezer), Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple), Carl Broemel (My Morning Jacket), James Burton, Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Gary Clark Jr., Billy Corgan, Steve Cropper, Dave Davies (The Kinks), Anthony DeCurtis (Contributing editor, Rolling Stone), Tom DeLonge (Blink-182), Rick Derringer, Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), Elliot Easton (The Cars), Melissa Etheridge, Don Felder (The Eagles), David Fricke (Senior writer, Rolling Stone), Peter Guralnick (Author), Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Albert Hammond Jr. (The Strokes), Warren Haynes (The Allman Brothers Band), Brian Hiatt (Senior writer, Rolling Stone), David Hidalgo (Los Lobos), Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Lenny Kravitz, Robby Krieger (The Doors), Jon Landau (Manager), Alex Lifeson (Rush), Nils Lofgren (The E Street Band), Mick Mars (Mötley Crüe), Doug Martsch (Built to Spill), J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.), Brian May, Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Roger McGuinn (The Byrds), Scotty Moore, Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), Tom Morello, Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), Brendan O’Brien (Producer), Joe Perry, Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Robbie Robertson, Rich Robinson (The Black Crowes), Carlos Santana, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Marnie Stern, Stephen Stills, Andy Summers, Mick Taylor, Susan Tedeschi, Vieux Farka Touré, Derek Trucks, Eddie Van Halen, Joe Walsh, Nancy Wilson (Heart)

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-20111123#ixzz1fCCZt9fu

In the measured world of "value" per click, Rolling Stone has mastered the sure-fire method of obtaining 100 or more clicks with their group of lists: http://www.rollingstone.com/lists

Bruce in '85

But, back to the original point of this post, let's look at the list of greatest guitarists.

First impression? When you start off by seeing Lindsey Buckingham/of Fleetwood Mac at #100, you know the list is pretty damn deep. And, Jimi at #1 is no surprise for any rock n roll fan. You should read the list before I reveal any other aspects of the compilation and spoil your own fun and original thoughts/impressions. So, read it - then return...

***
Okay, I figure you're back now.

My next thought? Springsteen at #96. Wow. Bruce is good, much under-rated as a guitarist and he's better and better as he's aged, although not quite as spectacular in terms of bounding around the stage. But, he can play. And when you see Paul Simon at #93, it makes you scratch your head in disbelief. C'mon, Bruce can out-play Paul Simon if Bruce had an air guitar.

Joe Perry at #84? I can't wait to see #83.

Robert Johnson at #71. I thought he'd be in Top 25.

Richard Thompson of the Thompson Twins (British rockers) at #69 seems sacrilegious. Especially with the others already listed. Johnny Winter at #63...again a Top 25 in my mind.

Mark Knopfler at #44? To my ear, he's Top 10 and to state that "The Edge" is better than Mark Knopfler is flat-out wrong. Don't take it the wrong way, I LOVE the way Edge plays for U2, but he is not better than Mark Knopfler. I respect the fact The Edge is self-taught and erratic and the sound he creates for U2 complements Bono and the band in mysterious way, but Knopfler is a better guitarist. Period.

Prince at #33 sets another high bar for those to follow him.

My guy, Derek Trucks at #16 is great. I can't recall him being listed that high on any prior list.
Now, the problem. I made my statement about Knopfler, but I can't say I'd argue with any of the guitarists listed in the Top 10, so I have to place him at #13, and bounce Albert King back one notch which pushes everyone else back as well.

I can make a Top 10-25 list all day long and I'd probably switch my favorite guitarists on each and every list. I think that's what makes it fun.

Very happy to see Keith Richards, Pete, David Gilmour and the fact Freddie King (a major influence on my main man, Eric Clapton, who holds the #2 spot behind Jimi quite nicely.

***

The other list I noticed over the Thanksgiving weekend, was a Top 1,043 by NYC-based radio station Q-104.3 WAXQ-FM. I was not able to listen to the majority of the countdown, but logged in to the station's site at http://www.q1043.com/common/top_songs/2010.html to check it out.

Right off the bat, I couldn't figure why Bruce's "Sherry Darling" was ranked higher than Grateful Dead's "Fire on the Mountain."

Here were the Top 25 greatest songs of all-time. Have some fun reviewing the list and make your own. I will be doing the same between now and the New Year.

25 - The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
24 - The Rolling Stones - Sympathy For The Devil
23 - Bruce Springsteen - Jungleland
22 - Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone
21 - Bruce Springsteen - Rosalita
20 - Don McLean - American Pie
19 - The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again
18 - Aerosmith - Dream On
17 - The Beatles - In My Life
16 - The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter
15 - Billy Joel - Piano Man
14 - The Who - Baba O'Riley
13 - Led Zeppelin - Kashmir
12 - Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
11 - Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb
10 - The Rolling Stones - Satisfaction
9 - Bruce Springsteen - Thunder Road
8 - Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird
7 - John Lennon - Imagine
6 - Eagles - Hotel California
5 - The Beatles - Let It Be
4 - Derek & The Dominos - Layla
3 - Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run
2 - The Beatles - Hey Jude
1 - Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven

Read more: http://www.q1043.com/common/top_songs/2010.html?page=11#ixzz1fCcPNSsq

Labels: Bruce Springsteen, Derek Trucks, Edge, Johnny Winter, Mark Knopfler, U2

Link: http://wzlx.radio.com/2011/11/29/rolling-stone-magazines-100-greatest-guitarists-photos/

Bennie and the Bulls

2011-11-27T23:09:00.002-05:00

Classic:

Metta NBA Labor Peace

2011-11-26T09:18:00.005-05:00

NBA Commissioner David Stern and players make a deal
(photo by Getty Images)

The National Basketball Association and its players have reached a tentative agreement to end the 149-day NBA lockout and will resume play in late December, according to multiple media reports from an announcement made at a hastily called press gathering with a group of media staked-out near the law offices of Weil, Gotshal Manges in Manhattan. The league could begin with games to be scheduled on December 25, Christmas Day, a day when many basketball fans enjoy their celebration with an evening ball game.

DigitalSportsDesk.com will update as details of the agreement emerge.

The arrangement was announced by NBA Commissioner David Stern and Billy Hunter and Derek Fisher, former heads of the NBA players union. The NBA did not issue an official press release or details of the proposed lockout-ending deal.

The reports of labor peace came after a marathon 16+ hour meeting between small groups representing the NBA team owners and the former heads and legal counsel of the disbanded player's union. CBS Sports dot com first reported the deal was in place.

"This was not an easy agreement for anyone. The owners came in having suffered substantial losses and feeling the system wasn't working fairly across all teams," said Adam Silver, the NBA deputy commissioner and chief negotiator under Stern.. "I certainly know the players had strong views about expectations in terms of what they should be getting from the system. It required a lot of compromise from both parties' part, and I think that's what we saw today."

Details of the lockout were scarce as league and union officials made the harried announcement in a small conference room at the GM building near New York's Central Park. Media reports cited a 50-50 revenue split between the parties but deeper calculations and estimates had the NBA players receiving between 49 and 51 percent of basketball related income, depending on the financial success of the league. Players had previously received up to 57-percent of the revenue as the collective bargaining agreement's delivery system, complete with several loop-holes and costly exceptions, careened out of financial control of the league.

The details of the new deal and the resolution of many "so-called" B-list issues will be center stage on the negotiating table between Nov. 26 and December 8, the day before the league simultaneously opens training camps and free agency. In addition, the two-week start-up time will allow players who are currently working overseas to opt-out of their deals and return to the US and Toronto, Canada for informal workouts and to re-assemble with their clubs. The semi-announced and tentative agreement did not include details of whether NBA players could enter team training and practice facilities as of today. Details will emerge as players and agents awake to the news.

Black Friday?

2011-11-25T08:37:00.000-05:00

I hope shoppers today stay safe and that they fully understand the real meaning of "when Black Friday comes."

Open Letter to NBA/NBA Players from a longtime NBA business associate

2011-11-20T18:01:00.009-05:00

A longtime NBA friend, Michael Goldberg of the Coaches Association, gave me a call and asked if I would assist him in getting this 'guest column' or open letter out to the key media who cover the NBA and its current labor situation.

No editing or preamble from yours truly, here is the commentary from Michael H. Goldberg:

***

An Urgent Call to the NBA, the NBPA and its Players for a Truce and Return to Talks, from a Veteran of the Business of Professional Basketball

By Michael H. Goldberg, Executive Director NBA Coaches Association

“Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got ‘til it's gone…” Joni Mitchell (Big Yellow Taxi)

I have been involved in the sport of professional basketball for over 35 years. In 1973, I was appointed General Counsel to the American Basketball Association, a great league but a financial disaster. In 1978, shortly after four of the ABA’s teams staggered into the safe harbor of the NBA (then itself a league with financial issues), I began my assignment as Executive Director of the NBA Coaches Association (all Head and Assistant Coaches plus alumni) and have served in this capacity ever since.

I’m urging this call for an immediate return to discussions by the parties solely as a veteran of the business of the sport and not as a representative or spokesman of the NBA Coaches or any other constituency. As someone who has “seen it all” in the NBA (and other professional sports), I urge the principals involved in the current labor dispute to immediately back away from the precipice, get back to the bargaining table, and redouble their efforts to resolve the current conflict and get a deal done without delay.

The upcoming NBA season must be saved. To do otherwise will cause a self-inflicted economic blow to an enterprise that over the years through the hard work of players, team owners and the League Office has become a great global brand, but, like every business operating in today’s fragile economic landscape, one that is more susceptible to “decline and fall.”

We are currently in a global economic crisis such as has not been seen in any of our lifetimes. Only individuals wearing three-inch thick rose-colored glasses can believe that sports, and NBA basketball in particular, are and will in the future be immune from these forces. Great companies with names that our parents looked upon as having the safety and sustainability of Fort Knox have only survived thanks to bankruptcy or government bailout, while many others have disappeared altogether. Tens of thousands of employees working for these “untouchable” companies for years thought they were set for life, only to find themselves out of work and scrambling to figure out Plan B.

In this new and dangerous economic environment there are no guarantees that what worked in the past can work now. We all need to concede that the NBA does not operate in a financial bulletproof bubble. After months of discussion, it has become apparent that a solution to the current situation means sacrifice and change. The parties have moved in that direction. Now is not the time to step back and harden positions. Litigation and the “courts” are not the answer – “been there and done that.” Let the parties have the courage to make a deal, even if it requires taking some risks and accepting the unpalatable for the short term, so as to ensure that going forward there will be a viable and robust NBA business, one that is able to withstand the current financial environment and further prosper.

Partial or lost seasons are a huge mistake and a blow to any sport that requires years of painful business rebuilding to get back on track. We all know this and know that damage has already taken place. The recent lost NHL season is an example whereby the end result was a damaged sport and fallout that fractured its union and cost hundreds of millions of dollars lost by the league, its players and its teams, to say nothing of the financial pain suffered by non-player (league and team) employees, suppliers and allied businesses. Similar results have affected every sport that has shut down due to labor/management issues.

There is no time to waste. History has proven that all sports labor conflicts are ultimately solved. No doubt all sides are concerned about their financial well-being and rightly so. But everyone involved must now think beyond their own interests, check out the daily financial headlines, and work towards a negotiated solution now. Short of this all parties will risk killing the goose that lays so many golden eggs for so many connected with it. Let’s not commit a “Flagrant 2” to a business that can ill afford it.

NBA Season in jeopardy, but the Circus is in town

2011-11-15T06:55:00.005-05:00

It's mid-November and the NBA is supposed to be in town, complete with its superstar players traveling on chartered jets while they stay at luxury hotel suites and cruise on fancy tour buses to the state-of-the-art-arenas, complete with ritzy locker rooms, weight rooms and practice facilities. The home team rolls into private players-only parking lots in their Escalades, Bentleys or Maybachs, secured like the Marine Corps bunks at Quantico. They report to work, just like the rest of us, they claim. They are members of a union, portrayed as the rank and file who "just want to play basketball."

Derek Fisher announces disqualification of NBA union

As of today, the union, formerly known as the National Basketball Players Association, has been disbanded, disqualified, blown-up, kaboom. They have not decertified, mind you, as that legal tactic would require each member of the union to trudge into a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) regional office for a full and formal vote. The union, formerly known as The NBPA, took a short cut to save the time and money of decertification, mainly because its members prefer listening to N.W.A. over schlepping to the NLRB any day of the week.

The charade of decertification, err, disqualification is a thinly veiled attempt to re-gain lost leverage which weighed heavily in the favor of the NBA team owners and their representatives in the league office. The threat of disbanding the union to file lawsuits and challenge the NBA under anti-trust laws was taught in sports law class years and years ago. Labor lawyers like to hear themselves talk in courtrooms as their firms cash seven figure checks all along the way as the laborers fork over as much as $25 million a year (as Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers might do). The litigators like to litigate and they do it in the name of the rank and file and for future players of generations to come.

Lost in the shuffle are the many arena workers, the vendors, parking lot attendants and restaurant owners and servers in the close proximity of the arenas occupied by the NBA team some 41 nights a year. The lost wages of those workers is simply the high cost of low living, but the owners and players apologize, just the same to the workers and fans. The are sorry that they've left the fans with extra leisure time and some serious discretionary income to re-allocate between December 15, 2011 and June 15, 2012.

The arenas will do their best to fill the dates. In fact, they've been chomping at the bit to gather up uncertain dates of the future and turn them into cash flow with a concert, Disney event or an extended run of the "greatest show on earth," the circus.

To this observer, the circus has long been in town. It didn't have a big top tent nor did the elephants walk to town through the Lincoln or Sumner tunnels. I've been watching the NBA version of a circus and it started this past summer and continued to make appearances on a monthly, then weekly, and lately, a daily basis. The usual acts were replaced by new high wire acrobatics that might make the original creators of the Cirque du Soleil blush from embarrassment. The NBA circus scores high on un-intentional comedy but registers pretty low on public opinion polls. It rolls into all corners of the earth, mainly from media reports which now carry the news globally.

The Ring Master of Ceremonies for this year's NBA Lockout Circus is none other than Metta World Peace, the artist formerly known as Ron Artest. Peace made his legal name change in order to "inspire the youth of the world," many who might've been led astray when Peace's predecessor, Mr. Artest, started one of the worst brawls in sports history when he was a member of the Indiana Pacers and decided to charge the stands at the Palace of Auburn Hills, near Detroit, to discuss foreign policy with a Pistons fan who had tossed a beer cup in his direction as he lay prone on the scorer's table, patiently awaiting the referees' decisions from a scuffle that he began with Detroit center Ben Wallace after a meaningless, hard foul. After nearly taking the NBA down with the aftermath of his ill-timed Auburn Hills meltdown, Artest sought refuge and began to remake his image to the point where the pro basketball writers later awarded him with a citizenship award.

In my circus, Metta World Peace is ably assisted by the NBA's David Stern and his deputy commissioner, Adam Silver while the players serve up executive director Billy Hunter in a way the Republican party served up Sarah Palin as a vice presidential candidate in 2008. Hunter has deputized his longtime legal counsel, Jeffrey Kessler, and they have run the equivalent of a legal three-ring circus, dating back to February 2010. Derek Fisher, a respected member of the former union and well-liked and well-spoken representative for the union, has tried to tame the legal lions that run his union and that of other major sports.

The non-union, formerly known as the NBA Players Association, is the comedy act of this circus. This summer, they carefully managed to avoid scoring high on the Richter Scale of stupid labor comments, marks previously set by the likes of former union members Patrick Ewing ("We make a lot, but we spend a lot.") or Latrell Sprewell (I've got a family to feed."). Instead, they scattered like stock brokers heading to the phones when the lockout was announced on July 1, 2011. The members sought millions from the NBA's global popularity, globetrotting to the very lands that the NBA farmed for decades with hopes of growing the pie called "basketball related income."

Deron Williams, an all-star guard, headed to play in Istanbul, Turkey while Kenyon Martin, a one-time #1 pick of the NBA Draft, flew off to China. Amar'e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks wondered out loud if the players might form their own league one-day, as he spoke of having a long-term plan and strategy that was -- obviously -- not very strategic and hadn't been baked very long. Other MVP players, like Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and Lebron James talked-up a world tour with an Atlanta-based organizer who set jets on a course for San Juan (Puerto Rico), London (England), Macau (China) and Melbourne/Sydney (Australia). When it came time, the circus-like tour never made it to San Juan as the organizers realized just what it takes to stage games on a global basis and on four continents in a matter of weeks. Hysterically, there were media reports, albeit on Fox, that had the dozen-plus player participants making between $500,000 and $1 million for their efforts with 'profits' going to charity. The un-intentional comedy meter hit "laughable" when you added up the potential dollars from ticket sales and subtracted expenses like first class flights and hotels, never mind paying out somewhere between $6 and $12 million in salary from gate receipts of five meaningless and poorly promoted exhibition games. It was amateur hour at the circus and we all laughed a few laughs at the players expense as their act of the circus was funnier than any clown prince could imagine. It was so pitiful, it might've made Emmett Kelly smile, God Bless his soul.

If that weren't enough, we had another (former) union member, the one and only Allen Iverson, entering the big-top as an event organizer in Las Vegas. Iverson planned a two-night event in Vegas to coincide with a championship Pacquiao-Marquez fight at the MGM Grand. It sounded great until the only players to show up for the pre-event publicity announcement were Iverson and Al Harrington, not exactly a roomful of support for Iverson on the high wire, and more like a "Roomful of Blues" at the posh HoB, near Mandalay.

Sprinkled in and out of the keen public eye, the NBA circus of the summer of 2011 brought added attention the Drew and Goodman summer leagues where name players like Kevin Durant registered mega-point performances to grab headlines and streaming video time, previously held for great performances in the Las Vegas summer league or the various player charity games. Other news bits saw the retirement of Yao Ming, the arrest of Jarvis Crittenton, a handful of drug, weapons violations and a DUI or two -- one by a prominent team GM, RC Buford of San Antonio. Yes, the players and lawyers were not the only acts in the circus. Hell, Kevin Love played volleyball at the this circus while Kobe Bryant unsuccessfully tried to negotiate a payday in his former stomping grounds of Italy. Maybe, the financial advisers conventions in Greece and Italy scared off a few of the circus actors from taking the plunge from "death defying" heights.

In the second ring of the summertime circus, the featured actors were team owners. Usually a button-downed group, the owners of NBA teams let their hard-line stance be known in ways unimaginable to those who follow the NBA closely. Inexperienced owners in Cleveland and Phoenix piped up as they undermined the league's hierarchy. Even respected team owners, like San Antonio's Peter Holt, were quoted as saying to players "that they haven't felt enough pain." One owner, the esteemed Micky Arison of the Miami Heat and Carnival Cruise fame, was fined for 'tweeting" his viewpoint of the failed labor negotiations with his tweet ill-timed, according to the NBA leaders who've used their twitter accounts, NBA TV, NBA.com and several media blitzes to try to reach the rank and file directly while swaying public opinion.

The third ring of the NBA circus is reserved for nasty creatures, also known as the scum of the earth, the wicked, the dangerous men and women who are worse than snakes in the grass or the piranhas of the Amazon. They are the "agents" and they are to be positioned as the scapegoats of this summer of BRI impasse. The agents lurk in the shadows of the circus and attempt to manipulate the union lawyers with their own selfish desires. They band together in groups of six or seven but when the likes of the tamers such as the late Clyde Beatty or Gunther Gebel-Williams come along, they refuse to sit idly as the circus acts swirl around them. Instead, they plunge at the jugulars of the player reps, or lesser-known, fellow agents and union leaders who might someday be allies. The third ring of this circus is not where you want to be.

And that leaves the concession stand. The circus might come to a close after a run of more than 137 consecutive days and the NBA might strike a new deal if some of the circus animals slither over to the concession stand. But, they will have to hit "dictionary (dot) com" on their way over, because the concession that I write of is not the type that sells cotton candy or beer and hot dogs. It is another definition of the word, a variation from the Latin verb "concedere." It calls for things to be granted in response to a demand from another and it hasn't been uttered or practiced in the two and a half years of NBA labor talks. The news of today makes me think this circus act is growing old on the once faithful fan base.

Can you pass the popcorn, please. I'm going to the movies instead of watching the game.

Be sure to check out: DigitalSportsDesk.com

The Annual Salute: Nov. 13th

2011-11-13T10:56:00.000-05:00

It's worth a laugh - each and every year. Happy November 13th everyone.

Magic/Bird on Broadway (and a little side-trip to Boston)

2011-11-03T18:17:00.000-04:00

Tony Ponturo and Fran Kirmser, the producers of Magic/Bird on Broadway, along with the basketball faithful of Comcast Sportsnet NE will host a special Boston-based evening of reminiscing about the on-court and off-court impact made by Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird. The invitation-only event will serve as a tiny peek into the development of the play to open on Broadway/NYC this coming spring (2012).

Playbill.com recently ran this update of the play with comments from the producers:

Producers Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo are shooting for their production of Eric Simonson's basketball play, Magic/Bird, to have a March 21, 2012, Broadway opening following a Feb. 27 first preview.
A theatre is yet to be announced for the open-ended run of the six-actor, 95-minute play about the professional rivalry and friendship between basketball stars Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird. Producer Ponturo told Playbill.com on Oct. 31 that casting is ongoing for the title roles, and four other performers.
Kirmser and Ponturo were behind the NFL-minded play Lombardi, about Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi, seen on Broadway in 2010-11.
"We're very much in the middle of casting," Ponturo said. "Like every producer, you like to look for talent that has a reputation…in the theatre business. These will be names that people will recognize."

The announcement of the play has created some "showtime-type buzz" in New York, Boston and LA as the casting and background work is gradually accomplished by the creative team. And, unlike the proximity of the frozen tundra of Green Bay, Wisconsin's Lambeau Field to the lights of the Great White Way, the New England faithful are a short car, bus or Amtrak away from Manhattan and the ability to re-live some of the best memories of the classic rivalry between Magic & Bird and the Lakers & Celtics.

Nah, Nah, Nah, Nah -- Hey Hey -- (the ultimate) Good-bye

2011-10-24T08:38:00.000-04:00

It might be the ultimate "B" side and, as opposed to the air-play at an arena near you, you'll be hearing it on radio. Today, it will be played as a tribute to Paul Leka, one of the songwriters who took the impromptu lyrical jingle to #1 on the charts in 1969.

"When all those sad tears are fallin' baby from your eyes

He might be thrillin' baby but a-my love (my love, my love)

So dog-gone willin' So kiss him (I wanna see you kiss him.

I wanna see you kiss him)

Go on and kiss him goodbye, na-na na-na-na na ..."

(Obit by the NYT)....

Paul Leka, a songwriter and producer who worked with many recording stars but who was best known for writing the chanting chorus of “Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye),” a No. 1 hit in 1969 that was reborn in the 1970s as a sports arena anthem, died on Oct. 12 in a hospice near his home in Sharon, Conn. He was 68. The cause was lung cancer, said his brother, George.
Mr. Leka made his name in the Tin Pan Alley tradition, writing or arranging songs for other people. He wrote and produced “Green Tambourine,” a No. 1 hit in 1967 for the psychedelic soft-rock band the Lemon Pipers; signed REO Speedwagon to its first record contract; and produced four of Harry Chapin’s albums, including 1974’s “Verities & Balderdash” containing the song that was Chapin’s lone No. 1 hit, “Cat’s in the Cradle.”
In 1969, Mr. Leka was helping a longtime friend from Bridgeport, Conn., Gary DeCarlo, fill the B-side of a single he was recording for Buddah. With Mr. Leka on keyboards, they started with a song they had written years before, a bluesy shuffle called “Kiss Him Goodbye.” But it filled only two minutes of playing time, and to make sure disc jockeys would not play it — instead of Mr. DeCarlo’s A-side — they decided to add a chorus to stretch it to four minutes, beyond the time limit of most radio formats.
“I started writing while I was sitting at the piano, going ‘na na na na, na na na na ...’ ” Mr. Leka told Fred Bronson, the author of “The Billboard Book of Number One Hits.” “Everything was ‘na-na’ when you didn’t have a lyric.” Mr. DeCarlo added the “hey hey.” They chanted the chorus at the beginning and end of the original song, and as an added poison pill left the dummy lyrics in.

The record company decided to release it nonetheless as the A-side of a 45 by Steam, a fictitious group name the two men invented for the record. The song reached No. 1 in late 1969 and enjoyed a happy radio life span. Then it came back.
In 1977 the organist for the Chicago White Sox, Nancy Faust, began using the song to stoke the crowd into taunting an opposing team when, say, a visiting player struck out or a visiting pitcher was removed or the team was about to lose.
It is unclear how it spread, but within a few years the chant was heard at sports events everywhere, more ubiquitous than “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” since fans sing it at football and soccer games, too.
“It’s a song where a guy wants a girl, but she’s going out with someone else,” Mr. DeCarlo said in a phone interview on Friday. “It’s basically a sad situation, but we made it upbeat. The guy sounds like he’s going to come out ahead. That’s why I think it caught on. It gives you a lift.”
Paul Theodore Leka was born on Feb. 20, 1943, in Bridgeport, one of four children of Theodore and Dhimitra Leka, immigrants from Albania. His father worked as a short-order cook. Soon after he started taking piano lessons, Paul was writing songs, and by age 16, his brother said, he was trying to sell them to music publishers in New York.
He worked for Mercury, Elektra and CBS Records and later opened his own recording studio in Bridgeport, where he helped produce songs for Gloria Gaynor, Stevie Wonder and Kris Kristofferson and others.
Besides his brother, his survivors include his wife, Engjellushe; their son, Alexander; two children from a previous marriage, Derek and Heather; and a sister, Evelyn Kreta.

Tedeschi-Trucks Band

2011-10-19T07:40:00.000-04:00

Conan hosted the Tedeschi-Trucks Band and he quickly realized that Derek has been practicing!