NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) - Jim Hager, who gained fame performing with his twin, Jon, on the nationally syndicated comedy and music television show "Hee Haw," has died of a heart attack, a friend said.
Hager, 66, slumped over on Thursday in the parking lot of a coffee house, according to family friend Adam Dread. He was pronounced dead at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Hager and his brother, natives of Chicago, won a management contract after performing at Disneyland in California. In 1969 they moved to "Hee Haw" in Nashville, where they became regulars on the show.
The duo also charted five country singles on Capitol Records.
"Hee Haw," which ended in the 1990s, featured music and comedy skits performed by celebrities and country stars including Buck Owens and Roy Clark.
(Reporting by Pat Harris; Editing by Andrew Stern and Xavier Briand)
Friday 30 May 2008
Tuesday 27 May 2008
Sharon Little's Breakdown Debuts This Spring
LOS ANGELES, May 8 -- Perfect Time For A Breakdown is
Sharon Little's debut national release and a signpost of a career very much
on the ascent. The album, set for rush release May 27, was completed only
one week before Sharon hit the road for a string of tour dates in support
of Robert Plant, Alison Krauss and T Bone Burnett on the first leg of their
Raising Sand North American Tour. June will see her join the tour for its
second leg which includes stops in New York and Los Angeles. Sharon was
chosen by the headliners for this supporting role over numerous other
artists. Remarkably, it's only been since January of this year that the
Philadelphia native has made the transformation from waitress to major
concert attraction.
Little has earned critical kudos for her earlier independently released
recordings and club appearances, including a rave from Los Angeles area
critic/HITS Magazine columnist Roy Trakin: "[Little possesses] a sultry
croon capable of soothing, arousing or exploding into a Janis Joplin-esque
howl when you least expect it ... By all rights, Little should be a big
star." Helen Leicht of the influential Philadelphia radio station WXPN
wrote of a recent live performance, "What soul! You always hope to be that
moved by a concert."
The songs on Perfect Time For A Breakdown were written by Sharon and
her collaborator, Scot Sax, who co-produced the album with Mark Howard,
noted for his work with Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and Lucinda Williams. The
album's 11 tunes were inspired, in part by numerous, cross-country train
adventures Little and Sax have experienced over the past two years. Those
journeys further strengthened a musical and personal collaboration that
began in 2006 with a meeting at Milkboy Coffee Shop in Philadelphia.
As Sharon explains, "We knew we had each met our creative match within
minutes of sitting down with each other. Scot and I found that we brought
different approaches to songwriting, and discovered that each possessed
what the other one needed. Before we met, we were two separate halves of a
whole, and now, looking back, in each other we met ourselves."
Sharon Little's musical passion and songwriting began as an outlet for
her grief over the loss of a close friend at the age of 16. She sang backup
for many Philadelphia bands and developed her style and burgeoning
reputation while singing blues and jazz standards at local clubs to make
ends meet.
While she was gaining fans and earning compliments wherever she sang
and played, Sharon credits her partnership with Scot for putting her career
on track. "He was the first person experienced in the business who didn't
just talk about what I should be doing -- he actually did something about
it." From co-writing and recording, to taking pictures and traversing the
country with Sharon for low-paying gigs, Scot helped plot a course to where
Sharon needed - - and deserved -- to be.
Two independent records and countless gigs across the U.S. brought
Sharon to the attention of CBS Records who hotly pursued her after a brief
performance at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles in the summer of 2007. As CBS
Records head Larry Jenkins explained, "It took all of two minutes of
hearing Sharon sing and watching her perform for all of us to look at each
other knowing that we would do everything possible to bring her to the
label. We made it our mission to share her amazing artistry with the
world."
The whirlwind of recent activity has seen Sharon Little, a coffee shop
waitress in January who became a recording artist in February. By April,
she was earning standing ovations at major concert dates. Upcoming: the May
release of Perfect Time For A Breakdown followed, in June, by a string of
major market bookings with Page/Krauss/Burnett in support of the album's
release. Don't, however, mistake Sharon Little for an overnight sensation.
That's an understandable, but erroneous, conclusion to draw; the reality is
that she's been honing her craft as a songwriter and performer for almost a
decade. It's only that her time, clearly, has come and that time, by all
indications, is now.
See Also
Sharon Little's debut national release and a signpost of a career very much
on the ascent. The album, set for rush release May 27, was completed only
one week before Sharon hit the road for a string of tour dates in support
of Robert Plant, Alison Krauss and T Bone Burnett on the first leg of their
Raising Sand North American Tour. June will see her join the tour for its
second leg which includes stops in New York and Los Angeles. Sharon was
chosen by the headliners for this supporting role over numerous other
artists. Remarkably, it's only been since January of this year that the
Philadelphia native has made the transformation from waitress to major
concert attraction.
Little has earned critical kudos for her earlier independently released
recordings and club appearances, including a rave from Los Angeles area
critic/HITS Magazine columnist Roy Trakin: "[Little possesses] a sultry
croon capable of soothing, arousing or exploding into a Janis Joplin-esque
howl when you least expect it ... By all rights, Little should be a big
star." Helen Leicht of the influential Philadelphia radio station WXPN
wrote of a recent live performance, "What soul! You always hope to be that
moved by a concert."
The songs on Perfect Time For A Breakdown were written by Sharon and
her collaborator, Scot Sax, who co-produced the album with Mark Howard,
noted for his work with Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and Lucinda Williams. The
album's 11 tunes were inspired, in part by numerous, cross-country train
adventures Little and Sax have experienced over the past two years. Those
journeys further strengthened a musical and personal collaboration that
began in 2006 with a meeting at Milkboy Coffee Shop in Philadelphia.
As Sharon explains, "We knew we had each met our creative match within
minutes of sitting down with each other. Scot and I found that we brought
different approaches to songwriting, and discovered that each possessed
what the other one needed. Before we met, we were two separate halves of a
whole, and now, looking back, in each other we met ourselves."
Sharon Little's musical passion and songwriting began as an outlet for
her grief over the loss of a close friend at the age of 16. She sang backup
for many Philadelphia bands and developed her style and burgeoning
reputation while singing blues and jazz standards at local clubs to make
ends meet.
While she was gaining fans and earning compliments wherever she sang
and played, Sharon credits her partnership with Scot for putting her career
on track. "He was the first person experienced in the business who didn't
just talk about what I should be doing -- he actually did something about
it." From co-writing and recording, to taking pictures and traversing the
country with Sharon for low-paying gigs, Scot helped plot a course to where
Sharon needed - - and deserved -- to be.
Two independent records and countless gigs across the U.S. brought
Sharon to the attention of CBS Records who hotly pursued her after a brief
performance at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles in the summer of 2007. As CBS
Records head Larry Jenkins explained, "It took all of two minutes of
hearing Sharon sing and watching her perform for all of us to look at each
other knowing that we would do everything possible to bring her to the
label. We made it our mission to share her amazing artistry with the
world."
The whirlwind of recent activity has seen Sharon Little, a coffee shop
waitress in January who became a recording artist in February. By April,
she was earning standing ovations at major concert dates. Upcoming: the May
release of Perfect Time For A Breakdown followed, in June, by a string of
major market bookings with Page/Krauss/Burnett in support of the album's
release. Don't, however, mistake Sharon Little for an overnight sensation.
That's an understandable, but erroneous, conclusion to draw; the reality is
that she's been honing her craft as a songwriter and performer for almost a
decade. It's only that her time, clearly, has come and that time, by all
indications, is now.
See Also
Benji pens love song for Paris
ALL together now, 'Awww'.
Despite his rock exterior, tattooed BENJI MADDEN has gone all gooey
inside and penned a love song for his girlfriend PARIS HILTON.
The GOOD CHARLOTTE guitarist has risked his hardman credibility by
writing a soppy tune called Shine Your Light for his socialite squeeze.
Hotel heiress Paris said: "He actually wrote me a beautiful song, and
actually recorded it in the studio.
"He surprised me with it... it's this really beautiful love song about
me. It was the sweetest thing that anyone has ever done for me!"
Place your bets on how long it'll be before she gets a tattoo of his name?
Despite his rock exterior, tattooed BENJI MADDEN has gone all gooey
inside and penned a love song for his girlfriend PARIS HILTON.
The GOOD CHARLOTTE guitarist has risked his hardman credibility by
writing a soppy tune called Shine Your Light for his socialite squeeze.
Hotel heiress Paris said: "He actually wrote me a beautiful song, and
actually recorded it in the studio.
"He surprised me with it... it's this really beautiful love song about
me. It was the sweetest thing that anyone has ever done for me!"
Place your bets on how long it'll be before she gets a tattoo of his name?
Vera dies on Coronation St tonight
One of 'Coronation Street's most-loved characters, Vera Duckworth, will die during tonight's double episode.
Viewers will see husband Jack (Bill Tarmey) distraught as Vera's (Liz Dawn) body is taken away by funeral directors.
Details of how Vera dies have been a closely guarded secret; three different endings were written and the character's final scenes were shot amidst tight security.
Actress Dawn, who suffers from the lung disease emphysema, decided to leave the show to spend more time with her husband, children and grandchildren.
She has appeared in more than 3,000 'Coronation Street' episodes over the past 33 years.
Commenting on leaving the show, she said: "It was very emotional filming Vera's death scenes but I do think it is the right decision for the character. I have had 33 marvellous years in 'Coronation Street' and will miss everyone very much."
Her co-star Tarmey said: "Liz is a wonderful woman. I have worked with her for 29 years and we have never had a cross word. She only left a few weeks ago but already I miss walking on set and seeing her there, I miss working with her - we all do. But we wish her all the love in the world and want her to enjoy her retirement, she deserves it."
Viewers will see husband Jack (Bill Tarmey) distraught as Vera's (Liz Dawn) body is taken away by funeral directors.
Details of how Vera dies have been a closely guarded secret; three different endings were written and the character's final scenes were shot amidst tight security.
Actress Dawn, who suffers from the lung disease emphysema, decided to leave the show to spend more time with her husband, children and grandchildren.
She has appeared in more than 3,000 'Coronation Street' episodes over the past 33 years.
Commenting on leaving the show, she said: "It was very emotional filming Vera's death scenes but I do think it is the right decision for the character. I have had 33 marvellous years in 'Coronation Street' and will miss everyone very much."
Her co-star Tarmey said: "Liz is a wonderful woman. I have worked with her for 29 years and we have never had a cross word. She only left a few weeks ago but already I miss walking on set and seeing her there, I miss working with her - we all do. But we wish her all the love in the world and want her to enjoy her retirement, she deserves it."
Kate Hudson - Wilson And Hudson Fall Out
KATE HUDSON and OWEN WILSON have reportedly fallen out and sources close to the couple claim they have split on bad terms.
Eonline reports that the couple are no longer on speaking terms following an argument over OWEN flirting with other women while filming in Miami for the film MARLEY and ME.
The source said: "They haven't been getting along really for most of the time they've been back together. OWEN can be a moody guy, very up and very down. And Kate is so upbeat, it was hard for her to take."
The couple had previously split up last year but reunited in February.
OWEN WILSON was born in 1968 in Texas and has appeared in films such as MEET THE PARENTS, ZOOLANDER, THE WEDDING CRASHERS, RUSHMORE, STARSKY AND HUTCH, SHANGHAI NOON and YOU, ME and DUPREE.
KATE HUDSON is the daughter of film star GOLDIE HAWN and BILL HUDSON.
16/05/2008 16:43:19
See Also
Tori Spelling - Spelling Negotiates For 90210 Spin-off Role
TORI SPELLING's wish to star in the planned BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 spin-off series may come true - she is in negotiations to reprise her breakthrough role in the new show.
The actress first found fame playing Donna Carter in the hit high school drama, which ran from 1990 to 2000.
And after hearing of plans to revive the defunct series in a new spin-off show, the star has been desperate to land a part - even offering to play the role of a sexy mum.
Now, Spelling - whose late father, TV producer Aaron Spelling, created the original show - admits she would love make a comeback with her pal Jennie Garth.
She tells People.com, "Jennie is already on board for the series and we have been in touch about it. I would love to see our characters together again and get the chance to work with my friend again."
Spelling also claims it was her late father's wish to see the hit 1990s show make a comeback
She explains, "It was always my dad's dream and intention to make a new 90210 before he passed, so I know he is proud and he would be even more proud if I were a part of it."
See Also
Day-Lewis is among the SAG winners
Daniel Day-Lewis has been named Best Actor for his performance in 'There Will Be Blood' at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in the US.
Day-Lewis is Oscar-nominated for his performance and has already won the Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of Daniel Plainview in the Paul Thomas Anderson film.
Wicklow resident Day-Lewis used his SAG Awards acceptance speech to pay tribute to Heath Ledger, who was found dead in New York last week. He described the Australian actor as an inspiration.
Julie Christie won Best Actress at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for her performance in 'Away from Her'.
Javier Bardem was named Best Supporting Actor for his performance in 'No Country for Old Men' while Ruby Dee was named Best Supporting Actress for her performance in 'American Gangster'.
The Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture went to the stars of 'No Country for Old Men'.
The stunt team on 'The Bourne Ultimatum' won the Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture award.
For more on the Screen Actors Guild Awards, click here.
Day-Lewis is Oscar-nominated for his performance and has already won the Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of Daniel Plainview in the Paul Thomas Anderson film.
Wicklow resident Day-Lewis used his SAG Awards acceptance speech to pay tribute to Heath Ledger, who was found dead in New York last week. He described the Australian actor as an inspiration.
Julie Christie won Best Actress at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for her performance in 'Away from Her'.
Javier Bardem was named Best Supporting Actor for his performance in 'No Country for Old Men' while Ruby Dee was named Best Supporting Actress for her performance in 'American Gangster'.
The Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture went to the stars of 'No Country for Old Men'.
The stunt team on 'The Bourne Ultimatum' won the Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture award.
For more on the Screen Actors Guild Awards, click here.
Sir Paul McCartney has 'sexiest smile'
Sir Paul McCartney has topped a new 'Sexiest Smile' poll in a Senior Celebrities category.
The legend came out on top of a survey compiled by organisers of National Smile Month. The Rolling Stones' singer Mick Jagger came last in the poll.
In the Senior Celebrities category actress Helen Mirren came behind the former Beatle, while Camilla Parker Bowles came third.
The legend came out on top of a survey compiled by organisers of National Smile Month. The Rolling Stones' singer Mick Jagger came last in the poll.
In the Senior Celebrities category actress Helen Mirren came behind the former Beatle, while Camilla Parker Bowles came third.
Pan Sonic
Artist: Pan Sonic
Genre(s):
Ambient
Techno
Electronic
Blues
Industrial
Discography:
Kesto (234.48:4) (CD4)
Year: 2004
Tracks: 1
Kesto (234.48:4) (CD3)
Year: 2004
Tracks: 8
Kesto (234.48:4) (CD2)
Year: 2004
Tracks: 12
Kesto (234.48:4) (CD1)
Year: 2004
Tracks: 12
Kesto
Year: 2004
Tracks: 33
![Pan Sonic Live At Norbergfestivalen, Sweden 2003 - Radio [Mantraitor]](http://img.mp3fiesta.com/covers/35/3509/alb_121237_th.jpg)
Pan Sonic Live At Norbergfestivalen, Sweden 2003 - Radio [Mantraitor]
Year: 2003
Tracks: 1
Aaltopiiri
Year: 2001
Tracks: 17
Mort Aux Vaches
Year: 2000
Tracks: 1
X
Year: 1999
Tracks: 10
B
Year: 1999
Tracks: 4
A
Year: 1999
Tracks: 17
Arctic Rangers
Year: 1998
Tracks: 4
Osasto EP
Year: 1996
Tracks: 4
Vakio
Year: 1995
Tracks: 15
Osasto CDEP
Year: 1995
Tracks: 4
![Panasonic (EP) [Sahka007]](http://img.mp3fiesta.com/covers/35/3509/alb_121233_th.jpg)
Panasonic (EP) [Sahka007]
Year: 1994
Tracks: 2
Charlemange Palestine - Mort Aux Vaches
Year:
Tracks: 1
Finnish minimalist techno group Pan sonic are among the most active and well-known artists from that country's midget experimental techno resistance, and the offset to reach clap at an international level. Pursuing the scraggy edges of minimal techno and hard-core, the grouping have earned an abiding association with industrial and disturbance medicine through their incorporation of antiseptic production techniques and power tool electronics, landing them in 1995 on the English Mute label's experimental subsidiary company Blast First! (most of their catalog to date has since appeared there). The affinity lay more at the surface, however, as Pan sonic are better understood as a hit 'tween Jeff Mills and Mike Ink; dance-based electronic music with a maximum of impact, realised through a minimum of foreign item. Known for junking together studio apartment equipment from spare parts and ancient analogue rubble, Pan sonic's search for the untested in techno is their compositional M.O., placing them closer to the music's Detroit roots than is much understood.
Formed in Turku in the early '90s, Pan sonic began as the duet of Mika Vainio and Ilpo Väisänen. As with most Finnish techno groups, Pan sonic's earlier beginnings lay with the Sahko/Puu imprint, the focus of the Northern European techno scenery and home to such artists as Kirlian, Philus, Ø (Vainio's solo guise), Mono Junk, and Jimi Tenor. Pan sonic released its self-titled debut single through Sahko in 1994 earlier organism joined by third member Sami Salo and landing a narrow with Blast First! the following class. The group's first BF! acquittance, Vakio, was a full-length CD/triple-10" boxed typeset featuring the same brand of furtive, passively aggressive techno, though with a fuller, more thought-out well-grounded. Soon afterwards Vakio's release in 1995, Salo left the group (ostensibly to join the Army), and Pan sonic's subsequent releases -- the Osasto EP and the group's 1997 sophomore long-player, Kulma -- noted his absence by their relatively harder, less subtle tone.
Pan transonic added live carrying out to their regular repertoire in 1996, playing a number of gigs throughout Europe and Japan, as well as touring with gothic rock group the Swans. Vainio stirred to London in 1997, where, in improver to his chronic commitment to Pan sonic, he continues to record as Ø (his third base full-length under that name, Olento, was issued on Sahko precisely prior to Kulma's release). He has besides released work on Sahko, Puu, and Cheap as Tekonivel, Orchestra Guacamole (with Jaakko Salovaara), and Kosmos (with Jimi Tenor), as good as remixed tracks for Björk and Tactile. Pan sonic have besides been featured on several compiling albums, including A Fault in the Nothing (Contact, 1996) and Funktion 1: Finnish Techno Collection (Function, 1996). By 1998, an inevitable confrontation with the Japanese fabrication giant besides known as Pan sonic had resulted in a name-change of sorts, to Pan sonic. The wanting letter re-surfaced the following twelvemonth, as the title of the duo's third album. Vainio and Väisänen besides recorded the Endless LP (as VVV) with the addition of Suicide vocaliser Alan Vega. In 2001, Pan sonic returned with Aaltopiiri, toured the world, and then returned with a four-disc record album, Kesto (234.48:4), in 2004.
Neil Young get his first No. 1 album
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