Entertainment,Arts,Fashion & Technology
February/March 2007
LA Opera to Present Company Premiere of Richard Wagner’s
Tannhäuser
Featuring Peter Seiffert in the Title Role
Music Director James Conlon Conducts New Production
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A United Kingdom - Czech Republic – German - USA Co-Production. Casino Royale © 2006 Danjaq, LLC, United Artists Corporation, Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. 007 Gun Logo and related James Bond Trademarks © 1962-2006 Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation. Casino Royale, 007 and related James Bond Trademarks are trademarks of Danjaq, LLC. All Rights Reserved. |
Custom Home Electronics Stars Shine at EHX
Custom Electronics Stars shine at the Electronic House Expo, EHX Fall 2006 in Long Beach through November 17th.
EHX is the fastest growing custom electronics trade show in America with focus on custom electronic integration and retailing.
Many of the exhibitors were using EHX as a practice run for the Consumer Electronics Show which occurs in January in Las Vegas each year.
Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system was launched at EHX with Lifeware by Exceptional Innovation. Microsoft’s Media Center has expanded becoming much more than an operating system and multimedia central for one’s computer, but to home automation. During the Media Center Boot Camp on Tuesday, Mike Seamons of EI said, “The icons mimic the look and feel of Vista’s. It present the consumer with a seamless experience, navigating through their lights, thermostats and other electronic and enjoying movies, music and other native Media Center applications.”
Highlights from EHX:
- Music Giants, www.musicgiants.com
High def downloads at only $1.29 per track. The good news is it’s an open platform and can be used on the Zune (Microsoft), Gigabeat (Toshiba) and other mp3 players. The bad news is that it doesn’t include iPods.
- Numinus, www.numinous.com
Bring the outdoor in under starry skies with fiber optic starfields. Available as StarDomes and StarTiles with acoustics.
- eSommelier, www.esommelier.net
The first residential integrated Wine Management Server that allows collectors to search their entire wine cellar from anywhere in their home or abroad.
- Draper, www.draperinc.com
An abundance of viewing screens like you’ve never imagined for your home theater. A framed one gives an appearance of a flat screen or an acoustically transparent surface allows one to have a center channel speaker position directly behind the screen for a sense of realism. The Phantom Projector lift disappears in to the ceiling and was named Product of the Year by Electronic House Magazine during CEDIA 2006.
- Demo alley at EHX
Various manufacturers have created optimum settings for showcasing their products.
November 15, 2006 -- Singer Josh Groban, whose new CD "AWAKE" debuts at No. 2 on the pop charts next week, will be hitting the road beginning late February. The highly anticipated AWAKE Tour announced today by Live Nation, the tour's producer, will take the multi-platinum recording artist around the globe. Concert dates for the first leg -- 29 cities -- begin February 17th in Verona, New York at the Turning Stone Casino with other highlights including NYC's Madison Square Garden on March 12th, LA's Staples Center on March 31st and the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas on April 7th.
The 25-year-old Grammy nominated artist has sold over 14 million CDs and has previously toured to wild critical and fan acclaim. Billboard Magazine has hailed the new CD as a "retail and artistic titan."
Following performances last week on "Good Morning America" and "Regis and Kelly," Groban is also scheduled to appear on "Jay Leno" November 16th, the "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" November 23rd, the "American Music Awards" on November 21st and the "Kennedy Center Honors" airing in mid-December.
Tickets for the AWAKE Tour will be available for purchase at LiveNation.com beginning November 17th at 10am for select dates.
JOSH GROBAN AWAKE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR SPRING 2007 DATE CITY VENUE Sat Feb-17-07 Verona, NY Turning Stone Casino Sun Feb-18-07 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena Tues Feb-20-07 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena Wed Feb-21-07 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena Fri Feb-23-07 Detroit, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills Sat Feb-24-07 Chicago, IL United Center Mon Feb-26-07 London, ON John LaBatt Centre Tues Feb-27-07 Ottawa, ON ScotiaBank Place Thu Mar-01-07 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center Fri Mar-02-07 Boston, MA TD BankNorth Garden Sun Mar-04-07 Montreal, QB Bell Centre Mon Mar-05-07 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre Wed Mar-07-07 Providence, RI Dunkin Donuts Center Thu Mar-08-07 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Casino Sat Mar-10-07 Rochester, NY Blue Cross Arena Mon Mar-12-07 New York, NY Madison Square Garden Tues Mar-13-07 Washington, DC Verizon Center Fri Mar-16-07 Raleigh, NC RBC Center Sat Mar-17-07 Atlanta, GA Phillips Arena Mon Mar-19-07 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center Wed Mar-21-07 Houston, TX Toyota Center Thu Mar-22-07 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center Sun Mar-25-07 Phoenix, AZ US Airways Arena Tues Mar-27-07 Sacramento, CA ARCO Arena Wed Mar-28-07 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion Sat Mar-31-07 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center Wed Apr-04-07 Fresno, CA Save Mart Center Fri Apr-06-07 San Diego, CA I Pay One Center Sat Apr-07-07 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Arena
A Breed Apart
The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is the only major dog show that …
- Out of thousands of AKC sanctioned events, is organized and held solely by the AKC, the nation’s oldest and only not-for-profit purebred dog registry.
- Is strictly by invitation only. The top 25 dogs in every AKC recognized breed and variety, as well as every Bred-by-Exhibitor Champion and Best in Show winner during the qualification period, are invited to compete. In addition, the winner of each breed’s national specialty show is invited to compete.
- Invites international competitors. In January 2006, international dogs from 20 countries as far away as Brazil, Malaysia, England and Japan participated.
- Offers significant prize money – a total of over $225,000. In addition, special competition and prize money for AKC Bred-By-Exhibitor Champions is offered.
- Celebrates the heart and soul of the sport of purebred dogs by awarding the AKC Breeder of the Year Award. Seven individuals are honored who have left a great impact on a specific breed. These breeders have dedicated their lives to improving the health, temperament and quality of purebred dogs.
- Invites nearly 4,000 dogs to compete in three national AKC events taking place under the same roof. The AKC National Agility Invitational and the AKC National Obedience Invitational are held at the same time.
- Showcases the AKC Meet the Breeds, an exciting annual event for families as representatives from up to 157 AKC National Breed Clubs, who share their knowledge and love of their chosen breed via informative displays and canine representatives.
- Serves as the only all breed qualifying show in America for entry into Crufts – the world’s largest dog show. The Kennel Club (England) has designated the winners of Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, Best Bred-by-Exhibitor and Awards of Merit at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship as qualified to enter Crufts.
- Offers sizable scholarship awards for its Junior Handler winners and requires a specific grade point average as part of the eligibility criteria. Junior handlers, between 9 and 18 years of age, are invited to demonstrate their expertise for an opportunity to receive a $2,000 scholarship.
- Is televised live on Animal Planet. Don’t miss it – Saturday and Sunday, December 2 and 3, 2006!
-- The Planet’s Greatest Dog Show Broadcasts LIVE from California Saturday and Sunday, December 2 and 3, at 8 PM (ET) on Animal Planet --
On December 2 and 3, more than 150 breeds of the world’s most competitive and coiffed canines compete for the “National Champion” title at the sixth annual AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP in Long Beach, Calif. These four-footed stars prance around the ring, exuding enthusiasm and sheer anticipation when the winner is announced.
Live for the third consecutive year, Animal Planet broadcasts this renowned international event, which returns to the Long Beach Convention Center after its two-year run in Tampa, Fla. The televised event, beginning at 8 PM (ET) on both nights, is hosted by former Entertainment Tonight personalities Bob Goen and Leanza Cornett and is simulcast on the Discovery Channel.
“We are excited that this one-of-a-kind canine extravaganza is returning to Long Beach,” said Gina DiNardo Lash, AKC spokesperson. “This city and facility are ideal for hosting thousands of dogs and tens of thousands of dog lovers; it’s also an ideal setup for our live broadcast on Animal Planet and Discovery Channel. We know that millions will be watching around the country, cheering on their favorite breed.”
The AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP features a slate of thousands of the world’s finest dogs as they gather for the coveted and crowning title. Nearly 2,700 dogs from every AKC-recognized breed and variety competed in last year’s competition; this included dogs from all 50 states and 20 foreign countries.
The AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP provides in-depth competition coverage and behind-the-scenes features about the owners, breeders, trainers and handlers. In addition, Animal Planet shares expert health and training tips and personal stories of some of finest dogs of their breeds, making this a show that’s more than just standards, points and judges.
Dog lovers in the Los Angeles/Long Beach area have the opportunity to witness the excitement of the show for themselves. The AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP continues its honored tradition of highlighting responsible dog ownership with “Meet the Breeds,” a showcase of the wide variety of breeds. It’s a chance to meet members of the canine fancy who share their insights and expertise on the breeds’ unique qualities and characteristics.
“The dogs shown at this competition are examples of the work of responsible breeders – people who dedicate their lives to the sport and to creating the most ideal examples of their breed,” said Ron Menaker, show chairman. “Watching or attending the AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP is an ideal way for any dog lover to learn more about purebred dogs and to witness the human/canine bond.”
The AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP offers the only sizeable monetary award in dog shows, with cash and prizes totaling more than $225,000. The National Champion wins $50,000. The previous “Best in Show” winner, CH Nanuke’s Snoklassic No Boundaries, an Alaskan Malamute better known as “Costello,” earned more than $80,000 when he was crowned National Champion, Best Bred-By-Exhibitor in Show, and Viewer’s Choice all on the same night.
All AKC parent club national specialty “Best of Breed” winners join the ranks of top dogs invited to the sixth annual National Championship. As in the past, invitations are issued to dogs ranking in the top 25 of their breed. Any dog receiving an all-breed “Best in Show” at an AKC show held during the qualifying period also receives an invitation. In addition, the top-ranked dog in each AKC-registered breed is invited from those countries around the world with registries that issue pedigrees acceptable for AKC registration. The system used to select the top dog in each breed is determined by each country’s national kennel clubs. Dogs from Asia, Europe and South America are expected to compete.
Eukanuba Viewer’s Choice AwardAnimal Planet viewers at home have the opportunity to decide their favorite dog for themselves by visiting Animal Planet’s web site (www.animalplanet.com) during the live event on December 2 and 3, and participating in the Eukanuba Viewer’s Choice Award. Find out who the lucky dog is at the end of the event on December 3.
The American Kennel Club (AKC), founded in 1884, is a not-for-profit organization that maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees more than 18,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs each year. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Companion Animal Recovery and the AKC Museum of the Dog. For more information, visit www.akc.org.
Eukanuba has a formula to feed the specific nutritional needs of every dog breed. Eukanuba is a division of Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG), and you can visit us on the Web at http://www.eukanuba.com or visit Iams at http://www.Iams.com.
Animal Planet, available in 89 million homes nationwide, is the only television network dedicated to the emotional connection between humans and animals. The network brings people of all ages together by tapping into a fundamental fascination with animals through an array of fresh programming that includes humor, competition, drama and spectacle from the animal kingdom
AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP to Crown World's Top Dog
- The Planet's Greatest Dog Show Broadcasts LIVE from California Saturday and Sunday, December 2 and 3, at 8 PM (ET) on Animal Planet -
Nov. 15 On December 2 and 3, more than 150 breeds of the world's most competitive and coiffed canines compete for the "National Champion" title at the sixth annual AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP in Long Beach, Calif. These four-footed stars prance around the ring, exuding enthusiasm and sheer anticipation when the winner is announced.
Live for the third consecutive year, Animal Planet broadcasts this renowned international event, which returns to the Long Beach Convention Center after its two-year run in Tampa, Fla. The televised event, beginning at 8 PM (ET) on both nights, is hosted by former Entertainment Tonight personalities Bob Goen and Leanza Cornett and is simulcast on the Discovery Channel.
"With more than 3,000 dogs in competition and an expected attendance of at least 25,000 spectators covering nearly 400,000 square feet of space, this is a one-of-a-kind canine extravaganza," said Gina DiNardo Lash, AKC spokesperson. "This unique event offers numerous on-site attractions and demonstrations including 150 'AKC Meet the Breed' booths, and exciting agility and obedience competitions. Whether you attend in person or watch our live broadcast on Animal Planet and Discovery Channel this is an event that will entertain and educate all animal lovers."
The AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP features a slate of thousands of the world's finest dogs as they gather for the coveted and crowning title. Nearly 3,000 dogs from every AKC-recognized breed and variety competed in last year's competition; this included dogs from all 50 states and 20 foreign countries.
The AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP provides in-depth competition coverage and behind-the-scenes features about the owners, breeders, trainers and handlers. In addition, Animal Planet shares expert health and training tips and personal stories of some of finest dogs of their breeds, making this a show that's more than just standards, points and judges.
Dog lovers in the Los Angeles/Long Beach area have the opportunity to witness the excitement of the show for themselves. The AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP continues its honored tradition of highlighting responsible dog ownership with "Meet the Breeds," a showcase of the wide variety of breeds. It's a chance to meet members of the canine fancy who share their insights and expertise on the breeds' unique qualities and characteristics.
"The dogs shown at this competition are examples of the work of responsible breeders -- people who dedicate their lives to the sport and to creating the most ideal examples of their breed," said Ron Menaker, show chairman. "Watching or attending the AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP is an ideal way for any dog lover to learn more about purebred dogs and to witness the human/canine bond."
The AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP offers the only sizeable monetary award in dog shows, with cash and prizes totaling more than $225,000. The National Champion wins $50,000. The previous "Best in Show" winner, CH Nanuke's Snoklassic No Boundaries, an Alaskan Malamute better known as "Costello," earned more than $80,000 when he was crowned National Champion, Best Bred-By-Exhibitor in Show, and Viewer's Choice all on the same night.
Source: Animal Planet
'Videogame Wars' Heat Up With New Console Releases This Week
Experts Available to Discuss Holiday Implications - B-ROLL AVAILABLE WHAT
For millions of gamers across the country this holiday season, the latest development in the "videogame wars" means two brand new consoles for them to choose from:
-- PlayStation 3 -- available this Friday, November 17th starting at $499
-- Nintendo Wii -- available this Sunday, November 19th for $249
Those lucky enough to get their hands on one are facing yet another hit to their wallets -- games that cost up to $60 -- that is if game shortages like those following XBOX 360's release last year aren't repeated.
The solution lies in GameFly -- the leading online rental service, which allows members to play as many videogames as they'd like -- all without late fees and from the convenience of their home. GameFly members have been able to add the new PS3 and Wii titles to their GameQs for several months. GameFly has already started shipping games for the Wii and PS3 and will have a broad catalogue of titles available for both systems this holiday season.
Because of the company's strong gamer membership base and GameQ system, GameFly offers unique, expert insight into the most popular gaming titles, why one console is outperforming the other and what implications those two factors have on the $10 billion video game industry this holiday season.
WHO
Sean Spector, GameFly's co-founder and senior vice president of business development and content, is a passionate gamer with a unique insight into the mind of videogame fanatics of all ages and is available to discuss the following topics:
Topics
-- How the 83.7 million gaming households in the U.S. can sample the newest, hottest games for all popular gaming systems before they commit to buying them
-- Which new consoles GameFly users plan to purchase and why
-- Which new PS3 and Wii games games are likely to fly off the shelves this holiday season
-- How GameFly gift certificates are the perfect complement to a new console purchase this holiday season
-- Demystifying videogame "lingo" for non-gamers -- The best and worst videogames for kids
-- Tips and tools for parents on how to actively monitor the games their kids are playing
B-ROLL -- Soundbites from: --
Sean Spector, GameFly co-founder -- Avid young gamers
-- Mother of GameFly members -- Adult GameFly member
-- Visuals include: -- Avid gamers playing video games
\ -- Video games stacked on shelves in a warehouse
-- The GameFly user experience; renting video games through the mail
-- GameFly website screen shots
DAVID LYNCH Announces Distribution Partnerships and Theatrical Release Dates for INLAND EMPIRE
518 Media to Handle Theatrical Distribution; Rhino to Distribute DVD
Nov. 15 David Lynch's distribution company ABSURDA, who purchased the rights to self-distribute his latest film INLAND EMPIRE from Studio Canal in late October, has contracted 518 Media to assist in theatrical distribution, while Rhino Entertainment will distribute the DVD. Staying true to the spirit of the film, Lynch's distribution partnerships are modeled to allow complete freedom and creativity. Additionally, Lynch and fellow producer Mary Sweeney have retained PR awards specialist mPRm Public Relations, with whom they worked on MULHOLLAND DRIVE, to assist in the films many possible awards considerations, most notably Laura Dern and Lynch himself.
Sig Sigworth, Rhino's Vice President of Video, said, "Being in business with a director of David Lynch's caliber is immensely exciting for Rhino. David was looking for a new distribution model where he would have total creative control, and we were fortunate enough to develop a model that afforded him that control. He's taking his hands-on approach to filmmaking and carrying it all the way through theatrical and physical distribution."
Peter Langs, CEO of 518 Media, also acknowledges the unique alliance, saying, "Directors want to reach their own, appreciative audience and continue to reach them on an almost personal level -- and the 518 Media distribution model allows this to happen."
For his part, Lynch is energized by the do-it-yourself element of the release. "I like the idea of going around and meeting the people, being amongst the people, and go like back in the old days when people would put their records in the backseat of the car and hit the road to meet the DJs to get a record played," Lynch said. "For the first time since Eraserhead I can start meeting the theater owners again, the ones at the end of the chain that have played my films over the years and helped me out."
INLAND EMPIRE OPENING DATES: Wednesday, December 6, IFC Center -- NEW YORK
Friday, December 8, Brattle Theater --
BOSTON Friday, December 15, Laemmle Sunset 5 --
LOS ANGELES Friday, December 15, Laemmle Playhouse 7 --
PASADENA For wide release information visit: WWW.INLANDEMPIRECINEMA.COM
INLAND EMPIRE debuted at the Venice Film Festival and had its U.S. Premiere at The New York Film Festival where it was highlighted by Salon.com as the festival's "hottest ticket" and received gala screenings at the AFI Fest on November 3 and 6 in Los Angeles.
About ABSURDA
ABSURDA is an Irvine, CA based distribution and interactive media company owned by David Lynch and managed by Eric Bassett.
About Rhino Entertainment
Based in Burbank, California, Warner Music Group's Rhino Entertainment serves as the central catalog development, licensing, soundtrack, and television marketing area for the corporation. Rhino develops, markets, and promotes both audio and video products from the vast WMG catalog and through new productions with established artists. The division is also responsible for licensing WMG's music for film, television, and video game uses, and for creating custom premium products
About 518 Media
518 Media Inc. is engaged in the acquisition, distribution, finance, and co-production of motion pictures, television programs, DVD, VOD, digital and telephonic media. Its principal officer, Peter Langs, has distributed in excess of 150 theatrical films for directors such as Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles, Terry Gilliam, Mike Judge and Werner Herzog. Additionally, he has produced EMMY(R) nominated and Telly Award(R) projects and films for AMC, TBS and Universal Studios. 518 Media's affiliation with noted directors and producers such as Norm Hill, Carl Tostevin, Wayne Mogel, Randy Holleschau, Andre Singer, OSCAR(R) winner Christine Le Goff and multi EMMY(R) winner Kevin Brownlow.
Source: David Lynch
Grandmaster Flash Receives the 'I AM HIP-HOP' ICON AWARD at the First Ever BET HIP-HOP AWARDS, Nov. 15 at 9 P.M. ET/PT
Nov. 15 Widely regarded as the architect of Hip-Hop music, Joseph Saddler -- known to audiences as Grandmaster Flash -- will be honored at the BET HIP-HOP AWARDS with the "I AM HIP-HOP" ICON AWARD for his trailblazing contributions to the genre. Flash pioneered the Hip-Hop movement back in the early 70's, one of three credited with defining a culture and musical trend that critics said would never last.
Flash, one of Hip-Hop's greatest innovators, transcended the genre's party-music origins to develop and perfect a style of DJ'ing that has become the foundation for some of today's leading dee jays.
"As an eight-year-old kid coming up, I was able to sit back and watch pioneers such as Grandmaster Flash lay the foundation for Hip-Hop," states internationally known dee jay Kid Capri. "He's an Icon because he was intricate in the development of the blueprint of Hip-Hop. No one was cutting and scratching on the tables like Flash ... he revolutionized the role of the Hip-Hop DJ."
World-renowned celebrity DJ and star of VH-1's Celebrity Fit Club, Biz Markie, adds, "Grandmaster Flash is by far the Einstein of DJ'ing. He was before his time and even when I see him to this day, he continues to fascinate me!"
The BET HIP-HOP AWARDS premieres on Wednesday, November 15th at 9 p.m. ET/PT and is set to tape at Atlanta's historic Fox Theatre. The all-star lineup included host Katt Williams, Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, T.I. & Young Dro, The Game, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne & Baby, Lupe Fiasco, Rick Ross, Remy Ma, Jim Jones, Rhymefest, Sway, Papoose, DJ Scratch, DJ Drama, Saigon and Styles P. among others.
A Bronx brother (by way of Barbados), Flash was the first DJ to use turntables as a musical instrument. His ingenious musical contribution was recently honored by Microsoft founder Bill Gates with the DJ Vanguard Award. Developing his skills in New York clubs and parties in the park, he used duplicate copies of a record to "cut" (mix) them into one another -- a method that eventually led to all the other popular Hip-Hop DJ techniques.
LA's Ubercool DJ AM describes Flash's influence best: "Without Flash, I and many other DJs would not have the style we have and hear today. He is a pioneer and a mastermind. Respect due!"
Stephen Hill, BET Executive Vice President for Entertainment, Music Programming and Talent elaborates on why BET chose Grandmaster Flash as the inaugural "I AM HIP-HOP" ICON: "No one outside of Hip-Hop's birthplace had ever heard anything like the cutting that Flash was doing. He was the first to not only extend the break, but to recreate music using only records. Any break up in rhythm or turntable scratching you hear in music today has its roots with Grandmaster Flash. No question. End of discussion."
Flash's first record, 1981's "The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel" was the first record ever to feature complex cuts that had folks getting their groove on from The Bronx to Oaktown.
Soon after he established himself as one of the top DJs in the country, Flash, who worked with such Hip-Hop legends as Kurtis Blow and Lovebug Starski, joined forces with several other MCs including Cowboy, Melle Mel and Kid Creole, to form Grandmaster Flash & The 3 MCs. That group soon morphed into Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five when Raheim and Scorpio came aboard. Together they pioneered the popular "freestyle MC battles" back in the day.
Signed to Sugar Hill Records in 1980, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five recorded one of the most popular Hip-Hop anthems ever -- "The Message." That song, perhaps more than any other Hip-Hop record not only put the music on the map, but also declared Hip-Hop as a genre that is here to stay and as fans of all colors started to embrace this new genre with its pulsating beats and controversial lyrics.
Since then Flash has recorded numerous albums including: "They Said it Couldn't Be Done," "The Source," "Ba-Dop-Boom-Bang," "On the Strength," "Salsoul Jam 2000," "The Official Adventures of Grandmaster Flash" and "Essential Mix: Classic Edition." Flash & the Furious Five disbanded in 1984 and reunited briefly in 1987 and 1994.
The award-winning dee jay's storied career has spanned more than 30 years and he remains at the top of his game today. In addition to his music and his Sirius Satellite Radio show, "Flash Mash," (Saturdays, 5-8 p.m. ET on HOT JAMZ, channel 50) Flash is working on his memoirs.
Given his impact on the Hip-Hop genre and his long list of achievements, honoring Grandmaster Flash at the first-ever BET HIP-HOP AWARDS was a no- brainer. He is to Hip-Hop what Little Richard was to rock n' roll: the creator, the innovator, the keeper of the flame. He has established himself as one of the top DJs in the country and has influenced DJs and rappers around the world.
Top dee jays continue to sing Flash's praises. "Flash is the backbone of hip hop. Before there were bands and drum machines, there was a DJ who would cut over records for an MC to rap over," states DJ Jazzy Jeff, legendary dee jay and onetime partner to rapper-turned-superstar-actor Will Smith. " ... without the DJ, there would be no MCs. Everybody needs to pay respect to Flash. If it wasn't for him, many rappers would not be here."
In his own words, Grandmaster Flash says, "God chose me to use the turntables as an instrument ... I always wanted to create music, but traditional instruments are not what I wanted to use." Flash further explains, "By the use of a turntable, a hand mixer and literally placing my finger on the vinyl, I never realized that I would be changing the way DJs played music forever."
About BET Networks
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:and) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 83 million households according to Nielsen media research, and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of businesses extensions: BET.com, the Number 1 Internet portal for African Americans; BET Digital Networks -- BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip-Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, a service venture into the lucrative world of ring tones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, an extension of BET network programming for global distribution.
Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror Screens Nationwide in a Special Sneak Preview to Die For
Xenon Pictures Presents Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror in a Special Sneak Preview Nationwide on November 19 in After Dark's HorrorFest: 8 Films to Die For
Nov. 15 / Xenon Pictures and After Dark are proud to announce Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror as the special ninth film in HorrorFest: 8 Films to Die For. HorrorFest is a weekend of horror films that are considered too graphic or too disturbing for general audiences, but this latest star-studded addition is sure to have audiences screaming at both its horror and its humor, bringing "hood-riffic" color to this promising frightfest. As a special sneak preview, Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror will screen in 35 markets and in over 500 theaters on Sunday, November 19 at 10 PM, before its general release in early 2007.
Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror showcases an all-star cast, including international recording and film star Snoop Dogg, horror flick favorite Danny Trejo (The Devil's Rejects; From Dusk Till Dawn), Anson Mount (In Her Shoes; City by the Sea), Playmate Brande Roderick, Lin Shaye (There's Something About Mary), "Mad TV's" Aries Spears, Noel Gugliemi (Training Day; The Fast and the Furious), "The Game's" Pooch Hall, former WCW champion Diamond Dallas Page, Jason Alexander of "Seinfeld" fame, and Star Wars' Billy Dee Williams. Also starring are Detroit Piston Tayshaun Prince, Ghostbusters' Ernie Hudson, rap phenomenon Method Man, "One Tree Hill's" Daniella Alonso, Los Angeles Laker Lamar Odom, and NFL stars Teyo Johnson, Justin Fargas, and Glenn Cadrez.
Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror is a place where revenge is a dish served cold ... in a 40-ouncer. Follow the Hound of Hell (Snoop Dogg) through three terrifying tales from this nefarious neighborhood and its depraved denizens, including a tagger who finds out that not all gangstas die hard; the spoiled heir to a Texan oil dynasty who murders for money but can't pay to stay alive; and a major rap star that discovers he's got a few skeletons in his dressing room ... and they're kicking down the door. This bone-chilling, gut-bursting (literally) anthology proves, once and for all, "It AIN'T all good in da 'hood!"
Directed by Academy Award(R) nominee Stacy Title, Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror was written by Jonathan McHugh, Tim Sullivan, Chris Kobin, and Jacob Hair. Martin Shore of Social Capital and Christopher Tuffin of Bloodworks, as well as Ted Chung, McHugh, and Sullivan, served as producers. Martin Shore, with Gordon Steel and John Baca of The Steel Company, served as executive producers in addition to Snoop Dogg. Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror also features an exciting blend of live action horror and gore-filled anime sequences created by Japan's Madhouse (Animatrix, Tokyo Godfather, Vampire Hunter D) under the supervision of Academy Award(R) winner John Gaeta (The Matrix trilogy).
Xenon Pictures is also proud to offer a Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror sweepstakes on www.jumpcut.com/, where contestants can use anime clips to create a new trailer for the film. The top two creators of the coolest anime trailers for the film will walk away with $250 CASH and their video will appear on the official Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror website, in addition to its placement as a bonus feature on the upcoming DVD release! Think you're the Top Dogg? Prove it!
The film has been rated R for "pervasive strong violence & gore, sexuality, nudity & language".
To find out more about HorrorFest and Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror, please click on the following link: www.horrorfestonline.com/ * Please include the rating in any film coverage.
To visit the official film website and to view the teaser-trailer, please click on the following link: http://www.snoopshoodofhorror.com/ * Please include the rating in any film coverage.
Xenon Pictures, Inc., established in 1986 and based in Santa Monica, CA, is the leading distributor of Urban, Spanish-language, and alternative programming in the United States.
ON THE WEB: www.xenonpictures.com
Source: Xenon Pictures
15 Docs Advance in 2006 Oscar® Race
Beverly Hills, CA — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 15 films in the Documentary Feature category will advance in the voting process for the 79th Academy Awards®. Eighty-one pictures had originally qualified in the category.
The 15 films are listed below in alphabetical order:
“Blindsight”
“Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore?”
“Deliver Us from Evil”
“The Ground Truth”
“An Inconvenient Truth”
“Iraq in Fragments”
“Jesus Camp”
“Jonestown: The Life and Death of People’s Temple”
“My Country, My Country”
“Shut Up & Sing”
“Sisters in Law”
“Storm of Emotions”
“The Trials of Darryl Hunt”
“An Unreasonable Man”
“The War Tapes”
The Documentary Branch screening committee viewed the eligible documentaries in a preliminary round of screenings. Documentary Branch members will now select the five 2006 nominees from among the 15 titles on the shortlist.
Nominations for the 79th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 23, 2007, at 5:30 a.m. PST in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2006 will be presented on Sunday, February 25, 2007, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network at 5 p.m. PST, beginning with a half-hour arrival segment.
Samuel L. Jackson Back to Host Spike TV's 2006 Video Game Awards the Year's Biggest Celebration for Gamers
4th Annual Gaming Extravaganza Premieres Wednesday, December 13 at 10:00 PM; Tapes at USC's Galen Center in LA;
James Caan, Rosario Dawson, Johnny Depp, James Gandolfini, Seth Green, Brittany Murphy, Patrick Stewart, Kiefer Sutherland and James Woods All Nominated for their Performances in Video Games
Voting Starts Today, Only On www.vga2006.spiketv.com
Spike TV presents an action, adventure, fantasy and sports gamer's paradise when mega star Samuel L. Jackson hosts the 4th annual Spike TV 2006 Video Game Awards (VGAs) premiering on Wednesday, December 13 (10:00 PM-Midnight, ET/PT).
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060322/NYW096LOGO )
Spike TV's 2006 Video Game Awards tapes on Friday, December 8 at the University of Southern California's Galen Center in Los Angeles with the two-hour "games vs. games" extravaganza.
"This year's show will be all about bringing the games alive on screen, huge world premieres and game inspired performances that will blow the roof off of our biggest event yet," says Casey Patterson, Executive Producer VGA's and Senior Vice President, Event Production and Talent Development for Spike TV. "There is nobody cooler than our returning host, gamer god Sam Jackson to lead the virtual madness."
Voting for this year's nominees on www.vga2006.spiketv.com starts today and runs through Thursday, December 7. Also online, fans can log on to view exclusive red carpet and backstage coverage of the event.
The official sponsors of Spike TV's 2006 Video Game Awards are Burger King(R), Mountain Dew, Pontiac, Stride(TM) Gum, U.S. Air Force and Verizon Wireless.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion from Bethesda Softworks tops this year's VGA nominations with ten including "Game of the Year," "Most Addictive," and "Best Performance by a Human - Male" for actor Patrick Stewart as well as "Studio of the Year" for Bethesda Softworks and designer Todd Howard. Company of Heroes (THQ) and Gears of War (Microsoft) each have six nominations. All categories and nominees are listed below.
Nominees of Spike TV's 2006 Video Game Awards were determined by the VGA Advisory Council, made up of a group of gaming industry experts. Winners will be determined by votes from the Video Game Industry Voting Council and consumer voting. The winner in the "Most Addictive Game" category will solely be determined by viewer voting.
Spike TV's 2006 Video Game Awards pays tribute to the outstanding achievements of games, designers, animation, breakthrough technology, music and performances of the past year in the world of video games. The awards also provide a glimpse at the future of gaming -- including exclusive sneak peeks and world premiere footage of some of the hottest and most anticipated games of 2007 and beyond.
Following are the nominees for Spike TV's 2006 Video Game Awards: GAME OF THE YEAR The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Bethesda Softworks) Okami (Capcom/Clover Studio) Gears of War (Microsoft/Epic Games) Guitar Hero 2 (Red Octane/Harmonix) Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (Ubisoft) CRITIC'S CHOICE (game to be released after 11/15/2006 & before 12/31/2006) The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Nintendo/Nintendo EAD) Resistance: Fall of Man (Sony Computer Entertainment America/Insomniac Games) Medieval II: Total War (Sega/Creative Assembly) Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas (Ubisoft Montreal) Wii Sports (Nintendo) BEST DRIVING GAME AWARD Burnout Revenge-XBOX 360 (Electronic Arts/Criterion Games) Need For Speed Carbon (Electronic Arts/EA Black Box) TOCA Race Driver 3 (Codemasters) GTR 2 (10tacle Studios/SimBin Development Team) BEST INDIVIDUAL SPORTS GAME Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis (Rockstar Games/Rockstar San Diego) EA Sports Fight Night Round 3 (Electronic Arts/ EA Chicago) Tony Hawk Project 8 (Activision/Neversoft ) Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 (Electronic Arts/EA Redwood Shores) Top Spin 2 (2K Sports/Power & Magic) BEST ACTION GAME Dead Rising (Capcom) New Super Mario Bros (Nintendo/Nintendo EAD) Okami (Capcom/Clover Studio) Saints Row (THQ/Volition) Bully (Rockstar Games/Rockstar Vancouver) BEST TEAM SPORTS GAME NBA2K7 (2K Sports/Visual Concepts) Madden NFL 07 (Electronic Arts/Tiburon) NCAA Football 07 (Electronic Arts/Tiburon) FIFA 07 (Electronic Arts/EA Canada) NHL 07 (Electronic Arts/EA Canada) CYBER VIXEN OF THE YEAR Lara Croft - Tomb Raider: Legend (Eidos Interactive/Crystal Dynamics) Alyx Vance - Half-Life 2: Episode 1 (Valve) Princess Peach - New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo/Nintendo EAD) Enrica - Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent (Ubisoft Montreal) Jen - Prey (2K Games/ Human Head Studios/3D Realms) BEST SONG "LocoRoco No Uta" by Nobuyuki Shimizu and Kemmei Adachi in LocoRoco (Sony Computer Entertainment America/SCE Studios Japan) "Heavenly Star" by Genki Rockets in Lumines II (Buena Vista Games/Q Entertainment) "Helicopter" by Bloc Party in Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure (Atari/The Collective) "Summer Shudder" by AFI in Madden NFL 07 (Electronic Arts/Tiburon) "Lights and Sounds" by YellowCard in Burnout Revenge-XBOX 360 (Electronic Arts/Criterion Games) BEST SOUNDTRACK Guitar Hero 2 (Red Octane/Harmonix) Madden NFL 07 (Electronic Arts/Tiburon) Scarface: The World is Yours (Vivendi/Radical Entertainment) Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (Rockstar Games/Rockstar Leeds / Rockstar North) STUDIO OF THE YEAR Clover Studio (Okami) Relic (Company of Heroes) Cliff Bleszinski /Epic Games (Gears of War) Todd Howard / Bethesda Softworks (The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion) Harmonix (Guitar Hero 2) BEST WIRELESS GAME Diner Dash (Glu Mobile) SWAT Force (Vivendi/KAOLink) Tower Bloxx (Digital Chocolate) Super K.O. Boxing (Glu Mobile) BEST ORIGINAL SCORE The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Bethesda Softworks) Bully (Rockstar Games/Rockstar Vancouver) Electroplankton (Nintendo) Okami (Capcom/Clover Studio) Final Fantasy XII (Square Enix) BEST FIGHTING GAME Tekken: Dark Resurrection (Namco Bandai) Dead or Alive 4 (Tecmo/Team Ninja) Mortal Kombat Armageddon (Midway Games) Street Fighter Alpha Anthology (Capcom) God Hand (Capcom/Clover Studio) BEST SHOOTER Black (Electronic Arts/Criterion) Prey (2K Games/ Human Head Studios/3D Realms) Half-Life 2: Episode 1 (Valve) Gears of War (Microsoft/Epic Games) Call of Duty 3 (Activision/Treyarch) BEST MILITARY GAME Company of Heroes (THQ/Relic) Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (Ubisoft) Call of Duty 3 (Activision/Treyarch) The Outfit (THQ/Relic) Battlefield 2142 (Electronic Arts/EA UK / DICE UK) BEST GRAPHICS Gears of War (Microsoft/Epic Games) Okami (Capcom/Clover Studio) Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (Ubisoft) The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Bethesda Softworks) Company of Heroes (THQ/Relic) BEST HANDHELD GAME New Super Mario (Nintendo/Nintendo EAD) Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day (Nintendo) Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (Rockstar Games/Rockstar Leeds / Rockstar North) Tetris DS (Nintendo) LocoRoco (Sony Computer Entertainment America/SCE Studios Japan) BEST MULTI-PLAYER GAME Gears of War (Microsoft/Epic Games) Company of Heroes (THQ/Relic) Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (Konami/Kojima Productions) Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (Ubisoft) Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent (Ubisoft Montreal) BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY WII (Nintendo) PS3 (Sony Computer Entertainment America) DS Lite (Nintendo) Electroplankton (Nintendo) BEST PC GAME Company of Heroes (THQ/Relic) Half-Life 2: Episode 1 (Valve) Battlefield 2142 (Electronic Arts/Digital Illusions CE ) Star Wars: Empire at War (LucasArts/Petroglyph) The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Bethesda Softworks) BEST RPG The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Bethesda Softworks) Final Fantasy XII (Square Enix) Kingdom Hearts II (Square Enix) Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria (Square Enix/tri-Ace) BEST GAME BASED ON A MOVIE OR TV SHOW Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (LucasArts/Traveller's Tales) The Godfather (Electronic Arts/EA Redwood Shores) Scarface: The World is Yours (Vivendi/Radical Entertainment) The Sopranos: Road to Respect (THQ/7 Studios) Family Guy (2K Games/High Voltage Software) BEST PERFORMANCE BY A HUMAN - MALE Seth MacFarlane in Family Guy (2K Games/High Voltage Software) Gerry Rosenthal in Bully (Rockstar Games/Rockstar Vancouver) Patrick Stewart in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Bethesda Softworks) Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow (Bethesda Softworks/ 7 Studios/Buena Vista Games) Kiefer Sutherland in 24: The Game (2K Games/SCEE Studios Cambridge) BEST SUPPORTING MALE PERFORMANCE Seth Green in Family Guy (2K Games/High Voltage Software) James Woods in Scarface: The World is Yours (Vivendi/Radical Entertainment) James Caan in The Godfather (Electronic Arts/EA Redwood Shores) Philip Michael Thomas in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (Rockstar Games/Rockstar Leeds / Rockstar North) James Gandolfini in The Sopranos: Road to Respect (THQ/7 Studios) BEST PERFORMANCE BY A HUMAN - FEMALE Vida Guerra in Scarface: The World is Yours (Vivendi/Radical Entertainment) Tia Carrere in Saints Row (THQ/Volition) Emmanuelle Vaugier in Need For Speed Carbon (Electronic Arts/EA Black Box) Keely Haws in Tomb Raider: Legend (Eidos Interactive/Crystal Dynamics) Rosario Dawson in Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure (Atari/The Collective) BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE PERFORMANCE Rachel Leigh Cook in Kingdom Hearts II (Square Enix) Elisha Cuthbert in 24: The Game (2K Games/SCE Studios Cambridge) Brittany Murphy in Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure (Atari/The Collective) Mila Kunis in Family Guy (2K Games/High Voltage Software) Lynda Carter in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Bethesda Softworks) BEST CAST The Godfather (Electronic Arts/EA Redwood Shores) Family Guy (2K Games/High Voltage Software) Scarface: The World is Yours (Vivendi/Radical Entertainment) Saints Row (THQ/Volition) The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Bethesda Softworks) MOST ADDICTIVE The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Bethesda Softworks) Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day (Nintendo) Gears of War (Microsoft/Epic Games) Guitar Hero 2 (Red Octane/Harmonix) Company of Heroes (THQ/Relic)
Albie Hecht, Oscar(R)-nominated producer and co-creator of the "Kids' Choice" and "Video Game Awards," and Casey Patterson, Senior Vice President, Event Production & Talent Development for Spike TV will serve as Executive Producers of Spike TV's 2006 Video Game Awards. Alicia Portugal will serve as Producer and Scott Fishman is the Executive in Charge of Production. Beth McCarthy will serve as director.
Spike TV is available in 90 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE: VIA.B) .
Source: Spike TV
Ali G Meets Borat for the Very First Time in His Feature Film Debut, 'ALI G INDAHOUSE: THE MOVIE'
Available Now on DVD From Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Nov.14 Comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, the mastermind behind the outrageous alter ego personas Ali G and Borat, gives a tour de force performance in his first feature film, the hilariously edgy "Ali G Indahouse: The Movie," currently available on DVD from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. The first ever meeting in a feature film between the two comedic icons, Ali G and Borat, is a treat for fans of both characters along with the trademark sexy, irreverent, politically incorrect humor fans of Cohen have come to know and love. "Ali G Indahouse: The Movie" is a perfect introduction to the outrageous world of today's red-hot comedian the New York Post has called "terrifyingly funny." The DVD contains over two hours of bonus features that can't be shown in polite company, much less theatres, and include some truly jaw-dropping deleted scenes and a guide to talking like Ali G.
The Ali G Phenomenon
Born as a five-minute skit on a British late-night TV show, Ali G has become an international sensation, the highly recognized, blinged-out, track-suited personality whose would-be gangsta cool/clueless demeanor hasn't stopped him from hosting the European MTV Awards, appearing with Madonna in her music videos, or becoming a pop culture phenomenon. Fans who first encountered Ali G on his hit HBO series "Da Ali G Show" find themselves laughing and cringing simultaneously as the rapper-turned-TV interviewer confounds real-life politicos and celebrities with his side-splittingly inane questions, often leaving them in bewilderment while Ali G bulldozes his way on to the next topic.
BONUS FEATURES, INIT?
In addition to the full-length feature, the "Ali G Indahouse: The Movie" DVD features over two hours of exclusive bonus material with specially filmed introductions by Ali G including:
* "Me Video Diary" -. Ali G takes viewers on a hilarious tour of the set. * "Talkin' Da Talk Wiv Ali G" .- The Oxford English guide to Ali G-speak. * "Scenes No In It, Init?" (Deleted Scenes) -. Gags too outrageous even for this movie. * Trailer: "Da Greatest" -. Ali G floats like a bee and stings like a butterfly. * Trailer: "Tupac Teaser" -. Ali G's dog Tupac proves he really is this man's best friend SYNOPSIS
In this wild amalgam of the sexy, gross-out comedy of "American Pie" and the subversive satire of the BBC's "The Office," Ali G (Sacha Baron Cohen) unwittingly becomes a pawn in a plot to bring down the British Prime Minister (Michael Gambon, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," "Gosford Park") when he's convinced to run for a Parliament seat by a scheming politico (Charles Dance, "Gosford Park"). But the plan backfires when Ali wins the election and is embraced by the nation as the voice of youth and "realness," making the Prime Minister and his government more popular than ever. The film also stars Martin Freeman ("Love Actually," "Shaun of the Dead") as Ali's homeboy Ricky C. and Kellie Bright ("Upper Hand," "Bad Girls") as his girlfriend Me Julie. Directed by Mark Mylod, who also directed the upcoming "The Big White" starring Robin Williams, Holly Hunter and Woody Harrelson, the film is produced by Working Title Films ("Four Weddings and a Funeral," "Bridget Jones's Diary").
CAST & FILMMAKERS Director: Mark Mylod Screenwriters: Sacha Baron Cohen, Dan Mazer Producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, William Green, Dan Mazer ("Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason," "Wimbledon," "Love Actually," "Johnny English," "About a Boy") Executive Producers: Sacha Baron Cohen, Natascha Wharton Director of Photography: Ashley Rowe Production Design: Jon Billington, Grenville Horner Editor: Paul Knight Costume Designer: Annie Hardinge Make-up Designer: Ann Buchanan Music: Adam F., Shaggy, Keith Sweat Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Michael Gambon, Charles Dance, Kellie Bright, Martin Freeman, Rhona Mitra, Barbara New, Emilio Rivera TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD Copyright: 2004 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. Selection Numbers: 21982 (Widescreen), 26765 (Pan & Scan) Running Time 1 hour and 28 minutes Layers: Dual Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) Full Frame (1.33:1) Rating: R (Strong sexual content, pervasive crude humor, language and drug content.) Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround/Captions; Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Portuguese Subtitles Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.
Nov. 14 Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) and Ziff Davis Game Group announced today the companies have mutually agreed to discontinue production on the Official U.S. PlayStation(R) Magazine (OPM) in North America. The final issue will be dated January 2007. OPM is a publication officially licensed by SCEA.
"A key element of the OPM magazine was the playable PlayStation disc packed in with every magazine. With the launch of the PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system and its full network and Web capabilities, we are focused on delivering content via the PlayStation Network and PlayStation.com website, not discs," said Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing, SCEA. "While we have enjoyed a very good run with the printed version of Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine, we feel it is important to shift assets online to meet the needs of today's PlayStation consumer. This is a natural evolution of our content delivery strategy."
Entertainment content, such as high definition downloadable game trailers and demos previously found only on the DVD disc packed in with each OPM issue, will now be available to everyone on the PlayStation.com site and on the PlayStation Network, accessible only through the PS3. SCEA will continue to work closely with the editorial staff at Ziff Davis, as well as other partners, in the development of content for the PlayStation Network and on news coverage, previews, reviews, game developer profiles and in-depth executive interviews for all Ziff Davis properties.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(TM) game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system and the upcoming, much-anticipated PLAYSTATION(R) 3 system.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com/
America Recycles Day 2006
WASHINGTON, DC – Tomorrow, November 15, 2006, CTIA-The Wireless Association® and its member companies will mark America Recycles Day 2006 by reminding wireless consumers to recycle their used wireless products in an environmentally sound manner.
"As the number of wireless subscribers in the U.S. continues to soar, the need for proper disposal of used wireless devices also escalates," said CTIA-The Wireless Association® President and CEO, Steve Largent. "The wireless industry actively maintains a successful, nationwide recycling program called Wireless…The New RecyclableTM. This consumer-friendly initiative encourages people to be mindful of their environment and gives them the tools to take action," continued Largent.
All of the major national wireless carriers, as well as many regional and local carriers, have programs in place to recycle retired wireless equipment. Additionally, the wireless industry launched Wireless…The New RecyclableTM public outreach and awareness campaign in 2003 to provide consumers with information about the importance and ease of recycling wireless devices. Learn more about this voluntary program by visiting http://www.recyclewirelessphones.com. This website can help you locate a local donation center, find a charity you want to support, and direct you to a mail-back program or an on-line auction where you can sell your old mobile phone(s).
"America Recycles Day 2006 is a great reminder for everyone to rifle through your sock drawers and closets for old wireless phones, chargers, and accessories you no longer use, and take them to your nearest wireless carrier store to be recycled. By stepping up and recycling used wireless devices, you not only help the environment, but you also contribute to numerous charitable causes," said Largent.
The Wireless Foundation's CALL TO PROTECT® campaign, which has donated over 3.3 million used phones to charity since it began collections in 1999, is one of many opportunities for consumers to give back through recycling. CALL TO PROTECT® has enabled the donation of more than 37,000 wireless phones with airtime and more than $3 million in cash grants to organizations leading the campaign to end domestic violence. In addition, because all equipment collected is either reused or responsibly recycled, more than 200 tons of retired electronics have been kept out of landfills. For more information, check out http://www.calltoprotect.org.
You can recycle your wireless device through drop-off locations, mail back programs, through internet auction sites, or by donating it to charity. Three things to remember before you recycle your wireless phone:
- Terminate your service.
- Clear the phone's memory of contacts and other stored personal information using the data eraser tool from ReCellular at http://wirelessrecycling.com/home/data_eraser/.
- Remove your phone's SIM card, if it has one. Phones that operate on GSM networks use SIM cards. If you are not sure if your phone uses a SIM card or if you need assistance removing your SIM card, contact your wireless provider.
America Recycles Day is a national all-volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The goal of their annual campaign is to encourage Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products. You can learn more about them by visiting http://www.americarecyclesday.org.
By Peter Cronin
© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.
Some people spend a lifetime looking for their true calling. Taylor Swift is not one of those people. By the time she was 10, this Wyomissing, Penn., native was "dragging" her parents to festivals, fairs, karaoke contests - just about anywhere there was a stage where she could get up and sing. A year later, she was in Nashville knocking on record company doors. Swift describes her sales pitch at the time as, "Hello, I'm Taylor Swift, I'm 11 and I want a record deal." Not surprisingly, she didn't get signed, but she did walk away with some important lessons.
"That trip made me realize I needed to be different than everyone else people saw on Music Row every day," she said.
Swift returned home, got a 12-string guitar, taught herself how to play and jumped right into writing songs. "I played about four hours a day until my parents made me stop to come and eat dinner," Swift said. "I loved it that much."
Mom and Dad finally relented; relocating to Nashville after Swift was offered a development deal with RCA Records. With a growing record collection that included artists ranging from LeAnn Rimes to Tim McGraw to Sheryl Crow, Swift's after school hours were largely taken up with co-writing appointments. She was signed to Sony/ATV Tree Music Publishing at 14.
Performing at a showcase at Nashville's Bluebird Café, Swift was approached by label executive Scott Borchetta who was getting ready to start a new label, Big Machine. The young singer/songwriter was among his first signings and wrote or co-wrote every song on the album. Her leadoff single, "Tim McGraw," is already climbing the charts, and her self-titled debut album (produced by Nathan Chapman) was released on Oct. 24.
IN HER OWN WORDS
Which song would you secretly like to cover?
"Vonda Sheppard's 'Baby Don't You Break My Heart Slow.' It's got such simple lyrics, but they're lyrics that really make you feel."
What CD is in your stereo?
"Little Big Town's The Road to Here, the new Corrine Bailey Rae CD, Tim McGraw's CDs Live Like You Were Dying and Set This Circus Down."
Do you have a lucky charm?
"My lucky charm is a year-old, very weathered leather band around my wrist that says, 'Live in Love.'"
Who is your dream duet partner?
"Phillip Sweet from Little Big Town. He's my favorite person to listen to. Love his voice."
On the Web: www.taylorswift.com
Neil Thrasher's Continuing Education
By Robert L. Doerschuk
© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.
The first thing you notice about Neil Thrasher is his deadpan humor; he drops punch lines into his conversation, waiting for a beat or two to make sure they register. He uses that same timing when he's saying something he knows will make a different kind of impression.
"I learn something every time I write, but I don't know if I'll ever really find my own voice," he said. "Most writers never do."
This isn't the kind of talk you expect from a former ASCAP Songwriter of the Year, whose credits include Kenny Chesney's chart-topping "There Goes My Life" and Montgomery Gentry's smash, "Some People Change," along with hits by Diamond Rio, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts and Restless Heart. But the more he talks, the more unexpected twists Thrasher seems to take. He admits, for instance, that unlike most of his colleagues, he only began thinking of himself as a songwriter after he'd already been in Nashville for a while.
"I came here to be a star," Thrasher said. "I actually wouldn't be writing today if it weren't for my wife, Lana. She saw something in me that I didn't know I had. She's the one who set me up with writers here in town."
Music has been a constant passion in Thrasher's life. His parents met as performers of Southern gospel music, and Thrasher grew up listening to his father's successful quartet, the Thrasher Brothers.
"To me, it was all about the singing," he recalled. "I spent a lot of time at gospel shows, paying attention to everything: the voices, the showmanship, even the outfits the groups would wear. I've got album covers of my dad and his group in matching, fire-engine red suits, or in electric blue suits. They looked like the Mafia! I thought it couldn't get any cooler than that."
He was into rock 'n' roll too, at least until his father took the time to read the lyrics on one of his KISS albums. Still, by the time he got to Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., he'd spent several years playing in bands. When a stomach infection ended his plans to play college football, performing seemed like the sensible thing to do. Then he met Lana, who was working at the office of his future publishing company, Major Bob Music. She brought him into the office, where he met another young talent, Kelly Shiver. Their voices blended beautifully as Thrasher Shiver, and the pair soon had an album out on Asylum Records and two CMA Vocal Duo of the Year nominations.
"Up to that point I wasn't planning on writing for a living," Thrasher said. "That's when I started paying more attention to structure and listening to how people actually said things and started putting that into my lyrics. Lana was helpful too. She's a great song person. I've learned a lot from her about what a good song is."
Lana was running Major Bob, helping to guide the exploding career of management client Garth Brooks when she met her future husband, who was singing with a gospel quartet, in 1992.
"It was through doing demos with that band that I met Neil," she said. "I just kept noticing that Neil had so much natural talent, and of all the people in the band he was just hungry and had that burning desire to do music."
Thrasher learned a lot from his future wife, including how to handle it when a publisher or artist edits your songs.
"Listening to someone else and knowing that you don't know everything is part of the learning process," Thrasher said. "For example, when Michael Dulaney and I wrote 'What Do You Say,' the third verse had a comedy thing to it - something about someone forgetting the words at a wedding. Reba loved the song, but she asked us, 'Can y'all write me a different third verse, about life and death?' She knew more than we did about what she wanted to say and what radio wanted to play. So we didn't hesitate, and that only made the song better."
For all he has learned, Thrasher admits that the deeper he gets into the creative process, the more mysterious it seems. Inspiration can come from anywhere, usually when you least expect it.
"Wendell Mobley and I were sitting in my living room; it was one of those brain-dead nights," he said. "Then Lana comes around the corner, lights three candles on the mantel and turns the light off. Wendell and I looked at each other, and then we called Gary LeVox. That's how we got 'I Melt'" (recorded by Rascal Flatts).
"The point is, there is no formula," Thrasher summed up. "It happens when it happens. A song can come to me here or at home, in my wife's office, or in my car."
How about on the golf course? Thrasher pulls down his shades and smiles. "Well, we can say we're working out there. That sounds like a good excuse to me."
On the Web: www.majorbob.com/writers/current/thrasher.htm
Yahoo! Autos Grease-Powered Diesel Attempts Land Speed Record at El Mirage
Yahoo! Autos attempts to set a land speed record with a grease-powered diesel truck left everyone in the dust on Sunday at the El Mirage Dry Lake Bed, home of Land Speed Racing. The Greasel misses the unlimited diesel truck class of 160 mph, running at a speed of 81.559 on its first attempt and 98.158 on its second attempt. It is the first official land speed record attempt by a grease powered vehicle.
Expectations were high for the Greasel, hoping that it may have a chance at breaking the existing Unlimited Diesel Truck Class record. After reviewing, William Hoehne of MBN had heard mention in the press room at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas earlier this month, that the Greasel had previously reached a speed of 160 on a closed track. Perhaps it is not the same Greasel.
During the SEMA Show, the Greasel was unveiled beneath the Yahoo! purple cover. The Greasel’s engines were roaring in a public demonstration. Yahoo! Autos announced the launching of the Yahoo! Autos Green Center, the most comprehensive source for all things related to alternative fuels. Yahoo! Autos attempt to set a land speed record with a grease-powered diesel celebrates the launch of the Yahoo! Autos Green Center.
The weekend event was the only two-day Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) sanctioned record event and the last land speed racing event of the year. Saturday was a short days of runs which began at 8:19 am and ended at 10:35 am after adverse weather conditions. Sunday,
Starting line start times are determined by the vehicles’ current season points, which are earned by how often you run and if you break a record. If you break a record you earn a minimum of 225 points with additional points for going over the record. The advantage of having an earlier start time is that the turf is better. As the day progresses, the dry lake bed starts to become slushy as it becomes cut with ruts from vehicle runs. “Marbles” or dirt clods, also plague drivers. Drivers are warned of these upcoming areas by darker dirt.
Much of the day is spent waiting and waiting and waiting. Being located in the middle of the desert, with vehicles attempting to make land speed records, it is dusty, very dusty. Fortunately I was warned beforehand.
Tom Hadges, of Orange County Rod and Custom, was the driver of the Greasel for the land speed record attempt. Hadges, is a veteran of the El Mirage Dry Lake Bed track, holding 3 land speed records and his lucky dollar in his pocket.
Prior to the first run of the Greasel, the track was moved within a dozen runs beforehand. The cones which mark the track are moved periodically as track surface conditions worsen throughout the day. The track changeover delayed start times approximately 45 minutes.
Other highlights were seeing the Hot Rod Special, a 1980 Camaro driven by David Freiberger, the editor of Hot Rod Magazine (193.767 Speed, 220.00 Record to break) and the Evil Tweety, the World’s Fastest Production Honda 600, driven by Eric Burns who broke the record at 72.838 with a speed of 85.441. Evil Tweety holds a Bonneville J/Pro record of 99.299 in October 2005. According to SCTA officials, cars typically have higher speed records at Bonneville, due to the longer 5 mile track.
After the first run Hadges shared in his briefing with the eager audience, “Now I’m ready to go again and I think we can do a lot better job of doing it.”
How did this 100% pure peanut oil fueled diesel drive? Hadges shares “It just drove nice. It’s smooth and flat.”
Land Speed Vehicle Specifications
Class at El Mirage: unlimited diesel truck class
Body: 1986 GMC (according to the SCTA application for the event)
Chassis: running an extended chassis mid-engine vehicle
Wheel Base: na
Length: 23 feet
Width: 8 feet
Weight: close to 10,000 lbs
Motor: V6 Detroit Diesel 92
Horsepower: 3000 hp
Max Horsepower: 3500 hp
Tires: Front – Cessna tires, Rear – 747 airplane tires
Transmission: Allison transmission
Fuel: Peanut oil (will run on diesel up to 220 degrees then switches over to peanut oil)
Fuel Capacity: 15 gallon tank
Fuel Injection: Nitrous oxide and alcohol injection
Top Speed (estimate): 240 mph
Brakes: Front – normal Chevy disc brakes, Rear – changed to Ford 9-inch disc brakes, has 180 mph parachute
Owned by: Orange Country Rod and Custom, Placentia, CA (714) 630-6900
The Third Annual Rockstar Energy Drink Taste of Chaos Announces the Strongest Lineup of Artists to Date
The Chaos Returns With The Used, 30 Seconds To Mars, Senses Fail, Saosin, Chiodos, Aiden, Evaline and More
Fuse Television and Alternative Press Are Announced as Media Partners
The Tour Will Coincide With the Highly Anticipated Release of the Third Album From Headliner The Used
Chaos Mobile Is Launched, Providing Fans With Access, Information, Giveaways and an Interactive Portal for Their Mobile Lifestyles
Rockstar Energy Drink Returns as Title Sponsor
Tour to Kick Off February 15 in Seattle
November 13, 2006 -- After over 130 worldwide dates in the past two years, playing in 18 countries which have included the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Australia, Japan, France, New Zealand, Italy and many others, the only worldwide lifestyle festival tour, the Rockstar Taste of Chaos, is back with another onslaught of winter shows in the United States and Canada, featuring a who's-who of young, loud, aggressive bands.
Kevin Lyman, the man behind the Vans Warped Tour, has once again created a successful model of more-bang-for-your-buck. Lyman says, "We have succeeded in giving a world audience an action-packed lineup for an inexpensive price. The success of the tour on a worldwide level has been unprecedented. The 2007 USA and Canada tour is our strongest lineup to date and we are excited to bring this great show to the fans." The tour is scheduled to hit 41 cities in the U.S. and Canada between mid-February and mid-April. The multi-artist package in the U.S.A. and Canada will feature THE USED, 30 SECONDS TO MARS, SENSES FAIL, SAOSIN, CHIODOS, AIDEN, EVALINE and other special musical surprises to be announced.
ROCKSTAR Energy Drink will continue to be the title sponsor of the 2007 tour and will be sampling their products, as well as coming up with some great surprises for attendees. Other sponsors include Best Buy, Guitar Center, Hurley, Guitar Hero II, Chaos Mobile, PETA, Hard Rock Café, Hot Topic, PunkStop, 420 Players, Smarkpunk, SFA and Ernie Ball (who will provide musical instruments for fans to test out and will pick the opening act through their massively successful Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands in conjunction with Chaos Mobile.) FUSE Television, and Alternative Press (who will produce the Official Tour Program) have signed on as official Rockstar Taste of Chaos media partners. The Canadian Leg sponsors include MTV Canada, SBC Media, West 49, D-Tox & Amnesia. The concourses at each show will be filled with interactive activities that attendees can enjoy, play and tinker with.
THE USED, who have been one of the most successful bands in alternative music over the past five years, are launching their highly anticipated third album to coincide with the 2007 Tour. Bert McCracken, lead vocalist, states, "The Rockstar Taste of Chaos is so much f***ing fun for the bands and the fans alike. Fans can see a big production and enjoy all sorts of interactive concourse activities for the price of going to the movies and eating some popcorn. We really support giving our fans a s***load of entertainment for a fair price and this tour accomplishes that... and we are gonna rock some of our new songs on the tour, which we are really excited about."
Internet pre-sale for the 2007 edition of the Rockstar Taste of Chaos will begin December 1 at www.chaosmobile.com in conjunction with Music Today. Information, updates and free stuff will also be available at www.chaosmobile.com, a new venture started by the Rockstar Taste of Chaos partners. Chaos Mobile will be involved in the pre-sale as well as the Ernie Ball Battle of The Bands Opening Act contests. By registering at www.chaosmobile.com attendees will have the ability to win free musical gear, new music, clothing, video game systems as well as a CUT THE LINE code to get in the venue first and a FRONT OF THE LINE code for getting to the front of the line for autograph signings. Chaos Mobile will also have custom voicetones, video clips, candid photos, free phone wallpapers, exclusive content and lots of exciting features for all of the attendees.
Having already spawned multiple soundtrack CDs and a Live DVD (which was recently featured as a 30-minute show on FUSE Television) Rockstar Taste of Chaos, like its summer sibling the Vans Warped Tour, is only getting bigger and better, offering fans the opportunity to see their favorite bands as well as take part in a number of activities including playing the newest video games, checking out acoustic performances, attending autograph signing sessions and a slew of interactive fan activities that will add to the experience.
Here's what critics had to say about last year's Rockstar Taste of Chaos Tour:
"Rockstar Taste of Chaos patrons can expect six full hours of noise, games and enlightenment -- all costing less than a U2 tour shirt." - Alternative Press
"A smorgasbord of music that is sure to delight your musical palette. Who knew that chaos could taste so good?" - Metal Edge
"Taste of Chaos has become the must-see package tour during cold-weather months..." - Cleveland Plain Dealer
"The definitive hard music tour of the spring time is here in all of its hard-rockin' glory..." - Skinnie Magazine
"...Some captivating Chaos..." - Orange County Register
"Six hours of cutting-edge metal that is on the extreme end of the energy scale." - Toledo Blade
THE USED
The Used are one of the most successful bands to emerge over the past 5 years and in the process they have sold in excess of 3 million albums worldwide. Their debut album "THE USED" was a genre defining work that helped usher in a new style of music that touches legions of fans. Their second album "IN LOVE AND DEATH" continued to expand their fanbase worldwide. The band's highly anticipated third album is scheduled for an early 2007 release. The Used headlined the inaugural Taste of Chaos Tour in 2005 and they return in 2007 to headline the tour that has become a phenomenon across the globe.
30 SECONDS TO MARS
30 Seconds To Mars released the near-platinum record "A Beautiful Lie" to critical acclaim. Alternative Press said of the band, "... they just might be rock's best-kept secret." "The Kill" became a top three hit at Modern Rock Radio while their latest single "From Yesterday" is climbing up the charts. 30STM took home a multiple of awards this year for their video for "The Kill." They won the MTV2 Award at the 2006 VMAs after being nominated for two -- "Best Rock Video" and the "MTV2 Award." The band also received honors at this year's FUSE Fangoria Chainsaw Awards where they won "Best Video Inspired By Film" while Jared Leto took home the award for "Prince Of Darkness." They also enjoyed a win at the mtvU Woodie Awards for Best Video (Live Action) as well. Continuing to tour through the end of 2006 headlining the MTV2 $2 Bill "Welcome To The Universe" tour, the band also played Bamboozle East and West, Lollapalooza, and this summer's Warped Tour.
SENSES FAIL
If SENSES FAIL named their new Vagrant Records release "Still Searching" because they were looking for the upper reaches of the Billboard charts, it was a prophetic move. "Still Searching," the band's second full-length release, debuted this past October at No. 15 on The Billboard 200. Their 2004 full-length "Let It Enfold You," has gone on to sell more than 325,000 copies. The Bergen County, NJ five-piece recorded the new album with producer Brian Mcternan. "Still Searching" features a new musical cohesiveness resulting from hundreds of shows and tens of thousands of miles on the road (including their most recent stint on the International Taste of Chaos tour).
SAOSIN
Post-hardcore heroes and Capitol Records' new pride and joy Saosin are tearing up the scene. Currently on the road with Rockstar Taste of Chaos International, Saosin have been blowing minds on 3 continents including Australia, Japan, and Europe. Their immense live show has been honed through years on the road with such bands as AFI, Avenged Sevenfold, and My Chemical Romance. Along the way, they've amassed millions of fans worldwide who eagerly follow every move of this exciting young act. With the recent success of Saosin's self-titled debut full-length (selling almost 40,000 copies in its first week) Saosin is set to explode behind this creative and compelling work.
CHIODOS
The band Chiodos formed in high school, just outside of Flint, MI. Then known as The Chiodos Bros, they played the local scene and began writing original music. In June 2002, they recorded a demo called "The Best Way To Ruin Your Life," which gave the group a healthy local following. Chiodos (now with a shortened moniker) has covered plenty of ground since then. Citing such bands as Saves The Day, Queen, and At The Drive In as influences, Chiodos' latest full-length "All's Well That Ends Well" (Equal Vision Records) blasts menacingly at times, and sighs thoughtfully at others. Despite the complex range and genre-shifting within songs on the record, when asked how the album will transcend live, front man Craig Owens sums it up by saying, "We take pride in sounding better live [than on the album]." Chiodos have toured with such bands as Atreyu and Coheed and Cambria and became one of the breakout acts on last summer's Vans Warped Tour.
AIDEN
Aiden, a brash, young band that likes to call its pounding sound "horror rock" -- aptly melding punk, post hardcore and goth, was a recent winner of Kerrang! Magazine's Best International Newcomer Award over the likes of Panic! At The Disco and Wolfmother. The Seattle foursome has sold over 100,000 copies of their Victory Records' debut "Nightmare Anatomy" and their latest EP/DVD "Rain In Hell" was just released on Halloween.
EVALINE
Evaline, from Turlock, California, is a pure source of energy manifesting itself into artistry. From their teetering, poignant front man to the force behind the kick. Their music cannot be boxed into a specific genre and because of this their songs come across as fresh and new. Their six song EP, "postpartum modesty. a portrait of skin." was released by Warner Brothers Records in June 2006 and was hailed by Exclaim! as "...driving and melodic...these are six tracks that will leave you hanging for more." AllMusic.com raved, this "sweeping EP bodes very well for the band's future." Evaline was featured as one of Kevin Lyman's personal picks on the 2006 Vans Warped Tour and in October 2006 they toured with Placebo. The band is very excited to share the experience of the Rockstar Taste of Chaos in 2007. Following the tour the band will record their first full-length LP, and it will see a release in the summer of 2007.
Defrag: What's Your Time Worth?
Defragmentation Software Saves You Time, Money and Helps Keep You Focused on What's Really Important
November 13, 2006 -- In the competitive world of corporate America, it's easy to see how time truly is money. We depend on tools, such as our computers, to help us get the job done with speed and efficiency. Now, the question is what would happen if our computers were to go down? Unfortunately for some, the time and money necessary to recover from such a disaster, especially when racing against deadlines; can make or break a business. However, as you will soon see, this can easily be prevented with the proper implementation of defrag software.
Before the benefits of defrag software can be understood, we must understand what causes our computers to slow down and crash in the first place.
The answer is fragmentation. It's defined as pieces of files on hard drives that are not continuous but instead are scattered around the drives, continuously building up each time we use our computers, gradually slowing them down to a halt.
Now, as the level of fragmentation increases on a particular file, the time necessary to access that file is dramatically increased as well. If one were to calculate the minutes and hours of time wasted on waiting for files to open during the average business day, the affects of fragmentation on production can easily been seen.
Now although fragmentation sounds pretty serious, who has time to worry about it? In this day and age, you don't have to. Diskeeper 2007 defrag software, by Diskeeper Corporation (www.diskeeper.com), keeps your computer running at peak performance at all times... automatically. Through a breakthrough technology, dubbed InvisiTasking™, you just install the software and get on with your business.
After you install it, it automatically runs in the background at all times, defragmenting files on-the-fly, as they become fragmented.
Of course, you don't have to take my word for it. Visit a search engine, such as Google, and search for "defrag." Simply install defrag software and you can see for yourself. Not only will it ensure a continuous production flow, but will do so exclusively through the use of idle system resources.
So, make defrag software part of your strategic business plan. For in any business, if you can't keep up, you get left behind.
Pet Shop Boys at the Virgin Maga Store signing PET SHOP BOYS CATALOGUE
