Country Bites News snippets July 30 – August 3, 2012
Links / SOURCES shown in RED
Links / SOURCES shown in RED
UK & IRISH News
OH, MY, GOSH – Hot UK
The article read: "Trailer Blazers" - Gypsy singers score country music hit in Nashville. Image
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| Travellin Rose CMA Global Artist Party Nashville-June2012 |
Read the article “IT’S a Big Fat Gypsy success story” dated 29th July 2012 by Charles Yates at www.dailystar.co.uk
Travellin Rose are nominated in the Horizon Act of the Year category in the 2012 British Country Music Awards (BCMAwards)
They have a brand new single called “Girl From The Backwards” on the promotional August 2012 Hotdisc
(Cover Art).
Fans should request to hear it on their country programmes in the UK and Europe.
Listen to a sample here >> Audio
(Cover Art).
Fans should request to hear it on their country programmes in the UK and Europe.
Listen to a sample here >> Audio
John Prine with friends Carrie Rodriguez, Gretchen Peters and Barry Walsh performing 'Paradise' as the finale of the Southern Fried Festival 2012, in Perth Scotland >> YouTube
Americana singer-songwriter Ryan Bingham has announced 1 date in Eire (Dublin) and 4 UK dates in November (Belfast, Glasgow, Manchester, and London) tickets available on Ticketmaster UK Watch Bingham’s, “Heart of Rhythm” (Lyric Video) >> YouTube
The Punch Brothers return to the UK in November with 8 dates: Nov 5 Open House Festival, Belfast, Nov 6 Manchester Academy 3,
Nov 7 O2 Academy 2 Birmingham, Nov 9 O2 Academy 2 Oxford, Nov 11 The Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, Nov 12 The Sage Gateshead, Nov 13 Islington Assembly Hall, London and Nov 14 at The Tunnels, Bristol – Tickets are Ticketmaster.co.uk
UKCountryRadio.com have teamed up with Wye Creek Music to produce a special limited-edition commemorative Digital Mini-Album featuring the five finalists for their Listeners' Club Award. The downloadable album (Link) is only available for a limited time. Track listing: 1. That Thing You Do - Belle Cannon, 2. Don't Tell Me You're Not In Love - Carolann B, 3. Carmen - Ian Highland & Twilight Country, 4. Come Undone - Thorne Hill, 5. Kentucky Whiskey - Wayne Jacobs - Sleeve Art PDF File - CD Art JPEG
Yorkshire has landed a former CMA Horizon Award winner! Bryan White plays a special show at Leeds Anglers Club on Wednesday 15th August, supported by the Tim McKay Band. Tickets and details from 07853 385486.
The Annie Duggan Band play the next UKCountryRadio.com Live Music Night on Thursday 30th August at the Best Western Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
Acoustic/Folk singer-songwriter Edwina Hayes is off to Nashville again in September, for 3 weeks this year, and will be playing concerts in New York City, Ohio and Pensacola, as well as a gig in Tullahoma Tennessee and Nashville itself.
UK COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES
(31 July 2012) Joey + Rory - His and Hers (Sugar Hill Records)
(31 July 2012) Gloriana - Thousand Miles Left Behind (Reprise / Wea) - Amazon UK CD Format
AUSSIE NEWS
Platinum selling US country star Joe Nichols will make his fourth visit to Australia this September to perform at the Deni Ute Muster on Saturday 29 and special concerts in Sydney on Wednesday 26 and Tamworth on Friday 28.
Harry Frost, the artist who helped create Australia's famous Golden Guitar trophy has died, aged 91. Founding Chief Executive of the Country Music Awards (or Golden Guitar Awards) Max Ellis said: "Harry Frost, was in 1972, a highly regarded Tamworth artist and he was closely involved in creating the famous Golden Guitar trophy presented from the first Country Music Awards of Australia in 1973. "Based on the a commission he was given by then Awards organisers, 2TM, Harry sculpted the model from which over 300 individual Golden Guitar trophies have been cast in bronze over the past 40 years”
CANADIAN NEWS
Looking to renew your Wedding vows? Shania Twain has the hook-up for couples interested in renewing theirs.The upcoming Vegas Country star is partnering with the ladies of "The Talk" to give "The Talk and Shania Twain Still the One" contest. (Enter at www.cbs.com ) One lucky couple will be given the opportunity to renew their vows on an all-expense paid trip to Vegas. The winners will also win a pair of tickets to Shania's show on 12/12 at Caesar's Palace residency. Shania's Two Year residency show kicks off on 12/01/12.
NEWS
After his brother’s death, Barry Gibb made a powerful debut on Grand Ole Opry debut Friday night (July 27) as waves of love and sympathy poured over the historic stage. Just two months previously, his brother Robin died, and their brother Maurice passed away at the age of 53 back on January 12, 2003.
When a fan shouted out sympathy, Barry replied with a soft smile, “They’re all here.”
Barry also told the crowd that time spent with bluegrass great Ricky Skaggs – who played the Opry with Barry – was healing.
“This man has been musical therapy for me,” Barry said. “You all, thank you so much. You’ve been so kind to me.”
Barry performed three songs, all with Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, starting with a Civil War song called “When the Roses Bloom Again.” >> YouTube
Still, Barry spoke of her his 93-year-old mother was carrying a heavy burden.
“She doesn’t know what she’s done wrong,” he said, shortly before launching into a beautiful rendition of BeeGees hit “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.”
>> YouTube
>> YouTube
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| Barry Gibb at The Grand Ole Opry |
Barry, singer in the iconic pop group The Bee Gees, told his Nashville friends that he has always wanted to be a country singer. And since he was a boy, Barry has hoped to play the Opry stage.
How can you mend a broken heart? – Well part of that answer, apparently, is by fulfilling a lifelong dream of singing at the Grand Ole Opry. Barry told the crowd Friday night, “This is the center of the universe musically.”
Following Exile’s performance Wednesday night at the Grand Ole Opry, the band spent some time with Bee Gee’s frontman Barry Gibb. Exile recently released PEOPLE GET READY, their first studio album project in 15 years.
From left; J.P. Pennington, Les Taylor; Marlon Hargis, Barry Gibb, Sonny Lemaire and Steve Goetzman
The Tim McGraw vs Curb saga continues (as reported by CountryMusicTattleTale.com). The label is now appealing the ruling that the artist can release new music with another label before the case is settled. But Curb is still arguing that Tim still owes them one more record. Trial continues next Friday, but this will be between Curb & Big Machine. Curb argues that the new Tim McGraw music (#Truck Yeah, etc.) Big Machine is releasing actually belongs to Curb.
NASHVILLE, TN – “Come Over,” one of the biggest songs of Kenny Chesney’s career has topped the Country Singles Charts in only 11 weeks. Recently cited as “One of this summer’s hottest songs” by NPR Morning Edition, “Come Over,” is Chesney’s 24th career #1 single and was certified Gold last week for digital sales in excess of 500,000.
“Come Over” is the second single from Chesney’s Welcome To The Fishbowl album which has already yielded the Top 10 single, “Feel Like A Rock Star,” featuring Tim McGraw.
Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw were at #2 on Billboard's Hot Tours Chart July 14-21 grossing a staggering $11,493,507 from 3 shows: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, O.co Coliseum, Oakland, Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver with a Total attendance of 136,097 from a 136,301 capacity.
The annual Inspirational Country Music Awards (ICMs) have announced the 2012 TOP 10 NOMINEES
Here are the 2012 ICM Faith, Family & Country Award Nominees for all the categories - www.icm-awards.com
The 20th Anniversary Awards Week will be held on Oct., 14 – 18, 2012 at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel (2025 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard) in Nashville, TN is set to celebrate two decades of success and growth that has occurred in the Inspirational and Christian Country music genre since the foundation of the original Christian Country Music Association in the 1990’s.
Kathy Mattea will be showcasing her new album titled CALLING ME HOME (Due out Sept. 11 on Sugar Hill Records) with Nashville appearances to celebrate its release. Returning once more to the rootsy Appalachian sound evident on her previous album COAL she will preview material with shows at: The Loveless Barn (Aug 29), The Bluebird Café (5 Sept), The Station Inn (7 Sept) and The Grand Ole Opry (8 Sept).
Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley are hosting the Country Music Association Awards for a fifth time.
Carrie kicked off the online buzz about their return with a tweet Wednesday, saying she was hanging out with Paisley. She joked that she caught him in her makeup chair and added the hash tag #suchadiva.
CMA confirmed the news on Twitter and Facebook shortly after with a picture of the two stars during a photo shoot.
The CMA Awards 2012 will air live Thursday, Nov. 1, on ABC from Nashville (The Associated Press)
Dierks Bentley is named to host the Academy of Country Music's sixth annual ACM Honors ceremony which is set for Sept. 24 at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. The event recognizes special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 47th annual ACM Awards. The main awards show took place in May in Las Vegas. Recipients will include: Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs, Dwight Yoakam, songwriter-producer Billy Sherrill, Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Bobby Braddock and the late Roger Miller.
Digital music service Spotify says it now has 15 million active users and 4 million paid subscribers worldwide.
Spotify executive Ken Parks revealed the figures yesterday (7/31) at the Global Business Summit in London. The most recent figures released by Spotify in January 2012 indicated a total user base of 10 million, 3 million of which were paid subscribers.
Eli Young Band frontman Mike Eli and his wife Kacey are proud parents of a baby girl! People.com reports that the couple welcomed Kline Olivia Diaz on Monday, July 30. She weighed in at 6 lbs., 15 oz. and is 20¼ inches long.
“They tell you about this feeling that is beyond comparison … and the moment Kacey and I laid our eyes on little Kline we understood it’s absolutely the coolest thing ever!” Mike (whose full name is Michael Eli Diaz) told People.
Former American Idol runner-up Lauren Alaina has been placed on doctor-ordered vocal rest and has canceled her weekend concerts with Sugarland. Vonda Shepard will now be appearing with Sugarland instead. “I am so sad that I have to miss this weekend’s shows in Cincinnati and Detroit with Sugarland,” Lauren wrote in a statement. “My doctor is putting me on vocal rest. I'm really sorry to disappoint the fans who were coming to see me and my friends Sugarland who have helped me out on their tour. I will make it up to you and be back soon!"
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Most victims of a deadly stage collapse at the 2011 Indiana State Fair have agreed to accept shares of a $13.2 million settlement offer from the state and two private companies, the state attorney general's office said Thursday.
The office said 51 of the 62 eligible claimants have accepted the settlement offer.The Indiana State Fair opened Aug 3, 2012 trying to shake off the emotional and economic shadow of last year's deadly stage collapse when stage rigging fell onto a crowd waiting for the country duo Sugarland to take the stage last Aug. 13. Seven people died and dozens more were injured.
This year's headline concerts, will include performances by Train and Blake Shelton. A moment of silence is planned for 8:46 p.m. Aug. 13, the anniversary of the collapse. Amusement rides, games and concession stands will come to a halt, perhaps for as long as five minutes. Ashley Gregory, 21, of Danville, Ind., who was in the grandstand at last year's Sugarland concert but wasn't injured, said the fair "feels different" this year but she couldn't stay away
SINGLE / ALBUM NEWS
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| Buck Owens Album artwork (Amazon) |
A NEW Buck Owens box set, TALL DARK STRANGER, has just been released and covers his recording career from 1969 to 1975. The collection of 214 tracks includes all the recordings by his award-winning group The Buckaroos. As well as the CDs, there is a stunning 108-page hardcover book covering this period of Buck's career. The book concludes with a brief insight into his life after he left Capitol Records in 1975 up to his death on March 25, 2006. Available at Amazon UK
Jamey Johnson's next album will be a collaborative celebration of Hank Cochran’s music with Jamey singing duets with some big music names. LIVIN’ FOR A SONG: A Tribute To Hank Cochran will include artists such as Willie Nelson, George Strait, Alison Krauss, Elvis Costello and others. The album will hit stores September 25 on vinyl and October 16 in all other formats. The album will feature 16 tracks, Cochran passed away in 2010 at the age of 74. Track Listing and read more - www.cmt.com
Collin Raye has released a new single, “Never Gonna Stand for This.” The patriotic song is now available exclusively at iTunes and serves as a call to action for Americans who may be unhappy with the current state of the government. UK iTunes – US iTunes
“Anyone that follows me knows I’m very passionate about two things: My Christian faith and my country,” Collin said. “I think this new song sums up a lot of what America is feeling. It’s not really left or right, liberal or conservative. Rather, it expresses an overall dissatisfaction with politicians who have turned their back on the average, hardworking American citizen. It’s time to take our country back!”
Jason Aldean next album will be called "Night Train" (Broken Bow Records) with an American release date October 16
It’s only July, but it seems like Scotty McCreery is already in the Christmas spirit!
The “American Idol” Season 10 winner tweeted a photo of himself working hard in the studio. ”well its still 90 some degrees outside, but its Christmas in July here in the studio…..” he said.
Scotty’s mom Judy,, known to TV viewers via American Idol also tweeted a picture of the holiday cheer being spread through the studio.
“Thank you @IveyCake for the awesome holiday cupcakes you sent to the studio for @ScottyMcCreery this week!!
Singer Joss Stone and country trio Gloriana are both aiming for the top 10 on the Billboard 200 in the coming week with their newly-released albums. According to industry sources, Stone's "The Soul Sessions, Vol. 2" might sell around 25,000 by week's end on Sunday, Aug. 5, while Gloriana's "A Thousand Miles Left Behind" might shift 20,000.
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| Ke$ha Brit Awards 2010 |
Reno, Nevada’s Indie Americana/ hard-edged country honky tonkers Hellbound Glory just finished up a big 6-week tour, and behind them they left a trail of rumors that a future album might have a contribution from electro pop star Ke$ha. Apparently the band met Ke$ha just after coming off another tour and hanging out at their favorite Reno
Ke$ha told Papermag in July of 2010: “I’m really inspired by country music–my mom wrote country music–and I love Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash. I think at some point there might be some country collaborations or records in the future.”
Ke$ha’s mom is a country songwriter by the name of Pebe Sebert. Her song of note is Old Flames (Can’t Hold a Candle To You - YouTube), which became a hit for Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, and Johnny Cash. Pebe Sebert did not start off in country though. She was a singer in a punk band, and then wrote the hit song “as a joke” according to Kesha in an interview with Ryan Seacrest. Pebe moved from LA to Nashville
ARTICLES
How Social Networking Has Helped to Promote Bands
Excerpt: Building a fan base is a major goal facing most ambitious new bands. The easy part is actually forming a band, the hard part is building up a reputation. This is important if your band wants to play more live venues, as promoters are generally not sympathetic if you cannot muster at least 20 people to come and see you. In the old days bands had to rely on word of mouth to gain followings. Today it is easier than ever to connect with your fan base. This is due to the explosion in social networking from its beginnings in 2003 with sites like Myspace and its development and marketing possibilities through sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, where bands could grow, maintain and interact with their fans....For a while Myspace was an independent utopia for bands hoping to get noticed. Famously, the Arctic Monkeys used the site to promote their gigs and share their demos. - Read more at Suite101
Their success story(case study), which now includes Myspace to playing at the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony, were as the band got signed and went from strength to strength encouraged many bands to follow.
The State Of The Music Industry - A perfect graphical comic on where the music industry is today - theoatmeal.com
10 Reba McEntire Songs That Sound Like Short Stories: Singer Has a History of Picking Socially-Conscious Lyrics -www.cmt.com
INTERVIEWS
Ourstage.com Exclusive Q and A: Lauren Alaina Talks “Wildflower,” Fans and Steve Tyler
Building Inspiration: A Q&A With Josh Turner at www.americansongwriter.com
Dierks Bentley: Ten No. 1s 'Feels Like a Blur' ( the 615 with Chuck Dauphin)
Extract: "It's a big lesson that you learn when it comes to how your song moves up the charts," Bentley recalled. "It was an eye-opening experience to see how much hard work goes into promoting the song from the Capitol Records promotion department. I learned a lot with that first single. It was really special."...
"It's something that I never dreamed of -- having that many number one songs," he said in an exclusive interview with Billboard. "It all feels like a blur. It feels like yesterday that I was writing 'What Was I Thinkin' in the Sony Tree Publishing firehouse -- we used to write songs in this old converted firehouse. To even put out ten songs -- let alone ten go to number one seems like a lot to fathom."...The next single from Home will be "Tip It On Back," which represents a first for Bentley. "This is the first song we've released as a single that I didn't write," he says, as the track was penned by Tully Kennedy, Ross Copperman, and Jon Nite.
Read more at www.billboard.com
LISTEN
Listen to 2012 sets from Sara Watkins and First Aid Kit at The Newport Folk Festival - www.npr.org
WATCH
Carrie Underwood isn’t in Oklahoma anymore. Her dramatic new video, “Blown Away,” channels The Wizard of Oz, starring Carrie as a modern day Dorothy, complete with red shoes and a blue and white checkered shirt. The daughter of an alcoholic, she bravely takes cover as a twister rips away the life she once knew.
Watch it at - http://vevo.ly/SMRlME
As the video ends and the storm clouds disappear, Carrie emerges from the cellar into a bright new world where she’s free of her father’s abuse. Directed by Randee St. Nicholas, the video was filmed in a rural area outside of Nashville, Tenn.
Heidi Newfield’s dramatic new video, “Why’d You Have To Be So Good - The power ballad, which deals with heartbreak, loss and hope, is getting great reviews. “I first heard this song about eight years ago, if you can believe that. It has always been special, and I had hoped it would come home to me someday. So, here we are.” Heidi says. “I think this video is amazing and so different than anything else out there. I got the chance to dig deep and pull from some real emotions. It was also fun to play with the hair and makeup and fashion forward look throughout. I think my fans will get it and love it and I hope to make a lot more new fans with this one as well.”
Directed by Eric Welch, the video features Heidi in two settings: one totally black and one totally white. “There’s a constant struggle between hope and fear within all of us. This video allows the viewer to watch that internal struggle play out. The black represents the sadness you feel when you lose someone or a fear that has its grip on us,” Heidi says. “The white represents hope which will always exist even in the midst of fear if we only allow it.” Heidi describes the dramatic nature of the video as a departure from anything her fans have seen from her in the past. “It was fun to act a little bit,” she added. (Curb Records Press)
Check out the Lady Gaga lashes and the mess! >> YouTube
Corey Wagar's latest single "Take Ya Back"; penned by Corey and successful songwriters Cece Dubois and Beau Fuller. Filmed in the heart of Nashville >> YouTube
Carrie Underwood made her CMA Songwriters Series debut Tuesday, July 31 in a sold-out performance at Royale in downtown Boston. Underwood, a respected songwriter in her own right with seven of her 15 No. 1 hits as co-writes, was joined by respected Nashville songwriters Brett James, Luke Laird, Hillary Lindsey, and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member and CMA Songwriters Series host Bob DiPiero.
Watch Carrie belt out “Good Girl” >> YouTube
Watch Carrie belt out “Good Girl” >> YouTube
Music fans in Nashville had alternative entertainment to watching the Olympics Monday night. Billboard and Pepsi presented the Nashville leg of its Summer Beats concert series at the Cannery Ballroom.The free show featured a smokin' lineup of some of the town's most cutting-edge talent: Gloriana, Jana Kramer, Easton Corbin, Jerrod Niemann and Randy Houser. Gloriana highlights - www.pepsi.com
COUNTRY GOSSIP
Reba McEntire apparently has a dream, she wants to appear in British aristocracy drama Downton Abbey which has taken America by storm! Recently on a promotional tour for her new show 'Malibu Country' she was asked by Zap2it at a TV Critics press what role she'd like if she had her choice. Her answer:
"'Downton Abbey!' Was I too quick on that answer? I've already got it in my mind, I've already got it written it out. I would love to play Lady Mary's cousin. Shirley MacLaine's going to be the mother, and I could play her other daughter who lives in America."
"I love that show and I can't wait for the third season," Reba continues. "I'm a huge fan of Shirley MacLaine too. All the characters, the cinematography. Everything is beautiful on that show. Just a great story. I love it."
Kendra Wilkinson Baskett (from the Playboy mansion the reality show, The Girls Next Door) and Tayla Lynn (granddaughter of Loretta Lynn) were hanging out together in Nashville. The two girls did some sightseeing and then grabbed a bite to eat at the Loveless Café near Nashville. Baskett was there to shoot a video for a new LoCash Cowboys song.
Leann Rimes is at home recovering from emergency dental surgery that she underwent on July 30th. Leann had an extensive root canal procedure to remedy pain that she had begun having earlier this month. The procedure caused her to unexpectedly cancel shows in OHIO and INDIANA last week. While on bed rest, she tweeted that she has been taking the downtime to work on artwork for her upcoming album.
Brad Paisley hasn’t announced a release date yet for his next album but says, “I’m busting at the seams for people to hear it.” Brad recorded it at the guest house on his farm.
Apparently for Jana Kramer a must have beauty product she can’t live without is dry shampoo.
The New York Post are reporting Taylor Swift is looking to buy the sprawling $4.9 million mansion for sale next door to her beau, Conor Kennedy, 18, and new best friend — his grandmother, Ethel.Asked chances Taylor the songbird may one day be her granddaughter-in-law, Ethel, 83, said, “We should be so lucky.” The sprawling estate Swift, 22, is eyeing features its own private beach and is owned by a longtime pal of the late Eunice Kennedy. It was checked out over the weekend by a house inspector hired by Swift, sources said. “She can walk all over the neighborhood and not worry about being ambushed by a mob of screaming girls,” a local told The Post.
The New York Post last weekend reports they were spotted holding hands at the family compound in Hyannis Port, Mass. They also were seen jumping on a trampoline, having pizza, sailing and just generally being quote, “touchy-feely.”
COUNTRY OLYMPICS / TWEETS
Taylor Swift is among the millions of Americans who love that the five teenagers who make up the U.S. women's gymnastics team won the first all-around gold medal for America since 1996.
"CONGRATS @Aly_Raisman and all of the fab five on your incredible win!!!!" Taylor tweeted.
Aly replied almost immediately: "thank you so much Taylor! You just made my night! You are my favorite singer!!!!"
Taylor also reached out to swimmer Missy Franklin: "I was so happy to see you win, girl :)"
BlakeShelton: If I was on the men’s synchronized diving team i would definitely put a potato in my shorts… The back of my shorts
CharlieDaniels: It did my heart good to see five young cleancut American ladies stand on a podium and receive gold medals last night. USA All the way
WillHoge: who else is watching these Olympic games without pants while eating white beans and turnip greens?!?! Nobody…..just…..me. Ok! USA!!
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| Lost Trailers EP Artwork |
Dial Global Sports, the national radio broadcast home for the 2012 OLYMPICS, gave the audience a taste of Country during Thurs August 2nd broadcast. Women's OLYMPIC All-Around Gymnastics Champion Gabby Douglas was featured in a montage that highlighted her road to the GOLD, with THE LOST TRAILERS new song “American Beauty” as the montage soundtrack.
Feels so good / So right / American beauty, American beauty / Fall in love tonight / American beauty, American beauty,” Jason Wyatt adds during the chorus.
>> Lyric Video
>> Lyric Video
The Olympics Soundtrack debuted on the Billboard Top 200 Album charts despite the games only officially beginning on Friday July 27th and Emeli Sande rode the Olympic train to a big increase.
Olympics' Isles of Wonder Soundtrack debuts at No. 136 on the Billboard 200 with 3,000 digital-only copies. The physical version of the 36-track set won't drop on the streets until Aug. 28, more than two weeks after the games end Aug. 12.
136 NEW 1 Isles Of Wonder: Music For The Opening Ceremony Of The London 2012 Olympic, Soundtrack
LONDON (AP) Even Prince William and Prince Harry were kept in the dark. They told the BBC on Friday had no idea that their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, would play a cameo role in the Olympic opening ceremony. The sedate, octogenarian monarch surprised many Britons by appearing in a film played at the Danny Boyle-directed opener last week.
PHOTO
Star Miley Cyrus's love affair... with hotpants (Pacific Coast News) - Link
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