Richie Makes Me Laugh

Thanks to MrJamesyBoo for posting this; you totally made my evening :)



~ Hath

When We Were Beautiful - Video

Universal (Portugal) has the video up here.

It's very very pretty :)

It was shot in Dallas, the night of the webcast -- if you were there, see if you can find yourself in the crowd shots!

~ Hath

Obie on WMMR!

Thanks, Catte, for streaming this for us! I haven't listened yet, but that's next on the agenda...

Two files for you guys to enjoy.

Only Lonely (Soundcheck)

Obie on WMMR (May 7)

~ Hath

Jon and Dorothea Out and About

Looking ever so youthful, Jon Bon Jovi was seen going for a stroll in New York City today (May 7) alongside his wife of 21 years Dorothea Hurley.

Dressed down in a newsboy cap, white t-shirt, and jeans, the 48-year-old musician was more than happy to chat with the paparazzi about how he recently celebrated his wedding anniversary by performing at the gala for DKMS, which helps find bone marrow donors for leukemia patients.

Next up for Jon and the rest of the boys of Bon Jovi? A scheduled performance on American Idol’s Top 4 results show episode next week. It’s not clear whether the band’s appearance is tied into that week’s theme.

Rumour has it a movie theme may be in the works, bringing to mind Bon Jovi’s Blaze of Glory.

source

~ Hath

Meet one of Superman's Heroes

After being severely wounded by gunfire from an insurgent's AK-47 in Fallujah, Iraq, in November 2004, Klay South returned to the United States with only a hospital gown to his name and long-term plans for convalescent care in his future.

"They cut your clothes off of you in the field and get you out of danger," the former Marine corporal and Greenwood native said. "If you are lucky, your gear comes back several months later."

Now 33, South said it has been more than five years since he was wounded, but he is still undergoing surgeries.

South decided to do something to help those men and women who needed something to take their minds off of the pain and their lengthy hospital stays.

Using his own experiences as a guide, and with the help of his mother, Janet, he created Veterans of Valor, a nonprofit organization that helps fellow service men and women -- and their family members -- through the difficult first days back home.

South formed his organization nearly three years ago and got a good head start with his first fundraiser, raising $25,000. He recently got a big help in publicizing his effort by appearing in a Bon Jovi music video for the single "Superman Tonight," in which he wore his dress blue uniform and displayed a sign showing his work with wounded vets.

He said that meeting the rock band's lead singer Jon Bon Jovi and guitarist Richie Sambora was a lot of fun, and he hopes the video brings awareness to the plight of wounded vets as well as other everyday heroes who help make a difference.


Read the rest of his story here.

~ Hath

David's Going To The Tony Awards!

That's right! This was posted yesterday on Broadway.com:

Memphis composer David Bryan is such a humble first-time Tony nominee that it’s sometimes easy to forget he’s also a rock star, as the keyboardist for Bon Jovi. On June 13, 2010, Bryan’s two worlds will collide when the Tony Awards will take place on the same night as a high-profile Bon Jovi gig in London, part of the band’s 12-show run at The O2. So what’s a guy to do? Go to the Tonys, of course!

“It will be the first show I’ve ever missed since I was 16 years old playing with Jon [Bon Jovi],” Bryan told Broadway.com at the 2010 Tony Nominee Press Reception on May 5. “I’ve never missed a show. When my father passed away, I waited two days to bury him ‘cause I had two shows to do. And he would have understood that, ‘cause he was a musician, too.”

Bryan said he found “a guy” to take his spot in the band on Tony night, and that band front man Jon Bon Jovi was supportive of his decision: “Jon was like, ‘Go to those Tonys!’” Memphis, which opened on Broadway in October 19, 2009, is nominated for eight Tony Awards including Best Musical.

Bryan received a nomination for Best Original Score for the score to Memphis, which he wrote with lyricist/librettist Joe DiPietro over the past decade, as well as a nod for Best Orchestrations with Daryl Waters. The duo also collaborated on the off-Broadway musical The Toxic Avenger.

“I’ve been through a lot of experiences in my life being in the biggest band in the world,” Bryan said. “But [being a Tony nominee] ranks right up there with number one. Personally, this is an unbelievable accomplishment.”

I'm wondering if "the guy" is Jeff Kazee, who sat in a few songs at one of my Mohegan shows (possibly others, but that's the only one I saw him at).

Sorry, London, you're gonna be without your curly-haired one on the 13th.

I'm glad Jon told him to go to the Tonys.

BAJG, when you run into him afterwards (I'm sure you will) be sure to tell him Hath says congrats!

~ Hath

David Bryan Helps VH1 Save the Music

Thanks, LK, for dropping this in my inbox -- no, I hadn't seen it yet :)

(It should say "continues to help VH1 Save the Music" -- David's been helping this cause for more than 15 years.)

I have to say, not having seen/heard Chad give interviews before, his lack of Huey accent threw me for a loop there for a second.

For those who've been emailing, yes, I did write a review of Memphis, but I can't remember which computer I wrote it on (bad Goddess). Once I find it, though, I'll post it.



Bon Jovi's David Bryan attends Broadway Memphis star Chad Kimball's unveiling of the show inspired limited edition t-shirt to raise money for VH1 Save the Music Foundation.

~ Hath

Obie Releases A Special Edition Track

Tune in to 93.3 WMMR Philadelphia tomorrow (May 7) at 1:15pm Eastern to hear an exclusive interview with Bon Jovi's Producer Obie. You dont live in Philly? No problem! The interview will also stream live from their website www.WMMR.com. You won't want to miss this as Obie will play one of the yet to be released Special Edition tracks over the air. Remember to tune in to get the inside scoop from the Producer himself, on these 10 Special Edition albums set to be released on May 11, in the US and Canada and the week of May 24 Internationally.

Want more? WMMR will interview Obie two times next week with a different track featured each time, so be sure to check back on www.bonjovi.com to hear these exclusive interviews.

Streamers, get ready!!!

~ Hath

Did you feel something?

Although New York has a reputation for wild drivers, Los Angeles doesn't take a back seat to any city when it comes to crazy driving. But does the City of Angels need transplanted bad drivers from the Big Apple?

Lea Michele of 'Glee' was on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' and talked about her move from New York to Los Angeles and her bad driving experiences. It seems that on first audition for 'Glee' she had an accident turning into the Fox lot, left the car, and ran on foot to the studio. And, then last week, while she was reversing on Robertson Boulevard, she almost hit Jon Bon Jovi.

DeGeneres' response: "On that street, it's hard not to hit a celebrity."

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Make-A-Wish to connect kidney patient with Bon Jovi

Cole Kwapich, 10, the son of Brian and Christen Kwapich of Springfield Township, will have his wish come true when he meets his idol, singer Jon Bon Jovi, this summer. Cole, who suffers from end stage renal disease, is receiving his wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

When the fourth grader at Crissey Elementary School received word his wish had been granted, he said, “I’m happy and psyched” and that the trip will be a “sweet one.” When he first heard Bon Jovi on disc he said, “Dude, this is impossible, who can sing this well? He’s an awesome singer and the best in the world.”

When he meets his idol, Cole plans on shaking Bon Jovi’s hand and saying to him, “Are you the legendary Bon Jovi? I’ve been looking forward to meeting you all my life.” When asked why he didn’t choose going to Disneyland, he responded “you can go to Disneyland or Nickelodeon anytime, but you can’t always see Bon Jovi.”

Bon Jovi, 48, has been performing since the early 1980s and is no stranger to helping people and charities. He is the founder of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to “bringing about positive change and helping the lives of those in need one soul at a time,” according to its website.

The Northwestern Ohio Make-A-Wish Chapter located at 405 Madison Ave. in Toledo will coordinate Cole’s out-of-state trip to meet Bon Jovi. Kimberly Ray, wish manager, said, “We grant between 75-80 wishes a year. Each week there are children being qualified and every qualified child will receive a wish.” Ray said children “are referred by their parent’s medical professional or sometimes the child themselves. They are qualified by their doctor.”

Christen said “we waited until Cole was older before contacting Make-A-Wish so he could decide what wish he wanted.” Brian said “the initial request was made on January 29 and once the doctors approved everything and forms were completed it went fast. Cole was assigned two volunteers and they came out to the house and interviewed him.”

Cole was born without functioning kidneys and spent most of his infant and toddler years in and out of the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. He has undergone 24 surgeries. When he was 20 months old and able to accommodate an adult kidney, his uncle Christopher Kwapich was a match and donated a kidney to Cole. Christen said, “Cole has had two bouts of rejection and gotten through them and reversed both rejections. The last rejection was a year ago.”

Brian said, “Cole takes seven different medications a day and some are twice a day.”

When asked how he is feeling physically, Cole said, “pretty nice and comfortable and when I grow up I’m going to be a rock star like Bon Jovi, have a rock band and a RV and travel to L.A. because that’s where you go to start your career.”

Ray said if anyone knows of a child who may qualify for the program, call her at (419) 244-9474 or e-mail her at kray@northwestohio.wish.org.


source

~ Hath

David Talks About The Tony Noms

David spoke to Broadwayworld.com about his Tony nominations:

"It's a good morning. It's unbelievable, it was great to watch the TV and on the computer -- I watched the TV and then switched over to the computer. It's amazing that they just show you three categories and then they go back to the rest of the news.

The first call that I got was from Sergio Trujillo congratulating me, and then the first one I called was Joe DiPetro. For us to go from our minds to paper to a small theatre and then from a small theatre to take this thing all the way to Broadway with a full production, great design team -- it's just great man, it's great to get recognized. It's also great to see that we have entertainment that can also teach and that's just great!"

Here are some more photos from Broadwayworld.com...

                

  

MSG DVD?

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Topping the "Hot Tours" Charts

Veteran rock band Bon Jovi tops the Hot Tours chart for the third time this year with box office totals reported from six dates of The Circle Tour. Adding the $9.7 million in ticket sales from these six performances, the tour's overall gross passes the $50 million mark since its mid-February kick-off.

Among the cities represented this week, Tampa produced the largest crowd with 18,298 in attendance at St. Pete Times Forum for an April 17 sold-out event ($1.7 million gross). Atlanta generated the most revenue, though, with an April 15 sellout at Philips Arena. Box office receipts totaled $1,815,719 with 16,510 fans in the house.

Artist/Event: BON JOVI
Total Gross: $9,797,109
Show Dates: April 13-22
Show Venue/City (Shows/Sellouts)

1. BOK Center, Tulsa, Okla. (1/1)
2. Philips Arena, Atlanta (1/1)
3. St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa (1/1)
4. BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, Fla. (1/1)
5. Bridgestone Arena, Nashville (1/1)
6. Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte (1/1)

Total Attendance (Capacity): 102,507 (102,507)

source

OK.

So.

Time to put on my green visor here.

These six shows made the Jovi Machine 9.8 million dollars.  That's a lot of dollars.

And over a hundred thousand tickets (I'm sure some concert-goers attended more than one of those listed dates, so I said 'tickets', not 'people').  My calculator may be Jovi-biased, but that works out to a little under $100 per ticket average price.

I have YET to go to a show this tour that cost me less than $100 per ticket.

With all the hoopla / slamming / complaining, whatever you want to call it, about ticket prices ( and I have to admit, some of the show prices I've seen are bonkers *coughO2cough* ) this makes the prices look fairly reasonable, at least for this six-show run that was used for the Billboard article.

That being said, I didn't go to any of these shows.

At the risk of opening up a can of worms with a ticket price debate, were decent (non-FC) tickets priced in the right-around-a-hundred-dollars range?  I exclude FC seats because I hear they like to charge more for even the non-VIP-keep-your-chair-though-why-would-you-want-it-and-how-the-hell-do-you-get-it-thru-airport-security package FC seats.  (Membership does have its privileges, but it also has a price.)

~ Hath

Tony Fever!

Joe and Dave arrive for the 2010 Tony Awards "Meet the Nominees" Press Reception at the Millenium Broadway Hotel in New York on May 5, 2010.


The Tony Awards will be broadcast on Sunday, June 13, 2010, (8:00-11:00 p.m., live EST) on CBS.

~ Hath

David Out and About

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel had a date night at the Tony-nominated musical Memphis at New York's Shubert Theater.

At intermission, the happy couple ventured backstage to meet the cast – plus Bon Jovi's David Bryan (who wrote the music and lyrics).

"Justin kept his hand on Jessica's back the whole time," a show insider says. "Justin couldn't stop raving about the show and how it really hit home [since] he's from Memphis."

source

Willow!  We should have "ventured backstage" when we went to see the show, so we could meet Chad.  We were dressed WAY nicer than these guys.

~ Hath

Bon Jovi Special Editions

...will be released next Tuesday (May 11) -- Just in time to MISS Mother's Day.

Of course, if the same geniuses who put the MSG DVD out are doing this, I'm pretty sure we'll never see them in the US.

In any event, they're on my "birthday list" according to hub (my birthday is at the end of freaking SEPTEMBER).

Tony K had this graphic posted over on his blog (The Screen Door):

These are the replica badges that are included with the CDs.

You can pre-order on Amazon, and if you sort by release date, will find the specials listed first.  You can listen to snippets of the live tracks.

~ Hath

Setting the Stage in Chocolatetown

Bon Jovi will be rocking out in Hershey on May 19th for the 1st leg of their stadium tour. About 200 workers have two weeks to transform HersheyPark Stadium from a football field to a stage.

"Starting off here, it's great space. We can easily build everything and they give us time to build it two weeks in advance, so that's nice," said Bon Jovi Management Coordinated Mike Savas.

Some Hershey Park workers are getting the chance of a lifetime to help Bon Jovi's production crew build the stage.

"It's pretty fast paced, but everything goes smoothly, everyone's well coordinated and we have a good time doing it," said Scott Garner.

30,000 Bon Jovi fans are expected to pack HersheyPark Stadium and no matter where they sit, Bon Jovi has a special big screen TV so everyone can see the show.

"The coolest thing about the stage, like I said it's the 1st time we're gonna release it, we actually have a television screen that will wrap from one side of the football filed to the other," said Savas.

The exact same stage and set-up will then make its rounds to the other stadiums for the rest of Bon Jovi's Circle Tour.

The concert at HersheyPark Stadium is already sold out.

You can watch a brief clip from the newscast here.

T

Looking forward to seeing the new stage setups.

~ Hath

Too Pretty Not To Share

One of the blogs I follow finds all sorts of great videos on YouTube and posts dozens of them daily. Some are new, some are old, some are WTF, but this one was very, very pretty.

Always. Acoustic. 1994.



~ Hath

Huey Speaks!

:) We all know that. But here's a full four minutes plus of our favorite not-an-official-Jovi-except-in-our-hearts bassist, Hugh McDonald as he talks about his new Carvin SB5000 Bass.



Thanks, Lee-Ann for dropping a FB message about this!

~ Hath

PS: MAKE HUEY OFFICIAL!

Jon At The Met

Along with lovely wife, Dorothea.

"American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity" is the theme of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's new exhibit. Last night's gala showed a galaxy of stars and models in American labels, as well as European. The after party was held at the Mark Hotel.



Thanks, Catte, for the pics!!

~ Hath

David at Lolly Cashmere Collection Premiere

Obvious Clothing and Lolly Cashmere by Obvious Clothing LLC represent an unusual triple threat of style, theatre and entrepreneurial fortitude of brothers Todd and Chad Kimball. Together the Kimball’s have fostered a loyal following of preeminent national and international women’s retailers and celebrity talent with their charming cocktail of contemporary design, vintage style and captivating silhouettes. Obvious Clothing attributes its branding success to the fusion of Todd’s business acumen and Chad’s artistic instinct as a five-time Broadway star and leading man in the hit Broadway musical ‘Memphis.’

Launched in 2006, Obvious Clothing is weathered and washed for a soft hand, sewn for seduction and detailed with distinction. The line specializes in originality with exclusive silhouettes and compelling imagery culled from artists around the world. The result: a luxury garment that radiates a tantalizing, feminine mystique with iconic appeal.

There was a collection launch party last night at Meet at the Apartment, NYC.

Find out more about the collection here.

New BSWJBJ

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Memphis' 8 Tony Nominations

Memphis has been nominated for 8 awards!

Best Musical
Best Book of a Musical (Joe DiPietro)
Best Original Score (Music: David Bryan; Lyrics: Joe DiPietro, David Bryan)
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (Chad Kimball)
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Montego Glover)
Best Costume Design of a Musical (Paul Tazewell)
Best Direction of a Musical (Christopher Ashley)
Best Orchestrations (Daryl Waters & David Bryan)

Hockadoo!

~ Hath

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