Sean Paul’s “Imperial Blaze” is Hot like Fire!

Eric Smith, NBC Chicago Street Team

On location at the Millennium Hotel, Thursday August 6.

So what brings you to the Windy City?
What brings me to the city is that I’m promoting my new album called “Imperial Blaze”…comes out August 18th.

I see you’ve sold over 10 millions records. Let’s talk about that journey and how you got started from there to Imperial Blaze.

In Stores August 18th.

For sure…my career started with me just lovin’ music. A friend of mine got into music at the end of high school and it came to pass that I got introduced to studios and people started to like the voice and like the flow. Like the first thing was being on a big stage in Jamaica called “Sting” back in 1998, it featured people like Busta Rhymes from the hip hop world. After that I was able to do a song with DMX who was one of the biggest artists in Jamaica at that time. Then there was a song called “Here Comes The Boom” from the movie “Belly” that Hype Williams produced and what not. And then the song “Deport Dem” really got big in New York City and got a lot of play.

And then about a year after that in 2001 my second album was coming out “Dutty Rock” was comin’ out. The song called “Gimme the Light” got a very big spread. Since I’ve had a couple of songs rank as high as #1 on the Billboard Charts such as “Get Busy”, “Temperature”, a song featuring myself and Beyonce which is a song called “Baby Boy”. A song with Keyshia Cole went to #3 on the BillBoard charts, a song called “Like Glue” went to #7…”I’m still in Love” featuring Sasha went to number 12. So we have a lot of repertoire coming up to this day, man. And those are all different steps, help me to pave the way to be sittin’ here in front of you, ya know what I mean…tellin’ my story of what’s up next in Imperial Blaze.

Now I got started producing festivals with Super Cat. The first time I heard you I was like, “That’s Super Cat!” And they were like…no, no that’s Sean Paul.
The Superdor, Superdor he’s still the Super. Cause you know, he’s my pops in the business! He helped pave the way…I got to give respect to him.

Let’s talk about “So Fine” which is the rockin’ new single out now. Talk about that single and when you know a song is hot and going to blow up.

Well I mean…I try and put feeling into my songs, to my artwork. Feeling is what artwork is about…I think it is about that feeling deep down in your and soul channeling it and bringing it to the rest of world. In “So Fine”, I loved the melody, I loved the chords that was being played in the riddim, so it just took off from there… it’s a club banger cause da riddim is so hot.

So you got any upcoming shows in Chicago?
I’m gonna be here tonight and tomorrow night, so I’m probably just going to go into to clubs and sing and DJ a couple verses, couple line to let people know what’s up. However you can stay in touch with me on allseanpaul.com. It got blogs about reggae and dancehall. It’s got what I been doing lately on it, shows. It’s got a tour schedule dat should be printed up, probably by November this year. People can order my album out August 18th or pre-order it to. Also, like every now and then there’s competitions that run on the site. Like I had an “Ultimate Fan” competition running for about 3 to 4 weeks now, which just ended like this week. So I designed two chains…white gold and diamonds then I gave it to two of my favorite fans who won. Things like that gone happening every now and then on the site.

And one last thing…Sean Paul is it Henriques…? You have a Latin back ground…?
So I got a lot of different blood in me from Black, Portuguese, White from England and Chinese. My father’s family has Portuguese and Black blood. My Chinese and England bloodline comes from my mother’s family.

Well you know, me and my peeps are considering putting together another festival “Metropolatino” and you know we are interested in having you headline to get that moving.

For sure I got that blood there so let’s do it…you can’t keep me out!

Download the audio to hear the entire the Sean Paul “Imperial Blaze” interview!

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City of Big Wishes

Rebecca Taras, NBC Chicago Street Team

Mike Ditka and Mikayla Sweeney

 

Bright lights and big dreams came to life during the 22nd Annual Wish Ball last Saturday. More than 700 guests filed into Chicago’s Union Station – and not to take a train. The space was transformed into an area ripe for bidding, eating, drinking and dancing. Honorary Chair Mike Ditka, former head coach of the Chicago Bears, was on hand to greet guests and show his support for the Foundation. Also on the scene were six “Wish Kids,” sporting big smiles and their Sunday best.

Before the seated dinner, guests perused the silent auction items while making their way through a mini Taste of Chicago, sampling bites from the Park Grill, cibomatto, Blue 13, La Madia, Morton’s and Mike Ditka’s. Emceed by Peggy Kusinski of NBC 5 Chicago, the night included a special show by performers from The Second City and Barack Obama – um, that would be our very own Street Teamer Reggie Brown!

Peggy Kusinski (NBC 5 Sports) and Reggie Brown (NBC 5 Street Team)

The live auction raised some serious cash for the Foundation with enticing items such as a private dinner party at the winner’s home, prepared by Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard ($10,000) and an opportunity to race a Ferrari 355 Challenge race car ($12,550). At the end of the evening, guests enjoyed dancing to the Bluz Brothers Band and sampling sweets from a dessert table donated by the Affina Hotel.

Proceeds from Wish Ball 2009 will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois, helping to grant nearly 150 of the 700 wishes the Foundation will give this year to Illinois children facing life-threatening medical conditions. This event is made possible by support from generous sponsors, including sponsor GATX Corporation and Platinum Sponsors Baxter, Macy’s, PotashCorp and Unum. Since being founded in Illinois in 1985, the Foundation has granted more than 8,000 wishes. For more information, visit  www.wishes.org or call 312.602.WISH.

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Tommy Gun’s Garage… IF you know what’s good for ya!

JenChicago, NBC Chicago Street Team

Last weekend, my brothers were in town and I wanted to make sure that I showed them a really good time for the short few days they were here. We went to parties, Navy Pier, Millennium Park and more!

I asked friends for suggestions for where to take my brothers and got the Tommy Gun’s Garage recommendation by my good friend, and fellow NBC Chicago Street Teamer, Jim Grillo (HeresChicago.com) …and what a great suggestion it was!

Click here to read the rest of this post on NBCChicago.com

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NBC5 Street Team Wins an Emmy!

Blagica Bottigliero, NBC Chicago Street Team

What a night! I wasn’t able to join the gang at the Emmy ceremonies tonight, but I received word from our fearless leader, Marcus Riley, that our team won the Emmy for Outstanding Achievement for Alternate Media/New Media Interactivity. Our winning entry was “Looptopia Live,” the coverage of Chicago’s dusk-till-dawn arts celebration.

Congrats to my fellow NBC Chicago Street Teamers: Marcus Riley, Zach Christman, Producers; Mark Luciano, Technical Advisor; Kaylee King, Theresa Carter, Erik Sorensen, Reggie Brown, Jim Grillo, Angie Gormas, Susan Noble, Shlomi Rabi, Jennifer O’Neil, Laura Lodewyck, Chasity Johnson, Blagica Bottigliero, Liz Holland, LeeAnn Trotter, NiCole Thomas and Damaris Woodbury.

Way to go, everyone. We all need to celebrate together soon!

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Chicago 2016: One Year to Copenhagen

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Thursday, October 2nd, marked that one year remains until the IOC’s Host City decision for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Copenhagen. And you know what that means for us Chicagoans…

That’s right… Parrrr-tay!

The party at Rockit Bar and Grill had hors d’ouerves, cocktails and Olympic spirit in spades! And I had the opportunity to speak with Olympic and Paralympic peeps, Anjali Forber-Pratt, Matt Grevers, and Bill Scherr.

Keep rooting for the home team, Chicago! Go 2016!

Find more fun videos at JenChicago.com!

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The Huge Sox-Twins Series!

Paul M. Banks a.k.a. The Sports Bank It’s one of the most shopworn cliches in all of sports (right up there with “we just need to step our game up the next level”) the game possesing a “playoff like atmosphere.” In this case, however, it’s true. Three games in the Metrodome for the division title. You knew it would come to this, like the 80s hairband Europe told us, “It’s the final countdown…do-do-do-do…dah-do-do-do”

Game One

Javier Vazquez, RHP (12-14, 4.32)  vs. Scott Baker, RHP (9-4, 3.69)

Baker has an awful ERA of 8 versus the ChiSox, but I would feel better if the Sox were throwing a lefty at the Minnesota lineup in two of the three games instead of just one. I don’t trust Vazquez nor the middle relievers these days, so I’ll say Twins narrowly win a slugfest here.

Game Two

Mark Buehrle, LHP (14-11, 3.87) vs. Nick Blackburn, RHP (10-10, 4.15)

Buehrle is a big game pitcher and I expect a masterful performance from him in this one. Jenks will nail it down and the Sox win it by a couple of runs in running time of two hours and change.

Game Three

Gavin Floyd, RHP (16-8, 3.84) vs. Kevin Slowey, RHP (12-11, 3.85)

Tough one to predict here. Two young pitchers who have keyed their respective team’s run for the postseason squaring off. Slowey shut out the Sox in his last Metrodome outing against them. I say both starters put in a gem and it later comes down to which bullpen blows it first. In extra innings, Twins win by one and take the series 2-1. Sox will be sitting 1 1/2 games up, magic # 3 heading into the final weekend.

For more Chicago Sports analysis and discussion click here.

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Come sail away in Chicago

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Before the season ended, I was blessed with the experience of sailing on a beautiful sailboat in Chicago. James, the captain, and the crew of Big Meanie took me out for a glorious Sunday sail! We competed in the last race of the season and my eyes were open to the majesty of being propelled along the water by nothing more than teamwork and Mother Nature.

Alas, my camera person didn’t show up, and I couldn’t film the race since my new team needed me on the ropes. There was so much more that happened (two boats collided, a man fell overboard, crazy kooky wind shifts) however my hands were needed more “on deck” than on the camera during the race.

Still… it was another amazing Chicago experience that I will treasure. I found the following quote equally apropos to this post and to my life. Perhaps it will resonate with you as well.

“The sail, the play of its pulse so like our own lives: so thin and yet so full of life, so noiseless when it labors hardest, so noisy and impatient when least effective.” ~Henry David Thoreau

So true.

Find more fun videos at JenChicago.com!

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Crushing on Navy Pier

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

There is something very nostalgic, romantic and captivating about Navy Pier. There is so much to do, ride, see, experience and, of course, eat. All the hard facts about Navy Pier have can be found a thousand places online… so this isn’t all that. It’s simply my experience… My “date” with Navy Pier.

Find more videos at JenChicago.com!

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“Fall Out” for Chicago’s Nike Human Race

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

Nike Human Race 10K took place on Sunday and I/we had the pleasure of covering the event as MEDIA! (read: I got to ask the band good questions in the press conference AND I tried EVERY single cookie in the VIP tent! Oatmeal-raisin was the clear winner.)

A gang of us from the NBC5 Street Team were there… Cara Carriveau hosted the press conference AND also introduced the band on to the stage. Jim Grillo, Theresa Carter and I were there to conduct very serious journalistic reporting… as you can tell.

Fall Out Boy rocked out and you KNOW I just LOVE that they are FROM Chicago!

What’s MY favorite Fall Out Boy song?

Dance, Dance, OF COURSE!

Find more fun and videos at JenChicago.com!

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Morton’s Special Occasion Open House (video)

JenChicago, NBC5 Street Team

They had to wedge me outta there.

Cookies, cake, champagne, burgers, wine, crabcakes, and cheese as far as the eye can see…

I already knew that Morton’s can cook a steak. Now I definitely know that Morton’s knows how to throw a party!

Videography: Michelle Molina

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Wild Nights With Ted Nugent

Janelle Rominski, NBC5 Street Team (Video)

Wild rocker Ted Nugent took on the city of Chicago and suburbs this week. “The Nuge” played a show at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan on Tuesday night and hit the windy city at the House of Blues Wednesday night.

Having known Nugent for his VH1 reality show, “Surviving Nugent“, I knew I was in for a nutty night. As a PETA advocate, I was very glad there was little talk of hunting or killing animals (Nugent’s hobby).

Nugent knows how to rock and roll with his music and his opinions. I was in a combined rock concert, comedy show and political rally. He was a non-stop guitar playing and singing machine. He only had a bassist and drummer backing him up. “The Nuge” cracked jokes on “fat” ladies and certainly did not keep quiet when speaking his mind about Barack Obama and Mayor Daley.

He performed on a variety of guitars, and sang his hit singles “Cat Scratch Fever”, “Wang Dang Sweet Poontang” and “Stranglehold”.

Throughout the entire show his backdrop was that of a caricature of him looking like Uncle Sam holding a bolt of lighting with an NRA button on his right chest.

Coming out to perform with Nugent was friend Derek St. Holmes, who did a wonderful job adding to the excitement of the show.

The most interesting part of the concert was when Nugent came back for his encore with a new backdrop of his caricature riding a cut off hand over the sun with its middle finger sticking up. He also wore a very colorful Native American headdress and also brought out a rifle and bow and arrow. He shot a flame-tipped arrow on the back of his Gibson Les Paul landing a perfect bullseye. Ending his wild ride of a show, Nugent held up his rifle and bow in the shape of an X over his chest.

Want more Rominski reads? Read more right HERE!

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Ready or Not, Here Comes Ribfest

Erik Sorensen (Video)

Hey Chicagoans, get your bibs, wet naps and appetite ready, ‘cuz here comes “Ribfest“!

The festival started off as a community block party in ’99 and has grown into the highly anticipated, finger-licking phenom that it is today. It may not be “The Taste”, but for true rib lovers, this is just as good. Enjoy the Saturday and Sunday sun while perusing table after table of ribs and vote on which restaurant will take home the “Fest Fave” award. Every mouth counts.

Ribfest also provides you with plenty of entertainment for adults and kids alike. “In true Ribfest tradition, we’re bringing you some of the best music you’ll hear all summer-and won’t hear at other festivals! Bring the kids! Our famous Kids Square provides hours of entertainment for kids of all ages … allowing children to slide, climb, run, complete, jump, ride, sing and dance all weekend long.”

Musical guests include:
Boho Paisley
Rafter
Company of Thieves
Skybox
Treaty of Paris
Inchworm
Republic Tigers
Ha Ha Tonka
and more…
Click here for the complete schedule

Tall or small-Ribfest has something for every sized person.
Just make sure your appetite is big.

Saturday, June 7 & Sunday, June 8
Noon – 10:00 p.m.
Damen, Lincoln, and Irving Park Intersection

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A Revolutionary Way To Think About Health & Fitness

Cara “Cara’s Basement” Carriveau

Okay, there are a gazillion gyms in Chicago. I’ve had memberships over the years to 5 different area health clubs. I have to admit I only hired a personal trainer once and when I did it was the owner of the Powerhouse Gym in Crystal Lake (it’s no longer there). He did it as a favor to me, charging me half price, but his attention to me was also only half there. When we worked out he often stepped away to greet members and answer the phone. When I asked for help with my diet he went to his computer and printed off a list of foods to eat. I thought to myself, “Where’s the PERSONAL part of this training?”.

Now that I’m married to a health & fitness expert with over two decades of experience including personal training, I understand that all personal trainers are not equal. Just yesterday my husband was blindly contacted by a company looking for a personal trainer. He’s not even interested in doing that anymore but looked at the job qualifications out of curiosity and it indicated that applicants could be “working towards their certification” – in other words, an uncertified personal trainer could be hired by this gym to train people. Huh?

 

My husband Bill Busch does something that most personal trainers cannot do. It’s called Muscle Activation Techniques. It’s a very effective way ofdealing with weaknesses and in my case eliminated my back pain which is totally awesome! He’ll tell you he’s treating the weakness and the fact that the pain goes away is simply a side effect – but I’ll take the pain-free result any way I can get it. He still trains people, but don’t call him a personal trainer. He’s more like a personal fitness mechanic. His actual title is MAT Specialist.

Check out his Fitness From The Inside Out podcast. It will make you think twice before hiring a personal trainer, that’s for sure:

You can meet Bill Busch and many other health industry experts at the 2008 Avenue Health Fair at the Oak Park Library, 834 Lake Street, Oak Park, this Saturday 10am-2pm. It’s free with complimentary health screenings and hands-on mini workshops. Kids are welcome. Bill Busch will be part of a panel of experts adressing obesity and stress. Be sure to look for us at the Fitness From The Inside Out table.

Type my name in the search bar or click HERE to see/hear more of my posts including interviews with The Bravery, Lovehammers, Triumph’s Rik Emmett, Shooting Star, Mike Tafoya comedian Lee Camp & more.

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Headbanging, Finger Tapping, and Cellos

Maureen Vana, NBC5 Street Team

Apocalyptica brought Chicago an evening of hair tossing metal complete with matching skull thrones, a clear acrylic drum set, and…. four cellos. The band who gained notoriety with their string renditions of Metallica songs has long moved on from a cover band to an original force. The group has worked with a variety of guest artists including Dave Lombardo (Slayer) and Ville Valo (HIM) and is currently on tour with their sixth studio album, Worlds Collide.

See photos from Apocalyptica at the House of Blues Chicago

The group played primarily new material from the recent US release including tracks “Grace”, “Ion”, and “Last Hope”. Other original material included “Bittersweet”, “Betrayal/Forgiveness”, and covers of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”, “Seek and Destroy”, and “Nothing Else Matters”. A combination of the band’s energy and humor made the hour and fifteen minute set slip by leaving us all wanting more. Apocalyptica played two encores for the craving fans and left the stage with a bow and hi-fives to the crowd.

Sunday evening was an exciting break to get a dose of metal with something a little different from the guitar ruling genre. Apocalypica’s mix of classical beauty with the speed and edge of hard riffs transformed on stage to an experience unlike hearing them on CD. After witnessing these Finnish rockers live I can strongly say, yes, I would like some distortion with my cello please.

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Are You Ready For ‘The Revolution’?

Reggie Brown, NBC5 Street Team

Can you hear it coming? Do you feel the storm brewing? AKIRA’s Revolution begins tonight at Crobar showcasing the hottest new street fashions by Monarchy and Creative Recreation.  Back in 2002, the brainchild of Jon Cotay, Eric Hsueh and Erikka Wang was born smack dab in the middle of Bucktown. Since then, the AKIRA empire has been spreading like wildfire. Just take a stroll down North Ave and you’ll see the blazing red awnings lighting up the block. AKIRA has given Chicagoans access to boutique fashions that keep us in a direct flow of New York and LA trends while also tossing in some Chicago hometown flavor.

AKIRA’S fashion events have earned them a reputation for not only putting on a great show, they also know how throw a great party.  Tonight’s show, The Revolution is no exception. It will definitely have something for everyone and is moving onward and upward in the true AKIRA style. Incorporating international dance troupe 2XS into the mix will kick it up a notch and ready the audience for an unforgettable event. Known for their high intensity and diverse dancing styles, 2XS will  be heating up the stage with interactive dancing throughout the show. 

Hot styles hailing from the west coast are the focus of the evening.  Gentleman, have you rolled up to the club with designer kicks on that the bouncer deems unacceptable? Tonight, check out the freshest footwear by Creative Recreation. Known for their style of incorporating the appearance and prestige of a dress shoe with the feel and design of an athletic sneaker, this Orange County bred company can make those uncomfortable confrontations a distant memory.  And have no fear ladies,  plenty of funky foot fashions await you too. 

The regal threads on display tonight are those of the LA based Monarchy clothing line. Providing a premium blend of old world style with a new school twist, Monarchy’s new collection reigns supreme. Any detailed-oriented individuals will surely dig these garments made from the finest American, Japanese and European denim. Get on up off your couches and get out on this beautiful night. This revolution will NOT be televised. Print out an invite for you and a guest at www.akirachicago.com
and get there before midnight for complimentary admission.  See you there!
Doors Open at 9:00-Show Starts at 12:00

Crobar 1543 N Kingsbury Chicago Il, 60622 (312)266-1900

 

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“Live Life” Benefit Concert Sunday Night!

Cara “Cara’s Basement” Carriveau, NBC5 Street Team

I lost my father to cancer.  I know far too many relatives and friends diagnosed with cancer.  While it’s no long the “c” word whispered secretly, cancer affects a staggering amount of people and it’s imperative to raise money to help find a cure. 

This Sunday night I’ll be the emcee of a night of music benefiting the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The Chicago Music Guide presents Live Life is at Joe’s Bar in Chicago. Come experience live music from Paris Delane’s Tye Dye Skye, Jennifer Peterson Band, Ellen Rosner, Tracylynn & 55 South, Gina Gonzalez, White Buffalo Is Born and Twin Ray (Desiree Irwin). Doors open at 5:30, the live music begins at 6:30pm. Tickets are only $20 plus there is an awesome silent auction. You can bid on autographed items from Bon Jovi, Counting Crowes, John Hiatt, Steve Vai and more – CLICK HERE for the full list.

I had an enlightening conversation with Paris Delane on my podcast Cara’s Basement.  He’s passionate about his involvement with this cause – in fact, he radiates passion about life.  His adoration for his mother is especially touching as we approach Mothers Day.  Listen:

(Type my name in the search bar to see/hear more of my posts including interviews with The Bravery, Lovehammers, Triumph’s Rik Emmett, Shooting Star, Mike Tafoya comedian Lee Camp & more)

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Band Interview: Shooting Star

Cara “Cara’s Basement” Carriveau, NBC5 Street Team

 

“Last Chance” is one of my all-time favorite songs.  It’s one of those tunes that whenever I’ve played it on the radio I instantly get a ton of phone calls…people asking, “Who is that band?” or “Where can I get that CD?”.  Well, that band is Shooting Star.  They have a ton of great songs, many that were quite popular in Chicago:  “Breakout”, “Hollywood”, “Flesh and Blood”, “Hang On For Your Life”, “Tonight”, and much more.

I was honored to welcome original Shooting Star member Van McLain and new lead singer Ronnie Platt to Cara’s Basement.  Van shared a lot of fun stories from the band’s long history and he explained the meaning behind “Last Chance”.  There’s quite a bit of similarity between Shooting Star and Spinal Tap.  You’ll hear why in this interview:

The best is saved for last.  At the very end of the podcast you will hear the exclusive world premier of “George’s Song” with Ronnie Platt on vocals!  You can watch the brand new video of that song HERE.

Type my name in the search bar to see/hear more of my posts including interviews with The Bravery, Lovehammers, Triumph’s Rik Emmett, comedian Lee Camp and rocker Mike Tafoya.  Heck, I’ll make it easy for you…just click HERE.

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My Chemical Romance Sets Up Camp at the Congress

Maureen Vana, NBC5 Street Team

Last week My Chemical Romance paid a visit to Chicago for two back to back dates at the Congress Theatre on Thursday and Friday night. Fans were treated to a more intimate setting to view the successful rockers that have been packing arenas with their hit album “The Black Parade”. MCR headlined the shows with a lengthy set along side openers Billy Talent and Drive By.

See Thursday Night’s concert in photos

(Type “Maureen Vana” into the search bar at the top of this page to see my past concert photography and reviews)

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Dog Raises Big Bucks For Mooseheart

Janelle Rominski, NBC5 Street Team (Video)

Duane “Dog” Chapman, from A&E’s television show Dog, The Bounty Hunter came to town last weekend to participate in The Rush Tour. The tour was a two day event featuring bands and personal appearances by Dog. The purpose of the tour was to raise money and to support the Mooseheart Child City & School who house socially and economically disadvantaged children.

Dog flew in from Hawaii with his wife, Beth, his son Leland and daughter Lyssa. Dog shared his life stories to hundreds of people and raised $30,000 dollars for the Mooseheart Campus near Batavia.

He got very personal and spoke about a myriad of events in his life. Some main topics of discussion included his troubles with the law, his beginnings as a bounty hunter and his many marriages.

The one story that stuck out the most, in which he got very emotional, was that his daughter Barbara Katie was killed in a high-speed auto accident the day before his wedding to Beth. Dog contemplated postponing his wedding, but decided to go ahead with the nuptials.

Dog may be admired by some and shunned by others, but he gave a very uplifting speech helped raise a great sum of money to help many less fortunate children.

View my online PHOTOS from this event.

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Band Interview: The Bravery

Cara “Cara’s Basement” Carriveau, NBC5 Street Team

There are only a few bands that are able to tackle a different sound with each album and keep pleasing their fans without alienating them. Linkin Park is a good example. Another one is The Bravery. Ironically, both Linkin Park and The Bravery headline the Projekt Revolution Tour this year along with the amazingly sexy & talented Chris Cornell.

But back to The Bravery. Their music has been featured on so many TV shows it’s hard to keep track: The Hills, Friday Night Lights, Grey’s Anatomy, Gossip Girl, Moonlight, Las Vegas, Rescue Me and Reaper. Plus, their song “Believe” is heard on two new video games: “Madden 08″ and X-Box’s “Game With Fame”. And that song is definitely one my favorites to play when I’m on the air at 101.9 WTMX!

The Bravery will play a show at The Metro this Friday night (April 19) with Fiction Plane (that’s the band that opened for The Police last summer and includes Sting‘s son Joe Sumner). I spoke with The Bravery lead guitarist/backing vocalist Mike Z for The Chicago Music Guide. You’ll notice that their recent surge in popularity hasn’t affected them much:

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An InTREEging Cause for Earth Day

Cara “Cara’s Basement” Carriveau, NBC5 Street Team

It’s no big secret that one of my favorite bands is the Lovehammers. So how happy am I to have a perfectly good reason to blog about them? VERY!!

April 22, 2008 is a pretty huge day for us Hammerheads. First off, the Lovehammers will perform a FREE concert that day at 1pm at Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington, downtown Chicago). Free is good.

Also, in conjunction with Earth Day 2008 the Lovehammers are planning a special dedication of their song, “Trees”. Every time someone downloads “Trees” by Lovehammers on April 22 only, 100% of the proceeds generated on that day will be donated to the Earth Day Network.

“Trees” will be available for download through iTunes (click here to download) and other music download sites on April 22, 2008. You can go to www.Lovehammers.com for the correct links to the downloads. That way you’re sure to get the correct version that will make a difference. Please note: make sure you download Trees by Lovehammers – type in “Trees, Lovehammers” in the search area – the artwork will be the pink t-shirt as seen on me here:

I had the pleasure of interviewing the Lovehammers on my podcast, Cara’s Basement:

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KRS-One ‘Stops the Violence’ in the Chi

 Chasity Chaos, NBC5 Street Team  Video

If Hip Hop was a family, KRS-One would be that cool ass uncle. You know the one I’m talking about. The uncle that you would look up to and go to for advice because he is one of the few people in the family that’s been where you’ve been and that has already arrived at the destination you’re trying to get to; the only adult in your family that really understands you, doesn’t judge you, and mentors you instead of lecturing you.

Beyond his obvious skills as a lyrical mastermind, KRS-One is one of the few MCs that has taken their involvement in music beyond that of pure showmanship and cultivated it into the constant development of Hip Hop as a culture.

For those of you that don’t know, KRS-One is an essential pioneering figure in Hip Hop. Known to some as “The Teacha,” he is said to be on of the greatest MCs to ever hold the mic. KRS-One has been active in the Hip Hop game for well over 20 years. He is most widely known as a member of the historical Hip Hop group Boogie Down Productions.

In 1989 as a response to the ever growing violence in Black communities (KRS-One’s business partner and fellow group member Scott La Rock died after being engaged in a violent event) and Hip Hop (during a concert by Boogie Down Productions and Public Enemy, a young fan was killed in a fight), KRS-One galvanized into action and formed the Stop the Violence Movement. Comprising of some of the biggest stars in contemporary East Coast Hip Hop at that time – Boogie Down Productions (KRS-One, D-Nice & Ms. Melodie) Stetsasonic (Delite, Daddy O, Wise (DJ) & Frukwan) Kool Moe Dee, MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Just-Ice, Heavy D, Public Enemy (Chuck D & Flavor Flav) – the movement released a single (‘Self Destruction’) in 1989 with all proceeds going to the National Urban League. ‘Self-Destruction’ was produced by KRS-One and D-Nice of Boogie Down Productions.

Fast forwarding to today, over ten years after the birth of the Stop the Violence Movement, KRS-One has reincarnated the movement. Now the movement is aimed at raising funds for edutainment using the fundamental core elements of Hip Hop to educate the world against gun crime, violence, and other major social issues in the local neighborhoods, without any discrimination.

With a revitalized concept in mind, KRS-One decided to roll through Chicago in order to spread his message of nonviolence. (His presences in Chicago could not come at a better time considering the recent uproar of violence among CPS (Chicago Public School) students.) He has been a prized guest of Chicago for the past few days, appearing Flawless Barbershop for a BBQ, Cubby Bear for a fundraising concert, Stagg Elementary School for a lecture, in addition to appearing at numerous radio stations throughout the Greater Chicago Area.

Tomorrow, April 15th, during KRS-One’s last day in Chicago, he will lecture at Crane High School at 10am, attend a Township Hall Meeting at Michelle Clark High School at 7:30pm, and end his day with the “Stop the Violence” reception at Blu 47 which will be held from 7pm to 10pm. I hope to catch some of you out there supporting KRS-One and his vision at some of the events tomorrow.

Be Peace!

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Another long awaited rock reunion: Triumph!

Cara “Caras Basement” Carriveau, NBC5 Street Team

If you were in high school in the 80′s there’s no way to didn’t rock out to Triumph. Those were the days long before cell phones and ipods – back then it was cool to have a mullet and crank out “Magic Power” as high as it would go in your cassette deck. There’s got to be a picture of me somewhere wearing parachute pants holding an “Allied Forces” record jacket but I can’t find it (okay, so I didn’t even bother to look for it). If that was before your time then lucky you for not having to suffer through trying to grow out a mullet. It was a long ugly ordeal.

But the breakup of Triumph was even more painful for me.

The three bandmembers weren’t on speaking terms for the better part of the last dozen years. Money issues were the main problem and they said some pretty nasty stuff about each other to the press. So the fact that they are now willing to reunite is surprising and quite exciting. I had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of talking to Rik Emmett about the Triumph reunion and he was incredibly forthcoming about the bad and the good that’s gone on with that band. Will it just be a “one time” concert or will a world tour follow? How important is it for a rock star to have good hair? Listen to find out:

Rik Emmett will play a solo show at The Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin, IL on November 8. 2008.

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