Pre-super Bowl party to reunite Steven, Carrie
TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS
Actress Ann Wedgeworth (“Evening Shade”), 78; singer
, 71; actress 65. singersongwriter Billy Ocean, 62; actress Geena Davis, 56. singer Cat Power , 40; singer Emma Bunton (Baby Spice) of the Spice Girls, 36; singer Nokio of Dru Hill, 33.
Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood are teaming up for a special “CMT Crossroads” the night before the Super Bowl.
“CMT Crossroads: Steven Tyler & Carrie Underwood Live From the Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam” will air Saturday, Feb. 4.
The Aerosmith frontman and “American Idol” judge teamed with the country music sensation and former “Idol” champion last year during the Academy of Country Music Awards. Th eir performance of “Undo It” and “Walk This Way” was one of the night’s highlights and a viral video on the web the next day.
They’ll try to recreate that energy at a private event at the Pepsi Coliseum in Indianapolis.
This is the second year “CMT Crossroads,” which pairs artists from different genres, will broadcast from the Super Bowl Fan Jam.
‘30 Rock’ lampoons Morgan foible
NBC comedy “30 Rock” often finds laughs in real-life events in the show business world it inhabits.
But Thursday’s edition targeted one of its own cast members, Tracy Morgan, who found himself in real-life hot water last June after making anti-gay remarks during a stand-up appearance in Nashville.
On the “30 Rock” episode, Tracy Jordan, the character Morgan plays, sparked a protest after making a couple of ridiculous gay- oriented jokes at a club date.
A contrite Jordan mistakenly apologizes to the makers of Glad bags, rather than to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, known as GLAAD.
Singer Etta James dies at 73
Etta James’ performance of the classic “At Last” was the embodiment of refined soul: Angelic-sounding strings harkened the arrival of her passionate yet measured vocals as she sang tenderly about a love finally realized after a long and patient wait.
In real life, little about James was as genteel as that song. The platinum blonde’s first hit was a saucy R&B number about sex, and she was known as a hell-raiser who had tempestuous relationships with her family, her men and the music industry. Then she spent years battling a drug addiction that she admitted sapped away at her great talents.
James, 73, died Friday from complications of leukemia, with her husband and sons at her side, her manager, Lupe De Leon said.
“It’s a tremendous loss for her fans around the world,” he said. “She’ll be missed. A great American singer. Her music defied category.”
— From Our Press Services Etta James