Big Machine Records

Rascal Flatts‘ latest album ‘Changed‘ has been certified gold by the RIAA, which signifies 500,000 copies sold. Released on April 3, the project debuted at No. 1 on the Country Albums chart and at No. 3 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 albums chart, selling more than 130,000 copies in its first week of release.

When it came to naming their eighth studio album, the guys collectively agreed ‘Changed’ was most appropriate. “We’ve gone through a year and a half of monumental changes in the careers and the lives of Rascal Flatts,” says bassist Jay DeMarcus (quote via Big Machine Records). “And for us it was a no-brainer when we heard the song and we sat down and we thought about where we are in life right now. It was the perfect message to say to the fans that we’ve indeed been changed in a big way.”

The album’s first single, ‘Banjo,’ recently hit the top spot on the country singles chart, giving the trio their 12th No. 1 song. ‘Come Wake Me Up‘ has been announced as the project’s second radio offering.

Hoping to catch the band’s new set of tunes live in concert? Rascal Flatts are currently traveling the country in promotion of their latest project on their headlining 2012 Changed Tour. Little Big Town, the Eli Young Band and Edens Edge are a slated to provide opening entertainment on selected dates. Click here for tour dates and ticket information.

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Source: TasteofCountry.com

Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

If you’re a Verizon Wireless customer who was grandfathered in with an unlimited data plan after the company eliminated the option for new customers, enjoy it while it lasts — the company will be moving you to a tiered plan soon.

Speaking at the JP Morgan Technology, Media and Telecom conference on Wednesday, Verizon CFO Fran Shammo said customers with unlimited 3G data access will be required to switch to a data-share plan after transitioning to the company’s 4G LTE service.

“LTE is our anchor point for data share. So, as you come through an upgrade cycle and you upgrade in the future, you will have to go on to the data share plan,” Shammo said. “Everyone will be on [it]. A lot of our 3G base is on unlimited… [and] when they migrate off 3G they will have to go to data share.”

So when will that happen and how much will it cost? The data share plan is scheduled to launch in mid-summer, but pricing details have yet to be announced.

[Fierce Wireless]

TMZ

What is it with guys hitting Snooki and her look-alikes? She’s so small and harmless that it leads us to believe these are the same men who’d take a magnifying glass to ants to see ‘em explode. TMZ obtained video of this altercation that took place at this past weekend’s Rockfest in Kansas City.

The bearded festival-goer apparently hit his boiling point after the small, tan brunette in the pink Playboy hat hit a nerve with one of her comments. So, he decides to go all ’300′ on her with a kick to the chest and face area. (Note: this video may be too intense for some viewers.)

After a split second of shock, a gang of guys come to her defense and go nuclear on him. But, we’re wondering about the guy who was initially talking to the crazed kicker. You’d think after your attempt to calm down the assaulter failed, you’d just step aside and say, “Well, I told him.” But, no, this guy is there peeling off the kicker’s attackers. Must be one hell of a friend.

As for the Snook-alike (thanks, TMZ), maybe she missed the episode where her more famous doppelganger mouthed off and got clocked? Maybe the scent of pickle juice mixed with bronzer triggers the fight portion of one’s brain — like a bull seeing red. Take note, little guidettes.

[via Loudwire]

Source: TheFW.com

Technorati

Curt Schilling’s 38 Studios, which borrowed $75 million from the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, is hurting financially and may be unable to pay back its debt.

That’s bad news for people who dug the studio’s debut game, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, because it means that we probably won’t be seeing a sequel or the long-in-development massively multiplayer online game any time soon.

Joystiq reports that a default on the bond would mean the Kingdoms of Amalur franchise would belong to the Rhode Island taxpayers. At that point the state would probably auction off the franchise for far less than its debt and eat the loss.

Maybe a publisher that respects Amalur’s potential could come along, snatch it up and do the series justice. And maybe Schilling will report back to the Boston Red Sox and score a ridiculous signing bonus that lets him pay off the debt and keep his game company’s intellectual property. Neither scenario is likely.

Let this be a lesson to states business-promoting organizations: Beware of lending money to baseball legends who are dabbling in the videogame business.

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Source: GuySpeed.com

Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty

If you had the chance to borrow the ear of a real sitting U.S. president and could only ask him one question that every American was dying to know the truth about, what would it be? Will Smith’s oldest son Jaden got that chance, and completely failed. 

His topic of choice, however, made his famous father blush. Jaden wanted to know if the government was covering up the existence of aliens.

Smith said on BBC Radio while conveniently doing some early press rounds for his new film ‘Men in Black 3′ that the entire Smith clan got a rare opportunity to tour the White House with Pres. Barack Obama. Smith knew his son wanted to ask Obama about aliens but forbade him from embarrassing him in the nation’s most famous mansion.

When the group got to the situation room, Jaden just couldn’t stop himself from popping the question. Smith said he knew it was coming and was powerless to stop it.

So we get into the situation room and Jaden gets the look in his eyes and he leans over to me and asks, ‘Dad, What’s my punishment?’”

Apparently, Jaden never got to actually ask the question because even the president could tell it was coming. Smith said just as Jaden was about to ask, Obama stopped him, looked at him and uttered, “The aliens, right?”

Of course, the president could “neither confirm nor deny the existence of extra-terrestrials,” but he did say that no meeting on the subject had ever taken place in the situation room since he took office.

Smith didn’t say what Jaden’s punishment was for defying his father’s wishes. We’d say a ‘Karate Kid’ sequel would be punishment enough.

Source: TheFW.com

Jason Merritt, Getty Images

When it comes to country music, it’s Taylor Swift‘s world and we’re all just living in it — according to Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list. The 22-year-old music mogul placed No. 11 on the exclusive countdown, making her the highest-ranked country musician.

The list ranked each celebrity based on five factors: money, television/radio, press, web and social rank. Swift’s strongest showing was in social appeal, landing at No. 7. The crossover appeal of her last multi-platinum album, ‘Speak Now,’ also proved helpful, giving the entertainer a No. 14 placement in television/radio. Swift racked in an impressive $57 million in the last year, making her the 22nd richest celebrity on the list.

But the ‘Ours’ isn’t the only powerful star in country music. Toby Keith placed No. 49 overall, earning a cool $55 million from his successful singing career, I Love This Bar and Grill restaurant brand and new line of Wild Shot tequila. Kenny Chesney follows closely at No. 53, earning an impressive $44 million on the strength of his rigorous tour schedule.

Swift’s profile will no doubt rise significantly with the release of her highly-anticipated new studio album, which is expected to be released later this year. No specific details have been released, but British rocker Ed Sheeran is the latest confirmed collaborator on the project. In an interview with the New Yorker this past fall, Swift revealed that the songs she’s penned thus far for her 2012 album are “sad.”

“Being so busy, there’s not a lot of time to stop in the middle of the day and just kind of think about this feeling that you just realized about a relationship you had a year ago,” says Swift. “The ones I love the most end up happening very quickly.”

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Source: TasteofCountry.com

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Disco legend Donna Summer has died after a battle with cancer, TMZ is reporting. She was 63 years old.

Insiders say she wanted to keep the disease quiet, and a friend said that as recently as two weeks ago, Summer seemed okay and was even finishing up work on a new album.

The five-time Grammy winner shot to fame in the 1970s with songs like ‘Love to Love You Baby,’ ‘Hot Stuff’ and ‘Bad Girls,’ and continued her reign on radio airwaves into the ’80s with hits including ‘She Works Hard for the Money’ and ‘This Time I Know It’s for Real.’

Summer was also the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach No. 1 on the US Billboard chart.

[TMZ]

Warner Bros.

Tom Cruise has gone from mega 80s superstar to couch-jumping nutball over the course of his career. With his off-screen demeanor calming down a bit, he’s revived his career (see: ‘Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol’) and he’s back on top of the Hollywood mountain, especially with his upcoming role in ‘Rock of Ages.’ But has his career resurgence made him go a bit bananas again?

While playing the role of sexed up 80′s rock idol Stacee Jaxx in the upcoming film adaptation of the popular musical ‘Rock of Ages,’ Cruise decided his character needed a sidekick to play with him in his musical jungle of groupies and glam. In W Magazine, Cruise talked about an accessory he felt the character of Jaxx needed to have for the movie:

I was thinking about the character, and I said, ‘You know what? I need a monkey.’ [Director] Adam [Shankman] said, ‘What the f— are you talking about?’ And I said, ‘I’m serious — I need a monkey.’ When Stacee’s not onstage, he’s kind of sad. And I thought, This guy has to have a monkey that’s his best friend. Adam found this baboon. He sent me the baboon’s audition tape, and I said ‘The baboon’s name has to be Hey Man.’ Stacee Jaxx doesn’t work without Hey Man.

Want Tom Cruise wants, Tom Cruise gets. If he wants a giant elephant in the room dressed as the Red Baron then I’m pretty sure Shankman is going to ask the costume designer to get to work. Cruise’s last film, ‘Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol’ earned rave reviews, and his quirky characters like Les Grossman in ‘Tropic Thunder’ showcased just how crazy-fun he can get. We’re looking forward to Cruise’s part in this movie musical but we just hope he doesn’t monkey around too much (ahem) when it comes to his performance.

‘Rock of Ages,’ which also stars Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Malin Ackerman, Mary J. Blige, Bryan Cranston and Alec Baldwin, rocks theaters on June 15th.

Source: ScreenCrush.com

The officer approaches the stopped vehicle, and even though you can’t hear what’s happening, based on your own experiences, you can probably assume he’s telling the driver why he’s pulled him over.  As is the standard practice, he appears to get the driver’s identification and is probably headed back to his vehicle to write up the ticket. Again, very typical in this type of situation, other than the fact that he seems to be a plain clothes officer of some kind.

This is when it gets weird. Suddenly, out of the offending vehicle rushes not a man, but a polar bear/human hybrid of some kind. Oh, but not just any polar bear person, a somewhat intoxicated polar bear person who seems to think it’s a good idea to run erratically toward a cop.

Fortunately, the officer has seen enough nature shows to know exactly what to do in this situation and the polar bear person is restrained. The officer has to be careful though, because polar bears are an endangered species.

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Source: GuySpeed.com

KIXS 108

School will be out in just a few days, and that means its vacation time! KIXS 108 is helping you get Geared up for Summer by giving you a chance to win some awesome prizes!!  We’re giving YOU the chance to win one of six great prize packages valued over $1,000!

• Corpus Christi Getaway and outdoors gear from Victoria All Sports!
• San Antonio Getaway and Dinner for 10 from Ventura’s Tamales!
• Galveston Trip and Moody Gardens Admission for two and plenty of bling from head to toe from Madi Tay’s!
• Corpus Christi Getaway and New Furniture from Bedbutlers!
• Lion Premium Grill and San Antonio Getaway from Carpets by Kelly!
• Galveston Getaway and Golf from Interstate Batteries!

Entries cost just 500 VIP points. First you have to be a KIXS VIP if you are not a KIXS VIP click here kqvt.com and sign up right now. Its’ free and easy! Need more points go by Victoria All Sports, Ventura’s Tamales, Madi Tays,  Bedbutlers, Carpet by Kelly or Interstate Batteries and pick up your location bonus code word. Each bonus code word is worth 5,000 points. Go by all 6 locations and you will have earned 30,000 points! You can enter to win as many times as you want!! What prize package would you choose?

Art Cars of Houston

If you don’t know or have never seen an ‘art car’, you’re in for a treat this weekend thanks to the Nave Museum.

What’s better than a cool car tricked out with airbrushed images, knickknacks, statues, tile and more? A whole parade of them. This year marks the third annual art car exhibition, Art Car Central, which will once again be curated by Ann Harithas, founder of the Art Car Museum in Houston. For the first time, you’ll be able to view these eclectic autos as they roll through downtown Victoria on their way to the Nave Museum.

“It’s going to be a blast with all those crazy cars. The art show inside the museum is going to be the highlight,” said Maggie Kuykendall, media contact for the Nave told the Victoria Advocate.

The parade will begin Saturday at 11:30 a.m. on Main Street and end at the Nave Museum for the Art Car Central show. Saturday’s admission is free with more than 40 award-winning art cars and low-riders to check out. A kid’s craft area and food and beverage vendors will be on site. Inside the Nave, David Best’s artwork, Prayer Wheels, will be on display Saturday through July 1. Best is an internationally known sculptor and art car artist. “This particular batch of work was kind of inspired because of the art car parade that’s going to be in Victoria. So, I thought I would kind of keep it more in an automobile related imagery,” Best said. But his art became inspired by India after he spent time there. Best used elegant backgrounds with the somewhat humorous imagery of tires, oil cans, and pin-up models. Best considers this collection to be much more light-hearted than his earlier work. “This became really a fun project,” he said.

St. Michael's Church

It’s that time of year! There are spring festivals all over South Texas and St. Michael’s Church in Cuero is preparing for their own this Sunday.

St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Cuero will host its annual Spring Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday. A roast beef dinner will be served in the parish hall, 309 E. Church St., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at $8 per plate. The festival includes games for the kids, a country store, cake walk, bingo, a silent auction, a raffle and a live auction with auctioneer Joe Adams at 12:30 p.m.

Auction items include a guided fishing trip to Rockport, a kayak trip on the Guadalupe River, a deer hunting trip in Terrell County, eight wooden doors from St. Michael’s Church, two 100-year-old photographs of past St. Michael’s priests, a round of golf at the Quarry, dinner in San Antonio with the Rev. David Berger, quilts, antiques, steaks, baked goods, homemade wine, a painting by Marion Reamy and more.

For more information or tickets, call 361-275-3554.

Getty Images

If you are into antique cars you are in luck this weekend as the 59th annual Antique Car Texas Tour returns to Victoria.The Golden Crescent Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America will host its 59th annual TexasTour beginning Thursday. Organizers anticipate serving 125 people for the free event.

AACA is the oldest and largest automotive historical society in the nation, dedicated to the preservation, restoration and maintenance of automobiles and automobile history, according to a news release.

“This is one of the years where Victoria is privileged to host,” said BJ Cornstubble, tour manager. It’s been five years since Victoria hosted this event that will highlight pre-recorded history, the French explorers and modern day heritage. The tour will include a host of activities, including a welcome party, car judging, a scenic trip to historic Gonzales, live entertainment and a back road trip through Austwell throughout the weekend and festivities.

Cornstubble said antique car collecting is in his blood. He encouraged others to enjoy the sights. “People can look and appreciate the unique style of old cars,” he told the Victoria Advocate.

booleansplit, Flickr

When you’re buying sunscreen, do you look for words like ‘waterproof,’ ‘sweatproof’ and ‘sunblock?’ If so, don’t bother — they may not be as bulletproof as they seem.

Last year, the FDA mandated that sunscreen manufacturers had to stop using the above descriptions because no product is truly waterproof or sweatproof, and even the best sunscreens don’t completely block harmful rays. And although the ban was supposed to be in place this summer, makers now have until this winter to comply.

Products claiming to be ‘waterproof’ or ‘sweatproof’ will have to prove it with standard testing and state exactly how long a product will stay on the skin after being exposed to water or perspiration.

In addition, terms like ‘sunblock’ will be replaced with ‘broad spectrum’ as long as a product has an SPF rating of at least 15 and protects the user from both UVA rays (associated with skin cancer) and UVB rays (which can cause sunburn).

That said, sunscreens on the shelves are still effective and the FDA encourages their use, saying, “The ingredients in FDA-approved sunscreens marketed today have been used for many years, and FDA has no reason to believe these products are not safe.”

[Time]

Zappos

You may have seen the ads for Skechers’ Shape-ups shoes featuring spokesmodels like Kim Kardashian and Brooke Burke.

But the FTC says the claims made within those ads and others like them were false, and it’s now ordered the shoe manufacturer to cough up a $40 million fine.

Skechers said the $100 sneakers’ design promoted weight loss and toned muscles, but the FTC said such assertions were deceptive and misleading to consumers. The action brought by the agency also included Skechers’ Resistance Runner, Toners, and Tone-ups shoes.

People who bought the shoes will be eligible for refunds, though how much they’ll get back is unclear. The FTC did say that most of the $40 million settlement will be returned to consumers.

It’s not the first time the FTC has cracked down on the makers of athletic shoes. Last year Reebok faced similar trouble over its EasyTone walking shoes and RunTone running shoes, and eventually paid out $25 million in customer refunds.

“The FTC’s message, for Skechers and other national advertisers, is to shape up your substantiation or tone down your claims,” said David Vladeck, director of the agency’s consumer protection bureau, adding that for millions of buyers, “the only thing that got a workout was their wallet.”

[Associated Press]

Courtesy of Cover Girl

Women’s boxing will make its debut at this summer’s Olympic Games in London, and the US now has its first official team member: 22-year-old Marlen Esparza of Houston, Texas, who secured the spot after beating the snot out of another chick at the women’s world boxing championships in China earlier this week.

Defying the stereotype that lady boxers have the heft of a pallet of bricks, Esparza is a badass of the tiniest proportions — she fell into the featherweight class, which mandates fighters not weigh more than 112 pounds.

Two other American women, Quanitta Underwood and Claressa Shields, were defeated in bouts at the Chinese tournament but may still make the US team if an international commission selects them.

Underwood, 28, is in the 132-pound lightweight category and one of America’s best-known amateur boxers. Since she says she suffered years of sexual abuse at the hands of her father, we’re guessing she honed her skills that way (and hopefully put him in the hospital at least once). Shields is only 17 but quickly gained cred when she bested better-known fighters at the United States Olympic trials earlier this year.

Hopefully, women’s wrestling is the next sport to get Olympic recognition. We’ve been holding tryouts at our house for years.

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Source: GuySpeed.com

YouTube

Carrie Underwood has really been making her rounds to promote ‘Blown Away,’ her newest album release. And while the entire album has received critical acclaim from the media, ‘Good Girl’ — the first single from the record — is her most performed song nowadays. On Tuesday night (May 15), Underwood took the soulful anthem to the stage on ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ where she was accompanied by four dancers who tore up the rug.

Underwood’s rocking performance took the ballroom stage by storm during the semi-final competition. With a full band including back-up singers, Underwood took her post by the microphone wearing a short and lacy purple and blue dress. If her vocals weren’t so powerful, her gorgeous getup and signature shoulder-length curly blonde hair would have stolen the show.

During the second verse, the ‘Good Girl’ hitmaker and her backup band were joined by four professional dancers, who twirled and displayed impressive footwork. The two duos flexed their dancing muscles by adding dips and swing moves into the mix.

After an intense round of dancing, one more contestant was eliminated from the 14th season of the show. Julianne Hough also performed with her ‘Rock of Ages’ co-stars.

Underwood has heard her smash hit single performed all over the country since its release in February. In April, the country superstar sang along with the 5th grade choir at PS22 in Staten Island, as they performed their own rendition of ‘Good Girl.’ Last week, a video surfaced of a toddler rocking out to the No. 1 single in her car seat.

Given the mega-popular status of ‘Good Girl,’ it’s not surprising that Underwood made history with her most recent album. ‘Blown Away’ landed Underwood in the books by debuting at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. This makes her only the second country artist in the 47-year history of the chart to have each of their first four albums debut at No. 1.

Currently, Underwood has five CMT award nominations under her belt, including Female Video of the Year, two for Video of the Year, Collaborative Video of the Year, and CMT Performance of the Year. Talk about being blown away!

Watch Underwood’s performance on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ to catch a glimpse of why this lovely lady is getting so much critical acclaim.

Watch Carrie Underwood Perform ‘Good Girl’ on ‘Dancing With the Stars’

Source: TasteofCountry.com

IKEA

IKEA specializes in affordable, streamlined and semi-stylish furniture that’s space-efficient, strangely named yet easy for just about anybody to put together. Oh, and their cafeteria has amazing Swedish meatballs. But the company is taking a bold step toward cornering the home-entertainment market with their latest “invention” – a combination TV stand and smart LED HDTV/Blu-ray player that reaches European markets this fall.

Named the UPPLEVA (of course), this device packages your home-entertainment needs into a relatively compact structure with a TV screen, built-in Blu-ray player, a cabinet, and a wireless subwoofer. Endgadget says the screens on the UPPLEVA will range from 24 to 46 inches, with prices for the unit starting around $960 overseas. After trial runs in Sweden, Italy, France, Poland, Denmark, Spain, Norway and Portugal, the UPPLEVA likely will expand to more markets – hopefully the U.S. – in the Spring of 2013.

That seems like a reasonable price for a smart TV with a Blu-ray player AND a storage unit. But will you buy this if it doesn’t fit the design of your place? IKEA furniture only fits certain styles, and the UPPLEVA matches that description. It won’t work for everybody, but for those who have limited space and a need for a combination unit, this could be ideal.

It also marks a step in the right direction for technology, as a whole. We just didn’t think IKEA would be one of those pioneers in the industry! So what do you think? Would you pick up this unit if it was available at your local IKEA?

Source: ScreenCrush.com

uggboy ugggirl, flickr

Buying airfare shouldn’t be as complex as trying to handicap a race horse, but the truth is sometimes it’s trickier.

Most people at least have a fighting chance with a little beginner’s luck when making their first bet on the ponies, yet those of us who have been flying for years can’t seem to get a grip on this airfare game.

Americans typically get a little jumpy when they feel like they’re being ripped off, but losing money on a bet is just part of the fun.

However, there is nothing fun about paying too much for airfare. According to Jetsetter, there are some specific tips you can follow in order to get the best possible deal.

• Book airfare six weeks in advance during normal time (not during the holidays)
• Book airfare three months in advance to a popular location in high season
• Book airfare for Thanksgiving the day after Labor Day
• Book airfare as soon as possible during the summer months because rates get higher as summer progresses
• Book airfare two-to-four weeks in advance during the fall months because you can wait longer for last minute deals in the off-season
• Book airfare for winter vacations as early as September
• Book airfare for spring break three months in advance

So plan all of your trips well in advance to ensure the best possible bet on your next airfare purchase. And remember, it’s a gamble.

[LearnVest]