CONTACT US Call toll-free: 800-228-0429 Cara Recine, Lifestyles and special projects editor cara.recine@thesouthern.com / ext. 5075 Adam Testa, Lifestyles writer adam.testa@thesouthern.com / ext. 5031 Brenda Kirkpatrick, lists, live music flipside@thesouthern.com / ext. 5089 Rhonda Ethridge, cover designer rhonda.ethridge@thesouthern.com / ext. 5118 The Southern Illinoisan (USPS 258-908) is published daily at a yearly subscription rate of $178. It is published at 710 N. Illinois Ave., Carbondale, IL 62901. It is owned by Lee Enterprises of Davenport, Iowa.
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Page 2 Thursday, December 29, 2011 FLIPSIDE
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Auditions Auditions: For the musical, Cats produced by Artstarts Company, 5-9 p.m. Tuesday Jan. 3 and Thursday, Jan. 5 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, Marion Cultural and Civic Center; show dates, March 28-31 and April 1; 618 922-1853.
MUSIC
WINERIES
New Year’s Eve All Night Gaming Event: 10 p.m.6 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 31, C.E. Brehm Library, Mount Vernon; board games, card games, miniatures’ game and role playing games; refreshments; adults only; reserve by calling 618-2426322.
Holiday Events
Holiday Lights Fair: Through Dec. 30, Du Quoin Touching Other Worlds: State Fairgrounds; drive By Chris Rainey, 6:30 p.m. through; holiday tree Thursday, Dec. 29, Gourmet display; $8; 618-542-8338. Coffee Shop, located inside Fantasy of Lights: Duskthe Rend Lake College 11 p.m. through Dec. 31, MarketPlace, Potomac Foundation Park, 1616 E. Boulevard, Mount Vernon; McCord, Centralia; driveauthor will discuss and read through lighted Christmas from his first book, a display; Santa visits on collection of poems; also, Friday and Saturday nights; book signing; 201-482free; 618-532-3214 0835. Candy Cane Lane: Season of Change: 5-10 p.m. Monday through Baseball, Coal Mining and a Thursday and 5-11 p.m. Small Town’s Struggle to Fridays, Saturdays and Beat the Odds by Toby Sundays; through Dec. 31, Brooks; book recounts the downtown West Frankfort; story of minor league Christmas lights and baseball in West Frankfort displays begin at Main and its parallels to the Street past the high history of the region’s coal school. mining industry; book Coulterville Holiday signing, 4-6 p.m. Friday, Light Display: Through Dec. 30, Bookworm Jan. 1, Coulterville City Bookstore, 618 E. Walnut Park; also 400 Christmas St., Eastgate Shopping figurines; animated Center, Carbondale; displays; walk-through 618-457-2665. display; www.coulterville holidaylightdisplay.com. Way of Lights Christmas New Year’s Events Display: 5 p.m. nightly New Year’s Celebration: through Jan. 1, The 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, National Shrine of Our Lady Fort de Chartres State of the Snows, Belleville; Historic Site, Prairie du camel and pony rides, Rocher; traditional French petting zoo, rides on horseNew Year’s celebration; drawn carriages, laser carols; refreshments; show; 314-241-3400, ext. entertainment by The 6293. La Guiannee Singers; free. Theatre Holiday Affair: 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, The Shakespeare’s The Icebox, 227 W. Main St., Taming of the Shrew: Carbondale; entertainment, 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, the food, dancing; portion of Carson Center, 100 proceeds benefit Thelma Kentucky Ave., Paducah; Gibbs Walker Scholarship $18/$10; www.national Fund; advance, $10; at the players.org; 270-443-9932; door, $15; 618-303-3860. www.thecarsoncenter.org.
Authors, Books
THINGS TO DO
BOOKS
THEATER
New books tells ups, downs of West Frankfort Cardinals CARBONDALE — A newly published book recounts the story of minor league baseball in West Frankfort and its parallels to the history of the region’s coal mining industry. “Season of Change: Baseball, Coal Mining and a Small Town’s Struggle to Beat the Odds” chronicles The West Frankfort Cardinals, including an intimate depiction of the 1948 Class D team that won the 1948 Illinois State League championship. The team played in West Frankfort from 1947-1950 as a farm team of the St. Louis Cardinals. Author Toby Brooks, who served as an athletic trainer for the Southern Illinois Miners, will sign copies of his new book from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Bookworm, 618 E. Walnut, in Carbondale. A native of Golconda, Brooks earned a degree in athletic training at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
After obtaining graduate degrees, he is now an assistant professor at Texas Tech University. His wife Christi is a native of West Frankfort, and her parents still live there. “Season of Change” is the culmination of more than four years of extensive research and indepth interviews with the people who helped establish the team and their descendants, as well as current local townspeople and area historians. — Adam Testa
Auditions for ‘CATS’ begin Tuesday MARION — Andrew Lloyd Webster’s famed musical “CATS” is coming to the Marion Cultural and Civic Center this spring, and actors are being sought for auditions. Artstarts will be hosting auditions at the civic center from 5 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3, and Thursday, Jan. 5, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7. Roles are available for actors of all ages. Those interested in
auditioning for a dance role should come prepared to learn a short dance, and those looking to be featured in a singing role should bring a prepared solo and CD or accompaniment. Auditions are open to residents of the southern 14 counties of Illinois. The show runs March 28 to April 1 at the civic center. For more information, call 618-922-1853. — Adam Testa
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PHOTOGRAPHY
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THINGS TO DO
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THEATER
‘The Taming of the Shrew’ coming to The Carson Center
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Dianna Mueller of Chester (center) leads La Guiannee Society in a French song at Fort de Chartres. Residents of Prairie du Rocher have gone door to door singing every New Year’s Eve since the town was founded in 1722.
PADUCAH — National Players’ Tour 63 enchants the Carson Center at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, with its new production of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” One of the best-loved “battles of the sexes” is back, with a Wild West flare! Cowboy boots, whips and lassos give a biting punch to this classic. Sparring lovers Kate and Petruchio duke it out on the Western frontier. Will they ride off into the sunset or die tryin’? Founded in 1949, National Players is America’s longest running touring company. Comprised of young professional actors, each year the company travels throughout the country performing two plays in repertory — one PROVIDED Shakespearean play and ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13 at The Carson Center. one dramatic classic. Tickets are $18 for students 18 and younger calling 270-450-4444 or center.org. — Adam Testa adults and $10 for and may be purchased by online at www.thecarson
La Guiannee returns to Prairie du Rocher PRAIRIE DU ROCHER — The annual New Year’s celebration started in 1722 by some of the state’s earliest settlers returns Saturday at Fort de Chartres State Historic Site and in the nearby town of Prairie du Rocher. La Guiannee, the traditional French New Year’s celebration, begins at 8 p.m. at Fort de Chartres State Historic Site. Traditional French holiday carols will be sung and refreshments served. The La Guiannee singers will perform at the fort as part of their roving tour of
the Prairie du Rocher area. In a tradition dating back to the early 1700s, the La Guiannee singers will visit houses in the early French town of Prairie du Rocher and sing for the residents. As part of the tradition, the residents provide refreshments for the singers at each stop. The New Year’s celebration is free and open to the public. It is co-sponsored by Fort de Chartres and the Prairie du Rocher La Guiannee Society.
20% OFF All Coats
— Adam Testa
FLIPSIDE Thursday, December 29, 2011 Page 3
MOVIES Concerts
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www.cedarhurst.org. Shrode Photography Holiday Extravaganza: Competition Exhibit: The Little Egypt Art Centre, Shrode Art Center 601 Tower Square, Marion; Regenhardt Gallery, features artwork, Cedarhurst Center for the photographs, jewelry, Arts, Mount Vernon; through Christmas décor and gift Dec. 31; www.cedarhurst ideas; through Jan. 15; .org. 618-998-8530 or Transformation: Paintings www.littleegyptarts.com. by Linda Hostalek, 9 a.m.5 p.m. Monday-Friday and Exhibits 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays, Central Showcase, offices of Cheonae Kim: Giving Back, Varsity Center for the Realty Central, Murdale Shopping Center, Arts, Varsity Gallery, Carbondale; through Carbondale; through Dec. 31. Dec. 31; 618-457-5100. Dr. Leo Gadzepko and Maturity and Its Muse: Jessica Edmond: Fern Fair Cedarhurst Center for the Gallery, 8609 Giant City Arts, Mount Vernon; artists Road, Carbondale; through over the age of 70; Mitchell end of December; 618-529Museum Main Gallery; 3376; www.fernfair.com. through Dec. 31; Red Rock Landscapes: www.cedarhurst.org. Tribeca Gallery, downtown The History of Jefferson County: Highlights from the Paducah; photographer Larry Heavrin; through Jefferson County Historical Society and Village, Mitchell Jan. 11; 270-898-6056 or heavrin@mchsi.com. Museum’s Beal Grand Skirting Convention: Corridor Gallery, Illinois Women Artists, Cedarhurst, Mount Vernon; 1840-1940: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Dec. 31; Tuesday through Saturday www.cedarhurst.org. Marching to Appomattox: and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Lakeview Museum of Arts The Footrace that Ended and Sciences, Peoria, the Civil War, The Beck through Jan. 16; Quincy Art Family Center Gallery, Center, Quincy, Feb. 10 Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, Mount Vernon; original through March 18. Exhibition examines a century of paintings by Ken Stark; women artists who defied through Dec. 31;
Events
Southern Illinois New Year’s Eve With the Swamp Tigers: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, Varsity Center for the Arts, 418 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale; rockabilly; $15; www. southernticketsonline.com.
Indiana Lloyd Wood: New Year’s Eve Show, 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, Boot City Opry, 11800 S. Highway 41, Terre Haute; $11 www.bootcity opry.com or 812-299-8379.
Kentucky Big News Eve Show: With Blend, Slick Tire and The White Sidewalls, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, Kentucky Opry, 88 Chilton Lane, Benton, Ky.; $32-$10; 888-459-8704.
PHOTOGRAPHY
SAVOR THE FLAVOR OF SWEDEN Swedish Cuisine • Award Winning Wines • Scandinavian Gift Shop
New Year’s Eve Open ‘til 9:00PM Specials on the menu. Reservations recommended
Thursday, January 12th
Winter Dinner at 7:00PM Four course wine dinner. Reservations required.
Tuesday, February 14th
BOOKS
THINGS TO DO
conventions by presenting works by 72 women from all over Illinois including works by Anna artist Amy Kirkpatrick and Southern Illinois artist Maude Parmley Craig. Cheonae Kim: Giving Back, Varsity Center for the Arts, Varsity Gallery, Carbondale; through end of January; 618-457-5100. Janet Bixler: Paintings, Harrisburg District Library; through Feb. 5; artwork for sale. Creative Visions: Features the work of ceramic artist Greg Gibbs, woodworker Joe Landon, sculptor Darren Miller, glass artist Michelle Rial, painter Nina Weiss and jewelry artist Sandra Wilcoxon, The Southern Illinois Art and Artisans Center, Whittington; free; through March 15; 618-6292220. The Legacy of Katherine Kuh: Building the University’s Art Collection, University Museum, SIU; Katherine Kuh, Chicago art connoisseur, art critic for the Saturday Review and gallery owner purchased art for SIU including some of the major artists of the 20th century; through May 11; www.museum.siu.edu or 618-453-5388. From Humble
COMING ATTRACTIONS Dec 31 - Big New Year’s Eve Hors d’oeurves, The Kentucky Opry Stars, Slick Tire & the White Sidewalls, several guests including Doo Wop Group: Blend
Jan 21 - Big Talent Search - $3000 prize money www.oprytalentsearch.com
www.hedmanvineyards.com 560 Chestnut St., Alto Pass • (618) 893-4923 or (618) 521-2506
Page 4 Thursday, December 29, 2011 FLIPSIDE
Beginnings: Lincoln’s Illinois 1830-1861: Illinois State Museum at Rend Lake presents Part II of an original exhibition exploring aspects of the state that Lincoln called home, The Southern Illinois Art and Artisans Center, Whittington; through May 13; 618-629-2220. Ongoing art exhibit: Photographs of Juhree Veach, mosaics from Janet Altoff and sculpture from Tom Horn, StarView Vineyards, 5100 Wing Hill Road, Cobden; 618-8939463 or www.starview vineyards.com. Jo Loomis: Williamson County Pavilion, Marion; paintings of landscapes, seascapes, people, pets; 618-889-5330 or vanjol@frontier.com.
Reception New Year’s Eve Art Exhibition: The Paducah Wastelanders’ reception and party, 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, The Yeiser Art Center, downtown Paducah; refreshments; exhibit also open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Jan. 6-7; free; 270-442-2453; info@theyeiser.org; www.theyeiser.org.
THEATER
Yeiser Art Center hosts New Year’s gallery reception PADUCAH — A group of regional artists will gather with the public for a special New Year’s Eve exhibit and celebration. The Wastelanders, who are all either natives or long-time residents, will gather at the Yeiser Art Center from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday for the opening reception of a new showcase, featuring works by group members E.J. Abell, David Brown, Paula Danby, Mark Donham, Nancy Flowers, Juanita Gilliam, Kristi Hanson, Lanelle Mason and Charlie Robertson. Two guest artists, Linda Little and Nathan Brown, will also show works. Pieces in the display include paintings, photography, mixed media, ceramics, assemblages and sculptures. The exhibit will also be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 6 and Jan. 7. — Adam Testa
BELLEVILLE ANTIQUE
FLEA MARKET
Feb 10 - Kentucky Opry presents:Winter Dance Party
BELLE-CLAIR EXPOSITION CENTER at the BELLE-CLAIR FAIRGROUNDS
Feb 24 - The Gibson Brothers the Best of Bluegrass
SATURDAY & SUNDAY JANUARY 21st & 22nd
The Buddy Holly Story, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens Carson Center (270) 450-4444
Valentine four course wine dinner at 7:00PM Reservations required.
Book your private parties at Hedman’s
FESTIVALS
www.kentuckyopry.com
or call 888-459-8704 Open year ‘round
9a.m. - 4p.m. Both Days • OVER 600 TABLES • HUGE VARIETY OF EXHIBTORS FREE ADMISSION • FREE PARKING Rt. 13 (Just off Rt. 159 & 13), Belleville, IL For More Information call (618)233-0052 www.bcfairgrounds.net Third Full Weekend of Every Month!
MOVIES
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COVER STORY
Lady Gaga voted AP Entertainer of the Year BY JAKE COYLE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — You might say that Lady Gaga’s year really began in an egg. That’s how she arrived at the Grammys in February, encased in a large, translucent pod carried by scantily clad dancers. When she “hatched” onstage, she effectively gave birth to “Born This Way,” performing the eponymous lead single of her second studio album and anthem to selfacceptance. In 2011, the album would carry her around the world, where she rarely went unnoticed. After a year of extravagant globe-trotting and relentless advocacy of tolerance, Lady Gaga has been voted Entertainer of the Year by members of The Associated Press. There were 135 ballots submitted by U.S. news organizations that make up the AP’s membership. Editors and broadcasters were asked to cast their ballots for who had the most influence on entertainment and culture in 2011. “I am humbled and honored to be named ‘Entertainer of The Year’ by The Associated Press,” Lady Gaga said in a statement Monday signed “Mother Monster.” “My deepest gratitude to the broadcasters and journalists who’ve supported me over the years, and in turn, are now supporting the loves of my life: my fans. Thank you for believing in ‘Born This
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AP
Lady Gaga accepts a Grammy award earlier this year.
Way.’ May you continue to brave the dreams of Showbiz.” Lady Gaga narrowly edged out the late Apple founder Steve Jobs by three votes. Many others received numerous votes, including Taylor Swift, Charlie Sheen, Adele and the cast of “Harry Potter.” Previous winners of the AP Entertainer of the Year include Betty White, Swift, Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert.
But it was Lady Gaga whose eminence in 2011 stood out most to voters. While accepting the best pop vocal album Grammy for her previous disc, “The Fame Monster,” earlier this year, she said stardom was an adjustment for her. “When I wrote ‘Born This Way,’ I imagined (Whitney Houston) was singing it because I wasn’t secure enough in myself to imagine I was a superstar,” she said.
Get Your Christmas Shopping Done Early! Tons of Gift Ideas •Gift Baskets •Stocking Stuffers
Friend us on Facebook Located at exit 77 along I-57 • 618-629-2302 www.pheasanthollowwinery.com FLIPSIDE Thursday, December 29, 2011 Page 5
DIRECTIONS & DIGITS
WEEK OF DEC. 29-JAN. 4
CRAVING KARAOKE? Karaoke and DJ lists are online at www.flipsideonline.com.
Wineries Dan Barron: 2-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Blue Sky Vineyard Bill Harper: 2-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Blue Sky Vineyard Dirt Water Fox: 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Von Jakob Orchard Nyte Flyte: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Von Jakob Orchard Howlin’ at the Moon: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, The
Bluffs Vineyard and Winery Larry Dillard/Blues Therapy: 3-7 p.m. Sunday, The Bluffs Vineyard and Winery The Natives: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Rustle Hill Winery Ivas John: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Rustle Hill Winery Fertile Soil: 8 p.m.midnight, Saturday, The Bluffs
WANT TO BE LISTED? Call 618-351-5089 or email brenda.kirkpatrick @thesouthern.com. TONIGHT
Alto Vineyards: Illinois 127, Alto Pass, www.AltoVineyards.net or 618-893-4898 Blue Sky Vineyard: 3150 S. Rocky Comfort Road, Makanda; 618-995-9463 or www.blueskyvineyard.com The Bluffs Vineyard and Winery: 140 Buttermilk Hill Road, Ava; 618-763-4447 or www.thebluffswinery.com. Honker Hill Winery: 4861 Spillway Road, Carbondale: 618-549-5517 Lincoln Heritage Winery: 772 Kaolin Road, Cobden; 618-833-3783 Rustle Hill Winery: US 51, Cobden; 618-893-2700 or www.rustlehillwinery.com StarView Vineyards: 5100 Wing Hill Road, Cobden; 618 893-9463 or starviewvineyards.com Von Jakob Orchard: 230 Illinois 127, Alto Pass; 618893-4600 or www.vonjakobvineyard.com Walker’s Bluff: North on Reed Station Road, Carterville; 618-985-8463 or www.walkersbluff.com
BENTON Duncan Dance Barn:: Spring Pond Opry Band, 6:30-9:30 p.m. CARBONDALE Tres Hombres: Aaron Kamm and The One Drops, 10 p.m. WHITE ASH Scarlett’s Music Barn: Country Music Band, 7-10 p.m.
SUNDAY WHITTINGTON Corner Dance Hall: As Time Goes By Band, 2-5 p.m.
MONDAY MARION Marion Youth Center: Ragtag Band, 7-10 p.m.
TUESDAY MARION Hideout Restaurant: Bob Pina, piano 5:30-8:30 p.m. THOMPSONVILLE Lion’s Cave: Mike’s Band, 7-10 p.m. WEST FRANKFORT Colyer’s: Righteous Rebel Band, 7-11 p.m. WB Ranch Barn: WB Ranch Band, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
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FRIDAY CARBONDALE Hangar 9: Back Stabbath, Black Sabbath tribute, 10 p.m. Tres Hombres: The Scandal, 10 p.m. INA Ina Community Building: Friday Night Jam Band,
6:30-9:30 p.m. THOMPSONVILLE Old Country Store Dance Barn: Jeanita Spillman & The Sentimental Swing Band, 7-10 p.m. WHITTINGTON Corner Dance Hall: Rebel Country Band, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
SATURDAY CARBONDALE Hangar 9: Reggae Soiree, 10 p.m. Tres Hombres: Barnacle Billy and the Zebra Mussels MARION Hideout Restaurant: Bob Pina, piano 5:30-9:30 p.m. Marion American Legion: Danny and The Dreamers, 8 p.m.midnight. Marion Eagles: White Lightning, 7-11 p.m. Pip’s: King Juba, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. PINCKNEYVILLE KC Hall: Jackson Junction, 8 p.m.-
midnight SHAWNEETOWN Stan’s Place: Roger Black and The Honky Tonk Cowboys, 8 p.m.midnight STEELEVILLE American Legion: Country Aces, 8 -12:30 p.m. THOMPSONVILLE Lion’s Cave: Swing “N” Country Band, 7-9:30 p.m. Old Country Store Dance Barn: Lil’ Boot & Classic Country, 7-10 p.m. ZEIGLER Zeigler Eagles: The Wait Band, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
20’s Hideout Restaurant: 2602 Wanda Drive, Marion 618-997-8325 Anna VFW: 70 VFW Lane, Anna 618-8335182 Carbondale Eagles: 1206 W. Linden, Carbondale 618-529-9345 Coloni’s Bar & Grill: 3 Park Plaza, Herrin 618-988-5341 Corner Dance Hall: 200 Franklin St., Whittington 618-303-5266 Coulterville VFW: 511 VFW St., Coulterville 618-758-9009 Diver Down: 199 E. Main St., Golconda 618-683-3483 Duncan Dance Barn: 13545 Spring Pond Road, Benton 618-435-6161 Enrico’s: 208 S. Main St., Royalton 618984-2071 Hangar 9: 511 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale; 618-549-0511. Hurley’s: 1504 W. Broadway Boulevard, Johnston City John Brown’s on the Square: 1000 Tower Square, Marion 618-997-2909 Key West: 1108 W. Main, Carbondale 618-351-5998 Kip & Traci’s Colonial Club: 1602 Old Creal Springs Road, Marion 618-9976989 Linemen’s Lounge: 100 E. Broadway, Johnston City Lion’s Cave: South Street, Thompsonville 618-218-4888 Mack’s Lake of Egypt Marina: 12024 Laguna Drive, Lake of Egypt 618Maddie’s Pub and Grub: 14960 Illinois 37, Johnston City 618-983-8107 Marion American Legion: Longstreet Road, Marion 618-997-6168 Marion Eagles: Rural Route 3, Marion 618-993-6300 Marion Elks: .204 S. Market St., Marion 618-993-3151 Marion Youth Center: 211 E. Boulevard St., Marion 618-922-7853 Mollie’s: 107 E. Union St., Marion 618997-3424 Murphysboro Elks Lodge: 1809 Shomaker Drive Murphysboro 618684-4541. Murphysboro Moose Lodge: 9663 Old Illinois 13; Murphysboro 618-6843232 Old Country Store Dance Barn: Main Street, Thompsonville 618-218-4676 Park Plaza Pub: 3 Park Plaza, Herrin, 618-988-1556 Perfect Shot Bar & Billiards: 3029 S. Park Ave., Herrin, 618-942-4655 Pinch Penny Pub/Copper Dragon: 700 E. Grand, Carbondale 618-549-3348 Pip’s: 307 S. Boyton St., Marion PK’s: 308 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale 618-529-1124 Pyramid Acres Marina: 12171 Marina Road, Marion 618-964-1184 Scarlett’s Music Barn: 207 Potter St., White Ash 618-997-4979 Stan’s Place: Shawneetown 618-2693083 Steelhorse Saloon and Campground: 202 Dewmaine Lane, Carterville 618985-6713 Trackside Dance Barn: 104 Rock St., Spillertown 618-993-3035 Tres Hombres: 119 N. Washington St., Carbondale 618-457-3308 WB Ranch Barn: 1586 Pershing Road, West Frankfort 618-937-3718 Wit and Wisdom Nutritional Site: 225 E. Poplar St., West Frankfort 618-9373070 Xrossroads: 101 Rushing Drive, Herrin 618-993-8393 Zeigler Eagles: 114 N. Main St., Zeigler 618-596-5651
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COVER STORY
BOOKS
THINGS TO DO
FESTIVALS
THEATER
Looking back on a wild and wacky year in country music COUNTRY SCENE Vince Hoffard
ountry music stars made headlines for all types of reasons this year, from getting married to winding up in jail for a domestic dispute or kidnapping their own child. This wide range of behavior touches all points of the emotional spectrum and gives songwriters endless fuel for new material. Nearly lost in all the reality television-type hoopla is the fact 2011 was an amazing year for Taylor Swift and Jason Aldean. The 22-year-old Swift captured 11 major industry awards, including Entertainer of the Year honors from both the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music. She was present on the Billboard singles chart with hits “Mean” and “Sparks Fly.” Her “Speak Now” album has sold more than 3.8 million copies in the United States. Worldwide, she has sold more than 20 million copies of her three albums. Swift has accomplished lofty feats by targeting just a tiny portion of the total country music fan demographic, females ages five to 25. She knows her market and caters to it with powerhouse autobiographical tunes she writes showcasing the perils of being a teenage female, from getting dumped by a boyfriend to
C
PROVIDED
Taylor Swift (from left), Jason Aldean, Mirand Lambert and Blake Shelton were just some of the country stars to make the headlines in 2011.
being the ugly duckling turning into a beautiful swan. Aldean had a breakout year with three monster hits, singles “My Kinda Party” and “Dirt Road Anthem,” plus “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” a duet with Kelly Clarkson. The 34year-old Georgia native battled in the brutal musical trenches in Nashville for a decade before releasing his major label debut album in 2005. He has toured relentlessly for the past six year to reach the top of the musical mountain. All the hard work paid off in 2011. The fruits of his labor were first noticed when he won Album of the Year from the CMA for “My Kinda Party.” However, the crowning night was earlier this month when he collected six American Country Music awards, including Artist of the Year, Touring Artist of the Year, Male Single of the Year (“My Kinda Party”) and Album of the Year (“My Kinda Party”).
For country music fans, the royal wedding wasn’t Prince William and Catherine Middleton exchanging vows in a London cathedral in April. No, it happened a few weeks later when Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert got hitched on a Texas ranch. The menu included venison harvested by the bride. The union turns Blake and Miranda into Music City’s most powerful couple, with far less drama (so far) than George Jones and the late Tammy Wynette. Lambert had a great year, winning Top Female Vocalist from the ACM and Female Vocalist of the Year from the CMA. She topped the charts with single “Heart Like Mine,” and also unveiled a pet project— The Pistol Annies — a trio with singer/songwriting buddies Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley. A large crowd gathered at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau earlier
this year for Lambert’s Revolution Continues Tour was stunned when she unexpectedly brought The Pistol Annies on stage for a five-song set, which included “Heel on Heels.” Shelton had another great year, too. He was named Male Vocalist of the Year by the CMA and Favorite Male Country Artist by the American Music Awards. His hits for the year included “Honey Bee” and “God Gave Me You.” However, his biggest impact may have been as a coach on the NBC series “The Voice,” where his contestant placed second. Shelton will return to the show in 2012. Those were the top three stories for 2011, but there was much more tabloid fodder. Mindy McCready, who hasn’t had a hit since 1997 and is pregnant with twins, kidnapped her five-year old son from his legal guardian in Florida and fled to Arkansas, where she ended up in jail. A judge is trying to
sort out this mess. By the way, the legal guardian in Florida is McCready’s mother. Rodney Adkins, who prophetically broke onto the national scene in 2006 with his single “If You’re Going Through Hell,” is going through hell. He was arrested in November for allegedly trying to smother his wife with a pillow and was taken to jail. He claims it was only a verbal dispute and filed for divorce. The couple will be in court in January. It was a bounce-back year for superstar Shania Twain. She released a book, was inducted into the Canada Music Hall of Fame and signed a lucrative two-year contract to appear at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. She divorced husband/producer Robert “Mutt” Lange a few years ago, after he was caught having an affair with her best friend, Marie-Anne Thiebaud. This year, Twain married Swiss business executive
Frederic Thiebaud, the ex-husband of Twain’s former best friend. Additional country music stars walking down the aisle in 2011 were Randy Houser, Kelly Pickler, LeAnn Rimes, Sunny Sweeney, Jessica Andrews and Jennifer Nettles. Nettles, lead singer for Sugarland, was about to take the stage in August at the Indiana State Fair when 60-miles-per-hour winds blew down the enormous stage lighting system, which collapsed into the crowd, killing seven and injuring 44. The Band Perry was the featured act at HerrinFesta Italiana this year and it proved to be an outstanding selection by the entertainment committee. The group went on to win Single of the Year and Song of the Year from the CMA for act-breaking tune “If I Die Young” and also took home the prestigious Horizon Award. SEE HOFFARD / PAGE 9
FLIPSIDE Thursday, December 29, 2011 Page 7
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The year in music: The Throne was king BY GLENN GAMBOA
Amazon.com — offered a different strategy at combating illegal downloading. In the week Yes, 2011 was another of the release of her highly challenging year. Like last year, it was hard anticipated “Born This Way” album, the company inside the music industry put it on sale for 99 cents, and out, as economic essentially eliminating any uncertainty and cultural reason for even the curious uneasiness had nearly everyone on edge. But this not to buy it. (The move, year, there was a difference. designed to help raise Amazon’s profile as a There were glimmers of music download seller and hope — on several fronts. cloud service provider, The debut from The ended up pushing sales of Throne, the collaboration the album over the 1 million between Jay-Z and Kanye mark in its first week.) West, became the first In another sign of the major release in recent shifting times, two artists years to drop without leaking to the Internet first, on independent labels scored No. 1 albums, Cake proving that bootleggers and Mac Miller, whose and hackers don’t always “Blue Slide Park” became win. Lady Gaga — with a only the second major assist from
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independently distributed album ever to top the Billboard charts. This year’s Grammys also reflected indie labels’ growing power, as Arcade Fire, on North Carolina-based indie Merge Records, won the prized album of the year award for “The Suburbs,” beating out major-label superstars Eminem, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. Jazz singer Esperanza Spalding, from the tiny label Heads Up International, was named best new artist, over teenage sensation Justin Bieber and hip-hop powerhouse Drake. More important, musicians seemed to be finding new coping mechanisms and sharing them with their fans. While
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the charts were still packed with club anthems designed to help people dance away their worries, more of them have had a distinct message of hope. Sure, LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” and Britney Spears’ “Til the World
Ends” dominated the airwaves with mindless escapism, but so did esteem-building hits from Lady Gaga (“Born This Way”) and Katy Perry (“Firework”) — both part of the year’s “It Gets Better” theme that everyone from
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Demi Lovato (“Skyscraper”) to Lil Wayne (“How to Love”) tapped into for at least some part of the year. If only Amy Winehouse could somehow have challenged
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The Throne, a collaboration between Jay-Z and Kanye West, made waves this year.
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HOFFARD: Wrapping up a wild, wacky year in country music FROM PAGE 7 Chris Young took his career to a new level in 2011 with his fourth straight No. 1 single, “Tomorrow.” Young and Lambert were the two biggest stars discovered on the now defunct “Nashville Star,” a nationally televised talent search. For this year, “Nashville Star” was replaced by “American Idol,” as winner Scotty
McCreery and runner-up Lauren Alaina have successfully entered the country music market with hits “I Love Your This Big” and “Like My Mother Does.” It was a bad year for Hank Williams Jr., who during a drunken interview compared President Obama to Hitler and as a result was kicked off ESPN, and a sad year for Glen Campbell, who announced he was in the
early stages of Alzheimer’s and would give a farewell tour. Southern Illinois lost a musical icon with the death of 85-year-old Franklin County resident Billy Grammer. One of the greatest guitarist that ever lived, he was a longtime member of the Grand Ole Opry and rose to fame with his signature tune “Gotta Travel On.” The country music community also mourned the loss of Mel
McDaniel, Charlie Louvin, Ferlin Huskey and Billy Jo Spears. Enshrined into the Country Music Hall of Fame during 2011 were Reba McEntire, Jean Shepard and Bobby Braddock. My one wish is that Tanya Tucker will join this threesome in 2012. VINCE HOFFARD can be reached at 618-658-9095 or vincehoffard@ yahoo.com.
MUSIC: The Throne took over as king on the scene in 2011 FROM PAGE 8 her struggles in a similar way, we could have celebrated another great album rather than mourning her death from alcohol poisoning in July. Even Adele moved toward empowerment with her breakup album “21,” the year’s biggest seller, going from the bluesy lament “Rolling in the Deep” to the takingthe-high-road ballad “Someone Like You.” And, as usual, Jay-Z offered another blueprint for success — putting egos aside and working with someone else. What a crazy idea! In many ways, Rihanna’s current smash “We Found Love” summarizes the year in music nicely with its mantra-refrain: We found love in a hopeless place. And we should feel lucky because we did. 1. The Throne, “Watch the Throne:” Hip-hop royalty Jay-Z and Kanye West join forces to inspire each other to even higher artistic heights. Not only did their rhymes rise to the challenge (especially in “Murder to Excellence”)
but their already-intricate deliveries improved, as they bob and weave with each other and the music on “Otis” and “(Expletive) in Paris.” 2. Twilight Singers, “Dynamite Steps:” Greg Dulli drops another stunning soundtrack to the dark, art-house thriller playing in his mind. “She Was Stolen” is a sweetsounding lover’s lament/ revenge fantasy. “On the Corner” conjures all sorts of seductive danger, while “Waves” is a return to his harder-edged, grungier days with the Afghan Whigs. 3. Joseph Arthur, “The Graduation Ceremony:” He may not get the hype, but Arthur builds acoustic atmospherics as beautiful as Bon Iver and melodies as memorable as a slew of next-Dylan singersongwriters. Add the lovely “Out on a Limb” and the poignant “Face in the Crowd,” as well as his ode to our shared homeland “Midwest,” to his impressive catalog. 4. Bon Iver, “Bon Iver:” Justin Vernon writes songs with the meticulous mastery of a painter, knowing exactly what
words would make his angelic voice sound even better and what instrumentation makes his point even stronger. And yes, “Holocene” does deserve its song of the year Grammy nomination. 5. Rihanna, “Talk That Talk:” What makes RiRi’s state-of-the-art dance pop better than the rest is her ability to soak in musical trends and cultural trends and sweat it out as her own thudding angst (“Where Have You Been?”) and aching triumph (“We Found Love”). 6. Foo Fighters, “Wasting Light:” “Arlandria” for when you want to rock. “White Limo” for when you want to scream. 7. Patrick Stump, “Soul Punk:” The former Fall Out Boy front man recasts himself as Prince circa 1982 with spectacular results. 8. Lucinda Williams, “Blessed:” Married bliss hasn’t spoiled her keen, detailed observations (“Don’t Know How You’re Living”) or blunted her outspoken views (“Soldier’s Song”). 9. Adele, “21:” Yeah, it gets a little sappy in the middle, but “Rolling in the
Deep” couldn’t be a more stylish kiss-off, and the soul-clap sass of “Rumor Has It” will get you through — if you can put the tissues away and take “Someone Like You” off repeat. 10. Taking Back Sunday, “Taking Back Sunday:” The reunited “Tell All Your Friends”-era lineup delivers the band’s hardest anthem “El Paso” and its catchiest single “Faith (When I Let You Down)” within the album’s first seven minutes before heading off in various interesting directions.
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fighter who fights for his right to go to school for Final Destination 5: the first time to get the Survivors of a suspension- education he could never bridge collapse learn afford. Starring Naomie there’s no way you can Harris, Tony Kgoroge, cheat Death. Starring Sam Feuer, Oliver Litondo Emma Bell and David and Nick Reding. Directed Koechner. Directed by by Justin Chadwick. Rated Steven Quale. Rated R. PG-13. Apollo 18: Decades-old A Good Old Fashioned found footage from Orgy: A group of 30-yearNASA’s abandoned Apollo olds who have been 18 mission, where two friends since high school American astronauts were attempt to throw an endsent on a secret of-summer orgy. Starring expedition, reveals the Jason Sudeikis, Leslie reason the U.S. has never Bibb, Tyler Labine, Lake returned to the moon. Bell and Michelle Borth. Starring Warren Christie Directed by Alex Gregory and Ryan Robbins. and Peter Huyck. Not Directed by Gonzalo rated. López-Gallego. Rated PG13. Hostel, Part III: While attending a bachelor party in Las Vegas, four friends are enticed by two sexy escorts to join them at a private party way off the Strip. Once there, they are horrified to find themselves the subjects of a perverse game of torture. Specializing in Christian Literature Starring Thomas Mark J. Akin • Bookseller Kretschmann, Zulay Also Home Of Henao, Sarah Habel, Kip The Pardue and Kelly Irish Store Thiebaud. Directed by Scott Spiegel. Rated R. The First Grader: The true story of an 84 yearold Kenyan villager and ex-Mau Mau freedom
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Theaters brought us some good, bad and ugly in theaters this year BY ROGER MOORE
“Sucker Punch,” “Beastly”), a summer of surprisingly pleasant This year at the movies — comic-book fare (“Thor,” “Captain America”), and a who knew? fall full of entertaining Who knew Martin genre pieces (“Fright Scorsese could pull off a French period piece for kids Night,” “Drive,” “Warrior”) that nobody saw. And we’re (“Hugo”)? Who knew Roland Emmerich could try into an awards’ season of “Yeah, is that it?” titles. his hand at something So, no, 2011 wasn’t the Shakespearean best year for film. So many (“Anonymous”) and not documentaries, not one of make a fool of himself? Who knew Woody Allen them a dazzler. So much chatter about a “Tree of had another funny movie Life” that wilted long in him (“Midnight in before the leaves fell this Paris”)? Who suspected fall. Pedro Almodovar didn’t But in a year full of filmic (“The Skin I Live In”)? surprises, there were We had a winter and spring marked by epic fails movies that stuck with you, that have resonance (“Red Riding Hood,”
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for our times and staying power in our memory. And yes, they come from surprising quarters.
The year’s best “Everything Must Go:” Will Ferrell brought his usual bag of tricks, and a load of bitter pathos to this simple story of a guy who loses his job, his wife, his home and any shot at sobriety in the same day. It’s an amazing high-wire walk for Ferrell and a terrific film, neither of which got their due because of the “Oh, it’s Will Ferrell,” attitude from critics and audiences. “Take Shelter:” The great
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‘Soul Surfer’ makes the list as one of the year’s best movies.
ones keep you guessing, and Michael Shannon, perhaps the finest character actor to come along since Michael Caine, does that in spades with this religious allegory about a faithless man whose hallucinations convince him there’s a reckoning on its way, and he’d better get that storm shelter ready. A truly haunting film. “Hanna:” Whiplash-fast action, stunning long-take combat scenes and a riveting set of performances inform this teen-raised-to-be-anassassin thriller, one of the best action films in ages. Saoirse Ronan dazzles, Eric Bana finally has a hit worthy of his screen presence and that darned Cate Blanchett gives us nightmares as the boss you wish you hadn’t crossed. “Midnight in Paris:” It’s not up there with Woody Allen’s Holy Trinity of great comedies, but this period piece fantasy is funnier and wittier than any three other romantic comedies to come down the 2011 pike. That Allen was able to turn Owen Wilson into a credible wellread leading man, at home in the company of Hemingway, Dali and Gertrude Stein, may be the greatest feat of his career. “The Ides of March:” The
best of the two good George Clooney movies of the fall, this political thriller has plenty of twists and turns, the least-fussy Ryan Gosling performance ever, and edge. “The Descendants” is the one getting all the awards buzz, but “Ides” is the less predictable tale, one without the plot-device teenage boy idiot savant. “The Help:” The online Oscar pundits are worked into quite a lather over this, but if there aren’t Oscar nominations for Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, and either Jessica Chastain or Bryce Dallas Howard, Hollywood will have missed the boat. “Soul Surfer:” An understated, uplifting and beautifully-acted faithbased film built on a horrific moment of violence (the shark that bit off young surfer Bethany Hamilton’s arm), this sleeper hit from the spring attracted superb actors (Helen Hunt, Anna Sophia Robb, Dennis Quaid) for a reason. “Insidious:” First and foremost, a horror movie has got to scare you, get those hairs on the back of your neck standing at attention. This ghost story is a serious return to form for the guys who launched the “Saw” franchise, a genre-transcending fright
that drew A-listers Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne brilliantly playing parents whose comatose kid is being possessed by something in their new home.
The worst “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan:” It’s not “Joy Luck Club,” though that’s what they were aiming for. “Sucker Punch:” A violent comic-bookish PG-13 fantasy set in an asylum whose inmates imagine themselves as hookerheroines in a dreamscape brothel, this may be the worst idea for a movie anybody ever had. “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1:” The first “Twilight” movie whose director treated the whole overheated heavybreathing fest as a joke. Bill Condon was laughing at you, Twi-hards. “Jack and Jill:” Adam Sandler dons a dress, does an overweight yenta shtick and manages to be offensive without being the least bit funny. “The Undefeated:” It took an awful lot of creative editing to make Sarah Palin look like a media victim and a smart, credible crusader for the common man and woman. “Atlas Shrugged” was just as bad, but at least it wasn’t a lie.
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Television had more lows than highs in 2011 BY DAVID HILTBRAND
of America began sleeping in. Snooki, DJ Pauly D, the 2011 has left us as numb Situation and the rest of as a “Hoarders” marathon. the “Jersey Shore” crew flew to Florence, Italy, Oprah, Larry King, Mary setting off brief but intense Hart, Andy Rooney and celebration as people Regis all turned in their mistakenly assumed that cue cards. It’s like TV’s Team GTL had been Mount Rushmore deported. crumbling to the ground. Remarkably, being in And what did we get in return? Chaz Bono. Surely Italy had no effect on the gang’s lifestyle. They did the TV gods are mocking what they always do: wake us. up at the crack of noon, Even the fictional snipe at each other, go out personas we got attached to brunch (with cocktails) to were torn from us too as soon as their hair gel set, soon, like Ned Stark on snipe, preen, go clubbing, “Game of Thrones” and drunkenly fight with each Jimmy Darmody on other, collapse, repeat. “Boardwalk Empire.” As for Florence’s trove of Actually, HBO set up history and art, the Garden incest subplots on both series and THEN killed off State All-Stars waited until the last afternoon of their our favorite characters. visit to sample it. Yikes! Seeing Michelangelo’s You know we pay a stiff masterful sculpture tariff for your programs, HBO. Don’t give us reason “David,” JWoww said she wasn’t too impressed with to rethink that decision. his package but she might At least, we got some throw him a mercy smush. spectacle this year with USA! USA! USA! two majestic, highly rated Several hit shows tried to royal weddings. You may soldier on with varying question how much success after their stars genuine romance was departed. “The Office” and involved in either union, “Two and a Half Men” are but you can’t deny that, commercially, the Windsor suffering, but “American Idol” has thrived. and Kardashian dynasties The replacement judges made out like bandits. who saved “Idol,” Steven Certainly, we can all Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, celebrate the fact that a took advantage of their pair of ruthless despots raised profiles in different were deposed in 2011: ways. Moammar Gadhafi and Tyler wrote a memoir, Kate Gosselin. “Does the Noise in My On the other hand, Head Bother You?” and smarm-marm Ann Curry assumed the “Today” show reunited with his band Aerosmith for a tour throne. On a related note, during which he fell in a Dunkin’ Donuts barely shower, blackening his avoided bankruptcy as all
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eyes and knocking out his front teeth. J.Lo divorced her cadaverous husband and hijacked the American Music Awards by using her stage time as a blatant commercial for Fiat cars. Meanwhile, Simon Cowell, the man responsible for turning “Idol” into TV’s top-rated instrument of torture, had gone on to start another primetime singing competition, “The X Factor. But this one was totally different from “Idol.” How, you might ask? Well, for one thing, the talent wasn’t as good. And “The X Factor” is more soap opera than voice MTV’ s ‘Jersey Shore’ did well in the ratings but not with the critics. contest. The singers apparently want to be judged not on merit but on their hard-luck stories: “I just want to buy my momma some teeth. Top and bottom!” “If I win I’m getting my family indoor plumbing.” Rescuing your folks is a lot of pressure to put on a 13-year-old. No wonder Rachel Crow bawled her eyes out when she got eliminated. That was the biggest meltdown we’ve seen on TV since Jimmy Swaggart begged our forgiveness. Yeah, quite a year. Can’t look back. Don’t want to look ahead. In the very first week of the new year, ABC gives us “Work It,” which may be the worst sitcom I’ve seen in a decade. I give it two episodes. Then again, as you know by now, I’m an optimist.
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