#Country Roads 93.3

[svalleynow]

Best in the Sequatchie Valley Nominations CLOSE at Noon Friday

To keep a long-standing tradition in the area alive that started with the former Jasper Journal and South Pittsburg Hustler newspapers and continued most recently with the Marion County News before it ceased publication earlier last year, SValleyNow.com (Sequatchie Valley Now), along with parent company Tennessee Valley Broadcasting and WEPG and WSDQ radio is proud to announce that after securing…

[topweeklyupdate]

TØP Weekly Update #28: “What’s a Blurryface?” (3/5/17)

The US Roadshow wrapped up this week as the TØP Hiatus looms ever closer. Let’s celebrate all of the fun stuff from this week first before we get too bummed out about it. Catch you guys under the ‘Read More’.

This Week’s TØPics: 

Recapping Performances, Trees Speeches, and Some Amazing (and Amazingly Bad) Interviews

The American Roadshow Comes to an End (Kinda)

Two Community Spotlights: Listen to the Pop Song Professor Interview a Church Youth Group That Uses Blurryface to Help Kids Struggling with Depression, and Hear About AndySign’s day with Twenty One Pilots

Major News and Announcements:

Really nothing big in news, other than maybe them getting nominated for Best Group by Radio Disney. So... that’s cool, I guess. Sure ain’t no Kids Choice Awards. Next!

Interviews, Performances, and Other Shenanigans:

Whoof, another very busy week on the “not really news but still need-to-know” front. Let’s just go down the list city-by-city. Someone bloody proposed at Charleston during “Tear In My Heart”, and the video is so perfectly done that my shriveled heart believed in love. The Tampa show was attended by a lot of the boys’ family members (who Tyler humorously acknowledged before “WDBWOTV” in order to get some folks on the upper floors to stand up- I can’t imagine a Twenty One Pilots concert where anyone would need to be asked, I’m so shook). The band’s long-running relationship with the city was acknowledged in the Trees Speech. After the Tampa concert, the boys hung out around Florida with buddies, riding bikes with Mark at night, hitting up the beach, and, in Josh’s case, swinging by Orlando to hit up Disney World again. 

They continued their Southern vacation in New Orleans, taking the chance to walk around and absorb the music of the city (and also allegedly hitting up a Gamestop for the midnight release of the Nintendo Switch). The New Orleans show had some technical difficulties before the encore that led to an extended delay and the cutting of “Goner” from the setlist, but that just gave Tyler a chance to dish on One OK Rock apparently getting a massage before their encore at the show they opened for them. (Also, Jon Bellion got to hop in the ball.)

As for interviews... man, there was a great crop this week. Lots of in-depth, thoughtful, funny sit-downs with they guys. ...And, you know, the other one (sort of).

107.5 KZL, Greensboro

They discuss the general admission line and how people have been camping out for four days. Tyler acknowledges that they’re fans are tough and he would have tapped out after a few hours.

They can respect someone who prefers the Kidz Bop version of “Stressed Out”.

The interviewer talks about the age range of their fans and mentions someone outside who’s “70 years old, wearing an “I Am Twenty One Pilots” shirt and crocs”, and I just immediately laugh so hard crapping my pants because that could literally only be one person. Tyler and Josh both burst out laughing when they see the picture, because that’s their bud David the Dad and he’s definitely not 70 years old.

Hot 101.5, Tampa

The first of three really great interviews from Tampa, these hosts are simply very fun and accomodating. One of the interviewers is from Ohio and shares some chocolate buckeyes with the excited Columbus boys, and the two pairs laugh and joke through the whole thing.

Josh got rejected from one of the post-Grammy parties (actually, the party got shut down by the fire marshall and he eventually got in, but the story’s funnier the other way).

Tyler and Josh never got near anyone “really important” at the Grammys because they’re usually surrounded by bodyguards and they “don’t want to hurt them”.

Tyler misses his own shower and towel- he’s stepped in a lot of people’s hair, while Josh misses knowing where a microwave is at all times. They still recognize that they have it pretty darn good, because they’re at least not sleeping in a van (and also living the dream).

The only things Tyler and Josh really disagree on are the little things like where to eat. Tyler says that and their quality legs are the main reasons for their success.

93.3 FLZ, Tampa

Scotty Davis is one cool dude. He is so passionate about the band, so dang supportive. He possibly(/plausibly) talked a little too much, but he clearly respects them very much, not just in a fanboy manner, but as a huge fan of music, particularly live music.

His first question conveys his passion for their craft: he asks about how they stay in shape to maintain their athleticism and consistency of sound. Tyler responds with a very detailed answer about how their growth as a band has correlated with a steady growth in the runtime of their shows, and how that has allowed them to figure out how to conserve their energy (and, in Tyler’s case, his voice) throughout the day so that they have enough to make it, down to needing to avoid drinking water to keep himself from burping and putting on a good poker face to cover up being out of breath.

When asked about the technicality of his drumming, Josh says that his goal is more to inspire people like his younger sister to be inspired to make their own craft more than just be technically proficient.

The next technical question goes to Tyler about songwriting. Tyler confesses that, while the intimacy of making music with someone is truly great, he hates having people be in the room when he’s working on something. He’s talked before about tailoring songwriting to the live show, but the bit about even getting the bpm to try to match the jumping in the pit is really cool.

Tyler still has the numbers of fans from Columbus from the early years when they were hustling to get people to shows and my heart is on the floor look at it I’m dead.

Mix 100.7, Tampa

This interview isn’t quite as passionate/in-depth as the other one from Tampa, but it’s still very, very good.

The interviewer opens with some standard basic Grammy stuff, but he starts to get real after that with some questions about what their goals as artists were, which is appreciated even if they answers are stuff we’ve heard before. 

The next question is very interesting: it regards their competitive spirit. I’m not certain just how much research/knowledge the interviewer brought to the table, but he seems to recognize from how Tyler and Josh hold themselves that they have a pretty unique drive to be the best that not all artists really have. Tyler even calls their competition the band’s “biggest kept secret”. Tyler calls the musician community a “we’re all in this together” lovefest. “And that’s fine. But I want to win. I want to destroy.” More than just winning, Tyler hates losing, and that has played a big role in pushing them as far as they’ve gone.

Continuing on the theme of competition, Tyler firmly blames it on his parents; he claims that they called him after winning the Grammys and asked what was up with them losing four of them. “We’re competing against his parents’ band,” Josh jokes.

Mix 100.7 is an iHeart affiliate, they were talking about awards, the iHeartRadio Music Awards are coming up this weekend... makes sense that they were asked about their eight noms for the ceremony, specifically which award they most want to receive. Tyler knows off the top of his head the answer, without even having to go through the noms- Best Fanbase.

Next question involves the question of genre, specifically which they most identify with. Tyler says that he doesn’t always feel like he belongs in the pop world, while the alternative (he makes a point not to call it rock) road of making your own music, connecting to fans, and emphasizing live shows is more them (though the exposure of pop is always nice).

Tyler says that their next goal is just to succeed with the next album. “Anyone can do it once.”

B97, New Orleans

Whoo boy.

So... this one had some controversy because the hosts tried to be... cute, I guess? The interviewers both asked demeaning and even hostile questions (”How old were you when your mother stopped singing you to sleep?”, “Let’s go back to talking about Arthur Miller, that’s exciting.”), ignored and shouted over responses, and lightly tossed around insults (”you’re sassy”, “you’ve got a mouth on you”, etc.); one interviewer even spent the whole thing lying down on a table. It was obviously supposed to be funny, and the boys might even have been in on it, but it just wasn’t funny at all. It took me nearly an hour to watch barely four minutes.

Regardless of whether they were in on it or not, Tyler and Josh’s solid “no” reactions were great. Tyler just refusing to answer a question about Blurryface while the interviewer was laying on the table was great, as was his his sarcastic rebuttals to their ‘humor’ (“You guys are killing it”, “You can just keep saying lyrics I wrote all day”). 

The best fire, however, was easily Josh’s response to the male interviewer asking if Tyler ever got on his nerves. Josh stared him dead in the eyes, with as little humor as I think I’ve ever seen from him. “Never.” I’m dead.

It was so bad the station took it down. Dayum.

Finally, there’s this nifty interview with Brad Heaton, the photographer who has so blessed us these last few years with countless concert shots. I really hope the guy comes back for the next tour- he delivers some incredible photos, and he’s generally just a rad dude. There’s also this one from New Orleans, which has pretty bad audio and is just the interviewer telling dad jokes.

Upcoming Shows:

Tonight marks the end of the American leg of the Emotional Roadshow. It’s been a heck of a ride with a great crew of people, but it’s not the end just yet; the band has just under three weeks of a break before they venture out for the final leg of the Roadshow in Australia/New Zealand (more on that next week). It's not even the last chance for Americans to see them, as they've still got at least three summer festivals across the country lined up. But then... well, again, let's tackle that subject when we get there, this update's gone on long enough. 

As a result of tonight's show, the band sadly will not be able to attend the iHeartRadio Music Awards in L.A., but I think it’s safe to say that we’ll be seeing at least one video message from them. They’ve already won a few Alternative awards, it just remains to be seen if they’ll take home the big ones. We’ll also just have to see if they attend the Kids Choice Awards on Saturday (please, Lord, I know we haven’t talked in quite some time, but make it so).

Show 33: KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, Kentucky, 3/5

Capacity: 17,500

The final stop on the Roadshow is in the great state of Kentucky, the home of bourbon, Muhammad Ali, and great baseball bats. The boys have played the city twice before, but both of those shows were in 2014. It's always a good thing when cities that tend to get overlooked by bigger neighbors (in this case, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Nashville) get direct service. The KFC Yum! Center (which is definitely in the Top 3 Worst/Best Named Arenas on this tour leg) is used by the sports team of the University of Louisville, so the show should attract a sizable college crowd.

Community Spotlight:

Today’s community spotlight will be cast on the Pop Song Professor, a YouTube channel that, surprise surprise, analyzes the lyrics of pop songs. The guy loves Twenty One Pilots and has multiple videos about their tracks, but I regardless hesitated to put him in the Community Spotlight because his opinions could potentially be polarizing- the guy’s an outspoken Christian, and thus usually interprets the songs in the most God-centered way possible. However, I don’t think that should be a reason to ignore his channel: the guy presents substantial textual evidence to back up his interpretations, and I think we can all agree that it can be both fun and fulfilling to find new ways to think about our favorite songs. Furthermore, he’s really passionate about thinking critically about the music we consume for both the listener’s benefit and the proliferation of more thoughtful music in the future, which is definitely TØP as frick.

The thing that really pushed me to include the Professor on this week’s spotlight, however, was this podcast I discovered on his website in which he interviews some youth pastors who study pop music lyrics with their students to teach Biblical messages, including an entire series where they went through every song on Blurryface. While, again, that might alienate people who may have bad experience or personal opposition to organized religion, I really think that the interview is worth a listen and some serious consideration. I, for one, can’t think of anything that would make Tyler and Josh happier than knowing that there is an organization that supports kids dealing with depression, self-harm, drug addiction, and personal pain by directly using the rhetoric of acknowledging your own Blurryface to help them see how much they really matter. 

Finally, following up on a story we’ve followed for a couple of weeks, here’s Andy’s full testimony about meeting Twenty One Pilots, signing “Ode to Sleep” with them, giving the guys their sign names (apparently, Jenna took ASL classes in college and Tyler gets to brag about getting a name first), and having to host his own impromptu meet-and-greet now that he’s super Clique famous. He’s an amazing person, and I’m so glad the Clique has helped him get a bigger platform to make art.

That's all I got in me during finals season. Check back next week for one last interview round-up and a look at what might be to come, which will hopefully be enough to get us through a brief hiatus. Power to the local dreamer.

|-/

[jillmckenzie1]

Next Weekend at Globe Hall

Next weekend is going to be huge for the Denver music scene in general. UMS is going to be insane, but that’s not all that’s going down. Maybe huge festivals aren’t really your jam. Maybe winding your way through ten thousand other concertgoers cramps your style. Totally understandable. If you’re looking to see some live music but avoid the South Broadway mayhem next weekend, Globe Hall has you covered.

On Saturday, July 26th, Channel 93.3 presents The Mowgli’s, Petal, and Arms Akimbo on their Summer Vacation Tour. The Mowgli’s began in 2010 in L.A. They hit the road and built an energetic fan base, playing more than 400 shows between 2012 and 2015. Now an independent band, they’ve released back to back EPs in the last year. Their feel-good music ranges from pop rock to folk/country and makes them friends wherever they go.

Petal broke into the Scranton rock scene in 2013 with the self-released EP, Scout. The only permanent member is guitarist and vocalist Kiley Lotz. She’s supported by a rotating group of musicians, and they’ve released two full length albums and two EPs to date. Their latest album, Magic Gone, dropped last year. It’s very introspective, with lyrics that address issues like mental health, sexuality, and accountability. It’s a two-part album, with Side A revolving around Lotz’s experiences before entering treatment and Side B focused on her recovery.

Arms Akimbo is a four-piece rock outfit from L.A. They’ve been rapidly gaining recognition and popularity playing shows and festivals across the country. So far, they’ve released three albums and three EPs. Their latest EP, Seven Dollar Paycheck, just dropped in April. It’s been called vulnerable, passionate, and restless. The title track, “Paycheck,” centers around the somewhat outcast feeling of pursuing music professionally while watching friends take more traditional career paths. It comes off a little angsty, but also defiant and determined.

On Sunday the 27th, Globe Hall welcomes Red Wanting Blue and Matt Rouch and the Noise Upstairs. Red Wanting Blue formed more than 20 years ago in Columbus, Ohio. The self-described Heartland rock and roll band has found a home on the road. Their nearly non-stop tours have landed them appearances on Letterman, NPR, and countless stages across the country. Red Wanting Blue has put out an incredible amount of music, including ten studio albums. Their latest, The Wanting, dropped in April of last year. The album is a triumphant look back at how the band has progressed over the last twenty years, and reconfirms that after all this time, the passion is still there.

Matt Rouch and The Noise Upstairs is an up-and-coming Americana band based in Denver. Drawing influence from bands like The Avett Brothers, Elephant Revival, and The Decemberists, they’re bringing the mile high city a little bit of Virginia country feel, with a little less twang. Their music ranges from upbeat to teary-eyed, with extra emphasis placed on Rouch’s songwriting. Among their many accomplishments, they were named the best country band in Denver last year by 303 Magazine.

Globe Hall is an awesome venue that books a mix of local and touring acts. They also have the advantage of having a real kitchen with more than just bar food—always a plus. Don’t miss out on the Summer Vacation Tour, or your chance to see Denver’s best country band. You can find tickets and any other info on their website, globehall.com.

from Blog https://ondenver.com/next-weekend-at-globe-hall/

[ateamymm]

Downtown Highlights: Tavern on Main

Fort McMurray’s favourite taphouse

Home to independent music lovers and open mic fanatics

Tavern on Main – Taphouse & Grill is a place where the beer taps flow and open mic nights are most favoured by its regulars.

Located at 9708 Main Street, motorists can see the tavern’s pub front entrance from Fort McMurray’s bustling Memorial Drive, which is connector road to Highway 63 and runs through the edge of the downtown core.

When its guests walk into the taphouse, they are welcomed by the main bar that’s as long as the pub itself and the open space allows patrons to see all in attendance.

As for its décor, it has a rec room feel with music posters and beer swag. Winston Churchill quotes are shown on the walls and include his famous phrases like: “Bessie, my dear, you are ugly, and what’s more, you are disgustingly ugly. But tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be disgustingly ugly.”

The signage adds to the humorous and laidback atmosphere the establishment succeeds in.

During the day, the place hosts to the afternoon lunch crowd with menu options from the grill including traditional burgers, chicken wings and fries – and anything else that pairs well with a brew.

By night, it sets the stage for professional and amateur musicians to take part in their weekly open mic nights. Every Thursday, the stage has a full set-up and invites anyone to test their talents.

Fans of local radio host Mike Jones of Country 93.3 can find him at the Tavern on the regular as he hosts events like ‘Name That Tune!’ and other community fundraisers to support social profits like Some Other Solutions.

Another favoured regular event is the Tavern’s lip sync battle competitions, which has brought in community guest judges to review and determine who takes home cash prizes.

On its Facebook page, the Tavern on Main receives 4.2 stars out of 5 based on the opinion of 161 people.

Recent guest Carbery Shane recommends the Tavern:

The Tavern has a long-running list of musical talent that creates a concert-like atmosphere. Whether it’s a full band or single man show, Dan Tulk, Dave Martin, Grizzle Trail, Max Noseworthy, Slowcoaster, Eva La Prairie and Brian Pottie are just a few of the many to take the Tavern stage.

The next scheduled event is Name That Tune! and will be guest hosted by Andrew Pottie from The Borderpines on Wednesday, April 17 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. To play, guests need to bring a team of two to six people to the Tavern.

For regular updates and event listings, check out the Tavern on Main’s Facebook page. It’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

The following article Downtown Highlights: Tavern on Main is courtesy of The A-Team Fort McMurray Blog

[nldradio]

Great indie record labels don’t appear overnight. Time is needed to cultivate industry relationships. Passion from the team is necessary to develop and guide the label throughout its setbacks and successes. And tenacity must be ingrained in the leader for the label’s success to maintain longevity and sustainability in an eve changing, technologically advancing, music industry.

It’s founder, Corey “COBaby” Coleman, has been in the game since the early 1990s as the first road manager for Cash Money, bearing witness to their growth from an underground label, to the original sketch of Cash Money’s logo, to their first major deal with Universal. Since then, COBaby found that he had a real passion, and the skills for managing new talent. With his industry connections in New Orleans, Detroit and Houston, COBaby achieved local success with the DoughBoys in Detroit and Piece of Mind Productions in Texas. Gaining momentum in his drive to connect his influential industry contacts with his tenacity for a successful legacy, COBaby set his sight and ambition towards the bigger picture, owning a label of his own.

Phreedom Records transformed from an idea 20 years in the making, into reality in 2010. COBaby had recently relocated back to New Orleans and found that his daughter, Deshantrel had been rapping under the name Flo’Rescent, recording and rhyming at home, uploading her raw videos onto YouTube. COBaby recognized that she has a flow and originality that wasn’t a part of the current music scene. Dad and daughter met for lunch at Deanie’s Restaurant in the French Quarter and walked out as manager and first artist of Phreedom Records.

COBaby came home from the meeting already on his grind. He asked his wife, Amy, to be partner to his dream and build Phreedom Records LLC from the ground up. When asked about her decision to build a record label, she said, "In the beginning, you're excited to start a label. Your focus is to get your artist in the studio and make a banging track...the reality is it's a lot of paperwork...and learning about what drives the business behind the music is a daily initiative."

November 16, 2011, Phreedom Records LLC came into existence and from the jump, Flo’Rescent opened for Dee-1, Lil Chuckee, and Travis Porter. Performing locally and gaining attention from DJs like Wild Wayne of Q93, collaborating with legends like Skip of UTP. Her success and COBaby's professionalism drew the attention of other talent that led to the signing of three more artists; Ruk22, Hollygrove Tigga and Mic Price.

A lack of female rap groups influenced the decision to combine the strengths and talent of Flo’Rescent and Ruk22, creating the female powerhouse, Double Trouble. Their hits “Stackn Paper” and “Hustler’s Ambition” opened shows for Mia X, LEVEL, N.O.4, Ghetto Twiinz and Mystikal. Success was on the horizon.

But every backstory has their share of successes, as well as trials and tribulations. Phreedom wasn’t spared.

Since 2015, Phreedom Records has been revitalized through new talent and influential business partnerships, beginning with the signing of Lucki Lew. Lucki Lew delivers a mix of musical influences from club rap to bounce and jig, fusing inventive lyrics in his songs “My Lil Yeah Remix feat. Tweeday” and “HotSpot Remix feat. Level” delivered through energetic live performances. He currently has a roster of success in opening for Juvenile, Mannie Fresh, Jacquees, Freeway, LEVEL, Kevin Gates, 5th Ward Weebie, K Styles and Colonel Loud.

In 2017, COBaby added two additional artists to our phamily; Aaron “Butta Bezzy” Anderson, a creative hook master, who expresses himself through a raw and gritty voice, layered with lyrics heavy on sex, twisted with is comedic take on hood life and relationships. 

His latest tracks, “All My Life” and “All On You” are fire club bangers.

Travlon “Murderman” Johnson, a gifted storyteller who delivers unapologetic rhymes blended with an effortless style of delivery. On his latest project, Murderman has collaborated with legends such as Jay Da Menace of Kangol Slim on fire tracks such as “I’m Gone” and “Fuckin Right.” His debut album titled “No Contradiction” is concurrently being developed through genius producers such as KC Tha Producer, Nave Monjo, Kangol Slim and Jay Da Menace to solidify the success of his next release.

Our team has opened individually or collectively for the artists listed above, with 2016-2017 building in momentum as our team continued to make successful moves, opening for Scarface, LEVEL, ZRo at The Ayva Center in Houston, Jacquees at the House of Blues in New Orleans, and recognition of an artistic win of first place at the National Entertainment Expo 2016 in Savannah, GA. Invaluable industry and phan attention was gained at SXSW 2017 in Austin, TX. Including a happenstance, reacquaintance with Mr. Mitchell, President of Urban Network Digital.

And this indie label can’t stop riding the wave...

2018 has brought many changes to our label that generated new life and longevity to our team. We signed 2 major acts to the label, Ghaazi Ali and Tha Team, and from the jump the love from phans has been tremendous.

Ghaazi Ali is a native New Orleanian with a love of music spanning all the way back to his days at Jean Gordon Elementary where he learned to play the snare drum. He has a humble spirit and drive for success that not only impressed CO’Baby but brought a meaningful message to his attention. Ghaazi expressed his feeling of being “stuck at the bottom…and not having anybody really stop and listen to what kind of talent comes from here is a constant struggle.” 

CO’Baby listened. A couple tracks were exchanged between artist and record label owner that led to the eventual signing of Ghaazi Ali to Phreedom Records LLC.

Since then, Ghaazi Ali is no longer “unknown.” He has opened for artists such as; Trina, Just Queen Brittany, Webbie, ShortyWorld, Whop Bezzy, Yung Bleu and Jim Jones. He was also given a chance to perform at a community event for Smother’s Academy, an all-boys school in Metairie, LA, where a small concert that included artists from around the city like ShortyWorld, demonstrated their craft and created a positive vibe and message for the young men. 

Success is imminent as Ghaazi Ali recently dropped his first single, “Facts” and recently released his second single, “For Me," off his debut album “Now or Never.” The official video release for “Facts,” produced by Son_Production, dropped October 16, 2018 with his follow-up smash single "For Me," also produced by Son_Production, official video released December 4, 2018. Both songs have been released under The Orchard/Sony Red distribution umbrella with the release of "Facts" and "For Me" soon to take place in Korea beginning December 12, 2018.

Tha Team (K.g, G.o and Mastamynd) have a vocal mixture of talent just oozing with lyrical style and ability. Their originality as a team is enhanced by their ability to stand alone as a force of one, or as a team forging their own path, primed for greatness with hard-line bass tracks, combined with clever and masterly laid out verses, produced by KC Da Producer; one of the most sought-after and skillful engineers’ in New Orleans.

Their entrance to the music industry is as dynamic as their singles "Wave" “In My Zone” and “Benz” is to their growing fan base. Within 6 months of signing to Phreedom Records LLC, "Wave" was released on November 23, 2018 under The Orchard/Sony Red distribution umbrella, with an impressive follow-up release scheduled in Korea on December 26, 2018. The views and likes on their video "Wave;" produced in Detroit by videographer Christian Nelson, continues to climb, amplifying the idea that a new "Wave" is about to impact the current music scene.

In 2019 COBaby solidified a new business relationship with an artist he had been following for a minute, Tony Merc. A self-proclaimed “animal” to the mic, Tony Merc already came with significant accomplishments under his belt. He opened for artists like The Game, Bone Thugs N Harmony, and Nutt the Kid at high-profile venues around New Orleans such as The House of Blues, Club Lyve, The Howling Wolf, The Republic, and The Metropolitan with songs “Off Safety” and “I’m The Man.” Tony Merc’s videos for “Off Safety” and “I’m The Man” add fire visual depth to what he brings to the table that will make phans and haters sit up and take notice.

The combination of these three powerhouse acts have set Phreedom Records on the cusp of stardom, but we aren’t there yet.

The internet is continuing to dominate the breaking of new artist into mainstream artists, making new marketing and promotional relationships a must. Including our solid phamily of artists, our current professional partnerships include:

Corey “COBaby” Coleman; CEO and Founder of Phreedom Records LLC

Amy “Mrs C” Coleman; COO and Co-Owner of Phreedom Records LLC, responsible for efficient and effective daily operations.

BM White; Vice President

Arlene HeatMag Culpepper; VP/Asst Editor in Chief at Heat Magazine, PR/Publicist at MIKODreamz, and PR and Reporter at The Examiner.

Ike Numberz of VirDiko; a global online music promotions company with a reach in over 150 countries and a professional list of thousands of DJs worldwide. He’s the Mid-South Region Sales Director for www.VirDiko.com and the Programming Director of www.VirDikoGlobalRadio.com.

Lajoan Williams; CEO of Dream Management; a consultant firm for new talent and businesses, offering cutting edge and relevant approaches to business and marketing challenges, focusing on alternate market and multi-platform distribution.

DJ RO of WQUE 93.3; He’s the ear to the streets in the South. He played a key role in changing WQUE 93.3 to an urban station, creating and maintaining the only live mix show “Club 93” for the past 22 years.

Hustle God Booking; Sess 4-5 in New Orleans,

Promoter; Lady Shack in Atlanta, GA

Producers; Jay Da Menace of Black Menace, KC Tha Producer and Nave Monjo

Corey Banks; Founder of $on Productions, videographer and 2015 Hip Hop NOLA Award nominee, 2016 Hip Hop NOLA Award winner.

Devarian Menyweather; videographer from the Westbank of New Orleans.

Matthew Brown; Founder of Feonix Digital and website developer.

Donte Campbell “Tay Cam”; new artist and Cover Art Designer, Visual Graphics Engineer.

New industry partnerships will arise and increase our expansion into mainstream markets. These opened doors, combined with the dedication, passion and tenacity, that our phamily is filled with, will continue to propel Phreedom Records to worldwide success.

ONE GOD ONE LOVE

http://www.phreedomrecords.com/

[jodyedgarus]

Ja Morant Would Like Your Attention

With fewer than 15 seconds to go in a November game, Ja Morant received an inbounds pass, dribbled the length of the court with his left hand, slipped past a would-be double team, skied over two defenders, pulled the ball back as far as his right shoulder would allow and threw down a ferocious tomahawk dunk. Moments later, the Murray State guard corralled an errant 3-pointer by a teammate in midair and jammed in his 37th and 38th points of the night.

The Racers ultimately lost on the road to Alabama, but Morant earned a standing ovation at Coleman Coliseum.

Afterward, Alabama coach Avery Johnson compared the skill set of the 6-foot-3 sophomore, who scored more points against Alabama than all but two players had since 2010, to that of Isaiah Thomas, John Stockton and Russell Westbrook.

“I saw flashbacks of a lot of guys I played against,” Johnson said.

Morant is months away from possibly making mid-major history in the NBA draft. While plenty of players have been drafted out of mid-major programs, few have been lottery picks — and fewer still came from conferences that have made fewer than 100 tournament appearances.1 Morant will likely become the first player this century from such a school to be selected in the top 5 of the NBA draft. Some mocks have him going as high as second. As the chart below demonstrates, there haven’t been many NBA lottery picks from mid-major conferences lately. But some of these picks have gone on to dominate: Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum, Paul George.

Players who got their start at small schools

Expected career win shares based on draft position and actual win shares to date for NBA draft lottery picks from mid-major and low-major schools, 2000-2018

Total Win Shares Year Pick Player School Conf. Exp Actual Diff 2015 14 C. Payne Murray St. OVC 27.3 2.3 -25.0 2014 10 E. Payton La. Lafayette Sun Belt 33.6 12.2 -21.4 2013 10 C.J. McCollum Lehigh Patriot 33.6 26.3 -7.3 2012 6 D. Lillard Weber St. Big Sky 43.2 66.3 +23.1 2010 10 P. George Fresno St. WAC 33.6 63.1 +29.5 2009 7 S. Curry Davidson Southern 40.3 100.5 +60.2 2008 12 J. Thompson Rider MAAC 30.2 23.8 -6.4 2006 9 P. O’Bryant Bradley MVC 35.6 0.5 -35.1 2003 6 C. Kaman C. Michigan MAC 43.2 24.6 -18.6 2002 12 M. Ely Fresno St. WAC 30.2 4.0 -26.2 2000 13 C. Alexander Fresno St. WAC 28.7 4.1 -24.6 Total 379.5 327.7 -51.8

Includes only schools from conferences with fewer than 100 NCAA men’s tournament appearances; based on conference alignment at the time.

Win shares through Feb. 14, 2019.

Source: Sports-Reference.com

When he’s inevitably drafted, Morant will be the third Murray State guard taken since 2013. Isaiah Canaan and Cameron Payne have struggled to secure a foothold in the league. But Neal Bradley, a Hall of Fame broadcaster who has spent nearly three decades covering the Racers, told me that he doesn’t think the upgraded competition will flatline Morant, pointing to his strong outings against Auburn and Alabama, two teams projected to appear in the NCAA Tournament. Morant earned a co-sign from Kevin Durant on The Bill Simmons Podcast. Missouri State coach Dana Ford, who coached against Morant and his Racer predecessors, didn’t mince words: “He is by far the best prospect of the three. … He’s a little bit of John Wall mixed with Chris Paul. He’s special.”

Morant’s ascension is the stuff screenwriters dream up. He was a mostly overlooked kid from rural South Carolina who landed at an out-of-state university after a coach almost literally stumbled upon him. A year ago, he wasn’t even named the top freshman in the Ohio Valley Conference. Now, he’s a bonafide star and budding internet sensation.

But those YouTube clips are the extent of Morant’s exposure. While Zion Williamson, who almost certainly will be the first name called by Adam Silver, effectively plays only on major networks, the Racers have yet to appear on ESPN, ESPN2, Fox, FS1 or CBS. Murray State’s tilt Thursday against Austin Peay is slated to be televised on ESPN2, but that’s the only remaining game scheduled for the aforementioned networks.2 During an interview on the ESPN show “Get Up!,” one of Morant’s questions was even about Williamson.

Morant’s second triple-double in less than a year — and the school’s third ever — came in front of a crowd of 2,701. When he became the first Division 1 player in 20 years to put up 40 points, 11 assists and five steals in a game,3 fewer than 2,200 people were there. A viral leapfrog dunk over 6-foot-8 Quintin Dove was seen in person by 3,114.

However, within the OVC, the interest bump created by Morant’s presence is evident. Each of the six conference teams that have hosted Murray State drew their largest home crowds of the conference season when Morant came to town.

Morant is a hot ticket

Attendance this season in the Ohio Valley Conference for teams hosting Murray State vs. their other home conference games

Home Team Non-Murray State Avg. Vs. Murray % Change Tennessee Tech 2,007 5,250 +161.6 UT Martin 1,253 3,114 +148.5 SE Missouri St. 1,391 3,143 +126.0 Eastern Illinois 1,211 2,410 +99.0 SIU Edwardsville 1,127 2,178 +93.3 Jacksonville State 2,232 3,718 +66.6

Sources: Sports-Reference.com, ESPN

Compared with its other conference home games, Eastern Illinois brought in nearly twice as many fans when it played Murray State. Jacksonville State sold out Pete Mathews Coliseum for the first time since the program turned Division 1. Bradley said he’s seen a noticeable attendance bump wherever Morant goes. About 50 Tennessee Tech fans lined up after their game in the hopes of taking a photo with the soon-to-be pro, according to Bradley. Morant obliged.

It seems that a stat line can only stay quiet for so long.

Morant is putting up unprecedented numbers: 23.9 points, 10.2 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game, with a true shooting percentage of 61.1. Nobody at the college level has come close to hitting those benchmarks,4 and only James Harden has done it in the pros. Morant is vying to become the first player since assist leaders were recognized to average 20 points and 10 assists over a season. Only 10 players in the past 25 years have even averaged 16 and 8.

Morant’s high-flying heroics give off the impression of a trapeze artist. But he’s more of a tactician, capable of diagnosing a defense in a split second and shredding it.

There has perhaps never been a better facilitating season than the one Morant is producing, which includes, but isn’t limited to, half-court lobs, off-handed flicks and peek-a-boo bullets to the baseline. “I’ve never seen anyone, ever, able to pass like him,” Bradley said. “He’s stunning and seems to be a couple steps ahead of everybody.”

Morant’s 53.3 percent assist rate is projected to be the top mark ever measured5 and is 6.1 percentage points higher than this year’s second-place mark.6 In total, Morant is projected to finish the regular season with 296 dimes, which would be the sixth most over the past 25 years in a single season.

As his talent suggests, Morant is heavily relied upon. Only five players have logged a higher percentage of minutes played than Morant’s 93.1, and coach Matt McMahon is using his star on 35.8 percent of possessions, the fifth-highest rate in the country. Turnovers have come easily for Morant, but it would tough to blame the kid for coughing it up when he’s tasked with operating the offense each time down the court.

Morant’s scoring acumen often manifests in transition, where he spends more time (6.8 possessions per game) and pours in more points (8.4) than any player in the country. With the dexterity to finish with either hand, around or over defenders, he doesn’t lack efficiency, scoring 1.24 points per possession on the break with an adjusted field-goal percentage of 74.7, according to data provided by Synergy Sports.

Morant lives at the rim, where he attempts more than half of his shots, according to Hoop-Math.com. Every player this season7 with a better field-goal percentage at the rim than Morant’s 61.6 percent is at least 4 inches taller than he is.

Defensively, Morant has work to do. But his long arms make him a nuisance for opposing ball handlers, and he’s tied for second in the OVC in steals per contest (2.0). Despite his thin frame, Morant has been particularly efficient in isolation and against screens, where he’s allowed a combined 19 points on 29 possessions, according to data provided by Synergy Sports.

It isn’t all that uncommon for NBA teams to take a flier on a mid-major player in the draft. But Morant hardly has the typical backstory of an under-the-radar prospect, nor the skill set. With abnormal athleticism and uncanny court vision, Morant will be playing on national television sooner rather than later.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Bradley said of Morant’s rise. “It’s the craziest stuff I’ve ever seen.”

from News About Sports https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/ja-morant-would-like-your-attention/

[isiawgr-blog]

Suture Needles Market-Outlook, Regulatory Bodies, Trends, Industry Insights & Forecast

Suture Needles Market – Overview

Suture Needles are required for the placement of sutures in tissues. Suturing is a technique used to repair tissue and facilitate healing. The main aspects of this technique include closing dead spaces, reducing the risks of bleeding, strengthening wounds until healing, and making skin aesthetically pleasing Suture needles must be rigid enough to avoid bending and flexible enough to bend before breaking. The Global Suture Needles Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.1% during the forecast period 2017-2023.

According to a recent study report published by the Market Research Future analysts, the global suture needles market is growing at a very steady pace. Some of the factors that are contributing in the growth of this market are increasing number of surgical procedures, favorable reimbursement scenario, rising geriatric population, and technological advancements in the surgical technologies. On the other hand, factors such as easy availability of alternatives and increasing incidence of needle stick injuries may hinder the growth of the market to an extent.

Increasing number of surgical procedures across the globe is also fueling the market growth. A study published in the International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics in 2016, stated that during 2014-2016, 195 children were admitted due to road traffic accident in India and around 6.7% went through surgical procedure for simple injury and 93.3% for complex injury.

However, easy availability of alternatives and increasing incidence of needle stick injuries may hinder the growth of the market over the forecast period. According to a report suggested by the WHO, needle stick and sharp injuries are responsible for 16,000 cases of hepatitis C, 1000 cases of HIV infection, and 66,000 cases of hepatitis B among healthcare workers worldwide.

Suture Needles Market - Key Players

Some of key the players in the market are

·         Roboz Surgical Instrument

·         Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co.LLC

·         Hill-Rom

·         Medline Industries, Inc.

·         Medtronic Plc.

·         B. Braun Melsungen AG

·         Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.

Browse Complete 85 Pages Premium Research Report Enabled with Tables and Figures @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/suture-needles-market-552

Suture Needles Market - Competitive Analysis

On August 21, 2017, ETHICON, a subsidiary of J&J, launched PROXISURE™ Suturing Device to improve precision in minimally invasive surgery.

On March 7, 2017, Ethicon acquired NeuWave Medical, Inc.

In August 2016, Ethicon US, LLC had announced the strategic collaboration with Touch Surgery that will help patient with free mobile app that can reach medical help in even remote regions.

In August 2016, Ethicon US, LLC announced the launch of unmatched knotless suture portfolio with launch of stratafix spiral plus devices. With this addition of this new suture technology the company has established the most comprehensive and unmatched knotless suture offering available to surgeons in the U.S.

In June 2016, B. Braun Melsungen AG announced that it has acquired 51% of DIALY SER S.A.S., Colombia

In Jan 2016, Surgical Specialties Corporation announced that it has acquired all the shares of leading German needle and suture manufacturer; FSSB Chirurgische Nadein GMBH (FSSB). This acquisition will create the company one of the leaders in manufacturing surgical suture in the world.

In June 2015, Medtronic plc. acquired Covidien plc. to broaden their product portfolio. It was a USD 42.9 billion merger.

Suture Needles Market - Segmentation

The Global Suture Needles Market is segmented on the basis of shape, type, and end-users.

On the basis of the shape, the market is classified into straight shaped needles, j shape needles, compound curve shaped needles, half curved, and others. On the basis of the type, the market is segmented into eyed, and eyeless needles. On the basis of the end -users, the market is segmented into ambulatory surgical centers, hospital, and clinics, and others.

Suture Needles Market - Regional Analysis

The Americas dominate the suture needles market owing to the well-developed technology, high healthcare expenditure, improvement in reimbursement scenario, and the presence of the leading players. According to the American Medical Association, Medicare has made various significant amendments in Ambulatory Surgery Center payment system (ASC). It is observed that for incision and drainage postoperative wound infection Medicare was providing reimbursement of USD 790.85, which is now exceeded to USD 1,030.52 in ASC. Whereas hospital outpatient payment has been exceeded to USD 2,148.00 from USD 1,414.28 this year.

Europe holds the second position in the suture needles market. It is expected that the support provided by the government bodies for research & development and increasing number of surgeries drives the market in the European region.

Asia Pacific region is projected to be the fastest growing region during the forecast period. Rapidly improving technology, and the presence of huge patient pool drive the growth of this market in Asia Pacific region.

The Middle East and Africa hold the least share of the market owing to the presence of poor and slow developing countries, especially, in the African region.

For More Information Visit @ https://www.reuters.com/brandfeatures/venture-capital/article?id=82693

About Market Research Future:

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.

In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.

Contact: Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune – 411028 Maharashtra, India +1 646 845 9312 Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.com

[svalleynow]

Local High School Football on WEPG / WSDQ and How to Listen Live

Local High School Football: How to Listen Live on Radio, Streaming, Devices...

Football season is here and if you’re following your favorite local high school football team here in the Sequatchie Valley, there’s no doubt you’ll want to keep up with them for every game and all season long as great things are expected from all of our local teams and players this season. Add to that several strategic games that will be played on the road for our local teams, which can limit…

[creationsitewebnice]

Ten of the Best Pop Acts in Denver in 2018

Wildermiss at the 2018 Westword Music Showcase.

AMZY The alt-rock synth-pop band has been a favorite of Denver radio stations like 93.3 since it broke on the scene in 2014. The quartet has thrived both in Denver and beyond, landing an opener slot on tour with Saint Motel and delivering energetic performances across the country. This year, Brennan Johnson and crew expanded their audience with a set at the inaugural Grandoozy festival. The suit-clad group is planning to kick off 2019 on a different note: unplugged, in a rare acoustic set at Third & James Studio.

Dressy Bessy After a nearly eight-year break, Dressy Bessy returned in 2016 with Kingsized and has been ramping up energy ever since. The twenty-year power-pop veterans have wielded influence on fizzy garage-pop acts like Tacocat, Bleached and even local band the Corner Girls, but Tammy Ealom and company are as present and urgent as ever. Dressy Bessy’s seventh album is slated for release in 2019, and its candy-coated guitar pop encourages you to hum along as you rage.

Iolite Nineteen-year-old Elina Odnoralov began performing under the name Iolite in 2016, and within months was a finalist for 93.3’s Hometown for the Holidays competition. She then moved to Nashville to jump-start her career as a singer-songwriter, gaining success licensing her songs for use in commercials and penning songs for pop artists. In November 2018, Odnoralov was carjacked and then shot, the bullet passing through her torso but miraculously missing vital organs and bones. She’s been recuperating with family in Denver and continuing to make music; latest single “Lonely Bodies” is indicative of her exceptional, evolving dance pop with striking lyrics, a natural way with a hook, and dark sophistication that recalls Lorde.

Kayla Marque Lifelong Denverite Kayla Marque weaves her personal experiences — with heartbreak, anxiety, sex, whatever — with sensual grooves, heartfelt vocals and musical cues from folk to soul, indie rock to hip-hop. Voted Denver’s favorite singer-songwriter at the 2018 Westword Music Awards, Marque has been juggling multiple jobs while performing in town.

The Milk Blossoms The Milk Blossoms released their sophomore album Dry Heave the Heavenly this year, building on the eerie, genre-defying pop sound that first garnered them an attentive audience. Singer and ukulele player Harmony Rose, keyboardist Blair Larson and beatboxer and vocalist Michelle Rocqet all contribute to the band’s distinctive sound: innovative, eclectic, poetic, fragile yet fierce.

Oxeye Daisy Formed in 2016, Oxeye Daisy sprouted bright and beautiful in Denver’s music scene with its self-titled debut in 2018 and has grown to surprising heights already. Self-described as “the Cranberries on acid,” Oxeye Daisy delivers tuneful gems drawn from the sounds of dream pop, doo-wop and ’90s alternative. Lela Roy’s standout vocals power uptempo yet sensitive power pop, but the band is still growing its sound: Stephen Pamas of Hello, Mountain joined on guitar/synths this fall to add “texture and weirder sounds” to the already dynamic songs.

Retrofette Voted by Westword readers as the Best Pop Act of 2017, synth-pop act Retrofette has continued to gain fans with its keyboard-centric, ’80s-throwback party tunes. When we say keyboard-centric, we mean it: The band has four members and two keyboards. The group’s jams sound like a dance-floor tryst between Rick Astley and Chromeo, with just the right amount of irony.

Tennis Duo Tennis has been a stalwart representative of the Denver pop scene since breaking nationally with 2011’s wave-bobbing Cape Dory. Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley’s 2017 album Yours Conditionally includes layered songs like “Ladies Don’t Play Guitar,” which floats pointedly sarcastic lyrics over warm ’70s pop. In early 2018, while touring behind the album, Moore collapsed because of a viral infection and had to cancel some dates. The pair returned to the road this fall with a “Solo in Stereo” set, stripped of a backing band, delivering intimate performances with Moore on piano and built-in time for audience questions.

Wildermiss Wildermiss got its band name when vocalist Emma Cole realized she was literally “missing” the “wilderness” — riding through the mountains while staring at her phone, trying to think of a band name. Everyone seems to be taking note of the quartet’s radio-friendly, Paramore-esque pop rock and its sweet lead single “Carry Your Heart.” Wildermiss broke big in the Mile High City, and seems positioned to venture boldly beyond its borders in 2019.

YaSi at the 2018 Westword Music Showcase.

YaSi YaSi, born Yasmin Azimi, is an American-Iranian singer-songwriter who channels a cool yet vulnerable R&B groove and the sensual sonic mash-ups of Ariana Grande — but with harder edges. YaSi has made a name for her music and for herself as an artist by performing at diverse events around the area, including the Westword Music Showcase and Denver Open Media’s Open Music Sessions, even recently selling out the Larimer Lounge.

Source Article

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KIEV, Ukraine | The Latest: Real Madrid arrives at stadium for final

New Post has been published on https://is.gd/z2gxuh

KIEV, Ukraine | The Latest: Real Madrid arrives at stadium for final

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — The Latest on the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid (all times local): 8:20 p.m.

Real Madrid has arrived at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev as it seeks its third consecutive Champions League title on Saturday in the final against Liverpool.

Fans lined streets as the team bus approached the stadium, with some supporters waving flares. Cristiano Ronaldo smiled for the cameras as he exited the bus wearing headphones.

The last time a team won Europe’s premier cup competition three years in a row was Bayern Munich in 1976.

Despite Real Madrid’s run of success in Europe, coach Zinedine Zidane said Thursday his team “doesn’t feel like the favorites” for the final. ___ 8:15 p.m.

Mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko, has been walking pitchside at the Olympic Stadium less than two hours before kickoff.

The former world heavyweight boxing champion stopped to pose for selfie photographs by several fans in white Real Madrid shirts.

Klitschko has spent much of the past two days trying to ensure Liverpool fans with tickets could get to his city. He was in talks with the mayor of Liverpool and airline authorities trying to find landing slots at Kiev’s two airports for flights from England which had been canceled.

Klitschko was first elected to office in 2014, two years after his last professional fight. ___ 7:50 p.m.

Goals, goals, goals. This season is the most prolific in the 26-year Champions League era.

A strike rate of 3.20 goals per game — 397 in 124 games so far at one goal every 28 minutes — has beaten the record of 3.04 set last season.

And the two highest-scoring teams are in the final. Liverpool has 40 goals and Real Madrid 30 — half of its total scored by Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Nobody expected us to be here but we are here, because we are Liverpool,” coach Juergen Klopp said. “It’s the most exceptional run to a final with the most goals ever. I can’t believe that its true, but it’s us.” Liverpool has also been the more efficient team, scoring 10 more than Madrid from 19 fewer attempts, according to UEFA match statistics.

The goal glut in the competition is not just due to more mismatches. Liverpool’s habit of conceding goals when leading games led to a 3-3 draw against group rival Sevilla, and thrilling semifinals against Roma — a 5-2 win and a 4-2 loss.

Madrid’s defense also struggled in the knockout rounds. A 3-1 home loss in the quarterfinals second leg against Juventus was followed by a 2-2 draw against a wasteful Bayern Munich side in the semifinals second leg. ___ 7:10 p.m.

Liverpool hopes European Cup history from May 1981 will repeat itself.

When Liverpool beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the final 37 years ago, it was the only time an English team beat a Spanish opponent to lift the iconic, large-handled trophy in the competition’s 63-year history.

Each England vs. Spain final since then went Spain’s way, though none involved Madrid.

Barcelona accounted for all three wins, beating Arsenal in the 2006 final, and Manchester United twice, in 2009 and two years later.

Madrid has lost all three of its European finals against British teams.

An Aberdeen team managed by Alex Ferguson beat Alfredo Di Stefano’s Madrid in the 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup final. In the same competition, Madrid lost the 1971 final to Chelsea. ___ 6:35 p.m.

European fans may have struggled to make it to the Champions League final in Kiev, but Liverpool and Real Madrid supporters from elsewhere in the world are making their presence felt.

Ukraine has a simpler visa process than many European Union countries, and in the city center fans are bearing flags from countries as varied as South Africa, Ecuador and Bahrain. Liverpool appears to have brought more fans from Asia and Africa, while Real has supporters from South America.

Some had long journeys, like Liverpool supporter Eric Luk, who came from Hong Kong via Kazakhstan over almost a whole day and night.

It’s not been all plain sailing. Australian fans Lachlan Garrard and Ian Dennis complained of waiting four hours to be issued a visa on arrival at one of Kiev’s airports, and everyone must contend with astronomical hotel prices.

English clubs won the last two Champions League finals played outside the European Union. Manchester United won on penalties over Chelsea in Moscow in 2008 and Liverpool staged a spectacular comeback against AC Milan in Turkey in 2005 — the famous “Miracle of Istanbul.” ___ 5:45 p.m.

Four years ago, Kiev’s central square was a battleground. Now it’s packed with fans ahead of the Champions League final.

Popularly known as Maidan, in late 2013 and early 2014 the square was the scene of protests which eventually ousted then-President Viktor Yanukovych.

Crowds camped out on the square for weeks, battled police, and more than 100 people were shot dead on the square and in surrounding streets.

On Saturday, Real Madrid and Liverpool supporters mixed with locals on the square as musical fountains played Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.”

“I came here in 2014 and these buildings were all charred and there were tires everywhere after the demonstrations,” says Stefan Polotajko, a British Liverpool fan with relatives in Ukraine. “The way it’s been transformed is absolutely amazing.”

Also on the square was Lyudmyla Agafonova, who moved to Kiev with her family because of the conflict with Russia-backed separatists in her home city of Donetsk.

She says “the Real fans are more fun. Liverpool are a bit more restrained, like the English in general. We’re happy it’s all happening here.”

Her husband Serhiy adds “it’s great to have all these foreigners here,” and “Ukraine is slowly getting closer to Europe.” ___ 4:39 p.m.

Kiev police say they evacuated five stations on the city’s subway network after a hoax caller warned of bomb attacks.

Ahead of the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid, police checked the stations and “dangerous items were not found.”

Subway operations are now back to normal.

The police say they’re now hunting the hoax caller.

Besides the bomb scare, police have so far registered 26 crimes involving foreigners, whether as victims or perpetrators.

That includes 10 cases of theft, three of hooliganism and two of fraud. Other foreigners were fined for causing a road accident and drinking in public.

Police earlier detained two people after Liverpool fans were attacked at a restaurant on Thursday, leaving two injured. ___ 4:23 p.m.

Fans are thronging the center of Kiev after many experienced travel problems.

Flight cancellations meant more than 1,000 Liverpool supporters could not leave Britain, while soaring accommodation prices persuaded roughly the same number of Madrid fans to have their ticket money refunded rather than travel to Ukraine.

Organizer UEFA has said refunded tickets will be made available to locals but there is likely to be the unusual sight of empty seats at a Champions League final.

Those fans who did make it are largely positive about Kiev, where the beer is cheap and a festival atmosphere is apparent in the city center.

Madrid fans Fabino Mohino and Yago Saez said they spent about 750 euros ($875) apiece on flights and traveled for 20 hours through Barcelona.

“We were lucky to have a friend of a friend in the suburbs,” Mohino said, meaning they could dodge Kiev hotel prices which are as much as $2,000 a night.

“Loving it,” added Saez, who has attended six of the last seven Champions League finals. “So far, so good.”

Security is tight in Kiev, with police lining the center, which has been closed to traffic. That seems to have prevented repeats of Thursday night’s attack on Liverpool fans at a restaurant — apparently by Ukrainian hooligans — which left two injured. ___ 3:35 p.m.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp will be supported at the Champions League final by a Premier League counterpart — Huddersfield’s David Wagner.

The two coaches have been friends for more than 25 years, starting in Germany and continuing in England.

Speaking in Kiev ahead of Saturday’s final against Real Madrid, Wagner said “we have texted a few times in the last week … and I am sure his team will be on fire tonight.”

Klopp is godfather to Wagner’s daughter. Wagner was Klopp’s best man. They played for the same Mainz team in the Bundesliga in the early 1990s. They were coach (Klopp) and assistant coach (Wagner) for Borussia Dortmund from 2011-15.

Klopp was hired by Liverpool in 2015 when Wagner was appointed Huddersfield manager.

Wagner says Klopp “is able to deliver an atmosphere where everyone is relaxed but focused enough and this is why I am pretty confident they have a chance.” ___ 12:45 p.m.

There is 4.5 million euros ($5.2 million) extra prize money at stake for the winner Saturday, on top of the tens of millions Liverpool and Real Madrid have earned already from organizer UEFA this season.

The champion will earn 15.5 million euros ($18.1 million) and the runner-up gets 11 million euros ($12.8 million). That money from UEFA includes each club’s share of ticket revenue.

UEFA will distribute more than 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in prize money among the 32 teams that qualified for the group stage.

All 32 clubs get almost 13 million euros ($15.2 million) for entering, bonuses for wins and draws in group-stage games, fees for reaching each knockout round, and a share of their national broadcasting deal (known as “market pool” money).

Madrid is on target to pocket at least 80 million euros ($93.3 million) from UEFA. Liverpool should get at least 75 million euros ($87.5 million), including a 2 million euros ($2.3 million) bonus for advancing from the playoff round last August.

Prize money is expected to rise by around 30 percent next season when a new, three-year cycle of broadcasting and sponsorship deals kick in. ___ 11:50 a.m.

Don’t be surprised if it takes until Sunday for the Champions League title to be decided.

Real Madrid and Liverpool kick off at 9:45 p.m. local time in Kiev, that’s 1845 GMT. The game will go beyond midnight if the score is level after 90 minutes and 30 minutes of extra time are needed.

Three of the past six finals also needed a penalty shootout after extra time, and that would push the action close to 12:30 a.m. in the Ukrainian capital.

Madrid and Liverpool have combined to win 17 titles since the competition began in the 1955-56 season.

While Madrid is chasing a record-extending 13th win, Liverpool would go third on the all-time list by winning its sixth. AC Milan ranks second with seven European titles.

Of all the teams with at least three titles, Madrid and Liverpool boast the best record in finals.

Two-time defending champion Madrid is chasing the first hat-trick of titles since Bayern Munich won each European Cup final from 1974-76. Ajax also won three in a row from 1971-73.

It would also give Madrid four titles in five years — the best streak since the Spanish club won the first five editions through 1960. ___ 11:45 a.m.

Liverpool and Real Madrid fans are gathering in Kiev for the first Champions League final to be played in Ukraine.

The final is a rare prestige moment for a country whose recent years have been dominated by the conflict with Russia-backed separatists and severe economic problems.

But it’s one of the most logistically-challenging locations chosen by UEFA for its showpiece club final, with a shortage of hotel rooms and a lack of flight landing slots.

Fueled by Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals, Madrid is chasing a 13th European Cup title.

Liverpool has reached the final for the first time in 11 years. The Premier League club won the last of its five European titles in 2005.

By Associated Press – published on STL.News by St. Louis Media, LLC(R.A)

[svalleynow]

It's Football Time in the Valley

After jamborees wrapped up on Friday and Saturday, the regular season high school football kicks off this week. Join The River 104.9, Country Roads 93.3, and our audio streams for live coverage all season long. We cover Marion County, South Pittsburg, Whitwell, and Sequatchie County. Bledsoe County Warriors Aug. 23, 2024 Fri Sequatchie Co. High School 7:00 PM Aug. 30, 2024 Fri at Cumberland…

[svalleynow]

High School Football For September 8

South Pittsburg (3-0) will travel to Sequatchie County (3-0) on Friday, and you can hear the game on The River 104.9 and Country Roads 93.3. The Marion County Warriors (3-0) will host 0-3 Fayetteville on Friday. Hear the live stream of the game on the Nickajack Radio Network at theriver1049.com The Whitwell Tigers (3-0) will be back at home on Friday as they host the 0-3 Yellow Jackets of Lookout…

[svalleynow]

Update Game Times for Area Football Games

Marion County at Dade County, GA, kickoff at 6:30 PM, streaming on http://www.theriver1049.com South Pittsburg at Franklin County, kickoff at 8 PM. Live on The River 104.9 Greenback at Whitwell, kickoff at 6:30 PM, streaming on http://www.theriver1049.com Sequatchie County at East Ridge, kickoff at 6:30 PM Live on Country Roads 93.3 Bledsoe County at Cumberland County, kickoff 8 PM Times subject…

[investmart007]

KIEV, Ukraine | The Latest: Liverpool has European history on its side

New Post has been published on https://is.gd/XlHRtq

KIEV, Ukraine | The Latest: Liverpool has European history on its side

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — The Latest on the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid (all times local): 7.10 p.m.

Liverpool hopes European Cup history from May 1981 will repeat itself.

When Liverpool beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the final 37 years ago, it was the only time an English team beat a Spanish opponent to lift the iconic, large-handled trophy in the competition’s 63-year history.

Each England vs. Spain final since then went Spain’s way, though none involved Madrid.

Barcelona accounted for all three wins, beating Arsenal in the 2006 final, and Manchester United twice, in 2009 and two years later.

Madrid has lost all three of its European finals against British teams. An Aberdeen team managed by Alex Ferguson beat Alfredo Di Stefano’s Madrid in the 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup final. In the same competition, Madrid lost the 1971 final to Chelsea.

6:35 p.m.

European fans may have struggled to make it to the Champions League final in Kiev, but Liverpool and Real Madrid supporters from elsewhere in the world are making their presence felt.

Ukraine has a simpler visa process than many European Union countries, and in the city center fans are bearing flags from countries as varied as South Africa, Ecuador and Bahrain. Liverpool appears to have brought more fans from Asia and Africa, while Real has supporters from South America.

Some had long journeys, like Liverpool supporter Eric Luk, who came from Hong Kong via Kazakhstan over almost a whole day and night.

It’s not been all plain sailing. Australian fans Lachlan Garrard and Ian Dennis complained of waiting four hours to be issued a visa on arrival at one of Kiev’s airports, and everyone must contend with astronomical hotel prices.

English clubs won the last two Champions League finals played outside the European Union. Manchester United won on penalties over Chelsea in Moscow in 2008 and Liverpool staged a spectacular comeback against AC Milan in Turkey in 2005 — the famous “Miracle of Istanbul.”

5:45 p.m.

Four years ago, Kiev’s central square was a battleground. Now it’s packed with fans ahead of the Champions League final.

Popularly known as Maidan, in late 2013 and early 2014 the square was the scene of protests which eventually ousted then-President Viktor Yanukovych.

Crowds camped out on the square for weeks, battled police, and more than 100 people were shot dead on the square and in surrounding streets.

On Saturday, Real Madrid and Liverpool supporters mixed with locals on the square as musical fountains played Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.”

“I came here in 2014 and these buildings were all charred and there were tires everywhere after the demonstrations,” says Stefan Polotajko, a British Liverpool fan with relatives in Ukraine. “The way it’s been transformed is absolutely amazing.”

Also on the square was Lyudmyla Agafonova, who moved to Kiev with her family because of the conflict with Russia-backed separatists in her home city of Donetsk.

She says “the Real fans are more fun. Liverpool are a bit more restrained, like the English in general. We’re happy it’s all happening here.”

Her husband Serhiy adds “it’s great to have all these foreigners here,” and “Ukraine is slowly getting closer to Europe.”

4:39 p.m.

Kiev police say they evacuated five stations on the city’s subway network after a hoax caller warned of bomb attacks.

Ahead of the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid, police checked the stations and “dangerous items were not found.”

Subway operations are now back to normal.

The police say they’re now hunting the hoax caller.

Besides the bomb scare, police have so far registered 26 crimes involving foreigners, whether as victims or perpetrators.

That includes 10 cases of theft, three of hooliganism and two of fraud. Other foreigners were fined for causing a road accident and drinking in public.

Police earlier detained two people after Liverpool fans were attacked at a restaurant on Thursday, leaving two injured.

4:23 p.m.

Fans are thronging the center of Kiev after many experienced travel problems.

Flight cancellations meant more than 1,000 Liverpool supporters could not leave Britain, while soaring accommodation prices persuaded roughly the same number of Madrid fans to have their ticket money refunded rather than travel to Ukraine.

Organizer UEFA has said refunded tickets will be made available to locals but there is likely to be the unusual sight of empty seats at a Champions League final.

Those fans who did make it are largely positive about Kiev, where the beer is cheap and a festival atmosphere is apparent in the city center.

Madrid fans Fabino Mohino and Yago Saez said they spent about 750 euros ($875) apiece on flights and traveled for 20 hours through Barcelona.

“We were lucky to have a friend of a friend in the suburbs,” Mohino said, meaning they could dodge Kiev hotel prices which are as much as $2,000 a night.

“Loving it,” added Saez, who has attended six of the last seven Champions League finals. “So far, so good.”

Security is tight in Kiev, with police lining the center, which has been closed to traffic. That seems to have prevented repeats of Thursday night’s attack on Liverpool fans at a restaurant — apparently by Ukrainian hooligans — which left two injured.

3:35 p.m.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp will be supported at the Champions League final by a Premier League counterpart — Huddersfield’s David Wagner.

The two coaches have been friends for more than 25 years, starting in Germany and continuing in England.

Speaking in Kiev ahead of Saturday’s final against Real Madrid, Wagner said “we have texted a few times in the last week … and I am sure his team will be on fire tonight.”

Klopp is godfather to Wagner’s daughter. Wagner was Klopp’s best man. They played for the same Mainz team in the Bundesliga in the early 1990s. They were coach (Klopp) and assistant coach (Wagner) for Borussia Dortmund from 2011-15.

Klopp was hired by Liverpool in 2015 when Wagner was appointed Huddersfield manager.

Wagner says Klopp “is able to deliver an atmosphere where everyone is relaxed but focused enough and this is why I am pretty confident they have a chance.” ___ 12:45 p.m.

There is 4.5 million euros ($5.2 million) extra prize money at stake for the winner Saturday, on top of the tens of millions Liverpool and Real Madrid have earned already from organizer UEFA this season.

The champion will earn 15.5 million euros ($18.1 million) and the runner-up gets 11 million euros ($12.8 million). That money from UEFA includes each club’s share of ticket revenue.

UEFA will distribute more than 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in prize money among the 32 teams that qualified for the group stage.

All 32 clubs get almost 13 million euros ($15.2 million) for entering, bonuses for wins and draws in group-stage games, fees for reaching each knockout round, and a share of their national broadcasting deal (known as “market pool” money).

Madrid is on target to pocket at least 80 million euros ($93.3 million) from UEFA. Liverpool should get at least 75 million euros ($87.5 million), including a 2 million euros ($2.3 million) bonus for advancing from the playoff round last August.

Prize money is expected to rise by around 30 percent next season when a new, three-year cycle of broadcasting and sponsorship deals kick in. ___ 11:50 a.m.

Don’t be surprised if it takes until Sunday for the Champions League title to be decided.

Real Madrid and Liverpool kick off at 9:45 p.m. local time in Kiev, that’s 1845 GMT. The game will go beyond midnight if the score is level after 90 minutes and 30 minutes of extra time are needed.

Three of the past six finals also needed a penalty shootout after extra time, and that would push the action close to 12:30 a.m. in the Ukrainian capital.

Madrid and Liverpool have combined to win 17 titles since the competition began in the 1955-56 season.

While Madrid is chasing a record-extending 13th win, Liverpool would go third on the all-time list by winning its sixth. AC Milan ranks second with seven European titles.

Of all the teams with at least three titles, Madrid and Liverpool boast the best record in finals.

Two-time defending champion Madrid is chasing the first hat-trick of titles since Bayern Munich won each European Cup final from 1974-76. Ajax also won three in a row from 1971-73.

It would also give Madrid four titles in five years — the best streak since the Spanish club won the first five editions through 1960. ___ 11:45 a.m.

Liverpool and Real Madrid fans are gathering in Kiev for the first Champions League final to be played in Ukraine.

The final is a rare prestige moment for a country whose recent years have been dominated by the conflict with Russia-backed separatists and severe economic problems.

But it’s one of the most logistically-challenging locations chosen by UEFA for its showpiece club final, with a shortage of hotel rooms and a lack of flight landing slots.

Fueled by Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals, Madrid is chasing a 13th European Cup title.

Liverpool has reached the final for the first time in 11 years. The Premier League club won the last of its five European titles in 2005.

By Associated Press – published on STL.News by St. Louis Media, LLC(R.A)