People in the News
By DENNIS DAILY,
United Press International
Is Paisley Country'sNew Sinatra?
Frank Sinatra
One of the most photogenic stars of countrymusic, dark-eyed singer Brad Paisley, has opened this year's CMTMost Wanted Live Concert Tour in front of a packed house in Phoenix.And the event could not have been more full of whistles and sighsif it had been a Frank Sinatra concert in the late 1930s. Paisleyreceived the adulation of the largely female crowd (many in theirearly 20s and some teenagers) with his every action. Even takingoff his hat garnered a groundswell of screams. CMT notes thatsince Paisley had "already won the night" without singinga single note he could have coasted through the concert ... buthe didn't. The show, according to reviewers, was top-notch. Paisley,at 29, is the youngest member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Yoko Ono TestifiesIn Court
Yoko Ono
A woman who is carrying on the legacy ofher late husband was in a federal court in New York this week,testifying against a former personal assistant. People Magazinesays that Yoko Ono has accused Frederic Seaman of breaking hispledge to never divulge information about the life of her latehusband, John Lennon. According to the publication, after thebirth of the couple's son Sean they decided that they should takemeasures to keep their private lives more private. According tocourt records, Seaman is charged with selling private family photographsto publishers. Ono says that he took more than 370 photographsfrom a private family collection. There are reports that the formerfamily aide was paid $75,000 for use of the photos.
Rose Parade AnnouncesHosts
Bill Cosby
Three of the most famous names in familyentertainment will be in the lead cars when the 114th annual Tournamentof Roses Parade gets underway on New Year's Day next. In a releaseto media, tournament organizers say they have picked comedianBill Cosby, venerable show host Art Linkletter and the masterof children's entertainment, Fred Rogers, to be the co-marshals.Promoters of the event say that the theme will be "Children'sDreams, Wishes and Imagination." During the past decadessome of the most memorable people in the history of entertainmenthave been chosen to lead the parade. Some notable ones included:Walt Disney, Shirley Temple, Hank Aaron, former Pres. Dwight Eisenhower,John Glenn and even Kermit the Frog.
Aussie Star To Make 'Vegas Debut
An entertainer who has become a legend inhis native Australia, John St. Peeters, will soon make his LasVegas debut. The Stardust tells United Press International thatSt. Peters has been booked into the Wayne Newton Theater in thatcasino's entertainment complex. He has been hailed as "Australia'smost dynamic entertainer" by his country's national media.He began as a child prodigy, playing an accordion on network televisionat age seven. As a teenager he was named the country's fastest-risingyoung pop star. Over the years he's become a mainstay on the popcharts in Australia and New Zealand. In addition to releasingCDs in his country, St. Peeters has used his linguistic skillsto record in Spanish, French and Italian. His first show in LasVegas will be on Oct.
'Here's Johnny' Exhibit To Open
Amid charges in the tabloids that JohnnyCarson is very ill with a lung problem -- charges that have beendenied by his publicist -- the entertainer will not attend theopening of an exhibit in his honor in his hometown in Nebraska,Norfolk. Sheryl Schmeckpeper of the Norfolk Daily News says thatthe permanent tribute to the entertainer will be housed in thefive-year-old Elkhorn Valley Museum. It contains over 100 majorpieces of memorabilia, including Carson's Emmy awards and thePresidential Medal of Freedom. There's also a mock-up of the "Tonight"show set with a life-size representation of Carson that "comesto life" when someone triggers a nearby motion sensor. There'salso a "Best of Carson Theater" where visitors can seeclips of Carson's late-night show. Carson is now 76 and has becomea virtual recluse since retiring from television after three decadesof hosting "Tonight."
Dolly Parton Becomes Ambassador
Dolly Parton
Country's Dolly Parton has been named asan official ambassador for the Tennessee film and music industries.According to that state's governor, Don Sundquist, the diminutivesinger-songwriter was appointed to the post to give a higher levelof "image" to the work of the commission. The groupwas created to try to convince would-be moviemakers that the VolunteerState would be a great place to bring their cameras. Large printads, featuring Parton, will soon be running in major Los Angeles-areapublications, including the Hollywood Reporter. Additionally,Parton will travel to Tinseltown in the coming weeks to host apromotional event to be sponsored by the Tennessee group.