News of the day, 3/12

Hey everyone. I have decided to do something I consider somewhat novel on Thursday. Inspired by Phil Collins' two-continent concert for Live Aid in 1985, I'm going to cover Auburn's 7 a.m. practice, drive to Atlanta, cover Auburn's game against Vanderbilt in the SECs (2:15 CDT) and then take it back to the house.

It'll be fun.

Auburn baseball's promotional czar, Dan Froehlich (Fray-lick), noted recently that the program is providing copies of the shaved-head photo in exchange for $10 donations to the American Cancer Society. It's the image at the top of today's blog. Copies may be purchased through the university's web site.

The picture was a central element in what was a really neat story about how the team showed its support for Joseph Sanders' mother, Barbara. She recently was diagnosed with breast cancer. If you missed the story, read it here: Auburn baseball team unites in support of teammate's mother

There was talk today on WMSP about my blog comments from yesterday, which weren't particularly positive about the station's morning hosts. I'm planning to appear on the station's afternoon show on Thursday to discuss the matter. The HOTTIES know I'm not a fan of Barry McKnight or the other guy because they serially dis me and the Advertiser for mostly silly reasons. Labeling me a "moron," or eliciting similar rhetoric from friendly callers, has been going on since the late 1990s. Is this considered evolution?

Also, a caller to the afternoon show ("The Roundtable" with Amos and Bag) wondered why I would go on the air Tuesday morning and then "attack" the morning hosts on the blog. Being on someone's show doesn't indicate friendship or even respect.

The only time I ever appeared on the show without being asked came like five years ago, when Barry questioned the legitimacy and legacy of rap group Public Enemy. Chuck D and Terminator X deserved backup. I was happy to oblige by calling in.

There was a mildly interesting indirect exchange between Jeff Lebo and Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings at the SEC Tournament press conferences today. Lebo said he was glad to not be playing Vanderbilt in Nashville because ``they haven't played as well away from home."

Vandy is 19-0 at home and 6-6 away. Seems reasonable. Stallings was asked about that and didn't seem to like Lebo's statement.

``That seems to be the thing that people want to throw on us," Stallings said. ``I'm guessing if we were 17-2 at home instead of 19-0 that people wouldn't be talking about a road record. We'll see."

OK. So a HOTTIE, who asked to remain nameless, emailed this nugget: "I didn't know about Live aid until I googled it just now." He is ebaying the DVDs in hopes of ingesting all the 80s goodness those concerts provided. See, young people, Phil Collins was cutting edge back then because he played the London show early, took the Concorde to Philadelphia and played a second Live Aid gig that night. Being a bi-continent musician was big news back then.

So that got me reminicing about the concert. I was at summer camp. My madre taped it for me. I was SO geeked to see the Duran Duran set because I couldn't have been a bigger fan. Mid-way through the performance, Simon Le Bon absolutely mauled a note that remains stuck in my head. Check it out.

It's at the 2:54 mark of this here video. Check out guitarist Andy Taylor's skyward gaze after that horrid display. Oh damn.



Questions? Comments? You can email me at: jgtate@gannett.com