Global Warming and warming up to Sir Richard

Ahhhh, the rain, more rain... raining again.... raining some more..... and our country's leadership along with our healthy consumer cousin south of us says that Global Warming is either exaggerated or non existent.... okay, perhaps some from the Federal level can explain to me why my driveway has sunk and my fields look more like mini lakes.

On to happy thoughts for this dreary day. A lovely friend sent over a link to a cute quiz. Give it a try; the Lipstick Personality Test. Yes I did it - I am personally all over the personality map (I had to go and check my lipsticks) though most put me between a #4, 6 and 7. Given that 'daughter' borrows... it is really hard to know for sure. That's all I'm saying, go do the test for yourself.

George Clooney... hummm, I've read Hot Cherry Review several times, just so George can smile back - that's sick right. So, today I'm going to add another personal fave to the list; Richard Branson.... yeah, a bit older but hey, he's got lots going for him.

Here's the low down on him. At age 56, he's still got it, both in looks (personal opinion but how many 56 year old guys do you know that look like him?) and net worth, which is in excess of $5.5 Billion US - that is a 'b'!

He is the brand champion of 'Virgin' which when I last heard, owned, ran or had direct influence on over 200 different companies. In business he is known as the guy who sees the diamond in the rough and improves on the existing rather than invents the new. There are exceptions of course, one of which being his interest in pioneering space travel for the masses - that's you and I.

He is a Brit, not a bad thing. Owns his own island - Neckar in the beautiful British Virgin Islands (no they didn't name them after him) and makes regular appearances in Canada. Sir Richard dropped out of high school at the age of 16 and has never looked back. To his credit there is; Virgin Records, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Trains, Virgin Mobile and Virgin Galactic and in the making, Virgin Fuel. He is a philanthropist as much as a business man - on October 12th of this year, he pledged $3 Billion over 10 years to fight global warming. Did I mention he was a pretty hunky 56 year old? Oh, he's married as well, since 1989 to Joan Templeton.

I think this world would be a much happier place with more Sir Richard's kicking around. Here is another funny fact, Mr. Branson has openly admits to smoking bud and would consider selling it in his Virgin record stores, if it ever became legal.... see, happier place.

To learn more about Sir Richard Branson, click here or do as most of us do, Google him.

While we are on the 'star' topic. Last week we set up a post about a Canadian Country Music contest/show - 'Plucked'. Well, I watched the final night of the show - it was pretty disjointed and a bit disappointing. Except of course for the fact that local favorite party band Ambush won. The well deserving act took home a $35,000 credit to produce a new video and will have their current video 'put into heavy rotation'. Good for the boys, its nice to see them get this kind of break.

That's about it for a wrap for this week. We are twisting a few arms in hopes of getting our other contributors back contributing - a quick email from you might just push them along a bit.

Have a wonderful Hot Cherry weekend, stay dry, warm and dream happy thoughts of hunky older men!

Waiting, waiting, waiting....

Have you ever sent an email that you were really looking forward to a response to - only to go for what feels like forever without one?
Do you start wondering if your email ever got through? On the other hand, perhaps, for some reason, theirs couldn't get through to you?
Come on, you know the feeling.

When we posted last night's blog (Get Plucked) we also sent out an invitation to the contestants to write us and tell us more about the show. In particular, how they compete, what they win.
Now I know it is an insanely early time of time for would be stars and hard working musicians to be up - but......

Okay, I'll leave it be for a bit. Maybe. I'll keep you posted on what if anything comes through. Or, I guess you can do that too, by checking back in. Maybe I'll call an executive with CMT and see what I can find out. Hummmm, do we really care?

On other fronts while I have your attention.

Vintage Clothing freaks, fans and friends of freaky fans - This weekend in Ottawa is the Annual Vintage Clothing sale at the Chateau Laurier - I'll post details later on this week. If you like anything in Vint clothing, this apparently is a wicked sale to be at. Good prices, large selections, cool venue. (yes, of course I will be there - anyone want to go?)

On the topic of clothing. We are trying to get one of the coolest, hippest ‘Hot Momma Chicks’ we know to start contributing on our very own ‘oh my good grief, you can’t go out with that on’ once a week post. We’ll keep you posted on how that goes. In the meantime though, if you have a ‘can I really wear this and get away with it’ question fire it over. We are positive she will give her feedback.

I need to run, check my email for responses and see if I can’t find that CMT phone number.

Have a Hot Cherry Day!

Get Plucked!

Yes you heard it. No we are not talking about the latest way to do eyebrows.

I stumbled upon an interesting concept for a reality show which is currently airing. Just when I thought they had used up many of the good ones, this one came rolling in.

It is called Plucked, it is a creation of 'CMT' - for you none 'country' fans, that is Country Music Television.

So what knocked my socks on this one? Well for starters, if features Canadian 'undiscovered' talent and it rockets them into the limelight. Secondly, these new comers come from across Canada. Thirdly, it is not another, get up on stage, sing, be critiqued and then voted on to win..... though I don't know how the winner is selected.

Here's the deal. The show 'plucks' six country acts from across the country and gives them a shot at the 'deal'. What exactly the 'deal' is though, sorry I can't tell you. There is something about a music video??? (Maybe someone can fill me in?)

Now you need to keep in mind, I just happened to be thumbing through a TV guide of all things when I found this show, so I haven't caught a single episode, here's what I can tell you: There are six competing, each has been featured on an episode.
Aaron Goodvin from Northern Alberta; Ambush (hot little band and perennial favorite of young and not grown up yet) from Perth, Eastern Ontario; Carla Sacco (the Shania Twin impersonation act that plays everywhere); Lisa Hewitt from Western Canada; Pear the husband wife duo from Edmonton; Mike Gouchie from somewhere in Canada (the info on the CMT site doesn't really say).

So I watched the episodes online to catch up. The 'contestants' are 'Plucked', interviewed, critiqued and prepared to make a video - right down to the wardrobe. Pointers from 'industry experts' are handed out, in some cases taken by the musicians and often not.

I wish I could tell you more about this show. I personally cheer for any opportunity given to Independent Canadian Artists. I believe we have top talent in this country that doesn't get near enough exposure and respect.

What I would really like is for someone who is on the show to leave us a comment on Hot Cherry and give us some info.

The finale is a 'marathon' presentation starting at 6pm Est. on CMT, the actual final goes off at 9 pm. Monday November 13th. Whether you are a 'country' fan or not, check it out if you get the chance, remember regardless of what they play, they are all Canadian talent and need our support.

Now speaking of Canadian talent - what do you think about the latest edition of 'Rockstar Supernova'? For those not familiar, it aired throughout the summer and was the viewer voted selection of the new front man for Supernova. Who you ask. Supernova is a band fronted by Gilby Clark ex of Guns 'n Roses, Tommy Lee and Jason Newsted - catch here, Supernova isn't really a band yet. Hummmm.

The winner of this multi week, multi episode production was Lukas Rossi - a Canadian. Many will recall last season's Rockstar - INXS and the choice of their new front man - Canadian JD Fortune. In my humble opinion, this year's show didn't come close to delivering what last season's did. Still, two seasons, many contestants later, two Canadians rally to win. Yeah, baby we've got the goods.

Invitation goes out to any one who would like to comment on any thing we've covered off here. I've also sent out an invitation to a couple of the contestants from the show 'Plucked' to give us their thoughts and more details.

Now I'm going back to my inspiration for this entry - 'Rockstar' by Canada's own Nickleback.