I always look forward to Smiley’s annual Great Pumpkin Drop every Halloween.  In the beginning, I admit that I looked forward to coordinating the execution on the ground from several hundred feet in the air with ATA Execujet Helicopters.  I enjoy it now for the complete mess it creates and the madness of watching hundreds of kids race out to grab the remnants of a giant smashed vegetable. 

This year’s event was twice as fun.  Our first pumpkin weighed in at 550-pounds, while our second pumpkin tipped the scales at 1177-pounds.  We weren’t satisfied with the sheer mass of the cucurbita maximus; no … we had to fill the Deuce with 300-pounds of ketchup for a bigger splat.  Friday morning, 10/30/09, both pumpkins hit the ground from more than 200-feet in the air.  This is their last known video.  And, kudos to the entire Smiley Morning Show and the WZPL Promotions/Engineering departments for the weeks of hard work that preceed these twenty seconds of messy entertainment.

Owl City is new music this week on Z99.5 with their song, Fireflies.  There’s a huge buzz about this song right now, along with a lot of “industry hype.”  But, to be completely honest, I’m not sure I “get it.”  I’m 40-years-old now and still love new music.  I’m just not as cool as I used to be (if I ever really was cool). 

I totally ignored this song the first two or three weeks it was sent to me by the record company, Universal Republic.  Then, our good friends Dan & Kyle with Live Nation said I needed to listen to it.  So, I did.  I listened to it a dozen times last week in my office.  I listened to it another dozen times Monday.  It’s grown on me. I’m just not sure I understand the appeal.  Sure, it’s a nice song with a good melody and strong hook.  Our college intern knows about it without any radio play in town.  The song has more than 3-million views on YouTube.  I keep asking … why?

Owl City is really just one guy, Adam Young, who started recording in his parents’ basement.  His music, which is obviously influenced by disco, Europop, synthpop, and Electronica, began to spread virally last year through MySpace – which earned him more than 6-million plays.  He has since collaborated with Breanne Duren and Relient K vocalist Matt Thiessen. 

Honestly, the music is nothing special and nothing any other aspiring performer couldn’t record with the right computer software and musical talent.  Yet, it’s simplicity is exactly what makes it unique.  The hook is infectious and the melody both compelling and soothing.

In other words, I’ve talked myself into believing this song could be a hit. 

So, now you can listen for Owl City’s debut single Fireflies (from the Universal Republic CD Ocean Eyes) on Z99.5.  Check it out and let me know if you like it.

By the way, I’m told Owl City is scheduled for an Indianapolis concert this coming January!

NFL Week 4 highlights to the tune of “Come On” by Green River Ordinance (Capitol Records).  All rights reserved © National Football League.

CBS-TV (WISH-TV Indianapolis) premieres a new show tonight at 9pm ET / 8pm CT called Three Rivers.  Alex O’Loughlin stars in this drama about organ transplantation in America’s number one transplant hospital.  I haven’t seen the program yet; but, would like to encourage you all to watch tonight (or DVR to watch later). 

Tara & I are proud parents to an amazing 14-month-old boy, who is an organ transplant recipient.  Cole was born with a very rare metabolic deficiency that would have been impossible to survive without a new liver.  Fortunately, he received heroic care from his mother and the team of genetic/metabolic specialists at Riley Hospital for Children, including Dr. Brian Hainline & Dr. Jean Molleston.  May 10, which happened to be Mother’s Day, Cole received the gift of life with a partial graft performed by Dr. Joseph Tector & Dr. Rodrigo Vianna, among others.

Without having seen Three Rivers, I can’t speak to its accuracy.  And, obviously, the show must have compelling entertainment value for it to be successful.  However, I do know the show was honored by Donate Life Hollywood with the first annual Inspire Award.  The pilot episode met and exceeded the Donate Life Hollywood criteria of portraying organ donation and transplantation in a way that was dramatic, showed viewers an accurate portrayal of the donation/transplant process, and left viewers feeling that organ donation is a good thing.

Organ and tissue donation is not always so well-presented on television.  A recent study by Purdue University shows that misleading and inaccurate information in dramatic television programming causes manypeople to shy away from becoming a donor.

It’s unfortunate, in our life and so many others, that another family must suffer the loss of their child in order for our son to live.  We pray for that family and remain eternally thankful for their gift of life.  However, it is truly the greatest gift you or anyone can give someone.

Please watch the show and consider becoming an organ donor.  You may do so online by registering with the Indiana Last Wish Registry or many other local organizations. 

Thank you.

Indianapolis, and the surrounding area, is home to quite a few success stories in the world of music …

• Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds first went double-platinum with his 1989 release Tender Lover;
• The Why Store has rocked the area since 1993, including national success with their 1997 hit “Lack of Water;”
• Guns ‘N Roses frontman Axl Rose was born in Lafayette;
• Most recently, Anderson native Jon McLaughlin hit the national airplay charts several times and was even nominated for an Oscar;
• Of course, we have to mention John Mellencamp and Henry Lee Summer;
• Transmatic, Virgin Millionaires, Dave & Rae, The Flying Toasters, Stereo Deluxe, Hum V, Lynda Sayahh, and too many other great local bands to mention.

Today, I want to get your feedback on two more “local” acts that I think are good enough for us to play on Z99.5:  The Elms and KJ Testin. 

The Elms, originally from Seymour, have actually been performing together for nearly ten years.  Their newest release, The Great American Midrange, is receiving national exposure with the first single, “Back To Indiana,” already in the Top 100 airplay charts.  The Elms produce a quintessential breed of Midwestern, rootsy rock grounded in a style that would be at home during the 60’s & 70’s. 

KJ, not to be confused with KJ from the Smiley Morning Show, is a stunning 24-year-old from Indianapolis with a rock-and-roll background that plays well for her transition to contemporary country with crossover appeal.  You can already hear one of her songs on HANK-FM, one of our local radio competitors.

Please check out their music below and leave me a comment, whether or not you like the songs, and if you think we should give them a shot with airplay on Z99.5.  I look forward to reading your feedback.  And, if you like what you hear, be sure to support them by attending local concerts and purchasing their music from iTunes.

I’ll get us started with some of my own real-time observations from the MTV Video Music Awards.  Please share your comments on the blog, or send them to us on Twitter @wzpl or Facebook.com/WZPL995.  Be sure to listen Monday to the Smiley Morning Show for highlights and your phone calls.

Scroll down for video clips from VMA’s, courtesy of MTV.

• Madonna did her best to offer a personal eulogy to Michael Jackson; but, I thought she made it way too much about her not MJ and went on WAY too long.  The opening dance number was visually interesting; but nothing memorable.  Janet Jackson’s cameo doesn’t really deserve the highlight real other than it was her and Michael together one last time. VIDEO BELOW
• Typically, I hate watching award shows.  But, the VMA’s always have some great production and something unpredictable.  Tonight, we got it within the first twenty minutes as Kanye West crashed Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video.  Totally classless.  Kanye isn’t content with just complaining when HE doesn’t when awards; now, he’s going to show his ass when one of his friends doesn’t win the award.  I would like to say he should just be banned from all future award shows; but, I kind of like him proving his ignorance on the national stage every chance he gets.  Poor Taylor.  There was nothing but complete support for her on Twitter and Facebook when it happened.  I would really like to hear what she had to say when Kanye gave her the microphone back – probably the most real, unscripted moment of the whole show.  VIDEO BELOW
  • UPDATED:  The more I think about the whole Kanye West incident, the more I realize that security could have very easily stopped him from getting on stage.  I’m not sure MTV knew in advance, but I’m sure they love how we’re ALL talking about it tonight and all day. 
  • Hot rumor at 10:15pm ET during show:  VMA executive producer doesn’t want Kanye back on stage at all tonight; plans to cut his performance.
    • UPDATED:  No sign of Kanye following “the incident.”  Crowd booed his award nomination.
  • Our friend Jaron Lowenstein (remember him from Evan & Jaron?) made this comment on Facebook: “Not fair what happened to Taylor Swift, but congrats to MTV. Ratings for sure spiked and you just hijacked the water cooler convo for the next 3 days at least! If you think about it everyone wins here. Taylor looks cute and professional as the victim, kanye perpetuates his role as the asshole, and MTV owns the event!”
  • Another post from Jaron:  “Love him or hate him, Kanye owns the night! He’s the biggest star in America right now. This is only second to my favorite “George Bush hates black people.” The guys a genius at hijacking everyone else’s moment.”
  • UPDATED:  Beyonce steals the night back from Kanye by showing true class – after winning the Moon Man for Video of the Year, Beyonce called Taylor Swift back on stage to give her acceptance speech instead of Beyonce.  Bravo!
• Who the hell is this Russell Brand cat.  Am I just old or is he actually that annoying, ignorant, and unfunny?  I don’t get him.
  • Actually, I wish Kanye would take the microphone away from Russell Brand for the rest of the night
• Jack Black comes out not to support VMA winners, but to promote his next movie.  Anybody who wears a T-shirt for their next movie should get banned from being a presenter in the future.
• Loved MTV’s production of Taylor Swift “You Belong with Me” in the NY subways.  Great visuals, fun, different.  I just wish the subway car would have run over Kanye West on the way to Radio City Music Hall. She is just a cutie.  Take away my Man Card; but, I can’t help but like her.  And, I think she’s genuinely nice – first hand knowledge since Taylor sent me flowers to deliver to Jessie James on the day Jessie’s CD came out a few weeks ago.   VIDEO BELOW
• Green Day rocked!  Security probably hated bringing all those people on stage, though. 
• Beyonce … WOW!  Seriously, I’m not a big Hip Hop fan; but she looked smoking and knows how to work a stage!
• When did Pink join the circus?  I’ll admit, visually nice performance; but, does anyone really believe she can sing perfectly while performing acrobatics?
• How many different masks DOES Lady Gaga own?
• And, now for the blatant exploitation of Michael Jackson’s death, it’s the trailer for This Is It rehearsal documentary.
• Best Female Video:  Taylor Swift “You Belong With Me”
• Best Rock Video:  Green Day “21 Guns”
• Best Pop Video:  Britney Spears “Womanizer”
• Best Choreography:  Lady Gaga
• Best Male Video:  T.I. (who couldn’t accept because … he’s in jail, which I guess gives him more credibility).
• Best New Artist:  Lady Gaga (should have also won strangest, and worst dressed)
• Video of the Year:  Beyonce “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (also definitely the classiest move of the night)

Did you see the Kanye West / Taylor Swift thing?

And here’s Beyonce bringing up Taylor Swift during her acceptance speech:

Here’s the opening tribute to Michael Jackson:

Lady Gaga’s “interesting” performance:

Taylor Swift goes underground to perform; but, I wish her subway hit Kanye West!

Beyonce’s stunning performance:

Chick-fil-a will give you a free (and might I add, delicious) Chick-fil-a Original Chicken Sandwich, on Labor Day only from 10:30am to close.  You must wear a sports team logo.  Website

Free small cup of flavored brewed Seattle’s Best Coffee from any Border’s through 9/7/09.  Print this coupon.

The first 500,000 Fans of the new T.G.I. Friday’s Facebook page receive a free Jack Daniels’ hamburger.  Click here.

Blue Bunny will give you a rebate for the purchase price on Aspen or Sedona frozen yogurt granola over Labor Day Weekend.  Click here for rebate form and information.

Print this coupon for $10-off any purchase of $20-or-more at Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill.

I make no guarantees about these free offers; but, they’ve all been passed along to me.  WZPL is in no way affiliated with the promotions.  If you have any problems, you should contact the business directly.

I can guarantee you great bargains if you check out Dave Decker’s Big Half Price Deals.  And, don’t forget about Rib America this weekend!

Mat Kearney is back on the Z99.5 airwaves with the first single off his latest CD, City of Black & White (Columbia), “Closer to Love.”  Mat’s national debut, “Nothing Left to Lose,” was one of our most played songs during 2006 and 2007.  This is his fourth single to reach Top 40 airplay charts.  Mat was born in Eugene, OR but now lives in Nashville, TN, where he recorded his latest CD at Blackbird Studios.  You can see Mat in concert at the Murat Egyptian Room on October 9.  He visited the Smiley Morning Show a few weeks ago to play “Closer to Love” acoustically; check out the video:

I meant to post this video a few days ago; but, lost track of time and forgot until I saw another story about it tonight.  You may have already seen, or at least heard about, this very effective public service announcement from Great Britain.  Although teens are the obvious target of the campaign, it will likely give pause to all of us next time we’re driving and hear our cell ring or chirp with a new incoming text message.

I love my Blackberry.  It’s my lifeline to work, friends, and time management.  It’s definitely been one of my favorite gadgets for years.  I’ve owned the 850, 957, 7250, 8700, 8800, Curve, Storm, and now the Tour … one of my drawers is like a museum to RIM past.  I’ve noticed my usage has transitioned from about 2,500-minutes and 500 text messages to about 1,000 minutes and 3,000 TXT/IM/Twitter messages every month, not to mention the 300+ emails I send/receive daily.  So, it’s inevitable that I would find myself on the phone or texts while driving.  However, I’ve now pledged not to text and drive while my son is riding with me and to limit any time on the phone.  I’m also using a Bluetooth headset, whether he’s in my truck or not.

You’ll probably make the same pledge after you watch this video.  Caution, it’s very graphic.  But, it’s something most of you parents should make your teenage children watch … send them a link.  As always, I welcome your comments on the story below.

Video was produced by Tredegar Comprehensive School and the Gwent Police Department.

Labor Day Weekend September 4 – 7, 2009
Friday, Sept. 4: 11:00am – 11:00pm
Saturday, Sept. 5: 11:00am – Midnight
Sunday, Sept. 6: 11:00am – 11:00pm
Monday, Sept 7: 11:00am – 8:00pm

Where:  Military Park/Downtown Indianapolis. Corner of New York & West Street

Parking: Parking is available at the Indianapolis Zoo, the lot across from Victory Field, in the underground garage in front of the Indiana State Museum and at parking meters located on Blackford Street convenient to the Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial. Additional parking can be found in the garage located at the corner of Maryland and West streets.

Website:  http://www.RibAmerica.com

General Admission & Ticket  Info
FREE GENERAL ADMISSION before 5p.m. on FRI & before 1p.m. on SAT, SUN & MON. After that it’s only $5 bucks for general admission. Children 12 & under are always free.

Comcast Reserved Seats – Limited Availability
There are a very limited number of seats for the Comcast Reserved section in front of the stage available. Tickets include admission into the festival, a reserved seat in front of the Budweiser Music Stage and access to a private restroom and cash bar. Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000 or via their website www.ticketmaster.com .

Food options:
There are 10 different BBQ cooking teams from around the country as well as corn on the cob, French fries, funnel cakes, ice cream, lemon shake ups and more! Alcoholic beverages available for purchase for guests 21 & Over with valid photo ID

Entertainment Schedule

Budweiser Music Stage: (ARTISTS & TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Friday, September 4:
5:00pm – Healing Sixes
6:30pm – Beatlemania Live!
9:00pm – Night Ranger

Saturday, September 5:
12:00pm – Borrow Tomorrow
1:30pm – The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
4:00pm – Cowboy Mouth
6:30pm – Loverboy
9:00pm – Billy Squier

Sunday, September 6:
12:00pm – Stereo Deluxe
1:30pm – The Elms
4:00pm – Black Stone Cherry
6:30pm – Candlebox
9:00pm – Puddle of Mudd

Monday, September 7:
12:00pm – Jennie Devoe
2:00pm – Hotel California (Salute to the Eagles)
4:00pm – The Fabulous Motown Revue
6:30pm – Morris Day & The Time

Sponsors
Rib America Festival is sponsored by Budweiser, Coca Cola, Comcast, Hoosier Park Racing and Casino, the Hilton Garden Inn, IUPUI & Key Bank.