May 22, 2013 6:39 am

She Did It!

Way to go Country Music! Kellie Pickler and her partner Derek Hough won Dancing With The Stars live on ABC TV last night. After doing a quick jive dance and being asked to do an encore of their dance from Monday night, the couple took home the top prize. When Kellie's name was announced at the end of the show she seemed not to hear it and Hough had to tell her to which she jumped and looked rather shocked. With her grandpa Ken ? who talked her into doing the show - in the crowd, Pickler was hoisted onto another dancer's shoulders as they whole crew celebrated. 

May 21, 2013 6:26 am

Oklahoma Devastation

Natural disasters, like tornadoes scare the hell out of me. They are so powerful, unpredictable and quick.  Those in it's path rarely have but a few minutes to react and find a safe place to hide, if they're lucky.

It always seems even more devastating when it's kids that comprise the biggest fatality numbers too.  I mean no disrespect to those adults who also perished, but the innocence of children's lives being snatched away just breaks my heart.  The question, "Why?" always seems to run through one's mind after something like this happens.  There is obviously no answer for that question and that's what makes it even more heart-wrenching.  Reading reports of children clinging to walls during the tornado or being sucked into the air was enough to create a huge deluge of tears streaming down my face.  I'm sick for the parents who are left to pick up the pieces and try to put their lives back together in the aftermath.

It's times like this that we all want to reach out and help--somehow.  And it's not always practical to just pick up and go down and volunteer.  Donating funds is always a good way to provide the much needed aid.  The American Red Cross is always on the scene to assist with natural disasters and they are a wonderful organization to receive your donations.

I also came across another great group that is quite unique in the face of disasters like this: Team Rubicon.  They unite the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams.  They are also on the front lines down in Oklahoma today.

If donating to help is just not feasible--I'm quite certain that prayers for those who are suffering are quite acceptable too.  Take a moment and count your blessings today.  Life can change in the blink of an eye.  Don't take anything for granted.

May 20, 2013 7:00 am

I Didn't Win Either...

But did we REALLY expect to win?  I enjoy the hopeful feeling of winning as I gaze at my numbers leading up to the drawing.  I LOVE fantasizing about what I would do with the money.  I think that's actually the best part about Powerball.  It gets us thinking what we would do with an obscene amount of money.

In addition to paying off my mortgage, my sibling's mortgages and helping some other family members out financially, I'd make a huge donation to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.  But I'd also explore some quirky things...

Like a monster Lego playhouse for all of my nieces and nephews and my husband's grandkids to play in when they come to visit.  It would have to be at least three stories tall and have those awesome window shutters on it.  And giant lego people with the goofy round hole hands.

I'd also want to have a roller coaster at my house.  I realize that would require a lot of permits and more land to lay it out, but hey--if I won almost $600-million--permits and land would not be an issue.  I'd love to start every morning with a roller coaster run.  And of course, the neighborhood kids could also ride for free.

I wouldn't mind owning bunch of race cars and a kick arse team to maintain them.  Then I could help some up-and-coming drivers and even some older ones who have tremendous talent, and help them gain recognition to rise to the top of the racing world.  I've heard that race car owners who don't race can be really crazy people.  I would embrace that.

What would you do with your millions if you won?  Drop us an email!

May 16, 2013 7:54 am

Messin' With Mickey!

This is the saddest thing ever to happen at the Happiest Place on Earth. According to an expose in the New York Post, some wealthy families are hiring handicapped people to pose as relatives and accompany their children through Disney theme parks- so they can enjoy line-skipping privileges! Disney parks allow wheelchair-bound guests- along with up to six companions- to bypass long lines and use more convenient entrances. Anyone with the money to burn can get a legitimate fast pass through the park?s official VIP tour service which lets them jump the lines ($310-$380 per hour). But in-the-know moms say the ?black market? handicapped guides are a better deal at $130 per hour or $1,040 per day. It?s a sad world after all. What do you think of rich families hiring handicapped people to help their kids skip the lines at Disney? Should the park crack down on this practice? Click here to read more!

May 14, 2013 6:06 am

O.J. Then....And Now!

Wow! Did you see the "before and after" pics of O.J. Simpson? Sure, we all age, but what a difference when you look at his pictures side-by-side. A plumper, grayer O.J. Simpson appeared in a Las Vegas courtroom yesterday, in a bid to get his 2008 armed robbery conviction overturned. The 65-year-old is currently serving 9 to 33 years after a jury found him guilty of leading a sports memorabilia heist in a Vegas hotel room. Simpson claims his legal representation mishandled the case and is seeking to have his conviction thrown out. Simpson is arguing that his ex-lawyer, Yale Galanter, gave him bad advice. Simpson claims he seized sports memorabilia that belonged to him because Galanter told him it would be legal to do so. Simpson was famously acquitted of the murders of his wife and her friend in 1995. Remember the famous quote form the trial, "If the glove doesn't fit, you have to acquit"? These days it's, "If the pants don't fit, the prison gym you'd better hit!"

May 14, 2013 5:45 am

Meet Baby Magnus!

Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland recently revealed the first picture of her five-month-old son, Magnus Hamilton. Nettles and her husband, Justin Miller, welcomed Baby Magnus late last year and the singer took to her blog on Mother's Day to share not only the picture, but a very special message as well. Jennifer began the message by saying, "On December 6, 2012 my life was forever changed. I had a baby! Magnus Hamilton Miller was born healthy, hungry and with way more hair than I was expecting after seeing baby pictures of both me and my husband. Needless to say, especially to those of you who have children, the rhythm of my life is way different than the movement and pace before baby. In short, this baby is the boss of me." In her message, Nettles also talked about her new life as a mother and how much she has learned about herself. She talked about getting great advice from family and friends as well as being a sleep deprived mother. Jennifer concluded the message by thanking her fans for their support and well wishes. She said, "I have appreciated all of your supportive messages and tweets as I have been giving myself the space to enjoy this most sacred, precious time. However, I am also bursting at the seams with pride! And so, it gives me great pleasure to say to you - Meet Magnus." The entire message and photo can be viewed at www.jennifernettles.com/news.html?n_id=127.

May 13, 2013 6:35 am

Welcome To Whiskey Row!

Dierks Bentley will open a bar in his hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona this summer. The bar will be called Whiskey Row and the grand opening is set for July 4. Bentley has teamed up with owners of Riot Hospitality Group and operators of El Hefe Super Macho Taqueria for the venue that is described as a throwback 1920's style saloon with a modern country vibe. Dierks says, "Opening a bar in my hometown is something I've always wanted to do. These guys have spent a lot of time and put a lot of thought into really cool details that will make it the perfect place to watch a game or listen to music or just get a few drinks with friends. I'm looking forward to helping break it in." The bar's drink menu will offer 40 different types of whiskey and all food items will be made from scratch in house, using only organic meats and locally farmed produce. Whiskey Row will also feature a 360-degree stage and giant 24 foot TV. USB and iPhone charging stations will also be available at the bar. Each booth will feature three different beer taps as well as the first liquor tap of its kind in Arizona. The hi-tech taps will give patrons the ability to pour their own beer and shots right at the table. Click here to take a look at the bar's website!

May 8, 2013 6:18 am

"No Fat Chicks," says Abercrombie & Fitch CEO

If you believe that it pays to treat others as you would like to be treated and you strive to be a "good person," you might want to reconsider allowing your child to wear clothing from and ultimately supporting the company Abercrombie & Fitch.  

CEO Mike Jeffries says that his company deliberately does not carry XL or XXL sizes for women.  The largest pant size they carry is a 10 for women.  Why?  Because Jeffries says that he doesn't want overweight women wearing his clothing.  His core customers should never see fat people wearing their clothing, nor should they be subjected to seeing fat people perusing the racks at his store.  Jeffries only wants to surround his product with "beautiful, thin people."

In a 2006 interview with Salon, Jeffries was asked a rather pointed question about the tone of his advertising as one that sells sex to kids or is borderline homoerotic at times and he got incredibly defensive.  "I think that what we represent is sexually healthy.  It's playful.  It's not dark.  It's not degrading!  And it's not gay, and it's not straight, it's not black and it's not white.  It's not about any labels."

Except that it is.  Jeffries went on to candidly discuss the mentality behind his marketing, "In every school, there are the cool kids and the not-so-cool kids.  We go after the cool kids."  And backed that comment up saying that the not-so-cool kids do not belong in his clothing.

Yeah, no labels there.

Now while my first instinct is to hunt this guy down and get creative with a nail gun, I decided to step back for a minute and think about it.  Then I googled up an image of this Mike Jeffries.

I'm going to go out on a limb and venture a guess that Mr. Jeffries was not one of the "cool kids" growing up and he's making up for it by profiting off of said "cool kids" these days.  And then in effect, alienating the group that he likely was once a poster child for:  the "not-so-cool kids."  Unfortunate that Mr. Jeffries decided to not use his experience and know-how to make a better statement to prevent such labels, instead of perpetuating them.

The marketer in me understands his mentality, but the human in me is repulsed by it.  But then, I guess that's advertising at it's grittiest.  Either way, there is NO way I will ever look at the Abercrombie & Fitch nameplate the same.  And there's no way I would EVER allow anyone I care about wear the clothes without sharing the back story on the brand with them.

I'm a chubby gal, so it would be impossible for me to ever be able to buy his clothing, so a boycott would be fruitless from my standpoint.  Instead, I choose to spread the word.  Knowledge is real power.  A good hearted person will always shine brighter and longer than a good body on a person.  Most of the kids sporting the A&F brand will eventually learn that lesson as they age.  Ah yes, aging is the cruel equalizer, isn't it?

I learned the lesson about not judging a book by it's cover a long time ago.  It's one that would serve today's youth well and even Mr. Jeffries too.  What do you think?  Drop us an email.

May 2, 2013 6:42 am

Saying Goodbye To The Possum

The funeral for George Jones will take place at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville starting at 10 AM CT today. The service will be open to the public and doors will open at 9 AM. The funeral service will also be broadcast live on the national television networks CMT, GAC, RFD, and FamilyNet. The service for the legendary singer will include music from Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Alan Jackson, Ronnie Milsap, Kid Rock, The Oak Ridge Boys, Brad Paisley, Randy Travis, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker and Wynonna. Former First Lady Laura Bush, Kenny Chesney, Barbara Mandrell, Grand Ole Opry VP&GM Pete Fisher, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, and CBS News' Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer will all make special remarks.

May 1, 2013 7:19 am

Kenny Gives To Boston Victims

We love it when country stars step forward to help out a great cause! Kenny Chesney has established the "Spread the Love Fund" to help victims of the Boston Marathon bombings get the help they need. The fund will work with Boston Medical Center to help pay for prosthetics as well as the ongoing care and physical therapy the victims will require. Additionally, all proceeds from the download sales of Chesney's song, "Spread The Love," will go to the fund. The song was co-written and recorded with The Wailers and appears on Kenny's new album, Life on a Rock, which was released yesterday. Chesney says, "It's hard to imagine a world where taking your children to school, going to the movies or witnessing something as iconic as the Boston Marathon is a dangerous thing to do. For me, I want to help give these people as much of their lives back as possible, but I'd also like to counteract some of the negativity in the world . . . Remind people that there are more good people out there, and it?s up to us to 'Spread the Love.'"

Apr. 25, 2013 6:00 am

If You Grew Up In Rural Wisconsn...

We saw this out on Facebook yesterday and thought we'd post it here for you to enjoy. And it applies to Minnesota folks as well as Wisconsin-ites!

If You Grew Up In Rural Wisconsin .......

*You know how to polka, but never tried it sober.
*You know what knee-high by the Fourth of July means.
*You know it is traditional for the bride and groom to go bar hopping between the church & reception.
*You know the difference between "Green" and "Red" farm machinery, and would fight with your friends on the playground over which was better!
*You buy Christmas presents at Fleet & Farm.
*You spent more on beer and liquor than you did on food at your wedding.
*You hear someone use the word "oof-dah" and you don't break into uncontrollable laughter.
*You or someone you know was a "Dairy Princess" at the county fair.
*You know that "combine" is a noun.
*You let your older siblings talk you into putting your tongue on a steelpost in the middle of winter.
*You think Lutheran and Catholic are THE major religions.
*You know that "creek" rhymes with "pick".
*Football schedules, hunting season and harvest are all taken into consideration before wedding dates are set.
*A Friday night date is getting a six-pack and taking your girlfriend shining for deer and then out for Friday night fish.
*Saturday you go to your local bowling alley.
*There was at least one, if not several, in your class who had to help milk cows in the morning.
*You have driven your car on the lake.
*You can make sense of "upnort," "bat-tree" and "warrssh."
*Every wedding dance you have ever been to has the hokey pokey and the chicken dance.
*Your definition of a small town is one that only has one bar.
*The local gas station sells live bait.
*At least twice a year some part of your home doubles as a meat processing plant.
*You think that the start of deer season or (the Packers going to the Super Bowl) is a national holiday!

Apr. 23, 2013 5:51 am

Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion Caught on Tape

Wow!  Derrick Hurtt and his daughter stopped to videotape the fire at the fertilizer plant down in Texas last Wednesday and actually caught the massive explosion on the tape.  It is astounding to watch and heartbreaking to hear his daughter's fear in the aftermath.  They are incredibly lucky that they weren't seriously injured.

Speaking to the Today Show, Mr. Hurtt said, "There was probably double-diget people standing in front of me, videoing that were closer than I was and after the blast, they were no where to be seen."

He added that the force of the blast lifted his truck off the ground and sent him on top of his daughter.  He said, "Things just kind of went black for a moment.  He and his daughter's inner ears were a little sore, but their full hearing has returned.

This incident was overshadowed by the turmoil and tragedy out in Boston last week, but it was just as horrific, with 14 killed and about 200 injured from the blast.  Our hearts go out to the families impacted by this tragedy.

And it serves as a lesson for those who want to "capture" things like this on tape: Use caution and put safety FIRST.

Apr. 11, 2013 6:00 am

Is Black Eyeliner Over? Taylor Swift Goes Au Natural

Taylor Swift made her fan's eyes pop on Tuesday when she appeared on the April issue of Wonderland magazine without her signature black eyeliner (gasp!). The singer, 20, who channeled Alice in Wonderland's Queen of Hearts in a red Christian Dior dress for the cover, told The Daily Makeover in 2010 that liquid eyeliner is the one beauty tool she can't live without. She confessed that she once resorted to extreme measures to obtain her smokey-eyed look. ?I was on a plane to Japan about two years ago and I had no makeup with me, so I went into the bathroom and I used a Sharpie to line my eyes. From that point on I started using liquid liner because I realized it was obviously pretty easy for me to do! I definitely don?t recommend drawing on your eyes with a Sharpie though,? she said. Fans were pleasantly surprised when Swift who rarely, if ever, has appeared on the red carpet or in magazines without smoldering eyes, opted for a more fresh-faced look. "Your eyes are perfect. OMG," tweeted one adoring fan. "I love your real eyes," wrote another. Is black eyeliner over? If the most recent New York Fashion Week is any indication, the answer is, maybe. Models at Donna Karan walked the runway with only a smudge of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, which created a shadowy effect, but mostly laid off the eyeliner and mascara. Makeup artists at Theyskens' Theory emphasized clean and fresh sculpted faces by passing on eye paint, applying peach-toned concealer and not much else.

Apr. 10, 2013 5:52 am

Wedding Wishes Over Afghanistan

What an awesome brother.  He couldn't make it home for his brother's wedding, so he sent a video greeting to him that was filmed in the skies over Afghanistan.  I particularly like the barrel-roll at the end!

Apr. 3, 2013 6:00 am

He Wants Spend How Much?

So, ladies, the man in your life wants to go to the Super Bowl, and you look at the budget and say. "I love ya, honey, but no freakin' way!". Well, guess what? The Super Bowl, or the World Series, or the NCAA Final Four are not the most expensive tickets in the sports world: It's the Masters. Yes, that Masters, the golf tournament! The Masters is the expensive ticket in all of sports, according to a report by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, topping out at $4,486 if you want to see all four days of tournament action. Just a one-day pass can run anywhere from $1,215 to $1,786 depending on the day and even a practice round during Masters week can cost you up to $1,118 (as the AJC points out, that's as much as a four day pass to the PGA Championship).      By comparison a ticket to the Super Bowl costs just $1,210, so if you want the hottest ticket in all of sports, you better be prepared for a trip the Masters.     The good news about how expensive it is to hit up the Masters is that once you're inside the ropes, and past the Augusta gate, your wallet lightens tremendously (as long as you avoid the merchandise tent, which you won't do). Beers cost just $3 (and you get to keep the cup, which has the Masters logo and the year on it).      But geez, almost $4500.oo to walk around a golf course? Of course, if you get the chance to see Tiger Woods sink a clutch 30-footer, maybe it would be worth it. Or you could make him a deal: Split the money with him, get him his own ritzty country club membership, and go shoe shopping with your half!

Apr. 1, 2013 10:55 am

We've Kick'd It Into Gear!

Did ya hear? We're now KICKS 106.3! Yep. New attitude, amped up country music, and tons more fun! Don't forget to head over to our new Facebook page for a chance to win Country Jam tickets! Just follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/kicks1063?ref=hl. Thanks for listening to the All New KICKS 106.3!

Mar. 22, 2013 5:30 am

Axe Body Spray Axed From High School

Boy this really stinks! A Bethlehem, PA teenager whose allergic reaction to Axe Body Spray prompted officials at his high school to ask students to stop using the fragrance is now being taught at home. Freedom High School in Bethlehem this week asked students to stop using Axe as a cologne or fragrance due to a student's allergic reaction. "The purpose of this posting is to make all parents, staff and students aware of a medical issue involving a Freedom High School student having an extreme allergy to Axe Body Spray. This allergy is potentially life threatening for this student," read a statement on the school's website. "My request to all Freedom Family members is that we take into consideration this student's allergy to Axe Body Spray and refrain from using it as your cologne or fragrance of choice while attending Freedom High School."

      On Wednesday, Rosa Silk said the student who suffered the reaction was her son, 15-year-old Brandon Silk. The family says his throat closed up three times after breathing in the smell, and he had to be rushed to the hospital. "I started feeling like my throat close up and then hives breaking out on my arm," the freshman said. A nurse reportedly had to use an EpiPen on him before he was transported to the hospital for the latest incident. The station added he's been treated for this allergy since 2011, and is taking several kinds of steroids for treatment. For now, he's being taught at home to reduce his exposure.

      Unilever, which makes Axe, says it is looking into the report. The company says in a statement that the safety and well-being of users "is always our first priority" and consumers with concerns should call the toll-free number on the back of the package. Allergies to fragrances can cause sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, headaches, inability to concentrate, dizziness, breathing difficulties, wheezing, and skin reactions such as itching, hives, and rashes, according to WebMD. So do your kids use Axe? Do they use too much of it? Any ?reactions? to it like this story? Do kids in general use too much body spray or perfume?

Mar. 15, 2013 5:52 am

You Gotta Be Kidding!

There are technical problems aboard yet another Carnival Cruise ship! The Tampa-based Carnival Legend is having trouble with its propulsion system and will have to skip today's stop in Grand Cayman. The ship is expected to arrive on schedule Sunday morning in Florida but plans for Sunday afternoon's sailing are still unclear. Passengers are being given partial credits and discounts on future cruises. The Legend's sister ship, the Carnival Dream, is stuck in St. Maarten with an electrical problem. The cruise line is flying most of those passengers back to Orlando. Carnival said passengers on the sailing "will receive a refund equivalent to three days of the voyage and 50% off a future cruise." Those on the March 16 cruise, which will probably be cancelled, get a full refund and 25% off a future seven-day cruise. Non-refundable transportation will be reimbursed.

Mar. 14, 2013 7:10 am

Oh, No! Not Again!

Here we go again! Passengers aboard the "Carnival Dream" reportedly say their Caribbean cruise is turning into a nightmare.  CNN reports calls from passengers who say the ship is beset with power outages and overflowing toilets.  The ship is docked on St. Maarten, in the eastern Caribbean and passengers say they aren't being allowed to go ashore.  Last month another Carnival ship lost power after an engine room fire and drifted in the Gulf of Mexico before being towed to Mobile, Alabama. Would incidents like this make you think twice before taking a cruise?

Feb. 27, 2013 6:04 am

Wynonna, Kellie Pickler Confirmed For "Dancing With The Stars" 

Wynonna Judd and Kellie Pickler are among the eleven new cast members for "Dancing With the Stars." The country singers' participation was confirmed yesterday on ABC's "Good Morning America."

Wynonna says this wasn't the first time she'd been invited to take part in the show, and jokes that since she's finally agreed she's hoping to shed a few pounds in the process. Wy adds that competing on "Dancing With the Stars" is something she's doing for herself after spending the past several months caring for husband Cactus Moser, who lost part of his leg in a motorcycle accident last August. She also admits the show is taking her out of her "comfort zone" and she's "scared to death," but says 2013 is "the year of doing things you're scared of."

Pickler, meanwhile, is the first former "American Idol" finalist to appear on "Dancing." She says she's hoping her days as a rollerskating waitress will help her out, and adds that she's "used to falling down." Both Kellie and Wy's professional dance partners have country connections. Kellie is working with Julianne Hough's brother, Derek Hough. Wy has been paired with Tony Dovolani, who danced with Sara Evans during her time on the show in season three. The competition begins for Kellie and Wy next month. The season 16 premiere of "Dancing With the Stars" will air on ABC on March 18th.