the Rock Report

You know, everybody over the age of 18 needs a credit card these days. We’re a highly mobile society, and, with so many shops, stores and restaurants refusing to take checks anyway, it’s become the only sure way to shop.

But, for many Americans, the problem with getting a decent card lies with the interest rates. Often, they’re not exactly what they can afford — and that can knock them out of getting the Visa&#0174 or other card they’re wanting.
Sure, there are places out there that offer credit cards to those with low interest rates, but it takes forever to thumb through phone books, make call-after-call, fill out lengthy hard-copy (paper) applications and so on. It enough to frustrate anyone!

Fortunately, though, there’s a fantastic “one-stop shop” for those of us who “need the break” that low-interest cards bring. Credit Card Search Engine.com lists the best offers for you, along with their APR’s (annual percentage rates), fees (if applicable), balance transfers and whether you need good/average/poor credit! You can apply for all types of credit offers, whether you’re a college student just starting out, have poor credit, or want to go with pre-paid cards!

Another good thing about this site is that you can apply securely online. Nobody — hackers, phishers or anyone else– is going to know what you’re doing except you and the applying company! No can get into your transaction info! You can do it all safely!

Another facet is that these offers are from reliable issuers — not some “store-front” you’ve never heard of. For example, your offers will be from issuers like Bank of America, Citibank and top issuers of Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.

So what are you waiting for? All it takes is a click of the mouse to find the best Low Interest Credit Cards … and all in one, easy-to-use search engine!

Do it now, okay?

Let’s see … in about … ohhhh, I’d say 24 hours (from the time I typed this, anyway), we’ll be done with this year.
FINALLY! COMPLETELY!! ABSOLUTELY!! IRREVOCABLY!! FOREV… oh … ahem!(heh-heh!) … guess I sorta got, ummm, carried away there! Let’s move on …

One of my best memories of NYE occurred back in 1984. While I was still hammerin’ out the script to the Superock! rockumentary, I was pickin’ up some extra green doin’ the graveyard shift at the A&P on South Boulevard in Charlotte. Now, since it was New Years’ Eve, the boss let us take an hour-long break to see the ‘85 come in. At 11:30 PM, I took off for a nearby neighborhood with a… well, a “prop” I’d brought with me. A friend of mine lived there, and, each year, he brought out his .22 and shot into the air when the clock struck “twelve”.
This time, though, he was in for a … wellll, a little “surprise.”

11:50 PM — I parked the Furry Fury about a block from his house and nearly tip-toed to the position I planned: right, front, next to the corner of the house, away from the bedroom window. He always came out the back door, poised himself against the back corner, same position, and fired.

11:59:30 PM — I heard the back-door close and the shuffling as he went down the steps. This was it; I put my little “prop” into position. As soon as I heard the gun fire, I quickly leaned back and threw the prop over the roof, so it’d come down almost in front of him.

The prop? A rubber chicken! He screamed something with the initials “WTF?”, and ran around the side of the house where I was … with chicken in one hand, the .22 in the other, and a noticeable wet spot in the front of his pants!

I learned something that night. Never play a joke like that on a half-drunk dude with a .22 in his hands. Fortunately, he had a fairly decent sense of humor (I found that out after the “police” came into the store that New Year’s morning and “arrested” me. As they took me away in an unmarked car, I asked what it was all about. They took me to a gay club [I’m NOT gay, btw! Nothing against them; follow the story …] and deposited me on the front lot, where my friend was standing … with a camera!).

Aftermath: We got a kick outta those photos he took, although a few nights later, they were suddenly … er, “missing” … for some reason (no, he ain’t gonna get ‘em back, either!). He, on the other hand, no longer eats chicken.

Oh, well … Hey, listen — Part II of this will be coming up within the next twenty hours, so stay tuned …

Man, if there was ever a year to be proud of our rock-n-roll heritage, it was the ‘07!
We had a blast with many of “our” groups comin’ back outta the darkness of time and electrifying stages around America, England and Germany.

Natch, the big news was THE group gettin’ it together for a “one-off” at London’s 02 stadium. Led Zeppelin pulled off the biggest rock extravaganza in history … and it’s pleased millions of fans to know they ain’t done yet!

The PBS factory did a lot to get the Sixties soul, singers and sounds — from Britain to the Bahamas — into our living rooms so, once again, we could boogaloo (it was amazing to see how tight The Tremeloes are after all these years!).

The Kennedy Center was rockin’ with tribs to Diana Ross and, especially, Brian Wilson (Hootie and the Blowfish raised the roof with their cover-medley of I Get Around and California Girls). We found that even the rich muckamucks can shake their booty!

And what about the modern rockers? Groups like OK GO!, The Fratellis, Nickelback, Modest Mouse and others pay great homage to the rock-of-old by doing straight-up, rhythm-based, harmonically livewire tunes … and teen America is lovin’ it! No, we’re not goin’ “back in time” … we’re just seein’ acts grow as they realize where the real heart of rock-n-roll is beating!

Yeah, we lost a few along-the-way, the latest being the guy credited with the first R&R record, Ike Turner (the song, Rocket 88, was credded to Jackie Branston, but Ike wrote and performed on it!) That song was also the one that got McCartney into the loop years ago, btw. Fortunately, Sir Paul finally found shelter from the “Heather” weather and not only had another hit CD on his hands, but found a little friendly female companionship along with it.

Of course, we had our comic moment, courtesy Wayne (”Lady Justice”) Fontana. He showed up in court wearin’ a dress, a kitchen collander for a helmet, fake sword, pocketbook … after fire-bombing a bailiff’s car while the dude was still in it! Today, Fontana’s doin’ an 11-month stretch in the slammer … and receiving needed psych treatment during his stay.

Man, there’s soooooo much more to cover … and The Relic’s gonna be here, doin’ it for ya over the next coupla year-end specials (geez … now I sound like a friggin’ K-Mart!).

CONSIDER IT YOUR INVITATION

Of all the events we go through in this life, the most memorable are the “special” ones: birthdays (for that matter, births), holidays, weddings, bar/bas mitzvahs, first communions and the like. In business, it might be promotions or special commemorative celebrations. But the only way most people will know about them is by sending out announcements or invitations. And the folks at ThePartyStartsHere.com will provide you with the best of those thanks to their fantastic selection of announcements created by the best manufacturers in the nation!

But they do more than just sell cards … they’ll help you create that very special one with their Only Found Here team of experts (oh … and, with these, you get free rush delivery)! From standard invites to beautiful photocards and everything in-between, they’ve got it … and, if you’re a frequent customer of theirs (and, no doubt, you will be after you see your very first order!), you also get a wallet-pleasing discount!

Now, one of the most precious events is the baptism, christening or First Holy Communion of a child … and they have a special section just for those events! Believe me, when you receive your selection, you’ll be amazed at their beauty and impact … and they’ll be definite keepsakes for your son or daughter to cherish for years to come! Folks, this is one site you don’t wanna miss … especially if you’re looking for the most meaningful of cards!

For first communion invitations as well as countless other cards and ideas, remember to click that link … because “The Party Starts HERE!”

It’s one of the greatest investments you could ever make … and certainly the most sensible …
You see, for centuries, gold has been used as a sign of financial stability and status. It’s the only truly stable investment in this constantly-fluctuating economy. In other words, you can actually protect your purchasing power with this unique and historically-precious metal, no matter the state of economic affairs throughout the world!

Now, through a group called Monex Deposit Company (MDC), you can actually purchase gold, silver (or other precious metals and coins) and have your the transaction arranged for delivery or safe storage at a bank. If you’re not familiar with investing in precious metals, they’ll help you understand how it all works on your behalf. They’ll show you how to buy, the present market prices, and answer the questions you undoubtedly have. The staff at Monex is highly-trained and eager to help you make the best decision on investing, as well as protect your investment!

In other words, there’s no way you could go wrong with Monex!! With the power behind gold — and, now, with world demand higher than actual production, silver has become an excellent investment opportunity … one that Monex will help you with every step-of-the-way! So you can’t lose with these investments … and you’re certain to get the best prices, the best protection, and the best peace-of-mind about your investments! If you want to learn more (and you know you do!), just click on the link I’m about to give you and find out the latest gold price. Then, be sure to give them a call! You can speak to a Monex Account Representative by calling their toll-free number at 1-800-444-8317. They’ll walk you through it from there!

Believe me, you can’t make a better investment than in the gold or silver market … and you’ll really be thankful that you hooked up with Monex to handle it all for you!

Okay … you wanted something that you voted on? You got it — in the Hit Parade Hall of Fame. Based on the first 63,000 votes by John (or Jane) Q. Public, the first inductees include:

• Paul Anka (let’s face it — the dude knew how to write a classic … and, as he’ll tell ya, “I did it My Way!”)
• the Beatles (ummm … do I haveta give a reason??)
• the Beach Boys (bro,they put surfin’ on the map. Btw, props to Brian Wilson, one of the Kennedy Center honorees!)
• Ray Charles (what’d I say?)
• Chubby Checker (reckon Mr. Evans’ll complain about this one, too?)
• Bobby Darin (the first “pop” star that really rocked. If ya need proof, get his Swing Low, Sweet Chariot)
• Neil Diamond (the man’s a phenom, even today!)
• Fats Domino (the creator of piano-based rock!)
• the Four Seasons (these Jersey Boys deserve extra credit for outlasting disco and metal!)
• Aretha Franklin (no questions asked! All hail the Queen of soul!)
• Ricky Nelson (one of Rick’s happiest rockers was a “B” side called A Happy Guy!)
• Roy Orbison (definitive country/rocker)
• Neil Sedaka (no Bad Blood here!)
• Diana Ross & the Supremes (’specially with Flo and Mary. Diana was another Center honoree)
• and … oh, yeah: Elvis somebody (didn’t he have a coupla songs in the top 40 or somethin’?) …

Voting for the 2008 inductees — C’mon, Hope, put down that gun! I was just kiddin’ about Elvis! He’s still the King, and, yes, he’s definitely on the list! — will begin January 1 at http://www.hitparadehalloffame.org/. Other (non-rock) inductees include Tony Bennett (and this cat deserves it!), Pat Boone, Nat “King” Cole, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Teresa Brewer, Johnny Cash, Jimmy Clanton, Connie Francis, Brenda Lee, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra (no HoF should be without him!) and Patti Page.

So, congrats to the inductees — and the fans who voted for ‘em! Now, we’ll pick up here tomorrow at this time, so, until then, keep your eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, your heart with the music … and I’ll see ya on the flip side …

Y’know, while working a wrestling show in Kentucky recently, I watched a few of the guys doing some warm-ups in the weight room just above the arena and couldn’t =help comparing what they go through to the work-outs that many of our generation’s top male, solo rockers tackled.

Guys like Elvis, Tom Jones, PJ Proby — those whose gyrating, pulsating stage presence was necessary to pull in the fans — believed in exercising to keep themselves at “fighting weight” in those days. Even today, performers as diverse as Henry Rollins, Kevin Eubanks and Billy Ray Cyrus believe in a brisk workouts to stay at the top of their games.

I remember, years ago, my group shared billing with a group called Goody and The Two Shoes. These three guys had more energy onstage than any talent within 100 miles of Charlotte — and it was all because they had a little “routine” they went through just before hitting the stage: They ran around the venue (outside, natch!) four times at full-speed to get pumped!

Now, today, a steady exercise routine is definitely something you wanna adopt (especially with it bein’ almost New Year’s Eve — why not make it a resolution?). It’ll get your endorphins (the “feel-good” part of the brain chemistry) moving and add a serious boost to your confidence! But, along with that, why not add something that’ll help you take the pounds off sensibly — and naturally? It’s called hoodia — and it’s sweeping the world, thanks to its effectiveness! Created from a plant called Hoodia Gordonii that’s found in South Africa, it has a natural botanical ability to suppress your appetite and help you lose weight!

Now, as with any recommended weight-loss product, you’ll want to find out more about it and even compare brands. Of course, you can scour the web and hit as many search-engines as you want, but chances are you’ll find a lot of contradictory info that’ll only confuse you. The best place to find out more about hoodia — including brands, FAQs about the product, and even free samples — is through the Hoodia Consumer Review. Using this, you can make the choice that’ll be best for you! It’ll even give you a very useful “buying guide” that’ll not only give you facts and advice concerning the purchase of hoodia!

So, to find out more about the product — and to make a precise and knowledgeable selection — you’ll definitely wanna click on the site that has the best selection in hoodia. Not only will you get a good review of the product, but you’ll also see the various types, brands and costs so you can make the best selection.

With the Christmas turkey just digestin’ and loads of bodywork to do in order to lose those extra pounds, why not go there right now? Just click on the link I gave ya a minute ago, and be ready to find out what thousands of Americans have already discovered: This is the best and most-successful diet product you can have!

Geez … now, don’t tell me: Ya couldn’t wait, eight?? Ahhhh, well …

Tell ya what: Just dig the Day, the season, spend a lot of time with the family, and enjoy the warmth, the goods and all the stuff it’s the stuff it’s made of! And we’ll get back together tomorrow (the 26th), alright?

Thanks.

Hey … that thing’s supposed to be glittering! (sigh!) Ahhhh, well … just use your imagination …

A coupla weeks ago, a friend of mine (who’s more than a little skeptical about the season) asked how we came up with the 25th as Christmas, anyway. Well, the real deal came about 1,557 years ago in Rome, Italy (450 A.D. Sometimes the date varies, depending on whom you read), when Pope Julius I decreed that that particular calendar-day would be celebrated as Christmas Day. Then he asked how, of all things, we came up with the moniker of Santa Claus for the Kris Kringle character.
Actually, those two dudes are totally separate. The “Claus” name is a derivative of Saint Nicholas; if you say his name repetitively and quickly, you eventually end up with something that sounds like Santa Claus.

Awww, enough with the history lesson already! Let’s move on …

I’ve also been asked (as most of you have at one time or another) what my favorite Christmas song is. Or “was”. Or will be “was” in three days. Well, the Relic’s gonna sound a bit out-of-the-merry on this one, but I’ve gotta go with The Beatles’ “Christmas Time Is Here Again,” recorded in December ‘66 as a special season’s greeting for their fans. Later (after the Fab Four parted company), Ringo re-recorded the song on his own.

My fave movie repeat on TV, outside It’s A Wonderful Life, has gotta be the Gary Cooper/Barbara Stanwyck classic Meet John Doe. With a lot of similarities to ” … Life,” (the Jimmy Stewart classic came out five years later) it not only had a feel for the human condition but, more importantly, the storyline (powerful muckrakers vs. the common man) is also uncannily applicable to today’s social and political climate. A warm ending ala Capra, but with a powerful message throughout it all. This is one you’ve gotta see!

SPEAKING OF TELEVISION

The big thing in TV over the past few years has been the LCD flat-panel screens. These rascals give ya the clearest pics, and are more apt to fit in with your decor than the standard-screens. And, when you combine those with the popular HDTV (high-definition television) resolution, you’ve got a combination that … well, ya just can’t lose!
And the folks at Buy.com have the best selection of the smoothest, most modern flat-screen LCDs in the nation! From Toshiba&#8482 and Samsung&#8482 to Philips&#8482, Sharp&#8482 and more (okay, I’ll put away the &#8482 for now …), they’ve got what you need! In fact, you’ll be able to check for specifics like manufacturer, size — even price range — from the comfort of their home page!
And you’ll like their prices, too! It’s definitely a Relicommended “one-stop shop” for the best in televisions! So click on the link coming up and get your favorite LCD TV today! (Hey … what better way to enjoy the Bowl games comin’ up, right?)

Well, that’s it for this edition. Until next time, remember: Keep your eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, your heart with the music … and I’ll see ya on the flip side!

If you haven’t noticed, it’s gettin’ a little rough outside … and I’m not talking about the weather, either!
What I mean is that, according to local and national news reports, there are more home intrusions now than ever before. And it’s not just due to the Christmas season; that crime can happen anywhere, anytime, and for any reason … to anybody!

Awhile back, I had the opportunity to test-drive a specific “home-defense” product. It’s a doorstop-alarm from the folks at AAA Safety First — and, brother, was it ever the item I needed! Y’see, a few months ago, my back door was forced open by a perp while I was away. Fortunately, my dogs scared him off before he did any damage. When my alarm arrived in the mail, I immediately thought about that situation and, since I had to get to a client shortly after receiving the product, put it to good use on the now-repaired door (naturally, after setting it up, I headed out the front to get to work). Upon my return, I’d forgotten it was there and, as usual, tried to get back in through the back door — just to be met by some serious resistance and hellaciously loud noise! That’s when I remembered and headed around the house to re-enter, pull the doorstop-alarm out, and calm some very frazzled canine ears!

Of course, AAA Safety First has more than just door-stop alarms! They carry a vast array of defense products and weapons … and all at “wallet-safe” prices! They carry items like pepper spray, stun guns, tasers, self defense alarms, self defense videos, and (this is important!) self defense for women. The bottom line is that they not only provide security, but peace-of-mind as well.

But they do more than just offer you their product. They also have self and home-protection tips they’ll gladly send you by email (in fact, they’ll send you two free reports on stun guns and pepper sprays — and all for just for signing up)! You’ll find the best prices, products and protection pointers are at AAA Safety First. So why not get some of that peace-of-mind now, and avoid becoming a potential statistic somewhere down the road? Just click on the following link, which will present you with the most effective self defense products anywhere?

Trust me … you’ll be more than glad you did!

I would imagine that, after surfing the web a zillion times and seeing some dynamic merchandising sites, you’re probably thinking, “Well, heck … I wanna get in on that myself!“ You’ve got a line of products you’d like to sell (maybe cosmetics, health care, vitamins, etc.), but you want to get it in front of the millions of travelers on this “information superhighway.”
Of course, if you’re going to do that, it’s logical to get some great credit card support, since your customers will be paying for your goods with one! And the best and most reputable place to get that is Ashop Commerce!

You see, Ashop provides shopping cart software throughout the world! Here’s how a “shopping cart” works: You’ve got a great site with some fantastic bargains. The customer “shops” and picks what he (or she) wants. Then they include it in their cart and proceed to the “checkout”. It’s like an internet-version of what you do when you go shopping at your local retailer!
Now, with their software, you can make your site professional-looking … and you’ll have the most dedicated, best-trained support staff helping you through it every step-of-the-way (though it’s really simple to build, it’s good to know you’ve got someone who’ll answer any questions you may have!

You’ll also get a free ten-day “test-drive” of their service, help with getting listed with the major search engines (and that’s important if you want to really get noticed!) and the affordability that will make even the tightest wallet breathe with relief! So, if you’re planning on going into business over the web, you’ll definitely want to make friends with the folks who bring you the best in shopping cart software … Ashop! Go back and click that link you just passed now and enjoy some deserved success with your new, online business!