File this under the category of Just When You Thought Things Couldn’t Get More Depressing For Boise State …
A new song from Grammy-nominated singer-rapper Drake perpetuates the myth that the Broncos somehow gain the unfair power of invisibility because of their blue uniforms and turf.
The reference comes from underrated rapper Andre 3000 of Outkast fame, who moonlights on a track called “The Real Her” on Drake’s new album “Take Care.”
It’s a cool song, and Andre pretty much owns it. He easily outperforms its other guest, Lil’ Wayne, delivering clever wordplay such as:
Now the both of us are colorblind/’Cause the other side looks greener/Which leaves your turf in the Boise state/Can’t see a play or the team.
At least people are still talking about the Broncos, right?
• RADIO CHANGES: When Cumulus Media entered the Treasure Valley radio market in September, a few DJs probably started to notice a cloud forming overhead.
Cumulus is second only to Clear Channel Communications in number of stations owned in the United States. So when Cumulus finalized its purchase of Citadel Broadcasting — which operated half a dozen stations in the Valley — there was a good chance the forecast might call for pain.
Like Clear Channel, which axed dozens of DJs nationwide last month, Cumulus isn’t afraid to let the ax fall. That has translated into layoffs nationally and locally.
Listeners may have noticed changes at country station KQFC 97.9 FM and classic rocker The Eagle 96.9 FM. For example, KQFC’s morning show of “Cory and Debi” is now just Cory.
Rumors are circulating. One has Cumulus pulling the plug on KQFC’s country format.
If a format flip did happen? An educated guess would be that KQFC might begin simulcasting AM news-talk station KBOI 670. KTIK 1350 AM and 93.1 FM — now part of the Cumulus arsenal — started doing that early in 2011.
Interested in more details about the new on-air schedules at KQFC and The Eagle? See my blog.
• SONS OF ANARCHY: Fans of FX’s popular outlaw biker series “Sons of Anarchy” — a truly addictive male soap opera — have reason to chain-whip each other in ecstasy: “Songs of Anarchy: Music from Sons of Anarchy Seasons 1-4,” will be released by Columbia Records on Nov. 29.
The soundtrack includes 15 songs recorded specifically for the series, including two by Boise singer Curtis Stigers (credited as Curtis Stigers and the Forest Rangers).
Stigers delivers the show’s bluesy theme, “This Life” — which was nominated for an Emmy — as well as a soulful version of the traditional song “John the Revelator.”
Both songs have been available on iTunes, but this is the first time they’ve been released on CD.
• GUTTER BALL: Big Al’s, a two-story, 66,000-square-foot entertainment center that plans to open next year at Eagle Road and Fairview Avenue, has to be hatin’ the new Pinz Bowling Center.
Pinz is celebrating its grand opening at Wahooz Family Fun Zone off the Meridian exit of Interstate 84. It’s a 27,000-square-foot bowling operation with 24 lanes, including eight in a private, cocktail-friendly lounge.
Big Al’s has indicated it is planning 42 lanes.
Um, how much bowling can Meridian sustain?
• ASCAP FOLLOW-UP: Although I was unable to reach ASCAP’s senior vice president for licensing in time for last week’s Scene column, I eventually spoke to him. He cleared the air, and I wrote a detailed explanation Nov. 11 on my blog.
Days later, TableRock Brewpub — which had pulled the plug on live music because of confusion about ASCAP — welcomed local singers-songwriters back on stage.
That’s excellent news. Armed with facts, more local venues might be encouraged to feature live, original music.
• FREE TICKETS: Bombastic headbangers Trans-Siberian Orchestra will bring holiday whammy-bar calisthenics to Taco Bell Arena on Nov. 23. I’m giving away two pairs of tickets Nov. 18 — one through an email contest, the other on Twitter.
You know the drill: Visit the blog.
Michael Deeds talks entertainment Thursdays on Channel 6 News and at 12:35 p.m. Fridays on NewsRadio 99.1 FM. He co-hosts “The Other Studio” from 9 to 10 p.m. Sundays on 94.9 FM The River.
