DigitalRodeo.com Country News

Bombshell Creative To Take Nashville By Storm

DigitalRodeo.com — 2/9/2010 11:00:00 AM

Today at 11:00 AM

The beauty and glory of the All-American Pin-Up -- from the flirty to the sultry -- captured at the perfect angle and memorialized in a variety of custom designed gifts. With over 15 years of professional photography and design experience, Ashley Segroves and Pamela Esposito are taking Nashville by storm with the grand opening of “Bombshell Creative” on February 11, 2010. The doors will be thrown open from 6:00-9:00 PM, at 208 3rd Avenue North, 2nd Floor, for a women’s-only soiree that will include snacks, drinks, a photo set for impromptu photos, and lots of give-a-ways.

Bombshell Creative is a boutique photography studio. Their mission is to provide women the ultimate fine art expression, and to produce incomparable results as they capture the beauty and personality of their clients. Whether clients are interested in being a supermodel for a day, striking a vintage pin-up style pose, capturing elements of Hollywood glamour, or conceiving a totally outrageous theme, Bombshell Creative is focused on making every picture a piece of art. Each session includes a wardrobe consultation, art direction, make-up, and light hair styling.

“Every detail of the studio has been thoughtfully designed.” said Ms. Segroves. “Add to that seeing Pam’s abilities for personal styling, art direction, and killer graphic design on the finished products, and it was an easy decision to partner our services.”

“Ashley’s keen eye and sensitivity to her clients’ needs puts people at ease immediately – even in revealing clothing -- and seems to draw out every woman’s inner bombshell. Her ability to be flexible and open in the studio leads to simply amazing images.”, said Ms. Esposito.

Bringing their combined talents to Davidson County, Ashley Segroves and Pam Esposito have each been recognized as “tops” in their respective fields. Voted best Nashville photographer seven years running by Nashville Parent Magazine, Ms. Segroves' other special focuses are the photography of children, family, and couples, including capturing the awe of tiny newborns and their parents. In addition, Pamela Esposito’s award-winning design work is often featured in trend-making design magazines such as Communication Arts. With the mutual goal of expanding their respective businesses into a niche unfilled in the Nashville market, the decision to share a space was formalized in mid-November 2009.

Bombshell Creative’s rates are customized to meet their clients’ styles and tastes, ranging from an individual session to an extensive all-day group photo shoot for eight to ten participants. To make an appointment with Bombshell Creative, or for additional information, please call 615.228.8801.

Source: Digital Rodeo

Reba McEntire Begins Prepping and Primping for the ACMs

DigitalRodeo.com — 2/9/2010 10:00:00 AM

Today at 10:00 AM

Reba McEntire returns as the host of this year's Academy of Country Music Awards, and she is already planning her costume changes for the big show.

Not only does the hostess with the mostess have to sound good, but she has to look good, as well. "It takes a lot off hard work and preparation to be ready for a successful hosting job!" she says. So, the first thing Reba will do is prepare the outfits she'll wear during the three hour show. "[My stylist] Terry Gordon and I work together on designing my looks for the evening, which wind up to be five outfits we design," Reba reports. "I will probably only wear four, but that gives us a little wiggle room."

The next step in ACM preparation is the script. "I have wonderfully talented writers who invent witty things for me to say," explains Reba, who boasts a lot of laughs in her years hosting. "Just like with my music, where would I be without the songwriters? Where would I be without my script writers?"

She will also most likely need to ad-lib or cut her time during the show, if someone's acceptance speech runs short or long or other timing issues come into play. "To make it a smooth running show, I have to listen to the directors and stretch when we're running ahead of schedule and make my intro's short and sweet when we're running behind."

The 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcast live Sunday, April 18 on CBS.

Source: Donna Hughes THEBOOT.com

Michael Jackson doctor charged in singer's death

DigitalRodeo.com — 2/8/2010 10:00:00 PM

2/8/2010 10:00 PM

Michael Jackson's doctor was charged Monday with involuntary manslaughter, capping an exhaustive investigation into the pop star's stunning death last summer and setting up the prospect of another sensational celebrity courtroom drama.

Dr. Conrad Murray, a cardiologist who was with Jackson when he died June 25 at his rented Los Angeles mansion, is accused of acting "unlawfully and without malice" in bringing about Jackson's death, according to a complaint filed by prosecutors.

The complaint said Murray acted "without the caution and circumspection required" when he administered a powerful sedative to Jackson in an effort to help him sleep. If convicted, Murray faces as much as four years in prison.

Soon after the charge was filed, Jackson's mother and father, his brother Jermaine Jackson, and other family members arrived in a fleet of Cadillac Escalades at the courthouse adjacent to Los Angeles International Airport, where hundreds of reporters and Jackson fans were gathered outside.

"Looking for justice," was all Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, had to say as he walked past a crowd of reporters and into the courthouse.

The charge was expected, and Murray's attorney, Ed Chernoff, said his client planned to surrender to authorities later Monday.

"We'll make bail, we'll plead not guilty and we'll fight like hell," Chernoff said before the charge was filed.

Jackson, 50, hired Murray to be his personal physician as he prepared for a strenuous series of comeback concerts in London. Officials say the singer died after Murray administered the powerful general anesthetic propofol and two other sedatives to get the chronic insomniac to sleep.

Known as "milk of amnesia," propofol is only supposed to be administered by an anesthesia professional in a medical setting because it depresses breathing and heart rate while lowering blood pressure.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists warned in 2004 that a doctor using propofol should have education and training to manage anesthesia complications, be physically present throughout sedation and monitor patients "without interruption" for signs of trouble. Rescue equipment "must be immediately available," it said.

Los Angeles investigators were methodical in building a case against Murray, wary of repeating missteps that have plagued some other high-profile celebrity cases, most notably O.J. Simpson and actor Robert Blake, both of whom were acquitted of murder.

After reviewing toxicology findings, the coroner ruled Jackson's death a homicide caused by acute intoxication of propofol, with other sedatives a contributing factor.

Murray appears to have obtained the drug legally and its use is not in itself a crime. To show the doctor was negligent in his care, detectives spoke to more than 10 medical experts to see if his behavior fell outside the bounds of reasonable medical practice.

According to court documents, Murray told police he administered propofol just before 11 a.m. then stepped out of the room to go to the bathroom.

There is some dispute about what happened next. According to court filings, Murray told police that upon his return from the bathroom, he saw Jackson was not breathing and began trying to revive him.

But an ambulance was not called until 12:21 p.m. and Murray spent much of the intervening time making non-emergency cell phone calls, police say. The nature of the calls, which lasted 47 minutes, is not known.

Murray's lawyer has said investigators got confused about what Murray had told them, and that the doctor found his patient unresponsive around noon.

The investigation included several agencies, including the Los Angeles Police Department, the district attorney's office and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

A large number of witnesses has been interviewed by police, including those who were present during Jackson's last days, those who worked with him in preparation for his series of comeback concerts, "This Is It," and members of his personal entourage, including his security guard and personal assistant.

Murray, who has a practice in Houston, became Jackson's physician in May. An executive of concert promoter AEG Live has said Jackson insisted Murray be hired to accompany him to London.

The concerts sold out in anticipation of Jackson's return as the "King of Pop" after years of odd behavior, trial and acquittal on molestation charges and self-imposed isolation that overshadowed a lifetime in music that reached superstardom with the 1982 album "Thriller" and such hits as "Beat It" and "Billie Jean."

At the time of his death, Jackson was in relatively good health and had no illegal drugs in his system, according to the autopsy report obtained by The Associated Press. Jackson had a strong heart and his kidneys and most other major organs were normal, according to the autopsy.

Jackson's most serious problem was a chronic inflammation of the lungs that reduced capacity and may have left him short of breath. But the autopsy said it would not have been a direct or contributing cause of death.

Legal experts said the autopsy findings bolstered the case for prosecution and would block a potential defense that Jackson hid serious conditions that increased risk of death from drugs he willingly took.

Source: Linda Deustch Yahoo! News

Sugarland Gearing Up for 'Incredible' Tour

DigitalRodeo.com — 2/8/2010 9:00:00 PM

2/8/2010 9:00 PM

Sugarland are gearing up to hit the road in 2010 on their very first headlining tour. The 2009 CMA and ACM Vocal Duo of the Year have dubbed their trek the Incredible Machine Tour, with the first stop in Primm, Nev., on April 23, followed by stops in 55 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada.

"This tour is a thrill for me," lead singer Jennifer Nettles enthuses. "It will reflect our latest writing and surprises to come for the new record, the hits that our fans love, along with the production value that people have come to trust and expect from our live shows."

Famous for her exuberant style of performing onstage, Jennifer warns with her signature megawatt smile, "Don't come if you expect to sit on your ass the whole show! You won't be able to. It's a whole new rhythmic, emotional, visual, fun, incredible experience machine!"

Sugarland's latest studio album, 'Love On the Inside,' is certified multi-platinum. Their fourth album is due to drop this summer.

Source: Marianne Horner THEBOOT.com

DR Exclusive Interview: Jenna Zablocki

DigitalRodeo.com — 2/8/2010 8:00:00 PM

2/8/2010 8:00 PM

According to her bio, Jenna Zablocki began a love affair with music around the age of 5 when she started plunking out "little ditties" on her grandmother's piano. For the next eleven years she studied classical composers, played for friends, family, competitions, recitals, choirs, and for pure enjoyment.

Never before dreaming of actually recording her own album, she took a leap of faith and ventured into a whole new world of music. Those years of training in different genres and the love for all things musical, developed into a blend of something all its own. Accompanied by Jenna's flair for interpretation and expression, her voice has been described as 'ethereal', 'light', 'refreshing', and 'unique'. When asked to compare it to a female singer out in the masses already, no one has been able to come up with one. You'll know why the moment you listen for yourself. Her debut country/pop/rock album will be hitting the airwaves this summer and promises to be a real pleasure!

Jenna and I visited about a little bit of everything and had a very enjoyable conversation about her music career.

B: Jenna, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule, I am excited to get to know you better. Let’s start with the current project what can you tell me about it?

J: The album is coming out at the end of the month or early February. I don’t have an exact date yet. The single “Don’t Underestimate My Heart” has been playing on the radio and Internet airwaves and is doing really well. I started playing some shows in L.A. have a date opening up for Pink, we are planning tours. I am living it!

B: How long have you in the music business?

J: I started first recording about eight years ago, but did not finish a CD. I started singing at about age 11, but it wasn’t until I moved out here that I thought about a career in the music industry.

B: When you were 11 years old, where were you singing?

J: Choirs mostly. My focus then was musicals. I toured doing music theater and Off-Broadway. I went to school for it and thought it was always what I wanted to do. When I moved out to Los Angeles I met producers that heard my voice and they suggested thinking about recording. I never had before because, it had always been musicals or opera; because that is what I grew up doing, but we tried it out with a few songs and that was the start of it!

B: You mentioned you are the opening act for Pink, who else have you gone on tour with or opened for?

J: I haven’t yet! This is the beginning.

B: What have been the hardest and scariest things for you up to this point?

J: The fear that it is not going to happen. I always believed that it would and mom always believed that this is what I was meant to do. My family has always supported me, and my manager fought to the death for me but there is always that fear in the back of my head asking “what if it doesn’t happen? What will I do then?”

B: On the opposite extreme, what has been the most exciting part of it?

J: What we have going on now. I am actually able to get out and perform the songs. Anytime I would see someone performing on a stage I would think to myself “That should be me! I should be doing that!” I knew I had it in me. Now that I am actually doing it, I am proving the people who did not believe in me wrong.

B: Let’s talk a little about your fan base and their reaction? Do you find there is a favorite or one song over another that touches them?

J: People at the shows have really liked many of the songs that are on the album; which was what I hoped from the beginning. Every song that is on the album I picked myself for one reason or another, but I also hoped that they would reach the general population like they touched me, and it is doing that. Realizing that makes me very happy. One person will say “I love that song Powerful Stuff”, one band members favorite song is this one, and someone else has another one. That is exactly what I hope for.

B: Did you write all of the songs on this project?

J: No on this project I only wrote one of them. B: Do you prefer to sing things that you have written or are you just as content singing someone else’s songs?

J: I can go wither way. I am happy to have my songs on my album, but I know I am not the best songwriter out there. There are people in Nashville that do it for a living and they have been doing it for years; I trust their songwriting skills.

B: Is writing something you want to elaborate more on?

J: Of course.

B: Where are you originally from?

J: Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia and then I spent some time in New York.

B: What are your ties to Nashville? Is it just for the music?

J: I have a cousin in Nashville, but aside from that my producer is Tom Harding who is from there. I spent time there to record the album. All of my songs came out of Nashville and all of the musicians on the album are out of Nashville as well.

B: Are you going on tour with Pink or are you just doing one show?

J: I am just opening for her for one show.

B: Do you have other shows booked to open for other people or are you still doing the independent one person shows trying to get your name out there. How are you promoting it?

J: Both. My manager is doing most of it. I tell him I do not like to know anything until it is set in stone. I do not like to hear “you are probably...” or “you are possibly”. I prefer to not know until it is done. Things change a lot.

B: What do you enjoy the most about performing live?

J: When people sing along to the songs. The album has not been out there that long, but the songs are catchy. People will come up to me days later and say “That song is still in my head!” I love watching people sing along to the songs, and they are smiling and clapping.

B: I assume you are using all of the social networks; Facebook, Twitter etc

J: I do not Tweet, but I do have a Facebook Fan page and Myspace.

B: Is the CD going to be available in stores or digital?

J: Both. I don’t believe it is on CD Baby yet, but it is on iTunes, Rhapsody and Amazon.

B: Have you done anything out of the box as a promotional idea?

J: I have not, however I have people who are working on that. I can not do it all myself. It takes an entire team to get it all out there.

B: Is there a song on the project that is your personal favorite?

J: The one closest to my heart is called “Daddy’s Little Girl”, but it is not necessarily my favorite. I don’t know that I have a favorite on there.

B: What genre do you classify yourself?

J: Country/Pop/ with a little rock

B: Now that you are connected with Nashville, are you planning on a presence at CMA Fest this year or Country Radio Seminar since your music has a country audience?

J: I would love to do Country Radio Seminar I don’t think it s going to happen. I am sure they would love to get me to CMA Fest but they have not mentioned anything yet.

B: Is there anything you would like to add or get out the readers and your fans?

J: I just really hope they like it! I titled the album Powerful Stuff, not just because of the song, but because I believe that each song on there is powerful in its own way. There is a song on the album about getting out of an abusive relationship and finding the strength to move on. There is another song called “Can’t Afford to Fall Apart” about a single mother who’s broke and trying to raise two kids; who has to keep a smile on her face. I hope that those songs will give strength to someone when they hear them. I hope my music speaks to people. A lot of the songs have a deep rooted meaning.

B: I am very excited to get to know you better and when you are back in Nashville I will make it a point to come out and see you!

J: Thank you Bev, I have enjoyed this as well and thank you so much for taking time to do this. I look forward to seeing you.

For more information on Jenna Zablocki visit www.myspace.com/jennazablocki

Source: Digital Rodeo's Bev Moser

Starbucks employee claims he was fired because of his tattoos

DigitalRodeo.com — 2/8/2010 7:00:00 PM

2/8/2010 7:00 PM

Starbucks employee fired for tattoosHe'd worked in the Starbucks in Sherman, Texas -- an hour due north of Dallas -- for seven years, and shift-manager Benjamin Amos wouldn't have been blamed for thinking that his tattoos were a non-issue. It hadn't just been the cultural mainstreaming of tattoos in the past decade; the popularity of the A&E television series Inked in 2005 and 2006 was just one indication; but he was hired with the tattoos firmly in place and he says he'd worked, covering them per dress code, for so many years.

Last February, however, it suddenly became a problem and, say filings with the United States District Court Eastern District of Texas, and the store manager told him the regional and district managers didn't like the tattoos. When he refused to resign, according to Amos, she fired him -- later phoning him to apologize for the poor handling of his termination.

Amos, a year later, is suing Starbucks, insisting that the store, regional and district managers violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. His case rests on the female employees in the store who have tattoos yet still kept their jobs. He's seeking damages for mental anguish, attorney's fees, costs of court, prejudgment and post-judgment interest and punitive damages.

It's certainly the case that male tattoos are typically considered to be more threatening and aggressive than female tattoos -- which are considered more decorative and, if that's your sort of thing, sensual. On the face (and not having seen any of these employees' tattoos) this case looks like a textbook example of gender discrimination. If tattoos are verboten (and if they are, Starbucks is going to have to let go a rather large percentage of its work force -- right?) for men, they should be for women also; otherwise it's a case-by-case judgment call and the potential for misuse (and other sorts of illegal discrimination) is enormous.

It's an interesting case, and worth watching, especially for other victims of tattoo layoffs. In a tight job market, it's a shame to have to resort to giving your employees extreme scrutiny to weed out those who've made choices that millions of baristas before them probably have, too. And I'd hate to think photos like this would be fireable offenses, wouldn't you?

Source: Sarah Gilbert WALLETPOP.com

Rascal Flatts Help Fans Get In The Valentine's Day Mood With"14 Love Songs For The 14th” Digital Release

DigitalRodeo.com — 2/8/2010 6:00:00 PM

2/8/2010 6:00 PM

Rascal Flatts are helping their fans get in the Valentine’s Day mood with their digital exclusive offering, 14 Love Songs For The 14th. Available starting February 9 at all digital music outlets, Rascal Flatts' 14 Love Songs For The 14th offers up fourteen of the band’s most romantic love songs, from the tender ballad “Bless The Broken Road,” to the passionate “I Melt,” to album cut gems including “Secret Smile” and “Cool Thing.”

TRACK LISTING
1. This Everyday Love
2. While You Loved Me
3. Love You Out Loud
4. One Good Love
5. I Melt
6. Like I Am
7. Where You Are
8. Bless The Broken Road
9. Cool Thing
10. The Day Before You
11. My Wish
12. Take Me There
13. Secret Smile
14. Unstoppable

ABOUT RASCAL FLATTS: Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney are kicking off 2010 with a bang as they mark not only the beginning of a new decade but also celebrate ten years of making great music together, becoming one of the hottest touring acts and the top-selling country act released in the new millennium. The band has delivered 11 #1 singles to the top of the charts and has more titles in Billboard’s Top 100 Songs of the Decade than any other group in the format. Over ten years the band has sold more than 20 million albums and 25 million digital downloads while all six of their studio albums made Billboard’s Top 100 Country Albums of the Decade listing. As the most awarded country group of the new millenium Rascal Flatts has brought home nearly 40 trophies from the Academy of Country Music, American Music Awards, Country Music Association, People’s Choice Awards and more. In concert, Rascal Flatts continues to be one of the hottest touring acts of the decade with more venue attendance records than any other country act. They have played 400 dates as a headline act, 700 total since 2000, with a ticket tally of nearly 6 million. These shows include 3 consecutive sold-out performances at Madison Square Garden and the band also became the first and only country music act to sell out Wrigley Field. Gary, Jay and Joe Don have traveled to visit U.S. troops in Iraq on a USO Tour and partnered with the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee to raise over 3 million dollars in the past few years. Visit www.rascalflatts10.com to learn more about a decade of Rascal Flatts.

ABOUT LYRIC STREET RECORDS: Lyric Street Records is a part of the Disney Music Group. The Disney Music Group is the recorded music and music publishing arm of the Walt Disney Studios.

Source: Digital Rodeo

Starpacked Haiti Charity Single Video Released

DigitalRodeo.com — 2/8/2010 5:00:00 PM

2/8/2010 5:00 PM

A host of British and international popstars -- from rock veterans like Rod Stewart to pop wannabes like recent 'X-Factor' winner Joe McElderry -- have filmed video appearances for the new, Simon Cowell-organized charity single 'Everybody Hurts', a cover of the R.E.M. classic.

Using the classic, 'Do They Know Its Christmas' formula -- tear-jerking documentary footage cut with headphone-clad, studio-bound stars -- the clip features Stewart, Leona Lewis, Cheryl Cole, Mika, Michael Buble, McEldery, James Blunt, Take That's Gary Barlow and Mark Owen, James Morrison, X-Factor alumni Alexandra Burke, Susan Boyle and Aston Merrygold and Marvin Hume of JLS, Westlife's Shane Filan and Mark Feehily, and Robbie Williams.

Continuing with the charity single archetype, the studio shots were filmed at Sarm Studios in London's Notting Hill, the same venue used by the Band Aid singers back in 1984.

Also contributing to the cover of R.E.M.'s 'Automatic for the People'-era smash, but not appearing in the clip, are international superstars Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Jon Bon Jovi and Kylie Minogue. Proceeds from the tune will benefit two charities organising relief for Haiti in the wake of January's devastating earthquake. Stipe and company are waving royalties on their tune, while the government are foregoing VAT on the single, which was released on Sunday.

While we're not sure that the 'Everybody Hurt''s 'cheer up, it might never happen' motif is entirely appropriate for the stricken people of Haiti, hats off to Simon Cowell for using his hitmaking prowess, and celebrity-packed Rolodex, for good.

Source: Matt Glazebrook Spinner.com

Another Major Snowstorm to Hit Eastern US

DigitalRodeo.com — 2/8/2010 4:00:00 PM

2/8/2010 4:00 PM

While residents in the Mid-Atlantic region have yet to completely dig themselves out from the record-breaking snowstorm of last Friday into Saturday (nicknamed "Snowmageddon"), another major snowstorm will pound the East Coast of the United States from Tuesday through Wednesday of this week.

The most intense snowfall will be centered farther to the north than the last storm -- heavy snow is possible in New York City -- but the storm's effects will overlap the region pounded by Snowmageddon.

Although the new storm will not produce the widespread 20-inch-plus snowfall amounts that the previous storm did, it has the potential to become a dangerous storm.

A combination of heavy snow and strong wind is likely in eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York City, Long Island, and perhaps southern New England from Tuesday night through Wednesday as the storm intensifies along the Eastern Seaboard.

More than a foot of wind-blown snow might accumulate, likely snarling transit. As with the recent storm farther to the south, power outages will be possible.

If the storm intensifies a little sooner than Tuesday night, then heavy snow and wind will start a little earlier. In that scenario, heavy snow would extend southward into Delaware and northern Maryland, including Baltimore. The remainder of the Mid-Atlantic region, including Washington, D.C., would most likely be spared the worst of the storm. This region would have some accumulating snow or a mixture of snow, ice, and rain, perhaps causing difficult travel and airport delays, but it would not be a crippling storm. The additional precipitation, though, would delay the process of cleaning up from the last storm.

There is a significant part of the region, however, where this will be the second major storm in less than a week. The map at right, which shows snow depth as of Sunday morning, gives an indication of the areas that were hit hardest by the weekend storm. The dark blue shades indicate areas with over 20 inches of snow on the ground.

Unless the storm is slow to strengthen along the Eastern Seaboard, which would delay the onset of heavy snow, southeastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, and southern New Jersey, including Atlantic City, will most likely be in the area hit by both storms. With back-to-back major snow storms, this region will have the most difficult time resuming normal activities after the storm ends, and the double dose of storms is certain to make this a February for the record books.

It's important to note that this approaching storm has had a history of creating weather problems across the entire country. Serious mudslides occurred in Southern California on Saturday when the storm moved inland from the Pacific, and heavy snow spread through the mountains of the Southwest and into the Plains on Sunday. Significant snow will continue to streak eastward across the Plains and Midwest today, and all of this has occurred (or will occur) before it becomes another major East Coast storm.

Source: Paul Yeager AOL News

Does the Government Have Your Baby's DNA?

DigitalRodeo.com — 2/8/2010 3:00:00 PM

2/8/2010 3:00 PM

Imagine giving birth to a baby, only to find out that a sample of his or her DNA was taken without your permission. Immediately you begin to think about possible scenarios – is the government keeping your child’s personal data on file for future use? Could outside companies buy your baby’s DNA for research purposes? Might you wake up one day to find out that little Emily or Jacob has been cloned?

Unfortunately, this is not the stuff of science fiction. And while there haven’t been any reported cases of cloning, in many states a baby’s DNA could be taken unbeknownst to the parents. It’s exactly what happened to Annie Brown from Mankato, Minnesota, CNN reported. When her daughter, Isabel, was one month old she was told by the pediatrician that her baby girl carried a gene that put her at risk for cystic fibrosis. And although Annie and her husband were relieved to find out that their daughter did not have the disease, they couldn’t help but wonder – how had the hospital gotten Isabel’s DNA in the first place?

According to Brad Therrell, director of the National Newborn Screening & Genetics Resource Center, “Blood specimens are taken at birth to screen for certain inherited congenital conditions that may cause severe consequences, including death, if not detected and treated early. The conditions are usually asymptomatic early and may go undetected without these tests.”

Most parents are unaware of the fact that newborns in the United States are routinely checked for a slew of genetic diseases. Because the testing is mandated by the government, that means parents get no say-so in the matter. What’s more, in states such as Florida, where Isabel was born, the DNA is stored indefinitely.

“The specimen cards are stored after screening so that reconfirmation of screening results is possible if questions arise and to help develop better screening methods. Different states have different laws and policies regarding specimen storage and use,” says Therrell.

Genetic screening has been used to detect conditions such as mental retardation and the technology has saved the lives of countless newborns. But why are so many states saving this information, in essence, keeping an indisputable biological file on your child? The state of Minnesota says that they store DNA for identification purposes in case a child goes missing.

Art Caplan, a bioethicist at the University of Pennsylvania supports taking DNA from every newborn, though he does have some reservations.

“There has never been a case where anyone has gotten in trouble because the state kept their DNA that I know of. But there is no real excuse for not removing identifying information from stored DNA and I favor doing that. Most research can be done with (anonymous) samples.”

Therrell says not to worry.

“Newborn screening has been in place since the early 1960s and I am aware of no reported misuses of specimens or data related to newborn screening or to the storage of specimens or their related data. Parents should have confidence that their baby's specimens and data are carefully protected by state newborn screening programs, which are always associated with state health department oversight.”

Nevertheless, parents like Annie Brown have filed law suits, many of them worried that a positive gene test goes on their child’s permanent record.

Source: Ronnie Koenig AOL Health

Wynonna and Naomi Judd to Reunite for 2010 Tour

DigitalRodeo.com — 2/8/2010 2:00:00 PM

2/8/2010 2:00 PM

When the Judds performed together for tens of thousands of fans at last summer’s CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Naomi Judd seemed emotionally overcome by the moment.

It’s been more than 18 years since she retired from touring to battle potentially fatal hepatitis C, and the near-tears expression she displayed as she exchanged glances with people in the crowd suggested she misses the connection. That’s likely a big reason why the Judds are teaming up for a tour this year, though important details such as dates and cities have yet to be unveiled.

Wynonna announced the reunion on Saturday’s edition of CBS-TV’s “The Early Show.”

“It’s take-your-mother-to-work year,” she said.

Wynonna and Naomi have re-teamed numerous times through the years, though rarely for an extended tour. They did a joint concert in Phoenix on Dec. 31, 1999, to usher in the new millennium, and followed that appearance with a series of dates in the spring and summer. There’ve been numerous one-time reunions since then, including their Grand Ole Opry debut in 2004, groundbreaking for a Martin Luther King monument in the nation’s capital in 2006, an Atlantic City casino date in 2007 and a show at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival in Southern California in 2008.

The mother-daughter act gave its first arena concert in 1984, opening for the Statler Brothers, and they reached No. 1 on the country chart for the first time that same year with “Mama He’s Crazy.” They won Vocal Duo awards every year thereafter until Naomi’s retirement. Wynonna continued with a solo career, and the tour with her mom won’t change that.

“I look out in that front row and those fans that are here, they love me, I love them,” Wy said. “We have a 25-year relationship now.”

The reunion tour is likely to be a major concert event this year — for country fans, for Wynonna and for Naomi, who’s pining to get back out there.

“I know,” Wynonna quipped, “she’s planning her wardrobe right now.”

Source: Tom Roland GACtv.com