TV ALERT: LIVE & LOUD FRIDAYS

Show: Live & Loud Fridays

Premiere Date: Friday, July 17, at 9PM
Channel: VH1


VH1 has teamed up with LiveNation.com to present Live & Loud Fridays for the next few weeks. Each half-hour program will take an inside look at one of the biggest tours currently making music all across America and will feature live performances, behind-the-scenes snippets and artist interviews (conducted by Michele Merkin). Viewers will also be presented with information about each tour—such as how to purchase tickets for upcoming shows.

The schedule of featured bands for VH1 And LiveNation.com Present Live & Loud Fridays is as follows:
July 17: Def Leppard & Poison
July 24: Nickelback
July 31: The Fray
Aug. 7: Creed

Check out the series' website by clicking here.

NewsBLITZ: CREED REUNITES!

After months (years!) of speculation, Creed's original lineup is reuniting for a new album and tour.

The Florida-based band—Scott Stapp, Mark Tremonti, Scott Phillips and Brian Marshall—has sold close to 35 million albums worldwide since their debut in 1997 and was the first act to have seven consecutive number one rock radio singles.

"We're all very excited to reconnect with our fans and each other after six long years," says guitarist Tremonti.

Drummer Phillips adds: "Our career as Creed came to a very abrupt and unforeseen ending. After reflecting on some of the greatest personal and professional moments of our lives, we've come to realize that we are still very capable of continuing that career and our friendship on a grander scale than ever before."

Bassist Marshall continues: "This is a development we are all happy about. It has been a long time since the four of us have taken the stage together and, without hesitation or reservation, this is something all of us are in to. The anticipation to get back out there is electrifying."

"It's amazing how life can change and bring you full circle," states singer Stapp. "Time gave us all a chance to reflect, grow and gain a deeper appreciation of our friendships, artistic chemistry, passion for music, and sincere love for our fans! It's rare in life to get a second chance to make a first impression and we embrace the opportunity. We all believe the best is yet to come!"

People.com is reporting that the new record Creed is working on is tentatively titled Full Circle. One of the songs Stapp already penned is "Milan Song," written about his 2-year-old daughter. "She's my twin soul, my light," Stapp says. "I do whatever she wants."

Creed reunion tour dates are as follows:
Aug. 6: Pittsburgh, PA
Aug. 8: Darien Lakes, NY
Aug. 9: Hershey, PA
Aug. 11: Saratoga Springs, NY
Aug. 13: Philadelphia, PA
Aug. 15: Wantagh, NY
Aug. 16: Holmdel, NJ
Aug. 18: Boston, MA
Aug. 20: Hartford, CT
Aug. 21: Washington, DC
Aug. 22: Virginia Beach, VA
Aug. 25: Detroit, MI
Aug. 26: Cleveland, OH
Aug. 28: Cincinnati, OH
Aug. 29: Indianapolis, IN
Aug. 30: Chicago, IL
Sept. 1: Milwaukee, WI
Sept. 2: Columbus, OH
Sept. 4: Raleigh, NC
Sept. 5: Charlotte, NC
Sept. 11: Atlanta, GA
Sept. 12: Birmingham, AL
Sept. 15: Orlando, FL
Sept. 16: West Palm Beach, FL
Sept. 18: Lafayette, LA
Sept. 19: New Orleans, LA
Sept. 20: Bossier City, LA
Sept. 22: Dallas, TX
Sept. 24: San Antonio, TX
Sept. 25: Houston, TX
Sept. 27: Las Vegas, NV
Sept. 29: Glendale, AZ
Sept. 30: Irvine, CA
Oct. 2: Salt Lake City, UT
Oct. 3: Denver, CO
Oct. 6: Minneapolis, MN
Oct. 7: Omaha, NE
Oct. 9: Tulsa, OK
Oct. 10: Kansas City, MO
Oct. 13: St. Louis, MO
Oct. 14: Nashville, TN

For more information on Creed, click here.

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS SCOTT STAPP?

Over the weekend, I was flipping through the channels on the old boob tube and came across the Spherion Orlando Citrus Parade. Yes, there were floats entirely made of oranges and other citrusy things. I was captivated.


Then along came a car with a family of four cheerfully waving to the crowd of onlookers. The father, who had a buzzcut, was kinda cute. I figured he was some sports-related person (since these types of parades usually precede football games). Then, I paid more attention.


In that car was Mr. Creed himself, Scott Stapp.




I didn’t know what to make of it. Was it a good thing or a bad thing that this former rock God was now appearing in a family, sunny-day parade? (And say what you want about Creed, but I always liked Scott and the band). Anyway, here’s what I came up with:


IN DEFENSE OF SCOTT APPEARING IN THE PARADE
1. Scott was in the car with his wife, Jacklyn, the reigning Mrs. Florida America. Pageant winners are always in parades. Scott was there in loving support of his wife.
2. Florida native Scott sang the National Anthem before the parade. Singing the National Anthem is usually a cool gig (although I’m not certain if it qualifies as 100% cool if its before a parade and not some sold-out sporting event). Since he was already there, why not take part in the parade?
3. Scott & Jacklyn’s kids were riding with them. Kids love parades, so being in one would take them “Higher.”
4. It made people aware that Scott Stapp is still around. (Although I’m sure none of his fans or anyone who would actually want to know this were watching.)


IN OPPOSITION OF SCOTT APPEARING IN THE PARADE:
1. WTF!?! Rockstars—even if “former” should appear before that word—should not be in parades. Fans don’t want you to appear “With Arms Wide Open” at family-friendly events that their grandparents might be watching. We want you dark and brooding and to only come out for naughty, nighttime parties.
2. Scott, your career has been going downhill since you split up Creed. Shouldn’t you be working on new music and/or other ways to revitalize your career instead of wasting time at a fruity parade?
3. Couldn’t the parade organizers find a more appropriate person to represent Florida and their delicious citruses? How about some fresh-faced teen or twentysomething?
4. It made people aware that Scott Stapp is still around. (Did anyone watching care?)


So, four pros and four cons. Hmm... I'm still “Torn.”