RANDOM RICK-NESS

Not trying to be esoteric, but the philosopher Nietzsche said ‘without music, life would be a mistake’.

Here’s a Christmas gift suggestion for the music lover.

If, like me, the music lover on your list appreciates not only classic rock music, but the entire art form that is…music. Tonight on "Carson Daly" one of his guests is photographer Andrew Zuckerman promoting his new book, "Music". It includes photographs and interviews with 50 world-class musicians and features Ozzy Osbourne on the cover --To really do the "Music" book justice, check out this trailer . . . Click HERE

MORNING MUSINGS

Morning Show Musings for Thursday, December 9th

Today, the day after what would have been Jim Morrison's 67th birthday, could be the day that Florida Governor Charlie Crist gets a pardon for the singer. The New York Times reports that Florida's chief financial officer said yesterday that she was leaning toward a posthumous pardon for the former "Doors" frontman. Morrison was convicted in 1970 for profanity and indecent exposure by a Florida court. The convictions were made in connection with an incident at a Doors concert at Miami's Dinner Key Auditorium in March of '69. Some concertgoers claimed they saw Morrison expose himself.

In an NBC News interview at the time, Morrison explained his views on nudity and art, saying, quote, "I think that nudity is really a cyclical phenomena. I think it comes, it gets very liberal and extreme, and it goes back, reacts the other way..." Reporter: "In other words, you feel the same liberalism performed in the theatre - in acting - should also be generated in music." Morrison: "Well, in the realm of art and theatre, I do think that there should be complete freedom for the artists and the performer. I'm not personally convinced that, uh, nudity is always a necessary part of, y'know, a play or a film, but the artist should be free to use it." Click HERE

Here's the first-person account of photographer David E. LeVine, who attended the 1969 Miami concert, photographed Morrison that night and was even called to testify in the trial. I have no idea about LeVine's credibility, so I'll let you judge for yourself.

**Warning. LeVine's description of these events involves some 'colorful' language, so don't go here if you don't want to "expose" yourself to that: Click HERE

Okay, this is weird. This day in 1974, John Lennon visited the "Monday Night Football" booth and talked sports with Frank Gifford and Howard Cosell. Then six years later, it was Cosell who announced Lennon's death that fateful Monday night.

Recently a "Rolling Stone" writer rediscovered some tapes of a nine-hour interview he conducted with Lennon on December 5th, 1980. A few excerpts were published three days after Lennon's death, but most of it was never transcribed and was forgotten until now.

The interview, which is believed to be the last on Lennon ever gave, will be in the new issue of "Rolling Stone" that hits newsstands tomorrow. It will be accompanied by a personal essay from Yoko Ono who shares details of her final days with John.

In the interview, Lennon touched on the subject of death several times. He addressed the fans and critics who were frustrated with him for his five-year hiatus from music in the late '70s, saying, quote, "What they want is dead heroes, like Sid Vicious and James Dean. I'm not interested in being a dead [effing] hero."

Lennon also spoke of the possibility for a Beatles reunions saying, "We just might do it. But there will be no smoke bombs, no lipstick, no flashing lights. There's plenty of time, right? Plenty of time."

**Warning! This article teasing the special Lennon issue contains the F-bomb, so don't click HERE if you don't want to see that word:

It's been all about the QBs this football season!

It's Bradford v. Brees this weekend! Uncle Ricky is hoping that the "Sports Illustrated" curse remains. (Athletes who get the cover of "SI" seem to have bad luck afterwards, and Brees was recently their cover-boy.) He doesn't want anything terrible to happen, no injuries or anything, just a coupla interceptions or something.

HERE'S an article that demonstrates what kind of class acts these two men are:

The Vikings' coach says he's not ruling out Brett Favre for Sunday's game against the Giants, after the 41-year-old suffered a shoulder sprain on the opening series last Sunday and did not return. Favre has started a record 297 straight games to date.

We are a forgiving people... Eagles QB Michael Vick is #1 in Pro Bowl voting, just one and a half years after being released from prison on dog-fighting charges. Vick said, quote, "I think it's just a credit to everything I've tried to accomplish on and off the field, just working as hard as I can to change things around, be a part of the solution and not the problem. I changed my life, and it just goes to show anybody can do it." Vick began the season as a backup, but has since led the Eagles to first place in the NFC East.

Peyton Manning is in second place in Pro Bowl voting, 39 thousand votes behind Vick. Click HERE

If you can't share the remote, get another TV!!!!! A lovely lady named Deloris Holley was arrested on Monday night for stabbing her spouse seven times. The argument reportedly began when Holley's husband refused to change the channel from ESPN's "Monday Night Football" to TNT's "The Closer." St. Petersburg police say Holley became just a little upset, so she went to the kitchen, grabbed a knife, and she struck her husband in the face, head, and shoulder, eventually puncturing his lunch. The best part? These two have only been married for five months!!!!!! We think she got so upset not because she couldn't watch Kyra Sedgwick on TNT but because she was forced to watch that crummy Jets-Patriots game. Click HERE

Is your dog a star, waiting to be discovered? The Humane Society of Missouri and PurinaONE® dog food are searching for the next Official Bark in the Park Mascot! If you think your furry friend is paws down the best dog on the block, submit a photo of you and your dog and a 300 words or less testimonial to the Bark in the Park website at www.hsmo.org/bark. Tell the Humane Society why your dog is special and how he/she has helped your family through a “ruff” spot or overcome a great obstacle.

All entrants should be spayed or neutered. They should have good manners with people and with other dogs. They should enjoy walking on a leash and should be comfortable and calm in new situations.

Three finalists will be selected and featured on the Bark in the Park website. The public will vote online for the Official 2010 Bark in the Park Mascot. Five runner-up candidates also will be featured on the website and will take their place of honor in the Mascot’s entourage at Bark in the Park on May 21, 2011.

The deadline for entries is this Friday, December 10, 2010 at 5 p.m.

For more information about the Bark in the Park 2011 Mascot Contest or to register online for Bark in the Park, visit www.hsmo/bark. For questions about the mascot contest, call the Humane Society of Missouri at (314) 951-1506.

Doesn't a trip to a warmer climate sound nice right now? You can be one of the first to get an exclusive look at the brand-new trailer for Walt Disney Pictures “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” in 3D on December 13, at AMC Downtown Disney Theatre 12 in Anaheim, California, as part of an exclusive “Pirates Fans First!” event. “Fans First!” winners will also have the chance on that day to be the first to experience the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction that started it all.

Enter to win a vacation for four to the event by “Liking” Yahoo! Movies on Facebook (www.facebook.com/YahooMovies) or by entering the sweepstakes via Disney Movie Rewards (www.DisneyMovieRewards.com).

Following the “Pirates Fans First!” event on December 13th, the trailer will premiere on Yahoo! Movies, Disney.com, and other premium online destinations around the world at 3 p.m. central time. Later the same day at 6 p.m. central, the domestic broadcast debut will occur on “Entertainment Tonight” as part of their December Event for “Pirates.”

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” sails into theatres around the world in May 2011. Official website: Disney.com/Pirates. “Like” Pirates on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PiratesoftheCaribbean.

What do you get the Cards fan who has everything but has NO IDEA what the date is? The fifth edition of the Cardinals’ official wall calendar has been released for 2011, featuring an in-depth salute to Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter and the complete roster of 20-game winners throughout Cardinals history. Each of these 32 hurlers is profiled with a colorful write-up and rare photos from the Cardinals’ archives.

The calendars are offered for $15 through the team’s publications department (314-345-9303) and at Dierbergs, Schnucks, Shop ‘n Save, Walgreens, QuikTrip, Wal-Mart, Target, Cardinals Clubhouse Shops, Borders, local independent booksellers.

We're still asking for your help raising money for the Salvation Army, but you can get something pretty nifty for yourself, too! How does this sound? A weekend RV rental from M.B. Thomas Winnebago and wine tasting at Cave Vineyard in St. Genevieve MO can be yours if you are the highest bidder this week here on the KHITS website. Enjoy 2 days and 3 nights touring the countryside in a 23-foot deluxe RV. This value is more than $800!

And, of course, if you have a few extra dollars you can always donate to one of our online kettles. And for every $5 you donate, you're entered to win a fabulous Funjet Vacation!! So, feel good about doing good and maybe get yourself something wonderful, too!