RANDOM RICK-NESS

I’ll be preaching to the choir if you’re already a fan of Frank Zappa. But I’m hopeful that these observations will get non-fans to either reconsider (if you’ve formed an opinion) or discover Zappa if you never have. This post results from the concert this past Wednesday at the Pageant featuring Frank’s son Dweezil. I go to many concerts and while most are great entertainment, only a few over the decades have been jaw dropping, leaving me in awe. This was the case on Wednesday. I’ve seen the Zappa Plays Zappa show before and I‘ve been a Frank Zappa fan for decades. However I gained a new respect for Frank after this show due in part to the creative use of a stage-wide screen used to show Frank playing live gigs. Dweezil’s band playing live while Frank’s guitar work was cranked up to equal volume level gave everyone a reason to realize that Frank Zappa was one of the best guitar players EVER! His leads came from his heart and soul and I had a thought at the time that even Jimi Hendrix would have been jealous of Frank’s command of his instrument. I call attention to his guitar work because I think many people have overlooked it because a.) they can’t get past Zappa’s quirky song composition style or b.) they haven’t seen him play live. I think ‘awareness’ and ‘appreciation’ for talent that could have become a distant memory is what Dweezil’s purpose is in making the annual Zappa Plays Zappa concerts. I only imagine that when Rolling Stone or Gibson or any publication makes those arbitrary lists of the ‘greatest guitar players of all time’…Dweezil might be miffed that his dad didn’t make the cut…deservedly miffed I might add. Anyway, play some Zappa soon…”Apostrophe” would be a great place to start for novices. By the way Dweezil is one hell of a guitar player in his own right! Thanks DZ for keeping your dad’s work relevant, unforgotten and worthy of his place as one of rock and roll’s GREAT composers and performers.

MORNING MUSINGS

Morning Show Musings for Friday, December 10th

This date in 1953, Hugh Hefner published the first "Playboy" Magazine. Marilyn Monroe graced the cover, but even that wasn't enough for Hef to think the mag would be a big seller. He thought it might be the first AND last issue, so he didn't even put a date on the cover.

I guess Hef has always been a big fan of Marilyn; he owns the crypt next to hers at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.

If you're still getting "Playboy" (for the articles, of course), check your December issue carefully. Hefner has taken a page out of Willy Wonka's book, hiding 10 "golden tickets" to his Midsummer Night's Dream Party in some magazines. If you find a "golden ticket," you'll be flown to L.A., put up at the posh Petit Ermitage Hotel, and you'll get a free dinner at the upscale restaurant Simon LA at Sofitel, in addition to getting that party invite. Click HERE

Here's the scoop from Playboy's site. **Warning. This IS Playboy, so you know what you'll see if you click here: Click HERE

Congrats to Cam Newton. He was in Florida yesterday for ESPN's College Football Awards Show, where he picked up the Maxwell Award (given to the national player of the year) and the Davey O'Brien Award (for the top quarterback). Earlier in the day, he won the Walter Camp player of the year award. Newton was the SEC offensive player of the year after accounting for 49 touchdowns, best in the nation, and setting school records for both passing and rushing touchdowns in a season.

And then there's the Heisman tomorrow. Cam's dad says he won't attend the ceremony because he doesn't want to steal the spotlight away from his son: Click HERE

Finally, Florida officials have pardoned Jim Morrison! Outgoing Governor Charlie Crist and the state clemency board voted unanimously yesterday to pardon the late Doors frontman, some 39 years after his death. Morrison was convicted in 1970 of profanity and indecent exposure during a concert at Miami's Dinner Key Auditorium in March of 1969. Witnesses claim they saw Jim expose himself, although all his band members claim it was just 'theatre of the mind.'

Ray Manzarek said, quote, "You know, I'm obviously very happy. It's about time. It was virtually a trumped-up charge of that 'exposure' that never happened. He hypnotized the people; he did a good job. The shaman was in full flow that evening, drunk out of his mind and doing a whole theatrical number on the people." Click HERE

Sir Paul McCartney has been making the late-night TV rounds. He visited with Jimmy Fallon last night, and he's the musical guest on SNL tomorrow night.

Here's one of my all-time favorite SNL sketches: Chris Farley doing a terrrrrrible job interviewing Sir Paul:

Our own Sam Bradford is on display in full color on the cover of "USA Today's" Sports section this morning. Even being considered BIG-TIME underdogs to the Saints this Sunday can't keep a good QB down! Coach Spags is using an unusual training technique to get his rookie QB to release the ball quickly. He uses a timer that beeps in Sam's helmet if Bradford doesn't get rid of the ball within 2.7 seconds. If Bradford doesn't fire the football in time, he has to donate $15 to a charity fund. If he does beat the clock, Spagnuolo pays $5. (That's only fair; Spagnuolo earns just a LITTLE bit less than Bradford.) Read all about Sam here:

Jenn Sterger says she won't sue Brett Favre if the NFL suspends him. The NFL says they're done investigating whether or not Favre texted pics of his, um, ya know, to former Jets employee Jenn Sterger, but they haven't decided yet if they're going to punish him. Sterger's rep says if the NFL suspends Favre and puts him in some kind of program to make sure he never does anything like this again, then she will NOT sue Favre, the Jets or anyone else. Click HERE

Don't forget! If you're curious about Dogtown Pizza, Dierberg's is offering free samples this evening between 4 and 8. And Dogtown Pizzas are on sale at Dierberg's through Tuesday!

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 evening (Friday, December 10th) 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.

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.

And more good baseball news: Cardinals 2011 single-game All-Inclusive tickets are now on sale!

(And, listen all next week for your chance to win Pujols and packs during the KHITS Morning Show!) 

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! Click HERE

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!

Have a wonderful, cold, snowy weekend!