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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2007 > May > 30 > Entry
Morrissey demands meatless Chastain
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Each summer, the folks who book Chastain Park Amphitheater usually encounter a few acts who request the more formal, less distracting “no tables” policy at the chardonnay and candelabra concert venue. But Classic Chastain concert series organizers got an interesting request via former Smiths vocalist Morrissey’s artist contract rider for his scheduled July 20 gig.
The noted vegetarian and animal-rights activist has it in his contract that no meat products will be sold at Chastain at his performance. The venue routinely sells hot dogs and hamburgers at concession stands, but far more people pack their own goodies and haul them in before each performance.
According to Internet blogs on the mysterious musician, the singer doesn’t enjoy the scent of cooking meat. He is apparently so committed to animal rights that he shops for artificial leather footwear as well.
Classic Chastain rep Caren West told Buzz on Tuesday that the venue is taking the request “in stride” and that Morrissey’s management routinely works with each venue he plays to work out the request in advance.
Still, there’s no predicting what might happen if concertgoers suddenly pull Renaissance Festival-esque turkey legs from coolers during the show.
Regardless, we’re told that tickets for the show and the other concerts in the 34th annual Classic Chastain series have been brisk. (Single-ticket sales began Friday. For details: classicchastain.com.)
WALLOWING IN BARBECUE SUCCESS
It’s safe to assume that Morrissey was nowhere near Memphis over the weekend. That’s where Atlanta musician and Breadwinner baked goods company co-owner Geoff Melkonian emerged as a winner in the “Super Bowl of swine.” Melkonian and his grilling team, Barefoot in the Pork, scored a first place trophy at the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest in the Patio Porkers non-professional category for their rib recipe.
When we, um, grilled Melkonian about his winning recipe, he would only say: “Barbecue is all about the amount of love you put into it. It’s all about the love.”
We’re told that Melkonian and pals were merely in Memphis seeking to “test their grilling skills, have a little fun in the sun and sample some of the best barbecue in the country.” They actually never anticipated winning an award. Kinda like us and the Pulitzer. …
BABY MAKES EARLY DEBUT
Over the long weekend, Q100’s Bert Weiss and wife Stacey delivered their second son. Hollis Lee Weiss weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces. He was born more than a month earlier than expected. After a few briefly scary complications, mother and son are doing fine, according to dad.
OVERSCENE
Jazz pianist Herbie Hancock dining at Ecco during a champagne post-concert reception at the Midtown eatery. Among the all-star crowd of musicians from the 30th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival: Terri Lyne Carrington, Patrice Rushen, Everette Harp, Chris Walker, Jef Lee Johnson and Munyungo Jackson and the Robert Irving III Trio featuring Buster Williams and Ernie Adams.
‘THE VIEW,’ WITHOUT ROSIE
Even though ex-co-host Rosie O’Donnell has been removed from the ABC daytime gabfest’s opening credits, she remained a significant source of discussion for Barbara Walters and company on Tuesday’s live telecast, the first after O’Donnell resigned last week after an on-air dust-up with Elisabeth Hasselbeck. “It’s been quite a week,” Walters acknowledged. “A week that makes us, in many ways, very sad.” Walters told viewers that she and O’Donnell exchanged “very affectionate” e-mails over the weekend and that “we will always be grateful to Rosie.” Walters acknowledged that O’Donnell had indeed been displeased by the use of a split screen during her prolonged battle with Hasselbeck over comments about the war in Iraq. Hasselbeck said that she and O’Donnell had also been in touch and are learning about “the power of forgiveness.” Us? We’ve learned the power of Aleve.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actor Colm Meaney (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”) is 54. Actor Ted McGinley (“Hope and Faith”) is 49. Country singer Wynonna is 43. Guitarist Tom Morello of Audioslave and Rage Against the Machine is 43. Singer Cee-Lo of Gnarls Barkley is 33.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“We had a test screening in Arizona, and I’m thinking, ‘This movie [expletive]. It’s stupid.’ But then we get our highest [audience response] numbers ever.”
— “Transformers” director Michael Bay in the June/July issue of Details, on why we should all plunk down dough for a ticket to his latest explosion-filled, robot-riddled epic due in theaters July 4.
Contributing: news services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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