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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > December > 10 > Entry
Cobb singer in ‘Madness’ finals
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Cobb County’s Kurt Thomas is one of two finalists to win Country Music Television’s “Music City Madness” contest. The cable network taped Thomas in August at the Cobb Galleria performing his original song “Follow Your Lead,” and he’s survived a series of bracket-style competitions to get to the finals.
“It’s gonna be a surprise” whatever happens, he told Buzz. If he wins, he gets a special on CMT and mentoring from Randy Travis. The announcement will be made Thursday on CMT. Thomas, 33, also won a “Next Big Star” contest in July. In the meantime, he’s keeping his day job — being a stay-at-home dad — and his night job, playing at the Old Vinings Inn Wednesdays and Thursdays. You can vote for Thomas at www.cmt.com/interact/musiccitymadness.
ANOTHER GOIZUETA GRANT FOR THE ARTS
Georgia Shakespeare is getting the largest programming grant in its 23-year history: $536,802 from the Atlanta-based Goizueta Foundation. The money will be used to fund a new four-member educational group, the Will Power Ensemble, that can tour the Southeast year-round and play venues from elementary schools to colleges. Richard Garner, producing artistic director of Georgia Shakespeare, says the support is well timed. Given the economic downturn, Garner says the theater is looking at a 20 percent cut in next year’s budget. The grant will allow it to increase its outreach efforts and keep $75,000 as a “safety net.”
Earlier this week, the Atlanta Opera said it will receive a $1.5 million grant from the Goizueta Foundation. The philanthropy was established in 1992 by the late Roberto C. Goizueta, who ran the Coca-Cola Co. from the early 1980s until his death in 1997.
USHER CHECKS IN
It pays to have a city full of celebrities. Wednesday morning, V-103’s Frank Ski and Wanda Smith rang Usher for some help with their annual Christmas Wish List promotion, and the singer responded with a $20,000 check. “You can always rely on me, no question,” he told the duo. “Atlanta has always supported me and it’s unspoken for me to help.”
Shortly afterward, Mayor Shirley Franklin was on the air for her monthly V-103 visit and applauded the five-time Grammy winner for his efforts — calling him a great ambassador for Atlanta. “It really shows Usher’s compassion and makes me so proud of him. Atlanta is a great place because of people like Usher.”
Each year the morning show has people write in 2,000 words or less why someone they know of deserves to have a wish granted. The deadline to submit an entry is Dec. 17 at 5 p.m. at www.v103webmag.com
HIGH FIVE
Television
The Top Five On Demand programs for Dec. 1-7 as determined by Comcast customers in metro Atlanta:
1. Beyonce: “Single Ladies,” Music Choice, Music Video
2. SpongeBob Squarepants “Christmas Special,” Nickelodeon, Kids
3. Dora the Explorer: “A Present for Santa,” Nickelodeon, Kids
4. Go Diego Go: “Diego Saves Christmas,” Nickelodeon, Kids
5. “This Christmas,” Starz, Movie
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actress Rita Moreno is 77. Singer David Gates of Bread is 68. Actress Donna Mills (“Knots Landing”) is 66. Singer Brenda Lee is 64. Actress Lynda Day George is 64. Actress Teri Garr is 60. Actress Bess Armstrong is 55. Singer Jermaine Jackson is 54. Bassist Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue is 50. Actor Gary Dourdan (“C.S.I.”) is 42. Actress-comedian Mo’Nique (“The Parkers”) is 40. Rapper-actor Mos Def is 35. Actor Rider Strong (“Boy Meets World”) is 29.
CELEBRITY DOCKET
Tyler Perry has won in a Texas lawsuit brought by a woman who said he stole her material for his hit movie and play “Diary of a Mad Black Woman.” Jurors in the East Texas town of Marshall found Donna West did not present evidence that supported her claim of copyright infringement. In the lawsuit, filed in 2007, West argued that Perry used material from her play “Fantasy of a Black Woman.” Perry, who testified during the trial, insisted that his screenplay is an original work. The 2005 film made about $50 million. Attorneys for West said they plan to seek a new trial.
WHERE WE RANK
Eyelids feeling a bit heavy? It may not be the quality of prose in Buzz. Then again, it might. But the Centers for Disease Control just released a study that says 16 percent of Georgians — nearly 1 in 6 of us — have persistent problems staying awake during the day. Not only that, but 35 percent of Georgians wake up in the morning feeling unrefreshed.
Contributing: Wendell Brock, Richard Eldredge, Sonia Murray and 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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