The weird thing is the words actually fit the video perfectly.  And my favorite part is the thing saying, “Alan” or “Ellen!”  ” Sir please don’t talk when my hands are in your mouth!”

What was the best part?

Rick Diamond, Getty Images

By now, everyone knows that award-winning country star Taylor Swift has a huge heart. And thanks to her award-winning, record-breaking music career, the ‘Mean’ hitmaker has a hefty bank account, too. What do you get when you put those things together? A gigantic donation to a new education center at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

In fact, the six-time Grammy award winner’s donation of $4 million is the largest gift by a musician in Country Music Hall of Fame history, and now, the new education center will officially be known as the Taylor Swift Education Center. The exhibit and classroom space is scheduled to open in 2014. Not a bad legacy for the young country star, who will likely be just 24 or 25 when the center opens.

“In terms of what it will allow us to do, we do education very well now,” museum director Kyle Young told the Associated Press (via Billboard). “It will allow us to do what we do better, serve more people, develop new programs, and I’m happy to say that as we talked through this opportunity with Taylor, she very much wants to be involved in an advisory capacity in what we do. Is there a better person out there who’s in touch with a young audience? I think not. I was joking we should be paying her to do that. I was only joking.”

Country music’s sweetheart has a storied relationship with the Hall of Fame. She signed her record contract there and gave one of her first public performances on the building’s plaza. In the past, she has donated her talents to the All for the Hall fundraiser benefits and loaned the museum her dresses, stage costumes and instruments for display.

Since May 2010, a free-standing Taylor Swift multimedia exhibit has been one of the museum’s most popular attractions.

In addition to her generosity to the Country Music Hall of Fame, Swift has made the news a number of times in recent years thanks to her kind heart in general. Earlier this year, she invited two-time cancer patient Kevin McGuire to be her date at the ACMs after the 18-year-old invited Ms. Swift to his prom. Just this month, she made headlines for ensuring sure that a 13-year-old fan who missed Swift’s stop in Sacramento (due to a tragic drunk driving accident) would have tickets for her next show in the city and even sent her a goodie bag to tide her over.

Who knows? Maybe the next Taylor Swift will find his or her start in the forthcoming Taylor Swift Education Center. After all, that’s the goal for creating the education program.

[button href="http://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-songs/" title="Top 10 Taylor Swift Songs" align="center"]

Source: TasteofCountry.com

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The 24th annual Cajun Heartland State Fair is right around the corner! May 23- June 4th at the Cajundome…it’s always a “kick off of summer” destination for us here in Acadiana!

Rides, petting zoo, great entertainment…the Cajun Heartland State Fair has it all! Check out the lineup on the grandstand HERE, and we’ll see ya out there!

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The Queen of Disco, 63 year old Donna Summer, passed away this morning in Florida. Ms Summer was a 5 time Grammy Award winner, and recorded the music that was the soundtrack for the disco era.  Early reports are saying that she died of cancer.

I met Donna Summer when I was living in Nashville, working at WSM, the Grand Ole Opry station- She was living in Nashville at the time too. I was working part time at Pottery Barn, and she used to come in all the time. The only time I actually talked to her was when I was in a flower shop, and she walked in on a 100 degree day looking as cool as a cucumber. I introduced myself to her, and she was the nicest thing. Really , really sweet. R.I.P. Ms Donna.

Mario Tama, Getty Images

The separation of church and state doesn’t mean religious leaders can’t express political opinions. And in the wake of President Obama’s endorsement of gay marriage there has been talk that some houses of worship may encourage their flock not to vote for the president in 2012 to protest his reversal on the issue.

However, the majority of Americans would rather that churches and other religious institution keep out of politics altogether. According to a Pew Research Center Poll of 1,503 adults, 54 percent said that churches should keep out of political matters, whereas 40 percent think churches should express views on political questions.

In 1996, these percentages were just about reversed, with 54 percent in favor of churches being involved in politics and 43 percent opposed.

[Pew Research Center]

Ethan Miller/Getty Images for The Chuck Jones Experience

“You are rotting your mind”, I heard that a lot when I was a kid because I would spend hours and hours gazing into the television at cartoons. My parents had very little use for cartoons. However being a rebellious child I had a lot of uses for cartoons.

Cartoons were not only my companions but they taught me almost as well as some of my elementary and middle school teachers did. Cartoons also opened my mind to some very stimulating and rewarding concepts and art forms. Cartoons did not rot my mind, they didn’t rot your mind either, cartoons were the very reason we bothered to learn a lot of the things kids today struggle to retain.

Classical Music: I grew up in Starkville Mississippi and the closest thing we had to a symphony was  the guys that played while you ate at the Shakey’s Pizza Place. Still I learned about amazing symphonies and conductors and even great operatic arias because of cartoons. The Barber of Seville, you remember when Bugs Bunny taught you that don’t you? How about the Marriage of Figaro? Tom and Jerry introduced our eager minds to that incredible performance piece one hand drawn frame at a time.

Geography: I can name just about all the nations of the world can you? If you watched the Animaniacs I bet you can. I bet if you watch this video five times you will be able to name almost all of the nations in the world too. It’s amazing what a well animated teacher can make stick between your ears, especially if it’s set to song. Even Coach from the early days of Cheers knew that. You remember where Albania is located don’t you? I know they aren’t cartoons but it still illustrates the point of making facts stay between your ears.

Grammar: I only need to say two words right here. Schoolhouse Rock! I can tell you about interjections, verbs, conjunctions and adverbs, all because my mind was open when the lesson was being taught. Every now and then Schoolhouse Rock! would throw in a little social studies and civics lesson too. Who knew we were actually learning while we were singing along.

Nutrition: I never knew who or what this round thing with the long legs really was supposed to be. I have to admit if I saw it roaming around my kitchen I would have probably stepped on it or given it an aerosol arsenal of what ever was handy. Still this dot of a stick figure taught me the wonderful value of cheese! I also learned how to make my own juice pops using an ice tray and a toothpick.They called it “Sunshine on a Stick”. Kids today are missing out on all this cool stuff. Oh yeah let’s not forget the early pioneer of healthy eating Popeye. How many of us actually ate our spinach just so we could be like him? It’s a good thing we didn’t really look to hard at Popeye because to be truthful he was not really an attractive man.

The Importance of Dreaming: Far to often we are willing to accept only what the world gives us and we aren’t willing to push the envelope of what we believe to be real. Cartoons taught me that the law of gravity only applied if you looked down. They taught me that even though a lot of bad things can happen to you, getting hit with a frying pan, smashed by a boulder or hit by a truck, unless they kill you they just make you stronger. Maybe all that violence we were exposed to in classic cartoons were just a metaphor for life. Sometimes you’re going to get knocked down, blow up and strapped to a rather large bottle rocket but it is up to you to keep on trying and make the best of it. If you keep trying,just like the coyote you will eventually capture your own private roadrunner.

My generation may not be the “greatest generation” and we might not be that high on the technology food chain either. But what we are is a generation that knows the value of  laughter. We know the value of being able to remember facts about the world around us. We know how and why to get out of the rain, yet we also know the value of standing in the downpour just to feel it on our skin. Perfect? Nope we aren’t any where near that. Hopeful and Happy? I think we are. I can only imagine how smart we would be if we’d had the 24 hour cartoon channels when we were kids.

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The story of Aladdin takes flight on a magic carpet ride of song, dance and incredible performances when the curtain rises on this amazing tale from Agrabah ,City of Enchantment this evening. It’s a night of musical theater you won’t soon forget when CYT Lafayette brings their latest production the the stage.

CYT,Christian Youth Theater is an organization that has blossomed in Lafayette over the past few years. The mission of the program is to provide talented kids the opportunity to learn about and perform musicals and plays in an environment that is loving, supportive and encouraging. My own daughter has been a part of a CYT production and it was one the most enjoyable things she has ever done.

Tonight CYT Lafayette brings another great production to the stage. Aladdin Jr. based on the hit Disney film will open in the theater at Angelle Hall on the campus of the University of Louisiana. This is the first of 5 public performances scheduled for this very talented cast of youngsters. They will also perform two school days shows for selected student audiences today and on Friday. Showtime and ticket information is available on line and I can promise you the show will leave you speechless.

The Broadway like sets, the splendid singing, dancing and acting will make you forget that most of the performers are still in their teens or younger. I do hope you will be able to share this wonderful experience with your family and friends and support what is becoming a wonderful theater tradition in South Louisiana.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

With the end of school just about a week away most parents, including myself, have already felt the cold shiver up the spine that is brought on us by bored children at home during the Summer. There are a lot of great Summer activities your youngster could be involved in.

Many of our area churches will sponsor vacation Bible schools, there are educational opportunities at the University of Louisiana and there is a really neat camp I just found out about. The best part about this camp is it’s free!

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is hosting a kids hunting and fishing camp June 25-29 and July 23-27. Kids need to have transportation daily and must be between the ages of 12 and 16. Registration is limited to 50 kids and the deadline to apply is May 25th so submit your child’s application now. The camp will cover various aspects of outdoor activities and each child will receive a free rod and reel at the end of the camp.

Fox

When you get down to the final three you got to bring your “A” game. That’s just what Joshua Ledet did last night on American Idol.

Each contestant had to sing three songs — one chosen by the judges, one of their own choosing and one picked by Jimmy Iovine.

Ledet opened up the show with Etta James’ “I’d Rather Go Blind” and although the song started a little slow, by the end the whole audience was standing with their ovation. The performance led judge Steven Tyler to comment, “out of 70,000, there’s only one American Idol. And you sang like that one tonight.”

He followed it up with his choice of “Imagine” by John Lennon only to get more rave reviews. Randy Jackson dubbed it “brilliant” and “controlled”.

And the final selection from Ledet was mentor Jimmy Iovine’s choice, “No More Drama” by Mary J. Blige. It was another hit. Jennifer Lopez told him after the performance, “(that) you have this perfect marriage of knowing exactly what you’re doing and letting completely go at the same time. Here’s spontaneity, you don’t know what’s going to happen, but you know it’s going to be out of this world.”

So all in all, I would say Mr. Ledet did pretty good.

To top it all off, last night’s show featured each of the three contestants going back home and we all know how big of a deal that was for Joshua to head back to Westlake, Louisiana.

Now, as  far as the other two contestants, Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez, it was mixed reviews. Many “experts” on the internet are abuzz that Sanchez may be the one out as she had one “ok” performance sandwiched in between two solid ones.

Phillips had much of the same type of night, getting mild reviews of his middle song. However, he had the fortune of wrapping up the show and did that with a bang on his version of “We’ve Got Tonight”. And with short attention spans amongst voters, this may be the delivery that launches him to the finals.

We shall see how it goes down as tonight at 7pm on Fox the results will be in and we will all find out which two contestants are one step closer to becoming your new American Idol.

[MTV]

Did you miss last night’s show? Well, we’ll catch you up right here. Enjoy each of Joshua Ledet’s performances from last night right here.

Matt Cardy/Getty Images

When I say the word ghost what comes to your mind? Do you see a cartoon named Casper? Do you picture Patrick Swayze making more than pottery with Demi Moore? Or do you see something sinister and scary? I try not to think about ghosts but I have no trouble believing they are out there and around us. If you like a good ghost story and aren’t afraid you might soil yourself there are some very public places where you might encounter a supernatural spirit right here in Acadiana.

The Grand Opera house of the South in Crowley is supposed to be home to at least one special spirit. The people at LASPIRITS.com investigate the paranormal around our state and their report on the Opera House makes for a great read.

I had the pleasure of being in a theatrical production at the Opera House a few years ago and I must admit I felt the presence of a spirit being. Since my part allowed me plenty of time back stage and we often rehearsed into the evening I had time to hang with the ghosts. I didn’t see anything but I did notice doors that would move and lights that would blink from time to time. I never felt afraid though, I figured the spirits were just as confused by me as I was of them and since I told them out loud I meant no harm the experience turned out to be a good one.

Did you know that the St. Landry Parish Courthouse is also home to a wayward spirit? As is the home to the Abbey Players in Abbeville and Cafe Vermilionville in Lafayette.

Have you ever had an encounter with a being not of this world? Perhaps you’ve felt a cold spot in a warm house or maybe there is an unexplained noise or a shadow that appears in a window.I would love for you to share your story with us and in turn the people at LASPIRITS.com.

I personally won’t go hunting for ghosts but I have decided if they do find me I won’t be afraid of them. I will instead try to talk to them and ask them questions about being a ghost.Do they watch Jersey Shore, is Nancy Grace frightening to them and what do THEY dress as for Halloween?  At least I would like to think that is what I would do, I would most likely lose control of my bodily functions and collapse in a heap right where I was standing. So let this be a warning to all you ghosts on the Internet, don’t scare me or you’ll have some cleaning up to do.

That party is not stopping with this next fella.

This may be the most epic fail I’ve ever seen on Wheel of Fortune — and I’ve seen them just about all. (Thank you YouTube!)

To make this fail even funnier is the fact that it’s “College Week” this week on Wheel.

The video pretty much tells the story, but just know going in that you will never pronounce the word “wand” the same way!

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Kenny Chesney is gearing up to head back out on the road on his first major stadium run since last summer’s Goin’ Coastal Tour. Not only is he sharing the stage with his fellow country music superstar Tim McGraw, but also famed Nashville musician Kenny Greenberg.

Greenberg is the Academy of Country Music’s 2012 Guitarist of the Year and a veteran session musician in Music City who has previously collaborated with Bob Seger, Willie Nelson and Etta James. The legendary guitarist has frequently worked with Chesney on past musical projects, including the singer’s forthcoming new album ‘Welcome to the Fishbowl’ (in stores June 19) and his previous album, ‘Hemingway’s Whiskey.’

“Kenny is one of the best guitarists out there today, period,” Chesney says of his fellow Kenny, Greenberg. “He’s been a great friend and collaborator over the years, right through ‘Welcome to the Fishbowl,’ and it’s going to be amazing to have him at the party each night this summer.”

Greenberg will join Chesney’s already solid band of musicians, which includes Wyatt Beard (keyboards), Sean Paddock (drums), Steve Marshall (bass), Clayton Mitchell (guitar), Jim Bob Gairrett (steel guitar) and Jon Conley (guitar/fiddle).

The highly-anticipated Brothers of the Sun Tour, also featuring Jake Owen and Grace Potter, is set to kick off on June 2 in Tampa, Fla.

[button href="http://tasteofcountry.com/kenny-chesney-tim-mcgraw-2012-co-headline-tour-dates/" title="See Kenny Chesney Tour Dates" align="center"]

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Rick Diamond (2) / Royce DeGrie, Getty Images

The first month of summer is the biggest month of music yet. Country superstars like Alan Jackson and Kenny Chesney will be releasing new projects in the list of new country music releases for June 2012, in addition to 10 other hit makers like Josh Turner, Gloriana and Edens Edge. Start saving now so you’re not left out on the new music on the list below.

Jackson and newbie Jana Kramer kick things off on June 5, while Turner, Edens Edge and Darryl Worley have music the next week. June 19 is crowded. Not only is Chesney’s new ‘Welcome to the Fishbowl’ album in stores in June, but so are new projects from Colt Ford, Chris Cagle and the legendary Don Williams.

Take a look at the entire month worth of new country music releases for June 2012 below and plan accordingly.

New Country Music Releases for June 2012:

June 5
Alan Jackson, ‘Thirty Miles West’
Jana Kramer, ‘Jana Kramer’

June 12
Darryl Worley, ‘One Time Around’
Edens Edge, ‘Edens Edge’
Josh Turner, ‘Punching Bag’

June 19
Chris Cagle, ‘Back in the Saddle’
Colt Ford, ‘Declaration of Independence’
Don Williams, ‘And So It Goes’
Kenny Chesney, ‘Welcome to the Fishbowl’
Marlee Scott, ‘Beautiful Maybe’

June 26
Aaron Lewis, ‘The Road’
Gloriana, ‘A Thousand Miles Left Behind’

[button href="http://popcrush.com/new-music-releases-june-2012/" title="New Pop Music Releases - June 2012" align="center"]

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Paramount Pictures / Universal Pictures / Lionsgate

This weekend, you’ll have your choice between a goofy comedy, watching things blow up, and a tale about the joys and perils of new parenthood.

In ‘The Dictator,’ Sacha Baron Cohen stars as the title character who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.

Based on the classic board game, ‘Battleship’ is an epic action-adventure that unfolds across the seas, in the skies and over land as our planet fights for survival against a superior force.

And ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting,’ inspired by the self-help book of the same name, tells the story of a group of expectant parents dealing with the surprise demands of pregnancy.

Here’s a sneak peek.

‘The Dictator’

Directed by: Larry Charles
Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley, Jason Mantzoukas
Get Tickets & Showtimes

‘Battleship’

Directed by: Peter Berg
Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgård, Rihanna, Brooklyn Decker, Tadanobu Asano, Hamish Linklater, Liam Neeson
Get Tickets & Showtimes

‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting’

Directed by: Kirk Jones
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Chace Crawford, Brooklyn Decker, Ben Falcone, Anna Kendrick, Matthew J. Morrison
Get Tickets & Showtimes

Gotta check this out! I just got the “Freeson’s” or however you spell it (Goosebumps)

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Phones are stolen left and right all of the time.  During Festival International (after one too many beers) my friend unconsciously placed her iPhone on the hood of a random car and forgot it was there.  Yes I agree, stupidity on her part.  However, when our phone is stolen by someone else we wonder where to go from there?  Not having a phone for almost 24 hours is like not having air to breath.  No good!  

Here are five important and helpful steps to take when your iPhone has gone MIA:

1.) Download the “Find my iPhone” app.  Our nifty iPhones have a built-in GPS. The app will help you locate the phone geographically. However, don’t barge into a stranger’s house demanding for your phone back… call the police for help.
2.)  If you were given an iPhone through company or employer, notify them immediately of the theft. This will help you because the smart IT guy could be able to prevent the thief from accessing important information.
3.) Immediately change important passwords.  Log onto your e-mail, iTunes, banking, etc to change any passwords.
4.) Call your cell phone provider and have them disable your number.
5.) Lastly, contact anyone who is important such as family or friends.  Let them know not to call or text your number.

Hopefully no one will have to experience a stolen phone, but if it does happen remember these five, simple tips!

Lafayette Memorial Park Cemetery is located at 2111 W. Pinhook Rd.  For more information call (337)235-3062.

God Bless Our Men and Women who fight for our freedom, past and present!

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

The interview will air at 8 p.m. Sunday on Winfrey’s show Oprah’s Next Chapter, which is featured on her OWN network.

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We have an update on the death of “Swamp People” star Mitchell Guist, who passed away Monday in St Martin Parish on the Belle River.  Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley said the parish coroner, Dr. John Fraiche, determined from preliminary autopsy findings that the star of the popular reality television show died of natural causes. Funeral services are scheduled for noon Saturday at Ourso Funeral Home in Gonzales.

I’m sure History Channel is planning something special to honor Mitchell, and thinking about what the future will hold for his big brother Glen. R.I.P. Mitchell.

Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Facebook is currently preparing for what is believed will be the biggest initial public offering ever for an Internet-based company. But while Wall Street sees a bright future for Mark Zuckerberg’s social network, a surprisingly high percentage of the American don’t see Facebook as a good bet.

An Associated Press-CNBC poll asked 1,004 adults if Facebook’s appeal would linger or fade. Forty-six percent answered that Facebook will go the way of MySpace or Friendster, whereas 43 percent said it had staying power.

Perhaps more surprisingly, there was even more skepticism about Facebook’s future among those ages 18-to-34, who use the social network more than older adults. Fifty-one percent of that demographic expect Facebook to fade away and only 44 percent think it will prove to be more than just a fad.

[Chicago Tribune]