“Everything in the music business is about that one song,” said curly-headed country star Billy Currington, who shares the Merriweather stage this Sunday with Sugarland and four other acts performing during WPOC’s Sunday in the Country. “It always comes down to the song.”
In his seven-year career, Currington has had “that one song” eight times. Most peripheral fans know him for the infectious 2006 hit, “Good Directions.” But ladies might be more familiar and smitten with 2005 hits “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right” and “She’s Gotta Way With Me.”
Fully recovered from a bug that infected quite a few people on his tour bus, don’t be surprised if Billy straddles genres Sunday in an extended encore. He said the finale will have some rock and roll, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder.
But he won’t give up more detail than that, he said in his thick Georgia accent. “I can’t tell you everything now.”
50 Cent, Chris Brown promoters back Baltimore’s Menice
For a Baltimore group that’s only been together for four months, Menice II Society is quickly rising, getting its name on marquees with huge stars in hip-hop.
M2S, a three-man force including JT-Tha Source, Dope Boi Fresh and ?uestion$ will open for 50 Cent Friday at 1st Mariner Arena and keep hyping audiences for the bullet-riddled rapper throughout the fall. Later this year, they’ll join the tour with the widely popular Virginia native Chris Brown — a young Michael Jackson crossed with Usher.
In August, the mother of T-Pain, the “Sprung” rapper who will “Buy You a Drank,” approached M2S’s founder and front man, JT and his cousin, M2S’ Dope Boi Fresh after the Ozone Awards.
“She took our music to T-Pain, and he wanted to work with us, so we just took it from there,” JT said. “Ever since, the sky’s the limit. We’re just trying to get that word out. Let people know everything’s possible. Baltimore doesn’t get a lot of shine, but we’re trying to change that around.”
You can get your hands on M2S’s CD featuring T-Pain on Nov. 15. JT promises M2S “brings the fun back to hip-hop and R&B.”
Off the stage, JT is the persistent voice for the Baltimore nonprofit Save Our Youth, which gives teens concerts on Friday nights and provides college and job opportunities along with information on fitness, wellness, drug use and how to prevent violence.
During the past six months, JT has called Pan and Praise more times about Save Our Youth’s Keepin it R.E.A.L. tour then he has about his group’s own successes. We’re happy to hear the tour goes national in January. In case you’re wondering R.E.A.L. stands for Recreation Encouraging Anti-Violence and Leadership.
For more info, visit www.myspace.com/m2smenice2society. —Jessica Novak
Fall movie preview
Summer is the time for movie fluff like “The Dark Knight” and “Stepbrothers,” but autumn is when the heavy-hitters come into play and get down to business. This fall is no exception. Emily runs down a short list of movies she’s jonesin’ to see once the leaves start falling.
1. “Zach and Miri Make A Porno” — Director Kevin Smith figured out how to create quite a buzz about a movie without doing any rigorous PR work — just stick the word “porno” into the title and petition the Motion Picture Association of America to decrease the rating from NC-17 to R. Oh, and also cast comedy’s Man-of-the-Minute Seth Rogan. Instant movie! (Oct. 31).
2. “Choke” — Author Chuck Palahniuk once made 73 people faint during a reading of his short story, “Guts,” ‘Nuff said. I’m seeing this movie. (Sept. 26).
3. “How To Lose Friends and Alienate People” — I can overlook the fact that the NOT-so-charming Kirsten Dunst is in this just to see the brilliant Simon Pegg do more physical comedy. (Oct. 3).
4. “Changeling” — Veteran actor-turned-director Clint Eastwood directs Angelina Jolie in this period thriller about a mother who suspects that the son returned to her after a kidnapping is not her own. AND it’s based on a true story. Can you say CREEPY?! (Oct. 24).
5. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” — Based on the F. Scott Fitzgerald short story, the film stars Brad Pitt as Button, a man who ages backward. Totally worth the 10 bucks just to check out the special effects. (Dec. 19).
6. “RocknRolla” — Is anyone else tired of hearing director Guy Ritchie referred to as Mr. Madonna? Apparently he is, because Ritchie’s back with this film, which looks like, “Lock, Stock …” and “Snatch” meshed into one, which also means it looks awesome. (Oct. 8).
7. “Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist” — Can “Juno’s” Michael Sera get any more endearing? This flick is sure to be a hit with teens everywhere. (Oct. 3).
Guilty pleasure flick to see: “Max Payne” starring Mark Wahlberg. It’s like the “Constantine” of 2008 — full of action, murder, betrayal and all in the underworld. Totally cool.
