Birthday what?

Let me make two things perfectly clear. I am not an old fart who doesn't get it. I am also not judging the following artist's music. That's better left to the experts. But for the first time in my PR career, I had a hard time even writing down the name of this artist's hit song. Jeremih will be performing at The Club at Tom, Dick & Harry's on December 18. I guess I am old enough not to know who he is.....until now. His first hit song is called "Birthday S_ _." See, I'm still having a hard time. I went online and listened to the song and some of the lyrics raised my eyebrows, but I've certainly heard worse. My co-workers laughed at me and with me. They still are. I was somewhat comforted in knowing that none of my co-workers knew this artist or song either except one. I don't even consider myself old-school, old-fashioned or whatever. I just felt weird typing that song name in a news release while announcing the concert that is part of KISS FM's Jingle Ball. I saw the concert announcement in the Press-Gazette with the song title in a little headline and it felt weird just reading it. Maybe I'm confused as to why the song has to be named THAT or about THAT. I suspect part of the song's popularity is the title itself! Then again, I was in radio when many words that were off limits then are heard all of the time now. Then again, maybe I am just a bit old-fashioned. Darn.

TSO singer impressed with crowd

I had a chance to meet and chat briefly with long time Trans-Siberian Orchestra singer Tommy Farese before the early show this past Sunday. Tommy was very impressed with the size of the Green Bay crowd seeing as how this year's TSO date was so early - November 8. He shook his head realizing that so many people had turned out to see this show "just a few days after Halloween!" I was behind the scenes escorting Average Joe from WIXX for the check presentation on stage before the show. A dollar from every ticket purchased goes to charity at every TSO around the country. In Green Bay, it goes to the WIXX Christmas Fund which helps many area families.

It's not often I have the occasion to be truly backstage before a show. People think because we work here we're always mingling with the "stars." That's not how it works. We steer clear of that area, but there are times when we run into the artists. Being back stage of TSO though is pretty cool because there are so many things going on and so many musicians and singers getting ready for a big show. It was pretty clear they were all about to have a lot of fun!