definition of cute

My co-worker Nick with a baby goat in Tennessee - where I am at the airport heading to New York

We went to an Elephant Santuary today. It was amazing.

The goat above is not a normal goat - it is a breed of Tennessee Fainting Goats.

It and it's owner Leon Oliver will be on our show , The Hour The Hoursoon.

SCRATCHING IN THE KITCHEN

Grandmaster Flash is in the Hall
The group is the first – but not the last – hip-hop act to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
By LARRY McSHANE
The Associated Press
Ask Grandmaster Flash about hip-hop stars deserving of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and he's quick with a list of rap icons.

"Afrika Bambaataa. Run-DMC. KRS-One," he says, barely pausing for a breath. "Big Daddy Kane. LL Cool J. Eric B and Rakim. Tribe Called Quest. The list goes on and on."

Flash left himself out, with good reason: The DJ and partners the Furious Five enter the Hall tonight as its initial rap inductees. The Bronx hip-hop pioneers are part of an otherwise traditional class: R.E.M., Van Halen and a pair of fellow New York City performers, Patti Smith and the Ronettes.

As the first citizens of hip-hop nation in the Rock Hall, the arrival of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five signals a new age at the Cleveland attraction: Smith likely marks the end of the '70s punk inductees, and the time of hip-hop is upon us.

"This announces the beginning of the rap era for the Hall," said Bill Adler, a hip-hop historian – currently editing the "Eyejammie Encyclopedia of Hip-Hop" – and member of the Hall's nominating committee. "Flash and the Furious Five are going to open the floodgates."

Adler, a publicist for the hugely influential Def Jam Records in the mid-1980s, offered his own list of rappers destined for induction: "The Beastie Boys, very quickly. Run-DMC and LL Cool J will get in pretty quickly. Slick Rick."

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five enter 25 years after their groundbreaking single, "The Message," about hard times in their native borough during the Reagan Administration. It was the first popular rap song with a social theme – "It's like a jungle sometimes, it makes me wonder how I keep from going under," went the hypnotic chorus.

"One of the pivotal points in hip-hop history," said Furious Five rapper Melle Mel, who acknowledged his group initially wanted to pass on the song.

The group, which also featured Kid Creole, Cowboy, Mr. Ness and Raheim before an acrimonious 1983 split between Flash and Mel, had missed induction on two previous occasions. So when word arrived of the honor this year, Flash said he was initially skeptical.

"When it sank in that we were in, it was a good feeling for hip-hop," Flash said. "I think it's bigger than Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. To get that kind of respect is good for hip-hop."

Melle Mel recalled lying in bed – "I usually sleep with the TV on" – when he heard the news that R.E.M. and Van Halen were in. Before he could roll over, the announcer added the name of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

"The fact that we're in the Hall of Fame speaks volumes," said Melle Mel. "People try to separate hip-hop music like it stands alone, but it really doesn't. We're in with all the great groups in the history of music. It further legitimizes hip-hop."

Admitting a hip-hop group to the home of rockers from Chuck Berry through U2 is a bigger step for the Hall of Fame than it is for many rap aficionados, said Erik Parker, director of content at the hip-hop Web site SOHH.com.

"The average hip-hop fan long ago learned to live without validation," said Parker. "They realized it was already accepted as part of the mainstream culture." (VH1 started honoring rap's pioneers three years ago in a Rock Hall-like ceremony, and two years ago honored Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five).

The Hall is undeniably an equal opportunity inductor: its first class included James Brown and the Everly Brothers, while last year's group featured Miles Davis and the Sex Pistols.

But its requirement that candidates can't get inducted until 25 years after their first release kept many of rap's founding fathers from a shot at stepping inside the Hall until recent years. Unlike rock, which dates back more than a half-century, rap is a relatively young genre – about 30 years old.

Parker said the timing for Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's induction was impeccable.

"This is what's really key: their 'Message' is still relevant today, 25 years later," he said. "The words in that song couldn't ring truer."

jamaica to toronto

This is a compilation of songs of soul and reggae artists who were involved in a vibrant music scene in the 70's in Toronto.

I am not sure how many people have talked to me about the Toronto via West Indies musicians who called Canada home. A few late night cab drivers have mentioned it to me, including one incredibly informed driver, who I wish I would have gotten his name from.

I was in Scarbourough today and hit one of those industrial buildings that house all kinds of businesses to Henry's Records.

I found myself being very jealous of Henry, and the fact that he gets to listen to great records all day. You could tell he loves it. I am working on a story for The Hour about this. The compilation came out in 2006. They are also working on a documentary about it. Better late than never.

Jamaica To Toronto - Light In The Attic

our Oprah moment

droppin some hour posts - this is a follow-up to the previous- pretty crazy . click the link .

bounty hunter follow -up

The Hour- we bring families together.

Bounty Hunter-From a criminal to a 'Financial Bounty Hunter'.

Recent story I did on Doug Cannon the Financial Bounty Hunter.

doug cannon a man of much character.


CLICK HERE-




read more | digg story

DRM SUCKS

DRM is an umbrella term that refers to any of several technologies used by publishers or copyright owners to control access to and usage of digital data or hardware.

I was buying tunes on Itunes until I had an experience of making some mix CD's and bam my friends needed my password to access a few tunes I had bought.

Now Apple seems to be taking a long look at DRM.

Here is a great article on Salon by Boing Boing's Cory Doctorow.

LINK TO ARTICLE

everybody wants some...........

The Van Halen saga continues - I remember working at MuchMusic we would report every couple months that Diamond Dave was back in Van Halen, only to get this note, like the one released today. Some things are just not meant to be. I was looking forward to Eddie Van Halen's kid playing bass.


Van Halen Reunion Postponed?
The Van Halen reunion tour featuring the return of former lead singer David Lee Roth has been postponed indefinitely.

Tickets for the 40-date tour, which was announced on the band's web site on February 2, were expected to go on sale this weekend.

However, a source closed to the band tells USA Today the tour has been put on hold, but declined to give a reason for the delay.

A publicist for Eddie, Alex and Wolfgang Van Halen says reports of a cancellation should be not be taken as fact until an official statement is released.

Earlier this month, Roth said he hoped the band's reunion would last beyond their summer tour.

Regardless of future tour plans, Van Halen will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 12. The ceremony could feature Van Halen performing with both Roth and his replacement, Sammy Hagar.

big news

STEVEN HARPER CONCEDES LEADERSHIP TO BILL GATES!

wild news. oh, gates is American.
damn.

ok.............. then


GEORGE W. BUSH CONCEDES LEADERSHIP TO BILL GATES!
(note -that is a Bill Gates lookalike in the above pic)

Oh well, maybe Gates can run China.

Disinfo

So, I work on a show at the CBC called The Hour. One of my favorite segments is the Disinfo segment that air every Monday. I have been involved in shooting them in New York. I don't like whoring work stuff on this blog but the Disinfo stuff is so damn wild and interesting. If you are into half-truths and conspiracy, then you will enjoy these.


The MSM totally missed this. It's hard to believe but genetic engineering on humans has already begun. In March 2001 a New Jersey reproductive facility announced that they had created genetically altered children.




And to loosen you up after that -- another crew from NYC -

Hunter Not Forgotten

2 Years ago today Hunter S. Thompson died. I always thought it would have been crazy to live a day in his shoes.

'Politics is the art of controlling your environment.' That is one of the key things I learned in these years, and I learned it the hard way. Anybody who thinks that 'it doesn't matter who's President' has never been Drafted and sent off to fight and die in a vicious, stupid War on the other side of the World -- or been beaten and gassed by Police for trespassing on public property -- or been hounded by the IRS for purely political reasons -- or locked up in the Cook County Jail with a broken nose and no phone access and twelve perverts wanting to stomp your ass in the shower. That is when it matters who is President or Governor or Police Chief. That is when you will wish you had voted."
- Hunter S. Thompson

this is good

- now I migh think about getting on board.


XM, Sirius announce merger
Following months of speculation, the two satellite radio operators will combine in a merger of equals; Karmazin will be CEO.
By David Ellis and Paul R. La Monica, CNNMoney.com staff writers
February 19 2007: 5:21 PM EST

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Rivals XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio announced Monday they would enter into a merger of equals, creating a satellite radio giant.

XM (Charts) and Sirius (Charts) said they would each own half of the combined company, which would offer listeners a much wider variety of programming, including sports, news and high-profile entertainers such as shock jock Howard Stern.


Shock jock Howard Stern has been widely credited for much of Sirius's success, helping the satellite radio operator finish 2006 with more than 6 million subscribers.

There's no better time to pen an ode to TV, radio and print than on Valentine's Day. Sure, new media's sexy. But old media isn't going away. (more)
Steve Jobs vs. the music industry

Apple's CEO is boldly challenging the four big record labels to change their ways. Will they listen or is this just a PR move to get people to buy more iPods? (more)
YouTube without the lip synching dudes
Sling Media wants to make it easy to post live TV to the Web. Will it fly? Only if the company gets networks on its side, says Fortune's Stephanie Mehta. (more)
As part of the deal, XM Chairman Gary Parsons would remain chairman of the combined firm, while Sirius' Mel Karmazin would assume the role of CEO. XM chief executive Hugh Panero will remain as CEO until the merger is completed.

The two companies, which have a combined 14 million subscribers, said they had not yet determined a new name for the combined company or where its headquarters would be located.

"This combination is the next logical step in the evolution of audio entertainment," Karmazin said in a statement.

The company would have a market value of roughly $13 billion, including approximately $1.6 billion in net debt.

XM shareholders would get 4.6 shares of Sirius stock for each share of XM they own.

The deal would value XM shares at $17.02, a 22 percent premium to its Friday closing price of $13.98.

Sirius and XM said as a result of the merger it hoped to offer listeners an "a la carte" option, allowing them to pick and choose the channels they wanted, such as Sirius' "Martha Stewart Living Radio" or XM's "Theme Time Radio Hour" with music legend Bob Dylan.

"The combined company will be better positioned to compete effectively with the continually expanding array of entertainment alternatives that consumers have embraced since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) first granted our satellite radio licenses a decade ago," Parsons and Panero said in a joint statement.

Speculation has run rampant on Wall Street about a possible tie-up between XM and Sirius since the beginning of the year.

Both companies, although rapidly growing, have continued to lose money despite strong revenue and subscriber growth.

No 'slam dunk'
David Bank, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, said he was not surprised by the deal since the merger makes a lot of sense, but he warned the tie-up was not a "slam dunk."

Besides getting shareholder approval, XM and Sirius will also have to get the endorsement of regulators, including the FCC.

The National Association of Broadcasters, a trade group that represents local radio and TV stations, urged policymakers Monday to reject the deal, calling it an "anti-consumer proposal."

"Given the government's history of opposing monopolies in all forms, NAB would be shocked if federal regulators permitted a merger of XM and Sirius," the trade group said in a statement. "It bears mentioning that regulators summarily rejected a similar monopoly merger of the nation's only two satellite television companies - DirecTV and DISH Network - just a few years back."

Bank added that as a condition of the merger the Department of Justice might impose some sort of price caps so that the combined company can't raise monthly subscription rates by a big amount, if at all.

Right now, both Sirius and XM have tiered-payment subscription packages, which start at $12.95 per month or $142.45 per year.

Calls to both XM and Sirius about what impact the merger would have on subscription rates were not immediately returned.

Executives from both companies are planning on discussing the details of the merger on a conference call scheduled for Tuesday morning.

--A member of RBC's Bank's family owns shares of Sirius but RBC does not have a banking relationship with either Sirius or XM.

conan is funny - the iphone does everything

sadness reigns

I am 33. I am a dad. I am watching MTV's, The Hills. In fact I taped it.

Sadness Reigns.

I blame my sister who is staying with us.

Sadness Reigns.

Gilles on Jazz

Like Jazz? If not surf away. Quit reading this. Move along, as they say.

Gilles Peterson is a BBC DJ/ Record label owner with vast knowledge of jazz.

He has podcast on his website that are blowing my mind. His mix of some greats from the "Black Jazz" label is his latest. Take about some moving stuff.

Highly recommended.

PASTOR TED IS CURED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So disgraced New Life Church leader Pastor Ted Haggard has released a comment that he is no longer gay. This is weird cause I turned gay at 1pm today and by 3pm I was straight again. Oh man, I feel a gay coming on, oh it is gone. My wife will be relieved.



Disgraced pastor Ted Haggard convinced he's now 'completely heterosexual'

Canadian Press


Tuesday, February 06, 2007


DENVER (AP) - One of four ministers who oversaw three weeks of intensive counselling for Rev. Ted Haggard said the disgraced minister emerged convinced that he is "completely heterosexual."

Haggard also said his sexual contact with men was limited to the former male prostitute who came forward with sexual allegations, Rev. Tim Ralph of Larkspur told The Denver Post for a story in Tuesday's edition.

"He is completely heterosexual," Ralph said. "That is something he discovered. It was the acting-out situations where things took place. It wasn't a constant thing."

Ralph said the board spoke with people close to Haggard while investigating his claim that his only extramarital sexual contact happened with Mike Jones. The board found no evidence to the contrary.

"If we're going to be proved wrong, somebody else is going to come forward, and that usually happens really quickly," he said. "We're into this thing over 90 days (since allegations surfaced) and it hasn't happened."

Haggard resigned as president of the National Association of Evangelicals last year after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced. He was also forced out from the 14,000 New Life Church that he founded years ago in his basement after Jones alleged Haggard paid him for sex and sometimes used methamphetamine when they were together. Haggard, who is married, has publicly admitted to "sexual immorality."

Haggard said in an e-mail Sunday, his first communication in three months to church members, that he and his wife, Gayle, plan to pursue master's degrees in psychology. The e-mail said the family hasn't decided where to move but that they were considering Missouri and Iowa.

Another oversight board member, Rev. Mike Ware of Westminster, said the group recommended the move out of town and the Haggards agreed.

"This is a good place for Ted," Ware said. "It's hard to heal in Colorado Springs right now. It's like an open wound. He needs to get somewhere he can get the wound healed."

It was also the oversight board that strongly urged Haggard to go into secular work.

© The Canadian Press 2007a>

stephen harper believes in the urgency of changing his tunes for votes .

Harper: Global warming requires action

Embattled PM says he now accepts need for climate-change action

Jan 31, 2007 03:47 PM
Canadian Press
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper, under fire for past comments questioning climate change, said today he believes in the urgency of combatting global warming.

The prime minister also said today that he supports calls for a world conference on the issue and would attend such a meeting.

"We all recognize this is a serious environmental problem that needs immediate action," Harper told the House of Commons.

"Canada's decision to do nothing over the past decade was a mistake and we want to do better."

Harper made the comment after getting pummelled by his opponents over a 2002 letter in which he questioned the science of climate change and called the Kyoto accord a money-sucking socialist plot.

Harper also vowed in the letter to fight Liberal efforts to ratify Kyoto, which calls for cuts to greenhouse gases.

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion said Canada is unfortunate to have a ``climate-change denier" as a prime minister.

Liberals said that for all his talk about climate change today, the 2002 letter unmasks Harper's true opinion.

"Will he admit that this new environmental facade is just an attempt to mislead the Canadian people?" Dion asked.

One by one, Liberal MPs stood in the Commons to ask Harper what he really believes about Kyoto.

"Was the prime minister misleading Canadians then or is he misleading them now?" they asked.

Harper ignored each question, leaving it to Environment Minister John Baird to do battle.

Baird shot back with past quotes by Liberal MPs criticizing Kyoto. He also said he wished the Liberals had cut greenhouse gases while in office.

Some Tory MPs concurred when asked today about the opinions Harper espoused in 2002.

"I hear it's a dog," Tory caucus whip Jay Hill said when asked about the Kyoto accord.

Saskatchewan MP Andrew Scheer also downplayed the importance of the accord.

"The Kyoto accord itself doesn't do a whole lot – as we've seen with the Liberal record – to reduce greenhouse gases," Scheer said.

"(It's) a trading system, a transfer of wealth from one part of the world to another."

But Scheer and many other Conservatives said they agree that greenhouse gases contribute to global warming and said their party is serious about tackling the problem.

"I was (always) in favour of reducing greenhouse gases but I had serious reservations about the effectiveness of Kyoto because many of the largest polluters decided not to sign on," said multiculturalism minister Jason Kenney.

The Conservatives announced in the last election campaign that they considered Kyoto's greenhouse gas-reduction targets unattainable.

But with the environment now becoming an increasingly hot political issue, they avoid criticizing Kyoto and say they want to reverse the damage done under the Liberals.

Canada's emission levels have risen 27 per cent since 1990, while the accord calls for a six per cent cut by 2012.

Harper used that statistic to poke fun at Dion – who has named his dog Kyoto. He said the Liberal leader is in denial about his own party's track record.

"I suggest he should rename that dog for all his various denials," Harper said.

"Perhaps he could call the dog Clean Air, or perhaps he could call it Fiscal Imbalance. Or maybe he could even call his dog The Sponsorship Scandal."

van hurtsme

VAN HALEN REUNITED


So Van Halen is getting back together for a tour with David Lee Roth.

First thing. I will believe it when I see it.

Second. When I was eleven, this was my band. I loved the idea of the guitar super hero in Eddie Van Halen. Loved them. I out grew them a bit, but until I was 19, would have loved for them to get back with Diamond Dave. Instead they had success, and a lot of cheese with Sammy Hagar, and I will not even talk about Gary Cherone wiggling his butt on stage with the band.
I am not that excited now, just wondering why it took them so long.

Third. I will believe it when I see it.

Fourth. If it happens I may go see it.

snurfin' usa

I am on route from Sundance to home. Right now in Denver waiting for a transfer flight . Flying knocks the shit out of me. I think it is the canned air in the vessel.

Sundance was fun, but i was more interested in hitting the mountains with my snowboard, than watching films when I had some down time. I can watch movies in Toronto, I cannot hit mountains in Toronto.

The more I get on a mountain, the more I feel the need to move close to them.

Anyway here is an article about snowboarding, and the sport's success story.
Snurfin to Snowboarding

I also had a friend who lives in Whistler, tell me about another great snowboarding movie that is out celebrating the life of the late pro Craig Kelly. Kelly was an innovator and trendsetter who died in an avalanche in BC a few years back on this day .
The movie is called Let It Ride

The sport would not be what it is today without Kelly.

rage is back

Pretty crazy - I saw the Rage with Chris Cornell at the airport this summer and they were fighting - did not look good. these dudes are better together anyway. I am not a huge fan. but Bulls On Parade is a killer song.



Rage, Bjork, Arcade Fire to Play Coachella
Also: Interpol, Decemberists, Arctic Monkeys, Sonic Youth, Air, Roots

OK folks, stay calm. CALM LIKE A BOMB that is, because the only rap-rock band we actually remember (somewhat) fondly is back. That's right, as reported by the Los Angeles Times and confirmed by the festival's organizers, Rage Against the Machine will come out of retirement to play the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, taking place April 27-29 at Empire Polo Field in Indio, California.

Rage will headline the festival's final night, April 29, while Björk will headline on Friday, April 27 and the Red Hot Chili Peppers on Saturday, April 28. (Ugh Why do the Red Hot Chili Peppers always have to come around and ruin these sorts of things?)

Other awesome artists confirmed to play Coachella: the Arcade Fire, Interpol, Willie Nelson, the Roots, Manu Chao, the Decemberists, Arctic Monkeys, Sonic Youth, and Air. Other debatably awesome artists confirmed to play Coachella: Crowded House, Tiësto, and Kings of Leon.

And although the festival hasn't officially announced it yet, !!!, LCD Soundsystem, and Lupe Fiasco are also playing Coachella, as we've gathered from previous news storie

sundance

I have been on the road a bunch lately. I am blogging from Park City, Utah at The Sundance Film Festival. We are here to shoot some interviews with those actors, who play parts in those films, that makeup Sundance.

I think as I write this the road is catching up to me, or it could be the elevation in Utah. I am feeling like shit. My co-worker and host of the show, George is at a screening for a movie called An American Crime. From IMDB, -The true story of suburban housewife Gertrude Baniszewski, who kept a teenage girl locked in the basement of her Indiana home during the 1960s.

It stars young Canadian actress Ellen Page. We talked to her and Steve Buscemi earlier today. She was really bright in the interview, certainly wiser than her age. I wish we had more time with Buscemi, because he was just warming up , when we had to wrap.

I am suppose to head out to a party with a crew after the movie, but I am torn. I am so beat, but as they say when in Rome. I will dance with this in my head til I hear from them. I am easily persuaded. But we are not starting til the lunch tomorrow so if i get some zzz's a big mountain awaits for some morning runs. That is my snowboard dying to get wet.


I am also hoping after some shooting tomorrow to hit a few screenings- I am really keen on a documentary here about Joe Strummer, untitled, The Future Is Unwritten, it is by Julien Temple, who is great.
Strummer film to premiere at Sundance

I wish I had a week here and no work, there is so many great films to see. At least it will give me a head start on what I need to see this year. I really would have like to have seen a lot of the shorts that are shown here also.

I am not blogging much, and I am too tired to write most times, so I thought I would post a link to The Hour's (that is the above mentioned show) blog, they post cool stuff.
CBC The Hour's Blog

newyorksopranosundance

I am writing this from New York in my hotel room. Here shooting for the show. Shot an interview with Def Jam/Phat Farm/Big Wig/Rich Guy, Russell Simmons today, and tomorrow shooting with character actor, James Cromwell (imdb him- he has made so many movies) .

Russell was funny. You see why he is successul, the dude is full of energy and crazy busy.

I like coming to New York, I do a lot of walking in this city. Usually we have a place to be. But in some down time, I usually will cover some ground with the head phones on, like I used to in Toronto.

I cruised by HBO offices earlier today and thought about The Soprano's, got back to the hotel, checked the internet machine to find out that HBO is rolling out 9 final episodes come April. I am excited for this.

We are off to the Sundance Film Fest next week- shoud be an experience. Snow, theatres and celebs.
Sundance

"the world you know"

This makes sense. Hip Hop is now selling cars.

King of New York is now the King of Cars- hip hop fans are definately more critical of hip hop artist's. I think it is we just expect more. But for me, I expect this stuff from Jay-Z. It is def material for someone to write some good diss lines about Mr. Beyonce.


GM, Jay-Z Collaborate on SUV Concept

By KEN THOMAS
Associated Press Writer
DETROIT (AP) -- Jay-Z and General Motors are teaming up to bring a stylish hue to a rugged sport utility vehicle. The music mogul emerged from a concept GMC Yukon Denali SUV on stage Saturday during a celebrity-filled party thrown by General Motors Corp. on the eve of media previews for the North American International Auto Show.

Painted "Jay-Z Blue," the SUV was developed through a partnership with the rapper during the past two years. Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, worked with the company's global color studio to create the reflective blue color for the SUV.

"Hopefully I'll be able to drive one of them out of here tonight," he said.

The world's No. 1 automaker invited several celebrities to escort new vehicles down a brightly lit catwalk inside a massive tent along the Detroit River. Posing with the vehicles were Carmen Electra, Jennifer Hudson, Vivica A. Fox, Rosie Perez, Christian Slater, Mario Lopez and Nick Lachey.

When it comes to a first car, the celebrities said they had humble beginnings.

Perez, who helped model a gold Pontiac Solstice Club Sport, said she bought her first car, a Datsun B210, from a college classmate who "had a terrible cocaine and crack habit. She's was just like `I need money' and I said, `Give me your car - $150.'"

Apparently Hollywood has been good to Perez, who said she now drives a Volvo and a Range Rover.

Lachey, who gained fame as a member of boy band 98 Degrees, said his first car growing up in Cincinnati was a 1981 Toyota Corolla hatchback "full of rust." He now has a car and a truck - brands not disclosed.

"I'm lucky to have a little of both worlds and do whatever you feel like driving that day," Lachey said.

© 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.

M.I.A

BELOW ARE THE LYRICS TO "WHERE ARE THEY NOW"
off Nas's "Hip Hop is Dead" album.

Rap music is weird. All these artists who started the thing, and where are they now?
At least with rock and roll they go into making music for films. producing or something. Where are some of these artists?
I like the ghost town line.

Sort of sucks that all these legends are not being heard from, except Flavour Flav. And is he really representing hip hop?


WHERE ARE THEY NOW
Redhead Kingpin, Tim Dog, have you seen 'em?
Kwame, King Tee or King Sun
Super Lover Cee, Casanova Rud
Antoinette, Rob Base never showin up
You see Black Sheep, Group Home, Busy Bee?
Ask Ill and Al Skratch, (Where My Homiiies?)
Leave it to y'all, these niggaz left for dead
Last week my man swore he saw Special Ed
Rap is like a ghost town, real mystic
Like these folks never existed
They the reason that rap became addictive
Play they CD or wax and get lifted
I recommend when your kid turn ten
Let him hear Spice 1, made plenty noise
.. Positive K, Father MC, the Skinny Boys
Where are they now?

(HEY!! Where are, where are they nooooooow, huuuhhhhhooohhhh HEY!)
Where are they now?
(HEY! Hit me! Where are they nooooooow?)
("HIT MEH!!")

[Nas]
See I remember them forever
The original Spinderella
Lakim Shabazz, 9 MM
Fu-Schnickens, Buckshot, Finesse, and Sequence
..Who was a (Rappin' Duke?) Da-ha!
Silk tie and leather was cute
Body and soul was Dee from Pump It Up's group
Oaktown 357, J.J. Fad too
had pop hits and gold ropes
Where my man Young MC and Tone Loc?
Kris Kross, the BO$$, Divine Styler
Def Jef of course let's break it down ta
Mic Geronimo, Pharcyde and Coolio
I heard Craig Mack back in the studio
Have you seen these lost MC's?
Funky Four Plus One, Force M.D.'s
Miss Melody, I hope she packin' a bankroll
As well as educated rap for ice and Kangol
Shante, she from around my way yo
EPMD, K-Solo, where are they now?

(HEY!! Where are, where are they nooooooow, huuuhhhhhooohhhh HEY!)
Where are they now?
(HEY! Hit me! Where are they nooooooow?)
("HIT MEH!!")

[Nas - Outro]
QB...
First off this ain't no diss record
This for some of my homies that were misrepresented...
Legends of the game, y'know?
What up to Moe Dee the legend? Rest in peace Cowboy!
Yeah, all the rappers...male, female, DJ's, e'rybody!
Rest in peace Jam-Master Jay, the whole crew, word up...
Juice Crew All-Stars, MC Shan, Tragedy, Craig G...
Yeah nigga, yeah nigga...
Shan whaddup baby?
Where are they now?

mac came thru

Finally - got a new computer - mac replaced my lemon for a brand new unit. i like the built in cam.

I will now start updating this thing.

d

justice? i don't know

On a day when Saddam is hanged, I remembered this blast from the past Whitehouse statement. Click the link.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/05/20030501-15.html

OUT OF SIGHT

JB. The legends will soon all be gone.

When they die, they sell records. I have lots of James, but if I had to choose one, I would choose Live At The Apollo.

I was thinking of 5 of my favs JB songs ever.

Here they are - in no particular order.

*Escape-ism (love the kick-off)
*Bewildered (so much reverb all over this track, love JB's echo vocals mixed with sweet backgrounds)
*Give It Up Or Turn It Loose (sampled so much, hip hop owes such a debt to this track, crazy bassline, tight ass vocals, those horns.....damness)
*Cold Sweat (not everyone fav, but one of mine, I love the strange edge this song has)
*Stone To The Bone (crazy vocals dancing on tight rhythm guitar, love the sexed out vocals, James knows he has "a good thing")

Such a hero to many. Such a contradiction. One thing about James Brown is the music is strong.

merry xmas : cut a hole in a box

snl gets at least one xmas skit right every year. my computer is still broke I will be back. my love affair with apple computer's is getting sour.

smart people in space

have not been blogging much - my computer is broke. sucks but is also nice. getting caught up on some movies.

The Space Shuttle launched into night time skies today. Very cool.

Kenny Kramer

I wonder how the "real" Kramer feels about his name getting racked through the mud.

larry king has never been on either of the Internets

Click this link to hear Larry King mention he has never been on the Internet Machine

Maybe Larry and Dubya can take a Learning Annex class together.

the air out

Would it not be ideal to have a federal environment minister who cared about the environment. I am not saying a David Suzuki type person, just someone with a built in knowledge. They could also be politically savy, that is fine.

The Feds are such line riders that they lose site of their roles as a government. The former party in power was also guilty of this. The need for some of these leaders and people in parliament to get their heads out of the deep sand in Ottawa is more and more obvious when they release platforms like The Clean Air Act.

I could be convinced that Kyoto is a really hard target to meet, but the Clean Air act is a platform of a party that has a short lifeline.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ambrose brings Canada’s political dirty laundry to conference

By Mike De Souza
CanWest News Service

Wednesday, November 15, 2006


CREDIT: (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)
Canadian Environment Minister Rona Ambrose speak to reporters, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2006 at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
NAIROBI, Kenya -- Environment Minister Rona Ambrose tossed in a few jarring shots at her critics on Wednesday as she addressed the annual United Nations climate change conference, with a pledge that her government would achieve better results to fight global warming than its predecessor.

“Indeed, we have chosen real progress over delay - and transparency over rhetoric,” she said in a prepared speech. “We are taking responsibility, embarking on pragmatic solutions and finally beginning the process of putting our own house in order.”

Ambrose told the UN conference that the previous Liberal government left Canada in an “unacceptable situation” without sufficient or accountable measures to address climate change. She explained it pushed the country’s international Kyoto Protocol commitment, to reduce greenhouse gases by six per cent below 1990 levels, out of reach.

While some provincial governments have allied themselves with opposition parties and environmentalists who are urging the federal Conservatives to recommit to Canada’s Kyoto targets, Ambrose accused her opponents of tearing the country apart.

“There are some who are using the Kyoto Protocol to create divisions within our country -- but we will not let that happen,” she said.

Environmentalists and opposition parties, who criticized the minister in Nairobi earlier this week, were shocked by Ambrose’s partisan attack, calling it out of place at an official UN event.

“It was like a speech at the House of Commons,” said Matthew Bramley, a climate change policy analyst at the Pembina Institute. “The minister really said nothing new, nothing that changes her government’s position that it’s not even going to try to meet our Kyoto obligation. She started talking more about Kyoto, but when she’s pushed, it’s clear that she has no intention of actually trying to meet the target.”

After her speech, Ambrose said that she made her presentation to move the Kyoto debate past partisan issues, but her critics didn’t buy her explanation.

“Everyone knows the Liberal record was bad,” said NDP critic Nathan Cullen. “That’s not necessarily the world’s concern. They just want to know that Canada’s committed, and we’re not under this Conservative government.”

Ambrose’s speech followed a call from the UN’s top ranking official for Canada to be a world leader in fighting global warming.

“I believe Canada is among the countries that are making an effort,” said UN secretary General Kofi Annan at a news conference, following a speech in the morning. “But I believe that each country should really increase its efforts, and Canada should play a leadership role to show other countries that it can be done. And I believe that the Canadian population is very engaged in this area, and I hope that, by working together with the government, they will be able to show other countries what can be done in this area.”

Annan also announced that six UN agencies would be brought together to help deliver resources to developing parts of the African continent that are struggling to cope with the existing impact of climate change. The resources would be routed through the Kyoto protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism, which allows industrialized countries to earn credits that can go towards their targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions when they invest in projects outside their own borders.

The industrialized world has a responsibility to help poorer countries adapt to climate change which is becoming a matter of survival in many parts of Africa, he added.

Meantime, Quebec’s Environment Minister joined the critics who were shaking their heads about Ambrose’s speech.

“I don’t have any more confidence in her today, than I did yesterday or the day before,” said Bechard who was invited by Ambrose to join the Canadian delegation. “We would have really liked her to talk about the Quebec plan. It’s a plan that’s not only a source of pride of Quebecers, but that should also be a source of pride of Canadians.”

Cullen suggested she intentionally left Quebec out of her speech since it has a plan to achieve Kyoto’s targets.

“Quebec is a real problem for Ms. Ambrose and Mr. Harper, because (Quebec) is putting truth to the lie that Canada can’t go after its Kyoto targets,”
said Cullen.
© CanWest News Service 2006

thanks 50

funny how music can change your mood, bring you up when you are down. For me I find if I a down or feeling sad, that sad music is the worst thing. gotta get something hitting or uptempo. I was feeling down today and listen to a mix of 50 cent, and now I am writing this not feeling so sad. weirdness.

50 looks mean in that mug shot.

ed bradley

this link is Ed Bradley talking about Vietnam, a place where he made his name as a journalist.


Ed Bradley on Vietnam

basketball

BASKETBALL IS ALSO MY FAVORITE SPORT.

go back!

Dear NBA Commisioner David Stern,

The future of your league is not happy with the new synthetic basketball you have introduced this season. Take the high road and go back to the leather ball, that we and all the professionals have been playing with for years. King James has spoken.

Thanks
A fan.




LeBron Thinks He'll Never Get Accustomed To The New Ball
7th November, 2006 - 7:59 am
News-Herald - Count LeBron James as one player who hasn't stopped voicing objections regarding the NBA's new composite basketball.

"I don't think I ever will," he replied when asked if he'll ever become accustomed to it. "It's not a good basketball, in my opinion. You've been so used to playing with a leather ball for the last three years. It feels like a basketball you buy for your kids at Christmas, or something.

"If you want to change something, make our shorts shorter or our jerseys smaller and tell us how to wear wristbands," he said. "You change the dress code.

"The one thing we care about is the basketball. I don't understand why would you change the one thing we agree and care about. When you change the thing we play with at every single game and in every practice, that we were comfortable with, it doesn't make sense to me at all." [READ]

HELL - THEY EVEN DID EXPERIMENTS THAT SAY THE BALL SUCKS!

the prince

like reggae? this dude Prince Buster had a huge part in bringing reggae and ska to the world. I am interviewing him on wednesday. I am excited.

Wash, Wash is the tune, great title.

just curious eh?

Church Leader Says Haggard Admits To Some Indiscretions
Interim Senior Pastor Says Haggard Admits Indiscretions -- Raw Interview
Ted Haggard Accused
Haggard Update
Colorado Springs
Updated: 10:14 AM Nov 3, 2006
11 News

A sudden about-face in the scandal facing New Life Church's pastor.

After Pastor Ted Haggard went public Wednesday night denying allegations of a homosexual affair, senior church officials told KKTV 11News Thursday evening, Pastor Ted Haggard has admitted to some of the claims made by a former male escort. The church's Acting Senior Pastor, Ross Parsley, tells KKTV 11 News that Pastor Haggard has admitted to some of the indiscretions claimed by Mike Jones, but not all of them.

An email has also reportedly been sent to Church staff saying Haggard admitted to some of the accusations.

What those indiscretions were remains a mystery. Mike Jones took a polygraph examination, and was asked about his claim of a sexual relationship with Haggard. The polygraph examination showed "some deception." However, the person who administered the test said on Denver radio station KHOW that the results could be skewed by Jones's "mental and physical exhaustion."

Thursday morning, Jones went on a Denver radio talk show and said Pastor Haggard paid him for sex over the past 3 years. Jones also claims Haggard used drugs with him.

Right now, the situation is under investigation by an independent panel of leaders from four outside churches. The leaders are from Colorado Springs, Larkspur, Westminster and Louisiana. The panel's role is to decide if Haggard will be exonerated, released from his duties or restored to his pastorship.

Earlier Thursday, Haggard resigned as President of the National Association of Evangelicals, and placed himself on administrative leave as head of New Life Church. New Life Church has an estimated 14,000 members, while the NAE claims roughly 30 million members.

the timing of this is crazy

Evangelical Leader Resigns Over Sex Scandal

By REUTERS
Published: November 3, 2006



COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Reuters) - The president of the U.S. National Association of Evangelicals, who has had regular talks with the White House and vocally opposes gay marriage, resigned on Thursday after being accused of having a sexual relationship with a male escort.

Ted Haggard, who denied the accusation, also temporarily stepped down as senior pastor of the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, the church said in a statement.

``I've never had a gay relationship with anyone,'' Haggard said in an interview with Denver television station KUSA on Wednesday night. ``I'm steady with my wife. I'm faithful to my wife.''

The New Life Church statement quoted Haggard as saying he could ``not continue to minister under the cloud created by the accusations.''

``I am voluntarily stepping aside from leadership so that the overseer process can be allowed to proceed with integrity. I hope to be able to discuss this matter in more detail at a later date,'' the church statement quoted Haggard as saying.

Mike Jones, who said he was a male escort, told KUSA on Wednesday he had had a three-year sexual ``business relationship'' with Haggard.

Haggard, who is often credited with rallying conservative Christians behind President George W. Bush for his 2004 re-election, talks to Bush or his advisors every Monday, Harper's Magazine reported last year.

Haggard supports a proposed amendment to the Colorado constitution that defines marriage as between one man and one woman. Colorado voters will decide on that issue next week when they vote in the congressional elections.

BALLOT INITIATIVES

Such ballot initiatives also help the Republican Party which polls say is in danger of losing control of Congress in Tuesday's midterm vote.

Evangelical Christians have been a key base of support for Bush and the Republican Party.

A father of five, Haggard has long been a leading figure among conservative U.S. evangelical Christians.

Time Magazine included him in its list of the ``25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America.'' Harper's Magazine, an influential liberal periodical, described New Life last year as ''America's most powerful megachurch.''

While the National Association of Evangelicals is associated with conservative causes it is not as rigidly ideological and staunchly supportive of the Republican Party as other evangelical groups.

Its vice president of governmental affairs, Richard Cizik, is vocal in support of policies to stop global warming, an issue not associated with most Republicans.

Jerry Falwell, a prominent conservative Christian and Republican Party stalwart, was quick to play down the organization's role and Haggard's standing among evangelicals.

``He (Haggard) doesn't really lead themovement. ... He is the president of an association that is very loosely knit and I've never been a member of it,'' Falwell said in a CNN interview on Thursday.

erieau halloween treat

Man - I saw my kids candy from Halloween and was thinking that he got all the same kind of stuff- chocolate bars and chips and maybe those rocket candies. Those are all tasty but predictable.

Not to reminise to much but in the little village I grew up in Erieau ( just west of Point Pelee) a few people got creative. This one older women, who everyone called Aunt Betty would make a ton of candy apples. We look so forward to hitting Aunt Betty's. She ruled.

Her neighbour, was known for his skill at making amazing smoked fish (Erieau is a fishing town), and he would give out smoked fish. Sounds very Trailer Park Boys, but everyone hit him up, some people numerous times. My dad always ate ours.

And if you hit the gold mine of a can of pop, that was the best.

THIS IS ERIEAU

the good, the bad, and the queen

Pretty excited about this.

From wikipedia :
The Good, The Bad and The Queen consists of Albarn, The Clash's bassist Paul Simonon, former Verve member and Blur and Gorillaz guitarist Simon Tong, and Afrobeat pioneer and Africa 70 drummer Tony Allen, intend to release and delete their first single, "Herculean" on 30 October 2006

If this is just a Damon Albarn thing I would not care so much. But Tony Allen and Paul Simonon. That gets me excited. I like the single so so , they lose Allen in the mix a bit, but I have read that they have made an incredible record. We will see.

The Good, The Bad and The Queen Myspace page They have the single on this page.

"war on terror is like a war on lust or love'

that is a quote from Lewis H. Lapham on The Hour

I just watched the pre-tape.

I am shelling for the show I work on. sorry

the times really are changin

WITNESS THE CLIP ABOVE
Man, sometimes theatre and Broadway makes me want to become a pack rat and barricade myself in my house, so I do not have to witness them killing every damn cool element in music.

Did Dylan sign of on this? If so did he see it? Has he barricaded himself in his house?

I have a 20 year old boy, so I can deal with the Wiggles and such and over the top singing and acting but Dylan. I am going to steal a line from my dad, "these guys should be shot."

They already did a Brian Wilson/Beach Boys play on Broadway. Bastards, these jukebox musicals drive me crazy, and you know there is many more to come.

limbaugh is a A-1 prick

Liberal, right-winger or whatever, Rush Limbaugh calling Michael J Fox a faker or acting like he has severe Parkinson's is sad.

Limbaugh proved his desperation in disagreeing with Stem Cell research. Your beliefs are one thing but to cross that line is disrespectful of those who have the disease, and strangely enough I am sure there are a few Americans who have Parkinson's who are Limbaugh listeners.


this is a funny take on Rush, his meds, and Alex P Keaton


Here is also a rebuttal ad, with the mom from Everyone Loves Raymond and some NFLers

Man cheng jin dai huang jin jia

This movie The Curse of the Golden Flower looks amazing. Another beauty from Yimou Zhang (Hero, House of Flying Daggers) I am sure, and Chow Yun-Fat is in the movie with a full grey beard. Gong Li is also in it, probably playing the usually sullen women in Yimou's flicks.

I heard that Yimou did a lot of research into martial arts styles and uncovered some real ancient techniques. He also is known for his elaborate sets. I am sure it will be beautiful looking.



Also Jeff Skilling of Enron infamy was sentenced to 24

yes yes brazil

The best new J5, The Roots and Black Eyed Peas track of the year (out of all their new albums) is "Yes, Yes Y'all" on the Sergio Mendes album.

harps

My man harrrper in the fall.

go back to the drawing board

I will be 77 when the Conservative's cut the Greenhouse emissions by 45%.
Thanks for nothing.


-------------------------------------------------------------
Emissions goal decades away
Proposed law makes no mention of Kyoto Protocol
Oct. 19, 2006. 11:22 AM
DENNIS BUECKERT
CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA — The Conservatives released the centrepiece of their "made-in-Canada" environment agenda Thursday — a Clean Air Act that would cut greenhouse gas emissions in half, but not until 2050.

The bill, aimed at dispelling the notion that Tories are soft on the environment, sets no short-term targets for cutting greenhouse emissions. In the long term, it says the government will seek to cut emissions by 45 to 65 per cent by 2050.

In the interim, the government will set so-called "intensity targets" which would require industry to reduce the amount of energy used per unit of production, without placing a hard cap on emissions.

Regulations for large polluters would begin in 2010 and the government is giving itself until 2020 to set national emissions-cutting targets for the pollutants that cause smog.

The proposed law, which is certain to get a rough ride from opposition parties who say it's far too weak, makes no reference to the Kyoto Protocol even though Canada remains a party to the treaty.

In the coming year, the government will introduce regulations to reduce emissions from motorcycles, outboard engines, all-terrain vehicles and off-road diesel engines. Officials were unable to say what proportion of Canada's emissions come from those sources, or by how much they will be reduced.

The intention will be to synchronize Canadian regulations with those of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. New rules for the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks will be established by 2010.

On the sensitive issue of targets for large industrial emitters, the government is moving cautiously, with a three-phase consultation process in coming years.

The previous government already held three years of consultations on regulation of large emitters, which account for about half of Canada's greenhouse pollution.

The Clean Air Act will transfer a number of substances that were previously defined as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act to a new category labelled "air pollutants."

Critics say this shift is almost certain to result in a constitutional challenge. The wording used in the act had been tested before the Supreme Court, while the new wording has not been tested.

old school

The Hour won a couple Gemini's which is cool. Congrats to George for best host, he works hard that man.


VH1 Hip Hop Honors (spelling) is on MuchMusic - I like this even if it is old school dudes. Mixmaster Mike is cutting up the Beastie Boys right now. I like Mike.

I was listening to some Big Daddy Kane on my way to work yesterday, and realized, the dude never cursed when he rapped. Who made cursing so popular. I am thinking it was N.W.A , although you could dig deeper, they made it popular.

Man, the Beastie are doing Whatcha Want. I like this song. MCA has a lot of grey hair.

This honors stuff kills me , I remember saying to friends, what is it going to be like when LL Cool J is old? They can't keep rhyming. Well I guess they can. (although LL is not really that old) .



I watched the BBC Office and died from laughter and pain. The NBC version is very different, but I am enjoying it equally. I am not sure if anyone saw the episode where Angela made Dwight a bobblehead. Well I bought one in NYC- Dwight is amazing he even has his own blog

sort of scary

Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden was on the Hour today - I just watched the pre-tape. The guy is a first officer for Astraeus airline. The dude has a legit day job outside of singing for Metal heroes Iron Maiden.

What is next?

Ozzy Osbourne a heart surgeon? Blackie Lawless drives an ambulance in Los Angeles? Alice Cooper is good at golf?

Actually, Dickinson is pretty together for a metal frontman, he was also at one time the 7th best fencer in England.

enough of my useless trivia.................

taking hip hop lyrics to a new level

Nas rhymes that "sleep is the cousin of death". (in NY State Of Mind, from his debut, Illmatic)

But I am tired today and I would love to sleep.


Could be that I played road hockey for 3 hours with a bunch of 10 year olds yesterday. I realized that I am 23 year older than them this morning when my back was aching.

But to continue my hip hop is life BS.....

Slum Village rhymed that "if you sleep you don't eat".

And right now I am hungry.

I guess this basically means that I am "not hip hop" because I like to sleep.

anyways - I am in blog idiot mode. I was thinking of Nas after reading this Fader Magazine review of his new album.

battle of the record covers

only one kid?

So Madonna adopted a young boy from Malawi. I think it is good these super celebs are helping out people, but is adopting this kid, really helping him?

Welcome young boy to your new mommy being chased by cameras. I guess this is better than starvation. I just worry that celebs adopting one child in a continent were millions of children need help, will overshadow.





I am listening to the new K-os record. I cannot explain but for some reason I did not think i would like it, but I am digging it. Dude has a deep understanding of music and has really placed himself into a spot that he can crossover all elements of music. This is the sort of the solo record Andre 3000 should have made.

He is passed Hip Hop giving a shit about him. They complain about Jay-Z making his comeback. I am sure it is only time before he gets a hit on North American record, he has that potential.

Week one of The Hour is almost finished. If every week is like this , they may need to clone the whole crew who work on show.

and no one even mentions.....

Maybe you might want to look at your constitution?

Bush plans conference on school violence
October 3, 2006


RENO, Nevada (AP) -- The Bush administration, alarmed by recent attacks at public schools across the country, is bringing education and law enforcement experts together for a conference on coming to grips with the problem.

The goal would be to discuss the nature of the problem and federal action that can help communities prevent violence and deal with its aftermath, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said as President Bush made a campaign tour here Monday.

Three schools have been hit by deadly attacks in the past week. A gunman killed himself and five girls Monday at a one-room Amish schoolhouse in Pennsylvania; on Friday a 15-year-old Wisconsin student shot and killed his principal; and last Wednesday a man took six girls hostage in Colorado, sexually assaulting them before fatally shooting one girl and killing himself.

"The president is deeply saddened and troubled by the recent school violence and shootings that have taken place in different communities across America," Perino said. "It breaks America's collective heart when innocent children who are at school to learn are violently taken hostage and cut down in their own schools."

Perino said the conference was still in the planning stages, so a specific date, location and other details were not ready to be announced. It was not clear whether President Bush would attend.

Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Bush's domestic policy adviser, Karl Zinsmeister, met Monday at the White House to discuss the conference. They met while the president was on a cross-country flight to begin a three-day fundraising trip for Republican candidates in the midterm election.

Perino said participants on the education side would include groups like the National Parent Teacher Association, school principals and teachers' unions. The Federal Bureau of Investigations would be among those representing law enforcement, she said.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

i hate computers

My laptop died and fortunately a friend has lent me his. I am looking into buying another but since I am a mac person and they have new Intel processors that don't support Avid editing, I am struggling. Computer's make me ill.

anyone wanna sell me a cheap mac that can run avid express 4.6?

Criky

Witnesses tell of freak death of Steve Irwin


A DOCTOR and witnesses have told of the desperate efforts to save Australian icon Steve Irwin after the Crocodile Hunter was struck in the chest by a stingray barb today.

Irwin, 44, died this morning after being fatally injured while filming a nature documentary off Queensland.

The news has shocked the nation and prompted a rush of tributes from politicians and the public alike.

Irwin's wife Terri was in Tasmania at the time of the tragedy and had to be contacted by police with the terrible news.

The couple's daughter Bindi, 8, was with her father in north Queensland, Irwin's manager John Stainton said from Cairns.

Choking back tears, Mr Stainton said Irwin had gone “over the top of a stingray and a stingray's barb went up and went into his chest and put a hole into his heart”.

"He possibly died instantly when the barb hit him, and I don't think that he ... felt any pain.”

Professional diver Pete West was on board a nearby boat and was asked by Irwin's team to call in the emergency.

Asked on Channel 7 if Irwin was alive when they got him on his own boat, Mr West said: “I believe so.”

"He was doing what he did best and unfortunately today he wasn't quick enough."

Dr Ed O'Loughlin was aboard the Emergency Management Queensland Helicopter which was called from Cairns at 11.21am (AEST).

Irwin was being given CPR at Low Isles, off Port Douglas, as the helicopter arrived less than one hour after the incident, but Dr O'Loughlin said nothing could be done to save him.

"It became clear fairly soon that he had non-survivable injuries," Dr O'Loughlin said.

"He had a penetrating injury to the left front of his chest. He had lost his pulse and wasn't breathing."

Mr Stainton admitted he had always feared Irwin might meet his death while working with wildlife, but added that Irwin himself was never scared.

"We've been in some pretty close shaves. (But) nothing would ever scare Steve or would worry him. He didn't have a fear of death at all.”

Tragedy

Father-of-two Irwin was swimming at Batt Reef, off the Low Isles, when the tragedy occurred.

Tasmania Police this afternoon confirmed his wife Terri was travelling in the state at the time of the tragedy.

A spokeswoman said police had made contact with Mrs Irwin and "passed on a message relating to the death of her husband".

The Irwins have two children - Bindi and a three-year-old son, Robert (Bob) Clarence Irwin.

John Weigel, of the Australian Reptile Park on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, said Irwin's death would be "devastating to a lot of people".

"He walked into the room like someone had opened the window and let the light in.

"He seemed invincible and it's a great shock that it could happen."

Famed

Steve Irwin - known worldwide as the Crocodile Hunter - was famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchcry "Crikey!".

In an sad twist, it has been reported that his new documentary was aimed at demystifying the stingray. However Mr Stainton said Irwin was filming other footage for a program with Bindi at the time of the attack.

Irwin's Crocodile Hunter program was first broadcast in 1992 and has been shown around the world on cable network Discovery.

He has also starred in movies and has developed the Australia Zoo wildlife park, north of Brisbane, which was started by his parents Bob and Lyn Irwin.

Tributes quickly poured in for the larger-than-life character.

Prime Minister John Howard said Irwin was a typical Australian larrikin who brought joy to millions of people around the world.
"I am quite shocked and distressed at Steve Irwin's sudden, untimely and freakish death," he said.

"It's a huge loss to Australia."

A Tourism Queensland spokeswoman said the death was shocking and paid tribute to Irwin's "enormous contribution" to his adopted state.

"I don't think we could even estimate how much he brought us through his personality and his profile and his enthusiasm about Queensland," she said.

- with AAP