Heads and tales: Your hit parade
By Wade Kwon
Higher straits: We’re suckers for pretty lady who can sing. That’s why we’re excited whenever hometown gal Emmylou Harris releases a new CD. Her latest, "All the Roadrunning," is a collaboration with Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits. Emmylou says, “I’m lucky enough to have a core audience that will zig and zag with you so you don’t have to put out the same thing record after record. If there’s any pressure at all, it’s that your fans are expecting you to zig and zag. They want to see what you’re going to do next. They want you to follow your muse.” Yes we do, Emmy, yes we do.
- Reviews at Metacritic: a favorable 63 out of 100.
• Maverick Alabama native Harris teams with rocker Knopfler [Associated Press]
Mail bonding: You’ve seen the movie, now read the letters. Author Truman Capote spent a portion of his childhood with family in Monroeville. A new permanent exhibit features letters from Capote to his favorite aunt in Alabama and rare family photos. In a 1959 letter, he writes, “Yes, it is true that Nelle Lee is publishing a book. I liked it very much. She has real talent.” He’s referring to the classic tale, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” by his childhood friend, Harper Lee. Since the 2005 release of biopic “Capote,” more visitors are heading to the town of 7,000. Also of note, another Capote pic, “Infamous” is due later this year with Sandra Bullock(!) as Lee.
• Unseen Capote: Letters to aunt, rare photos part of display [Associated Press]
Talladega days: Will Ferrell was on hand for Sunday’s rained-out portion of the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega to plug “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” and serve as grand marshal. Part of the filming took place at the Superspeedway last fall, and the movie is due out Aug. 4. As Ricky says, “If you ain’t first, you’re last.” Probably funnier in the movie.
• Will Ferrell stays busy at Aaron’s 499 [Associated Press]
Also:
- State bird flu plan: Shoot, deep-fry, then eat
- Arts groups stock up on liquor for cultural boozefests
- Only two shopping days left till Cinco de Mayo
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