VDT VIEW

By Dean Poling
VDT View

Collin Raye is a country singer who’s been kicking around for quite some time. He rose to fame in 1991 with “Love Me” and continued assaulting the country charts with hits like “Little Rock,” “In This Life,” “Not That Different,” “A Soldier’s Prayer,” “The Eleventh Commandment.” In all, Raye earned 15 No. 1 country hits and 24 Top 10 songs. With “Never Going Back,” Raye puts an edge of rock in his country. The 12 hits on “Never Going Back” are more the country rock of The Eagles than the country of Hank Williams. It’s a good fit for Collin Raye. Country rock suits his voice while the format allows him to still sing story songs and present slices of American life, with a little bit of rock and a little bit of country.

By Dean Poling
VDT View

Several comic books took a cue from the success of television’s “Twilight Zone” in the 1960s. Several titles, even a Rod Serling’s “Twilight Zone” series, were dedicated to an anthology format aimed at suspense and a shock ending. Gold Key Comics was one such publisher. One Gold Key title was “Boris Karloff Tales of Mystery.” Yes, Boris Karloff: The actor who made Frankenstein’s monster an iconic cinematic character, star of “The Mummy” and numerous other classic horror movies. He was also the Grinch’s voice in the beloved Christmas cartoon. Karloff’s name and face graced each issue of this fine series, which featured legendary comic book artists and writers: Alex Toth, Joe Orlando, Frank Thorne, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Len Wein, and more. Recalling these comics from childhood, they were eerie fare. Now, it’s just plain creepy fun flipping through the pages of this Dark Horse compilation of several of the original issues. It’s been decades since Gold Key went out of business, and this is the first time these stories have seen the light of day with exception of rare comic book stores, or garage-sale comics collections - Gold Key titles haven’t exactly proven to be collector’s items. Dark Horse continues presenting original titles while mining past treasures in reprint as well as new directions for old, long-lost characters. “Boris Karloff” is the unearthing of a fine old treasure made new again.

Billboard Top 20 Singles
1. “Boom Boom Pow,” The Black Eyed Peas. will.i.am/Interscope.
2. “Poker Face,” Lady GaGa. Streamline/KonLive/Cherrytree/Interscope.
3. “Day ‘N’ Nite,” Kid Cudi. Fool’s Gold/Universal Motown.
4. “Blame It,” Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain. J/RMG.
5. “Right Round,” Flo Rida featuring Ke$ha. Poe Boy/Atlantic. (Platinum)
6. “Kiss Me Thru The Phone,” Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em featuring Sammie. ColliPark/Interscope.
7. “Sugar,” Flo Rida featuring Wynter. Poe Boy/Atlantic.
8. “Dead And Gone,” T.I. featuring Justin Timberlake. Grand Hustle/Atlantic. (Platinum)
9. “The Climb,” Miley Cyrus. Walt Disney/Hollywood.
10. “Halo,” Beyonce. Music World/Columbia. (Gold)
11. “We Made You,” Eminem. Web/Shady/Aftermath/Interscope.
12. “Gives You Hell,” The All-American Rejects. Doghouse/DGC/Interscope.
13. “Don’t Trust Me,” 3OH!3. Photo Finish/Atlantic/RRP. (Platinum)
14. “Just Dance,” Lady GaGa featuring Colby O’Donis. (Platinum)
15. “You Found Me,” The Fray. Epic. (Platinum)
16. “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho),” Pitbull. Ultra.
17. “My Life Would Suck Without You,” Kelly Clarkson. RCA/RMG.
18. “Love Story,” Taylor Swift. Big Machine/Universal Republic.
19. “If U Seek Amy,” Britney Spears. Jive/JLG.
20. “Second Chance,” Shinedown. Atlantic. (Gold)

USA TODAY KEY: F-Fiction; NF-Nonfiction; H-Hardcover; P-Paperback
1. “New Moon” by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) (F-P)
2. “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) (F-P)
3. “Eclipse” by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) (F-H)
4. “Breaking Dawn” by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) (F-H)
5. “First Family” by David Baldacci (Grand Central Publishing) (F-H)
6. “Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto” by Mark R. Levin (Threshold Editions) (NF-H)
7. “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment” by Steve Harvey (Amistad) (NF-H)
8. “The Shack” by William P. Young (Windblown Media) (F-P)
9. “Angels & Demons” by Dan Brown (Pocket) (F-P)
10. “Dark Summer” by Iris Johansen (St. Martin’s Paperbacks) (F-P)
11. “Tribute” by Nora Roberts (Jove) (F-P)
12. “Warriors: Power of Three 6: Sunrise” by Erin Hunter (HarperCollins) (F-H)
13. “Tea Time for the Traditionally Built: The New No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Novel” by Alexander McCall Smith, (Pantheon) (F-H)
14. “City of Thieves” by David Benioff (Plume) (F-P)
15. “No Choice But Seduction: A Malory Novel” by Johanna Lindsey (Pocket) (F-P)
16. “Where Are You Now?” Mary Higgins Clark (Pocket) (F-P)
17. “7th Heaven” by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (Grand Central Publishing) (F-P)

Here’s a run-down of what some local night spots are offering in entertainment for now and in the coming weeks.

The Bistro
Where: 132 N. Ashley St.
MONDAYS: Matt Flumerfelt. TUESDAYS THROUGH FRIDAYS: Lillian Lucky. SATURDAY: Tanya Meyers. SUNDAYS: (afternoons) Lillian Lucky; (evenings) Rodger Roden.

Brooks County Jamboree
Where: Culpepper Street, Quitman.
FRIDAYS: Billy Ingram & The Waysiders.