Tag Archives: “Steve Beard”

Leigh Nash: The Right Time

By Steve Beard Six years ago, I was provocatively reminded of the pervasiveness of American culture while I was walking around an outdoor market in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia. Amongst the tables full of trinkets and indigenous crafts, I spotted a … Continue reading

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Johnny Was a Punk Rocker: Johnny Ramone, R.I.P.

By Steve Beard I found myself shoulder-to-shoulder with a bunch of sweaty rockers at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip while they were complaining about needing a cigarette. We were all crammed in to see Alice Cooper and … Continue reading

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Eric Clapton’s prayer for sobriety

By Steve Beard Long considered one of rock ’n’ roll’s iconic guitarists, Eric Clapton had a problem. He was in the middle of a tour in Australia when he realized he couldn’t stop shaking. “For the second time, I’d reached … Continue reading

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Simply Bettie Page

By Steve Beard Ah, those jet-black Bettie Page bangs. Fifty years after they were immortalized on a pin-up icon, you still see them on the pale hipster chicks with the cat-eyed glasses. That is just one of the lasting manifestations … Continue reading

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Soul man: The sweet sound of Al Green

By Steve Beard When British musician Elvis Costello was asked if he had ever had a religious experience, he responded, “No, but I have heard Al Green.” Not a bad compliment coming from Costello, a musical legend in his own … Continue reading

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You might be Jeff Foxworthy if …

By Steve Beard July 2012, Good News You might be Jeff Foxworthy if … You are the Mark Twain of Redneck Jokes. You were the long-time host of Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? You helped launch the Blue … Continue reading

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Righteous Laughter: Tim Conway and Victoria Jackson

By Steve Beard 2008, Good News Tim Conway has been making people laugh for over four decades on stage, television, and film. He’s an American comedic icon known for his improvised humor, razor-sharp timing, and hilarious character portrayals. His 11-year … Continue reading

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Aaron Neville’s road to redemption

By Steve Beard 2007 Risen There are two striking features you notice when Aaron Neville performs: his massive biceps and his ethereal falsetto voice. Once you come to grips with the incon­gruity of his hulking, muscular frame and his transcendent … Continue reading

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The tenacity of William Wilberforce

By Steve Beard If you’ve seen the movie Crash, there is a scene in which Anthony, a car thief, discovers a van with the keys dangling in the driver’s door. Since no one is around, he hops in and drives … Continue reading

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Queen Latifah and the walk of faith

By Steve Beard 2006 In the film Last Holiday, Queen Latifah plays Georgia Byrd, an unassuming, churchgoing woman who sells cookware in a department store. She never misses choir practice and has a secret crush on a timid coworker played … Continue reading

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