NMM: Shaheen

Photo: ShaheenOfficial.com

It's been eight months since I first introduced you to Shaheen Jafargholi. The teen sensation from Swansea, Wales is back with a grown up image and sound. He's shortened his name to just Shaheen but that hasn't changed any of his true talent as a singer. 

His latest single - called "Star Sign" - is ridiculously good! The song has a smooth, cool feel that will get stuck in your head for sure. When I listen to it I can almost imagine myself sitting in a music club or somewhere listening to it. 

Shaheen is definitely on his way to international stardom.

Have a listen!

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Modern Day 'Robin Hood'

Photo: Rick Guy, The Jackson, Miss., Clarion-Ledger

It's not everyday that you hear this kind of story.

A Belhaven, Miss. man - who calls himself "Chane" - has reached his goal of filling 100 potholes across the city of Jackson. Sounds pretty harmless, right? Well he's being sought after by police.

Why?

"Chane" has been stealing asphalt from the city and repairing the potholes himself, spray painting a shiny arrow to point out the hole and that it's been fixed by a citizen. He's doing this because it looks like the city workers won't do it like they're suppose to.

"Chane" told local station 16 WAPT that he's spent about $40 on the work himself. The mayor still doesn't like it, releasing a statement saying that he applauds the improvements made but doesn't approve of the use of city resources without the proper steps being taken to do so.

Should we even call it stealing? If you look at it this way, I'm sure he pays taxes to the city. The city uses tax dollars to purchase its resources. I think it's just as much his as it is anyone else's.

The man is trying to make the city's roads better because the city apparently can't. This could have been prevented from even happening if the city had done its job and patched the problem spots in the first place. 

Considering that there are probably many other, more legitimate, crimes going on in that city I wouldn't be worried as much with this guy. With murders, rapes and other heinous crimes going on, if your only concern as city officials is a mysterious citizen taking asphalt to patch potholes, I'd be pretty happy. 

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On P.J. Hairston

Photo: Mr.TarHeel.com

You knew it'd only be a matter of time before I'd write something on this.

Whatever happened involving UNC basketball player, P.J. Hairston - we really don't know other than some bits and pieces - it's unfortunate for all involved. That being said I have some issues I'd like to raise.

First off, leave Coach Roy Williams alone! Coach has been clear that he doesn't know every fact yet and can't make a specific statement nor a decision on Hairston's fate until all the facts are released. 

Apparently local station, ABC11, didn't get that memo when reporter, Tamara Gibbs, "caught up" - more like chased down - Coach Williams for additional comment. He politely said he wouldn't give additional comment on the matter.

I'm highly disappointed in ABC11 for this. This is poor journalism in my opinion and, frankly, insults the very character of the journalism field. 

I know the media will be the media but, good Lord, leave the man alone. He's already said that he will no longer make any comment until all the facts are available. You should go through the proper channels to get a comment and not chase the guy down the street.

The next issue is: why are we just talking about P.J.?

Another local station, WRAL, posted a great story linking the man in question, Haydn “Fats” Thomas, to other athletes from the state of North Carolina. 

This included former Riverside and current Indianapolis Colts tight end Weslye Saunders as well as former Hillside and Duke wide receiver Desmond Scott. Scott played for the Blue Devils as a senior last season.

It's also amazing to me that people have suddenly forgotten about what I call the "Convenient Case of Lance Thomas" concerning the former Duke basketball player. 

Thomas was sued in 2012 by a New York jeweler for failing to repay a 2009 purchase of $67,800 in high-end jewelry, which he was loaned when he made a $30,000 cash down payment at the store, according to the court complaint discovered by the Associated Press. Much speculation abounded as to where Thomas got the $30k from and if that was an "impermissible benefit" as defined by the NCAA. 

Conveniently, the jeweler, Thomas and Duke kept mum on the issue and the NCAA closed the case with no penalties.

According to the News & Observer, the NCAA doesn't have subpoena power to talk to former athletes or third parties. So I'm guessing the same will apply to Desmond Scott who will not be penalized because he's a former athlete? My, my how convenient, right?

I'm sick and tired of people thinking UNC is the only school that's involved in these things -whatever they may be. I bet just about every university with a sports program has had these problems. They just don't get publicized as much or they just haven't come to light yet.

If the NCAA wants to ensure that its athletics programs are fair for everyone, I believe the legalities should be changed so that it has subpoena power to question former athletes of any wrongdoing. Especially if the wrongdoing occurs while the student-athlete is at his/her school. Such as in the case of Lance Thomas. 

It's not fair for these cases involving former players to just blow away in the wind like dust all because the NCAA doesn't have the power to question like it does in cases involving current athletes. 

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NMM: Brandon And Savannah

Photo: NinonSpeaks 

Brandon and Savannah Hudson will stop at nothing to achieve their dreams.

The teen brother/sister duo from Florida have always been passionate about performing since a very young age. Recently, they took their act to the big stage of America's Got Talent where they performed one of their original songs "All The Runaways" impressing the audience and the judges. The song itself is one that will get stuck in your head with a nice, driving beat and cool lyrics to match. Can't wait to see and hear more of them.

Have a listen!

P.S. Shoutout to Brandon and Savannah for following me on Twitter! Much appreciated!

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Review: The Kings Of Summer

(L-R) Gabriel Basso, Moises Arias and Nick Robinson | Photo: The Kings of Summer / CBS Films

What did you do to get away from your pesky parents? Did you go out into the woods with your buddies and build a house? That's what some teenagers decide to do in this coming-of-age comedy that was well-received at this year's Sundance Film Festival.

What To Know

Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts

Writer: Chris Galletta

Stars: Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso and Moises Arias

Rating: R for language and some teen drinking. Parents Guide

Plot: Meet Joe (Nick Robinson) and Patrick (Gabriel Basso), two friends whose parents are driving them to their boiling points. After the recent death of his mother, Joe's relationship with his father (Nick Offerman) is strained at best. It doesn't help that Joe's father is getting serious with a new lady Joe doesn't approve of, equating her to a "spider woman from the gutter."

Patrick's relationship with his parents (played by the always funny Megan Mullally and Marc Evan Jackson) is not quite as bad. The only problem is his parents are protective of him - a little too protective. His mom won't even let him walk around the house without wearing socks.

Fed up and wanting a change, Joe decides to build a house in the woods to get away from the hell that is living with his father. After giving it some thought Patrick joins him. Also joining them is a strange guy named Biaggio (played, brilliantly, by Moises Arias) who walked home with Joe from a party. He ends up being arguably the most likable character in the film.

While in the woods, the teens learn everything about the great outdoors. But, most of all, they come away from their experience learning a lot more about themselves and their families. In turn the parents learn a lot about themselves as well.

Family Friendly? No. Overall, it did have some positive messages but there's quite a bit of language - of course since it's rated R - plus scenes of teen smoking/drinking and a frightening scene as well.

Should You See It? YES! This is, without a doubt, the best movie I've seen all year! It has everything you could ask for in a film: a great story, some drama, love and a little laugh. Vogt-Roberts does such an amazing job combining the quirky, comedic aspects with the dramatic aspects of the film.

Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso and Moises Arias were amazing. I already knew about Gabriel from seeing him in Super 8 and Moises from Disney Channel shows. All three actors had breakout performances including Arias who had the best performance of his budding career.

The film elements all come together to present a clear message to its audience: teens don't just want to be independent of their sometimes pesky parents. They want to find meaning and purpose in their lives. The Kings of Summer is a true gem of this year's film lineup but will, unfortunately, be overshadowed by those big budget cash cows.

If you can, you should definitely go see it!

It's playing locally at The Chelsea Theater in Chapel Hill, N.C. at least until Thursday (7/11). You can go to the film's website to find a theater near you if you're not in the local area.

I normally don't include videos in my movie reviews but this teaser trailer was hard to pass up.

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On Abortion

North Carolina protesters rally against proposed abortion restrictions in May | Photo: PolicyMic

Abortion is a hot topic across the nation. This week, North Carolina has been in the spotlight as tension mounts and protesters on both sides come out in droves to promote their sides.

Let me be clear, I don't want to start World War III with this post. As I've said earlier, if you disagree with me fine but, if you find it necessary to express your thoughts, please do so in a mature and professional manner.

First I'll address the N.C. Legislature. WRAL reports a bill that was supposed to be about foreign affairs was overhauled Tuesday - with little to no public notice I might add - into an omnibus bill that included many restrictions on abortion practices in North Carolina.

According to WRAL, Gov. Pat McCrory said in the past that he was against any new restrictions on abortion but Republicans in both the House and Senate have enough of a majority to override a possible veto.

Senator Tom Apodaca, R-Henderson, told WRAL that [the Democrats] routinely forced bills through during  last-minute votes when they were in control of the legislature.

So does that give the GOP a free pass to do the same? Absolutely not. 

For once - and only once - I agree with Gov. McCrory when he told WRAL that this kind of cheap trick of sliding language into unrelated bills is wrong and should be stopped.

Now onto abortion itself.

My stance has always been the same: I don't agree with abortion personally but I will not stand there and tell a woman what she can or can't do with her own body. 

Isn't it bass ackwards how these legislatures, mostly made up of men, can make up laws that tell woman what they can do with their bodies? I feel it's not my position as a man to make those decisions for women.

That's my stance and it will not change.

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NMM: Triple The Tunes

(L-R) Spencer Cane, Emblem3 and David Nail | Photo: Spencer Kane Music, Emblem3, David Nail

Haven't done this in a long time so I've got three, count 'em, three fresh songs for you to listen to. Enjoy!

First up is Spencer Kane. The son of a pastor, this teen artist and actor from Indiana grew up in a Christian home and recorded his first music video at age five. After singing in his church, Spencer competed in a county talent contest in 2010 in which he finished second. In 2011, he released his first original song, "Best Friends" and has continued to record music since.

Spencer recently came out with an EP called One of the Kind which has five new songs that combine cool music with inspirational lyrics. The title track off the EP is just one example of his amazing talent.

Have a listen!

Next up is a band that many of you have probably heard of. Cue the screams...it's Emblem3!

Since my NMM post on them last year, the trio of guys from Huntington Beach, C.A. finished in fourth place on The X-Factor, signed with Simon Cowell's record label and released a brand new song as a part of an upcoming album called Nothing To Lose which you can pre-order on iTunes right now. 

The song is called "Chloe (You're the One I Want)" and is quickly gaining airplay on the radio. One of our local stations here in North Carolina, Pulse 102 FM, has been playing this song pretty regularly. "Chloe..." is definitely one of those feel good songs of the summer. 

Get ready to rock out!

Last but certainly not least is one of my favorite country artists, Grammy and Academy of Country Music Award-nominated David Nail. I was fortunate enough to see him in concert twice back in 2011, once at the N.C. State Fair and again a couple months later. I was not disappointed in either of these concerts.

Now, David is back with an all new song called "Whatever She's Got" and it's sure to be yet another hit for him. This is definitely one of my favorite songs from him by far.

Listen to it right here!

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