Kickapoo's Ryan Rippee

Baseball.

See, Rippee’s story is peculiar. Sure, he’s a supertalented basketball player. He’s also coached by his father, Dick, at Kickapoo High School, but before that, he was at nearly every Evangel University practice when his father was an assistant under Steve Jenkins. “I learned a lot there and sometimes got to participate.”

But as a 6-foot-5, 200-pound senior, Rippee’s future is likely in high Division I baseball. “I can probably play at a higher (collegiate) level in baseball,” he said. There, he’s a powerful corner outfielder with a strong arm.

Still, Kickapoo is 15-6 and Rippee is averaging 25.6 points and 6.2 rebounds. TAGsgf.com sports editor Allen Vaughan swung by Kickapoo to catch up with Rippee who lets us in on what it’s like to have a coach/father, how he gets pumped up for a game and his love for Blake Griffin.

In the line of major concert news this week, Drury University announced that Grammy nominee emcee J Cole will bring the Campus Consciousness Tour to O’Reilly Family Event Center on April 23. J Cole made a name for himself in the mixtape circuits and bust onto the viral radar with Friday Night Lights, then became the first artist signed to Jay Z’s Roc Nation. His first album Cole World: The Sideline Story debuted at No. 1 last fall on Billboard and landed him a nomination for the Grammy of Best New Artist. Other artists on the bill haven’t been confirmed by Drury yet, but a video promoting the tour announced rapper Big K.R.I.T. would be the opener for the tour. Tickets will be available mid-February. Additional details to come.

5 Fingers Friday: We wrap up the DGB experience from Wednesday, look forward to the Super Bowl and examine the prop bets. Dont miss the Super Bowl Party at Harbell’s Sunday!

Episode: 2/3/2012

What Did the 5 Fingers Say to the Face Friday

• Stop hating on DGB. Mizzou is a great choice.
• And, the Beckham family handled the Wednesday event perfectly, because DGB is now a national brand.
  
• We unveil Super Bowl picks and go through the prop bets.
  
• Facebook.com/TheHighRoadShow
  

Sponsors

• Buckingham’s Smokehouse BBQ (Nixa and SGF)
• Millwood Golf and Racquet Club
  
• The Outland Ballroom
  
• The Outland
  
• The Highlife
• Perk It Up
  
• Balls N Strikes
• Penmac Staffing
• Sushi Smith
• The Wedge
• Bank of Urbana
• On the Ball Sports
• Clarity Insurance
• Fair City News
• Ott’s Famous Dressing
• The UPS Store, 4319 S. National — owned by Wendell and Jackie Shaffer

Webcam everyday at TAGsgf.com

Listen to The High Road on KBFL 99.9 FM Sunday night at 5 p.m. and Wednesdays and Fridays streaming live on TAGsgf.com, 9 a.m.

Listen live and podcast:

» Watch webcam online at TAGsgf.com

» Subscribe to TAG Magazine’s ITunes feed for free podcasts of The High Road

Socialize:

» “Like” The High Road with Allen Vaughan on Facebook

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Join the Conversation:

» E-mail TheHighRoadShow@gmail.com

Fire, Rain and SGF?

JQH Arena has done it again, bringing in another Grammy-winning act, announcing James Taylor will play on Missouri State’s campus July 17. Taylor is a world-renowned singer/songwriter who has sold more than 50 million albums, earned 40 gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards and five Grammy awards.

Tickets go on sale Feb. 10 through MissouriStateTix.com. Charge by phone at (417) 836-7678, 888-476-7849. Ticket Prices are $79.50 and $49.50 plus handling fees.

Songs you might (probably) know: “Fire and Rain,” “Country Road,” “Something in the Way She Moves,” “Mexico,” “Shower the People,” “Your Smiling Face,” “Carolina In My Mind,” “Sweet Baby James,” “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,” “You Can Close Your Eyes,” “Walking Man,” “Never Die Young,” “Shed a Little Light,”
“Copperline,” among others.

KNIFE*DEATH, JOSH & THE JERKS, SOMEONE STILL LOVES YOU BORIS YELTSIN AT THE OUTLAND

MAKING MOVIES AT LINDBERG’s

with Plaid Dragon and The Gardenheads

TROY CD RELEASE AT OUTLAND BALLROOM

with Ghost In The Machine and Ambrister

Also in SGF

Pearl at Three 20s Club
Kevin Friday at The Tipsy Turtle Pub
Broken Ridge at Dennis’ Place
Toe Jam at Da Cubby Hole
Voodoo Gypsy at Cartoon’s
Black Box Revue at Highlife Martini Lounge

If you are a band or venue and your show isn’t listed, email Brett@tagsgf.com, thanks!

Here is TAG’s can’t-miss list for tonight’s First Friday Art Walk in down town SGF tonight. Not enough? Get your complete listing of FFAW stops. Find TAG Team to pick up a copy of the February issue of TAG Magazine.

Don’t Miss!

• In China by Joyce Jablonski and Slapstick: (ha!) by Gary Greenberg at MSU Brick City (215 W Mill) — A pair of installation artists are on display at Brick City from the abstract of Jablonski to the humorous sculpture-work of Greenberg.

• Deschutes Beer Tasting + Voyeur at Good Girl Art (325 E Walnut) — A trio of artists (Tina Davis Noble, Weber Warren and Jane Almirall) examine what could be behind closed doors with the joint series Voyeur. It’s also a stop to try the beer lineup of Deschutes, which is coming to town in a few weeks (and there are some really, really tasty). This is also a surefire spot to grab a hot-off-the press copy of the new TAG Magazine. I think you will like it.

• Burnin’ Love — A Non-Traditional Valentine’s Art Show at Squidfoo (407 N Boonville) — A mixture of artists (Mark Skidmore,Vanessa Lacy, Justin Gault, Michelle Nimmo, Meghan Stone, Mary Fox) present a Valentine’s collective without all the sappiness.

• Sensory Memories by Carla Stine at Obelisk Home (214 W Phelps) — Stine works out of her comfort zone, but it comes together incredibly when oil and textures meet on canvas.

Other highlights:

Faculty Showcase at OTC Fine Art Gallery; Hearts, Flowers and Perfumes at Springfield Hot Glass Studio; Chang Yao Chang at Springfield Pottery.

Oscar Said This Movie Was Good is a movie review series by Ozarks native Kaitlyn Vaughan. She is not a professional movie critic by any means — and not even really a writer — but wanted to improve her movie buffness by watching all 9 films nominated by the Academy Awards for Best Picture. Then she said she wanted to write about them. We said, “Fine. Whatever.” So, if these reviews suck, it’s not our fault. But, if they’re good, we deserve all the credit.

Let’s get right to it. George Clooney is the man. You can’t argue with his track record: O Brother Where Art Thou, Ocean’s Eleven, all that time on ER, and the cherry on top, One Fine Day. (What woman didn’t want to be the struggling single mother, Michelle Pfeiffer in that movie?)

Add The Descendants to George’s greatest hits list.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Take Clooney, pair him with breakout star Shailene Woodley (good to know she can do more than be a pregnant hooligan on The Secret Life of an American Teenager), put them in a storyline anyone can relate to, throw the whole thing in Hawaii, and you’ve got yourself a winner.

Speaking of Hawaii, the setting of this movie was fantastic. Not only were the visuals spectacular, but the Hawaiian locale gave the film a little something different, a vibe that you can’t get from a story set in New York City or Los Angeles. If you’ve been to Hawaii, you totally get it. If you haven’t, you definitely can appreciate it.

We all know George can play a wide array of characters, but now we can put vulnerability on the list. I could feel the anguish and heartbreak he struggled with throughout the entire movie. He was just a dad doing the best he could in a really crappy situation. His out-of-control 17- and 10-year-old daughters added a nice level of comedic relief to the storyline. Shailene’s character, Alex’s, harsh attitude and vulgar nature were downright funny at times and seriously, as much as you don’t want to admit it, watching kids under the age of 12 swear and say inappropriate things is hilarious. The dynamic between Matt, Alex, and the little sister Scottie (weird name, by the way) was spot on, although I’m not sure why Alex’s friend Sid was involved as much as he was. Whatever, it was all worth it to see Grandpa sucker punch him.

This movie had the potential to get boring. Mom is in a life-threatening accident, Dad has to assume responsibility for the children, Dad brings problem child back home from reform school, the family finds a newfound respect for each other in light of the tragedy, blah blah blah. But, wait, finding out Mom had been cheating on Dad for months before the accident throws an interesting wrench in things. We spend the rest of the movie watching Matt and Alex stalk and track down Mom’s lover while she lay in a hospital bed in a vegetative state. Father and daughter, working together to find the man who was about to ruin their family to tell him his mistress is brain dead. Surprise. Turns out Lover Boy is married, to a hot bodied Judy Greer, who, for some reason, made an impression on me. I could sympathize with her character and enjoyed her nature, especially when she came to visit her husband’s mistress in the hospital because he was too much of a coward to do it himself. Bam.

Of course, at the end, they unplug the mother from life support and they all say their goodbyes and watch her die. Matt and his girls come together with newfound love for each other. I cried. Duh. If you weren’t crying by the end of that thing, you’re heart is made of stone.

I’ve heard from others they thought this movie was too depressing. I say this movie was real life, and real life can be depressing. I was more than happy to pay the $10 to see this movie in the theater (although I didn’t because I had a free pass. What’s up?). You killed it, George. I would love to see you get Best Actor, especially over Brad Pitt in Moneyball (gross).

You were right, Oscar. This movie was good.

Other movies Oscar said were good (and were reviewed):

• The Artist
• Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
• The Help
• Hugo
• Midnight in Paris
• Moneyball
• The Tree of Life
• War Horse

Remember when there was subtlety in political and social discourse? Neither does LuciD. Raging against a world far, far down the “news with a narrative” rabbit hole dug by Fox News and its self-appointed competitors, the SGF rap-rock trio follows up its debut EP T.R.U.T.H. just a year later with its first full-length, On the Record. The double entendre is also the mood-setter: Not only are these 10 songs on the record—or the CD, anyway—but these are also the band’s definitive, we’re-not-taking-them-back comments about the state of life in America today. Buckle up, because they’re going to be that brash all the way through.

The band has grown its musical approach to go with its new, bigger pair of brass ones, too. Working at Red Room Studio in Arkansas, the producting tag team of Phil Taylor and John Lecompt brought a sound more full and more fierce out of the group. Where Jake Bollinger‘s guitar was more often a complementary piece on the previous record, it’s pushed to the forefront now, lower and more overtly metal in tone. The beats move the pace and tension up, as well, with Chris “Hazoh” Tilley (DJ Landon left the group late last year) adding some new production wrinkles to help fill out the sound. Not to be left behind, lyricist Kyle Colson leaves questions such as “Where the f*** is my song?” behind and starts tackling taboos—religion’s hollow condemnations (“Bible Belt”), political duplicity and incompetence (“Oblahblah”), the cultural dumb-down brought on by life imitating TV (“Rad Bro,” the lead single) and more. Think of him as the mic-wielding agent provocateur, out to incite any kind of reaction from his targets, even if it just amounts to pissing people off at times. If collars can be popped in anger, “Rad Bro” should make it happen. If political and “the party ends in hell” types had their own collars to pop, the rest of the songs would get them going, too. The one outlier in all this musical prodding is “Hindsight,” the lone relationship-oriented song and, though not bad, an awkward oasis from the righteous anger.

Finally, if the band’s sound blueprint makes one recall the Public Enemy-plus-Anthrax “Bring the Noise” more than the b-boy leanings of the first EP then think of “Rise Up” more like On the Record‘s “Fight the Power,” a generic-cause rallying cry reminding the listener that, no matter what a record, politician, religious fanatic with a sign or Jersey Shore wannabe tells you, the ability to make real change remains, now and forever, in your hands. If that’s the biggest takeaway then the album wins, but, regardless of whether you agree with its opinions or not, try to also enjoy a rap-rock band bringing more rap and more rock to the table and making an enjoyable album while not bringing the Limp Bizkits of the genre’s past to mind.

Oscar Said This Movie Was Good is a movie review series by Ozarks native Kaitlyn Vaughan. She is not a professional movie critic by any means — and not even really a writer — but wanted to improve her movie buffness by watching all 9 films nominated by the Academy Awards for Best Picture. Then she said she wanted to write about them. We said, “Fine. Whatever.” So, if these reviews suck, it’s not our fault. But, if they’re good, we deserve all the credit.

SGF native Brad Pitt might be the only redeeming thing about Moneyball.

I am an avid lover of sports movie. While I am not the most athletic girl on the playground, Remember the Titans, The Mighty Ducks and A League of Their Own rank high on my list of favorite movies. (Please do not judge.) Prior to watching, I did not hear good things about this film. But, being the sports movie fanatic I am, I wanted to believe in you, Moneyball.

I shouldn’t have.

First of all, this movie was slow. As in, the speed of your internet when you had dial up, SGF traffic when it’s raining SGF traffic at any time, the McDonald’s drive thru line at noon, slow. As I mentioned, I wanted to believe in this film, but how many times can you watch Brad and Jonah Hill stare at standard deviation, long division, and computer screens from the early nineties before you start checking your Facebook?

As someone who has enough knowledge to enjoy the World Series, but not enough to know what constitutes a decent batting average, I found myself struggling to relate to the majority of the story. I’m sure someone with a respectable background in the sport would understand the jargon, calculations, and shorthand, but since Legends of the Fall heartthrob and SGF native son Brad Pitt starred in this movie, I guarantee I was not the only female to feel lost, and a little deceived, while watching it. On a positive note, however, I could relate to the old man scouts sitting around a table, gossiping (that’s what I call it) about every player in baseball. “His girlfriend is ugly. He’s getting a big around the middle. He parties too much.” Sounds strangely familiar to a girls’ night.

(Side note: How about when the Kansas City Royals make a killer comeback during what was supposed to be a crucial game for the Oakland Athletics? We all know things like that never happen to the Royals in real life so it was nice to see.)

In addition to be slow and confusing, this film lacked some serious character development. For how many people were involved in this story, I found myself caring for only one: Billy Beane’s 12-year-old daughter, Casey. Her musical talent, unusual wisdom, and justified worry for her father made her someone you wanted to care about. I didn’t flinch when players were traded or cut. I didn’t feel bad when Billy’s world was crashing down around him. But I couldn’t stop smiling when Casey played the guitar and sang her daddy a song.

Let’s talk about the ending. OK, Billy, so you don’t take the gazillion dollars Boston is offering you and then they win without you. And Oakland continues to not win a World Series under your management. And you’re still divorced and alone. And then you file for bankruptcy and your house floods. I mean, seriously. Let’s make this movie more depressing. I know it was based on a true story, and I figured the real story wasn’t all cotton candy and pizza for breakfast, but come on. Give a girl a little smile everyone once in a while.

In conclusion, I was not impressed with this movie. I am glad I chose to pay the $1.29 (way to raise your prices, Redbox) to rent this movie rather than pay $10 to see it at a movie theater.

Oscar was wrong. This movie was not good.

Big Smith bassist Bill Thomas

There aren’t a great number of shows tonight in SGF, but there are some great shows tonight in SGF. While one stands out as the biggest cause (with a musical lineup you won’t want to miss), it will be happening long enough to find another show around town if you’re so inclined.

If you are with a band or venue that isn’t listed, email show information to Brett@tagsgf.com.

BIG SMITH FAMILY & FRIENDS BENEFIT FOR BILL’S BILLS AT PATTON ALLEY PUB

More than 20 performers and a stocked silent auction with wares from all over SGF. Music and auction start at 6 p.m. with music lasting until closing time. The proceeds go to Big Smith bassist Bill Thomas to help offset medical costs after suffering a stroke during a show in Arkansas. Performers include: Barak N Hill, Dallas Jones, Kasey Rausch, Brandon Moore, Cindy Woolf & The Foxxes, Mike Stevens, Brother Wiley, and members of Big Smith, Speakeasy, the Cropdusters and the Bootheel. There is a suggested donation of $10 at the door. You can also donate online.

Also in SGF:
Sally Switchblade, Black Bonnet Ballyhoo and Lilly Bee & the Johnson Three at The Outland
Deep Fried Squirrel and Hamburger Cows at Lindberg’s
VideoVamp and Nocturnal Nation at Outland Ballroom
DJ Geeg and Agent Traxxident at Highlife Martini Lounge
Canto 17 at Fox & Hound

There’s something about the grimy, retro-punk, dubbed-to-cassette sound of SGF’s Josh and the Jerks that feels brutally right. They leaked “Hate Crime” yesterday and it is all of that. Find Josh and the Jerks at The Outland tomorrow (Feb. 3) with Knife*Death and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin.

The Black Cloud Tour

The second listing on the bill is Pennsylvania’s underground lyrical heavyweight King Magnetic. King Mag’s 2011 single release “Watch Out” spent time near the top of the college charts, and his next full-length album, EAG III, drops a week after the SGF show.

It doesn’t end there, Brooklyn’s Block McCloud is also on the bill, whom you may know from appearances with Method Man, Kurupt, Jedi Mind Tricks, Immortal Technique and Jean Grae among others.

SGF will get its shine too, as local hip hop will warm up the stage. Mask & Glove (Brief and Nick Fury), DJ Platinum, Sylabol7 and Loogey are on the bill. Ticket details and more as the information comes. Until then, debrief yourself on the prime YouTube selections below.

Outland Ballroom (3/6/12)
Lineup:
Cappadonna
King Magnetic
Block McCloud
Mask & Glove
DJ Platinum
Sylabol7
Loogey

Earmuffs! Songs below are NSFW (or children)

Cappadonna, “’97 Mentality”

Cappadonna, “Milk The Cow”

Cappadonna, “Oh Donna”

Cappadonna, “Run”

Cappadonna, “Slang Editorial”

King Magnetic, “I Don’t Know You”

King Magnetic, “Watch Out

Block McCloud, “Crazy Man”

Mask & Glove

Sylabol7, “I Wanna”

[[Show as slideshow]]
photos by Brett Johnston

Missouri State dropped its fifth game at JQH Arena this year in a 74-67 loss to Wichita State on Wednesday. The Bears trailed by 12 with 9:15 to play, and cut the deficit to three, but was unable to draw closer, missing several free throws down the stretch. MSU is shy depth on the post with Caleb Patterson on the bench injured. Shockers big man Garrett Stutz took advantage and was the difference, scoring 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting. Stutz also pulled in 11 rebounds. Kyle Weems scored 21 points, leading four Bears (13-11, 6-6) in double figures. Weems is fourth in scoring all-time at MSU (76 points behind Johnny Murdock). Ben Smith hit five 3s for Wichita State (19-4, 10-2) and finished with 21.

Stats

Wichita State 74
Ben Smith 21
Garrett Stutz 25, 11 rebounds
Joe Ragland 10
Toure’ Murry 10
Carl Hall 6
Jake White 2

Missouri State 67
Jarmar Gulley 14
Kyle Weems 21
Christian Kirk 4
Anthony Downing 13
Michael Bizoukas 2
Keith Pickens 12
Corey Copeland 1

[[Show as slideshow]]
photos by Brett Johnston

More Coverage:

The Decision with video
When did he actually choose?
Hoops possible, track probable
Photo Gallery

DGB at the podium, not long after choosing Mizzou on Wednesday.

After months of hearing Dorial Green-Beckham was undecided on where he was going play college football, he chose Missouri in a somewhat surprising decision. But, then again, the control of information was airtight that it had people guessing right up until he made his decision just after 9 a.m. on National Signing Day.

Everyone reporter in the free world acted like they had sources “close to” DGB. Here is a collection of those people and what they had to say after the decision.

• DGB’s father and Hillcrest football coach John Beckham: “We expected to have a sit-down discussion about it as a family, but he told us on Monday.”
• Hillcrest Athletic Director Darrell Johnson: “I found out right along with everyone else.”
• Springfield Public Schools Athletic Director Mark Fisher: “About 45 minutes (before the announcement).”
• Hillcrest offensive coordinator Andy McFarland: “I didn’t really know. I think he kind of tried to tell me yesterday, but he didn’t come right out and say it. I wore my Mizzou T-shirt (underneath my dress shirt) just in case.”
• Former Hillcrest and current Missouri State running back Mikael Cooper-Falls, who went with DGB on multiple recruiting trips: “Sunday. Me, (DGB and mother, Tracy) were in the car while everyone else was talking to the coaches. He said, ‘I’m ready to do this. Let’s get it going.”
• Hillcrest basketball coach John Schaefer: “Sunday.”

More Coverage:

The Decision with video
When did he actually choose?
Hoops possible, track probable
Photo Gallery

Will DGB play basketball or run track at Mizzou? He said maybe, "It's up to me."

While fielding questions during his National Signing Day press conference when he chose to play football at the University of Missouri, Hillcrest High School senior and nation’s No. 1 football recruit Dorial Green-Beckham surprisingly left the door open to do both basketball and track.

“It’s a possibility. I haven’t really thought about it, but I’ve got the opportunity to do it,” DGB said Wednesday.

The media seemed stunned. It led to further questions to his recruitment and whether or not schools – including the schools he didn’t choose, like Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Alabama — gave him the option to play multiple sports. He was asked if he and Missouri basketball coach Frank Haith spoke about the subject during his visit to Columbia last weekend.

“He (said he’d) be open to it,” DGB said. “It’s whatever I’d like to do. It would be up to me to decide.”

Of course, DGB and Hillcrest won a state basketball championship in 2010 and he’s been a multiple-time All-State forward. He was on the Tournament of Champions All-Tournament team, a few weeks ago, too, and delivered one of the best highlights from the weekend — a fastbreak dunk where he took only one dribble and three steps from halfcourt before delivering a one-handed dunk.

When it comes to track and field, DGB won the 100-meter dash (11.0 second) and triple jump (47 feet, 2 1/2 inches) and was second in the long jump (23-2 1/4).

“Probably track. Yeah.”

Stay tuned.

More Coverage:

The Decision with video
When did he actually choose?
Hoops possible, track probable
Photo Gallery

Charlie Spoonhour

We at TAGsgf.com are very sad to hear of the passing of Charlie Spoonhour, the former great Missouri State men’s basketball coach from 1983-92.

Here are the details from a Missouri State press release:

Missouri State men’s basketball coaching legend Charlie Spoonhour passed away this morning at his family’s home in North Carolina, at age 72.

“The entire Missouri State University family is deeply saddened by the passing of Coach Spoonhour,” said MSU Director of Athletics Kyle Moats. “His legacy is one of class, distinction and achievement, and he will be dearly missed by the many lives he touched in his many endeavors.”

Spoonhour received a lung transplant from Duke University Medical Center in 2010 after being diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. His health had fluctuated since then with with a number of trips in and out of the hospital.

He coached the Bears from 1983-92 and compiled a 197-81 record while leading MSU to five NCAA Tournament appearances. He went on to coaching stops at Saint Louis University (1992-99) and UNLV (2001-04). He was 373-202 in 19 years overall as a Division I head coach.

Coach Spoonhour is survived by his wife, Vicki, and two sons, Jay and Stephen.

According to close family friend Bob Ramsey, Jay Spoonhour said his father died peacefully this morning surrounded by his family and was able to spend his final moments with them at the family’s condo near Raleigh-Durham, N.C. He had returned home from the hospital just a couple of days before.

Arrangements are pending. A moment of silence will be part of a pregame tribute to Spoonhour at tonight’s Missouri State men’s basketball game against Wichita State.

DGB chooses Mizzou on National Signing Day

Dorial Green-Beckham is going to play college football at Missouri, he announced this morning at a press conference at Hillcrest High School.

“I will be continuing my education this fall at……the University of Missouri,” he announced as he put on a flat-bill Mizzou hat and threw his hands in the air.

DGB, the Nation’s No. 1 wide receiver chose the Tigers over Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama (all of which came in second-place,” he said.). Why? Proximity and family.

“Just to be home, just to stay close to my friends and family, to have everyone come out here to support me (during) my high school career, (they can now) support me at the next level; in college football.”

Over the course of his high school career, he was earned numerous national high school athlete of the year awards, set the national record for receiving yards and rewrote the state record book. In four years, he had 297 catches for 6,367 yards and 73 TDs. DGB was the top uncommitted recruit in the country and many felt he might be leaning toward Arkansas. But much was made of a final trip to Columbia last weekend.

When asked when he made his decision, he said just recently.

“I slept on it Monday and felt good about it the next day, so I told them where I wanted to attend,” DGB said.

During the press conference, he said he didn’t alert any of the coaches, including Mizzou.

“I guess they know about it now,” he joked.

Other highlights from the press conference:

- He didn’t rule out the possibility of playing other sports in college, including track and field.

- An official M-I-Z-D-G-B chant

We will have more coverage throughout the day here at TAGsgf.com, including more video and photos.

More Coverage:

The Decision with video
When did he actually choose?
Hoops possible, track probable
Photo Gallery

COVERAGE

The Decision with video
When did he actually choose?
Hoops possible, track probable
Photo Gallery

DGB will decide today.

We will be broadcasting his decision live here on TAG TV starting at 9 a.m. Be sure to catch it, as well as the rest of our coverage here on TAGsgf.com throughout the day.

Despite a report from the Tulsa World earlier this week suggesting the nation’s No. 1 recruit will choose Mizzou, it’s believed Arkansas is in the running as well. A report last night said he had notified Texas they had been eliminated.

He is expected to make his decision between 9:15 and 9:30 a.m.

Ralphie May brings his fourth tour, Too Large To Ignore, to SGF.

Ralphie May, Politically Correct NSFW

TUESDAY (Jan. 31)

Music: Quantum Groove at Lindberg’s
Happy hour all night every Tuesday with the funkiest horns in SGF.

Music: Tuesday’s Stew at Outland Ballroom
DJ J5 and DJ Blaze are the featured deejays at the weekly free showcase.

WEDNESDAY (Feb. 1)

High school sports: DGB’s decision
At long last (and debate) Hillcrest football phenom Dorial Green-Beckham will make his college decision official. The nation’s top-rated recruit’s announcement will come at 9:15 a.m. live on ESPNU and online at tagsgf.com (TAG TV).

College hoops: Wichita State invades Missouri State
Defending its Missouri Valley Conference title looks to be out of reach, but that doesn’t mean Missouri State can’t hit replay on the last time they beat thet second-place team in the MVC. That’s right, the last time Wichita State came to JQH Arena, MSU beat the Shockers and stormed the court to celebrate the school’s only MVC regular season title. Tip is at 7 p.m.

THURSDAY (Feb. 2)

Music: Benefit for Bill Thomas at Patton Alley Pub
Live performances by more than 20 SGF musicians (including Mark Bilyeu, Molly Healey, Jody Bilyeu and Dallas Jones), a silent auction with donations from dozens of SGF businesses, a raffle and more. All funds are going to benefit Big Smith bassist Bill Thomas and his family after Thomas suffered a stroke during a concert in Fayetteville on Jan. 19.

FRIDAY (Feb. 3)

Art: First Friday Art Walk
Join 1,000s of your closest friends downtown for SGF’s monthly celebration of the arts for gallery exhibits, demonstrations, beer tastings, food, drinks, shopping, live music, those guys with the signs and the new (and quite handsome) edition of TAG Magazine. That’s a lot of reasons to get out on a Friday night. Do it.

Theatre: Annie at Landers Theatre
It’s opening weekend as Springfield Little Theatre presents the nine-time Tony Award winning Ginger and Daddy Warbucks. The musical features one of the most memorable scores from “Tomorrow” to “It’s a Hard Knock Life”. Continues thru Sunday.

Music: Knife*Death, Josh & the Jerks, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin at The Outland
Where metal meets punk meets pop. It’s a lesson in Rock ‘n’ Roll diversity on South Ave.

Comedy:Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy at JQH Arena
Blue Collar comedians bring redneck jokes to the Q.

Music: Troy EP Release at Outland Ballroom
The first 200 in the door will receive a copy of Troy’s new release. Also playing are Ghost in the Machine and Ambrister.

SATURDAY (Feb. 4)

College hoops: Drury Homecoming double header against Quincy
Drury’s homecoming weekend is highlighted by a men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader against GLVC rival Quincy during the afternoon. The men’s tip is at 2 p.m. and the women’s will follow at approximately 4:30.

Music: Machina, Lucid Album Release at Outland Ballroom
Just weeks after the EP tease, SGF rap-rock’s Lucid is set to unveil its full-length album featuring appearances by the night’s headliner Machina (former members of Future Leaders of the World and Evanescence. Call Me Beta and BadminxX are also on the bill.

SUNDAY (Feb. 5)

TAG Super Bowl party at Harbell’s Grill and Sports Bar
It doesn’t matter if you’re cheering for the Patriots, cheering for the Giants or cheering for the commercials, come down to Harbell’s Grill and Sports Bar (315 Park Central West) and hang out with the TAG Team to celebrate the Super Bowl at SGF’s downtown sports bar. Prizes will be given away, games will be played, beverages will be consumed and food will be devoured. Party starts at 4 p.m. with the live broadcast of Beer Buzz and continues at 5 with a live edition of The High Road.

The Bud Light TAG Radio Block
You pick the location to enjoy specialized SGF programming, but tune in to KBFL 99.9 FM (1060 AM) or watch live on TAGsgf.com for live musical performances, local interviews and entertainment.

• Beer Buzz – 4 p.m.
• The High Road – 5 p.m., live at Harbell’s
• Local Music – 6 p.m.
• SGF 10 – 7 p.m. (local music as voted by listeners, email SGFLocalLive@gmail.com)
• SGF Local Live – 8 p.m.
• M.E.O. Radio – 9 p.m.
• M.E.O. Podcast – 10:45 p.m. (on TAGsgf.com)

Pearl has been an SGF staple as a cover band, but on Sunday’s episode of SGF Local Live the band unveiled two new original songs. We discussed the group’s formation, dudes getting pedicures and tried to get Shaun Monday to talk (maybe next time). Listen to this episode.

SGF Local Live is live every Sunday at 8 p.m. on KBFL 99.9 FM (1060 AM) and on TAG TV (TAGsgf.com) during the Bud Light TAG Radio Block.

Podcasts also available on iTunes.

A big thanks to our sponsors, please patronize these businesses, and tell them you heard from SGF Local Live. Contact SGFLocalLive@gmail.com or Brett@TAGsgf.com for sponsorship opportunities.

SGF Local Live sponsors

• Bud Light
• Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
• Nonna’s Italian Café
• 1 Love Custom Weddings
• Laurel Bryant, Murney Associates Realtors
• The Tipsy Turtle Pub
• The Gravel Bar

Beer Buzz host Ben Stange discusses good regional beers to pair with popular Super Bowl party foods on the Jan. 29 episode. Tune in live each Sunday during the Bud Light TAG Radio Block from 4-10 p.m. on KBFL 99.9 FM (1060 AM), or watch live on TAGsgf.com.

Beer Buzz Sponsors

What’s On Tap: O’Fallon Brewing Company

Brew’s Clues: Mother’s Brewing Company, 215 S Grant in SGF 

Here is your lineup for Sunday’s TAG Radio block brought to you by the official beer of TAG Media, Bud Light. More announcements throughout the week. If you miss any of the live programming on KBFL 99.9 FM/1060 AM/tagsgf.com, you can find the podcasts here at TAG or on iTunes.

Beer Buzz with Ben Stange, 4 p.m.
Facebook / Email: sgfbeerbuzz@gmail.com
862-9977 / (800) 375-0056

The High Road with Allen Vaughan, 5 p.m.
Live from Harbell’s Grill & Sports Bar (Park Central West)
Facebook / Email: thehighroadshow@gmail.com
862-9977 / (800) 375-0056

SGF Music Rotation, 6 p.m.
SGF 10, 7 p.m. (top ten local song countdown, fan vote by email: sgflocallive@gmail.com)
SGF Local Live, 8 p.m.
Facebook / Email: sgflocallive@gmail.com
862-9977 / (800) 375-0056

M.E.O. Radio, 9 p.m.
Facebook / Email: meopodcast@gmail.com
862-9977 / (800) 375-0056

Thomas (left) and Big Smith at the Show-Me Music Festival. Photo by Alex Stocksdale.

Announced performers:
Barak N Hill
Dallas Jones
Kasey Rausch
Brandon Moore
Cindy Woolf & The Foxxes
Mike Stevens
Brother Wiley
Members of Big Smith, Speakeasy, the Cropdusters and the Bootheel

Sucka Free Sunday: 3 topics dominate the show, DGB, Roy Oswalt and BJ Flores. Plus, we make fun of the Pro Bowl.

Episode: 1/29/2012

Sucka Free Sunday live at Harbell’s Grill and Sports Bar

• We had roadies on the ground in Columbia for DGB’s visit to Mizzou.
• If the Roy Oswalt rumors are true, the Cardinals have to go after him.
• BJ Flores won again. Will he get a title shot, now?
  
• Facebook.com/TheHighRoadShow
  

Sponsors

• Buckingham’s Smokehouse BBQ (Nixa and SGF)
• Millwood Golf and Racquet Club
  
• The Outland Ballroom
  
• The Outland
  
• The Highlife
• Perk It Up
  
• Balls N Strikes
• Penmac Staffing
• Sushi Smith
• The Wedge
• Bank of Urbana
• On the Ball Sports
• Clarity Insurance
• Fair City News
• Ott’s Famous Dressing
• The UPS Store, 4319 S. National — owned by Wendell and Jackie Shaffer

Webcam everyday at TAGsgf.com

Listen to The High Road on KBFL 99.9 FM Sunday night at 5 p.m. and Wednesdays and Fridays streaming live on TAGsgf.com, 9 a.m.

Listen live and podcast:

» Watch webcam online at TAGsgf.com

» Subscribe to TAG Magazine’s ITunes feed for free podcasts of The High Road

Socialize:

» “Like” The High Road with Allen Vaughan on Facebook

» Follow Allen Vaughan on Twitter

Join the Conversation:

» E-mail TheHighRoadShow@gmail.com

Jalen Norman is the hottest Division I basketball recruit in recent Ozarks history.

While the Ozarks are known as a basketball hotbed, the high volume of Division I basketball players — especially major D-I programs — is absent.

With all due respect to Missouri State, when a kid has a chance to go to a BCS conference to showcase his hoops skills, it’s a reason to celebrate.

That’s where Jalen Norman comes in.

The 6-foot-5 Nixa junior has the right blend of skill, athleticism and potential that has Division I schools fighting over him. It was no secret that former MSU coach Cuonzo Martin recognized Norman’s aptitude early on and has been recruiting him since he was a freshman. And now that Martin has moved on to Tennessee, he’s still on him — as is much of the country.

See, if you check with Rivals.com, he’s currently being courted by the following schools: Arizona, Arkansas, Boston College, Butler, Colorado, Georgetown, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, MSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon State, St. John’s and Tennessee. That’s right, every major conference is implicated.

That’s why we here at TAGsgf.com feel it’s important to keep a closer eye on Norman and see exactly what he’s up to on a game-by-game basis. Oh yeah, Norman’s Nixa Eagles are the area’s best team and look ready to make a deep run in the Class 5 playoffs next month. Thanks to Nixa coach Jay Osborne for keeping us in touch with Norman’s stats.

UPDATE: Jalen passed the 1,000 point mark when dropping 18 points against Willard in the Nixa Invitational Tournament championship Saturday night. How did he do for the tournament? No biggie, just averaged 17 points, 12 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.

Nixa (19-1)

• Dec. 3: 77-69 loss to Columbia Rock Bridge — 14 points, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks
• Dec. 6: 100-34 win at Central — 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block
• Dec. 8: 75-50 win vs. Topeka (Kan.) Highland Park — 18 points, 19 rebounds, 3 blocks
• Dec. 9: 77-71 win vs. Hogan Prep — 18 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block
• Dec. 10: 75-70 win vs. Leavenworth (Kan.) — 13 points, 5 rebounds, 0 blocks
• Dec. 13: 92-86 (OT) win vs. Glendale — 13 points, 14 rebounds, 1 block
• Dec. 16: 73-32 win at Waynesville — 15 points, 12 rebounds, 5 blocks
• Dec. 17: 76-45 win vs. Pacific — 20 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks
• Dec. 26: 100-45 win vs. Lebanon — 20 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block
• Dec. 27: 107-42 win vs. Buffalo — 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks
• Dec. 28: 54-43 win vs. Rogersville – 11 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block
• Dec. 29: 75-65 win vs. Kickapoo — 22 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks
• Jan. 6: 88-66 win vs. Hogan Prep — 18 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists
• Jan. 10: 76-41 win vs. Branson — 14 points, 11 rebounds, 1 block
• Jan. 17: 74-72 win at Kickapoo — 12 points, 10 rebounds, 6 blocks
• Jan. 19: 84-53 win vs. Willard — 19 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks
• Jan. 21: 68-46 win vs. Marquette — 11 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block
• Jan. 26: 78-61 win vs. Columbia Hickman — 20 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks
• Jan. 27: 87-57 win vs. Billings — 13 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks, 4 assists, 3 steals
• Jan. 28: 78-58 win vs. Willard — 18 points, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks (passed the 1,000 career-point mark

Season: 15.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.1 blocks per game

Nixa Eagles are now 19-1 on the season.

Next game is Friday at Neosho.

Here’s one of our favorite Jalen Norman highlights:

BJ Flores

B.J. Flores earned a 6th round TKO of 40-year-old Hugo Pineda on Saturday Night at the Shrine Mosque, giving him three straight cruiserweight wins in eight months. Legendary promoter Don King was in attendance.

We captured video of the entire 6th round, including when the referee stepped in and stopped the fight. There has been no announcement on what Flores’ next move is, but he should be inching closer to a world title shot.

D.J.P. (MASTER OF THE MIX CELEBRATION) AT CLUB VEGAS

with DJ Energizer

LILLY BEE AND THE JOHNSON THREE AT BILLIARD’S BLUE ROOM

with Buddha’s Groove Shoes

THE RUGS AT THE OUTLAND

with Heart Punch and Mustache

ST. DALLAS & THE SINNERS AT HIGHLIFE MARTINI LOUNGE

with Damn Livers

Also in SGF:
Jackson Tyler & The Sinner with Cole Porter Band at Outland Ballroom
The Lowdown Fancy at Miranda’s
Norman Jackson at Harlow’s
Jake Austin & The City Limits at Cartoon’s
Mr. Charlie (Grateful Dead Tribute) at Patton Alley Pub
Members Only at Three 20s Club
Mick Byrd at Galloway Station
Tripleshot at Dennis’ Place

Former Bear Blake Ahearn is making big waves in the NBA's D-League.

Ahearn breaks the record

And now … fun with YouTube!

Free throws!

Ahearn plays bouncer in international play

Ahearn breaks MSU 3-point record

SGF's Lando Beats

When Ryshon started his Brightest Nights, Darkest Days mixtape, I wanted him to describe the exact sound he was looking for out of me since I do sample free beats as well as sample beats. He said he wanted the tape to sound like “Sigur Ros meets Marvin Gaye”. I’d never heard of Sigur Ros, so I downloaded their discography and did some digging. Then I found a way to give the Ryshon what he wanted. I made Sigur Ros meet Marvin Gaye on the same beat… literally.

Check out the video to watch Lando Beats producing the instrumental for “Neo Renaissance”.

Ryshon’s whole mixtape is available for free download 2DopeBoyz.

[[Show as slideshow]]

Other Recent Party Pic Galleries

• Drury basketball double-header against William Jewell
• Bud Light Platinum Release Party
• Sunday Football Crawl: Quincy Magoo’s/Buffalo Wild Wings/Skybox
• Skinny Improv at Nonna’s Attic
• Bryan Adams at Gillioz Theatre
• Ultra Hour
• Party Pics at Electric Cowboy (1/18/12)
• Paper Anchors, Mirrors Facing Mirrors release at Outland Ballroom
• Party Pics at Midnight Rodeo
• Party Pics at Big Whiskey’s
• Arenacross at Ozark Empire Fairground
• The Give Up Debut, party pics at Outland/Tropical Liqueurs
• Party Pics at The Roost (1/4/12)
• New Year’s Eve
• Party Pics at the Give Up debut/Trops/Outland
• Party Pics at Blue Bull/ICON
• Sunday Football Crawl (Ebbet’s Field South/Fox & Hound/Hooter’s)
• College Crawl (Boogie/Bubbles/Zan)
• December Laughing Stock at Outland
• Hinder at Gillioz Theatre
• Springfield Downtown Christmas Parade
• UnCivil War III at Clarion
• G.O.B.A. Bartender’s Ball
• Party Pics at Boomer’s (12/3/11)
• December First Friday Art Walk
• Party Pics at Midnight Rodeo (12/1/11)
• Complete Archive

#417BeerSpot

LEMONDROP BENEFIT SHOW

with Stop Thief, Flawless, Peyote Wolf, Free at Last, Surrender, Twelvish Trees, and Trial and Error

JAH ROOTS BAND AT OUTLAND BALLROOM

with Ghost Dance

MODERN EPIC & CLOUD CITY AT THE OUTLAND

with Danny Wood Grace

CANTO 17 AND SPINRAD AT PATTON ALLEY PUB

BRING YOUR GREEN HAT AT LINDBERG’S

HAMBURGER COWS AT THE TIPSY TURTLE PUB

Also in SGF:
Sequel Dose at Cartoon’s
Brookline Station at Three 20s Club
Comedy night at Club Vegas
Anisa Dawn at Lindberg’s, early show, 6:30 p.m.

How To Not Play QWOP

More unofficial videos for “Yellow Missing Signs”

5 Fingers Friday: An abbreviated edition is heavy on Prince Fielder (pun intended) and how it affects the Royals, plus a great clip of the week by Kevin Garnett.

Episode: 1/27/2012

What Did the 5 Fingers Say to the Face

• The KC Royals should be flattered by the Prince Fielder signing.
• An epic Clip of the Week via Kevin Garnett.
• Facebook.com/TheHighRoadShow
  

Sponsors

• Buckingham’s Smokehouse BBQ (Nixa and SGF)
• Millwood Golf and Racquet Club
  
• The Outland Ballroom
  
• The Outland
  
• The Highlife
• Perk It Up
  
• Balls N Strikes
• Penmac Staffing
• Sushi Smith
• The Wedge
• Bank of Urbana
• On the Ball Sports
• Clarity Insurance
• Fair City News
• Ott’s Famous Dressing
• The UPS Store, 4319 S. National — owned by Wendell and Jackie Shaffer

Webcam everyday at TAGsgf.com

Listen to The High Road on KBFL 99.9 FM Sunday night at 5 p.m. and Wednesdays and Fridays streaming live on TAGsgf.com, 9 a.m.

Listen live and podcast:

» Watch webcam online at TAGsgf.com

» Subscribe to TAG Magazine’s ITunes feed for free podcasts of The High Road

Socialize:

» “Like” The High Road with Allen Vaughan on Facebook

» Follow Allen Vaughan on Twitter

Join the Conversation:

» E-mail TheHighRoadShow@gmail.com

Deschutes will be in SGF next month.

Thought I would make this week’s write-up about a specific brewery because, well, I’m pretty geeked about them coming to Springfield in February. The brewery is Deschutes Brewery, and they are out of Bend, Oregon. They are quickly becoming known as one of the better craft breweries in the states, which is saying something now that the number of craft breweries in the states is approaching two thousand.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of their beers and what to expect. I think you’ll agree that it’s something to look forward to.

• Black Butte Porter – 5.2% ABV, 30 IBU – There are several reasons you should be excited about this brewery, but my favorite reason is the Black Butte Porter. It’s a 5.2% ABV 30 IBU Porter, and it’s their flagship brand. There aren’t a lot of breweries who can get away with a beer this dark as their flagship, but this beer is a very exceptional porter. It has all the rich chocolate and roasted flavors you’d expect in a porter, but has a bit of hop bitterness up front that sets it apart. What makes it truly great, however, is how the creamy mouthfeel works with the flavors of the beer. It’s a complex, delicious porter that will make you remember why you love dark beer so much.
• Mirror Pond Pale Ale – 5% ABV, 40 IBU – It’s not what you’d expect from a west coast brewery, but I like that about it. It’s an English-style pale ale, which means the hop profile will be a bit earthier and spicier, and it won’t have all the crazy citrus. Also, the malt will be more on the cracker and bread-flavored side rather than being sweet. Expect a well-balanced, sharply carbonated pale ale with a clean finish.
• Inversion IPA – 6.8% ABV, 80 IBU – Big. Hops. I’m not kidding. Expect to think you’ve done what these guys did in a hop warehouse. It’s not out-of-balance, though, thanks to judicious use of Crystal and Carastan hops. Overall, you can expect that if you like IPA’s, you love this beer.
• Obsidian Stout – 6.4% ABV, 55 IBU – An excellent stout. It has notes of espresso, chocolate, roasted malt, and the less bitter black barley. It’s not a sweet stout, but what sweetness there is is cut with just enough hops to do the job. Overall, the beer is very robust and delicious.
• Red Chair NWPA – 6.2% ABV, 60 IBU – An interesting hybrid, this will have the aroma of an IPA without all the big body and bitterness. It has seven different malts in there to balance out the big hop aroma. This is their January through May seasonal, so you’ll only have a little while to pick it up and try it or you’ll be waiting until next year.

That sounds like a pretty exciting roundup, and those are just the basics. If you want a more in-depth look including some homebrew recipes to clone them or some recipes in which the beers can be used, check out the Deschutes homepage. They have a ton of great info for fans of their beer. If nothing else, their website will show you how geared they are towards making beer geeks like us happy.

Our 2010 chili neighbor Frank with the Swine Flu Chili. This year TAG will be booth'd up next to the Springfield Roller Girls.

Beer Garden Stage (Upstairs)

10:45 a.m. — Full Circle Band

Noon — The Airwalks

1:15 p.m. — The Jakebrakers
no video found
2:30 p.m. — Sock Monkey

3:45 p.m. — Cole Porter Band

Event Stage (Main floor)

11:30 a.m. — The HillBenders

1 p.m. — Big Smith

2:45 p.m. — Trash Angels

4 p.m. — Machine Gun Symphony

SGF's Trey Starks

H/T Guy Newcomb/TheScoreboardGuy.com

And, we can’t post without this one:

MIKE MCCLURE BAND AT OUTLAND BALLROOM

with Brian Lumley and Red Dirt Underground

MARK BILYEU AT THE TIPSY TURTLE PUB

THE EUPHIO QUESTION AT OUTLAND

STAN AND AARON’S (THE GARDENHEADS) B-DAY PARTY AT LINDBERG’S

with Thee Fine Lines and Clawhammer

Also in SGF
20 Acres From Pavement at Highlife Martini Lounge
MASK at Patton Alley Pub

According to a report by CBSSports.com’s Dennis Dodd, who appears to already be posted up in SGF, Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino has cancelled his trip to visit Hillcrest High School to visit super-recruit Dorial Green-Beckham.

Why? Dodd quotes Hillcrest coach John Beckham saying “A situation occurred” when both Petrino and DGB were in San Antonio — Petrino for the American Football Coaches Association convention, DGB for the Army-All American Game. The situation was apparently when Petrino and DGB “bumped into each other.” Arkansas issued a statement Wednesday saying no NCAA violation occurred.

“No violation has occurred and we are taking proactive steps we feel necessary to avoid any risk of one.”

This NCAA bylaw may apply:

In football, one contact per prospective student-athlete is permitted during each week of the contact period as specified in Bylaw 13.17.4 either at the prospective student-athlete’s educational institution or any other location (e.g., prospective student-athlete’s home). A visit to the prospective student-athlete’s educational institution and any other location (e.g., prospective student-athlete’s home) during the same calendar day shall be considered one contact.

The Army all-star game was Jan. 6. The AFCA convention was Jan. 8-11. There were NCAA recruiting “quiet” and “dead” periods during some of those dates. During those times no in-person contact is allowed with recruits by coaches. Beckham added that Arkansas will send other coaches on Thursday.

Of course, you know by reading our DGB Social Planner, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops and assistant Jay Norvell visited the Beckhams on Monday. Texas coach Mack Brown was scheduled to be in town Wednesday. Green-Beckham made an Arkansas visit last week and Missouri coach Gary Pinkel flew in by helicopter to speak to the prospect last week. DGB’s finalists are Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri.

To SGF natives, this probably sounds an awful lot like a prior recruiting snafu involving the country’s No. 1 athlete, but in a completely different sport. In 2009, Kansas basketball coach Bill Self caught some heat for having contact with then-High School star John Wall.

Jon Schieszer

TAG: How did this show come about?
Jon Schieszer: The reason the show got off the ground was The HillBenders (SGF bluegrass band). They haven’t had a chance to catch me do a set.

TAG: ???
J.S.: The first year they did Wakarusa, 2003 I think, when they were still Arkamo Rangers I was walking back to my tent to find god knows what and I hear some music and hear Jimmy Rea (lead singer) screaming and telling people they were going to start playing. I watched the first song, really liked it, listened to the second, then watched the whole set. I stayed in touch with them and started hiring them to play a gathering I have for friends down at the North Fork every summer, the night before we float (you can take the Missourian to L.A. …). They even played my brother’s wedding a few weeks ago.

I ran a monthly show at the House of Blues in L.A. and had them close out one of my comedy shows. They got me in touch with a few places to play in Springfield.

TAG: How long have you been doing comedy?
J.S.: About seven-and-a half years, I started getting up on stage a little bit here and there, doing open mics in Kansas City in early 2003. I caught the bug, but didn’t have much of an opportunity to do it. A friend moved to Los Angeles, so I went out and stayed on his couch and fell in love with doing standup full time. Eventually, I landed a job at The Comedy Store, Pauly Shore’s mom’s club.

TAG: Did you say “Pauly Shore’s mom’s club?
J.S.: Yeah, it was Pauly Shore’s dad’s club, but he lost it in divorce. (pause, I swear Jon just said “Pauly Shore’s mom’s club, but haven’t equipped myself with a response) The Comedy Store … it’s just one of those things where you walk in and there’s a picture of Jay Leno holding a ladder with David Letterman standing on it putting up the sign in 1976. It’s like a comedy fraternity. I got to meet George Carlin, you know? I got to see Dave Chappelle come in at 2 in the morning and go up in front of 13 people. The job was minimum wage — parking cars, working the door — but it paid in stage time and experience. It’s an incredibly difficult stage. It’s like going to play pick-up basketball at Rucker Park, the bar is really high. Even during open mics, they have TV stars go on stage.

TAG: With the high-profile comedians coming through, who made the biggest impact?
J.S.: Comedy has peaks and valleys, there was a time when I had a few sets that weren’t my best and I was kind of down, like ‘what am I doing?’ I was working the door and Bill Burr, who I idolized his comedy, said he liked my joke, and I thought, ‘well shit, if Bill thinks I’m funny, I must be funny.”

TAG: Describe the scene in Los Angeles.
J.S.: L.A., New York and Chicago, those are the three big comedy cities to move to. L.A. is driven by Hollywood, so there’s really not that much money in standup comedy, but there are so many great comics. In L.A. you get limited to 10-15 minute sets. It doesn’t pay anything to do comedy, but there are paying comedy gigs. It’s hard to watch guys you know get a showcase or a movie. You see them get it and it’s like damn I could use that $80,000 paycheck. But, everybody’s got their own path, just keep getting up on stage. You’ve got to go up on the nights when you don’t want to go up.

TAG: Describe your style.
J.S.: I see stuff differently than most people do, so I just kind of explain the way I see things. I go up and try to be myself. There’s some social commentary on cougars, how big of (… wimps) kids are these days and of course jokes about myself (no comics arsenal is complete without self-deprication).

TAG:: What comedians inspired you?
J.S.: There’s not one comic I can say is my inspiration. Growing up it was just knowing that every Saturday from 1988-1995 I was going to be watching Dana Carver and Adam Sandler and Chris Farley on Saturday Night Live. I’ve just always enjoyed laughing and making people laugh.

TAG: Are there any single shows that stick out in your mind?
J.S.: When I was still kind of getting my legs as a comic, I did an opening spot for Andrew Dice Clay. He didn’t pick me for it and it was just a four minute spot, but it was like “sweet, I’m doing it.” Also, my first headlining show was in Hawai’i. I got back to LA with more money in my account than when I left and got to stay on the beach in Waikiki.

TAG: Maybe more so than the good ones?
J.S.: For sure. I remember going up in front of 10 people in the Comedy Store, and remember literally staring at 20 eyeballs, no teeth, not even a smirk. Thinking, ‘really? nothing?’.

TAG: What advice would you give new comedians?
J.S.: Go up everywhere and anywhere, because you’ll always get something from it.

Eric and Merr were joined by two-thirds of Angry Panda and standup comedians Tim Messersmith and Matt Scheele for the Jan. 22 episode of M.E.O. Radio. Check out the M.E.O. Podcast to find the additional uncensored episode. M.E.O. Radio airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on the Bud Light TAG Radio Block, KBFL 99.9 FM (1060 AM). The M.E.O. Podcast airs live on TAG TV at 10:45 p.m. on Sundays following the radio show.

Thomas (left) and Big Smith at the Show-Me Music Festival. Photo by Alex Stocksdale.

Big Smith bassist Bill Thomas has returned from Fayetteville! In a statement released by the band, Thomas was discharged from the Arkansas hospital Tuesday following a stroke on Jan. 19. “This is only a step in the process, of course, as Bill is starting a new and challenging phase of his recovery. But at least he’ll be in familiar, comfortable surroundings, reunited with his children after these long five days.”

Big Smith is planning to play all of its currently scheduled concerts, with Reed Herron (Speakeasy) filling in. The band will take donations for the Thomas family at the shows, as well as by check and online.

We are currently making plans to allow Big Smith to fulfill our existing performance obligations. We can tell you that we will be performing this Saturday at Lil’ Dallas in Fair Grove as scheduled. Reed Herron from Speakeasy will nobly fill in for Bill. We will have a jar set up for those of you in attendance that would like to donate cash, and will continue to provide you that opportunity over the next few months.

Mail checks or money order made out to “Big Smith” with “Cousin Bill” on the memo line, to:

Cousin Bill donation fund
2020 N Douglas Ave
Springfield, MO 65803

Loogey (photo by Drew Harris)

Does your band have news or new music? Email information to Brett@tagsgf.com.

Dorial Green-Beckham will bring his recruitment to an end on national television at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Springfield Public Schools Athletic Director Mark Fisher confirmed this morning. DGB will make his announcement on ESPNU as what is planned as a day of college commitments and signings.

As chronicled here on this site, DGB is the No. 1 recruit in the country and has narrowed his list down to Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas and Alabama.

According to Fisher, the event will start at 9 and then a ESPNU representative will ask him some questions before he makes his choice. That will be followed up by more ESPNU questions.

Enjoy a recent video interview we conducted with DGB (and we’ve thrown in his most recent highlight, the No. 1 highlight from his performance in the Tournament of Champions)

[[Show as slideshow]]

Other Recent Party Pic Galleries

• Bryan Adams at Gillioz Theatre
• Ultra Hour
• Party Pics at Electric Cowboy (1/18/12)
• Paper Anchors, Mirrors Facing Mirrors release at Outland Ballroom
• Party Pics at Midnight Rodeo
• Party Pics at Big Whiskey’s
• Arenacross at Ozark Empire Fairground
• The Give Up Debut, party pics at Outland/Tropical Liqueurs
• Party Pics at The Roost (1/4/12)
• New Year’s Eve
• Party Pics at the Give Up debut/Trops/Outland
• Party Pics at Blue Bull/ICON
• Sunday Football Crawl (Ebbet’s Field South/Fox & Hound/Hooter’s)
• College Crawl (Boogie/Bubbles/Zan)
• December Laughing Stock at Outland
• Hinder at Gillioz Theatre
• Springfield Downtown Christmas Parade
• UnCivil War III at Clarion
• G.O.B.A. Bartender’s Ball
• Party Pics at Boomer’s (12/3/11)
• December First Friday Art Walk
• Party Pics at Midnight Rodeo (12/1/11)
• Complete Archive

#417BeerSpot

[[Show as slideshow]]

Other Recent Party Pic Galleries

• Bryan Adams at Gillioz Theatre
• Ultra Hour
• Party Pics at Electric Cowboy (1/18/12)
• Paper Anchors, Mirrors Facing Mirrors release at Outland Ballroom
• Party Pics at Midnight Rodeo
• Party Pics at Big Whiskey’s
• Arenacross at Ozark Empire Fairground
• The Give Up Debut, party pics at Outland/Tropical Liqueurs
• Party Pics at The Roost (1/4/12)
• New Year’s Eve
• Party Pics at the Give Up debut/Trops/Outland
• Party Pics at Blue Bull/ICON
• Sunday Football Crawl (Ebbet’s Field South/Fox & Hound/Hooter’s)
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• Complete Archive

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Jalen Norman is the hottest Division I basketball recruit in recent Ozarks history.

While the Ozarks are known as a basketball hotbed, the high volume of Division I basketball players — especially major D-I programs — is absent.

With all due respect to Missouri State, when a kid has a chance to go to a BCS conference to showcase his hoops skills, it’s a reason to celebrate.

That’s where Jalen Norman comes in.

The 6-foot-5 Nixa junior has the right blend of skill, athleticism and potential that has Division I schools fighting over him. It was no secret that former MSU coach Cuonzo Martin recognized Norman’s aptitude early on and has been recruiting him since he was a freshman. And now that Martin has moved on to Tennessee, he’s still on him — as is much of the country.

See, if you check with Rivals.com, he’s currently being courted by the following schools: Arizona, Arkansas, Boston College, Butler, Colorado, Georgetown, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, MSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon State, St. John’s and Tennessee. That’s right, every major conference is implicated.

That’s why we here at TAGsgf.com feel it’s important to keep a closer eye on Norman and see exactly what he’s up to on a game-by-game basis. Oh yeah, Norman’s Nixa Eagles are the area’s best team and look ready to make a deep run in the Class 5 playoffs next month. Thanks to Nixa coach Jay Osborne for keeping us in touch with Norman’s stats.

UPDATE: Jalen went beast in a big win at Kickapoo, which was a rematch of a Blue and Gold Tournament final won by Nixa. Many consider Willard a potential threat to Nixa’s Class 5 dominance, but the Eagles manhandled the Tigers this week, too.

Nixa (16-1)

• Dec. 3: 77-69 loss to Columbia Rock Bridge — 14 points, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks
• Dec. 6: 100-34 win at Central — 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block
• Dec. 8: 75-50 win vs. Topeka (Kan.) Highland Park — 18 points, 19 rebounds, 3 blocks
• Dec. 9: 77-71 win vs. Hogan Prep — 18 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block
• Dec. 10: 75-70 win vs. Leavenworth (Kan.) — 13 points, 5 rebounds, 0 blocks
• Dec. 13: 92-86 (OT) win vs. Glendale — 13 points, 14 rebounds, 1 block
• Dec. 16: 73-32 win at Waynesville — 15 points, 12 rebounds, 5 blocks
• Dec. 17: 76-45 win vs. Pacific — 20 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks
• Dec. 26: 100-45 win vs. Lebanon — 20 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block
• Dec. 27: 107-42 win vs. Buffalo — 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks
• Dec. 28: 54-43 win vs. Rogersville – 11 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block
• Dec. 29: 75-65 win vs. Kickapoo — 22 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks
• Jan. 6: 88-66 win vs. Hogan Prep — 18 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists
• Jan. 10: 76-41 win vs. Branson — 14 points, 11 rebounds, 1 block
• Jan. 17: 74-72 win at Kickapoo — 12 points, 10 rebounds, 6 blocks
• Jan. 19: 84-53 win vs. Willard — 19 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks
• Jan. 21: 68-46 win vs. Marquette — 11 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block

Season: 15.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.0 blocks per game

Here’s one of our favorite Jalen Norman highlights:

[[Show as slideshow]]

Other Recent Party Pic Galleries

• Bryan Adams at Gillioz Theatre
• Ultra Hour
• Party Pics at Electric Cowboy (1/18/12)
• Paper Anchors, Mirrors Facing Mirrors release at Outland Ballroom
• Party Pics at Midnight Rodeo
• Party Pics at Big Whiskey’s
• Arenacross at Ozark Empire Fairground
• The Give Up Debut, party pics at Outland/Tropical Liqueurs
• Party Pics at The Roost (1/4/12)
• New Year’s Eve
• Party Pics at the Give Up debut/Trops/Outland
• Party Pics at Blue Bull/ICON
• Sunday Football Crawl (Ebbet’s Field South/Fox & Hound/Hooter’s)
• College Crawl (Boogie/Bubbles/Zan)
• December Laughing Stock at Outland
• Hinder at Gillioz Theatre
• Springfield Downtown Christmas Parade
• UnCivil War III at Clarion
• G.O.B.A. Bartender’s Ball
• Party Pics at Boomer’s (12/3/11)
• December First Friday Art Walk
• Party Pics at Midnight Rodeo (12/1/11)
• Complete Archive

#417BeerSpot

Upcoming TAG Team Events

• 1/6: First Friday Art Walk in Downtown SGF
• 1/6: Arenacross at Ozark Empire Fairground
• 1/7: Arenacross at Ozark Empire Fairground
• 1/8: Pro Football Playoff Crawl at Big Whiskey’s Downtown/Harbells
• 1/10: Ultra Hour at The Blue Bull/Trolley’s
• 1/11: Ultra Hour at Quincy Magoo’s/Big Whiskey’s Battlefield
• 1/12: The Seafarer opening at Vandivort Contemporary Theatre
• 1/12: Ultra Hour at Midnight Rodeo
• 1/13: Ultra Hour at Parlor 88 East/Big Whiskey’s South
• 1/13: Paper Anchors Release Party at Outland Ballroom
• 1/14: The Skinny Improv Mainstage Show at Nonna’s Attic

Glendale HS coach Howard Bell has been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Photo credit: GlendaleBaseball.com

First reported by KSPR.com, Glendale High School baseball coach Howard Bell was diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) last December. Two fundraisers have been set up to help Bell:

• Monday February 6th - Kickapoo at Glendale girls basketball: the night will include a silent auction, wristbands for sale, and passing the bucket.
• Sunday February 12th - Pancake Breakfast at Applebee’s on Primrose: the buffet breakfast will be served from 7-10 am, tickets are $5 at the door or can be purchased from various teams including Missouri State, Evangel, Drury, and several area high school teams

Also, Drury baseball coach and former Glendale coach Mark Stratton said the following on his Facebook page:

Looking for 1985-2011 Spfld. MO Glendale HS Baseball Alumni. Coach Howard Bell has been diagnosed with ALS. We are planning a future (June) alumni game/get-together along with Kickapoo, Hillcrest, Nixa, Ozark, Republic, Parkview, and many others at Meador Park to help offset the financial stress for Coach Bell & his family. Help me spread the word to Falcon Nation and beyond…one of our own needs our help… Facebook me, or www.drurypanthers.com to reach me.

Before becoming the Glendale coach in 2005, Bell was a star at Parkview who was conference Player of the Year while at SMS. He was drafted by the New York Mets, but never got his career off the ground after a car accident. He has a 66-44 career record.

For more information on how to help, contact email Marsha Bauer at bauerx4@yahoo.com.