People in the news

Academy names Strait artist of the decade

Nashville, Tenn. – George Strait will receive the Academy of Country Music’s Artist of the Decade award in recognition of his nearly 25-year career.

Only four other acts have received the distinction: Marty Robbins in 1969, Loretta Lynn in 1979, Alabama in 1988 and Garth Brooks in 1998.

Strait’s many hits include “Amarillo By Morning,” “Ocean Front Property,” “Check Yes or No” and “I Saw God Today.”

The ACM will tape a TV special in honor of Strait at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 6 to air at a later date.

The 44th annual ACM awards will air live on CBS from the MGM Grand on April 5 with Reba McEntire hosting.

Beatles music to be in new video game

New York – The Beatles are coming to a game console near you.

For the first time, the legendary group’s music will be featured in the lucrative video game market in a deal with MTV Games and Harmonix, creators of the “Rock Band” series. The game is scheduled to make its debut in time for next year’s holiday season.

“The project is a fun idea which broadens the appeal of The Beatles and their music. I like people having the opportunity to get to know the music from the inside out,” Paul McCartney said in a statement.

The game will not be titled “Rock Band,” but will work with the existing instruments – a guitar, drums and microphone. Game developers were cagey about whether new instruments, such as a keyboard, would be incorporated.

“I would say that there will be interactive performances of The Beatles’ music as well as new dimensions that you haven’t seen from us before,” Harmonix Chief Executive Alex Rigopulos told reporters on a conference call Thursday.

“The Beatles continue to evolve with the passing of time and how wonderful that The Beatles’ legacy will find its natural progression into the 21st century through the computerized world we live in,” said Beatles drummer Ringo Starr in a release. “Let the games commence.”

The game will feature sampling of music and imagery from throughout the band’s career, from “Please Please Me” (1963) through “Let It Be” (1970).

Newman postpones European tour

Los Angeles – Randy Newman is postponing his 18-date European tour.

The 64-year-old “I Love L.A” and “I Love to See You Smile” singer-songwriter cited “physical limitations and severe pain caused by stenosis in the lower back and neck,” a statement posted Thursday on his Web site said.

The European tour was scheduled to begin Saturday in Berlin.

“I deeply regret not being able to come,” the multiple Grammy and Oscar winner said. “I like it so much in Europe, and I’ve always been treated so well. I’ll get there as soon as I can.”

The tour was in support of “Harps and Angels,” Newman’s first collection of new material in nine years.

Details of rescheduled dates will be announced later.

Julie Chen’s mystery trip sends her to Paris

New York – Julie Chen had an overnight bag packed but no idea she’d be headed to Paris shortly after “The Early Show” went off the air Thursday.

CBS’ morning show is sending its personalities on mystery trips over the next month, a ratings gimmick with a fun twist. The five on-air regulars were told they could be sent away on any day without advanced warning.

Chen was given an on-air clue about where she was headed: “find the dark among the light; the romance among the haunted; across the ocean you’ll find lovers in perfect harmony.” The team guessed Paris, confirmed when she was handed a travel guide to the Paris Opera House.

The whole process is a little scary, Chen said. Her only request was not to be sent anywhere on a ship; she didn’t think her stomach would be able to handle it.

“I thought if we have to broadcast the next morning, I was concerned about how far it was going to be and how tired I was going to be,” she said in an interview en route to the airport.

She’ll take a tour of the Paris Opera House and see a “Phantom of the Opera” duet set up for her. Some Halloween surprises are planned for her, too.

Frampton fuming over stolen Obama signs

Cincinnati – Rocker Peter Frampton is wishing someone would show him the way to keep his Barack Obama yard signs from getting swiped.

The Grammy winner is complaining that signs showing his preference for the Democratic presidential candidate have been stolen repeatedly at his home in the upscale and predominantly Republican Cincinnati suburb of Indian Hill.

Frampton, 58, is so angry, he called The Cincinnati Enquirer asking to be interviewed.

The British-born singer of “Show Me the Way” and other hits told the newspaper that one reason he became a U.S. citizen was so he could vote. Now, he says his American rights to free speech and political speech are being violated and it “bugs” him.

Frampton said he has installed a video camera to catch the thieves.