‘America’s Got Talent’ champion selected
Los Angeles — Kevin Skinner flew the coop with the grand prize on “America’s Got Talent.”
The singing chicken farmer from Mayfield, Ky., was awarded the NBC talent competition’s $1 million grand prize and a headlining spot at a Las Vegas show. Skinner received the most viewer votes on Wednesday’s season finale, overcoming runner-up Barbara Padilla, an opera singer from Houston, and eight other finalists. The win brought Skinner to tears.
“I’ve always loved to perform,” he said. “I want to go out there, and give ’em the best show I can.”
The humble country singer will headline an “America’s Got Talent” show at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino hosted by Jerry Springer in October. Skinner beat out music quartet Recycled Percussion from Goffstown, N.H.; crooning trio the Texas Tenors from Houston; and singing sibling act Voices of Glory from Highland, N.Y., to win the show’s fourth season.
Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary dead
Boston — Mary Travers, who as one-third of the hugely popular 1960s folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary helped popularize such tunes as “Puff (The Magic Dragon)” and “If I Had a Hammer,” died Wednesday after battling leukemia for several years. She was 72.
The band’s publicist, Heather Lylis, says Travers died at Danbury Hospital in Connecticut.
Bandmate Peter Yarrow said that in her final months, Travers handled her declining health with bravery and generosity, showing her love to friends and family “with great dignity and without restraint.”
“It was, as Mary always was, honest and completely authentic,” he said. “That’s the way she sang, too; honestly and with complete authenticity.”
Noel “Paul” Stookey, the trio’s other member, praised Travers for her inspiring activism, “especially in her defense of the defenseless.”
Mary Allin Travers was born on Nov. 9, 1936 in Louisville, Ky., the daughter of journalists who moved the family to Manhattan’s bohemian Greenwich Village. She quickly became enamored with folk performers like the Weavers, and was soon performing with Pete Seeger, a founding member of the Weavers who lived in the same building as the Travers family.
Travers lived for many years in Redding, Conn. She is survived by her husband, Ethan Robbins, and daughters, Alicia and Erika.
Manager: Reynolds treated for drug abuse
Miami — Burt Reynolds has been released from a drug rehabilitation center where he was being treated for an addiction to painkillers, his manager said Wednesday.
The star of “Smokey and the Bandit,” “Deliverance” and “Boogie Nights” began struggling after recent back surgery and “realized that he was in the prison of prescription pain pills,” his manager Erik Kritzer said in a statement.
Kritzer said in a later e-mail message he did not know when Reynolds entered or left the Hanley Center in West Palm Beach. The facility’s management declined to comment, citing patient confidentiality.
Chris Brown begins community service
Richmond, Va. — Chris Brown cleared weeds and debris at police horse stables in Virginia on Wednesday for the first day of his 180-day court-ordered community service for beating ex-girlfriend Rihanna.
The 20-year-old R&B singer worked along with two others who were serving probation, clearing tall weeds and brush by hand and with yard tools. Additional officers were on hand, but only a few fans and television crews gathered nearby.
Dressed in an orange vest, white tank top, baggy jeans and red baseball cap, Brown did not speak to the media but he waved to fans who saw him working.
Brown’s schedule, including work hours and days, will be flexible, and he will be performing different types of manual labor, Richmond Police spokesman Gene Lepley said.
Regina Spektor set to pen musical score
New York — Regina Spektor has set her sights on Broadway — writing the music for a show inspired by “Sleeping Beauty.”
Elephant Eye Theatricals says the singer-songwriter will collaborate on “Beauty,” a contemporary retelling of the Grimm fairy tale. It’s tentatively planned for the 2011-2012 Broadway season after an out-of-town tryout.
“Beauty” will feature book and direction by Tina Landau and lyrics by Michael Korie.
Paul Simon urges health care reform
Washington — Singer-songwriter Paul Simon tried to lend a little harmony to the raucous health care debate Wednesday by pushing for a health care overhaul with Democratic leaders of Congress.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid couldn’t resist musical references in the appearance with the popular performer who advocates improving health care for children.
“If there were ever a bridge that we need over these troubled waters, it’s passing comprehensive health care reform,” Reid said, describing how children have fared in the country’s health care delivery system.
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” was a hit for the duo Simon & Garfunkel, written by Simon. Simon joined Reid, House speaker Nancy Pelosi and various child advocates to push for health care changes at an event on the Capitol lawn.
Simon co-founded the Children’s Health Fund, which provides medical care for poor and underserved kids. He urged lawmakers to improve health care for children: “Poor kids can’t vote. Neither can they afford to hire lobbyists to plead their cause or to describe their situation.”
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tym4fun (anonymous) says…
Noel “Paul” Stookey, the trio’s other member, praised Travers for her inspiring activism, “especially in her defense of the defenseless.” Oh so she was pro-life??
artichokeheart (anonymous) says…
She was beacon of light and hope.