A Few More Things: Beatles, Nick Jonas & Jimmy Wayne

Paperback Piano

A Cahallen upright piano is expected to bring in between 100,000 pounds and 150,000 pounds ($157,000 and $230,000) when it hits the auction block later this month.

The piano, which called Abbey Road’s Studio Three home between 1964 and the 1980s, was used by The Beatles on tracks including “Tomorrow Never Knows” and “Paperback Writer.”

Pink Floyd then used the piano to record part of Dark Side of the Moon.  The instrument was not exactly gently used as it shows some wear and tear with coffee stains and cigarette burns.

Fans can bid on the piano at the Aug. 15 memorabilia auction at the Goodwood Vintage Festival in Chichester, England.

Click here for the AP story.
 
Reagan Youth

The youth of today think Ronald Reagan was quite a guy.

Nick Jonas and Jordin Sparks have been announced as two of the committee chairpersons for The National Youth Leadership Committee of the Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration.

Although at 18 and 21 years old, respectively, the singers weren’t alive during Reagan’s 1981-1989 presidency, the pop stars say they’ve always looked up to the Gipper after hearing their parents talk about him at the dinner table.

“Ronald Reagan is a personal hero of mine. I admire the way he stood up for causes he believed were right, no matter what,” Jonas said.

“Ronald Reagan’s optimism and graciousness is a model for me in my career,” “American Idol” winner Sparks said. “I’m honored to be a part of this leadership committee and give back just a fraction of the blessings I’ve received.”

The 35-person committee represents America’s next generation of leaders featuring athletes, entertainers and student leaders including Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin, Indy car driver Marco Andretti, Miss California USA 2010 Nicole Johnson and Navy sailor Oliver Cole.

Reagan’s 100th birthday would have been Feb. 6. He died after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease June 5, 2004.

Click here for the AP story.

Walk Jimmy Walk

With his broken right foot in a walking boot and his arms raised high, country singer Jimmy Wayne triumphantly arrived at HomeBase Youth Services in Phoenix Sunday to close out 1,700 miles walked over the past seven months.

He was joined by a high school marching band and dozens of fans as people chanted his name.

The singer walked halfway across the country to raise awareness about at-risk youth in danger of aging out of the foster care system without support or resources. Wayne himself was in and out of the foster system until a couple gave him a home at age 16. His “Meet Me Halfway” campaign began Jan. 1 in Nashville.

Click here for the AP story.