This weekend is your final chance to enjoy the 15th Annual Festival of Trees at the Civic Centre. I chatted with Debbie Byl from the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation.

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Congrats to Brian Rowntree who won a $100 Tony Roma's GC in our monthly Request Draw.

Norm not only calls in for a request but also helps us out with the road report ...

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Entertainment News This Morning: (Weekdays at 10:20am)

Top 6 in Canada is pretty damn good. Congrats to Izaak Smith for making PG proud in “So You Think You Can Dance Canada.” Izaak will perform on next week's finale and head out on a cross Canada tour in the New Year.

Canada's TV talent will be honoured at the "23rd Annual Gemini Awards" tonight. Former "Beverly Hills, 90210" heartthrob Jason Priestley hosts the ceremony.

David Letterman says he has a lot to be thankful for this year -- Sarah Palin, Eliot Spitzer, John McCain, Amy Winehouse and Andy Dick. Letterman did a fresh Thanksgiving show for last night. He also brought back his tradition of trying to guess the type of pies his mom baked for Thanksgiving. She appeared via satellite from Indianapolis and stumped Dave with a peanut butter pie this year.

Roger Moore thinks Daniel Craig is "marvelous" as James Bond because he brings a fresh dimension to the character. The 81-year-old actor, who starred in seven Bond films is promoting his autobiography "My Word Is My Bond." Moore said he met Craig for the first time at a recent celebration for Bond creator Ian Fleming in London and found him a "charming guy."

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Classic Rock Calender: (Weekdays at 11:20am)

Those born November 28th share a birthdate with Berry Gordy Junior (1929), the founder of Motown Records.

In 1974, John Lennon made his last public appearance at a Madison Square Garden concert by Elton John. They performed three songs together -- ``Whatever Gets You Through the Night,'' ``I Saw Her Standing There'' and ``Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds.''

In 1988, Toronto blues-rock guitarist Jeff Healey created a sensation when he made his British debut at the Borderline Club in London.

In 1990, officials in Los Angeles decided there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute singer Axl Rose for assault in connection with a dispute with his neighbor.

In 1991, Guns N' Roses announced rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin had left the band, the second departure from the group within a year. Drummer Steve Adler was fired earlier over a heroin problem and later sued Guns N' Roses.

The Drive Nooner - Random Rock News: (Weekdays at 12:10pm)

Robert Plant confirms he and Alison Krauss will be going into the studio this coming January to begin work on the follow-up to their enormously successful roots album, “Raising Sand.” In regard to his old mates touring without him, Plant says, “everyone’s got to eat, but they won’t be calling it Led Zeppelin!”

A new book about the infamous Rolling Stones 1969 tour is available just in time for Christmas. Only four-thousand copies of Let It Bleed: The Rolling Stones 1969 U-S Tour by photographer Ethan Russell have been published. The 420-page coffee table book features the last photos taken of Brian Jones before his death and shots from the stage during the riot at the Stones free show at Altamont Speedway in California. The book is available at let-it-bleed-book.com.

Gene Simmons appears to have confirmed the news that Paul Stanley hinted at a few weeks back. There will be a new Kiss record in 2009. Gene suggests that the band will record the album and release it next summer. There will also be a handful of show to go with this release including some Canadian dates. Rumours persist that once the record is finished, the band could head out on a Stateside tour with Queen.

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With all the “light-up” ceremonies this week ... “Lights” is our theme on the Classic Rock Challenge at 12:25pm. Here's Holly winning a double pass for Famous Players.

Remember, Famous Players now offers private X-Box Parties. Contact Famous Players for more info.

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Classic Rock Song Facts: (Weekdays at 1:20pm)

The Steve Miller Band is often considered a Jam Band. This song is usually about 12 minutes long in concert. Miller says they have always built their recordings so they have room for spontaneity.

The guitar work was cloned from earlier Steve Miller song, "My Dark Hour."

Seal covered this, incorporating a bit of his hit "Crazy" in the lyrics. His version was used in the 1996 movie Space Jam, starring Michael Jordan. Seal's cover reached #13 in the UK and #10 in the US.

The US Postal Service used this in some of their commercials. Their logo is an eagle.

It is ... Fly Like An Eagle ... by Steve Miller!

(Search facts on your favorite songs at www.songfacts.com)

Even in a huge week like this, controversy finds Guns N’ Roses. GnR are threatening Dr. Pepper with legal action over what the band calls “a complete fiasco” of a publicity stunt. Dr. Pepper promised every person in America a free can of soda if Guns N’ Roses released Chinese Democracy this year. On Sunday November 23rd, the day Democracy was released, fans were told they could get a coupon for a free can at its website. The website crashed and Axl feels that ‘ruined’ the day of Chinese Democracy’s release for many fans. The band is seeking a public apology plus more time for people to claim their free soda.

One person who is happy is Andrea who picked up the new GnR disc “Chinese Democracy” from Walmart and The Drive.

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Tomorrow we'll be giving away a $100 Tony Roma's GC to someone who got their request on The Drive. As a member of the Drive's Workforce, Brad already scored one of our monthly GC's ... but he's looking for more ...

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Entertainment News This Morning: (Weekdays at 10:20am)

Bruce Willis is getting his 900-grand back. A Malaysian technology conglomerate has repaid 900-thousand dollars, after Willis filed a lawsuit demanding a refund. Willis put two million bucks in a green rubber recycling project. The company had returned more than half the money and is now returning the rest. Willis says he still believes in the green rubber technology and remains a stockholder.

Luke Skywalker's lightsaber from “Star Wars,” Indiana Jones' hat and whip from ``Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom'' and Batman's cowl from ``Batman Begins'' will soon be up for auction. The lightsaber is expected to sell for at least 150-thousand dollars. Other items featured in the auction include C3PO's helmet, a complete set of ``Harry Potter'' books signed by J-K Rowling, a three-volume collection of ``The Lord of the Rings'' signed by J-R-R Tolkien, and Arnold Schwarzenegger's costume from ``Terminator 2: Judgment Day.'' The items are up for auction at profilesinhistory-dot-com.

Reality TV hits the BC Legislature. Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Shirley Bond rose in the Legislature yesterday to encourage provincial support for Izaak Smith. Shirley said, "As the lone British Columbian left in the competition, let's show Izaak our local and provincial pride and vote today. Let's help him reach the Final Four and beyond.” Was it enough? We'll find out tonight on “So You Think You Can Dance Canada.”

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Classic Rock Calender: (Weekdays at 11:20am)

Those born November 27th share a birthdate with Jimi Hendrix (1942)

In 1957, ``The Chirping Crickets,'' the only Buddy Holly album to be issued during his lifetime, was released.

In 1967, the Beatles' album ``Magical Mystery Tour'' was released.

In 1969, the Rolling Stones opened a four-day stand at Madison Square Garden in New York. Portions were released on the 1970 album ``Get Your Ya-Ya's Out.''

In 1970, George Harrison's three-record set ``All Things Must Pass'' was released.

In 1989, Tommy Lee of Motley Crue was charged with disorderly conduct after dropping his leather G-string in front of 12-thousand people at a Cincinnati concert.

In 1995, The Beatles' ``Anthology One'' set a record for first-week sales, selling 1.2 million copies. That record has since been broken.

In 1997, more than two-thousand people turned out at a Catholic church in Sydney, Australia for the funeral of INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence.

The Drive Nooner - Random Rock News: (Weekdays at 12:10pm)

The man who gave U2 their first record deal, has died following a two-year battle with cancer. Rob Partridge signed the group to Island Records in 1980 and remained the group's publicist and a friend of frontman Bono. U2 continue work on their new album, which is due to be released in early Spring 2009.

Perhaps they're not as fussy about the colour of the M&M's and don't require busty hookers and banned substances backstage? But there are some interesting element on Van Halen's rider. Quite oddly, Van Halen have a request for a ’study room’ for Eddie’s sprog and bassist Wolfgang and his tutor but all of the real gems from this document evolve around Dave Lee Roth.Diamond Dave’s dressing room is to have no carpets or rugs so that he can practice his martial arts freely and perhaps most tellingly of all, he requests that his room is “as far away as possible” from the rest of the band. Check out the full document at The Smoking Gun website.

Although their most recent disc just came out this spring, The Black Crowes are talking about a new album. Guitarist Rich Robinson has said “Having all this sort of new enthusiasm and this newfound sense of identity as a band, I think we want to put it to good use and make another great record and really do some different and interesting things.” He adds that the band have “tons of songs around.”

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With all the “light-up” ceremonies this week ... “Lights” is our theme on the Classic Rock Challenge at 12:25pm. Here's Tyler winnng a double pass for Famous Players.

Remember, Famous Players now offers private X-Box Parties. Contact Famous Players for more info.

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Classic Rock Song Facts: (Weekdays at 1:20pm)

This was released 5 months after lead singer Bon Scott died. The song is a tribute to Scott, and they lyrics, "Forget the hearse 'cause I never die" imply that he will live on forever through his music.

Bon Scott saw Brian Johnson singing for another band in a pub, and was so impressed by his vocals, when he met back up with AC/DC he told them to get Johnson if anything should ever happen to him. After Bon's death, Angus Young called Johnson up and offered him the position of lead vocalist. Johnson told him where he could put it and hung up (he thought someone was pranking him). Eventually, of course, it worked out.

The band got the idea for the title before writing any of the song, although Malcolm Young had the main guitar riff for years and used to play it frequently as a warm-up tune.

This song was recorded in The Bahamas and produced in New York by Mutt Lange.

Bon Scott had several lyrical ideas for the album, but those were abandoned by the band in favor of new lyrics by Brian Johnson as well as Malcolm and Angus. Former AC/DC manager Ian Jeffrey claims to still have a folder that contains lyrics of 15 songs written for Back In Black by Bon.

The album had a black cover with the band's logo on it. It was a tribute to Bon Scott.

This was the title track to AC/DC's most popular album. Worldwide, it has sold over 40 million units.

It is ... Back In Black ... by ACDC !

(Search facts on your favorite songs at www.songfacts.com)

Loverboy is coming to the CN Centre for a Classic Rock Cabaret on February 5th. Tickets go on-sale Friday at 10am but Troy “beat-the-box-office” with The Drive.

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If you are going to the Civic Plaza light-up tonight, you may want to pop inside the Civic Centre for the 15th Annual Festival of Trees. Here's Debbie Byl from the Spirit Of The North Healthcare Foundation.

I also gave away a few family passes today ...

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Congrats to Byron who scored the new GnR disc “Chinese Democracy” from Walmart and The Drive.

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It's Wednesday so that means it's time for another edition of “Dodgeball Corner.”

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Entertainment News This Morning: (Weekdays at 10:20am)

Looks like the economic crisis has hit the Superbowl. Most advertising slots for the 2009 Super Bowl that weren't sold in September still haven't moved. That's a change from earlier in the year when N-B-C announced the air time had been selling faster than usual, at about three million dollars for each 30-second spot. Super Bowl regulars like FedEx, Garmin, Salesgenie-dot-com and General Motors are on the sidelines and not buying. But N-B-C says it's negotiating with other potential advertisers for the eight 30-second advertising spots that remain open.

Last week's top shows: “Dancing With the Stars,” “CSI,” “NCIS,” the “Dancing With the Stars” results show, and “Criminal Minds.”

Brook Burke is the seventh-season winner of the mirror ball trophy on “Dancing With The Stars.” She finished the season with another round of perfect 10's from the judges on her last dance. The big man can move. Former NFL star Warren Sapp was runner-up.

Will he make it to the Top 4. Izaak Smith needs to impress the judges and audience tonight on “So You Think You Can Dance Canada.”

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Classic Rock Calender: (Weekdays at 11:20am)

Those born November 26th share a birthdate with Tina Turner (1938) as well as John McVie (1945) of Fleetwood Mac.

In 1962, The Beatles recorded ``Please Please Me.''

In 1968, Cream played its farewell concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

In 1976, the group 10cc broke up.

In 1988, members of Pink Floyd watched the launch of a joint Soviet-French space mission from Soviet Central Asia. One of the cosmonauts had requested an advance copy of Pink Floyd's live album ``Delicate Sound of Thunder'' to play during the flight.

In 1991, heavy metal rocker Ozzy Osbourne broke his foot while jumping about on stage at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago.

In 1994, the first Beatles record ever to be played on radio fetched more than 23-thousand dollars Canadian at an auction in London. It was a world record price for a commercially produced record. The recording of ``Love Me Do'' was played by Radio Luxembourg in 1963.

The Drive Nooner - Random Rock News: (Weekdays at 12:10pm)

A world-class drummer who played with Page & Plant on the “Unledded” project has died. Michael Lee, was just 39 when he died in his sleep at his home. No cause of death at this time. In addition to Page and Plant, the impressive list of bands and artists that Lee had played with includes: Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Guns 'N' Roses, Lenny Kravitz, the re-formed Thin Lizzy.

Speaking of Thin Lizzy, plans to release a Hollywood biopic on the life and times of Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott have apparently been cancelled due to an over-sensationalized script. The idea to make a movie of Lynott, who died in January of 1986, has hit the rocks as the remaining members of Thin Lizzy were distressed at how much the movies executives wanted to sensationalize the legendary frontman’s drug abuse. The movie was was set to star CSI man Garry Dourdan as Lynott.

DavidGilmour.com will is streaming video from David Gilmour's latest release, “Live In Gdańsk,” now through next Tuesday, December 2nd. Different songs will be featured every other day. Also, tomorrow VH1 Classic hosts “A Very Pink Floyd Thanksgiving.” The programming on the cable channel will consist entirely of Pink Floyd music and video, as well as solo material from Floyd members.

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With all the “light-up” ceremonies this week ... “Lights” is our theme on the Classic Rock Challenge at 12:25pm. Here's Dan winning a double pass for Famous Players.

Remember, Famous Players now offers private X-Box Parties. Contact Famous Players for more info.

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Classic Rock Song Facts: (Weekdays at 1:20pm)

The line in this song, "I speak of the pompatus of love," has baffled listeners for some time. The word "Pompatus" does exist in the Oxford English Dictionary, and it means "to act with pomp and splendor." “The Pompatus Of Love” is the name of a 1995 movie starring Jon Cryer.

The line, "Some people call me The Space Cowboy" is a reference to Miller's 1969 song "Space Cowboy." The line, "Some call me a gangster of love" is a reference to his song "Gangster of Love." The line, "Some people call me Maurice" is a reference to Miller's 1972 song "Enter Maurice." In that song Miller also sings about "The pompatus of love."

Miller won a lawsuit against rap group The Geto Boys when they used this without his permission in 1990. In 2000, he let Shaggy use the bass line from this on his hit, "Angel." A year later, Miller let Run-DMC sample "Take The Money And Run."

This finally hit #1 on the UK charts in 1990, thanks to its inclusion in a Levi's jeans commercial.

In the TV show Friends, Joey has an imaginary friend named Maurice whose occupation is "Space Cowboy."

Homer sings this on an episode of The Simpsons.

It is ... The Joker ... by Steve Miller!

(Search facts on your favorite songs at www.songfacts.com)

The 15th Annual Festival of Trees is underway with a number of events this week. Here's Debbie Byl from the Spirit Of The North Healthcare Foundation with a quick rundown.

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And now some GNR shorties ...

A newspaper published by China's ruling Communist Party is blasting the latest Guns N' Roses album as an attack on the Chinese nation. Monday's headlines said "American band releases album venomously attacking China."

Tom Zutaut, the man who signed Guns N' Roses to Geffen Records was unceremoniously booted out of the "Chinese Democracy" listening party in West Hollywood last Tuesday. Apparently an long-running feud with Axl continues.

GNR fans crashed Dr Pepper's website trying to claim their free drink on Sunday. The Pepper promo had to be extended through yesterday.

“Chinese Democracy” available at Walmart and Brad picked up a free copy today from The Drive!

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Entertainment News This Morning: (Weekdays at 10:20am)

Former Platinum Blonde bassist Kenny MacLean was found dead in his apartment yesterday. He just had a CD release party on Friday for a new solo disc.

Brooke Burke is the one to beat on ``Dancing with the Stars.'' She and her partner got a round of perfect 10's from the judges last night. Head judge Len Goodman even said her freestyle was the best he's ever seen. Former N-F-L player Warren Sapp won praise for being entertaining, if not perfect on the dance floor. Sapp was tied with one-time 'N Sync member Lance Bass on the judges' score card last night. But Burke is in the lead, just as she has been most of the season. Tonight, the new winner gets the mirror ball trophy.

Reese Witherspoon is more than a foot shorter than Vince Vaughn, so shooting ``Four Christmases'' together posed a few problems. Witherspoon says she had to stand on boxes or specially made ramps to make up for their size difference. But that wouldn't work in the dance scenes. She says Vaughn had to actually pick her up while they were dancing, with her feet dangling in the air, just so they could stay in the same frame. ``Four Christmases'' opens tomorrow.

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Classic Rock Calender: (Weekdays at 11:20am)

In 1969, John Lennon returned his M-B-E medal to the Queen to protest Britain's involvement in Biafra and its support of U-S action in Vietnam.

In 1972, a Los Angeles festival billed as the ``Woodstock of the West'' was a dismal failure, with only 32-thousand showing up to hear such acts as the Bee Gees, Stevie Wonder and the Eagles.

In 1976, The Band gave its final concert at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. The concert was captured on film by director Martin Scorcese, and released as ``The Last Waltz.''

In 1984, ``Do They Know It's Christmas,'' Band Aid's record in aid of Ethiopian famine relief, was recorded.

The Drive Nooner - Random Rock News: (Weekdays at 12:10pm)

Although John Lennon is one of the most-discussed rock stars of all time, author Philip Norman says there aren't many full-scale biographies about him. He tackles the challenge in an new bio called, “John Lennon - The Life.” It's an 820-page volume that took four years to research and write. Norman says the book is "about an amazing person who happened to be a musician." And if you are still wondering when the Beatles’ catalog will finally make it to iTunes? Don’t hold your breath, as Paul McCartney says negotiations between Apple Records and EMI have “stalled.”

Keith Richards, the Rolling Stones guitarist and wild man of rock 'n' roll, could be ready to release an easy-listening album. The album is rumored to include a jazz version of the Judy Garland classic Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Perry Como's I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now and an homage to country star Tammy Wynette. More than 20 never-released covers by the Rolling Stones guitarist were leaked onto the Internet.

They've sold millions of records, and influenced several generations of fans and musicians. So why isn't Kiss in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? That's what Gene Simmons would like to know. Gene says, "There are disco bands, rap bands, Yiddish folk song bands in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but not Kiss. I believe we have more gold records in America than any other group." The band is not among the nine acts on this year's shortlist, which includes metal icons Metallica, rock guitarist Jeff Beck, and soul singer Bobby Womack. The final five will be announced in January, ahead of the 24th annual induction ceremony in Cleveland on April 4.

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With all the “light-up” ceremonies this week ... “Lights” is our theme on the Classic Rock Challenge at 12:25pm. Here's John winning a double pass for Famous Players.

Remember, Famous Players now offers private X-Box Parties. Contact Famous Players for more info.

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Classic Rock Song Facts: (Weekdays at 1:20pm)

Springsteen played this for the first time on May 9, 1974 when he opened for Bonnie Raitt at Harvard Square. Rock critic Jon Landau was at the show and wrote in Boston's Real Paper: "I saw rock and roll's future - and its name is Bruce Springsteen." Landau eventually became Springsteen's manager.

After recording 4 versions (one with a female chorus) at the low-budget studio where he recorded his first 2 albums, he moved to a higher end studio to finish it, refusing to release it until it was just right.

This was a last minute addition to his 2001 Live In New York City album. Springsteen felt this was the missing ingredient on the CD, but the liner notes were already printed. The song had to be included as a hidden bonus track at the end of the first disc.

In the liner notes to his Greatest Hits album, Springsteen wrote: "My shot at the title. A 24 year old kid aimin' at 'The greatest rock 'n roll record ever.'"

There was a movement to make this the official state song of New Jersey.

"Highway 9" refers to Route 9 in New Jersey, which went through Springsteen's hometown of Freehold.

This came at the crossroads of Springsteen's career. His first 2 albums sold poorly, and Columbia Records might have dropped him if he did not produce a hit.

This became an educational tool when it was used on Sesame Street as "Born To Add."

It is ... Born To Run ... by Bruce Springsteen!

(Search facts on your favorite songs at www.songfacts.com)