Tay trotting way around the globe

Just got off the phone with former local hoops star Tay Fisher, now a member of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters.

The former Kingston High School and Siena College standout, now nicknamed "Firefly," and his new teammates bring their high-flying act to his old stomping grounds, Albany's Times-Union Center, on Feb. 7th. "I'm just blessed," Tay, who's already been to Qatar, Libya, Spain and Tunisia, among other exotic locales, said. "Just when you think it's good, it gets better and better. ... I want to be a Globetrotter for a long time." For my story, which will appear in the Poughkeepsie Journal next week, we talked about playing for the world's most recognizable hoops team, playing more than 260 games between December and May, not to mention all the hard work he and his teammates put in to make their skills look so flawless.

Sure, it's Super Bowl Sunday, but if you can make it to Albany, I highly recommend it! The Globetrotters came to my alma mater, SUNY New Paltz, in 1998 and it was a night I still remember fondly to this day. It was the most amazing sports display — half-court shots, a guy who dunked from 2 feet above the rim — I've ever seen. They put on a must-see show!

"Learning all the different moves and seeing the smiles that I'm able to put on the faces of kids, moms and dads when we play in every city — it's remarkable how much they enjoy it," Tay said, when I asked him about the best part of being a Globetrotter. "I'm happy I'm able to do that."

For more information about the Globetrotters' game in Albany — I'm guessing they'll beat the Washington Generals ... that's just a hunch! — click here.

Poughkeepsie is still "Hangin' Tough!"

Forget Tuesday's special election between Scott Brown and Martha Coakley. The real election for Massachusetts ended earlier today.
Let me extend a BIG THANKS to the more than 120 people who voted to bring the Boston's own New Kids On The Block to Poughkeepsie for a screening of their new concert DVD, "Coming Home." The guys will announce the winning town(s) on Friday. Stay tuned for the results...

When I started my one-man campaign earlier this month, you could count the votes for Poughkeepsie on one hand, as our fair city ranked No. 152 in the country. At last count, we'd garnered 125 votes, and Poughkeepsie ranked between No. 50 and No. 52 in the nation, out of more than 3,100 towns that voted. We beat out cities like Baltimore and Syracuse, just to mention a couple!
In short, that's amazing(!) and we couldn't have done it without everyone who voted. Thanks to everyone who responded to my pleas for Po-Town either through my tweets or this blog, making the case for why we should host Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Danny Wood, Donnie Wahlberg and Joey McIntyre!

Again, the guys came here for a pair of shows in July 1989, and it would be great to bring them back some 20+ years later for a command performance. Keep your fingers crossed!
If nothing else, we've proved Poughkeepsie is still Hangin' Tough when it comes to its support of both the New Kids and just plain ol' fun!

Who's got their "Pants on the Ground" now?

He's 62 years old. He's a veteran. He speaks the truth.

Anyone who watched "American Idol" last night has been singing "Pants on the Ground" all day today. And here's a clip (compliments of the good folks at "Idol") of "General" Larry Platt signing his original, hit song. In only the second episode of Season 9, we've already got the newest reincarnation of William Hung, though I like the "General's" song better.

And let's just get it out there: The kids today and the way they let their pants sag is just ridiculous! I know, I sound like an old fogey like my buddy Pete, but it's the truth ... and the "General" lets 'em all now.

Good luck trying to get this song out of your head!

(Due to the popularity of the clip, you might have to refresh the page for it to load properly.)

Their Glory-ous "Talent" is rewarded

The feel-good story of 2009 has continued in the opening days of 2010.Highland's Voices of Glory — the Cole siblings Michael, Avery and Nadia — have been signed to the Tate Music Group a record label, the first step in an ambitious schedule that will take them all across America.

"Our partnership with Voices of Glory will definitely make an impact," Brianne Webb, TMG's director of music acquisitions, said in a statement, "and we are excited to see what the future of this partnership produces."

The Voices of Glory shot to stardom this past summer, reaching the final round of NBC's "America's Got Talent" show. I spoke with Michael and Avery back in September when they were home for a few days before flying back to the West Coast for the season finale, in which they placed fifth overall. Just as much as their singing ability, the Coles won over America's hearts with their back story: They began singing together after their mother, Felicia, was hit head-on by a drunk driver in 20007.

In addition to setting up both their own Web site and an official Twitter page, the Voices of Glory have more opportunities ahead of them.

According to TMG officials, the Coles will sing the national anthem at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 18th before the NY Knicks host the Detroit Pistons; they'll embark on a 48-state tour in the spring; they'll likely release their debut CD over the summer; and they'll headline their own show in Branson, Missouri, home of countless other wholesome, family-friendly acts like the Oak Ridge Boys, the Osmonds and the Dutton family, who also gained fame on an earlier season of "America's Got Talent."

Bring "Coming Home" to our hometown!

I don't ask for much, but I need (as my pal Pete would say) "a solid" to start the new year right.
The New Kids On The Block are my favorite group (perhaps you've heard ... or seen) and the guys have a new concert DVD coming out next month. But Donnie Wahlberg, Jon Knight, Danny Wood, Joe McIntyre and Jordan Knight also have a cool contest going on:

The New Kids are asking their fans (like me) to "demand" them to come to fans' hometowns for a screening of their "Coming Home" DVD and a Q&A session. An avid fan, I've been plugging away, trying to get the guys to come to Poughkeepsie. Here are Donnie and Jon giving the details...

Here's where I need help: Please click on the image above and vote for Poughkeepsie. Simply hit the button and, if prompted, enter the ZIP code 12601 or 12603 or just type in Poughkeepsie and help bring the group here.

Right now, Po-town ranks No. 152 in the voting, which includes 2,743 cities. Poughkeepsie is ahead of towns like Ann Arbor, Mich.; Reno, Nev.; and even Baltimore, Md.! Voting ends two weeks from today (that's Jan. 21) and the results will be announced the next day.

Thanks in advance!

And as always ... tell 'em Sean sent ya.