America: After All These Years

 I guess it is true that 40 is the new 20, because Music Supergroup America had the energy of a band just out of their teens at the current stop on their 2009 World Tour.

It didn't take long for Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley to have the house a rockin' during a beautiful hot Atlanta evening with America at Chastain Park Amphitheater. From the opening song, Riversideand through the entire discography America offers, young and old came to appreciate the history and pure sound of this classic rock band.

They may be one year shy of their 40th anniversay, but America wowed the crowd with their many hits, Horse With No Name, Ventura Highway, Tin Man, and Sister Golden Hair. To say they haven't missed a beat is an understatement. Other favorites, Sandman, Hollywood, and I Need You flowed off their instruments like a river raft moving downstream. The duo stated, and it appeared true that they loved Atlanta, and Chastain Park. Maybe the highlight of their performance was when opening act Christopher Cross joined them onstage to sing Lonely People. They even joked that between America and Christopher Cross they have six Grammys total. One for America and five for Cross.

Couples danced to You Can Do Magic, and a spot on rendition of The Beatles, Eleanor Rigby. Bunnell and Beckley told stories of high school, The Mamas & The Papas, and working with The Beach Boys. They played for about 80 minutes and it went fast, too fast. The duo even took time after the show to meet and greet fans for an hour or so.

America plays a full concert slate every year. Here's hoping they come back to Chastain and Atlanta to celebrate their 40th. Their website is www.venturahighway.com.

Open Letter to Viking's Fans; From a Packer Fan

Dear Viking's Fan:

Let me state first I am not a bitter Packer Fan because Brett Favre has now arrived at Vikings Training Camp and is no longer in retirement.  Yes, I am a Packer Fan, but I'm not bitter.

I grew tired of the whole "will he or won't he" situation with Brett Favre well over a year ago.  I am emotionally removed now from Favre Nation.

Viking's Fans, you are getting a player who puts himself and his own needs first.  He will make some great plays and bring excitement to the average team you have in The Twin Cities.  You have a geat player in Adrian Peterson, and initially he will make Favre look better than he really is.  He will tease and tempt you into thinking you may have a team than can go deep in the playoffs.  The truth is, he well past his prime.  He now is injury prone, a good bet is he lost some arm strength with his offseason surgery.  He will make bad reads an bad decisions.  He will then gripe about some of his teammates, question some of the play calling and lead a team that will end up at best 8-8.

He is not your savior.  He is an aged quarterback trying to hold on.  You would be better with Sage Rosenfels.  Be careful of what you wish for.   And by the way, get ready to witness many interceptions.  To be continued...

                                                                 Signed,

                                                                      A Packer Fan

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Want to Beat Tiger? Be a Nobody

 Looks like the blueprint is in place. If you want to beat Tiger Woods, especially in a Major, the best advice I can give you is to be a "No-Name".

Now with his victory at The PGA, put Y.E. Yang alongside Rich Beem, Michael Campbell, Trevor Immelman, and those that pushed Woods into playoffs in Majors; Bob May, Chris DiMarco, and Rocco Mediate. What is it with Tiger and these players that aren’t supposed to challenge the number one player in the world?

The fact is there is no pressure on these lesser players, and as Tiger lets titles slip away he seems to be getting a little tighter at each Major Championship. The truth is Yang played great, and Tiger was off his game just enough on Sunday to let Yang slip through. Tiger rarely lets a lead get away, but every once in a while he lets us see he is human.

Tennis Channel to Provide Wall to Wall Coverage at Cincy

The Tennis Channel has come a long way.  Tennis fans will have a chance to prep for The U.S. Open with extended coverage of The Masters Series Tournament in Cincinnati this week.  Starting Tuesday we'll be able to see early round matchups beginning at 1pm Eastern time.

ESPN2 will pick up more coverage later in the week.  Looks like a great week of tennis with Murray on a roll and a possible Federer/Roddick quarterfinal meeting.