CES Asia Underway

Most people are familiar with CES in Las Vegas, but there is an Asian version as well

Here's a look: http://www.cesasia.cn/

Celebrating 30 Years, ASIA Plays Atlanta

Taken individually, John Wetton, Geoff Downes, Steve Howe and Carl Palmer are some of the best musicians in the world.  Put them together in Asia, and it's an unbelievable show.

As I witnessed Monday night in Atlanta, Asia is celebrating 30 years by touring and a new album.

John WettonGeoff DownesSteve HoweCarl Palmer with possibly the best drum solo I've ever seenA perfect night and a perfect show

The "Original" ASIA Coming to Atlanta Nov. 19

Known for hits like "Heat of the Moment" and "Only Time Will Tell," the original line-up of the super group Asia returns to the stage to celebrate its 30th Anniversary with a world tour this fall and they will be in Atlanta, at the Variety Playhouse of Nov. 19.  They also have a new album out.

Hope to talk with the guys for an advance piece before this show, that I'm looking forward to.

Typhoon Hits Cities in Asia

Typhoon Sanba came ashore South Korea Monday, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people and whipping Jeju Island with heavy rains and high winds.

Sanba, with wind speeds of up to 93 miles per hour and unleashing heavy rains, was moving northeastward at 21 miles per hour.

The Jeju Island, which was the landing spot of Typhoon Bolaven, was again the main target of Sanba's fury that included rains of more than 3 inches per hour. Already Mount Halla on the island has received about 23 inches of rain.

Dozens of residents have suffered flood damage, and more than 10,000 households were left without electricity, the National Emergency Management Agency said.

ATP Tour Speaks on 'Special Events Rule'

A few weeks back there was rumor of a revolt by ATP 250 level tournament directors in response to the announcement that top ATP players including Rafael Nadal would be playing an exhibition event in Asia the same week that the ATP would be conducting 250 level events. 

It took a couple weeks, but I finally got an answer from Austin Nunn and Kate Gordon, the Executive VP of the ATP Tour's Marketing and Communications.

The ATP Special Events Rule has been consistent since the governing body’s inception in 1990.  Players are allowed to play in non-ATP events during the week of an ATP World Tour 250 tournament if it is located more than 100 miles (160km) away and not considered the same market area of the city where the ATP World Tour tournament is located.

Over the years, the ATP Board of Directors has considered various proposals to modify the Special Events Rule. However, the Tour believes that the current rule provides an appropriate balance between promoting the ATP World Tour and the investment by our tournament members, and allowing our player members -- who are independent contractors and not ATP employees -- some flexibility to play in non-ATP events throughout the year, while fulfilling their commitments to the Tour.

Bad news for ATP 250 tournaments that sometimes struggle to attract a top-10 or top-20 player in their field.  I'm not sure men's professional tennis becomes "the wild west" again, but it could spell the end for some 250 events around the world.