Tyrese 'would love' role in 'Avatar 2'

Tyrese Gibson wants to put on the "blue suit."

"Respectfully Sir Mr Cameron I want in on #Avatar2," reads a recent Tweet by the "Transformers" actor/R&B crooner. "Yup... This is Tyrese Gibson let me know when the 'Blue Suit' fitting is!"

According to IMDB.com, James Cameron's "Avatar 2" won't hit theater until 2016.

"I don't even know if there's going to be an 'Avatar 2' but I'm a huge fan of that (first) movie and huge fan of this very brilliant amazing man (Cameron)," Gibson said by phone from his Los Angeles home. "I would love an opportunity to add working with him to my story."

Speaking of stories, the former fashion model and published author also said he has written six screenplays and has another book in the works.


I interviewed Gibson today for an upcoming feature to advance his April 15 appearance at Gulf Coast Rhythm & Ribfest taking place at the Manatee County Fairgrounds in Palmetto.

Tyrese, Molly Hatchet, Marshall Tucker Band and more at Gulfcoast Rhthm & Ribfest in Palmetto

Tyrese/publicity photo

A winning,  eclectic lineup ranging from contemporary R&B star/"Transformers" actor Tyrese to classic Southern rock favorites the Marshall Tucker Band are scheduled to take the stage during the 6th annual Gulf Coast Rhythm & Ribfest taking place at the Manatee County Fairgrounds in Palmetto from April 13 to 15.

In addition to the live music, rib teams from across the country return to serve up their award-winning recipes and to compete for this year’s top honors.

Here's the entertainment lineup:

April 13
6 p.m. Mitch Clark Band
8:30 p.m. Eric Darius

April 14
Noon Dr Dave Band
1:30 p.m. Kettle of Fish
3:30 p.m. War
6 p.m. The Marshall Tucker Band
8:30 p.m. Molly Hatchet

April 15
1 p.m. TBA
4 p.m. Ace Factor
6:30 p.m. Tyrese

Tickets are $10 (advance) to $35 (front of stage).

http://www.gulfcoastribfest.com

Country star Kellie Pickler: more of my interview with today's Ribfest headliner

Kellie Pickler publicity photo

Here are a couple tweets by country star Kellie Pickler -- and what she had to say about them -- that didn't make final edit of my Weekend cover story "Pickler dishes on her recent tweets."

Pickler headlines the Gulf Coast Rhythm & Ribfest 8:30 p.m. today at the Manatee County Fairgrounds.

Tweet: “See The Big Man Cry”- Charlie Louvin

Pickler: I love him. My grandparents had a huge part in raising me and I grew up listening to all the old country greats. I don’t know if I’m the only 24 year-old who listens to that but it’s what I grew up on. Hank Williams, Tammy Wynette, Waylon Jennings, Al Dexter and “Pistol Packin’ Mama” (laugh), Hank Thompson, Dolly Parton.

I’m just a sucker for the classics. That’s where my soul is. That’s what I listen to on the radio that makes me feel like I’m with my grandma and grandpa sitting around the record player. Fans will tweet “what are you listing to?” And I’ll give some random song from the 1930s. I love that I have young people following me on Twitter and being able to show them what real country music is.

Tweet: In the studio with the best musicians ever. I’m surrounded by brilliance, talent, & grace. New music is on the way, thanks 4 your patience.

Pickler: Frank Liddell is producing this record and it has been an amazing, long process — we’ve been working for close to two years. Frank saw something that not a lot of people have seen in me as an artist. The process of making this record is so hard.

What I want to sing is Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette and Conway Twitty stuff; but times have changed and we’re trying to find songs that are country but still commercial enough for today’s format. Everybody’s definition of country is different and it’s not that I dislike (mainstream) country radio. I love radio and always wanted to be part of country. I can’t help that I grew up on older stuff. I wanted to move to Nashville because Dolly Parton lived here and I wanted to sing like Dolly and Loretta Lynn.

I love country from the 1940s, ’50s, ’90s and I love, love Miranda Lambert. There’s a lot I dig right now but my heart is on “Willie’s Place” on (Sirius XMRadio) and I love “Outlaw Country” (Sirius XMRadio). It’s funny, because you would not hear my music there but I love that music, that’s my favorite. (Long pause). I’m not meaning any of that in a negative way and I hope it’s not being taken that way. I love it all.

Pickler would reiterate this point — that she’s not knocking contemporary, mainstream country music — again at the end of the interview when asked if she had anything to add.

Country star Kellie Pickler playing Palmetto

Kellie Pickler headlining Ribfest

Country star Kellie Pickler ranks as a pretty good get for the fifth edition of The Gulf Coast Rhythm & Ribfest.

The lineup announcement came today for this year’s fest taking place April 8-10 at the Manatee County Fairgrounds in Palmetto.

Pickler performs April 9.

The 2005 "American Idol" finalist's hit singles include "Red High Heels," "I Wonder," "Best Days of Your Life," "Didn't You Know How Much I Love You" and her most recent, last year's "Makin' me Fall in Love Again."

In addition to 24-year-old Pickler, Tampa-formed Southern rock heroes the Outlaws, popular smooth jazz saxophonist Eric Darius (who grew up in Tampa) as well as contemporary R&B crooners Lloyd and Tank are also confirmed.

Regional and local artists include The Boss Hawg Band, The Dr. Dave Band, The Mitch Clark Band, AJ and the Automatics and the On Que Players.

Ribfest tickets go on sale March 18.

Click for details/complete entertainment roster.