Bill Dedman

While the House of Blues slogan has been 'In blues we trust,' its stages are usually filled with more reliable moneymakers - Neil Diamond and A Tribe Called Quest among them.

'J'eet jet?' is still the standard way for a Pittsburgher to ask if you're ready for a meal, but the meal itself is no longer limited to chipped ham and an Iron City beer.

Jason McDermott can be the most ingratiating young man: a born politician.

It's a terrifying thing to be perhaps 16 or 17 and feel like you are a failure and a has-been.

I've never been in a competition before, and I said I'm going to go. I think - I just love to sing.

As a young child my attention span was, as I remember it, rather short.