People

REMEMBERING HANK, 50 YEARS LATER

This New Year's marks the 50th anniversary of the death of one of the founding fathers of country music ... Hank Williams. The singer, who seemingly overnight had become omnipresent on American radio as one of the first true "cross-over" artists, died in the back of a chauffeured Cadillac while on his way to a concert in Canton, Ohio. In the ensuing years the circumstances of that death have been widely debated. Rumors started flying that Williams had died of a drug overdose or had fallen from the car. YesterdayUSA is reporting that his sister long contended that he simply died of a heart attack. Fast living was a factor, drugs and alcohol were not. No matter how he died it is how he lived that is his legacy, along with the songs he rode to the top of the charts. And his songs, unlike those of many country stars today, are not "cookie cutter" clones of previous hits. Take "Your Cheatin' Heart" and "Kaw-Liga," as examples. They are as different as night and day. Many of his hits have been recorded by artists from nearly every musical genre. His genetic legacy lives on in his son, highly successful Hank Williams Jr., and grandson Hank III. By the way, thinking of deaths at the turn of the calendar, it was on New Year's Eve 1985 that Ricky Nelson and his entourage died in the crash of a DC-3 outside of DeKalb, Texas.

LEGAL PROBLEMS LOOM FOR DIANA ROSS

One of the era's supreme singers, Diana Ross, is in hot water, facing DUI charges. According to published reports, the 58-year-old singer was stopped in southern Arizona this week on suspicion of drunk driving. A breathalyzer test showed that Ross had a blood-alcohol level of 0.20. That's twice the legal limit. The arrest happened in the wee small hours of the morning, near Tucson, Ariz. Ross now faces three misdemeanor charges: Driving under the influence, driving with an alcohol level over 0.08 and a level over 0.15. For some months the singer-actress had been in a rehabilitation program in the Los Angeles area. All this came in advance of plans for the staging of a major tour this coming summer.

JUST CALL HIM 'GOVERNOR GRATIS'

The new governor of the state of Massachusetts says he will not take a salary. Gov. Mitt Romney announced this week that neither he nor his lieutenant governor will take a penny from state coffers. Traditionally in Massachusetts the governor is paid $135,000 a year. The No. 2 man in state government makes some $120,000. Romney says that some of the money saved will be used to increase the pay of senior advisers. CNN says that the new man in Boston noted that the move was made to demonstrate Romney's commitment to the state and his push to solve its budget woes. If his last name sounds familiar, he's the son of former Michigan governor, presidential candidate and auto executive George Romney.

'RAYMOND' HELPING RATINGS AT CBS

The cast and crew of "Everybody Loves Raymond" must be smiling as it enters the new year. The show has become a ratings hit. The placement of a new episode of "Raymond" this week amid a flood of reruns of other programs garnered CBS the highest points on Monday night. The show, with its unique ensemble company of incredible supporting actors has become a family favorite across the nation. The Hollywood Reporter says that a rerun of the CBS show "CSI: Miami" also did well this week. As this was happening, a traditional Monday night staple, the broadcast of "Monday Night Football," did disappointing business. ABC executives may still be wincing from the poor showing of the game, traditionally a big winner for the network on Mondays ... and still a drawing card at sports bars around the country.

GRITTY SHOW SUED BY MAN WITH SIMILAR NAME

A man with an in-your-face legal name is suing one of television's most in-your-face programs. When a singer was denied the right to perform on ABC's Fourth of July broadcast because of the presence of a certain word in his lyrics, we told the story, but only hinted at the word. Now, with the filing of a lawsuit, the word is inescapable. Court documents show that a man from Montana who had his named legally changed to "Jack Ass" is now suing the folks at Viacom, the producers of the avant garde (some say "stupid") stunts show "Jackass." The action was announced on the Internet this week. It purports that some $10 million in damages is being asked by Mr. Ass because of infringement. Meanwhile, the show continues to draw curious viewers. A movie made from the series did well at the box office. As all of this is going on, several people have been seriously injured and a young boy in Mexico has died as the result of trying to copy stunts from the "Jackass" show. But, the same thing happened during the run of earlier "stunt" shows on a variety of networks. By the way, the man doing the suing against Viacom is, according to published reports, the operator of a non-profit company that makes heart-shaped markers for placement on the sites were people met accidental death.

GARTH BROOKS PROVES HE'S REALLY SANTA

We haven't heard much from Garth Brooks lately because he's been too busy playing Santa Claus. Country Music Television says that icon of country music took the time out from rehearsals, songwriting and family matters to brighten the Christmas of a young woman who is on the mend after heart surgery. Brooks reportedly sent a 5-foot-tall Norfolk pine Christmas tree to young Shari Boyd. She's the daughter of Fran Boyd, the director of the Academy of Country Music. The network reminds us that Brooks has long been associated with the academy and a cheerleader for its activities. After all he has been given many top awards by the group during the past decade, including male vocalist of the year, top album, best single and song and video of the year several times.

UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 493

Today we're doing something we haven't done in a while, asking you to help us start off the new year with some fresh questions. The list of would-be questions here at UPI isn't exactly at the bottom of the barrel, but it's your turn. Send your ideas for future survey questions to [email protected] with ASK in the subject line.

RESULTS OF QUESTION NO. 488 (PROMISE)

Today we continue to relay some of your New Year's resolutions, sent in as a response to last week's question: PamM is among those who say that being honest will be her watchword in the coming year. She says she never lies about anything major, but sometimes it's the best way to get out of a long explanation ... nevermore. CathyW has a great wish for the coming year. She wants to help raise money for the Children's Wish Foundation. She says she raised an incredible $2,000 in 2002. Since she has to raise at least $1,500 (Canadian money) to fulfill a single wish, her contribution this past year fulfilled about 1.3 wishes. She wants to fulfill two wishes this time around. Angela wants to lose the excess weight she gained during pregnancy and to slow down and appreciate life. Peggy is striving for better health in the coming year, hoping to increase her time spent walking. TOMORROW: More thoughts for the future.

EIGHTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS HONOREE

On this the Eighth Day of Christmas we continue to honor the unsung heroes you have mentioned in your letters. From AndyD in Montana comes this story: "I only met him once. I was 10 and my family was going across country. We stopped at a roadside rest park and there our family met a gray-haired older man. He had covered the table with food. He invited us to share the feast. We did. During the meal I heard him say to my dad that he was trying to have as much fun as he could with the 'few days he had left.' Terminally ill and alone he decided to go to a popular roadside stopping point and share his wealth, making new friends. That was more than 50 years ago. I still think of that place and time and the man (whose name I can't remember) who taught a little boy that life is worth living ... and sharing." Thanks, AndyD. GBA.