People

RARE SPRINGSTEEN SPECIAL HEADED FOR CBS

The CBS Television Network says it will air an hour-long concert by Bruce Springsteen late next month. The event, scheduled for Feb. 28, will be broadcast just in advance of the kickoff of the entertainer's latest tour -- accompanied by the E Street Band. CBS, in a release to national media, says the content of the broadcast will be drawn from a concert that took place some months ago in Spain. Parts of that show already have been released on VH1, but only in Europe. Several of the songs from the concert are taken from the playlist for Springsteen's latest album on Columbia, including "The Rising," "Lonesone Day," "You're Missing" and the title track. Springsteen is a consummate lover of the concert circuit and over the years has made very few network special appearances.

MOVIE-MAKING SISTERS GETTING RESULTS

That "home-made" movie produced by five New York state sisters now is in the 50 top grossing movies in the nation. Last week we talked about the film, "Manna From Heaven," and how the sisters were promised distribution in major cities if they were able to get enough people to see it at several Buffalo, N.Y., theaters. Now the group's publicist tells United Press International the seven Buffalo-area theaters that debuted the film have agreed to keep it on their screens for another week, upping attendance numbers. If the numbers stay strong in Buffalo a distributor has promised to release the film in New York and Los Angeles. The sisters continue to make waves in the independent film community and have gone to all of the film's opening nights.

METALLICA HEADED FOR SUMMER FESTS

The heavy metal group Metallica has announced an ambitious tour of summer festivals that will take it over much of Europe. According to billboard.com, the band will kick off its tour in Nuremberg, Germany, in early June. The California-based group then will hold forth in Berlin and a third German city. Then it's off to Italy, Denmark, Belgium and two cities in the United Kingdom. Metallica is the master of putting together high-tech tours. As a matter of fact, it's last major performance was "thrown together" in less than a week. The group decided to give a free outdoor concert for hometown fans before the AFC championship game in Oakland. It played in the parking lot of the Network Coliseum.

SKAGGS TO RELEASE LIVE ALBUM

The latest effort by Ricky Skaggs is a CD that includes new songs performed in a live concert setting. Country.com says the award-winning singer and his group, Kentucky Thunder, came up with more than a half-dozen new songs for inclusion in the soon-to-be-released "Live at the Charleston Music Hall" compilation. Like many live albums, the set actually is the best tracks taken from two separate concerts recorded on consecutive nights last November at a Charleston, S.C., venue. One of the more interesting aspects of the CD promises to be a bluegrass rendition of the classic Harry Chapin hit "Cat's in the Cradle." The CD is set to hit store shelves in late March.

RINGO ROUNDS UP ALL-STAR LIST

Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr has been keeping busy, recording with everyone from Eric Clapton to Willie Nelson. Published reports indicate Ringo additionally has done sessions with Pink Floyd's David Gilmour and Timothy B. Schmit of Eagles and Poco fame. Also, Ringo enlisted the help of Shawn Colvin, Van Dyke Parks and Charlie Haden for "Ringo Rama." The project will be released just in advance of Starr's latest all-star tour, set to be the eighth incarnation of his now famous "friends" circuits.

MUTILATED TEEN NOW RISING ADULT ARTIST

A woman who gained national attention when she was attacked by an older man who hacked off her forearms has emerged as a recognized artist. It was back in 1978 that Mary Vincent ran away from home and accepted a ride from a man old enough to be her grandfather. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer says before that night was over she was attacked and her assailant cut off her forearms, leaving her to die. When the man was released from prison years later Vincent lived in fear. The man had vowed to "finish the job." Finally he was re-arrested for another brutal crime against a woman. This time the victim died. The man died in jail last year. Now Vincent, living in the Seattle area, is "a free woman," finally putting her life together, and has taken up art. The publication says Mary Vincent has two high school-age sons and is finding people love her artwork, created in pencils clasped in her hooks. The pity has turned to admiration.

UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 515

Today's question is a variation of one asked some time ago: "What are you thoughts about the slew of new soft drinks on grocery shelves?" Put DRINK in the subject line and send to [email protected] via the Internet.

RESULTS OF QUESTION NO. 510 (SOAP)

Last week we asked about your love (or distaste) of the soap operas. From a random dip into the e-mail inbox, here are some of your comments: Sherri S writes from Germany to tell us she is an American in Europe. "I've watched 'The Young & The Restless' from the very first episode," she writes. She says she honestly can't remember how long she has been watching, but says it's at least 20 to 25 years. Now she can't watch it so she "follows the show by reading the Daily Update on the CBS Web site." Pat in Ontario says she's also watched "Y&R" since its first show. She's a real fan. "I tape it everyday. I also started taping 'The Bold and the Beautiful' five or six years ago." She also says she wishes the hour-long soaps were only 30 minutes long and the action moved more quickly. On the other side of the coin, Mary P is among those who say watching soaps is a waste of time. Fewer than 20 percent, though, shared that sentiment. NEXT: Your comments continue. GBA.