Coordinates	50°7′″N20°39′″N
name	Con Air
director	Simon West
producer	Jerry Bruckheimer
writer	Scott Rosenberg
starring	Nicolas CageJohn CusackJohn MalkovichMonica PotterVing RhamesEddie IzzardMykelti WilliamsonNick ChinlundRachel TicotinSteve Buscemi
music	Mark MancinaTrevor Rabin
cinematography	David Tattersall
editing	Chris LebenzonSteve MirkovicGlen Scantlebury
studio	Jerry Bruckheimer Films
distributor	20th Century FoxInternational:Touchstone Pictures
released
runtime	115 minutes
country
language	English
budget	$75 million
gross	$224,012,234 }}

''Con Air'' is an Academy Award-nominated 1997 American action-thriller film directed by Simon West and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. It stars Nicolas Cage, John Cusack and John Malkovich. The film borrows its title from the nickname of the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System.

The film featured the hit single "How Do I Live", originally performed by Trisha Yearwood for the movie and later covered by LeAnn Rimes. The film was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Song and Best Sound, losing to ''Titanic'' in both categories. It was also declared by the Golden Raspberry Awards as having the "Worst Reckless Disregard for Human Life and Public Property" of any film in 1997.

Plot

Former Army Ranger Cameron Poe is sentenced to a maximum-security federal penitentiary for using excessive force and killing a drunk man who had been attempting to assault his pregnant wife Tricia. Eight years later, Poe is paroled on good behavior, and eager to see his daughter Casey whom he has never met. Poe is arranged to be flown back home to Alabama on the C-123 "Jailbird" where he will be released on landing; several other prisoners, including his diabetic cellmate and friend Mike "Baby-O" O'Dell and the criminal mastermind Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom, are also being flown to be transferred to a new Supermax prison. DEA Agent Duncan Malloy wishes to bring aboard one of his Agents, Willie Sims, as a prisoner to coax more information out of drug lord Francisco Cindino before he is incarcerated. Vince Larkin, the U.S. Marshal overseeing the transfer, agrees to it, but is utterly unaware that Malloy has armed Sims with a gun.

Shortly after takeoff, a prisoner named "Pinball" Parker incites a riot spearheaded by Grissom that allows them to overpower the guards and pilots and take over the plane; Sims is killed when he attempts to stop Grissom. Grissom orders the plane to continue to Carson City for a scheduled prisoner transfer, where they would offload the guards and pilots disguised as prisoners, aided by the poor visibility from an ongoing dust-storm. Though he could have left the plane during the transfer, Poe feigns cooperation with Grissom but leaves a recording device from Sims' body on one of the guards being offloaded. Among the new prisoners boarding the plane are Cindino, who masterminded their escape, their new pilot Swamp Thing and serial killer Garland Greene, who even has the respect of Cyrus.

Grissom orders Swamp Thing to remove the transponder and has Pinball plant it on another plane. Moments before the plane takes off, the guards discover the clue Poe left behind, and alert Malloy and Larkin. Malloy sets off immediately to follow the transponder but soon discovers the deception. Meanwhile, Pinball was unable to make it aboard the plane on time, and his body has become lodged in the landing gear as the aircraft takes off when the security forces are alerted. Poe secretly writes a message to Larkin explaining Grissom's plan on Pinball's shirt and pushes the body out, where it lands in the middle of Fresno, California. Larkin calls for the National Guard to Lerner Airfield, an abandoned Air Force base in the desert, while using Malloy's sportscar to beat the Jailbird there.

The Jailbird lands at Lerner but overshoots the runway and grounds itself in the sand. Seeing no evidence of Cindino's plane, Grissom orders the prisoners to dig the Jailbird free. Meanwhile, Poe, seeking an insulin shot for Baby-O, meets Larkin and the two run down their respective situations. Larkin proceeds to find Cindino boarding his private jet with his men and manages to disable the jet before it leaves. Grissom discovers Cindino's treachery and kills him by blowing up his private jet. Johnny 23 has already spotted National Guard troops heading toward the airfield and Grissom arms the prisoners with rifles and shotguns from the plane's weapons locker and arranges to lure the troops into a death trap, but Larkin protects the troops during the gun battle by using a bulldozer as a make-shift shield. Grissom and the remaining prisoners return to the Jailbird and take off before Poe is able to escape with Baby-O and a female guard, Sally Bishop.

Grissom soon discovers Poe's true identity and prepares to kill him after shooting Baby-O. Malloy, having tracked down the plane, opens fire on it and disables one of the engines. When Larkin tells Malloy about Poe's identity as a parolee, Malloy orders not to fire. They both order the plane to land at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas but since they ran out of fuel, they are forced to crash land in The Strip.

The landing injures the inmates while causing massive destruction along the Strip until it comes to a halt at the lobby of the Sands Hotel. Amid the chaos, Poe is thanked by both Baby-O and Sally for his help. Grissom, Diamond Dog and Swamp Thing escape on a fire truck. Larkin and Poe notice them trying to flee, hop on motorcycles and pursue them, eventually killing all three escapees. Finally, Poe is able to meet Tricia and Casey who have been brought by Larkin to meet him. Cameron Poe then reunites with his loving wife and daughter.

All of the convicts are now dead or recaptured, except for Garland Greene, who is shown playing craps and sipping margaritas in a casino.

Cast

Nicolas Cage as Cameron Poe - A paroled ex-convict and former Army Ranger, he was convicted of killing a man who verbally abused his wife and attacked Poe, catching a ride home aboard the Jailbird from San Quentin to Alabama where he will be reunited with his family.

John Cusack as US Marshal Vince Larkin - Chief Marshal looking to take back the Jailbird with Poe's help. Presented as intelligent and fairly liberal for his position, he later forms an alliance with Poe to stop the rest of the criminals.

John Malkovich as Cyrus Grissom - known as "Cyrus the Virus" or "The Virus". A cunning, intelligent criminal who has spent 25 of his 39 years in the prison system for robbery, murder, kidnapping and extortion. Grissom earned a Bachelor's Degree and a Juris Doctor while incarcerated, despite claims to have "killed more people than cancer." He murdered 11 prisoners, caused 3 riots and escaped twice.

Ving Rhames as Nathan Jones - known as "Diamond Dog". A black militant leader imprisoned for murdering NRA members. Acts as Cyrus' second-in-command during the uprising. While in prison, he wrote a critically acclaimed book titled ''Reflections in a Diamond Eye'', lauded by reviewers as "a wakeup call for the black community." He does not like or trust Grissom, and plans to kill him once they've fully escaped.

Mykelti Williamson as Mike O'Dell - known as "Baby-O". Poe's nonviolent, diabetic cellmate who is transferring between prisons and is a steadfast friend. His insulin shots were to be administered during the flight but the injection needles were crushed during the prisoners' uprising, leaving him weak and forcing Poe to stay on board to protect him.

Nick Chinlund as William Bedford - known as "Billy Bedlam". A mass murderer who is serving eight consecutive life sentences for the murder of his adulterous wife's entire family and classified as a "separatee" inmate along with Grissom, Jones and Greene.

Steve Buscemi as Garland Greene - known as "The Marietta Mangler". A soft-spoken serial killer who is feared by the other inmates and revered by Grissom. He has murdered 30 people and once drove through three states wearing the head of a girl as a hat. He is imprisoned under the highest security measures, including extreme body restraints and a Hannibal Lecter-style mask.

Danny Trejo as Johnny Baca - known as "Johnny-23". A serial rapist who derives his nickname from his number of convicted rapes which he tracks via a tattoo on his arm, although he claims to be responsible for hundreds more.

M. C. Gainey as "Swamp Thing" - a Vietnam War veteran and drug smuggler whose pilot expertise is sought after and used to fly the Jailbird to replace the original pilot, following its takeover and his subsequent transfer to the plane while in Carson City.

Jesse Borrego as Francisco Cindino - the heir of a Colombian drug cartel family financing Grissom's escape.

Dave Chappelle as Joe Parker - known as "Pinball". A drug addict, arsonist and inmate responsible for distracting the guards, allowing Grissom and Jones the opportunity to initiate the uprising.

Renoly Santiago as Ramon Martinez - known as "Sally Can't Dance". A transvestite inmate who appears sexually subservient to his fellow detainees. Credited under the name "Renoly".

Colm Meaney as DEA Agent Duncan Malloy - An overzealous Agent who finds himself immediately at odds with Larkin, whom he antagonizes.

Rachel Ticotin as Guard Sally Bishop - a female prison guard transporting Poe and O'Dell who remains protected by Poe during the inmates' takeover of the plane.

Steve Eastin as Guard Falzon - the lead guard on the plane, who is saved by Poe (whom he had previously dubbed trailer trash), who plants Sims' tape recorder on him to alert the Carson City authorities.

José Zúñiga as DEA Agent Willie Sims - an undercover Agent who is posing as an inmate to interrogate Cindino about the family drug business.

Brendan Kelly as Conrad - One of the convicts from Carson City.

Conrad Goode as "Viking" - A dimwitted Aryan convict from Carson City.

Kevin Gage as Billy Joe - The man who Cameron kills at the beginning. (Uncredited)

Monica Potter as Tricia Poe - Cameron's wife.

Landry Allbright as Casey Poe - Cameron's 8-year-old daughter, who he meets for the first time after the plane crash.

Production

On the DVD commentary of ''Chappelle's Show'', Dave Chappelle states that he improvised most of his lines in this film. Jerry Bruckheimer wanted to cut the final scene of Greene at the craps table in Las Vegas and end the film with the heartfelt family reunion. The screenwriters convinced Bruckheimer to include the scene and in test screenings audiences loved it, thus it stayed.

The areas used in filming are Ogden Airport where the exchange of prisoners is seen. Wendover Airport is used in the flying scenes and taxi scenes for the aircraft which is now used as an attraction to visitors. It is used as the stand in for the fictional Lerner Airfield even the old swimming pool in the base where Garland Greene is seen talking with a girl and the boneyard scenes were filmed in one area of it. Most of the interiors of the plane were filmed in a soundstage. The Las Vegas scenes were filmed at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino where the plane's left wing hits the Fender Stratocaster sign. This is also where its premiere was held. The crash site was filmed in the Sands Hotel before its demolition on November 26, 1996. The 2nd Street Tunnel in L.A. was used for the tunnel chase scene near the end of the film.

On August 29, 1996, Phillip Swartz, a welder employed by a special effects company, was crushed to death when a cargo plane to be used in the film fell on him.

The Jailbird airplane used during flight scenes in the film had a series of owners, both military and private. In December 2003 it was sold to All West Freight Inc. in Delta Junction, Alaska. On August 1, 2010 the plane was destroyed when it crashed into Mount Healy within Denali National Park in Alaska. The three member flight crew was killed during the crash.

The plane used for the taxi scenes was donated to the Wendover Airfield by the filmmakers after filming and is currently on display at the ramp. It now serves as an attraction for visitors.

Reception

The film received mixed reviews with 57% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with 34 out of 60 critics giving it a positive review with an average rating of 5.7/10. However, amongst top reviewers, the film has a positive 86% rating. Roger Ebert awarded three out of four stars, saying it "moves smoothly and with visual style and verbal wit."

The film grossed $101,117,573 in North America and $122,894,661 in other territories, totaling $224,012,234 worldwide. The film won the Golden Raspberry Award for 'Worst Reckless Disregard for Human Life and Public Property".

The film is extensively parodied in ''Homestuck'', particularly the ending scene, with several characters developing obsessions with Nicolas Cage's character, Cameron Poe. Acting out the ending scene has become a running gag within the comic.

Soundtrack

name	Con Air
type	Soundtrack
artist	Trevor Rabin, Mark Mancina
released	June 17, 1997
genre	Soundtrack
label	Hollywood Records
producer	}}

The soundtrack album omits two songs featured in the film: "How Do I Live", written and recorded for the film by Diane Warren and "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

# "Con Air Theme" – 1:34 # "Trisha" – 1:04 # "Carson City" – 3:05 # "Lear Crash" – 4:44 # "Lerner Landing" – 3:28 # "Romantic Chaos" – 1:23 # "The Takeover" – 3:52 # "The Discharge" – 1:09 # "Jailbirds" – :59 # "Cons Check Out Lerner" – 1:56 # "Poe Saves Cops" – 2:25 # "The Fight" – :23 # "Battle In The Boneyard" – 7:41 # "Poe Meets Larkin" – 1:16 # "Bedlam Larkin" – :49 # "Fire Truck Chase" – 4:22 # "Overture" – 4:19

See also

Cinema of the United States

List of American films of 1997

References

External links

More about the various aircraft used in the film

Category:1997 films Category:American action thriller films Category:English-language films Category:Films set on an airplane Category:Aviation films Category:Directorial debut films Category:Films set in Las Vegas Category:Films set in Utah Category:Films shot in Utah Category:Films shot in Las Vegas Category:Films shot anamorphically Category:Cross-dressing in film and television Category:1990s action films Category:Films distributed by Buena Vista International Category:Touchstone Pictures films Category:Jerry Bruckheimer films

ca:Con Air da:Con Air de:Con Air et:Vanglaekspress es:Con Air fa:هواپیمای محکومین fr:Les Ailes de l'enfer it:Con Air hu:Con Air – A fegyencjárat nl:Con Air ja:コン・エアー pl:Lot skazańców pt:Con Air ru:Воздушная тюрьма fi:Con Air – lento vapauteen sv:Con Air tr:Con Air vi:Con Air (phim)

Coordinates	50°7′″N20°39′″N
Name	Trisha Yearwood
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Patricia Lynn Yearwood
Born	September 19, 1964Monticello, Georgia, U.S.
Genre	Country
Occupation	Singer, actress
Years active	1991–present
Label	MCA Nashville, Big Machine
Associated acts	Garth Brooks, Don Henley, Aaron Neville, Josh Turner
Spouse	Garth Brooks(2005–Present)
Website	Official Website }}

Patricia Lynn Yearwood, professionally known as Trisha Yearwood (born September 19, 1964), is an American country music artist. She is best known for her ballads about vulnerable young women from a female perspective that have been described by some music critics as "strong" and "confident."

Trisha Yearwood signed with MCA Records in 1990. She came to prominence with her debut single, "She's in Love with the Boy" which became a #1 hit on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in 1991. Her second album release, ''Hearts in Armor'' (1992) reflected Yearwood's own personal issues, which won her widespread critical acclaim among music critics and further success in country music. Her later album releases such as ''The Song Remembers When'' (1993), ''Thinkin' About You'' (1995) and ''Everybody Knows'' (1996) also demonstrated her creative control, featuring collaborations from Rodney Crowell, Willie Nelson and Garth Brooks.

Yearwood also found major success in country radio during much of the 1990s, including with the 1997 song "How Do I Live." Initially released on the soundtrack of the film, ''Con Air,'' the song was also issued on her "greatest hits" compilation entitled ''(Songbook) A Collection of Hits'' (1997) and would eventually win ''Best Female Country Vocal Performance'' from the Grammy Awards. In addition she would also win accolades from the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Awards in 1997 and 1998. Aside from her success in country music, she has also donated her time as a philanthropist, working with Habitat for Humanity and the Make a Wish Foundation. In addition she also set aside a project to release her first cookbook in April 2008 titled ''Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen,'' which consisted of southern cooking recipes from Yearwood, her mother and sister.

Early life

Yearwood was born in Monticello, Georgia, United States to Gwen Yearwood, a schoolteacher and Jack Yearwood, a local banker. As a child, she grew accustomed to listening to country artists Patsy Cline, Kitty Wells and Hank Williams. In elementary school, Yearwood sang in musicals, choir groups and talent shows. In high school, Yearwood and her sister Beth were A students, and Yearwood took a strong interest in becoming an accountant. After graduating, she enrolled at Young Harris College where she received her associates degree . She then attended The University of Georgia, however grew unhappy with the school's large campus, and transferred in 1985 to Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. At Belmont, Yearwood majored in the school's music business program, and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in business administration in 1987.

While in school at Belmont, Yearwood gained an internship with MTM Records, and was eventually hired as a full time employee following her graduation. With the help of the record label's resources, she recorded a series of demo tapes and also sang background vocals for new artists. One of the new artists Yearwood recorded with was Garth Brooks in 1989. The pair developed a friendship and Brooks promised to help Yearwood sign a recording contract, if his career succeeded. Brooks brought her to his producer, Allen Reynolds, who then brought her to Garth Fundis. Fundis and Yearwood soon began working together, and together they created a demo tape. In 1990, she sang background vocals on Brooks' second album, ''No Fences,'' and performed live at a label showcase. MCA record producer, Tony Brown was impressed by her vocal ability at the concert, and helped her sign a recording contract with MCA Nashville Records shortly afterwards. Following her signing with the label, she served as a the opening act on Brooks' 1991 nationwide tour.

Music career

1991: Debut album

Under MCA Nashville, Yearwood released her self-titled debut album in 1991. Its lead single titled "She's in Love with the Boy" peaked at #1 on the Billboard Country Chart in late 1991, bringing her national success. With "She's in Love with the Boy," Yearwood became the first female country artist in almost 20 years to reach #1 on the country charts with a debut single. The previous record had been held by Marie Osmond in 1973 with her single, "Paper Roses." Three other singles from her debut album also reached the Top 10 on the country chart — "Like We Never Had a Broken Heart" (co-written by Garth Brooks), "The Woman Before Me," and "That's What I Like About You." Her album eventually sold a million copies and was certified "Platinum" (and later on, "2× Multi-Platinum"), with Yearwood therefore also becoming the first female artist to sell a million copies of her first album. Allmusic reviewed the album and called the effort, "a very classy debut that stands the test of time," giving it four and a half out of five stars. It also received another positive review from ''Entertainment Weekly,'' who said that Yearwood's voice, "demonstrates technical and emotional authority at every turn." With success, Yearwood performed on ''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'', as well as ''The Late Show with David Letterman.'' She was also the subject of the book, ''Get Hot or Go Home,'' a full length biography of Yearwood's life and career written by Lisa Gubernick.

Her debut album's popularity helped Yearwood win a series of major industry awards. In 1991, she was named "Top New Female Vocalist" by the Academy of Country Music Awards, and was also voted by the American Music Awards in 1992, "Favorite New Country Artist."

1992—1996: Career diversification

In 1992, Yearwood released her second studio album, ''Hearts in Armor,'' which was critically acclaimed. With her second album, Yearwood chose songs that came from her own emotional conflicts following her divorce from her first husband, Chris Latham. The album was a departure from her previous album, as it contained almost all ballads and some collaborations with other music artists, including Don Henley, Emmylou Harris and Raul Malo of the country music band, The Mavericks. Harris is featured singing background vocals on a song she previously recorded, "Woman Walk the Line." Music critics gave the album praise and some of the highest reviews of her career. Allmusic called ''Hearts in Armor'' "stunning" and "one of the best heartbreak records country music delivered in the '80s and '90s." ''About.com'' gave it five stars, and called ''Hearts in Armor'', "possibly Trisha’s best album ever." The album would spawn four singles. The first two reached the Top 10 — "Wrong Side of Memphis", which peaked at #5 and "Walkaway Joe" (a collaboration with Don Henley), which peaked at #2 — and the third and fourth singles ("You Say You Will" and "Down on My Knees") peaked within the Top 20, reaching #12 and #19 respectively. Like her previous effort, it certified "Platinum".

Yearwood released her third album in 1993 entitled, ''The Song Remembers When,'' with the title track reaching #2 on the Billboard Country Chart that year. ''The Song Remembers When'' contained a variety of different musical themes, including the Folk-styled "Hard Promises to Keep," Rock-inspired "If I Ain't Got You," and the Pop-themed "Lying to the Moon." The album was recorded in the same format as ''Hearts in Armor,'' with a more contemporary-styled music style. Like her second album, it included collaborations with artists Rodney Crowell and Willie Nelson. The album was later accompanied by a cable television concert special in 1993, where the title track's music video is derived from. Yearwood followed the studio album with her first Holiday compilation in 1994 titled, ''The Sweetest Gift,'' which included cover versions of Christmas standards, such as "Away in a Manger," "Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!," and "The Christmas Song."

In February 1995, Yearwood issued her fourth studio album, ''Thinkin' About You,'' which was aimed more towards Adult Contemporary and Country pop music. The album was given a positive review by ''Rolling Stone Magazine,'' who compared ''Thinkin' About You'' to many of Linda Ronstadt's albums in the 1970s. The disc included a version of Melissa Etheridge's "You Can Sleep While I Drive" and Tammy Wynette's "Till I Get it Right." The album found widespread popularity, with its first two singles becoming Yearwood's first #1 singles since 1991: "XXX's and OOO's (An American Girl)" and the title track. Its third single, "I Wanna Go too Far" would reach the Top 10 after its release at the end of 1995. Like its predecessors, ''Thinkin' About You'' eventually sold one million copies in the United States and certified "Platinum." At the 1995 Grammy awards, Yearwood's duet with R&B; artist, Aaron Neville titled, "I Fall to Pieces" (a cover of the 1961 song by Patsy Cline) won in the category of ''Best Country Collaboration with Vocals.'' The award became Yearwood's first accolade from the Grammys.

In August 1996, she released her fifth studio album, ''Everybody Knows,'' which also was aimed in a country pop direction. The album mainly consisted of ballads and each song also contained larger melodies. The album was given mixed reviews. Allmusic gave the album three out of five stars, calling the songs "a little uneven." However, ''Entertainment Weekly'' praised the album, calling the title track an "emotional release of a pounding piano." ''Everybody Knows'' spawned the single, "Believe Me Baby (I Lied)," which became Yearwood's fourth #1 single on the Billboard Country Chart. The title track was released as the second single in 1996 and peaked within the Top 5 that year. In addition, Yearwood performed in the closing ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics, which were held in Atlanta, Georgia.

1997—2001: Late '90s success

Yearwood released her first "greatest hits" compilation in August 1997 titled, ''(Songbook) A Collection of Hits.'' The album overviews her Top 10 singles between 1991 and 1996, including "She's in Love with the Boy," "Walkaway Joe," and "Thinkin' About You." Unlike her previous album, ''Songbook'' was praised by most music critics, including Allmusic who called it, "a near-definitive collection." The compilation became Yearwood's first album to peak at #1 on the ''Billboard'' Top Country Albums chart, and also reach the Top 10 on the Billboard 200, reaching #4. The album included three new tracks that were eventually released as singles. The first single released was the Diane Warren-penned, "How Do I Live," which was included on the soundtrack of the film, ''Con Air,'' and was also nominated for Best Song at the Academy Awards. "How Do I Live" was originally recorded by teenage country music artist LeAnn Rimes for the film. Yearwood's manager at the time criticized Rimes's version as "too pop", and Rimes's version received little country airplay (only peaking at #43) and was not included in the film's soundtrack. Rimes's version became a major hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #2, while Yearwood's version peaked at #2 on the Hot Country Songs, and nearly made the Top 20 on Hot 100 as well, peaking at #23. Two of the other singles spawned from the album also became major hits on the Billboard Country Chart. The second single, "In Another's Eyes" (a duet with Garth Brooks) peaked at #2 on the country chart, and the third single, "Perfect Love" reached #1 in early 1998. In 1997 and 1998, she also won a series of accolades from the Grammy Awards, and also won "Female Vocalist of the Year" from the Country Music Association Awards and the Academy of Country Music. The album would become Yearwood's biggest selling album, selling four million copies in the United States, eventually certifying "4× Multi-Platinum."

In 1998 she released her first studio album in two years entitled, ''Where Your Road Leads.'' It was Yearwood's first album to be produced by Tony Brown, as her five previous albums were produced by Garth Fundis. The singles, "There Goes My Baby," "Powerful Thing," and "I'll Still Love You More" became Top 10 hits on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart between 1998 and 1999. The title track, a duet with Brooks reached the Top 20. The album also gained positive reviews. ''About.com'' reviewed the album, giving it four stars, calling it, "one of her best albums." It was also reviewed by Allmusic, which also gave the release four out of five stars. In the summer of 1998, she performed with singer, Luciano Pavarotti to benefit Liberian children. In 1999, she was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry by Porter Wagoner, performing a cover Patsy Cline's "Sweet Dreams (Of You)" the night of her induction. She is still a member.

Following a second divorce in 1999, Yearwood released her seventh studio album in March 2000 entitled, ''Real Live Woman.'' Like her second album, it contained her emotional conflicts following the separation, and therefore it gained critical praise. The album contained twelve tracks, and included covers of Bruce Springsteen's "Sad Eyes" and Linda Ronstadt's "Try Me Again." It was given high critical acclaim from Allmusic, quoting ''Real Live Woman'' as a "measured, deliberate record in the best possible sense." The album sold 500,000 copies in the United States and only spawned two singles.

In 2001, she released her next studio album, ''Inside Out.'' It was produced by Mark Wright and unlike her past albums, ''Inside Out'' contained love themes. The album included collaborations from Don Henley on the title track, Rosanne Cash and Vince Gill. Allmusic called the release, "bound to inspire fans and fellow artists alike," calling Yearwood's voice "timeless." ''Rolling Stone'' gave the album four out of five stars calling, "Love Alone" and "Melancholy Blue" the best songs on the record. The album spawned the single, "I Would've Loved You Anyway," which reached #4 on the Billboard Country Chart. Its two additional singles, the title track and "I Don't Paint Myself in Corners" only became minor hit singles between 2001 and 2002.

2005—2006: Return to music

In September 2005, Yearwood released her first album of new recordings in four years titled, ''Jasper County.'' Between 2002 and 2004, Yearwood took creative time out to record music as well as wed to Garth Brooks. ''Jasper County'' was produced by Garth Fundis and was named after the county Yearwood was raised in as a child. The album consisted of mainly upbeat Soul-styled songs, including "Sweet Love," and "Who Invented the Wheel." The album received many positive reviews by music critics, including Allmusic writer, Stephen Thomas Erlewine, who called ''Jasper Country'', "an album that stretches further musically than most of her albums while being more cohesive than most of her records as well." It received five stars from ''about.com,'' who also gave the album a positive review, praising the songs, "Georgia Rain," "Who Invented the Wheel," and "Standing Out in a Crowd." The album became her third album to peak at #1 on the ''Billboard'' Top Country Albums Chart, while it also peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, selling 117,000 copies within its first week. Its first week sales eclipsed those of Paul McCartney's ''Chaos and Creation in the Backyard,'' which was also released within that same week. The first single released was the song, "Georgia Rain," which was about Yearwood's upbringing in Georgia, and peaked at #15 on the Billboard Country Chart, becoming her first major hit since 2002. The second single, "Trying to Love You" was released to radio October 31, however the single only reached #52. Within a month of the album's release, ''Jasper County'' certified "Gold" from the Recording Industry Association of America, becoming Yearwood's eleventh Gold certification of her career.

In October 2005, Yearwood participated in the "Broadway Goes Country" concert, a show that featured country artists performing songs from Broadway Musicals and Broadway performers singing country songs. During the concert, Yearwood performed the song, "For Good" from the musical, ''Wicked,'' along with original ''Wicked'' star, Idina Menzel. Other country artists that performed that night included Billy Currington, Jamie O'Neal and Carrie Underwood.

2007—present: Move to Big Machine records

In May 2007, Yearwood announced her departure from MCA Nashville Records, and signing with the independent label, Big Machine Records. Yearwood and Big Machine CEO, Scott Borchetta met when she originally worked for MTM Records in the late 1980s, and then worked together when Borchetta worked at MCA during the 1990s. Yearwood left the label after over sixteen years with them, and selling over ten million records. Following her separation, MCA released a ''Greatest Hits'' compilation in September, which included all of her Top 10 singles up until 2001.

After signing with Big Machine, Yearwood announced plans for the recording of her tenth studio album, which was originally planned for release in 2008. In November 2007, Yearwood released her tenth studio album titled, ''Heaven, Heartache, and the Power of Love.'' The album peaked at #10 on the ''Billboard'' Top Country Albums Chart while also reaching #30 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The album was given some of the highest reviews of her musical career, gaining even more praise then her 1992 effort, ''Hearts in Armor.'' Allmusic gave the album 4 and a half out five stars, and called it their "album pick." Reviewer, Thom Jurek praised the album highly, stating, "It's better than good, it's beyond expectation -- and it was high after ''Jasper County'' -- it's the best example of what a popular record -- not just a country one -- should aspire to be, period." ''Slant Magazine'' also reviewed the album, also giving it four and a half stars, calling it, "a testament to the vitality, intelligence, and soulfulness of modern country's best music." The title track was released as the first single July 16, 2007. where it debuted at #49 shortly afterward and peaked at #19 on Hot Country Songs chart at the end of the year. The second single, "This Is Me You're Talking To" was released to radio in January 2008, and was given high critical acclaim, including from ''The 9513,'' who called the song, "one of the best singles of the year." It eventually reached a peak of #25 in June 2008. In early 2009 Yearwood joined Chris Isaak on his show, ''The Chris Isaak Hour'', to promote a song they recorded on his latest album, ''Mr. Lucky'' called "Breaking Apart."

Musicianship

Yearwood has found major influences in a variety of musical artists. She grew accustomed to influence from Southern Rock bands, which include The Allman Brothers, Eagles, as well as Country rock artists such as Emmylou Harris, Elvis Presley and James Taylor. Yearwood stated that her primary musical influence is Linda Ronstadt, whom Yearwood had often been identified and compared with in her albums. Yearwood says, "She had a power and an emotion in her voice that made you believe every word she sang. My favorite song was probably "Love Has No Pride," but I listened to everything over and over. I knew the albums so well I knew which song it was from the first note." She had recorded some of Ronstadt's compositions, including, "Try Me Again" for her 2000 album, ''Real Live Woman.'' Yearwood said that she has never considered herself as a songwriter, but is precise about choosing songs that she can relate to. She stated, ""I always select music based on emotion, how it makes me feel, even before I made records. "My producer, Garth Fundis, and I have to catch ourselves if we begin to think about recording a song we don't believe in just because we think it might be a hit." She also stated that even though she does not record any of her own material, she has written music that still has yet to be recorded.

Other projects

Philanthropic activities

In 2001, in conjunction with the movie, ''The Tangerine Bear,'' Yearwood joined with the Children's Foundation and donated a mobile electronic fun center to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. In November 2008, Yearwood recorded a version of "My Favorite Things" for the Sears "Heroes at Home" program. The song was available for download via the Sears website. Yearwood has been an active member of the charity homebuilding group, Habitat for Humanity. Yearwood first joined along with husband, Garth Brooks in 2006 and partook in the Hurricane Katrina disaster relief by building flood walls in New Orleans and protective structures in Mississippi. Between May 2 to May 10, 2009, Yearwood participated in "National Women Build Week" near her home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The project saw two hundred crews of women learn to build houses in Atlanta, Georgia and Oklahoma. For the project Yearwood learned to construct and build simple and affordable houses for Habitat for Humanity construction sites nationwide. On Mother's Day, Yearwood, her sister, mother and niece joined the project as well.

Cooking

In April 2008, Yearwood released her first cookbook co-written with her mother, Gwen and sister, Beth entitled, ''Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen.'' The cookbook consists of southern recipes from Yearwood, her mother and sister. The cookbook includes other recipes passed down from her family and liner notes describing each recipe. It includes recipes for such food as fried chicken, ribs, meatloaf and cheesecake. Brooks wrote the book's foreword and has stated how he was always fond of her cooking style. Overall, 120 recipes were compiled from the family to create the cookbook, according to Yearwood. Yearwood stated that she planned to publish another cookbook, which would be expected near Mother's Day of 2010.

On April 6, 2010, Yearwood, again with her mother and sister, released a second cookbook entitled ''Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood''. The book consists of recipes passed down through her mother, aunts, cousins and longtime friends. Yearwood stated that she dedicated many of the cookbook's recipes to relatives, such as husband Garth Brooks, who also provided the foreword for the book. Yearwood's cookbook was the cover article for the April 2010 issue of ''Redbook Magazine'', where she explained that many of the recipes featured in the cookbook were "some of the best memories of her childhood." Later that year, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine included ''Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood'' on their list of the "The Five Worst Cookbooks of 2010", noting its recipes are "loaded with fat and cholesterol" and specifically citing one called "Garth’s Breakfast Bowl" which "includes eight large eggs, a pound each of bacon and sausage, cheese tortellini, cheddar cheese, tater tots, and butter."

Film and television

In 1997, Yearwood began playing a recurring role on the CBS military drama, ''JAG,'' where she played Lieutenant Commander Teresa Coulter, a Navy coroner and forensic specialist, who develops feelings for one of the main characters. She remained on the show sporadically until 2002. In addition, Yearwood also guest-starred in the television series ''Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman'' in 1994 as a choir director. Yearwood has also stated she is interested in performing in a Broadway musical, but not "anytime soon."

Personal life

Yearwood has been married three times. She married her first husband, musician Chris Latham, in 1987. They divorced in 1991. On May 21, 1994 she married Robert "Bobby" Reynolds, a bass player for the country music group The Mavericks. She divorced a second time in 1999. Yearwood and her current husband Garth Brooks had remained close friends over the years, even when they became nationally known in the 1990s. In 2000, after Brooks filed for divorce from estranged wife Sandy Mahl, they began dating. This led Yearwood to take a four-year hiatus from music. On May 25, 2005, Brooks proposed marriage in front of 7000 fans in Bakersfield, CA and Yearwood accepted without hesitation. On December 10, 2005, they were married in a private ceremony at the couple's home in Owasso, Oklahoma. Brooks has three daughters from his first marriage — Taylor, August and Allie.

In late August 2008, the plane Yearwood was aboard from Boston, Massachusetts to Oklahoma, made an emergency landing after one of its windows cracked and nearly broke open at 30,000 feet. The pilots safely landed in Baltimore, Maryland, before the window cracked even more.

Discography

;Albums

1991: ''Trisha Yearwood''

1992: ''Hearts in Armor''

1993: ''The Song Remembers When''

1994: ''The Sweetest Gift''

1995: ''Thinkin' About You''

1996: ''Everybody Knows''

1997: ''(Songbook) A Collection of Hits''

1998: ''Where Your Road Leads''

2000: ''Real Live Woman''

2001: ''Inside Out''

2005: ''Jasper County''

2007: ''Greatest Hits''

2007: ''Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love''

2008: ''Love Songs''

Filmography

! Year	! Name	! Role	! Other notes
1993	''The Thing Called Love''	Herself	cameo appearance
1996	''Ellen''	Herself	singer in a country bar
2000	''The Tangerine Bear''	The Narrator	voice
1994	''Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman''	Choir director	one episode: "A First Christmas"
1995	''Kenny Rogers: Keep Christmas with You''	Herself
1997–2002			seven episodes recurring role

Awards

Academy of Country Music awards

! Year	! Award
1991	Top New Female Vocalist
1997	Top Female Vocalist

Country Music Association awards

! Year	! Award	! Notes
1994	Album of the Year for ''Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles	Collaboration with various artists
1997
1998

American Music awards

! Year	! Award	! Notes
1992	Favorite New Country Music Artist	only American Music Award to date

Grammy awards

! Year	! Award	! Recording
1995	''Best Country Collaboration with Vocals'' (with Aaron Neville)	"I Fall to Pieces"
	''Best Female Country Vocal Performance''	"How Do I Live"
''Best Country Collaboration with Vocals'' (with Garth Brooks)	"In Another's Eyes"

References

External links

Trisha Yearwood's Official Website

Official UMG Nashville Artist Page

Category:1964 births Category:Living people Category:American country singers Category:American female singers Category:Belmont University alumni Category:Musicians from Georgia (U.S. state) Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Grand Ole Opry members Category:People from Atlanta, Georgia Category:Young Harris College alumni Category:Big Machine Records artists

da:Trisha Yearwood pdc:Trisha Yearwood de:Trisha Yearwood es:Trisha Yearwood fr:Trisha Yearwood it:Trisha Yearwood pt:Trisha Yearwood ru:Йервуд, Триша simple:Trisha Yearwood fi:Trisha Yearwood sv:Trisha Yearwood

Coordinates	50°7′″N20°39′″N
name	Nick Chinlund
birth name	Zareh Nicholas Chinlund
birth date	November 18, 1961
birth place	New York City, New York, U.S.
occupation	Actor
yearsactive	1990–present }}

Zareh Nicholas "Nick" Chinlund (born November 18, 1961) is an American actor.

Biography

Early life

Chinlund was born in New York City. He attended the Friends Seminary in Lower Manhattan, later moving to Albany, NY in order to participate in Albany High School's varsity basketball program. Chinlund had designs on further pursuing basketball at Brown University and majoring in history, but was sidelined with a shoulder injury. The resulting injury left a two inch scar on his left shoulder.

Career

With his narrow eyes and gravelly voice, Chinlund is frequently cast as villainous or smarmy characters . After appearing in small roles on episodic television, Chinlund came to prominence when he guest starred on ''The X-Files'' second season episode ''Irresistible'' playing serial killer Donnie Pfaster. In 2000 he had a small role in episode one of Gilmore Girls. In 2002 he had a recurring role in two episodes of Buffy The Vampire Slayer: "Listening to Fear" and "Into the Woods".

In recent years, Chinlund has been seen in several independent projects, notably ''A Brother's Kiss'' (1997). He also served as the executive producer of the film, which was directed by childhood friend Seth Zvi Rosenfeld. ''A Brother's Kiss'' was filmed in and around the neighborhood where Chinlund and Rosenfeld grew up. The film tells the story of two brothers, Lex (Chinlund) and Mick (Michael Raynor), who grow up in the hard streets of New York. Chinlund continued in his long vein of independent features with roles in ''Chutney Popcorn'' (1999), ''Amy's Orgasm'' (2001), ''Goodnight Joseph Parker'' (2004) and ''Sinner'' (2007).

Recently, Chinlund starred in a few big-screen movies, including ''Tears of the Sun'' (2003) with Bruce Willis, ''Con Air'' (1997) with Nicolas Cage, ''The Chronicles of Riddick'' (2004) with Vin Diesel and directed by David Twohy, who also directed Chinlund in the underwater thriller ''Below'' (2002), and ''Ultraviolet'' (2006) with Milla Jovovich. He also reprised his ''X-Files'' role as Donnie Pfaster for a seventh season episode called ''Orison''. Chinlund was also in ''Training Day'' with Denzel Washington, ''Eraser'' with Arnold Schwarzenegger and ''The Legend of Zorro'' with Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Chinlund has also made guest appearances in the long-running TV drama series ''Law & Order'', as well as in its spinoff, ''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit''. Chinlund had originally screen-tested for the co-starring role of Elliot Stabler in the latter show, according to Christopher Meloni, who won the role.

As with his film roles, he played villainous roles in those two shows, most notably as a defense attorney and an unethical journalist in the original ''Law & Order'', and a serial killer in ''Special Victims Unit''. Chinlund also played an American-Indian Casino President and CEO, "Chief Doug Smith" in the fourth season episode Christopher of the hit HBO original series, ''The Sopranos''. In 2009, he made an appearance on Castle in the first season episode Home Is Where The Heart Stops. In 2010, he made an appearance on a sixth-season episode of House titled ''The Down Low'', playing a drug dealer named Eddie.

Awards

Best Actor in a Leading Role, Sinner, 41st Annual Brooklyn Arts Council International Film & Video Festival

Filmography

! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
1990	''The Ambulance''	Hugo
1992	''Lethal Weapon 3''	Hatchett
		Commander
	Deputy Tomay
		Jeremy Avery
	Pinkerton Detective O'Brady
''Red Shoe Diaries 4: Auto Erotica''
''Reform School Girl''	Dr. Ted Meeks
1995	''Letter to My Killer''	Nick Parma
1996		WITSEC Agent Nick Calderon
		Bob Morgan
''Rough Riders''	Frederick Remington
''Con Air''	William 'Billy Bedlam' Bedford
''A Brother's Kiss''	Lex
1998	''Frogs for Snakes''	Iggy
	''Chutney Popcorn''	Mitch
	Dr. Jake Sandler	TV
	''Once in the Life''	Mike Murphy
''Something Sweet''	Lee
''Auggie Rose''	Salesman
	''Training Day''	Tim
''Amy's Orgasm''	Matthew Starr
	''100 Mile Rule''	Paul
	Chief
	''Bun-Bun''	Father 2
''Tears of the Sun''	Michael 'Slo' Slowenski
	''The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury''	Toombs	Voice
''The Chronicles of Riddick''	Toombs
''Goodnight, Joseph Parker''	Joseph Parker
	''The Legend of Zorro''	Jacob McGivens
''Desperate Housewives''	Detective Sullivan
2006		Vice-Cardinal Ferdinand Daxus
		Anthony
''The Fifth Patient''	John Reilly
	''Ball Don't Lie''	Anthony
	Sgt. Roberts
''The Onion Movie''	Bryce Brand
	''Wyvern''	Jake
	Evan Mitchell
2010		Eddie
2011		Sportsmaster	voice

References

External links

Goodnight Joseph Parker

Film Threat review of SINNER

Category:1961 births Category:American film actors Category:Actors from New York City Category:American television actors Category:Living people Category:Brown University alumni

de:Nick Chinlund fr:Nick Chinlund no:Nick Chinlund pl:Nick Chinlund pt:Nick Chinlund sv:Nick Chinlund

Coordinates	50°7′″N20°39′″N
name	Taurian J. Fontenette
nickname	Air Up ThereMr. 720
nationality	American
residence	Dallas, Texas
birth date	1983
birth place	Hitchcock, Texas, United States
height
weight
sport	Basketball
event	Streetball
collegeteam	UTEP (2000-01)Richland College (2001-04)Paul Quinn College (2004-05)
team	AND1 Mixtape Tour (2005-06)Ball4Real (2007-08)Dallas Generals (2009)
turnedpro	2005
coaching	}}

Taurian J. Fontenette (born 1983), also known as "Air Up There" and "Mr. 720", is a streetball player from Hitchcock, Texas. He is a former player on the AND1 Mixtape and Ball4Real Tours. Fontenette recently signed a contract to play for the Dallas Generals of the American Basketball Association. He is 6'2" tall and weighs 185 pounds. Fontenette attended Hitchcock High School (Class of 2000) and attended three different colleges: UTEP in 2000-01, Richland Junior College in 2001-04, and Paul Quinn College in 2004-05. His original streetball name was "Air Up There", but due to naming rights claimed by AND1, he goes by "Mr. 720", "Birdman", and "Way Up There."

As his nickname implies, Fontenette is best known for his leaping and dunking ability. During the AND1 game in Houston, Texas in 2006, Fontenette stunned fans by performing the first ever widely-documented 720-degree dunk. Video clips of the feat have been shown on ESPN's ''SportsCenter'' and also have been widely distributed over the internet. He's also well-known for his signature dunk, the axle-rider (a.k.a. the 360-degree between-the-legs), which he says he did before everyone else back in his high school days. Fontenette is considered by some to be one of the best dunkers ever due to his sole ability to do a 720 degree dunk and the ease with which he can perform his axle-rider dunk (such as in games and on breakaways).

References

External links

Taurian Fontenette dunk videos

Category:1983 births Category:American basketball players Category:AND1 Category:Basketball players from Texas Category:Living people Category:Junior college men's basketball players in the United States Category:Paul Quinn College alumni Category:People from Galveston County, Texas Category:Street basketball players Category:University of Texas at El Paso alumni

es:Taurian Fontenette