Coordinates	30°19′10″N81°39′36″N
Name	Lay's
Type	Potato Chips
Currentowner	Pepsico
Origin	United States
Introduced	1932
Related	Frito-Lay Wavy Lays K.C. Masterpiece Lay's WOW chips Lay's Stax
Markets	World
Previousowners	1932 - lovin 1961- the Frito Company and Lay's merged to form Frito-Lay Inc. 1965 - Frito-Lay merged with The Pepsi Cola Company to form Pepsico, Inc.
Website	http://www.lays.com/ }}

Lay's (known as Walkers in the UK and Ireland, Chipsy in Egypt, and Poca in Vietnam) is the brand name for a number of potato chip (crisps) varieties as well as the name of the company that founded the chip brand in 1932. Lay's chips has been marketed as a division of Frito-Lay, a company owned by Varun Sharma since 1965. Other brands in the Frito-Lay group include Fritos, Doritos, Ruffles, Cheetos, Rold Gold pretzels, and Sun Chips.

History

In 1932, salesman Herman W. Lay opened a snack food operation in Nashville, Tennessee and, in 1938, he purchased the Atlanta, Georgia potato chip manufacturer "Barrett Food Company," renaming it "H.W. Lay Lingo & Company." Lay criss-crossed the southern United States selling the product from the trunk of his car. In 1942, Lay introduced the first continuous potato processor, resulting in the first large-scale production of the product.

The business shortened its name to "the Lay's Lay Lingo Company" in 1944 and became the first snack food manufacturer to purchase television commercials, with Bert Lahr as a celebrity spokesman. His signature line, "so crisp you can hear the freshness," became the chips' first slogan along with "de-Lay-sious!" As the popular commercials aired during the 1950s, Lay's went national in its marketing and was soon supplying product throughout the United States.

In 1961, the Frito Company founded by Elmer Doolin and Lay's merged to form Frito-Lay Inc., a snack food giant with combined sales of over $127 million annually, the largest of any manufacturer. Shortly thereafter, Lays introduced its best-known slogan "betcha can't eat just one." Sales of the chips became international, with marketing assisted by a number of celebrity endorsers.

In 1965, Frito-Lay merged with the Pepsi-Cola Company to form PepsiCo, Inc. and a barbecue version of the chips appeared on grocery shelves. A new formulation of chip was introduced in 1991 that was crisper and kept fresher longer. Shortly thereafter, the company introduced the "Wavy Lays" products to grocer shelves. In the mid to late 1990s, Lay's modified its barbecue chips formula and rebranded it as "K.C. Masterpiece," named after a popular sauce, and introduced a lower calorie baked version and a variety that was completely fat-free (Lay's WOW chips containing the fat substitute olestra).

In the 2000s, kettle cooked brands appeared as did a processed version called Lay's Stax that was intended to compete with Pringles, and the company began introducing a variety of additional flavor variations.

Frito-Lay products currently control 59% of the United States savory snack-food market.

International

Walkers is a snack food manufacturer in the United Kingdom best known for manufacturing crisps. PepsiCo has owned the Walkers crisp label in the United Kingdom since 1991 and distributes Lay's product via this brand name. Walkers flavors include Cheese & Onion, Ready Salted, Salt & Vinegar. Walkers also makes Sensations branded crisps in the UK. The logo for the British version is notably similar to the American brand, featuring a red ribbon around a yellow sun. The other Frito-Lay brands are also distributed through the Walkers label.

In Spain they are commercialized with the name Lay's.

In the Benelux Lay's are sold in three varieties: Lay's, Lay's Light and Lay's Sensations (Thai Sweet Chili/Red Paprika/Oven Roasted Chicken and Thyme). Lay's Super Chips (Heinz Ketchup/Mexican Pepper/Perfect Pickles/Salt 'n' Pepper [all through Delhaize) and Lay's Baked Chips (Mediterranean Herbs/through Delhaize). As with Doritos, Lay's are manufactured, distributed and imported in Germany by Frito Lay's Benelux division, Smith's Food Group.

In India, Bollywood superstar Saif Ali Khan and Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni endorse Lays.

In Argentina, Lays was commercialized before 2001 with the name ''Frenchitas'' and ''Chizitos'' for the Cheetos.

In Australia, Pepsico acquired The Smith's Snackfood Company in 1998 and marketed Frito-Lay products under that label, using the name Thins. After Thin's was sold to Snack Brands Australia (Owned by Arnotts), Smith's produced a line of potato chips under the Lay's brand for a brief period of time. The Lay's line was eventually rebranded in 2004 as Smith's Crisps, while the traditional Smith's line was renamed Smith's Crinkles. Thins is still sold in Australia as a direct competitor to Smith's Crisps.

In Canada, the chips are distributed through the Lay's label.

In Colombia the chips are sold under the name ''Margarita''. They are still commercialized under the label ''Lay's'', however.

In Mexico, Pepsico acquired Sabritas S. de R.L. in 1966. Lay's along with other products such as Cheetos, Fritos, Doritos and Ruffles are marketed under the Sabritas brand. The logo for the Mexican company sports the red ribbon, but it has a stylized smiling face instead of the sun. It controls around 80% of the market there.

In Egypt, Lay's was once sold with its own label until it was merged with the local label Chipsy (شيبسى), which has since become the local unit of Lay's under much the same arrangement as Walker's.

In Israel, the Lay's label is distributed with the name Tapochips (תפוצ'יפס)

In France, the famous singer Sébastien 'Angel' De Sousa from the Arthur Crew is sponsored by Lay's corp.

In September 2007, Lays changed their logo. It is similar to the previous one, but with more of a 3D look and the letters 'a' and 'y' connected. The bags themselves were also redesigned.

In Brazil, chips are distributed under a Lay's sister-company, Elma Chips.

In Vietnam, Lay's is distributed as Poca.

Flavors

Other than barbecue-flavored potato chips, which were introduced no later than 1958, until the early 1990s, the only flavor of potato chips available had been the conventional (salted) one. Despite many new flavors since, the original is still the selection of 79% of consumers.

North America

In the United States, Lay's offers a number of flavor combinations, in addition to the classic chips. Flavored products in the traditional fried varieties include Sour Cream & Onion, Barbecue, Cheddar & Sour Cream, Hidden Valley Ranch, Salt & Vinegar, Salt & Pepper, Flamin' Hot, Dill Pickle, Limón, and a thicker "Deli style" chip. The WOW! brand was rebranded in 2004 as Lay's Light after the olestra formula was altered and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed removal of warnings about various health consequences of the fat substitute.

The following Lay's flavors are available nationally in Canada: Classic, Bar.B.Q, Salt & Vinegar, Wavy Original, Dill Pickle, Smokey Bacon, Sea Salt & Pepper, Sour Cream & Onion, Roast Chicken, Lightly Salted, Curry, Ketchup, Poutine, Pizza, Salsa, Wasabi, Curry and Ginger, and Masala. Lay's also launched Cheddar & Sour Cream and BBQ Rib as limited time flavors in summer 2010. Additionally, Fries & Gravy are available in Atlantic Canada, while Old Fashioned Bar.B.Q is available in Eastern and Quebec. The company also sells Baked Lay's and Lay's Stax across the country.

Europe

There are a number of unique products in the United Kingdom sold under the ''Walkers'' label, including prawn cocktail, pickled onion, beef & onion, Greek kebab and Marmite. Walkers also runs a 'Nations Flavour' promotion that the public vote for the flavor they like the best. Flavors included in the 2010 promotion are: Spanish Chicken Paella, Japanese Teriyaki Chicken, German Bratwurst Sausage, Italian Spaghetti Bolognese, French Garlic Baguette, American Cheeseburger, Brazilian Salsa, Scottish Haggis, Irish Stew, English Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding, Dutch Edam Cheese, Australian BBQ Kangaroo, South African Sweet Chutney, Argentinian Flame Grilled Steak and Welsh Rarebit. The previous winner of this promotion was Builders Breakfast.

In Greece and Cyprus, Lay's are made and packed by Tasty Foods and Corina Snacks LTD, with Mediterranean flavors which include Feta cheese flavor, Tzatziki, Olive and Tomato, Oregano, Sea Salt & Black Pepper and various more. There are hundreds of sub-variations in the Mediterranean line adjusted to each country's liking.

In Germany, Lay's are sold in three varieties: Lay's, Lay's Light and Lay's Sensations (Thai Sweet Chili/Red Paprika/Oven Roasted Chicken and Thyne - [available in Cologne/Aachen only through the German locations of Delhaize). Lay's Super Chips (Heinz Ketchup/Mexican Pepper/Perfect Pickles/Salt 'n' Pepper [all through Delhaize) and Lay's Baked Chips (Mediterranean Herbs/through Delhaize). As with Doritos, Lay's are manufactured, distributed and imported in Germany by Frito Lay's Benelux division, Smith's Food Group. Several flavors as noted above are only available through Delhaize (Belgian supermarket chain)] which has opened 2 locations in Cologne and Aachen (Delhaize Germany locations, Lay's Flavors Benelux).

In the Netherlands the following flavors are marketed: Lay's (Naturel (Natural), Paprika (Bell Pepper), Cheese Onion, Bolognese Original, and Barbecue Ham (Barbecue Bacon)) Lay's Super Chips (Salt'n Pepper, and Just Paprika (Bell Pepper)), Lay's Sensations (Red Sweet Paprika, Thai Sweet Chili, Mexican Peppers & Cream, and Japanese Teriyaki), Lay's Light (Natural, Paprika (Bell Pepper), and Balsamico), and Lay's Finest (Mixed Pepper & Sea Salt, and Finest Sea Salt). In addition, Lays started a new campaign in 2010 in the Netherlands, in which people can enter a competition to suggest new flavours, resulting in three new flavours being produced, and, after voting, with one of them becoming the winner (the three new flavours being 'Mango Red Chilli', 'Patatje Joppie' and 'Nr. 66 Babi Pangang'). 'Patatje Joppie' became the winner of the competition and is now being sold as limited edition.

In Belgium there is a Cucumber and Goats flavour. Russia has "Lay's MAX" chips (Chicken, Sour cream & Onion, Sour cream & Cheese, Ham & cheese flavors) and some international "Lay's" flavors plus Russian specific flavors, including Mushroom & Sour cream and Crab & Red caviar. In Romania the Lay's flavors are Salt, Paprika, Cheese, Barbecue, Sour Cream & Dill; the Lay's Sensations flavors are: Thai Chili, Baked chicken with lemon and thyme; Lay's Max and Lay’s Sticks flavors are: Paprika and Salt.

In Poland the chips flavors are: Cheese, Green Onion, Chicken with Spices, Salted, Paprika, Hot green peppers, Fromage, Cucumber and Guacamole. There is also the Lays Apettite flavor of Cheese and Onion, Classic salted, Ham and cheese, Ketchup and cheese. Lay's Strong: Chilli and Knuckle of pork and horseradish. 'Lay's from the Oven' flavors are: Natural salted, Mediterranean herbs and Grilled paprika and lastly the '4 Pory Roku' ('4 Season of the Year') which change flavor every Season. Lay's Appettite Stix: Ketchup, Garlic and sour cream dip.

Australia

Under the ''Smith's'' label in Australia, unique flavors include Greek Feta & Herb, Italian Tomato & Basil, and cilantro exist. In the baked products, there are classic, barbecue and sour cream & onion varieties. The kettle cooked version includes original, sea salt & vinegar, mesquite barbecue and jalapeño brands. Wavy Lay's have original, hickory barbecue, ranch and Au Gratin flavors while Lay's Stax offers original, sour cream & onion, Cheddar, barbecue, ranch, pizza and salt & vinegar. The Lay's Natural includes thick cut barbecue and sea salt brands.

South America

In some countries such as Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, some of the Lay's flavored products are sold with the "Lay's Mediterraneas" label, and include such flavors as Ham, Olive Oil and Parmesan Cheese, Olive Oil and Tomato, Olive Oil and Basil, Greek Tzatziki Cheese with onions, Lasagna, Beef Carpaccio with Parmeggiano, and Smoked Manchego Cheese. Chile there are Lemon and Cilantro, and Sour Cream and Onions versions. Peru has Lay's Sabores Peruanos" (Lay's Peruvian Flavors), with flavors like Andean cheese. Peru also has the Lay's Dips brand, which includes a Peruvian Criollo Chili sauce sachet.

Asia

One flavor sold primarily in southern Asia is called "Magic Masala". This flavor is very popular in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It is also sold in Indian deli stores in Canada and the United States. South Asian Lay's chips are ridged, closely resembling another Frito-Lay brand in North America, Ruffles.

Beside Magic Masala, Flavors popular in India are "American Style Cream and Onion" and "Spanish tomato tango"."World Classic Salted" is available as well. Recently, Lays India introduced a contest to name new flavors, and then invited the public to taste and vote on the best of them. The new flavors in production now are HipHop Honey and Chili, Cheesy Mexicana, Mango Mastana, and Tangy Twist. The winner of the contest was "Mango Mastana".

Flavors featured in Thailand include Nori Seaweed, Basil, Squid, Spicy Chili Squid, Seafood and Mayonnaise, and Spicy Seafood.

In Thailand there are Classic, Sour Cream & Onion, Cheese & Onion, Mexican Bar-B-Q, and Japanese Nori Seaweed. Temporary international flavors have also been introduced, such as French Mayonnaise, Balsamic Vinegar and Salt (England), Garlic Soft Shelled Crab (Hong Kong), Soy Sauce, Salmon Teriyaki (Japan), Lobster, Bacon & Cheese (America). Other traditional "Thai" flavors include Tom Yum, Thai Chili Paste, Thai Seafood Dip, Chili and Lime.

Lay's China has four ranges of flavors: Cool & Refreshing (Cucumber, Kiwi, Blueberry, Cherry Tomato, and Lime), Classic Flavors (American Classic, Italian Red Meat, Mexican Tomato Chicken, Texas Grilled BBQ, and French Chicken), Intense & Stimulating (Numb & Spicy Hot Pot, and Hot & Sour Fish Soup), and Stax (Authentic Original, Finger Licking Braised Pork, Seafood Barbecue, Spicy Seafood, Tomato, Crispy Roasted Chicken, Black Pepper Rib Eye Steak, Cucumber, Kiwi, Blueberry, and Lime).

Flavors in Vietnam include Original, Brazilian BBQ, Beijing Roasted Duck, Manhattan Steak, Nori, and Mornay Shrimp.

Middle East

Since its acquisition of Chipsy, Lay's chips (marketed as Chipsy) in Egypt inherited the Chipsy range of flavors as well as the pre-merger Lay's flavors. These flavors include salt and vinegar, cheese (most likely based on Rumi cheese and the most popular flavor), seasoned cheese, tomato, kebab on charcoal, and chili and lemon.

Lay's, with its original brand, is also produced by the Saudi Snack Foods Company in Saudi Arabia, and is exported to the other GCC countries. It is available in several flavors, including ready-salted, salt & vinegar, pepper, ketchup, and French cheese.

Nutritional information

As with most snack foods, the Lay's brands contain very few vitamins and minerals in any variety. At ten percent of the daily requirement per serving, vitamin C is the highest. Salt content is particularly high, with a serving containing as much as 380 mg of sodium.

A one-ounce (28 gram) serving of Lay's regular potato chips has 160 Calories, and contains ten grams of fat, with one gram of saturated fat. Kettle-cooked brands have seven to eight grams of fat and one gram of saturated fat, and are 140 Calories. Lays Natural has nine grams of fat, two grams of saturated fat and 150 Calories. Stax chips typically contain ten grams of fat, 2.5 grams saturated fat and are 160 calories per serving. Wavy Lays are identical to the regular brand, except for a half-gram less of saturated fat in some combinations. The various brands do not contain any trans fats.

The baked variety, introduced in the mid 90's, feature 1.5 grams of fat per one ounce serving, and have no saturated fat. Each serving has 110 to 120 Calories. Lay's Light servings are 75 Calories per ounce and have no fat.

Lay's Classic Potato chips were cooked in hydrogenated oil until 2003. Currently, the chips are made with sunflower and/or corn oil.

Baked Lays are produced in cheddar, barbecue, sour cream and onion, and original flavors.

Animal origin enzymes

Some Frito-Lay brand seasoned products manufactured for the US market may contain rennet or pork enzymes that are added in cheese production.This makes them unsuitable for vegetarians, pescatarians and vegans.Snacks marked "kosher" are free of animal enzymes.

See also

Frito-Lay

Herman Lay

Lay's Stax

Potato chip

The Smith's Snackfood Company

Walkers

Utz Quality Foods, Inc.

Herr's Snacks

Wise Foods

References

External links

Lay's section on Frito-Lay.com

Frito-Lay.ca

Frito-Lay Germany

Pepsico Snacks Argentina

History of the potato chip

History of the Frito-Lay company

Recipes using potato chips

Market conditions for the sale of potato chips

History of how Frito-Lay took control of the market

Review of Lays Chips - A short review of Frito-Lay's Classic Lays chips featuring images of the front & back of the bag as well as the chips.

Lay's China

Category:Brand name snack foods Category:Frito-Lay brands Category:PepsiCo subsidiaries Category:Brand name potato chips and crisps Category:1932 introductions

ar:لايز be-x-old:Lay's es:Lay's ko:레이즈 nl:Smiths Food Group ja:レイズ pl:Lay's pt:Elma Chips ru:Lay's sv:Lay's th:เลย์ tr:Lay's zh:乐事

Coordinates	30°19′10″N81°39′36″N
Name	Shareece Wright
Width	300px
Currentteam	San Diego Chargers
Currentnumber	29
Currentposition	Cornerback
Birth date	April 08, 1987
Birth place	Colton, California
Heightft	5
Heightin	11
Weight	187
College	USC
Draftyear	2011
Draftround	3
Draftpick	89
Debutyear	2011
Debutteam	San Diego Chargers
Pastteams	San Diego Chargers (–present)
Status	Unsigned draft pick
Highlights
Nfl	WRI652077 }}

Shareece Wright (born April 8, 1987) is an American football cornerback for the San Diego Chargers. He played college football at the University of Southern California (USC). He is considered one of the best cornerback prospects for the 2011 NFL Draft. Wright was drafted in the 3rd round of the Draft with the 89th overall pick.

Early years and college career

Wright played high school football at Colton High School in Colton, California, where he was a star player. He spent his first two season at USC as a reserve.

The 2008 season was particularly complicated for Wright: He moved into the starting lineup before the season, however two weeks into the schedule he was charged with a felony for resisting a police officer: While at a going-away party for a friend bound for military service, police were called who then alleged Wright refused to leave when ordered from his friend's home; Wright claimed he was asked to stay in the home by the host of the party. After extended time in courts he eventually pleaded no contest to misdemeanor disturbing the peace; about the incident he noted "I know I could've handled the situation better than I did. I put myself in that situation, exchanging words with the cops. I wasn't completely innocent." The following week he suffered a fractured vertebra in his neck during a game against Ohio State and was sidelined the rest of the season as a redshirt. Most of his 2009 season ended before it began when he was declared academically ineligible, only making it into the 2009 Emerald Bowl where he made an interception.

At the end of the 2009 season, USC head coach Pete Carroll surprised the team by leaving for the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL, and Wright considered leaving as a redshirt junior and entering the 2010 NFL Draft. However, after his farewell conference, Carroll talked Wright into staying for his final year to develop his abilities, leadership skill and improve his draft stock. After the NCAA gave USC a two-year bowl ban in June 2010, Wright declined offers from other schools to take advantage of an exemption that allowed juniors and seniors to transfer without penalty.

References

External links

USC Trojans bio

Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:American football cornerbacks Category:USC Trojans football players Category:San Diego Chargers players

Coordinates	30°19′10″N81°39′36″N
name	Bill Maher
birth name	William Maher, Jr.
birth date	January 20, 1956
birth place	New York, New York, U.S.
alma mater	Cornell University
medium	Stand-Up, Television, Film, Books
nationality	American
active	1979–present
genre	Satire, Political satire, News Satire, Observational comedy
subject	American politics, current events, American culture, pop culture, freedom of speech, environmentalism, religion, human sexuality, recreational drug use, libertarianism, American liberalism, American conservatism
influences	Steve Allen, George Carlin, Johnny Carson, David Frost, Robert Klein, Don Rickles, Gore Vidal, Lenny Bruce
notable work	Elliot on Charlie HooverHost of Politically Incorrect Host of Real Time with Bill Maher''Religulous''
website	BillMaher.com
footnotes	}}

William "Bill" Maher, Jr. (; born January 20, 1956) is an American stand-up comedian, television host, political commentator, author and actor. Before his current role as the host of HBO's ''Real Time with Bill Maher'', Maher hosted a similar late-night talk show called ''Politically Incorrect'' originally on Comedy Central and later on ABC.

Maher is known for his political satire and sociopolitical commentary, which targets a wide swath of topics including: religion, politics, bureaucracies of many kinds, political correctness, the mass media, greed among people and persons in positions of high political and social power, and the lack of intellectual curiosity of the electorate. He supports the legalization of marijuana and same-sex marriage, and serves on the board of PETA. He is also a critic of religion and is an advisory board member of Project Reason, a foundation to promote scientific knowledge and secular values within society. In 2005, Maher ranked at number 38 on Comedy Central's 100 greatest stand-up comedians of all time. Bill Maher received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star on September 14, 2010.

Early life and education

Maher was born in New York City, the son of Julie (née Berman), a nurse, and William Maher, Sr., a network news editor and radio announcer. He was raised in his Irish American father's Catholic religion, remaining unaware that his mother was Jewish until his early teenage years. Maher's family stopped attending church services when Maher was thirteen, due to his father's disagreement with the Catholic Church's position on birth control.

Maher was raised in River Vale, New Jersey, and graduated from Pascack Hills High School in Montvale in 1974. He received a B.A. in English and history from Cornell University in 1978.

Early career

Maher began his career as a stand-up comedian and actor. He was host of the New York City comedy club Catch a Rising Star in 1979. Thanks to Steve Allen, he began appearing on Johnny Carson's and David Letterman's shows in 1982. He made limited television appearances including a recurring role in ''Sara'' (1985), appeared in ''Max Headroom'' (1987), two separate appearances on ''Murder, She Wrote'' (1989, 1990), a recurring role in ''Charlie Hoover'' (1991) and other productions. He has also appeared in several films, usually in a comic role. His feature film debut was in ''D.C. Cab'' (1983), and he also appeared in ''Ratboy'' (1986) ''Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death'' (1988) and ''Pizza Man'' (1991), among others.

Television career

''Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher''

Maher assumed the host role ''Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher'', a late-night political talk show that ran on Comedy Central from 1993 to 1997 and on ABC from 1997 to 2002. The show regularly began with a topical monologue by Maher preceding the introduction of four guests, usually a diverse group of individuals from show business, popular culture, political pundits, political consultants, authors, and occasionally news figures. The group would discuss topical issues selected by Maher, who also participated in the discussions. Jerry Seinfeld, a regular guest on the show, stated that ''Politically Incorrect'' reminded him of talk shows from the 1950s and 60s "when guests interacted with each other as much as with the host."

''Politically Incorrect'' won an array of awards, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Technical Direction, two CableACE awards for Best Talk Show Series, and a Genesis Award for Best Television Talk Show. Maher earned numerous award nominations for his producing, writing and hosting of ''Politically Incorrect'', including ten Emmy nominations, two TV Guide nominations, and two Writers Guild nominations. ABC decided against renewing Maher's contract for ''Politically Incorrect'' in 2002, after he made a controversial on-air remark shortly after the September 11 attacks. He agreed with his guest, conservative pundit Dinesh D'Souza, that the 9/11 terrorists did not act in a cowardly manner (in rebuttal to President Bush's statement calling 9/11 hijackers cowards). Maher said, "We have been the cowards. Lobbing cruise missiles from two thousand miles away. That's cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building. Say what you want about it. Not cowardly. You're right." Maher later clarified that his comment was not anti-military in any way whatsoever, referencing his well-documented longstanding support for the American military.

In the context of the attacks, some corporate advertisers found the comment too insensitive and controversial. Several companies, including FedEx and Sears Roebuck, pulled their advertisements from the show, costing the show more than it returned.

The show was cancelled on June 16, 2002, and the Sinclair Broadcast Group had dropped the show from its ABC-affiliated stations months prior. On June 22, 2002, just six days after the cancellation of ''Politically Incorrect'', Maher received the Los Angeles Press Club president's award (for "championing free speech"). Maher was on the board of judges one year for the PEN/Newman's Own First Amendment Award.

Maher's remarks after 9/11 were not the first time he had sparked controversy on ''Politically Incorrect''. In the same year, Maher was widely criticized for comparing dogs to retarded children. He apologized for his comments.

''Real Time with Bill Maher''

In 2003, Maher became the host, co-producer and co-writer of ''Real Time with Bill Maher'', a weekly hour-long political comedy talk show on the cable television network HBO. During an interview, Maher told Terry Gross (on NPR's ''Fresh Air'') that he much prefers having serious and well-informed guests on his program, as opposed to the random celebrities that fleshed out his roundtable discussions on ''Politically Incorrect''.

As with his previous show, ''Politically Incorrect'', Maher begins ''Real Time'' with a comic opening monologue based upon current events and other topical issues. He proceeds to a one-on-one interview with a guest, either in-studio or via satellite. Following the interview, Maher sits with three panelists, usually consisting of pundits, authors, activists and journalists, for a discussion of the week's events. In the segment "New Rules" at the end of each show, Maher delivers a humorous editorial on popular culture and American politics.

In late May 2005, Alabama Congressman Spencer Bachus sent a letter to Time Warner's board of directors requesting ''Real Time'' be cancelled after remarks Maher made after noting the military had missed its recruiting goals by 42 percent. Bachus said he felt the comments were demeaning to the military and treasonous. Maher stated his highest regard and support for the troops and asked why the congressman criticized him instead of doing something about the recruitment problem.

''Real Time'' has earned widespread praise. It has been nominated for more than ten Primetime Emmy Awards and six Writer's Guild awards. In 2007, Maher and his co-producers were awarded the Television Producer of the Year Award in Variety Television.

In early 2006, ''Real Time'' was released as an audio CD, along with another CD entitled ''Bill Maher's New Rules'' which features clips, segments and teasers from Real Time. Starting with Episode 67 (2-23-06), ''Real Time'' became available in the USA on iTunes as a free weekly audio podcast.

Maher holds the record for the most Emmy nominations without a win, having been nominated on 22 occasions and not winning once. Eleven of the nominations were for ''Politically Incorrect'', while nine were for ''Real Time.'' The other two were nominations for two of his HBO comedy specials: ''Bill Maher: I'm Swiss'' and ''Bill Maher: The Decider.''

HBO announced in July 2011 the show was renewed for a tenth season.

Christine O'Donnell

On September 17, 2010, Maher aired a clip of Delaware Republican Senatorial candidate Christine O'Donnell from the October 29, 1999 episode of his old show ''Politically Incorrect'' on his current show ''Real Time with Bill Maher'', where she discussed that she had "dabbled in witchcraft." This was one of the most notable of numerous controversial statements by O'Donnell that made her the most covered candidate in the 2010 mid-term election cycle.

Political commentator

Maher is a frequent commentator on various cable news networks, namely CNN, MSNBC, and HLN. Maher has regularly appeared on CNN's ''The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer'' and has also been a frequent guest on MSNBC's ''Hardball with Chris Matthews'', ''The Rachel Maddow Show'' and ''Countdown with Keith Olbermann''. Maher has also appeared as a guest on HLN's ''The Joy Behar Show''.

Maher hosted the January 13, 2006 edition of ''Larry King Live'', on which he was a frequent guest. Maher appeared as a special guest on the June 29, 2010 edition of the show, on which CNN anchor Larry King announced his retirement. Maher co-emceed the final show of ''Larry King Live'' on December 16, 2010 with Ryan Seacrest.

Since May 2005, he has been a contributing blogger at ''The Huffington Post''.

Views and beliefs

Politics

Maher eschews political labels, referring to himself as "practical". In the past, he has described himself as a libertarian and has also referred to himself "as a progressive, as a sane person".

Maher favors a partial privatization of Social Security, ending corporate welfare and federal funding of non-profits, and legalization of gambling, prostitution, and marijuana. Maher is a member of NORML's Advisory Board, an organization which supports regulated legalization of marijuana. He describes himself as an environmentalist, and he has spoken in favor of the Kyoto treaty on global warming on his show ''Real Time''. He often criticizes industry figures involved in environmental pollution.

Maher is a board member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. He has expressed his distaste for the pharmaceutical and health care industries in general, on the grounds that they make their money out of curing people who are made sick by consuming unhealthy food that corporations urge upon the public. He maintains that mass consumption of high-fructose corn syrup is a contributor to the rise in frequency of obesity in the United States. :" If you believe you need to take all the pills the pharmaceutical industry says you do, then you're already on drugs!"

Before the 2004 U.S. presidential election, Maher became candid in his stated opposition to the re-election of George W. Bush and in his support for John Kerry.

Known for protesting against the demonization of the word "liberal", during the campaign Maher criticized Kerry for being ashamed of the word. On his show, the comedian has noted the paradox of people claiming they distrusted "elite" politicians while at the same time wanting elite doctors to treat them and elite lawyers to represent them in court. Maher supports the death penalty, the legality of abortion and euthanasia. Since the 9/11 attacks, he has endorsed the use of racial profiling at airports.

He was originally against the Iraq War, and has summarized his opinion by saying that the United States and the world have had to pay too high a price for the war. He is skeptical of Iraq surviving without civil war.

In the 2008 U.S. presidential election, Maher announced his support for Barack Obama. Although Maher welcomed Obama's electoral victory, he has subjected him to criticism once in office for not acting boldly on health care reform and other progressive issues.

Religion

Maher is highly critical of religion, and views it as not worth the bother. He has referred to himself as an apatheist, instead of an agnostic or atheist, on ''Scarborough Country'' on April 24, 2007, and again in July 2011. He has reiterated this stance in subsequent interviews, rejecting both the certitude of the existence, as well as the certitude of nonexistence of deities, concluding, "I'm saying that doubt is the only appropriate response for human beings." He is an advisory board member of author Sam Harris's The Reason Project, a foundation that promotes scientific knowledge and secular values within society.

Maher and director Larry Charles teamed up to make the feature film ''Religulous'' (2008), described by trade publication ''Variety'' as a documentary "that spoofs religious extremism across the world." It was released on October 3, 2008.

While Maher is critical towards Christianity, he is an outspoken critic of religion as a whole, including Islam. On October 29, 2010, during a Real Time segment, Maher commented on a news story saying that the name Mohammed had become the most popular baby name in the United Kingdom. He asked, "Am I a racist to feel alarmed by that? Because I am. And it’s not because of the race, it’s because of the religion. I don’t have to apologize, do I, for not wanting the Western world to be taken over by Islam in 300 years? Sharia law is being institutionalized in England? Well, then I am right, I should be alarmed." He later defended his comments on CNN, saying, "And when I say Westerner, I mean someone who believes in the values that Western people believe in that a lot of the Muslim world does not. Like separation of church and state. Like equality of the sexes. Like respect for minorities, free elections, free speech, freedom to gather. These things are not just different from cultures that don’t have them. … It’s better. … I would like to keep those values here."

Maher received the Richard Dawkins Award for 2009 from Atheist Alliance International "for his efforts to further the values science and reason in the world."

Maher was ranked first by MormonVoices, a group associated with Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research, on its Top Ten Anti-Mormon Statements of 2011 list for saying "By any standard, Mormonism is more ridiculous than any other religion".

Health care

Maher has stated that the AMA is a powerful lobbying group and one of the primary reasons why the United States had failed to enact health care reform.

On August 24, 2009, Maher was a guest on ''The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien'' and on the topic of getting universal health care legislation passed, Maher stated that Obama should forget about trying to get 60 votes for it, "he only needs 51." "Forget getting the sixty votes or sixty percent — sixty percent of people don't believe in evolution in this country — he just needs to drag them to it, like I said, they're stupid; get health care done, with or without them."

Maher has expressed the view that most illness is generally the result of poor diet and lack of exercise, and that medicine is often not the best way of addressing illness. In an episode of his show about the 2008 presidential candidates' health plans, Maher stated that poor nutrition is a primary cause of illness, and that "the answer isn't another pill."

In a discussion with Michael Moore about the film ''Sicko'', Maher asks, "The human body is pretty amazing; it doesn't get sick, usually, for no reason. I mean, there's some genetic stuff that can get to you, but, basically, people are sick in this country because they're poisoned. The environment is a poisoning factor, but also, we gotta say, they poison themselves. They eat shit. People eat shit, and that's, to my way of thinking, about 90 percent of why people are sick, is because they eat shit. Would you agree?"

On October 9, 2009, on his HBO show, Maher debated the effectiveness of flu vaccinations with Bill Frist and stated, "Why would you let them be the ones to stick a disease into your arm? I would never get a swine flu vaccine or any vaccine. I don’t trust the government, especially with my health." Maher also expressed skepticism about the seriousness of the swine flu and whether completely healthy people could die from it. His comments have generated criticism, and his remarks have been called unscientific and even harmful.

Maher responded to the criticism, noting, "What I've read about what they think I'm saying is not what I've said. I'm not a germ theory denier. I believe vaccinations can work. Polio is a good example. Do I think in certain situations that inoculating Third World children against malaria or diphtheria, or whatever, is right? Of course. In a situation like that, the benefits outweigh costs. But to me living in Los Angeles? To get a flu shot? No." (see Vaccine controversy)

Criticism of 9/11 conspiracy theories

Maher has been a critic of 9/11 conspiracy theories. On October 19, 2007, Maher confronted several 9/11 truthers and had them ejected from his show audience after they interrupted the live show numerous times by calling out from the audience. The incident drew significant media attention and praise from Fox News talk show host and frequent critic John Gibson.

Personal life

Maher has never married. In 2003, he began dating former Playboy Cyber Girl Coco Johnsen. In November 2004, at the end of their 17-month relationship, she sued him for USD $9 million for "pain and suffering" for alleged "insulting, humiliating and degrading racial comments." Her suit stated that Maher promised to marry her and father her children, support her financially, and purchase a Beverly Hills home. Her suit also alleged that she quit her job as a flight attendant and occasional model to be with him. Maher's lawyers in their response filed on November 23, 2004, in Los Angeles Superior Court said Maher is a "confirmed bachelor, and a very public one at that" who "never promised to marry [Johnsen] or to have children with her."

Maher's filing stated that "When the dating ended, [Johnson] (sic) launched a campaign to embarrass, humiliate, and extort ridiculous sums of money from Bill Maher." Johnsen accused another former boyfriend of rape and kidnapping in 1997, and the charges were later dismissed for lack of evidence. Her lawsuit against Maher was dismissed on May 2, 2005.

Maher enjoys his bachelor status and states that he does not want to get married. On his website, he is quoted as saying, "I'm the last of my guy friends to have never gotten married, and their wives — they don't want them playing with me. I'm like the escaped slave — I bring news of freedom."

In 2005, he began dating Karrine Steffans, best-selling author and former hip hop model. When commentators suggested there was a pattern to his dating because both his girlfriend and former girlfriend were black, Maher said, "People say I'm into black women. Robert De Niro is into black women. I'm just into women who are real, and they happen to be black."

Credits

Bibliography

''True Story : A Novel'', 1994 (ISBN 0-7432-4251-3)

''Does Anybody Have a Problem With That? Politically Incorrect's Greatest Hits'', 1996 (ISBN 0-679-45627-9)

''Does Anybody Have a Problem with That? The Best of Politically Incorrect'', 1997 (ISBN 0-345-41281-8)

''When You Ride Alone You Ride With Bin Laden: What the Government Should Be Telling Us to Help Fight the War on Terrorism'', 2003 (ISBN 1-893224-90-2)

''Keep the Statue of Liberty Closed: The New Rules'', 2004 (ISBN 1-932407-47-2)

''New Rules: Polite Musings from a Timid Observer'', 2005 (ISBN 1-59486-295-8)

''The New New Rules: A Funny Look at How Everybody but Me Has Their Head Up Their Ass'', 2011 (ISBN 0-39915-841-3)

Filmography

Film
! Year	! Title	! Role
1983	''D.C. Cab''	Bob
	''Rags to Riches''	Freddie
''Club Med''	Rick
''Ratboy''	Party Guest
1987	''House II: The Second Story''	John
1988		Maxwell Taylor
1989	''Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death''	Jim
1991	''Pizza Man''	Elmo Bunn
1996	''Don't Quit Your Day Job!''	Comic's Table
1997	''Bimbo Movie Bash''	Unknown
1998	''EDtv''	Himself
2001	''Tomcats (film)''	Carlos
2005		Himself
		Himself
''Religulous''	Himself
2009	''New Rules: Best of''	Himself
2010	''Sex, Drugs & Religion (2010)''	Himself
HBO Specials
! Year	! Title	! Role
1989	''One Night Stand''	Himself
1992	''One Night Stand''	Himself
1995	''Stuff that Struck Me Funny''	Himself
1997	''The Golden Goose Special''	Himself
2000		Himself
2003	''Victory Begins at Home''	Himself
2005	''I'm Swiss''	Himself
2007		Himself
2010		Himself
Television
! Year	! Title	! Role
1985		Marty Lang
		Unknown
	Haskel
1989–90	''Murder, She Wrote''	(2 episodes)
1990	''The Midnight Hour''	Host
1991	''Charlie Hoover''	Elliot
1992	''Say What?''	Host
	''Married... with Children''	Adam Gold
''Roseanne''	Photographer
1997	''Dharma & Greg''	Himself
1993–2002	''Politically Incorrect''	Host
2002	''Just for Laughs''	Himself
2003–present	''Real Time with Bill Maher''	Host
2008	''True Blood''	Himself
2010		Himself
2010	''Family Guy''	Himself

References

External links

in 2004

HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher" site

2006 Maher Interview with ''The A.V. Club''

2009 Maher Interview with writers at the ''Religulous'' DVD release

Category:1956 births Category:Writers from New York Category:Actors from New Jersey Category:Writers from New Jersey Category:American people of Jewish descent Category:American agnostics Category:American cannabis activists Category:American film actors Category:American libertarians Category:American satirists Category:American stand-up comedians Category:American television actors Category:American television talk show hosts Category:Cornell University alumni Category:American comedians of Irish descent Category:American writers of Irish descent Category:Living people Category:People from Beverly Hills, California Category:People from River Vale, New Jersey Category:Religious skeptics Category:Former Roman Catholics Category:Actors from New York City Category:Drug policy reform activists Category:Animal rights advocates

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Coordinates	30°19′10″N81°39′36″N
Name	Iron & Wine
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Samuel Beam
Born	July 26, 1974South Carolina, U.S.
Instrument	Vocals, Guitar, Banjo
Genre	FolkFolk rock
Label	Sub PopWarner Bros./4AD
Associated acts	Calexico, Rosie Thomas
Website	www.ironandwine.com }}

Samuel Beam (born July 26, 1974), better known by his stage and recording name Iron & Wine, is an American singer-songwriter. He has released four studio albums, several EPs and singles, as well as a few download-only releases, which include a live album (a recording of his 2005 Bonnaroo performance). He occasionally tours with a full band.

Beam was raised in South Carolina before moving to Virginia and then Florida to attend school. He now resides in Dripping Springs, near Austin, Texas. The name ''Iron & Wine'' is taken from a dietary supplement named "Beef Iron & Wine" that he found in a general store while shooting a film.

Early life

Beam was raised in Chapin, South Carolina, where his father worked in land management and his mother was a schoolteacher. When he was a child, his family took regular trips to the country, where his grandfather ran a farm. He attended Seven Oaks Elementary School, Irmo Middle School, and Chapin High School. While home from college, he was a waiter at California Dreaming restaurant in Columbia. Beam earned a bachelor's degree in art from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. He specialized in painting. He graduated from the Florida State University Film School with an MFA degree. Before the release of the first Iron & Wine album, Beam's main source of income was as a professor of film and cinematography at the University of Miami and Miami International University of Art & Design. He had been writing songs for over seven years before a friend lent him a four-track recorder. He began making demos and gave one to his friend Michael Bridwell, brother of Band of Horses lead singer, Ben Bridwell. Michael handed it to Mike McGonigal, editor of Yeti magazine, who chose "Dead Man's Will," later released on ''In the Reins'', for inclusion on one of his magazine's compilation CDs. Beam later came to the attention of Sub Pop Records co-owner, Jonathan Poneman, who contacted Beam to propose a deal.

Musical career

Beam released his first Iron & Wine album, ''The Creek Drank the Cradle'', on the Sub Pop label in 2002. Beam wrote, performed, recorded and produced the album in his home studio. Featuring acoustic guitars, banjo, and slide guitar, the album's music has been compared to that of Nick Drake, Simon and Garfunkel, Elliott Smith, Neil Young and John Fahey.

Also in 2002, Beam recorded a cover of The Postal Service's then-unreleased song "Such Great Heights". Rather than being included on an Iron & Wine release, the track was initially included as a b-side of the original version by The Postal Service. It was later included on the B-sides and rarities album, ''Around the Well''. He then followed up on his debut album in 2003 with ''The Sea & The Rhythm'', an EP containing other home-recorded tracks with a similar style to the songs on the debut.

Beam's second full-length album, ''Our Endless Numbered Days'' (2004), was recorded in a professional studio with a significant increase in fidelity. Produced in Chicago by Brian Deck, the focus was still on acoustic material, but the inclusion of other band members gave rise to a slightly different sound. That same year, he recorded the song "The Trapeze Swinger" for the film ''In Good Company'', and had his version of "Such Great Heights" featured in an advertisement for M&M;'s and in the film and soundtrack for ''Garden State''. This version was later used in a 2006 Ask.com advertisement, and eventually released as a single in 2006 backed with recordings of "The Trapeze Swinger" and "Naked as We Came" made for Radio Vienna.

In February 2005, he released an EP entitled ''Woman King'', which expanded on the sounds of his previous LP, and added electric guitars. Each track featured a spiritual female figure, and had subtle Biblical undertones.

The EP ''In the Reins'', a collaboration with the Arizona-based rock band Calexico, was released in September 2005. Beam wrote all of the EP's songs years earlier, but Calexico added their trademark fusion of southwestern rock, traditional Mexican music and jazz to the songs' arrangements. Several tracks feature brass instruments, a first for Beam's music.

The third full-length Iron & Wine album, entitled ''The Shepherd's Dog'', was released September 25, 2007. This album was voted one of the ten best of 2007 by ''Paste'' magazine. Contributors included Joey Burns and Paul Niehaus of Calexico, as well as jazz musicians Matt Lux and Rob Burger. When asked to describe the album to ''The Independent'', Beam remarked that "it's not a political propaganda record, but it's definitely inspired by political confusion, because I was really taken aback when Bush got reelected."

Beam has released most of his music on iTunes, including several exclusive EPs. The ''Iron & Wine iTunes Exclusive EP'' features unreleased studio recordings, including a Stereolab cover and two tracks which had previously only appeared on vinyl. The ''Live Session (iTunes Exclusive)'' features Beam and his sister, Sarah Beam, performing a number of tracks from his albums, as well as a cover of New Order's "Love Vigilantes". Sarah Beam has contributed backing vocals on many of Beam's studio recordings.

Beam's music has appeared in television series such as ''Grey's Anatomy'', ''The L Word'' and ''House, M.D.''. "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" was used in the film ''Twilight''. The song was specifically chosen for the film's prom scene by Kristen Stewart, the female lead, and appears on the film's soundtrack.

The B-sides and rarities album ''Around the Well'' was released in 2009. Iron & Wine also contributed the song "Stolen Houses (Die)" to the AIDS benefit album ''Dark Was the Night'' produced by the Red Hot Organization.

On November 26, 2010 Iron & Wine released a special edition ''Record Store Day Black Friday'' 12" vinyl and CD single called, ''Walking Far From Home'' for independent record stores.

''Kiss Each Other Clean'', Iron & Wine's fourth full-length album, was released on January 25, 2011 on Warner Bros. Records in North America and 4AD for the rest of the world.

Personal life

Beam, his wife Kim and their five daughters live in Dripping Springs near Austin, Texas.

Discography

Studio, Compilations, Live Albums & EPs

– ''Our Endless Numbered Days'' ''The Shepherd's Dog'' ''Kiss Each Other Clean'' 25 – ''Norfolk 6/20/05 (album) – ''The Sea & The Rhythm'' ''Iron & Wine iTunes Exclusive EP'' ''Woman King'' ''In the Reins'' ''Live Session (iTunes Exclusive) (Iron & Wine EP) ''Live at Lollapalooza 2006: Iron & Wine - EP

Year !! Studio Albums !! Billboard 200	US !! UK !! Notes
2002	''The Creek Drank the Cradle''	|	–	–
2004	|	158	–	–
2007	|	24	74	–
2011	|	2	32	Released January 25, 2011.
Year !! Compilations !! Billboard 200	US !! UK !! Notes
2009	''Around the Well''	|	–	B-sides and rarities compilation
Year !! Live Albums !! Billboard 200	US !! UK !! Notes
2005	''Iron & Wine Live Bonnaroo''	|	–	–
2009	Norfolk'' ||	–	–	Live Album
		Year !! EPs !! Billboard 200	US !! UK !! Notes
2002	Tour EP (Iron & Wine)>Iron & Wine Tour EP''	|	–	–
2003	|	–	–	–
2004	|	–	–	iTunes only
2005	|	128	–	–
2005	|	135	–	Calexico (band)>Calexico
2006	Live Session (iTunes Exclusive)'' ||	–	–	iTunes only
2006	Live at Lollapalooza 2006'' ||	–	–	iTunes only

Singles

"Call Your Boys" b/w "Dearest Forsaken" via Sub Pop Singles Club (CD + Clear 7" Vinyl) (2002)

"No Moon" b/w "Sinning Hands" (Limited 7" Vinyl Bonus with first Pressing of ''Our Endless Numbered Days'') (2004)

"Passing Afternoon" (CD only) (2004)

"The Trapeze Swinger" (iTunes only) (2005)

"Such Great Heights" (UK only CD) (2006)

"Boy with a Coin" (CD + UK only 10" Vinyl) (2007)

"Dark Eyes" (Bob Dylan cover w/ Calexico) (2007)

"Lovesong of the Buzzard" (CD + UK only 10" Vinyl) (2008)

"Flightless Bird, American Mouth" (iTunes only) (2008)

"Walking Far from Home" (2010)

Other contributions

''The O.C. Soundtrack'' (2004) – "The Sea & the Rhythm"

''Garden State Soundtrack'' (2004) – "Such Great Heights"

''Sweetheart: Love Songs'' (2004) – "Ab's Song" (The Marshall Tucker Band cover)

''L Word: Season Two'' soundtrack (2004) – "Naked as We Came"

''Grey's Anatomy: Season Two'' soundtrack (2004) – "Naked as We Came"

''In Good Company'' (2004) – "Naked as We Came," "Sunset Soon Forgotten," "The Trapeze Swinger"

''Fighting in a Sack'' (2004) – "New Slang (Featuring Iron & Wine)[Live]"

''KCRW Sounds Eclectic Volume 3'' (2005) – "Waitin' for a Superman" (Flaming Lips cover)

''I Am a Cold Rock. I Am Dull Grass.'' (2006) – "We All, Us Three, Will Ride"

''I'm Not There'' soundtrack (2007) – "Dark Eyes" (with Calexico)

''The Road Mix'' Volume 3, music from ''One Tree Hill'' (2007) – "He Lays in the Reins" (with Calexico)

''Acoustic 07'' (2007) – "Naked as We Came"

''Numb3rs'' Season 3, Episode 19, "Pandora's Box" (2007) – "Naked as We Came"

''Friday Night Lights'' Season 1, Episode 12 (2007) – "Upward Over the Mountain"

''Friday Night Lights: Original Television Soundtrack'' (2007) – "Dead Man's Will" (with Calexico)

''Twilight'' soundtrack (2008) – "Flightless Bird, American Mouth"

''90210'' Season 1, Episode 18, "Off the Rails" (2008) – "Cinder & Smoke"

''House, M.D.''

* Season 4, Episode 16 (Season Finale, Part 2) Wilson's Heart (2008) – "Passing Afternoon"

* Season 6, Episode 1 (Season Premiere, Part 1) Broken (2009) – "Love Vigilantes" (New Order cover)

''Dark Was the Night'' (2009) – "Stolen Houses (Die)"

''Ugly Betty'' Season 3, Episode 16 (2009) – "Naked as We Came"

''The Mysteries of Pittsburgh'' (2009) – "Naked as We Came"

''Misfits'' Season 1, Episode 6 (2009) – "Such Great Heights"

''The Last Song'' soundtrack (2010) – "Each Coming Night"

References

External links

Official site

Category:American folk guitarists Category:American folk singers Category:American rock guitarists Category:American rock singer-songwriters Category:American male singers Category:Florida State University alumni Category:Musicians from South Carolina Category:Sub Pop artists Category:Living people Category:1974 births Category:People from Lexington County, South Carolina

bs:Iron & Wine da:Iron & Wine de:Iron & Wine es:Iron & Wine fr:Iron & Wine it:Iron & Wine nl:Iron and Wine ja:アイアン・アンド・ワイン no:Iron & Wine nn:Iron & Wine pl:Iron & Wine pt:Iron & Wine ru:Iron & Wine sr:Ајрон енд вајн sv:Iron & Wine uk:Iron & Wine

Coordinates	30°19′10″N81°39′36″N
name	Young Lay
background	solo_singer
birth name	Lathan Williams
born	1975
origin	Vallejo, California, U.S.
genre	West Coast hip hop, Gangsta rap
occupation	Rapper
years active	1994–2004
associated acts	Mac Dre, Ray Luv, Dubee, Mac Mall
notable instruments	}}

Lathan Williams (born 1975 in Vallejo, California), better known by his stage name Young Lay, is a San Francisco Bay Area-based gangsta rapper.

He has worked with artists such as label mate Ray Luv, Tupac Shakur and Mac Dre.

Young Lay was becoming popular when a 1995 attempt was made on Lay's life when he was shot in the head while stopped at a Vallejo traffic light as a passenger in a friend's car. Although critically injured, Lay survived and went on to resume rapping after extensive therapy for brain damage in which he had to learn to speak again.

On May 17, 1996, Lay's infant son Le-Zhan Williams was kidnapped when 2 teenage girls entered the home of Daphne Boyden, the rapper's 17 year old girlfriend and mother to his newborn, killed her, abducted the infant, and set the home on fire in an attempt to cover up the crime. The case went unsolved for 6 years, and was featured on the television shows America's Most Wanted and Unsolved Mysteries.

In November 2002 an anonymous tip called in to Vallejo police led to the arrest of Latasha Brown, one of the killers, who had been raising the abducted infant as her own, along with her mother Delores Ann Brown, who was also arrested. They were still living in Vallejo, not far from where Daphne Boyden was murdered. Latasha Brown's cousin Ocianetta Williams was identified as the second teenage girl responsible for the murder and abduction and both were arrested by the Vallejo Police Department. The now 6-year-old Le-Zhan was reunited with family soon after their arrest. It is unknown what lasting emotional trauma has been caused to the child from being forcibly taken and withheld from his family while being raised for 6 years by his mother's killer.

"Young Lay" Williams is currently serving a 12 year prison sentence for a 1999 armed robbery .

Young Lay Was released from prison in 2010. He was intereviewed on Dznuttsradio 5/19/10.

Discography

Albums

1996: ''Black 'N Dangerous''

1998: ''Unsolved Mysteries''

2003: ''Don't Get It Twisted''

2004: ''Young Lay Presents: Lifeline Original Soundtrack''

Guest appearances

1996: "Pimp Or Die" (Mac Mall feat. Ray Luv & Young Lay)

2000: "Love Me Then Hate Me" (Smoov-E feat. Young Lay)

External links

Background on Young Lay and his life

Category:1975 births Category:African American musicians Category:African American rappers Category:Musicians from California Category:Living people Category:People from San Francisco, California Category:People from Vallejo, California Category:Rappers from the San Francisco Bay Area Category:American shooting survivors

it:Young Lay