Last week, an Associated Press report on Nickelback came across the wire. Copy editor Mike Frank was the first man on the scene, placing the story in the paper and asking me what I thought of the band that received Billboard's group of the decade honors.
I told him I thought the band deserved the crown, which it received in late 2009. Throughout the decade, Nickelback mastered the success formula for rock bands in the 21st century, tallying Top 40 and rock-radio hits.
The band did this in a time when few rock bands have found mainstream success.
This specific report focused on Nickelback's lack of trendiness and how the band members have embraced that. I think that's true. Their albums have typically followed a similar format, evenly mixing rock and pop tunes from start to finish.
The band is popular in some circles, but definitely not all. There are a lot of people out there who hate Nickelback's music or just don't like that the band became commercially successful.
Everyone has their own tastes, myself included. I like a little more than half the Nickelback songs I've heard. Some of them I enjoy a lot, particularly the rock songs. I can't stand some of the band's Top 40 songs at all and would rather spin the dial than listen to them from start to finish.
I don't think too many college kids blare "How You Remind Me" or "Someday" at parties, and I'm pretty sure cover bands don't pepper audiences with heavy doses of Nickelback tunes during their weekend sets.
I'm not saying everyone should jump on the Nickelback bandwagon like so many people did during the last decade. However, don't hate the band just because it's famous. Nickelback found the winning formula, becoming successful in multiple genres, which allowed the band to appeal to multiple listening audiences.
Some refer to "finding the winning formula" as "selling out," but I don't think there's anything wrong with doing what it takes to make it in the music industry. If the band's members enjoy what they're playing, and people enjoy listening to it, then I think they've got it figured out. To quote Charlie Sheen, they're "winning."
Check out this week's Entertainment Roundup below.
BRIAN MCKNIGHT TICKETS ON SALE
The Jamestown Savings Bank Arena will host "An Evening with Brian McKnight" on Thursday, Feb. 23, in Rink A. Tickets went on sale Wednesday and start at $30.
McKnight has sold more than 20 million albums and has received multiple Grammy nominations. Born in Buffalo, McKnight's hit singles include "Back at One," "Anytime," "Let Me Love You" and "My Kind of Girl," which he recorded with Justin Timberlake. He released his 11th studio album, "Just Me," in January 2011 and has a new single called "Fall 5.0."
McKnight has collaborated with Quincy Jones, Diddy, Mariah Carey, Rascal Flatts, Willie Nelson, Kenny G, Vanessa Williams, Nelly and Christina Aguilera. He plays nine instruments, including piano, guitar and flute.
For ticket information, visit jamestownarena.com or call the arena box office at 484-2624.
MORE ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS
As always, venues are listed chronologically by first event.
CELORON LEGION - The weekly Blue Grass Jam will take place tonight from 7-10. All area bluegrass musicians are welcome to sit in and play. On Saturday night, the Sammy Slicker band will play from 8-midnight. Herman Kent American Legion Post 777 is located at 26 Jackson Ave. in Celoron.
THE SPIRE - The Forgotten Classics Movie Series will feature The Three Stooges tonight, beginning at 7. On Tuesday, the theater will show "Quicksand," starring Mickey Rooney. The admission price for each night will be $2. The Spire of Jamestown is located at 316 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown. Call 450-7357 for more.
INFINITY CAFE - Infinity Visual and Performing Arts' Friday cafe night will feature live music from Old Dawg Jazz Trio, beginning at 7. As always, cafe nights are free and open to the public. The Infinity Cafe is located at 115 E. Third St. in Jamestown. For more, call 664-0991 or visit www.infinityperformingarts.org.
STRUTHERS LIBRARY THEATRE - The theater will show "Anonymous," a film on the author of the plays credited to Shakespeare, on Friday and Wednesday nights, beginning at 7:30. General admission tickets will be $7.50, while children 10 and under will get in for $6. A discount book of 10 tickets will be available for $60. Tickets will only be sold at the door. The Struthers Library Theatre is at 302 W. Third Ave. in Warren and can be called at 814-723-7231 for more information.
REG LENNA - The Movies At The Reg series will feature "The Rum Diary," starring Johnny Depp Friday and Saturday nights, beginning at 8. Depp's character travels from New York to Puerto Rico to write for a local newspaper in late Eisenhower-era America. He soon becomes obsessed with a woman who is engaged to be married and is faced with a difficult journalistic decision. The film is based on Hunter S. Thompson's debut novel and is directed by Bruce Robinson. The R-rated film runs for about two hours. For more, call the Reg Lenna Civic Center box office at 484-7070.
COOLER CAFE - Derek Davis will perform an acoustic set Friday night from 8-11. The Cooler Cafe is in Sherman at 114 W. Main St.; for more, call 234-4030.
LABYRINTH PRESS COMPANY - Folk musician Emperor X will perform Friday night, beginning at 8. There will be an open mic night on Wednesday, beginning at 7. The Labyrinth is located at 12 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown. For more, call 708-2471.
THE LAKEVIEW - The Lakeview's Friday night entertainment will feature The Rough from 10-1. The Lakeview is at 13 Water St. in Mayville. For more, call 753-2813.
MOJO'S - Foot Foot and special guest DJ Beta will play Friday night from 10-2. Triggers and The Winter Sounds will perform from 10-2 Saturday night on a rock bill. The Andreas Kapslais and Goran Ivanovic Guitar Duo will play Monday night from 9-midnight. Mojo's is located at 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown. For more, call 720-4621.
PEEK'N PEAK - Lakewood native and Nashville recording artist Jackson Rohm will perform from 7-11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Peek'n Peak is located at 1405 Olde Road in Findley Lake. For more, call 355-4141.
THE TRILLIUM LODGE - Ken Hardley and The Henways will play rock music on Saturday night, beginning at 9. The Trillium Lodge is located at 6830 Main St. (Route 83) in Cherry Creek. For more, call 296-8100.
PINE JUNCTION -The Haybalers will play bluegrass and more Saturday night, beginning at 9. Pine Junction is located at 9757 Bailey Hill Road in Sherman and can be reached at 769-7854 for more information.
STEENER'S PUB - Steve Johnson and Charity Nuse, both of Big Leg Emma, will play on Saturday night from 9-midnight. Admission to the show will be free. Steener's Pub is at 322 Route 430 in Greenhurst. For more, call 720-5087.
41 WEST - Side Effect will play classic rock and blues from 9-1 Saturday night. As its name implies, 41 West Bar and Grille is located at 41 W. Main St. in Fredonia. For more, call 679-4101.
CLARION HOTEL - Cindy Haight will play at the Clarion Hotel Lounge on Saturday night from 9-midnight. There will not be a cover charge, and there will be drink specials. The Clarion Hotel is at 150 W. Fourth St. Call 664-3400 for more information.
REG STUDIO THEATER - The Unexpected Guests' January improv comedy show will take place Saturday night from 9-10:30. Admission will be $5 at the door. Featuring the type of comedy made famous by Chicago's Second City and TV's "Whose Line is it Anyway," each of The Unexpected Guests' shows offer audiences unique experiences. The cast includes Gary Peters, Jane Fischer, Tim Smeal, Alison Barry, Wayne Carlsson, Heather Felton and Malachi Livermore. The Reg Studio Theater is at 108 E. Third St. in Jamestown. Call 664-2465 for more information.
THE BULLFROG - The Allergic Reaction Band will rock The Bullfrog from 10-2 Saturday night. The Bullfrog Hotel is at 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown. For more, call 665-9043.
SHAWBUCKS - 1980s tribute band Two For Flinching will play on Saturday night. Shawbucks is at 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown. For more, call 487-2201.
The Weekend Entertainment Events Preview highlights concerts, festivals and other happenings in the region in each Thursday's paper. Suggestions for submission can be sent to Scott Shelters by emailing sshelters@post-journal.com or by calling 487-1111, ext. 253.