Pop Shots – Reaching Out

Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from a cease-and-desist sent to Lil Wayne, to Billy Joel accepting callers, to Taylor Swift’s latest cash grab, and since this is Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

* Lil Wayne revealed on his podcast, The Joint Venture, that the New York Yankees sent him a cease-and-desist letter regarding his old Young Money logo, claiming the interlocking letters were too similar to the team’s interlocking NY. There’s some serious irony here, as the Yankees’ interlocking NY was actually lifted itself, originally having been used for a Medal of Valor by the NYPD beginning in 1877. Also, the Yankees might want to consider employing Wayne, since the team is currently struggling to produce anywhere near the amount of hits he’s had.

* The video for the Maroon 5 song “Payphone” has surpassed one billion views on YouTube. Also surpassing one billion – Google searches for, “What’s a payphone.”

* Speaking of phones, Billy Joel hosted his first-ever live call-in special on his SiriusXM channel this past Thursday. Sadly, we still don’t know what the heck a real estate novelist is.

* Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” notched its record setting 23rd week at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. We are truly at the peak of dental office waiting room music.

* This past Tuesday Taylor Swift made three single-track CDs of her new song, “Patient Zero,” available on her website for $3.99 each. There was a CD with the original version, one with an acoustic version, and another with a piano version. Ya know Taylor, a CD holds 79:59 of music, you easily could’ve saved your fan base some money if you’d just … ah, look who I’m talking to. Taylor was just making another withdrawal from her favorite ATM – her fan base.

* Bret Michaels has almost completed his recovery from his recent surgeries, and is planning to get back on stage in October. OK, but when will he be well enough to take on another season of Rock of Love? The world needs it, Bret!!!

* Stella Lefty has her first #1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart with “Boston.” It just goes to show you what a scrappy kid can achieve with just a little effort, a billionaire father, and the theft of countless well-known songs.

* Chris Brown and Usher were visited on stage by U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett during their concert at AT&T Stadium in Texas. Crockett was there to announce that the two artists were being recognized in the Congressional Record for their contributions to music. For Brown, the honor will look really nice in the middle of all his retraining orders.

* Lionel Richie underwent a successful heart procedure to correct his atrial fibrillation. He will soon, once again, be ready to go all night long.

That’s all for this edition of Pop Shots, but come back next Monday for more shots on all things pop.