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Trump calls Roseanne Barr, cheers ratings after show's debut
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NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump reached out to Roseanne Barr to congratulate her after the debut of her ABC sitcom reboot drew 18.4 million viewers.

Speaking by telephone Thursday on ABC's "Good Morning America," Barr said the call was "pretty exciting." She described the exchange as a "friendly conversation about working in television and ratings."

Barr, who said she has known Trump for years, is a political supporter of the president's. Her revamped sitcom tackles current politics, with Roseanne embracing Trump, and clashing with her sister, a staunch opponent.

The White House confirmed the Wednesday night phone call, which was first reported by The New York Times. They did not say if Trump had watched the show. But the former reality star is keenly interested in ratings. The updated sitcom starring Roseanne Barr returned Tuesday, more than two decades after the original ended its hit run. The hour-long debut episode was watched by 10 percent more viewers than saw the May 1997 finale of ABC's original "Roseanne

Barr said Trump was happy for her. She said, "I've known him for many years and he's done a lot of nice things for me over the years."
Conservatives cheered the show's ratings. Matt Drudge tweeted: "'ROSEANNE' RATINGS BLOWOUT." Donald Trump, the president's son, tweeted "Wow amazing. Congrats @therealroseanne. If you're not too busy already maybe work in a late night show too ... seems there's some demand for an alternate viewpoint." Laura Ingraham added: "'Roseanne' reboot premieres to strong ratings, begging the question: why has Hollywood been ignoring us for so long?"

During a Q&A session with television critics earlier this year, Barr said, "It was working-class people who elected Trump. So I felt that was very real, and something that needed to be discussed."

She added that the same holds true for "people actually hating other people for the way they voted, which I feel is not American. And so I wanted to bring it (the series) right down the middle, and we did," said Barr.

She added that she's not an apologist for the president and doesn't agree with all he's said and done.

Allman Brothers tribute band a treat
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Entrancing the crowd with their Allmanesque vocals and guitarmony, End of the Line brought a powerful performance to an enthusiastic audience at the Park Theater Saturday night. From left is Justin Smith (keyboards and vocals), Adam Gorman (guitar), Ryan McClanahan, (drums) and Conor Kelly (guitar). Out of shot is drummer Dave Czuba and bassist Casey Conway.

“Guitarmony” was promised and delivered Saturday night when End of the Line: An Allman Brothers Tribute Band brought their scintillating Southern rock, country and blues roots musicianship to the Park Theater.

Before the band took the stage, Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys are Back in Town” played on the historic speakers setting the seventies mood for the fans as they settled in their seats.

As a nod to the 55th anniversary of the band’s 1969 debut album, The Allman Brothers Band, the first songs were note for note from that seminal album beginning with “Don’t Want You No More.” When Smith launched into “It’s Not My Cross to Bear,” a time warp seemed to overcome the theater. 

The screen behind the band flickered with alternating images of lava lamps, colorful mushrooms, and the original live footage from the Fillmore Live album.

Playing to a large and seasoned crowd, this collection of Nashville musicians and songwriters reveled in their playing. 

For a little over two hours, the audience was transported to a time over a half a century ago. The soulful blues and melodious Southern jams filled the space as these young musicians channeled their inner Gregg and Duane Allman, Dickey Betts and Derek Trucks among others.

With a deep blue’s growl, Justin Smith rivaled the original Gregg Allman as he played the organ with grace and grit. 

Adam Gorman, hailing from Macon, Georgia, seemed to know his way around a blues guitar fo’ sho.’ Along with the fantastic Conor Kelly and Casey Conway on guitar and bass, they created that sweet guitarmony the band has been hailed for.

“How about that bass?” yelled an appreciative fan from the balcony and the whole theater roared in agreement.

Not one but two drummers kept an amazing synchronized beat: Ryan McClanahan and Dave Czuba.

Other highlights included “Revival,” “Idle Wild South,” and the eloquent jazzy “Stand Back” from the Eat a Peach album. 

After intermission, the band jumped into the iconic “Ramblin’ Man,” the highest charting song of all the band’s tunes.

 “Statesboro Blues” was arguably the finest moment in a litany of fine moments. Covering the black blues artist Blind Willie McTell, the Allman Brother’s classic is a tribute and an infectious cross between black Southern blues music and white Southern musicianship.

“Sweet Melissa” and “Blue Sky” were both artfully done.

They also covered a tender version of “Desdemona” from Hittin’ The Note, one of the later Allman Brother gems. “Trouble Me No More” was a sweet moment as well.

The band are currently touring. They plan on performing in the home of more modern and famous Southern rock bands, The B-52s and R.E.M. in Athens, Georgia on April 20,

You can read more about the band and their touring schedule on Facebook, Instagram and the band’s website: endofthelineband.com.