Country Star/Rush Fan Tim McGraw

While appearing on Larry King Live, Country singer Tim McGraw [known to non-Country fans as "the guy married to Faith Hill"] was asked "Do you listen to other kinds of music?", to which he replied:

"Yes, I'm a huge '70s classic rock fan...The Eagles -- big Eagles fan. I love Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, of course. I love Phil Collins, which I guess is a little more '80s but I love those guys in Genesis. Rush. Big Rush fan..." Click here for the complete transcript. - CNN's Larry King Live, December 10, 2002

Alex Lifeson Produces 3 Door Down

In Spring 2000, Alex Lifeson produced three songs with Mississippi-based 3 Doors Down: "Dangerous Game," "Dead Love," and "Wasted Time". In addition, at least two of the three tracks may also include Lifeson on guitar (although some fan sites state that he played on all three tracks).  Of the three tracks, "Wasted Me" was made available on a special 2CD Australian release of Better Life, as well as a b-side to the "Kryptonite" import single, while "Dangerous Game was later released on Away From The Sun. 

Hemispheres 35mm Short Film

Inspired by the Rush album of the same name, the short film Hemispheres is now available. The basis of the film is the struggle and battle of the left and right side of one's brain - the left being logic and the right being emotion. Gern Fletcher is stuck in the middle. Tonight he faces a decision that could change his life in ways he has never imagined - or so he thinks. As an added plus for Rush fans, the film makers included at least one visual reference from each Rush album. For additional information including production stills, a complete synopsis, and how to order, visit TheSouth40.com.

Emmerson Nogueira covers "Tom Sawyer"

An acoustic cover of "Tom Sawyer", performed by Brazil's Emmerson Nogueira, was released on Versão Acústica Vol. 2 (Acoustic Versions), on October 21st. This beautiful cover is performed on acoustic guitars, with a female vocal lead and male accompaniment, and sparse percussion. The keyboard solo now sounds like flamenco guitar! Other tracks on the album include covers of Supertramp, The Beatles, The Police, and more.

Peart Receives Zildjian Cymbal Plaque Award

"Zildjian representatives John DeChristopher, Lennie DiMuzio, Jim McGathey and Paul Francis paid a visit to Neil Peart when Rush pulled into Boston for one night at the Fleet Center. During the visit Lennie presented Neil with a Cymbal Plaque Award in recognition of his contributions to the art of drumming and his long time relationship with Zildjian. The award featured a vintage cymbal from Armand Zildjian's personal collection." www.zildjian.com, October 28, 2002

"One Little Victory" included in "Need for Speed - Hot Pursuit 2"

Need for Speed - Hot Pursuit 2, the latest release in the Need for Speed racing franchise includes two versions of "One Little Victory" in the soundtrack. Released July 9th, the game includes both the original studio version as well as an instrumental edit.  The complete soundtrack includes: Hot Action Cop - "Fever for the Flavor"; Hot Action Cop - "Going Down It"; Uncle Kracker - "Keep It Comin'"; Bush - "The People That We Love"; Rush - "One Little Victory"; Pulse Ultra - "Build Your Cages"; Course of Nature - "Wall of Shame"; Buzzhorn - "Ordinary".

"Exit Stage Right - The String Quartet Tribute to Rush"

No "Invisible Symphony", finally a REAL classical tribute to Rush! Exit Stage Right - The String Quartet Tribute to Rush is now available, and covers nearly the entire Exit Stage Left album from a classical chamber quartet approach; the album's cover includes a nod to the ESL as well, with a curtain drawn back to expose a violin.

A tribute by real Rush fans, the album was arranged, produced, mixed, and mastered by Todd Mark Rubenstein, who also co-handles the album's cello and bass duties. In the linernotes, Todd thanks (among others) "Neil Peart, Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson for a lifetime of musical genius and the gift of great songs with brilliant performances that will be an inspiration to musicians of all genres for generations to come".

Rush Reunion at Superstar Birthday Party/Alex Jams with Extreme

"A gathering of several big rock music names came together May 11th to celebrate the 37th Birthday of Steve Hoffman - a part of SRO Management and brother to Sunshine Jive's Robby Hoffman. Reporting in for me is none other than Robby himself! 'On hand were all members of Rush, including Neal (mispelled!) Peart. All original members of Extreme, Valentine/Open Skyz and The Tea Party. The night started out with an all-star jam - Extreme (Gary, Pat and Paul) with Alex Lifeson on guitar doing Aerosmith's Sweet Emotion. Nuno joins the stage for Get The Funk Out and than turns it into a full Extreme re-union jam of all their classics including some Zeppelin and Aerosmith favorites as well. The night heats up when Nuno gets on drums and Robby Hoffman takes over on guitar for Custard Pie and Aint Talkin Bout Love. Then Valentine/Open Skyz join the stage with some friends. If thats not enough, The Tea Party takes the stage and covers a wide variety of classics. To end the night, Extreme take the stage one more time, joined by Jeff Martin (The Tea Party) for some of the best jamming ever witnessed. The birthday was not complete until Nuno and Gary closed the night with More Than Words...'" - Melodirock.com, May 21, 2002