Word spread late last week that Oklahoma State University will not kick off the school year with its signature "Orange Peel" concert.

Apparently lacking a signature performer, the school announced the event would not take place this year.

Past performers have included  Alan Jackson, Jason Mraz, Lit, Pablo Francisco, Incubus, Sinbad, Barenaked Ladies, Better Than Ezra, Vanessa Carlton, Third Eye Blind, Goo Goo Dolls, Blues Traveler, David Spade, Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Cosby, Damon Wayans, The Hero Factor, Faith Hill, Randy Travis and Ben Folds.

Even though the Webmonkeys are not in the "demo" anymore, knowing the students will be deprived of such a rite of Poke passage is both distressing and depressing.

Billy Bob Thornton's Saturday night show at Riverwind Casino in Norman has been cancelled. Just when the Webmonkeys thought their sure-fire Saturday entertainment plans were never fail, word spread about the cancellation.

This feels worse than when his Nineties sicom 'Hearts Afire' was cancelled. He and Markie Post had such great chemistry; oh, yeah, she was John Ritter's flame. Nevermind. But what a bummer to miss his musical performance!

Billy Bob Thornton's Saturday night show at Riverwind Casino in Norman has been cancelled. Just when the Webmonkeys thought their sure-fire Saturday entertainment plans were never fail, word spread about the cancellation.

This feels worse than when his Nineties sicom 'Hearts Afire' was cancelled. He and Markie Post had such great chemistry; oh, yeah, she was John Ritter's flame. Nevermind. But what a bummer to miss his musical performance!

Various state and city officials and leaders plan to attend a rally Saturday intended to "Save the Rails."

Andrew Rice, Wallace Collins, James Brannum, Tom Elmore and Fannie Bates are scheduled to appear at the 10 a.m. event to be held at Union Station, SW 7^th and Harvey Ave.

Organizers say existing plans for the new Interstate 40 will pave over some of Oklahoma City's important rail structure and any future rail development could require massive expense to recreate what currently exists. Other concerns include rerouting heavy trucks along Interstate 240 instead of Interstate 40.

According to entertainment site zap2it.com, TNT has extended "Saving Grace" for a second season. Starring Holly Hunter as an Oklahoma City detective, the series airs Mondays at 9 p.m. following critcally acclaimed series "The Closer."

More than five million viewers have tuned for each of the series' three episodes including the Webmonkeys.

Wonder if viewers are more enticed by Hunter being scantily clad or the cliché cowboy hats and boots or maybe the oft-mentioned OU football references.

Thousands and thousands -- OK, more than eight thousand -- voted in Gazette's 2007 Best of OKC.

How did the voters do? Glaring mistakes? Totally on target? Which category would you have written if you'd had the chance?

Here's your chance. Bare your soul about Best of OKC!

Thousands and thousands -- OK, more than eight thousand -- voted in Gazette's 2007 Best of OKC.

How did the voters do? Glaring mistakes? Totally on target? Which category would you have written if you'd had the chance?

Here's your chance. Bare your soul about Best of OKC!

According to the Country Hall of Fame in Nashville, Oklahoma City's Vince Gill will be inducted into the hall in October.

Gill be inducted along with Mel Tillis and Ralph Emery.

Born in Oklahoma, Lee Hazlewood who wrote the lyrics for Nancy Sinatra's hit "These Boots are Made for Walkin" among others, died over the weekend reportedly of cancer in Nevada.

Hazlewood was born in Mannford and throughout his childhood lived in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas.

Not only did Willie Nelson appear at the Zoo Amphitheatre Friday night with Merle Haggard and Ray Price, he also dropped by the Harn Homestead with his band to shoot scenes for Kevin Costner's upcoming film, "Swing Vote."

In the scene, Nelson played his familiar tune, "Always on My Mind," and then afterward toured the museum, located at 313 NE 16^th St. Costner is a band member of a Willie Nelson tribute band in the film which is scheduled for a 2008 theatrical release.