This week’s news and gossip

A quiet week this week in the Rod news..but here is a treat, another stunning photo from last years US tour from SMILER photographer Jim Pietryga

Rod’s Final Shows Of 13-Year Las Vegas Residency

Photo Marc Baulisch – Stienes

We have had quite a few emails asking when Rod is playing the last dates of his 13 year Las Vegas Residency

The “Rod Stewart – The Hits” show at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace will conclude on its 200th show in the summer of 2024

The dates are :

July 2024: 24, 26, 27, 31
Aug. 2024: 2, 3, 7

This week’s Rod Art..

This week we feature some great Rod art with a difference from Staffordshire based artist Chris Ball who did this work of art titled ‘Rod Stewart’ .

The proud and majestic cockerel resides at a fabulous not-for-profit animal sanctuary called Duckingham Palace Talking to SMILER this week Chris said “This piece is done in scratchboard and the inspiration is purely the guys at Duckingham Palace animal sanctuary – it was they who named the cockerel (probably for his showmanship) and I just wanted to bring in a little of the stage presence of the real star performer”

Duckingham Palace is an animal sanctuary based in Leicestershire. They currently have 70+ animals in thier care. but are slowly expanding and will offer a safe place for any animals they can. https://www.facebook.com/duckinghampalace.as

To see more amazing work from Chris go to

https://www.animalartworkstudio.co.uk/

Rod’s Underrated Songs

SMILER member Laura Atwood posed the question on Facebook SMILER page what do you consider Rods most underrated songs.

Fellow fans sent in suggestions and Laura made a 28 song playlist that is now available on YOUTUBE for anyone interested.

Photo Q105

Here are the 26 songs

How Long
Somebody Special
Oh God, I Wish I Was Home Tonight
Sexual Religion\
It’s Not the Spotlight
Farewell
Lost In You
Here to Eternity
When We Were the New Boys
Only a Boy
In My Life
For the First Time
Broken Arrow
If Loving You is Wrong I Dont Want to be Right
Dixie Toot
Muddy, Sam and Otis
Is That the Thanks I Get
To Love Somebody
Lady Luck
Sailing
Faith of the Heart
Grace
Can’t Stop Me Now
Lost Paraguayos
Gi’me Wings

Still Forever Number One

The fantastic cover of Rod’s “Forever Young” by Daniel Grindstaff feat.Paul Brewster and Dolly Parton is #1 for the 4th consecutive week on the Smoked Country Jam & Bluegrass Borderline with Michelle Lee.

Wolfie’s Complaints dismissed

Wolfie’s Whisky has not had a complaint regarding its packaging upheld after a member of the public raised concerns to the alcohol industry’s Independent Complaint Panel (ICP).

The complainant claimed the alcoholic spirit “could have particular appeal to children under Code rule 3.2”, according to Portman Group.

The complaint wasn’t upheld by the panel, however, with Chair of the Independent Complaints Panel, Rachel Childs saying of the decision: “It’s vitally important under the Code that producers ensure their products do not have particular appeal to under-18s, or encourage bravado or irresponsible consumption.

“In this case, the Panel concluded the cartoon wolf was presented in a way which created separation from contemporary children’s cartoons and, combined with other elements on the packaging which were typical of spirit products, did not have particular appeal to under-18s.”

The complaint against the spirit brand also mentioned how the text and use of the word “rascal” on its packaging could “encourage bravado under Code rule 3.2(b) and irresponsible consumption under Code rule 3.2(f)”.

Once again, this wasn’t upheld as the ICP ruled the term “rascal” was merely used to refer to mischievous characteristics rather than a call to action.

The panel also ruled that the fact Rod collaborated with the project didn’t encourage irresponsible consumption.

Rod hasn’t publicly addressed the decision but fellow co-founder of Wolfie’s Whisky, Duncan Frew, told Portman Group: “We’ve taken great care while building every element of the Wolfie’s Whisky brand over the last two years.

“Having worked closely with the Portman Group to ensure our marketing and branding is on the right side of the Group’s guidelines, we are pleased with the outcome of this situation.”

Have a break…

Rod attended a performance of Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre in London on Tuesday evening and later spent the rest of the night at the Kit Kat Club in London in a striking orange attireit but it was soon spotted that his right hand bandaged and plastered up.

Penny Is Back