“I think this country has turned on a dime in a way that none of us foresaw coming a year ago,” Paisley, whose sons are 2 years old and 2 months old, recently told The Associated Press. “I think all of that and the birth of a son and the bold new times we're living in ... it's hard to ignore.”

Paisley, who co-wrote all 14 new songs, visits those serious themes more often than before, inspired by the historic election of Democratic President Barack Obama and the worldwide economic turmoil that's thrown many people onto hard times.

The title track celebrates diversity (“It's a French kiss, Italian ice margaritas in the moonlight, just another American Saturday night”) while “Welcome to the Future” offers social commentary (“I had a friend in school, running-back on a football team, they burned a cross in his front yard for asking out the homecoming queen”).

The first single, “Then,” his 10th straight to hit No. 1, is a romantic letter to his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley.

On this record, there are very few of the mini-stories and characters that set the tone for so many of his other successful songs, Paisley said.

“This is maybe more heartfelt this time. I didn't even write any liner notes on this album, I didn't write any description of it, I didn't write any thank yous. I feel like it's all in the record. You hear why I'm writing these songs.”

Paisley carries the personal touch to the CD cover, which shows him holding a brush in front of a painting of city buildings and distant hills. He sketched the design himself and painted it in about an hour in his barn.

“It was just this idea that meant as much to me as the songs do, to be able to have a cover,” he said. “That's another piece of me you're seeing standing there holding that paintbrush.”

The album is the West Virginia native's seventh collection in 10 years. His 2-year-old, Huck, makes his debut, singing the last word on “Anything Like Me,” a whimsical tune about a new father contemplating the inevitable payback that's coming if his kid grows up to be like him.

While “American Saturday Night” covers new ground, it's not as big a departure as Paisley's last album, a mostly instrumental CD called “Play.” There's still some humor and plenty of flashy guitar solos, and Paisley continues the tradition of including a gospel cut with “No,” a song he co-wrote with Grand Ole Opry star Bill Anderson and Jon Randall.

“It's still Brad Paisley, but it's pushed in different directions,” said Joe Galante, chairman of Sony Music Nashville, which includes the singer's Arista label. “If I'm a fan, I'm going on this journey with him. If I'm not a fan, I'm going to be introduced to things I didn't know he can do.”

Probably the oldest and certainly the best of the 4th of July marathons is Sci-Fi Channel’s non-stop “Twilight Zone,” which kicked off at 3 p.m. today. Just think of it, hours and hours of Rod Serling and all of those classic stories and acting greats. (“Time Enough At Last” with Burgess Meredith is my personal favorite. Although “The Invaders” with Agnes Moorehead and “It’s a Good Life” with Bill Mumy and Cloris Leachman are right up there.)

If tough-talking secret agents are more your thing, head over to USA on Saturday for five James Bond flix: “Dr. No,” “Thunderball,” “The World Is Not Enough,” “Tomorrow Never Dies” and “Casino Royale.”

Can’t get enough reality television? Try “Southern Belles: Louisville” on SOAPnet, “Tool Academy” on MTV, “Raising Sextuplets” on WE or “Clean House” on MyStyle.

BET will be breaking out twins Tia Mowry and Tamera Mowry for a “Sister, Sister” marathon and WE trots out “Golden Girls” from 6 p.m. until midnight.

And the fun doesn’t stop on Saturday. Sunday sees a “Hannah Montana” marathon on the Disney Channel that culminates with a brand new episode, “He Could Be the One,” premiering at 8 p.m.

Friday, July 3
Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” – rerun
Randy Sklar, Jason Sklar, Sarah Colonna – “Chelsea Lately” – rerun
Rick Ross with Magazeen – “Late Show with David Letterman” – rerun
Incubus – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” – rerun
Whoopi Goldberg, Keane – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” – rerun
Bat for Lashes – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” – rerun
N.A.S.A. – “Last Call with Carson Daly” – rerun

Saturday, July 4
Tim McGraw, Ludacris, T-Pain – “Saturday Night Live” – rerun

Monday, July 6
Larry Miller – “The View”
Jonas Brothers – “Live with Regis and Kelly”
Gary Valentine – “Chelsea Lately”
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Howie Mandel, Alanis Morissette, Death Cab for Cutie – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Andy Samberg, The Lonely Island – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” – rerun
Artie Lange, No Doubt – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” – rerun
Robin Thicke – “Last Call with Carson Daly” – rerun

This year it was Simply Red’s turn to entertain the crowd that gathers at Ötvenhatosok Tere, a large open space between Dózsa György Ut and the actual square.

“It was amazing as always. Everything was fantastic,” said Gabi Toth from promoter Showtime, which has previously brought in a string of international talent including Sting, Santana, Pet Shop Boys and Elton John.

The annual freebie, which has been called “Connection Day” as its sponsor has always been one of the telecom giants, traditionally marks the end of the Budapest Fair weekend festival celebrating the withdrawal of the Soviet troops from Hungary in 1999.

The square, which was originally built to honour the eight knights who are said to have founded Hungary at the end of the ninth century (there’s a statue of each one), became a public rallying point during the politically troubled years that followed WWII.

Tracy Pitcox, president of Heart of Texas Records, said the 83-year-old was admitted to the critical care unit of Summit Medical Center in Hermitage on Thursday.

Pitcox said he had an accelerated heart rate and possible pneumonia and doctors were treating him for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Pitcox said he was very weak and tests would be performed on Friday and through the weekend.

Husky was hospitalized in April with congestive heart failure and pneumonia after a month long tour in Texas.

Husky was country music's top entertainer in the early 1960s with hits like “Wings of a Dove” and “Gone.” His latest album, released in 2007, is called The Way It Was.

Details of next Tuesday's public memorial for Michael Jackson have been released in Los Angeles by the owners of Staples Center.

Staples Center boss Tim Leiweke says 17,500 tickets free tickets will be provided. There also will be a free worldwide video feed.

Leiweke says 11,000 tickets will be for seats inside Staples Center and 6,500 will be for seats in the adjacent Nokia Theatre, where fans will watch a simulcast.

People who want tickets must register on the Web at Staplescenter.com. After 6 p.m. Saturday, 8,750 names will be randomly selected to receive two tickets each. Notifications will go out on Sunday. Those selected will obtain their tickets via Ticketmaster on Monday.

You can register for a ticket here: www.staplescenter.com.

The deadline to register is 6 p.m. Saturday, July 4. A computer program will randomly select 17,500 people to receive tickets.

They'll receive an email with instructions on Sunday.

The Jackson family and the Staples Center say they hope no one registers for a ticket, then tries to scalp them.

No details of the memorial service itself have been released.

From StaplesCenter.com:

“The Michael Jackson Public Memorial Service will take place on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at STAPLES Center in downtown Los Angeles, California and simulcast inside to Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE across the street. A limited number of free tickets to both venues will be made available for Michael Jackson's fans to attend.

"Due to the expected overwhelming demand, the following procedures have been set to accommodate registration for the tickets. Please note that by registering for tickets to attend the Public Memorial Service, it does NOT guarantee the registrant tickets.

"The opportunity to register for tickets begins at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, July 3, 2009 and ends at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Saturday, July 4, 2009.

"Please enter your information below for your chance to receive two tickets, that will be randomly distributed for either STAPLES Center or Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE to attend the Michael Jackson Public Memorial Service. Only one entry per individual will be accepted. Registering to attend the Public Memorial Service is NOT a guarantee of tickets. Two tickets will be issued to each randomly selected attendee. Offer valid to residents of the United States only.”

Please follow this link to StaplesCenter.com to register.

Inspector-detective Themba Mchunu told press association SAPA that he and his colleagues scheduled a meeting with Kelly’s lawyers June 23 and expected to question the artist a few days later.

Priscilla Zakwe, a Durban businesswoman facing 67 fraud charges and one of violating the Banking Act by running a scheme without permission, will be implicating Kelly in her defense.

Zakwe allegedly swindled more than 50 people, many of them pensioners, by promising them they would benefit from ticket sales if they brought an R. Kelly tour to the country that year.

Kelly never appeared in South Africa, but Zakwe claims she deposited Rand 10.5 million into his bank account.

State prosecutor Blackie Swart reportedly wrote to Kelly’s agent, Jason Miller, earlier this year requesting the singer explain his involvement in the scam but says he got no response.

Kelly is in South Africa for shows at Sun City and Cape Town Grand Arena June 27 and 29. Mchunu says he’s happy that he finally has an opportunity to interview him.

“This will help us to get necessary information that we need for the case. This has taken far too long and people are becoming impatient,” he said.

Zakwe it out on bail and her trial was expected to start July 15.