MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2003
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 5A
Chemicals force town evacuation
The Associated Press
TAMAROA, III. — A train carrying hazardous chemicals dermal in town yesterday and authorities evacuated 500 of the town's 800 residents. One chemical leaked and caught fire.
No injuries were reported after 16 to 21 cars of a northbound Illinois Central-Canadian National train derailed during the morning, authorities said.
Residents up to a mile from the scene were evacuated because the train was carrying vinyl chloride, formaldehyde and hydrochloric acid, Perry County Sheriff Keith Kellerman said.
The chemicals are harmful and could cause death in high amounts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Emergency workers were kept from trains, Kellerman said.
Student breaks into comedy
By Megan Hickerson
mhickerson@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
People laugh at Max Minor, but he doesn't mind.
Minor, a Plymouth, Minn., senior, is a comedian who is just getting started. While he writes creatively in his spare time, Minor performs stand-up shows in Lawrence and Kansas City.
Minor has been clowning around ever since he can remember.
"I was always the goof-off in class," Minor said.
Minor began writing creatively three years ago because he couldn't achieve the attention he wanted through sports. To take things a step further, he turned to stand-up comedy as another outlet to express himself.
Although Minor's parents support his pursuit of a career in comedy, Minor doesn't let his parents attend any of his stand-up acts.
"My parents wouldn't mind
having a famous son," Minor said. "I just don't want them to come see my acts because I feel bad saying 'cock' in front of my mom."
Minor said he liked performing at Stanford and Sons in Kansas City, Mo., because he could say anything he wanted there.
Sometimes, Minor thinks he is funnier than the audience thinks he is.
"One time at Stanford and Sons, I had a really tough crowd," Minorsaid. "When that happens, I usually just blame it on the audience."
Minor gets most of his ideas when he's bored in class. Although his jokes often push the limits, he said he stayed away from racist and homosexual jokes.
"Those jokes are the easy way out." Minor said.
Minor said he used thought-provoking jokes instead of ones with obvious answers.
"I'd much rather my jokes go over the audience's heads rather
"I'd much rather my jokes go over the audience's heads,rather than under them."
Max Minor
Plymouth, Minn. senior
than under them," Minor said.
Minor is also in the process of writing a book about a man who accidentally kills an FBI agent and escapes from jail. Minor said he hoped to have his book published in the next year.
Although Minor is considering attending Second City, a comedy school in Chicago, his roommate Adam Leitel, Moorhead, Minn., junior, said he would be better at filling the shoes of goofy game show host Bob Barker.
"I could definitely see him as the next host of The Price is Right," Leitel said.
— Edited by Lindsay Hanson
Jared Soares/Kansan
Max Minor, Plymouth, Minn., senior balances school with stand-up comedy. He has performed at venues in Lawrence and Kansas City.
Local musicians cut costs by going online, recording with friends
By Lauren Bristow
Ibristow@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Britney Spears, Usher and Creed all names most students recognize and associate with popular music. But what about Fuse 22 and Mylin Brimm?
For two KU students, the dream of making it big in the music business is something they hope will happen in the near future.
"If we had a chance to sign with a major record label, I'd take time off of school and pursue that," said Mike Zimmers, Howard senior and Fuse 22 bassist. "Since
record deals don't come around that often, I'd take the chance."
Zimmers and his three fellow band members are recording their first album. The band is hoping to be done in two months, Zimmers said.
"It's just hard to find time to record," Zimmers said. "We all work full-time, and since we are using our own equipment, it takes a long time to record."
Fuse 22, a rock band that plays both covers and original music, is recording its album on a band member's equipment.
Mylin Brimm's album, Cherish Life, was recorded for free last year in a friend's professional stud
dto in Wichita. Brimm, East St. Louis, Ill., senior, said paying to use a professional studio would have taken a chunk out of his wallet. Professional recordings cost around $60 per hour, said Colin Mahoney, owner and engineer of Z'gwon,th Music Productions, 920 1/2 Massachusetts St.
"The way people record albums is changing," Mahoney said. "Technology is making equipment more inexpensive. More bands are starting to buy their equipment and take their time recording an album."
To help cover production and promotion costs and gain exposure, Fuse 22 and Brimm play local shows. Fuse 22 has played locally at mostly small venues, such as Duffy's in the Ramada Inn, 2222 W. Sixth St., Zimmers said.
Brimm said he had opened for artists such as Nelly, Silk, and Tech N9ne.
"Basically, the more shows you do, the more contacts you get," Brimm said. "That helps you to get better shows later on."
Local artists have several options to promote their albums. Members of Fuse 22 said they plan to first sell their album after shows and then send it to recording companies, Zimmers said.
Brimm sells his album on mp3.com and at Hastings Books, Music & Video, 1900 W. 23rd St. Mp3.com offers buyers a chance to listen to several tracks of the CD before purchasing it for $7.98.
"I pay about $3 to $4 a CD on mp3.com," Brimm said. "They make the complete CD package for me; the CD, the cover design, and anything I want in the CD book."
Brimm then sells the CDs at the Hastings local section on consignment.
"It's a really easy process," said John Maestas, Hastings music manager. "Basically, we get 30 percent on top of what they want to
sell the album for and they check and maintain their own stock."
Another place to promote a new album is on local radio music shows, such as 105.9 the Lazer's local music show on Sunday nights. Artists submit their original CDs for the disc jockey, Chuck Newman, and his intern to decide what to air. Newman said.
He said the station received about five local CDs a week.
"I get stuff from K.C., Manhattan and a lot from KU," Newman said. "If it works for the format of the show and it's good, I'll play it."
— Edited by Lindsay Hanson
Dream it. Do it. Disney.
We're recruiting on campus!
University of Kansas Thursday, February 13, 2003 5:30 PM, Burge Union, Gridiron Room
Mark your calendars All majors and all college levels invited. This is your chance to go inside this world-famous resort build your resume, network with Disney leaders and meet students from around the world.
Check out a Walt Disney World $ ^{\textcircled{1}} $ College Program paid internship. 24-hour secured housing is offered. College credit opportunities may be available. Visit our website at wdwcollegeprogram.com and then come to the presentation. Attendance is required to interview.
Wear Disney World
COLLEGE PROGRAM wdwcollegeprogram.com
EOE • Drawing Creativity from Diversity • © Disney
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics University of Kansas
Presents
- The Dole Forum -
An Evening with
Roger Wilkins
Pulitzer-Prize Winning Journalist & Presidential Historian
Sunday, February 16, 2003, 7:30 p.m. Woodruff Auditorium, Kansas Union Complimentary Tickets (limit 2) are available at all KU Ticket Outlets, Student Union Activities and the Lied Center Box Office or by telephoning (785) 864-2787.