newsmakers

newsmakers

Lawyer says doctor sought CPR machine

LOS ANGELES

An attorney for the promoter of Michael Jackson’s final concerts said Wednesday the singer’s personal physician asked the company for life- saving equipment just days before the pop superstar’s death.

Kathy Jorrie, who works for concert giant AEG Live, testified at the involuntary manslaughter trial of Dr. Conrad Murray that she questioned some of the doctor’s requests, which also included the possibility of hiring a second doctor to assist him.

“Dr. Murray told me Michael Jackson was perfectly healthy, in excellent condition,” Jorrie testified.

She said Murray told her not to worry about Jackson’s condition.

“He’s great,” she recounted the doctor telling her in a conversation the day before Jackson’s death.

Murray asked for a CPR machine in case one wasn’t available at the concert venue at London’s O2 arena, Jorrie explained.

Prosecutors allege Murray caused Jackson’s death by providing him with a lethal dose of the anesthetic propofol and other sedatives without the proper lifesaving equipment or skills.

Earlier in the day, a promoter told jurors that Jackson appeared strong during one of the final rehearsals for the highly anticipated comeback concerts.

Surprise! Rascal Flatts invited to join Opry

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Country-music super group Rascal Flatts is the latest member of the Grand Ole Opry.

The trio was surprised with the news Tuesday night during their performance on the Opry. Twenty-year Opry member Vince Gill made an unscheduled appearance, interrupting singer Gary LeVox, bassist Jay DeMarcus and guitarist Joe Don Rooney midperformance.

After starting with a joke about an unpaid golf debt, Gill extended an invitation to join the Opry. The men had tears in their eyes, and the crowd gave them a standing ovation. They will be formally inducted Oct. 8.

Rascal Flatts is the top-selling country group of the past decade. The trio joins a recent slate of longtime stars invited to join, including Blake Shelton and The Oak Ridge Boys.

Opry membership is among the highest honors for a country musician. It comes with an ambassador-like commitment to the history of the genre and a requirement to perform at least 10 times a year.

Rascal Flatts has sold tens of millions of albums and is one of country music’s largest touring acts, but DeMarcus said Opry membership probably surpasses it all.

“I used to vacation here with my family, and I can remember being a little kid sitting in the very back at the very top of the Opry house and looking down at that stage and that circle and wanting so bad to hopefully someday be on that stage, so for it to come full circle like it has tonight is very emotionally overwhelming,” he said.

Associated Press