For anyone who’s maintained that Michael Jackson had only innocent intentions with those child stars he used to hang out with, Aaron Carter seems to have just blown that happy little theory out of the water. Carter says that while he misses the late pop star, he’s troubled about what Jackson did to him—which included giving him drugs when he was just 15 years old.

The 23-year-old, who is the younger brother of Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter, told Australia’s OK! magazine that he “spent such incredible times” with Jackson when he was a young teenager, but that the friendship eventually became uncomfortable.

He gave me wine. I mean, I could have refused, but I was 15. As for drugs? He gave me cocaine. I felt weird about that and other stuff … We spoke afterwards, hours and hours, on the phone. I admired Michael, but his behavior bothered me a lot.

Even more disturbing is Carter’s comment that he “did things with (Jackson) that nobody else did.” I mean, maybe he’s talking about playing bridge, but … well, creepy, right?

It’s also disturbing to think about what kind of long-lasting effects Jackson may have had on the children he spent time with. Carter has certainly had his share of troubles over the years, including being arrested in 2008 for investigation of marijuana possession, and entering a treatment facility this past January for “emotional and spiritual issues.”

Macaulay Culkin was another young star that Jackson become close with around the time of that first Home Alone movie. I mean, the kid was what, 10 years old at the time? Yet somehow his parents allowed him to repeatedly stay at Jackson’s Neverland Ranch and even go on vacation with Jackson to places like Bermuda and Disney World. In 2005, Jackson’s former cook testified that he had seen Jackson groping Culkin—around the time Jackson was accused of plying a 13-year-old with wine as a prelude to sexually fondling him.

Culkin has also dealt with drug issues in his later years: in 2004 he was charged with marijuana possession and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.

We only know what’s happened with Carter and Culkin because they’re still in the public eye—what about all the other kids Jackson glommed onto back in the day? How many of them are working through problems of their own now, whether as a result of being exposed to drugs and alcohol at a young age, or because of something even more unsavory?

No way to know for sure, I guess, but it sure complicates the King of Pop’s legacy. If Carter’s statements are true, I have no idea how anyone can continue to defend Michael Jackson for the way he behaved when he was still alive.

What do you think about this confession from Carter? Do you believe him?

This weekend you gotta be careful!! Alot of people get stupid and drink and drive or blow there hands off with fireworks.. How many times do you have to hear of things like this happening on the news, or someone you know??? REALLY!! Be cool and be safe…. At B97 we’re gonna be safe with tix all WEEKEND long!! It’s Red, WIZ, & Blue weekend!! Wiz Khalifa will be in town next week and you’ll go!! Be listening for the exact time to call and win tix:) Happy 4th of July!

I was driving down a street the other day when I saw a guy holding the wood above his car.  It wasn’t tied down or anything. He was holding onto it with his hand.  Why do the cops stop random people with expired tags, when there are real dangerous vehicles on the road?

Let’s also mention one of his back lights is burned out.

Get ready to shop.

Retailers from department-store giants to discounters to home-and-garden stores are unloading excess inventory in droves in the coming days and weeks as they make room for the all-important back-to-school season.

Retailers saddled with merchandise that didn’t move as consumers reined in spending on discretionary goods, particularly apparel, amid high prices at the gas pump and an overall sluggish economy — not to mention uncooperative spring weather — are price cutting in a big way.

“Clearance inventory continues to be building across the mall with a number of retailers promoting additional offerings on already reduced merchandise, according to Adrienne Tennant, a retail analyst at Janney Capital Markets.

“Full-price racks continue to go largely unnoticed with the majority of mall traffic huddled in the back of stores scavenging for the yet-again-unavoidable clearance offerings,” she said.

That’s leading to sales reminiscent of the 2008 holiday season when merchandise was marked down 50% to 80%.

Kohl’s, for example, is even taking a holiday-season promotions path to clear its shelves with early-bird and night-owl sales Friday and Saturday and in-store sales with 60% to 70% across most categories and as much as 80% on final clearance.

Nordstrom is taking 30% to as much as 60% off some summer apparel like 55% off a Kate Spade dress originally priced at $445.

Abercrombie & Fitch, which didn’t even enter the sales fray until last year, has a 40% off already-reduced summer wear that prices women’s tank shirts as low as $5.94 and men’s hoodies, once carrying price tags of $100 now at $29.94, both online and in store. And that’s before the weekend begins.

American Eagle Outfitters is slashing prices as much as 60% to help get rid of things like men’s graphic T’s at $11.99 and some women’s dresses as low as $19.99.

Express is shaving as much as 70% off summer shirts and shorts for men and women with an extra 20% off already-reduced apparel. At that rate, a short skirt is available at a bargain-basement price of $7.99.

It seems few consumers bought anything full price at the Gap, which is part of why its summer sale price cuts are up to 60% with an additional 40% off some sale items.

Watch too for flash sales, those that only last a few hours or days. Most are online sales such as the Midday Dash events at Neiman Marcus that offered up to 65% off selected items.

Online you can find up to 55% off regular prices even on designer merchandise. A Michael Kors shift dress, for example, was advertised at $1,202, nearly $600 off the original price.

Sears is taking 30% to 60% off everything from swimsuits to patio furniture. Ditto at Crate and Barrel — for furniture, not swimsuits. It’s pushing 60% off on selected summer merchandise and promoting “major markdowns” on furniture floor samples and one-of-a-kind items.

Home Depot is hacking 25% off select appliances as well as price cuts on patio furniture, outdoor play sets and gardening gear.

Borders has a coupon you can get online and print out for 20% off the entire purchase on books you buy in the stores for a limited time.

At Barnes and Noble’s stores you’ll find some books as much as 75% off with prices as low as $1.99.

Even the MLB.com has deep discounts, such as flash sales of 25% off.

There’s nothing like being on stage with Stevie G.  Last night was NewBee Fest 1 and I can’t explain what it’s like being up there with him.  Every second is fun and he gives me the energy to do anything up there.  I’m usually really nervous on stage, but he pulls whatever is in me out.

Thank you everyone who came out last night and who watched online.  Most of all, thank you to my partner in everything, Stevie G.  I love him more everyday.

Natty took my phone to play angry birds and then I noticed, instead of playing the game, she was taking pictures of me.   How do kids learn to use stuff so fast? She’s only 3 and she knows how to use my cell phone better than most people.  I’m not gonna say better than me, cuz I know how to use my phone LOL

It’s still amazing how kids learn so fast.  Here is the picture she took of me this morning.

President Obama told a 14-year-old girl named Payton Wall that he would hook her up to meet her hero, Justin Bieber. Wall lost her father in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, and recently wrote a letter to President Obama telling him her story and just happened to slip in a tidbit about her love for the Biebs.

After joining the President at Ground Zero back in May, she was told that her wildest dreams were coming true: Obama would arrange a meeting between Wall and his “buddy” Justin. And sure enough, he did. Payton became a true Belieber on Saturday, when she, her sister Avery, and best friend Madison met with Bieber at Macy’s in Herald Square in New York City.

Um, can you say jealous?!

The foursome rendezvoused on the VIP section of the store’s eighth floor. Justin greeted them, pushed his hair to the side, and said “Hi.” And then all three girls collectively fainted, and that was it.

… OK, I’m joking. He did, however, ask them how they liked his new perfume, and if they were wearing it. Selena, watch out — sounds like Justin’s making the moves on a younger woman! Of course, to honor her new pal Barack, Payton carried a life-size cardboard cutout of the President, and posed with her two favorite men in a few shots.

Seriously, the President’s doing some good here, don’t you think? I’m not saying there aren’t, erm, some other pressing issues to take care of. But think about how much this meant to Payton? This was monumental! She will most likely frame this photograph and keep it above her bed for the entirety of her existence. Hope her future (and all her boyfriends, before then!) doesn’t mind.

What do you think about Payton getting to meet Justin Bieber?

Ok so last week I blogged about how Katy didn’t want to meet her fans… I got word today that she will now do a meet and greet here in New Orleans… I am very happy and can’t wait to have this on the air:)) GO KATY!!!

I got a new dishwasher and this is my friend Johnny installing it.  After watching him do that, I am much more handy than I was before.  Installing appliances is not as hard as you think.  I’m learning so much and now I know my way around a home depot.

Thanks Best Friend Johnny, you’re the coolest!

See all the pictures at http://www2.b97.com/photos/gallery/329