Good Riddance in the Key of Green Day – GRAMMY Week Day 4 & 5
Contributing Writer: Rashon A. Massey
Publication: Music Blogger’s Association of America
Website: MusicBloggers.org
Facebook.com/MusicBloggersUS | @MusicBloggersUS
RED CARPET VIDEOS – YouTube.com/MusicBloggersUS
My Virgin America aircraft, suspended with yesterday’s lowering sun resting atop the left wing, sailed the skies West to Midwest. Once concrete grounds untouched are now covered in a winter cough of inconvenience, the blatant reminders I am no longer in LA LA Land. The 54th GRAMMY Awards telecast ceremony has passed, and Rihanna and Taylor Swift are topping some of the Best Dressed Red Carpet lists.
2012 GRAMMY Weekend was more of a relaxing time to just kick back. After a week of traveling neighborhood to city for a plethora of top-notch events, Saturday and Sunday were easily the cherry toppers.
GRAMMY Camp Jazz Session recorded five songs in Studio A at Capitol Records on Saturday. Musician Christian McBride, who would go on to win a GRAMMY the following day, stopped by the recording session to reconnect and visit with his former GRAMMY Camp students. The level of quality and production married between the Studio and instrumentalists, as a whole, were breathtakingly refreshing and beautiful. What an opportunity these students and alumni are receiving throughout GRAMMY Week, and this is in complete thanks to The GRAMMY Foundation. THIS is the tutelage more of our youth should have access to, at some point in their lives. We are responsible for making sure future generations have the outlets, knowledge and opportunities to flourish within any faction of the cultural arts.
GRAMMY Week wrapped the next day, and The Recording Academy sure put on a series of brilliantly executed celebrations and entertainment. From the pre-telecast awards show taking place in the Los Angeles Convention Center through the Brazilian Carnivale-inspired award show after party, the atmosphere was open and well-spirited. I ran into Ice-T and Coco, Michael Rapaport, David Guetta, Derek Trucks and Weird Al.
Melanie Fiona, fresh after her first two GRAMMY wins, circled the lobby in stunned amazement. Her world forever changed, I literally bummed into her and stuck conversation before snapping a picture. Her golden radiance is 100% FRESH GRAMMY SWAGU (thanks Kanye – who garnered several more statuettes for “All of the Lights” and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy). My photo with Skrillex and Diplo came just moments after the first of his three GRAMMY wins, and having chatted with Sonny prior to a couple performances during the span of 2010 – 2011, this was the most calm I’ve ever seen the guy. I attribute this to another instance of 2012 GRAMMY Shock: A state of lucid reality induced by your first GRAMMY win. I’m really honored to have been able to witness and capture those moments with Sonny and Melanie.
In spite of production rearrangement, the televised portion of the 54th GRAMMY Awards ceremony went off without a hitch. GRAMMY performance highlights were surely Bruno Mars and Adele, who electrified with their powerhouse performances. The audience was treated to an exclusive moment with the COLDPLAY performance, as we all donned COLDPLAY bracelets that were activated as remote controlled lights.
During the after party, I toasted and danced with a group who definitely came to party. My iPhone battery was drained, so no picture…but some things are best left OFF camera!
I survived my first GRAMMY Week, bearing no visible scars. Treated to several sets of Paul McCartney, witnessed a Trombone Shorty and Dave Koz Brass-Off, met Sharon Osbourne and Hugh Hefner, chatted with Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson and have a nice digital account of it all and more. I extend extreme thanks and gratitude to MusiCares, The GRAMMY Foundation, The Recording Academy, GRAMMY in the Schools, Music Blogger’s Association of America Twitter and Facebook fans and too many more individual names to list.
Thanks for following along my journey. I sure do appreciate you, and as you can tell, I’ve had a time I will never forget!
Blackbird’s Moment 4 Life -GRAMMY Week Day 3
Contributing Writer: Rashon A. Massey
Publication: Music Blogger’s Association of America
Website: MusicBloggers.org
Facebook.com/MusicBloggersUS | @MusicBloggersUS
RED CARPET VIDEOS – YouTube.com/MusicBloggersUS
The air doesn’t quite smell the same anymore. The trees seem to stand still and the silence becomes deafening. Like watching the serpentitious movement of a blazing fire in slow motion, time becomes thick without boundaries as you can’t escape the walls of your own possibility.
How often do these ‘moments’ happen? Maybe when a mother first holds her newborn child, or possibly when you receive any shocking news heavy enough to hit you like a freight train. Whether tragic or magic, sometimes we even find ourselves asking, years down the line, “Where were you when…,” as a means to understand and comprehend. …and accept.
Each day, life dishes us a series of moments to delve further into the uncanny possibilities of the greatest parts of ourselves. It could be a moment to forgive and embrace, or to love unconditionally and grow. “It” could be many things, but during my time working as the MusiCares Blogger during 2012 GRAMMY Week, I have found myself present in the “It”/moment, while leveling like an uncalibrated scale the weight of my actions that brought me to these places.
GRAMMY Week DAY 3 seemed to not just provide me many reality-to-dream collision moments (see my first GRAMMY Week blog post for clarification), but the day granted me a sense of unselfishness to be open enough to witness the individuals surrounding me experiencing equal enjoyment and satisfaction.
GRAMMY Week DAY 3
The day kicked off with me sitting on the main floor of the Staples Center watching Tony Bennett and Carrie Underwood rehearse their duet for the 54th GRAMMY Awards ceremony. I stated I was sitting, but once Mr. Cool uttered the first words of “It Had to Be You”, I stood from my chair and watched in complete stillness, the same way a dewy blade of grass stands at attention toward the rising morning sun. Eyes fixated and ears open, I could feel the swoon that swept the audience as Bennett exhaled each breath.
I was only able to stay for about a hour, as I had a date at the Conga Room for the Social Media Rockstar Star Summit (#SSMRS for anyone wanting the hash tag to read important information exchanges via Twitter). Upon entering, I received GRAMMY branded iPhone and iPad covers while meeting the kind Louis Vazquez who brought me up to speed on panelist and their respective social media handles. Having attended many panels now addressing the current and evolving states of social media, I must say this event went rather well. I appreciated the knowledgable D.A. Wallach from the band Chester French who is now working with the Spotify team. Though the other panel members seemed to try and corner the musician and Harvard graduate, D.A. confidently spoke on Spotify analytics, trends, forecast and his relationship with dominating social networking as a medium to connect with fans.
After a light reception following, I crossed the LA Live complex to begin my coverage of the MusiCares Person of the Year event honoring Sir Paul McCartney.
I am extremely appreciative of MusiCares allowing me to have a warm-up red carpet with The GRAMMY Foundation’s One Night Only event. From Media Check-In to carpet etiquette, I was comfortable in my own skin and placement. As the carpet opened, I mingled with print outlets US Weekly, Billboard, Rolling Stone and the Hollywood Reporter while Alison Krauss, Sergio Mendes and Valerie Simpson strolled down the ‘step-and-repeat’ line. Shortly thereafter, I was able to jump to the very beginning of the carpet, becoming one of the first press members to greet arrivals. This is REALLY where the fun began!
I might be a solid actor and performer, but when I am not on stage…I am just me. And as legend after legend approached me to conduct brief interview sessions… Chiiiiiiild- I couldn’t keep from smiling from ear to ear. My excitement meeting Bonnie Raitt, Berry Gordy, David Foster, India Arie, Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks (and plenty more) could NOT be contained. I was jumping up and down, gasping for air and doing my giddy dance (a dance when I just bounce my shoulders and tap my feet to no audible consistent beat at all). Each person, kind and compassionate, chatted with me for a couple minutes, and all expressed sincere appreciation and gratitude for the work and presence of MusiCares. I won’t exhaust my red carpet stories, and I will let some of the video chats and photos speak the story of my grand adventure.
MusiCares Person of the Year
I know team MusiCares and many new friends that I’ve met all tried to prepare me for the Person of the Year event, but sadly, even they knew their words were probably in vain. Why? You CAN’T prepare any person for a reception and concert event of that caliber and magnitude. I mean, Jack Nicholson was there. What?!?! Oh yeah. He was.
With so much that happened, I feel it would be best to recap through another bullet highlights list, similar to the one I composed for The GRAMMY Foundation’s One Night Only blog post.
• BEATLES “LOVE” – Cirque du Soleil | Cirque is nothing more than the best circus on earth for adults. The troupe of performers secretly congregated around reception tables and the stage, preparing for the concert presentation to begin. As soon as the lights dimmed, the show SHOT OFF! Costumes, stilts, unicycles and aerialist opened the Person of the Year event, a fine tribute and treat.
• Paul McCartney followed immediately after, picking up the energy left by the BEATLES LOVE brigade. No one expected him to perform so early in the show, and like The Flash – the packed house were up on their feet dancing, moving and grooving.
• Probably my touching moment of the night- Alicia Keys at the piano speaking with her NPR Jazz-like voice. She performs an honest, beautiful cover of “Blackbird” and like the echo to my emotions, the lyrics truly reminded me of how special all attendees were to experience an evening as divine as the Person of the Year event. I think we all sprouted wings together.
• Eddie Izzard was a hoot, comedically hosting via a pseudo-biographical account of Paul McCartney’s life. The tread he used really wove nicely between the performances.
• Like water, Tony Bennett took the stage and his voice was ripe with wisdom and love for Sir Paul.
• Duane Eddy did an instrumental serenade for the audience which became the perfect time for those sitting to pass the table wine around for a refill. The music was present, inviting and comforting. Light chatter and laughter from the audience were the appropriate lone accompanying vocals.
• GRAMMY Darling, Norah Jones, pleaded with her own love as she worked the BEATLES classic “Oh, Darling!”. If you haven’t seen Norah live…what are you waiting for? 
• In fine couture, Katy Perry covers “Hey Jude”, and even though she isn’t powerhousing the song with loud vocals, I appreciate the tenderness and natural blues and jazz of her arrangement.
• Neil Young. “When I Saw Her Standing There”. Fast, meaty and blazing hot. ’nuff said.
• Though I tweeted their cover was acoustic, there was an electric guitar at play; however, the gentle and heartfelt COLDPLAY cover of “We Can Work It Out” should be every guy’s one-time Get Out Of Jail FREE Card in the relationship dating game.
• Like a boss, James Taylor sings “Yesterday”, and his vocal quality makes you think he is still in his 20s. The man sounds fresh off CD.
• Paul McCartney accepts his Person of the Year award handed by Neil Portnow. He graciously accepts with a warm and appreciative speech, before bringing down the house with his latest single “My Valentine” and a series of solo, BEATLES and Wings hits. Yes, if you were there, that was definitely me dancing with the middle aged ladies in the back during this closing set.
ONE NIGHT ONLY, BABY
Contributing Writer: Rashon A. Massey
Publication: Music Blogger’s Association of America
Website: MusicBloggers.org
Facebook.com/MusicBloggersUS | @MusicBloggersUS
I’m proudly blogging from the Staples Center for my Friday blog entry, attempting to pause and gather myself for, as they say, a night to remember.
In just 3 hours, I’ll be Media Check-In in for the MusiCares Person of the Year® event honoring 14-time GRAMMY® Award Winner Sir Paul McCartney; in the meantime, I’m with a couple thousand others, a few of whom are guests gleefully watching preparations for the 54th GRAMMY Award® ceremony. If you would have told me one year ago I would be sitting in this chair mere rows away from the stage and blogging about it for MusiCares, there is a high chance I would have called you foolish…crazy, maybe.
BUT – even though Tony Bennett is right in front of me (He is the pure definition of COOL), I am blogging today about last night’s event.
THE GRAMMY FOUNDATION®’S
14TH ANNUAL MUSIC PRESERVATION PROJECT
“ONE NIGHT ONLY: A CELEBRATION OF
THE LIVE MUSIC EXPERIENCE”
This was my FIRST red carpet experience, and let me tell you… I almost thought I wouldn’t make it on time. For those following my tweets @MusicBloggersUS, you know I arrived just minutes before the carpet was to open to our celebrity arrivals; however, Joseph and Christina made sure I smoothly received my proper credentials and took my assigned position.
I am, by heart, a “people person” and a showman. Haha. I will let the photos and uploaded Carpet interviews paint the full picture.
Now – let’s go inside the event…
The event celebrated The GRAMMY Foundation®’s work with preservation. Taking us on a journey through the influential decades which helped cultivate our culture of live music, the night was filled with stories, hits, soul, laughter and a wealth of love.
*HIGHLIGHTS*
Sharon Osbourne began her duties as Host with great poise and humor, followed by Steve Vai reminiscing about The Doors jamming at Whiskey A Go Go, Madonna playing in his own garage and the impact of seeing Zeppelin at 14 shatter the roof off Madison Square Garden.
STEVE VAI:
“I was sitting right in front in the last seat with the pigeons. The right artist and right stage is magic, and no matter what, you still need to get in front of a crowd of real live humans and play. Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and more all road tested their acts, and this still works for the Civil Wars and Old Crow Medicine Show. Tom Waits was discovered at the Troubadour. He went up every week and would get, maybe, two nights a month, and one day David Geffen shows up to see another band and ends up signing Tom.”
• After introductions, Dave Koz and Trombone Shorty take the stage with a Savoy Jazz tribute. Trombone, like a sly fox, plays before passing the reigns to Koz on sax, and he picks up the riff to blend seamlessly. Like a lone lung sharing breath for two, they pass musical riffs like loosely rolled squares. Trombone adds his Orleans vocals to “Sunny Side of the Street”, and Koz, like a reminder, coasts in behind instrumentally scatting just before Shorty takes to trumpet to match his vocals on brass. Shorty takes to a note which was held for like five minutes; well, it could have been only 1.5 minutes but the point- that talented man HELD that note and the audience in the palm of his hand.
• A Fine Frenzy coily walks the stage in black, paying tribute to The Paramount. The pianist sits to tickle the ivory at a grand Baldwin and frailly begins “I Got You Under My Skin”. A cello waits to play behind her, counting measures by tapping the airborne sound with his bow until his first draw across the strings between her versus. He stops when she sings, and his instrumentation becomes only the echos of her voice in the silence when she is not.
• Ledisi walks out like trophy in tightly sparkled gold, giving us a smirk before starting assured vocals on “Good Morning Heartache”, in tribute to The Apollo. This woman was telling a story from her perspective in a way that I imagine someone like Mr. Tony Bennett would be proud of. Jazz runneth over in her blood.
• GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Mavis Staples strolls on stage as the band groooves out the thumping drums and bass of a funk rendition of “God Bless the Child”. She is such a small woman with a voice that cracked the ceiling the way I dream that Judy Garland would! This is one of those times the music director is having just as much fun, conducting with grand gestures, dance moves and his enthusiastic choir at his finger tips. The dance between Mavis and Director goes smoothly into “I’ll Take You There”, and Trombone Shorty comes back out with Koz. Not to be outdone, Ledisi jogs out with barrels of vocals and positions herself with Mavis between the feuding horns.
I laugh and dance with the audience, as I am remind to save some for the next…
• Shelby Lynn graced us with a fierce outfit, truly taking us on a trek to the Grand Ol Opry.
• Hit songwriter L.P. takes the stage, paying tribute to The Troubadour. From afar, she looks like Dylan but holds a ukulele and feminine poise. She belts out her Citibank Commercial Smash Hit “Somebody Left the Gate Open”, and holds her instruments, both vocal and ukulele, like a triumphant victory while belting the chorus. She is conquering this moment, this song and this audience, and like a pro- she knows it! A man sitting two rows in front of me, a couple seats over, grabs his gals neck and pulls her in for a deep kissing embrace. She flashes him her wedding ring and … They kiss again. Just then, L.P. transitions into a cover of Radiohead’s “Creep”. It is haunting with shaky and ethereal vocals. She slowly steps to the tip of the stage just before the monitors, growling the versus. She wails the chorus the way Thom Yorke would on his best night. With ease she jumps scales on the ‘she runs…’ build, and it is almost operatic. She did a fitting homage to the Crocodile Cafe.
• Robert Cray is introduced like a thunderous lion with the announcement of his recent induction to the Blues Hall of Fame. Of course this guitar man is giving tribute to BB Kings! I often see him in casual wear, but don’t let his fine tailored suit fool you. He sweats while beaming into illumination. Cray successfully wrestles a guitar like a brawny 20-something pinning an alligator who is way past his prime: Cray is confident, assured and happily victorious! He goes through “Still Hot Smoking Gun” and baby… I’ll be darned if everyone doesn’t believe it except for the cute woman beside me who was too cool to even stand for an audience ovation following the Mavis Staples Super Jam.
• Johnny Lang plays “Like A Rolling Stone”. I mean, this guy drips swag and has no idea. This same man, who uses a guitar like sword slaying the heads of his audience, chuckled at the thought of being called ‘Kid Johnny Lang’ by me on the red carpet, but when he plays, you see the soul of Buddy Guy or BB exuding through him. He truly is an old soul musician. If he hasnt been here before, he surely knows how to fake it or rise to the occasion with each performance- an accomplished feat since he was a wee lad. Like an OG, he adjusts his pedal board and effortlessly transitions to “Rock Me Baby”.
• Beverly McClellen, like a mad-fighting bull ready to stake her claim to the prize of the nights performances, grittily gives us a gutsy “Somebody to Love”. It is a great cover.
• Bret Michaels closes the night. The man is … Explosive! I can’t imagine him LIVE in the 80′s because in 2012- he still Rocks Da Hiz-Ous!
When Reality and Dreaming Collide
Contributing Writer: Rashon A. Massey
Publication: Music Blogger’s Association of America
Website: MusicBloggers.org
Facebook.com/MusicBloggersUS | @MusicBloggersUS
GRAMMY Week® is a time when The Recording Academy®, The GRAMMY Foundation® and MusiCares® are able to showcase the work they do the other 364-days aside from Music’s Biggest Night® – the actual televised GRAMMY Awards® Ceremony. The week features events hosted by the three aforementioned organizations, a true labor of love brought to fruition by an ensemble of talent who, by pure dedication and commitment, tirelessly give themselves to an industry and community they whole-heartedly believe in.
I landed in Los Angeles from Chicago, this past Tuesday, February 07. Due to confusion with my car rental and a plethora of tasks which needed to be completed, I was exhausted by the time the setting sun had bid the West Coast it’s final farewell. I had an insatiable urge to trek to My House for the official GRAMMY Week kick-off event that evening, GRAMMY Glam; however, by that point, with the overwhelming need to simply lay down and rest, I very well could have easily been punched in the face to see ‘stars’ and it would have probably left me with the same dazed impression. With a Wednesday morning set to begin at 5:45a (I’m faithfully engaged to cardio workouts during my GRAMMY Week mornings) and a touch of jet lag, I opted to hit the sack and turn-in early.
Wednesday, February 08
My schedule was double-stacked yesterday, with two events organized by The GRAMMY Foundation. Beginning with an 8:30a Media Check-In at GRAMMY Camp – Basic Training®, followed by GRAMMY in the Schools LIVE® at 7p, I would be finding myself grateful for exploring the USC campus where the events were held, and choosing a hotel serving a continental breakfast every morning (That food-turned-energy ended up lasting me most of the day).
GRAMMY Camp – Basic Training®
As soon as I approached the Media Check-In, I met Priscilla Hernandez, a GRAMMY Camp Alumni who has worked her way into an internship position with The Recording Academy. Priscilla would become my touchstone as the day would go on, serving as my campus guide/Gal-pal/GRAMMY Camp Bestie… You get the idea, I’m sure.
Maybe it was the interview I held with Kristen Madsen and coming to understand The GRAMMY Foundation’s commitment to fostering and cultivating music education and cultural access for our youth, but GRAMMY Camp – Basic Training kept echoing her very words through real-life examples.
For many (including myself for a while), the music industry is a dreamlike monolith of sorts, I imagine. When you strike a conversation with a person who is of the “creative music bunch”, sometimes you can hear the passion and desire they have for their talent but not one clear way of bringing their dreams to reality. It’s that music industry monolith standing in their way! They don’t know where to begin, who to ask, what to know, how to do it… They are prayerfully pulling straws.
As I jumped from one classroom session to the next during GRAMMY Camp – Basic Training, I marveled at these PACKED rooms of high school students receiving first-hand mentorship, advice, direction and inspiration from the people they aspired to someday ‘be like’ or work with; moreover, to share in my experience of witnessing artistic development was the now college student, Priscilla, who once was a dreamer just like those students, and with GRAMMY Camp guidance, has begun to pave her own road to the living, waking dream. Here I have a young woman who has every resource at her fingertips to blossom into the professional she wants to become.
Personally, celebrities are neat, but the people who really give me the excited shakes are the behind the scenes folk. By noon, I was able to really get my first round of shakes. From Neil Portnow and Jimmy Jam to my lovely ladies – Chris Cassidy, Kristen Madsen and Hilary Ratner, I was able to FINALLY meet the people who not only blessed me with this GRAMMY Week opportunity and experience, but the other individuals who are making the waking dreams happen for our youth across America. Though this meeting/introduction took place during a Press Reception, I can almost guarantee I will cherish those initial introductions forever.
GRAMMY in the Schools LIVE®
After darting back to my hotel to change from casual to dressy casual, I went back to the USC campus for GRAMMY in the Schools LIVE. A night with performances featuring Anthony Hamilton, Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding, GRAMMY Camp – Jazz Session and the GRAMMY Camp Alumni Band, I knew this night would be phenomenal.
After one-on-one interviews with Terri Lyne, Neil Portnow, Anthony Hamilton and Esperanza Spalding (all of which I am uploading to YouTube for everyone), I sat back and was taken on a journey. I am not sure where they found these kids or what’s in the water that these students are drinking… But WOW! GRAMMY Camp is bubbling over with talent. While EVERY child was exceptional, my lasting memories are of the gypsy-fingered guitarist, Lucas del Calvo, pianist Antonio Madruga and a fella who just blew the roof off with his cover of “Tightrope” by Janelle Monae, Mr. Segun Oluwadele. I was too busy dancing in my chair to record a snip of his performance, but hopefully someone will make that footage available.
The night wrapped with Terri Lyne and Esperanza taking us on a jazz walk with the GRAMMY Camp Choir and members of the Band, followed by Anthony Hamilton who soulfully crooned us all like an Al Green lullaby.
Walking around campus afterwards under the blanket of night stars, I was wrapped in the rich smells of magnolia and hyacinth. I stopped, took a breath, and reminded myself to ‘stay in the moment’. I’ve been known to say,
“Sometimes you have to just breathe when you find your reality colliding head on with your dreams.”
Jason Mraz Biography
According to Wikipedia, Jason Mraz was born in Mechanicsville, Virginia on June 23, 1977.
Of his hometown, Mraz says it was “very American. There were white picket fences, a church on every street corner, low crime and virtually no drug use. It was a good place to grow up.” His often mispronounced last name is a Czech word meaning “frost.” During high school, Jason Mraz participated in theater productions and at one point played the lead in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. After high school, Mraz attended The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, NY and studied musical theater there. It wasn’t until the age of 18 that Jason picked up his first guitar.
Jason Mraz Music
Known as Mr. A-Z for both his unique way of singing lyrics faster than the brain can process and also as a clever nod to his last name, Jason Mraz rose to fame in 2002. His debut single “The Remedy (I Won’t Worry)” from his debut album Waiting for My Rocket to Come gained quite a large following. Mraz gained commercial success for his second album, Mr. A-Z, and international success followed on his third album, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things. His song, “I’m Yours” broke records when it stayed in the Billboard Hot 100 for 76 weeks, beating the previous record of 69 weeks. Jason Mraz’s music is influenced by reggae, pop, rock, folk, jazz, bossa nova and hip hop and when listening to a Mraz record each and every one of those influences is apparent.
Jason Mraz Discography
- Live at Java Joe’s (2001)
- Waiting for My Rocket to Come (2002)
- Mr. A-Z
- We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things (2008)
Jason Mraz’s Personal Life
Mraz tries his best to live a health-conscious lifestyle. He mainly sticks to a raw vegan diet. In Northern San Diego County, Mraz owns an avocado farm.
“MusiCares® Person of the Year dinner is always one of my favorite things to do…”
The MusiCares®annual Person of the Year gala honors a legendary performer for their creative accomplishments as well as their charitable work, and is typically held two nights prior to the annual GRAMMY Awards® telecast in February. You can hear what else Mraz has to say about this unique event in the video interview below:
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In our 20 year history, MusiCares® has helped nearly 70,000 music people in their time of need.
We need your help to continue providing assistance to the Music Community! Please log on to www.beapartoftheheart.com and donate to MusiCares® today!
Be a Hero to Music! Learn about More Ways YOU Can Help MusiCares® Today!
Taylor Swift may be young in age, but in terms of the music industry, she is practically a veteran. Taylor began her career in music when she was merely 14 years old. Jimmy Fallon revealed that a computer repairman made the sparks fly when he showed a 12 year old Swift how to play three chords on an acoustic guitar. It was after that that Taylor wrote her first song titled, “Lucky You.” Influenced by Dolly Parton, Shania Twain and Patsy Cline, Taylor once told Oprah Winfrey that after seeing LeAnn Rimes live in concert, she knew she wanted to be a country singer.
Taylor Swift & Her Biography of Songs
Taylor Swift’s lyrics are known to be mostly autobiographical and she has always been very open in that way. She believes that if you’re listening to her music, you should feel like you’re reading her diary, and in that way, perhaps you feel like Swift reads your own. That’s what makes her album Speak Now so interesting for her fans. Listening to each track makes you wonder exactly who she is writing about and finding out the truth may spoil the fun. But for some fans, figuring out the mystery is a fun game they are able to win. It has been said that many of the guys Taylor has written about have been tracked down in one way or another by her fans.
Taylor Swift Facts
- Taylor Swift was the youngest staff songwriter ever hired by the Sony/ATV Tree publishing house.
- The 21 year old likes quilts. “Probably because I’m always freezing cold,” says Swift.
- Her car is nicknamed “Toyoat.”
- Her lucky number is 13.
- She is a Sagittarius (born December 13)
- She is only third country artist this decade to hold a number-one sales position for 20 weeks or more.
Taylor Swift on Tour
Taylor Swift has partnered with Tickets-For-Charity.com to offer exclusive seats to her fans, benefitting MusiCares®. As of this writing, most tour dates look to be sold out, but there are a few dates with seats still available. The Taylor Swift Speak Now World Tour will continue in the United States through November before the Taylor Swift concert tour heads to Australia and New Zealand.
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In our 20 year history, MusiCares® has helped nearly 70,000 music people in their time of need.
We need your help to t continue providing assistance to the Music Community! Please log on to www.beapartoftheheart.com and donate to MusiCares® today!
Be a Hero to Music! Learn about More Ways YOU Can Help MusiCares® Today!
They Started The Civil Wars
Joy Williams and John Paul White met during a songwriting session in 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee just a few years ago. A lot can happen in such a short time. Since they teamed up, their song “Poison & Wine” was featured on Grey’s Anatomy, and their EP debuted at number four on the iTunes singer/songwriter top albums chart. The Civil Wars were selected by Paste Magazine as part of their “Best of What’s Next” and were added to VH1’s list of “You Oughta Know” that features artists who are on the rise. The accolades just kept coming for the duo as they were nominated for a CMT best duo video of the year award for their “Barton Hollow” music video.
What Everyone’s Saying About The Civil Wars
The band has been recognized by Taylor Swift, who is apparently a big fan and has tweeted about The Civil Wars as well as adding “Poison & Wine” to her official iTunes playlist, saying, “I think this is my favorite duet. It’s exquisite.” As though that recognition were not enough, Adele then selected Joy and John Paul to open for her on tour. When a superstar like Adele says “The Civil Wars are the best live band I have ever seen,” those are some large words to live up to. KCRW says “The Civil Wars are a bonafide phenomenon.” The LA Times also says, “through bands like The Civil Wars, a new music industry in born.”
In Their Own Words
Joy Williams says that before meeting John Paul White she would “naturally bend pop” and grew up listening to Billie Holiday and The Beach Boys. However, she says of John Paul, “when he started singing, I somehow knew where he was heading musically and could follow him, without ever having met him before. And that had never happened to me.” On the other hand, John Paul says he grew up with a “retro-country-favoring dad” so he was influenced by Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, and Townes Van Zandt: “Somehow we’re pulling from each other what we crave and what our strengths are.” Their music may lean more towards his influencers than hers but both believe it’s a perfect blending.
Helping Music, Artists and MusiCares®
We don’t need to tell you why you should listen to the Civil Wars and support MusiCares®, the Civil Wars have their own reasons which they shared on their Facebook page:
“Friends…MusiCares filled with people who have love fir evert [sic] artist they help; from the sick to just the artist in need when the colors of life are not as bright, Please help us support this great non-profit cause; “Like” facebook/MusiCares and then go and donate here: http://bit.ly/BAPOTH ! Thank You!”
How much do we appreciate their support on twitter? A WHOLE bunch!
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In our 20 year history, MusiCares® has helped nearly 70,000 music people in their time of need.
We need your help to continue providing assistance to the Music Community! Please log on to www.beapartoftheheart.com and donate to MusiCares® today!
Be a Hero to Music! Learn about More Ways YOU Can Help MusiCares® Today!
Just about everyone knows Patrick Vaughn Stump. Most know him simply as Patrick Stump. Many more know him as the lead singer of Fall Out Boy. In February of 2011, Patrick Stump went solo, releasing a 6 song EP titled Truant Wave. On October 18, 2011 Patrick Stump released his solo debut, Soul Punk.
Patrick Stump Solo
According to his biography, Patrick Stump taught himself to play guitar and has always looked up to Prince and David Bowie. When he tried out for Fall Out Boy, Stump had no previous experience as a singer and was actually auditioning to be their drummer. He’d also never had a singing lesson. It wasn’t too long until the other members of Fall Out Boy discovered his vocal abilities. His musical influences are extremely varied, including Michael Jackson, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, and Nat King Cole. His voice and musical style have been said to fit perfectly into R&B and at the same time he has arguably one of the best voices in pop punk.
Transforming Music and Patrick Stump
On Soul Punk, you’ll find just that: a mix of soul music and punk. Since Stump’s style of singing has never quite fit into R&B but never quite fit into punk, it seems natural that he would create his own genre. In a recent interview with Us Weekly, Patrick says that it was like he was “carving out a sound.” He also talks about his amazing weight loss of over 60 pounds and describes it as a way of no longer hiding.
Patrick Stump and Fall Out Boy
According to the same interview with Patrick about a reunion of Fall Out Boy, he says “It’s definitely a hiatus, but we’ll see. There are no plans to get back together, and there are no plans not to get back together.” Soul Punk is in stores now.
Why Patrick Stump Supports MusiCares®?
“I have to make music to survive. It’s what I am and what I live for. But what if I couldn’t afford to make music anymore? Or had a health problem that kept me from doing the thing that makes me feel more alive than anything else? That’s why I support MusiCares and am A Part Of The Heart helping to raise money for music people who have hit hard times. I hope you’ll join me here.”
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In our 20 year history, MusiCares®® has helped nearly 70,000 music people in their time of need.
We need your help to t continue providing assistance to the Music Community! Please log on to www.beapartoftheheart.com and donate to MusiCares® today!
Be a Hero to Music! Learn about More Ways YYOU Can Help MusiCares® Today!
The Story of the Eli Young Band
As their official website says, “it’s a crazy-good story.” We have to agree. Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones, and Chris Thompson comprise everything crazy-good about the Eli Young Band (EYB). Its members met when they were students in college. Mike Eli and James Young roomed together as freshmen. Both were guitar players and it was then that they began writing and singing songs together under the name Eli & Young. In short time they evolved into what EYB is today with Chris Thompson on drums and Jon Jones on bass. The guys made the decision that the group would only move forward if all four of the founding members were in. Going to school at University of North Texas, these band members have been together for over 10 years. Of course all of this “crazy” stuff has everything to do with their hit single, “Crazy Girl.” But it’s EYB’s fans who love them like crazy.
In the Recording Studio with the Eli Young Band
In an interview with Country Music Rocks, the guys open up about the recording process. They say, as you could probably already imagine from these close friends, that at times their stomachs hurt from laughing so much. They also discuss their more mature sound and you’ll find out each member’s favorite song on their newest release, Life At Best.
Success and the Members of Eli Young Band
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? They say you’ve hit it big when people are talking about you. So what about when fans are singing your songs? Joseph Somers Morales, known to his fans as Joseph SOMO, made a video singing “Crazy Girl” that inspired EYB to hold a contest to find the best cover of “Crazy Girl.” Joseph SOMO ended up winning with over 3,000 votes. His cover and Cody Tarpley’s can be viewed right here:
The Eli Young Band and MusiCares®: Perfect Together!
EYB has Become A Part of the Heart! You can find them in the mosaic to see why they support MusiCares®:
“To be able to make music for one album, one song, one show, one moment that impacts someone’s life through music is a gift. In times of need, joining together and coming along side others in our industry who love music and work in all aspects to share it, is a welcome obligation. Thank you for joining the MusiCares® mosaic and supporting the Be A Part Of The Heart campaign.”
And, like so many of our wonderful supporters this past year, they asked their loyal fans to support the cause!
Huge thanks to the Eli Young Band for all their help!
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In our 20 year history, MusiCares® has helped nearly 70,000 music people in their time of need.
We need your help to continue providing assistance to the Music Community! Please log on to www.beapartoftheheart.com and donate to MusiCares® today!.
Be a Hero to Music! Learn about More Ways YOU Can Help MusiCares® Today!
From Utah to the World
You’ve heard of Neon Trees. We know that you have. You’ve heard their song “Animal” on the hit TV show Glee, inside stores like American Eagle Outfitters and Hollister…everywhere on the planet, basically. If you are alive, you have heard the song.
“We think Glee is hilarious, gives an important focus back to the arts in school, and in an ever changing musical industry, promotes music in an interesting way. We’re happy they love ‘Animal.’” – Tyler Glenn, guitarist.
Who are Neon Trees
Neon Trees is made up of Chris Allen, Tyler Glenn, Elaine Bradley, and Brandon Campbell. Tyler Glenn and Chris Allen were neighbors in Provo, Utah, and eventually Branden Campbell and Elaine Bradley were added to the band. Their name comes from the lighted trees of the In-N-Out Burger signs.
“I always do a lot of weird screams and yelps in the bathroom.” – Tyler Glenn, guitarist on warming up before shows.
Facts About Utah According To Neon Trees
MTV’s Buzzworthy Blog has given us some interesting insight into what their fans should know about Utah.
- It’s the home of the original KFC
- TROLL 2 was filmed in Utah
- Apolo Ohno lives in Utah
- Gary Coleman lives in Utah
- FOOTLOOSE was filmed in Utah
“Being in this band is like an arranged marriage where divorce is not an option, and I’m OK with that.” – Elaine Bradley, drummer
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In our 20 year history, MusiCares® has helped nearly 70,000 music people in their time of need.
We need your help to continue providing assistance to the Music Community! Please log on to www.beapartoftheheart.com and donate to MusiCares® today!
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Be a Hero to Music! Learn about More Ways YOU Can Help MusiCares® Today!
Be a Part of the Heart
Each dollar you DONATE provides assistance for music people in need. Your donation will HELP FUND our programs for music people who have fallen on hard times: Emergency Financial Assistance, Addiction Recovery, Healthy Essentials, and Safe Harbor Rooms.
