Critics Silenced

Now that is how you silence your critics. Slow clap Beyonce... Slow clap.

"Any Questions?"

Countdown to Touchdown

Okay Beyonce its almost time to show us what you got!

Not Funny... Wait Yes It Is.

This is terrible, yet hilarious at the same time. 

Why can't I stop laughing....

Photo of the Day

Just found this over at Rollingstone.com and I love it. Its Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite performing at Irving Plaza in NY to celebrate their album "Get Up!".

Trivia Time!

Q: What was Ray Chalres real last name?

A: Robinson

Q: How old was Buddy Holly when he died? 22? 32? 42?

A: 22

Top 5 Super Bowl Halftime Performances

Okay Okay well it seems as if there is a little debate on what was the best SB Halftime performance in the history of the event. While I'm sticking with my Michael Jackson pick for number 1. Here is what in my opinion are the other "Top 5 Halftime Performances"

1. Michael Jackson

 (reasons stated below)

2. U2 

The year 2002. It was about 5 months after we experienced 9/11 and who else to bring emotions to the big game than my man Bono. Songs like "Where the Streets Have No Name" and "Beautiful Day" were perfect for the event. Not to mention Bono the front man running through the crowd and around the crowd at amazing speeds. How that man has enough energy to do that amazes me. But either way they put on a show that will stand the test of time. Easily would have been my #1 if not for MJ.

3. Paul McCartney

I love Paul McCartney so its not strange that his performance is in my top 3. While the setlist was a bit odd "Drive My Car" and "Get Back".... you can never go wrong closing with "Live and Let Die" or "Hey Jude" and lets be honest he could get up there on his piano and play "Chopsticks" and I would have still had him in my top 5. It was probably a safe bet booking McCartney this year... I mean it was the year after the crazy controversial Justin Timberlake/Janet Jackson debacle. 

4. Diana Ross

Oh Diana Ross. What can I say more about Diana that I haven't already said on this blog. I love this woman. She is such a Diva in the best possible ways. She was invited to play the Super Bowl for its 30 year anniversary. Instead of donig the elaborate sets and crazy special effects she paid homage to her Supremes roots with a medley of songs from that era including "Baby Love" and "Stop in the Name of Love". Anyone who is a fan of music would have enjoyed her performance.

My favorite part is the performances of "I Will Survive" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". Especially when her helicopter flew down, landed on the field and she got in during her performance and flew away just like a boss... or a Ross... 

Either way it was a badass Diva move to pull, and she pulled it off flawlessly. 

5. Prince

This post is for my boyfriend because well I'm afraid if I do not add Prince to this list my great relationship will be short lived. I will admit this, I'm not the biggest Prince fan. Shock! I know I know. I have mad respect for the man and what he has done for the music industry but I'm just not a die hard. What he does doesn't get me all crazy. But I will give him this. The combination of "All Along the Watchtower" Into "Best of You" and finishing with "Purple Rain" could have been the best closing halftime songs in show history. 

I can't find a video to post. I'll keep looking

And there you have it. My top 5. Beyonce has some big shoes to fill this weekend, I really don't think she will do too bad. I mean it won't be hard to top Madonna from last year right?

I'm rooting for you B.

And Now The Best Halftime Show

Yesterday I was talking about the worst Super Bowl Halftime performance (thank you Black Eyed Peas) and now I bring you what was hands down the best.

Nobody can touch MJ on this one.

Ellie Goulding - Explosions

That was "Explosions" from Ellie Goulding. And well if you have been reading this blog for a little bit of time you will know that I broke this girls story years ago while she was still a small act in the UK. Now she is trying her best to make it here in America and well I think she is doing a stellar job. She finally has some exposure on the pop charts with her hit "Anything Can Happen" and from what I'm reading her shows are becoming bigger and bigger and I'm excited for her. I like this video because it gives you a glimpse into Ellie behind the scenes. 

Again if you have not picked up her album yet please do so. It was one of the best records of 2012.

Do it!

Goodbye 30 Rock.

Tonight will be a very sad night in my apartment. I have watched every single episode of 30 rock and tonight I am forced to say goodbye to Liz Lemon and crew. In all honesty this show has got to rank in the top 5 of smartest shows to ever exist. Its smart funny and too bad most of America missed out on this comedic gem, rather watching shows with quick laughs like The Big Bang Theory. Tina Fey's writing style was perfect for this show and the characters. I just don't know what I will do on Thursday nights unless they extend my other favorite Parks and Recreation to an hour (hint hint). 

My favorite is what Tina wrote in her book Bossypants about the show. And can't we all learn from this somehow?

“There is one other embarrassing secret I must reveal, something I’ve never admitted to anyone. Though we are grateful for the affection 30 Rock has received from critics and hipsters, we were actually trying to make a hit show. We weren’t trying to make a low-rated critical darling that snarled in the face of conventionality. We were trying to make Home Improvement and we did it wrong. You know those scientists who were developing a blood-pressure medicine and they accidentally invented Viagra? We were trying to make Viagra and we ended up with blood-pressure medicine.”

If 30 Rock is looked back upon at as a failure... then I never want to succeed in anything in my life!

I don't know how to pay tribute to this type of show so I will do it in two ways. One in a video clip of Liz Lemons best moments (any woman can relate to her) and the second will be some of my favorite quotes from the series last seven seasons.

“Affirmative action was designed to keep women and minorities in competition with each other to distract us while white dudes inject AIDS into our chicken nuggets.” – Tracy

“No, Tracy took advantage of my white guilt, which is supposed to be used only for good, like over-tipping and supporting Barack Obama.” – Liz

“I don’t have any money if that’s what you’re after. And I’m not one of those girls that does weird stuff in bed because they think they have to. If you’re a gay guy looking for a beard, I don’t do that anymore. And if you’re trying to harvest my organs and sell them, I have an uncle who’s a cop so don’t even try it.” – Liz

“Lemon, I would like to teach you something. I would like to be Michelle Pfeiffer to your angry black kid who learns that poetry is just another way to rap.” – Jack

“I believe that the moon does not exist. I believe that vampires are the world’s greatest golfers but their curse is they never get a chance to prove it. I believe that there are 31 letters in the white alphabet. Wait… what was the question?” – Tracy

“Boy, it’s crazy to think we used to settle questions of paternity by dunking a woman in water until she admitted she made it all up. Different time, the ’60s.” – Dr. Spaceman

“The Black Crusaders are a secret group of powerful Black Americans. Bill Cosby and Oprah Winfrey are the chief majors, but Jesse Jackson, Colin Powell and Gordon from Sesame Street, they’re members too, and they meet four times a year in the skull of the Statue of Liberty. You can read about that on the Interweb.” – Tracy

“Never go with a hippie to a second location.” – Jack

“Look how Greenzo’s testing! They love him in every demographic — colored people, broads, fairies, commies. Gosh we gotta update these forms.” – Jack

“Stop eating people’s old French fries, pigeon! Have some self respect! Don’t you know you can fly?” – Tracy

“If reality TV has taught us anything, it’s that you can’t keep people with no shame down.” – Liz

“Go to Disneyland? Lemon, I’ve held Walt Disney’s frozen head in my hands.” – Jack

“We have a show tonight. I’ve never missed a show. Not even the time I had that virus they kept saying only raccoons get.” – Liz

“The Kid’s Choice Awards? Fine, I’ll set aside my feud with Raven-Symoné for one day, but she knows what she did.” – Jenna

“I know it’s a girl, Liz Lemon, because I yelled out ‘Susan B. Anthony’ at the moment of conception.” – Tracy

“You can do some serious subway flirting before you realize the guy is homeless.” – Liz

“Michael Kors is a friend — we own a gay racehorse together — and I convinced him to make wizard cloaks fashionable this winter.” – Jack

“My heart’s pounding like I’m watching Oprah’s farewell season.” – Liz

“I’m still smart enough to know that I’ll never do better than you Liz Lemon, cause you’re a cook in the bedroom and a whore in the kitchen.” – Dennis

“That sofa is made from Seabiscuit.” – Jack

“This is a nightmare. My nemeses — Abigail Breslin and that woman from those Progressive Insurance commercials — are in the audience.” – Jenna

“Come on Donaghy. You’ve skied Mount St. Helens, made eye contact with Michelle Bachman, been trapped under a boulder for 128 hours, you’re not scared of anything.” – Jack

“I feel like Oscar the Grouch today, and not just because I woke up in a garbage can this morning startling someone named Gordon.” – Tracy

“If you’re ordering me an edible arrangement to say thanks, I’d prefer a meat one.” Liz

“From now on you write and shoot the whole season in two weeks, likeWheel of Fortune or Fox News.” – Jack

“I assumed it was the bottle of wine with the card reading ‘Dear Doritos, what about just selling bags full of your dust? I could put it on chicken or fish…’” – Jack

Also click on this link HERE. Trust me.

Goodbye 30 Rock. I will one day own all your DVD's and figure out all of your jokes. :)

Final word from Tina Fey that she told her crew while filming the final scene "I hope you're so proud of the work that we did. Cause a lot of shows work long hours, but we worked hard during those long hours and what we made was really good. And it's gonna stand the test of time and you will all be home now to watch it in syndication on Fox"

Alabama Shakes To Perform on SNL

Yaaay Alabama Shakes!!!

This is a band who I have been tracking for quite a while on this blog and I am so happy that they are finally getting their due. Not only are they (my favorite) to win Best New Artist at the Grammy's next month but SNL has just announced that they will be musical guests for its February 16th episode featuring Django Unchained star Christoph Waltz.

Whoot Whoot!

JT To Perform at Grammy's

They are really pushing for viewers aren't they?

The Grammy Awards announced today that they have convinced Justin Timberlake to perform at next months show. Maybe, just maybe people will tune in for this.

Highly doubt it but you know that is what they are hoping. 

Flaming Lips Super Bowl Ad

It kind of bums me out that companies release their Super Bowl ads before the actual day but oh well. Here is one for Hyundai that features the band the Flaming Lips and their music.

Its sure to be one of the more colorful spots on Sunday... 

Oscars Pulling Out Big Guns

It looks like the Oscars are pulling out the big guns for the show in February. First the announced that both Adele and Norah Jones will be performing their nominated songs but now Ms. Streisand!

Barbara has won two Academy Awards herself but only has performed on the telecast once. It will be her first performance on the show in 36 years.

Very cool.

'Entourage' Movie

Men all over the world just cheered. 

Warner Brothers has announced today that a movie version of the HBO Series Entourage that ran from 2004-2011. Hopefully the movie will save face for the series who in my opinion took a dive the last two seasons. 

Either way it will be fun to see what Vinnie Chase and his boys are up to. 

Johnny Cash Stamp!

This is a pretty badass stamp.

Frank Sinatra's Stereo System

This is pretty cool. 

Slow Jam The News: Debt Ceiling

I didn't sleep particularly well last night. I blame Jimmy Fallon and Brian Williams. Once I saw that Brian was going to be a guest on his show, I knew what would follow so I forced myself to stay up. It was worth it but man am I tired.

Here are the two doing what they do best.... Slow Jamming the News!!

Worst Super Bowl Halftime Show

Unless you have been living under a rock you know that the Super Bowl is this Sunday and that Beyonce is set to perform at halftime. Lets for a second remember what was the worst one in recent history. We don't have to look back too far, just 2011 when they gave it to the Black Eyed Peas.

Terrible... Just Terrible.

Music Trivia

Q: At one point in time, the Beatles were in which tax bracket?

(I do not find these)

-Over 95% of their income?

-Over 75% of their income?

-Over 50% of their income?

A: Over 95% of their incomes - hence the song "Tax Man"

My Day Today

Tom Petty - Wildflowers

I love Tom Petty. He is extremely simple and his songs are well crafted and amazing. Seriously, what is there no to like? No really I'm asking...

This next song is one of my favorite he sings simply because of the lyrics. They are close to perfect. I mean the album that it came off of is rated #12 in Rolling Stone's list of 'Best Album of the 90s' so I'm not alone here. 

Enjoy "Wildflowers"

"You belong among the wildflowers

You belong in a boat out at sea

Sail away, kill off the hours

You belong somewhere you feel free

Run away, find you a lover

Go away somewhere all bright and new

I have seen no other

Who compares with you...

You belong among the wildflowers

You belong in a boat out at sea

You belong with your love on your arm 

You belong somewhere you feel free..."

Gimme Some Lovin - G. Love

True fact: I have not listened to G. Love since I was in High School. 

True fact: I heard this song last night and instantly fell in love.

True fact: I am not embarrassed about it at all.

Give it a chance. Trust me. 

A Hard One To Know - Ben Gibbard

I love Ben Gibbard! Many might know him as the former leader of both Death Cab for Cutie and the Postal Service but in 2012 he released a solo album that was just amazing! In the next video he performs "A Hard One To Know" with a small introduction about his favorite guitar. Enjoy.

"Around your heart you've tied a fishing line,

You cast it out there just to see who'll bite

Cause you're a hard one to know" 

MMM Bop 2013

Remember that band Hanson? You know those three brothers with the long blonde hair that were famous in the mid 90s for their song "mmm bop". Well they are still making the rounds with that song and still making massive amounts of money for it too. 

I remember about a year ago they were here in Richmond playing downtown and I went to one of my friends house's near the venue and the place was PACKED. 

Here they are singing their famous hit for a radio station a few years ago. And I can't believe I am even going to say this but... 

It doesn't sound terrible.

(Wow. That just happened)

Update: This post was originally titled "2012". It usually takes me a few months to used to the new year... my bad.

JJ Cale - After Midnight

Speaking of Eric Clapton one of his most famous covers is when he does the JJ Cale song "After Midnight". If you haven't heard Clapton do it look it up immediately. If you have yet to hear the original by the amazing JJ I'm posting it below. 

This is his performance from 1971 and it is just great.

New Clapton!

Great news from Eric Clapton's camp this morning. The guitar genius is set to release a new album called "Old Sock" in March. This will be his first full album since 2010.

In what I think will be a great format for the album, it will include two brand new songs and 10 other covers that have helped shaped his life. After the album release he is set to go on a full US tour. 

I should probably start saving my pennies now...

Hair Hair Hair

Having a debate in my brain on whether or not I should cut my hair or let it grow some more. 

What to do what to do...

I know my life is so complicated isn't it? :)

Music Trivia

Q: Jim Morrison is reported to have had an IQ of: 149? 100? 115?

A: 149

Q: In 1962, Robert Zimmerman legally changed his name to what?

A: Bob Dylan 

Te'o's Interview Auto-tuned

You knew it was a matter of time before this happened... and its just as amazing as you would think it is!

Tracy Chapman Wants Answers!

"Why?"

"Why do the babies starve

When there's enough food to feed the world

Why when there're so many of us

Are there people still alone

Why are the missiles called peace keepers

When they're aimed to kill

Why is a woman still not safe

When she's in her home

Love is hate

War is peace

No is yes

And we're all free

But somebody's gonna have to answer

The time is coming soon

Admidst all these questions and contradictions

There're some who seek the truth

But somebody's gonna have to answer

The time is coming soon

When the blind remove their blinders

And the speechless speak the truth"

What a great song by an amazing artist.

Wind Beneath My Wings

Yesterday afternoon I curled up on my couch for my usual Sunday afternoon movie. This time it was a classic... get ready to laugh.... I watched Bette Midler in Beaches. Yes I know. I wanted a good cry and I had one. Seriously that movie has got to be in the top 5 of the saddest movies ever! Makes you do a lot of thinking about the people especially the friends that you have in your life. And while many things do come and go, friendship is a bond that can last forever.

Here is the song that got famous from the movie and well after watching it couldn't have been better placed. I'm going to cry again...

(Warning this video contains spoilers)

I'm Over ESPN

This week my girl Michele Beadle (formally from ESPN's SportsNation) will host her new show on the NBC Sports Network. I for one can not wait to turn off ESPN and start watching that. Why? Why you ask??

Because everyone at ESPN seems to be obsessed with one thing and one thing only.

Seriously? Are we still talking about TEBOW!!!

Poor Monkey

For some reason I'm going to guess that the monkey did not want to go willingly...

Yes this is a picture from Iran's Press TV that shows an Iranian scientist holding a monkey that the Islamic Republic is claiming they shot into space.

Poor Monkey....

Sad News

This is just absolutely awful news and my thoughts and prayers go out to all the families involved in this tragic incident.

More than 230 people were killed on Saturday night when a fire raged through a nightclub in Brazil. The majority of the victims were local students. According to people in attendance the fire began shortly after 2am when a flare from the band Gurizada Fandangueira pyro display ignited the soundproofing on the ceiling.  Four of the bandmates made it out alive but accordion player Danilo Jaques, perished in the blaze.

It is reported that the club security guards had locked the exits before the fire, hampering escape and adding to the panic. 

As someone who goes to a lot of concerts at small venues this is an absolutely awful nightmare. 

Again thinking about all the grieving families today... 230 people... so tragic.

Chris Brown vs Frank Ocean Round 1

Well at least I'm glad that Chris is picking on people within his own gender this time...

Yet another altercation for Chris Brown and his crew last night when they decided to brawl with Frank Ocean outside a recording studio. Police are still trying to figure out what exactly happened.

Why so angry Chris?

Uh-Oh Rick Ross

This is pretty scary!! Rick Ross also known as "The Boss" smashed his Rolls-Royce into a building in Ft. Lauderdale this morning while trying to escape from a gunman who open fired at the car. Reports say that Ross and the female riding with him were both unharmed, but dozen of shots were fired at them around 5 am this morning! 

Whoa. That must have been crazy! Glad everyone is okay.

I'm Here I Promise!

Sorry for the delayed start to this Monday morning. But between me spilling a huge cup of coffee all over my desk and an extremely long staff meeting I'm just getting on here now. My bad.

I promise there is a lot to talk about today, I will do my best to squeeze it all in.

Anyone else watch the Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) last night? I was super excited to see my girl Jennifer Lawrence win for best actress. (Although I will admit it does seem weird to have her name along side other winner Daniel Day Lewis). And also happy for Ben Affleck and his best ensemble win for Argo. I think that they are both in for big Oscar wins in February, we will see.

Here is the SNL digital skit from over the weekend. It was nice to see Andy Samberg and the Lonely Island Crew back on the show. While nothing will ever touch their first few videos this "Yolo" isn't too shaby.

I Love You

Great compilation video of TV's greatest "I Love You" moments.

35 Greatest Ellen Moments

I know I've talked a lot about the Ellen show lately but its the one show that I still watch daily now that Oprah has left me. I love that no matter how bad my day has been when I get home I can do my errands around my house with the Ellen show playing. She plays games, dances and most of all doesn't take herself too seriously. My day instantly gets turned around. 

The good folks over at BuzzFeed have compiled her 35 greatest tv moments. 

There are some gems.

Click Here.

Music Trivia

Q: On the album cover of Abby Road, Paul McCartney is shown walking with no shoes and holding a cigarette in his right hand. Why did many believe this was another clue that he was dead?

A: Many cultures signify bare feet with death. Also, McCartney is left-handed hence one would expect he would be holding the cigarette with his left hand.

**I'm sorry but that is just absurd** 

This May Ruin Your Day

WARNING. WARNING. WARNING.

Rapper M.I.A. Record Delayed

Well to be honest with you I never thought M.I.A. would have this problem....

Word is that her new album "Mantangi" has been delayed until April for get this "I've been told its too positive, so we are having a bit of an issue at the label". I'm sorry what?

M.I.A. explains "I thought I'd finished it and then I handed the record in, like a couple of months ago. They're like 'You need to, like, darken it up a bit. We just built you up as the public enemy number one, and now you're coming out with all this positive stuff'."

I don't know about you but maybe being positive may help her image a little bit. She hasn't been known to be the best role model on the planet. 

Did You Know?

Did you know that actress Anna Kendricks currently has the #68 song on the itunes chart. Thats right the actress best known for her parts in such hits as "Up in the Air" and "Twilight" has released the song from "Pitch Perfect" called "Cups" and well its just what you think it is. Her playing a quirky song while cup slapping (I don't know what the official term is). 

It was a pretty cute part of the movie and well I was just shocked to see it on the itunes chart. Check it out. Also side note: this girl really can sing. 

JT New Video

About a week or so ago Justin Timberlake released his first single in a long long time. At first the song did not stick with me but after numerous times listening to it (thank you pop radio), it has started to grow on me. Yesterday he released the lyric video for it and while it does nothing but have JT walking around looking very dapper. I'll take it.

Coachella Lineup Announced

The Coachella Festival lineup was finally announced and it looks like the Red Hot Chili Peppers will get the big headline. Not too surprising that the California band will headline this California festival. 

The Postal Service, Blur, the Stone Roses, Wu-Tang and Vampire Weekend will also be there.

I wonder if 2pac will make another appearance? 

TV Theme Songs Ruin Music

So last night I was thinking about all the songs that have been ruined for me by their use as a TV theme song. I mean if you think about it, there have been a lot. The most notably is when that darn "O.C" show used one of my favorite songs at the time "California" by the Phantom Planets. Now I can barely even listen to it.

I know you remember which one I'm talking about...

Here are some more that have been ruined in my mind:

Superhero by Jane's Addiction used by Entourage

Teardrop by Massive Attack used by House

Bad Boys by Inner Circle used for Cops

A Little Help From My Friends by Joe Cocker used by The Wonder Years

Love and Marriage by Frank Sinatra used by Married with Children

I Don't Wanna Wait by Paula Cole used by Dawson Creek

Baba O'Riley by the Who used by CSI: NY

Friday!

Yup that is right, we have made it through another week. Although it was a short week for me it felt long with the festivities Monday. Either way I'm glad we made it here. Richmond is expecting a little bit of snow this afternoon. Most likely story, it snows for 3 hours. Everyone freaks. Stores sell out of bread and eggs. And it is gone in the morning. Either way it will be pretty to watch I guess. :)

Hope everyone has a great weekend planned. 

I'm finally heading out to see some live music on Saturday night at the National. I am not a huge fan of Umphrey's McGee but I know a ton of people going and its sure to be a good time. So thats where I will be. 

Again, happy Friday!

Musician Quotes

Here we go for another round of musician quotes. If you regularly follow this blog you should be used to these posts by now. Here are some of my favorites:

"I'm the one that's got to die when its time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to" - Jimi Hendrix

"I don't want to give any advice to a 19 year old, because I want a 19 year old to make mistakes and learn from them. Make mistakes, make mistakes, make mistakes. Just make sure they are your mistakes" - Fiona Apple

"The reason we're successful, darling? My overall charisma, of course" - Freddie Mercury

"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me.' you just scream." - John Lennon 

"A lot of people make money off of fear and negativity and any way they can feed it to you is to their benefit in a lot of ways. You can't avoid it completely; you have to be open enough that shit doesn't stick on you, it goes through, because you are gonna be hit and bombarded all the time with negativity.... You just let thing go on through without trying to stop them or block them" - Willie Nelson

"The ocean scares me" - Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys

"The focus on my appearance has really surprised me. I've always been a size 14 or 16, I don't care about clothes, I'd rather spend my money on cigarettes and booze" - Adele 

"It's like if you plant something in the concrete and if it grows and the rose petal got all kinds of scratches and marks, you won't say, 'Damn, look at all the scratches and marks on the rose that grew from the concrete.' You're gonna be like 'Damn, that rose grew from the concrete." -2pac

"There's always that argument to make - that you're in better company historically if people don't understand what you're doing" - Elliot Smith

Great Photo Ellie

Check out the great photo taken of my girl Ellie Goulding performing at NYC Terminal 5 on Monday night. 

Have you gotten her new album yet? Why are you waiting on this!!

The Black Keys Sue Another Company

Well they have been through this before...

The Nashville duo that make up The Black Keys are suing another company "Pinnacle Entertainment" for copyright infringement. It looks like the casino is using a song that is eerily similar to their hit "Howlin' For You". 

This is not the first time The Black Keys have had to battle a corporate company. They recently settled lawsuits against Pizza Hut and Home Depot for the same thing. 

I can not say I blame them one bit. Pay the men if you want to use their music!

Sometimes I Wonder

This picture was taken in Ventura, CA about 25 years ago at a Grateful Dead concert. I love it. It kind of reminds me of a group of my friends at a concert. Times really don't change do they?

The Truth

Everyone just needs to calm down a little bit.

Adam Levine Hosting SNL?

Okay Saturday Night Live what are you doing to me? First I found out that Justin Bieber will host and perform in the show next month. But then you sneak it to me that this Saturday Adam Levine from Maroon 5 get the duties. Seriously? What is one role that he has acted in and was funny?

No knock against the guy but come on. There has to be some other people who want hosting duties? Let the musicians stick to music.

Just a thought. 

Music Trivia

Q: What legendary artist quit the music business to attend Bible college in 1958 and then returned to the secular world in 1962?

A: Little Richard

Kat Dennings on Ellen

The Ellen show did redeem itself last week with a visit from Kat Dennings from "Two Broke Girls" on CBS. Girl is hilarious!! You must watch this interview.

(and yes I'm all over the place today. Sorry about that.)

Celebrity Tweet of the Day

You got me Britney. This one is pretty good. And yes that is Russell Crowe in Les Mis.

Question

Has there ever been an artist that has been more disappointing than Kanye West. I mean come on. His first album, scratch that his first two albums were great. Loved them. Then the man made a right hand turn towards ridiculousness. And well with the impending birth of his Kardashian baby and the fact he is wearing an outfit like this to Paris Fashion Week. I have officially given him my "Aww Man Why" award. Again. 

Shout Out

Special shout out today to the NY Ranger organist for playing Phish's "Its Ice" during their game last night. Pretty neat!!

Next Tiger Woods?

Not music related. Just a super cute video of a 17 month old that will grow up to rule the PGA.

Jason Mraz - Plane

This is a very cool video. About two months ago, Richmond's own Jason Mraz performed at Madison Square Garden. Just this week he released a video of one of my favorite songs from the show. This video was shot a little differently than most, it was a collaborative effort from both the fans and Jason. Many different perspectives rolled into one great video. Great idea.

Priscilla Ahn - Leave The Light On

Meet Priscilla Ahn. I discovered this song while searching through Itunes last night and fell in love with it immediately. It starts off pretty slow but by the end I promise you will be tapping your feet. 

What impresses me most about this girl is the more that I read about her and her talent the more I'm impressed. She can play a wide range of instruments including: guitar, ukulele, piano, harpsichord, harmonica and autoharp. Yes there is a thing called an autoharp. Not sure what it is but I bet its pretty hard to play.

Here is a song called "Leave the Light On" which is off her 2008 album "Good Day". Enjoy.

Joke of the Day

After word spread of Beyonce's Inaugural lip-syncing performance. 

"Well I guess Jay-Z does have 100 problems"

(I thought it was funny....)

Carry On

Maybe The Worst Rap Performance Ever?

I know that headline was pretty harsh, but what I saw on Ellen last week was ridiculous. I have no idea who this Macklemore is or why he has been given a record contract by anyone. But this performance was terrible. Laughable almost. Seriously, about half way through I didn't know if it was real or not. Take a look for yourself. I can't say that I will be posting too much more about this kid in the future. Sorry to break your hearts.

And again, maybe it is just me and I don't get it. Who knows...

Random Fact

Ernest Hemingway once won a bet by crafting a six word poem that can make people cry. Here it is.

I thought that was interesting.

Photo of the Day

Not music related, but loving this photo!

Brandi Carlile - Save Part of Yourself

I have loved this song for a while now. It came on Brandi's album Bear Creek last June and well I just think its the perfect blend of singer-songwriter/folk/pop. Great simple lyrics. Just her style. Enjoy it.

"I remember you and me

Lost and young dumb and free

Unaware of years to come

Just a whisper in the dark

On the pavement in the park

You taught me how to love someone

So save part of yourself for me

Won't you save part of yourself for me"

Music Questions

I have a few to catch up on here. 

True or False: Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven was initially released on the b side of the single?

A: False. It was never released as a single

Q: In 1973, Lou Reed was bitten on what part of his body by a male fan during a concert in Buffalo, NY?

A; His rear end

Q: What artist recorded the 1969 album Hot Buttered Soul?

A: Issac Hayes

Q: In what year did the artist formally known as Prince reclaim his name because of the expiration of his contract with Warner/Chappell? '98, '00 or '02

A: 2000

Pussy Riot Documentary Coming to HBO

Word on the street is that HBO has purchased the rights to the Pussy Riot documentary at Sundance this weekend. The imprisioned members of the feminist punk band say they feel no regrets about the "punk prayer" against President Vladimir Putin in Moscow's main cathedral that landed them behind bars for two years. 

"We interviewed their families and lawyers. We have candid footage of the girls chatting privately right before the trial. We want to show Masha, Nadia and Katia are like individuals -- why they did what they did, and how they've responded since."

Looking forward to this one.

Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors - What Would I Do Without You

Heard this song on a tv show last night and fell in love with it immediately. I have no idea who this band is or where they came from but you can bet I will be doing my research. 

"Sometimes I wake up with a sadness

Other days, it feels like madness

So, what would I do without you

When colors turn to shades of gray

With the weight of the world at the end of the day

Oh, what would I do without you"

Kelly Clarkson Performs at Inauguration

The big news that broke yesterday is that Beyonce did not perform live at Obama's Inauguration. While her performance was spectacular, it was not live. Kelly Clarkson on the other hand did not let the cold or the moment hold her back from performing an amazing version of "My Country 'Tiss of 'Thee". I was happy to see her given the opportunity to do this. Also could you imagine the pressure? 

Inauguration 2013

Hello! I'm sorry for my absence the last few days but I promise I have a valid excuse. On Monday I was fortunate enough to witness history by attending President Obamas Inauguration. It was probably one of the most exhausting/amazing days of my life. Yet in the end to watch the President literally walk right by me was worth standing in the cold for 12 hours. 

Lets take a look at some of the photos shall we? Then I promise to get back to the music. (I have some people's work sanity depending on me...)

This is me standing on line to get through security at 5:15 in the morning. Yes we were those people who left our hotel at the crack of dawn to stand on line for security gates that were set to open around 7am. We knew it would be a long day, yet our motto was go big or go home. So we were there with bells on. We had decided in advance to go to just the parade knowing that to do both would be nearly impossible, not to mention that we wouldn't have gotten a good seat at the parade. So here we were. Bright and early ready and waiting. Good thing was that my family and are are pretty friendly so we made friends everywhere we went. Helped pass the time to hear everyone's stories on why it was important for them to be there.

After staking out an early spot and sitting there for hours we were unfairly removed so that security could make a "press box". The quick thinker that I am begged them to upgrade us to a bleacher area because well, it was only fair. Luckily they agreed and hooked us up with amazing tickets to the bleachers on 12th street. This would give us a great view for the parade not to mention a much needed seat. So we were quite happy with the move. Especially with what we saw next. The parade started right around 2:30 and we could hear the rumblings in the crowd that the President and his wife were out of the car and walking already! Would they make it to us? Would this all be worth it?

Oh shit. Here they are. Before we knew it they were literally walking right in front of us. My mother was screaming so loud I thought my eardrums were going to pop. People were waiving, crying, screaming. It was an unreal moment to see the President that close. Oh wait you want closer? Because he did come closer!!!

Bam! The President literally stopped in front of our stands and sat there and waived right at us. Again unbelievable moment. I was speechless at this point. Either that or I had already screamed so much my voice was practically horse. After waiving right at us, him and Michelle got back in the car and drove off. If we were one more block down we would have missed him. Luck was on our side!

Next came VP Biden and his wife Jill. And I could have sworn in this picture he is looking at me. Right? Right? Joe was hilarious to watch work the crowd. He was haming it up the entire way and I loved every minute of it. You could tell that this is a man who has been in politics for a really long time and he knows that it has finally paid off. He was having the time of his life, and well good for him. I can't say I wouldn't be doing the same if I had a parade for me. 

This is the picture we took right after the President and VP came by. As you can tell by the smiles on our face that we were happy campers. We pulled it off. Not sure how, but we did. We stayed until the very end of the parade. It was about 6:30 pm when we actually left the route. So that is a solid 12 hours standing on Pennsylvania Ave. Didn't know I had it in me. Yet if I could see what I saw again, I would gladly wait another 12. 

Some people may never understand why my family and I did this. Why we felt it was so important to witness history on this scale. But as someone who has done her fair share both protesting and working for our government it was a moment for me that I will never forget. I will have these pictures and stories to tell for a lifetime. It sounds crazy but I have never felt more patriotic in my entire life. I was and always will be proud to be an American.