Category: Uncategorized

Since this is a music/sports blog,I thought I would share a little subjective insight that I think others can relate to.

I promise I’m getting somewhere with this, just hang with me.

I knew when I was little ,my family and I have a gift for music. It comes naturally in all of us. My dad was so good at playing, he had plans to attend Julliard on a full ride. My dad is really, really good… I’m not kidding.My mom is also very talented but she worked for a record label out in New York. She worked in the business end of things. My uncle played on SNL in the band, I think you are starting to get the picture. Music runs in my blood.

I remember when I was little, my two favorite classes were gym and music class. Go figure. But I was afraid to admit music was my favorite class because I didn’t want the other kids to make fun of me.

Naturally, I grew up, I embraced who I was as a person ( a nerd… still am). And people in high school and a little bit through college made fun of me because I was the “band” geek, that kid that was involved in everything.

And I have to say I haven’t changed since I was little. I’ve always known what I want and I’m proud of what I can accomplish. And most importantly I don’t change because it’s not a “cool thing” to do.

So here is what I have to say to the little kids that have big dreams. If you like playing an instrument , kicking a soccer ball, whatever the case may be, be you. Because those musicians that you look up didn’t get there because someone told them not to.

It’s summer time, which means there is a lot of great music that is out there .

Summer definately has it perks, however, I just don’t have enough time to see all the awesomeness ( is that a word?) out there.

With that being said, good summer music to listen to is Alabama Shakes.

These guys are awesome in the sense of one reason: they came together in their high school years, took each of their own

” sound” of music and created into something that people actually like but most importantly what they like. While they all have their own individual uniqueness to them, they collarborate in a way that makes sense.

The Shakes are a rock band from Alabama, so they obviously have a little twang in them. But whether you are a classic rock , rock or even a little country person, I think these guys provide enough variation in their music so everyone can enjoy them.

Fun fact: I don’t know if this is still true, but at one point, this was. Alabama Shakes didn’t have a tour manager. Right, look how big they are now!

This song I don’t think is on the radio, but it’s in enough movies that you’ll recognize it.

Thank god it’s summer. Which means there is a lot of country music in the air. With that being said: I’m hooked on Kacey Musgraves.

A Texas girl with a love of writing, this girl is extremely talented when putting words together. And through her website, I found out she actually does write her own songs. And the best part is, it’s catchy and musical. Which is awesome because I enjoy listening to catchy, awesome music… as long as it’s done well and I must say, it is.

I worked the Live Nation tour a couple of months ago. She was the opener for the opener. I think she played at 5pm. And no one showed up. Which really sucks because after listening to her album, I think this girl will make it really far.

She’s got the old country twang in her modern country ballads. And I love it, because it’s grounded country. She has her own voice and with that being said : I think you should listen to her album.

Alrighty, well since I haven’t been blogging much I’ll explain why.

A lot of stuff has been going on in my life: mostly work, but obviously life gets in the way too. It’s nothing bad, but you know, life happens.

So I figure when I have a little down time closing at Summerfest, I might as well talk about the show I went to a couple of weeks ago. Frank Turner.

As I sit here listening to Drop Kick Murphy’s in the distance, I can’t help but think about that show. I was extremely tired so I ended up leaving early, but what I did saw I really liked. And his opening acts were pretty raw too.

Unfortunately, my memory is really slacking and I can’t remember much, except that I was really tired and and I like Frank Turner’s music. Some music journalist I am .

This is going to be a short post because I don’t feel like writing but I need to keep up with my writing because that’s what writers do… right

Any who, so long story short, I was listening to the radio about 8 months ago ( guesstimating here) and I heard the song “Why You Wanna” and I wasn’t too crazy about the song itself but I thought the girl singing had an awesome voice. If you listen to country music you know who I’m talking about: Jana Kramer. She’s also the same girl from One Tree Hill and she’s marrying Brantley Gilbert.

Side note: I saw her in person, holy cow, she’s one of the prettiest people I’ve ever met.

Anyway, for someone that was “just an actress”, she doesn’t have a bad singing voice. In fact, I actually really like her album. If you like country music, I suggest you listen to it. She’s got some lyrics going on y’all.

It’s about time I write this blog about this topic. I studied music in school and of course we didn’t learn about pop culture of music like Jay-Z or Hunter Hayes. We were taught about the master minds back in the day of Mozart and Stravinsky. The guys that created music as  we know it today. The guys who are true musicians and were totally into it. They played for the audience but mostly for themselves. They weren’t into fame and all that, they just had talent and played music for pure enjoyment… and to put food on the table but you get my point. And they were extremely talented, let me say that again EXTREMELY talented people. If I could go back in time and meet someone that died, it would be Mozart, he was so good and probably one of the best pianist that ever lived. You think I’m kidding, I listen to his classical works just because.

Why I am I writing about this. One simple concept: Society  really doesn’t understand what is pure talent and what is entertainment. We had this discussion for a whole class in music history. Basically, what is “art of music” what is “music is art” type of dilemma. And bottom line is it is all objective. Apparently everyone is a genius and can tell you what is real music is. Let’s put it this way, if you are going to sit here and tell me Justin Beiber is an artist, I’ll probably laugh at you and then give you a swirly. I’m not saying I’m the most amazing expert at music, I have a long way to go on that. But I am saying, there is a fine line between entertainer and artist, and people believe that if you are on the radio, you’re an artist: not true. Believe me when I say this, there are still amazing musicians out there that nobody knows about because people like to see entertainers because they are more enjoyable to watch. In these next couple of paragraphs, I’ll explain who I think is an entertainer, an artist and who  are entertainers and artist.

Entertainers: Entertainers are people who entertain….Well duh. What I mean by this, from a musician stand point, people go up on stage and want to sell tickets and put that “show” on. Yes, every musician wants to sell the stands out, but these people I’m talking care about their show not necessarily their music. Now I’m saying entertainers aren’t talented in someway, they obviously are because they have a fat bank account. But again, these people will go above a beyond to make sure their audience loves their show.

Beyonce: I actually like Beyonce. I think she has an incredible voice, but her music… doesn’t represent her talent. She is someone that cares more about her show. And for all you people who think I’m hating on Beyonce I’m not. I’ll give you an example. At every Super Bowl, the half time performance is given I believe 600,000 dollars for the production of their show. This year, Beyonce went over budget  and spent around 1.6 million dollars to make sure her show was spectacular. And guess what, it was. But she went over and beyond to make sure that audience had a damn good time watching her make those funny faces. She is a classic definition of an entertainer. When you see her on stage, she puts on show. If you don’t believe me, just watch one of her music videos.

Justin Beiber: I get it, he can play guitar and sing. But do you really think a 16-year-old ( at the time) really knows what its like to be in love? I mean seriously, I don’t understand the big deal about this kid, but what I do know is he is doing something right. That kid has more money that any 20-year-old or however old is he. And he basically does what every pop artist does, prances on stage and makes the girls scream.

Kesha: Good Lord.

Now again, music is objective. But like I said there is a fine line between entertainer and artist.

Artist:

I don’t think anyone will disagree with me when I say Johnny Cash and Eric Clapton  are true artist.

Johnny Cash: We all know his songs ” Ring of Fire” “Jackson” ” A Boy Named Sue” and I could go on and on. He started writing music due to family troubles and helped him express his religious beliefs through music. And let’s face it, his songs were relatable and people could easily connect to him. At first, he wasn’t excepted by the general public due to his “sound” and his “crossing the line” lyrics that record labels didn’t think people would like. Now, he is a legend. He mixed country, rock, blues and gospel all into one song. That is talent people, only a true artist can do that. Not saying he didn’t sell out arenas full of people, but he played his music his way, like any true artist would.

Eric Clapton: Amazing guitarist. Enough said.

Some people are lucky and can do both.

Artist and Entertainer: 

Mumford and Sons: Clearly, clearly , clearly people see that these guys kill it. They are so fricken talented its not even funny. I have not see them in concert, but before I die, I need to. These guys obviously know how to put on a good show and play good music ( I’ve watched enough music videos on YouTube to know). They sell out in venues all over the world and yet, they still keep their style and their sound ( which I love). Not to mention, all of them play multiple instruments really, really well.  Rock on guys!

My point on this blog, it’s not bad thing to be an entertainer. Obviously, people make millions doing it. But the difference between artist and entertainers, artists tend to be viewed in peoples’ eyes as legendary as something they will never forget.

Mumford and Sons- Where Are You Now

If you read my blog, you know I write about music and sports… well mostly music, but sports as well. I think this is the perfect time to write about all the controversies that are going on in sports. Seriously… No seriously. What the heck are up with these athletes today? I guess 10 million  a year isn’t good enough anymore.

First off, I’ll be the first to admit, I don’t care for drama in any aspects of my life. So if a nobody likes me doesn’t care for drama, why would a football player that is going to be first round draft pick bring up some drama being catfish. You know who I’m talking about, Manti Te’O from Notre Dame.

Personal, I don’t want to know whether or not it is real or not, regardless, he should have kept it to himself. Seriously, why would he go to his coaches or to anyone at ND. WHY!? Even if it is fake or not, he just made himself look really, really pathetic. Instead of him being the first round draft pick, now he’s… that guy.Plus, everyone knows him at Notre Dame, couldn’t he get a “real” girlfriend, I’m sure they are hanging around his ankles.

And speaking of those guys… Lance Armstrong. I will admit, I seriously really believed in the “Live Strong”  foundation that he had, because I thought it was for the greater good of people… yeah not so much. Especially after the way he treated people in the past accusing him of doping, and now he admits to doping… that’s a jerk move dude. Two words: low blow.Seriously Lance, you not only ruined your chances of going to the Olympics EVER again, but you lost of close friends and family. Not cool.

My point is this: people make mistakes, once you understand what you did, fix it and don’t do it again. And if you do it again, screw up even bigger and better. But once you are a celebrity or a professional athlete, once you screw up in your personal life that messes up your career,  it makes  you look like you took everything for granted.

Long story short, if you have something going great for you, especially if you will be making millions of dollars one day or already do, don’t screw it up.

What to believe?