Don’t Rain on My Parade

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“You have got to discover you, what you do, and trust it.”

~ Barbara Streisand ~

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Don’t Rain on My Parade – Barbara Streisand

(the video and the artist speak for themselves – my favorite song, favorite video and idol)

 

I Never Work On A Sunday

Well a Happy Day Light Saving Time … is over … to you !!!

Hope you remembered to get up at 2 am and turn your clocks back so your sleep could be interrupted so that you could get an extra hour’s sleep – now that makes sense, doesn’t it??

Well, it’s Sunday, you’ve woken up to fall back into messin’ with your circadian rhythm. So, whether you :

• remembered to turn your clock back before you went to bed
• got up at 2:00 and tended to the task (seek counseling) or
• totally forgot and arrived at the coffee shop before it opened …

Enjoy Your Day !

Kick back, relax and soak it all up because …

it’s Sunday and …

Keith Urban – I Never Work on a Sunday

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and a big thank you for posting and allowing sharing of your videos to:

http://www.youtube.com/user/urbanites06

Be sure to check the channel out. It’s got some pretty cool stuff !!

 

Why Not

As I watched I thought, wow ! so many times people get to points in their lives where they just don’t see, feel or care if there’s a way out. And hearing from someone as talented and successful as Shania Twain sharing her journey down the same dark, lonely road . . . well, that’s inspiration.

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Today may not be the most perfect day in the world to talk about struggles. But it is the most perfect day to talk about inspiration.

Somewhere along our paths in life we’ve all struggled and/or watched or known of others struggling. The level of the struggle doesn’t matter because to the person going through the crises it is GINORMOUS !

If you’re a country music fan then you’re well aware of Shania Twain, her childhood, her rise to fame, her success and her new struggles.

But did you know she was becoming afraid to sing?

And did you know she realized there was only one person that was responsible for the outcome of her successfully carrying on in life?

“Why Not” premieres this evening on OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network). It’s Shania’s new tv show. It’s Shania’s journey forward. It’s Shania reaching out for and with inspiration.

It’s Mother’s Day. The show airs late in the evening (11 pm ET) so kick up your feet, tune in, be inspired . . . then pass it along !

 

Church Takes You Home

If a song has Eric Church’s pen, voice and production on it, you KNOW it’s  good.

I am a HUGE fan of Eric Church. I’ve commented on him winning – um -  Best New Solo Artist ??? and I’ve made reference to his current song in a previous post.

But now Eric Church has taken his current single “Homeboy” to the Tennessee State Prison for filming – the site where in 2007 he filmed “Lightning” from Sinners Like Me – the best album to come off Music Row in 2006 and the debut of Church’s master lyrical songwriting craftsmanship, production and whiskey-soaked vocals.

That alone should tell you the Homeboy video promises to be powerful.

Church’s opinion – “the video is ‘really cool’ and not like anything he’s done in the past.”

Now, personally, I hate when people ruin a song or a movie or a book or even an article for me by telling me all about it and giving their opinion. I like to watch, look and listen and form my own. So . . .

That’s what I invite and urge you to do here, watch, look, listen and f-e-e-l this song, this video, this artist – form YOUR own opinion – then pass it along.

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If you’re on Facebook you can watch Homeboy right now ! on Eric Church’s bandpage - which is always nice to give the artist a “visit”, a “like”, a “thumbs up”.

If you’re not on Facebook, then sign up now or . . .

Head over to the official Eric Church website to watch it there and fill yourself in and up with everything Eric Church – you’ll be glad you dropped in.

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And please come back and share your thoughts of Eric Church with us here !

 

Behind That Smile

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I’m going to double post today ~ simply because a reply to an earlier post inspired me and reminded me that many times we walk through our days, our lives, our troubles looking around feeling as if everyone else is intact and doing well. And ~ well, sometimes that just makes us harder on ourselves as we think “how can everyone’s life be going well and I’m a mess.”

Let this song be an inspiration during those times ~ because you never know what’s behind that smile . . .

Tears of a Clown ~ Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

 

The 46th Annual ACM Awards – On Fire in Vegas !

From Alabama coming out, joining Paisley and opening the evening to James Taylor warming your soul during the closing collaboration with the Zac Brown Band in “Colder Weather” and “Sweet Baby James”, the Academy of Country Music Awards last night was another evening of awesome entertainment.

The subliminal message inherent in the evening’s collaborations – it doesn’t matter the genre, gender or generation, “We All Bleed Red” and working together produces great results. We should remind ourselves of that as we travel through our day and lives.

Reba McEntire with Blake Shelton’s refreshing and humorous co-hosting; Brad Paisley with Alabama opening the evening; Carrie Underwood and Steven Tyler “Walk This Way” and “Undo It” ; and Rihanna with Jennifer Nettles, the ACMs were on fire in Vegas.

The Most Moving – the special presentation benefiting the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center of Darius Rucker with the Vanderbilt Choir singing “Music from the Heart”. Watch it and weep with joy!

The Most Disappointing – the pairing of Eric Church with The Band Perry in the “new” category. While Church took home “Best New Solo Artist” and The Band Perry took home “Best New Vocal Group”, Church lost to Perry as they went head-to-head for “The Best New Artist of the Year Award.”

Eric Church – New Artist ? Pa-leeeeze!

I love The Band Perry and congratulate them on their success. They have wonderful charisma, vocals and harmonies – not to mention songs – but . . . THEY are NEW.

Eric Church is not.

In 2006 I placed Sinners, Church’s debut album in my CD player and hit replay. I still haven’t shut it off. Not only is Sinners the best album to come off Music Row in 2006, not only does Sinners debut Church’s master lyrical songwriting craftsmanship, production and whiskey soaked vocals, it’s 2006 – FIVE YEARS AGO.

THAT and Eric Church is not new. (Bet you can tell I’m a HUGE fan of Eric Church)

The Most Refreshing – the GAC TV hosted Red, White & Blue Carpet interviews highlighting country music, country artists and country causes rather than a fashion draped gossip runway – and I love fashion!

No matter where you were, who you were with, what you were doing or what your musical preferences are – last night’s Academy of Country Music Awards was a wonderful evening to snuggle up to. I don’t even think there were many “winner shockers. ” But definitely a good night and a huge shout out to Miranda Lambert.

Now remember, this is just “my opinion”. You have the right to yours. If you tuned in last night – share it in comments below. But my favorite of the evening was . . . “Colder Weather / Sweet Baby James” Zac Brown Band with James Taylor (unfortunately under CBS copyright – worth the watch if you can find a viewable copy).

But because you hung in here so long, for your enjoyment here’s two songs and artists that did and do damage . . . enjoy !

(If you can find the ACM performance of these – it’s worth the effort !)

Miranda Lambert – Heart Like Mine

and

Taylor Swift – Mean

 

Life’s a Grammy

While the Grammy’s, in essence, is an evening of recognition of multi talent, what it really is is the efforts and collaboration of everyone in that building to work together to create a three and a half hour non-prejudiced, emotion-filled presentation of art.

And I couldn’t help but think – isn’t that what life is . . .

supposed to be !

There was obviously anticipation as artists were recognized for their work – musically, vocally, instrumentally, lyrically, demonstratively.

There was collaboration and adoration – as multi-culture (genre) Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, Florence Welch and Yolanda Adams came together beautifully and flawlessly and opened the evening with a tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.  And as later in the evening Keith Urban, John Mayer and Norah Jones joined the microphone in a raw rendition of Jolene in honor of Dolly Parton.

There was an artistic re-emergence of Kris Kristofferson and Barbara Streisand as he proudly honored her achievements in his introduction and then returning together at the evening’s end to present the anticipated Album of the Year Award.

There was love – sincere, heartfelt love (I sure could feel it) – not only from Blake Shelton’s introduction of fiance Miranda Lambert’s performance but in the profound statement of his standing ovation to her, her performance and his feelings. (Ah! it just gave me the shivers. Kudos Blake !)

There was surprise – at least I thought so – as Jaden Smith stole the spotlight in Justin Bieber’s performance as he popped up from the stage to rap his part of “Never Say Never”.

There was a well-delivered expectation of individuality as Lady Gaga arrived on the Red Carpet and to the stage in . . . an egg !

There was sincere appreciation as Lady Antebellum repeatedly accepted honors.

There was fear (if you saw Barbara Streisand whisper I was so nervous at the end of her Evergreen performance). Can you imagine after all these years, accolades and accomplishments, Barbara Streisand being nervous !

There was disappointment both to artists and fans, I’m sure, as obviously not everyone could go home with a Grammy.

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I have an eye for detail and a different and sometimes odd way of comparing things. But as I sat enjoying moment after moment of multi talent, it hit me how similar the Grammy evening was – and is – to life . . . yours, mine, ours.

Anticipation, collaboration, adoration, honor, love, surprise, expectation, individuality, appreciation, fear and disappointment. All those emotions under one roof for one evening entertaining us, inspiring us, captivating us. We tuned in and chose to participate.

Yet in real life we struggle with those emotions daily

So . . . the next time you feel yourself struggling, stop and think for a moment. No matter how big or how small, you have done something to make a collaborative difference.

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Life’s a stage ~ You’re the artist

Nominate (appreciate) yourself

and

Honor your Grammy moments (accomplishments) !

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My favorite performance of the evening was the Mumford & Sons, Avett Brothers and Bob Dylan “Medley”.

Why?

The diverse musical collaboration in that performance left me appreciative and speechless !

Unfortunately I could not find an uncopyrighted clip of it.  So please enjoy my second favorite performance.

Short – Sweet – Raw

This song gives me the shivers every time I hear it.

Norah Jones – John Mayer – Keith Urban honoring Dolly Parton with a tribute of Jolene ~ one of my favorite Dolly Parton songs.

 

Be Uniquely You

Have you ever had a moment where you wanted to try something (new) but were afraid – afraid you wouldn’t succeed? afraid people would think you were crazy for thinking you could do such and such? afraid you’d look stupid? act stupid? sound stupid?

Anybody that’s answered no to those questions – sorry, I don’t believe you.

We’ve all been there in that place of I’d like to but who the hell am I to think I have the right to do such a thing –

But think about it – we’re not here to please other people. YOU’RE not here to please other people. YOU are here to succeed at the path YOU have been chosen to accomplish. Others are here to assist you because they are on their path and, well, I’m sure they’re in need of assistance every now and then also.

So when you wake up some day and feel invigorated by the notion that oh, man I’d love to (whatever hits your fancy) – then just do it – be uniquely you. Who cares if you don’t do it right. Doing it right in my opinion means being YOU.

For example . . .

I’m not a big fan of cover songs. It’s just that sometimes when you like a song and you have it in your head the original way and it brings you back to a place and time in your life – well, I just don’t like that messed with – ya know what I mean 

But there are artists who have done an outstanding job of covering another artists songs – ah yes, indeed, they dared to be uniquely themselves – and so I would like to give them a heads up because like I say, I think it takes courage to cover someone else’s material. And when you do so and you rock it, well then, notice should be taken.

So for anyone who’s dared to

BE UNIQUELY YOU

keep on rockin’ . . .

 

Every Rose Has It’s Thorn – Miley Cyrus

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And now to take you to one of my all time favorite songs – aside from music, I LOVE the ocean. I Love this song. And I Love the way he covered it.

Brandy – Kenny Chesney

 

Musical Divine Guidance

Okay. I’m not real sure what this is about. But I truly follow my gut so – here goes !

Noticing the time of this post, you’ll see it’s well into the day. But I truly was a bit void as to what to write today. There was a very cheery sense all around me and I was just kinda skippity-doo-dah-ing through my own day.

 

Then I noticed a song stuck – and I mean stuck – in my head.

 

Okay. That’s not new to me either. I’ve shared how music inspires me, how I listen to it a lot for a lot of reasons and how I hear it in my head a lot in answer to a lot of questions.

 

But I had to stop and think for a moment – or I should say listen – really listen – for a moment to this song because it just wouldn’t leave my head. Without realizing it, I was singing it repeatedly. (I think it was one of the dogs rolling his eyes at the umpteenth hearing of it that clued me in !)

 

Well, it’s a beautiful song indeed – a beautiful way to let someone know they are on your mind. So I thought, umph, maybe that’s why this has been playing in my head all day. Maybe there’s someone out there I’m thinking of. Maybe there’s someone out there thinking of me. Maybe there’s someone out there reading this blog that needs a sign, a symbol that someone is thinking about them. Maybe it’s all of the above.

 

I dunno – but it’s something !

 

And personally speaking, all I know is I do tune in to my Musical Divine Guidance – which plays all the time in my head. I don’t try to decipher it. Usually all I need to do is listen to the song and then I will suddenly realize what the message is that’s being sent to me.

 

Soooo . . . from me to you – whoever you are – or from you to me –

 

Here Without You – 3 Doors Down

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thinking of you  !

 

More Than Words

 

For your listening pleasure. I leave you with one of my favorite songs of all times. It speaks for itself so I’ll say no more. It needs no intro – but please listen to it until the outro because it’s . . .

 

More Than Words - Extreme

 

 

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