Sunday, September 6, 2009

Have you ever heard or seen Lifehouse's Everything Drama?

In researching a particular topic this morning for another blog I am working on, I came across the video for Lifehouse's song "Everything" which was used in a performance by a group of teenagers.

Lifehouse is a band on the Geffen label. It is not a Christian band, but from what I have read, some of the original members had deep faith and previously played in churches as a Christian band. The lyrics of their songs have touched many hearts and have been used in numerous TV shows and commericals. If you listen to the lyrics of this video, I pray you will be moved as well.

I have seen this particular drama over and over this past year, but every time I watch it, it brings me to tears because the message is so powerful!

I have shared it with friends and some of them see the message and are moved and yet some do not understand it. I pray that as you are looking at this video that the message touches your heart.

One additional thought that I take away from this video is that even though God gives us life, He did not create us to be robots. God gives us the freedom to make our own decisions. We can easily be seduced by the things of the world. Those choices can cause us to go down wrong paths and reap the consquences of the actions we take. God is still waiting for us to turn around and grab hold of Him. When we do, He will move mountains for His children and take on our enemies as our Father.

(No matter what you have done, God is waiting for you to make that U-Turn back to Him. It's not about religion, it's about having a relationship with a living God who loves you more than you can fathom.)

Enjoy the music, listen to the words, be moved by the message:
Lifehouse -- Everything

Friday, September 4, 2009

Serious Ponderings and Rantings about Guys I Like - Bucky Covington, Jimmy Wayne, Jason Michael Carroll etc.

(graphic courtesy of shapingyouth.org)
















Things that make you go HMMMMMMMMMM........(credit to Arsenio Hall for that)

Sooooooooooo I have "friends" here and there as we all do and we chitchat about this and that such as music we love etc. It just so happens that some of my "friends" are also involved in the music business so discussions can sometimes go beyond the "music" and into the "business" matters. I also have lots of friends that are fans and pick up on some of the "business" aspect of promoting their favorite artists. (You would not believe the things the fans do in the trenches to get their favorite artists pushed up the ladder to success -- no wonder some artists thank the fans).

There is a rumble in the trenches of fandom -- so I'll share some of the stuff I am hearing in different places. Besides my hearing this, these are my thoughts as well.

It seems to me that if a record label has a solid crowd-drawing, moneymaking, act on its roster, the label focuses mainly on that act -- the act gets most of the attention and promotion. (I do understand that is where the label's 'bread is buttered' so they invest for a big return).

Many (of course, including me) wonder why a record label would not use the opportunity to schedule some of their newer artists as the opening act for the Gigundo artist(s) on a tour. But looking around, that isn't happening very often.

In other words, hypothetically (hmmmm, hmmmm), if a label has -- let's just say...ummm Rascal Flatts or say Reba McIntrye, why aren't the opening acts on the Rascal Flatts' or Reba's tour from the same stable as the headliner? (I mean it could be a win/win situation here) Is it an unspoken rule or deal in N'ville that you have to have artists from different record labels on the tour?

Let's reflect on Motown. I remember little unknown label "Motown" and its shows with artists all on its label. The artists toured together and made a name for the label and reaped a bucklet-load of Benjamins (that's $100 bills for those that might not know). In other words, the label had different "profit centers" so to say, in each artist. Different artists have different fans, but if they are on tour together, they draw them all.

In fact, thinking of the American Idol Live tour, that is the hottest ticket around as far as concerts go. It is always sold out and the artists are all on the same "label" so to say. That concept sure has made a lot of Benjamins for 19 Entertainment.

Rascal Flatts has been a major draw for years and years. Why haven't their labelmates opened for them on tour? Thus, letting the label save money in promotion (because they promote several artists in the same ad blitz) and they are introducing their newer artists to a large audience (thereby increasing their fanbase and profits).

So, I just don't get it (and trust me, I am not alone here). We all know it is about the bottom line (again, the Benjamins), but if they allow several of their artists to tour together, it should be a winning combination. Do I make sense here? (I know this is a rumble among the fans - as well as how the labels seem to only be promoting the big guys and leaving the little guys in the dust). In some cases, if it weren't for the artists promoting themselves or the fans working on the street level, some artists would fall by the wayside quickly.

And -- another question -- why is it that when a CD contains several really good songs, that only two or so singles are released off that album? (There is lag time between production of artist's albums anyway) Why not release more than the two or so songs as singles? Is that also some unwritten rule?

Lastly, I have seen and I am sure that you have seen where on sites such as youtube.com, that a record label will pull a song off the internet due to copyright infringement. HELLO????? IS ANYBODY THINKING ABOUT THIS AT THE LABEL??? Why do you do that? People are promoting the songs, if you feel it is copyright infringement, use it to your advantage! Contact the poster and add a link for those that visit/listen to be able to download the song from that post. Fans are promoting for free, if you want to profit from it, use your brain!

And, (I know I said lastly, but this thought is related), when people attend concerts and are told by security NO PICTURES OR VIDEOS allowed. Again, IS ANYBODY INTELLIGENTLY THINKING ABOUT THIS?? The artist is losing valuable promotion that is being offered for free!! For every music video post on the internet, fans are drawn and new fans are made. Especially in the case of American Idol artists who would truly benefit by free fan promotion. (I personally have been asked to 'cease recording' at an American Idol concert).

So, with the music industry complaining of their loss of revenues etc, is anybody actually thinking outside the box? I hear the fans rumbling so maybe the fans should starts making some noise at the labels themselves. Just saying... (fyi.. I don't yell and I don't necessarily rant.. I'm just thinking out loud kinda)

Jason Michael Carroll -- Gotta Love 'Em

Busy week this week, but I am getting ready to wind down and have a nice long relaxing weekend. I've got some special things to post about (but I know I promise and then sometimes life happens and gets in the way -- I'll catch up this week -- I have a bunch of drafts sitting to be posted)

I just recently shared about Jason Michael Carroll and I do from time to time because he is really talented (and he is a really good guy). So, that being said, I found this video that I wanted to share with you. (If I was living in the south, I would have to say 'share with y'all' or 'share with all y'all -- but you know what I mean :) I love a southern drawl --and they are all different, from state to state)

JMC, gotta love that smile and that heart.
Thanx ACM for interviewing Jason Michael: