Happy Thanksgiving!

What are your some of your favorite traditions?

While watching the #MacysParade, I was thinking about some famous #Thanksgiving traditions. Some of them include, cooking a special family dish, traveling to see relatives, decorating the tree, watching the ##MacysParade, and/or listening some great classic holiday tunes! However, this is a very personal, so I am asking my readers, what are some of your favorite traditions?

Mine include, baking cookies the Friday after #Thanksgiving, watching the #MacysParade, the official start of holiday music, sharing a great meal with friends and family, and watching “Home Alone!”

I hope you enjoy the weekend and the clip of “Home Alone- Lost in New York.”

Holiday Playlist- Thanksgiving Week- 2013

What comes to mind when we think of the holidays? Turkey, gray, stuffing, funny movies, embarrassing sweaters, and MUSIC?! So, to start off the holiday week, I have created a holiday playlist of some classic songs (both classic and some contemporary songs).

1.      Mariah Carey-All I Want for Christmas

 

 

 

2. N Sync- Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

 

 

 

 

3. James Taylor- Have yourself a Merry little Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Michael Buble - I’ll be Home for Christmas

 

 

5. Lady Antebellum- Silent Night (Lord of My Life)

 

 

6.  Carrie Underwood - O Holy Night (Full Song)

 

 

7.  Kelly Clarkson- My Grown up Christmas list

 

 

 

8. Faith Hill- Where Are You Christmas (Lyrics)

 

 

9. Classical Christmas Medley (Instrumental Music)

 

 

 

 

 

10. Ambient Fireplace with Jazz & Classical Christmas Music Favorites

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre #AMA Playlist

Out of sheer excitement and anticipation, I have created a Pre-AMA playlist with some of my favorite songs/albums from artists who have been nominated.

1.      Pink- Nominated for Favorite Female Artist, Pop or Rock

 

 

2.     Macklemore & Ryan Lewis/The Heist- Favorite Album, Rap/Hip-Hop

 

 

3.     Rihanna- Favorite Female Artist, Soul/R&B

 

 

 

 

4. Bruno Mars- Favorite Artist, Adult Contemporary

 

 

 

 

 

5.   Matthew West- Favorite Artist, Contemporary Inspirational

 

 

 

6.   The Great Gatsby: Music From Baz Luhrmann;s Film- Top Soundtrack

 

7. Taylor Swift/Red- Favorite Album, Country

 

 

 

8.  Florida Georgia Line- Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Country

 

9.      Avicii- Favorite Artist, Electronic Dance Music

 

 

 

 

 

 

  10. The Lumineers- Favorite Artist, Alternative Rock

 

 

The list was taken from http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/american-music-awards-2013-nominations-announced-list-of-nominees-20131010.

 

 

 

Networking with Industry Professionals

After volunteering with The Recording Academy in New York City, I recently attended a networking event- GRAMMY Professional Development Event: SPEED NETWORKING where I met music industry executives. When I volunteered for Grammy Camp: Basic Training and the networking event, it occurred to me that it is not only about meeting with people that’s critical in a creative industry like this one, but gaining a different perspective.

The networking event I attended focused on A&R and creative professionals and departments, however, I learned a lot and that information could be applied to Marketing/Social Media Publicity. For example, one of the presenters stated that fewer and fewer demos are not being sent in to A&R departments instead potential recording artists are promoting themselves via social media (Twitter and YouTube).  So, as I was listening and taking notes on the presenters, I wondered, could an A&R department hire a social media talent scout, that researches and listens to the hundreds of artists demos presented on on-line? If demos are not being sent in the “traditional” way, then maybe making a few slight changes could make big impacts.

I enjoyed GRAMMY Professional Development Event: SPEED NETWORKING and volunteering for Grammy Camp: Basic Training. I would highly recommend the networking event; below is a link to the Recording Academy’s webpage.

 http://www.grammy365.com/

Paramore- The Self-Titled Tour @MSG

I was fortunate enough to see Paramore in concert last Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. The energy, enthusiasm, and passion Hayley Williams, the lead singer of the band, has for her songs and the group was unforgettable. Walking out of The Garden all I kept thinking was, it really is just time before she breaks out into a solo career. Her band really is exceptional and provided extreme support for each song. Engaging with the audience and making sure that members were all having a good time, she spoke of the history of the group and shared she performance stories, thus, creating a bond with people so we can understand her and where she was coming from. I would highly recommend Paramore’s album and attending their shows, it was a treat to see such a young, talented band with a remarkable lead singer.

 

Do you agree that Hayley can have her own breakout career? Why or Why not?

Paramore- Daydream

Do You Have To Go To The Movies To See A Movie?

After an amazing day and being fortunate enough to have be able to been one of the first to see older summer movie (“We’re The Millers”) in a new theater near my hometown, the excellent experience sparked some interesting questions. The first thought provoking question that come to mind was, does America have to go to the movies to see a movie? In the  day of Netflex and On-Demand movies, I can’t help but wonder, what is the incentive for people to go to the movies? Should movie companies such as Regal and AMC create an costumer incentive program to increase the number of people who attend the movies?

As I mentioned in a previous blog post, movie prices were at an all time high and an article which was written in July 2013, was explain that movie tickets were at an all time high. The American population has been forced to be creative with their spending dollars, and they have considered options, such as Netix and On-Demand to view movies especially with a family of 4 or 5. However, there are events movie companies can have help increase the traffic.

One idea is to have a decrease admission ticket during certain weekends (certain times) or certain weekends of the year) and have the proceeds go to charity. The event I went to today the admissions was $2, popcorn $2 and Soda $2 Sunday- Tuesday, the official opening for the theater is Thursday, November 7.  This was a also soft opening for the theater, which is why the ticket were so low. However, having an event, where the prices are low $3:50-$5:00 for all ages, and having the proceeds go to charities, would this increase people going to the movie and helping the industry out overall? Giving them a better name for the number of donations for the purchase of tickets sales for X number of charities?

Perfect Fall 2013 Playlist

With #Halloween over and turkey day just a few weeks away, #fall2013 is well underway! During the fall, we think of #pumpkinspicelatte, #thanksgiving, and #music, of course! What are 9 fall songs to listen to?

1.      Country Road - James Taylor

 

2.      When the Leaves Come Falling Down – Van Morrison

 

3.      September- Earth, Wind & Fire

 

4.      Wake Me Up When September Ends- Green Day

 

5.      September Morn- Neil Diamond

 

6.      October Road- James Taylor

 

7.      Orange Crush- REM

 

8.     October - U2

 

 

9.   True Colors- Cindi Lauper

 

What part of the #Entertainment Industry is most inspiring to you?

As a music and movie blogger, I find various aspects of the entertainment industry very interesting and have developed a passion for it over many years. As a previous post had stated, my original inspiration behind this blog was “The Great Gatsby” movie and Jay-Z’s soundtrack, however, it really was music and movies, in general. Not only is music an interest of mind of particular artists and genres, as well as up and coming recording artists. What movies are popular? Are they indie movies or are they major movies that are mass produced?

When researching the purpose of a blog post, it not only has to have people’s interest, so they read it, but also have a following with people and corporations as well. So, I am asking my readers,  now that you have an understanding of what I starting my blog, what areas of the entertainment industry do you find most appealing and why?