by Joi on February 4, 2010
There’s a little controversy surrounding Taylor Swift’s wins at that Grammy’s. There’s a little controversy surrounding Taylor Swift’s performance at the Grammy’s. There’s a little controversy surrounding the fact that there’s a little controversy.
Are there better, pure, natural singers out there? Sure. Taylor doesn’t quite own the range or perfection that the vocal gods saved for…. say, Martina McBride, Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Faith Hill or Carrie Underwood. However, lets give the young lady her dues: She writes just about all of her own material (and is a wonderful songwriter, especially considering the fact that she has only 19 years of experience to draw upon), she sings from the heart, there is nothing at all fake about her, and she has a wonderful girl-next-door quality that I hope and pray she never loses.
If you’re one of the ones who questions her dues, look at record sales. The girl is outselling everyone – how are you going to question that? Maybe, just maybe, what most of us want isn’t necessarily a perfect voice (whatever that is) or a perfect pitch (oooh, exciting). Maybe we want someone who sings the song like the song means something to them. Maybe we’re all tired of the overly-pampered, ridiculous holier-than-thou divas with their lists of demands and notebooks filled with what the world owes them. Maybe we’re totally over the trashy, good for absolutely nothing trouble makers who only amuse themselves.
Maybe we’re looking for someone who we actually like and we want to listen to.
The next time someone gets bent out of shape over Taylor Swift, I challenge them to swing around their radio dial and listen to some of the other popular artists (male and female from every genre). The bottom line is, Taylor sounds as good as any of them and better than a lot. She’s as apt to suffer jitters in live performances as anyone…. she’s 19!
Personally, I think she’s experiencing something that the Yankees, Microsoft, UK Basketball, the Lakers, and McDonald’s experience. When you’re on top, people come after you with magnifying glasses and criticism. Why not just realize that if someone’s on top, they didn’t get there by making a wish. They worked for it, they paid their dues, they have fan bases in the millions, and they earned it. Enjoy them!
by Joi on February 4, 2010
by Joi on November 17, 2009
by Joi on October 27, 2009
USA Today ran a great piece yesterday that detailed the top 10 grossing tour stars. What I love most is the fact that it’s a great, wild mix! I’ve listed them below, with an accompanying poster (when available).
1. Kenny Chesney – Total Gross: 56 million
Kenny Chesney Framed CD
Buy at AllPosters.com
2. Elton John & Billy Joel – Total Gross: 55.8 million
Elton John Wall Mural
Buy at AllPosters.com
Billy Joel, Rolling Stone no. 486, November 1986 Photographic Print
Buy at AllPosters.com
3. Jonas Brothers – Total Gross: 37.7 million
Jonas Brothers Wall Decal
Buy at AllPosters.com
4. Paul McCartney – Total Gross: 32 million
Paul McCartney Wall Mural
Buy at AllPosters.com
5. Dave Matthews Band – Total Gross: 31.1 million
Dave Matthews Band, Rolling Stone no. 864, March 2001 Photographic Print
Buy at AllPosters.com
Dave Matthews Band, Rolling Stone no. 902, August 2002 Photographic Print
Buy at AllPosters.com
Dave Matthews Grammys 2003 Limited Edition
Buy at AllPosters.com
6. Coldplay – Total Gross: 30 Million
Coldplay Poster
Buy at AllPosters.com
7. Idols Live – Total Gross: 23 million
American Idol Judges, Rolling Stone no. 997, April 2006 Photographic Print
Buy at AllPosters.com
8. Bruce Springsteen – Total Gross: 22 million
Bruce Springsteen, Cover Me Photographic Print
Buy at AllPosters.com
9. Fleetwood Mac – Total Gross: 21.1 million
Fleetwood Mac, Rolling Stone no. 772, October 1997 Photographic Print
Buy at AllPosters.com
10. Beyonce – Total Gross: 21 million
Beyonce Poster
Buy at AllPosters.com
Beyonce Grammys 2006 Limited Edition
Buy at AllPosters.com
More Music Posters and Art Prints!
You know what, I still consider myself a fan of Jessica Simpson’s. When the girl remembers her lyrics, her voice is absolutely phenomenal. I also thought she was adorable in The Dukes of Hazard movie – but wish to God it had been the only movie she ever attempted.
I just don’t know what went wrong. Did she try to do too many different things? Is she trying too hard? Is she not trying hard enough? Is the scrutiny and pressure too much?
No answers. Just questions.
I do have an idea though: Dancing With the Stars. She has such a great personality and is so lovable that this show would be the ideal format to allow America to fall in love with her all over again.
Take Lil’ Kim for example. I never knew she had such an INCREDIBLE personality. This girl is an absolute sweetheart and is full of energy, vitality and life. She was so much fun to watch on DWTS this season and brought so much to the show. In fact, she’s only been gone (wrongly at that!) for one week and the show just isn’t the same.
When I hear the name Lil’ Kim now, I don’t think of her crazy outfits or any of the drama, I think of a very pretty girl who’s personality is 25 times bigger than her frame.
I think a bout on Dancing With the Stars would work the same magic for Jessica.
The pictures in this post are from Jessica’s performance on May 9 in San Antonio. She. Forgot. Her. Lyrics. Again. Sigh. Her fans are still pulling for her… but we’re kind of running out of rope. Come on, Jessica, get it together!
16 Frames are about to pop!
According to AOL’s PopEater, the Los Angeles based, pop/rock outfit are “ready to take on the world.”
Head over to PopEater.com to check out an interview with front man Steve Sulikowski and grab a free download of their single “Back Again.
How’s this for a great pic?! Cinema Bizarre, the glam-rockers from Berlin, have spent the past month opening up for the newly anointed Princess of Pop on her Fame Ball Tour. Lady Gaga.
Cinema Bizarre will be headlining their own shows on April 20th at The Knitting Factory in Los Angeles and on April 24th at Highline Ballroom in New York City. Head over to MySpace.com/CinemaBizarre for more info.
Kanye West’s Heartless is my phone’s ringtone (and has been for a long time!) – a few days ago, it started ringing and a woman who had to be in her 60’s moved her lips along with the words. I loved that! It’s always cool to come face to face with fellow Kanye fans – fortunately there are SO many.
So for the rest of you who are all about Mr. West, here’s what’s been going on on Planet Kanye:
HERE is a link to a great review of Kanye’s performance at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas on March 21. Here’s a little snippet: ” West is a singular star in pop culture, arrogantly self-aware and dead accurate about the degree of his talent. From the moment he took the stage, the show had the feeling of the weekend’s biggest highlight.” Read the Rest!
Next year Kanye will lend his voice to a character on an episode of The Family Guy spinoff, “The Cleveland Show!” Kanye’s character will be a struggling rapper named MC Kenny West. Kanye West is, reportedly, a huge fan of The Family Guy and has even invited its creator Seth McFarland to his house.
Kanye is featured in and on the April/May issue of Complex. He’s all made up in futuristic makeup and looks like a character straight out of Terminator. Kanye is fascinated with the future, so I’m sure it was as fun for him to shoot the photos as they are to look at.
Inside the magazine, Kanye’s humble, rational side come out. Those of us who applaud the cockiness and arrogance commend him for sharing his calmer side but, at the same time, hope he doesn’t reign in all that is Kanye! Below is a quote from the interview:
“I would never spaz on MTV the way I did before. I feel like there are people who have given a lot to me and I wasn’t appreciative of them. MTV had a major part in making me, so how the he!! could I ever come out of my mouth and dis them and just be like the cry-baby-a$$ bit*h over one performance? How the he!! is a 29-year-old grown a$$ man acting like a little bit*h and getting all emotional? How spoiled can I get?”
First of all, I apologize for all of the *$$!! stuff, but I have sponsors and such that make me walk a tight line.
Second of all, Kanye asks, “How spoiled can I get?!” As spoiled as you want to get!
Grab a copy of the magazine. Or two. Maybe three.
If you haven’t been to Kanye’s web site and blog lately, what in the heck are you waiting for?! Honestly, his web site is unlike any other.
I may not agree 100 percent with the things Madonna says or the things she believes in, but there are three things I’ve always loved about her:
- What you see is what you get – like it, or look away. No apologies.
- Her music is undeniably addictive and fun. Fun’s always good.
- She has her own sense of style. Again, like it or look away.
These pictures are of the Material Girl at the Jewish celebration of Purim at the Kabbalah Center in New York City. Her boyfriend, Jesus Luz was with her – dressed as the Joker. As you can tell, our girl Madonna went as a sexy schoolgirl.
Why not?
