Summer is almost here! After a couple of stressful weeks here at VCSU with online classes and the flood, I am definitely looking forward to the summer and all it has to offer. NO school or homework, warm weather, camping, the lakes, and MUSIC.
Around the Midwest area, we have quite a few music festivals happening during the summer. Last year after my boyfriend returned from Iraq, I promised him a fun-filled summer. We attended Moondance, We-Fest, and countless other concerts. Music and concerts are a huge part of my summer.
The line-ups for Moondance, Moondance-Jammin Country, and We-Fest, are all very good this year. Journey is at Moondance so my boyfriend should be thrilled! All of these music festivals offer my favorite summer activities: Camping, drinking, hanging out with friends, and listening to great music.
There are plenty of other smaller music events occurring around our area that I will be attending, most occurring in Fargo at the fairgrounds. This year, the Red River Valley Fair has some newer artists to offer for concerts in the grandstands. Zac Brown Band, a new favorite amongst my friends will be performing along with other newbies Gloriana and Joey and Rory. They will also be joined by veterans Diamond Rio and Joe Diffie.
Rib-Fest is another smaller music festival that is wayyyy cheaper than We-Fest. For just a few bucks you can enjoy Rodney Atkins, Eve 6, 32 Below, and others. Plus you can feast on ribs and enjoy being outside.
Not only are music festivals a big part of my summer, but music in general. I always have my i-pod with me when I am mowing the lawn, or going for a walk. Whenever I am camping with friends, we usually have the key turned back in someone’s vehicle and the windows rolled down so we can listen to tunes while setting up the tent and sitting around a campfire.
Hopefully my blogs this semester have shown you how much music affects our lives every day. Think about how much money we spend on CD’s, downloads, concerts, etc. It is crazy! Enjoy your summer and enjoy the music!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Giving Back to the Flood Fighters
It finally seems like all of the flood related chaos is winding down. Dikes are being torn down in Fargo, and sandbags are being removed in many towns around the state. Guard units are finally being sent home after some of them (including my boyfriend, Levi’s) have been on active duty for the past six weeks. Our state is finally getting back to “normal” after communities rallied together to help save the Peace Garden State.
We are all grateful for the efforts put towards the flood by everyone in the surrounding area, but what have we done to show thanks? I am sure lots of hugs and thank you’s were given the past month to let those who helped out saving our state from flood waters that their help was appreciate, but the city of Fargo and the Fargo Marathon Organization are really wanting to give back to the community.
This weekend on Saturday the 9th, the Fargo Marathon Organization will be paying for a free benefit for those who helped out in the flood of 2009. The city of Fargo is not paying for it, rather the money will come out of the money saved up from the marathon’s non-profit organization.
Where does music play into all of this you might ask? After the Fargo Marathon, starting at 6 pm and going until 10 pm, Johnny Holm and 32 Below, two popular local bands will be playing free concerts to the public in the Fargodome. Going along with the free concert, there will be free parking, beverages, and food offered to EVERYONE at any age.
32 Below was scheduled to play this year at our final dance at VCSU. I was really bummed out and upset with Mother Nature upon hearing this. . . I can’t pass up a 32 Below Concert! The band cancelled many of their shows in the month of April to help sandbag in their hometown of Fargo North Dakota. The band is looking forward to giving back to their community by performing this concert.
Even though no alcohol will be served at the concert (it is for all ages and they don’t feel it would be appropriate) I encourage everyone around the area to come to the concerts! Especially if you helped out with the flood like most of us did.
If you have never seen either band before, I assure you a good time, they are both amazing performers and put on a fun show. They are all about the fans. They are all about the people, and on Saturday it is a show giving back to the people.
Come support friends and family in the marathon and celebrate the flood being taken care of. I will be there, hope you will too!
We are all grateful for the efforts put towards the flood by everyone in the surrounding area, but what have we done to show thanks? I am sure lots of hugs and thank you’s were given the past month to let those who helped out saving our state from flood waters that their help was appreciate, but the city of Fargo and the Fargo Marathon Organization are really wanting to give back to the community.
This weekend on Saturday the 9th, the Fargo Marathon Organization will be paying for a free benefit for those who helped out in the flood of 2009. The city of Fargo is not paying for it, rather the money will come out of the money saved up from the marathon’s non-profit organization.
Where does music play into all of this you might ask? After the Fargo Marathon, starting at 6 pm and going until 10 pm, Johnny Holm and 32 Below, two popular local bands will be playing free concerts to the public in the Fargodome. Going along with the free concert, there will be free parking, beverages, and food offered to EVERYONE at any age.
32 Below was scheduled to play this year at our final dance at VCSU. I was really bummed out and upset with Mother Nature upon hearing this. . . I can’t pass up a 32 Below Concert! The band cancelled many of their shows in the month of April to help sandbag in their hometown of Fargo North Dakota. The band is looking forward to giving back to their community by performing this concert.
Even though no alcohol will be served at the concert (it is for all ages and they don’t feel it would be appropriate) I encourage everyone around the area to come to the concerts! Especially if you helped out with the flood like most of us did.
If you have never seen either band before, I assure you a good time, they are both amazing performers and put on a fun show. They are all about the fans. They are all about the people, and on Saturday it is a show giving back to the people.
Come support friends and family in the marathon and celebrate the flood being taken care of. I will be there, hope you will too!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Aerosmith Fans "Cryin" Pays Off
Aerosmith happens to be one of my favorite bands of all time. In high school, my friends and I immediately bought tickets when the band was scheduled to play at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND. I looked forward to the concert for months, and then all of a sudden it was in the news that Steven Tyler was sick and they were cancelling some shows. It was no surprise when North Dakota was one of the shows they ended up cancelling. We got our money back but I have never fully recovered not seeing them live in concert.
However disappointed I was at one of my favorite bands cancelling a concert I was looking forward to, I can’t imagine how fans in Hawaii felt in 2007. Over 8,300 people were SOL when the band cancelled a sold out concert in Maui to play a much larger concert in Chicago. These people, unlike myself, did not get their money back, and they were pissed.
Hundreds of irritated fans filed a class action lawsuit against the band. The suit claimed the cancellation cost Maui ticket buyers between $500,000 and $3 million in travel costs, handling fees and other expenses.To settle this lawsuit, Aerosmith is putting on a free concert in Maui. Each person who bought a ticket to the original concert will receive a free one to this concert. All of the out of pocket expenses will also be taken care of no matter what the cost. I am sure the fans were pleased to hear this.
A date for the concert has not been scheduled but it is likely to be later this year around September or October after Aerosmith wraps up its latest tour. Aerosmith’s attorney says that the band wanted to make this up in a way that really connects with the fans of Hawaii. He said that this band is about the music and wants the people of Hawaii to be connected with Aerosmith’s music.
The band should be about the music, but it is easy to get caught up in money. I think this was a cruddy thing for Aerosmith to do, but they are attempting to make up for it. Say what you want about the band, but they make some of the best music out there. If they ever come close enough to home here in North Dakota again, I am so there.
However disappointed I was at one of my favorite bands cancelling a concert I was looking forward to, I can’t imagine how fans in Hawaii felt in 2007. Over 8,300 people were SOL when the band cancelled a sold out concert in Maui to play a much larger concert in Chicago. These people, unlike myself, did not get their money back, and they were pissed.
Hundreds of irritated fans filed a class action lawsuit against the band. The suit claimed the cancellation cost Maui ticket buyers between $500,000 and $3 million in travel costs, handling fees and other expenses.To settle this lawsuit, Aerosmith is putting on a free concert in Maui. Each person who bought a ticket to the original concert will receive a free one to this concert. All of the out of pocket expenses will also be taken care of no matter what the cost. I am sure the fans were pleased to hear this.
A date for the concert has not been scheduled but it is likely to be later this year around September or October after Aerosmith wraps up its latest tour. Aerosmith’s attorney says that the band wanted to make this up in a way that really connects with the fans of Hawaii. He said that this band is about the music and wants the people of Hawaii to be connected with Aerosmith’s music.
The band should be about the music, but it is easy to get caught up in money. I think this was a cruddy thing for Aerosmith to do, but they are attempting to make up for it. Say what you want about the band, but they make some of the best music out there. If they ever come close enough to home here in North Dakota again, I am so there.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Pros of Satellite Radio
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between satellite radio and regular radio? Until recently I thought the only difference was you had to pay for one and not the other. To me, that is a deal breaker, why pay for something that you can get for free? However, there are a few perks to satellite radio that I discovered that makes paying a small fee every month potentially worth it.
Much like online radio, satellite radio provides a wide variety of music. With regular radio we are limited by our location to what we are able to listen to, but with satellite radio we can listen to anything and everything, with limited to no commercial breaks (a big plus). XM radio and Sirius are some of the popular satellite radio providers out there.
Another pro about satellite radio is censorship, or the lack there of. Satellite radio plays songs without “bleeping” out inappropriate language and allows us to listen to the song as it was intended. There is also no censorship on satellite radio talk shows. Howard Stern’s racy and uncensored talk show comes to mind when mentioning this.
Speaking of talk shows, that is another plus about satellite radio. For those of us who prefer to listen to talk shows on the radio rather than music, there are more and more syndicated talk shows appearing on satellite radio. This means listeners have lots of choice in talk shows, sports programming and more.
Part of the appeal of satellite radio is the variety that it offers; music, talk shows, and comedy. A really cool service that satellite radio provides is listeners are able to listen to stand up comedy stations rather than a music station. Instead of buying a comics CD in the store you are able to tune into their show on the radio.
Even though you do have to subscribe to satellite radio and pay a small fee, if you have a few extra bucks lying around, it seems worth it because of the listening options it provides.
Much like online radio, satellite radio provides a wide variety of music. With regular radio we are limited by our location to what we are able to listen to, but with satellite radio we can listen to anything and everything, with limited to no commercial breaks (a big plus). XM radio and Sirius are some of the popular satellite radio providers out there.
Another pro about satellite radio is censorship, or the lack there of. Satellite radio plays songs without “bleeping” out inappropriate language and allows us to listen to the song as it was intended. There is also no censorship on satellite radio talk shows. Howard Stern’s racy and uncensored talk show comes to mind when mentioning this.
Speaking of talk shows, that is another plus about satellite radio. For those of us who prefer to listen to talk shows on the radio rather than music, there are more and more syndicated talk shows appearing on satellite radio. This means listeners have lots of choice in talk shows, sports programming and more.
Part of the appeal of satellite radio is the variety that it offers; music, talk shows, and comedy. A really cool service that satellite radio provides is listeners are able to listen to stand up comedy stations rather than a music station. Instead of buying a comics CD in the store you are able to tune into their show on the radio.
Even though you do have to subscribe to satellite radio and pay a small fee, if you have a few extra bucks lying around, it seems worth it because of the listening options it provides.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Online Radio
We all listen to the radio. Whether it is in your car, on a portable radio, or a classic boombox, we have all turned one on in some point in our lives. My CD player in high school had an AM FM radio in it and I remember thinking that was soooo cool. The other radios in our house were in forms of alarm clocks and the radio that was 40 years old set up in our garage for my dad to listen to while he was working outside. I would say my main radio fix usually comes from my car. It is convenient. I am usually able to find stations no matter where I am driving to (it is harder to in the valley though) and have a large selection of different channels that play different types of music.
When you are in your house you are limited to the stations nearest your home. While you are in your car, depending where you are, some stations come in clearer than others. However, there is something out there that makes listening to the radio even more convenient; online radio.
I first started using the internet as a source for my radio enjoyment while working last summer. I knew that it was out there, I just didn’t know about it. My boss left it up on our computer after her shift, and told me I could play it while I worked. I instantly became a huge fan.
Broadcasting on the internet is referred to as webcasting. The music is “streamed” over the internet providing listeners with nonstop music, or little commercial breaks. With internet radio you are not limited to stations around your local area. Internet radio services are usually accessible around the world. Not only can you listen to radio stations from outside of your home state, but you can listen to music from Europe, Japan, etc. This appealed to me because I listen to a lot of Australian country music.
You can also find any genre of music you want using online radio. Genres like classical, jazz, folk, and standup comedy are hard to find on your local radio stations, but there are plenty of stations online that provide easy access to these genres overlooked by rock, country, and pop.
If this isn’t something you have looked into, I suggest checking out a few of the online radio sites out there like Pandora, Live365, and Yahoo Music. Enjoy!
When you are in your house you are limited to the stations nearest your home. While you are in your car, depending where you are, some stations come in clearer than others. However, there is something out there that makes listening to the radio even more convenient; online radio.
I first started using the internet as a source for my radio enjoyment while working last summer. I knew that it was out there, I just didn’t know about it. My boss left it up on our computer after her shift, and told me I could play it while I worked. I instantly became a huge fan.
Broadcasting on the internet is referred to as webcasting. The music is “streamed” over the internet providing listeners with nonstop music, or little commercial breaks. With internet radio you are not limited to stations around your local area. Internet radio services are usually accessible around the world. Not only can you listen to radio stations from outside of your home state, but you can listen to music from Europe, Japan, etc. This appealed to me because I listen to a lot of Australian country music.
You can also find any genre of music you want using online radio. Genres like classical, jazz, folk, and standup comedy are hard to find on your local radio stations, but there are plenty of stations online that provide easy access to these genres overlooked by rock, country, and pop.
If this isn’t something you have looked into, I suggest checking out a few of the online radio sites out there like Pandora, Live365, and Yahoo Music. Enjoy!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Fair Concerts
As any 4H alumni can tell you, fairs are a huge part of your life. Then comes the big show: the state fair. I still look forward to the summer time and all of the small country fairs around my hometown, but this year I am especially looking forward to the state fair, and not to reminisce about my old 4H-ing day . . . but because of the music line up set up for the fair that week.
If you know anything about me, you know that I love music, and I definitely have some favorites. I am a big fan of country music so I always look forward to the Fargo fair and the state fair because they usually have a good country lineup. This year at the North Dakota State Fair, Dierks Bently, Taylor Swift, Motley Crue, Rodney Atkins, Heidi Newfield, and my personal favorite Gary Allan will all be gracing us with their presence.
I am very excited.
My hometown county fair never really any big name music stars come and play, but the atmosphere is still amazing. Johnny Holm and Blue Collar Hero (frequent players in ND) are regulars, and 32 Below will be debuting this summer. (They plan to play the last dance on campus at VCSU in April. Check out their site here.) Back in the day, before he was famous, Kenny Chesney played the Ransom County Fair and played a game of pool with my friend’s dad.
Concerts are a great way of bringing people together. After a long week of work in the summer and not having seen my friends for a long time, a fair concert in Fargo at the Red River Valley Fair or Bismarck is always something we look forward to. A lot of my favorite memories involve a fair or a concert. . . I think many people from small rural towns would agree with me.
Concerts are a big part of who I am, and so are small town fairs (yep, still a 4H nerd at heart!) So I encourage you to check out your county’s fair this summer, and if you are feeling really ambitious, drive to our states capitol (if it’s not under water) and check out the State Fair.
If you know anything about me, you know that I love music, and I definitely have some favorites. I am a big fan of country music so I always look forward to the Fargo fair and the state fair because they usually have a good country lineup. This year at the North Dakota State Fair, Dierks Bently, Taylor Swift, Motley Crue, Rodney Atkins, Heidi Newfield, and my personal favorite Gary Allan will all be gracing us with their presence.
I am very excited.
My hometown county fair never really any big name music stars come and play, but the atmosphere is still amazing. Johnny Holm and Blue Collar Hero (frequent players in ND) are regulars, and 32 Below will be debuting this summer. (They plan to play the last dance on campus at VCSU in April. Check out their site here.) Back in the day, before he was famous, Kenny Chesney played the Ransom County Fair and played a game of pool with my friend’s dad.
Concerts are a great way of bringing people together. After a long week of work in the summer and not having seen my friends for a long time, a fair concert in Fargo at the Red River Valley Fair or Bismarck is always something we look forward to. A lot of my favorite memories involve a fair or a concert. . . I think many people from small rural towns would agree with me.
Concerts are a big part of who I am, and so are small town fairs (yep, still a 4H nerd at heart!) So I encourage you to check out your county’s fair this summer, and if you are feeling really ambitious, drive to our states capitol (if it’s not under water) and check out the State Fair.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Weather Announcements
Around North Dakota the past week there has been one topic on every station: The Flood. While listening to the radio at work yesterday, every other normal broadcast was taken off air and there were more than three hours straight of weather related announcements on the air having to do with the flood that is taking over our state.
We have all had our favorite song on the radio cut off by the sudden, scary, buzzing sound that comes before an emergency weather announcement. I have been hearing a few lately. Last night on the television my friends and I even witnessed something none of us had ever seen. Instead of a ribbon at the bottom of the screen flashing a flood warning; every channel went pinkish purple for about two minutes making an annoying siren noise, and flashing a message across the whole screen. You’d think it was the end of the world.
The radio has been full of announcements relating to everything to do with the flood. The announcements range from everything from school and community cancellations, closing of roads, and evacuation of homes and entire streets. Along with the sirens going off every few hours here in Valley City, along with the teams of sandbaggers from the community and college, it seems like we are preparing for the movie The Day After Tomorrow.
Schools and colleges around the state have been canceled for the past few days, both because of the weather as well as in hopes of recruiting sandbaggers. My friends and I are preparing to go ourselves in a while . . . I encourage everyone to go out and help! I was too young to help during the flood of ’97, so I am glad that I am of age and able to help this year. Good luck to all North Dakotans with the fight against the flood. Stay dry!
We have all had our favorite song on the radio cut off by the sudden, scary, buzzing sound that comes before an emergency weather announcement. I have been hearing a few lately. Last night on the television my friends and I even witnessed something none of us had ever seen. Instead of a ribbon at the bottom of the screen flashing a flood warning; every channel went pinkish purple for about two minutes making an annoying siren noise, and flashing a message across the whole screen. You’d think it was the end of the world.
The radio has been full of announcements relating to everything to do with the flood. The announcements range from everything from school and community cancellations, closing of roads, and evacuation of homes and entire streets. Along with the sirens going off every few hours here in Valley City, along with the teams of sandbaggers from the community and college, it seems like we are preparing for the movie The Day After Tomorrow.
Schools and colleges around the state have been canceled for the past few days, both because of the weather as well as in hopes of recruiting sandbaggers. My friends and I are preparing to go ourselves in a while . . . I encourage everyone to go out and help! I was too young to help during the flood of ’97, so I am glad that I am of age and able to help this year. Good luck to all North Dakotans with the fight against the flood. Stay dry!
Monday, March 9, 2009
The Biggest Jerk in Radio
After sitting through a movie in media class today, I have decided to blog about a radio personality mentioned in the movie.
Howard Stern. I don’t know what comes to your mind when you hear his name; but personally my stomach lurches and I have to hold back vomit.
I had the less than fortunate experience of witnessing one of his “shows” on television a few years ago while hanging out with some of my male friends. Needless to say, I couldn’t believe what I saw. A: I could not believe the way he spoke to his guests (usually females), and B: I couldn’t believe that women would willingly go on his show and allow him to speak like that.
I could care less about this guy, so I really don’t know much about him. After Googling him, disturbingly enough I discovered he is married! SERIOUSLY, what woman would want to MARRY Howard Stern?!
I could not believe it. Apparently Stern and his long-term girlfriend got married in October of 2008. I did a little more research on Stern’s marriage and I found the romantic story of how he proposed to his girlfriend . . .
"Do you want your Valentine's Day gift now?" MTV.com reports Stern said on the air Wednesday, re-enacting his proposal for his listeners. When Ostrosky said she wanted it, Stern says he ordered her to strip down – despite her protests that she was too "fat" to do that. After she said that, Stern says he thought, "Any girl who looks like that and thinks she's fat – I've got a chance with her." Once naked, Ostrosky was given a 5.2 carat diamond ring. "I love you. You're everything to me," Stern said he told her. "This is so gay. ... I'm asking you to spend the rest of your life with me."
WHAT A LUCKY GIRL!
After a little more research, I discovered something even more disturbing. This wasn’t Howard Stern’s first marriage. He had been married before to his first wife for 20 years!
I don’t know what is more upsetting; knowing a man who is famous for behavior like this, or knowing that not only there are women out there who are big enough masochists that they want to be guests on his show, but that there are women who want to marry this pig.
I can’t believe I spent the last hour Googling Howard Stern. I feel like I need to go to church immediately, and maybe pray the rosary.
Howard Stern. I don’t know what comes to your mind when you hear his name; but personally my stomach lurches and I have to hold back vomit.
I had the less than fortunate experience of witnessing one of his “shows” on television a few years ago while hanging out with some of my male friends. Needless to say, I couldn’t believe what I saw. A: I could not believe the way he spoke to his guests (usually females), and B: I couldn’t believe that women would willingly go on his show and allow him to speak like that.
I could care less about this guy, so I really don’t know much about him. After Googling him, disturbingly enough I discovered he is married! SERIOUSLY, what woman would want to MARRY Howard Stern?!
I could not believe it. Apparently Stern and his long-term girlfriend got married in October of 2008. I did a little more research on Stern’s marriage and I found the romantic story of how he proposed to his girlfriend . . .
"Do you want your Valentine's Day gift now?" MTV.com reports Stern said on the air Wednesday, re-enacting his proposal for his listeners. When Ostrosky said she wanted it, Stern says he ordered her to strip down – despite her protests that she was too "fat" to do that. After she said that, Stern says he thought, "Any girl who looks like that and thinks she's fat – I've got a chance with her." Once naked, Ostrosky was given a 5.2 carat diamond ring. "I love you. You're everything to me," Stern said he told her. "This is so gay. ... I'm asking you to spend the rest of your life with me."
WHAT A LUCKY GIRL!
After a little more research, I discovered something even more disturbing. This wasn’t Howard Stern’s first marriage. He had been married before to his first wife for 20 years!
I don’t know what is more upsetting; knowing a man who is famous for behavior like this, or knowing that not only there are women out there who are big enough masochists that they want to be guests on his show, but that there are women who want to marry this pig.
I can’t believe I spent the last hour Googling Howard Stern. I feel like I need to go to church immediately, and maybe pray the rosary.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
America says Goodbye to Paul Harvey
Radio broadcasting icon Paul Harvey died on Saturday in Arizona at the age of 90. Within the past year, he had been hosting his radio shows part-time after recovering from various physical ailments as well as the death of his wife, Lynne "Angel" Harvey, in May 2008. It was reported that Harvey passed away in a Phoenix hospital surrounded by his family.
Harvey was an icon in the radio world. Week after week over 25 million people “stand by” to listen to Harvey’s popular show. Paul Harvey is the most listened-to radeio personality in America, the number one personality in network radio, and his broadcasts rank among the top ten of radio network programs.
Paul Harvey literally grew up in newsrooms. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he made his own radio sets while still a boy. While in high school, he frequented KVOO radio until the manager finally decided to hire him. His contributions to broadcasting and communications took him around the world and brought him full circle back to Oklahoma for induction into The Hall of Fame.
Many people have made statements this past week in regards to the late radio icon. Former president Bush, president of ABC radio networks Jim Robinson, and Harvey’s son, were to name a few. Harvey’s son Paul Harvey Jr. said, "My father and mother created from thin air what one day became radio and television news. So in the past year, an industry has lost its godparents and today millions have lost a friend."
Harvey is well known for his dramatic pauses, quirky intonations and his folksiness in his broadcasts.. He explained his enthusiastic support of his sponsors: "I am fiercely loyal to those willing to put their money where my mouth is."
America said goodbye to the Grandfather of Radio this week, he will be missed and radio will never be the same.
Harvey was an icon in the radio world. Week after week over 25 million people “stand by” to listen to Harvey’s popular show. Paul Harvey is the most listened-to radeio personality in America, the number one personality in network radio, and his broadcasts rank among the top ten of radio network programs.
Paul Harvey literally grew up in newsrooms. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he made his own radio sets while still a boy. While in high school, he frequented KVOO radio until the manager finally decided to hire him. His contributions to broadcasting and communications took him around the world and brought him full circle back to Oklahoma for induction into The Hall of Fame.
Many people have made statements this past week in regards to the late radio icon. Former president Bush, president of ABC radio networks Jim Robinson, and Harvey’s son, were to name a few. Harvey’s son Paul Harvey Jr. said, "My father and mother created from thin air what one day became radio and television news. So in the past year, an industry has lost its godparents and today millions have lost a friend."
Harvey is well known for his dramatic pauses, quirky intonations and his folksiness in his broadcasts.. He explained his enthusiastic support of his sponsors: "I am fiercely loyal to those willing to put their money where my mouth is."
America said goodbye to the Grandfather of Radio this week, he will be missed and radio will never be the same.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Money Money Money
Entertainers in the Music industry on Tuesday urged Congress to force radio stations to pay performers when their music is broadcast. When I read this at first I thought seriously? Don’t they make enough? Then I learned that Satellite radio, Internet radio and cable TV music channels already pay fees to performers and musicians, along with songwriter royalties. AM and FM radio stations do not pay performers' royalties, just songwriters.
If radio stations are paying songwriters royalties, should they be paying musicians? Honestly, if you think about all the money that musicians make with going on tour, CD sales, and everything else, is it really necessary for them to be paid for this too? Almost all musicians say they are in the business for “the music”, however, whenever a money issue like this arises, it becomes a huge deal.
Sheryl Crow, will.i.am, Herbie Hancock and other entertainers were present in Washington and spoke before congress. Hancock said people tune in to the radio because of the music."Just as radio promotes music, music promotes radio," he said. Dionne Warwick and Pattie Labelle were present at Capitol Hill for a news conference on behalf of the musicFIRST Coalition. This group wants radio stations to be required to pay musicians royalties for having their music on the radio, just like songwriters.
Warwick said she hasn't been compensated while her songs played around the world for 48 years."I think now is about time that I do get paid," she said.
Dionne Warwick cancelled her presidential inaugural ball due to low ticket sales. Tickets were sold for $450.00 dollars, and at the moment people are unable to get their money back because "technically" the non-profit organization they bought the tickets from doesn't exists. The 'Dionne and Friends Foundation Inc.' has not had incorporation status for nearly three years -- and there's no record it ever had IRS nonprofit status. Does it sound like she is hurting for money?
What do you think? Musicians make music for us to listen to and enjoy. They make millions, but don’t seem to think that is enough…is it?
If radio stations are paying songwriters royalties, should they be paying musicians? Honestly, if you think about all the money that musicians make with going on tour, CD sales, and everything else, is it really necessary for them to be paid for this too? Almost all musicians say they are in the business for “the music”, however, whenever a money issue like this arises, it becomes a huge deal.
Sheryl Crow, will.i.am, Herbie Hancock and other entertainers were present in Washington and spoke before congress. Hancock said people tune in to the radio because of the music."Just as radio promotes music, music promotes radio," he said. Dionne Warwick and Pattie Labelle were present at Capitol Hill for a news conference on behalf of the musicFIRST Coalition. This group wants radio stations to be required to pay musicians royalties for having their music on the radio, just like songwriters.
Warwick said she hasn't been compensated while her songs played around the world for 48 years."I think now is about time that I do get paid," she said.
Dionne Warwick cancelled her presidential inaugural ball due to low ticket sales. Tickets were sold for $450.00 dollars, and at the moment people are unable to get their money back because "technically" the non-profit organization they bought the tickets from doesn't exists. The 'Dionne and Friends Foundation Inc.' has not had incorporation status for nearly three years -- and there's no record it ever had IRS nonprofit status. Does it sound like she is hurting for money?
What do you think? Musicians make music for us to listen to and enjoy. They make millions, but don’t seem to think that is enough…is it?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
She's Baaaack
Everyone was wondering if it would every happen. By some freak chance it did. Britney Spears made her comeback. How . . . I have no idea.I can’t say that I have ever been a huge Britney fan. I do remember jamming out to hit me baby one more time when I was listening to the radio waiting for my favorite Backstreet Boys song to play on Y94. However, I did enjoy the train wreck that was her life for the past few years. If that makes me a terrible person, so be it.
I continued to shake my head in disbelief and disgust week after week while I read about her walking barefoot into public restrooms, driving her vehicle with her children on her lap, AND my personal favorite shaving her head completely bald. I honestly thought that she would either end up tragically dead from some drug overdose or locked up in some loony bin. I guess I was wrong.
I about died when Britney’s Womanizer video debuted on primetime television. I remember walking into the living room and thinking “My God, she is back.” Immediately after that thought came “Good for her.” The song was great, the video was fun, and she looked amazing. Britney finally got her act together.
Last week it was announced that her Circus tour would begin in March and she has started rehearsing. She announced on her blog how excited she was for her fans to see her latest tour that will kick off in New Orleans. The Pussycat Dolls are said to be opening for Britney on this tour. No comment…
I guess there is just no getting rid of Britney. This is thanks to her fans. To them, nothing has changed. There were no up-skirt shots or messy divorces, no shaved heads or stints in rehabilitation facilities. She has always been the perfect, pig-tailed American Idol and she always will be. Somehow, she has become vital, she has become iconic, and — most of all — she has become infallible. I am not sure why… but to her fans, Britney can do no wrong.
Thanks for all the “crazy” years Brit. You entertained me for quite a while. I hope she enjoys her “comeback” and I hope you guys won’t hold it against me that I own her Circus CD.
I continued to shake my head in disbelief and disgust week after week while I read about her walking barefoot into public restrooms, driving her vehicle with her children on her lap, AND my personal favorite shaving her head completely bald. I honestly thought that she would either end up tragically dead from some drug overdose or locked up in some loony bin. I guess I was wrong.
I about died when Britney’s Womanizer video debuted on primetime television. I remember walking into the living room and thinking “My God, she is back.” Immediately after that thought came “Good for her.” The song was great, the video was fun, and she looked amazing. Britney finally got her act together.
Last week it was announced that her Circus tour would begin in March and she has started rehearsing. She announced on her blog how excited she was for her fans to see her latest tour that will kick off in New Orleans. The Pussycat Dolls are said to be opening for Britney on this tour. No comment…
I guess there is just no getting rid of Britney. This is thanks to her fans. To them, nothing has changed. There were no up-skirt shots or messy divorces, no shaved heads or stints in rehabilitation facilities. She has always been the perfect, pig-tailed American Idol and she always will be. Somehow, she has become vital, she has become iconic, and — most of all — she has become infallible. I am not sure why… but to her fans, Britney can do no wrong.
Thanks for all the “crazy” years Brit. You entertained me for quite a while. I hope she enjoys her “comeback” and I hope you guys won’t hold it against me that I own her Circus CD.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Radio Stations Ban Chris Brown's Music
This week my blog is going to be about the alleged attack on singer Rihanna by her boyfriend, singer Chris Brown. If you watch television, listen to the radio, or hop on the internet, you have probably heard about this story.
Witnesses claim that they saw Chris Brown and “an unidentified woman” arguing in the front seats of his car at 12:30 am Sunday (Not the night of the Grammy’s but the night before). They then got outside of the vehicle where the fight escalated. The woman, who was later identified as Rihanna, was taken to the hospital, and cops booked Brown on “suspicion of making a criminal threat” which is a felony.
This happened the night before the Grammy’s; an event that both Rihanna and Chris Brown were scheduled to perform at. They cancelled just two hours before the award’s show began, and Justin Timberlake volunteered to fill in their time slot.
Photos taken by police show major contusions on both sides of the singer's face along with serious swelling and bruising. Her lip is split and her nose bloody. It was also rumored that Brown choked Rihanna until she was unconscious. All this information can be found on TMZ.
My boyfriend, all my guy friends, and I’m sure every other male who knows who Rihanna is are appalled. Honestly, if you were lucky enough to be dating her, why would you beat on her? She is waaaaay cuter than Chris Brown anyway.
How this story ties into the radio is Chris Brown’s music on the radio, or rather, the lack there of as of Sunday. There is a growing list of radio stations across the nation that are banning Chris Brown’s music; some because the radio station refuses to play it, and others because of “listener’s outrage”. The most recent radio station to join this list is Fargo’s Y94. I have to say, I agree with this decision, however any man that raises his hand to a woman deserves a hell of a lot more than his crappy music being banned from a radio station. Someone should smack Chris Brown upside the head with an umbrella-ella-ella…
Witnesses claim that they saw Chris Brown and “an unidentified woman” arguing in the front seats of his car at 12:30 am Sunday (Not the night of the Grammy’s but the night before). They then got outside of the vehicle where the fight escalated. The woman, who was later identified as Rihanna, was taken to the hospital, and cops booked Brown on “suspicion of making a criminal threat” which is a felony.
This happened the night before the Grammy’s; an event that both Rihanna and Chris Brown were scheduled to perform at. They cancelled just two hours before the award’s show began, and Justin Timberlake volunteered to fill in their time slot.
Photos taken by police show major contusions on both sides of the singer's face along with serious swelling and bruising. Her lip is split and her nose bloody. It was also rumored that Brown choked Rihanna until she was unconscious. All this information can be found on TMZ.
My boyfriend, all my guy friends, and I’m sure every other male who knows who Rihanna is are appalled. Honestly, if you were lucky enough to be dating her, why would you beat on her? She is waaaaay cuter than Chris Brown anyway.
How this story ties into the radio is Chris Brown’s music on the radio, or rather, the lack there of as of Sunday. There is a growing list of radio stations across the nation that are banning Chris Brown’s music; some because the radio station refuses to play it, and others because of “listener’s outrage”. The most recent radio station to join this list is Fargo’s Y94. I have to say, I agree with this decision, however any man that raises his hand to a woman deserves a hell of a lot more than his crappy music being banned from a radio station. Someone should smack Chris Brown upside the head with an umbrella-ella-ella…
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Don't Mess With the Boss
I wouldn’t want to piss off the boss, but Ticketmaster has seemed to do just that. Bruce Springsteen is reportedly “furious” with Ticketmaster because of the way the website has been handling his concert tickets. Apparently, while fans were trying to purchase tickets on Ticketmaster, the site forwarded their requests to their secondary site, TicketsNow. This wouldn’t be a problem except TicketsNow sells the same concert tickets for higher prices. Springsteen heard what was happening, and immediately posted a letter on his fans website. Here is part of the letter:
“Last Monday, we were informed that Ticketmaster was redirecting your log-in requests for tickets at face value, to their secondary site TicketsNow, which specializes in up-selling tickets at above face value. They did this even when other seats remained available at face value. We condemn this practice.” -Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau and the entire Springsteen Tour Team
To read the entire letter to the fans click here.
Another reason for Springsteen’s anger with Ticketmaster is it’s rumored merger with Live Nation, another ticket selling mogul. Since both companies are having issues, they are thinking about merging together to create one enormous concert giant. The problem with Live Nation and Ticketmaster coming up with a single system is that it would bring is to a near “monopoly” situation in music ticketing.
I don’t know about you, but concert are definitely things I enjoy going to. Some prices for concerts are outrageous and I can’t imagine prices getting higher than they already are. Wouldn’t it be cool if we were back in “They Day” and waiting in line and camping out in the cold for concert tickets at 4 in the morning? That would be half of the fun of the concert experience; meeting all the crazy people in line waiting with you who are pumped to see their favorite band… That is what my parents did and I am stuck with the lousy internet. I wish I were a teen in the 70’s…
“Last Monday, we were informed that Ticketmaster was redirecting your log-in requests for tickets at face value, to their secondary site TicketsNow, which specializes in up-selling tickets at above face value. They did this even when other seats remained available at face value. We condemn this practice.” -Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau and the entire Springsteen Tour Team
To read the entire letter to the fans click here.
Another reason for Springsteen’s anger with Ticketmaster is it’s rumored merger with Live Nation, another ticket selling mogul. Since both companies are having issues, they are thinking about merging together to create one enormous concert giant. The problem with Live Nation and Ticketmaster coming up with a single system is that it would bring is to a near “monopoly” situation in music ticketing.
I don’t know about you, but concert are definitely things I enjoy going to. Some prices for concerts are outrageous and I can’t imagine prices getting higher than they already are. Wouldn’t it be cool if we were back in “They Day” and waiting in line and camping out in the cold for concert tickets at 4 in the morning? That would be half of the fun of the concert experience; meeting all the crazy people in line waiting with you who are pumped to see their favorite band… That is what my parents did and I am stuck with the lousy internet. I wish I were a teen in the 70’s…
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Twins Radio
Last week I talked a lot about how much I dislike talk radio. Some of you left comments agreeing with me, and others listed some of the radio shows they liked to listen to. I figured this week would be a good week to talk about a form of talk radio that I actually do enjoy and completely forgot about… Twins Radio.
My family and I are huge Minnesota Twins fans. Whenever I get the chance I am watching a game on television, getting stats online (usually during class around noon or one o’clock), or listening to the game on the radio in the car. Considering they have their own radio network, it is very easy to find the game on the radio in the car.
The Minnesota Twins, in conjunction with the Minnesota News Network, announced that the Twins Radio Network has grown to include nearly 70 stations that will broadcast throughout Twins Territory. Historically, the Twins Radio Network has been one of the largest in all of Major League Baseball with hometown radio partners bringing Twins baseball to fans across five states, and the network continues to grow. In 2007, the Twins assumed control and development of the Twins Radio Network. Not bad for the upper Midwest!
There is a link to listen to Twins Radio on the Minnesota Twins website. The radio stations for Twins Radio provide listeners with pre-game shows, play-by-play action during the game, and then the post game show. Some of the specialty shows on the stations include “Talkin’ Twins” with Matt Thomas, and “The Ron Gardenhire Show” with Ron himself. Along with regular season games, a lot of the stations also have spring training coverage as well.
So, I guess I spoke to soon; there IS a form of talk radio that I enjoy. If you are around the Fargo/Moorhead area like me, and enjoy listening to the Twins games, you can turn on KFGO Fargo, 790 on am radio. Enjoy!
My family and I are huge Minnesota Twins fans. Whenever I get the chance I am watching a game on television, getting stats online (usually during class around noon or one o’clock), or listening to the game on the radio in the car. Considering they have their own radio network, it is very easy to find the game on the radio in the car.
The Minnesota Twins, in conjunction with the Minnesota News Network, announced that the Twins Radio Network has grown to include nearly 70 stations that will broadcast throughout Twins Territory. Historically, the Twins Radio Network has been one of the largest in all of Major League Baseball with hometown radio partners bringing Twins baseball to fans across five states, and the network continues to grow. In 2007, the Twins assumed control and development of the Twins Radio Network. Not bad for the upper Midwest!
There is a link to listen to Twins Radio on the Minnesota Twins website. The radio stations for Twins Radio provide listeners with pre-game shows, play-by-play action during the game, and then the post game show. Some of the specialty shows on the stations include “Talkin’ Twins” with Matt Thomas, and “The Ron Gardenhire Show” with Ron himself. Along with regular season games, a lot of the stations also have spring training coverage as well.
So, I guess I spoke to soon; there IS a form of talk radio that I enjoy. If you are around the Fargo/Moorhead area like me, and enjoy listening to the Twins games, you can turn on KFGO Fargo, 790 on am radio. Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Communicating Through the Radio
It is strange to think how the media is everywhere. To use myself as an example, depending on the day, I watch a few hours of television. On Sundays if I am home I read the Fargo Forum and my local town’s newspaper. I have the radio on, music playing on my computer, or my i-pod plugged into my ears constantly throughout the day. It is easy to see why we are so affected by it. Even if I am not fully paying attention, the television is on in the background of a conversation I am having or my computer is playing some music while I do my homework. At the moment, I am listening to Crazy by one of my favorite bands, Aerosmith. I love listening to all sorts of music, and that is why I chose music/radio to be my medium for the blogs for this class.
I say music/radio because in a sense I find music to be its own medium. The radio brings us not only music, but talk radio, news, sports, etc. I cannot stand to listen to talk radio. I do not enjoy listening to people who use their position on the radio to get up on their soapbox and complain all day. However how boring and annoying it is, this is a way of mass communication using the radio.
My favorite part about the radio is music. Radio communicates with us using the news and talk radio, but I feel that songs communicate to us as well. Artists speak out and communicate with their audiences by the lyrics in their songs. It is amazing how one song can have multiple meanings to different people. Some songs can remind you of a certain time, place, or person in your life. Some songs make you laugh and others make you cry. Music is a powerful medium. So, because I feel these are two sorts of different mediums that coincide together, I will be writing a bit about both from week to week.
I say music/radio because in a sense I find music to be its own medium. The radio brings us not only music, but talk radio, news, sports, etc. I cannot stand to listen to talk radio. I do not enjoy listening to people who use their position on the radio to get up on their soapbox and complain all day. However how boring and annoying it is, this is a way of mass communication using the radio.
My favorite part about the radio is music. Radio communicates with us using the news and talk radio, but I feel that songs communicate to us as well. Artists speak out and communicate with their audiences by the lyrics in their songs. It is amazing how one song can have multiple meanings to different people. Some songs can remind you of a certain time, place, or person in your life. Some songs make you laugh and others make you cry. Music is a powerful medium. So, because I feel these are two sorts of different mediums that coincide together, I will be writing a bit about both from week to week.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Stars Shine in 2009: Changes in We-Fest Over the Years
The first WE Fest was held in 1983. Since then, the three-day concert madness has attracted more and more people each year. In 2007 and 2008 it was recorded that over 80,000 people traveled to the Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes Minnesota to enjoy some country music and camping with friends.
The line up for “Stars Shine in 2009” promises to bring an even bigger crowd to the concert festival this year, with headliners Tim McGraw, Brooks and Dunn, and Toby Keith. Young stars within the country music are also performing at we-fest as well. Taylor Swift was a favorite amongst concert goers last year. I was there, and she put on a great show! I am glad to see she is coming back. Sawyer Brown is an old favorite and has played We-Fest before, as well as the North Dakota Wintershow, The Red River Valley Fair, and the State Fair; we like him in North Dakota. To check out more of the 2009 lineup, visit this link: http://www.wefest.com/2009/home.php
Before my friends and I started attending We-Fest, my parents were avid goers of the festival. That being said, that is probably the main reason I was not allowed to attend We-Fest in high school: my parents knew what happened there.
A lot has changed since the early 80’s when my parents attended the concerts. The most obvious would be prices. Last year when I attended We-Fest I paid $180 for my three day concert pass, and $60 for my three day camping pass. My mother recalls getting her three day concert pass for “maybe 40 bucks.” She also told me that there was no reserved seating. “You woke up at the crack of dawn and got in line with your lawn chair,” she said, “they opened the gates and you RAN to the stage. First come, first serve.”
She went on to explain how there was no VIP seating, and not nearly as many vendors as there are today. Money, money, money... Prices for tickets, camping, drinks, food, and souvenirs have increased dramatically over the past couple of years. “Just like everything else today, it seems like it (We-Fest) is more about the money than anything else,” my mom said.
To find We-Fest tickets for this summer visit: http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?tm_link=tm_header_search&q=we-fest
The line up for “Stars Shine in 2009” promises to bring an even bigger crowd to the concert festival this year, with headliners Tim McGraw, Brooks and Dunn, and Toby Keith. Young stars within the country music are also performing at we-fest as well. Taylor Swift was a favorite amongst concert goers last year. I was there, and she put on a great show! I am glad to see she is coming back. Sawyer Brown is an old favorite and has played We-Fest before, as well as the North Dakota Wintershow, The Red River Valley Fair, and the State Fair; we like him in North Dakota. To check out more of the 2009 lineup, visit this link: http://www.wefest.com/2009/home.php
Before my friends and I started attending We-Fest, my parents were avid goers of the festival. That being said, that is probably the main reason I was not allowed to attend We-Fest in high school: my parents knew what happened there.
A lot has changed since the early 80’s when my parents attended the concerts. The most obvious would be prices. Last year when I attended We-Fest I paid $180 for my three day concert pass, and $60 for my three day camping pass. My mother recalls getting her three day concert pass for “maybe 40 bucks.” She also told me that there was no reserved seating. “You woke up at the crack of dawn and got in line with your lawn chair,” she said, “they opened the gates and you RAN to the stage. First come, first serve.”
She went on to explain how there was no VIP seating, and not nearly as many vendors as there are today. Money, money, money... Prices for tickets, camping, drinks, food, and souvenirs have increased dramatically over the past couple of years. “Just like everything else today, it seems like it (We-Fest) is more about the money than anything else,” my mom said.
To find We-Fest tickets for this summer visit: http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?tm_link=tm_header_search&q=we-fest
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