Give The Gift of Music

02-05-13(13:58:30)

M Gray — Thu, 02 May 2013 13:58:30 +0000

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Aug. 23rd “A New Chapter in Our Lives”

tdomf_40768 — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 16:47:01 +0000

Dierks Bentley – Song Of The Year “HOME” brings me to tears (litterally)! There are many reasons…I am a single mother to 3 wonderful children, Chelsea (24yrs old), now living in Fallsington, PA, Morgan (23yrs old) living in CLARKSVILLE, TN and my special blessing Connor James (11yrs old) living with me in an apartment in Nazareth, PA. Connor is in 5th grade! My kids are my world! Both my girls are graduates of Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA. We ALL are very close, their little brother is our joy! Morgan became engaged this New Years Eve to an awesome young man, “Ted”. (Same name as my older brother who died in 1991) Little did I know she would be moving 2 months later to Clarksville, TN. Ted is in the 101st AIRBORNE unit of the US ARMY, and was stationed at Fort Campbell. Ted spent the summer in the “Ranger” training program in Georgia but came HOME to Morgan (in Tennessee) the 2nd week of August. Soon he was back to Pennsylvania to visit his family and spend time with Connor and I. It was then I found out they were getting married on Aug. 23rd. I was able to make a very special bouquet for Ted to take back to Tennessee with him for Morgan to carry as they were married. My heart is so broken because I couldn’t see my daughter getting married! It was a very simple wedding, done by a Justice of the Peace in Tennessee with NO family or friends with them at all. Ted was deployed to AFGHANISTAN on Sept. 7th. My heart aches for them both. I haven’t seen my daughter since she drove to visit in June and now her “new” husband is overseas fighting for our Country. Chelsea is flying to Tennessee to see her on Oct. 31st. As a single mom, and Connor still in elementary school, I can’t afford to fly or drive there. It would be “HOME” for all of us if we could be together in Nashville, TN and even more special at the CMA Awards. To me the song “HOME” represents so much….even more special would be ALL our soldiers coming “HOME”!!!! God I am tearing up as I finish this…14 more soldiers were just killed in Khost Afghanistan. (This is EXACTLY where Ted is stationed). God I miss my daughter so much and I want so much for her to have her husband back in the United States where he belongs……HOME were all our soldiers belong! She needs to see me now more than ever, just as I need for ALL my children and me to be together again!

Every single time I hear the music and watch the video to “HOME” my eyes fill with tears. To me it feels as though every single word in that song is so true and so much of it relates to my life. Only one other time in my life I saw a firework display choreographed to music…it was exactly July 4th, 1998, the very day after my mother passed away at the age of 64, unexpectedly. All my children are blessings however Connor was unexpected as I was 42 years old at the time. My mother’s death sent my world up-side-down! She died 07/03/1998 at 12:03 AM, Connor was born on 07/03/2001 at 12:30PM!! Coincidence?? I will always believe it was her way of saying “I love you and it will be okay!” Again that song and video move me like no other!!

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Parents, Nurture Your Child’s Passion

tdomf_40768 — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 16:45:16 +0000

I will never forget my first keyboard. My mom bought me one for Christmas when I was about 12 years old. In a few months, I was anxious to do a “concert” for my family. So after nights and nights of practicing the same song over and over again (Chopin Etude no. 3 in E major – Op. 10 no. 3), I realized Dad’s birthday was coming up. I announced with exuberance, that I was cooking dinner and sure enough, April 30 came around – I cooked that dinner by myself, set the table, and I had my first recital in our living room. My parents single handedly changed my life by encouraging me in my little talent, and every time I look out at the Dirty Heads crowd, I always remember that it started in my living room, for two people.

So I say to parents out there, please! Find any cost efficient way to consistently nurture your child’s passions! If you only have $100 all year to spend on it, find a summer camp and a living social coupon and make sure they can go every year to that one camp. Tell them to practice all year for that one camp! Watch them excel – I guarantee it!

Every little gift of music will always make a difference in their lives whether it directly accelerates their musical interest or it directly transfers into a new passion. You WILL see a return in some way!

Shawn Hagood
Keyboardist – The Dirty Heads
Drummer – RICH KID SOUND SYSTEM

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27-11-12(22:29:31)

kanomei — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:29:41 +0000

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27-11-12(22:29:11)

kanomei — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:29:23 +0000

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27-11-12(22:28:27)

kanomei — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:28:41 +0000

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27-11-12(22:28:03)

kanomei — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:28:12 +0000

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27-11-12(22:27:47)

kanomei — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:27:52 +0000

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2012 ‘Countdown To The CMA Awards’ Contest

nicole — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 16:42:29 +0000

Multi-Platinum Country Trio The Band Perry Lends Its Voice To The Give The Gift of Music Campaign, Launching 2nd Annual ‘Countdown To The CMA Awards’ Contest

Winner Will Receive Two Tickets to “The 46th Annual CMA Awards” and $1,000

MARLTON, N.J./WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 12, 2012: Kicking off the 2^nd annual ‘Countdown To The CMA Awards’ contest as part of its industry-wide Give The Gift Of Music (GTGOM) campaign, NARM – the music business association and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) today debuted a brand new video from reigning CMA ‘New Artist of the Year’ winners and country trio The Band Perry to spotlight the significance of giving and receiving music as a gift. The video launched exclusively in a featured ‘Countdown to the CMA Awards’ section of the givethegiftofmusic.info website, which also includes previous video contributions from 2012 CMA Awards nominees such as Taylor Swift, Martina McBride, Blake Shelton and others.

Members of The Band Perry took home more trophies than any other act at the 2011 CMA awards for “New Artist of the Year,” “Single of the Year,” and “Song of the Year.” The 2012 CMA Award nominees for “Vocal Group of the Year,” and multi-Platinum award-winning siblings Kimberly, Reid, and Neil Perry recall learning to love music from their parents as the greatest gift of music they ever received.

“I remember the first time Reid, Neil, and I ever sang in three part harmony, we were on a family vacation out in the wild, wild-west. It was really late one night and mom had the driving shift … The three of us kind of huddled around her to keep her awake and figured out how to sing in three part harmony. It was such an amazing life-changing moment,” reminisced lead vocalist Kimberly Perry.

The 2^nd annual GTGOM ‘Countdown To The CMA Awards’ contest asks fans to share how a particular 2012 CMA Awards nominee’s music (song, lyrics, performance, etc.) has inspired them. A full list of nominees can be found at http://www.cmaworld.com/cma-awards/nominees. The grand prize winner will receive two tickets to attend “The 46^th Annual CMA Awards” in Nashville on Wednesday, November 1 and a cash prize of $1,000. Special Country Music gift packages will go to the second and third place winners respectively. Specific details on the new gifting contest, including deadlines, rules and regulations can be found at http://givethegiftofmusic.info/contests/countdown-to-cma-2012/.

In the coming weeks leading up to “The 46th Annual CMA Awards,” airing live November 1 at 8|7c on the ABC Television Network, music fans and consumers can further connect with the campaign, and its featured Country and other popular artists, on social media sites including Facebook (facebook.com/givethegiftofmusic) and Twitter (twitter.com/agiftofmusic).

In 2010, NARM and the RIAA, led an industry-wide effort to reenergize the 30-year old GTGOM campaign and remind consumers that they can give the gift of music today in so many more ways than ever via physical, online and mobile options.

A variety of industry organizations and more than 60 top musicians have since joined to support the initiative and help spread the gifting message. Artists continue to contribute original anecdotes to the givethegiftofmusic.info website that allows consumers to hear how music gifts have touched the lives of their favorite acts; share their own gifting memories; discover new music gift ideas; and tell friends and loved ones what’s on their own music wish lists all year long. In addition, industry groups have supported the campaign by using the GTGOM logo and website URL on product, in advertisements and on their websites.

# # #

About NARM: NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandisers) advances the promotion, marketing, distribution and sale of music by providing members with diverse meeting and networking opportunities, information and education resources, and advocacy for their common interests. NARM is based in Marlton, New Jersey.

About RIAA: The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is the trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of the major music companies. Its members are the music labels that comprise the most vibrant record industry in the world. RIAA® members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 85% of all legitimate recorded music produced and sold in the United States. In support of this mission, the RIAA works to protect the intellectual property and First Amendment rights of artists and music labels; conduct consumer, industry and technical research; and monitor and review state and federal laws, regulations and policies. The RIAA® also certifies Gold®, Platinum®, Multi- Platinum™ and Diamond sales awards as well as Los Premios De Oro y Platino™, an award celebrating Latin music sales.

About CMA: More than 11,000 music industry professionals and companies around the globe are members of the Country Music Association. The organization’s objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advance the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s core initiatives: CMA Music Festival and the companion television special; the CMA Award, which are recognized as “Country Music’s Biggest Night™”; and CMA’s latest TV property, “CMA Country Christmas.” For information about CMA visit www.CMAworld.com. For information about “The 46^th Annual CMA Awards” visit www.CMAawards.com.

Contact:
Nicole Hennessey, NARM, (856) 596-1803, hennessey@narm.com
Liz Kennedy, RIAA, (202) 775-0101, lkennedy@riaa.com
Wendy Pearl, CMA, (615) 244-2840, WPearl@CMAworld.com

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tdomf_40768 — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:44:00 +0000

Katy Perry’s music has inspired many because of her ability to write songs that speak great truth and honesty, and at the same time make it relatable to many different people from all walks of life. Each song of hers has inspired me in some way. No other artist has ever been able to have every single song have a great message, even the funnest of them. For example, the silly songs like “California Gurls” talk about being proud of who you are and where you came from, “Last Friday Night (TGIF)” talks about letting loose on Friday and release the stress you have (we all need to do that), and “I Kissed a Girl” isn’t just about kissing other girls it’s about trying something new and taking a risk no matter the situation whether it be trying new foods to taking a risk of bungee jumping. Those could be new experiences that you should take that risk and do. “Hummingbird Heartbeat” is about that one person that give u butterflies in your stomach and makes your heart race every time you see them, and everyone has that person and releasing that feeling and letting it be known to yourself or to that person. There are also more serious songs like “Pearl” that talks about a woman who is being put in the dark by her partner. It inspires one to rise above it be strong and overcome those obstacles of people bringing you down. This is synonymous with “I’m Still Breathing” that talks about after someone has hurt you, you can move on and show that person you are strong and that you have learned that you can still move on (From Pearl). And “Who am I Living For” is about asking ourselves who do we live for? it has helped me learn, I live for myself. I need to do things for myself, not impress other people, I am my own person and I do not need to impress other people and desperately seek their approval. These are just a few of her songs and each one has touched me and in a special way that is hard to describe. Yet, there is another aspect to Katy than just her songs, but her performance. Her “California Dreams Tour” was magical in the fact that she did what she wanted to do and didn’t settle for what other people told her to do. She made California into “Candyfornia” and she did it on her own. She followed her dreams and that is shown through her performances. Lastly, Katy is my hero. She helps me become a better person each day and I am not going to say I want to be just like her when I grow up because Katy Perry has taught me that I don’t want to be. Not because she isn’t amazing, which she is, but Katy Perry is already taken, there will never be another Katy Perry. I want to be me, but in order following my dreams I have to do what Katy has taught me through her powerful lyrics and amazing spirit and personality. So I thank you, Katy, for showing me that I can be who I want to be and no one else should tell me otherwise, and I also thank you for showing me that my dreams will never be “The One that Got Away.”

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