Monday, February 13, 2012

Grammy weekend!

This weekend was a roller coaster of emotions. It was Grammy weekend; the biggest night in the music industry and with all the excitement came the tragic news of Whitney Houston's passing.
Death is a part of life, but I felt this one like it was someone I knew personally. I LOVED Whitney! I don't know a person who hasn't sung one of her songs trying to hit/ hold her notes. To this day I still can't but it is always something to aspire to...Whitney remains "THE VOICE" of our time! (And dare I say I don't think anyone will ever come close!)


The incomparable Ms Whitney Houston
(Billboard Image)

I attended the Grammy party in New York City. It was bittersweet for me because although the Grammy events are always exciting, I felt sad because of the loss of Whitney, and also because it was Gene McDaniels birthday. Gene passed away last year. At the time of Gene's passing, we were working on a music project together. I only knew him for a short period of time but he was such a nice guy, uber-talented and very down-to-earth. It was an honor that he was interested in my music. I was very happy to see the Recording Academy include him in their memoriam. RIP Gene and our beloved Whitney!

Apart from that, I enjoyed the Grammy Awards this year. The more I develop as a musician, I understand the work it takes to get there. The talent that hit that stage was intriguing and definitely inspiring.

Highlights for me:
Adele - Awesome is such an understated word for Adele! I predicted that she would "clean up" at the Grammys and she did not disappoint! She won all 6 Grammy awards in the categories in which she was nominated, proving that talent does not need a big production. You also don't have to be twig and half-naked on stage. With just her voice and a mic, Adele wowed everyone! When I grow up I want to be like Adele :)

GRAMMY AWARDS ADELE
Adele
(Billboard Image)

Jennifer Hudson - She did that Whitney tribute justice like noone else could. I was looking for Chaka Khan, who was rumored to perform, but Jennifer put the exclamation on that tribute! WOW!


Jennifer Hudson
(Billboard Image)

Bruce Springsteen, Paul Mc Cartney and David Grohl (Foo Fighter lead) taking the stage together? EPIC!


Bruce Springsteen (left), Paul McCartney (center) and David Grohl (pictured to the right of Paul)
(Billboard Image)

And I LOVE David Grohl's acceptance speech" "To me this award means a lot because it shows that the human element of music is what’s most important,” he said, as members of the audience began to applaud. “Singing into a microphone and learning to play an instrument and learning to do your craft, that’s the most important thing for people to do.”

So many categories were not aired in the telecast BUT I want to shout out some of my faves who won: Melanie Fiona, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lady Antebellum and even my girl Betty White for Best Spoken Word Album (yes Betty is running the gamut you hear me? lol)

A special congrats to Skrillex for his 3 Grammy wins. I had no idea who he was until about a week before the awards show. My friend, Julie, told me about him, and lo and behold Skrillex was not only nominated but won 3 of the awards. I always like the "underdog" story. 

Skrillex
(Billboard Image) 



My girl, Alicia Keys, with a soulful rendition of "A Sunday Kind of Love" performed with Bonnie Raitt in the Etta James tribute
(Billboard Image)

My cousin and I at the Grammy Party, 40/40 club NYC

For a complete list of nominees and winners, click here http://www.grammy.com/nominees


Tuesday, February 7, 2012

NEW YORK GIANTS!

My friend, Isaac, sent me this -- seeing it again reminds me of how appropriate and friggin funny!



THANKS ISAAC! HAHA!

Superbowl 2K12 - CONGRATS NY GIANTS!!

Superbowl 2K12 Champions: NY Giants
(image from nfl.com)

This weekend, as most of you already know, was Superbowl weekend! Superbowl is one of the biggest events in the USA! According to a manager at the grocery, "even bigger than the holidays". She said it is the busiest time of the year for them (and I would imagine for liquor stores and pizzerias as well).
I LOVE the excitement of the Superbowl and the football season leading up to it as well. I don't have a favorite team because I choose my teams by who's cute. Highly annoying to real football fans but it's my party and I'll choose how I want to! HA!
This year I was torn because I LOVE me some Tom Brady, but I'm a New Yorker ! So I went with "may the best team win" (but deep inside I wanted to cry for Brady). Note to Brady: NO MORE pre-game interviews where you say you're gonna win! EVERYTIME you say that y'all lose! There's confidence and then there's jinx! Don't say nada!!
Anyway, another reason I watch the Superbowl are for the commercials. My faves this year were the M&M's commercial:


And the dog with the Doritos: (the winner of this contest won $1 mil)

For all other commercials, click link:

*Superbowl fun: cost of an ad run during the Superbowl averaged $3.5 mil for 30 seconds!

The Superbowl parade is going DOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWNNNNNN in lower Manhattan today! "The parade will be followed by a ceremony at City Hall Plaza, at which the Mayor will present the Giants with Keys to the City. Following the ceremony, the Giants will board buses and return to New Jersey, where Giants players, coaches and owners and Gov. Chris Christie will celebrate the title in the team's home, MetLife Stadium. FREE ADMISSION AND FREE PARKING. TAILGATING IS PERMITTED."

CONGRATS TO THE NY GIANTS!!!