Randall Browning- Realism At Its Best

May 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

9cWhen one creates art, we all have our own unique style which manifests onto the canvas bringing it to life by revealing that style which expresses us.  Some styles are more abstract and fictional, while others show realism or some leap off the charts into the realm of surrealism.  Randall Browning is a master of surrealism in his work.

Upon seeing his art for the first time, I actually thought it was just a photograph of  still life pieces.  Browning tends to focus on general everyday kitchen items and gives them spice by adding wild contrasting colors such as black and white checkers or red and white stripes, thus giving the picture different textures and feel.  After I studied the art and learned more about Browning, I found that these are not photographs at all, instead, they are masterful renditions of still life paints.

From that point on, I was in awe of his talent.  This man is able to make the most realistic looking metal I have ever seen; the glare from the smooth sheen on his coffee pots and coffee mugs are a work of true artistic discipline in the highest sense.  I haven’t seen many people capture the feel of textures like Browning in a long time. Like I said, I thought it was a photograph of a real cup and coffee pot.

Browning’s whole life revolves around the arts.  He received formal training in New York on a two year merit scholarship where he attended the Art Students League.  It’s here that he studied under some exceptional artists like: Robert Emil Shulz, Jack Faragasso and George Pasantino.  Browning is even more remarkable with his talents, because he’s been considered a professional artist since the age of thirteen, which were years before his formal artistic training.

For years this artist has been focusing on portraits, which his resume is packed full of for over 28 years.  Browning, however, seems to like philosophy and his recent creations, like the ones we mentioned, are designed on the Zen principle of meditiaton.  This collection is still life, but Browning’s goal isn’t about the objects he paints, instead it’s about taking ordinary inanimate objects and showing how they affect people emotionally, as Browning states.

16cBrowning’s collections deck the walls of galleries, and the walls of people both famous and non-famous, giving him a well rounded resume.  Some of the people who own his work are:  The Jerry Jones family (Dallas Cowboys owner), Linda Bloodworth Thompson (producer of Designing Women), Leonard Katzman (producer of Dallas), US Senator Doyle Webb from Arkansas, and many more.

His work are in exhibits across the world, and those exhibits can be found at the following places, which may even be in your own backyard. They are as follows:

  • 2002 Sierra Nevada Quinta Real. San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico.
  • 2001 Galeria Dos Culturas. “Myth Becomes Reality”,” San Miguel Allende, Gto. Mexico
  • 1999 Galeria La Estrella. Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico.
  • 1998 Galeria La Estrella. Interlomas, Mexico City, Mexico.
  • 1998 Galeria La Estrella. “Guanajuato Trade Center” in Dallas, Texas.
  • 1997 Portrait Brokers of America. Atlanta, Georgia and Birmingham, Alabama. Exhibition of portraits.
  • 1997 Thomas Gallery. “Images of Mexico,” Little Rock, Arkansas.
  • Ram’s Head Gallery. “Masks, Myth and Dance in Mexico,” Dallas, Texas.
  • Southwest Gallery. “The Mask in Mexico,” Dallas, Texas.
  • Dolona Roberts Gallery. “Masked Dances in Mexico,” Santa Fe, New Mexico.
  • Trammell Crow Center. “Mask as an Archetype,” Dallas, Texas.
  • 2006 “Get Real” Exhibition in Discovery Galleries. Washington, D.C.
  • 2006 Exhibition in Forthsmith Gallery. Atlanta, Georgia.
  • 2005 One man show. Exhibition in Galeria del Claustro. Juriquilla, Queretaro.
  • 2004 Exhibition in Gallery Central. Hot Springs, Arkansas.
  • 2003 Exhibition in Galeria Dos Culturas. San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato.
  • 2003 Exhibition in South West Gallery. Dallas, Texas.

You can also find him at these galleries:

Discovery Gallery
Southwest Gallery
Ro Gallery

Randall Browning’s work will definitely touch you in some way, while tickling your imagination.  Sit and look at his work and figure out how he created a painting so real; it’s his true blessing to the art world.

If you want to contact Browning or see more of his pictures, please see his web site at www.randallbrowning.com

Filed Under: featured, Fine Art Tagged With: , , , ,

John Tootabeanie- Capturing Graffiti

May 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

loaf_medWhat I love about art is how diverse it can be; the possibilities of expression are endless. Just recently we came across a new form of art that rocked me out of my chair.  The concept of John Tootabeanie’s art made me chuckle, but so very intrigued at the same time.  His idea was to take the graffiti off the walls of bathroom stalls, college campuses, libraries, school desks or anywhere he could find a great saying or drawing and turn it into wearable art that makes a great fashion statement.  You’re sure to turn heads with his clothing line!

When I first read his e-mail about what he did, I was thinking how crazy it all sounded. I immediately went to his web site to see what he could possibly be portraying through his unique art.  When I got to the store, I was amazed to see the stuff we can only see when we’re “indisposed.”  The concept is great; I mean who isn’t fascinated by the writings on the wall in public restrooms? Is there one person that can honestly say when they are in these places and see this graffiti on the wall, they don’t read at least one?  It’s just human nature to do so, even if it is vulgar.  So Tootabeanie takes these sayings and drawings we all laugh at and have to read, and makes them into a shirt… GENIUS.

I admit, there have been a few times I been in a restroom or in some bar and saw something written and said, “Man, that would make a great shirt.”  Now I found someone who went the extra step and actually did that.

This goes to show how awesome the creative mind can go and how the possibilities arise if you just take the time to smell the opportunities that lie right under our noses.  What’s great about this is that Tootabeanie’s art is interactive; if you see something on the walls that just makes you laugh or is so gross you have to share it, now you can.  All you have to do is photograph it and submit it to him via his web site. How great is that?

Now, aspiring artists take note of this: Inspiration is everywhere, you just have to keep an open eye.  Tootabeanie here is surely a good role model for that with his creative outlet.  His work shows you that art is all around us, and how it affects us is what makes it so powerful.  His work is not unique because it’s found everywhere, but how he takes the simple writings and graphics and contorts them into his own concept making a unique fashion design, is down right masterful.

homey_medTootabeanie’s concept also makes a rad fashion statement, placing him into a few art categories making this even more special.  I remember back in the 1980s how cool it was to wear shirts with crazy sayings on them.  It’s still popular today, and I have a few sarcastic t-shirts that I wear religiously, especially if they express my personality or if they portray something I find to be “so true.”  I would surely wear these shirts because so much of what I read on the walls portrays my personality or is something that’s “so true.”  There are also people who like stuff that’s so whacked out they must wear it.  Tootabeanie has a shirt that has a drawing of a bread loaf, and a man saying, “Dude, I just pitched a loaf.”  We all know what that means, but it’s portrayed in the terms of bread.  It’s awesome!  Tootabeanie’s shirts are definitely a guy’s choice for fashion, because it’s everything we love to read and we can take it with us when we go and show the world what really lies on the walls of the “MEN’S BATHROOM!”

If you want to check out Tootabeanie’s fashion/artistic world, then check out his web site at www.letterfromjohn.com and tell him The Expressionist sent you.  This is something you will have to see to believe.

Filed Under: Clothing Designers, featured Tagged With:

Amber Nicol Talks About Music

May 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

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Everyone is born with something special; a gift, that will help change the world. That gift could be simply speaking your mind to change or challenge the status quo. It may be art that makes the world pleasing to the eye, or you may be a musician where someone can relate to your song which helps them feel better. No matter your gift, it’s yours to share. Some gifts don’t show right away because you may not have known what your gift was. Sometimes you know the gift because it was something that came naturally, without instruction of how or why. Sometimes it takes practice and skill to hone in on your gift, and once you’ve perfected it, watch out world.

For Tinton Falls, NJ native Amber Nicol, music is her gift. She was lucky enough to be born into a musical family; her mother played a lot of folk music such as Jim Croce and James Taylor, while her father was the rocker who loved classic rock, especially Eric Clapton. Amber remembers her father loved the electric guitar, the crazy riffs, and the physical emotional rock conveys. With a blend of music in the house, Amber grew up in a well-rounded musical environment that helped mold her into the musical artist she is today.

At first, Amber was a writer. She recalls the wonderful times she had writing poetry and sonnets. Those documents were very dear and intimate to her because they showed her true emotions, something Amber felt best if left private. As she grew up she realized that others could relate to her lyrics and poems, and that she wasn’t alone. It was then that Amber started to share her work and transform those heartfelt emotions in lyrical form into the wonderful songs she sings today.

Since Amber wasn’t into the music scene at first, it was something she has taught herself and picked up a few classes to help along the way. In order for her to successfully tell her tales she wrote onto a crumpled piece of paper, she would have to learn how to strum her emotions formally donned by the pen, into the guitar. At the age of seventeen, Amber’s mother gave her an Ibanez acoustic guitar for her birthday. It was one of her favorite gifts growing up. Now she had the utensil to define herself as an artist and to seal her future in the musical arts, though she may not have known it at the time. Amber is mostly self taught when it comes to her guitar, although she did study the classical guitar with Professor John Demas at HCC. She currently studies voice with Carlo Thomas in Sarasota. She majored in music composition when she was in college, a fitting subject for a lyrics writer. Knowing how to compose lyrics around a melody or vice versa, is not an easy task to undertake so in the end this line of study would help her understand music and how songs are compiled.

The start of her professional career comes at the hand of her partner in crime, her younger brother Charlie Nicol. No matter what the future brings, Charlie and Amber will always work together playing original works as well as covers.

Charlie is a self taught drummer who is incredible on the instrument. He also is a self taught guitar player and an overall connoisseur of music. Amber and Charlie started to do some acoustic shows in Brooksville, FL and a few charitable shows, where most of the proceeds went to the Humane Society Of Hernando. They started to get tired of the acoustic scene and recently decided to move in a new direction for their music.

Back in 2008, Amber met a drummer named Nick. Nick, Charlie and Amber would get together regularly to just jam out some tunes. Eventually they realized they wanted to get serious and in order to do so, they needed a bass player. Ironically, Nick’s brother Patrick, or better known as “Patches,” played the bass. It was a match made in heaven because Charlie and Amber are siblings and so are the drummer and bassist.

In January of 2009, this group of inspiring musicians started the band called Better In Black And White. Right now if you want to see them play, you may have to wait a few months; they are only playing as a group doing original songs once every few months. It’s easier to catch Amber and Charlie doing covers at local events and pubs across the state of Florida.

bwdscf47421The sound to Better In Black And White is an eclectic mix of modern rock with a hint of classic rock and a blues influence. The band is focused on their originals right now. Amber Nicol is currently working on her solo debut album. That album has yet to have a name to it, but Amber says that it will have a nice blend of sounds and a well-rounded number of ballads such as “Dancin’ With You,” and jam songs like “Never Been Good With Goodbyes.” When I asked her about the possibility of not having enough songs, Amber replied, “Not a chance, I have enough copyrighted material to fill three full length CDs.”

Amber’s new album is co-written musically with Miguel Gonzalez, who has put together great albums with Saigon Kick, Brian Howe and 16 Second Stare to name a few. His talents, mixed with the talents of Amber and Charlie Nicol, and the production by Miguel’s studio Purple Studio Productions, will make this CD a hot commodity once it’s released.

It just goes to show you no matter what life throws your way, if you’re determined enough, you can make things happen and accomplish the impossible. Amber’s love for song writing for herself and anyone that needs a co-writer, and her love for music, have kept things together proving her talent and purpose on this earth wasn’t just to look cute, but to make amazing music for those who listen can relate to.

If you want to hear their music as it progresses, see their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/amberlynnnicol or Better In Black And White at www.myspace.com/betterinblackwhite (stay tuned for their new website coming soon.)

Photography by HME Photography (Picture 2 Right Column)

Filed Under: Bands & Singers, featured Tagged With: , , , ,

Barry Harris – Piano Prodigy

May 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

alysiaAt the Jammin’ The Harbor concert I got the esteem privilege of meeting Barry Harris, a 17-year-old pianist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  I was anxious to see his performance because I had heard so much about him and his success thus far; quite frankly nothing excites me more than to see a young artist blossom in their respected media.  What I saw was nothing less than amazing; Harris’ crystal clear voice and witty stage persona made him a true candidate for an exclusive interview with us.  His story and maturity will amaze you as you read his responses to our questions.  Look for Harris in the near future, as he is going to be huge.

How long have you been playing the piano? Did you take lessons or did it come naturally?
I’ve been playing the piano for fourteen years and that all started when I asked my parents for lessons. My dad showed me the notes and a couple songs. When I walked up to a Radio Shack keyboard display and gave an impromptu performance, my parents knew it was time for lessons.

Why the piano?  Was there a special connection or did you admire a certain pianist?

I grew up seeing Barry Manilow behind the piano everytime I saw him at a concert or on television. The fact that my dad also played piano was a significant influence. While professional musicianship runs in families, it really didn’t in my family; he just played for fun.

How has the piano impacted your every day life, even when your not playing?

Well, it gives me a whole different dynamic of expression compared with six strings on a guitar. It has been a defining element to my sound as an artist and to my performance on the stage. Except for rock gods like Eddie Van Halen or Slash, it’s hard to create a unique element for a guitar-playing artist.

barryandbarryWhat positives can you contribute to someone taking up an instrument?

Are you familiar with the “my parents make me sit inside on a hot summer day to practice the violin for three hours” allegory, as on the TV show King of the Hill? Well, I see taking up an instrument as just the opposite of that. It should feel like a liberation of expression rather than a prison sentence. There are many children (or parents for that matter) that do it for all the wrong reasons. As for a great positive, I can say that the skills I developed learning an instrument have wired me to be successful in a classroom setting, especially in math and reading.

Who is your biggest inspiration in music, past or present? Name a few if you need to, and why.

I’ll give you a couple of quick takes since there’s too many (about 18,000 songs on the iPod). Brian Wilson – He’s taught me everything I’ve ever known about harmony just through his records. Bob Dylan – There are songs, and then there are Bob Dylan songs. I realized music was much more than verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge. I learned from Bob Dylan that there always should be substance. Even if it feels ambiguous, I now feel inspired to create deeper meaning in everything. Barry Manilow – Any good musician appreciates his body of work. Anybody beginning to play pop is told to never start with Manilow because of his chord changes and modulations. Since he was the first artist whose work I really studied as a pop musician, my standard of music was at a much higher level earlier on.

pita_lrgYour talent surpasses your age of just seventeen, but what’s amazing are your accomplishments thus far. Please tell me about a few of your most notable accomplishments such as TV appearances, concerts, awards, etc..

I tell anybody looking to start in the music industry that it is a crap shoot. For every major credit on my resume, there are at least a hundred of dismal failures. I showed up at every audition I could find in the trade paper or online. I made the audition reel on American Idol Juniors back in 2003, which gave me a fifteen minute national spotlight. I made it on Entertainment Tonight and MTV based on that moment alone. I also made it on to America’s Most Talented Kids after months of going city-to-city to audition. Ironically, they discovered me through a video tape submission. During my season, Jordin Sparks was on the show, and she’s gone on to many big things. After that success, I took on the initiative to create a website for when people started Googling my name. After five years online, barryharrismusic.com is now the fourth thing you see on Google for me.

Lately, my attention has been focused on my MySpace page. I jumped on the bandwagon and really discovered the potential of the Internet. I have 16,000 friends now and 200,000 views. From there, I’ve been able to use that as a platform for my most recent endeavor.

Do you write your own pieces, and if you do, where do you get your inspiration?

Yeah, I write much of my own material, but you won’t hear them in most of my shows. I had to face it, people just really didn’t care for the songs they didn’t know. I like to stick to most of my interpretations of other songs for the most part. However, I don’t stop writing. I have long periods where I don’t finish much of what I write or don’t record much, but I never stop. To be a writer, you have to be more perceptive than the average person. I’ve stopped in mid-conversation a few times to run for a piece of paper when I’ve inadvertently been inspired to write something. There’s really no source in particular.

l_78f87f2db2eaef82122b62c677cdeb21I know you have a CD- tell me a little bit about it. What are some of your favorite songs, and why.

I should say that that particular CD keeps evolving. I replace older tracks with newer ones as I create them. It creates a great gift for family and friends when I need to get rid of my old CDs {laughs}. Two favorites are “Handle with Care,” which was originally done by the Traveling Wilburys. I knew I had become a genuine vocalist when I was able to completely nail Roy Orbison’s solo part in that song. It is such a great song to open with. Also, I like “I Can Hear Music.” That juxtaposes elements of the Ronettes’ and The Beach Boys’ versions; the harmonies are spot-on.

Where can people purchase your CD?

At this point, the CD I sell at my shows is a compilation of tracks that I recorded for my MySpace page. But little by little, I’ve been previewing work-in-progress mixes for an actual album I have in the pipeline. It’s all original, and I plan to vary the styles from song to song. There’s a few songs partially recorded and some that I need to finish writing, but I got the main idea fleshed-out. I recorded an original song called “Can We Get It Back” at Capitol Studios last summer. To prove that stuff is coming, I put a video of the recording sessions as edited by my friend on my YouTube page. That’ll be more on a grand scale; I get it up on iTunes and everything.

Let’s get to know Barry Harris a bit better.  If you could play anywhere in front of any crowd, where and why.

Well, I’d have to say the Hollywood Bowl. It’s one of those places that have that special vibe. Funny story though, I actually have been on the stage at the Hollywood Bowl several times. Of course, it was in front of an empty sea of seats, but I know that is not far from reality.

What is your favorite type of music, and has it had any impact on your music?

I’m a big fan of classic rock. There was a time from the 1950s-1970s where everything was about pushing the boundaries of music. I’m talking about Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, and others in that vein. Every artist that I listen to has a tremendous impact. My latest additions to my iPod have been the catalog of Neil Young, David Bowie, John Mellencamp, and the Grateful Dead. The next batch of songs I write will probably show a big influence from those artists. My most recent batch of songs to date reflects an influence from Bruce Springsteen, the Beach Boys, and George Michael in my opinion.


Do you do the typical teenager stuff like date, go to dances, play video games?  What’s your favorite activity?

Actually, I really don’t. I had a period when I decided that I was wasting my childhood away. I took a little break with my writing. But after time away, I realized that I missed the music. I missed recording, and I missed writing. My time is spent organizing my iTunes library and keeping up on current events. I am a big news junkie.

Where do you plan to go to college after high school?  What do you want to major in?

Well, I opted to put a big amount of effort into my school work because I felt that it would be my ticket to a good college with a good music program. In the process, I have become involved in activities; I anchor our school’s morning news program. It makes it so much more fun if you’re involved.

That said, I was admitted to the University of Southern California for the fall 2009 semester. I’ll be majoring in Popular Music Performance, which is designed to explore the fundamentals of pop music. It’s the first of its kind in the nation. This really appears to be a revolution in music education, and I’m proud to be a part of it.

What do you hope your music does for your fans, and what do you want them to get out of it?

I hope that they keep coming back because they enjoy what they hear. A big part of being an artist is building a brand with which people can identify. Certainly, if there were other people out there who are exactly who I am as an artist, they wouldn’t keep coming back for more.

What does legacy mean to you?  What do you want your legacy to be?
I know that artists come and go, but I hope to prove that I am here to stay. I want to go out and define my idea of success and make it happen on my own terms. I want people to always remember that I never compromise and I do what I love to do everyday.

Filed Under: Bands & Singers, featured Tagged With: , , , ,

Jay Leno Says Goodnight

May 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

This past Friday marked the end of another era in Tonight Show history.  Jay Leno, after 17 years, said “goodnight” for the last time on this legendary show.  Leno took over after the original anchor Johnny Carson bid adieu in 1992 to retire from television.

Leno made a logical choice for Carson who wanted his show to go on; he started it in 1962, and couldn’t see it end.  Leno was a fill in for him on many nights during the 30 years he anchored the show, so he had the experience and talent that Carson trusted.

Jay Leno was known for his witty one liners that Carson was famous for, and that helped keep the Tonight Show a hit for another 17 years.  On Friday, the show will have a third anchor in Conan O’Brien.

O’Brien has many of the same qualities that Leno and Carson did.  He had his own celebrity late night talk show self-titled, “Conan O’Brien.”  Like many talented celebrities, he too was a guest on numerous occasions on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno in the last 17 years.

Many believe Conan O’Brien will do a great job on the show, and that Carson will be proud of his next successor.  If O’Brien is as witty and funny as he is on his old late night show, he will have no trouble pulling the reigns on this one for another 20 years.

Filed Under: TV Tagged With: , ,

Mauricio Murillo Photography

May 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

portrait_for_mag_small_fileIf you would have told Mauricio Murillo when he was in middle school that art would engulf his life and give him a new sense of purpose he probably would have laughed at you.  As a young man trying to find his way in a tough world, this native Floridian did what most young boys do in school; he was active in sports, all kinds from football to soccer and whatever else his school offered.  He admits that he dabbled in art in his younger days but it wasn’t a focus.  This just shows how you can’t say, “I’m never going to do it,” because you usually end up doing just that.

As he got older, Mauricio started to focus more on abstract art in college, and he really embraced it by saying it was a great creative release.  He was born into a family of artists, specifically his mother who did a lot of painting and whose style mimicked her home country of Columbia.  Mauricio’s art went down a few different paths as he grew his talent; one of those paths took an urban feel.  He really enjoyed the raw but rough graffiti he found on walls and such.  He incorporated graffiti into his work, just not on walls unless someone would ask him to.  He still loves graffiti but it isn’t his true focus anymore. Mauricio is excited that some of his graffiti will be appearing in a new book titled “Label 228″ set to hit shelves in October of this year.  You can get your copy on Amazon.com.

future_heros_magPhotography came to Mauricio a few years ago in 2007 by a complete accident.  He noticed an ad in the newspaper for Artsploration, sponsored by the United Arts of Central Florida.  They were looking for photographs of Orlando including the Central Florida area.  He looked through his bag of work and found a photo he loved called “Eden.”  He figured why not, so he sent his application and photo in, then waited for the results.  A few weeks later the results came in, shocking him a bit. He won first place and a prize of $2000.00, not bad for a picture taken on Hills Avenue in Orlando.  This win opened his eyes and his passion for photography.

Like his art, the urban style fits the inspiration for his work.  He really focuses on things that people would take for granted, or takes things that you wouldn’t think of walking by to be beautiful, and makes them into masterpieces through his eyes.  With photography, the art is truly seen through the eyes of the photographer.  It’s the job of the photographer to take what they see and change the mind of the people who view the piece.  This is the challenge that Mauricio loves to accomplish with each and every piece.  A good example of this is his photo of a New York alley.

new_york_alley_small_sizeMauricio remembers that day, he was in New York during some crazy weather.  It was raining and cold, and he was walking past an alley that wasn’t pretty and definitely taken for granted.  Thousands of people passed this alley everyday, never taking a second look. Mauricio saw something special and took a photo.  The result is one of his most favorite pictures he has taken to date and one of his most requested pieces.

Art isn’t the only thing Mauricio is passionate about. One of his current projects is working with Icla Da Silva Foundation, whose purpose is to help minority and under privileged families with children who suffer with leukemia. Based out of New York, Mauricio is very passionate to lend his talents to help this wonderful organization.  To find out more, check out their web site www.icla.org

To have Mauricio do a commissioned piece for you, or to check out his work, or just contact him, please visit his web site at www.mauriciomurillo.com or his MySpace page at www.myspace.com/mauriciomurillo

Filed Under: featured, Mixed Media, Photography Tagged With: ,

Dora The Explorer LIVE

May 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

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Hey moms, schools out and your children are home.  I bet your wondering what to do with them before they get bored with the same old same old.  If your already starting to worry or thinking about this kind of stuff, mark on your calendar DORA THE EXPLORER is coming to Tampa LIVE!

Nickelodeon’s favorite Nick Jr.  team of Dora and her cousin Diego are coming to Tampa Bay with their friends Boots, Map and Backpack in a fun filled adventure your children are sure to love. Starring Susan Oliveras as Dora, Codey Girten as Boots and Shane Saldivar as Swiper.  Over the years Dora and Diego have made learning Spanish fun and easy using adventures and interaction on their show.  It’s cultural and fun for the whole family.  You can spend some quality time with your child, watch their faces light with glee as they watch some of their favorite Nick Jr charecters come to life; there is nothing more special than that.

What:       Dora The Explorer Live, In Search Of The Lost Toys
Where:    Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
@Carol Morsani Hall
1010 North W.C. MacInnis Place
Tampa, FL 33602
(800) 955-1045

When:       August 15-16th 2009
Price:         $15.25    PURCHASE ONLINE

Times:      10:30 AM, 2:00 PM and 5:30 PM
Web:           www.

Filed Under: Events Tagged With:

The Fallacies Of American Idol

May 29, 2009 By 3 Comments

What would you say if Mike Tyson was knocked out cold, lying on the mat wondering who and where he was, while Evander Holyfield is celebrating over his TKO. Then, the referee announces that Mike Tyson wins the match and captures the heavyweight title.  You would all be in shock and outrage, and the entire system of judging the match would be revamped and scrutinized with a fine tooth comb.  That has been the case with American Idol on more than one occasion yet to this day, and they have yet to revamp their voting system.

This year, however, they allowed a judge save.  That meant if a contestant got voted off, more than likely people did not vote for them because they felt they were safe. Therefore, the judges, if they felt the contestants were ousted before their time could save them.  The question remains… does this really help?

Season 8 of American Idol had probably one of the worst upsets in the show’s history; it really was the strongest that survived, but lost the match to the person he just knocked out.  The entire nation was in shock and felt angry, but somehow the lesser of the two talents won by American votes.  That’s what really makes me wonder how “honest” this show is.  Do they actually get that many votes, or do they eliminate contestants to cause a riot for publicity purposes?  Let’s take a stroll down through the seasons and take a contrasting look at the winners, then we’ll decide what’s going on.

Season 1 – Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini

In the season finale, Texan Kelly Clarkson won the first American Idol contest.  She battled fun-loving Justin Guarini who was equally as talented.  Since the show’s completion, Clarkson has produced three Grammy award-winning platinum albums, and has become a household name.  They even made a movie with Clarkson and Guarini called “To Kelly From Justin.”  The movie was a bust and it forever branded Guarini as just the runner-up, living in Clarkson’s shadow.  We haven’t heard from Guarini again.  Our vote: AMERICA PICKED RIGHT.

Season 2 – Reuben Studdard and Clay Aiken

This season was the season that gave American Idol a lot of controversy.  Jennifer Hudson was the third runner-up, leaving the masterful voice of Clay Aiken to the soulful voice of Ruben Studdard.  Many said it should have been Aiken and Hudson up in the finale.  Aiken gave a perfect performance through his three songs, while Studdard got mixed reviews on two of the songs.  In the end, Studdard won the American Idol crown, blowing the country away.  Don’t get me wrong, Studdard was good, but he was no Clay Aiken.  Aiken tended to fit more with a variety of genres and ages than did Studdard.  Since the show, Studdard has produced two CDs; his first one sold better than his second, and he solidified himself into the Gospel genre.  His songs were short lived on the radio and now we hardly hear anything about him.  Aiken has out sold just about every Idol except maybe Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.  His album went platinum, and he had Clarkson open for him on their tour in 2003.  Aiken produced a smash hit Christmas album, and did some cover songs for his third album.    You still hear from him, and his songs have ranked on the Billboard charts. He has completely blanketed Studdard’s career.  It was voted as the year’s biggest tragedy, and caused a lot of controversy for the American Idol show.  Even Jennifer Hudson produced a CD and won a Grammy for it. She also won an Oscar and has performed on Broadway.  Our opinion: AMERICA WAS WRONG.

Season 3 -  Fantasia Barrino and Deanna Degarmo

This season was a joke. Fantasia Barrino, who was almost voted off three times, comes back and ousts some very prominent Idols who now have a bigger career than she does, to battle Deanna Degarmo for the Season 3 crown.  Barrino screams more than Tina Turner and has actually turned me off to her singing.  We all knew Degarmo was by far the better singer, but popularity wise Barrino had that street.  In the end, Barrino blew away Degarmo, and dropped from grace.  Her first and only album tanked and she is now playing in The Color Purple on Broadway.  Degarmo decided singing wasn’t for her, but she does show up once in a while.  Her CD outsold Barrino’s, but she never cut another.  Actually, both contestants were flops which brought this season to almost a complete loss.  I heard Barrino only once on the radio and it was a duet with Macy Gray for a Christmas song.  After the song aired, the DJ came on and apologized, as he said he got more requests NEVER to play that again than he did to play it.  Our opinion:  AMERICA WAS WRONG

Season 4 – Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice

This season started a controversy because an outside group claimed to help the third place contestant who had no talent, make it to where he did.  They said they did this by spamming the lines.  They also claimed this resulted in Fantasia Barrino’s win the year before.  Nevertheless, Bo Bice, the heavy classic rocker, was set to square off against the hot country singer from Oklahoma. In the end, Underwood won the season and made one hell of a career for herself.  You will find her on just about every modern, country, and contemporary station out there.  She has gone triple platinum, won a few Grammys, CMA Awards, Kids Choice Awards and in 2008, was named the youngest member ever into the Grand Ole Opry.  Bice went on to record a few songs before a vicious illness took him out of commission.  After a few years he came back and released an album that has been played on the radio much like Underwood.   This season totally redeemed itself, and it was the first time many Americans agreed that both contestants were so talented and so well liked, it didn’t matter who won.  We agree: AMERICA WAS RIGHT

Season 5 – Taylor Hicks and Katherine McPhee

Just when we come off a great season, we get another Fantasia Barrino/Deanna Degarmo situation.  Katherine McPhee could out sing Taylor Hicks; she had far more talent.  Hicks, until the last four weeks, couldn’t sing a song without forgetting the lyrics.  It was a train wreck.  In the end, Hicks won the American Idol crown.  McPhee disappeared into the night, and so did Hicks.  He didn’t cut his first record until 2009 because he had to get formal training and rediscover himself.  He has been the WORST Idol to date.  What was worse was in this season the second biggest controversy came to life as Chris Daughtry was eliminated in the top five, losing to Hicks.  Since then he has out shined his season’s winner and is all over the radio. Daughtry’s first album went platinum and has sold over one million copies.  He should have been the American Idol.  It was this reason the judges added the save.  Our vote: AMERICA WAS DEAD WRONG

Season 6 – Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis

Irregardless of how this season turned out, it would redeem itself for last season.  This was a great season, and in the top three were some of the most talented singers to date: Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis and Idol favorite, Melinda Doolittle.  When the top two were announced, it shocked everyone that Doolittle was eliminated, for she was the strongest up there and the one the judges fared would be in the finale.  That set the stage for Sparks, the lovable and innocent Pop/R&B singer vs. Blake Lewis, the incredible beat boxer.  America voted and Sparks would go on to win.  She has since produced an album, her songs are everywhere on the radio and she is set for success.  Lewis decided to produce and write music and is quite a success as well, from what I hear.  Melinda Doolittle is said to have fallen victim to the overachiever haters of America.  The judges basically said she could do no wrong, and America put an end to that.  In the end, American Idol crowned a very talented singer.  We agree:  AMERICA WAS RIGHT

Season 7 – David Archuleta and David Cook

This season was a split.  Both were talented beyond their measures and both had unique styles.  David Archuleta could sing anything from Barry Manilow to Justin Timberlake, while David Cook was a grunge rocker with a breathy voice.  In the end, Cook won, shocking everyone a bit because Archuleta had the better and cleaner voice.  Many say that Cook was the redemption of rocker Bo Bice, who was eliminated in Season 4.  Since the show ended, both have produced a great CD, and both are getting TV and radio time.  I’d say this was a win-win situation.  Our opinion: AMERICA WAS RIGHT

Season 8 – Kris Allen and Adam Lambert

This season has rocked America and is causing some major uprising.  It seemed that all the contestants could sing except maybe Megan Joy.  Kris Allen, however,  thought of quitting the show because he ended up in the bottom three at least five times and the bottom two, twice.  He got bad reviews from the judges even up to reaching the top three, which he squared off against the two everyone said would be in the finale, Adam Lambert (Punk/Shock Rocker) and Danny Gokey (Rocker from the Midwest).  Not too shocking that Lambert made it, but it was odd that Allen beat out Gokey to compete in the final two.  All the judges basically said for Allen to “pack his bags” on the top three performance.  Gokey was five times more talented than Allen who had no charisma on stage, but was a decent singer.

In the finale, Lambert out shined Allen.  He nailed two of three songs, while Allen only nailed one.  Lambert was told he would be “iconic and legendary” in a few years.  We thought it was in the bag.  At the results show, Allen was in the center spotlight, and got to duet with Keith Urban.  It was good, but lacked a lot of feeling.  Lambert got out on stage and did a dynamic performance with both Kiss and Queen complete with pyrotechnics, crazy costumes and guitar smashing.  It totally made you forget that Allen even performed that night with a celebrity. Lambert knocked Allen out onto the mat both nights.  When it came to the results, 100 million votes came in crowning Kris Allen the American Idol.  People were speechless, and the look on the judges’ faces said it all.  Lambert clearly won, but Allen took home the victory and the title.

Since the show, Allen confessed he doesn’t know why he won.  He says he didn’t deserve it and that he considered quitting.  At the top five, Lambert faced a rumor that he was gay, thus denying it. It still took him off his pedestal despite the rave reviews from Simon Cowell who gave him a standing ovation, the only one done on American Idol today.  Many people say that this news, true or not, convinced many conservative Americans in a time where there has been a war on gays, to not vote for him.  I truly believe it.  Lambert was almost eliminated that night, and was in the bottom two in the top three.

There are also rumors going around that there weren’t one million votes. It was just a way to revive the thirst for American Idol who had to do a lot of shaking up things to keep going another year.  The problem is it was at Lambert’s expense.  They knew he would be a major success beyond Idol so they probably figured if this was the case, that he would be okay.  I don’t think they would have done it had it been anyone else.

With the one million votes, if they were legit, there is speculation that a country superstar had his claws in it, pursuading the vote so he could sign the American Idol.  Is that true?  Don’t know.  This brings up the spammers again- did they pick Allen and sail him to victory? That theory is very plausible, especially on a night when most Americans felt Lambert had it in the bag.  It was an easy spam if they did it.  

In the end, this has caused a major uproar.  Since the show, Lambert has been asked by Kiss and a few other major legendary bands to tour with them, and he has been offered a contract.  No surprise there.  I think we will have another dud Idol, who will fade away and forever be in the shadows of Lambert.  Our opinion:  AMERICA WAS DEAD WRONG

So with those comparisons, we had more controversy and more runners-up outshining the Idol winners, which shouldn’t happen if they are picked right.  I think American Idol should do as follows:

  1. Allow computer votes, but you will need an account to log into.  It will allow you only one vote per account, such as with the hit show, “Dancing With The Stars.”
  2. Allow only one text vote, any other votes will be disqualified.
  3. Allow only one phone vote, again with an account.  

This would successfully kill the spammers and put that myth to rest.  It will allow a true count, not a spammed count by some love-struck teenager voting on looks and not on voices.  It would give an accurate count that can be justified if something like Season 8 arises again.  American Idol is in a lot of hot water from what I can see- the judges are fighting, Simon Cowell said he may not be back, and Idol threw in Kara Dioguardi as an extra judge because of Paula Abdul’s antics. This season, Idol had Abdul sing and bikini-clad Dioguardi flashed American in the finale.  If they need to do this, you know the show’s in trouble, especially since the Idols have been for the most part, duds.

Filed Under: American Idol Tagged With: , , ,

One Life To Live 5-27-09

May 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Its been a while since I last updated this column.  There has been a lot going on, some of it really digusted me, that’s the reason I stopped.  So lets get you caught up.

Buchannan’s

Natalie and Jarred found out Chloe is not Jessica’s but Star and Coles; a secret they were going to take to their grave.  Until Star and Cole took some of the hair in for DNA testing to find out why their baby died.  The lab tech recognized what was going on, and tried to blackmale Jarred and Natalie, wanting $100,000.00 or he was going to tell Star and Cole, ruining Jessica’s life.  At the bachelor party Jarred overheard that the body of Hope, Star’s baby was going to be exhumed, so he told Natalie.  The realized that tomorrow was their wedding and tomorrow everyone would know the truth behind the baby, so they eloped so their wedding would not get interrupted.

Jessica had an idea Chloe was not her’s and she turned into Bess at the hospital which led her to take off with the baby and never return to Llanview.  However in the car Tess came back and is trying to subdue Bess into letting Jessica deal with the problem and return the baby.  Right now there is an APB on the car and Jessica to have a safe return.  Brody who fell head over heals for Jessica is going to find her. (To see how Jessica found out about Chloe see Manning)

Manning

The story of Todd never dies, there were a bunch of murders in Llanview all of which were tied to Todd in some way, so he was prime suspect.  Those deaths were Marty’s nurse who died before the testimony she was to give about Todd’s plans to steal Hope.  There was Brody’s army friend who died in the bed next to Marty, making her a suspect.  Blaire was stabbed multiple times but survived and shortly after Talia was killed at Dorian’s house trying to round up John who was accused of the murders.

Antonio was so upset over Talia, he knew John was the only one who could find the killer and let him lose.  John grabbed Marty and took off to Buffalo, despite the fact he is married to Blaire to help her keep her kids, she was in the hospital and well guarded.  In Buffalo, John runs into Todd’s cousin who raped Marty back with Todd.  He was in a mental institute.  He found out that the nurse was helping manipulate the murders, and planned to finish the job.  He then drugs John and leaves him in his padded room, and drugs Tea, Blaire and Todd taking them to the fraternity Alpha Delta Kappa, where Marty was raped and where Todd once belonged.  He tied up Todd and the girls and asked who would kill Todd.  Tea decided to and tried to kill his cousin instead.  He takes Blaire and Tea to the basement of the fraternity house, breaks the gas main and locks them in to die.  His girlfriend the nurse finds that Todd grand daughter Hope is alive and snatches her, bringing her to Todd.  He then finds out and is ellated she is alive.  His cousin decides to try to kill Todd himself after he breaks the news, and starts to slice Todd’s neck but not before John arrives and kills his cousin.

Everyone gets out OK, Todd and Marty with Hope.  They take her to the hospital where Jessica sees Chloe (Hope) and snatches her.  Its there that she puts two and two together that everyone knows its not her baby and takes off.

John stays behind to find Tea and Blaire.  He finds them in the basement half dead.  He gets Blaire out and the nurse overhears that her boyfriend is dead.  She goes to the basement and while John is taking Tea out, she lights a match causing a huge explosion.  John and Blair are OK, however, Tea was in bad shape.

After surgery Todd meets with Blair and realizes he has a second chance and he can’t wait to tell Star and Cole about Hope.  Tea makes it through surgery and was expected to make a full recovery.

Bossom

Shane finds out he has Leukema.  He needs stem cells to fight the cancer, so Roxy goes to Rex’s dad’s invalid care facility and finds he’s a perfect match.  Roxy doesn’t want anyone to know he’s alive and when they can’t find another match, she would have no choice.  However, Stacy over hears Roxy and follows her where she learns the whole story.  Stacy’s main goal is to get Rex and she finds out a way to do so.  She threatens to tell everyone about Rex’s dad to Roxy unless she plays along which Roxy does.

Stacy goes and tells Gigi that she is a perfect match, but won’t help Shane unless she gives up Rex.  Gigi willing to do what ever it takes for her son, relentlessly does just that.  She stages an affair with Brody who knows the whole story splitting Rex and Gigi up.  Stacy then goes with her plan to take her cell bag and switch it with Rex’s dad’s.  It works and Shane comes around.

Roxy knows Gigi is being blackmailed and told her, the stem cells are in, tell Rex the truth about Stacy since there is nothing that can be done now to take them back.  Gigi starts to tell Rex and Shane gets sick.  It wasn’t bad but Stacy drills it into Gigi its an omen for breaking her promise so Gigi shuts her mouth.

Rex totally turns on Gigi, and Stacy tells Shane once he’s better that his mom slept with Brody.  This makes Shane furious, turns him against his mom and he moves in with Rex, making Stacy mad.

It turns out though, Schyler was a long time lover of Stacy and wants her back.  He knows she’s up to something but doesn’t know what.  He finds Stacy throwing a bag of something away in the bio hazzard bin in her room.  When she leaves he retreives it realizing it’s Stacy’s stem cells.

Schyler tries to tell Rex but Rex wouldn’t listen.  So now he’s off to tell Gigi what he knows.  Things are getting worse for Stacy, the man she stole 20,000.00 from in Vegas is knocking at her door threatening her, Shane and Rex.  He meets Rex one on one and tells him the story of what happened, but Rex refuses to believe it.  Meanwhile, Schyler is telling Gigi what he knows.

Things are going to come to an end with this disgusting plot and I hope Rex and Gigi find their way back together.

Cole and Marty

Cole entered rehab and managed with Star’s help to detox himself and stay clean.  He and Star decide to exhume the body of their baby to find out what’s wrong.  They are actually coming together like a couple again.

Meanwhile, while locked in the room with Todd, Todd makes her remember all the details of her rape, while making her remember all the good the came since.  She fully recovered from her memory loss and is super happy that she remembers Cole, who is happy his mom is back!

Filed Under: One Life To Live Tagged With:

Aiden Concert Review

May 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment

aidenposter

Aiden the Seattle boys that thought they could did. Accomplishing four LP’s with constant touring from all over the world being on magazine covers and interviews galore; who would ever think that these goth rock and rollers would still be standing to this day? Many may not have heard of these rock and rollers but their aggression and intensity alone sets the scene for their musical performance that they captured the night they brought it all home on their latest but miniature tour known only as “Your Ticket To Hell!” taking place at Hollywood’s very own Knitting Factory, Aiden rocked the jammed packed crowd with crowd surfers, pit dancing, and stage diving mayhem from all angles possible. Why don’t you jump in on all the fun and excitement while everything is still fresh and burning in the fiery blaze of hell!

“Did somebody loose a book?” shouts  WiL front man of goth punk rock ‘n’ roll sensation Aiden, the audience replied “No” along with cheers and shouts then  WiL remarks “Oh well it’s about God, too bad there is no such thing.” as he tosses the book over his shoulder and the band breaks into the remainder of their set. Coming out of Seattle who knew that these intense and aggressive four young talents had what it takes to create such angry music. That is what Will has been asked repeatedly in his current interview mayhem but his response “I’m not angry, I’m afraid.”

Who wouldn’t be afraid especially how the current economy is affecting us both health wise and moneywise we will all fall straight to the depths of hell. Never having the chance to witness “The Last Sunrise,” was the introduction tune that got the entire Knitting Factory in Hollywood flowing with complete energy, sweat, and tears. As the band broke into a short but simple 45 minute set list that consists of the old, new, and newest mixture of tunes, “The Last Sunrise,” “Die Romantic,” “Teenage Queen,” We Sleep Forever,” newest single off their fourth accomplishment “Knives,” entitled “Scavenger of the Damned,” along with “Killing Machine,” that kept the energy impacted and flowing. When their set hit mid-way point the crowd chanted “Aiden, Aiden, Aiden,” as the band freshened up briefly and ran back onto the stage to conclude their set for the night with not one, but two tracks in store.

The audience accepted the band’s departure and continued to rant and rave through the first of the two songs remaining and then hell itself opened up from underneath us as WiL wraps up the night “We are Aiden and we will see you on this summer’s Van’s Warped Tour 2009!” “Now everyone knows what this is right?” as the entire floor split into two half’s everyone awaiting the fun and excitement that awaited the conclusion of the night. As the song broke into “I Set My Friends On Fire,” the two half’s came together smashing against one another some going up into the air while others scrambled to get up off the ground as the band continued to rock ‘n’ roll their way until the very end. WiL hopping onto the floor while others hopped into the stage singing, dancing and expressing themselves in every way possible Aiden in the end drawing in the intensity that will blaze on until their light is burnt out under the worse circumstances. 

 

Written by: Natalie Perez

Filed Under: Reviews
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