Friday, February 26, 2010

my take on 'We Are the World 2009"

You probably know by now that the makers of the original 'We Are the World' put together a remake of the classic in order to contribute to Haitian earthquake victims. In 1985, three of the most powerful people in music (at that time): Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie and the late Michael Jackson collaborated a charity single to benefit the victims of African famine. Most people say that it was the US responding to the UK's Band Aid's 'Do They Know Its Christmas?'. It's also a legend that this was started by the late Harry Chapin, who was killed in a car crash in '81. Anyhoo, the single 'We Are the World' went on to win several awards, became #1 in different formats, and helped raise over $100 million to Africa. Like Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon', just about 4 in 10 people owned the copy of the 45 (like me!).

Fast forward 25 years later. We've seen total devastations and events around the world, including the civil war of Yugoslavia, 9/11, hurricanes, and tsunamis. In what people call 'good timing' was the earthquake of Haiti. According to wikipedia, Richie and Jones weren't too serious about the idea when they were approached to do a 25th anniversary version of the single last year. I personally think because of Wyclef Jean, they chose to do it. And who can blame him? I just listened to the song on Youtube and I wasn't really quite moved. Don't get me wrong: I was amazed that people like Streisand and Dion contributed their powerful vocals to the song. But Justin Beiber? A trashy man like Lil' Wayne? And a rap verse, too? I also wasn't taken with the 'Autotune', which I consider cheating. That's why you'll always find me degrading people like Faith Hill, Florida, Lil Wayne and of course, the king of Autotune, T-Pain. I also think that they should have recruited more heavier rock musicians like Tom Morello, Eddie Vedder, etc. Why not put a few more country or more alternative acts on there? I know they did the best they could to get as many people to 'leave their egos at the door', but I guess it wasn't too bad. They even should have asked St. Louis's favorite son, Sammy Hagar, who openly stated in an interview that he was hurt for not being asked to appear on the 1985 version.

I'm glad that this is going for a good cause, but what can I say? Let's hope this one makes a real difference.

Friday, February 19, 2010

checking in....again!

I've totally slacked on blogging more than ever! Maybe I'm just lazy, although I've had a lot of things go on the last 3 weeks. Starting with the death of my great aunt Phyllis. After a long battle with lung cancer, she succumbed on February 2nd. Me and my folks took a trek to Hutchinson, Kansas, and it was one of the biggest celebrations of life I've ever been to. Or I can say it was the most emotional funeral I've ever attended. My Aunt Phyllis was always a helpful person who was always there for people. How she raised four children and took care of 30 foster children (from time to time) is way beyond me. I've heard people say so many good things about her, and her husband even said a few emotional words. Phyllis was diagnosed with lung cancer in Summer of '08 and fought quite a battle. And no, she never smoked a cigarette in her life.

A lot of whirlwinds have been going on at the workplace, too, and weather-wise! It seems that over here in the StL area that it snows every weekend. I missed my radio show the last two times: one because of the weather and the other because I was getting back from Kansas. There has been alot of drama going at work, but luckily I wasn't involved. There's just been a lot of terminations and for me, numerous schedule changes. Sometimes I just wish I didn't make bad choices in the beginning. But I'm ready to turn my career back around. You just wait and see.

Last Saturday, me and Anthony went to Mardi Gras on Soulard. It was the very first time I actually went down and celebrated. It's no wonder St. Louis is the second Mardi Gras capital. Yes, I had an excellent time! I definitely can't wait for next year. It was quite a day filled with booze, beads, (another b-word inserted here hee hee), and pretty much just everyone having a good time. No complaining, and everyone was there enjoying themselves. It was a happy atmosphere, with a few 'crazies' here and there.

I have been kind of shying away from social networking sites lately. It's just that I've been getting bored with Myspace (finally) and Twitter. I was at one point addicted to Twitter last summer, but for some reason I've become a hermit on there. Facebook is still the place to be for me, so I guess I'll enjoy it while I can. I've also been trying to drum up ideas for eHow. I've also been following the news and politics. Just 9 months away until a possible table turn in Congress. Congratulations to my friend Jason Plummer for winning the Republican candidacy for Illinois Lieutenant Governor! I'm still surprised that he won a 7-way race, and most of those people were twice his age, and....you guessed it....they were from Chicago! I hope people in Southern IL band together and kick those corrupt Chicagoans out and teach 'em a lesson.

Catch you all later!