The World Remembers Michael Jackson and Radio

Mixed emotions, moments of mourning, an unexpected loss, some call it the death of music. The passing away of Michael Jackson was mourned by the whole world. As quickly as the news spread, media – TV, print and radio responded.

TV coverage here and there, headlines hug almost all dailies, viral emails, videos, and Tweets rapidly spread, but it was radio who did amazingly. Right after the announcement of his death, radio stations across the globe quickly turned their regular programming into an all Michael Jackson radio show.

Listeners phoned in their radio station, confirming the news, on air personalities gave the public an up-to-the-minute report of the tragic news. The world once again turned to radio. Proof only, that there are things  only radio can do.

A Montage of Radio Promos Stations Use In Remembering The King of Pop, Produced by Production Vault

Listen to more Michael Jackson Radio Promos here

If Adam had won, this would have been performed on AI Stage that night.

I just realized that before the AI finale, the final 2 contestants are actually rehearsing a common song – and that is the winning piece of that season. So is it safe to say then that David Archuleta also had a version of the “The Time of My Life”?

Adam Lambert’s No Boundaries was recently released on Zune, Microsoft’s version of the iTunes Store. As always, Adam’s unique vocal style stands out in this song. And I am loving the way he belts the last line of the chorus … “there are no boundaries!”.

To cap off, Adam’ version of No Boundaries was more mature. Kris Allen’s version was more pop.

Download No Boundaries mp3 by Adam Lambert

Okay, do we really need another pop star competition? Pinoy Idol was enough. GMA 7’s “Are You The Next Big Star” is crap. Know why.

First, the judges, look at them. We don’t even know them, I mean hey, I know Pops Fernandez, Randy Santiago, and like what, these are old school singers, do we really need another Sarah Geronimo or Erik Santos? Come on, look at the other judges, the whole of Philippines don’t even know them, so who gives a shit to what they say.

As a matter of fact, the judges are not even appreciating the efforts of the first-time performing contestants. Lahat, negative comments. As if it was already the finals.

Second, the audience. The audience was pale, stale, dry; they are not even paying attention to the performance of the singers. The audience looked like they were also critiqued. They don’t applaud, no energy. Patay.

Third, the setting. The contenders were still new to performing, they shouldn’t be put on the stage right away. Look at them, the contestants looked so poor with their little experience, now they are singing in front of hundreds. I thought that was an audition.

The setting really put off and scared the raw talents. Instead of trying to unleash raw talents from these contestants, the setting concealed, kasi kinabahan na yung mga contestants.

I can’t really judge the show by merely watching a single episode. But I can’t be sorry, I judged it already. If this is what we get from the first few episodes of Next Big Star, what do we expect from the next ones, crappiness!

Kris Allen Sings a Chris Tomlin song

American Idol never runs out of surprises, as usual the proclamation night packed in superstars like BEP, the biggest surprise though was Adam’s performance with classic rock band KISS.

Kris’s winning seemed to be unusual at first, but hey, he’s boy next door type, so no wonder. The performance of the final 2 seemed to give more favor to Adam, and I thought it was like giving more stage favor to Adam, who already knew for himself that he’s not getting it.

There have been a number of Christian American Idols who made it big on Idol and also who are vocal about their Christian faith, including Carry Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Ruben Studdard, Jordin Sparks, and Jenifer Hudson.

This time, another vocally proud Christian takes on the AI stage, as Season 8 winner.

Here is a couple of download for you, which includes Kris Allen’s rendition of a Chris Tomlin original – “God of this City”, and his winning piece “No Boundaries”.

Enjoy the free Kris Allen mp3 download. Click here

Download Radar by Britney Spears

Russell Brand’s Naughty-cal Behavior:

• He made a prank call to Northampton Police
• Dressed as Osama bin Laden on MTV the day after September 11 Attack
• Read pornographic material live on the air

Britney Spears and Russell Brand are teaming up for a series of promotional spots that will be aired on MTV as part of the campaign for the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards on September 7, 2008. Britney Spears received a Best Female Video nomination for the hit “Piece of Me”.

But it’s not only her winning of the award that keeps fans interested in the award show. When the TV spots started airing on MTV, fans cannot help but wonder about the Mr. Russell Brand. Is he bound to be the next Britney Spears hubby?

Russell Brand is a 33 year old English actor, comedian, radio announcer, TV host, actor, and columnist. Brand started his career at the age of 15 as a theatrical actor.

He pursued stand up comedy in 2000 at the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year. He became a VJ on MTV in 2001. He also hosted the Big Brother’s EForum in 2004. He co-starred in a BBC comedy show Blessed in 2005. And co-runs the radio show The Russel Brand Show on BBC 6 Music since April 2006.

Russell Brand is not just known for his hosting and acting prowess. He is notorious for his seemingly attention-grabbing behavior. He was dismissed from his VJ role on MTV after he came to work dressed in an Osama bin Laden costume after the September 11 attack.

In 2002, Russell Brand was axed from XFM after reading live on the air a pornographic material. And just this July of 2008, Brand prank-called the Northampton police stating that he spotted a man who was responsible for a series of assaults. The prank call was later traced to Brand and authorities are yet to announce charges for him.

The new MTV VMA spots again showed the naughty side of Russell Brand. The first version showed Britney Spears pinching Russell Brand, and the latter reacting just so suggestively. The other version had Russell asking Britney about his surname which later lead to Russell stating that his surname will be Britney’s next.

Well, the promo spots turned out to be a big publicity campaign. But can this really lead to a new Britney Spears adorable mistake? Who knows, after the VMA Awards, Britney Spears could very well become Britney Brand. But who cares, so what? Watch Britney Spears’s MTV VMA Awards Show promo spots with Russell Brand

*This post is opinionated.

Why David Archuleta’s first hit single can “crush” David Cook:

• Archie’s fans can’t wait for his big act
• A sweet revenge for not allowing Archie to win on AI?
• It’s Archie’s first single outside of American Idol

This week, David Archuleta made a world premiere of his first hit single Crush on Z100 – New York’s Number 1 Hit Music Station. David Archuleta was having wet hands during the interview with Elvis Duran – the morning show host of Z100.

Crush has all the makings of a big hit. Here is why, it is been so long since America and the world heard and saw David Archuleta performing. The news that American Idol held back the supposedly Thank You concert of Archie in *Utah dismayed a lot of fans, thereby, increasing the thrill atmosphere.

Indeed, there is no way to make David Archuleta go head to head with David Cook. Both have unique styles of performing. In fact, both compliment each other. However, with David Archuleta now being a step ahead of David Cook in terms of releasing a record outside AI, one can’t really help but say David Archie’s on his way.

Download the mp3 preview of Crush by David Archuleta

Here is the YouTube video of the David Archuleta interview during the world premiere of Crush on Z100 New York.

According to Rolling Stone:

• Most newspapers and magazines are shrinking size
• Magazine stands are getting smaller

The world’s biggest music magazine is shrinking its size. According to a post at NYTimes.com, a new and smaller format of the popular music magazine will start circulating in October of 2008. Jann Wenner, founder, editor and publisher of the 41 year old magazine, says that from 189, 000, the single copy sales of Rolling Stone magazine dropped to 132,000 in 2007.

The drop in sales was less of a readership issue but more of a marketing concern. Most newspapers and magazines have already shrunk its sizes to a new standard, usually at 8 x 11 inches. This signaled bookstores, newspaper and magazine stands to change its racks to smaller sizes. Since the Rolling Stone magazines are relatively larger, they are shelved in higher eye levels, stacked underneath shelves, or folded in between racks, making visibility lesser and lesser.

Despite, the decrease in size, Rolling Stone is improving its magazine binding. The smaller format will be glued and not stapled. There will be glossier, sleeker and heavier pages than ever.

Rolling Stone maybe shrinking its size but it remains to be one of the most widely read and influential music magazines in the world. What is left for those who own the large format Rolling Stone are memories and nostalgia. Rolling Stone will never be the same again.