Ask any composer and they will all attest to the fact that music emanates from the soul. Not the brain, not the mind, but the soul which is the deepest creative reservoir that we as humans have to draw inspiration from. Without the proper instrument to project that soul fostered creativity to the listener, the sound quality of musician’s compositions will be compromised.

The guitar is an emotion provoking instrument, therefore the thoughts and ideas conveyed through it are innately enhanced to certain degrees. As a music composer myself my motto is “Love what you play and play what you love”! Never compromise the integrity of your art form by purchasing a less than stellar musical instrument due to price. Be patient, and wait until the brand of instrument that you desire can be acquired.

Photo Credit: Fictures on Flickr

American Royal Arts is a company that sells entertainment art and has been around since the 80’s. It was started by Jerry Gladstone who realized the marketability of music icons around the world. After all, music is part of everyone’s life and just about every famous musician has a legion of fans in every country around the world.

Here is a video that talks more about American Royal Arts…

Anytime a musician passes away, there is always a spike in sales for that person’s memorabilia. The following Jerry Gladstone video showcases some of Michael Jackson’s memorabilia. It also talks about how ARA determines whether or not a signed art piece, album cover, or photograph is authentic…

And if, by chance, you are an Eric Clapton fan, here is another Jerry Gladstone video that highlights Lee Dickson, the guitar tech for Eric Clapton, showing memorabilia for sale through American Royal Arts…

I like the idea of listening to a variety of music. As I may have mentioned before, I’ve been called a human jukebox! I listen to almost every type of music. It all depends on my mood. Not a day goes by that I don’t listen to music.

Currently my favorite place to go online and enjoy music is Pandora. I can listen to just about any genre of music and create a mix station if I want to. It’s so much better than listening to the local radio stations that play the same song over….and over…and over.

Enjoying music comes pretty easy for most of us. It can be annoying to listen to music you don’t particularly like, but I think it’s important to keep an open mind sometimes. You may just learn something new and gain other perspectives of life.

So, are you enjoying the music you listen to? Do you have any tips that you would add?

Photo Credit: Scott Robinson

Photo Credit: Drew Herron

We find inspiration through artists like Mariah Carey and Taylor Swift who are not only phenomenal singers, but they write their own music. They tell stories from their own lives, therefore adding a unique stamp to every song they sing. After all, we all live different lives, and every song offers the opportunity to share a unique story.

I’m not a professional song writer, but I am writer. From my experience I’ve learned that when you write from the heart, it makes the story that much better. Be authentic. Be true to yourself.

When I need inspiration, I go outside and spend time in nature. Other times I’ll go to the bookstore or coffee shop for a change of scenery.

If you are a songwriter, I would recommend listening to other people’s music. Listen to something you don’t normally listen to. Doing this may give another perspective of life you would have never thought of before.

If anything, just stay open and allow the words to flow to you. Don’t force the song to be written.

Just be you.

Surprised?

Well, most people would peg me as someone who listens mainly to R&B and for the most part, that’s true. However, spending part of my childhood in a small, country town, that good ole country music is bound to hit your soul one way or another. As a matter of fact, when I go to visit my parents who still live in that town where I grew up, many days I will wake up to a country song playing on my step-mom’s CD player.

Yes, I do like country music alright…and when I heard Kevin Skinner sing tonight on America’s Got Talent, I was so moved that I started to tear up. A country song has never done that to me before!

Here’s a clip of Kevin Skinner’s performance tonight along with the judge’s comments…

1998: It was a dark moment in my life.

I was going through a rough break-up with a boyfriend. I was trying to figure out what many of us want to know – what the “meaning” of life is. I was trying to figure out my own identity. I felt utterly…and completely…

…lost.

One day I walked into the store to shop for groceries. My mind was numb with sadness. But then, I heard this Michael Jackson song playing…

“…Something whispers in my ear and says
That you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you’re far away
I am here to stay

But you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we’re far apart
You’re always in my heart
But you are not alone…”

I heard those words and it gave me a glimmer of hope. I felt The Universe was sending me this message via Michael Jackson…

I was not alone.

To this day I remember that moment – the moment when Michael Jackson was the catalyst to help lift my spirits, as his songs have always done, on a day when I had lost hope.

Thank you for shining your light on this world, Michael. Your music and your spirit will live forever in our hearts.

Watch the video: “You Are Not Alone”

Browsing through the Music Blogs Catalog today, I came across Kim Kinrade’s blog titled “Music Before the Money“.

The title caught my eye because I’m sure many musicians who have become very successful can probably say that they had a love of music before the money came into the picture. Of course you would think Well, it would be nice to make money with my music, but no matter what happens, you still create music. Even if you never get that million-dollar record deal, you still have that love for creating music.

And that’s the beauty of musicians….Rich, poor, young, or old, they continue to create music. It’s rare to come across a musician who gives up playing music just because they don’t make it big.

Thank you to all the musicians out there who share their songs with the world!

Photo Credit: Curran Kelleher

Check out the photos from the gala below…

Here are two of my favorite artists of all time, Mariah Carey and Prince…

And now that we have Twitter, the possibilities are endless.

I read this post, The Best Ways to Discover Music Through Twitter and I’m still blown away by the power that this social networking/media website has in making connections.

My cousin just started using Twitter just so she could follow the New Kids on the Block and connect with other NKOTB fans. I’m not sure why I find that so fascinating…I just do. I remember back in the day writing letters to my favorite musicians and crossing my fingers hoping I would get an autographed photo back. Nowadays we can actually connect one-on-one with an artist.

Not only is Twitter a great tool for musicians to market themselves and interact with their fans, it’s an awesome social media site for people to keep up with other music fans and find out what other people are listening to.

If you’re a music fan and love Twitter, you may want to check out a popular website that combines Twitter and music, Blip.fm. I just signed up for an account – check out the music I’ve been listening to: http://blip.fm/Studio747.