Tina Malia Reminds Us

Spoke at the IT Factor Summit in NYC at Famed Caroline's

Say It Ain't So...Is America Finally Over Lindsay-Trainwreck-Lohan? Thank you, Glee!!

For some "we love train wrecks" perspective -- When Keeping Up with the Kardhasbeens premiered this season hot off of Kim Punking the world with her "marriage" and getting berated for wanting to keep the gifts, viewership set a series record and became the highest rated episode in the history of the channel. (Guess the Kardhasbeens can do no wrong in our eyes still).  Then there was Lindsay guest starring on Glee as someone who used to look like someone who used to be famous/infamous named Lindsay Lohan:


"Fox took third in the demo and fourth in total viewers with back-to-back episodes of "Glee." The first airing at 8 p.m. was down 11 percent from last week, receiving a 2.4/8, and had 6 million total viewers. The second episode at 9, which featured Lohan guest-starring as herself, was down 7 percent from last week, posting a 2.5/7. It attracted 6 million total viewers. Overall the network averaged a 2.5/7 in the demo and 6 million total viewers." (from Deadline Hollywood)

OBAMA'S DECISION SHOWS CHARACTER, BALLS

For a blog titled "BeDifferently" our hats are off to President Obama.  Cheers!

.tp://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/obamas-gay-marriage-support-hit-hollywood-will-it-help-fundraising-39331

Check out First Single & Riveting Video from Tina Malia -- new album out Next Month!!

http://www.youtube.com/tinamaliamusic

TINA MALIA --SINGER/SONGWRITER/PRODUCER/MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST

-- PREPS DEBUT OF HIGHLY ANTICIPATED POP/ELECTRONIC ALBUM “THE LOST FRONTIER” WITH WORLDWIDE PREMIER OF TITLE TRACK

Riveting Video Debuts with Haunting & Lush First Single "The Lost Frontier"

May 9, 2012 (Los Angeles)…In preparation for debuting her highly anticipated pop/electronic album “The Lost Frontier” next month, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Tina Malia premiered her first single and title track worldwide today, which can be purchased exclusively from her on-line store (www.tinamalia.com) for the next five days.  In support of the haunting and lush lead-off track “The Lost Frontier,” Malia simultaneously released the single's riveting video worldwide today via YouTube (www.youtube.com/tinamaliamusic).   For ongoing announcements, sneak peeks, special events and links to all of Tina Malia’s social networks, visit www.tinamalia.com.

Facebook (www.facebook.com/tinamaliamusic)

Twitter (www.twitter.com/tinamaliamusic)

YouTube (www.youtube.com/tinamaliamusic)

“I am so excited to share with you the first single and video from my album ‘The Lost Frontier’ that I’ve been working on for more than a year.  It’s been a tremendous experience both personally and as an artist.  The title track sets up the entire album because it seems to me that humanity has shifted to the far extremes,” said Malia.  “We’re either living with rose colored glasses on for fear of being completely blinded if we see what’s really going on, or we’re so consumed by negativity that we start to see hopelessness as a safe-haven.  ‘The Lost Frontier’ is about seeing and understanding the beauty as well as destruction in life and remembering that we have the power to choose what we do with that knowledge.” 

“The Lost Frontier” single: written and produced by Tina Malia; music co-written by Random Rab; and mixed by multiple GRAMMY^® winner Kevin Killen.  “The Lost Frontier” video: co-producers Tina Malia and Angel Villarreal; director and first camera: Rob Humphreys; additional camera:  Sequoia Emmanuelle; editor: Tina Malia; consulting editor/effects: Graham Howes; little girl:  Satya Roth.  Tina is managed by Glenda Gracia, Deal Matters Entertainment, who can be reached at tinainfo@dealmatters.com.

About Tina Malia

Tina Malia’s prodigious talent spans many musical genres and disciplines. As a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer she has distinguished herself in styles ranging from pop to world to electronic. Her own diverse and growing catalog of albums is complemented by studio and live work with iconic artists such as Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Jai Uttal, Kenny Loggins, India.Arie, Idan Raichel and Bassnectar.

There are two unifying factors in all of this: One is Tina’s remarkable voice. An instrument of exceptional purity, it can be as tender as an angel’s sigh or as powerful as a deep ocean current. The other unifying factor in Tina’s musical universe is her vision—an all-encompassing artistic perspective that embraces many of the world’s musical cultures, languages and spiritual traditions.

Creativity and diversity are her very lifeblood. Of Korean and Yugoslavian descent, Tina was tutored in classical piano and voice from an early age by her mother. But it was her dad who fostered her interest in guitar, which led her to discover folk and popular music forms.

“When I was 15 or so, after performing in choirs for years and doing musical theater at school, my dad bought me my first steel string guitar,” said Malia. “I started listening to many of the great female artists— Joni Mitchell, the Indigo Girls, Ani DiFranco, Alison Krauss and many others. They became my mentors, and I started writing my own songs.”

Tina’s self-produced debut album, "Shores of Avalon," appeared in 2000. Steeped in poetic Celtic and world instrumentation, the disc signified the arrival of a major new talent.  Not long after the album’s release, Tina met pioneering world devotional artist Jai Uttal who introduced her to Sanskrit mantra chanting.

“To this day, I attribute my sense of well being and where I am in my life to chanting mantra,” said Malia.  “It is so simple and yet so extraordinary.”

Mantra is reflected on her 2005 album "Jaya Bhagavan,” which was notable for its highly original fusion of Afro-Caribbean rhythms, Middle Eastern instruments and folk modalities with vocals in Sanskrit.  It was followed in 2006 by more of a pop singer/songwriter album, “The Silent Awakening.” Infused with a poetic lyricism that truly showed the depth of her insight into humanity and her ability to communicate that through lyrics and melody, “Silent Awakening” laid the pop/electronic foundation for Tina’s most ambitious and accessible work to date:  “The Lost Frontier.”  This new album kicks off with the title track as its first single as well as a riveting video.  The highly anticipated album debuts in June 2012.

Connect with Tina Malia on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and MySpace through www.tinamalia.com.

# # #

Media Contact:

Ron Roecker

Enfluence Group

ron(at)enfluencegroup.com

310.384.5641

Dear Courtney Love: Double Check the Owner of the Twitter Account If You're Going to Tweet Death Threats

 Listen, Courtney brings me as much entertainment today as she did when I had to keep reminding her that she wasn't wearing underwear whilst she rolled around on the floor in the GRAMMY Media Center --  why was i talking to her?  She forgot Frances Bean (now 19 and gorgeous) was with her at the show at some point but she couldn't remember where she left her. So I had to send one of my co-workers to find -- and then babysit (she was 12 at the time, Courtney was 6) sweet Frances.  Then as soon as Love hopped up on the counter I was like "I'm out."  Anywho, so Frances supposedly is "dating" Dave Grohl who is the devil to Ms. Love. Ms. Love last week decides to come to the rescue of her 19 year-old darling via Twitter and sends 15 Tweets to @davegrohl about how he is "an old perv macking on Kurt Cobain's little girl."  She also sorta threatens his life... That being said, my advice to anyone who wants to be a responsible parent -- ya may want to double check the owner of an account before threatening bodily harm.  Just ask the German IT guy (@davegrohl) on Twitter...

FYI:  Frances has last laugh as she now is in full control of her father's estate, licensing, publicity rights, etc and Mummy Pantyless doesn't get a dime from any of it until she pays back a teeny weeny little $2.5 million loan she borrowed from the estate whilst being the executor.  Frances Bean: we love you.  Courtney:  you'll always be in the Hole won't you, darling?

Did Anyone See "The Avengers" This Weekend?

From The WRAP:  The Avengers" thundered its way to box-office history, rolling up $200.3 million for the biggest three-day U.S. weekend ever.

At the same time, Disney and Marvel Entertainment's superhero mashup added another $151.5 million from 52 overseas territories this weekend to up its foreign box-office cume to $441.5 million, giving it a staggering $641.8 million here and abroad in the 12 days since its release.

The huge opening got the summer movie season off to a roaring start. In the process, "The Avengers" blew past last year's "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2," which had held the record for the best first-weekend at $169.1 million.

Also read: 'The Avengers': 5 Things You Need to Know if You Don't Read Comic Books

Disney marketers, handling a Marvel film for the first time, capitalized on a fan base that has been building since "Iron Man" in 2008, glowing reviews and major momentum from massive foreign debuts. 

"Never, ever did we think it would go this high," Dave Hollis, Disney's executive vice-president of exhibition told TheWrap on Sunday morning. "If there was one consistency about this weekend, it was that we kept getting surprised by numbers better than we could have imagined in the best case."

He said that Saturday was key, building on the strong fan-boy fueled Friday and midnight shows.

"Our $69.5 million Saturday, which set a record, showed you can cross over," Hollis said. "It became an 'everybody' picture."

The numbers back him up. "The Avengers" audience was 60 percent male and 40 percent female, and 50 percent over 25 and 50 percent under. Couples made up 55 percent of the crowds, teens 21 percent.

"As much as there were exceptional expectations, that A+ CinemaScore shows everyone left satisfied," Hollis said.

We word nazis see this as a giant bouquet of gerbera daisies!

If you can pronounce correctly every word in this poem, you will be speaking English better than 90% of the native English speakers in the world.

Wednesday, 14th October 2009 by Nabilah MJ

(This is not my poem!)

Dearest creature in creation,
Study English pronunciation.
I will teach you in my verse
Sounds like corpse, corps, horse, and worse.
I will keep you, Suzy, busy,
Make your head with heat grow dizzy.
Tear in eye, your dress will tear.
So shall I! Oh hear my prayer.
Just compare heart, beard, and heard,
Dies and diet, lord and word,
Sword and sward, retain and Britain.
(Mind the latter, how it’s written.)
Now I surely will not plague you
With such words as plaque and ague.
But be careful how you speak:
Say break and steak, but bleak and streak;
Cloven, oven, how and low,
Script, receipt, show, poem, and toe.
Hear me say, devoid of trickery,
Daughter, laughter, and Terpsichore,
Typhoid, measles, topsails, aisles,
Exiles, similes, and reviles;
Scholar, vicar, and cigar,
Solar, mica, war and far;
One, anemone, Balmoral,
Kitchen, lichen, laundry, laurel;
Gertrude, German, wind and mind,
Scene, Melpomene, mankind.
Billet does not rhyme with ballet,
Bouquet, wallet, mallet, chalet.
Blood and flood are not like food,
Nor is mould like should and would.
Viscous, viscount, load and broad,
Toward, to forward, to reward.
And your pronunciation’s OK
When you correctly say croquet,
Rounded, wounded, grieve and sieve,
Friend and fiend, alive and live.
Ivy, privy, famous; clamour
And enamour rhyme with hammer.
River, rival, tomb, bomb, comb,
Doll and roll and some and home.
Stranger does not rhyme with anger,
Neither does devour with clangour.
Souls but foul, haunt but aunt,
Font, front, wont, want, grand, and grant,
Shoes, goes, does. Now first say finger,
And then singer, ginger, linger,
Real, zeal, mauve, gauze, gouge and gauge,
Marriage, foliage, mirage, and age.
Query does not rhyme with very,
Nor does fury sound like bury.
Dost, lost, post and doth, cloth, loth.
Job, nob, bosom, transom, oath.
Though the differences seem little,
We say actual but victual.
Refer does not rhyme with deafer.
Foeffer does, and zephyr, heifer.
Mint, pint, senate and sedate;
Dull, bull, and George ate late.
Scenic, Arabic, Pacific,
Science, conscience, scientific.
Liberty, library, heave and heaven,
Rachel, ache, moustache, eleven.
We say hallowed, but allowed,
People, leopard, towed, but vowed.
Mark the differences, moreover,
Between mover, cover, clover;
Leeches, breeches, wise, precise,
Chalice, but police and lice;
Camel, constable, unstable,
Principle, disciple, label.
Petal, panel, and canal,
Wait, surprise, plait, promise, pal.
Worm and storm, chaise, chaos, chair,
Senator, spectator, mayor.
Tour, but our and succour, four.
Gas, alas, and Arkansas.
Sea, idea, Korea, area,
Psalm, Maria, but malaria.
Youth, south, southern, cleanse and clean.
Doctrine, turpentine, marine.
Compare alien with Italian,
Dandelion and battalion.
Sally with ally, yea, ye,
Eye, I, ay, aye, whey, and key.
Say aver, but ever, fever,
Neither, leisure, skein, deceiver.
Heron, granary, canary.
Crevice and device and aerie.
Face, but preface, not efface.
Phlegm, phlegmatic, ass, glass, bass.
Large, but target, gin, give, verging,
Ought, out, joust and scour, scourging.
Ear, but earn and wear and tear
Do not rhyme with here but ere.
Seven is right, but so is even,
Hyphen, roughen, nephew Stephen,
Monkey, donkey, Turk and jerk,
Ask, grasp, wasp, and cork and work.
Pronunciation (think of Psyche!)
Is a paling stout and spikey?
Won’t it make you lose your wits,
Writing groats and saying grits?
It’s a dark abyss or tunnel:
Strewn with stones, stowed, solace, gunwale,
Islington and Isle of Wight,
Housewife, verdict and indict.
Finally, which rhymes with enough,
Though, through, plough, or dough, or cough?
Hiccough has the sound of cup.
My advice is to give up!!!

Like

Am Attending TEDxUSC on Friday and I can't wait!

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design -- three broad subject areas that are, collectively, shaping our future. And in fact, the event is broader still, showcasing ideas that matter in any discipline. The format is fast paced: 50+ talks over the course of four days (to say nothing of the morning and evening events). This immersive environment allows attendees and speakers from vastly different fields to cross-fertilize and draw inspiration from unlikely places. This is the magic of TED. There are "regional" TED Conferences now and USC has hosted TEDxUSC for three years now.  Attendees have to apply for attendance consideration or they are handpicked.  I am so grateful to have been asked to attend.  I must have done something so right in an earlier life!!  But i am thrilled and i'll keep you posted on how things are going!

Friday's event is from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. and is structured:

Session one is about discovering things in the most unlikely of places and finding meaning in our lives through play, compassion, and design.

Session two will take you on a journey deep into the mind and challenge you to think differently about how we think, invent, and create.

Session three is about the unexpected and unintended and how that can change our lives and the world.

So...I predict "The Avengers" is going to be the sleeper hit of the year...

Sleeper as in "sleeping on a crapload of cold, hard dough" -- meaning the multi-super hero new franchise -- lead by Robert Downey Jr's Iron Hunk, Chris Evan's Capt Hunkmerica, Mark Ruffalo's The Hunk, and Scarlett Johansen plays the token -- already has amassed $260 million internationally -- not including Russia and China.  The U.S. gets the smash this weekend and estimates are at the $160 million level for Fri-Sun debut!  Yep, definitely a sleeper hit...

4-Time GRAMMY Winning Legend on "Access Hollywood Live" Today Promoting Beatles' Album "Let It Be Roberta"

 Ms. Flack and I having a laugh in her dressing room before taping segment for Access Hollywood Live today.  Did you know Clint Eastwood is responsible for Roberta's "The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face)" making her a star?  If not, Netflix "Play Misty for Me."  She also discusses living across the hall from John Lennon and Yoko Ono for decades (Yoko and Roberta are still neighbors), "I used to go into my 2nd bedroom which shared a wall with one of John's music rooms and I would hear him as he wrote one of his songs 'No Heaven....all the people...living life in peace..." then he'd change chords, rewrite some lyrics...every time I hear "Imagine" performed -- regardless of who happens to be singing it -- it takes me right back to my 2nd bedroom as I experienced a master musician creating one of his masterpieces one note at a time."

Yes, she's THAT cool!!!  "Let it Be: Roberta Flack Sings the Beatles" on iTunes (www.itunes.com) and Amazon.com Now.

Follow BE DIFFERENTLY!

Be differently is 20-year entertainment and pop culture insider Ron Roecker's perspective of truths, tales, tips, trends and tricks of a celebreality pop culture world during a social/technological revolution.

If that interests you, please follow Be Differently now!

The Kardhasbeens Appear to be Sticking Around ARGH!

Reality TV’s First Family, the Kardashians, have closed a big new three-year deal with E! for their signature seriesKeeping Up With The Kardashians. The pact includes orders for seasons seven, eight and nine of the mega-hit reality show and covers the entire Kardashian clan — Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian Odom, Rob Kardashian, and Bruce, Kris, Kendall and Kylie Jenner. The new agreement also extends E!’s first-look deal with the Kardashians for unscripted ideas, concepts and projects. 

Keeping Up With The Kardashians is E!’s highest-rated and most-watched series of all time, with its episodes claiming five of E!’s top 10 most watched telecasts ever. The most recent Season 6 averaged more than 3 million total viewers. Season 7 premieres May 20. In addition to breaking ratings records itself,Keeping Up With The Kardashians also has spawned a slew of spinoff series, including Kourtney And Khloé Take Miami, Kourtney And Kim Take New York, andKhloé & Lamar. The new deal does not cover the offshoots, only the mothership show.

With the talent of its flagship series secured for the next three years, E! can move on to locking in the show’s executive producer Ryan Seacrest. That is expected to happen shortly as Seacrest is finalizing his new wide-ranging overall deal with E! parent NBCUniversal. (as reported by Deadline Hollywood)

Curse you and your millions, Seacrest!!!

EXCLUSIVE IMAGES OF KIRSTIE KELLY'S 2013 BRIDAL COLLECTION AND MORE!

http://youtu.be/QNfnUod7X7I

 

COUTURE DESIGNER KIRSTIE KELLY UNVEILS ELEGANT 2013 BRIDAL COLLECTION, DEBUTS “BORROW ME…” AND “ROOM FOR GROOMS” PROGRAMS AND DISCUSSES FIRST-OF-ITS KIND RETAIL PARTNERSHIP

 
April 24, 2012  (El Segundo, CA) - Couture Designer and innovative entrepreneur Kirstie Kelly announced today a multi-layered plan to “make women everywhere feel extraordinary.”  Known worldwide for her classic, feminine and profoundly original Couture bridal gowns, the Kirstie Kelly 2013 Bridal Collection is airy, elegant and features beautiful Belgian lace, intricate beading, and embroidery.  (Exclusive images by renowned photographer Elizabeth Messina whose “The Luminous Portrait” hits retailers today www.Amazon.com and more details of the entire 2013 Collection can be found at www.kirstiekelly.com.)
            “This Collection was inspired by the brides I have worked with over the past year and what their desires were for the perfect wedding dress,” said Kelly. “There is something in this Collection for everyone, and I thank all the women who collectively were the inspiration for this line.”
             Kelly announced the premier of her new blog (www.kirstiekelly.com/blog), the launch of the “Borrow Me…to Choose” Program through which brides can have gowns and dresses sent directly to their homes to choose “the one,” as well as The Kirstie Kelly Essentials line, dressing women of discerning taste for day and night functions priced from $500-$5,000 (http://kirstiekelly.com/essentials/essentials.html).
            In 2006, Disney approached Kelly to create a bridal collection for the company, and their partnership took the bridal industry by storm. She fearlessly continued to redefine the Couture and bridal business norms and proudly brought “CostCouture” sensibilities and new, high-quality offerings to consumers nationwide through an unprecedented partnership with retail giant Costco.  Starting with bridal pop-up salons, the partnership has expanded to an even wider audience through Kelly's "Borrow Me" program, so women nationwide can choose their perfect gown by having CostCouture sent to their door.
            Lastly, Kelly unveiled a new campaign that engages what is surprisingly one of the most underserved audiences in the bridal industry:  grooms.  Based on rising trends of the fiancé becoming more involved in the planning of the wedding, Kelly launched www.RoomforGrooms.blogspot.com, an online community resource that includes tips, trends, first-hand insights and affirmation from other grooms, as well as helpful advice from the ultimate wedding insider, Kirstie Kelly. 
            “My passion and drive are always centered on one thing:  making women feel extraordinary.  Not only are we creating beautiful and elegant bridal gowns, eveningwear and accessories, but we’re taking the quality, attention to service, and quiet design details mandated by Couture and making them accessible to today’s fashion-conscious women,” said Kelly.  “We know and understand what women want and need with today’s busy lifestyle, and how the way they feel about themselves can empower them to feel limitless. So we’ve evolved as they’ve evolved and all of the programs, services, collections and campaigns we’re unveiling today were created with the intention to make women from coast-to-coast feel extraordinary.”
            Kelly has created original designs for countless celebrities as well as television shows and movies, including Michele Obama, Rachel McAdams, Debra Messing, Isla Fisher, “Wedding Crashers,” “General Hospital,” “Will & Grace,” and “Samantha Who?”

 “Borrow Me…to Choose” Program


            Kelly and her team created the “Borrow Me…to Choose” Program based on recommendations from their Bridal Stylists who talk to women daily. Women virtually browse the gowns from www.kirstiekelly.com and work with Bridal Stylist
s
who send dresses directly to the brides so they can try them on in the comfort of their homes.  Brides only pay shipping and handling (a cost of $35 each) to participate.  The Bridal Stylists work closely with each bride to help her purchase the gown of her dreams, while also offering expert alteration guidance. Gowns purchased from the Signature Collection will be sent within a week. Gowns from Collection One are typically special order gowns that require 12–14 weeks to fabricate. However, some styles and sizes are available immediately.

The Kirstie Kelly Essentials Line
            A new area of client service organically evolved into dressing women of discerning taste for day and night functions; thus, the Kirstie Kelly Essentials line-- priced from $500-$5,000 --was born.

            The line is full of sumptuous silks, fine wools and cottons, as well as novelty fabrics. The styles are classically elegant with a bit of sass and flair! In addition, Kelly recently created a capsule collection of women’s tailored shirting that enhances every woman’s wardrobe.  Clients can now custom order jackets, pants, dresses, tops, shirting and skirts to reflect their own personal style.

The Kirstie Kelly Showroom
            Opened in October 2011, The Kirstie Kelly Showroom in El Segundo, CA, houses the designer’s gorgeous collections – Bridal, Bridesmaids, Flower Girls, Eveningwear, Essentials and Accessories -- and offers women an intimate and elegant experience as they search for the perfect wedding gown or evening dress.  Clients are welcomed into a relaxed yet stylish atmosphere where they meet with Kirstie's staff of Bridal & Eveningwear Stylists and the designer herself often hand drapes gowns and dresses on to bodies to ensure the perfect fit.   

Visit us at:      www.KirstieKelly.com
Facebook:            www.facebook.com/KirstieKellyCollection

Twitter:                www.twitter.com/kkcollection               

Pinterest:             www.pinterest.com/kirstiekelly             

YouTube:              www.youtube.com/kirstiekellybrand 

Blog:                        www.kirstiekelly.com/blog

Groom Blog:       www.roomforgrooms.blogspot.com

# # #

PRESS NOTE:  For High Resolution Images of the Kirstie Kelly 2013 Bridal Collection and logo as well as PDFs of this release, Kelly’s bio and headshot, visit www.kirstiekelly.com/news.

Contact:
Ron Roecker                                                                                                Kimberly Moran-Blad
Enfluence Group                                                                                        Enfluence Group
ron(at)enfluencegroup.com                                                              Kimberly(at)enfluencegroup.com
424.354.1344                                                                                              818.694.3103

I Once Was Sued by Dick Clark, May He Rest in Peace

My first experience with Dick Clark The Icon was, of course, through "American Bandstand."  Captain & Tennille, Madonna, Donna Summer, Andy Gibb, Cher...ah, American Bandstand (theme song written by Barry Manilow, as you probably know).  As I got older (and Mr. Clark stayed effervescent), he added the American Music Awards to his production company (and although the award itself meant nothing, I still watched every year) and finally Mr. Clark added New Year's Rockin' Eve and my mind was set on associating Dick "The Immortal Teenager" Clark with Pop Music for the rest of my life.

UNTIL..whilst working for The Recording Academy/GRAMMY Awards, I was driving into work one day listening to Ryan Seacrest (who was just about ready to head over to KIIS-FM (from Star 98.7 with my friend Lisa Foxx) to replace the fossil that was/is Rick Dees of "Disco Duck" fame and then onto this new little show that no one really thought would make it called 'American Idol' but I digress)...one day listening to Ryan Seacrest, he announced breaking news that Mr. Dick Clark (loved by gabajillions of people across nations) was suing the Recording Academy for allegedly preventing artists from performing on American Music Awards if they wanted to perform on the GRAMMYs.  Now, it was a very public situation that went nowhere legally and was a publicity stunt of the finest affairs by Mr. Clark.  But for a moment, we had become the bastards that for some not-clear-at-all reason had somehow although not actually at all hurt everyone's Pop Culture son, brother, big uncle. (FYI, they eventually moved the AMAs six months further away from the GRAMMY Awards as not to cause confusion between the two shows LOL).

Anywho, life comes full circle and I wanted to tip my hat to the man who brought so much music to the world for almost 60 years, and salute the sassy side of the feisty legend that perhaps not many of his fans ever could imagine was part of his make-up.  Here's to you Mr. Clark who has gone to the great Bandstand in the Sky.  Suit Stunt or not, you are admired and loved.

NEWS RELEASE
The Recording Academy® Statement on Dick Clark
April 18, 2012

"Recording Academy Trustees Award recipient Dick Clark was an entertainment icon, bringing music into the homes of millions of Americans over his nearly 60-year career. His shows "American Bandstand" and "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" blazed new trails in pop music and became pivotal celebrations of music on television, spotlighting both established and emerging artists. Our deepest heartfelt sympathies go out to his family, friends, fans, and all who have enjoyed his great contributions to music and entertainment. He will be terribly missed, and his legacy will live on forever."

Is it Me or Do They Have Tons of Chemistry Even Without Being Together Physically? Wow!

Natalie Portman Johnny Depp in McCartney's "My Valentine"

Couture Designer Kirstie Kelly Teases New 2012 Bridal Collection & Vows to Make Women Feel Extraordinary!

Kirstie Kelly 2012 Bridal Couture Collection Teaser

 

 COUTURE DESIGNER KIRSTIE KELLY TEASES 2012 BRIDAL COLLECTION, ANNOUNCES NEW CLIENT SERVICE PROGRAMS AND A FIRST-OF-ITS KIND RETAIL PARTNERSHIP ALL AS PART OF MISSION TO MAKE WOMEN FEEL EXTRAORDINARY

Innovative Designer Invites Clients to Browse Gowns in New Showroom and through the New “Borrow Me…to Choose” Program & to Stay Informed in Style through More Robust Social Media Activities including Original Content on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter and More

April 14, 2012 -(El Segundo, CA) - Known worldwide for her understatedly classic, deliberately feminine and profoundly original Couture bridal gowns, Couture Designer and innovative entrepreneur Kirstie Kelly [www.kirstiekelly.com] announced today a multi-layered plan to “make empowered women everywhere feel extraordinary.”  Kelly teased visuals and information regarding her 2012 Bridal Collection which will be unveiled in two weeks, launched new client service offerings including “Borrow Me…to Choose” and the Kirstie Kelly Essentials line, and spotlighted a groundbreaking CostCouture partnership with mega-retailer Costco.  Kelly also extended an open invitation to visit her new Southern California Showroom, and announced a new focus on social media including a new personal blog by Kelly [www.kirstiekelly.com/blog] and robust content activity on Facebook [www.facebook.com/KirstieKellyCollection]; Pinterest [www.pinterest.com/kirstiekelly]; YouTube [www.youtube.com/kirstiekellybrand], Twitter [www.twitter.com/kkcollection] and Kelly will announce a new marketing initiative targeted to an audience the industry rarely talks about but for whom Kelly is making room.
            “My passion and drive are always centered on one thing:  making women feel extraordinary.  Not only are we creating beautiful and elegant bridal gowns, eveningwear and accessories, but we’re taking the quality, attention to service, and quiet design details mandated by Couture and making them accessible to today’s fashion-conscious women,” said Kelly.  “We know and understand what women want and need with today’s busy lifestyle, and how the way they feel about themselves can empower them to feel limitless. So we’ve evolved as they’ve evolved and all of the programs, services and collections we’re unveiling today and over the next few weeks are all with the intent to make women feel extraordinary.”
            Kelly has created original designs for countless celebrities as well as television shows and movies, including Michele Obama, Rachel McAdams, Debra Messing, Isla Fisher, “Wedding Crashers,” “General Hospital,” “Will & Grace,” and “Samantha Who?”

“Borrow Me…to Choose” Program
          
            Kelly and her team created the “Borrow Me…to Choose” Program based on recommendations from their Bridal Stylists who work with and talk to women daily about what they want, what they’re looking for and what their lives are like.  Based on understanding the busy lifestyle of today’s empowered woman, “Borrow Me” was born.  Women who virtually browse the gowns from the Kirstie Kelly SIGNATURE Collection and Collection One on www.kirstiekelly.com work with a Bridal Stylists to help select the perfect gown through the “Borrow Me” program.

The Bridal Stylist then has the preferred gowns sent directly to the bride’s front door; brides then have the opportunity to try them on in the comfort of their own home and invite as many or as few family and friends to help them decide which dress is “the one” -- or they simply invite everyone over to show them the gown they’ve chosen.  All they have to pay when they talk with the Bridal Stylist at that time is the shipping and handling (a cost of $35* each).  Then the Bridal Stylist works closely with the bride to purchase the gown of her dreams, while also offering expert alteration guidance. Gowns purchased from the Signature  Collection will be sent within a week. Gowns from Collection One are typically special order gowns that require 12–14 weeks to fabricate. However, some styles and sizes are available immediately. Before the bride-to-be knows it, a beautiful new gown packed in tissue and ribbons will be sent to her home.

Innovative Partnerships & CostCouture
            In 2006, Disney approached Kelly to create a bridal collection for the company, and their partnership took the bridal industry by storm. She fearlessly continues to redefine the Couture and bridal business norms and proudly brought CostCouture sensibilities and new, high-quality offerings to consumers nationwide through an unprecedented partnership with retail giant Costco.  New programs are being developed and will be announced within the next two months.

Kirstie Kelly Blog & Social Media
Launching today, Kelly’s new blog [www.kirstiekelly.com/blog] opens with this from the candid designer:

Hi, it’s Kirstie. I’ve never been the kind to do things just because everyone else was doing them…so this isn’t your typical bridal blog. I am excited to give you first-looks at what we are designing and tell you about the things in my life that are inspiring me; I wanted to create a place I couldshare beautiful things whether they be fashion or art or places or people; I wanted a way to get you closer and more involved with the Kirstie Kelly brand because when we understand each other better than we can do extraordinary things together.  No, this isn't your typical bridal blog.  So let's have some fun and be a little sassy.  Let's celebrate personal style and individual flair.  We're in this together, and I think we all deserve to feel extraordinary, don't you? --KK

            Kelly’s social media networks also will benefit from a more active presence and renewed commitment to providing original content across all platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter and more. Kelly will be announcing a new marketing initiative targeted to an audience the industry rarely talks about but for whom Kelly is making room.

The Kirstie Kelly Essentials Line
            A new area of client service organically evolved into dressing women of discerning taste for day and night functions; thus, the Kirstie Kelly Essentials line-- priced from $500-$5,000 --was born.
            The line is full of sumptuous silks, fine wools and cottons, as well as novelty fabrics. The styles are classically elegant with a bit of sass and flair!  Our clients are perfectly suited  to dress for East Coast or West, and for day or night.
            In addition, Kelly recently created a capsule collection of women’s tailored shirting that enhances every woman’s wardrobe.  So now, clients can custom order jackets, pants, dresses, tops, shirting and skirts to reflect their own personal style.

The Kirstie Kelly Showroom
            Opened in October 2011, The Kirstie Kelly Showroom and corporate offices, located at 1730 E. Holly Ave. El Segundo, Calif., are nestled next to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, keeping the corporate culture of the company both modern and inspired as well.  Offering women an intimate and elegant experience as they search for the perfect wedding gown or formal attire, this is where Kirstie calls home. Capturing the high-end, but relaxed style of the vibrant South Bay community, the new Showroom houses the designer’s gorgeous collections.
            Upon entering the jewel box salon, clients are welcomed into a relaxed yet stylish atmosphere where they meet with Kirstie's staff of Bridal & Eveningwear Stylists to find the perfect gown or dress. The designer herself is often on hand for many of the fittings and hand drapes gowns and dresses on to bodies to ensure the perfect fit.
            The Showroom houses all of Kirstie Kelly's collections -- Bridal, Bridesmaids, Flower Girls, Eveningwear, Essentials and Accessories -- that reflect the designer's desire to bring high fashion, classic styles and beautiful accessories to every woman.  With an Atelier onsite, our clients can have their bridal gown or evening dress customized to maximize their shape and represent their own true personal style.

Visit us at:            www.KirstieKelly.com
Facebook:           www.facebook.com/KirstieKellyCollection
Twitter:               www.twitter.com/kkcollection             
Pinterest:            www.pinterest.com/kirstiekelly           
YouTube:             www.youtube.com/kirstiekellybrand
Blog:                      www.kirstiekelly.com/blog

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HELLO, ELDER ARCHULETA: NOT BROADWAY AS A MORMON BUT SOUTH AMERICA

American Idol Season 7 runner-up David Archuleta said an emotional farewell to fans as he set off his two-year journey as a Mormon missionary.

“It’s been a very emotional last week,” Archuleta said, recounting days spent with family and friends. He is leaving soon for Utah to prepare himself at the Mormon Missionary Training Center. He is then leaving for South America for two years to serve in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Given the unusual hiatus, Archuleta tells fans, “I hope you guys respect that and you guys have, so I appreciate that.”
Luckily, the fans don’t have to wait for two years to listen to his upcoming album. “I hope you will enjoy the new music that will be coming out, that we’ve worked hard on.”

He ended the video with an emotional farewell, “I’ll see you all in two years. God Bless, take care.”

This is Why I Work with Roberta Flack -- She Craves Knowledge about How We Tick -- and She Can School Me When it Comes to Pop Culture!

Roberta Flack Was John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Neighbor and She Loves Lady Gaga

THE QUEEN NOTCHES FIFTH CONSECUTIVE NUMBER 1 ALBUM DEBUT MAKING 8 TOTAL #1s FOR THE REINVENTORISTA == ONLY BABS STANDS IN HER WAY BUT ON SHAKY GROUND WITH 9 #1 ALBUMS

HER FIRST WEEK'S SALES TOTAL 359,000 BESTING HER LAST VISIT TO #1 WITH PREVIOUS "HARD CANDY" WHICH SOLD 280,000 IN WEEK 1. NUMBER 2 DEBUT IS AN EXCELLENT COUNTRY DUETS ALBUM BY THE INCOMPARABLE LIONEL RICHIE W/ 199,000 UNITS SOLD.  SAIL ON, HONEY! ("MDNA" HAD MOST FIRST-DAY SALES THAN ANY OTHER ARTIST IN HISTORY AND IS #1 ON ITUNES IN 40 COUNTRIES.  MAYBE SHE REALLY IS IRRELEVANT...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2012/04/madonnas-mdna-gives-artist-her-eighth-no-1-.html

Burger King Ads in Netherlands are Truly Eye Catching

Eye MMMM Lovin' it!

What I Know from the Short Time I Spent w/ Madonna

First of all, get over the fact that I absolutely love Madonna as an icon and ass-kicker and that I respect her so very much as a female and as a business person who has been on top for 30 years almost.  I didn't like "Confessions on a Dance floor" when every one was fawning all over it, k?!  Kapish?  Allow me to digress from the album for a minute longer -- it has been so shocking to me to see how polarizing she still is today.  The Madonna I met and was able to spend some time with  -- and the Madonna that has surfaced since her divorce -- is very different than the Madonna people think they knew when she first came on the scene.

My experience and interaction with her was eye-opening on several fronts: when Madonna walks into a room or down a hallway in an arena, there isn't a person that she walks by -- regardless of fan or foe -- who isn't stopped dead in their tracks by her aura, charisma or more accurately this almost unexplainable superstar-explosion that catapults from her soul -- making Katy Perry's "Fireworks"from her  video look like someone trying to light a match in a hurricane.

I watched every thing and everyone in our path as we walked together from the stage (that year she opened the GRAMMY Awards as a dancing, purple leotard wearing holograph with the Gorillaz then a very live version of her disco'd the heck out of a rousing rendition of "Hung Up") to her dressing room (that's where "the picture" was taken) so she could change to do the Ellen Degeneres Show in the Convention Center (where she would announce her Confessions tour) then back to her dressing room (to change into her black, sassy Dolce and Gabbana mini dress and have the rows of Sworofsky Crystals that were used as eye liner checked and any missing ones reapplied) to Staples Center to do almost 3 hours of media interviews. People were paralyzed by the force; celebrities looking at other celebrities saying, "Oh my God, is that her?" Staples Center food service people practically throwing down their over sized trays wherever they could so they could witness what they realized they surely would never see again.  Then there were the people who screamed "Esther" (her Kabala name) or "Maaaadge!" or "OMG, Madonna I LOVE YOU SO MUCH" (and some of these people who were almost crying at the sight or who needed to be restrained by those close to them as their first instinct was to grab on to her leg and only hope to be dragged by the tiny giant for however long they could hold on -- were artists known around the globe!!

Madonna took it all in stride but remained very focused as I briefed her on all that she was going to be doing.  We talked about both being from Michigan and whether or not the other said "Pop" or "Soda" or "Diet Coke regardless if ordering a Sprite or a Diet Coke."  When we were standing back stage of where Ellen was taping her show that was going to air the next day and she was about to introduce her surprise guest, "Vogue" was playing through the loud speakers. I looked at Madonna and whisper/yelled, "catchy little tune" and immediately she quipped, "One hit wonder at best."

She walked on the stage and the entire audience became one giant "Crazy-Person-on-The-Price-Is-Right-Who-Just-Was-Told-to-Come-on-Down Hysterical" mess.  She talked with Ellen for several minutes, announced her Confessions tour and then had a private moment with Ellen off camera during which Ellen said, "This probably is the coolest moment in my life."

She and I huddled again to go over the next item on our agenda (being presented the Artist of the Century Award from MTV) and as she and I are talking all of a sudden someone was ramming wooden Q-Tips up each of Madonna's nostrils, spinning them, and pulling them out in what couldn't have been more than 3 seconds.  Madonna didn't flinch or miss a beat as she was asking me questions -- i stood there trying to seem completely unfazed by whatever the hell just happened and acted as if that always happened whenever I was going over someone's itinerary with them. The Eagle was on the move again, and it dawned on me that to be the most photographed woman in the world (only Princess Diana comes close), and to arguably be one of the most famous global brands in history --  a brand that you personally have created, nurtured, protected, polished, dusted off, treasured, hated, loved -- you better have someone there checking for bats in the cave!  From the Sworofsky Crystals to the Bats in the Cave, it hit me on a real level that this woman is conscious of every detail of every thing and every moment.  She's aware, observant, and a sponge when it comes to understanding whatever it is she is inspired to study.

It was at this moment that I realized, Madonna isn't a bitch like so many people think she is...she doesn't have time for people who can't keep up nor does she have tolerance for people who don't want to know or believe anything more than they already know or believe.  Plain and simple.

By the end of the night, we all were exhausted and Madonna was energized and talking about her tour which made her almost giddy -- she loves that the most - being able to talk about things that are important to her...and we should be thankful that someone so intelligent and curious is the one doing it on such a global scale.  When people say Madonna is irrelevant, I say (and so does she I bet) "you're stupid."  In light of Whitney Houston's sad death, and looking at Britney's shaved head, and Mariah's in-hospital treatment for "exhaustion" and Michael Jackson's substance abuse which killed him as well, it would be appropriate enough to say since Madonna, who has never had a melt-down, never had a substance abuse problem, never had a domestic 911 call played on TMZ, and always moved forward on the path she knew she needed and wanted to take --is still around and making music after 30 years -- yeah, she's relevant.  But when you're talking the most top 10 singles than any artist or group in history (38 of which she has the most #2 singles of any artist or group in history), the most #1 Billboard Dance hits (41 w/ Janet Jackson a long long 2nd with only 19), she's sold 300 million albums worldwide and today's debut of MDNA will be her 8th #1 album (2nd only to Barbra Streisand).  Madonna, the only thing you deserve to be called is "The Queen of Pop."

When I was saying goodbye to her publicist and manager after a very long evening I reached my hand out to shake Madonna's.  She shook my hand, used her left hand to almost jump up (she's a tiny little thing who is so stunning and softer in person -- her eyes are mesmerizing) and kissed me on the right cheek.  I was almost as stunned as the wooden Q-tip incident.  Then she looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Thank you for everything. You're very good at your job."  I practically bolted after that because i thought I was going to lose it.  It was the greatest compliment of my life and it still chokes me up (I know I am such a freak).  For those haters, educate yourselves -- you don't have to like her but you should understand her.  For those fans, play MDNA loud and proud.  The Queen is not "back."  The Queen is Here Again.