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Road to Life is Beautiful Battle of the Bands was a success and then some. Thank you, Las Vegas!

11 Jul

The last few weeks have been some of the most rewarding since being in my position with Life is Beautiful. In year one we held Downtown Las Vegas Music Showcases to highlight local bands and a handful ended up on the lineup. Last year we partnered with First Friday and delivered an evening of music across double digit venues and stages in Downtown Las Vegas. This year we raised the stakes, took a gamble and it was simply beautiful. Somewhere I got another crazy idea that we should do a Battle of the Bands and turn it into March Madness bracket-style tournament. We started with 16 bands being selected, Brooklyn Bowl on the Las Vegas Strip was the host site and as the weeks carried on we scaled down to the Final Four which was held last night at Brooklyn Bowl. Four killer, 30-minute performances which ended with Brittany Rose emerging victorious and now added to the 2016 Life is Beautiful lineup.

The crowds were impressive, the performances were great and all in it’s a good time to be involved with the local music scene in Las Vegas. I encourage everyone in town to get out and discover some homegrown music because we have a new crop of musicians waiting for you to discover them.

At the beginning I mentioned that these have been some of the most rewarding weeks for me and that’s because of the 16 bands/artists who graced the stage at Brooklyn Bowl. All of the performers carried themselves in a professional manner, rallied to support one another during their performances and we’re genuinely stoked for the opportunity. It was truly special to see the care and excitement they had for one another even though they were all in competition with each other. That’s what a community is about and I’m proud to be a part of it.

To All Night Visitors, Brittany Rose, Chop808, Daniel Park Band, Echo Stains, Ekoh, Glasspools, Jessica Manalo, Moonboots, O Wildly, Silversage, The American Weather, The Musket Vine, The Noir Movement, Walk Off Hits and We Are Pancakes, thanks for letting me be part of the ride.

Peace, Love + Music

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“There’s something about having people around you giving you support, it’s motivating” – Prince

26 Apr

“Once I got that support from people, then I believed I could do anything.”

RIP Prince.

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Dearly Beloved…….#RIP Prince

21 Apr

#RIP Prince. Another music icon gone too soon.

One of the most amazing performers ever. He will be missed.

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R.I.P Phife Dawg

23 Mar

These are getting really sad to keep writing in 2016. Gone way too young, R.I.P. Phife Dawg.

My love of hip-hop I can say was sprouted from listening to A Tribe Called Quest. Sure there were others too but there was always something about ATCQ, a realness and authenticity. Like other groups, they had their issues and eventually disbanded (and got back together on special occasions, lastly I believe in Nov. 2015 on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon) but together, they were simply the best.

“You on point, Tip?”

“All the time, Phife.”

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R.I.P. Sir George Martin

9 Mar

2016 continues to be a year of mourning in the music industry and this one, personally hits hard as Sir George Martin has passed away at the age of 90. The “fifth Beatle” as he was widely referred to died “peacefully at home” according to reports. The producer of the Beatles and the man who helped bring their sound to life was a pure genius and regarded as one of the finest and most intelligent people in the business. I encourage you to take some time today to learn a bit more about Sir George Martin and the impact he’s had over his lifetime.


 

For me it obviously began with my parents playing The Beatles music growing up and continuously being surrounded by it. Then it was 10 years ago in Las Vegas when Cirque du Soleil announced a collaboration for The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil and having a chance to sit through dress rehearsals and media days (I was assisting on the PR end as the company I worked for handled PR for Cirque) and listen to how the soundtrack for the show came together and how Sir George Martin worked with his son Giles to put together one of the most incredible arrangements I had ever heard. This was also the time when Apple Corps didn’t own the original catalog of The Beatles’ music, Michael Jackson did and so the two Martin’s were using outtakes, other recordings, etc. and still delivered an amazing 90 minutes of music for Cirque du Soleil to perform with. Then in 2014 I had a crazy idea, could I bring together my favorite show, The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil and the Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra for a first time performance at Life is Beautiful? This wild pipe dream became a reality thanks to Giles Martin and the team at Cirque du Soleil and of course the LV Phil. Giles rewrote the score for this 30 minute performance and it was an incredible moment and one that I will never forget.
 


 

We lost a legend. A man who not only changed the way we listened and fell in love with music but also a man who was regarded as one of the best. We lost a Beatle today. May you rest in peace Sir George Martin.

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RIP Maurice White

4 Feb

I still can’t accept that musicians seem to be dropping like flies this year. Crazy and sad but there has to be something to be done in their honor and that is celebrate their lives and the music they gifted us. This one, this one strikes me in a whole different way, I grew up listening to Earth, Wind & Fire because of my parents. They were a staple on rotation in the car, on reel to reel, cassette to CD to iPod, etc., really for my whole life thanks to my parents (and where I get my music tastes from) and this one hits us hard as a family but we’ll raise a glass, crank up the stereo and pay respect to Maurice White. Your music and place in history will never be forgotten. Now go enjoy that amazing concert that’s happening in a far, far away place!

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R.I.P. David Bowie

11 Jan

To measure the impact this talented individual had on the world one just needs to do a search on the internet for David Bowie and see what pops up in today’s news feed. I like countless others was saddened to hear of the passing of one of the most magnificent entertainers to ever live. He was an icon, a chameleon, he did it so good and effortlessly and was one of the few who could bring together people from all different backgrounds. For me he was the one living legend I had hoped I’d get a chance to see live. He released his final album, Blackstar, last Friday on his 69th birthday and you have to wonder if he and those close to him had in a way been preparing for the worse since knowing of his secret battle of cancer was eventually going to lead to where we are today.

Last Thursday I was having lunch with a friend where the conversation shifted to David Bowie, his work on the new album and our admiration for him and clearly not thinking something like the news of his passing was possible at this time.

The world lost a creative figure who transcended generations, races, genders, etc. and who left his mark that will most certainly be remembered for decades to come. We bid you goodnight Sir David Bowie. Thank you for what you left us with.

 

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DoYouHearTheMusic.com – November 2015 playlist

16 Nov

Just in time for those Thanksgiving road trips! Apologies for the delay in posting this but here is the November 2015 playlist for you to enjoy. Hope you click play and repeat. Now bring on the holidays!

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Life is Beautiful 2015 Single Day Lineups are here!

12 Aug

Party People! If you haven’t already, you better move quick and snatch up your tickets to attend Life is Beautiful 2015, September 25-27 in Downtown Las Vegas. The single day lineups have dropped and while single day tickets go on sale Thursday, look at the below and I can’t find a way for you not to want to attend all three days!

Need a little more inspiration? Click HERE to listen to the Life is Beautiful 2015 Radio Station on Pandora.

LIB_2015_SDLP

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‘Fare Thee Well’ Grateful Dead 50th Anniversary Shows Here We Come!

25 Jun

June 19, 1995 that was the first and last time I would see the Grateful Dead. Bob Dylan opened, I was with my childhood best friend and his Father (who took us) and what an experience it was…..at 13! Thanks Mom and Dad for letting me go to the show!

Fast forward 20 years and one week later and after losing count of the amount of The Dead, Furthur, Rat Dog, Phil & Friends, Mickey Hart Band, Dark Star Orchestra, etc. shows I’ve been to, it’s just shy of 24 hours until I board a plane to San Francisco to catch the two Fare Thee Well shows at Levi’s Stadium. While it won’t be the Chicago experience, it will be an amazing experience that I can’t wait to be a part of and perhaps even better given that it’s a short distance from the origin of the Grateful Dead.

Peace + Love + Music

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