Come Ye Sinners Video

I love this verion....LOVE IT. It gives me chills when I listen to it



**Note some of the artwork is graphic and not reflective of all my beliefs/views**

Sing To Jesus-Fernando Ortega

When we are down, when we are happy, when he is merciful, everyday...

A Little Friday Music

The Phoenix Mercury And The WNBA

On July 18Th some of my family and I had the pleasure of going to the US Airways center here in Phoenix to see a game between the Phoenix Mercury and Chicago Sky. I have never been to a WNBA game before this, and was excited to see how they played.

Among us going to the game were two one year old toddlers and my two year old. I thought they were going to go crazy by half time but, they were really entertained by what was going on! My two year old loved the energy of the game and the music. She danced when music was playing and loved watching the half time show. She also learned how to say "defense" and other related game terms. Also, true story, the boys were rolling their eyes and sighing when I told them we were going to a WNBA game. Once we were there, they were really into it. My sister-in-law had to leave early and my nephew was really upset that he didn't get to see the outcome. Ha ha. Just goes to show that a sport can be engaging no matter what sex the person is watching and what sex the team is playing.

My favorite parts of the experience were the fans, which were really upbeat and enjoyed their team playing, and all the fan participation involved before and during the game. There were adorable little children dancing a little hip hop number, and doing it very well. There were fun little games and races done with other fans to win prizes, and there was awesome music to set the high energy tone of the games.

One of the best parts? Phoenix Mercury beat Chicago Sky in their home game. Yay! Way to go team. During this game, they were a cohesive team and did a great job with their defense. I also like that having a professional women's team shows my little girl that she can do basically anything that she puts her mind to. That example is very important to me.

The WNBA in and of itself is also linked to many different causes including; breast health awareness, Jr. NBA, Fast Break to Reading Program. If you're interested in learning more about the Mercury, or the WNBA as a whole, you can check them out on twitter, follow them on facebook, youtube, and 2009 t.v. spot.

Go check out the great discounts that WNBA and ticketmaster have put together.

Michael Jackson And The End Of My Childhood

I'm in the middle of moving and am absolutely exhausted from the last few days moving heavy furniture in almost 110 degree heat! So, while I rest I felt it was time to reflect on some stuff that I've been thinking about this week.

Michael Jackson was an artist that peaked while I was growing up. I know there are probably other bloggers that are writing about this, and yet, I still wanted to write about it. When Thriller came out, I wasn't really allowed to listen to secular music. Of course it's hard to avoid it when it's everywhere else. That year, I spent time with my cousins and my Mother told me before I left that I wasn't allowed to watch MTV or anything related. There had also been advertising about the video for Thriller and how it was going to be making it's debut. Again, she told me I wasn't allowed to watch it. At eight years old, I sat outside on the porch waiting for my cousins who were in with their neighbors watching Thriller.

A year or so later, my parent's split and the level of strictness went out with it. I would always dance when I heard his music. I remembered his music before Thriller came out. Michael had great music and rhythm. He was an excellent dancer and a great entertainer. I got to see his performances through the new media called MTV.

When I was getting ready to enter high school, I tried out for cheer leading, basically for giggles. I wasn't a dancer and definitely had never done anything like it at all! All the freshly minted, high school freshmen were awaiting their instructions from the Varsity cheerleaders and on the "boom box" came Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal. I was so excited to get into the routine and attempt my tryout. Sadly, I didn't make it on the squad and figured that would be OK, since I literally forgot the entire routine and got a major deer in the headlights look. *giggle*

I never stopped loving the songs from Thriller, and whenever I would hear a song on the radio, in a restaurant, or store I would also want to shake it. It saddened me that so much of his good music ability went into his eccentricity and then, what later shrouded him in possible shame. The good news was that I didn't idolize this man, he was only a very talented performer in my eyes. He wasn't some Christlike being who could make everything better like many treated him, especially during his glory days so, I wasn't that disappointed.

He hadn't made any great music recently and so I enjoyed going to YouTube and pulling him up and dancing with my daughter to some old favorites. Hearing he passed away last week, made me a little empty. Not because he was gone, rather because it meant the end of my childhood. I know that sounds silly coming from a 30 something mommy but, really an end of an era. When I listen to music of any kind from my childhood, I can remember particular moments of time. I can remember how old I was and what I was like during that moment. I can remember how those songs touched me.

I can think back on a movie I watched with the song in it and how it made me feel. Music is definitely tied to my emotions, as well as smells and a few little things. What Michael represented wasn't supposed to die so soon. I'm still too young to let go of all those things that helped shape me into what I am, and remind me of the few good times I had growing up.

Diane Birch-Bible Belt CD Review

I've listened to the CD Bible Belt from Diane Birch a few times now. Her album was just released on June 2, 2009. It's an eclectic mix of old and new sounds. Sometimes I feel like I'm listening to music of the 70's, Carole King style and then I'm put into a Norah Jones genre. I'm impressed because I really like artists that write their own music and go through the process. Diane Birch wrote the entire album herself and has an "old soul" flavor to her music.

After traveling around with her parents as a child, her family finally settled in Portland, Oregon. There she took root and settled into the city as well as her music. She was found on Myspace and moved there for awhile but, eventually relocated to New York where she signed with S Curve Records. Lately there's been a lot of buzz about her. She has her own Myspace and she has an Mp3 available for her song Fire Escape.

S Curve Records and Diane Birch are participating in Discover & Donate. Whenever a purchase for Bible Belt is made, the buyer can choose from one in six charities and $1 will be donated. Awesome way to give back to the community.

Diane Birch-Free Single Of The Week ITunes

Itunes is offering Diane Birch's new single Rise Up as their free single of the week. She has a sultry, jazzy, and blues feel to her voice and her music. Go download it before it's gone.

Coconut Groove CD-Review AND Giveaway*CLOSED*

When I first heard about the Coconut Groove CD, I had not heard of Nicholas Deysher or his other previous CD's before. I was excited to learn more though because I love music and my daughter loves music. I try to find interesting, exciting music for her to enjoy while being kid appropriate. I also don't want to listen to something that's going to grate on my last nerve while she's enjoying it either. ha ha.

I got the CD and since I was home I popped it in right away. The Hello song came on and both my daughter and I started moving. It's a really catchy, fast paced song that makes you wanna dance and laugh. I listened intently to the rest of the CD and was pleasantly surprised at the variety of music, the education within the songs, and the sound. It truly does have an island "feel" to it.

Nick Deysher has been making music for most of his life, and has attained a Master’s Degree in studio music production and film scoring. He was a preschool teacher for awhile and began educating through music. He was such a hit, the parent's and children wanted his music on CD. He released his first album, One Man Band in 2001 and followed that up with In The Nick Of Time in 2003. In 2005 Nick moved from Boston to Coconut Grove, FL and created his company In The Nick Of Time Music.

I have also enjoyed looking through Nick's blog http://bathtubsinging.blogspot.com/ and seeing his views on music, education and things that make him laugh.

Buy It

Buy a Cd or download MP3 from here http://cdbaby.com/cd/innickoftime

Win It

Nick is being generous and offering one of his CD's to a lucky winner! Even better, he said he would autograph it! How exciting.

Rules
You must go to In The Nick Of Time website and tell me a favorite song, or fact listed on the site. Not something I've listed here please!
If you don't follow the rules, your entry will not be considered. Please leave your email address so you can be contacted if you win. You don't have to have a blog to enter.

U.S Entries only please

Giveaway ends April 6, 2009 11:59PM Arizona time

It's Hip Hop Baby! Review & Giveaway*CLOSED*

My daughter and I had a chance about a month ago to review a new CD and DVD called It's Hip Hop Baby! When we finally got a chance to put it on and really watch it, my daughter was hooked. She is two and loves to dance at this stage in her development. She loves going over her ABC's and she loves to try and count with me.

It's Hip Hop Baby has counting, Simon says, ABC's, and Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. It shows children in the studio and park settings talking about their favorite things and singing the songs. The DVD takes on an urban feel and has a diverse group of kids singing and dancing. It reminds me of PBS kids shows where children are helping "teach" on the television.

The music has very catchy beats that make it easy to get involved in and remember what is being said. I can tell you after watching it a few times over the last few days that the songs are definitely stuck in my head ha ha. My daughter honestly only asks to watch this DVD and her movie, Cars. She is completely enthralled by watching the kids and trying to do the movements on Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes and that makes it a great "exercise" video as well.

The only down side I can think of, is that the DVD is short, it's only about 22 minutes long and my daughter could probably stand it to be a little longer.

Buy It

You can find It's Hip Hop Baby! on amazon, along with four other DVD's they have available now. Go check them out.

Win It

It's Hip Hop Baby! is being very generous and giving away a CD, and DVD to one lucky reader.

Rules

Please go to the It's Hip Hop Baby website and tell me the name of one of the other DVD's on the site. This must be followed or your entries are invalid! I need your email as a way to contact you or the prize will go to someone else. You will have 48 hours to respond to my email.

Contest ends March 30,2009 11:59PM Arizona time.

Extra Entries
1. Grab my Ramblings Of A Wannabe Writer button and put it on your blog
2. Follow me on Blogger

Milkshake Music Review And Giveaway! *CLOSED*

I asked family to purchase some CD's for my daughter's first Christmas, which also was the day before her first Birthday. She loves music and has really always loved it! She received a cute little CD called Happy Songs from Milkshake music. My daughter has loved that CD since day one and so has her mama!

It's fun and vibrant and the lyrics are about everyday life. Well, I wanted to share their music with all of you. They have a new CD out now called Play, that has some really cute tunes about having a band, pirates, and Superheroes!

We received the new CD, the new DVD and the comic book to review. The DVD features really cute, kid friendly videos with the band singing their songs. They have different locations and really play out the visualization of the songs. The DVD also includes two videos that were created for PBS kids and a noggin hit, Bottle Of Sunshine.

The band's mission is to create children's rock music. They were inspired by the birth of their children and what they are going through on a daily basis. They are soulful and inspired and a break away from traditional children's music.

Milkshake music would like to invite you to join their Facebook to get new updates from the band and shows.

Here's my little gal dancing

Win It!

One person will win a Play Cd, Screen Play DVD and a Comic

Rules

Please go to the Milkshake music website and tell me your favorite song from the new CD, Play. This must be followed or your entries are invalid! I need your email as a way to contact you or the prize will go to someone else. You will have 48 hours to respond to my email.

Extra Entries

1. Grab my Ramblings Of A Wannabe Writer button and put it on your blog

2. Follow me on Blogger

3. Add me to twitter(kaiasmommy) AND tweet this contest. Please leave your twitter name and tweet link in your entry

4. Add Milkshake music to your Facebook

Please list each entry separately as I have no way of going through each entry.

This contest ends March 17Th, 2009 at 11:59 Arizona time

U.S. entries, open to non bloggers with email address

winner will be chosen by random.org