Ladies night at the Grammys

Last night’s (January 31) Grammy show was a hit and from beginning to end it was Ladies Night.

Among the ladies that ruled was Beyoncé who scooped up six awards – a record for a female artist. The R & B superstar had ten nominations and walked away with trophies for Song Of The Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song, and Best Contemporary R&B Album.

Beyonce missed out on the album of the year, after Taylor Swift became the youngest artist to win the coveted Grammy. In doing so Taylor broke a record held since 1996 by Alanis Morissette, who was 21 when she won for Jagged Little Pill.

The 20-year-old was also the first solo female country winner ever of the award, and the first female pop winner since Celine Dion won in 1997 for Falling Into You. She also won the Grammy for best country album, and a pair of awards for her song White Horse – female country vocal performance and best country song.

Fans were treated to a number of incredible collaborations between modern marvels and living legends  such as Lady Gaga & Elton John and Taylor Swift & Stevie Nicks) and stunning set pieces including a memorable one by Pink.

So who had the best performance? Gaga and John performed “Poker Face,” “Speechless” and “Your Song” in an over-the-top spectacle that fit both of their massive personalities. Beyoncé’s take on “If I Were a Boy” and Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know” showcased  incredible vocals.

Taylor Swift’s performance of “Today Was a Fairytale,” “Rhiannon” and “You Belong With Me” presented elements of country, straight pop, bluegrass, folk and classic rock.

For me,  the best peformance of the night was Pink who proved she’s Pretty Awesome.  She wowed the crowd singing”Glitter in the Air” while suspended in the air, spinning and singing like something out of Cirque de Soleil.  I think I read that she was a gymnast when she was younger but whether or not that’s true,  her athleticism was apparent.  By this time, CBS has probably pulled all the YouTube versions down for copyright infringement, but if the one below still works, be sure to check it out!

Vancouver 2010 unveils headline performers for nightly Vancouver Victory Ceremonies

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) unveiled an exciting lineup of top Canadian acts who will pay tribute to medal-winning Olympians at Canada’s Games in 2010 during nightly Victory Ceremonies held indoors in downtown Vancouver.

The 12 headliners, which include Nelly Furtado, Barenaked Ladies, Loverboy, and Hedley, are part of the Vancouver 2010 concert series, presented by Bell, and will perform for one night each from February 14 to 26 inside BC Place during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The full night of entertainment is a fabulous chance to gather together with Olympic fans from around the world to celebrate the world’s best winter athletes as they receive their medals in speed skating, snowboarding and freestyling skiing – including the first medals to ever be awarded in the newest Olympic event of ski cross. See below for the full list of headliners and dates they appear, as well as a breakdown of nightly medal presentations.

“The Victory Ceremonies will be the place to be in the evenings in Vancouver during the Games. For 12 nights only, spectators will get a chance to witness in person the top athletes of the day in their shining moments on the podium,” said David Guscott, VANOC’s executive vice president in charge of celebrations and partnerships. “At the same time, they will also be treated to an amazing night of top Canadian music and international acts, from punk rock to country to pop, thanks to our partners Bell and the Canadian provinces and territories.”

The first Victory Ceremony held in Vancouver opens on Valentine’s Day and has a British Columbia theme with Grammy Award-winning recording artist Nelly Furtado headlining. Medals will be presented on the podium to the world’s newest men’s and women’s speed skating and freestyle mogul stars as they watch their flags rise to the rafters at BC Place. The medal presentations and entertainment will take place against a backdrop featuring the dynamic blue and green palette of the Games within a specially built concert bowl in the stadium.

Pretty Awesome!

Avril Lavigne expands Abbey Dawn clothing line

Avril Lavigne’s  has expanded her line of punk style clothing for juniors (sold exclusively at Kohl’s).

The Canadian singer named the line Abbey Dawn after the childhood nickname given to her by her dad. She explains that “My alias name was always Abbey Dawn in my hotel rooms.”

The inspiration for Abbey Dawn came out of Avril’s closet. “It’s who I am and what I think is cool and anything I’d wear.” she says.

All the items in the line were co-designed and approved by the 24 year-old rocker, who says it’s hard to name her favorite piece since she loves them all so much.

For the target market, the clothes are fun but probably best worn in small doses. The takeaway is that it’s okay to borrow looks from well-known celebs and personalities but better to come up with your style.  Reminds me of one of my fave quotes:

“Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of someone else.”
-Judy Garland

Oh, and if Abby Dawn isn’t quite your style, you might want to check out Miley Cyrus’ new line at Walmart.

Gymnast Carly Patterson going for gold (again)

2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Carly Patterson is going for the gold again, only this time in music. Carly’s debut album “Back to the Beginning” was released on 8/25 and includes the singles “Temporary Life” and “Time to Wake Up”. The former gymnast’s new music video for “Time to Wake Up” is currently featured on MTV.com and VH1.com.

Chicago-based MusicMind Records plans to promote Carly’s debut album with a full scale promotional tour and guest appearances.

Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the 20-year-old Carly Patterson has come a long way in a short period. The gymnast made her debut at the senior international elite level, winning back-to-back American Cup titles in 2003 and 2004, as well as the title of 2004 U.S. Co-National Champion.

Patterson was also a member of the 2003 World Championship Team where she won a Silver Medal in the all-around and helped lead the U.S. to their first ever World Championship team Gold Medal. It was also at this competition that Carly’s signature beam dismount (an Arabian double front) was officially named “The Patterson”. At the 2004 Olympic Games, Carly and her teammates earned the silver medal in the team competition. It was also at this competition that Carly became the first American woman in 20 years to win an Olympic Gold Medal in the all-around title category since Mary Lou Retton.

In 2006, Patterson decided to retire from Gymnastics after having lower back issues and to pursue a life long passion of becoming a recording artist. Since the games, Patterson has stayed occupied with event appearances (gymnastics related and otherwise), landed a number of high profile corporate sponsorships, appeared in a Mobile ESPN commercial aired during Super Bowl XL, appeared on Celebrity Duets (produced by Simon Cowell of American Idol fame) and finished her authorized biography, which is currently in bookstores.

BANDSLAM’S Vanessa Hudgens made honorary Girl Scout

Walden Media – distributor of the film BANDSLAM, kicked off its partnership with the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles with a special premiere screening of their new film.

Nearly 400 Girl Scouts, from ages 6 to 16 came to the Harmony Gold Theater to see the film, and its star Vanessa Hudgens. Hudgens was on hand to offer the young women words of encouragement. “Be Strong” she says “I think that’s the one thing you can do. I think they’re [Girl Scouts] are great girls and they’re living by great things. I wish them all the best.”

Hudgens was also given the title of Honorary Girl Scout, and was presented with the Girl Scout Insignia pin. She said of the honor: “I’m excited. I can’t wait to tell my mom. I think the Girl Scout Organization is an incredible thing for young girls. It gives you a chance to be with other girls who I feel are here to improve themselves, and to make friends, and I think that’s an important part of growing up, you know to be around good people and it just helps girls find themselves.”

Walden also used the event to launch its new Walden Media Media Literacy Patch. This fall, over 45,000 Girl Scouts throughout the Greater Los Angeles area will have the opportunity to complete a series of immersive activities to earn the special patch.

Ishani Patel, a Cadette Girl Scout said of the patch: “I’m really excited to get it because it’s going to introduce us to what they do behind the scenes in the media world. Most of the time you go to the movies but you just see the movie, but you don’t see what goes on behind the scenes; so they’re giving us the opportunity to learn what they do on a regular day.”

Walden did just that with a Q&A session before the film with Walden Execs Evan Turner, VP of Development and Production, and Heather Phillips, SVP of Marketing. The two spoke about their experiences making and marketing BANDSLAM. The session gave the Girl Scouts an insider look into all the work and thought that goes into a film.

Pretty cool!

Sounds like….girl power

Oxygen is breaking into song this summer, launching a new music initiative designed to introduce the network’s girl-power demo to a roster of emerging artists.

On Wednesday, July 15, the net flipped the switch on “Sounds Like Oxygen,” a multiplatform campaign featuring on-air vignettes and a standalone microsite. Among the first group of musicians profiled are: Atlantic Records recording artist Laura Izibor, Danish alternative duo The Asteroids Galaxy Tour and Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Caitlin Crosby.

“Music is integral to our audiences’ life,” said Jason Klarman, Oxygen’s general manager, by way of announcing the initiative. “Delivering a curated music experience that allows them to discover new artists fits perfectly with our strategy to reimagine Oxygen as a multiplatform lifestyle brand.”

The 30-second on-air plugs offer a glimpse at each artist’s current videos––Izibor sings snippets of her single “From My Heart to Yours,” while Crosby bops along to her song “Still Have My Heart”––before directing Oxygen viewers to the microsite.

The Sounds Like Oxygen site features full-length music videos, as well as photo galleries, biographical material and interactive quizzes. Each month, a new batch of artists will be added to the mix.

“Oxygen has developed a really creative and unique place to hear about other new artists,” said Crosby. “As a musician, it’s so cool to be a part of this project and have exposure to the network’s audience.”

Crosby is a particularly apt pick for the Sounds Like Oxygen roster, as her work confronts many of the body-image/self-esteem issues that plague young women. (Among the tracks on her debut record Flawz are “Imperfect is the New Perfect” and “Don’t Play Me Hollow.”)

Let us know what you think!

Ashley Tisdale launches “Get A Clue” contest

One of our fave Pretty Tough artists, Ashley Tisdale, is getting ready to release her latest album Guilty Pleasure on July 28th.

Leading up to the release, Ashley announced the “Get a Clue” video clue contest  that will take fans across the Internet to find the answers.  If you’re not already a social media maven,  you’ll want to get up to speed fast.  Fans need to be following Ashley on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook, friend her on Myspace and subscribe to her YouTube channel.

Here’s how it works: Ashley will be releasing clues on AshleyTisdale.com/getaclue.  You’ll need to write down all of the answers, and on July 28th, submit the collected responses to win the ultimate prize pack – a trip to fly out to meet Ashley at one of her concerts, an Ashley Tisdale flip cam, or an autographed poster and Guilty Pleasure CD.

For more information visit the contest site.

MJ’s influence on sports

The stunning news of Michael Jackson’s death at age 50 put the King of Pop’s career back in the spotlight. Michael’s influence can be felt in many fields of endeavor: Music, dance and yes, even sports.

Serena Williams, competing this week at Wimbledon, admitted she had been left speechless by the news of Jackson’s death.  Her post-match press conference after defeating Daniela Hantuchova was dominated by her recollections of MJ. Serena had met the self-styled King of Pop several times and paid tribute to his legacy as a cultural icon and musical innovator.

“He was a great guy and a complete icon,” Serena said. “Words can’t express my shock and horror.

“He was definitely the ultimate celebrity. Any celebrity who met him was completely in awe. I know I was.”

It’s hard to believe today, but there was a time when not everyone on the planet had made a video. Videos from Jackson’s Thriller album, especially the title cut, helped the genre explode in the early ’80s. By 1985, even the Chicago Bears were getting into the act with the Super Bowl Shuffle.

Athletes celebrated their achievements long before Michael, but the Gloved One took the art of the dance to new heights, and you could argue that Touchdown celebrations ever since owe a debt of gratitude to the King of Pop.

Mascots, too, paid homage to MJ during half-time programs. From the football field, to the basketball court, dance numbers have always had a pop sensibility influenced in great part by Jackson’s talents.

Hoopfeed.com has a great post today: Moonwalking on the hardwood: A basketball tributed to MJ that discusses Jackson’s impact on the world of basketball. His music was omnipresent from the high school level to the NBA.

To this day in basketball arenas snippets of “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Thriller,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” and “Smooth Criminal” are commonly heard tracks and never fail to get fans dancing.

The post also captures tweets from throughout the day yesterday of players and fans who posted their heartfelt thoughts on Jackson. Many pro women’s basketball players were clearly shaken by his passing including Ashley Battle, Chamique Holdsclaw and Candace Parker.

And Jackson’s influence on basketball extends further. The video for the singer’s hit “Jam” featured Jackson and the other MJ, basketball superstar Michael Jordan who taught Jackson how to play basketball while Jackson taught Jordan how to dance.

It is rare that an individual can impact so many people on a global scale. Michael Jackson’s music and dance moves did just that. Like some of the sports greats, just when you were ready to write off Jackson as a has-been, the King would stage one of his famous comebacks. Unfortunately, a final comeback won’t be forthcoming and  he’ll be greatly missed.

Williams’ sisters, WNBA players nominated for BET Female Athlete of the Year

The 2009 BET Awards will be hosted by Jamie Foxx and aired live from Los Angeles, California on June 28th.

So who will walk away with the “Best Female Athlete”? Will your pick for “Best Actress” make her way to the podium? Find out when artists and trailblazers all gather under one roof to celebrate the achievements of the most influential African Americans in music, acting, sports and entertainment.

Beyonce, always a showstopper, is back this year for her sixth BET Awards performance.

We’re closely watching the Female Athlete of the Year contest. Nominees are an All-Star list including the tennis-playing Williams sisters along with WNBA players Tamika Catchings, Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker. These fierce competitors are all at the top of their games, but only one can win.

In entertainment categories, Best Actress of the Year nominees include Angela Basset, Rosario Dawson,Taraji P. Henson, Jennifer Hudson and and BET performer Beyonce Knowles.

The Best Female Hip Hop Artist list includes Lil Mama, M.I.A. and Trina. The A-List group of divas duking it out for Best Female R&B Artist include Beyonce, Keyshia Cole, Keri Hilson, Jennifer Hudson and Jazmin Sullivan.

Keri Hilson, M.I.A. and Jazmin Sullivan are also up for Best New Artist.

Will your faves win? They’re all fierce divas and competitors worthy of a statue so tune in to the BET on June 28. Recognize excellence!

Sabrina Bryan wants your workout video!

Think you’ve got the latest and greatest moves to get fit? Show them off in a new contest to promote physical activity!

Sabrina Bryan, of the Cheetah Girls and Dancing with the Stars ” has teamed up with The Alliance for a Healthier Generation to launch empowerME, a campaign challenging kids to make their own workout videos.

How to enter:

Record an original 3-5 minute workout or dance video starring you*

Include at least two of Sabrina’s top tips (found on the EmpowerME site)

Submit your video

For more information on The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, the empowerME campaign and Sabrina Bryan’s video contest please visit www.empowerME2B.org.

So get up, grab a camera and get moving!

The top five finalists will receive autographed copies of Sabrina’s newest “Byou” DVD — and the winner will also receive a personalized video message from Sabrina!

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