Cosplay Piano: The Walking Dead, Batman, Superman, Game of Thrones

If you're a fan of The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Batman, or Superman - you'll truly enjoy these videos.  Award winning pianist, Sonya Belousova and Director Tom Grey are the geniuses behind these musical arrangements.  While The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones vids are a bit more elaborate, they're all great nonetheless.  The Game of Thrones piece is my favorite.

Evolution of Get Lucky

In April I posted a video titled the Evolution of Music which consisted of a medley of Pentatonix's favorite songs.  This time around, PV Nova take Daft Punk and Pharrell's, "Get Lucky" and do something similar.

They take the song and change the music to reflect the decade, starting with 1930 until the year 2020.  It's pretty cool, I thoroughly enjoyed it.  The 70's and 80's were perfect!

Cyanide and Happiness: Dying Cats

Don't Be Nervous Andrew!

Ever feel rejected?  This kid does.  Well... he did before he was a contestant on America's Got Talent last week. The episodes were from the auditions held in Austin, Texas - the gay friendliest city in all of Texas!

Not only, did Andrew De Leon manage to get a standing ovation from the judges, he got one from the entire audience!   Believe me, our jaws just dropped when he started to sing. 

The touching moment comes when he responds to Howard Stern and says, "Um, I'm just so used to being rejected and I'm not really good at anything, so... this is amazing."

Sharon Osbourne continues by saying, "..please don't say that you're not good at anything, because you got an amazing voice, and you are an individual!"

But Howie Mandell said it best when he closed out the show by saying,  "You know, you've been hiding in your room all these years, but you never let the world see who you are or what you are, and it's not that you're good at anything, you are great!"

Must Watch: Garden of Your Mind - A Mr. Rogers Remix

PBS Digital Studios in collaboration with John D. Boswell, aka melodysheep on YouTube created this absolutely wonderful video titled, Garden of Your Mind.  It features, none other, than your favorite PBS hero, Mr. Rogers.

Thinking it would be a brilliant way to garner donations to your local PBS station, the video was remixed with the support of the Fred Rogers Company.  It has reached 2,852,941 views.  So if you like this video, please support your local PBS station.** http://www.pbs.org/donate

Thank you Sean Hodges for sharing this with me on Facebook.

An Avengers' Bad Romance

Just when you thought you'd seen it all... The Avengers go all "Club Kid" on you. LOL.  This is a hoot and it will probably make your day. LOL.

Watch as Loki, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and the rest of the gang dance to Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance."

80 Artists Have Used Them Before

Do you really think Justin Bieber was the first one to annoy you with the words, "Baby, Baby, Baby"?  Um No.  In the following video alone, there are 80 artists who have used them before.  Can you name them all?  Probably not, but you'll get a kick out of watching the video - it is pretty cool.  

So I think it's not so much that Bieber used the words, you just don't like him. LOL.

Must Watch: Dubstep Violin by Lindsey Stirling

This was unbelievable.  If you're a fan of the string instruments, this will knock you off your feet.  I'm actually listening to it right now as I type this blog.  It truly relaxes you.  I'm going to agree with one of the comments on her YouTube page, and say "they can play this at my funeral, and I'd be back."

OMG, the piano, the sax, the clarinet, all of them are great to listen to, but this video was simply amazing.  Play it and you'll never look at music the same again.  The filming location was just as astounding.

Also if you're interested in finding out where this was filmed, you can check out The ICE CASTLES AT SILVERTHORNE.  They are an unparalleled creation of walkways, illuminated ice formations, tunnels, and arches – made entirely out of ice and designed with the visitor in mind. These massive and dynamic ice structures are nearly 30 feet high, and collectively measure over 10,000 tons.

On a recent blog entry, Oprah.com described the Silverthorne Ice Castles as “magical...twinkling and sense-defying and straight out of fairy tales.” The post went on to say, “of all the gorgeous pictures on the internet of incredible structures made of ice (and to be sure there are many.), I'm most moved by Brent Christensen's Silverthorne Ice Castle, a cavernous, surreal-looking place that looks as if it were constructed by an army of icy elves, or else appeared on its own in an enchanted forest.”

This is definitely another great place added to mine and Ryan's wishlist of places to visit.  A-ma-zing.

Whitney Houston SPARKLE Sneek Peek

Whitney Houston had just finished filming her fourth movie right before she died.  It has now been set for an August 2012 release.  The movie, titled Sparkle, is a remake of a movie with the same name, inspired by The Supremes.  The movie also stars Jordin Sparks, Cee Lo Green, Mike Epps and many others.

The Plot:  Musical prodigy, Sparkle (Jordin Sparks) struggles to become a star while overcoming issues that are tearing her family apart. From an affluent Detroit area and daughter to a single mother (Whitney Houston), she tries to balance a new romance with music manager, Stix (Derek Luke) while dealing with the unexpected challenges her new life will bring as she and her two sisters (Carmen Ejogo and Tika Sumpter) strive to become a dynamic singing group during the Motown-era. [ref]

It truly is sad, because she was really looking forward to this.  She felt this was the much needed boost she needed to help her struggling career.   You can check behind the scenes footage that has also been released below.

Listen to Whitney singing alongside co-star Jordin Sparks at the (1:04) and (2:24) marks:

Must Watch: Set Fire To The Rain

Some of us get married thinking it will change who we are.  Some of us date girls or boys in high school to make our parents proud, or we don't want them finding out we're gay. Gay people often find themselves in this situation, and the fact that we're so afraid to come out - we hurt a lot of people in the process.  Straight and Gays alike should see this video, especially if you like music and dance.

I know that everyone is tired of hearing about Adele and Whitney, but this is not about them. 

Ryan shared this video with me this morning and asked if I had ever posted it on one of my blogs.  I hadn't, so I'm doing it now.  In the music video you have an Adele impersonator, 3 dancers, and a story of a man struggling with his sexuality, while a girl who thought she had everything, is now facing a struggle of her own.  It truly sets fire to the rain.

YouTube: The music video portrays a man struggling with his sexuality, while the girl in love with him fights to hold on as everything she thought she knew comes crashing down before her. The song speaks of a foolish love that's so hard to let go. This theme is not uncommon, most of us have been subjected to this type of unrequited love in some way, shape, or form. Whether gay or straight, single or taken, if you have not experienced this kind of pain, consider yourself one of the lucky ones.

Blade's Box of Jams: Track #15 - None of This

Currently listening to

Isaiah Robert Grass

Being that I've posted 14 previous tracks you're well aware that my usual pic of choice is a guy with headphones.  Ironically enough, the song I'm listening to belongs to the artist in the photo here, Isaiah Grass.

He's an up and coming pop singer who writes his own music and has garnered quite a bit of attention lately.  Apart from being an awe-inspiring artist, he's also taken the modeling world by storm, having been scouted by several scouts in New York and eventually working for LEDOM Management Group.

His passion for writing and singing his own music speaks volumes.  I've had the pleasure of becoming his friend on Facebook, where I accessed his website, IsaiahGrass.com, and enjoyed listening to several of his singles.  Regardless if he wrote them based on his past relationships or own experiences, the music is fantastic.

At the moment I'm currently listening to "None of This", but you can also check out his other singles on his website or YouTube page.  Feel free to purchase this and his other singles on iTunes as well.

The Joys of Being a Parent: The Coolest Grandparents

When I blog about the joys of being a parent, I usually come across a video of a parent or child doing something sweet, special or funny.  Or even babies!

For the first time I will be blogging about grandparents on this segment, and they're no ordinary grandma and grandpa - these two are super cool. They sing a song for their grandson, Josh who is turning 18 years old, and it's absolutely adorable.  

Watch as they sing "those 18-yr old Birthday Blues" LOL.

The Joys of Being a Parent: A Father & His Kids Cover Depeche Mode's "Everything Counts"

There's no better way of starting my blog this morning, than to blog about this father and his two kids performing a cover to Depeche Mode's "Everything Counts".  Absolute genius I'm telling you.  The father is using an 80's keyboard, a xylophone, a kazoo, tambourine, Coke bottle and his voice.  His daughter is using a recorder, a rattle, windchime and her voice. And his son is using a toy keyboard, maraca, cheese grater and his voice.  And it actually doesn't sound bad, it's great!  I love it!

This is what my segment "The Joys of Being A Parent" is all about.  Fathers and their kids, Mothers and their kids, and children in general.  We were all there at some point, and when a parent shows this much interest in their babies as this man does, there is nothing but happiness and joy when I'm blogging about it.

A YouTube commenter said it best when he wrote this:

Actually, this video shows a lot. He invests time teaching his kids music. I am impressed with how he has, obviously, motivated his kids to take an interest in making music. When I taught high school I noticed that an overwhelming majority of kids spend most of their time plugged in to their mp3 players, but have no interest in making music. Of course, many more things come into play when talking about someone’s parenting skills, but based on this video, the dad is pretty impressive. -lagaviotanum1

Must Watch: Lionel Richie’s 'Hello' Re-Created with Movies

Seriously?  Who has time to do these videos? LMAO.  Remember that video I posted last week of President Obama singing Lady Gaga's "Born This Way"?  

Well... we're back for round two.  And this time it's Lionel Richie's "Hello" re-created with movie clips.  Check it out, it's pretty darn funny, but cool nonetheless.  Thanks for sharing Sean Hodges!

Children Playing The Guitar

I, personally, don't think the author titled this video correctly.  I think the kids in the video did a very good job.  It takes a lot of talent to learn music, play a guitar and perform in front of an audience.  And for the kids being as young as they are, I don't find it creepy whatsoever.  I find it quite impressive.

Watch as these North Korean children strum their guitars on stage.

Cello Wars: The Phantom Cellist

I'm sure none of you have ever seen something quite like this.  Those who have been in a high school band, college, or elsewhere would probably appreciate this video more.  I actually enjoyed it, it was pretty cool.

The guys behind the video never expected it would take them 70 days to put this together, but it did.  It took more than 7,000 frames, 72 audio tracks, 24 hours of filming through the night in front of a green screen, the most props and costumes they ever used, several broken bows and strings, and over 1,000 hours of editing and rendering -- they felt like they had taken on the entire EMPIRE! 

So without further ado, The Piano Guys and Steven Sharp Nelson present to you...

Cello Wars: The Phantom Cellist

 

Blade's Box of Jams: Track #10 - You and I

Currently listening to...

Lady Gaga & Sugarland

If you missed the Grammy Nominations Ceremony on CBS, you missed the performance by Lady Gaga and Sugarland singing Gaga's hit track, "You and I," and I'd have to say it was damn good!  I have added it to my collection, Blade's Box of Jams.

For those who didn't watch the show, on February 12, 2012, Gaga will be up against Rihanna, Bruno Mars, The Foo Fighters, and Adele for Album of the Year.  As for my prediction, Adele will take them all home.  She is up for 6 Grammy nominations and it's expected she will win them all.  If there is anyone up against Gaga for the prestigious categories of record, album, and song of the year, it's Adele.  She's undeniably an amazing artist.

Now, let's listen to Blade's Box of Jams: Track #10 - You and I, featuring Lady Gaga and Sugarland!

I Kissed A Girl, And I Liked It !

If you missed last night's episode of Glee, you didn't miss much.  Just the part where Santana came out to her "abuelita" aka grandmother.  Actually, the entire show was about Santana and the support she garnered from the rest of the Glee cast.

The performances featuring hit songs by Pink, K.D. Lang, and Melissa Etheridge, were commendable at best, but it was the "I Kiss A Girl" song by Katy Perry that made the night.   I'm sure it will create a lot of controversy with the religious right, but it was great.  

In the end, grandma wants nothing to do with her Latina grandaughter, and kicks her ass out of the house.  "It would have been best to keep it a secret than to disgrace the family," she says.

Uh, sorry grandma, but a liar and a deceiver are two things I wouldn't want to be.

Sunday Funday: Dancing Video of the Day - Part II

Since we had Sunday Funday last week, why not have another one this week? :-)

This week's international music hails from Bulgaria.  And it comes courtesy of a guy dancing his little heart away.

Sunday Funday: Dancing Video of the Day

Because we all know how much fun it is to watch a hot guy dance in a hallway full of mirrors.  Actually, the music isn't bad, I like it.