Ricky Martin: Super Sexy on “Glee” (And In Real Life)

LMFAO is everywhere!  First, they made an appearance with Madonna during Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show.  And last night their popular song “Sexy And I Know It” was performed on Fox’s Glee by the muy caliente, Ricky Martin. Ricky was making a special guest appearance as a community Spanish teacher.  He did an awesome job!  (Hopefully that means ANOTHER appearance??)

I had the pleasure of meeting Ricky many years ago and he was such a gentleman.  And EXTREMELY sexy.

Super Bowl ’12

I was so happy when Kelly Clarkson rocked the National Anthem at yesterday’s Super Bowl XLII extravaganza.  I had just met her Thursday night when she played a concert here in downtown Jacksonville.  It was my birthday present from my hubbie and Kelly was the cutest thing ever.  She was sporting her new bangs and I asked her about the Super Bowl. She said she was nervous and that she had been practicing A LOT.  Well, it paid off because she was flawless and did America proud.

What else happened at the Super Bowl?  Oh, yes.  The New York Giants beat the New England Patriots, 21 – 17.  It was a close game.  It was a good game.  My husband wanted the Giants to win, but the Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is just too cute not to root for.  And just look at this photo of heartbroken Brady being consoled by his supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen.  It was snapped right after he left the locker room.  I just think it’s a sweet moment.  (Next year, Tom!)

UPDATE:  Literally five minutes after I posted this “cute” photo, the video breaks showing Giselle saying some not-so-nice things about her husband’s teammates.  Oy.  Oh, and the PATRIOTS were favored to win, not the Giants.  I need to stop writing about sports, no?

And then there was Madonna.  (Madonna.  Madonna. Madonna.  I just can’t stop.)  She put on an amazing halftime show which included her hits “Vogue,” “Music,” “Express Yourself,” and “Like A Prayer.”  She also performed her new song, “Give Me All Your Luvin” and I think I’m the only one in the universe who actually likes the song. Cee Lo Green came out and LMFAO performed  their enormously popular “Party Rock Anthem” with Madonna.  The whole thing was a lot of fun.

The commercials were just so-so this year.  The one that stands out is the only one I actually didn’t see.  (I was giving the kiddies a bath and I totally missed it.  And I could not convince Hubbie to hit the rewind button.)  Well, now I’ve seen it twenty times on YouTube.  It’s David Beckham for H&M.  They were introducing his new clothing/underwear/abs line?  I think I’ll end on this little advertisement.  You’re welcome.

“Glee”: Michael Jackson Episode

I grew up listening to Michael Jackson.  My first album was Thriller. (I still have it.) He left us way too soon, but his music lives on. And now I’m super excited for next week’s Glee!

It’s the much anticipated “Michael” tribute episode and it airs next Tuesday, January 31st at 8/7 c.  Here’s a special sneak peek – straight from the cast!

Phillip Phillips on “American Idol”

American Idol is back in action and my first favorite of the season is Phillip Phillips.

You can’t forget the name, right?  Well, take a listen to his audition below.  I love his voice and I love that he rocks out to a little MJ too.

RIP Heavy D

Heavy D’s music takes me right back to my college dancing days at the Cellar at the University of Maryland in College Park.  It also reminds me of my first years working at urban radio stations WPGC in Washington, DC and WBLS in New York City.

I hate that it takes Heavy D’s early passing for me to listen to his songs again.  Heavy D was a rap legend and leader of the popular group, Heavy D & the Boyz.  He was an innovator of music because he clearly knew that the combination of R&B and rap would be successful.  Heavy D has left us way too soon at the age of 44. We wish you a peaceful journey. Here’s my favorite song by Heavy D and the Boyz.

Darren Criss and “Glee” Cast: “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)”

Glee was back last night!  And my favorite cast member, Darren Criss, aka Blaine, sang Katy Perry’s hit song, “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)”

Darren makes a cameo in Katy’s music video for this song, but here he is singing lead on the Glee version. Loves!

Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) – Glee Cast (Darren Criss) from alittlepanda on Vimeo.

Usher’s Back!

Not that he really ever left, but after a string of number one hits, Usher has been taking a break. Then he popped up at Taylor Swift’s Atlanta concert over the weekend to sing “Yeah” with the country princess.  The crowd went bonkers.  And Taylor was too cute dancing around to the hip hop beat in her purple sundress.

Usher also has a new song out called “Without You.” It’s actually super DJ David Guetta’s song which features Usher on vocals. And what amazing vocals they are.  Turn it up!  Happy Friday.

Kelly Clarkson: Mr. Know It All

I’ll admit it.  I voted for Justin Guarini.  I really thought he was going to win it all.  It was the very first season of American Idol and I fell in love with the show instantly.  And I fell in love with Justin Guarini.  I’m not ashamed. He was talented!  He was cute!  He had that…hair!  But halfway through the season, the real star emerged. Kelly Clarkson was the cute one from Texas with the amazing voice.  SHE went on to win it all.  She is still the face of American Idol.  The very first winner.

Kelly’s been away from the pop spotlight for awhile.  She had some serious mega hits including, my favorite, “Since You’ve Been Gone.” But then she left and did some country.  Her duet with Jason Aldeen, “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” topped the country charts.  But what is most exciting is that she’s back with a brand new pop song. “Mr. Know It All”  is a fun, tell-em-off anthem.  She’s mad at the boy.  She’s mad at the tabloids.  It’s time to sing about it!  You go, girl!

Here’s the brand new video.  Happy Friday.

John Mayer: Get Well Soon

I’m a big fan of John Mayer.

I know he’s had some trouble keeping his mouth shut about past personal relationships.  Yes, I know he’s a serial dater and a bit of a playboy.  Yes, he might even be arrogant and a little self absorbed sometimes.  I just like his music.  I think he’s an amazing artist and songwriter.  He’s also a quiet philanthropist.  So I was sad when he wrote this on his Tumblr blog a few weeks back. (I wish John would get back on Twitter but, again, he had some issues there as well.)

“Hi everyone,

After several months of going week to week monitoring and hoping to correct the condition, I am forced to cancel my upcoming singing engagements due to something next to my vocal cords called a granuloma. 

I’m bummed to have to bow out of both the iheartradio Music Festival in Las Vegas and an appearance with Tony Bennett in Los Angeles. I know there were people depending on me to be there and I’m sorry that I can’t be on those stages. 

‘Born and Raised’ is complete as far as music recording, song selection, and in some cases mixing, but because of this condition I couldn’t finish singing on several of the tracks. This means the record will be released next year instead of this fall or winter. 

This is a temporary setback, though I’m not sure how long or short a period of time it will be. I’ve got the best doctors in the country looking after me and I will be singing and touring again as soon as I get the all clear. Until then I’ll be spending time writing and composing more music and kicking an empty soup can around the West Village. 

I’m looking forward to seeing you again soon. Until then take good care.

John”

Get well soon, JM.  I can’t wait to hear “Born and Raised” and to see you in Jacksonville again soon.

 

The R.E.M. Post That Turned Into a Hootie Video

Iconic rock band R.E.M. has retired.  They made the big announcement yesterday.

I honestly have not thought about R.E.M. in YEARS, but I had a twinge of nostalgia when I heard the news. R.E.M.’s song “Superman” was my college anthem.  I’m a Delta Gamma and we would play that song at every party and sing, “I Am. I Am. I Am. Delta Gam.”  My entire sorority even went on a bus trip to see R.E.M. in concert.  It was just a bunch of girls (okay, there were boys too) hanging on the lawn and singing all the words.  We watched Michael Stipe shimmy all around that stage and we danced right along with him.  There might have been some beer drinking too. You know, for those of us 21 and up.

It’s weird because R.E.M. also made me think of Hootie and the Blowfish’s power ballad “Let Her Cry.” Remember that one?  Of course you do.  You still hear it every day on that elevator music radio station.  But have you really LISTENED to it?  It’s a great song and it’s my favorite Hootie song of all time.  Here’s a fun fact: two of the guys in Hootie went to my high school.  I told them that when I met them at a record store signing back in 1993.  It was just me and maybe 10 other people because their album had just been released.  They sang an acoustic set right there among the cassette tapes.  It’s a great memory.  Well, here’s Hootie’s Darius Rucker, now a successful country music artist, singing a stripped down version of “Let Her Cry.”  Michael Stipe’s not far behind.

RIP R.E.M.

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