For most of you, this is old news, but for some this is going to change your life (as a friend just explained to me that it had this life-changing effect on her.) A friend of mine, obviously well behind the times, was introduced to Pandora Radio on Monday. I was shocked to see the excitement on her face when she explained to me all of the components of Pandora (something I’ve been using on my Droid, in the office and in my car for… ever.) At first I sat there in awe, thinking “is she really this excited” but then I remember when I broke my Pandora cherry, and the excitement that ran through me. I let her explain to me all of the greatness that I had already known, smiled, and told her “did you know you can get it on your phone?” She about freaked out.

May seem like a silly story, but it reminded me that some people just flat out don’t hear about something, or never take the time to look into something. For me, Pandora is life, for her, Pandora never existed until this week. I share in her joy as I sit back and play with my new stations, although the old stations will always be my favorite. I even made a Justin Bieber station (don’t judge me), mostly because I wanted to know what they would assume someone that listens to JB also listens to.

In short, if your friends (or you) aren’t using Pandora, start… now. Its amazing. You don’t even have to be a music lover to enjoy all the Pandora offeres at click of a mouse. If you know of people who don’t use it, tell them. I should have never let my friend go so long without using Pandora - it makes me feel like a bad friend. (Haha

There’s my rant/Pandora shout out.

Thank you, Pandora, for endless hours of music, for fine tuning my stations so they are geared to just me, and for being flat out fantastic!

♥, CT

Thankfully, I was introduced to this band over the weekend. I’ve been listening to their YouTube page almost nonstop since my lovely introduction. These guys are awesome!

The Fireship are a relatively new band from Chicago hoping to add to the already reputable Chicago scene. The members are: Nicholas - vocals, Bradford - guitar, Benja - bass, Aaron - drums.

Check out @TheFireship “Paper Tigers”

You can check them out on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. You can order their merchandise or EP here!

♥, CT

I have to give Pollstar a shout out because they are from my home town of Fresno! The site is awesome, you can find average ticket prices of people on tour, view photos, find events by venue, date or performer… Simply awesome for anyone who enjoys a good show ever now and then. I’d recommend looking at the “reviews” section before making a ticket purchase (if you are unsure) because it will have actual concert-goers opinions and comments!

Pollstar also comes out with a magazine that is filled with a ton of great information. From artist to concert promoters, this magazine (and site) have it all! Check it out before buying your tickets this weekend!

♥, CT

Google Plans Music Service Tied to Search Engine… Yet another reason why I will always LOVE Google!!

♥, CT

Michael Jackson’s estate earns $250 million since his death, according to lawyers.

A breakdown suggests that MJ’s fortune will be even bigger than could have been previously thought:

(The detailed information below was taken from www.telegraph.co.uk)

“* A posthumous deal to sell unreleased Jackson recordings with Sony Music guaranteed $200 million over seven years. It has already brought $125 million to the estate.

* The film This Is It, based on his final concert rehearsal footage, grossed $252 million worldwide. Sony Pictures paid the estate $60 million in advance, with an undisclosed amount more to come from DVD sales.

* Licensing deals on merchandise sold by Universal Music Group’s Bravado unit and a new dance game by Ubisoft Entertainment brought in $26 million in advances. More is possible if unit sales are high.

* The Mijac Music catalogue of copyrights, on songs that Jackson wrote, generated $25 million in the past year, thanks to heavy airplay on radio stations and song and album sales.

* Music publisher Sony/ATV, the copyright holder of the Beatles’ and other artists’ songs, posted double-digit percentage revenue gains in the year through March. That netted Jackson’s estate, which owns a 50 per cent stake, $11 million.

* Other income, including from a re-release of Jackson’s autobiography, Moon Walk, and sales of commemorative tickets to his cancelled concerts, brought in another $25 million.

The tally does not include a deal with Cirque du Soleil for shows inspired by Jackson’s music, in which the estate will share half the costs and profits when the performances begin in late 2011. Nor does it account for a deal in the works to nearly double the estate’s income from Sony/ATV. That cash goes to pay down most of Jackson’s remaining debt.”

Now that is a LOT of money to be making in the afterlife! I’m glad to see that MJ’s estate is still doing well, he was a pop ICON after all!

♥, CT

Smile
Songwriters: Bose, Jeremy; Daly, Blair; Harding, J; Shafer, Matthew

You’re better then the best
I’m lucky just to linger in your light
Cooler than the flip side
Of my pillow, that’s right

Completely unaware
Nothing can compare to where
You send me, lets me know that it’s okay
Yeah, it’s okay
And the moments where my good times start to fade

You make me smile like the sun, fall out of bed
Sing like bird, dizzy in my head
Spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile

Even when you’re gone,
Somehow you come along just like
A flower pokin’ through the sidewalk crack
And just like that
You steal away the rain, and just like that

You make me smile like the sun, fall out of bed
Sing like bird, dizzy in my head
Spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile

Don’t know how I lived without you
‘Cause every time that I get around you
I see the best of me inside your eyes
You make me smile

You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild

You make me smile like the sun, fall out of bed
Sing like bird, dizzy in my head
Spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile
(Oh, you make me smile)
Oh, you make me smile
(Oh, you make me smile)
Oh, you make me smile

♥, CT

I was a skeptic in believing this (because stories about celebrities are typically just that, stories) but this one is really looking like its going to be true… Once again the rumors claim that Mariah Carey is pregnant. If true, this would be first child for both Mariah Carey and husband, Nick Cannon.

When Nick was asked about the “rumor”, he said “I’m pretty sure that when my wife is ready to make any announcement it won’t be to the media, to the public, first,” he said. “She’ll tell her family, she’ll tell her friends, and then, you know, when she’s ready to share with the rest of the world, who is her extended family and friends, then she’ll let everybody know.”

Since the two became a couple, they have made no secret of wanting to start a family together… and it looks like that is finally happening! I’m happy for Mariah and Nick, you know that is going to be one cute, stylish, talented kid!

♥, CT

This is a list of the top five ” Free Bird” references: The Five Best “Free Bird” References for Those Who Won’t Stop Yelling It at Concerts the best of which, in my opinion, was at the bottom of the list. It might just be because I have a soft spot in my heart for Flight of the Conchords.

Once you’ve looked over this list, I think you’ll agree with my number one pick.
♥, CT

No so happy that while your friends spend their summer in the sun, you will be spending your summer indoors making that much needed money? I bet these stars were too! Check out this Music Starts Once Worked Summer Jobs, Too. Some of these are way worse than any summer job I ever had, but man, would I have loved to been Sean Combs, working as a intern for a record label. (Wish my internships would have turned into such great careers!)

Enjoy your weekend!!
♥, CT

Marvin Isely of Isley Brothers Dies at Age 56. To pay tribute to him, I share with you a classic.

Isley Brothers - Who’s That Lady:

I hope you enjoy. RIP Marvin, the world appreciates all that you did for the world of music, thank you.

♥, CT