#ricky martin fan you will always be a legend

[allelitewrestlings]

[myhauntedsalem]

Has Elvis Presley really left the building?

 At 2.30pm on 16th August 1977 an urban legend was born when a real life legend was discovered lying on the floor of his luxurious bathroom at Graceland. An hour later, the King was pronounced dead… but was he?

 Some claim the body in Elvis Presley’s coffin wasn’t even human.

 When the shocking news first broke, it was inevitable that fans refused point blank to believe it. Some went as far as to insist that they had seen him beyond the given time of the announcement. The majority of those were considered to be honest mistakes or even wishful thinking on the part of the witnesses. At the time of Elvis’s recorded death, he was just 42 and had spent half of his life up to that point firmly in the limelight. The official cause of death was given as heart failure, but there are some that believe that part of the cause had something to do with the prescription drugs that Elvis was taking towards the end of his life. On the day of the funeral itself, hundreds of thousands thronged the streets in an effort to catch a glimpse of the cortege. Among all of these people were fans, celebrities and the media. The funeral was one of the first red flags for many fans and believers of the conspiracy. The huge gravestone prominent at Graceland actually has a typo upon it. Presley’s middle name was Aron but on the gravestone it is embossed as Aaron. Opinion on this is divided even to this day. On the one hand are those that swear Aaron is the correct interpretation of his middle name; on the other hand are those who believe that this is a deliberate message or signal.

 Buoyed by this possibility, over the last 30 or 40 years, numerous sightings of Elvis Presley have been reported from all corners of the world. Among the more famous of these was a particular fast food restaurant in Michigan. One of the many pilgrims to Graceland took a snapshot of one of the windows to the mansion. Clearly seen inside was a middle-aged man resting on a chair. This man was dark haired and looked suspiciously like the former resident. And then there was a photograph taken of former Heavyweight World Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali. Exactly who is that man in the background?

 When Elvis was lying in state prior to his funeral, some who saw him at the time went on record to state that many of the features were wrong. Main suspects were the eyebrows, chin and fingers. Others who had to rely on photographic evidence, namely the famous National Enquirer image that, allegedly, cost the magazine $18000 paid to one of Elvis’s cousins, insist that the occupant of the casket wasn’t human at all. They surmise that what was put on display was a waxwork dummy designed to mimic the King. As well as that, an air-conditioning unit was required somewhere inside the coffin to combat the sultry Memphis summertime and made the entire coffin weigh close to a ton… literally.

 Who could also forget what Colonel Tom Parker said in a press conference shortly after Elvis’s death was announced. “Elvis didn’t die. The body did. We’re keeping up the good spirits. We’re keeping Elvis alive. I talked to him this morning and he told me to carry on.” Comments such as those could have been interpreted any number of ways. Could one of those ways have literal meanings?

 As late as 2001, a new album of Elvis material went on sale. Released on an independent label, this album was called Kingtinued and featured a host of cover versions of songs such as Tears in Heaven (Eric Clapton), Livin’ La Vida Loca (Ricky Martin), Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Queen) and the Princess Diana version of Candle in the Wind (Elton John). As music fans know, many of these tracks were released long after 1977. The Producer of this album denied the claims of many conspiracy theorists that Elvis was back in the recording studio and said that the voice of Elvis was actually provided by impersonator Doug Church.

 Even if what was reported was actually true, there are still many questions left unanswered. Elvis was supposed to have been readying for a new tour but for some reason did not request items, such as costumes, considered to be standard for an upcoming tour. According to some reports, Elvis was said to have fired several old friends from their roles within his entourage. These individuals were rumored to have been working on a book based on their time within Elvis’s inner circle. Another possibility was that these were actually part of what is alleged to have been the Memphis Mafia and were dismissed by Presley’s father.

 On 17th August at Memphis Airport, a man calling himself John Burrows bought and used a one way ticket to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Not only did he look and sound like Elvis Presley, but Burrows was the pseudonym that Elvis Presley tended to use when booking hotel rooms etc.

 Whether or not Elvis grew tired of his fame and decided to assassinate his public self, there can be little doubt that the aura of his legend has more than taken over. His music and films still live on and are as popular now as they have always been. Elvis was such an icon that even those not among his legions of fans cannot help but be admirable for his status as the cultural revolution that helped usher in the era of rock and roll. He came along when history needed him most and burned brightly for over two decades.

 Perhaps even today, Elvis Presley is sunning on a beach on an island somewhere with his trademark “Thank you! Thank you very much!”

[lastsonlost]

Comedian Ricky Gervais is clearly enjoying himself as he rides the outrage wave from his fan-loved and Hollywood-loathed performance as the host of the Golden Globes Sunday night. After gaining hundreds of thousands of followers as a result of his celebrity slamming performance, Gervais took a moment early Wednesday to provide a helpful list of reminders about humor for his “offended” critics — many of whom happen to be journalists, who Gervais also made sure to mock.

In his instantly famous opening remarks at the awards show Sunday (transcript below), Gervais announced that it was his “last time” hosting the show and then promptly proceeded to do what so many viewers have been longing for a host to do: put virtue-signaling Hollywood in its place. “Let’s go out with a bang, let’s have a laugh at your expense,” he said at the start. “Remember, they’re just jokes. We’re all gonna die soon and there’s no sequel, so remember that.” After calling out Hollywood hypocrisy — including on sexual misconduct, corporate corruption and human rights abuses — Gervais ended his blistering opening statement by telling all the winners, “If you win, come up, accept your little award, thank your agent, and your God and f*** off, OK?”

His brutal rebuke of Hollywood was met with predictable outrage from many, including media figures and journalists, which Gervais pointed out in one tweet Tuesday.

“I always knew that there were morons in the world that took jokes seriously, but I’m surprised that some journalists do,” he wrote (tweet below). “Surely, understanding stuff is pretty fundamental to their job, isn’t it?” He ended the post by twisting the knife: “Just makes it funnier though, I guess.”

Early Wednesday, Gervais felt compelled to help out some of those particularly suffering from a case of perpetual offense by offering a list of reminders about how humor works and doesn’t work:

1#. Simply pointing out whether someone is left or right wing isn’t winning the argument.

2#. If a joke is good enough, it can be enjoyed by ANYONE!

3#. IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU!

4#. Just because you’re offended, doesn’t mean you’re right.

As The Daily Wire reported, Gervais spent Monday after the Globes having fun at his critics’ expense online, ridiculing responses to his performance from The Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter and The Independent, along with the very show he hosted.

Among his posts was one in which he slammed those calling him “right wing.” “How the f*** can teasing huge corporations, and the richest, most privileged people in the world be considered right wing?” he tweeted (post below).

He also made a point of thanking his hundred of thousands of new followers. “Welcome to the 300,000 new followers I acquired today. I promise you won’t like everything I say, but here’s a sexy photo,” he wrote.

Gervais continued to hit his critics on Tuesday, including retweeting a defense of his Golden Globes jokes by Second Amendment champion Dana Loesch, who called The Independent’s condemnation of Gervais “garbage.”

“Oh garbage,” Loesch wrote. “[Ricky Gervais] demonstrated that good comedians go after everyone. No one should be safe, but the prevailing thought these past 10+ years is that one group IS exempt. They can lecture from the stage but he can’t mock their inconsistencies? You prove his point.”

<I mean if calling out corrupt corporations and the super rich is right wing then I guess the right wing is better at being liberal than liberals.

Below is the transcript of Gervais’ opening comments at the Golden Globes:

You’ll be pleased to know this is the last time I’m hosting these awards, so I don’t care anymore. I’m joking. I never did. I’m joking, I never did. NBC clearly don’t care either — fifth time. I mean, Kevin Hart was fired from the Oscars for some offensive tweets — hello?

Lucky for me, the Hollywood Foreign Press can barely speak English and they’ve no idea what Twitter is, so I got offered this gig by fax. Let’s go out with a bang, let’s have a laugh at your expense. Remember, they’re just jokes. We’re all gonna die soon and there’s no sequel, so remember that.

But you all look lovely all dolled up. You came here in your limos. I came here in a limo tonight and the license plate was made by Felicity Huffman. No, shush. It’s her daughter I feel sorry for. OK? That must be the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to her. And her dad was in Wild Hogs.

Lots of big celebrities here tonight. Legends. Icons. This table alone — Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro … Baby Yoda. Oh, that’s Joe Pesci, sorry. I love you man. Don’t have me whacked. But tonight isn’t just about the people in front of the camera. In this room are some of the most important TV and film executives in the world. People from every background. They all have one thing in common: They’re all terrified of Ronan Farrow. He’s coming for ya. Talking of all you perverts, it was a big year for pedophile movies. Surviving R. Kelly, Leaving Neverland, Two Popes. Shut up. Shut up. I don’t care. I don’t care.

Many talented people of color were snubbed in major categories. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do about that. Hollywood Foreign press are all very racist. Fifth time. So. We were going to do an In-Memoriam this year, but when I saw the list of people who died, it wasn’t diverse enough. No, it was mostly white people and I thought, nah, not on my watch. Maybe next year. Let’s see what happens.

No one cares about movies anymore. No one goes to cinema, no one really watches network TV. Everyone is watching Netflix. This show should just be me coming out, going, “Well done Netflix. You win everything. Good night.” But no, we got to drag it out for three hours. You could binge-watch the entire first season of Afterlife instead of watching this show. That’s a show about a man who wants to kill himself cause his wife dies of cancer and it’s still more fun than this. Spoiler alert, season two is on the way so in the end he obviously didn’t kill himself. Just like Jeffrey Epstein. Shut up. I know he’s your friend but I don’t care.

Seriously, most films are awful. Lazy. Remakes, sequels. I’ve heard a rumor there might be a sequel to Sophie’s Choice. I mean, that would just be Meryl just going, “Well, it’s gotta be this one then.” All the best actors have jumped to Netflix, HBO. And the actors who just do Hollywood movies now do fantasy-adventure nonsense. They wear masks and capes and really tight costumes. Their job isn’t acting anymore. It’s going to the gym twice a day and taking steroids, really. Have we got an award for most ripped junky? No point, we’d know who’d win that.

Martin Scorsese made the news for his controversial comments about the Marvel franchise. He said they’re not real cinema and they remind him about theme parks. I agree. Although I don’t know what he’s doing hanging around theme parks. He’s not big enough to go on the rides. He’s tiny. The Irishman was amazing. It was amazing. It was great. Long, but amazing. It wasn’t the only epic movie. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, nearly three hours long. Leonardo DiCaprio attended the premiere and by the end his date was too old for him. Even Prince Andrew was like, “Come on, Leo, mate. You’re nearly 50-something.”

The world got to see James Corden as a fat pussy. He was also in the movie Cats. No one saw that movie. And the reviews, shocking. I saw one that said, “This is the worst thing to happen to cats since dogs.” But Dame Judi Dench defended the film saying it was the film she was born to play because she loves nothing better than plunking herself down on the carpet, lifting her leg and licking her pussy. (Coughs) Hairball. She’s old-school.

It’s the last time, who cares? Apple roared into the TV game with The Morning Show, a superb drama about the importance of dignity and doing the right thing, made by a company that runs sweatshops in China. Well, you say you’re woke but the companies you work for in China — unbelievable. Apple, Amazon, Disney. If ISIS started a streaming service you’d call your agent, wouldn’t you?

So if you do win an award tonight, don’t use it as a platform to make a political speech. You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything. You know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg.

So if you win, come up, accept your little award, thank your agent, and your God and fuck off, OK? It’s already three hours long. Right, let’s do the first award.

[thebiasrekkers]

No Words - Interlude

Pairing: Taehyung x OC

Type: Interlude [Flashback]

Genre: Idol, Poly, Interracial, Tall Female, Smut, Angst, Fluff [if you squint]

Warning: None.

A/N - Felt the need to roll back before moving forward. So, you’ll get two releases this weekend! This is the first two of 5, Thank you for reading this mess of a story!

Words:  3712

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2 Years Ago.

Lucky.

You couldn’t have asked for a situation to be luckier.  Her heartbeat could have doubled as a production drum track. One of her classmates, another girl from the inner city, looked bored as they sat in the auditorium. They both wanted to make music, good music - exciting music. They wanted to be at the forefront of technology and techniques for producing. They wanted the keys to the kingdom of hit songs.

The college decided that they could only get that experience - by working with the best of the best. They had invited a range of performers to come and discuss their methodology. Each had a formula that worked for them. Each performer had a story to connect to their songs. It wasn’t about the number one hit, it was about making honest music. About being true to themselves in the best way they can. Especially in an industry, and a country, that didn’t always accept differences.

She had been listening to various music styles, genres, and languages from a young age. It started in Jr. High, taking Spanish in 7th grade. She followed that throughout her High School time. She’s not embarrassed to say that Ricky Martin was apart of her foray into the Latin sounds. She listened to older songs, love songs, the music, and the story enthralled her.

Japanese animation spurred her love for J-Rock and J-Pop. X-Japan dragged her into the world, Dir en Grey kept her attention. She was in love with Visual Kei. Old rock, alternative rock, a smidge of country, and anything with a beat that caused her to lean her head toward it. She was an audiophile, plain, and simple.

Lead by a thin thread of melody until she had to devour the whole discography of an artist. She wanted to know all the ins and outs of the industry. Granted, there were other worthwhile fields to explore, so she was told. There was almost an expectation of finding easy money in business or even medical fields. She wrote poetry and song lyrics as long as she could remember. Music had been apart of the highs and lows of her life. She could associate a song for every pivotal moment of her life. The playlist spanned generations and the globe. It started when someone introduced her to Super Junior. Then it spiraled into 2NE1, Shinhwa, and the list went on and on.

She was so thankful her family didn’t try to limit her. Her parents expected her to be open-minded to the world around her. It was something instilled in her upbringing. That open-minded was the bane of her existence during her high school years, unfortunately. In a place where anything different made you strange or weird. She didn’t care for the urban selections that most of her friends were into.

There were times when her father put on his old school albums that she felt a connection. She wanted the story of music. She wanted the lyrics to strike her heart. That’s what she wanted in her music. She tried to write music, make music like that. All the artists she admired took chances, grew, and came back with something new.

And now?

She was sitting in an auditorium waiting for the most significant thing in music to come speak to their group.

She had a plethora of questions, worries, and fears. Everyone on the planet had heard about BTS at this point. There were a few of them who had managed to jump on the train early. Especially finding that they were working with legends in the rap community. Some watched expecting a spectacle - and to a degree? It was a spectacle.

Some wanted to see the thinking process of pinnacles of music that filled many a block party or high school dance. Let’s not forget backyard BBQs and family gatherings. Songs that whether you cared for the genre or not? Still managed to cause your body to move.

An elbow dug into her side as her friend stared wide-eyed at the line of men entering the auditorium. They were all seated semi-circle on the stage. BTS stood in front as the students clapped.

The boys had soft, quiet, smiles waving as RM straightened with a smooth phrase. It was almost military in precision as they saluted, bowed, and introduced themselves. They each took a moment to say hello in English at that. She tilted her head as they spoke.

It’s always a treat to hear a singer’s speaking voice. Some sharply contrasted their sounds. Others were no different from one to the other. She enjoyed the vocal textures, rich, or light tones as they spoke. Her friend saw her grinning like an idiot as her eyes rolled.

“Girl, get yourself together!” Tasha finally whispered to her. There was a thick swallow as she realized what she’d been doing. The boys were provided seats and microphones. They were treated to an acoustic version of one of their songs. To see the look of shock on the other student’s faces was an absolute treat.

She could only smile as time seemed to zip by. Filled with questions and curiosities. She asked all the questions she could. Always sure to ask for clarification, examples, and advice. RM was ready with a smooth, dimpled smile as he translated.

They all had solos under their belts at this time. So it was interesting to hear their thought processes. They all had one thing in common, though. The need to tell a story and convey emotion. To make sure that those who heard their music heard a message. It had been the most successful tactic thus far.

“So that ends our time. Everyone lets give BTS a round of applause!” The professor stood, the students followed. The boys bowed again and joined in the applause. They all gathered to shake hands, thanking them for taking time out of their grueling schedule.

RM raises his hands, spreading them wide. “Thank you for your time! We’ll see you tonight!” Everyone stared blankly at him, then their professor, who smiled widely. “Oh, I forgot to mention. We have permission to go backstage and watch operations for a tour.” To say that the sound that rose from the sudden silence was almost choral? It echoed off the walls as hands shook vigorously, shoulders were clapped - and the excitement caused tears.

“Alright, let’s get a picture!” The professor tried to get them all to find a spot. She managed to shake hands with most of the boys. Before she got a chance to shake Taehyung’s hand, they were being herded for a photo. She wound up, almost stepping on his foot as she tried to find a comfortable position. She wanted to shrink into nothingness. There was a bit of jostling before they used the bleachers to get them higher. She remembered one of the first words of Korean she’d learned. An apologetic smile as she mumbled an apology. Tae gave that infamous boxy smile with a wave of his hand. Tasha pulled her close as they sat on the bleachers smiling as the picture was taken. “Alright, you guys, meet back here in an hour - we’ll get shuttled to the stadium. Make sure you have your IDs..” The professor went on about etiquette, decorum, and rules. Nobody was listening - there was too much of a buzz about the show. They dispersed, waving the band members off. She bit into the bottom of her lip as they disappeared.

“Oh. My. God!” Tasha grabbed her and spun around. They laughed as she eyed her friend.

“Wait a minute, you were unimpressed just about an hour ago.” Tasha’s brow shot up with a devious grin.

“Girl, we get to go behind the scenes of the hottest tour yet! I may not understand anything - but I’m happy for the opportunity.” Tasha laughed as she tapped the base of a high ponytail. She pursed her lips, swinging its length. “Honey, that RM, though?” Ah, how many times had she heard that?

“Come on, I have to make sure you don’t embarrass me,” Tasha smirked, yanking her by the arm.

“W-what? That’s mean, Tasha!” She frowned slightly as the other woman rolled her eyes.

“It’s the truth.” She quipped as they hurried across the campus to her dorm.

“We’re going backstage, there’s nothing to dress for.” She kept the frown on her face Tasha bouldered into her apartment and pulled her in.

“Hush! Shower, now!” Tasha was taking no excuses as she pointed to the bathroom.

She grunted, rolling her eyes trudging to the bathroom.

Tasha respected her need to stay ‘practical’ about everything. She preferred oversized shirts, nearly formless skirts, and pants. Her friend wasn’t about that tonight. Tasha stuck her in a pair of jeans, a button-down shirt slightly tucked. She wore a pair of ankle boots accented with a silver chain. And by the time Tasha finished with her makeup? She hardly recognized herself.

“T-Tasha, I think you went a little overboard?” Her friend had just finished her own face. The subtle smokey eye with lower-liner really made her eyes pop! Tasha smirked as she grabbed their bags and pushed her out of the door.

“You’re not used to wearing makeup. Of course, you’d think it was too much.” The other woman rolled her eyes as they sprinted back to the meetup spot with minutes to spare. They all clambered on the shuttle.

All of a sudden, they were there. This was real.

They were walked through the various crew hiding spots. The makeshift dressing spaces underneath the stage. Everything was centrally located for the ease of the members.  The head PD was showing the group the setups, the chasers, and they finally arrived in ‘Monitor World.’ The place that was basically production HQ.

Some took notes, some lingered in the back looking around. Not her, no. She wanted to know what buttons did what. She wanted to know how they were sure that the upper-level fans could hear appropriately.

There were a few people with her curious about various other things. They could hear the crowd until they queued the chase pattern for the opening song. The boys rose from a floor lift. The group went wild as they started in on Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Walkie talkies were going off left and right. Every time something could possibly go wrong? It was pointed out, corrected, and communicated. It was a tight run ship. They moved along to the area under the stage, just as the boys were lowered for a set and costume change.

They were breathing heavy, sweating, and peeling their costumes off. There were people on the sides taking them, ushering them into the makeshift spaces. The students stayed back out of the way. The transition was so fast the students couldn’t help but stare wide-eyed. They made it back to the control hub.

As if to make sure they were paying attention? The Head PD asked them to point out what they remembered. Tasha nudged her with a thumbs up. You got this, she mouthed. Everyone shifted on their feet as they fought to not being first.

She straightened her posture as she stepped forward. “I’d like to give it a try.” The Head PD double-blinked as stood next to him. Ah, it was probably her height. She offered a gentle smile and nod, “If that’s ok?”

“Please do. The routine is the same as before.” He smiled with his walkie talkie in hand. She took a deep breath, stepping closer to the operators at the panel. A headset sat on her head as the plethora of voices filled her ear.

The Head PD let them know that a student was making the calls, but he was overseeing. Two more students joined the panel board, the techs looking over their shoulders and pointing out controls.

She counted them down for each new element.

The lights went dark as the chase pattern activated. They could do this - she could do this.

45 very long minutes later?

“Holy fuck, you did it?!” Tasha grabbed her in a frantic hug. “Y-you really fucking did it! I was scared shitless, man!” Her mind was still hazy over what just occurred. Tasha looped their arms together as the concert sailed to a close. They stood in the back eyes trained to the fireworks display above them.

“I thought I was going to vomit.” She admitted quietly. Tasha moved rainbow-colored braids from her face.

“You should be proud of yourself.” They shared a smile as the professor rounded them up again. They followed the road crew as the stage was broken down. The last fans had long gone, and they were all alone again. The trucks, vans, and equipment checked and secured. She had followed the equipment with a few other students. They watched the breakdown and helped to carry pieces to be stored. There were, of course, a few quips of concern as she hauled a miniature subwoofer to the van.

She politely reinforced her ability to contribute and promptly turned with the item in hand. She rolled up her sleeves, forearms contracting as she moved along the corridor. Ah, why did she let Tasha try to doll her up? The familiar burn in her muscles ebbed away as she handed the equipment to the technical director. She was at home when she could tomboy her way through situations.

She offered a bow turning to make her way back to the main group. A moment too long of watching everything around her left her in an area she didn’t recognize. A frown as she spun in a circle taking the next left turn under the created passageways - and she slammed into something.

“Ah!” A voice, male exclaimed as she staggered backward.

She stumbled, and that someone, thankfully, pulled her arm hard to keep her from landing on her rump. She sucked in a breath as her gaze lifted. “Shit! I’m sorry! I wasn’t watching where I was-” A grunt rumbled through the air as her eyes went wide. “Oh.”

Kim Taehyung was plucking the final buttons from his shirt. His gaze lowered to the floor as he fought off exhaustion. They had to get changed to meet up on the stage again. It took him a little longer to get the cramps out of his legs. He barely made out a shadow before his body collided with it.

He saw her bounce from foot to foot before he pulled her arm. He heard the remorse in her voice as she rambled. His brow furrowed as she spoke too quick for him to pick out words. He still had his fingers wrapped around her forearm as she looked up at him.

She smelled … magnificent. His lashes lowered, nostrils flaring, on an inhale. She watched the perfect heart shape of his mouth part softly. She lowered her gaze to the expanse of flesh in her face. He was one button away from a cheesy romance novel cover.

They stood in silence, trading body heat before she glanced at the long fingers burning into her skin. Their gazes locked again, “You should be more careful.” He rumbled softly. Her lip caught between her teeth as she nodded rapidly.

“R-right. I’m sorry. Thank you.” She coughed softly, stepping away from him. His fingers still lingered until they loosened. Her eyes were wide as she turned on her heel, trying to get back out to the main walkway without that hint of desperation in her steps.

Tasha came rounding the corner at that very moment. “Hey! They’re waiting on us on stage for a final picture. Come on! I’m not missing this because of you.” Her friend yanked her along with a stupid grin on her face.

“Tae, Hyung, come on!” Jeongguk showed up as Tae went in the opposite direction. The maknae let him in their makeshift space. He helped Tae peel out of a sweaty costume. “I can’t wait to get some food and a beer.” Tae shrugged on a turtle neck, an oversized sweatshirt, and black slacks.

“That makes two of us.” The visual croaked tiredly. “Come on, then.” Jeongguk gave that bunny-like smile as he dragged Tae toward the stage. Tae sulked, “What are you doing?”

Jeongguk’s brow shot up as they walked into the wings. “We have to take a picture with the class from earlier!” Tae rolled his eyes as he was dragged out. They made it in time for Namjoon to address everyone.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to meet you all. Good luck in the future. Please wish us well - and maybe? We’ll see you backstage with us someday!” There was a round of applause as everybody tried to find a spot to fit in the picture. Tasha winked as she made her way over to squeeze near Namjoon.

The betrayal of it all! She laughed as Tasha found a sweet spot to brag about later. She, on the other hand, wanted to just kneel down the front. The professor frowned with a wave of her hand, “Come on, you know you’re too tall up here! Stand back there.” There was a grimace on her face as she moved to the back. They were staged in layers again.

“Everybody in!” She felt jostled as arms pulled against her shoulders. Before she had a moment to register anything? Jeongguk squeezed on one side of her, his arm around Taehyung, who squeezed on the other.

Students, Staff, and Band were connected in the joy of a show well done. The camera flashed, and she smiled on autopilot. A few flashes, more applause, and she was quick to escape the trap she found herself in.

Jeongguk had caught a whiff of something pleasant, tilting his head curiously at the tall female. Both he and Tae seemed to find each other’s gaze as they flitted looks at the woman between them.

She turned to shake their hands with a quiet thank you. Both of them seemed to take TOO LONG to let her hand go. She beat feet in Tasha’s direction as soon as she could. Tasha had this dreamy look on her face after speaking to Namjoon for a few minutes.

“Is this what heaven is like?” Tasha’s eyes were glassy and hooded. You’d think the girl finished smoking an exquisite bouquet of the studded sticks.

“It could be, Tash. It could be.” She smiled, turning to look at the empty stadium. The students have all huddled together once again. The professor was talking with the TDs and PDs, even Namjoon was there. There was a look of stern concentration on various faces. A cellphone in the middle of the group seemed to be the main focus.

The chill in the air didn’t phase them as they spoke of their experience. They lamented their mistakes. They reveled in techniques to apply later. They were buzzing with excitement and a renewed appreciation for following their current educational path.

“Ok, everyone, listen up!” Their professor walked back over with a massive smile on her face. Tasha was rambling with her arms wrapped around her frame. She could see the heat of breath wavering in the air. The professor’s excitement was palpable with a gesture back to the team behind her. Suddenly, she could feel her heart thundering against her rib cage. Maybe the others could hear it too? They all got quiet.

They were all staring at each other, then at her. Her mouth was half-open as white noise filled her head. Her brow furrowed deeply as others around her wore looks of shock and disbelief. Then there was more applause.

Tasha grabbed her, jumping up and down, her voice pitched to shrieking. She felt her body shake as she turned the dazed look to her friend.

W-wait, what?

Tasha cupped her face and looked ready to cry. She blinked down into her friend’s face, prepared to be violently sick.

She turned back to the professor, catching the end of her statement as her hearing filtered back in.

“…you passed…” Her eyes went wide. “…intense work-study opportunity…” She was surely going to be sick. “…traveling with the tour…” More applause. “You’ll still need to complete courses, you’ll be provided with online links.” She staggered into Tasha, who laughed even louder.

“We wanted to see how this first run would work, and you surpassed all expectations. Congratulations, you’ll set the tone for the future students of the program.”

You blinked back tears as you engulfed Tasha in a hug. Not only were you all going to be able to get the first-hand experience? You’ll get it with BTS. It all made sense as to why they required a passport as an admission qualification. The professor stepped away to join the technical team while you all rejoiced. Namjoon and the rest of BTS gathered to shake your hands, and offer their congratulations.

Comments expecting good things ahead were traded. She was happy. This was unbelievable - a stroke of luck.

Tasha managed to steal a hug from Namjoon, crying almost harder when she turned around. A firm hand landed on her own, leaving her with a beaming Jeongguk. A half bow, a smile, a nod of thanks as he lingered. Taehyung all but moved the maknae aside to get her hand in his again.

He had that arrogant tilt to his head. The tip of his tongue caught between his teeth as he lifted her hand. The light caught the dark chocolate of his gaze as he let his breath ghost across her knuckles.

He eased up, flashing a boxy smile before grabbing Tasha, doing the same. She shook off the strangeness of it all, turning to her friend with open arms.

“We did it!”

Their arms looped as they finally made their way off stage. The shuttle was waiting to get them to a small celebration. She still couldn’t help looking over her shoulder. For just a moment, she felt something staring a hole into her shoulder from the shadows.

Her brow furrowed as Tasha pulled her attention forward.

…just missing the two silhouettes lingering in the wings.

[darknytemare]

No Words  -Interlude-

[A/N - felt the need to roll back before moving forward. So, you’ll get two releases this weekend! This is the first of two, maybe 3? Then we’ll get back to the present next week! Thank you for reading this mess of a story!]

BTS - V Imagine - Tall Girl - Interracial - Interlude [Flashback]

2 Years Ago.

Lucky.

You couldn’t have asked for a situation to be luckier.  Her heartbeat could have doubled as a production drum track. One of her classmates, another girl from the inner city, looked bored as they sat in the auditorium. They both wanted to make music, good music - interesting music. They wanted to be at the forefront of technology and techniques for producing. They wanted the keys to the kingdom of hit songs. 

The college decided that they could only get that experience - by working with the best of the best. They had invited a range of performers to come and discuss their methodology. Each had a formula that worked for them. Each performer had a story to connect to their songs. It wasn’t about the number one hit, it was about making honest music. About being true to themselves in the best way they can. Especially in an industry, and a country, that didn’t always accept differences. 

She had been listening to various music styles, genres, and languages from a young age. It started in Jr. High, taking Spanish in 7th grade. She followed that throughout her High School time. She’s not embarrassed to say that Ricky Martin was apart of her foray into the Latin sounds. She listened to older songs, love songs, the music, and the story enthralled her. Japanese animation spurred her love for J-Rock and J-Pop. X-Japan dragged her into the world, Dir en Grey kept her attention. She was in love with Visual Kei. Old rock, alternative rock, a smidge of country, and anything with a beat that caused her to lean her head toward it. She was an audiophile, plain, and simple. 

Lead by a thin thread of melody until she had to devour the whole discography of an artist. She wanted to know all the ins and outs of the industry. Granted, there were other worthwhile fields to explore, so she was told. There was almost an expectation of finding easy money in business or even medical fields. She wrote poetry and song lyrics as long as she could remember. Music had been apart of the highs and lows of her life. She could associate a song for every pivotal moment of her life. The playlist spanned generations and the globe. It started when someone introduced her to Super Junior. Then it spiraled into 2NE1, Shinhwa, and the list went on and on. 

She was so thankful her family didn’t try to limit her. Her parents expected her to be open-minded to the world around her. It was something instilled in her upbringing. That open-minded was the bane of her existence during her high school years, unfortunately. In a place where anything different made you strange or weird. She didn’t care for the urban selections that most of her friends were into. 

There were times when her father put on his old school albums that she felt a connection. She wanted the story of music. She wanted the lyrics to strike her heart. That’s what she wanted in her music. She tried to write music, make music like that. All the artists she admired took chances, grew, and came back with something new. 

And now?

She was sitting in an auditorium waiting for the most significant thing in music to come speak to their group. 

She had a plethora of questions, worries, and fears. Everyone on the planet had heard about BTS at this point. There were a few of them who had managed to jump on the train early. Especially finding that they were working with legends in the rap community. Some watched expecting a spectacle - and to a degree? It was a spectacle.

Some wanted to see the thinking process of pinnacles of music that filled many a block party or high school dance. Let’s not forget backyard BBQs and family gatherings. Songs that whether you cared for the genre or not? Still managed to cause your body to move.

An elbow dug into her side as her friend stared wide-eyed at the line of men entering the auditorium. They were all seated semi-circle on the stage. BTS stood in front as the students clapped.

The boys had soft, quiet, smiles waving as RM straightened with a soft phrase. It was almost military in precision as they saluted, bowed, and introduced themselves. They each took a moment to say hello in English at that. She tilted her head as they spoke. 

It’s always a treat to hear a singer’s speaking voice. Some sharply contrasted their sounds. Others were no different from one to the other. She enjoyed the vocal textures, rich, or light tones as they spoke. Her friend saw her grinning like an idiot as her eyes rolled.

“Girl, get yourself together!” Tasha finally whispered to her. There was a thick swallow as she realized what she’d been doing. The boys were provided seats and microphones. They were treated to an acoustic version of one of their songs. To see the look of shock on the other student’s faces was an absolute treat. 

She could only smile as time seemed to zip by. Filled with questions and curiosities. She asked all the questions she could. Always sure to ask for clarification, examples, and advice. RM was ready with a smooth, dimpled smile as he translated. 

They all had solos under their belts at this time. So it was interesting to hear their thought processes. They all had one thing in common, though. The need to tell a story and convey emotion. To make sure that those who heard their music heard a message. It had been the most successful tactic thus far.

“So that ends our time. Everyone lets give BTS a round of applause!” The professor stood, the students followed. The boys bowed again and joined in the applause. They all gathered to shake hands, thanking them for taking time out of their grueling schedule. 

RM raises his hands, spreading them wide. “Thank you for your time! We’ll see you tonight!” Everyone stared blankly at him, then their professor, who smiled widely. “Oh, I forgot to mention. We have permission to go backstage and watch operations for a tour.” To say that the sound that rose from the sudden silence was almost choral? It echoed off the walls as hands shook vigorously, shoulders were clapped - and the excitement caused tears. 

“Alright, let’s get a picture!” The professor tried to get them all to find a spot. She managed to shake hands with most of the boys. Before she got a chance to shake Taehyung’s hand, they were being herded for a photo. She wound up, almost stepping on his foot as she tried to find a comfortable position. She wanted to shrink into nothingness. There was a bit of jostling before they used the bleachers to get them higher. She remembered one of the first words of Korean she’d learned. An apologetic smile as she mumbled an apology. Tae gave that infamous boxy smile with a wave of his hand. Tasha pulled her close as they sat on the bleachers smiling as the picture was taken. “Alright, you guys, meet back here in an hour - we’ll get shuttled to the stadium. Make sure you have your IDs..” The professor went on about etiquette, decorum, and rules. Nobody was listening - there was too much of a buzz about the show. They dispersed, waving the band members off. She bit into the bottom of her lip as they disappeared. 

“Oh. My. God!” Tasha grabbed her and spun around. They laughed as she eyed her friend. 

“Wait a minute, you were unimpressed just about an hour ago.” Tasha’s brow shot up with a devious grin. 

“Girl, we get to go behind the scenes of the hottest tour yet! I may not understand anything - but I’m happy for the opportunity.” Tasha laughed as she tapped the base of a high ponytail. She pursed her lips, swinging its length. “Honey, that RM, though?” Ah, how many times had she heard that?

“Come on, I have to make sure you don’t embarrass me,” Tasha smirked, yanking her by the arm.

“W-what? That’s mean, Tasha!” She frowned slightly as the other woman rolled her eyes. 

“It’s the truth.” She quipped as they hurried across the campus to her dorm. 

“We’re going backstage, there’s nothing to dress for.” She kept the frown on her face Tasha bouldered into her apartment and pulled her in. 

“Hush! Shower, now!” Tasha was taking no excuses as she pointed to the bathroom. 

She grunted, rolling her eyes trudging to the bathroom. 

Tasha respected her need to stay ‘practical’ about everything. She preferred oversized shirts, nearly formless skirts, and pants. Her friend wasn’t about that tonight. Tasha stuck her in a pair of jeans, a button-down shirt slightly tucked. She wore a pair of ankle boots accented with a silver chain. And by the time Tasha finished with her makeup? She hardly recognized herself. 

“T-Tasha, I think you went a little overboard?” Her friend had just finished her own face. The subtle smokey eye with lower-liner really made her eyes pop! Tasha smirked as she grabbed their bags and pushed her out of the door. 

“You’re not used to wearing makeup. Of course, you’d think it was too much.” The other woman rolled her eyes as they sprinted back to the meetup spot with minutes to spare. They all clambered on the shuttle. 

All of a sudden, they were there. This was real. 

They were walked through the various crew hiding spots. The makeshift dressing spaces underneath the stage. Everything was centrally located for the ease of the members.  The head PD was showing the group the setups, the chasers, and they finally arrived in ‘Monitor World.’ The place that was basically production HQ.

Some took notes, some lingered in the back looking around. Not her, no. She wanted to know what buttons did what. She wanted to know how they were sure that the upper-level fans could hear appropriately.

There were a few people with her curious about various other things. They could hear the crowd until they queued the chase pattern for the opening song. The boys rose from a floor lift. The group went wild as they started in on Blood, Sweat & Tears. 

Walkie talkies were going off left and right. Every time something could possibly go wrong? It was pointed out, corrected, and communicated. It was a tight run ship. They moved along to the area under the stage, just as the boys were lowered for a set and costume change. 

They were breathing heavy, sweating, and peeling their costumes off. There were people on the sides taking them, ushering them into the makeshift spaces. The students stayed back out of the way. The transition was so fast the students couldn’t help but stare wide-eyed. They made it back to the control hub. 

As if to make sure they were paying attention? The Head PD asked them to point out what they remembered. Tasha nudged her with a thumbs up. You got this, she mouthed. Everyone shifted on their feet as they fought to not being first. 

She straightened her posture as she stepped forward. “I’d like to give it a try.” The Head PD double-blinked as stood next to him. Ah, it was probably her height. She offered a gentle smile and nod, “If that’s ok?” 

“Please do. The routine is the same as before.” He smiled with his walkie talkie in hand. She took a deep breath, stepping closer to the operators at the panel. A headset sat on her head as the plethora of voices filled her ear.

The Head PD let them know that a student was making the calls, but he was overseeing. Two more students joined the panel board, the techs looking over their shoulders and pointing out controls.

She counted them down for each new element. 

The lights went dark as the chase pattern activated. They could do this - she could do this.

45 very long minutes later?

“Holy fuck, you did it?!” Tasha grabbed her in a frantic hug. “Y-you really fucking did it! I was scared shitless, man!” Her mind was still hazy over what just occurred. Tasha looped their arms together as the concert sailed to a close. They stood in the back eyes trained to the fireworks display above them.

“I thought I was going to vomit.” She admitted quietly. Tasha moved rainbow-colored braids from her face. 

“You should be proud of yourself.” They shared a smile as the professor rounded them up again. They followed the road crew as the stage was broken down. The last fans had long gone, and they were all alone again. The trucks, vans, and equipment checked and secured. She had followed the equipment with a few other students. They watched the breakdown and helped to carry pieces to be stored. There were, of course, a few quips of concern as she hauled a miniature subwoofer to the van. 

She politely reinforced her ability to contribute and promptly turned with the item in hand. She rolled up her sleeves, forearms contracting as she moved along the corridor. Ah, why did she let Tasha try to doll her up? The familiar burn in her muscles ebbed away as she handed the equipment to the technical director. She was at home when she could tomboy her way through situations.

She offered a bow turning to make her way back to the main group. A moment too long of watching everything around her left her in an area she didn’t recognize. A frown as she spun in a circle taking the next left turn under the created passageways - and she slammed into something.

“Ah!” A voice, male exclaimed as she staggered backward. 

She stumbled, and that someone, thankfully, pulled her arm hard to keep her from landing on her rump. She sucked in a breath as her gaze lifted. “Shit! I’m sorry! I wasn’t watching where I was-” A grunt rumbled through the air as her eyes went wide. “Oh.” 

Kim Taehyung was plucking the final buttons from his shirt. His gaze lowered to the floor as he fought off exhaustion. They had to get changed to meet up on the stage again. It took him a little longer to get the cramps out of his legs. He barely made out a shadow before his body collided with it. 

He saw her bounce from foot to foot before he pulled her arm. He heard the remorse in her voice as she rambled. His brow furrowed as she spoke too quick for him to pick out words. He still had his fingers wrapped around her forearm as she looked up at him. 

She smelled ... magnificent. His lashes lowered, nostrils flaring, on an inhale. She watched the perfect heart shape of his mouth part softly. She lowered her gaze to the expanse of flesh in her face. He was one button away from a cheesy romance novel cover. 

They stood in silence, trading body heat before she glanced at the long fingers burning into her skin. Their gazes locked again, “You should be more careful.” He rumbled softly. Her lip caught between her teeth as she nodded rapidly.

“R-right. I’m sorry. Thank you.” She coughed softly, stepping away from him. His fingers still lingered until they loosened. Her eyes were wide as she turned on her heel, trying to get back out to the main walkway without that hint of desperation in her steps.

Tasha came rounding the corner at that very moment. “Hey! They’re waiting on us on stage for a final picture. Come on! I’m not missing this because of you.” Her friend yanked her along with a stupid grin on her face. 

“Tae, Hyung, come on!” Jeongguk showed up as Tae went in the opposite direction. The maknae let him in their makeshift space. He helped Tae peel out of a sweaty costume. “I can’t wait to get some food and a beer.” Tae shrugged on a turtle neck, an oversized sweatshirt, and black slacks. 

“That makes two of us.” The visual croaked tiredly. “Come on, then.” Jeongguk gave that bunny-like smile as he dragged Tae toward the stage. Tae sulked, “What are you doing?”

Jeongguk’s brow shot up as they walked into the wings. “We have to take a picture with the class from earlier!” Tae rolled his eyes as he was dragged out. They made it in time for Namjoon to address everyone.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to meet you all. Good luck in the future. Please wish us well - and maybe? We’ll see you backstage with us someday!” There was a round of applause as everybody tried to find a spot to fit in the picture. Tasha winked as she made her way over to squeeze near Namjoon.

The betrayal of it all! She laughed as Tasha found a sweet spot to brag about later. She, on the other hand, wanted to just kneel down the front. The professor frowned with a wave of her hand, “Come on, you know you’re too tall up here! Stand back there.” There was a grimace on her face as she moved to the back. They were staged in layers again. 

“Everybody in!” She felt jostled as arms pulled against her shoulders. Before she had a moment to register anything? Jeongguk squeezed on one side of her, his arm around Taehyung, who squeezed on the other. 

Students, Staff, and Band, were connected in the joy of a show well done. The camera flashed, and she smiled on autopilot. A few flashes, more applause, and she was quick to escape the trap she found herself in. 

Jeongguk had caught a whiff of something pleasant, tilting his head curiously at the tall female. Both he and Tae seemed to find each other’s gaze as they flitted looks at the woman between them. 

She turned to shake their hands with a quiet thank you. Both of them seemed to take TOO LONG to let her hand go. She beat feet in Tasha’s direction as soon as she could. Tasha had this dreamy look on her face after speaking to Namjoon for a few minutes.

“Is this what heaven is like?” Tasha’s eyes were glassy and hooded. You’d think the girl finished smoking an exquisite bouquet of thc studded sticks. 

“It could be, Tash. It could be.” She smiled, turning to look at the empty stadium. The students have all huddled together once again. The professor was talking with the TDs and PDs, even Namjoon was there. There was a look of stern concentration on various faces. A cellphone in the middle of the group seemed to be the main focus. 

The chill in the air didn’t phase them as they spoke of their experience. They lamented their mistakes. They reveled in techniques to apply later. They were buzzing with excitement and a renewed appreciation for following their current educational path.

“Ok, everyone, listen up!” Their professor walked back over with a massive smile on her face. Tasha was rambling with her arms wrapped around her frame. She could see the heat of breath wavering in the air. The professor’s excitement was palpable with a gesture back to the team behind her. Suddenly, she could feel her heart thundering against her rib cage. Maybe the others could hear it too? They all got quiet.

They were all staring at each other, then at her. Her mouth was half-open as white noise filled her head. Her brow furrowed deeply as others around her wore looks of shock and disbelief. Then there was more applause.

Tasha grabbed her, jumping up and down, her voice pitched to shrieking. She felt her body shake as she turned the dazed look to her friend. 

W-wait, what?

Tasha cupped her face and looked ready to cry. She blinked down into her friend’s face, prepared to be violently sick.

She turned back to the professor, catching the end of her statement as her hearing filtered back in.

“...you passed…” Her eyes went wide. “...intense work-study opportunity…” She was surely going to be sick. “...traveling with the tour…” More applause. “You’ll still need to complete courses, you'll be provided with online links.” She staggered into Tasha, who laughed even louder.

“We wanted to see how this first run would work, and you surpassed all expectations. Congratulations, you’ll set the tone for the future students of the program.”

You blinked back tears as you engulfed Tasha in a hug. Not only were you all going to be able to get the first-hand experience? You’ll get it with BTS. It all made sense as to why they required a passport as an admission qualification. The professor stepped away to join the technical team while you all rejoiced. Namjoon and the rest of BTS gathered to shake your hands, and offer their congratulations.

Comments expecting good things ahead were traded. She was happy. This was unbelievable - a stroke of luck. 

Tasha managed to steal a hug from Namjoon, crying almost harder when she turned around. A firm hand landed on her own, leaving her with a beaming Jeongguk. A half bow, a smile, a nod of thanks as he lingered. Taehyung all but moved the maknae aside to get her hand in his again. 

He had that arrogant tilt to his head. The tip of his tongue caught between his teeth as he lifted her hand. The light caught the dark chocolate of his gaze as he let his breath ghost across her knuckles. 

He eased up, flashing a boxy smile before grabbing Tasha, doing the same. She shook off the strangeness of it all, turning to her friend with open arms. 

“We did it!” 

Their arms looped as they finally made their way off stage. The shuttle was waiting to get them to a small celebration. She still couldn’t help looking over her shoulder. For just a moment, she felt something staring a hole into her shoulder from the shadows.

Her brow furrowed as Tasha pulled her attention forward. 

...just missing the two silhouettes lingering in the wings.

[ohmoguer]

has undoubtedly captivated the public, showing content that is fresh and different from anything they’ve done before, and giving their fans a lot to talk about. 2020 was undoubtedly the year of international recognition for Mau y Ricky thanks to their collaborations with superstars like John Legend and JP Saxe. The multiple Grammy-winner Legend invited the duo on a Spanglish remix of "Bigger Love" and Saxe included them on a Spanglish remix of "Hey Stupid, I Love You." The name Mau y Ricky is always behind the biggest hits as both artists and songwriters. Among the hits they have written are “Sin Pijama” by Becky G and Natti Natasha, which has a 13-times Diamond certification, “Vente Pa’ Ca” by Ricky Martin and Maluma and “1 2 3” by Sofía Reyes. Singers with stature like Thalía and Juanes count Mau y Ricky compositions among their hits. Mau y Ricky maintains a strong social media presence thanks to their engagement with fans. They have 5.9 million followers on Instagram and more than 12 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Their music videos have over 1.9 billion views on YouTube. https://www.instagram.com/p/CNJGZSIMSg0/?igshid=1xsgj2a6jb2ou

[aion-rsa]

New Netflix Christmas Movies in 2020 Ranked from Best to Worst

https://ift.tt/3q2Rba0

Netflix is doing its level best to eat everyone else’s entertainment lunch, and the holiday movie game is no exception. Just a few short years after planting the flag that was the cult megahit A Christmas Prince, the streamer has more offerings than ever, including some sequels to their top-notch 2018 productions. We break down some of this winter’s already released heavy hitters so you know what to watch and what to skip.

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

Available Now

This star-studded Christmas musical is the most magical of the bunch. Picture The Wiz meets Willy Wonka, with John Legend as a producer. Forest Whitaker stars as a down-and-out toymaker who has lost his touch and everything else that makes life special: his wife (Sharon Rose) has passed and his daughter (Tony winner Anika Noni Rose, Little Fires Everywhere, The Princess and the Frog) moved away, estranged. Years earlier he created a unique matador toy that comes to life (voiced by a delightfully villainous Ricky Martin, who has a lot of fun with a wandering accent). The naughty toy and the toymaker’s apprentice (Kegan-Michael Key) left with the toymaker’s book of ideas, putting him out of business and making themselves mega-rich.

Things really get going when the toymaker’s granddaughter (bonafide star Madalen Mills, who I can’t believe is a newcomer) comes to town and she, along with a neighborhood boy with aspirations of being a great toy inventor, try to save the toymaker from himself. There’s singing, dancing, baroque steampunk galore, earnest lessons learned, and magic that’s something like science. It’s the kind of movie the phrase “family fun adventure” was invented to describe.

Clocking in at more than two hours, this one could tighten up the runtime a bit, but that just means there are plenty of safe opportunities to refill your eggnog or run to the restroom. I dare you to watch this movie and not feel the holiday spirit.

Operation Christmas Drop

Available Now

In order to protect her boss’ interests, congressional aide Erica (our girl Kat Graham/Bonnie Bennet from Vampire Diaries!) is sent to a military base in the Pacific over Christmas to find excess spending in order to justify budget cuts. Her biggest target is Operation Christmas Drop, a real-life program where service members from the U.S., Japan, and Australia drop presents (and life-saving supplies) to remote surrounding islands. Hyper-focused Erica knows there’s a possible promotion on the line and she has to work harder than a bunch of white dudes named Matt back in DC in order to get it, putting her at odds with the base’s own Santa, Capt. Andrew Jantz (Andrew Ludwid, Vikings, The Hunger Games). 

Any time one of these movies has a protagonist of color, it’s unfortunately notable, though Netflix (with the exception of the Christmas Prince franchise) creates more diverse offerings than just about anyone else. In addition to directly engaging with how much harder the Ericas of the world have to work to get their due, Operation Christmas Drop also highlights the people who live on Guam and the surrounding islands, as the first full-length major studio movie filmed there. 

Featuring the old favorite romance trope “enemies to lovers,” a tropical Christmas, and some of the real-life people who make the actual Christmas Drop possible, Operation Christmas Drop is an ideal holiday romcom. It’s still goofy at times and heart-fluttery at others, and of course everything will work out in the end, but it’s better written than most of what’s on TV and casting Kat Graham is always a good choice.

The Princess Switch, Switched Again

Available Now

It’s not Christmas until you’ve seen Vanessa Hudgens chloroform herself. The sequel to 2018’s The Princess Switch, The Princess Switch, Switched Again, rightly knows that Kevin (Nick Sagar) is a better leading man than the walking melba toast that is Prince Edward (Sam Palladio). When we last saw the sous chef dad with the six-pack abs who likes sappy Christmas movies and wearing the hell out of sweaters, he was making out with Lady Margaret. In the two years since then, they’ve split up, the king of Montenaro has passed away, and Margaret’s cousin who was next in line for the throne has abdicated, which means Lady Margaret will be crowned on Christmas. Naturally. 

The Princess Switch franchise has found the sweet spot between “painfully bad” and “so bad it’s good.” The latest iteration adds what the first lacked – a worthy villain. Vanessa Hudgens gleefully vamps around as a Kardashian-esque cousin of Lady Margaret’s who goes after the Montenaran crown. It’s fun to watch Hudgens be bad, and it adds a requisite layer of novelty to the proceedings. 

There’s also a little crossover moment from the Christmas Prince franchise. It’s very quick and I don’t think anyone even says a word, but it’s a fun one for fans. It also probably means that in the world of the NCCU (Netflix Christmas Cinematic Universe), The Christmas Prince movies are documentaries, which is more than I can handle. 

It’s a rarity, but with The Princes Switch, the sequel is even better than the original. The Princess Switch 2 knows exactly what kind of movie it is – fun, silly, romantic, distracting, a purveyor of both great and terrible fashion, and maybe a little eye roll-inducing. Perfection. 

Holidate

Available Now

If you like a little spice with your sugar, Holidate is the right holiday rom-com. Netflix is already the anti-Hallmark in this category, trading judgey and Jesus-y for a sense of humor and soundtracks worth bookmarking on Spotify. And Holidate doubles down on the snark and PG-13-ness of it all.

Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey star as Sloane and Jackson, two singles sick of shrugging off a million questions and setups throughout the holiday season. The cast is rounded out with Frances Fisher (Watchmen, Titanic), Jessica Capshaw from Grey’s Anatomy, SNL’s Alex Moffat, Jake Manley from The Order, and Manish Dayal of Halt and Catch Fire and The Hundred-Foot Journey, proving he deserves to play a romantic lead.

Taking inspiration from Sloane’s perpetually single Aunt Susan (Kristin Chenoweth, who gets away with being so much weirder than anyone else ever could thanks to her many charms), Luke and Sloane go out as platonic dates to a year’s worth of holidays, starting with New Year’s. That also means that while we see two Christmas’, the movie spends a large chunk of time on the other holidays – St. Patrick’s Day, the Fourth of July, Halloween, etc – so this one doesn’t always feel the most Christmas-y. 

Read more

TV

Christmas Movies and TV Specials: Full 2020 Schedule

By Den of Geek Staff

Movies

The Best Alternative Christmas movies

By Mark Harrison

This flick may end up being too tart (or just plain awkward) for some, and the repeated use of the word “pussy” during what’s ostensibly a Christmas movie is not for everyone. But if all the sappiness of the season is feeling too saccharine and you’re sick of being seated at the kids table or getting grilled about when you’ll finally get married, Holidate might just hit the spot.

The Christmas Chronicles 2

Available Now

The follow-up to one of Netflix’s best family holiday offerings, The Christmas Chronicles 2 brings back Kurt Russell’s cool Santa for a sequel that has 100 percent more wormholes and time travel than fun side characters and snappy jokes. There’s a much larger role for Goldie Hawn’s Mrs. Claus, who is something of a kind-hearted Christmas sorceress. Kate (Darby Camp, Big Little Lies) is now staring down the barrel of teenagerhood and spending Christmas in Cancun while her mom makes heart-eyes at a new guy, who brings with him his 10 year-old son, Jack (Jahzir Bruno).

Big brother Teddy (Judah Lewis) moves into the backdrop as Kate and Jack go on an adventure in the North Pole, squaring off with one of Santa’s former elves, Belsnickel (Julian Dennison, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Deadpool 2).

While it’s always nice to revisit a favorite – and Christmas Chronicles is so much about the best aspects of a family movie – the sequel loses a lot of that appeal. Without a clear and compelling story to drive the plot forward like the original had, Christmas Chronicles 2 lags significantly throughout and it’s unclear when the adventure starts, what it’s goals are, and then the movie even struggles to wrap up as a result.

It doesn’t help that this movie is bogged down by some convoluted mythology tying the elves to Christianity via the Star of Bethlehem that low-key paints Santa as a Moses-like figure.

The musical number does bring things back to life for a while. This time it’s in a 1990-era Logan airport in Boston with Darlene Love singing a duet with Santa instead of Stevie Van Zandt, though they are singing his song, “The Spirit of Christmas.”

This makes for Darlene Love’s second appearance in the NCCU; The first was Holiday Rush, where she played Rush’s Aunt Jo. I’m ignoring the fact that she’s credited as “Denise” in Christmas Chronicles 2 and choosing to believe that Aunt Jo worked a desk for Pan Am, TSA or whoever in the ‘90s to pay the bills while waiting for her true calling as a singer to take off.

Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square

Available Now

In between funding a possible cure for the coronavirus and trying to solve illiteracy, Dolly Parton found time to star in and write 14 original songs for a Christmas special. The great Debbie Allen of Fame fame (more recently, Dr. Catherine Avery on Grey’s Anatomy) directs this all-singing, all-dancing Christmas musical, bringing her multi-talented prowess to bear. That means this thing follows the musical tropes more closely than those of a typical Christmas TV movie, even though it also falls into the Hallmark penchant for religiosity that feels a bit off.

The best parts of Christmas on the Square are all the toe-tapping small-town songs about the townsfolk banding together to stop local Scrooge named Regina (played with adroit dry wit by Christine Baranski) from selling off their town. There’s a pastor named Christian (obviously) and a cute kid who gets hurt but only in a way that’s dramatic and leaves her still very cute and able to join in the final town celebration. That’s the kind of silly holiday fun we all signed up for. 

Regina’s best friend Margeline (Jenifer Lewis, The Princess and The Frog, Black-ish) is a scene-stealer and the back half of the movie is lesser for her relative absence. The numbers get a little less zippy and the movie feels a lot longer than roughly an hour and a half. Somewhere along the way, we get the sort of slutshame-y backstory of Baranski’s character, whose first-ever high school dance resulted in a pregnancy which she (obviously) carried to term. Her father took her baby away from her while she was crying in the delivery room, giving it up for adoption. Pretty intense for the genre! 

It’s not like the movie becomes a portrait of gritty realism from there–Dolly Parton is definitely a floating, glowing, rhinestone-encrusted angel, although that’s closer to what folks come for. An underutilized Jeanine Mason (Roswell, NM) and Matthew Johnson (Songland) – whose voice is arresting – add to the fun, but there’s no two ways around it: It’s an odd little movie.

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[acsversace-news]

Given how different the second season of American Crime Story is from the first, there’s really no use in comparing them. But I can’t help it (no one can?). The People v. O.J. Simpson was a big deal, initially so popular because of the nostalgia and the appeal of seeing re-creations of the “trial of the century” with John Travolta camping it up as Robert Shapiro, but then so celebrated for its breakout performances. Sterling K. Brown was a relative unknown before the series. Sarah Paulson saw a boost in her career, as well. The Assassination of Gianni Versace doesn’t have as well-known a story. Its ensemble isn’t so packed with famous names, with its characters or the actors portraying them. The follow-up series can therefore be surprisingly disparate. But it nevertheless does a good job of pulling us into what it offers.

Even if we can forgive the unfair expectations, though, Ryan Murphy’s latest production is a bit of a bait and switch. The first two episodes of The Assassination of Gianni Versace promise as much of an operatically tinged biopic about fashion icons Gianni Versace (Edgar Ramirez) and sister Donatella (Penelope Cruz) as the circumstances of his murder. Ricky Martin is there and impresses as Gianni’s longtime partner, Antonio D’Amico. These are the promoted stars of the show, and yet they’re not in very much of the ensuing chapters. When they are on screen, they’re incredible and worth the wait, but the irregularity of their involvement is more shocking than any contrast against the O.J. installment of this anthology program. I’ve seen eight of the nine episodes (all that were shared with press in advance), and they’re a mixed bag.

The series might as well be called The Assassin of Gianni Versace because it’s almost completely about Andrew Cunanan (Darren Criss), the spree killer who finished out a five-murder run when he shot Gianni in the face outside the fashion designer’s Miami Beach mansion. After depicting the murder in the pilot then continuing with a bouncing-around of time to show a years-earlier meeting between Versace and Cunanan and also some of the police investigation, the series jumps rewinds in chronology with each episode. Watched all together, the structure is reminiscent of the movie Memento. It also plays like each chapter is a prequel to the one that came prior. Villains tend to get such backstories to reveal their fall from innocence to become the evil monster we were originally introduced to. But not in backward spurts.

So we follow in reverse as Cunanan’s other killings are shown. The middle episodes of the series are sort of like standalone vignettes presenting who the victims were and how they met their end. Episode three (“A Random Killing”) is particularly strong as its own thing, mostly thanks to how it plays as a character piece about Marilyn Miglin, wife of the murdered Lee Miglin, and for Judith Light‘s exceptional guest performance in the role. It’s the peak chapter of the show (so far) for me, even if it’s the first instance where we realize The Assassination of Gianni Versace isn’t going to actually have much Versace in it. And that it’s scarier, gorier, more akin to Murphy’s American Horror Story than the sort of legal drama we saw with The People v. O.J. Simpson. For the next few episodes, these are the tales of a true American psycho.

Spree killers can be interesting, though they aren’t always as compelling as serial killers or one-off murderers. The former lends to psychological character studies, the latter more to whodunits and courtroom procedurals such as the first American Crime Story season. Apologies for the spoiler, but there was no trial for Cunanan, as he took his own life before he could even be apprehended. So instead of moving forward in time and dealing with retroactive explanations and defensive claims in the form of legal proceedings a la The People v. O.J. Simpson, here we get an attempt to connect the dots that may provide some understanding of Cunanan’s bloodshed. Of course, most of what we see is, while not necessarily fictionalized, certainly full of speculation. Many scenes solely involve people not around to provide details.

The series never makes a definite case for the why. We will never know what exactly triggered Cunanan to kill two of his friends, one of his many closeted and married lovers, a random cemetery worker, and a fashion legend whom he may or may not have ever met beforehand. In its best-directed episodes (the Murphy-helmed first, as well as the three by Gwyneth Horder-Payton, including “A Random Killing”) The Assassination of Gianni Versace doesn’t even explicitly spell out everything going on from scene to scene, which is respectably trusting of the intelligence and attention of the audience. The real question explored, as it is in the journalistic and more pointedly titled book it’s based on, “Vulgar Favors: Andrew Cunanan, Gianni Versace, and the Largest Failed Manhunt in U. S. History,” is how did authorities let one of the most wanted men in America elude capture so long that Versace’s slaying could occur.

That inquiry takes this story through a cloud of themes and contexts pertaining to being a gay man in the ’90s. Not unlike The People v. O.J.‘s essential addresses of race and gender as it informed and mattered to the case of O.J. Simpson and the arguments and conduct of the trial, The Assassination of Gianni Versace touches on how homosexuality was viewed and treated at the time and how Cunanan and his victims’ lives were impacted by the difficulties and dangers of both secrecy and disclosure (one episode even focuses on the military’s “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy), the HIV/AIDS scare and eventual life-saving drug cocktails that arrived mid-decade, and the plethora of stereotypes. But it’s all kind of tricky, as viewers shouldn’t come away focused on the story’s unavoidable alignment with the “depraved homosexual” trope.

Murphy manages to avoid crossing any lines that could generally offend, I think. Where he doesn’t succeed as well is in the attempt to integrate the Versaces’ story with that of Cunanan. Following the first two episodes, Gianni and Donatella, joined often by Antonio, only sporadically return to the narrative. Initially they’re welcome distractions, but their part in the whole thing becomes inconsistently significant. Weak parallels are made, including one very bad cross-cutting between the nervous coming-out moments of Gianni and another character. Other times it seems like the series is just taking us back to the Versaces randomly now and then because they’re famous persons of interest, there are real events that can be reenacted, and well, Ramirez, Cruz, and Martin are deservedly the primary draw.

As Cunanan, Criss is also pretty phenomenal and this should be a breakout performance for the lesser-known former Glee regular. But the character becomes less interesting over time  (especially during a binge-watch, as I experienced them). It’s a tough task to pull off such a mysteriously maniacal charlatan and have him carry a nine-week program so prominently without humanizing the monster too much nor depicting him as an unrealistically heightened caricature. Criss makes it work in spite of the character’s absence of complexity, coming off as a clever yet deranged Clark Kent who never felt loved enough to become a superman with his strengths rather than a villain. Still, the actor is overshadowed by Light and the uncannily perfect Ramirez and often unintelligible but magnificently committed Cruz.

Without seeing the finale, which is being held and which will surely return to the setting of the first two episodes (many viewers will suddenly be reminded after two months that Orange is the New Black‘s Dascha Polenco, as a police detective on the case, once seemed to be one of the stars) I can’t make a call on the series as a whole. But even halfway in it was clear that The Assassination of Gianni Versace is an uneven and sometimes disappointing take on this true-crime story. But as usual with Murphy’s shows, there is enough good to outweigh the bad. They’re mainly watchable for their casting and slew of standout performances — this one even slips Cathy Moriarty in for a bit role and Aimee Mann gets a nice cameo. And the attention to detail in the production design here will make you feel like you’re literally going backwards in time with the narrative.

It’s also worth remembering that these series are never perfect. Even The People v. O.J. Simpson has tons of flaws but might be misremembered as being more substantial than it is if you also saw the documentary O.J.: Made in America around the same time (perhaps all of these true story based anthology shows could use an unaffiliated but complimentary documentary accompaniment). Of course, they also tend to be more fun. The Assassination of Gianni Versace is dark without the camp and levity that fans are likely to anticipate. Whether it will manage to keep most viewers tuning in anyway, I don’t know. But I recommend at least watching the fantastic first three episodes.

[johngerberarticle]

The crazy, wonderfully amazing shit my dad did and a bunch of other things you didn’t know about him.

This article originally appeared in the October 2011 issue of Uno Magazine.

Written by Ryan Gerber

When I was 5 years old I met my father for the first time.

I was terrified and confused and I just wanted to go back to where I had come from. I didn’t know this family. I didn’t know this island and I didn’t know this giant with a mustache who was calling me son. I was just a scared kid, unaware of my surroundings or the complicated relationship of my two parents. And yet, there I was, fresh off of a flight from Honolulu and unable to make eye contact with this family of noses, called the Gerber’s. This was my family and this was my induction.

The year was 1982 and the mustache belonged to a young John Gerber. Now, unlike most of the people on the island at that time, I knew very little about this man. I knew nothing of his time in Vietnam, or that he had a first wife that went by the name Nola and I definitely didn’t know him as Johnny G, the polyester clad DJ of the Wireless Rock show on KUAM. To me, he was just a man who went by the name Dad. 27 Years later I buried my father. With me, was a slightly bigger family of Gerber’s and an entire island of friends and family who all lost something on the morning of May 4th, 2010.

Over that stretch of time I got to know a lot about this man. A man who by every definition of the word, would qualify as legend. In fact, I’ve since heard many stories about my Dad and his long and varied legacy. Some tales were tall and others were quite touching. Some were ridiculous and untrue and some just needed to be told again and again. Which is my intention now, to shed light on a man, that so many knew in so many different ways. This is neither a reckless expose nor a blind tribute to an infallible myth. It’s an honest account of a real man from a perspective that you might not have. After all, he played a big part in shaping who I am today … for better or worse. And this is my tribute. I should warn you. This probably won’t be very objective. He was my Dad. So where shall I begin? Perhaps at the beginning.

The Early Years John Vincent Pangelinan Gerber was born on May 31st, 1951. He was the second child of six, that belonged to Martin and Delores Gerber. Many of you will know his siblings as Joyce, Wanda, Debra, Janet and Martin Jr. I know them as my aunts and uncle. I never met my Grandfather as he also died young at the age of 49. Though from what I can gather, he was a strict and particular man, who worked hard and had very high standards for all of his children. Judging by how they all turned out, i’d say this was a good thing. My grandma Lole, on the other hand, I knew very well. She was one of the first Gerber’s to take me in and in a lot of ways, she was the glue that held our clan together. One of my fondest memories as a kid, was our Thursday night dinners. This was the one day of the week, that my grandmother didn’t attend church, so it was the one night of the week that the entire family got together. We barbequed and we made fun of each other and we acted the way most families do, only with a touch more sarcasm. And no matter what was going on in our lives at the time, this was a tradition we held sacred. When she passed away in 1990 none of us were the same and though he tried not to show it, neither was my Dad.

He developed his super powers of persuasion and cunning, early on. Honing them on my grandparents and my aunts first, before practicing them on the general population. As far back as I can remember, I’ve heard tales of my Dad getting people to do extraordinary things on his behalf. Mind you, part of his charm was his own work ethic, while the other part, was actual charm. He was no angel, but he was clever, so it was also better to have him working with you than against.

He had a way with words and a way with people, particularly women. This was reinforced by the name of his high school band, “Every Girls Friend” (Circa 1967). He played guitar and sang. You could probably argue that this was the non-official beginning of his “Wireless Rock” career, but we’ll discuss that in a bit. Later, he would go on to teach me how to play the guitar, specifically with the song Rocky Racoon off the white album. And it’s safe to say, that evidence of his personality is visible in all of his children.

Yes. It was quite clear that my Dad possessed that extra something. That extra something that made him special.

Vietnam In 1965 the US began deploying troops into Vietnam and in 1969 my Dad graduated from George Washington High School. He wasn’t yet 18 when he walked into the recruitment offices of the United States Marine Corps, so he had to get permission from my Grandparents to enlist. They agreed and he joined. Not much longer after, he was fighting a war in a foreign land, not too far from our own little island.

The next few years between 1969 and 1971 probably did more to shape who my father was than any other period of time. It was also the longest amount of time that he spent off island.

As a kid, he was reluctant to share stories about his time in the marines with me. He’d occasionally tell stories of some crazy drill sergeant or vaguely describe combat, but I was young and though you couldn’t really tell, his time at war had changed him, even more than he knew at the time. Much later, as an adult, I would come to learn more about his experiences and how they motivated him to create the Pacific War Museum and to become an activist for the young men and women who had died for this country and the countless numbers of young soldiers who were on their way to war, currently. His cause was clear and his purpose was just. On June 3rd, 1975, my Dad left the marines as a corporal and by the time he died in 2010, they had made him a Sergeant.

Wireless Rock Now of course, directly after the war, my Dad was in his early twenties and still quite popular. So, he dusted off the polyester and went back to work at KUAM, which was across the street from our house in Ordot at the time. He had worked there as a kid, sweeping up around the studio and playing the occasional camera boy. So when the need for a new late night voice on the KUAM airwaves arose, it was a natural fit.

Even after I left the island in 95, I would occasionally run into stateside fans of JG and the Wireless Rock show. It was a funny thing to witness, but now I take a certain pride in it. I even remember one of my first nights on island, back in 82, sitting with my Grandma Lole and my Uncle Jr listening to the show in the old Gerber living room and getting my first shout out. It was cool then and it’s pretty cool now.

Those that were close to my Dad during this timeframe remember scores of young women hanging out by the station, loads of fan mail, polyester suits and lots of hair. It was also during this time that my Dad launched the Wireless Rock Music Box, his record shop which later became the source of my Uncle Jr.’s enormous album collection.

His show lasted eleven years, from 1972-1983. And by the time he wrapped things up, he had so many other things going on that it was a natural progression, though he still rocked a white vest every now and again.

The Kadena Years During the Wireless Rock era, my Dad also began building boats … And how many of us have the privilege of saying that? Of all of his phases, this was probably my favorite. So much of it was spent on the water enjoying the island from a simpler perspective. Fishing, skiing and playing practical jokes on the tourists he would charter. To me, this was a golden era.

His first boat, was of course, The Wireless Rock, which from a marketing standpoint, you’ve gotta appreciate. This was followed by The Spam, which was followed by a cease and desist order from Hormel, which resulted in a name change to The Chamorrita in 85. He also owned several smaller boats, such as The Wild Cherry andThe Fotgun (which means wet, for all of you haole’s reading this). His crowned jewel however was The Kadena De Amore, which he began building in 1983. It was quite an undertaking, and I am not lying when I say that it had a full disco built right into it. Sadly, a tragic fire in 1986 resulted in the demise of the Kadena and the subsequent transfer of ownership of then, Cabras marina to what is now known as Aqua world Marina in Piti. Though I still hear people call it Gerberville from time to time.

On one charter, we had just docked and my Dad’s good friend, who went by George Palau, caught an Iguana. It was big, maybe 6 feet. Though we warned him, he began antagonizing the reptile by mimicking his lizard tongue. The Japanese tourists were enthralled, but my Dad knew better, warning George “Buddy. You’re gonna lose your tongue…”. He barely finished saying that before the iguana lunged forward biting the tip of Georges tongue with such angry precision that we were all stunned. Tourists were freaking out. We were on the ground laughing (I know it’s mean, but it was funny) and George was running around trying to pull this lizard from out of his mouth. Eventually he did and from that day forward, he had a more distant relationship with reptiles.

These were the types of stories I remember from this time and a lot of those people, I still see out on the water, whenever I come back home for a visit.

Senator Gerber? The 80’s were a time of experimentation for my Dad and while it is not a secret that my father was once the son-in-law of Ricky and Madeleine Bordallo, it is a lesser known fact that he also ran for office in 1986. You read that right. Always up for new challenges, my father ran, but ultimately failed to take a seat in the senate. There were lot’s of reasons for this, and we can post-rationalize, but at the end of the day, I think we can all agree that it worked out for the best.

18 years later, my father pulled a giant billboard dedicated to the 1548 Marines that had died during the liberation of our island. He pulled it from Anderson Airforce base in Yigo to the Naval base in Apra, using a contraption he fashioned out of an old wheelchair and a carabao pull. He did this with the intention of changing the name of Marine drive to Marine Corps Drive as to never let us forget. Governor Felix Camacho officially changed the name on April 13, 2004. The next day. This was how he evolved his political prowess and this was probably the purest representation of how he did things. With passion and with a whole lot of sweat.

Gerber and Sons (+ Daughter) By the 90’s, my Dad had once again, shifted focus. First, at the tender age of 40, he decided to go to college and get his bachelors degree. His professors loved him and his young classmates thought he was the coolest freshman they’d ever met.

Second, he got heavy into what I like to call his Sanford and son years. Salvaging vehicles and doing some construction … basically, a whole lot of physical labor. By this point I had also grown my own (embarrassingly thin) mustache and was working for my Dad part time. He had named his company Gerber and Sons (a name my sister wasn’t very keen on) and all I can remember is sweat. I’m not gonna lie. This was my least favorite time. I went from fishing and diving to sanding and welding. Not that we weren’t doing any of that on the boats, it just had a less magical appeal and well, I was a teenager, so I had my own issues to deal with.

That being said. There were a few pivotal moments that came from this. On Memorial day in 1992, my Dad visited the grave of an old friend and fellow soldier Lance Corporal Rufo San Nicholas. He had died in Vietnam and on his tombstone he was still 19 years old. I remember my Dad saying “I was lucky. Guys came back and had no home, some were disabled or suffering some sort of injury and I barely had a scratch. I had a home. I had work and family. and Rufo  …was still 19.” This was the defining moment that changed everything for my Dad.

In 1994, My dad acquired his first APC. Now, for those of you unfamiliar with that term. He bought a tank. Also known as an Armored Personnel Carrier. He called it the Eve of Destruction and drove it all over Ordot. It’s still on display at the museum as I write this. That year he also took part in the Liberation Day parade using the Eve of Destruction to haul a pre-war Chamorro house down Marine Corp Drive. From this day forward, things just kept moving in that direction.

This is also around the time that he developed his signature work look. Aviators, Boots and T-shirt, tucked squarely into a pair of jean-shorts. Anyone who has ever seen my Father toiling, out in the hot Guam sun will recognize this look.

In 1995, I left the island in pursuit of my own stories and adventures, but before I left, I went on one last adventure with my Dad. There were a bunch of us on this particular mission. My uncle Jr. was there as were my Dad’s good friends John Camacho, Pete Siguenza and Mike Guzman. A bunch of us. It was a hike deep down into the jungle to recover a Japanese Zero that had been shot down during the war. A fighter plane. We found it, but it was gonna be a challenge to excavate, so we left it with the intention of coming back for it later. And they did. 15 years later, my Dad went and recovered that plane. And this was the last thing my Father pulled out of the jungle before he passed away.

Semper Fi In 2007 I came back to the island for the first time in 11 years. I didn’t tell anyone I was coming, so I decided to play a prank on my old Dad. There had been a rash of break-ins in the village, so I asked my aunt to call him up and tell him someone was breaking into the house and that they had trapped him inside. He showed up with a bat and barely stopped the truck before leaping out of it. I of course waved the white flag and he laughed. “Son!” he said. “I almost killed you”. He then gave me a big hug and told me to get in the truck.

You see, I hadn’t planned on it, but it just so happened to be the 62nd anniversary of the battle of Iwo Jima. Turns out, a lot of the guys that had fought in that battle had also fought on Guam during our own liberation. My Dad was hosting a barbecue for the tour that was coming through, about 200 people, which consisted of actual vets, young soldiers and their families. This was at the first Pacific War Museum my Dad had built in Ordot and it was the first time I was seeing it.

I was proud of my Dad. He had accomplished so much with so little and here were all these people pulling together to honor these vets and to entertain these young soldiers who were about to be deployed for their first, their second and their third times. He was giving them advice and telling stories. It was inspiring. and it was a family affair. My Auntie Janet was pulling up with the red rice, my brothers were manning the traffic, my uncles and cousins and aunts were setting up tables and bringing in supplies. It had that same vibe I remember from those Thursday night dinners we’d had, so long ago at my Grandma Lole’s house, just on a much grander scale. And now it was my Dad that was the glue. And his reach had gone far beyond our family. I later learned that he and his wife Mela, along with the rest of my family had fed and entertained thousands of troops over the years and my Dad’s name had become synonymous with the Marine Corp on Guam.

Never before had I seen my Dad imbued with so much passion. And if you recall, that was never something he was short on. He had found his purpose and he was hell bent on making shit happen. We learned a lot about each other on that trip and in a lot of ways we were so much a like, just in different ways. It was a really good trip.

The words Semper Fidelis will forever be attached to the name John Gerber, it’s meaning, Always Faithful is tantamount to his dedication to his family, to this island and to his beloved Marine Corps. In 2007, on a surprise trip home I finally got it. That was also the last time I saw my Father in person.

This past April, the family came together once again, to honor my Father and to help raise money for his Pacific War Museum, now situated in Maina. They held a memorial 5K run/walk (Click here to see the film). It was an amazing tribute to what my father had worked so hard to build and what my family was now working so hard to keep going.

Family Man In the end, his most important role, was his role in the family. As a Dad, just like with everything else, he had his phases. For me, being the eldest. He was tough. My grandfather was tough on him and so he was tough on me. I mean, I don’t know many other kids whose list of chores included changing the tires on an industrial forklift. He worked me hard and at the time I wasn’t so happy about it. Of course, I never made things easier on myself, as I had yet to learn how and when to pick my battles. So, we butt heads. Over the years I’ve come to appreciate the work ethic he instilled in me. And those that were close to my father know that he worked himself harder than anybody else. More importantly, when it counted, my father always came through, especially for his family.

When I came back in 2007, he had clearly changed. I even joked about how I didn’t recognize him. He was a mellow Dad, more patient with my brothers and definitely less strict. He was actually a blast to be around. Not that he didn’t, still put them too work, on occasion. Just less so. My sister Christiana, had also known the tougher side of our father, but had witnessed the shift on a more gradual scale, as she came back home more often than I did. Liberation day also became a special time that her and my brothers Storm and Rio got to share with my Dad and partake in his work.

For his wife Mela and all of my Uncles and Aunts, my Dad’s attitude and passion was infectious. This is evident in everything they’ve done since my father’s passing. It’s actually quite astonishing to step back and see not just what he’s created, but what he’s inspired in the people who loved him.

Goodbye It was around 6pm, when I got word that I should call home. I was watching TV and waiting for my dinner to be delivered. It was meant to be a quiet night and in a strange sort of way, that’s exactly what it became. You see I was living in New York at the time, so that meant it was around 6am on Guam. I had finally gotten a hold of my Auntie Janet. She was at the naval hospital and in the next room, they were trying to revive my father.

She was inconsolable and passed the phone to my cousin EJ, who took on the unenviable task of relaying what was happening as it happened. All I could do was pace. Alone in my apartment, on the other side of the globe, I paced and I paced and I listened and I asked questions. And I tried to remember the last conversation I had with my Dad who was now unconscious in a hospital room 7,958 miles away from the room that I was in. and I could do nothing.

I heard the cries and I didn’t even have to ask … but I did anyway. And just like that, my Dad was gone. It had been about 6 months since the last time I had called home and 3 years since the last time I was on island. And that was the only thing I could think about for the rest of that night. I called my sister who hadn’t yet heard the news and then I called my brothers. I sat there and I watched the sun disappear and then I booked a ticket home.

There is a lot that can and has been said about my Father. But that’s true of most great men who are worth talking about. And in the end it’s these stories that keep him alive.

The last words that my father said to me, on the last phone call I had with him were simple. “I love you son” and my reply is how I will end this article. “I love you too dad. I’ll see you soon.”

[redcarpetview]

Recording Academy Announces Nominees For The 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards

Special Grammy Moments. Courtesy of the  Recording Academy®.

      SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (NOV. 20, 2019)—Recording Academy® President/CEO President/CEO Deborah Dugan alongside Academy Chair of the Board of Trustees and renowned record producer Harvey Mason Jr., as well as GRAMMY Awards® host Alicia Keys and past two-time Grammy® nominee Bebe Rexha, today revealed nominees for the 62nd GRAMMY Awards in select categories. This year's nominees reflect a melting pot of artistic innovation that defined the year in music, showcasing the unparalleled craftsmanship of established artists and the industry-shifting impact of rising music creators. Leading nominees Lizzo (8), Billie Eilish (6) and Lil Nas X (6) not only topped the charts but ignited a cultural conversation around their genre-bending hits. As the only peer-selected music award, the GRAMMY Awards are voted on by the Recording Academy's membership body of music makers, who represent all genres and creative disciplines, including recording artists, songwriters, producers, mixers and engineers.

          "I am in complete awe of the inspiring nominees who have poured their hearts and souls into their craft, and in turn, have provided fans worldwide a year of music that changed us, stirred our emotions and inspired us to do more," said Dugan. "Today's announcement reflects a new era for the Recording Academy—an army of engaged members that welcomes diversity, embraces creativity and champions young musicians on the rise. It's shaping up to be a year of firsts, and I can promise that the 62nd GRAMMY Awards will pack the same punch as this year's nominees. I am proud to march forward alongside our members and nominated artists."

      GRAMMY® winner Tasha Cobbs Leonard earns her fourth nomination for her worship anthem, “This Is A Move (Live),” in the Best Gospel Performance/Song Category. The single, released earlier this year, was co-written by Cobbs Leonard, along with Brandon Lake, Tony Brown and Nate Moore.

      Emerging gospel soul singer Gene Moore also earns his first GRAMMY® nod for his sophomore album, Tunnel Vision, which was released in August of this year. The project’s lead single, “Won’t Be Moved,” (co-written by BJ the Chicago Kid and Cedric “Ced” Smith) continues to climb the radio charts, with Moore recently wrapping his participation on two legs of India.Arie’s Worthy Tour and labelmate Brian Courtney Wilson’s Just B(e) Tour.

    Breakout New Orleans-based band Tank and The Bangas are nominated for “Best New Artist.” Of the nomination the band says, “This moment is for every open mic, garage band and underground movement that ever took place. We’re reminded by this nomination that anything is possible. Tank and The Bangas are possible.”

  Queen of country-soul Yola received four nominations including Best New Artist and three nominations in the Roots category including Best American Roots Song, Best American Roots Performance (for “Faraway Look”) and Best Americana Album for her debut Dan Auerbach-produced album, Walk Through Fire. Auerbach also received a nomination for for Producer Of The Year for his work on albums including Walk Through Fire.

     Yola stated, “To be nominated for four awards in the 10th month of my debut year is beyond a dream come true. Thank you to my incredible team and everyone who has supported and believed in me along the way. Great to see such incredible talent nominated alongside me.”       

      This year's nominees were selected from more than 20,000 submissions across 84 categories, and reflect the wide range of artistic innovation that defined the year in music (Oct. 1, 2018–Aug. 31, 2019). The final round of GRAMMY voting is Dec. 9, 2019–Jan. 3, 2020. The Recording Academy will present the GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, live from Los Angeles' STAPLES Center and broadcast on the CBS Television Network from 8:00–11:30 p.m. ET/5:00–8:30 p.m. PT.

                                                                                                                           # # #

   COMPLETE LIST OF 2020 GRAMMY NOMINATIONS

General Field

1. Record Of The Year Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s) and mastering engineer(s), if other than the artist.

HEY, MA Bon Iver BJ Burton, Brad Cook, Chris Messina & Justin Vernon, producers; BJ Burton, Zach Hansen & Chris Messina, engineers/mixers; Greg Calbi, mastering engineer

BAD GUY Billie Eilish Finneas O'Connell, producer; Rob Kinelski & Finneas O'Connell, engineers/mixers; John Greenham, mastering engineer

7 RINGS Ariana Grande Charles Anderson, Tommy Brown, Michael Foster & Victoria Monet, producers; Serban Ghenea, John Hanes, Billy Hickey & Brendan Morawski, engineers/mixers; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer

HARD PLACE H.E.R. Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, producer; Joseph Hurtado, Jaycen Joshua, Derek Keota & Miki Tsutsumi, engineers/mixers; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer

TALK Khalid Disclosure & Denis Kosiak, producers; Ingmar Carlson, Jon Castelli, Josh Deguzman, John Kercy, Denis Kosiak, Guy Lawrence & Michael Romero, engineers/mixers; Dale Becker, mastering engineer

OLD TOWN ROAD Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus Andrew "VoxGod" Bolooki & YoungKio, producers; Andrew "VoxGod" Bolooki & Cinco, engineers/mixers; Eric Lagg, mastering engineer

TRUTH HURTS Lizzo Ricky Reed & Tele, producers; Chris Galland, Manny Marroquin & Ethan Shumaker, engineers/mixers; Chris Gehringer, mastering engineer

SUNFLOWER Post Malone & Swae Lee Louis Bell & Carter Lang, producers; Louis Bell & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers

2. Album Of The Year Award to Artist(s) and to Featured Artist(s), Songwriter(s) of new material, Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s), Mixer(s) and Mastering Engineer(s) credited with at least 33% playing time of the album, if other than Artist.

I,I Bon Iver Brad Cook, Chris Messina & Justin Vernon, producers; Zach Hansen & Chris Messina, engineers/mixers; BJ Burton, Brad Cook & Justin Vernon, songwriters; Greg Calbi, mastering engineer

NORMAN F***ING ROCKWELL! Lana Del Rey Jack Antonoff & Lana Del Rey, producers; Jack Antonoff & Laura Sisk, engineers/mixers; Jack Antonoff & Lana Del Rey, songwriters; Chris Gehringer, mastering engineer

WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? Billie Eilish Finneas O'Connell, producer; Rob Kinelski & Finneas O'Connell, engineers/mixers; Billie Eilish O'Connell & Finneas O'Connell, songwriters; John Greenham, mastering engineer

THANK U, NEXT Ariana Grande Tommy Brown, Ilya, Max Martin & Victoria Monet, producers; Serban Ghenea & Brendan Morawski, engineers/mixers; Tommy Brown, Ariana Grande, Savan Kotecha, Max Martin, Victoria Monet, Tayla Parx & Ilya Salmanzadeh, songwriters; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer

I USED TO KNOW HER H.E.R. David "Swagg R'Celious" Harris, H.E.R., Walter Jones & Jeff Robinson, producers; Miki Tsutsumi, engineer/mixer; Sam Ashworth, Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman, David "Swagg R'Celious" Harris & H.E.R., songwriters; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer

7 Lil Nas X Montero Lamar Hill, songwriter; Eric Lagg, mastering engineer

CUZ I LOVE YOU (DELUXE) Lizzo Ricky Reed, producer; Manny Marroquin & Ethan Shumaker, engineers/mixers; Eric Frederic & Melissa Jefferson, songwriters; Chris Gehringer, mastering engineer

FATHER OF THE BRIDE Vampire Weekend Ezra Koenig & Ariel Rechtshaid, producers; John DeBold, Chris Kasych, Takemasa Kosaka, Ariel Rechtshaid & Hiroya Takayama, engineers/mixers; Ezra Koenig, songwriter; Emily Lazar, mastering engineer

3. Song Of The Year A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

ALWAYS REMEMBER US THIS WAY Natalie Hemby, Lady Gaga, Hillary Lindsey & Lori McKenna, songwriters (Lady Gaga)

BAD GUY Billie Eilish O'Connell & Finneas O'Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)

BRING MY FLOWERS NOW Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth & Tanya Tucker, songwriters (Tanya Tucker)

HARD PLACE Ruby Amanfu, Sam Ashworth, D. Arcelious Harris, H.E.R. & Rodney Jerkins, songwriters (H.E.R.)

LOVER Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)

NORMAN F***ING ROCKWELL Jack Antonoff & Lana Del Rey, songwriters (Lana Del Rey)

SOMEONE YOU LOVED Tom Barnes, Lewis Capaldi, Pete Kelleher, Benjamin Kohn & Sam Roman, songwriters (Lewis Capaldi)

TRUTH HURTS Steven Cheung, Eric Frederic, Melissa Jefferson & Jesse Saint John, songwriters (Lizzo)

4. Best New Artist An artist will be considered for Best New Artist if their eligibility year release/s achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and notably impacted the musical landscape.

BLACK PUMAS

BILLIE EILISH

LIL NAS X

LIZZO

MAGGIE ROGERS

ROSALÍA

TANK AND THE BANGAS

YOLA

Pop

5. Best Pop Solo Performance For new vocal or instrumental pop recordings. Singles or Tracks only.

SPIRIT Beyoncé

BAD GUY Billie Eilish

7 RINGS Ariana Grande

TRUTH HURTS Lizzo

YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN Taylor Swift

6. Best Pop Duo/Group Performance For new vocal or instrumental duo/group or collaborative pop recordings. Singles or Tracks only.

BOYFRIEND Ariana Grande & Social House

SUCKER Jonas Brothers

OLD TOWN ROAD Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus

SUNFLOWER Post Malone & Swae Lee

SEÑORITA Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello

7. Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new traditional pop recordings.

SÌ Andrea Bocelli

LOVE (DELUXE EDITION) Michael Bublé

LOOK NOW Elvis Costello & The Imposters

A LEGENDARY CHRISTMAS John Legend

WALLS Barbra Streisand

8. Best Pop Vocal Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal pop recordings.

THE LION KING: THE GIFT Beyoncé

WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? Billie Eilish

THANK U, NEXT Ariana Grande

NO.6 COLLABORATIONS PROJECT Ed Sheeran

LOVER Taylor Swift

Dance/Electronic Music

9. Best Dance Recording For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances. Vocal or Instrumental. Singles or tracks only.

LINKED Bonobo Simon Green, producer; Simon Green, mixer

GOT TO KEEP ON The Chemical Brothers The Chemical Brothers, producers; Steve Dub Jones & Tom Rowlands, mixers

PIECE OF YOUR HEART Meduza Featuring Goodboys Simone Giani, Luca De Gregorio & Mattia Vitale, producers; Simone Giani, Luca De Gregorio & Mattia Vitale, mixers

UNDERWATER RÜFÜS DU SOL Jason Evigan & RÜFÜS DU SOL, producers; Cassian Stewart-Kasimba, mixer

MIDNIGHT HOUR Skrillex & Boys Noize Featuring Ty Dolla $ign Boys Noize & Skrillex, producers; Skrillex, mixer

10. Best Dance/Electronic Album For vocal or instrumental albums. Albums only.

LP5 Apparat

NO GEOGRAPHY The Chemical Brothers

HI THIS IS FLUME (MIXTAPE) Flume

SOLACE RÜFÜS DU SOL

WEATHER Tycho

Contemporary Instrumental Music

11. Best Contemporary Instrumental Album For albums containing approximately 51% or more playing time of instrumental material. For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new recordings.

ANCESTRAL RECALL Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah

STAR PEOPLE NATION Theo Croker

BEAT MUSIC! BEAT MUSIC! BEAT MUSIC! Mark Guiliana

ELEVATE Lettuce

METTAVOLUTION Rodrigo y Gabriela

Rock

12. Best Rock Performance For new vocal or instrumental solo, duo/group or collaborative rock recordings.

PRETTY WASTE Bones UK

THIS LAND Gary Clark Jr.

HISTORY REPEATS Brittany Howard

WOMAN Karen O & Danger Mouse

TOO BAD Rival Sons

13. Best Metal Performance For new vocal or instrumental solo, duo/group or collaborative metal recordings.

ASTOROLUS - THE GREAT OCTOPUS Candlemass Featuring Tony Iommi

HUMANICIDE Death Angel

BOW DOWN I Prevail

UNLEASHED Killswitch Engage

7EMPEST Tool

14. Best Rock Song A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Rock, Hard Rock and Metal songs. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

FEAR INOCULUM Danny Carey, Justin Chancellor, Adam Jones & Maynard James Keenan, songwriters (Tool)

GIVE YOURSELF A TRY George Daniel, Adam Hann, Matthew Healy & Ross MacDonald, songwriters (The 1975)

HARMONY HALL Ezra Koenig, songwriter (Vampire Weekend)

HISTORY REPEATS Brittany Howard, songwriter (Brittany Howard)

THIS LAND Gary Clark Jr., songwriter (Gary Clark Jr.)

15. Best Rock Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new rock, hard rock or metal recordings.

AMO Bring Me The Horizon

SOCIAL CUES Cage The Elephant

IN THE END The Cranberries

TRAUMA I Prevail

FERAL ROOTS Rival Sons

Alternative

16. Best Alternative Music Album Vocal or Instrumental.

U.F.O.F. Big Thief

ASSUME FORM James Blake

I,I Bon Iver

FATHER OF THE BRIDE Vampire Weekend

ANIMA Thom Yorke

R&B

17. Best R&B Performance For new vocal or instrumental R&B recordings.

LOVE AGAIN Daniel Caesar & Brandy

COULD'VE BEEN H.E.R. Featuring Bryson Tiller

EXACTLY HOW I FEEL Lizzo Featuring Gucci Mane

ROLL SOME MO Lucky Daye

COME HOME Anderson .Paak Featuring André 3000

18. Best Traditional R&B Performance For new vocal or instrumental traditional R&B recordings.

TIME TODAY BJ The Chicago Kid

STEADY LOVE India.Arie

JEROME Lizzo

REAL GAMES Lucky Daye

BUILT FOR LOVE PJ Morton Featuring Jazmine Sullivan

19. Best R&B Song A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

COULD'VE BEEN Dernst Emile II, David “Swagg R’Celious” Harris, H.E.R. & Hue “Soundzfire” Strother, songwriters (H.E.R. Featuring Bryson Tiller)

LOOK AT ME NOW Emily King & Jeremy Most, songwriters (Emily King)

NO GUIDANCE Chris Brown, Tyler James Bryant, Nija Charles, Aubrey Graham, Anderson Hernandez, Michee Patrick Lebrun, Joshua Lewis, Noah Shebib & Teddy Walton, songwriters (Chris Brown Featuring Drake)

ROLL SOME MO David Brown, Dernst Emile II & Peter Lee Johnson, songwriters (Lucky Daye)

SAY SO PJ Morton, songwriter (PJ Morton Featuring JoJo)

20. Best Urban Contemporary Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded contemporary vocal tracks derivative of R&B.

APOLLO XXI Steve Lacy

CUZ I LOVE YOU (DELUXE) Lizzo

OVERLOAD Georgia Anne Muldrow

SATURN NAO

BEING HUMAN IN PUBLIC Jessie Reyez

21. Best R&B Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new R&B recordings.

1123 BJ The Chicago Kid

PAINTED Lucky Daye

ELLA MAI Ella Mai

PAUL PJ Morton

VENTURA Anderson .Paak

Rap

22. Best Rap Performance For a Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.

MIDDLE CHILD J. Cole

SUGE DaBaby

DOWN BAD Dreamville Featuring J.I.D, Bas, J. Cole, EARTHGANG & Young Nudy

RACKS IN THE MIDDLE Nipsey Hussle Featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy

CLOUT Offset Featuring Cardi B

23. Best Rap/Sung Performance For a solo or collaborative performance containing both elements of R&B melodies and Rap.

HIGHER DJ Khaled Featuring Nipsey Hussle & John Legend

DRIP TOO HARD Lil Baby & Gunna

PANINI Lil Nas X

BALLIN Mustard Featuring Roddy Ricch

THE LONDON Young Thug Featuring J. Cole & Travis Scott

24. Best Rap Song A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

BAD IDEA Chancelor Bennett, Cordae Dunston, Uforo Ebong & Daniel Hackett, songwriters (YBN Cordae Featuring Chance The Rapper)

GOLD ROSES Noel Cadastre, Aubrey Graham, Anderson Hernandez, Khristopher Riddick-Tynes, William Leonard Roberts II, Joshua Quinton Scruggs, Leon Thomas III & Ozan Yildirim, songwriters (Rick Ross Featuring Drake)

A LOT Jermaine Cole, Dacoury Natche, 21 Savage & Anthony White, songwriters (21 Savage Featuring J. Cole)

RACKS IN THE MIDDLE Ermias Asghedom, Dustin James Corbett, Greg Allen Davis, Chauncey Hollis, Jr. & Rodrick Moore, songwriters (Nipsey Hussle Featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy)

SUGE DaBaby, Jetsonmade & Pooh Beatz, songwriters (DaBaby)

25. Best Rap Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new rap recordings.

REVENGE OF THE DREAMERS III Dreamville

CHAMPIONSHIPS Meek Mill

I AM > I WAS 21 Savage

IGOR Tyler, The Creator

THE LOST BOY YBN Cordae

Country

26. Best Country Solo Performance For new vocal or instrumental solo country recordings.

ALL YOUR’N Tyler Childers

GIRL GOIN' NOWHERE Ashley McBryde

RIDE ME BACK HOME Willie Nelson

GOD'S COUNTRY Blake Shelton

BRING MY FLOWERS NOW Tanya Tucker

27. Best Country Duo/Group Performance For new vocal or instrumental duo/group or collaborative country recordings.

BRAND NEW MAN Brooks & Dunn With Luke Combs

I DON'T REMEMBER ME (BEFORE YOU) Brothers Osborne

SPEECHLESS Dan + Shay

THE DAUGHTERS Little Big Town

COMMON Maren Morris Featuring Brandi Carlile

28. Best Country Song A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

BRING MY FLOWERS NOW Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth & Tanya Tucker, songwriters (Tanya Tucker)

GIRL GOIN' NOWHERE Jeremy Bussey & Ashley McBryde, songwriters (Ashley McBryde)

IT ALL COMES OUT IN THE WASH Miranda Lambert, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Liz Rose, songwriters (Miranda Lambert)

SOME OF IT Eric Church, Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde & Bobby Pinson, songwriters (Eric Church)

SPEECHLESS Shay Mooney, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers & Laura Veltz, songwriters (Dan + Shay)

29. Best Country Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new country recordings.

DESPERATE MAN Eric Church

STRONGER THAN THE TRUTH Reba McEntire

INTERSTATE GOSPEL Pistol Annies

CENTER POINT ROAD Thomas Rhett

WHILE I'M LIVIN' Tanya Tucker

New Age

30. Best New Age Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental new age recordings.

FAIRY DREAMS David Arkenstone

HOMAGE TO KINDNESS David Darling

WINGS Peter Kater

VERVE Sebastian Plano

DEVA Deva Premal

Jazz

31. Best Improvised Jazz Solo For an instrumental jazz solo performance. Two equal performers on one recording may be eligible as one entry. If the soloist listed appears on a recording billed to another artist, the latter's name is in parenthesis for identification. Singles or Tracks only.

ELSEWHERE Melissa Aldana, soloist

SOZINHO Randy Brecker, soloist

TOMORROW IS THE QUESTION Julian Lage, soloist

THE WINDUP Branford Marsalis, soloist

SIGHTSEEING Christian McBride, soloist

32. Best Jazz Vocal Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal jazz recordings.

THIRSTY GHOST Sara Gazarek

LOVE & LIBERATION Jazzmeia Horn

ALONE TOGETHER Catherine Russell

12 LITTLE SPELLS Esperanza Spalding

SCREENPLAY The Tierney Sutton Band

33. Best Jazz Instrumental Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new instrumental jazz recordings.

IN THE KEY OF THE UNIVERSE Joey DeFrancesco

THE SECRET BETWEEN THE SHADOW AND THE SOUL Branford Marsalis Quartet

CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE'S NEW JAWN Christian McBride

FINDING GABRIEL Brad Mehldau

COME WHAT MAY Joshua Redman Quartet

34. Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new ensemble jazz recordings.

TRIPLE HELIX Anat Cohen Tentet

DANCER IN NOWHERE Miho Hazama

HIDING OUT Mike Holober & The Gotham Jazz Orchestra

THE OMNI-AMERICAN BOOK CLUB Brian Lynch Big Band

ONE DAY WONDER Terraza Big Band

35. Best Latin Jazz Album For vocal or instrumental albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded material. The intent of this category is to recognize recordings that represent the blending of jazz with Latin, Iberian-American, Brazilian, and Argentinian tango music.

ANTIDOTE Chick Corea & The Spanish Heart Band

SORTE!: MUSIC BY JOHN FINBURY Thalma de Freitas With Vitor Gonçalves, John Patitucci, Chico Pinheiro, Rogerio Boccato & Duduka Da Fonseca

UNA NOCHE CON RUBÉN BLADES Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis & Rubén Blades

CARIB David Sánchez

SONERO: THE MUSIC OF ISMAEL RIVERA Miguel Zenón

Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music

36. Best Gospel Performance/Song This award is given to the artist(s) and songwriter(s) (for new compositions) for the best traditional Christian, roots gospel or contemporary gospel single or track.

LOVE THEORY Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin, songwriter

TALKIN' 'BOUT JESUS Gloria Gaynor Featuring Yolanda Adams; Bryan Fowler, Gloria Gaynor & Chris Stevens, songwriters

SEE THE LIGHT Travis Greene Featuring Jekalyn Carr

SPEAK THE NAME Koryn Hawthorne Featuring Natalie Grant

THIS IS A MOVE (LIVE) Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Tony Brown, Brandon Lake, Tasha Cobbs Leonard & Nate Moore, songwriters

37. Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song This award is given to the artist(s) and songwriter(s) (for new compositions) for the best contemporary Christian pop, Christian rap/hip-hop, or Christian rock single or track.

ONLY JESUS Casting Crowns; Mark Hall, Bernie Herms & Matthew West, songwriters

GOD ONLY KNOWS for KING & COUNTRY & Dolly Parton; Josh Kerr, Jordan Reynolds, Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone & Tedd Tjornhom, songwriters

HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET Danny Gokey; Danny Gokey, Ethan Hulse & Colby Wedgeworth, songwriters

GOD'S NOT DONE WITH YOU (SINGLE VERSION) Tauren Wells

RESCUE STORY Zach Williams; Ethan Hulse, Andrew Ripp, Jonathan Smith & Zach Williams, songwriters

38. Best Gospel Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, traditional or contemporary/R&B gospel music recordings.

LONG LIVE LOVE Kirk Franklin

GOSHEN Donald Lawrence Presents The Tri -City Singers

TUNNEL VISION Gene Moore

SETTLE HERE William Murphy

SOMETHING'S HAPPENING! A CHRISTMAS ALBUM CeCe Winans

39. Best Contemporary Christian Music Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, contemporary Christian music, including pop, rap/hip hop, or rock recordings.

I KNOW A GHOST Crowder

BURN THE SHIPS for KING & COUNTRY

HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET Danny Gokey

THE ELEMENTS TobyMac

HOLY ROAR Chris Tomlin

40. Best Roots Gospel Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, traditional/roots gospel music, including country, Southern gospel, bluegrass, and Americana recordings.

DEEPER ROOTS: WHERE THE BLUEGRASS GROWS Steven Curtis Chapman

TESTIMONY Gloria Gaynor

DEEPER OCEANS Joseph Habedank

HIS NAME IS JESUS Tim Menzies

GONNA SING, GONNA SHOUT (Various Artists) Jerry Salley, Producer

Latin

41. Best Latin Pop Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new Latin pop recordings.

VIDA Luis Fonsi

11:11 Maluma

MONTANER Ricardo Montaner

#ELDISCO Alejandro Sanz

FANTASIA Sebastian Yatra

42. Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new Latin rock, urban or alternative recordings.

X 100PRE Bad Bunny

OASIS J Balvin & Bad Bunny

INDESTRUCTIBLE Flor De Toloache

ALMADURA iLe

EL MAL QUERER ROSALÍA

43. Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano) For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new regional Mexican (banda, norteño, corridos, gruperos, mariachi, ranchera and Tejano) recordings.

CAMINANDO Joss Favela

PERCEPCIÓN Intocable

POCO A POCO La Energia Norteña

20 ANIVERSARIO Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea

DE AYER PARA SIEMPRE Mariachi Los Camperos

44. Best Tropical Latin Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new tropical Latin recordings.

OPUS Marc Anthony

TIEMPO AL TIEMPO Luis Enrique + C4 Trio

CANDELA Vicente García

LITERAL Juan Luis Guerra 4.40

A JOURNEY THROUGH CUBAN MUSIC Aymée Nuviola

American Roots Music

45. Best American Roots Performance For new vocal or instrumental American Roots recordings. This is for performances in the style of any of the subgenres encompassed in the American Roots Music field including Americana, bluegrass, blues, folk or regional roots. Award to the artist(s).

SAINT HONESTY Sara Bareilles

FATHER MOUNTAIN Calexico And Iron & Wine

I'M ON MY WAY Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi

CALL MY NAME I'm With Her

FARAWAY LOOK Yola

46. Best American Roots Song A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Americana, bluegrass, traditional blues, contemporary blues, folk or regional roots songs. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

BLACK MYSELF Amythyst Kiah, songwriter (Our Native Daughters)

CALL MY NAME Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O'Donovan & Sara Watkins, songwriters (I'm With Her)

CROSSING TO JERUSALEM Rosanne Cash & John Leventhal, songwriters (Rosanne Cash)

FARAWAY LOOK Dan Auerbach, Yola Carter & Pat McLaughlin, songwriters (Yola)

I DON'T WANNA RIDE THE RAILS NO MORE Vince Gill, songwriter (Vince Gill)

47. Best Americana Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental Americana recordings.

YEARS TO BURN Calexico And Iron & Wine

WHO ARE YOU NOW Madison Cunningham

OKLAHOMA Keb' Mo'

TALES OF AMERICA J.S. Ondara

WALK THROUGH FIRE Yola

48. Best Bluegrass Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental bluegrass recordings.

TALL FIDDLER Michael Cleveland

LIVE IN PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

TOIL, TEARS & TROUBLE The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys

ROYAL TRAVELLER Missy Raines

IF YOU CAN'T STAND THE HEAT Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen

49. Best Traditional Blues Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental traditional blues recordings.

KINGFISH Christone "Kingfish" Ingram

TALL, DARK & HANDSOME Delbert McClinton & Self-Made Men

SITTING ON TOP OF THE BLUES Bobby Rush

BABY, PLEASE COME HOME Jimmie Vaughan

SPECTACULAR CLASS Jontavious Willis

50. Best Contemporary Blues Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental contemporary blues recordings.

THIS LAND Gary Clark Jr.

VENOM & FAITH Larkin Poe

BRIGHTER DAYS Robert Randolph & The Family Band

SOMEBODY SAVE ME Sugaray Rayford

KEEP ON Southern Avenue

51. Best Folk Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental folk recordings.

MY FINEST WORK YET Andrew Bird

REARRANGE MY HEART Che Apalache

PATTY GRIFFIN Patty Griffin

EVENING MACHINES Gregory Alan Isakov

FRONT PORCH Joy Williams

52. Best Regional Roots Music Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental regional roots music recordings.

KALAWAI’ANUI Amy Hānaiali’i

WHEN IT'S COLD - CREE ROUND DANCE SONGS Northern Cree

GOOD TIME Ranky Tanky

RECORDED LIVE AT THE 2019 NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL Rebirth Brass Band

HAWAIIAN LULLABY (Various Artists) Imua Garza & Kimié Miner, producers

Reggae

53. Best Reggae Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new reggae recordings.

RAPTURE Koffee

AS I AM Julian Marley

THE FINAL BATTLE: SLY & ROBBIE VS. ROOTS RADICS Sly & Robbie & Roots Radics

MASS MANIPULATION Steel Pulse

MORE WORK TO BE DONE Third World

World Music

54. Best World Music Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental World Music recordings.

GECE Altin Gün

WHAT HEAT Bokanté & Metropole Orkest Conducted By Jules Buckley

AFRICAN GIANT Burna Boy

FANM D'AYITI Nathalie Joachim With Spektral Quartet

CELIA Angelique Kidjo

Children's

55. Best Children's Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new musical or spoken word recordings that are created and intended specifically for children.

AGELESS SONGS FOR THE CHILD ARCHETYPE Jon Samson

FLYING HIGH! Caspar Babypants

I LOVE RAINY DAYS Daniel Tashian

THE LOVE Alphabet Rockers

WINTERLAND The Okee Dokee Brothers

Spoken Word

56. Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling)

BEASTIE BOYS BOOK (Various Artists) Michael Diamond, Adam Horovitz, Scott Sherratt & Dan Zitt, producers

BECOMING Michelle Obama

I.V. CATATONIA: 20 YEARS AS A TWO-TIME CANCER SURVIVOR Eric Alexandrakis

MR. KNOW-IT-ALL John Waters

SEKOU ANDREWS & THE STRING THEORY Sekou Andrews & The String Theory

Comedy

57. Best Comedy Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new recordings.

QUALITY TIME Jim Gaffigan

RELATABLE Ellen DeGeneres

RIGHT NOW Aziz Ansari

SON OF PATRICIA Trevor Noah

STICKS & STONES Dave Chappelle

Musical Theater

58. Best Musical Theater Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new recordings. Award to the principle vocalist(s) and the album producer(s) of 51% or more playing time of the album. The lyricist(s) and composer(s) of a new score are eligible for an Award if they have written and/or composed a new score which comprises 51% or more playing time of the album.

AIN'T TOO PROUD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS Saint Aubyn, Derrick Baskin, James Harkness, Jawan M. Jackson, Jeremy Pope & Ephraim Sykes, principal soloists; Scott M. Riesett, producer (Original Broadway Cast)

HADESTOWN Reeve Carney, André De Shields, Amber Gray, Eva Noblezada & Patrick Page, principal soloists; Mara Isaacs, David Lai, Anaïs Mitchell & Todd Sickafoose, producers (Anaïs Mitchell, composer & lyricist) (Original Broadway Cast)

MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL Danny Burstein, Tam Mutu, Sahr Ngaujah, Karen Olivo & Aaron Tveit, principal soloists; Justin Levine, Baz Luhrmann, Matt Stine & Alex Timbers, producers (Original Broadway Cast)

THE MUSIC OF HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD - IN FOUR CONTEMPORARY SUITES Imogen Heap, producer; Imogen Heap, composer (Imogen Heap)

OKLAHOMA! Damon Daunno, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Ali Stroker, Mary Testa & Patrick Vaill, principal soloists; Daniel Kluger & Dean Sharenow, producers (Richard Rodgers, composer; Oscar Hammerstein II, lyricist) (2019 Broadway Cast)

Music for Visual Media

59. Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media Award to the artist(s) and/or ‘in studio' producer(s) of a majority of the tracks on the album. In the absence of both, award to the one or two individuals proactively responsible for the concept and musical direction of the album and for the selection of artists, songs and producers, as applicable. Award also goes to appropriately credited music supervisor(s).

THE LION KING: THE SONGS (Various Artists)

QUENTIN TARANTINO'S ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (Various Artists)

ROCKETMAN Taron Egerton

SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE (Various Artists)

A STAR IS BORN Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

60. Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media Award to Composer(s) for an original score created specifically for, or as a companion to, a current legitimate motion picture, television show or series, video games or other visual media.

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Alan Silvestri, composer

CHERNOBYL Hildur Guðnadóttir, composer

GAME OF THRONES: SEASON 8 Ramin Djawadi, composer

THE LION KING Hans Zimmer, composer

MARY POPPINS RETURNS Marc Shaiman, composer

61. Best Song Written For Visual Media A Songwriter(s) award. For a song (melody & lyrics) written specifically for a motion picture, television, video games or other visual media, and released for the first time during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

THE BALLAD OF THE LONESOME COWBOY Randy Newman, songwriter (Chris Stapleton) Track from: Toy Story 4

GIRL IN THE MOVIES Dolly Parton & Linda Perry, songwriters (Dolly Parton) Track from: Dumplin'

I'LL NEVER LOVE AGAIN (FILM VERSION) Natalie Hemby, Lady Gaga, Hillary Lindsey & Aaron Raitiere, songwriters (Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper) Track from: A Star Is Born

SPIRIT Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Timothy McKenzie & Ilya Salmanzadeh, songwriters (Beyoncé) Track from: The Lion King

SUSPIRIUM Thom Yorke, songwriter (Thom Yorke) Track from: Suspiria

Composing/Arranging

62. Best Instrumental Composition A Composer's Award for an original composition (not an adaptation) first released during the Eligibility Year. Singles or Tracks only.

BEGIN AGAIN Fred Hersch, composer (Fred Hersch & The WDR Big Band Conducted By Vince Mendoza)

CRUCIBLE FOR CRISIS Brian Lynch, composer (Brian Lynch Big Band)

LOVE, A BEAUTIFUL FORCE Vince Mendoza, composer (Vince Mendoza, Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts & Temple University Studio Orchestra)

STAR WARS: GALAXY'S EDGE SYMPHONIC SUITE John Williams, composer (John Williams)

WALKIN' FUNNY Christian McBride, composer (Christian McBride)

63. Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella An Arranger's Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

BLUE SKIES Kris Bowers, arranger (Kris Bowers)

HEDWIG'S THEME John Williams, arranger (Anne-Sophie Mutter & John Williams)

LA NOVENA Emilio Solla, arranger (Emilio Solla Tango Jazz Orchestra)

LOVE, A BEAUTIFUL FORCE Vince Mendoza, arranger (Vince Mendoza, Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts & Temple University Studio Orchestra)

MOON RIVER Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier)

64. Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals An Arranger's Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

ALL NIGHT LONG Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier Featuring Jules Buckley, Take 6 & Metropole Orkest)

JOLENE Geoff Keezer, arranger (Sara Gazarek)

MARRY ME A LITTLE Cyrille Aimée & Diego Figueiredo, arrangers (Cyrille Aimée)

OVER THE RAINBOW Vince Mendoza, arranger (Trisha Yearwood)

12 LITTLE SPELLS (THORACIC SPINE) Esperanza Spalding, arranger (Esperanza Spalding)

Package

65. Best Recording Package

ANÓNIMAS & RESILIENTES Luisa María Arango, Carlos Dussan, Manuel García-Orozco & Juliana Jaramillo-Buenaventura, art directors (Voces Del Bullerengue)

CHRIS CORNELL Barry Ament, Jeff Ament, Jeff Fura & Joe Spix, art directors (Chris Cornell)

HOLD THAT TIGER Andrew Wong & Fongming Yang, art directors (The Muddy Basin Ramblers)

I,I Aaron Anderson & Eric Timothy Carlson, art directors (Bon Iver)

INTELLEXUAL Irwan Awalludin, art director (Intellexual)

66. Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package

ANIMA Stanley Donwood & Tchocky, art directors (Thom Yorke)

GOLD IN BRASS AGE Amanda Chiu, Mark Farrow & David Gray, art directors (David Gray)

1963: NEW DIRECTIONS Josh Cheuse, art director (John Coltrane)

THE RADIO RECORDINGS 1939-1945 Marek Polewski, art director (Wilhelm Furtwängler & Berliner Philharmoniker)

WOODSTOCK: BACK TO THE GARDEN - THE DEFINITIVE 50TH ANNIVERSARY ARCHIVE Masaki Koike, art director (Various Artists)

Notes

67. Best Album Notes

THE COMPLETE CUBAN JAM SESSIONS Judy Cantor-Navas, album notes writer (Various Artists)

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MALACO Robert Marovich, album notes writer (Various Artists)

PEDAL STEEL + FOUR CORNERS Brendan Greaves, album notes writer (Terry Allen And The Panhandle Mystery Band)

PETE SEEGER: THE SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS COLLECTION) Jeff Place, album notes writer (Pete Seeger)

STAX '68: A MEMPHIS STORY Steve Greenberg, album notes writer (Various Artists)

Historical

68. Best Historical Album

THE GIRL FROM CHICKASAW COUNTY - THE COMPLETE CAPITOL MASTERS Andrew Batt & Kris Maher, compilation producers; Simon Gibson, mastering engineer (Bobbie Gentry)

THE GREAT COMEBACK: HOROWITZ AT CARNEGIE HALL Robert Russ, compilation producer; Andreas K. Meyer & Jennifer Nulsen, mastering engineers (Vladimir Horowitz)

KANKYO ONGAKU: JAPANESE AMBIENT, ENVIRONMENTAL & NEW AGE MUSIC 1980-1990 Spencer Doran, Yosuke Kitazawa, Douglas Mcgowan & Matt Sullivan, compilation producers; John Baldwin, mastering engineer (Various Artists)

PETE SEEGER: THE SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS COLLECTION Jeff Place & Robert Santelli, compilation producers; Pete Reiniger, mastering engineer (Pete Seeger)

WOODSTOCK: BACK TO THE GARDEN - THE DEFINITIVE 50TH ANNIVERSARY ARCHIVE Brian Kehew, Steve Woolard & Andy Zax, compilation producers; Dave Schultz, mastering engineer (Various Artists)

Production, Non-Classical

69. Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical An Engineer's Award. (Artists names appear in parentheses.)

ALL THESE THINGS Tchad Blake, Adam Greenspan & Rodney Shearer, engineers; Bernie Grundman, mastering engineer (Thomas Dybdahl)

ELLA MAI Chris "Shaggy" Ascher, Jaycen Joshua & David Pizzimenti, engineers; Chris Athens, mastering engineer (Ella Mai)

RUN HOME SLOW Paul Butler & Sam Teskey, engineers; Joe Carra, mastering engineer (The Teskey Brothers)

SCENERY Tom Elmhirst, Ben Kane & Jeremy Most, engineers; Bob Ludwig, mastering engineer (Emily King)

WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? Rob Kinelski & Finneas O'Connell, engineers; John Greenham, mastering engineer (Billie Eilish)

70. Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical A Producer's Award. (Artists names appear in parentheses.)

JACK ANTONOFF

• Arizona Baby (Kevin Abstract) (A) • Lover (Taylor Swift) (A) • Norman F***ing Rockwell! (Lana Del Rey) (A) • Red Hearse (Red Hearse) (A)​

DAN AUERBACH

• The Angels In Heaven Done Signed My Name (Leo Bud Welch) (A) • "Let's Rock" (The Black Keys) (A) • Mockingbird (The Gibson Brothers) (A) • Myth Of A Man (Night Beats) (A) • Southern Gentleman (Dee White) (A) • Walk Through Fire (Yola) (A)

JOHN HILL

• Heat Of The Summer (Young The Giant) (T) • Hundred (Khalid) (T) • No Drug Like Me (Carly Rae Jepsen) (T) • Outta My Head (Khalid With John Mayer) (T) • Social Cues (Cage The Elephant) (A) • Superposition (Young The Giant) (T) • Too Much (Carly Rae Jepsen) (T) • Vertigo (Khalid) (T) • Zero (From "Ralph Breaks The Internet") (Imagine Dragons) (T)

FINNEAS

• When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (Billie Eilish) (A)

RICKY REED

• Almost Free (Fidlar) (A) • Burning (Maggie Rogers) (T) • Confidence (X Ambassadors Featuring K.Flay) (T) • Juice (Lizzo) (T) • Kingdom Of One (Maren Morris) (T) • Power Is Power (SZA Featuring The Weekend & Travis Scott) (T) • Tempo (Lizzo Featuring Missy Elliott) (T) • Truth Hurts (Lizzo) (T) • The Wrong Man (Ross Golan) (A)

71. Best Remixed Recording A Remixer's Award. (Artists names appear in parentheses for identification.) Singles or Tracks only.

I RISE (TRACY YOUNG'S PRIDE INTRO RADIO REMIX) Tracy Young, remixer (Madonna)

MOTHER'S DAUGHTER (WUKI REMIX) Wuki, remixer (Miley Cyrus)

THE ONE (HIGH CONTRAST REMIX) Lincoln Barrett, remixer (Jorja Smith)

SWIM (FORD. REMIX) Luc Bradford, remixer (Mild Minds)

WORK IT (SOULWAX REMIX) David Gerard C Dewaele & Stephen Antoine C Dewaele, remixers (Marie Davidson)

Production, Immersive Audio

72. Best Immersive Audio Album For vocal or instrumental albums in any genre. Must be commercially released on DVD-Audio, DVD-Video, SACD, Blu-Ray, or burned download-only/streaming-only copies and must provide a new immersive mix of four or more channels. Award to the immersive mix engineer, immersive producer (if any) and immersive mastering engineer (if any).

CHAIN TRIPPING Luke Argilla, immersive audio engineer; Jurgen Scharpf, immersive audio mastering engineer; Jona Bechtolt, Claire L. Evans & Rob Kieswetter, immersive audio producers (Yacht)

KVERNDOKK: SYMPHONIC DANCES Jim Anderson, immersive audio engineer; Robert C. Ludwig, immersive audio mastering engineer; Ulrike Schwarz, immersive audio producer (Ken-David Masur & Stavanger Symphony Orchestra)

LUX Morten Lindberg, immersive audio engineer; Morten Lindberg, immersive audio mastering engineer; Morten Lindberg, immersive audio producer (Anita Brevik, Trondheimsolistene & Nidarosdomens Jentekor)

THE ORCHESTRAL ORGAN Keith O. Johnson, immersive audio engineer; Keith O. Johnson, immersive audio mastering engineer; Marina A. Ledin & Victor Ledin, immersive audio producers (Jan Kraybill)

THE SAVIOR Bob Clearmountain, immersive audio engineer; Bob Ludwig, immersive audio mastering engineer; Michael Marquart & Dave Way, immersive audio producers (A Bad Think)

Production, Classical

73. Best Engineered Album, Classical An Engineer's Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.)

AEQUA - ANNA THORVALDSDÓTTIR Daniel Shores, engineer; Daniel Shores, mastering engineer (International Contemporary Ensemble)

BRUCKNER: SYMPHONY NO. 9 Mark Donahue, engineer; Mark Donahue, mastering engineer (Manfred Honeck & Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra)

RACHMANINOFF - HERMITAGE PIANO TRIO Keith O. Johnson & Sean Royce Martin, engineers; Keith O. Johnson, mastering engineer (Hermitage Piano Trio)

RILEY: SUN RINGS Leslie Ann Jones, engineer; Robert C. Ludwig, mastering engineer (Kronos Quartet)

WOLFE: FIRE IN MY MOUTH Bob Hanlon & Lawrence Rock, engineers; Ian Good & Lawrence Rock, mastering engineers (Jaap Van Zweden, Francisco J. Núñez, Donald Nally, The Crossing, Young People's Chorus Of NY City & New York Philharmonic)

74. Producer Of The Year, Classical A Producer's Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.)

BLANTON ALSPAUGH

• Artifacts - The Music Of Michael McGlynn (Charles Bruffy & Kansas City Chorale) • Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique; Fantaisie Sur La Tempête De Shakespeare (Andrew Davis & Toronto Symphony Orchestra) • Copland: Billy The Kid; Grohg (Leonard Slatkin & Detroit Symphony Orchestra) • Duruflé: Complete Choral Works (Robert Simpson & Houston Chamber Choir) • Glass: Symphony No. 5 (Julian Wachner, The Choir Of Trinity Wall Street, Trinity Youth Chorus, Downtown Voices & Novus NY) • Sander: The Divine Liturgy Of St. John Chrysostom (Peter Jermihov & PaTRAM Institute Singers) • Smith, K.: Canticle (Craig Hella Johnson & Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble) • Visions Take Flight (Mei-Ann Chen & ROCO)

JAMES GINSBURG

• Project W - Works By Diverse Women Composers (Mei-Ann Chen & Chicago Sinfonietta) • Silenced Voices (Black Oak Ensemble) • 20th Century Harpsichord Concertos (Jory Vinikour, Scott Speck & Chicago Philharmonic) • Twentieth Century Oboe Sonatas (Alex Klein & Phillip Bush) • Winged Creatures & Other Works For Flute, Clarinet, And Orchestra (Anthony McGill, Demarre McGill, Allen Tinkham & Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra)

MARINA A. LEDIN, VICTOR LEDIN

• Bates: Children Of Adam; Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem (Steven Smith, Erin R. Freeman, Richmond Symphony & Chorus) • The Orchestral Organ (Jan Kraybill) • The Poetry Of Places (Nadia Shpachenko) • Rachmaninoff - Hermitage Piano Trio (Hermitage Piano Trio)

MORTEN LINDBERG

• Himmelborgen (Elisabeth Holte, Kåre Nordstoga & Uranienborg Vokalensemble) • Kleiberg: Do You Believe In Heather? (Various Artists) • Ljos (Fauna Vokalkvintett) • LUX (Anita Brevik, Trondheimsolistene & Nidarosdomens Jentekor) • Trachea (Tone Bianca Sparre Dahl & Schola Cantorum) • Veneliti (Håkon Daniel Nystedt & Oslo Kammerkor)

DIRK SOBOTKA

• Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 (Manfred Honeck & Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra)

Classical

75. Best Orchestral Performance Award to the Conductor and to the Orchestra.

BRUCKNER: SYMPHONY NO. 9 Manfred Honeck, conductor (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra)

COPLAND: BILLY THE KID; GROHG Leonard Slatkin, conductor (Detroit Symphony Orchestra)

NORMAN: SUSTAIN Gustavo Dudamel, conductor (Los Angeles Philharmonic)

TRANSATLANTIC Louis Langrée, conductor (Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra)

WEINBERG: SYMPHONIES NOS. 2 & 21 Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, conductor (City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra & Kremerata Baltica)

76. Best Opera Recording Award to the Conductor, Album Producer(s) and Principal Soloists.

BENJAMIN: LESSONS IN LOVE & VIOLENCE George Benjamin, conductor; Stéphane Degout, Barbara Hannigan, Peter Hoare & Gyula Orendt; James Whitbourn, producer (Orchestra Of The Royal Opera House)

BERG: WOZZECK Marc Albrecht, conductor; Christopher Maltman & Eva-Maria Westbroek; François Roussillon, producer (Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra; Chorus Of Dutch National Opera)

CHARPENTIER: LES ARTS FLORISSANTS; LES PLAISIRS DE VERSAILLES Paul O'Dette & Stephen Stubbs, conductors; Jesse Blumberg, Teresa Wakim & Virginia Warnken; Renate Wolter-Seevers, producer (Boston Early Music Festival Chamber Ensemble; Boston Early Music Festival Vocal Ensemble)

PICKER: FANTASTIC MR. FOX Gil Rose, conductor; John Brancy, Andrew Craig Brown, Gabriel Preisser, Krista River & Edwin Vega; Gil Rose, producer (Boston Modern Orchestra Project; Boston Children's Chorus)

WAGNER: LOHENGRIN Christian Thielemann, conductor; Piotr Beczała, Anja Harteros, Tomasz Konieczny, Waltraud Meier & Georg Zeppenfeld; Eckhard Glauche, producer (Festspielorchester Bayreuth; Festspielchor Bayreuth)

77. Best Choral Performance Award to the Conductor, and to the Choral Director and/or Chorus Master where applicable and to the Choral Organization/Ensemble.

BOYLE: VOYAGES Donald Nally, conductor (The Crossing)

DURUFLÉ: COMPLETE CHORAL WORKS Robert Simpson, conductor (Ken Cowan; Houston Chamber Choir)

THE HOPE OF LOVING Craig Hella Johnson, conductor (Conspirare)

SANDER: THE DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM Peter Jermihov, conductor (Evan Bravos, Vadim Gan, Kevin Keys, Glenn Miller & Daniel Shirley; PaTRAM Institute Singers)

SMITH, K.: THE ARC IN THE SKY Donald Nally, conductor (The Crossing)

78. Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance For new recordings of works with chamber or small ensemble (twenty-four or fewer members, not including the conductor). One Award to the ensemble and one Award to the conductor, if applicable.

CERRONE: THE PIECES THAT FALL TO EARTH Christopher Rountree & Wild Up

FREEDOM & FAITH PUBLIQuartet

PERPETULUM Third Coast Percussion

RACHMANINOFF - HERMITAGE PIANO TRIO Hermitage Piano Trio

SHAW: ORANGE Attacca Quartet

79. Best Classical Instrumental Solo Award to the Instrumental Soloist(s) and to the Conductor when applicable.

THE BERLIN RECITAL Yuja Wang

HIGDON: HARP CONCERTO Yolanda Kondonassis; Ward Stare, conductor (The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra)

MARSALIS: VIOLIN CONCERTO; FIDDLE DANCE SUITE Nicola Benedetti; Cristian Măcelaru, conductor (Philadelphia Orchestra)

THE ORCHESTRAL ORGAN Jan Kraybill

TORKE: SKY, CONCERTO FOR VIOLIN Tessa Lark; David Alan Miller, conductor (Albany Symphony)

80. Best Classical Solo Vocal Album Award to: Vocalist(s), Collaborative Artist(s) (Ex: pianists, conductors, chamber groups) Producer(s), Recording Engineers/Mixers with 51% or more playing time of new material.

THE EDGE OF SILENCE - WORKS FOR VOICE BY GYÖRGY KURTÁG Susan Narucki (Donald Berman, Curtis Macomber, Kathryn Schulmeister & Nicholas Tolle)

HIMMELSMUSIK Philippe Jaroussky & Céline Scheen; Christina Pluhar, conductor; L’Arpeggiata, ensemble (Jesús Rodil & Dingle Yandell)

SCHUMANN: LIEDERKREIS OP. 24, KERNER-LIEDER OP. 35 Matthias Goerne; Leif Ove Andsnes, accompanist

SONGPLAY Joyce DiDonato; Chuck Israels, Jimmy Madison, Charlie Porter & Craig Terry, accompanists (Steve Barnett & Lautaro Greco)

A TE, O CARA Stephen Costello; Constantine Orbelian, conductor (Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra)

81. Best Classical Compendium Award to the Artist(s) and to the Album Producer(s) and Engineer(s) of over 51% playing time of the album, if other than the artist.

AMERICAN ORIGINALS 1918 John Morris Russell, conductor; Elaine Martone, producer

LESHNOFF: SYMPHONY NO. 4 'HEICHALOS'; GUITAR CONCERTO; STARBURST Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor; Tim Handley, producer

MELTZER: SONGS AND STRUCTURES Paul Appleby & Natalia Katyukova; Silas Brown & Harold Meltzer, producers

THE POETRY OF PLACES Nadia Shpachenko; Marina A. Ledin & Victor Ledin, producers

SAARIAHO: TRUE FIRE; TRANS; CIEL D'HIVER Hannu Lintu, conductor; Laura Heikinheimo, producer

82. Best Contemporary Classical Composition A Composer's Award. (For a contemporary classical composition composed within the last 25 years, and released for the first time during the Eligibility Year.) Award to the librettist, if applicable.

BERMEL: MIGRATION SERIES FOR JAZZ ENSEMBLE & ORCHESTRA Derek Bermel, composer (Derek Bermel, Ted Nash, David Alan Miller, Juilliard Jazz Orchestra & Albany Symphony Orchestra)

HIGDON: HARP CONCERTO Jennifer Higdon, composer (Yolanda Kondonassis, Ward Stare & The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra)

MARSALIS: VIOLIN CONCERTO IN D MAJOR Wynton Marsalis, composer (Nicola Benedetti, Cristian Măcelaru & Philadelphia Orchestra)

NORMAN: SUSTAIN Andrew Norman, composer (Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic)

SHAW: ORANGE Caroline Shaw, composer (Attacca Quartet)

WOLFE: FIRE IN MY MOUTH Julia Wolfe, composer (Jaap Van Zweden, Francisco J. Núñez, Donald Nally, The Crossing, Young People's Chorus Of NY City & New York Philharmonic)

Music Video/Film

83. Best Music Video Award to the artist, video director, and video producer.

WE'VE GOT TO TRY The Chemical Brothers Ellie Fry, video director; Ninian Doff, video producer

THIS LAND Gary Clark Jr. Savanah Leaf, video director; Alicia Martinez, video producer

CELLOPHANE FKA twigs Andrew Thomas Huang, video director; Alex Chamberlain, video producer

OLD TOWN ROAD (OFFICIAL MOVIE) Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus Calmatic, video director; Candice Dragonas, Melissa Larsen & Saul Levitz, video producers

GLAD HE'S GONE Tove Lo Vania Heymann & Gal Muggia, video directors; Natan Schottenfels, video producer

84. Best Music Film For concert/performance films or music documentaries. Award to the artist, video director, and video producer.

HOMECOMING Beyoncé Beyoncé Knowles-Carter & Ed Burke, video directors; Dora Melissa Vargas, video producer

REMEMBER MY NAME David Crosby A.J. Eaton, video director; Cameron Crowe, Michele Farinola & Greg Mariotti, video producers

BIRTH OF THE COOL (Miles Davis) Stanley Nelson, video director; Nicole London, video producer

SHANGRI-LA (Various Artists) Morgan Neville, video director; Emma Baiada, video producer

ANIMA Thom Yorke Paul Thomas Anderson, video director; Paul Thomas Anderson, Erica Frauman & Sara Murphy, video producers

[neoraven]

NWA TNA Episode 1, June 19th 2002

17 years ago NWA TNA started the weekly PPV experiment. I went to every single one. Now I'm going to watch them for the first time since I was there.

(this review brought courtesy of Toby Keith and the red white and blue)

In 2002, I was a teenager set adrift by 9/11 and the alienation from starting high school. For better or worse, every week I started going to National Wrestling Alliance - Total Nonstop Action shows on Wednesday night. I loved WCW and was bitter about the botched invasion going on, and here was a new WCW in my backyard.  It looks like there were 111 weekly PPVs, I'm not sure exactly how many taped ones / clip shows ended up happening, but I never missed one for injury, illness, or even vacation for the better part of two years. It was basically my ECW, for someone who was too young to follow ECW when it first aired.

I'm not really sure what the format of these is going to be. It's kind of a recap + live blog + review,  I'll give matches the standard 0-5 star ratings with 1/4*'s possible, so it's really a 20 point scale. I'm going to hopefully figure out a better way to get screen captures going forward. Also, these first couple were taped in Alabama, not at the TNA Asylum in Nashville. Hopefully if my memory holds up, I'll be able to give some live notes and memories from being there for some of these. I have an old hard drive of pictures taken that I hope I can recover. I won the "Best Fan of the Night" and "Best Sign" contests a couple times to get to go backstage, and I also generally hung out before the shows and after the shows to talk to the wrestlers coming and going like a groupie. Later on, I was even on the TNA "Street Team" helping to market TNA and hand out flyers/ads during Smackdown tapings.  I was also the moderator for the brief TNA Online Message Board, which I truly wish I had screencaps/archives somehow of all the…wildness there.

NWA TNA #1 June 19th 2002

Don West is the first person out of the gate, introducing Ed Ferrara after pyro and a brief introduction. Ed's all about TNA and introducing the girls dancing in cage as some sleazy music plays. Appropriately, he throws it to Mike Tenay, all business at ringside. TNA chants kick us off. Don West's hawaiian shirt is a thing of legend, and it's distracting me from Tenay's long explanation of the "Gauntlet For The Gold".

Jeremy Borash eventually is in ring announcing a parade of legends. Harley Race, Dory Funk, Jr, Jackie Fargo, Bullet Bob Armstrong, Corsica Joe & Sarah Lee, Bill Behrens, Ricky Steamboat. "All Our Base Are Belong To Us" shirt spotted in the stands. The Dragon compares the belt to every major championship in pro sports, the Stanley Cup, etc. He will special referee the finals of the match, and that brings out the one and only - Jeff Jarrett. His TNA theme "My World" is a lowkey banger that nevertheless completely haunted my life for 2 years. His big mouth earns him the first spot in the match. Ken Shamrock is here after that, and he joins Jarrett in burying the Battle Royal match. Finally, Scott Hall saunters through the crowd in a strip club(!!!) t-shirt as his awesome theme "Marvelous Me" plays. To round up, Ken Shamrock's theme wasn't great. "Hey Yo" sign spotted.

Goldylocks is backstage with Total Nonstop Action and the original midget killer "Puppet the Psycho Dwarf". Oh no. He's gonna spill some midget blood. Jeff Jarrett angrily kicks over a tiny music stand in the background hilariously. Then we go to the girls in cages and honest to goodness our first wrestling match -

6 Man Tag Team X Division Showcase AJ Styles, Low Ki, and Jerry Lynn vs The Flying Elvii (Sonny Siaki, Jimmy Yang, and Jorge Estrada)

An X Division showcase awaits. The legends surround a tiny monitor backstage. The generic faces' intro music is bland. The flying Elvii have a nice little knockoff theme at least. Siaki has Big The Rock Energy while the other two mug. The Elvii refuse handshakes and all hell breaks loose. Triple dropkicks and flying splashes to the outside. Styles reverses a back suplex into a phenomenal forearm, and I'm not going to attempt to catch every move. As an aside - Total Nonstop Action has taken a full 18 minutes on air before someone punched someone. Siaki and LowKi is a pretty appealing matchup. The former does a crisp Samoan Drop. Styles and Yang get in and have a very crisp, quick flurry of moves together. Jerry Lynn crushes a cradle Piledriver, and Siaki runs in and hits his neckbreaker finisher. LowKi accidentally brains AJ, and Yang capitalizes with the Yang Time for the pin. Considering who went on to hold the X Title, this is an odd result, but commentary was generally putting over how the mismatched team was going to compete in the X Title Round Robin coming up.

The Flying Elvii in 7 minutes, Yang Time pins AJ Styles **3/4

Midget Showcase Teo vs Hollywood

Hollywood starts it before the bell. From the promo, I thought this was a triple threat with Puppet. Hollywood kicks out of the "Tadpole Splash" from the top rope. Ed Ferrara says in response to Teo's claims to be a ladies' man - "He's the right height". Teo finishes Hollywood with an ugly swanton.

Teo in 3 minutes, Swanton?, 1/2*

Now West and Ferrara are in the ring hyping the Lingerie Battle Royal next week. The New Francine, Miss Joanie, Shannon (Daffney?), Alexis Laree (Mickie James!), The Incredible Sasha, Erin (Baltimore Cheerleader?), Elektra from ECW, Miss Taylor Vaughn, Darisa Da?? I didn't catch her name as Ed starts rambling about a kid in a candy store. Maybe I'll catch all the names if they're introduced with title cards next week. Francine grabs a mic and calls Ed "pudgy" and says none of the women compare to her. Elektra stands up to Francine and starts a catfight.

Goldylocks is in the back with Mortimer Plumtree. His character peaks with his name. He manages a tag team that bullied him in high school for reasons that are never explained. He leaves to walk "The Johnsons", Richard and Rod, to the ring.

Tag Team Match The Johnsons w/ Mortimer Plumtree vs Psychosis and James Storm

The latter is an odd pairing for a few reasons. I honestly didn't remember James Storm started off without Chris Harris and America' Most Wanted. He even has the prop guns firing blanks in the ring, which was always a nice touch. I feel like this is where I mention that the Johnsons are in full body suits and masks that make them look like walking penises. In other news, Psychosis is going without his trademark horned mask. Alicia from WCW is on the stage scouting the match. There's a fella in an XFL jersey in the stands. What year is it? "Buff your(sic) still the stuff" sign spotted. Ferrara "These Johnsons just look good". They hit simultaneous clutching suplexes to take control of the good guys, but Mortimer interferes to let one of the Johnsons hit their finisher on Cowboy. Post match, the ref pays off the lady watching the action.

The Johnsons in 4 minutes, Samoan Drop into Neckbreaker, *

Stan and Bo Dupp harass Goldylocks in the back until they run into the brothers' shared girlfriend in a quick nothing segment.

Borash introduces 1993 Rookie of the Year and Winston (yes, cigarettes) Cup Points Leader Sterling Martin. K-Krush is out to save us from the race car drivers. He's getting booed, but this would be a face promo anywhere other than Huntsville Alabama. K Krush "Damn you, and Damn Alabama" Brian Lawler is out to save the NASCAR dopes from the angry black man. He cuts an angry promo about "your kind" while the crowd howls in racist jeer. It's a pretty ugly segment considering "Grandmaster Sexay" Lawler is still clad in his Too Cool black rapper cosplay outfit.

Backstage, Jeff Jarrett is choking Jackie Fargo.

Tag Team Match Christian York & Joey Matthews vs The Dupps w/ Fluff Dupp

For better or worse, now I know their girlfriend/cousin's name now. After the crowd roared for the pasty white NASCAR duo, commentary is really going in on how these two wrestlers are completely fucking stupid and southern. The Dupps' intro is very boring twangy banjo crap, and they're not much better in the ring. Matthews hits a move called the Virginia Necktie that looks pretty nice. I think the non-Dupp team is working face, but it's hard to tell who the crowd is popping for. The Dupps win with some cheating and Fluff interference.

The Dupps in 4 minutes, Crotch shot, 1/2*

Before the Gauntlet For The Gold, we get a Toby Keith music video. He is singing "Angry American". Jeff Jarrett walks out and pushes Toby Keith off his little stupid stool and the crowd goes wild and honestly, I screamed in joy and Jeff Jarrett turned face for my money when he says "Nobody wants to hear that damn song, and take your Angry American Ass OUTTA HERE".

The Gauntlet For The Gold 20 Man Battle Royal for the NWA Heavyweight Championship Of The World

Buff Bagwell runs down for number 2 and the bell rings. Maybe it was for the main event finally starting but honestly the crowd goes pretty wild for Buff Bagwell laying hands on Double J. Buff hits a couple signature moves, but gets tossed before the next entrant. Ragin' Cajun Lash Laroux Is 3. He falls victim to The Stroke and is eliminated fast. "Somebody pissed in Jeff's Cheerio-s this morning!" Here comes Screamin' Norman Smiley at 4. The second largest pop of the night so far comes for the Big Wiggle. Jarrett tosses him anyways. Apolo comes down at 5, getting more offense than the previous entrants combined. K-Krush is 6. His signature axe kick gets tremendous boos, they hate him. Slash w/ James Mitchell is 7. Del Rios is 8. He is some kind of bodybuilder and it shows. Slash bites his way out of a belly to belly suplex as the announcers stress everything is legal. Justice is 9, I think this Is the future Abyss, but I can't swear to it. He hits a Black Hole Slam and now I'm 99% sure. Konnan is 10, yelling "Arriba La Raza" on his way to the ring. Abyss sells Konnan's facebuster a la HBK vs Hogan and I love it. 11 brings out Joel Gertner "I'm gonna be with 5 girls in Huntsville because I don't settle for less" He gives an X-rated introduction for the man they call Bruce of the Rainbow Express, led out by Lenny Lane. I'm not gonna bother listing all of the homophobic euphemisms the announce team runs through explaining who the Rainbow Express are. Rick Steiner is 12. He dumps Slash and Abyss with a couple impressive shows of strength. Malice is 13, dealing out chokeslams. Bruce, K-Krush, Del Rios,  Konnan, and Steiner go out quickly thereafter. Scott Hall is 14. Toby Keith? is 15. He suplexes and tosses Jarrett. Not that anyone cares, but Toby Keith leaves through the middle rope to chase Jarrett and is never officially eliminated. 16 brings Wildcat Chris Harris. Vampire Warrior, former Gangrel, runs down seemingly early as an entrant with no music? The on screen countdown timer disappeared during the Toby Keith situation. Dangerous Devin Storm, aka Crowbar, is probably 18. Steve Corino comes in at 19, the only former NWA Champ. Ken Shamrock is out at 20. "Hall was framed" sign spotted. Brian Christopher/Lawler is number 20 and I realize now that Toby Keith was not an official entrant. Brian clears out Chris Harris, Vampire Warrior, and Crowbar mostly by holding the top rope down when they ran by. He dumps Corino shortly after. Christopher and Apolo get dumped by Malice next. Then the cameraman somehow misses Malice back body dropping Scott Hall over the top, leaving Malice vs Ken Shamrock to go to a  pinfall or submission.

Malice vs Ken Shamrock, Special Referee Ricky The Dragon Steamboat

Malice gets some advice from Father James Mitchell at ringside.  After going back and forth, Shamrock gets an awesome cross arm breaker reversal of a choke slam. After a long tease of tapping, he gets the rope, maybe with James Mitchell pushing it a little toward his client. A big boot leads into the Ankle Lock and Shamrock refuses to break it on the ropes, after even a 7 count, leading to heated words with Steamboat. Shamrock wins with a Belly to Belly to a big pop despite his heel tactics. Cue pyro, and hoisting the tiny gold belt.

Ken Shamrock wins a 5 minute match following a 33 minute battle royal, Belly to Belly. **

The match was a little too long, even with Jarrett speeding up the beginning by tossing the opening entrants as fast as possible. Speaking of Double J, he fights with legends and security backstage before emerging with a microphone. He punches the legends after moaning about the battle royal until Toby Keith and Jackie Fargo come back out to book Scott Hall vs Jeff Jarrett next week, the show ends with them brawling up the ramp.

That wraps up episode 1! They have some marquee singles matches next week in addition to crowning the first X Division champ, I'll see you then to wrap up the two first Alabama shows before settling into The Asylum.

[gaymusicchart]

Gay Music Chart Awards 2016 : the nominations

 Here are the nominees :

 BEST SONG

Adam Lambert - Another Lonely Night

Alvin Point - Il a dit

Eli Lieb, Steve Grand - Look Away

GAREK - Stray

LP - Lost On You

Markus Feehily - Sanctuary

Sia - The Greatest

Steve Grand - We are the Night (Dave Aude Remix)

Tegan & Sara - Boyfriend

Troye Sivan - Youth

Tyler Glenn - Trash

Years & Years - Meteorite

  BEST SONG / MUSIC VIDEO WITH A MESSAGE

A Song For Orlando – Hands

Asbjørn - BOY PWR

Benny - Boys Will Be Boys

BP Major - Divine Cure

Daff - Glitterpojke

Danielle LoPresti - Holy

Erik Blood - Chase the Clouds

FLETCHER – Princess

Greg Gould - Run To You (#KeepRunning)

Immanuel Casto, Romina Falconi - Who is afraid of Gender?

K3 - Prinsesje en Superman

Pansy Division - Blame It On The Bible

  BEST ARTIST

ANOHNI

Brendan Maclean

Eli Lieb

Garek

LP

Ryan Cassata

Sia

Steve Grand

Tegan & Sara

Troye Sivan

Tyler Glenn

Years & Years

  MOST PROMISING ARTIST

6 Pack Band feat. Sonu Nigam - Sab Rab De Bande

Alvin Point

Billy Gilman

Brian Justin Crum

Kevin Abstract

Lontalius

Lostchild

Oscar Zia

Ro Rowan

Saara Aalto

  BEST GAY MUSIC VIDEO

Alvin Point - Il a dit

Cristal Snow - Love is Blind

Eli Lieb, Steve Grand - Look Away

GAREK – Stray

Miike Snow - Genghis Khan

Markus Feehily - Sanctuary

Osvaldo Supino – Infinity

Patricio Arellano - Nuevo Sol

ROXETTE - Some other summer (fan video)

Tyler Glenn - Midnight

  BEST LESBIAN MUSIC VIDEO

Dodie - Sick of Losing Soulmates

LP - Lost On You (1033 pts)

Mary Lambert - Hang Out With You

Matilda feat. OMVR – Apologize

Ria Mae – Gold

Rooms - Stars Beyond

SEE – Potions

Tegan and Sara – Boyfriend

The Veronicas - On Your Side

Zolita - Holy

  BEST BISEXUAL MUSIC VIDEO

Alicia Champion - Bi

Edward Barrow - Toi, elle et moi

Jarryd James feat. Broods - 1000x

Ricky Rebel - Boys & Sometimes Girls

Silva - Feliz e Ponto

  BEST TRANSGENDER MUSIC VIDEO

6 Pack Band feat. Sonu Nigam - Sab Rab De Bande

CorsA - Hiding Love

Declan McKenna – Paracetamol

MaDame Düx - Say Goodbye

Pooh – Pierre

Ray BLK feat. SG Lewis - Chill Out

Ro Rowan – 1997

Ryan Cassata - Bedroom Eyes

Sunkee Angel - I Am Not a Label

The Parkinson - เพื่อนรัก (Dear Friend)

  BEST QUEER MUSIC VIDEO

Autoheart - Oxford Blood

Brendan Maclean - Free to Love

Kiddy Smile - Let A B!tch Know

Madblush - Love Love Love

Mykki Blanco feat, Woodkid - High School Never Ends

Of Montreal - It's Different For Girls

Peaches – Vaginoplasty

PWR BTTM - I Wanna Boi

Tanzer - Johnny

Years & Years - Meteorite

  BEST DRAG QUEEN MUSIC VIDEO

Alaska Thunderfuck – Anus

Aretuza Lovi feat. Gloria Groove – Catuaba

Athena - Ses Etme

Bob The Drag Queen feat. DJ Mitch Ferrino - Purse First

Kika Lorace - Arriba, Maricón

Låpsley - Operator (DJ Koze Radio Edit)

Lorena Herrera - Karma

Manila Luzon & Alaska Thunderfuck - Working Holiday

RuPaul - The Realness

Sharon Needles - Hollywoodn't

  BEST COMING-OUT / COMING OF AGE MUSIC VIDEO

Cors A - Hiding Love

Declan McKenna - Paracetamol

FLETCHER – Princess

Hampus Carlsson - Flera Meter Under Marken

Lontalius – Glow

Lost American - Put Me in a Spell

Pixie Geldof - Woman Go Wild

Tom Goss - Son of a Preacher Man

Troye Sivan – Youth

Yossarian - Talking Too Loud

  BEST COVER

Art Attack - Same Love

Betty Who - I Love You Always Forever

Emmanuel Moire - Le chanteur

GoodLuck - Thinking About You

J Sutta - Damn! (I Wish I Was Your Lover)

Marina & The Diamonds - True Colours

Michael von der Heide & Paola - Wo ist das Land

Pentatonix - Hallelujah

Pentatonix & Dolly Parton - Jolene

Prep School - Come As You Are

Samuel Forstved - Into You

Tom Goss - Son of a Preacher Man

  BEST LIVE PERFORMANCE

Agata Vilchik / Агата Вильчик - Oy davno / "Ой, давно" - live @ The Voice Ukraine

Bagarre - La bête voit rouge (live @ Eurockéennes de Belfort 2016)

Billy Gilman - all acts @ The Voice 2016

Brian Justin Crum - all acts @ America's Got Talent 2016

Douwe Bob - Slow Down (live @ Eurovision Song Contest 2016)

Hovi Star - Made Of Stars (live @ Eurovision Song Contest 2016)

Jan Cina - Hung Up (cover) live @ Tvoje tvář má známý hlas 2016

Melissa Etheridge - Pulse (live @ Infinity Hall, New York, 2016)

Oscar Zia – Human (live @ Melodifestivalen 2016)

Troye Sivan - Blue Neighbourhood Tour

  BEST DANCE / CHOREOGRAPHY

Gay Acrobats Create Stunning Visual Art - THE ARROW [Love. Pride. Truth.]

Lyon Hart - Falling For You

Sia - Cheap Thrills

Sia - The Greatest

X Ambassadors - UNSTEADY | Official Dance Video #LoveisLove

You & Me: coming out a passo di danza (Italia's Got Talent)

  BEST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

Anh Tú - Giấc Mơ Không Nhoà ("Thần Tiên Cũng Nỗi Điên" OST)

Dean Fujioka - History Maker ("Yuri On Ice" Opening OST)

J. Ralph & Anohni (F.K.A. Antony) - Manta Ray ("Racing Extinction" OST)

Nat Sakdatorn - ความหมายที่หายไป / Khwam hmay thi hay pi phelng (OST Fathers) (2016)

Years & Years - Meteorite ("Bridget Jones Baby" OST)

許魏洲 / Xu Weizhou - 慢慢走 / Walk Slowly (《上癮》 / “addiction” OST) (2016)

  BEST LYRIC VIDEO

A Song for Orlando - Hands (Lyric Video)

Isaac Folch feat. Eyzzex - Howling (3D lyric video)

Mc Linn da Quebrada - Talento (Lyric Video)

Melissa Etheridge - Respect Yourself (Lyric Video)

Pet Shop Boys - The Pop Kids (Lyric Video)

Sia feat. Sean Paul - Cheap Thrills (Lyric Video)

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM ARGENTINA

Gray Pop - El es(c)eloso REMIX

Patricio Arellano - Nuevo Sol

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM AUSTRALIA

Betty Who - I Love You Always Forever

Brendan Maclean - Free To Love

Greg Gould - Run To You (#KeepRunning)

Sia - The Greatest

The Veronicas - On Your Side

Troye Sivan - Youth

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM AUSTRIA

Andreas Gabalier - Hulapalu

Sankil Jones - One More Sound

Virginia Ernst - If Not Tonight

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM BELGIUM

Els De Schepper - Kom uit de Kast

K3 - Prinsesje en Superman

LaDiva Live - Love Is On Its Way

Regi & Sem Thomasson feat. LX - The Party Is Over (DJ Antoine vs Mad Mark 2k16 Video Edit)

Selah Sue - Reason

The Magician feat. Brayton Bowman - Shy

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM BRAZIL

Aretuza Lovi feat. Gloria Groove - Catuaba

Jaloo - Chuva

Madblush - Love Love Love

MC Queer - Fiscal

Pollo feat. Joey Mattos - Hoje Eu Acordei

Silva - Feliz e Ponto

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM BULGARIA

AZIS - HABIBI (latino version) / Азис - Хабиби (латино версия).

Galena & TS. Yaneva feat. Azis - Pey Sartse / Галена и Цветелина Янева ft. Азис - Пей, сърце

Slavi, Gumzata & Ku-Ku Band - Byagay / Слави, Гъмзата и Ку-Ку Бенд - Бягай

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM CANADA

Kaytranada - Lite Spots

Lucky Rose feat. Yan Etchevary - The Way You Want Me

Peaches - Vaginoplasty

Ria Mae - Gold

Scotty Dynamo - Not Like You

Tegan and Sara - Boyfriend

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM CHILE

Alex Anwandter - Siempre es viernes en mi corazón

El Virgo - Malviaje Astral

Namuel - Maldita Ingenuidad

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM CHINA

胡齡萌Hu Ling Meng - 從現在到以From Now To The Past

尚雯婕 Laure Shang - 单身男Single Boy

李嘉格Lee JiaGe - 淪陷 Degenerate

馬寧 Manning - 反正都是我 Fanzheng dou shi wo

柳妍熙 Liu Yan Xi - 谁记得 Who Remembered

許魏洲 Xu Weizhou - 慢慢走 Walk Slowly (Addiction OST)

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM CZECH REPUBLIC

Jan Bendig - Coming Out

Lipo feat. Debbi - Štěstí

Renato Salerno - Love Emergency

BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM DENMARK

Asbjørn - BOY PWR

HEIÐRIK  - Change of Frame

HEIÐRIK  - Red Hair

Jonas Hedqvist - Survivors

Maia - Tordenkys

Martin Strecker - Hvis Du Kysser Min Hånd

 BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM FINLAND

Cristal Snow - Love Is Blind

Cristal Snow - Riding The Storm

Jari Sillanpää - Suurempaa

Saara Aalto - No Fear

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM FRANCE

Alvin Point - Il a dit

David Courtin - Main dans la main

Edward Barrow - Toi, elle et moi

Kiddy Smile - Let A B!tch Know

Les Funambules - Au début

Queen Mimosa 3 - Sexophone

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM GERMANY

Alexander Geist & Ming Wong with Bendik Giske - That Girl

BILLY - Not Over You

DJ Hell - I Want U

Jan Böhmermann - Be Deutsch! [Achtung! Germans on the rise!]

Maksim Reimer & Band - You Found Me

Matthew Wood - One Life

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM GREECE

Giorgis Christodoulou Γιώργης Χριστοδούλου - To proí me xypnas me filia /  - Το πρωί με ξυπνάς με φιλιά

Nikos Karvelas /Νίκος Καρβέλας - O Skilos Mou Einai Gay / Ο σκύλος μου είναι Gay

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM ICELAND

Bjartmar Þórðarson - Við getum sameinast

Páll Óskar - Þá mætir þú til mín

Páll Óskar - Vinnum þetta fyrirfram

Sigur Rós - Óveður

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM INDIA

6 Pack Band feat. Sonu Nigam - Sab Rab De Bande

Aman100 - Bapu Sada Kehnda

Friends of Linger - Miss You

Kapoor & Sons | Sidharth Malhotra | Alia Bhatt | Badshah | Amaal Mallik |Fazilpuria - Kar Gayi Chull

Nakash Aziz - India ke sare gay

Nanok feat. Ray Dee - Lay You Down

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM IRELAND

Jack O'Rourke - On The Downlow

Markus Feehily - Sanctuary

Nathan Carter - Temple Bar

Villagers - Wichita Lineman

Wallis Bird - Change

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM ISRAEL

Eliad Makli - God / אליעד מלכי- שה

Hovi Star - Made of Stars

Offer Nissim feat. Dana International - We Can Make It

Pet Shop Boys - The Pop Kids (Offer Nissim Remix) Purim Tribute

Sean and John - Agada / Legend" (שון אנד ג׳ון עם אריסה - אגדה)

Tel Aviv Pride Parade 2016 / Omer Adam feat. Arisa - Tel Aviv / עומר אדם עם אריסה - תל אביב

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM ISRAEL

Alex Palmieri - Save Me

Immanuel Casto, Romina Falconi - Who is Afraid of Gender?

Luna Palumbo - Casomai

Osvaldo Supino - Infinity

Pooh - Pierre

Simonetta Spiri, Greta Manuzi, Verdiana Zangaro, Roberta Pompa - L'amore merita

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM JAPAN

AKB48 - Kimi wa Melody / 君はメロディー

Dean Fujioka - History Makers

Enjoy Music Club - Summer Magic《 夏の魔法 》

Hikaru Utada 「宇多田ヒカル」- Tomodachi 「ともだち」

Secret Guys - Sky March

風男塾 (Fudanjuku) / もしも　これが恋な ら (Moshimo korega koinara)

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM MEXICO

Daniela Calvario - Marchate

Kinky - Macho

Lorena Herrera - Karma

Luis Lauro - Adios (So Long)

Reik - Ya Me Enteré

Thiago Di Melo - Pra Sempre

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM THE NETHERLANDS

Belinda Jose en Denise - Oya Lélé

Douwe Bob - Slow Down

Ivann - Ik geloof in jou

Koen Kardashian - Met je Prada’s in de modder

Vangelis Sopamena - Voor Ons

Vicetone - Hawt Stuff

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM NEW ZEALAND

Ladyhawke - A Love Song  

LarzRanda - Turtles

Lontalius - Glow

Mika Haka feat. Lavina Williams - Loved Me A Man

WCB - Overdone

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM NORWAY

Anna of the North - Us

Kygo feat. Maty Noyes - Stay

Master Mind - Electric

Matilda feat. OMVR- Apologize

Nils Bech - Please Stay

The Hungry Hearts - Laika

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM THE PHILIPPINES

Bassilyo - Taxi Driver

Sebastian Castro - Feel the Bern

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM POLAND

Jakub & Dawid VS ROXETTE - Some Other Summer (fan video)

Koy – Faces

Sexy Suicide - Never Forget

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM RUSSIA

CorsA - Hiding in Love

Drift - I Fled The Horizon

Kevin2K - YA budu letet' / Я буду лететь

KGBears -Eksponat / Piece “Экспонат” (Eksponat / Piece)

Man-G / Менджи - Chocolate Boys / Мальчики-Шоколадки

Pussy Riot feat. Desi Mo & Leikeli47 - Straight Outta Vagina

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Chris Chameleon - Hurt

Die Antwoord - Banana Brain

GoodLuck - Thinking About You

Nakhane Touré - Blackened and Bruised

The Kiffness feat. Tawanna Shaunte - You Say You Love Me

Toya Delazy - Nu High

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM SOUTH KOREA

Brave Girls (브레이브걸스) - High Heels (하이힐)

Gain, Minseo (가인, 민서) - Imi Oneun Sori (임이 오는 소리)

MERCURY - Don’t Stop

SISTAR (씨스타), Giorgio Moroder - One More Day

Sweet Revenge (스윗리벤지) - Silkeos uldaga bomyeon (실컷 울다가 보면)

Wonder Girls - Why So Lonely

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM SPAIN

Creadores de la Memoria - Álex

Kika Lorace - Arriba, Maricón

Loquillo - En el final de los días

Mateo Bocca - Quisiera Volar

Monica Moss - Woololeiu #ChicaFina

Yeyo - Invencible

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM SWEDEN

Ängie - Smoke Weed Eat Pussy

Daff - Glitterpojke

Hampus Carlsson - Flera Meter Under Marken

Midnight Boy - When You’re Strange

Miike Snow - Genghis Khan

Oscar Zia - Human

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM TAIWAN

Gu Xiaowei 古小偉- Be Brave 【一起勇敢】

Jeffrey Tung (董又霖) - Don’t Wanna Be a Stranger《不做陌生人》 [SWAP - OST ]

Kimberley Chen 陳芳語 - Control Your Embrace / 《管你的擁抱 fyf 》

Namewee  黃明志 - Cry Father 靠北

Wen J - Indifferent【無動於衷】

Zhan Ya man 詹雅雯  - Nobody Understood My Love 無人瞭解我的愛

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM THAILAND

Gun Achi, Amp - Kwahm Lub Nai Jai / กันอชิ,แอมป์ - ความลับในใจ (Ost. SOTUS The Series)

Happy Polla - Happy

Nat Sakdatorn - "Meaning Lost" ความหมายที่หายไป (OST Fathers)

OZMO Feat BangBangBang + Bsyde - Higher

The Parkinson - เพื่อนรัก (Dear Friend)

ปนัดดา เรืองวุฒิ / Panadda 「 รักไปเจ็บไปไม่เอา / Rak pi ceb pi mi xea / I Love to Go Out」

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM TURKEY

Athena - Ses Etme

Bambaşka Biri ft. Yasin Keleş - İrem Derici

Makyaj - Nuri Harun Ateş

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM UKRAINE

Agatha Vilchik / Агата Вильчик – Hallelujah (Live @ The Voice Ukraine 2016)

AGHIAZMA - Zombie Dogs

Gaspar - Kings & Queens

Jamala - 1944

JeleZOO - I feel i’m taken away

Loboda - K Chertu Lyubov / Лобода - К Черту Любовь

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM

ANOHNI - Drone Bomb Me

Blood Orange - Augustine

David Bowie - Lazarus

Shura - What’s It Gonna Be?

Vince Kidd - Almost Angels

Years & Years - Meteorite

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM THE USA (ARTISTS ON BIG LABELS)

A Great Big World - Won’t Stop Running

Adam Lambert - Another Lonely Night

Alex Newell & DJ Cassidy (with Nile Rodgers) - Kill The Lights

Brooke Candy - Happy Days

Coheed and Cambria - Island

Hayley Kiyoko - One Bad Night

LP - Lost On You (2016)

Tyler Glenn - Midnight (2016)

Tyler Glenn - Shameless

Wrabel - 11 Blocks

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM THE USA (ARTISTS ON INDEPENDANT LABELS)

Brian Justin Crum - Name On You

Case / Lang / Veirs - Atomic Number

Catey Shaw - The Ransom

Kevin Abstract - Empty

Mykki Blanco Featuring Woodkid ‎– High School Never Ends

Prinze George - Wait Up

PWR BTTM - I Wanna Boi

Rostam - Gravity Don’t Pull Me

SEE - Potions

Sxip Shirey feat. Xavier - Cinnamon Stick

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM THE USA (INDEPENDANT ARTISTS)

Benny - Boys Will Be Boys

Chester Lockhart - Kiss

Eli Lieb, Steve Grand - Look Away

Frank Ocean - Nikes

GAREK - Stray

Lyon Hart - Falling for You

Mary Lambert - Hang Out With You

Steve Grand - We Are The Night

Todrick Hall - Straight Outta Oz

Tom Goss - Son of a Preacher Man

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM URUGUAY

Dani Umpi - La Yuta

Goro Gocher - No Podrás Salir

Jack Doorman - Wet

Kevin Royk - Ángel de Plata

  BEST MUSIC VIDEO FROM VIETNAM

Anh Tú - Giấc Mơ Không Nhoà

Đàm Vĩnh Hưng - Tan Vỡ

Hương Giang Idol - Mùa Để Yêu Thương

Hương Giang Idol feat. R.Tee - Em Không H��i Tiếc

Khắc Việt - Em Cứ Đi Đi

Phạm Chí Thành - Sợ Hãi

[tyleroakley-obsessed]

Here are 150+ things to do in Memphis in January 2020. You already know about the big list of 2020 events and the weekly 5 Things To Do posts, but this is a list of events for every day of the month. If you want to add your event, submit here. Photo: Phillip Van Zandt / Memphis Tourism   Saturday, Jan. 11 Elvis’ Birthday Celebration at Graceland Folk All Y’all: An Evening with Mia Borders at The Green Room Trunk Show at Eclectic Eye Darkon LARP at Bert Ferguson Park free Evening w/ Elvis at Humes High School Stanley Clark Band at GPAC Don’t Be Afraid Comedy at Midtown Crossing When We Get Good Again at Theatreworks  (Thu. – Sun, through Jan. 26) Sunday, Jan. 12 Grizzlies v. Warriors at FedExForum family National Geographic Live at GPAC Silly Succulent Pots at Memphis Botanic Garden family, 10+ The City Champs at 3rd and Court free Sh*tfest Worst Movies Ever Made Night at Black Lodge free When We Get Good Again at Theatreworks (Thu. – Sun, through Jan. 26) Hollywood Feed Donates 5% On Same-Day Delivery Orders (through Jan. 18) Monday, Jan. 13 LSU Watch Party at Railgarten LSU v. Clemson Watch Party at Casual Pint LSU v. Clemson Watch Party at TJ Mulligan’s Cordova Jazzy Mondays at Hernando’s Hideaway Mary Gagz at Bar DKDC Memphis Hustle v. Santa Cruz Warriors at the Landers Center Hollywood Feed Donates 5% On Same-Day Delivery Orders (through Jan. 18) Tuesday, Jan. 14 Grizzlies v. Rockets at FedExForum family Artist Chat with Jack Kenner at GPAC Modern Masters Jazz Series feat. Ed Peterson at The Green Room family Alice Faye Duncan Author Event at Novel family Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at The Orpheum (through Jan. 19) family, 6+ Hollywood Feed Donates 5% On Same-Day Delivery Orders (through Jan. 18) Wednesday, Jan. 15 The Brophy Sisters at The Green Room Einstein Bros. Free Bagel Day free Take the MMIc! at Tin Roof Night Climb (One Year Anniversary) at High Point Climbing family Artist Panel Discussion at Crosstown Arts free Indie Memphis Nights: Le Misérables at Malco Ridgeway Lit & Libations w/ Tara Conklin at Novel free to enter Adam Goodwin, Et Al at Two Rivers Bookstore Lucifer / Savage Master / Overdose at the Hi Tone Hollywood Feed Donates 5% On Same-Day Delivery Orders (through Jan. 18) Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at The Orpheum (through Jan. 19) family, 6+ Thursday, Jan. 16 Tigers v. Cincinnati at FedExForum (Men’s Basketball) family Sleep Disorder Center Grand Opening at the iBank Building Friends of Cossitt Meeting at Puck Food Hall free Opening Reception: Lawrence Matthews at the Dixon free Birthday at the Bar at Old Dominick free Food Truck Thursdays in Court Square When We Get Good Again at Theatreworks (Thu. – Sun, through Jan. 26) Hollywood Feed Donates 5% On Same-Day Delivery Orders (through Jan. 18) Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at The Orpheum (through Jan. 19) family, 6+ Friday, Jan. 17 Grizzlies v. Cavaliers at FedExForum family Science of Beer at the Pink Palace DreamFest Weekend 9 at 1884 Lounge (through Jan. 19) Firepit Fridays at River Garden family, free MIC Check Music Career Fair For Teens at Stax Music Academy family Wine Down: Cheeseboard Edition at the Dixon The Cutaway Acoustic Guitar Series feat. Albert Lombardi at The Green Room “Conversation With Myself” Opening Reception at 5 S. Main An Evening With Gaby Moreno at Buckman PAC The PRVLG at Railgarten Memphis Hustle v. South Bay Lakers at the Landers Center family Memphis The Musical at Playhouse on the Square (Thu. – Sun. through Feb. 8) When We Get Good Again at Theatreworks (Thu. – Sun, through Jan. 26) Hollywood Feed Donates 5% On Same-Day Delivery Orders (through Jan. 18) Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at The Orpheum (through Jan. 19) family, 6+ 2020 General Hospital Fan Celebration at Graceland (through Jan. 19) Saturday, Jan. 18 Spillit Slam at Novel Memphis Family Workshop: Once Upon A Story at Crosstown Arts, Screening Room family, free New Ballet’s MLK Artists Unite at New Ballet Ensemble free, family The Wolf River 5K at Wolf River Greenway at Humphries family Anime Blues Winterfest Remix 7 at Memphis Botanic Garden family, 7 + under free Peanut Butter & Jam: Middle Eastern Music & Dance at GPAC family Macrame Workshop at the Dixon Voodoo Cafe Grand Opening in Bartlett family Rick Springfield at Graceland Soundstage Rodeo of the Mid-South at the Landers Center family Booker T. Jones at Crosstown Theater Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder at GPAC Memphis MiniFest at the Hi Tone Switchblade Kid at Two Rivers Bookstore Wale at Minglewood Hall Give Em Hell, Harry! at the Halloran Centre Black Flag at Growlers When We Get Good Again at Theatreworks (Thu. – Sun, through Jan. 26) Memphis The Musical at Playhouse on the Square (Thu. – Sun. through Feb. 8) Hollywood Feed Donates 5% On Same-Day Delivery Orders (through Jan. 18) Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at The Orpheum (through Jan. 19) family, 6+ 2020 General Hospital Fan Celebration at Graceland (through Jan. 19) Sunday, Jan. 19 Read With the Stars at Hollywood Branch Library family, free Mahle and Marimba! at GPAC The Pink Bride Wedding Show at the Agricenter The Great Battle of Puck Food Hall No Meat Meetup Vegan Potluck at the Cafe at Crosstown Arts Artist Talk: Creative Destination at Crosstown Arts Life, Explicit at Growlers Sh*tfest Worst Movies Ever Made Night at Black Lodge When We Get Good Again at Theatreworks (Thu. – Sun, through Jan. 26) Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at The Orpheum (through Jan. 19) family, 6+ Memphis The Musical at Playhouse on the Square (Thu. – Sun. through Feb. 8) 2020 General Hospital Fan Celebration at Graceland (through Jan. 19) Monday, Jan. 20 Grizzlies v. Pelicans at FedExForum family Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the National Civil Rights Museum An Evening With Wiseacre and Old Dominick at Slider Inn Downtown Gools / Future Losers / Not Tight at the Hi Tone Tuesday, Jan. 21 The Link Up at Central Station free MicroCinema: 2019 After Dark Festival Shorts Encore at Crosstown Theater Benefit for Animals of Australia at the Hi Tone Toward Space / Alicja Pop / Opposums at The Lamplighter Hed PE – BROKE 20th Anniversary w/Mudhole & Barren Arrows at Growlers Wednesday, Jan. 22 Indie Memphis Nights: The Chambermaid at Malco Powerhouse Ryan Lee Crosby + Shaun Marsh in the Green Room Mykel Boyd / Drekka / Timba Rattle / Mike Honeycutt at the Hi Tone Afton Presents: at Growlers Memphis Hustle v. Delaware Blue Coats at the Landers Center family Thursday, Jan. 23 A Trip To The Moon + Aelita: Queen of Mars Screening at Crosstown Theater Food Truck Thursdays in Court Square Always Sunny Trivia at Miss Cordelia’s free to enter Popovich Comedy Pet Theater at Buckman PAC family More GYN Open House SoundCheck Young Professional’s Winter Mixer at Old Dominick Square Dance: Beginner Series at Central Christian Church Intro To Professional VoiceOver Work at Epicenter Book Signing with Team W at Novel NXT WWE at Minglewood Hall Hawthorne Heights w/ Emery at Growlers When We Get Good Again at Theatreworks (Thu. – Sun, through Jan. 26) Memphis The Musical at Playhouse on the Square (Thu. – Sun. through Feb. 8) Friday, Jan. 24 Firepit Fridays at River Garden family, free The Reba Russell Band in the Green Room Dystopia at Black Lodge Garry Goin Presents: Road to Memphis at Halloran Centre S’mores Celebration at Railgarten family, free Memphis Hustle v. Raptors 905 at the Landers Center family Memphis The Musical at Playhouse on the Square (Thu. – Sun. through Feb. 8) When We Get Good Again at Theatreworks (Thu. – Sun, through Jan. 26) Indecent at Circuit Playhouse ( (Thu. – Sun, through Feb. 16) Saturday, Jan. 25 Tigers v. SMU at FedExForum (Men’s Basketball) family Chinese New Year Festival at the Rose Theater at of U. of Memphis family An Evening With Amy Grant at the Cannon Center IRIS Orchestra Guest Artist: Conrad Tao at GPAC Finders Keepers Art Sale and Auction at MCA Make Your Own Copper Rose at Metal Museum Farewell To Paw Patrol at CMOM family Eat & Greet, Elsa, Olaf & Cousins Maine Lobster in Hernando family Chocolate Fantasy 2020 at Agricenter International family The Music of Joe Sample at Crosstown Arts, East Atrium Mardi Gras Ball XVII: A Night Under The Big Top at Minglewood Hall Memphis Hustle v. Austin Spurs at the Landers Center family Memphis QueerAF! January Variety Show at Black Lodge Indecent at Circuit Playhouse ( (Thu. – Sun, through Feb. 16) When We Get Good Again at Theatreworks (Thu. – Sun, through Jan. 26) Memphis The Musical at Playhouse on the Square (Thu. – Sun. through Feb. 8) Sunday, Jan. 26 Grizzlies v. Suns at FedExForum family Mardi Gras Ball at Minglewood “Frozen” Party At Primas Bakery + Boutique family Macrame Workshop at Memphis Made IRIS At The Brooks with Conrad Tao at the Brooks Museum Sh*tfest Worst Movies Ever Made Night at Black Lodge When We Get Good Again at Theatreworks (Thu. – Sun, through Jan. 26) Memphis The Musical at Playhouse on the Square (Thu. – Sun. through Feb. 8) Indecent at Circuit Playhouse (Thu. – Sun, through Feb. 16) Monday, Jan. 27 Louise Page / Shadow Year / Model Zero at the Hi Tone ATCK at the Tin Roof Memphis Hustle v. Austin Spurs at Landers Center family Tuesday, Jan. 28 International Blues Challenge on Beale Street (Jan. 28 – Feb. 1) Grizzlies v. Nuggets at FedExForum The Mystic January 2020 at Crosstown Arts SOUL Worship Night at Minglewood Hall family Wednesday, Jan. 29 International Blues Challenge on Beale Street (Jan. 28 – Feb. 1) Time and Place Screening at Crosstown Theater KO & Crew in The Green Room Indie Memphis Nights: Pain and Glory at Studio on the Square Electric Animals at the Hi Tone free Memphis Hustle v. Texas Legends at the Landers Center family Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16) Thursday, Jan. 30 International Blues Challenge on Beale Street (Jan. 28 – Feb. 1) Food Truck Thursdays in Court Square The Reverend Shawn Amos at The Green Room Author Event with R.J. Lee at Novel The Comedians following TOOL on Tour at 1884 Lounge at Minglewood Hall Indecent at Circuit Playhouse ( (Thu. – Sun, through Feb. 16) Memphis The Musical at Playhouse on the Square (Thu. – Sun. through Feb. 8) Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16) Friday, Jan 31 International Blues Challenge on Beale Street (Jan. 28 – Feb. 1) Trolley Night on South Main family, free Tool: North American Tour at FedExForum Incognito! Art Soiree and Silent Auction at Memphis Botanic Garden South Main Sounds Songwriter Night 5 Year Anniversary family, free The Orchestra Unplugged at the Halloran Centre Indecent at Circuit Playhouse ( (Thu. – Sun, through Feb. 16) Memphis The Musical at Playhouse on the Square (Thu. – Sun. through Feb. 8) Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at TN Shakespeare Co. (select dates through Feb. 16)  More things you might like: – Huge List of Events and Festivals In Memphis In 2020 – 5 Things To Do This Weekend (Updated Weekly) – 50 Free Things To Do In Memphis Disclaimers: 1. This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list of every single thing happening in Memphis at every moment, just a sampling of ideas for things to do. 2. If you want to add an event, simply submit here or leave the information in the comments section. 3. Recurring events like trivia nights, classes, happy hour specials, etc, may or may not be included on this list per I Love Memphis Blog discretion. 4. “Family” means that the event might be good for families or kids or teens. Please use parental guidance and your own discretion; unfortunately I can’t make decisions about what’s appropriate for your kid. 5. “Free” means that it’s free to enter. Donations may be accepted, or extra purchases like food and drink may be extra. 6. Some events may be 18+ or 21+. Links are provided so that you may check each event to see the age policy. Are you a home owner in Memphis, with a broken garage door? Call ASAP garage door today at 901-461-0385 or checkout https://ift.tt/1B5z3Pc

https://ilovememphisblog.com/2020/01/things-to-do-in-memphis-in-january-2020/

[informer82]

Titel: Wie finde ich einen Sänger für 50. 60. 70. Geburtstag? Text: https://ift.tt/2LaZKOG Ihr Profi für 50. 60. 70 und 80! Geburtstags Live Musik... Wenn es um Oldies & Evergreens, Kult Schlager, Elvis Tribute, Rock´n´Roll, Fifties oder Las Vegas Swing geht ist King Eddy der richtige Ansprechpartner! Hauptberuflich arbeitet er als prof. Sänger, Entertainer und Musical-Darsteller (Oper Wuppertal). Mittlerweile begeistert er seit nunmehr 40 Jahren die Bühnen der Republik und zelebriert in fabelhafter Weise die legendären Hits seiner großen Vorbilder. Aufsehen erregte King Eddy bei einem gemeinsamen Konzert mit original Elvis Live- und Studio Pianisten Glen D. Hardin! Mittlerweile tourt King Eddy auch überregional mit seinem Programm. Wenn Sie einmal live erleben wollen was Liebe zur Musik und Leidenschaft für Entertainment bedeutet, dann sollten Sie dringend eine King Eddy Show besuchen oder Buchen! Repertoire - Elvis Tribute Show Erleben Sie bei dieser Zeitreise eine mitreißende Stimme, glamouröse Kostüme und einen Hauch von (Viva) Las Vegas. Love me tender, Jailhouse rock, Hound dog, My way, In the ghetto, Are you lonesome tonight, Always on my mind, viele mehr... - Kult Schlager Getreu dem Motto... der Dieter...der Thomas... der Heck, präsentiert King Eddy die deutschen "Kult Schlager" von 1960 - 1980! King Eddy erinnert mit Witz und Charme an die Geburt des deutschen Schlagers. Hits von: - Bill Ramsey - Trude Herr - Rex Gildo - Gus Backus - Freddy Quinn - Tony Holiday - Rene Carol - Rudi Carrell - Reinhard Mey - Peter Maffay - Michael Holm - Peter Alexander - Udo Jürgens - Howard Carpendale - Bata Illic - Bernd Clüver uvm... - Legends of Las Vegas Erleben Sie unvergessene Evergreens wie "New York - New York" und "Viva Las Vegas. King Eddy ehrt in dieser Show seine musikalischen Helden wie, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Michael Buble, Elvis Presley uvm... - Rock´n´Roll Show Petticoat und Pomade...die wilde zeit des Rock´n´ Roll! Erleben Sie den "Live Sound" der 50er Jahre. Singen und Tanzen Sie zum Songs von Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Bill Haley, Everly Brothers uvm. - The Blues Brothers Tribute Show Sie sind im Auftrag des Herrn unterwegs und seit jeher Kult. Ihr Markenzeichen: Schwarze Anzüge, Sonnenbrillen und schwarze Hüte. In der ca. 45 Minütigen Show singen Jake & Elwood live die größten Hits der legendären Blues Brothers. Erleben Sie wie der Rhythm ’n’ Blues in die Beine geht und nach kurzer Zeit das Publikum alle Hits mitsingt! (Auch als Solo-Show buchbar) - Golden Oldies Party 50er, 60er und 70er Drei Jahrzente mit den besten Evergreens der Musikgeschichte. King Eddy präsentiert und singt die schönsten Songs der 50er, 60er und 70er Jahre. Schwelgen sie mit uns in kultiger Erinnerungen. Manfred Mann - The Beatles - Roy Orbison - Johnny Cash - Del Shannon - The Byrds - The Spencer David Group - The Searchers - Tom Jones - CCR - Procol Harum - Tony Christie - The Monkees - Don McLean - The Beach Boys - Buddy Holley - Elvis Presley - Albert Hammond - Ricky Nelson - - Johnny Cash Tribute Show Tief, schwarz, sonor und ehrlich singt King Eddy die Hits der amerikanischen Ikone! Diese 45-minütige Show ist ein absolutes Highlight mit Johnnys größten Hits. Diese Show ist perfekt als "Opening / Warm Up Act" oder ideal für private Parties, Geburtstagsgeschenk für Country Music Fans. Folsom Prison Blues, I Walk The Line, Ring of Fire, Get Rhythm, Ghost Riders In The Sky, Jackson uvm.. Die Presse schreibt: "Mit seiner fulminanten Stimme überzeugt King Eddy, im schwarzen Retro-Look, bemerkenswert authentisch." - Country Classic Hits Erleben Sie die besten Country Songs aller Zeiten... Johnny Cash - Hank William - The BossHoss - Truck Stop - Kris Kristofferson - Kenny Rogers - Tom Jones - John Denver - John Fogerty - Glen Campbell -Lynyrd Skynyrd - Ray Charles - uvm. - Christmas Party Erleben Sie den "Zauber der Weihnacht"... und stimmen Sie sich mit den bekanntesten Christmas-Song auf das Fest der Liebe ein. King Eddy führt Sie musikalisch durch einen eindrucksvollen Abend. Und das alles in feierliche Wohlfühlatmosphäre. Silent Night ... Jingle Bells ... Frosty the Snowman ... Last Christmas ... Let it Snow uvm. Referenzen - Oper Wuppertal - Rocky Horror Show - WDR Fernsehen - WDR 4 Radio - Lokale Radiostationen - Hilton Hotel Birmingham - Gemeinsames Konzert mit original ELVIS Studio und Live Pianisten "Glen D. Hardin" - Auftritte mit: Peter Petrel, Graham Bonney uvm. - Musik für Kinofilm "King Ping" https://ift.tt/2LaZKOG, Hochgeladen von: Eddy Ebeling, https://ift.tt/2S8uLU7

[runridedive]

UK’s Joe Cummins clinches the lightweight title at EFC 77

EFC 77 was fought to a scintillating conclusion tonight, with the UK’s Joe Cummins (6-1) clinching the lightweight title in his decision victory over South Africa’s Martin Van Staden (26-12), and the USA’s Jared Vanderaa (9-3) defending his heavyweight title against the Congo’s Ricky Misholas (7-8) by TKO in the second round.

The night’s main event was a nail-biting five round encounter, with Cummins proving that the only way to fight (and beat) Van Staden, is extremely carefully.

While he did not shy away from stand-up exchanges, it was his impeccable performance in the wrestling and clinch arena that brought him the decision victory. Throughout the first four rounds he frustrated the former champion with lightning takedowns that shattered Van Staden’s rythym, forcing him to spend minutes fighting his way back to his feet.

Van Staden’s famously heavy hands were always a factor, and his desperation to derail Cummins’ wrestling onslaught grew round by round, so that by the fifth he was snapping the Brit’s head back at close quarters, but it was not enough to create the space he needed.

Cummins fought with skill, precision, and iron will, making no mistakes. Despite absorbing what seemed an illegal knee, and the curious decision to be stood up in the fourth, he takes the title and deservedly so. Cummins is the new force in the lightweight division.

“This is more than a world title,” said an emotional Cummins in his post fight interview, “it’s Karma. All this time I’ve been helping others, and finally it’s come back to me. Thank you to every person that has ever shared the mat with me.”

The arena shook with roars at the entrance of EFC heavyweight legend, Ricky Misholas, on his way to a title shot nearly a decade in the making. He faced the dangerous champion, the USA’s Jared Vanderaa, in his own first title defense.

Misholas’ evolution as an athlete was clear to see as he stood toe-to-toe with the champion, landing his trademark lighting jab throughout, but Vanderaa’s dominance was clear also. Each Misholas jab was answered with a stinging leg-kick, and Vanderaa’s work in the clinch had no answer from the man from the Congo.

Vanderaa’s pressure forced a crack in the second, with Misholas hitting the canvas and unable to answer a ground and pound barrage from Vanderaa.

While Vanderaa was deserving in victory, Misholas’ emotional devastation told the story of a giant of the sport, and the sport itself. Having faced incredible odds to establish himself as a fighter, business and family man in a foreign country, and having moulded himself into a beloved mixed martial artist through a rollercoaster of victories and defeats, Misholas shed tears in the Hexagon and promised a return to shouts of appreciation from the crowd.

Vanderaa’s laid-back style and open heart has secured him a special place in the minds of EFC fans, but tonight Misholas stole their heart.

A light heavyweight number one contender bout brought the mysterious Quinton Rossouw to the Hexagon for the first time in a year, to face New Zealand’s Shaw Dean.

Rossouw nearly caused his own defeat with a shoddy takedown attempt at the start of round one, gifting Dean the full mount position, but instead the bout opened up into an exciting grappling display.

Dean seemed to have the bout in the bag with dominant top control, pinning Rossouw to the canvas and landing heavy ground and pound, but the South African reversed and answered with a nail-biting rear-naked choke attempt.

Their back and forth had to come to an end, and it did in the closing seconds of the second round, when Rossouw secured a crucifix position and due to the sheer volume of punches, forced referee Swart to end the fight.

Rossouw moves into top contender status, but instead of looking ahead took a moment to congratulate his worthy adversary. “Shaw, I love you,” he said, “thank you for an amazing fight.”

The legendary Alain ‘Commander Boy’ Ilunga returned to the Hexagon after a near two-year hiatus, and put on a spectacular bout with the absolute tank from Poland, Łukasz Świrydowicz.

Ilunga revealed a vastly improved all round game, with sensational reverses and takedowns against the fence, along with all the power and precision of his old striking game.

Świrydowicz was a threatening opponent, stifling the striker’s range with constant pressure and clinch work, but losing the crucial moments that ultimately brought Ilunga the victory – most tellingly a takedown against the fence, allowing Ilunga to dominate with ground and pound, decisively winning the third round.

Ilunga is certainly back, and he is calling for a shot at countryman Gunther Kalunda’s middleweight strap.

‘The Rage’ Gordon Roodman welcomed Cape Town’s rising star Justin Smith to Pretoria in the night’s main card opener. He delivered a few telling blows to an equally storming Smith in the opening exchanges, before two illegal elbows to the back of the head by Smith forced a medical stoppage.

Smith suffers a DQ loss for intentional illegal strikes, his first defeat as a professional.

The evening’s final undercard bout delivered a potential KO of the year. Hot on the heels of Mzwandi Hlongwa’s ‘hellbow’ of 2018, Johannesburg’s Pierre Botha folded fellow Highvelder Roedie Roets into the canvas with a perfectly placed left hook, ending the fight in the first round.

Fight of the night was awarded to the welterweight clash between Alain Ilunga and Łukasz Świrydowicz. Performance bonuses went to Asiashu Tshitamba, Tumisang Madiba and Pierre Botha.

The official EFC 77 results are as follows:

Stephan De La Ray defeated Aly Kalambay via unanimous decision. Trezegeut Kanyinda defeated Benjamin Mangala via TKO (Punches) 0:55 into round 2. Asiashu Tshitamba defeated Orlando Machaba via TKO (Punches) 3:19 into round 2. Marcel Els defeated Nerick Simoes via tapout due to strikes (punches) 2:03 into round 1. Tumisang Madiba defeated Serge Kasanda via submission (Rear Naked Choke) 0:27 into round 2. Pierre Botha defeated Roedie Roets via KO 0:33 into round 1. Alain Ilunga defeated Łukasz Świrydowicz via unanimous decision. Quinton Rossouw defeated Shaw Dean via TKO (punches) 4:31 into round 2. Jared Vanderaa defeated Ricky Misholas via TKO (punches) 1:49 into round 2, to successfully defend the EFC heavyweight title. Joe Cummins defeated Martin Van Staden via unanimous decision to take the EFC lightweight title.

The post UK’s Joe Cummins clinches the lightweight title at EFC 77 appeared first on Run Ride Dive.

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[laliofficial]

Thalía & Lali Discuss How Collaboration 'Lindo Pero Bruto' Spotlights A 'Feminine World Taking Over'

For as impactful and invigorating the recent Latin-music resurgence has been on the mainstream scene, the fact remains that its gender representation has been somewhat lopsided. While there are promising signs of female Latinx talent gaining greater prominence, the most well-known songs, collaborations and perspectives have been largely told by men. This makes a song like "Lindo Pero Bruto," a playful-yet-powerful reggaeton throbber by Thalía and Lali, all the more important.

Revealed originally as a standout track on Thalía's Valiente album in November, "Lindo Pero Bruto" gained a wave of new interest thanks to its official music release starring the Latina legend and her Argentinian singer-actress collaborator as mad scientists who turn plastic, Ken-esque dolls into superhunks that are, as their song title indicates, pretty but dumb. The candy-colored visual has garnered more than 25 million views since its reveal, but all its response has not been positive as some found the release man-bashing. But according to Thalía, any negativity comes as a result as how people—namely men—see the world, not from their message.

"I think everybody reacts to this song the way they see life and the way they portray themselves," the songstress explains during a press junket with Lali in New York. "To us, it's having fun. To us, it's talking about something every girl talks about. It's a little bit of the opposite of years and years and years of the men talking down to women. Right now, it's 100% clear that women are stronger, women are raising voices—it's a global mobilization of a feminine world taking over."

Lali echoes that sentiment, saying that songs and visuals like these are important for all fans, regardless of gender. "I think Thalía and I we both agree we need to be responsible—we both have huge audiences, little girls, women, men, and it’s important to speak to all of them," she says. "For me that's very important. What do you wanna say? What do you wanna show? What’s the power behind your message and your image? This pop music we have in our hearts opens up a space for that, for a sound that’s for everyone. I love to be able to pass that on."

Laughing the entire time together while surrounded by pink balloons and cupcakes in champagne bottles during their junket, the women expanded on their thoughts to Forbes sharing their excitement for all reactions to the video, what they feel their team-up represents for women and Latin music at large, and how the scene can keep growing in 2019. All throughout, the superstars delivered each thought-out answer with poise, confidence and smiles—purposeful details that the women further expanded on later in our chat.

Jeff Benjamin: Congratulations on the video—it earned more than three million views in its first 24 hours and continues to gain interest. First off, how does that feel?

Thalía: Oh my god, how does that feel? Like a dream come true. Every time that you put out a song or video, you put your heart in there. All the illusions, all the stars in your eyes, all your dreams and then you find a positive response? It's phenomenal. And it's been so quick!

Benjamin: I heard you were very involved in the visual and had this vision for awhile.

Thalía: I had it for a long time and I always wanted to do a video inspired by the '80s movie Weird Science and I always wanted to create my own doll. [Laughs] And bring it to a plastic-fantastic, neon-pink-blue-world candyland. When I heard this song, I thought "boom!" the idea for so many years has landed! And I asked Lali, she said yes, and that completed the circle...it had to be playful and it had to be done in a way where you're laughing in this plastic world. No matter if people take it seriously or not, or intention is to say it­ and then we'll have fun. Even the hashtags have been crazy, #LindoPeroBruto, cute but stupid, and they put their #lindoperobruto friends or their handles. It's so cute and it's been happening since Day 1.

Benjamin: Who chose who wore what wigs?

Lali: She told me. [Laughs] She told me everything, like "This and this and this and this" and I said, "Great!"

Thalía: And she said yes! That's the best thing. Other people would say, "You know what...is this really a good look for me?"

Lali: No! I was happy! Happy, happy, happy.

Benjamin: Were you at all worried about the response the video and its message would get?

Thalía: Never. I thought the market needed something colorful and fun. Everything is kind of similar, to me, the videos look the same right now. I just wanted to have fun.

Benjamin: I was kind of surprised you needed to respond to negative responses. Why do you think that male response speaks to?

Thalía: This is a historical moment in time. All these platforms—phones, YouTube, social media—have been exposing the way women have been feeling for so many years and those voices are finding their own echo, their own tribe, their own plan. One girl talks about religion and "boom!" one audience finds that and talk to each other and we protect each other. Politically, the same way. Musically, the same way too. Right now, Latin music is in its best moment; it's global. It doesn't have to be—well, I remember the last Latin explosion with Shakira, Marc Anthony, Ricky [Martin], Enrique [Iglesias]…

Lali: You!

Thalia: [Laughs] Yes, but we had to sing in English. We had to sing in English with a "Latin flavor." Now, everything is sung in Spanish and some collabs are in English and Spanish too. I think it's a very important moment right now.

Lali: In my country, 70 years ago women were not able to vote. That’s not a tiny detail, it was not a long time ago...the evolution, and how today we’re able to talk, how we can say what we want, and I just go and confront you whenever I want. My mom always told me, "You can say anything you want to anyone. The president, anyone, as long as you're respectful." As long as we say it with integrity, with strength and with respect. And that drives people crazy! Being able to say something with respect—

Thalía: and with intelligence!

Lali: They’re like: "What did she say? What did she say?" And I’m like, "Yes I said that right."

Benjamin: Lali, I loved a moment for you last year where you, Becky G and Leslie Grace all jumped on the remix to Mau y Ricky and Karol G's "Mi Mala." It felt really important that four women came together to make the song a bigger hit.

Lali: Right now, women's presence is important. It's not the same if we don’t have an opinion and add female strength to the mix. It’s always been like that to be honest, but there was no place or space for it in the past.

Thalía: It has a place now, it has a platform. Girls express themselves now. Like Cardi B, whatever she says she just says that. She just says it! Same as Natti Natasha, Karol [G], Becky G, us. I think it's a moment where everybody has to just be themselves.

Benjamin: How does Latin music keep growing in 2019?

Thalía: I think it's here to stay. I think it's a really strong movement, musically, and the rhythm is very contagious. You hear urban sounds, you feel good, and then mixed with other genres like our pop world or salsa, it's fun and cool....I think it's a moment of union. Like how Beyoncé jumped on J Balvin's song, and it was so cool, right? What's happening right now is about fusion between different cultures, different languages, different mentalities. And it's OK! Everyone's so open to change, to listen to new things and learn from that.

Lali: And this right here: Well-known artists with great careers are listening and watching to the newest artists and saying, "I wanna work together." And then the possibility of actually working together comes up. And people sees us together and think, "This actually works, this is good."

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbenjamin/2019/03/06/thalia-lali-collaboration-lindo-pero-bruto-spotlights-feminine-world-taking-over-interview/#135bcb1d2441