Blog About Music and Video

Do you always need to have the sheet music to play a song?

Do you wish you could sit down at the piano and just play like your favorite performers do?

Well, you are not alone.

Most pianists feel the same way as you do.

But don t give up just yet:

There is an easy way for you to conquer this problem, and it s guaranteed to work.

The 3 x 5 Method

Part 1: Creating Your Tool In 5 Simple Steps:

All you need is a 3 x 5 index card to get started.

1. Mark off 4 empty measures evenly spaced across your index card (from left to right)

2. Place the chords for each measure between the bar lines.

3. Continue doing this for the entire song: always staying with 4 measures per line.

4. Use repeat signs as well as 1st and 2nd endings to save space as well as to simplify.

5. If the song has a bridge (middle section), draw a horizontal line below the verses and then place the chords in the same way as you did for the other measures.

Note: Many songs have 3rd verses that are the same or nearly the same as the 2nd.

No need to write these chords on the card.

Part 2: Using Your Index Card as Your Ticket to Success

1. Put the index card on the piano and play the chords with your left hand in time (slowly) as you look at them on the card instead of on the sheet music.

2. Next, focus exclusively on the first 4 measures. Look at the index card as you play the chords with your left hand and the melody with the right hand. You will surprise yourself at how easily you ll be able to play the melody without music after a few minutes.

3. Repeat step 2 without the index card this time. Even if you need to refer to the card a couple of times, you ll be amazed at how quickly you ll be able to memorize this section.

4. Every time you practice, review the part of the song that you have already memorized. Once you can play this with confidence, follow the same process to memorize more of the song always concentrate on 4 measure sections.

5. Carry your index card with you in your pocket or purse at all times. Anytime that you have a free moment standing in line at the grocery store, sitting traffic, waiting for your meal to be served pull out the card and review the names of the chords in order.

Remember to focus on 4 measure sections before moving ahead.

Part 3: Free at Last

1. Once you have the first song memorized, play your newly memorized song on as many pianos and keyboards as possible. You may need to refer to the index card occasionally. That s okay. You ll still be building up your confidence.

2. Start working on another song and follow this same method. This will actually help you play your first memorized song better, because you re now developing this habit.

3. Set a goal such as: I play 5 songs beautifully and confidently from memory by pick a date. Review this goal 2 or 3 times every day.

4. Use visualization to help you: picture yourself playing the piano effortlessly a concert stage, as the center of attention at a party or just sitting in your living room alone.

The instrument is clear of all traces of music, and you are smiling from ear to ear.

5. Listen to recordings of your memorized song by great performers to inspire you.

Action Exercises

Here are three things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action.

First, spend part of your daily practice sessions working on your songs to be memorized.

Your investment of a few minutes every day will yield powerful results.

Second, copy the chords onto an index card for each song you want to memorize.

The act of writing alone helps to imprint the chords into your memory.

Third, review the chords on your 3 x 5 card every time you have a free moment.

Your time away from the piano will become a turbo charger for your time at the piano.

Nominated for 20 Emmys and 6 Golden Globes, including Best TV Series - Drama, CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) quickly rose to become the number one show on television following its Fall 2000 premiere. The brainchild of creator Anthony Zuiker, the show follows the investigations not of traditional TV detectives working the streets, but forensic scientists who unravel complicated crime mysteries in their ultra-modern laboratory. Either the 1 or the 2 Nielsen rated show since the start of its second season, CSI has helped CBS to reemerge as the 1 network television station, spawning (similar to predecessor Law & Order) two series spin-offs CSI: Miami and CSI: New York. Each exciting hour-long episode begins with the theme song “Who Are You” by The Who, a song more than befitting of a show where criminals are aggressively tracked down, sometimes years after committing their crimes

CSI focuses on the Las Vegas Police Department s Crime Scene Investigation nightshift unit headed by Gil Grissom (William Petersen), a quirky outsider whose obsessive quest for the facts and dedication to his work dominates his life. The CSI team is composed of a number of individuals with differing backgrounds and personalities - single mother Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) specializes in blood-splatter analysis, the highly competitive Nick Stokes (George Eads) specializes in hair and fiber analysis, recovering gambling addict Warrick Brown (Gary Dourdan) specializes in audio/visual analysis, and the rambunctious Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox) specializes in materials and element analysis. Throw in hard-nosed homicide captain Jim Brass (Paul Guifoyle), CSI understudy Greg Sanders (Eric Szmanda), and lab coroner Al Robbins (Robert David Hall) and all the ingredients are present for a show wrought with suspense, drama, and tension. As transients from all walks of life travel to Las Vegas to enjoy the wonders of its adult playground, increased levels of crime accompany them, and the team at CSI is determined to stay a step ahead of the criminal element

The CSI (Season 3) DVD features a number of dramatic episodes including the season premiere “Revenge is Best Served Cold” in which Catherine and Nick investigate an underground street racing league when one of the contestants is found dead at an abandoned airstrip just outside of town. Meanwhile, Grissom and the others are forced to investigate the mysterious death of a high stakes poker player when he drops dead in the middle of a game with three others Other notable episodes from Season 3 include “Recipe for Murder” in which Grissom and Catherine investigate a gruesome murder at a meat packing plant, and “A Night at the Movies” in which the CSI team investigates the murder of a movie-goer who was stabbed to death in mid-film

Below is a list of episodes included on the CSI (Season 3) DVD:

Episode 47 (Revenge is Best Served Cold) Air Date: 09-26-2002
Episode 48 (The Accused is Entitled) Air Date: 10-03-2002
Episode 49 (Let the Seller Beware) Air Date: 10-10-2002
Episode 50 (A Little Murder) Air Date: 10-17-2002
Episode 51 (Abra Cadaver) Air Date: 10-31-2002
Episode 52 (The Execution of Catherine Willows) Air Date: 11-07-2002
Episode 53 (Fight Night) Air Date: 11-14-2002
Episode 54 (Snuff) Air Date: 11-21-2002
Episode 55 (Blood Lust) Air Date: 12-05-2002
Episode 56 (High and Low) Air Date: 12-12-2002
Episode 57 (Recipe for Murder) Air Date: 01-09-2003
Episode 58 (Got Murder?) Air Date: 01-16-2003
Episode 59 (Random Acts of Violence) Air Date: 01-30-2003
Episode 60 (One Hit Wonder) Air Date: 02-06-2003
Episode 61 (Lady s Heather s Box) Air Date: 02-13-2003
Episode 62 (Lucky Strike) Air Date: 02-20-2003
Episode 63 (Crash and Burn) Air Date: 03-13-2003
Episode 64 (Precious Metal) Air Date: 04-03-2003
Episode 65 (A Night at the Movies) Air Date: 04-10-2003
Episode 66 (Last Laugh) Air Date: 04-24-2003
Episode 67 (Forever) Air Date: 05-01-2003
Episode 68 (Play with Fire) Air Date: 05-08-2003
Episode 69 (Inside the Box) Air Date: 05-15-2003

Sometimes - just sometimes - who comes along, there& 39;s passion and charisma, almost universal affection engenders actor and the audience. Environmental protection, and stuffed documentarist Steve Irwin - known as Crocodile World - one of those rare personalities. Stephen Robert Irwin
born
on September 22, 1962 in Melbourne, Australia, the Australian Steve Irwin, the owner and manager of the zoo beerwah, Queensland. Zoo, animals and reptiles originally called Queensland park, owned by his parents, Bob, lyn. Irwin alligator trapper as a young man worked

as of Queensland, in a densely populated area to trap and remove the alligator. While he did not draw salaries, working conditions, which he keeps for his parents, he spotted a crocodile zoo & 39;. Irwin taking over management of the zoo

after met his future wife in 1991, the United States - was born vet Terry Raines. Depending on the couple& 39;s romance and marriage blast, and their crocodile - trapping the honeymoon video aired the first episode of the serial number of crocodile hunter Irwin made an international celebrity. Crocodile hunter success
the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet
Committee after several weeks of wild animals, including crocodile Irwin Series in files, and a new breed of crocodile hunter diary vets. Known for his boundless enthusiasm and broad nature, Irwin documentary made him Australia& 39;s icon - often ridiculed, but just as often praised for his unique. Irwin popular with the same picture of the wild animals around the world
audience
what his brave attitude. Often seen chasing snakes, alligators and all sorts of dangerous creatures, and the audience digs by Irwin to see the animals, please see the courage and achievements transcend the fearlessness. The same in 2002 and gained a huge audience, his documentary film adaptation of crocodile hunters: a collision course. His passion for the subject

irwin, however, is sometimes a better person, and the implications of his controversial career. 2004 Bob infant son was in an accident and he is the crocodile enclosure for the public during the show. Australia Zoo, holding him while feeding a crocodile with one arm. Irwin, however, insisted on a stunt and refused to apologize for a child is never any real danger. Irwin

again 2004 trip to Antarctica during the debate argue that interfering facing whales, seals and penguins while filming a documentary.
irwin the life of the tragic end of
came in the morning on September 4, 2006 to film a documentary during an offshore daui Queensland Great Barrier Reef, Australia. He& 39;s approach as a model, close by the immune system during hucheonseong Bob hit in the chest, causing fatal injuries, and died instantly from the scene of the accident. He was 44. Irwin and his wife Terri

steve survived his two young children, Clare and Robert bindi lawsuit. Irwin always

while corner of the living life, we never expected him to be killed. The trust is just something about handling any dangerous creatures, I think we have made the strongest. His iksal are still real - if they were, we would not be so quick to laugh suit.

it on as a surprise, then, that the news about me tajukgiradoreulhapnida happen to us. More so, to consider how to deliver his death. After all, Irwin is a third person, and then only in Australia hucheonseong killed by the immune system. Ray is usually considered to be relatively obey however, it is their right, under the conditions of soneuljocha feed. Suit.

irwin& 39;s death, even though you can see the tragedy could be the final act of showmanship. His death, he won our hearts - and the stunt seems fitting that ignores kwanghago must leave. While his death is light crude, it would probably want to argue that this approach, while living in the right corner. Maybe some small solace in that person& 39;s family can come for the hours before his death.

in life, death, as well as the icon of Australian Steve Irwin: Modern, a real life Crocodile Dundee. Typically, we think that all he AUSTRALIA: robust and the adventure and risk, but not without a sense of humor. Australians are frequently asked during his iksal embarrassment, as a satire of Australia stereotypes you think of him, it& 39;s him, the rest of the world exactly why the Secret Admirer. Irwin is a passionate advocate for the environment

steve their tireless motor countries, the great artists and loving husband and father. Often controversial, always entertainment, there will always be a place in our hearts … for the crocodile hunter. The world is poorer for his absence.

" TAIRASHO Bank & quot; debut on September 12th.
targeting women, XM Satellite Radio is the United States, with more than 4.4 million subscribers, the country& 39;s major satellite radio service announced that it begin to talk and reveal new lifestyle channel, take five. Women& 39;s feature is the new channel
this Satellite radio is a daytime Emmy Award-winning show (Note) " Ellen degeneres & quot; new & quot; TAIRASHO Bank, & quot ; original content, as well as network and hgtv, popular food. October 2005 launch of the program is to take five more information and a complete lineup will be announced the launch of five before taking in October 2005.
hosted by supermodel and actress, Tyra banks, " TAIRABANKUSHO & quot; is a new syndicated daytime talk show. Tyra& 39;s generation of women to focus on their mind is that the new show is destined to be a hit, among the target audience. Some segments of the interview per day range from real women talk about all issues related to their lives. Some hot topics including relationships, body image, my favorite celebrity interviews, fashion and beauty like fun, pop culture, lifestyle segment and, of course, musical performances.
" TAIRASHO Bank & quot; debut on September 12th. Check local listings for air times in your viewing area.

Whether you are looking for a spinning wheels for your vehicle or pendants for your jewelry, there are many styles and designs to be used. Suit you, you just want to get you. Start rotating wheels in a car, but they did not stop there. These flashing, very quickly, looking for a great hip-hop, spinning wheels occupying the jewelry world. Hey, they are brilliant! To them, or around the neck because they do not have to spend your belt buckles, as well as your car?
the concept is a simple one. Automobile tires, the wheels just spinning, or turning. While the car is still in the stands, I think the vehicle is moving. It was a great trick! However, this level of the jewelry, and all sorts of options for you to use your suit. The pendants, watches, rings, belt buckles, and the wheels rotate. The wheel of the vehicle just rang some cases, not all! In fact, you will find that you have a lot of spinning wheels, the vehicle is anything but a theme. What is the meaning of a symbol is often used
they most of the people wearing them. Support for their favorite hip-hop references to the band and singers from New York or the people of the village are just a couple of examples of what you find spinning wheels suit. Some people, and they are a good way to express yourself and demand. Spinning wheels require a
many people in the great work. To add a custom design, as well as accessories and jewelry, such as the flashing ones who are now only a few people want to use them to suit other people. The good news is that there are many excellent web site that provides a large selection of online spinning wheels all of the people all the time because he wants to provide a map for the new design. So, if hip-hop stars are wearing these rotating wheels, you can be close to their demand, and it looks great!

TicketNews.com - Reports for the first half of 2006 are out, with a strong showing from veteran rockers such as The Rolling Stones continue to lead the list. Pollstar reports that although the Stones played only 42 concerts in 2005, its average ticket price was much higher than their competitors, as U2, who played 78 concerts.
Pollstar & 39; s results for the first half of 2006 show The reason behind Madonna Stones in total gross, but still many more tickets sold. Madonna was only able to obtain higher prices per ticket this year, as the tour only debuted in 2006.
Green Day made a strong showing in 2005, in the rolling No. 12 and grossing $ 34.8 million. But they played 68 dates, average US $ 38 a ticket. In comparison, the Stones average $ 133.98 per ticket, Pollstar reports. This shows the difference in money to an artist who has been around a long time can command.
A couple of factors contributed to the Stones & 39; success. First of all, his audience is full of baby boomers, which at the moment in your life has the money to drop on a band that they could have seen for $ 10, when it began outside. Sometimes, the experience brings the ticket prices higher.
Newer bands rely on college students or even teenagers to fill the audience, which normally can not pony up more than about $ 50 per ticket. Lesson which was in full force in 2004, when pop stars Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera both ended up canceling circuit due to its fans during balking high-priced tickets. The older / richest its fan base, its best chance of success. Look for Roberto Carlos, he led the pack in the average price per ticket of $ 154.
A second factor to the success Stones is that they are able to fill large stadiums with fans they accelerated over every year to play. They played in big stadiums, which chose U2 smaller arenas around this time, marking the main difference between the Stones taking the top slot last year and U2 slipping to second.
Springsteen fans is this type of thing. His ranking in paragraph 15 for the past year may be partly to its diverse audience. He has been able to branch out into different styles over the years, bringing new fans to the fold. Those who may not have been crazy the sooner its work could find something that appealed to them as their style expanded.
Another aspect of the style of Springsteen adds to its success is its strategic expects five to six years between albums. Building hype and make public can expect work to his favor.
But the Stones had not done any of these things. His first studio release since 1998, " A Bigger Bang " in 2005 had supplied this tour. But they may have been able to simply roll their original music, as Jimmy Buffett is still doing. He has not changed his style, or over the years, but he is still working.
A top selling tour, Buffett was No. 10 in 2005, gaining US $ 76 a ticket. The artist has been around the concert circuit each year, it seems, and still brings in the crowd. He is selling the experience, a Buffett concert has its cult-following. Buffett has created its own sea-side sub-culture.
There are other bands that rely on concerts of their main source of support, the Grateful Dead may have started a trend that many jam bands these days have been able to take. With a low (or zero) number of hits top 10 and not as hot record sales, bands such as Bela Fleck, Phish, String Cheese Incident and Dave Matthews Band, were able to stay on course by tour bus. Especially today in climate of music and sharing of sales due to the fall CD CD burners and free downloads.
Dave Matthews is a pro at this tactic, in 2005 he was able to grab the n. 8 at the site, although its average ticket price was $ 47. Quantity can be an easy answer of income.
Touring alone can bring income, but for Celine Dion, in 2005, in Las Vegas getting a spot she won the No. 3 spot, leading by more tickets than the Stones at US $ 136 a pop.
But the Stones, along with the other bands that are aging top of these lists, they have another thing going for them: Your age. The hypothesis that this may be your last tour comes each time reached the stage. Insinuando him, but never really say so, is a back-pocket trick that only works for legendary artists. Especially with Keith Richards recent brain surgery due to a random accident, the " " who may be working to boost the band to the heights.

Nominated for 1 Emmy and 1 Golden Globe in its first five seasons, Gilmore Girls has experienced much greater success among TV viewers than among industry critics. In fact, the show is the first script supported by the Family Friendly Forum s script development fund to go on and become a regular television series. Part of an initiative between The WB Network - maker of such hits as Dawson s Creek (1998), Felicity (1998), Angel (1999), and Smallville (2001) - and fellow industry executives, this push for more family-oriented programming resulted in a series showcasing a unique mother-daughter bond and the various people they encounter on their life voyage of discovery. Set in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, Gilmore Girls utilizes many of the same sets as the hit series The Dukes Of Hazzard (1979) - another successful Warner Brothers production from years past

Gilmore Girls is set in a small idyllic community in Connecticut filled with a wide range of diverse characters and eccentric personalities. Against this backdrop, Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) attempts to raise her daughter and best friend, Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel), to carve out a better life for herself. Having made a number of youthful mistakes, Lorelai made the decision to raise her daughter by herself at a young age (the same age as Rory when the series begins), and she s bound and determined to make sure that Rory makes better decisions for herself. As Rory prepares to go off to college, she displays many of the same likes and dislikes as her mother - especially when it comes to the opposite sex, and that s what worries Lorelai the most A borderline soap opera, Gilmore Girls is more of a serial drama that focuses on the love, friendship, and shared growth of a mother and daughter as they live out their dreams in modern day America

The Gilmore Girls DVD (Season 1) features a number of touching episodes including the series premiere in which Rory is accepted to a very prestigious prep school named Chilton. But Lorelai struggles to come up with the tuition money necessary to send her, so she contacts her estranged parents for a loan. They agree to provide Rory with the tuition if Lorelai will agree to have a family dinner with them every Friday. Meanwhile, Rory has developed a crush on a recent transfer student, making her apprehensive about attending Chilton. When Lorelai finds out that a boy is the source of Rory s uncertainty, the two get in a fight with Lorelai fearing that Rory will follow in her own path of bad decisions. However, after the family dinner with Lorelai s parents, Rory realizes the sacrifice her mother has made in asking for the loan, and the two make up Other notable episodes from Season 1 include “Forgiveness and Stuff” in which a feuding Rory and Lorelai settle their differences just in time for Christmas, and “The Third Lorelai” in which Emily opposes her mother-in-law s offer to set up a trust fund for Rory because she s afraid it will mean an end to her contact with her granddaughter

Below is a list of episodes included on the Gilmore Girls DVD (Season 1):

Episode 1 (Pilot) Air Date: 10-05-2000
Episode 2 (The Lorelais First Day at Chilton) Air Date: 10-12-2000
Episode 3 (Kill Me Now) Air Date: 10-19-2000
Episode 4 (The Deer Hunters) Air Date: 10-26-2000
Episode 5 (Cinnamon s Wake) Air Date: 11-02-2000
Episode 6 (Rory s Birthday Parties) Air Date: 11-09-2000
Episode 7 (Kiss and Tell) Air Date: 11-16-2000
Episode 8 (Love and War and Snow) Air Date: 12-14-2000
Episode 9 (Rory s Dance) Air Date: 12-20-2000
Episode 10 (Forgiveness and Stuff) Air Date: 12-21-2000
Episode 11 (Paris is Burning) Air Date: 01-11-2001
Episode 12 (Double Date) Air Date: 01-18-2001
Episode 13 (Concert Interruptus) Air Date: 02-15-2001
Episode 14 (That Damn Donna Reed) Air Date: 02-22-2001
Episode 15 (Christopher Returns) Air Date: 03-01-2001
Episode 16 (Star-Crossed Lovers and Other Strangers) Air Date: 03-08-2001
Episode 17 (The Breakup, Part 2) Air Date: 03-15-2001
Episode 18 (The Third Lorelai) Air Date: 03-22-2001
Episode 19 (Emily in Wonderland) Air Date: 04-26-2001
Episode 20 (P.S. I Lo ) Air Date: 05-03-2001
Episode 21 (Love, Daisies, and Troubadours) Air Date: 05-10-2001

You re watching TV 1 evening scanning through the reruns thinking it s pathetic how little there exists to watch anymore when a incredible movie trailer comes on. It s every single thing you love - the right actors, the wit, the action - and your heart beats a little faster in anticipation - if only you may watch it RIGHT Currently!
Well, the film industry has heard you. Along with the speed of the internet, consumers have at present come to a new stage of demand. It wore to be that we WANTED every single thing immediately - at present we EXPECT it.
This isn t the sort of thing that goes unnoticed by industries that cater to public reception. And at present it s been announced that we might not be far away from just walking above to our computer and downloading the newest releases.
When you took a meeting at the Cannes Film Festival, Culture Ministers from across Europe, film industry representatives and Internet Service Providers were among those who met to discuss the possible policies needed to distribute movies online.
BBC news reports European Union media commissioner Viviane Reding as stating: “In Europe, as in more continents, the opportunities for people to enjoy films online are set to increase tremendously above the next couple years”.
Naturally there are however many issues to be resolved prior to movies are readily available to the public online. Piracy and broadband capabilities are however being questioned.
Piracy became the large issue when music files were being illegally shared across the internet. While the music industry fought against such services as Napster, it is however far away from recovering their market revenue and the film industry isn t anxious to join them.
What cannot be debated is that there exists a market, and no industry likes to bypass that because of possible problems.
Right currently European broadband could not be higher to the task of downloading such big files however has plans to proceed with distribution soon.
In Us there has already been movie distribution with the inevitable legal proceedings against individuals facilitating unauthorized downloads.
Even given that the fight against piracy is being taken incredibly seriously per industry, it s however parents who are at the forefront of setting the illustration and instructing kids on the ethics of downloading such material. Responsibility is learned.
In any event, the next time you see a neat movie advertised and you are convenient to the internet, perhaps you should stay in, avoid the lines and the traffic and check it out online!

There are some great upcoming events for music lovers in 2006.
The 2005 Grammy award winner John Mayer is touring during the early part of the year. This is definitely not one to miss. John Mayer s career really took off in 1999-2000. Working out of Atlanta, he produced his first solo album, Inside Wants Out , in 1999. Mayer became a regular draw in the Atlanta club circuit. Then, an appearance in March of 2000 at the South by Southwest Music Festival equated to a recording contract with a subsidiary of Columbia Records. He recorded his major label debut, Room for Squares , with producer John Alagia, who had previously worked with artists like Dave Matthews and Ben Folds Five. Room for Squares featured electric funky hooks and Mayer s versatile, smooth voice, which bore a striking resemblance to the stylistic sound of Dave Matthews.

Upcoming John Mayer Events:

01/30/06 On ABC @ 9:00pm, In Style TV Show - Chicago, IL
02/09/06 Tonight Show with Jay Leno - Los Angeles, CA
02/13/06 Adelaide Entertainment Centre - Adelaide Australia
02/14/06 Rod Laver Arena - Melbourne Australia
02/15/06 Rod Laver Arena - Melbourne Australia
02/17/06 Entertainment Center Newcastle - Newcastle Australia
02/18/06 Entertainment Center - Sydney Australia
02/19/06 Entertainment Center Wollongong - Wollongong Australia
02/21/06 Royal Theatre - Canberra Australia
02/23/06 Brisbane Entertainment Centre - Brisbane Australia
02/25/06 Perth Challenge Stadium - Perth Australia

Speaking of Dave Mathews, the great South African vocalist/guitarist of the Dave Matthews Band is doing something unusual and interesting. It begins in Florida on Friday February 3, 2006 as Sovereign of the Seas sails from Port Canaveral while, simultaneously, Majesty of the Seas sails from Miami, each ship carrying fans and Artists on a weekend musical fantasy trip to the Bahamas. Dramatically, in the Atlantic, these two sister ships will converge and sail side by side, an event of rare occurrence in cruising history. Artists scheduled to perform during the cruise include Dave Matthews & Friends, Bob Weir & Ratdog, G. Love & Special Sauce, Toots & the Maytals, Ozomatli, North Mississippi Allstars. Mike Doughty s Band, Soulive, Mofro, Michael Tolcher. ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra), DJ Logic, Motion Potion, John Brown s Body, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals and Brett Dennen. The Dave Mathews Band was formed in Virginia in the early 90s. Featuring Matthews, Stefan Lessard, !
Leroi Moore, Boyd Tinsley, and Carter Beauford. They built up a strong word-of-mouth following in the early 90s by touring the country relentlessly, concentrating on college campuses. Rumor has it that the Band is planning a summer tour for 2006. As for the dates and locations, keep your eyes peeled.

Out of all the former Beatles, Paul McCartney by far had the most successful solo career, maintaining a persistent presence in the British and American charts during the 70s and 80s. In America alone, he created nine number one singles and seven number one albums during the first 12 years of his solo career. Although he sold records, and is wildly popular, McCartney never attained much respect from the critics, especially when compared to his former partner John Lennon. This changed entirely with his release of Flaming Pie in 1997. One momentous live performance given by McCartney was “Good Day Sunshine” performed for the international space station crew. NASA astronaut Bill McArthur and Russian cosmonaut Valery Tokarev were treated to a live wake-up call of the Beatles classic in a first-ever concert linkup to the space station. Currently, Paul McCartney is not touring.

Coldplay is a band destined to be hailed as one of the most creatively sparse and emotionally artistic to come around in quite some time. The London-based quartet can comfortably go from stunning stadium anthems to slow-burning churns and do it with a flair like no other.

Complete Coldplay tour dates:

1/25/06: Seattle, Key Arena
1/26/06: Vancouver, GM Place
1/30/06: Sacramento, CA, Arco Arena
1/31/06: Oakland, CA, Oakland Arena
2/1/06: San Jose, CA, HP Pavilion
2/3/06: Las Vegas, MGM Grand Garden Arena
2/19/06: Denver, Pepsi Center
2/20/06: Omaha, NE, Qwest Center
2/22/06: Auburn Hills, MI, Palace of Auburn Hills
2/23/06: Louisville, KY, Freedom Hall
2/25/06: Houston, Toyota Center
2/26/06: Dallas, American Airlines Center
2/27/06: Oklahoma City, OK, Ford Center
3/2/06: Washington, DC, MCI Center
3/4/06: Orlando, T.D. Waterhouse Centre
3/5/06: Tampa, Ford Pavilion
3/20/06: Cleveland, Quicken Loans Arena
3/22/06: Toronto, Air Canada Center
3/25/06: East Rutherford, NJ, Continental Airlines Arena
3/26/06: Uniondale, NY, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3/30/06: Chicago, United Center
4/3/06: Manchester, NH, Verizon Wireless Arena
4/4/06: Uncasville, CT, Mohegan Sun Arena
4/6/06: Philadelphia, Wachovia Center

Rob Thomas is just wrapping up his first solo tour. The former singer and main songwriter for Matchbox Twenty, a Florida based alternative group that found success with a blend of 70s rock influences and 1990s grunge crunch. The band broke into major success in 1996 with “Push”. They were then off and running. The album Yourself or Someone Like You went platinum a dozen times over in the U.S. Ultimately, a song he co-wrote for the Carlos Santana album Supernatural. “Smooth” launched Thomas to stardom. The track collected three Grammys including Song of the Year, and Thomas was selected to People s Magazine “Most Beautiful People” list. Thomas has only two stops left on his current tour:

2/13/06 Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
2/14/06 Melbourne Park - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

The Rolling Stones are on the Worldwide circuit again. Besides the appearance at this years Superbowl, the World s Greatest Rock & Roll Band has an extensive whirlwind tour in progress. From the hard driving blues and rock to the mellow psychedelic pop blends, there is no greater thrill than seeing the best there is. A Rolling Stones Concert is a once-in-a-lifetime event (more if you re lucky).

Complete Rolling Stones tour dates for 1996:

Jan. 10 — Montreal, QC — Molson Centre
Jan. 13 — Boston, MA — Fleet Center
Jan. 15 — Boston, MA — Fleet Center
Jan. 18 — New York, NY — Madison Square Garden
Jan. 20 — New York, NY — Madison Square Garden
Jan. 23 — Chicago, IL — United Center
Jan. 25 — Chicago, IL — United Center
Jan. 27 — St. Louis, MO — Savvis Center
Jan. 29 — Omaha, NE — Qwest Center
Feb. 01 — Baltimore, MD — First Mariner Center
Feb. 05 — Detroit, MI — Ford Field (SUPER BOWL)
Feb. 11 — San Juan, PR — Coliseo de Puerto Rico
Feb. 18 — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — Copacabana Beach
Feb. 21 — Buenos Aires, Argentina — River Plate Stadium
Feb. 23 — Buenos Aires, Argentina — River Plate Stadium
Feb. 26 — Mexico City, Mexico — Rodriguez Autodromo
Mar. 01 — Monterrey, Mexico — Estadio Universitario
Mar. 04 — Las Vegas, NV — MGM Grand Garden
Mar. 06 — Inglewood, CA — The Forum
Mar. 09 — North Little Rock, AR — Alltell Arena
Mar. 12 — Ft. Lauderdale, FL — Bank Atlantic Center
March/April — Japan and Australia
May 27 — Barcelona, Spain — Estadio Olimpic
May 29 — Madrid, Spain — Estadio Calderon
June 01 — Brussels, Belgium — Stade Baudouin
June 03 — Paris, France — Stade de France
June 06 — Bergen, Norway — Koengen
June 08 — Jutland, Denmark — Forum Horsens
June 10 — Gothenburg, Sweden — Nya Ullevi
June 13 — St. Petersburg, Russia — Petrovsky
June 16 — Brno, Czech Republic — Exhibition Grounds
June 18 — Warsaw, Poland — Airport Bemowo
June 20 — Vienna, Austria — Happel Stadion
June 22 — Milan, Italy — Stadio Meazza
June 29 — Athens, Greece — Olympic Stadium
July 02 — Belgrade, Serbia — Hippodrome
July 06 — Zagreb, Croatia — Maksimir Stadium
July 10 — Nuremberg, Germany — Frankenstadion
July 12 — Leipzig, Germany — Zentralstadion
July 14 — Frankfurt, Germany — Waldstadion
July 16 — Munich, Germany — Olympiastadion
July 19 — Hanover, Germany — Niedersachsenstadion
July 21 — Berlin, Germany — Olympiastadion
July 23 — Cologne, Germany — Mungersdorferstadion
July 30 — Amsterdam, Holland — Amsterdam Arena
Aug. 01 — Amsterdam, Holland — Amsterdam Arena
Aug. 03 — Stuttgart, Germany — Daimlerstadion
Aug. 05 — Switzerland — To Be Announced
Aug. 08 — Nice, France — Le Palais Nikaia
Aug. 12 — Porto, Portugal — Estadio Dragao
Aug. 14 — Valladolid, Spain — Estadio Zorrilla
Aug. 18 — Dublin, Ireland — Phoenix Park
Aug. 20 — London, England — Wembley Stadium
Aug. 22 — London, England — Wembley Stadium
Aug. 25 — Glasgow, Scotland — Hampden Park
Aug. 27 — Sheffield, England — Don Valley Stadium
Aug. 29 — Cardiff, Wales — Millenium Stadium

Undoubtedly, the surprise film of 2002 was 8 Mile, the story about a young white rapper in Detroit who struggles with his broken family, gold-digging friends, and simply to find his identity in the nefarious world in which he lives. Starring the best-selling rap artist Eminem, 8 Mile is supposedly autobiographical in nature, portraying the true life rise of Marshall Mathers from the hardened streets of Detroit to the gold paved highways of superstardom. But the film begins and ends in the ghetto, cataloguing the time prior to the rapper s success. As a movie, it performs its duties well - virtually transporting the viewer to the crime and poverty riddled neighborhoods of one of America s most dangerous cities.

Local youth Jimmy “B-Rabbit” Smith, Jr. harbors dreams of hitting the big-time as a rapper (along with most of his peers in Detroit), but few are supportive of his efforts, especially his mother Stephanie (Kim Basinger), a self-centered woman who neglects her five-year-old daughter, remains unemployed, and generally wastes her life away. Her verbal battles with Jimmy are the only substantive part of their relationship.

When Jimmy gets a job working on an assembly line at a sheet metal factory, he works long hours in the dead end job making just enough money to get by. Living in a trailer with his mother so that he can save up enough money for a demo tape leads to everyday confrontations with the woman. Things begin to look up, though, when Jimmy meets Alex (Brittany Murphy), an aspiring model who shares his dreams of leaving the ghetto and pursuing a better life. But everything goes awry when Jimmy chokes at a local late-night rap showdown.

The bad news continues when Jimmy catches Alex cheating on him, his mother kicks him out, and a gang of thugs gives him a beating - placing a gun to his head and threatening to pull the trigger.

When the opportunity arises to perform once more in the local rap showdown, all of Jimmy s dreams hinge on his ability to pull out all the stops. Can he verbally destroy his opponent and gain the notoriety necessary to put him on the map?

A surprisingly well-written screenplay wrought with symbolism, 8 Mile vividly portrays the life of an angry urban youth who aches to express his hatred for the world around him. As the dividing line between the city Detroit and the outside world, 8 Mile represents was is and what can be. The film s ability to draw the audience into a world of which they may not be a part makes this a definite must-see film. For those conservative or older viewers who may be reluctant to the see the film because of its leading star Eminem, I highly recommend giving 8 Mile a chance. If you enjoy drama and peering into unique worlds, then you might be pleasantly surprised with this one.