MuzicSpotlight

Spotlight of the Day: Lily Allen

2007-07-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

**Thank you to everyone for your patience while Spotlight of the Day went on a short hiatus! After some time and thorough research, the next candidate for the Spotlight of the Day is Lily Allen! Enjoy!! (Please contact me if you would ever like me to spotlight a select artist!!)

TuningIn2Music welcomes Lily Allen to the Spotlight! Twenty-two year old Lily Allen was born in North London, England to Keith Allen and Alison Owen. After her father left the family when Lily was only four years old, it was up to her mother to take full care of Lily and her many siblings. She attended over 13 schools and was expelled numerous tims for disruptive and inappropriate behavior. Finally, the 15-year-old decided to completely drop out of school. Allen eventually found work at a Plastic Fantastic record store and, after much rejection, signed with Warner Music in 2002 to start a musical career. Unfortunately, Allen still had a long road ahead of her. The executive who signed soon left the label and Allen found herself with nothing. Allen soon become interested in horticulture and planned on being a florist, but soon changed her mind and followed music once more. She continued to write songs and was signed to Regal Records in 2005, but received little support where she needed it the most.
Looking at various other avenues to achieve her musical goal, Allen focused on the well-known MySpace page. Allen created an account and uploaded demo songs on to her personal profile. Thousands of listeners stopped by her profile and finally Allen released two mixtapes of her own work. As she continued to cultivate a large fan base, magazines began to take notice, yet her label was still slow coming. As her self-written songs became more popular, it gave Allen the opportunity to gain more creative control on her album.
In July of 2006, Allen released her debut album, Alright, Still, in the UK and in January of 2007 in the United States. Her hit song "Smile" became an instant hit as her first single and was even nominated for 2007's Best British Single and 2007's Best British Breakthrough Act, but unfortunatley did not win either title.

Check out her video of "Smile" below!!

Lily Allen is currently on tour! Don't miss out on a hot tour with this amazing comeback artist! Get your Lily Allen concert tickets now! Lily Allen tickets right here!

Recommended Songs
"Smile"
"LDN"
"Shame for You"/"Alfie"
"Littlest Things"
"Oh My God" (Mark Ronson, Featuring Lily Allen)

*Stay tuned for next time's Spotlight of the Day: Amy Winehouse!

Spotlight of the Day: Aly and AJ

2007-07-11T13:43:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already, meet Aly and Aj Michalka, Disney's hottest set of siblings aside from the Sprouse twins (Zack and Cody)and Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus). These teen pop stars raised in Torrance, California, knew they wanted to be singer/songwriters when they were just young girls. At the ripe ages of three and five, the two girls participated in the church choir, as well as school plays.

Alyson has appeared on Phil of the Future, a hit Disney television show, staring as one of the main characters, Keely Teslow, alongside Ricky Ullman. She began playing the piano at age six and picked up the guitar seven years later. Alyson began acting in small productions given by her church when she was just five years old. Now her acting repertoire includes Phil of the Future, Now You See It.., Cow Belles and Super Sweet 16: The Movie.

AJ (Amanda) is Alyson's younger sister by two years. Unlike Alyson, AJ specialized more in the acting field, staring in a myriad of musical productions at her church. She familiarized herself with several instruments such as the acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano and bongos. Her list of acting gigs includes Cow Belles, Oliver Beene, Six Feet Under, The Guardian, Birds of Prey, Kitty's Dish, Passions and General Hospital.

Focusing on their the musical career, the two have released several songs for various films for Disney. Hits from their platinum CD, Into the Rush, include "No One," which was featured in the motion picture Ice Princess, "Do You Believe in Magic" and "Walking on Sunshine."

The girls have performed at several concerts and even opened for the Cheetah Girls in 2005 for the "Cheetah-licious Christmas Tour." Although they were nominated for Contemporary Inspirational Artist of the Year for the 2006 American Music Awards, they unfortunately did not take home the award.

In the early fall of 2006, their album Acoustic Hearts of Winter was released to the public. This album featured traditional Christmas songs such as "Joy to the World," "Greatest Time of Year," Silent Night" and "Not This Year."

MTV premiered their latest movie, Super Sweet 16:The Movie, this past Sunday, July 8, 2007. Two days later their newest album, Insomniatic was released in stores. Their first single, "Potential Breakup Song" has received a lot of attention from fans on the girls' official myspace page.

Albums
Into the Rush Acoustic Hearts of Winter Insomniatic
Recommended Songs (As far as I know!-- Let me know your favorites and I'll add them to the list!)

*No One
*Collapsed
*Do You Believe in Magic
*Walking on Sunshine
*Potential Breakup Song

*Stay tuned for next time's Spotlight of the Day: 16 Candles!

Spotlight of the Day: Lifehouse

2007-07-10T14:25:00.000-07:00

Lifehouse rose to fame as a mainstream band in the United States consisting of three members, Jason Wade, Rick Woolstenhulme Jr. and Bryce Soderberg. Founded by lead singer Jason Wade, the band orginially consisted of Sergio Andrade and Jon Palmer, who later went on to tackle various other activities.

As a young 15-year-old boy, Wade was introduced to producer Ron Aniello, who helped Wade hone his singing and performance skills. In 1999, the band released their debut album under the band name "Blyss" entitled Diff's Lucky Day. Fortunately, record sales took off, selling hundreds off of eBay.

Just a year later, Lifehouse entered the recording studio to work on No Name Face. By the time the album was released, Wade and Andrade were the only two members left. Due to conflicts and limited focus, several members chose to seperate themselves from the band. Woolstenhulme eventually filled in for Palmer on the drums.

Evidently, "Sick Cycle Carousel" was the band's first single released , yet it was their hit "Hanging by a Moment" that stuck in the minds of their fans....and led them to where they are today. Shortly after their claim to fame moment, the band was back in the studio and released another album called Stanley Climbfall. Its success was shortilved with tracks such as "Spin" (still on the radio though!) and "Take Me Away." It was back to the drawing board for these boys. If they didn't come out with another knock-off hit or reinvent themselves, they could end up in the endless pile of one hit wonders.

By late 2004, Lifehouse gained another member, Soderberg, as their new bass guitarist. Their next album, self-titled Lifehouse, was produced by John Alagia (Mandy Moore!) and featured hits such as "You and Me" and "Blind."

Lifehouse recently debuted their fourth album entitled Who We Are. Fans and newcomers alike can listen to their most successful single since "Hanging by a Moment" titled "First Time." Catchy and memorable, the song was just what the band needed to stay in the spotlight. As of this summer (2007), the band is currently on tour with Goo Goo Dolls and plans to go on a world-wide headlining tour....so don't miss out on getting your Lifehouse tickets today!

Lifehouse tickets!
Lifehouse concert tickets!
Goo Goo Doll tickets!
Goo Goo Dolls tickets!
Goo Goo Dolls concert tickets!

Albums
Diff's Lucky Day (as the band Blyss)
No Name Face
Stanley Climbfall
Lifehouse
Who We Are

Recommended Songs
"Hanging by a Moment"
"Spin" (Awesome!)
"You and Me"
"Blind"
"First Time" (Awesome!)

Check out the music video for "First Time"!

*Stay tuned for next time's Spotlight of the Day: Aly & AJ!

Spotlight of the Day: Diana DeGarmo

2007-07-09T11:48:00.000-07:00

Today's Spotlight of the Day features a former American Idol runner-up of the third installment of the reality TV show, American Idol. Of course, everyone is aware of the American Idol veteran and Queen herself, Kelly Clarkson, first winner of the American Idol series (USA edition). A year later, Ruben Studdard beat out talented Clay Aiken in the ever popular talent show (but really, who did well in the end??). By the third year, Fantasia Barrino beat all odds, mentally and physically, to win the coveted title, leaving 16-year-old Diana DeGarmo in a trial of her dust.

But don't think DeGarmo hasn't made something of herself! She was widely known to her avid fans as a young girl with a power-house voice and impeccable stage precense. In the weeks that followed on the show, DeGarmo sang hits such as "I Got the Music In Me," "Think," "I'm Still Standin'," "My Heart Will Go On," "Turn the Beat Around" and more! DeGarmo received exceptional praise for her beautiful rendition of "Don't Cry Out Loud," which is also featured on her first album.

After American Idol, DeGarmo, now 20, went on to record her debut album, Blue Skies, with semi-likable hits such as "Dreams," "Emotions" and "Don't Cry Out Loud." One of my favorite songs by her is "I Believe," which some people think only Fantasia can pull off. I happen to strongly disagree. This song is without a doubt, one of, if not THE hardest finale song to sing, but DeGarmo performs it in a such a dramatic, yet brilliant way that hardly compares to Fantasia's "yea, yea yea" squabbling. If you ask me, Diana has the better voice. Of course, that's just my opinion. When it comes down to it, both got a record label. After her December 7, 2004 release, the record came in at #52 on the Billboard Chart. As of July 2007, the album sold an additional 35,000 copies coming out to an estimated total of 200,000 copies sold. Not bad for a first timer in this difficult industry! DeGarmo even received the Horizon Award at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards ceremony in 2005.

Right after Idol, DeGarmo was dealt an issue nobody wishes to endure. A young woman in Australia stole her credit card number by installing programs on to DeGarmo's computer and tracking her personal emails to and from DeGarmo's mother to Diana. She furthermore went on to purchase thousands of dollars worth of computer supplies. The perpetrator was finally caught and sentenced to community service in May (year unknown). DeGarmo has discussed this incident on several occasions while on talk shows.

Currently, DeGarmo is in the works on her second album, due out sometime this year (2007). The upcoming album is speculated to be along the lines of R&B/Pop with DeGarmo cowriting many of the songs herself. In 2006 and early 2007, DeGarmo stared on Broadway as Penny Pingleton in the musical Hairspray. Among other public appearances and performances, she nabbed a role in the national tour of BKLYN: THE MUSICAL in the summer of 2006 and performed a musical concert called "In Your Dreams" in early October that same year.

Here's my favorite video of Diana DeGarmo while on American Idol! She's singing "Think."

Where she is at now! Check out this video!

Album: Blue Skies

Recommended Songs
"Don't Cry Out Loud"
"Emotions"
"I Believe" (good uplifting song!)

*Stay tuned for next time's Spotlight of the Day: Lifehouse!

Spotlight of the Day: Colbie Caillat

2007-07-06T08:43:00.000-07:00

Twenty-two year old Colbie Caillat has struck it big in the musical arena. With a passion for music, this young woman's instrumental career has sky rocketed thanks to her pre-fame days on Myspace. As an 11-year-old girl, Caillat knew she wanted to spend her life singing after hearing Lauryn Hill's version of "Killing Me Softly." Caillat entered herself in several talent shows and sang many Lauryn Hill songs. As her talent and musical interest grew, Caillat's father, owner of a record producing company, offered her one piece of helpful advice: those who play their own instruments and write their own songs command respect in the music industry.

At the age of 19, Caillat picked up the acoustic guitar and started penning her own music. According to her Myspace page, "I wrote my fist [sic] song after my very first guitar lesson and then it just flowed out. If something's biting me I hold it in because that's the kind of person I am. Then it comes out in songs. Things builds [sic] up inside of me and I'll write three songs in a weekend. It's a release. I don't choose what to write about. It's just there."

After many songs were finished, Caillat started to post them on Myspace, hoping to cause a chain reaction of admiration and enthusiasm for her music. It wasn't until Caillat posted the song "Bubbly" that started the aforementioned reaction. Because of the simplicity and melody of the song, millions of fans were drawn to her Myspace page to get a glimpse of this undiscovered talented artist. Four months later, Caillat became the number one unsigned artist on Myspace. Soon after, record deals flew her way and she eventually signed with Universal Republic who she says has "offered her total creative freedom."

Her debut album, Coco, representative of a past nickname that stuck, features similar acoustic style folk melodies with Caillat's passionate voice shining through. With a sweet folk sound coupled with a bit of old soul, Caillat successfully sets herself apart from the rest of the bubble-gum pop artists and one hit wonders. Her recreation of vintage soul and classical rock from influences such as Fleetwood Mac, Steve Miller Band, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder has spawned a new talent whois leaving her own footprints behind. Fans can see Caillat perform live as she tours with the Goo Goo Dolls! Get your concert tickets here! Check out more of Colbie Caillat at myspace.com/colbiecaillat! Her album, Coco, is out now so don't forget to pick it up!

Recommended Songs!
*Bubbly
*The Little Things
*Feelings Show
*Realize

Go here to see her video "Bubbly"! http://youtube.com/watch?v=2PWfB4lurT4

*Stay tuned for next time's Spotlight of the Day: Diana DeGarmo!