Yamaha Corporation of America is now shipping the AvantGrand, a remarkable hybrid piano that digitally simulates the sound, as well as the physical experience of playing a fine grand piano—at a fraction of the cost of a traditional concert grand.

The piano’s state-of-the-art technology offers an exciting and affordable new option to music lovers who have dreamt of owning and playing the ultimate concert grand in their homes. The instrument is drawing raves from several classical pianists, and pop superstar Alicia Keys was one of the first artists to perform on the instrument after its recent music industry debut.

According to jazz legend Chick Corea, the AvantGrand “blew me away. I sat down and adjusted the volume to make it sound like a big piano and immediately went into reverence at the R&D department and how they pulled it off, because it’s quite an accomplishment.”

Five years ago, Yamaha charged its designers with a daunting task: to create the playing experience of a $125,000, nine-foot concert grand piano for one-fifth of the price and one-half the size. They rose to the challenge with the creation of the AvantGrand. Now, serious players with limited space or a limited budget need not sacrifice the look and feel of an acoustic grand for the smaller footprint of a digital piano.

The piano combines state-of-the art sound sampling technology, an ingenious speaker system, and an array of actuators that reproduce a piano’s acoustic vibrations. Four speakers are strategically located in the same positions as the four microphones used to sample the source instrument and two resonators reproduce the buildup of sound that a pianist hears and feels. An elegant instrument, the AvantGrand features exquisite craftsmanship, cabinetry and detailing.

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Jennifer Lopez or J.Lo as she is fondly known in the industry turns 40 today, making us look back at her accomplishments and looks. Linked to stars such as Ben Affleck, if there is one thing that she still holds without remorse would have to be that of her singing career.

Let us look back at J.Lo throughout the years. What a ride it has been! Happy Birthday 40th Jennifer Lopez!

*Photo Courtesy. Photos are from Yahoo/OMG

Warner Bros. Records officially confirmed the September 29th release in the U.S. (September 28 outside U.S.) of “CELEBRATION” – the ultimate compilation of Madonna songs. The songs on “Celebration” have all been remastered and selected by Madonna and her fans.

They cover the expanse of the Material Girl’s extraordinary career of hits including “Everybody,” “Express Yourself,” “Vogue” and “4 Minutes.” “Celebration” will be available in a two-CD set as well as a single CD. There will also be a “Celebration” DVD released simultaneously which includes the video visionary’s best videos including several that have never before been available on DVD.

The cover for “Celebration” was created by street pop artist “Mr. Brainwash” who is best known for “throwing modern cultural icons into a blender and turning it up to eleven.”

Madonna, a multi Grammy award winning singer, writer and producer has had over 12 No. 1 singles and has a record-smashing 39 No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs Chart – by far the most of any artist in the over 30 year history of the list.

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Karina Bradley knows that in the world of business, attractive women aren’t always taken seriously. While her supermodel looks are certainly the first thing people notice, they quickly discover there is a lot more behind Karina’s sultry look. As the owner of Karina Bradley Inc. she also has an equity interest in Synergized Media and TF Mafia Muzik. She clearly knows that it takes hard work and a singular focus to accomplish her personal and business goals.

During her third year attending Drexel University for Pre-Med, Karina switched directions and began to focus her attention on the business world. She studied hard and found positions where she could learn the skills needed to succeed in business. Then she landed the position of Vice President at Dealer Synergy, one of the top automotive retail training companies in the country. After making her mark in auto retailing, Karina returned to her first love, music.

With her strong desire to create music and get on the Pop Star track, Karina Bradley formed the best team in the industry to assist her in creating her debut album to be released later this year. First she enlisted master song writer and professional singer Jack Gafford. Jack has several albums; his most recent album is titled “No Vacancy.”

Then Phoreground Entertainment was chosen as the studio to record her first single, “Buy Me That” which included Jakk Frost as a featured artist on this song. The presence of Phoreground’s producer/engineer, L.A. Dubb insured Karina was in good hands. L.A. Dubb has worked with Snoop Dog, Michael Jackson, Usher, Madonna, Dr. Dre and Chelsea Lynn.

Karina’s just completed single will be released in three versions; the pop solo version, a hip-hop remix version by Jakk Frost, who along with Philadelphia Freeway recently worked with Wyclef Jean on one of their songs, and an underground version by DJ Steven Zor.

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Today, The Hymn Project announced their classic hymn accompaniment on CD including 200 piano hymns. Unlike other church choir music with extensive orchestrations, this seven, full-length CD collection is performed on solo piano directly from a church hymnal, making it a simple and affordable hymn resource for small groups.

“This is the first collection of its kind, offering an extensive, archival-quality collection of piano hymns,” says Tasha Golden, The Hymn Project Co-founder. “And in the past, there was no hymnal resource for military chaplains, funeral directors, assisted living facilities, and others looking for simple, church choir music free of overwhelming musical embellishments and orchestrations. We decided to fill this need and offer affordable and classic hymn accompaniment on CD packed with 200 piano hymns for numerous occasions.”

Performed by professional, church choir accompanist Laura Ruble, The Hymn Project contains piano hymns perfect for:

• Worship music;
• Funeral music;
• Wedding music;
• Chaplains;
• Music therapists;
• Military chaplains (Air Force hymn music, U.S. Marine Corps hymn music, etc.);
• Retirement and nursing homes;
• Conference centers, libraries and camps;
• Meditation and relaxation;
• Background music;
• Hospital chapels;
• Prison fellowships and ministries; and
• A treasured gift for a friend, loved one or music lover!

“My family would have loved to have had CDs to sing along with at small church services, but nothing like that was available,” says pianist Ruble. “At several local churches, congregations often had to go without an accompanist on Sunday mornings so there was a huge need for this CD collection.”

“In addition to military chaplains, activity directors at assisted living facilities have welcomed The Hymn Project, using music as a form of therapy to Alzheimer’s patients,” says Golden. “To know that this music can offer therapy, that singing together can give hope to troops overseas, and that these church choir hymns can be a comfort to people who are grieving is truly rewarding, and this is where the music should be.”

For The Hymn Project Sets 1 and 2 with all 200 hymns on seven CDs, the cost is $99.00. For Set 1 with 150 hymns on five CDs, the cost drops to $75.00. And for Set 2, with 50 hymns on two CDs, the cost is only $25.00.

The legendary promoter Sid Bernstein who brought the Beatles to America as well as bands like the Rolling Stones, Herman’s Hermits and the Moody Blues, has joined the Songs of Love Board of Advisors.

“In all of my years in the music industry I have never seen a music based charity quite like this one. Like the Beatles, they truly stand on their own. I strongly urge the entire music community to join me in support of this unique and worthwhile organization,” Mr. Bernstein said.

Sid Bernstein will be actively promoting the work of the Songs of Love Foundation to the music community at large.

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It was September 30, 1967 when Philadelphia’s Spectrum celebrated its grand opening with the Quaker City Jazz Festival. Herb Spivak booked the two day event that opened with Dizzy Gillespie playing the Star Spangled banner. Spivak, the founding partner of Philadelphia’s original Electric Factory, the Atlantic City Pop Festival (celebrating 40th anniversary August 1 – 3) and Philly based HA Winston & Co. restaurants wanted to be a geologist.

But, discovered there were more financial rewards in rock and roll than in rocks and became a successful club owner, concert promoter and restaurateur instead. Spivak was the biggest buyer of talent in Philadelphia in the mid 1960s.

Herb remained an owner of Electric Factory Concerts until 2000, when it was bought by SFX Entertainment (later known as Clear Channel and presently Live Nation). Spivak, along with partners Larry Magid and brothers Jerry and Allen Spivak are the pioneers of the Philadelphia music scene.

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“I quit my job of 22 years in the healthcare industry to pursue a career in music and art,” said Debora Robinson. “I wanted to share my passion for music and art with others, and incorporate my spiritual life into my work.”

Robinson’s pursuit culminated with the launch of www.GreaterGoodOfAll.com in April 2009. The new website offers a broad selection of music, musical instruments, music lessons, art lessons and supplies, and spiritual books for rejuvenating body and mind.

Robinson hopes to expand the website in the near future with the addition of more instruments including wind instruments, keyboards and drums.

Before the website was launched, Robinson began performing in-depth research on which musical instruments were most often preferred by musicians and repair technicians.

“All the instruments on the website are those I have experience with through personal use, or through friends or professionals in the business.” Robinson asserted that this is also true of all the products and services offered on her website.

Robinson believes her website is most unique because she’s not just in it for profit. “We don’t offer products based on their profit margin, we offer products that provide the best value to our customers.”

With the launch of the new blog at www.GreaterGoodOfAllBlog.com, Robinson hopes to communicate her passion, experience and knowledge of music and art. The blog will feature topics ranging from choosing the right musical instrument to information about meditation and pursuing a more spiritual life.

Robinson hopes others will embrace music and art as an integral part of being human. “Our lives are enhanced through music and art, which make us more spiritual and in turn help us lead better lives,” she said.

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World-renowned musician and activist Peter Gabriel has chosen the World of Music, Arts and Dance (WOMAD) Festival in Bath, UK to be the location of his first ever benefit concert for WITNESS, the human rights organization Gabriel founded in 1992. The concert on Saturday, July 25th, 2009 will be Gabriel’s only scheduled performance in Europe, and an excellent opportunity to connect his fans and music lovers to a cause he has always championed.

WITNESS Executive Director Yvette AlberdingkThimj stated, “We have seen most recently from the video footage from Iran that freedom of expression continues to be under threat there and in many other countries, which is why I am tremendously moved by Peter’s generosity.” She added, “This concert provides concertgoers a unique opportunity to engage with Peter Gabriel the musician and the activist, an artist who is steadfast in his defense of human rights.”

Gabriel, a longtime activist in the human rights community, founded WITNESS (www.witness.org) soon after video footage of Rodney King’s brutal beating made its way around the globe, and proved the power of visual images to expose abuses, as well as catalyze debate and action. WITNESS, based in Brooklyn, was created to empower people to use video and online technologies to transform personal stories of abuse into powerful tools for justice, promoting public engagement and policy change.

Gabriel has combined his involvement in social activism with his love for cultural exchange in the arts through WOMAD. The WOMAD festival was founded by Gabriel to celebrate diversity in music. For their 13th year, WOMAD is bringing together a wide variety of musicians, artists and dancers from across the globe.

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Drew looks at me, I fake a smile so he won’t see
That I want and I’m needing everything that we should be
I’ll bet she’s beautiful, that girl he talks about
And she’s got everything that I have to live without

Drew talks to me, I laugh cause it’s so damn funny
That I can’t even see anyone when he’s with me
He says he’s so in love, he’s finally got it right,
I wonder if he knows he’s all I think about at night

[Chorus:]

He’s the reason for the teardrops on my guitar
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star
He’s the song in the car I keep singing, don’t know why I do

Drew walks by me, can he tell that I can’t breathe?
[ Taylor Swift Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]
And there he goes, so perfectly,
The kind of flawless I wish I could be
She’d better hold him tight, give him all her love
Look in those beautiful eyes and know she’s lucky cause

[Repeat Chorus]

So I drive home alone, as I turn out the light
I’ll put his picture down and maybe
Get some sleep tonight

He’s the reason for the teardrops on my guitar
The only one who’s got enough of me to break my heart
He’s the song in the car I keep singing, don’t know why I do
He’s the time taken up, but there’s never enough
And he’s all that I need to fall into..

Drew looks at me, I fake a smile so he won’t see.

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