What Happened to The Music?

While watching the American Music Awards that I DVR'd, I realized that the music no longer seems to be the key element in the award. I think the biggest award should go to the production managers, stagehands and digital animators, along with the electricians, lighting techs and pyrotechnics. They are the ones who have done an over the top job! I have some experience in what it takes to move one act off stage and another one on. And that experience was in the old days before digital anamatography (my word) and moving stages. But I know what it takes to manage the type of show that the AMA is and the production crews are the ones with talent over most of the acts that performed.

The performances were all very different. From simple to extreme with no one stage being like the one before with high tech big screens and extreme lighting effects. The problem I see is that the MUSICAL TALENT was left to be second in line of the show. And I can't help but wonder which performer would be even an iota of entertainment without the production. My thoughts are below. What are yours?

1. Janet Jackson - Sluggish Performance - But yes
2. Daughtry - Exceptional Music - Simple Production - Absolutely!
3. Shakira - Bad Music - Over bearing production - No
4. Keith Urban - Exceptional Music - Simple Production - Absolutely
5. Kelly Clarkson - Exceptional - No Flash - Absolutely. On her phenomenal voice alone.
6. Alicia Keys and Jay Z - Give me a break! - No
7. Black Eyed Peas - Should have won the non-music award - Can't believe their fans are so deaf.
8. Rhiana - Cyborg pop is not music! - Keep it on Broadway. - No
9. Carrie Underwood - Below her norm - Outfit had me focused on her crotch. She should have gone without any production. Absolutely!
10. Lady Gaga - Poor performance - No GaGa here - No
11. Mary J Blige - She can sing and so most definitely - Yes
12. Jennifer Lopez - Poor theme. Certainly not the main event! - Probably
    
13. Whitney Houston - It's all about the voice! A different song might have worked better but... Absolutely!
14. Alicia Keys - She would have been better off to stick with a ballad and her piano. - Yes
    
15. 50 Cent - Where is the Music? What happened to the music?

Sorry I had to turn it off at this point!

Sunshine Comes With Dawn

I wrote this song almost a year ago. When I'm feeling down and feel like nothing is going my way, I pick up my guitar and sing it. It makes me feel better. Just reading the words might work for you as well.

It's always darkest, before the storm,
and though the light seems dim,
The moment that you think you're lost,
just reach out and you'll find Him

And though the light may be dim from the clouds,
brought by the raging storm,
He is the reason, now understand
Why sunshine comes with dawn.

And in the rubble of your life,
the wind blown storms will pass,
And where you stand, reach out your hand,
And He'll be there at last.

And though the light may be dim from the clouds,
brought by the raging storm,
He is the reason, now understand
Why sunshine comes with dawn.

And as you grasp your Savior's hand,
Remember Him this day,
It was He that weathered the storm with you,
And guided you on your way.

And though the light may be dim from the clouds,
brought by the raging storm,
He is the reason, now understand
Why sunshine comes with dawn.

(c)2008/02/09 jj williams

Back To Minneapolis

Read this with with a meter of Devil goes down to Georgia by the Charlie Daniels Band

It was cold in St. Paul on a Saturday night
back in Two Thousand and Five.
It was me and Paw riding in the Cab
of my Kennel-worth Easy Ride.

Paw's my dog he's a good ole' boy,
he's a mix of stray and sooner.
I found him at a truck stop
back in Tulsa eatin' tuna.

He's a mix alright, of God only knows what
he's no bigger than a small cat.
He's got a 10 inch tail and has no fur,
and sits on my head like a ball cap.

We were heading toward Minneapolis
drivin' fast on 94
We was haulin' a load of rock salt
and weighed in heavy as I recall.

It was late in the evening old Paw got fidgety
which told me he had to pee,
Had to find a place to pull this rig over,
Didn't want him to pee on me.

Found us a little place to stop,
Eased my rig in nice and slow,
I was relieved that we made it safe and sound
and got out of the ice and snow.

Well Paw jumped out, just in time,
Barely able to lift his leg
I decided not to lift mine,
Pulled my zipper down instead.

We went inside and sat down
at the first available table
A pretty young thing asked me what I'd like
I said coffee if she's able.

She looked at Paw and screamed out loud,
You can't have that thing in here!
I said that's no thing that's Paw,
He's my service dog my dear.

Well she didn't buy it and said if you'd please
Have him show you out the door,
So with Paw on my head, we got in the truck
Headed back down 94.

It was 14 December, a day I remember,
the weather was cold with fog.
Paw and me, couldn't eat you see,
cause they said Paw's a rat not a dog.

(c)2009/10/13 jj williams