Vote for popolio.com as The Austin Chronicle’s 2009 Best Local Blog — Austin

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So, popolio.com has not even been around a year.  We debuted on September 15, 2008, and I’m not sure the greater Austin population even knows we exist, YET.  But, I figured, “What the hey?”  Let’s try this.  One, I have nothing to lose, and, two, I  just want to see where this takes us.

I recently saw Milk on DVD and I’m inspired by Harvey Milk’s determination and resilience.  So, maybe we won’t make the mark this year, but you never know if you don’t try and if you don’t take that first step, right?  That fist step may lead, ultimately, to final victory.  I know his deal was politics and more serious, but, this blog is my passion and music makes the world go ’round.

So, vote for us and write us into The Austin Chronicle’s Best Of 2009 in the ‘Media Section’  as the “best local blog” here or mail in a ballot from last week’s edition or any upcoming editions until the deadline.  According to the rules, ballots must be submitted online by Tuesday, July 21, 2009, and only one mail or web ballot per person is allowed.  Click the link or logo above for more details on the rules and to vote. 

 

Tuesday Tease

Vote popolio.com “Best Local Blog”  in The Austin Chronicle’s 2009 Best Of poll here.
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July 14, 2009

A popolio selection of today’s New Releases.

Adelitas Way	Adelitas Way
Bebe	Y.
Bleu	A Watched Pot
Care Bears On Fire	Get Over It!
Coko	The Winner in Me
Daughtry	Leave This Town
Chico DeBarge	Addiction
Discovery	LP
Joe	Signature
The Killer and The Star	The Killer and The Star
Lisa Lisa	Life N Love
Sick Puppies	Tri-Polar
Bryan Sutton	Almost Live
Twista	Category F5
Warrior Soul	Destroy The War Machine

 

MY TOP 10: Mike Jack Collabos — 1. Janet Jackson “Scream”

I’m kicking off MY TOP 10 tribute to the King of Pop.  I wanted to do something a little different.  We all know the videos and we all know the good ones, so I thought I’d focus on his duets.  But, I’m going to make it a 2-in-1 MY TOP 10.  The BONUS videos will function as a second countdown and will feature the regular Michael Jackson videos.  Hope you enjoy our stroll down MJ memory lane.

1. Janet Jackson “Scream”
So, of course, Janet with Michael had to be Number 1.  I’ve stated time and time again that I am a Janet fan.  Fanaticism aside, this really is a good song and video, though.   And, Michael and Janet are the 2 biggest Jacksons.  Janet was smart about this, too.  Apparently, Michael had asked to duet with her prior to this, but Janet didn’t want to do anything with him until she felt she had established herself on her own two feet.  She didn’t want anyone to think she was riding on Michael’s coattails or the Jackson name.  And the timing of this release was at a good time in both their careers.  This single was for his greatest/new hits package, HIStory:  Past, Present, and Future, Book I and garnered 11 MTV VMA nominations — the most ever at the time.  Additionally, with a $7 million price tag, it is still the most expensive video ever made.  

***BONUS*** Michael Jackson “Billie Jean” (Motown 25 performance)
So, the Motown 25 performance is one of those that’s often talked about and especially now that MJ has passed.  It is where he first unveiled the moonwalk.  Hope you enjoyed this moonwalk down Michael Jackson memory lane.  Enjoy.

 

 

MY TOP 10: Mike Jack Collabos — 2. Paul McCartney “Say Say Say”

Vote popolio.com “Best Local Blog”  in The Austin Chronicle’s 2009 Best Of poll here.
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I’m kicking off MY TOP 10 tribute to the King of Pop.  I wanted to do something a little different.  We all know the videos and we all know the good ones, so I thought I’d focus on his duets.  But, I’m going to make it a 2-in-1 MY TOP 10.  The BONUS videos will function as a second countdown and will feature the regular Michael Jackson videos.  Hope you enjoy our stroll down MJ memory lane.

2. Paul McCartney “Say Say Say”
I wanted to feature “The Girl Is Mine” from Thriller, but I couldn’t find an official video for it.  All this time I thought “The Girl Is Mine”  was another hit from Thriller, but its Wikipedia page says differently.  But, we all know how credible Wikipedia is. (Though I do reference it often. Factual stuff seems more credible than opinion-based statements.)  It does mention that it was a hit on the charts, so for that to happen it had to have had a nice cross-section of the general, mainstream audience.  Michael Jackson and a Beatle?  I think that’s pretty major, so that’s why this is Number 2.  “Say Say Say” came out after “The Girl Is Mine,” but had been produced prior.  It is from McCartney’s Pipes of Peace and was at Number 1 hit for 7 weeks on Billboard Hot 100.

**BONUS*** Michael Jackson “Smooth Criminal”
From Bad, this is one of my personal MJ favorites, musically and visually.  I have no idea what I’m going to end with tomorrow for the BONUS video.   Guess it will be a surprise for us both. Until then, enjoy “Smooth Criminal.”

 

MY TOP 10: Mike Jack Collabos — 3. Diana Ross “Ease On Down The Road”

I’m kicking off MY TOP 10 tribute to the King of Pop.  I wanted to do something a little different.  We all know the videos and we all know the good ones, so I thought I’d focus on his duets.  But, I’m going to make it a 2-in-1 MY TOP 10.  The BONUS videos will function as a second countdown and will feature the regular Michael Jackson videos.  Hope you enjoy our stroll down MJ memory lane.

3. Diana Ross “Ease On Down The Road”
This is the classic song from The Wiz by Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, who played Dorothy and The Scarecrow, respectively.  The Wiz is a musical reinteripretation of The Wizard of Oz  through a Black urban lens and this song is in the feature film version of the musical.  The song comes from the musical and became a hit for Ms. Ross and MJ.  Like other songs on this countdown, it was nominated for a Best R&B performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal Grammy Award.

***BONUS*** Michael Jackson “Human Nature”
No official video for “Human Nature” from Thriller.  So, here’s a live performance version.  The first sweet song along the lines of “Man in the Mirror.”  Sort of.

 

MY TOP 10: Mike Jack Collabos — 4. Jermaine Jackson “Tell Me I’m Not Dreamin’ (Too Good to Be True)”

Vote popolio.com “Best Local Blog”  in The Austin Chronicle’s 2009 Best Of poll here.
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I’m kicking off MY TOP 10 tribute to the King of Pop.  I wanted to do something a little different.  We all know the videos and we all know the good ones, so I thought I’d focus on his duets.  But, I’m going to make it a 2-in-1 MY TOP 10.  The BONUS videos will function as a second countdown and will feature the regular Michael Jackson videos.  Hope you enjoy our stroll down MJ memory lane.

4.  Jermaine Jackson “Tell Me I’m Not Dreamin’ (Too Good to Be True)”
This song features Michael and Jermaine and is from Jermaine’s self-titled 1984 album.   A B-Side that was never an official release (so, no official video, either) because of issues between the brothers’ record companies, it did get a lot of air and club play.  It was a Number 1 Billboard Dance Club Play hit for three weeks and also garnered a Grammy Nomination for Best R&B Performance for a Duo or Group with Vocal.

 

***BONUS*** Michael Jackson “Man in the Mirror”
This song from Bad seems to have become the King of Pop’s unofficial chosen theme post-death.  It does make a strong statement.  An aspirational song and video, so no wonder.  Enjoy.

 

Bands, Musicians, DJs, Entertainers: Do You Need PR, Promotion, or Gigs? — Austin

Let me say that Neil Diaz at NCD Resources is the one that reached out to me to cover the GAT5 Summer Sizzle fashion show (see the flyer here).  Since, popolio is a music blog we had to take a music angle.  So, that’s why we featured Questions for the DJ and band that were playing the event in addition to the co-founder of GAT5 – PREPMODE here, Tribella here, and GAT5 (Charles Ferraro) here. I also took some pictures at the event and those will be posted soon.  I was also asked to review the event and that will be coming as well.  So with that said –
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Does your band need PR and/or promotions?  Are you a DJ  in need of gigs?

NCD Resources focuses on Public Relations and Events in Fashion and Entertainment. Strong networks, years of experience, excellent reputation.  

For any inquiries contact Neil Diaz at 512-699-0819 or ncdiaz1@hotmail.com

 

MY TOP 10: Mike Jack Collabos — 5. Eddie Murphy “Whatzupwitu”

I’m kicking off MY TOP 10 tribute to the King of Pop.  I wanted to do something a little different.  We all know the videos and we all know the good ones, so I thought I’d focus on his duets.  But, I’m going to make it a 2-in-1 MY TOP 10.  The BONUS videos will function as a second countdown and will feature the regular Michael Jackson videos.  Hope you enjoy our stroll down MJ memory lane.

5. Eddie Murphy ”Whatzupwitu”
Eddie Murphy was never quite able to parlay his comedy success into a music career, though you have to give him credit for trying.  He released more than one album of music.  This song in particular is hardly considered a hit.  Though some may think it a strange pairing (and video), I think it’s an interesting pairing of two legends of different areas.  And, I, personally, like the track.  This is from Eddie Murphy’s third and final music album, Love’s Alright.

***BONUS*** Michael Jackson “Rock With You”
How about we pair “Whatzupwitu” with “Rock With You?”  Not a bad pairing, right? Well, sit back and enjoy on this day of the memorial.

 

Tuesday Tease

Vote popolio.com “Best Local Blog”  in The Austin Chronicle’s 2009 Best Of poll here.
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July 7, 2009

A popolio selection of today’s New Releases.

Cage	Depart from Me
Chris Garneau	El Radio
Marcy Playground	Leaving Wonderland…In a Fit of Rage
Maxwell	BLACKsummers’night
Paul Oakenfold	Perfecto Vegas
Oneida	Rated O
The Sixteen	A New Heaven
Young Fresh Fellows	I Think This Is

 

MY TOP 10: Mike Jack Collabos — 6. Heavy D “Jam”

I’m kicking off MY TOP 10 tribute to the King of Pop.  I wanted to do something a little different.  We all know the videos and we all know the good ones, so I thought I’d focus on his duets.  But, I’m going to make it a 2-in-1 MY TOP 10.  The BONUS videos will function as a second countdown and will feature the regular Michael Jackson videos.  Hope you enjoy our stroll down MJ memory lane.

6. Heavy D “Jam”
This is more of a feature or cameo than a true duet.  Heavy D provides a rap on the bridge of the song, but this isn’t an out of the ordinary guest appearance for a rapper especially at the time.  Heavy D first appeared on sister Janet’s remix of “Alright,” so he got to work with the two biggest Jacksons.  The video visually features a legend of another arena and another MJ  — Michael Jordan.  The video concept is that the two masters teach each other their crafts.  Kris Kross, who were hot at the time, also guest on the video, though they provide no vocals.

 

**BONUS*** Michael Jackson ”Remember the Time”

Both videos are from Dangerous tonight.   This one is a longer more elaborate video with fun guest appearances and memorable choregraphy that was often imitated, but never duplicated.   

  

 

Letter from the Editor

Sunday, July 5, 2009 8:44 PM

To Whom It May Concern:

I’m long overdue for my June 2009 Letter from the Editor, but I still want to give it to you. I’m going to try bullets to expedite and address some things.

• New opportunities — I’ve just been so busy with new opportunities associated with this blog that it’s been hard to keep up with the regular features. Haven’t quite figured out how to balance things as those opportunities grow. I do want to give a shout out to those who have reached out and collaborated with popolio here in Austin – Birds Barbershop, The Pachanga Latino Music Festival, and the GAT5 Summer Sizzle fashion show. The flow of it seems to be occurring in ebbs and flows, so, I guess I will have to deal with really busy peaks and when I have slower valleys, I can play catch-up.

 

• Deadlines — I want to keep up with the deadlines I’ve set-up here at popolio. I’ve been thinking about it. And, I think with features that come from me — things such as MY TOP 10 and Single and Listening I can be a little more flexible and that’s fine. One MY TOP 10 a month and that could be any time throughout the month and two Single and Listenings a month, which could also fall at any point. Ideally, I’d want to spread them out throughout the month. Now, Tuesday Tease is timely, so, that has to happen weekly. And, anything that deals with an artist that an artist might be waiting on, regarding those features, I want to work on tighter scheduling. pop quizzes have been pretty much every other Friday. New feature Questions for has been harder to keep up with. I’m always in need of content. So, any artists and/or their representatives out there who want to be featured reach out to me.

 

• Michael Jackson’s death — This is the biggest story of June. It’s still unwinding as I type this. I’ve posted a few posts regarding the King of Pop. And, I’m in the middle of a MY TOP 10 dedicated to him as we speak. So, check out those posts and this month’s MY TOP 10.

 

• The Austin Chronicle’s 2009 Best Of Poll – I’ve tossed my hat in the ring to be voted as “Best Local Blog” in The Chronicle’s annual poll. They’re actually celebrating 20 years of Best Of. So, Happy Birthday to them. I’m still growing the blog and trying to get the word out, but I don’t think I have anything to lose by mounting this campaign. I work hard and I think I write well and present a good blog. I’m about not trying to do what everyone else is doing and doing my own thing. And, if you do similar things because you can’t reinvent the wheel every single time, at least you try to give it your own, different angle. And, I’m focused on entertainment not gossip or sensationalism and original content, which is evident by our interviews with local, national, and international artists as well as our pics of local events. So, vote for us in the poll’s Media Section.

9:12 PM

peace, love & all that jazz

Freddie Rodriguez aka freddie beat
popolio creator/editor