My mother sent me this article in the local newspaper regarding Mt. Vernon's new Mounted Police Unit. I think this is a great idea.
Thought I would share it with you.
http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200806170930/NEWS02/306170012
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
American Idol
So do any of you watch American Idol? I have watched it from its first season. It reminds me a lot of the old Ted Mack Amateur Hour and Star Search, but updated. A lot of people in the music industry do not like the show, but I think that it gives upcoming artists an opportunity that they may not have otherwise in following their dreams.
Right now American Idol has a number of Alum in the entertainment biz. Some have gone to the top of the mountain and others are working at something they love and still making money at it. Who cares if you stay a household name or not, if you are employed and you love what you do. Good for them and good there is a vehicle for them. I don't necessarily like certain things I hear about the way American Idol works, but I think it offers boot camp for artists and a built-in fan base. How's that for a jumpstart?
Season 5 produced many successful artists as you already know because Bucky Covington is a Season 5 Alum. Season 6 was a blur, but I think Season 7 had some amazing singers. Everyone says "it is a singing competition", but realistically singing is only one aspect that people vote on. A good voice might be the reason to pick up that phone and cast votes, but let's face it, if someone has a great voice, but has a rotten personality, he/she would not get my vote. A sense of entitlement turns me off. Confidence is one thing, cockiness is another.
There have been a lot of good singers on the show, but when I have the show on, I sometimes close my eyes and listen to the performer to see whether or not I hear something special in their voices. Listening to the interviews and watching them gives me another perspective on which to base my vote, if any.
So even though I have watched all seasons of American Idol, I have only voted for two people the entire time. First, of course, you know I voted for Bucky Covington. He was unique, humble, respectful and genuine. He had something that I thought would come across to the fans and it did, and it still is. His voice didn't get him to number one, but he has something that made him stand out and he is living his dream. (Kudos and Hugs to Bucky by the way)
So in 2008, Season 7, one person stood out for me above all -- Jason Castro. The other singers could belt out a tune and were enjoyable, but there was something very special about Jason Castro to me. Again, not a powerhouse of a voice, but let's face it, God gives people different talents and Jason was given something better than the ability to shout a tune. Jason's voice and style were the most unique of this season and, I believe, of most artists out there. He is memorable and there is something very special about this boy (hmmmm, I already said that didn't I? Well, then let's emphasize that point!)-- his humility, his joy, his smile, and oh I can't forget, he does have the most beautiful eyes. The eyes being the window to the soul tells that Jason has a very sweet spirit and a love for the Lord.
So about the dreads, well for the ridicule I received at my job for liking Bucky, it was even worse for liking Jason -- the dreadhead. People are so quick to judge a person at first appearance and just because they don't like their clothes or hairstyle they choose not to like them (see American Idol isn't only a singing contest). Jason's dreads made him stand out and I believe helped him to be noticed even more, not to mention being one of the reasons millions of girls and women fell in love.
There was not one song that Jason sang that he did not put his heart into completely. Some critics say he was not putting forth the effort. I beg to differ. Delivery of Jason's songs appeared effortless, but they were complicated and he completely emerged himself in every song and sang it with emotion -- even when he forgot the words to Mr. Tamborine Man. So he forgot the words, big whoop! He still delivered it with his own personality and it was memorable!
Some people on the internet have commented that Jason can't sing. Oh geez, with all the screaming in today's music does anyone listen to the words anymore? (Don't get me wrong, I like a variety of music myself, but don't dis a talented artist because you prefer fuel-injected delivery). Thank God Jason doesn't fall into the cookie-cutter mold. The Bible says we are "peculiar" people if we belong to God. Jason stay "peculiar".
I believe Jason cannot be pigholed into a box because he is a unique "work in progress" and I can't wait to see what the future holds for him. Check out Jason's singing Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah" and Enjoy.
Jason -- your fans thank you and we are waiting -- God Bless
Cathy Anne (DH)
Right now American Idol has a number of Alum in the entertainment biz. Some have gone to the top of the mountain and others are working at something they love and still making money at it. Who cares if you stay a household name or not, if you are employed and you love what you do. Good for them and good there is a vehicle for them. I don't necessarily like certain things I hear about the way American Idol works, but I think it offers boot camp for artists and a built-in fan base. How's that for a jumpstart?
Season 5 produced many successful artists as you already know because Bucky Covington is a Season 5 Alum. Season 6 was a blur, but I think Season 7 had some amazing singers. Everyone says "it is a singing competition", but realistically singing is only one aspect that people vote on. A good voice might be the reason to pick up that phone and cast votes, but let's face it, if someone has a great voice, but has a rotten personality, he/she would not get my vote. A sense of entitlement turns me off. Confidence is one thing, cockiness is another.
There have been a lot of good singers on the show, but when I have the show on, I sometimes close my eyes and listen to the performer to see whether or not I hear something special in their voices. Listening to the interviews and watching them gives me another perspective on which to base my vote, if any.
So even though I have watched all seasons of American Idol, I have only voted for two people the entire time. First, of course, you know I voted for Bucky Covington. He was unique, humble, respectful and genuine. He had something that I thought would come across to the fans and it did, and it still is. His voice didn't get him to number one, but he has something that made him stand out and he is living his dream. (Kudos and Hugs to Bucky by the way)
So in 2008, Season 7, one person stood out for me above all -- Jason Castro. The other singers could belt out a tune and were enjoyable, but there was something very special about Jason Castro to me. Again, not a powerhouse of a voice, but let's face it, God gives people different talents and Jason was given something better than the ability to shout a tune. Jason's voice and style were the most unique of this season and, I believe, of most artists out there. He is memorable and there is something very special about this boy (hmmmm, I already said that didn't I? Well, then let's emphasize that point!)-- his humility, his joy, his smile, and oh I can't forget, he does have the most beautiful eyes. The eyes being the window to the soul tells that Jason has a very sweet spirit and a love for the Lord.
So about the dreads, well for the ridicule I received at my job for liking Bucky, it was even worse for liking Jason -- the dreadhead. People are so quick to judge a person at first appearance and just because they don't like their clothes or hairstyle they choose not to like them (see American Idol isn't only a singing contest). Jason's dreads made him stand out and I believe helped him to be noticed even more, not to mention being one of the reasons millions of girls and women fell in love.
There was not one song that Jason sang that he did not put his heart into completely. Some critics say he was not putting forth the effort. I beg to differ. Delivery of Jason's songs appeared effortless, but they were complicated and he completely emerged himself in every song and sang it with emotion -- even when he forgot the words to Mr. Tamborine Man. So he forgot the words, big whoop! He still delivered it with his own personality and it was memorable!
Some people on the internet have commented that Jason can't sing. Oh geez, with all the screaming in today's music does anyone listen to the words anymore? (Don't get me wrong, I like a variety of music myself, but don't dis a talented artist because you prefer fuel-injected delivery). Thank God Jason doesn't fall into the cookie-cutter mold. The Bible says we are "peculiar" people if we belong to God. Jason stay "peculiar".
I believe Jason cannot be pigholed into a box because he is a unique "work in progress" and I can't wait to see what the future holds for him. Check out Jason's singing Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah" and Enjoy.
Jason -- your fans thank you and we are waiting -- God Bless
Cathy Anne (DH)
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