This is it!  The last week of conferences for the year and what a way to go out. Digital Living Room will be celebrating connected devices at Sun Microsystems, Santa Clara tomorrow and on Wednesday HRTS is lunching with the showrunners of Modern Family, Glee, Mad Men, How I Met Your Mother and Rescue Me at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza. Try catching the stream if you can’t make it live.  Below are the guides to these events as well as CES which is now just around the corner:

Tu 12/15
DIGITAL LIVING ROOM
PSN, Sezmi, Epix, Y!, ZillionTV, Vimeo, ClipSync, Dolby, Panasonic..
Sun Microsystems, 4030 George Sellon Circle, Santa Clara 95054
12/14 Tech Supper Club-SF, Blumberg Capital, 580 Howard
12/15 Tech Supper Club-Santa Clara
12/16 Tech Supper Club-Santa Monica, Playground Media, 1813 Centinela
www.digitallivingroom.com

8:45  Welcoming Remarks

9:00  Competitive Landscape
An examination of how cable, satellite and telco providers are faring in the pitched battle for consumers.
- Ben Bajarin, Director of Consumer Technology, Creative Strategies
- Colin Dixon, Senior Analyst, The Diffusion Group

10:00  Keynote
- Susan Panico, Senior Director, PlayStation Network

10:30  3D’s Televised Future
3D television sets will be on display at this year’s CES, and models without glasses may be just a few years away. Jeffrey Katzenberg, for one, has said that 3D TV is inevitable.
- Joshua Greer, President and Co-Founder, RealD
- John Rubey, President, AEG Live
- Patrick Griffis, Senior Director, Technology Policy, Dolby Laboratories Inc.
- David Broberg, Vice President of Consumer Video Technology, CableLabs

11:30  Social TV
The connected living room makes seamless the interaction consumers are already having about their favorite programming over the Internet and on mobile devices. How long until Facebook Television?
- Blake Whitman, Community Director, Vimeo
- Itzik Cohen, founder and CEO, ClipSync
- Emil Rensing, Chief Digital Officer, EpixHD
- Bill Binenstock, Vice President and Manager, CBS.com
- Moderator: Michael Stroud, Founder, iHollywood Forum

12:30  Lunch

1:30- 2  Keynote
- William O. Leszinske, Jr., GM, Digital Home Group, Intel

2  Cloud in the Living Room
The ability to access any content, any time is fundamentally changing the dynamics of television watching and the economics of broadcasting and cable. As DVRs and subscription VOD become standard, are ad-supported television networks at a fundamental disadvantage? Can cable and satellite companies keep their iron group on the consumer’s wallet when a la carte offerings are available over the Internet?
- Pat Dunbar, Director, Advertising TV, Video & Music Business Group, Microsoft Corporation
- Mitch Berman, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman, ZillionTV
- Mitch Weinraub, Executive Director – Business Development, Comcast Media Center
- Rob Schonfeld, VP, Pay Television and Interactive Media, Disney ABC Domestic Television
- Buno Pati, Co-Founder and CEO, Sezmi
- Moderator: Jimmy Schaeffler, Chairman & CSO, The Carmel Group

3  The Music Powered Living Room
Description: The music business has gone from wondering where the next paycheck is to how many ways can the same song be monetized. The new album is the Rock Star music pack and the new single is a mashup. This panel will explore how interactive music technology – from video games to mashups – are creating new revenue opportunities for the music, video game, video entertainment and marketing industries.
- Gilles Babinet, Chairman, MXP4
- Jason Henderson, Games Product Manager, Verizon Communications
- Jordan Greenhall, Co-Founder and former CEO, DivX
- Carmen Rizzo, two-time Grammy Nominee and electronic musician
- Moderator: Ephraim Cohen, President, Fortex Group

4  The Connected Living Room
The long-heralded integration between TVs, the broadband Internet, DVD players, game consoles, telephony, portable devices and wireless data is beginning to happen. What type of content will pull in consumers and what are the roadblocks to mass adoption?
- Russ Schafer, Senior Director of Product Marketing, Yahoo! Connected TV
- Alan Hoff, Vice President of Product Marketing, SeaChange International
- David Bryant, Senior Director of Java Marketing, Sun Microsystems
- Tushar Saxena, Director of Home Networking Technologies, Verizon Communications
- Moderator: Amy Friedlander Hoffman, President, Priority Digital Media

5  Venture Forum
Startups pitch products for the digital living room to a panel of venture capitalists and strategic investors
- Len Rand, Managing Director, Granite Ventures
- Brad McManus, Director of Investments, Panasonic
- David J. Blumberg, Managing Partner, Blumberg Capital

6  Reception

*****************************************************************
W 12/16  12-2
HRTS HITMAKERS LUNCHEON
Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles
www.hrts.org
(1pm Live-stream: HRTS Online Video Central)

• Peter Tolan, Rescue Me
• Matthew Weiner, Mad Men
• Steven Levitan, Modern Family
• Ryan Murphy, Glee, Nip/Tuck
• Carter Bays, How I Met Your Mother
• Craig Thomas, How I Met Your Mother
  

*******************************************************************
Th 12/17 6-9
SGN MOBCLIX MIXER
Silicon Valley
(invite only)

******************************************************
Tu 1/5 – W 1/6, Th 1/7 – Su 1/10
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW
110,000 expected, 2500 exhibitors, 800 speakers, 250 conference sessions incl Digital Hollywood, Connections, and Digital Media Wire, it’s the largest digital media event of the year!
Las Vegas Convention Center, Hilton, Venetian..
www.cesweb.org

Tu 1/5
12-4, V Titian 2202, LVCC S229 – press room open
1:30, V Murano 3301-3 – ASUS press event
2-3, V Bellini 2105 – CEA US Trends
3-4, V Bellini 2105 – CEA Global Trends
4-7, V Ballroom – CES Unveiled: Best Buy, Hannspree, Lenovo, Powermat…
7-10, Sands Expo shuttle – StartUp Debut – VCs, press, eats, drinks, startupdebut@gmail.com

W 1/6
7:30-9, V Titian 2202, LVCC S229 -press room open
8-8:45, V Casanova 501 – LG press event
9-9:45, V Marco Polo 706 – Monster press event, V Sands 201 Netgear press event
10-10:45, V Casanova 504 – Toshiba press event
11-11:45, V Sands 206 Pioneer press event
12-12:45, V Sands 102 – Sharp press event
1-1:45, V Bellini 2105 – Casio press event
2-2:45, V Marco Polo 801 – Samsung press event
3-3:45, V Marco Polo 705 – JVC press event
3-3:45, V Bellini 2101 – Panasonic press event
*****
8-10:30, LVCC N262 P2P Breakfast, N260 Paramount, BitTorrent, N262 Snacks
11:30-12:30, LVCC N261 NVP Saatchi,N253 SpikeTV BBDO MTV,N258 A&E, TwitVid
12:30, LVCC N262 Lunch
1-2, LVCC N253 Lego, IMVU, Gaia, WW Biggies, N258 IODA, Napster
1:30-2:15, LVCC N260 Melike Amjarv, WB, BMI, SAG
2:30-3:30, LVCC N258 Discovery, Paramount, N253 ngmoco, N261 NBCU, MTV
3:30-4:15, LVCC N256 Qualcomm, Ericsson
4-5, LVCC N253 Viximo WB,N258 Fandango, Flixster, Freeverse,N261 TiVo
5-7:30, LVCC N262 P2P Cocktails
4:15-5:30, LVCC Central Hall 14200 – Sony press event
6:30-7:30, Hilton Center – Keynote – Steve Ballmer, Microsoft

Th 1/7
8-5, LVCC S229, V Titian 2202 -press room open
8:30, Hilton Theater – Keynote, Alan Mulally, Ford
10-6, Exhibit Hours
10-12, Hilton Shimmer Cabaret – Jen-Hsung Huang, NVIDIA press event
10-11, LVCC S227 DISH press event, S224 4G Verizon, Samsung, Clearwire
10-12, LVCC N250* Autonet, Pandora
10:30, LVCC N264* CEA Outlook, , N255* Kodak, Scoble
10:30-11:30, LVCC N256 AVOD, TiVo, Panasonic, N259 DISH, Merv Griffin, Starz
11-12, LVCC N253* ABC, LeapFrog, Vtech, Build-A-Bear, Lunch
11:20-12:10, LVCC N260* 3D – WB, Disney, CinemaNOW, Dolby
12-1, LVCC N254 Autonet, N259 Hearst, Rovi, N262* WaPo, N256 Roku, Z, Intel
12-1, LVCC S224 EA, RIM, ATT, TI, Sony
12:20-1:10+, LVCC N260* 3D RealD, LG, Panasonic, Sony, N253* MyYearbook
1:30-2:15+, LVCC N250* CBS counting viewers, N262* CBS, Pampelmoose
1:30-2:30, LVCC N259 Lionsgate, YouTube, FB, Fox, Disc, N261 Fremantle
2-3, LVCC N253* Cartoon Network, PBS, Nokia
2:30-3:20, LVCC N260* Y!, NBCU, Vizio, WB, DIVX
3-4, LVCC N259 Interactive – Sony, Sharp, Y!, N256 LG, Samsung, Sharp, Panasonic
3-4, LVCC S224 Netbooks – Lenovo, Laptop Mag, Intel, Microsoft, AMD
3-5, LVCC N253* Toy Demos, KAPi Awards – Sesame Workshop
3:45-4:30, LVCC N250 Monetizing Content – Tubefilter, FOD, NBCU, CJP
4:30-5:30, LVCC N250* CESup Search – TiVo, CBS, CTAM
4:30-5:30, Hilton Theater – Keynote, Paul Otelini, Intel
5-6, LVCC S227 – Sanyo press event
6-7, LVCC N237* CESup Reception
7-9, LVCC MGM shuttle* Tour of CBS Television City
6-10, Wynn Lafite Ballroom – Showstoppers (invite only)
6:30, Mandalay Bay – Tech & Engineering Emmy’s, events@emmyonline.tv

F 1/8
TBD AllThingsD short program
8-5, LVCC S229, V Titian 2202 -press room open
8:30-9, LVCC N250* Ben Silverman, Electus
9-10:15, LVCC N250*Illeana Douglas, Thomas Schlamme,ShoeMoney,NBCU
9-11, LVCC N262* MommyTech-GMA, Tina Sharkey, BabyCenter, N260 HBO
9, Hilton Theater, Keynote – Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, Nokia
9-6, Exhibit Hours
10:30-11:30, LVCC N250* Scripps, NBCU, N253* EnergyTech
11, Hilton Theater, Keynote – Dr Paul E Jacobs, Qualcomm
11:30-12:30, LVCC N250* Ken Howard, SAG, Sony, LG, Nielsen
12-1, LVCC N262* Lunch – MySpace, N255* FCC Chair, N261 Bravo, N259 FLO TV
12-1, LVCC S225 Powermat, S224 Handango, ATT, Intel, Samsung
1-2, LVCC N262* Mommy Memorykeepers – Eye-Fi, N255* CinemaNOW
1:30-2:30+, LVCC N262*OnStar,Fox,N261 Z, Arts&Labs,N259 Metacafe,Redbox,JWT
1:30-2:30, LVCC S224 Untethering TV – Qualcomm, Broadcom, Sony
3-4, LVCC S224 ION, FLO TV, MobiTV, NatGeo, LG, S225 Samsung
3-4, LVCC N260 GPS Garmin, TomTom, N261 Lionsgate, MSNBC, N259 Blip.tv
3:30-4:15-5, LVCC N262* Marketing to Digital Moms/Gala Product Showcase – Kodak
4, Hilton Theater – Keynote – Zhou Houjian, Hisense
4:30, LVCC South Hall EHX CE PRO reception
6-7, LVCC North Hall – Kenwood press event
*****
2:30-7:30, V Ballrooms 3001-3101 – Digital Media Insider sessions/awards party
3, V Casanova 501 – Shuttle press event, wearenotalienbware.com
5:30-8:30, Atomic Museum, It Won’t Stay in Vegas party
TBD Paris Hotel, Monster 2010 Dealer Awards – John Legends Concert (invite)

Sa 1/9
8-5, LVCC S229, V Titian 2202 -press room open
9-6, Exhibit Hours
10:30-11:30, LVCC S224 Revision3, N261 Big Fuel, N255* Last Gadget Standing
11, LVCC South Hall Lobby 3 CNET Stage – Best of CES
12-1, LVCC N260 Napster
1:30-2:30, LVCC N258 Warren Packard, DFJ, Kuk Yi, Best Buy, S224 Sprint, Comcast
2:15-5:30, LVCC N253* Silvers Summit Gadgets – Fox
3-4, LVCC N260 Netbooks – Harris Interactive

Su 1/10
8-3, LVCC S229, V Titian 2202 -press room open
9-4, Exhibit Hours

*FREE
**Shuttles:  http://cesweb.org/docs/2010_CES_Shuttle_Map_for_CESweb.pdf
***Maps: www.cesweb.org/exhibits/facilities/default.asp,  http://www.cesweb.org/docs/2010_CES_Show_Locations_Map.pdf
*** Parties:  http://www.thomas-pr.com/01/ces2010.html

Dec. 1, 2009 (PRVegas.com) – Legendary singer-songwriter Barry Manilow is making music and magic at Paris Las Vegas with a new resident show. On March 5, 2010 Manilow will throw open the doors to the Paris Théâtre at Paris Las Vegas with a reimagined stage show that will be both more intimate and more exciting than ever before. Manilow will perform 78 shows each year for two years at Paris Las Vegas. The shows are produced by AEG Live in conjunction with Paris Las Vegas.

Tickets for performances March 5 through July 18, 2010 are on-sale today at 9 a.m. EST. Directed by renowned stage and film choreographer and director Jeffrey Hornaday (Flashdance, A Chorus Line, High School Musical), this new show will cast Manilow’s hits in a new light in the intimate and elegant 1,500 seat Paris Théâtre. Including all the songs that have made him a pop culture icon over the past 35 years, the show will bring the energy, sincerity and melody of Manilow at his best to a spectacular yet personal crescendo. “The audience in Vegas is always energized and electric, so I know that the Paris Las Vegas is going to be a special run,” said Manilow. “I’m planning something new for this performance; definitely not to be missed.”

Barry Manilow

Dec. 1, 2009 (PRVegas.com) – Legendary singer-songwriter Barry Manilow is making music and magic at Paris Las Vegas with a new resident show.   On March 5, 2010 Manilow will throw open the doors to the Paris Théâtre at Paris Las Vegas with a reimagined stage show that will be both more intimate and more exciting than ever before.

Manilow will perform 78 shows each year for two years at Paris Las Vegas.  The shows are produced by AEG Live in conjunction with Paris Las Vegas.  Tickets for performances March 5 through July 18, 2010 are on-sale today at 9 a.m. EST.

Directed by renowned stage and film choreographer and director Jeffrey Hornaday (Flashdance, A Chorus Line, High School Musical), this new show will cast Manilow’s hits in a new light in the intimate and elegant 1,500 seat Paris Théâtre.  Including all the songs that have made him a pop culture icon over the past 35 years, the show will bring the energy, sincerity and melody of Manilow at his best to a spectacular yet personal crescendo.

“The audience in Vegas is always energized and electric, so I know that the Paris Las Vegas is going to be a special run,” said Manilow.  “I’m planning something new for this performance; definitely not to be missed.”

With worldwide record sales exceeding 80 million, Barry Manilow is ranked as the top Adult Contemporary chart artist of all time, according to R&R (Radio & Records); with no less than 25 consecutive top 40 hits to his credit between 1975 and 1983, on the Billboard Hot 100. Manilow has worked on over 40 albums over the course of his career as a singer, songwriter, arranger and producer.  He recently released “In the Swing of Christmas” his third collection of holiday songs and will release “The Greatest Love Songs of All Time,” a new album chronicling the most touching love songs ever written on Jan. 26, 2010.

“Barry Manilow is an icon to generations of adoring fans, “said John Meglen , co-CEO and President of AEG Live/Concerts West. “AEG Live is privileged to be working with him to bring this new and exciting musical production to the stage in Las Vegas .”

“At Paris Las Vegas, romance blends with excitement and energy, so it’s only fitting that Barry Manilow reignite our entertainment offerings,” said Marilyn Winn, President of Paris Las Vegas. “We invite all of our guests to spend a dynamic evening with Barry Manilow at Paris Las Vegas.”

Los Angeles, CA (CNS) – Michael Jackson’s personal physician may never be paid for his services.

Dr. Conrad Murray, who is currently the target of a manslaughter investigation into the King of Pop’s death, reportedly won’t get his $300,000 medical fee from AEG. Murray is said to be planning to sue Jackson’s concert promoter for unpaid services, claiming he is entitled to the money under a contract he signed with AEG.

 However, TMZ sources said that while a contract was drafted, it required three signatures: AEG, Jackson, and Murray. Only Murray allegedly signed the contract and sent it to the company, but neither AEG nor the “Thriller” hitmaker ever signed it. The insiders added that AEG is adamant it will not pay the doctor a single penny.

Meanwhile, Janet Jackson has hit out at Murray, blaming him for her brother’s death. In an interview with ABC, she said, “He was the one administering, I think he is responsible.” She added that she hoped Murray would never be allowed to practice medicine again.

Read more: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7017028818?AEG%20Reportedly%20Not%20Paying%20Michael%20Jackson’s%20Doctor%20For%20His%20Services#ixzz0XFjpx0Ic

Open my mailbox this morning and this what I see first:
AEG Newsletter

Big smile on my face
The boys are getting there… It’s so much fun seeing all their progress after following them around for two years.

Pic from AEG Live

(PRVegas.com) – November 5, 2009 – Bette Midler announced today that the final performance of her critically acclaimed Las Vegas show The Showgirl Must Go On will be Sunday, January 31, 2010. The final performance will mark the end of her two-year residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace which began on February 20, 2008.

Bette Midler

“What a fabulous two years this has been, and I thank AEG and Caesars Palace for the best partnership a showgirl could imagine. Who knows? These legs have had such a great run in the desert—it may be time to haul them to places with more humidity and fewer slot machines. But first I need to finish recording my album of the sexiest new love songs that only a showgirl could sing,” stated Midler.

“Bette is one of the most talented, hard working professionals in the business and we would have loved for her to stay longer, said John Meglen, co-CEO and President of AEG Live/Concerts West. “All of us at AEG Live thank Bette and the entire cast, crew and staff for a great two year run at The Colosseum.”

Tickets still available at Click2Vegas.com and NationalShowTickets.com and other ticket outlets.

_____________________

TOP 5 NATIONAL CONCERT EVENTS
Provided by NationalShowTickets.com
1 Taylor Swift
2 Lady Gaga
3 Miley Cyrus
4 U2
5 Bruce Springsteen

Vivat Rex (Long live the King)

 

I was at the premiere in London’s Leicester square on Tuesday. My verdict? The movie shows that if the concerts had happened, they would have been truly amazing – the King of Pop was a genius. Michael had added a dynamic and funky dimension to his performances. Fantastic dancers and musicians, breath-taking choreography- would have been a real treat.

My favourite parts? When Michael was encouraging the guitar player to give it her all. He was telling her “this is your time to shine.” That sums Michael up, the loving caring man that I knew!! My other favourite part was when Michael was sucking on his lollipop whilst discussing work stuff with Kenny Ortega. Again, that was Michael through and through. Full of contradictions – child-like and yet completely on the ball – a genius. The funny thing is that he never even knew how remarkably talented he was, he just felt as if he was the vessel that all the great songs and dances were channelled through from God. A very humble man.

Could Michael have completed the 50 concert stint? No, I don’t think so. To me, as someone who knew Michael for quite some time, he did not look well in most of the footage. Reports of him looking amazing are greatly exaggerated in my opinion. He definitely did not look himself and he was far too thin for my liking.

Did the movie give much insight into Michael’s character? It is very difficult for me to say if the movie gives much insight (to the fans) into Michael’s character – he had so many dimensions. I personally don’t think it did. He was in work mode during the footage and I got the impression that his team (performers and backstage crew) were very much in awe and star-struck.

My experience of him is as an eternal prankster, always light-hearted and cracking jokes. I did not see enough of that. But again as I said, he was in work mode.

Was this a representation of the King at work? Again, no, I don’t think so. In my mind, Sony/AEG have skilfully put together footage of Michal’s rehearsals although I don’t think the movie tells much of a story. I would have liked to have seen more about how they started at the drawing board – the creative process.

I knew Michael Jackson, the man, the father and my dear friend. I did not know Michael the artist – the King of Pop – and how he made his ideas, dreams and vision come into fruition. I would have liked to have seen a video diary of how he felt, what he planned to do next, how he felt things were going with respect to the rehearsals etc. I suppose this would have revealed more of what Sony/AEG purposely chose to leave out – the circumstances surrounding his death.

What was Sony/AEG’s rational for releasing the footage? To be honest, I wasn’t sure at first. Infact, I’m still not entirely sure and my opinion on this changes day to day. Let’s discuss this! I guess it depends on what school of though you subscribe to. Those that believe that Michael was a victim of premeditated murder or exploited into carrying out concerts that he was never able to complete, may see this as a propaganda tool to show that Michael was in good form. This is a possibility. Others could see this as Sony/AEG jumping on the bandwagon and cashing in on Michael’s death. Again plausible. And lastly, it may have been as Kenny Ortega claims it to be – a chance for the fans to see what the London concerts would have been like with out having to hear about the dark side of his life and death. Again sounds reasonable. In reality the rational is probably a combination of all of the above – but to what degree, I don’t know – only time will tell.

Would I have seen it if I had to do it all again? Yes and No. Yes – because I would have kept on hearing about it and curiosity would have forced me into seeing it. No- because I found the movie deeply upsetting to watch and feel that it made me feel worse about Michael’s death. I was not emotionally ready to see the movie. Michael’s death is still very raw and I feel as if I have regressed in the mourning process as a result of watching it.

 Don’t let my opinion stop you guys from watching it. I was a friend of Michael’s and as with our close friends, we can tell how they are feeling by their mannerisms and the way they carry themselves. We can read between the lines and pick up things that acquaintances can’t.

I spotted two sections in the movie where I knew Michael was feeling good and confident about the shows. It is hard for me to describe where that was because of the way the movie was cut i.e. not in a chronological time frame. In my view, it was when he was wearing the suit (the outfit he wore on his last rehearsal) and then the orange trousers with a gold jacket.

The section when he did the ‘penguin type’ move while singing Human Nature was Michael at his lowest point (as per the footage). I can’t watch it – it makes me cringe. I had to hide my face. He was clearly very thin and weak and did not look well in himself. It was embarrassing and nobody in the background seemed to notice that something was clearly wrong. It is impossible to know definitively when this was i.e. whether it was at the beginning of his stint of rehearsals or nearer the end. My guess is that it was around April time.

Final verdict. I think that this movie is aimed at ‘general’ Michael Jackson fans who appreciated his music and performances, but weren’t too fussed about Michael as a person or his personal life. Die-hard fans may find the movie a little upsetting.

For all of you ‘This is NOT it’ followers, I agree with and support the overall sentiment of the cause. Michael’s death was by no means natural and was definitely avoidable. Someone was very negligent and deserves to be punished. However, please don’t judge others that do go to see it. Everyone has their own motives for doing so.

What will I miss most about Michael? Our phone conversations. Me sat on the floor in my dressing gown, up against the radiator with a cup of tea chatting to the King of Pop. What did we talk about? Everything and nothing! We had this a funny conversation once at like two o’ clock in the morning. We were talking about what super powers we would chose to have. We both decided that we would like to be invisible and would like to be able to fly. Michael also said that he would love to be able to get to anyway in the world within seconds by beaming himself to where ever he wanted to go. I told him if he ever figures it out, to beam himself over to the other side of the ‘Pond’ (to UK, where I live) and we could hang out. Sadly, I only got to see him a couple of times a year because of that damned Pond between UK and US.

 He knew that I am frightened to death of snakes and he was always so sweet when he was taking me around Neverland and kept on assuring me that he wouldn’t let any snakes get me. Sweet as pie that man!! Another time, I was looking through some photos and went to open a box that I guess he didn’t want me to see and he “there is a snake in there!” I freaked out and he was in absolute hysterics!!

In March this year on my birthday, he sang ‘Pretty Young Thing’ down the telephone to me. I cried, sooo soo very sweet!!

I’m also going to miss him winding me up and all the pranks he used to play.  Shaking my can of coke so that I got soaked when I opened it. Ha, I got him back!! Man, I’m going to miss his rather amusing cockney accent – “can I have some fish and chips?”; “Would you like to come for tea?”

It’s so crazy because it is only since his death that I realised that he was the King of Pop. That sounds daft but he really was ‘my mate Michael’ to me. It freaks me out sometimes that I actually knew the most famous man on the planet. We (his mates) were very lucky to have him in our lives, I wish I hadn’t taken it for granted that he’d always be around. I can’t remember a time before I knew Michael.

Vivat Rex!!!!

Susan xx

Michael Jackson’s This Is It: Review

Last night I was able to catch an Advance Screening of the new Michael Jackson concert documentary This Is It. The film chronicles the dress rehearsals and sound checks of what was to be Jackson’s come back, as well as his final curtain call. Running almost completed performances of hits like Billie Jean, They Don’t Really Care About Us, Beat It and Man In The Mirror, Jackson and his crew of producers, directors, dancers and musicians brought together what could possibly have been one of the best and most successful career comebacks of all time.

Jackson was in his element, his singing was dead on and all of his vocals were done live with no backing tracks which prove that he possesed a level of professionalism and pure ability that is almost unheard of today in the Pop world. At some points he did look a little rusty as far as dance moves are concerned, but taking into account the fact that the man was 50 years old at the time and hadn’t performed live in almost 10 years makes sense. But all of the skepticism about his dancing abilities were put to rest during his dance sequence for Billie Jean.

The Thriller portion of the film saw the addition of new footage in the style of the original music video filmed in 3D  for use on the digital backdrop during the concerts. This was also done for other songs including a scene with Jackson and Humphrey Bogart for Smooth Criminal and a digital army for They Don’t Really Care About Us among others, but most elaborately for Thriller. The new visual  technology that was used made for some great looking effects and surreal backdrops.

Aside from the music, the film showed some rare behind the scenes footage of just how a production of that magnitude comes together. Along side the show (and film) director Kenny Ortega, Jackson crafted a great work and was hands on in every aspect of the concert from musical direction and filming to set and costume design. His work with the musicians and his vast and complete knowledge of his entire catalog was striking and showed that he was not just a talented performer but also an amazing songwriter and arranger.

The only problem that I have with this film is that I will never get to see the finished product live and in person. This Is It is a great look at the interworkings and passions of a man who still had it, could still do what everyone remembered him and would no doubt have been back on top of the Pop world, the tragedy being that he would never able to bring it to his fans in person.

Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” film will premiere today in cinema’s across the world. Hopefully you were one of the fans lucky enough to book a ticket in advance as this is sure to be the sell out event of the year.

Sadly I will be going to see the film as opposed to the concert which I had a ticket for and even though I know this is not how Michael intended us to see the performance this is the closest I will get to seeing what could have been. Mostly I’m pining to see the DVD of this as I know it will be packed full of extras, but I’m just sad that I never got the chance to experience the real thing I’m sure this would have been the best tour ever.

One thing, I will be watching this film with a watchful eye as rumours have swirled that body doubles were used in scenes among with some other trickery’s. Also I’m not settled on Michael’s death, there are still some things which haven’t been answered; hearing testimonies from some fans who saw Michael and met him on a few occasions, some of the things they have told me about his thoughts on this tour and how he was feeling inside have left me a bit disturbed, but, I wont divulge into it more as I’m still gathering information plus I dont want to spoil anyone else’s viewing.

Just keep your eyes open.

R.I.P Mike

My Icon

We All Miss You

Listen to the following tracks that will appear on Michael Jackson’s album “This Is It”!

“Shes Out Of My Life” Demo

“Beat It” Demo

“Wanna Be Startin Something” Demo

Listen to “Planet Earth” Spoken poem by Michael

Visit the following Michael Jackson websites below:

Michael Jackson official website
http://www.michaeljackson.com

Michael Jackson official BlackPlanet website
http://www.blackplanet.com

Michael Jackson official Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/michaeljackson

Michael Jackson official Myspace Page
http://www.myspace.com/michaeljackson

Michael Jackson official Twitter Page
http://twitter.com/michaeljackson

Author: http://knightgrooves.wordpress.com/

By Gigwise.com

Randy Phillips, president of concert promoter AEG Live, has revealed he informed Michael Jackson’s children the singer had died.

Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II travelled to UCLA Medical Centre behind their father’s ambulance on June 25. Phillips told Entertainment Weekly he watched as doctors battled to save Jackson’s life.

 “I’ll never forget this: There were all these people running around, frantically trying to revive him,” Phillips said.

“[Jackson's personal physician] Dr. Murray was in there, and he was completely a mess.”

Jackson, 50, died at 2.26pm local time after doctors’ resuscitation attempts failed. Philips said he was left to inform Jackson’s children about the singer’s death after his parents got lost on the way to the hospital.

 “A nurse came out and said, ‘Where is Mrs. Jackson?’ Michael’s parents weren’t there yet — they’d gotten lost,” he said.

 “They’d gone to St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica.”

Philips added: “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever lived through. I’ll never forget the look of fear in their faces.”

The president of AEG was responsible for masterminding Jackson’s ill-fated comeback gigs in London, which were due to begin just three weeks after his death.

UPDATE!!

New Trailer!

Also, watch another exclusive MJ clip “The Way You Make Me Feel” from the movie This Is It.

Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” in cinemas Worldwide from 28th October, and “This Is It” the CD released worldwide from 26th & 27th Oct.  2009!

Michael Jackson – Sony we want something new

You would figure with the tour named “This is It,” the new song would have been specially made for the tour and brand new.  That was not the case of this latest Michael Jackson release, not only was it vintage Michael but it was old.

When people have to be asked did they like a Michael Jackson song more than once, you know it is not up to par.  People were trying to respect the dead as the song was a dud.  I know Michael has some better stuff on the shelf, maybe they are trying to save the best for last.

Let us get real, with the new technology and all the vocals Michael left behind, they can make Michael Jackson say just about anything at any tempo, sure it would take time to process, but that is what engineers and producers are for.  In fact theoretically with Propellerhead products Reason/Reason Duo and ReCycle this is possible, whereby ReCycle can snatch one word at a time out of a song independently of any other instrumentation and Record has a high tech time stretch feature to change the vocals tempos.  Hell they have the masters!

I would really like to see a high tech production of Michael Jackson using modern technological instrumentation; Michael said it or sung it already.  Sony just has to do it!

Michael Jackson – Sony we want something new

You would figure with the tour named “This is It,” the new song would have been specially made for the tour and brand new.  That was not the case of this latest Michael Jackson release, not only was it vintage Michael but it was old.

When people have to be asked did they like a Michael Jackson song more than once, you know it is not up to par.  People were trying to respect the dead as the song was a dud.  I know Michael has some better stuff on the shelf, maybe they are trying to save the best for last.

Let us get real, with the new technology and all the vocals Michael left behind, they can make Michael Jackson say just about anything at any tempo, sure it would take time to process, but that is what engineers and producers are for.  In fact theoretically with Propellerhead products Reason/Reason Duo and ReCycle this is possible, whereby ReCycle can snatch one word at a time out of a song independently of any other instrumentation and Record has a high tech time stretch feature to change the vocals tempos.  Hell they have the masters!

I would really like to see a high tech production of Michael Jackson using modern technological instrumentation, Michael said it or sung it already.  Sony just has to do it!

New Michael Jackson Song “This Is It”
Exclusively Available On Forthcoming Album!

CD Available Worldwide October 26 & 27 2009.

Click Your Country’s Flag to Reserve Your Copy Now – See link below!

http://www.michaeljackson.com/uk/node/326415

MJ OFFICIAL LINKS:

This Is It official website – updated!
http://www.thisisit-movie.com/

Michael Jackson official website
http://www.michaeljackson.com

Michael Jackson official BlackPlanet website
http://www.blackplanet.com

Michael Jackson official Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/michaeljackson

Michael Jackson official Myspace Page
http://www.myspace.com/michaeljackson

Michael Jackson official Twitter Page
http://twitter.com/michaeljackson

Author: http://knightgrooves.wordpress.com/

Michael Jackson – “This Is It” Clip -due to be released midnight 12th Oct. 2009.

Check out the same song that was written by Michael re-titled “I Never Heard” (1991) for singer Safire below!

The following quotes from The Michael Jackson website (at http://www.michaeljackson.com):-

“NEW YORK, NY – At the stroke of 12 a.m. (midnight) EST on October 12th, a never-before released song from Michael Jackson – a single entitled “This Is It” – will be unveiled to the world on www.MichaelJackson.com.  ”This Is It,” a brand new song, marks yet another exciting moment in music history for one of the world’s most revered artists; featuring backing vocals by Michael’s brothers The Jacksons, the song plays during the closing sequence of Sony Pictures’ forthcoming film MICHAEL JACKSON’S THIS IS IT and is on the 2-disc CD set Michael Jackson’s This Is It, which is the stand-alone companion to the motion picture. The single artwork – a new photo of Michael taken recently at his Staples Center rehearsals – will also be disclosed.”

Michael Jackson’s This Is It also includes a 36-page, commemorative booklet featuring exclusive photos of Michael from his last rehearsal.

THIS IS IT – COMPLETE TRACKLISTING

Disc 01

1. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
2. Jam
3. They Don’t Care About Us
4. Human Nature
5. Smooth Criminal
6. The Way You Make Me Feel
7. Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)
8. I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
9. Thriller
10. Beat It
11. Black Or White
12. Earth Song
13. Billie Jean
14. Man In The Mirror
15. This Is It
16. This Is It (Orchestra Version)

Disc 02

1. She’s Out Of My Life (Demo)
2. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (Demo)
3. Beat It (Demo)
4. Planet Earth (Poem)

A new Michael Jackson single called “This Is It” will hit the airwaves on October 12, two weeks before it is available as part of a two-disc album released by the late pop star’s record label. 

Sony Music’s Columbia/Epic Label Group said it would release the “This Is It” album internationally on October 26 and in North America on October 27, to coincide with the simultaneous global release of the Jackson movie of the same name on October 28. 

A spokeswoman in London said that contrary to some reports, the posthumous single would not go on sale separately but would be available for radio stations to play from October 12. 

“This song only defines, once again, what the world already knows — that Michael is one of God’s greatest gifts,” said John McClain, co-producer of the album and an executor of Jackson’s estate. Jackson died of an overdose of prescription drugs on June 25, at around the time he was rehearsing for a 50-date, sellout series of comeback concerts in London. 

The “This Is It” movie, subject of a $60 million deal between Jackson’s estate and concert promoter AEG Live and Sony Pictures, is based on footage from the final concert rehearsals. 

Sales of Jackson’s records spiked after his death, and the release of the movie and album will add to the value of the “Thriller” singer’s estate, estimated at around $400 million. 

Sony Music said the first disc of the two-disc album will feature some of Jackson’s greatest hits plus two versions of the new single “This Is It.” The song includes backing vocals by Jackson’s brothers. 

The second disc will include unreleased versions of some of the singer’s classic tracks and a spoken word poem entitled “Planet Earth” performed by Jackson and never heard before.

HW Design Inc. Was At Rock A Little, Feed A Lot

 

David Arquette proved last night that Hollywood truly has a heart for the hungry.  Mobilizing a
team of celebrities, Arquette brought much-needed attention to Feeding America and The Los
Angeles Area Foodbank with a high profile benefit show at Club Nokia. 

Ben Harper and Tom Morello Perform An Acoustic Set For Rock A Little, Feed A Lot. Photo by JB Brookman © HW Design Inc.

  
Near the end of her set that closed the show at LA Live, Sheryl Crow burst forth with the
quote of the evening, “I love David Arquette so much, man!” she exclaimed. “Who else would
put himself out there like this?!”  Arquette is a dedicated giver to the foodbank in Venice, and
his wife, Courtney Cox, shared with the crowd that he faithfully volunteers there twice a week. 
Arquette brought his passion to feed the hungry that fueled the spirit of the evening.
  

“Rock A Little, Feed A Lot,” brought together an impressive lineup of musical talent that
included Crow, Ben Harper, Joel and Benji Madden (Good Charlotte), Katherine McPhee
(American Idol), Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), and Jonny Lang.  Miley Cyrus,
Rob Thomas and OneRepublic also pre-taped special performances that were aired during the
concert.  Comedian Gary Shandling did a stand-up routine. 

Courtney Cox And Lisa Kudrow Have A Friends Reunion At Club Nokia. Photo by JB Brookman © HW Design Inc.

  
A long list of presenters were highlighted by the “Friends” reunion of Lisa Kudrow and Cox. 
Kudrow even grabbed a guitar and did an impromptu version of, “Smelly Cat,” during a break
in the action.  Other presenters included Marcia Cross, Isla Fisher, Alanis Morissette, Christina
Applegate, Allison Sweeney (The Biggest Loser, Days Of Our Lives) and Jeff Probst
(Survivor).
 
AEG Live was also a big winner of the evening, donating Club Nokia for the cause.
  
Informational and inspirational videos were intermingled with the live acts.  There was a
heartfelt video from Jennifer Lopez.  The main video of the evening showed an extensive list of
A-list actors doing work for this cause.  Those included: Will Smith, Morgan Freeman, Tyler
Perry, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Anne Hathaway, Adrien Grenier, Nick Lachey, Wyclef
Jean, Kevin Bacon, Jenny Garth and Scott Wolfe.

Sheryl Crow Headlines The Benefit For Feeding America. Photo by JB Brookman © HW Design Inc.

 

  
September is Hunger Action Month to help raise awareness and funds for the 35 million people
who are at risk of hunger in America.  Hunger Action Month, formed to help those in need,
bloomed from a day of service into a month-long campaign as the economy has taken a turn for
the worse and the demand for food assistance has increased.  “Many Americans are unaware
of the great demand for food assistance throughout the country.  The need for food assistance
nationwide has increased 30 percent throughout the last year and in many communities the
increase is much higher,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America.  “We
are excited to team up with so many talented artists to shed light on Hunger Action Month and
the issue of hunger in America.” 

Katherine McPhee Performs At Club Nokia To Fight Hunger. Photo by JB Brookman © HW Design Inc.

  
Crow wrote a song benefiting Feeding America, called “All We Need,” which she unveiled at
the show.  It is a duet with Jason Mraz and will be available on ITunes next week.  Ben
Harper’s performance was mesmerizing and yet powerful.  After a rupturing number with a
slide guitar, he brought Tom Morello on stage and together the influential artists moved the
hearts in the room to action.  It was a talent filled night brought about by those who do.  

Please, take some time to look at these websites and see if there is a way that you can help:
www.lafoodbank.org.
www.feedingamerica.org