The Squid Calendar

Today would have been Michael Jackson’s 52nd birthday. How about celebrating it by starting your training for Thrill The World. Thrill The World is an annual event where people around the world dance Michael Jackson’s Thriller at exactly the same time. If there is not an event in your area, then be the one to start one!

Today is July 13, Barbershop Music Appreciation Day!  I love barbershop music.  I love it in its purest and most kitschiest form (four guys in stripes and flat hats singing Glow Worm), and in more modern twists.

Barbershop Harmony! by tenger

By the way, today is also Embrace Your Geekness Day, so here is a video that fulfills both.  (Yeah, my geekness is screaming that it should say geekiness too, but it’s doesn’t so get over it.)

June is African-American Music Appreciation Month. African American musicians have shaped what music is today. Countless amazing artists have pushed music forward and created genre after genre of music, over the past 200 years. I would venture to even say that nearly all music made today in America has been influenced in some way by African American music. Read Obama’s official proclamation of African-American Music Appreciation Month

I wouldn’t even know where to start if I looked back at all the black musicians that have made an impact on me, so instead I’ll stick with a few current, less mainstream, artists:

Janelle Monae – A Cybergirl by BettyBroke
The Best Neo Soul Music by LivingInParis
Laura Izibor by Mazzer

Who is your favorite black musician? Feel free to leave a link to a lens on your favorite African American musician.

Tonight is the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.  Get ready for an amazing display of talent.

Let’s take a look at some who were nominated:

Zac Brown Band – Nominated for Best New Artist

Bela Fleck – Nominated for Best Contemporary World Music Album

The Ting Tings – Nominated for Best New Artist

Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate – Nominated for Best Contemporary Jazz Album

Lady Gaga – Nominated for Album of the Year

Adele – Nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance

Happy Birthday to three great contributors to music:

J.J. Johnson – born January 22, 1924

Sam Cooke – born January 22, 1931

DJ Jazzy Jeff – born January 22, 1965

On January 9, 1935, Bob Denver was born. He was a well loved actor best known for his role of Gilligan on Gilligan’s Island. Bob Denver passed away in 2005 and is greatly missed.

Today is also the birthday of Dave Matthews, South African musician and actor.
Dancing Nancy with The Dave Matthews Band by HelpMarcProject.

In January of 1963, The Beatles released “Please Please Me” which hit #2 on the the UK singles chart.
On February 9, 1964 The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Millions were influenced by The Beatles – culturally and musically.

And then on December 8, 1980, John Lennon was shot.

Millions are still influenced by The Beatles – culturally and musically. And, millions miss John Lennon, including mukunda22 who made: John Lennon: My Favorite Beatle.

Every band needs rhythm…and it’s all up to the percussionists to make it. Whether it is a rock band, jazz band, marching band, or orchestra, an amazing drummer a critical member of the group.

Check out The Top 10 Drum Legends and their Drum Kits by business-for-life.