John Mayer 

      John Clayton Mayer was born October 16, 1977. He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and raised in Fairfield. Mayer first picked up a guitar after being stuck in a hospital room for a week due to a cardiac arrhythmia at the age of 13. For a college education, Mayer attended Berkley College of Music in Boston but that didn't last long. After only a year at Berkley he moved to Atlanta where he lived and played music with his friend Clay Cook, also known as LoFi Masters. Mayer later left the duo to record Inside Wants Out, which he marketed himself.  

    Mayer's rise to fame began in the 2000's, signing with Aware Records after the Southwest Music Festival in Texas. The leading single for his first album, Room for Squares, was titles "No Such Thing". This song was written with the help of Cook, in which they addressed high school counselors that told them to "stay within the lines". In this song they discuss that it is better to follow the beat of your own drum. This is an extremely personal song to Mayer because in many ways he didn't follow the path his counselors urged. In fact, instead of going straight to college after high school, he worked at a gas station to save money to buy a guitar.

      Room for Squares became a multi-platinum album because of the singles "No Such Thing" and "Your Body is A Wonderland". In 2003, he then released "Heavier Things" featuring the singles "Bigger Than My Body" and "Daughters". Shortly after that, in 2004, he recorded "As/Is" making it a largely successful year for Mayer and a turning point in his career. Mayer changed musical persona from sensitive to a smart, out spoken man. He made his new persona widely know through risky blog posts, columns in magazines, TV specials and interviews, even playing the a Harlem barbershop. Since the he has released "Room for Squares", "Heavier Things", "Continuum", "Battle Studies", "Born and Raised" and "Paradise Valley" which are his full albums although he has also a few live albums. Mayer writes all of his own music although has made a few covers of others artists.



Your Body Is A Wonderland: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=N5EnGwXV_Pg

No Such Thing: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H1W2UddURXI

Source:
"John Mayer Biography." Rolling Stone. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2015.

Williams, Evan Calder. "A Contribution to the Critique of John Mayer." N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2015.

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood was born on March 10, 1983 in Oklahoma, and spent her childhood being raised on a farm by her parents. Her father worked in a sawmill while her mother taught at an elementary school. She has two older sisters named Shanna and Stephanie. Carrie actually almost signed a record with Capitol Records when she was 14, but a problem with their management caused the contract to fall through. Carrie thought of this as a blessing in disguise saying she would not have been ready for a career at that time. Carrie graduated her high school as salutatorian, and went on to graduate magna cum laude at Northeastern State University.

Carrie started her on the television show American Idol when she won in 2005. Her career has lasted, so far, just ten years, and she has become one of the most well-known artist of her generation. Carrie has won a total of 6 Grammy Awards, sold almost 64 million records, and has scored 18 number 1 singles. Carrie just released her Greatest Hits Decade #1, and it has soared through the charts.

On July 10, 2010, Carrie married hockey player Mike Fisher, and they are expecting their first baby sometime this spring.

Here is a link to Carrie's current song that earned her a Grammy this year, and that she performed at the CMA's in 2014.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_HLIOnfJNs

Maroon 5 Post #1

Maroon 5 

By Emily Balow 

Maroon 5 is a popular band from Las Angeles.  When many here the name Maroon 5 , they think Adam Levine(1994). However the rest of the band members include Rhythm guitarist James Valentine (2001), keyboardist Jesse Carmichael (1994), keyboardist PJ Morton (2012), Bass guitarist Mickey Madden (1994), and drummers Ryan Dusick (1994-2006) and Matt Flynn (2006).  In high school, some of the original members were involved in the band Kara's Flowers. While the did produce and album it had little success and they were soon dropped from their label. After attending college for a short period, the band rejoined and after adding members became Maroon 5. The origin of the name Maroon 5 is kept secret by the band, it is rumored that it comes from their college Five Towns College. Taking both the 5 and the school color of maroon. 

Maroon 5's first break through album, Songs About Jane, produced hit songs "Harder to Breathe" and "This Love". In 2004 the album entered Billboards Top Ten. Nearly two years after the album Songs about Jane released, "She Will be Loved" and "Sunday Morning" became top hits. Again increasing the popularity and success of the album. Since their debut album they have come out with 4 more. Most extremely popular.  In an interview Adam and bandmates said that they do write their own music, adding that it's one of the things that differs them from a boy band along with the fact that they don't have choreographed steps. 

Here is a link to "Sunday Morning": 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2Cti12XBw4

Sources: 

"Maroon 5: 'We're Not a Boy Band'" BBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.

"Maroon 5 - Maroon5." Www.maroon5.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.

"Maroon 5." - Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.

"Maroon 5 - Sunday Morning." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.

Joan Jett post #1

JOAN JETT

Joan Jett  is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and occasional actress, best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, including their hit record "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982. She has three albums that have been certified Platinum or Gold, and has been a feminist icon throughout her career. She is considered by the Toronto Sun as the Queen of Rock ‘n Roll. 

Joan Marie Larkin was born September 22, 1958 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She moved to Rockville, Maryland, in 1967. Jett got her first guitar at the age of 14. Her family moved to West Covina, California, in Los Angeles County, to help Joan pursue her music career.
Before Joan went solo she was part of the band The Runaways. The band had Sandy West (drummer), Jackie Fox, Lita Ford, and Cherie Currie.  While The Runaways were popular in Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada and South America, they were not as popular in the U.S. After Currie, the lead singer, left the band, the band released two more albums with Joan handling the lead vocals. Altogether they produced five albums from 1975 until they broke up in 1979.

 

After The Runaways Joan formed another band called Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. In the band was John Doe, Gary Ryan and Eric Ambel. Still a rock n roll band Joan wrote some hit songs like Long live the Night" and "Up your Alley" which went multiplatinum. Her number one song was I love Rock N Roll which was originally written and recorded by the arrows. Joan and the Blackhearts have been around since 1980 and are still touring today. 

SONG: I love Rock N Roll by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFHg0uRAyVs 

Sources:

"Joan Jett." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2015. Web. 12 Feb. 2015. 

Miranda Lambert Post #1

Miranda Lambert

Maddie Clement- February 9th

Miranda Lambert is a country singer-songwriter! Miranda Lambert was born on November 10, 1983. She was born in Longview, Texas. She grew up in Lindale. Miranda’s parents ran a private detective agency. Her father was also a guitarist and songwriter. At the age of 10, She entered her first country music talent show.  She started her own band called Texas Pride at the age of 17. Miranda Lambert graduated early from school to pursue her dream. Her family helped to finance her first recording in 2001. She gained her fame as a finalist on the 2003 season of Nashville Star. Miranda finished 3rd on Nashville Star and eventually signed to Epic Records.

Her debut album Kerosene in 2005 went platinum. Her second album, Crazy Ex Girlfriend, was released in 2007! Her third Album, Revolution, was released in 2009. Lambert has been honored by the Grammy Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and the Country Music Association Awards. Lambert released her fourth album, Four the Record, in 2011. She released her fifth album, Platinum, in 2014. 

In 2006, Miranda Lambert began dating Blake Shelton. Blake Shelton is also a country singer. The two recorded and co-wrote the duet “Bare Skin Rug,” for Blake's album in 2008. In 2010, Blake Shelton proposed to Lambert! The two married in 2011, at the Don Strange Ranch in Boerne, Texas. Blake Shelton and Miranda now live in Oklahoma!

Here’s a link to Miranda’s performance at the Grammy’s from Sunday!!
Little Red Wagon- Miranda Lambert

Sources: 

"Miranda Lambert." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2015. 

"Miranda Lambert | Country Music Videos, News, Photos, Tour Dates | CMT." CMT     Artists. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2015. 

"Miranda Lambert Reveals 25 Facts You May NOT Know About Her." Country Music   Rocks. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2015. 

Dooley, Sean. "Miranda Lambert - Profile of the Singer-Songwriter." N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2015. 

The Black Keys Post #1

The Black Keys

Madeline Rose- February 7th

The Black Keys are a rock duo that has been active since 2001. Their music is described as indie rock, garage rock, and blues rock. Dan Auerbach is the guitarist/vocalist and Patrick Carney is the drummer. The two are childhood friends who grew up in Akron, Ohio. The two began playing music together in high school. 

In college Dan Auerbach tried playing at local bars with little success. That's when the two dropped out of college and decided to form a band. The duo signed with Alive in 2002 which lead to their first album The Big Come Up. Their first album is described by many as "raw blues rock."

Slowly but surely The Black Keys have gained a huge fan base and noteworthy success. They have eight albums. They have won six Grammy Awards, one MTV Video Music Award, and a BRIT Award along with countless nominations. Auerbach writes songs for The Black Keys and in 2009 he did some solo work. 

The band has controversy with The White Stripes frontman Jack White who has repeatedly criticized the band on everything from their name to their "unoriginality." White has been known to say that "there would be know Black Keys without the Stripes."

I'll Be Your Man- The Black Keys

"The Black Keys." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Feb. 2015. Web. 07 Feb. 2015.

Cohen, Jonathan. "Black Keys' Auerbach Unveils Solo Debut." Billboard. N.p., 17 Nov. 20081. Web. 7 Feb. 2015.

Digital image. Rollo & Grady. Rollo & Grady, 2 Mar. 2010. Web. 7 Feb. 2015.

Montgomery, James. "Jack White: Without the Stripes, There'd Be No Black Keys." Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone Magazine, 30 May 2014. Web. 07 Feb. 2015.

Tim McGraw Post #1

Sunday, February 1st 2015

Tim McGraw Post #1

Tim McGraw

By: Sophie Groves- February 1st

 

 

Meet Tim McGraw! He is a legendary country music artist who loves to sing about the lives of the American people. He is a single singer and songwriter, but has appeared in many duets with other country artists such as Faith Hill (his wife), Taylor Swift, and Kenny Chesney. When his music career was just getting started, he was a member in a band called The Dance Hall Doctors.

 

Not only is Tim a talented country music artist, but he is also an actor. Some of his most famous roles include Sean Tuohy (The Blind Side) and Charles Billingsley (Friday Night Lights).

 

Tim McGraw is a household name in the country music world. He has produced 12 albums, and he is only 47 years old. Tim first hit the music scene when he was given a record deal with Nashville-based Curb Records in 1991. His first self-titled album was produced in 1993, but was not very popular.

 

His first hit single was titled "Indian Outlaw" and came out in 1994. It was loved by many, and climbed to the top of the charts and was played on the radio constantly. The song, however, was controversial to many Native Americans because of its lyrics. "Indian Outlaw" earned Tim both fame and controversy attached to his name.

 

Tim McGraw grew up in a small town in Louisiana called Start, in Richland Parish. His small-town upbringing has played a role in the influence in his music, and examples of these can be found in many of his songs.

 

Tim has won 42 awards throughout his career, including 3 Grammys for his hit songs, "Let's Make Love" (2001 with Faith Hill), "Live Like You Were Dying" (2005), and "Like We Never Loved At All" (2006 with Faith Hill).  

 

Tim has continued to release new albums, and is popular among people of many different ages. His music is perfect to play for whatever mood you are in!
 

 Live Like You Were Dying- Tim McGraw
 

Sources:

"Tim McGraw." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2015.

"About Tim." Tim McGraw. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2015.
"Tim McGraw Pictures, Latest News and Video." AceShowbiz. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2015.
"Tim McGraw - Live Like You Were Dying (Official Music Video)." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2015.