We are family...

Every year at Christmas we take a big family picture at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  This picture is from a year someone got a new camera with a timer.  My uncle was going to press the timer button and quick jump in the picture.  Easier said than done.  Major technical difficulties...  I believe this picture was attempt number 6 or 7.  I knew he wasn't going to make it into the pic this try so I thought I would spice it up a bit.  See if you can find me!!!

Here is a great site I discovered (with the help of Entertainment Weekly) this past weekend!  Guaranteed to make you laugh out loud and possibly make you pee your pants!!

www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com

GLEE-ful!

So excited for Tuesday's premier of GLEE!

Entertainment Weekly gave it an amazing review.  

Here is a longer promo...

Is it wrong I get a little teary eyed every time I see a promo for this?

Watch it Tuesday night after IDOL!!!! (Then download it for free on Wednesday on itunes!)

seven ate ___.

Check out out the new trailer for the movie version of the musical NINE!

This looks amazing!!!!! It's directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago) and has an ALL-STAR CAST including Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren, and Fergie (YES that Fergie.)  I'm blown away by her vocals in this clip.

Here is the link.  You can download it for your ipod!

The movie open November 25.

NPH and BWAY

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS IS HOSTING THE TONY'S THIS YEAR!  Very excited!  He was wonderful hosting the TVLand awards. 

Can't wait!  The Tony's air Sunday June 7 on CBS!

Here's a SOUL-ful Neil on Sesame Street.

Those Magic Changes!

Thank goodness you only have to go through puberty once in your life...  

(I know really random topic!!!  But saw this hilarious clip this weekend!!)

I remember a very awkward talk about "my changing body" in fifth grade by Mr. Griffin who certainly chose each word he said very wisely. 

During this talk, I remember being SHOCKED at seeing a picture of a naked breast.... specifically... "the nipple." My sister's Barbie Dolls had NO SUCH THINGS, so this threw me for a loop.

 

I guess the girls were probably just as surprised to see that we had more than just underwear the color of our skin.

Then in seventh grade there was another talk about "talking care of our new bodies" in P.E. class.  The thing I remember most is that after the talk we got a goody bag with OXY FACE ASTRINGENT  and "new Doritos cool ranch" samples.  It was really weird because the Doritos bag smelled like the astringent.  To this day I cannot eat a cool ranch dorito without thinking of OXY and acne.

Ah! Memories.

Mothers...

Here is one of the most beautiful songs written from a mother to her child.  It's by Christian singer/songwriter SARA GROVES.

Here is a video using the song made by a mom for her adopted children.

Download this amazing tune here.  

I am a huge Sara Groves fan.  YOU CANNOT LOSE MY LOVE is from her sophomore release ALL RIGHT HERE.  The whole album is very powerful.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to my beautiful mother, sister, my grandmas... and all you wonderful Moms out there.

Here is a picture of my mom and a picture of me both about the same age.  The similarities crack me up.

I Get A Kick Out Of You

Here is a wonderful medley about Pregnancy performed by Susan Egan.  Susan made her Broadway debut as Belle in the original cast of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.  She went on to many other productions and voiced "Meg" in the Disney animated film HERCULES.  

The Pregnancy Medley is from her 2008 double live album SUSAN EGAN - LIVE! with CHRISTOPHER McGOVERN.  This really really cute medley features the songs  I Get A Kick Out Of You/I've Got You Under My Skin/Together Wherever We Go/Losing My Mind/Dance 10, Looks 3/Steppin' Out With My Baby/You're Nothing Without Me.

Download the intro (at the end of a great song called LAST SONG) and the adorable medley!  Well worth $1.99 for the pair!!!

I'm sorry mama... I never meant to hurt you!

No this post isn't about EMINEM.  Although I'M SORRY MAMA would be an interesting song on a "MOTHER'S DAY MIX cd."

We're gonna talk about a troublemaker with a few less "F BOMBS"... 

Yesterday I did a post on Disney "Mother" songs.  Many recent Disney cartoons feature the single father... The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, and Beauty and the Beast. Aladdin actually had a mother.  As the storyline changed, she got the boot as did a beautiful tune. PROUD OF YOUR BOY (with wonderful lyrics by the late Howard Ashman) is touching song written for Aladdin to sing to his mother telling her he was going to make her proud today.  Here is the original demo version.

You can download that demo version sung by composer ALAN MENKEN, as well as studio versions by CLAY AIKEN and JOHN BARROWMAN (which is my favorite version.)

Perhaps someday we may see a I'M SORRY MAMA/PROUD OF YOUR BOY duet!!??  Any takers....  Mr. "Clay-Diddy" Aiken?   

Baby Love

Here are 2 wonderful Disney tunes about mothers...

The first is the very touching BABY MINE from Dumbo.  There are many covers of this tune.  I have 3 favorites.  The first one I heard was sung by BETTE MIDLER on the BEACHES soundtrack.  I also really love the versions by BONNIE RAITT (with a Doo Wop feel!) and ALISON KRAUSS.  Definitely download worthy!!  (Actually the Bonnie Raitt version is not on i-tunes, but can be found on the cd's MARY HAD A LITTLE AMP and STAY AWAKE.  

Have a listen.

OH, almost forgot!  KERRY BUTLER has a gorgeous version as well.  Guess I have 4 favorite versions!!!  (All you mothers with 4 children out there... I've got you covered!!!)

While looking for videos of these versions I stumbled upon this really nice rendition by a young a cappella group from New Zealand called THE WILLOW SINGERS.  There are some really nice harmonies in this.  Here are 3 of the 4 members.

The second Disney song doesn't get as much exposure as Baby Mine, but it is equally as touching.... YOUR MOTHER AND MINE from Peter Pan.   Here is the original version.

*** O.k. just had to post one more song by THE WILLOW SINGERS.  The other soprano is in this video.... beautiful beautiful harmonies...

Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat...

For the rest of the week I'd like to focus on MUSIC ABOUT MOMS.  

I absolutely love COAT OF MANY COLORS by DOLLY PARTON.  Had the wonderful pleasure of seeing her this past year.  As iconic she is for her stage persona, she really is a wonderful songwriter and musician.  

I know I've done a few posts on Dolly, but here is her music video to BETTER GET TO LIVIN' released last year.  The video features AMY SEDARIS!!!!!!!   Also, congratulations to Dolly for her Tony nomination for Best Original Score for 9 to 5.

Tequila

Happy Cinco De Mayo....

Hello..

I've missed you...

Sorry that I didn't post last week.   I'm vocal directing a new show that opened at Busch Gardens last week and there was absolutely no time to post.

I wanted start this week with a wonderful cover of Lionel Richie's "HELLO" done by last year's Idol winner DAVID COOK.

I really wanted to do a post on David today.  His brother passed away this weekend after fighting a battle with brain cancer.  David actually was scheduled to speak at the Race For Hope in DC on Sunday which benefits the National Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure.  Despite his loss or rather because of it he still attended and gave this inspiring speech.  

David and his family are in my thoughts and prayers.