Ok so you might find the next few links interesting. These are from around the web, just random snippets that I’ve picked up in my reading, but I found some very cool information in them. You might too. Here goes…

Michael Jackson to get lifetime achievement Grammy award

After his death, for six weeks, Jackson's album, "Number Ones," was the top-selling album in America. He was also recently named iTunes' "Artist of the …   Read More…

'The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty': A big family mess

Also without Michael the Jackson 5 wouldn't have been able to stay afloat as long as they didand yes they worked hard but Michael worked just as hard and …   Read More…

Britney Spears Rounds Up Her Favorite Rumors Of 2009

Speaking of bizarre, she was also working with Michael Jackson on some posthumous music. But our favorite comes via Christopher "CJ" Smith of MTV News. …   Read More…
That’s all the news for today guys, so until next time, thanks for stopping by.

Serving Up The Spam
 by: Ed Williams

Spam…..

Notice how you cringe up just a tad when you read that word? I sure do. For our purposes here this week, we’re not talking about the well known food product known as Spam. I know that kind of Spam gets made fun of sometimes, but I actually like eating it. Some thinly cut slices slapped between two pieces of bread with some mayo worked into it is not a bad sandwich. Not a bad sandwich at all. But, for this week’s epistle we’re not talking about Spam de la ham, we’re talking about computer generated spam. And I know that y’all have to be cringing for real right about now.

Most of y’all out there know what computer spam is – it’s those disgusting advertisement emails that get sent to your computer from literally all over the world. The emails that you never ask for, the ones that just show up. Just today, I took a look at a program that I use to filter email. It shows me how much of my email is composed of spam, and how much is legit. For the past month alone, the spam that has come into my computer comprises 88% of all the emails that I’ve received. That’s right, 88%! Doesn’t that make y’all want to gag, it makes me want to cuss more than a short changed streetwalker. And to give y’all an idea about the nature of some of these “spams,” here are the actual titles of a few that have come just while I was writing this column:

“Alternative to Viagra.”
“Stop paying for your mature adult channels.”
“Get medication online and save.”
“Rolex, Cartier replicas – look like the real thing.”
“My husband is gone, and party is my middle name.”
“Confirm your South Beach Diet cookbook delivery.”
“Work at home, stay bored, but get paid.”
“Weight loss pills, muscle relaxants, and more.”
“How often does a deal like this fall on your lap?”
“Auto Loans – Bad credit, no credit, no problems!”
“Better than Botox – Hydroderm Beverly Hills!”
“Make red light cameras ineffective!”

See what I mean? And these are just a few examples, I would’ve never been able to type out even one day’s worth of these spam email titles in time to get this column out. That’s how bad this problem has become.

To his credit, I’ve noticed here recently that Governor Perdue has noted this problem, and is trying to get something going that will help all of us internet users out. I sure wish him all kinds of luck in this endeavor. And, I wouldn’t be a good citizen if I didn’t offer up some suggestions for him to consider as to what to do for punishment for people convicted of sending spam out here in Georgia:

For six months they should have to watch endless repeats of every Miss Cleo commercial ever made, or listen to Perry Como songs or Carrot Top monologues for the exact same period of time.

They should be forced to stand inside a Krispy Kreme restaurant while the doughnuts are being made, but never be allowed to take a bite of one.

They should have to walk up to Zell Miller and tell him to his face that he’s too passive about his political views.

They should have to go to the City of Macon and stay there until they get all their financial records straightened out.

They should have to eat raisin bran for breakfast, chili dogs for lunch, Mexican food for dinner, and then go out for an evening at the opera.

They should have to walk up to any woman who has big ankles and tell her.

See? Don’t y’all think that one of these six options would straighten out those spammers? The best thing about them would be that Governor Perdue could use any of them and not add to the overcrowding of our jails. That’s always a good thing. After all, we don’t want to throw spammers in jail with real hardcore criminals like politicians, lawyers, modeling school proprietors, and Michael Jackson, now do we?

About The Author

Ed’s latest book, “Rough As A Cob,“ can be ordered by calling River City Publishing toll-free at: 877-408-7078. He’s also a popular after dinner speaker, and his column runs in a number of Southeastern publications. You can contact him via email at: ed3@ed-williams.com, or through his web site address at: www.ed-williams.com.

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The “X Factor”: What Is It And Do You Have “It.”
 by: Gian Fiero

What exactly is the “X factor?” You hear professionals in the entertainment industry referring to it. You hear artists alluding to
it, but you rarely hear anyone defining “It.” If you are an aspiring music artist or an entertainer, it’s important that you know what “It” is because in the mind of the most seasoned and powerful industry professionals, having “It” is what determines if you are worth the investment of endless amounts of time and money.

In order to properly and accurately define what “It” or “The X Factor” is, we will approach the subject from two perspectives: emotional and visual. Visually, it goes beyond good looks. Good looks are often confused with the “X factor.” This can be traced back to the advent and popularity of music videos in the 80’s, which created a greater emphasis and need for artists that could give “good face” or
in laymen’s terms, were photogenic.

But good looks only get attention. People who have “It” can maintain attention beyond a quick glance, or even a double take. They have something called magnetism. Magnetism is a combination of personal qualities such as: a sociable personality; self-confidence; charm; inner peace; comfort with one’s sexuality; rebelliousness; obvious intellect; a unique viewpoint; intensity or focus; authority; or
sense of humor. In some instances, it is truly indescribable, but very recognizable to those who have seen “It” before.

Emotionally, those with this “X factor” have a way of pushing our buttons psychologically. They make us feel good or inspired. Pissed off or aggravated. Challenged or validated. They intrigue us. They can be the center of attention without trying. Regardless of how they affect us, they engage us emotionally and the “X factor” that lives
within them, speaks to something inside of us, often times, something that we are not even in touch with.

Those who are talented and would like to pursue a professional career in the music industry as a commercial music artist must understand that for many of you, no matter how hard you work, your success
and destiny have already been pre-determined by the natural presence, or tangible amount, of “X Factor” that you were born with.

If you have “It,” then it’s a matter of harnessing and directing the power of “It” to make “It” more easily recognizable to others. For many however, there is nothing to tap into. It’s nearly impossible to get “It” as you get older if you didn’t have “It” when you were younger. Maturity is a nice quality to have, but it will never be mistaken for magnetism.

In my opinion, and in accordance with the laws of the “X
Factor,” it is only appropriate that Michael Jackson is one of the top selling music artist of all time. As a child, he didn’t just have “It,” he had a whole lot of “It.” He had so much of “It” that he was able to infect his four brothers with “It.”

Throughout his teen years and well into adulthood, the immensity of his talent was intensified by the high abundance of “X Factor” that his father identified and helped him to develop. We have yet to see
the level of intensity and focus that he displayed as a young star. He was truly destined to become the King of Pop – and still is regardless of what he has undergone in his personal life.

Other star music artists who have “It” are: Prince, Madonna, Usher, Justin Timberlake, Cher, Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Bonjovi, Bono, Bruce Springstein, Barbara Streisand, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, Eminem, Jay-Z, Ludacris, Missy Elliott, Bow Wow, Bebe &
Ce Ce Winans, and Yolanda Adams to name a few.

Of course there are many music artists who have achieved success without having “It.” Often times these individuals are driven and committed and are able to achieve their success as a result of hard
work, determination, sacrifice, good timing, great marketing, or exceptional talent. These fine attributes may ignite attention, but without the “X Factor” working for them, public interest and
attention tends to diminish over time.

Compare Prince to Whitney Houston. Both entered the music industry around the same age (18) and both have a tremendous amount of talent (albeit in different ways). While the world was hypnotized by Whitney’s talented gospel like voice that was stored in a model’s
body (a phenomenon that she helped to usher in), Prince’s magnetism garnered interest and attention from many of those who didn’t know quite what to make of him.

People tried to define him: Is he black or white? Is he straight or gay? Is he a rocker or an r&b artist? Is he a Christian or a freak? It really didn’t matter. What mattered is that he had “it,” and “it” is what kept us intrigued. He, like Michael Jackson, has so much of “It,” that “It” tends to overshadow the immensity of his
talents.

Whitney Houston on the other hand, with all of the grace and charm that she learned to fabricate while at the Wilhelmina Talent Agency, did a fine job of creating the illusion of having “It.” She did however, have a high abundance of all the other qualities that are often mistaken for the “X Factor.”

Those who have “It” carry “It” with them from the cradle to the grave. Bad career decisions; a bad marriage; life’s mishaps; lack of fame; lack of money – none of those things can affect or eradicate “It.” “It” should not be confused with attitude, which is often projected. “It” is not forceful and temporary. “It” is subtle and consistent. “It” is a serious advantage that is afforded to only a small minority.

© Copyright 2006. All Rights Reserved.

About The Author

Gian Fiero has over 15 years of experience as a former personal
manager and current music industry consultant who emphasizes
entrepreneurship and specializes in music licensing. He has been a
panelist, mentor, and moderator at many industry conferences, and a
frequent guest lecturer on music business topics at San Francisco
State University’s Music Recording Industry Program; Oakland’s High
School for the Arts; California Lawyers for the Arts; the U.S. Small
Business Administration; and the Learning Annex. Additionally, he is
the creator of “The Fiero Filter,” an industry tip sheet for content
users; and the senior music reviewer for The Muse’s Muse.

gfc@musesmail.com

Technorati Tags: Michael Jackson, michael jackson albums

Media Equation: Not All the News Was Bad in 2009

Just try to imagine this past year in media without President Obama, Michael Jackson and Tiger Woods. And lest you think it was all pathology and politics, …   Read More…

Chronology of news events in 2009

July 23 Search warrant says Michael Jackson's personal doctor is target of manslaughter probe. More than 40 New Jersey leaders are arrested in corruption …   Read More…

Soon, books on Tiger Woods saga

Ian Halperin, the man who has written unauthorized tell-alls about Michael Jackson and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, has revealed that publishing houses are …   Read More…
That’s all the news for today guys, so until next time, thanks for stopping by.

Technorati Tags: michael jackson albums