Don't be mistaken by the beauty of her. This young new singer and songwriter is fighting her way to the top. At the age of 23 Shontelle is becoming more than she imagined. She has always loved singing and performing on center stage. She is the oldest of her three sisters, and has always been an over-achiever. Whether it was in sports or on the stage. Her aunt who was also a singer encouraged her the most to pursue her career in singing, while the rest of her family didn't feel it would be the best choice.
One year Shontelle went to "Cadets" camp, where she was a drill sergeant to a newcomer by the popular name "Rihanna." Both girls never thought they would end up fulfilling their dreams and be famous singers. They still remain friends to this day.
Shotelle's career for singing kicked off in 2005 in the Caribbean as the writer of the girl-power anthem, "Roll." If she hadn't written that song for Rihanna, she might not have been found. The producers loved her voice and she now has hit singles. Such as, "T-shirt," and the newest of her songs, "Impossible."
Shontelle is becoming a hot new artist that has a unique style of music. She is becoming one of my favorites! If she keeps up with the great songs she will be hitting the top of the charts very soon! I hope this Bajan girl can go all the way like Rihanna did!!!
Siblings Kimberly, Reid and Neil come together to form the famous band "The Band Perry." These three have always had a love for music and played throughout their summers in Mobile, Alabama. Kimberly being the oldest started her own band at the age of 15 having her younger brothers as her roadies. After years of helping their sister they got tired of it and started their own band where they would open up for Kimberly's band.
"My bass and I've been attached at the hip since I was 10 years old, while most of my friends were playing little league, I was sitting in my room learning Rolling Stones' and Beatles' bass lines. It's really all I've ever known." explains Reid.
The three were in separate bands as they grew up, but could recall many buggy nights in Alabama sitting on the front porch playing Hank Williams and Bobbie Gentry in a three-part harmony.
Kimberly says, "We all knew we would take the stage together -all we were waiting on was the right moment."
In July of 2005 these three very talented siblings finally decided to come together after years of writing. Coca-Cola Bottling Company asked them to open all of the dates on their "New Faces Of Country" Tour that year.
"The three of us bring different strengths into the writing room,"
"Kimberly carries in a bag of melodies and lyrics, Reid always has some really great
musical ideas in his back pocket, and I bring in a sense of humor and some thread
that ties it all together." Neil points out while writing one day in Nashville.
To these three, family is the most important thing to them. They are so different but yet so alike. For instance they all read the same novels and cook from the same cookbook.
Reid states, "Blood runs thick. The music business can be hard, but the three of us are committed
not only to our lives in music, but to living them together." The Band Perry is not only a band of siblings but is also a band of best friends.
Their newly top 20 single, "If I Die Young," has passed over 5 million video views. This song is not only a feel of country, but has some pop in it as well. I can honestly say that at this moment in time, this is my favorite song and I listen to it at least 3 times a day. It has a catchy beat and if you really listen to the lyrics it can be a sad song. To view their video--->
I got my topic of this week’s blog off of a new show on MTV called "World of Jenks." This episode was aired on September 7th. This ex-con is now a famous rapper. He sings...well raps the very popular song All the Above and many others. MAINO is hot and has a fresh new style that is coming to the streets.
This new swagger-rich MC is hoping to bring a new look to hip-hop. He recently came out with his hot debut album, If Tomorrow Comes. Maino's songs not only tell stories about his past but also give advice to young teens today. Some could say he's been through hell and back.
Maino was faced with many challenges throughout his life and still faces hardships today. Was he was about 7 years old both his parents had drug problems, his dad worse of then his mom. When he was in his teens Main had to fend for himself as well as take care of his younger brother. He was young and thought that committing small crimes were needs of survival, because he was taught nothing else. These small crimes eventually led to a drug related kidnapping which he was then sentenced 5-15 years in prison. I remember Main telling Jenks on the show that before he was in prison he never really liked music, he didn't listen to and he never thought he would be in the music industry one day. But after sitting in a prison cell for 23 hours a day, rapping was something to cure the boredom. Maino never wrote his raps down on paper, which is one reason why he is such a great MC. After getting out of prison his music career took off, but he did go through some hard times. Like any musician does, he fails, but gets back up again. While becoming a great artist Main also became a family man. He has a son who he loves dearly, who was also featured in the show.
The show featured so many aspects of Main's life, but I don't want to ruin them all on here. I advise you to go watch the episode, it is great. Maino gives a lot of advice on the show and he is a great man! As I finish this blog I leave you with one line, Maino's quote towards the very end of the show..."Sometimes you have to go through hell to get to heaven!"
This back home country boy is no match for your everyday country star. The sound of his voice when he speaks and even talks is more country than you and I have ever heard. Even his smile shows how country this man is! Lee says that he gets his love for music from Garth Brooks and Hank Junior, two of the most popular country singers, but he also is influenced by bands such as 3 Doors Down, John Mayer and Rob Thomas. Brice hopes to one day, possibly 10 years from now to hear his music own music on the radio and not just on country stations, on rap stations as well. He says if anyone can do it, he can! With his new debut CD rocking the charts, Lee says that he took a huge leap with this one. This CD takes him back to the farm where he grew up and to the dirt roads he and his buddies drove on. Brice said he taught himself how to play the piano at age 7 and has loved music ever since. He had two loves in life, music and football, where he played for Clemson up until beginning of his senior year when he had surgery on his arm and that was the end of his football career. From there he went on to Nashville to pursue his singing career. He hooked up with Doug Johnson who was his mentor and his career sky rocketed from there. When “Love Like Crazy” was released to radio stations in August 2009, Lee Brice had no idea how long it would take for the song to get going. It’s now been on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for 53 weeks, which is more than a year that it’s been in circulation, and it’s still on the move in the Top 5. That endurance is so rare that only one song has ever lasted longer on the country chart: Eddy Arnold’s “Bouquet Of Roses,” which began a 54-week run in 1948. Brice to me is one of the greatest country singers I have heard in a very long time. I can’t wait for his next new single!!!!
