Tune into NBC tonight for Voting Results for Mia

Thanks to everyone who came to last night's View & Vote party for Mia. Great fun!

She looked absolutely gorgeous! Our crowd burst into applause the minute they started broadcasting her story. She started her performance in typical Mia fashion, playing piano and singing "Hallelujah" slowly, intimately..then surprised us all when she unleashed the mic and took center stage where she gave voice to her creativity and soul.

We're so proud of you, Mia! You knocked our socks off!

Tune in tonight, folks for the voting results. We can't wait to see what happens next! Watch her performance

VOTE FOR MIA TONIGHT!

You're Invited!

Tonight we're hosting a support party for our student, Mia Boostrom, who is an active member of the Rick's musical community..

You're invited to join us, Mia's family, friends and fans, as we gather around the big screen TV, to watch the NBC LIVE BROADCAST of America's Got Talent, waiting for that moment when Mia takes the stage in LA.

Winning is a big dream for a 16-yr-old. With her tremendous talent and your votes, we can help her get closer to that dream.

EVENT DETAILS:
Where: In the Cafe at Rick's Music World, 421 Rt. 44, Raynham, MA
When: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 9pm -11pm
Cost: FREE - The popcorn is on us, too!
Purpose: Help Mia make it to the TOP 20 FINALS
Bring: Your cellphone, so you can VOTE
Benefit: Have some fun and make a difference
Dress: Casual...heck, you can come in your PJ's if you want.

If Mia wins this round of America's Got Talent, she will progress to the TOP 20 Finals.
Whether you watch it with us or watch at home, please vote!
You can vote up to 10 times per phone number (landline or cell phone)
You can text your vote 10 times if you are an AT&T wireless customer
You can vote 10 times per email address on nbc.com

LINKS:
Watch Mia's NY Performance on YouTube
Check out Mia on MySpace

ABOUT MIA

Mia is an accomplished singer/songwriter, accompanying herself on piano and guitar. In addition to being a student at Rick's Music, Mia is also a frequent performer there at Rick's Open Mic held every Thursday night, which is offered as a public service for the music community. There she has had the opportunity to debut her original music, hone her performance skills and exchange ideas with other performers.

Update your MySpace,Facebook, etc. automatically!

Performers,
If you post info about your upcoming gigs on more than one site, like MySpace, Sonic Bids, Facebook, Twitter, etc. I just found out about a service that could save you tons of time!

All these networking sites are great means to help you market your act, but it's so time consuming to update each one. I know, because I have to update all of ours and I've been hoping to find a service that would centralize it.

One of our upcoming performers uses this service called www.artistdata.com She posts her info once and they can feed it to a number of other sites & blogs. I snooped around on their site and their service just seems to be for artists...if anyone out there knows of one for venues...let me know!

Good luck with your publicity efforts!
Robin

Steve Allain - Open Mic Feature 8/13/09

Singer/Songwriter and Guitarist Extraordinaire -Steve Allain

Thurs., August 13
Show starts at 7pm
Open Mic sign up 6:30
Admission $3 per person

Intelligent and reflective lyrics bound together with interesting melody and guitarwork.

Steve Allain has an eclectic and varied history as a musician. He has played in numerous groups with music ranging from classical, jazz, and blues to traditional French, experimental and straight up rock and roll. Playing on stage in cities from Los Angeles, St Louis, and Cleveland, to the East Coast, he's always eager to share his music with those who are willing to tune in.

Listen at: http://www.myspace.com/steveallain

We love the ALESIS PRO-TRACK!

We invite you to try it and comment back.



Alesis ProTrack
Capture live sound on your iPod anywhere and anytime without a single cable, and with one hand free! Just dock your iPod, cover it with the protective clear shield, and you are ready to record.

Capture sound effects, recitals, jam sessions, speeches, interviews, rehearsals, meetings, performances, lectures, song ideas, you name it..... directly to your iPod.

This little unit weighing less than half a pound puts pro-quality mobile recording power in your hands for only $199. That's 50% off Retail of $399

MORE INFO:
You can record detailed, 16-bit, 44.1kHz or 22kHz stereo digital audio without connecting any additional equipment using the onboard pair of cardioid condenser microphones. The on-board mics are fixed in XY configuration for optimal stereo imaging.

ProTrack also has a pair of combo XLR-1/4" inputs enabling you to connect any professional sound source, including condenser and dynamic microphones and mixer outputs. Whether you are running on plug-in or battery power, ProTrack supplies 48V phantom power to its inputs for operation with external condenser microphones.

ProTrack has LED-level metering for instant visual indication, even in a dark club. You can monitor or play back recordings on the 1/8" stereo-headphone output. Controls for phantom power, limiter, and volume are easy to access.

ProTrack, records on four AAA batteries or AC power using the included adapter. A 1/4"-20 threaded mounting point enables you to mount ProTrack on a mic stand with the optional ProTrack Adapter, on a table with the optional ProTrack Tripod table stand, or on a camera tripod for hands-free tracking.

ProTrack automatically dates and time-stamps files making it easy to identify which track was the recording of your last jam session. It also features a switchable limiter, for distortion-free recording.

ProTrack records to iPod Classic, iPod 5G, and iPod nano 3G.

ProTrack Key Features

-Sleek design with clear, protective covers, integrates iPod
-Combo XLR-1/4" inputs for connecting mics, mixers, and more
-Stereo 1/8" headphone output
-48V phantom power for use with external condenser mics
-Records 16-bit, 44.1kHz or 22kHz stereo digital audio
-Onboard stereo condenser microphones for detailed pickup
-Built-in mics in XY configuration for accurate stereo image
-Switchable limiter ensures overload-free recordings
-AC/DC operation on 4 AAA batteries or AC adapter (included)
-Threaded mounting point for tabletop and floor-stand applications

Sean Kennedy -July 23 Featured Performer

Occasionally a performer will capture our attention very early on in their music career. This is exactly what happened from the first time we saw Sean Kennedy perform. He was about 14. At that time his style was just emerging, but already quite unique, capturing the audience’s attention with his intimate vocal style and interesting guitar phrasing.

Sean’s now 19. His progression as a musician has added a funkyness to his rhythmic stylings and he delivers them with artistry. As a vocalist, he serves his soul on a platter with breathy sincerity and vulnerability. It literally slows your heart rate and brings all your defenses down. You’ll forget what was on your mind before he started playing and find yourself wanting to hear more after his last note falls away.

Writing songs has become his passion. The sweet simplicity of the message literally floats above the technically interesting guitar work and melodic changes. Get a quick preview at:
http://www.myspace.com/seankmusic

Rick’s Music is pleased to present Sean Kennedy as our Featured Performer at Open Mic on Thursday, July 23. Admission is $3 per person. The show starts at 7pm. Sign up is at 6:30.

In Memory of Herb Mowry

On July 8, 2009 our music community was deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Herb Mowry, 81 of Norton, Mass.

Calling hours are Wednesday, July 15 from 5 to 8pm at Norton Memorial Funeral Home in Norton, Mass. His Obituary may be read at: http://www.currentobituary.com/Memory.aspx?Memory_ObitdID=66187
Directions are available at: http://www.shermanjackson.com/DirectionsN.html

IN MEMORY OF HERB MOWRY

An avid participant of our weekly Open Mic, Herb delighted the crowd every week with his clever wit and as Herb himself would call it, his “darned cotton-pickin’, finger-lickin’ finger pickin,’” often introducing us to two new bluegrass/country songs every week. Well, new to us, old to him… and recently he started writing some of his own tunes always received with roaring applause.

We first met Herb and his wife, Diana, about three years ago when they attended our Open Mic, just to check it out. Discouraged about the loss of sensation in his fingers, he was ready to sell his guitar and give up the music he loved so much. Then he read an article about our Open Mic in “The Hometown News,” featuring our eldest participant, Montana Cy, then 80. A bell went off for Herb right then and there. “If he can do it, so can I,” he thought.

His solution to his disability? Sand paper! He glued sandpaper to his picks so he could “hold on to ‘em.” Herb’s enthusiasm for playing returned with a vengeance, along with it returned his joy of life. And he thanked us weekly about the positive difference coming to our Open Mic brought to his life. You have no idea what that meant to us. Herb’s story is a testament to the wellness value of music for seniors. He became an inspiration to others, including us. He thrived and was thrilled at the invitation to join other musicians onstage, especially the younger people whom he admired so much. Herb and Diana have become much-loved members of our multi-generational Open Mic Family.

On July 30th, the members of Herb’s family will join us for an extraordinary Open Mic night dedicated to Herb’s memory. It will also be a special celebration of Herb’s music with the release of a CD featuring a compilation of his live performances and special Open Mic moments. Our Open Mic Family has chosen to offer the CD’s for $10 each, and as a show of love and support all proceeds will benefit Herb’s wife, Diana.

Herb once told us, “I treasure the friendships I have made though music.” Those of us who know Herb understand completely. He was our treasure and his memory will live on through us.

Rick & Robin Santos