THE BEGINNING OF THE END – 2011

We’re going on a retrospective trip back in time.  Let’s talk…  Feel free to leave a comment or two or three, and leave your mark on 2011.

Looking at the big picture, there’s really no such thing as a “new year, nor are there “weeks” or “months”.  These terms are simply created to help our brains wrap around the complex notion of “time”…  But at the same time, I still feel a little nostalgic as I sort through the memories in my brain.

Myself and two of my girls, Shelley and Rita.

I have to give thanks to my girls, Karen, Shelly, Rita, Terry, Courtney, Cali and Ali, and the two coolest dudes I know, Ron Chipman and Michael Rogal, these friends I’ve made have become my brothers, my soul-sisters and my family here in Texas, you all make living here away from my own family so much easier and I love you for that!  Thank you for your support, your acceptance, your shoulder, your friendship and love, I’ll always treasure each one of you…  Now onto the bigger picture…

So, where do we go from here??

It’s become such a digital age.  There’s more techy gadget’s out there than one person could ever conceive to own, but we all talk about them…  And on that note, does anyone really talk to each-other any more? Someone always has to be Facebooking, Tweeting, texting or surfing no matter who’s around.  All these gadget’s are depersonalizing our lives and for me, it sucks, because I prefer to look a person in the eye to see who they are, and share a conversation about whatever the hell.  I’m just saying.

We lost the beloved Steve Jobs, who changed the way I personally see music, and a whole lot of everything else.  He simplified my life.  And I’d be willing to bet, he’s simplifying yours right now.

Facebook changed the way we do business, and broke up more relationships single handedly, changing one’s “relationship status” to “cheating”.  I know you all know what I mean.  It’s important to hold onto what integrity and character you own, even while you’re networking and finding friends.  Remember, your words are your legacy.

The pop artists of our day took Hollywood by storm, our little infamous KATY PERRY, the flamboyant, but oh so talented miss Stephanie, LADY GAGA, and I could name so many others, but personally, I’m tired of seeing their names in everything I read, I’m kinda over it.  Anywhooo!

What a year in music for me, I’m so blessed to have had the privilege to attend The Grammy’s in LA, and the Musicares Gala to honor BARBARA STREISAND, who was named “Person Of The Year”, an honor that brought out such musically-gifted celeb’s as TONY BENNET, the cast from Glee, STEVIE WONDER, and many, many more…what a fantastic event that was, and how great it was to shake the hands and sit at the same tables as these talented souls.  Then to have witnessed first-hand the embryonic LADY GAGA rebirth on the Red Carpet.  I had no idea at first what I was witnessing, but looking back, I’d expect nothing less of her, she’s a very expressive young lady, and has the ability to reach the masses, earning more accolades than the majority of her equally-talented music friends.  She makes an unforgettable statement, I’ll give her that.

Though I respect every artist in the music industry on some level, I really am a rocker-girl on the inside.  I may look all prim and proper, but when that head-bangin starts, the wild side emerges pretty quick.  My high school and formative years were spent with the sounds of LED ZEPPELIN, BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN, METALLICA, the melodic tones of JOURNEY, BLUE OYSTER CULT, and HEART, the theatrical prowess of KISS, even FLEETWOOD MAC and THREE DOG NIGHT made their lasting impressions…and I can’t leave out MOTLEY CRUE, who recently reunited for a combined tour with co-headliners, DEF LEPPARD and STEEL PANTHER.  To this fine day I’m into such metal and rock bands as SLIPKNOT, KORN, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, FAITH NO MORE, ALTER BRIDGE, TRIVIUM, TOOL, HALESTORM, NIRVANA, and classic acts such a the ever-present OZZY, AEROSMITH, SEETHER, STING, and the historical marking of the censorship crisis with TWISTED SISTER, where our right in freedom of speech was seriously being questioned.  Really, I could name band after band and still wouldn’t come close to scratching the surface of great bands that affected our musical-rocking society.  That’s just my short list of bands that made an imprint on my brain.

Metal isn’t an act, it’s an emotion.  So anyway, you get the gist of what I’m talking about.  All these bands set the bar pretty high and get into the top 100 in the rankings of Best Metal Bands.  I’d like to see rock and metal have a larger impression on the industry masses and music awards members this coming year, they don’t focus enough on these genres of musicality, and they do deserve some recognition for their merits, whether you agree or disagree in their premise or writing style.

One thing I really dig about metal and rock fans in general, is that there’s a comaradarie and a kind of brotherhood that unites them all, this extends past any time and you never see people stabbing each-other and pulling out guns at a metal fest.  I mean, in many ways it’s like a wave of love fest from the 60′s and 70′s all over again.  Believe it or not, there are a lot of good Christian people in the metal and rock music industry, remember now, this is their job, the majority have wives and kids just like you.  I’m not saying that metal or rock is better than any other genre, the metal and rock culture just seems to bring a sense of belonging to the mass populous…but why does it have this stereotypical effect of dislike in society?  It appears to most that it has this deep-seeded reputation of evil, hate and darkness.  But in my vision, it’s simply lyrical emotion.  It’s not to be acted on, but it will definitely evoke some emotional consequence, then it’s up to you how to dissect it and think with it.  In a lot of ways metal is a deeper expression of masculinity and the freedom to just be…  Now back to my original subject before I began my rock and metal rant.

Broadway shows like WICKED and the likes of Glee crept into our hearts and the revolution of new singing shows like THE VOICE, THE SING OFF, as well as other recurring talent escapades, like X-FACTOR, AMERICAN IDOL and AMERICA’S GOT TALENT., the groupies, the oopsies, and all the sex, drugs and rock-n-roll.  A lot goes on behind the scenes that most only can imagine.

The music stunts and acts of The Grammy Award’s themselves, the spectacular performances and awesome surprise-wins for many, now that was most-surely an experience in my lifetime that I will never forget.  it was a great year in music and entertainment for me.  Also, having the awesome privilege to write for SupportKickAssMusic.com and wmusik.com topped my year off with a rosy cherry on top, what a gift!

I happen to love the game of football, and sports in general, and it’s been a good year for my favorite Texas teams.  I think because I truly suck at sports, I really get into other’s success in it.  So, here we are, on the cusp of another history-making Super Bowl, which will undoubtedly be a marked point in our little “football-fan” lives, to start off this new year…a new year really being, another new day to have the opportunity to make a new choice and do something different that you’ve always done, and getting a different result that you’ve always gotten.  That would be quite a feat for most of us, myself included.  So instead of making a yearly resolution, make a daily resolution and start anew every day you’re given.

Speaking of making new choices, you’re at a pivotal point in your life right now, because you’re actually thinking with deeper awareness of your future.  Now put that into perspective and get some introspect…  If you thought like that every day, planning out your future from the moment your feet hit the cold floor in the morning, until your head graces your pillow at night, and thanking your God for the very gift of your life, and dreaming the most fantastical thing possible that could happen in your experience, no matter what it is; whether it’s with your job, your personal relationships, your car, your whatever, but I’m asking you to dream big, why not? Then take that dream and visualize yourself in that place and find the feeling place of it in your spirit and make choices accordingly.  I’m talking some deep stuff here, but I believe really strongly in the laws of attraction, and what you think about you bring about, whether it’s conscious or subconscious, that’s the realm of your reality.  We bring into our lives  the things, the people, the places, experiences, and challenges, etc,.  Your actual life is a physical manifestation of the thoughts that have gone on in your mind and continue to spin in your mind….  It’s a never-ending cycle and it’s how life works.  So in saying all that, I’m telling you to think yourself into that life you truly want, tomorrow and this coming year, and trust your God that He will find a way to make those things in your dreams really happen.  It requires a lot of faith and truly tests the ability of your conscious awareness.

That’s my  challenge to you all.  Try it.  Try thinking differently today, and every day, and find your bliss.

HAPPY NEW YEAR and Thank you once again for your support of all-things music and entertainment here at SupportKickAssMusic.com…. We love you here!

Well my friends, we’ll see you next year….  All my love,

—————————Alison Nicole Osmond

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