A request that Jason Wade of Lifehouse perform “Star Spangled Banner” at NBA Finals 2009: A petition

I hope my fellow Lifehouse fans and fans of the National Anthem join me in reading and signing the new petition that I have created so that singer Jason Wade of the band Lifehouse will perform “The Star Spangled Banner” at the 2009 NBA Finals in June. The petition is at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/jwna2K9/petition.html

My thoughts on the Lifehouse “broken” video

I caught some of my favorite band Lifehouse’s “Broken” video today on tv. It was good to see Jason, Bryce, and Rick on tv again. As for the new video, well, I have to say it is not my favorite. I saw enough of it to tell that it has a rather serious, sad tone; containing some sort of somber procession. Like I said before, I am not into the weepy ballads. I am also not a fan of videos that are rather depressing. I have met the guys and they are affable and funny. I think that should be reflected more in their videos. I think I’d like to see their playful sides come out more. I think I enjoyed the more upbeat videos like “Hanging by a moment”, “Spin”, “First Time”. I know sometimes artists want to send a message with their music but in the case of the song and video “Broken” by Lifehouse, I think they “protest too much”. I do love Lifehouse but think they need to perhaps “lighten up” as they know how. I do hope they do so on their next single, album, and video.

What’s up, CBS? CBS disses Lifehouse

I have a little “bone” to pick with CBS for their NFL coverage on 9/14/08–specifically during the 4:15 pm Pats-Jets game. Now, I couldn’t be home that Sunday afternoon so I set up my VCR for not only the game but also because my favorite band Lifehouse was slated to perform during halftime of that game and frontman Jason Wade was to sing the national anthem. Much to my chagrin, when I got home later and watched the tape, there was no Lifehouse performance to be found! I’m like “What the hell?” I read that Lifehouse was to appear at halftime and Jason was to sing the anthem more than once. Where were these performances? Why did CBS cut them? It is just not right, it is not fair. Lifehouse is a tremendously talented band that deserves more credit then they are getting and they deserve more air time. And Jason is a great singer–one of the best in the world. His rendition of our national anthem deserves to be heard. Why did CBS not show it? What did CBS do what they did? They “fumbled” on this one! Just last year, I think, they showed singer Josh Groban perform “The Star Spangled Banner” before an NFL game. He did an excellent job but Jason can also sing and he deserves to be heard! So does his band Lifehouse. Lifehouse deserves R-E-S-P-E-C-T. CBS made a “bad call” on 9/14/08. I hope in the future the network and NBC and ABC and FOX, too, will use better judgement and not just show a so-called “popular” or “glamour” act.
I also think that the National Anthem performance before all sport events should be shown on tv.

More Josh, Lifehouse, and Christmas

I watched Josh Groban on “Larry King Live” last Friday December 14(and the rerun on 12/15) as he sang “The Christmas Song”. I liked this performance better than “Regis and Kelly” because it was more “stripped down”: Josh sang by himself without a choir in the background. It was a bit more simple and that is the kind of Josh performance I like.  I just read that he has the best selling album of 2007 with “Noel” so I want to congratulate him.  Although it was not my favorite Josh cd (my favorite cd by him would be “Closer”), it was pretty good.  No one released a better cd this year (except for Lifehouse) and I’d sooner have a Christmas cd from Josh than from anyone else (except for Lifehouse, again).  Josh has really helped me get through the holiday season with his music , particularly this year. Josh just has a truly amazing voice; one of the best singers in the world. He is truly gifted. Congratulations, Josh and best of luck to you and I look forward to your return to my city very soon

Recently heard Lifehouse’s version of the Christmas classic “Silent night” on my Yahoo! radio stations.  It is quite good. Lifehouse did a nice job on it.  But I’d have preferred for them to do a Christmas song like ” O Holy night” where  frontman Jason Wade could really use his voice. He has an awesome voice, too, and could have pulled off that song. He is also one of the best singers in the world and very gifted and talented.  I congratulate him and his bandmates, Rick and Bryce, also on an incredible album with “Who we are” and wish them the best of luck . I look forward to hearing more from them and to them coming back to my town very soon, too.

Lifehouse, Michael , vh1 top 40 of 2007, and Josh

 watched the Vh1 Top 40 Videos of 2007 last night (12/11/07) and have to say I was kind of disappointed. Well, I was happy that Lifehouse, my fave band, made the top 40 but I think they deserved better than number 29! “First time” is a great song and the video is also excellent–unique and creative.I think it definitely rated higher. I don’t understand how VH1 puts the list together. I think Lifehouse was cheated. And I know “Whatever it takes” came out late in 2007 but I think it also belonged in the top 40. It’s also a wonderful song and video. I also thought Canadian singer Michael Buble’s song “Everything” was a nice, upbeat song and had a fun video and it should have been included in the top 40.
I watched Josh Groban on “Regis and Kelly” on Monday 12/10/07. It is always good to see him on television. it’s been a while since I’ve seen him on tv; for one reason or another I tend to miss him on tv. Oh, I tape most all his tv appearances but put off watching them for whatever but I digress. He was in fine form in this tv showing. He sang “It came upon the midnight clear” and played the piano as well as ever. He was also amusing in talking with Regis and Kelly. The only problem I have with his performance is that I wish it had been just him singing and playing the piano with no other instruments and no choir. I’m sorry, call me a purist, but I think Josh has been blessed with a magnificent voice and it should always be allowed to shine. It needs no help.
I like the song “It came upon the midnight clear” but I prefer ” O holy night” (which Josh does beautifully and it is my favorite all time Christmas song), “What child is this” (one of my fave tracks on Josh’s “Noel”). Another favorite Christmas song is “Mary, did you know?” which I think Josh would do a brilliant job on and I wish he’d put it on “Noel”. I also like “Thankful” from “Noel” and “Believe”. These are becoming among my Christmas favorites.

A Lifehouse Christmas album: why not?

As I listen to the Christmas music on the radio this season, I have been thinking that it is not fair that my favorite band Lifehouse does not have a Christmas cd out. So many other groups have them: Destiny’s Child, ‘nsync, backstreet boys, Barenaked Ladies, Bon Jovi also has a Christmas song out there,Matchbox 20 and many other groups. I think if they have Christmas albums, Lifehouse should, too.
I also find it a bit disconcerting hearing my favorite Christmas songs not being done justice on the radio for the most part (with the exception of Josh Groban who masterfully sings my favorite Christmas song “O Holy Night” and his “Believe” from the movie “Polar Express” has become a favorite of mine, too) and then there is the damn “Hippotamus” song! I’m sorry, but am I the only one who finds that a little annoying? I also find it an example of the commericialization of Christmas because I feel that that song was written solely for profit. For money. Oh, don’t get me started on how I feel about the commericialization of Christmas.
I think for the sake of their fans and for the sake of Christmas fans, Lifehouse should do a Holiday album. I think they would do a wonderful Christmas cd, with the utmost respecet for the Holiday and singer Jason Wade would brilliantly sing such Christmas classics like “O Holy Night” and “The First Noel”–he has such a strong and incredible voice. And he is a gifted songwriter so he could write some original ones, too.
It is something I think they should do in the future.