Gee!
There's sure been a lot of weeping and grinding and gnashing of teeth over this whole LiveNation and Ticketmaster merger.
And rightly so.
Hey, it's business. In the world of business, companies merge. Some of them get bought out and some of them buy out others.
It happens.
But there's really only one sure thing that will come out of the merger should LiveNation and Ticketmaster join forces.
The rich will get richer.
It makes perfect sense when you think about it. LiveNation is a player in the touring and booking of some of the biggest names in the music business. It paid millions in a deal with Madonna if memory serves.
Ticketmaster controls all of the ticketing and ticketing services for these concerts.
This merger almost gives the combined companies license to steal. If one group is running the acts and the sister company controls the tickets, prices to attend concerts will go higher than they are right now.
When AC/DC came to the AAC (man, too many acronyms), tickets were more than $100 for most seats.
A dude and his chick -- to go to that show -- shell out $200 for tickets, another $20-$25 for parking, $40 on food and drink or more, $35 or so for a T-shirt and well, it's just too much.
And, don't think for a second this merger will cause these prices to fall. They'll continue to go up and the people who will feel the pain will be the fans.
Well, that's enough of that.
Here's why the Real Texas Festival is better than LiveNation or TicketMaster. Two words.
Five.
Bucks.
The festival doesn't charge $100 a ticket and $20 for parking. It's a five spot man. Those who buy their tickets in advance can get admission into the event, all of the concerts including Los Lonely Boys, Kevin Fowler et al, admission into the rodeo, car show and all of our other attractions.
And, we don't even charge for parking. Even if you don't get around to purchasing the tickets early, they're only $10 at the gate.
See, at the Real Texas Festival, it's all about the music, the rodeo, the food and the fun. It's not about making a bazillion dollars and establishing supremacy in the concert and ticketing world.
It's an event for fans of good music and good fun.
That's why we're better.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Grammy rooting interest
I watch two awards shows a year.
Two.
Out of the 50 or so that are televised.
One is the Academy Awards. It's good to go watch a particular Oscar Award-winning film after the awards show to see what all the hype was about.
Most of the time, the films that I think should be Oscar winners aren't event nominated and the films that get all the rave reviews are terrible.
I mean, really ... Beerfest wasn't nominated for an Academy Award this year? Really?
Seriously, the other award show I watch is the Grammy Awards. It provides some field research opportunities for the Real Texas Festival and it can also result in some additional publicity for the event.
The festival that takes place April 24-26, 2009 at Rodeo Plaza in Mesquite, LBJ and Military Parkway by the way.
This year, I have a rooting interest as James Otto (Friday, 7:45 p.m.) is nominated for Best Country Performance Male. I'd like to see him win it ... it would be great publicity for the festival to have a Grammy-winning artist performing on the main stage.
However, the competition is fierce as James will be going against Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, George Strait and Jamey Johnson. I'd like to think "Just Got Started Lovin You" could stand up along with the rest of the nominees and that James can win the Grammy.
But I think the smart money would be to go with George Strait or Brad Paisley.
I spend a lot time studying the music and recording industry. I like to go through an exercise in futility I call "Predicting the Grammy Awards." I know ... catchy title isn't it? I should rush to get that copyrighted so that no one steals my brilliance.
I'll offer my predictions on the big awards. Here we go.
Record of the Year -- Leona Lewis has had a brilliant year, but give me the safe pick. Coldplay's "Viva La Vida."
Album of the Year -- Cold Play would be a good choice here as well, but Radiohead with "Rainbows" might have something to say about it. I think I'm going with a bit of an upset here. Give me "Tha Carter III" from Lil Wayne. Lil Wayne is poised to have a Norah Jones-like year at the Grammys.
Song of the Year -- Again, "Viva la Vida" from Cold Play will be tough to beat. But give me "Love Song" from Sara Bareilles. That's a personal pick right there. I think it would be the ultimate irony for an artist to win music's highest honor for a song that was for all intents and purposes designed to tell her record label to shove it.
Best New Artist -- Two way race for my money and too close to call. Either Lady Antebellum or Adele. Remember, it's about excellence in the recording industry. Well, I guess for that matter, the Jonas Brothers might be a darkhorse. If you can take such marginal talent as that and make it sound as good as it does, you are a recording genius.
Female Pop Performance -- Katie Perry, "Kissed a Girl." Don't like the song and my favorite of that group was Leona Lewis ... the girl can sing.
Male Pop Performance -- Remember, Grammy loves the veteran artist who positions himself in the comeback role. I'll take that history and lean with "Wichita Lineman" from James Taylor.
Best Rock Performance Duo or Group -- "Violet Hill" from Coldplay -- again. But (see above) don't discount "Long Road out of Eden" from The Eagles.
Hard Rock Performance -- "Into the Fire" from Disturbed -- hands down. However, there are veterans in the field such as Motley Crue and Judas Priest. Watch out for them as well.
Metal Performance -- The winner will be "My Apocalypse" from Metallica. It should be Slipknot's "Psychosocial."
R&B Album -- Jennifer Hudson ... she should win simply based on her rendition of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl alone.
Rap Solo Performance -- "A Milli" from Lil Wayne. I don't think it will be much of a contest on this one.
Rap Album -- Yep ... "Tha Carter III" from Lil Wayne.
Country Female Performance -- We'll root for James Otto for best male and for fellow Texans LeAnn Rimes and Lee Ann Womack in this category. But give me Martina McBride as the winner.
Country Album -- There is no question who will win. George Strait and "Troubadour."
I could go on and on, but that's more than enough. Watch the Grammys on Sunday night to see if James Otto can pull of the upset and come to the Real Texas Festival April 24-26 at Rodeo Center.
Two.
Out of the 50 or so that are televised.
One is the Academy Awards. It's good to go watch a particular Oscar Award-winning film after the awards show to see what all the hype was about.
Most of the time, the films that I think should be Oscar winners aren't event nominated and the films that get all the rave reviews are terrible.
I mean, really ... Beerfest wasn't nominated for an Academy Award this year? Really?
Seriously, the other award show I watch is the Grammy Awards. It provides some field research opportunities for the Real Texas Festival and it can also result in some additional publicity for the event.
The festival that takes place April 24-26, 2009 at Rodeo Plaza in Mesquite, LBJ and Military Parkway by the way.
This year, I have a rooting interest as James Otto (Friday, 7:45 p.m.) is nominated for Best Country Performance Male. I'd like to see him win it ... it would be great publicity for the festival to have a Grammy-winning artist performing on the main stage.
However, the competition is fierce as James will be going against Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, George Strait and Jamey Johnson. I'd like to think "Just Got Started Lovin You" could stand up along with the rest of the nominees and that James can win the Grammy.
But I think the smart money would be to go with George Strait or Brad Paisley.
I spend a lot time studying the music and recording industry. I like to go through an exercise in futility I call "Predicting the Grammy Awards." I know ... catchy title isn't it? I should rush to get that copyrighted so that no one steals my brilliance.
I'll offer my predictions on the big awards. Here we go.
Record of the Year -- Leona Lewis has had a brilliant year, but give me the safe pick. Coldplay's "Viva La Vida."
Album of the Year -- Cold Play would be a good choice here as well, but Radiohead with "Rainbows" might have something to say about it. I think I'm going with a bit of an upset here. Give me "Tha Carter III" from Lil Wayne. Lil Wayne is poised to have a Norah Jones-like year at the Grammys.
Song of the Year -- Again, "Viva la Vida" from Cold Play will be tough to beat. But give me "Love Song" from Sara Bareilles. That's a personal pick right there. I think it would be the ultimate irony for an artist to win music's highest honor for a song that was for all intents and purposes designed to tell her record label to shove it.
Best New Artist -- Two way race for my money and too close to call. Either Lady Antebellum or Adele. Remember, it's about excellence in the recording industry. Well, I guess for that matter, the Jonas Brothers might be a darkhorse. If you can take such marginal talent as that and make it sound as good as it does, you are a recording genius.
Female Pop Performance -- Katie Perry, "Kissed a Girl." Don't like the song and my favorite of that group was Leona Lewis ... the girl can sing.
Male Pop Performance -- Remember, Grammy loves the veteran artist who positions himself in the comeback role. I'll take that history and lean with "Wichita Lineman" from James Taylor.
Best Rock Performance Duo or Group -- "Violet Hill" from Coldplay -- again. But (see above) don't discount "Long Road out of Eden" from The Eagles.
Hard Rock Performance -- "Into the Fire" from Disturbed -- hands down. However, there are veterans in the field such as Motley Crue and Judas Priest. Watch out for them as well.
Metal Performance -- The winner will be "My Apocalypse" from Metallica. It should be Slipknot's "Psychosocial."
R&B Album -- Jennifer Hudson ... she should win simply based on her rendition of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl alone.
Rap Solo Performance -- "A Milli" from Lil Wayne. I don't think it will be much of a contest on this one.
Rap Album -- Yep ... "Tha Carter III" from Lil Wayne.
Country Female Performance -- We'll root for James Otto for best male and for fellow Texans LeAnn Rimes and Lee Ann Womack in this category. But give me Martina McBride as the winner.
Country Album -- There is no question who will win. George Strait and "Troubadour."
I could go on and on, but that's more than enough. Watch the Grammys on Sunday night to see if James Otto can pull of the upset and come to the Real Texas Festival April 24-26 at Rodeo Center.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Go Texan
Whew!
It's been a while since we've chatted. Sorry about that.
The festival is going to be awesome. Seriously.
There's a couple of new developments that we're happy to announce.
First of all, the festival has entered into a partnership with the Texas Department of Agriculture's Go Texan program.
Go Texan and the festival share a common mission -- the promote the marketing, success and production of things manufactured, grown or made in the State of Texas.
The festival will feature the Go Texan Pavilion inside the Real Texas Marketplace at the festival -- featuring Go Texan members promoting and selling their products.
It is also the 10th anniversary of the Go Texan program and it seems only fitting that the TDA has selected the Real Texas Festival -- which celebrates all things Texan all of the time -- to help commemorate the anniversary of the program.
In addition, we received confirmation this week that the U.S. Army will be bringing the Silver Wings demonstration parachute team to the festival.
There will be a few jumps where army skydivers will descend upon the event -- always a nice visual attraction and simply gives the festival another little something that sets it apart from the herd.
Details are still being put together on the schedule for the drops, but we envision one of them occurring right as the festival opens on Friday evening -- perhaps before the first act takes the main stage on Friday night. Army skydivers can drop into the center of the venue and plant a big Texas flag in the field to officially kick off the 2009 Real Texas Festival.
It should be really, really cool.
Also, the U.S. Army will sponsor the 2009 Battle of the Bands event, where 8 high school "garage" bands will crank it up in hopes of being named the champion.
We still have some spots open so please get your entries in. It's $500 to the winner and a chance to meet festival headliners Los Lonely Boys.
Also, the U.S. Army will present the Best Front Man or Front Person award ... which will go to the lead singer of one of the bands. It will be a people's choice award so fans of the bands can plan on voting for their favorite front man at the U.S. Army adventure van location at the festival, or they may be able to vote pre-event by logging onto realtexasfestival.com and clicking on the Battle of the Bands link.
Stay tuned.
It's been a while since we've chatted. Sorry about that.
The festival is going to be awesome. Seriously.
There's a couple of new developments that we're happy to announce.
First of all, the festival has entered into a partnership with the Texas Department of Agriculture's Go Texan program.
Go Texan and the festival share a common mission -- the promote the marketing, success and production of things manufactured, grown or made in the State of Texas.
The festival will feature the Go Texan Pavilion inside the Real Texas Marketplace at the festival -- featuring Go Texan members promoting and selling their products.
It is also the 10th anniversary of the Go Texan program and it seems only fitting that the TDA has selected the Real Texas Festival -- which celebrates all things Texan all of the time -- to help commemorate the anniversary of the program.
In addition, we received confirmation this week that the U.S. Army will be bringing the Silver Wings demonstration parachute team to the festival.
There will be a few jumps where army skydivers will descend upon the event -- always a nice visual attraction and simply gives the festival another little something that sets it apart from the herd.
Details are still being put together on the schedule for the drops, but we envision one of them occurring right as the festival opens on Friday evening -- perhaps before the first act takes the main stage on Friday night. Army skydivers can drop into the center of the venue and plant a big Texas flag in the field to officially kick off the 2009 Real Texas Festival.
It should be really, really cool.
Also, the U.S. Army will sponsor the 2009 Battle of the Bands event, where 8 high school "garage" bands will crank it up in hopes of being named the champion.
We still have some spots open so please get your entries in. It's $500 to the winner and a chance to meet festival headliners Los Lonely Boys.
Also, the U.S. Army will present the Best Front Man or Front Person award ... which will go to the lead singer of one of the bands. It will be a people's choice award so fans of the bands can plan on voting for their favorite front man at the U.S. Army adventure van location at the festival, or they may be able to vote pre-event by logging onto realtexasfestival.com and clicking on the Battle of the Bands link.
Stay tuned.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Grammy ties
It's Grammy time again.
I've been a big fan of the Grammys for a long time now -- particularly when I have a rooting interest.
This year, the rooting interest is James Otto.
James Otto is a Real Texas Festival artist and has been nominated for the Grammy for Best Male Country Performance for the song, "Just Got Started Lovin' You."
It's been a great year for James and that song. The song was the top played single on country radio this summer and I believe it helped earn James a nomination as Best New Artist for the Country Music Association.
He didn't win. Lady Antebellum took that honor as that group went the way of Sugarland and Little Big Town before it -- they seemingly went from little known to mega star in the matter of about three months.
Interesting thing about public opinion, isn't it? Some of these groups have been together for decades in some instances. But they just need that one song or record to crack open the door. It can be a Grammy nomination, a collaboration, a record label signing, or it can just flat out come down to being in the right place at the right time.
All of a sudden, boom! The big time comes calling.
It would be really cool for James Otto to win the Grammy ... it could mean that there are three Grammy-winning or Grammy-nominated artists performing at the festival. James Otto, Los Lonely Boys and Jay Perez.
It wont' be easy for James as the competition is pretty fierce. He's up against Trace Adkins for "You're Gonna Miss This," Jamey Johnson for "In Color," Brad Paisley for "Letter to Me" and George Strait for "Troubadour."
That's some pretty elite company folks.
My call is Strait. I think "Troubadour" may prove to be one of the seminal Country albums of the decade.
But the good thing about the Grammys is that the winner isn't chosen by popular vote or though mass marketing or album sales. The base criteria for the award is "excellence and achievement in the recording arts."
It's the purest award show out there because, quite frankly, anyone can win a Grammy.
Case in point? Little Art Greenhaw Records and Mesquite record producer Art Greenhaw received Grammy nominations in the Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel category. He even won the Grammy a few years back.
He won despite the fact he was a small, independent record producer -- defeating the likes of EMI, Sony, Daywind and other big players in the Gospel recording field.
Sure, the Grammys have had their head-scratching moments. Nobody will forget the inaugural Grammy for Best Heavy Metal Performance went to Jethro Tull's "Crest of Knave." I believe Tull beat out Metallica and Judas Priest that year -- two of the most significant metal acts of all time.
However, "Steel Monkey" and "Farm on the Freeway" were killer tunes. Still, it wasn't a metal album by a long shot.
So, James Otto has a chance to win the Grammy for Best Male Country Performance. Come on down in April to Mesquite and check out James' work, as well as the work of all the other artists on the bill -- including the recently signed Paula Nelson (daughter of Willie ... woo hoo!!!)
I've been a big fan of the Grammys for a long time now -- particularly when I have a rooting interest.
This year, the rooting interest is James Otto.
James Otto is a Real Texas Festival artist and has been nominated for the Grammy for Best Male Country Performance for the song, "Just Got Started Lovin' You."
It's been a great year for James and that song. The song was the top played single on country radio this summer and I believe it helped earn James a nomination as Best New Artist for the Country Music Association.
He didn't win. Lady Antebellum took that honor as that group went the way of Sugarland and Little Big Town before it -- they seemingly went from little known to mega star in the matter of about three months.
Interesting thing about public opinion, isn't it? Some of these groups have been together for decades in some instances. But they just need that one song or record to crack open the door. It can be a Grammy nomination, a collaboration, a record label signing, or it can just flat out come down to being in the right place at the right time.
All of a sudden, boom! The big time comes calling.
It would be really cool for James Otto to win the Grammy ... it could mean that there are three Grammy-winning or Grammy-nominated artists performing at the festival. James Otto, Los Lonely Boys and Jay Perez.
It wont' be easy for James as the competition is pretty fierce. He's up against Trace Adkins for "You're Gonna Miss This," Jamey Johnson for "In Color," Brad Paisley for "Letter to Me" and George Strait for "Troubadour."
That's some pretty elite company folks.
My call is Strait. I think "Troubadour" may prove to be one of the seminal Country albums of the decade.
But the good thing about the Grammys is that the winner isn't chosen by popular vote or though mass marketing or album sales. The base criteria for the award is "excellence and achievement in the recording arts."
It's the purest award show out there because, quite frankly, anyone can win a Grammy.
Case in point? Little Art Greenhaw Records and Mesquite record producer Art Greenhaw received Grammy nominations in the Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel category. He even won the Grammy a few years back.
He won despite the fact he was a small, independent record producer -- defeating the likes of EMI, Sony, Daywind and other big players in the Gospel recording field.
Sure, the Grammys have had their head-scratching moments. Nobody will forget the inaugural Grammy for Best Heavy Metal Performance went to Jethro Tull's "Crest of Knave." I believe Tull beat out Metallica and Judas Priest that year -- two of the most significant metal acts of all time.
However, "Steel Monkey" and "Farm on the Freeway" were killer tunes. Still, it wasn't a metal album by a long shot.
So, James Otto has a chance to win the Grammy for Best Male Country Performance. Come on down in April to Mesquite and check out James' work, as well as the work of all the other artists on the bill -- including the recently signed Paula Nelson (daughter of Willie ... woo hoo!!!)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Welcome to the Real Texas Festival Blog
I know what you're thinking.
Here's another spare blog in the vast ocean of blogspace touting some dude's incessant ramblings on his particular cause or event.
OK ... ya got me. That's exactly what it is.
That being said, welcome to the official blog of the Real Texas Festival.
The festival enters its third year in 2009 -- April 24-26 at Rodeo Center in Mesquite, Texas -- and quite simply, celebrates all things Texan all the time.
All performers on three stages in our concert series are from the state of Texas or have ties to the state of Texas.
Who's playing?
The world famous Mesquite Championship Rodeo takes a center stage position at our festival and the festival admission price includes admission into the rodeo.
Yeah, but who's playing?
It will be probably one of the greatest smelling festivals out there as we host the Taste of Mesquite Barbecue Competition sanctioned by the Lone Star Barbecue Society.
OK ... Who's. Play-ing.?
We have a huge carnival and kid's attractions and we are a great family value.
HEY DOOFUS!!!! WHO'S PLAYING!!!!
Glad you asked. This line up could be one of the strongest one out there on the local festival and event scene.
It will be headlined by multi-platinum and Grammy winning recording artists Los Lonely Boys. That's right ... Los Lonely Boys. They play on Saturday night.
Friday will be anchored by Kevin Fowler and Sunday will feature "The Voice" of Tejano, Jay Perez.
Our concert line up also includes Jolie Holliday, James Otto, Bart Crow Band, Johnny Cooper, Los Rhythm Kings, Eleven 21, Railhead and more.
We'll keep you updated here on all news and events -- including ticket promotions and how to otherwise get into the festival for free.
Check out www.realtexasfestival.com to see what we're all about.
Peace.
Here's another spare blog in the vast ocean of blogspace touting some dude's incessant ramblings on his particular cause or event.
OK ... ya got me. That's exactly what it is.
That being said, welcome to the official blog of the Real Texas Festival.
The festival enters its third year in 2009 -- April 24-26 at Rodeo Center in Mesquite, Texas -- and quite simply, celebrates all things Texan all the time.
All performers on three stages in our concert series are from the state of Texas or have ties to the state of Texas.
Who's playing?
The world famous Mesquite Championship Rodeo takes a center stage position at our festival and the festival admission price includes admission into the rodeo.
Yeah, but who's playing?
It will be probably one of the greatest smelling festivals out there as we host the Taste of Mesquite Barbecue Competition sanctioned by the Lone Star Barbecue Society.
OK ... Who's. Play-ing.?
We have a huge carnival and kid's attractions and we are a great family value.
HEY DOOFUS!!!! WHO'S PLAYING!!!!
Glad you asked. This line up could be one of the strongest one out there on the local festival and event scene.
It will be headlined by multi-platinum and Grammy winning recording artists Los Lonely Boys. That's right ... Los Lonely Boys. They play on Saturday night.
Friday will be anchored by Kevin Fowler and Sunday will feature "The Voice" of Tejano, Jay Perez.
Our concert line up also includes Jolie Holliday, James Otto, Bart Crow Band, Johnny Cooper, Los Rhythm Kings, Eleven 21, Railhead and more.
We'll keep you updated here on all news and events -- including ticket promotions and how to otherwise get into the festival for free.
Check out www.realtexasfestival.com to see what we're all about.
Peace.
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