Barry Manilow Crime Fighter

Maybe you have heard this one. Barry Manilow is fighting crime! Okay, so he is not exactly arresting miscreants, but his music is being used to keep trouble making people out of certain car lots in Australia. Maybe you have heard him sing before and you thought he was "cheesy." That is okay, but in the 1970s and 1980s he was one of the most popular recording artists in America, especially with the ladies!



What do you think of music that is not popular with certain people being used to keep them from gathering in an area where they might cause problems for others? Is this an infringement on their rights or does it protect the rights of others? What music would you use to keep crime down?

Auld Lang Syne

Many of you have heard the song "Auld Lang Syne." Kenny G has recorded two unique versions of the song that you may have heard. The first (referred to as The Millennium Mix) was released in 1999. The second version (Freedom Mix) was released in 2002. Both versions have been played quite a bit on the radio. The unusual thing about these versions is that 20th century sound clips are mixed in with the music. These move in chronological order (in historical order) throughout the song. Most of the clips are about 3 seconds long, so it is hard to identify them all as the song moves along. The videos we will view also show some of these moments.

How many of the moments can you identify? Do you like the tune? Let us know what you think. How does mixing history and holiday music work?

Auld Lang Syne, an old Scottish poem is most widely known as the song that is sung at midnight on New Year's Eve. Have you heard it before?

This is pure Grinch

This is amazing. It seems that someone stole toys from Toys for Tots in Suffolk. Can you believe it? Who could have done it? Is there any justification for it?

Toys for Tots has been around for a long time. What do you know about it? Read about its programs and history. Is it a good charity or just another charity who seem to be asking for help during the holidays? Tell us what you think about Toys for Tots, holiday charities and the events in Suffolk.

Christmas Music

It seems that holiday music is everywhere today. You hear it on the radio, in the malls, on television and yes, even in my classroom! One local radio station (2WD) is playing nothing but holiday music.

Maybe you have a favorite artist or group that makes holiday music. Some groups like Mannheim Steamroller and Trans-Siberian Orchestra produce mainly holiday music.

Other artists (probably including your favorite) have probably done a holiday song or two. Look at the videos. Did you enjoy them? What is your favorite holiday music? Do you think it is over done, or not done enough.

Who is your favorite Christmas/holiday artist or group? Do you have a favorite song? Let us know what it is! My favorite group is Trans-Siberian Orchestra and my all-time favorite song is "Step Into Christmas" by Elton John!

A Christmas Peace

Last week we viewed the video to "Snoopy's Christmas." In it, Snoopy and the Red Baron stopped their fighting to celebrate Christmas, and at the end of the song, they proceeded on their way, knowing the war would be resuming for them shortly. Fiction, right? Maybe not.

During the height of World War I fighting, a momentary truce broke out between the British and German forces on December 24, 1914. Incredible as it may seem, for about 24 hours the warring enemies not only stopped the fighting, but actually exchanged small presents, food and engaged in other gestures of goodwill including playing soccer! In less than two days, the fighting and killing resumed. This is considered unusual because while there have been cease fires during wars, rarely if ever do enemy soldiers intermingle.

Read about it on wikipedia, and tell us what you think. Did it make a difference in the war (which would continue for almost four more years)? Are there lessons to be learned from it?

Genetic Testing for (unborn) Athletes

Yikes! A website claims it can conduct genetic testing on unborn children to determine if they may have a gene that is directly related to athletic ability. Imagine knowing if your soon to be born baby might be the next Michael Phelps, Albert Pujols, Williams sister or Tom Brady?

What do you think of this? Would you want to know if that genetic combination was present? Would it alter the way you viewed your child? Or, is this too much like "science fiction" for you?

OR, would you rather not know? Is there another genetic trait you might be more interested in knowing?

One last thought, is it the genes, or is there much more involved in becoming a successful athlete? Tell us what you think!

Snoopy's Christmas

They are called "Novelty Songs." Songs that you may only hear once or twice and totally forget or remember for a long time. Wikipedia defines a novelty song as: a silly or nonsensical song, performed principally for its comical effect.

During the 1960's the most popular comic strip was "Peanuts." Several television specials starring Charlie Brown and his friends were on the air. In 1967 the rock and roll band "The Royal Guardsmen" recorded the novelty hit "Snoopy's Christmas" about a World War I Christmas Eve dogfight between Snoopy and the German air ace "The Red Baron."

Watch the video. What do you think about it? Is it funny and entertaining or annoying? Have you heard it before? Are novelty songs annoying or entertaining? Do you have a favorite novelty song? Tell us what it is!

The lyrics are included for your enjoyment.