Special Speech

Weddings are a time for jubilation and nothing sets the mood better than the right music. Although the ceremony itself often reflects the romance of the classical era, when it comes to the reception your guests want to rock it out, making it a memorable event that brings out the laughter, love, and joy everyone is feeling. Therefore, the selection of wedding music or, better yet, wedding instrumentalists can become an important decision.

You’ve got a lot of options, and canned music could work okay, but by the time you hire to run it and the music is pulled together the result is less than worthy. DJs are more popular and they provide the equipment and music choices preferred, but can be expensive with less than premium outcomes in some cases. For brides who really want something special, nothing beats the sound of a live band that can react and respond right away to the needs of party-goers and cost is often equal to that of a good DJ. The question then becomes what kind of band or instrumentalists to hire that will leave guests in awe and remembering the event for some time to come.

Many wedding instrumentalists, like Reel Ting, are not limited to genre when it comes to music. Classic music played on steel drums provides a twist on the original composition that is not only different, but produces sweet, lyrical music that is especially unique. When the party kicks into high gear, however, they are more than set to enliven the party with a beat that will ensure party-goers never want to finish. With the options provided by steel drum bands, feeling like one is on a tropical isle can be experienced no matter where the event is held.

When leasing any band it’s important that sufficient experience and references are furnished and that they are verified thoroughly. After all, a bride has only one chance in their lifespan to do it properly so determining that the greatest band is on the job for the event will save much trouble. For instance, a steel drum band like Real Ting with ten years of experience and many letters of testimonial can assure engaged couples that their event will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The right wedding musicians should bring style, flamboyance, talent, and professionalism to any event. Florida is fortunate in that it has many choices for live music, but perhaps it is luckiest for the gifted steel drum bands, like Reel Ting, that are based there. For any couple planning to marry, whether residents Florida or those flying in for a destination wedding, it should be a first choice to make the occasion memorable and unique.

Reel Ting is South Florida’s favorite steel drum wedding band. Call today to book your date, and get ready for your guests to have the time of their lives at your wedding.

Pop fans have accused Cheryl Cole of stealing the melody of her debut solo single, ‘Fight For This Love’ from Kelis’ 2007 song ‘Lil Star’. Comments have been posted online since her performance on Sunday’s (October 18) ‘The X Factor’ show. Cole’s spokesperson denied the claims, saying “There are no similarities.” Despite fans loving the Cheryl Cole music video, there are others who didn’t rate her performance.

Cheryl Cole’s critics have condemned her new single - and say The X Factor contestants are better.

Even though the Girls Aloud singer is storming to No 1 with her solo track Fight For This Love, some music commentators have rounded on her.

One said: ‘Cheryl would never have made it into the live final of The X Factor, for which she is a judge - which is pretty rich, considering.’

Cheryl, 26, was said to be anxious ahead of her performance on the show.

Our source says: ‘She’s been a bag of nerves and it was the X Factor contestants mentoring her rather than the other way round.’

We’ve had the curse of Hello! Now comes the curse of the X Factor results show, in which established stars - first Robbie, then Whitney - step on to the stage and are transformed as if by magic into gibbering, bug-eyed amateurs who can’t string three words together, let alone sing. Even Cheryl Cole wore a horrible outfit and smeared her lipstick, when all anyone really wants or expects of her is nice dresses and excellent grooming. Long may this fabulous run continue.

How to Convert MPEG videos to WMV

Need4 Video Converter convert your great fun videos clips in the MPEG format and save them in one of the leading video formats on the market today: WMV

Step 1. Launch Need4Video

Download the software for PC and see how easy it is to convert MPEG videos to WMV fast and easy.

Step 2. Add MPEG Video To Converter

- To add video you want to convert, click the +Video button.

- In the Files of type field, select MPEG 1,2 (DVD,SVCD, VCD).

- Select a necessary video file and click Open.

- The selected file will be added to the list of opened files below.

Step 3. Select Output Format

- Open the Profile list, choose General Video or a necessary mobile device.

- Then, in the Presets list on the right, select an output format : WMV

- Select the level of video quality.

Step 4. Specify File Name and Folder to Save Video

- In the Save as field, enter the name for the converted video.

- In the Save to field, specify the folder where to store converted videos:

- Overwrite existing files ” check it to replace existing video files with the same name with newly created ones;

- Open output folder when done ” check it to open the folder with a ready file when conversion is finished. (Recommended).

Step 5. Select a Video Segment to Convert

- To convert any segment of your video

- Click the Edit button next to your video in the list.

- In the opened window, drag the left marker to the beginning of a desired video episode and the right marker ” to the end of it.

Step 6. Hit Convert to Save MPEG video to WMV

Make sure the added video file is checked in the List of opened files and hit Convert to convert it to WMV.

Need4 Video have the greatest selection of video conversion programs you could possibly find. Whatever format you want to play your videos on, this program can make it happen. Visit the site and download the most up-to-date utility.

Music videos give a face, a look, a visual appeal to what is otherwise an entirely auditory experience. In fact, music videos started probably as long ago as the television itself, and they have gone a long way in popularizing artists. In fact, it is quite interesting that television channels should actually be devoted something that is only supposed to be listened to, not seen. But the popularity and Television Rating Points of these channels tell us that music videos can make or break a song or artist.

Music videos are popular because they go a long way in reinforcing an ‘image’ of a song or the artist. It is more experiential than listening; hence people tend to relate to it much faster. In the same way that watching a movie is more ‘real’ than reading a book about the same story. A music video also gives a new dimension to the meaning or purpose of a song. A song is an expression of a thought or an emotion. Although lyrics are more than enough to help one connect to this thought, the video defines this purpose more narrowly. The purpose of the song becomes much clearer to most listeners through the video. In fact, you might have observed that once you have seen the video of a song, you will recall it every time you hear the song.

Is creating a music video much different from creating a movie or ad? Well yes, it is. When you see a video, the reason it makes sense and appeals to you is because it reinforces what the song says when the song says it. A movie is a final product; everything else is ancillary - dialogues, set, lights, et al. In the case of a music video, the video is ancillary. It is to be made to fit onto the song after a song is completed; it is not made with the song. This is difficult since the video has to now be a perfect match with the song, its lyrics, tempo and its meaning. And along with all this, the video must also convey a story in most cases - All this within a span of not more than 3 minutes.

Hard core music listeners or connoisseurs are often of the view that music videos take the focus off the song and onto the video. This often results in very mediocre songs becoming popular just because they have videos that appeal to masses. The song thus becomes secondary, and ‘music’ loses its meaning. Judging a song by its video is probably what causes great songs to remain unheard or forgotten. In fact, some are even of the opinion that a great video is a marketing tactic employed to promote not-so-great music.

So wait, you’re telling me I don’t have to go to a recording studio to record a CD anymore? So hold it, hold it, you’re telling me I can sell my album through my computer? Now you’re really pulling my leg–you say people can hear my songs on their phones!?!

Well, yes that’s all possible. And we all know that, right? Right? If you don’t, you’re
missing out in more ways than one. Too many people who are artists/performers
don’t know what they can accomplish with today’s technology or even where to go
to find out about it all. There are plenty of opportunities to improve technically and
artistically with the use of a few doo-dads. I am constantly impressed by what’s
available in the tech world for musicians. I just recently purchased a little box that
can control my DAW (the computer I use to record) from another room so I don’t
have to run back and forth when I record myself away from the computer. AMAZING.
But, I wouldn’t have known about it if I wasn’t keeping current.

A growing artist doesn’t live in a cave. On a certain level we already know that
because there wouldn’t be much to write or sing about if we did. But to truly excel
we need to be challenged by our peers, to be part of a community that will support
us in our artistic endeavors. When I was performing regularly in NYC I was on the
periphery of an incestuous group of musicians that haunted the clubs on the Lower
East Side. They played in each other’s bands and went to hear their friends when
they knew the audience needed some boosting. It was great to be a part of that
community and to be able to make connections with other musicians that ultimately
helped me with some of my own projects.

So what to do if there isn’t a ready group of musicians to hang out with? You have
to go out and find them, sometimes virtually. At the very least, you find out what
they’re doing! I subscribe to a variety of magazines and newspapers from which I
get info on upcoming concerts, trends, tech news, etc. And of course there is the
Internet with its various newsgroups and websites. The one publication that I feel is
of greatest service to the independent musician is The Performing Songwriter
(www.performingsongwriter.com). This is a wonderful monthly magazine that has
feature articles on top musicians, easy to read tech articles and features for DIY (do
it yourself) artists. I also subscribe to Electronic Musician and Mix because I run a
recording studio. I read the New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Village Voice and
the local free Arts paper. There are also a ton of web-based newsletters out there
like indie911.com, Just Plain Folks (jpfolks.org), CMJ (www.cmj.com) and the
occasional letter from CDBaby’s founder Derek Sivers.

What types of things you keep current on largely depends on your interests, but it’s
always good to be aware of things outside your usual artistic tastes. Be aware of
trends and different styles of music if only to borrow from what you like. I’m not a
big fan of hip-hop, but I read the occasional article and watch the videos on MTV2
just so I know what’s going on and to hear the new sounds that these producers are
coming up with.
I once read an article (in Rolling Stone, in fact!) about Bruce Springsteen and how he
will go to a music store and buy a bunch of CDs of all different types of music just
so he can keep abreast of the sounds that are out there. You can hear the results of
his findings on The Rising where he uses a lot of Arabic rhythms and Rai singing
styles.

Musicians also need to keep up on the business world and know how to go about
marketing their music. I’ve read some great articles on marketing from Derek Sivers
of CDBaby and also from the IndieBible and they all talk about looking for the
unexpected place to put your music. I’ve recently become acquainted with Flash
movie developers who need music and producers of web-based info material who
need underscoring music for their CD products. after working with two producers,
I’ve started to create a library of short loops that are ideal for those applications.

So if you’re an artist, stay ‘in tune’ with your profession. Lawyers and doctors and
teachers do it. They go to conferences and read professional journals. Why shouldn’t
artists do the same? Find a community and communicate. Read everything (even the
ads, it’s where I first read about that box I bought) and listen to more than just the
style of music you play. I’ll be interested in hearing about the discoveries you
make–and the music you create–when you do!

Cheers!

Darryl Gregory is the host of Unsigned Underground, a monthly podcast that is all about the independent musician. Darryl also reviews unsigned CDs on his blog Unsigned Music Reviews. Darryl is a freelance musician, teacher and owner of Blue Cave Studios in Connecticut.