Ellen Explains Her New eleveneleven Record Label

“Everyone is talking about Ellen's big announcement that she's starting a record label called eleveneleven. A lot of people have been asking where the name came from, so today she has the explanation.”



After signing her first artist, Greyson Chance, she just recently signed 16-year-old Tom Andrews all the way from the UK. She discovered him on YouTube and is always looking to introduce talented individuals. Tom has only been singing for 3 years and already won over, not only Ellen, but also thousands of YouTube fans out there. He currently just made his first debut on live TV on September 16, 210 performing “It’s A Mans World,” originally by James Brown.



“Ellen just announced that she's starting a brand new record label called eleveneleven -- and she's always looking for new talent. If you think there's someone she should know about, write in and tell us. Be sure to include a link to a video.”

After visiting her website, Ellen started a new page called “Do you think you’ve got what it takes? Prove it!” where selected favorites will be posted and viewers can vote for their favorite submitted video. There are currently four posted favorites, but one in particularly stuck out to me.

At first instinct, many viewers would immediately click the “X” because of his broken English, but I really wanted to see how he sounded and always willing to give everyone a chance. Language barriers can be a huge issue in the United States just simply because most don’t speak other languages and others get frustrated when we don’t understand. Huu’s English is very hard to understand, but as soon as he started singing, I was amazed and had no idea where that came from. It’s amazing how someone can listen to a song like that and sing it almost flawless hardly being able to speak English. I think it’s great that people like him are brave enough to cover a song like this and the talent that comes from all around the world. I love what Ellen does for the Entertainment Industry and the opportunities she gives to talented individuals. I hope to see her record label grow, find more unique talent like Huu, and really wish I could be part of her label someday.

Information taken from: Ellen

Black Eyed Peas - The Time (Dirty Bit)

The Black Eyed Peas  just recently released their new album, The Beginning, on November 30, 2010. The album is already the number one album on iTunes according to popularity. Their hit, The Time (Dirty Bit) is already number four on iTunes top charts along with receiving over seven million views during the first week the music video was posted on YouTube.

“I'm not sure there is any particular significant meaning to be attached to the Black Eyed Peas first single from the album The Beginning, but it does sound like they are having a whole lot of fun, and that probably is the point. Stutter and echo effects welded to one of the most instantly recognizable songs of the late 1980s played out over a skeletal electronic dance beat is all likely to stick in your mind, and this does. Black Eyed Peas songs are not to be judged on their depth. They are best judged on how they make you feel, and "The Time (Dirty Bit)" does make me feel good,” according to About.com.

After listening to this song, the memories flashback to the original by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes along with the 80’s well-known favorite “Dirty Dancing.”

 I think the original is a memorable piece that just brings a smile to our faces, but the new cover takes an old classic and puts a brand new spin on something great. It also keeps the music of my generation alive. I think this is a brilliant piece. The first time I heard this song, I was in a club in Orlando and couldn’t wait to get home to search for it. Little did I know, it was just released and already a top chart on iTunes and wasn’t hard to find.

Pros

•                Clever use of echo and stutter

•                Fergie's singing

•                Atmosphere of pure fun

Cons

•                Patchwork approach leaning on past hits

Description

•                Written by William Adams, Allan Pineda, Damien LeRoy, Franke Previte, John De Nicola, and Donald Markowitz

•                Produced by will.i.am and DJ Ammo

Released November 2010 by Interscope

Information taken from: About.com

Firework & Grenade MASHUP - Sam Tsui

Sam Tsui's NEW YouTube upload, which are his current 3 favorite songs! Please subscribe: HERE! :)

Just A Dream - Sam Tsui & Christina Grimmie

Sam Tsui released his new YouTube cover of "Just a Dream" yesterday. Already receiving over 100,000 views in less than 24 hours, he is one YouTube inspiration in my eyes! Please check him out here!

American Idol Online Auditions Launches!

According to MySpace, "American Idol is back in January 2010 for it’s 10^th anniversary on FOX. The number one hit series, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, empowers contestants and viewers to share their voices to help decide who will be America’s next superstar. While celebrating the upcoming 10^th season, hopefuls across the country will, now for the first time, have the opportunity to audition for American Idol from the comfort of their own home. Season 10 auditions are an opportunity for you to audition for American Idol and potentially be selected to advance to the American Idol Los Angeles callbacks. Online audition videos of eligible participants submitted for consideration will be judged according to the same parameters as live venue auditions. If you are selected to progress to the Los Angeles callbacks, you will be required to provide or arrange for your own travel to the Los Angeles callbacks."

I think this is a great way to explore talent in the world, however, I think they are going to attract more than enough videos that don’t express real performers talent. The whole idea in my head is “How bad do you really want it?” If you want it that bad, you will be willing to stand in line to wait your turn to audition in front of the judges. Another factor that concerns me, as a performer is, it is so much easier to sit in front of a computer screen and upload a video, but it’s not the same as performing in front of a panel of judges. I think this aspect is taking away from the “real idea” behind American Idol and instead attracting unwanted/unneeded people who claim they have talent while sitting in front of their computer screens. For a show this big, you have to have some experience in performing and working a stage. However, with the world becoming so digital, I feel like this way of auditioning takes away from the true meaning of how bad you really want to be the next American Idol.

Aside from MySpace, I am true believer in finding great talent within the world of YouTube. Here are some artists, in my opinion, that express their true passion, dedication and musical talent. It's creative artists like these, who are unique and deserve a shot at becoming America's next superstar.

Sam Tsui

Mike Tompkins

Greyson Chance

Information taken from MySpace.

Greyson Chance Performs "Waiting Outside The Lines" on Ellen

After 13-year-old Greyson Chance posted a YouTube clip of himself performing Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” in April, he never dreamed that a video could become a viral sensation being viewed by more than 28 million people.

From posting that one YouTube video, his obvious talent shined through after his invitation to perform on The Ellen Degeneres Show. Before performing his Lady Gaga cover, he talked with Ellen about what inspires him along with receiving encouraging words from Lady Gaga herself, who advised him to “work really hard, be focused, and stay away from girls,” adding what had already become readily apparent: “You’ve already won over everyone’s hearts.”

In just a few short months, Greyson became a well-liked star. After being invited back to The Ellen Show for a second time, DeGeneres announced “he was to become the first artist signed to her newly formed label eleveneleven Records, which will release his first single this fall on eleveneleven, Maverick and Geffen Records.” 

“This is my dream and I’m living it,” Greyson says. “I’ve never wanted to do anything else except write songs and perform them.”

Greyson was over inspired after seeing Lady Gaga perform “Paparazzi” at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. “I was awestruck by her performance,” he says. “I love her sense of drama and theatricality, plus she’s an amazing singer and piano player.”

His first hit video is now up to 52,277,459 views. With his new single that was just released on Ellen this month already having 286,729 views along with being available to purchase on iTunes. This kid is truly inspirational to me along with the gift he was given of being talented and having great stage presence. It’s so obvious that he has a passion for music, works hard, and wants to please others with his music. I have so much respect for him as an artist and the fact that he started out at such a young age. He is a prime example of why music programs in schools should be supported and the talent that comes within it.

Information taken from: GREYSON CHANCE - Official Site