Creating Music's Future

An unimaginable number of people across the country dream of a life in the music business. One only has to look at the droves of people who line up for the "American Idol" tryouts each year to see the public's excitement and interest in the music industry. Whether it's the soundtrack for a Hollywood movie, a workout or a night on the town, music is engrained in all aspects of American culture and is both an exciting and rewarding industry. But how often do most people stop to think about who is actually behind the music?

Many of today's best-known musical artists write and perform their own songs. But thousands of other music creators will rarely appear onstage. Most people associate a hit song with the person who sang it, while the composer or lyricist who wrote the music or lyrics stays behind the scenes. So, though Clay Aiken probably comes to mind whenever "Invisible" is played, few know that a songwriter named Desmond Child wrote the song and is one of the music industry's most prolific and creative forces.

Now, budding and established music creators have a chance to learn how to forge a successful career in today's marketplace and hear from some of the most successful music creators in the business. For the past two years, hit songwriters, composers and producers such as Desmond Child, "Dude, Looks Like a Lady"; Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, "No More Drama"; Linda Perry, "Beautiful"; John Rich, "Redneck Woman"; and Michael Giacchino, "Ratatouille" have participated in the ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO, where they have shared invaluable insights about the music creation process.

In 2008, ASCAP, the leading American performing rights organization, will host its third annual "I Create Music" EXPO. As the only national conference dedicated to songwriting and composing, this event will bring together the world's leading songwriters, composers, publishers and industry professionals with emerging music creators for networking and educational opportunities.

The three-day event, slated to begin on April 10 at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, will cover all genres of music and will provide panels, workshops, master classes, keynotes, one-on-one sessions, song critiquing, product displays, technology demonstrations and even performances for attendees.

With some of the biggest names in music scheduled to show, this truly will be a place where music creators can come together and take their careers to the next level. For more information about the EXPO, visit www.ascap.com/expo.

(NewsUSA)

Mixed Martial Arts to Hit the Big Screen

It happened when a scrappy, low-budget film named "Rocky" arrived in movie theaters -; boxing was exposed to an entirely new fan base, and a breath of fresh air was given to the gritty sport. Can the same be done with the fast-growing world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)? One filmmaker thinks so.

Creating a plotline that centers around the sport of MMA and one man's heartfelt struggle to the top, the filmmakers at Imperia Entertainment -; producers of the anticipated 2008 release "Never Submit" -; knew that getting authentic fight scenes to make their movie stand out was essential for success. For this reason, they traveled to Dallas to work with Texas-based SUN Sports & Entertainment, a company that delivers high-energy MMA events to millions of fans worldwide.

Many of the fight scenes in the movie may contain footage from SUN's "Art of War 3," an official Pay-Per-View event sanctioned by the International Fighters Association (IFA). The plot of "Never Submit" revolves around an orphaned 22-year-old Judo champion, who begins training to enter an MMA tournament and follow in his father's footsteps.

"This was an incredible fight card, and one that MMA fans from around the world want to watch," said Kenneth Eade, Chairman of Imperia Entertainment, Inc. "We are looking forward to our upcoming film and looking for more strategic sponsorship and branding opportunities with the members of SUN."

While the film stars several talented actors, including Ernie Hudson and Corey Sevier, "Never Submit" also brings a few real-life MMA fighters into the spotlight to shine -; including legendary star fighter, Ken Shamrock. With a rags-to-riches plotline that aims to capture current fans of MMA as well as newcomers, "Never Submit" may play a part in bringing the fast-growing sport of Mixed Martial Arts to the forefront of the public eye.

For more information on MMA and SUN Sports & Entertainment (SSPE), visit www.sunorganization.com.

(NewsUSA)

The SUN Continues Rising for MMA

The high-energy sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has come a long way since it began gaining underground popularity in the late 1990s, having taken center stage on Pay-Per-View and cable television, providing live entertainment to millions of fans worldwide. And while many networks may be getting most of the glory, it's not just TV industry giants who have molded MMA into the respected sport that it is today.

After just one year of existence, Dallas-based SUN Sports & Entertainment (SSPE) has worked furiously to bring more attention to what Newsweek Magazine has called "the fastest growing sport in America." MMA, a sport that combines striking, grappling and professional wrestling moves to defeat an opponent, has gotten a high-tech facelift from SUN -; being regularly filmed and broadcast in crisp, high-definition video.

"SUN has worked diligently on building our 'Art of War' brand as a premier MMA property," said CJ Comu, CEO of SUN Sports. "We have also identified great future opportunities and developed a business model unlike any other company in this industry. We definitely have the potential to produce a long-term and successful enterprise."

While the company has strived to increase awareness of the sport of MMA as a whole, SUN's primary focus has been to develop its "Art of War" brand -; MMA matches that showcase pound-for-pound with fighters from all over the globe vying for the World Championship Belt. Big name fighters such as Jeff Monson and Pedro Rizzo are regularly featured in the high-profile matches. The company's hard work paid off in September of 2007, when SUN debuted its first-ever live, Pay-Per-View event with iN Demand Networks -; the nation's largest Pay-Per-View distributor.

As SUN enters its second year and continues to help MMA become part of the mainstream sports vernacular, Comu said that he believes that with the guidance of SUN, MMA will continue to find new fans and create additional interest in the sport that will have fans clamoring for more.

For more information on SUN Sports & Entertainment (SSPE), visit www.SunOrganization.com or visit www.ArtofWarLive.com.

(NewsUSA)

Roses at the Rose Parade Treated to Filtered Water

It's a stunning display of natural beauty that takes place annually to celebrate the paradise that is California -; the Pasadena Tournament of Roses.

It's internationally televised New Year's Day Rose Parade celebration features more than 40 magnificent floats decorated with thousands of roses, plants, fruits, vegetables and exotic flowers.

Jacob Maarse Florist in Pasadena, Calif., the preferred florist of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, provides many of the roses that grace the floats in the Rose Parade -; an event that garners the attention of more than 150 million viewers worldwide. And since roses, like every other living organism, need clean water to thrive, the florists at Jacob Maarse Florist decided to research the best water for their roses.

They tested cut flowers in three types of water including: LifeSource water, city tap water and tap water with floral preservatives. When asked about the test, Hank Maarse, president of Jacob Maarse Florist said, "We've been testing the LifeSource water system in our Pasadena floral shop since March 2006, and we found that cut flowers keep their vibrant color better and last three to four days longer when kept in the fresh, filtered water."

Additionally, Phoenix Decorating Company, a float builder for the Rose Parade since 1956, has LifeSource water systems installed in float decorating facilities, flower tents and flower-prep areas. The filtered water keeps the flowers used in the decorating process, and those in vials of water on the floats, fresh and vibrant. Chris Lofthouse, president of Phoenix Decorating said, "Their water makes flowers not only grow better, but also helps them last longer."

Why does filtered water make such a difference? Water free of chlorine and chloramines gives flowers the boost they need to better withstand the sun and heat they endure during the two-day event. From their original unveiling during the parade to the special up-close viewings that follow the parade, the flowers remain softer and retain more moisture, just like our own skin, when treated to chlorine-free water.

For more information about tap-based, water filtration, visit www.LifeSourceWater.com.

(NewsUSA)

'Digitizing' Vinyl is Music to the Ears

While modern audio technology, such as compact discs and digital downloading, has quickly taken over the music world in the 21st century, there's still a definitive market for the granddaddy that helped start it all - the vinyl record.

Many record stores across the country still report strong sales of music in record format and for good reason. For many who grew up listening to analog, there's no comparison to the "warm" sound quality that only a record can provide. But for those with dozens of classic albums on record, dragging out an old record player to re-live past music experiences can be an incredibly bothersome hassle.

More importantly, taking music from a record and recording it onto a portable, digital format like a CD has not been a widely available practice. While consumers have been able to record their favorite music from radio and cassette tapes to CDs for some time, the technology required to get those old records up to digital standards has been sorely absent. Lately, however, new technology has paved a road from the past to the present. The LP Saver Phono CD Recorder, marketed by firstSTREET, is an all-in-one audio player that is able to play record albums, cassettes and CDs.

Additionally, the LP Saver Phono CD Recorder gives audiophiles a way to bring their favorite Beatles record albums into the digital age. Using advanced technology, vinyl records can be copied onto a blank, re-writable compact disc -; all with the push of a button and without a computer. The distinct sound quality that a record provides is captured in an easy-to-carry format and can be played on any CD player. As an added bonus, all of this technology is wrapped together in a retro-style cabinet design, blending in anywhere in your home.

Modern technology may be advancing quicker than you can blink, but it's also helping bridge the gap between music's humble beginnings and its digitally bright future. For more information on the LP Saver Phono CD Recorder, visit www.FirstStreetOnline.com or call (866) 681-7107.

(NewsUSA)

Sail Away on Your Boat-Buying Adventure

For those who own one, there's no better way to relax with family and friends than by taking the helm of a boat and heading out for a beautiful day on the water -; a testament to the more than 72 million Americans who went boating in 2006. Many daydream about owning their own boat but are often discouraged or intimidated. However, contrary to popular belief, it doesn't have to cost a small fortune or require years of boating experience to become a boat owner.

Many aspiring boaters are under the impression that recreational boating may not fit into their current budget. However, purchasing and enjoying your own boat is far more affordable than you may realize. Sixty percent of current boat owners have an average household income under $75,000, and many boats can be financed for around $200 a month. There are also a variety of marine financing options available to help make boat ownership a reality.

In fact, nearly 95 percent of boats on the water today are less than 26 feet in length. Crafts of this size can be towed on a trailer and do not require exorbitant amounts of gas. Marine insurance rates vary by boat length and type, cost of the boat and level of coverage. So, some smaller boats can be insured for a nominal sum or as a rider on a homeowner's policy.

If you don't live along the coastline, don't despair -; 90 percent of Americans actually live within one hour's drive of a navigable body of water. By visiting www.DiscoverBoating.com, you can access a boat marina and ramp locator that allows you to search by state and county to determine the options closest to you. And, if you aren't familiar with the laws and rules of the water, DiscoverBoating.com features local boater education courses and additional resources to help. You'll even find tips such as the ability to reduce the cost of your marine insurance premium by taking a boater's education course.

With a different style of boat available for almost every type of activity, it's important to research what make and model best fits your lifestyle. One of the best places to shop for boats is at a boat show. Prior to the show, stroll around a marina or go boating with friends to find out more about the types, brands and models of boats that will meet your needs. Above all, remember it's easier and more affordable than ever to own the keys to fun on the water.

For more information on choosing the right boat for you, visit www.DiscoverBoating.com.

(NewsUSA)