free Music Friday

This being our last Friday post before Christmas, I want to share several of teh best Christmas songs on the web. Please do enjoy!













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Idol Gives Back (for Tom's reading pleasure)

So, I am still thinking about that “Idol Gives Back” last week. I am not sure what I think. I appreciated Bono, because I truly think he is a wonderful humanitarian (he is looking OLD man!). I liked Annie Lennox too. But what was the rest of it? It was an odd show of what I think may have been hypocrisy. And, it was just plain strange.

Let me share some “highlights”. For one, I had never seen this sensation known as Miley Cyrus (Hanna Montana) before. One performance would have been enough, but oh no…we were blessed by 2! (thank GOD for DVR fast forward). It was troubling…that girl, who is supposedly the role model for an entire generation of little girls was writhing and gyrating on that stage, for no apparent reason, like the next Brittany Spears. WEIRD.
I liked how they kept talking about the terrible poverty in the world but Snoop Dogg (yes a once murder suspect turned humanitarian) performed with a diamond encrusted microphone. So did another female singer…I think it was Mariah Carey. I wonder if they know that most likely 10 of those little African kids they want to raise money for probably died or were seriously maimed in a diamond field for that stupid mic!

Fergie (aka blight of humanity) performed with Heart. Once again thank you Lord for DVR fast forward. That was just wrong, and I think I saw her do a cartwheel or something?!?!?!?!? I don’t remember much more, as I was either dozing off or blatantly ignoring it.

The strangest moment came at the end though I hear (I was asleep for this part) as a chorus sang “Shout to the Lord” on national television (wow!!!) but was followed directly after by Ben Stiller and a bleeped out cursing tirade. What is that????? Even if they had not just sung a worship song, this is a family show…save that for somewhere else! The next night all the finalists sang the same song, even including “Jesus” in the words. I was amazed and glad, but also aware it was a marketing scheme. I mean they know their target market. Who is going to give to homeless and Africans? American Christian audience that’s who!

It was just all a little odd to me. I truly do appreciate when celebrities use their fame for good. That is SO cool to me. Bono is sincere. I thought Brad Pitt and Annie Lennox were too (her performance was the only good one of the night I thought). And I believe this raised a ton of money fro some good causes…..but it just felt WEIRD. That is all I can say to describe it. Last year seemed off the cuff, inspired and heartfelt. This year all came across as packaged and a little trite. I would love to hear what you guys think.