Category: Music Notes

The Top 10 Workout Songs For April

Fort Wayne, IN – April 2, 2012 – This month in the gym, radio hits ruled. Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, and Madonna all released singles destined for workout playlist glory. But, it’s not just pop divas who prevailed. Carrie Underwood’s latest retains a few country touches. Skrillex and Sirah cranked out a boisterous dubstep anthem. And, although most hip-hop is too slow to make the cut, J. Cole’s aptly-titled “Work Out” proved to be an exception.

Here’s the full list, according to votes placed at Run Hundred–the web’s most popular workout music site.

Katy Perry – Part Of Me – 128 BPM

Nicki Minaj – Starships – 123 BPM

J. Cole – Work Out – 93 BPM

Madonna – Girl Gone Wild – 133 BPM

Skrillex & Sirah – Bangarang – 109 BPM

Carrie Underwood – Good Girl – 130 BPM

Chris Brown – Turn Up The Music – 131 BPM

Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe – 120 BPM

One Direction – What Makes You Beautiful – 124 BPM

Far East Movement & Justin Bieber – Live My Life – 129 BPM
To find more workout songs–and hear next month’s contenders—folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com. Visitors can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era—to find the music that best fits with their particular workout routine.

Contact:
Chris Lawhorn

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Contact: Chris Lawhorn Run Hundred

The Top 10 Workout Songs For March

Fort Wayne, IN – March 1, 2012 – The top workout tracks for March make for an eclectic bunch.On the pop front, you’ll find The Wanted—Europe’s latest boy band export—and Disney’s Allstar Weekend.Gym favorites Lady GaGa and Rihanna also turn up, in remixed form.Snow Patrol dropped the first single off their new album.And, Rivers Cuomo from Weezer braved the dancefloor with a little help from Steve Aoki.

Here’s the full list, according to votes placed at Run Hundred–the web’s most popular workout music site.

Lady GaGa – Marry The Night (Afrojack Remix) – 132 BPM

Allstar Weekend – Dance Forever – 125 BPM

Rihanna – You Da One (Almighty Radio Remix) – 129 BPM

Breathe Carolina – Blackout (Wideboys Remix) – 128 BPM

Flo Rida & Sia – Wild Ones – 129 BPM

Fun. & Janelle Monae – We Are Young – 92 BPM

Snow Patrol – Called Out In The Dark – 121 BPM

Steve Aoki & Rivers Cuomo – Earthquakey People – 128 BPM

Madonna, Nicki Minaj & M.I.A. – Give Me All Your Luvin’ – 147 BPM

The Wanted – Glad You Came – 127 BPM

To find more workout songs–and hear next month’s contenders—folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com. Visitors can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era—to find the music that best fits with their particular workout routine.

Today is another sad day in America. Today, we are celebrating the life, success and music of Whitney Houston. There have been many things written about Whitney Houston…many of them I refuse to believe. While it is true, I never had the opportunity to meet her personally, through her music I believe she was a great entertainer. Her voice was unique, so powerful, so full of passion and so beautiful to listen to. Never did you have to question who was singing, we all knew — that is Whitney Houston.

Today, my heart breaks for her and her family. She truly is ‘gone too soon.’ For her daughter, Bobbi Kristin, my thoughts and prayers are with you. May you choose to live a life a bit different from your mother. I wish you much success with your singing career. Let this loss influence how you wish to live your life. Do not allow others to influence you to turn to situations so many entertainers choose to do. Be a light of guidance for all.

Whitney Houston’s music will be cherished forever, along with her legacy. Let us all remember the fantastic entertainer and voice that she was. May you rest in peace, Whitney Houston. The world will “Always Love You.”

On Saturday, February 11, 2012, I performed as the opening act for an Elvis Tribute Artist. After my performance, I sat back watching the show, enjoying the music. After 10pm, I checked e-mails on my Blackberry, discovering a report that Whitney Houston was dead at the age of 48. This can’t be true, I thought, rereading the e-mail from a reputable source. Later, arriving at home, I turned on MSNBC, hearing the latest news about her death.

Whitney Houston was an icon. She had an amazing, beautiful voice that soothed and hit notes I could not sing. When I sang at the age of 15, I could hit some of those notes, but over the years, my voice has deepened, more of a bass tone than soprano. This got me to thinking.

When Whitney Houston performed at recent concerts, people were critical, saying she sounded terrible. Many of them walked out, refusing to listen to her when she could not hit those notes anymore. Did anyone stop to recognize that our voices do deepen later? Many are blaming drugs as the reason for her shocking, unexpected death. I truly hope drugs are not the reason. According to recent reports, drugs were found in the bathroom — prescription drugs.

While it is true, no one will ever know exactly what Whitney Houston was thinking on Saturday, the morning and afternoon of her death. Was she afraid that she would not be able to sing, like before, and people would boo her and walk out? Reportedly, there were discussions of her stating that she wanted ‘to go see Jesus.’ Did she have a premonition of her death?

Whitney Houston had it all. Fame. Money. Popularity. A precious, beautiful daughter. A caring, loving mother. Family. Perhaps she wasn’t as lucky or blessed in love since she had the tendency to fall for guys with major issues, such as Bobby Brown. Nevertheless, she was a woman to admire. I listened to many of her songs in total amazement of how beautiful her voice carried the tune. Many times, I got chills just listening to her powerful voice. She was truly gifted!

Never was I blessed to see her perform in concert, but I still play her music. Most of her songs I know, but I have only attempted one of them, recognizing that I had to lower the notes, simply because my voice is deeper now…raspy sounding. I can sing the blues fairly well, but no one and I truly mean NO ONE can sing like Whitney Houston.

To those who are critical and judgmental, let us all recognize that we are human. It is time for the world to mourn Whitney Houston, by listening to her music. Now, she is in the hands of God, perhaps singing in the heavenly choir with other performers and my father. Whitney Houston, you are missed. My thoughts and prayers go to your family. The world mourns, and Whitney, We Will “Always Love You!”

Last Friday afternoon, January 20, 2012, I performed at Sandpiper Convalescent Center, singing with the Divas. Arriving early, I noticed a lovely lady, dressed in pink. A pink bow was in her silver-gray hair. Pearls and several necklaces she wore. The smile on her face when I said hello made me feel warm and welcomed. “Are you the Divas?” She asked.

“Yes, we are and we’re ready to entertain you for a while.” Again, she cast me that warm, welcoming smile. I introduced myself, noticing a business card placed on her chest.

A relative from Iowa had dropped by earlier to visit her and she was so happy. She cherished the business card. “I don’t get many visitors,” she said.

Perhaps you have never visited a nursing home or convalescent center. I have. In 1998, I toured Sandpiper, admitting my dad who was suffering with terminal cancer, needing ‘skilled nursing care.’ For those who do not recognize the definition of skilled nursing care, it simply means 24-hour nursing care. My dad was seriously ill. Although I attempted to care for him, I recognized I did not possess the professional medical care training he needed. Yes, the nurturing part of me was alive and able to nurture him, and I knew a bit about cancer, but my dad had a PEG tube.  Even though the nurses trained me about cleaning of the PEG tube, I was not comfortable with it. My precious dad needed more nursing care than I could give him. I visited him daily, with exception of three times during his illness when I had severe bronchitis attacks. When visiting the nursing home during his illness, I noticed several people never had visitors and that disturbed me deeply. Walking back into Sandpiper on Friday, I did not focus on the loss of my dad. I performed as well as I could without focusing on the day of his death, July 6, 1999, while I was walking into his room to visit with him. I must say, it was great to see some of the residents at Sandpiper bopping their heads to the music, and to hear them singing the lyrics with us. My dad would be proud of me. Yes, I could feel his presence, and it was great to walk into Sandpiper again, this time, to entertain.

My dad’s roommate is still residing at Sandpiper. I walked over to him, dedicated a song to him and kissed him on the forehead. He blushed. Seconds later, he was singing “Unchained Melody,” along with me. How I loved hearing him singing with me. Mr. Dudley was enjoying the music and his body was moving to the beat!

It was such an honor to sing to such a warm, responsive group, to share a bit of music, nostalgia, and memories to a group of senior citizens who rarely get out to enjoy life as much as they did previously. My fondest wish is that the Divas gave them happy memories and entertainment. As for me, I left Sandpiper singing, I lifted my head to the sky, telling God thank you. Thank you for life and the ability to sing to a group of precious individuals who still need the bonding of family, the therapy of music, and the touch of warmth the Divas shared with a group of beautiful, precious residents. I look forward to seeing them again, and inviting them to sing with the Divas!

Greetings, Readers:

The City of Charleston, SC is so blessed to have great weather again. It is only 85 degrees at the moment. A bit humid, but a great day to walk the pups. I confess, I have a fourth pup now — a foster child who needs much discipline. When I rescued him, I was told he was about two years old. I think he’s younger, especially when discovering the rescue center knew absolutely nothing about him. Couldn’t even tell me his name. So sad. He is a little ambitious to work with. Feisty. Funny, and starved for human contact. Today, I attempted to walk him with my three babies. I lost the battle. He does well on a leash, if it is only him, although he does like to chew the leash — in to! He’s chewed thru two already! As we left the house today, he managed to wrap his leash around my right leg, and chew. OK, little guy. You win. I’m taking you back home. I will walk him in the back yard until he is accustomed to walking on a leash!

Poor baby. I returned him back to the kitchen breakfast room, gated him, and off I went to walk my three dogs. I needed the exercise and my babies are accustomed to my rules. It was a great walk. A great day to enjoy the warm sunshine, the slight breeze and the humidity.

Now that I am home, I have my Zumba DVD ready to cue and in a few minutes, I will do thirty minutes of zumba. I can hardly wait. If you haven’t done Zumba, you must, especially if you like to dance! And I confess, I LOVE DANCING!

May your day be great, and if you are within the recovery path of Hurricane Irene, I sincerely hope your life will return to normal soon. It isn’t easy surviving a hurricane. Suddenly you are forced to camp out in your own home, that is, if you can return to your home. I still remember how difficult it was for me after Hurricane Hugo. Flip a switch for the lights. Oops. No power yet. Take a shower — a cold shower. I learned to appreciate them! Eating canned goods, especially canned tuna. I haven’t touched canned tuna since Hugo! Before Hugo, I loved to go camping with my husband. Now, I detest roughing it, considering an inexpensive hotel as ‘roughing it’ as I will get!

And now, I must get busy and start the music to do my Zumba. It is such fun! Have a great day!