Elton John – A Musical Icon Hits The Stage Once Again

Elton John, over time, has proven to be one of the most influential musicians of his time. His “time” spans several decades, and his legion of fans spans several generations. John has been performing for more than 30 years, and this summer’s tour is bound to attract millions of followers around the United States.

Early Life

Elton John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in England in 1947, and his early childhood was shaped primarily by the women in his life. His father, Stanley Dwight, was a Squadron Leader in the RAF, which meant that he was rarely around his son, as his military duty kept him on tour for years.

John proved to be something of a child prodigy, as by the age of four, he was able to play piano melodies by ear after hearing them either on the radio or record player. He continued to hone his love for music, and he won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music when he was 11.

John studied at the Academy for six years, but left before he graduated because he felt he was ready to concentrate on his professional music career. John played in his share of bands while he was a student, and it was during this time that his professional attitude and style were formulated in such a way that they would serve him throughout his career.

Early Career

John’s first band was formed when he was 13, and it was called The Corvettes. The Corvettes ultimately changed their name to Bluesology, which experienced some success as a backup band for such R&B artists as the Isley Brothers and Patti LaBelle. This exposure led to Bluesology being signed to serve as Long John Baldry’s supporting band, and they would tour and play small shows throughout England during this time.

John soon became disillusioned with the tight-fisted control that Baldry exerted over Bluesology and left the band soon thereafter. Even though there were initial failures, as John auditioned for lead singer roles with King Crimson and Gentle Giant without being hired, this part of his life led him to a partnership that exists to this day.

Career Success

John once again failed in an audition with Liberty Records, but as he was leaving the audition, he was given a group of lyrics without music that were written by Bernie Taupin, who has also tried out for a role with Liberty Records. John wrote music to support the lyrics, and the two began corresponding. John and Taupin met six months later, and it was during this time that John changed his name to what it is today. After a couple of years of writing music together, the partners were ready to encounter the 1970’s, which was a decade where they experienced a level of success that was unmatched in history.

Taupin and John began releasing singles with moderate success, and formed a band of musicians that would lead to John’s first number one album, Honky Chateau, in 1972. The album contained such hits as “Rocket Man” and “Honky Cat,” and spent five weeks at number one.

The following year, John started his own label, Rocket Records, and his string of success was amazing. His next nine albums all climbed to the top of the US Album charts, and his 31 releases since his first have sold hundreds of millions of copies around the world.

Awards/Acknowledgements

John is revered by millions, both inside the music industry and by the public in general. He has been recognized in several ways. John has won five Grammy Awards, although this is just the “tip of the iceberg” in terms of his recognition. In 1995, John won an Academy Award for Best Music, Song for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” featured in The Lion King. He won a Golden Globe Award that same year for Best Original Song – Motion Picture for the same score. In 1996, he was appointed a Commander of the British Empire (C.B.E.), and in 1998, he was Knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his contribution to music and fund-raising for AIDS charities. Finally, in 2000, John won a Tony Award for Best Original Musical Score for his work with Aida. John was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

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Acting Tips – Handling Stardom

Well, here you are. You met with your agent, got the audition, got the part, made your first movie in a lead role, the movie is a huge success and you’re an overnight success. Yes, it’s unlikely, but it does happen. Just look at the cast of “Harry Potter.”

So, you’re a star. What next?

Unfortunately, not everyone can handle stardom. This has been sadly chronicled in the lives of such people as Freddie Prinze who took his life because he just couldn’t handle the pressures of being a big star. So what can you do in order to avoid being a casualty of the movie, TV or stage business?

Everyone has their own theories of how to handle stardom. In this article we’re just going to cover some generic ground as every person is different and ultimately what will work for one person may not work for another. For example, some people will really enjoy all the attention from fans and rag mags that they’re going to get, good or bad. Others will shun it like the plague. But there are some things that seem to be the Achilles heel of most people who have made it big.

For starters, don’t bite off more than you can chew. Once you become a star, everyone is going to want a piece of you for interviews, endorsements, whatever. Budget your time. Do only what you can do. You don’t have to agree to every interview request. Don’t worry that if you turn one down that these people are going to think of you as stuck up or unappreciative. Make them understand that your time is limited and your schedule just doesn’t permit you doing that particular interview at this time but maybe in the future. Always keep the door open. That way you don’t alienate anyone.

The next thing you want to do is not let stardom change your lifestyle beyond what you can afford. Mike Tyson, with all the millions he made boxing, is broke. Learn to live within your bounds. This is not to say that you can’t have nice things. But if you’re only taking in five million a year then you can’t live as if you’re taking in a hundred and five million. It will eventually catch up with you and you could lose everything.

Probably the most important thing you can do as a successful actor is not let it get to your head. In spite of what the fans have told you, you are not the almighty. You are still just a flesh and blood person and as quickly as you became a star, that is how fast it can all come crashing down on you. So many stars who are big one day are gone the next and this dose of reality is too much for them to handle. As a result, their lives are never the same, many taking to drugs and booze. So keep your head about things. Make sure you put your success into perspective.

Just by doing the above few things you’ll have a very good chance of surviving the success that comes with being an actor.

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Canadian Bacon Now An American Favorite

The phrase “pass the bacon” is beginning to have a more nutritious meaning for millions of health-conscious Americans incorporating Canadian bacon into their diets.

Best known as an ingredient in Eggs Benedict, Canadian bacon’s recent rise in popularity stems from the low-carbohydrate diet craze. Although carb counting is no longer as fashionable, Canadian bacon remains a healthy cooking option because it’s low in fat and high in protein.

With “bacon” in its name, consumers often confuse Canadian bacon with traditional American bacon, according to Philip Jones, president of Jones Dairy Farm, a leading U.S. producer of Canadian bacon. However, unlike its fatty American counterpart, Canadian bacon is a lean smoked meat made from the tender pork loin. It’s precooked and has an appearance and flavor more similar to ham.

Jones points out an important difference between Canadian bacon and Canadian-style bacon. Real Canadian bacon is strictly the loin meat, but Canadian-style bacon is typically made from sirloin hip meat and includes ground pork trim. Jones believes consumers will prefer the higher-quality authentic product because it provides a more uniform appearance, better texture and superior taste.

“Real Canadian bacon provides fuller flavor and firmer texture,” said Jones. “It’s a premium ingredient that adds a wonderful smoky flavor in salads, sandwiches, soups or even by itself.” He offers the following recipe showcasing the versatility of Canadian bacon.

Cajun-Style Gumbo

Makes 5 (11/2-cup) servings

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 medium onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons flour

1 (141/2-oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 cup chicken or beef broth

1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

3/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

1 (10-oz) package frozen sliced okra, thawed

8 Jones Golden Brown precooked sausage links or patties, coarsely chopped

1 (6-oz) package Jones Canadian Bacon slices, cut into strips

2 cups hot cooked rice

1/4 cup chopped parsley

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add green pepper, onion, garlic; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add flour; cook and stir 1 minute. Add tomatoes, broth, thyme, oregano, pepper sauce; bring to simmer. Cover; simmer 5 minutes. Stir in okra and sausage; simmer covered 5 minutes. Stir in Canadian bacon; simmer uncovered 3 minutes. Ladle into five shallow bowls; top with rice, parsley.

Cajun-Style Gumbo made better with the addition of real Canadian bacon.

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Solar Power Can Heat Your Water

When you decide to convert your main power source over to solar power you will need to make some adjustments to the appliances that carry the power source. When you use solar power to heat your water you may find that you will need to purchase a solar powered water heater in order to do that. You may be able to make adjustments to your existing one but what ever steps you take to turn it into solar power it will be worth it.

There are several different ways to heat your water using solar power. You can even make your own solar power source. The water runs through pipes before it enters your home. Heating water using solar power will occur before the water gets into your home as it passes by the solar source that attracted the light. You may also have a tank to store the water in that can heat the water up. In order to heat your water successfully you will need to have both a solar collector and a storage tank.

A flat plate collector is the most common collector. It is designed to be a thin, flat rectangular box that has a see through cover and it can carry fluid to be heated. This fluid could be the water or it may be a solution, such as antifreeze that will prevent the water from freezing. Next the water moves through the tubes to an absorber plate. This plate is painted black to attract and absorb the heat from the sun. When the collector gets hot, it will heat the fluid that passes through the tubes. As the water passes through the tubes it goes into the storage tank. The storage tank holds the heated water. It is usually well insulated so the water will stay warm longer. Then the water flows into the home on demand.

Solar water heating systems are divided into two groups: Active and passive. When the heating systems are active, that means that they rely on the pumps or other mechanical device that can move the water between the flat plate collector and the storage tank. Active is the most common because it is quicker and more efficient. The passive system relies on gravity to feed the water from the flat plate collector to the storage tank. This may be slow at times and may not be sufficient enough to keep up with the demand. Both ways are logical and may be more of a choice of preference for you. Another thought that you need to consider is that if your flat plate collector and your storage tank is not angled right it may be hard for the gravity to feed the liquid through.

Heating water using solar power is very affordable and can be installed with minimal effort. Choosing to heat your water using solar power is a wise choice and a first step in making a choice to help preserve our environment. We know how easy it is to use solar power to do a lot of things, including heating our water.

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Finding The Perfect Used Boat

Finding the perfect Arizona classified ad with the perfect boat for you, especially if you are a first time boater, may seem like a very difficult task to accomplish. To help you in your quest for the perfect boat, there are a few things you should know.

Deciding what is important Choosing the right boat is more than just locating one for sale on one of the many Arizona online classified ad sites, like Qwixo.com. Really, its all about knowing what is truly important to you. You will need to decide whether you will be using the boat for your own private use, fishing, or cruising. You should also consider your families wishes and feelings, since buying a boat for your own personal needs without consulting your family will probably lead to disappointing experiences or less time spent on the water.

Typically, boats will fall into five categories which are fishing boats, power boats, sailboats, personal watercraft, and self powered boats. To help you find the perfect boat, well take a look at some of the features that each one offers.

The designs for fishing boats will vary quite a bit, as are the places you can use them. The boats that are meant for shallow waters of inland lakes and rivers are not the same boats meant for deep seas and great lakes. There are many different designs, even boats that serve no other purpose besides fishing.

These types of boats normally have stowage and holders for bait, fishing poles, tackle, and even special tanks to hold live fish. Other types of fishing only boats feature an open platform where anglers can fight fish from all sides of the boat.

Power boats are the most popular boats sold. The designs on and of power boats are as varied as their uses. Boats with seating in the front are called bow riders, which are mainly used for towing skiers or rafts. Most boats can also be used for fishing as well. If you want to do both, there are ski and fish combinations available.

When you first learn to pilot a sailboat, it can be very challenging, although very rewarding as well. A sailboat requires more skill and knowledge to operate than some other types of boats, although they are also considered more rewarding once mastered.

With all available sailboats, the single masted sloop is the most popular design. For those who only boat on occasion, catboats, daysailers, and dinghies are small and easily trailer able.

When you finally decide on the perfect boat for you, look at what each one offers and how you plan to use it. The perfect boat for you is out there, all you have do is find the one that best matches your needs, and an online Arizona classified ad site is the best place to start.

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College Basketball Jerseys: Don’t Just Show Your Support — Wear It!

Among the most highly prized possessions that any college basketball player can hope for is their college basketball jersey. The college basketball jersey represents a feeling of pride and belonging to the team.

But the feeling is not restricted to the team. Jerseys are also prized by fellow students, who show up at college games dressed in the same colors to cheer on their team.

Anyone who loves the game will have a favorite team and player. Wearing their jersey creates a special bond.

Some Like It Hot

Due to the heat of indoor playing conditions, basketball jerseys are made of thin material, mostly of mock mesh, dazzle, tricot mesh or pro mesh materials. Jerseys are always sleeveless because long sleeved jerseys would cause the players to sweat too much, creating not only uncomfortable conditions, but unhealthy ones as well. The jerseys are also worn long and loose with large armholes for ventilation.

The NCAA is very strict about the way basketball jerseys are worn on the court and requires all players to tuck in their jerseys.

Color, Numbers And Styles

The tank top jerseys are worn with shorts, which are long and baggy with stretchable waistbands and drawstrings. Each jersey is embossed with the team logo, player number and team name. Every college team likes to customize its basketball jersey, and comes up with a unique color plan.

There are a number of manufacturers who produce wonders with the jersey designs and styles. Reversible jerseys use contrasting fabric on both the inside and outside surfaces, so that they can be worn either way.

The player’s number is required to be on both the back and the front of the jersey. The height of these numbers is required to be 8 inches on the back and 6 inches on the front side. The names of the players are printed in 2-inch high letters. Shortly after 9/11, the NCAA began to allow players to wear the American flag on the jerseys using a 4-inch side insert for this purpose.

Collector’s Items

The demand for replica college jerseys always goes up when the NCAA tournament season begins. There is also a big demand for jerseys worn by the top basketball stars. These replica jerseys, available at several online stores, make a great collector’s item for the avid basketball fan.

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4 Key Ways To Keep Visitors Coming To Your Blog Site!

Blogging is a perfect way for people to share their thoughts with others. When people blog, it means they keep an updated online journal or diary. Weblog and blog are the same things. Companies might also blog to help increase the amount of business on their web sites. For many bloggers, increasing traffic to their blogs is not the only goal. Most people that blog want to keep their visitors coming back for more. The following are four ways to keep visitors coming to your blog site.

Blogging is a relatively new phenomenon. Some blog writes choose to keep their blogs personal and do not share their thoughts with others. These are more like online diaries. Other wants to share with everyone what he or she has to say. Blogging is a big business and many websites offer free blog hosting. In addition, many companies choose blogging as an inexpensive way to advertise their products or services. Blogging on the Internet is often much cheaper than maintaining a web site and is usually more interesting for readers and clients.

Update your blog: The easiest way to keep visitors coming back to your blog site is to update your blog on a regular basis. Readers will stay loyal to blogs that are updated daily. Some blog writers even updated several times a day. Readers will tend to loose interest in your writing if they have to wait several days for new material. Be loyal to your readers and your readers will be loyal to your blog. Also, there are literally thousands of blogs available on the Internet. If your blog is not updated on a regular basis, you will loose your readers to another blog site. Another fun way to update your blog and keep your readers interested in your site is to include something fun for your readers to enjoy. That could be as simple as a joke or maybe a link to a humorous story you have found on the Internet. You might also try including a trivia game or polls for your readers to enjoy on a regular basis.

Participate in web communities: Participating in web communities or discussion forums and mentioning your blog whenever possible will help keep readers coming back to your site. In addition, you can gain new readers when doing this. You can also be loyal to the blogs of other writers and ask them to visit your site. Leave nice comments about their site and invite them to your site. If you have mutual interests and the same type of readers, you can even share your blog links on your site. This helps everyone. Your reader will appreciate interesting reading while you benefit from readers from the other site.

Understand who reads your blogs: Another great way to keep blog readers coming back for more is to understand who reads your blog and write content that is directed towards them. This does not mean that you have to write on only one particular subject, though. If you are a stay at home mom and write about your life at home with the kids, your loyal readers may not appreciate it if you write about cutting edge topics or use a lot of foul language in your writing. If you generally write humor, do not bog your readers down with sorrowful woes and tales. Your readers will be interested in the things that attracted them to your site in the first place. That is usually what you are more interested in writing about. You can gain a better understanding of your readers interested by including places for comments and encouraging your readers to contact you by email.

Include keywords: You can gain readership and help keep your current readers by including certain keywords in your blog. If you have entered your blog on a search engine, these keywords that point to your blog will come up after a search. This is a great way to get readers interested in your blog. This is also a good way for companies to increase the traffic to their blog.

Blogging is the new way to keep a diary or journal online. Blogging is increasingly popular for companies as well. If you want to make your blog stand out against the thousands of other blogs, keep your readers interested and coming back for more everyday by updating your writing, participate in online communities, understand your readers and include keywords.

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