Recording Industry Association of America

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) supports and promotes the creative and financial strength of the major music companies. The members are record companies that are passionate about the mission of the RIAA.  Licensing, Freedom of Speech and FBI Seal are just some of the topics that the company is interested in; but the most recent issue, one that is becoming very popular is music theft, also known as piracy.  

Piracy has become a bigger issue with the start of technology. Due to today’s technology savvy society,  more people are illegally uploading and downloading copyrighted materials, than years past. There are even online sites that encourage these illegal uploads and downloads. Even vendors at a flea market are at fault when they copy CDs to sell. This mixture of piracy has hurt not only the artists but also songwriters, musicians and record label employees. The entire music industry is suffering from piracy. RIAA is trying to prevent more people from using these methods. Record companies have teamed up  with different digital partners offering a wide range of  legal ways for the consumer to purchase music digitally. For example, they pair companies that offer ringtone, ringbacks, wallpapers, podcasts and other digital projects. iTunes and Rhapsody are two examples of licensed  online music subscription sites.

The RIAA is a multi-dimensional company taking on different missions. The independent record labels that are involved with the company directly support  these missions.  Each label supports  important issues by holding events to educate the consumers about the RIAA. Right now the RIAA is starting a new campaign about the gift of music. It is giving artists a chance to share how music touched their lives. Fans are also able to tell how music has touched their lives. There is an interactive website were consumers can go to access the information about the campaign.

Overall, the RIAA c has a major influence on society. It is working hard to combat issues that face the music industry, including piracy. Through campaigns that educate consumers to promoting the importance of music, RIAA works tirelessly to support artists, musicians, record labels, and all other members of the music industry family. 

Nothing Out of Something

Nothing out of Something

The speaker I chose is the author, Amy Tan.  She has written books such as, The Joy Luck Club, The Kitchen God’s Wife and The Hundred Secret Senses. In this speech, she discusses creativity, its sources, and specifically her creativity.

            Tan talks about how there are two principles to being creative, nature and nurture.   Nature, she explains is the belief held by some, that there is some kind of muse chromosome that causes genetic creativity. In other words, an individual is simply born creative. I believe that there are people in this world who look at the source of creativity with a logical objective point of view rather than subjective.

The next principle in the creativity debate is nurture. Tan discusses her personal nurture experiences, childhood trauma, that proves to be a source of creativity. Growing up, Tan was held to high expectations. Her parents expected her to become a doctor or concert pianist.  She was able to withstand these pressures and can now joke about them, but they no doubt impacted her life. In addition, Tan unfortunately experienced great loss as a child. Her brother and father both died of brain tumors just six months apart. Whenever anyone experiences such tragedy, it is only natural to ask questions such as: Why did this happen to me? What did I do to deserve this? Where do I go from here?

When writing a story these questions are the framework. When looking for answers, you want to find pieces that fit together, or what matters in the story, the essential the meaning. When seeking inspiration when writing, there are all these hints along the way, pointing you in the right direction.   Whether you see the hints or not, they are still there. Tan says that when you notice one thing it seems to be more frequent. What you need then is a focus, a focus to write the story and answer the question.  

Related to this topic, is the concept of fate. Does everything happen for a reason? Or are some events simply coincidental? Tan talks about how things randomly happen. It’s like the universe is telling you to do something. It’s almost like fate is taking a hand. When someone or something is creative is does not always have an explanation. It can be random or fate depending on how you look at it. But nonetheless, it all feeds a person’s creativity.

Amy Tan on Creativity retrieved on January 27 2011, from http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_tan_on_creativity.html

*Flashback* July 18th 2006

I was reminescing earlier today and I thought I would continue on here! I would like to post what I considered the best day of my life (at that time).  It's the day that I met Brendon Urie, lead singer of Panic! At The Disco. Here's the official post from my MySpace! Enjoy! 

Brendon and I 

***

Yesterday was the best day of my life!!!! My Best Friend and I met Brendon Urie from Panic! at the Disco!!! We were just sitting in the enclosed patio at the Hard Rock Cafe and just were talking in the car on 'What if Panic! ate here.' I looked out the window and pointed to Amanda 'its Panic! its Panic!' At first she didnt believe me until she turned around to look for herself. Then we both started to freak out and didnt know what to do. We asked our waiter if we could brb and she said it was fine. We ran out outside to meet him. We stopped him and heres the convo...

Alyssa: Hi

Amanda: Hi

Brendon: Hey

Amanda: We saw your show in Cleveland and decided to see this one as well.

Brendon: I'm honored

Alyssa: Can I have your autograph and take a picture with you?

Brendon: Sure

Alyssa: I do have one question though...

Brendon: What's that?

Alyssa: What do you have against gyros?!

Brendon: The meat...I'm a vegatarian.

Alyssa: Oh ::thinks we can make veggie gyros::

Amanda: She works at the Gyron stand at Kennywood.

Brendon: ah

Alyssa: Can I have my pic now?

Brendon: Yea

Alyssa: Amanda...::hands her the camera:: stop shaking!

Amanda: Dont worry its not blurry!

Alyssa: Can I have a hug?

Brendon: Yea ::gives hug::

Amanda: Can I have one too? ::gives her hug::

Sec. Guard: The rest of the guys are in Joe's crab shack.

Alyssa & Amanda: Ok Thank you!!!

Sec. Guard: We're heading to the Hard Rock Cafe.

Amanda: That's where we are!

Brendon: Bye

Typing that out makes it feel like we said sooo much more when it really only happened over a 3 min time span. lol Well that moment was THE best moment of my life right now! Also when we were leaving I turned around and screamed to Amanda "Abusive" just as Brenon was peeking over the back of the booth! ::swoon::

The concert was great!!! We ended getting Vip passes from the Hard Rock, which only meant we got in before everyone else. That was cool!!!! Seeing it the second time rocked!!! I really enjoyed it! I was screaming my head off again!!! Before I go I just want to Thank Brendon for being soo polite and nice!!! And thank you for giving me your autograph and letting me take a picture with you! I'll cherish that moment forever! And also a BIG thanks to The Hush Sound, you guys are awesome live and really nice in person! I love your album! Thank you for your autographs and the picture you took with me! Its going in my scrapbook!!! And I cannot forget my DADS! Thank you both for driving us around Pittsburgh, it meant alot to us! Thank you Raymondo for saying that weren't allowed to go any earlier than 1! And dad thank you for waiting patiently in the car while we waited to see if Panic! was coming back out! And also THANK YOU Amanda for being there with me through the whole experience! You are one of my bestest friends in the world! I love you!

Lyssa Leigh

***

I was able to meet more of the original members, Ryan and Jon at a Young Veins concert. Now all I need to do is meet Spencer!!!! And then Dallon if he is in the band. I've already met Ian and he is such a sweetheart! He got me drinking redbull! 

Maybe I'll throw in a few more flashbacks but I def wanted to share that one with you!!! :)

Take Care

Lyssa

New Song by Chris Barrett!

Chris Barrett

Chris Barrett used to play drums for The Friday Night Boys. Now he is embarking on a solo career!  In the recent months of the band's break up, Chris has been working diligently on his project. To bring in the New Year, he is ready for you to hear his brand new song, Sky High! Click here to download the new song http://www.mediafire.com/?7j1wdgbeqfovdxv

  

Follow Chris on Twitter for up-to-date news about his solo career! https://twitter.com/#!/chris_barrett_