UPDATE:  Forever Younger is now airing its first 6 Episodes in Texas, Louisiana, Indiana, and Arizona…and writing/production has already begun on Season Two!

I co-produced this promo video with CCA wunderkind Ted Voorhies, and it was shot and edited by the legendary technologist Ed Oliver:

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Pau Gasol, starting center of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, was rumored in 2003 to be found mating with a pack of wild ostrich in an abandoned barn just outside of Memphis, TN.  Pau was then a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, and the rumor was quickly dismissed as a hoax in local newspapers.

The photo you see here was taken on 2/8/11 through an RV windshield by 9 yr. old Anthony Wayne 30 miles outside of Las Vegas, NV, and it was reported to authorities on 2/12/11.  Gasol and the Lakers then encountered a rare 3-game losing streak, including a loss to what many consider the worst team in NBA history…the Cleveland Cavaliers.

This story is slowly gaining traction, shaking up both the NBA and scientific communities.  Perhaps the young “Gasolstrich” is nearing the end of its long journey from Memphis to Los Angeles…soon to feel the embrace of a father it never knew.

When the ‘Beats by Dr. Dre’ headphone series was introduced, they used the marketing phrase “hear the music the way the artist intended”.  I tested their ‘Solo’ and ‘Studio’ models, and I can tell you that this phrase is several times more appropriate with Grado headphones…especially with the SR125i’s and higher.

As I do when I test all headphones, I listened to a few songs from every major genre of music.  I covered the super-slick production of major label artists, and also some independent self-produced gems here at Music Forte.  I’d like to highlight what I noticed specifically with the SR125i’s…

• Fingerpicking and rhythmic acoustic sounds are amazing.
• Songs with a deep punchy bass allow you to feel it in ways you just can’t with other headphones.  With the open-air design, it’s like there’s a mini subwoofer in your ears…and it feels good.
• Because you can hear all the proper panning, sound effects, and ear candy that the sound engineers intended in the mix, some songs sound like you’re hearing them for the first time.

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As I mentioned in my review of the “iGrado’s”, it’s much more of an event than a casual listening experience with these headphones.  To expand on that, it’s also a more sensual experience.  With such great detail and sensitivity in the sound, I found myself getting more moved by vocal performances and easily recognizing instrument brands and amplifier models.

NOTE: The SR125i’s ship with a 1/4 inch cable attached.  If you want to use them to listen to your iPod or mobile phone, you’ll have to pick up a 1/4 inch to 3.5mm adapter which you can easily find at Radio Shack or Best Buy for just a few bucks.

It’s also hard to go back to other brands once you’ve listened to Grado.  It would be like getting a new 52-inch 1080p Plasma TV and then having to go back to your old 40-inch 720p unit…not to sound like an arrogant snob or anything, but it’s kind of painful.  The technical explanation for Grado’s sound is “dynamic open-air, supra aural, high fidelity”, which means that air does pass through the cans while you’re listening.  These are not noise cancellation headphones by any means, and someone sitting next to you would hear some sound leak even at lower volume, but it feels like more of a natural experience to me.

The “iGrado” is the least expensive model in Grado’s Prestige Series, and they retail for about $50.  This price is ridiculous for the quality of sound you get, and when you compare them to other brands in that range (believe me, I’ve tested just about everything out there).  I also listened to some of Grado’s higher end models first, and I was expecting a major drop off in sound with the iGrado’s…but there really wasn’t that much.

The iGrado is also Grado’s newest product, a street-style design for the portable market with an over-the-ear loop/behind-the-neck fit.  I’ve tested numerous different headphone brands that have this same style, and most I found to be very uncomfortable, digging into my temples, or just too damn tight.  This was my major concern with the iGrado’s when I first saw the pictures…but then I got them in the mail, tried them on, and they fit like a dream! They have nice ear cushion, no temple digging, and I really don’t have any complaints with them whatsoever.

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You can also listen to the full studio production of “Wild Monkey” HERE

First read this quote by Lee Rogers, “I like the idea that music crosses oceans of time, that my songs and my voice will be here long after I’m gone, that someday they will belong to my son. It’s important that he knows who I am. He inspires me everyday. Maybe someday I’ll inspire him.”

Now take a listen to his song “Easier”.  If you feel something tugging at your heart strings, don’t be alarmed…it just means you’re human.  With the help of producer Marco Canepa, a gorgeous texture is built around an acoustic guitar, upright bass, subtle strings, and understated piano…and of course Lee’s warm, soulful voice.  Tom Waits is mentioned as an influence and I hear that, but Bruce Cockburn also comes to mind.

Van Morisson may be the best reference though, for his similar phrasing and rare talent in creating timeless classics….not to mention they both were raised in Northern Ireland.  Lee’s entire album is amazing, but the song “Easier” resonates with me to a level where I’m moved to give it my first 5-Star review rating.

My review of “Easier” is also featured at Rogers’ website:  RIGHT HERE

My Rating:***** (5/5)

The mugger was later found to be ‘Texas’ Rex Torshin, an unofficial representative of ASCAP who happens to be missing two fingers on his left hand. ASCAP denied Torshin being on corporate payroll, stating he’s simply a “friend of the company”.

The 62 year old homeless Indieman likes to play his guitar outside of the Mill Ave. bars, just a few short blocks from ASU campus. His specialty is a heartfelt acoustic rendition of the score from Barbara Streisand’s hit movie, Yentl. He can also bring the house down with his A cappella version of “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” where he likes to lay flat on his back while singing. After heckling Indieman for nearly an hour, Torshin then wrestled him to the ground and took 14 cents out of his tip jar…which was slightly more than 15% of his earnings for the night. Torshin was charged with theft and battery, but the case was immediately dismissed in court by a judge with an Italian last name.

A group of ASU students chipped in to buy Indieman a new guitar, and they brought him to tears when they surprised him with an autographed copy of the original Yentl soundtrack on vinyl.
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NOTE: This horrific tale was inspired by the real life news article – ‘End of the song’

That’s what Reni Lane did to start out, and soon found herself working with producer David Pattillo to release her first album.  This lead to some touring in Europe and interest from MTV, eventually landing her at Custard Records – Linda Perry’s label which is distributed by Motown-Universal.

Reni’s hit song “Place For Us“ has already been featured in television on Showtime’s The L Word and VH1′s Secrets of Aspen, and she is now touring coast to coast in support of her latest album Ready.  She took a much needed break from life on the road recently to chat about some keys to her early success…

DW:  Finding the right chemistry between band mates can often be a difficult task.  How did you meet your current band mates?

Reni: I actually met my current band mates a long time ago, when I was 18 and just moved to New York City. They were recording some new songs for their own band (The String Fellow Hawks) and we were introduced and started hanging out. However it wasn’t until 2009 once they moved to Los Angeles that we really became closer friends. Around that time I left my old band mates and was looking for a new backing band. My manager’s wife Dina suggested the String Fellow Hawks and I thought to myself “why didn’t I think of that first?” I feel very lucky to have them on my side as musicians and friends.

DW:  In addition to touring around the US, you’ve toured quite a bit overseas.  Where do you feel you’ve received the best reception?

Reni: I don’t know exactly where I receive the best reception but I know with whom. The people who really get me – the music, the lyrics, my goals as an artist and what I’m trying to put out there – are all very positive, hi-energy, motivated people who tend to look on the bright side. It’s crazy how I’m the rock ‘n roller who’s supposed to inspire people but at the end of the show I feel like it’s the fans that have inspired me – they’re amazing! They certainly raise the bar for me to be an ever-better artist and performer.

DW:  Which band/artist would you love to tour with and get to know better?

Reni: We often joke that we’d like to tour with Justin Bieber or The Jonas Brothers because someone told the boys in my band that they look like the drugged-out version of the Jonas Brothers!  But to be serious, I’m very lucky to have toured with amazing musicians and musical geniuses like the Arctic Monkeys and most recently this amazing new band Civil Twilight. But my secret wish is to tour with someone with a more outrageous live act…someone with a crazy personality and a more theatrical, hi-energy show, like Lady Gaga or The Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I’m a huge David Bowie fan and in my own shows I try to interact with the audience as much as possible, and I feel touring with someone slightly outside my comfort zone or musical preference would be an amazing learning experience.

DW:  Your recent release, “Place for Us” was chosen as the theme song for VH1′s new show “Secrets of Aspen”.  Was this the first major breakthrough in your career, and how did you make it happen?

Reni: A lot of my success is owed to other people who took me in, hooked me up, and nurtured my creative soul. One big breakthrough in my career was meeting my “gay dads,” as I jokingly call them, David Pattillo and David Poe. They’ve been through everything I’m doing now before and gave me lots of advice and encouragement as well as teaching me so much about songwriting. Another huge breakthrough was being introduced to Linda Perry and Custard Records. They’ve been amazing in so many ways – letting me make a non-orthodox alternative pop record, helping to materialize my ridiculous 10 Random Things videos, driving me to the emergency room when I had a crazy kidney infection on Thanksgiving in Los Angeles…. You name the situation and they’ve pulled through and always believed in me. I wouldn’t be where I am now without them.

DW:  What have you discovered about the music business that you wish someone told you when you were first starting out?

Reni: Be prepared for a bumpy ride. Mishaps, re-routes, and last-minute changes are totally normal and are not a reason to freak out or get stressed. It’s all part of the game and ultimately something that disappoints you in the short run could make your career in the long run. Don’t get irate, innovate!

DW:  How do you respond to the theory that artists write their greatest songs during times of pain or struggle?

Reni: I think in search of what makes you happy, you will encounter times of pain or struggle – that’s life. One of my goals as an artist and person is to spread love. Whether it’s through the lyrics or getting people to dance at shows or through making fun of myself in my videos, I really feel the world needs love, that’s the whole point of living for me! It inspires me and is something I strive for, but I don’t always get it right. And that’s where the “times of pain and struggle” comes in. A lot of the songs on my album Ready are about imperfect or failed love, because sometimes that’s the closest you get. For instance, take a song like Neil Young’s “Old Man” and listen to those lyrics. Neil is searching too! He’s not perfect, he’s human, and that’s what makes him a great artist and a songwriter, and I hope I can be a fraction of what he is.

DW:  I saw your video, “10 Random Things”.  If you ever won a major music award from the Grammy’s or VMA’s, would you walk to the stage like a robot dressed as David Bowie while brushing your teeth?

Reni: Well if I answered that question I’d be giving away the surprise wouldn’t I?