Showing posts with label Georgia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Georgia. Show all posts

Monday, March 26, 2012

Music Highlight: Trisha Yearwood

Twenty years ago today, Trisha Yearwood debut self-titled album was certified platinum, making Yearwood the first female artist ever to sell one million albums; the first single from that album, "She's in Love with the Boy," made her the first female artist to debut at #1 on the country charts.

Born in Monticello, GA, Yearwood received an Associates degree from Young Harris. She then enrolled in the University of Georgia before transferring to Belmont University's music business school in Nashville, graduating with a Bachelor's in business administration. An internship led to a job at MTM Records, where she worked as a background vocalist for other artists, including Garth Brooks (whom she would eventually marry, in 2005). It was her work with Garth Brooks that caught the ear of MCA Nashville Records, leading to a solo album and the opening spot on Brooks' 1991 national tour.

Since those early years, Yearwood has released over a dozen albums, won a slew of awards, worked as an actor and spokesmodel, joined in charitable works such as Habitat for Humanity, and released two cookbooks co-written with her mother. Her next project? A cooking show on Food Network, set to begin airing in April.

Take a look into Trisha Yearwood's musical past in the LOCAL section in cd music, and get a few recipes from "Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen" in the adult nonfiction section.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Area Events: the 2012 Atlanta Film Festival

The Atlanta Film Festival returns this week, kicking off with an opening night celebration this Friday night at Paris on Ponce. Look for some changes this year: lower pass prices, a music video bloc, live joint-venture music performances, and a move back to Landmark Midtown Art Cinema for the majority of screenings, among other things.

Over 175 films (incl. animation, shorts, and indie features) in 10 days. Visit Atlanta Film Festival's website for more info.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Local events: Elks Aidmore Music Festival in Conyers

The Elks Aidmore Music Festival happens Saturday, April 28th, 2012 at the Georgia International Horse Park.
Tickets for the blues, jazz and soul festival are


While the main performers have been scheduled, auditions for local talent are being held to fill remaining spots; to that end, EAMF has teamed with Starbucks to present free showcases at the Conyers Hwy. 138 location every Friday through April 20. Showcase showtimes are 7:30 pm. 


Cast votes for your favorites at Rockdale News every Monday following showcase performances (you can view video of the performances there, too).

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Upcoming Area Events: EcoFocus Film Festival in Athens, GA




Tickets and passes are now on sale for Athens' annual EcoFocus Film Festival, March 23-31. EcoFocus highlights environmentally-focused films from around the world, and features panel discussions, speakers and other events. Visit their website at http://ecofocusfilmfest.org/.





Thursday, January 26, 2012

New in CDs




In Spoken:


NPR Sound Treks: Adventures









In Alternative:


Gang of Four - Content


Iggy Pop and the Stooges - Raw Power

 






In Jazz:


Gregory Porter - Water


Esperanza Spalding - Junjo










In Local:


Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest










In Rock:


Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Mojo










In Popular:


Michael Buble Meets Madison Square Garden












In Rap & Hip-Hop


Dangerdoom (a Dangermouse and MF Doom collaboration)- The Mouse and the Mask

Monday, December 13, 2010

New CDs in the Music Collection

Here are a few recent additions to the library's CD music
catalog...

in the LATIN collection:

Euphoria -- Enrique Iglesias

Sale El Sole -- Shakira





in the LOCAL collection:

Fellowship -- Lizz Wright










in the POPULAR collection:

The Union -- Elton John and Leon Russell








in the SEASONAL collection:

Merry Christmas -- Mariah Carey

I'll Be Home for Christmas -- various artists

Silly Christmas Songs - various artists

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

New in CD Music

In CD LATIN:

Ana Tijoux/1977 -- The US debut of Chilean MC Tijoux, who has had a huge career in Latin America. She was born in France, where her parents sought political refuge during Pinochet's dictatorship. 1977 is a largely autobiographical album and is considered one of the top ten world releases of 2009.

In CD LOCAL ROCK

Black Lips/(self-titled) -- the Atlanta band is loud and in-your-face, with a stage show that pushes the envelope, but this self-styled "flower punk" band offers a plate of angst-ridden, rhythm-heavy anthems that have taken them worldwide and landed their music in films like (500) Days of Summer and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Pylon/Chomp More -- named after a Faulkner novel, Athens band Pylon were an early influence on other college rock bands like R.E.M. and toured the country, often as an opening act for bands like Gang of Four, the B52s and U2. After the loss of guitarist Randall Bewley last year, Chomp More serves to highlight some of the best moments of early Athens rock.

In CD POPULAR

Taio Cruz/Rokstarr  -- this British singer-songwriter has launched a fashion line to accompany his new release, and is currently writing music for Justin Beiber's next album, due in 2011.

Roxy Music/(self-titled) -- though the British art rock band defined the look of early 80s glamour rock, they also brought an elegant, dreamy style to the punk-populated youth airwaves, later crossing over with the classic "Avalon." This was their first album.

Taylor Swift/Speak Now -- you've probably heard a few of these songs during Taylor's rounds of the tv shows; now hear the rest.

In CD ROCK

Bob Dylan/Best of the Original Mono Recordings -- this collection captures music from Dylan's first eight albums, in their original mono recorded form.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Just Added to the AV Collection

Here are a few of the latest titles soon to hit the shelves:
In DVDs

Return of the Killer Tomatoes -- see George Clooney battle vegetables. Or are they fruit?

Killer Clowns from Outer Space -- not fruits or vegetables this time, but aliens. Clown aliens. But you probably guessed that from the title, huh?

Pirate Radio -- no killers in this one, although it stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, who played Truman Capote in another movie about the author's research and writing of In Cold Blood, a book about the crimes of two killers on death row. So, as you can see, there is a theme.


In CDs

Country category:

American III: Solitary Man and American IV: the Man Comes Around -- Johnny Cash. These volumes in the American Recording series feature Cash in a mix of originals and traditional songs, as well as covers of songs by other artists, including "Hurt" (Nine Inch Nails), "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (first recorded by Roberta Flack), "Desperado" (the Eagles), "I Won't Back Down" (Tom Petty), and "One" (U2).

Golden Road -- Keith Urban

Southern Voice -- Tim McGraw

Up on the Ridge -- Dierks Bentley


Folk category:

The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter by the Incredible String Band


Local category:

Twice the Speed of Light -- Sugarland

Great American Bubble Factory -- Drivin'n'Cryin

We Did Not Know the Forest Spirit Made the Flowers Grow -- Black Lips
Back in Business -- Beverly "Guitar" Watkins


Popular category:

David Cook  (self-titled)

Pink Moon -- Nick Drake. At the time of its 1972 release, few paid attention to this third album by British singer-songwriter Drake. Two years later, the troubled artist was gone, the victim of an overdose, and his music drifted in relative obscurity, referenced occassionally by music critics or as an influence by bands like the Cure, R.E.M. and the Black Crowes, but largely unknown. Then in 2000, Volkswagon released a dreamy commercial featuring Drake's "Pink Moon," and the resulting popularity of the song brought Drake's music back into the spotlight. In the years since, his work has experienced a resurgence, his songs have popped up in films and commercials, and numerous documentaries have focused on the artist's enigmatic life.

Unbroken -- Katherine McPhee

To the Sea  and In Between Dreams -- Jack Johnson

Dap-dippin' with... -- Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

Closer: the best of... -- Sarah McLachlan


Rock category:

Fearless Love  -- Melissa Etheridge

Black & White Night -- Roy Orbison


Sacred category:

God's Trombones -- James Weldon Johnson (sermons)


World category:
La difference -- Salif Keita. Mali's most famous singer-songwriter overcame both the stigma of his albinism and rejection by those who viewed his singing career as an afront to his noble heritage (he is a direct descendant of the founder of the Mali empire). He left Mali in the mid-1970s during political unrest, gaining an international reputation with the band Les Ambassadeurs Internationale. In recent years, Keita established a foundation to assist and fight for the rights of albinos, who are often shunned or killed in Africa due to fear, superstition and traditions associating albinism with bad luck.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

New Arrivals in CD Music

Here are a few new additions to the music collection:

In the Jazz section:


The Best of Chuck Mangione

In the Local section:

The Adventures of Bobby Ray -- B.O.B.

Around the Sun and Green -- R.E.M.

Soul-Sizzling 7" Meltdown -- the Woggles


In the Popular section:

Bionic -- Christina Aguilera

Plastic Beach -- Gorillaz

Animal -- Ke$ha

Tomorrow -- Sean Kingston

Raymond v. Raymond -- Usher


For these and other music cds, visit the online catalog for the Conyers-Rockdale Library.

Friday, April 16, 2010

In the DVD Collection: getting back to nature

Counting Sheep: restoring the Sierra Nevada Bighorn (2005): Shot and produced over the course of twelve years, Counting Sheep captures the plight of the Sierra bighorn, and the biologists and environmentalists who fight to conserve these noble animals in the face of disease, harsh winters and predation by mountain lions.
Reserve this DVD.


The Story of the Bitterroot (2004): A look at a most unusual plant and its relationship to the Salish Indian culture. The video also examines the relationship of the plant to the Lewis and Clark expedition, how the bitterroot came to be Montana's state flower, and why its botany is so unusual. Featuring historic photographs, animation, and interviews with historians and tribal elders, it is the result of 9 years of work.
Reserve this DVD.

Sites to Behold: the history of Georgia's state parks (2006):  From the gold mines of Dahlonega to the former capital of the Cherokee Nation, from the peak of Black Rock Mountain to the floor of Tallulah Gorge, the story of Georgia's state parks and historic sites is the story of Georgia herself – a story of fortitude, character and high expectations – and features outstanding photography and archival materials supported by interviews with past and present park staff, historians, authors, and public figures such as Jimmy Carter and Sonny Perdue.
Reserve this DVD.


(Planning a trip to a Georgia state park? Stop by the library's circulation desk and ask if a ParkPass is available. Thanks to a program from the state of Georgia, library patrons can check out a kit that includes a parking pass for Georgia state parks and a family pass for admission to Georgia's historic sites. The pass kits are, however, limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis (no holds allowed).)