Taylor, I'ma let you finish, but Eminem just stole all your nominations.

Yes folks, it's that time of year again. The MTV Video Music Awards are this Sunday and the nominations are a bit of a shocker. Let's jump in shall we?
(To see all the Nominees, performers, and presenters click HERE.)

The nominations include Katy Perry, Ke$ha, and Beyonce, no surprise there. Eminem is the leading male this year, his new video "Not Afraid" picked up 8 nominations, including "Video of the Year". Lady GaGa, however, is leading the pack with 11 nominations for her "Telephone" and "Bad Romance" videos. In a few circumstances both videos have been nominated for the same award. It's pretty safe to say that all three of these videos will come out with at least 1 award.

But wait a minute, something is missing. Two things actually, but what...? Oh yes, a rather tall, blonde girl and a rather short, young boy. Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber.

Taylor Swift, you know, that girl with so many Grammys she can break a few? That girl with the best selling album of 2009? That album that was released in 2008 and is STILL winning her new awards? Maybe you know her best from last years VMA's when Kanye West volunteered his opinion on her first (and last?) VMA award. Yes her. She has only 1 nomination this time around. Her video for "Fifteen" is up for "Female Video of the Year", the same award her "You Belong With Me" video was up for last year. Recipe for catastrophe? We'll see.

And Justin Bieber, the latest teen sensation, only picked up one nomination. For "Best New Artist" his video for "Baby" has been nominated. He has some tough competition, though. Other noms are Ke$ha, Nicki Minaj, Jason Derulo, and Broken Bells.

Besides the awards, there are all the performances. Some of this years performers are: Eminem, Kanye West, Usher, Paramore, Travie McCoy, Justin Bieber, Mary J. Blige, B.o.B, and Jason Derulo.

Are The Jonas Brothers Finally Fading?

Where are all my Fan-Girls suffering from OJD? (Obsessive Jonas Disorder) Yes, you know who you are. You are currently the minority of fan girls. Could it be that this "Jonas Obsession" is finally dying out? Can it be true that girls are taking down their hundreds of Jonas posters? Yes. It can be true. And what do you suppose these girls are replacing the Jonas Brothers with? None other then Usher's kid-off-the-Canadian-streets Justin Bieber.

Back in 2007, when the Jonas boys were putting out their second CD and becoming the most popular thing on the planet since NSYNC, no one thought they would last long. Just another boy band, they get their 15 minutes and then they go back to the obscurity they came from. When their 15 minutes were up and they were still the most popular thing on the planet, people began to worry. Many parents began asking questions like "Why are they still here?" and "Do we really have to go to a third concert?", and although they were complaining, we all knew that they were really thinking things like "Thank God it's not Eminem" and "I remember these days. I wonder where my record player is."

I remember standing in my kitchen one evening while my mom was reading me an article on the computer about how long the Jonas Brothers were supposed to have left in the spotlight. I believe the guess was until spring of 2008. Well he was...uhm...close? The fact of the matter is, The Jonas Brothers have been on borrowed time for the last two and a half years. It's sad that they must go. I really do have quite the attachment to them. (Not that I plan on getting rid of my posters or the several large tour books I have displayed around my room.)

In the last 5 years The Jonas Brothers have managed 4 albums, 2 TV movies, a Disney mini series, 2 concert movies, a spot in the second "Night at the Museum", their own TV series, several guest appearances on talk shows, (not to mention Nick pursuing his own solo career) and countless celebrity girlfriends. (They're only countless because so many of them were denied...Nick) And after all of that, all the fan loyalty, all the fights with the boys at school about whether they were gay or not, (admitting to a girlfriend could have helped you there Nick.) It's all over. Teenage girls everywhere are finally getting sick of them. Shocking I know, but to quote a Death Cab for Cutie song "Oh darling understand, That everything, everything ends."

Their recent TV series "JONAS" crashed and burned. At the end of it's first season the numbers were dismal. And what does Disney do when something is dismal? Put a smile on it so they can make more money. They created a spin-off series called "JONAS LA" and after the first episode premiere, Disney is still smelling smoke. Justin Bieber may be stealing all their viewers. I'm sure they are trying to come up with a way to get him his own Disney show.

So in the end, Justin Bieber trumps Jonas every time. Are you okay with it? Or are you beginning to long for the days when you couldn't walk out side your door with out seeing the face of Nick, Kevin or Joe?

American Idol Begins A New Chapter

American Idol is about to start it's 10th year on television and to celebrate they have released some information about this years audition. They have lowered the minimum auditioning age to 15 years old.

As time and music go on, artists are getting younger. American Idol changed the age requirements in order to have a wider range of talent. By allowing people 15 years of age to audition they have made it possible to "tap into" younger talent. Auditions kick off Saturday, July 19 in Nashville for ages 15 to 28. You can see a full list of audition stops here.

However, the present Idols are still hard at work getting ready for their summer tour kicking off July first. They began dress rehearsals yesterday (and no, Aaron Kelly is not taking his shirt off during "I'm a slave 4 U" or wrestling a python).

Life Goes On

You want to know what I love most about country Music? Carrie Underwood. However, That is not what I'm talking about today. You want to know what I love most about country Music stars? Their lives don't stop because their famous. They get married, they have kids, they record an album every now and then, but LIFE GOES ON.

Do you ever feel like everyone famous is just frozen in time forever? Maybe they are. I was watching the CMT Music Awards the other night, and I saw Hayden Panettiere sitting next to Carrie Underwood. I started thinking, Carrie is getting married. She won American Idol about 5 years ago. She's just going on with her life, but Hayden, Who was already sort of famous, started on a hit T.V. show as a main character at about the same time, and she's exactly the same. Don't get me wrong, I love Hayden Panettiere.

Then Blake Shelton got on stage and started talking about his new album, and then about his upcoming wedding to another of favorite country girls, Miranda Lambert. I must say, I cannot wait to see pictures. But it's just another example, if you're a country star, your life doesn't just stop because you're famous.

I don't know why. I really don't. It could be that country isn't as popular. It could be that the stars themselves are smarter. It could be that country stars are older. I don't know, but I wish that all famous persons could behave this way. Because whether you're getting married and going on with your life, or you're frozen under your stage light, life will go on, with or without you. Enjoy the ride.

You hear what I'm saying, but do you understand it?

Okay, so. If you're really smart and really famous and your brother is getting married and your other brother never really did much but look pretty, is it time to go out on your own? Nick Jonas seemed to think so. His new solo CD "Who I Am" is really good. It's very different then the poppy, energetic music that we're so used to hearing from him. My worry about this all-grown-up sound is that not only is the music different, the lyrics and themes of the songs are very serious. The first song "Rose Garden" starts "She was brought into this world by a beautiful mistake, when her mom was just a girl and her daddy didn't stay". The CD is full of songs with pretty powerful messages, but are his fans picking up on them? He is after all, only 17 years old. His target audience seems to be much older then the pre-teen, boy band obsessed fans he picked up with The Jonas Brothers. They may know all the words, but do they understand? And more importantly, does he care?

What do you do when you've already done everything?

So you're 5'10, 20 years old, long blond curly hair, a love for sparkly dresses, and rose to the top of the music world very quickly. Taylor Swift has already won the CMA "Entertainer of the Year", won at the VMA's, been publicly slammed by a fellow performer, won big at the Grammys, and broken an award. She has basically gotten an award on every award show ever created. Anyone open "Rolling Stone" lately? Her album "Fearless" from 2008 is still at the top of the top 40 albums. Now I love Taylor, but really how many times can you make that shocked "OMG-thankyousomuch-ThisIsSoUnexpected!" face? Especially if you have already won EVERYTHING. You would think she would have stopped being surprised. In fact, you would expect her to be getting bored by now. Between shattering boy's hearts and writing songs about it, her album went platinum. She has already hugged Faith Hill, sung with Miley Cyrus, dated a Jonas Brother, what else is there? What is she going to do next now that she has done everything? Will she be forced into obscurity because there is nothing more for her to do? Or will she just continue to bounce around the top of the top 40 until they invent something new for her to win? I'm not even sure if I should wish her luck or not because I just don't know what's left. What I do know: The first single off Taylor's new album is due out late summer. Until then she has a new movie opening tomorrow called Valentine's Day. I'll be seeing it, will you?

Talents Beyond Hollywood

So it's not news that there are plenty of talented people on the internet. Most of them on youtube and myspace slowly working up a fan base. We all see these people, some even like them, but how often do you, say, tell a friend? Or post a link on your social networking site? Not very often I'm guessing. I know there are a few people who are very serious about these "smaller" people, they have seen every video, heard every song, and even told all of their friends about these people so many times they groan when they hear someone's name, but this group of people is very small. So my goal is to introduce you to some of my favorite people from youtube and myspace. I am even going to step outside of music for a moment to tell you about a few actresses. Are you ready? They are.

Brittani Louise Taylor is an actress that lives in California. She has tons of friends who are actors as well. She has two youtube channel's one for her and one for her imaginary friend Rhonda. Rhonda is a life coach who may or may not be on an illegal substance, although I'm fairly certain she just acts like it. I love her because she always reminds people to be themselves. She is funny but has a good sense of life. Her youtube channels are here: www.youtube.com/brittanilouisetaylor and www.youtube.com/rhondaanthonytanner

Another actress I am a big fan of is Lawrasaur. She lives in Florida. Besides her youtube channel she has a facebook page called "Skinny is NOT Perfection" devoted to the idea that girls don't have to be super skinny to be beautiful. Her videos are full of inspiration and jokes. You can check her youtube here: www.youtube.com/lawrasaur

As always, musicians are my favorite topic. This next person can sing, write and play guitar. Jasontyler lives in Florida and his deep lyrics are inspiring for so many reasons. He is the singer for his own band. He uses myspace to show off his talent, which is abundant. He may be just a seventeen year old kid, but he has the skills to be a great musician. You can check out his myspace, as well as his band's here: www.myspace.com/jasontylerxx www.myspace.com/jaydenfl

Of course I must mention the lovely Sarah Daniels. This Lady GaGa lover who does covers of songs on her youtube was recently featured in a commercial for the Grammys. She works at Disney and Universal studios and names all of her instruments. She has a personality that is instantly lovable. You can see her sing here: www.youtube.com/officialsarahdaniels

Last but of course not least, is Lost Cassette Tapes. His name? Cameron Fox. His thing? MUSIC. He's a musician on myspace and youtube. He writes his songs whenever he's inspired and then records them to share with the world. You can check out his myspace and youtube accounts here: www.myspace.com/lostcassettetapes www.youtube.com/lostcassettetapes

So they're all very talented, yes. But the coolest thing about them is definitely that they are all just people. People doing what they love, and are good at. So it's up to you. Will they make it? No one knows. Are you going to help them try? I know I am. Tell your friends, your family, co workers, and random people you meet at the grocery store. Every time you listen to a song or watch a video and every time you tell someone about these people it helps. Please don't just think of them as singers or actresses, talk to them. Send them messages and comments, show them love. Thank you for reading and thank you for giving these people a chance. I hope you enjoy them. Remember, there's plenty more where they came from.