Sons of Sylvia: Revelation Review & Giveaway

***Closed: Congrats to Shooting Stars Mag***

In our house, music is constantly on. Whether we're in the car, working on crafts, or cooking, there's a CD popped in the player or music videos playing on the TV. Depending on who picked the music, it could be just about any genre. But, country, by far, is my favorite.

Sons of Sylvia is comprised of Ashley, Austin and Adam, three brothers who first came together as The Clark Brothers to win The Next Great American Band on Fox in 2007. In 2009, they changed their name, and put out their first CD earlier this year.Sons of Sylvia recently caused a a huge buzz after their American Idol performance last month, as a pop/country crossover sensation. I love the mellow twang many songs on their album, Revelation, hold. But I was also surprised at the difference in sound from one track to another.

Revelation, so named for the band's "tale of finding destiny through music and the unbreakable bond of brotherly love," contains ten tracks, each offering hints of country, rock, and pop.

The track list:
1. John Wayne
2. Love Left to Lose
3. Revelation
4. 50 Ways
5. Song of Solomon
6. Give Me Love
7. Ghost Town
8. Long Beach
9. I'll Know You
10. The War Within

From all the songs, I found 50 Ways to be my favorite. Something in the beat or the lyrics, had me listening to it over and over. Plus, I appreciate that it's music I can play with my 5 year old in the room.

Sons of Sylvia is currently on tour with Carrie Underwood, with dates running through the end of the year.

Buy It: You can purchase Revelation on iTunes.

Win It: One lucky reader will win a copy of Revelation.

To enter: Tell me which song you think you'll love. You can listen to them on the Sons of Sylvia site.

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Giveaway ends 6/23 at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be notified via email. Open to US only.

A copy of the CD was provided for review. All opinions are my own.

Random Acts

Last weekend I had a chance to get an afternoon off. I requested off work, grandpa offered to watch Little Man, and my sister bought tickets for us to see The Band Perry and Rodney Atkins in concert.

(Seriously in love with her boots.)

I'm not sure the last time I went out without Little Man and hubby. I'm sure it's been well over a year.

Now, don't get me wrong, I would choose to hang out with my family over anything else. But every now and again, it's nice to have a girls day.
Leaving the parking garage after the concert, we paid for the van behind us. I could see the confused look on their face as they tried to hand the toll booth attendant money. I'm sure they were left wondering who we were or why we paid for their parking. We were enjoying our afternoon and wanted to pass along a little of that to someone else.

That night at bed, Little Man told me, "Momma, you can go running around again if you want. As long as I can stay with grandpa." I asked if grandpa had spoiled him, and after explaining what spoiled meant, Little Man agreed, he was definitely spoiled that day. Happy Meals, a special animal DVD, hunting the meadow with a metal detector, and popcorn right before bed.

Since I have the 5 year old's permission, maybe I won't wait another whole year for another girls day.

Around the Web

A few weeks ago, I was excited to offer a giveaway from Skin MD Natural. They are currently hosting a huge Valentine's Day giveaway over at their site. It's so easy to enter, just type in your name and email.
You could win a prize basket worth $100, which includes:

• A Bottle Skin MD Natural shielding lotion
• A Bottle Skin MD Natural + SPF 15 shielding lotion
• One pound of See's dark assorted chocolates
• 12 Starbucks VIA Ready brew coffee pouches
• A "Kiss Me" mug
• A Cuddly teddy bear
• Lollipop Bouquet
• All in a lined wicker basket

The giveaway ends 2/7, so head over and enter soon!

* * * * *

Over at Kraft, they are currently on the search for a dynamite kid that wants to explode Texas Stadium? One lucky kid (ages 9-12) who has made a positive, explosive impact to better their community will win the chance to push the button that will implode Texas Stadium in Irving, TX this spring.Kids across the U.S. can apply by sending in a 300-word or less essay that details their story and a picture illustrating their story from January 7- February 5, 2010.

The event supports the launch of Cheddar Explosion, the newest Kraft Macaroni & Cheese that will hit shelves in early 2010.

* * * * *

And Sterling Knight's music video for StarStruck has just premiered on the Disney Channel, Disney.com and Disney's mobile site! The title track from the brand new Disney Channel Original movie starring Knight, Danielle Campbell, Brandon Mychal Smith, and Chelsea Staub will appear on the film's soundtrack due out on February 9th.

Little Man loves Knight's music.

Thanks to Skin MD Natural, Kraft, and Total Assault for letting us know about these exciting events!

The Sound of Music Review & Giveaway

***Closed: Congrats to darlanpaulsmamma***

Growing up, I loved watching movies with my mom. It was always fun to make popcorn and sit on the couch with a classic. One of her favorites (and mine) was The Sound of Music.

I was surprised to learn that The Sound of Music first opened on Broadway 50 years ago, quickly becoming one of the most popular musicals of all time. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary, Sony Music has released the 50th Anniversary Special Edition of the Original Cast Recording: The Sound Of Music along with Simon & Schuster’s book, The Sound of Music: A Classic Collectible Pop-Up.
With songs including My Favorite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Sixteen Going on Seventeen, and The Sound of Music, the CD will easily become a favorite. The music is wonderful and the songs as captivating as I remembered.

The accompanying pop up book is absolutely amazing. The illustration are beautifully depicted and the pop-ups well-made and sturdy, as well as incredibly detailed. My son loved going the book, looking at each page and making up a story of his own. Though he also enjoyed hearing the real story as I read it to him.
Buy It:
The 50th Anniversary Special Edition of the Original Cast Recording: The Sound Of Music is available for $11.98 at Amazon

The Sound of Music: A Classic Collectible Pop-Up is available for about $17 at Amazon

The Sing-Along Guide is available for free at Simon and Schuster

Win It:
One lucky reader will win a copy of the 50th Anniversary Special Edition of the Original Cast Recording: The Sound Of Music

To enter: Tell me your favorite song from The Sound of Music.

Want extra entries? (Leave separate comments for each)

• Follow me on Blogger
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• Unlimited entries: Tell me some of your favorite things. (1 entry for each)
  

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Giveaway ends 12/23 at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be notified via email. Open to US only.

Thanks to Sony Music for providing the product for our review and giveaway.

Now 32 Giveaway

***Giveaway Closed: Congrats to Cheryl***

Being music lovers, we own several NOW That's What I Call Music CDs. I love that you can buy one CD and get popular songs from a variety of artists. So much cheaper than buying several CDs for just one song.

NOW That's What I Call Music! Vol. 32 was recently released. The new compilation features 20 recent hits from the pop, hip-hop and crossover charts including Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, Jay Sean, Taylor Swift and more. It also includes a "What's Next Music Preview" featuring Katharine McPhee's "Had It All" as a way to showcase a new track by an artist that may be destined for NOW compilations in the future.

NOW That’s What I Call Music! Vol. 32 Track List
1. Black Eyed Peas: I Gotta Feeling
2. Lady Gaga: LoveGame
3. Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne: Down
4. Drake: Best I Ever Had
5. Mariah Carey: Obsessed
6. Jason DeRulo: Whatcha Say
7. Keri Hilson feat. Kanye West: Knock You Down
8. Fabolous feat. The-Dream: Throw It In The Bag
9. Pitbull: Hotel Room Service
10. Michael Franti & Spearhead: Say Hey (I Love You)
11. Shakira: She Wolf
12. David Guetta feat. Akon: Sexy Chick
13. Jordin Sparks: Battlefield
14. Kelly Clarkson: Already Gone
15. Daughtry: No Surprise
16. Boys Like Girls: Love Drunk
17. Cobra Starship: Good Girls Go Bad
18. Katy Perry: Waking Up In Vegas
19. Taylor Swift: You Belong With Me
20. Keith Urban: Only You Can Love Me This Way

WHAT’S NEXT NEW MUSIC PREVIEW - BONUS TRACK
21. Katharine McPhee: Had It All

Buy It:
Now 32 is available at iTunes or at Now That's What I Call Music!

Win It:
One lucky reader will win a copy of Now That's What I Call Music! 32.

To enter: Tell me what your favorite song is from Now That's What I Call Music! 32.

Want extra entries? (Leave separate comments for each)

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Giveaway ends 11/26 at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be notified via email. Open to US only.

Thanks to Total Assault for providing the giveaway prize.

Rockabye Baby! CD Review

Little Man stopped taking naps at 22 months. While he was apparently ready for it, I'm not sure that momma was. So instead of an afternoon nap, we had "quiet time," a few moments where momma could clear her head and Little Man could rev up for the afternoon.

During quiet time, I'd pop in a slow CD, your typical lullabies, doing my best to get my little one to relax. The problem? The CDs would drive me insane. I would hear the same Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star over, and over, and over.

If only I knew about Rockabye Baby! years ago! I recently had the chance to listen to two CDs from Rockaby Baby! full of lullabies. But these are nowhere near your typical lullabies. The CDs included lullaby renditions of songs by Queen and Aerosmith.
The timeless rock songs featured on the CDs have been mellowed down to instrumental lullabies, perfect for kids of any age. According to Rockabye Baby!, guitars and drums are traded in for soothing mellotrons, vibraphones and bells, and the volume is turned down from an eleven to a two.While quiet time doesn't happen in our house anymore, we love using the Rockabye Baby! CDs at bedtime. It adds a soothing background to our nightly routine. Momma is even guilty of falling asleep on occasion listening to it with Little Man. The sounds are very relaxing, and unlike most lullaby CDs, Rockabye Baby! is very enjoyable for both kids and parents.

Rockabye Baby! offers lullaby renditions from a variety of other artists, including U2, The Pixies, AC/DC, and Green Day, along with many others. The CDs can be purchased for $16.98.

Thanks to Rockabye Baby! for sending copies of the CDs for our review. And, while the CDs were provided, the opinions are all ours.

Los Lobos Goes Disney Review

Last week my mom called to tell me that Little Man's teacher had called her aside (since she teaches in the same school). Of course, I was instantly afraid something was wrong, that he was in trouble for something. But it turns out she just wanted to say how impressed she was with his dancing.

Apparently, they spend the last 10-15 minutes of the day listening to music and dancing. Most of the boys refuse to dance at all. But Little Man is more than willing to get up, dance and sing. He's the same way at home too-a huge music lover.

Recently we had the chance to listen to the latest CD from Los Lobos. Los Lobos has sold millions of records over their 36-year career. Their sound combines rock, R & B, jazz, blues, and country sounds with traditional Spanish and Mexican music.

Los Lobos Goes Disney includes a selection of fun, fast-paced Disney songs-from classics like The Bare Necessities and Heigh-Ho to Disneyland-inspired tunes like Grim Grinning Ghosts and The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room.

The full track list:
1. Heigh-Ho - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
2. I Wan'na Be Like You - The Jungle Book
3. Not in Nottingham - Robin Hood
4. The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room - The Enchanted Tiki Room
5. Grim Grinning Ghosts - The Haunted Mansion
6. I Will Go Sailing No More - Toy Story
7. The Ugly Bug Ball - Summer Magic
8. Cruella De Vil - 101 Dalmations
9. Bella Notte - Lady and the Tramp
10. Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah - Song of the South
11. The Bare Necessities - The Jungle Book
12. Oo-De-Lally - Robin Hood
13. When You Wish Upon a Star/It's A Small World

Little Man loved hearing a new take on songs he already enjoyed. He was up and dancing the minute I started the music. His first comment was "it's jazzy, mommy." And he requested Grim Grinning Ghosts to be played over and over.

The sound is upbeat, but doesn't necessarily sound like kid's music at first. It's a CD that mommy can listen to without feeling crazy (like I do when I've heard Animal Alphabet for the 16th time in one day).

Little Man gives it two thumbs up (followed by some crazy dance moves). Los Lobos Goes Disney will be available for purchase in stores October 27th 2009. But you can also buy a copy now at Amazon.

Thanks to Total Assault for providing a copy of the CD for review.

Jonny Diaz CD Review & Giveaway

Our house is filled with music lovers, both big and small. Though we all love music, our tastes are all very different. Hubby listens to "hard" music. (You know, the stuff where it sounds like they're just randomly screaming?) Little man loves stuff with a pop sound. And I'm all about country or light alternative music. I like my music to have meaning.

I recently got the chance to hear the latest CD from Jonny Diaz. More Beautiful You was released in May of 2009. Diaz explains the album as one filled with "many different aspects of the Christian faith. One theme that is prevalent throughout the record is truth. We are called to speak and live truth even in a culture that doesn’t agree."
Though I typically don't listen to music that falls under the religious category, I thoroughly enjoyed More Beautiful You. The songs carry strong messages, Diaz's voice is both smooth and passionate, and the music's melodic style fits with the music I usually listen to. Even my 5 year old enjoyed listening to the CD with me.

Win It:
5 lucky readers will each win a copy of More Beautiful You

To enter:
Check outJonny Diaz's biography and tell me something you learned about him or his music.

Want extra entries? (Leave separate comments for each)

• Follow me on Blogger
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• Follow Jonny Diaz on Twitter
  

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Giveaway ends 10/15 at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be notified via email. Open to US only.