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Broadcasting from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, Kelly Clarkson performed a medley of her greatest hits on Wednesday's "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." Looking a little overdressed for the Florida sunshine, Kelly started off with a new, bluesier arrangement of "Miss Independent."

She segued into a rock-edged version of "Walk Away," proving why she absolutely deserved to win the first season of "American Idol" ten years ago.

She also worked in her hit single "Since U Been Gone" as the audience jumped up and down with her. She hit some spectacular notes and gave the ending of the song a new twist -- "now that that loser is gone," she sang.

After performing, Kelly checked out the attractions. "We spent all day yesterday at Universal Studios in Orlando and had the time of our lives! Loved the rides, LOVED all the Harry Potter stuff (especially butterbeer:), loved being on the Ellen show, and our guides were fantastic! Seriously, can't wait to go back!" she posted on Facebook.


(Source: http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2011/04/kelly-clarksons-greatest-hits-medley-on-ellen.html)

Even if your best friend owns a top publishing company, giving you an immediate "in," this does not guarantee publishing success.

First, you have to write a quality book that has a clear target audience. And your book must answer a common problem or need that audience shares. Then you have to develop a marketing plan, and stick to it for at least two years.

Let's begin with the process that should commence before you write your first word. Begin by reading A LOT. Read both books you passionately love and books you can't seem to make it past page five. Then figure out what the author did in the book you loved, and what was wrong with in the book you couldn't finish. Write down these points so they are crystal clear to you. Read other people's books for inspiration and to discover what you should avoid as a writer.

The next step is to plan out your book. Narrow down your subject, and then divide it into chapters. Each chapter should address a specific aspect of the problem your book is going to solve. In each chapter, break the specific aspect down into several parts.
This will help your readers take in your information a bit at a time instead of overwhelming them with every bit of information clogging up the pages until they feel like they're about to go blind. It's not quite spoon-feeding the information to your readers, but it's close.

The next two steps are obvious. Write your book and then revise it. And then revise it again. And perhaps again. Of course, writing is extremely hard, and writing a book can seem like an impossible task. There are many books out there that give you guidelines to help you become familiar - and even love - the process of writing and revision. Find a number of books about
writing. Better yet, find a number of books about writing the specific type of book you aspire to write. These can serve as roadmaps on your writing journey.

Once you've written your ebook and revised it at least twice, show it to someone else whose opinion you respect. If you're lucky enough to know a good editor, see if you have something to barter for him or her to go through your manuscript. Or join a writing group and let the other members critique your work.

Then take all these ideas from other people, and revise your manuscript one last time. And then stop! Put down that pen! Get your hands off the keyboard!

One of the most important steps to actually producing a book is to know when to stop writing and tinkering with it.

You've finally written your ebook! Pop open the bubbly! Give yourself a night out on the town!
Okay, now that this necessary celebration is out of your system, what do you do next?

How to turn your ebook into Profits

Ebooks are a revolutionary way to publish your book without incurring the costs of print production. All you need is a relevant and targeted subject and some inexpensive software, and you can transform your manuscript into a book.

The problem, in terms of actually seeing any profits from your ebook, is that the market is overwhelmed with ebooks, and many of them are not worth the time it takes to download them. Just because the ability exists to easily produce an ebook, doesn't make it good writing.

Make sure your book does not simply rehash old material. You will injure your credibility as an
author by claiming to offer valuable new insights and disappointing your audience with material they've read a zillion times before. So spend enough time writing and revising your book to make sure it's of the highest quality and presents the most current information. A good book will eventually sell itself; false claims about your book will make it extremely difficult to sell any future books you may write.

Assuming you have determined that you do indeed have a quality product that answers some question or need of your target audience with NEW information, how do you know how much to charge for it? Rule number 1: Set a price for your book equal to its value. An under-priced book will only give the impression that your book isn't worth very much.

To figure out a fair price, estimate how much time you put into creating it and how difficult it was to transform the necessary information into understandable and engaging writing. Figure out how much your time and effort is worth, and then price it accordingly. The goal is for you to be adequately compensated for your talent, your time, and your effort.

Once you've figured out a price that is high enough to convey the value of the book, but not so high as to be out of the reach of your target audience's mean budget, then it's time to offer it for sale on your website. To attract sales, you will need to develop a promotional campaign, particularly if you are an unknown author.

There are multitudes of books about self-promotion that will guide you in your efforts. Choose a plan that is both creative and professional. Learn how to write a catchy yet informative press release, and send copies of your ebook to sites that specialize in ebook reviews.

Learn how to write powerful sales copy, or hire someone to write it for you. This is an essential. You absolutely need excellent sales copy to sell your book. Make sure the copy includes all the reasons your target audience needs your book, and the benefits they will derive from buying it.

Use graphics in your promotional materials. Beautiful graphics have the power to instantly convey the quality and value of your ebook. Graphics can also convey the amount of valuable information the book contains, and your careful attention to detail.
Professional graphics sell professional books. They reassure the customer that the product is what it claims to be.

Consider excerpting chapters for articles. You can offer these tidbits for free on your website as a sort of demo of your book. Include an order form for your ebook at the end of the excerpted articles.

Finally, when you set-up your download link, make sure to simplify the process. It's a good idea to offer a few bonuses that make your book even more enticing to purchase, but make sure the bonuses are valuable and high quality. Too many bonuses that are basically a load of useless stuff will compromise the impression your audience has of your ebook. The goal is to convey to your audience that they are getting a quality product for a good deal. That means applying restraint, especially when it comes to adding bonus items. Too much free stuff offered diminishes your credibility.

Make sure your book is a quality product. Make sure it is relevant and current. Develop an effective marketing plan that includes excellent sales copy and excerpted articles. Then offer your book for sale, and wait for your audience to discover you! hopefully useful!

"Daddy rocked us to sleep with the Rolling Stones; Mama woke us up with Loretta Lynn. So we get it honest." - Kimberly Perry

Inheriting a cross-pollinated love of country and rock & roll from their parents,
The Band Perry - siblings Kimberly, Reid, and Neil Perry - say that they bleed the
bright red blood of American music.

The three have always felt the drive to perform and create music, sweating out the
summers in Mobile, Alabama playing in any dusty roadhouse or church that would have
them. Kimberly strapped on her first Gibson - and fronted her first high school
band - at age 15, employing Reid, then 10, and Neil, only 8, as her roadies. Changing
guitar strings and polishing cymbals for their big sister lost its charm after awhile,
so the brothers formed their own band, opening for Kimberly's band.

"My bass and I've been attached at the hip since I was 10 years old," says Reid.
"While most of my friends were playing little league, I was sitting in my room learning
Rolling Stones' and Beatles' bass lines. It's really all I've ever known."

Even as the three worked in different bands, the siblings would spend nights at
home playing together: "I remember sitting out on our front porch singing old Hank
Williams and Bobbie Gentry songs in three-part harmony, hoping to channel the spirits
of old country through musical séance while fighting off the southern Alabama
mosquitoes," says Kimberly. "We always knew we'd take the stage together - all we
were waiting on was the right moment." That moment came in July of 2005, when -
after years of writing together - the siblings decided to join forces as one band.
The Band Perry was then invited by the Coca- Cola Bottling Company to open all of
the dates on their "New Faces Of Country" Tour that year.

In the summer of 2008, after spending a few years on the road honing their sound,
TBP met longtime Garth Brooks manager Bob Doyle. Partnering with Bob and Josh Pegram,
The Band Perry spent the fall and winter of 2008 writing in Nashville and collecting
songs for their first country recording session.

"The three of us bring different strengths into the writing room," Neil points out.
"Kimberly carries in a bag of melodies and lyrics, Reid always has some really great
musical ideas in his back pocket, and I bring in a sense of humor and some thread
that ties it all together."

The new recordings caught the ears of Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen, the CEO
and President of Republic Nashville, signing to the new label in the summer of 2009.

When talking about The Band Perry, each member of the trio stresses how much family
figures into the mix: "Reid, Neil and I share genes and a musical pedigree," Kimberly
explains. "We read the same classics and cook from the same recipes. With all of
our likenesses though, I believe it's our distinctions that stir up the magic when
we create. When the three of us sit down to write songs together, we pull from all
of our individual perspectives and happenstances to create the most interesting
song concoctions."

"There's a tightness between the three of us that goes way beyond even best friends,"
Neil adds. "Family vocal harmonies can't be fabricated. And, besides - the three
of us know that through the thick and thin of life and the music business, we're
watching after each other."

"Blood runs thick. The music business can be hard, but the three of us are committed
not only to our lives in music, but to living them together," Reid says. "I think
the security of knowing that about each other allows us to be uninhibited when we
create. It's a democracy. It's a safe haven."

"We've walked a long way to find your ears," Kimberly Perry finishes with a grin.
"So play us long and play us loud. The Band Perry is here, and we just have so darn
much to say."



(Source: http://www.thebandperry.com/bio.aspx)

Digging Deeper: Jesse Ventura’s Alternative Take on American History

In his new book, “63 Documents the Government Doesn’t Want You to Read,” former wrestler turned governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura takes a close and at times disturbing look at major historical events. Ventura draws on public but often overlooked information about such events as John F. Kennedy’s assassination and the 9/11 attacks, offering fresh, often intriguing insights.

Here is an excerpt from “63 Docrments the Goverment Doesn’t Want You to Read”:

There is little value in ensuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it. And there is very grave danger that an announced need for increased security will be seized upon by those anxious to expand its meaning to the very limits of official censorship and concealment.” – John F. Kennedy

This book is titled “63 Documents the Government Doesn’t Want You to Read,” lest we forget that 1963 was the year that claimed the life of our 35th President. The conspiracy that killed JFK, and the cover-up that followed, is the forerunner for a lot of what you’re going to read about in these pages. In fact, the idea behind this book came out of writing my last one, American Conspiracies.

There I presented a close look at whether or not our historical record reflects what really went on, based on facts that most of the media have chosen to ignore – from the Kennedy assassination through the tragedy of September 11th and the debacle on Wall Street. In poring through numerous documents, many of them available through the Freedom-of-Information Act (FOIA), I came to realize the importance of the public’s right to know. And I decided to see what new picture might be revealed if you laid out certain documents that the powers-that-be would just as soon stay buried.
Read full article
(Source: http://www.infowars.com/jesse-ventura-talks-911-wtc7-on-good-morning-america/)

US President Barack Obama has officially launched his re-election bid for the 2012 US Presidential Elections by posting a video on his website and by sending e-mail to supporters.

Obama is expected to utilize again his online network of millions of Americans that has been the key to his successful campaign in 2008.

Reports say that the Obama 2012 re-election campaign could raise as much as $1billion (£620m) compared to his 2008 campaign of $750million, according to analysts estimates.
Below is a tag line on US President Barack Obama‘s website that explains that Obama‘s 2012 campaign has begun.

This campaign is just kicking off. We’re opening up offices, unpacking boxes, and starting a conversation with supporters like you to help shape our path to victory. 2012 begins now, and this is where you say you’re in.

Here is the video that launches the 2012 US Presidential Elections bid by US President Barack Obama.

(Source: http://www.batangastoday.com/obama-2012-campaign-launched-for-us-presidential-election-2012-video/11339/)

The Masters 2011 countdown is finally underway. By the time the tournament begins Thursday morning, the golf world will be flooded with the old Augusta stories - and with the latest Tiger and Phil buzz. As is the case with every single major, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are the major storylines. Heading into the 2011 edition, one of them is being considered the favorite while the other is faced with a lot of question marks.

For many years, Woods was the unquestioned favorite, as Mickelson was riddled with doubters. But this time around, "Lefty" comes into Augusta with all the momentum, as Woods continues to slide further down the ranks.

The buzz for Mickelson went higher yesterday after he won the Shell Houston Open by three shots. It was a symbolic victory in another way as well, since he passed Woods on the World Rankings for the first time since 1997. When he was the world's No. 2, he had countless opportunities to pass Tiger as No. 1 last year, but could never take advantage.

Even now, Mickelson is only the world's No. 3, while Woods is all the way down to seventh. The two former 1-2 players haven't been dominant for some time, as the likes of Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Luke Donald have risen up. But heading into the Masters, Mickelson and Woods are once again the names on everyone's lips.

Mickelson hadn't won at all in 2011, yet his 63 and 65 over the weekend in Houston made everyone rush to declare him a favorite in Augusta. He used to fall short there every year, but he has won three green jackets now, and is out to win his second straight. Although his luck in majors has gotten better, his biggest rival has gotten worse.

2010 was the first calendar year in a long time in which Woods didn't take a major. It looked like he would easily surpass Jack Nicklaus' six green jackets, if not his overall major records. But he has been stuck on four Augusta victories since 2005, and now Mickelson can tie him by winning this week.
See more click here
(Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7931195/the_masters_2011_revs_up_old_tiger.html?cat=14)

The 46th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards took place last night in what turned out to be a major star-studded ceremony. The show took place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and was broadcasted live on CBS. This year was record breaking with nearly 600,000 fans casting their vote for Entertainer of the Year! This was the largest vote EVER in that category!

So who took home the award? Taylor Swift was the big winner, taking home the evening’s biggest honor – Entertainer of the Year. She is the youngest female to ever take home the award, following in the footsteps of the greats like Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire and Shania Twain (just to name few).

Miranda Lambert was another big winner taking home four awards!

Check out the list of last night’s winner’s below. Do you agree with the wins? Anyone you feel was overlooked this year?

Entertainer Of The Year – Taylor Swift

Vocal Group Of The Year – Lady Antebellum

Vocal Duo Of The Year – Sugarland

Male Vocalist Of The Year – Brad Paisley

Female Vocalist Of The Year – Miranda Lambert

New Solo Vocalist Of The Year – Eric Church

Group Of The Year/ New Vocal Duo - The Band Perry

New Artist Of The Year - The Band Perry

Album Of The Year – Need You Now by Lady Antebellum

Single Record Of The Year – The House That Built Me by Miranda Lambert

Song Of The Year – The House That Built Me by Miranda Lambert

Video Of The Year – The House That Built Me by Miranda Lambert

Vocal Event Of The Year – As She’s Walking Away
(Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/04/04/who-won-the-2011-annual-academy-of-country-music-awards-winners-list/)

Amanda Lambert & Martina McBride Go Grecian For The Country Music Awards

Both Martina McBride and Amanda Lambert wore stunning Grecian inspired gowns last night
(April 3) at the 2011 Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. I’m such a sucker for these gowns, they are so simple yet incredibly elegant. GORGEOUS!
(Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/04/04/amanda-lambert-martina-mcbride-go-grecian-for-the-country-music-awards/)