2013 RightOutTV Music & Video Awards • Best Video So Far & Fan Fave

I am pleased to showcase the recent winners of the 2013 RightOutTV Music & Video Awards, pointing a spotlight on a few of the many talented members of the LGBT community making music. This year, awards were given in 18 different categories, with 17 different acts receiving them. The awards are given by RightOutTV, a website founded by Marlee Walchuck and Tully Callender. The website promotes Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender artists, allowing a platform for their voices to be heard, and a place for those wanting to support them to visit on a regular basis. “If you watch the awards show you’ll see that we don’t just promote and award these artists because they’re gay. These are high-level, multi-talented, professionals with star quality,” says Marlee Walchuk, co-producer of the awards. “Even though most of these artists are not being heard on mainstream radio yet, they deserve every success enjoyed by their straight counterparts."

I will conclude this series featuring the winners of the 2013 RightOutTV Music & Video Awards with the two remaining categories. First up, I will bring you the Fan Favorite, Troy Jackson. It is hard to describe Jackson and his music. He is part Punk, part Hip-Hop, part Dance, and part Soul. and, depending on the song you are listening to, the recipe can vary. He is bold, a little brash, and as honest as the world will let him be. One way to get to know Troy would be to watch his music video for "The Batty Boys Revenge", found on Troy's 2009 release, 'Cd of Troy'.

You can purchase 'Cd of Troy' from iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. But Troy recently released a new single, "Icons", which has a slightly different sound. It is much more melodic, and makes a stronger statement on the whole. I love the song, and am happy to share it with you now. This is "Icons".

You can purchase "Icons" from iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, and Bandcamp. To learn more about Troy Jackson, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.

And, finally, with my final winner of the 2013 RightOutTV Music & Video Awards, I bring you the artist with the Best Video So Far. I can honestly tell you as someone who filled out a ballot on this category, it was a tough one to be sure. I am not privy to the final totals, but I am sure they must have been close. And the winner was Kevin Wood and his stylish turn in "Make It In LA". There is a wonderful Country meets Pop feel to the song, and that is delightfully captured in the video. I loved it, and immediately went online to purchase the album it was on. I hadn't been familiar with his work before, but I most certainly am now.

"Make It In LA" can be found on Kevin's 2006 release, 'Finding Me'. You can purchase from iTunes, Amazon, and from the online store. To learn more about Kevin Wood, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' Kevin on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. And Kevin has a new album, 'Out Among the Wolves', coming out in January of 2014. I've had a sneak peak, and it is one to keep an eye out for! And I am already looking forward to the 2014 edition of the RightOutTV Music & Video Awards. Until then, visit the RightOutTV website and check out the great music you can find there.

Ring The Belles • Ladies Singing of Christmas

Clockwise: Rosemary Clooney, Nancey Wilson, Karen Carpenter, and Dinah Washington.

As we are two weeks away from Christmas, I thought it was time to let my Ladies sing a bit of the holidays. And while there are some obvious choices, I thought I would try to avoid those, and go for some artists and songs that you might not hear as much, and just enjoy their music and artistry. I will begin with a choice that might seem obvious, until you see the song. Rosemary Clooney might be closely associated with a star turn in the film 'White Christmas', but she was also an exceptional Jazz singer. I picked a recording she did later in her career, singing a song most closely associated with 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'. In 1965, Lee Mendelson and Vince Guaraldi wrote "Christmas Time Is Here" for the television special, where it was played over an ice skating scene. The song is beautiful, and in Rosemary's gifted hands, it is so very special. This is Rosemary Clooney singing "Christmas Time Is Here".

Earl E. Lawrence wrote the next song, "That's What I Want For Christmas", and it was soon recorded by many people. But I particularly love the recording by Nancy Wilson, a woman with a remarkable voice. Wilson began her career in the late 1950s, singing with a big band. She honed her skills, and by the early 1960s, Wilson went out on her own. It seemed like a great choice, with her rich voice and remarkable delivery. She was won three Grammy Awards, and has been a favorite of many. This is her recording of Lawrence's "That's What I Want For Christmas".

Dinah Washington is another great singer with a remarkable and recognizable voice, said to be the "biggest selling black female sings of the 1950s". While she is best known for her recording of "What A Diff'rence A Day Makes", she had countless hits during her career. Sadly, she passed away at just 39 years of age, after a tumultuous life that included seven marriages. But the lady could sing, that is sure. I love her interpretation of a wonderful song written by Clyde Otis, "Ole Santa". It is a beautiful and sweet ballad, just perfect for Washington, who paints a beautiful painting with the lyrics. So please enjoy Dinah Washington singing "Ole Santa".

My final song of the night is credited to the Carpenters, but at the heart of the recording, it is Karen Carpenter's voice that makes it special. In 1978, Karen and her brother Richard released their first holiday offering, and it was rather lovely. It combined classic songs with new, like the beautiful "Merry Christmas Darling", written by Richard and Frank Pooler. But I am particularly fond of their take on "Christmas Waltz", written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn. The richness of Karen's voice, the silkiness of the tone, it all comes together on the song "Christmas Waltz".

Have a great weekend!

Alison Moyet • Coventry Carol

Since the days of Yazoo (aka Yaz here in the United States), I have been fascinated by Alison Moyet's voice. As a vocal instrument, it is incredible, offering some sweet and tender quiet moments, as well as big and bodacious one, and always charged with emotion. There is such a richness in her voice, and a sweetness to the tone, I continue to love hearing her sing. All that is evident in her recording of the "Coventry Carol", a 16th century Christmas carol that is still sung today. I first heard Alison's version on 'A Very Special Christmas', released in 1987 to raise money for the Special Olympics. This is Alison singing the "Coventry Carol".

By 1998, 'A Very Special Christmas' was certified quadruple Platinum, having sold over 4 million units in the United States alone. It included some of the top names in music, from all different genres. It is still a wonderful part of my Christmas music collection. Enjoy your weekend!

Candy Apple Blue Banned From YouTube!

In a time when Miley Cyrus can be seen naked and swinging on a wrecking ball, and licking anything that can't move faster than her tongue, YouTube felt the need to delete the music video for "You Turn Me On", the latest written by Candy Apple Blue and featuring Daveo Falaveo. The music video featured Daveo and a cast of other characters, including Hoyt Emerick from Candy Apple Blue, expressing their lustful longings, wanting to meet up with someone who turns them on. It seems like good clean fun to me - much of it takes place in a shower! Thankfully, the video still can be seen on Vimeo, so here is "You Turn Me On", written by Candy Apple Blue and featuring the vocals of Daveo Falaveo.

The single is available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about Hoyt and Carly Emerick of Candy Apple Blue, visit their official website. You can also 'follow' them on Twitter, or 'like' them on Facebook! You can also check out their music available on Bandcamp. For more on Daveo Falaveo, you can 'like' him on Facebook, or 'follow' him on Twitter.

Yovanni • I Want You

After watching this music video, and paying attention to the song, it would not be hard to figure out that Yovanni is based out of Miami, and he is bringing the heat to "I Want You", his latest single. I first 'met' Yovanni when I found his music video for "Hello", a futuristic look at life and love. The new single definitely lives for today, a foot firmly planted on the ground. There is a wonderful grittiness, a sexy aggressiveness with a driving beat that will get you sweating before you hit the dance floor.

I mean, how could you watch and listen and not need to add it to your music collection? "I Want You" is available for purchase from iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about Yovanni, you can find his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter.

2013 RightOutTV Music & Video Awards • Best Folk/Country/Jazz or Adult Contemporary Video & Best Electronic/Dance/Hip-Hop or R&B Video

I am pleased to showcase the recent winners of the 2013 RightOutTV Music & Video Awards, pointing a spotlight on a few of the many talented members of the LGBT community making music. This year, awards were given in 18 different categories, with 17 different acts receiving them. The awards are given by RightOutTV, a website founded by Marlee Walchuck and Tully Callender. The website promotes Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender artists, allowing a platform for their voices to be heard, and a place for those wanting to support them to visit on a regular basis. “If you watch the awards show you’ll see that we don’t just promote and award these artists because they’re gay. These are high-level, multi-talented, professionals with star quality,” says Marlee Walchuk, co-producer of the awards. “Even though most of these artists are not being heard on mainstream radio yet, they deserve every success enjoyed by their straight counterparts."

I continue this series by offering you some more great videos, the first of which is the one that was named Best Folk/Country/Jazz or Adult Contemporary Video, Melissa Ferrick's "Home". Ferrick has been a great for in music for the last 20+ years, making strong music that is tough to put categorize. It is so textured, with such great depth, it just becomes powerful music to me. Out and proud since the beginning of her career, her musical message have often addressed the life and loves of lesbians. In the music video for "Home", Melissa looks amazing, and sounds even better. The song has a sultry feel, with an intoxicating rhythm that is teased by the imagery of the lyrics. From the first time I've seen it, this video has stayed with me. This is the winner for Best Folk/Country/Jazz or Adult Contemporary Video, Melissa Ferrick and the video for "Home".

"Home" can be found on the album 'The Truth Is', which can be purchased from iTunes, Amazon, and her official online store. The album is truly wonderful, and I would highly recommend it. In some ways, I feel as though Melissa is at the top of her game right now. To learn more about Melissa Ferrick, visit her official website. You can also 'follow' Melissa on Twitter, and 'like' her on Facebook.

While very different, you might say our next winner also defies labels. Saturn makes music that lives in the area of Pop, but crosses the boundaries between Electronica, Dance, and Hip-Hop, as you will be able to hear in "Top of the World". As you could see from my description, it is only appropriate the music video for the song would be named Best Electronic/Dance/Hip-Hop or R&B Video. The music video is sexy and flirty, and maybe even a little bit hypnotic. The video was directed by Charles Hereaux, and produced by Sky Life Media. This is "Top of the World" by Saturn.

"Top of the World" was written and performed by Saturn, and can be found on the album 'Dance and Make Love'. The album can be purchased from iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. To learn more about Saturn, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.

Vontanner • It's Christmas Everyday

Chris Vontanner, better known as Vontanner, has offered a tango with a twist. That special something is more than just the whimsical sense of humor Vontanner often exhibits. The real twist is that tango is the bones behind"It's Christmas Everyday (If You're Gay)", the delicious new holiday song for the Christmas season. Equal parts fun, sexy, and smart, the song is a real winner for me. I hope you enjoy "It's Christmas Everyday (If You're Gay)"

At this point, you can't purchase a copy of "It's Christmas Everyday" but you can enjoy it on YouTube! To learn more about Vantanner, you can visit the official website. You can also like Vontanner on Facebook, and 'subscribe' on YouTube. And, to quote Vontanner, "Happy Holidays to all and to all a gay night"!