This edition of BestMUSIC is all about peace, tranquility and having a positive attitude. That is why, for this installment, we have decided to feature a revolutionary new television station, Harmony Channel, specializing in music and video to put you in the “Zone” and a record label that prides it self on “illuminating” lives – Gemini Sun Records. Gemini Sun Records features new releases from Nicholas Gunn with Beyond Grand Canyon (a unique CD and DVD combo), David Arkenstone with Sketches from an American Journey and Johannes Linstead with Café Tropical. Each of these new and upcoming items are meant to serve one purpose – enhancing your life and attitude. As always at BestMUSIC, we provide FREE DOWNLOADS for most of the albums reviewed. Links are below. ENJOY!  read more »

• by Jonathan Todd

Aug. 31, 2006--Sprint announced today that it continues to lead mobile music with the launch of the exclusive Sprint Radio service and the introduction of unique features and a promotion for the Sprint Music Store.

Sprint Radio features more than 50 channels of streaming radio and video with programming that offers today's hottest music and music videos as well as news, weather, sports, finance and entertainment from popular sources such as NPR, ESPN and Radio Disney. Sprint Radio is offered through a partnership with mSpot, which is responsible for content production and ongoing operations of the service.  read more »

August 31, 2006 - Gibson Guitar has partnered with Green Day guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong to create the Gibson Billie Joe Armstrong (BJA) Signature model guitar, it was announced today. The guitar was created through a partnership with Armstrong and the Gibson USA design team in Nashville, Tenn. and is based on the specifications of Armstrong's vintage 1950's model Gibson Les Paul Jr. The guitar took a little over a year of design and modification with hands-on analysis from Armstrong throughout Green Day's worldwide tour. The Gibson BJA Signature guitar boasts a custom modified pickup, unique to any other guitar produced. It will be available in three colors: vintage sunburst, classic white and ebony. It also comes with a custom hard shell case with leopard-print interior and the Green Day signature "Shock Guy" logo on the exterior.  read more »

Sturgis Bike Week attracts bikers (and weekend warriors) who make the pilgrimmage en masse each year.

This August, a five-day music festival called Rock'n The Rally is making its debut at the country’s biggest motorcycle rally, Sturgis Bike Week. The music festival is built into - and expands on - what is one of the last, great American counter-cultures. It’s a celebration of freedom, independence, self-expression...all things inherent in rock 'n roll and the open road.  read more »

Sometimes when you are cruising around in your car during the summer you want upbeat music, something with a high pace and enlivened lyrics. But then, there are those dog-days when the oppressive heat leaves you looking for something that will just help you mellow out. In the twilight of his career, Johnny Cash recorded the perfect CD for that sort of situation. This summer, Lost Highway Records released Cash’s album American V: A Hundred Highways.

There are clear elements of Cash’s style in the music, but the tone is more of the old, wandering stranger than the young, bold cowboy. It is a collection of songs that show the reflection that the Man in Black went through before the end of his life, beginning with songs like “God’s Gonna Cut You Down,” an excited but still slow song with a heavy rhythm discussing how everyone eventually comes to the end.  read more »

• by Joel Samen

Some people are lucky enough to be blessed with a musical ear. The rest of the population tends to fall somewhere between tone-deaf and musical, just short of being able to translate recorded music onto paper. Otherwise known as “playing by ear,” it’s a coveted music skill, whether you’re a beginner or an expert. After all, it’s the fastest way to become the life of the party by being able to play the most popular songs. Of course, it was only a matter of time before technology caught up with it, and turned the computer’s ear into your own. Magix has introduced the first consumer-oriented software program dedicated to those who can’t play by ear—but wish they could.  read more »

• by Liz Calhoun

Being there but not being there – invisibility – has intrigued scientists and ordinary folks for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Problem is that every movie that has been produced on the subject – The Invisible Man, The Hollow Man and undoubtedly others – has shown that the new power has pushed the individual over the edge to insanity.

We are seeing the same tipping point emerging as we move forward in the digital content era (Figure 1) with digital rights management (DRM) and conditional access (CA). DRM and CA control has become more important than the content to the music industry and Tellywood because they see a big sucking sound from their content-embedded bottomline. With content nearly all digital today, they don’t focus on just the wholesale pirates but view everyone – your grandmother, the 10-year-old down the block and yes, even you -- as a thief.  read more »

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• by Liz Calhoun

If you're like the majority of Americans, your cell phone is used for more than just phone calls. 65% of all Americans use cell phones to send messages, check e-mail, and catch up on the news. Now, Sprint and Nextel have joined forces with Fandango to provide easy access to movie showtimes and tickets through text messaging.

Fandango's process is simple, and available to all mobile phone users (regardless of provider) with enabled web access. Either type in mobile.fandano.com into a wireless browser, or text message your zip code (movie title optional) to FNDGO (36346) to get links to movie theatre information in your area.  read more »

• by Liz Calhoun