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As the 2012 Grammy Awards approach, many music enthusiasts can't wait to find out which artists are winners and who becomes Artist of the Year (The Ultimate Award).

Recent news has alerted that, due to unknown reasons, the Grammy Awards slashed the number of categories from 109 to 78. It was also discovered that many of the non-existing awards were categories like; Best Hawaiian and Native American Awards. Rev. Jesse Jackson, a popular civil rights activist, has been protesting greatly to this cut. He has also been protesting the network CBS which aires the Grammy Awards.

What are your thoughts regarding the Grammy's cutting ethnic categories? Do you think Rev. Jackson is off the mark with his protests? Is he going too far protesting the Awards Ceremony?

Please answer in complete sentences and with educated thoughts with support of your opinions.

Broadway musicals are still performing to sell out audiences despite the current economy.  Critics say that the stories that the audience can relate to are the most successful.  The broadway musical "Hair" was originally released in 1968.  It has been redone and it is playing on broadway right now.  It is about a group of hippies and their anger about the government and the war in Viet Nam.  If it is true that a show has to relate to its audience to be successful, then why is a remake of "Hair", a show from 1968, so popular?  Should we remake older shows or write newer current shows?

A lot of Broadway musicals have been made into movies.  They have been very popular.  "Chicago", "Phantom of the Opera" and "Mamma Mia" are recent broadway shows that have had movie success.  Since tickets to braodway shows range from $60-$150, do you think that the movie versions help to reach a wider audience because the cost to go to the movies is affordable?  Do you think that people want to see the live stage version after seeing a movie version?  Do you think that the movies would be successful without a stage version for people to go and see? 

Rap was an East Coast style of music that originated in the early 80's from people taking beats and reciting poetry in musical rhythm. The lyrics were clear and innocent. Breakdancing became popular on the streets while rappers took their boomboxes over their shoulders and rhymed on the mic.

Rap moved to the West Coast where rappers took on a new attitude. Songs became about the way of life on the streets. Songs about drugs and teen pregnancies were the topics of choice. Many artists tried to help the young audiences so they wouldn't grow up to be like them.

Now rap is all over the place! It has even merged with R & B to form the style Hip Hop. However, we run into other issues with modern Hip Hop. Cover songs and Samples are running rampant. Artists are stealing ideas from others to create hits for themselves. Where will this go? When will it end?

Please comment on the following statements:

1) Would original artists appreciate what is being done right now with regards to copied music? Why?

2) Would you cover or sample a song if you could instead of writing your own song? Why?

3) Is it necessary to swear to have a good rap song? Why?

The 60's was a time of war, confusion, protest and freedom. From Vietnam to the Civil Rights Movement, to the Hippie Moving to  San Fransico; How can we forget the death of JFK? The 60's were active and yet we haven't spoken about the music! The Beatles rocking out America, Jimi Hendrix setting his guitar on fire, and Woodstock featuring artists for the first time in front of an audience.

How do the issues of the 60's relate to the music that was created during this time. Songs like "I Want to Hold Your Hand", "Cloud Nine", "Living For The City", "Somebody To Love".

If you were to write a song based on your time period, what issue would you sing about and what would you call your song?

Remember... comments posted must be appropriate and intelligent.

OK...The word is out! The King of Pop has returned to the music scene and is going back on tour! The tour, called "This Is It!", kicked off in London with 50 sold out performances and only he knows where that will take him. The tour is supposed to travel worldwide but no definitive plans have been made just where MJ will perform. Jackson has recorded his latest album entitled MJ09 (how creative) and is set to be released in July.

Here's the issue...! Michael Jackson's last true successes were with the release of "Bad" in 1987. Since then, Jackson has faced issues with his color change (Vitiligo) and with the accusations of child molestation. Fighting the fight, Jackson has continued to produce music keeping to the style chages of the industry. Where does his poularity lie? Do people like Michael Jackson for his music or is he idolized for who he is? Do you think he will be successful during this tour? Would you purchase his latest album?

Word is out! Britney Spears is back and going on tour. Spears is promoting her "Circus" album visiting 27 US cities and several locations in Europe. We haven't seen anything musically exciting from Britney in 5 years. She's been married and divorced, had two kids, gone to rehab, gone through a custody battle, found herself briefly committed, and been so out of control that her father, Jamie Spears, was appointed by a court to oversee her personal and professional affairs indefinitely.

All that mentioned, does Britney Spears have the fan base that can help her rebound back to her celebrity status she once had? Will this tour put her back on the charts? Will you jump on the Britney Spears "bandwagon"?

As the world knows, Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen was the headliner at this year's Super Bowl Halftime show.  This Rock 'N Roll legend who started his career in the mid 70's made a revival to today's youth who may not be familiar with him. The Boss is most noted for songs like "Born in the U.S.A", "Born to Run", and "Glory Days".

I recently came across a blog entitled "The 10 Unforgivable Sins of Bruce Springsteen's Performance at the Super Bowl" by Rob O'Connor which can be viewed at this link:
http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/listoftheday/119897;_ylt=AqyVHHXYjC06LLLyZMjjDKXOwSUv
Although Rob considers himself to be a fan of The Boss, he trashes the performance altogether. Please read this blog and the comments that follow and provide your own view after reading both sides from the world wide public. Do you think Bruce Springsteen was a good choice for the Super Bowl Halftime show? If not, who would you like to see next year?(REMEMBER...DO NOT POST ON HIS BLOG!!! ONLY POST ON THIS BLOG)

There is a great dispute over why Singers Chris Brown and Rhianna were not at last weeks Annual Grammy Awards. The news reports that Chris Brown physically abused Rhianna leaving bruises all over her face and possibly breaking her jaw. Do you think Chris Brown's musical career has been effected by this incident? What do you think will or should happen?

At the recent showing of the Grammy's, Miley Cyrus performed a duet with Taylor Swift on "Fifteen". The recording is decent enough that you can hear Cyrus' contribution to the performance. Do you think Miley Cyrus was the best choice to perform with Taylor Swift on this song? What are your thoughts? Please support your answers with details/ reasons.