Shout! Shout! Let It All Out...

A new venture is always a breath of fresh air. That was what the Shout! Awards was all about. A new way of showing appreciation and recognizing new, exciting talent. Times are ever-changing and to stay on the cycle we must adapt and embrace the change too.

So many people have said so many things about the show. Some bad, some doubtful, mostly good.. but everything has a learning curve. I ONLY wish that more people would have the faith and join. Again THIS IS NOT ABOUT WINNING OR LOSING... this is about showcasing and recognizing talent that exists in all facets of the entertainment business. It is our wish that this recognition will drive people to do more, do better, do different, do daring, do fresh, do new, do exciting..... in this business we NEED this so badly but yet so many dare not leave the safety of what they think sells. EMBRACE the change.

The other thing is that everyone seems afraid of is to "compete" (or what they deem as competition)... I'm MORE afraid of competing with myself than other people. The pressure I put on myself to succeed is 10 million gazillion time greater than the pressure I feel from anywhere/one else. I like the friendly "competition" I get from my seniors, peers and juniors... this is what keeps me alive... keeps me on my toes. I'm not saying that this IS a competition but how DO you judge your work and progress without exams, competitons, comparisons. Come on guys embrace the CHANGE.

Again my inspiration comes from the people I work with and the people I work for... when camera and production crews work until 4am; Artiste patiently wait for their turn to perform; editors make changes long after everyone has gone to bed; when sound engineers have mixed enough to go deaf; coordinators bite their nails to worry about security, artistes, crowd, food... HOW can ANYONE believe this is done for the benefit of a select few. Everyone is not thinking about winning or losing everyone is thinking about GIVING THEIR BEST.. that is the spirit of the games. As I work with younger teams and old friends I look forward to the new challenge ... and I embrace THE change.

I hope that next year there will be more support to help us make the change and the difference. However slow a process it maybe we still need to embrace the change.

TO ALL THE TEAMS WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES ON THE SHOUT! AWARDS WE HAVE ALL MADE ONE SMALL STEP TOWARDS MAKING A DIFFERENCE.... THANKS!

FOR THOSE THE ARTISTE AND CELEBRITIES THAT CAME OUT PERFORMED, PRESENTED, DRESSED-UP TO CELEBRATED THE CHANGE... THANKS!

TO THOSE THAT DARE TO DO (AND JUST BECAUSE YOU DARE TO DO) WE SALUTE YOU... THANKS!

Quote : When you are through changing, you are through. ~Bruce Barton

Peace, Love and Respect,

Jenn

Originally posted on Facebook Notes on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 1:13pm

Of Sundays, Jaclyn Victor and Live Music......

So it was SUNDAY and me the reclusive who NEVER goes to gigs decides that I need to go see the new 8th "UNZIPPED" series at Ruums, Life Centre that debut with JACLYN VICTOR. I like shows that features LIVE MUSIC because that is what music and performance is all about.... I know minus one presents less hassle and you only need to travel the artiste and a CD player but it also lacks passion and heart!!

So yeah everyone's used to seeing Jac sing one song, appearing in every publicity program, award show, VIP function, corporate dinner but folks that really ain't Jac Victor. She can sing without a doubt, text book perfect but you never quite see the really Jac until you see her sing a full set at ease, no big hair, no ballgowns, no VIP just herself. Then you see the real Jac the singer with the heart and soul and energy that draws you in as audience.

I learnt something AGAIN today but its things we already know but sometimes forget.... Music needs to be performed live... there is NO substitute for live musicians.... and true singers thrive on this!! The feel, the vibe, the passion.... that's what live music is all about. LIVE = ALIVE!!

The other thing that I learnt is that live music moves people.... if we had a live music scene here more people would start buying music. You never get the same response from minus one shows. Even me as a seasoned viewer, I am never failed to be moved by a GOOD live performance. Malaysians are spoilt by passive minus one performances both live and on television!!! (Might as well just play the CD at home). LIVE MUSIC = IMPASSIONED PEOPLE

And last but not least if you're wondering how come our bands are never as tight as Indonesian bands don't... if our bands played 50 shows a month like them they'd be tight too!!! Our bands have no platform for performance most of the time it's one song on TV (sometimes even miming!!!!) or a three song set. PRACTISE = PERFECT. This brings me to my final observation is that people in Malaysia (and everywhere else) have to learn to appreciate and pay for music. Music powers everything advertising campaigns, radio, television entertainment, mobile phone content, OUR LIVES.... just to name a few.... people whether public or corporate need to realize this and GIVE MUSIC IT’S DUE....

Originally posted on Facebook Notes on Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 11:26pm