Oh, it is such a pleasure to come to your establishment, Thank You Come Again.

You are right, good lawn work is certainly not “cheep”. It could be something that sounds like “cheep” though.

“Bed’s Bed’s Bed’s”? Three times? Really? Tell me what the beds own.

Is that just a bonus letter? To be honest, I had to look this up just in case it was the name of a local charity. It wasn’t.

It is very possible that the Inc. belongs to the Auto.

In addition, the $5.99 belongs only to the Clementine. (Check out my picture in the security television!)

It is so super, that we just needed some extra letters to make the point!

This is one of my favorites! No comment needed.

Okay, I lied. This set of signs might be my favorite sighting ever. Apostrophes galore. Plus, body “percing”!

120 Millions!! 31 Millions!

Maybe this is just like a letter search – similar to the old Highlights magazines.

Send me your favorites (matt@entirely-random.com)! Do you love finding typos and errors in professionally printed materials?

Don’t get me wrong, Boys II Men are a great R&B staple and will always be considered one of the first great “boy bands”, but I still can’t stop listening to “Wishes”.

What’s your favorite obscure single? Perhaps you loved Wanya on Brandy’s single, “Brokenhearted”?

This show focuses on Michael Holt – a neurosurgeon who would rather spend time thinking about himself and his successes than bother with anyone else. In the opening episode, he runs into his ex-wife at a restaurant. When he takes the time to call her the next day, he finds out that she has been dead for some time. She shows up each episode to talk some sense into Michael when he doesn’t always seem like he is making the right decisions.

So, my hope is that you’ll at least DVR the show and give it a shot. I think after a few episodes, you would be able to catch up and catch on to what is happening. However, each episode could stand on its own if you ignore the threaded storyline of the characters.

Have you watched CBS’ “A Gifted Man“?

Check out the video below to get a feel for the show. In this scene, Michael Holt is trying to save the life of a dying woman. He allows her fiance to come along in the ambulance and to get married so that they can fulfill their final wishes… You may need a tissue.

I hope CBS gives it another season. Fingers crossed.

I was fortunate enough to see Matt Wertz in concert a few times. I want to say it was even as the opening act for Matt Nathanson (another favorite), but I cannot be certain on those particular facts.

That could have also been the concert that Kate Earl was the opening act. It was a small venue and I was about five feet from her and her keyboard. During one of the ballads, I swear she sang the whole thing to/at me. I didn’t know what to do! It was one of those Do I look at her? or Do I look away? In any case, the song ended and she never called, so I guess I didn’t choose the right option.

On to Mr. Wertz. We’ll simple enough – he rocks. His music has a nice singer/songwriter feel to them. There are some tender ballad-type songs, and some happy-go-lucky pop songs (like “Heartbreaker”). He went the major label for one of his albums, but I have a feeling it was a little too stifling for this independent-at-heart artist. So he is back doing his own thing and putting out some great tunes.

I know I have heard some of his stuff on the radio in different stores, so chances are, you have too. Enjoy two of my favorites below.

What is your favorite Matt Wertz ditty?

He just has that “something” that is perfect in concert, on a recording, in person, whatever. He has taken some time off on recording but it sounds like there are new things in the works.

In April, Jason Mraz will release “Love is a Four-Letter Word” to digital outlets everywhere. I cannot wait this long for the new Mraz album! Until then, I will just have to enjoy his new single “I Won’t Give Up“, which debuted at number 8 on the Billboard Top 100. It has also become my new ringtone.

Check out this tear-inducing video for “I Won’t Give Up”…

I have been a fan of Criminal Minds since the beginning of the series and have gone through the ups and downs. At one point, the show was almost cancelled until it got the post Super Bowl slot and hooked in some other fans. When Emily Prentiss joined the cast in Season 2, I wasn’t sure how I felt about this replacement female character. But over the years, her character grew on me and it seems (based on last year) grew on the Criminal Minds fans.

Last year, it was announced that Paget Brewster’s contract was going to be shrunk down to only some of season seven. Apparently this didn’t sit well, and from what I recall, she said she wouldn’t come back for Season 7. At the same time, JJ (AJ Cook) was also going to be leaving the show for Season 7. The storyline played out for Emily Prentiss and they worked towards killing off the character. In the process, fans went nuts and a deal was struck for Season 7. So, nix the whole killing off thing and just fake her death so that she could come back and continue on.

I bought it. Only because I wanted to. Emily and JJ were back and life went on as normal. Until this…

Paget Brewster Departing ‘Criminal Minds’ at Season’s End – Hollywood Reporter.

WHAT the? WHY?

Will you miss Emily Prentiss on Criminal Minds?

Houston also returns to the list with her 1986 debut “Whitney Houston” (No. 72 with 8,000; up 3,901%), “The Bodyguard” soundtrack (No. 80 with 8,000; up 5,213%), her last studio album “I Look To You” (No. 118 with 5,000; up 3,901%), 1987′s “Whitney” (No. 122 with 5,000; up 2,274%) and “The Preacher’s Wife” soundtrack (No. 183 with 4,000; up 3,913%).

There were more Houston albums purchased in the last week (101,000 – up 5,994% from 2,000 the week previous) than had been sold in all of 2011 and 2012 combined until her death (97,000).

Pretty interesting. Did you buy any of her albums this week?

On to the tributes; Here are some of my favorites:

Pentatonix – How Will I Know

This acapella group is from NBC’s The Sing Off. How awesome is it that people can do this without any instruments?

Emily West – I Have Nothing

I posted about this amazing singer before (see here). She does a great job with this song. One thing this tribute shows is how amazing Whitney was if Emily has to push hard for some of those notes. Well done.

The Dubai Fountain – I Will Always Love You

Wow. Hours after her death, the Dubai Fountain paid tribute to Whitney in the only way it could…but shooting water around. But… awesome.

And, then the controversial one.

Amber Riley (Mercedes on Glee) – I Will Always Love You

It is of complete coincidence that this song was on Glee this week, however people are comparing this tribute to the one that Jennifer Hudson performed on the Grammys this past weekend. In fact, People.com had an article about it today that I chose to respond to. 

In my opinion, this would be an unfair comparison. I enjoy both artists (Amber Riley and Jennifer Hudson), but the situation is not truly fair.

Jennifer Hudson had less than 24 hrs to prepare for the song after one of her friends and idols passed away. She barely made it through rehearsals as Hollywood Reporter stated. She sang the song as a dedication without frills or trying to sound like Whitney. She also sang this live in front of the largest Grammy viewing population since 1984.

Amber Riley’s character was forced to sing this song. In a studio with the proper mixing.

Perhaps if Jennifer Hudson had a studio recording of the song, we could compare.

What tributes to Whitney Houston did I miss?

A year or two ago, I was invited to another Michael Tolcher concert in Orlando by a friend of mine from high school (she’s awesome by the way). Again, Michael Tolcher did his thing and gained many new fans that night. The two ladies I brought along to the show are definitely now fans. Since my friend was there, I got to spend some time with Michael and his band mates during the evening. He even got our leftovers to go so that we could give it to the homeless folks on the streets. Funny story: one of the homeless people turned us down since they didn’t like seafood. Hey, least they were honest.

At the show, I got a copy of an EP “In the Meantime”. I certainly recommend this mini-release and, in case you care, my favorite track from this release is “Wanting You More” and a live version is below.

Tonight, Valentine’s Day, is a Michael Tolcher concert live on the Internet. Michael will be sharing his night with his fans on Stageit.com (site was first mentioned in my Jaron and the Long Road to Love post). This will be a great opportunity to interact with Michael and other fans. Side note: It is usually pretty humorous to see some of the crazy fans in the chat box. Some want the artists’ babies, some want some obscure song that even the artist doesn’t remember, some just want crazy, crazy things… I just want good music and interaction. If there is still time, you should join us - http://www.stageit.com/michael_tolcher/be_mine/6910

I will leave you with one of my favorite tracks off of “I AM”. If you like it, purchase the album and sign up for Michael’s fan club on his site – www.michaeltolcher.com.

Oh, and after that, let me know what you think and I’ll pass along the sentiments.

Well, in my opinion, they did it right. There was definitely a dedication of sorts to Whitney throughout the show, but that did not take over as it could have.  I will share my favorites from the night.

Jennifer Hudson – I Will Always Love You (Tribute to Whitney Houston)

This was my #1. For me, the anticipation caused the most butterflies. I felt like a family member who wanted Jennifer to be perfect in every way.  In my opinion, Jennifer was perfectly understated. She had the Whitney look from the hair to the dress (probably for the spotlight moment) and she sang the song. She didn’t try to sing it better or just like Whitney, she just sang it like she meant the lyrics. It was all I could have asked for, and I’m pretty sure Whitney was there cheering her on.

21221222396 by YardieGoals

Taylor Swift – Mean

This was truly one of Taylor Swift’s best live performances in a long time. I was very pleased (even though it was very much like another awards show performance of the song) with the whole thing. She sounded fantastic, she played her banjo, she had a few movies and she changed up the lyrics to throw it in the critics faces. I think its awesome that she could win a Grammy for a song that she wrote after being slammed by Grammy critics after a less-than-stellar performance last year. IN YO’ FACE!

212212213725 by YardieGoals

Adele – Rolling in the Deep

What can you say about Adele that hasn’t already been said? Besides the fact that I think she looks very much like Kate Winslet. Right? This was her first performance since her vocal cord surgery and she brought it. She won every Grammy Award she was nominated for and she slayed her performance. She had a few rough patches in the song, but I dug it. She’s back. Hopefully another “rubbish relationship” leads to an amazing album.

Grammys: Adele’s First Post-Surgery Performance by Spi0n
Bruno Mars – Runaway Baby

Always like Peter Hernandez aka Bruno Mars’ performances. He’s got the vocal chops and high energy in everything he does. It really doesnt seem that he takes anything for granted and truly has fun with any performance he is blessed to have. Glad he told everyone to get off their rich *sses to dance.

2122122555 by YardieGoals

Katy Perry – Part of Me

I’m sure you may be surprised to see this on the list of favorite performances. I am one of the first people that will point out every singing flaw that someone has, however Katy Perry sold this performance and I bought it. I keep thinking back to my friend Heather saying, “All I keep thinking about is how much sweat she must have from that outfit”. Nevermind that, Katy Perry sounded great and just rocked it at the Grammys. Congrats Katy Hudson, oh, I mean Perry.

Katy Perry – E.T. & Part Of Me (Live 54th Annual… by wonderful-life1989

Those were my choices for the night. Who did you enjoy? I cannot wait until next year! 

It only seems fitting to dedicate today’s post to Whitney Houston. I grew up listening to Whitney Houston. My parents were fans and therefore I became one as well.

• I remember getting her CDs through our BMG music club memberships each year they were released.
• I remember my first grade talent show when I was doing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” there was a precocious little girl singing “Greatest Love of All” that brought the damn house down.
• I remember thinking, “Geez, this soundtrack is really good” when we all first listened to the Bodyguard soundtrack.
• I remember how “Jesus Loves Me” became a household song.
• I remember how she sang the best version of the “Star Spangled Banner”
• I remember how the two divas, Whitney and Mariah, finally did a song together.
• I remember taking over driving through the night from Atlanta to Orlando for my father and listening to the Whitney Houston Greatest Hits album (both discs) over and over again.
• I remember rooting for her to get healthy and make a strong comeback.
• I remember getting a text message last night from my friends, “Whitney Houston died”

It is amazing how we all can think and joke about someone probably going before their time, but when it happens, it is like a slap across the face. My hope is that her family seeks comfort that she is in a better place. My heart aches for her daughter the most… I know how she must feel.

It has been rumored that they are putting together a tribute to honor Whitney Houston at the Grammys this year (tonight). I have read that Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan will be doing a respectful, last-minute tribute to the voice.

In my opinion, they should do something understated. Perhaps a new version of Whitney’s performance of “One Moment in Time” from the 1988 Grammy telecast.

Give me one moment in time
When I’m more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
When I’m racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will be
I will be
I will be free
I will be
I will be free

A light has dimmed. Rest in peace Whitney Houston. You certainly are free now…