Brain Contour

Franzine Cole Salas is my niece. We call her Zee. Everyone in the family knows Zee could sing when we saw her tapping the table while watching a variety show on TV. That was when she was still 2. She is now 6 years old and has been singing in school programs. My younger brother who has more exposure in this kind of talent development, suggested that we should enroll Zee to a voice lesson program this summer 2011. This is one way for her to develop self-confidence especially when performing in front of a crowd.

The last time we recorded a video of her singing was when she was 2 years old. Watch this video of her performing a Filipino song “Hindi ko kayang iwan ka” by Sheryn Regis. She could not read yet that time and had to follow what she was hearing.

The year 2010 was not happy all the time. But that should not be the reason not to hope for happiness in 2011.

I would like to borrow the words of Edith Lovejoy Pierce, “We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called “Opportunity” and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”

Delaney Brothers

I am very critical when it comes to music. Blame it to my addiction to almost anything about the art. I am probably one of the few non-Americans who monitor and follow each American Idol episode, check the billboard charts, blog about American songs and new MTVs, and scrutinize every musical guest performance on late night TV shows.

Tonight, I hopped into Cottonwood coffee shop in Brookings, SD for my dose of mocha. I had no intention of staying late. However, my attention was caught by the brothers duo – Evan Delaney and Tristan Delaney – who were performing inside the shop for the annual open-mic event. Both brothers could play the guitar and sing beautifully at the same time. I mean, they do not possess ordinary-sounding voices, but something more of recording-quality that may give pro singers a run for their money. Listen to the blending of their voices and it will make you thirst for some more.

Among the popular theories of the origin of the term HOBO, I chose the contraction of HOmeward BOund. There is only one reason for opting that. This article is about Brule. About home.

Watching and listening to Brule and the AIRO band on the night of Friday the 13th, established a thought that home is where the real music is. Paul LaRoche (stage name: Brule) through his distinct Native American music, inspired the audience with his family life – how tensions became triumphs, how identity and reconciliation fulfilled a dream and how his love for his family and culture sent a message of hope to all those who continually love his music.