music

The legendary “Mother of the Blues” Ma Rainey remains top of mind these days as a trailblazing performer and inspiration. The newest vehicle to keep the music icon at the forefront in the 21st Century is a half-hour television special tribute by Netflix in partnership with the GRAMMY Museum®. ABOUT THE TV SPECIAL An inspiring [...]

Remembering John Lennon 40 years later. (1940 - 1980). Forty years ago on that fateful day of December 8th, we lost music legend John Lennon to senseless gun violence when he was brutally shot and killed in front of his residence at The Dakota in New York City. John Lennon, 1940 - 1980. Photo taken [...]

Live Performance and our independent venues are in serious jeopardy and time is running out to save our stages. The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) hopes to keep both alive …
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Lady Gaga's inspiring words to believe in yourself is the Socially Sparked Quote of the Week. The award-winning diva's powerful message of encouragement comes at a time when our struggles and suffering are exemplified due to the pandemic. Lady Gaga's inspiring message during her VMAs acceptance speech "You can spin your struggles into gold, you [...]

The New York City (NYC) music community came out Sunday morning to pose in solidarity to save our independent venues and live entertainment with the support of the newly-formed New York Independent Venues Association (NYIVA). NY photographer Arnie Goodman and digital media diva Abbe Sparks organized the impromptu Save Our NYC Stages Photo Event to [...]

Legendary singer and activist Aretha Franklin was a champion of music, culture, civil rights, human rights, the women's movement and so much more. Her words on respect and human rights are our Quote of the Week in honor of the two year anniversary of her death in 2018. Portrait of Aretha Franklin by Andy Warhol [...]

EPILOGUE This Father's Day we share one of our most beloved features about one of the world's most beloved musicians and a family's beloved dad -- gone too soon Jim Rodford. #RIP Jim Rodford died two years ago on January 20, 2018, months after this interview was first published. His death was sudden due to [...]

Folk singer songwriter Woody Guthrie’s legendary song ‘This Land Is Your Land’ is still made for you and me as the anthem turns 80 on February 23rd. The folk hero and his timeless song have Socially Sparked® our lives since 1940. There have been many renditions over the decades of Woody’s unofficial classic anthem since [...]

EPILOGUE Remembering the legendary bassist Jim Rodford today. Jim Rodford died on January 20, 2018, months after our Socially Sparked® Spotlight Interview was first published for Father's Day 2017. His death was sudden due to a fall down the stairs; days after a performance. Socially Sparked News spotlight feature with the legendary bassist for The Zombies, [...]

The Light of Day Foundation and its quest to find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease and the Parkinsonisms (ALS and PSP) begins with the power of music. The power of music to heal is a given. The power of music to raise awareness and funds for a cause -- in this case, for debilitating neuro-degenerative [...]

Down to the Roots Deep in Muddy Waters

 

To say that millennial Cassandra Kubinski is a pop artist with a purpose is the  understatement of the year. She is a multi-talented artist, actress, singer-songwriter, vocalist, philanthropist, activist and board member who has already Socially Sparked® our lives. Cassandra is most definitely a next generation leader. A percentage of the sales of this song [...]

The Socially Sparked® year in pictures returns with our annual round-up of all the people, places, events and causes that Socially Sparked® our world in 2019. SOCIALLY SPARKED NEWS brings you 'Real News that Sparks'. We spotlight the intersection of pop-culture and social change via the crossroads of advocacy / activism, entertainment, music and technology. [...]

Happy Holidays From Our Sparks To Yours

Happy Holidays from our Sparks to Yours. SOCIALLY SPARKED NEWS. is Real News that Sparks. We spotlight the intersection of pop-culture …
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Next generation leader Maiah Wynne is a Gen Xer to watch as she adds her spark to the world. At the youthful age of 19, this young woman Gen Xer is an accomplished singer, songwriter, activist and mentor that has already Socially Sparked® our lives. Socially Sparked News first featured Maiah in 2017 and identified [...]

Socially Sparked Moments of 2019 shine bright. It's our annual round-up where we ask our spotlight artists, organizations and causes to name the three ("3") top moments that Socially Sparked® their lives. Socially Sparked News would like to thank our spotlight artists, organizations and causes for taking time from their busy schedules to share their [...]

The Recording Academy® reveals Grammy nominees for the 62nd Grammy® Awards live on CBS This Morning. This year's nominees reflect a melting pot of artistic innovation that defined the year in music and have Socially Sparked® our lives. The big reveal starts the countdown to music's biggest night®.  Recording Academy President/CEO, Deborah Dugan, Academy Chair [...]

Mondo NYC ignites sparks in hip Williamsburg this week from October 15 thru 18.  The Brooklyn conference brings emerging music and frontier technology center stage mixed in with fireside chats, over 100 panels, workshops and, of course, music showcases laced throughout the big Apple and Brooklyn. Mondo NYC will be held daytime at the Williamsburg [...]

Baby, everything Linda Ronstadt is totally good and everyone can see why starting today with the opening of Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice.  The documentary will run in select theaters nationwide including Los Angeles and New York City. Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice takes us on the legendary artist's journey as [...]

The marvelous Miles Davis finally gets a way cool biopic that exhumes the truth about the legendary man of jazz and more. Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool directed by Emmy Award-winning Director Stanley Nelson tells the true tale behind the music and legacy of the renowned horn player and composer who Socially Sparked® our [...]