Join the Parker Family Health Center and rock out with JBJ & Friends!

From Backstage JBJ:

November 30, 2010
On January 27th, 2011, The Parker Family Health Center invites you to rock out with Jon Bon Jovi & Friends at the Starland Ballroom! The mission of the Parker Family Health Center is to operate a free health care facility where Monmouth County residents who do not have medical insurance or the ability to pay for medical care can be treated.

On Friday, December 3rd at 10AM EST, there will be an exclusive pre-sale for this amazing event for Backstage JBJ members. VIP tickets will be available for $1,000.00, which includes a ticket to the event and access to the VIP Meet and Greet Cocktail Party. General Admission tickets will be available for $250.00. Net proceeds from this event will benefit The Parker Family Health Center.

Not a Backstage JBJ Member, click here to join now!

Kind of a cool gig, but I don't have $1,000 lying around so I won't be attending. Good luck to the Backstage members who get to do the VIP thing, and all other attendees in general admission!


[Parker Family]

Tokyo! Night One: 11/30/10

The boys are in Tokyo - and I assume they are okay after the big earthquake they had, since they performed their first of two nights at the Tokyo Dome!

A vanilla setlist, I hope they aren't burned out already!

Blood On Blood
We Weren't Born to Follow
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born to Be My Baby
Lost Highway
Whole Lotta Leavin'
When We Were Beautiful
It's My Life
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
We Got It Going On
Bad Medicine/Pretty Woman/Shout
Lay Your Hands On Me (Richie Vox)
What Do You Got
(You Want To) Make a Memory
I'll Be There For You
Something for the Pain
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
Work for the Working Man
Runaway
Have a Nice Day
Who Says You Can't Go Home
Keep the Faith
Wanted Dead or Alive
Living on a Prayer

'Tis the season...

So it's almost December, Thanksgiving is over, and Black Friday sales are still petering out at some stores in America, which means the Christmas countdown has officially begun.

AGAIN?!

I swear this year felt like a few months. It was just yesterday that I put away those Christmas decorations, right? No, apparently it was 11 months ago. Good LORD.

So amidst all the decorating, baking, wrapping, lighting, caroling, and rushing around, I found some time to design a few more holiday styles for my Zazzle shop.



Now, I am a poor college student. I make about 10% profit off what I sell in Zazzle. So, I am asking you all, not only as fellow Jovi fans who should like Jovi merchandise, but as devoted readers who love me so much (insert innocent, charming grin here) to kindly consider doing some shopping in my little store.

I've made numerous designs over the past year for everyday wear, as well as this current special holiday line. The majority of my merchandise is offered in women's sizes/styles, but every single item can be customized for a man or child's size and fit. So PLEASE don't hesitate to drop me a line and ask about something you're curious about!

And if you're still not persuaded, consider that Zazzle is offering "Blitzen Deals" for the month of December - sales and savings that happen every 2 hours! The current snag: $6 off all shirts (!!), PLUS free shipping on orders over $25. (Expires at 8:00 PST/11:00 EST today.)

These designs make perfect gifts for your fellow Jovi friends, so why don't you check 'em out now? (For holiday styles, click "Holiday Jovi" on the left side of my store under "browse this store.")

Thanks so much, and happy shopping! :)

CNN Heroes: What Do You Got

I've only found this so far from the CNN Heroes segment that aired on Thursday (11/25) - if anyone has any other videos or material, feel free to share!

I missed the segment, unfortunately, so I'm relying on YouTube and all you lovely readers to fill me in. ;)

Enjoy:

Giving thanks...

It's Thanksgiving Day here in the United States, and I would be remiss if I didn't take the opportunity to express my gratitude for the endless blessings in my life.

For the sake of keeping it related to the blog's topic, I will only list the Jovi blessings here - but I have a whole other treasure box full of life's gifts that I am grateful for today.

I am thankful for...

- ...every single one of you reading this right now. I wouldn't have had nearly the success with this blog if you all weren't sitting here reading this post; you've made it what it is today, and will help make it even more successful in the future, I'm sure of it. Running a blog is hard work, especially when it's time-sensitive and needs to be updated with news and current events, so it is VERY rewarding to see the numbers of readers, read the feedback, and receive the kind words and compliments. I hope you get just as much out of this as I get out of running it!

- ...the opportunity to have seen Bon Jovi live as many times as I have (especially this year.) Many of those concerts were gifts from people who love me, and I can never thank them enough for the incredible, memorable experience it is to see this amazing band live. And I couldn't have done it (on a college student's budget) without them!

- ...the wonderful, amazing, and inspirational people I have met through this band, and whom have touched my heart greatly. I would NOT be the woman I am today without them; they make my life richer and happier in infinite ways, and I can't imagine never having grown to know them.

- ...and finally, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, David Bryan, and Tico Torres. I have poured out my heart before and I know I will do it again, but words will never express the ways in which these men have changed my life - for the better. And I will never, ever forget or underestimate the power of their music and influence on me; they will be a part of my heart and soul until the day I die.


So, have a beautiful day, everyone - it may only be Thanksgiving in America, but there's always a reason to stop and reflect on the blessings in your life, no matter which country you live in. Take a moment today and think about what you're grateful for - it just might put a new perspective on things. xoxo

JBJ planning a long hiatus after 2011

Even though we all knew it was coming, I still hate hearing this. :/

From contactmusic.com:

Jon Bon Jovi is planning a long hiatus from rock when BON JOVI's current world tour ends next summer (2011) - because he needs to take a rest.

The exhausted Livin' On A Prayer singer admits his age and a number of other things have made him rethink his plans for the second half of 2011.

He says, "It's time. We have to go to bed."

And the 48 year old admits the sheer magnitude of the world tour has forced him to stop and take stock: "When you're going to places that they don't have their own electricity and you say, 'Don't worry, we'll bring our own,' it's time to take a break."

But he insists he won't be retiring anytime soon.

He adds, "For an old man who has no plastic surgery, still has all his own hair and wears a 30-inch waist, I'm doing OK."

"Coming Full Circle"

From www.todayonline.com, although it was transcribed from Universal Music Group.

Pretty cut-and-paste, dry responses (again), but the Twitter bit is interesting. hehehe

COMING FULL CIRCLE
By: Christopher Toh

It has been a long road for Bon Jovi. One that stretches 27 years to be exact.

In that span of time, the American rock group has sold over 130 million records worldwide and performed more than 2,600 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 34 million fans.

Best known for their hard rock stadium anthems like Livin' On A Prayer, Keep The Faith and It's My Life, Bon Jovi has also been honoured with numerous awards and accolades. And they're still going strong.

Pollstar has cited the band's Circle Tour as tops in the Top 20 Concert Tours for 2010 so far.

Earlier this week, the band - singer Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres and current bassist Hugh McDonald - booted the unstoppable Taylor Swift off the top of the Canadian charts with their greatest hits collection, which also attained pole position in several countries in Europe.

So how does it feel to be one of the biggest rock bands from America? And are they too old to tweet? The 48-year-old headmaster Jon Bon Jovi tells all.



Why did you wait so long before releasing the Ultimate Collection?

It was part of a commitment to the record company. I would not have intended to release a second volume of greatest hits. I had to be convinced of it.

When I informed the record company in 2007 that I intended to go to Nashville to record what became Lost Highway, they thought I was going to make a pure country record. "Sure, of course, you can do whatever you like (but) will you agree to a greatest hits?" And I said, "It's a deal."

And as we began to write songs for what would become that greatest hits commitment, the economic downturn, the election of president Obama in America and a chain of events inspired what became The Circle. And the record company asked again if we would consider the greatest hits and I said, "Sure." This was an opportune time.

Greatest hits are usually a culmination of a career and one that is perhaps finished. We're anything but finished. We agreed to do this because the Crossroad package was released in '94, and we've had lots of hits since then.

And because we wanted to make sure the fans got value added ... I wrote five new songs.



Can you tell us more about them?

Those songs were written specifically for (the Ultimate Collection) so it was a different mindset. These are more anthemic rock songs about who we are. I wouldn't say they are socially conscious - just uplifting Bon Jovi anthems that were fitting of a greatest hits (album).



Have you ever thought about changing your sound?

I guess it may have come and gone in my consciousness to consider things that could have been perceived as extreme. Case in point: Nashville, going down to do the Lost Highway record.

On the other hand, you do what it is that you do. We feel confident that throughout the years, our music has grown and matured, and has become a little more socially conscious, while remaining true to who we are. And I'm not re-writing You Give Love A Bad Name - that seems like something that was written by a 25-year-old guy.



How do you feel about being nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame?

It is a very elite club, and I hope the outcome is a positive one, and if it is not, I will be disappointed. But you're in the company of Elvis, The Beatles and The Stones ... the greatest of the great. And when we were inducted a year ago into the Songwriters Hall Of fame, that is an even more elite group. To be among people like Bob Dylan, Hank Willlains, John (Lennon) and Paul (McCartney) - that was kind of astounding.

I'm not that impressed with the Grammys or MTV awards. But when you are remembered for your songwriting and records you've made, that's pretty great.



Where do you get inspiration for songs?

The beauty is, if you open your eyes and ears, every day is an opportunity to write a song. If you were caught up about the miners in Chile, there would be story there, if you chose to write about it, or if you were watching your kids wake up and go to school that day.



Do you or your kids use Facebook or Twitter?

I can't even concentrate while the TV is on and I want to read an article in the papers. But you know kids nowadays, it's very natural for them.

I do not tweet, no. I don't think anyone really needs to know what I'm doing every moment of the day. We have that Facebook page that the band has. On occasion I have to put something up. We update it with a guy who is on the road with us - that's his job. It is an amazing way to reach five million people who are interested in you, with a touch of the button.



Comparing your albums to your live shows, which moves fans more?

Earlier on in our career, I remember that they used to say that the band was a best-kept secret of rock 'n' roll. And that point pertains to probably the recording of our first few albums and people would often say, "You gotta see them live."

It was with the recording of the third record that we started to capture that live essence on vinyl. But our reputation precedes us as a live band - there is a reason why 34 million people have seen the band over the years.

People come because they know the songs. My wife and daughter were in Beijing this year, and they told me how excited the people in the hotel were, just from the name.



What is the greatest or biggest achievement of Bon Jovi this year?

I think once the numbers are added up, in 2010, Bon Jovi will be the biggest tour in the world, which will make it two out of three years. The nomination for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, though we have yet to be inducted.

The Circle being a No 1 album, and the response to the record the world over. And opening of our stadium in New Jersey for four nights and doing 12 nights in London - it's been big and that's just at the top of my head.



Any plans after your long career?

The beauty of my life is that I have no plans. This is what I was going to do and I did, and it has been a wonderful life thus far, and I have no intention of quitting. I'm not one of those coulda, shoulda, woulda, kinda of people who just really want to finish this so I can go off and be a gardener. When I want to try things, I try them. If it was acting or philanthropy or owning a sports franchise, I just did them. Some more successful than others, but that's what life is: A series of experiments and experiences.

TRANSCRIPT COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP

Today Show pictures (from 11/12)

I found a whole mess of beautiful pictures from contactmusic.com (although everyone but Jon seems to be conveniently missing from them, lol.)

Enjoy!

Sneak Peek: CNN Heroes

Don't forget, the CNN All-Star Tribute will air on Thursday, 11/25/10 (Thanksgiving Day for Americans) at 8pm EST/5pm PST.

But here's a sneak peek for now, from CNN.com!

The Ellen Show - 11/23

I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THERE! :(

*big self-pitying sigh*

Okay. Well, here are some videos to get me (and you) by for now.

This first vid of the interview was filmed off a television screen, but it'll make do until Ellen gets more of the official vids up on her YouTube Channel.


Interview:




Performances:
"What Do You Got?"




"You Give Love A Bad Name"

JBJ on Extra

Thanks, Hath for this!

It's a good little interview, except for the end - I had enough of her giggling by the time it finally ended, lol. And Jon, come on - Los Angeles is not THAT bad. Sheesh.

2010 Fall Promos: Audio/MP3 downloads

*PHEW*

This has been quite an undertaking - I've been working on ripping, splicing, converting, uploading, labeling, and organizing the audio for all of the various promo gigs/appearances Bon Jovi has done this season for the Greatest Hits release, and I finally got everything I have done today.

As the promotional period seems to be drawing to a close now, I have everything but the Ellen performance (which airs tomorrow), the CNN Heroes segment (which airs Thursday), and the Best Buy Theater performance (which is a work in progress.) These will all be posted soon.

For now, here is everything I have from the promo season - as well as a special collection of all the various live tracks from the Special Edition studio albums that were released earlier this year. :) (Because I for one am not thrilled about spending another $10 for an album I already have, just for 2 or 3 bonus live tracks I can get elsewhere.)

Many thanks to the various friends and readers who helped supply some of these goodies; it is always appreciated!

All of the MP3 files are available on my MediaFire, and the separate events are listed below. Feel free to pass along and share - enjoy!


Special Edition Live Tracks

iheartradio's Premiere of "What Do You Got?" - Sept. 2010

BBC Radio - Simon Mayo (Oct. 2010)

MTV European Music Awards (Nov. 7, 2010)

Live On Letterman (Nov. 9, 2010)

NBC's Today Show (Nov. 12, 2010)

A&E Private Sessions (Nov. 14, 2010)

American Music Awards (Nov. 21, 2010)


Interviews:
Greatest Hits Interview - JBJ & RS

One Night Only: Jon & Band Chats

Lorenza Ponce to open for Bon Jovi in 2011!

Congratulations, Lorenza! This is exciting news; I for one think she is a wonderfully talented musician - at first, it took some getting used to when she was onstage WITH the band (Lost Highway tour), but I came to respect her for her individual talents. Opening for them is exciting because now we can see her showcased without them, in her own spotlight.

From Mi2N.com:

Early acclaim has greeted singer/violinist Lorenza Ponce’s sultry rock/Americana collection, ‘Soul Shifter.’ In his BLOGCRITICS review, which also ran via NO DEPRESSION, respected writer Jack Goodstein praised, “Ponce’s first foray into rock is riddled with successes and filled with promise for the future.” Saturation tour press ran in support of Ponce’s recent headlining dates – THE ALBANY TIMES UNION raved, “Let's just make this perfectly clear: Lorenza Ponce is a big deal.” ‘Soul Shifter’ is “glorious.” Remarking on Ponce’s unique background as a self-professed ‘rock-girl side person’ for such superstars as Sheryl Crow and as violinist for Bon Jovi and others, THE TIMES HERALD-RECORD noted, “Not every girl can say that rocker Sheryl Crow bought her first pair of leather pants!” Ponce will open for Bon Jovi at the kick-off of the 2011 U.S. leg of the band’s tour, February 9th at Penn State. She will also open for them March 4th at Mohegan Sun.

Featuring her ethereal vocals and blues violin, Ponce’s album charts a path out of the shadows and into the spotlight for a talented artist with a storied career as a performer and as a string arranger -- her credits include such notable tracks as Dixie Chicks ‘Landslide’, Sheryl Crow’s ‘Mother Nature’s Son’ and ‘It’s Only Love’, Bon Jovi’s MTV Unplugged ‘Living on a Prayer’ and more. Her extraordinary list of projects can be seen via ALL MUSIC: http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:a9fqxqrgldhe~T4.

CNN Heroes: Red Carpet

Thanks to Roe for dropping this in my inbox this morning - I got it about 3 hours ago and have been battling with my bogged-down computer to get them uploaded since then. I HATE this university network, it slows everything down and makes it impossible to do anything with media!

Argh. Anyway, enjoy. Jon looks beautiful!
(And don't forget to tune in for the CNN Heroes segment, which will air on Nov. 25)