Welcome to the The Music Universe Year in Review. In our inaugural edition, I will recap some of the more highlighted moments from our website and discuss what’s to come in 2017. We appreciate all of our readers because without you, we wouldn’t have achieved record numbers like we did this year. We’ve grown exponentially over the past three (nearly four) years and I really appreciate the love and support!
One of the biggest draws this year was the I Love 90s Tour announcement that had rap fans all over the country freaking out! We’ve had hundreds of comments asking for more details, but we posted only what we had. I had to create a couple of YouTube videos in order to address everyone! I hope those who wanted to see the tour were able to catch it. I’m not a rap fan, but I do know those artists are integral to adults who were kids in the 80s and 90s, like myself.
While we are always looking at bringing you exclusive and new content, it wasn’t until the third quarter of the year when we had some really cool interview opportunities come up. I got to interview Don Brewer, drummer of Grand Funk Railroad, on the phone as they were prepping a performance at the Kern County Fair in Bakersfield, CA — about two hours north of Los Angeles. As a drummer myself, it was an honor to interview someone I had listened to so much growing up since my dad is a huge fan! I also got to review the concert and meet the band afterward which was a great experience!
Another super cool experience was meeting Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood in Fresno in September. Not only did I get to meet them at a pre-show press conference, but I also got to interview them one on one! I didn’t expect that when the arrangements were made, but it was an awesome experience that I’ll never forget. Garth and Trisha couldn’t have been more sweeter or welcoming! Garth even interviewed me a bit as he was really interested in my background when we were being introduced. I also sat eighth row to review the concert the same night Trisha announced that Garth earned his seventh Diamond Award. A super awesome thanks to Garth, Trisha and their PR people for welcoming me to the press conference and show! It was truly such an honor!
With the good, obviously comes the bad. Not only did my family have to suffer the sudden loss of my little brother two weeks after the Garth/Trisha concert, but we’ve lost a lot of celebrities this year. 2016 has been one of the worst in celebrity deaths in recent years.
Unfortunately, we started it off with losing David Bowie two days after Blackstar was released in January. Then, it seemed like it went downhill from there losing (in no particular order) Glen Frey of The Eagles, Prince, Keith Emerson and Greg Lake from Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Merle Haggard, Juan Gabriel, Paiste cymbal founder Robert Paiste, George Michael and so many more. Most of these deaths surprised everyone as many concealed their health issues from the public while others were just so sudden, not even their family and closest friends expected it! May they all rest in peace!
Looking ahead to 2017
The Music Universe celebrates its fourth birthday/anniversary on January 24th! We are celebrating with a new and much needed site design! The new design is completely responsive so that means you’ll see the content properly on all of your mobile, table and desktop devices! It’s been in the works since mid-2016, but is taking time as I perfect the layout and design. I hope to unveil it sooner than later, but no ETA as of this writing!
In 2016, I also added a few new writers who are working with me to bring some more exclusive interviews with top stars! No hints will be given until they are confirmed, but you can always bet that we’re working consistently to bring you new and exciting content!
Once again, thanks to all of my writers who have helped me shape this site into a music news outlet that shares information fans want to know. Also, thanks again to the readers, who without, the site wouldn’t be what is today and growing! Raise your glasses high this New Year’s Eve and celebrate a New Year of beginnings and blessings!
