Music Radio & TV - Where's the Variety!?

I've got to say that just about everyone I talk to, email, whatever, enjoy many (if not all) styles of music. So, why aren't there more radio staions or TV shows playing various genres!? Just a few daily segments featuring various genres is all I'm asking. Hence, Podcasting, the savior from hearing the same songs I already bought and have on my iPod Shuffle (which I love by the way) or spinning in my CD player. I'm well aware of the "mainstream."

There is an unbelievable amount of musicians around the world that have serious talent. Podcasting is showcasing a lot of these artists, and more to come. Go check it out on iTunes. It's free and easy. If you use another portable digital music device, be aware you don't have to have an iPod to listen. Listen on your computer...when you have time...no need to tune in for an episode at a specific hour. Many Podcasts also offer mp3 format downloads from their websites.

Honestly, there needs to be more stations like KCRW (in Santa Monica, CA) who are opening up listener's minds to various genres of music. Hey, look at that, they even have several Podcasts going. Go figure.

This is one reason I'm enjoying MySpace.com so much. Lots of musicians across all genres, and we can all be friends.

Relationships

"The ultimate test of a relationship is to disagree but hold hands."
~ Alexander Penney

So true. Whatever the relationship, it's tough when you disagree with someone. This doesn't mean you have to stop the relationship, or avoid the person. What kind of testament to your character and opinion is that?

I don't see the point in quarreling (blatantly). I do see the point in learning before making an opinion. Learn from your relationships. Listen and study all aspects of a specific person, topic, etc. How else can you really talk civilly? We weren't all raised the same.

"People generally quarrel because they cannot argue."
~ Gilbert Chesterton

Benzoid Report

Thanks to Michael at the Benzoid Report Podcast for featuring my music in show #3.

Check out his site.

The Negativity Chain

I've been working on my patience...especially when driving. You ever wonder what one word, gesture, or look can do?

Example: Someone cuts me off (happens way too often around here). I get ticked off and honk or give them my classic sarcastic thumbs up. This gets the other driver even more fired up (as they're already in a hurry or ticked off by someone else). They typically flick me off, get irritated themselves and speed ahead to continue to cut other people off, continuing a chain of ticked off people.

Now I'm in a bad mood for a moment and I may snap at another person in my car (or someone on my cell phone). I just made that person irritated and they may snap at someone else.

You see where I'm going. You've heard it all before. I don't know about you, but when I'm ticked, I tend to do things faster and not think rationally. I wonder if we didn't snap at people would we all be in better moods each day? Would we be more calm and in less of a hurry?

Patience is key. I have to stop and avoid contributing to the negativity chain. Life is so much bigger than how fast I can get to my destination.

PMC Top 10

"I Do" got back in the PMC top 10 last week.

Check out the latest show.

PD Podcast

Thanks to the Positive Deism Podcast for featuring my music in episode #19.

Check out their site.

MySpace.com

I finally put up a profile on MySpace.com. Very cool site. Great way to network and meet new people. They provide both musician and standard profile formats.

Check out my page.

Monkey Business

"We've heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the Complete Works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true."
~ Robert Wilensky

Hmm... you sure? Well, you can try it here: www.100monkeys.org

Pod N Stuff

Thanks to Mark at the Pod N Stuff Podcast for featuring my music in episode #4.

Check out his site.

All Things Shared

"Some people think that all the world should share their misfortunes, though they do not share in the sufferings of any one else."
~ A. Poincelot

"Friends share all things."
~ Pythagoras

"To have joy one must share it. Happiness was born a twin."
~ Lord Byron

"A good leader is a person who takes a little more than his share of the blame and a little less than his share of the credit."
~ John C. Maxwell

"The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own."
~ Benjamin Disraeli

"Every good thought you think is contributing its share to the ultimate result of your life."
~ Grenville Kleiser

Interesting Quote

"Your own mind is a sacred enclosure into which nothing harmful can enter except by your permission."
~ Arnold Bennett

Adam

Adam
Originally uploaded by Robspiano.

I'm making this post to thank my good friend Adam Safran for being my host in Los Angeles last week. Adam is one of the best guys I know. He is a superb businessman, father of 3, and friend. Be sure to check out his business at www.radarblue.com.

Bel Air

Bel_Air
Originally uploaded by Robspiano.

Thank you to the great staff and members of Bel Air Presbyterian Church (Los Angeles) for having me as a guest artist this past Sunday (I'm at the piano in the lower right). I really had a great day.

Reaching for Lucidity

Thanks to the Reaching for Lucidity Podcast (coming at you from Great Britain) for featuring my music in show #17.

Check out their site.

The Rev Up Review

Thanks to The Rev Up Review at Hotel Mundane Podcast (coming at you from the United Kingdom) for featuring my music in show #9.

Check out their site.

Thanks to Another Rob

Thank you to Robert at the Robert Smoove Music Podcast for featuring my music in show #3.

Check out his site.

Bondtekoe

Thanks to the Bondtekoe Podcast for featuring my music is show #14. Coming at you from the Netherlands.

Check out their site.

Music Success Online

Thank you to Hazel Nieves at the Music Success Online Podcast for featuring me and my music in her "Blogs an Indie Artist Dream Come True!" show.

Check out her site.

Playing in Bel Air

If you're in Los Angeles, be sure to stop by Bel Air Presbyterian Church on Sunday, August 21. I'm making special performances during the 9AM, 11AM, and 6PM services.

Cush

Thanks to Cush at the Cush: Things I Say Podcast for featuring my music in show #12.

Check out his site.

Los Angeles

"Fall is my favorite season in Los Angeles, watching the birds change color and fall from the trees."
~ David Letterman

I'm out in Los Angeles right now. The smog was thick last night. Not quite fall yet, but something's gotta change.

Quote for the Week

"Patience is passion tamed."
~ Lyman Abbott

Hmm. A tough one to live by and accept. Oh, patience, one of life's toughest virtues.

Digital Flotsam

Thanks again to P.W. Fenton. He featured my music once again in the latest episode of Digital Flotsam - The Brain Dead Edition.

Check out his site.

Tartanpodcast

Thank you to Mark at the Tartanpodcast for featuring my music in Sunday's show (#12).

Check out his site.

ChuckChat

Thanks to Chuck at the ChuckChat Podcast for featuring my music in his freestyle Podcast #148.

Check out his site.

Keep On Keepin' On

"Only Robinson Crusoe had everything done by Friday."
~ unknown

That's how I feel right now. Lots I want to do. Make the most of it. One thing at a time. Keep on keepin' on.

Filmmakers Forum

Thanks to Bob & Lou at the Filmmakers Forum Podcast. He featured my music on tonight's show.

Check out his site.

Where I Got My Name...

I had dinner with my parents this evening and was reminded where my name "Rob" (officially Robert) came from. I had forgotten about it (stupid me), and it's quite interesting (at least to me). Back in that day they did not know if I'd be a boy or girl. I think they wanted a girl after having so many boys. Sorry guys, you have another wild child on your hands. :)

My first name came from the TV show My Three Sons. One of the sons was named Robbie. Now, the show ended before I was born, so don't start thinking what you're thinking.

Alright, my middle name "Norman" came from Time magazine. My dad wanted my initials to be the same as his, so he and my mom started flipping through a Time magazine in the delivery room. On the editors page, someone's name was "Norman." There you go. And, hence why some people call me Norm.

Robert Norman Costlow

And, to top it off, my cousin married the grandson of Fred MacMurray (the Father on My Three Sons). Crazy.

I'll get to the whole origin of the surname "Costlow" someday.

Podcast for Peace

Thanks to the Podcast for Peace for featuring my music in the latest show.

Check out their site.

Ever Crashed a Wedding?

It has been awhile since my wife and I got out to the movie theatre. We went to see Wedding Crashers last night. I have to say it is one of the funniest movies (even in all it's vulgarity) we've seen in a long time. Vince Vaughn just let it all out. Trying to refrain from laughing right now. It did have a decent story to it as well.

The movie made me think of my own wedding, as well as many others I've attended in the past.

"Many people spend more time in planning the wedding than they do in planning the marriage"
~ Zig Ziglar

This quote is so true. Make sure you're ready to take on the world with your spouse for the rest of your life. That's the point of marriage. It's not about "giving it a shot" to see if it works or love for a few years. Be head over heals (if you're not, the person is likely not the right person). Not everyday will be perfect, but if you prepare how to handle the good and tough times and make plenty of time for each other, it will only improve your relationship. I highly recommend pre-marital counseling to anyone about to get married. Be sure to cover all the bases and be prepared for the unknown.

Sunset

Sunset
Originally uploaded by Robspiano.

"'Tis the sunset of life gives me mystical lore, And coming events cast their shadows before."
~ Thomas Campbell

Last Saturday I took this photo. It inspired me to keep making the most of everyday.

Licensed for Film

Thank you to Andy Brando Productions (based in the Netherlands) for licensing "L.A./Passing By" for use in an upcoming film.

Back in PMC Top 10

Thank you C-Dogg for hosting the PMC Top 10. "I Do" is #5 this week.

Check out the site.

Digital Flotsam #21

Thank you to P.W. Fenton at the Digital Flotsam Podcast for featuring my music in episode #21, The Projects Edition.

Check out his site.

SnapCast

Thanks to Jeffrey at the SnapCast (aka Snapturtle Podcast) for featuring my music in his 5th episode.

Check out his site.

Italian Born Chinese

All the way from Shanghai, it's the only Podcast in 3 languages, Italian Born Chinese. Thank you John for featuring my music in your latest show.

Check out his site.

New Message Boards

Check out my brand new message boards. Leave me a message or start a topic.

Featured on Spike Lee's 'Inside Man' Podcast

Thanks to PodShow.com for featuring my music in the four episode Podcast from Director Spike Lee. The Podcast takes you behind the scenes and making of his new movie Inside Man (still in production).

Subscribe on iTunes, or click here for the feed.

Search

I wanted to share these quotes I came across today. I found them refreshing and very on target.

Patience! The windmill never strays in search of the wind."
~ Andy J. Sklivis

"It is a shameful thing to be weary of inquiry when what we search for is excellent."
~ Cicero

"The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness."
~ Eric Hoffer

"The search for truth is more precious than its possession."
~ Albert Einstein

"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it."
~ George Moore

"Search others for their virtues, and thyself for thy vices."
~ Thomas Fuller

NTodd Interview

Thanks to NTodd from the NTodd Podcast for interviewing me this week. We had a good time chatting for about an hour I think. Listen to the show.

Check out his site.

Quotes of the Day

"The only way to help yourself is to help others."
~ Elbert Hubbard

"He has the right to criticize who has the heart to help."
~ Abraham Lincoln

"Live, let live, and help live."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"You Are The Guest" Show

Thanks to Bill at the "You Are The Guest" Podcast for having me as a guest yesterday. He also featured some of my music. We had a fun chat.

Check it out (August 2, 2005 show). Click here to subscribe to the show.

Vida-Tech

Thanks to the Vida-Tech Podcast for featuing my music today in episode #41.

Check out their site.

Featured on Channel 13 News

Channel 13 - WTHR (Indianapolis - airs across state of Indiana) came out to my house last week to interview me. The segment airs today at 12:30PM and again at 5:30PM.

A big THANK YOU to Linsey Davis. I'll do my best to get a media file up of the interview soon.