Artists In Residency

2017's artists are; Chris Burke, Darren Cinque, Matthew Huff, Antonio Rullez, Max Merseny, Steven Feifke, and Yeho!

Exclusive Interviews!

"The Beat!" has the very best artists speaking to us exclusively like; Eric Alán, Cristobal, Ryan Adames, Deirdre, Guy Scheiman, Richie Arci, Eddy Barrena, Darren Cinque, Jesse Johnson, Max Merseny, Breaux Gargano, Sean O’Reilly, Luca Savazzi, Alex Serra, and MORE!

Rick Astley is on fire with "50!"

"Rick Astley is selling out tour dates globally with his timeless classics and new hits!

The Song: "Don't Cry For Me Argentina!"

"The Beat!" has a brand new series entitled; "The Song." This series features the best of songs/the singers/stories and how they became to be.

Barry Conrad is "Dancing On My Own!"

"The Beat! is featuring the hot Aussie dancer, actor and dancer in an exclusive interview!

Jesse Johnson (Preview of Exclusive Interview)


Jesse Johnson - is a hot commodity in the Broadway theater world. Jesse is having a very successful career from his Broadway roles as Boq in the hit; Wicked, Glory Days playing the role of Jack, and Xanadu

On top of the hectic theatrical work; Jesse has his first EP released this year entitled "Ginger Love," A true labor of love for this multifaceted actor, singer, dancer, and entrepreneur. Jesse's current EP is a very well received album (I am loving it and have to say Jesse is one of my favorites!). The kick-off for the release of the EP was at the famous New York City venue; The Bitter End.      

Here at "The Beat!" I am very excited to say that we have a very exclusive interview with this amazing singer/actor Jesse Johnson. Jesse will be talking about his current EP, up-coming album/vocal collaborations, touring, being part of a retail store and performance space within NYC, his past theatrical projects, and much more!

Now, take a look at the special teaser video message from Jesse especially made for "The Beat!" where he gives us some great insight into his outgoing and hilarious personality! Jesse even shares his vocals with us! See it here exclusively where Jesse sits with us and will get your GINGER LOVE! 

Jesse Johnson Official Website: http://jessejpjohnson.com/
Jesse Johnson on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/jesse-johnson/id940249888
Jesse Johnson on Twitter: @jessejpjohnson
 





The Holidays with Natalie Cole!


Natalie Cole - has one of the loveliest voices of ladies which only makes sense with her father being the great Nat King Cole. I have for years adored Natalie Cole as a singer and performer. Natalie is one lady that opposed to many of her contemporary's has kept her vocals in tact and sounds truly timeless. A stable for my Christmas music enjoyment is always Natalie Cole and her wide array of holiday songs and albums. My personal favorite is her 1994 holiday album entitled; "Holly & Ivy."

"Holly & Ivy" is celebrating it's 20th Anniversary and is one of my all time favorite albums since buying it in 1994 to this day. Natalie brings her always classy, soul, passion into each of the tracks of this particular holiday album. It is set with her lush big band sounds and powerful vocals and emotions that one can tell this is not a phoned in album rather a classic that stays true to the songs and makes the listener go on the journey both jubilant and sentimental. This is one classic lady and album that I always listen to annually come the holiday season from start to finish. My favorites have to be;
"Joy To The World" "Jingle Bells" "No More Blue Christmas" "Silent Night" "The Christmas Song" & "The Holly & The Ivy."

In 1993, David Foster released another of my staples now since it first was released as a go-to for the holiday season where he featured Natalie performing; "Grown Up Christmas List" & "White Christmas" (the later being recorded with other greats also featured on the album such as; Michael Crawford, Johnny Mathis, Wynonna Judd, Vanessa Williams, BeBe & CeCe Winans).

In 1999, Natalie Cole released another holiday album and this time with the London Symphony Orchestra where she did lovely recordings of; "O Tanenbaum" "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" "Sleigh Ride""Carol of the Bells" and one of my favorites of the album; "Mary, Did You Know."

Natalie also recorded a live holiday album in December 1995 entitled; "A Celebration of Christmas." The powerful powerhouses of opera joined her this time being both Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras. All tracks on this album were sung by all three of the artists and were simply a glorious collaboration.

Now when you are looking for a classic album and singer for the holiday season look no further to one of my all time favorites and go-to ladies Natalie Cole!


Darren Cinque releases "Because of You" new single/video



Darren Cinque - one of our "Artists In Residence" here at "The Beat!" has big news of a brand new single and music video out entitled; "Because of You." I am pleased that Darren is sharing the video and putting into his own words the concept of the music video which as the song was very well thought out and executed. Check-out the music video below along with Darren speaking to us about his new bundle of joy being his new single/music video that you will love! 







A recording studio in the middle of nowhere...would you imagine?

This is where my new single "Because of you" came to light, years ago.

I was playing in a band by the name of Lomo. An alternative rock outfit. We were in lock down in a recording studio for a couple of weeks in Lombardy, North of Italy. Literally there was absolutely nothing around us except rice fields.

A great place for full concentration on recording as well as "writing" new material.

After a long day of recording (perhaps about 2 hours recording and then sitting around listening to the others record their parts) - I sat at the lovely concert grand piano in the live room where I started dabbling on the tune for "Because of you".

Since I was far from my loved one and was missing her dearly, the words for the song came easily.
The language of love is universal, it speaks to everybody, and relates to every aspect of our lives - be it our soul mate or even a place we belong to - I guess this song can trigger different interpretations.
The music was pretty fitting from the word go as well, so the song pretty much wrote itself within moments...just the way I like it - rather than those songs that take weeks or months to write, where you can't find the right hook, or lyrics...they just don't work for me...you lose the vibe. So I was pretty satisfied.


The video was directed by Luca Orsi who also directed all my other videos. I chose him for the job yet once again because of our great synergy. He knows what I'm thinking as soon as I start explaining what I want.


Why "Because of you"?
 I guess I needed and it was expected of me by my fans to put out a ballad. This is a slow song and has only piano and voice, but the plan is to record it again some day soon with complete instrumentation. But anyway, I thought that the melody and words manage to stand on their own and give the right idea of my song, so I went with it.
I'm pretty happy with the response so far!


As a kid I always watched music videos on MTV etc., I would record them on VHS cassettes and watch them over and over again. I was drawn to the different styles and always thought if I ever get to make a music video one day, I would like it to be just like this.
The first thing I decided as a "must" for this video was to have a grand piano to play on. Grand piano - yeah!! - and then as a bonus, a beautiful room filled with stunning furniture as well as a view of a lake in the north Lombardy Italy region helped set the mood of the song.


Darren Cinque - "BECAUSE OF YOU" copyright 2014.


Renée Fleming as the Merry Widow!




Renée Fleming - the opera diva is going to star in the Metropolitan Opera's new production of Lehar's operetta; "The Merry Widow." The world premiere is on New Year's Eve with an excellent cast in every aspect. Susan Stroman, the Broadway director and choreographer whom is directing this production with past credits being the hugely successful productions of; "Contact" "The Producers" and many more. Along with Susan Stroman the design team is the best being Julian Crouch and William Ivey Long for costume design whom also did the costumes for Broadway's productions; "Cinderella" "Hairspray" etc. The sets along with costumes are lavish and vibrant with rich colors. Ones eyes will be filled with beauty and ears with the best cast.

In addition to Renée Fleming in the starring role as Sonia with her leading man Nathan Gunn playing the role of Danilo whose is captivated by Sonia by first site. Broadway super star Kelli O'Hara the star of Broadway productions of; "The Bridges of Madison County" "The Pajama Game" the 2001 revival of "Follies" and much more. Kelli plays the role Valencienne. Susan Graham the mezzo-soprano star will take on the title role later in 2015. For any fan that will be unable to attend this production in NYC have no fear it will be filmed and telecast for the movie theater's and I am sure for PBS.