CNN iReport

Second Life is an amazing world with over 300 live music shows every day, free! I've reviewed over 2000 shows myself; this helps us understand the nature of entertainment in new ways. I've taught music promotion in Second Life (SL) for 2 years, promoted some shows, and keep ratings on about 300 musicians for my students, 77 of which are multi-talented world class players. In my related article, I explain why SL musicians are way better performers than real life (RL) rock stars:          http://tiny.cc/8NuGX

Let's explore "Inner Fun" through SL. Tell me, why do some of the world's greatest musicians play here in SL? What is the "soul" of their show? Deep down, we hope it's not for ugly reasons, like greed for money, superficial vanity, or inane self gratification. Heavens no! And I do support musicians getting paid, in fact, I believe the monetary reward for SL talent (less than EU$10/show) is not even close to the entertainment value we receive in abundance.

Now, let's get very deep. The essence of entertainment is the performer sharing as much of themselves (their soul) as humanly possible. At the heart of the matter is love. When we bare our souls, love shines through. If something else shines through, run for the exits! Teleport now! lol For every thesis (i.e. musical narcissism), there is an anti-thesis, and here are some brilliant examples of who's "rocking our SL world" for the right reasons.

There is a wonderful performer in SL who shares so much of himself, his time, his talent, and his passion, that it brings me to tears thinking about the immensity of his contributions to our SL world. Louis Landon in RL is Louis Volare in SL. In RL, Louis is a world class, Las Vegas style entertainer, an amazing professional pianist. In SL, Louis is another animal entirely. Frankly, he's a radical, and I love that about him! Louis passionately cares about making a better world, peace, and justice, and his platform for expression is SL concerts. Recently, I attended Louis's 115th "Improvisation for Peace." In these concerts, Louis creates, and plays for the 1st time publically, an entirely new piano masterpiece dedicated to peace on Earth. And he's done these concerts way over 100 times, several SL nights a week, for over a year! Snaps for Louis! His Improvisation for Peace #115 was so good that I was moved to say exuberantly in chat: "It's a very lush melody... wonderful... complex... and deeply moving!" and "It's one of the most beautiful musical pieces I've ever heard... an instant classic!"

Louis Landon Volare just released his 7th music CD in RL called "Solo Piano for Peace." This CD contains many of the finest pieces from his SL Improvisations for Peace. More information on the CD and Louis is at http://www.louislandon.com

It is really a great honor to have Louis using us in SL as his sounding board and platform for his life's work. He plays for us usually around 7pm on week nights. Join his SL group Peace Revolution or search the SL events listings for his concerts.

It's great to take a break from the constant SL joy of live folk, live blues, and live rock. Lately, I've become a huge fan of piano music and instrumentals. Louis Volare is a terrific example, but there are many others with amazing talents and loving hearts to share. Watch the SL event listings for these awesome instrumental players. Brad Monnett, nicknamed JooZz, is an outstanding jazz pianist, you will love his melody "Wild Keys," it rocks my world! Alazarin Mondrian, leader of the Invisible Band, released a dozen music CDs based on his SL concerts. He has invented his own genre of music: joyful, inspiring, fun, and spacey; I like it! Other favorite SL instrumentalists include: Joaquin Gustav (Flamenco Guitar), Bones Writer (Piano), Winters Kanto (Piano), TB Andel (Guitar and Ukelele), and MJX8P Netizen (Synthesizers).

I'll share another example of a very fine creative talent and world class musician in SL who's beautiful soul shines through his SL works. Junivers Stockholm is the most creative, multi-talented, productive person in SL, bar none. Why? Junivers Stockholm is living legend, songwriter, composer, guitarist, singer, videographer, and leading male star of SL's first rock operas, "The Wall V2" and "The Rings Rock Opera." Junivers composes, writes, plays the music, sings, and stars in major SL shows, as well as many other things. His shows always convey a public service theme; they are message art in the finest artistic tradition. Deservedly, Junivers is the Bono (U2) of SL; but since SL is an amazing platform for creativity, Junivers expresses his public service passion in numerous ways that Bono can never reach in RL. Lately, Junivers is producing multi-media shows involving poetry, with his co-star Medora Chevalier, and particle fireworks spectaculars called "The Light Show." His particle wizard is Jannne Janus. Junivers is launching an Internet TV channel at http://www.livestream.com/junivers

The Rings Rock Opera is not playing now in SL, but I have heard it may come back for a special reprise show sometime. The Wall V2 and The Rings are part of a series of Rock Operas, including a future show, "The Change." Organized through CARP and Diabolus Art Space. See my related iReport about the currently running "Light Show" http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-369911

Louis and Junivers are two outstanding performers, and like Shannon Oherlihy from last week's A&E column, they all have exemplary public service attitudes. I have found that the vast majority of SL performers feel the same way, and deliver their talent for the right reasons and the right causes. Here are a few more of my favorite SL musicians, whose "Inner Fun" show is as beautiful as their magnificent musical expressions: Napthali Hawks*, Blues Heron, Bosco Constantine, Robina Hula, DaveSmall Finesmith, Djai Skjellerup, Buckley Moonwall*, Euodia Baxton, Trulie Telling, Ganjo Mokeev, Burnt Benoir*, Whirli Placebo, KeyPe, Santry Fanbridge, and Casias Falta. *These performers appear on my A List of world class SL talent, along with Shannon, Louis, and Junivers.

P.S. This article is adapted from an SL Enquirer story I wrote, which was lost forever when SL Enquirer replaced its website. I had to bring it back online for the benefit of my friends, admirers, and students. Also, check out my new class!!!

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A Free New Citzens Inc (NCI) Class: Photography & SL Journalism - As SL ppls we have terrific tools to make great photos and then turn them into historic contributions to RL and SL society. Learn the art of photography, how to make great photos happen,  and how to publish your work in the RL/SL history logs of the Blogging Internet and SL news orgs.  Sundays at 6am SecondLife Time (SLT) = US Pacific.
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INSTRUCTOR BIO: I've spent the past year becoming a top SL journalist preparing for this class... Superstar CNN iReporter and pro reporter for SL Newspaper and SL Enquirer. I've written about 100 news stories in SL on very diverse topics... from entertainment to hard political news. My stories have over 33,000 page views on CNN's website. And you know what? You can do this too, and many of you will do way way better! You are the hope of SL and RL future! Make temporary events in SL into permanent message art! That is our common vision and mission!