Jessica Sanchez Donates Via Charity Single

After making waves in American Idol Season 11 (2012) and winning 2nd place, Jessica Sanchez is one artist to watch out for.  Busy with her singing career in the United States of America doing shows and tours, she first released her debut single last March 21. Titled "Tonight," the song features Ne-Yo and is now enjoying heavy exposure on radio and tv channels and also charting Top 1-5 on radio stations all over the Philippines.

Last May 14, Jessica Sanchez finally released her first solo album called "Me, You & the Music" on MCA Music that's brimming with high-energy beat repertoire.  The debut album features 13 tracks, including "Tonight" featuring Ne-Yo and "No One Compares" featuring Prince Royce in Spanglish version.

Jessica Sanchez at the press conference arranged by
MCA Music to promote her debut album and the charity single

Being half Filipino, it is inevitable that Jessica Sanchez does her share to raise funds to help the typhoon Yolanda survivors in the Philippines.  As of this writing, she is here in the country to promote her new charity single "Lead Me Home" that was released in iTunes.  Proceeds from single sales will be donated to the Red Cross benefiting typhoon Yolanda survivors.  To preview and download the song, click here: http://smarturl.it/JS-LeadMeHome.

"Lead Me Home" is actually the first single from the forthcoming Original Cast Recording, "Heartbeat of Home," a new music and dance spectacular with music by Brian Byrne.  The full length album will be released under MCA Music/Universal Music Philippines in February 2014.

It is really wonderful to know that a lot of individuals and organizations (even countries) are helping out for the rehabilitation of the devastated Tacloban and nearby affected cities.  May God bless them back.  God bless Jessica!

Three Boy-Bands, One Greatest Hits Tour

A1, 98 Degrees and Blue...these guys were making music hits left and right more than a decade ago so what can concert goers expect when they see The Greatest Hits Tour Live in Manila 2012 tonight at the SMART Araneta Coliseum?

At the press conference held at the Mactan Room of Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, the boys, err men, have this to say, "We are better looking, we sing better and we are better performers now." I agree and may I add that they are indeed charming in person?

A1's Christian Ingebrigtsen, Ben Adams and Mark Read

And since the show is about their greatest hits, the guys are expected to sing their familiar tunes but fans should look forward to British-Norwegian group A1's new and exciting rendition of their smash hit "Like A Rose." A1 member Ben Adams, who wrote the song for his mom when he was just 16, was thrilled to announce the performance of the said version, "We have just updated it for a brand new version for 2012, which was amazingly fun to do! Very excited for you all to hear it!" The two other A1 members joining Ben in the show are Mark Read and Christian Ingebrigtsen. A1's big hits include "Ready or Not/Everything," "Same Old Brand New You," "Caught in the Middle," "Make it Good," and "Take on Me."

98 Degrees' Jeff Timmons

Joining A1 for the Wilbros Live produced concert are contemporaries Blue and Jeff Timmons, lead vocalist of 98 Degrees. When asked about his favorite 98 Degrees song, Jeff said,"Out of all the hits, Invisible Man is my favorite. It is the most soulful of our radio songs, and it was the first song we ever heard of ourselves on the radio." Other 98 Degrees hits include "I Do," "Because of You," "My Everything," and "The Hardest Thing." Jeff likewise revealed his plan to release new recordings soon.

Blue's Duncan James, Lee Ryan, Anthony Costa and Simon Webbe

On the other hand, English pop vocal group Blue, comprised of Simon Webbe, Lee Ryan, Duncan James and Anthony Costa, will refresh fans with their hits like "All Rise," "Too Close," "If You Come Back," "Fly By," "One Love," "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word," "Guilty," and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)."

Here's a short video of the guys singing their favorite hit songs.

For ticket inquiries, call TicketNet Box Office at 911-5555 or Wilbros Live at 374-2222.

Filed under SHOWS

Solenn Sizzles

Those who don't know or haven't heard of Solenn Heussaff by this day must be living under a rock. The French-Filipina beauty, who is also a talented fashion designer and make-up artist, has graced the covers and fashion editorials of numerous magazines; is seen on TV and billboards for her endorsements; was a reality show contender and now a TV host and budding actress.

Solenn Heussaff did Q&A before singing before the press

A Jill-of-all-traits? Perhaps. Or maybe she just wants to try out all possibilities in life before she settles on one career to make her mark. Or she is able to do all that and more out of sheer talent plus a combination of good luck and hard work. Now she adds another feather to her cap as she releases her debut self-titled album "Solenn."

The debut album

The album encapsulates Solenn -- fun, sassy and sexy. The carrier single "Fire" is a remake of the Bruce Springsteen original which Solenn transforms into a danceable beat, her seductive singing voice making it hotter. She also takes on hits like Sheryl Crow's "All I Wanna Do", Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn" as well as singing her versions of The Other Two's "Selfish", Prince's "Kiss" and Bruno Mars' "It's Our First Time."

"Solenn" CD plus mini-magazine containing her photos

She shared during the press con that she is more of a singer than a musician (although she took up years of classes for piano and saxophone and wanted to learn guitar because it is "sexy") but she tried her hand at song writing via a collaboration with ex-Rivermaya frontman Rico Blanco for "Chemistry", a song they co-wrote. Another original track to watch out for is "Ladies Night" which features Viktoria Vixen. Solenn's debut album under MCA Music is now out in CD's with a mini-mag of her images.

My signed "Solenn" album

Solenn is nervous about performing before a big audience but her love for singing prevails as she will be having her first major concert "Solenn On Stage" on August 19 and 26, 8 pm at Teatrino Promenade, Greenhills. Joining her are special guests Ogie Alcasid, Geoff Taylor and her brother Erwan Heussaff. For ticket inquiries, please call Ticketworld at 8919999, Music Museum at 7210635 or Teatrino at 7216726.

So what are you waiting for? Whether you buy the CD or watch the concert, Solenn -- the person and the CD -- sizzles.