100 Year Anniversary for Music Great Artie Shaw

On May 23rd the music world celebrated 100 years of Artie Shaw and his inspiration to big band music in America. 

Arthur Jacob Arshawsky used music as an escape from his life in Connecticut.  He left his family as soon as he got his first saxophone and taught himself to play.  Artie Shaw moved on to be one of the most popular musicians of his time.  He made his break with Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine".  After that, his career took off.  He hired Billie Holiday to be the first black singer to tour with a white band in 1938.

Artie Shaw became a media phenomenon.  He was known for dating actresses and models during the 1940s.  He was making more money than others in the business by the young age of 30.  At the age of 44, Shaw made a trip to Spain for 5 years.  He came back to the states and made the tough decision to end his music career.  After all of his music success, he spent the last years of his life writing memoirs.  Shaw died in 2004 at the age of 94.

"I've done things that nobody has ever done before," Shaw said. "And if you think that's easy, try it."Artie Shaw.

Lena Horne Dies at age 92.

Legendary singer and actress Lena Mary Calhoun Horne died on Sunday May 9th at the age of 92.  The famous singer is most noted for her breakthrough fame as a female African American singer.  During the 1940s Horne was the first black woman performer to appear on-screen as a lead actress. 

Lena Horne made her mark in the entertainment industry performing next to fellow legends such as Bing Crosby, Perry Como and Frank Sinatra.  She led a successful career filled with Grammy Awards and movie success.  She has gone on to inspire some of today's most famous musicians such as Janet Jackson and Alicia Keys.

"I'm free. I no longer have to be a 'credit.' I don't have to be a symbol to anybody; I don't have to be a first to anybody. I don't have to be an imitation of a white woman that Hollywood sort of hoped I'd become. I'm me, and I'm like nobody else." Lena Horne 1998.

Grand Ole Opry Hit Hard by Flooding

Heavy flooding in Nashville, TN has forced the Grand Ole Opry to close it's doors temporarily.  The record breaking rains cause the local Cumberland River to raise over 10 feet.  The famous venue has several feet of water flooding it's space and posing a serious threat to it's old stage.  The Grand Ole Opry remains the most prestigous country venues in the country.  It's home to some of America's most famous country icons including Carrie Underwood, Patsy Cline, Garth Brooks and Dolly Parton.

But as they say "the show must go on" and the Grand Ole Opry house will still be having their shows at other Nashville venues until the damage is taken care of.