Rueben's Ramblings

In my world, I couldn’t live without music. As I’ve shared for years now, I wake up to music every single day rather than an alarm. Every night I go to bed with music playing. The first thing I do after I start my car is turn on the radio. Whenever I leave my house, my music is playing as I don’t like to have a quiet house – even when I’m not around.

Music may not be for everyone, but I couldn’t function without it.

Since music plays a crucial role in my life, I wanted – like for so many years – to take the time to highlight just some of the songs, performers and video moments from this past year:

Best New Male Singer – Lewis Capaldi

Lewis has been a performing for most of his life, but it was his current single “Someone You Loved” that catapulted him into global stardom:

You can watch his video for that single here:

Best New Female Singer – Billie Eilish

This unconventional 18-year-old singer from Los Angeles began singing when she was a young girl. She released her first single in 2015 on SoundCloud, and released several other singles and an EP over the next few years; but it was her 2019 album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” – which debuted at number 1 on the Billboard charts – that shot her to the top of heap.

Here is the video to her hit single “Bad Guy”:

Best Duets – Sam Smith and Normani “Dancing with a Stranger” and Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello “Senorita

Here is the video for “Dancing with a Stranger”:

Here is the video for “Senorita”:

Top R&B Artist – Lizzo

The Detroit native hit it big this year with her third album “Cuz I Love You,” which peaked inside the top five of the Billboard 200. She is not only a singer and songwriter, but also an actress and flautist.

Here is the video for her big hit “Good As Hell”:

Most Moving Song from a Box Office Film – Cynthia Erivo “Stand Up” from Harriet

The Broadway star shined in the lead role in this box office movie and easily stirs a lot of emotion in the amazing video to the song.

Here is the video for “Stand Up”:

Top Country Hit and Women’s Anthem – Maren Morris “Girl”

The last time a song from a female artist topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart was in February 2018 until this January when “Girl” was released.

Here is the video for “Girl”:

Best TV Performance By a Duo – Taylor Swift and Brendan Urie performing “ME!” on the Billboard Music Awards

The duo opened the show with lots of color, a marching band and umbrellas, performing the song – which had just been released a few days before – as if they’d been performing it for a long time.

You can see the opening performance to the award show here:

Hit Song of the Year – Post Malone “Circles”

The singer-rapper released this song in August and it quickly became a number one hit of the Billboard charts.

Here is the lyric video for “Circles”:

Still Going Strong – Pink

Nearly 20 years after hitting the charts for the first time, Pink is still going strong, releasing her 8th album this year, featuring the hit single “Walk Me Home”.

Here is Pink’s video for “Walk Me Home”:

Which artists stood out for you over this past year? What was your favorite song? Which songs did you get sick of hearing on the radio? What song could you listen to over and over again? What was the top album in your opinion? Please share your thoughts on the music of 2019 below.

TOMORROW: Movies

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Every year there are lots of awards shows, some important, some just fun and numerous just plain silly or nonsensical, but the following list is just some of the top winners over the course of the year:

GOLDEN GLOBES (January)

Best Drama Picture – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Actor Drama Picture – Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour
Best Comedy TV Series – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture – Allison Janney in I, Tonya
Best Animated Film – Coco
Best Original Song – This Is Me from The Greatest Showman
Best Drama TV Series – The Handmaid’s Tale
Best Actor Drama TV Series – Sterling K. Brown in This Is Us
Best Actress Drama TV Series – Elisabeth Moss in The Handmaid’s Tale
Best Actress Comedy Series in a TV Series – Rachel Brosnahan in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Best Actress Limited TV Series – Nicole Kidman in Big Little Lies
Cecil B. DeMille Award – Oprah Winfrey

CRITIC’S CHOICE AWARDS (January)

Motion Pictures:

Best Picture – The Shape of Water
Best Actress – Frances McDormand in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Young Actor/Actress – Brooklynn Prince in The Florida Project
Best Cinematography – Roger Deakins for Blade Runner 2049
Best Costume Design – Mark Bridges for Phantom Thread
Best Action Movie – Wonder Woman
Best Actress in a Comedy – Margot Robbie in I, Tonya

Television:

Best Supporting Actor in TV Drama – David Harbour in Stranger Things
Best Actor in a TV Comedy – Ted Danson in The Good Place
Best Limited TV Series – Big Little Lies

NAACP IMAGE AWARDS (January)

Entertainer of the Year – Ava DuVernay
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture – Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture – Octavia Spencer in Gifted
Outstanding Actress in a TV Comedy – Tracee Ellis Ross in black-ish
Outstanding Actress in a TV Drama – Taraji P. Henson in Empire
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a TV Drama – Joe Morton in Scandal
Outstanding Male Artist – Bruno Mars
Outstanding Female Artist – Mary J. Blige

SAG AWARDS (January)

Actress TV Drama – Clarie Foy in The Crown
Actor in Limited TV Series – Alexander Skarsgard in Big Little Lies
Ensemble in a Motion Picture – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

GRAMMY AWARDS (January)

Album of the Year – 24K Magic by Bruno Mars
Top Country Album – From a Room, Vol. 1 by Chris Stapleton
New Artist – Alessia Cara
Pop Duo/Group Performance – Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man
Top Rock Song – Run by Foo Fighters
Song Written for Visual Media – How Far I’ll Go from Moana by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Score Soundtrack for Visual Media – La La Land
Musical Theater Album – Dear Evan Hansen

RAZZIE AWARDS (March)

Worst Picture – The Emoji Movie
Worst Actor – Tom Cruise in The Mummy
Worst Supporting Actress – Kim Basinger in Fifty Shades Darker
Worst Remake, Rip-Off or Sequel – Fifty Shades Darker

OSCARS (March)

Best Picture – The Shape of Water
Original Screenplay – Get Out by Jordan Peele
Film Editing – Lee Smith for Dunkirk
Best Supporting Actor – Sam Rockwell in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS (May)

Top Male Artist – Ed Sheeran
Top Female Artist – Taylor Swift
Top Duo/Group – Imagine Dragons
Top Country Female Artist – Maren Morris
Top Soundtrack – Moana
Top Dance/Electronic Song – Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers & Coldplay

TONY AWARDS (June)

Best Play – Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two
Best Musical – The Band’s Visit
Best Revival of a Play – Angels in America
Best Actor in Leading Role in a Play – Andrew Garfield in Angels in America
Best Actress in Leading Role in a Play – Glenda Jackson in Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women
Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play – Nathan Lane in Angels in America

MTV MOVIE & TV AWARDS (June)

Best Movie – Black Panther
Bet Performance in a Show Female – Millie Bobby Brown in Stranger Things
Best Hero – Chadwick Boseman (T’Challa/Black Panther) in Black Panther
Best Villain – Michael B. Jordan (N’Jadaka/Erik Killmonger) in Black Panther
Scene Stealer – Madelaine Petsch (Cheryl Blossom) in Riverdale
Best Fight – Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) vs. German Soldiers in Wonder Woman

BET AWARDS (June)

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist – Bruno Mars
Video Director of the Year – Ava Duvernay
Best Actress – Tiffany Haddish
Young Stars Award – Yara Shahidi

SATURN AWARDS (June)

Best Action/Adventure Film – The Greatest Showman
Best Independent Film – Wonder
Best Actor in a Film – Mark Hamill in Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Best Actress in a Film – Gal Gadot in Wonder Woman
Best Supporting Actor in a Film – Patrick Stewart in Logan
Best Supporting Actress in a Film – Danai Gurira in Black Panther
Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Film – Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Homecoming
Best Fantasy TV Series – Outlander
Best Superhero Adaptation TV Series – The Flash
Best New Media TV Series: – Star Trek: Discovery
Best New Media Superhero Series – Marvel’s The Punisher
Best Actress on TV: Sonequa Martin-Green in Star Trek: Discovery

TELEVISION CRITICS ASSOCIATION AWARDS (August)

Achievement in Drama – Keri Russell in The Americans
Achievement in Comedy – Rachel Brosnahan in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Outstanding New Program – Killing Eve
Outstanding Achievement in Comedy – The Good Place
Lifetime Achievement – Rita Moreno
Heritage Award – Friends

TEEN CHOICE AWARDS (August)

Choice Action Movie- Avengers: Infinity War
Choice Sci-Fi Movie – Black Panther
Choice Sci-Fi Movie Actor – Chris Hemsworth in Thor: Ragnarok
Choice Sci-Fi Movie Actress – Letitia Wright in Black Panther
Choice Fantasy Movie Actress – Carrie Fisher in Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Choice Comedy Movie – Love, Simon
Choice Comedy Movie Actor – Dwayne Johnson in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Choice Summer Movie Actor – Chris Pratt in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Choice Drama TV Show – Riverdale
Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show – Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments
Choice Action TV Actor – Grant Gustin in The Flash
Choice Action TV Actress – Melissa Benoist in Supergirl
Choice Comedy TV Actor – Jaime Camil in Jane the Virgin
Choice Comedy TV Actress – Gina Rodriguez in Jane the Virgin
Choice Summer TV Star – Olivia Holt in Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger
Choice Breakout TV Star – Vanessa Morgan in Riverdale
Choice Female Artist – Camila Cabello
Choice Country Artist – Carrie Underwood
Choice Collaboration – Rewrite the Stars by Zac Efron & Zendaya from The Greatest Showman soundtrack
Choice Summer Male Artist – Shawn Mendes

MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS (August)

Artist of the Year – Camila Cabello
Best Pop – No Tears Left to Cry by Ariana Grande
Best Rock – Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons

EMMY AWARDS (September)

Drama Series – Game of Thrones
Lead Actress in a Drama Series – Claire Foy in The Crown
Lead Actor in a Drama Series – Matthew Rhys in The Americans
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Thandie Newton in Westworld
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Peter Dinklage in Game of Thrones
Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie – Darren Criss in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie – Merritt Wever in Godless
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Alex Borstein in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Henry Winkler in Barry

AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS (October)

Favorite Female Artist Country – Carrie Underwood
Favorite Artist Alternative Rock – Panic! At The Disco
Favorite Soundtrack – The Album, Music From And Inspired By Black Panther

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS (November)

Movie of 2018 – Avengers: Infinity War
Comedy Movie – The Spy Who Dumped Me
Family Movie – Incredibles 2
Action Movie Star – Danai Gurira in Black Panther
Show of 2018 – Shadowhunters
Drama Show – Riverdale
Male TV Star – Harry Shum Jr. in Shadowhunters
Female TV Star – Katherine McNamara in Shadowhunters
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show – Wynonna Earp
Male Artist – Shawn Mendes
Country Artist – Blake Shelton

GOTHAM AWARDS (November)

Best Feature – The Rider
Best Actor – Ethan Hawke in First Reformed
Best Actress – Toni Collette in Hereditary
Breakthrough Actor – Elsie Fisher in Eighth Grade
Breakthrough Series, Long Form – Killing Eve
Jury Award for Ensemble Performance – Rachel Weisz, Olivia Colman and Emma Stone in The Favourite
Audience Award – Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Congratulations to all of the above winners (and the countless others who won awards) this year. Are any of the above your favorites? Do you think there was an actor or actress who was overlooked this year? Please share your thoughts.

TOMORROW: In Memorium

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I don’t know about the rest of you, but in my world I couldn’t live without music.

As I’ve shared for years now, I wake up to music every single day rather than an alarm. Every night I go to bed with music playing. The first thing I do after I start my car is turn on the radio. Whenever I leave my house, my music is playing as I don’t like to have a quiet house – even when I’m not around.

Music may not be for everyone, but I couldn’t function without it.

Since music plays a crucial role in my life, I wanted – like for so many years – to take the time to highlight just some of the songs, performers and video moments from this past year:

Top Female Singer of the Year – Camila Cabello

Here is the video to her number one hit single “Havana”:

Top Male Singer of the Year – Shawn Mendes

Here is the video for his hit single “In My Blood”:

Top Band of the Year – Panic! At The Disco

Here is the video for their hit song “Say Amen (Saturday Night)”:

Man This Guy Can Sing – Brendon Urie from Panic! At The Disco

Here is a video of Brendon and the band performing “Bohemian Rhapsody” live from Sydney for the American Music Awards:

Best New Band – lovelytheband

Here is the video for their song “Broken”:

Like Father, Like Son – Andrea Bocelli and Matteo Bocelli

Here is the video for their single “Fall On Me”:

Top Song From a Box Office Movie – “Shallow” from A Star Is Born (Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper)

Here is the video for the single:

What An Incredible Recreation – Rami Malek performing as Freddie Mercury in the box office Bohemian Rhapsody

Check this link that features the side-by-side video.

Top Pop Song of the Year – “The Middle” by country music singer Maren Morris, record producer Zedd and musical duo Grey

Here is the video:

Top Country Singer – Kacey Musgraves

Here is the video for the title song from her latest album “Golden Hour,” which has been getting critical buzz and winning the talented singer awards:

Let’s Run Off to the Circus – “The Greatest Showman – Reimagined”

Here are some of the official lyric videos for some of the reimagined songs:

Kelly Clarkson “Never Enough”

Pink “A Million Dreams”

The reimagined album also includes Panic! At The Disco, Sara Bareilles, Zac Brown Band, Pentatonix and Kesha [among others].

Merry Christmas to One and All – “Christmas Party” by The Monkees

Their first EVER Christmas album two years after their 50th Anniversary album came out.

The Monkees – “Unwrap You At Christmas” (Official Lyric Video)

Which artists stood out for you over this past year? What was your favorite song? Which songs did you get sick of hearing on the radio? What song could you listen to over and over again? What was the top album in your opinion? Please share your thoughts on the music of 2018 below.

TOMORROW: Movies

Read Full Post »

As I’ve always said, in my world I couldn’t live without music.

Every day I wake up to music rather than an alarm. Every night I go to bed with music playing. The first thing I do after I start my car is turn on the radio. Whenever I leave my house, my music is playing as I don’t like to have a quiet house – even when I’m not around.

Music may not be for everyone, but I couldn’t function without it.

Since music plays a crucial role in my life, I wanted to take the time to highlight just some of the songs, performers and video moments from this past year:

Best New Female Singer – Alice Merton

Here is the video for her single “No Roots”:

Best New Male Singer – Rag’n’Bone Man

Here is the video for “Human”:

They Are Still Going Strong [TIE]– Kelly Clarkson and Pink

Here is Kelly’s video for “Love So Soft”:

Here is Pink’s video for “What About Us”:

And check out the two powerhouse singers performing at the 2017 American Music Awards:

Best New Group – Haim

Here is the video for “Want You Back”:

Most Moving Song of the Year – “Praying” by Kesha

Here is the video of Kesha performing the song live:

Best Hit of the Year – “Feel It Still” by Portugal.The Man

Here is the video:

Best Pop Rock Song of the Year – “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons

Here is the video:

She’s Not Kidding Around Anymore – “Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift

Here is the video:

Best Dance Tune – “Don’t Lay Me Down” by The Chainsmokers featuring Daya

Here is the video:

Best Song from a Sophomore Album [Three-Way TIE] – “Too Good at Goodbyes” by Sam Smith; “Attention” by Charlie Puth and “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back” by Shawn Mendes

Here is the video by Sam:

Here is the video from Charlie

Here is the video from Shawn

How the Hell Did They Film That (and Have Insurance to Cover It All) – “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles

Best Rock Song and Look at Life in America – “Walk on Water” by Thirty Seconds to Mars:

Here is the video:

Oh What a Great Cover – “Beauty and the Beast” by Leroy Sanchez & Lorea Turner

Which artists stood out for you over this past year? What was your favorite song? Which songs did you get sick of hearing on the radio? What song could you listen to over and over again? What was the top album in your opinion? Please share your thoughts on the music of 2016 below.

TOMORROW: Movies

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