The Final Countdown

Last Day to PLEDGE to "Operation Mustard Seed"!

The Deadline on “Operation Mustard Seed” is FAST approaching. 

If you're a regular reader of my blog you almost definitely know all about Operation Mustard Seed.  However for anyone new to the Greek Girl blog, let me bring you up to speed.  People have been asking for more music, so after a life-changing event, much prayer and reflection I've decided to turn my dream over to God Focusing on making my 1st Faith-Based Contemporary Christian Music Album!  

So my husband Keith (my hero who makes my website, music videos, and pretty much everything you see of Greek Girl besides the music) and I put together a crowd funding campaign on fundanything.com to raise the funds to do the recording through selling Advanced Copies of the New Album & other creative rewards in return for people pledging. I would be honored to have your involvement & support on this journey!

There are many Pledge Options, and all pledges over $5 come with cool REWARDS including Music, Art & More! I believe with all of my heart that my Music & Message have made a Positive Impact.

So, if you're like me and think the world could use a little less #twerking, Auto-Tune & Shock & Awe in Music and more "Music" in the Music Industry that Means Something…. I'm asking YOU to join in helping to make this NEW Album. 

Time is Running Out! ENDS This FRIDAY DEC. 13th!

Please watch the video, I would be honored to have your support and appreciate your time, resources, and sharing the link with friends, family & social media!  Have a Great Day!

PLEDGE Here:

https://fundanything.com/en/campaigns/operation-mustard-seed?col=-29526

Blessings ~
Ava :D
www.avaaston.com

Oh No Not Again

So I was getting ready the other day to head Upstate NY where I would be working on my new music video for, "I Don't Even Care" when I was shocked to read the latest news blurb.  It turns out, yet again in an unfortunate scenario a young and aspiring artist jumped to her death off the George Washington Bridge.  What's so awful about this is that she did it out of being "bullied" in the workplace.  She apparently also had a history of being bullied early on in both high school and while working as a model.

Now you might be wondering why Greek Girl is blogging about such a sad story.  Well, it's simple: I HATE BULLIES!

Here's my point:  Unless you have heard the song you wouldn't know, "I Don't Even Care" is written about this very issue.  In my own life I have faced bullies for as far back as I can remember.  It wasn't because I came from a lower income family or that I was the little "fat-kid", it was with my music.  Even now I face it with the know-it-all so-called "experts" and critics who say I am too old to have a music career, or that my political views are wrong and even that I am a Christian.  I mean what is this world coming too?

Take this girl who killed herself for instance.  Here she is trying to build a life in the Fashion Industry.  Meanwhile her colleagues are tearing at her and beating her up verbally so much that out of some twisted sense of revenge and self-pity she ended her life.  Why?  What is going on in our world that we are so obsessed with having to make other people feel bad about themselves in order to puff our own selves up?  What is it that we must despise people and treat them so poorly that they would do something such as kill themselves?

I know all too well what it's like to face these giants in life.   I am often faced with being unaccepted, mocked or ridiculed and I am not even in any major spot-light like the typical "celebrity".  It's for this reason I wrote this song and am now working with my husband to develop the music video.  It's with a passion I want the world to know it's not okay to bully people and for those who are being bullied they can stand up and they are not alone.

For whatever reason we as a society have gone in the wrong direction. On one hand we celebrate people because they can sing or dance, hit a ball or run the fastest and even have lists for the "100 Hottest" of whatever.  Meanwhile the media is out there doing everything they can to destroy the very people they are putting on a pedestal.  So it's a twisted web people have been indoctrinated into.  We praise those for superficial greatness then can't wait to tear them down.  Everyone is vying for the most attention and greatness.  Everywhere we turn there is another reality show promising to make "stars" out of anyone and everyone and that it doesn't take hard work to succeed.  Then we glamorize the demise and destruction of these same "stars" and like cannibals we feed off of and relish in the idea of watching someone fall and fail.

My question to you is, "when are we going to start turning the tables?"  When are we as a society ever going to wake up and realize we need to celebrate hard work and intelligence.  We are becoming a self-obsessed society that is focused on stardom and pick on and beat up on the "nerd" who will most-likely one day be your boss and write your paycheck.

God made us all with unique talents and unique abilities and unique looks.  Each of us is made special for our own purpose that God has for us to fulfill.  But because we live in a society full of celebrating the wrong kind of success most forget or lose track of what great things they can become and never know why God put them here in the first place.  We need more Doctors and Rocket Scientists not more Justin Bieber's or Kim Kardashian's.  On top of that the last thing we need is more Michael Vick's and cheaters like Lance Armstrong.

Now some of you may say "What about you Greek Girl? Aren't you chasing the same stardom?!?" But it's not the same thing.  I have been working as a singer and actor for many years.  It's not a pipe-dream or something I want to just "try out".  This is who I am and what I know God put me on this Earth to do.  To sing and perform as a positive role model, to be salt and light in this crazy messed up world.  This is why I am working tirelessly to win in the VeeWall Original Song Contest.  Winning will give me the chance to connect with more people and organizations in an effort to share my message.  It's the same message found in my song, "I Don't Even Care".  You can Click Here to read the entire story about me and what I want to do with my music career.  So, if you want to help me in making a difference and help me start a change in our society,  I would very much appreciate it.  Winning is far more than the prize money.  It is a tool I need to put my message out there and help maybe stop the next bullied person from taking their own life and making a positive difference in a world so full of hate.

Click Here To Vote For ava

Blessings, Love & Music~

Ava xo :)
www.avaaaston.com

Click here to vote for Ava

This is My Story

Do what makes your heart happy!

I wanted to take a minute to share what is on my heart.  Most of my friends and fans know what Greek Girl is all about.  You know what I stand for, what my values and ideology are, and what I feel I have been put on this earth to do, and for how long I have been working towards it.

However there are people who are new to my music and message and for those people I wanted to take a minute to explain why the average person would want to help me in this endeavor, and tell you my story.

As a Christian my goal is to be a positive influence to people using the talent that God Blessed me with.  In all honesty my desire is to be a singing philanthropist.  To be able to use my voice to lift people up and to give to those in all kinds of situations who are in need.  There are several organizations I am passionate about helping which are linked to my website.  I am married to a Veteran, and my mom works for the Purple Heart helping Veterans.  I have given free concerts to all kinds of people including Veterans, and given away literally thousands of CD's to our Veterans serving over seas, to kids, sick kids and people.  Because that is what is in my heart to do.

Ever since I was a little kid, from the time I started to talk, I have been getting lost in music.  I was like a little Tina Turner with the hairbrush in the mirror giving concerts in my bedroom, writing songs in my journal.

However when I was growing up people were not going on youtube and then the Ellen Degeneres show at 7 years old getting record deals. So I kept on singing, practicing and honing my skills by recording when I could, writing and singing anywhere and everywhere I could.  I have sang everywhere you can possibly imagine, from nursing homes, to funerals, to weddings, to National Anthems starting at local high school sports games, AA baseball games, College and on up to for Professional Sports Teams all over the country.

When I was growing up - when people listened to music all they cared about was when they heard a song was if it made them feel something.  Did the singer invoke emotions?  That was it.  If it makes you feel something you like it.  If not, you don't... simple right?

Then something weird happened in the music industry...  One day I woke up at 28 years old and I was "too old".  Huh?  Britney Spears came on the scene and followed by American Idol with it's 28 year old age limit and although it had been creeping in for years before - everyone in the industry from potential producers, to managers and anyone who could open up any kind of door... All they were concerned about was the number.

Before they ever heard me sing, and even after they heard something and liked it, it all came down to the million dollar question - "so how Old are you?"...  Silly I concur, but once they hear the number - it changes the entire conversation.  Ridiculous... what are women supposed to do after the age of 28? Jump off a bridge?   It seemed inconceivable to me that anyone would think anyone, a woman specifically is supposed to give up on their dreams and goals after a certain age because they are considered "Not Valuable or not Talented or Marketable".

So I did what any stubborn Greek Girl with a fire and a dream in her gut would do - I stuffed cotton balls in my ears and ran around singing... "La la la la la I can't hear you". I continued to pursue my dream, regardless of what the gatekeepers told me.

So I started to just let people think what they want, I just avoided the topic.  I am also an actor which is about "pretending".  You can be young and play old or old and play young.

I did even sneak into an American Idol audition one time with a fake id only to be pulled aside after I sang by the casting director and told: "Honey you have a gorgeous voice, keep on singing and do not ever stop. However you are never going to be picked by one of these shows... This is TV we have to start in one place and show an arch to the top.  You are way too polished".  My heart sank on the verge of tears.  So I picked myself up by my bootstraps and pressed on.

I still audition for the ones that do not have an "age limit", even though I know that they have already made up their mind about me before I have ever opened my mouth to sing based to the answer to question #2 on the application - my age.  I go because I think maybe just maybe this one time they will put talent ahead of a sad shocking story.  It also does not help that I have a website with a large following on social media, so they google me and see all this stuff, and think I do not need any "help".

I don't have a sad shocking story... the most shocking thing about me is how long I have been working toward my dream without once ever considering giving up.

So... what is a girl with morals and values to do?  I keep going.  I keep making music, when and as I can and putting it out to you guys.  I am not complaining by any means - please do not get me wrong. I chose to follow my dream and to not give up after almost everyone says it is not going to happen, if it were it would have happened by now.

Because I believe that if you have a dream - if you have a purpose, if you know like you know like you know that you were put on this earth to do something, that if you Never Give up, you Can achieve it. Whether it is to lose weight, to be an astronaut, whatever it is... You can do it.

So... how does this tie into this contest you might be wondering?  Well... making the music is not the only thing that takes resources; it is also putting it out to the masses.  There is no way an independent artist such as myself can possibly compete with the resources of a Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Rihanna or any of the other artists who are on labels.

Winning the $100,000 in the Veewallvocals Contest, will enable me the chance to for once in my life to be able to put my music and message out to the masses.  To be evaluated for my art and talent, not for the day I was born.

No one can control what opportunities they have had or not had in their life.  Just because I have not yet had the legitimate proper "opportunity" does not mean I am not talented.  It just means it is not my time yet.  I know that God did not put music into me for no reason.

Winning, will give me the chance that the Mainstream Industry will not give me: 1. Because I am a Conservative 2. Because I do not have Pink hair and a Sad Shocking story 3. Because I am not 15 years old.

Talent is what matters, not age.  Age is irrelevant.  You can package a rock to sell if you need to, anything can be "packaged" and it is not like there is something wrong with my package anyhow. However the music industry has a nasty little habit of putting the age, "package and sad shocking story" before talent.

If you are tired of seeing trash everywhere you look, on TV, on the radio, in magazines... If you are not happy about the new season the Kardashain's, and wonder as I do when and why it became cool to sing in your underpants for guys or girls.  Society is manipulated by Pop Culture.  It has been going on for years.  If you desire to see a change in the moral fabric of our society, then there needs to be people in the Mainstream pop culture who actually have decent morals and values.  Actor goes to rehab, great give them another movie or TV role, singer beats his girlfriend - awesome lets give him another Grammy.  Better yet lets buy more of his singer girlfriend’s records after she goes back to him... Someone please stop the insanity.

So If you would like to see someone who has a dream in their heart - who has morals and values and does not sing in their underware to finally after 25 years of banging on doors get an opportunity. Then I am asking you to please join me in voting in the veewall contest.

It is Simple, Easy and Free.

1. Visit Veewall.com & register.
2. Confirm Registration via email
3. Vote Once Daily Through 4/29.

Ava Aston "I Carry You With Me" is up for voting now:

http://www.veewall.com/vocals/video/avaaston

Thank you for your support helping to get my music & message out to the masses.

Blessings, Love & Music~
Ava xox

P/S: Greek Girl doesn't usually do "voting" contests, but hey for 100K this girl has got to try!

Impossible

Warning: True story alert.  For people who have been reading my blog a while, you know how the Greek Girl rolls.  I call it like I see it and do not accept the "status quo".  So for people who are perfectly happy to accept things as they are, well this blog might be a little uncomfortable for you.  Anyone else grab your favorite beverage and read on.

The past week had been well... let's just say I've had better weeks.  I'm sure you can relate.    Everyone has at some point or another experienced times when the road to getting to where we want to go can be a bit difficult.  Normally when people tell me no, or that something can't be done, I just stuff my ears full of cotton balls and go "la la la la la"...  Onward and upward.

However in this instance it just irked me.  I was considering new representation for my acting (and my music or so I thought).   Well... what else is Greek Girl going to do while Mr. Bricks is off doing his "Rat Pack of Hollywood" books?  Someone has to bang down the doors to get me my record deal dangit.  So anyway I was having a phone conversation with a manager I met through a friend.  Not an A list guy, but definitely a step in the right direction.  To make a long story short, the following is how the conversation went:

Manager: "So how old are you?"

Ava: "How old do you want me to be?... (laughing) well, how old do I look - you have seen me in person up close.  Do you want my real age or my actor age?" Then I tell him my real age.

Manager: "Oh, wow I wouldn't have guessed that."

Ava: "Thank you."

Manager: "Well, I can't do anything for you with music.  You are too old, the gate keepers do not allow new artists to be your age."  "So I would rather focus on your acting, then after you get some notoriety, then maybe that can open up an opportunity." 

I'm sure you can imagine what my inside voice was saying.  Seriously... "Do Not Allow" Um when did people start "allowing" anyone to do anything anyhow?  Are we talking about pre school here where we have to ask permission?  Note to such "gatekeepers".  People who buy music (you know the ones who are not buying the crap you keep putting out artist after artist) they do not give two flying flips how old the artist is who is singing the music.  If it makes them feel something, they like it, it's that simple.

Why not look for music that makes you feel something first, then worry about how to market it.  Putting the package ahead of the talent is the downfall of the entire music industry.  Setting up this unspoken rule that no new female artists are allowed above the age of 28 is utter insanity.  I predict that if the music industry continues to churn out, use up and spit out the same thing year after year, it will not only continue to see losses, but it very well could be it's undoing.  When "executives" who do not know their ___ from their elbow, are sitting there making decisions, meanwhile grammy wining producers are selling jingles to make a living because they can not even get a meeting at a record label these days...  that is a problem.

Needless to say I did not sign with the new manager.  My point in telling you all this is so you can have an idea of what was going on inside my noggin when I saw the video I'm about to tell you about.  So the following morning I'm scrolling through my facebook newsfeed when I see a video titled "Never Ever Give Up".

By the end of the video I was in tears.  Not only because it light an even bigger fire in me to reach my own goals, but because it reminded me that nothing is impossible for anyone.  No matter what you desire (for me a record deal) but it could be a new job, a mate, fly a plane, be a ballerina, be president, run a marathon, get out of debt, be cured of cancer, whatever you can imagine... and yes even to lose over 140 lbs, if you have it deep down in your gut.  If you know like you know like you know you know, and you believe in yourself, it IS possible.

I've been at this a long time, and I am not about to let anyone tell me that it is not possible.  All of us can do whatever it is that we put our minds to.  It all comes down to your will.  How strong is it?  Do you hang in there when the going gets tough?  When everyone tells you that is can not happen, it's been too long, you do not have the right contacts, the right background, the right this, the right that, blah blah blah.... I want you to do like I do.  Stuff you ears full of cotton balls and go  "la la la la la I can't hear you".  

I wrote my newest song "I Don't Even Care" because if this exact thing.  A few lines: "Don't let them tell you what you're gonna be or gonna do - don't make a left don't make a right just look in front of you".  The message is simple: Don't let other people tell you what you can or can not do and keep your eyes focused on the goal.  Just like the man named Arthur in this video, a Military Veteran.  He tapped into his will and was able to defy the odds and do what everyone told him was impossible.  Everyone had given up on him, and he had listened to them for so long, he had even given up on himself.

But because of one man, a professional wrestler and yoga teacher named Diamond Dallas who believed in him, Arthur started to believe in himself again.  He found his will and focused on his goal until he reached it.  I wish that more people would be like that yoga teacher.  To be the one person who believes in someone even when they don't believe in themselves anymore.  Help someone to see that nothing, no matter how big is impossible.  Hope you have a beautiful day!

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava :D xox
www.avaaston.com

If I Were The Devil

Stirring the pot one soul at a time...

I was recently introduced to a video on YouTube that really made my heart hurt.  Just so you know, there are things that make the Greek Girl's heart hurt like an abandoned or abused animal, a child with a disability or hearing about a fallen American hero.  But this really made my heart hurt in a whole different way.

The video was put together by someone who had heard a 40 year old recording of Paul Harvey.  Unfortunately we recently lost him and his amazing voice, but thanks to technology we still have his wisdom to cherish. What got me was that this monologue from Mr. Harvey was so blunt and talked about what is happening to our society with such clarity.  I absolutely couldn't believe my ears.

Before I go on, in case you weren't aware, there are some things that as an aspiring recording artist I really hold true to myself, and am very passionate about.  In today's world we are bombarded with so many negative influences, images, and given such horrible sources of inspiration.  Everyone from our teachers who are sleeping with their students, to our politicians caught in sexual scandals, even our doctors, lawyers and law enforcement are caught in corruption all around us.

Now, don't even get me started on those in the entertainment industry.  It just blows my mind!  Everything from the clothing these celebrities wear to the lyrics in the songs that artists sing, where they go, and so on.  The Grammies this year... a total debauchery.  That performance given by Nikki Manaj literally made my eyeballs burn. Just a few weeks ago Rihanna was photographed yapping it up, stuffing dollar bills in a strippers undies acting like a clown in a strip bar.  Yet these people are idolized and glorified by not only people but the media as well.

What's my point?

Watch this quick little video and keep in mind it was 40 years ago that this was recorded.

Now, you know what I am talking about.  That is why, it is my intense desire to be a positive role model.  Not only for our youth but for everyone.  Call me a square, but I love God, I love my family, I love my country, I love animals, and I sincerely care that when someone listens to one of my songs or watches one of my videos that they can be rest assured their eyeballs will not burn out. I'm not saying people in the entertainment industry should dress or act like they are in a convent.  However many could learn a lot from looking to some of the classics.  You know back in the days when music artists actually sang songs vs. studio auto tune concoctions, and had some common decency.  The Supremes, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Doris Day, Marvin Gaye, Johnny Mathis, Patsy Cline...  see where I'm going here  ~ Music, people not muckery.

Imagine what would happen if people in the entertainment industry took the influence they have on society just a little bit more seriously. Maybe, just maybe it would thwart the devils plan.... I for one am going to try.

Blessings, Love & Music~
Ava xo :D
www.avaaston.com 

I Want A Record Deal Dangit

Come on now, what's a good greek girl gotta do, get arrested?... ;D

Okay - I am done being polite, "I WANT A RECORD DEAL"!!!  Now, I know it's not much of a secret that the Greek Girl wants a record deal.  I also know some of my loyal blog readers may be just a tad sick of hearing me say so.  Sorry, sometimes it's off with the filter and full Greek ahead. As well, there are some of you who may think I already have one and will be surprised to hear I actually "don't".  I know - shocking right?!?  Not really.  For some reason or another lightning just hasn't struck yet.

You may be thinking to yourself, "How bad do you really want it?" Well let's just put it like this.  You can take all the coffee, chocolate, sneakers and Kohl's cash in the world and add them up and you still won't come up with how much I want a record deal.  For that matter you can set me up with a lifelong workout with Jillian Michaels, Bob Harper or even the master himself my workout hero, Tony Horton (the creator of p90x) and I would still say "NO" if it meant that OR a record deal.  I think the only thing I would let come between me and a record deal would be my doggies, but it would be a heck of a battle.

So in hopes to figure out just what is wrong with me and why no-one is offering me that contract, I have come up with what I feel are the top 10 reasons why I don't have one yet:

1.  I don't know or nor am related to a Kardashian, a Hilton, a Trump or any other famous person.  Nor am I married to or friends with one.  So there goes that idea.

2.  Even though everyone says to me, "You should get on that American Idol".  What they don't realize is that it's a show designed to highlight singers with a sad story who "need" to grow in their abilities.  Not to mention oh only about 1,000,000 people audition each season and only 20 can make it.  So it's like winning the lottery. Besides I don't have a fluorescent purple mohawk, haven't been to jail or rehab. I guess I'm just too normal.

3.  That brings me to number 3 - I am too old for American Idol so there in itself lies a huge issue.  For some reason there is the horrible assumption I must not be a viable artist with actual talent because I don't wear a training bra (except when I'm working out of course - jk).  Yeah, believe it or not the industry is age discriminatory toward a woman who would otherwise be considered "new" to the scene and over the age of 22.  If I had a penny for every time I have talked with someone about my music the second or third question is always, "How old are you anyway?"  - Like all of a sudden I won't be a good singer anymore if I am over 22?  For reals.

4.  I don't go on stage in my underpants.  Yup that's right.  You will never be able to see me gracing the cover of any magazine in less than what you already have seen on my Facebook page.  So Hugh Hefner can just hold his call cuz I am not posing - ah-hem Lindsay Lohan.  Just sayin'

5.  I don't believe in selling my soul, it doesn't lend itself to what I consider a good exit strategy.  Something about the whole "sold my soul to the devil" thing just doesn't quite sound like a good idea to me.  Just sayin'.

6.  Because my marketing and online presence is good, some have said as good as some artists who "actually" are on a record label, a lot of people have the wrong idea about me.  So they just assume I am sitting in my McMansion counting my downloads and off on a world tour and therefore don't think Ms. Aston needs anyone to help her out. Eeeehhh wrong answer.

7.  Since I do have my morals and am not out boozing it up and being what would be considered a "bad role model" and therefore won't be selling enough US or People magazines or be on the next episode of TMZ, I guess I just don't have what it takes to be signed to a record deal.  What?  You mean you don't like going out partying and clubbing it up Ava?  - no you won't see any pictures of me yapping it up at a strip club (can anyone say Rihanna?) he hemmmm  Nope not here, not the Greek Girl.  That's not how I roll. ;D

8.  Hmmmm... I don't know anyone in the music industry.  Hard to get to the gate keepers, many of whom will toss your stuff in the trash.  Meanwhile they hook their college roommates girlfriends brother up instead.  This kinda makes it really hard to actually get my music through to someone who "matters".

9.   This brings me to not having enough dough.  Unfortunately for some, money no matter how much of it you have can not buy "talent". See there is such a thing out there called, "buying a deal" it happens all the time.  If you have the money you can quite literally buy a record deal. Although I do have a good presence online there is no way I can compete with an artist on a label. It takes a ton of moola to get music out there enough to make a dent. So there is no way I can compete with labels that have sky high marketing budgets.  You know, it's the same reason why you see and hear a song that you hate and it plays over and over and over.... The powers that be are putting it there and keeping it there, and on the magazine covers, and talk shows, with agents, publicists, yada yada yada. Leaving little room for indie artists like me to get into the game.

10. It boils down to this.  As much as you my fans love me, on the grand scale No-one knows who I am, kinda like a needle in a haystack.  My manager Mr. Bricks used to say I was like finding a classic 1960's corvette with only 100 miles on it.  It's that simple ~ the powers that be just haven't heard of me yet.  So I have to keep putting it out there in hopes that someday, some way someone will soon stumble upon the Greek Girl and think, "hey she's got talent, she's marketable and pretty funny too." then they will want to sign me.

So until then, I am just going to keep plugging away.  It all comes down to this thing I call the "know, dough, show".  In other words it comes down to who you know, how much dough ($$) you got or what show you can get on.  Looks like I just gotta keep plugging away.

Hey Mr. Record Label man - "what about me?"

Blessings, Love & Music -
Ava xo :)
www.avaaston.com

I Don't Even Care About Toddlers and Tiaras

WTH??? Seriously???

So I'm flipping through the channels since I've already caught up on my favorite soap opera "Days of Our Lives", the election results are in, there's nothing on HGTV that I haven't seen, and my beloved (Superbowl bound) Patriots do not play until tomorrow... so, what else is the Greek Girl going to do?  We're snowed in here, didn't you know?

I was sitting on my couch, all cozy in my Ricky Ricardo style pajamas (yes, I wear those. Doesn't everyone?)  I had to  stop for a minute because my TV remote clicker thingy landed me on the program of "Toddlers and Tiaras."  I have watched it before, but each time it is on I can't wrap my Greek noggin around what I see and hear.

WARNING: The Greek Girl's filter has come loose again.

Okay I have one question... Where the heck are the parents?  Oh wait, they are standing right there, stage left, handing their precocious 3 year-old "go-go juice" and cheering them on.  Can anyone say, unfit parent?! Now, I am well aware that we are living in the "NOW" generation, and that with Youtube - literally anyone can become a "star" - for literally any reason - regardless if they have any sustaining talent. Look at Rebecca Black. On one hand I actually feel sorry for Rebecca...but on the other hand, I think she had no business at 14 years of age playing rock star!

I think part of the reason so many children stars have gone on to lead such troubled lives is because their young impressionable noggins we're filled with other people telling them what to do, what to say, how to talk, how to walk, where to stand, etc. at such an early age. Their brains never had a chance to mature and ripen naturally.  As we get older there is already plenty of other people trying to tell us what we should do or be, or can't be or can't do. Kids need to be kids, they don't need that type of criticism at such a young age.

Some TV producers noticed what a whack-job most of those stage moms are that they now have a new reality show called "Dance Moms" -  it's all about a bunch of whack-job stage mothers from Pittsburgh who spend thousands of dollars on their children to be verbally harassed, ridiculed and screamed at by an overweight lady who looks like she has downed a few more McRibs than my manager Mr. Bricks. This woman wouldn't know a ballet shoe if it kicked her in her own butt! So where is child protective services when you need them?  Sometimes this Greek girl thinks these parent's brains have followed Elvis right out the stage door and have left the building!!

Ok, back to Toddlers and Tiara...hmmm where shall I start?

GoGo Juice: a mixture of Red Bull & Mountain Dew.

Hello!!!  Red Bull to a child by it self is a bad thing, now add in a little Mountain Dew and bam we have a young Norman Bates in the making. I'm a grown adult (or at least play one on TV) and I do not even drink Red Bull. My question is, "what in God's name is wrong with these mothers? And, why on earth are people glorifying these television shows? Both, "Toddlers and Tiaras" and "Dance Moms" are two of the highest rated shows on cable TV. How can anyone think that torturing these little girls is healthy or productive? What they are doing is creating little monsters. Yes I said it, so what?

The problem I feel with these types of reality shows is that children are learning the wrong messages. They are taught that they first need other's approval and that they need to win the title of "Miss Grand Supreme" in order to feel good about themselves.  And worse, you have parents who put all of their hard earned money into competition fees, $1,000 "Wow Wear" costumes and feed them liquid speed in a bottle just so that their child wins another $24 trophy.  Some mothers admit they feed their kids up to 15 pixie stixs right before their child goes on stage so they stay hyped up long enough to win.

When all is said and done you know what you get?  You get a bully. Spoiled rotten little self-absorbed brats, that go to school thinking the earth rotates around them (because they won the Miss Grand Supreme title at a recent Glitz pageant) so they push other kids around mentally and at times, even physically.

So, where are the parents? It seems that these days they are either standing there on the sidelines pushing the "gogo" juice down their throats or they are absent. This leads to my next bone of contention.... the "Twilight Moms".  Don't know what that is?... Well that is a 35+ year old mom who oogles the 16 yr old boys in the "Twilight Movie Series".  Nothing wrong with that - right? Wrong! Somehow I think if a 35+ year old man was oogling a 16 yr old girl he might land himself behind bars, just sayin'.

It's like there is an entire generation of unsatisfied moms out there pushing their kids into pageants, music, dance, literally anything and everything to get them "famous" to fulfill some sort of twisted need that they never fulfilled before they decided to have kids.  How about just letting kids be kids? What ever happened to that? There are milllions and millions cans of playdough going unsed each year. We need to let kids grow and learn to develop their  strengths, gifts and abilities - naturally vs. pushing them into the limelight so they can fulfill their own selfish desires. Sad, very sad.  Where will the rocket scientists, Dr.'s, lawyers, firemen, policemen, and future business owners and entrepreneurs of tomorrow be?  They will be young impressionable minds waiting to get on American Idol or America's Got Talent - only to be told they sound a little pitchy, their act is total rubbish or that they have no talent. Great character builders for our youth - Not!

Nothing irks the Greek Girl more than someone telling you what you should, can, or can not do! Telling this to someone young or old I believe leads to unhappy people, and in many cases, especially in youth, it leads to bullying. Mr. Bricks aside, I do not like bullies, and yes there are even a fair share of grown up bullies running around the world. Trust me, the music/entertainment industry is full of them. They think they know what is best for the buying public and that every artist should be a 15 years-old.

This is why I wrote my newest song, "I Don't Even Care." Because in my mind, no one can ever really tell you what you can or can not be.  Why give them that power? All of your self-worth should come from the inside and not from what a panel of judges think, what a dance teacher thinks or what a record label executive thinks. It's all about standing up for your dreams and believing in yourself - no matter what your critics have to say.

Disclaimer: My critiquing these moms is not me being a bully, but rather pointing out that they are abusive bullies them self, and should be stopped.

Hope you enjoy the song & the game! Go PATS!

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava :D xox
www.avaaston.com 

Facedown vs Planking

Me planking (or so I thought) as a joke to Mr. Bricks ;D

So what is up with the "Planking" rage all of the sudden? What I can not seem to wrap my noggin around is why on earth people are all of the sudden so excited to lay down - on things?  I was working out one afternoon and I get a text from Mr. Bricks....   "Ava, have you heard about planking?"  I'm thinking... hmmm planking, what the heck is he talking about now...   Mr. Bricks have you been drinking?  I text him back "I'm working out, I'll be done in another hour or so, ttyl" He proceeds to continue to text me like something ~ really important is going on...

So I decided the following weekend to take a photo as a joke of me "Planking" (or so I thought I was planking) in front of my dream car the Bubble Bee Camaro.  So come to find out, I was actually not planking at all, I was "Facedown".  How did I learn this you may be asking yourself?  Well wouldn't you know it, old man Bricks has found the clarification to inform me that I was not planking and I was in fact facedown.  He even sent me the link to the video to prove it....

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2011/06/15/dnt.facedown.craze.king?eref=igoogledmn_mpvideo

So here I am about a month or so later sitting here asking myself, why on earth does my manager Mr. Bricks know so much about "planking" & "facedown", yet I still do not have a record deal? So now I know what he spends his time doing, that is besides eating McRib sandwiches all dang day long...  He spends his time reading up on things like planking when he is supposed to be getting me a record deal (just sayin). I think I am going to tell Mr. Bricks that I think planking is really cool and that I would love to get a picture of him planking in between my two tour buses when they are parked side by side loading up for my US Tour.  Yeah, that's a good idea. ;D

All joking aside here because we all know I'm all about laughing and having a fun time, but really I do not condone ~ anything ~ that can possibly cause harm to yourself or others.  Life is precious, I do not feel it wise to risk life and limb just to get a "funny" or outrageous photo.  I heard on the news a few weeks ago that someone was even killed falling off of a balcony trying to get a photo of themselves "planking".  So of course have fun, take risks, live your life to the fullest - but do not do anything just for the "shock" value of it.  In this humble Greek Girl's opinion, it is simply not worth it.  (in full disclosure, my "planking/facedown" photo was taken in a parking lot away from any space any car could drive on) :D Be smart blog friends!

Have a beautiful blessed day!

Ava :D xox

YouTube Killed The Record Stars

My YouTube Channel

Video Killed the Radio Star is a song by the British new wave group The Buggles, who released it as their debut single in September 1979, on Island Records. It celebrates the golden days of radio, describing a singer whose career is cut short by the invention of television. The song topped the music charts in several countries and not by me, but has been covered by many other recording artists. Coincidentally, it was the very first music video aired on MTV in the U.S. at 12:01am on 1 August 1981 when that music channel first went on the air. The song was number 40 on VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 80's. Hmmm, one hit wonder...sound familiar yet? Read on.

Music videos have been a great addition to the music industry. Sometimes it helps the audience understand exactly what was in song writer's noggin when  they  wrote the song. A great deal of early singers who found fame and fortune on the radio were crowded out with the invention of TV.  The early pioneers of the music industry sometimes created an image of what an artist would look like, and since people could hear them but not see them that worked for everyone until television came along. When TV came along, and some people sounded better than they looked, there went their careers.

When MTV came along in 1980's it was novel and some singers and band's images were made on MTV just because they made a video and had a certain cool look. As my manager Mr. Bricks tells me, back in the early days of MTV, not every song on the radio had a video. On a side note, Mr. Bricks was friends with Michael Jackson, (yes, that Michael Jackson) and Mr. Bricks was telling me just the other day about how Michael Jackson was describing to him the idea of what MTV was going to be all about, even before it debuted. Since there never had been anything like it at the time Mr. Bricks couldn't get the concept through his thick noggin. He said Michael kept giggling at him for not understanding what MTV was all about. Apparently Mr. Bricks never did get his thick noggin fixed.

Eventually, after several years of MTV,  the music video became less and less novel and soon became a necessity for a hit song. That brings us to the current dilemma where YouTube has created instant celebrities for the music industry and for this YouTube Generation (YTG).  Take someone like 13 year-old Rebecca Black, who’s song Friday’s video went viral instantly on YouTube amassing a staggering 111 million views to date. Did Rebecca get the popularity she has because she is a talented singer ?

No, the entire reason Rebecca Black has 111 million views on YouTube is because the producer from the Ark Factory knew that Justin Bieber was making millions of dollars and his videos were described as some of the most "disliked videos on YouTube." How bad are they? Well, if  the fact that Justin's very worst video, "Baby", just surpassed 500 million YouTube views last month, then they must be pretty bad. That is where Rebecca Black fits in. Her producers from the Ark Factory wanted to be just as "bad" as Justin, so they cleverly marketed it as “The Worst Song Ever.” By leaking a statement like that to the media, assured instant attention from the YTG who loves watching any video of the worst of anything. The worst car crash, the worst basketball shot, the worst practical joke, etc. Then they make it go viral by emailing the link of that "worst video" to 500 of their closest friends. And when a Justin Bieber song or Rebecca Black's song shows up on YouTube with a million views, the YTG thinks, " it must be good because it has so many views" and then the rest is history as the cycle repeats itself. To date Justin Bieber has 2 of the top YouTube videos of all-time with more than  a 1,541,295,560 views on his YouTube Vevo channel. (that's 1.5 billion) But, simultaneously with that achievement, Bieber also holds the distinction of having 5 of the top 10 most "disliked" (we can't say hate anymore) videos of all time on YouTube. To show the way YouTube has changed the musical landscape think of this: Michael Jackson only has 650,813,338 (that's 650 million) YouTube views on his YouTube Viveo channel. Now, if anyone can honestly say that Justin Bieber is better or more talented than Michael Jackson then they need to have their melon examined because that's just not right. With the way the music industry uses the YouTube yardstick to measure talent, that means in 2 months on the musical landscape Rebecca Black is 1/6 as popular as Michael Jackson and that Justin Bieber is a musical prodigy? This all makes my head bleed. Am I bitter, nope not at all, just sunburnt from the Florida sun.

The current record label executives grew up on MTV and they are currently not paying attention to anyone who has graduated from middle school or who knew life before Sham Wows.  They forget that a hit song is a hit song, no matter what the age of the performer is. The issue is whether or not the musical gate keepers in their ivory towers have enough vision to sign and distribute an artist who doesn’t need a legal guardian to accompany them to the recording studio. Rebecca Black’s song Friday is a mere novelty song and although it has achieved tremendous YouTube play and iTunes downloads, it is not considered to be artistically appealing. Catchy yes, artistic, not so much.

Unfortunately, these record executives are missing some pretty incredibly talented singers (hello, my name is Ava Aston and I think I am a pretty incredibly talented singer, just sayin') and it has turned many of us into indie artists. Take me for example, even though I have worked my Greek butt off since the age of 5 developing the skills and talent that I now have, skills that a teenager like Rebecca Black doesn’t have, simply because I no longer wear braces and a padded bra, I am off-limits to the major labels. That's just so wrong! The industry's trend of signing super young singers makes Taylor Swift seem like a VH1 artist and a music industry veteran. 

So, as most of you should know by now, next Thursday April 28th I am releasing the "Gone" music video, which is the title track on my "Gone" CD. I have given Mr. Bricks permission  to go ahead and send out a press release proclaiming "Gone" as the worst song ever written and the absolute worst music video of all time. I even gave him permission to say things like, "Ava Aston's "Gone" music video is so bad that if you watch it more than 3 times in a row your noggin will explode" or "If you thought Rebecca Black's Friday was bad, wait until you see Ava Aston's "Gone"  or my all time favorite hyperbole is, "Free sneakers to the first 100 Million YouTube Views"

Now of course I don't really believe that my song and video are worst of all time, I am actually very proud of them. And I don't begrudge Justin Bieber or Rebecca Black at all, I am happy for their success. I am impressed with what they have achieved. If you want to see just how bad my "Gone" music video is, you will be able to see it on Thursday, Thursday, Thursday  April 28, 2011.  Set your iPhone reminders now!!!

Ok, this hot Florida sun is wreaking havoc on my noggin. I think I need #60 sun screen.

Blessings,

Ava

xox