Happy Birthday, MTV!

It’s hard to believe, but it’s no less true – today, MTV turns 30!

We take it for granted now, but I remember when MTV debuted when I was just a kid and all the crazy excitement that surrounded it – music videos, 24 hours a day?? I can’t even imagine what the music scene would have been like in the ‘80s (and beyond) without MTV. Music was now a visual medium; some of the most brilliant filmmaking in the last three decades have come from some of the amazing music videos we all first saw on MTV.

But the cable channel was so much more than that. There’s a reason folks my age are referred to as the “MTV Generation”; because MTV was just for us. While the parents were watching the news on broadcast networks or our little brothers and sisters were glued to Saturday morning cartoons, we were locked into MTV, letting us know what was hot in all aspects of pop culture. (Sound familiar? Ahem!)

“Yo! MTV Raps”... “Headbanger’s Ball”... “Total Request Live”... “Remote Control”... “The Real World”... Yep, if revolutionizing television and the music industry wasn’t enough, MTV pretty much invented reality TV too!

And MTV has not lost that cool factor at all. In 2011, the channel is still at the forefront of what’s new and exciting in the entertainment world. The “M” in MTV might have been since retired, but it continues to dictate pop culture trends and inspire artists and entrepreneurs everywhere – including yours truly. Oh yeah, I’d be crazy if I didn’t give props to MTV for inspiring what we do at Young Hollywood, helping shape the flavor of the new generation!

In kind of a cool, ironic twist, when MTV first debuted at 12:01am on August 1st, 1981, the words “Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll” were spoken over footage of the first-ever Space Shuttle launch, which had happened earlier that year. Thirty years later, we’re celebrating this momentous anniversary for MTV after having just witnessed the retiring of the Shuttle program within the last month! Hopefully, though, MTV’s journey does not end here, and the revolutionary cable channel reaches for new heights. YH will be right there with them!

Michael Franti Harnesses the "Sound of Sunshine"

I hear so many people these days talking about the power of positive thinking - that having a good attitude is what will help you to be the healthiest and most successful person you can be, especially if you're having a rough time. Bret Michaels talked about it when we interviewed him recently, and considering all that guy's been through, there may definitely be something to this philosophy!

Michael Franti believes in positive thinking too, and he's made it his mission to infuse it into his music. That name might not be familiar to you, but his music is instantly recognizable. With a style that combines reggae, hip hop, rock, funk, and happiness, Franti has has made a positive impact on the music scene in the 25 years that he's been a part of it, and there is no sign of his light fading out anytime soon.

Being raised in this multicultural household, Michael learned at an early age what it means to be compassionate and accepting, all the while maintaining a cool, calm, and collected attitude toward life. He formed Michael Franti & Spearhead in the '90s, and with titles like “Positive,” “Everyone Deserves Music,” and his biggest hit “Say Hey (I Love You)”, Franti proves just how dedicated he is to bringing people together in a positive light.

It was during a rather unpleasant stint in the hospital for a ruptured appendix that Franti wrote songs of optimism and hope which would become Michael Franti & Spearhead’s latest album, The Sound of Sunshine, an album which he hopes could be a guiding light for others in dark places. Check out the newest single, "The Sound of Sunshine", below and just TRY to frown:

And he doesn't just talk the talk; better believe he walks the walk too! Michael donates time and money to organizations like Soles 4 Souls and CARE (for which he's an ambassador), all in the name of trying to make the world a happier place. Check out his Website for tour dates and to find out more about the organizations he supports. 

Hedley Gets Set to Take On the U.S.

O Canada, the country that gave us hockey, Trivial Pursuit, and the zipper can also be credited to giving the world good music. Besides Justin Bieber, FeFe Dobson, and Drake, I've become really psyched about another great musical act from our northern neighbors, the amazingly talented rock-pop-punk band Hedley.

Lead singer Jacob Hoggard, bassit Tom McDonald, guitarist Dave Rosin, and drummer Chris Crippin have such a great unique sound that allows them to stand out from the rest. These guys have done a lot of growing from the days when Hoggard made it to the top three on "Canadian Idol" in 2004. Sure, they still like to let loose and fun, but at the end of the day, these guys are having the most fun doing what they do best -- playing good music. And we're having a damn good time listening to it too!

Their singles “Cha-Ching” and “Perfect”, from their most recent album Go With The Show, are incredible in their own right but just a taste of what these guys are capable of.  With the US version of their album being newly released and their tour winding down for the holidays, I can see 2011 being a very successful year for the band, and I hope they soon find their way into the Studio!

Check out our interview with them below:

A Firsthand Serenade from Secondhand Serenade

Over the summer, we at the YH Studio were treated to a jam session with the super talented Secondhand Serenade. Equipped with lip rings, guitars, and some great tour stories, there is nothing secondhand about their serenade.

With the release of album number three, Hear Me Now, in August, it is obvious that John Vesely (the man behind the acoustic rock band) has reason to be as incredibly optimistic as the album presents. A project that came with a little bit more growing up and adjusting to life, Secondhand Serenade’s third album is a reflection of growth. Their single "Something More" can attest to that, a smooth transition from their known heartfelt songs of past love, loss, and everything in between. 

Every song has a story, and Vesley does an incredible job at telling his. Even if the band name is unfamiliar to you, don't worry, you'll definitely know their music when you hear it, like the hit “Fall for You” from the sophomore album A Twist in My Story, which reached number 21 on the Billboard Charts. John's philosophy on artists and their craft is clearly embraced by his fans, allowing for Secondhand Serenade to be MySpace’s No.1 on the unsigned artist chart for months on end.

Check out the band's visit to the Studio below:

Secondhand Serenade is now touring; check out their MySpace page for more details.