Bark + Bite

CONTEST: Win an Atlanta Braves hat signed by Usher!

ATTENTION ALL USHER FANS: If you're looking to own something that the man himself has touched, look no further. Bark + Bite is teaming up with MusicChoice.com to give away an autographed Atlanta Braves hat (similar to the one he wore in the "Yeah!" video) signed by none other than Usher Raymond himself! So do you want in? Here's how you can enter for a chance to score the signed goods:

1. Follow @BarkBiteBlog on Twitter
2. Tweet the following phrase, hashtag and a link to this page: "I want to win Usher's hat! #usherbarkbite http://www.barkbiteblog.com/2010/05/contest-win-an-atlanta-braves-hat-signed-by-usher.html" (*Note: URL can be shortened with URL shortener)
3. Wait to find out if you are the lucky winner.

Contest ends June 2nd, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST. One tweet per account. Only people who are following @BarkBiteBlog are eligible. Winner will be chosen at random. Prize is provided by MusicChoice.com. U.S. participants only.

See You On Sunday: MTV 2009 VMAs

All eyes will be in the music industry will be on the big three at the 2009 VMAs this Sunday. And they will largely be focused on the big three: Beyonce, Gaga and Kanye. Which one of them is going to step up to the plate and hit the VMAs home run? Beyonce and Gaga are battling it out with 9 nominations each and Kanye has received 4, the same as Eminem. The huge advantage Kanye has though is that no one really cares about Eminem.

PREDICTIONS:

- Beyonce will be the queen of the night: Like Bank Of America, Beyonce is too big to fail. "Single Ladies" was easily the most iconic video of the year and it trounces the competition in terms of its reach and connection with its audience. Sorry, Gaga. And I'm calling Beyonce for Video of the Year.

- Janet Jackson will tear down the house: The youngest, and now most famous, Jackson is set to open the show in honor of her late brother. His death will likely give Janet the motivation she needs to knock everyone's socks off. Plus, there won't be a dry eye in the house.

- Lady Gaga's performance will be one to talk about the day after: Gaga is determined to make her debut VMAs performance a memorable and its unlikely she'll disappoint. Watch out, Britney, a new VMAs champion may rise.

- The VMAs will be better than last year's: Hey, what can I say? I'm an eternal optimist.

Join us live as the show is broadcasting on Twitter. See you on the Tweet!

FOLLOW BARK + BITE ON TWITTER

Bark + Bite Podcast: Remembering Michael Jackson

This is a first for Bark + Bite: Podcasting! In the debut podcast, I talk all about Michael, the man, the legend and his music, with Dumont Walker of Walker-Sports. In talking about Michael's life, it felt cathartic, almost like letting go and reminiscing about a dear friend. And that's what Michael was for a lot of people: A dear, reliable presence in our lives. Writing about Michael allows for deep analysis and critical thinking, but talking about Michael and his life in conversation just feels like a release.

Pop open another tab in the browser and browse the web while you listen to the podcast, if you want. It's a two-parter. Enjoy.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Idol Talk on Twitter

Tonight is movie soundtrack night and I can't wait to see what they give our boy Anoop to sing. Inexplicably Idol has asked Quentin Tarantino to serve as the guest mentor this week. Something tells me that decision will yield some confusing and eyebrow-raising moments on tonight's broadcast of Idol. Follow Bark + Bite as we tweet about Idol tonight on Twitter.

Follow Bark + Bite on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/barkbiteblog

Idol Talk on Twitter

Rather than do live blogs, Bark + Bite will now do live events with Twitter. I've been tweeting about Idol on Twitter for the past few weeks and I'd love for you to jump in the conversation. Tonight we'll be tweeting about the results show. Flo Rida is performing, which is gonna be either ok or really bad. I predict he'll be stiff and move very little, I guess steroid use stiffens the joints.

My bottom three prediction: Lil' Rounds, Blindman Scott and Matt Giraud. I'm crossing my fingers that Blindman Scott is sent packing.

Follow Bark + Bite on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/barkbiteblog

Excuse the mess

 

No, I don't mean that kind of mess. I'm talking about the broken links and images all over the blog.

As you might have noticed, Bark + Bite is having some technical difficulties. Our domain had some issues, so I'm moving stuff around right now. Everything should be up and running soon.

Enjoy some Aaliyah and Timbo while you wait.

Are you ready for some lists?

At this point, there's no point in me even continuing to apologize for the lack of updated posts. It's like a deadbeat dad promising that he'll really spend more time with you tomorrow, only to never call and never show up the next day. So I'm just going to say, I've been busy, damnit.

The good news is that a new year is approaching. I don't know about y'all, but 2008 hasn't been so great. (HA! You see my rhymez, son?) So I'm happy to kick 2008 to the curb and ring in 2009. Of course, you can't close out a year without compiling lists of all the things you did and didn't like during the year.

Yeah, you might say that it's a slacker way for journalists, bloggers and other media types to fill up copy space at the end of the year when they're too lazy or tired to come up with new material cause their minds have checked out for the year. Kind of like when your show's writers run out of steam and decide to toss a freaking clip show at the audience. But too bad, learn to love it. Everybody loves lists anyway.

So yeah, expect a bunch of year-end lists tomorrow on the blog. I'm sure you'll llove them.

Do you have Bark + Bite?

Are you into entertainment and pop culture news? Do you write? Are you (relatively) smart? Like blogging?

Then por favor, hit me up at rribeiro at voxant dot com. I am looking to add two writers to the Bark + Bite team but this ain't a reality show, I'm looking for quality. Please include in your e-mail a brief paragraph about yourself and your professional background, any relevant writing experience you may have and three of your favorite music artists. Please note: Anyone who is a fan of Soulja Boy will not be considered. I'm kidding....sort of.

Deadline: Dec. 20, 2008