Today's Thoughts

In exactly 9 days from today, we welcome the season finale of "Lakeshore's Rising Stars!" and despite the few negative people on the HTR Forum, I feel very strongly that this season was very positive and successful.

We made many improvements from season one including the following:

-2 Additional band members to help complete the overall sound
-More interactive website / blog to help keep our fans up-to-date
-The Stage which enhanced each performance
-Community First Credit Union's "Cash Cube"
-Judges/Audience Theme voting where we received over 4,000 votes
-Henri's Lounge which attracted families
-'Rising Stars! REPLAY' weekly talkshow
-In-depth weekly programs
-Overall Choreography of the combined songs
-Season one guest judges
-Stage Screen

And more...!

To those who feel the urge to "bash" LRS, be our guest. Simply stated. Now I don't want that to come across in an egotistical way, but quite frankly, there are a few individuals who feel they know "everything" about our show and are very passionate about spreading rumors and posting negative comments when in all reality, they really don't know what they are talking about, and it's somewhat comical!

Yes this is a "free" country and we are all blessed to have freedom of speech, but to those who want to continue to spread lies and attempt to knock us down, my only comment would be - "what goes around, comes around" and/or "you are what you say and do."

There are however, a few legitimate questions and concerns posted on the HTR Forum and as I stated earlier, we will only respond to those individuals who identify themselves and contact us directly. We are not hiding nor have we ever attempted to shy away from others. If someone wants to contact us, it would be very simple for that person to either send us an email to edgestarmedia@mac.com or call us at WOMT / WQTC Radio.

I believe that a few of the individuals on the forum holds a personal grudge and with that said, I would like to comment that if by chance they are reading this, I would like to encourage and/or challenge you to talk to me face-to-face.

Enough said...

Moving on, tomorrow beginning at 10:00 AM, tickets are set to go on sale for this year's finale! Stop down to the Capitol Civic Centre and purchase your season two finale tickets for only $20.00. This is the most anticipated show of the season and I can promise you that you will not leave the theatre disappointed! We have a great show planned including the return of the bottom five! That's right ... Dinah, Stephanie, Amanda Klein, Aimee and Victor will return and will each perform a special song! Plus, the 'Top 10' will come together and perform once more as a group! What else...? Well, you'll have to come and find out for yourself!

Tomorrow evening is also the final round of the competition with the 'Top 5' performing two songs. The first half will be selections that they themselves chose to end the season with. Then, the second half will be the songs that you the fans voted for! We will also welcome back, season one winner, Jessica Plansky as the guest judge! Tickets are still available at the CCC Box Office for only $15.00.

Speaking of Jessica, this past Friday evening, she performed at the annual "Showtime" variety show in Manitowoc. For more info on Jessica, visit her website at www.jessicaplansky.com and be sure to check out her blog at http://planskysblog.blogspot.com.

In other exciting news, be sure to check out official 'Rising Stars!' photos taken by Ken Cravillion by clicking the quick link titled "Ken Cravillion - Professional Photos" on the left hand side of the blog. There, you can view photos from Rounds 2 and up. You are also able to purchase photos if you would like, which by the way would make great memorabilia for the finalists to sign after the finale!

I also would like to apologize that EXCLUSIVE ONLINE VIDEOS has not been updated recently. After updating a few programs on my computer, it turns out that I lost these files and am being forced to start over! Therefore, this video site along with the photo site that I designed cannot be updated. You are still able to view these sites, however, until I can fix this problem, I am not able to release any new videos or rehearsal photos.

On a quick side note - during tomorrow's performance, the Community First Credit Union "Cash Cube" will be back on stage and someone in the audience will have the chance to win $300.00! Our thanks goes out to CFCU for their support of LRS and this exciting new feature!

Don't forget to purchase your official "Lakeshore's Rising Stars!" apparel tomorrow evening at HUGE discounted prices! We have polos, sweatshirts, t-shirts and hats ... ALL ON SALE! We have a limited supply left, so be sure to pick out your favorite merchandise before it's to late!

Sneak Preview ... this Thursday, we will be the feature story in the Herald Times Reporter WEEKEND Edition, so be sue to check that out as well. During yesterday's rehearsal, the HTR interviewed the 'Top 5' as well as Riley and myself, so we're excited to see what they are going to publish.

Lastly, don't forget to mark it on your calendars that at this year's County Fair, the winner and runner up will be performing in the Ice Center on Saturday, August 25 from 5:30 until 7:00. This is a free concert with your paid gate admission into the fair, which by the way is only $9.00! This will be another great year for the County Fair with headliners Steve Holy on Friday night and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts on Saturday night!

Again, thank you to all those who have supported us throughout the years and continue to support us currently. Please contact us directly at edgestarmedia@mac.com with any and all of your questions, comments or suggestions. We do appreciate all feedback (positive and criticism) and we will be reviewing everything after the conclusion of season two.

As of today, we have not decided if we are going to produce season three, but hope to make some announcements including the lineup of this year's 'Encore Show' within a few weeks exclusively on the blog.

-TES