Have a cuppa, shoot a video, win a scholarship!

Justin Guarini is the national spokesperson for the Calm-A-Sutra National Scholarship Contest sponsored by the Tea Council of the USA, announced today. Justin says he's proud to be involved in a project that promotes a healthy product and education at the same time. Justin is himself a long-time tea drinker (he once said his only appearance rider demand was hot water and tea), so he is the perfect spokesperson to sing tea's praises!

Winners receive a $20,000 scholarship and a trip to New York City to appear on the Early Show with Justin!

Drink Tea. Win Scholarship. Experience the 'Calm-A-Sutra of Tea' This May!

Recording Artist and American Idol Runner-Up Justin Guarini partners with the Tea Council of the USA to launch the "Calm-A-Sutra of Tea," a $20,000 Nationwide Scholarship Competition

Tea Council of the USA, Inc. launches $20,000 Nationwide Scholarship Competition with Recording Artist and American Idol Runner-Up Justin Guarini

NEW YORK, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tea Council of the USA, Inc. announced today the launch of the Calm-A-Sutra of Tea(TM), a nationwide scholarship competition awarding one creative student $20,000 towards their education plus an all-expense paid trip to New York City, in an effort to further educate America's young people on the health-related benefits of drinking tea.

The Calm-A-Sutra of Tea is a nationwide search for the most unique and creative way to drink tea, specifically black, green, white and oolong tea, all from the Camellia sinensis plant, explained in a one-to-two minute homemade Internet video that incorporates some aspect of tea's many health-related benefits.

As the world's most widely consumed beverage (next to water), tea is great tasting and calorie-free. It contains flavonoids that are believed to be health-protective antioxidants, which ultimately makes drinking tea part of a satisfying, healthy lifestyle.

"While educating the public on the emerging sciences supporting the health-related benefits of drinking tea is one of the Tea Council's main objectives, we also strongly support America's young people seeking a higher education," said Joe Simrany, President of the Tea Council of the USA. "The Calm-A-Sutra of Tea scholarship competition is the perfect vehicle for this Internet generation to take advantage of in their search for scholarships and financial aide for the upcoming 2007-2008 school year."

The Tea Council of the USA, Inc. has also partnered with recording artist and American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini as the official Calm-A-Sutra of Tea spokesperson. An avid tea drinker, Guarini supports the Tea Council's platform on educating young Americans about the health benefits of drinking tea through the immensely popular and ever-growing trend of using online video as the newest form of mass communication.

"As a singer, drinking hot tea has served as an essential part of my daily vocal warm-up routine," said Justin Guarini. "In addition to the fact that tea is an overall healthy beverage, I'm really proud to be working with the Tea Council in support of education in America."

The participant who submits the most creative and unique video, which emphasizes the health-related benefits of drinking black, green, white or oolong tea, will be selected by a panel of Tea Council representatives to receive a scholarship of $20,000 and an all-expense paid trip to New York City for themselves and a guest in the first week of June when the winner is announced.

All entries must be original Internet videos created by the entrant and must contain at least one valid message regarding Tea's health-related benefits, specifically black, green, white and oolong tea. Open to legal residents of the United States and Puerto Rico, who are at least 16 years of age, all entries must be received electronically at http://www.teausa.org/calmasutra no later than May 28, 2007.
The winner will receive a check in the amount of $20,000 paid directly to the school or educational institution on the winner's behalf and an all-expense paid trip to New York City, which includes round-trip airfare and two-night hotel accommodations.

Final judging will be conducted by a panel of representatives of the Tea Council of the USA, Inc. based on the following criteria:

HEALTH-RELATED MESSAGE (50%; Entry must contain at least one valid message regarding Tea's health-related benefits, specifically black, green, white and oolong tea), CREATIVITY (20%), INDIVIDUALITY (20%) and POPULARITY (10%). Entries that contain any nudity, sexual content, inappropriate language, unsuitable behavior or adult material will be automatically discarded and not considered for submission.

For more information, please visit http://www.teausa.org/calmasutra.

ABOUT THE TEA COUNCIL OF THE USA:

The Tea Council of the USA is a non profit association that was formed in 1950 as a joint partnership between tea packers, importers and allied industries within the United States, and the major tea producing countries. It functions as the educational arm of the tea industry with a primary goal of increasing overall awareness of tea by providing information about its many positive attributes. One of the Council's primary objectives is the dissemination of key scientific findings about tea to the public. The Tea Council does this in several ways including: funding scientific meetings to bring tea researchers from around the world together to share key information and identify next steps for future research projects; and
working with health organizations and international scientists to disseminate information about potential positive health effects of tea consumption on a public level. Additional efforts of the Tea Council include outreach to the health professional community, support and monitoring of key scientific meetings internationally, and ongoing interaction with leading tea researchers.

Check out the Early Show video on youtube:



Can't wait to see that videos are entered in the contest!

Link

American Idol Country Night - No Excuses

American Idol once again has Country Night, and most of the performances were, well, not so good. Of course, Melinda Doolittle did great. She proved, though, that it's not the music, it's the singer.

If you're called upon to sing a different genre of music, you've got to find a way to connect. That doesn't mean you have to suddenly start singing with a twang, wearing a cowboy hat and line dancing. But you do have to discover what you can do with your voice that compliments the style of the music. Remaking it entirely into your comfort zone doesn't count.

Here's a little seen gem. While the first season of Idol did not have a country music night, they did do a country segment in the (in)famous American Idol in Las Vegas special. Justin thrilled the audience by breaking out a warm baritone for this sincere, lingering version of Desperado. It was different from his usual style, and it was gosh darn good (to put it in country terms). Plus, he didn't use nasally as a form of singing, if you know what we mean.

Justin Guarini sings Desperado

Hooking Up on Myspace Can Lead to Artistic Pleasure

Hey, we're not above using a little titillation to perk up interest. Heh.

This week, Justin debuted a brief version of a new song on American Idol Extra, called "Eventually." You can watch the video below.

As he explains, he wrote the song with a British writer/producer named Pete "Boxta" Martin. Although Boxta is making a name for himself in England, working some of the best artists in the UK neo-soul movement, Justin didn't hook up with him any old-fashioned way. He didn't have an A&R guy at a record label arrange a meeting; he didn't run into the guy at a concert or some industry function. He saw Boxsta's myspace icon on another writer's page and looked him up.

Myspace, not just for teen angst, garage bands, and dating site spam.

Justin Guarini debuts a new soul/R&B song called "Eventually"


One thing you can tell even from that short snippet is the difference it makes when an artist is part of creating the music from its inception. At the time, it wasn't noticeable, but comparing to now, you can see how little Justin enjoyed singing most of the material from his first album. It wasn't chosen for him as much as tossed at him with a "here, record this." Now, you can see how much Justin loves performing his new material, both this song and those written with Greg Gordon Smith. A light exudes from him on stage.

Something else intrigues us about this new song. If you think about it, "eventually" isn't exactly the most musical word. Among other things, you've got the rhythm issue. Is it "e-ven-tu-al-ly" or "e-ven-chally"? Then, it's just a rather vague adverb. You have to build a story around it because it doesn't exactly tell one on its own.

The title "Eventually" brings to mind a great groove track by Amos Lee called "Sympathize." "Sympathize" is similarly not a particularly musical word, and it needed a good story to sell it. Amos did pretty good, don't you think?

"Sympathize" by Amos Lee

We've only heard a minute thirty seconds of "Eventually," but it seems Justin and Boxta also found a hook that works. Justin the singer tells the object of his affection he's going to stick around because "Eventually" she'll figure out she should love him. Guess we have to wait for the remaining three or so minutes to hear the rest of his appeal, but here's hoping she figures it out by the end of the song. That would be "eventually" enough for us.

Justin Guarini to do live-in studio performance on American Idol Extra!

A Fox Reality Original Series: 'American Idol Extra' with Host JD Roberto, a Live Performance by Guest Justin Guarini, and a Feature Segment with Kellie Pickler!
Thursday, April 5

6:30P ET with an Encore Performance at 10:30P ET

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In this episode:

Host JD Roberto will be the FIRST to interview the eliminated contestant from the remaining Top 9 to bring reality fans the whole “American Idol” story. In this episode, Justin Guarini (“American Idol” Season 1 runner-up) makes a guest appearance and gives a live in-studio performance! Watch as Justin’s “American Idol” knowledge is tested by a fan in the new “American Idol Extra” Superfan game. Plus, this episode features a special segment with former “American Idol” contestant Kellie Pickler (season 5). Tune in every Thursday, now through May 24, for all the drama and emotion, moments after the elimination results are announced.

ABOUT FOX REALITY

Fox Reality launched May 24, 2005 to become the first destination for lovers of unscripted programming. The channel offers major US network favorites, exclusive international reality programming, Original Series and Specials. Fox Reality offers reality viewers more of their favorite reality programming with RealityRevealed in Primetime with never-before-seen footage, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes secrets and more reality fun. Fox Reality distribution is set to propel past 35 million subscribers in its second year, becoming one of only four new networks to achieve that feat. Its programming is available on television, broadband, cellular phones and other leading mobile devices. It recently entered into a sweeping deal with Apple® to deliver upcoming original series to iTunes® (excluding American Idol Extra). To get more information on Fox Reality programs and schedules, please visit foxreality.com.

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070404005791&newsLang=en