Golden Slumbers ... And the third part of the Abbey Road medley

Performed by our buddies, The Fab Faux, with Rich Pagano on drums, Will Lee on Bass along with the rest of the band at Sirius Radio studios in NYC. Enjoy:

Eight Words

One-two-three-four-five-six-seven-eight.

A very interesting take on the first eight words of a speech or pitch. It was published on boston.com and I would like to pass it along:

By Allison Shapira, Harvard Kennedy School

A few months ago, I interviewed a number of venture capitalists about public speaking as it relates to the hundreds of startup pitches they hear.

I asked, “What’s important to you in a pitch?”
There was one answer I’ll never forget. It came from David Wells of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Buyers.
He replied, “Within the first 8 words, I’ve decided whether or not to keep listening.”
8 words.
I frowned for a second, unsure if I had heard right. Then I asked, “What are you looking for in those first 8 words?”

He replied (and I’m paraphrasing), “The core innovation. If it’s not in the first 8 words, it’s probably not there. That’s when I either stop listening or interrupt the speaker to ask.”
8 words.
In a nutshell, it’s about having a strong opening line. It’s about grabbing your audience’s attention so that they put down their iPhones and listen. Entrepreneurs need to get to the point and distinguish themselves from dozens of others promising the next game-changing idea. But the rest of us can use it every time we speak in public.

Think back to your last speech. What was your opening line?
Maybe it was, “I’d like to, um, thank the organizers.”
Maybe it was, “It’s great to be here.”
Maybe it was, “OK, so…”
Boring. What can you say that really makes people sit up and listen? Maybe it’s a personal story, an unusual quote, or a counter-intuitive statement. If you capture your audience’s attention early on, you are more likely to keep it.

When I write my opening lines, I think back to a book I read a few years ago called Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath. Their theory of what makes ideas sticky, well, it stuck with me. They said that ideas with traction follow the SUCCESS model: they are Simple, Unusual, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, Stories. Any combination of those descriptors would make for a compelling speech opener.
So how exactly do you write one? First, determine the goal of your speech. What do you want the audience to do or walk away with? Second, brainstorm possible openers related to that goal and related to your audience – from quotes to stories to statements – keeping the Made to Stick model in your head. Make a list, then put it aside and let your brain keep processing for a few days. Think about it when brushing your teeth or while driving to work, and finally it’ll come to you. Good openers are part preparation and part inspiration, and you need time for both.
The audience’s attention is the most valuable reward it can give you. But you have to earn it. Start with the first 8 words.

Allison M. Shapira teaches public speaking workshops in the Harvard Kennedy School’s Communication Program and consults to entrepreneurs, corporate executives, diplomats, public officials, and nonprofit leaders from around the world. She is a Boston World Partnerships Connector.

Oscar Loves a Good Violinist

Many movie buffs and viewer of the 84th Academy Award Presentations are probably wondering who the violinist is as she played so perfectly on the balcony of the _______ Theatre.  Her name is Anne Marie Calhoun and here's her site:

http://www.annmariecalhoun.com

All-Star Tribute: Jeremy by Jimmy Fallon

The amazingly clever Jimmy Fallon performing yet another perfect lampoon - with this performance being a tribute to "Linsanity" with an impersonation of Pearl Jam's lead singer, Eddie Vedder.

President Obama with BB King & All-Star Blues Band

It's been a pretty cool month of February for Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks as they took home the GRAMMY for Best Blues Album then supplied the Bluesy back-up for BB Kin, Mick Jagger and President Barack Obama when The White House staged a special night of celebration for Blues to be aired by PBS.  The vent was streamed live on White House (dot) gov and the highlight of the evening, President Obama opening the vocals for "Sweet Home Chicago" in the finale, with Trucks, Tedeschi, and Warren Haynes among the all-star band members backing King and Jagger, among many others.

Here's a clip:

Hosted by actress Taraji P. Henson, the program included performances by Mick Jagger, B.B. King, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, Jeff Beck, Gary Clark Jr., Shemekia Copeland, Buddy Guy, Warren Haynes, Keb Mo, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks. Booker T. Jones served as music director and band leader.