Ryanhood Performing

The popular  Ryanhood will be performing at the Rialto Theater this Friday April 9 to benefit the extraordinary student achievement program OMA. (Opening Minds through the Arts) The OMA program is a revolutionary teaching program that has benefited K-8 classes in the Tucson area since 2000.

The schools taught by the OMA method have continually increased grade scores over traditional methods.  The OMA designed curriculum uses the arts integrated in different art forms-music, dance, visual arts and theater arts to teach the academic standards of math, science, reading, writing and social studies.

The results documented by an independent research firm determined that the OMA program raises test scores for EVERY child regardless of ethnicity or socio-economic background. This program has proven to increase attendance and reduce discipline problems. It has been prescribed as a solution for under-performing schools.

For more information: http://www.omafoundation.org or to register: http://www.omanetwork.org

Ryan Green and Cameron Hood

Ryanhood has recently toured an OMA school and is forging a working partnership with them. This relationship has resulted in collaboration for this concert benefit.

On the streets of Boston – in between classes at Berklee College of Music – Ryan Green found his calling with childhood friend Cameron Hood. While busking with their acoustic guitars, the two were snatched up by Clear Channel’s Tea Party Concerts booking agency.  Since then, the two, under the name Ryanhood, have toured the country opening up for artists such as Jason Mraz, Kelly Clarkson, Lifehouse, Matt Nathanson, Mat Kearney, and the Plain White T’s.

One part comedic exchange and one part music ensemble, Ryanhood has built a reputation around the country as one of the most entertaining and engaging acoustic duos today, performing 135 dates in 2008 alone. Their airtight vocal harmonies, along with Ryan’s rapidly precise guitar riffs and Cameron’s soulfully rich lead vocals, create the pleasantly distinguishable “Ryanhood” sound.

The song “Stopless,” off of their new album, features their signature duo vocal style: echoing each other throughout the verse then falling effortlessly into perfect parallel harmony over the chorus.  Shimmering acoustic guitar hooks by Ryan and a steady rhythmic foundation set by Cameron supports this playful back-and-forth.

Their new album, The World Awaits, produced by Grammy winner Ross Hogarth (Melissa Etheridge, Ziggy Marley), features the same feel-good breakdowns and radio-ready hooks that fans have loved about Ryanhood for years.

Tickets for the show at the Historic Rialto Theater:  $10 General Admission (standing only) & Balcony Seating $15.

Address: 318 E. Congress St. Tucson, AZ

All Ages Show

OMA (Opening Minds through the Arts Foundation) is presenting its OMA Artist Series this Sunday (January 24) with performances by the artists working with children in their OMA Program schools. The school program used by numerous schools in the Tucson area created by the OMA Foundation is a K-8 student achievement program started in the year 2000.  It uses arts integration in the different art forms—music, dance, visual arts,  & theater arts to teach the academic standards in math, science, reading, writing and social studies and has had astounding positive results in improved scholastic achievements.

Results documented by an independent research firm determined that the OMA Program raises test scores for EVERY child regardless of ethnicity or socio-economic background. This program has proven to increase school attendance and reduce discipline problems. It has been prescribed as a solution for underperforming schools.

(more…)

Innovate the PIXAR WAY

The authors of the best selling book THE DISNEY WAY have now released a new book, INNOVATE THE PIXAR WAY, designed for us animation junkies (I have seen all their films) and for business minded people wanting to hear about new keys to success.

Pixar is synonymous with creativity, magical stories and unforgettable characters, from Buzz Lightyear and Remy the Rat to Mike Wazonwski, Nemo and Wall-E.  Behind the fun, however, is a set of deeply routed core values that champion excellence, tap innovation and encourage collaboration.

In Pixar’s own words, their “objective is to combine proprietary technology and world-class creative talent to develop computer animated feature films with memorable characters and heart warming stories that appeal to audiences of all ages.”  Pixar’s winning formula has created 10 Blockbuster hits in a row grossing over $5 Billion and costing a little over $1 Billion dollars to make.

Several years ago while I attended San Francisco State University’s Multi-Media program I was fortunate enough to go inside Pixar, Lucas Arts and many other companies like them. What I noticed was a major change in the way they did business. The old hierarchal system of doing business was giving way to more of a collaborative management style. The meeting tables were round and everyone of the team at the table was as important as any of the others. No one boss talking to the pecking order.

(more…)