I used to have a dream of becoming a professional musician, or more like the world’s most famous guitar player, winning MTV and musician choice awards. Well, it didn’t actually turn out that way.

Going to a music school in my home town I soon learned that I was a terrible musician. I couldn’t play the guitar at all, and I know my classmates were making fun of me behind my back. That hurt my feelings, because I really wanted my dream to come true. But with most dreams you wake up, and so did I. Fortunately, I found a different passion, and that passion was for singing.

Singing was something that was a lot easier for me than playing the guitar, and I have no idea why. Perhaps it was because of the technical nature of playing the guitar, perhaps I have voice chords of gold. Anyhow, I soon became the sing star of high school and found myself in a studio with the latest music recording software. This turned out to be one of several times I recorded in a studio, however, this dream too came to an end when grown up life put its chains on me.

It’s strange how some people make it in life and thousands do not. Living out your dream really takes courage, discipline, and the strength to go against the herd. Herd mentality is one of the biggest enemies of all accomplishments, so if you want to make a difference in life it is usually a good sign that walking the complete opposite way as everyone else.

Looking back at the time in a music recording studio, playing concerts in front of large crowds, and simply having fun with my band mates, I really miss it. It sure beats a desk job. So don’t follow in my tracks, or the tracks of all the other failed musicians out there. Stick to your dream, and perhaps you will some day receive a musicians choice award of the highest ranking kind.

On 21st February 2009 the German music award, the Echo, will take place at O2 World in Berlin for the 18th time. Since 1992 the award has been given for 24 categories every year.
As usual, this year there will be a lot of national and international celebrities from the music industry. U2 are going to present their new song “Get on your boots” live! Not only on stage but also in the audience there will be loads of famous people who have been nominated for the “famous” award. One of those will be Lenny Kravitz and Jack Johnson who are both nominated for the “Best international male rock artist”. Or Madonna and Amy Winehouse who are competing for the award in the category “Best international female pop artist”. Now we have to wait to see which of them will finally take the prestigious award home.
The actress and singer Barbara Schöneberger as well as the comedian and presenter Oliver Pocher will present Echo this year.
The German Phono academy organises the show every year and the winner of the Echo is based on the music charts. The best national live act is voted online so everyone can participate. A special panel of judges decides who gets the awards for the life’s work and the special price.

This echo award is for artists representing rock/pop and folk music but every year in autumn there is the classic Echo which is for classic artists only. Since 2001 the Pop- Echo takes place in Berlin every year but the location for the Classic-Echo changes every year.
Tickets are available starting from 49 Euros (standing). Have a look on the official homepage echopop.de to see where you can buy the tickets. There you can also find more nominees in other categories.

If you want to see the Echo and all the celebrities live you should have a look for tickets soon since a lot of people want to see the event. You should also have a look for an Unterkunft Berlin soon. If you are looking for a Hotel Berlin you should hurry up since they are booked out quickly in Berlin. Do not forget that Berlin is a famous destination for tourists! You could also have a look for a Ferienwohnung in Berlin which might be an even cheaper alternative to a hotel. An apartment is also bigger than a hotel room so you and your travel partners have much more space!

Since her debut in 1982, Madonna
 has released many chart-topping albums and singles, and has sold more than 200 million albums worldwide. Billboard reported that her 2006 Confessions Tour holds the record for the top-grossing concert tour by a female artist. According to both the 2007 Guinness Book of Records, and Billboard, she is the top earning female singer. Madonna is the richest female singer in the world, and one of the richest self-made women in the world, with an estimated net worth of over $850 million. On September 27, 2007, she was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.