The King of Pop, Michael Jackson has died...
I grew up listening  to the Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson.
My first slow dance in 6th grade was to the song "I'll Be There".
The girl I danced with was Nancy Clore. She was my first crush.
I remember the song ended I didn't want to let go! What a memory.

You  would be hard pressed find anyone from that generation
that didn't have a favorite Michael Jackson song. His music
created memories for not thousands but millions of people.
His music transended race.

I heard on the news, Michael Jackson was the most
recognized person in the entire world! I can't even
comprehend that! Just think, everywhere he went, someone
recognized him.

Did he have issues?
Yes, he had issues and the only people that will ever know
the whole truth on those issues are those that were involved.
For now, I wish to focus on the musical genius.

He influenced most if not all of the top Pop performers of today.
He not only changed a city, state, and country, he influenced
the entire world with his music.

I liked a number of Jackson 5/ Michael Jackson songs.
Thriller, THe Way You Make Me Feel, Rock With You,
Dancing Machine, She's Out of My Life, Human Nature...

My 3 Favorite Michael Jackson songs are:
1. I'll Be There
2. ABC
3. Man in The Mirror

Everyone has there own opinion of Michael Jackson and that's fine.
However, you can never take away the fact that his music has
touched, influnced and inspired more people throught the world
than any other performer.

With that in mind...
Leave a comment.  I'd like to know your favorite 3 Michael Jacklson songs...

Have a Great Day!

We got blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama today!

I recieved a phone call today about 3:05 Pacific time from
Ruth Hayward, the director of the Panchen Lama -Tashi Lhunpo Project.

She just finished having a private audience with His Holiness
the 14th Dalai Lama, along with  Khen Rinpoche Tsetan, Bob Hayward,
Paula Fouce and Catherine Josey from the Agape church.

The Dalai Lama was giving some private audiences the day
before his teaching at a University in Santa Barbara.

The topic during this Private Audience was the Panchen
Lama - Tashi Lhunpo Project, which is for the exile Monastery
in India.. This is a very special Monastery in the Tibetan tradition.
It was the very first Monastery of the Dalai Lama.

Khen Rinpoche Tsetan and Ruth shared with His Holiness
the work of Panchen Lama -Tashi Lhunpo Project which
included the Strings For Tibet Benefit concerts this weekend.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama blessed this project and all those
working with it.

That includes us!

Ruth called me at 3:05 this afternoon to share the news, after the audience
with the Dalai Lama.

I got goosebumps! I called all the musicians involved, plus behind the scenes people
Vickie Pieper, Kevin Davis,  Doug Taylor, and our sound guy Joe to let them know what
had just happened and they were all touched by the experience.

So once again here is the Event Information...

When: Saturday - April 25, 2009
Where: Spiritual Life Center:
Address: 1420 E. Harmon Ave, Las Vegas NV. 89119
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: FREE - Donations will be accepted

Web Site: www.StringsForTibet.com

Hope To See You There,
Robby LeBlanc

Last week I had shared about the filming Vickie and I did of the
Tibetan Monk Khen Rinpoche Tsetan at Spiritual Life Center
in Las Vegas...

That meeting lead to another great project I want to share with you.
" Strings For Tibet".

A Benefit Concert For The Panchen Lama - "Tashi Lhunpo Project”
www.StringsForTibet.com

I will be performing along with a few of my musician friends
from Las Vegas. If you can't be here for this event, we are planning
on streaming this concert live!

This concert will be an offering of the soulful and heartfelt sounds
of strings to honor the 20th birthday of the missing Panchen Lama,
Gedhun Choekyi Nyima. This benefit concert will help raise funds
for his monastery in exile, Tashi Lhunpo, as blessed by our Patron,
the Dalai Lama.

(I am seeking a few volunteers to help me with this event.
Please Call if you think you can help out (702)798-1750)

In 2006 Khen Rinpoche Tsetan was asked by the His Holiness the Dalai Lama
to be the Abbot Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in exile, India. This appointment
is in the absence of the Panchen Lama, Gedun Choeyki Nyima, who
has been missing since the Chinese authorities took him and his
family into custody in 1995 when he was 6 years old.
===============================================
On April 25, 2009 there will be Two Concert Events:

Las Vegas Nevada Event:
When: April 25, 2009
Where: Spiritual Life Center:
1420 E. Harmon Ave, Las Vegas NV. 89119

Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: FREE - Donations will be accepted
——————————————————————–

Malibu California Event:
When: April 25, 2009
Where: Malibu (TBA)
Time: 2:00pm:-4:00PM

PLEASE NOTE: All the musicians invloved in these two concert
events have been asked to donate their Talent and Time. A number
of musicians will be performing at each event.

All money collected will go to The Panchen Lama - Tashi Lhunpo
Project, Inc is a 501 C 3 public charity organization. This non-profit
organization is dedicated to help protect an important Tibetan
Buddhist spiritual tradition, to honor its leader, the Panchen Lama as
recognized by the Dalai Lama,  and to improve the monastery in
exile and the conditions and number of monks there.

For More Imformation Specicially About The Tashi Lhunpo Project Inc.
Go To: www.thepltlproject.org

Hope To See You There...
Robby

Last night I played a music gig at the Flamingo Hotel Casino.
On the way home I stopped at 7/11 to pick up some oil for my car.
There was only one car in the parking lot I wasn't in the store more
than 2 minutes. I started walking back to my car which was at the
gas pump when suddently...

Wam! Sirens Blowing! Cop cars everywhere! I am surrounded by cop cars
and police officiers with gun drawn! At least a dozen flew into the 7/11
parking lot in seconds. I just stood still to see what was going on.
There was another guy at the gas pump pumping gas. Then 3 more cop
cars came from 2 different direction at Desert Inn and Eastern, directly
in front of the 7/11.

Cops came out with guns drawn! Then on the speaker, "Get out of
the car with your hands up", now!"  They guy at the gas pump ask
me, "what should we do?" I said don't even move! Cops were all over the
parking lot, guns everywhere, arresting  about 5-7 people.

This all happened in about 45 - 60 seconds...

I really likes those shorts!

And how was your weekend?
Comments on this post are welcome...

Have a Great Day,
Robby LeBlanc
 

I wanted to write a post just after last weekend about
the Tibetan Monk but so many exciting things have happened
since then...

Here is a photo of me with Khen Rinpoche Geshe Kachen
Lobzang Tsetan. Yes he has a long name but that also
includes his title. I braught a bag of stones with me
for him to bless. I'll write another post about the stones.

Sunday started with me playing at 2 services Spiritual
Life Center in Las Vegas. Khen Rinpoche came into the
church in the middle of the second service.

I was about to play my second song when he walked in.
At first I felt a chill, then excitement. I was feeling
something happen to my body...

Today was the day that I played my guitar synthisizer in
church for the first time. I created a special sound for
his holiness which was a combination of sitar and guitar.
It sounded awesome. I'll post the clip in another post.

He loved it. After I played Khen Rinpoche was invited to speak
to the church. He offered the sacred scarf to Reverend Doug
and To Joey Galon, the person that braught him to the church.

By this time I was back sitting in my seat, when Khen Rinpoche
called me up and said he was out of scarves but gave me a copy
of his book. We bowed head to head. This was just the beginning
to a magnificent Sunday and Monday.

About 80 people turned out for his workshop that afternoon.
Because we were filming him on Sunday, Vickie and I got invited
to a very small group of about 10 people and met personal with
this holiman.

That's all for now, but I have more to share that is really exciting.

I'll try to post again by Wednesday...

I'd love to here your comments...

Have a Wonderful Week!
Robby LeBlanc