MadFrog 13 National Nicky Wins New Years Classic Tournament

Noelle's volleyball team won their first tournament of the year.  Going undefeated in the New Years Classic at the VIP in Plano, Texas.  Her team is going to be strong again this year.  You can watch the games at UStream - MadFrog.

Helms Girls Do Pitch Perfect Beat

My girls are obsessed with the movie Pitch Perfect.  In the movie the main character (played by Anna Kendrick) auditions for the Barden Bellas and does a beat with a cup while singing.  Here are Brittany and Noelle imitating the beat.

Helms Family Christmas 2012

Below are a few pictures from Christmas 2012.

Family picture.

Noelle opening her stocking.

Josh with a Rudolph nose.

Skylin opening another craft related gift.

Skylin with her light necklace on.

This is a great video of Skylin and Josh when they opened the Go Go Pogo stick.  Love the reaction.

Skylin trying out the pogo stick.

Triniti celebrating her new Under Armor sweatshirt.

Shawn opening his new XBox controller.

Brittany opening up clothes. 

The kids reacting to the giant teddy bear.

Loving it.

Me opening some new cuff links that Misty got me.

They are incredible!   They are made from a piece of a game used ball from Yankees stadium.

Josh in his new Harry the Platypus shirt.

Triniti opening a gift.

Brittany getting an ugly Christmas sweater.

Sky opening a gift.

Josh hanging out with his big brother.

Jerry in his new hard hat.

Della with her apron from Heather.

Josh with his new lightsaber.

The Wilkerson kids and part of the Helms clan.

The Helms cousins.

Drew and Jerry opening up a gift.

I Missed My Calling

Those that know me best, know that I believe I missed my calling - to be an A&R Rep (short for Artists and Repertoire).  These are the people at the record companies that are in charge of finding new talent.   This is my dream job.  I love music and believe I have a good ear for voices, artists and music that will be popular.  I am sure I am not the only person stuck in corporate America or a blue collar job that thinks they have this talent.  But, over the years, I have been able to identify songs and people that are going to be big, before they are. Oh well, I have 6 kids so I guess I will stick to my current job.

I was just in Finland and introduced my good friend Alfred Cheng to a few new artist and songs.  He generally tolerates my imposition of new music.  However, once in a while, I think he actually appreciates it.  With that in mind, I thought I would put together a list of the 7 best female singers I know - that you have (likely) never heard of.  I hope you hear someone you like.

• Jaymay - Jaymay is one of these little known, folksy, niche, artists that actually got her start on YouTube (think Justin Bieber).  She is now signed to a record label but is still not well known.  

   

• Tristan Prettyman - Not sure Tristan should be on this list. She actually is fairly well known. Her ex-boyfriend is a superstar - Jason Mraz. But, most people I talk to have never heard of her.  So, here you go.  Tristan singing "Love, Love Love."

  

•  Holly Starr - Holly is a terrific and certainly completely unknown Christian singer.  My niece Heather Hayselden, introduced me to her a few weeks ago.  She has a great voice and I think will end up being a star (pun intended).  Enjoy "Don't Have Love." 

•  Jamie Grace - Another (fairly well known) Christian singer.  She has risen to fame in the last year or so.  She is fairly well known because she is on a record label owned by tobyMac.  Here she is with a fun Christmas song called "Christmas Together."

   

Jamie's biggest song is "Hold Me" featuring her boss - tobyMac.

   

 Now for two artists that have really big songs, but are not very well known. Yael Naim and Priscilla Ahn.

• Yael Naim - I am sure you have heard the song "New Soul" (likely on an Apple commercial).  But Yael Naim is a great talent and more than a one hit wonder. Here is "New Soul."

   

•   Priscilla Ahn - As I was listening to one of my Pandora stations and they played a song called "Dream" by Priscilla Ahn.  It is a great song that shows off her unique voice.  I only like a few of her other songs.  She needs some work on diversity and creativity, but I like her. 

   

• Jayme Dee - I saved the best for last. Jayme Dee is absolutely terrific. Last year one of Brittany's friend, April Brown, introduced me to her.  I was hooked after about 15 seconds.  Jayme was unsigned at that point, but has since signed with a major record label - Universal Republic Records. Here is Jayme singing a cover of Foster The People's song "Pumped Up Kicks."  She made this cover before she was signed to her new label. 

   

This next song is Jayme's newest (available on iTunes). This is one of her first post-record-label songs.  It is called "Tip Toes."

   

Here is Jayme Dee singing an informal, fun and incredible version of "Santa Baby."  Posted 4 days ago.

Wow.  This girl is really good!

Enjoy!

12/12/12 12:12

December 12, 2012 at 12:12 am.  Neat.  That will not happen again until January 1, 2101.  Maybe one of my kids will still be alive to see it.

Location:Kalastajatorpantie,Helsinki,Finland