It’s almost like watching a cheesy Japanese horror movie from the ‘70s, perhaps The Kracken Defies Godzilla. Yet here we are, in 2011, seeing two titans fight for social network supremacy. Of course Facebook, with its 650 million users worldwide is light years ahead of Google’s new Google+ product that is still in beta. However, Google+ has some great new features and ‘change waves,’ especially in the tech field, can sometimes happen unexpectedly and with lightning speed.
In the meantime, there are three main differentiating factors with the new Google+ product—Circles, Sparks and Hangouts. Circles allows users to sort their friends into groups, which is not a Facebook option. Sparks is a new way to utilize Google news by topics, etc. And lastly, Hangouts is a group video chat option that allows people to pop in and out of communication with friends. For a lot more detail on these topics check out this LA Times story…
 
>>>While the heavy hitters talk about Facebook and Google+ this week (see above story), Twitter continues to grow, almost unopposed and with no direct competitor. Naturally artists and their team members endeavor to perch on the cutting, nay, bleeding edge with repsect to the best ways to bend and shape the Twitter universe. The following thenextweb.com story highlights an important change in the requirements for direct messaging.

Twitter verified accounts {Brands} can let followers Direct Message without following back. According to theNextWeb.com, The relaxation is aimed at providing Twitter users that have large follower counts with a private system with which they can receive a personal message without having to go through the tedious process of following the user, asking them to direct message them, and then unfollow the user after it has been sent. Twitter has not announced whether the feature has begun rolling out to all users.

It remains to be seen how brands and artists will respond to the new rules which are likely to result in added streams of personal messages to process.
 
>>>Hootsuite, the social sharing tool, recently passed the 2 million mark in signups. It hit one million users in Nov. 2010, seven months ago. The service, which is free for about 95% of its users, offers a multitude of tools for social networking handlers including custom interfaces, scheduled updates across all platforms, a plethora of social network analytics and more.
The company’s blog offers this description of its future direction:

Amidst all the consolidations, acquisitions and changes in the marketplace, we are proud to keep leading the way with unique features and thoughtful improvements. As the first social media dashboard, HootSuite has helped define new ways of understanding how social media tools and tactics can be applied to small and enterprise business, political campaigns, government management, civic revolutions, emergency response or just connecting with friends about hobbies you enjoy. With a heaping handful of networks already in the dashboard, look for more connections and tools to come as we are aren’t slowing down.
 

The Big Machine Label Group has landed naming rights for the Brickyard 400, which will take place Sunday, July 31 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Officially billed as the “Brickyard 400 presented by Big Machine Records.com,” this is BMLG’s latest flirtation with the racing world and the first time a record label has ever presented a nationally televised race in the Speedway’s history. Additionally, BLMG artists Rascal Flatts, Reba, The Band Perry, Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett and more will be featured at the event.
“Music and racing are in my DNA and I’ve been involved in connecting the two for quite some time,” says BLMG President & CEO Scott Borchetta. “With the recent sponsorship of Dan Wheldon’s Indy 500 winning effort, the Big Machine Records brand is more recognizable than ever. Now, the Big Machine Label Group is returning to Indy and bringing superstars Rascal Flatts, Reba, The Band Perry, Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert and others to create an amazing racing and music experience for the fans. If you don’t have tickets, run, don’t walk – this is going to be an incredible day and you want to be there!”
Moore, TBP, Gilbert, Rhett and more will perform acoustic sets to start the day’s festivities. Rascal Flatts will perform a pre-race mini concert, which will be partially broadcast on ESPN, before they sing the national anthem. Reba will be on hand to sing the traditional “America The Beautiful.” Fans will also have opportunities to meet and have autographs signed by BLMG artists.

Former North Dakota resident James Otto was deeply saddened by the recent tragic flooding in Minot, ND. In an effort to help those suffering from the devastation, Otto will host a live streaming benefit concert on StageIt.com on July 7th at 7 p.m. All proceeds including ticket sales and tips will be donated to Minot’s local Red Cross. Moreover, a benevolent fan who has chosen to remain anonymous will match up to $5,000 of monetary tips given during the show.
The concert is part of the series Otto began in early June called “Thirsty Thursdays” in which he performs via live streaming broadcast from his home studio, giving fans a front row experience and chance to hear new music and favorite hits.
“Since I am a former North Dakotan, this is near and dear to my heart. I hope all of you will join me for a very ‘Thirsty Thursday’ that’s more than just fun… it has the ability to make a great impact on those in need,” said Otto. “Please spread the word and join me!”
For more information about James Otto and “Thirsty Thursdays,” visit www.JamesOtto.net.  Tickets for the benefit show can be purchased at www.StageIt.com for $5 each.



• • • •

(L-R): Coach Gene Stallings, FUNL Music artist Amber Hayes, Kevin Turner and Ty Herndon. Photo: Christy Watkins.

(L-R): Foster's Grandpa in Joplin, Kenny Foster