Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Music Makers


 

Blog for Mass Communications class:

                Music is a big part of the media.  It can express and explain things in ways that acting and just mere words can’t even fathom.  Lyrics speak pretty true, but music can speak just as loud.  Music is an outburst of the soul, simple as that.  There are so many genres of music so that people have numerous views and opinion of certain songs, bands, chords, keys, and styles.
                My favorite genre of music is Christian Rock.  I love music that inspires me, and I love to jam, so two different styles meet halfway to make a completely new style of music.  My favorite band is a Christian Rock band from Nashville, Tennessee, simply called Red.  I like their musical style that sets them apart from other groups.  I’m fascinated by their unique distortions, drop-A tuning, sweet but mysterious piano solos, and heavy guitar riffs.  Even the lyrics are pretty cool.  Frontman Mike Barnes tends to combine sweet melodic vocals with powerful and spine-chilling growls and screams.  Even though it may take a few times of listening to the songs to realize it, but all of their songs reflect their Christian roots and stance.  At first, I thought they sounded pretty scary.  Then I kept on listening to them, and now Red is my favorite band.
                Red has found success in the Rock scene, as well as the Christian charts.  They have many fans from many different cultures and religions.  Red has received a lot of respect because they have been successful in several music scenes, yet they never forget who they are and the divinity behind their music, unlike many other Christian bands and artists who “went secular” and seemed to fall from grace.  Red sticks true to who they are, Christians who like to rock.  As long as they stay focused on that, they should have little to worry about.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Second Thoughts

Independent Blog Post
A couple weeks ago, I said that I have a calling for music. I put great emphasis on it, as well. However, I'm starting to have second thoughts about it. Sure, I'm all about some music, but I'm not sure if it will be as vital as I've made it out to be. I know that a degree in Communications will open the door to a world of opportunities for me, but I'm beginning to doubt that music will be my priority, my monopoly, my being. The truth is: I still have little to no idea what the Lord wants me to do with my life. I have many possibilities and opportunities, but I can't pick out a specific purpose. Fortunately, that's exactly what college and young adulthood is for! Thankfully I have time to figure out what I want to do with my life. I know God put me in Communications for a reason. All I can do for now is find out!
I know I have a purpose; I just need to find it.

The Film That Shaped My World

This is another blog post for Intro to Mass Communications.
There are lots of movies that intrest me, but the film that stuck out to me was Batman Forever.
 I first watched it when I was about three or four years old. After seeing that film, I was crazy about Batman and the rest of the Justice League. From that, I became interested in superheroes such as Superman, Green Lantern, Flash, and other DC Comic heroines. The reason I like Batman is because he's doesn't have super powers like the other guys, but he's still very smart, determined, and heroic (his enemies and adversaries have supernatural abilities, however). Such traits of Batman gave him nicknames such as the Great Detective, the Caped Crusader, and the Dark Knight. I understand I may sound like a crazy little kid talking about Batman, but it was the film Batman Forever that opened my eyes to all those movies, TV shows, etc. I also became interested in other Batman movies. I enjoyed the two movies in the late 80's and early 90's, Batman and Batman Returns, starring Micheal Keaton as Batman. Of course I like Batman Forever with Val Kilmer, but Batman and Robin with George Clooney sucked. I find the recent films starring Christian Bale, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, to be interesting since the plot and nature of the film seem more realistic, yet very epic.
The motive of this blog post is: Batman is da bomb!
    

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Reader's Choice: Magazines


This is my 3rd blog post for Intro to Mass Communications.
Magazines have been a very popular means of media. In a strange way, they have paved the way for celebrity gossip TV shows, blogs, even Facebook and Twitter. I’m not an avid fan of magazines, but there have been a few that have stuck out to me. However, those magazines showed up in my life at different times.
First off are the Highlights/Weekly Reader magazines. Back in elementary school, we would get those magazines for free, and I was stoked about getting to read them and mess with the coloring and drawing activities within the magazine. I liked how the magazine would takes current events, even devastating ones like the 9/11 attack, and distribute the news in way that kids could understand and not be scared for their lives. I’m not sure if the school still does that; I know that my 8-year-old sister Makenna would really enjoy that. However, those magazines were some of the things that helped me strive for knowledge and excellence.
One day, I’m sitting at the dentist’s office waiting for my checkup appointment. There are a bunch of dumb magazines, but I pick one off the table and read it to kill time.  I really enjoyed reading Sports Illustrated at that point. It discusses none other than…wait for it…SPORTS! How surprising! It’s like if Sports was a magazine and took steroids. It’s very insightful on what all’s going on in professional sports, from football to baseball to even bowling and billiards. It found great success as a weekly magazine, but now it also gives instant updates online. I don’t read the Swimsuit Editions; I’m not a pig!
Online magazines have become more popular as of late, and I’ve recently stumbled across one. It’s called Hopecore Magazine. It gives information on Christian Rock, Hardcore, and Metal bands in the media today. Most of the articles give info on new albums and how God is working in the lives of the band members. A large portion of the bands mentioned aren’t popular in the mainstream, but there are some articles on popular Christian mainstream bands such as Switchfoot and Owl City. The online magazine isn’t as popular as Sports Illustrated, of course, but it’s very insightful of music and bands that I like, and I enjoy reading it when I can.
Magazine:   still kicking after all these years!!!

Friday, February 17, 2012

My Calling


Here's one of my independent blogs.
                I feel like God has called me to some type of ministry.  It is weird how He is working in my life and how all the small things have come together to make a massive structure.  When I was in elementary school, I had no plans for music.  In fact, I had no plans at all, being so young.  My mom forced me to join the band in middle school; because band would help me in college financially (I understand it now).  Over time, I got better at playing the trombone and interpreting music theory, still with no music plans.  Then in eleventh grade, the praise band at church was without a bass guitar player, but the church had its own guitar.  With the help of the amateur music knowledge I got from marching band, I basically picked up the bass guitar and performed with the praise band at church just four days later.  I was very excited to receive my own bass guitar for Christmas that year.  Then I received a 5-string bass guitar for Christmas during my senior of high school. 
I came to ICC with plans for Architecture/Civil Engineering, but I felt like there were some things telling me to choose a new career path (God, and crappy Calculus).  So I changed my major to Broadcasting.  That’s right; I gave up a life of $100K a year for God and to be happier with myself.  I’ve been told that I have a good Communications voice, but I felt there was more to my future than just running my mouth.  Then it hit me during a BSU Mission Trip to San Francisco.  At the seminary where we were working, I was eating lunch with several student ministers.  We had a pretty epic conversation.  They asked me about ministry, and I talked my interest in music ministry. I told them I didn’t want to be a typical worship leader at a church where people have already heard the name “Jesus,” but to take the love of Jesus where it needs to be taken.  Then one of those guys told me something I’ll never forget.  A PREACHER told me, “If you want to do that, then play in a bar.”
It’s so unlikely for God to use a minister to tell me something like that, but IT’S SO TRUE!  Matthew 9:11-13 talks about Jesus congregating with tax collectors and other sinners.  Like a doctor heals the sick and not the healthy, Jesus came to save the lost.  He doesn’t desire sacrifice, but mercy.  The Communications field and the music calling all finally fell into the same pot.  However, God’s still working on me.  I’m in several bands, and I’m currently teaching myself to play piano and sing harmony.  Now when I speak or perform in crowds, whether it’s 6 or 6,000 people, my stage fright suddenly vanishes.  I may be nervous before getting on stage, but once I’m holding a microphone or instrument, I feel a great peace and comfort, like I was meant to do this. Weird, right? So if that’s what God wants from me…so be it!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Definition of the Mass Media


This is my 2nd blog for my Intro to Mass Communications class.
                This class is all about the mass media and mass communication.  The book states that mass media are technologies that carry messages to a large number of people.  Prime examples of mass media are the telephone, the television, the radio, and the internet.  Every person owns at least one of the previous listed items, and thus they rely on such to gain access to lots of information.  The process by which information is given and received by the audience and mass media is called mass communication.  With all the different technologies that we use as mass media, we are involved in mass communication as often as we even breathe.  Mass Communication is a huge aspect of our lives.
                Technology and the media grow and become more advanced over time.  Therefore, mass communication constantly revolutionizes like never before.  Hundreds of years ago, the only means of communication was by word of mouth or written letters, transported via horseback, which would take days or even weeks to reach out.  With the inventions of trains, automobiles, and airplanes, messages could be transported much faster.  Later, mass communication was revolutionized with the invention of the personal computer and the internet.  Written letters were less reliable, since people could just send emails over the World Wide Web, so they could reach their destinations almost instantly.  However, advancements in technology made way for much broader means of communications.  People wanted to become instantly connected with information and other people from around the world.  The development of online chat rooms and webcams allowed people half a world apart to communicate with each other.  Websites such as MySpace (not anymore), Facebook, Twitter, and various blogs have allowed a person to instantly let large amounts of people know various information, and even receive feedback. 
                Without Mass Communication, we could still be like cavemen!  Mass Communication is a part of our lives like the hair on our head (if you’re bald, you should know what I mean anyway).

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Self Introduction


This is my first blog for my Intro to Mass Communications class at school.
My full name is Matthew Douglas Cooper.  Some people call me Matthew, Matt, or Cooper, but most of my friends call me by my convenient nickname, Coop.  I was born at the hospital in New Albany, Mississippi, but I’ve lived near a town called Blue Springs all my life.  I attended North Pontotoc Attendance Center all the way from day one of kindergarten to high school graduation.  I’m currently at Itawamba Community College, with plans to transfer to Mississippi State University, majoring in Broadcasting and Public Relations.  My parents’ names are Jeff and Kim, and I have two younger sisters.  Morgan is 18 years old, and Makenna will be 8 in about two weeks.
I have changed in so many ways over the years, so it’s very difficult to summarize myself into a silly, little blog.  I guess I can start off with my favorite hobby: music.  I’ve been around music my whole life. My sister Morgan and I were practically raised on a tour bus for several years when my mom was part of a big local gospel quartet back in the mid-90s.  I joined the school band in sixth grade, playing trombone and not knowing where it would take me.  Through marching band, I’ve attended several honor band clinics, I’m currently in the band at ICC, and I’ve developed a sharp mind for music theory.  About 3 years ago, I basically picked up a bass guitar and performed in front of my church in a matter of only 4 days!  I currently play bass at my church, the Baptist Student Union and Wesley Foundation at school, and a praise band with some college friends called Facing East.  I’ve even been able to write my own songs, thanks to marching band.  My preference of music styles have even changed over the years.  I’ve always been a fan of gospel and contemporary Christian music.  I was once an die-hard country music fan.  I even went through a rap phase (biggest mistake ever).  Recently, I’ve begun listening to hardcore and metal music, and I’ve developed a liking to it.  Lately, I’ve taken a great liking to Christian rock, Christian hardcore, and Christian metal, with bands like Kutless, Red, August Burns Red, Demon Hunter, Underoath, and several more.  No matter the genre, I have a passion for music.
I'm experienced in Drafting and Design, and I originally wanted to pursue a career in either Architecture or Civil Engineering, before I switched to the Communications field.  I also enjoy playing sports.  Two sports in which I’m a novice are Ultimate Frisbee and Disc Golf.  I’m not very skilled, but I improve every day.
I’ve saved the best news for last: I’m a Christian.  I attend By Faith Baptist Church in Pontotoc.  I believe that Jesus Christ came here to die on a cross for all the sins of the world.  Because of His love, I will show love to others, no matter who they are.  For a few years now, my mantra has been, “keep the faith, crush the idols,” meaning that I will do my best to not give in to the evils of the world and stay focused on the God who gave me breath and the many talents and abilities that I’ve acquired over the course of my life.