A Happy Birthday to Haley Reinhart

Welcome to this special birthday edition.  As you know Haley will be turning 21 this Friday, a major milestone as birthdays go.  Let's all wish her a very happy birthday!  It's only fitting that her passage into adulthood arrives in the wake of her recent success on Idol and inking a major record deal.  Although she won't be getting the day off because the Idols Live tour is scheduled for Toronto that night, I hope she'll find some time in her hectic schedule to celebrate this special moment with friends and even family.  To commemorate this occasion I've compiled a few facts and pictures (and a couple of videos).  So, without further ado....

On September 9, 1990 a star was born.

Haley's Sign: Virgo

Element: Earth

Stone: Sapphire

Planet: Mercury

A Virgo's Life Pursuit: To do the right thing

Virgo's Vibe: Compassionate and caring

A Virgo's Secret Desire: To love and be loved in return

Virgo in a nutshell: When a Virgo is confident within themselves they are the most successful, structured and creative of all the signs.

 

1990 was a Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. The Horse is a fine animal: noble, strong, beautiful, determined, temperamental, with great stamina and endurance.  Sounds a bit like Haley, right?

A free spirit, Year of the Horse individuals (Horses) cherish their independence and rarely seek authority for answers.  Always looking for excitement, they need constant stimulation to appease their wild and restless souls. 

Their endless energy keeps them on the move and it is often hard to slow them down.  They approach all tasks with great enthusiasm and can work on multiple projects without distraction.

Horses are known for their quick wit and never lack for friendship.  Many are affected by their good humor and endless cheer.  They have a persuasive nature which helps them obtain whatever they desire.

Pretty in Pink, Part 1: "I want my pink teddy"

Here's a little three-minute clip I put together for our birthday girl to the backdrop of a great John Lennon love song.  Yeah I know, slideshows like these are a-dime-a-dozen on YouTube, but mine is 'extra special' of course.  Besides, I just can't get enough of those captivating eyes and that mega-watt smile.  Haley, this one's for making me fall in love again. 

Aww, I think my heart just melted.

On this Day in Music (Sept. 9):
 
1941 - Otis Redding was born. His hit "(Sitting on) The Dock of the Bay" was recorded three days before he was killed in a plane crash in 1967. 

1956 - Elvis Presley made his first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show.  He would make a total of three appearances on the show.

1966 – Adam Sandler was born.  This SNL alumni's humorous Jewish-themed ‘Chanukah Song’ became a holiday hit in the mid-90's.  Sandler later went on to become a successful actor in such comedies and rom-coms as 'Happy Gilmore,' '50 First Dates,' 'Punch Drunk Love,' 'Grown Ups' and 'The Wedding Singer.'  Okay, it's a bit of a stretch to put him under 'This Day in Music History,' but I'm a fan so sue me.  BTW 1966 was also a Year of the Horse.  And happy birthday to you too, Adam.

1967 - "Soul Man," by Sam & Dave, was released.  Yep, Haley's got soul in spades.

1971 - John Lennon's LP "Imagine" was released.  You gotta be kidding me.  The Beatles are arguably Haley's biggest musical influence and it just so happens by coincidence that Lennon's second album featuring his greatest and most recognizable title track, this heartfelt, humanistic and compassionate ballad envisioning a world free of war and hunger, was released on this very same day in 1971?  'Imagine' that.  If this isn't karma then I honestly don't know what is.  Watch the video below and tell me if it isn't the most stirring piece of music you've ever heard.  "Imagine" is ranked #3 on Rolling Stone Magazine's '500 Greatest Songs of All Time.'

1972 - The Eagles' "Witchy Woman" was released.  I love the Eagles and, yes, Haley managed to bewitch quite a few of us.

1978 - "Beast of Burden" was released by the Rolling Stones.  Keith Richards said this song is allegorical, so here goes.  You might say that Haley was the most 'burdened' of all the contestants, bearing her cross every week enduring undue criticism from Randy and JLo.  She also has a tendency to unleash the 'beast' within her whenever she's in dire straits, like when she sang for her life during Hollywood Round 3 with 'God Bless the Child,' Top 5 week with 'House of the Rising Sun' and the week after that with 'I Who Have Nothing.'  "Beast of Burden" is #435 on Rolling Stone Magazine's '500 Greatest Songs of All Time.'

Pretty in Pink, Part 2: "My date for the prom" (oh c'mon a guy can dream, right?)

Happy birthday, Haley!  Well, that's it for this special birthday edition.  I really shouldn't have, but below is also David Archuleta's version of "Imagine" from Season 7 for the ladies out there.  Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come back next Wednesday for the continuation of my Top 10 (now Top 5) countdown.